Went downstairs to a pretty funny sight last night. We'd let two of our rabbits, Fawn and Timmy, out of their cage for their usual evening runaround, and Timmy - inexplicably - managed to up-end a plastic basket over himself. So when I walked into the room, I found this basket scooting around on the floor, seemingly of its own volition. Luckily, my camera was handy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pzUL5o6NXI
Poor Timmy. He's got a big heart, but his lack of brains meant he never did figure out how to extricate himself from beneath that basket. We had to remove it from him, once we'd finished having a giggle and decided the poor fella had had enough. Bless his demented little heart.
17 May 2008
11 May 2008
The Producers
Last night was our last show of the season at Neptune. My mother joined us for the weekend, and we saw The Producers. It was great - one of the best all-round musicals I've ever seen, and certainly the funniest. It was so politically-incorrect, yet so OTT, that I found myself cringing and laughing hysterically in turn. There were blatant stereotypes aplenty (Nazis, gays, Swedes...), and the show-within-a-show, Springtime for Hitler, was the craziest, most offensive and yet hilarious thing. You can't imagine the setpieces. A kick-line of goose-stepping SS officers! Chorus girls in glittery head-dresses shaped like pretzels and wurst! A cameo appearance by a tap-dancing Stalin! Awesome stuff. And a good thing, too - since next year's Neptune musical is going to be dismal. The playlist for the 2008-09 season was just announced a few weeks ago, and the choice? Disney's High School Musical. Oh gawd.
Afterwards, we dug deep into our pockets and went for dinner at Bish, on the waterfront. As it's been quite the trendy place for the last few years, I wondered if it might be more style than substance - but I was happily surprised. Both the food and the service were really very good, and it wasn't quite as expensive as I thought it might be. Would definitely return.
Afterwards, we dug deep into our pockets and went for dinner at Bish, on the waterfront. As it's been quite the trendy place for the last few years, I wondered if it might be more style than substance - but I was happily surprised. Both the food and the service were really very good, and it wasn't quite as expensive as I thought it might be. Would definitely return.
05 May 2008
Sea Change
So, a significant development in our work lives over the weekend. On Saturday, A. tendered his resignation at the clinic where he has worked for the past four years. It has been a long time coming, and although it's a sad development, it's really for the best.
Fortunately, lack of income will not be a concern. Until A. finds a new position, the army will be happy to give him a desk job, and he's also planning to do some locum work with another vet. Hopefully, he'll also have time now to finish the landscaping work he began last fall, in the garden. All of this is good - and we're both looking forward to a better work arrangement for him, in the future.
Fortunately, lack of income will not be a concern. Until A. finds a new position, the army will be happy to give him a desk job, and he's also planning to do some locum work with another vet. Hopefully, he'll also have time now to finish the landscaping work he began last fall, in the garden. All of this is good - and we're both looking forward to a better work arrangement for him, in the future.
29 April 2008
Shhhhhh!
The Times reports that regular patrons of the British Library have been complaining bitterly of late that the Reading Rooms are overwhelmed with undergraduates these days. The whippersnappers reportedly spend much of their time chatting with their mates, texting, using Facebook, and studying with their own books, rather than consulting rare and obscure materials from the BL's massive collection.
Given that I practically lived in the British Library (in both its old and new locations) while I was a postgraduate student, I was particularly interested in this story - and can see both sides of the argument. On the one hand, there's no doubt that the BL has a rareified, elite atmosphere (that's part of its attraction) and the readers can be a stuffy and inflexible bunch. When I first started going to the BL, it was still in its glorious original location within the British Museum. In a very grudging concession to modernity, however, there were about ten desks in the hallowed Reading Room with a power outlet nearby. If, as I did, you had one of those newfangled laptop computer thingies, you had to get there early in the morning to snag a suitable desk space. In 1997, when the new BL opened in St. Pancras, these Luddite tendencies continued as we laptop users were sequestered into one section of the new Humanities Reading Room - where the apparently intolerable noise of our fingernails clicking away on keyboards wouldn't disturb the scholarly peace.
On the other hand, flinging open the doors of the BL to all and sundry in the name of "access" is completely impractical, as workspace is finite. The BL is a research library, and there's no doubt that the average undergraduate has absolutely no need of its collections. It seems the BL's administration would have us believe that there are suddenly more undergraduates working on specialised projects, which require consultation of material in the library's collection. But I was also a bit worried to read that the Library's directors now receive performance bonuses based on the number of people who come through the doors.
Coincidence? I doubt it. So you can add me to the list of stodgy, elitist old farts wanting to bar the door against the philistines. :-D
Given that I practically lived in the British Library (in both its old and new locations) while I was a postgraduate student, I was particularly interested in this story - and can see both sides of the argument. On the one hand, there's no doubt that the BL has a rareified, elite atmosphere (that's part of its attraction) and the readers can be a stuffy and inflexible bunch. When I first started going to the BL, it was still in its glorious original location within the British Museum. In a very grudging concession to modernity, however, there were about ten desks in the hallowed Reading Room with a power outlet nearby. If, as I did, you had one of those newfangled laptop computer thingies, you had to get there early in the morning to snag a suitable desk space. In 1997, when the new BL opened in St. Pancras, these Luddite tendencies continued as we laptop users were sequestered into one section of the new Humanities Reading Room - where the apparently intolerable noise of our fingernails clicking away on keyboards wouldn't disturb the scholarly peace.
On the other hand, flinging open the doors of the BL to all and sundry in the name of "access" is completely impractical, as workspace is finite. The BL is a research library, and there's no doubt that the average undergraduate has absolutely no need of its collections. It seems the BL's administration would have us believe that there are suddenly more undergraduates working on specialised projects, which require consultation of material in the library's collection. But I was also a bit worried to read that the Library's directors now receive performance bonuses based on the number of people who come through the doors.
Coincidence? I doubt it. So you can add me to the list of stodgy, elitist old farts wanting to bar the door against the philistines. :-D
16 April 2008
Hitting the Gym
After several months of consideration, I have decided to join a gym. It's quite a big step for me, as I've always maintained that I hate gyms. That said, my only real experience of them was the athletic centre of one of the universities here in Halifax. I used to go there semi-regularly as an undergraduate, to do step aerobics (which should tell you how long ago that was - how hopelessly passé). I never liked the damp, smelly locker rooms, nor the fieldhouse itself, not least because it had no private spaces for fitness classes. The facility had an elevated running track around its entire perimeter, which led to the not-very-nice experience of being watched, while one exercised, by men who were running laps around the track. Some were surreptitious in their glances as they went by, but others were quite blatant oglers, who would stop running, lean against the track railing with big grins on their faces, and enjoy the sight of all us ladies aerobicising.
So since that time, I've always avoided gyms, preferring to use exercise videos/DVDs at home instead. But exercise trends and venues change. Last year, I noted with interest that a women-only gym, GoodLife, had opened on the upper level of our local grocery store (?!). I liked the idea of an all-female facility, plus I've recently started weight training and I thought I might progress to using some professional weight equipment. Then two months ago, GoodLife dropped a leaflet through my letterbox, offering a two-week trial for $20. I decided to give that a go...and was quite surprised and impressed by what I found. It's a very well-kept facility, with nice change rooms, a good selection of equipment, and a full schedule of group fitness classes as well. I had an induction to the weight-machines circuit, and also learned how to use the treadmills and elliptical trainers. Finally, I tried three group classes - one cardio class with weights (which was very good but left my muscles in a world of pain for three days after), one cardio-dance class (who'dve thought I'd ever do The Robot in public?!), and one yoga/pilates/Tai Chi-hybrid class (in which I totally kicked ass...heh).
So, I've decided to give the gym thing a fresh start. A few weeks ago I met a woman who wanted out of her annual subscription, so I have taken over for the last five months of her membership (to the end of September). By then, I'll definitely know if I'll get good use out of it, and if gyms are really for me after all.
So since that time, I've always avoided gyms, preferring to use exercise videos/DVDs at home instead. But exercise trends and venues change. Last year, I noted with interest that a women-only gym, GoodLife, had opened on the upper level of our local grocery store (?!). I liked the idea of an all-female facility, plus I've recently started weight training and I thought I might progress to using some professional weight equipment. Then two months ago, GoodLife dropped a leaflet through my letterbox, offering a two-week trial for $20. I decided to give that a go...and was quite surprised and impressed by what I found. It's a very well-kept facility, with nice change rooms, a good selection of equipment, and a full schedule of group fitness classes as well. I had an induction to the weight-machines circuit, and also learned how to use the treadmills and elliptical trainers. Finally, I tried three group classes - one cardio class with weights (which was very good but left my muscles in a world of pain for three days after), one cardio-dance class (who'dve thought I'd ever do The Robot in public?!), and one yoga/pilates/Tai Chi-hybrid class (in which I totally kicked ass...heh).
So, I've decided to give the gym thing a fresh start. A few weeks ago I met a woman who wanted out of her annual subscription, so I have taken over for the last five months of her membership (to the end of September). By then, I'll definitely know if I'll get good use out of it, and if gyms are really for me after all.
15 April 2008
Sugar Mama
Boy, MySpace sure is funny. Like most women, I receive cheesy come-ons from sleazy guys fairly regularly, via my mailbox on the site. They're always good for a laugh before I hit the delete button.
This one, which I received yesterday from "Zack" in West Africa was especially audacious. He writes:
Sadly for Zack, I'm not available to become his wife. Hahahahaaaa.
This one, which I received yesterday from "Zack" in West Africa was especially audacious. He writes:
My name is zack, I am 19 years old and I am a pupil in class terminal and I wish to continue my studies in Canada. I have already sent my files to the university of Laval ( qébec ) for the registrations.I had a giggle, then took a look at this guy's profile. As further enticement for me to open my wallet and work my Canadian university contacts, he has posted various shirtless photos of himself, and in the "About Me" section he notes: "Im student ,Im 19 & Im looking 4 white wife like U." [sic]
That is why I come to you to wonder a help to sponsor my studies just for the first year. I also want that you look for some informations for me about this university.
I am waitingt for a favorable continuation.
Thank you in advance...
Sadly for Zack, I'm not available to become his wife. Hahahahaaaa.
13 April 2008
"It's Not You, It's Your Books"
This little NYT essay on literary incompatibility in relationships is a fun little read for a Sunday morning.
As an aside, the more social pieces I read from the New York Times, the more I think it must be kind of awful to be a single woman in Manhattan, looking for a meaningful relationship. Is the dating scene there really as ruthless as it seems? Talk about high standards...yikes.
As an aside, the more social pieces I read from the New York Times, the more I think it must be kind of awful to be a single woman in Manhattan, looking for a meaningful relationship. Is the dating scene there really as ruthless as it seems? Talk about high standards...yikes.
09 April 2008
Zapped
I am playing nursemaid for the next few days. This evening A. had laser surgery on his eyes, so he won't have to wear glasses anymore. Presently the patient is resting and wearing a large pair of Ray Charles-esque disposable shades, which are pretty funny.
I've thought many times about having the same procedure myself. It would be amazing to wake up in the morning, open my eyes, and be able to see clearly without having to fumble for my specs on the bedside table. But I'm not ready to take the plunge just yet. My glasses have been part of who I am for so long that I think I'd feel kinda weird without them. Plus, as I've said before, you don't need a degree in rocket science to realise that zapping your eyeballs with laser beams is possibly not the greatest idea.
I've thought many times about having the same procedure myself. It would be amazing to wake up in the morning, open my eyes, and be able to see clearly without having to fumble for my specs on the bedside table. But I'm not ready to take the plunge just yet. My glasses have been part of who I am for so long that I think I'd feel kinda weird without them. Plus, as I've said before, you don't need a degree in rocket science to realise that zapping your eyeballs with laser beams is possibly not the greatest idea.
05 April 2008
Stuff White People Like
Found a great blog today called Stuff White People Like. Pretty funny - but god, are we all so predictable? I admit to being guilty as charged, as regards the following items from the list:
Actually, I think they should change the name of this blog to Stuff Upper-Middle-Class American White People Like - as evinced by #75: Threatening to Move to Canada. Haha!
#93 Free Healthcare
#90 Dinner Parties
#83 Bad Memories of High School
#81 Graduate School
#72 Study Abroad
#64 Recycling
#61 Bicycles
#54 Kitchen Gadgets
#51 Living by the Water
#49 Vintage
#47 Arts Degrees
#46 The Sunday New York Times
#44 Public Radio
#43 Plays
#40 Apple Products
#37 Renovations
#36 Breakfast Places
#29 80s Night
#24 Wine
#19 Traveling
#15 Yoga
#13 Tea
#12 Non-Profit Organizations
#5 Farmer’s Markets
29 March 2008
William Dalrymple
Last night, I went to a lecture by William Dalrymple, a prizewinning popular historian of British India. Having him come here to Halifax is quite a coup, I think. He spoke about his latest book, The Last Mughal: Fall of a Dynasty, Delhi, 1857. Dalrymple is one of those historians who has pulled off that rare feat: writing works of scholarly seriousness while retaining the air of an engaging storyteller, and attracting a large popular audience while doing so.
I'd have loved the chance to talk to him about the book - particularly, about his extensive use of a hitherto-unknown, vast archive of primary source material about the "Indian Mutiny" of 1857, written mostly in Persian and Urdu and which lay in the Indian National Archives, largely untouched, for decades. I would also have liked to hear his thoughts on the presence of British women in India (one of my own research specialties). But the lecture hall was packed out, so I didn't get the opportunity - and he was whisked away to a reception afterwards. Still, since it's now a fairly rare occurrence for me to come into contact with people like this, I was pretty satisfied with my lot.
I'd have loved the chance to talk to him about the book - particularly, about his extensive use of a hitherto-unknown, vast archive of primary source material about the "Indian Mutiny" of 1857, written mostly in Persian and Urdu and which lay in the Indian National Archives, largely untouched, for decades. I would also have liked to hear his thoughts on the presence of British women in India (one of my own research specialties). But the lecture hall was packed out, so I didn't get the opportunity - and he was whisked away to a reception afterwards. Still, since it's now a fairly rare occurrence for me to come into contact with people like this, I was pretty satisfied with my lot.
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