The Unemployed Elitist

Attention dozen of readers! My new blog hath launched! Please visit it at The Unemployed Elitist - heck, you can even bookmark it! I promise you good times! What are you waiting for - go now!

Burn After Reading

I'm not sure there is anyone out there still reading. I'm assuming most people thought I was completely finished here...and yes, you were mostly correct. What happened was I had some problems uploading the photos from my day 366, which, due to my infinite patience...led me to completely give up and then forget that I hadn't posted that post. Then a bunch of other stuff happened: I quit my job, I went to Philadelphia and Brussels and Eastbourne, I went back to my hometown, I got hives all over my face, I got a supercold...it's been quite the ride.

But, I'm back. And like Die Hard - with a vengeance! My new blog is already kinda launched, but it doesn't have any posts yet, so don't head on over there quite yet. It's unoffically officially launching tomorrow. Why tomorrow? I don't have any particular reason aside from the fact that otherwise January 14, 2009 seems entirely too dull. So check back here tomorrow for the official unofficial link to le new blog. The subject matter is super timely and it's bound to wow and enthrall my dozen of readers.

As for this blog. Oh, the memories. I was trying to compile a list of my very favourite ETs - like a Top Ten or something. But, I dunno - seemed a bit self-indulgent. And trust me, the new blog is excessively self-indulgent so I will let my dear readers peruse my archives @ their leisure and make up their own minds about the most interesting ETs. From the top of my head I'm thinking that making/wearing a toga for the first time, going for high tea service in a posh hotel and going to see a film in my pajamas were personal highlights. But yes, what will become of the Extraordinary Grrl? Well, like many of my fellow thing-a-dayers I've decided to carry on - posting here whenever I do something new or unusual in my life. There are a lot of things on the list that I didn't end up doing so, not unlike the original Jen, I may set aside a month in 2009 to do a thing a day to clean house a little bit.

But, it's true, life has been moving on since October 30th. And since that point in time I have done a few new and unusual things. Let me tell you all about them...in point form...[and without further detail]...

- I ate poutine in Montreal [twice!]
- I told the time on a [broken] sun dial
- I went to a planetarium [a-mazing...really!]
- I went swimming in an outdoor pool with the weather below freezing
- I spent time [a bit too much] in Philadelphia
- I wore a Darth Vader mask
- I went to see a pantomime
- I learned a new card game and played with a group
- I watched Blackadder
- I made butternut squash soup

So...if you're going to really and officially stop reading right now - let me say thank you for following me for the past year [or however long]. It's been a lot of fun for me [though in a way I'm glad to be done - though I'm always looking for more ETs - it's a tough habit to break] and I hope vaguely entertaining for the rest of you. Thanks for all of your comments and support. I would like to say that I've learned something wonderous about myself...but honestly I really haven't. Around month eight of this little project I realized that all of the things that I wanted to do ended up being mostly awesome...and most of the things I was forcing myself into ended up...kinda sucking. So, I suppose I can rest easy knowing that I really do know me best...and hopefully this will serve me well as I continue to make my way in this world!

Day Three Hundred and Sixty-Six - A Day In The Life

Oooops. I really thought that I had posted this. And yet...I haven't. And by this point I'm sure that everyone has lost interest...like three months ago. Here we go anyway...

Since this post is going to be really picture heavy I'm going to try to limit the text. I actually started this ET one day in the summer...a day that ended up being one of the crappiest of the year, if not one of the worst days in recent history generally [some day - when this event becomes funny - I just might share it]. Needless to say, it had to be abandoned. So today - for my last thing ever and therefore the end of my life as extraordinary I took one photograph for each hour that I was awake. I thought this would be a good way to document me actually turning 30. Hopefully there is no huge visual disturbance.

8:30am

I woke up a bit late today because Joseph was out late last night working and he goes into work later the days after. As you can see the very first thing I do each and every morning is make coffee.

9:30am

It's computer time. Computer time happens a lot in these parts. Updating le blog and checking hot celeb gossip - I'm one busy gal.

10:30am

It was time to get packing for Montreal. I like to lay everything out for each day. Like, each complete outfit in its own pile. Then I pack in reverse order so that I can wear things in precise order. I'm a nutjob.

11:30am

Time to shower. Packing really works up a sweat.

12:30pm

Okay. At this time I was seriously freaking out thinking that I had lost the prescription meds that I had just got the other day. I couldn't find them anywhere. Much of the search was concentrated on this bookcase because that's where I generally keep meds and vitamins on the bookcase. Ultimately I found them already packed in my purse - I suppose I was uncharacteristically planning ahead. I'm an idiot.

Okay - please see continuing posts below for the rest of the day. There is a strict limit on how many photos you can post. Boo-urns.

Day Three Hundred and Sixty-Six - A Day In The Life [Part II]

1:30pm

It's time to have some classy pizza pockets. To keep things extra classy I call them pizza pochettes. I eat them while watching DOOL.

2:30pm

Joseph called from work to ask me about something. I can't remember what. It's pretty darn unusual - he never calls in the middle of the day.

3:30pm

I was trying to relax before rushing out the door by playing some good old fashioned Hearts. I win 28% of the time. Apparently I like those odds.

4:30pm

I arrived @ Joseph's workplace and his office is on the second floor. So I left my luggage downstairs. I felt this was somewhat of an artistic shot. I had to travel out to Joseph's office because I suddenly realized that we had to be @ the train station earlier than we thought.

5:30pm

The train station! I remember being very impressed with this place when I was a little kid. This isn't the greatest shot, but it's still this lovely huge building. As all train stations are. If anyone can tell me why that is I will be forever in your debt.

6:30pm

The first of many hours actually spent on the train. It was pitch dark by the time we left so there wasn't a lot to document.

Keep going...there's a few more below...

Day Three Hundred and Sixty-Six - A Day In The Life [Part III]

7:30pm

Yup. Riding the rails.

8:30pm

More train. I do enjoy the train and really it doesn't take longer than the plane if one factors in all of the airport waiting around business.

11:30pm

Yes, I fell asleep for a couple of hours. I woke up kinda cold and in need of tea.

12:30am

Finally @ the hotel. It was remarkably close to the train station [didn't have to go outside even]. I was able to get into my pajamas and cozy up on one of our big hotel beds to watch the CTV repeat of The Colbert Report. Shortly following I went to sleep so as to look extra rested and awesome for my birthday tomorrow.

Day Three Hundred and Sixty-Five - If You Don't Eat Your Meat, You Can't Have Any...

When the original new-thing-a-dayer, Jen, was wrapping up her year-long blog-riffic adventure she did some really impressive/intimidating/wonderful things. She's very clearly a gal with a plan and the means and motivation to make things happen. I admire that. She took a boxing class, she did stand-up comedy, she did ballet with a proper tutu, she rode around in a limo eating candy, she organized her own musical! Well, with me - you really get none of those things. Sorry about that. What you *do* get is this - tonight I attempted to eat an entire box of Jello Instant Pudding. I failed. I ate about 85% of it - right out of the bowl I prepared it in and using a large wooden spoon. I love Jello Instant Pudding and yes, I'm fully aware that it's not vegetarian, so please don't tell me that in an attempt to harsh my buzz. I have never "allowed" myself to consume the entire bowl and I was shocked a little [okay, a lot] dismayed that I couldn't manage to achieve this very key milestone.

It was quite simply - an ideal day to both make and eat large quantities of pudding. A perfect storm if you will. Today was my last day @ work before holiday. Joseph is out looking @ rubbish [not just a fun hobby, he gets paid to do this] so I felt okay in pigging it up [also, not that I would - but no pressure to share - as an only child I am very bad @ sharing - blame my parents please]. And TV...oh - the majesty of a perfect evening of television. It is so rare, so wonderful. Tonight's offerings included a World Series baseball game [damn you National League!], the Barack Obama informercial and some ass-kicking lineups on many of my favourite late night chat shows. So there I was - pantsless [don't you hate pants?] and happy as a clam eating my gigantic bowl of pudding. No photos for rather obvious and embarassing reasons.

Day Three Hundred and Sixty-Four - The Hangar

One of my previous ETs was watching a hockey game. In the comfort of my own home, with my remote control in hand in case things got too deadly boring. I ended up watching well over one period of "the hockey" and, although I found it quite confusing and dull - I was proud of myself for giving it a chance. Well, through the magic of my workplace, yesterday I was given some tickets to a Toronto Maple Leaf game and tonight I went to see a professional hockey game. I guess this is somewhat of a "big deal" as tickets are very hard to get and people in this city are hockey crazy, even though the Leafs do suck. A lot. This was also my first trip to the Air Canada Centre, the new-ish sports and entertainment complex where they play hockey, basketball and have concerts [I'm also not a fan of basketball or live music]. It was...not at all what I expected. But first - here's some photos of the hockey, the arena and, my favourite - the dueling zamboni [what is the plural of zamboni? zambonis? zambonii?]!




So, yeah. I'm from a hockey town in rural Ontario [seriously - they won this contest where they were declared THE Hockeyville in the whole of the country]. I've been to my share of Junior C hockey games and while I never really watched the game [why watch when you could instead ogle public school boys and be awesomely jealous of all the hip, fashionable public school girls]...the environment was so different. The main thing was everyone was *so* quiet. I felt like I had to whisper to Joseph [which, given my extremely limited hockey knowledge - was probably a good idea so as not to embarrass myself]. There were small bursts of excitement, but Blue Jays games are much more rowdy. The food selection was admirable - with lots of vegetarian choices - colour me shocked. There was some random lights that would flash a few times each minute, rendering us both temporarily blind for a few seconds each time. The best part were the long intermissions when they did goofy, non-hockey stuff on the ice [like racing RC cars - I swear people were more audibly into that than the hockey] and turned down the lights. As to the hockey? Yes, it was still largely incomprehensible and difficult to follow [lots of starting and stopping] and still - quite dull. We arrived a bit late and left early, which I'm pretty sure is absolute sacrilege in this city/country.

Day Three Hundred and Sixty-Three - Roasting The Unborn

Okay, so everyone saw the Barack O'Lantern [okay and the Bat O'Lantern] from the weekend...why stop now with the continuing pumpkin theme of my blog? I really regret not using the tag/label option...because I could easily prove my theory that pumpkins crop up in more ETs than anything else. They are so darn cute though...even their insides! I had a great time using the tools that god gave me [my hands - Joseph used a spoon] to scoop out the gooey insides of the pumpkins. The texture is quite something. And today I decided to do something with the insides - instead of just adding them to the continuing pile of foodstuffs rotting away in my fridge. I roasted my own pumpkin seeds! Instantly addictive. Even though they are a touch too salty [I have recently given up salt and I am a salt addict, so this is saying a lot]. And past experience tells me that if I continue to eat them @ this rate I will become incredibly sick.

The process to roast your own seeds is quite simple, although not as simple as one might think. Like, you can just rinse off the goo [though apparently some people keep it on], salt 'em and shove them into an oven. This will work, but apparently the method I used is better. After giving the seeds a good rinsing to make sure I removed all the goo I placed them in a huge pot of boiling, heavily salted water [there are a number of ratios out there for water/salt based upon how many cups of seeds you have]. While it was a huge pot of water, I used six tablespoons of salt. So yeah, boil them up and then thoroughly drain and rinse. Then coat the seeds in some extra virgin olive oil and put them in the oven for about 20 minutes, giving them a good shake every now and then. And then - chow down! I'm finding it rather impossible to stop, although I think the seeds will travel nicely to Montreal to serve as healthy, nibbly snacks. Oh - but I think this more intensive method works better because it infuses the salt without leaving actual salt on the seeds. I think you could substitute other seasonings if desired. Also, the double cooking method leaves the seeds incredibly crunchy, but also properly cooked in the middle, making things a bit easier on one's digestive tract. It's worth the extra effort!

Day Three Hundred and Sixty-Two - Scent Of A Migraine

On a recent discouraging visit to a new doctor [my real doctor just keeps having babies - she can't stop, apparently - I think it's because there are always dozens of pregnant women/little babies in their office - it might be contagious, I'm not sure] I got my migraine medication switched. My regular medication tends to make me into some sort of crazy person who exists in some very surreal world where I feel I am transformed into a snake. So yeah...there's that [what can I say? we are down to the final days here of le blog - all the secrets are coming out]. So today I went to the pharmacy to get my meds and they told me they had to be a special order. I was okay with this as I wasn't having a migraine episode and didn't think I would be that day as they tend to be with me when I wake up in the morning. But then my body decided - ah ah ah...not so fast...and bam - migraine episode. And nothing I could chemically do about it. So I turned my back on western medicine and I took an aromatherapy bath. [no picture. we're not quite on that level of disclosure.]

Though, in the interest of full disclosure - I have used aromatherapy as an ET on a previous day [I think last november or maybe december - it was when I was still working by whole foods], but a bath was not part of that day. And sometimes I do burn pure peppermint oil when I am experiencing any sort of head pain or stomach upset. So yes, I ran a typical bath with lavender epsom salt type stuff [though not pure lavender so not really aromatherapy] and also gardenia-scented bubbles [because i refuse to bathe without bubbles] and then I added a couple of drops of pure essential peppermint oil [peppermint and basil are supposed to be best for head pain]. These oils might seem really expensive but you really only use a couple tiny drops each time so they aren't pricey at all. The smell is incredible - I think made more intense by the hotness of the bath [I like to steam myself into a red lobster state]. Also, the effect of peppermint makes you tingly in a very attention-grabbing kinda way. It kinda energizes, stimulates and relaxes each muscle/area it touches.

While it didn't completely get rid of my migraine episode - it made things much more bearable. I mean - it's a nice, hot bath that smells fantastic and turns all your switches back on - that's not going to be a bad experience. But I know I will feel better once I have my meds in hand.

Day Three Hundred and Sixty-One - Yes We Carve

Okay, I can't vote in the upcoming US election [I've come to terms with this and accepted my consolation prize of voting in the lame-o Canadian federal election, which kinda soured me entirely on voting - but I digress]...but a website that I saw the other day on CNN showed me how Yes I Can have my voice heard...through the highly official medium of pumpkin carving. The website is www.yeswecarve.com - for those interested [in the interest of equal time CNN did show McCain pumpkins too - but of course the Obama supporters always have the catchiest rhetoric and ideas]. Anyway, earlier today we went out to locate some small-to-medium sized pumpkins for carving as I wanted to do multiple little ones as opposed to one big one. Also, we won't be here for Halloween so these are just pumpkins for the sake of pumpkins - not entirely seasonal. Then tonight I carved a Barack O'Lantern! Here it is! I haven't submitted this photo to the website yet, although I still might [though honestly it's nothing terribly original or even very good].


This was my first time ever carving a pumpkin. When I was younger I was more in charge of concept and design in terms of our pumpkins - but my dad always did the carving. I think my parents, not unlike Joseph, didn't really trust me with a big knife [for my safety and the safety of others - this is wise]. What I soon discovered is that all of our knives suck. A lot. Carving was basically impossible so I essentially had to keep sticking the knife in and out, but not cut across [it was like I was making it perforated and then eventually I could wiggle the piece out]. More fun was the amazing grossness of sticking my hand inside the pumpkins and pulling out their guts. Joseph is more fussy and used a utensil for this, but I'm impatient. Also, in the interest of full disclosure - Joseph did draw the design for this [and he did the bat-o'lantern also pictured, although I came up with the highly original concept - it's pretty cool...but still - Batman ain't the next President - so there!] and I feel I didn't carve nearly neatly enough.

[okay - election over - obama won - so completely psyched about that! on the morning of the election the barack o'lantern got toppled to the ground outside, even though we left the pumpkin on our indoor steps - someone moved it. in addition to being a bit smooshed, it was also partially eaten - possibly raccoons. i thought this was a dreadfully bad omen. apparently not.]