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Growing up as a kid in the 90s, there were few things that seemed to scare my parents more than the incredibly violent Mortal Kombat series. It was a fighter whose iconic characters, interesting mythology, and over the top violence quickly cemented its place as a key figure in the gaming landscape, and this newest entry, simply titled Mortal Kombat, will definitely please fans, gain new ones, and undoubtedly ensure that the series remains popular for years to come.
Series co-creator Ed Boon had originally envisioned Mortal Kombat (for the purposes of this review, Mortal Kombat 9) as a complete series reboot with an all-new cast. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, the previous entry if you set aside the DC Universe spinoff, ended with the images of the series' characters dying off, which left the door wide open for the planned series re-invention. As it would turn out, though, fans didn't quite want that to happen yet. If you look at the series throughout the years, big changes took place after Mortal Kombat 4, which was unfortunately the final Mortal Kombat game developed for the arcades. After the fourth installment, the series went on a hiatus for a number of years, its next generation rebirth eventually taking place with Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance in 2002, followed by Mortal Kombat: Deception and then Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. Though these were all quality games that were loaded with features and content, the gameplay at their center felt quite different from the Mortal Kombat that many of us grew up with. With Mortal Kombat 9, we have a return to the more arcade-style gameplay of the first 4 games (and in 2D, like the first 3) but with a couple new twists, and the result is easily one of the best Mortal Kombat games we've seen in a long time, one that definitely stands up there with the classics.
Mortal Kombat 9's Story mode begins where Armageddon's left off, with Raiden, Liu Kang, and the other characters dying in the midst of a bloody battlefield. With his final breath, Raiden sends a vision of this fate to his past self. We then cut back to the events of Mortal Kombat 1, where, in the midst of Shang Tsung's island tournament, Raiden receives his own message, and, understandably alarmed by what he sees, becomes determined to change their fate. It's all actually pretty clever, and this plot device gives the developers the chance to return us to the events of the first 3 games in the series. Unlike the story modes of the past couple installments, which took the form of full on action/adventure games, Mortal Kombat 9 simply features a series of fights strung together by surprisingly well-produced cutscenes. The dialogue and voice acting's rather cheesy but I found myself amazed at how genuinely compelled I was to progress the story to see what would happen next. Not only does the story mode allow you to become somewhat familiar with all the characters and their moves, but it's great to get to see the stories from the Mortal Kombat Trilogy presented in this way. If you want to see Cyrax/Sector pre-robot, if you're curious to learn how Jax lost his arms and want to witness the birth of the rivalry between Sub Zero and Scorpion, then you're this game's target audience and you're going to love this. The Story mode lasts quite long (for a fighting game) and proves to be both addictive and challenging, but that's only a tiny portion of what Mortal Kombat 9 has to offer.
In addition, you of course get the classic arcade-style Ladder, where you pick a character and a difficulty setting, then get to fight off a series of opponents to reach Shao Kahn at the top. Upon beating him, you unlock the ending of whichever character you're playing as, which is narrated to you in front of some beautifully drawn concept art. This mode can also be played in co-op, which is done tag team style and it's not only a fun way to ease new players into the game, but it can also be a blast if you're with another experienced player who just wants to get in on the action. You can play Tag Team in Versus mode for up to 4 players, though you can only complete the Ladder with 2.
In addition to this, there's the Tower, consisting of literally hundreds of bizarre challenges to complete as you ascend to the top, ranging from things like fighting with your arms (or heads) cut off, to fighting upside down, and of course to the return of the Test Your Might/Test your Sight mini-games. With challenges that range from funny to challenging, it's yet another mode that can keep you busy for a long time.
All of these modes award you Koins, which, like Deadly Alliance/Deception/Armageddon, can be used in the Krypt to unlock new character costumes, Fatalities, music, and concept art. Though there are a lot of throwaway unlockables here (the damage concepts especially) I found the idea of picking one of hundreds of prizes to buy without knowing what the prize would be to be fun, and the large amount of throwaway prizes makes it all the more satisfying when you do unlock something cool. Each character's given one Fatality to start with (yup, the deadly finishers return, as bloody as ever) which is available from their moves list. You can also unlock each character's second Fatality, a Stage-specific Fatality, and a Babality. If you choose to play this like the classic Mortal Kombat games and simply go online and look up all of your character's Fatalities from the start, you're able to do that, and you can perform these in the game without having unlocked them. Still, the added convenience of having all the Fatalities in each character's moves list provides incentive to actually unlock them, and I'm sure that many fans will opt to clear this massive Krypt of all its goodies.
In addition to all of this, there's also an online mode, and though I can't comment on it because I don't have Xbox Live at the moment, it's just yet another mode in a game full of content. You should note though that if you buy this game used or choose to rent it, you'll have to pay an additional fee to have access to the online mode, as is becoming more common this generation.
As I alluded to earlier, the fighting system in Mortal Kombat 9 sees a return to the series' 2D roots, plus the removal of the switch-on-the-fly fighting styles, which became a central element of the MK fighting system starting with Deadly Alliance. You no longer have the ability to move around a 3D plane, and though I never minded the move to 3D, I have to say that after playing Mortal Kombat 9, 2D fighting suits this series much better. The new addition to the combat system is a gauge at the bottom of the screen. As your character pulls off combos or takes damage, the gauge increases, filling up its 3 levels. At level one, you can perform a powerful special move, while reaching level 2 gives you the ability to interrupt an enemy's combo on you. Level 3 allows you to trigger an X-ray move, which are hilariously brutal and cinematic special moves unique to each character, with the camera changing to X-ray mode and showing you the damage being done to the inside of their bodies. Triggering each phase of the gauge is as simple as clicking both triggers, and once you use it at any point, your gauge goes back to zero. Needless to say, knowing when to use a Breaker or when to hold out for your X-ray move becomes a big part of the strategy of each fight. The fighting system here feels much more fluid and balanced than I remember any previous Mortal Kombat game being, and pulling off a well-executed uppercut or roundhouse kick is as satisfying as ever.
Visually, Mortal Kombat 9 continues the series' tradition of ambient levels with some truly vibrant colors and nice attention to detail. The pouring rain you can see outside the windows of Shang Tsung's throne room looks beautiful, as do the various souls you'll often witness flying throughout certain stages. Though many of these stages are remakes of places from the first 3 games in the series, they still look and feel different enough so as to come across as nostalgic while still seeming like new levels. The characters become bloody as they get beat up, and the Pit Bottom level now has pipes literally pouring blood onto the stage, and, yes, onto the characters if the fight happens to take you under it. I've always been a fan of the Mortal Kombat games' art direction and this game definitely continues that tradition. Musically, things are a bit less impressive, but there's still some good stuff in here and it complements the action well. The remixes of past Mortal Kombat tunes definitely proves to be a nice touch.
As far as flaws go, I have to say that as satisfied as I am with this pretty incredible fighter, it's not quite perfect, and there are some (comparatively small) things that still can be improved upon in future installments. You can't do a Versus match against the computer unless you start playing the Ladder, which would be fine if not for the fact that in Ladder mode, unlike Versus mode, you can't choose your stages or your opponents. That's not a game-breaker but it would have been nice to have simply been able to do Versus matches against the computers without starting a Ladder game. On the topic of Versus matches, there are some slight issues with the character select menu that make things a little less easy than they could have been. Changing your character's costume's a pain because not only does the game give you no indication of how to change your costume (push Start over your character if you want to select their second costume) but you can't see the costume that you're changing to. All you can do is select either Costume 1 or Costume 2, and your character's appearance isn't reflected until the match begins, which is sort of annoying. After the match, you have to return to the character select screen if you want to choose a new level, as simply selecting Rematch puts you both back on the same level that you just played. Again, this is not a huge issue by any stretch but it's rather unintuitive and feels like an unnecessary inconvenience. I also have to also point out that while Mortal Kombat 9 features a great Fatality tutorial that makes it easy to learn how to pull these finishers off, the game's actual tutorial (which is thankfully optional) pretty much sucks, as it prevents you from progressing through it if you're stuck. For example, a few minutes into the tutorial, the game instructed me to pull off a certain combo, which, for whatever reason, I couldn't do. I didn't have the option to skip this part and continue the tutorial, so I had to miss the rest of it, having no choice but to look up the information on the other features, like how the X-ray gauge worked, online. Of course these are the types of things that an instruction booklet would have helped greatly with, but Mortal Kombat 9 is continuing the industry's unfortunate trend of phasing out instruction booklets, so all we get in the box besides the disc is the code to play online and a booklet advertising merchandise that we can buy…..great…
I guess the only other flaws I'd have to point out aren't exactly flaws, but they are still things I'd like to bring up. This roster's made up pretty much entirely of classic characters, with Cyber Sub Zero being (to my knowledge, anyway) the only new playable character. Just like with the level roster, this doesn't mean that the game feels like a rehash, it definitely doesn't. Still, it would have been nice to have seen a few fresh faces in there. For one final complaint, some of the Fatalities are pretty weak. Though there are some truly awesome ones in here, in the age of games like MadWorld, it's hard not to feel that with some of these Fatalities, things could have been taken even a step further; not that they should be more violent, they're certainly violent enough, but that they just feel a little too short and unimaginative. Mortal Kombat 4 I think still has the series' most elaborate Fatalities, and I wish Ed Boon would go back and watch some of those before beginning work on the next game.
Verdict: With the exception of those complaints, though, I have to say, Mortal Kombat 9 has proven to be a huge comeback for the series, and for a series that's been as consistently good (well, excluding ports and spinoffs, anyway) as this one has, that's a huge achievement. Not only is this game loaded with features and unlockables, but it has a great fighting system (probably the most balanced yet for the series, in fact) a fun story mode, tons of challenges, nice visuals, strong multiplayer, and lots of nostalgic touches. Unintuitive menus, the lack of an instruction booklet, and an optional tutorial that frankly isn't much help are only slight bumps in what's otherwise a very accessible, not to mention deep, fighter. I'm certainly no expert on the genre but I had a blast with this game, as I have with almost every Mortal Kombat installment up until now, and I'll most likely continue enjoying this one for a long time.
Presentation: Corny but but surprisingly compelling story, tons of content to be found in each mode, and a huge Krypt filled with unlockables and plenty of fanservice to go around. On the other hand, menus can be somewhat unintuitive and there's no instruction booklet in the box, which really sucks.
Graphics: Art direction is "Mortal Kombat" in every sense of the word and I love it. Strong art direction, characters look great and animate well, and the game keeps up a rock solid framerate. Levels resemble classics from the first 3 games but mostly manage to feel fresh.
Gameplay: The most balanced Mortal Kombat game yet, the move back to 2D clearly serving the series well. New X-ray moves prove to add a lot of strategy and switch things up, and I can't stress enough, there's a ton of stuff to do in this game.
Sound: Voice acting's very campy but you don't play these games for the acting. Music's good, though I still feel that Mortal Kombat 4 remains the best in this category.
Replay Value: Off the charts.
Overall: 9/10
(Note: This review was of the Xbox 360 version.)


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I was glad to have confirmed by this research that the joint problems many of us experience as a side effect of the aromatase inhibitors IS NOT inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune disease.
Joint Pain Linked To Commonly Used Breast Cancer Drugs:
Researchers exploring why some women who take a common breast cancer drug develop serious joint pain have eliminated two possible causes: inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune disease. Because of these findings, researchers say women should be encouraged to continue taking the medication to gain its full benefit.
For many post-menopausal women with breast cancer promoted by the hormone estrogen, aromatase inhibitors (AI) can dramatically reduce the risk of their cancer coming back. Doctors say the AIs must be taken for five years to gain the full benefit, however, the development of joint complaints in up to 35 percent of women forces many of them to stop early out of concern that the pain signals a more serious condition.

subset: commoncrawl


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I was just asked, via a group email, if anyone had a recipe for hummus.
A bunch of us are heading up to my family cottage for the weekend to soak up the last of the summery days and enjoy some early autumn fires to warm up the chilly evenings, oh, and eat.
So, of course I want to be helpful and the food maker generale by jumping over here, ready to send a link, when I realized it's been sitting in my draft folder for about, um, I don't even want to admit it.
I make this for just about every gathering, family birthday party or any other excuse snack.
I've tried others and this one is it. Simple, light and perfect.
1 15-oz can Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
3 Garlic Cloves, minced
1/3 cup Tahini, roasted, organic)
Juice of 1/2 Lemon, about 1/4 cup
1/4 cup Water
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1/4 teaspoon Salt
Chopped Parsley for garnish, optional
In a food processor, combine the garlic, garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, 1/2 cup water, and olive oil until smooth.
Add salt, adjusting to taste, if necessary.
Spoon into serving dish and sprinkle chopped parsley.
Serve with vegetables such as carrots or celery, or with pita bread.
You can cut the pita bread into thin triangles, brush with olive oil, sprinkle over a little minced parsley and paprika, if you'd like, then toast for 10 minutes in a 400°F oven to make pita chips.
6 Responses to "Hummus"
"Simple, light and perfect." – I couldn't have said it any better myself! This is a wonderful hummus recipe indeed.
This looks lovely – I like the fact that you have used a bit of water to loosen it up (I know some people keep adding endless olive oil!). I must admit I can never resist messing about with hummus – my favourite is lemon and coriander
yr pictures are so great. i wish i had those skills. this hummus pic instantly made me want a bite or two.
Next time, try using dried chickpeas. It's healthier and tastes better.


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The next morning was day 2 of our raw food cleanse. I went on a jog while Evan made us breakfast:
Strawberry-Mango-Orange juice smoothie
For one smoothie:
Combine roughly 2 cups of fresh-squeezed orange juice
plus one mango
and a pint of strawberries. Simple and delicious.
Now that we had some sustenance in our bellies, we continued onward and upward to Birmingham, Alabama where we stopped at a market to replenish our stock of fresh, raw ingredients.
Open year-round.
Summer hours: Mon - Sun 5AM - 8PM
Off-season hours: Mon - Sun 6AM - 5PM
This market looked a little different than the small-scale farmer's markets we were used to seeing at city parks or in vacant lots with 10 x 10-ft booths of produce from a handful of local farms. This Farmers Market was comprised of produce from farms spanning the entire state of Alabama (and Mississippi) all of which held membership with the Jefferson County Truck Growers Association and reserves space in this giant warehouse containing 16 loading bays.
The actual market itself is located directly across from the warehouse in a covered shed-like structure.
It was quite long...
We finally parked the van, hopped out, and surveyed the Alabama produce that lay before us.
Gobs of brightly colored, nutrient-rich, fresh, raw produce.
None of it organic, unfortunately. Come to think of it, I vaguely remember the look of confusion that came over the cashier's face when I asked her if they had any organic produce.
Towards the other end of the market, there was a section for Mexican produce. A sense of nostalgia enveloped us at the site: (75¢/mango!)
Green habaneros.
This looked interesting.
We left with at least a basket of strawberries, which is one of the most pesticide-laden crops you can get (and should avoid), by-the-way. Mexico really softened my ironfisted stance on eating conventional produce.
Driving around, we observed the ramshackle state of Birmingham's periphery...
...neglected houses...
...dilapidated buildings...
But we did find a natural food store close to downtown named after what looks like a spring water delivery service.
1901 11th Ave South
Birmingham, AL 35205
(205) 933 - 6333
Sat: 12:00PM - 2:30PM
Offering a range of services - yoga, massage, clothes...
...pricey Dr. Bronners ($14.99/bottle)...
...and a dismal produce section. Organic (yay!), but lacking.
Oh, and I distinctly remember our failed attempt at refilling our 5-gallon water jug with Golden Temple's water dispenser. They shot us down because we didn't have their particular brand of water jug.
We did find success at Publix grocery store, however.
We found an impressive selection of organic greens...
...organic, raw nuts...
...and organic nut butters...
Even Smuckers was on board.
We found some sprouts...
...and believe it or not, in all of my 26 years I had not once come across bagged kale. I have since seen it dozens of times in supermarkets across the country, but outside of Birmingham was the first.
Of course, the main reason we stopped here - the water.
Back in the van, dinner was being prepped. That night I served up raw-vegan sushi rolls and lettuce wraps with a thick orange-walnut dressing.
Part I: Raw-Vegan Sushi Rolls
What you will need:
- 1 package of raw nori sheets
- 2 carrots, shredded or thinly julienned
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 3 large portobello mushroom caps, sliced
- 2 healthy handfuls of your favorite sprouts (we used broccoli)
- 1 large avocado
Step 1: Assemble your nori sheets
Step 2: Mash up some avocado and smear on a nori sheet
Step 3: Lay down a few pieces of portobello mushroom strips
Step 4: Add carrots and green onion
Step 5: Top if off with sprouts
Step 6: Roll it up - be sure to tuck the veggies in as you roll along to ensure your sushi slices stay tight and compact
Step 7: Once it is rolled up, you need to seal it by using some type of liquid (apple cider vinegar, water, juice, etc) to moisten the end. I used an orange. If you use water or vinegar or soy sauce, etc, you can just dip your finger in a small bowl and glide it along the edge of the nori sheet to moisten.
Step 8: Let it sit for a few moments while the adhesive properties go to work and then slice into 1" pieces.
Do the best you can. Working in a moving vehicle is not always conducive to making clean cuts.
Raw-Vegan Sushi
Part II: Lettuce Wraps with a thick orange-walnut dressing
What you will need:
- 1/2 an orange, chopped
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, sliced
- 1 large portobello mushroom cap, sliced
- 3 large leaves of romaine
- 2 oz walnuts - ideally, soaked from 8 - 12 hours in water to remove tannic acid/enzyme inhibitors
Directions: Literally, throw all of the ingredients into a blender and blend on high until sufficiently homogenized. However, here is the breakdown for using a highly incompetent Magic Bullet blender should you find yourself unfortunate enough to use one.
Step 1: Add onions and oranges into the blending vessel. Blend.
Step 2: Then the carrots.
Step 3: Then the 'shrooms. Blend.
Step 4: Then the greens. Blend.
Step 5: Then the walnuts - be sure to rinse them first.
Step 6: One final blend (This diet is not always pretty).
Step 7: Slop a generous layer of sauce on a romaine leaf, add 'shrooms, carrots, sprouts, onions, or whatever else floats your boat.
Step 8: Then munch! (Gracefully, plz)
What happened next was a situation we will not soon forget. We had been driving down the freeway for quite some time when Evan looked down at the fuel gauge and realized we had neglected to fill up the tank before we left Birmingham. Just as he was bringing this to my attention, the van started losing power. Fortunately, we were on a slope of highway that kept the van moving at a good clip without any help from the gas pedal and what's more, the next exit was conveniently located to our immediate right (THANK YOU, GOD). As we exited the freeway and managed to make it up the incline, the van literally puttered to a standstill on the side of the road. We could see the gas station not more than 40 yards away. With one last oomph, Evan turned the ignition, the van magically started, and as we approached the gas station we coasted the last 25 feet underneath the awning and stopped perfectly alongside a gas pump. It was absolutely ridiculous.
Celebration feast
And the BP gas station forever etched in our minds.
We arrived safe and sound in Nashville, Tennessee later that night. Stay tuned for my next post to find out the controversial new additions to the van thanks to our amazing friend, Mashewshmalls!
I love and appreciate you.


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Do you really want to delete project Bostro Pesopeo?
• Assisting the Education Officer with workshop preparation • RSVP mailing • Running workshops for children • Design of questionnaires and diary templates in Microsoft Word • Photographic documentation • Research and preparation of workshop materials
• Greeting visitors • Assisting visitors by providing written and oral information • Supervising the exhibition space


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No, I'm not in the market for another husband. I wasn't when Bill came along. It just happened. If another one comes along, so be it, but in the meantime, although I miss Bill, I'm content with my single life.
I just finished reading Dating Game by Danielle Steel. This book is about another woman who lost her husband but not to death. For twenty-four years, Paris had everything she could ever want: a husband, kids, friends, a nice house, has been content to be a stay at home wife and mother, and has done nothing else. Then all of a sudden, her husband drops a bomb. He tells her he's leaving her for another woman about fifteen years younger.
For the next eight or nine months, Paris is devastated. Numb with shock, she manages to get through her son's high school graduation and the summer months and get him settled at college. A friend recommends a therapist, and the frequent sessions give her the strength to get through the fall. In January, after her husband has married the other woman and another friend invites her to a dinner party in order to set her up with another man, she decides to make a new start.
With the encouragement of her therapist, she moves from her home in Connecticut to San Francisco to be closer to her son, a student at UCLA Berkeley, and her daughter, a production assistant in L.A. In San Francisco, Paris becomes employed for the first time when she accidentally finds a job with a firm that plans weddings, dinner parties, and other events. Over the course of a year and a half, after three relationships that don't work out, she surprises everyone by doing something totally unexpected, and the book ends happily.
A book like this helps me put my life in perspective. Bill is gone, but he didn't leave me for another woman. Unlike Paris, I'll never see my husband at family gatherings with a second wife. When Bill complained about the way I did something, I said, "Find yourself another woman."
He always said, "I'm looking." I doubt he meant it, especially after his strokes left him unable to do much for himself. Even if he could have tried to find another woman, I don't think he would have, no matter how dissatisfied he was with me at times.
On the other hand, Paris was a perfect wife, she thought. Her husband never had a reason to want another woman because all she did was take care of him, the house, and the kids. He was never dissatisfied with her, and yet, he found another woman he liked better. Go figure.
Last year, I reviewed Danielle Steel's book, Rogue, and you can read that here. You'll also find more information about her and her books on her Website. For those of you who are visually impaired or otherwise unable to read print material, Dating Game is available on the National Library Service's Braille and audio download site. I'm sure it's also available in print and eBook formats from your local bookstore or many online retailers. If you like a humorous, heartwarming story of how tragedy leads to blessing and hope for the future, I recommend reading this book, even if you haven't lost a man.
Abbie Johnson Taylor, Author of We Shall Overcome and How to Build a Better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver


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The main purpose of the ISGP is to enable qualified graduate students to pursue advanced interdisciplinary research exceeding the provisions of existing departmental programs. It facilitates neither the avoidance of academic requirements nor the pursuit of a particular definition of interdisciplinarity.
Applicants must meet the minimum admission requirement outlined by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Tuition cost, student fees, and cost of living can be calculated here. On the online application, applicants are required to provide a funding plan to support their programs of study.
Online applications open on November 1st. Complete applications are due every year by January 15th @ 11:59 pm PST, for program start in the following September. All required application materials must be uploaded to your online application by the deadline. The ISGP office will not consider incomplete applications.
Applicants are evaluated by the ISGP Faculty Advisory Committee, and notified in March. If admitted, students may postpone program start date for up to one year. Students are also required to reside in Vancouver for the first year of their degree.
Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 15, 2019 (complete application including all supporting documents submitted online)
Application to the ISGP program is a lengthy process. Successful applicants often begin the process months in advance of the application deadline. If you are considering applying to the ISGP, the first steps are to consult with the ISGP Program Chair with your research topic, and to start approaching potential supervisors.
June – July
- Start planning your research and develop a strong outline to present to potential supervisors
- (optional – NOT required) Submit a two-page Statement of Proposed Research Topic (SPRT) to firstname.lastname@example.com for consultation only. With this, you may begin a discussion with the ISGP staff about your research and your desire to apply to the program. This step also ensures that the program is suitable for you.
- File name (PDF) – "SPRT: YourName Date"
- Must include your name, email and date within the document
- Two-page maximum (not including a bibliography)
NOTE: The ISGP will not be able to review SPRTs and provide feedback after December 15th, prior to formal admission application and will only review your SPRT once.
- Begin to look for and contact two potential co-supervisors. It is a major commitment for faculty members to co-supervise your program of study; therefore we encourage you to start this process early. For tips, please click here. You may also consult the UBC Experts Guide.
September – October
- Request two (2) sets of official transcripts (in sealed and endorsed envelopes) from each of the post-secondary institutions you have attended. One set will be opened and scanned by you to upload to online application. The 2nd set will be kept sealed and sent to Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies only if you are offered admission.
- Start preparing your Curriculum Vitae (CV)
November – January
- Obtain signatures from potential co-supervisors and their Department Heads on the ISGP Home Department – Co-Supervisors Agreement.
- Fill out online application on the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website
- Within the online application, you will be required to upload the following attachments:
– Statement of Intent (cover letter explaining your interest in the program)
– Curriculum Vitae (CV)
– 2-page Statement of Proposed Research Topic (SPRT)
– ISGP Home Department – Co-Supervisors Agreement (signed)
- Three (3) references must be submitted through your online application either as eRef (for referees with institutional email), or as a "Report on Applicant" form / free-form letter in letterhead bearing signatures (for referees with non-institutional emails e.g. Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo…etc.).
- Two (2) sets of official transcripts (in sealed and endorsed envelopes) from each of the post-secondary institutions you have attended. One set will be opened and scanned by you to upload to online application. The 2nd set will be kept sealed and sent to Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies only if you are offered admission.
- Transcript submission guidelines are found here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All required documents must be submitted through the online application portal as document uploads. Documents emailed or submitted in person will not be accepted.


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From First Things, Marquette Theology Professor Mickey L. Mattox on the "gender regime" of this supposedly Catholic university:continue at Marquette Warrior
Working in my Marquette office one afternoon in the spring of 2010, I heard unusual sounds coming from the normally quiet lawns outside my window. I was surprised to see a modest assembly of students and professors preparing to march in protest. Against what? Minutes later, an email arrived informing me that the university's then-president, Robert Wild, S.J., had voided a contract extended to Jodi O'Brien to join us as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Though the contract had already been signed, Fr. Wild—perhaps under external pressure—decided that O'Brien, a partnered lesbian whose research included queer studies, was not an appropriate choice to represent our mission and identity.
Although an ordinary person with a passing knowledge of the moral teachings of the Catholic Church would think such a decision obvious, the department chairs in the college soon gathered and voted almost unanimously to censure Wild's decision. The press, meanwhile, demanded an explanation. On the defensive, the university allegedly paid a considerable sum in order to break the contract. Officials were soon exercising themselves to demonstrate their concern for equitable treatment of gays and lesbians. The university would initiate projects, courses, conferences, and the like to explore issues of sex and gender! The clear implication was that change would come, though slowly. Marquette would get with the sexual-liberation program so that something like the O'Brien affair would never happen again.
The Badger Catholic
Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle. 2 Thes 2:15
Marquette Theology Professor Critiques University's Gender Regime
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Wednesday, December 30, 2009
November & December
November's random acts of kindness ended up being a really positive month. I left notes for waiters and waitresses when I thought the service was excellent, I tried to be less of a Masshole when I was driving, I made an effort to smile at strangers I passed on the street, but most of all, I spent a lot of time making handmade cards and gifts.
As for December, I had originally intended for it to be a sort of wild card month. I was either going to repeat a month I really liked, or try to combine a few different months into one. But when Caribbean vacations, birthdays, and holidays got in the way, I ended up taking the month off. In reflecting on the year though, I've definitely noticed that I've kept bits and pieces of each months challenges, so I guess December wasn't too far off from my original intent. More on that later...
Posted by Danne Dzenawagis at 3:46 PM 1 comment:
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just one day sketch.
I am still hungry.
now I am taking Zbrush class which is hard for me.
Don't I have the talent about 3D?
I ask by myself.
I like that sketch man. your stuff is great.
I'm done with school, and I did end up moving to L.A. with my girlfriend. I'm trying to get some freelancing going here, or hopefully an internship or job or something.
I hope u have an excellent semester and I hope I'll see you around man.
If you ever plan on coming to LA, give me a call for sure!! I'll let you know when I go back to SF, which will most likely happen in the fall. Later dude!


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Friday, September 5, 2008
Buying out!
We aren't here any more. "What!? No No NO there is no hope left in humanity"
you may be saying
but dont fret- we just dropped the blogspot from our URL
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Shit we hear at Concerts #3 & #4 + a Bonus
Sorry it took so long for us to post these, but umm...yeah here they are:
All Points West Day 1:
"Did you ever see that Family Matters where they go to court and they all go 'No no no no no no no no no.'"
All Points West Day 2:
"It was really a Yellow Ledbetter moment."
And as an added bonus, my book reader of the day. I'd also like to say sorry to this girl who must have thought I was the biggest creep in the world just staring at her on the ground, but honestly I was just trying to read the book title, it was kind of faded:
All Points West Day 2:
Here are my texts to adam during the day
Text 1: "The white chick laying on her beach towel during animal collective reading Existentialism and Human Entines"
Text 2: "My bad. The book is Existentialism and Human Emotions"
Monday, August 18, 2008
We've Gone Lossless
If anyone wants any of these concerts that we recorded and posted here in lossless format let me know. I am currently seeding Radiohead's saturday night set and the Vaselines set in flac format on thetradersden.org.
Radiohead 2008-08-09:
Vaselines 2008-07-09:
It's free to sign up, and there doesn't seem to be a member limit like on dimeadozen, so if anyone is looking for losslesswavrockin (I'm so so sorry for that but I couldn't resist), head on over to TTD. I think I might post the daniel johnston show soon there too. Just for the hell of it.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
RADIOHEAD Live @ All Points West Saturday 08-09-08
1. Reckoner
2. 15 Step
3. National Anthem
4. Kid A
5. All I Need
6. Nude
7. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
8. Where I End and You Begin
9. The Gloaming
10. Faust Arp
11. No Surprises
12. Jigsaw Falling Into Place
13. The Bends
14. Bangers and Mash
15. Everything In Its Right Place
16. Exit Music (for a film)
17. Bodysnatchers
First Encore:
18. Pyramid Song
19. Videotape (False Start)
20. Videotape
21. Airbag
22. Fake Plastic Trees
23. There There
Second Encore:
24. House of Cards
25. Planet Telex
26. Idioteque
Sorry for the shitty quality, but it's an audience recording. I'm sure there will be a better one out there soon. You can hear some people talking. Sometimes it's me. I have to tell my friend Thom Yorke's name at one point, that might be on there. Some girl talks to me at one point, hard to believe but true. Maybe there is actually a recorded account of that happening. Probably not. Only one way to find out:
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
RADIOHEAD Live @ All Points West Friday 08-08-08
1. 15 Step
2. There There
3. Morning Bell
4. All I Need
5. Lucky
6. Nude
7. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
8. The Gloaming
9. Optimistic
10. Videotape
11. Reckoner
12. Jigsaw Falling Into Place
13. You And Whose Army?
14. Idioteque
15. Climbing Up The Walls
16. Bodysnatchers
17. How To Disappear Completely
Encore 1:
18. House of Cards
19. Pyramid Song
20. Paranoid Android
21. Dollars & Cents
22. Street Spirit (fade out)
23. Cymbal Rush
24. Just
25. Everything In Its Right Place
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Let's Get Depressed!
When I was 9 I was walking to my grandmothers house with my mom. She doesn't live very far, just one town over: go down a hill, right, right, up a hill, left, STOP, there. On one of the side streets, about 1/4 of the way down the block, I saw a gold bracelet. Just sitting there. It was impossible to miss, it was shining like the Ark in Raiders. I went over, picked it up, and brought it with me. It's been sitting in a drawer ever since.
My neighbors are moving and are selling everything, including jewelry, so they told my mom that if she had anything she wanted to sell to come over. I gave her the bracelet to hock; it was in pretty shitty condition anyway and I was hoping for a nice $10 profit after 16 (holy fuck) years.
While walking around All Points West: Day 2, Johnny Tigs Solo Adventure into the Realm of the Damned I gave my mom a call. She told me she was able to sell the bracelet for 145 bucks.
So I bought a $35 Radiohead shirt.
Yes I am wearing it now.
Now for my review of All Points West: Day 2
I purchased one of the best cups of lemonade I have ever had from the lemonade cart near the Blue Comet stage, in between the VIP entrance and the Stage. Two guys and one woman, not much older than myself, were working behind the cart. The guys were making the drinks and the woman was taking money. The lemonade consisted of Ice, Sugar, Water and fresh squeezed lemons, big surprise right? There was about 90% ice in the cup, a very small amount of sugar, 2 squeezed lemons and just enough water so that when you tried to drink it, you had to tip it, but not so much that the ice would fall all over you. Before I tried it I was annoyed at the $4 price tag, but it really brought the day together and 10% of that $4 goes to helping people from a new jersey asylum find a home.
After spending far too much on a shirt made from recycled plastic bottles I decided I needed another lemonade. This stand was in between the Big merch tent, and the Queen of the Valley stage. I should have known something was going to go wrong since they did not give any of their $4 to help jersey asylumites. There was a younger kid working behind the cart, a woman who was overseeing what he was doing, and a woman working the hotdog cart next to them who seemed to be friends with them all. The recipe was essentially the same, but only one squeezed lemon was used, and it was 90% water instead of ice. I was hoping for this cup of lemonade to rejuvenate me again, to pat me on the back and say, "It's OK, a lot of people bought shirts for that much, and payed 50 bucks extra for a VIP ticket that did absolutely fucking nothing. It'll be OK, I promise." Instead it was like someone spitting in my face...after they just ate a lemon, a single lemon.
Before posting the Radiohead show, which I will do soon, I want to edit it some and issue a warning: it is a terrible recording. The sound ranged from awful to godawful for a while. The speakers sounded like they were fading in and out at times, as if there was only enough power to run one side of the stages speakers and each side was fighting for it constantly. I also started in a bad space, moved around A LOT, there is a lot of talking, I sat down during one song. All of this can be summed up by saying Adam wasn't there, so I was lazy about it all. People smoking, bumming hits, cursing, vomiting, Manny Ramirez sightings and much more when I upload it later. Some of the songs came out well, I'm assuming, but this boot is more about the colorful people around me throughout the show than the show itself. But I have to do some homework first. Before you start ripping me for that, remember the immortal words of Marge Simpson: "Bart, don't make fun of grad students. They've just made a terrible life choice."
Friday, August 8, 2008
Goal and Actualities
1) Edit the Radiohead show from tonight
2) Make a track listing
3) Write review of All Points West Day 1 for ShortWave
1) Posting the show as a whole, including the first few mins that is just Adam and myself making fun of Thom Yorke. Sorry. Those mins could have been used at the end when my damn MP3 player died during the last song (Everything in it's Right Place)
2) I will, after tomorrow's APW and taping, edit both shows and post them again with full track listings and all...but I'm beat.
The recording is an audience recording, so don't expect anything great. The bass flys off some times. I'm sure I screwed some other stuff up.
Anyway, till next time


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If you have been diagnosed with a hearing problem then the treatment options must be explored. The treatment that is most fitting for your particular situation to the cause of the problem and the type of hearing loss that you suffer.
You can have conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss or a combination of the two. If your doctor tells you that you suffer from conductive can be so finding a solution to the problem of hearing loss everything needed to restore hearing to normal state. In this case a hearing may not be necessary. An example of a conductive hearing loss is when an ear infection that causes obstruction in the ears. Another example would be when the Earwax has built up and needs to be gotten rid of.
If hearing loss is diagnosed as senosorineural the root cause may be exposure to loud noises over a long period of time. Aging is another cause of sensorineural hearing loss. The only reasonable course of treatment is a hearing and in many cases by the time a person realizes that there is a problem with their hearing is too late to cure it. Sensorineural hearing loss problems are irreversible and permanent in most cases.
A person who has suffered hearing loss must learn to cope with their decreased ability to feel. While a hearing aid or other assistive listening device can improve their ability to hear, even they have to learn to pay attention to the body language of people who are talking, as well as tone of voice, facial expressions and hand gestures. Making known the posture of the person who is talking to subjects as well.
Don't be put by the thought of being fitted with a hearing aid. These listening devices are very small and discrete. They are electronic devices that operate using a battery. They make it possible for you to discern what people are saying to you and to hear sounds in the environment.
There are a few choices when it comes to hearing assistance equipment. There are aid which may be worn in-the-ear (ITE) and others that can be worn behind-the-ear (BTE). The technology has evolved over the years and has made aids for ears less cumbersome and more cumbersome. The shapes, sizes and options listening equipment offer great variety in our modern world the person requires the use of them.
The hearing clinic staff can help you find the hearing aid that is most suitable for you. There are digital models hearing as well as analog ones available. Any help do not have the same features and some are much more hi-tech than others. The goal of them is the same though-if they are intended to provide the wearer with hearing problems more effectively.


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Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Get Out Of The Way
Because you're (to quote Shrek) a donkey on the edge. You are a Hadron collider of disenchantment molecules. One more straw on your back and you are going to get mediaeval on the world's ass.
It's not that you have anything against the world. No big beef. No real big issue. It's just there. Today the world is there and you would much rather it not be there. But if it's going to be there the least it can do is shut the fuck up and play ball.
That's right. I want the world's ass to play ball. Don't get picky with my metaphors, I'm not in the mood.
So why is it, on these days, on these days when your mind is a hurricane of venom and antisocial energy that people, things, get in your way?
You're just trying to get through to the other side as peacefully as you can but they – them – they get in your way. Constantly. Deliberately.
The phone call you know you shouldn't answer but you do and it braindumps another load of crap onto your ass just before you're about to go home. The people who insist on stopping immediately in front of you when you are rushing through town on an irritating, shit-kicking errand and they just stop dead and flounder and flummox and flop about wetly blocking your way even though they know you are there. The car at the junction that slows down in front of you not to let you cross but because they can't be bothered to rush too much and so they slow but not slow enough for you to be able to cross in front of them and it's raining but now you have to wait until Mr Air Conditioned Leather Car Seat and his kajillion decibel sound system on wheels rolls past you before you can cross. The shops who choose this moment – this exact moment – to run out of whatever essential item you need to buy on your way home when they have it every other sodding day of the year but no, not today, not at this hour, and now you have to go out of your way, walk longer, encounter more people, just to get this one solitary item from another shop which you don't even like and which isn't going to make your life any better but will feel like some kind of victory if you do actually get it.
Why? Why do all these get in your way?
Why do they choose today of all days to get in your face?
Why can't they just stay the fuck away?
You know what I need?
A gun. A gun like Dirk Deckard had in Bladerunner. A huge fat jumbo jet sausage of a gun that shoots bullets the size of coke cans. Cos' when Dirk pulled that piece and shouted, "get out of the way" people did. They got out of his way.
Well, that's what I need. That's what I want. It's not a luxury. It's an essential item. It's survival, people, survival. I will die without it.
And it's nothing personal. I don't want to hurt anybody. I don't want to hurt you. Truly I don't.
I. Just. Want. You. To. Get. Out. Of. The. Way.
26 comments:
- Heather said...
*steps to side and flattens self against wall* after you!
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 6:56:00 pm
- libby said...
D-fens....remember him? I often think he knew how many beans make 5.....but hey, a bad day is often followed by a good one so chin up.
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 7:19:00 pm
- Steve said...
Heather: at ease, sister. You're one of the good guys. Pass, friend.
Libby: yeah, I remember D-fens. He found that holdall full of guns. Some guys get all the luck!
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 7:42:00 pm
- John Gray said...
oh I am so like you in this!!!
I could easily go into "path rage" when out walking on everyday pavements..........
dont get me started on supermarket "aisle rage"
and as for bikes on pavements.......arrrhhhhhhhhhh
(I need a lie down x)
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 7:48:00 pm
- Gorilla Bananas said...
People would think you had an inferiority complex if you carried a weapon that big. Why not just stare at people with a crazy grin, talk to yourself and dye your beard green? My guess is that people will be running to get out of your way.
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 7:49:00 pm
- Steve said...
John: we must unite as a new vigilante force - The Pavement Warriors. Or something like that only with a better name.
Gorilla Bananas: you obviously don't know Leamington Spa. Acting that weird would actually attract people to you.
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 7:51:00 pm
- Katriina said...
I hear you, Steve. Great post. I could hear that hissing sound as you seethed.
A girlfriend in Japan had a novel way of making people get the hell out of her way, especially on crowded trains. She would clap a hand over her mouth and murmur "I'm going to puke.."
Worked every time.
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 7:54:00 pm
- Steve said...
Katriina: ha, love it. And a mouthful of vegetable soup would soon take care of any stubborn mules.
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 7:55:00 pm
- EmmaK said...
ooh Steve...you've gone all manly and macho you're letting out steam like a kettle. Just stick out your elbows and poke anyone who dares to get in your way!
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 8:13:00 pm
- Steve said...
Emma: but if I stick out my elbows that'll make me look very camp.
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 8:15:00 pm
- Wanderlust said...
@Steve - that might help your cause (to look camp).
You forgot about those people thoughtless enough to run out of fuel on the freeway and pull over and turn on their blinkers, causing traffic to slow down and back up for miles when you clearly only left the minimal amount of time for your morning commute.
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 8:27:00 pm
- Steve said...
Wanderlust: yep, there's a special place in hell for them people. The Devil's own hard shoulder.
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 8:33:00 pm
- Being Me said...
You sound like you're one step away from appearing on Grumpy Old Men.
The ones I can't stand are those that never take a freaking gap in the traffic. Even a loooong, obvious gap. Steve's taken to drawing an imaginary invitation in the air and handing it to the driver through the windscreen telling them they are now 'cordially invited to enter the intersection'. He gets strange looks sometimes. And not from me.
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 10:00:00 pm
- John Gray said...
rECLAIM THE FUCKING PAVEMENTS!
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 10:06:00 pm
- Steve said...
Being Me: oh yeah. We gave those too. We wave, we flash our headlghts. Still they don't move. Until we do. Then they move. And we all stop. And it all gets bad tempered.
Grumpy Old Men? Sign me up now. Proper pen and paper. None of this digital bollocks. Bah humbug.
John: brilliant. You can be in charge of marketing.
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 10:25:00 pm
- Rol said...
Oh dear. Steve has been stealing the thoughts out of my brain again and writing them up as a blog post. Is there no way I can sue him for that? I've told him before...
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 10:59:00 pm
- Steve said...
Rol: a scarier thought is that maybe you and I share a single brain.
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 11:02:00 pm
- Suburbia said...
Hope you haven't managed to get a bloody gun since you wrote this! Can't even blame hormones ;)
- Tuesday, December 13, 2011 11:31:00 pm
- lunarossa said...
Dear Steve, Is this rant the beginning of the male menopause? Will you soon get a new sports car or a 20years or so mistress? Ciao. A.x ;)
- Wednesday, December 14, 2011 1:09:00 am
- The Sagittarian said...
You should live down here then, hardly anyone about these days!
- Wednesday, December 14, 2011 2:52:00 am
- the fly in the web said...
So how come you've been living in France while I thought you were living in Leamington Spa?
- Wednesday, December 14, 2011 3:34:00 am
- Owen said...
You are going to have to get Clint Eastwood to play the part in your upcoming movie...
And now that the US Army is leaving Iraq, you should be able pick up as cheap surplus one of their big diesel, armored bulldozers, the model that has a pair of 50 Cal. machine guns and rocket launchers mounted on top... most everything can be encouraged to get out of your way with one of those...
- Wednesday, December 14, 2011 6:50:00 am
- Steve said...
Suburbia: maybe I'm having an empathic period?
Lunarossa: I can't drive and I'm ugly. So, no. ;-)
Amanda: NZ has just been utterly sold to me.
The fly in the web: it's easy to get confused, isn't it? Same shit different gravy.
Owen: let's hope Father Christmas can fit it down the chimney!
- Wednesday, December 14, 2011 7:52:00 am
- Marginalia said...
That time of month again Steve?
- Wednesday, December 14, 2011 7:45:00 pm
- vegemitevix said...
Ooooh Steve you aren't going to go all postal on us are you and recreate a Brit version of 'Falling Down' because Maccas won't serve you a breakfast mcmuffin? Chin up chook, not like to christmas mince pie time.
- Wednesday, December 14, 2011 9:58:00 pm
- Steve said...
Marginalia: yeah. Christmas.
Vix: don't even get me started on the McMuffin!
- Thursday, December 15, 2011 9:04:00 am


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Hello there. It's been a long time since I blogged. Not much has happened in the interim. Jun is still crazy. Elo is still an asshole, but less so. We've been taking classes and he's slowly but surely getting better. We've moved beyond reactive dog class and semi-integrated into real classes! We've found flexible, accommodating instructors that largely let us do our own thing. Currently we are taking a rally class and it's going pretty well. But something tonight struck me as worth musing on.
Let me preface by saying, I am a difficult student. I don't do what I'm told. I don't see a teacher as authority. I question everything. I'm not TRYING to be difficult, but I'm a very independent thinker, I have strong ideas and opinions and if a suggestion I'm given doesn't fit within that framework, I have to think it over before I'm willing to fully commit to it, or in some cases even try it. The problem is, in class there is no time for philosophical discussion, so I come off sounding like a bitch when I try to fit my objections into a one-sentence "thanks but no thanks" soundbyte. Really what I mean is, "I'd like to think about that and I'm happy to discuss it further, but at the moment it doesn't fit into my training plan," --but that's never what comes out.
For the last three weeks of class, we are running courses; and this is perfect for Elo because all the other dogs are out of the room. However, this was the first time he'd actually been fully inside the main training room (Normally, we hang out in a supply closet adjacent to the training room and open the door as he can handle it.) Not having a lot of time to work slowly into the room and let him acclimate, of course he was immediately over-stimulated. He knew there were usually dogs in that room, he could smell them, and he was looking all over for them. It was tough to get his attention, but he wasn't totally gone and was checking in with me periodically, which of course I rewarded. After I somewhat had his brain, we started the course. He was only able to give me a couple seconds of attention at a time before sniffing and scanning and he was having a hard time responding to cues.
And then the instructor said something to the effect of, "You need to tell him what he should be doing. Stop letting him keep nervously scanning the room. When he stops paying attention to you, mark it with a 'no' and don't let him do it. Every time he goes out away from you and comes back and you reward him, he's learning that he can do that."
We'll let the complete absurdity of the phrase "mark it with a no" slide, and talk about the rest.
It's not harmful advice. It's not going to hurt my dog. It's not even necessarily bad advice. In fact, for a second I thought, maybe I should just be more firm with him. But....it also didn't seem quite right to me.
First off, I didn't really understand what she meant because I can't MAKE Elo do anything. When he's in that mindset, he's not hearing a word I say. A calm "no" isn't even going to enter his consciousness if calling his name and speaking in happy voice doesn't. After clumsily noting my objections, I choked up on the leash a bit and kept him at my side. He looked more under control and the instructor seemed happy. But really, the same thing was going on. He was checking out and I was rewarding when he checked back in. Because that's what he needed.
As much as I (lovingly) call Elo an asshole, he is a good, GOOD dog! He's on a hair trigger sometimes and has developed some very frustrating habits, but damn he TRIES! One thing I've discovered about Elo over the past year is his fabulous work ethic. That little dog loves to work! He loves to train! He loves to play and interact with me! So much so that I've been able in some situations (now that he has a threshold and can sometimes think around other dogs) to leverage the opportunity to work as a reward for NOT reacting to dogs. If Elo is checked out, it's because he cannot handle the situation. Not because he's being naughty, stubborn, or purposely blowing me off.
Ultimately, the entire reason I'm in this thing is for that joyful partnership, the feeling that comes from doing things with a dog that happily and enthusiastically chooses to do them with me. I have no desire to make Elo do anything. And that's been the basis of our entire training relationship. I give Elo an easy choice and reward him for making the right one, gradually making the situation more difficult. The fact that the situation was too difficult in this case is 100% on me.
I don't fault the instructor. She was trying to be helpful, she clearly has a different training philosophy, and I doubt she expected me to put this much thought into it. She also does don't know me, doesn't know Elo, doesn't know where we started, where we've been, or really even where we are. It's a tough position to be in. I've been there myself. But ultimately, after having time to reason it through,
this is a piece of advice I will reject. It doesn't make sense for my
dog and it doesn't fit within my training philosophy.
Thankfully, Elo and I had a second chance to run the course. With him a bit more settled, he showed off what a happy, precise, thoughtful little worker he is!
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Justin & Cameron Can't Keep Their Hands Off Each Other
Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz (in Chanel) can't take their hands off each other on Monday at the UK film premiere of Shrek The Third at the Odeon, Leicester Square in London, England.
The pair hugged and laughed at each other's jokes all night long. Just like old times!
20+ pictures inside of Justin and Cameron at the Shrek 3 premiere….


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Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
Gilmore Girls Mondays: Week 3
Starting this month, along with my two online besties Molli and Jessica, I'm doing a Gilmore Girls rewatch-along. Every Monday I'll be talking about the episodes I watched each week, sharing my thoughts plus favourite quotes, scenes, etc. If you want to join in, you can tweet with us using the hashtag #GilmoreGirls, and if you want to join in the discussions, feel free to grab my graphic and create posts of your own, or just comment with your thoughts.
Episode 9: Rory's Dance
Episode 10: Forgiveness and Stuff
Episode 11: Paris is Burning
Some really interesting stuff this week. First, in Rory's Dance, Rory has her first dance at Chilton and she doesn't want to go. She's decided that she hates dances and they're stupid and lame, even though she's never actually been to one. Lorelai asked her if she really hated them or if it was just that she's afraid - she doesn't want Rory to miss out on experiences because she's afraid or too shy. This really spoke to me, because I was like that as a teenager, and unfortunately, I'm still like that with a lot of things. However, I did go to all the school dances, so that's one thing!
When Emily came to see Rory off to the dance, that whole scene was just too funny. Between Rory coming out snarfing down a burrito with a napkin shoved into her dress, Emily taking pictures, and then making Dean come in so she could meet him, even though he and Rory had agreed he would honk and she'd go out…the whole thing was hilarious, embarrassing, and awkward in the best way possible. A lot of people have probably been through stuff like that, or if you haven't, it's done in a way that you can totally relate, which is what's so great about this show.
Then when Rory left and Emily decided to stay because Lorelai had hurt her back, we got to see a different side of Emily. A side that's actually caring and - *gasp* - motherly. It was touching and funny at the same time. But, of course, nothing good can last where Emily and Lorelai are concerned, so when Rory and Dean accidentally fall asleep at Miss Patty's and spend the whole night out, Emily freaks out. Lorelai has faith in Rory that nothing happened, but all Emily can see is the mistakes Lorelai made at Rory's age, and she's afraid she'll end up pregnant. The difference is, Emily suffocated and controlled Lorelai, but Lorelai trusts Rory, and that trust has been a big factor in how Rory is turning out vs. how Lorelai did.
Then in Forgiveness and Stuff, we see Rory and Lorelai struggling after their fight. We've seen them argue and get mad at each other before, but not to this extent. It actually hurts to see them so angry at each other because they're supposed to be best pals, and you just want to see them make up.
Last week I mentioned I was annoyed by Dean's attitude toward Lorelai, but this week, when Rory was gone to Christmas dinner at the grandparents' (from which Lorelai was uninvited), Dean came to see Rory and ended up talking to Lorelai. I liked that little scene - the writers of this show were so amazing at taking something serious and making you really get the significance of it while still making you laugh. I think Lorelai is seeing that Dean could be really good for Rory.
When Richard has a heart episode at dinner and has to be taken to the hospital, Luke takes Lorelai and stays with her. This is another bit I love - those little glimpses of the softer side of Luke that we've been getting so far were just a tease compared to the scenes at the hospital. He shows that he genuinely cares about the Gilmore girls, and that he pays attention, and has been paying attention all these years.
Emily is so cold and such a control freak, but she genuinely loves Richard, and that was nice to see. Some interesting character growth happening here for everyone!
In Paris is Burning, Paris's parents are going through a nasty divorce, which makes Paris the talk of the school, which makes her even nastier than usual. So at parents' day when she sees Lorelai and Max making out in the classroom, she makes sure everyone in the school knows about it.
Lorelai and Max seem to be getting pretty serious, but when Rory inadvertently gets involved and suggests to Lorelai that they invite Max to go skating with them, Lorelai freaks out. Sookie (who asks Jackson out in this episode, which made me really happy!) points out that they've hit the two-month mark, which is about the time Lorelai starts to freak out in a relationship. I love their relationship, and I'm always glad to get these little glimpses of Lorelai through Sookie's eyes. Sookie is just so damn cute - I wish I had someone like her in my life. Rory and Lorelai too, of course...and Luke!
I was sad when Max and Lorelai decided to take a break. As I said last week, even though I'm a Luke girl all the way, I liked Max. And having watched the entire show and knowing what happens, I don't mind this little Max-shaped detour...the anticipation of waiting for Luke and Lorelai to get together was totally worth it. ;-)
"I can't imagine anyone seeing you as a disappointment." ~ Luke in "Forgiveness and Stuff"
"You have to look at what a gift says to the other person, not to you. Remember two years ago I got my mom that perfume? To me that said, 'Mom you work hard. You deserve something fancy'. Now to my mother, it said, 'Mom, here's some smelly sex juice...the kind I use to lure boys with'." ~ Lane in "Forgiveness and Stuff"
What did you think of these three episodes? Which was your favourite? What were some of your favourite parts? Do you like Max? If you're watching along, what episode are you up to?
Friday, June 14, 2013
This post is a little over a week overdue, but better late than never right?
If you've been following along, you'll know that my brother and sister-in-law were expecting their third child, and that it was a long-awaited girl. Well, last Thursday, June 6th, at 4:43 am, Maddison Grace was born, weighing 9 pounds 12 1/4 ounces.
We got to see her when she was just 9 hours old. Apparently the umbilical chord was wrapped around her neck four times when she was born, so she had some trouble breathing at first, and her blood sugar was low (which is apparently common in ginormous babies). She was in an oxygen-regulated bassinet in the nursery until shortly after my mum and I got there for a visit.
It was love at first sight the moment I saw her crazy-ass hair and her fat little arms and cheeks.
The pediatrician came to check her out and then we were allowed to take her back to Amanda's room.
Amanda fed her and then I got to hold her while Amanda went to shower. It felt like such a special time because her eyes were open part of the time and she was staring at me. Auntie loved her bonding time!
My brother left to go get something to eat and awhile later Amanda's parents came with the boys. They were so excited to see their new baby sister. Logan held her with help from Amanda and then Noah sat and held her for awhile. It was so sweet. Noah said really quietly to her, "Hi Maddison Grace I****, I'm your big brother." My heart melted!
So, that's it. I finally have a niece! I'm sure you'll be hearing a lot more about Maddy in the weeks and months to come. ;-)
If you've been following along, you'll know that my brother and sister-in-law were expecting their third child, and that it was a long-awaited girl. Well, last Thursday, June 6th, at 4:43 am, Maddison Grace was born, weighing 9 pounds 12 1/4 ounces.
We got to see her when she was just 9 hours old. Apparently the umbilical chord was wrapped around her neck four times when she was born, so she had some trouble breathing at first, and her blood sugar was low (which is apparently common in ginormous babies). She was in an oxygen-regulated bassinet in the nursery until shortly after my mum and I got there for a visit.
It was love at first sight the moment I saw her crazy-ass hair and her fat little arms and cheeks.
The pediatrician came to check her out and then we were allowed to take her back to Amanda's room.
Amanda fed her and then I got to hold her while Amanda went to shower. It felt like such a special time because her eyes were open part of the time and she was staring at me. Auntie loved her bonding time!
My brother left to go get something to eat and awhile later Amanda's parents came with the boys. They were so excited to see their new baby sister. Logan held her with help from Amanda and then Noah sat and held her for awhile. It was so sweet. Noah said really quietly to her, "Hi Maddison Grace I****, I'm your big brother." My heart melted!
So, that's it. I finally have a niece! I'm sure you'll be hearing a lot more about Maddy in the weeks and months to come. ;-)
Posted by SweetMarie83 at 12:01 AM 1 comments
Monday, June 10, 2013
Gilmore Girls Mondays: Week 2
Starting this month, along with my two online besties Molli and Jessica, I'm doing a Gilmore Girls rewatch-along. Every Monday I'll be talking about the episodes I watched each week, sharing my thoughts plus favourite quotes, scenes, etc. If you want to join in, you can tweet with us using the hashtag #GilmoreGirls, and if you want to join in the discussions, feel free to grab my graphic and create posts of your own, or just comment with your thoughts.
This post is really long, and I apologize in advance. I broke down each episode into a basic recap and my thoughts, but I'm not sure if I'll stick with this format for later weeks since it's time consuming for me to write and for you to read. From now on I might just do a general overview of my thoughts on the week's episodes…we'll see!
Episode 1: "Pilot"
The basics: We meet most of the characters who we'll come to think of as the main characters: Lorelai, Rory, Luke, Sookie, Lane, Michel, Dean, Emily, Richard, Miss Patty. Rory just got accepted into Chilton, a fancy private school, and will be leaving Stars Hollow High, along with her best friend Lane. With Rory being super smart and not challenged enough at a regular high school, getting into Chilton is a big deal…but it's expensive. Really expensive. Lorelai can't afford it and can't get financial help, so she does the last thing she wants to do, but the thing she pretty much has to do: she asks her parents for help. She only sees Emily and Richard on holidays, but Emily insists that if she's going to be involved financially in their lives, she wants to be actively involved. Thus begins the tradition of Friday night dinners at the Gilmore house.
My thoughts:
- Rory is so freaking cute. She's awkward and rambly, and reminds me so much of myself at that age (and still).
- I love the almost painfully awkward interactions between Rory and Dean. That shy little look she gets is so adorable, and he's so cute and looks so young! Slightly off topic, but it's so weird because for years I thought of him as Dean from Gilmore Girls and then when I started watching Supernatural, he was Sam and his brother was Dean and it took me forever to get used to it. Now I'm going to start calling him Dean again and my poor brain will be fried.
- Luke. Ahh, Luke. I forgot how surly and disapproving he was at first! He's like this grouchy old man in a hot guy's body. Even at sixteen I had a major crush on Luke.
Episode 2: "The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton"
The basics: Lorelai wakes up late on Rory's first day of Chilton and ends up taking her to school dressed like a cross between Daisy Duke and a rodeo hand. Emily is, of course, there to see this moment of shame and assert her authority because she's paying for Rory's school and there's no way she'll let Lorelai forget it. The headmaster basically tells Rory that she may be smart where she came from but that Chilton is very different, has incredibly high standards, and is super competitive, and she very well may fail. We're introduced to Paris, the mean girl, and her minions Madeline and Louise, as well as Tristan, who starts calling Rory 'Mary' (as in the Virgin Mary because she looks like a goody goody). Back in Stars Hollow, we meet more characters who will become regulars: Jackson, Babbette, Morey, and oddly enough 'Mick' who is really Kirk, which I will talk about more in a minute.
My thoughts:
- Paris is the mean girl but not your typical mean girl. She doesn't make Rory's life hell because she wears the wrong clothes or has an outdated hairstyle - she's mean because she's smart and driven and is threatened by someone new who could potentially be competition. It's different from what we normally see on TV and I like it…even though I despised Paris in those early days.
- I love Stars Hollow. I always fantasized about living in Stars Hollow - somewhere small where everyone knows each other and cares about each other. I love the faerie lights and Luke's diner and Lorelai and Rory's house and just everything. *wistful sigh*
The basics: Rory has to pick a sport for school and Emily suggests she choose golf because Richard can teach her. Both Lorelai and Richard don't seem too keen about the idea - for different reasons - but Richard takes Rory to the club and they have some good grandfather-granddaughter bonding moments.
My thoughts:
- I liked watching Rory and Richard bonding. She gets to see his world and he gets to see how smart she is and that he can talk to her like an adult. Because he hasn't spent much time with her over the years, I imagine he sees her as a child, and because she's Lorelai's child, he would likely assume they'd have nothing in common. I like that they started to forge a relationship separate from Lorelai and Emily - something that's just theirs. I also found it interesting that Lorelai assumed Rory would be miserable because she would have been miserable. She has trouble picturing Rory enjoying the life that she hated so much and fought so hard against at that age.
Episode 4: "The Deer-Hunters"
The basics: Rory spends forever cramming for a huge test, is late for school the morning of the test because she and Lorelai slept in, she gets hit by a deer on the drive to school. When she finally arrives at school - late - she has a meltdown in class when the teacher tells her she can't take the test.
My thoughts:
- Max! Even though I'm a Luke girl all the way, I still liked Max. It's obvious Lorelai intrigues him because she's not like all the other stuffy Chilton moms, and he clearly likes Rory and wants to see her succeed. Both these things made me like him instantly. Plus he's got great hair. And I love his voice. If I'd had a teacher like that at Rory's age, I would have been a goner.
- I like how Rory eventually realizes that it's ok not to be perfect. She can work hard and get good grades but she doesn't have to be the best at everything or know everything or do ALL THE THINGS and drive herself crazy. Chilton is hard, but she's determined to do it so she can live her dream of going to a good school, and I admire that about her.
Episode 5: "Cinnamon's Wake"
The basics: Another encounter between Rory and Dean; Babbette and Morey's cat Cinnamon dies and they have a wake for her, where the whole town shows up; Max thinks he and Lorelai should date.
My thoughts:
- That interaction between Rory and Dean made me laugh so hard. She's so uncomfortable around him, it's just the cutest thing. She wanted to see him so badly but then when she did, she didn't know how to act and it's so awkward and painful. I can so relate to this.
- Lorelai is afraid to date Max because he's Rory's teacher and she's afraid that would be too weird for Rory. I love how protective she is of Rory; for being so eccentric and cool and modern, she's a fantastic mother. I liked the interaction between Babbette and Lorelai when Babbette told her someday she'd have to live a life without Rory and she deserved to have a life of her own. Lorelai is afraid no man would ever like her because she's neurotic - again, something else I can relate to.
Episode 6: "Rory's Birthday Parties"
The basics: It's Rory's seventeenth birthday! Lorelai Leigh Gilmore was born on October 8th at 4:03am. Rory's birthday falls on a Friday and even though Lorelai tries to get them out of Friday night dinner, it doesn't work. Emily throws a big party and invites everyone she knows, along with all of Rory's schoolmates, which is humiliating for Rory, who ends up yelling at Emily in front of the guests. The next night Lorelai has Rory's traditional birthday bash at home and the whole town comes…and so do Emily and Richard.
My thoughts:
- I loved the scene where Lorelai gets in bed with Rory at the time she was born and asks her what she thinks of her life so far. That part always makes me teary eyed. It's funny but sweet and touching.
- We finally get to see a softer side of Luke when he makes a cake and has balloons at the diner for Rory's birthday - AWW!
- I thought it was interesting that we got to see the room Lorelai grew up in and that it's basically the same as it was when she left - really fancy with beautiful dolls and a huge dollhouse (I WANT THAT DOLLHOUSE), gorgeous bed, posters on the wall. It's like a time capsule but the only personal touches were the posters - you can tell the rest would have been Emily's doing because it's not Lorelai's style. What must it have been like to grow up in a room that was yours but not yours? It says a lot about Lorelai and the types of things she has in her own house, I think.
- Speaking of Emily, god what an unyielding bitch! It seemed like she loosened up a tiny bit by listening to Lorelai and getting Rory a present she would actually like instead of what Emily thinks she'd like, but then she invites all of Rory's schoolmates to her party assuming she was friends with them, plus a bunch of her and Richard's friends and business acquaintances. Hello, it's a birthday party for a seventeen year old! Then when she realizes she can't control Rory (just like she couldn't control Lorelai), she gives her the cold shoulder. She makes me so angry!
- I did, however, think she made the right decision to go to Rory's birthday party when Rory invited her, and I felt the tiniest bit bad for her when we learn she and Richard have never been to the house and they meet all these eccentric townspeople who have known and loved Rory her entire life. Rory's basically still a stranger to her and these people who are strangers to Emily know her granddaughter better than she probably ever will. It's her own fault, but it is kind of bittersweet.
Episode 7: "Kiss and Tell"
The basics: Dean kisses Rory in the middle of the grocery store and word spreads fast…problem is, Rory hasn't told Lorelai about what's going on between her and Dean. Then when Rory and Lorelai see Dean in the market, Lorelai invites him to their movie night.
My thoughts:
- We finally meet Taylor Doose, owner of Doose's Market, who will be a big part of the show (and who, by the way, I find ridiculous and hilarious)
- HA! Dean kissed Rory right there in the middle of the grocery store and she said 'thank you'. If she were any cuter, I think I'd die.
- More Luke! Oh Luke. *sigh*
- When Rory says that when it comes to boys and dating, she's a total spaz, I yelled "YES, ME TOO"…at 16 and even now, sadly lol
- Was it just me or did Dean's attitude toward Lorelai drive anyone else nuts? He's new in a small town where everyone knows everyone else, wanting to date this girl, who happens to have a young, hot mom - you'd think he'd try to impress her, but he's all flippant and semi-rude. I don't know if I noticed that before but it rubbed me the wrong way this time around.
- Holy awkward, Batman! Having your mom invite the boy you like to your house to watch movies and eat junk? I'm torn between whether it's unbelievably humiliating or an awesome thing to do. I was so incredibly uncomfortable around boys at that age, I think if I'd had a young, cool mom I wouldn't have minded if she'd invited a guy over...at least it would save me from doing it! Actually...when I was that age, I liked a boy and my brother and his then-girlfriend were the ones who invited him to come out with us for coffee one night because they knew I wouldn't do it...and if it hadn't been for that, I likely wouldn't have ever dated him, and considering he was my first love...well...
Episode 8: "Love & War & Snow"
The basics: A town meeting, the first snow, Rory's stuck in Hartford overnight with her grandparents, Max ends up in town and he and Lorelai finally get to go on a date.
My thoughts:
- First town hall meeting! I love the town hall meetings. I think it's hilarious that Rory and Lorelai go with snacks, like it's a show, and don't really contribute anything, they just watch and laugh while other people get pissed off and yell at each other.
- I like that we're getting to see all these very real sides of Rory. She seems like this perfect kid, but the thing is, she's not - and she is a kid. She makes mistakes, she gets wrapped up in her own life, and she wasn't there when Lane needed her, because she's so obsessed with Dean. I think we've all been through something like that - either as the friend that should have been there, or as the friend who gets ditched for a guy. When Lane said to Rory "You seem to have this really great life going and I don't fit in there" - I've SO been there. One of my best friends from high school ditched me for a guy in college and her life seemed so perfect and shiny, and I was jealous and hurt because I didn't fit into her life anymore.
- Oh god when Lane runs her hand through the guy's hair I just about died. Even though I've seen that episode half a dozen times, I still yell at the TV "DON'T DO IT!" It's so embarrassing and hilarious and believable to have that moment of insanity where your hormones are acting on your behalf.
- When Rory spent the night with her grandparents, it was nice to see a bit of a fun side to them and know they're not always so uptight, especially Emily.
Inconsistencies so far:
- The guy we eventually know as Kirk shows up in "The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton" and "Kill Me Now". At first he's "Mick" the DSL guy, then he shows up working in the grocery store and Miss Patty refers to him as 'this guy'. Then when he's finally Kirk, they act like they hardly know him but later on we find out he's lived there his whole life.
- Emily and Richard were talking about Lorelai I (Richard's mother) in the past tense, as if she were dead, but she's not.
I love that Lorelai is a self-made woman. I don't know if I ever really appreciated that before. She came from a privileged background but left that life, and didn't fall back on it like so many rich kids do. She made a name for herself, rose through the ranks of the inn to become the executive manager and she did it all based on her hard work, not who her parents were or how much money they had. I have a newfound respect for her this time around. Also something different this time around: I'm finding myself relating to Lorelai as much as I do to Rory. When I originally watched the show I was the same age as Rory and now I'm closer to Lorelai's age (*groan*). My life is very different from hers, but I get her in a way that I didn't as a teenager. The disappointments of life, and it not turning out like you thought it would, but going with it anyway because what choice do you have? I think that's what's so great about the show - no matter how old you are, there's something and someone to relate to.
Also, I have a girl crush on Lorelai.
"She can finally go to Harvard like she's always wanted and get the education I never got, and do all the things I never got to do, and I can resent her for it and we can finally have a normal mother-daughter relationship." ~ Lorelai
"People are particularly stupid today. I can't talk to any more of them." ~ Michel
"Does he have a motorcycle? 'Cause if you're gonna throw your life away he better have a motorcycle." ~ Lorelai
Luke to Rory: "You do not want to grow up to be like your mom." Rory: "Sorry, too late."
"That's the last time I buy anything just because it's furry." ~ Lorelai
"Gnome kicking says a lot about a man's character." ~ Babbette
"You could use your mother's old golf clubs. They're upstairs collecting dust along with the rest of her potential." ~ Emily
"Is there a You're Crazy team? 'Cause I think they'd make you captain." ~ Lorelai
"To me you are the teacher in the Charlie Brown cartoon." ~ Michel
"We can't all just call everyone 'sweetie' and get away with it." ~ Michel
"Rory is my life. She's my pal. My everything." ~ Lorelai
Luke to Lorelai and Sookie: "How do you guys get any work done?"
Dean: "Do you have a second?" Rory: "No. I have gum."
"The world changes when it snows. It gets quiet. Everything softens." ~ Lorelai
Lorelai to Max: "I think it's very important that you know my faults as well as my many attributes."
What do you think of these eight episodes? Do you like Dean? Do you prefer Luke or Max? What do you think of Emily? Paris? Could you handle a school like Chilton? Do you fantasize about living in a town like Stars Hollow or would you go nuts in a place that small? Did you ever have a friend like Lane? Who's your favourite character so far? I want to hear your thoughts, whatever they are!
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
That Time I Was in the Delivery Room
That Time I… was started by Alex from Let Life Be Like Music and Emily from Inhabit Your Moments, and is being used with their permission. Be sure to visit their blogs on Wednesdays to read their That Time I…
With the birth of my first niece coming this week (possibly today, depending on whether the doctor decides today's the day to induce), I've been feeling nostalgic about the birth of my youngest nephew, Logan.
Our family was a wreck when Amanda got pregnant with Logan. We were so broken, I didn't think anything could ever save us, but Logan did. I was so excited to be having another nephew. Noah was seven by then, so it had been a long time since we'd had a baby in the family. I was thrilled when Amanda asked me to be in the delivery room for the birth. I missed Noah's birth entirely (ironically enough, my family was pretty broken around the time of his birth too, and he saved us then…seems to be a bizarre theme in my family), so I was excited to get the chance to be there for Logan.
Amanda, her sister, and I spent the entire day together on February 4th, 2010 waiting to get a call from the hospital that Amanda could go in to be induced. They didn't give us any time frame, so we tried to stay busy so we wouldn't go crazy. We headed out early in the morning to do some shopping, then went back to Jamie and Amanda's for lunch and to hang out. Late that evening, we had pretty much given up hope that it would be that day, and Jamie and Amanda were about to take me home when we got the call.
Long story short…Amanda was induced, had an epidural, and when she was finally in active labour, it was literally about 20 minutes of pushing before Logan came out. I couldn't believe it. She'd had complications with Noah - he hadn't wanted to come out and they had to use the vacuum thingy to basically suck him out, so I expected hours and hours of labour.
The second he came out, the three of us were so surprised and excited we all let out this little cry and Logan whipped his head in our direction. He was so busy trying to figure out what was going on that he didn't even cry. Right then I knew he was going to be something special, and boy, was I right!
The nurses took him to clean him up and I started taking pictures of him. My absolute favourite is this one:
I'd been taking pictures for just a few minutes when he did this. I laughed, thinking he looked like he'd had enough of me taking pictures, and I remember thinking, again, that that was going to say a lot about his personality, and again, I was right. He's got the biggest personality of any kid I've ever met. He's funny and smart and crazy and so, so lovable. He's my best buddy.
In short, seeing a baby come into this world is the most beautiful, disgusting, incredible, exciting, life-changing experience. I credit it for the really intense connection Logan and I have, and I wouldn't trade that for the world.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Gilmore Girls Mondays: Week 1
Starting this month, along with my two online besties Molli and Jessica, I'm doing a Gilmore Girls rewatch-along. Every Monday I'll be talking about the episodes I watched each week, sharing my thoughts plus favourite quotes, scenes, etc. If you want to join in, you can tweet with us using the hashtag #GilmoreGirls, and if you want to join in the discussions, feel free to grab my graphic and create posts of your own, or just comment with your thoughts.
*Note: I'm not actually going to share my thoughts on the episodes I watched this week. Even though I got a few episodes in, I want to give my partners in crime some time to catch up and watch the first few episodes, plus if anyone else sees this and decides to join in, you'll have a week to get started!
I was a couple months shy of turning 17 when Gilmore Girls started airing in 2000. It became an instant favourite - I loved Lorelai and Rory and their crazy, fun, slightly dysfunctional, but oh-so-special relationship. I loved Star's Hollow and its eccentric inhabitants. I related to Rory in that I was shy and bookish and didn't have many friends.
It was one of those shows that really spoke to me and had special significance along with a treasured place in my heart. I grew up alongside Rory, and I shared in her triumphs and failures the way you would a real life friend. I related to her and to the show in so many ways, and I consider it one of the defining shows of my youth.
Another great thing about the show: it brought my mum and me closer. She didn't watch with me from the beginning, but when the TV in my bedroom died and we had to start sharing the main TV in the living room, I convinced her to watch it with me. She had mixed feelings at first - she liked it but found it exhausting because of all the chatter and banter and references she didn't get. After awhile, she got used to it and started to love the show as much as I did. It became our thing, and to this day we still have Gilmore Girls related inside jokes.
The last time I rewatched the show, I watched from seasons 1-5, but I didn't own 6 and 7 yet. I didn't mind because they were my least favourite seasons - I didn't like the direction the show took, and I was really unhappy with the ending. I finally picked up seasons 6 and 7 on sale last year and I'd been wanting to do a rewatch for awhile but kept watching other shows instead. After I reviewed Lauren's Graham debut novel, Someday, Someday, Maybe, Molli suggested we should rewatch the show together, and it seemed like the perfect excuse to finally watch it again. Then Jess decided to join us, and I spent what felt like forever excitedly counting down the days until June 1st so I could be reunited with the Gilmores!
Do you remember how you felt when you first started watching Gilmore Girls? How old were you? How many times have you watched the series?
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Risen from the ashes of keg-fueled house parties and sweaty bars of College Park, MD, Box Era has planted itself as a staple in the up-and-coming DMV music scene. Creating a jam-inspired electro-pop and funk blend, Box Era's music arms you with every tool necessary to go talk to that special someone you've been eyeing up. You'll find yourself dancing the night away, shaking hands with CEOs, and experiencing the juiciest sweet-and-sour jamwich of your life.
With a debut EP right round the corner, Box Era is gearing up for an explosive 2017. From word of mouth alone, the band has already supported national headliners and conquered renowned venues across the region. The party is only going to grow. There's a saxophone, a talkbox, and two pairs of glasses. There's magic, youth, and the most unique sound you've heard since The Bangles. Box Era is the story of four boys wandering the halls of Xanadu, forever in search of sweet cream.
Doors 9:30 | Music 10 pm. 21 and up.


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I know I misjudged you, and having ever judged is more of a disappointment than the Affection that seems to flee at every possible moment of burden
Repeated endlessly, the words "I Love You." Are dull and almost tear the lining of their meaning, but it is not in what is said, it is the passion that flows from behind the voice in the sublime uncovering of the real symbol for which the words stand
You know as well as I that when we need each other, we are there, and that it is only that we are scared at what the unquantifiable depth in each others eyes reveal, and that even hurt lines reproduced in waves break over us ______.
I am sorry that the conceit played upon by me, and the words that so hideously mask those few perfect years of dreaming left tiny lapsed particles of memory tied between us, to the extent that we can only hear each other shouting and reaching for the back of our eyes
is plausible only in metaphor
But I cannot tell you why it has been so hard, and why frustrated misunderstandings lend us the obstinacy to say all of this. Stirred by plaintive be apologies and the crass optimism we once had, but has since retreated deep into pleas last standing before I left to hide atop this mountain of creativity, the same as your captivity.
We have made mistakes but your silent influence is the scathing self-incising mirrored torment that keeps me sane.


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All things lovely coming soon.
Until then here is a list of 25 things about me or things that I love...
1. I was born in the 60's
2. I love my 2 kids...Gina & Frankie
3. My husband and I live in Toronto, Canada
4. Hydrangeas are my favourite flower
5. My first car was a 1969 Mustang
6. I'm going to be a grandmother
7. As a kid, one summer I found 9 four leaf clovers
8. I've been married twice. My husband now for 9 years
9. My husband is American...born in Brooklyn, NY
10. Shabby Chic makes me happy
11. Favourite scent is anything orange
12. On my daughters 20th birthday I had my nose pierced...a tiny little diamond and I still love it
13. Empty nesters and not happy about it
14. I love the sound of water
15. My favourite item in my home is a huge galvanized rooster
16. I've been a real estate agent, bartender, legal secretary and now a home stager
17. I love spring and summer
18. Travelled to Italy when I was 19 years old
19. I love old subway signs
20. I'm the oldest in my family
21. I have always made my kids birthday cakes
22. Sunshine makes me happy
23. I love anything with fonts or words on it
24. I married my husband in New Jersey and lived there for 5 years with my kids
25. I'm excited to post all things lovely, shabby and white. I hope you enjoy "Shabby Whites" and please comment - I would love to hear from you.
Shabby Whites New Blog
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How We Got Started
I chose to work in this industry because love to see the end result..
We started in this industry in 1992.
We describe our business as Family owned and operated
When quality counts, you can count on Lacaria Concrete Construction. For more than 20 years, Michigan residents, businesses and municipalities have relied on us for our top-quality work. By choosing us, you can rest assured that your project will be completed in a professional and timely manner and that we will accommodate your every need. We have the depth and experience to provide full design...
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The quality of work is very good. The water sheets down the driveway and also follows the slant of the ground left to right.
The company is particular about its concrete. The ploy fibers were added on site rather than trust the concrete depot.
Be sure to ask the owner what he thinks if your are changing anything on your concrete or making something new. He has a lot of knowledge so...
Sal and his team did a wonderful job! Can't wait to use him again!
Since 1990 the company has been providing Single-family Home Remodeling, Additions, And Repairs. Lacaria Concrete Construction Inc is incorporated in Michigan, has 14 employees and estimated revenues of $1,300,000.00.
Lacaria Concrete Construction can be found at Central St 3720. The following is offered: B2B Contractors. The entry is present with us since Sep 8, 2010 and was last updated on Nov 14, 2013. In Detroit there are 179 other B2B Contractors. An overview can be found here.


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Hallo hallo all, I'm finally back on the dusty mortal daily coil of the daywalkers again. After five long years in the night club industry I am back working a day job, with real people who can hold a conversation. And it's a great job. I followed my dream and have gone from freelance copywriting to getting employed as the Editor for a media company. Score!!
This also means I'l be online all the time, so the blogging can resume finally.....YAAAAAAAAAAAY!!
It also means I get to make dinner and get back into baking and can immerse myself into food again. Last night was no exception with a rolled pork cheek done with basil, black pepper, lemon juice and mixed herb rub.
And yes, I know, the writing and the pics are rushed today. Give me a chance to get back into the swing of things lol


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Think Ivy League yacht club on a stevedore's budget.
John Bartlett calls it "Maritime/Prep" and presented it as his spring 2010 line for Liz Claiborne.
Leave it to the Harvard-educated designer to come up with a preppy mix of polo shirts, layered T-shirts, sweater vests, plaids and bow ties. The designer introduced a touch of the nautical with navy and white stripes and sailor pants.
The line marks a dramatic departure from last spring's collection, which Bartlett acknowledges was "dressed up and suity."
"You see I've added more color and patterns. The wine-berry, foliage green, aqua blue and mandarin orange. And they mix well with khakis and jeans."
Color Bartlett's collection cost-conscious. All the items in the presentation cost less than $100 with the exception of a petunia purple blazer ($149).