Memorial

I wanted a pet since I could remember. I used to pester my mom and my dad again and again about how great it would be to have a pet at home--especially a cat. I promised that I'd keep up with caring for kitty and I'd scoop the litter and feed her.

Sound like familiar territory to anyone?

My parents eventually caved when I was in late elementary school and I got my wish.

Over the years, we became the best of friends. She tidied the socks I left around the house and helped protect me when I was being scolded for something. She kept my mom on her toes and chewed the wires only when my mom was looking. She knew all her meal times and promptly notified us when it was exactly 6pm (or 6:30am, for that matter).

When I left for school, I saw her less and I guess I never really noticed it but she wasn't young anymore. In early 2010, she was diagnosed with a genetic heart problem and the cardiologist told us she wasn't going to get past June.

But this kiddo was a fighter and she made it a whole year while keeping us busy with all her hijinks. Ever try pilling a cat successfully? We were doing this twice daily. And she was considered "easy". Despite being sick, she kept the house lively and there was never a dull moment. She even managed to keep the little one in check.

Lots of people talk about rescuing animals and taking care of them; the animals were fortunate to have those to care for them. But, in our case, I know we were the ones who were fortunate to have her.

Green with ENVY!

Today is totally coming up Milhouse! I'm so excited. I got my Travel Roller in the mail and I've only used it for a few minutes and I love it already.

I've also got a challenge at work; and for those of you who know me pretty well, know that I keep a competitive streak well hidden... except when you call me out and challenge me to a du-el (complete with glove). I've got a bet with my manager about how fast I can roll out a tactic/procedure. What's in it for me? Other then the fact that I can totally wow her? A free lunch! Free's always awesome and the whole situation is really just a big win-win.

Oh, and I finally got a hold of the elusive (not who you think, Amber) NDC office. Practices are well on their way to being booked. Hurrah!

Anyways, that's probably not that exciting for y'all. Instead, let's take a look at something else that really gets me excited: pretty clothes. No, not just "pretty" but beautiful and/or stunning. As much as I love men's suits (or maybe that's men IN suits...especially the 3-piece kind--The Mentalist, anyone?), I love jewel toned dresses and tops and lovely tailored pieces and evening gowns. Vintage and era specific clothing... all things that really catch my eye. Really, my love of beautiful fashion doesn't have any real boundaries.

I was chatting with a coworker today whose brother is getting married this year. In their culture, looking like you're a million bucks can really be a big deal. But, we all have budgets so she asked me if it was worth going to Buffalo to check out some of the stores there or head to NYC to look for something nice (and effectively, 'safe'). Actually, she probably needs 2-3 different dresses/outfits for the family weddings. (I'm not secretly jealous because it's a costly endeavour I had to partake in, during 2011--it's nice to get a break)

While we were talking, she was trying to communicate the type of outfit she wanted to purchase. Anyone who's tried to do this knows that it's just easier to find a picture; Kate Winslet's Golden Globe dress of 2012 was her aim:

It's a classy and pretty dress, isn't it? But, it just didn't catch my eye. At least not in the same way that Lea Michele's green dress from the SAG Awards (2010?) did:

I watch Glee and the way they dress Rachel Berry is just too hilariously awesome. I'm never sure if she's trying to play innocent school girl or sexy librarian... or grandma. And that's why I would never have thought that she could look so stunning. Someone's been so kind as to post several of the beautiful dresses that Lea Michele has worn since coming into the spotlight, on their own blog.

Enh, who knew that Monday could be so awesome!

Uhh Earth to Matilda, I was at a day spa. Day, D-A-I-Y-E. Okay?

--Derek Zoolander

No, I wasn't gone for a week where nobody could find me; I had a fabulous weekend. Friday started with yet another birthday dinner from my favourite person and I got to watch The Watchmen. I read the comic/graphic novel and thoroughly enjoyed the social commentary (though was somewhat distraught at times). The movie was certainly longer than I would be able to keep my attention... but I think that it had to be all done (there was still parts missing and they changed the ending) to make it an effective movie.

On Saturday, I helped my mom get a birthday present that she was ecstatic with: a mega deal for 6 pairs of cordory pants which were a savings of well over $300. Yea, I know--what a deal, huh? I am pretty certain that the present itself was not in fact the pants... but the fact that the deal was so awesome. I wish all my clothing sales were that awesome.

Then we headed to an invigorating yoga class with a fabulous yoga instructor which we did for 1.5 hours an the 26th floor of my favourite person's condo-apt. It was such a great feeling to be able to stretch out and unravel all the tight and uncomfortable bits.

Dinner was a delicious grass-fed striploin steak at 5 Doors North with my 'sister' from UW. It was so great that we didn't realize we had been chatting for over 3 hours!

Sunday was the cherry on top of the sundae. I was swept away to a day of relaxing fun and bonding with my bestie. We went to Hammam Spa on King West for custom facials and steam room stuff. Then we proceeded to the Distillery District for a (super) late lunch at Pure Spirits: Oyster House & Grill. Yum-o. Their chowdah was awe-som-o.

Anyways, without further ado, I present several photos taken from our little trek out that way...

This one is my favourite.

The following are some more that need some post-processing but what the hell. Sans post-processing!

All aperture priority with my nifty50.

I'm Gonna Keep on Rollin'

For the last few years, I've been complaining about my age being a cause of the symptoms I've been experiencing... slower healing time, aches and pains, needing more sleep and possibly caring less about what others think of me.

While most things are tolerable to a variable degree, I've started considering the additional aches and pains to become a hindrance to my daily activities and disruptive to my necessary periods of focus while at work... or listening to friends talk to me about their troubles or how the day went.

I decided to up my medical coverage so that I would have the benefit of massages and I started to incorporate more stretching while nobody's looking. Even basic core strengthening is something I try to incorporate regularly while I'm standing about.

I suspect that my poor posture (which used to be perfect, like Seven) and aches and pains are caused by my lack of physical activity--particularly yoga and a sedentary work-life. It doesn't help that my desk set-up should seriously be shot.

I was watching Dragon's Den one Wednesday evening and one of the pitches that came out was called the "Travel Roller"; click here to watch the pitch.

That's Arysta Bogner-Wood, one of the owners/creators of the product.

I've heard of foam rollers for tight IT bands, hamstrings or even calves and thought, if physiotherapists are recommending/prescribing patients to use these to help loosen these muscles to reduce/eliminate pain caused by tight muscles, there has to be some use to doing all this. My brother who is far more active than I ever was, has a similar product and said that it helped him when he was running more. (I should mention that I have been testing his for the last week and don't find it particularly well designed and too many bobbles and bits)

There was a special price being offered and Arysta herself was answering my online inquires with patience (I'm really slow, and indecisive) in a very timely manner--good customer service is a big deal to me. I submitted my order late last night for an order of the "truth blue" roller with acupressure balls.

In about a week's time, I'll start using my new truth blue roller and it'll be the start to body without pain. I hope to incorporate a regular (20-30 min, daily) routine of self massaging with the balls (ha) and roller. I'll be sure to let y'all know how this goes.

Just in: Solar Flares Forecasted for 2012 and 2013

I haven't had many posts about things that intrigue me.

I've always been fascinated with nature and science--perhaps the reason for my desire to get a science Bachelors from school. Even though I'm not working anywhere near a science related industry, I find myself always quickly clicking on the article link about something that happens in nature.

The latest one to catch my eye is from CBC about "Massive solar flares not expected to cause disruptions". What exactly is going on? Well, our Sun is an active star that has "cycles"--11 years to be exact. In essence, every 11 years, there is a peak of activity in our Sun, such as solar flares.

These solar flares are eruptions which spew out into space (solar wind). As a result, our solar system gets a spewing of ions, electrons and atoms in the form of radiation. First, electromagnetic radiation, then proton radiation and finally, the plasma from the sun (coronal mass ejection).

Usually, our technology dependant society gets a little worried because all this solar ejection can sometimes disrupt the "radiation" which we enjoy... in the form of cellular phone service, radio, television... etc. In other situations, it can knock out entire power grids, like it did in 1989, for Quebec. And we can't forget about the astronauts out in space or the satellites that carry all our signals... but a really neat bonus for us Torontonians is that we have the opportunity to view the aurora borealis in our backyards.

And really, who cares if the power grid goes out for a day or two. I don't have to go to work!

This storm has been classified as the largest one since the Halloween Storms of 2003. The Halloween Storms were so powerful that they were seen as far south as Florida and Texas!