A while ago, a friend asked me what I wanted for Christmas. This is always a tough one because I want stuff but at the same time, I don't like having so much stuff. That and I don't really need anything else usually. Anything I would want, would just be that -stuff I want but not need.
So she got me $25 on Kiva. This site where you can make loans to people in third world countries with that money (combined with money from other people), and they can make their business dreams come true! It's really a good way to give back! You eventually get your money back (slowly but surely) as they make money from their business and repay your loan. Then you can go into Kiva again and make another loan!
I'm explaining it the simple way cause I never really read too much on it. There's a lot you can read on their site, but what I great idea!
Anyway, usually I get email updates from them about how my donation repayment is going and blah blah blah, to be honest, I never read those. But today I got this offer from Kiva that says I can give out a FREE $25 trial to people so they can see how this works!
So here's the link! I urge you to sign up (maybe use a junk mail account? I always like doing that first with new stuff anyway, but I've eventually changed my account to my main email account). The $25 will be repaid back to Kiva (since they are shelling out the money). But there's nothing to lose! AND you can help some people get to their goals of financing their business faster!
Go and try it!!! http://kiva.org/invitedby/doris7064
And tell me how it goes!
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Throw it back if it's Pepsi!
Ahh, the evils of HFCS (high glucose corn syrup or glucose-fructose for us Canadians). I'm sure the recent (few years now) of media coverage on how bad that stuff is has given Pepsi a great reason to come out with its new but old "Pepsi Throwback ".
I like the label. It's retro, I know. And I also know I shouldn't like things retro lest I want to be called a hipster (SHOUTS OUT TO MAIN STREET), but I really can't help it. I'm really loving the yellow colour on that. It really says "I Have NO Fear of Primary Colours! Designers, Hear Me ROAR!"
The taste is Ok. Different, less intense, less fizzy, less sugary and less "Pepsi-esque" than what I remember Pepsi to be. I frankly, like it a whole lot more. So much so that I have to keep reminding myself that this stuff is still laden with 150 Calories a can and has a whopping 40 grams of the white stuff (sugar... not the other kind).
This blog says it well: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/01/pepsi-throwback-kill-you.php. It talks about how we might forget that just because sugar is natural, it is also still very dangerous in very high amounts, such as the case in sodas.
I like to remind myself of natural things that can also be bad for our health, such as:
Hurricanes
Lightnings
Volcanoes (the bad ones... you know who you are)
Great white sharks
Oh yeah. That's right. Nature will and can get us all.
And unless I can throw back the Pepsi next time I go shopping, this stuff is gonna make me so fat.
The taste is Ok. Different, less intense, less fizzy, less sugary and less "Pepsi-esque" than what I remember Pepsi to be. I frankly, like it a whole lot more. So much so that I have to keep reminding myself that this stuff is still laden with 150 Calories a can and has a whopping 40 grams of the white stuff (sugar... not the other kind).
This blog says it well: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/01/pepsi-throwback-kill-you.php. It talks about how we might forget that just because sugar is natural, it is also still very dangerous in very high amounts, such as the case in sodas.
I like to remind myself of natural things that can also be bad for our health, such as:
Hurricanes
Lightnings
Volcanoes (the bad ones... you know who you are)
Great white sharks
Oh yeah. That's right. Nature will and can get us all.
And unless I can throw back the Pepsi next time I go shopping, this stuff is gonna make me so fat.
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Rural Living
I was in Saskatchewan for about a week.
Was it boring, you ask?
You betcha! And I loved every minute of it. I ate lots of home cooking (courtesy of my boyfriend's lovely aunt P.) and with the rest of the time? I went fishing and ATV'ing. What's ATVing? It's a lazy man's bicycle ride through farmland and deciduous forests.
Now that I'm back home, I find life is boring but not in the same activity filled way. I guess I need someone to bring me outside but for some reason, I can't enjoy myself. Maybe it's the city noises. I never noticed how loud it is in the city. Ahh I miss the rural living.
Was it boring, you ask?
You betcha! And I loved every minute of it. I ate lots of home cooking (courtesy of my boyfriend's lovely aunt P.) and with the rest of the time? I went fishing and ATV'ing. What's ATVing? It's a lazy man's bicycle ride through farmland and deciduous forests.
Now that I'm back home, I find life is boring but not in the same activity filled way. I guess I need someone to bring me outside but for some reason, I can't enjoy myself. Maybe it's the city noises. I never noticed how loud it is in the city. Ahh I miss the rural living.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Throwing Dirty Looks On the 99 B-line
I hate people who budge in line. I enjoy throwing dirty looks at people on the B-line, don't get me wrong. But throwing people dirty looks can only give me so much pleasure.
Today while waiting for the 99, where the line kind of forms itself, a group of punks (they weren't dress like it... they were more like hipsters) in their early twenties cut into the line at the very front. Fortunately for them, they didn't try to cut in front of me or else there would have been quite the headline news about strangulation and how tempers were at an all time high on the Vancouver transit system.
People were appalled, and of course, I took the chance to throw some dirty looks their way.
I'm a bit disappointed that this behaviour happened in Vancouver. I wonder if it's a recent thing or if you've experienced it recently. I don't recall this happening a few years ago.
I guess this is as good of a time as any to tell you about a few months ago, when someone tried to cut in front of me while everyone was already boarding the bus. Again, this man was in his early twenties and was not poorly dressed. He came out of nowhere and stepped on the man boarding ahead of me. I decided that even though he was taller and a man, I could take him. And I did.
With less than 5 inches between me and him, I pulled back a bit and body slammed him out of the way. Yep. Full on body slammed. Now this isn't something I was proud of doing at the moment. But believe me, I'm damn proud of it now. It makes me laugh to think about how far back I knocked him out of the line.
When he entered the line again (by cutting in line again). He was at least 5 people behind where he tried to budge. I don't feel bad about this display of violence. I think it's fair because when he got on the bus, he had the audacity to give me a look. Obviously, as I have confessed earlier to my affinity towards giving dirty looks, I had stared him down until he sat in the back of the bus and finally looked away because he couldn't take it anymore. Yep. I am a champion of dirty looks and the stare down. I have practice, just ask my Jack Russell Terrier.
Today while waiting for the 99, where the line kind of forms itself, a group of punks (they weren't dress like it... they were more like hipsters) in their early twenties cut into the line at the very front. Fortunately for them, they didn't try to cut in front of me or else there would have been quite the headline news about strangulation and how tempers were at an all time high on the Vancouver transit system.
People were appalled, and of course, I took the chance to throw some dirty looks their way.
I'm a bit disappointed that this behaviour happened in Vancouver. I wonder if it's a recent thing or if you've experienced it recently. I don't recall this happening a few years ago.
I guess this is as good of a time as any to tell you about a few months ago, when someone tried to cut in front of me while everyone was already boarding the bus. Again, this man was in his early twenties and was not poorly dressed. He came out of nowhere and stepped on the man boarding ahead of me. I decided that even though he was taller and a man, I could take him. And I did.
With less than 5 inches between me and him, I pulled back a bit and body slammed him out of the way. Yep. Full on body slammed. Now this isn't something I was proud of doing at the moment. But believe me, I'm damn proud of it now. It makes me laugh to think about how far back I knocked him out of the line.
When he entered the line again (by cutting in line again). He was at least 5 people behind where he tried to budge. I don't feel bad about this display of violence. I think it's fair because when he got on the bus, he had the audacity to give me a look. Obviously, as I have confessed earlier to my affinity towards giving dirty looks, I had stared him down until he sat in the back of the bus and finally looked away because he couldn't take it anymore. Yep. I am a champion of dirty looks and the stare down. I have practice, just ask my Jack Russell Terrier.
Friday, May 06, 2011
Funny YouTube Finds
I haven't blogged for a while. Not because I was busy. No. That would be like every other blogger who has a life. I just didn't blog because I had nothing to blog about. Then I thought. Wait. Have I ever mention how much I love Tim Minchin and his songs?
I don't think I have. So if you haven't checked him out yet. You can find him on YouTube. He's pretty funny. And his expressions are awesome too.
Enjoy
I don't think I have. So if you haven't checked him out yet. You can find him on YouTube. He's pretty funny. And his expressions are awesome too.
Enjoy
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Finally, I'm Allergic to Fruits!
Yesterday, I had a fresh pineapple and I think I had an allergic reaction, but I can't be quite sure.
I forgot to dip the pineapple in salt water before I ate it. I recalled (right after my throat became itchy) that my mom had warned me to dip fresh pineapple in salt before I ate it when I was a child.
There's not much about it online. Some people say it's the citric acid and some people say it's the bromelain (an enzyme that breaks down protein) that is causing the itch. Other people say it's a form of an allergic reaction.
I'm allergic to fruit? That would be awesome! I would finally have an excuse to eat nothing but meat (because why would I risk eating any other fruits? Maybe I would even ban vegetables to be safe...). But alas, I don't think it's an allergy because I've had pineapple before and it was OK (as long as I salt it).
Now I have half a thing of pineapple still in the fridge. I guess I should grab some salt in one hand and the pineapple with the other. Maybe I will attack it with a vengeance. Wish me luck
I forgot to dip the pineapple in salt water before I ate it. I recalled (right after my throat became itchy) that my mom had warned me to dip fresh pineapple in salt before I ate it when I was a child.
There's not much about it online. Some people say it's the citric acid and some people say it's the bromelain (an enzyme that breaks down protein) that is causing the itch. Other people say it's a form of an allergic reaction.
I'm allergic to fruit? That would be awesome! I would finally have an excuse to eat nothing but meat (because why would I risk eating any other fruits? Maybe I would even ban vegetables to be safe...). But alas, I don't think it's an allergy because I've had pineapple before and it was OK (as long as I salt it).
Now I have half a thing of pineapple still in the fridge. I guess I should grab some salt in one hand and the pineapple with the other. Maybe I will attack it with a vengeance. Wish me luck
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
How McDonald's Ruined My Non-Diet
First off, I'm not on a diet. I may be on a see-food diet (I see food and I eat it.... that was lame, sorry). But I'm not on any strict dietary practice. I eat whatever the heck I want. Mostly I try to avoid fried and greasy foods but that's mostly because they don't agree with my body and make me quite ill.
So anyhow, the story is that today (after dinner) my brother offered to buy me McDonald's. Naturally, I said "yes". Maybe I said "hells yeeah". Let's not make this into some kind of inquisition now, shall we?
Right now, all I can feel is my heavy, heavy gut sitting on my bulging tummy that's making a soothing gurgling noise like an old reliable automobile. Oh, and my heart is about to stop altogether.
Today I had one medium "coffee" milkshake. And an Angus Burger (the bacon and cheese one). One of these:
I wondered what kind of caloric binge I went on. So I Googled it, because that's how I find out anything in life these days (gone are the days of the arduous trips to the scholarly library with a side of extra caloric burning). Anyway, I found this site from McDonald's where you drop in your menu items from a list and (which I admit is kinda fun).
You know what? go try it out. I had a medium coffee milkshake and a bacon & cheese angus burger. Go ahead. Go try it out. I'll wait here... I already know the answer.
Did you do it?
I had just consumed, in less than 15 minutes or so, a whopping 1490 Calories!!! That's insane. That's like a whole day's worth of calories right there. I had an alarming 61g of fat... which is 94% of my daily allowance should I assume I eat 2000 today (I'm way over 2000 today btw).
I guess there's only two options now. Throw up or work it out. Since I hate to waste food, I'll work out more.............. tomorrow :D
So anyhow, the story is that today (after dinner) my brother offered to buy me McDonald's. Naturally, I said "yes". Maybe I said "hells yeeah". Let's not make this into some kind of inquisition now, shall we?
Right now, all I can feel is my heavy, heavy gut sitting on my bulging tummy that's making a soothing gurgling noise like an old reliable automobile. Oh, and my heart is about to stop altogether.
Today I had one medium "coffee" milkshake. And an Angus Burger (the bacon and cheese one). One of these:
You know what? go try it out. I had a medium coffee milkshake and a bacon & cheese angus burger. Go ahead. Go try it out. I'll wait here... I already know the answer.
Did you do it?
I had just consumed, in less than 15 minutes or so, a whopping 1490 Calories!!! That's insane. That's like a whole day's worth of calories right there. I had an alarming 61g of fat... which is 94% of my daily allowance should I assume I eat 2000 today (I'm way over 2000 today btw).
I guess there's only two options now. Throw up or work it out. Since I hate to waste food, I'll work out more.............. tomorrow :D
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Vancouver Water Safe... for now...
I don't remember when I first heard that fluoride was bad for your health. But it's not something we talk about often in Vancouver, at least not for our younger generation.
But once upon a time, Vancouver was close to fluoridate its water supplies (like the rest of Canada). Then I started to read on why some people are for and against it.
Mostly, the "for" people are saying that it's good for preventing cavities (which has been proven). But then the "against" people are saying that's not the debate. The debate is that it's a toxin that's more poisonous than lead.
Lead? That's scary.
I guess it's also scary to know that fluoride is a poisonous by-product of manufacturing plants. And that many scientists (like the one in this anti-fluoride video shows).
The video says that some countries fluoridate (mostly US, Canada... except Vancouver for now, and Australia). But other countries like most of Europe doesn't fluoridate.
So what does this have to do with us? I'm just considering throwing out my toothpastes... but are there any that's not fluoridated?
Also what happens when I travel in Canada? I thought the water was safe and good for drinking, but I might have to budget in for bottled (distilled water) instead now.
I just don't like the fact that our politicians are the ones to decide if our population should be "treated" or not. I think it's not something that I trust them to do (they are not scientists, they are not researchers on the subject of fluoride, dentistry or more importantly toxicology).
It makes me feel like we don't have control over these basic matters of personal health anymore and that our government is like "Big Brother" of 1984. I don't know why they would need to fluorinate the water when our toothpastes and most products like that already contain the product!
Also, why add it to DRINKING water??? I know that I for one I just drink water and I don't gargle it in my mouth for the fluoride to kill all the caries! Isn't that what mouthwash (another controversial product) is for?
I'm just glad I live in Vancouver right now. But this really does restrict ones movement within the country doesn't it? And I didn't even mention all the strange re-licensing for cars and things that it involves!
But once upon a time, Vancouver was close to fluoridate its water supplies (like the rest of Canada). Then I started to read on why some people are for and against it.
Mostly, the "for" people are saying that it's good for preventing cavities (which has been proven). But then the "against" people are saying that's not the debate. The debate is that it's a toxin that's more poisonous than lead.
Lead? That's scary.
I guess it's also scary to know that fluoride is a poisonous by-product of manufacturing plants. And that many scientists (like the one in this anti-fluoride video shows).
The video says that some countries fluoridate (mostly US, Canada... except Vancouver for now, and Australia). But other countries like most of Europe doesn't fluoridate.
So what does this have to do with us? I'm just considering throwing out my toothpastes... but are there any that's not fluoridated?
Also what happens when I travel in Canada? I thought the water was safe and good for drinking, but I might have to budget in for bottled (distilled water) instead now.
I just don't like the fact that our politicians are the ones to decide if our population should be "treated" or not. I think it's not something that I trust them to do (they are not scientists, they are not researchers on the subject of fluoride, dentistry or more importantly toxicology).
It makes me feel like we don't have control over these basic matters of personal health anymore and that our government is like "Big Brother" of 1984. I don't know why they would need to fluorinate the water when our toothpastes and most products like that already contain the product!
Also, why add it to DRINKING water??? I know that I for one I just drink water and I don't gargle it in my mouth for the fluoride to kill all the caries! Isn't that what mouthwash (another controversial product) is for?
I'm just glad I live in Vancouver right now. But this really does restrict ones movement within the country doesn't it? And I didn't even mention all the strange re-licensing for cars and things that it involves!
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Parents Against Bullying Makes Sense
I think bullying is horrible and I'm all for anti-bullying movements in schools. But it seems like people naturally think that all forms of bullying come from other children. This is simply NOT TRUE.
Today on the Skytrain, I observed this young man with his child (a toddler around 4 or 5) getting on the Skytrain in front of me. When the train got closer, I saw this man KICK the child towards the door. I wasn't sure if what I saw was correct or if I had some weird perspective that made me see it wrong. There was definitely leg movement up and it hit the child (albeit not that hard). Maybe it's the same kick/nudge I use for my dog when he's on leash and his brain goes stupid and he crosses in front. But I do that to my dog to warn him that he could get stepped on, it's never that hard and he's a dog... not a child.
Well whatever it was, they headed back towards the seat beside me but behind. It was in that little cubby place at the end of the train.
I look over a bit (just to memorize his face, incase I had to open a can of whoop-ass on him). And I saw him texting. He was speaking nicely to his son to sit down and becareful. At that time, my defenses start to decline, and my urge to kill was nil.
Then suddenly I heard this hissing voice yelling (like someone yelling hatefully) toward the child. I look over and the dad is clearly annoyed that the son is trying to vie for his attention as he was focused on his iPhone and god forbid, he actually took care of the child.
What the hell was that? I asked myself. This child was like no more than 4 years old. Obviously kids are annoying. From what I understand, children are suppose to be annoying. They are annoying until they move out of your house. I've never heard any parents use that kind of voice towards a child, especially not one at that age.
Now I don't want to get all judgmental on him. Maybe he was really really close to getting 3 stars on Angry Birds, maybe his wife just left him and he's emotionally unstable. But what I saw was a bit scary and reminded me of a lot like the parent was a bully. And I can't help but judge him as a BULLYING PARENT.
Am I being overly sensitive? No.
Should I, in hindsight, have kicked the dad's ass in? Yes.
But really, what are your takes on this???
Today on the Skytrain, I observed this young man with his child (a toddler around 4 or 5) getting on the Skytrain in front of me. When the train got closer, I saw this man KICK the child towards the door. I wasn't sure if what I saw was correct or if I had some weird perspective that made me see it wrong. There was definitely leg movement up and it hit the child (albeit not that hard). Maybe it's the same kick/nudge I use for my dog when he's on leash and his brain goes stupid and he crosses in front. But I do that to my dog to warn him that he could get stepped on, it's never that hard and he's a dog... not a child.
Well whatever it was, they headed back towards the seat beside me but behind. It was in that little cubby place at the end of the train.
I look over a bit (just to memorize his face, incase I had to open a can of whoop-ass on him). And I saw him texting. He was speaking nicely to his son to sit down and becareful. At that time, my defenses start to decline, and my urge to kill was nil.
Then suddenly I heard this hissing voice yelling (like someone yelling hatefully) toward the child. I look over and the dad is clearly annoyed that the son is trying to vie for his attention as he was focused on his iPhone and god forbid, he actually took care of the child.
What the hell was that? I asked myself. This child was like no more than 4 years old. Obviously kids are annoying. From what I understand, children are suppose to be annoying. They are annoying until they move out of your house. I've never heard any parents use that kind of voice towards a child, especially not one at that age.
Now I don't want to get all judgmental on him. Maybe he was really really close to getting 3 stars on Angry Birds, maybe his wife just left him and he's emotionally unstable. But what I saw was a bit scary and reminded me of a lot like the parent was a bully. And I can't help but judge him as a BULLYING PARENT.
Am I being overly sensitive? No.
Should I, in hindsight, have kicked the dad's ass in? Yes.
But really, what are your takes on this???
Too Many Posts Not Enough Memory
I have this problem with blogging that I've been experiencing for a while now. It seems that whenever I'm not at the computer, I get a good idea about something I should blog about. But by the time I get to actually logging into Blogger and getting my password correct (after a few tries), I've completely forgotten about what it is I wanted to blog about.
Now I know my sucky memory isn't something new. I've had it for a few years now (namely after I finished school and I've relegated my brain to the back of my mind). But Blogging sure didn't require anything from my brain, or so I thought.
I am beginning to think that maybe I should find a way to use it more. But I have to admit that I hate to just sit down in one place and read. I was never very good at that. Whenever I had lots to study, I'd always bring it on a stationary bike or make flashcards that I can memorize while I'm doing something else that was a bit more active.
I wonder if anyone has any good suggestions on how to improve my memory or at least improve it enough so I have topics to blog about when I come back at it.
And did everyone enjoy the manatee video from yesterday? It was possibly the most musically appreciative thing I've seen in a while.
Now I know my sucky memory isn't something new. I've had it for a few years now (namely after I finished school and I've relegated my brain to the back of my mind). But Blogging sure didn't require anything from my brain, or so I thought.
I am beginning to think that maybe I should find a way to use it more. But I have to admit that I hate to just sit down in one place and read. I was never very good at that. Whenever I had lots to study, I'd always bring it on a stationary bike or make flashcards that I can memorize while I'm doing something else that was a bit more active.
I wonder if anyone has any good suggestions on how to improve my memory or at least improve it enough so I have topics to blog about when I come back at it.
And did everyone enjoy the manatee video from yesterday? It was possibly the most musically appreciative thing I've seen in a while.
Monday, April 04, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Fat Teas
I was reading the Vancouver Sun the other day and they had an article that said scientists have discovered that milk may negate the slimming effects of drinking tea.
Boo-hoo. This is a sad day for all those English teas (like Earl Greys & English Breakfast) because those teas definitely SUCK without milk (or copious amounts of sugar, I don't need a degree in nutrition to tell you "sugar" spells "spare tires").
I guess this article comes to no surprise to all those people who love their morning mistos from starbucks because I've tried that drink before and it's like a tenth brewing of a regular cup of Earl Grey plus half the sugar and milk that goes into a slice of cake. Although that might sound like a positive review (coming from me), it's actually not. That tea is a surprising cup of disappointment and poor taste (sorry, misto fans, I have to stay true to my buds... taste-buds).
Anyway, just thought you all should know my feelings towards certain teas because that's what's important on thursdays (not radioactive rain from Japan, not the strange police database that records wrong info on citizens).
This is another day to raise my cup of Chinese teas (my mom being awesome that she is, has brought lots of Pu-erh, which looks like "poo" in cake form... see below)
How can I not love this stuff?
Boo-hoo. This is a sad day for all those English teas (like Earl Greys & English Breakfast) because those teas definitely SUCK without milk (or copious amounts of sugar, I don't need a degree in nutrition to tell you "sugar" spells "spare tires").
I guess this article comes to no surprise to all those people who love their morning mistos from starbucks because I've tried that drink before and it's like a tenth brewing of a regular cup of Earl Grey plus half the sugar and milk that goes into a slice of cake. Although that might sound like a positive review (coming from me), it's actually not. That tea is a surprising cup of disappointment and poor taste (sorry, misto fans, I have to stay true to my buds... taste-buds).
Anyway, just thought you all should know my feelings towards certain teas because that's what's important on thursdays (not radioactive rain from Japan, not the strange police database that records wrong info on citizens).
This is another day to raise my cup of Chinese teas (my mom being awesome that she is, has brought lots of Pu-erh, which looks like "poo" in cake form... see below)
How can I not love this stuff?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Have a Hobbit Monday!
Hobbit spotting number... I'm not sure.
I've spotted people previously who remind me of hobbits but I didn't have a blog back then to record my observations and findings.
The things you see on a bus. Most days, the strangest thing I see on transit is a can collector (which, if you know Vancouver, isn't all that strange a sight at all). But today was different. Today was my day. Yes, my day to spot a hobbit.
He had very round cheeks (a bit rosy, not from running or any exersion because he was sitting down and reading). He had a frilly cap of red hair (everyone knows that not all hobbits have red hair, but all red hair people are hobbits... I might be very wrong here). He had fat little fingers that wrapped around his novel. And also, the fattest thighs to ever try to squeeze into those small bus seats we have.
It was awesome! I wish I had a camera with me just show I could show you what I mean. And I wish I also had the balls to take out a camera to take a picture of this guy (I'd tell him it was for my blog. No, not a fashion blog, but one about hobbits).
Anyway, this is a great start to the week. If I see any other magical creatures, I'll keep y'all posted.
Have a Hobbit Monday :D
I've spotted people previously who remind me of hobbits but I didn't have a blog back then to record my observations and findings.
The things you see on a bus. Most days, the strangest thing I see on transit is a can collector (which, if you know Vancouver, isn't all that strange a sight at all). But today was different. Today was my day. Yes, my day to spot a hobbit.
He had very round cheeks (a bit rosy, not from running or any exersion because he was sitting down and reading). He had a frilly cap of red hair (everyone knows that not all hobbits have red hair, but all red hair people are hobbits... I might be very wrong here). He had fat little fingers that wrapped around his novel. And also, the fattest thighs to ever try to squeeze into those small bus seats we have.
It was awesome! I wish I had a camera with me just show I could show you what I mean. And I wish I also had the balls to take out a camera to take a picture of this guy (I'd tell him it was for my blog. No, not a fashion blog, but one about hobbits).
Anyway, this is a great start to the week. If I see any other magical creatures, I'll keep y'all posted.
Have a Hobbit Monday :D
Monday, March 21, 2011
Best Bagels
Yesterday was lovely unlike today (but I admit that today's rainy weather is definitely much less intimidating as it provides ample excuse for an unproductive monday). So it was necessary that I go out of doors to get myself a good (free) dosage of vitamin D.
It's been a long time since I've had bagels, and my boyfriend (being the foodie that he is) decided we should go to a bagel shop to get ourselves some snobbishly good bagels. We decided to go to Seigel's. It was a small little store with nothing but bagels.
My boyfriend, who has no training in weight watchers or other forms of portion control diet, decided that we should get a dozen bagels so that we can munch on them during our walk and still have some leftover for the next day.
A few blocks and Starbuck's Tazo Earl Greys (which is disappointing as always) we had finished about half the bagels.
That's right. We finished six deliciously addictive bagels with salmon and garlic cream cheese. Justifiably we had quite the long walk since we went from Granville & Broadway down to the seawall, then went all the way along the seawall, then back up to Alma & Broadway and walked the whole way back to Granville.
By the time we got back home, we were all bageled out. So we had two more and now our "dozen bagel bag" looks hopelessly sad on the counter.
I guess this means we should finish these last four today.
Anyway, I don't know what my point is. I think I am just trying to give you a warning about bagels and how they can foil any dietary plans (especially ones that try to keep your carbs down) because they are hopelessly addictive (especially if you get them from Seigel's and not the supermarket).
I'm just going to roll over and eat these other bagels before I start my day. Happy Monday, everyone.
It's been a long time since I've had bagels, and my boyfriend (being the foodie that he is) decided we should go to a bagel shop to get ourselves some snobbishly good bagels. We decided to go to Seigel's. It was a small little store with nothing but bagels.
My boyfriend, who has no training in weight watchers or other forms of portion control diet, decided that we should get a dozen bagels so that we can munch on them during our walk and still have some leftover for the next day.
A few blocks and Starbuck's Tazo Earl Greys (which is disappointing as always) we had finished about half the bagels.
That's right. We finished six deliciously addictive bagels with salmon and garlic cream cheese. Justifiably we had quite the long walk since we went from Granville & Broadway down to the seawall, then went all the way along the seawall, then back up to Alma & Broadway and walked the whole way back to Granville.
By the time we got back home, we were all bageled out. So we had two more and now our "dozen bagel bag" looks hopelessly sad on the counter.
I guess this means we should finish these last four today.
Anyway, I don't know what my point is. I think I am just trying to give you a warning about bagels and how they can foil any dietary plans (especially ones that try to keep your carbs down) because they are hopelessly addictive (especially if you get them from Seigel's and not the supermarket).
I'm just going to roll over and eat these other bagels before I start my day. Happy Monday, everyone.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
No Apologies. No Cells for Lend
Today when I was walking my dog, I was approached by a guy in his late teens/early twenties asking to borrow my phone.
As I was approaching, he looks kind of shady already but that could just be because he's dressed in baggy jeans and a sweatshirt and not very professional.
In any case. I didn't have my phone so my automatic answer was. Sorry dude, walking the dog here and don't have my phone. He looked a bit annoyed and so I suggested maybe he borrow the phone from the local community police (because they are just around the corner and they have phones to use for free).
He immediately walked faster away and was like mumbling something so I asked him what he said (I felt confrontational anyway). He repeated that he's waiting for a friend and needs to call him.
I walked away. Dog was walked and when I got home I remember that my friend had her new phone stolen months ago when she lent it to a young guy who needed to "call his mom" but had instead ran off with it. I became kind of suspicious that the guy waiting for his friend could remember his phone number (who in the world these days remember their friend's phone number anyway? I know I sure don't. Also, it was suspicious that he didn't use a pay phone or borrow one from the coffee shop that was a block away.
So I searched the internet and I found that there are many scams people do with borrowed cell phones (you can check it out here). I guess that means that next time someone wants to borrow my phone, I'll have to say no, even if it means that I've just been talking on it and they see that I have one. Because I don't care if they run away with my crappy old phone, I just don't want to get signed up to some spam that will waste all my airtime!
Too bad you just can't trust people these days. Oh well, I guess the thing to take away here is that you should never forget to bring your phone with you because the chances that people will risk lending you a phone should be close to zero, which is understandable I guess.
As I was approaching, he looks kind of shady already but that could just be because he's dressed in baggy jeans and a sweatshirt and not very professional.
In any case. I didn't have my phone so my automatic answer was. Sorry dude, walking the dog here and don't have my phone. He looked a bit annoyed and so I suggested maybe he borrow the phone from the local community police (because they are just around the corner and they have phones to use for free).
He immediately walked faster away and was like mumbling something so I asked him what he said (I felt confrontational anyway). He repeated that he's waiting for a friend and needs to call him.
I walked away. Dog was walked and when I got home I remember that my friend had her new phone stolen months ago when she lent it to a young guy who needed to "call his mom" but had instead ran off with it. I became kind of suspicious that the guy waiting for his friend could remember his phone number (who in the world these days remember their friend's phone number anyway? I know I sure don't. Also, it was suspicious that he didn't use a pay phone or borrow one from the coffee shop that was a block away.
So I searched the internet and I found that there are many scams people do with borrowed cell phones (you can check it out here). I guess that means that next time someone wants to borrow my phone, I'll have to say no, even if it means that I've just been talking on it and they see that I have one. Because I don't care if they run away with my crappy old phone, I just don't want to get signed up to some spam that will waste all my airtime!
Too bad you just can't trust people these days. Oh well, I guess the thing to take away here is that you should never forget to bring your phone with you because the chances that people will risk lending you a phone should be close to zero, which is understandable I guess.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Earthquake in Japan Shaking Our Reality
The huge earthquake that happened in Japan this week is a reminder to Vancouverites to be prepared.
I for one am not prepared. I don't have dried goods or water to last me the first 3 days of surviving should I become trapped. And I don't have a first aid kit (i'm not sure if I even remember how to use it in any way that would be useful during a natural disaster).
Then again, I'm kinda putting that off because I figure that if the big one really hits, I won't make it anyway.
That's because I haven't heard anything about Vancouver being really conscious about earthquake proofing our buildings. I live in a concrete condo and this is scary because I don't think this building is earthquake proof. And I know that in an earthquake these buildings will come tumbling down.
So now I ask, how am I going to prepare myself then? There's no way I can change my building's structure. Should I move away? But of course all those options need lots of money... lots and lots of money. So I guess when an earthquake comes, my first thing to do is just to try to get the hell out because if I fall, I'm sure it's a long way down.
How does everyone else feel about this?
I for one am not prepared. I don't have dried goods or water to last me the first 3 days of surviving should I become trapped. And I don't have a first aid kit (i'm not sure if I even remember how to use it in any way that would be useful during a natural disaster).
Then again, I'm kinda putting that off because I figure that if the big one really hits, I won't make it anyway.
That's because I haven't heard anything about Vancouver being really conscious about earthquake proofing our buildings. I live in a concrete condo and this is scary because I don't think this building is earthquake proof. And I know that in an earthquake these buildings will come tumbling down.
So now I ask, how am I going to prepare myself then? There's no way I can change my building's structure. Should I move away? But of course all those options need lots of money... lots and lots of money. So I guess when an earthquake comes, my first thing to do is just to try to get the hell out because if I fall, I'm sure it's a long way down.
How does everyone else feel about this?
Friday, March 04, 2011
A Spoiler Alert!
This post is just going to be a hate-on for this fictional family in the movie 28 Weeks Later. I recently re-watched this sequel to 28 Days Later, to dilute the effects of a horrible movie with Nicolas cage (that's not even worth mentioning here on my blog).
Anyway, you should stop reading here if you plan on watching 28 Weeks Later (which I recommend you watch if you like your zombies real scary) because this isn't really a review at all, but more like a rant on a stupid fictional family because I just hated them in the movie (yes, I've used the word hate quite a few times now and I know it ain't zen).
So this movie starts out with a couple (husband & wife) trying to survive in a farm house and they're trapped in there with other strangers who have come together to hide from what you soon find out are zombies from a strange and incurable "rage virus" (or as I call it, Zombie flu). So everyone is having dinner and having a nice little argument about whether or not this jerk should keep telling this stupid girl that her boyfriend is already dead because he ventured out a few days ago. He was a real jerk, so I'm glad he dies. But before it gets to that, there's the man and the woman (the couple) and they seem all loving and shit, but the woman has the kind of personality that makes me wonder how the hell she survived to get to this barn because as soon as she hears banging on the door, she wants to go get it. Plus, now there's a child begging for them to open up. Of course, the rest of the gang just sit there and stop offering any input, and the guy is like, no, let's not let the zombie flu in. But of course, he caves because how else are they going to get into shit in a zombie outbreak but to open up to take strangers in. Needless to say, their stupid action got everyone else killed, and it shows that the man leaves his wife screaming for help in the attic of the barn house as he's running away all chicken shit.
Ugh. I didn't like the wife so it wasn't a great loss to me when I watched this, but now I definitely don't like the guy either, but part of me was like, it's OK. He might die. So the story now follows that this man's children were deported and for some reason (unknown) and USA decides they will be the boss of everyone and sends these deportees back to Britain (because you know, THAT sounds safe to do so soon after a mysterious outbreak of Zombie flu). And with the US Army and the way they are always depicted in these zombie movies, they screwed this up big time (or there'd be no movie).
Anyway, the man's kids get out of the detainment area because they're punks (hating them already). And they see their zombie mom in their old house (that's just great *eyeroll*). And the weird thing is that she isnt' a zombie yet but of course she's not communicating because of the shock I guess, so the army lifts everyone back to the detainment area but under quarantine. That just doesn't seem like a smart thing to do, so the whole time I'm like "wtf people, wtf". Of course this family doesn't stop bad shit from happening yet, because the dad has access magically since he works as a janitor in the "new city" that he gets to go into the room where they've quarantined the wife. And this is the scariest part of any zombie movie I've seen, and also like both touching and stupid at the same time. Very stupid. He kisses her and of course, turns CRAZY, and like after some bloody gruesome scenes later, she's dead and he's this mad zombie king that dashes out and reeks havock on the whole city.
So just after you think that this family can't cause no more trouble after that with the whole city dead, they saved the kids (those stupid punk kids), who are also somehow carriers like their mother, and they airlift them away. And of course this movie ends with Paris all in zombie flu mode.
Yep, this zombie movie has been the hardest to watch in a very long time. No, it was good. I liked it because it was scary and very very graphic. But this family.
ARGH!
This is one of those movies that makes me just wanna go into the movie and shoot them myself. Talk about a rage virus.
Anyway, you should stop reading here if you plan on watching 28 Weeks Later (which I recommend you watch if you like your zombies real scary) because this isn't really a review at all, but more like a rant on a stupid fictional family because I just hated them in the movie (yes, I've used the word hate quite a few times now and I know it ain't zen).
So this movie starts out with a couple (husband & wife) trying to survive in a farm house and they're trapped in there with other strangers who have come together to hide from what you soon find out are zombies from a strange and incurable "rage virus" (or as I call it, Zombie flu). So everyone is having dinner and having a nice little argument about whether or not this jerk should keep telling this stupid girl that her boyfriend is already dead because he ventured out a few days ago. He was a real jerk, so I'm glad he dies. But before it gets to that, there's the man and the woman (the couple) and they seem all loving and shit, but the woman has the kind of personality that makes me wonder how the hell she survived to get to this barn because as soon as she hears banging on the door, she wants to go get it. Plus, now there's a child begging for them to open up. Of course, the rest of the gang just sit there and stop offering any input, and the guy is like, no, let's not let the zombie flu in. But of course, he caves because how else are they going to get into shit in a zombie outbreak but to open up to take strangers in. Needless to say, their stupid action got everyone else killed, and it shows that the man leaves his wife screaming for help in the attic of the barn house as he's running away all chicken shit.
Ugh. I didn't like the wife so it wasn't a great loss to me when I watched this, but now I definitely don't like the guy either, but part of me was like, it's OK. He might die. So the story now follows that this man's children were deported and for some reason (unknown) and USA decides they will be the boss of everyone and sends these deportees back to Britain (because you know, THAT sounds safe to do so soon after a mysterious outbreak of Zombie flu). And with the US Army and the way they are always depicted in these zombie movies, they screwed this up big time (or there'd be no movie).
Anyway, the man's kids get out of the detainment area because they're punks (hating them already). And they see their zombie mom in their old house (that's just great *eyeroll*). And the weird thing is that she isnt' a zombie yet but of course she's not communicating because of the shock I guess, so the army lifts everyone back to the detainment area but under quarantine. That just doesn't seem like a smart thing to do, so the whole time I'm like "wtf people, wtf". Of course this family doesn't stop bad shit from happening yet, because the dad has access magically since he works as a janitor in the "new city" that he gets to go into the room where they've quarantined the wife. And this is the scariest part of any zombie movie I've seen, and also like both touching and stupid at the same time. Very stupid. He kisses her and of course, turns CRAZY, and like after some bloody gruesome scenes later, she's dead and he's this mad zombie king that dashes out and reeks havock on the whole city.
So just after you think that this family can't cause no more trouble after that with the whole city dead, they saved the kids (those stupid punk kids), who are also somehow carriers like their mother, and they airlift them away. And of course this movie ends with Paris all in zombie flu mode.
Yep, this zombie movie has been the hardest to watch in a very long time. No, it was good. I liked it because it was scary and very very graphic. But this family.
ARGH!
This is one of those movies that makes me just wanna go into the movie and shoot them myself. Talk about a rage virus.
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Chips, You Make Me Sick
Nope. Chips isn't a person. I'm talking about real chips (not the British version, though sometimes they do too). But I find that potato chips and tortilla chips always make me sick.
Chips are my kryptonite.
It seems like there really is no plausible explanation for it except that there might really be something in these deep fried foods that just makes my body give up on living completely. I sort of figured this out already throughout my life that whenever I partake in the chip eating and partying, I usually got sick. When I was younger, I never believed my mother when she told me that I can't have chips, so I'd go off to some birthday party, load up on the good stuff and come home pretending I was all good. But inevitably the next day would mean that I would have a sore throat or a fever or a combination of the two.
On Monday, I went boozing with my friend in broad daylight. Well, not super broad daylight. It was after 1pm and it was a nice day out, so naturally, we went to get some beer at the Granville Island brewery. But they don't have real food there, they only have chips and other things of the like. And since I didn't particularly feel like being an elephant shelling peanuts with my beer, I decided to go for the ol' chip & salsa. I was hoping that it wouldn't affect me, but by the afternoon of that same day, I could feel the top of my palate getting sore.
Shit. So now I've been having this crazy painful swollen palate for a whole two days now, and I'm not seeing it go away anytime soon either. Why must I always succumb to the temptations of chips? I know they are bad for me, but sometimes, I just want to live like a normal person!
I bet this is what Superman must have felt like.
Chips are my kryptonite.
It seems like there really is no plausible explanation for it except that there might really be something in these deep fried foods that just makes my body give up on living completely. I sort of figured this out already throughout my life that whenever I partake in the chip eating and partying, I usually got sick. When I was younger, I never believed my mother when she told me that I can't have chips, so I'd go off to some birthday party, load up on the good stuff and come home pretending I was all good. But inevitably the next day would mean that I would have a sore throat or a fever or a combination of the two.
On Monday, I went boozing with my friend in broad daylight. Well, not super broad daylight. It was after 1pm and it was a nice day out, so naturally, we went to get some beer at the Granville Island brewery. But they don't have real food there, they only have chips and other things of the like. And since I didn't particularly feel like being an elephant shelling peanuts with my beer, I decided to go for the ol' chip & salsa. I was hoping that it wouldn't affect me, but by the afternoon of that same day, I could feel the top of my palate getting sore.
Shit. So now I've been having this crazy painful swollen palate for a whole two days now, and I'm not seeing it go away anytime soon either. Why must I always succumb to the temptations of chips? I know they are bad for me, but sometimes, I just want to live like a normal person!
I bet this is what Superman must have felt like.
Fashion Fiend
Ugh. Fashion. I knew I should never have been sucked into The Sartorialist for its pretty pretty pictures of people who dress all interesting and cool. Nah, it's still an awesome blog. But the contents got kinda heavy for what I expected.
I read from The Sartorialist, that John Galliano (of Dior) made racial slurs and was suspended from his role as head designer. At first, people were in disbelief and quite a lot of people just couldn't believe it was true.
But now, there's this video of him saying these nasty things (they are pretty bad) from this article in The Sun. (Thank you, technology). It's quite sad and there were lots of people who commented on The Sartorialist's update article saying how it was mental illness, or how he was drunk. But I don't think it's excusable.
I mean, we've all been drunk before. But how many of us will say this kind of stuff? It's pretty serious and very hurtful. I mean, most of the time when we're drunk, we might do stupid things or even fight with people, but I don't know how someone can just spew racial slur like that if they weren't already a racist to start with.
So to all the people who are super compassionate about the whole thing, I will have to say that I can't agree with that. I don't think being drunk or saying it's a mental illness is any sort of excuse to racism. Also, being an artistic genius doesn't excuse anything and being under high stress of being head designer (and living your dream job boo-hoo) is certainly no excuse!
If anything, I think John Galliano should serve time because there's a law in France and if he doesn't then it really shows that being a head designer means you're above the law and that isn't right. The good thing is that at least he's apologized but I'm really not sure if he's forgivable given what horrible things he has said and how so many people looked up to him.
I read from The Sartorialist, that John Galliano (of Dior) made racial slurs and was suspended from his role as head designer. At first, people were in disbelief and quite a lot of people just couldn't believe it was true.
But now, there's this video of him saying these nasty things (they are pretty bad) from this article in The Sun. (Thank you, technology). It's quite sad and there were lots of people who commented on The Sartorialist's update article saying how it was mental illness, or how he was drunk. But I don't think it's excusable.
I mean, we've all been drunk before. But how many of us will say this kind of stuff? It's pretty serious and very hurtful. I mean, most of the time when we're drunk, we might do stupid things or even fight with people, but I don't know how someone can just spew racial slur like that if they weren't already a racist to start with.
So to all the people who are super compassionate about the whole thing, I will have to say that I can't agree with that. I don't think being drunk or saying it's a mental illness is any sort of excuse to racism. Also, being an artistic genius doesn't excuse anything and being under high stress of being head designer (and living your dream job boo-hoo) is certainly no excuse!
If anything, I think John Galliano should serve time because there's a law in France and if he doesn't then it really shows that being a head designer means you're above the law and that isn't right. The good thing is that at least he's apologized but I'm really not sure if he's forgivable given what horrible things he has said and how so many people looked up to him.
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