3/31/11
3/30/11
The summer is coming!
Oh howdy. Yes, I know it has been a very long time since I last posted. I am sorry :(
Well, it's almost April and the weather is getting better… and then worse… and then batter again. It's about to get worse, according to Anthony Farnell, my favourite weather man (hello!). Anyway, I moved all my wintery clothes to the back of my closet and have moved all my beautiful summer dresses to the front. Unfortunately, it's still not REALLY spring, so I'll have to wait a few more weeks until I wear my sailor dress, or Ralph Lauren chambray wrap-dress, or my black-and-white gingham circle-skirt dress. But soon...
I have joined another running group-- this time it's a 10k group! It's twice the distance and it is actually twice the challenge. I am finding it very difficult to keep up with the rigorous training schedule and the longer runs. My hips and calves have not been taking to the longer distances either. But I'm sure my body will soon get used to it! I'm running the SportingLife 10k in May, so I only have a month to get ready for it-- I'm sure I'll be fine.
I have been listening to so much new music this past month! BBC Radio 1 is so good at introducing new artists! And I'm also hearing a lot of new music from artists I never really listened to before. Some bands I am really enjoying at the moment are:
The Vaccines
Glasvegas
Guillemots
Dr Dre/Eminem
Some exciting news-- My Mom and Dad are going to Cuba soon! Yay... they'll get to escape the snow that Anthony Farnell has promised us... but I will be here. Not cool. Well, Mom and Dad this is for you:
Vampire Weekend
I'm actually going on a holiday of my own at the end of May. I'm flying to London (OMG I CANNOT WAIT TO EAT ENGLISH FOOD) where I'll have dinner with Stefani and Mel and then Aussie and I are headed off to Turkey! So I've been doing a tonne of research on Turkey. It seems pretty cool. This country has been occupied by the Greeks, the Romans, the Persians and the Ottomans over the centuries. So look out for some sweet posts about Turkey coming up.
That's all for now. Enjoy!
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(image from http://www.globalnews.ca) |
I have joined another running group-- this time it's a 10k group! It's twice the distance and it is actually twice the challenge. I am finding it very difficult to keep up with the rigorous training schedule and the longer runs. My hips and calves have not been taking to the longer distances either. But I'm sure my body will soon get used to it! I'm running the SportingLife 10k in May, so I only have a month to get ready for it-- I'm sure I'll be fine.
I have been listening to so much new music this past month! BBC Radio 1 is so good at introducing new artists! And I'm also hearing a lot of new music from artists I never really listened to before. Some bands I am really enjoying at the moment are:
The Vaccines
Glasvegas
Guillemots
Dr Dre/Eminem
Some exciting news-- My Mom and Dad are going to Cuba soon! Yay... they'll get to escape the snow that Anthony Farnell has promised us... but I will be here. Not cool. Well, Mom and Dad this is for you:
Vampire Weekend
I'm actually going on a holiday of my own at the end of May. I'm flying to London (OMG I CANNOT WAIT TO EAT ENGLISH FOOD) where I'll have dinner with Stefani and Mel and then Aussie and I are headed off to Turkey! So I've been doing a tonne of research on Turkey. It seems pretty cool. This country has been occupied by the Greeks, the Romans, the Persians and the Ottomans over the centuries. So look out for some sweet posts about Turkey coming up.
That's all for now. Enjoy!
2/17/11
2/15/11
Music Awards Shows
Hi there.
So, like many of you out there, I watched the Grammys on Sunday night. I really did enjoy it. I'm a huge fan of live music in general, so I appreciate how the Grammys has become about showcasing some of the best musical talent of the last year. I genuinely enjoyed ALL of the performances. I know that's a very broad statement to make, and my 15-year-old classic rock-loving self would be wide-eyed at my appreciation of Eminem and Lady Gaga, but it's true. Obviously, I had my favourite performances.
I loved the opening number, a tribute to Aretha Franklin, featuring Florence Welch, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Christina Aguilera and Yolanda Adams. I really liked that they took artists from so many different genres who were all inspired by the Queen of Soul. Xtina was a little much for me, but I loved Florence's take on 'Think' and oh man— that Yolanda Adams can wail! I didn't really know who she was before this performance, but I've since done a little research on her. She's a very well-known Gospel singer. She was great.
Another of my favourite performances was the collaboration between BOB, Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae. First of all, these are the artists that brought us 'Just the Way You Are', 'Marry You', and 'Beautiful Girls'… well… atleast BOB and Mars did. To be honest, I also had not heard of Monae until the Grammys, but she was pretty great too. I liked her confident, yet slightly jerky stage presence. And her music is soulful. My favourite part of this performance was Bruno Mars' doo-wop version of 'Grenade'— which was 100 times better than the original.
Anyway… there was an award show happening tonight in London, England that is much more interesting to me… only because, as you all know, I am slightly obsessed with British music and I listen to BBC Radio 1 every day. Unfortunately, the Brits don't air on any of the channels provided by our tv package, so I am stuck experiencing the Brits via video clips after the fact. I have already had a peek at a few of my favourite artist's performances.
Adele was stunning. Even though she stood on the stage with only a piano and some falling glitter, she just commanded the attention of the whole room. She just puts so much emotion into her music. If I could sing like anyone, I tell ya.
Mumford & Sons, who played at the Grammys, also had a beautiful, slightly more intimate performance at the Brits. I missed seeing the drummer and bass player go insane on the chorus, but the vocal harmonies we just gorgeous. I couldn't find the code to embed the video on my blog, but you can see it here. You can also see Plan B, Jessie J (which is pretty impressive), and Ellie Goulding and Tinie Tempah.
…and apparently the Brits are going to air on Much Music on Wednesday night at 8. Be there.
So, like many of you out there, I watched the Grammys on Sunday night. I really did enjoy it. I'm a huge fan of live music in general, so I appreciate how the Grammys has become about showcasing some of the best musical talent of the last year. I genuinely enjoyed ALL of the performances. I know that's a very broad statement to make, and my 15-year-old classic rock-loving self would be wide-eyed at my appreciation of Eminem and Lady Gaga, but it's true. Obviously, I had my favourite performances.
I loved the opening number, a tribute to Aretha Franklin, featuring Florence Welch, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Christina Aguilera and Yolanda Adams. I really liked that they took artists from so many different genres who were all inspired by the Queen of Soul. Xtina was a little much for me, but I loved Florence's take on 'Think' and oh man— that Yolanda Adams can wail! I didn't really know who she was before this performance, but I've since done a little research on her. She's a very well-known Gospel singer. She was great.
Another of my favourite performances was the collaboration between BOB, Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae. First of all, these are the artists that brought us 'Just the Way You Are', 'Marry You', and 'Beautiful Girls'… well… atleast BOB and Mars did. To be honest, I also had not heard of Monae until the Grammys, but she was pretty great too. I liked her confident, yet slightly jerky stage presence. And her music is soulful. My favourite part of this performance was Bruno Mars' doo-wop version of 'Grenade'— which was 100 times better than the original.
Anyway… there was an award show happening tonight in London, England that is much more interesting to me… only because, as you all know, I am slightly obsessed with British music and I listen to BBC Radio 1 every day. Unfortunately, the Brits don't air on any of the channels provided by our tv package, so I am stuck experiencing the Brits via video clips after the fact. I have already had a peek at a few of my favourite artist's performances.
Adele was stunning. Even though she stood on the stage with only a piano and some falling glitter, she just commanded the attention of the whole room. She just puts so much emotion into her music. If I could sing like anyone, I tell ya.
Mumford & Sons, who played at the Grammys, also had a beautiful, slightly more intimate performance at the Brits. I missed seeing the drummer and bass player go insane on the chorus, but the vocal harmonies we just gorgeous. I couldn't find the code to embed the video on my blog, but you can see it here. You can also see Plan B, Jessie J (which is pretty impressive), and Ellie Goulding and Tinie Tempah.
…and apparently the Brits are going to air on Much Music on Wednesday night at 8. Be there.
Thoughts on Feb 14
Yesterday, as I made my way to work, I was bracing myself for the flurry of lovey-dovey activity that would no doubt present itself among my dating and soon-to-be and recently-married co-workers. I was expecting deliveries of flowers, loudly-shared plans of lunch-dates, etc. etc. blah blah blah. But actually, there was none of that. Instead, there was this:
You see, at work, we have 'secret stalkers'. In December, we all filled in a little questionnaire about ourselves. The questionnaires were all mixed up in a hat and we all picked out our targets. We're meant to do nice little things for our targets, like make screen savers for them or give them little gifts. So, my lovely stalker decided to shower my desk with fake rose petals! My stalker also gave me a massive card! It was a very nice surprise. Although… the card was a bit creepy, as it has to very large eyes on the inside as well as a tiny picture of the cast of Jersey Shore…
Anyway… Fearne Cotton, whose BBC Radio 1 show I listen to almost daily, has chosen a beautiful 'Record of the Week'. It's a song by 'Fleet Foxes' called 'Helplessness Blues'.
I love the opening lyrics:
'I was raised up believing
I was somehow unique
Like a snowflake distinct among snowflakes
Unique in each way you can see
And now after some thinking
I'd say I'd rather be
A functioning cog in some great machinery
Serving something beyond me
But I don't, I don't know what that will be
I'll get back to you someday soon you will see…'
Beautiful.
I think this is kind of an ideological struggle that we all have to some extent. How do we reconcile the idea that we are all different and special and unique with our need to be a part of something? From the time we are very young, our parents and teachers tell us that we are special, and that we can be whatever we want in life. We are encouraged to follow our dreams and pursue individuality, which has become one of the most important values of post-modern Western culture. We grow up using the word 'I' more than any other in our vocabulary. But certainly, there is 'something beyond me'.
You see, at work, we have 'secret stalkers'. In December, we all filled in a little questionnaire about ourselves. The questionnaires were all mixed up in a hat and we all picked out our targets. We're meant to do nice little things for our targets, like make screen savers for them or give them little gifts. So, my lovely stalker decided to shower my desk with fake rose petals! My stalker also gave me a massive card! It was a very nice surprise. Although… the card was a bit creepy, as it has to very large eyes on the inside as well as a tiny picture of the cast of Jersey Shore…
Anyway… Fearne Cotton, whose BBC Radio 1 show I listen to almost daily, has chosen a beautiful 'Record of the Week'. It's a song by 'Fleet Foxes' called 'Helplessness Blues'.
I love the opening lyrics:
'I was raised up believing
I was somehow unique
Like a snowflake distinct among snowflakes
Unique in each way you can see
And now after some thinking
I'd say I'd rather be
A functioning cog in some great machinery
Serving something beyond me
But I don't, I don't know what that will be
I'll get back to you someday soon you will see…'
Beautiful.
I think this is kind of an ideological struggle that we all have to some extent. How do we reconcile the idea that we are all different and special and unique with our need to be a part of something? From the time we are very young, our parents and teachers tell us that we are special, and that we can be whatever we want in life. We are encouraged to follow our dreams and pursue individuality, which has become one of the most important values of post-modern Western culture. We grow up using the word 'I' more than any other in our vocabulary. But certainly, there is 'something beyond me'.
2/13/11
I almost forgot…
Have you heard of 'The Naked and Famous'?
Please love this band as much as I do:
P.S. They're coming to Toronto April 30th!
Please love this band as much as I do:
P.S. They're coming to Toronto April 30th!
Napanee
This weekend, I took a little drive to see my cousin Pete and his lovely fiancée and my dear friend, Mallory. Mal and Pete are getting married in June and have asked me to sing at during their ceremony-- how could I turn down such an honour?!
It was my first visit to their darling little house in the heart of Avril Lavigne country. On Friday night, I spent some time with Mal and her sister, Kristen, and Kristen's two little boys. After breakfast-for-dinner at Denny's (where Pete works), Mal and I flipped through her massive pile of Bridal magazines while watching 'Say Yes to the Dress' and 'Four Weddings' on TLC. It was the perfect girly night-in. I also got a little sneak peak at her wedding dress! Mal also asked me who I am bringing as my date… I hadn't thought of that, actually…
On Saturday we met up with three of Mallory's four bridesmaids to check out some potential bridesmaids dresses. Unfortunately, we were out of luck. I guess the spring and summer collections haven't made their way to Belleville yet. Hopefully they'll be able to find something soon— the wedding's in less than 4 months! It was really nice to have a girls day and hang out with this great bunch of ladies!
Later on, Mal's maid of honour, Jen, joined us back at Mal and Pete's for some homemade pizza, a couple rounds of 'Bananagrams' and this sweet game that they have for their wii called 'Just Dance'. I'm not really a fan of DDR or dance battling in general, but I had so much fun with this game! Later, we got to try out our moves at the local bar, 'The Queens'. There was a live band playing, but while the band had all the high tech gear, like wireless amps and headphones for their monitors… they left a little bit to be desired. But we still had a good time rockin' out… even though I didn't recognize any of the country tunes.
This morning, Mal made some delicious crepes for breakfast, complete with fresh kiwis, bananas and strawberries. Unfortunately, I had to say 'goodbye' because it was about a 3-hour drive back to Newmarket. Can't wait to see them at their 'Jack and Jill' in June!
--ooh, gotta go, the Grammys are on! I'm excited to see 'Mumford & Sons'!
It was my first visit to their darling little house in the heart of Avril Lavigne country. On Friday night, I spent some time with Mal and her sister, Kristen, and Kristen's two little boys. After breakfast-for-dinner at Denny's (where Pete works), Mal and I flipped through her massive pile of Bridal magazines while watching 'Say Yes to the Dress' and 'Four Weddings' on TLC. It was the perfect girly night-in. I also got a little sneak peak at her wedding dress! Mal also asked me who I am bringing as my date… I hadn't thought of that, actually…
On Saturday we met up with three of Mallory's four bridesmaids to check out some potential bridesmaids dresses. Unfortunately, we were out of luck. I guess the spring and summer collections haven't made their way to Belleville yet. Hopefully they'll be able to find something soon— the wedding's in less than 4 months! It was really nice to have a girls day and hang out with this great bunch of ladies!
Later on, Mal's maid of honour, Jen, joined us back at Mal and Pete's for some homemade pizza, a couple rounds of 'Bananagrams' and this sweet game that they have for their wii called 'Just Dance'. I'm not really a fan of DDR or dance battling in general, but I had so much fun with this game! Later, we got to try out our moves at the local bar, 'The Queens'. There was a live band playing, but while the band had all the high tech gear, like wireless amps and headphones for their monitors… they left a little bit to be desired. But we still had a good time rockin' out… even though I didn't recognize any of the country tunes.
This morning, Mal made some delicious crepes for breakfast, complete with fresh kiwis, bananas and strawberries. Unfortunately, I had to say 'goodbye' because it was about a 3-hour drive back to Newmarket. Can't wait to see them at their 'Jack and Jill' in June!
--ooh, gotta go, the Grammys are on! I'm excited to see 'Mumford & Sons'!
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