Un-Happy Halloween

I’m just going to say it. I hate Halloween. I mean it’s fun for the kids and I love candy and scary movies, but the spectacle that it has become? Ew. And I’m not alone here, anyone who has done their time in the service industry knows that Halloween is part of a family of holidays (also featuring New Years Eve, St. Patricks Day, and Canada Day) that are nothing more than amateur night. Something about these holidays make people wake up thinking they can drink way more than they could the week before. It doesn’t make any sense but I assure you, it happens. Girls cry.  Boys fight. People everywhere puke and pass out. Ugh. It’s the worst.

And, for me, Halloween is the biggest offender of all. I think that it is because of the costumes. When someone is dressed as someone other than themselves, they feel totally comfortable not acting like themselves. The shy become bold, the awkward, cool and the kind, aggressive. I can’t speak scientifically to it, but it’s as though people think that if no one knows who they are, there will be no repercussions to their actions or words. Add this to the herd mentality, the fact that everyone is bolder, louder, meaner and the night just becomes a less fun place to be for those who aren’t participating in the gong-show.

And maybe I’m just being old and grumpy, jaded from years of being berated by people in masks every October 31st because the bar I happened to work in didn’t carry their favourite beer. But as I sit at home tomorrow night, binge eating candy and watching bad horror films I know there isn’t anywhere else I’d rather be.

Atwood the Genius

I read Life Before Man in my early twenties. That was a long time ago and most of the book’s details are now forgotten to me, but one thing stands out. In the book one of the characters faces both physical violence and emotional indifference from her lover. For her, the physical was (obviously) terrible, but it was the neglect that was going to leave the scars.  Upon reading this, the 21-year-old me was like Margaret!! You and me!! We’re the same!! It was a bold and controversial statement, but I got it. I got her. And I’ve been a huge fan ever since. 

Last night I had the privilege of being in the same room as Atwood. She was doing a reading from her latest book, MaddAddam, which I have admittedly not yet read. Prior to the reading she was having a drink with Nobel Prize winner Alice Munroe. No big deal. I bet they were drinking juleps.

The reading was great, as you would expect, but the highlight for me was the conversation afterwards. In a discussion with the moderator, the topic of video games came up–the real-life game Intestinal Parasites was inspired by her latest book. As Atwood is a loud advocate of technology, the moderator was careful not to say anything negative, “video games are the modern form of story-telling” she said in an obvious attempt to appease. “Ha”, giggled Atwood, “more like the modern form of crochet”.

I will always love her.

The Sadies

When I was 25 I had this boyfriend that I pretty much lived with. He had a friend who was pretty much living with him too, so we all hung out a lot. This friend drank too much and was going through a divorce because of it. He was going through a divorce and drank too much because of it. He was a sloppy and inappropriate drunk and he was drunk all the time. But despite this, this guy was extremely clever and charismatic and I really really really wanted him to like me.  He was really into the Sadies at the time, I think he found comfort in their music. I started listening to them because I thought maybe we could be friends if we had some common ground.

Both that ex and his friend rarely cross my mind these days, but I still listen to the Sadies all the time. Tonight I get to see them live.

 

Gravity and the Cinema

From 2001-2004 I think I saw almost every movie that was released by a major studio.

Raj and I at his wedding last summer.

I grew up in a town where there weren’t many pronounced cliques. There wasn’t a lot of socio-economic discrepancy. There weren’t enough stores for anyone to have much personal style. And there wasn’t enough to do to base your friendships on your hobbies. This meant the people that you spent your time with were your friends because your personalities just clicked. One of my best friends throughout high school was this guy named Raj. In 2000 I moved away to the big city (Calgary) and was introduced to a world of stereotypical social groups that I had only seen in the movies  until this point. While I don’t think I succumbed too much, when Raj moved there in 2001 on a basketball scholarship, his life became very much the life of a star varsity athlete. He was part of a special club that I wasn’t interested in, or invited to, join. For the first time in our lives, hanging out wasn’t super easy. So we started going to the movies every Tuesday. Every Tuesday for three years. It was our standing date and often the highlight of my week. When this era ended, so did my regular movie going. I still go now and then, of course, but not a lot. I miss it and I think it’s time to start going again on the regular…so I went on Tuesday!

I went to see Gravity. A couple weeks ago I asked Kurt who was in it/what it was about. His response, “I don’t know. I just know I want to see it.” This movie had some serious hype. Over all it was good, though I’m glad it was short. It was 99 parts something bad almost happening and 1 part cheesiness (Kurt’s recipe of a Hollywood blockbuster). Visually it was incredible. And my favourite part, it starred Sandra Bullock, a woman, in a strong role that could have just as easily been a man. I could go on and write a more thorough review, but I am bad at reviews and I came across this one from one of my favourite bloggers this morning:

Gravity: A Review

You should read it. And then go see the movie. Or don’t. It`s up to you.

Weekend Away: Okanagan

I spent this past weekend with my partner on his home turf, the Okanagan. It was four days of firsts for me. My first time in the region, my first time meeting his mom, my first time at a demolition derby and my first time being that relaxed in ages.

Saturday. In honour of Thanksgiving we celebrated by eating and sleeping then eating again and then sleeping again.  In between all those strenuous activities, I got a tour of Vernon, did a mead tasting at Planet Bee and spent some time with Kurt’s parents. It was beautiful to see where he gets his generous spirit, his smile and his gift of the gab.

Sunday. After a lazy morning in Vernon, Kurt and I made our way to Armstrong for the annual Armstrong Demolition Derby. At first I was like, this could be cool in an ironic-kitschy way and then when I got there and it started I was like, this is the absolute best. Demolition derby’s are great. Go to one if you get the chance. After the crashes we made our way past Enderby towards Mabel Lake where Kurt’s family has a cabin.  Beautiful. There’s an airstrip in the area, perfect for walking and a new golf course perfect for having a cold one–$2 pints! We ended our day with dinner back in Vernon at Bai Tong, our Sunday Thai food tradition.

Monday. While irrelevant, I think Kurt would like me to mention that we went for a run on Monday morning. And he did great. It was a beautiful day so we headed to Kalamalka Lake and hiked around there for an hour or so. Then we “went to go run an errand for his parents”. And next thing I know we are at Sparkling Hill Resort. Surprise…and I have the best boyfriend in the world. This place is unreal. There are Swarovski crystals everywhere, an infinity pool over looking Okanagan Lake, and a spa with nine different types of steam rooms and saunas. Seriously. We had an absolutely gourmet meal in the restaurant. It was a perfect afternoon/evening.

Tuesday. After the best hotel continental breakfast ever we made our way into Lake Country. Kurt, who doesn’t drink, continued on his run of being the best and drove me around to Arrowleaf, Intrigue, and Gray Monk wineries and watched me get a tiny bit day drunk on Okanagan wines. Afterwards we went into Kelowna for lunch at Earls before flying home. When in Rome, I guess.

And that was that. Those four days in the Okanagan were wonderful. I’m sure I’ll be back soon enough and I’m already looking forward to it.

Where I Am Not

I am not at the Japandroids show with Megan.

I am home like a responsible, yet tired and boring, adult who is trying to save money, fighting a cold and just worked a 14-hour work day.

Unrequited Love

When I first heard this song, my heart stopped. It was a break up song. I just knew it. I finally had my chance with the Manitoban-genius-poet that is John K. Samson. Why wouldn’t he want to be with a woman twice his size and half his wit who lived three provinces over? This album was released the same week that I had booked some time away in Tofino with my friend Laura. I brought my lap top and used the rain as an excuse to stay indoors and youtube stalk my future life partner. I made her watch endless minutes of the most recently uploaded videos of John K. performing, hoping each one would have a shot of his left hand. Just hoping his ring would be gone.

Finally we came across this one.

Edna and Skinner. Of course.

His genius remained in tact, while my heart remained in want.

Part 1: Yes, I have tattoos. No, you can’t touch them

The year was 2000. I was 18. It was the summer in between graduating high school and moving to Calgary to start university. Now, as I remember it, I was a pretty good kid. My parents had it easy. It’s because I was saving all my rebellion for this one particular weekend. I’ll spare you the whole story, but my friend Lizzie and I ended in up Vancouver, 800km from home and our angry parents. We knew we were in big trouble as soon as we saw them again, there was no doubt about that. And because I have a rare form of logic that is totally unreasonable, I decided that since I was already in the most trouble I could ever be in, it couldn’t hurt to do a little more damage. Therefore making this the perfect weekend to get a tattoo.

Lizzie and I walked into a tattoo parlour near Granville and Davie. I don’t remember what it was called, but I do remember there was a shop dog, a little chihuahua with his ear pierced.

Tattoo Guy: How old are you?

Me (lying): 19; I’d like this design on my neck (I point to a celtic knot, my favourite design of the 50 or so late-90’s images hanging on the wall)

Tattoo Guy (laughing): No way. I don’t do necks unless I’m pretty sure the guy is going to end up in jail. You don’t look like you’re going to end up in jail.

Me: You don’t understand. I’m very mature for my age and I know what I want. I assure you, it’s the best spot for my tattoo. I’ve got scholarships for university! I’m going to change the world and I really think a neck tattoo will help me do this. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ll fail at life if you don’t tattoo my neck today. Adults don’t take me seriously, I know that once I have a neck tattoo they will.

Guy: No.

Me: What is the highest spot on my body you will tattoo?

Guy: Here on your back (pointing to my upper back)

Me: Okay. Let’s go with that.

Let me tell you, I begged and pleaded for a neck tattoo, but this guy flat out refused. Praise him. I don’t have a neck tattoo, but I do have this gem of a symbol on my back for life. No, it doesn’t mean anything to me. No, I don’t regret it though maybe I would if I had to look at it more, or if it were at a more visible spot (like my neck).

Katie and Kurt like to joke with me about the direction my life would have gone in if I did in fact get a neck tattoo. I like to think I would have ended up with a phd from Oxford in anarchist-feminist political theory and how it is presented today in the Gaza Strip. Katie thinks I’d be the kind of person who buys and eats 5-cent candies from downtown 7-11’s. Kurt thinks I would have a dog on a rope and that we would have matching bandanas. I guess we will never know.

When Love Is Literally Blind

If you have ever seen me present for work, you’ve probably heard this story. If you ever find yourself in the audience in the future, please don’t ruin the punch line for those around you. It’s the best part. Cool. Thanks. 

The NGO Global Charity I work for is led by an incredible volunteer team of doctors and nurses who provide life-saving and life-changing surgeries for people in dire need, mostly in West Africa. One of our major projects we call Mercy VISION. It centres around eye care, cataract surgery in particular. The number of people blind from treatable cataracts in the developing world is shocking, especially when you learn how quick and easy (for an eye surgeon) it is to treat them.

You can imagine that, within our organization, one of the most exciting places to be on any given day is in the recovery room from one of these surgeries. Witnessing people being able to see for the first time in years, even decades, well, that is the stuff viral videos are made of. There is a pretty great story that came out of one of these recovery rooms in recent years. We were able to reverse the blindness of two patients, an elderly couple who had been married over 50 years. He had been blind for more than 20 and her around 15. They remained married and in love and together throughout their blindness until one day our volunteers were able to make them not blind any more. When their bandages were removed and their eyes re-focused on one another for the first time in decades, every set of eyes in the room welled up with tears, including of course the husband. As he stared at his wife in disbelief, he was the first to break the silence, “oh my love, you are so beautiful” he half said, half sobbed. The wife stared back, also with in disbelief, until finally she replied, “And oh my love, you are so old”.

Try This Dish: Caprese Pasta

The other week I did a post on Spring Rolls because they are easy and delicious and impress people when you bring them to parties. All of that is true, however, if you are often a bit lazy and are short on time like me they don’t always work. My actual number-one go-to dinner contribution is the caprese salad. It’s literally the easiest:

• cherry tomatoes
• bocconcini cheese
• fresh basil
• olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Last week I was perusing a blog I recently started reading, Leopard is a Neutral, and I came across a recipe for Caprese PASTA! Why have I never thought of this before? What is wrong with me? It’s literally as easy as the salad (just add pasta and a bit of garlic, salt and pepper and substitute fresh mozzarella) and it’s an entire meal! I won’t spell out the obvious here, but you should check out the recipe:

20-Minute Caprese Pasta Recipe

I made it on Tuesday night and it honestly took less than 20 minutes. It fed both Kurt and I that night and there was enough left over for lunch for the rest of the week.

You should make this pasta!