Goodbye friends May 30, 2007
Posted by brandy in adventure, books, friends, question of the day, travel, work.45 comments
So I’m quitting. I know, it’s coming as a surprise to you but I don’t think blogging is for me.
I’m actually just really shy and it’s been to difficult for me to really open up and share what I’m thinking.
And I mean, I appreciate the feedback, but I only got 38 comments of support when I wrote an open letter to the teaching board and I was really looking for 40.
Just kidding! Man. I seriously crack myself up (and am the worst liar ever, seriously I can’t even type-lie well. Wait, is that a term? Type-Lie? Can it be?). You guys always leave the best comments. But I am going- for awhile anyway. I’m leaving on a jet plane, to Calgary for a two week stint as a grade 4 teacher at a private school. A lovely friend is going to play volleyball on sandy beaches and needed a sub to go, and I being both gracious and bored out of my tree nice, decided to help a girl out.
I suspect that it will take some time to figure out what I’m going to teach these little darlings, plus I have a few parties to attend, dinners to go to, old friends to hug, so the posting is going to take a backseat (which will be a change of pace, because in my effort to leave my packing until the very last second, I decided to go on a posting spree this week). And by last second, I mean it. I suspect tomorrow at 5am, I will be searching for some picture I.d. to board the plane. This is usually not my style (I’m a girl who likes to know what I’m eating for dinner on Sunday by Tuesday morning, Tuesday afternoon at the very latest), but I’ve been a bit lazy. The sun has been beating down on me and my current book has captured my attention like a pair of cute red stilletos marked half price.
While I’m away, please ponder the following:
- What is it about Kevin Costner that makes me love him so much?
- Is it wrong that I’m excited that they are making a sequel to this?
- Can a girl ever have too much fun at a piano bar?
- Who can pull off a mowhawk successfully?
That is all for now friends. I hope you miss me like the last day of summer when it’s the middle of January.
Just push delete May 30, 2007
Posted by brandy in a possible regret, confession of the day, learning, love or something like it, men, relationships, self improvement, the devils worker bees, thinking.26 comments
As someone who battles with her computer on almost a daily basis (okay that’s a stretch, but I just don’t really understand it a lot of the time) there is one function that a computer has that I have always respected. That function my friends, is delete.
My computer deletes without feeling, without debate. It asks me only once if I am sure, and then it does the job. It doesn’t ask me “Do you think you will regret deleting this file?”, “are you sure this isn’t a mistake?” or “Isn’t this the best copy you’ve made, shouldn’t you keep it?”, my computer coolly and objectively deletes with one swift swipe of the enter key. There are no tears, long conversations anazlying the matter, or sleepless nights. My computer just deletes and moves on.
Other than the time I accidentally deleted my entire hard drive (oh what a life I lead!), I’ve never been really good at deleting anything. I still have my first baby tooth, my class president crown from grade two and my one and only Spice girl CD. I have kept matchbooks with numbers I would never call, pictures of people I don’t remember and every napkin I’ve ever scratched an ingenious thought on (most of these thoughts occur at 2am when I’m drunk on genius and tequila) . Deleting possessions, removing them from my cluttered life has never been my strong suit.
People are even worse.
The ability to delete has become one of interest only recently. I had always accepted that I was unable to delete, to remove, to erase people in my life. I mean, if I can’t discard the president’s crown from grade 2 (I totally rocked the competition though), how could I possibly find the boldness to delete a person? Like I said, I had accepted this fate until a funny thing happened…
Within one week I have witnessed to examples of exactly how to delete. Two of my loveliest friends, each in a different way were able to find their delete button and discard the emotions, attachments and questions that were clinging to a person in their life. The people they had attached these trappings to were people that they cared about, lusted after, even (despite what they would sometimes admit) loved. For years, (notice the italics) each of them had kept these people around, unwilling to delete them, unable to do anything else. Why did they delete? They found themselves in a position where their lives were better for it. I don’t mean to be one-dimensional, but we entertain people in our lives who make our lives better, once someone fails to do that, or prevents you from making your own life better, you should start eyeing the delete button. That is not to say that once you hit ‘delete’ and decide to move on that you will forget about the person, (most are afterall a little more memorable then a paper crown), it’s just that you will erase their file and gain some free storage to create something new. You will remember what you wrote, you just won’t have a copy to hold on to.
Do I have people that I should delete? Absolutely. People who are long since gone who I allow to influence my descisions, to affect my mood and cause me to question things that can no longer be answered? Yes. Have I deleted these people? No. But I’m going to. Today. Because a girl can drive herself crazy trying to hold on to something that she doesn’t really have. And after a few sleepless nights, I’ve realized I’m better than staring at my failed relationships computer screen and wondering what to do next. So for now, I will push the delete button, take a deep breath and reboot.
It’s going to be an interesting summer.
Do you want to be Canadian? Egan does! May 30, 2007
Posted by brandy in blogs, learning, sports, testing egans brain, the world according to me.27 comments
* It’s Kathryn’s birthday! So go say happy birthday then come back and put your thinking cap on!
So Egan wants to be an Honorary Canadian and I can’t say I really blame him. I mean, we have POUTINE for crying out loud. (And yes, I’m now at a point I just like writing the word ‘poutine’ repeatedly in hopes that it will become my number one search term, instead of you know, chlamydia)
Receiving honorary citizenship to Canada isn’t something to be handed out lightly- like free smiles at a crowded bar when you forgot your wallet. Citizenship needs to be EARNED, through blood, sweat, tears and personal sacrifice. I considered creating an elaborate obstacle course which would demand all 4 to be shown, but blood is hard to get out of carpet, sweat gets messy, I don’t like seeing men cry and I’m saving the personal sacrifice demand for another day.
I decided in the end to go with a test.
10 Questions (because yes, I DO have this much free time at work, thank you for asking), and we are going on the honor system. I considered just emailing this to Egan, who seems very confident (too confident?), but thought the masses might enjoy playing along.
These are the rules:
- anyone can answer the questions in comments/email.
- No Google. (Or any other resource to assist in getting the answers. This includes but is not limited to: family/friends, spouses, co-workers, books, secret messages you find in bottles along the beach, anything that needs to be turned on, plugged in or requires an operator.) Just you, your brain and the truth. One could argue that ‘you’ and ‘your brain’ are pretty much the same thing, but this is my quiz and I’m making the rules. Besides, you have bigger problems to think about right now, like how you think you are going to pass this test.)
- Check your work before handing it in pushing enter, you will NOT be able to add/make corrections to your work once it’s been posted.
Okay that’s it. Egan, you will need to get at least 5 right for citizenship. If you get them all right, I will bow to your greatness and forever refer to you as “King Egan thee smartest man I’ve never met“, however, if you do get them all right I will also suspect you cheated or that you are a mind reader. Either one is dodgy so I don’t hope you get 100%. A nice 80% would impress me and the masses I suspect. Attach your thinking cap and begin!
Good luck!
(wait, are you nervous? I sorta am and I’m not even taking it)
1. How many oceans does Canada touch?
a.1
b.2
c.3
d.4
2. The average life expectancy (2007 est.) for a Canadian is:
a. 84.39 years
b. 76.12 years
c. 80.34 years
d. 86.42 years
3. What are our three branches of government?
a. congress, senate and the monarchy
b. the monarchy, judicial and the executive
c. judicial, congress and the Bryan Adams fan club
d. executive, judicial, legislative
4. Which individual, (born in Canada) does brandy consider MOST awesome? (hint: it’s not someone with inflatable breasts)
a. Don Cherry
b. Eugene Levy
c. Pamela Anderson
d. Matthew Perry
5. Which of the following is on Canada’s 5 cent piece (also known as a nickel, but let’s talk fancy!) ?
a. a beaver
b. a caribou
c. Bryan Adams
d. a bear
6. Which of the following are provinces found in Canada?
a. Yukon, Manitoba, Quebec
b. Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba
c. British Columbia, Ontario, Yukon
d. British Columbia, Manitoba, Hudsons Bay
7. Which city currently DOESN’T have it’s own NHL team? (#4 is pretty tough, so I thought I would give you an easy one)
a. Calgary
b. Montreal
c. Winnipeg
d. Vancouver
8. What does brandy order at Tim Horton’s (and yes, the apostrophe was just for you Airam)?
a. A double-double
b. Apple fritter & peppermint tea
c. chocolate glazed & peach juice
d. Nothing. This is a trick question. Brandy does not even LIKE Tim Horton’s.
9. Which of the following is NOT a provincial or territory capital?
a. Charlottetown
b. Iqluit
c. Whitehorse
d. Vancouver
10. My friend Eileen, is dating a man who is a part of which Canadian band? (Which, was nominated for a Juno, in 2006. Oh, a Juno is our version of a Grammy)
a. The Quick Exit
b. The Pocket Dwellers
c. The Loud Silence
d. The Chord Masters
And now that I’ve alienated all my readers by cramming another educational post about Canada down their throats, I can end this. But first I need to say it one more time.
Poutine.
Sexing & Ovary Shots May 29, 2007
Posted by brandy in open letter, school, teaching, work.43 comments
Dear School Board District,
Hi, it’s me again. Remember me… Brandy? From last year? When I sent you 17 applications for various teaching jobs and didn’t get a single call for an interview? When I called so meek and polite and asked if there was something I could do to at least get my foot in the door and you said ‘no’ in the smug way that only someone who has a job can say?
I’m back.
See, here’s the thing. I’m a pretty confident girl, but not getting a single call for an interview was a really sharp punch to my ovaries. I worried what a $40,000 degree was worth when I couldn’t get a job. I worried there was something wrong with my resume and pored over it look for the flaw that screamed out “DON’T HIRE ME!”. Then, a kind teacher pulled me aside and filled me in on the little tricks you minxes pull.
You already have someone hired, or close to signing a contract by the time you advertise for the job. So, while I was photocopying my resume repeatedly (and destroying the rainforest in the process), spending sleepless nights wondering if my references were strong enough, you were sleeping soundly at night knowing who your teachers for the fall were already going to be.
Well played School Board, well played.
I suspect you think I will give up, give in or perhaps move to China for a year to teach like everyone else. That is where you have me all wrong School Board. You see, I will send in my applications again this year (each one weighing as much as a phone book, inches thick with required papers and photocopies of degrees/transcripts/course evaluations/teacher comments), but I won’t worry. Because, unlike last year I won’t lose sleep over this. I’ve stopped thinking your call will determine if I’m a teacher.
I’ve learned I already am.
I took the classes, I’ve got the degree. But more importantly, I’ve played doctor dodgeball with 36 grade 1’s who can’t go outside to play. I’ve had a grade 1 girl ask if I could please be her mom, a grade 11 girl spit on me (and throw a textbook, but that’s a different post for a different day), and a grade 2 boy ask what ’sexing’ is. I’ve taught lessons how to determine perimeter, lectured on Louis Riel and demonstrated the proper way to handwrite the letter “G”. I’ve checked heads for lice, feet for indoor shoes, and desks for moldly sandwiches. I’ve sent kids to the office, to the nurse, home with a letter telling their parents they were a extra great helper that day.
I’ve given out band-aids, gold stars and detentions.
In short, I am a teacher. I would even use the term ‘fantastic teacher’,- and I’m not one to brag, that’s just a fact. I’ve been in a different classroom each day this past year and now I want my own. If you don’t hire me, one of us will be disappointed and I know it won’t be me. Because I know I will be a great teacher somewhere. It’s just up to you if I get to be that great teacher in your school or someone else’s.
I just hope you don’t screw up again this year.
Sincerely,
Brandy
p.s. My fingers are crossed for the kindergarten position, so see what you can do.
Oh! Canada! *Eh! May 28, 2007
Posted by brandy in lists.49 comments
As many of you know, I’m from Canada. Also home of Carrie and Ruby and Ms. HippieChyck. It’s also the birthplace of wireless radios, Alex Trebeck and a delicious (yet heart attack inducing) snack called poutine. (Which I limit myself to having once a year, since it’s like crack. But if I could figure out a way to inject the cheese curds into my body I would. I’m not going to lie- it’s THAT good.)
In the spirit of sharing I present to you, today’s list (and then no lists for awhile, I promise!)
10 Things Everyone Should Know About Canada
1. The U.S. may have the Kennedy’s but Canada has the Trudeaus. Pierre Trudeau was Canada’s prime minister through the late 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s. Besides the fact that the man would flip the bird to the press, was the first world leader to meet with john Lennon on his tour for world peace, once did a pirouette behind Queen Elizabeth, and slid down hotel bannisters after political meetings, he was also quite a catch and dated Barbra Striesand, Bianca Jagger and Kim Cattral. Seriously. The man dated Samantha. His son Justin has just entered politics this year and has stolen my heart.
2. We have A LOT of space. ” If Canada was divided equally among Canadians, each person would receive a piece of land roughly the size of 27 baseball fields, or about 365,000 square metres. In the US, each American would get about three baseball fields.” (I want to find where I found that quote but I’ve had it for awhile….)
3. Ryan Gosling. Is. From. Canada. (And I’m not going to lie, I took my sweet time finding a picture. And I know, some of you may hate the one I picked but I love it. Scruff just gets me.) So is a man named Mike Fischer who you should know about. It may cause you to think of hockey stars as more than people who can skate fast and cash cheques. (Thanks Miss. Carrie for reminding me of this!)
4. Our national sport isn’t hockey. It’s lacrosse. However, most of us do like love hockey. As in, I know guys who stopped BATHING during the finals when the Oilers were in it for the Cup. And a good friend of mine started doing everything I told her to, so that the Oilers would win. A typical conversation would go something like this:
Me: Hey, Andrea! See that really gross, disgustingly soggy nacho chip that is practically mush since it’s been sitting in sour cream and salsa for the last 40 minutes? I’m pretty sure if you eat it that the Oilers will win.
Andrea: Pass it here.
Such dedication is part of what appeals to me as a Canadian hockey fan. And it’s part of why I like Andrea so damn much.
5. CBC (Canada’s version of “ABC”) had a contest to determine the “Greatest Canadian Ever”. Tommy Douglas won. Doesn’t sound familiar? He was one of our most determined *premiers from Saskatchewan who introduced to the world the idea of universal medicare. (Oh, medicare, that’s something else that makes Canada great. We don’t pay to see doctors. It doesn’t cost me $14,000 to have a baby, as it does in some countries. And that my friends, is something I love).
6. As pointed out in this post, we do like to recycle. I don’t know many people who don’t at least recycle their paper, cans and bottles. It would be cool if fanatical recycling was an idea that would catch on, instead of you know… plastic 80’s earrings.
7. *Eh? Does get said. And yet, the world still continues to rotate…..
8. We are pretty happy. Not as happy as those who knew about IKEA before me, but happy just the same.
9. That is unless, you attempt to steal our *Tim Hortons and then you best be prepared to get pistol whipped. (* I actually don’t like Tim Hortons since, you know, I’m allergic to all the food they prepare and have yet to feel grown up enough to start drinking coffee. I keep this a secret from everyone though, I’m scared the masses will behead me with a hockey stick)
10. Everyone knows basketball was invented in Canada. But so was the wonderbra and that’s worth a few amens right there.
* Thanks for catching my mistake Kathryn! Who is ALSO from Canada! 
She knew me when May 27, 2007
Posted by brandy in ego boost, learning, school, teaching, youth.18 comments
There are some perks to going back to your hometown and teaching in your old school. To walk the hallways you once did as a child and see them from adult eyes. To see that the playground isn’t as big, the principal not as scary, the ceiling not as high as you always thought it was.
I had run into one of my favourite teachers while getting my keys at the office. Though still young, she had retired to raise her family and but had recently started subbing. She promised to sneak into my classroom at recess to chat me up and to see how different I was 17 years after she first taught me.
I was nervous for her to come in. What if she thought I had turned out not as she had hoped? She was the teacher who pulled me aside on the last day of grade four and whispered “You’ll do something great”. What if I hadn’t?
She knew me when I cared less about boys and more about books. She knew me when I cried in public when someone hurt my feelings, when I would jump up and clap my hands anytime I got excited. She knew me when I believed in people I couldn’t see. She knew me when I couldn’t tell a lie, wouldn’t break a promise, never had a regret. She knew me when I would hold my friends hands down the hallway and sing tv show theme songs. She knew me when my glass was not only half full, it was full of my favourite strawberry kool-aid. She knew me when I didn’t have insecurities, or self doubt, or burden brought by student loans. She knew me when.
She walked in and we crammed in 17 years worth of stories into 23 minutes of lunch. We talked of jobs and my old classmates, of families and school. Before leaving (and promising to meet up later) she grabbed my hand and said something that I didn’t realize I was hoping she would say-
“I’m so proud of you. You haven’t changed a bit”
It’s then I learned that sometimes having someone who “knew you when” means they will know you forever. I locked my classroom up that afternoon, and walked into the late afternoon sunshine humming the Golden Girls theme song.
Love in the times of Chlamydia May 25, 2007
Posted by brandy in overheard, quote of the day, what the hell, work, youth.43 comments
This is the scintillating conversation that I just heard outside my office. It’s moments like this that I love, love, love my job and thank the big G for the existence of summer school.
College Girl 1: Do you think he will call? I mean, I like him AND Matt, but mostly him, even though I know like, nothing about him.
College Girl 2: I dunno.
College Girl 1: And I know, it’s not going to be like, anything serious right? It’s the summer, but I still want him to call.
College Girl 2: Hmm.
College Girl 1: And it’s like, fucking college. You can get chlamydia from anyone. He gave it to me, and I STILL want him to call. Shit. I hardly know him but I just feel like there’s something there, you know?
I mean really. Who hasn’t been there?
Attention Lurkers! May 23, 2007
Posted by brandy in blogs.80 comments
You’ve made it! You’ve found my blog! This calls for a ticker tape parade! Congratulations, you’ve come at just the right time!
It’s *Universal De-Lurking Day! Hooray!
Here’s the thing. I’m just like you. I read a lot of posts but sometimes don’t comment. Because sometimes I don’t know what to say, or I am tired, or the person is so damn popular I’m always the 35th commenter (which often happens on this site, which I enjoy) and thus have nothing left to say because my words have all been stolen by previous commenters who are **quicker than a pack of foxes.
Bastards.
However. It’s a weird feeling to see that many people are visiting (thanks sitemeter!) this little blog and staying and reading but are not saying anything. I understand you might be shy, but what about me? Let’s think of how nice it would be for my ego if you left a comment. And really, don’t you want to celebrate Universal De-Lurking Day properly?
So, since today is Universal De-Lurking Day (also known across the universe as UDLD) and the only way to properly celebrate (other than sending me ridiculous much needed gifts like mink hand towels or diamond encrusted toothbrushes), is to leave a comment on every blog you visit, you better snap to it!
Say something about your own blog, write a haiku (because who doesn’t love a good haiku?), or leave me a recipe to try out this weekend that involves tequila, a blender and your wild imagination. Perhaps you want to tell me I’m awesome a secret, or recommend a good book or just let me know how you manage your curly hair in the morning when your running late. Maybe you want to write about your kidney stone, your new cat love, or the last thing your child stuck up their nose that wasn’t attached to their body. But for the love of new shoes and 90’s music that changed my life, just say something.
Do it for yourself. Do it for me.
Because everyone knows, everytime you read a blog without commenting, a blogger falls down dead.
* In honor of Ann, (and her fabulous post) there will be a Universal Lurking Day sometime soon where comments will not be necessary and just lurking behind your office chair while reading my post will be encouraged.
**Are foxes actually fast or is that something I’ve always thought was a fact but indeed was not? (Like the idea I had when I was 25 7 years old that anything I could fit into my hand at the grocery store was free…) Either way, let me know.
What I like about you! May 22, 2007
Posted by brandy in blogs, lists, people i like.23 comments
May’s been a tricky month. There’s been ups, downs, and Jessica. I celebrated my 100th post, was really frustrated and fought a stapler at work. May may be the month for lovers, flowers and unprompted glee but I’ve spent the better part of it on a bit of a roller-coaster. A roller-coaster that complains a lot. And I do know that this is my blog and I can complain write about what I want, but I don’t feel like complaining for awhile, and I like you all enough to share with you something different. So instead of a post about work (which will come later because I need suggestions for a big project and I suspect you have some creative minds) I will write about something I like. Like you.
I know I’ve mentioned this before and Meg and I have discussed how one starts writing thinking no one will comment, but it’s true. You start out thinking that you don’t write for comments, but the day you don’t get any because you shut off the comment function by accident, will clearly remind you how much you like them. It’s just human nature. Anyway, I’ve learned so much from reading other peoples posts and from the comments you have given me. I have found many of you to be more entertaining than any book I’ve ever read (and for a book whore like me, that’s saying something). So, in the spirit of good thoughts, great moods, and entertaining reads- here’s today’s list.
10 Lessons I’ve Learned From Posts I’ve Read
1. When you haven’t said the right thing, you’ve just carried a watermelon.
2. I’m not the only one who ever just wants to ask “hey, are we still friends?”
3. If you need a change, you can do it. You just have to- do it.
4. I make people happy!(#1 Yahooo!)
5. Aaron has shaved a womans legs.
6. I should be thankful that I don’t have as many problems as algebra. (I STILL love that line…)
7. Though we disagree about chocolate, I’m not the only non-Catholic who has to give stuff up for Lent.
8. Babies are pretty. And nice. And maybe one day I will stop watching a BabyStory on TLC (which scares the HELL out of me) and recommit to one day wanting one of my own.
9. We all send Valentines and then aren’t sure if it was the right idea.
10. Some stories just stick with you.
11. And lastly, the most recent (and today the most valuable) lesson learned: Sometimes comments aren’t necessary- however nice they are.
And this is one of the more mysterious stories I’ve read lately, one that I can’t wait to hear more about.
Okay that’s it, but that’s not all. It’s just all I have time for today. But rest assured, it’s not all I learned and loved to read about. Oh before I go, I have to include the man who used a paper clip to fix his pants. I suspect I will make this a regular feature because there’s just some things you all need to know.
Protected: Finish Lines & Paperbags May 22, 2007
Posted by brandy in advice, confession of the day, help, secrets, self improvement, shoes, what the hell, work.Enter your password to view comments
