Thoughts and Scribblings

Back

2006-05-31T11:14:00.000-04:00

So I have finally returned from my adventuring in fair Eire. I'm a week into being back and have already been to work for a total of 5 days. Travelin' tends to thin your wallet considerably. So its another summer in Guelph, working with Student Housing and hoping for some excitement.

Interestingly...I am already planning my escape route....

Spring Fevarrrrh

2006-04-20T09:59:00.000-04:00

So, I don't know about you folks but I got a bad case of spring fever. Spring and Fall does this to me. Its the breeze, the new things sprouting from branches and dirt, the birdsong and goodness all the handsome lads checking out of residence and walking about. Where did they all come from? They must have been all hiding in their parkas.

Also....IRELAND IS IN A WEEK!!!! yesh guy

Spring Showers

2006-04-14T08:26:00.000-04:00

Its raining. Raining spring. And as I walked to work this morning in the grey gloaming of the rainy morning, I tried my best to avoid the earthworms. They are scattered on the sidewalks and pavement like fat pink pine needles, dropped in the rushing wind of a thunderstorm.

Stolen from Leslie-loo

2006-04-13T11:05:00.000-04:00

1. Do you have a special place where you go to be alone?
Yes...usually some corner behind a big chair or under something that gives me a sense of my own den, or where people can't easily find me.
2. Did you ever get lost as a child?
Yes. At the festival of Friends. Well I didn't think I was lost but I had wandered closer to a stage and my parents couldn't find me. It was a big ta-doo ending in hugs and sighs of relief.
3. Why were you given your name, and does it have a special meaning?
Caitlin. Its Irish and close to Kathleen my Granny's name. I was almost named Meghan. Caitlin means "pure".
4. If you only had one quarter, who would you call?
Umm, my momz and then anyone who would accept a collect call from me!
5. How many generations can you trace your family's heritage?
As far as my great great grandmother who was a bit of a wierdo. She had spirit-children, drank moonshine and smoked Irish twist. And probably further if I wanted.
6. Who is the best cook in your family?
ME! Although my mom is very good but she doesn't enjoy it and Eamonn would be if he ever bothered to try.
7. Who is the funniest person in your family?
Probably a toss up between my cousin Gabe and Eamonn.
8. In which order do you read the newspaper sections?
Crossword, Comics, Entertainment, then the headlines.
9. What are you obsessive about and why?
Art and reading. Can't get enough of either. I love expressions of self be it through art or words.
10. Can you cart wheel?
I used to be able to. If I did it know it would look like the most awkward and clumsy stunt you have ever seen.
11. Do you stand or walk in escalators?
I walk unless I have lots of baggage, in which I stand.
12. Do you set your watch ahead or on time?
Ahead of time. But then I usually know how far ahead of time it is. So its kind of pointless. Unless I get someone else to set ahead for me and not tell me by how far ahead it is.
13. What is your most recent lie?
I probably lied to Pat my housemate. Probably to get his goat. I do this a lot. tee hee hee
14. Have you ever switched price tags in a store?
Nope. It never even has occurred to me....but now....
15. What is your perfect breakfast?
Mmm smoked salmon and asparagus omeltte with hashbrowns and then a whole whack of fruit with a glass of grapefruit juice and a big mug of piping hot tea.
16. Why do you get up in the morning?
Because I am a morning person. And i like how the sun drifts in and the birds starting up and the lack of noise.
17. Do you enjoy reminiscing about the past?
Yes. Especially over photos.
18. What super hero powers would you like to have?
The ability to morph into anything...person or animal. It would be awesome.
19. Could you accept being deaf?
Yes. I would miss the music, but you'd still have vibrations. And I've always been a fan of drums.
20. Could you accept being in a wheel chair?
I could. But it would be hellah hard. And I would miss my freedom of being able to walk anywhere, hike anywhere. I would miss the mountains and hiking and being able to do things on my own.
21. Could you accept being blind?
Ummm, I think this would be worse than being deaf or being in a wheelchair for me. I am very vision oriented. Its how I read people, its how i understand my environment. I don't know how I could do the things I do know without it. I wouldn't be able to see how the sunlight dapples through the tree leaves. I wouldn't be able to read. I wouldn't be able to do my art. I don't think I'd be living.
22. Would you sacrifice yourself for your sibling/best friend?
OK. No. Unless....but probably no. At the core of me is a ruthless survivor.
23. What is a waste of time?
War.
24. Would you eat genetically modified food?
Yes. Although it gives me the heebie-jeebies if I start to think about it to much. More so with modifying the animalies. It just seems wrong...
25. What are your life goals?
To be happy. And be me being happy, I can make others happy.
26. What posession would you never agree to share?
My Deepest Darkest Secret. If I have one that is.
27. What would you say/do if you got to choose how you would die?
In my sleep, from old age, surrounded by my loved ones.
28. What would you say/do if you had 20 acres of land to develop as your own?
Keep as greenspace. Save one acre for my house to be built on.
29. Is love of money the root of all evil?
No. The love of power is. Love of money is just a manifestation of this base obession.
30. Do you believe in fate?
Yes. But more so in the balancing power of the universe. Everything balances out in the end.

Eventful weekends followed by dull weeks and new cousin

2006-04-09T16:26:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted in awhile so I will try my best to be brief. Perhaps I'll utilize the traditional note taking form...aka point form to regale you.

So Weekend the 31-2 of April:
-grabbed train from Guelph to Montreal, got to sit with work friend part of way
-navigated my way to 5110 Sherbrooke residence...where NO ONE was home
-sat on stairs, read trying not to panic, then greg came up stairs with loads of beer=happiness
-Jackie, Leslie, Scotty and I headed out to grab dinner and then to see Gabe's play
- A lie of the Mind
-brilliant, the boy can act his pants off, met with Kathy, Dan, Ama and her friend Cassandra
-Went to le Bifftek for beers and popcorn, met up with montreal crew friends and Gregs buds from Cambridge
-next, day, late "brunch", jackie and I scurried off to the Modern art Gallery to see Anselm Kiefer = INCROYABLE!!!
-pizza night then out to Karova...ended up entertaining most everyone
-Sunday...peoples headed out, saw my granny, aunt, uncle and coz, took train then worked midnight shift. PHEW!!!

This past week.....ummm I caught a cold!!! Fainted friday morning and took the day off to feel sorry for myself. Also got results back from Myers Brigs Personality/Career Test...very interesting....points to the fact that my confusion is on the right track.
THURSDAY: My cousin Elke gave birth to new family member..enter GRACE O'HARA.
can't wait to see her!

Saturday. Went to TO with Pat to pick up his baby...aka computer. hung out with Sarah Mac. Went to dinner to Latino's to celebrate Jen Gonzales' 25th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL. Felt like we took over restaurant as there were 30 of us? collected at her TH then took off for the ebar where we swarmed the dance floor and kept dancing til last call=sweaty hilarious fun. Back to her place for post bar hang time. then home at 3:45am. mmm dreamland. and now I am here. At the East desk. And a new week begins.

also my momz sent me this link. check out the pic of the child and monkey.

jumped on the bandwagon

2006-04-03T00:28:00.000-04:00

YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet and current street name)
Tayu Caledonia
YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (grandfather/grandmother on your mother's side, your favorite candy)
Kathleen Mars
YOUR "FLY GIRL/GUY" NAME: (first initial of first name, first two or three letters of your last name)
C-Oco
YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite animal, favorite color)
Whale Teal
YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Cecilia Hamilton
YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, last 3 letters of mother's maiden name, first 3 letters of your pet's name)
Oco Nor Zeb
JEDI NAME: (middle name spelled backwards, your mom's maiden name spelled backwards) Ailicec Ronnoco
PORN STAR NAME: (middle name, street you grew up on)
Cecilia Brittania
BONUS JEDI NAME: (first three letters of your last name, first two of your first name, first two of your mother's maiden name, first three of the town you were born in)
Oco Ca Oc Ham

Bad news in form of emails

2006-03-29T09:09:00.000-05:00

I have some bad news. I received an email yesterday to inform me that my application to the internship in B.C. that I was really hoping for wasn't accepted. It was a shot in the dark in reality, but also in reality I am bummed. I would have been so sweet. Two months living on Salt Spring Island, in BC working with marine mammals. Ah well. *sigh* and...bigger *sigh*

So if any of you know of any oppurtunities, jobs and the like coming up anywheres let me know.

Its a good thing I'm headed to Montreal this weekend, cause I need a pick-me up.

Some Pics from St.Patrick's Day Weekend

2006-03-29T08:52:00.000-05:00

Your Cheat sheet to my Personality.....seriously this is scarily true

2006-03-25T10:25:00.000-05:00

The Peacemaker
Test finished! you chose BX - your Enneagram type is NINE.

"I am at peace"

Peacemakers are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially
don't like expectations or pressure.
I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this.
Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit.
Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge
me gently and nonjudgmentally.
Ask me questions to help me get clear.
Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery.
Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings.
I like a good discussion but not a confrontation.
Let me know you like what I've done or said.
Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life.

What I Like About Being a Nine

being nonjudgmental and accepting
caring for and being concerned about others
being able to relax and have a good time
knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around
my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good
mediator and facilitator
my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and
now
being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being a Nine

being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive
being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline
being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch
of the mouth personally
being confused about what I really want
caring too much about what others will think of me
not being listened to or taken seriously

Nines as Children Often

feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant
tune out a lot, especially when others argue
are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

Nines as Parents

are supportive, kind, and warm
are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Renee Baron & Elizabeth Wagele

The Enneagram Made Easy
Discover the 9 Types of People
HarperSanFrancisco, 1994, 161 pages

My test tracked 2 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 26% on ABC
You scored higher than 28% on XYZ

Link: The Quick and Painless ENNEAGRAM Test written by felk on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Montreal Revisited

2006-03-24T16:57:00.000-05:00

I am Lame. I awknowledge this facet about me.
I rather hope it is more endearing than irritating.

I am lame because I am going back to Montreal a mere 2 weeks after I have already been there. This is a result of the following combining ingredients:
1) Guelph is dull and lack luster
2) I miss my friends....tear
3) A promise I made to Gabe and Amadea about seeing their plays for real this year
4) ......'cause I can.
5) There is a really neat artist exhibiting at the Modern Art Museum

Bwahahaha.

The Craziest Irish Weekend I have yet

2006-03-24T16:26:00.000-05:00

St.Patricks Day was this past friday as I am sure you are all aware. If not. SHAME. Shame on you. Eamonn and I have been planning on going to Montreal for years for the legendary St.Pat's weekend with the parade, and this year was finally the year we could do it. So I casually let my shifts go to other folks for the weekend like 2 months in advance and Eamonn worked some magic and got...ONE DAY OFF. Dear lord.

We took off around 9ish from Guelph after Eamonn was done his shift at Caribou Creek, giddy with excitement and the prospect of enourmous amounts of candies we had bought for road travel treats. I actually think I prefer driving to Montreal in the dark. It makes it oddly...less boring. We arrived at 5110 Sherbrooke at 3am. We didn't know where to park so I got out of the car to go see if the guys had come back from the bar yet to ask where we should park. Across the street three darkly clad guys were making there way over from a cab they hopped out of one yelling "Bonsoir". My inner thoughts were...."mmk weirdos, whatever". But then I heard Scotts laugh and Greg shout BIOSCI!!! and it was all good. We finally get settled in the house with introductions and sleeping arrangements and its next stop...Snoozeville. Friday morning, Jamie hasn't been to Montreal before so Eamonn took her out for a walk about town while we got breakfast going. Then Roger and Kate came over form Kait's apartment and Eamonn, Jamie, Roger and I went for a Montreal Tour. We went to Duc de Lauren for cafe latees and croissants, then to the Mont Royal Cemetery (Nothing like making your friends feel comfortable and at home by showing them your relatives graves!) and then for a view of Montreal from a view point on the mountain. We get back to the apartment. And Leslie and Jackie have finally arrived!!! Then it was to downtown shinanigans at Brutopia. Then we hopped over to Thompson house, then to Biffteck and then finally to this funk bar where we danced the rest of the night! {Gabe (my cousin) visited throughout the night. Between Thompson house and Bifftek Geg barreled into me and we went flying = me with very badly twisted ankle which caused me to hobble about for the rest of the weeekend, YESH luv my clumsy-ness....and gregs}.

Saturday was a recovery day. Eamonn and Jamie took off at 7am , both having to work at 4 in the afternoon (YIKES). I went to a walk in clinic with bestest buds ever leslie and Jackie, to make sure my ankle wasn't pretending to be twisted and was really broken instead. And then with the help of Ashley, Leslie and Jackie we got dinner going. Shrimps sauted up with garlic, wine, rosemary, dijon mustard and butter. AND we had chocolate birthday cake a la Maureen O'Connor made up by leslie to celebrate Kaitlin's and my birthdays. It was quite the meal. Then it was a night of complete relaxation, with movies and just hanging out.

Sunday was the parade. The parade here is crazy. people line the streets, and the drinking and partying is only thinly disguised by the screen of people and the occasional paper bag. Managed to find Shannon in the throng. Saw the annoying Mulroney kid from entertainment tv on a float. Said farewell to Roger and Kate who had to take off. And then while Leslie and Scott went off to Chinese lessons our party continued the party. I don't think I have partied this hard in like everland. We went to Greg and Kait's friend's house to chill out because it was still only 3 in the afternoon on a sunday. And then after we had spent a spell there we took off to cresent st. Again with the partying and the dancing!!! After goodbyes, Monday morning found me on a train heading back to Guelph to work at midnight til 8 am at Prairie.

I don't think I managed to do anything on tuesday. Nope definitely didn't do anything on tuesday.

It was a stellar weekend. We missed those of you who couldn't make it. There is always next year.

25th Birthday weekend/week extravaganza

2006-03-16T09:02:00.000-05:00

So this past weekend. Involved the following ingredients:

1 Andy
1 Frat House Beach Party
several loads of sand
1 midnight shift
2 breakfast/brunches

Andy came down on friday, Eamonn came over (after Sarah Mac, Jen and I went to Caribou for supper/chats) along with the usual vet suspects of Ebru's horde and we proceded to have some drinks and ready ourselves for the beach party going on down at the Fraternity house on Gordon. It was a balmy evening so Us girls got away with wearing short shorts/skirts and sandals. We line-up and promptly get told that..."WE ARE AT CAPACITY AND THE COPS ARE ON THEIR WAY, but if you just follow us this way we'll get you in" YESH. I don't know exactly what I expected but this party totally surpassed anything I had in mind. THE whole basement was covered in a good 15-20 cm of sand. The music was good, the crowd was giddy and man did we get our dancing shoes on or took them off too avoid sand in shoes effect. Met with random people. One person I used to live with on 9th Addington in First year, some students of mine and RAs that I recognized from work. Plus lots of gorgeous guys. Go figure, guys at a fraternity party? As if!!!

Next morning...Eamonn and I got picked up by jenny-G to go for breakfast/brunch with Sarah Mac (favoritest thing). So good to see Sarah. And I think we have convinced her to come meet us in Dublin when Eamonn and I go hit up Ireland in May. At Midnight...worked til 8. got home, slept for hour and I/2 then had to rouse myself before Mon and Eamonn came over to take me out for my BIRFDAY BRUNCH!!! IT was excellent, but that's kind of the standard the bookshelf sets for itself. We came back to my house for cake. CAKE!!! Then it was naps before Final game of Waterpolo the innertube-way. We kicked ASS.

MOnday was my actual birthday. it was bland up til 4, for when I got home, I had cards waiting for me, messages from my momz and Alex, home-crafted CD by Ebru (excellent) and a bouquet of flowers from Alyson(Gerberas, lilies, tulips, twigs of pussy-willows). Then Jenny-G took me out for dinner at the newly done-up Diana's. We went to the Keg after to Join my birthday twin..Martha and her staff for a spell, traipsed over to Caribou creek to see Eamonn, traipsed back to the keg for drinks and fooseball (at one point in mid-traipsing back lost my shoe in mud stood there wailing like a flamingo going "my shoooeee, please rescue my shoeee" and singing happy birthday quietly to myself while Eamonn being the valiant guy he was, pulled it out of the mud for me). then home to sleep before waking for work at *. Pretty random day, but good all in all!!!

And now its for an epic weekend in Montreal for st.Patricks Day. We leave today!!!

Pictures courtesy of my lovely friend Diana Brown whose birthday was yesterday. Happy Birthday Deeeeee!!!

Coolest thing EVA!!!

2006-03-09T12:16:00.000-05:00

This is so Awesome, you gots to check it out, its like a yeti, but a lobster/tick/crab thingy!!!

CBC article

Stolen from Jason who stole it from Ashley who I am sure stole it from someone

2006-03-09T09:50:00.000-05:00

PLease Fill me out!!!

My name:

Where did we meet:

Take a stab at my middle name:

How long have you known me:

When is the last time that we saw each other:

Do I smoke:

Do I drink:

What was your first impression of upon meeting me/seeing me/messaging with me:

Do I have any siblings:

What's one of my favorite things to do:

Am I funny:

What's my favorite type of music:

What is the best feature about me:

Am I shy or outgoing:

Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules:

Do I have any special talents:

Would you consider me a friend/good friend:

Would you call me preppy, average, sporty, punk, a hippie, glam, nerdy, snobby, or something else (what):

What is a memory we have once had:

Have you ever hugged me:

Do you miss me...do you think i miss you:

What is my favorite food:

Have you ever had a crush on me:

If there was one good nickname for me, what would it be:

What's your favorite memory of me:

The person I like right now, what color is their hair:

What is my worst habit:

If you and I were stranded on a desert island, what is the one thing I would bring?

Are we friends?

Will you repost this so I can do it for you?:

I gots a DEGREE!!!

2006-03-08T10:19:00.000-05:00

Ok so this post has been waiting far too long in the wings of story-telling. But I finally managed to get the photos I wanted downloaded. So here goes.

OK so Wednesday February 22, Scott, Leslie , Roger and Laura all came down from there respective places of living for the convocation happening on the thursday. It was Sooooo good to see everyone and so wonderful that they all came. Next day...got myself all prettied up with clothes and makeup and hair stuff and then got dropped off by Leslie and Laura an hour before convo so all us pre-alumni could get robed up and instructed on how the whole ceremony was going to go down. I met up with Jackie and Kyla, met up with Roger, Dave and Melissa and Graeme (from Barbados, gorgeous and the smoothest guy you will ever meet). We were all collecting in the basement of War Memorial Hall. 15 min to go and Eamonn strolls in with Gillian. I could have killed him. Anyways we all line up and head upstairs and we begin! It was filled with speeches. Mostly drab and boring but I had Eamonn beside me and we entertained ourselves with glances back to Roger. Then as we crossed the stage to get "Hooded from behind by the Beadle" and have a handshake and comment from Lincoln Alexander, Leslie, Scott, laura, Ashley, Pat, Brendan and Ebru all cheered and whistled as we crossed. Hilarious.

After we all met at Creelman hall after many pictures, for drinks and chats.
Then Mom went with Eamonn to do some errands where I went home with el gang to chill and watch the olympics. Mom joined us later for tea, olympics and chillin'.

Then the gang went out to dinner while Mom, Eamonn and I went for a fabulous celebratory feast at The Other Brother. A three course Fondue meal with Champagne and wine. It took 2 and half hours and it was amazing. We talked and talked and just had a really good time.

Then it was back to re-group at the house to go for drinks at Dougies!!!
Friday morning I think was my favorite. Roger and Kate came over, Jackie and Kyla had slept over. I woke up just in time for Roger and Kate's arrival. Where we started to wake up the others and get brunch going....scrambled eggs chez leslie, pancakes chez kate and Chicken Bacon chez Roger, tea and juice chez Scott and Laura...clean-up crew jackie and others. It was so good, we all sat down for eating and watching the olympics. Its one of my favorite things. It felt like we had unit 66 back together again and that we were all one huge family.

The rest of the weekend consisted of Laura and I hanging out with those who were around, staying in and drinking wine. Yesh.

Here are some pictures. Thanks to all who came down and special shout- out to my momz and granny for supporting Eamonn and I throughout University!!! I now have my degree. YESHHHH!!!!

The Testing-Tree by Stanley Kunitz (me likey)

2006-03-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Testing-Tree

1

On my way home from school
up tribal Providence Hill
past the Academy ballpark
where I could never hope to play
I scuffed in the drainage ditch
among the sodden seethe of leaves
hunting for perfect stones
rolled out of glacial time
into my pitcher’s hand;
then sprinted lickety-
split on my magic Keds
from a crouching start,
scarcely touching the ground
with my flying skin
as I poured it on
for the prize of the mastery
over that stretch of road,
with no one no where to deny
when I flung myself down
that on the given course
I was the world’s fastest human.

2

Around the bend
that tried to loop me home
dawdling came natural
across a nettled field
riddled with rabbit-life
where the bees sank sugar-wells
in the trunks of the maples
and a stringy old lilac
more than two stories tall
blazing with mildew
remembered a door in the
long teeth of the woods.
All of it happened slow:
brushing the stickseed off,
wading through jewelweed
strangled by angel’s hair,
spotting the print of the deer
and the red fox’s scats.
Once I owned the key
to an umbrageous trail
thickened with mosses
where flickering presences
gave me right of passage
as I followed in the steps
of straight-backed Massassoit
soundlessly heel-and-toe
practicing my Indian walk.

3

Past the abandoned quarry
where the pale sun bobbed
in the sump of the granite,
past copperhead ledge,
where the ferns gave foothold,
I walked, deliberate,
on to the clearing,
with the stones in my pocket
changing to oracles
and my coiled ear tuned
to the slightest leaf-stir.
I had kept my appointment.
There I stood int he shadow,
at fifty measured paces,
of the inexhaustible oak,
tyrant and target,
Jehovah of acorns,
watchtower of the thunders,
that locked King Philip’s War
in its annulated core
under the cut of my name.
Father wherever you are
I have only three throws
bless my good right arm.
In the haze of afternoon,
while the air flowed saffron,
I played my game for keeps--
for love, for poetry,
and for eternal life--
after the trials of summer.

4

In the recurring dream
my mother stands
in her bridal gown
under the burning lilac,
with Bernard Shaw and Bertie
Russell kissing her hands;
the house behind her is in ruins;
she is wearing an owl’s face
and makes barking noises.
Her minatory finger points.
I pass through the cardboard doorway
askew in the field
and peer down a well
where an albino walrus huffs.
He has the gentlest eyes.
If the dirt keeps sifting in,
staining the water yellow,
why should I be blamed?
Never try to explain.
That single Model A
sputtering up the grade
unfurled a highway behind
where the tanks maneuver,
revolving their turrets.
In a murderous time
the heart breaks and breaks
and lives by breaking.
It is necessary to go
through dark and deeper dark
and not to turn.
I am looking for the trail.
Where is my testing-tree?
Give me back my stones!

Grin....

2006-03-06T12:01:00.000-05:00

Caitlin O'Connell --

[adjective]:

Banshee-like

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Stolen from the venerable jasonian

2006-02-27T12:05:00.000-05:00

Your walk is:
A Mix of Hopping, Dancing and Writhing in Pain

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Motivational picture for greg

2006-02-18T10:04:00.000-05:00

Saturday morning and 4 days to go

2006-02-18T09:15:00.000-05:00

So I haven't posted in awhile. so let me do a brief update:

days leading up to the dreaded 14th- making and sending valentines to my beloveds. Then on the actual Valentines Day I went to See Casablanca at the Bookshelf with my friend Aly. Sooo good. I had forgotten how good black and white filming was back then. Plus you have the stellar combo of Humphrey Bogart and Ingred Bergman, sit back and let the classic lines and looks wash over you.

This past thursday i revisited the theatre, but this time for the movie Goodnight and Goodluck (avec megan and Chris who haven't visited with for way too long). Also very good. Very political and thought provoking. Totally applicapable to today what with the media and George Bush, yet another example of how histroy repeats itself. Also beautiful filming. I had to admire the smoke spires coming from the mouths and nostrils of the actors in this film. they were so pretty and poetic, despite the fact it resulted from nerotic smoking of cigarettes the whole movie.

Friday, did no do much. And today...well your looking at it. Currently sitting at the east desk about to sip tea and cursing the creation of alarm clocks.
Friend Greg is currently feeling swamped from his lab work...so after sending a tongue-in-cheek strongly worded email about his not coming to guelph do to work, I decided maybe I should be nice so I made this picture for him. I think its pretty and optimisitic!!!

Also 4 days to go before Leslie, Laura and Scott come from an easterly direction to Guelph. Sooooooore excited, so very excited. Also Dawn is coming to visit that night too, and maybe jackie and maybe Gillian and ebru is coming back from Toronto and and and....did I mention that I was excited?!

Also Tori called me last night from Scotland. She made my weekend. I haven't talked to her voice to voice in too long. She is also coming back to Canada, but on the 24th...so thats 7 days away and I can't wait to see her!!!

All in all, many good days to come, Here's looking at you kid!

Tag-g-ed by jason

2006-02-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

List seven songs you are interested in right no. No matter what genre, whether they have words, or even if they are any good, But they must be songs you are really enjoying right now. Post these instructions and then tag seven other people to see what they are listening to.

1. I Put A Spell On You - Nina Simone ( I love this one, especially to start off my day)
2. And Then You Kissed Me - The Cardigans (if only, gah)
3. Call On Me - Eric Prydz (its kitschy and awesome)
4. I'm Aglow - Sarah Harmer (bluegrass and sweet)
5. We are Going to Be Friends - The White Stripes (If you heard this you would be all like, this is totally a song Caity-lin would love...oh i know you would)
6. To Be Young - Ryan Adams (folksy country alternative cross of David Gray and...whatshisname)
7. Operate - Peaches (she is kind of my guilty pleasure that I listen to once and awhile)

There are others. but...the requirement was 7 and so is filled. And I'm not feeling particularily rule-breaking today. Besides, the other ones are almost parallel to a certain song about letting rain come down and we all know that could be particularily painful. hee hee

Let the rain come down....(the genius of Hilary Duff)

The Weatherguy needs to get clean...SOON

2006-02-05T16:16:00.000-05:00

Seriously, the guy is addicted...probably to something horrendously trendy in the crack world like crystal meth.

Anyways, I had a lovely sleep in this morning, for which I do NOT feel guilty over. I slept til about 12:30. Totally deserved as I have been working midnight shifts lately. But no more. I am done. Finite. Unless of course I get coerced into covering someone's holidays again. hmmmm, must think up clever stratedgy of avoidance.

As I was doing my morning regime I happened to peer into the mirror and spotted with curiosity a white hair on the top of my head.
Weird.
My first white hair.
At 24.
wierd.
But I guess i shouldn't be that surprised as my brother is currently farming white hairs by the thousands. He is bordering on salt and pepper ever so nearly. (I don't think that last sentence made any sense. ) ALso one of my cousins went completely white at age 20.
So now I have my own. My own shining white hair! I shall call it...Lulu. Lulu the white hair.

PS you all suck for Morale boosting except for Leslie, who along with everyone else in Montreal is planning something, something devious like a plan to chloroform me and then force me to live in a closet until I agree to stay and live happily in Montreal with the lot of them. They are such darlings.

Have a lovely day.

Night Creature...I art thou

2006-02-02T03:10:00.000-05:00

so...I was musing and i was surfing and I thought to myself...if i was a night creature which one would i be. I decided I would be a species of lemur aka the Aye-Aye. They are just so unfortunately horrendously cute. Gawd you just want to hold it close and knit a teeny sweater for it and hold it 10 yards away from you at the same time with a blindfold on so you don't have to look at it. these next ones are a little easier to love.

BLARGHHHHHHHH...gah

2006-01-30T01:21:00.000-05:00

The Weather man needs to stop getting drunk on the job

2006-01-30T01:11:00.000-05:00

I have been wearing a rain coat people. A friggin' rain coat in the middle of January edging on to February. This isn't BC, this isn't the prairies, and it certainly is NOT Europe so what is going on?

Tonight is my second midnight shift. 12am-8am. So far it isn't too bad, but then again it is only my second go at this. It is very strange to go to bed at 9am and wake up at 5pm and to be greeted by the slow darkening of the day rather then the lightening. It can't do good things to your mind.

Also. I am having a bit of ...what-the-hell-am-I-supposed-to-be-doing-with-my-life ...feeling happening and I don't like it. So if any of you can tell me what I am good at or have any suggestions of what I should be doing please enlighten me. I am in need of some moral boosting.

Best two minutes of your LIFE!!

2006-01-16T11:27:00.000-05:00

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Caitlin.oconnell!

Caitlin.oconnell cannot jump.
Carnivorous animals will not eat another animal that has been hit by caitlin.oconnell.
If every star in the Milky Way was a grain of salt they would fill caitlin.oconnell!
Olympic badminton rules say that caitlin.oconnell must have exactly fourteen feathers.
Contrary to popular belief, caitlin.oconnell is not successful at sobering up a drunk person, and in many cases she may actually increase the adverse effects of alcohol!
The average duration of sexual intercourse for caitlin.oconnell is two minutes.
Donald Duck's middle name is caitlin.oconnell.
It is impossible to fold caitlin.oconnell more than seven times!
The first toy product ever advertised on television was Mr Caitlin.oconnell Head.
Humans have 46 chromosomes, peas have 14, and caitlin.oconnell has 7.

Hang on, just a moment!

2006-01-15T16:27:00.000-05:00

Ok so this one will be quick.

First, I really love mornings. Particularily mornings where you don't wake to an alarm bussing your ear drum off or where the sun is piercing through your eye lids. I like the kind where you slowly wake up and daze in and out for awhile. And then you can just lay there. Or giggle and talk to whichever friend is there with you. Exchanging stinky teeth-bacteria-cultured-over the night breath with each laughing outburst. (Thanks Andy that was fun!)

Also...loads of fun last night at the e-bar with laura and her RLS crew.

Also. If you are looking for mild amusement. you should check out the Kingdom of Loathing
It IS a role playing game...but I swears its nothing like Dungeon and Dragons and that elk. Its all kind of tongue and cheek and hilarious. It will be my new desk past time. I am known as the great acordian bandit...Ghostshrimpee with my 7-pound Gronald the Mosquito by my side to fight loathing, fluffy bunnies and drunken rats.

Saturday breakfastes!!!

2006-01-14T17:10:00.000-05:00

I think Saturday morning dates with people are my new favorite date times. Everyone is usually sleepily happy because its the weekend and you get to have breakfast made for you for a small fee. After eating cold cereals or porridges or dashing out with yogurt and tea in hand, this is quite a treat!

This morning I had a date with the lovely Laura Hug all by ourselves. We made it to Angel's for the right time to, because right after our arrival there was a line-up almost out the door. So we chatted it up (awesome because I missed her loads) and then walked back to my place for some REAL tea because Angel's tea sucks with firey passions. I think it might have to do with the luke-warm water and the inabilities of the tea pots to pour any tea in to your mug without first spilling its contents everywhere else.

Honestly, how hard can it be?

Mmm New Year, New Post...don't expect brilliancy

2006-01-12T10:01:00.000-05:00

K, so the holidays were busy and eventful to say the least. The toppings being my Grandpa being stubborn and waiting til he ONLY needed 5 units of blood before going to the hospital, New Year Eve (where I provided Laura, Scott, Eamonn and Jackie with enough ammo to dig into me for awhile(, annual dinner with Watsons and Morgans, Christmas dinner at home with the Moyals, doing the routine Montreal family visitations. THis isn't in any particular order...just how I am recalling it all.

It was busy but at the same time there were many days leading up to the holidays and after where there wasn't much to do, and what with most of my friends being from other places then from where I am I was a tad lonely and wishing for once everyone was from the same place wo we could all visit and hang out without planning a plane/train/bus trip. *Sigh* such is the consequences of getting older and having friends who are adventurous as well as not local.

I am currently at work, which will consume much of my life for the next 4 months before Eamonn and I high tail it to Scotland and Ireland fro 3 weeks. Weeeee!!! That and applying to masters programs and studying for the MCATs. It should prove to keep me occupied. Also I plan on taking an art course and possibly African dancing (this will be fun for sure) with J-Go.

Looking forward to Laura's visit which starts tomorrow. Yesh!
Be back with intriguing stories next time. Tah nuu!!!

Storms a brewing Joanny, Storms a brewing

2005-12-15T15:19:00.000-05:00

So, during my time of not studying and being a demi-grad I have been working going home, working and then going home to babysit my dogs for Mom. Last night though was extra special. My mom had Eamonn Gill and I book wednesday night off like a month ago to take us on a Magical Mystery Tour. What is a MMT you might ask? Well it is a somteimes bi-annual affair where my mom takes my brother and I off on some mini excursion where we are given a few clues but nothing else. Clues usually are the dress code, what to pack or times we need to book off. We are usually in the dark intil we are like an hour away from the surprise and then we begin to wrok it out. Well last night was completely from left field. We had NO IDEA. All we knew was that we were going to Toronto and the dress code was casual. then Once we got to TO we found out that we were headed to the Phoenix Concert Hall. THis did not ring any bells but it did once I saw the place since Kaitlin, Leslie, Paul and Pat and I went there last year to see the Great Big Sea. Gilllian and I were to then hop out of the car and get the tickets that were being held for us while Eamonn and Mom parked the car. Gillian and I giggling, ran out of the cold into the Phoenix to pick up the tickets. The tickets gave us no further clues for all it said was HOLIDAY JAM. Gah! so Gillian ran in to save seats while I waited for Eam and MOm and then we all entered. Still no ideas except we are here to see a concert. And then Eamonn spotted Isabelle and Alan Harmer. Friends of my momz and the parents of Sarah Harmer. Finally a massive clue. So Sarah Harmer was definitely here and it was a jam of sorts and knowing that she is friends with Sam Roberts and the Trajically Hip could it be that they were here too?

It was Awesome. It was a benefit concert for the Sick Kids Hospital and the line up was great with all these short sets. First on was Sam Roberts and Band doing a rendetion of little drummer boy. Then Denny Michelle, (very awesome). Then this surfer/musician from Halifax Matthew "Herbert" Maze, with who Sam came out to play Graceland with. Than A hockey idol Paul Coffey Came out. I didn't know who he was, just that he was a defenseman because of the way he stood at the mic. Eamonn just shook his head at me as all the hockey fans went K.R. azy. He introduced Sam Roberts. Awesome, then old Hockey great Dave Hodges came out to intro Sarah Harmer. Even more awesome. Then Doug Gilmore came out and introduced the Trajically Hip. It was amazing. Such a good concert and what an great surprise.

oooh and also, along the trip we passed a chinese restaurant callede Ho-Lee Chow. Which I thought was brilliant and then every time a band came on gill and I yelled Ho-lee Chow. Its going to be a lasting saying I can feel it. If only to annoy the crap out of my brother.

Gill drove Eam and I back to Guelph at 1:30 am. We were all tired. But happy and loving mom even more. And now I am at the Prairie desk for all the students checking out counting the hours for me to be back at home Eating, drinkiung and hanging out with Eam and buddies since he wrote his last exam today. Wooooo. "Ho-Lee Chow man, Ho-lee Chow!!!!"

Oh and we are being hard hit by snow right now hence the clone high quote. 2 ft possibly. tee hee.

Done, KAput, fini

2005-12-09T12:39:00.000-05:00

ok so i haven't posted in awhile and thats because i've been INSANELY busy!!! Yargh. But several paintings later, one huge sculpture mess and and exam I am done. I am done done like dinner.

I wrote my last final exam for my undergrad yesterday. Ahhhhh.
I don't fully comprehend my done-ness. It is a wily emotion and slips away like a wet worm. But oh it will come back and it will joyous, and sad and celebratory. And oh my gawd I'm done.

Last night to celebrate I ate ice cream with Jackie and watched the OC, CSI and ER. I was tired. But now I am up for part-eh-ing. And to point this out to all my roommates that aren't done and have been calling me names I sang songs that Pat was playing in his room in a loud, boistorous fashion with an off-key twist. It was a fantastic performance, even if Pat told me stop caterwaling (less politely). Whateves. I am done. And I will do what I want. boo-yah.

And since this getting all twisted up in random sentences I will end the post here and add others later. Done baby. DONE!

so nearly Spidy man or Jack Sparrow

2005-11-30T16:59:00.000-05:00

You scored as Indiana Jones. Indiana Jones is an archaeologist/adventurer with an unquenchable love for danger and excitement. He travels the globe in search of historical relics. He loves travel, excitement, and a good archaeological discovery. He hates Nazis and snakes, perhaps to the same degree. He always brings along his trusty whip and fedora. He's tough, cool, and dedicated. He relies on both brains and brawn to get him out of trouble and into it.

The Amazing Spider-Man

71%

Indiana Jones

71%

Captain Jack Sparrow

67%

Neo, the "One"

63%

Maximus

63%

El Zorro

46%

Batman, the Dark Knight

42%

Lara Croft

42%

William Wallace

38%

James Bond, Agent 007

38%

The Terminator

25%

Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0
created with QuizFarm.com

New Links

2005-11-26T12:21:00.000-05:00

I just added these new Links,

Check them out when you gotz the time!!!

Crown Dozen
David Horvath
Critter Box

Enjoy

Post Harry-Potter, Pre-last week Hustle (oh gawd)

2005-11-26T11:23:00.000-05:00

So this morning with the intention of waking up at the brisk hour of 6:30 to then have a more leisurely morning to get ready for work. I instead briskly held down the snooze button for an additional luxurious 30 mintues. Then woke up to the BBC blaring in my ear and cats jumping on my face sticking their wet noses into my sleepy shnoz. Then after bustling about to get UP-AND-ATOM!!! I looked outside and the pixie grin returned to my face. FLuffy Snow!!! Fluffy snow was gracefully sliding down to add to the enourmous blanket of snow being stiched onto everything. Then it was all, eat breaky, make lunch, grab snack, pack up things for tea, grab ipod, mitts, scarf, homework, yell goodbye to Heather upstairs and then mad dash it to Lambton desk where I am currently.

I've opened up the blinds so I can see the snow falling as it keeps me from getting to despondent and is better than looking over at the RLS motivational banner thingy which has "STAY POSITIVE!" in big caps surrounded by an irritating yellow spiky line. How can you stay positive with that eye-sore ranging in your pupils!!!

The plan for today is:
1) drink tea (doing so as I write, check)
2)listen to the CBC
3)start research for final exam essay
4)continue knitting rope thingy for sculpture
5)allow for playing useless online games and perhaps watching the Daily show online.
6)chat with mom, jackie, Eamonn
7) canvas and gesso paint stretcher
8)food shopping
9)wine and cheese night at friends? (still deciding on going)
10)clean bloody room

Seems do-able. Will have to see how this all splays out.

Harry Potter was brilliant. I was so impressed.
Next week = ohgawdohgawdohgawd, as eerie mantra ringing in brain.

Tee Hee

2005-11-24T22:02:00.000-05:00

ITs snowing. SNOWING. I love lovely snow, especiallesky that is is carpeting the ground, with its whitey sort of fluffy-ness. Snoooooow. Llalalalalala. ALso My coat, loves my coat. I think I must look a bit on the rediculous side as I have permi-grin on my face as I swing around in my coat and my stringed mittens about. OK so some of you may say Ridiculous...what? her...never. Hates youz.
Tee hee. Snow, love the lovely snow.

Going to see Harry Potter in T-6 hours.
*insert pixie grin here*

SNOWFLAKE - National Geographic article

2005-11-24T21:16:00.000-05:00

photo by Patricia Rasmussen

wholloping wednesday

2005-11-23T21:32:00.000-05:00

so...I am at work and I realized I haven't updated in in...11 days. And thats sad. Sad in the pathetic way sad.

Unfortunatley there is not much to report. Last last weekend Andy came down, then Jackie, Dawn and Virgina and I continued to the downtown area to part-eh, and ended up meeting Jen, Nadia, Sarah, some cute blokes, Dave and random others. It was fun. then last week was lal in preperation to go to Montreal this past weekend. Which unfortunately ended up being kiboshed the day of departure. Jackie and I almost cried. We did mope for the better part of the weekend as nothing we did seemed to matched up to what we would have been doing in montreal "right now". But alas, if this wasn't yet another repetitive lesson on the ever prevailing subject of...things-happen, deal with it!...then the gods are ruddy cruel.

But i have my own thoughts on that as well!

We almost sent you montreal folks a bottle of our bitter tears, but then got distracted by scrubs and bad movies.

Sunday was good though because so many ppl called to say hi, which was really lovely.

And now this week. Its wednesday so....its wednesday. The week is going and its certainly going to be a busy weekend. I have loads of painting to accomplish and a sculpture and an essay to prep for my one and only Exam. Oooh and also Eamonn, Gill and I are going to see Harry Potter. Uber uber excited about that. Also its starting to snow. I am one of those weirdos that like snow. Probably helps that I have a new winter jacket which I am in love with (kudos to my mumz). Double also, I blew some money in Chapters on some books and have already devoured 2 of the 3 of them. Its funny, but I never feel the consumers guilt after buying books.....don't know why, and frankly can't be bothered to investigate. Just love my books je suppose.

Frolicking Friday

2005-11-11T14:15:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, it snowed at 9am and 9pm. It snowed. Actula snow came spewing forth from the clouds above.
OH.
MY.
GOD.

So winter is officially setting in and I think I need to find something to warm my nose and prevent it from resembling the nose of at delightful commercial character Rudolf. This is ironic as on wednesday I was saying how nice it was that it was still fall weather outside. Silly Caity-lin, commmenting on the weather is for meterologists, not bio-scis. Honestly!

Also, there apparently was a Tornado in Hamilton. Weather is defently getting bizarre. Day after tomorrow-esque but obviously slower and without the stupid digital wolves.

Yesterday both my classes were cancelled and I voluntarily cancelled my sculpture class (probably not the wisest). It was nice and now instead of a 4 day weekend I get a 5 day weekend. Except without the weekend feel as I am working both for money and for marks. I played hookie on my last class because I had a dinner date with Jen Gonzales. We both were looking forward to it since we booked it in to our schedules. It was awesome. The Bookshelf has this wicked deal of dinner and a movie for $18.50. You get salad/soup and then pizza/antipasto plate/pasta of the day, and then preferred seating at the movie. Saweet. So at 5:30 we sat down for a lovely meal where we finally had a chance to catch up and dish things about our week. She scolded me for not mentioning our last outing together, ahem(we spent an early afternoon touring the open studios on display of some of the local artists in late october), Please still love me J-Go? You are off the hook!!!

And then it was upstairs to see the movie. We saw "Grizzly Man" its about Timothy Treadwell who filmed, lived, studied and advocated for the Grizzly Bears up in the Yukon. He spent 13 summers living with them. In the last 5 he documented his expeditions and filmed over 108 hours. Not only did he document his bears but the camera became something of an oral diary and shows his increasing tendency to want to live only for the bears and seperate himself from the "human world". He and his girlfriend at the time unfortunately were killed and eaten by a bear at the end of his 13th expedition. Filmmaker and director Werner Herzog put together this film with extreme delicacy and attention to detail. I recommend it but warn you that it is somewhat disturbing. (Fortunately you don't see them get killed so no worries). “I found that beyond a wildlife film, in Timothy Treadwell’s material lay dormant a story of astonishing beauty and depth. I discovered a film of human ecstasies and darkest inner turmoil.” – From Werner Herzog’s narration in GRIZZLY MAN.

After the movie...we milled about the bookstore for awhile, debriefing and hangingout and then it was home, James, home. Where to cap off the night I watched ER curled up with Freak, our cat and some herbal tea.

This morning I woke up early to shower and "do" my hair and makeup as Eamonn Mom and I had scheduled a family portrait session with the photo guy in the UC. It was lots of fun. I just hope I don't look completely stupid with my mouth smiles. Whateves, the time to be self-conscious has long since passed. Tonight after work its to the gym, make a stretcher for painting, maybe do some painting and then reading as tomorrow promises to be very busy and event filled as well.

I think I need a new new word to replace lovely. Its getting dull.

Moonday-the beginings of a long week ahead

2005-11-07T14:57:00.000-05:00

On friday what I wrote while I was waiting for my mumz to pick me up:
So here I find myself sitting in my new bunny hat, while basking in the cold glow of the flourescent lights of the Sunoco gas station. waiting once again for my maternal parental to pick me up out of cold reverie.
This station has become somewhat iconic in my life. Ever since Eamonn and I have began to take a bus to TO or to Guelph this has become the roosting point after such journeys after which we are bustled into the family vehicle. This curb that I am currently warming, although meant as a divider between the cement of the station and that of the manicured lawn, is a curvy lip which has become the memorable place to plunk my bottom conveniently close to the Bell Telephone booth. The Booth also glows with eerie cold fluorescent lighting.
It seems odd to get poetic about a place of transition, a means of corporal exchange. But here it is!
Ok so mom is now 15 minutes OVERDUE and I am getting a little twitchy. So how abouts I divulge about my day?
This morning I got up good and early in order to be on time to catch the 9am bus leaving from the UC loop for TO. This was for a bus trip organized by some students and profs to stomp around some galleries and some art shows were happening at the time. I was joined by the more social members of my sculpture 3/4 class and some randoms known to me through other studio classes. After injecting a sizeable amount of tea into my system I was cognizant and ready for 12 hours of art. egads. Our first stop was at a TO sculpture garden where there was a piece done by someone teaching at UofG that barely managed to regestier on my radar to be honest. Then it was off to see John kissicks stuff and Will Gorlitz. Both prominent teachers in Zavitz. Lovely stuff, all paintings. One more abstract, the other more representational. Then it was playtime til 3:30. 5 of us went ofr lunch and window shopped. As I was monetarily deprived...I just window shopped. Except for some buttons that I picked up!!! (Great Gods, mom is really late!!!) Then we popped into the MOCCA, with some very interesting kinetic works and a cyborg bed that vibrated. The 5 of us then voted to scurry off to the alternative art show, as so many ppl had told us that it was a must and our sculpture teachers had a room set-up. Very worthwhile!!! Then we bused to the International art Fair. Very good as well, although we were all pretty exhausted by then and my heels were burning. It had a very different feel to it. Definitely more pretentious and elite-est than the alternativie fair. Also, it was predominantly white ppl in suits and high feels and polished shoes and neck ties. We kind of felt out of place and then realized, whateves, were art students and we can wear whatever we wants.

what a day!!!

Saturday+sunday+monday:
I helped my mom load stuff up into the car to be taken to the dump, found I was extremely tired. So instead of going to the pottery show, we just went home with food for dinner and a movie. We made a delicious salmon dinner with broccoli and basmati rice and then for dessert I made pumpkin squares. Its was so delicious, I even made I'm-enjoying-this food-so-much noises. Also the movie we rented was Les Choristes. Also a very very very good movie from France. Its about a boys school for trouble-maker boys and a prefect that comes and starts a choir. Very very good. see it. Sunday, pretty much layed about and watched my favorite movie of all time aka Pride and Prejudice. Then visited with Eamonn and Gillian for a bit. Thanks to gill for driving YET again. Your awesome!!!. And now here I am. Buily working at the Prairie desk. Weeeeeee. Maybe I will post some links to some of the artists I saw this weekend so ppl can take a gander.

Enjoy the beauty sundhine of today while you can.

So I felt like it...links to Galleries and Artists

2005-11-07T05:52:00.000-05:00

Here are some of the galleries I saw exhibited, or went and saw:

The Toronto International Art Fair
Magic Pony Gallery
Leo Kamen Gallery
Katherine Mulherin Contemporary Art Projects
the really awesome Toronot Alternative Art Fair International
Lipman Contemporary Art
Fun funky gallery, worth a visit when in TO:
Paul Petro Contemporary Art
The Edward Day Gallery
MOCCA museum of contemporary canadian art
Jason and you other genetic freaks may find this artist interesting:
Genpets
Clint Griffin

I'll post the gallery links in with my others, that way you can just check out whatever is exhibiting whenever you feel the urge for something different.

I gots me a new hat

2005-11-03T22:12:00.000-05:00

Its Thursday and its been a B.A. eutiful Day. My painting class went well, which was a nice ego booster since I generally don;t feel like I am so good with the handling of the paint and the brush and the canvas and the whhat?? Also my art history class got cancelled so I was able to take a break out on the grass with my lunch and a good mag. Friends Lori and Brads dropped by for a spell. And then it was all finishing up correspondence and off to the gym. It was a nice sunny day, with mild weather. Tomorrow I am off to Toronto for a complete day of art. Its a bus trip where we are going to see two of our very own teachers works and then at the convention centre the Toronto International Art Fair is happening. Its going to be sa-Weet. THanks to Tori, Laura and Leslie for sending me hellos. Much appreciated!!!

Also I gots me a brand new hat. I took pics of me modeling it for your/my posting pleasure!

Pulp Magazines on Future Fiction for titillation

2005-10-29T04:32:00.000-04:00

Saturday, On the Edge of relaxation.

2005-10-29T04:31:00.000-04:00

So, This week has been one hectic schmetic week. On Thursday night was our Sculpture 3/4 Exhibit. It went smashingly well. So many people came out. Well with 19 of us invovled you would hope that were would be a little less than scores of people...at the very least. The wine and beer were flowing and the schmorgasbord of food was devoured. My mom even came all the way from Hamilton to see the show. My piece involves a tunnel through which I made it possible for people to crawl through. There was one little girl who came and loved going through it. It made me smile. Some of the girls from my class went through at the end of the night in tribute even my instructor flung herself through it. Hilarity. SO then afterwards most of us continued the party downtown at the Albion for some dancing and drinking and general merriment. This lasted til, about 3:30 in the morning by which time I arrived wearly to my bed and slept solidly til 10:30 where I arose and scurried off to work. Now it is Saturday. I am at Work. Which started at 8am and I am surprisinly quiet awake. Last night I really wanted to go to the Frat party that ebru and kunal went to, however I was too tired. So I traipsed off to Caribou Creek where Eamonn was working to hang out there for a bit and to get food. Then I went home to spend an alone time with myself and episodes from Dead Like Me. An excellent series where the 2nd season just came out in DVD. Its morbid, and funny, and the whole show discusses Death, life with and without death, after, before and during death. So naturally I really like it. maybe some of you won't though. Just perhaps.

And now its Saturday. Ebru and I are hosting a Halloween party tonight, and there is still so much to prep for. Gah. But at least my costume is done. Hypo-thermic Artic explore here I come. I will post pics later of the party and exhibit once I get my hands on them.

Lates

So its Almost been a week

2005-10-23T16:23:00.000-04:00

Yah so, I haven't posted in about a week. Hopefully this is not something that will continue. I think its probably due to the fact that I have been staying on campus til about 10-12 at night. Now this is partially to do with the fact that I am currently finishing a sculpture for our classes upcoming show starting monday evening. I am so excited about it. Hopefully I can scan one of the posters to post it. The Exhibition is occurring in the Zavitz Gallery and is titled SLEEPER. The theme is "future-fiction". If you type that into Google, you will definetly get the idea of what we are aiming for. Its going to be awesome. There are 18 artists involved and the opening is happening on Thursday from 7-9:30 pm.

I am building a portal, through which you will be able to crawl through, and thats all the detail I am giving until I post pictures of the show.

I also recently received an email which was hilarious. I usually immediately delete forward emails. I have a secret loathing for them. But this one I kept. And this is what it contained:

This is an actual letter sent to a man named Ryan DeVries by the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality, State of Michigan. This is the State's
Letter:

SUBJECT: DEQ File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Montcalm County

Dear Mr. DeVries:

It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality
that
there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel
of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or
contractor who did the following unauthorized activity: Construction and
maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring
Pond.

A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A
review of the department's files shows that no permits have been issued.
There fore, the Department has determined that this activity is in
violation
of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and
Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being
sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, annotated.

The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially
failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at
downstream
locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and
cannot be permitted.

The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities at
this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by
removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream channel. All
restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 2005.

Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a
follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff. Failure to comply
with this request or any further unauthorized activity on the site may
result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action. We
anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter.

Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

David L. Price, District Representative Land and Water Management Division

** Here is the response sent back by Mr. DeVries: **

Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Montcalm County.

Dear Mr. Price,

Your certified letter dated 12/17/02 has been handed to me to respond to. I
am the legal landowner but not the Contractor at 2088 Dagget, Pierson,
Michigan. A couple of beavers are in the process of constructing and
maintaining two wood "debris" dams across the outlet stream of my Spring
Pond.

While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I
think
they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of natures
building materials "debris." I would like to challenge your department to
attempt to emulate their dam project any time and/or any place you choose.

I believe I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam
skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam
persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic.

As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they must
first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam
activity.

My first dam question to you is: (1) Are you trying to discriminate against
my Spring Pond Beavers, or (2) do you require all beavers throughout this
state to conform to said dam request? If you are not discriminating against
these particular beavers, through the Freedom of Information Act, I request
completed copies of all those other applicable beaver dam permits that have
been issued. Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part
301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental
Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324
30101
to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, annotated.

I have several concerns. My first concern is; aren't the beavers entitled
to
legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and
are unable to pay for said representation -- so the State will have to
provide them with a dam lawyer. The Department's dam concern that either
one
or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event, causing flooding, is
proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the Department is required
to
protect. In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone
rather than harassing them and calling them dam names.

If you want the stream "restored" to a dam free-flow condition please
contact the beavers -- but if you are going to arrest them, they obviously
did not pay any attention to your dam letter, they being unable to read
English.

In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build their
unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water
flows downstream. They have more dam rights than I do to live and enjoy
Spring Pond. If the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental
Protection lives up to its name, it should protect the natural resources
(Beavers) and the environment (Beavers' Dams).

So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be
referred
for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why wait until 1/31/2005?
The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then and there will be no
way for you or your dam staff to contact/harass them then.

In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention to a real
environmental quality (health) problem in the area.

It is the bears! Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely
believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the
beavers
alone. If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step!
(The bears are NOT careful where they dump!) Being unable to comply with
your dam request, and being unable to contact you on your dam answering
machine, I am sending this response to your dam office.

THANK YOU.
RYAN DEVRIES & THE DAM BEAVERS

Bwahahahahaha

2005-10-18T01:41:00.000-04:00

Oh White Ninja you have done it again.

Why it possibly rained today

2005-10-18T01:29:00.000-04:00

So I woke up this morning and stumbled around to put some clothes on, when what did my eyes spy? But something that looked like a balled up piece of black twine by my bureau. And horror of horrors, it was a big black spider. Now, I wouldn't call myself exactly arcnophobic, (I am not paralyzed with fear), I just do not like them unless they are far away or outside minding their own business catching nasty flies and such. This one was invading my space, particularly the space where I almost put my foot. So I let in Freak (Our Cat With 6 Toes on Each Paw), and pointed her to the crawly thing. Then to my guilty delight she ATE IT!!!

I like cats, especially ones that eat things you want disposed of. Nasty Crawly Spider. RIP.
So if you are wondering why it rained today, its definitely due to me facilitating the assassination of the "Nasty Crawly". Freak gets extra pats today on the noggin.

You Have to Read this and See this

2005-10-17T02:30:00.000-04:00

So its sunday, and after a nice long relaxing weekend. I have come to the conclusion that people need to read the book I just finished and see the movie I saw with my mum yesterday night at the Bookshelf.

First off, the book! Ok so I have never read anything like this before in all my long years of fervent reading. Its unique, incredibly emotional, and gorgeously written. Andd, its going to be turned into a movie, Wait...it already is a movie. Anyhow, its called Everything is Illuminated and it is written by the talented Jonathon Safran Foer. It retells the history of a town in the Ukraine which was Jewish and it leads up to and just after WWII. At the same time there is a narration on the journey a decendant of one of the people who used to live in the town whose grandfather was saved by a woman during the war who is guided to the town on his search by a ukranian man, his grandfather and his crazy dog. THere exists an awesome dichotomy of two styles of writing. One that follows the history and other of the journey. Read it. Its completely worth the little bit of heartache you may experiance.

Second, the movie! It is called millions and it was put out in 2004 by missions productions and the good ole BBC. This is an fantastic little story about two boys and their recently widowed father who move to liverpool. The one boy Damien knows everything about the saints, and talks to them. In mid-conversation with one, a large bag filled with money land in his fort and then he ans his brother are faced with the dilemma of what to do with it. Its beautiful, and one of the only really heartfelt movies out there currently. Its been described as a cross between Trainspotting and Amelie. More like Amelie, i tend to think. If you can find it, rent it or go see it.

And so, this concludes, Caitlin's recommendation corner for this time being. Will be back soon with other reviews. At some point. Ta!

Misty Days

2005-10-12T15:00:00.000-04:00

So Guelph has turned into the land of the perpetual misting. Like some jerk, covered by clouds and distance, is squirting a giant spray bottle down on us 24/7. I am not a tropical plant and therefore find it very hard to appreciate constant moisturization. Its right on the peetering edge of fading away and terrential down-pour. Its slightly irritating and I've decided to blame it for the fact that I am still not completely conscious today, as if my brain is covered by perpetual fog due to mist.

There is something oddly satisfying about blaming inanimate things for your problems. They don't even argue about it. They just keep up the mist.

Thanksgiving Weekend

2005-10-10T20:45:00.000-04:00

So here we are at the tail-end of Thanksgiving weekend, and man I am thankfull. We had such a wonderful feast on Sunday with the turkey and the mashed potatoes, turnips, asparagus, cranberry sauce with the appropriate appetizers and ending it all with pumpkin pie and apple pie. Delicious. It was a smaller gathering this year. The O'Haras were presumably at Matthew and Elke's farm along with Grampa. The Camozzi's stayed in Montreal with Granny and Sarah was in Frieburg, Germany. So our party was severly diminished but it was still lovely. Gillian, Eamonn, my friend Brendan, Heather, Mary, Gaby and Doug were all there along with my mom. It was quiet but nice and intimate. We did our usual show and tell, where I showed some of my recent art work, Doug showed his and then Mary was gracious enough to bring her poetry with her to share. Just Beautiful. Her summer book almost made me cry...incredibly touching and emotional stuff.

Heather, Brendan and I went for a quick jaunt in the conservation area to wear out Finbar and to stretch our legs before the people came. The forest and drumlins were in the transitional period. Some tree were turning colours but not enough to make it look aflame with colour and the green was just starting to dull out in preperation for intensity of hues. It was a crisp cool weekend. Usually had has been summer warm with swarming ladybugs harbouring on the garage door. Not this year. Does this mean we're in for a cold winter? A long one? A snowy one?

This morning Gillian and Brendan helped put together breakfast/lunch of eggs, bacon, muffins, fruit, bread and honey. Brendan, heather and I helped Mom put away the fountains and other ornamental things that wouldn't last if left up to the winter elements. and then it was time to pack up and jam ourselves with all our gear into Gillians car to drive back to Guelph.

I was glad that I had come down the Saturday morning, to hang out with Heather and Mom. We made pumpkin squares, dinner and then the mashed potatoes for sunday's meal. We drank wine and just chatted it up, sneeaking mouthfuls of mashed potatoes. Got to love quality bonding time, it never gets old.

Its grey today. An opressive grey, to which the colours of the leaves seem to vibrate against that much more. But its making me meloncholy. Forming a little lump at the back of my throat which won't go away. Nagging at me. Maybe its the coming down from such a nice weekend and the realization of all the work that lies ahead of me. Maybe its because, autumn always has that essence of sadness, of change, of dying things. Or maybe despite the fact that all I have to be thankful for, my health, food on the table, roof over my head, loving friends and family who for the most part are happy and healthy, there are those things that I will never be able to be thankful for again. They're just not here. At least in some sense of absence.
But maybe that should make me more thankful for those things that I do have, for the moment in which I abide. Which I am. Its just that sometimes you can't help but wish for things you can't have or can't change or maybe need to allow just a little more patience and time for.

I hope this all finds you well, thankful and surrounded by those who love you and who are loved by you.

Happy Thanksgiving.

I am bored, but elephants can swim...so there.

2005-10-07T23:41:00.000-04:00

I am at the Prairie desk rocking out with the gentleman known as Brendan and my new ipod. Yes its an ipod, and yes I am a consumer whore. I have no shame. Ok maybe a little bit, whatever, its all degrees of fantistic so I am very pleased. I got it in the mail on wednesday and its currently whirring away for the entertainment value of myself and Brendan.

I am bored because as vast as the internet claims to be, it gets pretty dull after awhile. I think staring at a glowing screen while tapping on plastic computer keys can do that to a person. Completely drain them of thought, and interest besides that of the mundane and predictable. Adding up to a mountain of boredom and a void of otherwise intellectual satisfaction.

Its been a pretty rainy day. Metric is a good band. Elliot Smith was a good musician when he was alive, don't know how his music is doing in the afterlife. Oh and elephants can definitely swim, I included photographic evidence to verify this.

Thats all I got.

wishing i was home right now with tea and pie. soon. soon. oh so soon.

look at him swim. swim, swim, swimming a swimming he goes!

Who knew?

2005-10-07T14:30:00.000-04:00

You're an Expert Kisser

You're a kissing pro, but it's all about quality and not quantity
You've perfected your kissing technique and can knock anyone's socks off
And you're adaptable, giving each partner what they crave
When it comes down to it, your kisses are truly unforgettable

What Kind of Kisser Are You?

So....apparently lack of practice and experiance does not denote skill level. Sweet!!!

So today is friday..and though I am behind in my sculpture (as in barely started) I am feeling good because.....Its Thanksgiving weekend this weekend and I am so excited. It's my favorite holiday of the year.

mmmmm pumpkin pie and turekey, and mashed patatoes and......loverly.

Because it is a MOnday Morning and Whatnot.

2005-10-03T12:47:00.000-04:00

So its a monday, and its a morning and its kind of grey and damp, and its like that. yeah. so there.

I don't know where I am going with this, so lets get to the point...or whatever I want to write about. So Sunday night was fun. Eamonn, Gillian and Jackie came over for a dinner of Fajitas which we quickly scarfed down before skipping off to the U of G Sunday Night Cinema for Robots. It was surprisingly good. Really neat attention to detail on how the robots were put together and quite funny besides the expected cheese-whiz. Also was good because Sunday Night Cinema is free now. So excellent.

Then we headed off to Intrumural Dodgeball where we annihalated the other team. It was so crazy. We lost one game out of 9 or some crazy number like that. The other team were really good sports and so we just kept playing and then towards the end we added two more balls to the mix-up, resulting in 90 second chaotic games. Eamonn distracted me at one point by comment on the "Deep Burn....the pain is so deep, such a deep burn" he was suffering from. I was laughing so hard so that when I turned around to face the other team I got caught right in the gut and I was off to prison. Jackie steamrolled a bunch of us. Darn her, darn her to heck!

Finished off the night with non-stop giggling with Jackie which was buzz killed by the drama on Grey's Anatomy and then it was bedtime. And now I am here. Where you may ask? Well, I would reply. I am at the glory which is the Johnston desk, I would answer. Exciting stuff you may then say, and I would respond with, oh yes, terribly exciting, its a good thing I had my morning tea to brace me for how terribly exciting this whole experiance is.

Anywho...I will leave you with a link to check out with awesome shirt designs:

http://www.threadless.com

and an example of their work. see below.

kittens and packages tied up with string,
Caity-lin.

Because its a Monday Morning....part 2

2005-10-03T12:40:00.000-04:00

Design from THREADLESS

The Posting I should have started with...

2005-10-02T11:27:00.000-04:00

So this is amendment to previous postings consisting of a grand total of TWO so far. INcroyable!!!

So Last Weekend: I went to Montreal via the fabulous tranporter the train. It was lovely. I love the train. You may have to sit with ppl but all in all its great. You don't have worry about anything but sleeping, reading, relaxing and streching once in awhile to avoid deep vein thrombosis. So I left on the Friday and arrived late afternoon to be picked up at the station by Kaitlin and Greg.
(I don't know what it is about being greeted at stations/airports/doorways but its intensely satisfying. To leave your vehicle of transport to be then encompassed by grinning faces and warm embraces is something you can really relish.)
We then traversed our way to Greg/Ashley/Scott's place of abode to drop of things and then to head of to Leslie/Kaitlin's pad to then head off to dinner with the whole crew except Laura who had yet to arrive. That night we just had a really good time drinking wine playing euchre and generally hanging out. I slept on a futon at G.A.S's place. It has a bar running down the middle of it. Its not what I would call "cuddly". :) hahhaha it was fine. Those of you who know me well know that I can pretty much sleep anywhere.....memories of snoozing on a zodiak come to mind. What was really nice was that the futon is in this kind of bay window area, so consequently I woke up with this beautiful fall breeze wafting through with the pale morning sun filtering down through the leaves of trees that shaded my spot. Beautiful!!! Also Leslie and Scott made Pancakes and Sausages and Fruitsalad.

Later that day Laura Came!!!! Weeeee. I was very excited. Leslie was very excited. Gosh Darn we were all excited. Kaitlin had a lacrosse game at 3 so just around that time we headed to the lower field of McGill. It was Awesome. Beautiful Day, lovely grass, great company, and we won!!! Yah Kaitlin. It was actually the first time I have ever seen that game played. All in all good game except for the excessive head bashing with sticks. Ashley then orchaestrated a feast in which I got to act sous-chef, very yummy. This started off the eveing to a ripping start as we consumed our wine and got ready to play downtown. We first dropped by at Paulina's house (long time friend of my housemate Ebru) then it was to Brutopia for pints and 15 shots for $5. Which was a ticket for mass rediculousness as we all can testify to. Also we recognized a fellow Guelphite, Matt. Random. Then it was off to Cafe Campus. At this point I was feeling the need to dance so I grabbed Leslie by the hand and adventured onto the dancefloor with Laura in tow. Awesome. By some miracle the others found us and we are just having a great time, I "met" a guy named Axel, we drank more and then at some point decided to go home finally. Stopped for eats. Then it was Kait, Greg, laura and I in a cab. The girls in the back giggling about something fierce and Greg laughing with the Cabby en Francais. Laura and I collapsed on the futon which has a tendensy to flip (fun surprises) and slept.

Sunday Morning.
World of Pain. wanted to die just a little bit.

Gabe called...I think I scared him. He called later and we made plans to catch the bus together to take to visit Granny and his Mum and Dad and Amadea. Somehow managed to become functional human being with aid of Laura and Greg making breakfast for everyone. Loved them. Met up with Gabe at Lionel-Grioux and went to see Granny. Which was really good. Then had a fantastic sunday meal at my Aunt and Uncle's. Met up with the crew later. We were all a bit......tired? so we just watched a movie/hung out etc. Then Monday morning it was all goodbyes, some good alone time with Laura, and then hoping back on the train to return to Guelph.

Fantastic weekend.

Way too Early...the Worms aren't even awake

2005-10-02T09:07:00.000-04:00

So....Sunday...I love and loathe you. I think I could love you better though if I was surrounded by my duvet with book in hand and steaming lovely tea by my side. But alsa this is not possible as I am at work. Boo yah. I should be focusing on my art history homework (blargh) but instead I am procrastinating as per usual. Although I fully think that listening to CBC and trying to remain conscious constitutes as a good use of my time currently. Whateves.

This morning precludes the visit of one Geg Beilhartz, who came down to visit his crew down in the G spot. Friday was an event with many mini events occurring such as....greg coming in at 10:30ish, hanging out at Jordana's house, walking to Shakespeare's as Pat polished off 'Au FIn Du MOnde' with relish resulting in new degree of intoxification, climbing trees and general tom-foolery. Good times. Saturday morning...was fun to get up for as I had to work at the desk. Then I Ebru and I concoted a fabulous feast of shrimp in garlic wine buttery sauce with rice and Broccoli. The Broccoli was stupendous. Definitely in my top 5 vegetables. and then we were off to the K-OS concert. Awesomeness is what that was.
We met up with Jackie and then headed downtown to Pablos to meet up with Greg, James and Co. and ended up running into Megs, Brittaney and Dalia. More awesomeness.

And that is the sum total of my weekend....soon to be completed by Fajitas and movie and Dodgeball with Jacki and Eamonn later this evening.

First time take 13 some odd trys

2005-09-30T14:01:00.000-04:00

SO, This is the first of many firsts that have occurred before now. And again I will try to keep this thing updated and alive. Otherwise it will drown in my forgettfullness and be left behind in oblivian. We shall see.

Slante