Labels: Grace in Small Things

1. Dystopian literature
   
   I love reading and one of my favourite genres of literature is dystopian - books that look at a possible future of our society if certain elements are taken too far. Some of my favourites are The Handmaid's Tale and Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, 1984 by George Orwell, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. There are a few others that I want to read, such as A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller and The Chrystalids by John Windham. Does anyone else have a favourite dystopian novel I should add to my list?
   
   
2. Drama
   
   I love drama on a stage, but not in my life. One of my favourite things is going to an exceptional piece of live theatre and discussing it afterward. Though the more I'm exposed to exceptional theatre, the less tolerant I am of bad theatre, and unfortunately, there's a lot of that going around.
   
   I'm also an emerging playwright. I've written a piece that was published on the regional CBC radio station, written and performed another piece at a showcase of new works at a professional theatre, and have a play that I'm writing as well (though that one has been on hold for awhile. I'll get to it eventually.) I'm getting involved in the provincial playwright's centre in the near future, so hopefully, that will inspire me to develop my work more.
   
   
3. Damsels in Distress
   
   I recently became involved in a local animal rescue organization. A coworker was on the board and would distribute the organization's newsletter to all of us. The first time I got it, I was horrified. It was cluttered, heavy on tiny print, and disorganized. As a communications professional, I could see that their written materials were holding them back and giving the impression that they were amateurish. I offered my expertise to help them get with the times and move to electronic communications. I ended up running their new Facebook page, creating an email distribution list and getting them to start an e-bulletin.
   
   I promised myself that this was all I would do for them, but before I knew it, I was sucked in further. A very sweet kitten was found freezing and starving on the streets and all of the organization's foster homes were full. Before I knew it, I had Daisy Hitler Toes (can you tell I named her?) staying in my spare room. She was adopted within two weeks and then there was another sweet cat who was rescued from the subzero Saskatchewan deep freeze. And now, Peaches (can you tell I didn't name her?) is my new boarder.
   
   
   She is up for adoption, in case you were wondering (hint, hint).
   
   
   
   What can I say, I'm a sucker for damsels in distress, particularly in feline form.
   
   
4. Drifting off
   
   Sleep is one of my favourite things in the world. I need a good 8-10 hours to be the most fabulous version of myself and do not deal well when I go through periodic bouts of insomnia. It's hell.
   
   I spent an insane amount of money on a premium mattress but I don't regret it for a second. The coziness of curling up with a feather duvet on my pillow top and (one of my three cats or my dog) is totally worth it.
   
   
5. Dog
   
   Speaking of which, my dog is awesome because most of the time, she thinks she's a cat and curls up quietly in your lap. She has also converted every dog-hater I know (including myself) into a dog-lover (or at least a lover of her.) She's a complete love sponge, just so sweet and earnest that you can't help but be sucked in by her. And she only weighs seven pounds, so if she launches herself at you, it's more amusing than annoying.
   
   
   
   Yeah, you know you want it.
   
   
   
6. Demented humour
   
   I love South Park. I think it's one of the most brilliant social commentaries out there. They are always pushing the envelope of decency and what's acceptable on television and it makes me laugh almost every time.
   
   
7. Drinking
   
   I don't really drink, aside from the occasional glass of red wine (which I make myself, and it is faaaantastic.) But I am a total tea junkie. I drink 4-6 cups of it a day - green and white during the day and rooibos at night. I've gotten into premium loose teas lately and am hooked. My favourite is a Swiss chocolate rooibos that has real pieces of cocoa in it. Heavenly.
   
   
8. Drugs
   
   I suffer from a depressive disorder that runs rampant in my family. My depressions seemed at first to be reactions to specific circumstances, such as an abusive work situation or a really bad breakup. But over the past two years, they have started happening for no real reason, and have been triggered by seasonal changes.
   
   It's been difficult, but I've had to face the reality that I do have a genetic disorder. Lately, I've been doing some research on the link between childhood epilepsy (that I had until I was seven years old) and adult mood disorders. It has helped me realize that in my case, it really is a brain disorder rather than a response to external circumstances.
   
   Drugs are good. Drugs make life manageable and me a functional member of society who can actually get out of bed in the morning. I didn't always feel this way, but I have come to accept that I need me my drugs, and that's okay. It doesn't make me a weaker person or some kind of nutjob who can't deal with everyday life.
   
   Of course, drugs aren't the only answer. I'm careful to manage my stress, think positively, avoid negative people and situations, take my supplements daily, exercise, and use my SAD light during the darker winter months.
   
   However, that being said, Yay drugs!
   
   
9. D cups
   
   Boobs are great. D cups are even better. I don't mind it when I gain a little weight, because my Cs grow to Ds with just a few pounds. And they're fun to play with.
   
   
10. Dressing up
    
    I love dressing up to go out - cute dresses, shoes, necklaces and makeup, all that girly stuff, is a lot of fun and a great juxtaposition to the casual stuff I wear on a daily basis. I haven't been doing it a lot lately (because I've been struggling with depression and getting my happy drugs in the right balance), but when I get that under control, lose a few pounds and become a C cup again, I'll be able to fit into all my cute little outfits and have the energy to get back out on the town.
    
    
11. Diva
    
    I know the list says ten things, but this one's a bonus. I love Diva, and I can't wait until mid-March when I get to go up to Cosmopolos to see her and go to the musical Chicago. It will be a blast.
    

Labels: depression, Grace in Small Things, Madam Diva, meme, performance, pets

Labels: feminism, sex

1. The day before Valentine's Day, a friend who plays in the symphony gave me two free tickets for the V-day concert. I had been interested in the concert, as it features opera (my fave) but didn't have the cash to go, or anyone to go with.
   
   
2. On the off chance that she may be free, I called my friend Nat to see if she wanted to go. I expected she would already have plans, as she is quite the social butterfly. But she didn't, and we both suddenly had a very hot date for V-day!
   
   
3. We went for some very tasty Thai food before the concert, and Nat gave me a sweet card and some chocolate, because I was her Valentine. Awwww.
   
   
4. The concert was amazing - the baritone soloist was not only talented, but also very animated and funny. We alternated between giggling at his antics and picking our jaws off the floor at his and the symphony's talents. Wow.
   
   
5. In our city, the symphony isn't at all stuffy - it's quite cool. The conductor has a great sense of humour and really draws in young people. Which means when something is really great (as it was more than once last night), people don't just clap politely. Some of us hoot and holler. Nat and I got more than one dirty look from the stuffy old lady sitting in front of us. Which means, at least in one person's eyes, that we're not responsible 33-year-olds with bills and full-time careers. We're rowdy, young, inappropriate, trouble-making whippersnappers. Which is just awesome, and made us throw in just a few more shrill "whoooooo"s for her benefit.

Labels: Grace in Small Things, superstar