The New Drugs of Choice

Funny how some things change from the 1st time around in university...

You Can't Break the Ice

Normally I am not into corporate endorsement but I believe there is a company (and fabric) worthy of a little free press on the blog that is changing both the nation and consumer habits each day--yeah that blog is mine.

My love affair with Icebreaker (IB) began two years ago when I was introduced to it in New Zealand by my friend Dee. Her wardrobe boasts more than a moderate amount of the stuff and she spoke convincingly about its versatility and durability.

So I bought a couple of pieces which were worn pretty much every day after that on my NZ journey. In the rain, the shine, the mist. On the bike trials, the hiking trails, the wine country trails, and the harsh extremes of air travel (running, sweating to catch planes, freezing air con--you know, those extremes).

I was impressed also by photos that another Kiwi friend showed me of her visit to a merino farm. She clandestinely snuck in a camera an snapped some pics of the conditions the sheep were kept in. Aside from the fact that they are under very tight 24h security (the little critters are worth more $$ each than my house) they are the most pampered little Bovidae's around. A cute little coat was on the little lamb I saw, the floors impeccable, stalls immaculate. Only fine dining, climate control, and real hardwood will do. Cannot stress the lads or the wool just ain't so fine apparently. So, I was glad to see I wasn't supporting an E-vil empire. I do enough of that already. But I digress...


Anyway, free endorsements from famous uber-overachievers is not uncommon to IB.

Initially it was the world famous yachtsman Sir Peter Blake who wore a prototype Icebreaker when he set a new world circumnavigation yachting record. Now folks like myself living in other hemispheres can talk about how it holds up in the harshest, most challenging, ever-changing, unpredictable, hostile and demanding lifestyles.

Thats right.

Student life.





As pictured you can see it doesn't balk when I have to climb up on a counter top.

It gets pushed to the limits when I am unloading the dishwasher but it pulls though.

It keeps me cool in the heat of the plates and glasses but doesn't give me a chill when I sit back later to play nintendo.

If I am hitting the books hard it provides excellent wicking that pulls the nervous "how-am-I-ever- going- to- learn- rotational- kinematics -before-the-midterm?" sweat away and keeps me dry.



So even though I may not be tramping along the Nelson Lakes peaks, or rolling down a gentle slope while trying to put on my skis, you can see how IB gear was an essential purchase I dipped into my line of credit for.

So I make this post in honor of Dee. Who introduced me to IB, and who kindly just sent me a very generous package of the good stuff right from the source (you can see one of the items she sent me in the pics---the other was in the wash as I hadn't taken it off since it arrived).

So a (seriously) huge thanks to you, Dee, for your time, efforts, and cash, and keeping me in IB.

Thanks-Given

I know that it is a cliche to talk about the things we are thankful for at Thanksgiving but lets just take a step away from the usual cynicism and be real.
Too many people on this planet have no access to clean water, no adequate health care, no safe place to sleep, and no loved ones around them.

Really, here in the Valley I think we are pretty high up on the Maslow end of things, if I do say so myself. So a current list of things that I am thankful for--no tongue in cheek allowed:

-the wonderful family that I cherish, and actually like! They're all interesting, successfull funny people that I genuinely enjoy hanging out with.

-fabulous partner

-adventurous friends that span the ages and miles around the world; generous gardeners, wicked musicians, wise mentors, talented chefs, and chronic over-achievers. Happy that they are willing to include me in their fold.

I am thankful also for this beautiful countryside I stare at each day, from the rolling hills, burnt trees, railroad tracks, mist on the lake, to the vineyards, snow dusted mountains and orange falling leaves.

For this thanksgiving I went to visit my mom and siblings in Red Deer Alberta and saw family tall and small, ate delicious food, watched Luc (my Godson/nephew) play football, saw some hunting videos and chick flicks, waited in line for homemade ice cream, slept in little Rachie's bed (my niece) and felt utterly at home and happy.

Included are some pics of the latest member of the brood, Gionna being bathed by my brother Russ (her daddy). Gionna and I sporting our Jerry curls, Luc playing football. Thought I'd also add a small sample of people in this neck of the woods that make me smile on a regular basis (again I stress small sample).

Though the Thanksgiving trip may not have been wise regarding the looming physics midterm that I subsequently bombed, I figured my priorities for the weekend were perfectly in order. My mom always tells me that we divide our time doing mostly urgent unimportant things when we should really be devoting our time to non-urgent important things.

And really, I think in a lifetime watching a juvie football game in the crisp fall air with my mom on one side and my sister on the other will serve me much better than knowing how to solve a kinematics question.

An Addendum To Americans Are Stupid

Following a discussion last weekend over the "Americans Are Stupid" video I feel somewhat compelled to add some verbiage to the blog regarding said video (for the audience of two that actually read my blog).

First off, Americans are stupid. But so are Canadians. Take Bruce Allen's recent rant on public radio about immigrants who should "shut up and go home". Nice. He sits on the VOC for the 2010 Olympics.

So I concede that it is unfair to paint an entire nation with one brush. There are very smart, very cultured, open-minded, well educated, well meaning Americans, I realize that. And yes, if I had the spotlight and camera pointed at me maybe I wouldn't be able to name a country that starts with "C" but I probably wouldn't throw out racial slurs or state that an entire nation should be "blown up".
I know it is the thrust of the show to make people laugh, or sigh depending on the content, not to have long political discussions ensue when asked about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. After all, nothing says comedy more than debate regarding the West Bank.

But I think it is an important social barometer as to the thoughts and beliefs of some of the population.

It is good for us to see that there are people out there who think that Iraq is a large island floating in the Indian ocean in the southern hemisphere. It explains why Americans are at war, how the people in office get elected, and why there is so much intolerance in our societies. With so little knowledge of other nations, cultures, languages around us we can only continue to stick our feet in our collective mouths on a regular basis.

For now I guess I'll have to comfort myself with the fact that we are living in the age of technology, and information abounds. Maybe in a few years our collective intelligence will catch up.

Some Funny Things I Overheard Today

Not joking, I honestly overheard these phrases today while at the institute of higher learning:

-So, I had to totally hold Jaime back cuz she was totally going to fight that girl!

-Like, I've done like significant figures before, but never like this!

-It's my mom's 40th birthday this weekend!

-And then I almost fell off the speaker!

Pure live entertainment. At only 1500$ a semester, it's a steal.

Everyone's Addicted to Something

And yes, I am addicted to posting vids on my blog now. All the kids are doing it these days. Oh and speaking of the kids...last week when I was handing in my physics assignment I was standing in the front of the class and TWO, not one, but TWO students came up and asked me if I was "subbing" that day!
Subbing. That's awesome. Am I that nerdy looking? Maybe I should crack out my yellow walkman from '89 and blast the Corey Hart. Well, maybe that is going to be cool again soon when the Facebook/Cellphone/Texting backlash happens. God I wish it would happen now. I mean what is 'Jessica' texting during the entire Physics class anyway? What is soooooo important it can't wait 1h and 20mins. Is she running a real estate company as well as being a 1st year? Is she into insider trading? Maybe she got a tip on some developing pharmaceutical in San Diego...Whatever it is, can't it wait? Is the eyeshadow sale at MAC really THAT urgent? Kids these days. No respect I tell you.

Glenn Gould plays Bach

On a happier note--pun intended--today is Glenn Gould's birthday. He would have been 75. I thought I should just post this wee video as my tribute to him and how much he rocks. The guy is a genius. I also think it is great how he drove sound engineers mad whenever he was recorded in the studio as they would have to try and edit out his incessant humming. Bonne Fete Bonne Homme!!

George Bush=Twat

I just can’t believe that George Bush can make a speech about sanctions on Burma due to their human rights violations and lack of democratic process with government elections. How does the man keep a straight face? Is it because he can’t see the irony and the hypocrisy? Is it because he doesn’t even know what those words mean? I can’t believe he can talk about torture and elected government officials being kept out of office. Do the words Guantanamo and Gore mean anything to you there Shrub? Idiot.

CNNNN - Stupid Americans

Ahhhh, the leaders of the free world. Doesn't it make you feel warm and fuzzy inside?

Life in KKKelowna

Not to be offensive but really, could there be any more white folks in this town? I thought Canada was supposed to be a melting pot? Not a pot of melting mozzarella cheese. I keep expecting to see Civil War uniforms and people protesting women getting the vote whilst sipping mint juleps on the large porches of the plantations around here. Weird.

What is also weird are kids these days. I hate to say that I am not even being tongue and cheek with that statement.

I mean sure, I feel like a maladjusted adult learner-keener-loser here at UBC-Okanagan but all that aside with the girls wearing skin tight tube dresses to medical microbiology classes and people surfing facebook during chem class, it is all I can do to not keep my eyes in a permanent drift toward the ceiling.

Not to say that I wasn't all about wasting time and wearing slutty clothes when I was doing my undergrad, but generally I saved those types of things for outside the classroom and inside a dimly lit biker bar with 60 cent draught.

I don't know. Maybe there is no good biker bar here in Kelowna. Who am I to judge anyway? It is just my aging insecurities lashing out at the youth of today. It is just me being bitter because the Telus lady asked me if the student discount was for my daughter....

Ouch.

Well, what about those sayings regarding beating and joining people? And, when in Rome??? Now all I gotta get is a Gucci bag, an eating disorder, a hairless dog and I'll fit right in.

From the wrong side of the golf course, I'm signing off. Off to go do shots of JD with the co-eds. Wish me luck!!