Yup, another stolen thing-a-day entry, courtesy of the Chasing 30 blog. Today I'm revealing five quirky things about myself. I know what the word quirky means [I am a literature graduate so obviously that has a lot of good uses], however I was a bit tickled when I saw that one of it's definitions is that a quirk is also a "glitch." So, like something kinda wrong with you. I liked that and it helped to shape my list, rather than it just being a list of interesting/unique things about me. It's more a list of what makes me a weirdo - physically, mentally, etc.
1. I have central heterochromia. This is an eye condition in which there are two different colours in the same iris [as opposed to regular heterochromia where your eyes are two different colours]. In my case my eyes are mainly green with brown in the inner parts of my iris. Strangely enough I just noticed this very recently. I thought that I had hazel eyes. I was wrong. Eyes like mine are sometimes called cat’s eyes. They are in my top three of favourite physical features [on my own person].
2. I love art and find most genres/periods in art history to be very redeemable, except that I loathe most of art done in the Renaissance. Yeah, I know – it’s the frakking Renaissance and it is such because…well, it should be pretty awesome by definition. I just find most of it to be overblown, overdone. It’s all too much. And too popular. Strangely though I was moved to tears when I finally laid eyes upon Michaelangelo’s David.
3. I have a real problem with different types of food touching. I would be happiest if I could eat all of my meals off of a prison-style plastic plate [yknow – with the dividers]. Sandwiches are my main exception. I even struggle to eat pasta with sauce and I will separate the noodles from bits of vegetables in the sauce. I know I’m missing out on some great flavour combinations, but I really can’t stop myself.
4. I have a lot of feelings about numbers and sometimes letters/words. I don’t know much about numerology, so it’s not like that. But I am forever adding up numbers in my head and I can do this very quickly – such as adding up my birthday (1+9+7+8) + (1+0) + (3+1). And then I get a vibe off the number. I love the number five, combinations of five and numbers that have five. I intensely dislike four. I either really love or really hate prime numbers. For me, numbers and letters [sometimes words too] have personalities and I can envision how they look and imagine how they might interact with each other. My very favourite number is 13.
5. I have always enjoyed using aliases. I do this almost entirely without thinking – I will just give out a fake name/fake backstory – usually nothing glamourous or interesting. Unless I have to use my real name, I likely won’t. No, Sydney is not my real name either. I am an international woman of mystery. When we were in high school and used to write real letters [before the internets, kids] my friend Claire and I would always address them to fake names. Some of them were so very usual, but the post always got there. In fact, my mail carrier used to be very amused by this and confessed to my mum that she always looked forward to the letters to see to whom they would be addressed. I don’t really have a good excuse for doing this – other than being a bit schizophrenic – but I guess I figure, why not? It’s really no deeper than that.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Day One Hundred and Ninety-Two - The City Above Toronto
I've lived in Toronto for almost eleven years and while I'm very confident in giving people directions, restaurant suggestions, entertainment suggestions - the works - this is all limited to the vaguely downtown-ish area. At the moment where I live and where I work is the furthest north I've ever been and I think both locations would still be considered downtown. I don't have my license so I don't really get out much. Also, to be honest - there isn't much out there for me. I am shamelessly west-end and spend 90% of my social/shopping down in one area of Toronto. However, today, dragged kicking and screaming I woke up @ 6am for the purpose of leaving my comfortable geography.
Today I spent the day in Markham. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time I have ever been there or even driven through it. It's just as glamourous as I might have imagined. I was there for an all-staff meeting which lasted the entire day. It was very stressful - lots of big group situations where I don't excel and can barely function and really, really lackluster buffet-style food that was all evil carbs that only make me more hungry. On the other hand it is great to work for an organization that does more than just say they value the opinions of their employees on things like strategic planning and such and actually provide the opportunity for people to gather and share ideas [rather than a company that says they want these things, but you instead work 80 hours a week and don't get invited to any meaningful meetings]. That being said, I'm fully exhausted and need a nap before BSG. I don't think any of this has anything to do with Markham - but it's highly unlikely I will be returning.
Today I spent the day in Markham. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time I have ever been there or even driven through it. It's just as glamourous as I might have imagined. I was there for an all-staff meeting which lasted the entire day. It was very stressful - lots of big group situations where I don't excel and can barely function and really, really lackluster buffet-style food that was all evil carbs that only make me more hungry. On the other hand it is great to work for an organization that does more than just say they value the opinions of their employees on things like strategic planning and such and actually provide the opportunity for people to gather and share ideas [rather than a company that says they want these things, but you instead work 80 hours a week and don't get invited to any meaningful meetings]. That being said, I'm fully exhausted and need a nap before BSG. I don't think any of this has anything to do with Markham - but it's highly unlikely I will be returning.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Day One Hundred and Ninety-One - Androcles And The Lion
When I was young I had a crush on a boy who was in his school's presentation of that play - Androcles and the Lion. At the moment I can't remember if he was Androcles or the lion, but I do know that I saw it three times over the course of its three-day run. Anyway, Androcles removes a splinter from the lion's paw and the lion spares his life [this is all from memory so I may be wrong - I was apparently too busy crushing]. This relates to today's thing because this afternoon I removed a splinter from my foot. To be more accurate, it wasn't even a splinter - it was a hair of some sort - judging from it's size/shape and using my CSI abilities, it appeared to be either an eyelash or eyebrow hair. Jammed into my right heel.
Truthfully, I had a much more fascinating idea for today [okay, it was only slightly interesting, but 100% less painful]. Then I realized after feeling the stabbing foot pain and investigating its source that I have never had a splinter before and certainly not one in my foot. I didn't even know what it was at first so I busted out the tweezers and some high-intensity lighting and set to work. Removing it was tedious, but not painful, although it still hurts now. I have no idea how such a thing could have happened and I can only hope to avoid it in the future. I really live such a charmed life with my gloved hands and unsplintery feet. I'm just like Scarlett O'Hara I am.
Truthfully, I had a much more fascinating idea for today [okay, it was only slightly interesting, but 100% less painful]. Then I realized after feeling the stabbing foot pain and investigating its source that I have never had a splinter before and certainly not one in my foot. I didn't even know what it was at first so I busted out the tweezers and some high-intensity lighting and set to work. Removing it was tedious, but not painful, although it still hurts now. I have no idea how such a thing could have happened and I can only hope to avoid it in the future. I really live such a charmed life with my gloved hands and unsplintery feet. I'm just like Scarlett O'Hara I am.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Day One Hundred and Ninety - My Dinner With Sydney
The very first entry in my "ideas for things to do for the year" was to eat dinner in a restaurant alone. Tonight I was given the opportunity for solitude and I ate dinner in a restaurant alone. It was actually...pretty okay. I didn't even bring a book or a newspaper and I managed not to feel so incredibly awkward. The other alone diners I saw were all about their books/newspapers - but come on - that's a total crutch - you are ALONE - suck it up! Enjoy the silence.
I decided to go to my favourite sushi place as it's still casual, but still a restaurant, not a fast food place. I was later than expected to the restaurant, but it was still very un-busy [which never ever happens]. The waitress offered me a seat right up front in the window and - tossing caution to the wind, I accepted. It was just me and some other lonely dude [okay, I'm projecting] sitting up front and centre for all of Bloor Street to gawk at. I used the opportunity to gawk back [it was really storming out so I got to see all sorts of bedraggled looking people which is always amusing]. The actually eating experience was fine, although I ordered way too much food [I'm used to other people eating my food]. It made me think about how when you go out for dinner it's rarely about the food - it's about the whole experience of being "out" and conversation and whatnot. When you're alone, it is entirely about the food. Luckily it was pretty good, though the tempura came way too late and I didn't feel like lingering so I barely touched it.
I decided to go to my favourite sushi place as it's still casual, but still a restaurant, not a fast food place. I was later than expected to the restaurant, but it was still very un-busy [which never ever happens]. The waitress offered me a seat right up front in the window and - tossing caution to the wind, I accepted. It was just me and some other lonely dude [okay, I'm projecting] sitting up front and centre for all of Bloor Street to gawk at. I used the opportunity to gawk back [it was really storming out so I got to see all sorts of bedraggled looking people which is always amusing]. The actually eating experience was fine, although I ordered way too much food [I'm used to other people eating my food]. It made me think about how when you go out for dinner it's rarely about the food - it's about the whole experience of being "out" and conversation and whatnot. When you're alone, it is entirely about the food. Luckily it was pretty good, though the tempura came way too late and I didn't feel like lingering so I barely touched it.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Day One Hundred and Eighty-Nine - The Leftorium
When I was three years old and in Junior Kindergarten I tended to favour my left hand over my right. I'm not sure if I wrote with my left hand, but I know that I did a number of things with it, such as using scissors. Our classroom didn't have left-handed scissors and using the regular ones was difficult and even a bit painful. I'm not sure if it was because of this, but for some reason my teacher strongly encouraged me to become entirely right handed. I don't think there was anything sinister [ha - get it? sinister?] about this as it *is* a lot easier to be right-handed. However, I continued to do most sporting activities left handed as those types of things are easy enough to accommodate.
After watching American Dad on Sunday I thought that sometime this week would be a good opportunity to try out something I've had on my list for quite some time. Today I was left-handed all day. This was actually quite enlightening as well as very difficult. I've heard that left-handed people are far more accident prone [which is scary for me as I'm super accident prone] and I can see why. Everything is designed for right-handed people - cars, kettles, subway turnstiles...I guess that lefties just get used to it and make their own adjustments. In addition to motor control being a problem, general hand/arm strength on the left side is so much weaker as well. I was carrying a shopping bag home and relying entirely upon my left side was much more of a strain. Even things like stirring up some yogurt or sour cream was very difficult - the food got all over the place and I didn't do a good job of stirring. I made perogies for dinner, but had to eventually go back to my right hand to flip them after having been splattered a bit from the oil. Safety first kid!
After watching American Dad on Sunday I thought that sometime this week would be a good opportunity to try out something I've had on my list for quite some time. Today I was left-handed all day. This was actually quite enlightening as well as very difficult. I've heard that left-handed people are far more accident prone [which is scary for me as I'm super accident prone] and I can see why. Everything is designed for right-handed people - cars, kettles, subway turnstiles...I guess that lefties just get used to it and make their own adjustments. In addition to motor control being a problem, general hand/arm strength on the left side is so much weaker as well. I was carrying a shopping bag home and relying entirely upon my left side was much more of a strain. Even things like stirring up some yogurt or sour cream was very difficult - the food got all over the place and I didn't do a good job of stirring. I made perogies for dinner, but had to eventually go back to my right hand to flip them after having been splattered a bit from the oil. Safety first kid!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Day One Hundred Eighty-Eight - Cinco De Mayo
Despite my best efforts Cinco de Mayo hasn't really "happened" in my neck of the woods. It's a shame because I like it more than St. Patrick's Day. Sure, that holiday has its green beer and that's all very well and good, but tequila wins out every time. Also, better food is associated with Cinco de Mayo - even though I always make tacos, which is a lot more Tex than Mex. Also, I would suspect that Canada's general lack of Mexican immigrants kind of holds us back [though I do live near where apparently Little Mexico is, but the only time one sees evidence of this is during the World Cup - otherwise it's all Portugal, all the time]. Lou Dobbs would love it here.
As mentioned, I dig tequila. A lot. She was my not-so-secret mistress for many a-year...I guess until I started drinking beer when I was about 20 years old [and then I got fat...interesting - beer is officially on notice]. It was my go-to drink because I could be imbibed right out of the bottle [like beer or wine which everyone else liked and I did not]. I've never had one of those epically bad tequila experiences that my mum warned me about - yknow - the one that makes you swear off it forever [until the next time someone offers you a margarita that is]. Tonight I tried tequila in a time-honoured fashion - I did the lick the salt, shoot the tequila, suck the lemon thing. To the best of my knowledge I have never done this [though I admit that it's entirely possible that I have while otherwise intoxicated]. The thing is - while we liked to drink in high school and university we were rarely organized enough to have cups/glasses [hence drinking things from bottles/without mix], let alone salt, limes and shot glasses. Though one time my friend Ian stole a salt shaker from our local pub by putting it in my handbag...my handbag then suffered a catastrophic breakdown in the Eaton Centre, leaving a trail of salt for quite a ways.
Until tonight I had not had a drink in a very long time [I sound like a recovering alcoholic] - possibly over a month. I'm surprised it didn't knock me out. But of course, tequila will always be my friend.
As mentioned, I dig tequila. A lot. She was my not-so-secret mistress for many a-year...I guess until I started drinking beer when I was about 20 years old [and then I got fat...interesting - beer is officially on notice]. It was my go-to drink because I could be imbibed right out of the bottle [like beer or wine which everyone else liked and I did not]. I've never had one of those epically bad tequila experiences that my mum warned me about - yknow - the one that makes you swear off it forever [until the next time someone offers you a margarita that is]. Tonight I tried tequila in a time-honoured fashion - I did the lick the salt, shoot the tequila, suck the lemon thing. To the best of my knowledge I have never done this [though I admit that it's entirely possible that I have while otherwise intoxicated]. The thing is - while we liked to drink in high school and university we were rarely organized enough to have cups/glasses [hence drinking things from bottles/without mix], let alone salt, limes and shot glasses. Though one time my friend Ian stole a salt shaker from our local pub by putting it in my handbag...my handbag then suffered a catastrophic breakdown in the Eaton Centre, leaving a trail of salt for quite a ways.
Until tonight I had not had a drink in a very long time [I sound like a recovering alcoholic] - possibly over a month. I'm surprised it didn't knock me out. But of course, tequila will always be my friend.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Day One Hundred and Eighty-Seven - Pixie Dust
Today's is a bit of a continuation from yesterday's comic book thing. As previously mentioned, I don't read comic books. I do like the concept of comic books and I've even tried to write one myself. However, my cheapness and lack of knowledge of which comics are worthwhile prevents me from following any particular one. I do like graphic novels, even though that is a total hack move @ this point [again, I'm considering writing one or changing one of my regular book ideas into one with the help of Joseph, but I think that idea is a little overbaked @ this point].
And I know that my friend Lisa will be very disappointed in this thing [however she's in Iceland @ the moment so definitely not reading], but tonight I read my first X-Men comic book. Lisa is a big X-Men fan and knows I think everything about everything in terms of that. I have seen all three of the films [including the third one which was a stinker of epic proportions] and the epically wonderful cartoon X-Men xmas episode...but I'm a big poseur for not going to the original sources until now. Even now, it barely counts as it was just one comic and totally free. It was a story about Pixie, who I didn't even know about...but she is a Welsh teenager with fairy wings. Okay. She was a bit obnoxious, but I tend to like my superheroes to be a little darker than say...Avril Lavigne.
I went to Wales last winter and while I didn't see any pink-haired pixie chicks, I was like...kinda famous. In a little diner I got asked by some teenage girls if I was American. I told them I was because they seemed so in awe of this...reason number 57 why I'm a bad Canadian...
And I know that my friend Lisa will be very disappointed in this thing [however she's in Iceland @ the moment so definitely not reading], but tonight I read my first X-Men comic book. Lisa is a big X-Men fan and knows I think everything about everything in terms of that. I have seen all three of the films [including the third one which was a stinker of epic proportions] and the epically wonderful cartoon X-Men xmas episode...but I'm a big poseur for not going to the original sources until now. Even now, it barely counts as it was just one comic and totally free. It was a story about Pixie, who I didn't even know about...but she is a Welsh teenager with fairy wings. Okay. She was a bit obnoxious, but I tend to like my superheroes to be a little darker than say...Avril Lavigne.
I went to Wales last winter and while I didn't see any pink-haired pixie chicks, I was like...kinda famous. In a little diner I got asked by some teenage girls if I was American. I told them I was because they seemed so in awe of this...reason number 57 why I'm a bad Canadian...
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Day One Hundred and Eighty-Six - NerdFest 2008
Although I'm a bit of a nerd, I am rarely nerdy enough to qualify as a true nerd in any category. The thing I come closest to is Battlestar Galactica and even then - I don't play the videogame and I don't care for schematics of the ships. However, in all other nerd categories I guess I'm still just a dabbler - which makes me an outcast even in the nerd community. I do hope to go to a Bi-Mon-Sci-Fi-Con sometime this year and I will be sure to blog all about it [and hopefully I will be in possession of a digital camera by then to really capture the moment]. I think that will really improve my geek cred.
Although I like comic book stores I don't really read any comic books. I used to read the Tomb Raider comics when they first came out because I think Lara Croft is the most perfect woman ever and then I got into Witchblade for a while too. I'm not quite sure how I funded this as I was in school then and too poor to afford $4 every month for a tiny little book [in addition to all those aforementioned magazines]. But I do love many comic book characters and today I participated in Free Comic Book Day. Joseph and I got six free comic books to share. We didn't buy anything else @ Silver Snail except that I got two Hello Kitty charm things from the vending machine that I have been plotting to turn into earrings. All of the store employees [and there were a good number of them] were dressed as characters including a very impressive Princess Leia, a Stormtrooper and a new Joker [Heath Ledger style, I mean]. I like costumes especially when it's not Halloween.
[lack of updates due to crummy internet connection that i have no control over. they are written and will be slowly updated to ratchet up the tension. fun!]
Although I like comic book stores I don't really read any comic books. I used to read the Tomb Raider comics when they first came out because I think Lara Croft is the most perfect woman ever and then I got into Witchblade for a while too. I'm not quite sure how I funded this as I was in school then and too poor to afford $4 every month for a tiny little book [in addition to all those aforementioned magazines]. But I do love many comic book characters and today I participated in Free Comic Book Day. Joseph and I got six free comic books to share. We didn't buy anything else @ Silver Snail except that I got two Hello Kitty charm things from the vending machine that I have been plotting to turn into earrings. All of the store employees [and there were a good number of them] were dressed as characters including a very impressive Princess Leia, a Stormtrooper and a new Joker [Heath Ledger style, I mean]. I like costumes especially when it's not Halloween.
[lack of updates due to crummy internet connection that i have no control over. they are written and will be slowly updated to ratchet up the tension. fun!]
Friday, May 2, 2008
Day One Hundred and Eighty-Five - Take Me Out To The Ballgame
I love baseball [I might have mentioned this before]. I know that people call football/soccer "the beautiful game" and okay - I mean it's a lovely game, but certainly baseball is also deserving of a title [I think it's still referred to as "America's Past-time" which sounds like some thinly veiled insult - like they watch/play it when there is nothing better to do - maybe I'm just being sensitive, but honestly it seems like Americans - and Canadians are way more into the NFL]. I love the pace of baseball [it's like zen meditation for me], I love the pointless and unending statistics, I love that even though most teams play almost daily fans/sportscasters can still recall one game decades/years ago that had no real importance - the sport has a quietness to it that I find peaceful. That being said, I am [and always have been since I was a wee one] a Yankees fan - which I suppose is traditionally anything but tranquil.
This year I'm not sure if I will get to a game until mid-July and therefore I wouldn't have the chance to vote for the All-Star Game. However, while watching the Jays game tonight they were promoting a vote early/vote often campaign for online voting so I voted online for the All-Star Game - including casting votes for National League players. Since I have loved baseball since way before internets I don't always connect the two even though I do most everything online these days. It was a lot easier this way than punching out wee holes when you do in real life voting. Also, I had to vote for National League players and I don't think I've ever had to do that before. There are few things more irrational in my life than my irrational hatred of the National League and all contained within. I had to root for a National League team last year for the World Series and it pained me greatly. My votes were no real surprise - mostly Yankees, with some Blue Jays and then Ivan Rodriguez wherever I found the Yankees players to be unappealing.
Go to www.mlb.com or your favourite team website and you can vote up to 25 times per email address. It will be more fun than voting in your state's primary - I promise. This time - *you're* the superdelegate!
This year I'm not sure if I will get to a game until mid-July and therefore I wouldn't have the chance to vote for the All-Star Game. However, while watching the Jays game tonight they were promoting a vote early/vote often campaign for online voting so I voted online for the All-Star Game - including casting votes for National League players. Since I have loved baseball since way before internets I don't always connect the two even though I do most everything online these days. It was a lot easier this way than punching out wee holes when you do in real life voting. Also, I had to vote for National League players and I don't think I've ever had to do that before. There are few things more irrational in my life than my irrational hatred of the National League and all contained within. I had to root for a National League team last year for the World Series and it pained me greatly. My votes were no real surprise - mostly Yankees, with some Blue Jays and then Ivan Rodriguez wherever I found the Yankees players to be unappealing.
Go to www.mlb.com or your favourite team website and you can vote up to 25 times per email address. It will be more fun than voting in your state's primary - I promise. This time - *you're* the superdelegate!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Day One Hundred and Eighty-Four - Shhhh...
I have evolved into a painfully polite person. This is another stereotypically Canadian trait - that we are so polite that we will apologize, even if it is you that bumps into us or wrongs us in some fashion. It's true - I've seen it happen [and I have been part of it more times than I care to admit]. I used to be a bit more badass, which is not always a good thing - I littered, I hogged seats on the TTC and was too loud almost all the time. These days, I think that all of these things should be punishable by capital punishment [I'm tough but fair].
The other thing about me is that I like to be entirely self-reliant. I don't like to borrow things [and I certainly don't like to share - don't blame me, blame my parents - I'm an only child]. More often than not if I need something and I don't have it I will go without rather than ask to borrow something [or I will get it for myself - no matter the inconvenience or cost]. Kinda because I like to be an Independent Woman like Destiny's Child taught me and kinda because I can be extraordinarily shy/awkward. However, this afternoon the weather turned nasty earlier than expected and I didn't feel like getting soaking wet while walking for 20minutes so I borrowed something without asking. That something was an umbrella [something I'm normally over-prepared with as I have the awesome power of the ultimate cat umbrella] and the person I borrowed from is my boss. To add some bonus points I almost broke the umbrella trying to close it up.
I will most likely get into work before her, but this is an extra incentive. Also I have to fit it back into its neat little bag. Exciting!
The other thing about me is that I like to be entirely self-reliant. I don't like to borrow things [and I certainly don't like to share - don't blame me, blame my parents - I'm an only child]. More often than not if I need something and I don't have it I will go without rather than ask to borrow something [or I will get it for myself - no matter the inconvenience or cost]. Kinda because I like to be an Independent Woman like Destiny's Child taught me and kinda because I can be extraordinarily shy/awkward. However, this afternoon the weather turned nasty earlier than expected and I didn't feel like getting soaking wet while walking for 20minutes so I borrowed something without asking. That something was an umbrella [something I'm normally over-prepared with as I have the awesome power of the ultimate cat umbrella] and the person I borrowed from is my boss. To add some bonus points I almost broke the umbrella trying to close it up.
I will most likely get into work before her, but this is an extra incentive. Also I have to fit it back into its neat little bag. Exciting!
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