Tuesday, November 07, 2006

dress done.




This dress was inspired from several things, dresses my sister and dear friend have, the 7-way wonder dress pattern my family has owned for ages and this thread on craftster (and subsequent tutorial in this blog) and a dress by Monif C.. I still hope to trim up the ties, they look a little bulky to me, but we are getting there.
so, I've just about finished my dress for the Holiday Party this weekend, but I have to figure out what I'll wear underneath it. It has an open back and NO SUPPORT.
Since I'm no Nicole Ritchie (gawd or Kelly Clarkson for that matter), I really am going to need to have proper fitting under-pieces to pull this off right.

Add you advices here.


I'm thinking low-slung side-bun for my hair, but I am going to grab my hot-rollers and see what happens. I've got gold shoes to wear. Haven't sorted out a purse yet. I believe we are cutting out early to drink elsewhere as our bestest work-with-dave friend is unhappy at work and wants us to party with him and his sweetie downtown after dinner and the raffle prizes are drawn....away from the workplace crowd.
(here's hoping we clean up with the prizes again this year!)

Monday, November 06, 2006

Monday's child is fair of face

Saturday brought the pleasure of a visit by our friends Alison and Gavin, who wanted to meet Chloe. We had tea and banana bread of which Dave only ate 2/3 of his slice because the bottom was dry. I had tried a new recipe and it cooked much better than the last, I'll try 10 minutes less next time.
Yesterday we went to Len's Mill to pick up fabric for my dress (this weekend is Dave's work Holiday party) and went fot a walk in the woods. It was really busy, many dogs and patchouli stink children (which should be against the law, seriously kids smell bad enough as it is). Chloe loved it though, despite being called "the smallest dog I've ever seen" at least 8 times by passing strangers with Retrievers or the kind of dog Lassie was.

On this particular trail there is a dam, which has probably seen better times... It's got a clog and is collapsing. I walked most of it, Dave jumped the last bit, but we decided to go home and I didn't try a jump with pup in my arms.







Now I have to sort out how not to look so pale in the legs for Saturday.

Friday, November 03, 2006

she's crafty

I caught the craft bug huge in October, and it hasn't stopped yet. I am actually really happy with myself, crafting leaves me feeling much more fulfilled than sitting on my computer all day!
After years and years I finally signed up for a Swap on craftster.org (see link to the right). The theme is "Birds are Beautiful" I need to make 1 medium sized craft, and then 2-3 smaller crafts. The three smaller ones are pictured below!

A Japanese Stab Binding book, with instrustions on how to make an origami peace dove. A bird/button pin (for a tote or outer jacket?) and a small felted pouch.

Inside part of the book, each step has it's own page spread and an example folded thus far. Also the reverse of the pouch. The heathered green colour behind the embroidery was felted in.

Also, I have been on a felting kick! I made Chloe a ball even before I made the pouch for my swap, and I also made myself a new key fob since I've lost my Robert Indiana LO-VE one. And, I am not one to re-use an oldie that I've already retired.

My key fob and Chloe's ball (golf ball sized). Felt pompoms bounce really well and are super light. I am going to dye more fleece colours and make a slew, maybe for necklaces?

Lastly, I have been making Chloe come jackets. The sweater she came in was ill fitting, so internet research turned up a free pattern (strangely enough sized just right for our petite chienne). I have plans to make Muddy, Jeeg and Chloe matching coats, but am hesitating at using the orange fleece I've got... we'll see what evolves!


This one is a navy/white houndstooth with a red lining. The button hole at the back is for her harness when we walk her.

This is the other one I made. It's beige gingham and robin's egg blue lining. It hasn't got velcro yet.

I think I have a blog complex

Everytime I post bad pictures I have the urge to staurated the blog with more posts to bury the offending photos.

So, because I can't help myself any longer.

Post 1. The apology and confession.




I am sorry the Halloween pictures were shite. I will not let Dave forget to take a nice photo of us together before letting him on a drunkin ramapage with the camera. (you were "saved" from many many boob shots, not all of which were mine.....)

I have an issue with bad pictures, but I felt necessary to post Halloween shots to prove to myself we didn't look so bad after three days of sewing on my behalf. Help from Dave was on the financial backer end only for the costume project, he's a weenie and has no patince to pin slippery polyester lining.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

halloween past due

so we celebrated last saturday at our friend Rene's house. Not as high a turnout as past years, but fun enough. We were late (got the 11:30 instead of 9:00 which we'd planned) so I drank quickly to catch up. We ended up sleeping at Dave's mum's leaving Chloe at my parent's home. This royally depressed Muddy & Jeeg, as Chloe is somewhat of a thorn in there geriatric 80 and 70lbs respective selves.
Not only does Chloe get what appears to be fun special food, but she gets to sit on furniture, and as it happens was allowed to sleep in my parents bed. M&J officialy dislike me and my small dog now, so I am rectifying that by making the three matching coats!!

and on to photos! (which are AWFUL, my husband sucks a taking photos, especially while sauced. This explains the terrible photos from our Honeymoon, note to self, stop letting Dave control cameras.)


Mike a Warrior & Dave the Knight


Robin a Dia de los Muertes Cavaleros, and Sebastian a Witch Doctor


a Smurfette, Myself a "fair maiden" and Dave P. a frenchman (his baguette had been broken by now)


Rene aka Nacho Libre (by this point he'd lost the mask), Chapman as Bernie and Adam as John Wayne Bobbit.

I could include more gruesome Bobbit photos, but I'll spare you all the sausage shots.

Friday, October 27, 2006

romance, at my house.

What warms my husband's heart the most?
Cozying up together and watching the classic skate videos. Our honeymoon did consist of a self guided tour of the most famous San Fran skate spots, and a trip to legendary FTC skateboards on Haight.



Wednesday, October 25, 2006

4 days until the Halloween Party

so, a friend of ours is having a Halloween Party this weekend. I've been asking Dave what he wants to be for WEEKS, but he hasn't come to a decision, until last night (and pending fabric availability). Clearly, all the good suggestions were mine, and well, if we find the right fabric we'll be a matched pair of Baseball Furies from the movie The Warriors. (Which threw a wrench in the works of me finishing my costume, because I've always wanted to be a baseball furie. Much more than a Harajuku girl)

back-up costume lists

Dave
  • Dracula (boring, his idea)
  • Dr. Emmett Brown
  • Birdman of Alcatraz
  • Skeleton like the gang in the Karate Kid (his only cool idea, but clearly 3 days in NOT enough time to map out a skeletal system-front and back-and do my own costume.... plus he realized that wearing spandex is not his style)

    Dolly
  • Harajuku girl
  • Sailor Pin-Up
  • Flapper
  • Dorothy, 'Lil Bo Peep or 'Lil Red Riding Hood.

    Couple Costume
  • Popeye & Olive Oyl


    UPDATE!! well, we are going to be none of the above. Dave chose something else and really wanted "matching" costumes, stay tuned while I work away in the sweatshop known as my apartment....
  • Sunday, October 22, 2006

    The Royal Ascot


    one day I'll make it to the real deal, as for now, I'm happy going to Ascot theme events!

    I've just come home from a Champagne Brunch fundraiser for Hope's Garden an eating disorder support centre in London. London's incidence of eating disorders among women aged 14-20 is 10x that of the national average.

    In true fashion my mother in law and I wore fantastic hats, that I made.... which reminds me how much I love hatting, and well, I think I'm just going to say screw it to the job thing, and make a business for myself. (I will do some work to pay the bills, but F the Guelph Job industry...... in the words of Bianca Stratford-10 things I hate about you-"You Su-uck!"

    Debbie is wearing a very large, and quite loud hat, in true Ascot style. We couldn't believe how many people didn't wear a hat.... and most of the ones that did were wearing boring ones,like straw cowboy hats, or cloth caps.... I guess it proves the lack of hats in modern wardrobes.



    okay, here is an after thought photo of me from later that night.... it wasn't really a "hat" more like a headpiece, and the photo really doesn't make it look that great.... in real life it's quite fun and not as flat looking.

    Wednesday, October 18, 2006

    dear hiring managers,

    YOU SUCK.

    I am tired of empty job promises.
    I am a pleasant, loyal, hard worker. I take pride in my jobs, and always exceede expectations.
    I am exhausted with "good leads" that go nowhere, and being overlooked.

    Thanks for nothing.

    Friday, October 13, 2006

    Goodbye Jetta!



    Alas, It's time for us to retire the 1990 Jetta Coupe. Tomorrow is new car day and we should be getting the GTI when Dave is done work. I hope it's not delayed because there are BIG PLANS for Saturday that involve a drive into the USA bright and early with my parents.

    Oh I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep until Sunday night!!!

    Tuesday, October 10, 2006

    HINT!!!


    NEWS surprise number 1.

    Watch this space for BIG NEWS

    official announcements to come regarding two huge new developments in my life. 1. is not a house, and 2. is not a baby..... (or vice versa).

    But let's just say that the powers that be are shining down on Dave and I, and we've each just about gotten something we were both dying for.

    PS. the news will come in two rounds.

    Wednesday, October 04, 2006

    RIP Man Cup


    Sunday afternoon Dave's Man Cup broke while we were in New Market looking at a car. Man Cup is Dave's favorite cup. My sister bought us the pair (Man Cup and his wife Lady Cup) sometime around when we got engaged. (Probably just prior, though I can't remember why).
    I had packed these cups lovingly away until Dave and I moved back in together. In May just before the wedding, and just after I'd finished school we got our new love nest. Along with the horads of wedding gifts and hoards of house things I'd amassed over the years, Man Cup and Lady Cup made their debut in our home.
    Somehow this pair became a fixture of our everyday lives, at dinner we would instinctivley choose these glasses for our refreshments (lemonade or water for me, and Minute Maid Grape Punch-aka "cat pee juice" thanks Dad-and Gerolsteiner for Dave). I've once or twice caught Dave drinking from my Lady Cup in the mornings, and he's often accused me of using Man Cup, but as an unspoken rule we each had our cup.
    So, Sunday just before heading to see a 20th Anniversary Golf GTI we had a cup of juice each and left. When we got home Dave went for a drink and found Man Cup with a crack down his side. I was instantly accused of the damage (because how on earth does a cup break while home alone?), but I really hadn't touched it. I was finally let off the hook as I had no real motive for breaking Man Cup, though I suspect Dave still thinks I had some ounce of involvement.
    The cup has been sitting on our counter since. We haven't built up enough heart to let it go. Lady Cup sits alone in the cupboard, mourning the loss of her partner. I really can't bear to use her alone. I guess tomorrow we'll have to pull ourselves together long enough to pack him securely in a small cardboard box marked "SHARP OBJECTS" for safe pick-up curbside Friday morning.


    aside, I'd like to thank amies for inspiring these final thoughts on Man Cup.

    Tuesday, October 03, 2006

    HOFF ALERT!


    I wish I lived in the UK so I could help a man out.
    www.gethasselhofftonumber1.com

    from the email I received this fine afternoon:
    "it seems a long time ago we set this site up. Possibly it seems a long time since you signed up.

    Months have passed, much has happened, but now, it is time for something wondrous to occur. Time that this miraculous event should come to pass.

    Time for us to go out unto the world and buy the Hoff.

    Go out and buy 'Jump In My Car', a delightful ode to highway harassment, a gleeful celebration of the joys of luring unsuspecting women into your talking lovewagon. Truly, a stranger danger masterpiece (told from the stranger's point of view).

    The last time the Hoff motivated people like this, the Berlin Wall came down. Who knows what may happen this time? World peace? Perhaps. An end to global suffering? Possibly. The presence of something other than X Factor induced tedium at number 1? We can but hope.

    Buy Jump In My Car From 7 Digital
    or
    Buy Jump In My Car From iTunes

    Thanks for signing up and let's hope we can get the Hoff to number 1. This campaign was a bit of an experiment to see if people power over the internet could make something daft like this happen, and hopefully it will.

    Thanks as well to all the media peeps who've supported us (including The Sun, Evening Standard, Reggie Yates, Scott Mills, the Ugly Phil show and Dave Fanning) - just to clarify though, this was a purely amateur effort fuelled by people power."


    Get The Hoff to Number 1

    from the site:
    "Think what he's given to the world. Knight Rider. Baywatch. The reunification of East and West Germany. Untold laughter from forwarded e-mails of him in hotpants.

    He's given a lot. It's time we gave something back.

    The Hoff's having a hard time. He's split from his wife. He needs a lift.

    Let's help him out with something that would mean the world to him. Something that would repay all the goodness he's given us over the years. A glittering prize that thus far eludes him.
    A top spot in the UK music charts.

    Let's get Hoff to Number One."

    Sunday, October 01, 2006

    rap sundaes

    soooooo, as the first ever installment of rap sundaes I am putting three video links together. Give them a chance, I promise they are good! smooches, c-dawg.





    Saturday, September 30, 2006

    Heathcliffe may have well been Fabio


    Where hate means more than love...
    But Love means more than life

    Why oh why do I have the drugstore version of this book? Dave thought I'd begun to read trashy romance novels, taking my life as a "stay at home wife" one notch furthur.
    In all fairness, This cover makes me giggle. I got it at Macondo Books, it's for my book club, we promised each other we'd read it and meet in July to discuss. Apparently we pushed it back to Christmas. I bet mine has the klassiest cover.



    PS. I also have a shot of the book on my knee in the Triumph from our last ride before we dropped the car off at the buyer's house. It's so very English, and the light is gleaming in the shot. That'll be a treat for winter.

    quilt block

    This is a square I made as part of a quilt being made for a woman who's husband died in Iraq this week. I don't think I could ever have married somebody in the military. She's American, so the maple leaf is to show love from Canada. I'm sending it on part of a group of Canadian women I know.
    The fabrics are stuff I dyed (and printed) at school. The green velvet was used for wedding stuff, my ring pin cushion and the flower girl's purse (that had her flowers in it). The pink and burgundy are from a line of knickers I was making.
    I really need to make more knickers!

    Tuesday, September 26, 2006

    last few pictures were ugly, EDITED THIS ENTRY!!!!


    I apologize.
    Here's something easier on the eyes, me near Alcatraz in June.

    READ THIS PART:
    so I was having problems with the ugly photo post and had to delete it (it had double posted and wouldn't go away, it magically did JUST NOW)
    I just wanted to note this because well, I would hate for someone to think I was talking about my gorgeous friends, or gorgeous husband..... even if Alison thinks "I can't believe how hideous I look in that picture of me and Gavin eating the delicious. It looks like I have some sort of developmental problem, AND that I'm not enjoying the ice cream, BOTH of which are FALSE. I'm normal and the gelato was wonderful. I shouldn't be in pictures. Or on film. Geez."

    Sunday, September 24, 2006

    Chocolate High

    Here is a photographic documentation of "L'Affaire au Chocolate".
    so.much.fun
    I didn't take picture before... I forgot, so you've lost the presentation, but here's what we had (plus cookies a friend brought and Hawaian chocolates from my sister)





    1. Dave
    2. Lauren
    3. Thea, Norah & Kate
    4. Alison & Gavin
    I’ll find more photos later… I missed the ones of my sister!


    Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake and Chocolate Fondue (with pretzels, marshmallows, lady fingers, peaches, pears and raspberries)

    CHOCOLATE Coca-Cola CAKE:
    makes a 9x13” sheet cake

    2 c. all purpose flour
    2 c. white sugar
    3 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
    1 tsp. baking soda
    1 c. Coca-Cola Classic (NOT Pepsi, though you can use flat Dr. Pepper)
    1/2 c. buttermilk
    2 eggs, beaten
    1tsp. vanilla
    Coca-Cola Frosting (follows)

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

    Combine flour, sugar, cocoa and baking soda in a large bowl.
    In a saucepan, melt butter in Coca-Cola, pour over dry ingredients and stir to Blend.
    Mix in Buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Batter will be thin. Pour into a greased and floured pan, bake 35-38 minutes and cool for about 30 minutes before spreading with warm frosting.

    Coca-Cola FROSTING:
    1/2 c. butter or margarine
    6 Tbs. Coca-Cola
    3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
    3 1/2 c. powdered sugar
    1/4 c. all-purpose flour

    Mix butter, Coke and cocoa in a sauce pan over medium heat. Stir in sugar and flour, cool slightly.
    (I always like to mix flour in for part of the sugar in the original frosting recipes because I don’t like it so sweet, this OG called for 4 c. sugar)

    Vegetarian Chili au Cacao and Light Wheat Buns

    CHILI AU CACAO:
    sauté 1 clove of garlic, 1/4 cup of chopped onions and 2/3 cup of chopped veggies of choice (this time I did mixed peppers) for about 5 minutes, add to slow cooker.
    Add, 1 can red kidney beans and 1 can mixed beans (drained and rinsed well) plus 1 can of diced tomatoes, 2 tsp. cumin, 1/2 tsp fennel seeds, 1 tsp. allspice, 2 Tbsp. cocoa, 2 bay leaves and 1 tsp of your best chili powder. COOK! (I used my low setting for about 4 hours).
    NOTE on spices: always wash your bay leaves, even the dried ones. Also note that McCormick Gourmet Spices now have Chipolte chili powder and Ancho chili powder, experiment with these!!

    LIGHT WHEAT BUNS:
    Prep Time: 30 Minutes
    Cook Time: 15 Minutes
    Ready In: 3 Hours 5 Minutes
    Yields: 24 servings

    Ingredients:
    2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
    1 3/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
    1/2 cup brown sugar
    1 teaspoon salt
    1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
    1 egg, beaten
    3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
    1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

    1/4 cup butter, melted

    Directions:
    In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
    Mix sugar, salt, 1/4 cup melted butter, egg, and whole wheat flour into yeast mixture. Stir in all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Turn dough out onto a well floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place dough in bowl, and turn to coat. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
    Punch down dough, cover, and let rise in warm place until doubled again, about 30 minutes.
    Grease 2 dozen muffin cups. Punch down dough, and divide into two equal portions. Roll each into a 6x14 inch rectangle, and cut rectangle into twelve 7x1 inch strips. Roll strips up into spirals, and place into muffin cups. Brush tops with melted butter. Let rise uncovered in a warm place 40 minutes, or until doubled in bulk.
    Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven, and brush again with melted butter.

    (This is the recipe as I made it, which was adapted from allrecipes.com the changes were well received)



    Truffles (standard dark and dark-almond)

    Chocolate Truffles 101
    Makes about 5 dozen
    28 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
    3/4 cup heavy cream
    1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
    1 1/2 tablespoons liqueur, such as Cognac, Grand Marnier, or Poire William (optional)
    Best-quality cocoa powder
    1. Make the ganache: Place 16 ounces of chocolate and the cream in the top of a double boiler or
    a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir until melted; remove from heat. Add butter and Cognac, and stir until combined.
    2. Pour mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until mixture is very cold and set but still pliable, about 2 hours.
    3. Melt remaining 12 ounces chocolate in the top of a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir until melted; remove from heat. Let cool to room temperature.
    4. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Using a 1/4-ounce ice-cream scoop, drop ganache onto one of the prepared baking sheets. Chill 10 minutes.
    5. Coat the palm of one of your hands with about 1 tablespoon of the melted chocolate. Roll balls, one at a time, between your palms until evenly coated with chocolate. Roll in cocoa powder to coat. Transfer to second baking sheet. Repeat with remaining balls, coating your palm with more chocolate as needed. Chill until ready to serve. Truffles can be stored, refrigerated in an airtight container, for up to 2 weeks.
    marthastewart.com I love Martha.

    *I divided these in half and did almond extract in one batch, and vanilla for the other, as I had no liquers on hand. I also rolled the almond ones in crushed almonds.

    DEEP FRIED MARS BARS

    All-Purpose Deep Frying Batter
    Ingredients
    1 cup all-purpose Flour
    1 tsp Baking Powder
    1/2 cup Cornstarch
    1 cup Water
    Directions
    Mix all of the ingredients together and blend until there are no lumps. Preheat the oil in your deep fat fryer to the proper temperature for the food you are cooking. Drop Mars bars into the batter. Place in the hot oil one piece at a time. Try to keep the pieces from colliding until the batter has had a chance to set (which it does almost instantly). Cook until the batter has turned a golden brown, remove to a paper towel to drain and serve at once.

    *chill your mini Mars bars in the freezer for 20 minutes prior to frying. If you are using standard size bars just put them in the fridge overnight (or they make crack open at the temperature change)

    Our gelato recipe was from here Chocolate Gelato Recipe from THE ENGLISHMAN AND THE POLISH GIRL Blog. We made it dairy free and used the ginger.

    Thanks so much guys it was awesome!!! (I’m going to try their lemon one next!)

    Lastly a recipe without Chocolate, Olive Tapenade

    OLIVE TAPENADE:

    500ml Black Olives, pitted and drained (reserve 1/4 cup brine!!)
    125ml Capers, drained
    some lemon zest
    Olive oil
    1 clove minced garlic

    I was making it in the blender so just added the olive oil and brine as needed to blend. (I used less than the 1/4 cup of brine, just mucked about)

    Serve with crackers and crudités.

    Friday, September 22, 2006

    grown up moment

    It occurred to me on Wednesday that Dave and I don't own a coffee maker. (It had occurred to me several times in the past actually, but it never really mattered until I decided to invite a kabillion people over for a zillion chocolate desserts).

    Apparently it would be a huge faux pas to have a dessert party and not offer coffee (forget the fact that I have a ton of wine, teas and Gerolsteiner). We went out tonight and bought our first coffee maker.

    I am so proud because we bought a brass mesh liner instead of those tree killing paper ones, and we bought "Columbian Supreme" beans and we got to use that nifty coffee grinding machine at the store. (which btw I've ALWAYS wanted to do, but not being a coffee drinker had no reason). So when we got home I made a celebratory pot of coffee, and drank two cups!!



    I learnt two things tonight, I actually like coffee, it was probably the brand my mum buys that I don't like, and I shouldn't drink two cups full after 9:30 pm. Whatev'.... At least I got the ganache started for the truffles, and watched Malcolm in the Middle.

    Wednesday, September 20, 2006

    Affaire Au Chocolate, preview


    menu:

    chocolate granita (or gelato, I haven't made up my mind)

    chocolate fondue with fruit, pretzels and pound cake

    truffles

    deep fired mars bars

    chocolate coca cola cake or brownies, depends how I feel

    and vegetarian chili au Cacao.


    on hand we'll have several wines, teas and beverages.

    Saturday, September 16, 2006

    this is what's on my desktop:


    Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo precious!!!
    I melt everytime I see it!

    Thursday, September 14, 2006

    and the reviews!!

    So, as I am feverishly sitting at my computer, it's come to my attention in various forms that I have yet to post film reviews, so alas, here we go:


    Film #1, The Pleasure of Yourt Company.
    meh, it was okay. cute, but a little tired at points, and a little forced. This romantic comedy stars Jason Biggs ans Isla Fisher... basically he spontaneously proposes to her (a complete stranger) and they begin a whirlwind relationship to escape both of their dreary lives and bizarre families. Biggs seems to have lost weight (and gained a six pack) and has WEAK hair.
    Movie rates 6 of 10, Bigg's hair rates 1 of 20. Director for standing us up for the after movie Q&A 0 of 10.

    Film #2, The Runner.
    apparently my Mother-in-Law and I aren't as faced paced as the characters in this Rat Race short that ran directly prior to Film #3 on our schedule, because we missed it.
    Rating is n/a


    Film #3, Monkey Warfare.
    good. (It was about selling *actual* garbage online, personal histories and attachment to objects, counter-culture, BC weed, Toronto hipsters and old bicycles..... and malatov cocktails.)
    Movie rates 8 of 10, bonus mini flick in credits another 8 of 10. Soundtrack is 10 of 10.


    Film #4, Vier Minuten (Four Minutes)
    Brilliant. Set in a women's prision in Germany, a piano teacher and her student. The woman who sat to my left had the most foul breath I've smelt in my life, and I had to eat peppermint lifesavers to have something more pleasant to smell during the length. Damn my fever is getting to me.... okay skip the synopsis, use the link in my previous TIFF post to read about the plot... just know it's effin' brilliant and you MUST, MUST watch this film. The director and two main actors were there for a Q&A, which was very kind as it was a late film.
    Movie rates 11 of 10, woman next to me's breath rates foulest breath I've ever smelt, and Film Team rates 100% for acting, 100% for direction and 100% for being keen to answer questions late into the night.






    Art Gallery of Ontario Special Exhibit, Andy Warhol:Supernova (Stars, Deaths and Disasters, 1962-1964)
    I was surprised by how compact the exhibit was. This exhibit focused on the tradgedies most often overlooked as part of the Warhol collection. It was an interesting group of work, and well worth seeing to compensate for the more famous POP work. This contextualizes a lot of what Warhol was doing, and is worth investigating.
    Note: I almost puked when I saw FOOT AND TIRE (1963-64), but that's for more personal phychoses...
    Note: I adore the Jackie work, I now understand it more.... it's brilliant.

    Tuesday, September 12, 2006

    Monday, September 11, 2006

    Captain Mary Kidd, ARRGH!



    My pirate name is:


    Captain Mary Kidd



    Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate. Arr!

    Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
    part of the fidius.org network

    Sunday, September 10, 2006

    saturday OOH OOH!

    so my parents came to visit me on Saturday, and they brought fun stuff!! (Some wedding stuff that was still at their place, and.....



    I am so excited, the machine is actually made by Brother. It's been tuned and I can't wait to start playing!

    Then we hit the town!! We brought my other machine to Sears for a tune-up, and to dollarama for a dish scrub brush (which quickly became a dollar cd hunt-my dad is hilarious, it was his doing. I bought The Crystals Greatest Hits, Ike & Tina Greatest Hits, Ledgends of Blues The Best of Muddy Waters and Essential Classics). We also went to the Pho Kin Doh restaurant where my mum enjoyed some bubble tea with her dinner.

    Friday, September 08, 2006

    when the cat's away...


    dave, this is what your wife does while you are away.

    Thursday, September 07, 2006

    I really need to get out more

    there isn't much going on here lately.
    We've listed the TR6 on eBay (go buy it now!)
    I made biscotti, but didn't like the recipe, the texture is "off".
    My fabulous mother-in-law bought us TFF tickets, we are seeing 3 films (and may add another), next Tuesday.
    Dave is off to Chicago for the weekend on his first extended business trip.
    People have gone back to school, Catherine started at U of T, Ryan is in his last year at Brock, Keith continues at Concordia.
    Keith has begun to collect his stuff from his nasty ex-roommate.... I think he's going to lose money to her, but in th eend if it's really the last of her, it'll be worth it.
    I am considering having a haircut, but weary of trying a new salon, and I don't know anyone in town for a good recommendation.

    Wednesday, September 06, 2006

    last night's dinner

    just because we took a picture with the camera and I'm trying to get to know it's functions and how it works with my computer.
    enjoy!


    (It's vegetarian, spinachy goodness)

    Monday, September 04, 2006

    Public Service Announcemnt

    my mother-in-law lent us her old digital camera until we buy one!! (we may just put that off for a while then...)
    so watch this space for more colourful posts.