The First Half of 2008 - or before the fireworks.

January
Usually I start new things mid-year but this time, January offered a real beginning for me. I began my career as a reporter, I bought an SLR camera and tried to leave the issues of a past relationship behind me. With the job, came ridiculous hours, evenings during the week and waking up before the crack of dawn on the weekends. My social life, inevitably, took a beating. The year before I went to countless concerts, but that was something that had to get cut with my new lifestyle. I did go to one memorable show... Comedian Jim Gaffigan was in town and while heading through the signature line, he recognized me. (We had been chatting it up on facebook.)
Most Memorable Post: Three Posts In One

February
Looking back, February didn't seem particularly memorable. I know I went to the People's Prom for the second year in a row. I also had developed a crush on a friend of my roommate (which I wouldn't act upon until March). I was forced to change my blog address after some concerns at work.
Most Memorable Post: To Know Me Better

March
In March, I used 30 Rock to get to know that crush I mentioned above. This is also the month I shared a few laughs with David Duchovny. My parents home in Nanaimo was in mid-construction but starting to look like a house. My brother and his future fiancee were in town to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday. It was a good time.
Most Memorable post: Him

April
I had a new boyfriend, a new place to move into at the start of May and a trip to San Francisco with one of my best friends whom I never get to see. It was the month where I posted the least all year, which, if nothing else, indicates I was probably pretty happy. More blogging often means more complaining.
Most Memorable Post: Bad Blogger Visits San Francisco

May
I moved into my bachelor pad, leaving behind Commercial Drive and roommate life. A few weeks into the month, I ended things with the boy. We weren't right together and if I had stayed, I would've regretted it. While we had those awful post-breakup moments (trying to be friends, getting it on just because, pull together-push away), he quickly ended up back in the arms of the girl he longed for long before I ever came along. That was the month I finally got off the morning shift and started sleeping (and socializing) again. Also came the news of the baby. My best guy friend knocked up a girl whom I lost all respect for long before word of the bundle of "joy".
Most Memorable Post: A Movie Review of 27 Dresses

June
The most memorable part of this month was having one of my best friends come out and visit. We took a nice little road trip, enjoying a whirlwind tour of Vancouver island. This was also when my interest in civic politics started. I was assigned to the mayoral nomination for both the NPA and Vision Vancouver. Having never voted in the city before, I was a blank slate looking for representation. One camp treated me like they wanted me there. The other did not. (And there's something to be said for having a cute media rep.)
Most Memorable Post: Outside on a Nice Summer Day (The original post also had a P.S. that may have said something about that cute media rep, but was soon cut out.)

Watch for tomorrow's entry. The second half of my year was scandalous.

Instead of going out with a bang, my year ends with a whimper.

Want to know how I'll be spending my New Years Eve?

Even though I spent yesterday in bed, fading in and out of fever dreams, unable to eat anything more than a handful of frozen blueberries and a cup of soup.. I am expected at work today. I'm sure my co-workers will appreciate having someone at the peak of strep throat symptoms in their presence from 5 until the stroke of midnight.

I will have now been kiss-free for 3 of the last 4 NYEs.

To write this post, I'm using my old computer - A Toshiba Satellite laptop that I bought just prior to moving to Vancouver. It overheats constantly and has done so since purchase. It's also annoyingly buggy and has a screen size comparable to my Ipod because of an unfortunate incident just a month after buying it. But it turns on, which is more than I can say for my MacBook.

I just did the apple hardware test and it found no problems. What a piss-off. The computer doesn't work at all, but yet there is nothing wrong?? I wish it would just tell me the logic board is dead so that I can just go out and buy a new one.

So, I will spend my New Years tired, sick, frustrated and bitter.

And now I'll start work on a 2008 recap.

Sigh.

I had big plans for a Christmas recap and year in review post but those will have to wait. My lovely year and a half old MacBook has decided it no longer wants to wake from its slumber and has taken all the pictures and video from my island visit with it. The hard drive, as you may remember was replaced just six months ago. I am typing this entry on my iPod touch.

I have no idea what I will do.

For techies: I press the on button, the cd/DVD drive starts to make the regular noises, it makes the startup chime, there is a white screen with a grey apple and underneath there is the thinking circle going around but the computer is very quiet and in about ten seconds goes to black - totally off. I have tried safe mode, smu reset, pram... Different power source... For the first while I wasn't getting the startup chime.

Nothing could stop me.

I never once thought about presents that I would be missing out on, I just wanted to be with family. And I got here safe and sound.

Thanks to my friends, co-workers and bosses who offered their homes and Christmas dinners to me.

Happy Holidays.

I'm not dreaming of a white Christmas anymore.

It's just after 7 in the morning on Christmas eve. I've been sick for the past five days but haven't gotten any better as I've been working 10 straight days, with the 11th day this afternoon. All of this work was okay because at the end, I'd have a couple days to spend with family.

The plan was to head over to Vancouver Island after work, catching one of the last ferries and making it to my parents' place before the stroke of midnight.

But that won't be happening.

Looking outside there's already been a dump of snow overnight and there's no indication it is going to stop. Whatever snow Vancouver gets, Nanaimo gets twice that - if not three times.

My parents' place is gorgeous.. a rural home overlooking the ocean. But it also means, a treacherous drive if there is any snow, let alone the amount we've had in recent days. I got the call last night, the one where my family cautiously warns another dump of snow means they won't make it.

So, these two days I have been desperately looking forward to, will now be spent in my crappy little apartment that feels much smaller and empty than it ever has before. Last year I didn't get to spend Christmas with family and I was okay with it because I was just starting my job, my parents house wasn't finished and my brother was in Alberta. I knew weeks ahead that I wouldn't be making it over.

This year, for weeks I've been looking forward to making it over.

As many Vancouverites complained about this snow, like they do about the rain, I was happy about it. I defended it.

No more. Snow ruined my chance to spend some time with family this Christmas, which is the only present I wanted.

Bah humbug.

The soundtrack of the season

It was already my plan to write up my top ten favourite Christmas songs, but there's a little added incentive from Miss604's iTunes Giveaway. It's pretty motown-heavy, but that's just how I roll. So here they are... at the bottom you can find the other 15 songs to be added so that it's a full CD.

10. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee


9. What Christmas Means to Me - Stevie Wonder


8. Winter Wonderland - Ray Charles


7. Old Toy Trains - Roger Miller


6. All I Want For Christmas is You - Mariah Carey


5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Bright Eyes


4. I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard


3. Christmas Time Again - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers


2. Christmas Time is Here - Charlie Brown Christmas


1. One Little Christmas Tree - Stevie Wonder


The other 15 songs:
Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives
Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord - Boney M
The Christmas Song - Marvin Gaye
Someday At Christmas - Stevie Wonder
Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Pointer Sisters
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - Perry Como
Early Christmas Morning - Cyndi Lauper
Santa Baby - Kylie Minogue
Sleigh Ride - California Raisins
Thank God It's Christmas - Queen
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Jon Bon Jovi
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Harry Connick Jr.
Merry Christmas Baby - Eric Clapton with Cheryl Crow
It may be winter outside - Love Unlimited
Something About Christmas Time - Bryan Adams

What's your favourite?

Shoes worn, Christmas Party over.

(a friend and a fellow journalist)

So last night was the Christmas party - the source of my shoe consideration the past week. My friend and I hitched a ride with a co-worker and hatched a plan to leave early and catch a flick. By 9:30 we were on our way out to "Frost/Nixon" a parallel on some level of our own lives. We missed the stories which will eventually become legend around the office, and the chance to be part of the stories. (Though I do believe I hit him in the face with a caper at one point.) I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, another set of performances (supporting and otherwise) which had me wrapped into who the characters were even at times where I found the movie to drag a bit. The friend fell asleep, though in his defence, he's got a bit of a tiring life and I'm sure in 2011 he'll get around to re-watching it.

Have you ever tried to discuss a movie with someone who missed the most crucial 15 minutes? Don't.

Anyways, I was home right around the stroke of midnight, likely before they even gave away the big prizes of the night. And that makes me wonder, "Am I lame?"

I don't get drunk, I prefer board games to clubs, and if it's past 2am I'm likely awake but I've been at home for hours. So many of the things I enjoy are independent, non-social or nerdy.

As always, and especially at this time of year, I'm reminded of my status by looking around my tiny apartment. My Christmas tree has no gifts underneath, there is no one but myself to blame for the mess, and it's always just me here. I'm considering a return to roommate-land, just to have someone to say hello to... someone to say hello to me.

I thought that being on my own would encourage bringing someone into my life. I could get it on anywhere and there'd be no constant threat of a roomie walking in or the hushing of voices in order not disturb/embarrass the flatmate.

Anyways, it's just about Christmas, tomorrow is day 9 of 11 in a row at work. I'm tired. I'm sick. I'm lonely.

The Shoe-lution

(that non-joke has been made too many times already)

Anyways, the best way to find the right shoe is to.. buy it. Frankly, I don't have the funds. But while wandering through some consignment stores, I found a pair that essentially look like the ones below. Mine are pointier but otherwise the same. I'm about 5'11 when I wear them. That's the height I'm looking for.

I guess my poll on the side should've had "other" as a choice.

Matchy match

One negative about living alone is the lack of a second opinion. So, as I'm super busy from this afternoon right until Saturday night for the work Christmas party... I have to put together the outfit this morning.

I've decided on a dress that I've had for years but haven't worn since the infamous NYE three years ago.

My problem is the shoes. Please help.

Here is the dress:
(Excuse my early morning camera work. This isn't portfolio material, nor is my hairdo/makeup or lack thereof)


Here are 6 options, in no particular order, with their pros and cons:
(Click on pics to biggify)

1. My Vegas Shoes
PROS: Super hot and tall while still relatively comfortable with a thick enough heel to keep my balance.
CONS: They are emerald green. My dress is black-teal. (As shown above)
Height: 2nd highest
Comfort: 4th best


2. Shiny Shoes
PROS: Short thick heel, relatively comfortable, and shiny - which is a party standard.
CONS: They don't give me much height and as a cheap shoe, I don't know how they will be all night.
Height: 5th place
Comfort: 3rd place


3. Pointy Pumps
PROS: They mean business. The picture doesn't show detailing, but they are also fun.
CONS: While they used to fit me well, my feet seem to be shrinking because they now slip on the heels.
Height: 3rd place
Comfort: 5th place


4. Mary Janes
PROS: Comfortable, classic and new.
CONS: Bought for work, not work functions. Too clunky?
Height: 4th place
Comfort: 2nd best*

*Assumed but haven't been worn all night ever.


5. Little Booties
PROS: Comfortable, edgy and different
CONS: Too weird for party dress? Pony heel means I can't make a towering entrance.
Height: Worst!
Comfort: Best!



6. Heeliest of Heels
PROS: The picture doesn't really show but those are probably two inch heels, at least. They are strappy and have been worn at a Christmas party before.
CONS: I feel tippy in them and they are not comfy.
Height: Tallest!
Comfort: Worst!



So, dear readers, help me find a shoe-lution.
*groan*

The snow remains.

Snow in Vancouver is usually more like white rain. It is water by the time it hits the ground and, at best, it creates streets of slush.

But this time around, it is cold enough for actual snow - that hasn't melted! I think the term "arctic deep freeze" doesn't really describe what we are going through (thanks News1130) especially if you look at the weather map and see the high temperatures across the prairies that are -28 and it feels ten degrees colder with the windchill.

Anyways, I'm happy. Put on another layer and enjoy the sun. When it rains all through January, you'll miss this.

Things are coming up Loxy

Yesterday morning I was sad because I felt like I was going to spend my long weekend alone. Who was I kidding?

Best weekend ever!

1. Oilers beat Canucks.
2. Watched two documentaries and one cheesy lady movie.
3. Canucks score no goals in game against Oilers.
4. Snow. And snow that might stick overnight!
5. I made a ridiculous movie.



Sure, I'm alone, but I'm way rad.

Day 1 of 3

I booked this weekend off months ago when I had plans for a trip to Tofino. Plans fell apart long before I admitted it and now I'm left with a weekend off (prior to working 11 straight days up to Christmas).

I have no idea what to do.

Christmas shopping is done.
Friends have already gotten my homemade "holiday" cards.
I have minimal funds.
My apartment is in full Christmas mode.
By the end of the afternoon it will also be clean.
The weather outside is frightful.

Part of me feels incredibly lazy, but if I look at my life from Monday to New Years, I'm pretty booked up. Well, until New Years that is. I'll likely spend that night by myself watching Mr. Bean on tv with a bottle of wine (which I will only drink half of).

This is a really pointless post.

I'm trying to not be complainy but my undertones of loneliness are poking through. I'm anticipating my first FREE weekend in a YEAR to be spent alone. 64 hours of me time. I will drive myself insane. Don't get me wrong, I like being on my own. I've always travelled solo. I spend tons of time alone. I hate dealing with most people most of the time.

But that's why I keep myself busy.. projects like the cards or the volunteering or redoing web stuff. I have another project that I want to get underway but it requires a video camera and the assistance of friends who are not in Vancouver.

But I have nothing on tap this weekend to keep me from pulling out my hair out of boredom. Except an Oilers-Canucks game that I will likely watch alone.
At least sushi will keep me company.

New Loxy

Loxy has new hopes, dreams, hair and website.

27 is barely the beginning. I'm so excited for what I'm going to do with this life.

The things I need to do to get to the next level..
1. Network
2. Go to everything
3. Meet people
4. Read, Write, Think
5. Stop wasting time

The 7 hours I work as a reporter everyday isn't enough. I want to do more, see more, be more.

Cans for Comments takes over the WORLD

Official can count: 11 (Monday 11:30pm)

My mini food bank drive continues. Any comments until Saturday at midnight will add to the total of cans that I will be putting towards the cause. I welcome you to match my total!

And I'm not the only one. Cans for Comments is taking over the blogosphere.

Here's the ever-growing list of blogs you can visit to help the cause:

The Monkey
Delicious Juice
Blue Olive Photography
Jerk with a Camera
Chris and Lynn
Erin Gilmore
Amber Hughes
Lori Miles
Bebb studios
CJ Scott
Jamie Delaine
Michael Wachniak
John Heil
Tracey Heppner
Kristel Wyman
Jason Groupp
Justin and Mary
Modern Photographers
Anne Ruthmann
Alana Couch
Dolce Pics

...oh my.. I had no idea there were so many! I'll continue...

Rock the Wedding
Renee Stephen
Shandro Photo
Lisa Lacroix
Perspective Eye
Picture That
Calla Evans
Lori Moss
J Castro Team
Thinkphotographics
This Eclectic Life
In the Moment
Drive-by shootings
Chantal Stone
Metro Blue
RPeters Photography
Anika London
Melissa Zihlman
Rob and Lauren
Deb Thompson
Sparks Photography
Custom Invitation Lady
Portraiture by Melanie


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Also wanted to give a shout out to the new mayor of Vancouver, Gregor Robertson, and his brilliant selection for staff. I'm a proud friend and/or fan today.

No Plan Post

So this is one of those entries where I just write. I had plans all week about what I wanted to say, but, for whatever reason, never got to it. So now I'm forced to write without that sense of organization. It's just me and my MacBook (in desperate need of a clean).

Things I've noticed since I woke up this morning.
1. My house still smells like pine. (Go Tree Go!)
2. I'm not pregnant. (This wasn't exactly a concern as I have less sex than married people. In other words, none.)
3. My neighbours are cooking something that smells good. (I live on the top floor of a heritage home split into four suites.)
4. I'm tired despite staying home on a Saturday night to eat sushi, watch hockey and a documentary about a mayoral race in New Jersey.
5. I left my rubber boots at work.

Since I wrote number 5, I have become less concerned. Moments ago, there was a torrential downpour - some of the hardest rain I've seen during my time spent in Vancouver. Now, it's sunny. I didn't think chinooks hit the coast.

I have been thinking a lot about social activism and getting involved as of late. My role in the media prevents me from some causes, primarily ones with political or controversial gains. But I continue to believe Vancouver is not living up to potential. A local news radio station had a poll yesterday that said, do you intend on donating this Christmas? Two thirds said yes. But still 33% of the population said no. You mean, you can't bring a can to work? You can't spend an hour wrapping gifts in a mall? You can't throw your loose change in the salvation army bucket?

The volunteering in Vancouver (and I'm guessing across the country) is done by a very small subsection of the population. I realize that many people live busy lives but you choose to put those things in your lives - be it kids, career aspirations or a need to have a physically superior physique. I just struggle to think most people don't have 3 hours once a week, or a jar that they put all their loose change into for charity.

I don't make a lot of money. Every month I wonder how I'm going to pay my rent. Yes, it's my fault for living in a solo apartment sans roommate (even if my place is about 200 square feet and not in Yaletown). I don't have a car, but I have student loan payments of $250 a month. And I want to make this city a better place - giving what I can of time and money. If you have an organization that I can help with, let me know. Obviously the traffic to my blog is pretty minimal, but if you don't ask...

Maybe it's just all these stories of inspiring people that I've watched as of late.. be it Street Fight or Milk or Bad Santa (say what??). Vancouver is not the greatest city in the world, but just based on where it is and the diversity it attracts.. it could be.

Anyways, as part of my Christmas giving initiative, I will donate a can of food for every independent comment posted below. This is your chance to come out of the woodwork and say hi. (Inspired by this)

EVENING UPDATE: 30 hits, 1 comment. That indicates my writing is not very good, thus you lose interest by the end of the post. Yikes!

ANOTHER UPDATE: I'm now making a list of all the places doing this.

Yesterday.

A lot of things happened yesterday... personally and, of course, politically.

The most important in my personal life is acquiring a tree. It's in front of my closet in my room. Seeing that I live in a shoebox, there are only so many places for it to go. I woke up this morning and was immediately struck by the pine smell. Usually a tree is in the living room, but seeing that all my place is one room, it's like I wake up to Christmas morning everyday.

This is my first really solo Christmas. In years past I had roommates or significant others or I lived at home. This year it's me, my tree and my Oilers santa hat.

And right this minute this post is over because I realized I have a final assignment due for photography school and have three hours to come up with the pictures.

Cheers!

O Christmas Tree

Today is the first day of December. It's also the first time I've really felt like Christmas is coming. Despite putting carols on my playlist as of the 25th of November, I was more humbug than ho ho ho. But today, something did it for me. I was walking home from work in the pouring rain but decided to walk a bit out of the way, down 10th from Columbia to Manitoba. It's a street of beautiful houses and all of them are decorated in lights. I believe they do this all year round, but tonight it seemed right.

Christmas is on, bitches.

The Christmas Tree is an important tradition that means a lot to me. Always has. This week, with the generosity of a friend's help, I'll be getting one. I'm looking for one little Christmas tree (which also happens to be my favourite Christmas song). I don't know if my landlord allows them, but I'm willing to risk it - that's how important it is.

But where does one get one? Every year I've been in Vancouver I've walked the tree home. The Home Hardware on Commercial Drive... The lot by the IGA on Broadway in Kits...

A new place, on my own no less, means a new Christmas tree purchase place. Any ideas my Vancouver friends?