Going out Sleepwalking

Look! A Blog!

2007-02-25T12:24:00.000-08:00

Hello again...
So it has been 3 months since my last blog....
I had figured no one was reading, and really, I was much to busy to update until Amanda sent me frusturated messages compelling me to update.
So, what has happened? well, my roomie and I moved into a house with 2 turks (yep, the same 2 from the summer) and my friend kim. Also, in addition, I convinced my mom to send my dog over. she has been a good time. I am pretty sure that she has gotten more walks in these last couple of weeks than in the past two months!
Other than that, well, school is still school. I am dreaming of the summer now as it has been a full year of being in school. What I am going to do in the summer? no clue...any ideas? job offers?
This past reading break has been a bit of a tough one. My original plan was to lay low, get some reading caught up on, and perhaps go up island for a couple of days. however, it has turned into a whirlwind of going back and forth between vancouver and victoria as my grandmother just passed away.
But, with that said, the family is doing well. Each day gets easier. We know that she is at peace now.
Anyways, hope everyone that reads this is doing well....I am not sure how soon I will update again.

Hersh Quote

2006-11-07T15:15:00.000-08:00

This made me want to laugh and cry at the same time...
Seymour Hersh says, “In Washington, you can’t expect any rationality. I don’t know if Bush is in Iraq because God told him to, because his father didn’t do it, or because it’s the next step in his 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous program”.

Apparently there have been reports that Bush has lost it. Even pro-war Americans are beginning to claim that the man has either senile dementia or some sort of mental illness. I personally wouldn't doubt it, although it sounds like a last resort excuse to me. Anyone for putting our leaders throught mental fitness checks? maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea. His unwavering support of the two thugs: Cheney and Rumsfeld would certainly seem to confirm it.

Hanging Hussein....
Are we returning to the days of the Wild West? Who the heck hangs people anymore? I am pretty sure even places like North Korea don't engage in this crap. Seems convenient that this verdict comes down 5 days before a midterm election. I mean, the man probably deserves to die, he was definitely a brutal dictator, however, less people died under him in Iraq than under the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld death squad. So does that mean we get to have a mockery of a trial to hang them? I am no advocate of death, that lets them off too easy. I was thinking maybe life imprisonment in Guantanamo Bay may be more appropriate.

Gay Pastors?
....Who throw out meth. Another thing wrong with the modern establishment of the church. I know the majority of you who read this attend church, but I can't help but think this is just another example of what a joke the church has become. Perhaps a more inclusive recognition of homosexuality as just another sexuality and not a sin would be progressive and maybe bring the church to what it was originally intended for, a community of believers who wish to promote goodwill and love, instead of hiding behind the condemnation of those who go against what the holy book says. Maybe then this pastor's hypocrisy would be more excusable. Of course, he will just be exiled from the church, his family, his job, rather than cared for like he needs. Anyone that is paying for sex (whether hetero or homosexual) and using meth needs help and the support of a community. Isn't that what the church was originally intended for?

A New Friend!

2006-11-05T00:37:00.000-08:00

So my roomate discovered the presence of a 'furry friend' in our suite today. He's big, lives under the kitchen sink and has a tail.
Yes friends, our 'friend' is a rat.
I don't know how you feel about rats, but I personally am terrified to even step foot in my kitchen.
Mice, I can deal with. but big, yucky rats? I just don't know if I can handle this.
(HUGE shudder)

2006-11-01T23:41:00.000-08:00

Oh boy,
If anything deserves a post...it is this past weekend. What a Gong Show. Yes, a capitalized one. First, it began with the random samba party across the street from my house. K and I were planning a nice quiet hang out night when my ears caught the rhythm of samba. So, after peaking my head out the door we were off for a night of samba, great costumes, dj's and soiree'ing with my neighbours. Turns out I have amazingly cool neighbours. After Samba party, we ended up at another party not too far up the street which was just as cool. My campfire costume, as well as K's IPod costume were hits. We rocked the party with Rick James and the Care Bears.
Saturday night...
My first ever (and probably only ever) Halloween pub crawl. We are talking 200 students all dressed up, 90% of them blitzed by 6 on a school bus. I will have you know that drinking did not start for me until much later that evening, however, the singing of school bus songs was accomplished. By the first club, everyone knew who K and I were. Hilarious. Everytime I needed her, I could just yell IPOD!!! and people would point. She yelled for campfire all night. too funny. To add to the good times, we had our very own Borat. And, this guy was good. He even had the hair. To add to it, he kept in character all night and by far was the best costume (even though Santa Claus won the trip to Mexico). After dashing in and out of almost every night spot in Victoria, the time came to head to a few house parties. Not near the same calibre as the Samba party, these ones were still good.
In other news....
I have been asked to belly dance at an old folks home (kind of odd...) and in a dinner theatre at the beginning of december. Should be fun!
Further news...I managed to land perhaps the easiest job on campus. I get paid to sit in the ticket booth at the movie theatre and sell tickets. Between movies, I get paid to read and wait for the next movie to start. And, to add to this...all the free coffee I could hope for. It's good coffee too! I love the student life.

Civil Liberties? Say what?

2006-10-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

One of my daily activities is checking the blog of Global Americana Institute President Juan Cole. www.juancole.com/ Normally his blog centres on Iraq and American domestic politics. Most of the time I prefer to read the parts on Iraq. Today though, the domestic is what caught my eye and made me want to throw things and come up with a Bush assassination plan.
Get this...
Bush and a supine, cowardly Congress shredded the US Constitution on Tuesday, abolishing the right of a court review (habeas corpus) for some classes of suspect. Suspect, mind you, not proven criminal.

In other words, we have to be confident that George W. Bush is so competent, all-knowing, and inherently just that we can just trust him. If he says someone is an enemy combatant, then he or she is. No need to check with a judge about why he or she is being held. And then Bush can have the suspect tortured to make him confess, and can convict him on the basis of the coerced confession, all in secret.

This law creates two classes of persons inside the United States, citizens with rights and non-citizens (12 million persons? Equivalent to the entire state of Michigan!) without rights.

And I thought that this war was supposed to be about liberty and freedom for the American people...right? Right.
Seems like another Bush administration lie to me. The sad thing about this one is that it is not being reported at all. The media are way more interested in various scandals occurring than the idea that habeas corpus is being obliterated. Looks like long-standing traditions of law are not good enough for Bush & Co.

I'm happy I'm Canadian at this moment.
But hey...we need to be careful too....

Don't Complicate My Peace of Mind

2006-10-06T22:42:00.000-07:00

Interesting couple of weeks.
I have been relearning grammar, visiting long lost friends, losing a dear pet, and almost having my laptop stolen!
To start with, writing for my honours seminar prof is a huge challenge. The man is making me re-learn grammar. Or, perhaps, learn it in the first place. Should be a good challenge. Apparently I am not the only one, half the class faces this problem.
Onto to other more exciting things. Last weekend was an unofficial ex-band girlfriend day, which Heather did a fine job covering. Even managed to talk about post-modernism with Texan Matt. Good times. Seeing Kristin, Janelle and Heather made me realize how much I, myself, have changed even since leaving vancouver. Perhaps I am finally learning to like Victoria? or, at least accept where I am. After a few whirlwind days, spending quality time with the parents and brother over birthday/thanksgiving dinner, i returned home (if it can be called that!)Wednesday Dave showed up from Portland for a few days. Thursday morning. 7:30. I wake up to the gate crashing shut and assume my roomate left for school. Not so, I heard her voice a couple minutes later and thought she had returned home for something. Something made me get out of bed, and I found a note saying that someone was trying to get the window open to reach in and steal my laptop. My heroine, Julia, saved the day with her early wake-up skills.
Today, after having a long day at school, I returned home to find that Dave had done the dishes..and attempted to clean my fish bowl...something I did not ask him to do, but he was trying to be a good houseguest i suppose. I asked him how his day was, and his reply was "uuh...I killed your fish". Sure enough, floating at the bottom of the bowl, was my lovely, lively, exuberant 6-month-old betta fish. I immediately started to cry and made Dave flush him down the toilet.
I loved that fish. He would dance to music and follow your finger. I think it may be a long time before I can replace him, if ever.
Rest in Peace Zissou. I'm sorry.

Love and Marriage...

2006-08-13T20:39:00.000-07:00

Hooray for Amanda and Jason!!!
Congrats to the newest happy couple to join the married roster.
Such a fun wedding. Good times were had by all, and I am very glad that I came out for the weekend despite the plethora of things I have to do for school at the moment. Seeing familiar faces from 2 years ago (or more for some!) was amazing. It is really cool to watch your friends grow up (or not at all in the case of some). I am now excited to run into people when I am fifty that I know now. That will be fun.
I also discovered the goodness and difference between Wedding dancing and Normal dancing. Wedding dancing is much more fun. You can just totally be nuts,cause hey, you're hot, everyone else is hot, and let's boogie.
Anyways, I am now moved into my lovely new pad, its pretty suite (as in basement). hahah. i crack myself up. Next on the list, finish my essay and get going on my road trip to accomplish said goal of learning to surf.
Yippeee!

Qana, Lebanon

2006-07-31T12:01:00.000-07:00

I don't know how many of you have been following what has been happening in Lebanon. I have been trying to keep up with it, although the news coverage here is spotty at best. Most days reading about it, seeing the pictures, trying to imagine what it must be like to live in that situation makes me kind of feel a little bit queasy. Today, well, it was more or less a down right, im going to barf feeling. They bombed a shelter. They killed 50 or so people, 34 of which were children. And then, according to some reports, they continued to bomb the aid workers as they pulled out the limp bodies of the children.
I just dont understand how this happens? I mean, I know that it continues to happen everyday in Iraq and no one seems to give a crap anymore, but to spread this to somewhere else in the region and not hear outcries of resistance from everywhere else in the world kind of makes me wonder how many people are actually paying attention, how many people are too caught up in their daily lives to even notice that this type of thing can occur, and worse, be justified. How apathetic are we? Don't get me wrong, I know we have our own issues to deal with and there are lots of people who suffer everyday in Canada and in other places around the world because of a plethora of different reasons, however, when a place like Lebanon, which was actually doing alright, is assaulted to such a degree, it just adds to the long list of people already trying to get some relief. How do we expect people to get over this? I mean, a thirteen year old girl had 5 of her family members killed. I know I wouldn't get over that anytime soon. It would have to be a serious conscious decision for her to not hate the people that did this. what is she going to do now?
I don't have any answers for this. I don't even really know who to blame in all of this. I just know that reading about Qana this morning made me feel physically ill, and above all, helpless.

BABY!!!!

2006-07-17T20:19:00.000-07:00

So...
I am going to be an aunt...AGAIN!!!
Congratulations goes out to my sister, brother-in-law and nephew!

(this pic is how she told us...)

(if this doesn't get some comments...i will be severely disappointed!)

Riverbend

2006-07-05T19:12:00.000-07:00

Anyone want an insider's view on Iraq? here it is.
A blog written by a young woman who lives in baghdad. i read through a lot of it today and i must say, she presents a point of view that is not heard of otherwise. in this instance, thank god for technology.
go to: http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/

Sylvia needs...hairy mummies

2006-07-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

In following my good friend heather, I made the google search. Sylvia needs something more than platitudes right now was number one. Followed by, Sylvia needs all the support she can get and Sylvia needs to be useful, inviting, and intuitive enough to overcome the extra time involved in creating a consistent, structured syllabus. Now,the last one doesn't really make that much sense, but i really quite enjoy the first one.
Anyways,
Said goal of going to Mexico was accomplished. After a harrowing flight there (my plane from seattle was delayed for five hours, didn't get into houston until 3 in the morning, but i enjoyed the fox news shop right next to the George Bush statue, complete with his tie blowing in the wind)
I enjoyed a week and a half of Monterrey, with a side trip to San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Dolores Hidalgo and Real de Catorce. Let me tell you, I will someday live in Guanajuato. Coolest town ever! it is made up of winding, narrow streets, and by law, the whole town must be structured to meet the architectural design of its core which dates from the late 1700's. Needless to say, I was impressed. The city's traffic is supported by an intricate tunnel system. Good times were had trying to navigate around the city. We passed by a city guide three times before we finally stopped and asked for help! He was laughing so hard at us! At the edge of town, there is a mummy museum. Apparently the soil there has a strange mix that naturally mummifies people. So they were going to build over a cemetary and they went to remove this group grave site and found all these mummified bodies. Pretty cool considering they still had TEETH and EYES and they were HAIRY!!! The world's smallest mummy is there too.

We enjoyed the artist town of San Miguel, its really pretty and went touring and had ice cream in dolores hidalgo where the revolution was started by hidalgo. I learned a ton about mexican history. pretty interesting stuff.
Last was a trip up a extremely long cobblestone road (i think 24 km to be exact!), thru a one-way traffic tunnel (controlled by two guys with radios) and to real de catorce, a ghost town that has been revived due to the number of indigenous pilgrims that come there to collect peyote. We wandered for a while. seems like the biggest industry there is construction! it was where they shot The Mexican.
Upon return to Monterrey, I met most of Rafa's friends and we went clubbing. The rest of the days were spent exploring caves, driving thru a canyon, going to two museums, a baseball game, and perhaps most interestingly for a poli sci nerd like myself, talking to people about the elections as an observer, and going to polling stations. Very interesting stuff! i learned a lot not only about Mexican elections, but also about Canadian ones. anyways, enjoy the pics. im off to bask in the sun!

2006-06-13T19:10:00.000-07:00

"The concept of function is central to functionalist theory"
Thanks textbook.

Updates!

2006-06-12T17:54:00.000-07:00

Wow. It's been awhile.
So, to start, I had the pleasure of experiencing the Oak Bay Tea Party. I love living in my neighbourhood. it is senior citizens' central. where else would they advertise a tea party on the community centre board?
After an impromptu trip to Vancouver to ascertain a visa to be an international observer for the mexican federal elections, I made my way back to the island to meet up with my friend Julia. We had an uneventful friday night and prepared ourselves to meet up with Janelle who randomly decided to come out. We met up with her, and after wandering the goodness of victoria on a saturday (complete with bands, little girls dancing to said band, a man with some sweet ducks, a great deal on shoes and a good bathing suit purchase by Julia), we came back to my house to grab some alcoholic beverages, some macaroni salad and off to a friend's for a barbeque. We walked right through the tea party. I was expecting a lot of old ladies, and well, tea. It was more like bands, corn on the cob, mini-donuts and fair rides. Still fun, but not quite a tea party. The barbeque at Nick's was great, hes a good host! I went off to work and Julia and Janelle were at the behest of my roomates. They took good care of them though and when I returned home we engaged in Turkish tea and a nargile session. yes, even Janelle partook in the smoking of the nargile. good times. Afterwards, we had random drunk friends show up uninvited, which was amusing for awhile, until the one that looks like Peter Griffin from Family Guy got obnoxious.
Alright. Monday came with the return of Rafa. Got to meet his parents and brother totally nice people. I think that his brother is in love with my guitar. It has that effect. After a whirlwind week, we opted to go camping on pender island (thus accomplishing one of my goals). After walking for about 2 and a half hours to get to the campsite, we finally got picked up by some nice people that took us to the local pub and told us that this was the better place to camp. We set up right on the ocean, made dinner, drank wine and went and had a beer while enjoying the cover tunes of the local band. A highlight of the walk was the sign shown in the picture below. Good ol' hippies...

On the way home, hitchhiking was the more appealing option when compared to walking uphill with a backpack in the hot sun. A nice lady that works for BC Ferries took pity on us and even kept our bags for us while we went and enjoyed a beach. altogether, a good weekend.
Goal update: I am doing well in my classes (got an A in my may class), spending time in my hammock, going to mexico and have gone camping on one of the islands. I need heather to come over here for bungee jumping!

Public vs. Public Access

2006-05-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

For my public policy analysis class, I have been working on a mock Cabinet Submission on the access of homeless people to public spaces, and their rights when in these spaces, most specifically, do they have a right to sleep in public places? My answer so far has been yes, withing limitations, if we don't have enough shelters for these people, than where else are they supposed to go?
Anyways, this has gotten me thinking about broader questions about how we, the public, view our spaces. It is my belief that we increasingly have turned public spaces into public access spaces via user fees, limitations, regulations and probably (well, in my mind) most profoundly by the increasing adoption of CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) initiatives that are being adopted nation-wide by various police agencies. This has led me to question how these initiatives have shaped how we view public spaces because the main idea behind CPTED regarding public spots such as parks is to make it easily for surveillance and clearly defined for 'legitimate' users as opposed to 'illegitimate' users. This has made parks boards including measures such as benches that have handles through the seats so that people cannot sleep on them. This has led me to think that 'illegitimate' users are specifically the homeless, which of course, makes sense from a police perspective.
My final question is when did we give the police the right to decide who is legitimate and who is illegitimate when it comes to public spaces? Isn't that the right of the government who administers such spaces? Don't get me wrong, I believe that regulation is needed to preserve such spaces and for public safety, but if we continue to redefine public spaces as only open to legitimate users as defined by the police, they are no longer public, but rather public access. Further, if we continue to push illegitimate users such as the street person that can't get a bed at the local shelter away from places such as parks, then where are they going to go? this is only serving to further ghettoize the people that are left on the margins.

Of Europeans and the Empress

2006-05-22T10:59:00.000-07:00

Okay. First of all. I am NOT trying to 'out-blog' anyone, I am not even sure what this comment means! To have blog wars, maybe, but 'out-blog'? No. However, if any blog was to out-blog, it would be this one.

Yes, that is my roomate Can and I enjoying our highclass status at a reception and dinner at the Empress. In the Palm Court and Crystal Ballroom. So, after a whirlwind weekend of lists, registration, photocopying, having a few interesting conversations with PhD. Candidates and Professors, and enjoying some lectures on topics such as transatlantic issues, the EU and immigration and human rights in the EU, we were allowed to attend the dinner and reception. I must say, I felt classy after munching on hors d'oeuvures and drinking white wine (all free!).Let me say, after a few glasses of white wine, chatting with the honours co-ordinator at UVic was an interesting experience. I think I might be doing Honours again now. Oh well.
My registration friends, and my techie roomates had a lovely dinner experience complete with a starter salad, butternut squash soup (of which I need to learn how to make! delicious!) a main course of salmon. Heavenly.
Some head honcho of the EU (I know he is from Brussels) came and spoke to us, but by that point the wine had gone to my head. Afterwards, we went for evening caps in the Bengal lounge, which features a huge pelt of a tiger and weird ceiling fan things that are maybe supposed to complement the theme of British colonial India, maybe representing the Indians that fanned them? I don't know, I thought it was interesting.
Well, now that I am back to ordinary, non high-status life, maybe I should go get some groceries. Too bad it's raining! Lame!

Birthday Good Times

2006-05-17T19:55:00.000-07:00

This past week or so has been a bit of a blur. At the moment I am quite caught up in helping to organize an European Studies Conference, it has been a whirlwind of envelope stuffing, typing, calling about sandwiches and accents. Mostly from the Romanian ladies I have been working with. Good Times. Well, I can honestly say that I definitely have NOT been worked as hard as my roomate Can. Props to him and his technical Guru-ness. On to other things.
My Birthday Dinner was a smashing success with as many as 13 people showing up, of which Christopher (Lauren's Boyfriend) was the sole male. I guess I made better friends with females in Vancouver. Funny thing is, that due to BC Ferries, I showed up last. Oh well! To top all this goodness of seeing old friends off, my sister was in town from California! So, a wonderful dinner and dessert was had by all, some people had to go to other "committments" (although I am not too sure what constitutes more importance than an old friend being in town, except maybe if you are exhaustingly tired! which some were...fair enough). Anyways, the evening ended with a decision to pursue our careers as dancers. Which, I would have to say we did pretty well! A gaggle of girls perused the various venues of Vancouver, finally making a decision to show off their dancing expertise at the (relatively) inexpensive gay bar. Yes, that's right. We went to Celebrities. There was many an interesting person there, however my favorite sight was the usage of lights on the male and female go-go dancers highlighting certain aspects of their physique. Lovely.
After a night of dancing and enjoying the sights and music, my personal favourite being when the DJ opted to play Boy George (I suppose it was appropriate given the atmosphere).
The night ended well with my sister driving us home, and me incredulously remarking to my old roomate Lindsay, I can't believe we got Kristin and Kim to go to a Gay Bar!
Meh. Good times were had by all.
The weekend ended with a baby shower, much enjoyment of my nephew and a long, but good, shift at my new job. This weekend will involve many highly-educated Europeans, FREE dinner at the Empress, and well, homework. Such is the life of a student.

2006-05-08T20:33:00.001-07:00

Mood today: Inspired.
Not too sure why, nothing too drastic has happened to bring about my inspirational mood, maybe its because right now it is my favourite time of day. You know, right after the sun has gone down, but it is not quite dark out yet, just dusk-y and really beautiful. Especially today for some reason. Maybe because it was kind of gloomy and grey all day today and then over the past half hour it has cleared up and now it is a gorgeous blue sky with red highlights. I love it. So back to being inspired. Inspired to what? I am not totally sure. I started school again today, and although that should bring about some sort of mood containing anger towards having to attend school during summer time, I have absolutely NOTHING to complain about on that front. I am quite content, if not happy, to be going to school in the summer.
Besides, I have booked my ticket to Mexico, secured a reference from the poli sci chair to be an international elections observer. 5 points for Sylvia!
So, this class I am taking at the moment...Public Policy. Sounds boring. Probably will be. 60% of our grade is based on this Cabinet Submission project we have to do. Basically, it is a mock submission to implement some sort of policy of interest to us. The guidelines we have are, we are not allowed to do anything that is too huge to handle (ie. Revoking NAFTA) or, anything Municipal.
This has got me thinking as to what I should do mine on. I was originally thinking of researching some sort of Aboriginal grievance, but something else has come up in my brain.
Latex.
In case any of you didn't know, I think you all do however, I am allergic to latex. Not just touching it, I mean, I can't even be in a room where latex gloves are being used. It really is the bane of my existence to a certain degree. Especially going to the Dentist. It is a horror show for me. Take that headache you get from having someone work on your mouth for an hour and multiply that about 10, add some nausea, and shortness of breath and then you know how i feel. Even typing about it makes me shudder. Anyways, back to public policy. You see, it turns out that latex allergy is DEVELOPED. Yes! that means it usually comes from overexposure to latex, namely in the use of gloves. So here we are, trying to prevent viral infections, but creating a population that is allergic to the precautions we are using. Seems kind of silly if you ask me, considering there are other products out there that do the same job and don't cause the same problems that latex does.
I have decided to write my Cabinet Submission on banning the use of latex gloves in hospitals, dental and medical clinics.
I have probably bored you all to death with this post. But hey, it's interesting to me.
Update on Goals:
Well, I am going to Mexico, so there's one.
I have taken steps towards the hammock goal, and strung up my oh so comfortable cotton hammock (although it does have to come down afterwards...being that it rots in the rain!)
I have started a job, so the funding of various activities will occur.

Rant Post

2006-05-01T15:47:00.000-07:00

I am seriously sorry to do this. But I must rant. It has to happen. Today has been by far the most frusturating day in months. I actually cried. that's how frusturated I was. I feel recovered now. Mostly because of the Awesome Story of Pomello Pete (See Heather's Blog).
Okay. So, First of all, to make all my summer goals become reality, I faced the fact that I need to get a summertime job. Since I have a week off before summer classes start, I figured, it's time to get going on this. This morning, I got up early enough to get a good start, took a nice shower, noticed that the new ring I had put in my nose was irritating the crap out of my piercing, and then went to print off some resumes. Well, turns out that my crappy printer has run out of ink again (just to put this into context, I just bought a new ink cartridge not two weeks ago). So, I got over that, told myself okay, time to make a trip to London Drugs. So, I get all dressed up for resume handing-out (figuring i would just go get the cartridge and then return).
Here's the first clue for Sylvia to Abort Mission Hand-out Resumes. I missed my bus. By one minute. So i wait for the next one, get on it and head downtown.
I get to London Drugs, pick up the ink cartridge and realize that I do not have enough money in my account to pay for it. Out comes the credit card.
Then, I went to the piercing place, because my nose was seriously bloated, and got the ring changed for a stud. Had to pay for that. Yes for the Mastercard.
So, after all this, its about 1:30. I figured, I will get on the bus, print off some resumes and drop them off around the new neighbourhood. I got on the bus, swiped my bus pass and then promptly get told by the bus driver, that it is expired. I tried to reason with him, telling him things like, Well, sir, it did just expire yesterday, and No, sir, I do not have the two dollars required for the bus ride. and, Please sir, let me ride the bus this one time. I promise I will get it updated.
Needless to say, He kicked me off.
So, I started to walk home, after all its not such a bad day out, right? oh no, it started raining about halfway home. So i finally get home after a nice long (half wet) walk and go to put my ink cartridge in, figuring well, I can still hit a few places. I press print on my resume and this error message comes up:
"The printer cartridge installed is not compatible with the printer"
Thats about when i started crying. I really hope London Drugs will take it back. I can't afford another 30 dollars for an ink cartridge that is going to run out in two weeks.
That's my story. Tomorrow should be better. After all it is my birthday.

2006-04-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

So, this made me laugh out loud so I thought I would share....
My picture below, you know, the goal-setting face. Well, I made the assumption that I had been tipping the sombrero with my hand. However, upon closer study of the picture, I recognized that my hand had actually turned into a man's FOOT! I was really confused for a moment and then i realized that I never had my hand up at all.
Wow. Okay, so maybe that's not so funny now that I have written this all out. Oh well. At least I managed to procrastinate a little bit on studying Plato and Aristotle....Only one more night....

Goals! Goals! Goals!

2006-04-25T18:18:00.000-07:00

Alright. Let's try this again.
So, Heather, she has inspired me to write some goals for this upcoming summer aka adventure season. Here we go...
(This is my goal setting face)

1) Make fun of a street perfomer with my cousin. It was a good time last summer.
2) Go to a movie in Beacon Hill Park. yes folks, a movie outdoors. In a park. Victoria just got that much cooler.
3) Attempt to learn how to surf (in tofino)
4) Go camping on some of the islands around here, I have never been. It is high time I went
5) Spend plenty of time in my hammock, working....on my tan.
6) Do well in my courses despite the fact that it is summer
7) Go to some ridiculously rad concerts.(Maybe some dave?)
8) Bungee jumping. Heather, you are brilliant
9) Ocean Swimming. Lots and lots of Ocean Swimming.
10) Attempt to complete some sort of short road trip including janelle. or kristin. or heather. or all three.
11) Learn how to kayak. Heather, you have inspired me.
12) Try to make it to mexico for relative inexpensive-ness.

Well folks, seems like I have my work cut out for this summer. I will let you all know how it goes.

Tofino '06 and Other Happenings

2006-04-12T13:53:00.000-07:00

It has been a good week.
Got to see two of my favourite performers, Sarah Harmer and the Weakerthans. And, to relate the two, Sarah covered a Weakerthans song and made my day already happier than it already was! Why was my day so happy you ask? Well, folks, I just spent two marvelous days in Tofino! Talk about amazing. I am always astounded with the beauty of the place that I live in. It was so nice to be able to take some food, some camping gear, and some good new friends and go enjoy an incredibly beautifully spectacular place. This was what was needed at the end of a somewhat trying semester, before having to get into studying for exams. The ocean has a way of putting things in perspective for me. Perhaps it is the vastness, the sheer power of the thing that does it for me, I am not too sure. But I love it. Anyways, on to other things. I don't want to make you all too jealous!
I went to the UVic Grad Party on Saturday night with my newly graduated boy. That was fun, we dressed up all fifties style, I looked like a fifteen year old going to the hop. The Weakerthans played (I am listening to them right now, oddly because my iTunes is on random), and it was just an altogether enjoyable affair for all that attended. That's enough procrastinating for now, I need to return to studying.

Welcome Emily!

2006-04-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

So, as it turns out, blogging while under stress, drinking wine or any other such situation that causes one to not comprehend the consequences of what one writes (such as writing extremely stressful papers), is not such a grand idea. Indeed, it makes one become the butt of some fairly funny jokes, while making one feel quite silly all at the same time. With that said, proof-reading is a good thing, and was invented for a reason! Oh well, it was bound to happen at one point or another. Anyways, welcome to the family my new cousin, Emily Sarah Catherine Gimondo (Born on Tuesday, April the 4th). Congratulations Aunt Di and Uncle Jamie!

Constants?

2006-03-13T22:50:00.000-08:00

Good comment from Francis tonight in my Sociology class....
In order to achieve true equity, we need to remember that humans are NOT constant. The very fact that we have the ability to create makes this true. Unfortunately, a large number of sociological theoreticians hold humans constant and believe that it is the system that needs to be changed.
this is thought provoking, there seems to be a preponderance of those with left-wing tendencies to believe that instead of 'thinking inside the box' to transform the box, we need to think outside the box to recreate it. however, if human beings are held constant in this way of thinking and it is the social order and systems that are changed, aren't we just replacing the old box with a new one? it seems to me that we are. and as good as that may be, if we cannot change the humans who create said box, then we are inevitably going to end up with the same system and same social order again.
This is all presupposing that one holds the view that humans can be resocialized and that human nature is based upon this socialization of ourselves. or, in other terms, our biology only defines a very narrow, limited part of us. I am willing to believe that I can be socialized in a certain way, that I can learn to love, to become educated and sensitive to others', it may take awhile, but i think it can be done. if i cant believe that, and i believe that i am merely a biological creature, than i have no control and no power over myself, so the power comes from the system. i dont want to believe that.
Back to this constancy. Interesting, somehow this relates back to "we are a certain distance apart" maybe i am just being facetious when i relate these two, but there is a connection in my mind. If we make the assumption that we can all learn and be resocialized to be competent in diversity knowledge, than really, we are different, but only in a certain distance, its proximal.

Party like a Rockstar?

2006-03-13T22:05:00.000-08:00

Interesting weekend.
Thursday night held prospect. Managed to get into the dance club with no big hassle, then after being there for an hour and a half, all of a sudden, there's a flashlight in my face. I think to myself, this is interesting, could this be my first kicking out of a club experience? I am not even drunk. So, I follow the insistent bouncer to the 'hallway of interrogation' and am confronted by two more bouncers. They ask for my ID. of course. I should have figured that out. This happens when you live in Victoria and look like you are 15. So, I hand it over and they investigate it and ask me various questions about my address and such. Finally, they are convinced I am of the appropriate age to be engaging in the activities of the club. I wandered back in, and thought to myself, interesting, never had this happen before.

Friday night.
Went on a date. He made me steak and potatoes and salad. Apparently this is an unusual thing to happen according to the girl that lives downstairs. I brought wine. It was classy. So as nice as all that was, and it was nice. and so is he. he's really nice. and he likes me, so thats nice too. I couldnt help but notice that even though I gave him plenty of time to converse and talk with me, I was still leading the conversation the whole time. There was plenty of silent spots as well. Perhaps it wasn't such a bad thing the tv was on.
After dinner his roomates returned to save us from the conversational abyss and the evening continued in a nice, comfortable sort of way with me killing them all at card games. I went home after a little bit of the comedy channel and it hit me.
I have nothing in common with this guy.
Too bad I was already committed to see him the next night for a party. I went to this party (brought a friend-good thinking on my part) dressed like a rockstar. After a few drinks, this supposed date of mine decides it is a good idea to try and put the moves on. Again, the realization struck me. He's Boring. So i called it quits, grabbed my slightly inebriated friend and made my way back to campus in a cab.
So here is my advice. Guys, try to talk to a girl, maybe engage in conversation before making any sort of move, inebriated or not.

Dear Plato,

2006-03-02T17:14:00.000-08:00

I have a problem with you and your Republic. People have claimed you to be the father of western political individualism, but I am taking you to battle, man. First of all...your concept of the 'good' and how we should all forget about everything else we are doing and strive for the knowledge of this 'good'. How did you decide that there was a greater 'good', Plato? If some philosophic type happens to 'discover' this 'good', how would they know that they have discovered it. I know, you will tell me the cave analogy, where the blind guy leaves the fire to go into the light to see the brilliance of the sun, and then as his eyes adjust he learns the truth. Seems like a nice simplification to me. Hate to tell you this, but it is a little bit more complicated than that. If we are imperfect, fallible beings as you like to believe, then how can we ever achieve knowledge of this perfect form of good you claim is out there? It is simply not possible unless I take a leap of faith and just put all my trust in your idea of the 'good'. However, you don't want us to do that, do you? Because your not religious. It would almost be easier if you were, because then your 'good' could be seen as God. But you don't believe in God, do you? So, we can't use that, now can we?
Another problem I have with you Plato, is your focus on individualism, I know, you say that we can project that onto the definition of a 'good' city, but doesn't one need a community in order to achieve further knowledge? It is not just a matter of thinking really hard about things. You would just torture yourself. And why do you get to define what the greater good is, and that we should strive for it? who gave you that right? Last time I checked, you were human.
You know what else? I am tired of deconstructing. That is all you seem to focus on. If we can never really achieve this 'good' you speak of (how would we know that we have achieved it anyways? our senses, and our brain is fallible, so doesn't that preclude the fact that we are just going to continue to search forever in the dark?), then what is the point of looking for it anyways? sure, we can strive to acquire knowledge and better ourselves, but when can we get on with it and actually start reconstructing? Last time I checked, no one seemed to have conclusive answers as to what this 'good' actually was.
I'm not done yet. You have this 'hierarchy' of good political systems that we are supposed to strive for, but last time I looked, an aristocracy, where the 'knowledgeable' rule over the uneducated masses just collapsed into a tyranny, and very quickly. I know, you have your defenses to this, namely that those who were ruling weren't actually philosophers. But how do you tell who is a philosopher? With the exception of my prof, I can't think of a single person. On that line, how do you overthrow your oligarchy? I know that this oligarchic structure we have isnt perfect, but I have no idea how to convince a big, rich business person to suddenly develop morals, I can't convince myself to be perfectly moralistic, nevermind a stranger. Let's be realistic here Plato.

(I can't wait for this class to be over)

Pretending for Home

2006-02-18T01:16:00.000-08:00

Ever feel like you're pretending to be someone you're not?
This seems to be the resounding thought going through my head lately. I don't know whether I am just having difficulties adjusting to the difficulties of school life, or I really am pretending. I had really hope for better than mediocrity, and that seems to be all that I am getting...despite every effort that I put in. It's quite discouraging really.

It's strange when you realize that you don't really have a home. When I was asked if I was going home for reading break, my answer was yes, I am returning to the place where I lived for a long period of time, however, I don't really think of my parents' place as home anymore. However, the physical area, the lower mainland is most definitely my home. That is one thing that I have realized. I miss vancouver. To the nth degree.

So, this idea of going to victoria, or making my home as I go, I am kind of realizing that it's crap. My home is where my people are. And really, I think I knew that all along, but I am just realizing it now. Wow, after reading that over, it sounds like I have watched Garden State too much. But this is where I am at.

I figured out some more on "We are a certain distance apart". Maybe it has to do with home, and the fact that despite the idea that we can escape from each other and be away from our home, we actually only are a certain distance apart, and no more than that. I also think that this may have to do with difference. I mean, we always say that we are so different and distinct from each other, but I am finding out more and more that we really aren't all that different from each other, although we try to be. So, thats why we are only a certain distance and not a distance apart. Just a thought.

Bunnies!

2006-02-15T13:59:00.000-08:00

So this the view from my window. Enjoy.

Sneezing

2006-02-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

So I have this bugger of a cold.
Seems to me that every time I have a break of some sort coming up my body likes to ruin it. It goes like this. I work my hard for two weeks, then I start to plan some time off, some relaxing time and the good old body goes. Nope, you're not allowed to have fun because I am going to give you a stuffy nose, make you feel dizzy and to top it all off, when you are going to go read or do some work I am going to make your nose leak...like a faucet.
This is what happened to me yesterday. I finally got enough energy to get myself out of my bed and make my way to the library. I went there prepared with kleenex and water, get my reading material and settle myself into a nice comfy chair to read away. So, within about 15 minutes of having my head bent over my books, my kleenex supply is gone and I have moved onto wiping my nose with my hand or sleeve, because, well, the library is obviously a public quiet space and me snuffling the whole time is not conducive to others studying. So here I am trying to control my leaky nose while still reading and not sniffling. And then, I sneeze. And not a dry sneeze, oh no, it is one that manages to clear my nasal cavity from all the containment work I have been trying to do. So now, there is fluid all over my hand, my pen, and no kleenex. What to do. I had to keep reading, my materials were on reserve and I needed to get it done. Now, the silly thing about our library is that I have yet to discover washrooms near to the comfy chair area. So, what happens next...the good old sleeve comes out. No wonder I didn't get any roses yesterday.

Octopus Jazz

2006-02-12T23:02:00.000-08:00

Does jazz make you feel sophisticated?
For me it does. Always inspired to dim the lights and enjoy some wine while listening to Miles. It is really too bad that I am not actually sophisticated and most of the time it ends up being me and my fish listening to jazz while i sip on wine while attempting to do homework. It's probably a good thing I don't listen to jazz that often because I don't have that much money to spend on wine. However, tis an enjoyable experience nonetheless.

So, I went scuba diving in a dry suit for the first time. I'm not sure I am fully into the cold (or should I say cool) water diving experience. It seems like a lot of work to be really cold. However, seeing an octopus and a 40-50 year old ling cod was definitely enjoyable. And, feeling like an astronaut was an added bonus for sure.

I love old people. My grandparents especially. They gave me a meal tonight. I love it. they totally go out of the way to make me feel special. I should go visit them more often.

2006-02-10T23:28:00.000-08:00

Boys and Beer. What is the obsession? Or, more importantly, what is the incessant need to outdo each other and become progressively louder and louder? Is it an acceptance thing? Girls don't do this when they drink. I have no need to drink 100 shots of beer in a row. Actually, the thought kind of makes me ill. I suppose girls have the problem of outdoing in other ways, like how we dress, how many guys we 'get', what kind of foods we eat, blah blah blah.

I'm reading a book right now about consumption. It's interesting. Not sure if I agree with everything they are saying, but there is one idea that they nailed. Consumption based on distinction. Basically, the idea is that classical radical theorists say that people consume based on the sameness, you know, keeping up with the Joneses type of deal. Well, I think the authors are finally starting to get it right when they say that this is not true, that we consume based on distinction, and the higher up the social ladder we get, the more we do this. Because we can afford to? I think this is interesting, because the counterconsumption people always tell you to not buy into this brand and that brand and to be different. Really, its a matter of trying to emulate the upper classes. Kind of like sanskritization in India.

This is interesting to me. I know that the business guys and economists knew this a long time ago, hence, brand proliferation and that type of thing, its striking to me that the social sciences are just starting to catch onto this, because really, its been happening for a really long time. What kind of implications does this have? How much do we need to consume to be 'distinct'? If everyone is trying to be 'distinct' are we really that distinct anyways? I dont think we are. Not saying I don't do this, I do. And, sometimes it's not a bad thing, however in other instances it is. Such as in India with women, because it is interesting to note that the higher up in the castes that you go, the more the women are oppressed. Granted, if they have everything handed to them on a silver platter, I don't think they are complaining so much, but I know I would be, if I had everything like my sexuality and such controlled.

Then again, sexual control happens here. Like the word slut. Someone actually had the nerve to say that to me the other night, it doesn't bother me to be called that because I know that I am not, but if I was, would it really matter? I mean, slut intones a girl who has slept with a lot of guys. Not even for money (that's more of a whore or a prostitute). So what is the problem with this? So what if she has slept with a lot of guys? Whose business is it except hers? If a guy does it, hes not called a slut (I know, its such a done argument).

We are a certain distance apart. Came across this on a piece of paper on a wall in Vancouver. What does this mean? I can't say I know. It's interesting. If you take the word certain out, it makes the interpretation a lot easier, but the addition of certain just totally complicates the situation. I'll let you know when I come up with something.

Sunny Hammock Days and Thai Pants

2006-02-08T17:22:00.000-08:00

Today was productive.
I had a meeting with the student who researches overseas internships, and the such. Turns out there is a lot of info on these type of things, however most require you to have a graduate degree of some sort and I am just a lowly undergraduate. Guess a CIDA internship is not in the cards for me, maybe one day. But, there is this Mexican couple that is looking for someone to come help with educating orphans. Could be a good time. Set on a beautiful island, but its touristy. There's always a downfall to everything I suppose.

In other news, I strung up my hammock today. That was a bit of a task by myself. Trying to tie knots around trees that will support my weight and not fall down, while balancing my hammock in such a sense that it will not fall and get wet. It must have been quite comical to see. Given that today was beautiful made all my comical-ness worthwhile, and I know there must of been some jealousy of me, my hammock, Thai pants and the bunnies.

I miss cooking. Its odd that I miss that, because I used to never be able to think of what to make, but I miss basil, peppers, egg fajitas, and tuna melts. Maybe because cafeteria food is so uninspiring? I dont know. Time to go be uninspired by dinner. Well, at least I have wine.

Justice and Zissou

2006-02-07T19:23:00.000-08:00

Why does my room stink?
I mean, I walk in here, expecting a nice, calming, productive scene and I get stink. But, really its okay because I get used to incredibly quickly and don’t actually do anything about it. I suppose that’s like life in a sense. I make all these commitments and goals to myself, while of course, I am away and displaced from reality (or experiencing actual reality? I don’t know) and then I get back here and I just end up getting caught up in it all again and I don’t actually make any progress. Its like playing checkers. You know, you move forward a bit and then you move sideways to sidestep the inevitability that you are going to get jumped and taken out. Dodge, and retreat. That’s kind of how I feel about it all right now. I suppose this sick dream I have of actually making a difference and my espoused goal of traveling the world…its like my stinky room. I just get used to being back here and don’t do anything except complain about how I want to leave again. I suppose education is a necessary step, so I am doing something. But I always here about these people that are doing all these amazing things, just got thrown into it and here I am slaving away at this education that I am coming to loathe.

And then there is Zissou. He’s kind of got it made. Got his little bowl, a hand to sprinkle some food in, no more needs than that. Just swim around a bit, look pretty and don’t die too early are his priorities.

So I have to write this essay on justice and reconciliation with an unjust society, having to do with the Socratic definition of justice...keeping to yourself...pretty hard to do in this highly social atmosphere I am living in at the moment. So basically, what I came down to was that you have to have hope. Because, thats how Socrates ends the quote and it seems to make sense to me. Thats pretty hard to do though, when you are caught up in it all, but I've got nothing else right now.