Sara's Ramblings

I'm moving!!!

2007-08-15T17:30:00.000-07:00

We've had a good run over here at blogger... three years, my GOSH. But I've decided it's time to move on. So, soon enough, you'll find me here. My first order of business will be a new edition of Mancandy (heh heh heh), so do check back!

Aaaaaand I'm off

2007-06-14T10:34:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy few weeks, but I leave in a few hours for the airport. One of my team members has set up a blog for the trip:

http://whiterocktouganda.blogspot.com/

Feel free to visit the blog and keep up to date with our goings on, and maybe post comments... it'll make me feel special. Hehe.

I've talked to many of you about my concerns and anxieties, and specifically today I'd really appreciate prayer for my ears. I've always had problems with them, and it looks like I might have an ear infection. Please pray that a)I DON'T have an ear infection and that the steps the doctors have taken today will fix the problem; or b)that if it IS an ear infection, that the medication will work and that God'll heal them and I won't be in pain for the long journey there. Not a huge deal, but I'd appreciate it nonetheless.

Other than that, I've still got a million things to do, but I'll try to post once or twice when we go into Kampala... and I'll talk to you all in three weeks I hope!

To God be the glory! (woot.)

2007-06-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

11 days until I leave for Uganda... and if I'm honest, I'm starting to freak out a little bit.

!!!!!

The Tomko Files: On selective hearing

2007-05-31T14:17:00.000-07:00

[Sidebar: Two weeks from now I will be driving to YVR to begin the [physical] journey to Mpigi.
I... wow.]

Her: None of the truck drivers are very good looking.
Me: Wellllll, there's that one guy who delivers the Rustoleum paint... he's pretty cute, especially when he wears his uniform.
Her: Ooh, you're RIGHT. We should order some paint. One box at a time. For delivery, every day.
Me: Yeah, if his turnons include dirt and paint, we'll be in for sure.
Her: Candlelight dinners, long walks on the beach and dirt. Well, I'M turned on.

(later)

Dad: Hey do you think we need to order some more Rustoleum striping paint? Are we running low?
Me: Yeah, you should order more, cuz the driver is cute.
[no response]
Me: We like his uniform.
[no response]
Me: Are you listening to me?
[no response]
Me: I used your credit card number to buy my Dandy Warhols tickets yesterday.
Dad: Huh?

2007-05-23T21:59:00.001-07:00

Had my graduation ceremony this afternoon, and I'm really glad I went. When the Chancellor of the university said "I admit you" I may have responded with "woot." By which I mean I most certainly responded with "woot." I'm surprised they didn't take away my degree... anyway, the point is, this part of my life is officially over now. Feels mostly good, albeit a bit odd.

2007-05-22T21:12:00.000-07:00

Ashlee and I spent 2 hours frolicking around Crescent tonight. It was good freaking times. We're going to have an all-night sleepover there sometime next week methinks and I cannot wait. Something about Ashlee + Sara + Crescent Beach always = talks of hopes and dreams and plans and fears and all that stuff that you just don't get the chance to talk about a lot. She is very, very precious indeed.

2007-05-20T23:36:00.001-07:00

Megs and I have been drinking many martinis this evening. Thumbs way up!

Something very, very exciting happened today as I was double checking the time for my grajitation (Jessica, I love you, and I love that word) on Wednesday. It doesn't say anything like "application pending" or "cleared for graduation" like it used to. Now it says, "degree conferred." That's when I realized that it's done. I'm not in the process, I'm not waiting with bated breath, I'm not biding my time until another semester starts... it's just done.

Sigh. It feels really good, like I've accomplished something. ~~Yay!~~ Woot!

2007-05-15T22:13:00.000-07:00

Light of Day

I like listening to this song when I'm driving down the highway with the window open and my sunglasses on!

2007-05-14T22:21:00.000-07:00

Let It.

The Tomko Files

2007-05-12T23:29:00.000-07:00

The scene: A container of Hydroblend has just arrived at the warehouse.
Him: Do you want me to drop the container and you can schedule someone to send a truck over later?
Me: Yeah, that's probably the best plan.
Him: Are you unloading it?
Me: Mmm hmmm!
Him: Good idea. Women are slow.
Me: Actually, I got 97% during my forklift certification and I'm good at what I do. The only reason why I won't have it done in the next twenty minutes is because I have better things to do than unload your stupid truck.

-----

The scene: I'm on my hands and knees sweeping Har-Tru sand out of gutters surrounding a tennis court.
Him: There's nothing quite like a woman with a broom!
Me: And there's nothing quite like a man who keeps his mouth shut!

-----

In some ways this is still very much a man's world. And some men are just dumb. You need to have a bit of sass to deal.

2007-05-11T08:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at work, someone called me the Forklift Goddess. I think that's pretty apt; my mad forklift skills are outta this world.

hehehe.

2007-05-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

Come quickly. You mustn't miss the dawn. It will never be just like this again. - Georgia O'Keefe

aww.

2007-05-05T23:19:00.000-07:00

Definitely a particular vibe this evening as I sit alone in my room getting ready to hit the hay... if music can be ethereal, some of these songs are ethereal. A few in particular send me careening back to a specific time and/or place. If I close my eyes, Destiny puts me directly back to one event, and brings with it a set of emotions, sounds, memories... that are linked to that experience. Amazing that music can have that kind of effect.

Mmmmm.

2007-05-03T22:02:00.000-07:00

*Sighs*

Monday after my last exam, I threw some clothes in a bag, hopped in my car, and hit the highway. I spent two days in the woods, camping, hiking, sleeping.

Honestly... it was the best thing I could have done for myself following the stress of the past few months. Everyone kept asking me how I was going to celebrate the end of university, and for me, it was rest, reflection, and solitude that I needed so badly. I'm so glad that I made the decision to get away. Sometimes I really, really need to slow down, and I'm not very good at it; it was a great opportunity for me.

Started back at Tomko today.

2007-04-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

~~4 papers to write.~~
~~3 papers to write.~~
2 papers to write.

~~3 exams to go.~~
~~2 exams to go.~~
1 exam to go.

I realized this morning that I've reached that point. You know, where you're so close you can that you can taste it.

2007-04-27T17:28:00.000-07:00

~~4 papers to write.~~
~~3 papers to write.~~
2 papers to write.

~~3 exams to go.~~
2 exams to go.

Just because I needed the break...

2007-04-27T11:32:00.000-07:00

I open the door, stretching tall as I emerge, leaving a half-finished paper and silence in the room. I work through the cricks in my neck. I am greeted by Dumb Cat, and by the sound of Boy #1’s music. Across the living room and through a second door, if you listen carefully, you can pick up the faint sound of Boy #2 talking to himself, muttering away and repeating formulas, over and over. I’ve noticed that it gets louder as he gets closer to memorization. Tells you how much time we’ve all spent trapped inside this apartment together. Boy #1 notices me as I wander over to the coffee machine and he immediately turns down his music. What a gentleman.

Devious Cat threads herself in a figure eight through my legs, through my legs. She quickly loses interest and starts chasing Dumb Cat up and through the obstacle course of the living room. The music coming from Boy #1 is joined by the sound of talons clinging to leather. Dumb Cat skids across the tiles in the kitchen and lands at my feet as I prepare to convince myself that caffeine is the perfect alternative to sleep. Boy # 1 makes some sort of whimper in my general direction, his eyes never leaving the computer screen. I take the hint and prepare espresso for two.

I glide as best I can through the minefield where Boy #1 is trapped among a stack of books, plates, cans, and various bits. I hand off the steaming beverage. This grunt is one of gratitude, and we share a moment of eye contact during which each of us understands the other’s misery.

“Adenosine triphosphate. Adenosine triphosphate. Adenosine triphosphate.” Boy #2 says aloud from the other side of the wall.

Back in my silent world of King Arthur and post-positivist international relations theory—don’t ask—I rub my eyes and notice a new blister on my index finger; it’s from my computer’s trackpad, if you can believe it. My musing is interrupted by a door closing, and The Girl pops her head wearily into the room, followed closely by Devious Cat and Dumb cat, the former of whom proceeds to claw at The Girl’s leg affectionately. Devious Cat is rewarded by a gentle, half-serious kick, as both myself and The Girl once again enter the living room.

The Girl picks up a biology textbook. Boy #2 emerges and we all gather and flop down around Boy #1. Four on a couch, and my eyes are closed. I think the TV is on, and Dumb Cat assumes his position. I rub his tiny belly and his purrs are overpowering the TV.

This is how we study.

Musique du Jour

2007-04-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

It's a mish mash of genres, and I think there's even one song that is password protected, with another that cuts off at the end. Today, though, this feels like the perfect playlist for writing, played on shuffle, to allow for the occasional dance break.

Enjoy!

Oh! I forgot to mention, if you too decide to take dance breaks in your home or office, you should download the electric sheep screensaver and then make it play on your desktop. John did up a program that will make it do that, and it's the top.

2007-04-25T11:37:00.001-07:00

~~4 papers to write~~.
3 papers to write.

~~3 exams to go~~.
2 exams to go.

A penny for your thoughts...

2007-04-24T23:20:00.000-07:00

We need to keep alive the possibility that the world that exists is not necessarily the one that will always exist. We should aim for something better than what we have right now.

2007-04-23T22:47:00.000-07:00

John Stackhouse has some interesting--and I think valid--things to say about Virginia Tech.

The Final Countdown

2007-04-23T17:09:00.000-07:00

~~4 papers to write.~~
3 papers to write.

3 exams to go.

The Final Countdown

2007-04-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

4 papers to write.

3 exams to go.

Never Again is Again

2007-04-22T23:58:00.000-07:00

Some pics from Never Agan is Again:

The Plaza

People gathering before the screening

Watching the film

Signing the petition

Thanks to Tim Tanguay for taking these pics! [All stuff © Tim Tanguay 2007]

Eff You, Political Correctness

2007-04-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

I've had two panic attacks so far today. I never get panic attacks... I'm just really, really struggling with a few assignments and can't get it into my head that they really aren't worth that much in the long run. One of these attacks got to the point where I was lying there chanting "I've got it good, I've got it good I've got it good. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe" and asking God to help me breathe. Which he did by the way. I mention this because I think they were brought on indirectly and in a roundabout way by my constant desire to remain politically correct. To avoid stepping on toes for fear of offending, or simply because I love the person, or don't feel like dealing with a situation that would arise if I chose to speak freely. I've been put into positions where my boundaries have been crossed and I haven't stood up for myself or what I believed to be the (morally?) correct course of action. In large part for the sake of political correctness. Pardon me if I sound like a martyr there; believe me that's not the intent, although I could be even worse :p

All of this to say that I've been bothered by something the last couple of days and I haven't really said anything because I don't want people to think I'm heartless or... politically incorrect. But for today, or at least the next few minutes, I say f*** political correctness.

I'm sure you've all heard about the tragedy at Virgina Tech. 33 people dead. 33 innocent (or at least 32 inncocent and 1 very distressed) people killed in their prime. 33 twentysomethiings who had friends and family and aspirations, and souls and who were so excited to know that the semester would soon be over. They were like you and me, and at the same time they weren't, because they were THEMSELVES. Beautiful human beings with individual personalities and characters and hearts that pumped blood through their bodies and dreams to their heads. I mourn with everyone else at this loss of precious, precious life.

But.

I hate the word "but". I think that as soon as you say the word "but" or one of its synonyms, you tend to cancel out what you've just said, and your audience is much more likely to remember what comes after the but. Ironically, this is usually the negative, or critical half. See my above comment on political correctness... ok, moving on.

But. For the sake of argument, let's multiply that number by 10 (just to be on the safe side). Let's assume that half of them are children. Let's assume that before they were mercilessly killed, the women were raped, and that they had their ears, noses, and lips cut off. This has been happening for decades in Northern Uganda. And the numbers are way, way higher than 330, by the way.

For the sake of argument, let's assume that rather than being killed by gunshot, they were slowly starved, so that their bodies thinned, their vital organs shut down, and they eventually succumbed to hunger. Sudan. Chad. Somalia. Oh hell, it's most of Sub-Saharan Africa. South East Asia. Inda. The Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.

Of course there is more to the story. The reason why the governor of Virginia is flying home from Japan early is because he feels a commitment to HIS people. Because he was probably a student at a university so he can identify. He thinks to himself, "imagine how I would feel right now if I were in that situation". He is probably from an upper-middle-class background, and so it is easier for him to relate. That's not his fault, and it's not wrong. But what we're being told is that this is a tragedy because these students did not deserve to die, and because people should not have to live in fear when going about their daily routine. At its most basic, primitive level, we're told that this is a tragedy and that this is wrong because human life is valuable. After all, 33 precious human lives were ended prematurely and for no reason.

But don't we have a commitment to following this argument through? If human life is valuable and precious, then human life is valuable and precious. There shouldn't--no, there CAN'T--be an escape clause in there. It's not "human life is valuable and precious if they live close enough to me that I've met them, or if I can identify with their religion, or if they are a cashier, or if they are a white man, or if they are a Black medical student at NYU."

I happen to think that Jessica has it right when she chooses to go to Indonesia and provide counseling for Tsunami victims because she believes that the psychological well being of her fellow human beings is valuable. I think David has it right when he chooses to particpate in Third World development because he belives that his fellow human beings have a right to make their own livelihood--and sometimes that requires drinking water, or a business plan. I think Trevor has it right that his fellow human beings should be able to tell their story of tragedy and survival and hope so that people can learn from it. I think Shannon has it right that she grew up asking not for birthday presents but for donations to the Crisis Pregnancy Centre, not because she thought she would one day get a mention in Sara's blog, but because it never ocurred to her that these young women didn't deserve to be treated with the same respect as everyone else, or didn't deserve to have their needs met. And I know it's politically incorrect for me to praise myself, but in keeping with the already-established theme, I think I have it right when I say that the people of Darfur should NOT be living in a world where each day there is a good and real chance that they will be murdered. And not just 33 of them. Hundreds of thousands of them. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS AND MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of beautiful, laughing, vital, precious, unique, dreaming, crying, laughing, praying, dancing, human beings. I think that some of us have it right. And, quite simply, others need a wakeup call.

If human life is valuable, then it is valuable. And if it's worth protecting, then we need to protect it, and act in support of its protection.

According the Make Poverty History campaign, every three seconds a child dies due to poverty-related illness. I've spent about 10 minutes writing this. 10 minutes is 600 seconds. That means that in the time it took me to write this, 200 children have died due to poverty-related illness. Let's mourn for them. Let's put them on the front page of all of our newspapers and have Nancy Grace do a special and hold vigils and start Facebook groups and make ribbons. Why not? Don't the same standards of humanity apply to them?

I fucking hate double standards, and I hate hypocricy, and at the end of the day I know that I'm guilty of both.

I make a damn good latte...

2007-04-15T21:18:00.000-07:00

A personal quad grande sugar-free vanilla non-fat latte, to be exact. My freezer room is pretty much a tiny Starbucks. I just whipped up a nice javajava for moi-meme, thus bidding adieu the promise of sleep this fine night.

Can you guess why?

Ooh, SNAP! Got it in one try: I have PAPERS due tomorrow. Yes, plural. Three. One is very near completion, the other two, well... I don't want to talk about it.

What I DO want to talk about is this HUGE, HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE blessing I received today. I gave away a lot of shifts and booked off a lot of time from Sbux to do this benefit/fundraiser thingy. Don't regret it for a second (and yes I realize I have yet to write about it in ye olde blogge, but since most of those who read this were THERE, I'm not in a super-dee-duper rush), but it has left me a bit strapped for cash, and wondering how I'm going to pull it together to pay for Uganda.

Anyhoo. Went to my Uganda meeting today (Squee! TWO MONTHS!!!), and Scott was handing out slips with our "balances". That is, if people have donated money towards us, personally, he was letting us know who, so we could write thank you notes. He also said that if it was contributed anonymously, we could pass on our thank-yous through him. I was sitting there, twiddling my thumbs and chatting with Jessie--I only started handing out my support letters today, at a happening shindig to celebrate my Great-Tante-Ilse's 80th birthday--when all of a sudden he handed me a pretty pink slip. It read:

Anonymous - $600.

!!!!!

Someone anonymously contributed SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS towards my trip.... I can't even freaking believe it. That's a lot of money. I almost cried. Well, I teared up a little bit, and my jaw hung open for a good minute or two. I have no idea who it was, or why, or how.... but I feel SO honoured that someone would be willing to invest in me like this.... wow.

2007-04-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

OK, seriously, is EVERYONE on facebook? I read somewhere that 85% of North American college/university students have one... and I believe it. Not to mention the fact that non-students are now hopping on the bandwagon. How cultish.

Sqwee.

2007-04-11T00:14:00.000-07:00

Well, today is the the day.

...

Umm, also, please look at this.

Awww!

2007-04-08T22:17:00.000-07:00

Roxy and I are lying on the floor doing homework together. I'm wearing my thinking cap, but she is relying on her looks to get through life.

She's so cute... I'm kind of like a proud parent. A sick, proud parent with a tiny, hairy, four-legged, black-nosed little baby. With a tail.

Meh, I guess it could be worse.

OTTERS HOLDING HANDS!!!!!!

2007-04-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

Go HERE (Click! Click! Click! Click! Click! Click! Click! Click! ) and plan to come out to the event.

And then watch this! (watch it 'til the end...)

2007-04-04T01:49:00.000-07:00

I've added some new stuff to this swazztastic doohickey. More coming soon, so keep checking (woot.)!

:)

2007-04-01T21:33:00.000-07:00

"*destroys mars* it appears mars has been destroyed." - S. Graves. No, that's too obvious. We'll cal her... Sally G.

PLEASE COME

2007-04-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

Tickets are NOT available at the door. Please let me know if you're interested and I'll do my best to hand-deliver a ticket to you!

2007-03-31T22:34:00.000-07:00

"So anyone who claims that I am a dreamer who expects to transform hell into heaven is wrong. I have few illusions. But I feel a responsibility to work towards the things I consider good and right. I don't know whether I'll be able to change certain things for the better, or not at all. Both outcomes are possible. There is only one thing I will not concede: that it might be meaningless to strive in a good cause."

"How you gonna change the world when you're stuck on a shelf?"

2007-03-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

"Does it piss you off? Does it just piss you off?" - Me
"Yes. It's hard to know what to do. I want to go back there, my dream is that it will stop. But it's the politics." - Him

It's like... sometimes you feel paralyzed, immobilized... because you know that you aren't going to make a big difference, no matter what you do or how hard your work, or how much you believe in something. Kind of a "what's the point of doing this?" sort of night.

No one who reads this DOESN'T know that I'm involved in planning an event to raise money and awareness for genocide in Africa. We've hit speedbump after roadblock after brickwall, and I have had so many moments of doubt. Why would God lead me in this direction, only to make it so, so difficult? It's hard to keep yourself from wondering if maybe you got the wrong message. I tend to get caught up in what my intentions are, and I have this line of thinking where God will punish me if I act on the wrong good intentions, even if the outcome is also good. Creates a lot of inner turmoil, and I tend to overanalyze.

I was at work, seriously pondering, and was about to ask Nicole why God was toying with me. Then, less than a minute later, a man from Darfur walked in. We talked, shared our frustration, encouraged one another. It was very, very cool. He had a big smile and an easy laugh. And dreams. And a heart beat. And a soul. My gosh, why do we live as though some people are expendible? People are not expendible. Africans are not expendible.

I think that's all I have to say for now... nothing else is really coming out coherent. I was trying to go somewhere with all of this, but it's not happening. Maybe it's the paralysis. Haha.

ps - my dog is the cutest dog in the entire world and i love her so much that it's almost embarrassing. she's currently sleeping in my laundry basket.

Words for thought.

2007-03-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

"I think everyone has a moral compass. But at the end of the day, it doesn't seem to matter, because there is so much in place to prevent or deter us from acting on our principles... and that's really depressing."

2007-03-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

I almost served a customer an

Urnex latte today.

And it wasn't even

on purpose!

Good thing I am not quite

dumb enough

to believe that steamed milk

is clear

or to think that it should

smell like burning.

Word of the day: nefarious

2007-03-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

Tiny cousins:

This is Kingston, the newest member of the Furhmann clan. I met him last week for the first time.

Kyra Too Cute. She's a 30-year-old trapped in the body of a preschooler.

----------

It was quite the weekend. But before I forget:

A belated happy birthday to Trevor (the 7th), my friend, who inspires me.

A belated happy birthday to Kelly (the 8th), my sister, whom I love.

I went to the Failed, Failing and Fragile States conference Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and I realized that this is the sort of thing that makes me want to get up in the morning. English literature has never done that for me. There were some 35 speakers, ranging from the Brigadier-General in charge of the mission in Afghanistan, to a post-doctorate researcher specializing in diplomatic games during the Rwandan genocide, to Erin Baines from the Liu Institute, to representatives from the Canadian International Development Association, to an international lawyer specializing in Responsibility to Protect (R2P), to specialists on post-conflict economic recovery, profs from the Royal Military College, senior policy makers at CIDA, professors, researchers, directors, reporters, etc. etc.

I don't want to be dramatic and say that it changed my life, but I think it helped me to articulate something that's been developing in my heart and mind for a while now. I think this is what I want to do. What is "this"? I'm not entirely sure... I mean, look at all the options. Just THINKING about it makes me excited and scared in a good way.

----------

And then last night I almost got arrested. I kid you not. To make a long story short, I was put in a ridiculous situation and I am extremely unhappy. One highlight was being told by a cop that I am irresponsible, that I am setting a horrible example, and that I should be ashamed of myself.

Maybe it's because the rest of the weekend's wonderful goings on left me so charged up that all that energy has turned the other way, but I am still livid to the point that I can't talk to the people involved for fear that I will say something I regret. Or hit them in the head with a shovel. Something will need to be said, though. I've been used for far too long, and it is going to stop. Now. (See? Do you see how angry I still sound?)

I'm so tempted to name names and spill all, but that wouldn't be very stylish of me, now would it?

I would appreciate prayer... that God would give me the words HE wants spoken, and that he would fill me with courage, and love so that necessary conversation doesn't turn into confrontation.

----------

Peace out, yo.

Oi! It's like I've bitten off more than I can chew, and now I'm choking to death (on my own tongue)

2007-03-04T22:16:00.000-08:00

(A typical week, keeping in mind that once I run out of space, post-its and receipts are stuck all over the place. And yes, the fuzziness is intentional; y'all don't want to know all the gory details.)

Crunch time came early this year.

I'll let you in on a little secret:

I might not be graduating in April.

Wow. Thinking those words in my head, saying them aloud, watching them appear on the screen.... it's a bit scary, and it sure does a number on my pride!!! Oh pride, you minx.

I've taken a number of steps to increase the likelihood of walking across the stage at the end of this semester. Ergo (I do not like that word, by the way... it sounds so pretentious), my e-presence will be diminishing significantly. At the very least, the daily blogging will decrease, the quarter-hourly email checking will be limited, the MSN has been deleted.*

So, really. If you want to know what's up or want to tell me what's been going on with you, email, or even better, call me. We can go for a walk, grab coffee, something like that. Chances are, I'd like to hear your voice anyway. (Quality, not quantity... and that's what THIS is... a lot of fluff and very little substance.) It's the hours and hours of time-wasting that need to be ass-kicked into oblivion, not friendships.

I gave up reading blogs for Lent and I realized that i don't know what's going on in half of my friends' lives... isn't that pathetic?

I've also realized I'm scared of calling people on the phone. Also very pathetic, and indicative of my e-bsession. I have to work on this.

Anyway. That was a bit disjointed :).

Tally-ho and all of that. Wish me luck?

- Sara

*Or rather, it will be when I go to sleep tonight :) Just covering my bases in case you catch me online in the next hour or so!!

2007-03-03T22:07:00.000-08:00

In second year, a prof asked the class, "what the hell is going on in Sudan?" Over two years later, the question still looms.

2007-03-03T14:50:00.000-08:00

If something catches your attention and you don't have paper handy, use your [severed?] hand as a canvas!

This looks INTERESTING.

And it continues...

2007-03-01T23:03:00.000-08:00

... I think I'm turning into a philosophical pretzel-lady.

This is a wild kangaroo that I fed while I was staying with Hayley in Pambula. It ate my bread. I tried to pet it. Hayley and her brother Kris screamed at me not to touch it.

2007-03-01T11:15:00.000-08:00

I've spent the morning getting tied up in philosophical knots. My brain hurts. If you need me, I'll be steaming milk at you-know-where.

----------
And a little more on silence: it's an integral part of the conversation, I am coming to understand.

2007-02-26T10:17:00.000-08:00

I talk too much, and it's not because I have a lot of very important or interesting things to say; it's because I am still somewhat uncomfortable with silence.

2007-02-25T13:58:00.000-08:00

I talk too much, and it's not because I have a lot of very important or interesting things to say...

2007-02-24T14:37:00.001-08:00

I talk too much...

2007-02-22T21:49:00.000-08:00

I really like the Cactus Club... historically, it's where I get my best ideas. Seriously. Many a dream has been born over edamame and maybe a spiked frapp.

Nothing particularly prolific tonight, just a good chat with Christina at the new South Surrey restaurant. Crowded as hell.

We made our way to Starbucks and were met with a usual crowd: Travis, Kim, Kieran, Tiny, Maggie, Kevin, etc. I was surprised and delighted when Jessica (always lovely, both inside and out) showed up and we had a nice little visit before Joe arrived as well! Woot! The man needs a nap, but, then, so do I.

Ahh.... once again, my plan to segue into my thoughts on "silence" have been thwarted by the number of words it has taken me to get around to saying that I'm becoming sick of my own voice. How deliciously ironic.

Maybe tomorrow??

It all comes full circle...

2007-02-21T21:40:00.000-08:00

... and revolves around Starbucks, it seems. I planned to blog something a bit more serious this evening; stuff I've been devoting my reams of paper to. About pretending, about being real. Embracing silence. Being me. Trying to figure out what the hell I'm built to do here on this earth. Disappointment, rejection, growth. (Oooh, now aren't those some vague terms?) But that'll have to wait. STORY TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was on my way to Jessica's and stopped to get gas at the Shell station. Got back in the car and it wouldn't start. Quel surprise, my car's a piece of ****. The kind gas station attendant helped me push it into a parking stall, where I called Megs to drive me to my house. See, my mom told me this evening to put my new BCAA card in my wallet, but did I listen? Of course not. Of COURSE not. So Megs and I tried to jump start it. Or rather, we asked the gas station attendant to help us. Cuz we're dumb. I said I was thinking of saying it was because we were women, but I realized that was a nasty thing to say about women... truly it's just my own dumbness.

Anyway. Car wouldn't start so back we went to my place and I called BCAA. We watched Friends then drove back to the Shell to wait for my Knight in Red and White Armour. I kept saying to her that it would probably be one of my regulars from Starbucks, because we share a parking lot with BCAA and the drivers often spend their on-call evenings sitting at our bar drinking espresso.

Sure enough, I saw the flashing lights, heard the honking, and Tiny (aka Robert) was there, pointing and laughing at me. Good ol' Tiny is one of our very regular regulars, and we have had many a conversation about the crappiness of my car. (Hey, at least I have a car! And it stays warm and has good tires and sometimes works!)

After some fussing, Tiny (who is a very large man, by the way) discovered that one of my battery leads had coroded in one spot and was no longer connected to the battery. He commented that I was a very lucky lady, and rummaged around in his tool kit, producing various metal sticks and cranks. A splash of my Dr. Pepper for acidity, some fiddling, some cutting and splicing, and some mechanical skill, and Tiny had my battery all spruced up! I love BCAA. And I love our regulars!

If I'd just gotten the dang thing towed to Canadian Tire, I'll bet it would have cost me a hundred bucks just for them to stand there and tell me what was wrong with it. Instead, this might cost me a personal grande, extra sweet hazelnut latte.

Sometimes the damn job just pays off.

2007-02-21T11:01:00.000-08:00

[Edit: Travis says this was an incorrect representation of our conversation... so I've done my best to rectify it]

"Everyone is so happy to see you! It's like it's Trav-bucks! Except, actually, we've already kind of done up some designs for a logo for Sara-bucks..." - S

"What, is it, a fully-clothed Siren wearing a cross?" - T

There's a bit of a backstory here, a joke that revolves around me being a prudish, frigid Christian. The former is probably part irony, the latter part truth.

Another of my favorite Travis-comments was when I was in the Emmerton's wine cellar one night, and emerged to, "LOOK! SARA'S COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET!"

Travis is back at my Starbucks, on loan for two months until his new store opens up. Oh, I've missed him. I happily went to Tribeca at 5am this morning, knowing I'd get to work with the brat. 'Twas a good shift, indeed; spent most of it laughing. Now we just need to convince him to stay!

Tossing and turning at 3.30am, wondering why I hadn't been able to fall asleep yet, I realized that yesterday I had downed 12 shots of espresso during the day... now we can say it's up to 18 in a 24-hour period. While my brain was whirring through the night, I was struck by the fear. I need to get the lead out or I will be very displeased come April when everything is due.

On that note, time to get to it. :)

2007-02-20T22:30:00.000-08:00

I was cleaning out Craptop (my old laptop) the other day and I came across one of my very favorite random Internet finds of all time. Too good to pass up, too good to delete. In fact, I may be laughing right now. Actually, I definitely am. I can’t quite remember where they came from, but that they were part of an American-produced document on tips for anti-terrorism. Some meathead added her/his own captions and the rest is history.

Oh, and by the way, if I get snipered by the American government for posting these, well, we’ll know that we aren’t supposed to do such things.

Bon Appetit!

A degree in chemistry can help you fight off terrorists.

A one-inch thick piece of plywood should be sufficient protection from chemical weapons.

After exposure to radiation it is important to consider that you may have mutated to gigantic dimensions: watch your head.
In the event of emergency, find a 3-story, 10-foot-high building. The midgets inside will be sure to help you. Remember, just follow the enormous red arrow protruding from your crotch.

Be on the lookout for terrorists with pinkeye and leprosy. Also, they tend to rub their hands together manically.

Bribe terrorists to leave you alone with American consumer devices.

Bush’s hometown is no great loss.

Do not drive a station wagon if a power pole is protruding from the hood.

Hurricanes, animal corpses and the biohazard symbol have a lot in common. Think about it.

If a door is closed, karate chop it open.

If you are sprayed with an unknown substance, stand and think about it instead of seeing a doctor.

If you are trapped under falling debris, conserve oxygen by not farting.

If you have set yourself on fire, do not run.

If you hear the Backstreet Boys, Michael Bolton or Yanni on the radio, cower in the corner or run like hell.

If you lose a contact lens during a chemical attack, do not stop to look for it.

If you see a nuclear explosion on the horizon, pull to the side of the road, take some pictures, and wait for the blast to hit you.

If you spot a terrorist arrow, pin it against the wall with your shoulder

If you spot terrorism, blow your anti-terrorism whistle. If you are Vin Diesel, yell really loud.

If you've become a radiation mutant with a deformed hand, remember to close the window. No one wants to see that shit.

If your lungs and stomach start talking, stand with your arms akimbo until they stop.

Michael Jackson is a terrorist. If you spot this smooth criminal with dead, dead eyes, run the f**k away.

Terrorists may try to contaminate your laundry detergent. Smell clothing to ensure it's fresh and clean.

Terrorists usually have terrible indigestion from eating our food. Don't use the restroom after they do! In case of flames bursting out around door, do NOT leave it shut. Always open flaming doors.

The proper way to eliminate smallpox is to wash with soap, water and at least one(1) armless hand.

Try to absorb as much of the radiation as possible with your groin region. After 5 minutes and 12 seconds, however, you may become sterile
Stand in radiation for exactly 5 minutes and 12 seconds a day for a healthy, glowing complexion.

Use your flashlight to lift the walls right off you!

I have to work at 5am tomorrow. This is very gross.

Can't Stop Laughing!

2007-02-19T14:20:00.000-08:00

I just got invited to go see a pole dancing competition (Miss Pole Dance Canada, to be precise). Ooooh I find that so highly amusing.

2007-02-18T21:23:00.000-08:00

Despite the added drama, and despite the all-too-often unrequitedness, sometimes it's just fun to have a little crush on someone.

It doesn't happen to me very often, and it usually passes quickly. Kinda fun, nonetheless! :)

In other news... I have this whole week off school - woot!

Neutrality? Humanity?

2007-02-17T12:21:00.000-08:00

Here's something I've been thinking about like, non-stop for the last couple of days.

The scenario: A relief organization is allowed access to prisoners (and for the sake of argument let's say these prisoners are civilians, not combatants) in a war-zone and discovers that there is gross mistreatment of those prisoners.

Does the relief organization keep quiet and help as much as they can while on the inside, thus retaining their status as a neutral third party? Or do they come forth with the information, pretty much guaranteeing that they will no longer be allowed access in the future, and hope that the international community will respond with something other than complete inaction?

Be Mine...

2007-02-13T22:08:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. A highly overrated "holiday", but cute nonetheless. In honour of such a festivus, I give you

Sara's Valentine's Mix: Love Songs, Anti-Love Songs, and Songs That I Just Plain Love

Featuring: Peter Gabriel, Miles Davis, Sarah McLachlan, The Perishers, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, The Bens, and some other gems. Keep in mind that I have paid big bucks for the vast majority of this music, so you needn't feel too too guilty.

Now, will you be my valentime?

"Still Life"

2007-02-12T20:26:00.000-08:00

Trying to get better at this close-up stuff. :p :p

Speaking of beverage receptacles - I'm going to see Jars of Clay... and the BEST part about the whole thing is that I just found out that BURLAP TO CASHMERE is opening for them! Jars of Clay I quite like and I've heard they put on a good show. Burlap to Cashmere I LOVE, and I can't believe how well that worked out! What a pleasant surprise. *Is surprised and delighted*

2007-02-12T13:18:00.000-08:00

John is building a robot right now... and I'm sitting here, acting as his muse. Which explains why the robot is not currently working...

2007-02-11T16:24:00.000-08:00

Sitting on my couch just now. Kell has informed me that I'm chaperoning her birthday party. Some sort of party bus.

Kelly [to me]: You're gonna get drunk, right? No offense but I like you better when you're drunk.

Uhmmm?

2007-02-10T22:35:00.001-08:00

Heh heh heh...

A lovely Saturday

2007-02-10T20:58:00.000-08:00

Ahhh evening plans fell through twice tonight. A lovely concert featuring local talent postponed, and then plans for Pan's Labyrinth didn't quite... pan out (oh yes I went there; do you see how clever I am?). Apparently Ashlee's friend having serious back pain and needing to go to the hospital is more important than seeing a film that will be playing tomorrow, the day after that, the day after that, etc. :p

Today was great though. Slept in til like, 9.30, went to Great West, did some reading for pleasure, had dinner with friends (who had bussed all the way to WR for aforementioned concert... oopsies!). The only thing I didn't get to was my beach romp. Wait a tick.... beach romp...

*Decides to be spontaneous and leaves for the beach immediately*

Apples? Try paper dolls.

2007-02-09T13:34:00.000-08:00

Today we got our research assignments back in English 344 (The Arthur of Medieval English) and someone *points to self* got an A+. Before you call me a braggart, let me explain why. There are these Gawain and the Green Knight paper dolls that I found while randomly searching in the abyss that we call the Interweb. Downloaded them, printed them off, and handed them in to Teacher (who, by the way, rocks my socks with her awesomeness), and she was so excited that she announced in class that everyone could go and get their own. So, your lesson for today is that teachers don't want apples, they want paper dolls.

----------

Last night was a delicious turn of events. It was so dead at work we were nearly asleep on our feet! I was channelling Trevor for a few hours, trying to use my psychic powers to get him to come to the store so I can chat with him about this fundraiser, but to no avail. Then Sally and John showed up, and I figured that maybe the lines had been crossed? It was perfect because I was already grumbling about having to take the bus this morning, and they offered to wait for us to close up so we could all go to Van for the evening.

And THEN, when we were in a cleaning frenzy, Trev showed up, meaning maybe I AM psychic afterall! So I got to work with Jonathan and Katelyn (always a good thing), and then three of my favorite people showed up to make my evening. It was good times, I tell ya. I left in very high and excitable spirits.

----------

I work tonight and then I am very pleased to have ALL DAY TOMORROW OFF. I think I will sleep until at least 10, then go the beach and spend some time with the old journal. Keeping in mind I intend to get two papers written this weekend and have to do sound on Sunday, I should probably do some work as well, but still. Some things you just can't put off. Like slacking off and procrastinating.

----------

Adieu, adieu.

Ahh, four-year-olds

2007-02-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

My friend Shannon made this and I couldn't resist! Too cute.

JUST ONE MORE THING THEN I PROMISE I'LL DO MY HOMEWORK

2007-02-07T08:54:00.000-08:00

Yes! The Hülk and team just arrived. They are so entertaining.

I'm at Starbucks, by the way; this (the congregation of middle-aged bodybuilders) is not happening at my house. The dog kept trying to hypnotize me, so I migrated down the street. I needed an inspirational hug from Terry anyway :p.

Ok now seriously... if I blog again before this paper is emailed in, someone has to come and punch me in the face, mmkay?

2007-02-07T08:32:00.000-08:00

As you can probably tell from the increasingly frequent blogging, I have a paper due in a few hours :p.

Here's a nice story about a little something I like to call integrity:

Yesterday I had a meeting with all of the other customer care specialists (a fancy way of saying we get to be keeners and think of new ways to make customers feel special and appreciated, so that we can justify charging 45 dollars for a drink :p) out at the Starbucks on 72nd and Scott Road. A bit of a drive, but no worries. I showed up and went to the meeting room, only to discover that it was full of store managers. Ahem. Kind of embarrassing.

A few quick phone calls to my store revealed that my manager had accidentally given me the wrong time for the meeting and I was now three hours early. She gave me the option of leaving, but I stuck around; a tiny bit frustrating, but I had my computer with me and got some homework done.

Just before 2pm (when the meeting actually started), there was my manager, straight off of work, on the other side of town, with a M.U.G. Award and a Starbucks giftcard, apologizing profusely for her mistake and thanking me sincerely for sticking around for the meeting.

Not my integrity we're talking about here, it's hers. It's sooo easy to try to blame someone else, especially when you're in a position of authority. We all do it, and we probably do it often. But she went above and beyond to make up for a small mistake that wasn't intentional, and that didn't even cause much of a problem. It's a tribute to her exceptional character and her stellar skills as a manager. I've said a number of times that she is one of the best things to happen to this store, and I stand by that statement.

OK, back to this Hardin character. It's been one of the more difficult papers to write, simply because I want to resort to name-calling. SO badly!! Hehe.

The most glorious piece of music ever written.

2007-02-06T21:57:00.000-08:00

This may very well be the coolest thing ever. Ever.

Click to enlarge and to get lost in its high levels of scrumtrillescence...

QUICK! Staring contest... You win... You always do...

2007-02-06T16:47:00.000-08:00

Thanks to David for originally putting this on his blog... it has provided many minutes of hearty laughter from this camp.

Goulet!

I'm writing a paper this evening on a piece by Garrett Hardin. It's thrown me into a bit of a frenzy, because myself and Hardin obviously see (or saw, in his case; he is no longer with us) the world very differently. Or perhaps more importantly I think his argument just sucks. The main metaphor he applies is too much an oversimplification, the paper is riddle with falacious logic and claims and he defines his own terms, ofetn citing himself as his own source.

I'm trying very hard to pick through his argument bit by bit, but I'm letting passion get in the way of getting methodical. If you were to walk past my room at any given moment you might hear something l ike, "BASTARD!" or "It's a good thing you're already dead!" or, "were you eating special brownies when you wrote this????"

But, I prattle.

I've been thinking a lot about what I want from this life, and what I have the potential to give. I guess nearing the end of an undergrad degree will do that to you, especially when priorities have changed so much in the last year especially...

Anyhoo.

Debating whether or not to set up shop at Ye Olde Starbucks, my home away from home.

Enjoy Mr. Goulet!

Yes, it's true :O

2007-02-05T22:37:00.000-08:00

5 Years and Still Goin' Strong ;)

2007-02-03T14:39:00.000-08:00

I looked at the date just now and realized that it's been 5 years since my baptism. Whoa. I still remember Mike Richardson trying to drown me in front of 1100 or so witnesses, but I fought back, oh I fought back. Then I proceeded to try to drown HIM.

Ehm.. Just kidding. I kid. Tee-hee.

Well Happy Anniversary, Jesus, my beautiful and perfect Savior. Thanks for putting up with me and loving me despite all of my antics.

I love You and I can't imagine my life without You.

Plummegranate

2007-02-03T12:41:00.000-08:00

On last minute plans:

I got a call yesterday afternoon at about 3pm. It was Stef, calling from Saskatchewan. The conversation went something like this:

Stef: SO! I'm sitting here with my credit card in my hand and WestJet has some seat sales going on... I was thinking about coming out tonight.
Sara: !!!!!!!!!!
Stef: Should I do it?
Sara: YES.

This went on for several minutes, and then at 11:30pm--politely excusing myself from a group hanging out at John's-- I was at YVR picking her up to bring her back, where the other houseguests were shocked and excited that I came back bearing the gift of one of their best friends. It was diabolical and delightful.

----------

On reflecting:

Since October I've gotten back into journalling on paper (thumbs up!). I prefer it I think, and it explains why the blog has turned into mostly fluff hehehe. There's something about putting my thoughts down, pen on paper, scratching away, engaged in the physical act of writing, that appeals to me.

----------

On blogging for accountability:

Tonight's plans --> working 5.30-10.30 and then WRITING A PAPER. Mark my words. I WILL have a draft done before I go to sleep. Gosh darnit!

Briefly...

2007-02-02T12:58:00.000-08:00

What accent would you expect an actor/actress to have if they were playing a character from:

a) France
b) Austria
c) Britain
d) Denmark

????

If you answered "British" to all four, you'd be correct, at least according to Hollywood, it seems. I am always just a teensy bit disappointed when I watch a film set in Austria and the American actors bring on the British.... I just don't understand. Not to say that it's a deal-breaker or anything... but I think maybe Kiersten Dunst and/or Sophia Coppola had the right idea in Marie Antoinette, keeping Dunst's Yankee accent. If she wasn't going to aim for Austro-German diction, at least she was real about it.

Just a tiny pet peeve of mine.

I have a weird shift at work tonight. 4-8. Not much trouble to be gotten into in four hours, and it'll probably be slow. Maybe I'll practice my British accent in case someone wants me to star in a film set in 1970 Japan ;).

Woot!

2007-02-01T15:10:00.000-08:00

Congratulations! You have been accepted to participate in UBC International Relations Students Association's National Foreign Policy Conference 2007 on Failing, Failed, and Fragile States from March 8 th to March 10th 2007. This is going to be an exciting opportunity for you to network with students and speakers from across the country and across different disciplines and on behalf of the Conference Committee, we look forward to seeing you in March!

Ooooh!

I'm looking forward to this.

Oh Bruce, how you amuse me.

2007-01-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

From: Bruce Macdonald brucemac@---------.ca
Subject: student list.xls
Date: January 31, 2007 9:09:07 AM PST (CA)
To: Sara Macdonald

here is listing of the kids that mom uses for her financials

[he’s attached an Excel spreadsheet here]

...

From: Sara Macdonald
Subject: Re: student list.xls
Date: January 31, 2007 9:48:24 AM PST (CA)
To: Bruce Macdonald brucemac@---------.ca

Wrong email address again :)

I’m not your daughter but have a great day!

~ Sara

------------------------------------------

My current area of refuge.
Somehow,
this morning,
I have managed
to look like my sister
(which doesn't happen
very often)
and also
like some sort of bug :).
I look tired,
but I'm actually feeling
mostly rested
after spending
the entire bus ride
listening to Au4.
I didn't get
any reading done,
but I think it was a
good choice.
I woke up praying
this morning; it was nice!

They're practicing German in the classroom with which my back is sharing a wall. "Ich gehe in die kneipe fur eine kaltes bier" (I think that's how you spell it). That's all I remember from German 100, but it's probably all I need :p.

2007-01-30T22:57:00.000-08:00

I just deleted Tetris off my computer.

It's for the best.

But oh I'm sad.

:p

Sarabucks II

2007-01-30T09:02:00.000-08:00

This stunning drawing (Trevor David Meier, ink and cardstock, 2007) is a blueprint for the new logo... once I take over, that is. You'll note the little gremlin thingy, and hopefully you are intimidated. Pardon the blurriness of the photo; I was giggling quite a bit as I held the piece of paper up to my iSight. I don't think it takes away from the overall effect of the piece of art, though. It's still a masterpiece, I won't lie. Still a masterpiece.

Sarabucks!

2007-01-29T20:05:00.000-08:00

This is Terry; I love her.

Back at work, on my break. Had to check for a v. important email so I figured I might as well say hello. Hello.

~Sara

ps - I will amend this later to include a sketch of the new logo of our store.... tee hee.

2007-01-28T19:26:00.000-08:00

It was so dead at work this evening that they sent me home early - huzzah and woot! I'm just about to sit down and watch "The Illusionist" with my mom. I worked most of the weekend, but I'm trying to at least have a bit of a restful evening. It's my new thing to make it a priority to go into the new week just slightly more rested.

In talking to Beth recently--and she is one of the most insightful people I know--, I think she hit the nail on the head: when you plan to take that time, you don't feel quite so guilty as you do when you just procrastinate and don't get things done... plus, if you plan to rest, it's something you're almost certain to actually follow through, although sometimes things do come up :p.

It's meant working pretty hard Monday through Friday, but I think I like this better than just being stressed 24/7 :).

When I was living in Fairy Meadow, I used to go here to relax. Click to enlarge... isn't it beautiful?

And who could forget Tuesday?

2007-01-27T12:41:00.001-08:00

I realized I never blogged about certain Tuesday "festitivies". How silly!!

Tuesday morning I had it in my head that I was going to do a few errands before heading to Tomko and then to UBC. Parked at the IHOP/TD Canada Trust parking lot on 152 and 24th, I grabbed some money to bring round to PPAC. When I got back into my car and tried to start it... nothing. Tried again. Nothing. It wasn't even clicking or turning over. I didn't drive during the snow that we had a few weeks ago, but it had worked fine the previous evening, so I was surprised and a tiny bit annoyed.

Dad got me an emergency car charger from Canadian Tire, so I plugged the little bugger in and wandered down to the church on foot. It needed 15-30 minutes to work its magic, it said.

Scott wasn't around, so I harrassed Trev for 20 minutes or so, then made my way back up 152 to where my car was *hopefully* ready to start. Insert key into igntion. Still nothing. Boo. I called Mom, then BCAA, who informed me it would be 50-60 minutes before they'd be able to come... I won't lie, it made me a bit sad, since I could see their office from where I was standing. Ah well. Called mom back, and she came to try and jump my car. Her cables weren't long enough to reach, but there was a kind and crazy old gentleman whose cables were like, 700' long (I kid), and who was able to hook us up. We got the car started just as BCAA pulled into the parking lot and as I was on old trying to cancel the service call. Figures!

I thought, well since I've already used up this call, I might as well get some advice from Mr. BCAA. He recommended that I not turn off the car for 45 minutes or so, so as to get a good charge in the battery. Alternator was fine; he thought it was just from not driving in for those two weeks when it was so cold.

Sooooo, I thought I might as well pick up the mug that I'd forgotten in Trev's office, and drove back to PPAC. Sitting in the parking lot, I repeated over and over to myself, 'DO NOT TURN OFF THE CAR! DO NOT TURN OFF THE CAR!'

Get out of the car: check
Keys still in the ignition: check
Lock door: (to prevent theft of laptop): check
Close door: check
Drop jaw as I realize what I've just done: check

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the time I made it to Trevor's office, I was laughing so hard I'm sure my face was beet red. He was polite and only laughed at me for 35 or so minutes before grabbing his keys and, in a moment of chivalry, driving me to my house to get my spare set.

If this had happened on TV, a better ending to this story would have been another call to BCAA, whereupon the same guy would have arrived to deal with the same car, same girl, different location, different problem. But since it was me, I'm glad that didn't happen.

A mile from here, there is a hole...

2007-01-26T02:00:00.000-08:00

I think it's a fair estimate to say I've been to over a hundred gigs by this point in my life; probably more. Tonight's ranks in my Top 5, without a doubt.

Au4 blew me away. I stood there, slack-jawed and suspended in one place for the majority of the performance.

Actually, y'know, it would be fair to use a naughty pun to describe the experience: it was aurgasmic.

http://www.au4-audio.com

Ponderings and slowly turning wheels...

2007-01-25T12:59:00.000-08:00

Jonathan Schell on genocide:

"Murder is a crime that, by destroying individual lives, violates the legal and moral order of a community; extermination is a crime that, by destroying an entire community is a crime against the family of communities that make up humankind.”

I'm taking an amazing class this semester--actually, all of my classes so far have been exceptional, but nevertheless--called Ethics and Morality in World Politics. This kind of thing is good for me; it's hard to make a strong argument based on how I "feel" about things... maybe it'll help me learn how to articulate why I feel the way I do about things. Like, how the world is, how it ought to be, how it got this way... and maybe at the end of the day, what's to be done. Emotion is an extremely powerful thing and it dictates a lot of what we do. Then, so is education, and I think a marriage of the two is more powerful still.

So, I'll leave you, Cyberspace, with a question posed to us at the beginning of last class:

"Does the international community have an interest in seeing justice done in case of mass atrocities even if own societies [i.e., the society in which the atrocities are being committed] unable / unwilling to do so? Why?" - R. Price

2007-01-24T21:08:00.000-08:00

Diogenes knew that the invitation to think as a world citizen was, in a sense, an invitation to be an exile from the comfort of patriotism and its easy sentiments, to see our own ways of life from the point of view of justice and the good.

-Martha Nussbaum

2007-01-22T16:48:00.000-08:00

Definitely one of the highlights of the last month!

The newest hairbrained scheme!

2007-01-08T15:03:00.000-08:00

"I am a dreamer... take me higher" - Bethany Dillon

I was sitting on the bus this morning, thinking away to myself, when all of a sudden, an idea popped into my head. It grew and grew, arriving at its fever pitch at exactly 12.03pm (according to my phone, and UBC's clock tower). It's been a few hours now, and I've calmed down slightly, but I remain very excited. I want to do another fundraising event of some sort. I'll keep it cryptic for now, but I think I'm going to aim high... higher than I think I can reach. At least then, I figure I'll reach higher than if I aimed low, yeah?

I blog now because I want the accountability of knowing at a few people are reading this... otherwise I might get lazy and give up and no-one would even know... plus, as Stef says: "the law of attraction says that like attracts like. Now that you've put that thought out into the universe, hopefully the universe will find the other 'like' to match it with".

Social justice... God, let me know where You want me to go with this, if You're up for it... use me if that's Your plan. :)

Not drunk, just unattractive...

2007-01-02T10:11:00.000-08:00

... and wearing antlers, apparently! It's so hideous I HAD to post it on the Internet. It just makes sense. If you click on the image it will grow EXPONENTIALLY LARGER (which is what you've always wanted, I know) - Huzzah!

Happy New Year and all that jazz! Back from Chicago (had a freaking amazing time, stories and pics to come), enjoyed a stellar new years at the new Emmerton compound. It's been a mahvelous week, I must say.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Spindletop...

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

2006-12-25T12:40:00.000-08:00

Thought of the Day

2006-12-22T22:06:00.000-08:00

He may look like a neckless turkey when he performs (his words, not mine), but John Mayer is incredibly, incredibly talented.

Continuum has me quite enthralled.

The Three Drunks

2006-12-20T01:58:00.000-08:00

It's a new take on the Three Wise Men, peeps! I have three drunks lying in the kitchen, eating a spilled vegetable plate off the floor. It's delightful (and that's not sarcasm; I can't stop laughing... AT them)!!!

Update

2006-12-19T12:15:00.000-08:00

Update:

Lying in Sally's bed, about to watch Being John Malkovich.

*sighs with contentment*

Q&AII

2006-12-19T07:35:00.000-08:00

Question: What is the best way to wake someone up in the morning?

Answer: By kicking down their door and blasting "Give It To Me, Baby" by Rick James.

Sorry, John... you had to get up; you have an appointment.

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I have my last exam in an hour... :D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then I'm going to blog and play tetris and sit and read a book that doesn't have anything to do with school, and call someone on the phone and play Rick James again and do some more sitting and listen to Christmas music and do a crossword and stare at the wall....

Q&A...

2006-12-15T16:45:00.000-08:00

Question: Have I been listening to soulDecision on repeat?

Answer: Possibly.

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Question: If a person were to, oh I don't know, let's say... listen to soulDecision on repeat, would this indicate that there is cause for concern with regards to that person's mental health?

Answer. Yes. Yes it would.

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2006-12-15T11:48:00.000-08:00

As it turns out, I am very bad at this whole "X Days 'Til Christmas" thing... not only did it take me a week or so to figure out how many days were left until Christmas, now it appears that I've completely neglected it. Hmm. Whoops!!

Here's a new countdown with which I will certainly not follow through: 4 more sleeps until my last final.

(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

And Dean and Amanda are coming home, soon! :)

"Save us tonight, little babe in the straw"

2006-12-11T23:27:00.000-08:00

who is this child,
asleep in a manger?
the heavens are bright
the stable's so cold
on this holy night,
have you come to redeem us?
little child in the straw
little child in the straw

who is this babe?
prince of the universe
a donkey is braying
angels are singing
the prophets did say
you would come to redeem the world
little babe in the straw
save us all

and if we lose sight of your sweet face
at the birth of grace, at the birth of grace
light of truth shine like Bethlehem's star
lead us to where you are, show us who you are

merciful one
lover of every soul
the Father's own Son
Emmanuel
yes, we believe,
you are able to heal us
Noel, noel,
save us all

save us tonight

[from this cd]

Insanity

2006-12-09T10:58:00.000-08:00

Sara (to Roxy): You look like a little human being.

December 9, 2006: The day Sara officially lost whatever was left of her fragile mind.

2006-12-08T08:56:00.000-08:00

Just back from Starbucks... I actually got a little bit of sleep, so I'm feeling a bit guilty, but also a bit less sick. I'm working on a paper, so I've been sugared, proteined, and caffeinated... I think I'm ready to go.

Picked up the newspaper while I was there; the cover story had me intrigued.

I have some opinions that I'm sure no one really cares about, but which I will nonetheless post, perhaps this evening.

2006-12-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

Some things that make
working at 5am
~~cool~~
~~worth it~~
bearable:

Some of our customers are a hoot. (HAHA!! Hoot! Hooooooot.)

For example, Robert, a Purolator driver who comes in every morning on his way to work. He always orders the same thing (a venti hazelnut soy latte) and I hypothesize that it is physically impossible to not feel more cheerful after talkihg to him. First of all, he knows all of our names, announces that it is "so good to see [us]", and then goes on to ask how each of us is doing, and then finishes off by finding something beautiful to say about the day, even if it's pouring rain. Before leaving, we get a "thank you so much, this is wonderful!" and a "have a fantastic day!" Now, seriously, why the dickens can't he be Tomko's Purolator guy? Maybe then we wouldn't use DHL. Actually... I think that regardless, I would like to adopt him, perhaps as an Uncle. What is our policy here in Canada on adopting Purolator drivers?

And then there's the middle aged bodybuilders who come in, strutting around in their "Gold's Gym" sweatsuits, and daintily drinking Earl Grey tea. Today, the German one (let's call him The Hülk... because isn't that just a fun name?) was sad because I ran out of samples, and had to go back and cut up some more. He met me at the counter, took the sample tray from me, and proceeded to prance around the store, offering samples to other customers...

I spent my entire shift singing along to the Christmas music, and dancing, too. Jean said it was "so cute", but I think because she's only been speaking English for a year, there was a bit of a language barrier there... how do you say "friggin' annoying" in Mandarin? I'm pretty sure that's what she meant.

Umm... that's all I've got for now. The rest of today should be interesting: up at 4am, have to do sound tonight for Uncle Phil's Diner, then I have to write some sort of "term paper" for tomorrow... debating whether or not to take a nap or just take it like a man....

Oh and also. Here is a picture of my dog.

14 karat News!!

2006-12-06T19:51:00.000-08:00

ON THE 19TH DAY 'TIL CHRISTMAS, SARA GAVE TO MEEEEEEE:

A wedding announcement!!! The Borsas are pleased to announce the engagement of their beloved daughter, Stefanie, to international super hunk Michael Vartan.

The couple plan to wed tomorrow at Michael's French chalet, and Stef has promised that Sara will never again be allowed to photoshop her hair... at least not while shrieking maniacally and clicking COPY and PASTE repeatedly.

Merry Christmas, Stef... I have a feeling this is going to be the gift that keeps on giving....

I am sneaky and full of lies

2006-12-05T23:25:00.000-08:00

ON THE 20TH DAY 'TIL CHRISTMAS, SARA GAVE TO MEEEEE:

THE AVENGING UNICORN!!!!!! I had forgotten to explain this back in the 'day', so here you go! Woot. No, I mean WOOT!!

So I took a road trip in October, to see Guster in Seattle. Lucy was my accomplice, and good times were had by all (especially by the two of us!!!!). I meant to post about it, but I... didn't.

Anyway, when we were in the underground market at Pike Place, we stumbled upon this comic book store of insanity, and were prancing around, killing time when I found THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Avenging Unicorn Playset... well... maybe I should just write out what's on the box, cuz it's much more interesting than anything I can bring to this conversation!!

The Avenging Unicorn Playset, with 4 magical horns and 3 figures to impale!

DO YOU BELIEVE?
Unicorns are magical creatures that exist only for those who believe. When they are not frolicking in dewy meadows or posing on windy cliffs, they are helping believers to do away with daily annoyances.

Does the New Age lady at the bookstore get on your nerves when she starts ranting about her latest encounter with an ancient warrior spirit?

Are you tired of being accosted by the creepy mime who thinks he deserves a quarter for pretending to be trapped in a box?

Does that arrogant businessman in the well-pressed suit drive you crazy with loud talking on his cell phone in a crowded elevator?

Close your eyes, take a deep breath and summon a unicorn. If you believe in the magic of unicorns with all your heart and soul they will answer your call.

MAGICAL HORNS:
Not all unicorn horns are the same! Each one has unique magical powers.
1) Pearlescent: mind control, weather control, super hearing
2) Spiral: illusion casting, super healing (i.e. turns blood into rose petals)
3) Glow: hypnosis, enhanced agility
4) Chrome: electromagnetism, speed reading, teleportation

THE UNICORN CODE:
1) Unicorns never lie.
2) Unicorns always lend a helping hand.
3) Unicorns are loyal.
4) Unicorns can keep a secret.
5) Unicorns don't use drugs.

So there you have it. You may be asking yourself, "this sounds a lot like something Sara would say, only much more clever." I thought so, too, which is why I think I bonded so quickly with this product, and why I took it home with me, smuggling it across the border like the minx I am.

[edit: I forgot to mention that I tried to use my cheque to pay for my purchase... the people in the store were NOT impressed, but I was delighted]

2006-12-04T16:21:00.000-08:00

ON THE 21ST DAY 'TIL CHRISTMAS, SARA GAVE TO MEEEEEE:

A Child's Laughter.

Absolutely, without a doubt, priceless.

2006-12-03T20:58:00.000-08:00

I love this girl.

Yesterday we had an amazing chat that put my mind at ease. No, that's not right; it didn't do that. But it helped me to realize that it's ok to feel the confusion that I'm feeling, and to realize that I'm not alone in that confusion. It was truly appreciated and truly needed. And then tonight we took it down a notch with THIS after-church dialogue (names removed to protect the innocent):

Megs: So do you have a crush on _________?
Sara: No, why? Do I seem like I do?
Megs: No, not at all, really. I was just wondering.
Sara: Do you even know who he is, though? I didn't realize you'd met him.
Megs: He was that guy who was helping you _________ the other day at the _________, right? With the beard?
Sara: Umm, no I don't think so. ______ doesn't have a beard.
Megs: He was the one with the very clean-shaven beard.
Sara: ... [laughs]... no, he doesn't have any facial hair.
Megs: Ok, maybe I'm thinking of the guy from Desperate Housewives
Sara: [bursts out laughing}
Megs: The one with the really dark hair!
Sara: Oh, that's not ________; that's _________.
Megs: Oh!! OK. And he's got the spiked hair!
Sara: No... his hair isn't spiked at all. But it IS dark brown.
Megs: But with blonde streaks.
Sara: No...
Megs: I don't wanna talk about it.

And that's pretty much verbatim... 75 points to anyone who can tell me what a clean-shaven beard looks like.

----------

We took communion at church this evening. As I was reflecting, I realized that tonight, what it means to me is that I'm allowed to push. And I am SO thankful for that.

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And now, an actual gift (I hope):

ON THE 22ND DAY 'TIL CHRISTMAS, SARA GAVE TO MEEEEEE:

MUSIQUE DU JOUR

Musique Du Jour! Every morning, I make a playlist with the tunes that will get me through the day. In no particular order, here's a selection of what made the list today. As you can see, my tastes range from jazzy to country to pop, to just plain awful (see Head, Hole in the).

01. 5 O’Clock People - Blame
02. Feist – Gatekeeper (One Room One Hour Mix)
03. Rufus Wainwright – Somewhere Over the Rainbow (live)
04. Louis Armstrong – La Vie En Rose
05. Global Deejays – One Night in Bangkok
06. Ryan Adams – When the Stars Go Blue
07. Dixie Chicks - Landslide
08. Peter Gabriel – Your Eyes
09. Ella Fitzgerald feat. Louis Armstrong – They Can’t Take That Away from Me
10. Sugababes – Hole In My Head
11. Keane – A Bad Dream

Enjoy!

Beef hound.

2006-12-02T08:16:00.000-08:00

I hope that if you are reading this, that you might take a moment to look at my previous post, which includes some links to information about World AIDS Day (which was yesterday), and the fight against the disease. I don't necessarily favour one site or program over the others, I just wanted to put up some info :).

Now on to much less serious things...

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ON THE 25TH DAY 'TIL CHRISTMAS, SARA GAVE TO MEEEEEE:

A tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiny beef hound.

Tomorrow I think I might actually have a real gift to give, rather than this sort of thing... but we'll have to see. It's also been brought to my attention that we are perhaps closer to Christmas than the countdown would suggest, so after doing 6 or 7 recounts, I might just make up for it and post again later today... oh you lucky, lucky children.

How're you gonna change the world when you're stuck on a shelf?

2006-12-01T09:33:00.000-08:00

ON THE 25TH DAY 'TIL CHRISTMAS, THE SARA GAVE TO MEEEEEE:

Some

food

for

thought.

The seagulls... were.... nowhere... in sight.

2006-11-30T00:04:00.000-08:00

I have been truly and sufficiently inspired by my last post of genius... good thing it's now tomorrow so I can bring out the next Countdown To Christmas Gift..

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ON THE 26TH DAY 'TIL CHRISTMAS, THE SARA GAVE TO MEEEEE:

Now seriously, who could have guessed that the whale would explode??

I told you that you had all been naughty... this is what you get for being bad.