Horrible Book - Sorry Michelle

I just finished reading Inkheart. It took forever and I couldn't wait for it to end. My cousin recommended and lent the book to me, so I expected something that I would really enjoy. Unfortunately, I thought it was extremely badly written. Excellent premise, but not well executed (pretty much how I felt back in the day when I attempted to read Anne Rice). There were a number of times when I did not believe the choices the characters made; it took over half the book to get to the premise. I recommend staying far, far away from this book and series.

Bath Mat

I just finished weaving in the ends on my new bath mat. This project was knit with three strands of cotton. It was weird working with more than one strand at a time, the yarn kept getting twisted and drove me crazy.

But, the mat is super soft! I'm using it next to my bed for now (due to the cold mornings), until I complete the rug I'm going to start next.

Here's the finished project (there is one end that went a little wonky):

Baby Kimono

For my friend Christi's baby I wanted to knit something different. I found a pattern for a baby kimono. The picture showed it in white, but I actually had a patterned yarn that I decided to try. I'm really happy with how it turned out and Christi actually brought Aiden over last week and he was wearing it (no pictures of him though).

Knitting Pictures - Finally

I've been knitting a lot more and am actually working on four projects right now with ideas for a number of others.

My beautiful niece was born last September and I had been knitting a blanket for her since February when I found out Megan was pregnant.

I worked on the blanket on the plane twice, in a number of bars, quite a few nights of trivia and, of course, at my Grandma's. I didn't finish the blanket until the flight out to meet Fiona, but I was so happy with how it turned out. Here are pics of the finished project:

I love how the border turned out (which is what was completed on the plane).

Below is my brother with Fiona out in the crazy snow in Vancouver with her blanket:

Golden Globes

Last night was the Golden Globes which I watch for the fashions and to see who will get crazy drunk and make a crazy speech. I loved Ricky Gervais' speech (and the fact that he came out with a pint of beer).

My favourite fashion of the evening was Kyra Sedgwick http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/01/live_the_red-carpet_looks_from.html#photo=55. I love the red dress!

Least favourite for sure was Renee Zellweger http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/01/live_the_red-carpet_looks_from.html#photo=53. There is definitely something wrong with the top of the dress.

And was it just me or was Demi Moore's dress see-through when she was on stage?

Buffy Revisited

It seems that I have a tradition every time I'm between contracts. I'll throw on the first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I have all seven seasons of Buffy and all five seasons of Angel on DVD and a five-disc DVD player. The DVD player makes it a little too easy to watch a season of a tv show on DVD. Most tv shows are about 6 discs long, so I can put almost the entire season in the player and not have to get off the couch for like 15 hours of TV viewing. It's crazy.

My latest contract ended about a month ago and after a nice trip to the Caribbean, I fell right back into my pattern of watching Buffy. This is probably the fourth time I've done this, but I haven't always gotten through all seven seasons. Last night I finished the last episode of the seventh season and I don't think I've watched season seven more than twice. There was a lot I seemed to have missed.

The second season remains my favourite: the season where we first see Angelus and contains my favourite episode "I Only Have Eyes For You".

I didn't dislike Buffy with Riley near as much as I have in the past and really wanted Buffy and Spike together (but, of course, for her to end up with Angel - I guess I should start reading the comic books to see if that has happened). But, I realized that everytime Angel was back for an episode the show was much better. It was just so much better when he was in the show.

While watching the seventh season I was once again reminded of how annoying the 'potentials' (the slayer wannabe's) were. It was so annoying, it had been bad enough to have two seasons of Dawn being annoying. Of course, the seventh season had Nathan Fillion and he is so great!

But, even with the annoying bits, it was still an excellent show and I miss it. The special features included an interview with Joss Whedon going over his favourite episodes and moments. Joss is amazing and now I feel the need to rewatch Firefly (and of course, Serenity) and Angel (all five seasons).

Unfortunately, I've been sick for the past week so the last three seasons of Buffy were kind of watched in a haze.

End of the Year

It's been so long since I've blogged! So much has been going on, I probably won't even remember all of it.

Currently, I'm hanging out at home after an excellent Christmas. Last year wasn't so great so I was a little concerned about this year's. I headed to Goderich on Christmas Eve to be with my Grandma. The drive up was really good due to the rain: the back roads were clear! Unfortunately, once getting to Goderich I ended up driving all over town trying to locate some Eggnog. I finally bought the last two cartons at the fifth store. Christmas Eve was spent with friends and family and way too much food. Another crazy Christmas morning at Grandma's, Karen was given a guitar and she was so excited! In the afternoon I hooked up my wii and Grandma and I played some bowling and golf. Dinner was spent at my Aunt Judy's and dinner was excellent. I spent most of the evening playing with the dog (it really made me want a dog, but I don't think the cats would let me do that).

After Christmas Sharon came to visit and we had a night of Wii fun. We were totally addicted to Dancing with the Stars. Unfortunately, the next day I woke up with a wicked headache. I thought it was from the beer and the wii. It was not. I've been sick since then, so just about two weeks now. I've never been sick for this long and I hate it. After a week I decided to go to the doctor and he believes I have bronchitis. Blech! The antibiotics make me nauseous and give me a metallic taste all day and night. I also have $70 cough medicine (and no I don't have benefits). It has codeine in it and I had forgotten that codeine and I don't get along. I actually don't sleep well on anything that is supposed to help you sleep. I've only been able to sleep for two hours at a time for the past two weeks (so lots of naps) and crazy-ass dreams. I'm looking forward to getting over this!

Olympic Hockey Tickets

So, Julia and I just found out which tickets we have for the Olympics in Vancouver in 2010 and I am ecstatic that we did get tickets to the women's gold medal hockey game. That was the one event that I really wanted and we got it! We have tickets to a number of other events as well, but that was the big one and we got the A seats.

Madonna, meh

So, I went to my first Madonna concert last week. I was excited, I had heard she puts on an amazing show. Julia, Jana, Trish and I met up at union station just before the concert started at 8pm. We had tickets up in the 300s. But, when we got there, they were actually pretty good. We were kind of straight on to the stage. While we were waiting for the show to start we were checking out the audience. There were some drunk women everywhere! It was crazy. We were having great time watching everyone. About 8:15/8:30 a DJ came out and got everyone pumped up. That was good, but then... nothing for a good hour. It was crazy. The DJ was pretty good and the vibe was good but then he left the stage and we waited for over an hour for Madonna, so all the good vibes went away. I was not impressed. It reminded me of the SARS concert, when AC/DC had an amazing set and then The Rolling Stones made everyone wait for over 45 mins (which doesn't seem like long until you've been at the event for over 12 hours). I was annoyed!

Finally the concert started. The screens and the video were phenomenal! It was crazy how good the production value was on the stage. There she was on a thrown. It was impressive. But, there was something missing from the performance. I'm really glad I went, but it wouldn't even make my top ten concerts of all time. Now, granted, I'm been some pretty phenomenal concerts. But, I don't think it was even as good as New Kids on the Block. I had a lot more fun at that concert (not that it is in my top 10 either).

The most fun I had: was after the concert was done and Holiday came on over the speakers and Julia and I were dancing in the stands. That was fun.

Welcome Fiona Judith!

Welcome my niece, Fiona Judith! Congrats to my brother Jason and my sister-in-law Megan. I can't wait to go out to BC to meet her.

Mini 2008 Annoyances

So, I finally picked up my new 2008 Mini Cooper. I don't love it. :(

I can't figure out why I don't love it. I'm not a big fan of the black roof with the green car. But, I do think it looks sharper than with the white roof. It's just not as cute. I think I want a white racing stripe.

But, what really annoys me: the stereo. Here are the 'features' of the mini stereo: when you turn off the car the CD player goes back to the beginning of the track.

TIFF Images

I have now realized that I need a new camera. I was in the same room as Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White and I don't have a single good picture. (Plus, my batteries died multiple times during the last couple of days.)

Here are a couple of the shots. I do realize that they are bad.

Here's Mark Van de Ven and the young actress, Amariah Faulkner, from his film 'Us Chickens' (it's on imdb.com http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1266721/).

Here's Michael Cera on the red carpet outside of the Ryerson Theatre.

Jack White leaving the Ryerson Theatre.

The Edge leaving the Ryerson Theatre.

Jack White, Jimmy Page and The Edge (and the TIFF MC and the producers and director of 'It Might Get Loud')

Michael Cera is Such a Cutie

Yesterday was a day filled with TIFF action for me. I had plans to take the bus into Toronto and TTC it around the city. Unfortunately, I was running late in the morning and it can take a good 2 hours to get from my house in Mississauga to downtown. So, the car went with me (thank goodness for green P parking). I was running so late I didn't get a chance to eat breakfast or lunch before my first movie (I was starving). First up for the day was 'The Secret of Moonacre'. This was my second choice for early Saturday afternoon. My first choice was the 'The Largest Chinese Restaurant In the World' (but no one seemed to get this movie - from discussions I had with people at the festival). 'Moonacre' was a fantasy kid's movie. I love fantasy so I was looking forward to this. I wasn't too far in the line and it was playing at the Winter Garden Theatre (which is such a beautiful theatre). Two of the stars were there (one being the girl from 'The Golden Compass'). Unfortunately, the movie didn't find it's groove. It wasn't fantastical, it just felt like it was trying too hard. There were a couple of instances where it felt like it had found that right mix of fantasy and real, but then it lost it again. I was rather disappointed.

After that I had a few hours before 'Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist'. This was the movie I was most looking forward to. I grabbed some food and walked around the Eaton Centre but wasn't really feeling it so I went and got in line about 2 hours before the movie started (which meant I was pretty close to the front of the line - probably about 30th). It gave me lots of time to knit :) Here's the issue with the film festival: I'm going to see the movie so I'm in line, which means I can't see the red carpet. I can't see the stars! I like the stars. I want to see the stars. But, if I want a good seat I have to get in line. So, I saw the limos. I saw the cameras. I heard the girls screaming for Michael Cera, but I didn't get to see anything. Well, that's not exactly true. I saw Tyler Labine (Sock from Reaper) waiting to walk the red carpet and I did see Michael Cera talking to the reporters when I was walking into the theatre (but they keep you walking pretty quickly so I was only able to stop for a quick second and one picture). Before the movie started they brought out the cast to say a quick hi (apparently this was the World Premiere so everyone was there - people were commenting on how many rows were sectioned off for reserved seating - normally there are one or two rows but this time there were at least 10). When Michael Cera came out on stage there was a lot of screaming (for those of you who don't know, he's from Brampton and was in Arrested Development, Juno and Superbad); then when the movie started and the first frame was of Michael Cera everyone screamed again (there was a lot of love for Michael in the theatre); after the movie the MC told us she would not accept questions that started with 'Michael We Love You. We take that as a given.'

The movie was really good. Michael was awesome as always. There were a couple of scenes that I felt were a little flat, but it was a good 'crazy night in New York movie'. I've had nights like this and they were always so awesome (maybe not quite as crazy, but definitely nights that just had a lot going on, where you didn't want them to end).

After the movie I met up with Lisa and friends for a drink before heading over to see her brother Mark's movie. Lisa had the job of trying to get her family in line for the movie. I would say Mark definitely had the largest contingent of people in the theatre. There were 6 short films at this screening and all very different. I've never really seen a group of shorts before so this was pretty cool. One of the shorts, 'Next Floor', was really interesting but also very disturbing. Mark's movie was good. I really liked the look of the film, but there were parts of the acting that kind of took me out of the enjoyment, overall though, I really liked it and was really happy for Mark to be at TIFF. After the presentation we headed over to Coca for the after party. The patio is really nice and it was a gorgeous night.

Today I had one movie to see, 'Witch Hunt'. This was a documentary about Bakersfield, California and a number of people that were wrongly accused of child molestation. It was a very emotional movie and one of the really interesting things they did was talk about how this affected the children involved. The children were coerced into accusing the adults and it has now affected them in their adults lives. It was very moving. Sean Penn narrated and he was in the audience. But, what was really great was the fact that a number of the kids and the accused were in the audience and they were available for the Q&A after the film. There were a lot of tears in the audience and a number of standing ovations. It was a very powerful moment for me (and I believe a number of others) at the festival.

This is what I love about the festival and why I am so glad that I chose to go to more than one movie this year - the moments that you weren't expecting. Friday night I wasn't expecting to be sitting in the same theatre as Jimmy Page, today I wasn't expecting to be so moved by a film and last night I was able to see a movie made by a friend. I only have two more movies left and I am wishing I had more.

Jimmy Page, Jack White and The Edge ... oh my!

Just returned from my first movie at the festival. I hadn't checked any of the news so I had no idea that The Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White were expected at the screening of 'It Might Be Loud' (Elisabeth Sue was there as well, but I couldn't see her). I also didn't expect them to come in and sit to watch the movie (I'm such a TIFF newbie). It was crazy, I could see Jimmy Page and The Edge if I looked around during the movie (they were sitting about 20 feet from where I was). Not that I looked around alot during the movie. It was so good! Watching the three of them jam was amazing. After the movie there was a question and answer which was very cool. Jack White is really tall, or at least really seems like it. He's taller than Jimmy Page and I think he's pretty tall. The Edge is sooo sexy and Jack White definitely has that 'thing'.

I stuck around to see them walk out. It was kind of funny, hardly any of the people waiting around had seen the movie. Most people had just been hanging out at the door waiting for them to go in and to come out.

The lineup waiting for the movie was crazy; wrapped around the block. I had brought my knitting so that was good. This next week of movies may give me the time to finish off this project :)

So, I'm highly recommending 'It Might Get Loud'. The three guys talk about how they came to be guitarists, they jammed, talked about some of their favourite songs and beginnings with their bands. I loved it.

Us Chickens at TIFF

Lisa's brother, Mark, has a movie premiering at the Toronto Film Festival this weekend. It's called 'Us Chickens'. Mention of the movie made it into the Sun today:
http://www.torontosun.com/TorontoFilmFestival08/news/2008/09/05/6666836-sun.html

I am excited about seeing Mark's movie as well as my other 6 selections for the festival. I start tonight with 'It Might Get Loud' (with The Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White). Tomorrow I'm seeing three presentations (including the Short Cuts presentation which will include Mark's movie). I've been to a few movies in the past for the festival, but this will be my first full-fledged undertaking. Well, I guess it's not really full-fledged since Lisa did most of the leg-work for me. It was all crazy trying to get the tickets and movie selections completed in time (THANK YOU Lisa). I'm seeing a couple of documentaries, the short program and at least one 'Hollywood' movie (ie the Michael Cera film 'Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist' I am so excited to see).

I will try to keep my blog updated on the festivities, but I'll probably be crazy tired after all the running around.

Updates

The Olympics are finally over and I can get back to a somewhat normal pace of life. Those two weeks wiped me out! My PVR still hasn't recovered from the 12 hours of coverage a day (well 24 if you count that I was recording CBC and TSN most days).

What did I love about the Beijing Olympics:

1. Michael Phelps


2. Eric Lamaze


3. Sook-Yin Li's Ying and Yang segments


4. Simon Whitfield


5. Adam Vankoeverdan

Phelps Obsession

I just returned from my friend's place, where I watched Michael Phelps' final race at the 2008 Olympics. I am so happy this part of the Olympics is over. I've been obsessed. I've stayed up late to watch every time he was in the pool in the morning. Gotten up early to watch every time he was in the pool in the evening (Beijing being 12 hours earlier). This week has had me remembering all those Saturday mornings waiting for my swim meets. Getting on the bus early and travelling to a different pool in Huron County, sitting at the Judith Gooderham pool in Goderich waiting for my heats. The excitement of winning those different coloured ribbons (which I believe were lost / thrown out in one of the many moves over the years). Watching the medley relay tonight reminded me so much of my team relays oh so many years ago. I was always the breast stroke leg and Laurie Dawson was always the butterfly (she was amazing). Normally we had different people in the back and freestyle legs every week (depending on who was around - I believe a friend subbed in one week because she was visiting). But, we always won. That is until we turned 12. That's when everyone else grew about a foot and I didn't. After that I never won another race (that I can remember). I'm still a strong swimmer and still have a strong breast stroke. When I swam in those two mini-triathalons, I swam breast stroke. It's a slow stroke compared to the others, but it's still my favourite. I found it strange when they were discussing the different strokes and said that the breast stroke was the most difficult. The butterfly is insane and was definitely the one we were in awe of when we were kids (and I'm still in awe of). Mostly what I'm getting from this week of intense Olympic watching, is that I want to go back to swimming. I miss it so much. The problem: my fear of water. After years of swimming, I developed an irrational fear of the water. I read Jaws when I was about twelve. Not a good idea. It really messed me up. I still swim, I still waterski, I received my scuba diving certification a few years ago, I still get on a windsurfer when I get the opportunity; but, it freaks me out. I don't just jump in a pool like I used to. I have a pool in my building complex that I haven't been in at all this summer. Part of that is how busy I am, but most of it is me freaking out. So, I'm thinking of taking a class. I'm not super happy with the options that Mississauga has on offer in the pool. But, I don't think it matters at this point. I think I just need to get back in the pool. I guess I'm happy with my obsession of Phelps this week, if for nothing else than it getting me back into a pool and swimming. And I think that might be one of the point's of the games, getting people interested in the sports. Well, the hype and the attention on Phelps may just do it, for me.

MINI Drama

So, the MINI drama continues. I was hoping they could find me a mini earlier than mid-Sept. Apparently they are in major demand. At least in the configuration I want. Currently, there is a mini coming in about two weeks from now. Jaguar / British Racing Green with everything I want except the media connect. The media connect is the usb connection to the ipod so that I can see the song name and charge the ipod while driving, it also allows my phone to go through the radio. This would be super nice to have. But, can I live without it? Sure, but I'd rather have it now that the option has been presented. Is it worth me going insane over car options for the next month? No.

There is another dealer that found a mini with the colour and everything I want (including media connect), but they don't know if they can get a dealer trade. I kind of want this one to become available so that I get everything I want, but I would also feel bad going with a different dealer than the guy that has been putting up with my craziness for the past two weeks. He actually said I was easy to deal with (I know many people that would beg to differ on that one - it was through email so maybe he was writing it through clenched teeth).

Fingers crossed that I get a car soon!

The Mini Has Died

A couple of weeks ago I was driving to work and the mini started to make some horrible noises. I decided to turn around and go to the dealership. Unfortunately, the car didn't cooperate. It started to shake and then just stopped. Apparently the transmission went (possibly due to an oil leak that caused multiple problems).

Now I'm trying to figure out what to do. I loved my mini, so I think I want a new one. But, it's going to take forever to get a new one. It's costing me a fortune to rent a car until it's ready.

Finally Nice Weather

Just got back from my friend Dorie's cottage. It's about time we had some beautiful weather. Dorie just returned from about a month in Samoa, Australia and New Zealand. So, we pretty much just relaxed - napped on the dock, went for a swim, tubing, reading in the sun, hanging out in the hot tub. It was great.