I saw this:
http://storyofstuff.org/
What do you think?
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Saturday, 26 September 2009
Diablo Cody: one cool chick
On winning an Oscar:
"It does absolutely nothing for your writing process at all. It's kind of like winning class president... it was cool that year. Now it's kind of a curiosity. It's a weird thing to have in your house."
Full video on Macleans:
"It does absolutely nothing for your writing process at all. It's kind of like winning class president... it was cool that year. Now it's kind of a curiosity. It's a weird thing to have in your house."
Full video on Macleans:
diablo cody from Macleans Magazine on Vimeo.
The view
There is something so lovely about the view from my window in the late afternoon. I would also like to underscore how much I love a south-facing window. Early morning light ranks on my top favourite things. Mmm. Happy sigh. I can't wait to wake up to the sound of church bells tomorrow morning.
Friday, 25 September 2009
New post over at Macleans OnCampus
It's been a long break, I know, but here is my latest post over at OnCampus:
In support of smaller-scale learning
In support of smaller-scale learning
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Grammar wins again
Today was my first Ethics of Journalism class.
The course actually began two weeks ago, but I switched in late. The class is only once a week (gotta love journalism courses) for two hours, so missing two classes was not stellar. When I decided to drop an elective and pick up this third year course, I went to the JSchool to make sure it would be OK to join, even though it's still technically within the course add/drop period. I got a stern look from the secretary, and piece of paper with the course instructor's email on it.
I wrote him a short inquiry and, after a couple of emails, he let me into the course . Today after class, I approached him to thank him for allowing me to join and to let him know that I enjoyed the first class.
"You know," he said, "I was very impressed with your correspondence, which is why I let you into the course."
I didn't really know what to say, so he went on.
"I told my wife I was impressed, and half because all the commas were in the right place."
I stammered something about loving good grammar, thanked him, and scurried off. And did a happy dance.
See kids? Good grammar always wins.
The course actually began two weeks ago, but I switched in late. The class is only once a week (gotta love journalism courses) for two hours, so missing two classes was not stellar. When I decided to drop an elective and pick up this third year course, I went to the JSchool to make sure it would be OK to join, even though it's still technically within the course add/drop period. I got a stern look from the secretary, and piece of paper with the course instructor's email on it.
I wrote him a short inquiry and, after a couple of emails, he let me into the course . Today after class, I approached him to thank him for allowing me to join and to let him know that I enjoyed the first class.
"You know," he said, "I was very impressed with your correspondence, which is why I let you into the course."
I didn't really know what to say, so he went on.
"I told my wife I was impressed, and half because all the commas were in the right place."
I stammered something about loving good grammar, thanked him, and scurried off. And did a happy dance.
See kids? Good grammar always wins.
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
This is a theme-less update post
Today was a perfectly regular day. And I've been behind on posting, so I thought I'd post it day-in-the-life style.
I woke up for breakfast, which I do as often as I can. Most mornings I make it, if I haven't been up late being ridiculous. Which, you know, happens. This is college. Anyway, eggs over-easy and tater tots are the best ever. Plus grapefruit and tea. When there are no tater tots or I'm feeling guilty, I have a piece of whole grain toast instead.
Next I needed to get some reading done from a very dry book called "The Scientific Revolution: A Historiographical Enquiry". Oh the joys of the History of Science and Technology Programme. On my way to the library, I ran into a friend in his fifth year and, after catching up, we headed off for a study date.
I complete only half my reading before class and after an hour of that nonsense (JOKES. It was actually very interesting) I grabbed a greasier lunch than I should have, waved to friends in the Wardroom, and ran to my AMAZING Narrative Nonfiction course which was, as always, amazing. We talked about telling stories and watched a scene from Pulp Fiction. What is more fun than discussing story-telling for two hours?
I'm in the Classics in the Quad production in 10 days, so I tried to do some memorizing but got distracted by a friend and ended up spending time with her and then was foiled in my second attempt to work by running into Saf at front desk. Finally, work un-done, I changed into a skirt and ran to Chapel for Evensong.
Evensong is the service with tons of singing and is very chill and usually a small gathering. I haven't actually made it to Chapel much this semester - in fact Evensong tonight was the first time. I didn't go at all last year, with the exception of Holy Week and Easter, but I love the Chapel and want to go more. It's a beautiful space and I always feel better after going. I've been in a good mood ever since.
Dinner was the usual salad with tuna and then I had play rehearsal. I have managed to memorize one line successfully. It's a long road to memorizing all of the chorus Strophe lines. AH. Wish me luck. Also, speaking in unison is hard.
Now I'm here, working part of a shift on front desk. Isn't my day exciting? Not really, I know. But I do keep busy, which is why blogging is falling behind. I'll keep up as much as I can! But it may be more like this than the deep, thought-provoking stuff.
I woke up for breakfast, which I do as often as I can. Most mornings I make it, if I haven't been up late being ridiculous. Which, you know, happens. This is college. Anyway, eggs over-easy and tater tots are the best ever. Plus grapefruit and tea. When there are no tater tots or I'm feeling guilty, I have a piece of whole grain toast instead.
Next I needed to get some reading done from a very dry book called "The Scientific Revolution: A Historiographical Enquiry". Oh the joys of the History of Science and Technology Programme. On my way to the library, I ran into a friend in his fifth year and, after catching up, we headed off for a study date.
I complete only half my reading before class and after an hour of that nonsense (JOKES. It was actually very interesting) I grabbed a greasier lunch than I should have, waved to friends in the Wardroom, and ran to my AMAZING Narrative Nonfiction course which was, as always, amazing. We talked about telling stories and watched a scene from Pulp Fiction. What is more fun than discussing story-telling for two hours?
I'm in the Classics in the Quad production in 10 days, so I tried to do some memorizing but got distracted by a friend and ended up spending time with her and then was foiled in my second attempt to work by running into Saf at front desk. Finally, work un-done, I changed into a skirt and ran to Chapel for Evensong.
Evensong is the service with tons of singing and is very chill and usually a small gathering. I haven't actually made it to Chapel much this semester - in fact Evensong tonight was the first time. I didn't go at all last year, with the exception of Holy Week and Easter, but I love the Chapel and want to go more. It's a beautiful space and I always feel better after going. I've been in a good mood ever since.
Dinner was the usual salad with tuna and then I had play rehearsal. I have managed to memorize one line successfully. It's a long road to memorizing all of the chorus Strophe lines. AH. Wish me luck. Also, speaking in unison is hard.
Now I'm here, working part of a shift on front desk. Isn't my day exciting? Not really, I know. But I do keep busy, which is why blogging is falling behind. I'll keep up as much as I can! But it may be more like this than the deep, thought-provoking stuff.
Monday, 21 September 2009
JSchool
I love to bitch about Journalism.
It's something all journalism kids kind of love to do, at least here. There are so few of us that as long as we all agree to complain, no one can contradict us, really, because none of them know definitively that we're whining for no good reason. Are we? You'll never know.
I whined about the intro journalism class nonstop last year. It was long, it was dull, it was held on Tuesdays while the rest of FYP students lay around on the quad and read and started on papers. We had to sit through hours of the variously awful journalism prof who held us captive at the end of the day. We had to complete assignments that were not interesting in any way. A lot of student drop out of journalism after first year. They only let 40 of us in in the first place, and by fourth year, there are like 15-20. Tops.
Journalism was just something that kind of happened. I figured I was an OK writer, and I've been attached by the ear to my radio ever since I learned about CBC. I used to come home after school and do my math homework in front of the radio, listening to Brent Bambury host All In A Day from 4-6. Once I sent in a letter to the morning show and they laughed at my precociousness. Yeah, yeah, I'm sooo precious. Thanks. I was, obviously, the only one of my friends who considered CBC personalities to be celebrities.
My year of FYP love and JOUR1001 hate got me all turned around. Academia and journalism are definitely not friends. A Jschool in the top of the Academic Building of my thoroughly philosophy-centric school is weird. They wish they could put up a giant sign reading "A deadline is not a suggestion". They get shit done while the rest of the school, I dunno, contemplates the Good. Or deconstructs society as such. Or something.
After my year of journalism hate, I was, a little bit, wondering what I was doing in this program. I was wondering if perhaps I should launch myself away from reason and into the world of... something else. Classics, or English, or even Philosophy. Who needs a job? I want to learn! I will be a true academic, a stereotypical King's student, I will contemplate the Good all day and wear a "Plotinus da man" T-shirt. Wooo.
Then I went to my first JOUR2000 class. And started to get excited about radio equipment. And playing with video cameras. And I fell in love with my four profs who are all so enthusiastic and fabulous and put their home and cell numbers on the syllabus ("Call me, I'll always answer!"). Plus, they know their shit.
Next came my Intro to Narrative Nonfiction course, which I grinned through. My classmates must have thought I was insane. Every assignment, every reading, everything we have to do for that course makes me happy and excited. I ran to the Registrar's office and traded my elective for Ethics of Journalism. And all of this is really exciting.
I guess I picked the right program after all.
It's something all journalism kids kind of love to do, at least here. There are so few of us that as long as we all agree to complain, no one can contradict us, really, because none of them know definitively that we're whining for no good reason. Are we? You'll never know.
I whined about the intro journalism class nonstop last year. It was long, it was dull, it was held on Tuesdays while the rest of FYP students lay around on the quad and read and started on papers. We had to sit through hours of the variously awful journalism prof who held us captive at the end of the day. We had to complete assignments that were not interesting in any way. A lot of student drop out of journalism after first year. They only let 40 of us in in the first place, and by fourth year, there are like 15-20. Tops.
Journalism was just something that kind of happened. I figured I was an OK writer, and I've been attached by the ear to my radio ever since I learned about CBC. I used to come home after school and do my math homework in front of the radio, listening to Brent Bambury host All In A Day from 4-6. Once I sent in a letter to the morning show and they laughed at my precociousness. Yeah, yeah, I'm sooo precious. Thanks. I was, obviously, the only one of my friends who considered CBC personalities to be celebrities.
My year of FYP love and JOUR1001 hate got me all turned around. Academia and journalism are definitely not friends. A Jschool in the top of the Academic Building of my thoroughly philosophy-centric school is weird. They wish they could put up a giant sign reading "A deadline is not a suggestion". They get shit done while the rest of the school, I dunno, contemplates the Good. Or deconstructs society as such. Or something.
After my year of journalism hate, I was, a little bit, wondering what I was doing in this program. I was wondering if perhaps I should launch myself away from reason and into the world of... something else. Classics, or English, or even Philosophy. Who needs a job? I want to learn! I will be a true academic, a stereotypical King's student, I will contemplate the Good all day and wear a "Plotinus da man" T-shirt. Wooo.
Then I went to my first JOUR2000 class. And started to get excited about radio equipment. And playing with video cameras. And I fell in love with my four profs who are all so enthusiastic and fabulous and put their home and cell numbers on the syllabus ("Call me, I'll always answer!"). Plus, they know their shit.
Next came my Intro to Narrative Nonfiction course, which I grinned through. My classmates must have thought I was insane. Every assignment, every reading, everything we have to do for that course makes me happy and excited. I ran to the Registrar's office and traded my elective for Ethics of Journalism. And all of this is really exciting.
I guess I picked the right program after all.
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Snapshot.
I just finished everything on my list, so I actually get to blog two nights in a row. SHOCKING.
I guess I'll give a bit of a recap in order to bring you up to speed.
Frosh week is now over; I think this year's frosh are a good bunch, but a surprisingly sober group. I think this is totally bizarre. My floor is a quiet one and so far, I'm the loudest. Sorry neighbours! Normally I'm quiet too, but now and then the party moves up here and there's not much I can do.
Not that I'm complaining. This is basically the best living situation I've ever had. I was very trepidatious about moving back into res while my friends moved off campus, but every day I realize how perfect this is for me. I hate to say it, but my friends were right; living with my friends is a terrible idea. I'm a grouchy, grumpy type and I like my space. A lot. Sharing a bathroom is hard for me, which is probably why I always showered at weird times last year, when I knew most of my floor wasn't around. This year I have my own bathroom.
Oh yeah... my suite is epic. Such is the major perk of being President of my residence - the suite. Complete with walk-in closet, as previously mentioned. My shower is five steps from my bed. Five. I barely even need to stand before getting in the shower in the morning. And I don't have to wear flip flops and I could even take a bath if I wanted to. Such luxury!
The room gives me the best balance of having my own place and living with others. It is residence; I live in a community of 280 students, so the place is usually bumping if I'm looking for something to do. I've mostly been spending time with dons, however, and my friends off campus. Don't worry, friends! I'm not completely Quad-bound. I'm just comfortably entrenched, for the most part.
As all of my extra-curriculars gear up at once, I'm exhausted 24/7 and mostly stressed from when I wake up until I go to sleep. And I only have class readings, no assignments yet. I'm going to have to figure out how to balance all this... and my two, possibly three jobs. Am I crazy? Maybe I'm crazy.
Well, now I'm going to try to get ahead on my readings. Phil is rolling into town for a brief visit this weekend and I am not going to get any schoolwork done.
I guess I'll give a bit of a recap in order to bring you up to speed.
Frosh week is now over; I think this year's frosh are a good bunch, but a surprisingly sober group. I think this is totally bizarre. My floor is a quiet one and so far, I'm the loudest. Sorry neighbours! Normally I'm quiet too, but now and then the party moves up here and there's not much I can do.
Not that I'm complaining. This is basically the best living situation I've ever had. I was very trepidatious about moving back into res while my friends moved off campus, but every day I realize how perfect this is for me. I hate to say it, but my friends were right; living with my friends is a terrible idea. I'm a grouchy, grumpy type and I like my space. A lot. Sharing a bathroom is hard for me, which is probably why I always showered at weird times last year, when I knew most of my floor wasn't around. This year I have my own bathroom.
Oh yeah... my suite is epic. Such is the major perk of being President of my residence - the suite. Complete with walk-in closet, as previously mentioned. My shower is five steps from my bed. Five. I barely even need to stand before getting in the shower in the morning. And I don't have to wear flip flops and I could even take a bath if I wanted to. Such luxury!
The room gives me the best balance of having my own place and living with others. It is residence; I live in a community of 280 students, so the place is usually bumping if I'm looking for something to do. I've mostly been spending time with dons, however, and my friends off campus. Don't worry, friends! I'm not completely Quad-bound. I'm just comfortably entrenched, for the most part.
As all of my extra-curriculars gear up at once, I'm exhausted 24/7 and mostly stressed from when I wake up until I go to sleep. And I only have class readings, no assignments yet. I'm going to have to figure out how to balance all this... and my two, possibly three jobs. Am I crazy? Maybe I'm crazy.
Well, now I'm going to try to get ahead on my readings. Phil is rolling into town for a brief visit this weekend and I am not going to get any schoolwork done.
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Accidental flirtation
I guess I'm a little bit of a flirt. At least, some people have told me this, and I certainly do enjoy flirting, but I wonder about this. Sometimes being friendly can be misconstrued as being flirtatious. I swear, I'm just being friendly. I have a hard time finding that line, I guess.
Last night, I was at a friend's house and ran into someone in my third year core class. I find that course a little intimidating since it's my first 3000 level course, and I was glad to get to know someone in the course better. We were discussing the class, the presentations we have to do, our other classes. I noticed my new friend was drumming on his knees to the music. His friend nearby leaned in and gave me a knowing look and said "He's a drummer. He drums. He's a musician" and wandered off giggling. He gave some indignant and embarrassed response which is when I decided I was probably in the middle of a misunderstanding and excused myself. Oops! Awkward.
But I was just being friendly. When a girl is friendly to a guy, is that flirting? What's the difference really?
Last night, I was at a friend's house and ran into someone in my third year core class. I find that course a little intimidating since it's my first 3000 level course, and I was glad to get to know someone in the course better. We were discussing the class, the presentations we have to do, our other classes. I noticed my new friend was drumming on his knees to the music. His friend nearby leaned in and gave me a knowing look and said "He's a drummer. He drums. He's a musician" and wandered off giggling. He gave some indignant and embarrassed response which is when I decided I was probably in the middle of a misunderstanding and excused myself. Oops! Awkward.
But I was just being friendly. When a girl is friendly to a guy, is that flirting? What's the difference really?
Saturday, 12 September 2009
A few minutes to kill
I am left with a few minutes to kill, so I thought I'd write an update. I'm such a tease, I know, but I really don't have time for a full post. I'm moderately dressed up for a night of extreme alcohol consumption, the culmination of a week as a frosh leader. Heyo. Can't wait.
What I'm really most excited about right now is my walk-in closet. One of the perks of being the president of my residence is the sweetest room ever. It's a double, with only me in it. Plus a bathroom and a closet. The walk-in closet.
When I was elected president, a past president inquired as to how I would use the closet.
"As a a closet" was my response.
"But it's huge," she said. "I turned mine into a kitchen."
"I'm putting my clothes in it. They might all fit."
I love clothes. I am a little clothes crazy. I try to be careful not to buy anything I don't love and getting rid of things I don't wear, but I have a lot of things I love. And many scarves. Oh so many scarves.
This walk-in closet is life-changing. Well, style-changing anyway. Now that my cutest clothes, the hang up ones, aren't stuffed into a tiny space, I walk in and survey them first. The result? My cute clothes have been in heavy rotation. Hello hot black Banana Republic skirt I bought second-hand but perfect. Let's be friends. I certainly have been receiving lots of outfit compliments.
I have no pictures of my walk-in closet, currently, so I cannot share this with you, but suffice it to say, it ain't cramped in there.
Now I must off to my late night. PS: longer letter later.
What I'm really most excited about right now is my walk-in closet. One of the perks of being the president of my residence is the sweetest room ever. It's a double, with only me in it. Plus a bathroom and a closet. The walk-in closet.
When I was elected president, a past president inquired as to how I would use the closet.
"As a a closet" was my response.
"But it's huge," she said. "I turned mine into a kitchen."
"I'm putting my clothes in it. They might all fit."
I love clothes. I am a little clothes crazy. I try to be careful not to buy anything I don't love and getting rid of things I don't wear, but I have a lot of things I love. And many scarves. Oh so many scarves.
This walk-in closet is life-changing. Well, style-changing anyway. Now that my cutest clothes, the hang up ones, aren't stuffed into a tiny space, I walk in and survey them first. The result? My cute clothes have been in heavy rotation. Hello hot black Banana Republic skirt I bought second-hand but perfect. Let's be friends. I certainly have been receiving lots of outfit compliments.
I have no pictures of my walk-in closet, currently, so I cannot share this with you, but suffice it to say, it ain't cramped in there.
Now I must off to my late night. PS: longer letter later.
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Calm before the storm
It's 8am and the quad is silent as the grave. One of the welcome banners has fallen down but other than that, everything looks ready. Calm. In two hours, the Quad will be filled with frosh. I'm all moved in and my mother pulled out not one hour ago. Now the year begins.
I am looking forward to the frosh week party, but not looking forward to continuing to fall behind on other things in my life, like friends and blog and me time and reading. I regret to inform you all that things will be a little hectic for me continuing through the next week. After that I look forward to settling into a comfortable routine that involves working and relaxing. And blogging. I'm making an extra effort with blogging this year.
It's nice to be in Halifax, but I am missing my Ottawa as well. And several of you in Ottawa.
I survived New Brunswick (barely; I almost fell into a river ten feet from a water fall, but no big. Also, caught on dirt roads in a post-tropical storm) and in fact, I loved New Brunswick. I acknowledge my bias in the boyfriend form, but even when correcting for that, I feel NB still ends up with a positive. When I get my computer memory situation sorted out, I will upload some of the 2 GB of photos I took so I can share them.
Well, it's off to the races at any moment. There's an angry don whose poster fell down and I am off to help him.
I am looking forward to the frosh week party, but not looking forward to continuing to fall behind on other things in my life, like friends and blog and me time and reading. I regret to inform you all that things will be a little hectic for me continuing through the next week. After that I look forward to settling into a comfortable routine that involves working and relaxing. And blogging. I'm making an extra effort with blogging this year.
It's nice to be in Halifax, but I am missing my Ottawa as well. And several of you in Ottawa.
I survived New Brunswick (barely; I almost fell into a river ten feet from a water fall, but no big. Also, caught on dirt roads in a post-tropical storm) and in fact, I loved New Brunswick. I acknowledge my bias in the boyfriend form, but even when correcting for that, I feel NB still ends up with a positive. When I get my computer memory situation sorted out, I will upload some of the 2 GB of photos I took so I can share them.
Well, it's off to the races at any moment. There's an angry don whose poster fell down and I am off to help him.
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