International Day Without Art

While visiting the Art Gallery for yet another assignment today, I got talking to one security officer. She said I should come back tomorrow (Dec 1st) to view Rodin's 'Adam'. It is a large, exaggerated figure of a man displayed in the centre of a room along with other pieces in the permanent collection. Stunning.
She said to take part in the National Day Without Art, it would be draped in a thick, black cloth. How dramatic. This piece is meant to be a celebration of man, and viewing it in this way would change the meaning and reaction entirely.
Next year they will choose to erase something else. Hm.

It's not a competition...

Well, actually it is. It's my birthday tomorrow, and I was told that I should make a cake to bring into the office. We had a look online at some possiblities, and found the masterpiece that you see on your screen. My friend Sharon announced that she fancied making a cake like that, so she would do it. I wasn't hearing any of it. I wanted to make that cake, and I was going to do it. So my boss, Dot, came up with a plan.
'You both want to make the cake, right?'
'Yes,' we both replied.
'Well, why don't you both make one then? You can have a competition to see which is the best. And there'll be more cake for everyone.'
'Good idea,' we said.

So, it was settled. Today we arrived at work, each with a cake in hand. Lovingly baked and decorated, each with their own personal touch. We brought them into the office, and the principal of the school was called in to judge it.
There were five catagories on which it was judged: general appearance, taste, chocappealability, height, and how much they looked like the original. Sharon's effort managed 8/10 in the areas of appearance and taste (hers was, apparently, a little dry), whereas I received a very respectable 9/10 for these. I only pulled off 8/10 for height and chocappealability though, where Sharon got 9/10 (she had melted a big bar of chocolate over the top as well). There was only one catagory left, and there was no competition here...
The vote came in: Sharon's looked more like a castle than a volcano, and was only awarded 5 of the ten possible points in this area. The principal took one look at mine, and gave it the full 10! What a victory!

The event attracted a large crowd, and was enjoyed by all. The eating of the cake went down particularly well, it seems, with my boss.
The point of all of this, as well as being to remind you all to shower me with cards, gifts, drinks and cash (or at least some gestures of pleasantness) tomorrow, is to express my feelings of being in this job.
Some of you might remember how unhappy I was at the end in my last job, and how I was told that I was unable to do the job properly.
Here, I am working with people that appreciate me; that encourage my silliness. I'm working in an environment where I am valued, and I love every minute of it. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm moving to Canada in six weeks, I'd be staying at this job. It's brilliant.

It's been a while since I last blogged, and I have a number of other things to talk about, but I'll come back to those later. I think the competition is enough excitement for now. Oh, and the cakes were both delicious. I think I might go have a slice now...

winter and romance

It's getting darker earlier. Tonight it even snowed. It smells different.
Winter is my absolute most favorite season, and it is finally icing the city with its kiss. I am truly thankful to live in a country where we have such dramatic weather. Every season lends a distinct romantic flavour to my daily walk through the city. To/from the subway, to school, to the shops, and home again...or something like that.
I am so deeply in love...and a total mushball lately.
29 days to go...bear with me.

The Guillemots. Yes. I heard their cd in the summer. One of those times you sit in the driveway just to listen to it a bit more. They're sooooooo adding to the joy of the crispy gloves-and-hat early mornings. Get your hands on a copy of their album to have a listen. Fast, slow, fun and British.
Fab lyrics and lead male singer. Do dee do da...

Blue would still be Blue - Guillemots
It's not raining cats, it's not raining dogs
And pigs are not flying, or turning the cogs
The sun has no hat on, whenever it shines
And I've never seen a cat with nine lives
I'm not in a film, I'm not in a play
I saw no aliens today
I just saw you, and thought of me

And if I had you, all the stars wouldn't fall from the sky, and the moon wouldn't start to cry
There'd be no earthquakes
I'd still make mistakes
If i had you
Oh there'd still be day and night, and I'd still do wrong and right
Ooh
Blue would still be blue
But things would be easier with you

And this is no palace, the place that I live
And I am no king, but I've got things to give
And I waste so much time, thinking of time
And I should be out there, claiming what's mine
Any day I could die, just like I was born
And this bit in the middle is what I'm here for
And I just want to fill it all with joy

white and nerdy

Watch this

knives and tigers and bears, oh my!

Today was my first time ever under the knife with anaesthetic and the whole bit. It wasn't that bad...so don't ever be anxious about it. If I can do it, so can you...believe me- I avoid talking about needles, giving birth, blood, bandaids etc. at all costs. The doctors and nurses were unbelievably sweet- Mike, I'm so glad you're becoming a doctor because the humour and general talkativeneess makes a difference.
When I woke up I felt so comfortable and cozy, with no pain at all! Thank God that it's over! I did it! Yesssssssssss...

Rosa

'Sometimes there is no language, no language but a cry.
Sometimes there is no language, no language but a groan...'
Jason Upton

arrrrggggggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhrrrrrrrrrrr...
do you ever feel like this?

After spending time with an old friend today, I realized how
the poverty and sickness in this city overwhelms my heart-
until there are not even tears...
just deep, angry, determined groans.

If anyone is interested in an eye-opener, there is an organization I'm beginning to be more involved with through OCAD that do 'street walks'. Basically, safely exploring various areas of Toronto after dark. Giving students that want to make a difference a new perspective on Toronto...because as you know there is so much need RIGHT HERE!
Ahhhhhh, thank God there is hope. Oodles and oodles of hope sweet hope.


until next time, :)

Closing Doors...

I'm about to drive back up to Leeds. It's a bit of a trek, so I like to have a good reason for going up there. Today, I have a good reason. My band, The Salvator Darlings is about to release it's only album, and I realised the other day that one song is missing two words from the end of it. That means that I have to go on a 100 mile round trip, in order to sing TWO WORDS.
It's going to be worth it, though. When I return tonight, I should have in my possesion the master copy of the album, ready to send off tomorrow to the reproduction company. It's been a long time coming, but finally it's ready for release.

You might not care, but I'm excited.