Who came up with this brilliant idea?

Whats the deal with this whole "Save 3.5 cents at the pump" thing thats been going on for the past couple of months? Why can't they just make the gas 3.5 cents cheaper on the sign? It just doesn't make sense. Its not really a special discount if everyone is doing it.

If anyone knows the reason, please let me in on the secret.

Four more days until it all begins...

Why do newspapers, magazines and other publishings back candidates in the US election? What does it mean? Is the backing indicative of the feelings of the readership or of the editors and owners?

and why does this make the news? So what if the Washington Post or the Economist or Iowa Ledger backs a candidate..does that mean that an average American is going to base their decision on an analysis done by some other people who have entirely different circumstances then their own? I look for my news services to be information providers...and yes some are more conservative, some liberal, but in the end I don't need my newspaper telling me to vote for a specific person. I hate that you can't even trust news media to give us accurate and relatively unbiased information. How is anyone supposed to make an informed decision when almost all sources of this information is just dressed up propaganda?

Today I heard that this US election is costing $4 billion. I don't know what exactly that entails (I don't follow the campaign financing debate). I can't believe that...I doubt that much of it has gone to actually making that democracy better. I agree that the US is a big country and money must be spent by all kinds of stakeholders in order to be heard but frankly, $4 billion is a number that Americans should be embarrassed to hear.

Please forgive me for my naiveness (yes I am aware of it), I like to live in a world where people still care about fairness and equality and honesty. It feels like the pendulum has swung so far in the opposite direction that I wonder how long it'll be before it comes back.

The only thing keeping me sane is the existance of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (which, if you haven't seen is brilliant). At least they are honest about faking it...

My Harem...

A few days ago, over a great spread of rolls, tempura , tofu and sushi we were led into an interesting conversation about harems. I'm not sure exactly how we got there..somehow we went from hot blonds (or not so hot blonds), to hot asians, to hot indians, to dream girls

The question: If you could create a harem of 5 people who would it be? No questions asked, no consequences.

Rules: Cannot include current significant other, must be made up of people in the public realm (ie famous in some way), the more outrageous the better.

Since we didn't get to me (Neil got stuck in his thoughts and couldn't come up with more than two), here's mine:

Larenz Tate, Benjamin Bratt, Brad Pitt, Bryce Wilson & Colin Farrell (only because of the rumors)

I know its a bit mainstream and predictable but whatever, when you're hot, you're hot.

Who's in yours?

Becoming a Jersey Girl - Part 1

Many of you have shown varied degrees of interest (and sometimes concern) in my future. I've been holding off a formal update until I had more details and had some sort of an idea about what I'll be doing and where I'll be doing it. Last week I went back to New Jersey for what was hopefully my last pre-employment meeting and think its about time that I provided a little snippet of information to the masses.

Where will I be?
Most of you know that I will be working for Cadbury Schweppes. Specifically, I will be working in the Americas Confectionary (basically candy and gum) business. For now I'll be based at the regional headquarters in New Jersey.

What will I be doing?
I'll be working in the supply chain unit for the operational development group. Its a very small group that works on projects related to supply chain strategy. This is exactly what I want to be doing and I'm really excited to get started.

Yesterday I submitted my first round of paperwork to apply for a US work visa. I'm hoping the the process will be quick and easy, but its been my experience that whenever there are both attorneys and a government involved things tend to take their sweet time.

So there you go, its official, I will be moving to the United States in the coming month(s). I'm still not sure exactly when, it'll depend on the efficency of the US government. I'll update you all again once I know more.

Seatbelts, Ceintures, Cinturones

So, I just got back from a couple of days in New York and after arriving at JFK on Wednesday I jumped into my shuttle van only to find that the seat belt for my seat was broken. So of course I asked the driver how to work it and he tells me not to worry about it - that he's a great driver and that I shouldn't bother because I don't need to buckle up. Anyone who knows me can imagine how fuming mad I was after that comment but it was late and I was tired so I simply moved to another seat that had a functioning belt. I think I was probably the only person in the van who cared.

I have never understood why people choose not to wear seatbelts. Are they just stupid? Is a seatbelt so uncomfortable that people are willing to make a conscious choice to put their comfort above their safety? What about their family and friends? I will never get it. And then there's the fact that its illegal..just like running red lights and stop signs and we don't around doing that all the time.

Whenever I tell people to buckle up they always look at me like I am crazy and can't believe I'm asking. After which I always feel the need to justify my reasons. So before you start thinking it...NoI have never been in an automobile accident and no I have not lost any family members or close friends to a seatbelt related incident, however I know people who have, people that are close to me. And unfortunately I have friends and family who have almost made me say yes in the above sentence.

I think its sad that I need a reason to ask people to put on their belts. Its not enough to say "I care about you and think its important for you to be safe" you need some sob story before people will listen. Grr.

I come from a seatbelt wearing family, when I was younger my parents wouldn't even start our car until we were all safely buckled in. After watching all these careless people lately, I feel lucky to have been taught this. To this day I feel incredibly uncomfortable sitting in a car when people are unbuckled, so uncomfortable I have been known to get out of a car if a passenger refuses..not to guilt them into the belt but more for my own sanity - unfortunately, I have a vivid imagination.

Anyway, thats my rant. I know I can't control the actions of others, but to all the non seatbelt wearers out there, I CAN control my own car, so please when I'm driving, don't wait until I ask...

Fall is upon us :(

You know the seasons have changed when you're riding high on 16 inch stock tires.

Today we removed the 18 inch, low profile, sexy rims from the car and replaced them with the usual boring wheels for the winter. It rides different, feels different, and most importantly looks different :(

I know it was time and with all the rain we were having it was a bit unsafe to be slipping and sliding all over the place, but I kinda wish it was still a rim worthy temp outside.

Unwanted perspective...

Last week I was watching one of the great news programs on PBS (NOW or Frontline, something like that). I just caught the end of the show, they were taking stock of the day or week's US casualties in Iraq. That day/week 12 US soldiers lost their lives. They ended the show with pictures of the soldiers along with their rank and DoB - and I was struck when I realized that 10 of the 12 soldiers were younger than me - Me! and I'm only 25.

When I was 13 I visited one of the commonwealth WWII cemeteries in northern France - I vividly remember driving through the countryside (green rolling hills) and all of a sudden coming across white crosses...as far as I could see. We spent the afternoon there and I walked through the rows and staring at the dates on each of the stones. Many of the soldiers were listed as being only 18 or 19 at the time (which often meant that they were younger as many teens fudged their details in order to enlist). At that time, before I had any real knowledge of the reasons behind WWI and II (that came in later social studies classes), I was really affected by the realization that most of the people who fought for "freedom" were just kids trying to do the right thing.

In 2000 I attended the entombment of the unknown soldier in Ottawa. I was older and after a handful of 20th century history classes, understood why I was there. As I sat there on a piece of grass with some friends I watched the parade of veterans (who were definitely no longer 'kids') and listened to the prime minister and governor general pay their respects, I remember thinking back to that cemetery in France and thinking that this unknown soldier was probably just some guy my age who decided to spend their summer doing something for their country instead of working and partying like me. Different times, different choices.

Although I realize that there are numerous ongoing conflicts in many places in the world it wasn't until I saw the segment on the news yesterday that I realized that we are there again and some kid on a field trip in Iraq 50 years from now is going to walk through rows of white crosses and have realizations of their own...

5 step, 12 step or 16 step?

Yesterday I made my first appearance at a Navratri celebration in over three years. Oh, how I missed it, I'm such an idiot for not finding a way to go over these past few years. Besides being one of the few religious events dedicated solely to goddesses (girl power!!), getting all dressed up and dancing the night away always promises to be a good time.

For those who are of the non-hindu persuasion (or those who just don't know) - Navratri is a nine night (Nav = nine and Ratri = night) religious festival that takes place during the beginning of fall (usually around Canadian thanksgiving). During the nine days we worship Mataji (Durga or the divine/supreme mother) and each group of three days is dedicated one of the three main hindu goddesses Parvati (energy/power), Lakshmi (wealth/fulfillment) and Sarasvati (knowledge). (this is my interpretation, I'm sure there are variations).

This is a time for big celebration and we celebrate by doing a puja followed by garba and dandiya-raas until we are about to pass out (if yesterday can be used as an example). Navratri (or Norta in gujarati) is also the most cross generational religious event that I can think of. Young people look forward to the social and dance aspects and the older generation enjoy the devotion part, but every night we all dance together in various circles until the wee hours of the morning.

Early in the night yesterday I looked around at all the teenagers gathered around..all giggly and excited, just like we used to be. I remembered what it was like. Making sure you looked your best. Checking out all the boys, who are also checking out all the girls. Ensuring that at dandiya time you were on the opposite side as the cute boy so that you could say a nervous hello to him every time you went around the circle hitting sticks. Or making sure you avoided that annoying boy who always tried to use dandiya time as an excuse to chat you up. It was so much fun. This was one of the major social events of the year when I was younger. It was fun to be back in the scene, even if it was just for one night...

Another Canadian Thanksgiving (minus the turkey)

Many of you don't know this but at the end of June I removed poultry from my diet. So I am now what people in Canada call a vegetarian. In Canada this means that I eat fish and vegetables (since when is fish a vegetable?). I couldn't bring myself to stop eating sushi..I mean fish, to become a vegetarian in the rest of the world.

I did this for many reasons, none of which I feel like mentioning now.

In all honesty, it hasn't been all that difficult to be fowl-less, I never really ate chicken that much anyway, however every once in awhile I have been tested (butter chicken at reception, wing wednesdays, any time I just don't feel like a veggie burger), but I've past each test with flying colours.

This past Monday (yesterday) was another one of those tests. My hardest one so far. The 2nd monday of every October is Thanksgiving in Canada (its the end of the harvest, lots to be thankful for). We usually have a big turkey dinner at my house and often invite friends (usually those with veggie parents) over to share in our feast. Every year, my Dad and brother make a huge spread of food (including the traditional turkey) and I make my now (in)famous mashed potatoes. Why would this year be any different? We decided to use this opportunity to invite the newlyweds over (and Neil and Dhiren too)

I love turkey (I was really sad when I realized I wouldn't get to eat it again). I especially love turkey with cranberry sauce.

So yesterday as we sat down (with a 5:3 herbivore to carnivore ratio) I somehow ended up seated directly in front of the turkey (I bet it was my dad's idea, he's been trying to reconvert me to his side). Lucky for me there was so much other great stuff that I made it through without resorting to the meat. I also learned to love potatoes with cranberry sauce :)

I think I might actually make it and not eat the stuff ever again...yikes, thats a scary thought.

The invasion of the masis...

For the month of October my mom's two eldest sisters are visiting from the UK and they've spent the last week at our place. Although I've seen my aunts a bunch of times in the past year, it’s been over ten years since I've seen them all together. I love seeing my mom as a little sister...normally she's incredibly decisive and independent but the moment she has these mother figures around she happily depends on them and constantly seeks their opinion and advice. The more time I spend with her the more I realize how like her I am.

My mother comes from this gigantic family, I have too many immediate relatives to count (and with marriages and babies, its in a constant state of growth) and these two women are definitely the family matriarchs. They are the experts on our history, on our customs and traditions, on all things religious...pretty much everything except the family gossip because they don't keep up with our myfamily.com site (at least not until we figure out a way to post in Gujarati).

Everyday has been interesting, whether its waking up in the morning to the sounds of the Gita being read echoing through the house or watching my Dad give them cooking lessons or the usual trials and tribulations of Corning Ware shopping (those UK peeps love their corning ware)

Unfortunately for both me and Amar the ongoing theme of the past week has been our unmarried state. Each night I've been getting a short lecture on my imminent departure to my "sasu's house" (my in-laws). Apparently I'm going to need some coaching before I'm good to go, I'm not sure my rotis are up to par. How do you respond to that? Last year these same masis were arguing that I was too young..now all of a sudden I've missed the boat and am too old. So instead of arguing, I just smile and shake my head like a clueless innocent girl. I'm waiting for the day that they start giving me names and data of potential suitors, I'm interested to see what they think I'm worth. Last night I got a bit of a reprieve however, my father jumped in and admitted to them that my getting married was not one of his prime worries and that its up to me when it happens. Its the first time he's EVER talked about it and wow did that stop the marriage taunting. I like my Dad...he just gets me.

They've gone back to my other aunt's house now (this way we still get to have a thanksgiving dinner), but will be back again soon enough. Let's see what bullets I can dodge then...

Homer's quote of the day...

Sure! Everything looks bad if you remember it.

Ins and outs...

Lately I seem to keep trying to go in through the out doors and out through the in doors. Today at Safeway I stood there for a good 10-15 seconds before I realized that the door wasn't going to open.

I'm sure there is some introspective life metaphor that would be appropriate to insert here but I'll refrain this time.

Do you think its possible to be going senile at 25?

Mark your calendars!!

October 17th - 8pm (eastern) - MuchMoreMusic (Channel 35 in my land)

Vh1 Bands Reunited - The New Kids on the Block

The ppl at Vh1 try and get the boys from New Kids on the Block together to sing one last time!! I'm sure this has already aired in the US but its all new to me. Yay for me!!

I hope they sing Valentine Girl...

My so-called life...

For some strange reason when I turned on the TV when I got home tonight it was tuned to the Family channel which happens to be showing the entire season of My so-called Life every weeknight at 11pm during October...what a lucky break. I loved this show, I still love this show, I wish it had been longer.

"My So-Called Life" was my "Sex and the City" as a teen..but even more dead on (I was the same age as Angela in the show, and won't be 30+ like the SATC girls for awhile...thankfully). It ran in the fall of 1994 on ABC and had the unfortunate fate of being critically acclaimed (Claire Danes even won a Golden Globe) but was cancelled very early on due to low ratings...after the announcement of its cancelation, scores of people started watching it and subsequently tried to get the decision changed but of course it was too late.

I'm not sure why I loved this show...or why I still do. Maybe its because I was 15 just like Angela when it was on. Maybe its because just like her I wasn't sure who I wanted to be when I was 15 either and I didn't think anyone really understood me, not my friends, NOT my boyfriend and especially not my parents.

Ahh...Jordan Catalano, who hasn't had one of those, just hearing the name today on the show made me think of all the times I hoped he would call or when I thought I understood him better than anyone else or that this might be "it". And unfortunately most of us have also had our fair share of Brian Krakows, whose hearts we break without ever realizing it.

I liked that the show was realistic (unlike its 90210 rival...which I also absolutely adored, but for entirely different reasons) and was about the things that seem trival to me now, but were huge to my 15 year old brain. Things like these Angela quotes:

"It just seems like, you agree to have a certain personality or something. For no reason. Just to make things easier for everyone. But when you think about it, I mean, how do you know it's even you? "

"When you're not sure you trust a person any more, say a person youreally trusted, you start wishing they'd do something, like, really wrong, just so you can be right about them."

"You know how sometimes the last sentence you said, like, echoes in your brain? And it just keeps sounding stupider? And you have to say something else just to make it stop?"

"It's truly amazing. I have the power to be invisible."

"I can't believe you! You're like this curse that's just destroying my life!...You're like this living, breathing Bad Luck omen!"

Remember what it was like to be 15? When your parents were your mortal enemies and your life revolved around three way calling and having a 16 year old friend with their license so you could go leave the school for lunch instead of eating in the cafeteria. When field trips to the planitarium were still cool and sitting at the back of the bus meant that you got invited to all the parties. I had a pager when I was 15 (THAT was the ultimate in cool...cutting edge technology, I swear), I was late for school so many times I had to do garbage duty for a week, I passed notes in class during SSR and decorated my friend's lockers of their birthdays (and other fun "holidays").

Looking back, I'm not exactly sure I was cool in Junior High...I'm not sure what was cool in Junior High - I had friends, good ones actually, even some that had cars;)...I had fun, but I didn't hang out on the front stairs after school..I think thats what the cool kids did. I remember looking forward to a fresh start in Senior High. I remember that one weekend I danced with this really hot guy at York Theatre, it turns out that someone saw me and questioned me about it in the main entrance way in front of everyone (SCORE!) and from that moment on I was welcome on the stairs whenever I wanted. Who knew that was all it took?

Thats whats so great about revisiting shows like this...they make me look back at MY (so-called) life and remind me of all the shit I got myself into (and out of). Most importantly they remind me that the only constant in life is change and that a little perspective makes everything look different.

Girl you wanna come to my hotel :)

It was great to chat with you yesterday!! (Even if it was only for a short time)...

(found this pic from New Years 2001..thought you'd like it)

I miss you too!!!

City of God...

Okay, I know I'm a little behind the times but I watched City of God tonight for the first time. I'd been meaning to see it for some time now but always let a more feel good movie leave Rogers with me instead...until tonight that is.

If you have yet to see it, and I quote Cynthia here "Everyone saw the movie (If you didn't see it, what are you waiting for?!?)", I totally recommend you grab the DVD and take the time to watch the documentary that's in the special features section. I always think that seeing real people tell you their circumstances in their our words is much more powerful than actors could ever be...especially when you hear the Rio chief of police condone corruption and ten year old boys talk about their desire to get jobs as dealers. Its just yet another reminder of how lucky we are to have choices. Thats all the movie left me feeling...not shocked or sad or outraged...it just left me with a reminder that having choices leaves me very much in the privileged class.

As I am a much bigger fan of the written word than the spoken one, I'm now going to take Cyn's advice and add the book to my reading list (hopefully, unlike her I'll be able to find an English version ;))

Good memories...

I just got home after a night spent playing ps2 and Risk until we were all tired and didn't even care who won anymore.

Sound familiar?

To those with whom I share these memories, I miss you :)

How cool is this?

Mount St Helens erupts!! After hearing about the 1980 eruption from my teachers and parents, I'm totally stoked to see pics of today's 'release' (only because, unlike the last one, no one was hurt).

Links: Komo TV - Movie of eruption

They found me!! Ahh!!

I got this instant message today on my Kazaa msger, I already feel guilty enough, did they really need to tell me personally...

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