vancityrockgirl
skills include drinking, smoking and swearing
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vancityrockgirl
spring has sprung
monday monday...
it doesn't really feel like a monday when i had to go to work yesterday.
although, truth be told, yesterday's "work" wasn't really like proper work.
it was a product training day for europe tours.
it was actually super interesting and made me really want to take a europe tour.
plus we got breakfast, lunch and free beer.
and i was thisclose to winning a trip to australia.
like 6 numbers off.
i've never really considered a tour as a way that i might want to see europe... and i know for sure that the giant tour of 50 people isn't the way i'd want to go...
but they're not all like that.
one company in fact, does tours of max 16 people in unmarked vehicles, so you're not really even "touristy"
and really, i haven't seen a lot of europe, and seeing 10 countries in 14 days and actually getting time to see the sights in each would be almost impossible to plan out on your own...
so i think there's a lot of value in doing tours.
anyways, i'm (once again) pondering travel options...
'cause now all i can think of is doing a whirlwind tour of europe... or maybe a food and wine tour of italy...
or maybe the harry potter tour in the uk... or ireland and seeing giants causeway...
and greece... i wanna go to greece...
and actually, i now really want to go to croatia. which is kinda random... but wow. the beaches are stunning and they have 24 hour parties.
the world is so big... and there's so much i haven't seen, i'm finding it really hard to know where to start.
i still have to work for another 5 months before i can actually take vacation days... and that'll put me smack in the middle of high season for europe, so i think i'll wait for a little bit on that... maybe spring of 2011 will be when we make it out to europe.
and speaking of spring, i would like to thank global warming for giving us the most amazing saturday afternoon...
it was actually warm and sunny.
we sat on the patio and had afternoon beers in t-shirts.
i had the patio door wide open until the sun went down.
it was the first official patio day of 2010
it was just wonderful...
i think last weekend was the first in ages where i didn't get drunk.
on friday night we went to bed at 9:30pm... we were both bagged and the husband had to work saturday & sunday...
saturday i was super productive, renegotiated our mortgage, got my eyes tested, cleaned the entire house, got groceries and ordered myself glasses online.
so then i deserved patio beers/vodkas.
but i stopped after about 4 or 5 and went to bed early because i had to be up at 5:30 on sunday morning.
of course yesterday involved a beer at work, then wine and vodka at the baby shower...
but no intoxication.
i was a totally good girl for once.
don't expect it to happen again for a loooooong time.
okay, time to get in the shower and get ready for work...
also have to get the pork chops and mushroom sauce into the slow cooker for dinner tonight.
vegas countdown = 101 days.
*squee*
it doesn't really feel like a monday when i had to go to work yesterday.
although, truth be told, yesterday's "work" wasn't really like proper work.
it was a product training day for europe tours.
it was actually super interesting and made me really want to take a europe tour.
plus we got breakfast, lunch and free beer.
and i was thisclose to winning a trip to australia.
like 6 numbers off.
i've never really considered a tour as a way that i might want to see europe... and i know for sure that the giant tour of 50 people isn't the way i'd want to go...
but they're not all like that.
one company in fact, does tours of max 16 people in unmarked vehicles, so you're not really even "touristy"
and really, i haven't seen a lot of europe, and seeing 10 countries in 14 days and actually getting time to see the sights in each would be almost impossible to plan out on your own...
so i think there's a lot of value in doing tours.
anyways, i'm (once again) pondering travel options...
'cause now all i can think of is doing a whirlwind tour of europe... or maybe a food and wine tour of italy...
or maybe the harry potter tour in the uk... or ireland and seeing giants causeway...
and greece... i wanna go to greece...
and actually, i now really want to go to croatia. which is kinda random... but wow. the beaches are stunning and they have 24 hour parties.
the world is so big... and there's so much i haven't seen, i'm finding it really hard to know where to start.
i still have to work for another 5 months before i can actually take vacation days... and that'll put me smack in the middle of high season for europe, so i think i'll wait for a little bit on that... maybe spring of 2011 will be when we make it out to europe.
and speaking of spring, i would like to thank global warming for giving us the most amazing saturday afternoon...
it was actually warm and sunny.
we sat on the patio and had afternoon beers in t-shirts.
i had the patio door wide open until the sun went down.
it was the first official patio day of 2010
it was just wonderful...
i think last weekend was the first in ages where i didn't get drunk.
on friday night we went to bed at 9:30pm... we were both bagged and the husband had to work saturday & sunday...
saturday i was super productive, renegotiated our mortgage, got my eyes tested, cleaned the entire house, got groceries and ordered myself glasses online.
so then i deserved patio beers/vodkas.
but i stopped after about 4 or 5 and went to bed early because i had to be up at 5:30 on sunday morning.
of course yesterday involved a beer at work, then wine and vodka at the baby shower...
but no intoxication.
i was a totally good girl for once.
don't expect it to happen again for a loooooong time.
okay, time to get in the shower and get ready for work...
also have to get the pork chops and mushroom sauce into the slow cooker for dinner tonight.
vegas countdown = 101 days.
*squee*
TGIF
did you ever see the SNL sketch with the pilots?
where Will Farrell, Chris Parnell and Tobey Maguire are pilots flying a plane...
and they're teaching tobey how to control the plane.
...and they're all named gil.
and they have "quiet time with gil" by patrolling the plane with a baseball bat...
anyways, it's hilarious.
BUT at the very beginning of the sketch it shows a bunch of video of planes from the outside and has a funny little song...
doo-doo-do.. this scene is on an airplane... it takes place on an AIRPLANE! doo doo.
it always makes me laugh because it's such a perfect way to set up the sketch, but at the same time it makes you realize how easily tv shows (and movies) can make you believe in the setting you're about to see.
one or two second of video can do the work of pages of set up in a book.
anyways, i can't remember why i brought that up.
speaking of SNL, i have had natalie's rap stuck in my head for days now.
i totally listened to it on my iphone on the way to work yesterday.
if i had some sort of tv show or radio show, the part where andy samberg is doing backup vocals of "natalie, you are a bad ass bitch..."
that would totally be my theme music.
just sayin.
if you've never heard it or seen the video, you should probably do that.
like, now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpMPFGBtE7Q
i want it to play when i walk into rooms, lol.
especially this part:
i love natalie portman.
anyways... wow... i have no idea where this post was supposed to go, but it kinda went on a tangent.
but that's cool... gotta head to work soon anyways.
i made my first booking yesterday. and hit my daily quota, so that's good news.
and i think i've got a few more coming down the pipeline...
mostly i'm looking forward to a beer tonight.
it's been a long week, but a good week.
and now it's time for the weekend... please.
peace mutha fuckas.
(sorry, i told you i've been listening to that song too much)
oh wait! i remembered what else i was going to say...
i was going to make mucho apologies to the bloggers that i have been neglecting.
and i'm going to place blame on porn.
that's right.
usually when i hop on the computer i do the normal rounds...
facebook, twitter, email, blogs...
but lately, i haven't even been checking my email.
because i am very distracted by some totally amazing twilight fan fiction.
i know, loser.
but seriously... it's good.
now, the first story is pretty heavy on the porn... okay, they all are... and that's why they rule...
but after a few chapters of the first "book", she starts developing quite an interesting storyline.
so i recommend it...
it can be found here
and the first story is called "Let Your Light Shine"
and then read "A Life Extraordinary"
i'm now on the third one... "This Hungry World"
it's a lot of reading, like they are quite literally BOOKS...
but they're really quite captivating.
well, i thought so anyways.
so if you've read twilight and wanted to throw breaking dawn through a window because of the lame ass turn it took... read this.
it picks up at the honeymoon and takes a totally different (porno) tangent.
it's pretty much how i wished the books had been written.
also, i really enjoy reading porn...
so this was right up my alley.
i've shared this with a few people already that are loving it... and others have asked and i keep forgetting to send the link out, so now it's posted for you all.
please, read and enjoy.
the lady that wrote it kinda rules my world right now.
where Will Farrell, Chris Parnell and Tobey Maguire are pilots flying a plane...
and they're teaching tobey how to control the plane.
...and they're all named gil.
and they have "quiet time with gil" by patrolling the plane with a baseball bat...
anyways, it's hilarious.
BUT at the very beginning of the sketch it shows a bunch of video of planes from the outside and has a funny little song...
doo-doo-do.. this scene is on an airplane... it takes place on an AIRPLANE! doo doo.
it always makes me laugh because it's such a perfect way to set up the sketch, but at the same time it makes you realize how easily tv shows (and movies) can make you believe in the setting you're about to see.
one or two second of video can do the work of pages of set up in a book.
anyways, i can't remember why i brought that up.
speaking of SNL, i have had natalie's rap stuck in my head for days now.
i totally listened to it on my iphone on the way to work yesterday.
if i had some sort of tv show or radio show, the part where andy samberg is doing backup vocals of "natalie, you are a bad ass bitch..."
that would totally be my theme music.
just sayin.
if you've never heard it or seen the video, you should probably do that.
like, now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpMPFGBtE7Q
i want it to play when i walk into rooms, lol.
especially this part:
what you want natalie?it's so effing rad.
to drink and fight!
what you need natalie?
to fuck all night!
i love natalie portman.
anyways... wow... i have no idea where this post was supposed to go, but it kinda went on a tangent.
but that's cool... gotta head to work soon anyways.
i made my first booking yesterday. and hit my daily quota, so that's good news.
and i think i've got a few more coming down the pipeline...
mostly i'm looking forward to a beer tonight.
it's been a long week, but a good week.
and now it's time for the weekend... please.
peace mutha fuckas.
(sorry, i told you i've been listening to that song too much)
oh wait! i remembered what else i was going to say...
i was going to make mucho apologies to the bloggers that i have been neglecting.
and i'm going to place blame on porn.
that's right.
usually when i hop on the computer i do the normal rounds...
facebook, twitter, email, blogs...
but lately, i haven't even been checking my email.
because i am very distracted by some totally amazing twilight fan fiction.
i know, loser.
but seriously... it's good.
now, the first story is pretty heavy on the porn... okay, they all are... and that's why they rule...
but after a few chapters of the first "book", she starts developing quite an interesting storyline.
so i recommend it...
it can be found here
and the first story is called "Let Your Light Shine"
and then read "A Life Extraordinary"
i'm now on the third one... "This Hungry World"
it's a lot of reading, like they are quite literally BOOKS...
but they're really quite captivating.
well, i thought so anyways.
so if you've read twilight and wanted to throw breaking dawn through a window because of the lame ass turn it took... read this.
it picks up at the honeymoon and takes a totally different (porno) tangent.
it's pretty much how i wished the books had been written.
also, i really enjoy reading porn...
so this was right up my alley.
i've shared this with a few people already that are loving it... and others have asked and i keep forgetting to send the link out, so now it's posted for you all.
please, read and enjoy.
the lady that wrote it kinda rules my world right now.
love like winter
on tuesday i went to my first work social type event.
after my second official day of working...
my new company does drunken socials at least once a month... and it's nothing compared to the massive yearly parties and other special events that happen.
i was quite clearly informed by several people that unless i drank excessively and made an ass of myself, i wasn't going to fit in.
open bar isn't a treat, it's damn near mandatory.
smokers are in fine company.
there are no words to describe how hard this warmed the cockles of my heart.
maybe even below the cockles.
maybe in the sub-cockle region.
i don't know.
but i think i've finally found my place in the working world.
my previous place of long term employment gave me an overwhelming sense of not fitting in.
it was a place that frowned openly on smoking... it forbid me to show even a speck of my tattoos... it had people that gave me the stink-eye when i reached for a second glass of wine.
my stories fell flat and eventually were outright ignored.
pretty much no one knew me or cared to. and most people didn't like me.
the stamp "does not fit in" clearly visible on my forehead.
my new place of employment handed me drink tickets when i walked in and made me do shots and tell jokes infront of everyone.
they tell stories of drinking until 5am on work trips and getting up at 8am for a conference and starting it all over again.
they have fun. they laugh and tell crude jokes and stories.
they love their jobs. each and every one of them.
*i* love my job.
i know it's not going to all be drunken fun and gallivanting around the planet...
it's hard work and a lot of stress and knowledge to acquire...
but i'm okay with that.
as long as i know that there's payoff for working my ass off, i will happily do it.
if i get to play my hardest, i'll work my hardest too.
and beyond the mandatory party mentality... i'm just so happy to be surrounded by my people.
people just like me.
people that i can tell inappropriate stories to and hear even better ones back.
people that i don't have to censor for.
the feeling of not having to measure and moderate my words is beyond anything i could say.
after the last few years of hitting rock bottom personally and truly questioning whether there was a place for me where i could ever feel this way... i found it.
i quite literally have found my dream job.
my dream life.
i can't recall ever feeling like everything was going so right for me...
being so sure, without any hesitation that i was in the right place.
it's everything i ever needed.
it's a challenging job that makes me use my brain, my knowledge, my art of bullshitting...
it's the perfect balance of structure and freedom.
i get to converse with people, i laugh and tell stories...
the weeks i've spent laying on beaches have become more than faded tans, they're work experience.
future weeks spent on beaches will be the same.
instead of waking up dreading heading into work... i wake up dreaming about moving up in the company.
i want to work there forever.
be a lifer.
there's a whole lot of them.
so yes, i'm in love with my new job and my company.
there is a reason they are consistently voted in the top companies to work for in canada.
it's because they kick ass.
and if you're interested... there's a referral plan, and i'd be happy to put your name forward so you can adore your job too.
after my second official day of working...
my new company does drunken socials at least once a month... and it's nothing compared to the massive yearly parties and other special events that happen.
i was quite clearly informed by several people that unless i drank excessively and made an ass of myself, i wasn't going to fit in.
open bar isn't a treat, it's damn near mandatory.
smokers are in fine company.
there are no words to describe how hard this warmed the cockles of my heart.
maybe even below the cockles.
maybe in the sub-cockle region.
i don't know.
but i think i've finally found my place in the working world.
my previous place of long term employment gave me an overwhelming sense of not fitting in.
it was a place that frowned openly on smoking... it forbid me to show even a speck of my tattoos... it had people that gave me the stink-eye when i reached for a second glass of wine.
my stories fell flat and eventually were outright ignored.
pretty much no one knew me or cared to. and most people didn't like me.
the stamp "does not fit in" clearly visible on my forehead.
my new place of employment handed me drink tickets when i walked in and made me do shots and tell jokes infront of everyone.
they tell stories of drinking until 5am on work trips and getting up at 8am for a conference and starting it all over again.
they have fun. they laugh and tell crude jokes and stories.
they love their jobs. each and every one of them.
*i* love my job.
i know it's not going to all be drunken fun and gallivanting around the planet...
it's hard work and a lot of stress and knowledge to acquire...
but i'm okay with that.
as long as i know that there's payoff for working my ass off, i will happily do it.
if i get to play my hardest, i'll work my hardest too.
and beyond the mandatory party mentality... i'm just so happy to be surrounded by my people.
people just like me.
people that i can tell inappropriate stories to and hear even better ones back.
people that i don't have to censor for.
the feeling of not having to measure and moderate my words is beyond anything i could say.
after the last few years of hitting rock bottom personally and truly questioning whether there was a place for me where i could ever feel this way... i found it.
i quite literally have found my dream job.
my dream life.
i can't recall ever feeling like everything was going so right for me...
being so sure, without any hesitation that i was in the right place.
it's everything i ever needed.
it's a challenging job that makes me use my brain, my knowledge, my art of bullshitting...
it's the perfect balance of structure and freedom.
i get to converse with people, i laugh and tell stories...
the weeks i've spent laying on beaches have become more than faded tans, they're work experience.
future weeks spent on beaches will be the same.
instead of waking up dreading heading into work... i wake up dreaming about moving up in the company.
i want to work there forever.
be a lifer.
there's a whole lot of them.
so yes, i'm in love with my new job and my company.
there is a reason they are consistently voted in the top companies to work for in canada.
it's because they kick ass.
and if you're interested... there's a referral plan, and i'd be happy to put your name forward so you can adore your job too.
new week and fresh starts
i'm going to try to type super fast and get this all out before i have to leave for work.
so ignore typos and poor spelling.
thanks.
this weekend was a magnificent blur of alcohol, smoking, punk rock music and friendship.
like so many other weekends.
what made this one different?
well... like last weekend, it featured out of town friends that aren't often in my house drinking.
and it also featured the first ever "show" for my friend's new punk rock band; you big idiot.
it was a friends & family show, so invite only, limited amount of people, blah blah.
basically, it was a house party with a show.
it's been a long time since i was at a proper house party in the suburbs.
and a while since i hung out with this crew.
fun times. lots of hugs and beers.
the show was wicked. and i am not just saying that out of friendship.
my jaw dropped. this band is good.
like really good, melt your face off punk rock.
i felt like a proud mother watching them play.
i can't wait until march... i'm doing a show at the cellar in vancouver on a friday night for them...
details/tickets coming soon.
you should be there.
this new band gives me good tingling feelings. big things could happen.
also awesome about this weekend was a 5 hour turbo mission to america with the bff.
it was great just to spend some time alone.
whenever we hang, there's always at least one or two other people around... which is good, because we're both those people that are like "hey, invite everyone over, let's all play together!"...
but the downside of doing that is that we never have a ton of quality one on one time.
so on saturday we had a great time... shopping (both found some wicked scores!) lunch at my fav, the olive garden (or as g would say; obesity garden) and then home for some hockey.
here's the kicker though... these awesome weekends are starting to really get to me.
while i always have wicked fun and try to have no regrets...
it's really not playing well with my healthy living resolution.
every week, i do so well monday-friday afternoon... and then friday night comes, and the alcohol flows... and i totally derail all my progress for 48 hours straight.
and yes, you absolutely can undo 5 days of work in 48 hours. trust me, i've been on this train for 8 weeks now.
so, once again... here is my lofty promise.
it's a new month and i'm coming at it with new determination.
today is my first day at the office, and starting tomorrow morning, i get up early for the gym.
and february is the month that i make a comeback.
so please... if we're twitter pals... harass me.
if we're friends in real life, send me texts.
make me answer to someone, because apparently answering to myself and this blog isn't working yet, lol.
i mean... it worked... and then i fell off.
and i need a kick in the ass to get restarted.
and i know there's a line up of people that wanna kick my ass, lol.
so here's your chance.
so ignore typos and poor spelling.
thanks.
this weekend was a magnificent blur of alcohol, smoking, punk rock music and friendship.
like so many other weekends.
what made this one different?
well... like last weekend, it featured out of town friends that aren't often in my house drinking.
and it also featured the first ever "show" for my friend's new punk rock band; you big idiot.
it was a friends & family show, so invite only, limited amount of people, blah blah.
basically, it was a house party with a show.
it's been a long time since i was at a proper house party in the suburbs.
and a while since i hung out with this crew.
fun times. lots of hugs and beers.
the show was wicked. and i am not just saying that out of friendship.
my jaw dropped. this band is good.
like really good, melt your face off punk rock.
i felt like a proud mother watching them play.
i can't wait until march... i'm doing a show at the cellar in vancouver on a friday night for them...
details/tickets coming soon.
you should be there.
this new band gives me good tingling feelings. big things could happen.
also awesome about this weekend was a 5 hour turbo mission to america with the bff.
it was great just to spend some time alone.
whenever we hang, there's always at least one or two other people around... which is good, because we're both those people that are like "hey, invite everyone over, let's all play together!"...
but the downside of doing that is that we never have a ton of quality one on one time.
so on saturday we had a great time... shopping (both found some wicked scores!) lunch at my fav, the olive garden (or as g would say; obesity garden) and then home for some hockey.
here's the kicker though... these awesome weekends are starting to really get to me.
while i always have wicked fun and try to have no regrets...
it's really not playing well with my healthy living resolution.
every week, i do so well monday-friday afternoon... and then friday night comes, and the alcohol flows... and i totally derail all my progress for 48 hours straight.
and yes, you absolutely can undo 5 days of work in 48 hours. trust me, i've been on this train for 8 weeks now.
so, once again... here is my lofty promise.
it's a new month and i'm coming at it with new determination.
today is my first day at the office, and starting tomorrow morning, i get up early for the gym.
and february is the month that i make a comeback.
so please... if we're twitter pals... harass me.
if we're friends in real life, send me texts.
make me answer to someone, because apparently answering to myself and this blog isn't working yet, lol.
i mean... it worked... and then i fell off.
and i need a kick in the ass to get restarted.
and i know there's a line up of people that wanna kick my ass, lol.
so here's your chance.
a love letter to vancouver
worst blogger ever.
but there's a bright side... i hope.
my training is almost done.
tomorrow is the final exam... a pass is 80% or more.
i'm not worried.
my goal is 100% and as long as i get 95% or more, i'll be happy.
the commute has been more enjoyable than i anticipated...
i've enjoyed getting up early (5:20am... yikes)
and when my train pulls into waterfront station at 8:07am, i can take my time and enjoy the city on my way to work.
i have about half an hour to make a 10 minute walk... so slowing down to smell the flowers is important.
i've also enjoyed a new hobby of tweeting comments and photos of the morning commute.
these are some of the pics i've done over the last two weeks...
well, my favourites anyways.
all of them are from different days of my morning commute.
to be brutally honest, and totally lame...
i've been a little drunk on the beauty of my city lately.
maybe it's the early morning air...
maybe it's because its been a while since i was out and about in the morning... or out at all, lol...
maybe it's because it's been a while since i spent a lot of time downtown...
maybe it's because i'm just so damn happy these days...
but i have been soaking up this city like it's my last day on earth.
i can not get enough of vancouver and my heart aches a little when i see breathtaking moments of sheer beauty all around me.
yesterday i was on the train, staring out the window watching the sun rise over the water of the inlet... the fog was hanging low over the water... and a bald eagle flew directly beside my train car about 30 feet away for 30 seconds or so before turning and setting out over the water.
it was a huge WOW moment.
sometimes things like that make me feel small... they make me feel sad and mad for all the days i wasted away.
what else has gone on outside my doors that i've failed to see.
...and even bigger, what goes on outside my city that i fail to see.
the planet gets smaller and bigger every day at my job.
every place is within reach... but there's a million and one places to start.
how do you begin?
and how much can you really expect to see?
i've often said that the more i travel, the more i appreciate vancouver.
it is truly one of the most beautiful places on the planet and despite the fuckery of the government and all the things that i hate or wish i could change and make better about it... it's my home.
and no matter where i go, and what i see, it will always be the most beautiful city in my eyes.
and i truly will never leave it. i know this now, more than i've ever known it before.
i will never move from this city.
but there's a bright side... i hope.
my training is almost done.
tomorrow is the final exam... a pass is 80% or more.
i'm not worried.
my goal is 100% and as long as i get 95% or more, i'll be happy.
the commute has been more enjoyable than i anticipated...
i've enjoyed getting up early (5:20am... yikes)
and when my train pulls into waterfront station at 8:07am, i can take my time and enjoy the city on my way to work.
i have about half an hour to make a 10 minute walk... so slowing down to smell the flowers is important.
i've also enjoyed a new hobby of tweeting comments and photos of the morning commute.
these are some of the pics i've done over the last two weeks...
well, my favourites anyways.
all of them are from different days of my morning commute.
to be brutally honest, and totally lame...
i've been a little drunk on the beauty of my city lately.
maybe it's the early morning air...
maybe it's because its been a while since i was out and about in the morning... or out at all, lol...
maybe it's because it's been a while since i spent a lot of time downtown...
maybe it's because i'm just so damn happy these days...
but i have been soaking up this city like it's my last day on earth.
i can not get enough of vancouver and my heart aches a little when i see breathtaking moments of sheer beauty all around me.
yesterday i was on the train, staring out the window watching the sun rise over the water of the inlet... the fog was hanging low over the water... and a bald eagle flew directly beside my train car about 30 feet away for 30 seconds or so before turning and setting out over the water.
it was a huge WOW moment.
sometimes things like that make me feel small... they make me feel sad and mad for all the days i wasted away.
what else has gone on outside my doors that i've failed to see.
...and even bigger, what goes on outside my city that i fail to see.
the planet gets smaller and bigger every day at my job.
every place is within reach... but there's a million and one places to start.
how do you begin?
and how much can you really expect to see?
i've often said that the more i travel, the more i appreciate vancouver.
it is truly one of the most beautiful places on the planet and despite the fuckery of the government and all the things that i hate or wish i could change and make better about it... it's my home.
and no matter where i go, and what i see, it will always be the most beautiful city in my eyes.
and i truly will never leave it. i know this now, more than i've ever known it before.
i will never move from this city.
love these screams like I do
oh ma god.
last night's afi show?
absolute panty creaming goodness.
confession time... i kinda forgot about this show.
...well, i kinda forgot about how excited i was for it.
i know! surprising, huh?
but it's true.
i was ridiculously pumped when i first bought my tickets, but then my excitement waned...
i blame the fact that g isn't in town and wasn't there with me...
so it's just not the same.
but my husband and i went, and i was medium on the excitement scale until they hit the stage.
and then i kinda exploded.
in the pants.
wait... that sounds gross, lol.
but when they came out on stage, all of a sudden i was like ohmydogiforgothowmuchilovethisbandandi'mfinallyseeingthemplayatthecommodore!
and i was the excite.
they played a totally kickass setlist that was perfection...
old tunes, only 4 off the new album... and a lot of sing the sorrow and decemberunderground.
they dug out some pretty old gems too... (ever and a day!!! and love is a many splendored thing? that one is from 1996. gold!)
anyways... they played an incredible set...
sounded flawless...
and then they played love like winter... and i turned to my husband and said "i don't think they're going to play silver & cold because they played this one... and that makes me sad. even though i also LOVE love like winter... silver & cold is my absolute favourite"
and then... they played it.
and i died.
the best, and i mean THE BEST part of the show was the crowd.
every single person there knew every word...
and the crowd sang backup vocals to the entire set.
it was unreal... i've never heard anything like it.
even my husband was singing at the top of his lungs... something he usually only reserves for tragically hip shows.
he was jacked that they played so much off Sing The Sorrow and stuff even older than that...
davey havoc was pretty impressed... and asked the crowd how long it had been since they played vancouver...
the answer: 7 years since they did a solo show and 3 years ago on warped tour (which i saw)
yep, pretty safe to say that vancity was primed for an AFI show.
on the way home last night, we rocked Sing The Sorrow... and normally i don't listen to music from the band i just saw on the way home... but in this case, we were so jacked that we needed to hear more.
this morning i was still jacked... listed to STS again.
in fact, i got to work and had 3 songs left on the album, so i walked around the block 6 times so i could finish it.
i just couldn't bring myself to shut it off.
yes, i know i'm a music addict.
it's not my fault.
this show, seriously slayed me.
one of my favourite shows ever.
easily top 20.
maybe even top 10.
i love love loved it.
thanks for being so freaking rad afi.
love you.
also, yes i do still want to have davey havoc's vegan babies.
*drool*
last night's afi show?
absolute panty creaming goodness.
confession time... i kinda forgot about this show.
...well, i kinda forgot about how excited i was for it.
i know! surprising, huh?
but it's true.
i was ridiculously pumped when i first bought my tickets, but then my excitement waned...
i blame the fact that g isn't in town and wasn't there with me...
so it's just not the same.
but my husband and i went, and i was medium on the excitement scale until they hit the stage.
and then i kinda exploded.
in the pants.
wait... that sounds gross, lol.
but when they came out on stage, all of a sudden i was like ohmydogiforgothowmuchilovethisbandandi'mfinallyseeingthemplayatthecommodore!
and i was the excite.
they played a totally kickass setlist that was perfection...
old tunes, only 4 off the new album... and a lot of sing the sorrow and decemberunderground.
they dug out some pretty old gems too... (ever and a day!!! and love is a many splendored thing? that one is from 1996. gold!)
anyways... they played an incredible set...
sounded flawless...
and then they played love like winter... and i turned to my husband and said "i don't think they're going to play silver & cold because they played this one... and that makes me sad. even though i also LOVE love like winter... silver & cold is my absolute favourite"
and then... they played it.
and i died.
the best, and i mean THE BEST part of the show was the crowd.
every single person there knew every word...
and the crowd sang backup vocals to the entire set.
it was unreal... i've never heard anything like it.
even my husband was singing at the top of his lungs... something he usually only reserves for tragically hip shows.
he was jacked that they played so much off Sing The Sorrow and stuff even older than that...
davey havoc was pretty impressed... and asked the crowd how long it had been since they played vancouver...
the answer: 7 years since they did a solo show and 3 years ago on warped tour (which i saw)
yep, pretty safe to say that vancity was primed for an AFI show.
on the way home last night, we rocked Sing The Sorrow... and normally i don't listen to music from the band i just saw on the way home... but in this case, we were so jacked that we needed to hear more.
this morning i was still jacked... listed to STS again.
in fact, i got to work and had 3 songs left on the album, so i walked around the block 6 times so i could finish it.
i just couldn't bring myself to shut it off.
yes, i know i'm a music addict.
it's not my fault.
this show, seriously slayed me.
one of my favourite shows ever.
easily top 20.
maybe even top 10.
i love love loved it.
thanks for being so freaking rad afi.
love you.
also, yes i do still want to have davey havoc's vegan babies.
*drool*
weakened by the weekend
i love the weekend.
i love that the weekend has meaning for me again.
it's no longer the days that my husband is off work...
it's now *my* days off work.
i talked to my new boss on friday evening...
he said that for the first month in the shop, my hours will be monday-friday.
good news.
starting in march, we're going to work out a permanent schedule...
which i hope is monday - friday... but it could end up being tuesday - saturday.
which, is not so terrible.
this weekend, i made the most of it.
friday night we ended up with 4 guests...
and as much as i hardcore love everyone that was there... i was most excited to see the captain who was in from toronto.
our dear friend who lives so far away, only comes into town to play a few times a year.
so when we see him, it's a race to make up for lost time.
so we got wasted.
we drank until 5am.
in the morning, the carnage was clear.
empty 26ers littered the kitchen.
the body count was high.
somehow there was a new piece of furniture in my kitchen that came home with the boys when they went on a "mix & smokes run" at midnight.
my camera is filled with shirtless photos.
all men.
people slept on couches, air mattresses and floors.
carnage.
awesome awesome carnage.
my hangover woke me and so i got to work...
sticky buns were the first order of business.
and not only are they totally delicious... they're dead easy.
that was the appetizer... then i made maple & honey bacon, scrambled eggs and hashbrowns.
we lazed on the couch watching best of SNL dvds and sipping boozy coffees...
the i made tortellini for lunch and we watched hockey.
beers came out and were slowly sipped.
hangover level was still high. very high.
by the time dinner came along, we were feeling better, but had decided not to get drunk again.
so i made pork chops, mashed potatoes and green beans.
delicious...
and passed out on the couch.
this morning when i woke up, all the guests were gone and my hubby was curled up on the couch watching hockey.
now, i'd like to say we're going to lay around all day today too...
but we're heading downtown to see AFI tonight at the commodore.
my husband doesn't want to go, but i have no one else to rock with, so he has to come.
i hope it's a great show... and i hope it's an early show.
5am is going to come mighty early tomorrow.
i love that the weekend has meaning for me again.
it's no longer the days that my husband is off work...
it's now *my* days off work.
i talked to my new boss on friday evening...
he said that for the first month in the shop, my hours will be monday-friday.
good news.
starting in march, we're going to work out a permanent schedule...
which i hope is monday - friday... but it could end up being tuesday - saturday.
which, is not so terrible.
this weekend, i made the most of it.
friday night we ended up with 4 guests...
and as much as i hardcore love everyone that was there... i was most excited to see the captain who was in from toronto.
our dear friend who lives so far away, only comes into town to play a few times a year.
so when we see him, it's a race to make up for lost time.
so we got wasted.
we drank until 5am.
in the morning, the carnage was clear.
empty 26ers littered the kitchen.
the body count was high.
somehow there was a new piece of furniture in my kitchen that came home with the boys when they went on a "mix & smokes run" at midnight.
my camera is filled with shirtless photos.
all men.
people slept on couches, air mattresses and floors.
carnage.
awesome awesome carnage.
my hangover woke me and so i got to work...
sticky buns were the first order of business.
that was the appetizer... then i made maple & honey bacon, scrambled eggs and hashbrowns.
we lazed on the couch watching best of SNL dvds and sipping boozy coffees...
the i made tortellini for lunch and we watched hockey.
beers came out and were slowly sipped.
hangover level was still high. very high.
by the time dinner came along, we were feeling better, but had decided not to get drunk again.
so i made pork chops, mashed potatoes and green beans.
delicious...
rosemary mustard pork chopswe ate (again) and watched harry potter and the half blood prince...
- 2-4 pork chops
- 2 cups liquid (stock, apple juice etc)
marinade:
- sprig of fresh rosemary
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- salt & pepper
blend (magic bullet is perfect) or grind all ingredients for marinade in a mortar & pestle until it resembles a loose paste.
coat pork chops well, cover and leave to marinade in the fridge.
when you're ready to rock, heat a pan with a drizzle of olive oil in it. brown pork chops on both sides (some of the marinade will stick to the pan, that's okay.)
add liquid to the pan, i used 1 cup chicken stock and 1 cup apple juice because that's what i had handy... will work well with all juice or all stock.
cover and braise until cooked through.
remove chops from pan and let rest, covered.
meanwhile reduce down the sauce and add in a tbsp of cornstarch (dissolved in cold water) to thicken.
optional, but delicious - add in a few tablespoons of sour cream.
taste and season as needed
serve sauce/gravy over pork chops and potatoes.
nom nom nom
and passed out on the couch.
this morning when i woke up, all the guests were gone and my hubby was curled up on the couch watching hockey.
now, i'd like to say we're going to lay around all day today too...
but we're heading downtown to see AFI tonight at the commodore.
my husband doesn't want to go, but i have no one else to rock with, so he has to come.
i hope it's a great show... and i hope it's an early show.
5am is going to come mighty early tomorrow.
catchup
you know what's totally my favourite thing about the internet?
< sarcasm >
...when you say your opinion and someone jumps down your throat about it.
it's happened to me twice in the last few days.
...and not that i don't a) deserve it and invite it sometimes... and b) totally expect it, because duh, it's the internet...
but god damn it's annoying sometimes.
because to be brutally honest, i like spouting my opinion on my spaces...
my blog, my twitter, my facebook... wherever i have *my* space.
but just because i give my opinion, doesn't really mean that you need to chime in with yours.
or do you?
i've been off the internet for a few days... maybe i forgot how it worked, lol.
in any event, i've been annoyed by having to defend myself and engage conversations that i don't really find to be worthwhile or worth bandwidth.
does that make sense?
meh. i'm probably just a massive hypocrite, aren't i?
but hey, aren't we all?
sooooo anyways...
let's see what's been going on, besides me picking fights and pissing off people inadvertently.
i went out on sunday night and had a great time with the twi-girls.
we had cheap dinner and delightful drinks and then rocked out at 100 monkeys.
it wasn't the best show i've seen of theirs... but it was alright.
a lot of my company, myself included was dead tired and not really feeling the show or the sunday night outing... so the vibe was pretty chill.
also, the band wasn't as tight as i've seen them in the past.
still pretty good... but you can tell the rock and roll lifestyle is taking its toll.
those dudes need to get their shit in order soon.
they're lacking proper management and promotion... and they're missing out on a lot of opportunities.
the whole twilight link thing isn't going to last forever.
they need to do a little promotion, try to get signed and properly represented...
ya, there's more i could say, but there's really no point.
it is what it is.
but this show had less than half as many people as their last show in vancouver about 5 months ago... so obviously they could have benefited from some promotion.
the band itself is pretty good. they're talented boys with some solid songs... but it's pretty evident they're also doing some solid partying on this tour.
and you know, it's definitely part of the rock star lifestyle... but maybe you should *actually* become stars before you do that.
...just sayin'
anyways, i know i said that i wouldn't let my blogging fall off the planet... and then i did...
ya, sorry about that.
this training for work is doing my head in.
i can not believe i'm only 3 days in.
my brain is quite literally swimming with codes and a million other things that i don't fully understand and most definitely can't explain.
the good news is that i'm one of the fastest in my class in terms of grasping and perfecting the knowledge...
so i'm pretty stoked on that.
but it's not easy.
i'm using brain cells i forgot i had.
i just have to survive 7 more days and then they let me loose.
< sarcasm >
...when you say your opinion and someone jumps down your throat about it.
it's happened to me twice in the last few days.
...and not that i don't a) deserve it and invite it sometimes... and b) totally expect it, because duh, it's the internet...
but god damn it's annoying sometimes.
because to be brutally honest, i like spouting my opinion on my spaces...
my blog, my twitter, my facebook... wherever i have *my* space.
but just because i give my opinion, doesn't really mean that you need to chime in with yours.
or do you?
i've been off the internet for a few days... maybe i forgot how it worked, lol.
in any event, i've been annoyed by having to defend myself and engage conversations that i don't really find to be worthwhile or worth bandwidth.
does that make sense?
meh. i'm probably just a massive hypocrite, aren't i?
but hey, aren't we all?
sooooo anyways...
let's see what's been going on, besides me picking fights and pissing off people inadvertently.
i went out on sunday night and had a great time with the twi-girls.
we had cheap dinner and delightful drinks and then rocked out at 100 monkeys.
it wasn't the best show i've seen of theirs... but it was alright.
a lot of my company, myself included was dead tired and not really feeling the show or the sunday night outing... so the vibe was pretty chill.
also, the band wasn't as tight as i've seen them in the past.
still pretty good... but you can tell the rock and roll lifestyle is taking its toll.
those dudes need to get their shit in order soon.
they're lacking proper management and promotion... and they're missing out on a lot of opportunities.
the whole twilight link thing isn't going to last forever.
they need to do a little promotion, try to get signed and properly represented...
ya, there's more i could say, but there's really no point.
it is what it is.
but this show had less than half as many people as their last show in vancouver about 5 months ago... so obviously they could have benefited from some promotion.
the band itself is pretty good. they're talented boys with some solid songs... but it's pretty evident they're also doing some solid partying on this tour.
and you know, it's definitely part of the rock star lifestyle... but maybe you should *actually* become stars before you do that.
...just sayin'
anyways, i know i said that i wouldn't let my blogging fall off the planet... and then i did...
ya, sorry about that.
this training for work is doing my head in.
i can not believe i'm only 3 days in.
my brain is quite literally swimming with codes and a million other things that i don't fully understand and most definitely can't explain.
the good news is that i'm one of the fastest in my class in terms of grasping and perfecting the knowledge...
so i'm pretty stoked on that.
but it's not easy.
i'm using brain cells i forgot i had.
i just have to survive 7 more days and then they let me loose.
TGIF
ooo, i just realized that now i can start getting excited about weekends again...
because they mean something when you work monday - friday.
so, the new job is going well...
i haven't done too much in terms of real "work" yet
i'm still learning things
yesterday i worked at an e-learning course for 3.5 hours about selling travel insurance.
it was really eye opening.
i love travel (as you know) but there's a lot that i have to learn.
including memorizing airport codes.
i only really know the ones i fly in/out of...
YVR, YYZ, LAS, LAX, MBJ etc...
there's about a bazillion more to learn.
i'm kinda scared...
my hard core training starts monday and goes for 2 weeks at the head office.
i've been told that i will be literally assaulted with knowledge and it's sink or swim.
after the first week i will seriously question if this is the right job for me.
and basically i'll either quit or push through.
i'm not going to quit.
many reasons come into play, including my pride and financial situation...
but also the fact that i spent 3 years trying to get this job.
quitting before i even really started would be the ultimate fuck up.
i've been told that i can also look forward to "flight-mares"
...when you wake up in the middle of the night in a panic thinking that you messed up on someone's vacation and they're not going to be able to get on their flight.
it can happen easily... if you even mess up a letter in their name, they won't be allowed to use their plane ticket.
typos are not allowed.
attention to detail is paramount.
despite all the scary things i've been hearing, i'm still excited.
because for every gut-wrenching story i hear, i hear another one about free vacations.
and i like free vacations.
anyways, the people in my shop are nice and i think this is going to be a good job for me.
it's not an easy job... but it'll be rewarding for me.
today i had my first bummer of regular employment though...
already, i know!
a bunch of girls are heading down to twi-con in seattle today and i really wish i could come.
they're staying 2 nights in seattle and then heading home sunday for the 100 monkeys show in vancouver.
so, i'll see them then and get to hear all about it...
but i definitely wish i could go.
not necessarily because i really think i could spend all weekend at a twi-con...
but because it sounds like a super fun girlie trip...
and re: i love vacations.
no matter how small and silly they may be.
in any event, i hope they all have a super time and take oodles of pictures and i can't wait to hear hilarious stories on sunday.
...and i really hope they can find me a sweet r-pattz iphone skin.
because my phone, she needs a new case.
and in any event... i get to see mr jackson rathbone and 100 monkeys on sunday, so that'll be a super fun time.
not to mention pre-show dinner/drinks with about 12-15 of the local twi-girls.
and i get to drool at this for an hour or two...
delightful.
i'll be sure to take new photos on sunday.
have a great weekend friends!
because they mean something when you work monday - friday.
so, the new job is going well...
i haven't done too much in terms of real "work" yet
i'm still learning things
yesterday i worked at an e-learning course for 3.5 hours about selling travel insurance.
it was really eye opening.
i love travel (as you know) but there's a lot that i have to learn.
including memorizing airport codes.
i only really know the ones i fly in/out of...
YVR, YYZ, LAS, LAX, MBJ etc...
there's about a bazillion more to learn.
i'm kinda scared...
my hard core training starts monday and goes for 2 weeks at the head office.
i've been told that i will be literally assaulted with knowledge and it's sink or swim.
after the first week i will seriously question if this is the right job for me.
and basically i'll either quit or push through.
i'm not going to quit.
many reasons come into play, including my pride and financial situation...
but also the fact that i spent 3 years trying to get this job.
quitting before i even really started would be the ultimate fuck up.
i've been told that i can also look forward to "flight-mares"
...when you wake up in the middle of the night in a panic thinking that you messed up on someone's vacation and they're not going to be able to get on their flight.
it can happen easily... if you even mess up a letter in their name, they won't be allowed to use their plane ticket.
typos are not allowed.
attention to detail is paramount.
despite all the scary things i've been hearing, i'm still excited.
because for every gut-wrenching story i hear, i hear another one about free vacations.
and i like free vacations.
anyways, the people in my shop are nice and i think this is going to be a good job for me.
it's not an easy job... but it'll be rewarding for me.
today i had my first bummer of regular employment though...
already, i know!
a bunch of girls are heading down to twi-con in seattle today and i really wish i could come.
they're staying 2 nights in seattle and then heading home sunday for the 100 monkeys show in vancouver.
so, i'll see them then and get to hear all about it...
but i definitely wish i could go.
not necessarily because i really think i could spend all weekend at a twi-con...
but because it sounds like a super fun girlie trip...
and re: i love vacations.
no matter how small and silly they may be.
in any event, i hope they all have a super time and take oodles of pictures and i can't wait to hear hilarious stories on sunday.
...and i really hope they can find me a sweet r-pattz iphone skin.
because my phone, she needs a new case.
and in any event... i get to see mr jackson rathbone and 100 monkeys on sunday, so that'll be a super fun time.
not to mention pre-show dinner/drinks with about 12-15 of the local twi-girls.
and i get to drool at this for an hour or two...
delightful.
i'll be sure to take new photos on sunday.
have a great weekend friends!
day one
well, today's the day... i work in just over 2 hours.
sooo... this will be reasonably brief.
i am thankful for the fact that i have to leave my house 50 minutes before i start in order to make it on time.
and i only have to walk 1.5 blocks in the rain on either side of my bus journey.
it's a pretty painless commute.
i have decided however, that i'm going to learn to drive this year.
see, if i could drive my pretty blue car that's sitting in my underground right now, it would only take me 25 minutes to get there.
and there's free parking.
so it's actually cheaper than taking the bus.
and my car is pretty and comfy and dry.
and that means i could wear heels to work instead of bringing them in my purse to change into upon arrival.
so let's throw that goal on my 2010 pile, shall we?
i have to re-get my learner's and have it for a few months before i can do my road test...
and i'm going to get my learner's by the end of the month.
i've written that stupid learner's test 4 times before, so it won't be hard.
the challenge will be the driving part.
i haven't been behind the wheel of a car in 14 years.
and i have fear/anxiety around driving...
but this year is going to be about concurring my remaining fears... so driving is a good place to start me thinks.
i really want to work on setting obtainable goals for myself.
as much as i'm fond of my pie-in-the-sky lofty goals, i'm happier when i actually achieve things.
but, speaking of pie-in-the-sky goals... or maybe this one is an achievable goal...
for 2011.
my husband and i very much want to go to charlie palmer's pigs & pinot festival in california.
this year's festival snuck up on us.
it's in march, and i got the email for ticket and weekend packages yesterday... and then the follow up email less than 3 hours later stating that the packages were sold out.
next year, we'll be ready.
to be honest, the timing for the 2010 one isn't great anyways.
i'll have a brand new job, and taking time off might not be smiled upon...
so waiting until 2011 was going to be a reality anyways.
but next year, we're definitely going to hit up pigs & pinot.
so if you're interested, let's make a show of it.
there's more info on it here
but basically it's a weekend that celebrates charlie palmer's two favourite things... pigs and pinot.
so it's all about the delicious piggy and the wonderful wine of california.
it's seminars, tastings and a gala dinner.
as liz lemon would say... i want to go to there.
okay team, gotta go shower and try to find some business attire... yeesh... maybe should have started earlier, i have zero idea what to wear today...
lastly, i'm going to promise you that i'm going to try not to let my blogging suffer under my employment...
but things will change.
sure i'll be at a computer all day, but i won't be on the internets... for the first time in over 10 years, i won't be surfing the 'net all day.
so that's going to put a damper on my internet showing.
thank god for my iphone... so i'll still be on twitter all the time.
...so hit me up there.
http://twitter.com/vancityrockgirl
sooo... this will be reasonably brief.
i am thankful for the fact that i have to leave my house 50 minutes before i start in order to make it on time.
and i only have to walk 1.5 blocks in the rain on either side of my bus journey.
it's a pretty painless commute.
i have decided however, that i'm going to learn to drive this year.
see, if i could drive my pretty blue car that's sitting in my underground right now, it would only take me 25 minutes to get there.
and there's free parking.
so it's actually cheaper than taking the bus.
and my car is pretty and comfy and dry.
and that means i could wear heels to work instead of bringing them in my purse to change into upon arrival.
so let's throw that goal on my 2010 pile, shall we?
i have to re-get my learner's and have it for a few months before i can do my road test...
and i'm going to get my learner's by the end of the month.
i've written that stupid learner's test 4 times before, so it won't be hard.
the challenge will be the driving part.
i haven't been behind the wheel of a car in 14 years.
and i have fear/anxiety around driving...
but this year is going to be about concurring my remaining fears... so driving is a good place to start me thinks.
i really want to work on setting obtainable goals for myself.
as much as i'm fond of my pie-in-the-sky lofty goals, i'm happier when i actually achieve things.
but, speaking of pie-in-the-sky goals... or maybe this one is an achievable goal...
for 2011.
my husband and i very much want to go to charlie palmer's pigs & pinot festival in california.
this year's festival snuck up on us.
it's in march, and i got the email for ticket and weekend packages yesterday... and then the follow up email less than 3 hours later stating that the packages were sold out.
next year, we'll be ready.
to be honest, the timing for the 2010 one isn't great anyways.
i'll have a brand new job, and taking time off might not be smiled upon...
so waiting until 2011 was going to be a reality anyways.
but next year, we're definitely going to hit up pigs & pinot.
so if you're interested, let's make a show of it.
there's more info on it here
but basically it's a weekend that celebrates charlie palmer's two favourite things... pigs and pinot.
so it's all about the delicious piggy and the wonderful wine of california.
it's seminars, tastings and a gala dinner.
as liz lemon would say... i want to go to there.
okay team, gotta go shower and try to find some business attire... yeesh... maybe should have started earlier, i have zero idea what to wear today...
lastly, i'm going to promise you that i'm going to try not to let my blogging suffer under my employment...
but things will change.
sure i'll be at a computer all day, but i won't be on the internets... for the first time in over 10 years, i won't be surfing the 'net all day.
so that's going to put a damper on my internet showing.
thank god for my iphone... so i'll still be on twitter all the time.
...so hit me up there.
http://twitter.com/vancityrockgirl