Friday, January 30, 2009

Answering the Call

We can all use a pick me up every now and then. We can all use a kick in the pants from time to time as well.

My blog buddy (also known as bff Julia mentioned below), came across a blog challenge, Grace in Small Things. In the past, I have blogged about things that I am grateful for. I tell my mom and my friends about things that I am grateful for. But I'm not really in the habit of thinking about it every single day, the way that I should.

And when I say, "the way that I should," I mean in the way that I really do have a blessed life, even though my neurotic little mind doesn't get it sometimes. God bless North America and our life of never ending want. That's a whole other post....anywho.

So here's my answer to the challenge. Sunday Sevens. Every Sunday, (assuming I am somewhere that I can post) I will blog about seven things from the previous week that I am grateful for. From little things like the new slippers I bought, to big things, like my grandparents.

Oh, it's on Julia, it's on!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The pedal to the metal

This past weekend I went to visit old bff (not to say she's not a current bff, but I mean my oldest bff) Julia.

She lives in the fine city of TO - the fine city that I just ran away from as if it was burning to the ground, and the hem of my pants were close to catching on fire.

The short drive from where I dropped my mom off in Mississauga to Julia's apartment took me well over an hour. Now, I'm sure there was a quicker route, but alas, I pretty much picked my route by the street names I knew. Really, that makes sense, doesn't it?

As I sat in traffic, I became aware of my road rage once again. Sigh. Damn those drivers on their cell phones, damn those drivers who don't stay in their lanes, damn those drivers who cut me off, and damn those drivers whose music blares so loud, I have to turn up my own radio to hear it. The thump thump thump of Ludacris drowns out my Taylor Swift. Sheesh!

Funny thing though, is that driving to me is a relaxing escape. When I'm feeling all mixed up about anything, being able to get into the car and drive somewhere just leaves the stress in the dust. So even in my moments of road rage on St. Claire Ave, I still find peace. You know, in between the yelling and throwing my hands in the air. I can breathe...breathe...breathe.

I was happy to park my car in the parking lot of her building and let it sit there, untouched, until I was ready to head back home. I don't actually mind driving in traffic, but the TTC really is a godsend. I finally used up the rest of my tokens I took with me when I left, thinking that I will eventually use them. True, it's only been a matter of about 4 months, but still, that seems an awful long time to have 3 tokens, considering I'd go through 10 in a week before.

We zipped our way around the city by streetcar or subway. As I stood up on the subway to get ready for our stop, I had to focus to keep my balance. I felt like my subway-riding skills I had perfected went down the drain. (Could also have something to do with the fact that I am a couch potato now...) I teetered back and forth and had to hold the pole to stay on my feet. Good thing this was before the wine (but after the mimosa with lunch).

Everyone is just in such a rush to get places down there. It's a city on the go. Perhaps it was their frantic actions that started the fire that made me leave...

Sunday, January 18, 2009

And then....nothing!

The all too familiar situation came around yet again. For the first time, however, it happened in this little town.

I ran into a rather good looking guy on the street. He was standing there with a map in hand, looking up and down the road. He asked me if I could point out on the map just where he was. I pointed to him our location, as he told me he was in town that day for interview and wanted to check out the town.

Conversation started about the town and I thought to myself, hmmm...nice prospect. Our chat came to a lull, and I had to get to work. We said goodbye and walked away.

As I turned around it dawned on me that I did not ask him his name, nor did I tell him mine. I didn't wish him luck on his interview and say I hope to run into him again. I had the opportunity before me, and I forgot to flirt it up!!

This, folks, seems to be my problem. When the perfect situation arrives, my mind goes blank and I forget, and then I walk away. A wasted moment, really. Geeze Louise!!!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Ready and Waiting

There are words stuck in my fingertips. I sit with my laptop on top of my lap, my fingers posed and hovering asdf jkl;. There are thoughts are jammed in my head, struggling to get out, yet they stay there, like cholesterol blocking up an atery. Maybe I need one of those balloons to get it all out...

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Uhh...PS

I don't know if you noticed, but apparently I am having trouble making up my mind with the layout of this blog. It seems that I am changing it every other day. I think, however, that I have just decided this one is a keeper. I love that it is exactly the same one I had before I started changing it all around with the exception of the colour.

Yes. I do drive myself crazy.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Colour me bad

I've been keeping a keen eye over the past year or so for any changes. You know, those changes that come with age. For example, grey hair. Each inspection proved to be a good one - not a single silver hair was found.

Blond reigns true!!

Until two days ago, that is. There I was getting ready for bed, brushing teeth, looking at my baby crows feet. And something caught my eye. A glimmer, if you will, a sparkle that emanated from my half up - half down hairdo.

I put my interest in the tiny wrinkles aside, and slowly moved my hand up to capture this...thing...I saw shimmering in my hair.

I delicately grabbed a hold of it. Hmmm....just what was I seeing?

Now, if you knew me, you would know I am a long time dyer of my hair. Since the tender age of 14, when my beach blond hair was introduced to the ways of the woman and quickly became a shade known as dirty blond. I put a stop to that with my friend Miss Clairol! In the past few years, however, I have been making efforts to have a more healthy head of hair, meaning that I only dye what is on top. Underneath was au natural until about September when I was overcome by hair dye excitement.

Right, my point. So in these past few years, I have been admiring the real colour of my hair. Depending on the light, it can be a warm golden blond with some red thrown in there, or it can appear a cool silvery blond.

This cool silvery blond had made the search for greys a bit tedious, as I have to examine extra careful and consider the lighting. My little moments in the past when my heart has pitter pattered over the suspected spotting of a grey were quickly vanquished when I realised I had jumped to conclusions.

I had hoped this was the case two days ago.

So there I was, straining and peering, cocking my head to the right to try to get a good look. I found my makeup bag and rummaged for a hand mirror to try to look at it from another angle. It showed me the same thing, a strand once full of life and colour, now announcing the fact that age is catching me.

There was only one way to be sure. I ran to my bedroom, still holding onto the strand, and found my little scissors. I was going to cut it out! Hold it right in front of my eyes and confirm once and for all.

A single snip. I held it out before me. I squinted. I sighed. I held it up high. I held it down low. I pulled it through my fingertips pressed together.

It sure looked grey to me.

Curses. I looked back at the mirror. And there, out of the corner of my eye, was a glimmer. A second glimmer. Heavens have mercy, there were two!! What is a girl to do!?!

I pulled the hair elastic out of my hair and shook my head. As my hair fell and covered the tale tell signs, I took a quick once over of the top. Nothing. Relief.

I let it be. It will become me. Perhaps these two strands are just a quick hello from 2009, and their friends will not come around for many more years.

You keep your fingers crossed for me, and I shall for you.

Monday, January 5, 2009

I resolve...

New Years Resolutions. Why do we have to make resolutions for the New Year? I suppose it is that mentality of a new year, a new start, blah blah blah, and all that. I like to think that we should make resolutions for ourselves at any given time during the year. You could look at it from the perspective of "it's a new month/day/hour/minute" or whatever.

Regardless. I do have a resolution for this year. I need to a make a change, a real change (as opposed to those 'fake' changes I made last year!). I'm not exactly sure just what this change entails but I suspect it involves a better focus on my business, and now on my writing and taking that to a whole new level.

Tee hee, and I resolve to blog more again. We've heard that one before, I know, but look! Already 2 posts for 2009! I'm off to an excellent start!

Good luck to you and your resolutions!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Counting Backwards

It seems that 2009 has found it's way into my life already. I am still looking over my shoulder wondering where 2008 went. The 12 months that have just whipped right by me left me with a few learned lessons.

  • I am full of it. Yup, that's right. Take a peek backwards and you will see little entries where I promised to blog more. Yet I did not keep my word. Sigh...
  • Changing my choices paid off!! Running blindly into the future got me a gig as a writer, so way to go on being foolish and perhaps irresponsible! Woop woop!!
  • My dedication to buying lottery tickets hasn't exactly paid off just yet. But don't worry, I'll keep at it! I don't believe in giving up!
  • The intuition razor is not all it promises. If it really knew what I needed in a razor, it would last more than 5 shaves. It's intuition is not validated.
  • Living the city made me crave the country. Living the country made me crave the city. Clearly, I just don't know what I want. Perhaps I'll figure this out in 2009!

Sure, these lessons might seem frivolous to you, but to me...major impact. It's not just beauty that is in the eye of the beholder. So is life.