poetry day!!

Here are some gems...enjoy!


Opal
by Amy Lowell

You are ice and fire,
The touch of you burns my hands like snow.
You are cold and flame.
You are the crimson of amaryllis,
The silver of moon-touched magnolias.
When I am with you,
My heart is a frozen pond
Gleaming with agitated torches.



Faults
by Sara Teasdale

They came to tell your faults to me,
They named them over one by one;
I laughed aloud when they were done,
I knew them all so well before,—
Oh, they were blind, too blind to see
Your faults had made me love you more.



Failing and Flying
by Jack Gilbert

Everyone forgets that Icarus also flew.
It's the same when love comes to an end,
or the marriage fails and people say
they knew it was a mistake, that everybody
said it would never work. That she was
old enough to know better. But anything
worth doing is worth doing badly.
Like being there by that summer ocean
on the other side of the island while
love was fading out of her, the stars
burning so extravagantly those nights that
anyone could tell you they would never last.
Every morning she was asleep in my bed
like a visitation, the gentleness in her
like antelope standing in the dawn mist.
Each afternoon I watched her coming back
through the hot stony field after swimming,
the sea light behind her and the huge sky
on the other side of that. Listened to her
while we ate lunch. How can they say
the marriage failed? Like the people who
came back from Provence (when it was Provence)
and said it was pretty but the food was greasy.
I believe Icarus was not failing as he fell,
but just coming to the end of his triumph.

When did fire safety become uncool?

So here is my ridiculous story of the day. This morning I stopped to get some gas because I probably wouldn’t have made it to the College if I hadn’t. I got out, and as I tried to put the nozzle into my gas tank, it wouldn’t go in, and I couldn’t make the buttons work, and the whole thing just kept beeping at me. I was in a hurry, and was getting a bit frustrated when an old man appeared out of nowhere to tell me I was trying to put Diesel into my car. It was true. I was using the wrong nozzle. The old guy kept telling me that next time I should come through the Full Serve pumps because he loves to help out beautiful ladies. He said it about 5 times, inching closer to me with every plea. I thanked him, laughed nervously, and practically wrestled him for the correct nozzle. He finally left me alone, but when I went in to pay, he was skulking in the corner, leering at me. I could almost see him mouthing the phrases “full serve” and “beautiful lady” as he ogled me. So here is the lesson I have taken away from this experience. When you act like a helpless girl, creepy old men might do everything they can to take advantage of it. In my defense, I was really tired, and the reason for my lethargy is the second story of the day. This one, however, occurred at about 4:00 am, so the middle of the night may actually constitute story of yesterday.

Regardless… Denise and I were awakened at 3:45 by the fire alarm in our building going off. Now, I have lived in several apartment buildings in Edmonton, and the fire alarm went off in every single one of them for one reason or another. In those instances, I learned that you exit the building when it happens, no matter what the time. Andrea will testify to the fact that at Garneau Towers, it could be any time of the night!! I remember a few instances where the whole building congregated in the street until the Fire trucks came to give us the o.k. to go back in. So, like the good little conditioned girl that I am, and really, because I don’t really relish the idea of burning to a crisp in my bed (who let those orphans in?), I hopped up, grabbed Denise and we went outside. No one else was there. Well, there were a couple of ne’er do wells walking through our parking lot (At 4:00 am? Probably our favorite car thieves), but no other tenants came out of the building. Denise and I went to her car to stay warm, and to wait for the fire trucks. No fire trucks came!! Heaven forbid there really had been a fire! The alarm stopped, and we went back inside. Apparently all of the other residents were too tired to not be burned!! I laid awake for the next 30 minutes, as the alarm jangled my nerves quite a bit. I also made a pact with myself that no matter how uncool it is, I will always exit the building when the fire alarm sounds. If anything, it makes for a killer story on the blog.

I am on my way to the gym (I am trying!!), and going to try something other than the treadmill. I may have to ask someone for help (shock and horror!!), but I want to find a few things I like to do, so I am not just on the treadmill for 50 minutes. If anyone out there has tips or hints, please let me know.

I wish I could be Eurotrash..

I have come to the realization that I don't know how to wear a scarf. I bought myself a beautiful one in Ireland, and I have only worn it two ways: As a shawl, and around my neck, but not artfully. With the new North American obsession with scarves apparent at every turn (we are even selling some at Chapters, probably under the suitably literate moniker "reading shawl"), I am wondering how all these people know how to tie their scarves so they look good. Was there some sort of tutorial that I missed? Am I just not that bright?

Can someone please help me?

That's about it for today.

Silence is not always golden...

I had a mildly frightening experience at Walmart this weekend. (At Walmart? No!!) I went to try on a shirt at the fitting rooms, and as I walked up, there were two ladies there. One was sitting at the desk, and the other was hanging clothes. I said hello to the lady at the desk, and she just sat there silently for about 3 seconds, and then she ever-so-slowly raised her hand and pointed at the other girl. She didn't take her eyes off me, and she didn't say a word. Just pointed. I turned to the girl hanging clothes, but she had her back to me. The first lady continued to stare at me, and so it was (an extemely uncomfortable) 10 seconds before the girl realized Iwas there. She slowly turned around, and taking my clothes, opened up one of the doors, and pointed to the fitting room. She also did not say a word. I thanked her and hightailed it right in. It was seriously creepy...I can only hope that they were a mother and daughter who were both mute. I think it is a sign that I shouldn't be shopping at Walmart anymore.

This weekend was so relaxing, that I was almost excited to come back to work today. Almost...but not quite. General Conference was wonderful, and I came away with a desire to be better at a lot of things. I saw all of it except for the afternoon session on Saturday, when I fell asleep during the first talk. This was due to a turkey dinner between sessions, and the very comfortable chair I was sitting in. I spent Saturday with Denise and her family, as they were having their Thanksgiving this last weekend when her brother and sister-in-law could be there.

I hope you are all enjoying your Monday. I am trying my best to "be awesome", but I am not feeling overly well today. My stomach is kind of jittery, and I am feeling light headed. Almost like I have had too much caffeine. I haven't had any energy drinks...I promise.

Keep on dreaming!

"God is in the boring details"

This week has been a great one so far, and here are some of the reasons why:

I have started reading the new Maeve Binchy, “Heart and Soul”, and I am quite enjoying it. I just couldn’t get into her last one, but this one has the elements I love about her books. Great characters, intertwining lives and stories, and of course, the always awful cheating ex/husband are all present and accounted for. Ah…no one writes a despicable man like Maeve…

The weather has been absolutely glorious. It has been in the early to mid twenties all week, and with the leaves changing, it makes me want to just lay a blanket down under a tree and dream the day away.

I watched last week’s episode of “The Office”, and this week’s episode of “How I met your Mother” Both were delightful!

We had a wonderful Mexican Fiesta night with Ashley on Tuesday. Denise made her delicious chimichangas, which I have now coined “Mexican pouches which bring delight”. They truly are angels food, and Denise, I will never walk away from you now that I have tasted them! ( I made a corn and bean salad that was nowhere near the caliber of the pouches, but complimented them just the same.) We added some Dilly-dip, and topped off the whole dinner with some low-acid apple juice. Top Night!

That night, Denise and I also got to run lines with Braden for the play he is preparing for. I had way too much fun doing this. The play was really funny, and I completely relished reading my part. Sorry to Braden for making it all about me!! I hope I was some help…

I have set some goals for myself this week. It is really time to get myself on track, and to find ways to feel good about myself and my choices.

I got a letter from our favorite missionary, Elder Garner. I was so happy to hear that he is doing well. He is now out in the mission field and sharing the truth, and more importantly, he is spreading the gospel of “Story of the Day”. It is my goal to see this phenomenon spread around the world in the manner of a pandemic, or “The Secret”. I do have to give a bit of credit to my parents, for the original “What was the best thing of your day”, but I like to think that “Story of the Day” has a Jenny flavor all its own. While we’re on the subject, here is a s.o.t.d. from yesterday. I was at Chapters, and Doreen came up to me and asked our policy on “no shirts, no shoes, no service”, because there was a guy who apparently had no shirt. I said we didn’t really have such a policy, but I went to find him, nonetheless. Yes, he had no shirt, but he was wearing a back-pack. I had to go to the office to laugh, because it was really not a great look for anyone. It also couldn’t have been very comfortable…

I finally remembered my gym clothes, and I will be going right after work...in about 20 minutes. If you see me tonight or tomorrow, please ask me how the gym was, and chastize me if I didn't go.

So, yeah. This week has been good, and I have been happy. I am so blessed to have 2 great jobs, an amazing family, and friends who tolerate me.

As it is poetry day (Yay!!) I will post one a little lighter than last week's. Canadian author Jean Little has written some absolutely beautiful children's poetry, and here is a tiny taste.

RAIN by Jean Little

Rain is as mischief-making as a child.
She pokes the Thunder's ribs until he roars.
She sits on steepled roofs and thrums her heels
And tickles grass and taps at solemn doors.

She dampens dignitaries and their wives,
Paints saucy freckle-faces on the roads,
Makes mud puddles and rainbows; then gets down
To scrub the tiny blissful backs of toads.

Have a wonderful weekend, I am pretty sure mine will be great. If you want to go to the Farmer's Market on Saturday, let me know!!

This weekend was quite action-packed, and even included some "classic Jenny". I will start on Thursday night, when I attended the play at the University with Braden. I really enjoyed the first half of the play, and moderately enjoyed the second half. The second act was slower, and introduced more themes that really didn't further the plot, or the character development. As for the lead roles, the guy who played Fritz Haber was just too smug for my liking. The character was extremely prideful and stubborn, but the actor was just too...smug. He also bore a remarkable resemblance to David Cross, which I didn't really notice until the intermission when Braden said he didn't love Tobias in the role. Thanks to him for that, because the it was all I could think about throughout the second act. The man who played Einstein, I liked a bit better. I thought he was more expressive. What I did like about the play was the theme about the use of scientific inventions for evil or destructive purposes. The main character, Fritz Haber, was a chemist in Germany during the first half of the 20th century. It was his invention of chlorine gas that was used in the first world war. There was an extremely powerful scene in the play where the gas is used for the first time at the battle of Ypres. Haber comes across a german soldier who is poisoned. He holds him in his arms as he is dying form the gas. I was really moved becuase I have read quite a bit of poetry by both Wilfred Owen and Siegfred Sassoon. They both talk about the use of chlorine gas (Also, see the poem in the last post) and their imagery is so vivid, that I have always felt such a tangible horror whenever I read about the battles. The scene was chaotic, loud, and evoked the fear the Allies must have felt when they experienced the gas for the first time.

Friday, I worked at Chapters, and then saw the movie "Eagle Eye", and... Meh. Shia Leboeuf didn't have any real opportunity to act, and the premise of the film was just a little too far-fetched for me. Also, too many car chases and explosions. I was pretty bored by the excessive "action" . Beisdes, the real action of Friday night happened after the movie when I locked my keys in the car at 7-11!! I stopped to get something to eat, and the events that transpired were clearly a punishment for even attempting to consume any of the "food" there. So, I pulled in just after midnight, and there was a veritable mob of reprobates just hanging outside the door. I started rooting in my purse, and the next thing I knew, I was standing outside of the car, looking in at my keys in the ignition, and my cell-phone on the seat. I walked home, freaked out to poor Denise, and them called Dad, who had to be up in about 4 hours for a temple shift. He directed me through using a hanger to try to flip the lock switch, but the hanger kept bending, it didn't really fit between the door and the car, and I was getting hungrier by the minute. I gave up after 20 minutes,and Denise called AMA. The guy came in about 10 minutes, and opened the door in about 30 seconds. Amazing!! We praised him to the skies, and went home. Unfortunately I did not learn my lesson, and took home "food" to eat. I was extremely repentant the next morning when I had a terrible Jumbo Juicy hang-over...

Sunday was the ever popular, much beloved third annual Denise Garner apple taste Test. A wonderful time was had by all! The general winner was the Honey Crisp apple, but I went against the grain and chosde the Jazz as my favorite. It had the perfect amounts of crunch, sweetness and tartness. Delightful.

Anyway, here is hoping that this week will provide as much entertainment as the last!

Ciao!

Belated poetry hype...

Today is Thursday which means a few fantastic things. First, and most excitedly, it means Poetry day here! Yay! Be prepared, it’s going to be an awesome one. Second, it is a good day for Denise, because her family gets a letter from Eric on Thursdays. Third and fourth, which are both specific to this week only, I don’t have to work, and I am attending a play tonight at the University. It is called “Einstein’s Gift”, by the Canadian playwright, Vern Thiessen, and I have been reading a few reviews of it this morning. It sounds interesting and extremely thought-provoking. I will give my own review tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Anyway, here is a poem that has similar themes to the play.

Dulce et Decorum Est

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,

Knock kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge

Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs

And towards our distant rest began to trudge.

Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots

But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame, all blind,

Drunk with fatigue, deaf even to the hoots

Of gas shells dropping softly behind.

Gas! Gas! Quick boys! An ecstasy of fumbling,

Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;

But someone still was yelling out and stumbling,

And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime...

Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,

As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,

He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace

Behind the wagon that we flung him in,

And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,

His hanging face, like a devils sick of sin

If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood

Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,

Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud

Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues, -

My friend, you would not tell with such zest

To children ardent for some desperate glory,

The Old Lie: Dulce et decorum est

Pro patria mori.*

*It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country

Likes and not-really-likes

I was thinking last night about what I like and what I do not enjoy about the College.

Things I like:
Mondays…Criminal Justice Mondays. I know they are young, but it is enjoyable to see all of the guys in the program dressed up. Really brightens up a gloomy Monday
The Cafeteria. The sandwiches are fantastic, and the garlic toast is made by the angels, I think. The breakfasts are also something to sing about.
The Cave. For all of you who don’t know the Lethbridge College very well, The Cave is the LC Student Association general hangout. There are extremely comfortable couches, a big screen t.v., a concession, ping-pong tables (where I have embarrassed myself to the extreme), and various tables. On Wednesdays, the SA have had different food for sale (tomorrow is pizza), or when we are really lucky, Free Hot-dogs!!! Bring back free hot-dogs!!
The size of the College. As part of my job, I am generally running from place to place to meet up with a student or colleague, and the fact that the college is not overly big is a real plus. It is big enough, however, to make me feel like I am getting a pretty good work-out.
The Child and Youth Care class I am attending with a student. The lab is so much fun, that I feel bad that I am essentially being paid to attend. So far, we have made food in one of the labs (I got to take a ton home!), and modge-podge frames the other. Awesome!! Next week we are playing volley-ball…Oh, it is a hard life I do lead!

Things I do not enjoy
Obnoxious students loudly telling their friends (and everyone around them) about their various sexcapades. Boo. I do not want to hear about this. Especially when the guy telling the stories is so hideously ugly, that it is not overly believable that he has a girlfriend. Really, I don’t know who would have touched him with a ten-foot pole (“Not with two ten-foot poles”!).
The new motto of the College, “Proud to be new’d”. Who are we trying to attract with this theme? It is pretty unclassy, and it seems to me that many people here are looking for ways to class up the place. I just realized that my key chain has the motto on it. Yeah.
Standing in lines to register. As I had to register my students one class at a time, (The instructors would never get back to me!!) I had to stand in the lines at the Registrar about 10 times, with about a 20-30 minute wait most of those times. Seriously. We are in the 21st Century. Online Registration, anyone? The rumour is that it will be happening soon…


So, things here are pretty good. I can’t complain, much.

Have a wonderful day, one and all!!

Friday!!! Friday!!

The exciting news for today is that I now have business cards. If I was a real office pro, and had I the equipment to facilitate my desires, I would scan one and post it here. However, none of my office dreams are coming true today. Except for the name cards. And the new printer I still need to hook up (IT?) And the chance to use my beautiful and stylish “Cherry Blossoms sticky notes” which I purchased at Chapters with the anticipation of leaving myself many tiny notes.

So, yes, my business cards are wonderful, and they also validate my existence a bit. Seriously! If only there was another Raymond parade so I could hand them out to former classmates as if to say “Hah! I may not be married, but I am at least now moderately successful. See? Here is the fit-in-your-wallet-sized proof. Facilitator? I know, that does sound fancy, doesn’t it?” As mentioned in a previous post, the cards say “Jenny Olsen, B.A”. Now I don’t even have to mention that to people, they can just read it. Oh, it is so nice to know that my almost worthless Arts degree is now putting itself to work by making me look professional.

I am right now looking at a picture that says “Attitude: What happens to a man is less significant than what happens within him.” Yes, there is an inspirational poster on my wall. It isn’t mine, but I am considering getting one for myself. Maybe several to festoon the walls in a veritable feel-good gallery. I am sorry for any of you who enjoy the motivational pictures…I may just be too much of a cynic. Actually, I am thinking about bringing a picture of Jesus, and a sign that says “I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it” (That is for you, E.A.G.) Or, even better, a copy of the poem “Footprints”. And a machine that simulates the sound of the ocean.

I am ridiculously glad that it is the weekend, and I am spending tomorrow getting my hair cut and coloured, buying home organization goodies and then finally putting my bedroom in order, doing some laundry, getting some snacks for Nursery (we are running out) and then spending the evening with Ginger watching a movie. It is going to be awesome!

Have a good weekend, everyone. Here’s hoping you get the chance to do something just for you.

Eat well. Read a book. Get some sleep.

Go to church.

I am reading too much poetry because Denise has the back-bone this week, and I just can't say no

Here are a couple of poems for Thursday...the Shel Silverstein because he is awesome, and not scary. (Besides, who doesn't love pirates?)

The second one is here because Neruda is a poet I am just starting to read.

Have a smashing day, everyone!


It's Dark in Here by Shel Silverstein

I am writing these poems
From inside a lion,
And it's rather dark in here.
o please excuse the handwriting
Which may not be too clear.
But this afternoon by the lion's cage
I'm afraid I got too near.
And I'm writing these lines
From inside a lion,
And it's rather dark in here.

I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love You by Pablo Neruda

I do not love you except because I love you;
I go from loving to not loving you,
From waiting to not waiting for you
My heart moves from cold to fire.

I love you only because it's you the one I love;
I hate you deeply, and hating you
Bend to you, and the measure of my changing love for you
Is that I do not see you but love you blindly.

Maybe January light will consume
My heart with its cruel
Ray, stealing my key to true calm.

In this part of the story I am the one who
Dies, the only one, and I will die of love because I love you,
Because I love you, Love, in fire and blood.

too much for one day?

I know it is not Poetry day, but I am at the college, and needed a place to paste this poem. It is by one of my favorite poets.

I Am Not Yours

I am not yours, not lost in you, Not lost, although I long to be Lost as a candle lit at noon, Lost as a snowflake in the sea.
You love me, and I find you still A spirit beautiful and bright, Yet I am I, who long to be Lost as a light is lost in light.
Oh plunge me deep in love -- put out My senses, leave me deaf and blind, Swept by the tempest of your love, A taper in a rushing wind.

-Sara Teasdale

Don't judge me

I have a question: Is it o.k. to feel lonely?

Lately, what with the advanced age and inability to attend YSA activities, I have felt really left out of things, and...lonely. Part of me feels really guilty for saying it out loud (writing it out loud), because I have a family who loves me, a great roommate, a job that I feel excited to tell people about, a ward family, and a handful of friends who are amazing. So, then, why do I feel disconnected? It could be that I work a lot and don't have a lot of free time, or that I can't join in the activities that my friends are doing, or that I haven't taken the opportunity to meet more people my age.

It is hard to embrace a feeling like loneliness, because I feel like I shouldn't be allowed to be lonely when I have all of the afore-mentioned supports. It is also hard to admit, because I think there is a perceived weakness or embarassment about having those feelings.

So. There it is. Out there in the cosmos. Please don't judge me for saying it. Please don't pity me for feeling it. And, for heaven's sake, do not try to fix me or find me someone to date. Just know I miss you if I haven't seen you for awhile, and and that I will be o.k. I am just trying to be more honest with myself and others.

An update...albeit a boring one

Once again, it has been a grotesquely long time since I last wrote. Why? Most likely because I have been pretty busy. Really! I have barely even seen Denise.

The job at the College is getting better all the time, and I am enjoying the increased pay. I think that money really will be a great substitute for love… I am finally getting all of my students’ schedules finalized, which means mine is pretty much set as well. One of the best things about this position is that there is a lot of running around, from classes to students to meetings, etc. I find I am a person who needs to move around a lot, and bouncing from thing to thing fits in perfectly with my short attention span, and the way my thoughts jump around so much. My co-workers are great, and there are already practical jokes (one including a lovely seal statue and fantastic hiding places like the mini-fridge) in the works. Our offices are still a bit hectic, as they were being painted over the summer, and we just got back into them last week. I have a desk, a phone (with a number!!), a computer, and a white/bulletin board all for me. It is so exciting to have my own office, and I am getting ready to put up pictures on my desk of various family and friends. Yeah…I am going to be one of those people! We have been ordering office supplies, and so soon my desk will be resplendent with organizational accoutrements. I am also building a great rapport with my three students. They are all pretty independent, but there are two classes that I am attending with them. In the one I went to today, we did cooking activities, and I got to take home nuts and bolts, and cracker spread. Such a hard life I lead… One of my students was quite reserved when we first met, and has taken quite awhile to open up. Today, he told me a story from Friday afternoon, when he accidentally went to the wrong class! Once he realized, he quickly got out of there and went to the right classroom. He was absolutely laughing his head off as he told me the experience, and it was so great to see him so comfortable with me and with the school. Another one of my students, after we had only met once, refused to work with me. But…I met with her a couple of times, and we went to her first class together where we played Pongee hockey (a type of floor hockey you play with foam ended sticks). It was an instant bonding experience. Things have been really good since that class!

I am still at Chapters, which is basically like my second home. It has been great getting to know the night people better, and I am glad of the second pay-check. I am planning a trip to Paris next year, and I want to have a lot saved.

Sorry this is such a boring post, I guess this is more like a journal today.

Be smart. Be happy.

Go to church…at least you’re not in Nursery!!

I don't hate you...I just really don't like you. And you're terrible.

Here is some food for thought...although a little vindictive, perfect for a "we didn't date, but we sure broke up...

Enjoy!!

Permanently Lonely
Don't be concerned it's time I learned
That those who play with fire get burned
But I'll be alright in a little while
But you'll be permanently lonely
Don't be too quick to pity me
Don't salve my heart with sympathy
Cause I'll be alright in a little while
But you'll be permanently lonely
The world looks on with wonder
And pity at your kind
Cause it knows that the future
Is not very pretty for your kind for your kind
Will always be runnin' and wonderin'
What's happened to hearts that you've broken
And left all alone
But we'll be alright in a little while
But you'll be permanently lonely
Runnin' lonely

-Willie Nelson

...you can't take the emo out of the girl

Hello and hooray for Poetry Day!!

My confused and skewered emotional state can only be helped by the words of Shakespeare, and one of my very favorite sonnets by the man himself. There is a distinct possibility that poetry may send me even further over the edge, but we'll stay away from the Edna St. Vincent Millay and the Theodore Roethke just in case...

Here is a sonnet that makes my heart happy, and I hope will brighten your days a little as well. Rufus Wainwright wrote an incredible musical setting for the words, and if you get the chance to hear it (I have it, come find me), do. You will not be sorry. I think I love it mostly for his incredibly gentle use of the banjo in the instrumentation. I know it sounds weird but it works. Just ask Sufjan Stevens.

However, I digress. With this post I also include a link to a news story that covers our Midnight Masquerade. If you would like to see the costumes, the masks, the quivering girls and me at 12:30, looking sweaty and kind of crazy, then you will want to check it out.

http://www.citytv.com/calgary/yourcity_60185.aspx

Sonnet 29

When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf Heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featur'd like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least:
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee,--and then my state
(Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

-William Shakespeare

Mid-life crisis...already?

So, if you read Denise's blog, you will know that she and I ventured out to the "pool" last night in search of cool-down. Can I just say...Open Swim at Stan Siwick is an experience not to be missed. There were a ton of people there, mostly kids, and so there wasn't a lot of moving around. There were two guys, one not bad and the other completely hideous, who were giving me and Denise the eye. They were both on some sort of flotation device, and they kept steering it closer towards us. They were also engaging in much horseplay on said floater, which I am sure they thought made them look athletic and strong, but really just made them look pretty gay. There was also an Olympic wannabe who was doing some pretty crazy dives. When he surfaced, he did a butterfly stroke so vigorous that everyone within 10 feet of him was choking on the waves he created. We also got to watch the kids go on the ball, and I was reminded of when I was little. We used to swim in the Pincher Creek Pool and swing off the rope. It was so wonderful to just be in the water last night, and I was so much cooler after. I really do not enjoy the heat. At all.

So, I have finished one week and two days of the new job...and...I am still in two minds about it. I didn't realize it would be so much one on one with students with disabilities, and so there has been a lot of sitting around, taxiing people, riding on parade floats, and trying to find things to do. I feel like I am not doing a lot, and I am getting pretty bored. I know it will pick up in September, but even then, I am not sure it is what I want to do. So...do I hang on for a year just for the money, but setting myself back in finding a job I love, Or do I quit in the next 3 months and continue the job search? Or, continue the job search right now? I should probably give it more than just a week, but I really didn't want to work one on one with people with disabilities again.

Argh. I say again: ARGH. (much more vehemently this time)

Well, it is time for "Story of the Day" (no song accompanies this title) My story takes place at the infamous Whoop-Up Days parade. For all of you who are new to Jenny, it is the site of the incident that turned me off parades forever. This year, I got the chance to ride the Exhibition grounds float/horse-drawn trolley, and it did not suck too much. I did not wave to anyone, I hid my face whenever I spied someone on the sidelines that I knew, and I did not get off the ride. Do I love parades now? No. Will I ever go to a Raymond/Magrath/ Cardston parade while still single and poor? No. Will I grudgingly admit that it is not so much the parade itself, but my own issues and inability to forget my harrowing trying-to-get-back-on-the-float-experience that is tainting my view of parades in general? Absolutely.

Everyone enjoy your Whoop-Up days. If you see me at the Fair grounds, please don't let me eat too many mini donuts.

Good night and Good luck!

Advice for the new job, anyone?

"It's all about hiding the crazy, and acting like the most confident girl in the room."

-Carla, "Scrubs"

So it's official...I have become a shut-in. It was a lofty goal, I know, and it has been a lot of work, but it has been a labour of love. I would like to thank all those who have gotten me here. In no particular order: Veronica Mars, Ugly Betty, all the folks from "Bones", and of course, all the crazy Scrubs-wearing friends from Sacred Heart. I couldn't have become a complete recluse without any of them. I think someone else's life is just so much more interesting than mine...and with any luck, all those characters will be my "real" friends any day now. Really...just one more episode should do it, and Logan Echolls will be mine!!

There has been a by-product of all this t.v. binging, and it is that the drama is starting to get to me. Specifically, the lack of it in my own life. Now, this is not a bad thing, but I find myself looking for crimes in Lethbridge anywhere I can. For instance...what would Veronica count as the best course of action for discovering who is stealing stuff from Denise's car every month? Should I have a good old fashioned stake-out, or concoct some complicated scheme to trap the perp?
Actually, I don't try to find the outside drama, as much as try to create some in my own life...which we all know is never a smart thing to do. Mostly, because my life is completely drama/scandal/romance free, and anything I might try to create will be just that...a creation.
So, I will cut back on the t.v. consumption, and try to remember what real people are like.

Sigh... I'm bored already.

Well, I am just finishing up my last full time week at Chapters, and it is extremely confusing. I have been there for 2 years, given my heart and a lot of sweat to making it the place it is today. I love the people there, they have been like my family. On the flip-side, I am starting a new challenge, I will have more money, and I am leaving some of my problems behind. Maybe the real problem is moving from a big fish in the small pond to...oh, you know the rest. Change is always such a dichotomy.

So, this weekend is already shaping up to be a great one. We first have a fashion Saturday, and then that evening, I am going to a party at the house of a friend from work. On Sunday, Gabe, Beckham, and I are heading out to church in Magrath and then we are having dinner with Mom, Dad, Mark, Steven, and Ben (who are staying with them while Andrea and Chris are in San Fransisco...lucky!!), Jess, Adam, Sam, and Erika. Proves to be loud, crazy, and definitely enjoyable.

Now, I know it isn't Thursday...but I will leave you with a little poem. This is one I wrote my first year of University, and I think the sentiments really apply for my current situation. If I have already posted it before, I apologize.

Hearing your Favorite Songs and other good omens

A familiar melody begins-
it plays somewhere
inside your veins
and you walk in time to it
'cause it's your time

It's always been with you
Maybe someone heard inside your head
and wrote the song
Your song-
yours and no other's

Something is possible-
The room is brighter and
you are more beautiful.

The world is suddenly navigated
and you find you're a map reader

-JKO, 2002

300 teenages...what could be better?

Everyone is better at computers than me.

I was just "chatting" with a friend on the facebook chat, and for every 3 sentences/questions he would write, I would do one. Mine would also be caps- lock cRAZy, and I couldn't even think of anything funny to write. Being a Luddite, I have only "chatted" about 3 times in my life, and that is mostly because I am a terrible typer. While I am a very fast speaker (really, I'm not kidding!), my fingers are truly retarded. I will just have to start making sure I am always off line, so I will not embarrass myself technologically...

So, I really should be going to bed because I do work early tomorrow, but I felt the need to tell about the Midnight Masquerade. It went absolutely, ridiculously well. We had about 350 people there, and most of those people dressed up. The dresses and the masks were amazing. There were prom dresses, Vintage dresses, medieval costumes, Gothic dresses, and a couple of pretty slutty party dresses.(I saw more cleavage than I ever wanted to....) Because of our sign-up table, it got pretty backed up coming in to the store, and so there was a really long line to get in. I asked the people in line if it felt like they were line for a club...

Our different stations went very well Our mask=making was the most popular by far, with a huge line-up all night. Our Discussion groups were moderately successful. The dance was a lot of fun, and I was so pleases that we were able to hold it outside. With our lights on the railing, it looked so cool! I danced a few songs with a really enthusiastic group of girls, and by the time we ended the dance, there were quite a few participants. I don't think any of the other stores had a dance outside, and so just another reason why we are so much better in Lethbridge. Our purchase line -up, though long, went relatively quickly. I got the great job of passing out the books so the people could buy them, and it was so fun to see how excited they were.

The best part of the evening was...my hair!! I got an up do at Chatters! I felt like such a princess, which was so fun. Unfortunately, I only got pictures of the back of my head, and a couple of side shots at the party that were so horrendous, I demanded they be deleted immediately. Of course, they were not, so they are out there. In the cosmos. Double chin and all. There are no good candid shots of me anywhere. ever.

So, it is over, and I am both relieved and disappointed. It feels like Christmas, in that you prepare and prepare, anticipate and wait for, and then it is over in a day. It is also pretty sad that it is the last big event I will do for Chapters. That is definitely one part of the job I will be sad to relinquish.

Goodnight, one and all. I hope you are all smarter than me and getting more than 5 hours of sleep!

We should get jersies...

So, if Denise can blog whilst on "vacation" (uhh, here in Canada we call it on "holiday"), I can blog at home, in the comfort of my own pajama pants. Shirts are for fools.

I just spoke with my new employer, and got the low-down on the new job. I am really excited to start on August 11th, and I am grateful to keep Chapters as a part-time job as well. I would not be able to leave that place anytime soon. They are like my second family, and I can't do without them. With the new job, I will generally work about 8 - 3, with some flexibility due to student's schedules. I will have my own business cards which will have my degree on them, so I can finally fulfill my life-long dream of calling myself "Jennifer Olsen, B.A." Don't think I won't do it. All the time, and to strangers, too.

So, being alone here at the apartment has its benefits, but it has its draw-backs as well. I am enjoying having the place to myself for awhile, but I miss having someone to talk to about my own stupidity, and the stupidity of others. Who else can help me decipher a cryptic comment , or analyze a certain action, or let me rant about what angers me? I am beginning to think that I have become a person who does not do well alone! I used to be fine being by myself, but now I need to have someone to hash things out with. That all being said, it is nice being able to dispense entirely with wearing a shirt...

Last night I went to see the new Indiana Jones movie. While I did find the ending a little far-fetched, I enjoyed the over-all return to the world of Dr. Jones, and his adventures. Harrison Ford was still the man, and Shia was absolutely delightful. The evening was also made awesome by a trip to the Keg, where I was once again reminded why I will never become a vegetarian. I just love the beef too much...

Good luck to Denise today as she says good-bye to her little brother for two years. I have to admit, I am a little sad as well that Eric is leaving. I will miss the truly perfect trifecta of awesome, the X-Files de-constructions, the late-night trips to Boston Pizza, and of course, the music. I guess this means that Denise and I will have to find real friends again. Luckily for both of us, my little brother is moving into town in September. We'll only change it up a little bit.

Only 3 more days until the Midnight Masquerade. I would be freaking out right now, but everyone who is involved is committed 100%, and I know things will go as smoothly as possible. Also, I get to have my hair done. Fantastic!!

Have a wonderful day, everyone.

Nothing like nature to soothe the soul.

I just had the most amazing weekend.

It all started with the offer of a new job!! I will now be working at the college with the Inclusive Post-secondary Education organization. Thank-you so much to Emily and Raf for talking me up to the lady hiring, and for getting me an interview. The interview was on Thursday, and I could tell I had done pretty well when the one interviewer said I was exactly like her, and the other interviewer spent 5 minutes asking me about the "Midnight Masquerade", which she will be attending. They said they would let me know by next Wednesday, but called me back on Friday to say I had gotten the job. The pay is significantly higher, there are benefits, and I get all of my stat holidays and a week at Christmas!! Hello trip to the dentist. I hope I get one of the pretty rings...

On Friday night I went camping with Amy, Nicole, and Mary. We went to Crooked Creek Campground, which is about 10 minutes outside of Waterton. We had such a relaxing time, which was exactly what I needed. We read a lot, ate, and sat around the campfire at night. On Saturday, Jesse brought his boat, and we went all around Waterton Lake, over to the U.S. side of the park. The weather was incredible! We stopped at a random little beach where we went swimming, did a little exploring, skipped some rocks, ate a picnic, played a little "Celebrity Make-out Challenge", discussed the finer points of "The Dark Knight" (re: Heath Ledger's performance, new Batsuit, Christian Bale's shirtless scene), and just laid out on the rocks in the sun. Dream vacation? I think so. The only cloud in the proverbial vacation-sky was back at our campsite on Saturday night. There was this kid who was about twelve years old who was riding a little motor-bike around the camp. It was noise pollution to my ears, and my fellow campers laughed as they heard me threaten to punch the kid in the motor-bike. Thankfully he stopped soon after I imagined making this threat. Luckily for all, however, he started up again at 8:00 am Sunday morning. Even this could not spoil such a relaxing and rejuvenating weekend.

Now, however, I am on to slightly more sordid and all-consuming things. Tomorrow I must give my two weeks notice that either I am leaving, or I am wanting to only do maybe one to two shifts per week. I do not relish that conversation. Also, this weekend is the Midnight Masquerade, and while everything is on its way to being ready, all the last minute stuff is going to be a bit overwhelming.

Wish me luck. On all counts.

I am so boring I can't even think of a title...

I wonder what you have to do to become a "blog of note". Do you have to be famous? Do you have to know someone famous? Do you have to be read by someone famous? Do you have to be stalking someone famous?

I am a shamefully sporadic writer on my blog, which I am sure keeps it as far from the other "blogs of note" as can be. I apologize to all of my three readers, I am sorry to make you wait for another mediocre post. Maybe you should check out the "blogs of note."

O.k., crazy aside, things here have been pretty status quo. I find myself working, walking, working, reading, working, panicking about the Midnight Masquerade, (Does anyone know where we can get some white lights? and tulle? and more money for our budget?) working, and, of course, watching Scrubs. Seriously! I am so addicted to that show. I couldn't stop watching if I tried. Work is good. Busy, but good. I really do work with some of the best people around, so going to the job is always bearable. There is always a ton of things to do, and so the time flies by.

That's about all I have today. I probably shouldn't write when I have absolutely nothing to say. Come back tomorrow for poetry day, and hopefully something at least half-way interesting...

Thanks to City and Colour for the inspiration and the unoriginality

Hello one and all! Welcome to July! So far it has been a pretty good month, I think. However, it wouldn't be my life if there weren't crazy stories...so...
On Wednesday, I got to ride the bus to work and as I got off at Chapters, I felt a little cold in the back. Specifically my lower, lower back. I realized that there had been some kind of liquid on the seat (Probably from an extremely wet rider from the day before and the torrential rain), and that my whole lower lower back and legs were wet. Just like I'd peed my pants. Yeah. So, I had to just let it dry, meanwhile walking around at work as Ms. Pee-pants. Really, I just couldn't be any classier! Luckily the store wouldn't be open for another 2 hours, which was just about how long it took to dry off. When I had first discovered the "wetness", I was terrified that either I: (a) actually had peed myself and didn't feel it, which would open up a lot of other problems, or... (b) I had sat in someone else's urine. So, I made Amy smell my pants. Thankfully it was just water.

I am kind of sad to be back at work after the wonderful 3 day weekend filled with babies, boys, games, Canadian Idol (don't you dare judge me), thunder storms, The Office saison quatre, and great food. However, there is always a lot for me to do at the store, so I am staying busy, and the time is going quickly. I am especially tied up in our Midnight Masquerade event for which we have had two planning meetings. I am glad to be in charge, but I foresee a few sleepless nights coming up pretty soon as I lay awake trying to remember if we bought fast drying glue, or if there will be enough books, or, horror of horrors, nobody comes.

Anyway, enough of that nonsense. Today, after all, is poetry day!!! I have been eagerly anticipating today so I could premiere my newest attempt, which I wrote this last weekend.
Just to preface this poem, I do not want to kill myself. The poem is actually more about how we are sometimes drawn to darkness, and how it can be so easy, almost seductive, to go to a darker or self-pitying place. Heavens, why do you think the emo movement is so prolific? So here it is. I hope you enjoy. Actually, I really don't care whether you like it or not. I do.

Flirting with Dirges

Can you hear it?
There is a funeral procession in the hallway
and I'm afraid if I leave my room
I won't be able
to fight the compulsion to join
(As it is, it's killing me)

Maybe
I'll open the door
just a crack-
enough to see inevitability waiting...

Black-plumed horses
stamp impatience into the carpet
(Either they are out of place,
or I am)

Close behind
looking suitably elegant
Chopin
seductively hums his march
and my fingers ache to play along.

Mourners line the walls
waiting for their cue
obviously bored
with my non-appearance

I lock myself back in
but it's no good.

All the doors in the world
can't hide me
from the gleaming black carriage.

- JKO July, 2008

Making life interesting for murderers and customers...

We have learned a lesson at Chapters and it is thus: You should probably do a bit of a background check on the people you bring into the store for signings and presentations. Case in point: Gary Wilson. Travis arranged to have him in to sign some books today. Last week Gary left a poster that mentioned his book about a man on the run from the law might be a wee bit autobiographical. Apparently he had been charged and convicted with murder. He then spent the next year on the run from the law in Mexico and South America, before turning himself in. He spent time in Prison and now writes books and runs a construction company. The real crux of the story comes when we got a hold of a copy of today's Lethbridge Herald. The paper (if it can be called that) featured a front page article describing, in great gory detail, Gary Wilson's act of murder, and how he went on the run depositing body parts along the way. Of course we got a protest call this morning from a disappointed customer who couldn't believe Chapters would have a murderer in the store.

I am in two minds about this whole situation. Yes, the man has served his time and has, ostensibly, been forgiven by society for his crime. I really have no right to judge him for his past. However, he is capitalizing on his sensational story (he sold 17 books in 3 hours), which I find morally repugnant. People seemed to eat it up. The titillation of seeing a "real live murderer" must have been too much for them to stay away from the store.

Anyway, things are nothing if not controversial at Chapters!!

Tomorrow Cam and Greg are moving their stuff into a storage unit, and then they are moving away to Calgary on Monday. I am sad they are leaving, and also depressed at being the only one left in this so-called city. I have to really get going on this job search, or I need to get out myself.

Have a wonderful Canada day weekend...I guess we'll see you in July.

"Tell me, Lady Hourglass, what went wrong?"

Went tonight to a concert at The Slice with Ashley, her sister and Cody. The band was called "Said the Whale" and they were pretty great. They were definitely quirky and quite raw sounding, but they had some delightful moments.

1. They busted out the uke for a couple of songs, and I remembered how much I love that little instrument. The guy who played it played the heck out of it.

2. Beautiful folk inspired song called Curse of the Currents that tugged at my heart-strings with its emotion.

3. The two lead singers were adorable, and they had some killer harmonies.

4. The glockenspiel. Come on!!

I forgot to add "going to concerts" to my list yesterday. I love it, and it makes me so happy to hear live music. There is something so intimate about seeing people do what they love. I am always so glad to share in that.

Sleep well, everybody!

I am the captain of my soul

I don't know if the new apartment is not conducive to writing, or if I am just running a little low on the creative/motivational juices because it has been a long time since I have put fingers to the keys and entertained y'all. But, here I am on a Friday night with nothing to do but blog. Depressing? You bet.

I better start by talking about the new apartment. So, in true fashion..

1. We live in a tree. We are like the "Swiss Family Robinson" without the annoying younger know-it-all brother, Ernst. (Seriously, could that guy be any more irritating?) Actually, there is a large pine tree outside our window, and so it only feels like we are living in a tree. Heck, a girl can dream, can't she? The best part of said tree is that in the winter it will be like we are living in a Christmas Tree!! Actually, the best part of the tree is how it keeps our apartment ridiculously cool...

2. We have no cupboard space in the kitchen, so it is a good thing we don't have a lot of kitchen stuff.

3. We have a killer balcony that is so big, that it is about half the size of our living room. We just need to get some lawn chairs, and we can spend every night on the proverbial "front porch", if the front porch is an awesome balcony that is basically in a tree.

4. Our windows have screens in them!! This is especially favorable because it means that I can sleep with my windows open, and not have to get up three times in the morning to kill the wasps who have come in.

5. We live on the North side. This was never more apparent then when I was trying to fall asleep last night at 2:00 am and there were some guys in our parking lot who were trying to make the world's worst you-tube video. What I heard was extremely loud clomping and then a voice yelling "Record me running on top of all these cars!!" Class. Right there. You just don't get those kind of shenanigans on the south side. Over there its just the "Beating up your girlfriend show" with my favorite follow-ups, "Let's smoke pot all night in the house", and "The world's most dysfunctional relationship, otherwise known as Jarett and Jen". And, of course, who could forget the Saturday morning Sex Show? Yeah... I'll take "guy running on the hood of my car in pursuit of good clean fun" any day. At least that way I am not alternately getting the munchies and trying not to vomit.

So these days my life is pretty darn boring. Mostly because I am now officially out of YSA (yes, 31 will do that to you...), and also because I am grossly poor. I end up working, watching movies, eating, working again, watching Scrubs, eating, working... you get the picture. This singular life style has had a bit of an effect on my happiness, let alone my waistline. I am starting to develop a fear that I will never meet the person I am supposed to be with, or even someone to date. This fear stems from a few factors: My advancing age and the lack of older men in Lethbridge, and my not so stellar career path with Student loans to boot. Couple this fear with a raging case of Summer heat, and you've got one unhappy girl.

So...as I lay on the couch this evening feeling a bit sorry for myself, I realized something. We make our own happiness. As a very wise man once said, "No one can make you feel anything. If you make up your mind to have a good time, you will." Now my dad was talking ostensibly about Stake Dances, but I have seen him put this advice into action in his own life: Therefore, I know that it is applicable to more than feelings of teenage insecurity about being a wall-flower.

What can I do to feel good about my life? What makes me happy? Well, here are a few things:

-Singing
-Reading
-Finding a really good salad dressing
-living in a tree
-The Sword and the Stone...Disney style
-being a hostess
-cooking
-walking
-my Family
-pyjama pants
-franglaise
-movies
-Boggle
-my hair straightener
-"la fille aux cheveux de lin"

I guess the answer to my ennui is thus: cook a few great meals, read some amazing books, learn to play some Debussy, plan a great party, get my Boggle on, and wait for my boys to come so I can be surrounded by males who will not be afraid if I happen to touch them.

Be happy, everyone. Move to the North side. And, most of all,

please-

please.

Go to church.

I saw something nasty at Chapters 934

Last night I saw a most disturbing sight at work. There was this "couple", or at least that is what I thought they were, rough-housing/romping/playing piggy-back/I am not really sure what/ in the power aisle. When a colleague and I got a good look at them, we were slightly horrified to see that the man looked about 40, and the girl looked about...13. Bear in mind, we weren't that close to them, and they were hanging onto each other in a way that we couldn't get a really good look at their faces. So, there were a few pedophile jokes made...questions about where the creepy van in the parking lot was. Pretty standard stuff. However, the story takes an interesting turn as I got a better look at them while I was at the cash desk. The man absolutely was 40ish (balding, bearded) and the girl was definitely not more than 13 or 14. There was also a teenage boy with the duo at this point (he was not involved in the "canoodling"), which led me to believe that it was some sort of...daddy-daughter rough-housing/romping...uhh, you get the picture. Unfortunately that picture is seared into my brain.

Anyway, good morning to one and all...or if you are 8 hours in the future these days, good afternoon. I hope you are enjoying France. I am not jealous.

I am not jealous.

I was greeted last night by the inevitable. A letter was waiting for me when I got home from work that let me know that I was not accepted to the University of Saskatchewan. To soften the blow of rejection, Doreen (who does not work at Chapters...hah! beat you all to the punch! You will never win at my game) Petrow, Admissions Secretary for the College of Law, wrote these words:

"I wish to thank you for you interest in our college and wish you success in your future endeavors"

I can not begin to tell you how these words have eased the pain with their sincerity, originality, and heart-felt honesty.

Joking aside, I am not overly upset about this set-back. I reconciled myself a few months ago to the fact that I probably wouldn't get in, and at least I know now what I need to do, and how I can proceed in my life. Yes, I will write that blasted LSAT one more time, and then I will apply to many schools to hopefully increase my chances. In the meantime I will continue to look for a better job (please, if you hear of anything, let me know), and will enjoy my new apartment with Denise.

And really, rejection is just par for the course for me. Oh, come on. You know its true.

O.k., poetry day!! Here is one of my favorites for the lush language that conjures up a feeling of summer. Also, the Vaughn Williams setting of the text is amazing - check out the song/video by Ian Bostridge on my facebook profile (under songs iLike). The video is a bit goofy, but Williams' warm chords and Bostridge's clear English tenor (are there any other kind?) make my hear melt a little when I hear it.

Silent Noon (Sonnet XIX)

Your hands lie open in the long fresh grass,-
The finger-points look through, like rosy blooms:
Your eyes smile peace.  The pasture gleams and glooms
'Neath billowing skies that scatter and amass.
All round our nest far, as the eye can pass
Are golden kingcup fields with silver edge
Where the cow-parsley skirts the hawthorn-hedge
'Tis visible silence, still as the hour-glass.

Deep in the sun searched groves, a dragon-fly
Hangs, like a blue thread loosened from the sky:-
So this winged hour is dropt to us from above.
Oh! clasp we to our hearts, for deathless dower
This close-companioned inarticulate hour
When twofold silence was the song of love.

 -- Dante Gabriel Rossetti

New look! New look!

Yesterday I spent about an hour on the blog, but didn't write at all. Being the Luddite that I am, I didn't really know a lot of the ins and outs of Blogger, and so after Denise showed me the different options and applications, I went a little crazy with the pictures and the profile and what have you. Hence the wasted hour on the internets. This hour, however, was only indicative of the day that I had yesterday. Sure I went through a lot of my stuff to do de-junking for the big move, but mostlyI watched some "Angel" saison trois, ate some Babybel, wandered around the house, and lazed around the house. Ah, Saturday!!

So, we are definitely moving now. We found a fantastic little apartment on 14th Ave north and it is right across the street from Stan Siwick Pool. Hello to Aquasize!! When we looked at it, we just felt like we should be living there. Saturday, we are moving officially. I will be moving wards, but I suppose that's o.k.

Anyway, hope you all enjoy the weekend. Come to our pot-luck if you have anything to bring.

Queries, updates, and a smattering of poetry

I have a couple of questions. Queries, if you will. So, please don't ever let it be said that Jenny is not quizzical, 'cause she is. Obnoxiously so.

1. What happened to all of the cute guys who used to work at Starbucks? Remember Mark? The adorable guy with the most beautiful voice? I used to hang out in fiction just to hear him call out the orders...Never has the phrase "I have a grande green tea frappucino" sounded so good... Then there was Jason, the swimmer with the deliciously curly hair. Now there is bald guy, old guy, and kind of cute but mostly just funny looking tall guy. Apparently all the cute ones are now at Kinkos.

2. Why is risotto so good? I made my second risotto this week for the new "trifecta of awesome" dinner tonight. It was such a throwback to the days in Edmonton when I used to have dinner with the Piccos (the wonderful family I worked for who fed me pretty much every night during my first two years of University) when we used to have barbecued steak and risotto. It has been years since those days, and I was getting a hankering for some great Italian food. So I found a recipe on the internet, and made my very own risotto. I am not trying to toot my own horn, or anything, but it was pretty darn delicious, and if you want some, you need only to ask, because it won't be long until I require my next fix...

So, with questions out of the way, here is some news from the store. We have a new manager, and he is none other than our dear Travis K. There is also some other news, but that will have to wait until Sunday when it is officially announced at the semi-formal staff meeting we are having. Yes, you read that right. A semi-formal staff meeting. Not only do I have to give up three hours of my Sunday, but I have to do it in a dress. I have been feeling out other staff, and most people are not overly impressed, mostly because none of them actually have semi-formal clothes. That is not my problem, I just like to take off the dress clothes at 2:00, and now that I am not inundated with firesides every week, I don't like to put them back on.

O.k., Thursday. Poetry day. I thought I would include a bit of everything today, just to make up for my lack of writing. I apologize about last Thursday, but I was somewhere over Greenland. How often do you get to say that?

So, first, a shout-out to Andrea with a little poem from the old days. Who does not love a little W.C.W.?

This is Just to Say

I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold

- William Carlos Williams

I am also giving you another poem of mine from the old days - specifically, from my last days at the U of A.


This is my...

On the last day of class
you wore royal blue.
I was reminded
of your sharp comments
and - I think it was-
disappointment?

But I also remembered
how it felt to walk
into your room,
the sound of my name
and your devastating hair
and humour.

-J.K.O. Aug. 11th, 2004

Remember everyone: "If you can dream it, you can do it".

Is anyone else tired of paying for their internet?

This will be a short one as my time is running out and I do not want to pay more than a euro for this computer.

Yesterday Jess and I went down to Grafton Street where the shopping was magnificent, the clothes were delightful, and the accessories I bought myself are positively fantastic. (What? Jenny use superlatives?) We glimpsed in to St. Stephen's Green with promises to come back.

Adam and Sam are here now, so we are going to go to the Dublin Zoo either today or tomorrow.

The weather has been absolutely glorious, and I hate to stay inside!

Talk to you soon!

"Just two adults getting their stew on"

Jess and I could both not believe that in the plethora of correspondance we sent out yesterday about the stew we made, we did not once make reference to this quote. It wasn't until we were eating the delicous dish that it came to both of us. I have rectified the situation soundly by making it the title of today's post. Our Irish stew (no, there was no Guinness in it - if I ever decided to jump off the wagon, it would be in a far more spectacular way) was like heaven's food. Seriously, angels inspired us to make it, and helped us at every step of the process. The meat and vegetables were both fresh and delicious, which made the broth sweet like candy. The best part is that we have a whole pot left over for supper tonight.

Let's talk food. We have eaten yogurt for breakfast, although this morning we had lovely scarambled eggs with fresh basil and aged Irish cheddar. Every lunch we have had bacon and tomato sandwiches. The rashers of bacon are the things that dreams are made of, and the tomatoes are so cheap at the Moore Street Market, that we have been buying them by the dozen. We have also been indulging on melons and grapes and strawberries - all of which is found at the Moore st Market. We are eating like queens, and we haven't had to go out to a restaurant yet. Our apartment is really nice - hardwood floors, full kitchen and living room, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms. We figured out the washer (sort of) and we have next to sort out the oven. There is a manual, thank heavens, because all of the symbols are completely greek to me.

Off to the south part of the city and the Liffey today. I will even actually start using the camera!

Here's hoping that all of you get the chance to get tricked into a date, not just our dear Denise..

Play some bacci ball for me tonight.

Go to church.

Musings on art, dodgy establishments, and mid-morning shopping

I have now become an inhabitor of Internet Cafes. They are as plentiful here as Starbucks in Noth America. The ones I have been to, however, including the one I am in right now have all been dodgy for different reasons. The first one I found was actually a gaming centre (this should alert you to what types of people were frequenting the establishment), and it was up a couple of flights of stairs in what apeared to be some guy's living room. Dark, sketchy, and filled with gamers. However, the guy running it was really nice, and it was only 1 euro for an hour. Today's choice is a bit better lit, but smells like a guy's bathroom, and is hotter than I can handle.

Dublin today was a bit rainy, but great for shopping. Jess and I went "down to the shops", and enjoyed being out with the many other shoppers. We love that the shopping streets are all just pedestrian roads. In the afternoon we went to the Hugh Lane City Gallery, where we saw some wonderful art and some modern installations that were...not so wonderful. I know that I am not versed in the ways of art, but the pieces did not "speak a thousand words" like the placard promised they would. Some of my highlights included a winter scene by Monet, a bust of Michael Collins who just looked a lot like Kenneth Branagh, everything by a painter named Osbourne (I think his fist name was William) and the stain glass by Harry Clarke. These last pieces were absolutely amazing. Seriously. Look him up on the Google. You will not be sorry.

Off to church tomorrow! We are pretty sure we know how to get there, and we are not afraid to ask the bus drivers.

Enjoy the past. Stay in school. Go to church.

Only a day late or first post form the future

Wow. I am actually in Dublin. In Ireland. In Europe. Where I am actually meant to be, I am pretty sure. Anyway, it was not too bad getting here, and there are not too many stories of craziness, but I will exaggerate as I usually do.

On Wednesday, I caught the plane in Calgary (in excellent time, thankyou!) and did the overnight flight to London. I only got about 3 hours of sleep, but my tiredness didn't kick in until a lot later. I made it to the other side of Heathrow, which was a journey in itself. That place is huge! I then flew to Dublin, and the airport was so loud and bustling that I felt a little overwhelmed. I caught a city bus to O'Connell street, not really knowing how long it would take to get there. I asked a crazy lady when I would be at O'Connell, and she let me know where to get off. It was only supposed to be a short walk to the apartment, but apparently you are never supposed to know where you are in this city. I took me about 20 minutes to find that streets are marked in fading letters on broken fences and sides of buildings. Needless ot say, it took me about 30 minutes to find the apartment which was about 3 blocks away. On the map, Granby Place was a street, and in life it is an alley. Sketchy? you bet!

I got settled in and went out for something to eat. When I got back, I turned on the kitchen light, and one of the bulbs exploded all over the kitchen. Awesome. Also, there was no broom. The Handy-man came the next day (today) with a new bulb, but no broom, so I used the mop to "sweep" up the glass. Luckily there is a "hoover", so I will not get too much glass in my feet.

Jess is here now, so I am thrilled to spend time with her and do some sightseeing. I am prety proud of myself for travelling alone and getting here relatively unscathed. The worst thing that has happened to me is that I came within about 6 inches of stepping in human poo about 30 minutes ago.

Sorry I missed poetry day, but I was pretty tired last night and writing pretty much jibberish in my emails last night. (I you were a recipient of one of those, I am sorry...) Anyway, I am going to include a poem I wrote last weekend, even if I am a day late. Hey! I did misplace about 8 hours, you know.


For Him

Your handwriting is curious
but, then so are you-
a curiosity.
One contradiction follows another
when you walk by

Your quiet tones
and laconic manner
are belied
by the words slashed across the page
conveying confidence
and even urgency

Your fingers-
impossibly slim
strong and balanced
must fairly dance across the page

Oh, to be a pencil in your hand...

JKO, May 2008.

Poetry Day

It is Thursday, my favorite day for a host of reasons!! These reasons now include "Poetry Day"!! Ever since I declared Thursdays poetry day (o.k., it has been a week), I have been reading it and even writing it a bit, and so have been kind of crazy... Anyway, I am working on something right now that will hopefully be ready next week (I'll even post from Ireland if I can find a computer), so this week I will include a poem that I discovered about 6 years ago. I dedicate it to everyone who thinks they know everything about me...or for that matter, to anyone who thinks they know any person fully. There are things that are too precious, too loved, too embarrassing, or just too private to share. Or, sometimes when we spend a lot of time with people, we continue to talk about the same things or react to experiences the same way. Maybe we need to delve a little deeper, and find out something new about the people we know. We just may surprise each other.

The Discovery

do not imagine that the exploration
ends, that she has yielded all her mystery
or that the map you hold
cancels further discovery

I tell you her uncovering takes years,
takes centuries, and when you find her naked
look again,
admit there is something else you cannot name,
a veil, a coating just above the flesh
which you cannot remove by your mere wish

when you see the land naked, look again
(burn your maps, that is not what I mean),
I mean the moment when it seems most plain
is the moment when you must begin again

-Gwendolyn Macewen

"Laugh tracks are the sound of our brains rotting"

The title is a quote from a former professor of mine in defense of his non-love of particular television shows. I thought it was very apropos of our favorite Thursday night activity, watching "The Office". Ever since I started watching that particular show, and others such as "Arrested Development" and "Scrubs" (I'm going to say it...possibly I have said it before...these shows are as the "triumvirate of awesome" unto me), I have appreciated the fact that I am intelligent enough to know whether something is funny or not. Laugh tracks have become grating and amateur, and seem to lend a mawkish air to the shows that are permeated by them. I have seen shows which I thought were wonderful ruined by all of the maniacal background mirth. Take "Sports Night", for instance. This is one of my very favorite shows. It was written by Aaron Sorkin (pre-dates The West Wing) and its quick humour, intelligent references, and Scrubs-like emotional blind-side punches make my heart happy. Not to mention Felicity Huffman, Peter Krause, Josh Charles, and even for a few episodes, the delightful William H. Macy!! It aired in about 1996, but only lasted for two seasons. I honestly think the reason for its short-lived run is that it really was ahead of its time with its intelligence and inability to be pegged into either comedy or drama. Unfortunately it has a laugh track, and so it feels unbearably forced when the actors are comedic. It is only when the show slips, or careens head-first, into its more dramatic moments, that it begins to feel natural. Don't mistake me, I love this show, but the laugh-track makes me ever so uncomfortable, and also wishful for the ability to prompt myself when to laugh.

Another Friday is upon us, and I could feel the celebratory mood in the air which was radiating from Denise. Thanks to her for spreading the weekend-is-almost-upon-us love!!

O.k., my heart is still racing from what just happened to me in between these paragraphs. I went down to put my laundry into the dryer (Ah, how I love our basement!!), came back up and shut the door. I then saw a movement by the fridge, thought it was a giant rat, let out a kind of squeak, and was only marginally relieved to realize it was the cat from downstairs, who had slipped unnoticed into our kitchen. I let it back downstairs, but he/she seemed hesitant to go. Well, who can blame the guy/gal? If I had to live with the constant screaming, bacon-cooking, dog/girl-friend abusing, Sunday morning sex-romps, swearing, smoking (the list does go on), I would try to escape as well. Maybe I'll kidnap the cat when we move, and call him/her a suitably gender non-specific name such as "Mittens" or "Billi Jo". I'll just run it by Denise first.

A thank-you to Braden for quitting Chapters and leaving me with a Friday night closing cash shift. I will be thinking of him fondly while I am working late this evening. Really, I will.

A big congratulations to Eric for the mission call to the Dominican Republic!! You will be an amazing missionary, and one can only hope there are lots of letters featuring digestion and dysentery.

A shout-out to my Dad who is alone this weekend. Wonder what project he will embark upon this time?...

An apology to Denise for stealing some of her blog components. Imitation is the sincerest from of flattery...

Keep dreaming. Keep laughing. And, for the love of Pete, Go to church.

A post for Thursday

Something that I have mentioned before, but not for awhile is the fact that I love poetry. Now I know this makes me a bit of a nerd, but definitely a romantic nerd, wouldn't you say? I love it for its ability to make me crazy and moody and happy and in love with words.
This being poetry month, I have decided to make one day a week, we'll say Thursday, poetry day here on the good old Jenny-blog. I will include my own creations, and definitely verses that I adore by others.
So, here is one that I wrote recently, posted here, but removed the next morning. I think that enough time has passed to make it ok for me to see it in print. In the cosmos. Visible to all of you.

Enjoy. Or not. I am not the boss of you...yet...

The Knife

We talk constantly
(words flying nowhere and everywhere)
about change
but our familiar errors
and comfortable mistakes
always bring us back here

O.k.
I like my circles.
Maybe these slow persistent wounds
make me feel more alive
than I could have imagined-
even breathed-
before you handed me the knife

Everything about you is sharp-
The way your mind
slices through my heart
and your indifference
cuts me to the floor
Even your kindness proves
a mettle unforeseen

So while I approach that word
Change
with hesitant steps
You are sitting
in the warm and polished corner
of my mind.
the light from your eyes
dancing on the blade

JKO, 2008

Despite all my rage...

Another Saturday morning, and another blogging sesh.

I was supposed to drive out to the lovely metropolis of Magrath this morning to return my car to its rightful owner for a few hours, but because of the heavy snowfall (a meteorological warning snow-fall, no less) I am sitting here like a rat in a cage. Oh, what exciting unpredictable weather we do enjoy in this part of the country. I would write more about it if strange weather was not to be expected at any given time. Seriously, people, this is just par for the course here in good ol' Southern Alberta. 20 - 30 cm in a weekend in April is so ridiculously normal that I am literally yawning while thinking about it.

Bored now.

The breaking news is that I am now officially headed to Ireland in a few weeks with a real live passport. For the last two weeks there were some tense moments where I thought that either I wouldn't be traveling, or that I would have to poke out the eyes of the gentleman who told me my passport qualified for simplified renewal. It didn't. For all of you who have not heard the story, it involves me trusting the guy at the Lethbridge Passport Office, two forty- dollar trips to Calgary, hatred for all government employees, a beautiful maiden in distress, and finally the promise of a spleet-new Passport that will be ready to pick up on...May 2nd. Oh, yeah. It also features me sitting in the Passport Office in Calgary in the midst of a blizzard, wearing shorts and flip-flops.

So, last night I went to "The Slice" for another concert. Wait, I'll back up. A couple of weeks ago, Ashley and I went to "The Slice" to see someone perform on a friend's recommendation. We had no idea who it would be, and when we ended up seeing Danny Michel, we were blown away by his talent and his music. I think we were also each hosed out of 20 dollars, but maybe the guy working that night who charged us 25 dollars to stay for the concert could tell we were easy targets. Maybe he also really needed the money. Anyway, we went last night to see Peter Katz, who I had heard, but not seen. Besides being ridiculously, adorably, heart-stoppingly good-looking, he was unbelievably talented. It was just him and the guitar, but he sang with such energy, conviction, and all-out passion for his music, that he wanted for absolutely nothing. I know I sound a little overly-dramatic, but he was so wonderful to listen to. He was one of those performers that is so much better live, his recordings are almost a disappointment. It was seriously the best five dollars I have ever spent. The real highlight of the performance was when he came out in front of the sound system (and 1 foot away from me!!!) and sang without a microphone. He got people to actually stop talking, and played one of his most beautiful songs called "Forgiveness". It brought such an intimate dimension to the song itself, and to the whole room. This was no small feat because most of the people were there to hear the next band, which looked pretty young and mildly obnoxious-hence, a youngish, mildly obnoxious crowd at the venue. However, once he got people to quiet down, the message of "Forgiveness" is powerful, and it came through so much more palpably with his quiet and sincere rendition. Although he was the opener, he played for a full 45 minutes, and those of us at the front table were ever so grateful. After he finished I went over to put myself on his mailing list, and talked to him briefly. I don't remember what I said, I think I just stuttered out words such as "amazing" and probably came off as pretty crazy.

A big and most heart-felt thank-you to Eric Garner for introducing us to the music of Peter Katz, and letting us know abut the concert. It absolutely started my life.

Well, I think I am going to take advantage of the snow-day, and do some serious cleaning and de-junking of my room. For the last couple of weeks, I have been wanting to incorporate a new theme in my life. Simplify. I think that this will be the perfect way to start.

Stay warm. Enjoy the exile. Go to church.

Jenny

I should only write in the mornings

Here is something you may not know about me:

1. I have terrible bowling technique. Imagine, if you will, me picking up a ball that is much too heavy for me, and while I try gracefully to launch it smoothly down the lane, end up doing a weird hop/skip, twisting myself (and my back in the process) strangely, only to end up dropping the ball onto the wood (I don't think they like it when you do that). This moment culminates in a weird leg sticking out behind me/contorted back/arms askew pose that I am sure embarrasses even those who are enjoying said sport with me. The real problem here (my absolute lack of athletic ability aside) is that the balls that are the right size for me to lift/throw effectively have holes too small for me to fit my sausage-like fingers into. I am at fault, or the makers of the bowling balls are: Either my fingers are just too fat, or the holes are just too small. I am now faced with a series of choices, all of them distasteful. I can:
a. bulk up so that I can easily lift the heavier balls
b. Try to find out how to lose weight in my fingers/get some weird finger liposuction
c. Design and have someone make the perfect Jenny bowling-ball.
All of these choices are either too time-consuming, too expensive, or require a dedication to the game which, frankly, I just do not possess. So, whenever I do venture to "the alley", I will continue to humiliate myself and others. Now, despite all this talk of terrible technique, I at least didn't embarrass myself score-wise last night bowling a 75 and then an 85. Take that, tiny finger-holes!

A happy Saturday to one and all!! I am up early, due to me falling asleep at 11:30 on the couch (hard to believe, isn't it?) and on the computer, blogging and commenting up a storm. I have a little confession to make. I may or may not have found an article that is written weekly by a former professor of mine (yes, he of delicious jeans fame) for the newspaper at the university he now teaches at in Texas. Yes, I am an internet stalker, but I have enjoyed his submissions so very much. They are just witty enough, just thoughtful enough and just pretentious enough to make me wish it was still the summer of 2004 and I was once again attending his short-story class. His last article focused on the negative effects of television, and his often ridiculed decision he made a year ago to not really watch. I left a comment about customers in the book store who worship a the shrine of the only living American deity: Ms. Oprah Winfrey herself.
I know that Oprah is just getting people to read again, but my problem is that they will only read what she tells them to. There are literally thousands of books in the store, and millions more in the world, some of them even well-written. There is nothing wrong with taking guidance from friends, reviews, recommendations, etc when searching for something to read. However, if you are only taking one person's advice, you are missing out on so many more amazing reading experiences. Oprah's opinion is just that: only one person's opinion.
Anyway, I made a comment on his article (much less ranty) to that effect.

The weather is so beautiful this weekend, that I have decided to have a picnic on Sunday. This is a real rite of spring/summer for me, because the first potato salad of the year is always a celebratory moment. It signals the beginning of walks, family gatherings, frisbee playing, shorts, flip-flops, the patio at Mocha Cabana, and all of the other magical aspects of spring and summer. Plus, I just make a fantastic potato salad.

Get out in the sunshine. Come to my picnic. Go to church.

Jenny

Not really anywhere...

...Just surrounded by dead chickens.

Yes, you read that right. I am (metaphorically) sitting in a room with dead fowl at my feet. Chickens that I, in only an attempt to love them, killed by strangulation. Any of you who have read "Of Mice and Men" will know the story which I am referring to. You just start off by touching the chicken. Oh, look! It didn't bite. Now, you move on to stroking said chicken, and finding that it is still relatively unskittish, you continue in this motion until you realize your hands are around its neck, and you have choked the life out of this fragile creature.

Creepiness aside, I have performed this dastardly act too many times in the last year. No, I am not a Satanist, or even someone who enjoys touching chickens. They are actually pretty disgusting. But, I have found myself approaching a situation, or a person with the goal of only being friendly, and ended up strangling them with enthusiasm and/or craziness. Let's examine the most current scenario, shall we? (*Warning: the following story will not shed a favorable light on the author, but y'all knew I was crazy already. So there. Judge away.) The scenario: Me, at the dance on Friday, confused by overtures of friendship from earlier in the day, going against all good sense/kicking the dead horse/losing my head/falling back into old patterns...you get my drift. The result: Becoming absolutely invisible on Sunday morning, not even worthy of a hello, and a drive home in a rage that goes against the lesson I learned from both my mother and Phil Connors: "Don't drive angry!" Although I didn't hit into a pole/drive off a cliff/cause any accidents, I was not a very safe driver. Also, I was mad at myself for not knowing when to quit.

If any of you out there who are reading this have any idea of how to help me, please let me know. Please save me from myself. I apparently can not be in charge of my own life, as I am making an absolute dog's dinner out of every situation I encounter/create.

Also, if you know of any good jobs out there for me...

"Come over to my house, I'll tend to you solo"

Everyone is a better blogger than me.

People are writing right and left, whilst I sit in my living room and merely stare at the computer from across the room, willing the words to transmit directly from my head to my blog site. O.k., actually, I have not written for the following reasons.

1. I am lazy. It is true. I plan on writing, I think of topics and funny stories, I even occasionally venture further than the Facebook while on the internet. But, still I don't write.

2. I was on holiday for 4 days. Yes, there was a computer where I was staying, but I was busy entertaining young boys (wait...), going to recitals, talking myself out of buying purses, sampling fine chocolate, and maintaining my 50% win ratio at Spit-in-the-Ditch (Seriously...Angels invented this game!!) If you have not already deduced the location, or if you do not already live there, I was on vacation in Edmonton. I went up for Adam's Grad recital (which was so wonderful!!!) and stayed for the Kerstin's chocolate, the Plaid Giraffe, card games and 4 of the coolest guys in the world.

3. Nothing overly exciting has been going on. I am still waiting to hear back from U of S, Work is pretty much the same, and I have forgotten how to socialize.

4. I have been consumed by the show "Bones" which I have been watching on DVD. O.k., I mostly watch this show for one angelic David Boreanaz, but I really like the minor characters, the chemistry between the leads, the sass from every character which prompts me to say "s-n-a-p-p-e-r-s" at least 5 times per episode, and really, Agent Seely Booth (the divine D.B.) is just too ridiculously good-looking.

5. I have been doing quite a bit of reading lately, and it has been wonderful. It reminds me of when I was in university, and reading everything I could get my hands on...well, everything but my text-books.

I hope you all have been having a great week. I am excited that it is Friday tomorrow, and I will even be attempting socialization again and attending a dance. Scary. I know. I can only pray they will play "Space Jam".

Or maybe "Cotton-Eye Joe".

Not really that exciting

Everyone at my work is dying.

No, this is not some sort of threat from a disgruntled employee (although...), but a statement of fact from this week at Chapters. Our General Manager is out for the week, on Monday our two main cashiers were both ill, I am still not 100% recovered from my plethora of diseases, and there are a host of others who are also still recovering or feeling symptoms coming on. Who knew that books could be so diseased/hazardous? Needless to say, if you don't have to come in to Chapters...don't. Customers just annoy me anyway.

This is the second late working day of my week, which is kind of weird. I am covering a shift for our dear Travis, who seems to have taken the notion of being sick, and like some 12 year old boy, tried to see how much he could top it. ("Oh, you think you're sick? I am way sicker than you"!!) It was good to see him on his feet yesterday, and we all hope he will be back at work soon. I would be loath to admit it to his face, but cash is kind of falling apart without him. The upside of all this is that I get another sleep-in day, and another working evening with people I don't generally get to see at the store.

Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful day. Enjoy the sunshine!!

You may have forgotten me...

It has been so long since my last post, that I seem to have forgotten how to writes gud. Oh, man.

I am at my parents place for Easter, and I am seriously contemplating moving home just for the king size bed in the land of Spare Oom. I had the first uninterrupted sleep since I have been sick, and it was absolute heaven. HEAVEN. I am still planning my week where I stay in that bed the entire 7 days. Let's look at the logistics. There is a fridge downstairs and a bathroom. There is also a t.v., and I would bring a plethora of books in order to avoid boredom. Aah, it will be so wonderful, and all in preparation of my life as a hermit. any of you can come visit, there is room for all in the bed, and if you bring a blender, we can make some killer drinks at the bar in the main room downstairs.

Easter, despite my possible strep-throat (the doctor doesn't think I have it), has been an absolute blast. The boys have been so much fun, and I have never been so tempted to kiss children on the lips as I have since I was forbidden not to. (I did cough on one or two of them, but it really couldn't be helped) Mark is actually reading (aah! I remember when you were born!!), Steven has mellowed out considerably and loves to be hugged, and Ben is getting so big. Oh, now I just have to see Sam, and that is only a week away!!

For all of you (o.k., , for Jess and Adam, who I haven't talked to for awhile), here is an update about the last month. I will stick to the highlights, although, there have been the low moments as well. Ask me when you see me if you want to hear any tales of woe. I will spare the general public, and maybe even make it through one post with some dignity intact. Maybe.

1. I have gotten even more comfortable in my new ward. I received the calling of Relief Society music conductor, and i am really glad to stay in R.S. I got a chance to talk with my bishopric, and even though many people consider me the token single gal, they continue to be friendly and welcoming.

2. I got a car!!! Well, I am sharing it with my dad, but nonetheless, I am driving. I know that shocks a lot of people - most of my co-workers didn't know I had a license. So, if you need a ride somewhere within a reasonable distance, give me a call!!

3. I attended, with my dear friends, a Trews concert at the University. THEY WERE AMAZING. I screamed myself pretty hoarse singing along. They were so energetic, and sounded really tight. I had not been to a rock concert in awhile where there is alcohol present, and so forget about drunk people at concerts. Highlights included a crowd-surfer landing on Denise and me, my pants being soaked up to my ankles in beer, the guy who had to be carried off the dance floor by his friend, numerous gropings by guys "passing by" or "squeezing through", accidentally groping a few people myself, and Ashley's concert boyfriend. Oh, also the subsequent deafness lasting the next couple of days.

4. I have been on a reading kick, and have gone through quite a few books. On Jess's recommendation, I read, and loved, The Book of Lights by Chaim Potok. The story was characterized by an over-lying feeling of sadness, and so the moments of beauty and joy that were sprinkled throughout were ever-so-much-more meaningful and luminescent. I find the author's writing so captivating. If you have not read "The Chosen", do it immediately. It will change your life. Or, in the words of A.S., it will start your life.

I hope that all of you are having a magnificent Easter holiday, and I thank you for your patience with my long absence of writing. There were good reasons.

Stay healthy. Read a lot. Go to Church.