The Logic Suggests...

Just a taste of logic for our friends in Camp Abstinence-Only Education, who may have visited camp Pray the Gay Away.  This makes sense to you, right?

Inspiration! Harry Potter Quotes

Hagrid is one of my favourite characters in Harry Potter.  He's got that gruff, scary exterior with a puppy-dog interior thing going on.  He is strong of heart and loyal and loves so very much it is inspiring.  He also said this:

Harry Potter Quote from Jessica Wolff

Find this and other printable quotes from Harry Potter on the lovely Etsy shop of Jessica Wolff!  (PS: What a great name! Makes me want to go by the English translation of my last name and be a Lion.)

Me & Ryan Gosling at a Birthday Party

Ryan got a bit snuggly at my friend's birthday party, while I was putting some chapstick on.  Don't worry, the PDA didn't get any more than that, he just likes to cuddle up once and a while.  (Oh, and if you're wondering why he looks so much smaller than me, we were goofing around with the machine from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.  Because you have access to things like that when you hang out with Ryan Gosling on the regular.)




Cute! Cat Door Stretches

Gertie lies in the funniest positions sometimes.  At the base of the door, naturally.


BONUS! Here is a four-way version of the gif I tried to post last week.


Singalong! Last Kiss by Del Shannon

The Pearl Jam cover of this song was reallllly popular the summer I was living at my aunt's house in Vancouver.  Let me tell you, this song got to me big time.  The slow, heart-wrenching vocals made me get all teary-eyed every time I heard it.  Kind of an odd choice for a summer hit, but heck, we all need a juxtaposition now and again.  Then I heard the original version by Del Shannon.  It's light, upbeat, and happy sounding.  That's right, a song about a teenage boy who gets into a car accident with his girlfriend and holds her while she dies sounds happy.  Weird, but maybe more fitting for the summer.


LAST KISS
Del Shannon

Oh where, oh where, can my baby be?
The Lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven, so I've got to be good
So I can see my baby when I leave this world

We were out on a date in my daddy's car
We hadn't driven very far
There in the road, straight ahead
A car was stalled, the engine was dead

I couldn't stop, so I swerved to the right
I'll never forget the sound that night
The screamin' tires, the bustin' glass
The painful scream that I heard last

Oh where, oh where, can my baby be?
The Lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven, so I've got to be good
So I can see my baby when I leave this world

When I woke up the rain was pourin' down
There were people standing all around
Something warm runnin' through my eyes
But somehow I found my baby that night
I lifted her head, she looked at me and said,
Hold me darling, just a little while
I held her close, I kissed her our last kiss
I found the love that I knew I had missed.

Well now she's gone
& even though I hold her tight
I lost my love, my life, that night.

Oh where, oh where, can my baby be?
The Lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven, so I've got to be good
So I can see my baby when I leave this world.

Learning! Why Net Neutrality Matters

If you're like me, you've heard terms like "net neutrality" bounced around from time to time and basically known that it's supposed to be good but that's it.  This great video from College Humor* not only explains the term clearly, but also why it is in jeopardy.  Watch it!

Then (if you're American) go to www.dearfcc.org and sign the petition to stop them.  It's a really easy, well-laid-out form.  Probably the best online petition I've seen yet.  I wish I could sign it!

If you're not American, share this with your American friends, because if they do this it's going to eff things up for everyone. Plus, Canadians know that Harper loooooves to be a copy cat.


*It feels really wrong to write "Humor" the American way, but that's their name, so I probably should.

Inspiration! Rewriting Offensive Lyrics

My friend Keri sent me this image on Pinterest and it made me so happy. I have been imagining doing something like this with Blurred Lines for some time.


And to answer my cousin'a comment about it taking the fun out of the so g, if misogyny is part of fun we have a problem. 

Cute! Stop-Motion Cat Gif

I just downloaded the new app from the ladies of A Beautiful Mess, Party Party. It is awesome! Among other things, it makes stop-motion gifs for you. Naturally, my first test was on Gertie.  This gif worked on my phone but I'm not sure if it's going to work here, so this is also really just a test.  Let's see what happens!


UPDATE: The gif is not gif-ing.  I probably did something wrong.  Anyways, enjoy this strangely framed picture of my cat!

Singalong! 1979 by The Smashing Pumpkins

I'm trying to think of a clever introduction to this one, but I just like this song and it popped back into my head. So! Here is some Smashing Pumpkins for you!



1979
The Smashing Pumpkins
Shakedown 1979, cool kids never have the time
On a live wire right up off the street
You and I should meet
Junebug skipping like a stone
With the headlights pointed at the dawn
We were sure we'd never see an end to it all
And I don't even care to shake these zipper blues
And we don't know
Just where our bones will rest
To dust I guess
Forgotten and absorbed into the earth below
Double cross the vacant and the bored
They're not sure just what we have in store
Morphine city slipping dues down to see
That we don't even care as restless as we are
We feel the pull in the land of a thousand guilts
And poured cement, lamented and assured
To the lights and towns below
Faster than the speed of sound
Faster than we thought we'd go, beneath the sound of hope
Justine never knew the rules,
Hung down with the freaks and the ghouls
No apologies ever need be made, I know you better than you fake it
To see that we don't even care to shake these zipper blues
And we don't know just where our bones will rest
To dust I guess
Forgotten and absorbed into the earth below
The street heats the urgency of now
As you see there's no one around

Learning! Bacteria Adapt Way Too Quickly to Antibiotics


We already know that bacteria adapts to antibiotics and that's a bit of a dangerous deal since antibiotics are the only thing we really have so far to fight bacteria, so if it adapts too much it will kill us all. In fact, I am 100% sure that is how we will either enter an apocalypse, zombie or otherwise.

Scientists recently decided to look into this further, and it turns out that bacteria will actually adapt to a new antibiotic within days, but remain dormant and wait for the antibiotics to run their course before activating again. Because they are survival machines.

To me this means we're even more screwed than we realized, but the scientists seem to think this could be used to develop better ways of fighting bacteria. Let's hope.

SOURCE.

Inspiration! Aphorism Cards


These just make me happy because they are kind of the reverse of your usual inspirations.  And yet?  So good.

Aphorism cards made by The School of Life and could be some kind of excellent gift.

Cute! Grandma Time

Today is the funeral for my dear Grandma, so I'm going to share some cuteness from her.  This is me and my Grandma at a family reunion when I was 2-ish.  Cute, right?  Also, remember these days when you took the picture on film and that's what it was?  And sometimes a weird lighting thing happened at the bottom and you just had to live with it.


Singalong! Summer Girls by LFO

It's full-on summer in Vancouver now which means lots of clammy, sweaty skin and bike riding. This song has been running through my head as I bike around town, and I can't help but wonder if Abercrombie & Fitch paid to be so well featured in the song.


SUMMER GIRLS
by LFO

New Kids On The block had a bunch of hits
Chinese food makes me sick.
And I think it's fly when girls stop by for the summer,for the summer
I like girls that wear Abercrombie and Fitch,
I'd take her if I had one wish,
But she's been gone since that summer..
Since that summer

[Verse 1:]
Hip Hop Marmalade spic And span,
Met you one summer and it all began
You're the best girl that I ever did see,
The great Larry Bird Jersey 33
When you take a sip you buzz like a hornet
Billy Shakespeare wrote a whole bunch of sonnets
Call me Willy Whistle cause I can't speak baby
Something in your eyes went and drove me crazy
Now I can't forget you and it makes me mad,
Left one day and never came back
Stayed all summer then went back home,
Macauly Culkin wasn't Home Alone
Fell deep in love,but now we ain't speaking
Michael J Fox was Alex P Keaton
When I met you I said my name was Rich
You look like a girl from Abercrombie and Fitch

[Chorus:]
New Kids On The block had a bunch of hits
Chinese food makes me sick.
And I think it's fly when girls stop by for the summer, for the summer
I like girls that wear Abercrombie and Fitch,
I'd take her if I had one wish,
But she's been gone since that summer..
Since that summer

[Verse 2:]
Cherry Pez, cold crush, rock star boogie
Used to hate school so I had to play hookie,
Always been hip to the B-boY Style
Known to act wild and make girls smile,
Love New Edition and the Candy Girl
Remind me of you because you rock my world
You come from Georgia where the peaches grow
They drink lemonade and speak real slow
You love hip hop and rock n roll
Dad took off when you were 4 years old
There was a good man named Paul Revere
I feel much better baby when you're near
You love fun dip and cherry Coke,
I like the way you laugh when I tell a joke
When I met you I said my name was Rich
You look like a girl from Abercrombie and Fitch

[Repeat Chorus]

[Bridge:]
In the summertime girls got it going on,
Shake and wiggle to a hip hop song
Summertime girls are the kind I like,
I'll steal your honey like I stole your bike

[Verse 3]
Bugaloo shrimp and pogo sticks
My mind takes me back there oh so quick
Let you off the hook like my man Mr. Limpet
Think about that summer and I bug,cause I miss it
Like the color purple,macaroni and cheese,
Ruby red slippers and a bunch of trees
Call you up but whats the use
I like Kevin Bacon,but I hate Footloose
Came in the door I said it before,I think I'm over you
but I'm really not sure
When I met you I said my name was Rich
You look like a girl from Abercrombie and Fitch

[Repeat Chorus]

[Bridge:]
In the summer girls come and summer girls go
Some are worth while and some are so so,
Summer girls come and summer girls go
Some are worth while and some are so so,
Summertime girls got it going on
Shake and wiggle to a hip hop song
Summertime girls are the kind I like
I'll steal your honey like I stole your bike

[Repeat Chorus]

Learning! Ease Chronic Illness Pain with Mindful Meditation


People talk a lot about the benefits of meditation, and every once and a while an actual study comes out to prove some of those benefits.  It's nice, because anything that's not a pill is often met with suspicion from the general public, even if it is totally rational.

This latest study shows that mindful meditation (the practice of non-judgmentally observing your state and being present) can actually help reduce some of the pain and discomfort that goes along with chronic illness.  It also helped participants get a better night's sleep (helpful) and have a more positive outlook towards their future (helpful).

One of the key reasons for this effect seems likely to be the fact that mindfulness meditation focuses on experiencing the present without judgement and observing your emotional states and thoughts without getting wrapped up in them.  So, for example, instead of trying to stop thinking about their pain or possible poor outcome, meditators (is that what we call people who meditate?) have redirected their minds to something else entirely.

It also promotes acceptance of circumstances, which will obviously reduce stress quite a lot.

Vancouvering: The Black House and the Blue Sky (a Stars musical)

Next week I'm doing a workshop presentation of a musical I've co-written called The Black House and the Blue Sky. It uses the music from one of my favourite bands, Stars, album The Five Ghosts. If you're in Vancouver you should check it out! This is a chance to see a new musical in development - the actors will be holding scripts in their hands with light production values.  It's pay-what-you-can and you will get an opportunity to give feedback.


The Black House and the Blue Sky
July 17 & 18 at 8pm
Pacific Theatre

Inspiration! Reasons to Focus From Seth Godin


Obviously I find Seth Godin very inspiring, because I quote him all the time.  But that's because he keeps saying things like this.  Good to remind myself of when I'm tempted to watch Netflix while working on a major project...  Or to say yes to yet another "side project."

Cute! Home, home on the range, where the deer come out and play

I've been in Abbotsford for the past few days for some family business, looking out over the backyard I grew up with - and the super cute animals! Look at this little deer, isn't it the cutest?

Singalong! Voices Carry by 'Til Tuesday

First of all, what's the deal with the band name 'Til Tuesday?  Really, I'm not making a joke, I just think it's got to be one of the worst band names ever.  I first heard this song when it was on a mix CD my CAPP* teacher gave me in grade 12.  I realize that sounds borderline inappropriate, but I can assure you there was nothing sketchy going on in the least.  I think he made them for a few people in the class, and not all girls.  Anyways, I listened and was somehow enchanted by this song.  At first I thought it was Cyndi Lauper, which is just always a great thing, but then discovered it was some totally different band.  There's something in the deep angstiness of her voice, and the whole thing is just tragic - this woman who loves her man, but he wants to keep it under wraps.  I think I connected with it as chronically insecure teenager who assumed no one would ever love me.  (Don't worry, I've gotten over that now.)

*CAPP for those of you who didn't grow up in BC, is Career and Personal Planning.  That's where we would learn about everything from career options and managing finances to the dangers of drugs and sex.  I equate it to what I gather health class and homeroom are for in America.


VOICES CARRY
'Til Tuesday

I'm in the dark, I'd like to read his mind
But I'm frightened of the things I might find
Oh, there must be something he's thinking of
To tear him away-a-ay
When I tell him that I'm falling in love
Why does he say-a-ay

Hush hush, keep it down now, voices carry
Hush hush, keep it down now, voices carry
Uh-ah

I try so hard not to get upset
Because I know all the trouble I'll get
Oh, he tells me tears are something to hide
And something to fear-eh-eh
And I try so hard to keep it inside
So no one can hear

Hush hush, keep it down now, voices carry
Hush hush, keep it down now, voices carry
Hush hush, keep it down now, voices carry
Uh-ah

Oh!
He wants me, but only part of the time
He wants me, if he can keep me in line

Hush hush, keep it down now, voices carry
Hush hush, keep it down now, voices carry
Hush hush, shut up now, voices carry
Hush hush, keep it down now, voices carry
Hush hush, darling, she might overhear
Hush, hush - voices carry

He said shut up - he said shut up
Oh God can't you keep it down

Voices carry
Hush hush, voices carry

Learning! The Healing Power of Cat Purrs

Everything has a frequency, right?  The earth vibrates at a certain frequency.  Our bodies vibrate.  Our electrical appliances, buildings, everything.  That's what physics is all about.  (Right?  I never studied much science-wise, but I think this falls under physics.)

I've already heard from a few sources how certain frequencies are best for healing in our bodies (and certain ones are more harmful).  The frequency of the earth is supposed to be very healing for bones, for example.  Apparently, also falling into that range is the purring of a cat!  Yessssss!  Cat people win again!

(Thanks Gemma Busquets for making this fantastic graphic.)


Inspiration! Working Lady Photos by Isabelle Wenzel

Photo by Isabelle Wenzel.

Some Wednesdays the "hump day" vibe can really get you down.  If this is one of those Wednesdays, have a look at this photo series and maybe your spirits will brighten a touch.  Such a whimsical (and flexible!) take on mundane frustrations and our occasional desire to disappear.

Discovered on It's Nice That. See more of Isabelle Wenzel's work here.  It may continue to inspire you.

Me & Ryan Gosling, That Time He Wanted Me to Call Him

Here he is giving me the good old "call me" move. It was cute, and as you can see, my friend and I laughed because of it.


Consent! And Spam. And calm down everyone.

A few weeks ago, a very special cheese entered my life, and that of my coworkers. It was a chive goat cheese, made on a local farm by a friend. You could taste the happiness of the land, animals, and people involved, I swear, it was that good. A few jars made their way into the office and were immediately pounced on and claimed, my coworker putting this note on hers:


This prompted me and Alison to make a lot of inappropriate consent jokes:

"Well, it's just sitting there."

"It didn't say no."

"I want it really bad so clearly it wants me too."

"Look at that see-through jar. It's showing me all the good stuff, of course it wants me to eat it."

This was happening in the wake of #yesallwomen and it was both funny and sad because it was true. Actually, it eventually just made us sad, so we stopped.

Fast forward to a different consent issue. The Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation that is telling businesses that they cannot email people promotional materials without consent. Small businesses are freaking out: "How will we be able to stay in business? I don't have time to get consent!"

They are making it about Nigerian Princes and body part enhancers, saying that those are the problem, not their emails that they are sending because of "implied consent" (something you give if you bought something from them within two years and they have your email address - otherwise known as malarky).

Not true, folks. Every decent email provider offers a fancy spam filter that will get all those testosterone pills and Russian brides to a magical folder you never have to look at. You, small business owner, are the problem. You know why? Because implied consent is not consent. It is the email equivalent of our terrible "it didn't say no" consent jokes.

Just because I bought something from you and had to give my email address or happen to work in your industry or am a living human with an email address or you really really want me to want to buy your stuff does not mean you have consent.

The whole reason this legislation came through is because people don't want YOUR emails. And you know what? If you actually get permission, you'll find that a lot of people do want to hear from you. And those people might actually turn around and buy your products or otherwise respond to your promotions, as opposed to getting incrementally more annoyed every time they have to delete your email from their inbox.

The moral of the story: if your sales strategy or sex life relies on assuming people want something you're offering without them actually telling you so, you need to adjust your approach.

Note: I realize that my putting the issue of sexual harassment/assault and spam in the same message might be offensive to some.  I am not trying to reduce the horribleness of sexual assault or make small business owners equivalent to sex criminals.  I just noticed that the same arguments were being used in both situation, specifically with regards to the term consent.