Vancouver, Old Friends, and Labor Day

Saturday was kind of a shit show.

Excuse my French there.

But honestly, I worked from 8:30 to almost 6:00, multiple emergencies and everyone was waiting, though in fairness it was good that we could see everyone with one doctor and still made it out of the building by 5:30. Anyway, by the time I made it home and got all packed up to leave it was just after 7:00 and we were really starting to panic. Nanaimo is 2 hours away, our ferry was for 9:30 and we still had to stop for gas in Courtney (half an hour away from Campbell River). Thankfully, because my roommate likes to push her little Acura Vigor ("Toby"), we made it with some time to spare and got on the ferry with no problem. It was dark by then so we stayed in the car and relaxed, reading and listening to music. By the time we made if off the ferry, we were so tired but still had to get to the hotel. I read off the map we bought at the ferry terminal and she got us there safely, almost falling into a speed trap at the exit (it was under construction so the speed was 30!). We crashed and slept till 8 (her till 9:30) and then set off for Starbucks and Metrotown for shopping.

We did meet up with an old friend of ours, though, and trooped around Chinatown (disgusting, piss-smelling street markets unfortunately included) for a while before heading back to the car via skytrain. Apparently there is some kind of convention going on in November that my roommate wants us to go to, so we'll be seeing our friend again then. I don't know how I feel about being stuck in a large building full of anime geeks but we;ll see how it pans out. She says I'll enjoy myself, so I guess I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.

We spent the evening in Surrey with her family so we had dinner and her cousin took us for a ride in his gorgeous yellow Camero. My goodness, it still smelled like new car. Fancy little thing that hit 200 without feeling like it'd passed 60. You don't feel speed in that car the same way you feel it in Toby. Maybe it's because Toby's 20 years old and the Camero is this year's model. Haha, I don't know, but it was exhilerating. Dinner was lovely and I was much more brave that I thought I'd be, chatting with her aunt about dogs and her cousin about movies and classic cartoons. It was a nice time, even though it wasn't my family.

We went shopping in Surrey on Monday before heading back towards the ferry to go home. Once we hit Nanaimo we went to visit my sister to see her new "apartment" style dorm, which was very nice. Then we took her out to dinner and headed on home, making it back by 10. It was a tiring trip, but lots of fun.

Right now I am watching netflix and painting my nails with Essie's Bikini So Teeny. It's a lazy kind of day. I gotta catch up on my relaxing!

So Many Questions (6)

Getting bored of these yet?

One of these days I'll have something new to post or write about. Today is not the day.

51. Which superpower would you choose to have if you had the option, and why? Conversely, which superhero do you find to be the most overrated, and why?

First, in the aspect of choosing a superpower, I don't know if this really counts, but I'd choose flight. I'd adore the chance to soar through the air on my own accord, flitting from place to place, sitting on top of buildings, relaxing on cliffs with no fear of falling to my death. It'd be marvelous. I know I'd love to have wings, if you were wondering if I'd just fly around with my arms flapping or something. No, wings would be so lovely. Birds have this sense of freedom that comes with them, and it's something that I want to feel. Part two of this question - I see Sheldon saying, "and of course, the answer is.." Batman. All he is is a bored rich guy. Bruce Wayne isn't really a superhero, he's a rich man with nothing better to do. Sure, he does nice things, but he's not a superhero in my mind. He's overrated because everyone loves him (I don't see it). Granted, the Batman movie franchise made so much money, gross amounts of money. And yes, I have seen The Dark Knight and enjoyed it, and I have seen the more recent Dark Knight Rises and enjoyed it as well. I couldn't properly form an opinion without knowing something about the character. Personally though, I like Spiderman. :)

52. You have one week to do whatever you want, all expenses paid. What things would you do? Where would you go?

Hell, if money was no object, I'd go shopping in Europe. I'd tour France, I'd see the sights, spend all the money, do all the things, eat all the food, drink all the coffee. I'd stay in an expensive hotel and watch the sun rise over Europe with fancy coffee that costs more than it should.

The other half of me laughs and says I'd love be at home and just buy some things, get bills taken care of, and make my life here a little more comfortable. But expensive coffee in France sounds pretty damn good.

53. If your best friend came to you depressed and upset like you've never seen before, how would you react?

First, I'd be scared. What the hell could be so terrible that it'd cause her to feel this way? Second, I'd do anything she'd want me to - listen to her worries, console her fears, comfort her, etc. Third, I'd feel angry and whoever - or whatever - caused her this distress. I'd want to hurt them back, though I probably never would. I'd want to defend her.

54. In what ways do you sometimes wish to act a better friend, but don't? Why do you find yourself unable to do these things?

When I see this question I think of a couple friends in particular. I've always been desperate to help this one girl in her troubles, but am not sure how to go about it, so I always back down and just listen to her, be her shoulder to cry on, her advice-bearing silent helper. She always asks me for advice but never takes it, so I wonder why she bothers asking in the first place, but I still give it and still care genuinely for her, and her happiness. I worry about her sometimes. I know she can handle herself, but I wish in some ways that I could be more honest with her and tell her what I really think. I don't know if this would make me a better friend, though.

55. You have one hour to come up with the most interesting television show you can and pitch/describe it.

Okay, this one has me stumped. First, I don't have cable, so I don't watch much tv. What I do watch is on Netflix. :/

56. "If someone gains, someone else loses." How much does this reflect life, and how much does it come up short? Reflecting upon this, how could your attitude been different to events in your past?

I think this is relatively accurate. If someone gets a new puppy, someone else had to give (or sell) that puppy to them. That person has now lost a puppy in order for the other person to have it. I guess in my past I never really considered that someone else would have to give for me to have. I was a kid, though, so I don't think it was really important to think about what other people were giving me so much as it was to run around the playground or ride my bike. Yes, this world is full of give and take. It was just not something I really gave much thought to.

57. Would you be a different person today if you had a different childhood? How?

Definitely. Everyone would be different than they are today if they grew up a different way from the way they did. Does that sentence make sense? Not really. Oh well. My point is, if you grow up with two parents, you're going to come out different than if you grew up in a single-parent household. Childhood has a massive effect on your adult life, in my opinion. How many times do people start their answers (or continue conversations) with "When I was a kid..."?

58. Consider some of the parents others had growing up. What type of person would you be if you had those situations?

I can't rightly say. Just because we see one thing doesn't mean that's how someone is within the privacy of their own family. I mean, you could meet someone else's mother, and they could seem cold and distant, and in reality they're the most nurturing person you'd ever meet, she just happens to be shy. I don't know. You get what I'm saying, right?

59. What if your life had been harder or easier? How do you think you'd be different?

If my life was easier growing up, I'm sure I'd be more of a brat than I am now, and fatter than I am now. If it was harder, I'm sure I wouldn't have my patience, honesty, and good nature (right?). I mean, if my family hadn't struggled financially when I was growing up, would I have the value for money that I have now? Probably not. If my family had been living in another country, would I love Campbell River? No, I'd probably not know it existed.

60. Are you happy with your job, life, situation? What parts are good? What parts are bad?

I am happy with my job; it's where I want to be. The good parts are my coworkers, getting to pet dogs and cats all day, snuggling puppies, talking to people, etc. The bad parts go without saying - euthanasia, stupid people making stupid decisions, people without means to support their pets yet they have a new puppy, etc. I'm relatively happy with my life, I have a good job, I have my two cats, I have my best friend(s), I have my family, I have my (relatively) good health. I have means financially to live apart from my parents, I have the money to buy things I want not just what I need, I can provide for my animals without fear. The bad parts I guess are my constant depression, my lack of motivation, etc. Mostly, though, my days are alright, and even though work stresses me out, it's worth it to do something I love and come home to a place I call home, even though we rent it.

 



The sun sets in paradise/So Many Questions (5)

If you DON'T like pop music, DO NOT follow this link. I've currently been obsessed with this song - I'm not sure why. It gets stuck in my head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRaWnd3LJfs

I also have a new Pomplamoose song to share with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8j4e6rBx1Y

Okay, while you unreaders are listening to that, I'm going to go put some laundry in.

Also, my blogger is lagging for some reason...

 

***

Oh man, do I love doing chores. I've made a list for myself. Shit just got real.

41. If you were to die today what would you like people to say about you?

First, I doubt if anyone would really miss me, besides maybe my roommate, and it'd make things harder for my coworkers because I'm one of the only people there who's available any day for any shift. But if anyone was to remember me, I'd hope that they'd remember me as a friendly person, not shy or distant (I have much improved through my job). I'd hope that they would say I worked hard and loved my job, that I was valuable in my position, that I was worth keeping around. I'd hope that my friends would remember me as caring and kind, and not as the manic-depressive, pathetic, sad creature that I am. I'd hope that they would be able to see past that. I'd hope I'd be remembered modestly. I certainly don't think anyone would be spray painting my initials around town (years ago three teens took their lives and one, much loved, was painted on every possible surface, I'm not sure why, but they celebrate his birthday every year despite his being gone), but I'd hope to be remembered as a nice person that was generally well-liked...not popular, per se, but liked within my social group.

42. What is your proudest accomplishment?

It depends on what you're talking about. When I was in piano, I was quite proud of usually taking home first place in the February Festival of Performing Arts (in my respective class). Then again, both my brother and sister would do the same, so I don't know if I was truly proud of that, considering it was my good teaching that allowed me to excel. And in fact, I didn't really care for piano anyway. It was an honor, however, to be asked to perform in the honors group at the end of the festival, because they chose one person from each class to perform a piece of their choosing from the festival selection. I think I did that twice. My siblings have done it too. Otherwise, I am proud of finishing high school with relatively good grades; I never feared that I wouldn't graduate, but I wanted to get the best grades I could, and while some areas were lacking, I scored the highest on my English 12 provincial exam of the entire school (for that semester). I was utterly shocked when my beloved English teacher told me - I couldn't believe that I'd ranked so high. I can't remember now if my percentage (in the high nineties, I don't remember the exact number now) was the highest of the school or the highest of the province. I can't remember which the teacher told me. If not the province, definitely the school. I was very happy that day.

43. If you could be anybody, who would you be?

I think about this now and again. I know I'd love to be pretty, skinny, naturally beautiful, naturally liked and attractive. I'd love to be smarter, to be clever, to be classy. I'd love to be someone else. But in the same breath, if I was to be all of those things, I wouldn't be the same, and while I desperately want to better myself, maybe that's all I have to do. Better MYSELF, not change myself entirely. All I'd have to do, really, is lose some weight, learn my body, learn my face, learn how to dress for my shape. It sounds optimistic but the idea of the work involved is daunting. But gradually, I'm getting better, and I know for a fact that a select few people out there believe that I am beautiful, that I am attractive, and don't understand why I don't see it. Perhaps I'm too blocked by my own subconcious. I don't think I'll ever know the real reason why I can't look in the mirror and be satisfied. Some days are better than others, though, and I think I'll continue to get better.

44. What is the most important aspect of your life, and why?

The most important aspect of my life has nothing to do with me. It's another person entirely. I would explain, but I don't feel I need to. She's everything to me, she's my best friend, my sole support system, my only confidence booster. I love her dearly and would be lost without her constance in my life.

45. Where would you travel, if you could go anywhere?

This is kind of cheating, but I'd tour Europe. I want to see all of it, not one specific place. Though there is one spot in Westminster Abbey that I desperately want to visit - William Wordsworth. Though his body is not buried there, there are memorials for so many of my favourite poets in the same area, and I want to see them all.

46. What time period would you like to be born in?

This one's easy. I've always wanted to be part of Queen Elizabeth I's court. She's my idol.

47. What extinct animal would you bring back, if you could?

Tricky! I'm not entirely sure. I'd be more interested in protecting those animals in danger, rather than bringing back one that's already gone. I'd like to save the pandas or the tigers, or elephants. Something that's endangered, something that can be kept safe.

48. What profession would you have chosen, if not your current one?

Easy. I'd be an author. It's my childhood dream (though my first dream was to be a vet, and funny how that worked out!), and I still want to write on the side, but I can't get inspired, and I doubt that I'd ever get published.

49. What book setting would you visit, if you could?

Hobbiton! It sounds so beautiful and the movies made it look exquisate. Other than that, I'd love to go back to the time of Anne Rice's Cry to Heaven, or maybe Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl.

50. Given the chance to give your child only one quality as a person, which would you choose? How about if that choice were unavailable, what would be your second and third choices? Why are these so important to you?

Alright, I can feel this one will be a long one, because if you've read this in the past, you'd know that having a child is another dream of mine; to be pregnant, to have the expectation and fear, to have a little me to nurture and soothe to sleep, to have that exhaustion and joy that comes with motherhood. Anyway, if I could give her one quality, it would be honesty. Too many children hide things, lie to their parents, or steal from stores, etc. If my child could be honest, it'd save a lot of struggle, I think, and she'd be a better person. If honesty was not available, I would give her patience, or kindness. Patience is so important when you're growing up - kids all want to be adults and don't realize that what they have right now is so precious. Be patient, you'll get there. Kindness goes without saying - I'd love a child kind enough to help another child, to love her pet unconditionally, to care for her parents, to take care of herself, so she'll be alright on her own. That's all parents really want, isn't it? For their child to be okay when they're gone?

Alright, I think I'm done for now. Time to go back to my chores (yay!).

 

 

A Heavy Dose of Atmosphere

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIz2K3ArrWk

 

It occurs to me that I haven't really posted much in a while, just answers to those questions I found on StumbleUpon which will take me FOREVER to complete, because I just realized there's over 700 of them. :/ What did I set myself up for?

Anyway, I need to post some pictures I haven't posted yet.

 

I keep playing with this loaner camera we're using. Pheeny looks a little dark in this one, but this is his "please fill my food bowl" face.

Anubunnie watching a cranefly he desperately wants to chase after and probably eat. Phoenix ate one not too long ago - gag.

Take a self-portrait (is that even the right word) with a camera that focuses depending on what you tell it to focus on is not easy. Do you know how many times I had to retake this picture to get it to actually focus on my face and not the cupboard, or the window, or the chairs in the background? That's probably why I look none too pleased.

Another attempt - this time I wanted it to focus on my eye, because I tried something new with the menagerie of makeup I have, and wanted to capture it. See how the camera decided to focus on the eye that is at the side of the frame? SMH. Ah well. I still think this picure is interesting, I guess.

My favourite dog in the world, Timbit (or Timmie, Timmy-ims, Itty-Bitty, the list goes on). This is her "wanna go for a walk?" face.

A new photo of me, with my kitty Phoenix and my cornsnake Stellaluna. Taken by my friend and roommate - work's website updated and I was told to get a new photo of myself with my pet (s). This is the one we chose.

 

 

 

 

 



So Many Questions (4)

31. How do you feel about using humans in medical research?

If we have to use animals, we should use ourselves.

 

32. What does "copy cat" mean to you?

Someone who copies something of someone else's. Or, plagerism (a deep pet peeve of mine).

 

33. What do you think about quasi ghosts?

First, allow me to quickly look that up, because I'm not familiar with the term.

So I understand that a quasi ghost is one that you see when you are awake, therefore excluding dream sequences/visions. So my answer to this question is that I do believe in them; I have seen them before on a few occasions (though mostly when I was a child).

 

34. What does "holds water" mean to you? What is your first memory?

According to the online dictionary, it has to do with an opinion that is wrong. My first memory of something like this....would probably be in school? I'm not sure.

 

35. When did you meet your first boyfriend or girlfriend?

Grade 9.

 

36. Describe your typical day, from wake to sleep.

Wake up, hit snooze at least once, if not twice. Struggle to get out of bed. Stumble down the stairs, feed the cats, stumble back upstairs. Lock self in bathroom for 10 minutes or so to improve appearance, get hair under control, and take care of other morning things. Then I stumble back down the stairs and make lunch for us, and if there's time (depending on the number of snoozes), some breakfast. Then there's 7-8 hours of work. Then home, feed the monsters (cats), feed ourselves, then depending on the day, it's either relax with tea and The Big Bang Theory, or grocery shopping, or walking around somewhere. Then sleep.

 

37. What would be your ideal birthday present, and why?

I really don't know.

 

38. If you could take home any animal from the zoo, which would it be, and what would you do with it?

A tiger, because they're awesome, and I'd keep it as a pet, because they're awesome.

 

39. Think of a loved one that you have lost. If you could ask this person one question, what would you ask, and what do you think they would say?

Both my grandmothers believed they would go to Heaven. I would ask either of them if they arrived there, and if they did, what it was like.

 

40. Where do you think you will be in 5 years?

I feel like I've answered this one before. :/