Okay, so with the 37 cm of snow (in some spots deeper due to drifts), I succumbed to my annual "fall on your face and bruise your knees" episode at little early this year. Kris and I took the bus to work today, with no chance of having the energy this morning to clear the mountain of snow at the end our driveway-generously provided by the city graters. Anyway, the morning trek was uneventful but the end-of-day trek, not so much.
People here don't clear their sidewalks partly because they're lazy, partly because there aren't a lot of sidewalks outside of main streets and downtown, and partly because the city eventually clears them with sidewalk graters. SOOO...walking the block from the bus stop to the house, we tried to make our way through the snowbank on the sidewalk. The initial decision to walk on the road seemed a bit dangerous with all the cars and dark and ice. First, I fell through about half a meter and got stuck. Then two steps later I made it out of the snowbank and directly onto my hands and knees. I then rolled on to my back, laughed and lamented the pain in my body. When we got home, Kris almost didn't let me help him shovel as he felt I was "getting weaker by the moment". He followed that up by saying that he was glad I was okay and, were I not his wife, he probably would have giggled at my spill. The best part is that he said that while laughing. It was funny so I really can't blame him.
Although I'm anticipating a fairly big bruise on my knee cap tomorrow, these wintertime slips and falls are a refreshing reminder that I live in the great white north where one must respect the authority of snow...and the guys with the snowblowers.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
3 Months Later...
Sorry about that - life interfered with my blogging and I really can't promise that it won't again.
Anyway...
The countdown is ON! The Fosters will be moving into their luxurious new digs in 19 days. Hell yes! The first thing I am going to do is bleach the entire house. It's been vacant since the last occupant made her final journey to wherever. Actually, I was thinking of doing some kind of cleanse since she took the final leap in the house. She was a good catholic so I'm pretty sure she's taken her spot beside her G-O-D and won't be hanging around the house. But just in case...I think some sage is in order. The house is pretty much ALL I can think about at all times. The following account that details our efforts to buy a house will probably help to explain some of my obsession:
In mid -August Kris and I were approved for a mortgage and thought "Wow, this is the best thing that's ever happened to us - can you believe we'll have a house for Christmas?" This was followed by a couple intensive weeks of traipsing about the city from one end to the other in search of the perfect home. Then...we found it on Portland Avenue. It was a sure thing because I dreamed it and Kris, incidentally, always wanted to live in Portland. So cosmic signs were abounding. We made the offer, it was accepted, we got excited and drunk and celebrated. Then the inspection revealed bad foundation problems that the seller would not admit to and after a week of no response on negotiating the price - the deal died. We were sad, got drunk and commiserated. We looked for another month at crap here and crap there - at one point getting yelled at by some owner who wasn't expecting us (it has come to known as the bitchy house and I felt vindicated after seeing what a massacre reno they did). But then - hope. Along came Ayers Street. An elderly couple selling their family home with a gigantic back yard, a sun room for Saturday crosswords and an awesome deck. They entertained our offer for two weeks. We were keen on the house so we let that happen. Then finally!! They accepted our offer one evening. We got excited, drunk and celebrated. The next morning, they reneged and took the house off the market...for the second time. I maintain that they never actually intended to sell their stupid house and I will forever shake my fist at the Dooners who, though sweet and old, made our lives miserable for several weeks.
So the end of September brought despair and hopelessness. Oh, but Urbandale arrived very soon. This one, we didn't discuss with anyone because we were so tired of explaining how "the deal fell through". This one brought us into a new experience - competing offers. Thank god we lost because that house sucks compared to our beloved Haig Drive residence.
So there you go. Three failed attempts in three depressing months. But now, there is light. Our beautiful, spacious, vacant and possibly haunted first house.
Of course, with everything that has gone wrong during this process, I don't think that either Kris or myself will feel safe until we actually get the keys and move our belongings. But when we do - we will get excited, drunk and celebrate.
Anyway...
The countdown is ON! The Fosters will be moving into their luxurious new digs in 19 days. Hell yes! The first thing I am going to do is bleach the entire house. It's been vacant since the last occupant made her final journey to wherever. Actually, I was thinking of doing some kind of cleanse since she took the final leap in the house. She was a good catholic so I'm pretty sure she's taken her spot beside her G-O-D and won't be hanging around the house. But just in case...I think some sage is in order. The house is pretty much ALL I can think about at all times. The following account that details our efforts to buy a house will probably help to explain some of my obsession:
In mid -August Kris and I were approved for a mortgage and thought "Wow, this is the best thing that's ever happened to us - can you believe we'll have a house for Christmas?" This was followed by a couple intensive weeks of traipsing about the city from one end to the other in search of the perfect home. Then...we found it on Portland Avenue. It was a sure thing because I dreamed it and Kris, incidentally, always wanted to live in Portland. So cosmic signs were abounding. We made the offer, it was accepted, we got excited and drunk and celebrated. Then the inspection revealed bad foundation problems that the seller would not admit to and after a week of no response on negotiating the price - the deal died. We were sad, got drunk and commiserated. We looked for another month at crap here and crap there - at one point getting yelled at by some owner who wasn't expecting us (it has come to known as the bitchy house and I felt vindicated after seeing what a massacre reno they did). But then - hope. Along came Ayers Street. An elderly couple selling their family home with a gigantic back yard, a sun room for Saturday crosswords and an awesome deck. They entertained our offer for two weeks. We were keen on the house so we let that happen. Then finally!! They accepted our offer one evening. We got excited, drunk and celebrated. The next morning, they reneged and took the house off the market...for the second time. I maintain that they never actually intended to sell their stupid house and I will forever shake my fist at the Dooners who, though sweet and old, made our lives miserable for several weeks.
So the end of September brought despair and hopelessness. Oh, but Urbandale arrived very soon. This one, we didn't discuss with anyone because we were so tired of explaining how "the deal fell through". This one brought us into a new experience - competing offers. Thank god we lost because that house sucks compared to our beloved Haig Drive residence.
So there you go. Three failed attempts in three depressing months. But now, there is light. Our beautiful, spacious, vacant and possibly haunted first house.
Of course, with everything that has gone wrong during this process, I don't think that either Kris or myself will feel safe until we actually get the keys and move our belongings. But when we do - we will get excited, drunk and celebrate.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Okay, well I'm over that last rant. I'm still annoyed but what can I do? Those people have always existed and it doesn't seem to me that there is an end in sight.
Anyway - Kris and I were discussing something yesterday and I feel the need to share it. There are a few things that are better about living in Ontario than good old SK (i.e. higher wages and taco bell). But people in SK are way nicer, far more genuine and much more modest (as we all know now this is an important quality for me). The one thing that has really struck me out here is the lack of any kind of integration with First Nations communities. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of diversity here but, in terms of the Aborginial population, it's just not apparent. Which brings me to my real point. In SK, there are obvious problems with racism and I certainly don't need to list the examples. But at least it's out there. People talk about it and there are real attempts to reconcile things like inhuman policing decisions and establish a community that participates in real dialogue. I just don't see that in Ontario. In fact, the only time anything pertaining to Metis or Aboriginal communities comes up in the media, it's about "Native Blockades". And the province doesn't want to deal with this stuff because First Nations relations is very much seen as Federal issue. It's not about community building at all. I don't really know where I'm going with this. I guess, I just think the for all the problems with race relations in SK, at least the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities are integrated at some level. It is very apparent out here that they're not and it seems very bizarre to me.
Anyway - Kris and I were discussing something yesterday and I feel the need to share it. There are a few things that are better about living in Ontario than good old SK (i.e. higher wages and taco bell). But people in SK are way nicer, far more genuine and much more modest (as we all know now this is an important quality for me). The one thing that has really struck me out here is the lack of any kind of integration with First Nations communities. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of diversity here but, in terms of the Aborginial population, it's just not apparent. Which brings me to my real point. In SK, there are obvious problems with racism and I certainly don't need to list the examples. But at least it's out there. People talk about it and there are real attempts to reconcile things like inhuman policing decisions and establish a community that participates in real dialogue. I just don't see that in Ontario. In fact, the only time anything pertaining to Metis or Aboriginal communities comes up in the media, it's about "Native Blockades". And the province doesn't want to deal with this stuff because First Nations relations is very much seen as Federal issue. It's not about community building at all. I don't really know where I'm going with this. I guess, I just think the for all the problems with race relations in SK, at least the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities are integrated at some level. It is very apparent out here that they're not and it seems very bizarre to me.
Friday, August 17, 2007
So here’s what I don’t care for: blowhards and/or braggarts.
There is something to be said for modesty. I admit, I have occasionally felt that my overwhelming insecurities about my own capabilities have been somewhat paralyzing. That said, I would rather be unsure of myself than be so boastful that every time I open my mouth, someone thinks I am blowing smoke up their ass. It is ludicrous and totally inappropriate to assume that your acquaintances want you to tell them how much money you make or how important you are at every chance meeting.
Also, if I was so awesomely fucking important, I sure as hell would not continue to live in the cracked-out core of this splendid city.
There is something to be said for modesty. I admit, I have occasionally felt that my overwhelming insecurities about my own capabilities have been somewhat paralyzing. That said, I would rather be unsure of myself than be so boastful that every time I open my mouth, someone thinks I am blowing smoke up their ass. It is ludicrous and totally inappropriate to assume that your acquaintances want you to tell them how much money you make or how important you are at every chance meeting.
Also, if I was so awesomely fucking important, I sure as hell would not continue to live in the cracked-out core of this splendid city.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Oy! It's been forevah!
Well, since I'm pretty sure only my family ever reads this thing, I don't feel too much of a need to explain my blatant lack of updates in over a month. Kris and I got married and it was fun and busy and taxing in every way imaginable. Anyway - I've recovered and determined to get back into this.
Here is my confession (and by extension Kris's confession also, but I don't think he'll mind).
When we returned from Saskatoon we had five full days to relax and unwind. We spent the first day unpacking, getting groceries and running a few errands. We spent the next 96 hours doing the following:
--Sleeping on average 10-11 hours/night ... A far cry from Kris's usual 7-8 and my 6-7. It was glorious.
--Watching the entire third season of Deadwood. We actually managed to rent all 5 discs at Blockbuster which is a miraculous occurrence.
--Watching the entire first season of How I Met Your Mother ... Hilarity ensued in short 21 minute intervals.
--Watching the first three-hour Battlestar Galactica Miniseries ... I was disappointingly underwhelmed.
--Watching Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer at the giant SilverCity in Gloucester ... In Kris's words this movies was utterly "forgettable", although I hadn't realized Jessica Alba's lips were so huge!
--Watching Mel Gibson's Apocalypto which was intensely brutal and I sensed likely somewhat historically inaccurate but I have no idea about Central and South American cultures so...
--Watching Nick Cage and Eva ManIhavenottalent in Ghost Rider ... We both agreed before renting this movie that it would terrible but boredom, I believe, prompted us to rent it anyway.
--I have also managed to watch the entire fourth season of Sex and the City late at night after Kris has gone to bed. Kris's constant running commentary and my hyper-sensitivity about and attachment to my girl shows would be, I think, a ruinous combination.
So there you have it. We spent 4 days watching television and movies, though I should note that we went for a few walks and a few games of darts. Some may find this horrid waste of time totally abhorrent but I, personally, am proud of our commitment to both our couch and 27'' Toshiba.
Well, since I'm pretty sure only my family ever reads this thing, I don't feel too much of a need to explain my blatant lack of updates in over a month. Kris and I got married and it was fun and busy and taxing in every way imaginable. Anyway - I've recovered and determined to get back into this.
Here is my confession (and by extension Kris's confession also, but I don't think he'll mind).
When we returned from Saskatoon we had five full days to relax and unwind. We spent the first day unpacking, getting groceries and running a few errands. We spent the next 96 hours doing the following:
--Sleeping on average 10-11 hours/night ... A far cry from Kris's usual 7-8 and my 6-7. It was glorious.
--Watching the entire third season of Deadwood. We actually managed to rent all 5 discs at Blockbuster which is a miraculous occurrence.
--Watching the entire first season of How I Met Your Mother ... Hilarity ensued in short 21 minute intervals.
--Watching the first three-hour Battlestar Galactica Miniseries ... I was disappointingly underwhelmed.
--Watching Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer at the giant SilverCity in Gloucester ... In Kris's words this movies was utterly "forgettable", although I hadn't realized Jessica Alba's lips were so huge!
--Watching Mel Gibson's Apocalypto which was intensely brutal and I sensed likely somewhat historically inaccurate but I have no idea about Central and South American cultures so...
--Watching Nick Cage and Eva ManIhavenottalent in Ghost Rider ... We both agreed before renting this movie that it would terrible but boredom, I believe, prompted us to rent it anyway.
--I have also managed to watch the entire fourth season of Sex and the City late at night after Kris has gone to bed. Kris's constant running commentary and my hyper-sensitivity about and attachment to my girl shows would be, I think, a ruinous combination.
So there you have it. We spent 4 days watching television and movies, though I should note that we went for a few walks and a few games of darts. Some may find this horrid waste of time totally abhorrent but I, personally, am proud of our commitment to both our couch and 27'' Toshiba.
Friday, May 18, 2007
That's the ticket!
I want to share this with you all because we have all taken public transit at some point in our lives (some more than others - particularly for those of us who didn't get their driver's licence until the age of 22.)
Yesterday, while on my way to Carleton University - for the last time in a student capacity - the bus that I was on was pulled over by a city police officer and ticketed for speeding. This, ladies and gents, I do believe was a miracle. I have concluded that the offence took place when the driver of said bus sped through a very busy intersection that leads onto campus. Likely, he didn't want to miss the light because it is a very long wait. I don't know how fast he was going but I would estimate somewhere between 70 and 80 kmh - enough at least that I was somewhat terrified and holding on for dear life, as is so often the case on OC Transpo buses.
Once on campus a police car flipped on its sirens behind the bus. The driver however, likely believing as we all do that there is some unwritten and unspoken rule that city workers and buses in particular are exempt from red lights, speed limits, chatting with other drivers in the middle of intersections and traffic laws in general, pulled over to the let police car pass him. Much to my surprise, and the bus driver as I surmised from the look of pure shock on his face, the police officer pulled up beside the driver's window. At this point, I got off the bus because I had essentially reached my destination and didn't care to witness this painful, though extremely satisfying sight. I walked for a minute, then looked back to see the officer handing the driver a ticket.
For all the times I have fallen into strangers beside me, had my bag fall off the seat and onto the floor, bruised my knees from fast breaking, feared for my life crossing bridges and passing through intersections at breakneck speeds...this was a glorious moment. And I would like to say thank you to the police officer who has given me new hope that someday I might ride public transit without praying to Jesus that I don't die.
Yesterday, while on my way to Carleton University - for the last time in a student capacity - the bus that I was on was pulled over by a city police officer and ticketed for speeding. This, ladies and gents, I do believe was a miracle. I have concluded that the offence took place when the driver of said bus sped through a very busy intersection that leads onto campus. Likely, he didn't want to miss the light because it is a very long wait. I don't know how fast he was going but I would estimate somewhere between 70 and 80 kmh - enough at least that I was somewhat terrified and holding on for dear life, as is so often the case on OC Transpo buses.
Once on campus a police car flipped on its sirens behind the bus. The driver however, likely believing as we all do that there is some unwritten and unspoken rule that city workers and buses in particular are exempt from red lights, speed limits, chatting with other drivers in the middle of intersections and traffic laws in general, pulled over to the let police car pass him. Much to my surprise, and the bus driver as I surmised from the look of pure shock on his face, the police officer pulled up beside the driver's window. At this point, I got off the bus because I had essentially reached my destination and didn't care to witness this painful, though extremely satisfying sight. I walked for a minute, then looked back to see the officer handing the driver a ticket.
For all the times I have fallen into strangers beside me, had my bag fall off the seat and onto the floor, bruised my knees from fast breaking, feared for my life crossing bridges and passing through intersections at breakneck speeds...this was a glorious moment. And I would like to say thank you to the police officer who has given me new hope that someday I might ride public transit without praying to Jesus that I don't die.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Friday, May 4, 2007
What year is it?
So here's something:
All of the Republican Presidential candidates in the US, except for one Mr. Rudy Giuliani, have said that it would be a great day if the Roe v. Wade decision was repealed. Why? Because according to a Buffalo newspaper, they rely heavily on support from anti-abortionists.
My realization: not everyone thinks it should be an individual decision. Apparently enough voters in the US believe that the state should have the right to tell their citizens what to do with their bodies that 9 Presidential candidates want to re-criminalize abortion.
My reaction: Jesus.
All of the Republican Presidential candidates in the US, except for one Mr. Rudy Giuliani, have said that it would be a great day if the Roe v. Wade decision was repealed. Why? Because according to a Buffalo newspaper, they rely heavily on support from anti-abortionists.
My realization: not everyone thinks it should be an individual decision. Apparently enough voters in the US believe that the state should have the right to tell their citizens what to do with their bodies that 9 Presidential candidates want to re-criminalize abortion.
My reaction: Jesus.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Attempt # 1
So Kris and I decided that we would start jogging together beginning next Saturday. That way I have the week to start building up my stamina. The man can run for miles so I think he's in for some disappointment. I don't know if any of you have seen that commercial ( I don't know what it's advertising) with the old fat sweaty dude in a dress walking up some stairs and when he comes through the door to his office it's actually a young woman and they say something like "how fit do you feel?" That's how I feel. Like the fat sweaty dude that can't climb a couple flights of stairs without getting winded. Sooooo.....
I left the apartment at 8 am this morning. I just got back so I would say I was out for a good 50 minutes. I would also estimate that about 47 of those minutes were spent either telling myself "c'mon - you're 26 it's time to start taking care of yourself," or "DEAR GOD, WHAT HAVE I DONE??"
I will tell you this: Although I actually only ran for a total of 3 minutes (thereabouts), honestly, I feel really good. I figure if I just keep practicing eventually I'll get to 4 minutes and so on.
I mean seriously. I've spent the last several years in front of a computer screen. It's time. Denial will only get you so far. Actually, it won't get you anywhere except on the couch watching Oprah.
And so it begins.
I left the apartment at 8 am this morning. I just got back so I would say I was out for a good 50 minutes. I would also estimate that about 47 of those minutes were spent either telling myself "c'mon - you're 26 it's time to start taking care of yourself," or "DEAR GOD, WHAT HAVE I DONE??"
I will tell you this: Although I actually only ran for a total of 3 minutes (thereabouts), honestly, I feel really good. I figure if I just keep practicing eventually I'll get to 4 minutes and so on.
I mean seriously. I've spent the last several years in front of a computer screen. It's time. Denial will only get you so far. Actually, it won't get you anywhere except on the couch watching Oprah.
And so it begins.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
This is the sound I'm making: ugh...
Carleton University
Institute of European and Russian Studies
RESEARCH ESSAY EXAMINATION
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
3:00 p.m., Room 1304 Dunton Tower
CANDIDATE: Alexandra Sawatsky
B.A. (Hon) (University of Saskatchewan) 2005
RESEARCH ESSAY: Legitimating Civilian-Directed Violence in Kosovo:
History, Heroism and Victimhood in Serbian National
Discourse
EXAMINATION BOARD:
Professor Carter Elwood, Chair
Department of History
Department of History
Professor David Mendeloff, Examiner
Norman Paterson School of International Affairs
Norman Paterson School of International Affairs
Dr. Mark Biondich, Supervisor
Institute of European and Russian Studies
Institute of European and Russian Studies
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great! Now I have three full weeks to prepare and/or throw up.
Friday, April 13, 2007
99 pages of glory
This is it my lovelies! I am turning my paper in for defence TODAY! Holy Moses!!!!!
I feel really weird about it. Kind of like barfing or something. Mostly, I'm just happy that the toner didn't run out mid-way through printing off the three copies I have to submit.
Now it's time to sleep.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Oh Jimmies!
So here's a kick in the proverbial balls. Kris and I switched our phone over to Rogers a while ago, you know, in order to have everything on one bill. There is a Rogers store right across the street so we can just walk over there and pay our bill. But last month, we paid it on the due date and for some reason it didn't get processed until the next day so now, we have a late charge on this month's bill. I say Whaaaaa??? I called Rogers and she told me that sometimes when you pay at the store, it doesn't get processed right away but, that we would not be charged a late fee. LIARS!
I'm going over there in an hour to give them hell. Oh boy, how I love being the jerky complaining customer. Can't wait.
Anyway, it's a crappy reminder of how money-grubbing every corporation is an how proactive you have to be in protecting your money. Jerks.
Also, internship is done and I got a good reference from my supervisor, so good.
I'm going over there in an hour to give them hell. Oh boy, how I love being the jerky complaining customer. Can't wait.
Anyway, it's a crappy reminder of how money-grubbing every corporation is an how proactive you have to be in protecting your money. Jerks.
Also, internship is done and I got a good reference from my supervisor, so good.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
monday monday monday monday
So Kris and I have resovled that we may start jogging (operative word in my case is may). I used to imagine myself as a jogger and apparently I still do so. I imagine me in some running pants with my silver runners and my nano, running by the canal and then stopping at starbucks to drink a big fatty latte. LIVE THE DREAM ALEX, LIVE THE DREAM!!
Today I had a wonderful day. I did laundry and made banana bread, all before 10am, then I looked at various job postings and got a bit discouraged. Anyway, my point is, I didn't work on my paper!! It was so lovely. I actually got to spend the weekend - the whole weekend - with my Kris. It was glorious!
We went to see 300. Visually, it was awesome! If there had been no dialogue, it would have been perfect. But it was made so sweet by the unexpeced 2 for 1 student discount we got! I love discounts.
Ummm, I guess that's all for today. Oh, except that today we had a lightening and thunder storm. It was vewy weerd...
Today I had a wonderful day. I did laundry and made banana bread, all before 10am, then I looked at various job postings and got a bit discouraged. Anyway, my point is, I didn't work on my paper!! It was so lovely. I actually got to spend the weekend - the whole weekend - with my Kris. It was glorious!
We went to see 300. Visually, it was awesome! If there had been no dialogue, it would have been perfect. But it was made so sweet by the unexpeced 2 for 1 student discount we got! I love discounts.
Ummm, I guess that's all for today. Oh, except that today we had a lightening and thunder storm. It was vewy weerd...
Friday, March 23, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
ты можешь переводить с русского языка на английский?
Okay my Chickens - tomorrow's the second go around. Wish me luck!!
Monday, March 19, 2007
FYI
I get to marry this gorgeous smarty pants in 88 days!!!
I'm excited - we bought our airline tickets today, so...it's official?
Sunday, March 18, 2007
I think I can I think I can...
Oh my! I haven't updated my blog in almost a month. I honestly didn't realize that much time had past. My head has been buried in all my books. I estimate that I have two library shelves stacked up in our apartment ... thereabout. I'm a book hoarder, I know. But I never know when I might need a particular book and it's just safer to keep them for five months at a time.
BTW - Thanks everyone for your comments on my last post. I don't think I'm really any closer to my own definition, but it's something I continue to contemplate.
I am about 8 to 10 hours of work away from finishing the first draft of my research essay. I can't believe how anticlimactic it all feels. Nearly two years of thinking and writing about one topic and I really feel like I have a dwindling kind of relationship with this paper. I loved the subject in the beginning and now, I feel like it has sucked so much of my energy that I'd be fine with just dumping it. Overall, I think when this is over I will have a much better idea of my capabilities. There were so many points that I just wanted to give up and drop out, when I was so depressed and caught up in a personal identity crisis, that finishing this - actually finishing this degree - will likely be one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. A personal accomplishment more than anything because ultimately I will have defeated that part of me that was constantly saying "you can't do this." So there - f!@# you negative Alex, hello Master A-Fo!
Finally, I am so proud of my mom and dad for redoing their living room. No more pink carpet! Only gorgeous hardwood from now on.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Oh Canada!
So Kris and I went to a hockey game on Tuesday. The printing company that prints his magazine has a box so we got free food and drinks (I had a whole can of gingerale...it WAS Tuesday night). Plus, we didn't have to sit with the plebes. It was suprisingly fun though a little bizarre and I'll tell you why.
I just finished writing the chapter in my research essay on theories of ethnicity and ethnic conflict. There is a popular argument that ethnic/national identity is formed and maintained through a collective emotional attachment to various myths and symbols. These myths and symbols (flags, folksongs, poems, wars etc...) and the emotion attached to them are passed down and modernized by each consecutive generation. For example, Serbs fought a huge battle against the Turks in the area that is now Kosovo over 600 years ago in 1389. The battle is now commemorated every year on June 28th and is seen as the defeat of the first Serbian empire even though it lasted almost 100 years longer. This battle, and Kosovo itself has become this intense national symbol for Serbia in the last couple of centuries which is part of the reason why the conlfict there is so intractable.
Anyway, on to the point of this. I have struggled with defining what it is to be Canadian for almost my entire university career (which is getting a little long I might add). I used to be content in the assertion that part of what it means to be Canadian is that we have no specific identity - that there is not uniformity. But now I think that's bullshit. We have our myths and symbols and stories. It was so obvious to me in a packed hockey arena surrounded by people drinking Tim Horton's. It may seem ridiculous, but those ARE national symbols.
I have realized since the hockey game that we are lucky. We are at the beginning of Canada. We are shaping what generations hundreds of years from now will hold dear to their national hearts. We have to remember that Canadian citizenship has only been in existence for 60 years and we are making the history that will be commemorated. That's awesome and we should take pride in our task.
So for anyone who felt ashamed to be Canadian when our soldiers tortured the Somalian teenager but felt proud when Jean Chretien explicitly linked the 9/11 attacks to Western policy, I want you to help me define this country. Tell me why you are Canadian and, if you can remember, when you first felt it.
I just finished writing the chapter in my research essay on theories of ethnicity and ethnic conflict. There is a popular argument that ethnic/national identity is formed and maintained through a collective emotional attachment to various myths and symbols. These myths and symbols (flags, folksongs, poems, wars etc...) and the emotion attached to them are passed down and modernized by each consecutive generation. For example, Serbs fought a huge battle against the Turks in the area that is now Kosovo over 600 years ago in 1389. The battle is now commemorated every year on June 28th and is seen as the defeat of the first Serbian empire even though it lasted almost 100 years longer. This battle, and Kosovo itself has become this intense national symbol for Serbia in the last couple of centuries which is part of the reason why the conlfict there is so intractable.
Anyway, on to the point of this. I have struggled with defining what it is to be Canadian for almost my entire university career (which is getting a little long I might add). I used to be content in the assertion that part of what it means to be Canadian is that we have no specific identity - that there is not uniformity. But now I think that's bullshit. We have our myths and symbols and stories. It was so obvious to me in a packed hockey arena surrounded by people drinking Tim Horton's. It may seem ridiculous, but those ARE national symbols.
I have realized since the hockey game that we are lucky. We are at the beginning of Canada. We are shaping what generations hundreds of years from now will hold dear to their national hearts. We have to remember that Canadian citizenship has only been in existence for 60 years and we are making the history that will be commemorated. That's awesome and we should take pride in our task.
So for anyone who felt ashamed to be Canadian when our soldiers tortured the Somalian teenager but felt proud when Jean Chretien explicitly linked the 9/11 attacks to Western policy, I want you to help me define this country. Tell me why you are Canadian and, if you can remember, when you first felt it.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
день его смерти (dyen yevo smertii)
"Day of his death"
Happy anniversary to St. Cyril.
On this day 1,138 years ago the man credited with developing the Glogolithic alphabet (which eventually became the Cyrillic alphabet used to Christianize those Slavic heathens) died of who knows what.
Also, Happy Valentine's day and congratulations on whatever he did.
This is directly related to prediction #2.
Happy anniversary to St. Cyril.
On this day 1,138 years ago the man credited with developing the Glogolithic alphabet (which eventually became the Cyrillic alphabet used to Christianize those Slavic heathens) died of who knows what.
Also, Happy Valentine's day and congratulations on whatever he did.
This is directly related to prediction #2.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Predictions
1) Peter will be the key to defeating Sylar.
2) I will be a nerd for the rest of my life.
2) I will be a nerd for the rest of my life.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Another reason to move to the burbs
Kris and I have experienced the honour of having Ottawa's first murder of the year committed at the end of our block. While random downtown stabbings are a start, click here to eradicate humanity in its entirety - in a much less personal way.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Boring Update
So I am now on page 33 of my research essay and I am determined to finish this chapter today. I have been working on it for three weeks and I feel like if I can just get this done, the huge knot in my stomach with finally disappear...well until the next chapter needs to be done anyway. I really don't think this section should go much past page 35 anyway, since I still have three more chapters and only 45 pages to do it in (35 really if you don't count the pages I have reserved for the introduction and conclusion. As you all can see, my life if very very interesting...
I knit a bag for myself but it's really ugly and, as Kris so lovingly pointed out, is suitable also for a toque with ear straps (actually he was initially very kind and supportive of my first attempt at a bag).
We went to see Pan's Labyrinth over the weekend. It was pretty gruesome and perhaps not as deserving of all the critical acclaim it's receiving, but still worth seeing - though it's not one of those movies that must be seen on the big screen.
I guess that's about all.
PS. Kris got some free tickets to a hockey game so we're going to see the Senators play the Oilers on Feb. 20th. It's pretty good 'cause it free - even though we both hate hockey - plus we get to sit in one of those boxes with free food etc...I'm going to get a Phoenix Suns jersey and cheer on Shawn Marion while unknown hockey players skate around barely scoring. Basketball is so much better.
Friday, January 19, 2007
ah whatevah
So I totally failed my translation exam which is a bummer cause I'll have to write it again.
Thankfully, this band has recently come into my life to help me forget, making me want to dance and sing with a terrible accent. Hey Lloyd and If looks could kill are recommended. Thank God for Kris. Who knows what I'd be listening to if not for him.
http://www.myspace.com/cameraobscuraband
Thankfully, this band has recently come into my life to help me forget, making me want to dance and sing with a terrible accent. Hey Lloyd and If looks could kill are recommended. Thank God for Kris. Who knows what I'd be listening to if not for him.
http://www.myspace.com/cameraobscuraband
Monday, January 15, 2007
Keep your fists warm!
Okay, so I took Laura's advice and tried a toque for my first knitting accomplishment. This, my friends, is what a 6.5 gauge pattern looks like on 4.5 gauge needles and yarn...I call it Fist Toque.
Well, at least it looks like it's supposed to - mostly. I'm actually pretty impressed with myself, aside from the egregious ignorance of the importance size that I've displayed.
My Grandma would be proud - and laughing heartily.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
This is a moment.
Okay okay. So I will finally be venturing into the world of real working people - albeit in an unpaid, 7 hours/week capacity. But still...I am really looking forward to adding some other element into my life besides translating Russian articles and reading about ethnic conflict and the horrible pain people inflict on each other. I'm starting an internship tomorrow with a non-profit organization concerned with international health issues. I'm pretty excited, although I don't know what exactly I'll be doing (I should find out more tomorrow after I meet with the woman I'll be working with). It's so funny because pretty much the whole time I've been in grad school, I've just wanted to be finished so I could find a job and make some money. But now the prospect of having to look for a job is killing me.
I've really started to realize that I basically just put my head down and powered through this whole process by making the following statement to myself: "I just have to do (abc) and then I can do (xyz)." I have not had any moments. You know, like times when you're doing something and you're just in it and not thinking about the next thing. I don't know if that's a personality trait or a product of having piles of work to do all the time. But it's something I am aware of.
My dad always warns me : "You'll wish your life away..." And seriously, I don't know what happened to the last decade. It's just gone.
Anyway, enough with this moment. It's time for some chili!
By the way, Maggie has a blog - the link is under 'meggles'.
I've really started to realize that I basically just put my head down and powered through this whole process by making the following statement to myself: "I just have to do (abc) and then I can do (xyz)." I have not had any moments. You know, like times when you're doing something and you're just in it and not thinking about the next thing. I don't know if that's a personality trait or a product of having piles of work to do all the time. But it's something I am aware of.
My dad always warns me : "You'll wish your life away..." And seriously, I don't know what happened to the last decade. It's just gone.
Anyway, enough with this moment. It's time for some chili!
By the way, Maggie has a blog - the link is under 'meggles'.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Listen up man...
I will write about whatever I want, it's my blog. I might talk about weddings, periods, guns, my neighbourhood - in all its methadone clinic glory - or whatever else pops in. Speaking of pop, I have not had a coke today and I am so so tired. I'm trying really hard to not be dependent on sugary caffeine but it's soooo hard. Probably coffee isn't any better but at least I can control how much refined sugar I put in it.
My language translation is exam is scheduled for January 12. What an awesome thing to do on my 26th Birthday. I think I will get a bottle of wine immediately afterwards and hopefully, I will still be with it enough to go play darts that night.
These are awesome Christmas time photos:
Maggie in new dart get-up; Kris and I sharading
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Like a virgin...blogged for the very first time
I'm not much for computers so this might be boring until I figure out things like posting pictures and other simple tasks. But I'm taking the first step into the interweb, so I guess that's alright.
Kris and I just finished a lengthy Firefly marathon, which was an awesome show with cowboys in space, hookers and two guest appearances from Desparate Housewives husbands. I don't know why it only lasted 14 episodes - plus the thrilling space adventure movie Serenity. I am not being facetious - it really is awesome.
It was good to see everyone but, we're both happy to be home. Too bad the visit was so short. Alas, real life beckons...
Okay, I'm going to post this and see how it looks.
Kris and I just finished a lengthy Firefly marathon, which was an awesome show with cowboys in space, hookers and two guest appearances from Desparate Housewives husbands. I don't know why it only lasted 14 episodes - plus the thrilling space adventure movie Serenity. I am not being facetious - it really is awesome.
It was good to see everyone but, we're both happy to be home. Too bad the visit was so short. Alas, real life beckons...
Okay, I'm going to post this and see how it looks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)