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This is my stock grocery list. I don't know why this would be interesting, but a lot of people are just perverted that way.
  • oranges
  • grapefruit (if they look good)
  • raspberries
  • apples
  • broccoli (my favourite vegetable)
  • carrots
  • onion
  • mushrooms
  • bean sprouts
  • romaine
  • garlic
  • almonds
  • light rye bread with carroway seeds
  • cheese (sometimes, if i want it with apples)
  • meat (depends on my recipes, normally chicken or turkey and a fish which I select using this list as a guide)
  • chocolate chips (I use this is my "treat" mix, usually with the almonds and raspberries)
  • milk
  • eggs
  • yogurt
  • orange/apple juice (depending on preference)
  • hummus
That's the normal list. I buy small amounts, only what I plan to eat for the next week (some things last longer). I also didn't include things like jam, potatoes, margarine or spices which I normally just have a lot of and don't buy often.

I've been trying to increase my raw food intake so the veggies I normally graze on throughout the day or dip in hummus. I like to make stew though! And turkey meatloaf! Yummy hearty meals! Because its exam season and I don't have much time to prepare meals, I have taken to buying some premade meals (the only ones I like are the Michelina's Harmony brand). I hate salt though and those things are packed with sodium, so I don't eat them often.

I also love bran muffins and I always have the ingredients in stock. I like to sprinkle a little nutmeg and brown sugar on their heads when they are close to being finished so its like a treat. I'M GOING TO HAVE ONE NOW!
Another punch related post popped up over at Deus Ex Malcontent.I have been checking back the past day or so to see reactions on the old post. They mainly depress me, apparently I'm sexist for thinking violence against men is wrong and I have a "stick up my ass". It doesn't help that Chez only seems to stop by to feed the trolls and not respond to people with actual comments about the post.

His new argument seems to be that, while violence amongst humans is wrong, in this instance it is hilarious because the participants are subhuman. You heard me. I had a huge ass comment typed up and was ready to hit "post" when I decided to heed my own advice and not "feed the trolls" as it were. It would be the same misogynist assholes responded who posted such gems as:

"...some women will push and push and push and push men until they finally snap, safe in the knowledge that no man would ever hit a woman, and then play victim when someone finally has enough of their shit. The lesson is: If you're a loud mouthed idiot, don't be surprised when somebody shuts you up."

For the record, yes, I do have a stick up my ass about violence against women. I've made it clear that I am disgusted by violence against men as well, but I do have a particular tendency to dislike violence against women, well spotted.

What is scary about this incident is that he stole her drink and she got pissed and then he hit her. If I was at a bar and a dude stole my drink, I'd be pretty mad. I think most people would. Even if this woman is "subhuman", if regular old humans like you or I did it, we'd be the one knocked to the ground.

I don't watch a lot of reality tv so maybe I'm not aware of their subhuman status or as desensitized to the violence, but I can say that no violence happens in a vacuum. Its not sexist to say that there are certain implications socially and historically when a man hits a woman as opposed to when he hits another man. (Both acts are wrong, let me be clear.)

On the big picture level, there is a significance for women. We have to struggle to get paid the same as men, we have to worry about some psychopath raping us on the walk home after dark, we read about our sisters in times of war being used as vehicles of psychological warfare....

When we see a bunch of people (white men usually) laughing and rationalizing their amusement at the sight of a woman getting punched in the face and then read about how she deserved it in a myriad of ways, there is no way we can feel safe or comfortable.

Violence against women is not something to be quiet about. It is not something to shirk around. It is not "hilarious" no matter who is hitting who, no matter where they are from, what colour their skin is, their level of education, their bank account, their size, or the fact that they signed up to do a reality show.
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Yo baby cat faces!!
I'm going to be travelling to Montreal in the third week of February and then at the end of March/beginning of April I'll be flying to Yelapa hopefully for a brief visit. I don't want to make any promises but if anyone wants to get coffees or water taxi into Vallarta for a drink, let me know! (I know its a long way off.)
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Firstly, apparently I have 3 unanswered friend requests on hi5... I was not even aware I had a hi5 account.

Secondly, I've been writing about such depressing subject matter that I cannot help feeling a little depressed by proxy. The upcoming holiday and the pure enjoyment I get from finishing my work and having a little nap or getting in some personal reading is keeping my spirits up. I wrote about the tragic histories of three women (Agrippina the Younger- killed by her son's assassins, Catherine of Aragon- died alone in exile after her husband refused to acknowledge her any longer, Queen Esther- forced to marry King Xerxes who was responsible for the massacre of her people...). I'm also taking a Dystopian Fiction class which is actually a depressing book club that comes with a university credit. (Don't get me wrong, I've really enjoyed it.) In that vein, here is io9's best sci fi books of the decade... I'll need to add some of those to my goodreads to-read shelf.

Now I'm working on women in Tibetan Buddhism. I watched Kundun last night and of course, cried like a baby. Then I watched the Vancouver 2009 Peace summit. Even though the talks were of peace, it was talked about as a hypothetical concept. H.H. did say some great things about women and their contribution to the achievement of peace. He sounds like a man ready to retire. He seemed much more vibrant when he was in Ottawa. Maybe he's like Nimoy, he just seems much shinier in person.
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Dear Internet,
This is what I have learned from gif-gate:
There's nothing funnier a woman getting punched in the face.

The following people deserve to be hit-
  • sluts
  • cunts
  • bitches
  • hos
  • idiots
  • chubby girls
  • girls who don't keep their fat mouths shut....
I thought I was the only one disgusted by the celebration but over at Jezebel, most people are pretty shocked at the reaction. There is also an interesting discussion about the difference between man-on-man violence and man-on-woman violence here. A person of any gender hitting another person of any gender is equally wrong in my book. But the reason I am so upset and vocal about this particular incident is the reaction. All the comments and posts are about how gratifying it is to see this chick get punched (generally because she's stupid or "slutty"). I still can't bring myself to read youtube comments.

Bloggers that I loved are laughing it up over the assault. Its so disappointing to realize that people you respect and who's work you enjoy turn out to be sleazy and deplorable. I love to donate $5 or so every holiday season to my favourite blogs just as a little thank you. That is sooo not happening this year. I'm also taking a lot of them off my google reader. I know I'm just one reader, but if that's the case, then they shouldn't really care about losing my support.

I just want to quote a comment by DangerMouse in the Jezebel male perspective thread.

"'But why is it unimaginably worse for an asshole to haul off and hit Snooki than for an asshole to haul off and hit a man Snooki's size, for no reason whatsoever?'

Because of the MASSIVE historical implications and power dynamics?

Let's see, men were allowed to hit women until pretty recently--and in some places, they still are able to hit or even kill them with little to no repercussions. As a woman, I need to worry about violence and rape basically every day--at the bus stop, in the parking lot at the store, getting my house keys out while there are people nearby. Add to that the endless power struggle that occurs in our lives simply because we are female, ranging from being paid less, getting talked over in meetings, being passed over for promotions or tenure, a higher risk of being a victim of sexual and/or domestic violence. Oh, and if I don't respond to some guy calling to me on the street or talking to me in a bar, I get yelled at and/or threatened. I've heard of other women getting followed and persistently harassed after such incidents. If I complain to someone else about getting yelled at, the odds are good that they will tell me that I should have humored him. What this does that male-on-male or female-on-female violence is reinforce misogyny."
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I thought Jersey Shore was hilarious and all the losers on it were pathetic enough to watch for entertainment. On Pajiba Love they link to a gif of one of the chicks getting punched hard in the face at a club.

Call me sensitive, but seeing a person getting clocked in the face just isn't that funny- even if they are annoying. Reading the comments at Pajiba and Warming Glow disappoint me just as much as the act itself. I get that she was annoying and probably had custody of the 8 brain cells the cast share amongst them for the night, but I can't understand any of the comments... Obviously, I made my feelings about violence known in this post.

I was shocked watching the gif, but reading some of the comments actually made me mist up.

  • "Violence against women is never funny, unless that woman is a gigantic douchebag. In which case, BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
  • "The Jersey Shore gif is a gorgeous Chanukah present to the world."
  • "CHRISTMAS COME EARLY!"
  • "Only minor fault with this … I wish he stepped into the punch a little more."
  • "Did you see her hat? She was asking for it."
  • "This the greatest thing I’ve ever seen. Look! He’s punching her again! Hee hee!"
  • "The hair flying might be my favorite part."
  • "how many times have I wished I had the balls to pull this exact move on some loudmouth beeotch. I love the ghetto hand gestures she’s giving just one second before the bomb goes off…"
Here's a comment for you: FUCK ALL OF YOU!

**If you want to comment and defend them, do me a favour and just never fucking talk to me. Any argument along the lines of: "its okay that she was punched in the face because..." is just not worthy of my fucking time.
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I've never felt like I needed a good hug more. No woman is an island.

Lack
of balance
staggers
us.

To fall
is
easy.

Even so,
falling
will not
help.

-
Alice Walker, A Poem Travelled Down my Arm
Nana,
This is an old hoax. It's been circling the internet for years and years. I can assure you that there is absolutely NO truth behind it. Dad sent it to me a year ago. I did lots of research and I sent him this email to pass on:


Dad
This story is an email hoax that I've received a few times this year based on an urban legend. Thanks for passing it on to me anyways. I don't want you to be scared unnecessarily, so I've done some research for you. You could send it to your colleagues as well and advise them to investigate the background of these stories because forwarding these kinds of "warnings" only spread fear and anxiety. I'm sure they've already caused you a great deal of anxiety. If I've learned anything from school its to think critically! (Which, of course, I've done tonight.)

A simple google search of "burundanga business card" comes up with tons of info. (Snopes is the most reliable source for overturning urban legends, but other hoax identifying websites like Hoax Slayer and Urban Legends have looked into it as well.) I think if you look at these websites you will see that the email sent to you was directly copied and pasted from the original hoax email. The websites also point out inconsistencies within the story, the description of the drug, and that there are NO credible sources on such an attack ever taking place- no police reports or news stories.

I.E. The story above is a fabrication. Two details betray it as such:
  1. The victim allegedly received a dose of the drug by simply touching a business card. (All sources agree that burundanga must be inhaled or ingested, or the subject must have prolonged topical contact with it, in order for it to have an effect.)
  2. The victim allegedly detected a "strong odor" coming from the drug-laced card. (All sources agree that burundanga is odorless and tasteless.) (from Urban Legends link above).

In women's studies this was brought up and we discovered that burundanga is also known as the Columbian "zombie drug" or "Columbian Devil's Breath" which is very terrifying and scary. We watched a documentary on it in the class which I can link you to here. It's real name is scopolamine. Its used in a lot of South American countries to take advantage of tourists. In Haiti, they use a similar drug to "zombify" a person ostracized by the community. Despite the real drug's terrifying effects, I have no reason to be afraid here. After lots of research, I've found no substantiated reports of it being used in the United States or Canada except as a treatment for motion sickness.

To ease your mind I refuse to touch anything strangers give me because normally they are normally religious propaganda or dirty hobos.

Pass THIS email on!
Lots of love,
Amanda
SO! I have two great Hamlet soliloquy resources today. ENJOY!



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Wow, this video from fox news just blows my mind.

Ed Begley Jr. (an actor I LURVE) was on Stu's show talking about global warming. Ed was talking about the importance of basing your opinions on peer reviewed studies, not the news or a fancy actor like him. He also said its important to be sceptical but not be in denial. Stu kept asking EdBeg if "the debate was over" and he responded that people should go check out the science, read the studies and be informed by climate scientists, not actors or newscasters.

Stu hit a chord when he asked why Ed has to "impose" his green living on everyone else. Ed lost his shit. Stu complained that he didn't want a warning label on his house and he didn't want energy audits. Ed asked why he wouldn't want to cut his energy costs in half and run his house more efficiently? Stu also flipped out a bit and cried, "The government is telling me I may not have incandescent lights!!!" The horror.

"What kind of American believes that the government should come right into a house and say 'you can't have that kind of light bulb'?" Ohhh Stu, get with the times, The only places incandescent light bulbs show up anymore is over thoughtful noggins.

Ed made references to other technologies that were thought to be too costly, but proved to save lives. (Is green living a metaphorical seatbelt?)

Stu kind of summed up his argument with "I want to be left alone. I don't want to be pushed around by the government, or you, or anybody else."

Ed let his emotions get the better of him, bu I can see why he was so frustrated. He truly believes that we have a responsibility to preserve the environment and not pollute it, whether not global warming "exists" and Stu is just calling it all bunk.

Oh, we're not all doomed? FALSE ALARM! Go back to being wasteful, dirty pigs!!!



P.S. Bill Nye and EdBedJr are bff and neighbours and in a competition to see who can have the lowest carbon footprint. lol
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No days off for xmas. Things got a little dramatic at work, but I guess its best to just deal with it like a grown up... AND BOOK OFF ALL OF READING WEEK! *sigh* I need to do penance to my friends and family in Picton. I am all reclusive when I go because I'm going just to see certain people or help my Mooma and Moopaa. Hopefully it will all work out.


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Is it just me, or is this the best Michael York impression of ALL TIME. (The voice, not the get up.)

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Hi peeps.
Annie, Alysson and I had a livejournal community set up for us to share our legacies and sims and stuff. Alysson's internet is crappy so she can't troll custom content sites all the time so I have been posting Sims 3 CC finds there. I'm hoping it won't get huge or anything, but if you want to take a peek go ahead. It was a private community but we've decided to make it open but with posting access to just the three of us.

It says "simsTWOboogaloo" because when we started the community there was only sims 2. Now we have sims 3 and we don't really care about the name of the community. Besides Sims3Boogaloo doesn't rhyme.












Anyway here is the crappy header I made and the link to the livejournal community. :)
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I was so pretty in highschool. It was only 5 years ago so I probably look the same under the 40 lbs of university, stress, and alcohol. When I'm not sick anymore I am SO going to the gym. I am my own thinspiration!
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Brad Pitt went as DJ Lance Rock!!!
(Don't ask why I've seen Yo Gabba Gabba!)

Love it!
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People think its all a joke. It isn't. This sucks ass. I wish people would take it seriously. I've spent the whole week inside and alone, bored and tired and sick- but the way other sick people are acting I might as well go cough on all the fruit in the grocery store. Its not about you or me, but its about preventing it from spreading to people who may not be able to handle it... like kids, older people, people with weaker immune systems.

Worst fucking Halloween ever.
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I can't seem to sleep for more than a few hours in a row. Its really icky. H1N1 isn't too pleasant. I think I'm going to have to take a gravol and some tylenol soon for my disgustingness and perhaps that will help me sleep.

Nobody is online and I can't just mindlessly surf like I used to (1st year of res...). So anyway, I found this great promo shot of Jensen Ackles running away from Croatoan infested people and thought it would make a good desktop background. It was a colour picture, so I made the background black and white and the subject in colour. Its a great desktop, blah blah blah. Here it is, for reference.

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Lovely. Anyway, I realized that I had a layer that was just Jensen Ackles running away. Then my disease and drug addled brain thought, "Hey! Remember on Who's Line when they were in the green screen and had to guess what they were in front of?"....


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Not a t-rex!!! Noooo!

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Giant vicious puppies!!! NOOOOOO!

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NAKED!!! NOOOOOOOO!

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Now you are just ruining perfectly good holiday photos in Canada.... NOOOOOOOO!

Anyway, I just had a hoot. Now I feel tired again.
GOOD NIGHT FOR GOOD!

P.S. You may have noticed that my whole layout has changed. I need change. The design of this site may undergo many changes in the next little while. Thank you for your patience or any suggestions. :)
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I am in bed sick. I may have H1N1 so I'm under pseudo-house arrest. I hope its just regular flu. I am sort of excited to be part of the phenomenon.

I finally watched the new Castle Halloween special. It was amazing and chock full of juicy references. The very beginning was bittersweet- seeing Nathan Fillion in the old brown coat again. Then hearing his daughter reply: "Did you wear that five years ago? Isn't it time to move on?" At the end of the episode there was also a reference to past roles of the actors who play the detectives which I dug- especially Jon Huertas as I was a HUGE fan of Generation Kill. Here are some screen grabs.


Cute guys...





Ohhhh Captain Tightpants. When will you grace my dreams again!?

Castle also pulled a bizarre, yet adorable face in the morgue. Yeah, in the morgue...


FANGMASTER!?

I'm not sure, but I think that he does a Doctor Horrible laugh as well.


That cute scene involves him carving pumpkins with his daughter while she begs to be allowed to go to a seniors party! (GRADE TWELVES!) I nominate Richard Castle as best parent on tv because his daughter calls him and he saves her and her friend from a spiked punch debacle. Alexis fares better then her friend.

Fatherly hero Castle is so dreamy.
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If you are going to be a "sexy" animal or wear one of the pre-packaged stripper costumes (normally a Disney princess or cop) then we can't be friends. If you wanted to be a whore for Halloween, just dress like one (I suggest red eyeliner for your strawberry fields). If you are sexy or cute or pretty or whatever, you will still look sexy without the cold dead stare of a lost girl who's sold her body/soul to the frat boy with the lowest brow. I love sexy, I love Halloween, and I LOVE sexy Halloween costumes, but that doesn't mean the first costume you find in a novelty shop. Be original, show some personality!


















(Ewwwww... wroooong.)


Here are some Halloween costumes that will show some personality and your adorableness/sexiness. (I've left my cute ideas out because they are MIIINE betches!) In the immortal words of Mr. Shuester: We'll get you sobered up... find you some underwear. It's not too late for you...

5. Winchester!


This costume is easy! The boots and collared shirt will sell it, along with Dean's voodoo necklace, some hex bags, a nice big gun, and a duffel bag full of weaponry. Catchphrases: "Look Dean!" and "SAAAAMMMYYYY!!". Bonus points if you get two friends to go as Castiel and Bobby.

4. Xena and/or Gabrielle


Old school sexiness. I have been Xena for more than one Halloween and I'm proud of it! Try to construct one of those crazy throwing/killing discs she carries on her person. If you have a Gabrielle, be sure to give generous butt pats and longing glances.

3. Any Milla Jovovich character!

Not everyone can pull off Leeloo (all the power to you if you can)but Alice is an awesome character that anyone can pull off!

2. Barbarella


This is how to do Halloween sexy! Barbarella is an icon sex symbol with voluminous hair and gigantic ... boots. If you have sweet abs (don't we all) cut a hole in your leotard to show off your belly.

1. Kaylee Fry (Firefly)


Oh my god. If you want to win EVERYONE'S heart (except Simon's) get yourself a khaki boiler suit, a floral print blouse and a tool belt.
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In person, the scratch looks much more interesting. It bled (like GUSHED) for a good 10 minutes. It was rather icky. The price I pay for loving my cats to much.

Sean: What happened to your nose!?
Me: THIS? This is just a FLESH WOUND!? hahahahahhahahahha
Sean: Cat scratch you?
Me: yes....
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Hi Folks.
I've been really disillusioned with tv and movies for a few years now. (Since X-Files left an empty cold place in my heart and Firefly... well, lets not go there.) ANYWHO! This year not only have I been getting out to the movies more and LOVING IT but also enjoying more tv shows. Its ironic because I only have antenna, but I'm starting to actually enjoy regularly scheduled programming again.

Here's my top 5 shows on tv right now!

1. Supernatural
Its totally corny and cheesy but I love brotherly love! I love that Sam and Dean love each other! I love that Bobby loves them! I love that Castiel... has sort of been adopted by them. I guess sibling devotion is just something I can identify with. Its a delightful monster-of-the-week/family drama that utterly compels me. A lot of fans are totally in love with Castiel but I'm Bobby's girl through and through. In the recent seasons much of the cast has taken up a Christian Bale/Batman gruff, but I can look past that to their frou-frou Adam West/Batman hearts. I can't wait for the musical episode. Its also immensely difficult to find videos of them that aren't immensely horrible fanvids. Its also got this crazy dramatic side and then a very silly funny side. So I'll post two videos. (Ah, the perks of being number one on Amanda's tv list.)
This is a promo for the new season, after all 66 seals have been broken (thanks Sam) and Lucifer is rising and the apocalypse is starting. GOOD TIMES!



This is the promo for the newest episode where Dean has inexplicably aged. We better get some Jensen Ackles up in here. I guess its the price we paid for the Double Dean episode.


2. Fringe
Never since the X-Files have I been so intrigued with a series. Walter and his son just have this remarkably unique father-son dynamic and the bizarre science and parallel universes go beyond "teching the tech" so to speak. They really interest me. I can't wait to see where the Walter/Peter direction heads. Poor poor Peter. I've also never been so sympathetic with a character who can only be described as a psychotic criminal (multiple lab assistant drugging). The only reason that this show isn't tied with Supernatural for number one is because there are no sexy people and no sex. To be honest, I don't want there to be. The season finale filled the X-Files hole in my heart.


3. The Office
I've been a HUGE fan of this show (both British and American) but the American version has me pining for a Jim Halpert of my own and Pam Beesley best friend. As much as I love these characters, my absolute favourite character is the tragic Michael Scott. No character has ever made me feel as sad as he does. All he wants is friends, family, and love. His such a fool but I feel so sad for him. He's genuinely a nice guy who ALWAYS finishes last.


4. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
This show has no heroes. Every character is a delightfully awful villain in their own right. Mac goes to an abortion rally to get laid, Dee tries to sell her uterus- they are constantly yelling and screaming over each other, exploiting others, they are all barely-functioning alcoholics who sleep with each other's mothers and crushes and somehow maintain a seedy Irish bar in Philly. They stole a baby to make it a star and when the tanning salon refused to let them put the baby in a tanning bed, they tried painting it brown with SHOE POLISH. There are no words to express how horrible these people are and how horribly satisfying it is to watch them do the horrible things they do... You just have to watch this show.


5. Glee
I just caught up with the first season and its become the antidote to the shows about the apocalypse, horrible scientific atrocities, realistically sad everymans, and just about the worst cast of human beings ever in one show. Its a bit Degrassi meets Highschool Musical(except better in every way). There is a delightful villain who is constantly thwarted by the shining hearts of the Glee club and their teacher who sing and dance and get slushies thrown in their faces for being huge dorks. They don't care. They always have Glee.


A recent plot development has some of the jocks defecting to the Glee club despite how "gay" it is. Puck, the milf-hunting,slushie-throwing, cripple-beater-upper, and secret baby daddy of the Celibacy Club founder, seems to be getting his heart glow on after joining glee.


SPECIAL MENTION: Castle
I only watched the first few episodes of Castle for Nathan Fillion. The rest of the show was just CRAP. Painful to watch CRAP. I skipped out on the rest of the season. I caught an episode of the second season and actually quite enjoyed it. Beckett and her backup have started to develop and Nathan Fillion's charm is egg-dropping. Nate also drops heaps of "BRING BACK FIREFLY" references which excites me. In the Halloween episode, he dresses like Captain Mal. Hearbreak... they name is Browncoat suspenders.
This is exciting and I'm embarrassed by how heated up I get seeing the old Browncoat out again. Again, I'll ask, "Why was this show cancelled?"




































Can I also ask if people only take spoilery pictures with iPhones these days? There are too many pixels in the way of Nate being juicy.
Check it out!!





Ponyo! On the cliff/catwalk!


Captain Kirkette!
Thanksgiving was wonderful because it marks the time of year when I start making Halloween plans with Merbear. I have spent the evening picking easy and affordable costumes comprised of things we already have or can easily and cheaply obtain. My brain just felt so juicy tonight I had to draw and colour a bit. I wish my sketches weren't so stiff, but its been a very very very very long time since art school, so I should just be thankful that they aren't stick figures.








CUTE DALEKS!!! Of course these outfits would be accompanied by a plunger and a whisk.
Its that month... you know... THAT month. The month where you have to think of a sweet costume to wear to the hip hop happening Halloween party of the century. I think I've got it covered.
















You're going to want to click through to the big version.
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I'm experiencing continued bronchial distress today and the repulsion and horror of my coworkers has convinced me to leave early and go to the doctor. I love the expression "Death Warmed Over" which is the general consensus of my peers on my appearance. I love it and I'm going to use it on all future dating site endeavors. (Enjoys fine dining, horse back riding, and frankly, looks like death warmed over.)


Anyway, here is a list of 10 reasons NOT to bring someone back from the dead. (via io9)













I personally think all the Dean Winchester arguments are moot because him going to Hell was just a boot camp for his demon hunting and ass kicking. How awesome was last night's episode. Hopefully this screencap isn't too spoilerific!














Awwww, Dean. Without you the whole show would be like this.

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This is my last uber personal post, I promise.

After watching Jim and Pam's wedding tonight I felt touched and humbled by the ideal of love portrayed on the screen. It reminded me of a quote from my favourite sitcom after The Office: Scrubs. This John C. McGinley soliloquy is amazing and the way its filmed feels like he's talking right to me- and he's so spot on.



Here's the extended speech for anybody interested. Its not as topical, but still amazing.

I'm ready for the jokes about taking a silly tv show seriously, but Jim/Pam love exists. I've seen it with my own eyes (I was raised by parents who were and still are in Jim/Pam love). Its incredibly rare and as Dr Cox points out, those individuals privileged enough to experience it are lucky... I sort of think fake reality dealt me a dose of real reality tonight.

Good night. Thanks, John- For giving it to me straight.
Legendary thespian, Maggie Smith is a cancer warrior. She makes me want to be a stronger woman. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and has gained 8 film credits since the diagnoses.

74 year old Maggie admits to struggling through the last Harry Potter film after chemotherapy and while struggling with the disease. Any thoughts Maggie?

































"If there’s work to do I’ll do it... Shit happens!"

Jesus woman. If Death comes knocking for you just tell them to get their shit in order and get the fuck out of your face.

I was gently electrocuted today and I think that zap along with a extra super special The Office along with the brilliant Maggie Smith has really made my night.
Hey y'all,

I have always been a blogger at heart but always kept it in a friends-only forum like livejournal. The past little while I've been maintaining the two, keeping livejournal for more intimate thoughts and this blog for things I didn't mind being public. Its really started to bleed over too much so I'm going to go back to this being a less personal blog.


















If you will miss my everyday thoughts and musings and you maintain a livejournal, you can follow my contact links there.

Don't fret, I'll still post here, it will just be much less about personal life and turn toward my thoughts on things exterior to my life.
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I have to increase my GPA this year in order to graduate. I have to do well in every class. I can't do enough to "just get by", but between family stresses and my break up, I don't know how I'm going to do this.















I went out for dinner tonight, got home and found three emails from my ex boyfriend. Spent about an hour writing out a response and just as I was about to hit send he called me and we talked for another hour. In the end, we achieved nothing, gained no ground- nothing was resolved. Two hours that I had set aside to write this short book critique is gone. I have to cut corners and quickly write this paper. I have to wake up in 5 1/2 hours.

Its my fault, I know I should have focused on the paper and left the email until tomorrow morning and wrapped up the phone call in a minute, but I didn't. I keep letting this get in the way of school and I'm going to pay for it.
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Goodnight moon!

I tried to take a night-night picture but my webcam is so horrifyingly bad but I couldn't be arsed to get the real camera out.

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My life is changed dramatically in the last week or so. I think for the better. Today I woke up, was 21, was single, was warm and cozy, was happy.

Today happiness is
  • getting a 9/10 on a Utopia quiz
  • the heat getting turned on and being cosy
  • waking up in the warmth of the sun! (I've been waking up before the sun comes up usually)
  • ITS SUNNY
  • getting the news that Zombieland is out and an invitation to go see it
  • the anticipation of tonight's turkey meatloaf
  • the day after payday grocery shopping today
  • watching all the Thursday night shows in bed Friday morning
  • eating light rye with caraway seeds
  • getting a funny email from a prof, a coworker, and my mom
  • that none of the gourds in my fall themed window box have been stolen
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This is the birthday where I have to "accept" that I'm a grown up (or at least the rest of the world does). I haven't quite made my mind up about that yet. The world has though. I woke up alone in my big, cold, empty apartment to the shrill voice of the weather lady. I can make my bed in a flick of the wrist because I don't move when I sleep. I feed my cats, shower, have some tea and cereal, and head out the door for work. The whole time I'm outside my body, day dreaming about adventures and romance just like when I was 11.

I don't accept being a grown up, but the world is really intent on reminding me.


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You're not going to win.
The only thing to save you,
Is a sober pin!


Its hard to think of corny rhymes. I think the AA has pretty much done it all.
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If you've been in my apartment you may recognize this from my living room. Its pretty darn inspirational. Click through to see the big one. Can you guess what it is?
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She loves to laugh
She loves to sing
She does everything
She loves to move
She loves to grove
She loves the lovin things!!











I felt like such a star this morning grooving to work, listening to Journey. I felt like an 80s icon- oversized sweatshirt, leggings, hobo bag... LOOK AT ME GO! I'm just a perm and giant honker away from being Jennifer Grey. (P.S. Its so depressing that she got a nose job.)
N.B. This was from a few days ago. It was in my drafts waiting to be sent and I guess it just wasn't. I'm so cool.
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My 21st birthday is on the 30th of this month! I am having my party this Saturday and I'm so excited. People are actually coming!! Normally I get a lot of "maybes" and like 5 people show up. There's nothing wrong with that, I just always plan for a bigger bash then normal. I guess also I've felt a little isolated lately. I've done it to myself- constantly working, going to Picton on all my days off this summer, etc.

SO THE PARTY!
I bought a pretty nice bottle of rum that I'm going to turn into rum punch (any recipe suggestions?) I'm also stopping by the bakery after work to order two dozen cupcakes. (I think about a dozen people are coming, so we each get two!) Then I can put a little candle in mine! haha.



As far as snackies go, Joel wants to make this fig and goat cheese hor d'oeuvre that he had at a restaurant. He's going to do a test run of it today or tomorrow I think. There is a little prosciutto involved but I think it tastes fine taken off. That's going to be the nicest thing. Besides that I'm probably going to pick up some spring rolls and a fruit plate or something. Something prepared and trashy because that's really what I'm all about.

Afterwards we'll head to the market. I want to go to Zaphod's but I think there is like $6 cover. :( I don't want to go up Elgin or Bank though. I want to stay in walking distance. If everyone wants to split cabs I'd love to head up to Babylon. Saturday nights is "GRIND - Dancehall and Southern Hip Hop" :) There's live music at Zaphod's though.

My birthday wish is that Joel doesn't drink too much. He can really over do it.
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Nana!

I'm in a class and the professor is saying that nobody sees their elders as fountains of knowledge or cherishes the information of previous generations anymore. I think that is the opposite of our relationship. As soon as I don't know how to do something (polish silver, innovate meatloaf, train puppies, find good blues/jazz album) I pretty much depend on you and Poppy for those things!












haha How the heck would I know how to do ANYTHING if it wasn't for the "knowledge of my elders". Geez, how do people know how to function?

Thanks for all the knowledge!


Love Amanda
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I read a lot of really insightful, funny, active, intelligent blogs. I like to check my "trends" on google reader to see what I'm reading the most of. I'm always ashamed of what my number one is. Here is my top 15 this month. (I have 60, so to crack my top 15 is a feat.)

15. Pioneer Woman
14. Totally Looks Like
13. Penny Arcade
12. Graph Jam
11. Joystiq

10. Cute Overload
9. Deus Ex Malcontent
8. Spring 4 Sims
7. Geek Sugar
6. Apartment Therapy

5. Feministing
4. Mental Floss
3. Pajiba
2. Lifehacker

AND NUMBER 1???? I'm sure you've guessed it. God I feel horrible admitting this.

1. Perez Hilton

*SHAME*
I have to go to sleep now because I can hear Joel snoring which is usually a good cue that its past my bed time. I'm sorry I didn't link to all the blogs but I guarantee if you put them into google and hit "I'm feeling lucky" they'll come up.
I mark my triumphant return (fizzle) with a meme.

Using ONLY SONG TITLES from ONE MUSICAL ARTIST OR GROUP, find a clever answer to each of the following questions. Pass it on to 21 of your friends, including me. You can't use the artist I used and you can't use the band "No Doubt" ('cause that's cheating!). Try not to repeat a song title. Oh, and it's a lot harder than you think! Repost as "My Life According to [YOUR CHOSEN ARTIST NAME HERE]"

**I was going to do David Bowie but that would have been waaaay to easy. I will judge you if you repost with David Bowie.**

Artist: Flight of the Conchords












Are you a male or female?
Ladies of the World

Describe yourself:
The Prince of Parties

How do you feel about yourself:
Demon Woman

Describe where you currently live:

Inner City Pressure

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
Rambling Through the Avenues of Time

Your favorite form of transportation:
Bus Driver's Song

Your best friend is:
Friends (This is totally our song now!)

Your favorite color is:
Carol Brown (see: earth tones)

Your favorite food is:
Too Many Dicks (I couldn't resist)

What's the weather like:
Hotties

Favorite time of day:
Business Time!

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called:
Foux du Fafa

What is life to you:
Pencils in the Wind

Your past relationships:
If Your Into It?

Your fear:
Petrov, Yelana and Me

What is the best advice you have to give:
Cheer Up Murray

If you could change your name, you would change it to:
Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros

Thought for the Day:
Think About It

How you would like to die:
Robots

Your soul's present condition:
Hurt Feelings

Your motto:
A Kiss is not a Contract
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Amazing!
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My boyfriend's notorious frugality often rears its head in the form of old man stories about how cheap things were in a different country many years ago.

I picked up an Ottawa Citizen this morning (yeah, I still read print news) and was reading it. Joel noticed and piped up: "Are there any coupons in that!?" I said I didn't think any of the major newspapers came with coupons... He spent time growing up in Colorado so I shouldn't have laughed as hard as I did when he said: "Yes they do! The Denver Nugget did!!"













Correct me if there actual is a newspaper called "The Denver Nugget". Bless his heart.

(P.S. The Denver Nuggets are a basketball team... not to be confused with The Denver Post which has won several Pulitzers...)
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Could it be that I'm turning into the evil version of myself?

No one must know!!!

*PLUCK PLUCK PLUCK**
















I finally finished Ellie's Dream house from Pixar's "Up"!
It wasn't accepted on Mod the Sims because it doesn't look close enough, but I'll keep it on Sims 2 Boogaloo. I'm not good enough with roofing to make it exactly similar, so I guess better luck next time.

For more pictures and a download link go HERE!
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Hello faithful followers!
*crickets*

I want to make the house from "Up" on the sims and I need some reference material. There are plenty of great shots of the front of the house but I am looking for shots from the side and the back as well as interior shots and layout information.

Any reference materials you can find would be super helpful. I promise to upload it so you can have your Ellie's and Carl's live out long happy lives together!

Thanks!
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Would it be unethical to use my birthday money to put towards a new iPod? I feel so guilty just thinking about it. Whenever I think about buying something I get this sense of dread like everyone would judge me for buying something expensive... nonetheless I troll eBay looking for deals (never logging in or bidding of course).

Every month I put all my money into my line of credit, visa, bills, and groceries (etc etc) but would it also be so bad to put $20 into my my iPod Jar every once in a while? I rarely eat out any more or go to the movies or go to the pub or anything.

Another shameful confession = every time I get a tip or commission I ALWAYS spend that money on myself. Chocolate bar, movie, etc. Its rare and not much- could I put commission into the iPod Jar instead of getting a treat?