Le Marriage de la fille Lipskey

Why, CBC? Why?

2006-03-15T18:03:00.000-06:00

I think this game was made for me.

How am I ever going to finish the semester now?

Quote of the day

2006-02-27T15:48:00.000-06:00

No good opera plot can be sensible, for people do not sing when they are feeling sensible.

— W. H. Auden

Karl. Has. A BLOG!!??!

2006-02-10T01:38:00.000-06:00

Well, colour me surprised. I'm not sure what the title means - I think it has something to do with being overeducated. Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes.

It's a sad day for this Junkie.

2006-02-08T15:03:00.000-06:00

I have a new favorite blog. That is, I had a new favorite blog - until today.

You see, through some interesting linkage (that I won't bother to go into detail about), I discovered Monte Solberg's blog. Solberg is the Conservative MP from Medicine Hat, and was named Minister of Citizenship and Immigration in Harper's new cabinet.

This guy is really funny. No, he's seriously funny - like the kind of funny where if you invited him over for dinner your eyes would water and your stomach muscles would hurt for days because you laughed so hard the entire time as he regaled you with his stories. Yeah, that kind of funny.

Unfortunately, he feels that keeping his blog would interfere with his new duties as a Cabinet Minister. While I agree that's true, I think his decision goes a little deeper than that - as a new Cabinet Minister all of his actions will be under media scrutiny, and that includes online journals. As an opposition member, probably the only people who read his blog were his constituents and maybe his children. But now, lots of people will be interested in the private thoughts of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and these people will probably not take too kindly to his love of naps and Tim Hortons.

So, now we must say goodbye to Monte Solberg, friend and confidante, and say hello to the Honorable Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and Minister Responsible for lots of stuff.

Here's hoping they keep his archives up for a while.

First Tag Ever

2006-02-01T23:47:00.001-06:00

Wow, I feel so honoured - This is the first time I've ever been tagged by someone. This is very exciting. Thanks Janny!

Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom slot, like so:
Pink Cupcake
Queen of West Procrastination
Bronwyn's Space
Janny's Blog
Le marriage de la fille Lipskey

Next select five people to tag:
Ariann, Trisha, Derek, Becca, Julia.

What were you doing 10 years ago? I was 15 years old, and I had just found out I was moving to "the BIG city" a.k.a Regina (hey, I grew up in the boonies).

What were you doing 1 year ago? I was starting to think about what I was going to do for a summer job, as well as think of who I would live with once Maryanne got married.

Five snacks you enjoy:
Popcorn
Popcorn (it deserves two mentions)
Skor bar
Sour cherry blasters
Tostitos with salsa and sour cream.

Five songs to which you know all the lyrics. Of course there are more than five, but here are a few:
"Black Velvet" - Alannah Myles
"I'll Fly Away" - Traditional/Alison Krauss
"Flake" - Jack Johnson
"Don't Drink the Water" - Dave Matthews Band
"New Orleans is Sinking" - The Hip

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
Pay off all debts
Travel
Buy a car (I know there are smarter things to do, but I love new cars!)
Give to charity
Invest

Five bad habits:
Procrastinating on the Internet
Being really naggy and nit-picky (sorry Karl)
Lateness
Touching my hair as I talk (nervous habit)
Not getting enough sleep

Five things you like doing:
Watching movies
Talking with Karl, even if it's not about important stuff
Singing
Getting so into a book that I stay up super late because I can't put it down
Harmless flirting with cute Ramseys

Five things you would never wear again:
In grade 5 I showed up at school wearing jean boots, a jean skirt, a blue top, a jean jacket, and jean earrings; I kid you not. The kids nicknamed me "the jean lady".
My black capris from Jacob Annexe
Scruchies
Bicycle shorts
The skanky backless red sparkle dress I wore for Clue Night.

Five favourite toys:
My iBook
Simcha and the nameless white bear
Jake, the 'Really Wooly' stuffed sheep Carolyn bought me for roommate Christmas
My stuffed Odie
Penguin

QP Interview worth watching.

2006-01-31T01:15:00.000-06:00

Although this video is further confirmation of my disdain for most CTV reporters & hosts, here is a good interview with Peter MacKay. Catch it before it gets bumped off the video list.

Did you hear a splash?

2006-01-24T03:40:00.000-06:00

'Cause I think iPod just jumped the shark.

Politics make strange bedfellows

2006-01-24T00:35:00.000-06:00

I'm watching Stephen Harper on CBC right now, and I'm thinking about what a strange campaign this has been. Even more strange are the results, and stranger still are their effect on me. I've found it really hard to pray for this campaign, and until now I didn't really understand why. I knew what I wanted wasn't good for Canada, but I also knew that what a great many of my Christian friends wanted could have equally as devastating results. Whenever I tried to pray, I had no words to say to the Father regarding this. The only words I could seem to pray were, "Your will be done Father; pour out your Spirit on those elected, bless them, and lead them."

Yet tonight, I feel peaceful. Surprised? I'm actually hopeful for the first time in a while, and a few times tonight I've been close to tears. A reason for this is that in my mind and in my discussions I have often vilified Stephen Harper. Yet, most of my information on him came from secondary sources. I have never researched the man himself, nor been willing to truly listen to those who supported him. I guess I have been blinded by my prejudices. In this campaign I have been impressed with his willingness to adapt (something I have doubted in his character during my brief observances), and his willigness to be Prime Minister-like. His slam ads have been fact-based (not scare-tactics), he has made a lot of grandiose promises, but also some really practical ones, and he seems like he's actually willing to listen to Canadians (at least more than his Prime Ministerial predecessors). However, my changed opinion of him was solidified when I saw Preston Manning in the crowd, cheering him on. Manning is a politician and person that I respect a great deal, and there has never been any love lost between Manning and Harper. To see him up there cheering Stephen on shows me that Manning has given him his blessing, and that is very heartening to me.

But I entitled this post "Politics Make Strange Bedfellows" for a reason, so let's recap the situation as of this moment. I realize that not all ridings are official, especially some key ones (Pierre Pettigrew, I'm looking at you), but given the way things are right now, let's have a look at what's in store. Let's put it in a simple mathematical formula, purely for entertainment's sake:

Conservatives + NDP = 153. Two seats shy of a majority.
Liberals + Bloc = 154. A majority, since the Conservatives have to nominate the Speaker of the House from their party (giving them 123 seats, not 124).
Conservatives + Bloc = 175. Laughable. But conceivable.
Conservatives + NDP + Independant = 154. Still not enough for a majority.
Liberals + NDP = 132. Not enough to defeat a Bloc-Conservative alliance, but still formidable. Able to defeat the Conservatives alone.

Yes folks, it will be a very strange upcoming year, and as a Poli Sci major and avowed political junkie, I'm really looking forward to it. Please remember to pray for our government, regardless of your political affiliations. Our national leaders need all of us praying for God's Spirit to guide them.

In parting, here are some random thoughts:

Martin will not stay on as the Liberal leader. This is probably for the best. Too bad Peter MacKay won't ever jump ship.

Conservatives sweep Alberta. "The West Wants In," indeed.

Tina Keeper is a Liberal opposition member? Who's next? Michael J. Fox?

John Manly got chubby. If the Fugly girls were Canadian political pundits (which is a wonderful thought), they would be all over this celebrity bloat watch like a soup sandwich. John - you're a handsome man, and you have great diplomat potential. Don't waste your potential on cheetoes.

It's shaping up to be a good day

2005-12-31T13:13:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm back from Cow-town, folks, and today has been a very restful day. This morning I slept in until 11:15, and I don't even feel groggy. Right now it's snowing my favourite kind of snow (the fluffy kind), and I have an adorable, ornery cat purring beside me on my bed. Unfortunately, she had quite the adventure getting up here - since I sleep in a loft bed, she had to find a way to jump up to this level. She chose the route that involved my dresser, knocking over my mirror in the process. It was quite the racket, but she looked so pleased with herself for making the jump that I had to forgive her. I think that I will have to be brave enough to pick her up in order to get her down, though. Wish me luck. (like I said, she's ornery!)

Christmas was really good. And interesting. Interestingly good, I guess. Karl and I and his family went to Calgary to stay with his grandmother and uncle. Karl and I were finally able to get some time together and talk over what happened this semester. For a while at the end of the semester, I don't think either of us were too interested in continuing this relationship. Fortunately we were able to have a couple of frank discussions, and some wonderful people we know helped give us advice. I think now we have the skills to make our communication better. I hope that this coming semester will be a good test of what we have learned, because skills and abilities untried are just good intentions.

I also had some good bonding time with Karl's family this Christmas, especially with his sisters. Before we went away, Karl's sister Karen and I went shopping together and found her bridesmaid dress. Both she and I were super excited about our find, and the rest of the family was too. I'm starting to feel more like I'm part of the family, as weird as that is for me. Growing up as an only child and living on my own/with roommates for 6 years hasn't exactly helped me understand family dynamics, but things are coming along. One of Karl's cousins told me that I am the best thing to have happened to his family, and although I don't agree with her meaning behind that statement (her family has never been a big fan of Karl's), it was really nice to feel accepted.

Well, I think it's time I went out and enjoyed the snow for a bit. I hope all of you had a good Christmas and that you have a great New Year's too.

Away message

2005-12-22T17:22:00.000-06:00

Hi, you've reached Meg. I will be away from my blog until the new year.

In the case of a blog emergency, I suggest you try Maryanne, Becca, Julia or Trisha, as they may be able to offer you assistance.

However, if you would like to leave me a message, I will get back to you the first week of January.

Take care and have a merry Christmas season.

Meg.

Does anyone else have this problem?

2005-12-19T10:41:00.000-06:00

Does anyone else have a problem when looking at my blog? When I'm at work and using a PC with Internet Explorer the sidebar stays in place, but the posts fall down to the bottom of the page, underneath the sidebar. Firefox on my Mac doesn't do this.

If this is a problem for other people too, does anyone know how to fix it?

Omigoodness

2005-12-17T15:50:00.000-06:00

I think my roommate is making out with her boyfriend in the dining room. I keep hearing smacking noises and rustling.

I'm afraid to leave my room.

I feel dirty

2005-12-13T17:13:00.000-06:00

I just wrote an essay on Class analysis. *Shudder*

The last essay on my political science final required me to discuss the 1981 constitutional negotiations in light of a political paradigm. And the only one I could remember, for the life of me, was class analysis. For the record, I do not like class analysis, I find it parochial and antiquated in discussing modern Canadian society. It reminds me of a time when Marxian theories were legitimate - oh, about 100 years ago. I know I'm probably opening a can of worms in saying this, but it's what I believe. I'm sorry, but I don't think that the obscene white man is punishing the helpless Canadian minorites anymore. To be fair, I know that this has happened and still does occur, but I think we've made enough steps forward that we can begin analysing Canadian society from other perspectives.

Anyway, I don't want to go into my essay in great detail, but I thought I would share with you my great adventures into hypocrisy. I thought you might enjoy them.

A little more serious of a quiz

2005-12-12T00:40:00.000-06:00

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to obedience and warmth.

In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored.

You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.

Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage as something that will confine you. You are afraid of marriage.

In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

This does not bode well...

2005-12-08T19:21:00.000-06:00

You Failed the US Citizenship Test

Oops, you only got 5 out of 10 right!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

Still procrastinating: Who knew quizzes could tell me all about myself?

2005-12-08T19:12:00.000-06:00

Too bad not all of this is accurate (specifically the "never at a loss part"...)

Your Hidden Talent

You are a great communicator. You have a real way with words.
You're never at a loss to explain what you mean or how you feel.
People find it easy to empathize with you, no matter what your situation.
When you're up, you make everyone happy. But when you're down, everyone suffers.

What's Your Hidden Talent?

How does my subconscious know me so well?

2005-12-08T16:35:00.000-06:00

So I took a quiz while procrastinating from my very frustrating paper. I find the results very amusing:

Your mind is subconciously thinking about School.

What are you subconciously thinking about?
brought to you by

Hey, it's not like I need to work, or anything...

2005-12-03T23:10:00.000-06:00

So apparently I've been stealing a lot of things from Mary today. Sorry I haven't been independently creative folks.

Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, find line 4. Write down what it says: There will be a boss somewhere who will finally say the definitive word at some point in time.
Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What do you touch first? The wooden panel hiding the gelato cooler at Java Express.
What is the last thing you watched on TV? I'm not sure: either The Secret Mulroney Tapes or Dr. Phil.
WITHOUT LOOKING, guess what time it is: 11:12pm
Now look at the clock, what is the actual time? 11:16pm
With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? Diana Krall, people talking.
When did you last step outside? About 12 minutes ago.
Before you came to this website, what did you look at? Meggy shouts: Manolo!!
What are you wearing? Red plaid skirt, black turtleneck sweater, Italian crocodile leather boots.
Did you dream last night?Oh, probably.
When did you last laugh? A few minutes ago, when we were talking about the antics of Pat Fiacco at the royal visit last May.
What is on the walls of the room you are in? Framed pictures of coffee, and a candelabra.
Seen anything weird lately? Tonight we were at a fundraiser for Soul's Harbour, and they had bibs that said, "God hearts Regina".
What is the last film you saw? Enemy of the State.
If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy first? Myself out of debt.
If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do? I would make sure people understand the "Walk right, pass left" rule.
Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her? I don't know; I've been too focused on trying to convince Karl not to name our boy a strange name, that I haven't thought of a girl's name.
Would you ever consider living abroad? I would like to, but not permanently.

Awe-SOME!!

2005-12-03T14:04:00.000-06:00

Thanks, Mary, for showing me this quiz:

You're The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy!

by Douglas Adams

Considered by many to be one of the funniest people around, you are
quite an entertainer. You've also traveled to the far reaches of what you deem possible,
often confused and unsure of yourself. Life continues to jostle you around like a marble,
but it's shown you so much of the world that you don't care. Wacky adventures continue to
lie ahead. Your favorite number is 42.

Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

How I wish I could feel normal again

2005-11-29T13:46:00.000-06:00

Let's count the signs of Meg's impending doom:

-I have spent the last two days at home, in my pyjamas, trying to work but have only produced 5 pages.
-In the last two weeks I have skipped out on everything that is important to me, from time with my girls, to time with my fiancé, to classes, and my job, and I have nothing to show for it.
-The last two nights I have been up past three in the morning (the night before last it was four am), mostly just surfing the internet. I was too mad at myself to let myself go to bed, so I just sat in my chair and did nothing for about 5 hours. Each night.
-I have now become so desperate for procrastination that I will cycle through my favourite websites for about an hour. Once I have reached the end, instead of stopping, I cycle through again just to see if anything else has been posted.
-Yesterday I woke up at 11am, procrastinated for an hour, and then decided I should try finishing my essay that was due at 2:30. So I work madly until 2pm, get dressed, eat 2 pieces of toast, and rush off to school to hand in my work. I then go to the gym hoping exercise will help me feel better, but I start to black-out because the only thing I had eaten was two pieces of toast. I then go home and fall asleep (yet don't eat anything!) and waste another four hours.

I could fill a room with stories like these. Why do I get like this? And why do I feel like I'm the only one that does? It's not like it's my actual work that's the problem - the end results are usually okay; sometimes borderline mediocre, but I attribute that to my lack of clear thought and time for revision. No, my work isn't the problem, so what is?

I wish that I knew. I wish a great many things. Mostly I wish that I knew how to just start writing, and not care how it sounds or how coherent it is. Sometimes it's the thought of starting that makes me stop myself, and sometimes I'll be working okay and then stop because I think what I have written is really dumb. Other times I'll get so excited about a point that I'll stop and do other things instead of following through with my inspiration. In other words, I get myself coming and going.

I don't really know why I posted all this, I guess I just needed to talk things out.

Oh wow

2005-11-26T14:30:00.000-06:00

Can I please be as cool as this when I grow up? Please?

Everybody else is doing it x2

2005-11-09T15:56:00.000-06:00

Meg needs...

Meg's staying power is second to none. Now Meg needs to learn to let go.

Meg needs to find something to sell, give away, throw out or burn.

Meg needs mega purrs please. (sure do!)

Meg needs an item but cannot remember where she put it.

The Meg needs to be of the same type as the calling Meg.
the calling Meg needs a handle to the Meg that is to be invoked. (beware the calling Meg, when she is invoked!)

Meg needs a lot of attention but will give you undivided love. (are you calling me high-maintenance?)

could she possibly get into up there with nasty old Meg listening in? (come on, I'm not that bad, am I?)

And Meg needs a stable relationship instead of all this hoo-ha-ing around. (why didn't someone tell me this before?)

Meg needs a drink," laughed Susan, "and to go to the Bahamas and find a man. (uh... You might want to explain that one to Karl - although I like the drink idea!)

The other thing of course is that Meg needs as much continuity as possible. (you bet I do!)

Due to her condition, Meg requires the use of a walker. (hahaha)

Meg needs to work hard to retain the loyalty of fans. (I have fans?)

Meg needs some physical activity to help keep her mind off of John. (this is wrong on so many levels)

Meg has to have braces. She's got 2 fangs that need to be pulled down (fangs, huh?)

Meg needs Abby. (Sorry, I don't swing that way)

I'm Thinking Meg Needs A Nudge. (now, if you'd said Meg needs a hug, then we'd be getting somewhere!)

the last thing Meg needs to be is sexy-smart. (Okay, can I just be sexy, then?)

Sleepy Meg needs you! (Is that a bit like Uncle Sam?)

Oh, Lord, Meg needs you so much these days (you betcha!)

But I think Meg needs to learn to play the drums.

Instead of biting or growling at the birds, Meg needs only to "give them the eye." (No! not the birdies!)

The last thing Meg needs is another dead body (you got that right - except I don't remember the first one..)

Meg needs to get some competent employees.

Now all Meg needs is some pointy ears. (oh wait, I already have some of those)

Meg needs buttering up. (boy, do I!)

Everybody else is doing it...

2005-11-09T15:48:00.000-06:00

So why don't I?

A little free association, care of Trisha.

Server :: waitress
Charlotte :: Brontë
Jackson :: Michael
Resentment :: hard heart
Controlling :: factor
Intense :: Kathleen pretending to scalp someone on halloween.
November :: My birthday!
Donkey :: ass
Weave :: braid
Satisfies :: snickers really
Colourblind :: Mr. K (a teacher I had in school was colourblind)
Shallow :: vapid
Figment :: of my imagination
Eviction :: notice
Composed :: What I would like to be all the time
Chill :: shiver
Girl :: boy
California :: Arnold!!
Bond :: James Bond
Political :: Yes I am, thanks
Concentration :: poopies (long story)
Fish :: on Fridays
Lunacy :: raving lunacy
Red :: door and I want it painted black
Imply :: why not just go ahead and say it
Recognize :: what I don’t do of people often enough
Sexist :: feminist
Commercial :: break
Stricken :: from the record
Roadtrip :: to Saskatoon
Honey :: yuk!
Flanders :: fields
Vampire :: Dracula
Justice :: Supreme Court
Marine :: nautical
Protractor :: professional tractor
Rubber :: What the brits call it
London :: England
Jerry :: O’Connell
Only you :: can make this world seem right
33 :: 44
Foundation :: How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord
Accidents :: are scary
Hometown :: crowd
Natural :: woman
Bombastic :: Shaggy
Bachelor :: pad
Far away :: so close
Tony :: award

My Cat's Breath Smells Like Cat Food

2005-11-03T11:49:00.000-06:00

Yes folks, I actually though these words this morning. Roommate C's cat stuck her nose in my face because she wanted to be petted, and I thought to myself, "Ugh, Molly - you smell like cat food." Like, duh. She's a cat. I have now transformed into Ralph Wiggum.

Not much has happened in my life this week, at least wedding-wise. No, wait - that's not true. On Tuesday Karl got a sample wedding service from our priest, and it's as high Anglican as you can get. It was beautiful, but I think we may need to adapt it a bit for our needs. It's great because I've had all sorts of fun ideas for our service, and this confirms that I'm not far off the mark. I'm really looking forward to putting this together (uh, with Karl, of course).

Other events of the week included having dinner at Earl's with Andrew for his birthday. He turned one year closer to the age that I will be for another 3 weeks. Sigh.

Last night Karl and I had dinner with Mike & Julia, and Karl made a fabulous dish of Indian butter chicken. We had spinach and tomato salad (finding out afterwards that Mike doesn't like tomatoes! Thankfully he picked them out), and I used that opportunity to buy one of my favourite wines. Fortunately for me, that particular Riesling goes well with Indian food. Okay, why do I know things like that? Because I'm pretentious, that's why. M&J and I had lots of fun conversations while Karl cooked, including a great debate about the purpose and usefulness of unions.

In other news, I am the most forgetful person ever. No, really - I am. I was supposed to meet with a couple girls for coffee on Tuesday, and I completely forgot. And I was the one that set it up! They even tried phoning me to see what was up, but I had turned off my cellphone because it was almost dead. Grr.. I was disappointed when I found out I'd missed them.

Finally, I'd just like to give a quick shout-out to the monkeys that work at CIBC: thanks for preventing me from doing my online banking for an entire month while you lied to me. Yeah, I sure didn't need some magical temporary password to sign on. An especially big shout-out goes to the last monkey who tried to make me feel stupid as I explained to him what the other monkeys had told me, and as he "talked" me through the sign-in process. I say "talked" because he essentially shouted out rapid-fire commands at me and I couldn't keep up, forcing him to have to repeat himself. Yeah, a big thanks to you all.

On that happy note, I'm off to eat lunch. Bye!

-M.

My complete mortification

2005-11-03T10:52:00.000-06:00

Maryanne once entitled a post of hers by these words, and I feel that I now need to apply them to me.

I had just finished my French exam (and of course, it wasn't nearly as hard as I had imagined - but I'm still not convinced I did well) and there was a girl from my class who followed me into the elevator in the library. We made the usual pleasantries like, "what did you get for this?" "I put this, but I think you're right," etc. The bonus question on the exam had asked us to write about an article presented in class by another student. French girl mentioned what article she had talked about, and I asked her who had presented it. She responded, "I don't remember anyone's name.. I mean, except yours, because we went to high school together."

I am now completely mortified. I do not remember this person at all. Excuse me while I go home and tear apart my yearbook.

-M.

In other news...

2005-10-29T11:55:00.000-06:00

I find this tremendously funny.

Shoeshopping

2005-10-29T10:46:00.000-06:00

Hi there, just a quick post because I should be studying...

I have a dilemma regarding wedding shoes. Although, I guess it's not much of dilemma because I've already decided - I'm not wearing white shoes. Unless I find a really great pair. Okay, maybe I'm not as decided as I thought.

You see, the problem is, I really hate white shoes. Maryanne can attest to this. In fact, I hate anything white on my feet, and even most colours or patterns. I only like black or brown shoes, and I only wear black socks (which is sometimes a problem when I want to wear brown shoes). Unfortunately, all of this dislike of white could cause problems for my wedding day, when traditionally, you wear white shoes with your white dress (I'm okay with wearing white clothing, just not shoes).

I've already hashed this out with a couple of girlfriends, including my MOH (Maryanne, that abbreviation was for you). They all agree that I should just wear what would make me happy. Julia thinks I should wear my black Kenneth Cole dress sandals (the most comfortable dress shoes I have ever worn), and be done with it. Becca thinks that I should just wear whatever colour I want. I'm leaning toward buying a new pair, because in my mind, special day = new pair of shoes.

But here in lies my dilemma. What kind of shoes should I wear? What colour should they be? I think black is out of the question - as much as I'm not willing to wear white shoes, I think black and white together only look good if you're a mime. Someone suggested that my shoes could be my "something blue", and I don't think that's such a bad idea. Overall, I think I'm looking for something simple and classy, with a heel. However, I'm not going to stress about it now, because soon the spring shoes will be coming out, and I'll have all the selection I want.

I guess I just find shoes fun to think about. I was browsing online the other day, probably while I was supposed to be writing something, and I came across a few shoe-beauties that I wanted to share with y'all. First; as I mentioned before, I'm looking for something with a little height:

however, I think this might be a little much. Do people actually wear these? How would you drive? How would you not topple over? What if your heel gets stuck in a crack in the sidewalk? These shoes fill me with more horror than that time I met Steven Harper.

Next, I challenge you to find what's wrong with these shoes:

Can't quite figure it out? Here's a hint: they're for drag queens! That's right folks, these shoes only come in women's sizes 10-15, with widths between C and EEE. And I was freaked out that time two men came into the shoe store I worked at and tried on all the size 12w's we had. Apparently there's a whole market for these kinds of shoes out there in cyber-land. Who knew?

So apparently I'm a little behind...

2005-10-27T17:43:00.000-06:00

But here are lego Meg and Karl.

This is Karl, as seen by me. Notice that he has his upside-down smile on, like when he sort-of wants to smile, but really doesn't want to put out the effort. He's wearing a Santa hat because in a picture we took before we started dating he had a bemused smile and a Santa hat on. And he looked a little gay. Also notice that he hasn't shaved, because Karl not shaving is a typical source of conflict between us. I say he should shave more, he says he doesn't have time. Seriously - who doesn't have time to shave? It's like saying you don't have time to brush your teeth. But I digress... Next, he's wearing the scarf my mother crochet'd for him, in the Swedish colours of blue and yellow. He's wearing a tie-dyed shirt because that's the closest they had to a Hawaiian shirt, and in his hands he's holding a book and a coffee - both indispensable items in the life of Karl. He's wearing blue and green plaid pants because I feel that Karl, left to his own devices, would actually wear pants like that. And finally, he's standing in a background entitled "Flames of Perdition" because I think that's the sort of place you can find him. (Just kidding!)

Next is Meg, as seen by herself:

I gave myself shoulder-length brown hair (because that's what I have), and I'm wearing a black sweater and khaki pants (because that's what I usually wear). I think I was even wearing a black sweater and khaki pants when I made this picture. Also, I'm wearing a colourful scarf because my mom crochet'd a scarf for me too; mine is brown, purple, and orange (and looks gorgeous with my burnt orange sweater and leather jacket, I might add). Finally, I'm sporting what Maryanne calls my "judging eyebrow". Apparently I raise my eyebrow when I disapprove of something, and according to her, it happens a lot. It's usually aimed at her, but I barely notice that it's happening.

And, last but not least, is Meg as seen by Karl.

Karl gave me really dark hair (although it's the same style as the hair I gave myself), and he gave me really light skin (unlike me, who forgot to change my face colour). In my hands are my cellphone and a Pez candy dispenser (to signify my love of candy). I'm wearing a shirt that says "Freestyle" because he thinks that's the kind of shirt I wear. I argued with him on that point, and challenged him to think of three shirts I own with logos or sayings on them. He thought of two so we called it even. I'm wearing a crown because one year I dressed up as Miss Canada for Halloween and I wore a fake tiara, and it stayed in our house and became the studying crown. I think Maryanne wore it more than I did - maybe because she studied more. Finally, the pièce de resistance is the fact that I'm standing on a golf course. Karl knows I hate golf, hence the judging eyebrow again. According to him, being on a golf course is 'outside my paradigm'.

So there you have it, folks. Karl by Meg, Meg by Meg, and Meg by Karl. I won't bore you with a psychoanalysis of what it all means, but I'm pretty sure it means Karl has issues with his mother. No, I'm just kidding - Karl's mom is a sweet lady. I hope you enjoyed our pictures!

-M.

How I made a little girl's day

2005-10-25T18:30:00.000-06:00

Today I asked a friend's daughter to be my flower girl. I have known Anna for about a year and a half, and I have never seen her so happy! First she smiled, then she blushed, then she quietly said, "Yes." She didn't really want to know any of the particulars (like what kind of dress she'll be wearing), she mostly just smiled, and smiled some more. Yet I know that she was thrilled. I explained that she'd get to wear a dress and carry flowers, and that she'll be in lots of pictures that day. I did avoid mentioning that she'd be walking by her self in front of a packed church - I didn't want to scare her. Thankfully she'll be walking toward her Dad, who is the priest performing the ceremony.

I'm glad that she's so excited about doing this. Seeing her face light up reminded me of being a little girl, and how I'd always wanted to be a flower girl. So many of my friends had, but with both of my parents being only children, there were no cousins or aunts and uncles to ask me. Anna's mom mentioned that she was worried that Anna would never have the chance because she was getting a bit old for it (she's nine), but that's exactly why Karl and I asked her - we knew her personality, and we knew that she would be reserved enough not to be a distraction, but beautiful enough for everyone to take notice.

I've never knowingly made a little girl's day before, but it was a good feeling.

Grumble and Ye Shall Receive

2005-10-11T12:06:00.000-06:00

The other day I was grumbling over the fact that I had ordered an Esso Speedpass and it hadn't arrived yet. And behold! Today it came. Now I can fill up at Esso stations and get 5x the Aeroplan points.

Have I mentioned that Aeroplan points are my new obsession? A few months ago I received an offer from my credit card company that I couldn't refuse; one aeroplan point for every $2 I spend using the card. My heart skipped a beat and my mind soared - I could go to Europe! I could go to Africa! I looked up how many points I need to get to said places - 60,000 points, at least. A quick calculation, and...wow. That meant I'd have to spend $120,000 on my credit card to accumulate enough points to go. Knowing that it could be many years before an amount of money that large had flowed through my credit card, I decided to be a little more proactive in my search for Aeroplan points. I discovered that Esso gas stations accept aeroplan cards, and that I get one point for every $3 spent there. Things were looking up. I then realized that if I filled up at Esso, credited my aeroplan card, and paid with my credit card, I'd get...a whole bunch more points.

That's when I discovered speedpass, and its wonderful ability to combine both my credit card and my aeroplan collector card together into one beautiful microchip. I can now wave this wonderful microchip in front of a gas pump and presto! I can buy gas and put myself further into debt (Note to self: mustn't forget to pay off the credit card, not just charge to it!). Nevermind that I never leave the house without my wallet, which holds both my credit card and my aeroplan card. Nevermind that it would be just as easy to use the card as it would be to wave some magic microchip wand. Nevermind that it would be tremendously easy to lose the speedpass, along with my keys...nevermind all that; I'm going to Europe, dammit.

-M.

Skipping! (Gasp)

2005-10-11T11:46:00.000-06:00

And I had been doing so well. I got up today, did a few things, and then I looked at the clock and realized it was 9:45 (I have class at 10:00). No big deal, right? Wrong. I'm still in my pyjamas, I haven't eaten anything, I haven't made a lunch, and there's no possible way I can do all that and still make it to class on time. So what do I do? I choose not to go.

I admit it: I'm a sucker for staying home when I have to be somewhere. I love the guilty thrill of sitting at home, watching the time go by: "It's 10:15! If I'd gone to class, I would have been there for 15 minutes..." I think skipping is probably number one on my list of things I love but know that I shouldn't.

I always make these super excuses for not going: there's no possible way I can make it on time; I can use my time so much better at home; I can do all these wonderful things I never make time for; etc, etc. And yet, somehow, I end up doing nothing but watching movie trailers in my pyjamas and posting on my blog. All those wonderful things get pushed by the wayside in my laziness. What is it in me that just doesn't want to do what I'm supposed to?

A quiet, non most-triumphant return

2005-10-08T15:40:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone,

It's been a long while since I've posted. I'm almost certain no one will be checking my blog anyway (except for maybe Trisha, who was bugging me to post when I saw her on Thursday), so I'm not sure why I'm even bothering to post anymore. But for some reason I just couldn't let this blog die.

You may have noticed that I changed the title of my blog. I took the title from a play that's being put on by La Troupe du jour in Saskatoon - they're doing a play this season called La marriage de la fille Gareau. It's a small-town Saskatchewan take on the Marriage of Figaro, and as most of you know, I'm getting married next June. I thought the title fit, although I don't think my wedding will be nearly as crazy as good ol' Figaro's. Certainly no primae noctis here. Gross.

I have lots of adventures to relate regarding my wedding and my life, but right now I'm at the Campion library, and Karl wants to move on to a different library. Wow, what an exciting Saturday for me! Yipee! Libraries! (Maybe I should get used to it, if I'm going to marry Karl...)

So long for now, folks (or rather, folk).

-M.

I have the beaver hat and you don't!

2005-02-05T17:25:00.000-06:00

I have the beaver hat and you don't!
Originally uploaded by Jen W.

This is a very stunning photo of me from the IVCF retreat in January. I had a nightmare last night that I was on a retreat, and for some reason we were in Calgary at a hotel, and I was the last one to get ready to go in the morning (and I couldn't figure out why), and everyone was outside ready to give me some sort of thank you present, and I ended up having a temper tantrum on them.

I don't really know what this means

More later, must work now.

Meg.

Alright, I'll update my freakin' blog...

2005-01-26T19:48:00.000-06:00

Sorry to all of you who have been waiting with baited breath for me to update my blog. To be honest, it has been far more amusing watching people's reactions to my lack of posting than it has been to actually update it. 7 comments from people encouraging me to post something! I must be the most famous non-blogger in the world! I rock! :P

So what has been going on with me, you ask? Oh, plenty. You'll be happy to know that I finished my papers and handed them in, albeit fourteen days late :( . Now I've started on a new semester, where the same thing will happen again! No, seriously, I'm really trying to work out why writing is so hard for me. I think I'm naturally a short-winded person (if there is such a thing), and stretching things out, extrapolating, and (as my roommate Maryanne would say,) beating a dead horse is incredibly difficult for me. This semester I have at least four 4-5 page papers due, but I'm hardly worried about them at all. It's the 18-20 page biography on Trudeau's role in the Quiet Revolution that I'm freaking out about, and it's not even due until the 30th of March!

Last Thursday I met with Pastor Cheryl, the chaplain at Luther College to try and get to the bottom of my problems with writing. She and I had a really good meeting, and we talked a lot about the origins of my .. uh .. troubles (?). She's a really kind person, and she actually listens to me, unlike the crazy lady at Counselling Services that I saw last year. If you're a Christian, don't go to see a non-Christian counsellor, especially if you're going to be talking about personal things. Really, how can anyone advise you on who you were created to be, if they don't even believe you were created? The lady I met with was spiritual, no doubt about it, but I'm learning over again each day to put my faith in God, not in some semi-precious stones or my chakras. If you guys think of it, I'll be meeting Pastor Cheryl at 1:15 again this Thursday and I would really appreciate your prayers. I've been struggling with writing and avoidance issues for almost nine years now (wow, that's a long time), and I'd really like to come to some sort of resolution soon. Maybe, like Paul's thorn, writing for me will always be something that I never truly overcome so that God's glory would be complete in me. Although somehow I don't think that God intended for me to be utterly incapacitated, defeated, and curled up in a ball crying because I can't get the knowledge from my head onto the paper. Your prayers regarding this are super welcome, I need all the spiritual fuel for the battle that I can get!

What am I doing right now, you ask? Well, I can tell you what I'm not doing, and that's reading about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms or writing my one-page opinion pieces for Comparative Politics. Maybe I've been taking too many cues from my procrastinating roommate! No, that's not true - I'm actually really proud of her for all the good work she's been doing lately. She's really been making a good effort, especially after the IVCF retreat this past weekend.

Anyway, I've been at this far too long, and homework awaits. Thank-you all for putting up with me during my hiatus, and providing me with endless amusement with the continuous commenting to try and get me to post (because of course I'd have enough time to read your comments, but not enought time to post, right?). Or maybe I just have a taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak unless I will say something that will amaze the whole room.

Anyway, love to you all. Talk to you soon,

Lizzie Bennet a.k.a. Meg.

P.S. Almost forgot the Question of the Day! If you could live in any country in the world other than the one you live in now, where would you live? I think I wouldn't mind living in Iceland. Ever since the Amazing Race 6 went there, I've been obsessed with how beautiful, rugged and isolated it is - funny, considering I love cities. But most of all, I love living in Canada.

Speeding through school zones

2004-12-01T21:28:00.000-06:00

Song in my head right now: That 'Signs' song.. it's really old.. you know.. signs, signs everywhere are signs, breakin' up the scenery breakin' my mind, do this don't do that, can't you read the signs?
I also intermitently have 'Creepin' In' by Norah Jones and Dolly Parton (yes, you heard that right - Dolly Parton!). I will often have two songs fighting for airtime in my head at once.

Question of the day: What superhero inspires you?
I think I identify most with Superman. A lot of times I feel like this quiet, geeky person and sometimes I'd love to just lash out and do something super cool. I used to imagine I could do awesome things to impress people, but then if I ACTUALLY did something cool and people drew attention to it, I'd be super embarassed. Yeah, I definitely have a Superman/Clark Kent complex goin' on. In the words of Jane Austen, I have the unfortunate taciturn dispostion of being not willing to speak unless I can amaze the whole room.

Ok, Blog starts.............................now.

Hello everyone, and welcome to my first blog post. I've been thinking about doing this for a while, because I love thinking outside of my head. Sometimes my thoughts are so jumbled that it's nice to write them out and see a semblance (sp?) of order. Plus, I think I'm kind of random and kooky and I'd love to know what you think about my neuroses. 'Cause nothin' says you're crazy like posting your random thoughts for 5 billion people to read.

So right now you would expect me to be knee deep in a Machiavelli paper, wouldn't you? Well, I'm not. In fact, this blog is the... third thing I've done tonight to procrastinate. The things I've done to procrastinate, in chronological order are:

Laundry
Cleaned out the cabinet beneath the bathroom sink
Dusted my lamp and desk with my sock (which was still on my foot)
Made this blog
Bought a Turkey
Dusted beneath the keys on my laptop

Yup, and the paper is due Friday. Guess I'd better start, huh?

Meg.

PS. I'd just like to say that when I have children, when they get to 7.665kg in weight, they'd better be walkin', because carrying that Turkey KILLED.

PPS. Kids come potty-trained, right?