Moving On

I like to move.

In fact, if I'm sitting still or standing without moving, you can bet I am:

a) Very, very tired.
b) Paying attention to something(s) else that I shouldn't be, or daydreaming briefly
c) Completely and utterly enraptured in what I am doing/seeing/listening to.
d) Planning my next move.
e) Resting briefly between movements.

Some people might refer to this as ADD. I like to refer to it as "energized". Suffice it to say, I have found that whatever I do, I am happiest when I am moving. Cycling, walking, rollerblading, snowboarding, running, rock climbing, rafting, kayaking, swimming, dancing, handspringing, bouncing, vibrating, whatever. I love it all. And when I get bored of one thing, I love finding and adopting something new.

My new goal in life is to never work an office job again. I'm currently applying for jobs as a canoeing instructor, lifeguard, camp program assistant, fitness coordinator, in health promotion... anything where the job description says "outside" or "very active". Mountains and payment would be icing on the cake. I have this strange desire to try tree planting. I'm trying to fight it, but you never know... I have a feeling I will eventually cave and do it for at least one summer.

All I can say is, whatever happens to me in this life, whoever I am with, wherever I go, whatever I see...

I hope I do it without having to stand still.

Picture: Let's Get It On.
Music: Red Jumpsuit Apparatus: Disconnected

Sick sucks.

So, I have a cold. Admitting the fact doesn't make me feel any better or any worse, doesn't make it go away faster or less painfully. But damn, it feels good to complain a little.

Yeah, I realize everyone else on the planet has been sick this last month. Well, sorry, but you should have kept it to yourself. Jerks.

But now I shall delite in a rampage of all the reasons is sucks to be sick.

1) Brain fuzzy. Midterms looming. Study study? No brainy? Aw, shucks.

2) You try to explain things in two word sentences because your brain is fuzzy and no one understands (Example: See above).

3) You ty to sthpeak wid a duffed up node, ad nobody uderstads.

4) Kleenex and cold meds are on sale the week before and the week after you are sick. I also think that student loans should add "cold meds" to their list of things they calculate your budget with. Like any student gets through a year of school without at least one or two viral attacks of hell.

5) You stifle your coughing all during class, making your eyes water and your throat burn, letting out only one or two coughs (covering your mouth) the entire time, only to have some crazy girl turn to you at the end of class and say "Thanks a lot. Now why don't you go to a doctor so at least I'll figure out what I'm going to catch". Ahem. That would be thoracic syphilis, biatch.

6) Despite rehydration attempts with mass amounts of lotion and balm (which burns every time you reapply), your nose dries out, your lips crack... and every time you blow your nose, the relief is so bittersweet, because you know another portion of nose-skin is gone... forever.

7) You cheer every time you sneeze (aka: approximately every other minute) because it is so much better than it getting stuck in your nose... I could make a lot of similes here, but I will abstain. Suffice it to say, sneezes stuck are more than just "unsatisfying".

Now that I have finished my rant, off I go to bed with me trusty nightcap (aka: nasty neo citron).

Song: One Heavy February - Architecture in Helsinki
Picture: Lost?

Bookworming it up.

'Tis the season of not having a lot to do. So here's to reading.

I pick up a lot of random books at the used book store down the street, but my indigo/chapters card has also probably saved me a bundle by now...

Here's a few to pick up that I've read over/since summer:

My Sister's Keeper (Jodi Picoult): Interesting for the individual character dialogues. The ending didn't seem realistic, but that's wasn't the point - I guess you'll have to read the book to find out what I mean. I love this book because it makes you think.

The Giver (Lois Lowry): If you haven't read this book in grade 4 like the rest of us, do it. In fact, come over to my house and I'll lend it to you right now.

Eragon (Christopher Paolini): I bought it on a whim and it was horrible because I couldn't put it down after I picked it up. I have a love-hate relationship with those kind of books. The most unbelievable thing, though, is that the author had this book published by the time he was nineteen.

The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold): Good, but can be hard to read at times... only read this book if you're in the mood for a good cry.

Life of Pi (Yann Martel): Everyone told me to read it. Now I am telling you to read it. The beginning is horribly slow, but trust me, it makes up for it...

Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden): It's on the best seller's list for a reason. Side note: I read this book while travelling on my bicycle this summer, and a beautiful trip should always be accompanied by a beautiful book.

Some books not to touch...

Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley): I know some people love this book. I hate it. Burnt it, in fact. It felt good.

Fall On Your Knees (Ann-Marie MacDonald): Have you ever read a book that had a great plot, but the author just could not write? Where it felt like you were reading a book you wrote in grade four? Well, this is the exact opposite. Ann-Marie has a fabulous writing style. Amazing. So amazing I had to finish reading it. But was it a good book? No. It was horrible from the beginning. No plot or direction. Nothing. Don't do it.

Here On Earth (Alice Hoffman): You think it will be a great book for the first half. Then the author gets her plot so tangled and complicated that she had no easy way out. Solution: She decides to stop the book randomly, leaving you feeling depressed, slightly irritated and thinking WTF?

I also have a lot of favourite books and authors, so I'll list a few here:
-Michael Crichton
-Mercedes Lackey
-Clive Cussler
-Dan Brown (DaVinci Code, Angels & Demons)
-Anything Harry Potter
-John Grisham
-Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game & Ender's Shadow)
-Jane Austen (Pride & Prejudice) ...You should check out the videos after, both versions are pretty good.

Picture: My Robot Garden
Song: Bowling for Soup - Stacy's Mom*

*Some guy was scrolling through my ipod last night and said I listen to too much emo music, and asked if I was hurting on the inside.
To set the record straight, my insides feel just great. Wonderful, in fact, since I ate a steak for supper. And I listen to LOTS of happy music. And my non-happy music is mellow, not emo. So take that. Stupid emo guy.

Nightmare

Last night, while deeply asleep, I had a horrible nightmare. Got the night sweats and everything. What was this horrible thing of which I dreamt? Monsters? War? Falling? Pink bunny rabbits?

No. None of these things. In fact, it was much, much worse.

I dreamed... that I got a B.

*Gasp!*

At which point I tracked down my professor and demanded to see my final. And the reason I lost marks? Because I used the wrong colour of pen. I was so distraught, but somehow, in my dream, I managed to calculate what my GPA would be, and even with this disastrous mark, I managed to stay above a 3.5.

My conclusion:

My marks had better show up on Beartracks before I have a nervous breakdown in my sleep.
Or maybe... I should just step away from the books, calm down, and get a life.

Picture: Trying too hard?
Song: Over it - Like Satellites

Underwear

Above:
My roomate, Erin, modelling a new phenomenon -
plastic bag underwear. Available now at grocery
stores everywhere.

In order to commemorate the last two weeks of ridiculously subzero temperatures and wind chill, I have decided it is time to discuss an important winter subject.

Long underwear.

Now, for the last week and a half, I have kept my long underwear close to my heart. Or, more specifically, my legs and buttocks. In fact, I have kept a few pairs of long underwear close to my heart/legs/buttocks. And all this long underwear closeness has made me think of a few important facts that all fellow long underwear lovers and lovers-to-be should know. So, here they are. The ins and outs of long underwear-wearing.

1) The words "long underwear" may lead one to believe that they can replace your regular underwear. Just like the words "Second Cup" may lead one to believe that refills are free. Both of these, however, are misconceptions. In other words... don't forget your knickers.

2) Long underwear is a fashion trend in my home. If you like the idea of a long underwear party, or you are a fellow long underwear lover, come on over and show off your favourite threads.

3) Having your long underwear fall down underneath your pants is really awkward. Try to avoid. Perhaps suspenders... after all, you've gone so far into dork land as to wear long underwear. You're already in, might as well go all the way.

4) Having your long underwear fall down is not as awkward, however, as having your pants fall down... and not realize it because the sensation of long underwear makes you feel as if you were fully clothed. Make sure to wear a belt... or a second pair of suspenders may also do the trick.

All right, now that I've solidified my entrance into geekdom, it is time for me to go to bed early. Yes. Early on a Friday night. Go team.

Song: Alex Llyod - Still Waiting
Picture: Get Together?

Beauty Sleep!

I just have to say, I sure slept 13 hours straight and I never realized how amazing my face looks without under eye circles! It's like magic!!!!

Spread the word. You guys have got to try this.

Picture: This is how people get hurt
Music: Anberlin - A Day Late

Already envisioning post-exam bliss....