Summer in the city means...

Hello from the largest city in Canada!! I have arrived in my new home for the next 18 months to 2 years, and I am starting to become a bit more acclimatized. It is extremely hot and humid here, the likes of which I could not have even imagined during my 33 years in the desert. It is unbelievably crowded and jam-packed with all different kinds of people. It is full of many, many things to see and do. I have been laying a bit low over the last few days due to a bit of fear, heat stroke (real or imagined), and tiredness from the trip out here, but have had the chance to see a few things. I am also in the middle of a 2 week long holiday, and so I am going to start exploring...

On Monday, I went to the University to find my building and do some registration stuff. Luckily, my building is probably the easiest to find on campus, as it is right on a main avenue and subway line. I came out of the subway at St. George station and walked about 25 steps. This was a blessing as the temperature yesterday was 34 degrees. (I was not so blessed as I tried to make my way home on the street car later, and not knowing exactly where I as going, walked a lot longer than I probably needed to.)

That evening, Travis showed me around downtown and along the lakeshore. It had cooled down a little, but it was still extremely balmy. We ate at a wonderful little Thai restaurant and then proceeded to walk around for the next 3 hours. It was great exercise, and I was able to see the legislature, city hall, lakeshore and a smidgen of the university campus at night.

Here is a picture of Dundas Square(I think!!), right across from Eaton Centre on Yonge Street.

Lovely!!

Tonight we are heading to Ryerson University to see Peter Katz play!

More to come soon!

Up and Down

Well kidlets, I am 20 days away from leaving our fair city. 20 DAYS. I think it really hit me when I went in to the Telus Store yesterday to see if they could offer me some sort of student plan (p.s., they were monumentally unhelpful...are you shocked?). I told them "I am moving to Ontario in a few weeks", and though I have said it before, it suddenly seemed extremely real. I am moving to Ontario in a few weeks. Yikes.

I am extremely conflicted, of course. I am dizzy with excitement at the prospect of embracing new challenges and taking a pretty big step towards my goals. I am thrilled at the prospect of living in a bustling metropolis where I can spend hours exploring and shopping!! (Have I mentioned my love of shopping?) I am terrified at the thought of leaving the only province I have ever known, and being the farthest away in my family. None of us have ever moved this far away before. I am heartbroken to think of the family and friends I am leaving.

I am ready, though. I have a place to live with two other women who seem really nice. I am not too far from the University. I have enrolled in courses for the fall and the winter semesters. I have arranged to sell my car. I have given away my bed and am in the process of downsizing the rest of my possessions (including my books, which was pretty difficult) as I am moving to a furnished room. Hey, on that note, Denise and I are planning a day in the near future when we are going to have a free "yard sale" of sorts. I say "of sorts" because it will be inside the house and people can come and take whatever we don't need or can't move with us. Details to follow.

Also look in the next few weeks for me to do a few posts about some of my favorite spots in Lethbridge. Kind of a sentimental thing, but a farewell to this city!!

See you again soon!

The good ol' days...

I realized yesterday that I have become quite the old fogey. That's right folks, I am now complaining about the weather and the price of gas, shaking my head about the shenanigans of "those kids today"; as well as fighting the urge to yell out my window at the people who are stumbling around outside the apartment building, holding their beer in one hand and trying to "playfully" punch each other with the other one.

My realization has been sneaking up on me for the last few months, but it hit me like a ton of bricks yesterday when I referred to the "flood of '95". I think my exact words were "This is nothing compared to the flood of '95". Yikes!

Have a great week, everyone!

Like it's 1899...

First off, please join me in wishing our dear Denise a very happy birthday today!

Ok, now let me tell you about my morning. I woke up with plenty of time to shower only to find that we had no hot water. When I discovered this lovely fact, I carefully weighed my options and came up with these four.

1. I could leave early and shower at the gym in the College. This did not appeal to me at all because I really do not enjoy public showers and I didn't want to pack everything up and there are no separate change rooms...you get the picture.

2. I could have a cold shower. No.

3. I could use about a 1/2 cup of cornstarch in my hair and go to work without showering. Well, this wasn't really an option because I hadn't showered in 2 days... This could only lead to

4. Calling in "dirty". I could have stayed home in a cloud of my own filth just waiting for the hot water to magically reappear. Sadly, I was needed today.

After considering all of these not-so-great ideas, I ended up boiling a pot of water on the stove. I then added some cold water to that in the tub, and got about 2 inches of water in which to wash everything. It was kind of a juggling act, but I think I managed about a 95% in cleanliness.

Pretty good, huh?

It stands for Professional Computer, right?

I am not sure how it happened, but over the last few months, I somehow forgot that I actually have a blog. The possible reasons why are numerous. It may be that I got really involved in selecting and enrolling in my classes for next year at the University of Toronto. It could also be that I was busy with Young Womens. Another likely distraction is Twitter and my deep desire to know what celebrities and common folk alike are doing on a daily basis. Whatever the case may be, it has been quite the hiatus and I am finding it difficult to get back into the swing of things.

I guess I can just start with the big news of the day: I am getting a laptop this evening!! It is actually the first "real" computer that I will be semi-purchasing (there is a lot of help coming from Mom and Dad!!) as I don't really count the 2 I inherited from my dad in the past. One of them I left beside a dumpster in Edmonton...classy! The other is still up above my closet as I wasn't really sure how to set it up. I am just now realizing that I may have to step out of my Luddite comfort zone and attempt to become tech savvy. There's a book for that, right?

Anyway, I was going to go with what I know and get a PC, but I think that my father has some sort of aversion to even being part of a purchase of said machine. He has convinced me to go the way of the rest of the family, visit the dark side, and get me a Mac. Now, the "gentleman" at Laptop World would have me believe that a PC user such as myself would not be able to easily transition to an Apple; however, he did not account for the fact that I am not really an expert at using a PC. To say that I am a proficient would most likely be a gross overstatement. I do get by, but not without the help of my extremely tech savvy roommate. So, I am starting fresh. I am going to learn as I go. I know it will not be easy: even with my limited PC abilities, I have experienced some "frustrations" when trying to use my parents' Apple. My dad has been known to hear me ask him (several times) why I can't just close the "windows".

Wish me luck!! If you have any advice, it would be much appreciated!

If I have a party for my car, will you come?

Song of the day:

I am going to find the song of the day by hitting shuffle on the ol' ipod. So, here we go... (I am now taking this moment to perform said task...)

So, the song of the day is "We might as well be Strangers" by Keane. Yes, thank-you Ipod, this is a fantastic song. It was featured on their first album, Hopes and Fears, which really deserves a listen if you have not hither-to-here fore...listened.

Here is a link to the song.

Story of the day:

After many 2 appraisals of my car, several phone calls to my insurance company, and some awfully weird and new sounds coming from my car, I found out yesterday that the damages were too great, and that my car is now a write-off. How sad is that? Also, how extremely ill-timed. I only needed the thing to last me until the middle of August, but that is apparently not to be. The insurance company will give me a pretty paltry cheque for the value of my car. However, it is more than I paid for it, so the joke is on them. Hah!

I do have a few options in the works for a car. Updates to come as soon as something more concrete is in the works. I will tell you what I will not be doing: I will not be renting a car from Enterprise for 5 months for $5000 dollars.

See you tomorrow for poetry day.

Town Day

Hello to you all from this most wonderful of Thursdays!! First (and most exciting) announcement of the day: I have been (almost officially) accepted to the University of Toronto. The department for Adult Education has accepted me as a...Grad Student (wow! I love saying that...), and they just have to send their recommendation back to the Registrar (hey, does anyone else still miss bureaucracy?) who will be sending out the official Acceptance letters at the end of March. When I got the email this morning, I read it a few times, because it kind of sounded like the department had only recommended me. However, upon several more readings and consultations, the fact that the email began "We are delighted to inform you", as well as the fact that I have been a assigned a faculty advisor, I have decided that it is real. I have been offered the chance to complete my Masters of Education in Adult Education and Community Development.

I am still going to wait to see if I am accepted at Mount St. Vincent in Halifax, but Toronto was my number one choice. I am just so unbelievably excited!!

Because it is Thursday, I couldn't leave you all without your weekly dose of poetry. I wrote a poem yesterday that is kind of in direct contrast with the sunshineness of today, but it is extremely topical for our week at work. So, sorry for the downer, but I really like this one.


Autograph

He speaks with his hands
his knuckles bear the marks of her face
Each one has taken something-
her fearless smile
every open expression
her brightly mocking eyes-
even the upward swing of her chin
is smeared across his skin.

All these pieces of her
weight his fingers like
championship rings.

He hits her with his mouth
every word dances
like a boxer's swiftest jab
that finds its mark every time
with vulgar accuracy-
darkening and shadowing her soul until
she is half again last year's woman
the palest copy of a long-ago girl.

In the good times
his silence is full of screaming and
his sweetness is a portent.

Opem your eyes, look up to the skies and see...

Song of the Day!!!!

The song of the day comes to you from one of the cds I scored in the exchange this year. It is "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, and it was from Leinani's cd. Thank-you to her for the resurgence of this song in my life. This song also ties nicely into...

...Story of the (back in the) Day!!!!

The movie Wayne's World came out when I was in grade 9, and I went with my friends into Lethbridge to see the movie. Of course, I loved it and because "Bohemian Rhapsody" was featured so very heavily in the movie, I embraced the song as well. I basically thought I had invented the song when my parents let me know that no, it had been around for awhile. I never did get much into Queen, but as I listened to the song again this morning, I was reminded of an experience I had with the song and HMV at the mall. At the time the movie came out, the song had a huge comeback, and it was everywhere. I happened to be in HMV a few months after Wayne's World was released. The song came on over the speakers, and every person in the store started to sing it. When it got to the infamous head-banging part, everyone in the store (including me...I was about 15) started dancing. It was actually a pretty significant occasion in my life. I had never been to a concert before, and to see people come together through music was exciting. I felt so cool to be part of that moment.

So, if you get a chance, listen to the song. Take yourself back. Enjoy something truly campy and spectacular.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2omuoO_hIbQ

A truly great start to the week!!

Did I say earlier that there would be no cost to me for the repair of my car? I apparently forgot about the most hateful word in the english language : Deductible. Actually, I am getting off pretty cheaply as the deductible (yuck!!) is only going to be $250. Still, that is $250 that will never see my Visa bill. After I talked to my insurance lady (who was actually very nice!!), I had a dark few minutes where I cursed the unknown driver who is actually responsible for my predicament. Then I realized that he/she will probably have to foot the entire bill for their damages (hah!). I also came to the conclusion that as trials go, this one is pretty minor. Plus, I really do need some sort of distraction from the month of waiting I have until I get any acceptance (yes?!!) or rejection (no thank you?) letters from the Universities I applied to.
I talked to both universities, and they both said end of March, beginning of April is the earliest I will hear. Kill me!!

Anyway, I am going to leave you with an excerpt from an article in the National Post about the cost of the Olympics. Something to think about, anyway...

During the Games While 100,000 free condoms had been provided to the roughly 7,000 athletes and officials staying at the village -- about 14 condoms per person -- the Village ran out of prophylactics on Day 13, forcing an emergency restocking. Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2626214#ixzz0gwsKGxyH

Thanks, Universe for the cosmic slap!!

One and all: I would like to address your attention to my post yesterday which literally dripped and reeked with sunshine. Now, cut to me today sitting in the back of a police car. How did I get there, you may well reasonably ask.

The story, I am sorry to say does not involve me committing any crime. (I will assume that there has now been a collective sigh of relief). It does include me coming out of my building this morning and finding that someone had hit my car in the night, and left the back left side all crunchy. I called the police and my insurance company, and then bussed it to work. When I originally talked to the police station, they requested that I complete a report online. I was a bit loath to do this, thinking that they really couldn't do anything for me anyway. However, one of my concerned neighbors called the police as well, so they could contact me in case I didn't know about the "accident". The police did call me, and because I had not moved my car and there was still "debris" around it, they sent a constable to come check out the scene. One of my co-workers graciously drove me home to meet with him, and I got to sit in the back of the police car. I felt a little dangerous...

Anyway, I am now playing phone tag with the insurance company, but it seems as though they will be able to fix it with no cost to me, owing to the fact that it was a hit and run. So, hopefully a happy ending.

Let's hope that nothing else too crazy happens today. I am very fortunate that it all seems to be working out quite well. Plus, it is even nice weather for when I am carless, so taking the bus and walking will be enjoyable.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Drive carefully out there...

The result of cup-cakes for breakfast...

I have had a wonderful morning today and it is due to three very important factors:

1. It was light as I drove to work today!! I cam so excited for almost Spring, and I can't wait for the ever-approaching days when I can wake up with the sun. Right now that privilege is only reserved for Saturday and Sunday mornings when I sleep in to the unholy hours of 8:30 or 9:30 am. There is something so magical about laying in bed with the sun streaming in your window. Add a great book to the mix and you have one fantastic morning.

2. My breakfast was a peppermint and chocolate cupcake that Denise had got for me at Crazy Cakes. While this is not a very healthy breakfast, it is certainly a sweet one! Thanks to Denise for getting the cupcakes...

3. Weekly staff meeting at work. These are always enjoyable, but today we found out that one of my co-workers and his wife are expecting a baby!

Today being poetry day (another reason to celebrate this Thursday!). I am going to include a poem by Yeats. I had read it originally when I was in High School, and it has been a favorite ever since. I recently became reacquainted with it when I attended Jessica's Ariose concert a few weeks ago, and their choir sang a beautiful choral setting of the poem.

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the mourning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

-William Butler Yeats

Thoughts about school and other stuff

I was thinking the other day that the Lethbridge College was a lot like high school. There are a lot of lockers, it's a small campus, and according to some of the instructors, a lot of the students are about as motivated as your typical high school student. I found something today that only cements my theory. Some one had written on one of the tables in the Centre Core, "School Sucks!". My first response to that is, "Why are you here, then"? I would like to think that College students are more mature than your usual vandalizer, and that they are making the choice to be at school. Say what you will about the students in our program, at least none of them are writing all over the school.

Well, on a more personal note, today is poetry day!! I wrote a poem yesterday, but I am not really satisfied with the first stanza. It doesn't seem to go with the rest of the poem. Hmm. I am going to put the working copy here, so you can see the creative process (or whatever), and then next week I will include the edited, revised, possible totally different version. No title yet...but then again, I am really bad at thinking of titles.

Enjoy!

I haven’t written for days-
My paper is cold and empty
(like your heart)

I tried exploring there
Tried to excavate
beneath the cool exterior

I wanted to feel the beating
bleeding chaos that you
hide so quietly

But my search was futile-
The messes you’ve left
Lie deeper than even your heart.

You have buried them in the earth-
Reached into the dirt and
Pushed them down

An offering for her heart.

A day in the life

The other day a friend asked me if I liked my job because it was different all the time. I realized that this is exactly why I like my job. While working with a variety of different people (students, instructors, the other members of my team), there is always something new and different happening.

Sometimes they are frustrating or negative events such as a student who feels like he needs to yell at me every time I suggest he do some homework. This same student loses or forgets his keys at least twice a month, and so I am on excellent terms with the security and information people, which is where he inevitably goes to panic. (He knows that if he comes and lets me know, that I have an extra key to his locker, I won't get that upset or worried, and heaven help us all, he loves the drama!)

On the other hand, sometimes I have a really great conversation with instructors about how much they like having one of the students in their classes. Sometimes I get to sit down with the other people I work with and hash out a specific problem one of us may be having. I get to see our students when they finish a long and complicated assignment (one in which I have usually invested a lot of time and effort myself), submit it, and get some great feedback. The pride and accomplishment that this brings makes every day worth it.

I spent years working in retail where money is god, the bottom line, and the final goal. I always wanted to work in a job where I actually helped people, made a difference. Now that I am there, I find it extremely rewarding.

So, bring on the challenges. They may want to make me tear my hair out, but at least they keep things interesting.

Looking ahead

So, I think the New Year is shapin' up pretty good. Ashley's wedding is coming up in May, and we are looking forward to that. Denise has a job, so she can start buying work clothes and competing for most stylish in the office again. (I already know she will win!) My parents are planing a big move to the great white north which they have wanted to do for many years. Our friend Travis is in school, with plans for even more education. I myself have applied to grad school in far off places, and have also set a life contingency plan in place if I don't get in.

This is a year for positivity. This is a year for moving forward. This is a year of independence. I am pretty excited, aren't you?

Recently, Laura commented on one of my favorite songs from my 2009 Year in Review cd, "The Sun will Rise" by Brendan James. The words are extremely apropos for the 2010 outlook:


The sun will rise the sun will save me
The sun will change me change the way I feel
The day will make this heart a fortune from the fruit of a hundred orchards
From the water rivers bring

The sun will rise the sun will save me from the night the sun will change me
Change the way I feel
I've had enough of the hard and harder times are tough and I've drifted farther
Farther from myself

I won't dwell baby on my failures
It won't help baby it won't bring changes
I won't run baby when all I want is to run
I won't forget the morning's sure to come

The sun will rise the sun will save me,from the night the sun will change me
Change the way I feel
The love I want the love I need is sure to come is sure to lead me
Lead me home again

The light is low the night is burning, my head is still but my mind is turning
Turning round again
If only I can make it through this lonely night if I can do this
If I can drift away

Then the sun will rise the sun will save me from the night the sun will change me
Change the way I feel

I live only to amuse others

So, here is a story from yesterday:

I was leaving the library when I saw who I thought was Ed Stelmach sitting at a table in the Centre Core. I can tell you, I was pretty darn excited. I went back into the library and asked the ladies if they knew who the gentleman sitting out there was. They told me it was Glenn Secretan, who is an instructor here at the College. I told them I thought it was the premier, and they got a pretty good laugh about that. But, seriously. He looks just like him.

I can't decide if this is a failing of my eyes, my good sense, or my ability to recognize our esteemed provincial leader. It could just be my insatiable desire to see a celebrity, any celebrity.

Whatever the reason, I at least gave the librarians a bright spot in their day.

Stuck in the Middle...with you?

So, here is a story from the weekend:

I was convinced by some of the ladies in my ward to attend the 31+ Activity on Friday night. It was a Games night, and so I went with a positive attitude and my very cutest shirt. Unfortunately, the games turned out to be a 1965 version of Scrabble, a 1943 version of Tile Rummy, and a not so rousing game of volley-ball. Now, let me illustrate to you my feelings of the volley-ball: More horrifying than a trip to the dentist, but not as awful as basketball. I somehow ended up playing, and as per usual, embarrassed myself fully. The best part of the game, nay, the night, was the gentleman who was always right behind me on the court. Every time he served, he would almost hit me with the ball, then come up and apologize whilst touching me. (Coincidence? I think not.) I kept thinking that he looked familiar, but I couldn't place his face. It wasn't until later, when I heard his name, that I realized he used to be a good friend's step-dad. Not only that, but his marital hi-jinks make Charlie Sheen, Spencer Pratt and every other dead-beat husband look like a knight in shining armor. Yeah.

The other man I met told me that he and my mom were in Institute together (yeah, that's gonna win points) and asked me some pretty personal questions about her.

In case I have not said it before, I am saying it now. I am done with those activities. Like dinner, yesterday's news, whatever. I am not giving up, I am just taking a break. Focusing on other stuff. Going back to younger men.

Does anyone want to come over for a viewing of "17 Again"?

"No regrets, no looking back, no good-byes"

So here it is: my track list for the 2009 Year in Review cd. After much debate, personal struggle, hair tearing, and battles with computers / itunes, I finally have chosen the songs that reflect my life this year. Good news, chilins, there are hopeful songs as well as ones that just might make you want to kill your self.

I discovered a truism this time around: the music really does pick you. I had so many ideas of how I wanted the cd to look, but certain songs just held on and would not be ignored. Only now, as I am giving it a listen from beginning to end, am I hearing some lines that I never noticed before.

So, if you get a chance, take a listen to any and all of these songs. They are all-age appropriate, so listen without guilty conscience. Who knows, you just may find some truth yourself. At least you will discover some pretty wonderful music.

"The Later Years...
...time to put away childish things"

1. Don't Stop Believin' - Glee Cast
2. No Envy, No Fear - Joshua Radin
3. Everyday People - Sly and the Family Stone
4. Incandescent - Rob Szabo
5. The Underdog - Spoon
6. All we ever do is say Goodbye - Jon Mayer
7. Puttin' on the Ritz - Fred Astaire
8. The Sun will Rise - Brendan James
9. Sleepwalkin' - The Good Lovelies
10. A Place called Home - Kim Richey
11. This is the Last Time - Keane
12. Cathedrals - Jump, Little Children
13. The Great Collapse - The Zolas
14. Where we gonna go from here? - Mat Kearney
15. Eyes - Rogue Wave
16. Come Thou Fount - Sufjan Stevens

You might not want to read this one...

I spent the other night doing something extremely self-destructive. At fist glance, it didn't seem to be so harmful, more like a casual stroll down the yesterday road, but memory is a very powerful thing. (I really hope that you're interest is peaked with this ridiculous build-up!)

I was at my parents house about a week ago, and my dad found my "special box" for me to go through. As I pulled out various pictures and keepsakes, I was bombarded with memories and feelings. Some of the items included: a recorder I got from my parents when I was in grade three, my handkerchief that I embroidered for the Cardston Temple dedication, a large green bottle that I have no memory of purchasing, a stuffed raccoon that had Jessica's name on it (oops!), many report cards from elementary and junior high school class pictures, and the best discovery of all, my journals from junior high and high school.

I took my journals downstairs with me to read before bed. I hoped to have a good laugh at my angsty rants and endless descriptions of boys who I liked. I was not disappointed with the latter. Each entry from junior high was filled with Baby-sitter's Club-like descriptions of the boy that I was obsessed with. Yes, obsessed. The saddest part was that I would describe every minute encounter with a boy, especially the one in question, in great detail. Unfortunately, due to my crippling shyness with the opposite sex in junior high, the meaningful moments almost always went a little like this:

"Today I saw (boy in question, I am sure Andrea will know who I am referring to) and he looked at me." There was never much more that this. Maybe a prolonged look after which we both "flicked our eyes away", a la The Fascinating Girl. I also ended each entry by writing, "I hope (boy in question) likes me.

Really? Really?

While Junior High merely made me want to vomit, High School was a little more thought-provoking. By then, my writing skills were somewhat more improved, but I expressed a lot of feelings which I have hoped never to feel again. In High School, I spent a lot of time being jealous of friends who always seemed to have no trouble dating, and my feelings of being left-out and left behind came rushing back. As I look at myself today, I like to think that I am a somewhat successful and self-adjusted adult who feels fulfilled with the life she has chosen / been blessed with. Unfortunately, that self-conscious and disappointed girl is there, just under the surface. She usually stays pretty hidden, but as I read through my experiences from that time, she came to the fore-front, and I am having a very difficult time keeping her at bay. As much as I would like to be happy with being single, sometimes I can't let go of those feelings of everyone else moving ahead with their lives, while I am left behind.

I think the moral of the story is to keep the readings to a minimum, and remember that I had a pretty great time in High School. I had some amazing friends, and I started a life-long friendship with my sister, Andrea. How grateful I was for her friendship then, and throughout the years.

I am considering instituting a regular series here on the blog, which would include excerpts from the slightly less embarrassing Junior High posts.

Is anyone interested?

"I don't care what your momma says..."

"...Christmas is almost here!"

So , its my last day of work for 2009!! I should really be doing some paper work, but it will still be here when I get back in January. I have got to have something to do before classes start, and as all of the students are registered, have schedules made, and know where their classes are, there will not be a lot to do on the 4th and the 5th.

We have not been working very hard at all today, mostly having a pretty good YouTube party with Christmas videos, movie trailers and wedding pictures. I am also leaving early today, so I can enjoy the incredibly sunny day!!

This is the first Christmas in 5 years that I will not be working on either the 24th or the 26th of December. I actually get 10 days off and I can not wait. Never mind that I just got back from a week's holiday in Disneyland!!!! I am getting my pictures from Jess and Adam in the next couple of days, and so I will be doing a Disneyland post with pictures, lists, and general wishes that I was still there...

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

About time for a rant

Dear NBC,

I am sorry that because I am a Canadian you think my opinions are irrelevant. Remember how you sent me an email that encouraged me to complete a survey about your programming? I do. Remember when you sent a few more emails which encouraged me even more to express my valued words? I do. Remember how I started the survey and answered several questions only to be "politely" declined because I do not currently live in the U.S.A? Yeah, I do.

You may find this hard to believe, oh great peacock, but there are people outside your country who watch your shows. There are even some in Canada: the rumours are only partly true...our igloos have t.v.s, and some of us even speak English!! We watch "The Office" and "30 Rock". Just so you know, I have stuck with you through some pretty bad times. Remember "Heroes", Season 3? Or, how you pulled the plug on "Scrubs"?

So, the next time I apply for tickets to see one of your shows, check the address I have entered before you send me a hundred emails asking for my input. Or, have the first question on your survey be "Do you live in the U.S.?". Either way, it saves me and you the hassle.

Yours, most sincerely,
Jenny Olsen
Canada

p.s. I really hate "Deal or No Deal".