This gives me great joy!

Do me a favour, okay? Watch this video in High Resolution (the HQ box at the bottom of the video, by the volume control), and turn up the volume too.

Then watch the sheer joy spread across the faces in the crowd.

This is for you, now pass it on.

This has been floating around the blogisphere and facebook for a little while now. I've seen the posts and resisted thus far because I was worried I might not be able to hold up to my end of the bargain. But you know what? I think I can!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

• What I create will be just for you; and you will have no clue what the item is going to be.
• I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
• You will receive your item before the end of the year (Dec. 31st/09) - exactly when will be a surprise. It could be a story, a collage, cupcakes, a bracelet or something else entirely.
• I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
• In return, you must post this text into a note/blog post (or another method) of your own and make 5 things for 5 others. You are supposed to also let me know so I am reassured that you didn't cheat.
  

It's a fun concept. So, here it goes....

Found!

Two boxes of books from my undergrad days! Hooray! I've been looking for these books since I've been back in Nova Scotia, but couldn't find them. As it turns out, they were packed carefully in boxes and tucked safely away - so safe, they weren't found until now!

Opening these boxes was like Christmas all over again! They're mostly books from my undergraduate degree in English Literature, and a few books from my childhood. The children's books are some of my favourites that I pulled out of boxes years ago in 3rd and 4th years, with the idea of using them for my Children's Literature classes.

So, here are the favourites found in these 2 boxes:

1. How to Make Pop-Ups by Joan Irvine. My favourite craft book as a child and I've often wondered where it disappeared to. It would be a really fun activity for my "Little" and I to do together.
2. Maggie Muggins & Mr. McGarrity by Mary E. Grannan. The first chapter book I remember reading all by myself. I don't remember the story at all so I'm half-tempted to reread it.
3. The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiesen. A book from my Writer & Nature (I) class. This came to mind recently as I've been reading through Three Cups of Tea. Both books are about self-discovery in the moutains, and reference the same moutaineers.
4. Tales of Terror books. My last year of University I took a Tales of Terror course. It was one of the most difficult courses in my academic career, but the subject matter was one of my favourite. I mean, c'mon, who WOULDN'T love reading all the gothic classics. And every once in awhile - usually during a storm - I have a craving to reread one.

I spent some time this evening finding new homes for these strays. I still have a bit of room left, but may have to consider another bookshelf eventually.

An Engineer's Guide to Cats

Corporal cuddling....tee hee hee!

I [heart] my grandma !

It's true! Graffiti spotted near Lower Water Street, Halifax.

Ha Ha!

How do you like your shreddies?

The Great Wall of China

I had always meant to take a photo of this, but never seemed to have my camera on me when I thought of it. Well, I did this time, so I snapped a couple of quick photos. I've always loved this display, possibly because I'm a huge fan of china (it runs in the family!).

If you find yourself in Toronto, at the William Ashley store on Bloor & Balmuto, be sure to gaze at this beautiful marvel.

Anyway, there you go. A little bit of randomness for the day.

"We value your opinion"

I just filled out the most ridiculous survey! A Gallup survey for HomeOutfitters.
I was asked to rate the following questions by how much I agree/disagree:

• I feel proud to be a Home Outfitters customer. Proud?? Of what?
  
• Home Outfitters is the perfect store for people like me. Perfect for what?
  
• I can’t imagine a world without Home Outfitters. Isn't that a bit extreme? I've only just started shopping at Home Outfitters, so my answer is strongly disagree! I can imagine a world without H.O. because for the last 28.5 years I've lived in that world. And lived happily.
  
• Associates throughout the store made me feel like someone important. Do I NEED Associates to make me feel important? I'm pretty sure not!
  
• The merchandise displays showed me how to put an entire stylish package together. Why? Because I can't have my own style? I need the store to tell me what's stylish?
  
• The cashier made me feel like a guest. Well, they didn't serve me tea and cookies, if that's what you mean?
  
• My purchase was handled by the sales associate in a caring manner as if it were their own purchase. So you mean they should really care about the tea infuser I bought?

These are very strange questions in my opinion!

Random question # 1

How do people in Montreal still get fooled with random acts of craziness?


I just finished watching Just for Laughs Gags and they really cracked me up! Sometimes I can watch them without cracking a smile because they're just stupid, and not funny at all. Tonight I watched them and I was beside myself with laughter.


And then I started wondering......

I've seen so many episodes now (not that I watch them religiously, but they've been on TV regularly for years), that I would almost expect funny/strange/crazy things happen if ever I find myself in Montreal during the summer. So, how do the people of Montreal still get fooled? Do they not watch the show? The Gags people must be swarming the city. Can't they spot a hidden camera and staged gag a mile away by now?

Just a thought.