The Theory of Exponential Ass Growth

Do you have a tolerance for seating for long periods of time? Did you often squirm in the backseat of your parents car as they hauled you off on a vacation/weekend drive/torturous visit to a relative's house? Do you enjoy sitting in general?
Well I am getting a bit irritated with sitting lately and I think that says a lot because I generally like to sit (as long as I am comfortable of course). I was never a child who squirmed while sitting in the car for hours, mainly because I was happy to read while my dad drove or to just look at the window and count random things like cows or canoes strapped to cars. Even as a graduate student, I have become kind of become accustomed to sitting for long periods of time, like through 3 hour long seminar classes or logging long afternoons/evenings/early mornings doing work in front of my computer. Lately though, the sitting is cutting off circulation to my legs and butt and I think it is causing some exponential growth to that area at a rather alarming rate. I think I will henceforth dedicate May as "Get Active" month for myself because I really need to get in some sort of shape again. It's nice to be able to go throughout a day without wanting to take several naps.

So, I was pretty relieved earlier this week to see the Brothers on the Amazing Race hustle to beat Ray and Deana at the end of this recent leg of the race. They seem to be pretty cool people and are always cheerful. I sincerely hope they go a long way... definitely past Romber who are just plain evil now. Entertaining, but definitely evil and definitely not deserving of winning. In the last season of the Amazing Race, my favourite team was the sisters who ended up losing in the hayfield when they unrolled more than 100 hayrolls looking for a clue and never found it. It was pretty heartbreaking to watch them put in such an effort and then be informed that they had been eliminated. Anyways, so far I am just glad that I still have a team to root for although if the brothers leave, I think it is safe to say that I will root for whatever team takes down Rob and Amber. And I used to think Amber seemed like such a sweet person. The more reality shows that she participates in, the more I think I see this conniving, determined, evil little witch. Maybe Rob is rubbing off on her.
Anyhow, I am tired and this post has been weird enough as it is. In other news, my little Ebay experiment has been very lucrative. Muah ha ha!

Rainy Tuesday

I slept with my window open last night because I feel like I am starting to suffocate in my own home. I must feel this way because I have spent the entire long weekend inside, save for a few moments where I went out for meetings and mass. It really was kind of pathetic. Anyways, sleeping with the window open was relaxing because I could hear the rain and get some fresh air, although I was bloody cold when I woke up this morning.
It's always nice to listen to rain when you want to fall asleep but it is definitely not nice to wake up, look out the window, and realize... the rain isn't going to go away today. The clouds look like they have become firmly entrenched in the sky over the city and I am pissed off! I actually have to leave the house for a class today! I should be happy because I get to leave, but I am not, because it is pouring and the chances of receiving a soaker are quite high. AND I JUST DID LAUNDRY YESTERDAY!!
I guess you can tell that I woke up slightly annoyed at the world. I think the stress is beginning to get to me.
By the way... why is Jerry O'Connell's brother the new Bachelor? I find it a bit ridiculous that he can't pull enough chicks for him and his brother. Anyways, I sat and watched that last night and realized that most of those women make me feel ashamed to be a woman. They are vicious, catty, bitches who act like this guy is the last one in the world. But to clarify, I will probably tune in next week just to watch how they will screw each other over next. And just two seconds ago, I thought life was getting mundane... Bah!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates Easter and even to those who don't and like to have a relaxing long weekend care of Christianity.
I can't say that I have done much with my time this weekend. I did make it to mass today which made me feel happy. I think when my life settles down I am going to have to get into the habit of going again. I really should be going weekly, but if I cannot even make time to exercise, where does God fit in? Well, actually I think God fits into my life, but probably not in the way that the Catholic Church would like it to fit in. Oh well, maybe some learned priest can come and kick some ass on the comps for me... that would be much appreciated. I am sure they have a greater knowledge of Rome and Latin as it is.
It is weird to spend Easter away from my family and most of my friends are away having dinner with friends and family. It kind of sucks being alone on a holiday, but I guess it maximizes my weekend study time... that is, when I make time for actual studying. This is the second last week of classes which is a little crazy. I cannot believe how fast the time is flying and how little I have to show for it. I think the time is going to come when I will realize that its too late to be reading the books on the Reading List and I now have to start memorizing facts and formulating answers for essay questions.

Yo, I'm Fucking Hungry

Didn't get into Leicester... they are pretty reluctant to have me come and study an Italian archaeology topic if I cannot speak Italian. Fair enough, I can accept this and go out and learn Italian. I have to say that the graduate tutor really did bust his ass to help me get feedback from the faculty who might be interested in my topics. He was cool. So even though I feel a bit disappointed, I think that the situation is definitely redeemable and I just need to sit back and figure out some new plans.
I still haven't heard from Newcastle but I guess in the end I don't expect to get accepted there either, for the same complicated reasons that I have heard from Reading via Janet DeLaine and now Leicester. Oh well, I could use a year to beef up my languages and work off some of that atrocious debt. It makes me cry to think about it but also excited that I can take the time to pay it off without racking up even more.
I will write more tomorrow... I am kind of distracted by hunger right now.

Return of the Rain

For some reason Spring has had a bit of a stunted beginning in Vancouver. It's gone from sunny, balmy days to kind of cold and rainy. In fact, it hailed today. I am not sure what is going on, but maybe the weather is reflecting how chaotic my life feels at the moment. This next month is going to be hell. I have one more seminar to present tomorrow and from then on it is all comps studying all the time (except for an essay I have to write in that time too). I really have to pull off an impressive performance in less than a month! *gulp*

The last week has been quite busy. I went out for dinner 3 times last week which is unprecedented in my world, but it was good. Now I am back to being a poor student.
St. Patrick's Day was fun... went to class, sat in on a lecture by Lawrence Keppie, drank at Koerner's for a few hours and then went out to dinner. The rest of the week after that is a bit blurry. I recall going out for dinner again on Friday and the last Keppie lecture that was given on Sunday night, but the days are beginning to blur together. I think I am ageing rapidly... the 20s are becoming my years of mental and physical deterioration and I am fucking scared.

Michaela and I managed to score some U2 tickets for one of the Toronto shows in September, although the price is astonishing and I feel kind of queasy thinking about how I am going to pay for it. I am actually starting to look forward to having an income in the summer. I am also getting quite anxious about beginning to pay off the student loan... it's gotta start soon but it could take some time to pay off fully. I heard on the radio the other day that students who owe over $20'000 usually defect on loan payments and file for bankruptcy. It is most especially common with bank loans where students are paying monthly interest rates on the amount of money that has already been used. This is unfortunately the category where I belong and I don't know what to think of it all. I do not want to declare bankruptcy before the age of 30 and have to start building a credit rating all over again. It is fucking ridiculous in this country how much students are getting gouged on loans and repayment interest rates.

Anyways, for some lighter thoughts, this story came to my attention today and sort of made me cringe. What the fuck was this girl even thinking?

Now I must stop procrastinating and finish writing my presentation. I kind of think I can have it done by 10pm and possibly most of my powerpoint by midnight. Ah, goals... sometimes they are more lofty than I realize.

Idus Martias

Oooh the awful Ides of March are upon us. Today marks the anniversary of the murder of Julius Caesar in the Portico of the Theatre of Pompey in 44 BC.


Julius Caesar 

Now imagine how Roman history would be totally altered if he had been able to be the first emperor instead of Augustus. It's pretty crazy... And just for some additional educational value, Mar. 15th is also the first day of the Roman New Year (Anna Perenna).
Anyways, in honour of the good man, today we should all consider having a (bloody) caesar. I know I will.


Bloody Caesar 



P.S. Loads of schools are finding that my thesis proposal on the Vestals is just too fucking impossible. It's kind of depressing, although Leicester seems really keen on helping me choose a more viable topic. We shall see what happens. I fully expect Newcastle to give me similar commentary, maybe without the offer of figuring out a different thesis.

Pi Day

For all you crazy mathematician types, today is Pi Day! Yes, that means it is March 14th (3.14) and you are probably obligated to go out and eat a piece of pie in honour of your day. My cousin Lori aka The Math Teacher taught me about this last year when she came to visit me on her March Break. I have to say, I was never very good at math and I hated my high school math teacher (she taught me 4x), but I can appreciate a day where you are encouraged to eat a piece of pie.
I am sorry to be so boring lately but not much has really happened, so I can quickly review where I have been in the last 5 days.
On Thursday after class I went out to dinner at a Greek restaurant with some of the 1st year MA students who it seems almost never invite the older students out. Yes, there are 'grade' divides in our department, which I find a bit ridiculous, but it happens. It's not that these students are not nice, they have just formed friendships with each other I think because they are all in the same situation. Anyways, after dinner which was SUPER slow thanks to the REALLY SLOW cook, I attempted to go back to UBC to attend some fireside chat/debate thing at Green College with Dr. Keppie, but dinner just took too damn long so I was late. So, what's a girl to do instead? I went to Koerner's Pub with Cassie and Mel and we proceeded to drink quite a bit. Cassie also engaged some weird lech in a conversation. Turns out he was a 'chef trainer'... what does that mean? Does he teach at a college? Does he work as the head line cook at McDonald's? I just don't know. Anyways, he turned out to be a gem of a person (note: sarcasm) who was obviously only there to check out girls and 'support the live band'. He claimed the live band was the best music he had heard in his life and that the lead singer (Matt Berube or something like that) was the best vocalist he has ever heard. Mel told him that he must not have heard a lot of music then. To which, I responded by choking on my drink with laughter. I am guessing The Lech wasn't too happy that he was being insulted, except that his character was so pathetic that he had totally opened himself up to target practice. His only response was that we were three very bitter girls. Of course I took offense because I never actually said two words to the guy... what an arse. It was an amusing night though.
On Friday again I missed another Keppie lecture because the bank called me up to let me know that my interac card had been used at a business that was under investigation for copying access numbers and PIN numbers. Of course, I had to have it replaced immediately. I am a bit pissed off about this still because this is the second time in a year that this has happened to me. The bank can never tell me where the sketchy business is (it must be some place in Vancouver...) and they always say that the investigation could date back as far as 90 days. Like what the fuck? They were just waiting to see if someone would steal money from my account? Not that it would be very much, but still...? Anyways, people... watch out for stupid nonsense like this. I just wish I knew where I was going that was so sketchy... then I would avoid it or if I absolutely had to go there I would use only cash. Oh well...
The weekend was uneventful... I tried to do homework and was unsuccessful and here I sit on Monday morning, after realizing I have slept in and cannot get to class on time. FUCK! Good way to start the week. Maybe I should go and eat some pie.


Seattle Pi 

Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince

child 


adult 

Aimless in Seattle

Yesterday, Jen, Shaw, and I piled into Fabian (the car) and took a little day trip down to Seattle to check out the city. It is actually quite lovely and has better mountain scenery than Vancouver, although there were some equally dodgy parts of the city. We parked near the Space Needle, which is not as big as you expect it to be, and then wandered around it and the surrounding museums/play areas. I really had hoped to go to the Experience Music Project, but the price was a little steep ($20 US) and there were no student or youth discounts. Although curiously enough, there was a military discount, which even Shaw was surprised to see. Perhaps it will soon become a nationwide occurrence?
We took a monorail into the city to check out Pike Place Market along the waterfront and even had a quick ride on a Merry-Go-Round. I have to admit, the last time I was on one of those was only a few years ago, so I wasn't reliving childhood memories or whatever. It was just a bit of a lark to do.
We did a bit of shopping in the 4th Avenue area but nothing really caught our eyes. I was however in love with a sweater at Abercrombie and Fitch that is just too expensive. I checked it out online when I got home and it is $6 cheaper online but then shipping is $13.95, so it is a bit of a no-go. I was kind of disappointed, but I cannot really afford it, so life goes on. Maybe it will go on sale soon and then I can snag it from the website *crosses fingers*.
The trip home was a bit of an adventure because we thought we might stop in Bellingham for dinner, but the highway signs are pretty poor so we missed it. Plan B was to hit the Olive Garden in Langley, but signage is equally crap on this side of the border too, so we got lost, reoriented ourselves and then just went to Ginger & Garlic in Kerrisdale. At least it was cheap and close to home because by the end of the day I was bloody tired and my feet were aching up a storm.
I do hope to get back to Seattle soon and now that I know how much the EMP is, I will put some money away for that expenditure. Otherwise, not much is new... school is shite as usual. Life is monotonous...

Waiting for a Star to Fall

4 Mounties killed in a drug raid -- worst death toll in that police service since the North West Rebellion in 1885.
Martha Stewart got released from jail.
Denise Richards & Charlie Sheen are getting divorced.
Chris Klein & Katie Holmes split up (thank god).
Return of the Jen-i ... my flat mate has safely returned.
It's raining outside.
Reading cannot accept me because the only person qualified to take on my thesis topic just went to Oxford. They've recommended I apply to Oxford.
Today is Emily's birthday and we are going to the Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner, yay!
I need to win the lottery to pay for school.
Was this a pointless post? Yes. I apologize, but there are more pics of the blossoms on my street.


Vancouver in Bloom Pt.2 


Vancouver in Bloom2 Pt.2 


Vancouver in Bloom3 pt.2

It's Rrroll Up the Rim to Win Season

Last year I was foolish and didn't document how beautiful Vancouver is in the Spring. So today I brought out the camera to show you all that this is the start of the apple blossoms blooming on our boulevard and it's only going to get better in the weeks to come. Today also marked my glorious return to the gym... no more slacking !!
And wouldn't you know it, Monday marked the beginning of Roll Up the Rim to Win season at Tim Horton's. For those of you unfamiliar with the mighty Tim Horton's coffee and doughnut shop chain, it is a glorious contest in which you roll up the rim of your coffee cup to see if you have won prizes ranging from free coffee or doughnuts to cash, a home entertainment system or even a massive GMC truck. I secretly believe that Tim Horton's (or maybe it's just God) strategically places the Roll Up the Rim contest each year in March because it is a temptation for people who have given up sweets for Lent. I find myself avoiding giving up Tim's during Lent because I will cave in anyways, so what's the point? Besides, there are very few T.H. franchises within the city of Vancouver, so I don't go there very often while I am here. Now, working during the summer in Ontario is an entirely different story because going to T.H.'s is a daily event, sometimes more than once.

Enough about Tim and his mighty coffee, it was also Dave's birthday on Monday so I would like to wish him a giant Happy Birthday on here (a few days late) although I did catch you on your birthday :)


Vancouver in Bloom


Vancouver in Bloom2


Vancouver in Bloom3


Vancouver in Bloom4