Short one today, folks,
I can't believe how much I've been neglecting this blog. Call it a case of the Year-End Stresses. Finished my first final exam at the graduate level today. I'm glad I spend three straight days studying, but it was easier than I thought it was going to be. Now I just have one final (Statistics) and two papers left to write. Then I get to go home!
That's right! This out-of-town Westerner is going home for Christmas. And she can't wait.
I get to see my mom and my dad! I get to see my brother! I get to see all my friends!
I get to see real snow. Feel real cold.
I finally get to drive again! I can't believe how much I miss driving my car. I'm going to say it, I love me my little gas burner; environment be damned.
I get to go back to a real city. I know. Toronto is a real city. It's just not my real city. It's more of a metropolis than a city. This displaced Albertan is looking forward to being back in Edmonton.
I thought of making a list of all of the things I am missing the most, but realized that the list would be about the length of a thesis dissertation. Let's just suffice to say that above all else, I'm looking forward to seeing family. And friends. But as much as I love my friends, nothing beats a hug from Mom and Dad.
All right, now I'm just throwing myself a pity party. Seven days and I won't be so homesick. Until then, I'm peace-ing out on the blog. I'll do a good one about being home. About how "the air is sweeter," "the snow is whiter," "the hockey is better," and "the politics are..." Okay, even though I'm swimming in "lefties" out here, the existence of Rob Ford has really made me doubt this whole "left-wing" Easterner bit. I don't really know what "the politics are" here, but I've got to say, Alberta has had a couple of political doozies since I left.
Until next week,
Cait
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tis the Season!!
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, dear readers,
It is December 1st and Christmas is coming. Seventeen days until I fly home. Twenty-five days until Christmas Day. Thirty-one days until the new year. Thirty-six days until my birthday. I love this season!
When I went to class this afternoon I was joyfully surprised to find my Residence Lobby had been decorated with yuletide cheer. There's a Christmas tree with lights and ornaments, a garland with a wreath over-top the front desk, and a large, white, lit-up moose (our residence mascot).
I have a Christmas moose hanging on my door.
I have advent stockings hanging on my wall (I have no chimney, or else they would be hung there with care).
The only thing missing... Snow.
December 1st and this blasted city has no snow. No winter wonderland for me to wake up to. No winter wonderland to trek through to class. December 1st and I haven't even taken my winter coat out of the closet.
I miss Edmonton in the winter. There's something sadly magical about the need to put winter tires on your car in late-October. There's something truly magical about seeing the Alberta Legislature lit up with Christmas lights and covered in snow. There's something welcoming about blanketed fields and ploughed gravel roads.
I'm looking forward to finding my own winter wonderland here in my adoptive city, but until there's snow, I just can't get attached.
I love winter.
I love snow.
I love this season!
I'm looking forward to heading home for the holidays to see my family, my friends, my city, my snow, and my winter.
Until then...
I leave you with a little "Let it Snow" performed by Jamie Cullum.
Cait
It is December 1st and Christmas is coming. Seventeen days until I fly home. Twenty-five days until Christmas Day. Thirty-one days until the new year. Thirty-six days until my birthday. I love this season!
The only thing missing... Snow.
December 1st and this blasted city has no snow. No winter wonderland for me to wake up to. No winter wonderland to trek through to class. December 1st and I haven't even taken my winter coat out of the closet.
I miss Edmonton in the winter. There's something sadly magical about the need to put winter tires on your car in late-October. There's something truly magical about seeing the Alberta Legislature lit up with Christmas lights and covered in snow. There's something welcoming about blanketed fields and ploughed gravel roads.
I'm looking forward to finding my own winter wonderland here in my adoptive city, but until there's snow, I just can't get attached.
I love winter.
I love snow.
I love this season!
I'm looking forward to heading home for the holidays to see my family, my friends, my city, my snow, and my winter.
Until then...
I leave you with a little "Let it Snow" performed by Jamie Cullum.
Cait
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Oiler Fever
Hello hockey fans!
I'm finally going to do a blog just about hockey. No mention of other topics!
1) Two months in to the Oilers season, the greatest hopes we had for our young guns saving us from our lonely position at the bottom of the heap, have been dashed. Sitting with just 14 points, only New Jersey and the New York Islanders can claim to be in more dire straights. It begs the question, what can the Oilers do to change things around?
I doubt there will be a coaching change. That's a personal observation. I haven't heard any rumors threatening Tom Renney's position with the club, but it's usually the coach that gets hit the hardest. Seeing as we've seen three coaches in three years of poor point production, I'm starting to think it may not be a coaching issue.
Could a trade be a plausible alternative? I think ideally, Edmonton would love to see some new blood come in and fire something up. The question is, what do we have to give that we don't need ourselves? Anyone who would garner trade interest is desperately needed within the club. Can't give up a young guy, the fans would lynch Steve Tambellini. At least I know I would. And it's time to invest in our future.
Can't give up Sheldon Souray because no one wants him and he's prone to injuries (at least he seems prone to injuries within our system).
We may just have to get through the hard times again. Fans need to face reality: We're in our rebuilding years. I whole-heartedly believe that if we hadn't done so well in the 2006 playoffs, we may have been able to build faster. 2006 was a fluke with average guys playing way, I mean WAY, above their previously showcased skill level. If we hadn't gone to Game 7 of the finals, we wouldn't have had inflated salaries based on two months of play. We would have had more money to invest in younger players and actual "stars" to hone the skills of our rookies.
Pittsburgh and Chicago had some tough times. I'm not saying we have someone like Sidney Crosby in our youth line-up, but with a couple years of top five draft picks, we could definitely change the face and skill of our franchise.
2) Is it time to consider sending guys like Taylor Hall, Magnus Paajarvi, and Jordan Eberle back down to the minors?
I understand why we want them playing in the big league. It brings in fans, it gives them some ice time, and allows them to get used to playing against top quality players. However, I wonder if there's merit to this argument: At some point, does all the losing affect how they view their abilities and really decrease their confidence? Especially when they're being touted as the saviours of the franchise? If we aren't winning, I can imagine the pressure from the franchise and the City of Edmonton must be somewhat overwhelming for guys who should be deciding what to major in in university and not what to buy first with their million dollar salaries.
I like the idea of letting them play on the farm team to boost their egos. However, if we send them down, who do we bring up? I'm pretty sure the average experience exhibited by players on our team is already pretty low.
3) On December 2nd, I have tickets to watch the Oilers take on the Maple Leafs in Toronto. Expensive arena? Check. Expensive tickets? Check. But being able to wear my Oilers jersey in another arena to cheer my home team on is completely worth it, even if we're humiliated by the by the Leafs.
Until next time, sports fans,
Cait
I'm finally going to do a blog just about hockey. No mention of other topics!
1) Two months in to the Oilers season, the greatest hopes we had for our young guns saving us from our lonely position at the bottom of the heap, have been dashed. Sitting with just 14 points, only New Jersey and the New York Islanders can claim to be in more dire straights. It begs the question, what can the Oilers do to change things around?
I doubt there will be a coaching change. That's a personal observation. I haven't heard any rumors threatening Tom Renney's position with the club, but it's usually the coach that gets hit the hardest. Seeing as we've seen three coaches in three years of poor point production, I'm starting to think it may not be a coaching issue.
Could a trade be a plausible alternative? I think ideally, Edmonton would love to see some new blood come in and fire something up. The question is, what do we have to give that we don't need ourselves? Anyone who would garner trade interest is desperately needed within the club. Can't give up a young guy, the fans would lynch Steve Tambellini. At least I know I would. And it's time to invest in our future.
Can't give up Sheldon Souray because no one wants him and he's prone to injuries (at least he seems prone to injuries within our system).
We may just have to get through the hard times again. Fans need to face reality: We're in our rebuilding years. I whole-heartedly believe that if we hadn't done so well in the 2006 playoffs, we may have been able to build faster. 2006 was a fluke with average guys playing way, I mean WAY, above their previously showcased skill level. If we hadn't gone to Game 7 of the finals, we wouldn't have had inflated salaries based on two months of play. We would have had more money to invest in younger players and actual "stars" to hone the skills of our rookies.
Pittsburgh and Chicago had some tough times. I'm not saying we have someone like Sidney Crosby in our youth line-up, but with a couple years of top five draft picks, we could definitely change the face and skill of our franchise.
2) Is it time to consider sending guys like Taylor Hall, Magnus Paajarvi, and Jordan Eberle back down to the minors?
I understand why we want them playing in the big league. It brings in fans, it gives them some ice time, and allows them to get used to playing against top quality players. However, I wonder if there's merit to this argument: At some point, does all the losing affect how they view their abilities and really decrease their confidence? Especially when they're being touted as the saviours of the franchise? If we aren't winning, I can imagine the pressure from the franchise and the City of Edmonton must be somewhat overwhelming for guys who should be deciding what to major in in university and not what to buy first with their million dollar salaries.
I like the idea of letting them play on the farm team to boost their egos. However, if we send them down, who do we bring up? I'm pretty sure the average experience exhibited by players on our team is already pretty low.
3) On December 2nd, I have tickets to watch the Oilers take on the Maple Leafs in Toronto. Expensive arena? Check. Expensive tickets? Check. But being able to wear my Oilers jersey in another arena to cheer my home team on is completely worth it, even if we're humiliated by the by the Leafs.
Until next time, sports fans,
Cait
Friday, November 12, 2010
The Awkward Job Interview
Hello fair readers,
I'm not sure if this practice is reserved for those looking to work in the clothing retail industry, but the awkward job interview certainly seems to be the norm. When I worked for a few brief weeks at a clothing retailer in Edmonton, my interview was not conducted in the privacy of someone's office. It was conducted on a bench in the middle of a mall. In public.
Already the pressures associated with a job interview can be enough for a cool-headed person to question their abilities and usefulness. To put this exercise in public sphere just seems cruel. Anyone can hear the questions and answers. All of a sudden your job interview becomes a performance piece. In a way, this is a good way to judge whether a potential employee can deal with serving customers and keeping a cool head when presented with challenging issues (though nobody is saving the world selling jeans to hippy high school kids). However, considering you may not want your resume to be a public document for all to see, judge, and in this case, hear, the public one-on-one interview just seems out of place to me.
I bring this up because in the course of my shopping trip yesterday (got some great winter boots that should outlast these slushy Toronto winters I hear so much about), I was privy to one of these public interviews. As I sat waiting for a friend in the dressing room, a grade 11 girl who lived 45 minutes away by public transit, was interviewing to become a sales associate. Already the fact that I know her grade and, by association, expected age, how far away she lived and that she takes public transit, makes me cringe for the violation of privacy. I then heard the expected question "Why do you think you'd be a good person to hire?" (Not my wording, but the same question is asked in many iterations in job interviews everywhere).
And so ensued the cliche answers: "I feel I can really bring the company up and contribute well to the company atmosphere. I'm a bubbly, optimistic person and I work well with people. I have a great fashion sense. I'm reliable... blah blah blah.
The answers vary slightly from job to job, but there seem to the key buzzwords and phrases that we all use. It's just odd to hear them coming from someone else as you eavesdrop (not a hard thing to do when you're sitting less than 2 feet from interviewer and interviewee) on an interview.
Anyway, dear readers. I wonder if you've ever been subject to these public interviews (group interviews don't count). I have. It's not a fun experience to be judged by outsiders and an interviewer at the same time.
Hope you all have a good weekend. I'm off again to the St. Lawrence Market on Saturday (weather and sleep permitting).
Cheers,
Cait
I'm not sure if this practice is reserved for those looking to work in the clothing retail industry, but the awkward job interview certainly seems to be the norm. When I worked for a few brief weeks at a clothing retailer in Edmonton, my interview was not conducted in the privacy of someone's office. It was conducted on a bench in the middle of a mall. In public.
Already the pressures associated with a job interview can be enough for a cool-headed person to question their abilities and usefulness. To put this exercise in public sphere just seems cruel. Anyone can hear the questions and answers. All of a sudden your job interview becomes a performance piece. In a way, this is a good way to judge whether a potential employee can deal with serving customers and keeping a cool head when presented with challenging issues (though nobody is saving the world selling jeans to hippy high school kids). However, considering you may not want your resume to be a public document for all to see, judge, and in this case, hear, the public one-on-one interview just seems out of place to me.
I bring this up because in the course of my shopping trip yesterday (got some great winter boots that should outlast these slushy Toronto winters I hear so much about), I was privy to one of these public interviews. As I sat waiting for a friend in the dressing room, a grade 11 girl who lived 45 minutes away by public transit, was interviewing to become a sales associate. Already the fact that I know her grade and, by association, expected age, how far away she lived and that she takes public transit, makes me cringe for the violation of privacy. I then heard the expected question "Why do you think you'd be a good person to hire?" (Not my wording, but the same question is asked in many iterations in job interviews everywhere).
And so ensued the cliche answers: "I feel I can really bring the company up and contribute well to the company atmosphere. I'm a bubbly, optimistic person and I work well with people. I have a great fashion sense. I'm reliable... blah blah blah.
The answers vary slightly from job to job, but there seem to the key buzzwords and phrases that we all use. It's just odd to hear them coming from someone else as you eavesdrop (not a hard thing to do when you're sitting less than 2 feet from interviewer and interviewee) on an interview.
Anyway, dear readers. I wonder if you've ever been subject to these public interviews (group interviews don't count). I have. It's not a fun experience to be judged by outsiders and an interviewer at the same time.
Hope you all have a good weekend. I'm off again to the St. Lawrence Market on Saturday (weather and sleep permitting).
Cheers,
Cait
Sunday, November 7, 2010
All Quiet on the Eastern Front
Hello readers,
I've been trying to think of something to write down for a few days now, and I am drawing a complete blank. Don't get me wrong, I could write about how annoying Blackberries can be, especially when the only thing you can hear in class is the "click clickity-click" of the keyboard. But in actuality I've got nothing much to write about.
I saw R.E.D. last night with some friends. I highly reccommend it. Supremely funny with some good action. Bruce Willis can still kick some serious ass.
Went back to the St. Lawrence Market. Always a good time there. I walked down there. I'm trying to live a healthier, active life, so I made the commitment to walk to St. Lawrence until the weather won't allow for it anymore. It's a nice 40 minute walk to get there and I get to explore a different route everytime I go.
Went trick-or-treating last weekend with my little cousins (a skeleton, a ladybug, and a penguin). They are soooo cute. And I got some free candy out of it, so... SCORE!
Really, other than that, all quiet on the Eastern front.
Cheers,
Cait
I've been trying to think of something to write down for a few days now, and I am drawing a complete blank. Don't get me wrong, I could write about how annoying Blackberries can be, especially when the only thing you can hear in class is the "click clickity-click" of the keyboard. But in actuality I've got nothing much to write about.
I saw R.E.D. last night with some friends. I highly reccommend it. Supremely funny with some good action. Bruce Willis can still kick some serious ass.
Went back to the St. Lawrence Market. Always a good time there. I walked down there. I'm trying to live a healthier, active life, so I made the commitment to walk to St. Lawrence until the weather won't allow for it anymore. It's a nice 40 minute walk to get there and I get to explore a different route everytime I go.
Went trick-or-treating last weekend with my little cousins (a skeleton, a ladybug, and a penguin). They are soooo cute. And I got some free candy out of it, so... SCORE!
Really, other than that, all quiet on the Eastern front.
Cheers,
Cait
Friday, October 29, 2010
Music
There is nothing better than a beautiful Fall day and a fantastic song to frame it. Nietzche said "Without music, life would be a mistake."
I hope you've had this feeling, dear readers,
Walking to class yesterday, I was enjoying the changing colours of the trees. I was also enjoying the tunes from my iPod, when it shuffled to the perfect song. It wasn't about Fall, it wasn't about changing colours, it wasn't really about anything at all, but it was a perfect song. It made me physically smile; my back straightened, my step quickened and adopted a slight bounce. If I were a little more eccentric, or at least a little more secure, I would have started dancing, right there. I even considered skipping.
Music does this. It tames the savage beast, soothes the soul, and can make my entire day, no, my entire life, change. I wasn't having a bad day, I wasn't having a spectacular. It was just an ordinary day made exponentially better by a single song on my iPod. It's the little things.
I cannot express how much I love music. How much it affects my life. And I don't always realize it. I no longer drive, seeing as my car is parked in Sault Ste. Marie and not downtown Toronto. This means I no longer have a solitary place to belt-out my favourite ballads, croon to my favourite country tunes, and sing my usual soundtracks. I sing quietly in my room, but I have no place to perform, and it's leaving my soul a little hurt.
In high school, I was asked to make a soundtrack to my life. The songs on that list have changed, and I'm not even sure any would make my list today (other than "Drive (For Daddy Gene)" and "I Hope You Dance".) It just goes to show how much things can change in such a little amount of time. I leave you with five songs I'm listening to now:
1.) Awake My Soul - Mumford and Sons
2.) Hurtin' Alberta - Corb Lund
3.) St. Andrews - Bedouin Soundclash
4.) #3 Roxburgh Street - Captain Tractor
5.) Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
Keep singing dear readers,
Cait
I hope you've had this feeling, dear readers,
Walking to class yesterday, I was enjoying the changing colours of the trees. I was also enjoying the tunes from my iPod, when it shuffled to the perfect song. It wasn't about Fall, it wasn't about changing colours, it wasn't really about anything at all, but it was a perfect song. It made me physically smile; my back straightened, my step quickened and adopted a slight bounce. If I were a little more eccentric, or at least a little more secure, I would have started dancing, right there. I even considered skipping.
Music does this. It tames the savage beast, soothes the soul, and can make my entire day, no, my entire life, change. I wasn't having a bad day, I wasn't having a spectacular. It was just an ordinary day made exponentially better by a single song on my iPod. It's the little things.
I cannot express how much I love music. How much it affects my life. And I don't always realize it. I no longer drive, seeing as my car is parked in Sault Ste. Marie and not downtown Toronto. This means I no longer have a solitary place to belt-out my favourite ballads, croon to my favourite country tunes, and sing my usual soundtracks. I sing quietly in my room, but I have no place to perform, and it's leaving my soul a little hurt.
In high school, I was asked to make a soundtrack to my life. The songs on that list have changed, and I'm not even sure any would make my list today (other than "Drive (For Daddy Gene)" and "I Hope You Dance".) It just goes to show how much things can change in such a little amount of time. I leave you with five songs I'm listening to now:
1.) Awake My Soul - Mumford and Sons
2.) Hurtin' Alberta - Corb Lund
3.) St. Andrews - Bedouin Soundclash
4.) #3 Roxburgh Street - Captain Tractor
5.) Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
Keep singing dear readers,
Cait
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Too Long
Long time no see, dear readers,
I'm sorry for my absence. Busy life of a grad student/social butterfly has kept me away.
Too many things have happened since I last wrote for me to get them all in, so I think I may just start anew. I will mention some events that took place. Went to Ottawa and had a great time with my sisters. Had fantastic Thanksgivings with the McDiarmids, Hergets, and Sorochans. Met with a member of the school's staff to discuss my internship (I'm hoping for a job in Ottawa!). Went out for drinks with some classmates after Thursday's class, then went out for a friend's birthday on Friday night and had a fantastic time. Learned to bake cinnamon buns. Learned to make won ton wrappers. Had a great evening discussing governance and institutions, eating great Thai food, and drinking a multitude of martini's with another friend. Too much stuff!!!
Anyways, to start anew, I found a new app for my iPod Touch that is called "smidge." It's run by Pfizer and it's a 21-day good habit maker. Today is day one. You're given 6 daily tasks/goals to do:
1) Drink more water
2) Take the stairs
3) Do a deep breathing exercise
4) Train your brain
5) Eat more fruits and veggies
6) Be positive
So everyday, for the next 21 days, I will be attempting to drink 11 cups (not glasses, cups) of water, eating 9 servings of fruits and veggies, taking the stairs up to my suite, doing a breathing exercise to relive stress, doing a brain teaser to challenge my brain and taking a picture that stimulate positive thinking.
Today's picture is supposed to be one of a close friend and I'm supposed to reminisce about good times together. Considering my closest friends are home in Alberta, I have gone through my old pictures on my computer and found thing one instead of taking a new one:
I took a cake decorating course with Amanda a few months back and this picture reminds me of how much fun we had. I miss everyone at home, but I'm happy that I'm doing what I love, and I'm positive they are doing what they love at home.
I'll leave you with a quote from a little book Mom got me called "Keep Calm and Carry On.":
I am an optimist. It doesn't seem too much use being anything else. --- Winston Churchill
I promise I'll check in more often,
Cait
I'm sorry for my absence. Busy life of a grad student/social butterfly has kept me away.
Too many things have happened since I last wrote for me to get them all in, so I think I may just start anew. I will mention some events that took place. Went to Ottawa and had a great time with my sisters. Had fantastic Thanksgivings with the McDiarmids, Hergets, and Sorochans. Met with a member of the school's staff to discuss my internship (I'm hoping for a job in Ottawa!). Went out for drinks with some classmates after Thursday's class, then went out for a friend's birthday on Friday night and had a fantastic time. Learned to bake cinnamon buns. Learned to make won ton wrappers. Had a great evening discussing governance and institutions, eating great Thai food, and drinking a multitude of martini's with another friend. Too much stuff!!!
Anyways, to start anew, I found a new app for my iPod Touch that is called "smidge." It's run by Pfizer and it's a 21-day good habit maker. Today is day one. You're given 6 daily tasks/goals to do:
1) Drink more water
2) Take the stairs
3) Do a deep breathing exercise
4) Train your brain
5) Eat more fruits and veggies
6) Be positive
So everyday, for the next 21 days, I will be attempting to drink 11 cups (not glasses, cups) of water, eating 9 servings of fruits and veggies, taking the stairs up to my suite, doing a breathing exercise to relive stress, doing a brain teaser to challenge my brain and taking a picture that stimulate positive thinking.
Today's picture is supposed to be one of a close friend and I'm supposed to reminisce about good times together. Considering my closest friends are home in Alberta, I have gone through my old pictures on my computer and found thing one instead of taking a new one:
I'll leave you with a quote from a little book Mom got me called "Keep Calm and Carry On.":
I am an optimist. It doesn't seem too much use being anything else. --- Winston Churchill
I promise I'll check in more often,
Cait
Thursday, October 7, 2010
A Week of Small Failures
Welcome to my shortest post yet,
Today is just a quick little recap of the things I failed to accomplish this week. While I reconnected with my work email, I failed to send updates to my much missed colleagues back at Alberta Energy. I will write them all emails this weekend.
I failed to write a blog about my fantastic breakfast with Scott this past Sunday. Wonderful conversation about the U of A, the Students' Union, Toronto politics, and random events happened and it was nice to connect with a little piece of home.
I failed to write a blog about my plans for this weekend. Suffice it to say that I am attending not one, but two Thanksgiving dinners and I am very appreciative of my family here for including me. Good bottles of wine will be brought to all by a thankful cousin.
I also failed to go to the gym as often as I had planned to. Sleep took precedence on more than one occasion, but I will be more committed in the future.
These are things I failed at, but on the kick ass front, I'm pretty sure I aced the first test of my graduate studies career, I got top marks on my first graduate studies assignment (eat that statistics) and somehow, I know I will not fail in watching hockey tonight.
Home opener for the Oilers - Edmonton v. Calgary. With Shawn Horcoff as the new captain (a slightly angry blog post to come on this subject) it will be interesting to see how the lack of true veterans (ie: Sheldon Souray) will play out on the ice.
Until tomorrow,
Cait
Today is just a quick little recap of the things I failed to accomplish this week. While I reconnected with my work email, I failed to send updates to my much missed colleagues back at Alberta Energy. I will write them all emails this weekend.
I failed to write a blog about my fantastic breakfast with Scott this past Sunday. Wonderful conversation about the U of A, the Students' Union, Toronto politics, and random events happened and it was nice to connect with a little piece of home.
I failed to write a blog about my plans for this weekend. Suffice it to say that I am attending not one, but two Thanksgiving dinners and I am very appreciative of my family here for including me. Good bottles of wine will be brought to all by a thankful cousin.
I also failed to go to the gym as often as I had planned to. Sleep took precedence on more than one occasion, but I will be more committed in the future.
These are things I failed at, but on the kick ass front, I'm pretty sure I aced the first test of my graduate studies career, I got top marks on my first graduate studies assignment (eat that statistics) and somehow, I know I will not fail in watching hockey tonight.
Home opener for the Oilers - Edmonton v. Calgary. With Shawn Horcoff as the new captain (a slightly angry blog post to come on this subject) it will be interesting to see how the lack of true veterans (ie: Sheldon Souray) will play out on the ice.
Until tomorrow,
Cait
Monday, October 4, 2010
A Weekend of Hockey and Sleeplessness
Hello my friends,
Quick little update for you all today. I realized I hadn't blogged anything since last week. If my goal is to consistently blog and keep people up to date, a week of no blogs is not the way to do that!
Saturday night was probably one of the best evenings I've had since making the big move out here. My cousin called me Saturday morning as I was walking around Kensington Market and offered me some sweet (and I mean SWEET) tickets to the Toronto v. Detroit pre-season game. While I'm not really a Leafs fan and I am by NO means a Wings fan, I am a hockey fan and would never pass up the opportunity to see some guys on skates try to score ;)
My friend Beth and I arrived a little early to take in the atmosphere. Air Canada Centre is definitely not Rexall Place. For one, it's relatively new. For two, there are definitely way more concession options. For three, while the beers come in three different sizes (wussy, regular, and gigantic) nothing compares to my beer guy and friend, Wyatt at Rexall Place. Service isn't as good, and there were no friendly faces to greet me with a cold one.
In terms of talent, Detroit is an extremely talented team. Even if they only played their second and third liners (guys like Mike Modano and Nick Lidstrom weren't dressed) you can tell that Mike Babcock can really coach a team. Toronto had a little flare, and they did win, but it was their top line guys dressed (Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel, etc).
After our little hockey outing, Beth and I wandered around downtown to peruse the "Nuit Blanche" exhibition. An all night "arts" party, basically, there were exhibits, shows, etc all around Toronto and it was all free of charge. We met up with another girl from our program, Jamie, and her friend, and walked around taking it in. It was a little too busy for my liking, but City Hall was pretty trippy (lights, electronica music) and at Hart House on campus I experience one of the most awkward experiences I've ever had an an "art" show when the exhibition we saw was literally for us "viewers" to walk sideways between two naked women. Weird.
Anyways, I have again rambled on, making this blog post a little too lengthy. I am trying to work on my conciseness, I promise. I've got another blog waiting in the wings about Sunday breakfast and another on my weekend plans for Thanksgiving merriment. I will hopefully be able to blog my success at watching an Oilers game on television this week since CBC is broadcasting the home opener.
Until then dear readers,
Cait
Quick little update for you all today. I realized I hadn't blogged anything since last week. If my goal is to consistently blog and keep people up to date, a week of no blogs is not the way to do that!
Saturday night was probably one of the best evenings I've had since making the big move out here. My cousin called me Saturday morning as I was walking around Kensington Market and offered me some sweet (and I mean SWEET) tickets to the Toronto v. Detroit pre-season game. While I'm not really a Leafs fan and I am by NO means a Wings fan, I am a hockey fan and would never pass up the opportunity to see some guys on skates try to score ;)
My friend Beth and I arrived a little early to take in the atmosphere. Air Canada Centre is definitely not Rexall Place. For one, it's relatively new. For two, there are definitely way more concession options. For three, while the beers come in three different sizes (wussy, regular, and gigantic) nothing compares to my beer guy and friend, Wyatt at Rexall Place. Service isn't as good, and there were no friendly faces to greet me with a cold one.
In terms of talent, Detroit is an extremely talented team. Even if they only played their second and third liners (guys like Mike Modano and Nick Lidstrom weren't dressed) you can tell that Mike Babcock can really coach a team. Toronto had a little flare, and they did win, but it was their top line guys dressed (Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel, etc).
After our little hockey outing, Beth and I wandered around downtown to peruse the "Nuit Blanche" exhibition. An all night "arts" party, basically, there were exhibits, shows, etc all around Toronto and it was all free of charge. We met up with another girl from our program, Jamie, and her friend, and walked around taking it in. It was a little too busy for my liking, but City Hall was pretty trippy (lights, electronica music) and at Hart House on campus I experience one of the most awkward experiences I've ever had an an "art" show when the exhibition we saw was literally for us "viewers" to walk sideways between two naked women. Weird.
Anyways, I have again rambled on, making this blog post a little too lengthy. I am trying to work on my conciseness, I promise. I've got another blog waiting in the wings about Sunday breakfast and another on my weekend plans for Thanksgiving merriment. I will hopefully be able to blog my success at watching an Oilers game on television this week since CBC is broadcasting the home opener.
Until then dear readers,
Cait
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Student Union Hacks Unite!
Hello hacks!
My role as a Students' Union Councillor at the University of Alberta might have ended when I received my undergraduate degree, but my love of student governance certainly didn't. I am very happy to report that I am the new Graduate Students Union Representative for the School of Public Policy and Governance here at the University of Toronto. Let the fun times commence.
I attended my first official meeting this evening and sat in an auditorium with graduate students from across campus. We discussed a couple of issues, oriented ourselves with the rules and regulations of a meeting, and dove head first into some interesting debate about the Faculty of Arts and Science Academic Plan. It made me long for my Tuesday night meetings at home, and also made me appreciate how well the U of A's Students' Union is operated. The GSU here is no comparison. Here are my first impressions:
1) Being a member of the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) is really throwing me for a loop. Heavy union involvement and an emphasis on social justice issues outside of campus (and, in my personal opinion, outside the jurisdiction of a students' union) is far different from the mandate found at the U of A.
2) The simple organization of meetings leaves me wanting more. We aren't given placards to ensure that those voting are indeed the people who have been given the right to vote by their departments and "course unions." I even inquired as to the process to ensure that voting was legitimate and our "chairperson" indicated that it really only mattered on issues that were contentious. Hardly! As well, my question about the records of the meeting was greeted with confusion. Unlike the U of A, the audio recording is for the secretary only. As well, no one seemed to be able to confirm what quorum was. It's based on the number of "course unions" in the School of Graduate Studies and apparently that number is hard to calculate (or maybe no one had looked the number up).
3) The GSU follows Bourinot's Rules of Order and not Robert's Rules of Order. While they're similar, they are different enough to warrant further investigation on my part to ensure that I know how to work within the system.
Dear readers, I could go on and on about my frustration about this Union, but let me end with this. The most amusing part of my evening was when the "chairperson" indicated that she would be observing "gender parity" when it came to speaking turns. This is used in the following situation:
a) Two people are standing at the provided microphones (yes my U of A hacks, we are not all provided with the microphones I've grown accustomed to at home)
b.) One is male and one is female
In this situation, the woman gets to speak. No question about it, even if she arrived at the mic ages after the guy did.
First off, while there were more men at the meeting this evening, us women certainly weren't discouraged to voice our opinion by the mere presence of the opposite sex. Second, it seems like a pointless exercise as the "chairperson" let every single person who had something to say on an issue have their turn at the mic. So all this "gender parity" nonsense really just allowed women to skip to the front of the line. Really? That's what "gender parity" really is all about; my ability to speak before a man, even though I arrived long after the man was, and even though I am already guaranteed the chance to speak. Thank you, GSU. I always wondered what the whole "gender parity" movement thing was all about. I'm glad we cleared that up.
Well, I'm sure my experience on the GSU will be fodder for several more postings in the future, but for now, this will have to do my fellow hacks.
In parity and trust, letting this woman speak her mind since 1988,
Cait
My role as a Students' Union Councillor at the University of Alberta might have ended when I received my undergraduate degree, but my love of student governance certainly didn't. I am very happy to report that I am the new Graduate Students Union Representative for the School of Public Policy and Governance here at the University of Toronto. Let the fun times commence.
I attended my first official meeting this evening and sat in an auditorium with graduate students from across campus. We discussed a couple of issues, oriented ourselves with the rules and regulations of a meeting, and dove head first into some interesting debate about the Faculty of Arts and Science Academic Plan. It made me long for my Tuesday night meetings at home, and also made me appreciate how well the U of A's Students' Union is operated. The GSU here is no comparison. Here are my first impressions:
1) Being a member of the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) is really throwing me for a loop. Heavy union involvement and an emphasis on social justice issues outside of campus (and, in my personal opinion, outside the jurisdiction of a students' union) is far different from the mandate found at the U of A.
2) The simple organization of meetings leaves me wanting more. We aren't given placards to ensure that those voting are indeed the people who have been given the right to vote by their departments and "course unions." I even inquired as to the process to ensure that voting was legitimate and our "chairperson" indicated that it really only mattered on issues that were contentious. Hardly! As well, my question about the records of the meeting was greeted with confusion. Unlike the U of A, the audio recording is for the secretary only. As well, no one seemed to be able to confirm what quorum was. It's based on the number of "course unions" in the School of Graduate Studies and apparently that number is hard to calculate (or maybe no one had looked the number up).
3) The GSU follows Bourinot's Rules of Order and not Robert's Rules of Order. While they're similar, they are different enough to warrant further investigation on my part to ensure that I know how to work within the system.
Dear readers, I could go on and on about my frustration about this Union, but let me end with this. The most amusing part of my evening was when the "chairperson" indicated that she would be observing "gender parity" when it came to speaking turns. This is used in the following situation:
a) Two people are standing at the provided microphones (yes my U of A hacks, we are not all provided with the microphones I've grown accustomed to at home)
b.) One is male and one is female
In this situation, the woman gets to speak. No question about it, even if she arrived at the mic ages after the guy did.
First off, while there were more men at the meeting this evening, us women certainly weren't discouraged to voice our opinion by the mere presence of the opposite sex. Second, it seems like a pointless exercise as the "chairperson" let every single person who had something to say on an issue have their turn at the mic. So all this "gender parity" nonsense really just allowed women to skip to the front of the line. Really? That's what "gender parity" really is all about; my ability to speak before a man, even though I arrived long after the man was, and even though I am already guaranteed the chance to speak. Thank you, GSU. I always wondered what the whole "gender parity" movement thing was all about. I'm glad we cleared that up.
Well, I'm sure my experience on the GSU will be fodder for several more postings in the future, but for now, this will have to do my fellow hacks.
In parity and trust, letting this woman speak her mind since 1988,
Cait
Monday, September 27, 2010
Markets and Blackouts
Good evening, sports-fans,
Please don't let the salutations fool you; tonight's post is not solely about sports. I will say however, for a guy who likes his liquor, Khabibulin sure knows how to stop a puck. Granted, the Vancouver Canucks only gave him a 28 shots to deal with, but still, there's a reason we signed him in the first place.
This evening I think I'll dwell on my weekend trip to the St. Lawrence Market and my unsuccessful attempt at watching an Oilers game.
Saturday morning I ended up making the trek down to the St. Lawrence Market on Front Street and Jarvis. It may not be the Strathcona Market or the Downtown Farmer's Market in Edmonton, but it has its own little quirks and eccentricities that I'm sure I will come to love. I went to get some fresh fruits and vegetables that I can't find at the local grocery store. If the place were closer (a 40-min walk is not all that fun early on a Saturday morning) I would go for my meat, but as it stands, I have yet to try the fresh cuts of beef, pork, or poultry. I wish I had taken pictures, but you can actually see the beef hanging from hooks in a meat locker located on the upper level of the market.
I say I went to get produce, but in reality, I went for the crepes. There's a wonderful little place that sells the best crepes I have ever tasted. I don't have an adventurous palette when it comes to my choice of toppings, so I stuck with chocolate and bananas. Simple, yet exquisite.
All in all, St. Lawrence makes me sort of homesick for Saturday mornings with my parents on a farmer's market run. For one thing, I don't have the disposable income required to put down $50 on peas (or mangoes, which is growing to be the thing I buy the most of when I go to the market). For another, Saturday mornings were always so simply familial and familiar. I would stop at Happy Camel to chat with Jacquie and acquire hummus and pitas. Then it was over to one of the larger stands to get zucchini and peppers. Then, as always, I would find Dad and we'd buy copious amounts of peas from the Hutterites then wander the aisles browsing, testing, and taking it all in. It was a good way to start a weekend and nice way to spend time alone with my parents. Bonding.
Enough nostalgia, though. Sunday evening I finally, FINALLY, was able to secure the TV room in the basement of Grad House for my own purposes. I was set. I brought some reading with me to get me through the commercials (and to make it seem like I was actually being productive). I waited for the two girls watching "The Simpsons" to depart the room, and attacked. I fired that baby up, searched through the Guide and found it: Sportsnet! Hallelujah... well, not so much. Regional Blackout. A Blackout. I hate that. I always thought the reasoning behind a blackout was that the locals would have to buy tickets to go and see the game rather than sit at home and watch it. All it did was stop me from watching my home team from two provinces away. An utter disappointment, but I guess we can't all win.
Well, that ends this post for the evening. I realize now that these are getting quite lengthy and it's hard to keep people's attention. I will strive to be more concise or break these up into manageable little tidbits.
Until next time, folks!
Cait
Saturday, September 25, 2010
A New Beginning
I've always liked the idea of having a blog. I've even tried once or twice to sustain one, but always failed. A few years back I regularly blogged about the Edmonton Oilers and hockey in general, but fell out of practice with the end of season. I'm not sure why; maybe it was lack of interest on my part, maybe I never thought I had anything interesting to say, maybe it was a myriad of other things. This time, however, I think I'm in the right place and the right time to acutally get something going.
Inspired by those around me who blog on a regular basis (Brittany in Edmonton and Daveberta), I've decided that the time is now to start a blog. I've realized I can use a blog to host a wide range of my thoughts and I don't have to be bound to just one subject. However, at the same time, I recognize the need for a common theme to bring people in and to let them know what this whole exercise is all about. I don't have much, but this is what I have...
Mainly, this wil be the musings of an Albertan who has decided to finish her education (formal education anyways) in Toronto, Ontario, two provinces and almost 3,500 km away from Edmonton, Alberta. I was once told that the only thing that unites Canadians is our mutual dislike of Toronto. Personally, I rather like Toronto, and I always have (though that like does not extend to hockey teams). It's extremely different from Edmonton, but I somehow feel at home here.
So, while that's the general idea of the blog, I have more specific topics in mind. I hope this can be a way to keep my friends and family at home apprised of my activities here and to assure them that I have not dropped off the face of the known planet. I'll often wander into the realm of politics and hockey (though Prime Minister Harper has proved that these two topics are not always mutually exclusive). I'll also tread upon the ideas of healthy living (mixed, I hope, with a few recipes I discover, or create), and amusing (hopefully) anecdoes about my life and random events.
I do hope you enjoy my little adventure into blogging and I look forward to hearing your feedback and input on this little experiment of mine.
Sincerely yours,
Cait
Inspired by those around me who blog on a regular basis (Brittany in Edmonton and Daveberta), I've decided that the time is now to start a blog. I've realized I can use a blog to host a wide range of my thoughts and I don't have to be bound to just one subject. However, at the same time, I recognize the need for a common theme to bring people in and to let them know what this whole exercise is all about. I don't have much, but this is what I have...
Mainly, this wil be the musings of an Albertan who has decided to finish her education (formal education anyways) in Toronto, Ontario, two provinces and almost 3,500 km away from Edmonton, Alberta. I was once told that the only thing that unites Canadians is our mutual dislike of Toronto. Personally, I rather like Toronto, and I always have (though that like does not extend to hockey teams). It's extremely different from Edmonton, but I somehow feel at home here.
So, while that's the general idea of the blog, I have more specific topics in mind. I hope this can be a way to keep my friends and family at home apprised of my activities here and to assure them that I have not dropped off the face of the known planet. I'll often wander into the realm of politics and hockey (though Prime Minister Harper has proved that these two topics are not always mutually exclusive). I'll also tread upon the ideas of healthy living (mixed, I hope, with a few recipes I discover, or create), and amusing (hopefully) anecdoes about my life and random events.
I do hope you enjoy my little adventure into blogging and I look forward to hearing your feedback and input on this little experiment of mine.
Sincerely yours,
Cait
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