Amberism

Since Christmas is coming...

and we're spending like crazy these days, this quote just seems fitting. Plus I love it.

"While few people could comprehend what it would be like to have no eosystem capable of supporting human life, almost everyone can imagine what it would be like to have no money. I find this an inherent irony considering it is quite possible to survive without the latter, but not the former. However, most people fail to make the connection. Soceity sees currency as the source of sustenance. Few look deeper to see that the environment is the actual, seminal source of life support."*

Although, truth be told I don't agree with this quote 100%. I think to suggest that few look deeper is arrogant, as I suspect most people do look deeper but unfortunately our society is based on money (and, is that wrong? No, I don't think so, how else is it going to work effectively?). People have a life to live and I believe that ensuring your kids are fed and your house is warm is not a selfish endeavor, nor should you feel guilty for it. The bigger picture needs improving - government, trade, international treaties and organizations, military resource use - moreso than the little picture, in my opinion. We can all make our contributions and most people I know are doing a pretty decent job of it when and where they can. Still it doesn't hurt to be reminded, often, that we need to protect our earth for our children and children's children and money certainly isn't everything.

But money sure is nice (so someone, please hire me :) ).

*Clancy, E. "The Tradegy of the Global Commons" Indiana Global Legal Studies Journal, Vol 5, No. 2, p13

Election Fever ...Again

I don't want another election in February. It seems like such a waste of money because everyone I talked to is going to vote the exact same as last time, so we're going to get the exact same government. The point is?

Canadians - are you changing your vote this February? I'm not, unless something radical happens to change the players.

In other news, I found a cool sustainablity/environmental online magazine (American, of course, but they mention a lot of Canadian stuff too) - Tree Hugger.

Speaking of the environment, we're going to a Christmas Party in a couple of weeks that is doing a fun little gift exchange where the gift is less than $10 and is suppose to be ridiculous. Any suggestions? I HATE getting crap for presents, even for a silly exchange, therefore I prefer not to give it. If I can't *use* it, I don't want it. For example: candles, frames, figurines, toys - I don't want or use any of these things so please do not buy them for me. Send me a card, or buy me soap, shampoo, cleaning products, books, send me a picture (sans frame), or something homemade (like, say, a Harry Potter scarf knit by Miss. Fearthainn would be nice), or a piece of cheap, funky jewelery even, but please do not buy me something that sits on a shelf unless you know me well enough to know I need it or would LOVE it. I've been trying for years to get rid of this sort of stuff and just a quick glance around my office suggests that I'm failing miserably.

My girlfriends and I don't even exchange gifts anymore, unless we see something at a thrift store/garage sale for $5 that the other person needs or would use. One year, Ange and I regifted stuff from our house and that was fun. I love regifting and its a mystery to me why this is such a faux-paus. I have some great stuff I don't use anymore that would make lovely gifts...

Pretty fog, don't go.

We've been in a fog, literally, since Saturday and its utterly beautiful. Tomorrow it is suppose to lift and I'm really bummed about it. Something about fog just slows you down and quiets the world. I've really enjoyed it.

My condo is SOLD. Yay! Now I just have to deal with the lawyer, and by December 1st we have one less worry on our plate. I feel sad that I won't own that property anymore, but we had to do it. We just couldn't make it work when my career future is still so uncertain (it might be less uncertain if I were making a bigger effort to get a job, but I really like having an extended paid vacation and admit it, you would to :) ).

Tomorrow I'll post pictures of some of my Christmas projects I've been working on to liven things up around here, I've been very lazy with respect to this space.

It's a Harry Potter World

I wanted to see Harry Potter, so we decided we'd check out the late showing of it tonight in Nanaimo (the city closest to Hicksville, where we live). One of the great things about living here is that you can go to a movie on Saturday night and there is a total of 12 people in the theatre. We figured, so what if its opening night, how busy can it possibly get?

Naive, us. Naive. All 12 million showings were sold out, even the 10:30pm showing. The movie is 2.5 hours long, who lets their kids stay up until 1:00 am to watch a freaking movie?!! We'll wait a couple of weeks and then catch it in the theatre.

Speaking of small town living, I've discovered a plus. I was at the post office today and moronically tossed my letter into the box before I put a stamp on it (yes, I truly am a moron). I confessed to the post office clerk (attendant, expert?) and all I had to do was cough up the $0.50 for a stamp and she said she'd stamp it when she emptied the box later. Excellent. Then she said "that's one of the many benefits of living in a small town" and I had to stop myself from saying "many? really?". I will agree that there are some perks beyond nature at my back door and the peace and quiet. I'm not sure I'd go so far as to declare that there are many.

Does anyone watch Veronica Mars? Anyone?

I need a "oh my GOD" buddy to discuss my tv watching and this show is my guilty pleasure.

Lisa?

In lieu of real content

It's been a little crazy here. Grandma is in the hospital, and I'm in the process of dealing with my condo sale and, well, you get the idea. I'll fill you in later. So, in the meantime, swiped from Miss. Candi. I might format it later for easy reading, but I wouldn't count on it at this point.

What time did you get up this morning? 7:45 am
Diamonds or Pearls? diamonds
What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Weatherman.
What is your favorite TV show(s)? Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars
What did you have for breakfast this morning? uh, chocolate cake but I swear that's not the norm.
What is your middle name? Dawn
What is your favorite cuisine? Mexican
What foods do you dislike? perogies
Your favorite Potato chip? Tortilla chips
What is your favorite CD at the moment? Michael Buble, I guess.
What kind of car do you drive? 1991 Honda Civic
Favorite sandwich? Tuna salad
What characteristics do you despise? Ignorant people who make no effort to be less so.
What are your favorite clothes? Jeans and a sweater.
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where WOULDN'T you go? I have no desire to go anywhere that woman aren't treated as equals.
What color are your eyes? Blue I believe (they kinda change color).
Favorite brand of clothing? Don't have one.
Where would you want to retire to? Canada, somewhere.
Favorite time of day? Evening, I get way more done in the evening.
Where were you born?Comox, British Columbia, Canada
Favorite sport to watch? There is no such thing.
Coke or Pepsi? Coke.
Are you a morning person or night owl? Night owl, for sure. I do NOTHING in the morning but drink coffee and read.
Any new and exciting news you’d like to share with everyone? uh, sold the condo (assuming conditions are listed), Grandma went into emergency this past weekend and that wasn't exciting but it was eventful I suppose.
What did you want to be when you were little? an author, believe it or not. Before I realized I had absolutely no talent in that vein.
What are the different jobs you have had in your life? several retail positions, a couple of student engineer positions, lastly a research and development engineer for a software company.
Nicknames: Amberber, Amberger, Red, Flaming Red, Amberly, and uh, wench.
Piercings? Two in each ear lobe
Ever been to Africa? Yes.
Ever been toilet papering? No
Been in a car accident? three times, small fender benders.
Favorite day of the week? Don't have one, all my days? The same.
Favorite restaurant? Shady Rest is Qualicum Beach.
Favorite flower? I enjoy all flowers.
Favorite ice cream? Don't have one.
Favorite fast food restaurant? Again, no favorites.
How many times did you fail your driver’s test?? None
Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail? From Raj, my main email buddy :)
Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? The travel agency. And I've done it :).
Bedtime? Usually by 11.
Last person you went to dinner with? Steve, for his birthday on Tuesday to Kalvas in Parksville. It was really nice.
What are you listening to right now? The sound of my mad typing because I have to leave pronto to get to a fax machine to fill out more paperwork and then see Grandma.
What is your favorite color? eh, green I suppose.
How many tattoos do you have? I have a sunrise (for my name "Amber Dawn" ) on my ankle. Steve and are thinking of getting tattoos together this year though.

The Heart of the Matter

So, have you tried the new measurement deal to see if you're at risk for a heart attack yet?

In case you haven't heard this one* you measure your waist, your real waist not the low-rise waist forced upon us by low-rise pants, and your hips. Divide your waist number by the hip number. I was pleasantly surprised with my hip number, but being pleasantly surprised that my hips aren't nearly as enormous as I imagined doesn't take me out of the running for a heart attack.

According to this simple calculation I am at risk. My number was like 0.94 and its suppose to be 0.85. meh. I guess I should get back into my exercise routine, which Steve has been hassling me to do anyway. He wants us to start running together and he's all gung-ho but I haven't done any training at all. I mean, it's so much work. I'd have to get up, put the knitting down, change, and then, like, you know, run. Where's the joy in that?!

On that note, I think I'll go walk my dog.

*it was on Oprah, and once its on Oprah, everyone talks about it. It was on our daily news last night so it seems that the news is a step behind Oprah.

Happy Halloween!!

eh, ok, so I'm a couple days off, but you know, I'm extending the festivities all week instead of just one lousy spooky-filled day. It really SHOULD be a week-long holiday because it's fun! And fun should last longer than a day!

Without further ado, Captain Morgan! hee!

I made the coat and Steve covered the hat with felt. That coat was no easy task, my friends so even if you hate it, lie. I thought he looked pretty fantastic, and its sort of an inside joke with this group of friends that Steve has a score to even with Captain Morgan.

And I went as Captain Morgan's bar wench because I have no pride. And also because there's a history with the whole wench thing. This is NOT a flattery costume for me, but I also made this so again, lie if you hate it. A seamstress I am not.

You can sort of see the decore in the background, that's my bat cave. It looked way cooler in real life because it was all lit by candles and black light during the party, and there are small touches you can't really see - just trust me. Like ants crawling up the wall in the bathroom and little spider toothpics and bat labels on the food... and well, you get the idea. I was quite proud.

Finally, are these two not THE CUTEST DAMN THINGS THAT HAVE EVER LIVED?????

Tarrah - I completely forget to take a pic of the pumpkin(s) :(. I just didn't take any pics, and I already tossed the pumpkins into the compost before I even remembered. I suck.

In other news, I'm finally out of my lazy-ass-I-have-no-job routine and am in full volunteer mode for the streamkeepers. It's really lifted my mood tenfold, and I seem to be accomplishing so much more. Also, getting up at 7:30 instead of 9:30 or 10:00 is also helping with that. And I started a winter garden in hopes of getting some garden veggies over the winter months as well, we'll see if that works out or not. Apparently it can be done on the mild west coast if you're game to try it.