Come sit in my parlour

prof_student @ 2007-05-19T15:52:00

2007-05-19T20:53:19Z

I found a quote from Mark Twain that really appeals to me:
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore! Dream! Discover!

I want to stop playing it safe and start living.

prof_student @ 2006-12-09T20:45:00

2006-12-10T02:45:07Z

I'm Canadian so this is interesting.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The West Your accent is the lowest common denominator of American speech. Unless you're a SoCal surfer, no one thinks you have an accent. And really, you may not even be from the West at all, you could easily be from Florida or one of those big Southern cities like Dallas or Atlanta.
The Midland
Boston
North Central
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The South
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

prof_student @ 2006-10-18T22:49:00

2006-10-18T03:54:02Z

He's doing a bit better today. He ate a small serving of turkey although I can't get him to drink water. I keep praying that he'll be cured and we'll have a few more years with him. I can't stand the fact taht we din't realize he was ill sooner. My poor baby.

prof_student @ 2006-10-17T22:59:00

2006-10-17T04:04:38Z

Over the past few months we noticed that our cat seemed more docile and that he was sleeping more. But he's 13 so we assumed he was ageing. And the vet found nothing wrong with him during his annual check up in June. Then a couple of weeks ago he seemed to start eating less. Whenever I worried he'd start to eat so I figured he was fine. After all, he got a clean bill of health during his checkup. But yesterday we were certain he didn't eat anything so my mom and sister took him to the vet this afternoon.

It turns out that he has a tumour that takes up about a third of his internal organs. My mom had to watch her baby lying on a table with a gas mask on to put him to sleep for the x-rays. The vet said he could be around for another week, but if he doesn't eat he'll have about 48 hours. The only thing he's had today is a bit of tuna juice. He walked around for a little bit, but he's definitely weak. His left paw was shaved down to the bone so the vet could draw blood and he was in agony when my sister accidentally touched it.

He's sleeping in a cardboard box in the living room right now. I keep checking his little tummy to see if he's still breathing. He's not going to be here much longer and I just can't stand it.

prof_student @ 2006-05-24T21:55:00

2006-05-25T02:57:18Z

My maternal grandfather is getting worse. My mom visited him today and he struggled to open one eye. He was unresponsive, couldn't swallow his ensure and spit out his soft food. He must have had a significant stroke. We knew he was deteriorating last week when he was weak (couldn't walk or even hold a coffee mug) but he was coherent.

My mom is taking the next two days off to spend time with him. I'm wondering if I should take a day or half a day off. I don't know if I want them hire a temp. Maybe half a day will be okay. I don't know if my uncles will be able to see him. My wealthy uncle is with his daughter on a school trip and the other can't afford the trip. Shit. We never got to move him to a better nursing home.

sniff

2006-05-24T04:31:02Z

It must be late, because I caught a glimpse of Sean Preston Federline (better known as SPF or lil' sunscreen to some very funny people) and I got a bit...emotional when I saw a photo of Britney and SPF sitting in a restaurant. The photo was taken shortly after Britney's mustacioed (sp?) bodyguard prevented her from dropping the baby on his little head. Again. Anyway, sunscreen is adorable. The tiny overalls! The little tuft of hair! http://gofugyourself.typepad.com/ I kept help but feel sorry for the little guy 'cause he has to look up to Britney freaking Spears. Sigh.

prof_student @ 2006-02-06T20:38:00

2006-02-07T02:37:13Z

Your arch-nemesis is:	Joan of Arc

Why?	Because they dug up your garden
The winner will be...	You will join forces to conquer evil
Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

</td>
</table>

prof_student @ 2005-11-05T19:56:00

2005-11-06T02:01:31Z

My grandfather is getting more and more confused. My mom called him this evening to tell him about a TV show around 5:30 and said she was glad he wasn't at dinner. He told her 1)dinner wasn't served tonight and 2)he wasn't in his bedroom but the room next door. That is impossible because he answered his own phone and the room next door is occupied. Mom called the front desk and learned dinner was served. He could have slept through dinner but he's supposed to be escorted to the cafeteria for meals. Crap. I guess his brain is deteriorating.

Your Birthdate: March 7

You are an island. You don't need anyone else to make you happy.
And though you see yourself as a loner, people are drawn to you.
Deep and sensitive, you tend to impress others with your insights.
You also tend to be psychic - so listen to that inner voice!

Your strength: Your self sufficiency

Your weakness: You despise authority

Your power color: Maroon

Your power symbol: Hammer

Your power month: July

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

prof_student @ 2005-11-03T22:19:00

2005-11-04T04:21:34Z

Your Pisces Drinking Style

If you're a Pisces, you've probably already heard that you share a sign -- and an addictive personality -- with Liz Taylor, Liza Minelli and Kurt Cobain.
Not only do Pisces like to lose themselves in the dreamy, out-there feeling that only hooch can give, but you build up a mighty tolerance fast.
You're an expensive date!

On the other hand, you're a fabulously enchanting partner, whether in conversation or in crime.
With the right person, you can start out sharing a pitcher of margaritas and wind up in bed together for days.
The phrase "addictive personality" can be read two ways, you know.

Your Signature Cocktails

Pisces rules fresh mint, and you do love a mojito or three -- though a julep will do just as well.
You also like punches, like sangria or the oh-so-aptly named fish house punch.
(Pretty much anything will satisfy a Pisces in a pinch, though -- "drinking like a fish" is an idiom pulled out of the zodiac, not the deep blue sea.)
You're a total chocoholic, and you love creme de cacao (and spiked cocoa).

Your Celebrity Drinking Buddies

Drew Barrymore, Chelsea Clinton, Queen Latifah, Bruce Willis, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ted Kennedy, Jon Bon Jovi, Fabio

What's Your Alcohoroscope?

prof_student @ 2005-10-30T23:56:00

2005-10-31T05:57:42Z

You Are Best Described By...

Doctor Unheimlich has diagnosed me with Prof_studentitis
Cause:	self-abuse
Symptoms:	grunting, peeling skin, occasional feverishness
Cure:	Kryptonite
Enter your name, for your own diagnosis:

TABLE cellPadding=20 align=center>

BROWNIE BATTER!
You scored 77% SWEET, 55% CHUNKY, and 70% UNIQUE!

brownie batter ice cream with a rich brownie batter swirl

Mmmm....you are a very sweet mix indeed! You are warm, loving, and caring to all those around you, but you're not boring in the least! You have a wild streak and a creative, unique streak, too. You are a great friend, an interesting person, and you know how to have fun without ending up crouching over a toilet bowl. Nice!

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 59% on SWEET

You scored higher than 10% on CHUNKY

You scored higher than 68% on UNIQUE

Link: The Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Flavor Test written by weered1 on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Whoa, whoa, whoa. I ganked an article from another blog and learned those of us who can drink milk are genetic mutants. Scary stuff. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/06/10/cheese_digestion/

We moved my grandfather into a nursing home on Thursday. We weren't sure if we wanted to move him across town since the distance will make daily visits impossible, but it's stimulating him so we know it was the right decision. My mom decided a home will be best after his doctor told her Grandpa will go quickly if he deteriorates. (Not sure what his definition of deteriorate is. He's already at 84 lbs). But he does have three to six months left, which is more than I expected.

prof_student @ 2005-10-22T17:11:00

2005-10-22T22:04:00Z

You are the Chariot card. The Chariot has the
energy to succeed. Their ambition and drive
leads them into competition, and they often
come out the victor. The fast-paced energy of
the chariot is met with the ability to control
and lead. The Charioteer's leadership is not
authoritarian but rather an attempt to bring
their team to victory. The Charioteer can be
obedient to those who have proven themselves in
a position of leadership. Physical prowess and
activity are important to the meaning of this
card. Travel is found here as a journey of
personal growth. Moving from one point to
another in attempt to find a better place may
be taken both literally and as a metaphor for
the inner self. Image from: Dorothy Simpson
Krause.
http://www.dotkrause.com/art/tarot/tarot.htm

Which Tarot Card Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

prof_student @ 2005-10-19T18:47:00

2005-10-19T23:40:26Z

You fit in with:
Spiritualism

Your ideals are mostly spiritual, but in an individualistic way. While spirituality is very important in your life, organized religion itself may not be for you. It is best for you to seek these things on your own terms.

60% spiritual.
40% reason-oriented.

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

prof_student @ 2005-10-15T13:38:00

2005-10-15T18:30:45Z

No wonder so many people say google's search engine can find anything for you!

1- Go to Google (http://www.google.com)
2- Type in the word "Failure"
3- Instead of clicking "Google Search," click "I'm Feeling Lucky."
4- Giggle
5- Spread the word before the people at Google "fix" it.

table width=350 align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2><tr><td bgcolor="#E0EEEE" align="center">You Should Get a JD (Juris Doctor)</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#F0FFFF">
You're logical, driven, and ruthless.
You'd make a mighty fine lawyer.</td></tr>

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

prof_student @ 2005-10-05T16:29:00

2005-10-05T21:27:04Z

This is such an awesome day. First came the news Life and Style and US Weekly are reporting Nick and Jessica have finally called it quits. And it's Jessica's fault 'cause she's an untrustworthy, skanky, spendthrift. Woo hoo!

But that's not all. Tom Cruise managed to knock Katie Holmes up. Apparently this has been confirmed by Tom Cruise's rep. So there ya go. Tom Cruise really IS straight, yo!

And I'm meeting with my mentor next week over Chinese food. Woo hoo! Oh, and on Friday I'm going to a free fashion show. Whee!

Oh, and our dishwasher is going to be installed any minute. We won't have to handwash any dishes tonight! Hooray!!!

prof_student @ 2005-10-05T00:32:00

2005-10-05T05:29:08Z

Ugh. My nose must be allergic to something in my bedroom because I'm having a sneezing fit. I'm hoping it isn't my cat, who is sleeping on my floor. He looks so peaceful when he's not attacking anyone.

The National Post is all abuzz about how young'uns are buying their very own houses. Apparently a lot of them get help from mommy and daddy. Even so, they must be making a good chunk of change to afford those monthly payments and non-IKEA furniture. Er, when I had a job I found my $468 rent for my one-bedroom apartment painful. How can these people afford mortgages on grownup houses? Ugh.

prof_student @ 2005-10-03T22:28:00

2005-10-04T03:38:10Z

Mmm, Tollhouse Nestle brownie cookie dough ice cream, how I love you. You have the perfect ratio of delightful brownie goodness and cold, wholesome chocolateness. I've been trying to eat better and exercise more, but I will give blood tomorrow morning, and I'm hoping my iron will be high enough. So I must fill my body with calories for the good of the ill people who need my O+ blood. What's that, you say? Ice cream doesn't up one's iron? And you can't boost your iron overnight? Oh, pshaw.

The parents have decided no one is allowed to leave their rooms past 11 p.m. At all. Or we're totally grounded. Okay, I made that last part up. But this totally sucks 'cause I was planning to watch Jimmy Kimmel at 12:05 tonight. I'm going to get my TV in my room, yo. This is so unfair! My parents aren't the boss of me!

This rule came about because the brother woke Dad up around 1 a.m. last night when he put his backpack by the back door. So dad chewed brother out and woke up mom in the process. They both claim they couldn't get back to bed after that.

To be fair, the rents have reason to feel stressed. My grandfather isn't doing that great. He's too weak to walk without being supported on both sides and has no appetite. (His dr. explained patients feel genuinely full, like they're being offered lasagna after a turkey dinner.) Thank goodness for Ensure. My mom picked up a pamphlet about funerals yesterday. She wants to know if Catholic churches will perform funerals for non-Catholics. And my uncle is a born-again Christian who isn't a fan of Catholicism, so we'll see how that goes.

Oh, and my mom volunteered to do Thanksgiving next week. Sigh. Everyone will contribute something, but I have a feeling she'll going to regret that decision.

stuck in neutral

2005-09-21T02:44:10Z

Today was just.... bizarre. At least parts of it were. This morning I went to the university to give blood. I made an appointment last week and received a confirmation phone call last night. Easy peasy lemon squeezy, right? Wrong.

When I got to the university the multipurpose room was being used for a career fair. No one knew anything about a clinic. So I called Blood Services, expecting to hear that I messed up the date of my appointment. The guy said Blood Services isn't coming to the university until Oct. 4 and he had no record of me having an appointment for that date. It seems I had an appointment at another university another province away. I guess the people who called me assumed the area code was for my cell phone? Come to think of it, they only referred to the university. Still, it seems strange that they wouldn't wonder why they had to call a long distance number for a local donation.

So that's all kinds of weird, but I made an appointment for Oct. 4.

Then I went to my friendly local 7-11 and bought a paper. My cell phone rings. You have to understand that was kind of an event because no one has the number other than my former boss and my family.

A man sounds timid. "Hi. I'm calling about the car for sale?"

"I have no car for sale."

"I'm calling (a number that's two digitals off of my number.)"

"No, you have the wrong number."

"But I called (a number that's two digits off my number)."

"No, that's not my number. My number ends with ----."

Ten seconds later the phone rings again.

"Hi. I'm calling about the car for sale?"

"You have the wrong number. My number is ----."

Sigh. Sigh. Sigh. I turned off my phone. And he didn't leave a voice mail message for me, so I'm hoping he double checked the number. I don't understand how people can hear the number on my voice mail and leave messages for their friends on my machine. Dudes, wake up! Shortly after I got this phone three years ago a woman left a message about not being able to make a family gathering and having to have a bath.

After that a distressed guy left at least three messages for a girl. I couldn't stop thinking about the poor guy who was assuming the girl blew him off. How sad. So I um, took it upon myself to call him. What can I say? I'm a flake. But he sounded totally fine when I talked to him.

So that was another waste of my time. I'm extremely irritable today because the cat decided to run outside at 5:30 p.m. and didn't return until 1:30 a.m. I can't imagine what kept him six hours.

prof_student @ 2005-09-11T22:06:00

2005-09-12T03:00:05Z

Want to ask God a question? Here ya go! http://www.titane.ca/concordia/dfar251/igod/
He's a very good typist. I had to check it out after terriem mentioned on her journal that He called her dude.

Can you believe it's been four years since 9-11? And my priest didn't even mention it in mass today. I'm not even sure if he's mentioned Hurricane Katrina. Grrrr.

prof_student @ 2005-09-07T12:11:00

2005-09-07T17:04:25Z

The hair dye is fading! Hooray! And the fourth raccoon was caught last night.
Whoo.

Numenorean

To which race of Middle Earth do you belong?
brought to you by Quizilla

prof_student @ 2005-09-05T21:00:00

2005-09-06T01:51:50Z

Several people at the hospital claim Grandpa seems better. Maybe yesterday's visit helped him. I know he didn't eat more than usual, but he managed to carry on a conversation with a friend who called him. Please let that be a good sign...
...

I'm procrastinating...

You Are 70% Weird

You're so weird, you think you're *totally* normal. Right?
But you wig out even the biggest of circus freaks!

How Weird Are You?

I'm the eldest ....

You Are Likely a Third Born

At your darkest moments, you feel vulnerable.
At work and school, you do best when you're comparing things.
When you love someone, you tend to like to please them.

In friendship, you are loyal to one person.
Your ideal careers are: sales, police officer, newspaper reporter(!), inventor, poet, and animal trainer.
You will leave your mark on the world with inventions, poetry, and inspiration.

The Birth Order Predictor

In a Past Life...

You Were: A Brave Dancer.

Where You Lived: Egypt.
How You Died: Typhoid fever.

Who Were You In a Past Life?

You are pure, moral, and adaptable.
You tend to blend into your surroundings.
Shy on the outside, you're outspoken to your friends.

You believe that you live a virtuous life...
And you tend to judge others with a harsh eye.
As a result, people tend to crave your approval.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Your Birthdate: March 7

Born on the 7th day of month gives you a tendency to be something of a perfectionist and makes you more individualistic in many ways.

Your mind is good at deep mental analysis and complicated reasoning.

You are very psychic and sensitive, and you should usually follow your hunches.

You may not take orders too well, so you may want to work alone or in a situation where you can be the boss.

This birthday gives a tendency to be somewhat self-centered and a little stubborn.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Your Fortune Is

An optimist is a girl who regards a bulge as a curve.

The Wacky Fortune Cookie Generator

Your Band Name Is

The Tender Bunnies

Band Name Generator

prof_student @ 2005-09-04T19:34:00

2005-09-05T00:33:58Z

We just had my grandfather over for dinner. He doesn't walk and weighs 84 lbs, so this was my complicated than it sounds. A nursing aid had to help him get out of his wheelchair and into the car and we had to tell him repeatedly to help us by moving his feet. Then two of us had to support his weight as he took baby steps from the car to our porch. He took a total of six bites of the pureeed pot roast and mashed potatoes we spoonfed him. He slept on the couch after "dinner" and then my brother carried him to the car. Grandpa was exhasuted after the "walk" from the driveway to the porch.

Mom met with a social worker last week who said he isn't even well enough for a nursing home. I didn't realize nursing homes had requirements. Shit.

at least my eyebrows are neat

2005-09-04T03:57:30Z

Edit: The hell? I checked my parents' e-mail tonight and found an invitation from myself to join Where Are You Now, an onine site. Except I didn't send the damn message and didn't enter any e-mail addresses on the site. This means the system somehow managed to send stuff to the people in my address book. Has this happened to anyone else???? I have many old e-mail addresses from old employees, profs, etc who will not want my spam. This is embarrassing.

It seems I'm in the doghouse because ... I dyed my hair. Scratch that, I used some temporary mousse which will be out in a little over a week. Today I picked up some L'Oreal mousse and tried make my hair auburn. Of course, it's not auburn but a dark clowny red. With dark roots. And my mother is furious because she was complimenting me on my dyed dirty blonde hair earlier today. The new colour, which lasts for 8-10 shampoos, is apparently an insult to her. Sigh.

I realize this has more to do with my grandfather than me, but sheesh, can we have some perspective please? Or take it out on someone else? My siblings are both in nasty moods and I get shit for ... my hair?

Before I dyed my hair I got my eyebrows waxed. That was kind of a weird experience. I didn't realize I'd have to lie down on a table. I kept telling the waxer I wanted my eyebrows done in case she was confused. Sigh. I am such a dork.

prof_student @ 2005-09-02T15:07:00

2005-09-02T20:07:38Z

I finally got my damage deposit in the mail, minus $20 for failing to clean behind a stove and the windows. I'm kicking myself for forgetting the windows (I left in a hurry), but behind the stove? Please. I barely used that thing. If there's crap there it's from previous tenants. And I'm sure the landlady doesn't use the same criteria for everyone. I lived in the same building a couple of years ago and wasn't penalized for not cleaning behind appliances. Grrrr. And I think she could have been lenient for a poor 20-something who had to pay for the full month after leaving on Aug. 20.

Oh well. At least I got some of it back.

prof_student @ 2005-08-30T14:12:00

2005-08-30T19:04:04Z

A speech and language pathologist suspects my grandfather had a minor stroke recently. She called my mom at work to say she noticed one side of his mouth seems to have drooped. I noticed that on Saturday and wondered if it could have been a minor stroke, (my grandmother had one shortly before she died 11 years ago), but dismissed my concern because I'm not a health professional. Plus, he has a number of doctors, nurses and aids who are constantly seeing him. But he was recently assigned to a new doctor and new floor, (from surgery to medical) so I guess no one noticed.

Shit. My poor mother is struggling to concentrate at work. On top of that, she has to keep her two brothers informed. (They live in the states.) Shit, shit shit.

prof_student @ 2005-08-29T20:46:00

2005-08-30T01:40:39Z

I take back everything I said about about everything being okay. My grandfather hasn't eaten today--or yesterday. Fuck. He's mad at the world, too weak to talk, and his jaw can't handle normal food. He hates the pureeed stuff they give him, but his mouth can't handle anything else. My poor mother brought him some KFC today on the advice of his surgeon, but apparently the surgeon hadn't read a report which said his jaw can't handle it.

Now Mom wishes he didn't have the surgery at all. Then again, we were told the tumour would have killed him. So they got some of the tumour, but he was out of it for weeks weak for three more, and now, he can barely talk, can't eat, and is angry. I don't think he wants to live. F**k.