Book reactions with Julie Wilson

On Thursday, the first-year CreComm students were given the opportunity to speak with Julie Wilson, author of Truly, Madly, Deadly: The Unofficial True Blood Companion and Book Madam.
She is the creator of the Seen Reading project, which she blogs about after every occasion. The Seen Reading project is:
-Julie sees someone reading a book, notes their appearance and reaction to what they're reading
-Julie makes note of what book they are reading and what page
-Julie goes to Indigo bookstore to find said book and read what the person was reading when they were reacting as they were.
-Julie blogs about said experience and normal people get their five minutes of fame

I think this blog is a really cool idea and I appreciated Wilson's recap of when she saw a woman reading A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews, which also happens to be my favourite book.

Wilson saw the woman become visibly upset with what she was reading, closing and petting the book and then reopening it to continue several times. Eventually the woman became so distraught with the book's content that she left. On the way out, Julie asked her if she was alright. And the woman responded with, "I'm fine. I just can't read this part [of the book] here."

Wilson remembered her excitement when going to read the book that had caused such a stir within that woman and how she felt when she got to that part of the book.
I suppose I'm not as emotional as some people when it comes to reading a book, since I know I didn't react to A Complicated Kindness like that woman. I may have taken a quick break when the story was escalating but I didn't put it down. Maybe this is because I don't go out in public to read or I have the emotional capability of a rock. I also don't really like to take long breaks from books that I'm reading. Once I start, I don't like to stop until its over.
No matter how emotionally stunted I might be compared to Upset Woman in the Coffee Shop, A Complicated Kindess remains my favourite book.

The Dog Days are Over

I don't think I will go as far as saying "I hate Valentine's Day" as I'm not entirely bitter or cynical and I do like a good festive occasion that I can go all out for.

But I really think the only Valentines Day that ever matters to a girl (this might just be me, since I can't speak for everyone) is the first one. From there you learn a lot about who your date is.
For instance, are they the partial romantic who gets you a card or flowers? Are they the typical male that wishes the day was never invented so they wouldn't have to shell out the dough and the extra time for dinner and a card (and make this very clear)? Are they the hopeless/forgetful that don't even realize that February 14th exists? Or is he the kind of ridiculously mushy guy that sends flowers to your work, makes secret plans, and gets you some kind of extravagant present?
OR is he the kind of guy that thinks that Valentines Day =too much pressure and stops all communication in the week leading up to the date and ends up hanging out with his buddies and some "good for a good time" girls on the night of.

I suppose it doesn't really matter what one person does on the imaginary romantic day of the year, whether it be disgustingly cute or sickeningly thoughtless, if you like the person every other day then it shouldn't matter. It is just one freaking day.

After the first VDay, then you will likely grow really comfortable with each other and not see the need in  going out to celebrate anyway. So, like I said, the only one that really matters is the first.

But, in case that doesn't mean anything to you, I will supply the Vday article I wrote for the Projector newspaper, if not for suggestions than for amusement purposes.

I suspect I'm starting to sound a little bitter about the whole occasion but I'm not. I'm actually going out to celebrate it myself with some of the most fantastic people a person could ever hope to meet.

8 ways to celebrate your Valentines Day
What your plans say about you

Indecisive planner: There are far too many options on a daily basis, never mind planning a date. And planning a date that will be discussed the next day around the water cooler is twice as intimidating. Luckily, Winnipeg has the answer if you don’t mind celebrating V-day a little early. It’s called Dine About Winnipeg, wherein 26 highly reviewed restaurants create a three-course dinner with a set price. This event runs from February 2-11.

Chocoholics: If you struggle to get the thought of eating that sweet cocoa bean out of your head, then put that half-frozen chocolate bunny from last Easter back in the freezer. Take your date out to Dessert Sinsations Café on Saint Mary Ave. Share the Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate cake, a cake so brown that even Shaft would blush.

Hopeless romantics: It’s countdown time. You’ve been planning for this over the last 365 days. You made reservations three months ago at 529 Wellington and the dozen red roses have been ordered. You have your Whitney Houston CD with the song 'I Will Always Love You' set to play in the white stretch stead that you booked. Now it’s a simple matter of finding yourself a date.

Predictable Marrieds: You remember just in time to pick up the phone and call the (tried, tested, and true) Keg. You were able to get your usual table by the window – the one that’s not too close to the kitchen but not too far from the washrooms. You already know what you’ll both order, steak sandwiches with mashed potatoes and asparagus. To you, love is knowing the other person inside and out.

Cynics: Eye roll.  Valentines Day was invented to further rob people of money and make single people feel poorly about themselves. And where would anyone expect a person with such disdain to dine out on Valentines Day, McDonald’s? Well they are wrong. This year, you’re going to order two Whopper meals. Your idea of romance is one drink with two straws.

Penny pinching students: Working part time in order to pay for school is really hard. School is expensive, and you can’t afford any luxuries to lavish upon your sweetheart. This year, you have the obligation to create your own custom menu and supply your own refreshments in order to create that chez soi ambiance. The real debate of the night will be Lucky vs. Brewhouse.

First Valentines Day couple: The pressure is on. According to Facebook records, your actions on Valentines Day will either make or break your relationship. So don’t be lame, show your date you’re trendy by taking them to Inferno’s Bistro on Des Meurons Ave. Inferno’s is also part of the Dine About Winnipeg event. When you dine at Inferno’s, it’s as though you’re telling your significant other, “I’m trying to impress you but I’m not breaking the bank in the process.”

Just friends: Gather up your rowdiest single friends and do one of two things. You could crash your friend the Hopeless Romantic’s meticulously laid out night. Or spend your evening at the King’s Head Pub buying drinks for strangers. Remember, just because your evening started off valentine-less, doesn’t mean you can’t have a happy ending.

$#!& My Cat Does- Post 2

 My cat is on a set meal schedule. He wakes us up at 6:00 a.m. to be fed breakfast and then go out side for his usual patrol around the yard, staking his dominance to all other wild animals (coyotes, cows, birds, you name it-he'll hiss at it.)

To see a visual of this, I implore you all to click on this link: Cat Patrol

Anyways, that part is irrelevant, I just wanted to paint you a picture of what Henry (AKA Hanky, Kiki, Kisses, Mr. Tuxedo, and the list could go on but I won't) does on a regular basis. Seriously, he could be in the military-if it weren't for his bum leg- because he operates like clockwork.

Moving on, I should mention that my little monster is on a strict diet of Friskies canned food (variety pack courtesy of Costco) and a little bit of dog food kibbles during th day. He likes a wide variety of ethnicity in his meals. His favourite of the canned food is Mariner's Choice. But I couldn't find it, so I provided a photo of the next best thing, in his opinion anyway.

His next meal is set to take place between 8 and 8:30 p.m. and its usually my dad that feeds him at night. I'll be honest, my dad feeds him all the time. But things got a little crazy at my house last night since my dad was out curling with his buddies. Curling is cool by the way.

When Henry was ready to eat and no one was around that wanted to feed him (I was holed up working on my Journalism assignment and my mother... lives by the rule "Do you own your pets or do they own you?") he craved vengeance. Or I assume he did and he knows he can achieve this by annoying those around him. 

In times of feeding strikes, as I'm sure my very militant feline refers to it, it is necessary to revolt. His way of doing this involves knocking over the vent cover and running through the air ducts under the floors. As I was working away I could hear this banging around happening in the floor above me so I went upstairs to investigate. As I entered the office to check on the little guy's status, he launched himself out of the vent and started performing running and jumping stunts around the house like it was his own personal jungle gym. (It is. I raised him that way as he is product of a broken home- long story). 

In closing, I would like to suggest an inquiry into the Friskies ingredients as it seems like it could be crack for cats. I don't often compare the luxuries of a small life to drugs, but I DID watch him climb up the curtains. This is unacceptable kitty behaviour, even for a little monster such as he.