On my not so secret shame

I've been quite intrigued by the news this weekend that the formerly anonymous 'Belle de Jour', who authored a blog and a number of books about her secret left as a call girl, has exposed herself to be a scientist in England. Why exactly she came out now seems to be under debate, but reading articles about her and her perspective on her experience has been really interesting. She started working as an escort because she ran out of money while writing her dissertation, and while acknowledges that she was very lucky to have not had many negative experiences with her clients, seems able to analyse her time as a prostitute and what is means. It's been pointed out that her 'luck' is likely in part due to her being white and middle class, with a strong support network (even though they didn't know what she was doing) allowed her to access a different sort of clientele from women who end up on the streets, who are more likely to be working as a prostitute not because they prefer it to computer analysis (really, she said that), but due to addictions or other calamitous life events. I suppose I'm interested in this both about hearing what some people have to do to get a PhD (!) but also as a moment to think about women and choices.

So I'm obviously not a prostitute. But I have made a choice that some of my friends bewail.

I have read Twilight. I held out for a very long time, until it was lent to me while recovering from surgery last year. I devoured the first book and swiftly after the other three. I saw the movie. I laughed myself silly through a lot of it.

Twilight is really terrible when you think about it, especially from the feminist perspective. As I saw someone point out, Bella starts the series as a cynical girl who likes being different and ends up a teenage mother who names her child Reneesmee, whose entire life is defined by her husband, and will likely never go to college. However much a number of the premises of the books apall me (the evils of pre-marital sex, abortion absolute anathema), I can't help but be so amused by it, and honestly, while working on my own thesis, I was all about the brain candy.

I will definitely be going to see New Moon when it opens next week, but I hope to sneak some rum in to pour into my diet coke so I can get a really good chuckle out of it. Honestly, I'm almost more amused by other people's reactions to it, or their biting analysis (check out this page for the best summaries and responses to Twilight ever, by Cleolinda Jones. She also has a series involving multiple Edward dolls and My Little Ponies.... I can't describe it, just read it!).

Anyone else have a secret or not so secret shame they want to share?

Well, that lasted.... or not

I clearly have the attention span of a gnat and so forgot about this blogging thing again. Oh well. I wish I could say I have something exciting to report but I'm back in the lab here in town, finishing up a few things, back editing the thesis and enjoying my last weeks of freedom. Mtl was awesome though, hanging with my peoples, meeting adorable babies and spending too much money. Until I have something more exciting to report, ta ta.

Back in the Mville

I have so far had a lovely visit back in Mville, hitting my favourite spots, despite an inauspicious start to the weekend.

I take the train a lot and have a very set routine, I show up half an hour early, get my ticket, buy a magazine, wait a few minutes and board. Yesterday, I showed up half an hour early for what I thought was my 3 o'clock train, only to find out that the train I had booked back in August had changed schedules as of November 1st and had left 5 minutes beforehand! I was aghast, but what was I to do but book tickets for the next train and settle down for a long wait. However, the train people took pity on me, and upgraded me to first class because I was inconvenienced! This meant I could sit in the special lounge with free soda and free dinner and wine on the train. I was so tipsy by the time I got to Montreal I was no longer mad. Hm, that may have been their plan all along.

In any case, I've had cider at my favourite bar ever, truffle mac and cheese at one of the best burger joints ever, and accomplished a lot of important shopping. Very important. I bought more argyle, a proper sweater vest, hooray!

Tonight I put on a pretty dress and hit St Laurent to party hardy for my dear x-ine. Will tell you all about it tomorrow, so long as I make that train (I'm about to double check the schedule).

Woohoo weekend!

I'm currently tidying up and packing to spend the weekend back in Mtl. I'm very much looking forward to it, returning to my favourite bar for the best cider ever, celebrating dear x-ine's birthday and seeing some recently born babies. There may also be some shopping on the schedule, for more argyle as I mentioned earlier this week (although, update, I actually already have 4 sweaters). I'll do my best to post over the weekend and keep you updated on all the good times!

On music

It snowed today. Not a lot. It didn't stick. But, there were big fat fluffy flakes drifting down from the sky, and almost compulsively, I turned on Hawksley Workman's 'First Snow of the Year'. It's a very Canadian song, talking about first enjoyment of the sight of snow, but knowing you will soon hate it. I also went and bought a pair of snow boots (and new heels to wear to work).

Later on this evening, trying to figure out what shoes to toss to allow the new ones to come in (it's a system I'm trying. Emphasis on the trying, it's really hard), I came across a whole box of CDs that I made, from the latter half of high school onto part of first year of university, basically when I got an mp3 player and no longer had to burn playlists to take them with me. Really, I should just toss the whole box, but instead, I put it back underneath the bed to listen to when I have a chance. I know that some of the songs won't have the same pull they once did, but I'm sure I'll rediscover some absolute gems. I also just want to listen and remember what those songs meant to me at the time.

While in Florence, my father and I were wandering around one evening, looking for a bar, and we happened into one that was kind of dirty but was named after one of my aunts, and so we thought it was funny. They were playing the first Killers album in its entirety (whose name is escaping me). I still hear a few of the older Killer songs here and there, but some I hadn't heard since I was sitting in my room in my undergrad town, embroiled in biochemistry notes (likely in tears), but singing along HARD because I was also angry (about being in tears). I loved those songs, and despite that time being one of the more miserable in my life, I still do, and that now when I listen I can realize that I persevered through that, thanks in part to Brandon Flowers. I may have to go look them up on You.Tube.

(My current most favourite tracks are insanely poppy by Britney and 3OH!3, about threesomes and chasing after girls. I wonder if I listen to those in 4 years, how I'll feel about them.... besides slightly embarassed.)

An ode to argyle

I went for a run today, definitely not one of my best but I powered through. I came home, peeled off the sweats, showered and was very happy to pull on one of my favourite sweaters, pink with purple and green argyle. This sweater is quite warm so I'm actually okay with the nip in the air as it offers excuse to pull out some of my closet faves.

I'm very comfortable in argyle. Last count I had three argyle sweaters. I bought an argyle polo over the summer but it didn't fit right and so I returned it. While today its paired with earrings carved of moose antler, I often pair argyle with pearls.

Argyle is simply amazing. It often involves several colours, allowing for a whole rainbow of coordinating outfits. It evokes traditional styles but done the right way is also very modern. it goes with everything from heels to my shiny pink adidas sneakers. Have I mentioned my style is rather preppy?

However, my closet is not wholly preppy and actually may be seen as a tad schizophrenic. I have the preppy clothes, the sporty clothes (t-shirts from various universities, numerous yoga pants), the biologist/outdoorsy clothes (fleece, fleece and more fleece), work clothes (well, the blazers are a little preppy I guess) and either schleppy student or going out clothes (both of which often involve low cut t-shirts).

I find it interesting that as I wear the different parts of my wardrobe, I express different characteristics of myself. It's true that a good suit is akin to a suit of armour and when I'm wearing a fairly revealing top.... well... But on the whole, especially if you asked my friends, I'm fairly preppy in dressing and also in attitude. I can out complicated Starbucks order the best of them, and while I have a fairly strong social conscience, i can't quite bring myself to buy only organic cotton. If it's cute, absolutely. If it's a straw colour baggy tee..... no.

A few days ago I teased this entry asking how you all felt about sweater vests. I got one response, from my fabulous former roomie, who is almost as ardent a prepster/argyle/sweater vest lover as I. Sweater vests are almost as dear to me as argyle. Again, I currently have 3. I briefly had four. as I bought one last weekend but also bought something expensive (and put in an order for an even more expensive purse), I had to return it. I didn't love it though. I am way too excited to return to the Mtl this weekend to do shopping and maybe buy one I like even more. You know, for work. To be sure that they know exactly who they're dealing with from the first, I really want to wear an argyle sweater vest my very first day. I'm thinking bright purple.

It's really good I have some fancy sounding degrees otherwise people might never take me seriously, huh....

Warm pasta on a cold night

Hey! This is my 100th post! Pretty cool. Appropriately so, this post is about carbhydrates and alcohol, something anyone following this blog will recognize as highly important to my life.

I was walking home from the Glebe today with one of my nearest and dearest, laden with groceries, chatting away, when to our dismay did it start to hail! I've heard rumours of snow or frozen precipitation here and there but this was the first time I actually saw it. I have noticed the nip in the air, especially on my fingers as I try to send many messages on my blackberry, but I guess I do have to acknowledge that winter is coming. Sigh. At least I have a cute new coat to ward off the chill!

It was thus a good night to make PASTA. Since moving home, my parents have strongly suggested that I should make dinner at least once a week, but its actually not so bad. I've blogged about cooking before and I do enjoy it really, especially as it gives me a chance to make stuff that I really like, or even bid to expand my parent's horizons. Today, I decided to make something that I often order in Italian restaurants and it both seemed fairly straight forward and involved vodka.

I adapted this recipe from one devised by the Pioneer Woman (one of my online faves, I just got her cookbook as well and its both beautiful and delicious) and other recipes I found online.

Vodka rose sauce with penne, prosciutto and mushrooms

Ingredients:

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, diced and pressed

3-4 large mushrooms, sliced

100 g prosciutto, diced

28 oz can diced tomatoes

1 cup half and half

1 cup vodka (anything but Russian Prince)

Parsley, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, sugar and pepper to taste

2 cups penne

Parmesan

Instructions:

1. Dice the onion, garlic, and saute in a large sauce pan with olive oil, on high heat.
2. Slice the mushrooms. Take strips of prosciutto and slice width wise for somewhat bite-size pieces. Once the garlic and onion has started to go golden, toss in the mushrooms and prosciutto.
3. Pour in vodka and allow everything to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
4. Pour in tomatoes, and add seasonings to taste (I probably added at least 1 tsp of each. The sugar is only if you're finding the sauce somewhat acidic), allowing to simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Get the penne cooking just as the sauce is getting to simmering.
6. Turn down the heat in your sauce pan and pour in the half and half. Stir around, and add more seasonings as needed (I like hot dishes, added more red pepper flakes here), on a continuous low heat, just on the edge of simmering.
7. When the penne is cooked, drain, and pour into your sauce pan. Mix in the pasta and serve immediately in bowls, with parmesan to garnish. Offer either wine or vodka if you've been tippling that while cooking. Enjoy!