It's Raining Again: Thursday Thirteen

Showing posts with label Thursday Thirteen. Show all posts

December 28, 2006

Thursday Thirteen #24, Phrasing

* Header Graphic by Mandy

13 Phrases I Wish I'd Used More In 2006

Yes.
Thank you.
Please.
That was kind/thoughtful/sweet.
I missed you.
I like you.
I respect you.
I love you.
No.
No, that doesn't fit into my plans right now.
No, I don't see me changing my mind about that.
I need to consider that for a while before giving you an answer.
That's not something I discuss with strangers.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

December 07, 2006

Thursday Thirteen #23: The Armchair Traveler

(Header created by me, just because I felt like it..)

A few days ago I was looking through the bookshelf for a book, when a couple of titles from our minuscule travel section caught my eye and practically demanded I visit with them. The Encyclopedia of Sacred Places by Norbert C. Brockman is a lovely and comprehensive book of sacred places around the world, and whets my appetite for "old stones". It's what started the revised version of the list in the first place. The Art of Pilgrimage (Phil Cousineau) is a book I've babbled about before, but it too called my name. So, with no further lead-up, I give you...

Thirteen Places On My Dream Travel List

Machu Picchu, Peru - The fact that it wasn't discovered until 1911 stirs the Indy in my blood. It's been at the top of my list forever.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia - Re-discovered in the 1850's by French archaeologists, Angkor Wat has figured in movies such as Tomb Raider (the first one) and in Phil Cousineau's travel recollections.
Cairo, Egypt - I blame this one on the kind adult who gifted me with a colour-catalogue style book on Tutankhamen when I was a pre-teen. For a while there I had a serious crush on Howard Carter...
Nikko, Japan - According to what I've read, it was established in the eighth century and became a training center for Buddhist priests. The Tosho-gu Shrine,Rinno-ji Temple, and Kegon Falls are just some of the places I'd like to see for myself.
Borabudur, Java - Rediscovered and rejuvenated by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles in the early 1800's. Where to begin explaining the strength behind the image of its two thousand carvings? Check out The Lost Temple of Java by Phil Grabsky. The photos are extraordinary.
Glastonbury, England - I was lucky enough to spend the day there a few years ago, and the strange, strong energy was palpable. Chalice Well, Glastonbury Tor, the Lady Chapel at Glastonbury Abbey? I could spend weeks there.
Queen Charlotte Islands, BC, Canada - Probably the most accessible of the bunch, the Charlottes were Emily Carr's lifelong obsession, and probably one of the earliest links I had to native history here in BC. The only things I've ever seen of this culture are in museums, and while I appreciate that, it's a little isolating.
Paris, France - Like you couldn't see that coming from ~~miles~~ kilometers away! All that history laid out in the arrondissements, the Louvre, Versailles....
Jerusalem, The Holy Land - the desire to see this for myself has been with me for as long as I can remember, and when I read "Digging for God and Country, Explorations, Archaeology and the Secret Struggle for the Holy Land, 1799 - 1917" by Neil Asher Silberman a few years ago, I knew it was a place I needed to go.
Marrakesh, Morocco - In 1917 the Saadian Tombs were discovered and restored by the Beaux Arts Service. When I go, this is where I want to stay.
Granada, Spain - Specifically, Al Andalus. The name most of us know it by is Alhambra. a poetic sounding moniker that, depending on who you read, is translated as 'The Red" or "The Red Fort"in Arabic. It became famous in North America when Washington Irving had his Tales of the Alhambra published in 1831.
Petra, Jordan - Yes, it too figured in an Indiana Jones movie. But long before I sat in the dark and watched Indy put himself through the paces in order to save his father, a friend of the family showed me photographs of this desert city, and I knew I wanted, someday, to touch the delicately carved stone for myself.
Santiago, Chile - Born there. My family's history lies there - that's enough of a reason to go, don't you think?
Chichen Itza, Mexico - well, really that's just one of the sites I want to see in Mexico. Add to that Teotihuacán,Tulum, and Palenque and...

Looks to me like I could probably do a second list and perhaps, next week, I will. I've neglected whole continents!

Your turn - where would you go? Not sure? Here's a jumping off point.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. Caylynn
2. Sweetkitty
3. Sanni
(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

November 30, 2006

Thursday Thirteen #22: Live Through This

* Header by Goofy Girl of Goofy Girl Designs

Thirteen Things I've Survived, Mostly Unscathed

Starting over in a new country (and I didn't even speak the language!)
Being forced (as a newly-minted teen) to move away from my friends in the city to live in the 'burbs.
Death of a beloved childhood pet.
Parents' divorce.
Multiple break-ups with my first love.
Death of a family member.
Amway.
Finally marrying my true love.
Losing good friends because they didn't agree with how we got married.
Being downsized due to restructuring.
Firings (doing and being).
Scary bosses, nasty coworkers, and other corporate evils.
The late 80's and early 90's (although the jury is still out on whether I'll ever manage to not flinch when seeing 'vintage' fashions of that era).

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

November 16, 2006

Thursday Thirteen #21: This Week’s Storms

Header Graphic by Yellow Rose's Garden

They don't call it the wet coast for nothing, and this week Vancouver has lived up to that moniker. I swear, no one small-talked past the weather the past few days. These are just a few things I saw/heard/noticed...

Public garbage cans became nothing more than umbrella graveyards.

The evening news casts gave a huge portion of their time to rain-related news, and in one case used it as another opportunity to talk about climate change and Canada's role.

There was much less mockery at the sight of dogs with raincoats and booties. Also saw several dogs in those coats and booties being carefully tucked inside coats or carried in blankets so they wouldn’t get wet or cold. Aww.

Myriad of folks wore garbage bags as a layer of protection between them and the elements.

Puddle jumping became an extreme sport.

Walking home was a battle between human and nature, and felt like a grade school math problem (If Ms. Cin is walking home at X kilometers per hour but the wind is whipping past her at Y kilometers per hour, how much longer will it take her to get home?)

All but the most intrepid tourists went shopping or otherwise stayed indoors.

Had coworkers whose families had to be evacuated from their homes in West Van and Chilliwack.

Found myself calling family and friends in outlying areas to make sure they and their homes were ok.

Noticed that the major department stores are carrying more of the full-sized English-style umbrellas than ever before. Smart move – they stand up to wind and heavy rain much better. Bonus – they’re great for mock sword fights, which I saw a few of this week.

It rained so hard even the die-hard hot dog vendor outside of London Drugs at Robson and W. Georgia stayed home.

Several stores smelled like wet woolies. And wet dog.

Human kindness showed its face; several kind-hearted people helped their older or less-abled counterparts maneuver the flooded street corners and giant puddles. In one case, I even saw a gentleman give his umbrella to an older lady whose umbrella had just broken.

UPDATE: Well, now it looks like our water quality has been affected. Check out the media release from the GVRD... Filtered water anyone?

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. Tug
2. Lindsey
3. Julie
4. Starrlight
5. Elisa
6. Tvaddictgurl
7. Sweet Kitty
8. Caylynn
9. Ruth
10. KuanYin
11. Chelle Y
12. K T Cat
13. Yellow Rose's Garden
14. ancsweetnsassygal
15. Leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

November 02, 2006

Thursday Thirteen #20: 13 for the 11th

Thirteen Things I Look Forward To

1. In two weeks time I will have completed two more classes towards my certificate at Emily Carr, which actually puts me ahead of schedule. This would be me doing a snoopy jig of joy.

2. Once the classes are over I'll be able to focus on my list of wishful christmas projects.

3. I'll also have the time & energy to make my bacon and cheese quiche. Made from scratch, it's making and baking usually takes me through a couple of Band of Brothers episodes. Yes, I know I'm a geek.

4. Our wedding anniversary will arrive in less than 2 weeks, close to the peak of the craziness that is Lunchtruck's last class. For those of you keeping count, that's ... um... 8 years married + 10 years together = 18 years of crazy. I fully expect this relationship to become legendary amongst our families and friends, simply because we're volatile and emotional and squirelly and completely, utterly devoted to each other.

5. World Peace Day (November 17). I know, yet another day designated for something specific because we don't give it enough time during the course of our daily lives. Yes, with everything else that's happening in the world, sometimes it's hard to care. Trust me, I know. It would be easy to pile into that pit of despair and have a big ole pity party. But this year I'm going to try something different, and give the question of world peace (and for that matter, personal peace) the time it deserves. Who knows, maybe the changes I make in my life and the way I deal will have an impact in some small way.

6. The Langley Weavers & Spinners Guild Artisan Sale (November 4th & 5th). I added weaving to my 'wanna learn' list some time ago, but don't really think I'll be able to give it a go until late next year. Will that stop me from going and drooling at the work local artists are creating? Nope. I've been looking forward to this for months!

7. I don't do a lot for Christmas in the way of shopping - I'm lucky enough that friends and family are more interested in spending time together than getting loot. Having said that, there is some loot that needs buying, and I'd like to get that done this month so I can avoid the mall in December. Cause really, who wants to stress out in a mall with all the other stressed out people in December?

8. For those playing at home, you've probably figured out that November & December are my prime cocooning months, so I'll be cuddling up with my housmates (all 3) and digging into a few good books. I still have a copy of The Creators I've not yet cracked, and Gail Sher's Intuitive Writer has been singing it's siren song for weeks.

9. Along with books come movies. I think it's about time for another Pride and Prejudice fest. Maybe I'll finally know who made the better Elizabeth Bennet - Keira Knightley or Jennifer Ehle.

10. Yes, of course there's knitting. And visits to the LYS. I'm not talking about that though - possible Christmas presents are involved.

11. I'll finally get to a kniting meet up. Why? Because the idea of getting together with a bunch of like-minded ladies to knit and talk and drink coffee is very appealing.

12. More time with family and friends. Cause I've been neglecting everyone lately.

13. And finally, and on a much more serious note, I plan to attend the Remembrance Day service at Victory Square this year. There are a lot of reasons to be thankful right now.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

October 26, 2006

Thursday Thirteen #19: Scaaarry!

13 Movies that made the dark unfriendly

1. The House on Haunted Hill (1958) - Many people of my generation only knew of Vincent Price because of his stint on Michael Jackson's Thriller, but I know him as the creepy guy who scared the dickens out of me when I was a young kid, watching movies with my grandmother. To this day this movie creeps me out.

2. Psycho (1960) - When I was a morbid pre-goth kid, a kindred spirit gave me a collection of Alfred Hitchcock short stories. Deliciously disturbing; I recall one story centred on moldering furs in an unused closet and someone scaring themselves to death... Then I got introduced to his movies, starting with Psycho. Brilliant.

3. The Birds (1963) - I saw this in grade-school. Really. I had a teacher who was a film buff, and he would occasionally run classic movies for the class. One of the best ways to scare the silly out of you when you're in the 4th grade.

4. The Changeling (1980) - Start with one moldering mansion. Add George C. Scott, despair, and a murdered child. This scared the snot out of me, mostly because of the atmosphere. Added bonus - many scenes were filmed in Vancouver and other parts round BC.

5. The Others (2001) - I saw this again last night, and even though I knew the plot twists, I still felt that same horrified sensation as the main character is slowly handed the pieces of the puzzle. I'm not usually awed by Nicole Kidman's talent, but in this film she's perfect, her rigid body language echoing her narrow world view. Her character's repression is palpable. Caution! the link to this movie does contain spoilers...

6. Sleepy Hollow (1999) - Johnny Depp. Christina Ricci. Dead people. All directed by Tim Burton. The fog and overcast skies in this film should have been listed in the cast list. A tad cheesy, but good fun nonetheless.

7. From Hell (2001) - Another Johnny Depp scarefest, based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore. This movie fascinated me, partly because of the subject matter (Jack The Ripper), partly because of the way they developed the theory, and partly because of the visuals. More gore than any other JD movie I've seen, yet I thought it was wholy appropriate. Still, Lunchtruck won't watch it. He finds it disturbing.

8. Repulsion (1965) - Catherine Denueve in a non-sex-kitten role. Squirmed my way through this one in an abnormal psyc class, and can't bring myself to watch it again.

9. Shawn of the Dead (2001) - I love me a good zombie flick. Yes, this one's played for laughs and the soundtrack is fun, but it's also very smart, and gives props to the classic zombie movies that have come before, particularly those of George Romero.

10. The Wicker Man (1973) - NOT the recent remake. This was my first taste of odd English folkiness, and Christopher Lee. Talk about a double whammy. I know there's a remake with Nicholas Cage, but honestly, why? The original is a classic, and it's fascinating to see how much interest it still spawns.

11. Child of Glass (1978) - As an adult I would probably find this movie charming & gothic at best, diabetes-inducing at worst. But when I was a child watching my Disney movies on a soggy Autumn afternoon, the idea of some dead little creole girl haunting another child because she needed help in order to rest was.. well... haunting.

12. The Shining (1980)- OK, I've yet to be able to watch the whole thing. Sad, no? But the truth is, something has always got in the way. When I was a teen it plain old scared me and I felt really stupid for having tried to watch it at home by myself when it was cold and dark and stormy outside. What little I have seen creeps me out and fascinates me at the same time. This year, I will watch the whole thing.

13. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1958) - I know. It's a Disney cartoon. Would you mock a child of single-digit age? I thought not.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. Ali
2. Beck
3. Interstellar Lass
4. Brony
5. Tracie
6. Sparky
7. The_Yecart

(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

October 19, 2006

Thursday Thirteen: Bad Ratings

My Life would Make A Lousy Reality Show

(Thirteen Things I've Done Since Monday)

1. Desperately tried to free up more computer memory in preparation for new software's arrival. The software? Adobe's Creative Suite. Yeah me!

2. Received new software.

3. Installed new software.

4. Played with new software. Realized I'd have to reprogram my brain.

5. Stuck nose back into Photoshop books I borrowed from the library last week. Considered costs of buying the ones I've found most useful so far; checked Chapters and Amazon.ca, reeled in shock.

6. Worked on my drawing homework. Can it be called homework if you're enjoying the process? The point is, the drawing is getting done, and it seems to be getting better...

7. Watched TV, but only as a break from sitting in front of the computer, and because Her Highness was getting sulky about the minimal amount of lap time she's had lately. Apparently she's a fan of Band of Brothers and Anne of Green Gables. Who knew?

8. Went back to the computer to process more digital photos. Decided my organizational system isn't working. Put "reorganize photos" on my list of things to do. Laughed.

9. Attempted to curb my messy ways so that the beloved spouse would not do his (ought to be) patented eye-sweep of the creativity in action, deep sigh, followed by THE LOOK. The jury is still out on whether or not I've been successful.

10. Napped when I ought to have been working diligently on some project or other. I blame it on the cats and their wily sleep-inducing compound. Yes, I've written about that before.

11. Obsessed over finding the perfect pattern for my first attempt at mittens. (Message to the Darling Sister: Breathe free V - I will NOT be gifting you with my inaugural attempt).

12. Stole a few minutes here and there to work on the scary boucle sweater. It'll be so cozy when it's done, and I really am looking forward to it, but how can I have put in this much time into it and still not have the ruddy thing done? Maybe I upset the knitting gods...

13. Connected with friends via email, which seems to be the only way I've been able to lately. Promised self to actually make phone calls. Tomorrow.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. Scrapbookmomof3
2. Faerylandmom
3. Amy
4. Mama Duck
5. PinkJeweledCat
6. Chelle Y.
7. Christina
Leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!

* Thursday Thirteen header graphic by Chana

October 05, 2006

Thursday Thirteen: Excuses

Thirteen Excuses From Ms Cin

1. I've been absolutely terrible about blogging lately. Every time I tell myself it's time to sit at the computer and write something, I suddenly find something else to do. The thought of sitting in front of a terminal after a hard day in front of a terminal makes me go running (ok, meandering) off to do something, anything else...

2. I still haven't uploaded the photos I took with that smashing canon lens I rented. And since then I've also tried another absolutely fabulous lens, and no, I haven't finished with those photos either. See aforementioned aversion to computer.

3. I did a major photo shoot this past weekend, of which I'm terribly proud. I have almost 5 gigs of photos to sort through but I can only sit and do it for an hour or so before I get all antsy. [It's not as bad as it sounds - I recorded the data simultaneously in both raw and jpg format, so a few hours of effort will allow me to finish sooner rather than later.]

4. Things keep disappearing... First it was the hood from a lens, followed by a lens brush. Then my favourite nose stud and an earring. This morning it was the USB cable for my baby Nikon. I have shots of The Bay's Christmas Street on there! I wanna share the photographic evidence, but without the cable, y'all are just going to have to wait.

5. I've been drawing. Badly. But still, I can see the improvement, and that cheers me a little. The class I'm taking at ECIAD is gently nudging me past my usual bounds, and I've discovered I procrastinate, not out of laziness, but out of fear that it'll be no good.

6. I've been indulging in a little junk tv. I'm sorry to say that America's Next Top Model is avidly watched by all the humans in the house.

7. We've been having a little stress with the Yowler. He's been very needy lately, and cross. I've decided he's the border collie of cats - going slowly insane and taking us on the ride with him.

8. His stress is causing him health issues. I'm hoping that more time with us at home might help ease all that.

9. We're considering daily doses of nip to help ease the stress. And a generous glass of port for me. Lunchtruck? I like the idea of him sitting at the computer and getting his aggression out in BF2.

10. The other option we've been considering is a feline diffuser. The vets suggested it as an option, as it apparently works wonders in helping cats relax. Has anyone else tried these?

11. Lunchtruck and I are taking all next week off from work. Together. YEAH! We're already planning out some of the day trip we want to do, and I am truly looking forward to it.

12. There's been knitting. I stopped working on the DS's sweater for a while in order to get on with the blue boucle one that mom gave me all the bits for, but the yarn I'm using is driving me mad. The alpaca, camel hair and silks I've been playing with have spoiled me.

13. The sun has been getting up after me. Like, way after. No one should have to go to work in time to see the sun rise. It's just not right...

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. Tug
2. Chaotic Mom
3. Mrs. Darling
4. Brony
5. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

August 02, 2006

Thursday Thirteen: Things True Friends Eventually Learn

Thirteen Things about Ms Cin

1. I was born in Santiago, Chile, and have never gone back. Whoever said young children don't remember what goes on around them is wrong, at least in this case. It is what it is.

2. People often have a tough time figuring out my ethnicity, and seem surprised when they learn I speak Spanish. I have had people speak Persian to me so often I think I need to learn the language.

3. I've tried and failed to not be sentimental, but I still get all weepy when I hear Mercedes Sosa singing "Gracias a la Vida". I also get like that when separated from the women in my family for too long.

4. I was thirteen years old before I became conscious of the concept of race. I will forever have contempt in my heart for the woman who railed at my mother for allowing me to date "that black boy" who supposedly had only one thing on his mind. We were thirteen you narrow, bigoted old crow.

5. When I was a kid I wanted to be a writer, an aid worker, an ambassador with the UN, a photojournalist, an artist, a something for the National Geographic Society. Now I'll settle for finding the things that connect us and bind us to each other, no title necessary.

6. I live in a tiny condo with one partner-in-crime, two cats, and a whole lot of dreams. It gets kinda crowded. It is my oasis, and I open it's doors only to those I hold in my heart.

7. I've opted to get out of the gene pool. Yes, I love children. No, I don't want any of my own. No, this is not a judgment on your decision to have kids, I'm sure you're happy. Let me be happy in my own way, muy bien?

8. I'm a Taurus who tends to take people at face value. I WANT to like you, and have a bad habit of being loyal even when it's not merited.

9. That being said, I like to think I'm unlike my Taurean kin and am not THAT materialistic. One look at my wish lists for photographic equipment, books and travel make me stop lying to myself real darn fast.

10. I seem unable to focus on just one thing. In my world, one interest spawns another interest which spawns another interest which relates to the first interest and connects to the second... Stream-lined? No. Free-form? Yes.

11. My personal beliefs are on the flaky end of the continuum. I'm finally coming to terms with that, and no, I will not sit still and quiet while someone tells me why I should change my mind and follow their path. I'm not a radical. I'm just working it out for myself.

12. I'm for a lot of things: love, optimism, giggles, sex, silliness, warm laps, great hugs, yoga, the opportunity to love who you love without fear of reprisal, good books, companion animals, the right to arm bears, the protection of animals, the protection of people, the protection of this sad and tired and angry mother we call earth.

13. Holding on to hope and optimism - that's what I'm proudest of. At the end of the day, I still believe that at heart, people are good. Now to give them encouragement to show it more often...

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1.Stacy
2. Laura
3. Raggedy
4. Maribeth

July 13, 2006

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

After what feels like weeks of listlessness, I got a caseload of nervous energy yesterday afternoon and did things I’d been avoiding – made phone calls, lists and lunch, arranged meetings, did laundry and got a lot of loose ends tied. I went to bed just after midnight.

My reward was a delightfully deep sleep with no Yowler tummy alarm… and an alarm clock that chose not to go off at all. Lunchtruck woke me in a panic, ten minutes before we were supposed to leave our quiet home.

Sigh.

So there’s no thirteen Thursday this week. Just me rambling on…

July 06, 2006

Thursday Thirteen: Sixes and Sevens

Tags: vancouver, thursday thirteen, thursday 13

Thirteen Things: 6 That Rankle, 7 That Please

1. Bad manners. Would it kill you to say excuse me, please and thank you?

2. Bus drivers who run red lights. I kid you not - I've seen it 3 times in the past 2 weeks, and this pedestrian feels like she ought to be carrying a giant stop sign or wearing a neon orange traffic vest...

3. Cell phone chatter. Specifically, folks who insist on talking long & loud in inappropriate places. It took all my self-discipline not to wrest the phone from the shrill woman who chatted up a storm about her child's bowel movements the other day, but I thought the other patrons in the library's cozy & crowded reading area would have been even more disturbed.

4. Office Slovenliness. I'm sure Lunchtruck is rolling his eyes right about now as I'm not exactly a neatnik, but when faced with an empty dishwasher and a sink full of dirty dishes in an office full of healthy, all-limbs-attached-and-working grown men, this girl gets ticked.

5. Using the last of the papertowel and leaving the empty roll there isn't going to make you popular with me either.

6. Saying OK instead of thank you.

There's hope though, because I've seen plenty of evidence that all of these still exist:

7. Help For the Lost: Living in such a popular area, I often see lost looking tourists squinting at their maps, trying to figure out which way is North. Vancouver has a great Downtown Ambassador program designed for this sort of thing, but I often see regular downtown folk taking time to help out visitors. Props to you all.

8. Sharing Space. As the square footage in downtown shops get smaller and tighter, the number of tables in coffee shops etc seems to be decreasing. Mix in the fact that there are lots of Vancouverites who take themselves out for coffee, and you have a lot of singles sitting at tables for two (or four). So what's happening? People are starting to get used to the idea of sharing space with a stranger. And even better, they're making nice.

9. Being Nice to The Tourists. On off-shoot of Help for the Lost, I can't count the number of times I've seen someone stop in their tracks to take a shot of two or more travellers together. After all, who wants a collection of shots where one of you is consistently missing?

10. Giving Way. Yet another small act, but I've been seeing more of it. A person who's in a hurry, or has a cranky child, or is otherwise harried, is given the opportunity to jump in line by the person in front of them. I saw that as recently as yesterday's lunch hour. It may have been a small thing for the lady who did it, but instantly energized the crowd waiting for their coffee.

11. Smiling. I know, I know - iIt sounds like filler. But that's probably the number one thing that I've seen more of lately, and genuinely expressed, it has the ability to brighten the days of a great number of people.

Except the perpetually grumpy. But that's another post.

12. Spontaneous/Random Acts of Kindness. There was a young man handing out flowers the other day, for no other reason than that he could. Loved it.

13. Thoughtful Gestures Despite The Odds. Ok, this one is spouse-specific. He's been making a real effort to be nice to me, even though I've been a cranky little git for weeks. I do love him. He pleases me most.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. Beck
2. Denise
3. Megan
4. Kailana
5. Jenelle
6. Ageless
7. Joe
8. Christina
(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

June 29, 2006

Thursday Thirteen: A Thing of Random Genius

Tags: vancouver, thursday thirteen, thursday 13

Thirteen Things about Ms Cin
1. When I was in junior high, I used to win math contests. By the time I graduated I was convinced of my utter inability to understand mathematics. Oddly, I walked away with an 'A' in Physics and a 'C' in Algebra. Now really, what does that tell you?

2. I can't stand the feel of cardboard drink trays. Seriously. Get that thing away from me!

3. My favourite summer-time treats include a) artichokes freshly cooked and eaten with a dip of olive oil, lemon juice and a touch of salt; b) sun-warmed tomatoes tossed with green beans, boconcini, olive oil, lime and fresh cilantro; c) strawberry margaritas; d) lemon sorbet; e) a lazy afternoon nap.

4. I'm a very tactile person - that's just the way I explore things. Jokes about fondling wood have been made at my expense. While at a woodworker's studio, you naughty thing you!

5. I have a weakness for creme brulee, vanilla-scented potions & candles, freshly-washed skin and so-bad-they're-good movies.

6. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

7. I get really distracted (or is that focused?) and forget to do things like put on makeup and have lunch.

8. Some day I'd like to take a year-long sabbatical and spend time at a silent retreat.

9. I used to play the flute, but stopped practicing at home when Her Highness moved in - she hates it so much she throws herself at the instrument and tries to tug it out of my hands. If I try to do it behind a closed door, she just howls. Some cats have no taste...

10. I am easily amused, and just as easily annoyed. Luckily, the amusement lingers while the annoyance fades away.

11. My mother tongue is Spanish, and I think it is much more lyrical and poetic than English. In many cases, it's also bawdier, which suits me fine.

12. I've often wished I owned a decent dictionary. Not a paperback - I want a doorstop, a tome, something with thin onionskin paper and well thumbed edges.

13. I spend too much time dreaming.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

June 01, 2006

Thursday Thirteen: And Now, Our Heroine Takes Stock

Tags: thursday thirteen, vancouver, truly random

1. Menu & Logo for Lunchtruck's project created, tested, and printed professionally? Yes!
2. Graphic design homework done? Almost.
3. Small photo project for co-worker done? Yup.
4. Big photo project for friend done? 2nd phase complete. Does that count?
5. First draft of magazine done and sent to printers? By Friday. I promise.
6. Cats annoyed because I haven't played String very much lately, or anything else, really? Sigh. Check.
7. Cheeks lost feeling from so much sitting in front of a computer? Check and... check.
8. Ready for Lunchtruck's birthday on Saturday? ~~Time to panic!~~Umm... yeah...
9. Apartment clean? How's about tidy? And only because I had company yesterday?
10. Do I have time for another photo project? Am I insane? But then again, paid jobs don't fall out of the sky...
11. My response to it all? Oh dear ~~god~~ ~~goddess~~ dog. I need a break.
12. A photo of a tree - cause the green and living keeps me grounded.

13. If you need me, I'm aiming to be up a tree with a book and a nice, cold ~~bottle of vodka~~ ~~beer~~ non-alcoholic bevvie. Be glad that's the extent of it.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. Norma
2. Ardice
3. Geggie
4. Jackie
5. Trish
6. Rusty
(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

May 11, 2006

Thursday Thirteen: Come Back Later

Tags: thursday thirteen, vancouver

Due to the unexpectedly randy outcome of my Thursday Thirteen list, I have decided to self-censor. At least until I can stop giggling...

April 06, 2006

Thirteen Things: The List

Tags: vancouver, thursday thirteen

Thirteen Things To Do When You Are Only Partway Through a D-Tox Diet

1. Plan your days so that there is no time at which you can sit on the couch, stare into each other's eyes, and try to talk each other into quitting.

2. Tell yourself how great you're both doing compared to the Atkins debacle, which lasted 8 hours and ended in a dozen of Tim Horton's best.

3.Read books that talk about food, but in a sensual way - MFK Fisher's The Art of Eating is lauded by many as her best work. I think I need to read a few more before I can weigh in with an opinion, but so far it's been delicious.

4. Sleep a lot.

5. Read food porn. Shamelessly look at the pictures first.

6. Argue the merits of bread vs sugar as the first thing you'll add back in once you're done the d-tox. Fight for your choice passionately. Use guilt if necessary.

7. Have sex.

8. Read books that have nothing to do with food. I'm currently working my way through Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew and The Women Who Created Her by Melanie Rehak. (Shameful Secret #456 - I'm a grown woman and still love those books).

9. Window shop at La Baguette. Stand inside for a full 5 minutes so the smell permeates your clothes and gives you something to surrepticiously sniff later.

10. Follow it up with window shopping at Cupcakes. Try not to shame yourself by drooling or licking the glass.

11. Get to know the different varieties of apples - Ambrosias are great for sweet cravings.

12. Give fancy names to the meals you do have. Breakfast is no longer porridge with apples & cinnamon. It's now Porridge a la Pomme. Black coffee is cafe negro.

13. Take up some sort of sport that allows you to get rid of your crankies. See number 7 for hints.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. Master Enigma at Enigmatic Life
2. (leave your link in comments, I'll add you here!)

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It's easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

February 16, 2006

Thursday Thirteen: The Random is Just Busting Out Today!

Tags: vancouver, thursday thirteen

Thirteen Random Thoughts Running Rampant Through My Mind

1. I need flat shoes. Like, now. I decided that I need to start walking to work in the mornings rather than having the sweetie drive me, and wouldn't you know it? My foot found the hidden pothole on Seymour Street. In goes the foot, down goes the Cin, ouch goes the knee.

2. I now have a skinned knee. Dammit. On the plus side, maybe it'll eradicate the mark I got from the last skinned knee. Yeah. I'll cling to that hope.

3. My sister will start laughing at me the moment she reads this. It's a freakin' running joke with her that I am uncertain on my feet. I'm constantly tripping, falling, buckling, mis-stepping and otherwise making a mess of myself. Shut up! It's not funny. Blame it on the boobs.

4. Last night was freakin' cold. How cold was it you ask? Cold enough for Her Highness to have a majorly cold wet nose which she snuffled lots, and for the Yowler to actually snuggle up to Lunch's feet. Granted his feet were covered by the ever-popular fleecy blanket, but still. They're FEET.

5. I couldn't help myself, even though I was tired last night I had to indulge in the latest episode of Gilmore Girls. Do you know what it's like to go to bed with Gilmore banter in your head? Do you?

6. I'm running out of shampoo. And conditioner. I've been stressing for a week on what brand to switch to, as the one I'm currently using is great for my hair, but not so great for the environment or the cuddly creatures in it. Problem is, my past experience with animal friendly, non-sodium laurel sulfate'ed, eco brands has resulted in less than favourable results. Does anyone know of a decent option? I'm considering ABBA. It's Vegan, it's friendly, and the company that carries them actually pays you to recycle, in the form of money off on your next purchase.

7. I had a serious case of the oopsies last night. While cooking, no less! I dropped containers, I had vegetables flinging themselves away for fear of contact with the knife. A rebellious stick of celery tried knocking over the teapot. It was chaos! Chaos! And then I made the mistake of adding Balsamic Vinegar to the stew, not Soy Sauce. I swear it's not my fault. The bottle was in the SS's place, and they're the same shape. Luckily my mistake didn't ruin anything - it just added a kick.

8. I forgot basic physics and dried out the cork on my bottle of port. So when I went to pop it open last night and have a tipple while adding some to the beef stew I was creating... the lid snapped off and the cork stayed stuck. By this point I knew I was having a bad night, so I got Lunchtruck to remove the cork. And I decided drinking while chopping might not be such a good idea. The cats agreed.

9. I'm still sorting through all the photos I took on Sunday. And writing down all the history I've learned during my research. With any luck, you'll all see it tomorrow. How the heck do I get myself obsessed like this? And why am I already considering the next project?

10. I went to visit Queenie over at Treading Lightly on Powdered Sugar and read her were-sloth entry, then promptly snorted hot tea while laughing. I'm still laughing. Go. Read. You'll understand. And if you don't, well, you've obviously never hung out with Lunch and I. It's EXACTLY the sort of thing we'd come up with. If we ever watched the Howling.

11. Now I'm tempted to go find a copy of Bunnicula. Or The
Celey Stalks At Midnight. Oh oh. Just read the entry on the wiki. I may have to re-read the set - who knew there was a Bunnicula Strikes Again?

12. Hmm. Now I want to watch Shaun of The Dead again. Cause you can't beat a good zombie movie.

13. Something I've learned that I've gotta share: Don't EVER eat spinach dip with squeemish people while watching zombie movies. They'll turn as green as the dip you're sharing.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. Megan at The Color Purple
2. Kimmy at Snickerdoodle
3. Dariana at Almost An Angel
(leave your link in comments, I'll add you here!)

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It's easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

February 02, 2006

Thursday Thirteen - The Lunchtruck Strikes Back

Tags: vancouver, thursday thirteen

Thirteen Things I'm Asking Myself This Morning
1. Why the hell do the Hockey Gods hate my team so much? I mean, we've lost our Number 1 goalie, our Number 1 defenceman, our main scorer is about as effective as handles on a wet paper bag, and our hulking power forward is playing out on the periphery so much he might as well be in the front row munching on popcorn!

2. Why, oh why, did I fall asleep on the couch last night when I was supposed to be studying for my Detailing test today? Now I'm all panic-y that I'm going to suck and fail, even though the quiz is only worth about 2% of my final mark - I hate to suck at anything.

3. Why is it that we had a meeting with our VP about the general incompetence of our main receptionist about nine months ago, and it was agreed at that time that we'd can her once my sales partner got back from vacation, but she's still here?

4. Is it normal to feel guilt over the fact that my father wants us desperately to become part of his car club, to the point where he's basically going to give us a vintage MG, but neither of us really like most of the people in the club and can't really reconcile taking on a second oil-spewing ozone-depleting vehicle in line with our environmental views?

5. And why is it that the moment a decision is made to eat better, the body gets an overwhelming craving for McD's?

6. How much longer can I pull the wool over people's eyes at work and have them believe that I'm actually busy, when in reality I spend most of my time looking at the clock and watching my life slowly tick by one minute at a time?

7. Why is it, at the ripe old age of 34, that I still get zits the size of small European countries?

8. Do I stay with the program after I finish my certification and go for the full meal deal thus finishing sometime around my 40th birthday, or do I take the credentials I have once I finish in the fall, go into business for myself and pursue other interests as well? And if I stay with the program, do I stick at it in Vancouver, or pack up and head to Vermilion, AB for a year worth of college in the middle of nowhere?

9. Why is it that everyone else around my age seems to be so goddamn successful and have their shit together while Cin and I are still flailing around trying to figure out what we want to do when we grow up?

10. Why is my cat being such a little bastard lately?

11. Why is that certain groups seem to think that freedom of speech only applies to those who agree with their particular viewpoint on the world, human rights, social issues, etc.?

12. Why is it that my entire family seems to think that we can drop everything and attend any and all family functions/dinners/what-have-you, provided that they give us 24 hours notice?

13. How do you diplomatically tell your best friend that ever since his girlfriend left him, he's become a bit of a schmuck?

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. Karen at Write From Karen
2. Leave your link in comments, I'll add you here!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It's easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

January 19, 2006

Thursday Thirteen - El Lunchtruck Pontificates...

Tags: vancouver, thursday thirteen

Thirteen Things That I'm Looking Forward To This Year
1. Our trip to England/Paris in December. We're heading over to the Motherland for the entire month of December, and spending Christmas/New Years with my family. Sometime during that month, Cin and I are planning on taking the Chunnel train to Paris for three or four days. I haven't been there in 20 years; Cin's never been to Paris, so this will be a fantastic experience for both of us.

2. Going the entire year smoke-free. I actually quit smoking on December 23rd, 2004. Last year, I fell off the wagon twice - once at a bar gig (old habits die hard) and once during an insane amount of work-related stress. I'm looking forward to actually kicking the demon weed once and for all this year, and going 365 days without tobacco touching my lips once.

3. Finishing school (somewhat). I'm in the homestretch now; just one more course after this semester and then my final Directed Studies project. At this point I've mathematically beaten the system, and short of failing one of my final courses (knock on wood), I will grad with honours at the end of the summer. We haven't quite decided what's next - I'm tossing around the idea of continuing on to the second program and going for my NCIDQ designation, even though that means at least another three years of school part-time.

4. Getting snipped. Cin and I have been having "The Conversation" for going on seven years now. Back then we made the deal that if we didn't have kids by the time I turned 35, that was it, we were done. Once again, this issue raised it's head this past Christmas and this time, we decided to tackle it head on. It's probably the most substantial decision we've ever made as a couple, and something that we have researched, debated, meditated on, and spent an extremely long time considering. Last week, we made our determination, and so on June 3rd of this year, I will celebrate my 35th year on this planet by getting myself neutered. I'm really looking forward to this, believe it or not.

5. Getting back on the musical horse. Last year I had the good fortune of being included in a benefit show for the BC Cancer Society in memory of Surrey MP Chuck Cadman. I had such a blast that I've got the itch to perform again. I hadn't picked up a bass in about seven years, and hadn't been on a stage in ten, but it's like riding a bike - you never really forget how to play. So now I'm looking forward to picking up some gear this year, putting together a new band, and gigging again.

6. Competing in my first triathlon. I've loved watching triathlons on TV and always thought it would be neat to try it once. Then, a few years back, Mens Health magazine ran an article on the Montreal Sprint Triathlon, and I was hooked. I started reading everything I could on tri sport psychology, race preparation, techniques, gear. Two years ago, I first heard about My First Tri, a yearly beginner-only competition in beautiful Harrison Hot Springs, just outside of Vancouver. This year I'm entering, and while racing just for the experience is supposed to be reward enough, I'm extremely competitive - I'm in it to win it.

7. Expanding my mind. Last year, I set a goal to read a full book, fiction or non, every week for a year. It was kind of like going to from dead stop to full sprint for 52 weeks. By the end of the year, I had managed to consume 26 books, which isn't too bad, but I still felt like a bit of a cheap cheating schmuck since some of them were books that I finished in a hour and didn't provide much in the way of brain food. This year, I'm scaling it back somewhat and instead plan to get my hands on one book each month that really challenges me in some way. On the list so far: No Logo by Naomi Klein, In Praise Of Slow by Carl Honore, A Scanner Darkly by Phillip K Dick...and the list grows daily.

8. More yoga! I'm a huge fan of Eoin Finn - his Power Yoga for Happiness DVD is constantly in our DVD player (I have yet to overcome my issues with doing yoga in a huge room with other people until I'm confident in my own abilities - male ego being what it is, I hate sucking in front of anyone). I now have my very own Lulu Eco-Mat (thanks hon!) so there is no excuse not to Pigeon Pose myself away to the land of happy and healthy hips!

9. Eating the best meal of my life. A couple of years back, there was a special on the Outdoor Life Network called '101 Things To Do Before You Die'. Cin and I taped it, watched it over and over again, and started putting together our own lists of things we really wanted to do, or try, or experience in the short time we have here. One of those things was to have a truly world-class meal - being a bit of a foodie, there's nothing I love more than spending hours in a kitchen, whipping up an amazing spread and then basking in the warm glow of appreciation from our friends/families. Nothing I love more, unless someone else is doing the cooking. Enter Rob Feenie - first winner of the Iron Chef North America, culinary master, and from what I've heard, a really cool guy all around. He happens to own Lumiere, and I've wanted to eat there for a while. This year, it's going to happen, and I know it's going to be the greatest meal of my young life. Rob, the Lunchtruck cometh....have the 2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa Valley ready and waiting...

10. Speaking of wine, I'm looking forward to drinking more of it. I'm a bit of a, as the French put it, amateur de vin. I love wine. Love everything about it. Love to read about it (thank you, Jancis Robinson), talk about it, smell it, taste it, drink it, use it in cooking. Once I'm finished school, I'm hoping to take the first part of the Sommelier Certificate with my sister in the Fall (she's also a bit of a wine nut), just for our own edification. In the meanwhile, I'm volunteering at the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival at the end of February and couldn't be more excited if I was twins. Oh wait...I'm a Gemini....never mind.

11. More tattoos. I got my first tattoo at 34 years old. I waited 18 years to get it. It was worth the wait, and no, it didn't hurt that much even though it's directly on my spine. I went through a lot of crap when I was a kid though so I guess I have a really high pain threshold. Anyway, I'm looking forward to my next two tattoos, one of which I will be getting right after I graduate to commemorate the next stage in my life. The other one is still in my head, although Cin's going to help me get it out on paper since my artistic capabilities are limited to "Stick Figure Goes To The Mall", "Stick Figure Walks His Stick Figure Doggie", and my personal fave "Stick Figure Falls Down The Stairs and Impales Himself At The Bottom". I have issues.

12. Playing more hockey. I didn't get the Canadian hockey bug until I was almost 26. Yes, please insert your gasps of disbelief - I'm English, okay? In my family it was soccer, or preferably rugby. However, once I got introduced to this amazing sport, I became a massive fan. Eventually my curiosity got the better of me, and I wondered what it would be like to actually play the game. I took a skating course through a local community centre, and some hockey lessons through the big hockey practice facility nearby. I managed to play for one half-season before getting my first concussion thanks to a slew-footing cheap little bastard. Right after that, my best friend moved to Calgary, and suddenly I didn't have anyone to head out to the rink with on the weekends. This year, I've said 'screw this' and I'm going back to Saturday night drop-in shinney - as I've found out already, the worst thing that can happen is someone critiques my skating style, and most people will critique one second and try and help you out the next. It's a win-win situation, really.

13. Spending more time with my family. My nieces and nephews are growing up too fast, and I love spending time with them. They are all just the coolest kids - although they're a little ticked at us for going to England for Christmas this year. We're a family that bases everything on tradition, and when someone rocks the boat...so I promised myself that this year I'd make a concerted effort to spend more time with family. Not just my folks, but my sisters as well. We've never really been too close - both of them were ballet dancers through their teens and early 20s and spent my childhood living in England and Montreal. By the time they had returned I was already playing the clubs and didn't really spend a lot of time around the family, being the heavy metal hair band social pariah who had waist-length hair and earrings and wore makeup and all. Over the past few years we've really started enjoying each other's company, but those are relationships that still need some cultivating.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. D. Challenger Roe
2. Killired
3. Leave your link in comments, I'll add you here!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It's easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

January 12, 2006

Thursday Thirteen: An Interview with the 2-Cat Mafia

Tags: vancouver, thursday thirteen

Thirteen Things about the 2-cat Mafia, a.k.a The Meowfia)

I'm feeling most unispired today, which is why this post is late. Blame it on the rain. After hanging out with the in-laws and watching Mrs. Henderson Presents at the Ridge Theatre, I came home to find the bratlings antsy and bored and obviously in the midst of their next plan to take over the world using stretchy string, a red mouse, and some stamps featuring the current Queen. They were most startled by my reappearance (I arrived a good half hour earlier than they expected), and sensing danger I thought I'd save myself by pretending I'd noticed nothing and asked them to help me with coming up with something for this week's TT. While this is not a direct translation (they're not good with verbs, these guys), this is an approximation based on tail twitches, eye squeezes, disdainful looks, and licking of hindquarters. Bear with me.

1. What do you do all day? Eat. Sleep. Make things mine. Stare out the windows and curse the seagulls. Dream of catnip and being the first to explore the continent of Micea. Try to figure out how to grow opposable thumbs so we can make ourselves a bloody cup of tea.

2. Um.. OK.... Is there anything you'd like to do more of? Yes. We like to watch you at your most embarassing. Why can't we join you on the bed when you're tussling with the naked guy?

3. Heh.. moving right along.. Who do you thinks runs the show around here? We do.

4. Why do you think that? You may have the opposable thumbs, the money card and the house keys, but who gets up at 5am to feed us? Who cleans our bathroom, our yak, our dishes? Who plays with us at 3 in the morning when we bounce on our bed with our special magic stretchy string? Puny human. We've got you trained.

5. Right... Let's talk toys. Why do you ignore the expensive toys we've got you and delight in stealing twist ties & stretchy string? Not expensive enough. We want Harrod's!

6. And you sharpen your claws on the couch instead of the specially supplied carpeted cat house because...? It's there. Same reason you eat all the fudge and then pretend you didn't.

7. On a more somber note, I'm going to direct this one to Her Highness - are you up to discussing your um... "special" interest in chewing plastic bags? No. Now go away. But not before you leave me that one you got from Meinhardt's. I haven't tried that one yet. It smells good.

8. OK then, over to you big guy. You've been losing weight on this all wet food diet. How do you feel about the newly discovered bum dimples? ............................................................................................

(Author's note: I lost him at this point. He's figured out that he can check out his newly remodeled butt in just about every shiny surface in the place, including the bathroom mirror. He'll be HOURS.)

9. So HH, what's your favorite body part? My very.. sharp...wit. What - you were expecting claws? From the bathroom. My feet! My feet! Look at my dancing feet! And check out my BUM!

10. HH, you're the older cat - does that mean you're also the alpha cat? Or does the Yowler have that spot because of his size? Ah, kids these days.... He thinks he's some hot shot, some super power because he's so big and has access to weaponry... I don't need such crutches - I rule my domain with an iron paw. Truth is I've never let him forget I bagged him just hours after he got tutored at the vets. He called me a bad name.

11. Really? What did he call you? Dog.

12. You seem to be obsessed with this opposable thumb thing. Is that why you hang around the microwave? What gives?It's more a question of what doesn't. The fridge doesn't. Nor the cat drawer where the stinky goodness and yummy legal herbs live. Nor the front door. No thumbs means no access to the yarn stash, or the snips to cut the guy's strings with. We hate those strings.

13. Wow. I didn't know you felt so strongly about that. Any last things you'd like to share? Step away from the cheese and no one gets hurt.....

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!