I've moved!

Well, after almost 2 years I think it's time to move. Yep. time to move.

Here's my new home: http://www.albeard.tumblr.com/

Guess what?!

IT IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

23 in 2

I'm 23 in 2 days.

The thought of this makes me want to vomit.

One minute I feel like I'm on track with everything, the next minute I feel like I'm falling behind everyone and everything. It's a tough battle indeed.

My dad at 23 had a 2 year old, my mom was managing a hotel, my sister was in Korea teaching and well, I'm a recent graduate who cannot drive a car, had no job prospects and a $32,000 debt to pay off. Oh yeah, real winner this one.

It just seems like I'm wasting time and that is not much fun at all. But I suppose it's okay, there are other people in my position and I have the greatest support group I could ask for. Sure they pressure me a lot and make little backhanded comments, but I know it's all in hopes that I'll keep trying.

Seriously though, 23. It's an accomplishment in itself. I'm proud of the person I am and my successes, I just can't say I'm really on the up and up with where I am in life.

She's Back!

I'd like to point out that Lykke Li is back with a new single and a b-side both of which are available for download off her website. All you need to do is sign up for her mailing list and you get both the single and the b-side for free.

Mmm free.

Now what do I think of it? The single is called "Get Some" and is going on my skank playlist, which consists of songs that make me want to be very aggressive with guys and essentially make me feel like I'm a million dollars. A playlist sampler? Well let's see, there's this song, lots of Ke$ha, Willow Smith's new song, and some Robyn among others. You now have a good idea of how it sounds.

As for the b-side, it's much slower, softer and is essentially everything a b-side is supposed to be. Both of them are fantastic songs though and both very download-able!

Red Wine.

Oh dear. Oh dear.

Why do I like it so much?!

Comments.

I think you should comment on my stuff.

That is all.

I've got a cold.

I'm in Waterloo for the week as you know and well, every time I'm here I get ill. I contract some horribly fascinating disease that is only attracted to my specific immune system. I should be that person studied for how different environments effect immunity. I'm that bubble child.

Approximately 72 hours after I arrived back in Canada's technology triangle I started feeling it. Oh yes, the heavy congestion, the wheezy breathing, the stuffed up nose, the intense weight in the chest, the ball in the throat. Ah, the signs of a head cold and an ENT infection.

It's like the world mocks me when I arrive back here. It infects me with an incurable disease, I lose my watcard, everything is expensive, and I have the constant reminder that I am no longer a student and that when the first years this year were born, I was in grade 1. GRADE 1!

Ugh.

It probably does not help that I drink heavily each time I'm here and participate in drinking games that require you to drink out of a communal bowl of beer.

Ah... perhaps its more lifestyle than environmental. A revelation has occurred.

4 days in a row?!

What a streak! Imagine I had no life and internet every day? I could go a whole month blogging every day.

Too bad that's most definitely not the case. :(

iTunes.

I’ve been walking in the same way as I did. I look around but you're nowhere and I don't know if I can pick up because when I wake up, you're still gone. Please don't let me go. Come roll the dice for me. If you're faced with a choice, will you tell me once again how we're gonna be just friends?

I love you more than I should. They're telling the puppet that I need to be put down. Don't stand there watching me, follow me, show me what you can do. You graze me with your cold shoulder. Breaking down and coming undone, it's a roller coaster kind of rush. So come on skinny love just last the year.

 Come into bed with me, I know you want to.

Tidal Waves.

If I could do anything, go anywhere, meet anyone, or fulfill any dream, I'd pass up every opportunity if the other option was to just sit together with you for as long as you'd keep me around for.

Words that I do not know the meaning of but do know now because I googled them.

Dendrophiliac: One who is aroused by trees; one who humps trees.

Aspidistra: A monocot, found to inhabit the floors of forests in eastern Asia and eastern India.

Machicolation: An opening between supports on a castle parapet for dropping missiles on an enemy.

Pricklouse: a tailor - so called in contempt.

Trepidation: A state of dread or alarm; nervous agitation; apprehension; fright.

Crepuscular: Appearing, or active at twilight.

The Tree Planting Challenge

Ontario has recently started a tree planting challenge across the province to help inform the general public not only about the benefits of having lots of green in the area but also about different species (especially species at risk), biodiversity and how different niches work.

A large amount of people are now living in newly zoned subdivisions and while I'm not the biggest fan or urban sprawl, a huge percent of these people are taking their new homes and lawns and planting trees, shrubs and gardens.

The MNR website has put up a tree atlas to help you determine which tree works best for your area across the province depending on soil type, sun availability, and personal needs as well as region. The site also offers information about which types of trees you shouldn't be planting because they're either invasive, and out compete native tree species, or a susceptible to different diseases.  As well, the website lists trees that are not readily available for purchase.

My red hair.

I miss it.

Explosion!

It's not like anything happened, so there are no dead bodies, or crazy amounts of soup on the floor (though last night Euni and I made soup and it was awesome).

Yesterday I had bubble tea with a friend of mine and it was one of those big, let me rant to you for 2 hours as an impartial party, inexpensive therapy sessions. I have a lot of things I want to say but I just don't know how to say them and 99% of the reason I don't know how to say it, is because I'm afraid to. PETRIFIED!  Have you ever needed to say something to someone, to see what they think, to see if you're crazy but are completely terrified they'll over react, or brush it off, or make you feel like an idiot for thinking these things? Well, that's pretty well just it.

I mean for one it's impossible timing and essentially always will be. You can't do something like this during this time of year or during the other 45 weeks of the year, it's just mean and what a weight to throw at someone. It's no doubt going to be kind of brushed off (and I can hope it won't) but I need to get this out. I suppose I'll just wait until Christmas break, perhaps see if I can visit, but it won't be in a drunken mess at new years.

I need to sit down and really get my thoughts in order, get everything I want to say sorted and present it in a way that won't get a defensive response. It's not an attack, just an inquiry, a plea for help. And yeah, I think about things way too much which probably makes me over analyze or take things more personally than I should but that's something that I can't change. It's not my fault that I'm sensitive when it comes to things like this.

I just feel like this is going to build up until I explode and besides, I was told to communicate.

Dear Waterloo...

And to tell the truth.
Oh, this could be the last time.
So here we go,
like a sail's force into the night

And if I made a fool, if I made a fool, if I made a fool
on the road, there's always this.
And if I'm sewn into submission,
I can still come home to this.

And with a face like a dad and a laughable stand,
you can sleep on the plane or review what you said.
When you're drunk and the kids leave impossible tasks
you think over and over, "hey, I'm finally dead."

Oh, if the trip and the plan come apart in your hand,
you look contorted on yourself your ridiculous prop.
You forgot what you meant when you read what you said,
and you always knew you were tired, but then,
where are your friends tonight?

where are your friends tonight?

I'm a house bum.

I'm living with the coolest of the cool this week. I miss them so much and this feels so comfortable and warm.

You know that feeling you get when it's the middle of December and you're wearing an ugly Christmas sweater and you're sitting in front of a fire and drinking coffee with baileys and you're listening to good music while wrapped in a blanket? That's the feeling I have right now.

Pow.

Pow pow pow pow pow, pow pow pow pow.

I highly suggest whatever you're doing right now, you pause and listen to this song.

Immediately.

Red cup!

I has it again!

Johsf;ashfd!

So, okay.

I apparently have no sense of things that are needed to be kept safe. I've lost everything! EVERYTHING!

I lost my passport, I lost my walet, I lost everything I needed to keep safe and now, now it's costing me precious stress free living!

I swear, I'm sweating like a mofo right now because I'm insanely stressed out!

This has been my day -

I went to the service ontario building here to say hey, I lost my birth certificate, please help me out. What do they say, well, that will be 6-8 weeks if you do a paper application, 15 days online. I think okay, 15 days, sure why not. Then I see the $35.00 replacement charge. Okay, that's my own fault, let me pay!

Then I see it, the blasted thing that always appears when dealing with online payment. The dreaded, most hateful, you need a credit card blah blah blah. I hate this! HATE IT! I don't have one and my parents, bah, they don't let me use theirs so I mean, how about I take your 6-8 weeks and do a paper application. Then the bank says to me, oh hey do you want a credit card and I'm all like yeah I do! Then my conscience kicks in and is like, "Oh bean, you cannot handle a credit card, do not attempt to do so". Hopefully Dad either says yes, or it's going to be one of those cards that sits in my drawer never to leave but for emergencies.

So that problem gets put on hold for now. I then find out that my license which is expired, now costs $125.00 rather than the $60 I paid back in the day. For this I need my birth certificate (which of course I don't have), my student card, my expired license and of course, my Dad since I have no 2nd photo id. Woo. As for my social insurance number card, that's the least of my worries, I know my number. It will cost me $10.00 and I need my birth certificate. My health card... my beautiful pristine conditioned red and white card that never needs to be renewed... it doesn't cost me any money! I do however need my birth certificate, my student id and my license or an income tax stub. This one is probably going to be number 3 on my list.

So if I could rank them it would go:
Birth certificate
Sin card
Health card
Driver's license

Only issue with the health card thing is they're booking like 2 months in advance for an appointment.

Did I mention I'm going to destroy my room in search of my wallet?! I had it like a month ago. Where is it!?!??!

HKLJHGSLJKGFLAKGF!

As for how applying for unemployment went. Well that's for another time.

Orillia

Well, I'm back in it. Have been for a while actually. It's been a constant go-go adventure since I've been home though. Whether it's been meeting up with people I've not seen in a bit, or going to Barrie with my Dad or Bala with Mom, or Toronto with Sam, it's been a busy 10 days.

10 days... seems so quick. Yet, when I was on the boat 10 days went by at a snail's pace. Oh well.

So what's happened lately? Zippo. I've divulged my inner geek and went on a shopping spree at Manticore (which is the book shop here). I was quite happy when I left even though purchasing 7 books does not help the 3 that I have on the go right now. They're all classics, the kind of books you may have had to read in grade 11 or grade 12. The best books are wasted on those who don't care. I have to go back and pick up the last book I ordered today. It's called Lolita and it's an absolutely ridiculous book about a man who falls in love with a child and tries not to act on his pedophilic desires. It's apparently extremely witty and while you want to scrunch your face up the whole time apparently it's also insanely addictive.

Besides that, It's a day for errands. I've some how managed to lose the items most important to my identification. My birth certificate has picked up and walked away, as well as my SIN card. Great no? So I'm off to the city building today to report them both, (although I am sure they're just stumbling somewhere around my room it's better to be safe than sorry) and get replacements. I also have to go to the bank, deposit a cheque and make a transfer. I need to pick up two cards, one for a friend of mine and the other for my godson. Then after that it's off to the post office to send off my OSAP papers. Ugh OSAP. Time to start paying that back I guess.

That's about it.

Oh, and I got the facetime beta. It's exactly like skype... Nonetheless I'm excited.

Of birds, bees and butterflies.

What's in a name, what's in my sleepy eyes half the time?  If you would have asked how I was, I'd have said I'm just fine. I know it's best if I move on; let you swim in the wake of this song. If I could've seen to this end, I'd do it all over again.

The reds, the blues, and the things we cannot see.

It's a chilly morning out on the Kawartha. I had originally thought of going upstairs to write but with the amount of cold air coming in through my window and radiating from the pane I think it's better for me to stay in bed with my tea and heavy blanket.

The trees are red as can be along Buckhorn Lake (which is where we are right now), makes me think that the area had the perfect amount of rain and heavy sunshine. Trees turn shades of Red, Orange and Yellow depending on the amount of glucose stored and left over after photosynthesis stops. I suppose sumac bushes don't use much energy since well, they're always red in the fall.

The lake is a crazy blue and so is the sky. It's an absolutely beautiful day out and even though it's cold, it's still amazing. I'm going to be really sad when this cruise ends in 3 days. It's a heartbreak like no other. So insanely conflicted. Part of me cannot wait to get off this boat. No more living in a hole, no more living for 10 days at a time, no more boat food, no more drama, no more biting my tongue etc. At the same time though, I'm going to miss watching the sunrise over the water, watching the sunset from my window, not having to wear makeup every day, the freedom of being parent free, the boat food, traveling around, seeing all the locks and the bridges and even some of the people.

It's time to move on, start a new adventure, follow the path that I'm supposed to be on right now. It won't be easy to do, but everything worth doing is never easy.

New Music Finds!

Two sites to check out:

The Mixtape Club
A website that streams it's mixtapes (which is irritating because some of them are amazing...) and archives each one. The idea is ten club members, ten mixes. They're all pretty neat but my favourite so far would have to be the one that begins streaming when you click the link.

Psychometry
An itunes podcast available for download, these mixes by DJ Andrio are electronic, house and remixes pulled together in an intense ear orgasm. So far the mixes have been smooth, enjoyable and perfect for both walking around the city and studying.

Turn my head out.

You didn't get to heaven but you made it close.

This is it.

Well, it's the end. The very last trip. Once more up the Trent-Severn then it's off to the real world again.

I'm scared. No jokes.

How is it that I will be able to do the following:
-Survive my parents
-Pay my OSAP
-Live the life I'm used to
-Do the things I want to with zero income
-Still be me

I don't particularly enjoy the idea of becoming an adult. I've been fighting it since the beginning of last year. It's not a fun idea when you think of it. Responsibilities, real jobs, and who knows what else it will bring. I'm not ready. I'm not mature enough for it. I want to hide in a hole and wake up and be 17 again.

This whole thing is just being brought into focus even more with my 23rd birthday coming up. Ewww, 23. It sounds so old. 23. What were my parents doing at 23? Dad had a 2 year old, Mom was a manager of a hotel, and even Ami, Keri and Mel were all situated well in their lives.

University only delays the maturation process...

I want to go back to that. It can't really be time to move on can it?

Changes, I've never been good with them...

Issue.

I have one.

Go to Waterloo for Halloween and go to the coolest party ever, or, go to Waterloo for my birthday, and do the same thing we do each time I come to visit but this time it's all about me.

Each has it's pros and cons.

Halloween:
Pros - see everyone I've not for a while
        - see Dube
        - dress up and be stupid
Cons - Spend $100 to get there + money for food, and anything else
         - Not go to Waterloo for my birthday

Birthday:
Pros - see everyone I care about
        - have a birthday celebration for me
        - drink beer, get a cake, etc.
        - extra week to adjust back to being at home and start eating regularly again
Cons - Miss Halloween
         - Send $100 to get there + money for food, and other stuff
         - Not see Dube

So there are more pros for my birthday but the con of missing halloween and missing Dube is huge.

Ah, decisions decisions!

Cheese Tea Biscuts

They are perfection.

A lovely orgasm for my mouth.

So soft, so rich, so lush and yummy too!

Perfect with tea, milk, juice or cocoa.

Anything better and I'd eat my hat.

And I love my hat.

Windy.

Explain to me how you go from this:

To this.... :

To THIS.... :

It's been a wicked and wild day for weather on the Rideau. The winds have been mighty high and the temperature went from 6 or so this morning to 25 this afternoon and currently it's 18. It's muggy, humid and bomb-ish outside. The passengers have been stuck inside all day and as a result are restless and irritable. That makes my life more stressful and as a result I become more irritable. This makes other people irritable and the cycle continues.

Bah. At least it's bed time now!

What kind of person are you?

"There are two kinds of emails you can get: the ones you read, and the ones you delete. There are two kinds of people you can be: a person who people want to pay attention to, and a person people find irrelevant. Don’t let yourself become spam in someone else’s life: stay interesting, relevant, and compelling to those you love." - Molly Ford

Dreams.

Last night I had the weirdest dream I've had in a long time and I sure have some weird dreams.

I was on a mission to cross this path from one side to the other but there were all these arrows flying at me that I had to dodge. Oddly enough, the night before I had the same dream but I had no issue dodging the arrows so I was all cocky in my dream and just went for it.

As a result, I got hit and died. But when I died I didn't actually die. My body died, and I could see that but I was definitely just a soul, chillin. It was weird. I kept thinking, meh, nbd, I'm going to wake up soon, I'm not actually dead. However, my dream kept continuing on and on and I never woke up.

As the dream went on and I began to panic more that I was actually dead, I realized I never said goodbye to my mom or my dad or my sisters or my friends. It was a horrid realization. Then I didn't know how they would find out?! I remember my primary concern was finding Cluett and letting him know I had died so he could tell people.

Am I so narcissistic that also in my dream all I wanted to do was check my facebook to see if people had written on my wall that they were sad I died?!

So weird.

Westport.

My home for the night? A quiet little town called Westport, Ontario. It's absolutely beautiful here and no doubt by the time we sail through here next week, those reds and oranges on the trees are going to be 10x more vibrant.



Sam & I are going to a place called spy rock tonight which is at the top of that hill. The view should be amazing, too bad it's going to be pitch black and scary as balls. Ah well, gotta live some how.

Life.

I just saw this picture and combining it with the endless hours of Big Bang Theory I've been watching lately and you have a very humbled Anna.

Love to stumble.

ps. I just spent $102 at wal-mart on nothing. I rock.

The Rideau.

Swoon.

Love me some Rideau.

Tonight's adventure, Smith's Falls. They have a wal-mart!








Since I've lost my journal that was supposed to be a present for Clue & Dube for christmas, I suppose I should get another one of them.

and a froster.

mmm.

New tunes...

I have so much new music that I cannot possibly imagine getting through it all. It's a frustrating task to take on you know.

There is an insane amount of talent compiled into my itunes and have I listened to more than 35% of it? Nah, not even once. Come on, how sad is that. Though I cannot be held completely to blame. When 95% the music you've listened to comes from amazing British talents and Canadian indie sweethearts how why adventure?

I'm thinking of wiping my ipod and only putting on music that I've not listened to. This way I have no choice but to broaden my horizons. That however, would mean that I'd have to take Immi off my ipod and well, I've only one that once and almost died.

Autumn Nights Vol 2.

It's chilly tonight. Like chill-y.

Currently we're in a tiny place called Burrits Rapids, which is outside of Ottawa in the southern part of the valley. It's maybe 8 outside currently and yesterday night it was even colder. In 3 days it will be the first day of Autumn and the beginning of the best season in the year.

Nothing says cozy like drinking tea, curling up in a big sweatshirt and listening to some good tunes. I have an outstanding amount of music that is appropriate for this time of year. It's soft, comforting and is meant to make you feel warm and happy hearted. It doesn't have the bounce that music designed for the summer does, but is strangely comforting for the bleak time that is around the corner. The warmth of the sounds reflects the colours of the leaves and the crispness of the air.

Hopefully you like this mix just as much as I do.

1. Andrew Bird - Weather Systems
2. Bon Iver - Re: Stacks
3. Jenny Owen Youngs - Have You Forgotten (Red House Painters Cover)
4. Jason Collett - Little Clown
5. Sufjan Stevens - To Be Alone With You
6. Trespassers William - Vapour Trail
7. Matt Singer - Bird Song
8. Blue Foundation - Little by Little
9. The Weepies - Living in Twilight
10. Matthew Good - Moon Over Marin
11. Sarah Harmer - Greeting Card Aisle
12. Stars - The Aspidistra Files
13. Papercuts - The Void

How to...

The 4 and a half minute video that just changed my life.

Deep breath in, deep breath out.

It's okay to be on your own.

everything.

Everybody says time heals everything
but what of the wretched hollow?
The endless in between
are we just going to wait it out?

Waterloo feels...

Weird. Nostalgic. Funny. Right. Comfortable. Home.

Any word that makes your feel slightly uncomfortable is probably a good explanation of how I'm feeling right now. Yet at the same time, whatever words make you feel safe, independent and confident also explain the way I'm feeling.

Currently I'm chillin', on my own, in the Starbucks uptown and this, this feels normal. This feels like what I should be doing. Yet, this is not what I am doing more regularly than right now. That makes me miserable.

Ah well, all a part of growing up I suppose. I guess 6 months isn't enough time to grow out of a 5 year habit.

Branded.

Would
You
Look
At
That.

Mixtape vol 2.

So, I wish I was cool and knew how to put my mixtapes online but all I know how to do is make a folder with the songs in them and upload it to a file sharing website for you to download... It's lame but its what I'm going to do! Eventually... baha.

Since I'm on my way to Waterloo I figured I would upload my "Follow the Distance" playlist. It's primarily comprised of songs that remind me of Waterloo, beats I want to travel to and other songs I really like. A few of the songs, specifically 1, and 6 I stole from a driving cd I'm in love with. They always make me want to go on an adventure. The last song is a lot different than the rest but it's perfectly fitting to me and means a bunch.

The reason it's so long? It's like 5 hour bus ride to Waterloo, ok? I get bored.

With that, here we go!

1. Imogen Heap - First Train Home
2. Stars - The Passenger
3. Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism
4. Reverie Sound Revue - Passes and Passports
5. Two Door Cinema Club - I Can Talk
6. Apparat - Arcadia
7. The Temper Trap - Science of Fear
8. Vampire Weekend - Jonathan Low
9. Kids of 88 - My house
10. UNKLE - With You in my Head (feat. The Black Angels)
11. The Pass - Colours
12. Matthew Good - Born Losers
13. Elliot Brood - The Valley Town
14. Florence + the Machine - Kiss with a Fist
15. Stars - Opinions vs. The Sun (Stars vs. The Album Leaf)
16. Tegan & Sara - The Ocean
17. Phoenix - 1901
18. The Weepies - Slow Pony Home

Buses, a Birthday, ink, Waterloo!

So tomorrow I'm leaving for Waterloo. The next 24 hours are going to be so insanely rushed. In 12 hours I'll be home, in Orillia where I have to do laundry and pack and sleep which is fine, it's the waking up at 7 to go into my Dad's house to walk down to the bus station and grab a bus to Waterloo by 9:30. That's the nerve wracking part.

It's Clue's birthday tomorrow and I'm pretty sure I know what I'm planning to do for it, but whether it works or not will be a different story. He deserves something awesome for his birthday since well, this week was no doubt stressful for all the FOC and all the Coords. I just want to make it a good birthday. You only turn 21 once! It's not like I'm doing anything big though so don't get excited.

Waterloo soon!

Oh my gosh Orientation.

Check out the awesome!

I've watched it seriously about 10 times just so I can learn the dance in time for next week.

Also. Ink in 3, just sayin'.

Autumn Nights Vol 1.

I've been inspired to start making my own mixtapes since I've been listening to them so much. You may think, whats the difference between a mixtape and a playlist?! Well not too much to be honest. I find that my playlists are all for a particular reason rather than a mood. What I've decided to do though is change that.

Currently on my itunes, I have 22 playlists. They are all pretty varied; whether it be genre, location or occasion. I can never find a reason to delete them though. Each one means something different to me. However, I deleted them all. Well, not all. That would be a lie. I kept 5 that I had made, plus all my yewknee ones and my kitsune noir ones (but they weren't included in the 22). Time to start all over and September seems the perfect time to do so.

Even though August just ended, it is pretty well Autumn. It's below 15 and the leaves are changing, it's Autumn. Welcome to the best season of the year. Only thing left is to have an awesome soundtrack to go with it.

So check it out.

Autumn Nights Vol 1.
1. Black Before Red - Underneath Gold
2. Ra Ra Riot - The Orchard
3. UNKLE - Persons & Machinery
4. Radiohead - Sail to the Moon
5. Stars - Undertow
6. The Narrative - Eyes Closed
7. Trespassers William - Vapour Trail
8. The Weepies - Citywide Rodeo
9. Barcelona - You'll Pull Through
10. The Black Keys - I'm not the one
11. Bon Iver - Babys
12. Jason Collett - Tinsel & Sawdust
13. The Silent Years - Someone to Keep us Warm

The over all feel is a little shaky but at the same time, it's pretty decent. It's soft, which in my opinion is great for curling up under a blanket with a tea. Mmm tea.

I'm strongly considering putting up the .zip file I made of this but I'll have to wait until I'm off the boat to do that since my internet usage is already way over cap.

<3.

The person I've become.

I've always thought I was pretty cool. However, lately, I feel really cool.

I mean, I'm not horrendous looking, I laugh a lot and can be silly but know there is a time and a place and I like good music and aren't one of those awkward funny people, I'm just flat out funny. Ego much? Nah, I'm just saying I think I'm pretty cool. It has just been lately that I've realized that I actually really enjoy the person I've become over the past few years.

I like my clothes, my style and the way I dress. I think the clothes I have embrace my personality and show that I'm one of those extremely girly people who dresses like they live in a city that is bigger than 30,000 but at the same time can walk up to a mud puddle and want to look in it for fish and worms. Not that my clothes say, "Hey, I like fish and worms"...

I like the music I listen to. Music has officially taken over my life. I'm an indie kid, no joke. I'm balls deep in the scene now, especially with these mix tapes that I've been listening to lately. It's kind of gross when I think of it. I'm learning how to play the piano, writing songs and saving up to buy myself a trumpet. What giddy up?! How cool is that. I'm also seriously considering applying for a spot in the orchestra in Orillia once the season on the boat is over so I can really jump back into it. I also want to take piano lessons. I have a feeling I'm gaining some bad habits trying to teach myself.

I'm funny. I make myself laugh and whether other people are laughing at me, or with me, I'm not always 100% sure but nonetheless there is lots of laughing going on. I think too, if you were to ask anyone who knows me well, they would say I'm funny and have a personality.

Intellectually I'd not change a thing, personality wise, also, not change a thing. There is the odd physical discrepancy but I mean, I could sit here all day complaining that I look like a bag of apples or that I feel blahish because I look blahish, but really. I'm okay with myself right now.

Hear that, I'm okay with myself right now. I think this tattoo is only going to increase that. Now is that confidence or acting egotistical?

Mmm. All without a boy. Feels nice.

Happy Orientation Week?

Well, it's September.

I honestly can't say I know how I feel about the fact that not only is it September and I'm not in school but the fact that none of my close friends are in the same position as I am. I'm not going to sit here and say woe is me, woe is me. I'm a 20 something with no direction, wah, boohoo. I've done that enough and even I'm sick of the same sob story.

I am however, sad. I'm missing orientation week. That seriously feels weird to me. A handful of the people I love and adore are coordinating the entire thing and another handful are involved in every way possible. It's exciting to hear all about their adventures and the stories and how things are going but at the same time it's depressing. I wish I could be there and help and just enjoy being a part of the entire thing.

Maybe that's what I'm missing, the sense of belonging to something bigger than just me and the 10 foot circle around me.

Who knows.

Side note: Tattoo in 8 days. Oh god. I emailed Anabella the photo of my ink today and I'm craving it now. It's all I've been thinking about lately. It's become an obsession. It's gross. If my ink is in 8 days, it means I'm off to Waterloo in 7. It feels like I was just there, even though it's been about a month. It's just so much less time between visits then there was before. I'm so excited to snuggle with Clue and Euni and Amber. It will be weird going to Waterloo and not seeing Dube though. I don't think I like that too much.

Day 5 tomorrow, then off to Kingston. I've never done this trip before so I'm kind of excited to see the adventures the Bay of Quinte has in store for me.

Music Sesh

Oh my shit. Florence + the machine.

My mind has just exploded all over my room because it's that good. Go. Listen. Adore.

That is all.

Curiosity or boredom?

I am probably one of the most curious people I know. It's how things have been ever since I can remember. As a kid I was always covered in mud from playing in the muck behind the house wanting to know what was there, or typically in trouble for looking in cupboards or under the stairs where I wasn't allowed. It got to the point where the funnest thing I could do by myself was take my computer apart and put it back together. Such a nerd, I know.

Now I find after graduating, I've fallen back into the ever curious person I used to be. Through out school I was just as bad, but it was always about scientific stuff. Like why this bug has this type of wing and lives in this type of environment, or why when you add too much acid to this environment, different species thrive while others decline. It's still like that, but I also find that I'm constantly trying to find the impossible.

I've always read too much into things, made things more dramatic than they are. It's at an escalated level now. I'm constantly looking for things that are out of the ordinary, things that make me different than everyone else. I'm curious about how people think, what they believe in. I'm constantly trying to justify my own beliefs and thoughts. Is it curiosity or boredom though?

I'll get off the boat and go exploring on my own in places I know I shouldn't be not only just because of safety reasons but because who in their right mind wants to go into a bush, late at night, alone, to see if they can find something interesting? No one, that's who. Not unless that person is so bored and so curious that they've signed off on a death wish. Apparently I am that stupid.

Now I'm getting a tattoo in 11 days and all I can think about is how it's going to feel. I find myself obsessing over it. What's it going to feel like, will it make me feel stronger, is it going to be liberating, am I okay being with this for life? I want to watch one being done, I want to feel what it's going to feel like. It's like a sickness. An obsessive addiction to something that isn't in existence yet. See, how am I this bored. Or is it just that I've been bitten by a curiousity bug? How is it that I'm digging for something fantastical?

Something weird is going on in this head of mine that I can't quite figure out and I hope to God that it's not sheer boredom, though I'm sure it is, that is making me think, feel and act like an idiot. I almost justified actions of people around me treating me like crap just because there's no one else to take my attention away from it.

How lame, bean, how lame.

Over-dramatic people come hither!

Ughhh. Today it's been one bloody thing after another.

I really dislike confrontation and dramatics. I think both are extremely unnecessary to my well being and therefore should be ignored in every way possible. Evvverrry way possible, unless it's impossible.

Today, was one of those impossible days. We had fruit and peameal bacon for breakfast this morning. Every once in a while, the galley will put strawberries in the platter for a little extra treat and a little extra colour. I never get these, ever. Mainly because I'm always doing breakfast dishes and they are the first things to go. I had a chance to put some aside for myself this morning, which I was super excited about. Well, shit pretty well hit the fan. People started freaking out because they didn't get a strawberry and well, that just won't do! So, I took the 5 strawberries I set aside and threw them back in the bowl because well, if it's going to cause this much shit I don't want a part of it. Well then that just back fired and some of the girls decided I was being a bitch because I gave them back what they were complaining about in the first place...

I don't understand people.

Then I get a message from my mother via facebook complaining that I didn't return her text messages or her phone calls. Besides sounding like a crazy person, she forgot that I'm on a bloody boat and 99% of the time I don't have reception. She's been in New Mexico visiting my sister so why wouldn't I want to talk to her? I received no phone calls, no text messages. Does she believe me though? Nah, I just get more passive aggressive facebook messages. Good. Love it.

Oh, and another thing. I love it when guys have head issues. It makes my self confidence sky rocket trying to figure out if I've done anything wrong.

Fucking awesome day.

I wish I were a zombie killer.

Sometimes, I think it would be easier. That way I could feel like punching you in the head without feeling guilt. I could hate you without falling into stupid traps constantly.

I deserve something better. I demand something better. Not because I'm bitter but because I'm worth more.

Now if I can only keep telling myself that. Hopefully one day I'll believe it.

The boat.

I drove it. That's right. Across Lake Couchiching. I feel so amazingly bad ass.




Such a little sailor I'm turning in to. It's probably a good idea if I go eat lunch since I have a skype sesh with Ambi-bam soon.

A month seems to be a long enough break

I took a month off. Whatevs.

I love reading blogs. In fact, I have an entire bookmark folder dedicated to the amazingness that can come from cool blogs. I recently came across three new ones all music inspired for the most part and they have been blowing my mind for the past 24 hours. The music the authors have listed on these blogs is of the indie variety as you could imagine since I'm oh so hipster... For the most part each artist is completely unheard of to me but you never know, some people could be way deeper than I am into the realm that is indie music.

I found the first two off a blog, which I've already told you about called Goodmorning/Goodnight. That blog pretty well makes my life. However, that's not what this post is about.

One is called Kitsune Noir. The author posts stuff not just about music but also about life, photography and some other stuff which I've not had the chance to look at yet. Each week (pretty much) a new mixcast is released and is available for download. A song list is posted and for the most part, I like the ones I've listened to. There is always going to be one or two songs that I'm not huge on but that's the fun of it.

Mix 28 is currently my favourite, but there are multiple close seconds. Currently there are 42 mixes as of today but no doubt there are more to come.

I promise I'll attempt to update more. Key word being attempt. <3.

23 days later?!

I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry.

I'm a big fat liar. Big fat one. I said I'd post way earlier than today and I didn't. Ahhh. Oh well.

What's new? From today? From this week? From this month? Who knows. Right now I'm on the boat that I'm working on and I'm looking out the window and getting dizzy. We're by a lock and the way it pulls the water makes it look as if the water is flowing in two different directions. Weiiird.

<3.

Jitters.

I'm going seadooing tomorrow. I'm so excited I have the butterfly jitters. I haven't been on a seadoo for such a long time and I know we're going to go fast. Probably way faster than we should but that's okay since I like going fast. It always feels like you're flying when you go that fast.

I should be packing right now but I haven't started yet. I'll probably get on it as soon as I'm done this. I'm heading back to Dad's from tomorrow until Thursday then I'll be back at Mama's.

Le sigh. I'm so nervous. I wish I didn't have this gigantor pimple on my chin. It's like it's mocking me. Saying bahaha, makeup can't hide me once you're in the water. Fool.

Oh well.

Sleep. Eat. Dream.

What's wrong with me?! Seriously.

I went to bed last night at 10:30. I woke up this morning at 8. That's a good long time for sleeping. Even with 9.5 hours of sleep I'm still completely exhausted. I'm wondering if maybe I'm over tired? Or if the excitement of yesterday completely knocked me out. It has been a while since I've been either that excited or that nervous over something. Probably drained me right out.

Since tonight the fireworks are on, work is going to be insane. So many people and so much ice cream. I'm not very fast yet but I'm hoping I can just be on money and then life would be good. I made 7 dollars in tips yesterday, that's pretty badass. Almost enough for a pint and more than half of what I currently have in my bank account.

I'm hoping if I eat something I'll bounce back. My bowl of cereal this morning didn't really do it for me. I'm also not exactly sure why I'm so incredibly hungry today. Wait a minute. I'm super hungry and have no energy. Hmmm, I see a solution there. Food = energy. I should invest in that.

I had an intense dream last night. I was running the entire dream. Maybe there's another reason I'm tired. Constantly running. I was running from my Mom of all people because she was being rather rude, but she just kept chasing me. We were on some university campus and there were 5 big buildings that were important. One was an administrative building, two were cathedrals, one had labs in it and the last was a big hall where you could have a wedding reception or something. There was also a big railway where we were fighting over something that she said that's been bothering me for a few days but isn't worth bringing up again.

It was interesting none the less. Eventually I got away from her but it's just proof that what she said is having a bigger effect on me than I originally anticipated.

Happy Birthday? Mmm not so much.

Today is Canada Day. Woo. Right??

I read a piece of written heartbreak this morning that shed some light on the way detainees were held during the G20 summit in Toronto this past weekend and it got me thinking. People are placed in conditions that are not only unhealthy but completely devoid of any basic human rights all over the world on a regular basis, so why is it only when it happens here do I get upset about it?

Canada isn't supposed to be this type of a country! People are supposed to be safe and happy here. It's supposed to be a democratic country where we're allowed to express ourselves, our opinions and our beliefs. We shouldn't be persecuted for being in the wrong place at the wrong time like I'm sure 80% of those people arrested were. A breakdown in communication no doubt lead to the horrendous treatment of so many but that doesn't excuse what happened.

Who to blame? Blame the officers? Blame their superiors? Blame the Police Chief? Blame the Ontario government? Or does the finger go straight to Steven Harper? I'm no big fan of his so that what I'm doing even though I'm sure the blame could be better placed else where. I just think that some sort of apology needs to be made to those who mistreated. Should something ever happen to a non-Canadian on Canadian soil, it would be less than a few days for a statement to be made. However, how is it possible that something like this can happen to our own people and nothing comes of it.

Shame shame. I wonder if anything will be said? 4 days later and the clock is a ticking. Too many people are outraged for this to just be swept under the rug.

Butterflies and Wine

Swoon. <3.

I like wine.

I like water.

I like kissing.

I like picnics.

Combine them all and I'm just smitten.

Tornadoes, Earthquakes and Active Weather, Oh my!

Well today there was an Earthquake that hit the east side of central Ontario. The tremor was felt as far west as London and as far south as Chicago. Here at home when it hit it was about a 3 or so. That's hardly anything to talk about but still, the fact that there was a big enough disturbance 16km in the ground to radiate up is probably not a good thing.

Post earthquake, the thunderstorms picked up. Weather got so bad in some places of central Ontario that a tornado resulted. Now if you were to stretch tornado alley out and extend the line through Canada, it happens to pass right through Orillia. Fortunately, there hasn't been a tornado that's hit Orillia in at least 10 years. Today however, Midland/Penetang was not so lucky and there's quite a bit of damage over there. There is still a tornado watch issued for around the area as well as Kingsville and Leamington.

I know active weather is scary, but I think people over react too much. Though I suppose it's better to be over prepared than under prepared. I can say that with the comfort of never experiencing a traumatic active weather experience and I hope to never experience something that completely destroys my surroundings.

One thing I do know though, these things just keep happening and happening. Looks like the protective bubble of North America may be shattering. Limited freshwater, tornadoes, earthquakes, oil spills, polar caps gone, bears and other wild animals coming into cities. I doubt it's the apocalypse but it's pretty safe to say that Gaia is pissed off.

Food.

Post working 5 hours in an ice cream shop without eating any ice cream I am starving.


Seriously.


Waiting for chicken kabobs is really going to feel like an eternity. I think I may have only been this hungry once or twice before. No wait, that's most likely a lie. I cannot be held responsible for how much I exaggerate right now.


Ugh.

Advice.

I got a nice piece of advice from my cousin who is 14 yesterday. I was talking about how I had applied for my MSc and all that stuff and how I was nervous and she looked me square in the face and said " If something isn't happening, it doesn't mean it isn't going to. It just means you're not ready for it ".

I then proceeded to weep.

She's such an old soul that one. Either that or she reads too many of those edited photos and probably felt really cool for being able to use one of those lines. I know I would have felt pretty cool.

Ice cream lady!

Today is my first day of work at my new job which consists of scooping ice cream. I'm excited. I'm nervous. I get to wear a cranberry apron!

I like that I can listen to music. I dislike that I am working alone. Especially since it's my first day. My boss will be there for a short period of time but he's gone for a few hours too. I don't imagine it will be too busy today even though it's beautiful out right now. It's supposed to thunderstorm super bad this afternoon.

Maybe since I work until 5 I can get Dad to come pick me up instead of walking back home.

Weekly Tune Update

New tunes for today!!!

I started reading a blog called Goodmorning & Goodnight. It has a lot of music suggestions so I've borrowed some from there for today. The other two are my own. Mmmmm TUNES!

Stars (vs. The Album Leaf) - Opinions versus the sun

I love stars. I love the album leaf. Combine the two and it's pretty much blissful. This song is found on The Seance EP which was released online with their new album The Five Ghosts. I've found their newest releases to be 20 times better than any of their older things which is usually not the case with music. However, this band has continued to grow and their sound has continued to change. It's amazing. Amy's vocals are so incredibly haunting throughout this entire album. Mmm haunting.

Elliott Brood - The Valley Town

This is an awesome driving song (for some reason, I like to relate music to being in a car...) though good for walking too. Makes me want to skip a little. It also reminds me of being on a boat. This song has a very upbeat feel that is ideal for sunny weather and playing the spoons.

The Kooks - She moves in her own way

The Kooks are an English indie rock band from Brighton. The song has a very coastal feel to it that is typical of their location. Being another upbeat song, its one of those ones that has a good acoustic sound to it and would be good around a campfire. Just turn on your fake English accent and grab a guitar and some marshmellows and boom, bliss.

The Strokes (Feat. Regina Spektor) - Modern Girls

Okay, my mind actually exploded when I came across this song. Not because I'm a huge fan of Regina Spektor or because I'm a huge fan of the Strokes but because both singers have such unique vocals that it would be interesting to see how they combined the two. I do like both artists though, The Strokes more than Regina but none the less. This song is so good. It is just really good.

Finally.....

Sky Ferreira - 17

Bahaha. Okay. Imagine combining Robyn, Ke$ha and Sara Bareilles but crank the auto tune during the chorus and add some mad reverb in places then your generic club back beat and you have this song. It's catchy and foot tap worthy. Mmm. Horrible music that I am slightly ashamed to like but don't care.

Life, as I see it currently.

I had a big blow out with mom yesterday. Like I'm talking huge. There were no dramatic yelling sequences or throwing of chairs. There were however two hours of me sitting across from my mother crying explaining to her how I felt much like a failure and how I didn't want this life. I don't want to be home in Orillia. Not now, not ever.

I suppose like most undergrads, I had this golden image of life after university. Things would be great. I'd get an awesome job that was exactly (or just less) than what it is I wanted to do for the rest of my life this summer then I would start my MSc in the fall doing something I adore even more, phytoplankton research.

This of course is not the case. The past 7 weeks have shown me one slap in the face after another. I have no money, I have no job, I have no passport, I have no prospects, and now, I have no masters. Woah. Shitty deal right? Oh yeah, and the boy I was kind of seeing turned out to be insane. Good. Let's attract a few more crazies okay beanie? Yeah sounds good. To hell with that.

Things currently suck. The only thing that is going well right now, is the fact that I just got back from an amazing 4 day get away to Waterloo and got to see a handful of the people who mean everything to me and even though I felt like a failing piece of crap while I was there for the first day and a half or so, the feeling subsided and things felt more like usual. Until I came back.

My discussion with my mom consisted of me talking about how I want to follow the example of my university and come up with a " (x) decade plan". Waterloo is currently in its 6th decade and has a various number of goals it wants to accomplish by the year 2017, also the universities 60th anniversary. I have decided I want to make my own 3rd decade plan. Make my own list of things I want to have accomplished and where I would like to be in my life by the year 2017 when I will be 30. Ew. 30. Vom.

As I'm explaining this to my mother I tell her that I want these goals to be more than the typical, "get married and have kids" agenda. If it happens, it happens but I'd like to not make a life of just that in particular. She said it shouldn't be a goal at all and it should just happen naturally. However, to me it is a goal. To be married and have a family is something I am constantly striving for but I'm not saying I'm going to focus my life around it. That would be no fun. I have oceans to save before I can focus on secondary goals. That's exactly what it is, a secondary goal. Anywho, this turned into us battling about how she thinks it shouldn't be a goal and I explained to her that, that was her opinion and while entitled to it, I was talking about myself in particular not her.

Of course this blows completely out of the water and as most discussions do, becomes completely about my mother. She proceeds to talk about how when she was 17 she was living on her own and working full time and supporting her own mother. This was also, 1970 something. Things as everyone knows, are nothing like they were then, now. In the most round about way possible she tells me that just because now that I have graduated from university and have a fancy piece of paper doesn't mean I'm better than anyone, especially since I'm not working. Now at this point, I already feel like a huge failure not only just because I'm not working but because I'm 22 years old and relying on my parents to support me. Who wants to be in that position after being on their own for 5 years? Not anyone I know. She told me to hurry up and make up my mind as to what I'd like to do for the rest of my life.

I tried to explain to her that for me, that task is actually impossible. I cannot take 5 minutes out of my day and say in 7 years I want to be here, doing this, for this long, with this many qualifications. There are too many things I want to do still, too many places I want to go. I want to make a plan that is actually obtainable, not hypothetical. Shoot for the moon, but shoot past it and you'll be disappointed at what's on the other side. I just feel so lost right now. I feel like a bum, not even a skinny one! Just a big bump on a log. A leech on society. Like a lichen. I just sit there and strip the nutrients out of my environment and eat and eat and eat. Damn lichens.

I don't know what to do...I want to save the world. I want to wake up tomorrow, drive to Hamilton, go to work at CCIW, start my masters in the fall working on water protection and policy and be happy. At the same time, I want to wake up tomorrow, go to Waterloo, and sit in the blissful happiness that the university bubble has provided for the past 5 years. It's a tough position I'm in. Things could be much worse, that's not what I'm saying. Things could just be a lot better.

Time to do some soul searching I suppose.

Tune-idge

Lets start off with the tunes. Everyone loves music, not all people like hearing me rant about the state of the ocean.

Top 5 of the day

Stars - Wasted Daylight

Oh. My. Gosh. I know I've said that about both Fixed and We Don't Want Your Body but I mean, they just keep getting better! This song has been on repeat on my computer since about noon and it's just after 3 now. It's just so good. I love how dark this album is without sounding heavy. There is a difference between the two. It's just so catchy and Amy sounds incredible. This album really is shaping up to be my favourite of all 9.

Justin Bieber feat Ludacris - Baby

I don't care. It's not indie. It's not even good. However, it's adorable and catchy as can be. I love it love it love it! So does my friend Nicole and I mean, she's pretty much the coolest person I know so it's all good. The music video has a cute little culturally ambiguous 13 year old girl in it that your little girl can grow up and want to be!

The Stills - Don't talk down

Not a new song or even a newer song. This fantab tune is about a year and a half old and off the album Oceans Will Rise (which is one of the tattoos I'm getting in about a month or so!). It's reminiscent of old school The Stills, I'm talking Logic Will Break Your Heart type The Stills. Amazeballs. The entire album is amazing. It's one of those albums that is meant to be listened to from start to finish. While it sounds fine just pulling one or two songs out, it sounds way better when you just fly through the album.

Sally Seltmann - Harmony to my heartbeat

Also known as New Buffalo, Sally Seltmann is an amazing artist from New Zealand who I happened to fall for a few years ago when I was living in Ottawa. She's on the same label as Stars, BSS, The Stills and a lot of other really awesome Canadian bands. This song in particular makes me happy. It's ridiculously cute and really shows off Seltmann's vocal skills.

Sia - My Love

So I know this is from the Twilight soundtrack and I've already linked to that but this song is so incredibly amazing!!!! It makes me really happy. It's just one of those songs that is beautiful and romantic and lovely. Mmmm romantic. It makes me want to wear a really flowy floral dress and go lay in a field of grass. Mmmm but only if the year was like 1832.

Alexi Murdoch - Orange Sky

If you watched the OC you'll no doubt know this song. It's really nice for relaxing to and sleeping. I've not listened to anything else by Alexi Murdoch but I suppose I should since I really enjoy his voice.

So that's about it for now. I'm going to post about Convocation and the likes a little later. For now though, it's off to the lake! Mmmm, nothing like putting in a dock to make your Saturday fun. Lake lake lake!

Old Favourites and tips!

I'm still rolling in new music but since I'm feeling slightly nostalgic I figured lets do a list of old favourites and top plays.

The Weepies - World Spins Madly On

This is my top played song on itunes at a whopping 140. Not only is this song practically perfect but it's adorable. One of my best friends and I did our own little version of this song and it's magically made its way on to my bedtime play list for the month. Our cover of the song isn't finished yet but once it is I'll be much happier. If you like folky, cute, music with you mean the world to me type lyrics you'll like it no doubt.

Barcelona - Please Don't Go

This song... oh this song... Sitting at 110, this song made me cry for the first 60 times I swear. It's just one of those song that does you in. Heavy piano and a string accompaniment with lyrics full of heartbreak. What else could a break up sex scene in a movie ask for. I remember sitting in a friends bedroom curled up in the arms of another friend of mine listening to this song and bawling and not exactly knowing why. I was intoxicated at the time which no doubt made it worse but still. Ah, it's so pretty!

Apparat - Arcadia

In the running for taking over the number two spot at 109 plays, this song is fantastic for every occasion. Whether it's driving at night, running, sleeping whatever. No matter, I'll always think of driving in the car around the R&T park at midnight with Clue on our way home. Mmmm good tunes. This song has a wicked beat and very different than the first two.

Gui Boratto - No Turning Back

This song literally puts me in a trance. It's almost 8 minutes long and I've got a play count of 97 on my itunes. That doesn't include ipod play so.... about 13 hours of my life have been spent listening to this song just on my computer! It's so good!

Imogen Heap - Between Sheets

Sigh, so pretty. Amazing Amazing Amazing. Even Amazeballs. 96 plays amazing! I can't explain this song. It's Immi at her finest really. She uses some really neat items as instruments throughout the song that makes my heart melt because I'm pretty sure it's just plastic tubing. Such a pro that one. I posted my favourite live version of the song.

Kate Walsh - Bury My Head

I love Kate Walsh's voice. I love folk music. I love this song! It's not particularly amazing in any way but it's just a really nice, pretty, cute song. At 85 plays it's a song about a girl, who wants to be that girl and every guy she's that girl to, disappoints her. Sounds oddly familiar which is maybe why I like it.

Bon Iver - Re: Stacks

84 plays for this one. It's the ending track on the album 'For Emma, Forever ago'. It's soft and folky. Apparently I really like folk music... I like the sound of his voice in this song. It was on my May sleep playlist. I got this song on the 18th of May and from now until then I've listened to it an insane amount of times for being such a short time period. Gotta love sleep counts!

There you have it! My top 7 played songs on itunes. I have a feeling that could potentially change slightly once the new Stars album comes out but we'll get to new music in a minute.

Once again to wrap things all up...

Water Tip of the Day #3:

Try working out in the morning. People who exercise in the morning are more likely to stick to their fitness habit than those who exercise during the afternoon and evening. How does that save water? Working out before you start your day means that you can skip that extra shower you would take post workout saving about 78 litres! Almost 10% of the American population showers twice a day. That's more than...

2 271 247 070 400 litres

I don't even know how to say that number. That 2.2 trillion litres, per day! WASTED! That's enough drinking water for the entire world for 183 days!

Threads, Tunes and Tips

Aren't I just the indie hub of the universe! Not quite, more like a filter, similar to one in a pool that gets out all the gross stuff and only lets through the pristine!

Anywho, lets see what's on the docket this morning!

Tobacco - Six Royal Vipers

This song is addictive. It makes you feel like you've been beamed up onto a space ship and hit with electromagnetism (Poor poor smokey...). It's a mix of psychedelics, pop, and dreamy hiphop. Can you imagine such a thing? I've figured out how to link things properly now!! Woo!

Parlovr - Pen to the Paper

I'm starting to think that the majority of the indie bands I like have too many similar characteristics. They all sounds different to me, but I find I'm using the same bands to describe them. This song, Parlovr (pronounced parlour) reminds me of what would happen if you through Phoenix, Broken Social Scene and Two Hours Traffic in a blender and than drank it with a shot of wheatgrass. It's lovely and sounds fantastic.

Shape of the Earth - Alone in This

Similar sounding to most male indie musicians, Gavin Bascom's solo project has serious heart. This song itself isn't amazingly fantastic or mind blowing musically but the lyrics are why I decided to post this song.

The soundtrack for the movie - The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Okay, okay. So I could be risking my entire reputation by putting this on here but whatever. I'm a twi-hard and I'm proud of that. Vampires' aren't really my thing, never have been. However, sexy pale English men are definitely my thing. Love the English... Mmmm. Okay R-Patz aside, this sound track is amazing. Available for full stream at the link above, this album which I'm definitely buying, samples artists such as Metric, Vampire Weekend, Muse, Florence + the Machine, Sia and The Black Keys. I mean, how much better can you get than that? I'm not quite sure but it's awesome. So far, my favourite song has to be a song by UNKLE (feat. The Black Angels) called With You In My Head. It's catchy and just cool yet kind of dark at the same time. The digital download of the album comes with 4 bonus tracks too. Do it. Do it.

Ok. Outfit of the day - I love it even more than yesterday's though I still think I looked cuter yesterday. Perhaps more well rested? Not sure. Check it out!

Ugh... okay mini rant. This is the only thing I hate about H&M. I bought a high waisted skirt, off white, big redish pink roses and black leaves, adorbs. I try and find it online and you can't find a damn thing on that website. Bah. Anywho, I paired it with a black tank top and a little white sweater and my black flats with a big pearl necklace. Cute cute cute.

Finally Water Tip of the Day #2:

Don't always believe the box when you cook! It only takes about 1.5 litres of water to cook just under 500g of pasta where as most instructions usually tell you to add 4-6 litres. Since so many people eat pasta (about a million kg per year), the water saved could equal about a million litres!

Books, Brownies, Boho and Beats

I'm in at my Dad's for the next couple of days visiting him and running around in town. While I was out I decided to hit up the book store looking for a Father's day present. However, let us describe my outfit because today, I look beach bum meets boho beautiful! Oh yeah, alliterations are just coming out everywhere!

I have on the following -
- Pretty Top
- Uber cute shorts!
and the cutest pair of brown strapy roxy wedges that the industry ever produced. All combined with my H&M man bag that is my constant companion, I look pretty fly. No jokes.

So while I'm out enjoying the beauty of the sunshine city, I go into the book store looking for stuff for Poppie. Being the big nerd that I am, I can't walk past the nature/science/ecology section and not look. I mean what kind of scientist would that make me?? I saw this book discussing evolution and creationism that I'm pretty sure I'm destined to buy since it mocks me each time I see it, however, on the shelf it stayed. Should I ever bring a book like that home, my mother may murder me instantaneously.

I'm looking and looking through all the cool science books and what do I find? Two other books I've been wanting to read! Oh look, Manticore is having a sale? Destiny? I believe so. I picked up one called "The Green Blue Book" which is a simple guide to reducing the amount of water you use. It goes farther than just the kitchen and the bathroom. It discusses the types of materials to buy, the proper writing instruments to use, types of food to eat. Ultimately, it's a limnologists guide to water consumption reduction.

The second book I picked up is called Sea Sick. After watching the TED talk last week on the state of the Oceans (oh shiz, I should download new talks since I have internet right now!), I've been hungry for more information about their condition outside of what public knowledge and my own research has provided. The book is not a textbook reporting facts and figures but it recounts the authors experience as she traveled to hotspots of the ocean with a team of leading scientists. After reading through a few pages, not only do I expect it to be a good read, but also an educating one that is easy to read. There was limited technical jargon in the pages I flipped through. Not that I have an issue with that, but I mean, I'm reading for pleasure. The last thing I want to do is have to look up what I'm reading about.

I got one more book. It's for Dad for Father's Day. If you've not heard of Justin Halpern you no doubt have heard of his Father. I grabbed the book Shit my Dad says for my Dad. The story is something like this. Justin and his longtime girlfriend broke up resulting in his move back in with his 73 year old father. Once the things his dad said to him started getting ridiculous, he decided to write them down. I started following Justin on twitter long before I knew he had a book out. So when I saw it at the store, I figured my Dad may enjoy the laugh as well as the satisfaction of knowing that he is not only normal, but considerate compared to some people in the world.

On my way back from the book store I stopped in at Mariposa before heading upstairs to grab a brownie which is in fact the best thing I've had all day. It also has all the fat I should have in one day, but when your meals have consisted of fruit, yogurt, and vegetables I think it's more than fine if I have a brownie. I wish there were more chocolate chips and less nuts inside it though. Oooh, imagine it warmed up? Why have I not done this before?! Ah well. Too late.

New beats, new beats! Unfortunately I cannot link to somethings again... not because I'm using Mama's computer, but because youtube has few of these songs. itunes does however, so if you're interested you can always look them up on there!

I recently downloaded a mixed album put out by American Laundromat Records called Sing Me to Sleep - Indie Lullabies. Which has inspired me to do a lullaby version of new beats. I'm always looking for new music to have as my bedtime tunes. Since it's the beginning of the month, I'll be making a new sleeptime playlist before I nod off tonight and fully expect to use some of these songs. They're beautiful, cute and indeed mellow. Sampler from there, yeah yeah!?

Jenny Owen Youngs - Have you forgotten

She's so cute. Seriously. Her voice... imagine Sarah Harmer meets Joni Mitchell. She did a cover of Hot in Here by Nelly so I'll link to that song. This song is kind of sad. None the less nice for napping or just sitting and reading. Both of which I will be doing shortly. Who knew!

The Leisure Society - Inchworm

If you've never heard this song, well, you didn't have much of a childhood filled with lullabies now did you. My first encounter with this song was when I approximately 7 and my Mama bought me the cd Anne Murray Sings for Kids. Yes, I'm slightly embarrassed but at the same time, I'm diverse in my lullaby knowledge and this makes up for the fact that I was a 7 year old listening to the same artists as my 80 year old Nana. Here is the Sesame Street version. The Leisure Society took this melody and sped it up slightly adding a bit more of a beachy feel to the song. Oh yeah, it can totally be sung in a round. You know you want to do it.

The Rest - Pure Imagination

I was worried when I saw this song on the album. I love this song, even at 22. I had an album called Return to Pooh Corner by Kenny Loggins when I was younger. I listened to that album almost every night until I was 11. I was very innocent and wholesome as a child. I'd say I still am but that's debatable. Anywho, this song is on that album and while it is a song originally from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, I like both of the non-movie versions I've heard. I like the Kenny Loggins one much more. Here's the movie version of the song.

Trespassers William - Rainbow Connection

Another song from my Kenny Loggins song and originally from the Muppet movie, this song hits deep with me. The original version couldn't have a cover done that would give it enough justice. However, Trespassers William would definitely be the ones to do the best job of it. I couldn't think of a lullaby cd that would be complete without a band that got their name from the sign above Piglet's house in the Winnie the Pooh stories. All of their music, not just this song is so dream like and beautiful. Another great lullaby/bedtime song is one called One of Me.

Okay... one more

Laura Gibson - Edelweiss

Yes, this song is from the Sound of Music, and yes, no one can sing it better than Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer but she does a damn good job trying. I like her voice. It's soft yet not sugary. See here. Most of her music sounds like that and I like it very much. Nice for doing homework to.

Water Saving Tip #1 - Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth! If you brush your teeth three times a day and leave the tap running, you'll use about 5 gallons ( about 11.4 litres ) of water. In just one day! That's enough drinking water to last you a week. If every one in American (which can pretty well be extrapolated to Canada) did this, the savings after a day would be as much as all the residents of an average sized state would use in about 2.5 days. Just how many people that is, I'm not quite sure but it's sure a lot.

Water Water everywhere! Or, we think.

Holy summer! Can we just take a minute and give thanks to what ever mystery climatologists know about and I don't? It's been so warm here the past week with temperatures averaging about 26 or so. For May that's crazy. Then again, we had an extra warm April, a warm March and a pretty much snowless winter. I'm about to go all environmental editorial on you so if you'd rather not hear it because you don't care or for some other reason, pop down an entry and get some suggestions for some wicked summer tunes.

In my boredom, I've stumbled across some really intriguing articles, websites and TED talks. With limited internet access I've resorted to TED talks as being my window into the outside world. Being in one of the most beautiful places in the world we're biased, ignorant to the issues and take what we have for granted. I'm probably one of the worst people for that and am a huge hypocrite. I take 15 minute showers, sometimes twice a day if I feel gross. I run the water while I wash my face too. However, I've learned some crazy facts over the past 3 weeks that makes me tale a step back and think, maybe I can make a difference. It also makes me want this job I had an interview for not too long ago even more. I wish my interviewer would email me back...

The top 2 fun facts that I've learned between coming home and yesterday:

1) On average 100 Billion gallons of water evaporate from the great lakes daily. DAILY! Which is 25 times more than what all humans consume. There's less and less rainfall and less snowfall replacing the loss. There's less and less ice coverage in the winter allowing evaporative losses to increase during the time we would expect it to be safest.

This huge loss of water could create large scale economic losses for all great lakes industries, particularily hydro-electric and shipping companies. Lower water levels don't just impact us and the ecosystem of the lakes, but also the surrounding wetlands. While these evaporative patterns do occur cyclically, as cycles peak, they are not reaching restorative levels. With the exception of Lake Superior, each of the great lakes is at a lower water level now than they were just 10 years ago. The changes have been extremely dramatic in such a short period of time.

2) Only 1% of the worlds oceans are protected. The size of the giant floating mass of plastic in the middle of the pacific has a larger square footage than the area of protected marine environment. There's something seriously wrong with that. $35 billion dollars world wide go to collapsing fishing industries. It would only cost $16 billion dollars to protect 20% of the ocean which would be enough to maintain marine populations to sustainable levels. This protection would create approximately 1 billion jobs world wide.

There are issues associated with trying to protect 20% of the ocean of course. People need places to live! You cannot just up root an entire population because you want to protect an area. However, there are some places that have low enough populations to sustain this idea. If people were properly educated than this wouldn't be an issue. Proper governance of these areas needs to happen. Ignorance is the biggest enemy to biodiversity.

I want to save the planet so badly!

More treasure box updates!

With little to do than wait to hear back from some of these jobs and exercise, I've switched gears for a bit. My life is extremely dull right now and I've been itching for something to write. Since for some strange reason I've had all this music on my computer waiting to be discovered, I figured I'd share the good stuff. Too bad all it took was a lack of things to do around the house and a serious void of employment

Lets see what we have today!

Flunk - Play

Not a new song, and one I've yes stolen from the OC soundtrack. It's a lovely mellow song that's good for driving down the road during the sunset holding hands with a super cute boy. Such a hopeless romantic... Anywho, the lead singer of Flunk has a really interesting voice that is really cute but raspy at the same time and kind of reminds me of a mix between Rilo Kiley's lead singer, the lead singer of The Cranberries and a female version of the lead singer of Placebo. So if you could imagine something like that. Ah! I know, the singer from six pence none the richer. There. Just more raspy.

CFCF - Big Love

This song is from the Canadian Blast at SXSW 2010 mix. I've not listened to the whole album still mainly because it's huge but I'm a sucker for Canadian music so as I was flipping through the first 15 seconds of each song this one grabbed my attention. It's fun, upbeat, and heavy on the synth. It's the type of sound that is produced by most Arts & Crafts bands but with a more beachy feel. Imagine, 1974 meets Broken Social Scene meets the beach. If that sounds good to you, you'll probably like this!

Two Door Cinema Club - Eat that up, It's good for you!

I'm in love with TDCC. Ever since a friend of mine told me to download this album (called Tourist History), and they had a song on another mix I have it's been a match made in heaven. They remind me of Two Hours Traffic but less Eastern Canadian. It's like The Strokes meets Two Hours Traffic really. This song is so upbeat and one of those songs that is really good for jumping around the room and pretending like no one is watching.

Jason Collett - These are the days

No summer is complete without JC. Seriously. With that campfire feel to all of his music and the hum of central Ontario in all of his songs, it's perfect for relaxing to. An true blue Arts & Crafts junky, I'm not suprised I like this song. I think anyone from Bramalea or any Toronto suburb has that same sort of lakeside appeal (see Hayden, Hawksley Workman, Kevin Drew). Any of Collett's old stuff (pre Here's to being here) is ideal for sitting on a boat.

None of Dem - Robyn (Feat. Royksopp)

Oh my shit. There, lets just leave it at that. This song gets a huge 5 stars from me. It's slightly angry without sounding angry. It's got an awesome backbeat that's impossible not to bop to. I love electronic music that doesn't sound technoish. Off Body Talk pt. 1, this is probably one of the best songs Robyn has released. Featuring Royksopp seems to benefit her. The other song I know of that they've collaborated on called The Girl and the Robot is another super catchy tune with a killer backbeat. Mmm. Smingey.

LCD Soundsystem - Can Change

Love love love love love. Anything by LCD Soundsystem I'm overjoyed with but this song in particular makes me really happy. I've taken to making summer playlists and I'm finding it so difficult not putting this song on each and every one of them and finding it even more difficult not keeping this song on repeat. Don't want to burn it out! I don't even know what else to say other than everyone and their grandparents should like this song.

YaYa Summer!

Now Playing

New music is always exciting. A few days a go I posted 4 or 5 new songs that I had really started to fall in love with. Some more than others but nonetheless still pretty much love. I figured I'd post some more because I mean, who doesn't love new music. I want to throw links up, but my mom's computer is super weird and for some reason lets me copy but won't let me paste. Lame.



David - The Radio Dept.


I've been a huge TRD fan since I found them in second year. They come from sweeden and everything is in English but the music itself has a really light dreamy feel to it. They use a lot of distortion and synthesizer so if you're not big on that, you most likely won't be big on them. This song David, is from their album released last year which is comparable with their early stuff. It's different and different is good!



All to All - Broken Social Scene


It wouldn't be a post about indie music without a hit from Arts & Crafts. This song features a vocal track from BSS' new leading lady Lisa Lobsinger who some of you may know better in her role as vocallist for Reverie Sound Revue. It's a light airy track, that's great for driving in the car with all the windows rolled down. I see a pattern with the songs I've chosen... hmmm. Anyhow, I like this song because it shows Lisa in her element and doesn't make her sound like a clone of Emily, Amy or Fiest.


Goodbye Bye - OWL

A friend of friends of mine and I have a strange twitter relationship going on. We've not met, but we know of each other and lately have been trading cool tunes. He let me know of OWL not too long ago and after downloading their EP I'm waiting for new music from them impatiently. OWL is an electro-pop duo from Halifax. Their being Canadian has no effect on me liking them at all... It's nothing out of the ordinary, not spectacular, not mind blowing. Just fun, and happy. Like the other two songs, light, airy and good for driving to. A few of their other songs of the EP chants (the vibrations in the streets keep me weak in the knees) are a bit better, some a bit worse so this song gives you an idea of how most of their music sounds.

Right As Rain - Adele

Obviously not a new song (the album 19 came out in 2008), it is light, and catchy. I love the sound of Adele and I'm not huge on soul music despite being on a big binge lately. For being so young (she's only 21!) she's got one hell of a voice and has found the majority of her success back home in England. I like that entire album actually. Hmm... Blue Eyed Soul. Different.


Hotel Song - Regina Spektor

Now, before anyone writes this song off completely because of who it's by, I ask you just to stop and listen to it instead. I'm not a big Regina Spektor fan myself. I like maybe a handful of songs by her. The rest I find a too odd for me. There's mainstream and I'm all for being different, but some of them are just bad. This song is happy (kind of), and it's one of the few songs by her you can actually understand what she's saying. It makes for a good dancing around the room when you're getting ready in the morning and you're still naked song.

Francis or C'etait salement romantique - Coeur de Pirate

Both of these songs tie for first place in my books of songs I like by Coeur de Pirate. They're both cute, short, soft and good for a nap/bedtime/melow play list. They're both good for music to have around the fireplace during a cooler summer evening while roasting marshmellows and stargazing. All of her music relies heavily on the piano so if that's not your thing, this probably wouldn't be too great for you. Otherwise, tres romantique!


Best Coast - When I'm With You

Take Joan Jett and calm her down slightly, then turn the treble on your radio all the way down, increase the distortion and mix it with The Radio Dept and you'd probably get this song. I love this song, it's so summer fun. It's exactly what summer should be, full of romance, heartbreak, drinking, and carefree. I'm not too sure about the rest of the music by this band since I've not dabbled in it yet but if it's anything like this song then I'm sure I'll enjoy it and hopefully you will too!

Updates and cool things

Since there is nothing exciting going on with me and over the past bit, I've been privy to a few cool things, I figure I'll share those instead. Some other people know about, some other people don't.

Cool songs that increase your indie cred -

Stars - We don't want your body :

I think this may be my favourite song off "The Five Ghosts". I say that now, 34 days before the album comes out. However, it's catchy, head bob worthy and Amy Millan rhymes "ecstacy" with "sex with me". Can't get much cooler than that.

Pogo - Upular

This artist named Pogo, takes sounds from various environments and remixes them into a song. This one in particular is from the movie UP. I'm a huge fan of that movie and obviously I figured I'd at least enjoy it. However, it blew my mind. It's incredible. The amount of work that would have gone into that is unfathomable. I get bored of projects after 5 minutes. That would have driven me crazy. He has 5 or 6 up on the youtube channel that I'm a huge fan of, 11 in total.

The Weepies - I was made for sunny days

It's the first song you hear as soon as the webpage finishes loading. I'm really not sure what I think of this to be honest. I'm completely impartial. I like it sure, it's not my favourite though. Not bad by any means but not mind blowing. I'd like to think I'm a relatively large fan of The Weepies, I can't say however, if this was the first song I had heard by them I'd feel the same. Nothing they'll make will be as good as Say I Am You.

The Soft Pack - Fences (Phoenix Cover)

The original is one of my favourite Phoenix songs so when I heard this version of the "Her Indie World" mix pack that Aritzia had playing in the store I almost exploded. While I do love this original and almost always hate covers, they brought something different to the song. It's a little more rough and I can actually hear and understand the lyrics. Who knew?!

Young Marble Giants - Salad Days

Another hit off the Her Indie World mix pack. This song (well the first half of this video) is so unbelievably cute. I think it's really good for waking up in the morning during the summer or for driving in the car with the windows down with the smells of the water and fresh cut grass crawling up your nose. It's one of those songs that I could see being put at the beginning of a Fox Searchlight Pictures movie that's about a 17 year old girl in high school that just found out her parents are sending her to some camp she doesn't want to go to where she'll meet the guy of her dreams and fall in love. Swoon, scratch that, vom. Being 2 minutes long, the song makes me happy. Unfortunately I couldn't get an album version to share, sorry!

Two Door Cinema Club - Lasso (Phoenix Cover)

While I still think that the original is better, this is still a really good cover. Maybe it's because I'm a big fan of TDCC, maybe it's because their initals remind me of TCDD and that makes me a huge science nerd. I'm not quite sure. Nonetheless, both this song and anything else from TDCC should be listened to.

Pretty things -

The past little bit I've taken a keen interest in fashion. Who knew. I'm constantly on the look for things that make me go "ooh!" or "ahh!". Here's a quick little list of cool places to check out.

Modcloth Clothing

A mix of vintage and vintage inspired clothing, mainly for women but I think they have a few things for men. I got my convocation dress from here. The prices are dirt cheap for the quality and variety. While they are in the states and exchange and shipping increase the prices slightly, it's more than worth it. New items are added every day and each item has a list of reviews that definitely help in decision making. While the sizing is different than what you'd expect, follow the instructions and you'll find online shopping becomes less fearful.

Lulu's

Similar to modcloth in the type of clothing, but I find with a smaller age range appeal. Mod cloth has items I could see myself wearing when I'm 30. Lulu's on the other hand I feel appeals to the 15-25 range. One thing that Lulu's has that modcloth does not is a lookbook and I love lookbooks. It puts together outfits for you. Click on an item in the lookbook and it shows your similar items too. That always helps. There currently are four categories and they change with the season.

Things to make you seem smarter -

Smart Pretty and Awkward

This website has become the first thing I check daily as my three tips for the day. Updated almost daily, each post starts off with a quote that will ultimately make you think, laugh or cry. The post itself shows something to make you smarter, gives you a tip on how to be prettier, and gives you some advice on how to seem less awkward. I can always use a bit of the last one.

Lobster and Fishsticks - Make it again 2010

It's a weblog that is for the reposting of recipes. Most of them are recipe makeovers. I'm usually not one for cutting calories when it comes to home made things and sweets but if you can cut the fat and calories without compromising taste then by all means, why not! My favourite recipe that I've found on here so far has been for low-fat strawberry bread. I've made it and not only is it awesome for breakfast but as a snack and as desert. Satisfying, without being heavy and sweet without being sugary. Type anything in the search bar and you'll come across a load of recipes.

Waterlife

This website tells the story of the great lakes, how they effect everyone in North America, how they're in extreme danger and how over the past 100 years we have essentially destroyed our life supply of fresh water. Canada holds the majority of the worlds fresh water supply. Due to our own ignorance and denial we've ruined the lives of those who will come after us. The toxicity levels of the great lakes are at all time highs, the majority of which has been caused by pharmaceuticals and other anthropogenically synthesized chemicals. Invasive species have essentially redefined food web systems within the basin.

The entire website is interactive and full of music and video. You start off learning about how water effects everything but from then can break it down into different categories like history, invasives, music, waste, chemicals etc.

Being a limnologist obviously I'm interested in this kind of stuff, but even I've learned so much from this and is probably my favourite find on the internet.

First few days home

It's day 3 at home and well, besides the inital freakout it's been a bit of a roller coaster. One minute I feel fine, slightly bored but fine. The next minute I'm freaking out, crying and missing Waterloo. I feel like a failure really. I mean who actually moves home after university? More importantly, who does 5 years of school, makes awesome connections and does co-op but still doesn't have a job?! I suppose the economy has something to do with that but I feel like that is such a copout. You can't always blame the fact that money is limited. I know people who have jobs for September but I definitely don't... bah.

I start p90x today. I'm really excited. I'm going to take my before shots after my first workout. I'm doing the lean version of p90 because it's focused more on fat burning rather than muscle building. I can't say I'm big on the idea of being bulky but everyone knows that women can't bulk up to be huge like a guy without both steroids and testosterone shots. Estrogen just won't let it happen. The schedule I'm on then is slightly different from the one that is usually done. Goal by the end of the 90 days? Well, I have 4 months so I'll do it for 120 days rather than 90 and it's of lost 20lbs. I really don't care much about losing the weight, it's mainly the inches I want gone. I'm not chubby by any means so 20 may be an unrealistic number but I'd be a good healthy weight and I'm sure my self confidence would skyrocket losing 20.

What else... hmm. Well, I'm missing my friends in Waterloo a lot. I'll be back in 2 weeks to see them which makes me super happy. My mom and David are in Bala right now doing some running around. Satchel is sleeping on his mat being cute as can be. Oh! A music video showing Miley Cyrus fakely playing the piano is on the tv too!! It's so incredibly obviously that shes not playing too. Her hands aren't moving to the beat... stupid girl.

Yep. I'm going to go exercise.
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