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.

Yes, I am fully clothed right now.

I just realized that the name of my blog makes me sound kind of like a pervert. "Hey...you can take off your shirt here. Clothes are for fools!!" I must have picked this title
a. while under some kind of influence
b. while being shirtless, oops, I mean shoeless as well
c. before I started spreading (quite vehemently, I might add) my philosophy about justifiable shirtlessness.

For those of you who have not heard my treatise on the subject, I believe that people should only be shirtless if there is a credible reason to be. Let's try a little experiment, shall we? Yes? (This actually only applies to males...well, unless you are in Ontario)

Scenario #1: You are swimming. Justified.

Scenario #2: You are showering. Justified.

Scenario #3: You are posing for a calender. Unjustified.

Scenario #4: You are WALKING DOWN THE STREET: Absolutely unjustified. Come On!

Scenario #5: You are mowing the lawn. Uhh, the jury is still out on this one, but I'm leaning toward un.

Scenario #6: You are Gerard Butler. No. Unjustified. We are tired of seeing your nipples.

Scenario #7. Your shirt is on fire. Justified. Yes, that's you Peter Petrelli

Well, it has been a short, but a good one. I need to get ready because Mary and I are venturing out to the Opera at the movie theatre. I should probably at least run a brush through my hair.

Scenario #8. You are performing an Opera at the Met.

Only justified if your name is Pavarotti.

Remorse is a dish best served with a rose sauce.

I know, I know. It has been a ridiculous 18 days since last I put fingers to keys and tried my best to entertain you all. You are all wonderful, and I am incredibly self-absorbed to think that you are all waiting patiently by the computer for my update. So, with that prodigious commencement, I will...begin.

Since my last post I have done a few things of note, and even more of absolutely boring proportions. So, I will try to keep it interesting:

1. I wrote the LSAT for the 2nd time, and I am pretty sure I did better this time on it. I didn't feel so rushed, I did much better on the Logic Games , and there were only 4 people writing that day in Lethbridge, so the administrative stuff went a lot quicker. Well, except for the guy who flew in from Taiwan to take the test. Nay, he flew in especially to annoy me with the most asinine questions. "What if I need more paper? Can I have more paper?" What happens if I have to go to the bathroom? Can I leave?" Every time he asked a question, the proctors for the exam had to consult some LSAT manual, have a whispered conference, and then answer his question, with him clarifying every thing they said. Poke. my. eyes. out. Actually, my favorite part o the exam was when I had to write my essay in cursive. I found this extremely difficult, and my hand refused to write smoothly. Instead, I wrote (through no choice of my own) in short spastic bursts. The proctor said that we had to handwrite so "they" could analyze the handwriting. I can just imagine that they have flagged my Law School application with "Serial Killer"! "Do not admit, unless to Criminal Law." Anyway, since I finished writing it, I have been pretty lazy for the last couple of weeks, not having to study, or even feel guilty for not studying.

2. I had a (pretty boring) Valentine's Day party that was only mentionable because of the fondue we had. It was so delicious, that I ate my weight in chocolate. The result? I lapsed into a Sugar-induced coma around 10:00pm on the couch, only to awaken at about 1:30 am and stumble to bed in a haze of swedish berries and apple slices. I woke the next morning with a chocolate hang-over and feelings of remorse for Valentine's Day hi-jinks that gained me only pity, I am sure.

3. I took a walk down memory lane in the good old town of Pincher Creek on Saturday night. Travis and I headed to the windiest place on earth to spend some time with Barbara Coloroso. We were greeted by a blizzard, and got the chance to go to the classy restaurant of my youth, Luigis. The pasta? Not overly awesome.

All in all, not a very busy 2 weeks, but with my Itunes card, at least I have been listening to some great music, and downloading like a fiend.

Keep dreaming. Don't get stuck in the snow. Go to Church. (Don't be like Dirty Pants)

the little blog that could...keep me away from my studies

After reading other friends' posts, I have come to the conclusion that mine might never be more than the "little blog that could." Really, I take such pleasure in reading all of your finely crafted discourses, and I appreciate that you deign to sneak a peek at mine ever so often. Just wanted to put it out there that you guys are great writers. The most I can hope for with mine is that when I print it off, and hide it away for years only to be brought out when my kids are feeling like the world doesn't understand them, that they will be able to read it and realize that they will never be as crazy as their Mom.The comfort may be cold, but comfort (hopefully!) nonetheless..

Remember how I was doing so well with my limited readings of Harry Potter 7? Not. so. much. Today I came home from work early as I didn't really feel very well (Andrea alone knows the story and no other human being will ever get the details...well, maybe Jess and Adam), and I studied faithfully for about 3 hours. Then, wanting to take a break, and feeling my brain literally turn to mush, I picked up the HP sauce...and here I am...3 hours later with the book finished. Cut to me at 6:30pm crying all over again, nay, sobbing hysterically again as Harry makes his way through the forest to (Sorry, that was almost a spoiler alert for the people who apparently do not prioritize Harry above all else... Filthy mud-bloods) As soon as I finished the book, I immediately went back to studying...no, wait. How did I end up at the computer, writing this blog? Some dastardly bit of magic on someone's part. Oh, I'll find you, you unknown curser...and your little cloak too.

So, as soon as I finish here, I will go back to the studying. At this point, however, there is not a lot I can really improve on. I still feel that I will do better this time, even if only marginally. I was lucky to get a blessing from my Dad this afternoon, so I am confident that I will feel well and relatively peaceful tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. As Denise says, if it is meant to be, then it will work out. Right now it is the thought of homemade Spinach and Artichoke dip that is sailing me through. Brilliant! It's going to be legen...wait for it...dary!!!

Have fun this weekend. Stay warm. Say a prayer for me. Go to church.

cell-phones, fridges, and celebrity obsessioins

New Fridge ! New Fridge!

When I got home tonight at 8:30 pm, there was, standing proudly in our kitchen, a beautiful brand new fridge. I am already imagining the coldness of our food, and the chance to drink milk again. As Denise has already mentioned, you really do only want something when you can't have it. Yes...this does apply to many other aspects of our lives. Or maybe just me. I could just be a sick person who always wants what she can't have. Yeah, I'm talking about you Kitchenaid...

I spent the evening at the library, where I hate everyone there. EVERYONE THERE. Especially the guy who was talking about his divorce on his cell-phone at a volume so high, I am sure he was heard at the mall. I know that being quiet at libraries is probably an archaic idea, but really. Be a little considerate to people who are reading/studying. I really don't care how much of a cow your wife is. Anyway, Besides the guy screaming down his cell-phone, and the cold which forced me to wear my toque, scarf, and mittens while trying to study, I did get some pretty good reviewing in. If I can just stop listening to the voice in my head that tells me I am not good enough, I think I will get through the test o.k. Things are certainly coming clearer this time.

Anyway, I am heading to bed right away to spend at least an hour with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I should never have started "Harry Potter 7" again while I should be studying, but I have been really good at only reading it at night.

On another note...brought on by the only thing on t.v. right now, please let Heath Ledger rest in peace. Seriously. Why are we so obsessed with celebrities, and if something bad happens, the news is absolutely over-inundated with every single aspect of their lives. I don't care if he doubted himself as a father, I don't care if he had problems with drugs. Stop trying to analyze everything or anything that might have contributed to his death. Let it go.

I'll stop complaining. I really have had a wonderful couple of days. I have been really happy and enjoying life, so I will stop the ranting.

Stay warm. Make goals. Figure it out. Go to church.

I love you all.

...and there is no one in a suit to make the day better...

You may all think that you know what a bad Monday looks like, but I am going to tell you about a Monday that will make you re-think your first-of-the-week blues.

So, I was scheduled to work at 7:00 am yesterday morning, and yay!! I was going to get a ride with a co-worker. Unfortunately, I ended up taking the bus. This was fine until I got to 4th ave and started walking towards Chapters, where the wind hit me straight in the face, and by the time I had walked 1 block, I was ready to lay down under the nearest tree and go to sleep and /or die. It was really cold. When I got to work, I was the only one doing cycle counting. Yeah. ( for those of you who do not work at Chapters or are not Denise and know everything about it anyway, cycle counting is the inventory we do of a certain section. This was it gets done all year) So I counted all of the c.d.s, luckily I know that section pretty well. Stephen was in at 8, so he got to check all of my mistakes...of which there were a few...my brain had not thawed yet. Because the weather was so cold and yucky, we never had more than about 5 people in the store at once, so it was extra slow. Also, they canceled a few shifts due to the weather, and sent everyone there home early...except for me. They wanted someone "strong" on the floor, and I needed to go on cash when the only cashier needed a break. Yes it is nice to be reliable and multi-talented, but it would have been nice to go home early.

And... the best part of the day was that there was no water in our store, so no bathrooms. There is a leak on the main water line downtown, and they are still trying to find/fix it. Starbucks is unable to open at all. Now here is something about me that Ashley and Denise know pretty well. I have a bladder the size of a marble. So, I had to go over to the mall to go to the bathroom. This was 12 minutes I will never get back.

I truly believe that because Pres. Hinckley died, Satan saw he had about 2 days without a prophet, and so thought he would turn up the nonsense a few notches. See who he could round up, or at least drive to drink. I hear that the liquor really warms you up. Don't think I wasn't wishing there was a Scotch handy while I was contemplating my death under the trees at IGA.

Anyway, hope today goes better!! I am sending off my application to the University of Saskatchewan today. Wish me luck. Wish me faith - I really need some right now. Most of all, wish me warmth. Oh, and you know you are all jealous of my sock mittens.

Pop-up Choir and Clown shoes...

New Template! New Template!

I have not written for quite a while, and so in response to my fans who are desperate for more Jenny news (o.k., there have been about 2), I thought I better give an update.

Since I last wrote, I have...

1. ...seen some great and not so great movies. Firstly: Juno. This I would classify as one of the great ones. I loved this little movie. Now I do know it has sparked some controversy regarding teen pregnancy, and I even felt a little uncomfortable with how cavalier they were about this emotional subject, but I so enjoyed the characters, the humour, the soundtrack, and the performance by Ellen Page as the main character. My two viewings of this film made up for the unfortunate idea to watch"27 Dresses". I did not like this movie. It was just too contrived, too predictable, and the girl who played the part of the sister who is getting married was possibly the worst actress I have ever seen. There was just way too much hype for this movie, and I really did not enjoy it.

2....studied for the LSAT. I really have this time, and it actually feels like I am making some progress. Even the logic games are becoming more discernible and shall we even say more...logical?! I still have a week, and I am absolutely going to spend as much free time as possible going over those questions. If I do not get into Law School, I am not taking another LSAT for at least 3 months.

3. ...played some Boggle and won!! I know it was only by 5 points, but I will take what I can. Besides I am sure I will win by at least 10 points next time. I think the studying is making me smrter.

4....bought a pair of clown shoes. So, I was in Winners on Friday when I found (what I thought was) the cutest pair of shoes. Because it was me, I did not responsibly walk away or even grudgingly drag myself away. No, true to form and my addiction, I marched them straight up to the counter and promptly purchased them. The next morning, I woke up, took one look at the shoes and felt a strange sensation. What was this feeling creeping over me? Could it be buyer's remorse? What brought on this unfamiliar sensation was the distinct possibility that I had actually bought a pair of clown shoes. I jumped out of bed and perused the shoes. What had looked like an absolutely adorable pair of flirty red flats under the sickly fluorescent lights of the notoriously hideous Brand-name discount chain store suddenly looked like something that would only be acceptably worn accompanied by a fake red nose. I have never experienced such a feeling as buyer's remorse after buying shoes. You. can. never. have. enough. pairs. of. shoes. Luckily, I put on the shoes, and realized that they actually were fantastic. Moral of the story? When you are just waking up, your judgment is clouded...and you can never have enough shoes. Oh, yeah. Even if they had been clown shoes, you know that only yours truly could have pulled it off. You know y'all wish you were brave enough to wear clown shoes!

5....have attended my new ward for a month...and I am both embracing the new and missing the old. How? Well...

a. The people in my new ward are extremely friendly and welcoming.
b. I am forced to act like a grown-up at church. That is good. I am finally one of the reverent ones.

But

c. I miss the flirting and the fashion parade. I know that neither of these is a really good reason to go to church, but I love to flirt, and I can't do it with married men. (There is only room in my life for one questionable crush on a married man...can't wait for the ward conference!...)
d. I miss the awesome VP friends who indulged me in my irreverence and were always ready with a compliment and/or hug.

6. ...sang in a pop-up choir. Similar to Starbucks in name only, this was anyone who wanted to sing a hymn in the "ward choir" just got up and sang. So I did.

7.. ...wrote a blog and then deleted it. For anyone who read it...please don't judge me too harshly. For everyone else, it was a little too personal and I am not sure why I put it out there. I will have to save it for the secret blog...if that actually existed.

Have a great week everyone! You will probably not see me unless you come to my temporary second home, otherwise known as the Lethbridge Public Library. (Although I am not really in love with it as it doesn't have the hidden nooks, fabulous long couches, and amazing toilets that my sweet Rutherford North at the U of A had. Oh, long stretch-out couches hidden behind the Shakespeare section at Rutherford...I dream of you... and seriously- You could flush anything down those toilets with that water pressure. Jess.. you know what I'm talking about)

Stay out of the snow!! Go to church!! Remember I love you - even if no one else does!!

"Pulling your puzzles apart"

Questions: Why do I persist in banging my head against a brick wall? Do I like the pain? Am I doing it to "feel alive"? Do I really think that this time it will actually feel like someone is kissing me on the forehead, as opposed to what it actually would feel like- hitting me repeatedly with a whiffle bat?
The answers, my dear readers, are few, but poignant.

1. Fear. Yes, I am comfortable with situations as they are, even if I am making myself insane. It scares me to think about meeting new people, trying new experiences, and even...being alone.

2. Something is better than nothing...or is it? It didn't use to be. I used to be what I thought was a strong independent woman who didn't need a relationship to feel fulfilled. Suddenly, I am crazy - jealous, desperate (I'll admit it!!), and trying to push something that will never happen.

3. Newsflash: I am an attention-whore. 'Nuff said.

So its time to stop being afraid...and just be awesome!! (Thanks Barney) If burning things is the answer, then bring on the self-actualization exercises!! I am ready to be alone...I think.

O.k., enough emotional baggage for one post. Actually, there is probably enough in here for a week's worth. This week was a strange adjustment. It was weird to not go to FHE, and although I threw myself off the map quite willingly, it is going to be quite a transition from YSA world of socialization to current outer realms of...non-socialization.

On the plans for the future front, I am studying like a demon this week for the second writing of the LSAT, and I am sending off a Law School application this week. (The other one isn't due until March 1st, so I think I'll spread them out a bit to counteract the fee situation.)

I think its time to end this emo/dis-jointed post before anyone actually reads it and writes me of as completely nuts.

Probably too late.

"All my little plans and schemes..."

"...lost like some forgotten dreams"

So, I took one of my first steps of the new year...going to Second Ward for the inaugural visit. It was o.k. I will admit here that I did not sleep well last night anticipating going to a new ward by myself, but I made it through o.k. I sat with Sis. Salmon, who is our Stake RS President. I was only sorry to be alone in Sunday School, when, as per usual in Family Ward Sunday school classes, the teacher provided ample hi-jinks to warrant at least 3 elbows in (tear!) a non-existent rib cage. (Jess, if you felt a phantom elbow in your side sometime this morning, it was me!!) The teacher's enthusiasm/craziness was only "amplified" by the microphone he would make anyone who had a comment speak into. He would ask a general question, of which he required a specific answer, and then would put the microphone in someone's face, and then wait for them to answer at least 3 times before they discovered what his answer was. Oh, the times we will be having in Gospel Doctrine. Just remind me never to get too close to that mic...

Relief Society was, of course, absolutely wonderful, and I look forward to getting to know the ladies there. Having met up with Linda Davies, I am now going to be doing a musical number in Sacrament meeting next Sunday. Nothing like exhibiting myself ('cause we all know...) at the forefront. As Denise would say, might as well do it while "the fit is upon us".

This weekend, I had the most wonderful relaxing time, and when we went shopping, only spent about 3 dollars. Shocking!! Not even when we went to Reitmans, and Mary was pressuring me to buy a purse did I give in to temptation. Wow. I really feel like I have grown as a person.

Well, I hope you all had a fantastic weekend, and a truly "worship in style" Sunday. Here's hoping we run into each other soon!!

Hope for the Hopeless

Wow, the year in review. I am going to copy Denise a bit by going through some high and low points of 2007 here on the ole blog. And it has been quite a year for me.I am not putting these in any particular order, and I am writing them as they occur to me, so please indulge the scatter-brained list. Here it is:

The arrival of Sam, Ben, and Beckham. How many aunties get 3 nephews in one year? It has been quite a year for the Olsen family, and we loved having so many babies about the place whenever we got together. Yes, it did sound like absolute pandemonium when Dad called me the other day when everyone was down for the holidays, but there was nothing like Christmas morning with the boys. Even the 2007 ones got to help unwrap presents, and read the books I gave them.

Moving to a new house. I was so lucky to move in with two of the greatest girls in the world, and when one moved out (tear!) we were lucky again to bring Mary in!! Even with all of the craziness of the downstairs Lotharios, I still love this house, and have felt comfortable and warm here.

Living in Party Central. Some of the highlights have included many Week-day Eves, Apple taste-tests, After dance parties with slurpees and Cranium, Power-outages which were more harmful than fun, dinner with the missionaries, Keely parties, concerts with Ashley and me, dinner with the A and the J, parties in the tent, and the grand wrap-up, the c.d. exchange. I will admit that I love being a hostess, so it has been a lot of fun. And, Denise and I remarked the other day that we were always either cleaning up for or after a party. Thanks to all my roommates for indulging my love of the get-together.

Facebook. Finding people I haven't seen since High School, creeping on other people, finding out way more than you ever wanted to know about some friends, connecting with other YSA, and creating killer events and groups has made this fad a lot of fun for this Luddite.

General Conference. A truly great trip with wonderful ladies, spiritual uplifting, amazing shopping, fabulous music, a chance to perform for an entirely new audience, and a plethora of inside jokes. And, who knew I would get a date just by leaving the country? That is the ultimate hot and cold...

Boggle. From the awkward and sometimes infuriating large games with all the week-day eve people to the do-or-die, friendship-jeopardizing, "if you try to make up one more word I will lose it" games with Braden, it has been a good year for finding words. This has made me want to play again as soon as possible...

Being Relief Society President. Someone told me that if you are feeling like you are not doing enough, then you are probably doing the job right. I hope so, because I feel like I never did enough for the girls in our ward. As I leave them, I hope they know how much I loved them and only wanted the very best for all of them. Who could forget the amazing Retreat? which leads me to:

Make-out Challenge 2007. This year we expanded it to co-ed, but only the celebrity version. While it will send me straight to Hell for inventing it, it is still the best game in town. And, as 2008 is beginning, and a new game commences, I still stand by my 2007 death choice. Last Sunday only cemented my decision. I look forward to all of the match-ups in '08.

Writing the LSAT. At least I can say I wrote it. Yeah. However, I will still be applying to a couple of schools, and if I don't get into those, waiting a year, writing the test again and blowing it out of the water this time.

The Fantastic Four. With trips to the zoo, pay-day dinners at the Keg, Heroes, great conversations, Arrested Development, Whoop-Up Days, and a lot of laughter, Denise and I have had a great year with two of the best guys/men 2 girls could hang out with. Thanks for the memories, guys...

So, I am sure that I missed some of the experiences of the year, intentionally and unintentionally. However, some things really are better left unsaid...or at least never mentioned again. Thanks to everyone for making this a great year. You are all amazing.

Welcome to 2008. Here's hoping for at least one date with a man over 40, any date at all actually, sticking to a membership at the gym, getting into Law School, an amazing trip to Ireland, and possibly even growing up. Oh, yeah, and at least a couple more Boggle games.

Not quite where I wanted to go, but...

So last night was the much-anticipated, somewhat feared, and definitely long-worked for 2007 Year in review c.d. exchange...and all in all, was pretty much a success. We had about 12 people here...and almost as many c.d.s. It was an eclectic group, with family, friends, frenemies, old loves, new friends, and a plethora of musical tastes.

I, of course, had a mini minor melt-down...but let me say, I feel it was justified for the following reasons. Wait, let's give the story first for the readers who were not there...so, Adam and Jess. Everyone was playing their favorite songs from the c.d., and they were being received well. Then I got up and put on "One Man Guy" by Rufus. Immediately, some of the people there started questioning the title, disparaging Rufus, and just generally making fun of my choice. So, I said that nobody got to listen to the song...in other words, the spirit of the moment was gone...and I put on a different song while everyone half-heartedly said "Jenny, No." Now I know it was all in jest, but once again, I feel my (very very) minor flare-up was justified because:

1. Just because Rufus is gay does not mean that every song is about sex with men. So, stop looking for homosexual references in the title. Give the song a chance. Everyone else got a listen through.

2. I love this song. I feel like Rufus infuses it with a great deal of urgency, and sings it with the kind of emoti0n and care that only someone who is singing a song their parents sang/loved can. BTW, his dad wrote the song. So, I felt like when your judging my favorite song, you are hurting me a little. O.k., I know that is a bit irrational, and I know I am acting like a girl, but indulge me a bit because

3. I just had a life-changing day yesterday. I made a huge decision, and am saying good-bye to a phase of my life that lasted 12 years. A phase I gave everything to. I am a little on edge, and scared to death of the future. One where I have to be alone in church...a place where I have always felt so safe and comfortable, and have had someone to give the elbow to in Sunday School. So, I am sorry I freaked out a little, but I'm a little confused right now.

4. I put my heart and soul into this c.d. I know that some may have just found their favorite songs, and I will be the first to admit that I did that last year, but I spent literally months putting this project together. Picking and discarding music since about October, trying to make the playlist work since the beginning of December, planning the title and cover, putting a poem that I wrote on the cover, i.e. exposing a bit of myself I usually keep pretty hidden, and at the last minute finding I couldn't get some of the songs, and so having to re-work it again (although, I think I am even more pleased with the result!!) was an absolute labor of love. It is also a very revealing cd, because each song reflects my emotions regarding some of my experiences this last year. So, I know you were all just joking around, but it felt like you were stepping on my heart, just a little.

O.k., that was a little overly-dramatic, but just because I am 30, and going to try to become an adult, doesn't mean I can keep it up all the time. Besides, I have been reading poetry lately, and you all know what that does to me...

"I have spread my dreams under your feet-
Tread softly, because you tread on my dreams." Yeats

Anyway, I hope you all know I still love you all, and know you will give my c.d. a try. I can not wait to listen to everyone's creations. I am listening to my first one this morning, and it is both affirming of what I know about this person, yet also surprising in what it reveals about him/her.

Thanks to Denise for creating the group and bringing us all together.

Sorry about the rant-but if you can't do it here...

Please don't give up on me now - tomorrow will be a much better post.

jko

Chistmas makes you feel...murderous?

So, instead of going back to bed for 30 minutes after my shower (truly, one of my very favorite things to do!!), I have decided to write this morning and tell a little bit about my day yesterday.

It all began when I went over to the Mall to help judge the submissions for the Christmas story contest. The stories had to be written by someone from Kindergarten to Grade 5, and they had to start with either " 'Twas the night before Christmas..." or "Once upon a Time". So, three of us read through the 411 submissions. It didn't take as long as I thought it would for the following reasons:

1. Most of the stories were pretty short - usually about a page long.

2. Tons of them borrowed heavily from recent Christmas movies. There was a lot of Jack Frosts, Gingy (from Shrek...not a Christmas move, but Gingerbread man, come on), and some evil elf named Grimley showed up in about 50 stories??!! As soon as I saw these characters, I would pretty much stop reading as originality was the main criteria.

3. You could also stop as soon as you saw one or (shockingly) all of the following: knives, grenades, evil Santa, any killing of Santa, demons, Santa vs the Easter Bunny, wars, and any story cover absolutely bristling with glitter (I think there is still some in my my hair...) There are some seriously twisted kids out there who want to kill Santa, and who have seen movies that I probably still wouldn't watch...Saw 4 shown at the store isn't sounding so controversial anymore becuase of my favorite title of the day:

4."The night I thought I saw Jason Voorhies on Christmas and my Birthday" complete with illustration of a young child cowering under the covers while a fully-suited Jason stands menacingly in the doorway. This from a grade 4 student. I mean, I think Santa saved the kid, but it is still highly disturbing, nonetheless.

The winners wrote some sweet and original stories, and Chapters gave them 50 dollar gift cards. Tne winning school also received a 500 dollar gift card.

Have a wonderful morning and day, everyone!!

"Don't lie to the missionaries"

So I am officially trying to do something with my life.

This week I applied for two jobs, and got an on-the-spot interview at one of them. I applied for a legal assistant job, and the interview for that one went very well!! I know that there are a lot of more qualified people out there, but I did a pretty great job of impressing the lady who quizzed me. I thought I gave intelligent and thought-provoking answers, and I think she liked me.

The second job is the one closest to my heart, and it is an Event Planning job at the College. Yay!! I wrote a killer cover-letter, and I hope to hear if I get an interview sometime early next week. Cross your fingers, say a prayer, whatever!!! I would love this job!! Even if I don't get either job, however, it is good to be doing something. It is great to have a place to channel my energies, and come on! Who doesn't love the endless possibility of rejection? We all know I am an absolute sucker for it.

On that note, and really anything pertaining to the year 2007, I am narrowing down (once again) my picks for the year in review cd. There is an awesome amount of people participating, and I want to make this album the. best. ever. Some might be saying that it is not a competition, and believe you me, I was right there with you until yesterday. However, one Eric Garner, brother of Denise, raised the stakes by saying that his was going to be the best. Anyone who knows me knows that if you even mention competition, every nerve starts to tingle, the fists come out, and you have yourself a throw-down, courtesy of JKO. Uh-huh.

Just saying. Be prepared.

Anyway, it is officially the weekend and...no, wait. I have to work tomorrow. So, Denise, you can say I got the day off today, but you better lock your door in the morning, 'cause there will be a punching of throats tomorrow for anyone who is still in bed when I leave. At least I will get to be on cash where it won't be too busy...no, wait...

Ah, downstairs right now, there is my favorite show going on, as performed, as always by Jarrett and his girlfriend. On her part there is the screaming, crying, and begging, and he is maniacally laughing. Really, it is just the classiest people that live down there. If Denise was here, she may yell at them that Jesus doesn't like it when you beat your girl-friend, but as I have to go change my laundry in about 15 minutes, I don't want to make any waves. Hopefully I'll get a taste of my second-favorite show that goes on when I venture down there...

Ciao (or chow), all you beautiful people!!

Never go up against Jenny when Mocha is on the line...

O.k., this is it. Blog #100.

Wow. I don't really know what to say, besides "thank-you to everyone who helped me get this far"

Anyway, I have to start by thanking Denise for saying that she lost/I won the bet. I can tell you that it was definitely over the minute I took my first sip of the Italian Soda. Sorry to everyone who doesn't know what the bet was about...Ask me sometime and I'll tell you. Except Braden. I enjoy torturing you.

This weekend, we had a wonderful party for Keely on Friday. Unfortunately, I was absent for about 90 minutes of it, but what I was there for was fantastic!! If anything, it gave me a reason to clean my room!! On Saturday, we had the Ward Christmas Party, which was great! I think my favorite parts of the night included: the mad scramble to get the desserts prepared, Joseph mumbling to me something about the piano after my musical number, double death grip in the kitchen, the killer apron I got to wear, Santa at the party, and London Road's plethora of skits and dance numbers.

Have a wonderful week, one and all!!

"Say what you need to say"

"Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open-

-John Mayer

Oh, John, remember when I dreamed that we were dating and you would sing "Your Body is a Wonderland" to me with your guitar, and you would be wearing that sleeveless shirt like in the Gap ad... You will always be justifiably sleeveless to me... Here is a line from the song I am writing about you:

"People thought you were ugly for so long
You had to wear the sleeveless shirt to prove them wrong
Justifiably Sleeveless!!!"

Just so all of you are aware, I am...a little drunk right now. Seriously, I am mere moments away from an obnoxious phone call to the one who loves them the most. Anyway, today was a pretty good day - nothing overly exciting. Tonight I am practicing with Mark Bruce, as we are singing in church next Sunday. Awesome!!

So, everyone enjoy your evening, and I will catch you on the way down!

Cheers. Frasier. Whatever.

In the air there's a feeling of...

A great big thank-you to John Mayer for helping me with my "Album of the Year" quandary. Seriously, people, I was losing sleep over finding my pick of 2007. John (consequently, my music boyfriend) re-released "Continuum" last month with some extra live songs and a brand-spankin' new single, thereby making this album my pick for the year. If you want my feelings on the previously released material, go to my blog in about November of 2006- I describe my (visceral) reaction in great detail. I have sampled some of the live stuff (added) and it is of course wonderful. I also enjoy the new song "Say", mostly for its Jenny-emotion-inducing lyrics. So. I can finally get to sleep and also buy this album. today.

Well, it has been action-packed couple of days since I last updated all of my devoted readers (At last count...about 4!! Hey, you gotta start somewhere) First, the LSAT.

Words I would use to describe the experience of writing the LSAT are, in no particular order:
grueling
panic-inducing
lengthy
cruel
enlightening

The experience is over, thank the angels/angles above, and I will probably write it again. I don't know if I want to wait another year to apply to Law School, but I should probably just see what my score is before I make too many long-term plans.

Second on my thoughts is the extra amount of not-so-nice people shopping in the store this Christmas. All day yesterday, the customer were cranky, and I was forced to play mom, and get extra-defensive on behalf of younger co-workers. I get that Christmas shopping is sometimes stressful. but her are a few ideas to make it a better experience.

1. Stop spending so much money!!! You don't have to buy everyone you know gifts, and you don't need to spend over 100 dollars on those you love. Having said this,I am probably in the wrong business, and I can't tell you how much the constant encouraging of people to spend, spend, spend on a daily basis makes me ill.

2. Focus on/create new traditions that are cheap and memory-making. On Sunday, we decorated sugar cookies and took them to the Bishop's house. There, we sang Christmas carols. A.fun.time.was.had.by.all. In my family we have the appetizer night on Christmas eve. I am telling you, it is going to be killer.

3. Remember that Christmas is what you make of it. Don't go into it feeling stressed about everything. Decide that you are going to be less commercial, and focus on the service, the funny caroling, the good food, etc. People will respect your sticking-it-to-the-Corporate-Man-attitude, and will enjoy your enjoyment of the holiday.

Merry Christmas everyone (never too early), and wish me luck with my present making. Heaven knows, I am going to need it!!!