Year End Wrap-Up

So this was a big year for me in some ways. I am finishing the year in a different job and in a different home than I began it in, and generally, I am very happy with both of these things. 

Favorite Things 2012

- the London Olympics.  This was definitely my favorite thing of the year.
- that Barack Obama won the election.
- finally getting a smartphone.  That shit is life changing.
- the ribs at Swiss Chalet.  Who knew???
- Ikea coming to Winnipeg.  And Famous Dave's.

Favorite Songs 2012

- Some Nights: Fun.  Hands down my favorite.
- Call Me Maybe: Carly Rae Jepsen
- We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together: Taylor Swift (dammit that girl puts out some catchy stuff)
- Girl On Fire: Alicia Keys
- I Love It: Icona Pop
- Diamonds: Rihanna

Favorite Movies 2012

- Hunger Games
- Ted (I never expected to enjoy anything from Seth Macfarlane)
- 21 Jump Street
- Safety Not Guaranteed (kind of hipster, but definitely charming)

Favorite New Shows 2012

- New Girl
- Ben and Kate

Stuff I'm Looking Forward To

- Target!!
- Django Unchained, The Hobbit, This Is 40, the next Hunger Games movie


I guess I don't have as much to say about this year as I did about last year!  Hope everyone has a wonderful, safe, and fulfilling 2013.  All the best :)



Settling dust

So after a crazy, hectic, stressful, and expensive October, I am moved and basically settled into my new place.  And it's perfect.  There's still more furniture I need, and I have nothing up on the walls, but things are good.  I am left wishing I hadn't waited so long to move.

Ikea is going to open it's first store in Winnipeg this week, and though I am an enormous fan of cheap modular furniture, kooky wall art and kitchen gadgets, I just can't bring myself to consider going the first couple months.  Even though I actually need furniture.  In Vancouver, we used to love going to Ikea, either in Richmond or Coquitlam.  And they were both always packed to the gills, any time of the day, any day of the week.  In places that are NOT decidedly cheap and bargain crazy like Winnipeg.  This city gets on the novelty of a new chain like Lindsay Lohan on her car keys after a bottle of Jack and a half dozen Vicodin.  When Swiss Chalet opened back up here again last winter, people were lined up into the parking lot in -20 something weather on a Wednesday night at 9.  For chicken.  It's....kinda sad.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have partnered with the province to produce a media campaign this month for domestic violence awareness.  It's a series of videos (my favorite starring my imaginary boyfriend Glen January) aimed at men, encouraging them to look at domestic violence as a men's issue, and not to be passive bystanders where domestic violence exists.  I am always appreciative of awareness campaigns that are aimed at those who are the most common perpetrators of crime (usually, but not always, men), not the victims or potential victims (usually, but not always, women).  Domestic violence campaigns should be aimed at men and changing patterns of behaviour, not at women telling them how to make escape plans and how to find legal advice (these things are obviously important, but don't fix the root of the problem: a violent individual).  Rape campaigns should be aimed at men and recognizing when things have gone too far and consent hasn't been given, not at women telling them to dress like nuns and abstain from alcohol and never let on that they might enjoy their sexuality.  This government PSA from England is incredibly difficult to watch, but is also incredibly effective and properly targeted.  Accountability for one's own actions is something I think is sorely lacking from the public discourse in regards to these issues.

I love Anthony Bourdain.  I don't remember when it started, but it's been going on for years.  I've read nearly all his books, I'm an avid follower of his TV shows, both No Reservations and The Layover, and will likely follow him to CNN for his new show there.  He's arrogant and rude and often fairly drunk, but he's also earnest and respectful and I have never seen him turn up his nose at something offered to him, no matter what or where.  In the episode he spends in Northern Quebec, some Inuit men take him out seal hunting, and when they return with their kill, the whole family sits around the seal on the kitchen floor, they cut into it, and eat it raw.  They offer Tony the eyeball, as he is the guest, and he doesn't so much as hesitate.  He takes it, pops it in his mouth, swallows and manages not to barf.  I have huge admiration for this.  However, I was watching the episode he did from the Vietnam central highlands last year, and something about it has stuck right in my craw.  He goes to visit some remote hill tribes, still practicing a more traditional way of life.  He takes his cameras there, he films whatever he sees.  And then proceeds to take issue with the fact that there are other white people there doing the same thing.  It went something along the lines of "The American military invaders are long gone, having been replaced by another kind of invader."  He then cuts to a shot of white tourists sitting on the floor of a hut, listening to a couple play instruments and sing.  Evidently, this particular tribe has been courting the tourist dollar with cultural displays and shows.  Tony goes on to say "The tourists come, they spend, they leave.  But what do they take with them?", the implication being that tourism is intractably affecting traditional ways of life, and that what the tourists "take with them" is culture and identity.  Which it may be.  It may not be.  But it sounds as though this is a choice the locals have made.  They are not obliged to be hospitable or accomodating to tourists, but they are clearly taking steps to promote and solicit it.  And is that not their right?  Because their "traditional ways of life" have lasted longer than others, are they obligated to maintain them forever, never changing or adapting?  And if Mr. Bourdain were truly so concerned with the exposure to outsiders these people are enduring, he might consider doing something besides putting them and their community on international TV.  What is he doing besides "coming, spending and leaving"??  Get off your high horse, asshole.


Anyways, that's just about all the ranting I've got in me for tonight.  Thank you for reading and have a wonderful week :)

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

The home stretch

Between the ages of 18 and 23, I moved around a LOT.  Off the top of my head, I'd say....around.....12 times.  No joke.  I didn't even always have a home for all of that (those parts were spent traveling, not being tragic). Moving didn't seem like a big deal, and I never felt really settled anywhere, so I didn't mind.  Then about 6 and a half years ago, I leased my current apartment, and have spent the meantime becoming almost too settled in my own little corner of the world.  The apartment was dirt cheap when I moved in, much bigger than what I had moved from, I loved my neighbourhood, and my neighbours were wonderful.  But flash forward to now, and while I still love the neighbourhood, the apartment is smaller than I'd like, the rent has increased by 60%, and lots of the wonderful neighbours have moved out and been replaced by inconsiderate, obnoxious Beavis-es.  So that being said, it's time to move.  Which in this city (with it's approximately 0.7 percent apartment vacancy rate) means converting to a somewhat feral, honey-badger-like state.  There's no seeing an apartment, and then thinking a couple of days before applying, you have to be ready to move on it right then.  I'm going to see a few places this week that I'm hopeful about, but in the back of my head I have this feeling that everything will just turn out as it's meant to.  The place I'm meant to have is the place I'll get.  

I'm thus far underwhelmed with the new fall TV.  There were a bunch of shows I was excited to watch, and they've all turned out to be....shows I don't want to watch more than once (Mob Doctor, Partners, 666 Park Avenue, The Mindy Project-I had had particularly high hopes for that one.) Even the season premieres of shows I already love were disappointing (Parks & Rec, The Simpsons, New Girl).  I still have World Without End on the PVR, unwatched.  I'm afraid if I watch it, the whole fall season will be a wash.  Then I would have to like...read.  Or get hobbies.  Or something.

So, I have kind of a thing for older men.  I have as long as I can remember.  Sean Connery is a perennial favorite (pun intended?).  But Liam Neeson....oh my.  How he's 60 years old, I will never understand.  And it was for charity!  And he smells good!

 
Now for the political snippets!  Everyone's favorite!

- Justin Trudeau announced last week that he will run for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.  I think he might be the only one who can bring them back from the brink of obscurity.  I also think a resurgence of the Liberals is in the Canadian political best interest.  The more we become an NDP/Conservative dichotomy, the more we risk an "us vs. them" mentality, and becoming a divided nation like our beloved neighbours to the south.  Some TV political analyst pointed out that older people will vote for him because they remember his dad, and that younger people will vote for him because he's young and smiley.  Win-win.

- Speaking of which, some plucky Conservative asshole decided to open up a large and unnecessary can of worms by proposing to study feasibility of changes to the Criminal Code regarding when a fetus can be considered a "person", which by extension, could obviously threaten a woman's right to terminate an unwanted pregnancy.  It was struck down, fairly conclusively (203-91), but the fracking Minister for the Status of Women voted FOR it.  I'm frankly surprised this petition calling for her resignation only has 6100 signatures.

Anyways, I think that's about all.  For now.  Hope everyone is enjoying this gorgeous fall week :)




"That thing between your legs only turns into an elbow if you let it"

Post-Olympic Withdrawal (or How I Learned to Live Without a Constant Barrage of Sporting Events)

Deep breath.....big sigh.....So the London 2012 Olympics are officially over, and I'm a little bit heartbroken.  It's only been a day and I miss it soooooo much!  I woke up this morning and had zero reason to turn the TV on.  No excitement or news about medals or crashes or drama.  TSN was showing something about fishing, and a man appeared to be trying to make a fish ejaculate (he was rubbing it, stuff came spurting out, I don't wanna know).  I nearly cried.  It was awful.  The Olympics are such an inspiring, amazing, emotional, magical time (for me anyways.  I'm aware some people couldn't give a crap if they were paid to).  The following is just a collection of random reflections.  They don't tie together to form a cohesive whole.  I promise :)

I was disappointed with the selection of Christine Sinclair as Canada's flag bearer for the closing ceremonies.  I understand I am almost certainly in the minority here, but I just still feel her class and leadership were lacking after that loss to the U.S.  If I was Rosie MacLennan, Canada's LONE WINNER OF A GOLD MEDAL, who comported herself with nothing but sweetness and class throughout the Games (and incidentally, someone NOT under investigation and pending discipline from her governing body), I'd be pissed.  Except I think Rosie MacLennan is probably far nicer than me, and definitely too nice to think this way.

Speaking of lone gold medals, there has been speculation in the media about Canada's performance at the London games, and why there weren't more gold medals.  Well, it's likely because the most we've had at any single games in the past 20 years has been 3.  We're not a summer games nation, though apparently there are steps being taken to change this.  In the run-up to the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Canada launched a program called "Own The Podium", an umbrella program intended to groom and develop athletes to get to the top of their respective sport, through greater funding and access to resources such as nutritionists, physical therapists, coaches and specialists, sports psychologists, etc.  It has received some credit for Canada's earning more gold medals than any other nation at Vancouver 2010.  It is now under some scrutiny for the lack of gold medals in London.  But I think some very important stories get lost in the disappointment about a lack of hardware.  All the athletes who set personal bests, or even defied the odds to merely compete in their events at all.  The women's gymnastics team finished 5th in the team competition, the highest ever, behind gymnastic powerhouse nations such as the U.S, China, Russia, and Romania.  Pretty amazing.  Damien Warner, Canada's entry into the men's decathlon, set personal bests in ALL TEN EVENTS.  He finished 5th overall, but what more could anyone possibly ask from him?  Paula Findlay, a triathlete who was a gold medal threat until an unfortunate injury last year, competed in London and despite being in obvious pain, completed the entire race.  She finished 52nd out of 52 competitors, but she finished.  On a bad hip.  No one watching her cross the finish line could be anything but inspired and amazed.  So the medal count most certainly doesn't reflect the performance of the Canadian Olympic team as a whole.  Nor will the medal count be hastily fixed by a quick injection of cash.  If Canada wants better results, they have to be prepared for a long term investment.

Something else I got to thinking about while watching the Olympics as the events wore on, was the idea of what constitutes a sport.  During both the synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics competitions, watching these smiling, sparkling, heavily made-up girls doing breathtaking and acrobatic feats, I started thinking, anything based so much on aesthetic, and that comprises an artistic score component, is likely not a sport.  Which is not to take away from the incredible athleticism and skill these girls possess, or to suggest what they do isn't unbelievably difficult.  Because it is.  But are they sports where you should be able to win a medal over someone else because you looked prettier displaying your incredible athleticism?  In a word, no.  They are not.  In the same way dance, or yoga, or cheerleading are not sports.  Are they difficult?  Of course!  Do you need to be super fit and skilled?  Absolutely.  But they're not sports.  Thus I'm not sure I agree with their inclusion in the Olympics.

I don't have a real talking point to what I'm about to say other than just to make mention of it.  Women accounted for fully 50% of Canada's medals at the Olympics this time, and I hope this in some way encourages little girls to get (and stay) involved with sports.  I was hugely involved in sports in high school, and it's just so hugely beneficial in the right environment.

In watching the opening ceremonies 2 weeks ago, there was a very, very small group that marched in under the Olympic, rather than a national, flag, and it sparked a great deal of curiousity.  They were termed "Independent Olympic Athletes", who came from nations whose Olympic Committees were either dissolved, or in the case of Guor Marial, a marathon runner from South Sudan, not yet formed.  It's a truly inspirational story amongst many at the Olympics, and is just such a shining example of perseverance and principle.  I had said to my mother while we were chatting about the Olympics that I have NO idea what constitutes a good marathon time, or if he had any chance of contending for a medal, but I said it would just be lovely if he was able to finish.  And he did, in 47th place, with a time of 2:19:32.  Awesome.

Also, I LOVED the Spice Girls at the closing ceremonies.  That was about all I loved, but I loved it a lot.

Hope you all have a wonderful week, and are dealing with your post-Olympic existence as best you can :)

Gasp! Olympic disappointment!

I realize what I'm about to say could be slightly polarizing, but here it is. As a Canadian, and a huge Olympic fan, obviously I was disappointed by the results of the women's soccer game against the U.S.  We're not known as a strong soccer nation (yes, yes hockey is more our thing), and the ladies scrapped their way all the way to that semi-final game.  What made it even worse was losing it to the U.S, which we kinda hate.  And unfortunately, we lost in concert with some questionable officiating.  What was even more disappointing than all of this, was the reaction of the Canadian team (and coach) in the media.  Anyone who watched that game or knows soccer knows some of the calls made against Canada were shady.  The players know they were shady.  Other officials I'm sure found them less than legitimate.  But there is nothing to be gained by alluding to the media that the game was fixed and the result soooooo unfair.  It's not how internationally competitive athletes deal with adversity, and it makes the team look like whining, sour-grapes, poor losers.  Bitching to the media will not get the result overturned, or suddenly move you forward to the gold medal game, or send a big neener-neener the way of the US.  If the questionable calls had gone the other way, would you be wondering out loud later if the match was rigged?  No.  You'd be saying you worked hard and earned your victory. Christine Sinclair even went so far as to sarcastically criticize the referee's conduct as being "real classy." Oh the irony is so delicious it must be fattening. Of course emotions were high, and the disappointment was huge.  We all felt it.  The team poured their heart into that game, and Christine Sinclair was masterful, scoring all 3 of Canada's goals.  But leave the naked speculation to people in the stands, or in their living rooms.  Members of the Canadian team now face possible discipline from FIFA, soccer's governing body, but after they play the bronze medal game against France.  It was a poor day for sportsmanship as it reflected on our country, the consequences of that remain to be seen I suppose.

 

Just like Christmas :)

We have come upon Miz Becca's very favorite time of year (well, technically every 2 years): The Olympics.  Summer or winter, I love them both, there are just more events I get excited about in the summer ones. My personal favorites are gymnastics, beach volleyball, synchronized diving, trampoline, water polo, and swimming (though towards the end of the week, one truly has had enough of it).  My least favorite stuff to watch includes boxing (my grandmother would be so disappointed), cycling of any variety, but particular the long distances, tennis, and equestrian (I'm sure just because I don't understand it).  Racewalking makes me want to wet my pants, it's so hilarious to watch.  Which is not to suggest I think there's not a HUGE amount of athleticism involved in it (these people walk MUCH faster than a lot of people jog), they just look like a cluster of Gumbies while doing it.  And the color commentary is to DIE for ("What a brilliant display of walking!!!!").  Anyways I'm currently too engrossed in the men's 10,000 metres to write something as involved as I would normally do in this circumstance, so I've elected to go with a bullet-point list (in no particular order) of things that have particularly plucked my Olympics heartstrings:

- watching the women's 10,000 metres and seeing the Ethiopians and Kenyans start to lap the white people (this was more amusing than heartwarming)

- the first gold won by a Canadian athlete, Rosie McLennan on the trampoline. Such a sweetheart.

- the amazing finish by the Canadian women's gymnastics team.  They've never qualified for a team final before, and they finished 5th. Amazing.

- the fact that there's a Chinese trampolinist named Dong Dong.  For real.

- Gabby Douglas winning the all around gold medal in women's gymnastics. A fierce competitor, and a smile that could light up the world.  

- This Ryan Lochte article.

- Jessica Zelinka's abs.  And arms.  Seriously.

 - the Canadian women's soccer team putting on such an amazing show, even knocking out the hosting British.


- the Royal family showing up at SO many events!  I love William and Kate, they've so put a new and improved face on the Royal institution.

- South African swimmer Chad Le Clos' father giving this interview to the media. It just really reminds you how many people support and love and sacrifice for the athletes who end up competing in the Olympics.


- CTV's Difference Maker video about Dylan Armstrong and his Russian coach Anatoly Bondarchuk.  They were making dinner together, Dylan making this huge plate of roasted vegetables, and his coach taking a steak, dousing it in vodka and cooking it almost black.  A little too Russian lol


- 80,000 people singing along to God Save The Queen as Jessica Ennis won her gold medal in women's heptathlon.  Goosebumps.

- South Africa's Oscar Pistorius not only competing, but advancing in, the men's 400 metres. It's so remarkable, and he's so patient and sweet continually answering the same bloody questions from the media over and over again.

 

- And perhaps my favorite of all, US swimmer Nathan Adrian.  I don't see what all the fuss about Ryan Lochte is.

 This is in no way everything amazing I've seen or read about, but it's the highlights so far.  I hope you are all enjoying the Olympics and getting swept up in your respective country's fervent nationalism for another week ;)

Sum-sum-summertime :)

So after a slow start to the summer, the sunshine and heat are finally here!  Time for the Ex (well it's passed now), and walks down Corydon, and trips to the beach, and Fringe plays, and Folklorama, and football games, and sunburns, and drinks on the patio, and flipping the bird to all those who rejoice when winter comes and the weather starts to suck.  Summer is my absolute favorite.  

Has anyone else seen these new Pizza Hut commercials for their new "signature pizzas" you can only have if you dine in?  Some guy in the back pretending they make their pizza dough from scratch, and some insufferable girl out front perpetrating the ruse that Pizza Hut is staffed exclusively by perkiness?  Firstly, who the hell goes to Pizza Hut anymore???  And secondly, does this commercial not give off a stink of desperation?  It centres around Pizza Hut trying to launch these new pizzas with "signature toppings" such as shrimp and BBQ chicken.  If I had to say what I thought Pizza Hut's "signature topping" was, I'd have gone with....trans fats.  And then perky server brings the pizza out and pretends to give a pizza to a kid saying "And YOU get the spicy one-just kidding! Heeheehee!".  I'm sure that family is sitting there lighting up and thinking "Jesus Murphy, we are going to tip the CRAP out of this one!"


True Blood is 4 episodes into season 4, and I have to say, I'm having a hard time getting into it (spoilers may appear from here on out).  Who cares what happened to Terry in Iraq??  Why is Lafayette turning into a Latin demon and casting spells??  Why haven't we seen Jesus again??  Why isn't Bill and Eric's search for Russell Edgington going any fricking faster??  I can't help but feel this show is on the downslide.  Which saddens me greatly.  I guess in a way that was what was great about when Sex & the City was on HBO, they could have gone on for years and done fine in terms of ratings, but they quit after 6 seasons while the show was still entertaining and fresh.


On Friday me and my best gal trotted off to see Magic Mike.  There were even fewer men in the audience than there are at Twilight movies.  Now I have seen my share of male strippers (and probably several other peoples' shares as well), but I was mainly going to see Joe Manganiello (aka Big Dick Richie aka Alcide from True Blood).  SPOILER: Much to my chagrin, he's barely in it.  I think he has one line :(  Channing Tatum though, holy Moses the man can dance.  What's surprised me though is that the movie has gotten surprisingly good reviews  Although I thought the dancing and sweaty naked male flesh were fantastic, I thought the plot/story were weak, and the female lead was even weaker.  Perhaps even Roger Ebert can be swayed by a 99% naked Matthew McConaughey ;)  Who I must say, at age 42, is still looking hot even by guys-in-their-20's standards.

But this is the REAL reason I've been waiting for this movie:

Anyways, I kept it pretty light and fluffy this go-round.  Hope you're all having a terrific start to your summer!