just a minute - december

Since I'm away, I needed to set this as a scheduled post. Sorry for my blogger attitude.

So this month's just a minute is instead a task... take a minute. just a minute. remember the things that impacted you in 2009. the things that inspired you, and the things that motivated you. the things that upset you, and the things that will inspire you to do differently in 2010.

2009 was a year for learning for me. 2010 is the year of changing based on what i learned.
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Watching... Chuck (again), gossip girl (again), the fantastic mr. fox, up in the air. George clooney better clean up at the oscars this year - he's killing his roles lately.
Cleaning… my mind. Jan. spring cleaning of the mind time.
Eating… everything in my vision. Gluttony must have been included in the last supper too - right? Wait… wrong holiday. The birth - gold right? That's relatively outrageous. I'm trying to stay in the spirit by emminating this outrageous behaviour in my eating. I'm disgusting.
Making... New years resolutions. This will be a good one. This year I'm going to focus on my mental health and well being… and I can't WAIT
Keeping… a schedule straight in my head… why do we stress ourselves out so so much with appointments and visits? Not only do I have all the visits that are needed within the holiday, but I also have managed to book 6 appts over the break. Apparently no one else is stupid enough, and so they have a million openings! I also have to have a *small procedure* on the 29th, that I'm not really looking forward too… Happy Holidays!!
Trying… to hold my horses until Greig comes back!!
Buying… boxing day treats. I save money all year for a boxing day shopping spree. This year was no different. Also buying expensive medications. Christmas time and perscriptions are not conducive to a hearty bank account.
Loving… the time I'm spending with my family! After a party with my sister and friends on the 23rd, then off to Grandma's on the 24th, then four days with the clan at Gma's… it's wonderful to have family that is not only great to spend time with… but who likes spending time with you!!
Anticipating... New years. I can't wait for a day off. A day with nothing - no bead store, no 9-5. no commitments, no nothing. A day of *blah. I need it.

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just a minute in november

My 'just-a-minute's get longer every month… as a result of the ideas I get from other bloggers who participate.
Since my computer has a virus, and I can't 'google' things anymore without being led to innappropriate websites… we'll have to make due.
Just a minute - with two of my favs. Jason Bateman and Michael Cera. Ok fine - I like Jason Bateman way more.
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Watching... Where the wild things are… *sigh. What a trip to my childhood. Also watching trailers for all the AMAZING movies coming out!!
Cleaning… my Christmas gift stock pile out. Every year, I buy things on sale, etc. that I think people in my life will like… it means less shopping when the malls are busy, more homemade gifts, and less money spent. However, it also means that I have junk everywhere all year long. Organizing tips anyone??
Reading... 'book of negros' which I've been trying to start for months (literally), but it was too big to bring on the subway (my massage therapist told me I have to lighten my commuting purse load - apparently I'm not just a pack rat in my apartment, but in my purses too). Also reading, "Nice Girls Don't Get Rich - 75 avoidable mistakes women make with money" by Lois P. Frankel. I'm waiting on my order for "Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office" by her as well, waiting for me at the library. That's a whole other blog entry…

Also out in my name from the library currently:
- The career guide for creative and unconventional people
- Well behaved women seldom make history - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
- Seattle travel books (yes!!)
Craving... Tofurkey, mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, and carrots…. Can't. wait. Also craving gossip girls. One more week (until I have time off to watch it!)!!
Eating… couscous with currents, almonds, cranberries, and apricots. Trying to eat less takeout, and use more of what is in my fridge. Can you believe a vegan is saying that? I have a bad bad addiction to take out. I don't have time to cook, so I'm hoping that keeping a food calendar will help (see below - 'trying'). Also eating eggplant parmasan (for lunch), and green tea leaves (those are by accident though)
Making... Gifts gifts gifts. While I wasn't able to do all homemade this year (I'll start early next year, and hopefully have a full resume of skills in order to be able to), I am still making an effort. Multiple friends and I have insisted 'only homemade' and it is REALLY helping. It's fun too!
Keeping… my promise to people… that I will see them before the holidays. Trying anyways!! Dinner tonight with friends, dinner and crafty fun with friends tomorrow night, play with the family Sat. afternoon, and dinner, drinks, and too much fun with friends on Sat. night. It's going to be a good one!
Trying… to make a calendar of what I will eat, when I will eat it, and when I will take leftovers for lunch. I'm REALLY good at bringing my lunch to work, which is partly because I can't eat much in the caf here… but a lot of the time, because I don't plan ahead, it ends up being a microwave Amy's Kitchen burrito.
Trying also to be proactive, honest, and in tune to my needs. And THAT is difficult… for those of you who do it already - tips? Ha!
Listening… to baby talk at work, and to good good music. Went to see the o'darling last Saturday, and Miss Emily Brown opened for them… incredible!
Buying… very little! Though I did buy a little something last night that I can't wait to give as a gift!!
Loving… The dexter season finale… I know, I know. My just a minute is REALLY late. BUT. I've been hectic, and life is stressful, and I'm still doing it, right??? Ha! I'm still loving the dexter season finale… *sigh… how will he (or I!) go on?!?!
Anticipating... Time. Off. From. Work. Can't wait. Three more days!!

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just a minute in October...

Just a minute. A book? How appropriate. 'Just a Minute!: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book' is a bi-lingual counting book, which finds its story from traditional Mexican culture and spirituality. As the description notes, "In this original trickster tale, Senor Calavera arrives unexpectedly at Grandma Beetle's door. He requests that she leave with him right away. "Just a minute," Grandma Beetle tells him. She still has one house to sweep, two pots of tea to boil, three pounds of corn to make into tortillas — and that's just the start! Using both Spanish and English words to tally the party preparations, Grandma Beetle cleverly delays her trip and spends her birthday with a table full of grandchildren and her surprise guest."
Sharing culture, enjoying education, and skeletons! What more could a child ask for?!

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Watching... Dexter season 4 episode 3 (oh my gosh!!) , the informant with Matt Damon (good, great, grand - go see it!!), and my most anticipated… previews for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Heath Ledger's last movie). Knowing (obviously) about heath ledger's death, what lots of people don't know is that the script had to be rewritten for this film in the middle of filimng, and Tim Burton enlisted his main man Johnny, Colin Farrel, and Jude Law were cast as the newly written transformations of the same character. Additionally, the three men gave up all their earnings from the film to give to Heath's daughter Matilda. There still is soul in hollywood. The more you read, the more you learn about the interesting coincidences (such as ad libbed lines which were delivered exactly the same from Ledger and Depp without knowledge of one another), and the wonderful outcomes of this film… plus seeing Depp, Law, and Farrel do honour to Ledger in their acting… what would lead you from seeing this?!

(still STILL) Cleaning… everything in my apartment. (still STILL) Trying to organize my office/workshop of goodies with peg boards, trying to fit in a futon and three desks. Where am I at you ask? One desk demolished, futon put together, crafting room/office/guest room almost done! Bedroom organized, kitchen coordinated. Shelves… not up. Who knew putting shelves up on plaster walls would be so infuriating. So it's been at a bit of a stand still. But getting there!!

Reading... The Dubliners by James Joyce, Outpost Magazine, and study notes for my upcoming exam. I'm one exam away from certification! I always wanted an insurance industry certification! *sigh… my life.

Craving... Sleeeeeeeeep… it's been a long month, and I need a sleep in badly. Also, craving butternut squash apple soup from my cousins wedding this weekend… which I found a recipe for. I grew up with a mother who could eat soup at every meal… so to me, soup is the perfect meal.

Making... My etsy stores! Emails ready, stores up, jewelry ready for their photos. It's exciting!!
Anticipating... Staying healthy for one more week while my immune system gets itself up at it's usual 15% (ha!) and anticipating buying my first pair of 'expensive' (for me) boots. Steve Madden. They are the first pair of boots I have ever tried on that fit my skinny scrawny calves. And the cuff can be folded up for taller boots. I'm in heaven.

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just a minute in september...

this month's 'just a minute' is a radio program on the BBC radio 4... fate! It's a comedy panel game chaired by Nicholas Parsons. The object of the game is for panellists to talk for sixty seconds on a given subject, "without repetition, hesitation or deviation". listen here

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Watching... gossip girl (i know, embarassing), the preview of dexter season 4, new fringe and house. so many good premiers... let's hope they can keep up their steam. i have to admit, i'm really enjoying gossip girls for the fashion... i heard it was incredible, and i never thought that i would agree... however i'm hooked. That and penn badgley is easy to watch :)

(still) Cleaning… everything in my apartment. (still) Trying to organize my office/workshop of goodies with peg boards, trying to fit in a futon and three desks. i've made great strides - have an organized closet, bedroom, living room, and almost dining room! it doesn't help that greig found a 61" screen tv on the side of the road that we have to fit into my small space... oh the downfalls of greig having a horse shoe on his side.
Reading... notes for three classes (all come with bonuses from work though). i'm ok with the economics class i'm taking, because i keep telling myself that in the event that i get back into school, i will need to understand suplpy and demand a lot better than i do... and healthcare economics is certainly sending me in the correct direction. i also picked up an Andy Warhol book at HMV (who knew!?), and i'm thoroughly enjoying every minute of it... as we all know how much i love him.

Loving... Kirra Jamison's piece below...

with a roof of flint and a floor of chalk

Craving... the brunch i had last monday from Sadie's... vegan tofu scramble, toast with vegan marg. that tasted like butter, samosas (i know... i eat samosas for brunch. get over it), homefries, vegan bacon... these are things that may be lost on a non-vegan, but trust me.... being able to eat a 'normal meal' is a beautiful thing
Making... button rings (MILLIONS of button rings!), a glass pearl necklace for my self (for the first time in a long time), presents for people, breast cancer bracelets by demand (for my fundraising), and art. original, poorly made, but home made art. what's the harm of having paint splatters done by yours truly in my apt?
Anticipating... the release of 'where the wild things are' in october, school applications, pure exhaustion... many many things. can you tell i stress myself out?

take a peek and revisit your childhood...

Listening... to andrew bird's 'armchair apocrypha', blue rodeo (a mile a minute... i just can't get enough), kanye west, Beirut's 'in the mausaleum'... and the sound of rain. i get to see glimpses of a great life every now and then, and they remind me to smile and be thankful
Wanting... to be wherever Riley Salyards is... mostly from this photo. the idea of this photo makes me want whatever life she's living
wanna play? Join a revolution.

just a minute in august

"just-a-minute (j-a-m) is a dynamic new campaign to create personal peace in a global climate of ever-increasing chaos and change. It introduces regular one-minute periods of silence into people’s lives, whether stressed out city executives, busy mums or high profile public figures."
from http://www.just-a-minute.org/

When I do this, I like to see what just a minute means to everyone else - last month, it meant a rap song… to me anyways. This month, I agree with this religious group, who defines 'just a minute' in a way that describes what blogs are doing as well :)

Watching... Hung with Thomas Jane and Anne Heche, 5th season of my favourite Weeds, Dexter preview episode, and pulp fiction. I realized (as I'm writing this at work during my only "time off" this month) that I watch shows with social taboos. This might be indicative of some sort of twisted personality trait I have, but I'm ok with that. I'll just remember to only write blog entries regarding make prostitutes, weed dealing moms, and the good kind of serial killers at home.

Cleaning… everything in my apartment. Trying to organize my office/workshop of goodies with peg boards, trying to fit in a futon and three desks. Let's just say when those beads are organized, I will be a happy woman! I have visions of wonderful beading stations and l shaped desks in my dreams, so I have been going through all my university and post grad notes, books, empty binders, scrapbooking paper, and so on. It's tough for me to throw things out, as I imagine deep inside I will always have a way to use it - eventually. However, I am starting to push myself to my purging limits. I tossed 5 empty binders in the donation pile yesterday… 'but you could use those if/when you return to school!' is what my mind told me… and I retorted with, 'at which time I will be excited to buy brand new matching binders' while tossing all of them. I am really making progress
Reading...The Interpretation of dreams by Freud, notes for my three classes I'm taking (retirement benefits are SO interesting), business plan guides and esty shops for logo design - is it sad that I forget the fun books I'm reading though? I have book of negros on my bedside table that I've been meaning to start since I bought it, but it's so big, I can't carry it in my purse to work (shoulder/back problems), and so I'm waiting for the perfect rainy day off during which time I will read. And drink tea. And play marvelously emo music… and it will be beautiful. Loving... Weekends with family, and cotton candy. I spent this weekend up at my cottage with family for the first time in two years… I need more time off. Agricultural fairs, almost puking from spinning rides, fair fries, barrel racing, and a corn roast on the beach to top it all off - life is good. I forget to remember the things are are important… and I'm trying to put up post its for just this reason.
Craving... To itch the sting I received from a nice little friend on Thursday… apparently my leg is having an allergic reaction, and my entire leg has been one big itch since Friday. I loathe insects at this point, and spent last night with a pink leg - as aveeno anti-itch cream was the only thing easing the irritation… ugh.
Making... Room for a new (to me) futon! A friend at work moved recently, and bought a new couch - as I am the queen of hand-me-downs, I inherited a great futon, including a fitted sheet, and pillow! She's a purger (clearly) and just had no room for them… my gain!
Also making necklaces and bracelets as fundraisers for my walk (for my mom to sell at her office)… and excuses. For many things.
Listening... Joshua radin and schuyler fisk, damien rice, the sound of typing… work.
Wondering… how I'm going to make it to October at this rate…
Feeling… almost sick. Blah.
wanna play? Join a revolution.