"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!