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

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

Enjoy!!

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

-Willie Nelson

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

Hello and hooray for Poetry Day!!

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

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

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

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

Sonnet 29

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

-William Shakespeare

Mid-life crisis...already?

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

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

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

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

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

Good night and Good luck!

Advice for the new job, anyone?

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

-Carla, "Scrubs"

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

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

Sigh... I'm bored already.

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

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

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

Hearing your Favorite Songs and other good omens

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

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

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

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

-JKO, 2002

300 teenages...what could be better?

Everyone is better at computers than me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

We should get jersies...

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a wonderful day, everyone.

Nothing like nature to soothe the soul.

I just had the most amazing weekend.

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

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

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

Wish me luck. On all counts.

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks to City and Colour for the inspiration and the unoriginality

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

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

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

Flirting with Dirges

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- JKO July, 2008

Making life interesting for murderers and customers...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. The glockenspiel. Come on!!

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

Sleep well, everybody!

I am the captain of my soul

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

please-

please.

Go to church.

I saw something nasty at Chapters 934

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

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

I am not jealous.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Silent Noon (Sonnet XIX)

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

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

 -- Dante Gabriel Rossetti

New look! New look!

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

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

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

Queries, updates, and a smattering of poetry

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is Just to Say

I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold

- William Carlos Williams

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


This is my...

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

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

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

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

Is anyone else tired of paying for their internet?

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

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

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

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

Talk to you soon!

"Just two adults getting their stew on"

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

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

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

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

Play some bacci ball for me tonight.

Go to church.

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

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

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

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

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

Only a day late or first post form the future

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

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

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

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

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


For Him

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

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

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

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

JKO, May 2008.

Poetry Day

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

The Discovery

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

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

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

-Gwendolyn Macewen