It gives me something to write about

My little sister is majoring in English at university. Right now she's taking a creative writing class. In one of their assignments the prof crossed out all of the adjectives to get across the point that, when not used judiciously, they can make writing cumbersome. This story reminded me of that. (Find the reason for the writing of this story here.

and the rest of the weekend, that I completely forgot to talk about

Saturday night I went to my uncle's 50th birthday party. It was a good time. There were lots of really good appetizers that I wish I had the recipes for, and their friends are amusing and nice. Plus I got to talk to a lot of intelligent and interesting family members that I don't always get to chat with, seeing as how I'm horribly shy, and intimidated by intelligent and interesting people, and hate functions where there are lots of people and I have to talk to them.

Then yesterday I gave Gil a hand with putting up baseboards in the newly laminated bedroom (I'm not sure if laminated is the correct term/usage, but I'm using it anyways) and hallway. There were all sorts of finishing details like putting in new outlets and light covers, putting up the Hot Wheels border their son picked out (refused to let go of in the store, actually), and putting the rod back in the closet. Then we moved his son's stuff into the bedroom and cleaned up. That may not sound like a lot, but it managed to take all day. Next on his agenda is doing the same thing to the other bedroom for their imminent daughter, but with more of a pink theme. This weekend I learned how to properly put up borders, attach electrical outlets, and use a mitre saw. I did pretty good.

lately and stuff

I haven't turned my puter on lately, to account for the lack of posts. And also I haven't felt like writing much, or doing anything creative, really. The muses are elsewhere. I'm pretty good at excuses, huh?

On Saturday I went picking flooring with my friends Megan and Mark. I'll be moving into their basement suite around Christmas, or whenever their house is ready. The place is rather small, but there's a gas fireplace to heat the basement and, as I already said, they let me help pick the flooring. Actually, what really happened was this:
Mark: "I don't like making decisions, so it's up to you."
Amy: "..Um...Okay..."
Amy's Brain: "Sure crazy. (they're going to hate me forever)"

However, I came across some lino that Megan and I both really liked, and it ended up being really close to the tile that they picked out for the main floor anyways. So that was good, since they won't have to find a separate colour scheme for the suite than for their section of the house.

I saw the house plans for the first time, and also got to tour the part that's been built so far. The outside walls, siding, doors and windows are up, but the inside walls/drywall isn't in yet, and the basement is still completely bare - the floor hasn't even been cemented. But I was really glad to see that much, so I can get a feel for how much (aka little) I'll be able to fit.

The basement is 500 square feet, including the stairs, entrance, furnace room and shared laundry area. So after you take out the kitchen and bathroom, that doesn't leave a whole lot of furniture space. I'm really glad I have a single bed. The double that I also own will have to stay in storage for the time being, so that I have room to swing the cat. If I had a cat. And wasn't allergic to it. Not that I would swing it, that's pretty mean, I'm a bit too much of a softy. So, the weather's been pretty nice lately. How about those Riders?

Anyways, I've been planning out what I want to take ever since, and how I'll find a place for everything else. I think my dad's new workshop on the farm might become a fully furnished apartment with everything I'll have to stow away. To go along with the two dining room tables that are already out there, I'll have a couch set, a recliner, a bedroom suite, some shelves, an elliptical trainer that needs a tune-up, and a plant stand. And a lot of odds and ends. Oh, and my puter, so I don't know how often I'll be posting after that. Kind of like now, probably.

Try it

You Are A: Duckling!

The cutest of the cute, these baby ducks are often spotted in the spring following closely behind their mother. As a duckling you will grow up quickly, becoming one of the adult ducks seen commonly in ponds and streams. Playful and timid, charming and vulnerable, ducklings are nature's very definition of innocence.

You were almost a: Lamb or a Bunny
You are least like a: Frog or a ParakeetWhat Cute Animal Are You?

I didn't like some of their questions, they're too black and white. Some of them don't apply to me at all.

(Also via Mike)

Guilty of

Bold all those that you ever were guilty of doing. When you are done, add one thing that is true about yourself to the end, and then post the list to your journal or blog. (via Mike)

Note: any comments in brackets are mine, I like to blab a lot.

I've run away from home.
I listen to political music.
I collect comic books.
I shut others out when I'm sad.
I open up to others easily.
I am keeping a secret from the world.
I watch the news.
I own over 5 rap CDs.
I own an ipod.
I own something from Hot Topic.
I love Disney movies. (I cry in them, even though I know they're cheezy and for crying out loud it's a cartoon, drawings can't actually die)
I am a sucker for hair/eyes. (eyes)
I don't kill bugs.
I have "x"s in my screen name.
I've slipped out a "lol" in a real conversation.
I love Spam.
I bake well. (the guys at work can vouch for this)
I would wear pajamas to school/work.
I own something from Abercrombie.
I have a job.
I love Martha Stewart.
I am in love with someone. (it gets me through my days at work)
I am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS.
I am self conscious.
I like to laugh.
I smoke a pack a day.
I loved Go Ask Alice.
I have cough drops when I'm not sick.
I can't swallow pills.
I have many scars.
I've been out of this country.
I believe in ghosts.
I can't sleep if there is a spider in the room.
I am really ticklish.
I love chocolate.
I bite my nails.
I am comfortable with being me.
I play computer games/video games when I'm bored.
Gotten lost in the city.
Saw a shooting star
I have had 2 serious surgical procedures.
I have kissed a stranger.
Hugged a stranger.
Been in a fist fight with the same sex.
Been arrested.
Laughed and had milk/soda come out of your nose.
Pushed all the buttons on an elevator.
Made out in an elevator. (not sure about this one, but it sounds like something I'd do)
Sworn at my parents. (only once, and I haven't done it again. not because I haven't felt like it, but I felt like an ass afterwards. a lot of the things I do are done through guilt)
Kicked a guy where it hurts. (accidentally. my poor older brother)
Been skydiving.
Been bungee jumping.
Broken a bone.
Played spin the bottle.
Gotten stitches. (only from the aforementioned surgeries)
Drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour. (I used to do this all the time in university, kept me awake during class)
Bitten someone.
Been to Niagara Falls.
Gotten the chicken pox.
Crashed into a car. (sadly last winter I made a first of this. I could live with it being my last)
Been to Asia.
Ridden in a taxi.
Shoplifted. (I was sorry for it and I've never done it again, does that count?)
Been fired.
Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back. (all the time, baby)
Stole something from my job.
Gone on a blind date.
Had a crush on a teacher/coach. (not sure about this one, but it sounds like something I'd do)
Celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Been to Europe.
Slept with a co-worker. (I can't stress enough how stupid this is, especially if you have as bad taste in co-workers as I do)
Been married.
Gotten divorced.
Saw someone dying.
Driven over 400 miles in one day.
Been to Canada.
Been on a plane.
Seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Thrown up in a bar. (not sure about this one, sounds familiar so I may be repressing things)
Eaten Sushi.
Been snowboarding. (TERRIBLE experience. I don't fall well, so by the end of a couple hours I had a monster headache and switched back to skis)
Been skiing. (one of the things I miss most since having knee problems)
Been ice skating. (the other thing I miss most with regard to knee problems)
Met someone in person from the internet.
Been to a car show.
Gone to college.
Done hard drugs.
Taken painkillers. (note: pain killers don't have much effect on me. jerks)
Met a celebrity.
I like playing practical jokes. (only the funny kind)
Once swore Disco would never die.
Seen a ghost.
Attended a professional sporting event.
Attended a live rock concert.
Stayed up all night. (ha, funny story about this one, damn near killed myself)
Lied about my name.
Dressed up like a Star Wars character
Been part of a police lineup
Enjoy making a fool of myself. (but only when I mean to)

Flooring woes

I helped Gilly put in laminate flooring on Sunday, and I've been sore ever since. I'm turning into a crotchety old man, mostly in the knee region. I have monster bruises on them. Maybe I can use that to my advantage since Hallowe'en is coming up next week...

In other news, the laminate we put in was extremely cheap stuff, so it chipped a lot. Lesson learned: if you're buying laminate, go for quality over price, as the cheaper stuff probably won't stand up to much. It wasn't much better than the backing you get with cheap MDF shelving. It's really nice if you don't look too close though, and far better than the nasty carpet that was there before.

Women aren't the only ones

You know, if you're going to wear shorts at work, maybe you shouldn't complain that it's too cold...

One of those creepy things I wish I never knew

I found out the other day that botox, that stuff they inject for plastic surgery to make your wrinkles go away, comes from botulin. Which means you are injecting yourself with:

botulism: A severe, sometimes fatal food poisoning caused by ingestion of food containing botulin and characterized by nausea, vomiting, disturbed vision, muscular weakness, and fatigue.

Lovely, isn't it?

When in Ethiopia

Last night I went out to Selam, the only Ethiopian restaurant in Saskatchewan. The occasion was that Tyler was in town for a couple days on training. He's one of the guys I went to university with, was down on a work term in Ottawa with, so it was good fun.

I'd never had Ethiopian cuisine before. The place was really quiet last night, but I guess it gets kind of rowdy with bands and karaoke on weekend nights. The food was quite tasty and cutlery-less. Plus we got authentic explanations and stories from the Ethiopian lady who served us. I'd definitely recommend it.

for what it's worth

This is a rather useful thing to do with your degree. My favorite part:

The scultptures are made out of my shredded university notes, a degree in psychology.

(via Andrea)

Gravity won

I had a bad gravity day yesterday. In the afternoon I dropped a jar of homemade black currant jam as I was trying to pop the seal.

The jam didn't splatter much, probably because the seal was unbroken. But the glass flew all over. This wouldn't have been too bad, but my parents have a combined kitchen/dining room so pieces went under the table and chairs. So I had to move things around while I vacuumed. But I felt worst because my dad had just scrubbed the off-white tile floor last weekend, on his birthday. And I jammed all over it. Mmm, bright red sticky mess... Plus I wasted an entire jar of jam. I really wanted that jam.

Then I dropped the all-natural peanut butter last night as I was making a batch of cookies.

There are two reasons I don't eat all-natural peanut butter. First of all, it doesn't have any sugar or salt, which I find is a necessity in peanut butter. Especially after having lived in New Zealand, where most peanut butter is natural and seems to be made from peanut scrapings after everyone else gets their choice of peanuts. After having lived off of the cheapest food possible for several months there, New Zealand food memories are all bad.

The other reason is that all-natural peanut butter separates easily, so there's a layer of peanut oil floating around on top. Forgetting about this feature, I managed to splash it all over the counter, the floor, the recipe, my spleen, and several nearby walls.

I'll get you yet, Gravity. Your turn is coming...

Another of those random pointless stories I tell a lot of

My little sister lives in residence at the university here. She was complaining that the cafeteria food this year is all croasted. I guess the meal planning guy retired or quit or something. A friend of my little brother was living in residence while going to school in the states. The food there was terrible, so she started eating ketchup on everything to drown the taste. Now she eats ketchup on everything by choice.

I hate explaining jokes but...

Since nobody gets my shirt.

May you be forever touched by his noodly appendage.

This is great

Oh my. Click and drag to throw him around.

I have something to do for the rest of the day.

(via Monkey Disaster)

to think that I used to love the smurves

This is terrible on so many levels. I think the only thing that could make it worse is if the movie had been made in the States.

I'm especially incensed by the message they're trying to pass on - "Don't let war affect the lives of children" - because the people who are directly affected by war generally don't have the ability to keep it from affecting their children. Witness the war America has taken in the past few years to other countries. Most of the people there did not promote terrorism or weapons of mass destruction. However, they still have a war on their hands.

(via Izzle Pfaff)

Re: pet peeves

I agree with Mike's post on pet peeves. I'm all about efficiency. If you aren't prepared when the time comes, go to the back of the line so that maybe by the time you get to the front again you'll be ready.

I have a pet peeve about most things that people do without thinking. This is probably because I'm always thinking and therefore consider all the things I could do to be less annoying, things that other people do that annoy me.

I imagine it's really aggravating to other people that I'm always complaining about inefficiencies and inconsistencies in the people around me. Don't worry, it annoys me too. I'll try to cut down on it.

Because it came up today

My niece and nephew used to get a look of intense concentration when they were pooping. They'd be in the middle of playing, and suddenly they'd be off in the zone, and didn't see or hear anything else. Easy to do when you've got a diaper on.

Don't disturb someone who's in the zone.

Give thanks

Went to the farm on Saturday night after the symphony, as yesterday was the big Thanksgiving/birthday bash there. My dad's birthday was yesterday. I gave him a bluish garden hedgehog. I forgot to take a picture of it before I gifted it, otherwise I'd post that now.

My dad's side of the family was out for dinner, most of whom I haven't seen to talk to for a while. My cousin was there with his new girlfriend, which shocked me good. I never thought I'd see that. He's a nice guy and all but tells way too many stories about himself. Sometimes is okay, all the time is a bit much. She's Polish, working towards her masters, and super nice. So good for him.

I need to hang out with goofy people more often. I spent a lot more time than usual with my little sister this weekend and had a good old time. I also gave Gilly a hand with his flooring on Saturday, he also qualifies as goofy in a married-with-kid sort of way. Keeps my brain from rotting.

Scalded

This is a great sentence. Condemned!

(via Mimi Smartypants)

Thinking

I think that annoying people shouldn't be allowed to wear colours I like. They should be confined to a range from taupe to, I don't know, puce or something. You know, various shades of bland, or neon yellow, colours I never want to wear anyways.

Makes me want to yell "Quit ruining blue for the rest of us!" in a "Duh, stay out of Riverdale" sort of way.

Let there be light

This is rather amusing. I'm a bit on the under-religious side, which probably adds to it. There's not much that I hold sacred.

(borrowed from Bitch. Ph.D.)
(I'll give it back later, don't worry.)

Random poetry

So I was at some random creativity generator which I can unfortunately no longer find, and I can't remember where I went to get to it. The downside to being an idiot.

The premise of it was that it would generate a random line of poetry, used to jump-start poetic ideas. Here's what I got out of it:

In the halter of disorder the fruits gamble,

If this moves you, I'm happy for you, and you're welcome to use the line. But if you get rich and famous I want 50% of whatever you make off it.

Mmm, 50% of someone else's fame...

UPDATE: Okay, I found it, care of Andrea. I have triumphed over natural stupidity!