Does anyone smell smoke - HNT #22

I normallly don't remember my dreams, this week has been the exception to that. I have had a number of dreams involving people from my past (some of whom I have reconnected with), which has made me stop and think about the path I have travelled. A look to see what's behind me...

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Random 10 - Meme alert!

I'm not usually one to keep up with memes...I fall prey to them once in a while, and they usually get lost in the pile of things I've lost interest in (sorry - I'm a flake). But when I came across a music meme...well I just couldn't help myself for at least one week.

Random 10 - Week 57
10 songs that sum up your weekend...or were on your weekend playlist...and one picture that relates back. (oh, and if you feel like it, tell us why you picked the songs you did)

• Pretty Girls - Neko Case (getting ready for folk fest - this is my favorite NC song)
• Soon Enough - The Constantines (one of the songs my little brother brought to the musical pot luck I had for my birthday - love this tune)
• Been Swank - Von Bondies (another hit from the musical pot luck)
• Better Way - Ben Harper (Picked up Both Sides of the Gun the Thursday before the long weekend)
• Modern World - Wolf Parade (still can't get enough of this CD, I listen to it constantly)
• About Fun - PSAPP (this song is too darn cute not to listen to all the time...especially on hot sunny long weekend days)
• Summertime Cowboy - Husky Rescue (Summertime...need I say more?)
• Cheated Hearts - Yeah Yeah Yeahs (um...I just like this song...a lot)
• Not About Love - Fiona Apple (saw the video for the first time, and the song got completely stuck in my head for days and days and days...too funny)
• Volare - The Gypsy Kings (I went out to a Salsa club with some work mates Friday night and the band did a cover - that was it, I needed a GK fix)

The beauty of life as seen in...

roasted corn on the cob at a street festival. Yum!

Unconscious Mutterings #4 (week 173)

You say ... and I think ... ?

1. Bounce :: Ball


2. Wasting time :: Procrastination


3. Utility :: Knife


4. London :: Ontario


5. Pregnant :: Birth


6. Cranberry :: Tart


7. International :: affairs


8. Disappointment :: rejection


9. Sponsor :: money


10. Second :: silver

(Military rant) Equal rights: even in death

Nichola Goddard - The first Canadian woman killed in action since WWII, and the first female combat soldier killed on the front lines.

Military women fought for their rights to be treated as equals among their fellow soldiers, Nichola Goddard was one of those women. I find it more than slightly disturbing that her death has sparked such a media frenzy while there have been 15 other Canadian fatalities in Afghanistan. I'm sure part of the media expose is isolated to Calgary sice this is where she was from. And I would hope that her fellow fallen soldiers were treated with the same care in thier own home towns. However, none of the other soldiers have been the topic of such a media circus as Ms. Goddard. I suppose it is a big deal, but is it a bigger deal than the deaths of the others? Should they not all have recieved the attention that she has, or if not, than should her death have been treated with the polite recognition on the evening news and then left alone like the others?

I am not a supporter of Canadian forces being involved in Afghanistan; I am, however, a supporter of human life and respect for those who have died.

Sgt Marc D. Leger (April 18, 2002)


Cpl Ainsworth Dyer (April 18, 2002)


Pte Richard Green (April 18, 2002)


Pte Nathan Smith (April 18, 2002)


Sgt. Robert Allan Short (October 2, 2003)


Cpl. Robbie Christopher Beerenfenger (October 2, 2003)


Cpl. Jamie Brendan Murphy (January 27, 2004)


Private Braun Scott Woodfield (November 24, 2005)


Master Cpl. Timothy Wilson (March 2, 2006)


Cpl. Paul Davis (March 2, 2006)


Pte. Robert Costall (March 29, 2006)


Cpl. Matthew Dinning (April 22, 2006)


Bombardier Myles Mansell (April 22, 2006)


Lieut. William Turner (April 22, 2006)


Cpl. Randy Payne (April 22, 2006)

Captain Nichola Goddard (May 17, 2006)

The high and mighty Barbra Walters

Last night I watched abc:PRIMETIME's story on Isabelle Dinoire - recipient of The world's first partial face transplant surgery (November 27, 2005). The story was very interesting, however, Barbra Walters' closing statement really annoyed me. She closed the show by saying "because without a face, you don't have a life [sick]". I understand the sentiment of this statement (Isabelle really could not have had much of a life without the surgery), but the words on their own have a very different, and quite disturbing meaning. It may be that I fell asleep almost right after watching the show, but these words have been with me all day. The more I think about them and the show, the more annoyed I get.

Now, I know there is no way of knowing for sure, but supposedly Isabelle was attempting suicide when her dog mauled her leaving her with half of her face missing, and the woman who's face was used in the surgery is believed to have hung herself. I find it very sureal that a woman who didn't want to live was granted a second chance at life (realistically, and in Barbra's sense of things), when she possibly didn't want to live anyway. I have very stong opionions against suicide. That said, I think that Isabelle's case is remarkable, and an amazing breakthrough in medical technology. I know that people will disagree with me on this and many other points, but I think that Barbra Walters' closing words to this story could be viewed as prejudice, but the words alone imply that a disfigurement detracts from life (yes I know that Isabelle likely would not have live long if the surgery didn't happen, yes, I know this is taken out of context, and, yes, I know that I'm likely reading too far into this).

That's all I have to say on this ...for now. Any thought?

"Among the most disturbing aspects of the debate are conflicting reports
from doctors about whether the transplant was the result of two suicide
attempts, one successful by the donor, and one failed by the recipient."
- NYTimes Dec 14/05

It really is a remarkable story, and she is recovering well. It seams she's even learned to smile again.

Isabelle Dinoire:

before dog attack........................preparing for surgery....................five months after surgery

Towel Day

Thanks to CyberWarlock for the reminder.

Sunshine on my shoulders - HNT #21

I love my balcony. It's pretty much the only good thing about my apartment. It's over 200 square feet, south facing and higher than most of the buildings in the neighbourhood, so I have a great view...well, it would be great if there were anything around here to see.



It's where I've been spending most of my time the last while. Any chance I get I head out to the balcony witha bookand a cold drink to catch some sun. The idea started because I have ridiculous tan lines from my trip to California and have to have them evened out before July 8th for my brother's wedding. But now the tan lines are sort of an after thought. I have just really been enjoying the sun.

And this afternoon was no exception. As soon as the rain clouds started to blow over, I grabed my book and headed outside.

Be sure to go and check out those under cover HNT participants at

and go see Os if you're still in the dark about what HNT is...

Oh, and if anyone is interested, this is the book I'm reading right now.

You've got spam!

Yikes! I turn my back for a few hours and what happens? 107 visits and 59 spam comments later, and I have turned on comment moderation.

Dilemna

I didn't sleep again last night. I called into work this morning and stayed in bed until 11:00. I still have a headache, but I think I sit in the sun on my balcony might help that. Staying home from work has left me with a moral dilemna though. The girls from work and I were to go for wine and cheese this evening. It's always a good time; we get to let off a bunch of steam. This was to be the new girls first week joining us too. Now here's the dilemna part... I managed to get some sleep so I'm not in a completelly aweful mood, and my headache will likely be cleared up by then, but since I didn't go to work, will it be horrible of me to go out with the girls from work on the same day? Hmmmm...

*edit* I recieved a text message from one of the girls saying that I should still come and they won't tell...but it's already 4:00 and I still have a headache...I guess I won't be going...

I don't wanna!!!

I didn't sleep very well last night. It felt like work to keep my eyelids closed, and when I did manage to nearly drift off, I was awoken by horrible dreams/thoughts. I haven't had much trouble sleeping over the past few months, which has been a welcome respite. I hope last night wasn't an indicator of things to come.

I hate the first day back after a long weekend. It usually drag on long enough that it feels like two dyas anyway. And to add to that, my boss is back from his vacation this morning. Meaning there will be complaints about everything that happened in his absence, and more time wasted on him trying to get caught up on what has happened over the last three weeks.

Sorry, I guess, I should just go to work rather than complain about it. Like Mr. J always says when I start to go on like this...maybe it's time to look for a new job.

No, this is not a lego fan site...

I can't help it...I'm obssessed...I do that. But when I saw this over at This S#%t drives me CRAZY!!! I just had to find out more...

I love LEGO, and I've been know to make some pretty absurde creations with it, but I don't have nearly the amount of patience it must take to take on a project like this one. This is the Abston Church of Christ in LEGO by Amy Hughs. It is not a model of a real church, but she has written a sermon for her little parishoners on her thoughts about church buildings. Look at all the little lego paritioners... she even has a list of special guests appearing. She has dedicated the church to her cat that kept her company while building it, but has since passed on.

As I'm sure you guessed, I have my LEGO all over the living room, and I really must get back to it...I think there's a car that needs to be made or something...

S

Now I know my ABCs...

This little game has been going around for a while, and I thought I'd give it a go. Lecram assigned me the letter N.

This is how it works: Comment on this entry and I will give you a letter. Write ten words beginning with that letter in your journal, including an explanation of what the word means to you and why, and then pass out letters to those who want to play along. Of course If you want to comment but not be assigned a letter, that's an option too. So I'll only assign letters to those who specifically ask for them.

NERD NAIVE NORTH NEEDY NARCISSISTIC NUDE NICE NEW NOON NONCHALANT NURTURING NATTER NEKKID NATURE NASTY NOMINAL NIMBLE NUBILE NEAT NERVY NATTY NAKED NEEDS NATURAL NUANCE NUISANCE

NERD - This is a word that I hear and say on a fairly regular basis. When it is being used in reference to me, it quite often (more times than not) has the prefix "design" attached to it. While I was still in design school, Mr. J decided that I was becoming a bit nerdy in my love of well designed spaces and dubbed me his little "designerd"...this little moniker seems to have stuck over time, and I have come to think of it, not as an insult or in a teasing manner, but rather as a term of endearment. I've even got the nerd glasses to go along with the title.

NIMBLE - In mind not in body. I pride myself on being able to think quick on my feet, and this has enabled me to prove myself as one who works well under pressure. I'd also like to think of myself as a witty individual. I don't know if others around me would back me up on this one or think or me as just sarcastic.

NATTY/NEAT - My appearance in my professional life as well as my more casual side is something that I hold in very high importance. It seems to be an ongoing joke that dressing "designerly" translates into dressing all in black; and while black on black is not an unusual colour combination for my attire, I try to add my own personality into everything I wear. I'm not one to follow fashion trends just because they are fashionable (I have never worn, and will never wear pointy high heel shoes). I make a lot of my own clothes, and it's not unusual for me to go shopping for ideas rather than clothes. I'll take those ideas and combine them into one item I like better and make it myself.

NERVY - As in bold, not as in nervous. Some may see this side of me a loud and obnoxious. Yes, I am loud, and have been know to be obnoxious as well. But I think it goes a little beyond that. I'm not a timid person who stands at the side lines. If there is something I want, I go after it. And I'm usually up for the challenges that stand in the way.

NAIVE - I don't consider myself a naive person. I am generally aware of my surroundings, and have not had anyone take advantage of me. This sometimes comes off as cynicism, or a cold attitude. I work hard for what I have (which, at this point, really isn't that much), and am not going to part with it easily. Maybe that makes me a bitch...oh well.

NEEDY - Not in the most traditional sense of the word however. I need to have friends in my life, I need love, but I don't need to have them all the time. I also need my space. I enjoy time on my own as much as I enjoy time with others.

NATURE - I love the outdoors. Spring is by far my favorite season. Everything is fresh and new. I love the sun - my freckles are already out in full force. I don't. however, like to camp. I like to hike, bike, sit in the sun...but I need a bed, a roof, and running water when it get time to go to bed. Maybe that's part of being high maintenance needy from above?

NURTURING/NICE - While in school the girls gave me the nic-name "G-ma Susan" because I was always ready for whatever came up like a grandma. The answer to whatever the question - "Do you have a spoon?, Do you have a bandaid?, do you have a snack you could share with me?" - was always yes. I guess this goes back to my days as a Brownie (Girl Scout) - "Always Be Prepared".

NUDE/NAKED NEKKID - The main reason this blog was started. I encountered a number of problems trying to upload photos on my previous weblog, and turned to blogger to host a site for my participation in Osbasso's widely popular Half-Nekkid Thursday. I have always had a bit of an exhibitionist hiding inside of me, but have rarely had opportunity to unleash it. HNT has allowed me to not only explore this long dormant side of myself, but to develop and express my love for photography. If only I could find a subject that isn't me.

NARCISSISTIC - Because of my participation in HNT, my self confidence has blossomed into a force to be reckoned with. This sounds shallow - I know - but for many years I have not had the best picture of myself in my mind. Exploring the human form using me as a subject has rekindled a long lost sense of pride in me. I have learned to appreciate what I have, and have come to accept that there will always be things about myself that I don't like, but no one else has to see them if I don't want them to.

Lego "Relativity"

I found the most amazing, and amusing thing yesterday. As some of you know, I love LEGO! I know it's childish - I'm ok with that! I am also an admirer of M.C. Escher's work. So I was natural excited when I fell upon the website of Andrew Lipson. He and Daniel Shui have replicated four of Escher's works in LEGO - he makes it very clear on the top of his site, that they are in no way affiliated with LEGO!!! The latest creation is perhaps one of Escher's most widely recognized pieces, and the detail used in recreating it is quite remarkable.

Other creations:

Escher's "Balcony" in LEGO®

Escher's "Ascending and Descending" in LEGO®

Escher's "Belvedere" in LEGO®

Unconscious Mutterings #3 (week 172)

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Yours :: mine & ours


2. Charcoal :: still life


3. Platitude :: cliché


4. Graduation :: pomp & circumstance


5. Hungry :: Thirsty


6. Somewhere :: over the rainbow


7. Nurse :: give blood


8. Freak :: unusual


9. Unbelievable :: lies


10. Walk :: run

iT'S OFFICIAL - bLOG MOVING!!!

Well, today I made this page my official home of all things ranting and wonderful. I have been trying to decide for the last while which of my two blogs would take over as the main outlet for the mouse, and today, I have shut things down (not completely) at the other page. I will be moving some of the archives from that page here before I decide the fate of it. So if you want to delve further into the twisted relm that the mouse calls home, feel free to take a look through the archives here. I will be marking which posts came from the old home of the mouse.

Calgary Folk Music Festival

The line up for the Calgary folk fest was released this week, and this will be trhe best year so far!

Frigg Dan Bern Niyaz Feist Broken Social Scene Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band Aurelio Martinez Robbie Fulks Jeff Healey Bedouin Soundclash Macy Gray Roches Dave Alvin Little Axe Neko Case Son Volt Kris Kristofferson Eliseo Parro Eliza Gilkyson Kathleen Edwards Matthew Good
Ani DiFranco and more

Happy Birthday HNT (#20)

Osbasso asked for two things from everyone to help celebrate the first annaversary of Half-Nekkid Thursday...

#1) A re-run of our very first HNT post.

For me, that is from January this year.

And I thought while I was at it, this might be a good time to post this...a fun little number recapping some of my favorite HNT posts...



#2) Os asked to see a picture of us helping to celebrate the special event...I had so much fun with this one, that I have many celebration pictures... and a big mess to clean up in my living room! This week was also my birthday (yesterday), and I used the tissue paper from my gifts to help celebrate HNT's birthday!

tiny cake

yum!