Oh Santa Barbara, How I Miss You

Although all 7 minutes are completely worth watching, the money shot of Mary being killed by the giant letter C on top of the Capwell Hotel comes along at the 6:40 mark.

I have a long, storied history of loving so-bad-its-good TV. Eden + Cruz 4Eva.

Maryanne, I love you for sending this to me!

Ethiopian Cuisine is So a Go

Last night, my friend Amy and I went to an Ethiopian place called The Blue Nile. It was a first-time-trying food night for both of us, and it freaking ruled.

Similar to Indian, but a hell of a lot more fun - the dishes are served communal-style from a single platter called a mosseb. The mosseb is covered by a large, round sheet of tangy, crepe-like bread called injera, and each item that you ordered is placed on top of that, with a scoop of buttermilk curd placed in the middle as kind of a palate cleanser, to cut through the spiciness. You use the injera, either the one on the mosseb (which is lovely and awesome, and flavoured by the dishes on top) or the one that comes on a separate place, to eat each dish, tearing off a piece to scoop up what you want to eat.

So delicious, I can't wait to go back.

I had the vegetarian combo, which let me sample five different dishes. Excellent. I like trying a mess of things when I try a new type of cuisine. So this is what I tried:

• Gomen - collard green sauteed with onions and peppers - my favourite thing of all
• Mesir wat - split lentil cooked with berbere (spicy red pepper sauce) and garlic
• Tikil gomen - cabbage cooked with onions and peppers - my close second favourite
• Shiro - spiced and milled chick peas cooked with onions
• Debinja - eggplant cooked with tomato, onion, perfectly spiced

I wish I had made an effort to try this all before, at the one, lone Ethiopian place in Toronto. And by that, I mean to shame Collin into finally giving in to his friends and going. Because, dude, you will freaking love it.

In Which I Get Stuck In An Elevator

So, I have a bit of a pulled muscle in my right foot (and that's all I'm going to say about that, as I have vowed to myself not to injury-blog anymore) and I've been using the office's elevator to get up to my desk on the fourth floor in the mornings. Of course, since it's easier on the foot to walk down four flights, I've still been trampling down the stairs, but going up? Going up is motorized, for the moment.

Well, it was motorized. Until this morning.

Getting to work, I stepped into the elevator with two co-workers. We hit the 3rd and 4th floor buttons. The elevator doors closed. And the elevator promptly took us to the basement.

And wouldn't open its doors.

Pressing other floor buttons did nothing.

Pressing the door open button was ignored.

You know that alarm button? It sounds a bell IN the elevator, and, I fear, no where else.

I spotted the elevator phone box, and we made a call to the elevator company. The man on the other end couldn't tell us when someone would be there to let us out.

I looked at the doors. I thought about all the TV shows and movies I've seen. I thought about the fact that we had come to a landing on the bottom level of the elevator shaft. I said, "I wonder if we can pry open the doors".

I took ahold of one half of the pair, and one of the other women took ahold of the other, and pry it apart we did, allowing us all to tumble into the hallway.

And walk up five flights to begin the work day.

A Furious Update

I am still shaking my fist at Slice. But I am filled with love for a YouTube contributor. Miss Royal T, who previously has contributed non-North American English speaking Top Models for YouTube viewing put out a call for a Project Runway Canada torrent.

Being the good librarian that I am, I found a mess of them and passed them on to her.

And she began posting the series - 1st episode went up this morning - to the site.

I heart Miss Royal T. And I heart Project Runway Canada. Though I do very much hope that Iman starts to loosen up and speak more like a host and less like a stunning, stunning robot.

This is an image that pops up when you Google Iman Robot. How appropriate!

Things in Columbus That I Love

Wandering around the Short North. Wee independent boutiques and galleries and restaurants.

Dragonfly Neo V Cuisine. Vegan cuisine that is the complete opposite of crunchy granola. Excellent. Last night's meal consisted of a miso glazed eggplant amuse, and shared dishes of sundried tomato risotto and matsutake on asparagus and mashed potatoes.

Rosendale's as a place to meet and sip wine. The room has a great feel to it. I wish to one day try their kitchen out.

V Power Yoga is a super fast paced workout, and I love, love, love it. Petro-Canada kids? Excellent, excellent, excellent choice.

On schedule next week: Blue Nile.

Random and odd thing that I very much miss: Pressed cottage cheese. But I found myself a recipe for making farmer's cheese, a close cousin that itself is difficult to find in-store, so once I get into a kitchen of my own, I'll be trying it out and reporting the results. Kitchen experiment!

Fury - Slice.ca

One TV thing that I'm very, very, very sad to not be able to see, due to the relocation, is Project Runway Canada.

Imagine my delight when I went to the Slice.ca site this morning, following last night's debut of the show, to see that they are going to offer full episodes for viewing on their site!

Imagine my fury when I found out that using a non-Canadian ISP results in this:



Access to information on the web removes geographical boundaries. If there are concerns about legalities or worries about selling the show into other markets, don't offer rich content online. Because this? This makes me angry with the network, makes me turn to user generated video content sites, which does nothing for the channel's business model, and makes me consider if I'd ever have a relationship with the channel should I move back to Canada.

And then I blog about it. And send a complaint directly to the network.

Things Are Starting to Feel More Real

And more permanent. Yesterday, lead around by a relocation specialist, I toured a few apartments. And found myself a place to live.

Being a renter again feels weird. Really, really weird. But it's nice to know that in a month, I'll be in a place of my own choosing. On November 7, I'll be in a place that will give me all this:

• A 889 square foot, one bedroom apartment
• A washer and dryer located in suite, as well as all kitchen appliances, including a dishwasher and above range microwave
• A dressing area and walk-in closet
  
• A five minute drive to work from a building located in the Brewery District, just on the edge of downtown.
  
• A covered parking space, which is hard to come by in Columbus, strangely enough
• A common area with a fitness centre that is so well equipped that I don't feel the need to join an outside gym. With a studio for yoga classes. And the ability to book personal trainers who work on contract through the space. And a pool.
• Located near the biggest Kroger in the downtown area, with a great organic and health food section. I was there this afternoon. And it's bigger even then the supermarkets I'm used to from suburbia.
• An internal entrance from the building hallway, and an external, private entrance with a stoop!

Oh, November 7, I can't wait for you to arrive. And not just because it means that I get to have my own DVR again. But that makes me happy too.

Work is busy. Busy, and full of meetings, but oh, so good. The people are smart and funny and passionate and inspiring to be around. And I'm very, very glad to be there. The weather has been mid-July amazing, and I am missing the bike that I though I wouldn't need to have with me until the spring of the new year!

Confidential to the Petro-Canada crowd, I'll be making use of your awesome yoga-inspired gift next weekend, once my klutz-ass foot stops with the strained muscle. I seriously, seriously can't wait. Especially to let Julie know of Collin's mad-crush. And Jay, the nano is my lovely best friend.

Happy Thanksgiving, you Canadians, you.

This One's for Collin

From Grateful Plate

Also, to everyone, sorry for not updating more. Crazy-busy, good-busy, I am. Promise to post more words on the weekend!

24 Hours in Columbus

Yup, that's how long I've been here. Surprise! No dying on the way here. Which makes me happy. PS: My brother? My current favourite person ever.

This afternoon, I took a little wander around the neighbourhood. Wanna see what outside looks like?

Here's where I'm staying temporarily:


Across this bridge...


Is my office building:

It takes less then a minute to walk from one to the other.

There is such a thing as being too close to work.

However, there's no such thing as being too close to the North Market.


I also wandered into the Short North, and picked up a Chocolate candle from Paul Robinett. But didn't take pictures. Because I become shy with the camera in crowded conditions.

In Which I...

Contemplate being debt-free...

It's liberating, it is. I'm the kind of girl who always, without fail, pays off the complete balance on any bill the day she receives it. I hate being beholden. Last year, I paid my car off. Student loan payments? Over and done with. And yesterday, my condo closed, leaving me without mortgage, and with a fist full of cash that I am trying very, very hard not to spend.

Debt-free = excellent.


Wonder at the lengths parents will go to in order to get back home...

For the past two weeks, my parents have been vacationing in Italy. I got back from the gym this morning to a voicemail from my mom, and an email from my dad. Long story short, their Rome-London flight had been canceled, causing them to miss their London-Toronto jaunt. They were rebooked, but were told that they wouldn't arrive back in Canada until Saturday at 6PM. Which meant that I wouldn't be able to see them before relocating to Columbus.

A couple of hours ago, I was able to talk to my parents on the phone. My mom cried at the Air Canada ticket counter at Heathrow. And Air Canada was able to find them space on a flight coming in at 10:40 PM tonight. My mom is a champion.

I'll get to see my mom and dad, and hug them both goodbye, before I leave the country myself. I wouldn't admit how important that was to me to myself until I heard that they'd be able to make it home today. Because when they told me they'd be coming in before I left? It difficult to hold back the tears of relief. Also, they got me loot in the form of a leather purse. Which is also very, very important.


Think about how awesome my big brother is...

He just is. You should marry him. That is all.



I tell you my traveling plans...

Car leaves here at 6AM tomorrow morning. Hoping to arrive in Columbus in the early afternoon.

Until then, kids.

I Am a Bandit

Or, at least I make out like one.

And by make out, I mean run away from people that I love, gifts from them in hand.

Today was my final day at work. For those that have been wondering, for the past five years, I've had the joy - and I seriously mean that - of working on the E-Business team at Petro-Canada as Senior Coordinator, Interaction Strategy and Design. Yes, it was my plan to have the longest title in the department. It's the little (long?) things, you know?

Thinking back, I really can't believe that it's been five years. Or that I really had the opportunity to work with such amazing, smart and funny people.

I found myself on the verge of blubbering like a two year old a few times today. But, like a Buckingham Palace Guard, I managed to keep my composure. And I wasn't even wearing a silly hat. But it was hard. Very, very hard. At times, I wished I had the silly hat to hide behind.

Guys, I know you're reading this, and I know I've already said it to your faces, but I really do mean it. I'll miss you. You're all talented, beautiful people. And I will hunt you down and kill you all if you don't keep in touch.

TOO MANY DECISIONS

Regarding television shows, of course.

This week is absolutely lousy with the new and returning series. And as I'll be crashing out at my parents' place from Wednesday to Friday, and they have no DVR (NO DVR), I'm actually faced with the decision - even with their satellite provider's time shifting option - of which shows to watch, and which to...to...to...not.

GAH.

And so, I give up on Life so I can see Dirty Sexy Money. I give up on Private Practice so I can watch Bionic Woman. I give up on My Name is Earl and Survivor China so I can watch Ugly Betty. My favourites from seasons past are safe, so far.

This concerns me too much, I know. And the next month should be good for me, I know that too. But I can't wait until I set up my own cable account and get my ass all DVRd-up again.

Confidential to Kate: You must find a way to get me Project Runway Canada!

And It Echos

In Which I Become all Legal-Like to Work in the USA

Apologies for not paying as much attention as I usually do to you all. And by you all, I mean (a) this here blog that I tend to anthropomorphise, and (b) you lovely people that take the time to read it.

I've been all wrapped up in wrapping up things here, before heading down to the US next week.

One of those things saw me driving to the border to apply for work status this morning. And I'm really glad that I did, before the final crossing that I have planned. I had to wait a good hour before I saw an immigration agent before getting involved in a five minute application / payment / hand-over of TN Status card process.

Had I waited to apply until next Saturday, I couldn't even imagine how anxious that kind of wait would've made me.

Sometimes, there are benefits to being a planner.

I Watched a Couch Fly Through the Air

And an armchair. And then another armchair.

When I bought my condo, I stole my parents' old family room set. The only way the overstuffed and unwieldy pieces could make it into my place was by having them hefted over the balcony and through the extra-wide patio door.

One thing that I didn't get around to this year was replacing that couch and those chairs. So, instead of moving them down to Columbus with me, I called up JustJunk.com and had them come in to take care of those suckers.

Reminiscent of MuchMusic's yearly Christmas Tree Toss, those babies flew through the air like nothing I've ever seen before. And the 12-year-old boy that lives inside my brain shouted with glee.

My place looks so empty, and is almost all packed up.

It almost doesn't feel like my home any more.

I guess that's a good thing.

Baby Monkey + Grown Up Pigeon = Sweetest Family Ever

From The Daily Mail:

The abandoned monkey who has found love with a pigeon

They're an odd couple in every sense but a monkey and a pigeon have become inseparable at an animal sanctuary in China.

The 12-week-old macaque - who was abandoned by his mother - was close to death when it was rescued on Neilingding Island, in Goangdong Province.

After being taken to an animal hospital his health began to improve but he seemed spiritless - until he developed a friendship with a white pigeon.

The blossoming relationship helped to revive the macaque who has developed a new lease of life, say staff at the sanctuary.

Now the unlikely duo are never far from each other's side, but they aren't the only ones to strike up an unusual friendship.

Earlier this year a pig adopted a tiger cub and raised him along with her piglets because his mother couldn't feed him.

And in 2005 a baby dear named Mi-Lu befriended lurcher Geoffrey at the Knowsley Animal Park in Merseyside after she was rejected by her mother.

Ha and Gah

Ha!

• This morning, I found an email from my current company in my Inbox. It congratulated me on my forthcoming 5 year anniversary, and invited me to select an award of recognition for the time that I've spent at the corporation. My last day there? September 28.

Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

• I had to pick up a dead bird from the walkway leading up to my front door and throw it (in a plastic bag in a plastic bag) into the trash this afternoon.
  

I Have How Many Pieces of Crap On My Walls?

I swear to God, it took me more then 3 hours to wrap up and pack the things I had hanging on my walls - some my own art, but mostly things by other people.

3 hours! That's crazy. Especially since there were walls in here that I hadn't hung a single thing on. Okay, not many. But still. I have a problem.

I am going to have to practice much restraint when I arrive in Columbus. Renting = not much of an opportunity to hang a mess of things on the walls.

In Which I Tell You a Tale of Real Estate

I've been hesitant to say anything for fear of jinxing the deal, but remember when I told you that you should by my condo? Well, you snooze, you loose.

My condo went on the market the evening of August 23. The morning of August 25th saw me weighing two offers, and deciding on one of them. Last week, I received signed waivers that the buyers were able to secure financing, and that the building inspection made them happy enough to not ask for anything to be fixed or funded.

Today? Today, the final condition was met, as their lawyer went over the condo's status certificate with them, and they signed off on the agreement as a whole.

Closing date: September 27
Date on crossing the border to make Columbus my new home: September 29

Sometimes, things really are just meant to be, I think.

I Don't Know What To Tell You

I'm just so focused on getting my act together with the up-coming move to Columbus, I feel like that's all I've been doing, and all I've been thinking, and all I've got to tell you. And that's already tired, I'm sure.

So. Soooooo. Hey there. You're looking good.

Yeah, that's not gonna cut it. So here's a stuffed felt doughnut from Sewdorky instead. Enjoy.