The Book Bully

So. Many. Weddings. Last weekend, my dear friend Jana married the lovely Caleb. It was a beautiful ceremony, during which the moms cried, the bridesmaids cried (save for Catherine), and the groomsmen shed a tear or two. The photographer was extraordinary and there was much fun had by all while taking pictures. The speeches at the reception were funny and touching, and the dance was a regular hootenanny. I had a great time, and it was so nice to be a part of two very special people's wedding day. This morning, I woke up bright and early to watch the Royal Wedding. Originally, I didn't care about the marriage of Kate and William, but over the past month I've become increasingly smitten with the Royal couple. Mostly, I think, because Kate is living the dream that every eight year old girl creates for themselves as soon as they've seen a Disney film - a handsome prince falls hopelessly in love with a mere commoner, and she becomes a beloved princess. The wedding was bea

I am writing this from the east coast of Canada! That's right, I've made it back to The Rock, safe and sound. I arrived home last Wednesday late in the night, but I honestly haven't had a moment to sit down at my computer and write a real post. Thursday I tried to figure out what time zone I was in by going to bed reaaaally late and getting up really early, then tried to unpack and move my stuff down to the apartment, where I'll be living for an indefinite amount of time. Then I finally caught up with the bride-to-be and heard about all the wedding details. Friday was necessities shopping, coffee with the lovelies Robyn and Grant, and then more unpacking and visiting with Kayla and Gavin. Saturday was Julie's recital, Michelle's bridal shower, and Jana's bachelorette party. Yesterday was church, massive dinner with the fam, coffee with Laura, and the musical at church. TODAY, after spending the morning at the doctors and running errands with my Nan, I fin

I've been working on this paper for the past four days, and I have progressed through several different stages of writing it. First, I was resigned to getting it finished in two days. By day two, I was annoyed and bored of the topic, so I started experimenting with photobooth and imagining what life was like outside of my room. Last night saw the climax of dispair. I sat at my computer, balancing different books on my head, praying for osmosis of text to finally work and an entire source to be fed into my brain. After four hours of sleep, I woke up this morning with a resolve to finish this paper in record time. Chocolate and caffeine: power foods. I think that's in the Canada food guide or something. Day 27 - A Song That You Wish You Could Play I'd definitely like to play guitar, and Andy McKee is dabomb.com (are we using this expression anymore?). I wish I could play anything like he can. Day 28 - A Song That Makes You Feel Guilty I dunno, man. Not much mus

Right now I'm "working on a paper," posting this blog, and watching Iron Chef America . I don't recall if I've ever posted about my love of the Food Network; I should. Because I really, really love the Food Network. I spend more time willing Bobby Flay to make something without chilis than I do watching cat videos on YouTube. And both take up a significant amount of my time. We're nearing the end of the 30 Day Song Challenge! Day 26 - A Song You Can Play on An Instrument Since there isn't much brass music that I've played on YouTube, I've gone for the painfully beautiful "Two Beds and a Coffee Machine" by everyone's favourite Savage Garden. I actually don't know if I can play this on a piano anymore, but I used to be able to tickle the ivories with this sad tune. Jillz PS - 4 days, OMG

As someone who is alone quite frequently, I have the sometimes pleasant, and more often awkward, opportunity to overhear conversations. Coffee shops are a particularly great place for this;  I sit typing or reading while couples and groups surround me, filling the space with words and stories and memories and plans. Once during a particularly busy morning at a shop, a woman asked if she could share my table. I happily agreed, and as I sat typing, she sipped her tea and carried on a conversation via text message. I had a friend who once told me of a plan he had to take photos of peoples' faces as they received text messages. Have you ever watched someone's face as they read an unexpected text from a current crush? A message that their plans are cancelled? News of a friend's engagement? A reminder that an assignment is due tomorrow? There is so much packed into the facial reaction to that small, 140-character message. And this woman who sat across from me: her face told the

Day 23 - A Song That You Want Played At Your Wedding Generally I don't think much about my wedding. Why spend a lot of time and energy planning an event that, at this moment in time, has little chance of occurring. Plus, there are the many weddings of friends to be planning for, thinking about, and celebrating! In any case, I love Adele, and I love her version of "To Make You Feel My Love," and it would be nice to have it at a wedding, and will probably be in mine if I ever have one. Jillz PS - In one week I'll be on a plane to the Rock. AHHH

Day 22 - A Song You Listen To When You're Sad Is there a song that sounds more forlorn and desperately hopeful for the future than Great Big Sea's "Boston and St. John's"? Nope, didn't think so. Seven days till I leave Van. MIXED EMOTIONS, like a good salad. Mixed. Jillz

Day 21 - A Song You Listen To When You're Happy There's nothing like having a crowd over and at the peak of the party when everyone's spirits are at their climax and there's a vibe of "hey, I wanna dance" and popping on the ol' Fables and having a good, old-fashioned stomp-off. Break out the spoons and happiness abounds. "Down East Day" - The Fables Countdown to returning to NL: 8 days Jillz

I'm mega behind on my music posts. I KNOW. I went to Victoria this weekend to visit Thea and the Island one last time before going home. I also have two big papers to write and I've been trying to pack and organize and see people. Hectic, busy, lots of mixed emotions going on. But who cares about any of that?! Onto the songs! Day 17 - A Song You Hear on the Radio I rarely listen to the radio anymore, since I haven't been able to figure out how to fix the settings on my iPod dock station. But whenever the radio is on in the car, I guarantee I will hear Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar on Me." For the record, I hate this song. It's so over played and generally gross. Day 18 - A Song You Wish You Heard on the Radio Canada doesn't play enough British music. I've been sort of in love with this band Feeder since Christmas, and I would love to hear "Tracing Lines" on the ol' airwaves at some point. It'd be a miracle. Day 1