How amazingly coincidentally appropriate is this topic?

I don't think I could've planned a more appropriate topic for the first post of my resurrected blog: Zombies' Easter.
Earlier, I posed this question to some people: do zombies love or hate Easter? I'd say zombies may love Easter because it's the one day that it okay for the reanimated, formerly-deceased to be out and about. With the exception of Halloween, Easter may be the one day of the year in which zombies are not vilified.
Or maybe zombies hate Easter because of the hypocrisy of it all: it is okay, even celebrated, that one formerly-deceased guy (Jesus) was reanimated / resurrected, yet every other reanimated person is loathed? Is it a double standard?
There is no doubt in my mind that the story of Jesus' reanimation is the original zombie tale. Considering one of the most common beliefs within zombie lore is that infection is spread through direct contact (particularly consumption and cross-contamination), it is evident that Jesus is a zombie. And it is through the 'Body of Christ' rite that maintains the zombie lineage.

I truly think it is time for me to search for different employment. Working at a hotel in a small town just doesn't do it for me anymore (not that it did initially either...).

Amazing. For the duration of at least two years, I don't have any posts...and once I finally do starting posting again, it's to complain. good times are back again.

Well I'm emotionally wiped. I wrote my British Literature exam today and the only positive aspect of the experience is that I now know what to expect for the final. Why couldn't there be a question about the significance of the sheepfold in "Michael"? Or something about the Wordsworth's benediction to his sister in "Tintern Abbey"? That stuff I know.. Sadly I used the maximum time allotted and I still did not complete the entire exam. I discovered this as I was quickly rifling through the booklet and spotted the beginning of an answer (one sentence to be precise) and the remaining page blank. Maybe I'll get one point for it?

After coming home feeling quite defeated, I then receive news that my beloved cat Iago has passed away. He was quite a character. He came with me to school in London, and he fell in love with a friend of mine, claiming her as his own. Along with my other cat Gaffer, they were sure to get into some mischief. One particular night out, I came home only to discover they had found the stash of catnip and ate a good portion of it (at least a gram's worth). They were sprawled out in the middle of the living room, content as can be. Needless to say they were incapacitated the next day as well. Iago was also the type of cat that would become quite indignant if you dared to laugh at him (he once slipped off a ledge during a jump) or would literally turn his back to you if you came home 'smelling like another cat'. Granted these are human traits that I'm perceiving, but he definitely did have personality. At the age of 13 Iago departed this realm and is now with his friend, 'brother' and boy-toy Gaffer. He will be greatly missed.

He has been buried with friends Cous-Cous and Yaya.

Expressions & Sayings

There are some expressions that I've heard over the years that have caused some confusion. I have yet to find a satisfactory explanation for them and so my search (albeit idle) continues.

• "Search me" - Search you for what? This is an expression used when the person does not have the answer to the proposed question. So would the expression, "search me" infer that even if the questioner were to search the person, they'd find not a single piece of evidence to the question?


• "White on rice" - Erm, rice generally isn't white. Unless this is some sort of derogatory comment I'm unaware of. What? Was rice introduced to the Western world and we took a really liking to it or something? Regardless, this expression puzzles me. I get the intent, just not the significance.


• "Piss like a race horse" - Again, I understand the intent, mostly. Does a race horse pee more frequently or with more velocity than a regular horse? Or is it implying something about once it's out of the gate it's off and going? Therefore, does the need to urinate comparable to the race or the actual race horse?

So you can see why I seldom get everything on my schedule done. I have nonsense such as above dancing around in my head. But thank goodness I know it is a "half-penny" and not an "impadue", as that makes that Christmas song make a little more sense.

Until then,

Allergies

I know I've mentioned this already to some people, but today as I was enjoying my apple with peanut butter, I was thinking how awful it would be that if I were in public school right now, I would not be allowed to bring this great snack. It is of course, due to the risk of nut allergies in some kids attending the school. Which makes me wonder, could there be a school (private?) that could be a 'not nut-free environment'? Now I am not making light of the situation some have with this allergy, however, it seems to be yet another example of this over-sterilized world we are producing. Why must 98% of the students be denied to right to bring with them supplements and food items that are healthy and tasty. Although I did not eat a lot of nuts as a child, I couldn't imagine not being able to bring a Nutella sandwich to school or even a slice of pecan pie (not that I did, but still). And I know people will say, "Nut allergies are serious." And I am not arguing with this fact. I am, however, stating that we are the ones producing this environment in which viruses have become resistant to antibiotics because of everything we 'treat' our meat and foods with. In addition, many allergies are grown out of, including nut allergies. This of course is done under doctor's supervision, but there is a chance that some of the kids afflicted with these allergies and are avoiding nuts may not necessarily be needing to. So what's the point of this rant? I would like to find a school that allows kids to bring nuts to school and if unsuccessful with locating one, I'd like to start one (albeit lacking funds to do so).

Comradery

There is a group I am envious of ~ motorcycle enthusiasts. As they pass one another on the roads, there is that gesture of acceptance and recognition, all with the simple wave 'hello'. These riders typically don't know each other, they just see a fellow rider and wave in a statement to say, "we have similar passions". I'd love to have that sort of comradery. There has been a brief moment in which I considered myself on a motorcycle, but then I remember it took me until the age of 12 before I was able to master the pedal bike. And using the term 'master' is being quite generous for my cycling skills. So do I wave to each vehicle that is similar to mine? What would be the criteria? And would it work as I'd be the only person doing so, thereby looking like a complete nutter. There'd be no comradery, just some confused drivers.
oh well.

Vote for Nature

The other day I was pursuing my bookmarked web pages and among them was the Nature Canada website. The leading article, Vote for Nature, prompted me to send the petition included to all of the political parties in Canada. The significance of this whole thing is that not a few days later, I received an email from the NDP (New Democrats) stating their support for animal welfare and other relevant platform issues. It truly is appreciated that there is a response when addressing politicians, albeit a template for responses, to confirm that perhaps some of our concerns are being addressed by the fat cats.

Also included is a link for WSPA and all of the leaders' responses regarding animal welfare. They encourage us to read each party's response to assess exactly what their views are. Granted one's personal opinion, or even what they promise is significantly different from what they actually do, but it's still moderately informative. WSPA Vote for Animals

As you may notice, the Conservatives chose not to respond to the survey, which makes it abundantly clear the level of importance animal welfare is on their agenda. hmmm.

One of These Things is Just Like the Other...

*They even have the same photo-opt pose!
One difference ~ McCain may very well have more personality

It is a statement that has validated the theory that Harper is simply the Canadian, miniaturized version of the States' Republicans: "the fundamentals of the economy are strong". This statement has been the response of both Stephen Harper and John McCain when asked about the state of the economy in their respective countries. And because there is far more media attention on the presidential election, it has only been McCain that has been ribbed for making such an outlandish statement. The fundamentals of the economy? What does that mean anyone? Regardless of what this vague statement is supposed to mean, again, it does reiterate that Harper has every intention on keeping his smarmy fish-lips planted on the Republicans arses. sigh What happened to the days of autonomy?

Hunters spend $1.99/minute to talk to ducks that 'turn them on'

What a great typo.
Ducks are tramps?!

Conservative Kids

There has been a fall election called. And now we will be bombarded with advertisements and campaign commercials galore. Actually, I have already viewed on Conservative commercial propping up Stephen Harper. Truthfully, I am moderately indifferent about the whole thing until one of the pods exclaimed, "I like that he's a family man. He has young kids". That statement makes me dislike him even more as I know he has drastically reduced the child benefits of many parents, parents that are now struggling with the doubtful economy. Of one parent in particular, her child benefits have experienced cuts from $50 and $100. Yup, this supposed family man is proud of his monetary solution for family finances ~ reduce the amounts by $150 each payment!

Turkey! Turkey! Turkey!

Imagine my surprise as I awoke this morning to find a turkey waddling past the window (I'm in a basement). As I look out there is not one turkey, but three adults and about eight younger ones. It was quite a sight to see.
Not that it's relevant but I've been able to determine the relation of a particular director. He is our first cousin twice removed (grandfather's cousin).

cheerio

Hooray hooray, everything is going so well...and then you hear the needle scratching the record. It seems that I have to re~apply and submit a letter of appeal. And for what reason am I doing this? I hate that school, dislike some of the douche-bag professors I have encountered - talking to you Ponytail guy with your slick guitar. So you couldn't make it as a musician, decided to become a teacher and force your students to be your audience.
And don't think I forgot about you arsehole insurance people. Oh sorry we didn't tell you we'd be taking a quarter of the total amount out all at once. Sure drive to the office that is situated in an isolated house surrounded by fields, we won't be there during business hours though and we have also fibbed about having a debit machine. Eighteen days you should have. Should have, but you won't.

It has not been that great of a day today. But hey, I finished the faxing I had to do.

I'd give my finger to the insurance company, but they already have everything else

I dislike my insurance company. I know, it's not an unusual thing to make such a statement. But why do I dislike mine? Just a few minor details, and perhaps you may understand why I harbor this resentment.

It was time to update my insurance and due to circumstances I had to go through another company, one that's more conveniently located. Everything seemed okay. That is until I noticed that my first payment did not go through. When I phoned the company and made the inquiry, I was informed that the broker with whom I was dealing with recently quit. Not too big of a deal, right? Except she didn't file my application before resigning so I was essentially without insurance.
Eventually I get this all sorted out only to learn my first payment does not go through again, but this time it is because it's not the expected two month payment but three months. Three months? Is that normal. Again, I must make contact with the company, (which incidentally does not have a real office in the general area) and they tell me how long I have to make the payment and where. Today I go to the office (where I filled out the application) and wouldn't you know it, nobody is there - it's closed with a sign attached stating someone would be back soon. So I wait, and wait. Finally the agent returns only for me to learn that no I cannot pay by debit as the person at the head office told me I could. So over 30 minutes waiting for zilch.

I know, I know. Others have had it alot worse and I should be happy just to be able to get insurance. But I don't care about the other people, I'm only concerned with me.

Do you hear that? That's the sound of self-pity.

How can I put this eloquently? Everything right now sucks ass. Someone has reduced me to paranoid stalker material. Mall air has invaded my space thereby preventing me from keeping the job. And I was unaware until now - past the deadline incidentally - that I am to re-apply for school. If I had known about this reapplication process, I would've asked the right questions a few months ago when I was speaking with someone from the school. But I didn't ask the right questions, therefore I was not made aware that such a process was necessary. All that was said to me was applying as a special student for summer courses could interfere with my standing come September. Damn. Why couldn't I decipher that to know it meant, "You must reapply dumbass"

On a lighter note, I was able to watch a deer casually walk down the middle of my road last night. That was until another critter, probably a raccoon, snapped a branch or something, which caught Kieran's attention. And he was off. Good on him - taking off down a dark road that cars barrel down at +80km/hr at two in the morning. Like a breath of fresh air. Luckily (for me or for the dog?) he quickly returned - presumably when he realized the chase was futile.

Walk Left, Stand Right

As I either ascend or descend onto an escalator, it has become quite apparent that people in Ottawa don't have a sense of escalator etiquette. C'mon people. You stand to the right thereby allowing people to walk on the left. It's not a hard concept to grasp.



photo courtesy of kiyoneblogspot & flickr

Scutwork

I need a quick-fix for getting some money. As per the arrangement, if I am able to save a particular amount of money, then I will be financially reimbursed for the final year of my schooling. It seems like an easy enough chore, however, I have yet to gain financial footing to even claim to be on stable ground. Additionally,...actually there is no additionally, I just felt like writing that out. So there we have it - I need to save money, I have yet to catch up on money owing and I like the sound of additionally.
Oh, I do have an additionally - I don't have benefits at work therefore I must pay for my own meds, dental and various other goodies.

Parking Wars

On the date of November 29th 2007 I picked my sister up from the airport. As I was approaching the airport the skies opened up and doused the ground and everything else with heavy, sticky snow. The point? I pulled into one of the spots at the Arrival terminal and waited for my sister. As I was slightly late and I had yet to see her, I dashed inside to see if her plane had arrived. Just then she came out of the gate, picked up her luggage and we were on our way. And awaiting our return was a parking ticket because I had inadvertently parked in a handicap spot. This is something I don't usually do, and I would never intentionally do. I find it tacky and lazy. That and I was shocked that with the stigma of the ticket was a $300 fine.

***Fast forward to June 4th 2008, the day I am to go to court and plead guilty with an explanation. I was fairly confident - I had a copy from the weather archives for that day as well as photographs taken immediately upon discovery of the ticket, the pictures revealing the sign was indeed covered with snow. My intentions were to plead to the judge that it was a horrible mistake and not something I would ever do nor would I ever do again. Surely justice would note that I was sincere and not one that parks in spots designated for others. There wouldn't be any hostility or resentment.
Unless of course one of the clerks in the courtroom is confined to a wheelchair and does not have use of his legs. During others' explanations of their parking situations, he remained quiet, as most of the other infractions dealt with overnight parking. And when it was my turn - he certainly became vocal - questioning the validity of my reasoning, his voice dripping with disgust and cynicism.

Health Canada is suggesting your children are a bunch of monkeys:

I really must stop writing about food

It would seem that I have unpopular food preferences. Tim Horton's does not carry the Raspberry tea and the Vegetable sandwich has been removed from the menu. The Great Canadian Bagel features a cream cheese of the month, and apparently I was the only one that enjoyed the Spicy Black Bean flavour as it has never been available again (and this was 10 years ago). Another food favourite that has been disappeared is boysenberry yogurt. Oh, and PC's 10 Bean Soup / Salad has gone the way of the dodo.

I guess this has been occurring throughout my life, and not only with food and drink. Go-bots were my toy of choice, and in my defense, they came out before Transformers, which to me were simply copycats. And do they print Choose Your Own Adventure books anymore?

Today truly is a day of significant people. On a radio program this afternoon, they were discussing Terry Fox and the Marathon of Hope. Terry Fox's legacy is known throughout the world with his attempt to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research, and is among the top 10 most important Canadians ever.
Additionally, today September 12th '07 is the 30th anniversary of Stephen Biko's death, a significant role model in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.