A Year in review.

Ahhh another year is ending and we are looking forwards to 2012. If I do say so myself, I am quite pleased to be finished with 2011.

2011 started off well enough I guess. I started work with the Federal Government and was looking good for a term position, but that fell to pot so I was unemployed again (nothing shocking there). I spent almost 6 weeks treking around the UK on a solo vacation, which was the start of many firsts for me!

on either side of Tower Bridge

I had never been off the North American Continent, and I had never been so far away from home, nor had I ever done it alone. So that was a bit crazy. Walking around London by myself realizing that I was by myself, and could do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted? That was just freaking awesome. I wasn't accountable to anyone but myself. I could eat where I wanted, drink what I wanted, and shop as I pleased and see whatever sights I deemed interesting. So yes I spent an hour in Harrods picking out the perfect gift for my mom while eyeing up all the high end designer shoes. And no I didn't check out a single museum in London. Any regrets? Not a single one.

I spent almost weeks on bus tours meeting amazing people from all over the world and started to really understand what it means to never judge a book by its cover. First impressions aren't always right, but your gut feeling never misses. I also learned to stand up for myself because ultimately if you don't stand up for yourself and how you're feeling, no one else will.

Me in the Circus in Bath

UK was amazing for a couple other reasons. I learned that I can do things on my own. Until then I had always had people covering my back. No matter what happened to me I had an army of people behind me to catch me if I feel, and just before leaving for the UK and even more so after returning I realized that I had started to get a bit too dependent on that. Certain people in my life couldn't seem to come to terms with the fact that yes I was very capable of doing things myself, and that I didn't need people to treat me like an infant. A big realization came right as I walked through the security gate to leave for London. The Asscountant felt the need to come with me all the way to Vancovuer, take me to the airport and make sure I got on that plane. He watched my plane take off. Now I know you're all thinking "Ex Student you're nuts that's him showing he cared and he was just doing a nice thing", and to an extent you're right. But before all that I argued with him tooth and nail I could just go over myself and take the bus and take the ferry, but he said no that it was stupid. Now before I start getting all "he said she said" and showing how bitter I am, really my point here is that in 2011 I realized how bloody dependent I was on other people. And it was all the little things that added up to me realizing I couldn't live like that. Isn't part of any relationship blind faith that the other knows what they are doing sometimes?

I spent almost 6 weeks in the UK (England, Scotland and Ireland) and never once did I get lost (ok well that's a bit of lie...I got "turned around" in London but ended up going to Kings Cross and seeing where Harry Potter was filmed and jumped on the Tube and was back to my hotel in no time......so not really lost but was wondering...), or was mugged or got food poisoning. I never once overspent, and I never once got shot or hurt. I was 100% responsible for myself, and everything turned ok peachy. I found my tours, and managed the tubes, I saw a West End Show at night and made it home safely, I had ice cream in Hyde Park and saw Buckingham Palace. I got on the trains and got myself to Manchester, and got myself to and from Dublin by bus and ferry. All came up daisies :)

So I came back from England and didn't let people step all over me. And apparently that meant I had changed too much, and the Asscountant and I went our separate ways. He said I had changed too much, I said I just didn't want him to control my life for me. He had also made some pretty harsh comments about how I am choosing to live my life, and he also mentioned that I was a pain in his ass (in other words but the jist is still the same). I still stipulate to this day that if it had not been for me, he would never have made it to where he is, and would have dropped out of CASB after he failed a module.

Its taken me quite awhile, and while I still miss this person that was so intricately woven into my life, I'm realizing that I can make it without them, and that I certainly don't need people in my life doubting my decisions. Who want things from me but don't reciprocate.

After my UK trip I went back to working with the Federal Government to finish out the last of my contract. After that I basically lounged around for the summer, taking temp gigs and doing whatever I wanted. Which I'm sure did not thrill my parents. But it made for a great summer.  I did manage to see the Pixies in concert and took in Wicked in Vancouver (saw it in NY originally but the Vancouver one was decent). Also saw Dralion the travelling show with my parents which sounds geeky but was totally awesome.

Jasper National Park

I also spent a week with my other sister Krazy (again not her name just a cute nickname) and her son and my other nephew JYD (again...a nickname) going from Victoria to Valemont (hillbilly hell...) to Edmonton (shopping!!) to Jasper National Park. All in this time span Krazy destroyed almost 1000$ of eyewear. All mine, and I was blind. But there was something incredibly cool about seeing more of my own back yard. I got to see what makes this country so beautiful. I got to be a bit of a tourist and of course as I wasn't working it was nice to meander and do whatever. Also cool? Jasper has hotsprings and tons of goats running around! Also got to see moose!! Also learned that I cannot spend a week in a car with Krazy's son because hes an arse. But that's totally another story. Honestly contemplated pushing him off a cliff. We also drove through Banff National Park and I got to see the glacier and JYD I treked to the top, in like jeans and t shirts while people around us had actual gear on....oh well! We survived!

Anway. Still grieving the loss of the Asscountant and having to come to terms with the declining health of my Granddad, I decided to go back to school and take classes. I had the funds and the time and no jobs were coming available so why not? That's not true actually. I could have gone to work with SeaSpan ship builders because of my Federal Government training but it didn't seem like a good idea at the time. I could have also gone to start another school program off the Island but I decided against it. Which I do believe in the end was the right choice.

The edge of the glacier in Banff National Park

I took classes that I figured would eventually get me in a good place to apply to better grad programs and it suited me anyways because after a very long struggle with Pulmonary Fibrosis my Granddad passed away and as a result my life crumbled a bit. He had always been someone impartial in my life that I could talk to about anything. We had lenghty conversations about everything and anything and he always understood me. We had a really unique relationship compared to the rest of my cousins. They saw him as an authority figure, I saw him as the loveable Granddad that always had advice for me. He always believed in me doing whatever I wanted to do and not taking any shit for it. Those were pretty much his exact words "Always do what you think is best, don't take shit from anyone else about it". Also he told me that I had a good head on my shoulders and that with it I could never go wrong trusting my gut. I still feel his loss. Every day. But I realize that he wouldn't have wanted me to be too wrapped up in it that I couldn't live my life.


One of the reasons I decided not to move off the Island is that I knew the minute I did, he would pass away and I would be right back where I started, so now I can move without worrying about him. Wanting to be close by to be near him was really important to me and now that he's passed, I can literally move on too.

Il Pacas at the fair!

So with that all happening, (and with the Saanich Fair happening in there somewhere too) I took a semester of school and seemed to do fairly well. I became a shoulder to cry on and friend for advice for my old work supervisor as she returned to University after years of being with the federal government. I became a study buddy to so most amazing people with shitty time management skills (but oh well it all worked out in the end lol).

My friend T went back to school and seems to be kicking butt and taking names in her Office administration program, which means that together we are one step closer to world domination (I swear get enough coffee and sugar in us and we could do it). Her daughter Squirt (not her real name I assure you but my nickname for her) had a busy year as well, she turned three started preschool and the best part (in my humble opinion) got her first skating badge!!!!! So proud of her accomplishments!

Squirts First time skating!! Us having a pow wow.

Taking Squirt to skating lessons every Saturday I'm sure had fufilled any maternal instinct my ovaries might have ever felt, and it was actually a lot of fun! We did two sessions of parent and tot skating lessons (first session we had a terrible instructor, second instructor was incredibly cute and yes I have a ridiculous crush on him). It also kept us busy with life as both T and I had suffered significant family losses this year.

And with that school continued to pass by as did the fall and we were soon into winter and my skating club decided that this year will be its last with active skaters, with us taking next year to close down completely. I shattered by this decision have really stepped away from my skating club. I also recieved by level one promotion so I've been to and from skating competitions a lot this year which has been awesome.

Every time I go to a skating competition I learn something new about skating, the people involved and skating and even myself. I learn a new trick to my position, I learn whose butt to kiss and who to stay away from, and I learn that I myself never want to be like these people and if given the chance, I want to be able to help change Figure Skating in Canada. I want more people to have the opportunity to skate and I want everyone to remember that we as volunteers are here for the skaters and for the sport. Not to be power tripping dictators, which is sadly sometimes the case.

My dog Roo!!!

As I'm reviewing my year I'm trying to think of all the things I did and places I went. Trying to figure out where things like concerts and such fit in and when I went where. I know I went to a 3 Days grace concert and saw Finger 11 live with the Envy but where they all fit in is a bit vauge. I also stopped associating with one of my oldest friends because she couldn't get over her jealousy or something (?) with me going to England (seems that trip pissed off a lot of people lol) and sadly the fact that I don't really miss their crappy attitude was another rude awakening. Apparently according to T and my Mom I'm a lot nicer now that I don't hang around this person. I know I volunteered with skating and such like a crazy person. Always the person to jump in and help out when needed, but I certainly cut back on things like volunteering at the hospital and didn't take a gig with the SPCA like I've always wanted to. This year also brought me Roo!!! My communal family dog!! Technically BB's dog but he spends so much time with my dad at the farm hes mostly communal. And he's the absolute best thing. Best dog in the world hands down.

Vans Warped Tour 2011 The Gorge

Along the lines in here somewhere I managed to take a couple road trips with my sister BB to see a couple concerts. We took in The Vans Warped Tour in Gorge WA, which was fantastic, and in November we saw the Michael Jackson Immortal Tour which was ok. 

I know they say that how you spend your New Years Eve is how you will spend the rest of the year, and after the year I've had, if 2012 is a quiet year surrounded by awesome family (as much as they drive me literally insane) and amazing friends, then I will consider myself incredibly lucky.

Happy New Year All!! Whatever you do tonight I hope you have a fantastic (and safe) one!!!

the road to recovery is one of many teeny bopper songs

It's been a crappy couple of months, and I've gone through some stuff, and I'm putting myself together finally. But it took time for me to realize that I really was in the hole and that it was time to grow up and get on with it. But now that I am "getting the hell on with it" I'm realizing that holy mother of all that is holy that I have a TON of work to do. And of course when I have a lot of work to do what do I do? I crank on my old CD's and dance around my room.

The last couple days have been a total blur of me cleaning, dancing and getting papers/assignments and homework done. Tonight for the first time in a couple days I took time off of my crazy school load to go to the rink and de-stress by skating like a crazy person and bossing around some kids, telling them to move their asses. It's pretty bad when me and my 25-yr-old broken back-ed ass can out skate these teenagers and, its even worse when I had start getting on their case to move their buts because if I have to hear the Paso Doble music more than once in a session ever again I'm going to lose my mind! I hear it at least 7 TIMES A SESSION...and these little shits sit at the boards and ignore the music and continue chatting!!!!! ITS GETTING RETARDED. Test day is in a week and these kids are slacking and I'm more fustrated now than I have ever been with skaters before. So much so that I have started butting in on their slacking gab sessions to tell them to move their asses....sigh

Anyways! So that's what I've been up to. Nothing terribly exciting. School has been kicking my ass and so has my own procrastination, but that's definitely nothing new. The weather here has been absolutely miserable, with all kinds power outages and stuff like that, I can't even imagine what our rainfall total has been with it basically having been raining non stop for the last week. Then again we can't complain, its been snowing all over the rest of Canada and well at least I don't have to shovel rain!

I just really REALLY hope it lets up before Saturday! Saturday night is the Victoria Santa Clause parade and I get to take my niece!! We have skating lessons in the morning and then the parade at night! I can't wait! But it won't be as much fun if it's pissing rain and we're bundled up in blankets and garbage bags...sigh. Oh well there will be hot chocolate!

Hope your week is going well!

Here's what I'm listening to right now
...I love that they sound like a modern mash of the Cure. Sigh...

Also for all of you that have no idea what the Paso Doble (ice dance version) is...I've added it to quench your curiosity. (and no this isn't me skating). Hear how irritating that music is? I hear it AT LEAST 7 TIMES A SESSION AND ITS ONLY A 50 MINUTE SESSION!

I'm currently working on the Tango Romantica but its pretty freaking hard when I get shafted because the slacker kids have tests so they get their music on repeat but fail to actually ever skate to it. JERKS

That was one cold night....

My sister and I are the queens of cheap. We love to go to concerts/festivals and we rarely let the fact that we live on an island get in our way. The only complicating factor about the island thing? Well it means that to go to the mainland we have to take the ferry...which runs about $75 a way. So it adds about $150 to the excursion. Now add the fact that the ferry schedule is a bit limited so by the time any concert gets out we are SOL for getting home the same night, you're also looking at a hotel. That's if you're not my sister and I who are the self proclaimed cheap concert queens. We decided a long time ago that if we were to go to all these concerts (a LOT...not so much recently but in past years yes) that we were going to have to find a way to cut corners on cost and well hotel was cut.

Let's do the math shall we?We decided that by the time the concert was over around 11:00/11:30, you would probably get to the hotel around 12:30 (gotta have post concert munchies and such) which means that you're not getting to bed till about 1. The ferry leaves at 7:00, which means we have to be there around 6, meaning we would have to leave the hotel at 5:30 or so, meaning we would get a grand total of 4.5 hours of sleep AT MOST for the price of about $100 give or take. Seems like a lot of money to spend on four hours of sleep....so we decided to screw that noise and sleep at the ferry terminal.

Last night was one of those such nights. Over a year ago the Asscountant and I decided we wanted to see the Michael Jackson Immortal Tour put on by Cirque Du Soleil. Other than Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson was the only other musical artist in 10 years of dating/friendship we could agree on. Me being as invested in music as I am, and him being such a huge stick in the mud, it was almost impossible to agree on musical outings so the idea we could both go and enjoy something, was a huge selling point to get the tickets. Well, a year later he and I don't talk and I was left with these tickets. Now I did have insurance on them so I could have returned them but that Asscountant be damned I was going to this show. So my sister offered to come along, and in return I told her if she paid for the whole ferry we would call the ticket price even.

Off we went to Vancouver, hopped on the ferry and made our way to the downtown core. My sister and I travel really well together, we usually just go with the flow and this trip was no exception. Upon arrival to downtown we knew we immediately needed to get a good meal in our bellies. So we grabbed burger and beers at the LampLighter pub in gastown and man was it an unexpected delight! Awesome beer selection (just wish it had a few more imports but it did have Magners on tap so I was THRILLED...until they told me they were out...so Kronenburg it was). Their menu was pub-fare-esque but not boring (Chicken and Waffle sandwich anyone???) and the fries tasty (yummo!).

After dinner we wandered into Rogers Arena for the show. I knew the show would be sold out so I was super excited to be a part of the experience. I don't know what it is about being at a concert when the house is full, the energy is just incredible and you almost get wrapped up in the ambience of the arena that you forget why you're there. You feed off everyone else energy.

The show started and it was ok. I've seen a couple Cirque shows in the past, including O in Vegas which in itself was an amazing acrobatic aquatic feat. So to go from O to the immortal tour was a bit of a let down (shockingly enough just like my ill-fated relationship with the Asscountant!!). Don't get me wrong it was an awesome show! But it was just that, a show, more of a dance performance than an acrobatic/circus show. I showed up expecting to see Cirque's take on MJ, and well it was mostly MJ's "This is it" movie done by Cirque's dancers, which was fine, enjoyable and entertaining even, but a bit of a downer (again...much like my relationship with the Asscountant....I'm starting to see a pattern...are you?).

I don't mean to be cynnical. If you are an MJ fan whose seen the show and really enjoyed it then I have no desire to wreck your high, but it just wasn't what I was expecting. It felt like a concert but with no lead singer. I kept feeling like MJ himself would at any random point come out and start singing, because I truly believed it would have been his vision. I saw the "This is it" movie, and the Cirque show was a lot like a tribute the to concert that would have been, and it made me with that much more that I could have seen it. But I wanted death defying stunts and crazy acrobatics to MJ music. Which sort of happened. Anyways.

So we saw the show (which for the record my sister thinks I'm crazy for not being awed by in case at this point you've kept reading but are super annoyed at me for hating...which usually I wouldn't give a rip about but I have a very strong belief that one should NEVER mock the dead). After the show we made the realization that it was Daylight Savings. Which means that we would gain an extra hour of sleep. In the car. In November. This perhaps was the monumental flaw in the plan on my part. I didn't realize how cold it would be in the car. And I only brought one sad pathetic blanket and thin yoga pants. My sister brought two blankets, Ugg boots, sweatsuit and a down coat to sleep in.

To say the very least it was a rather chilly night at about 4 degrees. With me and my sad excuse for warm clothes. I did have my skating clothes so I had an extra fleece layer and skating tights which I did throw on in the middle of the night but MAN ALIVE my cheapness froze my ass last night!!! Most annoying thing? I know for damn sure the Asscountant would have sprung for the hotel. Ass-hole.

Not Musically Inclined? Let me help you!

So, I've been around the block, musically that is. I've seen many a band live and I've bought way too many a cd. Live music is the best, and nothing can beat it but should you not be able to see the band live, a cd is always a good option. Now I'm not saying I don't dl music because I do, but rest assured itunes and I are tight, and if I like something I generally buy the cd. I'm old school, I like having the actual album, along with the art. I like to proudly display my cds on a very snazzy ikea brand shelf unit, and anything that doesn't fit (ie the stuff I'm not interested in right now....yes I rotate my cds) goes into a pile in my closet. So here are my CD recommendations of the day. In alphabetical order by band (as they appear on my shelf):

Armchair Cynics (Killing the Romance): This band is a local rock/alternative band, that you might know by their song "coal mine" or "ablaze". They have 3 cds out, including an acoustic coffee shop album that are also good. Killing the romance is a good mix of rock with a varied mix of fast and slow tunes. I find the album full of power music. The songs that demand to be played loudly and that make you want to shut your eyes sit back and belt out the lyrics because they sit so close to home. Coal Mine, and Bang were the title tracks off the album but I think the best songs are "Smile" and "Lost Control". Like em? Try: The Art of Dying, Finger 11(as seen in the picture).

Barenaked Ladies (Gordon): While I do own most of their ablums, I believe this one to be the best. Not only did it have "If I had a million dollars" and "Hello City", it also had Enid and "King of bedside manner". If you've never ventured into "naked" territory than you are really missing out. Those that never got the chance to see the Ladies as the original group are really unfortunate as these guys demand to be seen live to really enjoy them. Their Gordan CD is a definite second. Like em? Try: Jack Johnson, Counting Crows, Cake.

Cobra Starship (While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets): This is another band that not a lot of people know about. They are a mostly pop with some funk, rock and rap infusions, and their music is seriously awesome to dance to. This album contains the song now dubbed my theme song, making "Church of Hot Addiction" a great club song. They sing it like it is, and they certainly have a good time. If you like them? Try : Faber Drive, Fall Out Boy.

Franz Ferdinand (Tonight: Franz Ferdinand): Another band with more than one album out, but this one is my favorite. You'll probably know them by the song "Take me out" from their first album or "no you girls" as it was on the Ipod Commerical. This cd is a funky jazzy rock album. Want a real treat? See them live and be prepared to be totally amazed. This album keeps things fresh and mixes them up, while going along with a rock medley, but mixed with some jazz to switch things up. An album that can be listened from start to finish with out the need of the stereo remote. Like em? Try: The Killers, Jet, The White Stripes.

Horrorpops! (Hell Yeah!): This funky band, is more of a ska band than anything. The lead instrument is a stand up bass played by a vivacious blond. They don't take shit, and they don't follow the rules, which makes the album 'Hell Yeah!' and amazing album with multiple sounds, that you would expect to clash but instead they fuse together to make you feel invincible at the end. So turn it up loud, bop your head along, and enjoy! Best songs? 'Where they wander' and 'psychobitches out of hell'. Like em? Try: Nexcromantix, and Vampire Weekend.

Inward Eye (Throwing Bricks Instead of Kisses): Another home grown Canadian Band. They did play a live stint during the Vancouver 2010 Olympics during the closing ceremonies, but their album is better represenation of what they do. Rock meets alternative, they were also featured on a free itunes dl from starbucks. Try 'Day after Day', its sure to get you to stand up and make a mini mosh right in your house. Like em? Try: Kings of Leon, Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Marianas Trench (Fix Me): This is a great rock meets punk album by home grown Canadian boys. I swear I don't listen to only Canadian rock bands!!. This is their first album and I enjoyed it so much because its kind of gritty, not so finished. Should you have only heard their second album and written them off, take another look. Their style may have changed for the second album, but the talent was always there and they totally deserve another investigation. Alibis and Say Anything are my favs off the album but I say give it a listen yourself and find your own. Like em? Try: All American Rejects.

Well I hope this keeps your ears a going for a little bit! Now I am off to do some laundry for my first day on my temp job tomorrow, and to get some sleep. If you have any like em? try: suggestions I'm always interested! Want me to review a cd? Let me know!

Cheers!