Lah dee dah, Lah dee dee

Certain family members (who shall remain nameless) have been quite vocal over the years that not only can I not sing, I have no musical talent whatsoever and every other family member is also completely devoid of any musical talent. Well, yet again I have proof that these discouraging claims are completely false. I am glad that I have listened to certain musical friends who have always convinced me that everyone can sing, including me, and I'm really not all that horrible.

I had my choir audition today and the director didn't run screaming from the room. Not only that, he said I AM MUSICAL and that my tuning in my upper range is pretty much spot-on! Surprisingly, he also said I more of a soprano than an alto-- I can actually go quite high up. So I am an Alto 1. I start rehearsing with the choir tomorrow night and I'll have a few one-on-one sessions with the director to work on my rough spots and bring me up to speed with the rest of the choir before I start singing on Sundays.

On another note, I have to now confess that I found compact flourescent lightbulbs for chandelier bulbs. Eight bucks a bulb. Darn. Oh well--I still don't like the government legislating things like this-- get all those SUVs off the road and invest in developing and promoting some of those alternative fuels that are out there.... I better stop, I don't want to rant :)

Patron Saints

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/indexsnt.htm
I had no idea there were so many patron saints. You can find a saint for pretty much everything--from being a student to having a stiff neck. Every imaginable occupation, disease, emotion, location and situation of life. Including different kinds of weather. The list is huge and I decided to check it out and see what applied to me. Well, you would think that with so many patron saints applicable to my life, I would lead a charmed life!

For my fibro symptoms I can chose from the following saints:
Abdominal Pain: Agapitus , Charles Borromeo , Emerentiana, Erasmus , Liborius
Arm Pain: Amalburga
Depression: Amabilis, Benedict Joseph Labre, Bibiana, Christina the Astonishing, Drogo, Dymphna, Eustochium of Padua, Fillan, Giles, Job, Margaret of Cortona, Maria Fortunata Viti,
Medard, Michelina, Osmund, Raphaela, Romanus of Condat, Veran
Stiff Joints: Werenfridus
Stiff Neck:Ursicinus of Saint-Ursanne
Feet: Peter the Apostle, Servatus
Headaches: Acacius, Anastasius the Persian, Bibiana, Denis, Dionysius the Aeropagite,
Gerard of Lunel, Gereon, Pancras, Stephen the Martyr, Teresa of Avila, William Firmatus
Knees: Roch
Migraine: Gereon, Severus of Avranches, Ubaldus Baldassini
Pain: Madron
Sickness/Bodily Ills: Alphais, Alphonsa of India, Angela Merici, Angela Truszkowska, Arthelais,
Bathild, Bernadette of Lourdes, Camillus of Lellis, Catherine del Ricci, Catherine of Siena, Drogo,
Edel Quinn, Elizabeth of the Trinity, Gerard of Villamagna, Germaine Cousin, Gorgonia, Hugh of Lincoln, Isabella of France, Jacinta Marto, John of God, Julia Billiart, Julia Falconieri, Juliana of Nicomedia, Louis IX, Louise de Marillac, Lydwina of Schiedam, Maria Bagnesi, Maria Gabriella, Maria Mazzarello, Marie Rose Durocher, Mary Ann de Paredes, Mary Magdalen of Pazzi, Michael the Archangel, Our Lady of Lourdes, Paula Frassinetti, Peregrine Laziosi, Philomena, Rafka Al-Rayes, Raphael the Archangel, Romula, Syncletica, Teresa of Avila, Teresa Valse, Tantellini, Terese of the Andes, Therese of Lisieux

For my interest and life situations:
Academics: Brigid of Ireland, Catherine of Alexandria , Nicholas of Myra, Thomas Aquinas
Archaeology: Damasus, Helen, Jerome
Art:Catherine of Bologna
Canada: Anne, George, Isaac Jogues, John de Brébeuf, Joseph, Mary of the Hurons, Our Lady of the Cape
Cats: Gertrude of Nivelles
Computer Users: Isidore of Seville
Driving: Christopher, Elijah the Prophet, Frances of Rome, Sebastian of Aparicio
Girls from the country: Germaine Cousin
Single Women: Agatha, Alodia, Bibiana, Emiliana, Flora of Cordoba, Gudule, Julitta, Margaret of Cortona, Martha, unilo, Praxides, Syncletica, Tarsilla, Zita
Musicians: Benedict Biscop, Cecilia, Dunstan, Genesius of Rome, Gregory the Great, Notkar Balbulus, Paul the Apostle
Unattractive People: Drogo, Germaine Cousin
Poverty: Agostina Pietrantoni, Anne, Armogastes, Bernadette of Lourdes, Cuthman, Germaine Cousin, Julia Billiart, Macrina the Elder, Marguerite Bourgeous, Margaret of Castello, Maria Fortunata Viti, Maria Gabriella, Maria Goretti, Marie of the Incarnation, Martin of Tours, Pauline-Marie Jaricot, Regina, Saturus
Teaching: Catherine of Alexandria, Francis de Sales, Gregory the Great, John Baptist de La Salle, Ursula
Universities: Contardo Ferrini, Infant Jesus of Prague, Joseph Calasanz, Thomas Aquinas
Spinsters: Andrew the Apostle, Catherine of Alexandria, Nicholas of Myra
Wordsmiths/Writers/Authors: Francis de Sales, John the Apostle, Lucy, Paul the Apostle
Artists: Angelico, Catherine of Bologna, Luke the Apostle, Michael the Archangel

I also found patron saints for my family, such as: unruly and disappointing children, dairyworkers, cows, cattle, farmer, doctor, teacher, journalist, large families, married women, mothers, fathers, children, etc.

Now, I should mention that I personally don't believe in praying to the saints. I believe that all people who have established a personal relationship with God have direct access to Him and don't need any dead people to intercede for them. But it's still interesting to see all the different things that have patron saints and to read about these people and what they've done.

And no, I'm not procrasinating on studying! Hmmm,I wonder who the patron saint of procrastinators is?

Bright Ideas

Now that Australia has decided to ban incandescant light bulbs, Ontario politicians are thinking this is a good idea. In a way it is-- it should reduce energy consumption. But personally, I think this is a HORRIBLE idea. First off, I resent the state deciding how I can light my home--it seems like a colossal waste of political energy and is just a little too-much infringement on personal choice for my taste (much like the idea that is bandied about regarding banning smoking in cars or homes where there are children--stop it all ready!!!). Secondly, I hate it because there is a reason people (including myself) still use 'old-fashioned' light bulbs: the light is better! Florescent lights trigger migraines; make annoying, high-pitched buzzing noises which are almost imperceptible but not quite; they don't work with dimmer switches; as far as I've seen, they don't come in the wide variety of sizes and shapes that incandescants do; and they give off a nasty glaring light. Florescent lights give me headaches, literally. I much prefer the softer light from incandesants--perhaps all migraine-sufferering and super-sensitive people can unite and launch a human-rights action? Anyone who thinks florescent lights are so wonderful can spend an hour in B105 in Togo Salmon Hall at 8.30 in the morning.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/living-green/lightbulbs.html

Second Post in One Day

Two posts in one day... clearly I'm procrastinating on something (Greek?) or I'm just in such a good mood I need to share it.

Today feels like New Year's. I went to the noon service at the cathedral--seeing as I didn't go Sunday and this is, after all, Ash Wednesday--and found it rather enlightening. Coming from the baptist background, I'm not as familiar with some of these holidays and celebrations the Anglican church has, so this was actually the first time I have ever gone to an Ash Wednesday service. The sermon was quite good--talking about this being a time for personal repentenance and how during Lent (the 40 days leading up to Easter) we are looking forward to Palm Sunday and Easter. And Ash Wednesday brings us full circle to Palm Sunday because the ashes theys smear on your forehead (if you choose) are from last year's palm branches.

Adding to the feeling of new year and renewal is the gorgeous weather we have yet again today. It is amazing how much the slushbanks have melted away and there are patches now where grass is actually showing through! No guarantee that we've seen the last of winter, but it is oh, so hopeful of spring!

Also adding to the newness is my decision to continue with the Anglican church for now--I've been going there a year come this Good Friday--and perhaps even joining their choir. They are looking for people to join. As I read the notice in the leftover bulletin from Sunday, after deciding to continue with the Anglican church, my heart leapt at the chance to help create good choral music. So I've emailed my inquiry and we'll see what happens.

I did find out though that CC, the Cathedral Cat I saw the very first time I went to the cathedral, died of old age.

Muggs is getting restless-she's starting to swat at my fingers as I type--so I shall stick her outside for a while. Her coat is so gorgeous with all this brushing that she keeps asking for that I've decided not to supplement her food with fish oil. She is back to her sleek, soft self and nowhere near as dry as she used to be. I suspect the brushing has helped with this, and perhaps the change in the weather as well.

Spring is in the Air

Lent has crept up on me this year. Hard to believe it's almost Easter. Now, I'm not a big Lent person--I don't go in for giving stuff up, although I certainly don't disparage those who do. I think it's a personal choice thing, and as its something Baptists don't do I've never done it. It's been almost a year since I started going to the Cathedral on-and-off--I first went Good Friday. I remember it because I saw a cat in the cathedral and thought I was hallucinating. But at any rate, as this is Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent and reading week (so I don't have classes today), I think I'll head over to the noon service and hope it's the Lenten service.

Perhaps its not so hard to believe that Easter is just around the corner. We've had a few mild days and the snowbanks (or slushbanks, as I'm in the city) have been melting. I've been in a rather springy mood for the most part these past few days. The blue skies and sunshine have certainly helped. I guess because we only got our first snow storm a week ago it's awfully hard to believe that spring will be here shortly...

How To Study For Greek Midterm

4 friends
3 hours
2 pizzas
1 sentence actually translated
1/2 bottle of wine

Ah, very good times. I missed out on study groups like this my first time around. Even if not much studying actually went on. At least we are all up to date on the gossip--real or fictional. Somehow with my group of friends, one person says something and another person takes part of it in a completely bizarre direction.

Or, I could put it this way:

Greek Text: $40
Two pizzas: $16
Finishing off a bottle of wine left by the ex, with a group of friends while studying--priceless.

And for the record, Muggs is much more sociable than some people would have you believe. She hid out for a while, watching us from the safety of the fridge, but eventually she warmed up and came and wandered around us sitting on the floor. She decided to cuddle up with me and purr for a while.

One of my friends convinced me to sign on to facebook (www.facebook.com) which is like a sort of giant online yearbook for students. It makes this blog look old-fashioned. I had protested joining, saying that I was an old person, etc, but I finally succumbed to it. Although I'm quite content with my old-fashioned blog...

Irony

Just occured to me that the 14th--Valentine's Day--was the one-month mark of all the horribleness. Oh, the bitter irony.

Longing for Springtime and Tulips

The sun is shining in a bright, cloudless blue sky. The temperature is milder. Spring is very definitely in the air, and I'm impatient for it to show up! I want to be digging the garden, sketching outside and enjoying all the wonders and glories of spring. But since I can't speed up the weather, I bought myself a double bouquet of tulips--a dozen white, a dozen yellow. When they've opened up I'll paint a lovely picture of them and have them forever.

I was out and about today, doing some shopping even though it is Sunday. I needed to get out of the apartment and I had errands that needed doing, so I did them. I spent a little on myself and Muggs-- Muggs has a non-fascinating new toy and I got some gorgeous scrapbooking papers to make spring and Easter cards. I rigged up a shallow wooden box--more like a tray--I got at the dollar store as a second bird feeder, but the birds aren't around today. Either my neighbour is home and has refilled his feeder or the birds aren't hungry anymore.

Muggs also got new litter. She was so excited about her litter she used her litter box before I got the litter in there. We seem to have great success with these pine sawdust pellets, and the poor kitty has been waiting three weeks for me to get her new litter. It smells quite nice in the bathroom now!

--no creative titles today--

Things at work are looking up--while the situation hasn't changed, there are steps I can take to improve things for everyone.

Took Muggs upstairs to visit the neighbour's cat, whom I've been taking care of for the past few days. Unfortunately Muggs was a little less than a gracious guest. But I hear her mommy isn't a very good guest, so I guess that's to be expected. We should both just stay home.

Congrats to DrBigSis for biting the bullet and getting herself ready to be hitched.

Very tired and sore today.

Slayer of Seven Mice

I, Muggs, am the slayer of seven mice and as such have duly earned the epithet Artemis. This is a record of my feats.

The first mouse I slayed under the bathtub and brought to my human as a gift. I left it on my human's sleeping body and it was greeted with great joy in the morning.

The second mouse I slayed I ate, and coughed up the remains on my human's bedroom floor. This served her right for leaving me for the weekend.

These mice were slayed in the fall, and I slayed no more mice until the winter snows were thick upon the ground, for no mouse dared to enter my abode. But then, with the heavy snow and freezing wind, a young mouse family dared to enter into the warmth of my queendom.

The third mouse I slayed I found cowering beneath the bathtub. This mouse I brought to my human as she lay sleeping in the small hours of the morning. I awoke her and entertained her with my valour as I chased the mouse through her blankets, sheets and pillows. Even when that mouse was slayed, I continued to entertain her by flinging the mouse and chasing it. My human earned this entertainment by staying out late on a Friday night.

The fourth mouse I slayed was the following night. Early in the morning I trapped him, and once again brought it on to my human's bed to entertain and delight her with my prowess.

The fifth mouse I slayed immediately upon the death of the fourth mouse. This, too, I brought on to my human's bed to display my talents, but I have kept the location of its body a secret from my enemies.

The sixth mouse I slayed was that same morning. This one, too, I brought to my human in the small hours of the morning as she tried to sleep and demonstrated for a third time that night my prowess.

The seventh mouse I slayed two days later. While my human was away, I stalked and captured this mouse. This mouse, too, I brought to my human's bed and I slayed it there, leaving it for my human's return.

I am Muggs Artemis, and this is a record of my feats.

Ick

I have some highly entertaining things to blog about but the thought of typing out that many words is a bit daunting at the mo. I have a midterm at 8.30 Monday--am working this weekend and have yet to really study. Feeling rather unwell. So, when I am better able to line words up in functional sentences, I will share my hilarious stories....

Anyone for a Skate?

For some perverse reason, known only to the powers that be, the city decided to 'bleed' the fire hydrant on my street a day or so ago. There is now a very smooth, long skating rink down one side of the street. If it were bigger (and if cars weren't parked on top of it) I could go skating. It's quite thick and I imagine it will be there until spring. No amount of (polluting) salt is going to make it go away. Except for the indents from the wheels of parked cars, it so wonderfully smooth and inviting for a skate.... What were they thinking? That water wouldn't freeze solid and slick in minus temperatures?

Uhoh, I'm Becoming Ranty

Okay, so my blog is becoming a little too ranty lately. Even if this does, as Molesworth suggests, turn out to be my 'annus horriblus' I still want to write funny stories for my readers. So I'm going to tuck the junk away for a while (be a turtle--that's my motto) and look for some funny stories. And if anything hilarious happens to you, please share! We can all use a good laugh at this time of year.

All I Want Is A Break

So, even though I live paycheque to paycheque and have to scratch to make tuition payments, car payments, rent payments, etc, the university has decided that I don't have any financial need so they aren't going to give me any money. What do they want, my diet reduced to cat food? The bills come in and the paycheque is gone, juts like that. I can't work more hours because of my health. I can't sell my car because I still owe far too much on it. I am so angry and upset over the financial aid system in place for students. Goverment loans are beyond my reach because they figure they've given me too much already and now the university decides I don't have financial need. Of course, it I pay them back $5,000 they will gladly loan me $2,000. I would threaten to leave but that wouldn't stir their icy cold hearts. Even if I did leave university, the loan payments would be almost as much as the tuition payments are now.

And to make it worse, I know of students who get their bursaries and then go shopping.

I just don't count.