One is the loneliest

The thing about blogging is it's best done when one is feeling happy. The problem with feeling happy is that it's currently February. That and I am in the midst of what is to date one of the strangest periods ever experienced in my life. Some of you may know that my dear husband fled to Toronto on a week's notice to pursue a fabulous opportunity with the Federal Government. (Yup, he's French. He's got the golden ticket). 

I know what you're probably thinking, because I've been told it time and time again by well-intentioned friends and family members: "Long distance relationships happen to pretty much everyone at some point. It's perfectly normal. You'll see each other on weekends and everything will be fine."

I know that is true. And to be honest, I'm not even *all that upset* about it. The tears I shed were brought on more by sentiment and self-indulgence than full-out grief. That said, I would never describe how I've been feeling lately as happy. 

More like numb and empty. The daily routines of life are just not the same without Steve. I thought if I put on the albums we always listen to together, and watch movies we've seen time and time again I would feel like he was right there beside me. But that's not how it works. 

Instead, I find myself gravitating toward those things that brought me comfort long before Steve was a part of my life. Jazz music. Poetry. Really old movies. Cereal for dinner. (Yes, eating properly has been another issue.) It just hurts less that way.

Big Guy, Little Fish

I took this photo at the panfish derby last weekend. I look at it whenever I'm feeling lonely and down, and it cheers me right up.

I hope it makes your day, as it has mine :)

Nothing to kill or die for

Remember a couple weeks ago when I posted about my country's tasteless "Own the Podium Campaign"?

Well, the international community is starting to catch on. Simon Barnes writes in the British Times:

"Their highly unpleasant Own the Poduim program, in which they seek to exploit home advantage to the last nanosecond, has alienated the world they are supposed to play host to. Home athletes have always had the advantage: getting ugly about it is neither necessary nor appropriate."

Martin Samuel of the Daily Mail writes:

"Canada wanted to Own the Podium at the Vancouver Olympic Games...they can put their Maple Leaf stamp on something more instantly tangible: the nondescript little box carrying the lifeless body of Nodar Kumaritashvili back to his home in Bakuriani, Georgia. 'Made in Canada," it should say. Made by the perversion of the Olympic movement for national gain; made by a culture of worthless aggrandizement and pride."

Lawrence Donegan of the Guardian writes that Kumaritashvili's death is "another blow against Canada's reputation as the kindest, gentlest member of the Olympic community."

In a nut shell, many journalists are blaming Kumaritashvili's death on Canada's refusing to give visiting countries the time they deserve on the practice runs.

A little harsh? Maybe. But what do we expect when we go around touting our arrogant BS to the world? Not even the Americans have behaved in such an egotistical manner. To me, the whole thing seems downright fascist, and makes me embarrassed to be Canadian.

The Olympics should be about cultures coming together - not nationalism!

Mardi Gras

I couldn't find any green, gold, and purple beads, so I celebrated with pancakes instead. The first is from a photoshoot I did today for work. The second is my own attempt to make the traditional dinner, complete with blueberries.

My Funny Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day, my friends. (Yes, it's only February 12 - but I don't think I'll get a chance to post over the next couple days!) 

My Valentine's gift to you is a compilation of photos depicting celebrities kissing. I'm pretty sure all of these famous couples either never existed or have since broken up, but aren't the photos nice anyway?

To be honest, Steve and I have never really been much on the holiday. We'll probably have some wine and cook a nice dinner - but that's not really that big of a stretch for us. The most important thing is, we'll be together.

Sigh

It's 12:10 on Friday morning, and I'm too tired to sleep. This past week has been an emotional and logistical roller coaster to say the least. I found this quotation on Design Crush and literally started to cry (which happens all the time when I'm really tired). So I'm posting it. Please don't hate me.

The Life of a Cat

My cat is my all time favourite photo subject. (To be fair, the dog would probably be up there too if she wasn't so scared of the camera.)

Here are some photos of Napoleon waking up from a nap.

P.S. Hooray for the Saints! I watched the Super Bowl and actually really enjoyed it. Turns out the rules of football are much easier to understand when you care who wins!

When the Saints go marching in!

So it looks like I'll be featuring two sports posts in a row. Strange, I know, but true. You know what's also strange? I am seriously excited about the Super Bowl this year!!! My dad was shocked when I said last night that I was looking forward to cheering on the Saints on Sunday. He accused me of not even knowing who their quarterback is - which, of course, I didn't. But I do now!

His name is Drew Brees. He was born on January 15, 1979 in Dallas Texas. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft, after playing college football at Purdue. He is allergic to dairy, wheat, gluten, and eggs. (Not sure why that's important, but thought it was interesting.)

I am cheering for Brees and the Saints because New Orleans is one of my favourite cities in the world, and I want their team to win. I love the aesthetic of football, but sometimes I have a difficult time understanding exactly what is going on on the field, and end up annoying the men in my life by asking too many questions and distracting them from the game.

Anyway, I'm going to do my best to try and get into the game on Sunday. I'll let you know how it goes, if it's not too embarrassing.

Own the Poduim

May I be frank for a moment? (Of course I can, it's my blog!)

It's one week from the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, and I'm super excited because this means that soon we won't be subjected to those terrible "own the podium" adds that have bombarded Canadian airways for the past year or so. One of them literally goes on about how "Canadians are thought to be a polite and reserved people - but so-and-so-Olympian is a new breed of Canadian bla bla bla we're so great because now we've become a bunch of arrogant a**holes...". Or something like that.

I for one happen to like the fact that Canadians are known for being polite and reserved. Can't we leave that kind of boisterous nationalism to the Americans, like we've always done in the past? Of course I want our athletes to do well, but it would be so much nicer if we did it on our own terms. 

Not to mention the huge financial burden. Boy, am I ever glad I don't live in BC.  Give me a functioning health care system over some short-lived Olympic glory any day!

Ground Hogs

Happy Ground Hog Day, folks.  Apparently ground hogs throughout North America produced mixed reports.  I don't thing I have to mention which ones I'm choosing to believe and why.  My favourite thing about Ground Hog Day:  It gives me a guilt-free opportunity to watch the fabulous Bill Murray movie of the same name for about the thousandth time!

Tea Philosophy

...As I was settling down to my nightly tea, I was happy to find enclosed within the packet a fortune that also happens to be a personal philosophy of mine...so I just had to take a photo immediately and post it here!  "Let things come to you" comes pretty close to flying in the face of what most of us were taught in life.  More often than not, we told that if there's something we really want, we need to "go out at get it." 

But "go out and get it" is not synonymous with "let your heart be your guide" or even "work hard with dignity." Perhaps raw drive and competition yields more short term results.  But personally I find it unappealing and difficult to deal with in myself and others.

Now I've drank all my tea and am feeling a bit drowsy...time for bed.