Brigden Fair

Yes, we got to the fair again this year!

Sunday the family made the trek to Bridgen for the fair! Very exciting!

We went with Ashley and she had a great time. We had fabulous weather, sunny and warm. Although I remember why I liked the crappy weather better for the Brigden fair, less people around. But it was fun to see all the people carrying around the useless four feet stuffed animals that collect dust.

We saw the giant pumpkins, prize winning muffins, had a pickle on a stick.

And we coaxed Ashley into the barns to see the minature horses, cows, rabbits, and baby pigs!

A successful trip, to say the least.

Lots of Pies

With the past celebration of Thanksgiving (Andrea's favourite holiday) I decided to roll up my sleeves and contribute to the dessert portion of our annual day of gluttony.

I decided to bake pies (part of my domesticating).

I really didn't give this enough thought, I was in the kitchen all day long. Literally all day, from 10am to 8pm.

And I only made three pies.

But they were delicious.

"Promises and pie crusts are made to be broken."

~Jonathan Swift

Crazy Little Animals

Yes, it might surprise you all, but last week I was attacked by a squirrel. Those rat like creatures are becoming more and more familiar with people, and I DON'T like it.

Last week I was taking garbage out to the garbage "hut" at the office (Gen. R. Dallaire Genocide Instiute). We opened the door and saw a squirrel getting out of the hut. I throw my bag of garbage in the hut and the squirrel FLIES out at my head. I narrowly escaped a nasty scrap with a squirrel. Dammit.

It sounds innocent, but I was terrified!! Imagine one of those things coming out, pardon me, FLYING out at your head. Not cool.

Then to top it off I find out that there's a group of crazy Londoners who are trying to make the black squirrel our OFFICIAL MASCOT.

Because of a traumatizing event when I was a toddler, I have had a grudge with the chipmunk (a chipmunk mistook my toddler toe for a peanut). But it seems now that it has to expand to include squirrels. I know that Helen, my squirrel loving pal will hate me for a short time, but you'll all have to live with this.

Because of this, I can never take the garbage out again.

"We call this a fine mess of squirrels."

~Kathy Ulher

It's Been A While...

Ok, it's been a while...so get ready for my updates!

More to come...

The Devil's Going Down To Georgia

Yea!

Annie and Falon are coming to Columbus, Georgia!

Woohoo!

We're going to have the best time in Georgia!

Bringing down the man!

Yea!

Let the bonding begin!

"Big sisters are the crab grass in the lawn of life."

~Charles M. Schulz

Countdown Is On!!!!

It's time to sign up and get your cash in!!!!!!!!

We have less than two months until another trip to Georgia!!!!

You know who you are!!!

Yippee!!!

"How do you teach democracy through the barrel of a gun?"

~Fr. Roy Bourgeois

I Took It, Did You?

Thursday night was the annual "Take Back the Night" festivities at Peace Park here in London, Ontario.

There was a great turn out and a great speaker this year (as opposed to last year's speaker who was severely unmotivating) from the Sexual Assualt Centre.

The march went on successfully this year, many people watching were supportive and respectful (except for the couple of cars who tried to run us over).

As we passed the corner of Wellington St. and Dundas St. we were greeted by a group of men (as they aren't permitted to walk) with a sign that read "Men Against Violence Against Women", very heartwarming to see.

This year's festivities only highlighted by the fact that I didn't get burned by my vigil candle...namely because I didn't get one.

All in all, a successful evening!!

"Any woman whose I.Q. hovers above her body temperature must be a feminist."

~R.M. Brown

And Another Cycle Begins...

I swear, my next post won't be about reality television...but I feel the need to mention the beginning of "America's Next Top Model: Cycle 7"!

Yes, it's time for another 14 young women to move into the ANTM house and compete for the "fabulous prizes" that are bestowed upon the winner.

Yes, the show is hokey and Tyra Banks' feeble attempt to be the next Oprah is mildly irritating, but you can't deny how this show gets under your skin...and before you know it, you're as addicted like a supermodel to blow.

This season appears to be interesting...especially with the fact that it seems that almost every girl participating has a sob story (could that have been a requirement to audition?). We have the girl who beat cervical cancer, the girl who was in a plane crash, the girl who grew up in foster care then moved on to become *sniff* homecoming queen and the creepy twins.

Yes, there are twins on this cycle...very interesting...beyond that we have the regular stuff. Fighting, diva attitudes and tears already.

One the first episode we had the weeding out of the 60 girls down to 20...then the twenty girls went on to do their first shoot- a tasteful nude shoot...

A message from me: If you are going onto ANTM...you'd better be comfy taking off your clothes and doing a nude shoot. Nude shoots are inevitable on ANTM...get over it. Although we do get to get rid of the boring people (this was the point that the Republican women are kicked off).

From here we picked the 14...and move into the house, where the real drama happens. People fighting over beds, getting extremely messy and complaining about bossy people. Do they not get that they are put in a house together with no television, no Internet, no cell phones and cameras everywhere? Drama is helped along the way in this house.

At the first photo shoot was fairly interesting, although we did get to see some diva behaviour (interesting since the photoshoot was about model stereotypes...like diva behaviour).

At the first eliminations we again had lots of drama and tears. No test this week, I'm assuming because of the sheer number of them.

The sneak peak for next week was interesting. It seems that next week they will be having the ever important makeover show, where each girl gets a new look. This always includes haircutting which always leads to tears. And it looks like we won't be disappointed next Wednesday.

Very exciting.

"I can do anything you want me to do, so long as I don't have to speak."

~Linda Evangelista, supermodel

The Race is On

Alright, if you are afraid of reality TV (I'm not, by the way) you're sure to enjoy "The Amazing Race".

It started it's 10th race this past Sunday night and it is being praised as it's most diverse ever. Muslims, Indo-Americans, Mexican, people with different abilities and beauty queens. What more could you ask for?

And when you compare this diverse cast at "The Amazing Race" with the segregation going on at "Survivor: Cook Island" (where tribes are divided by race this season...ew) "The Amazing Race" looks better and better.

Sunday they travelled to The Forbidden City in China (trivia: This is the first time the first pit stop on "The Amazing Race" has been Asia...!).

Next week's episode looks good...

"Do Muslims worship Buddha?"

~Cheerleader team on "The Amazing Race"

An Answer...Finally

The age old question...finally a concrete answer.

Sculls and Cross-BONES

Yes, last night was another episode of "Bones". If you remember there was a sneak peek last week that eluded to the fact that this week's episode would be particularly sappy, refering to Dr. Brennan's troubled childhood and stint in foster care.

So I was particularly happy to see that last night did not include tears from any of the characters.

If you missed the actual case that was examined wasn't that exciting, definitely not one for the books. But the activity that happened surrounding the case...very interesting!

One particular event of note is that the feud between Cam and Brennan seems to have subsided. I can say I was a bit worried that we were going to be seeing the stereotypical, catty relationship between the two women (because two bright, intelligent women could never work together without incident!!). Happily, they came to middle ground.

But that wasn't even the most exciting part of last night's episode...!

The most intriguing part of last night's broadcast had to be the budding romance between Jack (pictured above) and Angela. For those of you unfamiliar, Jack is the resident bug/slime/goo expert at the Jeffersonian as well as the Jeffersonian's biggest and wealthiest donor, however this is a secret he wishes to keep from most of his co-workers. And Angela is the reconstruction artist, very wild, very excentric, and fun. Very exciting development. As long as Booth and Brennan don't try to fornicate, I will watch this program.

Sigh.

"I hate psychology."

~Dr. Temperance Brennan, Bones

Under An African Sky

YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE'S COMING BACK TO LONDON!!!!! YEA!!!!!!!

Yes, yes, it's true, Stephen Lewis (UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa) is coming to speak at the John Labatt Centre on December 9th, one day before the International Day for Human rights. Very exciting.

My folks have gotten my mom and I tickets to see the amazing Mr. Lewis on the 9th, and you can bet I'll be first in line to get into the JLC.

All proceeds are going to the Stephen Lewis Foundation (check out the link on the right hand side of the page) and are specifically going to help those living with AIDS in Swaziland. Currently the AIDS stats reveal that 43% of people in Swaziland are living with AIDS.

And don't worry, there are tickets still available for the evening!

"Unless there is recognition that women are most vulnerable...and you do something about social and cultural equality for women, you're never going to beat this pandemic."

~S. Lewis

Petrol-cide?

I just thought this was an interesting graphic.

Enjoy.

Times like these I tell myself I don't have a car because I don't want to contribute to the warming of the Earth.

But I think the real reason is because I have no money. Because let's face it, London Transit definitely leaves something to be desired.

Modern technology, owes ecology, an apology.

~Alan M. Eddison

Keep Your Fingers Crossed

Hello Again.

Thought I'd keep you updated. Nothing yet, but I'm still looking. And now that Nancy, Anna and Dina are back in town looking for work as well, the pool is getting smaller and smaller, thanks women. And oh yes, good luck.

I'll keep you posted as to what's going on.

Thinking positive.

Or at the very least, thinking.

The Bare Bones

Yes, yes another episode of "Bones" was aired tonight.

Did anyone catch it? It had an odd Lacey Peterson-esque feel to it, although the end was full of delightful twists.

In case you didn't see it, there was a disappointing element to tonight's episode; Boothe has a kid. No, this is not my normal dislike of kids, this is just my dislike of cheesy, weak plotlines to keep the boring people to watch Bones. My message to Fox Television: We're better off without those weak viewers.

Unfortunately, next week's episode looks like it includes a lot of "emotionality" from Brennan. Sigh.

Happily, though Hodges (a.k.a. Hodge-Podge) had a nice piece in this week's episode.

We'll just have to wait and see next week. And trust me, I'll be here.

P.S. Tonight was the premiere of the third season of Laguna Beach: The Real O.C. I was unimpressed. Mostly I wanted to vomit while watching selfish, immature teens with too much money and a sense of entitlement act pathetic. But yes, I still watched. I will admit that the main reason was so I can connect with Annie. Who has, since her move to University of Guelph, abandoned me (see previous post).

Mother: When you have children, you can't believe the feeling of attachment, love and commitment that is created. You have to have children to know it.

Bones: That's the release of the chemical seratone. It's chemistry, not a miracle.

Abandonment: Part Deux

Today we dropped off Annie at the University of Guelph. She had an amazing amount of stuff (the truck was filled to the brim!). And to our amazement she got one of the best rooms at the oldest residence at U of G.

She has a fireplace in her room. It doesn't work, but it looks fabulous.

And it must be said that I was always joking when I refered to University of Guelph as "Moo U". But it really is built on farmland. While driving through campus I saw horses. Horses.

I couldn't believe how laid back her school is, either. Definitely a good fit for Annie, I think she'll have an excellent time there!

However, Annie's departure leaves me. At home. Alone with my parents.

Good thing I like them.

Way to go Annie!

Q: "How many University of Guelph students does it take to screw in a lightbulb?"

A: "Seven. One to screw it in, six to figure out how to power it on manure."

Rien

No, I haven't abandoned my blog. Literally nothing is happening to me right now.

I'll deal with this just fine, don't worry. I'm sure I'll be incredibly busy very soon. It's the waiting that is driving me a bit crazy. Or at least annoyed.

I know I should enjoy it, but I feel strange not getting ready for school this September.

Annie leaves on Sunday for Guelph, very exciting. Remember that show "Boston Common"? That was when the little sister goes to college in Boston and her hick of a brother tags along. He doesn't enroll, but has all the fun of a college student. I'm tempted, but afraid Annie would kill me in my sleep.

"I like when good things happen to me. But I wait two weeks to tell anyone because I like using the word "fortnight"." ~Demetri Martin

She's Almost Back!

Alright, tonight was another great, late episode of Bones.

And I'm happy to say that Bones (at left) is almost back. I was a little disappointed at last week's premiere about Bones' weepy demeanor.

But this week she was on a comeback (she only cried twice).

And they got a new addition to the cast: Dr. Camille "Cam" Saroyan. The new head of the Jeffersonian. And she's a strong, confident woman! Yea! Three on one show, must be a Hollywood record. Please don't let them hate each other!

The only hitch is that it seems that Cam was once involved with Booth in some way or another. Hmmm...I only hope this is not inserted to make Bones jealous of this "relationship". I enjoy the fact that there's no romance between Bones and Booth. It's would be so cliched.

This week's storyline, very good. Besides that the "Bones' parents'" storyline progressed a bit. Seems Bones' father is alive and called out a hit on the man that killed his wife, he doesn't want his daughter to find him...interesting. Very nice to see this incoporated into the larger story.

And next week looks very good.

Need not post, I know I'm a loser for posting about Bones.

"But we're Hodge Podge and Zack-eroni!" ~Eric Millegan a.k.a. "Zack Addy"

Georgia: On My Mind

It's here! Today was the start of getting ready for the School of the Americas/WHINSEC Protest!

Woohoo!

We'll be leaving November 16th and return the following Monday, Novemeber 20th.

We're looking for cash, so if you've got an extra $150 lying around you could send a person down to Georgia!

Good times had by all, while being part of a larger movement! Yippee!

For those of you wondering, I decided not to attend the WHINSEC tour last year after my visit. For the past two years I've gone on the tour of the Fort Benning facilities. Being frisked, intimidated, lied and patronized to is exhausting.

However, I may have a change of heart when it comes time in November. And I have a military man to thank for my reconsideration.

When Gen. Romeo Dallaire was in London two weeks ago someone asked the question of what do you say to a student who is distraught and essentially cynical about a social justice issue they believe is pointless. Gen. Dallaire responded by explaining that people often become disheartened by not seeing change. And that this reaction is unnecessary.

"Why do we always expect there to be change after a few years? Come back after 10 years and then expect a change. Fundamental change takes time and hard work. Getting upset or cynical after a few attempts does nothing for the cause. Be patient, keep working, and don't loose sight of the goal."

True, it's bizarre to be taking advice on this subject from a person involved (and devoted) to the Armed Forces. But if I forget about that part, and just listen to his message, it gets less hazy.

So maybe I'll go and see our friend, Lee Riles (PR for SOA) in November. Even though he called us "agressive Canadians" last year. Either way, I promise myself that this year at the protest I will be more optimistic and driven to remember that closing the SOA is imperative, but that it requires immense work, from everyone.

"Shit or get off the pot." ~ R. Nixon

Abandonment: Part Un

Today, Maggie left to go back to Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She seemed rather excited.

When we got back in the car to drive back to from the airport no one said anything. Then Annie piped up, "Silence...ahh.".

She was so right. If you haven't met Maggie or haven't seen her in a while you might forget how loud she can be.

I blame it on birth order and a bizarre need for her to be noticed constantly. I wonder what she would be like if she wasn't majoring in Theatre *shudder*.

In all seriousness, I do miss Mags. She's the only person I know that can make me laugh one minute, and make me want to wring her neck the next. That's quite a skill.

I won't be seeing Maggie until December, when she comes back for Winter break, so I hope she enjoys herself and has a great final year.

I will be making my own trip to Wolfville in May for her convocation.

I want a good convocation speech from the honourary doctorate person. Apparently they always give the honourary doctorate to a member of the Irving family. That's crap. There must be another Canadian (not from the Irving Oil fortune) that is honourable enough to be recognized?

Maybe we should give our own suggestions for keynotes?

For a Theatre convocation we do have a ton of possibilities.

Ben Mulroney, anyone? Did you know that smarmy Ben has a law degree?

"Popularity is bad for you. I avoid it like the plague."
~Brian Mulroney