Happy Earth Day, Gas is 3.09$ a Gallon!

Art o' the Day

Montreal artist Amy Claire Huestis
Oil on Linen, 2004

Just Like Wanting to be Jewish

I never visit the galleries in Edmonton. It's true. We never explore the cities that we live in, but we really should. So, completely NOT in this spirit, but one of pure and utter procrastination, Stephanie and I walked down to the Harcourt Gallery, and the Vanderleelie Gallery just up the street from us. I have to say, I was pretty impressed, and fell in love with a couple of Canadian artists. Harcourt had an interesting exhibit on, "Spaced Out" by Marcia Huyer, a very strange exhibit of blown up strange shapes, fabric formed into some very interesting shapes and inflated with air. It looked very organic, very - intestinal. Stephanie and I both agreed that it was a little.. gross, even though it was all white and clinical. Strange.

We were taken into the back storage room of Vanderleelie Gallery, and got to see some really fantastic pieces. I fell for one particular artist, Amy Claire Huestis - a fantastic artist from Montreal with just gorgeous paintings. Beautiful. Also, a very interesting Edmonton artist, David Cantine - very organic, smooth, circular.. only circles.. beautiful. You can check them all out here.

Overall, not a bad afternoon - there's a thunderstorm rolling in and I'm going to curl up with my English studying. Take care all.

Slo Motion Me

As Ian knows well, I live my life in Slo Motion. Even if everyone else is moving regular speed, I tend to flip my hair and bat my lashes and swing my hips.. in slo-mo. Usually to the beat of Air's "Playground Love". But today.. today it's amillion times worse. I can't even seem to pick up my feet and shuffle fast enough to be slo mo. I'm not sure WHATS wrong. *sigh*

Love Story

Q -Just curious because it seems like a cool story, how does a girl from Edmonton meet a guy from West Virginia...or at least the Eastern US?

A - It is a pretty funny story actually, or at least one that generally amuses people. I met Bryan in India, where he was working, and my family was working, and I was travelling, then working. *laughing* I first met Bryan while visiting India with my then boyfriend Brad, and started talking with him about a generally benign subject - jazz. We continued our correspondence for a couple of months until I travelled back to India the next year post break up. We started hanging out and BAM, he fell madly in love with me. Really, what more can I say? We travelled some of India together, and what cements love more than the smell of cow crap? - and decided that even though we were both returning to North America, we'd continue dating. (Seriously, that stuff is like cement.) So thats how periodically I end up sleeping in Dupont Circle and hunting eggs in West Virginia, and have such an avid and rabid love of American politics and Krispy Kreme. Oh, and love Bryan so damn much.

Yeah, Ms. Cleo I'm Not

Oh Mr. McClellan, we'll miss you, your funny quips and amazing boxstepping around actual answers - but I understand. If I had to stand in front of a blue curtain every day with a metaphorical hand up my ass telling me what to say (especially when blue wasn't my color) I too would probably resign. But we'll miss you, regardless of the fact that we saw it coming way back on.. April 6th.

Now, the apparent problem with Scott McClellan was his inability to properly convey the sentiments of the White House to the press. So who do they bring in? Well, who better than previous Fox commentator Tony Snow? If there ever was a news station close in kind to the administration, I'd say Fox was as good of a bet as any. *chuckle*

Another possible shake up lies in the hands of Slash and Dash Josh Bolten, doing his job well as agitator and re-organizer of the West Wing - Poor Harriet Miers. After her unfortunate beat down post Supreme Court Nomination and subsequent pat on the back job as 'Counsel' to Bush - she's going to get the boot again. Why? Well, she's too slow with the paperwork, indecisive and a weak manager. By that measure, I think Bolten could very well shake himself into the job of President.

American Amazing

I went to see the Grant Woods show at the Renwick Gallery - a really amazing collection. I was unaware that some of the paintings I've loved were THAT Grant Woods - the one who did American Gothic. It was really well curated - basically a walk through all of his best works, in chronological order, from early sculpture to his European years, iron work and the famous American Gothic. It was so good, I actually went back with Bryan so that he could see it, and enjoyed it just as much the second time. Some interesting facts? (Thanks to Laura for a few of these). The woman in the picture is Grant Woods sister Nan, and the gentleman is his dentist. Even though she was pretty young, he made her quite a bit older, which sparked a three year feud which finally ended when he painted this new picture of her. Funny.

Ouch - Not Bad

I’m a sucker for entrepreneurs, especially young, music minded ones. And the fact that anyone might approach me with my Starbucks, Sneer and Snotty look on – well, extra kudos for that. And hell, perhaps he caught me on a bad day, when I wasn’t feeling as in touch with my bad hip self as I usually do. But Brendan Taylor caught me, regardless, stalking into Dupont Circle, fully intending to fall immediately asleep on the grass while reading Proust. (And no, by any means – offence meant to Proust.)

A la Cake, he approached me with an iPod and a set of headphones, asking if I was a “music person”. Can these people pick me out a mile away? Do I have that smell about me? So I slapped on the headphones, as Brendan told me “I did everything on the album myself.” For 5 bucks, to tell the truth, I probably would have bought it anyway to just support another artist – but the fact is… It’s pretty damn good.

“Ouch” is a cross somewhere between a white Saul Williams and a blacker Buck 65, a little bit of Broken Social Scene and some Modest Mouse in terms of angry, maybe a little young Beck, and some pretty wise ass lyrics. It’s got the bathroom recording production sensibilities of my favourite CoCoRosie albums, but male. Fast paced, pulsing, though maintaining a strong musical hook that makes it sound just the good side of automaton, and a voice emotive enough that you know he’s not just reading off a notepad (because we’ve all heard those CD’s) – I like it. “Dog Waggers” has a politically witty vibe, very head-nod make a difference paint a sign music, and “Mine Now” has a vaguely Mos Def funk to it. You can definitely feel the hip hop influences, “School” has “Bonita Applebaum” (TCQ) slid into it, and you can smell a little DMC in “Bills But Never Change”. This would be good for an art exhibit, or late night Red Stripe on the porch, even a little mean kissing. Looking forward to the next one Brendan – hopefully I’ll catch you in Dupont Circle sometime soon. If you’d like to contact Brendan for a CD, try dixonsmells@hotmail.com, or take a quick listen here. Word to the wise though Brendan? I’ll volunteer to do your next album cover. *smile*

Pictures Worth a Million

It’s rare that I don’t see strange things on a day to day basis – rarer still is when I have my camera with me. Like driving home from West Virginia and missing the opportunity to snap a picture of the sign at McDonalds – “Braille and Picture Menus Available”. Or how about the “25$ USD. Higher in Canada” price sticker? Or the “Do Not Use on Unexplained Calf Pain” on a sex toy? But occasionally, I manage to snap a few funny ones. Like below.

#1 – Driving home from West Virginia, we passed an old –timey drive up, “Big Al’s” Given the fact we were driving home on Easter, I thought it was strange they were open. But no, they too were celebrating. “Jesus is the Reason for the Season - He Has Risen – Honk to Order.”

#2 – Again in West Virginia, land of secular mitosis where you can’t swing a sin without hitting a Baptist church, we stumbled upon a treasure trove of free “Gospel Music” . Take one, pass it to friends – too bad they were all tapes, and we only had a cd player. Note, however, that Gospel Magazine is helping to win the war on terror.

#3 – This one needs some help in interpretation – that’s where you come in dear readers.
I found this envelope posted on a used bookstore bookshelf, put up with a clear thumb tack, nothing inside. It is a reminder? A note to aliens? A code? Who IS Iron Man? And why isn’t Henry Ford.. Henry Ford?

Spring, Swings and Salamanders

Some photos from West Virginia - I caught the girls a salamander, and the littlest one wanted it to crawl up her arm (she's a pretty awesome little girl) so that's what we're doing. Her sister is in the pictures too. So is my sweetheart. *smile* He looks so sweet with his nieces, and they just adore him. They like me too. Yeah, thats me, beaming.

Hanging Out in Dupont Circle

No, THAT'S your water fountain

The Omaha school district has decided to segregate its schools into one predominately white, one black, and one hispanic school. Really - no word of a lie. They argue that this will (allegedly) give minorities control over their respective schools, so they don't get "shortchanged" in favour of white kids. Apparently, because they don't offer busing anymore to encourage integration, each neighborhood essentially has it's own school anyways. You know, the rich neighborhood has the white school, the poor neighborhoods have the black and hispanic schools!

I don't quite understand the arguement that by segregating, the problems of poor quality teaching ( or too few teachers ) and no resources will be rectified. They're saying that by having control of their own resources, minorities will be able to better apply them. That doesn't work for me. If I have control of my 5 dollars or not, it's still only 5 dollars I can spend. (Which I'm sure is actually a realistic operating budget.) Won't it actually make the problem worse? If the majority of income goes to white people, who have the ability to put more money into the school, and you put all the white people together, you have a pretty wealthy school. In a district where 46% of the population is white, the remainder of the "lower income" minorities... get what, 5 dollars?

Art o' The Day

A strange photo by Dora Maar, Picasso's one time lover.

He met her in a cafe in Paris, noticing her because she was

cutting off her fingertips. He later exhibited her bloody

gloves on his studio shelf. Their affair lasted 9 years,

and garnered no children. She became a photographer

and painter in her own right.

Oh Rummy.

It appears that the calls for Rumsfelds resignment are reaching a cacophanous fever pitch. Retired generals stepping out of line, media speculation so thick he might also well be bigfoot. Through it all, he's been smiling, laughing, and (even though he's submitted resignments to the president twice this term without impact) staying on, hook and nail. It's impressive really - I don't know if I would have the same chutzpah. Here are my predictions as to what is going to happen....

Scenario 1 - Under pressure from the ultimate goal, Carl Rove, Rumsfeld will put in a third resignment, citing "personal reasons" or "wanting to spend more time with his family" - and it will be accepted. Sadly, the President will make a news conference, noting that Donald will stay on as a "close and trusted advisor.. and friend".

Scenario 2 - Rumsfeld, under increasing pressure and inability to fully open his eyes past a squint, has a heart attack and dies.

Scenario 3 - He stays on through the end of the presidency, gradually making less and less sense, until at the morning meetings they pass around a "Rumsfeld Mad-Libs" sheet. He then goes on to command a fleet of Canadian Geese in front of the Washington Monument for the rest of his days.

More Rivera

I recieved so many comments/e-mails about the Diego Rivera painting that I thought I'd put up some more. Both are contained in the 'Vendedora de Flores' collection.

Purple Rain

I’m writing this on my laptop as we’re driving through Virginia. It’s fairly late – 10 pm now- and we still have 2 hours to go. There is an incredible thunder and lighting storm sweeping a blazing holocaust across the highway outside, simultaneously scaring me and hypnotizing me to sleep. The sky is pitch black, and the lightening is ripping slits of pale lavender into the air around us, so close to the car. Everything seems to be pale pink or purple lately. The lightning, the blooming cherry blossoms, the tulips, the pale violet lines across my eyelids – I feel like I’m living in a Prince song.
The air has that thick ozone smell, of burning air and hot water and warm pavement. It’s cloying like tar in the summer, but filtered through the car vents it smells beautiful and fresh and strange. The cracks of lightning periodically get closer and further, we’re driving in and out of the storm on these roads that seem to wind ridiculously in and out of valleys and towns and hills and fog that makes my chest contract it scares me so badly. It runs across the road and snakes around signs and envelopes the car with frightening agility and speed.
Part of me is surprised to see any color in the trees, the cars, the houses around the highway – it seems like everything should lose it’s color at night, and be just as ghostly and pale as the white lines on the highway. When the lightning flashes everything is bright and green and colourful...and still there.
There is something lovely about being in a car in the rain. Isolated and close and damp, it feels intimate and strange. We’ve been passing the time since it got dark reading Steinbeck aloud and playing the ABC game. Bryan, warm and solid beside me, makes me feel safe, and the rain, when it’s not so forceful, lulls me into a humid sleep.

Strangest Article Title EVER

"If You Prick Us, Do We Not Bleed?"
"If You Tickle Us, Do We Not Laugh?"
Jews and Pocketbook Voting

-found in a Political Journal at JHU

Art o' the Day

Diego Rivera - Vendedora de Flores
(Frida Kahlo's somewhat lecherous, yet still revolutionary, husband.)

Are These Your Shoes?

Found at the corner of 14 and N.

Wanted Object..

Kate Spade's new Flatiron Gabi bag. *sigh* I wish I was a cat burglar.

Tell Me A Story

Bryan took me to this amazing Spoken Word/ Storytelling event last night at HR -57, which had the theme of "April Fools and Foolishness". It was really fantastic, the stories varied as much as the people there, from bi-continental multilingual phone sex stories to a grandmother talking about "The Three Sillies" and another talking about Groucho Marx. My favorite was a story about attempted breakdancing in the midst of puberty - foolishness indeed.

We went to our favorite Thai Restaurant (Thai Tanic - witty hey?) and had what I've been craving since February, the best Pad-Thai. *sigh* It was wonderful, and I have to admit after having 2 very strong beers at the poetry place, it was even better heated up sitting on the couch before bed. It did nothing for my sleep pattern however (as Bryan predicted) and I ended up laying awake for half the evening plotting the extermination of the smiling Thai waitress who let me eat it.

I love it here, the cherry trees are blooming, its about 25 degrees, sunny - beautiful. I'm spending the day inside, wrapping up an essay, then going to the library with Bryan to start.. another essay. We're having a barbeque with friends tomorrow night, then heading to West Virginia on Friday for Easter.

Life is Good.

Viva La Migra!

I'm in D.C. (for all of those who've wondered where exactly I dissapeared to..) in the midst of the big Immigration (with a capital I) debate. The protests would probably be a lot more effective if a) they didn't block traffic and b) took place while congress was actually sitting deciding the particular bill. Call me crazy.. (crazy) but I understand the resistance. While I can get all touchy feely and talk about border dissolution as wildly and speculatively as the next barefoot gal - the fact is, we do have borders. And citizens. And health care. And minimum wage. And if you want those things? Do not go quietly into our great night and sneak across the border, but immigrate legally. And don't hold up the streets. It's bad P.R.

It Puts a Spring In My Step

My favorite beer right now.. it makes me think of hip hop and Bryan and warm nights and smiles.








My favourite shoes right now.. they make me happy. But they get dirt stuck to them on the bottoms. It makes me taller.

We're Going to Need a Bus

So the word on the block is that White House Press secretary Scott McLellan is the next to go, and will be able to cry into his beer with Treasury Secretary John Snow, rumoured to be following suite.

Apparently new Chief of Staff Josh Bolten has come up with the hereto unseen solution to saving the Bush White House - improving communication. And as soon as they get rid of Scott McLellan (in my books at least the most humorous Press Secretary of late), then Bush's approval rating is going to skyrocket.. Because you see, McLellan was just SAYING it all wrong. It's just a question of communication. Which is why they're also getting rid of the Treasurer. Right.

Rumoured to be hiding in the wings is Dan Bartlett, a current White House counsellor. Can you imagine witnessing everyday what McLellan goes through, and then being told you're next on stage? I would think, despite the suggested close ties between Bush and McLellan, Scott might be relieved. Who really wants to face CNN'er Dana Bash everyday anyways.

Holy Lettuce Batman

These are some pretty amazing figures. The average farm worker makes approximately $9, 570 a year, but by paying them more and making them legal, it would increase our grocery bills to such a degree that we couldn't afford fruits and vegetables. The facts? By increasing farm workers wages by 40% and putting them above the poverty line, it would make our yearly grocery bills increase by... $10.

A Bunch of Wonderfuls

Flowers from my family, brought by my bro. I feel like
a princess!

"Katie Couric, Will You Marry Me?" - Tom Delay

It seems like there really can't be anything newsworthy today if the buzz is Couric's departure from NBC's "Today" show to the CBS Evening News. Given, she will be the only woman solo anchor of the evening news that they've ever had.. but she's no Murrow. She's.. Couric. They're courting Meredith Vieira from "The View" to take her place with Matt Lauer, but then they might have to contend with her talking about Star Jones breasts and bariatric surgery. Hm. And they look eerily similar.. maybe they're planning on just pulling the old switcheroo, and hoping that nobody notices that they've got a cheaper Couric (2.0 if you will) on the air? CNN (her old network) have shown clips of her hairdos, her old clothes, and embarrassingly enough discussed the fact that she was thisclose to being fired from CNN at first - for god's sake, they've got a Katie Watch going on. It's embarrassing. Then again, don't rats know when a ship is sinking? Sell your stock in NBC.. and Republicans!

Damn You Lakowski

Damn you to hell. You've made me miserable all year with your awful English class. Your incoherrent ramblings, your awful reading, your lateness, your glibness, your abject inability to answer any question that doesn't pertain to the Lord of the Rings or Tolkien. Damn you for the "awkward" you write all over my essays in red ink, the attendence you take and the giggling you erupt in over descriptions of lasivious behaviour in ancient sonnets. Damn you for your dirty grey fishermans sweaters and your sagging pants, and get your adnoids removed! Damn you for always choosing me to read the part of the Devil, and complimenting me on it! Damn you for telling us that we're all going to get C's, and causing 30 of the 45 students to drop out! But most of all Lakowski, damn you for eating carrots and celery during our exams. And putting that final exam, on a SATURDAY MORNING. To hell. To hell.

Style Icon of the Day

Darlin' Edie Sedgwick - actress and vamp

Without Delay

Tom Delay, our favorite Republican money launderer, (and House Republican leader) has robbed the democrats of their "Culture of Corruption" posterboy - and gone and resigned. *sigh* If all the corrupt Republicans take themselves out of the running for the good of the party, do we have a new, un-corrupt party.. or no party at all? Who WILL the Democrats rally against? Because really, now that they've gotten rid of (and by that, I mean, agree to the resignation of) Andrew Card and Tom Delay, that HAS to equal the firing of Carl Rove. I mean really.

Well Knit Me!

Industrious hip mothers unite. Put those (knitting) needles in your backpack and grab a hip slogan... KnittaPlease is a collective of ladies (and a gentleman) using half finished knitting projects to warm, and beautify, the world. Forget spraypaint, take a hint, and knit some foliage a bush warmer.

Style Icon of The Day

Joan Didion.. Playwrite, Writer.. Sexy Lady!

Three Amigos Go Wild

Bush, Vicente and Harper go to Cancun... It's actually not a joke. Though it was funny.

In a two day summit to discuss immigration (Bush and Vicente) and NAFTA (Bush and Harper), I've seen Harper in one, plain, greyish suit..ish.. thing. Vicente, scallywag that he is, wore a great loose white shirt and a snazy hat, Bush followed close second, trying to emmulate the cool look with a skin tight white shirt, looking a little pink, somewhat like a German in Thailand. Harper? Harper walks the beach in a suit, stuffy and.. grey. Literally, he doesn't get pink or flushed or tanned.. he looks grey. Like dirty slush. But not as exciting.

Bush and Vicente are talking over the bill that will give 10 million illegal aliens (the new un-pc 4 letter word) legal status.. as long as they don't get any advantages over those who entered the US legally. Um.. like legal status despite entering illegally?? Wouldn't that kind of be, I don't know.. an advantage? If you get the same ends no matter which way you get there, in the trunk of a car or economy flights, which are basically the same, then why wouldn't you save the money and indigestion on plane food and make a run for the Minute Men?

On the Northern border (that would be us) they're not so much concerned about Canadians making a run for the American Dream (I think we have better apple pie here anyways) but more about the forest closing in. And not in a Hamlet way. Our softwood lumber is creating a beaver dam at the border, piling up and rotting away because it's too cheap for the Americans. NAFTA says they have to let the lumber in, Bush says... Get a better suit?

Do you think Snoop Dogg will make a video of this?

Spring Is Coming! --- Evidence Below

Rearranging the Deck Chairs on the Titanic

So Chief of Staff Andrew Card has resigned from the White House, after 5 years of (and I quote) working 6 in the morning until 8 at night. Of course, there is speculation that this is an attempt to placate the Democrats, though nobody seems to realise he's resigning, not being fired, and that working for 5 years straight at that pace may just be burnout, not a political chess move. (Please, please, note the hint of sarcasm in my voice concerning the working hours. All those who work two jobs and would LOVE to have those hours..raise your hand.) I'm sure Andrew Card leaving will satisfy the bloodlust - trading Card for Rove is like trading a hot dog for prime rib. And who are they bringing in? Why, Josh Bolten, the budget director! Nothing like moving from being an expert on the economy to managing the White House. I think the water is around our ankles...

One More Dolce Cinnamon Latte

And then I don't feel so bad...

Stella Poshlust's Favorite Things.. For March!

-Baked Brie - Served with some cold cranberry sauce and a glass of wine, this is the ultimate afternoon snack.
-Steinbeck's "Travels With Charley" - I read this out loud to Bryan, and everytime I read it, it seems more and more poignant, bang on - for the time it was written it's interestingly accurate.
-Starbucks Dolce Cinnamon Latte - I think I may have drank one a day for the past week. Its like a slice of cake in a coffee.
-Fellini's "8 1/2" - Strange, touching, beautiful, and Barbara Steele really rings my bell. I watched it so many times that when I finally got up, I was surprised to look in the mirror and see myself.. in colour.
-Dr. Bromners Almond Wash - 18 in 1 uses, ranging from body wash to clothing detergent to shampoo to dish soap. It smells so good, I feel like a little Italian almond candy, all dipped in sugar.
-The color yellow - Canary, Banana, Cream Pie.. give it all to me!
-White collared shirts
-Tulips - Any color, they're just the most beautiful things in the springtime. And any plant that was used like gold to barter and invest in... is ok with me.
-Eggs Benedict - My favorite on Sunday's after church, there is something about eggs benedict and white wine makes me feel like a million bucks

Art o' the Day

Jean Michel Basquiat
1984
Acrylic and mixed media on canvas

Slurp!

Bryan and I found the new venture by the Culina team - Soul Soup. Carla Alexander, soup master extraordinaire, has a little place (little, though not lacking any punch or finesse on the inside.. so so hip) on Rice Howard Way. All purple and mahogany wood, we walked in and were surrounded by this ethereal mist of garlic and potato and barley and rice and all these other fantastic aromas. It was so thick.. you almost don't need to ACTUALLY buy any soup - you could survive on sniffs alone. But buy the soup we did, and for 13$ we got a huge litre (or so) tub, two bread rolls, two suckers, and two portugese custard tarts. We decided (after a taste test) to go with the Potato/Veggie/Leek/Roasted Garlic veggie option. They had three listed - a fish, a meat, and veggie - to appease everyone. On the frozen soup menu they even had some celiac friendly soups - what a dream! The soup was creamy and filling and so full of flavour, and even though it was about minus ten we walked all the way from Rice Howard Way home, and the soup was still piping hot. I couldn't finish my portion, and Bryan gladly made sure to clean out both bowls - still leaving enough to give to our neighbor for her to lunch on. They have some really amazing soups listed on their Frozen Soup menu, I really want to try the Spinach Goats Cheese Cream with Orange and Almonds. Perfect for the semi-spring weather - or any weather for that matter. Check it out, you won't be dissapointed.

Friday Night Lite

Had a really amazing evening at the Powerplant with Ian, Steph and Bryan. We went to see Jason Collett, and really enjoyed the first two bands, Paso Mino and Storyboard. Powerplant now has Red Stripe.. yay.. so Bryan and I had a few of those, and really enjoyed ourselves, it was fantastic. We met really amazing people, this super awesome Nigerian couple who taught us all about dowries, and an occupational therapist who drank Baileys. It was really relaxed and fun.. it was nice to dance with Bryan and chat and meet new people. I forget how wonderful it is to have him around, I think you block that from your mind so you don't miss them as much.. but Friday it was.. perfect.

First Cold

It's the feeling of
water so hot, it feels
first cold
up my spine and
making my heart
clench.
I think my throat closes
anticipating the flood
of tears
breaking levies of
valves swelling
and arteries.
Water so hot, it feels
first cold
flooding in my blood
stream - ing
clenching
curling muscles, constricting forcing
cauterized tear ducts
empty with water and anger
so hot, it feels
first cold.

He and Me

Bryan, my brother and I went to Humo and spent the evening there smoking Montecristo's and drinking Art's amazing coffee. I'm not entirely sure how we ended up spending 2 and a half hours there, it seemed like time just.. went up in smoke. Everyone drifted in and out, playing chess and drinking coffee. The cigar smoke gets in your clothes and your brain, and sometimes I swear that I have that perfectly dove grey mist swirling in my brain. It changes how you look at things, through this haze of pale grey Cuban smoke. It makes your heart slow down and your movements slow, your particles stretch out. It was.. perfect.

Bryan's Favorite..

Bagels with cheddar and tomatos. It really is the be all and end all - hot bagel, old cheddar and cold tomatos. *sigh*

Zapatista Fashionista

Bryan brought me an amazing keffiyah - I might not look like Leila Khaled, but I think I look pretty swish. I love it. I mentioned it once, like, weeks ago how neat they were - and he brought me one when he got here. *smile* So, I can show my PLO sympathies... Or maybe just my love of Lawrence of Arabia.

Ancient Art o' the Day

This is pretty neat - they've discovered a sarcophagus in Cyprus with drawings from Homer's Oddessy and Illiad. I wonder what I'd have in my tomb? Warrior - depictions of the Oddessy. Andrea? Hmmm.. Maybe a really nice menu.

72 Days Until Hurrican Season, and Ray Nagin Can't Swallow His Chocolate Drink

Poor Nagin. He had to sit in a community meeting and explain to an entire ward that yeah, he would love them to return to New Orleans. Unfortunately, the predominately poor black neighborhoods would have to make do sans 911 service, garbage pick up and sewer service. So build wherever you want on that flood plane. Just don't expect Ray Nagin to come by with his chocolate drink - because it's looking a lot like milk lately.

Art 'o the Day

Elaine De Kooning - Oil on masonite

Maybe We Need Blue Ink and Thumbs

Now, last time Saddam was elected with a 100% majority and only 3 % of the people voted, there were murmers. Wouldn't it stand with only a very minimal ammount of the student body voting that there might be some eyebrows raised at giving our student council a $27,000 per salary? Yet, I see no eyebrows raised, I see only a plethora of ineffectual, ridiculous posters papering the halls of our mediocre institution of learning, littering the ground outside, more likely to provide fuel for a homeless person than fuel for discourse in the school.

These posters tell me nothing. "Set up MacEwan Chat"?? Obviously it's needed, considering the poster for this candidate offers no other campaign information or even an explanation of the ones he's offering. I've not seen any of these candidates in the hallways, none trying to meet the students - in all honesty, I'm reduced to voting (because then I can complain) on a purely aesthetic motive - Jamie Tauber wins for her original and artsy posters. The campaign speeches were mediocre and tepid, uninspired, and frankly dissapointing for students that will be getting $27,000 dollars a year and 4 free courses. I'd like to see some actual campaigning! Bring me muffins, flyers, talk to me, damn it, I demand that you skip your classes and stand in the hallway and talk to me.

And what exactly have I recieved from this years elected officials? Nothing. I mean, honestly? I paid this student activity fee.. but what EXACTLY have I got? Well.. nothing. The big party at the beginning of the year was put off to build an expensive crappy cafeteria with painfully slow service that I don't use, and the end of the year party was put off because, well, our current student life rep couldn't find a band. What about the hundreds of bands WITHIN THE SCHOOL that would probably love to play to a big audience? What exactly will my student activity fee be used for?

Or were the old reps only paid $25,000 last year? And they found some extra money?

I'm sick of sitting in my poli-sci class, hearing about democracy left right and centre, hearing students complain about an ineffectual provincial and national government - and our student government, the future - can't even mount an effective enough campaign to get our voter turn out to remotely rival that of pre-war Iraq.

Awesome in the Key of A

Check this out - www.pandora.com - You type in one of your favorite songs or artists, and it automatically creates a playlist (a creepily accurate and amazing playlist) of other songs that you'll like. They're automatically saved under the song or artist that you originally typed in, so if you feel like listening to something in the key of "Talk Show Host" or rather "Jack Johnson" - just click away. It's painfully easy, no downloading, no login etc etc. Thanks to my amazing Bryan for this hip tip o' the day.

*sigh*

You'll forgive me for my lack of blogging, I'm a sated, happy and finally drinking good coffee- you know, the kind minus the chunks of coffee beans and doesn't take the enamel off your teeth? Yeah, that kind. Bryan's here! He got here on Saturday afternoon, and I've been in a (mildly sickening) state of perpetual bliss. We went out to dinner with Laura on Saturday evening for a fantastic dinner at Cafe Mosaics. There's something about that place akin to sitting in a friends kitchen.. a friend who can cook. (Maybe I'm imagining it because I really don't have any friends who cook..Hmm.. ) But it was really tasty, and chatting with Laura and Bryan is like, the third circle of happiness for me. We went to church on Sunday morning, braving the incredible snow that's blanketed.. nay, entombed, Edmonton, and followed with really amazing eggs benedict at the High Level Diner. (*insert blissful sound here*) PLUS.. a little shoe shopping. Kill me now, it can't get better. Bryan's here for the next 7 days, so you'll have to put up with this just a little longer. *smile*

St. Patrick's Day?...

Or Hamas rally?

I Heart Barbara Steele.. *sigh*

I just watched her in Fellini's "8 1/2" and even though she's only got a small part, she's so great. Other than this she's like, a scream queen in thrillers. Funny.

WTF?!

It now smells like somebody is frying a piece of rubber tire. Exactly what culinary skills do these people possess? Or not?

Quote of the Day

In relation to our artist Lee Krasner below...

"This is so good, you would not know it was painted by a woman."
-Hans Hoffman, 1937, about student Lee Krasner

Art o' the Day

I love these paintings. I saw Lee Krasner's "The Springs" in D.C., and was taken in by the incredibly beauty and calmness of her work. Though originally I confused it with a Pollock, the amazing lull that it put me into is indicative of Lee Krasner - not the frenetic, breathless feeling I get when looking at a Pollock. (This one I also saw in D.C.) I always wonder, them being husband and wife.. if that's what she did for him? If her paintings are as much of a counterbalance to his.. as she was to him?
Lee Krasner - The Springs, Oil, 1964
Jackson Pollock - Lavender Mist, enamels - 1954

Morning Glory..

My beautiful daffodils opened! Such a nice thing to wake up to..

12:03

It's midnight, and I've awoken to the overpowering smell of somebody cooking...nay, burning, some sort of fish. I'm going to die, I hate living in dorms. Kill me now, and the fish person.

Arts o' The Day

Tamara De Lempicka- Girl in a Green Dress, 1930
Henri Matisse- Girl in a Green Dress - 1921

Canadians Don't Sue! (Unless it's Over Tim Hortons.)

Iconic as the maple leaf, and just a little sweeter, Canada's national doughnut chain "Tim Hortons"
(which offers us the most Canadian food we have, the Maple Dip) is at the centre of a little.. squabble. The annual "Roll up the Rim to Win" contest has garnered some younger winners, two garbage picking 10 and 12 year old girls who've won a RAV4. The 10 year old girl found the cup (with no rolled rim) in a garbage can, unable to roll it up, she asked her 12 year old friend for help. The two discovered they had won the car, and went to the school for to have their parents called. The 10 year old girl's father said he was intending to sell the car, and would give a portion of the money to the 12 year old girls family. Now the 12 year old's family is getting litigious, and looking to sue, and the teacher is damanding the cup was his. I say it goes to the 12 year old. If you're too dumb to roll up the rim (the teacher) and too weak to roll it up (the 10 year old) then I say the 12 year old gets it. Kudos to her, obviously the stronger one, for not knocking the wimpy one out and runnin' off with the cup. Note to self - watch the garbage picking youth while in possesion of possibly winning cup.

Those Crazy Goldbergs...

This story was pointed out by my hilarious and witty boyfriend... As he said, perhaps the Y2K nuts recieved influence from a much more ancient source. Hmmm.. kosher sheep lungs.. the original gas mask?

Art o' the Day

"Ballerina" by Hans Arp

The End of the Affair

Akin to a righteous girlfriend, Dubai Ports World has waltzed out of the apartment with the big screen T.V. AND the love of the mother in law. The United States, on the other hand, is getting drunk with Congress and talking about how "They never really liked her anyways."

Sure they thought it would work, because really, they didn't CARE what all their friends thought, as long as they were happy, it didn't matter. And social mores be damned. So she was in bed with Isreal(is) a year ago, that didn't mean anything! She didn't even think they were a real man (country) anyways!

But it did matter, and their friends objected and she left, with her nose held high. She was just using him anyways.. he had a great apartment, and security was so lax...

On Repeat..

Went to see "Dave Chappell's Block Party" with Ian last week - really great. Don't go if you're a Dave Chappell fan, because he's only on screen for like, maybe 1/2 an hour. It centers around a block party that he throws in Brooklyn - go if you're a Roots, Dead Prez, Common, Mos Def, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu or Fugees (yup.. THE Fugees) fan. It's like a big concert - it's great. All the people that I want to see, or have seen, were on there, and it was fantastic. So I've had a hip-hop playlist running since we saw it - old favorites mostly. Check it out!

1. Fear Not of Man - Most Def
2. I Am Music - Common feat. Jill Scott
3. New World Water - Mos Def
4. The Seed (2.0) - The Roots
5. Jimi Was a Rock Star - Common feat. Erykah Badu
6. Diamond From Sierra Leone - Kanye West
7. Rock n' Roll - Mos Def
8. Lucifer - Jay-Z feat. Kanye West
9. Bigger Than Hip Hop - Dead Prez
10. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (spoken word) - Gil Scott Heron
11. Just to Get By - Talib Kweli
12. Woo - Erykah Badu
13. Bedda at Home - Jill Scott
14. Lonely People - Talib Kweli
15. Forgive them Father - Lauryn Hill
16. Pocketbook - Me'Shell Ndegeocello
17. No Woman No Cry - The Fugees
    

I Heart J.C.!

Hey All - Remember Jason Collett is at the PowerPlant on the 24th - it's only 10$ and it's going to be a lovely show. Bring somebody you love. *smile*

In Shape? What Shape?

So I'm stubbornly trying to get myself in shape - any shape, other than the one I'm in. I've actually been to the gym every day this week.. and thanks to my young and moldable (not moldy) body, I'm seeing a difference. Given, it might be hallucinations from the ammount of testosterone in the gym, but even if it is.. that's ok too. It keeps me going there, thinking there might actually be a difference in my somewhat.. um.. "soft" body. The guys there are hilarious, my run goes by quickly whether I'm reading "Heart of Darkness" or watching it. All the grunting and posturing and swaggering...it's hilarious. And for a bunch of guys, they sure do stare at themselves in the mirror- that doesn't give me motivation. Sure it makes me want to run, but basically it makes me want to run as far away from any mirrors as I can, doesn't make me smile and flex my Looney Toon muscles in the mirror. I also like watching all the old and disabled and plump in the water aerobics. This tiny super fit girl stands on the edge of the pool and does all the impossible excerises so quickly while these people just look like peas in a full fat soup bobbing around trying to keep their heads above water. They look like incredibly ruebenesque (Hmm... is that where the fatty rueben sandwhich comes from?) statues in a fountain, spurting water and flailing in impossible yet cherubic positions. Then again, my brother says I look like a demented road runner on the treadmill, so I guess I don't really have to much to poke fun about. Huh.

Kant-larious. Maybe.

Laura and I are compiling a list of Kant-ish words... The best ones?

-Kantplicated
-Kantscious
-Kantagory
-Kantstipated
-Kantinued....