Today was about two kinds of remembrance for me.
Obviously today marked Remembrance Day. I was at home this morning and at 11:11 I paused my silly blog reading to stop and reflect on how lucky I was to have that luxury and to appreciate those who gave up all luxuries to defend my country and Commonwealth, and those who gave up their lives. I had two great uncles who thankfully survived WW2 and unfortunately both of those have now passed, but I thought of them as well.
Upon returning home this evening I took advantage of a bit of time and energy to finally start a project I've been mulling for a while. I had printed off a whole bunch of pictures and, nerdily enough, I am now making myself a little scrapbook to document all the fun of the past year or so. If I finish it in a timely fashion perhaps I'll share. It was such fun to flip through the photos, remember where and how they were taken and I'm glad I'm finally getting around to doing this.
I hope you took some time to remember our fallen heroes and perhaps your current heroes today.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Rec's from last weekend
So this time last week I was shopping up a storm in la belle ville. It was such a great weekend, another visit will certainly not be too far off.
I usually like to hit some of my favourites while I am in town (Ye Olde Orchard you will always be my favourite Montrael pub) but I actually hit three new places last week that were awesome that I wanted to spread the word on.
Saturday night we went to Holder to celebrate my dear x-ine's birthday. Great vibe, a fantastic Quebec cider by the glass and amazing steak frites. I definitely want to go back.
The next morning B and I hit up Universel for brunch. They had delicious fresh squeezed juice and the servings were plentiful (though it will never be the Baker Street - they moved people through a lot faster!).
Before we hit the train on Sunday evening we picked up cupcakes at La Glacerie. AH-mazing. Perhaps the best cupcakes I've had since New York City. They were fluffy, the icing was dense without being cloying.... x-ine and I brought a box of mini cupcakes back and I am a little sad to have just finished it off (hey I ran and did the 30 day shred this aft - I think I earned it).
A bientot Montreal!
I usually like to hit some of my favourites while I am in town (Ye Olde Orchard you will always be my favourite Montrael pub) but I actually hit three new places last week that were awesome that I wanted to spread the word on.
Saturday night we went to Holder to celebrate my dear x-ine's birthday. Great vibe, a fantastic Quebec cider by the glass and amazing steak frites. I definitely want to go back.
The next morning B and I hit up Universel for brunch. They had delicious fresh squeezed juice and the servings were plentiful (though it will never be the Baker Street - they moved people through a lot faster!).
Before we hit the train on Sunday evening we picked up cupcakes at La Glacerie. AH-mazing. Perhaps the best cupcakes I've had since New York City. They were fluffy, the icing was dense without being cloying.... x-ine and I brought a box of mini cupcakes back and I am a little sad to have just finished it off (hey I ran and did the 30 day shred this aft - I think I earned it).
A bientot Montreal!
Friday, November 9, 2012
TGIF
Mon dieu this week felt long. Don't get me wrong - it was a blast, but I am so, so happy its Friday.
This weekend is my usual chock a block of to dos/get togethers/have to dos (laundry, groceries, one last run before it gets ABSOLUTELY miserable outside). I had a lovely evening out at the pub this evening with people who shall not be named as they are insistent on maintaining their internet anonymity - but I have to say I'm pretty chuffed to be in my bed at 10:30. A little bit of silly tv and then sleep for me.
This weekend is my usual chock a block of to dos/get togethers/have to dos (laundry, groceries, one last run before it gets ABSOLUTELY miserable outside). I had a lovely evening out at the pub this evening with people who shall not be named as they are insistent on maintaining their internet anonymity - but I have to say I'm pretty chuffed to be in my bed at 10:30. A little bit of silly tv and then sleep for me.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
On solitude
On the Myers-Briggs personality tests I hover on the line between Introvert and Extrovert (hush Liz). There are days when I NEED to talk to people and the idea of being stuck in a room with no external contact is one of my dearest conceptions of hell. But there are other times when I am the quintessential only child and I need some time relatively on my own (but still connected via twitter/bbm/e-mail/facebook) to recharge.
I had about two hours this evening, between two different social-ish events, to wander around downtown on my own. It was awesome. I went and cooed over way too expensive purses at Holts (bbming with the wonderful Bianca on advice), picked up a slightly unhealthy dinner on the go, and then moved to slightly more affordable pastures. I love shopping with my friends but there is something about wandering the stores on your own, being able to take your time/zip through sections as you wish that is so nice. Though I was doing a lot of groundwork for my next big shopping trip to the Tdot in just over a week, when I will have lots of friends to shop with. It is terrible but shopping is relaxing for me, I like puttering between stores, people watching and making snarky comments under my breath, audience or no. I do at least keep it to mainly WINDOW shopping. Despite that I brought home perhaps my fifth grey sweater (much to x-ine's derision but its the only one with ELBOW Patches), considering it was $30 and not over $300 as some of the purses I was eyeing, its not the worst habit in the world.
Crack is way more expensive.
I had about two hours this evening, between two different social-ish events, to wander around downtown on my own. It was awesome. I went and cooed over way too expensive purses at Holts (bbming with the wonderful Bianca on advice), picked up a slightly unhealthy dinner on the go, and then moved to slightly more affordable pastures. I love shopping with my friends but there is something about wandering the stores on your own, being able to take your time/zip through sections as you wish that is so nice. Though I was doing a lot of groundwork for my next big shopping trip to the Tdot in just over a week, when I will have lots of friends to shop with. It is terrible but shopping is relaxing for me, I like puttering between stores, people watching and making snarky comments under my breath, audience or no. I do at least keep it to mainly WINDOW shopping. Despite that I brought home perhaps my fifth grey sweater (much to x-ine's derision but its the only one with ELBOW Patches), considering it was $30 and not over $300 as some of the purses I was eyeing, its not the worst habit in the world.
Crack is way more expensive.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Whoops
Missed a day! Shucks - but I was a little busy, having nerdy statistics based arguments at a bar full of policy wonks watching the returns of the American election. I was pretty pleased with the results, especially the number of really smart women elected to the Senate, as well as a number of men who would have done their best to impinge on the rights of women being laughed out of town. You did pretty good 'mericuh.
But that was my (counts in head) fifth night in a row of being out and about/drinking and good lord am I tired. Tonight's plan consists of laundry, cooking for myself, catching up on silly tv and hopefully a very early bedtime.
But that was my (counts in head) fifth night in a row of being out and about/drinking and good lord am I tired. Tonight's plan consists of laundry, cooking for myself, catching up on silly tv and hopefully a very early bedtime.
Monday, November 5, 2012
On friendship
It's only November 5th and I'm already getting in just under the wire - ruh roh...
En tout cas (French is seeping into my brain!) - I just had such a pleasant evening at my very dear S's. She made soup and curry, I brought bread and chocolate and another dear friend brought cookies. Afterwards we sat around and dished about career paths, education, dating... It was great.
Once I've made a friend intend to hang on to them. My very best friend and I have been friends for nearly 25 years and I have others in the 15 year range, more for nearly 10 years. As much as astrology is somewhat bunk - saying Virgos are loyal - yeah, that's me. Of someone is my friend I will give them the shirt off my back, the dollars in my wallet and as much time as I can possibly give. Over the years this generosity, and it's lack of reciprocity by some now former or less close friends, has hurt me. I often bend over backwards to make everyone feel included or to keep in touch with people and so am oth hurt and confused when others don't do the same. Over the years though, I like to think I've grown at least some and have been able to recognize that it is not an affront to me, but perhaps an indication that a specific person may not represent the best investment of my time. And I move on.
All that being said, I am often so grateful for my friends. They put up with and talk me through my neorotic moments, encourage me when I'm down or unsure, are great enablers/restrainers when necessary of my shopping habits. While we only joke about it at the moment, I think my circle of fellow only children will be a crucial resource in the future when we all have to deal with aging parents.
So as most of the people who actually read this blog are my actual friends I just wanted to take a moment to say thanks :).
En tout cas (French is seeping into my brain!) - I just had such a pleasant evening at my very dear S's. She made soup and curry, I brought bread and chocolate and another dear friend brought cookies. Afterwards we sat around and dished about career paths, education, dating... It was great.
Once I've made a friend intend to hang on to them. My very best friend and I have been friends for nearly 25 years and I have others in the 15 year range, more for nearly 10 years. As much as astrology is somewhat bunk - saying Virgos are loyal - yeah, that's me. Of someone is my friend I will give them the shirt off my back, the dollars in my wallet and as much time as I can possibly give. Over the years this generosity, and it's lack of reciprocity by some now former or less close friends, has hurt me. I often bend over backwards to make everyone feel included or to keep in touch with people and so am oth hurt and confused when others don't do the same. Over the years though, I like to think I've grown at least some and have been able to recognize that it is not an affront to me, but perhaps an indication that a specific person may not represent the best investment of my time. And I move on.
All that being said, I am often so grateful for my friends. They put up with and talk me through my neorotic moments, encourage me when I'm down or unsure, are great enablers/restrainers when necessary of my shopping habits. While we only joke about it at the moment, I think my circle of fellow only children will be a crucial resource in the future when we all have to deal with aging parents.
So as most of the people who actually read this blog are my actual friends I just wanted to take a moment to say thanks :).
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Lazy morning in Mtl
Greetings - I have already managed to be totally befuddled by the time change this morning so I think it's almost 9:30 but who the heck knows. Have had a great visit to Mtl, with lots of wine, good food and spending waaaaay to much money but thats the point. Currently mulling brunch/cupcake options. Mmmmm.... Cupcakes :).
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