Portobello West

So, just received an email on this London-style fashion market that occurs once a month in Vancouver. Looks very cool - and I do love to support our local designers! In case you weren't aware (as in, you don't live in Vancouver) we have some great local designers here. Narcissist, Twice Shy, Nanna

I think I'll call a good friend, Lishy, and see if she is interested in going this weekend. It's been too long since we've gone out and done something together. And she is way more knowledgable about local fashion than I am - she's also the manager of a local yoga company/store, so she is always looking for great, new designers and products.

I'll keep you updated and let you know what I think of it.

Pussy cat update - no, I'm not a crazy-cat-lady!!

In case anyone has been wondering, my sweet kitty Arthur has officially started purring again. Which means he is starting to feel safe and secure again - which makes me very happy.

We're still working on Rascal - he is meowing a lot because he misses his brother. Lots of snuggles and playtime needed.

I'm sure I'll post more today, but haven't thought of what yet. This is just a quick morning hello...

Hello!

Now, time for some breakfast...

kyenta

Some thoughts

So, this is going to be a bit of a connect-the-dots entry (as in, ramblings).

I'm walking home from the bus stop, when I spy a fellow walking and reading at the same time (I always notice this because I spent a good part of my childhood doing that, and probably still would if I weren't such a terrible clutz). As he gets closer, I realize it is a fellow who works with my husband and he is reading a book my husband leant him (Hey, Che, hurry up with that book! That one was next on my list of books to read. ;-) So, as he is approaching, I'm trying to think of something funny to say, to say hi and get a chance to thank him in person for the sympathy card that he and his girlfriend gave us - and I think of something. Just before he passes me, I say, "Hey, hasn't anyone told you that it is dangerous to do that?". This elicits a hearty laugh from both of us... as he continues walking without breaking step. Oh well, maybe I'll get to chat with him next time. Must be a good book! Probably just as well, I've never been much of a master of conversation - why else do you think I work in a library? :-P

The book he was reading, Monster Island, reminded me that I wanted to mention the fabulous book I am reading. I am close to finishing The Professor, the banker and the Suicide King : inside the richest poker game of all time. It is a very well written book, for both those who are familiar with the game and those who are still learning about it. I am like the thousands of other people out there who read about poker now that it has reached popularity. This is the second book about poker that I have read (that isn't a poker how-to book). The first was Positively Fifth Street. Anyway, this book is about Andy Beal, a Texas banker who takes up poker as a hobby, but has the luxury of being to play using really large blinds. He also has the type of personality that doesn't just take something up as a casual hobby - he learns about it and learns to perfect his skill at it. Only at that point will he move on. He uses his ability to bet the big money as one of his strategies, hoping to take the pros out of their comfort zone by trying to play $50,000 and $100,000 blinds. The book also provides an introduction to a number of poker 'stars' and personalities, along with some history of the game. Great read - I highly recommend it.

Ok, on to the next (and last) topic. Seeing Che walking home also reminded me that I meant to post something related to my post on Friday night. Specifically, Claude and I were talking on Friday and decided on a Google Maps hack that we would love to put together*... we think it would be of great use to the prospective home owners of Vancouver to combine a the weekly Crime Maps from the Vancouver Police Dept. and the MLS listings of properties for sale onto an interactive Google Map. Probably wouldn't be much liked by Tourism Vancouver or local realtors, but... oh well. While we were talking about this, Claude mentioned that Che had just completed his own Google Maps hack - which I think is very cool - and very appropriate for the time of year. So I hereby command everyone to go look at Che's oh-so-cool hack... www.chemcnabb.com. Yay, Che!

Hey, if anyone knows of any other cool Vancouver Google Maps hacks, please let me know about them - I love this kind of stuff.

Anyway, this is the end of my ramblings. Time to go watch some Friends and have some dinner.

* The likelyhood of Claude and I actually managing to work on a Google Maps hack right now is pretty slim what with every other project we are trying to finish. Oh well, someday, right? :-)

Another reason I'm glad I don't live in America anymore...

How does anyone listen to this fellow and think his opinion is worth broadcasting?

I have always hated Limbaugh, vehemently, but this is over the top even for him. Unbelievable.


Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/10/23/limbaugh-accuses-fox-of-e_n_32326.html

Is it a handbag? Is it a monster?...

Anyone who knows me - and my obsession with bags - will understand my love for this webpage.

This is a great comparison - and very true. Have you ever noticed that a number of purses (esp. the really trendy ones) really do resemble scary monsters? Here is a list that does just that.

My favourite is Gizmo - I think that is the only one I could ever bring myself to use. Other than the issue with the fur. I just can't bring myself to use a fur purse - other than the obvious humanitarian issue (and not wanting to feel the wrath of PETA) - I would just feel like I was swinging one of my cats over my shoulder. ;-)

Anyway, happy Monday and enjoy.


Link: Radar Online courtesy of Boing Boing.

Update: I managed to come up with one of my own...




Granted, he's not a scary monster - but I don't want him hanging off my arm either.
Anyone else wanna play...?

Location, Location, Location,

Well, now I know what to research next time I buy a home. Browsing through the web and found this Crime Heat map for Vancouver provided by the Vancouver Police. This one is for residential B&Es for the past week. And, yep, we're in one of the hotspots! Yay.


Source: http://vancouver.ca/police/CrimeMaps/index.htm

So... yeah. Anyway, good info to know. And good info to publicize more - wish I had known this 2 years ago.

Well, night folks. I'm off to watch a movie borrowed from a friend and continue with our drape making. Nothing like MI3 and a little chocolate ultrasuede on a Friday night. :-)

Where there's a will, there's a way...

This is pretty amazing! Really, it just goes to show that people can do anything if they put their mind to it.

To give you a taste...
















Source: http://aistigave.hit.bg/Logistics/

Thanks to Martin and Random Crap Online for the link!

a new post

So, you may have noticed I haven't posted in a while. Mostly this is because I have been trying to figure out how to post about everything that has happened to us in the last week and a half.

The last info I posted on Tiger's progress was that he was diagnosed with an aggresive, malignant tumour in his nasal cavities. He stopped eating the night I made that post - mostly, we believe, because he couldn't smell his food anymore (for those who don't know, cat's won't eat if they can't smell their food - which is why cat food is so fragrant). We called the vet on Saturday and he recommended we have a feeding tube inserted. We did that (after much discussion) and for a week we had him at home and fed him six times a day through the tube. After a week, he started showing signs of being in pain and still refused to eat.

On Saturday October 7th, we made the incredibly painful decision to put Tiger to sleep. As much we didn't want to lose him, we had to admit that his quality of life was terrible and we loved him too much to put him through any more. On Sunday, we did one of the most painful things we've ever done and brought Tiger in and said good-bye to him. Bill Ignacio, the veterinarian who helped us through this stage of it, was amazing. He was very supportive and patient with us. We were very emotional and he allowed us all the time we needed with Tiger, both before and after.

So, we've been coping through losing a member of our family.

On the following Friday night, we had arranged to go out for dinner with a couple who just moved to the city from the UK. We were introduced through a rather tenuous connection that involves my mum, one of her close friends and the fellow's mum. Anyway, back to events... this was the first time we had been out with friends for a number of weeks due to the health of our cats, renovations and work schedules. We came home from a wonderful dinner to find our apartment had been robbed. All the lights were on, a window had been smashed and the balcony door was open. We quickly assessed that our two cats were still in the apartment (thank goodness). Of course, we realized this because they were fighting each other to the death. We had to quickly seperate them, as Rascal's face was all scratched up. We also discovered later that Arthur's left paw has been hurt - he has been limping for the last 6 days and we will probably have to take him into the vet to find out what is wrong. [Update: it's not getting any better so he is going in tomorrow.]

I don't want to go into all the details of the robbery here, but suffice it to say that we lost enough for it to be painful. Most items we can replace, but I lost a lot of family jewellery that I will never be able to replace and I'm just sick about losing. I don't have a lot of connections to my family (esp. the older generations of my father's side, as I never really got to know my grandparents) and those items felt like they provided a connection. Also, they took Claude's birthday present to me this year - damn them to hell. They also took our security and trust and some of my love for this city.

I could go on here about what kind of people do this, etc, etc. but really I am just really tired. It hasn't been a great year and I don't feel prepared to deal with anything right now. I would really like to go to bed and stay there - for days. Unfortunately, can't do that. Meeting the insurance man tomorrow morning; taking Arthur into the vet tomorrow; trying to finish our renos and just generally move on.

Anyway, that is my update. I'm sure I'll sound much more positive in future posts.
bye

Update: I just want to add a note of thanks to all of our close friends who have rallied around us. All of you are amazing - we are so lucky to have friends who are so caring. Events like this really make you put things in perspective and realize what is important in life.

design tool or really cool toy???

I know this is an amazing tool for design - the fact that it takes into consideration the weight of the marbles when they are in the cup just blows my mind! - but just think how much fun this thing would be at home to just play with? Hours and hours of entertainment!! Better than tv! (although I'm still not ready to give up Grey's Anatomy).

Note - in case you are interested this is a new whiteboard design tool created by MIT. You can search it on any web search engine using the phrase MIT sketching.

Warnings

Ok, so this may have already made the rounds of the intertubes, but I have never seen it, so in my world neither have you (yes, you - you know who you are... :-)

Anyway, these are amusing and gave me a laugh on a night when I am still at work at 6:30. bah
(which by the way I'm not really complaining about. last night I emailed a friend who works at EA at 10:30pm - and he emailed me back!)


On a Sears hairdryer -- Do not use while sleeping.
(Darn, and that's the only time I have to work on my hair.)

On a bag of Fritos -- "You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside."
(The shoplifter special?)

On a bar of Dial soap -- "Directions: Use like regular soap."
(And that would be how?)

On some Swanson frozen dinners -- "Serving suggestion: Defrost."
(But, it's just a suggestion.)

On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom) -- "Do not turn upside down."
(Well...duh, a bit late, huh?)

On Marks &Spencer Bread Pudding -- "Product will be hot after heating."
(...And you thought?)

On packaging for a Rowenta Iron -- "Do not iron clothes on body."
(But wouldn't this save me more time?)

On Boot's Children Cough Medicine -- "Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication."
(We could do a lot to reduce the rate of construction accidents if we could just get those 5-year-olds with head-colds off those forklifts.)

On Nytol Sleep Aid -- "Warning: May cause drowsiness."
(And..I'm taking this because?)

On most brands of Christmas lights -- "For indoor or outdoor use only."
(Uhm...as opposed to...what?)

On a Japanese food processor -- "Not to be used for the other use."
(Now, somebody out there, help me on this. I'm a bit curious.)

On Sainsbury's peanuts -- "Warning: contains nuts."
(Wow, talk about a news flash.)

On an American Airlines packet of nuts -- "Instructions: Open packet, eat nuts."
(Step 3: maybe, uh...fly Delta?)

On a child's Superman costume -- "Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly."
(I don't blame the company. I blame the parents for this one.)

On a Swedish chainsaw -- "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals."
(OMG...was there a lot of this happening somewhere?)

FREE HUGS!

I just love this video. I wish this was in my city, too. People need more hugs. The reticence from most people to not hug just convinces me that there is not enough warmth in our culture - especially in the bigger cities. I really noticed this after moving to Vancouver. People in bigger cities operate in their own little pods and put a distance between themselves and strangers. Rarely do people smile at each other in the street or say hello as they pass by. I have to say, I will be happy to move to a smaller community at some point - I miss those things.

Anyway, enjoy! Hope this brings you warm fuzzies too...

Quick, quick post...

I love how people can be offended by the stupidest things - and then make that which would normally not draw attention, draw a lot of attention. Such dumb-butts! ;-)

Courtesy of the people of Orange City, Iowa...


Source: http://www.tmz.com/2006/10/02/now-in-theaters-jack/

Get your library t-shirts while you still can!!

Librarian Gear is closing its (virtual) doors and has posted that they are selling off the rest of their stock until it is gone. Too bad! This was a great project that started as a student fundraiser a couple of years ago and quickly became very popular - library tshirts are much more popular than most people realized!! Maybe its because we are such a casual bunch. :-)

Anyway, if you feel the need for an Info*Bitch tshirt - get 'em while the getting is good!