mysteries

When I was younger, I used to love to read mysteries. My favourites were Agatha Christie and Lillene Jackson Braun (she wrote a series of books called "The Cat Who...."). And when I was really younger, I read a lot of Nancy Drew and The Three Investigators.

The first two authors wrote more cerebral mysteries, which is not to say they intellectually challenging to read, but that the main characters solved mysteries by their powers of deduction. I don't think I would be one for a CSI type mystery - I like reading about the detective who can solve crimes from an armchair. Somehow I find that more engaging, even if it is arguably less exciting.

However - I haven't read mysteries in years. I don't know why. It has something to do with the fact that overall I read less than when I was a teenager and also that I don't go to the library anymore. I used to go to the library for my mysteries - I don't know think I've ever bought a mystery. I also wouldn't know where to start finding a mystery. Last summer I read some Sherlock Holmes and I really enjoyed that. I would love to get involved in a good mystery again - lately I've been reading a lot of non-fiction, which is fine, but doesn't draw me in the same way.

Sometime this spring I will really have to make my way to the library, get a library card, and become reacquainted with an old genre: the mystery.

reflections on buying mascara

On Sunday I made a goal of blogging everyday this week. I rarely blog at all anymore and I thought committing to doing it everyday might help me to get back into it.

Obivously that didn't happen as I didn't blog yesterday. Instead I went out for drinks after work, came home and watched Corrie and Jeopardy in Central Time, and then went to bed around 9:30 with a headache. Aside from the headache, a lovely night.

Today after work I went to Shoppers to pick up a few things. And while in the make-up aisle, I decided to buy a new mascara (you are technically supposed to replace mascara every 3-6 months for reasons of hygiene and so I thought mine might be in need of replacing).

While in the make-up aisle I saw a great mascara by DuWop; however, this mascara was $27. Now I am all for spending money on things when you have money, but right now, I don't feel as though I could justify spending $27 on mascara. So instead, I went with this option from Covergirl.

Covergirl has a new product which is tailored to your eye colour. I got the mascara for hazel eyes (despite the fact that I think I might have green eyes, I never can tell). So I don't know if it will make a difference, but I thought it was a fun gimmick. And this mascara was only $9.99. Much more reasonably priced in my opinion. Not as cheap as some, but pretty good.

And now I can spend the next 3-6 months saving up for the $27 DupWop mascara. Talk about priorities.

when TV talks about the internet: which is the medium? which is the message?

Tonight Devin and I were watching How I Met Your Mother. This is a great show - if you do not watch it - start. Seriously. Now. Or next Monday (at 8:00 or 8:30).

Regardless, one of the main characters is named Robin, and Robin in Canadian. This leads to a number of jokes about Canada. And on this particular episode, there was an on-going joke about Robin having the opportunity to perform a Canadian sex act, with a Canadian celebrity, with a weird collection.

Now, you might be wondering what a Canadian sex act might be, well so were Robin's friends, and so to learn more about said acts, her friends check out www.canadiansexacts.org

How I Met Your Mother sets up real websites to compliment any fake websites it makes up for the show, which means after the episode, I was able to visit www.canadiansexacts.org, and although it might not be as funny to people who did not watch the show, I found it quite entertaining.

And don't worry, if you want to visit, it is family friendly. Well - okay - maybe not family friendly - but it is very tongue in cheek and contains no nudity or offensive language.

what a lovely way to spend a Saturday night

For Christmas Devin got me concert tickets (because he is a wonderful boyfriend) and last night was the concert. Whose concert you might ask? Only the greatest band ever, yes, that's right, Great Big Sea.

Now this is not the first Great Big Sea concert I have been to. The first time I was in 11th grade (I think) and I went with my friend Alex. We sat behind a pillar. It was an obstructed view. The tickets were a very last minute purchase.

Since then I have been to 2 more Toronto concerts, 1 in Kingston, 1 in Victoria, and that memorable time 5 of us drove to Cleavland for a night to go to a Great Big Sea concert (incidentally, it was the first time they had sold out in Cleavland). I have seen them inside and outside, in concert halls and clubs. And every time has been wonderful. It is just impossible not to be happy in the middle of a GBS concert, with hundreds/thousands of people happy and excited and singing.

And even though my wonderful boyfriend is not, himself, a fan, he was a very good sport and completely facilitated my enjoyment. And after it was all over (much too soon) we had a lovely walk home through downtown Ottawa. All and all, a perfect evening.

It's a political theory joke!

From Overheard in New York

Thank You, Elizabeth-- That's a Wonderful Segue to Hobbes

Philosophy professor: And John Stuart Mill says that, for example, if a person is drowning in a pond, a person walking by should save them no matter what the motive.

Girl: Drowning in a pond? A pond?! I'd let him drown just for being a moron.


Note: the actual title from the website says "Elizabeth"