tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-310322532024-03-13T06:15:47.465-04:00Ranting and RavingIt's self explanatory, don't you think?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-59860253532566499152007-11-05T23:16:00.004-05:002008-06-18T10:13:37.433-04:00I've moved....Here is my forwarding address:<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br /><a href="http://rantingraving.wordpress.com/">http://RantingRaving.wordpress.com/</a><br /></span><br />You can also check out my jewelry designs on Etsy:<br /><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" href="http://blueskydesign.etsy.com/">http://blueskydesign.etsy.com/</a><br />or on my other blog:<br /><a href="http://blueskydesignblog.blogspot.com/">http://BlueSkyDesignBlog.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />And for those of you with a sweet tooth I have a photo blog with images of all of my latest baked goods! You'll find I have a love of cupcakes!<br /><a href="http://letuseatcake.wordpress.com/">http://LetUsEatCake.wordpress.com</a><br /><br />Hope to see you there! <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br /><br /></span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-28038567032506626042007-10-24T13:00:00.000-04:002007-10-24T12:57:24.276-04:00Chocolate & Cinnamon<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>If you worked here you’d be eating chocolate cinnamon cupcakes!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>But you probably don’t work here so you’re out of luck.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>The cupcakes I made this weekend were a success. I used a simple chocolate cupcake recipe by <a href="http://cupcakeblog.com/">Chockylit</a> and added 2 teaspoons of cinnamon after reducing the cocoa by the same amount. It gave the cupcakes a light cinnamon flavour to complement the dark chocolate and the aroma was wonderful.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>The frosting was a basic chocolate ganache (another recipe from <a href="http://cupcakeblog.com/">Chockylit</a>!). I was a little worried at first as it was very runny and there was nothing to indicate how long it would take to thicken. I am not a patient person and it was already late at night so I decided to refrigerate it and deal with it later. The next day it was completely hard which I had expected. After melting it down I left it on the counter to firm up naturally and it worked out perfectly! The 70% dark chocolate made the frosting a great match for the sweeter cupcake.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>As a garnish I mixed up some white sugar and cinnamon. The sugar added that little extra sparkle. I would recommend adding this right before serving. I sprinkled the mix on to the cupcakes the previous night and the combination of a very moist frosting and a water soluble topping such as sugar created a few droplets of syrup.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>My coworkers have been happily munching on cupcakes since breakfast!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-3689859135239102692007-10-24T11:58:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:36:50.705-05:00I have silicone implants!<div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">Okay, I lied… but I do have silicone cupcake wrappers!</span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /><br />I recently located some lovely red silicone cupcake wrappers. They are reusable, oven safe, and look fabulous on the chocolate cinnamon cupcakes I made!<br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rx9t3WfigGI/AAAAAAAAAEM/Bsfr2764vO8/s1600-h/cupcake+cups.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124935698669011042" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rx9t3WfigGI/AAAAAAAAAEM/Bsfr2764vO8/s320/cupcake+cups.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div class="Section1"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br />I also purchased a cupcake caddy. Now I can take 24 yummy cupcakes wherever I go!</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rx9uHGfigHI/AAAAAAAAAEU/V9vI-mGSTHY/s1600-h/cupcake+caddy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124935969251950706" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rx9uHGfigHI/AAAAAAAAAEU/V9vI-mGSTHY/s320/cupcake+caddy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">I’m a busy girl so if you want cupcakes you better invite me to your parties soon!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /></span></span></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-68569440550781363172007-10-21T00:52:00.000-04:002007-10-23T23:14:43.172-04:00Get up. Now. Feed Me.For those of you who have never had a cat:<br />If you insert the words "Get up", "Now", and "Feed Me" into the appropriate places in this video you will understand what it is like to live with a cat.<br /><br />For those of you who have a cat; prepare to laugh.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='427' height='353' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxmKuEEFxUWr5FvQEDdXH1OEgwS5-o_q81LNLOKThW4PEW4-oQfoYkGnt-PUFTDT3zB4GtNtg4MsQs' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />If you know who created this great video please let me know. I would love to give credit where it is due.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-72720087371797319742007-10-12T10:20:00.000-04:002007-10-12T10:51:01.813-04:00The pot of gold that is "In Rainbows"Radiohead released the digital version of their latest album “<a href="http://www.inrainbows.com/">In Rainbows</a>” on October 10th. I’ve been listening to it on repeat ever since.<br /><br />There is always a lot of talk about the music Radiohead has released since the 90’s. The mainstream thought is that the Bends and OK Computer showcase the best of Radiohead. Many people stopped actively listening to Radiohead after OK was released stating that the band started to get “weird” in later albums. I think that if they had actually spent time listening to the music they would have come to realize that the basic musicality of each album is essentially the same. It is all recognizably Radiohead.<br /><br />The band still consists of incredibly talented and creative musicians. Radiohead does not want to keep releasing music that could have been added to one of their old albums. Very simply, their music has matured and they have stretched their boundaries in order to create something that is intrinsically Radiohead but that is also new and unknown. It seems the core of their fan base is very willing to be a part of this creative journey.<br /><br />I look forward to hearing the rest of the music included with my new box set. Until then I will continue to explore sounds of the In Rainbows album.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-38071453181297056972007-10-02T10:20:00.000-04:002007-10-02T10:37:56.958-04:00Today’s Rant: Dove vs. AxeI’m sure many of you have seen the various ads on TV for both Dove and Axe.<br /><br />Dove is attempting to promote self-esteem. <br /><br />Dove has had some success with their ad campaign which encourages us to dispel the media’s image of women and believe in our own beauty. This ad goes so far as to advise us to talk to our children before the media can impact their lives:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JaH4y6ZjSfE"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JaH4y6ZjSfE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />This brings up a good point however we have to keep in mind that they are still selling a product, this is business after all, and they are not just running these ads for our benefit. I have to wonder how much of this ad campaign is attempting to make us feel better about ourselves and how much of it is just clever advertisers who have finally realized that women are more likely to purchase a product whose ads don’t make them feel like shit?<br /><br />At the opposite end of the spectrum we have <a href="http://www.axe.ca/">Axe</a>.<br /><br />Axe is using sex to promote their product. Gee, how original. Wearing this spray will help guys get chicks. As expected skinny, young women in skimpy outfits will be unable to resist you if you use Axe. In fact these chicks will even use violence to have their way with you. Have you seen their website? Talk about objectifying women, the icons are images of the curves on a woman’s body. Their logo? “Axe turns nice girls naughty.”<br /><br />The blatant sexism and degradation of women in this ad campaign makes me nauseous. They lower us to the ranks of animals who are responding only to pheromones. The women they use are portrayed as brainless sex objects with no self respect who are only there to fulfill the desire of men. <br /><br />Now for the plot twist… both <a href="http://www.unilever.ca/ourbrands/personalcare/Axe.asp">Axe</a> and <a href="http://www.unilever.ca/ourbrands/personalcare/dove.asp">Dove</a> are owned by the same company, <a href="http://www.unilever.ca/resources/contactus.asp">Unilever</a>. <br /><br />Their corporate statement indicates that they strive for "the highest standards of corporate behaviour towards everyone we work with, the communities we touch, and the environment on which we have an impact." I’m not sure how they feel they can achieve this with such contradictory ad campaigns, one of which could be very damaging the daughters of my generation.<br /><br />I think women need to become more aware of the crap we are being fed by the media. Men and women need to get angry! If we don’t want our children to be affected by these ads we need to make a stand! Let these companies know we’re paying attention and we’re not going to buy their products if they continue to treat us as idiots. <br /><br />Don't let this kind of corporate bullshit continue.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-33175020070926786272007-10-01T22:31:00.001-04:002008-12-10T12:36:51.105-05:00in rainbows<div style="text-align: center;">I'm going somewhere over the rainbow to get the new Radiohead album.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Radiohead announced today that their newest album "in rainbows" will be available for download <a href="http://www.inrainbows.com/">here</a> on October 10th, 2007.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.inrainbows.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/RwGvwGfigCI/AAAAAAAAADA/mHil09tMYIg/s320/APicture08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116563892581072930" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I'm so excited about this album that I just don't know what to say but I think the graphic from their site accurately portrays my reaction to the announcement!<br /></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-70597914435780987232007-09-26T23:47:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:36:51.252-05:00hello Lou, we missed youMeet <a href="http://www.lourhodes.com/">Lou Rhodes</a>... former member of the band Lamb. <br />She has a wonderful, soulful, sometimes haunting voice.<br /><br />Her music speaks for itself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.lourhodes.com/"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/RvsoKmfigAI/AAAAAAAAACw/jSrgl68XURo/s320/lou+rhodes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114725964405964802" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-24273036583625385202007-09-10T13:54:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:36:51.515-05:00Good food to grow up on.<div>Two words: Mango Salad.<br /><br />I love food. When I find a good restaurant I become addicted. I think about their food constantly. My current restaurant addiction is Khao Thai. Their green mango salad is simply to die for!<br /><br />If you’re in Ottawa you definitely need to head to the Market and check this place out.</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.khaothai.ca/welcome.html">Khao Thai</a></div><div>103 Murray Street<br />(613) 241-7276</div><div> </div><a href="http://www.khaothai.ca/welcome.html"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108636182033360546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/RuWFinTOZqI/AAAAAAAAACo/3YbeJ6ApVFg/s320/mangosalad.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><span style="font-size:78%;">Green Mango Salad. Yum!</span><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-38251779059380267902007-09-01T19:23:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:36:51.656-05:00The Bestest Cupcakes EverThe cupcakes I made this week were fantastic! Light and fluffy and moist. I must give credit to <a href="http://cupcakeblog.com/index.php/category/techniques/simple_recipe/">Cupcake Bakeshop by Chockylit</a> which is where I originally found this wonderful recipe. If you are ever in need of a unique and delicious cupcake recipe you should definitely check there first!<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">The cupcakes were for my friend Ellen's baby shower. Her favourite colours are orange, green and yellow so the icing was pale yellow and I used orange and green sprinkles. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Here is a photo of the yummy vanilla cupcakes with buttercream icing. </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rtn2V3TOZoI/AAAAAAAAACY/bL3UJmcimfU/s1600-h/DSCF3731.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105382508083439234" style="WIDTH: 473px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 360px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rtn2V3TOZoI/AAAAAAAAACY/bL3UJmcimfU/s320/DSCF3731.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:78%;">~Click photo to enlarge~</span></em> </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-87719945999576300142007-08-23T22:40:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:36:52.285-05:00Hand over the Cupcake and noone gets hurt!I have a beautiful new iMac and I'm spending most of my time playing Lego Star Wars and searching for pretty cupcakes. Some might think I'm nuts. They would likely be right.<br /><br />I'm currently testing out cupcakes so that I can find a yummy recipe for a friend's baby shower. I made a batch last night and unfortunately the cupcake and frosting recipes were both total duds. I know my coworkers will gobble these suckers down but I was disappointed in the overall "cupcakiness" of them. Yes. Cupcakiness. Got a problem with that? No cupcakes for you.<br /><br />I've located another recipe from <a href="http://cupcakeblog.com/">Cupcake Bakeshop by Chockylit</a> which I plan to test this weekend. You wouldn't believe the number of cupcake blogs and websites out there! This little treat seems to have an almost cult following. I can't really blame people though... check these beauties out:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rs5IF3TOZlI/AAAAAAAAACA/fTIpd6tbEn0/s1600-h/cupcake+pink+ribbon.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rs5IF3TOZlI/AAAAAAAAACA/fTIpd6tbEn0/s320/cupcake+pink+ribbon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102094693438482002" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rs5I2XTOZnI/AAAAAAAAACQ/E0NkdDdFmIc/s1600-h/yellow+swirl+w+sprinkles.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rs5I2XTOZnI/AAAAAAAAACQ/E0NkdDdFmIc/s320/yellow+swirl+w+sprinkles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102095526662137458" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rs5IpHTOZmI/AAAAAAAAACI/PjosiyCMIhI/s1600-h/choccupcakes.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rs5IpHTOZmI/AAAAAAAAACI/PjosiyCMIhI/s320/choccupcakes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102095299028870754" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-80321493914377661662007-08-18T16:12:00.000-04:002007-08-18T16:23:41.641-04:00Mac, tell me a joke.My new iMac is fantastic. I have spent so much time in my home office this week that I may need to invest in a mini fridge and a hot plate so I don't skip any more meals.<br /><br />When I'm not killing droids in the Star Wars Lego game the speech recognition software is a great feature to play with. I can open and close programs, start my screen saver, switch between applications, etc. I currently have it set up that I simply say the word "Mac" before each command. It defaults to the word "Computer" but it made me feel a little too much like the captain of a starship.<br /><br />The iMac can tell jokes. <br />Me: "Mac, tell me a joke."<br />iMac: "Knock, knock."<br />Me: "Whose there?"<br />iMac: "Tuna."<br />Me: "Tuna who?"<br />iMac: "Tuna the piano so it sounds better."<br /><br />I did not say it could tell funny jokes.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-87935313418183127072007-08-14T21:12:00.000-04:002007-08-14T21:22:13.993-04:00Mac Sweet MacMy iMac has arrived!!!!!<br /><br />I ordered my iMac one week ago and it arrived today. I couldn't wait to get home from work and crack open the box!<br /><br />The new iMac looks lovely in the office that had I recently redecorated in anticipation of a new computer purchase.<br /><br />There will be a learning curve since I've been a PC user for many years but I managed to hook it up and get attached to my internet connection in just a few minutes.<br /><br />This is the perfect distraction... much better than studying for my exam this Thursday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-76182361270505624062007-08-08T16:56:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:36:53.283-05:00I am the newest addition to MacGeekdom.I did it! I bought the shiny new iMac!<br /><br />I have been wanting an iMac for quite a while now. The drool inducing obsession began when I saw my friend Jeff's new iMac a couple of years ago. When I finally decided it was my turn to abandon my PC-user-ways I felt it would be best to wait until the rumoured hardware release. Am I ever happy that I waited! The new iMac has been updated from their usual white plastic. It is a sleek, thin and lovely aluminum and glass fabrication.<br /><br />I ordered my iMac online so I won't have it right away. It takes 3-5 days to process the order, customize my iMac and get it shipped. Then up to 8 more days before arriving at my door. Yes, I'm cheap... a $1500 machine and I cheaped out on the $40 to get it here sooner.<br /><br />So for the fun of it I've decided to share the status of my iMac order with all my readers (I think we're up to 3 of you now!). I will add updates each time I obsessively check the Apple website. Doesn't that sound exciting??<br /><br />iMac Order Status:<br />8/7/07 - 8pm - Order Placed.<br />8/8/07 - 5pm - Not shipped yet.<br />8/9/07 - 8am - Not shipped yet.<br />8/9/07 - 12pm - Prepared for Shipment! (WAHOO!)<br />8/10/07 - 9:02am - Shipped from Shanghai, China<br />8/10/07 - 1:34pm - Arrived in Anchorage, Alaska<br />8/11/07 - 12:32am - Arrived in Memphis, Tennesee<br />8/11/07 - 5:03am - Left Memphis, Tennesee<br />8/12/07 - all day - Obsessively checking the tracking info... still no news.<br />8/13/07 - all day - Why won't they update the freaking site??<br /><br />More status updates to come!!<br /><br />My iMac specs: 20" monitor, 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 320GB Hard drive, with the 256MB ATI video card. I only upgraded the RAM... the hard drive I have now is only 80GB so 4x the space will be perfect... for now.<br /><br />Here are some lovely images of my new toy:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rrox72TYUvI/AAAAAAAAABY/tnKA4Yo95Ow/s1600-h/iMac+front.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096440832581980914" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rrox72TYUvI/AAAAAAAAABY/tnKA4Yo95Ow/s320/iMac+front.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/RroyNmTYUwI/AAAAAAAAABg/e2yWTPv_UIo/s1600-h/iMac+side.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096441137524658946" style="WIDTH: 238px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 264px" height="278" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/RroyNmTYUwI/AAAAAAAAABg/e2yWTPv_UIo/s320/iMac+side.JPG" width="230" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-19252947759450922452007-08-02T23:25:00.000-04:002007-08-02T23:30:32.250-04:00Yes, you are.This is a fantastic essay. I originally found it through the <a href="http://www.shamelessmag.com/">Shameless Magazine</a> website. Check out the link for it <a href="http://tomatonation.com/?p=677">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-1934826009709266062007-08-02T22:12:00.000-04:002007-08-04T00:46:12.622-04:00Beyond ranting...Horrid news. We lost the baby.<br />I was planning on deleting my previous two pregnancy related posts but have decided to leave them up here. I can't erase the fact that I was pregnant and I don't want to erase the evidence.<br /><br />Over the last few weeks I had been writing a blog entry that was very raw and emotional. I had a large amount of anger to release and I felt that unleashing this rage upon the people in my life was not necessarily the best thing to do (those who know me can thank me with an alcoholic beverage of your choice). I chose instead to victimize my computer keyboard. I pounded out a lot of rage and so far the salty tears have not affected my computer.<br /><br />I find writing to be a great outlet and even slightly therapeutic so I thought maybe posting my thoughts up here would be an opportunity to release the rage. I have since had second thoughts. After rereading my potential post I decided that if I choose to allow this bit of writing to be examined it might serve me better in the hands of a therapist rather than floating around on the internet.<br /><br />Thankfully the healing process is under way and the overwhelming emotions have begun to dissipate.<br /><br />My husband, friends, and family have surrounded me through every heart wrenching step of this physical and mental horror. Without these incredible people I would be lost. I love them all.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-34055963168105514642007-07-06T16:59:00.000-04:002007-07-06T17:04:20.923-04:00Has Anyone Seen My Feet?This post is to honour some of the wonderful t-shirt slogans pregnant women can plaster across their baby bumps:<br /><br />"This is what happens when you party naked."<br />"All Hail the Baby maker!"<br />"Birth Control is for Wimps"<br />"The mailman did it."<br />"Future MILF"<br />"Has anyone seen my feet?"<br />"Get lost. Can't you see I'm trying to shoplift this basket ball?!"<br />"Watermelon Smuggler"<br />"I may be huge but at least I don't say stupid things to pregnant women."<br />"It's a pillow."<br />"Ever been slapped by a Pregnant chick? Touch my belly and live the experience!"<br />"Supersize my epidural"<br /><br />... and finally, the shirt I might even wear at the delivery:<br />"It ain't over 'til the fat lady screams."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-45666321517319473252007-07-06T16:43:00.000-04:002007-07-06T16:52:45.024-04:00The Mailman Did ItWe're having a baby! Yes, it was planned. Yes, we've talked about names. No, I'm not going to tell you what they are.<br /><br />I'm at the stage of pregnancy where I've gotten a tiny bit more of a belly. Not very noticeable yet, especially since it is mostly hidden by flab. I'm not very good at keeping information about myself secret so I told everyone about the pending baby almost immediately. So if you're reading this now and you weren't aware I was pregnant you didn't make the list of the top 5000 people I've already blabbed the news to. Get over it. You weren't the only one.<br /><br />In Ontario a woman can choose her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">healthcare</span> provider; midwife or obstetrician. I was lucky enough to find a wonderful team of midwives. I know you're picturing granola-crunching, patchwork wearing, hairy armpit women but it's not like that. Really. Of course the practice calls themselves the Collective and my sweet husband giggles at the name and mumbles about cults and covens. We are both happy with our decision to go with a midwife rather than an obstetrician. I've never had a lot of luck with doctors and although I know there are a lot of wonderful doctors out there I have yet to meet one.<br /><br />In fact just this week I stopped by at a clinic with some minor symptoms. All the books I'd read had said these symptoms are normal, all the women I talked to with children said these symptoms are normal… I still wanted to be sure and since we didn't officially have a midwife yet I thought, "Hey, there is a walk-in-clinic around here, I'll just stop in to make sure all is okay." Big F-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ing</span> mistake.<br /><br />After waiting for an hour surrounded by sniffling sickly people and wondering if I was really in the best environment for a pregnant woman I finally got to see the almighty doctor. This guy listened to my symptoms and then without further ado told me to go home and stay off my feet or I might miscarry. No physical exam, no follow up questions, just a final terrifying recommendation. So what did my pregnant brain hear? "Go home and sit on your ass because you are killing your baby just by being here."<br /><br />So I left… in hysterics. I called my hubby and he said he'd meet me at home. I called my boss and he somehow managed to ascertain that I was going home… between sobs of course. Poor man. My husband met me at home with a big hug and all the phone numbers I could possibly need to get more answers. Long story short the midwife I spoke with calmed me down, told me that I was normal and that sitting around my house all day wasn't going to make a bit of difference.<br /><br />So in my life:<br /> Doctor = End of the World style hysterics<br /> Midwife = Calm<br /><br />And to think… there is another 27.5 weeks of this stuff to write about. Good thing nobody reads this blog!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-16407357291422342222007-04-09T11:25:00.000-04:002008-12-10T12:36:53.508-05:00Tea Time with RadioheadMe: "Would you care for a cup of tea?"<br /><br />Thom: "Certainly, it is tea time after all, right Johnny?"<br /><br />Johnny: "Tea would hit the spot."<br /><br />(I took this photo... I really did... don't you believe me???)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051450210127644530" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/RhpbM887B3I/AAAAAAAAAA4/PQ-noBM6wF8/s320/tea+with+thom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Taking a break while working on LP7.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-79162816442302489442007-03-23T18:59:00.000-04:002007-03-23T19:17:16.249-04:00"My Face Hurts" and other complaints...<span style="font-size:78%;">(Readers Discretion is Advised. This story is not for those who are going to the dentist in the near future.)</span><br /><br />My face was numb, the left half. From the tip of my nose to the little piece of cartilage by my ear I couldn't feel a thing. Something is very wrong when you can touch the tip of your nose and only feel half of the pressure being applied by your finger. <br /><br />I spent 2 hours in a very uncomfortable chair in the dental office. My head was tipped back slightly so that all of the blood would rush to the top of my skull. I might be able to endure these appointments better if I was able to curl up into the fetal position. <br /><br />I had 3 cavities to fill which is not an uncommon occurrence for me. You can imagine the thrill each of my dentists has had when he examines my teeth for the first time, "This patient is going to pay for my new sail boat!". I have had at least 4 dentists in my 32 years of life... I like to spread the wealth around.<br /><br />To have 3 cavities filled at once is not the hazy drug trip you would imagine. The freezing needle spreads a cold pinching sensation radiating from the needle insertion point along your gums and through the tongue on that side of the mouth. Just to be sure you will be numb for the next year or so they insert the needle in multiple places. The vibrations from the drill manage to find what little feeling I have left in my nerves and while it is not actually painful it is a constant buzzing sensation that causes me discomfort. Don't even get me started on the "wedges" that they cram between my teeth. I don't know how they get all of that stuff in there when I can barely get a piece of floss through. I do know that it pushes my teeth apart a few extra millimeters and causes sharp pains that I feel right up to my eyeballs.<br /><br />There is a belief that if we can just go to our happy place in times of stress we will be able to relax enough that the discomfort will not be so bad. So today, lying in the chair I took a deep breath and tried to go to my happy place... focus... focus....... foooocussss..... Where the F*%$ is my happy place??<br /><br />My face was numb for about 5 hours. Very slowly the numbness in the extremities, such as the tip of my nose, wore off. I was relieved. Then the numbness in my upper lip started to abate. I was able to drink liquids without drooling profusely and the speech impediment was gone. Finally, things were returning to normal. The numbness in my cheek, chin and jaw finally started to fade after lunch. I was not as relieved.<br /><br />My face hurts.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-40347455110911603202007-02-07T09:05:00.000-05:002008-12-10T12:36:53.630-05:00Feminism; coolest f-word ever.I am one of the lucky ones. I've got a good boss, I am satisfied with my pay, and in comparison to my male counterparts I make the same if not more money. This is not a common occurrence.<br /><br />Violence against women continues. The Picton trial is just another example of the horrors women worry about in the world today.<br /><br />To make matters worse the Canadian government has decided that <a href="http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/citizensweekly/story.html?id=8e5285ea-4bdc-4ef6-9739-28c4d888454b&p=1">"equality" has been achieved</a> and has cut funding to the <em>Status of Women Canada</em> by 40%! I guess I missed the memo. Last time I checked the status of women, particularly minorities and single moms, was not in good shape.<br /><br />All of this pisses me off and apparently I'm not the only one who feels this way. <em><a href="http://www.thewomenareangry.org/">The Women Are Angry</a></em> and <a href="http://www.statusreport.ca/"><em>Status Report</em> </a>are Canadian organizations who are trying to spread the word regarding women's issues and the lack of government support.<br /><br />Check out their websites. Get Angry. Support the cause in any way you can.<br /><br />As Ani diFranco says "...why can't all decent men and women call themselves feminists? Out of respect for those who fought for this?"<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rcngl70-0oI/AAAAAAAAAAY/yrIb9S6aP1U/s1600-h/pink.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5028797401255563906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/Rcngl70-0oI/AAAAAAAAAAY/yrIb9S6aP1U/s320/pink.jpg" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-9511186061330508272007-01-24T13:13:00.000-05:002008-12-10T12:36:53.788-05:002007?!?!?Happy New Year!!!! Wow, 2007...<br /><br />Yeah, I know. I'm a little behind the times since January is almost over. My excuse? I was in Mexico. Okay, that was only for a week but that's all I've got!<br /><br />You should consider it a good thing that I don't post too often. According to my supervisor I take a little getting used to.<br /><br />January is review time here at the office. The good, the bad, and the about-to-be-fired all make their trek to the meeting room with their respective bosses. Thankfully my review was fantastic. It certainly made my Monday a little easier, especially considering I had only returned from Mexico two days before.<br /><br />The worst part of my review was peppered with giggles. My boss informed me that I tend to be a little insensitive when trying to get a point across in meetings. Apparently the managers had a hard time getting used to my personality. He used the word "tenacious" to describe me. I like that. I guess the phrase "rabid-pit-bull" wasn't acceptable for the formal review.<br /><br />As "<a href="http://www.itshappybunny.com">It's Happy Bunny</a>" so succinctly phrased it:<br /><br />I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.<br /><a href="www.itshappybunny.com"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023667064943454002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mGlEXewYyCc/RbemlDvIpzI/AAAAAAAAAAM/93WFks3mPSE/s320/pink+bunny.bmp" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-1163186832492078642006-11-10T14:23:00.000-05:002007-02-07T13:43:44.138-05:00Strike a pose...<span style="font-family:arial;">The bride (moi) is talking to a groomsman at the bar during the reception... out of the corner of her eye she sees cameras flashing and glances over to see a group of her friends posing for a picture. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The friends are all standing up and there is this big space in front of them where a bride and her poofy dress would fit perfectly. Without a word she glances back at the groomsman and he says: "You have a picture to be in...". She grins and takes off running! </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The second her heels touch the dance floor her feet fly up into the air and she lands on her hip. Sliding into the feet of her friends, almost bowling them over, she looks up at the camera and says "Smile for the picture!". Meanwhile her friends are torn between laughing and making sure the bride isn't injured.<br /><br />Unfortunately none of this was caught on video so she will not be the next $10000 winner on any of those funny video shows.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-1160146645308144252006-10-06T10:54:00.000-04:002007-02-07T13:44:29.964-05:00Wedded Bliss<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/713/3341/1600/Hotel036.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/713/3341/320/Hotel036.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>We got married!!!!</strong><br /><br /><br />My new husband and I are living <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">happily</span> ever after...<br /><br /><br />The wedding was fabulous and I'd do it all again in a second! Well, not in a second, it takes time to plan these things! :)<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#6600cc;"><strong><br /></strong></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31032253.post-1160146370769619082006-10-06T10:48:00.000-04:002007-02-07T13:45:30.250-05:00Catmas time is here!<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/713/3341/1600/menace.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/713/3341/320/menace.jpg" border="0" /></a>It's <a href="http://catmas.com">Catmas</a> everyone!!!<br /><br />This is my kittycat... her name is Menace.<br /><br />She's 9 and a half years old and loves her mommy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0