sneaky addictions

I now understand why people get addicted to buying crap on ebay: The act of getting mail.

These days it is a rare thing, and really harkens to feelings I didn't know I had. Like that regular old snail mail makes me feel important and loved. Even if the tag says ebay. So odd. Combine that with the thrill of thrifty shopping, and it is a done deal. Over the last three weeks, I've ordered a food dehydrator, a scooter helmet, some organic cosmetics, organic spices I can't find around here, and a special boardgame for a gift. Sigh.

Post Office Love.

cc'd your boss

Hi,
I'm assuming the tree trimming going on right now in front of the art gallery on campus is a university contract. If so, just thought somebody might like to know they cat-called me while I crossed the street to get into the student union centre. If in your power, I think you should let the dirtbags know I don't appreciate being harassed on campus.
Sincerely,
me

I do NOT want to be inside right now

The entire weekend was glorious. Sun shining, no rain, light breeze and most importantly NO mosquitos. Today is the same. On Saturday we drove 45 minutes away to "Bancroft Farms"-basically an adorable dude-and-dog duo on a couple of acres making veggies for a roadside stand in cottage country. The fantastic potluck showcased some fresh scallops surrounded in bacon BBQ'd to perfection, sunchoke salad and other home-grown goodies. We drank beer around a campfire as the sun went down. Or tea around the table gabbing about CBC and drunken escapades. Then yesterday was a surprise birthday BBQ for my dear hubby, who is turning 30 this week. I invited some old friends he hadn't seen in a long time as well as family members to my mom's house for a surprise party. It was great!

So not much done on the house this weekend. I really want to tape down the kitchen cabinet design to verify the proportions actually work. And I had to fire the landscaping crew who were supposed to till my garden. Not only were they horrible communicators, they just failed to follow through on multiple occasions. I don't have to deal with that crap anymore. I just borrowed a tiller to do myself, with a garden plot plan I spent a few hours organizing. Companion gardening in wide plots....that's the gist of it. We'll see how it goes.

I also took a few pictures of the property today, which I'll post shortly. Sunshine!

Update: Here they are!

Inside the barn:



Outside the barn:

Riighhhtt

The advertisement along the right hand column of my youtube playlist:


I'm not sure "glam" would be the word that comes to mind, really.

Junos

From wikipedia: Juno (Latin pronunciation: /juːnoː/) was an ancient Roman goddess, the protector and special counselor of the state.

The yearly Canadian musical awards are also called Junos, and they are taking place in St.John's. I was listening to CBC last night on the radio, and came across the live performance of some of the artists showcased at this year's Junos. If you need something in the background today, check it out as a podcast via iTunes. (screen capture below to help you navigate since I can't put a link up)

little news big news

While earthquakes abound and I worry about all westcoasters, closer to home we found a neighbour in our barn. He looked like this:

And smelled like this:
The local exterminator company wants $200-400 for removal. At that price, I think it may be worth sending the dog in and dealing with the consequences after.

re-iterate

under a tahini moon

I would like to know what is in sesame seeds that my body is apparently lacking. For two weeks, I have been craving sesame seeds something fierce. I put them in my home-made granola bars (where normally I stick to almonds, currants and coconut). I learned how to cook a spinach-sesame Japanese dish called gomae. I stealthily go down to the health food store mid-afternoon to get some of their sesame crisps.

Tryptophan? I don't know but yumm....sesame seeds. My new best friend.

flakey

Last week I ordered some wee chickens (straight run, buff orpington*, half a dozen day old chicks). They should arrive mid May, so we need to get a coop reading by then. I also scheduled when our garden to be tilled (we decided to move it from the location I originally liked in the fall because of copious tree stumps buried underground), being pleasantly surprised at the $20 cost (I was never going to get around to it at this rate anyway). Bought paint for the exterior of the house. A nice creamy yellow called "bee pollen".

I bought a big five gallon pail at a big box store (they gave me a fifty dollar discount on the upgraded paint because they didn't have the right base for my colour), got home super excited to start the long process of covering up the asbestos shingles in paint when realized I bought latex to put over oil.


Now I have to go back, spend double the money (and time!) to get an appropriate primer. Crap!

* I only realized yesterday that I said buff orpHington, not the proper buff orpington (no H). Newbie!

good things

When I saw these, I literally gasped (open-mouthed and all) in the shoe store. Beautiful glee. Unfortunately, my doctor told me this morning my fucked up left foot (in particular, my fifth metatarsal) is due to poor arch support and will likely get worse as I get older. I'm going to have gnarly old lady feet shod in gross shoes. *Sob*


Regina Spektor will make it better because hello! ...look at those collarbones.

La musica

I have come across three non-local bands that have tickled my fancy this week. Apparently I was in the mood for lush beats and tic noises.

Microbunny from Toronto (in particular, the Magnatech remix)

Little Dragon from Sweden (Twice)

Trespassers William from Seattle (What of me)

(my oh-so-smart husband told me the origin of the name without even having to check. Cute!)

I'm also getting a one month membership to a gym. A bunch of my girlfriends go multiple times a week to a dance/aerobic class that they adore in the town next door. It's basically this, but with a wider range of ages and fitness ability. Free rides and free accountability!