If you also happen to be following my life on Facebook, you'll know that I had some tummy troubles recently. Awful afternoons full of bloating, pain and all the undesirable things that go along with those sorts of symptoms. It was really brutal and I was starting to wear down the carpet between my desk and the closest bathroom.
Anyway, in an effort to get to the bottom of it (pardon the pun), I made an appointment to see a naturopath. Since I'm covered under my insurance policy, I figured it couldn't hurt. However, in the days leading up to my appointment I discovered what the culprit was: my cereal. I had started eating Kashi Go Lean Crunch and, despite its yummy yummy flavour, the soy protein in it was killing me. Seriously, google "Kashi Go Lean Crunch" and "gas" and you'll find a whole community of people commiserating with each other.
It was a little too late to cancel the appointment, so I decided to go anyway. My theory was that she could still check me out and maybe help me with some nutrition questions. So there I am on Friday afternoon in her calm office painted soothing neutral colours and furnished entirely with Ikea, which is also calming in its familiarity. I tell her the cereal tale and she nods knowingly, having heard it all before. She says that she'll ask me some questions to get a picture of my overall health and see if there's anything else she can help me with.
Well, after a whole raft of questions, a physical examination, a blood glucose test and a urinalysis, she declared that I was the healthiest person she'd ever seen.
Go figure! I guess I'm doing something right.
I CAN be healthy! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go to the gym, because in order to stay healthy I have to keep working at it. How annoying.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
A quick Saturday "can"
I can totally fit inside our laundry basket!
Getting out of it was a whole other story...
Getting out of it was a whole other story...
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Fast food finances
I just made a prime time pilgrimage for low-fat brownie mix. Is that wrong? There are new episodes of our favourite TV shows starting very soon and I had a passing thought that warm brownies would go nicely with our evening fro yo. I made the mistake of voicing this notion and suddenly the DP turned on the puppy-dog eyes, lamenting that he would go except that his tummy isn't feeling great. (If you're asking yourself why someone with a slightly off tummy would want to eat brownies and fro yo... well, you just don't know us very well. Sugar cures what ails us.)
Anyway, I didn't want to just go to Horny Tim's and buy a couple of brownies and zap them in the microwave, because then I wouldn't get to partake in my favourite part of the brownie process: the batter. Sure, I will enjoy the finished product, particularly when covered in fro yo with a drizzle of chocolate sauce. But I live for the part when I've scraped about 92% of the batter into the pan and am left with the last 8% to enjoy. Batter and dough. So good.
Now, there are three grocery stores within walking distance of our apartment. The furthest is a regular-sized location of a big chain store, the mid-range one is a convenience-sized location of a big chain and the closest one is a fancy rich person store. I knew I could get my favourite brownie mix at the furthest store, but not at the mid-range store. Instead I opted for the fancy rich person store, because it's really close. That's the number one consideration when making such a pilgrimage.
Even though we've lived here for almost two years, this was probably only the fourth time I've been in the store, because I mentally plotzed over the inflated prices the first time I ever went in. It's truly ridiculous. For example, a box of cereal that is $5.49 in the other nearby stores is $7.99!!
But tonight I took the time to poke around this strange land where the wealthy graze. It was like a whole other country! Apparently people in higher tax brackets eat all sorts of different stuff from us. I saw these bags of mini papadams in the chip aisle and some sort of gourmet frozen cookie dough that intrigued me. (Mmmmm...dough...) They had yogurt I'd never seen and quite the array of over-priced chocolate bars. Foreign food in my own backyard. Who knew?
My "can" for this post? That is a good question. Let me have some dessert and think about it.
Anyway, I didn't want to just go to Horny Tim's and buy a couple of brownies and zap them in the microwave, because then I wouldn't get to partake in my favourite part of the brownie process: the batter. Sure, I will enjoy the finished product, particularly when covered in fro yo with a drizzle of chocolate sauce. But I live for the part when I've scraped about 92% of the batter into the pan and am left with the last 8% to enjoy. Batter and dough. So good.
Now, there are three grocery stores within walking distance of our apartment. The furthest is a regular-sized location of a big chain store, the mid-range one is a convenience-sized location of a big chain and the closest one is a fancy rich person store. I knew I could get my favourite brownie mix at the furthest store, but not at the mid-range store. Instead I opted for the fancy rich person store, because it's really close. That's the number one consideration when making such a pilgrimage.
Even though we've lived here for almost two years, this was probably only the fourth time I've been in the store, because I mentally plotzed over the inflated prices the first time I ever went in. It's truly ridiculous. For example, a box of cereal that is $5.49 in the other nearby stores is $7.99!!
But tonight I took the time to poke around this strange land where the wealthy graze. It was like a whole other country! Apparently people in higher tax brackets eat all sorts of different stuff from us. I saw these bags of mini papadams in the chip aisle and some sort of gourmet frozen cookie dough that intrigued me. (Mmmmm...dough...) They had yogurt I'd never seen and quite the array of over-priced chocolate bars. Foreign food in my own backyard. Who knew?
My "can" for this post? That is a good question. Let me have some dessert and think about it.
Monday, March 23, 2009
I'm going to start hanging out with Popeye
As I've documented, I love having a trainer. Our sessions are quickly coming to an end and I will miss her. A lot. I am SO much stronger now. This was hammered home to me last night.
You see, there's one exercise that she's been trying to get me to do from the beginning. Here's a visual representation:
It's basically a reverse push-up. You have to pull yourself up.
Well, every time we'd try to do this I would explain to her that I could not do it. I would hang under the smith machine while she implored me to lift myself and I would say, "I'm lifting!" But nothing was moving. We've done this probably 4 times, so it was becoming kind of amusing.
But last night she wanted to try again, so I went along just to appease her. AND I DID THREE OF THEM! Three.
And my muscles looked freaking awesome while I did it!
Nice.
You see, there's one exercise that she's been trying to get me to do from the beginning. Here's a visual representation:
It's basically a reverse push-up. You have to pull yourself up.
Well, every time we'd try to do this I would explain to her that I could not do it. I would hang under the smith machine while she implored me to lift myself and I would say, "I'm lifting!" But nothing was moving. We've done this probably 4 times, so it was becoming kind of amusing.
But last night she wanted to try again, so I went along just to appease her. AND I DID THREE OF THEM! Three.
And my muscles looked freaking awesome while I did it!
Nice.
Friday, March 20, 2009
A little wet behind the ears-ish
My first CAN came about in an unexpected way last night. Let me regale you with the tale...
In a rare moment of clarity during my subway ride home after work, I suddenly realized that my keys were still on my desk at the office. Luckily the subway was just pulling in to Bloor Station, which happens to be near the DP's place of employment, so I hopped off and gave him a call. But rather than just pick up his keys and hurry on home to clean the bathroom, which really needed to be done as we were expecting a house guest later in the evening, I asked if he wanted to have dinner downtown. Lucky for me, he accepted! (Unexpected dinner dates with your DP are always a good thing.)
I chose the new Jack Astors location, right at Yonge and Bloor. I know, I know! Why choose a chain restaurant when there are so many great independents around? Truth be told - I quite enjoy a restaurant with brown paper on the tables and your own stash of crayons for doodling. Maybe it's leftover nostalgia for my years of touring with kids shows and stopping at every chain restaurant across the provinces of Ontario, B.C. and Alberta.
So there we are in our cozy little booth, surrounded by framed Far Side cartoons, enjoying our garlic pan bread, watching America's Funniest Home Videos on one of the many televisions (that show is totally one of our guilty pleasures) and waiting for our main course to arrive when...
(Can you hardly stand the suspense!?)
... a precariously balanced drink menu fell against my pint glass of ice water (thankfully missing my wine), causing a Niagara Falls like cascade of frigid H2O onto my lap. And all over the floor. In front of a whole bunch of people.
What did I do? you ask.
I laughed my ass off!
Sure, it was slightly embarrassing and thoroughly uncomfortable. And, well, wet. But so not a big deal. Definitely not something to get upset over in any way, shape or form. The staff sprung to action and replaced our soaked paper tablecloth (I'd ruined the art work that I'd started!), gave me a stack of napkins to sit on, to hopefully mop up the moisture in my lap, and cleaned up the mess on the floor. And then we went on with our dinner, which was delicious. Except that the only chocolate dessert item on the menu is $3 more than any of the other dessert items, which is both clever and totally evil on their part.
So I CAN laugh at myself, even when I make a fool of myself in public.
That's an important one!
This is my favourite Far Side cartoon. Thanks Gary Larson!
In a rare moment of clarity during my subway ride home after work, I suddenly realized that my keys were still on my desk at the office. Luckily the subway was just pulling in to Bloor Station, which happens to be near the DP's place of employment, so I hopped off and gave him a call. But rather than just pick up his keys and hurry on home to clean the bathroom, which really needed to be done as we were expecting a house guest later in the evening, I asked if he wanted to have dinner downtown. Lucky for me, he accepted! (Unexpected dinner dates with your DP are always a good thing.)
I chose the new Jack Astors location, right at Yonge and Bloor. I know, I know! Why choose a chain restaurant when there are so many great independents around? Truth be told - I quite enjoy a restaurant with brown paper on the tables and your own stash of crayons for doodling. Maybe it's leftover nostalgia for my years of touring with kids shows and stopping at every chain restaurant across the provinces of Ontario, B.C. and Alberta.
So there we are in our cozy little booth, surrounded by framed Far Side cartoons, enjoying our garlic pan bread, watching America's Funniest Home Videos on one of the many televisions (that show is totally one of our guilty pleasures) and waiting for our main course to arrive when...
(Can you hardly stand the suspense!?)
... a precariously balanced drink menu fell against my pint glass of ice water (thankfully missing my wine), causing a Niagara Falls like cascade of frigid H2O onto my lap. And all over the floor. In front of a whole bunch of people.
What did I do? you ask.
I laughed my ass off!
Sure, it was slightly embarrassing and thoroughly uncomfortable. And, well, wet. But so not a big deal. Definitely not something to get upset over in any way, shape or form. The staff sprung to action and replaced our soaked paper tablecloth (I'd ruined the art work that I'd started!), gave me a stack of napkins to sit on, to hopefully mop up the moisture in my lap, and cleaned up the mess on the floor. And then we went on with our dinner, which was delicious. Except that the only chocolate dessert item on the menu is $3 more than any of the other dessert items, which is both clever and totally evil on their part.
So I CAN laugh at myself, even when I make a fool of myself in public.
That's an important one!
This is my favourite Far Side cartoon. Thanks Gary Larson!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Tammy's blog 2.0
Several years ago, as I was transitioning out of the "age of disillusionment" that was my 20s and crashing into true adulthood with a new career and new frontiers to conquer, I noticed a really alarming trend around me.
People were using the phrase, "I can't" a lot.
It seemed counter-productive to me. As we grow older and (hopefully) gather more wisdom and experience along the way, shouldn't the list of things we CAN do get longer and longer?
Sure, there are certain undeniable facts that get in the way of this idea. It's true that I can't be an Olympic gymnast, given my age and the fact that I could never do anything backwards. But I could still be an Olympian, if that was one of my desires. And yes, any hopes I had of being a child prodigy are pretty much shot considering the white hair is coming in faster than I can say "Natural Instincts, Dark Brown." Plus, since I'm not down with bone-lengthening surgeries, I will never be two inches taller.
But here's the thing: I'd rather focus on what I CAN do. I want to add to that list. In big ways, small ways, important ways and frivolous ways. Because now that I've added "Pay off $12,000 in student loans in less than a year" to my CAN list, I'm ready to tackle some more things.
And, if you'd like, you can come along for the ride. Better yet, you can share the ride with me by leaving me comments and filling me in on your own triumphs over the word "can't." If you're so inclined, let me know and you can write a guest post about things you've recently discovered you CAN do.
So, a new adventure. Here we go...
People were using the phrase, "I can't" a lot.
It seemed counter-productive to me. As we grow older and (hopefully) gather more wisdom and experience along the way, shouldn't the list of things we CAN do get longer and longer?
Sure, there are certain undeniable facts that get in the way of this idea. It's true that I can't be an Olympic gymnast, given my age and the fact that I could never do anything backwards. But I could still be an Olympian, if that was one of my desires. And yes, any hopes I had of being a child prodigy are pretty much shot considering the white hair is coming in faster than I can say "Natural Instincts, Dark Brown." Plus, since I'm not down with bone-lengthening surgeries, I will never be two inches taller.
But here's the thing: I'd rather focus on what I CAN do. I want to add to that list. In big ways, small ways, important ways and frivolous ways. Because now that I've added "Pay off $12,000 in student loans in less than a year" to my CAN list, I'm ready to tackle some more things.
And, if you'd like, you can come along for the ride. Better yet, you can share the ride with me by leaving me comments and filling me in on your own triumphs over the word "can't." If you're so inclined, let me know and you can write a guest post about things you've recently discovered you CAN do.
So, a new adventure. Here we go...
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Here I am...
Okay, clearly I haven't been blogging much. There's a reason for that: I think Freedom 33.5 has run its course.
Wait now! I'm not logging off the blogging world forever! I'm just thinking about changing the focus of the blog... I have something in mind, but I'm not quite ready to unveil it just yet.
Stay tuned! And stick to your budgets, even though I won't be sharing mine with you any longer.
Wait now! I'm not logging off the blogging world forever! I'm just thinking about changing the focus of the blog... I have something in mind, but I'm not quite ready to unveil it just yet.
Stay tuned! And stick to your budgets, even though I won't be sharing mine with you any longer.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Books + Booze = Fun!
I met with my new book club tonight and we had a great time! None of us really loved the book. Well, one person loved the book when she read it years ago, but didn't appreciate it quite as much this time around. I was telling them how the only regret I have about going to college (twice) rather than university was that I didn't get to sit in huge lecture halls with hundreds of other people discussing literature. They all made me feel better by saying that just a few of us in a pub with alcohol on hand is far more fun. I'll have to take their word for it.
I got to pick the next book, so I chose this one. I bought it before our trip out west, but never got around to reading it. I hope they enjoy it! Has anyone read it?
Okay, weekly wrap-up.
Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1900
(I really need to DO my taxes, so I know if I have enough or too much... Hopefully too much!!)
Spent yesterday: $1.05
Spent today: $22
Weekly total: $109.93 (Plus some credit card action. Yikes!)
I got to pick the next book, so I chose this one. I bought it before our trip out west, but never got around to reading it. I hope they enjoy it! Has anyone read it?
Okay, weekly wrap-up.
Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1900
(I really need to DO my taxes, so I know if I have enough or too much... Hopefully too much!!)
Spent yesterday: $1.05
Spent today: $22
Weekly total: $109.93 (Plus some credit card action. Yikes!)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Is there an hourly rate?
It may surprise those of you who know me well that I've never belonged to a book club. Until now, that is. In the past I've rebelled against reading books chosen by others when there are so many books that I want to read. But I recently had an invite and I decided it was high time to read good books and discuss them. Perhaps I will actually remember books this way. (Generally I can just tell you if I liked them or didn't like them. Otherwise I can remember nothing. That's why I reread so much!)
The first selection for the club is Love in the Time of Cholera, which I've often thought I should read. I felt that way long before Oprah told everyone to read it, by the way. I tried to read A Hundred Years of Solitude many years ago, to impress a very literate boy with blue eyes that were so sparkly they looked like sunshine on water. Alas, so many of the characters in the book had the same names that I couldn't keep anyone straight. And the blue-eyed boy ceased to matter in the world of me, so I abandoned ship.
I'm doing much better with this Marquez. The first 50 pages nearly did me in. It was soooo dense and not actually interesting, but then it took a sharp turn towards entertaining and now I only have 40-ish pages to go. Which is how I found myself loitering in the lobby of the fancy King Eddy hotel today. You see, I wanted to get some more reading in during lunch, because our first book club meeting is Thursday evening, but I didn't think an uncomfortable seat in the noisy underground mall was going to be conducive to comprehension. One of my colleagues had long ago suggested that hotel lobbies are a good place to hang out.
Turns out, she was right! I just sauntered on in with my coffee in hand (I had to resort to coffee today, because daylight savings is causing severe fatigue.), plopped myself down on a cushy couch, pulled out my book and lost myself in the love story.
Okay, not exactly true. I tried to lose myself in the love story, but I was actually worried the whole time that someone was going to come over and accuse me of being there under false pretenses. Why am I such a guilty person!? I must have been Catholic in another life. I did manage to hang out and read for about a half hour, but then my guilt got the better of me and I went to Winners. Where I charged some sheets.
Does anyone else hang out in hotel lobbies?
Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1900
Spent today: $2.43 (there was a cookie with that coffee)
The first selection for the club is Love in the Time of Cholera, which I've often thought I should read. I felt that way long before Oprah told everyone to read it, by the way. I tried to read A Hundred Years of Solitude many years ago, to impress a very literate boy with blue eyes that were so sparkly they looked like sunshine on water. Alas, so many of the characters in the book had the same names that I couldn't keep anyone straight. And the blue-eyed boy ceased to matter in the world of me, so I abandoned ship.
I'm doing much better with this Marquez. The first 50 pages nearly did me in. It was soooo dense and not actually interesting, but then it took a sharp turn towards entertaining and now I only have 40-ish pages to go. Which is how I found myself loitering in the lobby of the fancy King Eddy hotel today. You see, I wanted to get some more reading in during lunch, because our first book club meeting is Thursday evening, but I didn't think an uncomfortable seat in the noisy underground mall was going to be conducive to comprehension. One of my colleagues had long ago suggested that hotel lobbies are a good place to hang out.
Turns out, she was right! I just sauntered on in with my coffee in hand (I had to resort to coffee today, because daylight savings is causing severe fatigue.), plopped myself down on a cushy couch, pulled out my book and lost myself in the love story.
Okay, not exactly true. I tried to lose myself in the love story, but I was actually worried the whole time that someone was going to come over and accuse me of being there under false pretenses. Why am I such a guilty person!? I must have been Catholic in another life. I did manage to hang out and read for about a half hour, but then my guilt got the better of me and I went to Winners. Where I charged some sheets.
Does anyone else hang out in hotel lobbies?
Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1900
Spent today: $2.43 (there was a cookie with that coffee)
Monday, March 9, 2009
Lovely glossy mags - twice as nice
So, I have lots of magazine subscriptions. Lots. Enough that our mail carrier may have a hate on for me and the stack on my bedside table never seems to get any lower. Sometimes I worry that one won't come and I won't even notice, which is pretty bad. But the opposite has happened.
Suddenly I'm getting two of some of them!
Twice in the past week I've arrived home to get the mail (I heart mail!) and had a flutter of excitement to see a small pile of magazines, only to find that they're duplicates. How disappointing!
But another thing that happens when you have copious magazine subscriptions is that you're constantly getting renewal notices. So perhaps it's possible that I renewed one too many times?
Must keep a closer eye on these things.
By the way, I can claim all those magazines on my taxes. It's one of the perks of freelancing! If only I could find a way to claim spa visits...
Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1900
Spent today: $0 cash, but I did charge a little trip to Shoppers...
Suddenly I'm getting two of some of them!
Twice in the past week I've arrived home to get the mail (I heart mail!) and had a flutter of excitement to see a small pile of magazines, only to find that they're duplicates. How disappointing!
But another thing that happens when you have copious magazine subscriptions is that you're constantly getting renewal notices. So perhaps it's possible that I renewed one too many times?
Must keep a closer eye on these things.
By the way, I can claim all those magazines on my taxes. It's one of the perks of freelancing! If only I could find a way to claim spa visits...
Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1900
Spent today: $0 cash, but I did charge a little trip to Shoppers...
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Start spreading the news...
Guess what today is? It's the ".5" in "33.5." That's right, it's my half-birthday! I really wish I could celebrate by eating a large piece of cake. Or even half of a large piece of cake. But I did so much indulging last week that I have to put some serious reins on my intake of treats this week. Which is why I probably shouldn't go and check out the new location of my favourite cafe, even though it's but a hop, skip and a jump away from home. And I have a gift certificate for it...
Anyway, enough dreaming of pastries. I have better news to share.
After putting it off for a year, the DP and I have booked a trip to NYC for the end of April!
I hear they have good bakeries in New York...
We got a great deal on the flight (I even found a discount code online for an extra 15% off!) and I booked a 4-star hotel for less than the I paid for the super crappy hotel I stayed in last time. And while the hotel was still pricey, we get a complimentary upgrade based on availability. All in all, I'm extremely happy.
We're going ridiculously early on a Friday morning and then coming back Monday evening. Even though it's still something like 45 days away, I've already started making plans. This will be the first time we've been to the Big Apple together!
The DP has only gone to NYC for work, so he's never been to Central Park.
I want to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
He's never been to the Metropolitan Museum and I want to go to the MoMa. We're also going to do the Empire State Building, since he's never gone up and I've only been up at night. And we'll do a little cruise to get a good look at lady liberty.
The hardest thing to decide on, thus far, is what show to see. I mean, normally I plan all other New York events around the shows I will see. And I usually try to squeeze in as many as possible. But the DP isn't exactly a fan of the musical theatre genre. However, I maintain that he should see at least one show on Broadway in his lifetime and he agrees.
But which show?
I feel it should be something classic. A true representation of the genre. But the pickings are kind of slim this year. There are LOTS of shows based on movies, including Shrek, Billy Elliot, The Little Mermaid, 9 to 5 and Mary Poppins. On my own, I would perhaps see some of them, but they're not quite right for him. There are a couple of revivals currently, but I"m not a South Pacific fan and Guys and Dolls didn't get great reviews. I'm leaning towards West Side Story, which is opening soon. I'd love to see it! Now I have to convince the DP...
So that's the news. We're going to wake up in the city that never sleeps. Soon.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to make the DP sing half of the birthday song to me.
Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1900
Spent Friday: $1.45
Spent Saturday: $83
Anyway, enough dreaming of pastries. I have better news to share.
After putting it off for a year, the DP and I have booked a trip to NYC for the end of April!
I hear they have good bakeries in New York...
We got a great deal on the flight (I even found a discount code online for an extra 15% off!) and I booked a 4-star hotel for less than the I paid for the super crappy hotel I stayed in last time. And while the hotel was still pricey, we get a complimentary upgrade based on availability. All in all, I'm extremely happy.
We're going ridiculously early on a Friday morning and then coming back Monday evening. Even though it's still something like 45 days away, I've already started making plans. This will be the first time we've been to the Big Apple together!
The DP has only gone to NYC for work, so he's never been to Central Park.
I want to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
He's never been to the Metropolitan Museum and I want to go to the MoMa. We're also going to do the Empire State Building, since he's never gone up and I've only been up at night. And we'll do a little cruise to get a good look at lady liberty.
The hardest thing to decide on, thus far, is what show to see. I mean, normally I plan all other New York events around the shows I will see. And I usually try to squeeze in as many as possible. But the DP isn't exactly a fan of the musical theatre genre. However, I maintain that he should see at least one show on Broadway in his lifetime and he agrees.
But which show?
I feel it should be something classic. A true representation of the genre. But the pickings are kind of slim this year. There are LOTS of shows based on movies, including Shrek, Billy Elliot, The Little Mermaid, 9 to 5 and Mary Poppins. On my own, I would perhaps see some of them, but they're not quite right for him. There are a couple of revivals currently, but I"m not a South Pacific fan and Guys and Dolls didn't get great reviews. I'm leaning towards West Side Story, which is opening soon. I'd love to see it! Now I have to convince the DP...
So that's the news. We're going to wake up in the city that never sleeps. Soon.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to make the DP sing half of the birthday song to me.
Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1900
Spent Friday: $1.45
Spent Saturday: $83
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Lights, camera, edit!
It was a particularly insane day at work, because they rented out our main conference room and beautiful atrium for a film shoot. So when we all arrived there were a zillion extra people, oodles of equipment and cables running every which way. My desk is right beside the atrium, so I also got to see a little off-stage action and hear all the director's...well... directions. Oh, and the writer was set up in the kitchen tweaking the script, which was kind of amusing.
I was immediately brought back to my days on set in the late 90s and early 2000s. One might even think that it caused me to feel some nostalgia for that time.
Truth is, I was reminded how much I DON'T miss it!
Oh sure, it was sort of exciting to have it happening around me. Especially because my actual work today involved dealing with some really un-fun stuff. But in the end I was sort of ridiculously happy to have my own little desk rather than be one of the extras hanging out, bored, by reception. I used to feel like my soul was dying on set. I know that sounds dramatic, but sitting around doing nothing for hours upon hours upon hours... it's just not for me. I need to be active and productive, which isn't possible in those situations.
Plus, everything smells like the bottom of an ashtray on sets. I guess the whole crew smokes to pass the time, so all their clothes and equipment are constantly bathed in the stench. Gross.
It was a good day for the universe to remind me that I chose the right path. Because the un-fun part of the job I love really got to me. However, I'm now reminding myself that it's all a tiny speck in the grand scheme of the world and I shall let all the worry melt away. Actually, I'm heading to the gym where my trainer will make me forget by trying to kill me.
Should be fun!
I was immediately brought back to my days on set in the late 90s and early 2000s. One might even think that it caused me to feel some nostalgia for that time.
Truth is, I was reminded how much I DON'T miss it!
Oh sure, it was sort of exciting to have it happening around me. Especially because my actual work today involved dealing with some really un-fun stuff. But in the end I was sort of ridiculously happy to have my own little desk rather than be one of the extras hanging out, bored, by reception. I used to feel like my soul was dying on set. I know that sounds dramatic, but sitting around doing nothing for hours upon hours upon hours... it's just not for me. I need to be active and productive, which isn't possible in those situations.
Plus, everything smells like the bottom of an ashtray on sets. I guess the whole crew smokes to pass the time, so all their clothes and equipment are constantly bathed in the stench. Gross.
It was a good day for the universe to remind me that I chose the right path. Because the un-fun part of the job I love really got to me. However, I'm now reminding myself that it's all a tiny speck in the grand scheme of the world and I shall let all the worry melt away. Actually, I'm heading to the gym where my trainer will make me forget by trying to kill me.
Should be fun!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The learnin' is free
I may be a little late in embracing this new form of entertainment, but I am all over free podcasts these days. I finally took the time to peruse the podcast section of iTunes and discovered some very fun things. My personal faves: the Flight of the Conchords video podcasts (I love, love, love them! We have tickets to see them live at Massey Hall in April. Can't wait!), Masterworks Broadway (I can listen to Sondheim talking about how he collaborates with people. That's my idea of a good time.) and This American Life (Always fascinating stories.).
These podcasts are helping to distract me from the horror that is the subway of late. The time passes so quickly and I learn something along the way. For example, when they were mounting Sweeney Todd the first time, they actually bought a factory in Vermont, took it apart and transported it to New York to create the set. That's crazy!
And those are just my interests. I know people who have learned to run using podcasts. And I'm often tempted to learn how to meditate with those podcasts.
Do you have any favourite podcasts to share with me?
These podcasts are helping to distract me from the horror that is the subway of late. The time passes so quickly and I learn something along the way. For example, when they were mounting Sweeney Todd the first time, they actually bought a factory in Vermont, took it apart and transported it to New York to create the set. That's crazy!
And those are just my interests. I know people who have learned to run using podcasts. And I'm often tempted to learn how to meditate with those podcasts.
Do you have any favourite podcasts to share with me?
Monday, March 2, 2009
Jello legs
Having a trainer isn't conducive to regular blogging, because I come home completely wrung out. I actually think my trainer is trying to kill me. But I kind of love it. When it's over, which will be way too soon, I won't want to stop. I will want to give them all my money, so I can keep getting my ass kicked twice a week.
Obviously, I won't do that. I will keep my money and go back to kicking my own ass. But I won't like it!
Okay, since I don't have the energy for a more elaborate post, I will steal a link from this blog and share an awesome website of book cover archives that I love.
Enjoy.
Obviously, I won't do that. I will keep my money and go back to kicking my own ass. But I won't like it!
Okay, since I don't have the energy for a more elaborate post, I will steal a link from this blog and share an awesome website of book cover archives that I love.
Enjoy.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
In like a lion
Um, hi there. In case you didn't notice, I totally just stopped blogging for almost an entire week. Long enough that my own dad emailed me to find out if everything is okay. Everything is okay - no worries. I just sort of lost my blogging mojo. Probably because I've been busy spending money.
Yup. I've been on a spending spree of late. Here's a run down of the major purchases:
- A new iron (Almost entirely paid for by a gift card, but while in the store I also purchased...)
- A wok
- A set of sheets (We're down to only one set that fits our bed, so we need a second set. Sadly, the ones I bought, which said Queen/Full on the package, don't fit our bed at all. They do, however, fit the guest futon. Our guests last night said they were very nice sheets. So I still need to buy another set.)
- New running shoes (For my health.)
- Lots of groceries (Party supplies. We had a reunion of my old roommates here last night.)
- Lots of liquor (Also for the party. But we didn't buy enough. We ran out of red wine. Scandal.)
- A very pretty and pretty expensive dress (For the fancy wedding we will be attending in a month. It's red. I love it.)
So, clearly the credit card has been getting a workout. And clearly I am not on track with my budget, at all. And clearly the recession freak out I had last week did not stop me from spending, as I'd hoped, but drove me to spend recklessly lest the money stop rolling in.
Clearly I have a problem with logic.
Anyway, here I am. I will attempt to blog more regularly once again. I will have to wait until Friday to reset my budget, as I've already been spendy this week. And I'm still going to need to buy a set of sheets.
Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1700 (and holding...)
Yup. I've been on a spending spree of late. Here's a run down of the major purchases:
- A new iron (Almost entirely paid for by a gift card, but while in the store I also purchased...)
- A wok
- A set of sheets (We're down to only one set that fits our bed, so we need a second set. Sadly, the ones I bought, which said Queen/Full on the package, don't fit our bed at all. They do, however, fit the guest futon. Our guests last night said they were very nice sheets. So I still need to buy another set.)
- New running shoes (For my health.)
- Lots of groceries (Party supplies. We had a reunion of my old roommates here last night.)
- Lots of liquor (Also for the party. But we didn't buy enough. We ran out of red wine. Scandal.)
- A very pretty and pretty expensive dress (For the fancy wedding we will be attending in a month. It's red. I love it.)
So, clearly the credit card has been getting a workout. And clearly I am not on track with my budget, at all. And clearly the recession freak out I had last week did not stop me from spending, as I'd hoped, but drove me to spend recklessly lest the money stop rolling in.
Clearly I have a problem with logic.
Anyway, here I am. I will attempt to blog more regularly once again. I will have to wait until Friday to reset my budget, as I've already been spendy this week. And I'm still going to need to buy a set of sheets.
Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1700 (and holding...)
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