Odd Language

Yoga ends, I change my clothes. Tie my shoes. My hand slips the lace.

I swear.

didn't you just finish yoga?

I take a walk, a boost of juice with a side of espresso;
an extra shot -
on the house -
because I am patient -

A smile thanks her. She did not need to do that, I just finished yoga.

Find a seat, I bump the chair. I do not spill a drop.

I swear.

what's going on with you tonight?

Odd.

Yoga, basically.

Welcome, everyone. please, choose a spot on the floor. mats are available in the corner.

make yourself comfortable. breath in slowly, through your nose. exhale slowly also through your nose.

pull yourself into a ball. roll softly back and forth to warm up your back and spine.

now stretch. do a sort of push up. bend. stretch again.

lye flat on your back, palms up and open yourself up. breath deep. in through your nose and out through your nose. relax. let your mind slow.

now take a moment to thank your body for helping you through the series of exercises this evening. we'll see you again next week.

my room's a mess

My room may be a mess, but I'm sitting here at my desk writing about nothing because writing about nothing is a whole lot more fun.

House Keeping Item #1 - There is now a word verification text box to fill out before you post. There has been a couple of, well several actually, robot posters trying desperately to get our attention by posting not so interesting comments on my not so interesting blog.

In the end, the jokes on them because they've wasted their time writing a program that searches out sites that receive more than one hit a week.

The verification thingy is a little annoying, but I think we can make a game out of it by asking commenting visitors to use the word provided to them in their comment post.

In closing, since by item #1 I actually meant the only thing I had to write about on this post, I leave you with a picture because pictures make words more enjoyable by giving us a thinking rest for a while.

My room is still a mess, but at least I cleared some cobwebs away from this place.

(mom is doing much better today. I got word from Mands that she'll be in Recovery getting all the physiotherapy she can handle)

Miss you terribly,

--b

It's science

I like my room warmer rather than colder.

For the past couple of weeks I've been without a heater in my room at school, the old one conked out on account of too much dust getting inhibiting the filter, which slowed down the heat manifold conduit and made a mess of the circuit board.

But I can tell that you're bored with all this circuit manifold talk so I'll skip the technical jargon.

What's important is my room is warm again because I picked up another one a few hours ago.

It's toasty warm in here now. Perhaps now I can get some work done.

(that might mean I end up writing more here, there are so many things I haven't been writing about for so long. I get tingly just thinking about it all.)

early morning thoughts

here are some point form thoughts while I write my poetry paper. I haven't taken the time to arrange them in any particular order; at least, I don't plan to.

- I have a toque on because my heater conked out two weeks ago and when I got me money back without my hassle it never occurred to me that it would be cold for another two months.

- I can't, for the life of me, make a good cup of coffee.

- my roommates love to celebrate a goal by tapping the same spot on the the floor in the living room/ceiling of my room with their foot and all their weight.

- I think I was possessed when I wrote the last paper for this class and did so well. I am afraid that I can't possibly do as well this time around. I peaked too early.

- I closed my door as if it makes a difference to do so when I live in a papermaché house.

-

It happens to the best of us

I sent a text to Kate's friend the other day.

(it was while I was driving)

Kate was asleep in the passenger seat and we were on our way back
from something; I'm not sure what, though I am sure it doesn't matter
for the story.

I had stopped to fuel up.

The text'ng went like this...

"So it's twenty to ten, we're still in London and Kate just hit her
proverbial wall."

"I don't know what that means but i hope you're not beating her"

"No, not beating. I think I miss used the word. She's tired. Asleep
nearly. Also, I just noticed that when we filled up I likely left the
gas cap on her hood.
It's no longer there."

"Hahaha oh man. You 2 are hilarious. Hope you're home safe and sound.
I am done for the night so maybe see you tmrw!"

A day later we're out at Boars Head for a pint with Amy when Kate asks
me if there's something I wanted to tell her.

I, of course, had not mentioned the gas cap incident as I, of course,
had expected to have had it replaced before she noticed.

What I didn't realize is that the absence of a gas cap turned the
check engine light on which the turned the car into the shop class of
Kate's school.

They made a crack about blonds, which would later be a crack over my
head.

Meanwhile, back at the Boars Head, I was, of course, blaming all this on Amy because she had already told Kate a out our text'ng the night
before.

"Why would you think something like that?"

*crack*

ouch

..in other news:

One for the road

Since katey's gone to work i've sent myself out on a few errands
around Stratford. As I'm sitting here at the boatshead pub on Ontario
street I realize how I had forgotten that I liked Stratford. And how
much I liked it. At least, this quiet little pub.

I turned in here because my other favourite spot was closing at seven.
Instead of a hot chocolate I get a pint of Guinness.

I like the trade off.

I'm taking a break front being trapped inside katey's place, watching
the olympics.

Also, I needed a card and some chocolates.

Tis the season, right?

They'll Think of That

Reading week started today. I'm sitting in the library on campus, hanging out while Katey writes a paper for her online course.

The paper has to be four pages, single spaced.

That's three and a half longer than most of the paper I've had to write so far this semester.

And I'm the one doing an English degree.


(Why doesn't that girl at the next table understand what a no cellphone zone means?

I should have tipped that maître d' better)


I lost my keys this morning; at least I couldn't find them. Katey and I searched and searched, which also means didn't speak because both of us would have got angry over the missing keys.

I wish Ikea could come up with some sort of key-storage-device that I could use. Then they could use us in their line of commercials that have been focusing on spousal abuse.

You've likely seen them. There's one that has a family quietly watching television while the narrator, Fraser Crane's brother, tells us how the evening would have gone horribly wrong had the family not have invested in Ikea furniture. There's another one where a husband and wife avoid a battle because of their closet arrangement.



When I first saw these commercials they made me angry; how dare Ikea assume that couples everywhere are so angry that they're prone to boil over at the slightest thing.

But I understand now. If I had a do-ad or thingy that kept my keys in the same place everyday, not to mention my phone, wallet or glasses, I'd be a whole lot safer.

Wasn't life easier when we could leave our doors unlocked and phones stayed attached to the walls? I wouldn't have keys to eventually find next to the washing machine in the basement, nor would I have had the desire to stomp my size 14 through that girls blackberry storm her parents bought her for getting a B on intro to psych.

We Are More

by Shane Koyczan
Performed at the
Opening Cerermonies
in Vancouver

When defining Canada
you might list some statistics
you might mention our tallest building
or biggest lake
you might shake a tree in the fall
and call a red leaf Canada
you might rattle off some celebrities
might mention Buffy Sainte-Marie
might even mention the fact that we've got a few
Barenaked Ladies
or that we made these crazy things
like zippers
electric cars
and washing machines
when defining Canada
it seems the world's anthem has been
" been there done that"
and maybe that's where we used to be at
it's true
we've done and we've been
we've seen
all the great themes get swallowed up by the machine
and turned into theme parks
but when defining Canada
don't forget to mention that we have set sparks
we are not just fishing stories
about the one that got away
we do more than sit around and say "eh?"
and yes
we are the home of the Rocket and the Great One
who inspired little number nines
and little number ninety-nines
but we're more than just hockey and fishing lines
off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes
and some say what defines us
is something as simple as please and thank you
and as for you're welcome
well we say that too
but we are more
than genteel or civilized
we are an idea in the process
of being realized
we are young
we are cultures strung together
then woven into a tapestry
and the design
is what makes us more
than the sum total of our history
we are an experiment going right for a change
with influences that range from a to zed
and yes we say zed instead of zee
we are the colours of Chinatown and the coffee of Little Italy
we dream so big that there are those
who would call our ambition an industry
because we are more than sticky maple syrup and clean snow
we do more than grow wheat and brew beer
we are vineyards of good year after good year
we reforest what we clear
because we believe in generations beyond our own
knowing now that so many of us
have grown past what used to be
we can stand here today
filled with all the hope people have
when they say things like "someday"
someday we'll be great
someday we'll be this
or that
someday we'll be at a point
when someday was yesterday
and all of our aspirations will pay the way
for those who on that day
look towards tomorrow
and still they say someday
we will reach the goals we set
and we will get interest on our inspiration
because we are more than a nation of whale watchers and lumberjacks
more than backpacks and hiking trails
we are hammers and nails building bridges
towards those who are willing to walk across
we are the lost-and-found for all those who might find themselves at a loss
we are not the see-through gloss or glamour
of those who clamour for the failings of others
we are fathers brothers sisters and mothers
uncles and nephews aunts and nieces
we are cousins
we are found missing puzzle pieces
we are families with room at the table for newcomers
we are more than summers and winters
more than on and off seasons
we are the reasons people have for wanting to stay
because we are more than what we say or do
we live to get past what we go through
and learn who we are
we are students
students who study the studiousness of studying
so we know what as well as why
we don't have all the answers
but we try
and the effort is what makes us more
we don't all know what it is in life we're looking for
so keep exploring
go far and wide
or go inside but go deep
go deep
as if James Cameron was filming a sequel to The Abyss
and suddenly there was this location scout
trying to figure some way out
to get inside you
because you've been through hell and high water
and you went deep
keep exploring
because we are more
than a laundry list of things to do and places to see
we are more than hills to ski
or countryside ponds to skate
we are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait
we are first-rate greasy-spoon diners and healthy-living cafes
a country that is all the ways you choose to live
a land that can give you variety
because we are choices
we are millions upon millions of voices shouting
" keep exploring... we are more"
we are the surprise the world has in store for you
it's true
Canada is the "what" in "what's new?"
so don't say "been there done that"
unless you've sat on the sidewalk
while chalk artists draw still lifes
on the concrete of a kid in the street
beatboxing to Neil Young for fun
don't say you've been there done that
unless you've been here doing it
let this country be your first-aid kit
for all the times you get sick of the same old same old
let us be the story told to your friends
and when that story ends
leave chapters for the next time you'll come back
next time pack for all the things
you didn't pack for the first time
but don't let your luggage define your travels
each life unravels differently
and experiences are what make up
the colours of our tapestry
we are the true north
strong and free
and what's more
is that we didn't just say it
we made it be.


Vancouver Sun, Feb 12, 2010

one love

I finished the first part of sense and sensibility, but I've another two parts to read before Monday's class.

Not to mention a movie review, poetry midterm and a take-home all due this week.

My café is getting cold, so I'd better get working on it to. I just wanted to give a quick hello from the local European coffee shack in Stratford.

I'd been having a craving for an espresso for about a week; I felt it time to succumb to the temptation.

Adieu,

--b

sent, with love, from Nowhere, Particular.

Why talk about that

The end of a week, I'm sitting at another coffee shop near campus having another coffee, a simple, over priced sandwich, and a glass of water.

Though that's not much to talk about.

What do I have to talk about today? Geeze, not much really. I've psydo- planned something for the first of the summer, tho I won't know for sure about it for another week or so.

I can't talk about that.

I've been holding a volunteer package to a local school for about a week now and I've had too much school work to sit down with it, not to mention my needing a police check first.

I can't talk about that.

I'm reading midsummer night's dream, sense and sensibility, the tempest, a book of poetry, and some other novel that I've an essay to write eventually.

But that's all business as usual, so why talk about that.

This is comfortable. I like studenting. I feel as though I could do this for a while yet.

I wonder what people think about my being a student again.

Perhaps that's something to talk about.

sent, with love, from class

A Break

So here's the thing. I had a second yoga class today. I felt disorganized. Rushed.

And now I'm sitting at sbux. smelly. having a coffee.

This is counter productive.

Isn't it?

I dont know. I would have thought I should have had a booster juice or
something.

Man. It's been a long time since I've writen.

At Jill and Steve's there was a tea cup that had broken in half.
Cleaved. Like a log. I asked if the madhatter had come for tea recently.

"Oh I couldn't possibly have another. Oh, well, if you insist... just
half a cup though"

I laughed. But I'm a geek like that.

In fact while I'm writing this I am thinking of how to get a costume
together for Burtons "wonderland" that comes out in march.

It would be a nice break from the usual movie going.

Anyone want to join me?

Tshirt

Since I am completely iDdicted to my new gadget I figured I should at least share a bit of what I'm doing with it.

Today, while i was hanging around the second cup on campus between classes, I was staring down at this little device I own.

It's such a little device to demand so much of my attention.

Anyways, as I was staring down at it, waiting for it to do something spectacular a tall shadow fell over the screen. I looked up to and an English prof was smirking at me.

On this particular afternoon a group of a hundred students were gathered together, screaming and chanting and competing for something or other (and five years ago it likely would have been an exciting thing to have watched, but five years ago I was doing my first undegrad and didn't have a new iPhone to stare at while waiting for spectacular to happen).

He asked me how I was able to study with all the noise.

It took me a moment. Wow, I thought. He's asked me a question... and I haven't responded yet.

Mumble mumbled, I replied. Awkwardly star struck. What is wrong with me? I thought. I am more articulate than this.

Well, he said, I suppose if you're plugged in you're likley not to hear any noise at all, are you.

Yes. I'm. Not. It's new.

Indeed, he smiled, see you next class then. It was good talking to you.

Same, said I, same.

Whoops, I swore

Cass,

I know no one hardly uses email anymore, but it holds a special place in my heart. Not as special as the postal service, though I don't use it as often as I might make it sound.

Mostly it holds a special place because I can't stand the Peeping Tom feeling I get when I open a friends profile page in facebook. I like my privacy, though keeping this privacy makes keeping in touch with ppl a lot more work.

I keep a bit of a blog, some points about what i'm doing, funny shit that I happen upon or cause to happen upon other people. I keep it to stay in contact with people whom I've moved away from, which is somehing I've just learned about it. I've never told people about it while I've been living around them. Though while I was tending bar I rarely wrote at all, likely because the friends I made while in ireland don't often use the internet. They are more apt to use the post, which, as mentioned before, I love but never use.

Anyways, Cass, this is an invitation to read about my life, through my blog, if you so wish. This is not to say that a person needs an invitation to read it, just that sometimes it's nice to have one.

We'll talk again soon, and perhaps I'll drop in to see everyone before too long.

In the mean time, take care.

b

Oh, and I've made this a post on my blog, I hiope you don't mind. The link to the site is in my signature.

(this post also marks my first post via my mobile. neat, eh!)

--b

untitled

I am pretty tired so I'll have to make this short. In the background I'm listening to @neilhimself read from his book that I bought for Josie's September birthday, wrapped for christmas and still sits undelivered underneath a Christmas tree that has likely been packed up till next year.

Mands, we should get on that.

The book is called The Graveyard Book in which Neil Gaiman retells the Jungle Book story. I didn't get to the ending, because around November I was feeling guilty about reading a present I bought for an eleven year old girl and I was reading it myself, so I don't know how it ends and I don't know how similar it is.

There's a few hours of Neil reading posted on his website, perhaps I'll fit it in yet tonight.

Though I hope I don't.

Today was Reading Poetry, EN120. I liked it, but it'll be some tough reading. Not a lot of reading, but difficult.

I have to have Sense and Sensibility read by Monday.

Also a play, I am sure. I'll likely have to have a play read by friday.

So much for having thursdays off.

Take care, sleep well and I'll write to you again soon. Perhaps to tell you about the two hours we waited in a line at Wilfs, miss two periods of the Canadian Jr's only to take a bus back to the house, catch the third and over time periods while eating pizza.

Actually, that's pretty much it.

Hair's hoping

Here's hoping that sometime soon i figure out what the heck is going on with the font sizes on this page. when i looked back though it appears as though I've been an eight year old with his first box of crayons and a newly painted hallway.

Moving on to items at hand: today is day 1 of my twelve weeks of an english lit bender. I was hoping that before today I would have had a chance to get a hair cut.

For two reasons. One, because it's my first day of school and I want my new threads looking good underneath a new do.

And two: since I haven't had a trim in a while quite shortly i'll be looking a hell of a lot more frazzled and confused than I actually am. Soon after that I will be as frazzled and confused as I looked before, but my look will have spiralled towards, and out of control mind you, a state of frazz and confus that no woman, man or child alive has bore witness to.

I've class in thirty minutes.

I miss you.

b

Studenting, Part 3

well, first things first.

i am officially enrolled in four classes, all english, for the winter semester. only moments ago i opened an email from a professor who's been helping me along. it was the final link in the chain that had me going to school full time.

that is to say the final link besides the "not having a house" link, but that's a minor link because, well because i'll explain.

dave and i went to visit joel today.

we hadn't been to his new house; we had been invited a few times; we decided it was time to go.

along the way we stopped in university town for me to look at a house, which, as you may or may not know, is not really on the way to joel's house at all, which isn't actually joel's house but kim's but you haven't met her yet so it doesn't really matter.

but we did stop at the house, despite the detour, and i am a better person for it.

dave knows his stuff about the owning and renting of houses. i know my stuff about houses i don't want to live in. i also know my stuff about the signs people put in windows when they are trying to get people to visit their house because they have a room that can be rented out.

there were a few of these signs all around the house that had six people living in it.

tomorrow i am going to look at these houses to see if they want to be houses that Bird Morley lives in, or if they'll simply be houses that Bird Morley visited once for a brief moment.

mostly it was the leaves in the hallways, the dishes in all the sinks and the "i don't really know the other six people who live here, but i'm sure they're normal people" comment from the dude showing the room he had yet to move out of.

all in all it was a good day. joel is doing well living in his friend kim's house.

(this time i am going back to school for a third undergrad but perhaps for a teachable, i haven't quite decided)

Stickies: Nov 5

Stickies: Created Thursday Nov 5, 2009 @ 10:01:55 am EST

it's ten oclock now...

... and today i have to:

- laundry

- photoshop project

- work at five

- work out schedule

- pay rent

- renew gym membership

- clear out katey's laundry room/puddy walls

Stickies: Created Thursday Nov 5, 2009 @ 10:36:58 am EST

things i actually did..

- ate last of a bag of tostitos multigrain rounds

- watched sportscentre am

... ellen

... cp24 for a half hour

- text'd jon

... adam

... leanne

- watched it snow

- ate a bowl of Just Right

- took a poop

... read a few pages of Generation A

- played with photoshop

- turned off Road to Avonlea when it came on

- started a list for katey's christmas present

... but it's got nothing revolutionary on it.

- started writing to steve walkom

- emailed janelle about her schooling

- paid mastercard bill

moving frames

mostly what's happening in my life is boring, generic things. little items of everyday life moving in and out of the frame.

this week i started with a beard, now i have a moustache; but that is completely understood because, as everyone knows, moustaches come from beards.

my rent was due on the first, but i don't want to live at Victory Towers anymore because one of the old men that lives there smokes out his window and lies about it like a rebellious 14 year old.

he makes the whole house smell of stale cigarettes and misery.

time to move out.

not to worry though, a new place has been found. it overlooks the railway, has a room for me to move in and they don't smoke cigarettes in the house.

done.

(they do have a cat, and by they i mean the one guy. but there were no cat hair anywhere ... i don't see it to be a problem)

(although if you remember from the story that i didn't write, so you can't remember it because i didn't write it, about four months ago i nearly stayed in a house with a couple of cats . Geevee would've been a great roomie, but her cats showed their preference loud and clear. the tiny cat particles were too much for my asthmar to handle)

in closing, it seems my life is just made up on one little item of life moving in and out of the frame in the five minutes it took for you to read this far.

thanks for tuning in, and until i write again

i'll leave you with a few moustache pictures to warm you heart.

cheers,

--b

cliche

So.. I am writing again.

(I want to stay away from the cliche remarks of the time that passed while I wasn't writing, the possibility of false hope saying that I promise to write more, or anything else that might draw attention to this being my first post in a long time)

(a very long time)

In closing I am writing again.

Perhaps I'll explain why I couldn't, and wasn't, another time.

(that, my dear reader, is a teaser ad)