Monday, January 31, 2011

Jobs, jobs, jobs.

I applied for a job today online. For the application I didn't have to submit a cover letter. Instead, they made me fill out a questionnaire. This is terrific because I hate writing cover letters and I feel a lot better filling out blanks because it feels like I'm filling out an online quiz of yore, à la Quizilla.

Anyway, I filled out the requisite contact info, previous work info about sales quotas, and travel experience (it's for Flight Centre) and then came upon this gem of a question: "What makes you 'unbeatable' for this role?". Oh goodness. Let me count the ways! Among other things, this is what I wrote:

"My academic background and attention to detail also give me an edge on other candidates. For example, I am sure no other candidate you have seen has told you about the embarrassing grammar error here on your website. Perhaps it will negatively affect my chances at getting an interview, but I feel compelled to notify you that the "it's" in 'Boost your career with a global organisation and one of the fastest growing businesses of it's kind in the world!' actually does not require an apostrophe."

Ain't I a stinker? I think this will definitely catch their eye and they will hire me lickety split. It's almost a liability NOT to hire me, actually, because who knows what other errors they're making with their headlong and irresponsible editing. I was this close to suggesting that they offer me a job as an editor of their media publications instead of a travel consultant.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

The Skinny

Today I finally broke down and joined the 21st century. That's right, I bought skinny jeans. I never thought this day would come, but I'm actually really excited about all the new wardrobe possibilities that have become available. I can wear boots with jeans tucked inside and not have to worry about unsightly and, more importantly, uncomfortable bunching in and around the boot. I can wear flowy tops now without feeling out of proportion and unbalanced. I can even wear dresses over top if I am so inclined! The possibilities abound.

Up until today I had never owned a pair of skinny jeans for one simple reason: I was not convinced they suited me and I am not one to blindly follow trends. Ok, sorry, two reasons. The former reason is also why I neglected to get a pair of cropped/capri style pants until they were on the way out of fashion. It's hard to believe you'll look good in a style if the only people you've ever seen whose figures are flattered by it are supermodels.

Also, I don't like adopting a style just because most everyone else is. Mark my words, I will wear skinny jeans, but you will never catch me dead in tights as pants. Ever. Pants must have pockets or they are simply not pants. And tights don't have pockets. Ugh.

You know, there's another reason I put this off for so long: I don't like being proved wrong. However, when your ass looks as fantastic in jeans as mine does, this is a concession I think I can live with.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

A Little Polite Conversation

...Over dinner. A few nights ago I made an amazing lasagna with local shrimp, fillet of sole, spinach, mushrooms, shallots, and a lemon-thyme cream sauce with asiago inside and melted on top. It was a lot healthier than it sounds, as I used whole-wheat pasta and skim milk instead of cream.

However, the best part of the meal, hard to believe as it may be, was not the food. The best part was that Friskies smelled the meal and decided it was so delicious that she had to invite herself to the table. She had a nice chat with GP about their respective day. His was, surprisingly, significantly busier than hers.

Polite conversation (ok, maybe a little less polite and a little more tawdry) was also had last night at Butchart Gardens with two great long-time friends. There's nothing a little rule-breaking (smuggling rum-laced spicy apple cider into the gardens) and magical blinkenlights can't cure:
We even had a go on the Rose Carousel:
I was riding a cat (of course) and Caitlin was stradding a horse. Sarah is not pictured, but I'm sure you can just imagine her atop a green spotted frog.
Something kind of unrelated: after our ride we saw the killer whale seat and instead of a saddle it had a giant starfish on its back, shaped like a saddle. How very unrealistic!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Sweater Puppies!

Well, kind of. I'm sure that title got your attention anyway. Happy New Year and belated holidays and all that shit. What is really important in this post is that I have FINALLY finished knitting the sweater I started about a year ago. Ok, maybe two years ago, I can't remember. Anyway, it's done and it's amazing. Friskies helped me put the buttons on.
The sweater is exactly the same shade as her eyes in this photo. If I didn't know myself better I'd say that was the reason I picked out the yarn. GP will be exasperated at this, but I really think I should knit Friskies a hat out of the leftovers, to match my sweater. A slouchy beret maybe. The yarn is Berroco Ultra Alpaca, colour 6275-aka "pea soup". I think the colour is much prettier than pea soup. What a terrible name.

I actually should have put two more buttons on, but I was up until just after one o'clock this morning finishing it because I was so excited to finally be able to wear it and I kind of forgot two button holes. I might add a button or two more using an i-cord as the "hole", but I'm too excited to take it off. I love wearing it!

This is the best picture I could get. I look kind of silly doing the buttons up, but whatever. My gorgeous face would distract you from the beauty of the sweater anyway.

So that's it. That is the sweater that has been a part of my life for so long without actually being a sweater. I'm sure there's an anti-choice slogan in there somewhere. Youth Protecting Youth, eat your hearts out! In summation, this sweater will have to be pried out of my cold dead hands one day.