no news for me.
Life here has been progressing at its usual speed. Which is to say nothing much is happening. Sure there has been some blogworthy stuff. But most of the news I have been celebrating, is not my own. My news- I got stuff in the mail from my sister. Tropical package day came twice this year. The first package contained a gift for each of my parents and one for me. The second was all mine. yeah. I am spoilt. Gift number one was actually non tropical. A funky “poncho thingy” from Smoking Lily. I say “poncho thingy” as poncho is an ugly word, and it is a pretty thing. Grey wool, with a purple oyster silk lining. Package two was tropical- a wayang puppet from Indonesia.
In other news my mom came home from Vulcan for the first time in November.
As for celebrating news that is not my own- Nellie and hubby moved into their shiny new condo. Michael opened a new bistro. My brother got engaged to his girlfriend of a year. My friend with baby fever is pregnant. Uncle learned that his factory job will be done in fall (the line will be cut to 350, he is number 378 on seniority list).
All big stuff right? So you can see why I didn’t think life here was all that blog worthy. it would be ” I tried a new recipe today, and My friend’s dream of being a parent has come true” yep.
picture proof
I had blogged that recent earthquakes changed the elevation of one of the Solomon Islands. This week National Geographic has pictures!
Stormy weather
I hate it when forecasters can’t agree on the local forecast. Depending on which station you listen to from Calgary or Edmonton or even the Weather Network we may or may not be getting more snow. Come on people, I know out house is centered in a “perpetual frost hollow” but, is it really that hard to come to a consensus?
Speaking of weather, check out these awesome cloud photos. Between that and the latest videos at tornadovideos.net I can’t wait for real storm season.
Easter goodness
After making hot cross buns on Thursday, I felt I had done enough to celebrate Easter. However, this morning I woke up feeling festive. Maybe it was the chocolate bunny, cadbury cream egg and the bag of big M&Ms on the table? Anyways I made a big brunch for dad and I. Easter eggs, bacon, and chocolate filled ebelskiver.
After a liesurely meal I relaxed and watched the hockey game with dad. I actually enjoyed it. I have heard some sportscasters complain about shootouts, but I like the excitement and tension. Which isn’t to say I was paying rapt attention to the game, I was surfing the net and listening most of the time.
Today I was particularly fascinated by natural phenomenon. The mysterious disappearance of honey bees has a sort of ominous ring to it. So does the unexplained death of hundreds of seals on the Caspian sea shore. The first has the potential for major economic impact, the second is likely the cause of pollution and apt to be swept under the rug. Most interesting of all, last week’s earthquake has raised the elevation of one of the Solomon Islands. Nature is so cool. Like a lot of natural phenomenon, its effects will be felt for a long time. The upheaval of so much coral, has killed a huge number of fish, impacting both fishing and future tourism.
Tiny Houses!
I need a proper workspace, where I can splash paint and not worry. Plans are forming to claim a large portion of the garage for this purpose. Recently I re-discovered the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company and I am thinking that I should have my own building. This has lead me to explore other options in compact housing. Unfortunately Ikea’s BoKlok housing is not yet available in North America. Neither is the microcompact home. The same can be said for Loftcube. There are no billboardsin our yard (actually, that is a good thing). A tiny cabin seems to be the best option.
Of course at this point I am ignoring things like Zoning and permits. On a practical level all I need is space. I can wash my brushes in the house, or bring a bucket of water with me. And I can return to the house to use the facilities. On an ideal level it would be a little house. As a nice compromise there would be plumbing. Even if this is not practical, I am enjoying thinking about this. Could I run it purely on solar power? Will there be room and power enough for a beer fridge and coffee pot? How big of a canvas will the space support? etc.I think I could easily design something myself. If it ever gets to the serious stage, I am certain I will find a solution.
today’s activities and finds
I decided that the house should be filled with the smell of baking today. So, in honor of Easter I made hot cross buns. Seeing as cooked dried fruit squishes funny, I am not interested in eating them. Luckily I realized this before adding the currants to the dough. This means I set aside some dough and made it into cinnamon rolls. I shouldn’t brag, so I won’t tell you they are Fantastic (capital F).
Sadly in my current condition, the act of kneading left me pretty fatigued. Therapy? Hot espresso with cream, a cinnamon roll and some web-surfing. What did I find as I scoured the web?
- a new tshirt. OK, I wouldn’t wear it. but it made me laugh.
- an article about the dangers of Ibuprofen. um, dewd, I just saw the doctor about this!
- Perhaps the most disturbing find- the US FDA is changing their definition of chocolate allowing for Mocklate. Just as evil as it sounds. Food marketed as chocolate containing no cocoa butter. Pretty darn nuts considering such filth usually contains either partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats) or tropical oils (saturated fats). More importantly it tasteslike shit. I am becoming convinced the trans-fat police don’t actually taste food. Warning against butter and allowing mocklate.
Take a Seat Over There
I have been eating Motrin like it’s candy. This wasn’t so much a problem when I figured it would be a temporary fix. However, after a month of no less than 2400mg a day, (max of 3600mg) I figured I should check. The pharmacist said ” You should never take more than 800mg a day”. The box says 1200mg, So I have lost faith in my drug guy. Anyways, I got myself an appointment with my doctor today. Doc said that it is fine as long as I am not experiencing any side effects. I am not.I need the anti-inflammatory, so it is the best over the counter option.I have a choice take the excessive amounts of Motrin or take a drug that is new to the market and costs an arm and a leg. I’m broke and have no health plan, so the choice is easy.
It’s probably a good thing I saw the doctor today, as I learned why I have not heard from the Rheumatologist I was referred to. The referral was never sent. Grrr. The email was sent today as I sat in the office. Let the waiting recommence.
GhettoFabulous or PWN3D!
Alanis Morrissette heads back to her You Can’t Do That on Televison roots with her version of the Black Eyed Peas “My Humps”. Making this song into a ballad really emphasizes the absolute awfulness of the lyrics. Her ghettofabulous video wardrobe is the icing on the cake.
Kermit isn’t the only one…
The Sad Kermit video has been making its way around. If you haven’t seen Kermit singing Hurt, check it out- it is as oddly disturbing as it hypnotic. Today I learned Sad Kermit has a myspace page. In his profile we learn what drove Kermit to such depths of despair.”Soon after the death of Jim Henson, Kermit the Frog turned to a life full of drugs, alcohol and sex. His fall to rock-bottom was quick and unrelenting.”
What is sending me there? The Cure’s latest venture. I shudder to type it… the Cure will be teaming up with Ashlee Simpson. I think I feel nauseous.
edit: it appears the creators of Sad Kermit are taking requests
