Where's Tom?

Hey all! I know some of you probably saw that Lauren posted her Halloween post yesterday - yay Lauren! But Tom is still M.I.A. - so this is what I, the Canuck, propose we do: Take another week off (if you didn't notice, no one posted last week - not even myself). We might have to change the format of this blog - maybe make it bi-weekly instead or something.

I know that the last email I got from Tom said he was really busy with work and that he had been staying at the office late every night. Hopefully he returns to the land of the living soon to grace us with his presence.

Not too much is new with me, trying to get all my Christmas ducks in a row and such.

Cheers,

Allison

Blah!

Okay, so The TASG had it's first hiccup of the season...Tom and Lauren are sorry and will post twice this week (last week's topic and this week's...well I know Lauren is. Tom, are you okay? Tom!!!!!!!!!!! Can you hear me!!!!!!!???? I miss you!!!!)

This week's topic is "Sick Days" - Basically how we deal with being sick. I've got my first cold of the season and while it's not really that bad, it's still quite bothersome.

How do I deal with being sick? I tend to drink tonnes of tea with honey, orange juice and try to drink more water. I know you're thinking I'm probably all holistic and stuff...but no. I also hit up the drug store for Nyquil, Dayquil, Tylenol cold, Buckley's, nasal spray, cough drops...whatever fits my symptoms and will help me sleep and avoid actually having to go to the doctors.

I also generally don't take time off of work while I'm sick because I have a shitty job and I don't get paid sick days, so I usually just feel like dying for my shift then I go home and actually die. If I ever am sick enough to not go in, that means I'm really, really sick.

I don't get sick that much, but when I do it tends to last a long, long time. Last year, around Christmas, I was so sick that I actually lost my voice.

Anyways, I wish you all a happy and healthy November.

I'm looking forward to Halloween and Sick Days posts from both Tom and Lauren this week.

Tom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All cozy in bed today.

Halloween is Weird When You're a Grown Up

This week's theme is: Halloween: The Aftermath. I assume most of us celebrated Halloween on Saturday, as tonight is mostly about Trick-or-Treating with kids. So this week we'll be sharing what we did on Halloween this year (or if nothing, we can share a story from the past).

This year's Halloween was the Halloween that almost wasn't. First, I wasn't completely sold on the party I was invited to. I'm going through weird feelings of social anxiety right now, where I mostly want to retreat within myself and be a hermit all winter long. Anyways, I started thinking about a costume anyways.

I've always wanted to be Joan from Mad Men, as she's one of my favourite character's on TV.

My other costume ideas were:

* Kate Middleton (I make fascinators for my Etsy shop, and I could have just bought a fake sapphire ring)
* Robin Sparkles from How I Met Your Mother 

Anyways, Joan was easier because I could use mostly my own clothes. I bought a vintage pencil necklace years ago (because of my unhealthy Joan love), so I had that. I have a pencil skirt - though mine was a bit shorter than the kind she wears (hey, on Halloween it's okay to slut up costumes, right?). I also had tights, black heels, a bright pink blouse, a brown cropped jacket, and a brooch. I bought a vintage silk scarf and pearl-like clip on earrings.

The other hard part was the hair - a 60s updo! Thank god for You-Tube and people who make hair and make-up tutorials for just about everything! I watched the video a few times, got some extra hold hairspray and a box of bobby-pins. It was a success!

Look at that hair! I'm so proud of myself, I might just do this on a normal day now.
Make it my new thing. I'll be the girl with the updo.

Anyways, the original plan was to meet up at a girl's house, arrange rides and then all travel together to the party - which was in this weird commercial space that my friend's boyfriend has turned into an apartment. But just as I was halfway ready a friend texted me that our other friends were already at the apartment. She gave me 15 minutes to get ready and then she was going to pick me up. At first I kind of wanted to just say nevermind and stay home, but I decided to just finish my hair and make-up and get dressed.

The party was okay - the space was pretty crazy. People were skateboarding and there was a swing hanging from the ceiling. I wasn't really feeling it though...so I sat on the couch and sipped a martini (part of my costume as well) and watched the others play beer pong.

There were a few highlights thought. I beat my friend at pool three times (dating a Brit is really rubbing off on me), and a girl dressed at Black Swan knew what my costume was (unlike everyone else). I mostly felt old and awkward and kinda wished I was curled up on my couch watching Beetle Juice or something Tim Burton instead.

The next day I had no hangover because I didn't drink that much. I did boring errands with my boyfriend and wondered if there was a middle ground between drunken dance parties and looking at tools at a hardware store on a Sunday afternoon.

I think I need to go to the pub soon.

So, Happy Halloween!

Tom, I hope you have a fantastic story for us all!

It was fun being a ghost & and Canadian Zombie in the cartoons last week!

Full Costume!

Trick or Treat?

This week The TASG has decided to show off our artistic skills once again by drawing comics of ourselves. This time the theme is Halloween.

Hopefully those of you who read my main blog will get an extra chuckle out of this one.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Tom, can't wait to see what costumes and silliness you come up with on Wednesday! Sorry my drawings really suck.

- The Canuck

My Island in the Sun

Lauren suggested that we do desert island albums this week, but I upped the ante and said we should also include books and movies.

The desert island works like this: Everyone lists their top 5 _____ that you'd want with you if you were trapped on a deserted island. The purpose is to identify which albums, books, movies etc mean the most to you.

Here's mine:

Top 5 Albums

1) Out of Time by R.E.M. - This was the first R.E.M. album I ever heard and the reason I fell in love with this band.

2. Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers - With the return of John Frusciante (who's since departed again) came new life to this band. I liked them before, but this album was the first of a new era for the band.

3. 1967-1970 (Blue Album) by The Beatles - I couldn't pick an album so I went with a best of. This version is of their later songs. I love the early 60s stuff, but I like this one more.

4. The Reminder by Feist - I'd pick her new album Metals, but it seems too new for this type of list. I just need some Feist on the island with me.

5. Weezer (Blue Album) by Weezer - The best Weezer album by far.

Top 5 Movies

1. A League of Their Own - One of my favourite childhood movies. I wanted to be Dottie Henson.

2. Reality Bites - I relate to this movie on so many levels. 

3. Empire Records - I love the 90s, this movie is the epitome of the 90s experience.

4. Peter Pan (Disney) - I love all things Peter Pan - but it all started because of this movie.

5. Edward Scissorhands - One of the best Tim Burton movies ever. It's a whimsical, creepy fairy tale.

Top 5 Books

1. Jpod by Douglas Coupland - This book is a must-read for the Google generation.

2. A Heartbreaking Works of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers - This book introduced me to a whole different style of writing. It's non-fiction written so creatively and so movingly that I re-read sections because they were so brilliant. 

3. Sex, Drugs and Cocopuffs by Chuck Klosterman - Clever, quirky, funny. I'm on a deserted island - I need a laugh.

4. When You Are Engulfed by Flames by David Sedaris - I need more laughs.

5. Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens - This one is for anyone who was ever a fan of the TV show LOST.

Thanks a Latte!

Hello ladies and gents! We made it flawlessly through our first week back to this blog. Can we repeat last week's perfection? I sure hope so!

I am pretty much responsible for this week's topic. You see, as the Canuck, I get to share with you all my world view and my countries traditions and national holidays. Today is Canadian thanksgiving! I had my turkey last night and it was delicious...so delicious that I nearly died. So full!

Anyways, this week's topic is "Things I am Thankful For."

The Obvious

My Family

I am obviously thankful that I have supportive, semi-cool parents who listen to rock and roll and don't smoke or litter. They have tolerated me in my failure to launch - and we get along a bit better lately than before. My dad likes to watch HBO with me on Sunday nights and my mom and I listen to Florence + The Machine and Feist in the car. I don't starve to death because of my parents. My brother is cool too - a bit of a jock, but whatever. We are total opposites but we have some common interests. I am also fairly close with my aunts, uncles and cousins. 

My Friends

I'm weird and I have tiny little factions of people I call friends spread out all over. Most of the factions never intersect and this means I don't see all of the friends all of the time. But each group serves an important purpose in my life. To make me laugh, to remind me of simpler times, to support me when times are tough, to listen when I just need to talk. I have people who will gladly drink pints on patios with me all night long, I have friends who will get ice cream with me and walk by the lake as if we were on a date, friends who will do my nails for me and tell me if my outfit looks good. I have guy friends who offer me a different, and sometimes disgusting, perspective on things. I'm thankful for each and every one of them!

Food, Water, Shelter...

I'm thankful I get to eat fresh, healthy food daily and I don't have to beg for it. I have taps that give me fresh water to drink and shower in. I have a roof over my head, a bed, clothes. Basically I have all the necessities in life plus plenty of luxuries.

*cough* I'm lame *cough*...my boyfriend

Don't worry, I won't get sappy here. But he is someone I should be thankful for. He tolerates my insanity when I text him and he doesn't text me back and I freak out and think he's ignoring me - that means something, right? Truthfully I was content, for the most part, with my simple, uncomplicated single life, but somethings are worth the stress and complication. 

Oh, and I'm thankful for his British accent :)

Not as Obvious

My Education

My education is something that has caused me a lot of stress, and given me few rewards but I must remind myself that I am lucky to have had that experience. Not everyone is in the position to do what I got to do, so I am thankful for the enlightenment. My four years in university really helped me grow and mature as a person.

Music

While I CAN technically live without it, I can't imagine my life without music. My relationship with music isn't the same as Lauren's - I don't create music - but I do surround myself with it. 

Arts and Crafts

My whole life has been about art. Painting was always my favourite thing to do in pre-school. I can't imagine a world without art and homemade things.

~

Anyways, I think that's all I can think of for today...I'm sure I'm thankful for a lot more. Actually, I'm thankful that I "met" Tom and Lauren and that we get to share our crazy lives with one another though this blog and our personal blogs.

Thank you for reading!

I'm thankful for friends who have birthdays so I have an
excuse for photos such as this.

Putting Away My Summer Clothes

So cold!

Welcome back to The Transatlantic Support Group! We took the summer off to chill out and not feel the pressure to blog weekly for a bit, but as the cold weather rolls in so do we. Blogging is really an indoorsy activity, so it only make sense.

We started this blog around this time last year because there's just something about fall that makes 20-somethings a bit sad. Maybe we miss the back-to-school feeling. As students we got so used to major changes happening this time of year. New classes, new people, that we're let down when autumn is just a colder, sadder version of summer.

But let's not start out a new TASG season all depressed - let's reminisce. Let's talk about our summers.

WHAT I DID ON MY SUMMER VACATION

by The Canuck

• I went to England in May

• I got into a relationship that was long-distance for most of the summer. Scary, but good. I am officially an insane version of myself!

• Had a lot of cold pints on patios with amazing people.

• I listened to new music from bands I love and bands I've just discovered.

• I saw a few movies: Bridesmaids, Bad Teacher and Harry Potter (3D!)

• I saw the musical adaptation of Billy Elliot with my mom and two of my aunts.

• I ran my first 5k race and ran my second 5k charity fun run.

• I met up with old friends from years ago.

• I visited my university for the first time since graduating in 2007.

• I went to the driving range.

• I threw a goodbye party for a friend who left for college.

• I took plenty of naps.

• I learned to enjoy mornings and wake up earlier.

• I nearly gave up coffee, but still have the occasional cup at work, but only in the morning.

I'm sure I did more than that, but that's just a quick re-cap. It wasn't the best summer ever, but certainly not the worst.

Hope you all had amazing summers - or at least not the worst.

Tom - Mr. Wednesday, I can't wait to here from you love! (I'm dating a fellow Brit, so I'm allowed to talk like that now, right?)

We're playing catch up

Please forgive us - we're gonna let this week be a catch up week for Tom and Lauren! Have no fear, this blog isn't going anywhere - we just might have to make some changes for a little while on how we post and run things.

Cheers,

Allison

Lenny Bruce is Not Afraid!

So on Saturday the world didn't end. That means The TASG lives on!

Yeah, I'm shocked too.

I really didn't think it was going to - I mean, those people have predicted the end of the world numerous times and it's never happened, so I wasn't worried. But it did get me thinking.

What if those crazies were right? I know that if the rapture happened I wouldn't be one of the chosen few, so I'd just be stuck on earth with most of my family and friends....yeah...hell on earth actually sounds pretty sweet, right? Unless it turned out to be like the book The Road by Cormac McCarthy, which would be horrible.

Anyways, I got to thinking about how the end of the world would be a total buzz kill and would ruin my  summer plans. I still have things on my bucket list, and if my bucket is prematurely kicked by some sort of hellfire, that would suck.

As for the end of the world, I think the world is ending. Just like we're all dying. The world as we know it will end someday - the sun will burn out, the ice caps will melt, earthquakes and volcanoes will engulf us all, the ozone will disappear - all that scary stuff environmental groups have warned us about.

So yeah, we made it through another judgement day. Hallelujah!

The sun is still shining!

See ya Wednesday Tom!

Stand by Us

Me enjoying a rugby match in Bath, UK.

So you guys have probably noticed that this blog is kinda lacking lately. Lacking Tom especially. I do hope that we return to our regular scheduled programming soon - but in the meantime please stick by us!

This week I say our topic be "My Busy Life."

Right now, my life isn't that busy. I work and when I'm not working I fill my time with other frivolous activities - such as, going to the pub. I'm also filling my time with catching up on all the shows I missed while I was in the UK. How I Met Your Mother, House, Modern Family, and Big Bang Theory. I live a full and interesting life.

Anyways, I know Tom and Lauren are quite busy right now - but hopefully you'll hear from them soon.

Sorry for the short and sweet post.

Cheers,

The Canuck

I'm Coming Home

This is past-Allison...the Canuck girl who's been away in the UK for a week, but hasn't actually experienced that yet because I'm still in Canada typing this post to be scheduled. So when you read this I will be likely on a bus, plane or taxi coming home from my (hopefully) fabulous holiday in Bath, England.

No one suggested a topic for this week so I'm going to declare this week a free form topic. It's hard for me to write about stuff that will still be talked about in a week's time.

I know this is a week old (when you guys read it) but during my last shift at work, before I left for a week, my co-worker and I did a lot of work - it was raining so we just cleaned the whole store. At the end of the shift she drew a little comic strip about our afternoon:

It was pouring rain, so we cleaned almost EVERYTHING!

Val cleaned out the syrup containers (what we use in hot chocolates and flavoured lattes).

We felt pretty good about our productive day, and then a lady spilled her tea on the floor :(
"I'm going on vacation tomorrow" was my mantra while I mopped it up.

We rewarded ourselves with pizza! Pizza has never tasted so good!

I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did. I know it's not our Transatlantic Super Squad comics - but still pretty awesome I'd say. I'll leave you with some random photos I found on my computer.

Not sure why I took a photo of myself eating a sandwich.

Crazy two-headed kitty!

Me and my cousin's son.

Probably a photo I took for this blog but never used...until now.

Sorry for this post - I just can't really think about what to write about that will matter in a week's time.

"You Sound Like You're From London"

All packed?

It's 9 a.m. on Monday morning here in Southern Ontario. At 5 p.m. my airport taxi will pick me up and take me to Pearson International Airport where I will board a 8:40 p.m. flight to London, Heathrow. In honour of my trip abroad I suggested the topic of Travel Stories. I feel like Tom (who lived in Italy for a bit) and Lauren (who spent time in Egypt) will have way cooler stories than me - but I will list my most memorable vacations.

• Florida, 1989 - When I was five and my brother was four our parents drove the family to Florida. My mom's cousin was living there at the time, so we were to stay with them for a bit. I don't remember the drive much - but I do know we stopped and picked pecans in Alabama, and we stayed in some motels in the Southern United States. I remember my dad went fishing and caught a pelican. I also remember swimming and sucking on my hair because it tasted salty. We did the whole Disney World thing - which was fun. We also visited JFK Space Center - where I got to try on a space suit.

• England, Scotland & Wales,  2003 - During my last year of high school my family booked a tour of Great Britain. It was the first time I'd ever been on a plane - so I was excited and nervous. The tour was a whirlwind, but I saw so much and fell in love with Edinburgh, Scotland. For a while I considered trying to go do a Masters degree there just so I could live there for a bit. It was an exhausting, but life changing trip. Also, travelling with my family was stressful and staying in a hotel room with my brother was a bit annoying.

• Montreal, Quebec, 2009 - For my 25th birthday I took a trip with one of my best friends - Amanda. We  took the train and arrived in Montreal, took a cab to our hostel (bunk beds with annoying crinkly plastic mattress covers) and got out our maps to plan our trip. Instead of exploring the nightlife of La Belle Province, we basically did a walking tour of the city in the rain. We also sampled all the famous foods - Poutine, Montreal-style bagels, and smoked meat sandwiches with a cherry pop. We saw the John and Yoko exhibit at The Montreal Museum of Fine Art. We walked through the outer section of The Bell Centre (where the Montreal Canadians play). We bought wine at a variety store and weird fake vodka and drank out of plastic cups in our hostel. It was an amazing trip - even though it rained a lot.

• Ottawa, Ontario, 2010 - My cousin (the one I'm visiting in England) got married on January 2 last year. My parents and I drove to Ottawa (with a stop-over in Kingston, Ontario) for the wedding at the Delta hotel. After a beautiful and super fun wedding, we stayed an extra day to see the sites of our nation's capital. We saw parliament, the Canadian National Gallery, The By-ward Market - all in -20 degrees Celsius weather. It was cold, but I'm so happy I went though. My hotel room was amazing! I've never stayed somewhere so nice.

• Belleville, Ontario, 2010 - Last summer I took the train and visited my friend in Belleville. Not exactly an ideal vacation spot, but I was excited to visit my friend and see where she lives. I also rented a car - a first for me. It rained a lot, but we had fun visiting some small towns and looking at knick knacks.

So, I'm not the most travelled person I know - but I feel like I'm pretty good at making the most of my holidays. I mostly spent my childhood years camping and going to my cottage (or grandparent's house). I live pretty close to both Toronto and Niagara Falls - so I have taken many day trips to those places. I actually lived in Toronto when I was in university. I can't wait to come back and tell you guys all about my trip!

Tom & Lauren, I'll read your posts in a week - 'Cause I've got a ticket to ride!

Bonus points to those of you who can tell me the name of the film the title quote comes from.

I'll reply to comments when I return - so don't be shy! Tell me your travel stories!

Pomp and Snobbery at It's Finest

This week Tom suggested perhaps a Royal Wedding theme - I know what you're thinking - that we've jumped on the bandwagon. I suggested that it might be fun to every-so-often tackle specific topics to our respective countries and each write a lighthearted post on the subject.

While Tom says the Royal Wedding is more of a Brit thing, but I disagree - because as a Canadian, Prince William is my future king as well. The British Monarchy reigns over the entire commonwealth, which includes Canada. I obviously don't take it too seriously, but I do enjoy the glamour and fanfare of it all.

I'm not here to talk about Wills though, I'm here to talk about Kate and how I adore her fashion sense. I want to own all of her hats pretty much. I want to someday host a garden party and make everyone wear fancy hats and drink tea.

I've decided to derail the topic a bit and not talk about the upcoming nuptials, but to talk about one of my favourite colours lately: Royal Blue.

My famous hat paired with my favourite coat ever!
Seriously this jacket was a steal and it's gorgeous!
Royal blue is such a eye-catching colour.

One of my new nail polish colours: Dating a Royal.

Not quite as glitzy as Kate's sapphire, but I love it.
This is a lapis ring I bought back when I work at a jewellery kiosk. I love the colour.

It's hard to see in this photo, but there is royal blue in this dress.
This was my birthday outfit.

I won't be watching the wedding on TV - as it comes on at 3 am here, and will likely be quite boring. I'll catch the highlights online. A lot of people seem quite upset that this wedding is getting so much press - but I don't really care one way or the other. For me I think the little girl inside of me is living out her princess fantasies through this.

Tom, as you live in the city that this wedding is happening, I expect a full report on the state of London right now! Also, your Bad Habits post :)

Bad Medicine

Before I, The Organized One, introduce this week's topic, I have two items to discuss:

1) If you're on 20-Something Bloggers and haven't voted for May's Blogger of the Month yet, please consider voting for Tom. I nominated him again!

2) Last week's posts were too funny. Lauren's epic comic was amazing. Hope you enjoyed it! Is this something you'd like us to do again in the future? Any artists out there interested in drawing us something?

Okay, so this week we're discussing our bad habits - past and present.

So what are my bad habits?

Here we go:

1) Junk food...specifically sweets: I have no will-power when it comes to chocolate, or cake or pie or cookies...you know what I mean. My mom was shocked when my blood test came back last month and revealed that I DIDN'T have diabetes.

2) I recycle boys: Guilty as charged. I will meet someone, like him a lot, things go bad, I stop talking to him...sometimes for years, and then he reappears in my life, apologizes, I believe him, and the cycle begins again. Now, there is a chance that one of these times it will work out for me. I keep hoping, anyways. Don't judge me!

3) I fixate on my flaws: Specifically my skin. This is probably my worst habit. If I have a zit or even just a small irritation I can't leave it alone. For years my mother has been harping on me, "don't touch it and it will go away." It's a nervous habit and I really hate it. It's kind of like how little kids suck their thumb.

4) I overreact a lot: Maybe because I'm an emotional person I tend to jump to conclusions and freak out over the smallest things. I wish I could be more laid back and chilled out, but I'm just not. This personality defect has caused me to clash with others. I wish I could learn to let go.

Sorry this post is sort of short - I am going to eat dinner soon and then head to the pub for quiz night.

Oh, I leave for my trip in two weeks!

See ya Wednesday Tom!

Game 3 tonight! Woo. (Loving hockey is NOT a bad habit)

The TASG VS. Suburban Moms

This week the TASG is writing adventure/superhero stories about ourselves. Hope you enjoy my installment!


In the suburbs of Southern Ontario...

The Canuck is working at a quiet, lakeside cafe alone on a sunny Monday afternoon. She’s ground enough coffee for her shift, restocked the milk, and swept the floors and there is nothing left to do. She fiddles with her phone and wishes she didn’t have four more hours to go.

She decides to make herself a nice hot cup of Earl Grey when suddenly the doors burst open and a mob of yuppy moms with strollers charge at the counter. They demand organic decaf, half-sweet soy moccas, and gluton-free cookies. They scoff when not all their requests can be met right away, if at all. The babies start to cry and the mothers get restless and start demanding that their drinks be made faster.

The Canuck cannot deal with this madness alone without having her ass handed to her by a yoga practicing mommy so she raises her Transatlantic Super Ring in the air.

From across the ocean and borders The Yank and The Brit receive the signal. The Yank is in the middle of playing a killer keytar solo at a local bar in Portland, Oregon, when she is summoned by The Canuck. Tom is at a Fulham match on a cool day in London, England, when his ring lights up alerting him of trouble in Canada. He wraps The Elder Scarf around his neck and flies into the sky.

Meanwhile, back in Southern Ontario, The Canuck has pulled out her magic hockey stick and is using it to swat away the Lululemon-clad super moms. Soy milk is flying and babies are bawling. Suddenly the the front door kicks open and The Yank and The Brit come to save the day. Lauren promptly plays some lullabies on her keytar to pacify the evil babies while Tom charms the moms with his lovely accent and fashion sense.

The Canuck holsters her hockey stick and is finally able to finish up the drinks and send the ladies on their way. As a thank you she gives her TASG Super Friends lattes on the house. The three of them sit on the patio and enjoy the view.

Tune in on Wednesday for more TRANSATLANTIC SUPPORT GROUP adventures courtesy of The Brit.

This is my embarrassing photo this week - it's not really a photo, it's a drawing.
I suck at drawing faces. If there are any artists/cartoonists out there who'd like to draw us,
I'd love that!

The Tipsy Canuck Strikes Back!

I'm going to let you all in on a little secret - some insider information about the behind-the-scenes goings on here at The TASG. We email each other a lot - not always blog related. Usually about something funny or interesting that happened in our lives. Sometimes these email threads inspire post ideas. An email I sent Tom and Lauren Saturday night (or early Sunday really) inspired this week's theme:

Things I Never Do Sober

2007 Classy Formal Drinking

* We here at The TASG are not raging alcoholics, but we do drink socially. Don't judge us!

I'd love to fill you in on what my email talked about in reference to this topic, but that's just not possible. It's a bit personal in nature. But there are plenty of things I willingly do when I'm intoxicated that I would never do sober.

1) Dance - I am not really the type of person who enjoys dancing in front of people - unless I've been drinking. I am shy and awkward on the dance floor, but if I've had a few glasses of wine at a wedding I suddenly can't get enough.

2) Sing - Not by myself, but along with music playing at the bar (either the stereo or a live band). Especially if it's something by The Beatles. I love busting out a little "Hey Jude."

3) Hug people - I'm not usually a touchy-feely person, but if I've imbibed a bit I suddenly feel more open to hugging.

4) Talk to strangers - I don't usually strike up conversations with people I don't know in my everyday, sober life. But I can be quite the charmer at the pub.

5) Text people I shouldn't - There are people in my life who I shouldn't text late at night after I've been drinking. I would never do this sober.

6) Not care that I am wearing my sweater inside out at a keg party - This is a true story. I'd taken the sweater off because I was hot, but put it back on later inside out.

7) Walk home without shoes - My shoes hurt my feet, so I took them off.

8) Talk loudly about how badly I have to pee - Usually this happens when I'm walking home and really have to pee.

9) Flirt - I am an awkward flirt most of the time, but sometimes the demon rum transforms this Canuck.

10) Write my phone number on a guy's hand - I did this once and he didn't call. I don't know if this situation would have happened sober. Not likely.

Hey Tom!, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better!

Cheers!

The World is Mine!

Obey my dog! (*my parent's dog)

Did you know if you play The White Album backwards it says “Tom isn’t Dead?” True story (*not actually).

Tom isn’t dead, but he’s been quite busy at work and now he’s on a business trip in Italy. I know, Lauren and I kinda scratch our heads at this one. “Business trip?” It’s a foreign word for us. So this week there will be a bit of a switcheroo and Lauren will post on Wednesday (I think, she never actually agreed to this) and Tom will post TWICE on Friday - yep he’s agreed to make up for his lack of posting last week by writing his Pet Peeves post as well as this week’s. He’s a good sport that Tom. I feel like a bit of a control freak when it comes to this blog. While I embrace some of Lauren’s Boho qualities, I am also a bit of an organization junky. Not when it comes to say, cleaning my room, but I like to live on a schedule. Especially now - as it keeps me sane. So I just wanted to explain what’s going down this week on The TASG!

Okay, so I asked Tom for a topic this week - and he said he wanted us to write about a completely made-up situation where we are magically the leader of our respective countries (Queen, King, Prime Minister, President) and we have to write about the perfect world we would create, but in a silly way - non-political. This will be hard for me because my country just called an election for May. I’d love to talk about how I’d banish Stephen Harper as my first order of business, but that just wouldn’t be very “Canadian” of me. We are supposed to be nice, right? (Um, attack ads anyone?).

Okay, enough about politics!

My Perfect World (Or Canada)

In my perfect world everyone would automatically have a career in whatever it is that they’re good at. No one would end up in a job they truly hate and everyone would be happy to go to work for the most part.

Television shows such as Teen Mom and Jersey Shore and whatever other crap MTV produces would be banned. Only clever shows with talented people would be permitted.

I would make it mandatory for everyone to go outside for a walk for at least 15 minutes everyday. This would take people away from their computers, give them fresh air and force them to get some exercise.

This is pretty hard...all my ideas have some sort of social or political slant... Hmm...silly ideas...Oh! Chocolate would be added to the government issued food guide.

I would create a national “Read a Book Day” where everyone would be given the day off to read and relax and avoid technology for once.

While these ideas are far fetched and not possible, it’s fun to dream, right?

See you (hopefully) on Wednesday lalalalauren!

What the $%&#? (A Rant from The Canuck)

I got an email from the lovely lalalalauren yesterday with the topic for this week. Pet peeves! So while it’s fun to write posts about silly things, sometimes it’s good to get back to the nitty gritty of this blog and address things that seem more 20-something centric. Yes, everyone has pet peeves - all ages - but I feel like I can really talk about pet peeves that pertain to my particular station in life with this week’s post. Actually, this post will probably end up being pretty silly still.

So here we go!

One of my biggest annoyances is when people say they’ll do something but bail at the last second. Again, yes - I know this is a universal problem. But for me I feel like I wait around a lot for people. Maybe it’s just my personality, but I tend to believe people when they say they’ll do something at a certain time and most of the time I end up all dressed up with no where to go. What’s worse is that by the time you find out the plans are off it’s too late to do anything else. It’s super annoying. Just because I don’t have children or a boyfriend, husband or dog doesn’t mean my time isn’t valuable. Think about that next time you keep someone waiting only to cancel on them.

Another pet peeve of mine is ignorant drivers. I have a license...I’ve had a license for almost 10 years now - I know how to drive. I don’t, however, own a car. Because I don’t own a car I end up walking most places. I am a very law-abiding pedestrian and I very rarely jaywalk. I have almost been hit by cars at least ten times while I was making safe and legal crosses. Yes, I have headphones in my ears - but I’m not blind. Stop trying to run me down bitches!

This next annoyance is more job specific. I hate it when customers make stupid remarks to me when I’m behind the counter. “Oh, it’s a beautiful day, I bet you wish you didn’t have to work?”

No, I really wanted to work. I don’t enjoy sunshine...Ever.

Also, I hate it when customers take napkins and stuff them into mugs with liquid still in them. I know they think they’re helping, but it would have been more helpful if they just threw the napkins in the garbage. Now I have to reach in and pull the soggy napkin out or find a spoon or fork to get it out with. Thanks for making my job more disgusting.

While I’m ranting, I’ll just add anyone and everyone who treats me like I’m stupid because of my job. I have a four-year degree, but circumstances have not allowed me to better my situation right now. So just drink your coffee and bugger off.

People who blow smoke in my face. Just rude.

Job ads that say they are looking for someone with 2-5 years experience in a field. Can someone tell me how to get two years experience in a job when none of the job ads seem to ever say “entry level”?

Loud and ignorant people ranting loudly (and ignorantly) about how loud an ignorant someone else is. Look in the damn mirror!

Oh, and every celebrity who’s become famous for being a crazy asshole. I’m not even going to say his name because I don’t want people Googling him to stumble upon this. Also, the people who follow this “news” and think it’s great. We need to stop worshiping horrible people!

Another pet peeve of mine is girls who spend too much time thinking about guys. They dress for them, they do their hair for them, and just talk about how hot they are all the time. There is more to life than just boys and whether or not they want to bang you. Read a book sweetheart! (Sorry, that was mean).

I have some Facebook pet peeves. I hate it when people with babies or small children make their kid their profile picture. You are not your baby! Also, I don’t need to know that your baby has explosive diarrhea.

And attention “newly” weds...Your wedding was six months ago, change your picture.

I could go on and on...

I’m trying not to be an angry person, there’s just so many little things in my life that irk me!

Help, I need somebody. No, not just anybody...but Tom! I look forward to reading about your Pet Peeves on Wednesday (or Thursday...or Friday...or Saturday...)

P.S. If you're on 20-Something Bloggers and you love Tom, I nominated him for April's Blogger of the Month. He's currently trailing - so if you haven't voted maybe you should go over there and do so. Team Tom!

Also, if you're an artist/cartoonist I may have something I'm interested in having drawn in relation to this blog.

Charmed, I'm Sure.

Top O' the Marnin' to ya!

Picture from a St. Paddy's Day Celebration with
friends in university - 2006. I made some sort
of green vodka drink.

This week our topic is “Lucky Charms” in honour of St. Patrick’s Day (which is on Thursday for those of you who think it’s just not easy being green). Funny enough I suggested this topic (thinking I was being super clever) and I don’t actually have any good luck charms...wait, maybe I do.

I wrote a post about this on my main blog called Sharpening Knives and Picking Up Chestnuts. It’s about how every fall I pick chestnuts up off the ground and put them in my pocket. I do this because my grandfather did it - for luck - but I don’t really know the story behind it. I’m not even sure if my reasons for doing this have anything to do with luck, but more me wanting to hold onto a memory.

Another “good luck” ritual I tend to adhere to is the whole “find a penny, pick it up, all day long you’ll have good luck” thing. When I see a penny on the ground I always want to pick it up, even if I’m with people who will judge me for being weird and gross.

I’m not superstitious though - I have a black cat (though she has a tiny patch of white on her belly, so she’s not entirely black), I frequently tell people “good luck” instead of “break a leg,” and I’ve probably broken a mirror before and not freaked out over being cursed with seven years of bad luck.

When my brother was in university studying chemistry he moved home one summer and my mom did some of his laundry. He was a bit distraught when he noticed she’d washed his lab coat. “It’s bad luck to wash your lab coat.” My thought was that it’s probably only bad luck because they probably spill poisonous materials on those things that might react badly when washed. Who knows.

Some athletes won’t play a game without their lucky socks. Some people need trinkets and charms with them when they’re about to do something important. I really don’t have any of these things. Since I can’t grow a playoff beard, and pollution has made it difficult for me to see, let alone wish on shooting stars - I will have to settle for making my own luck. I’ve always been one to stare luck down and challenge her. When I used to play soccer I picked, on purpose, #13. I like to live dangerously like that.

Although, one night at work I was adding up the debit and credit card transactions and one added up to $88.11 and the other $11.88. I showed my co-worker and she said, “that’s going to be a good sign.” I’ve also had some prices add up to $6.66 and thought “yikes.” I’m not religious - but I notice these things.

So I wish you all (the Irish and non-Irish alike) a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Wear some green, drink some green beer, eat some potatoes and feel lucky to be alive.

Cheers!

There are many good reasons for drinking,

One has just entered my head.

If a man doesn't drink when he's living,

How in the hell can he drink when he's dead?

- Irish Saying. 

See ya on Wednesday Tom!

Pale is the New Tan

My cat is my hero.

As I lay on my bed typing my Macbook is glowing it's little apple symbol into my dimly lit room. Broken Social Scene band shirt on, comfortable blue jeans, hair still damp from the shower...a lingering cough from last week's illness. I'm here to write my Transatlantic Support Group post...I feel so uninspired. Who inspires me? Who do I look up to? It's so hard being a 20-something these days. All these plastic pop stars and stupid girls on Teen Mom are famous and we're left to wonder who we're supposed to look up to.

I came up with this idea late last night...that this week we should write about who our idols are. Who inspires us.

Some of my choices are so, so very white and Hipster-ish. A lot of them are authors.

1) Dave Eggers - When I read A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius in High School I knew I wanted to write, but also knew I would never be able to write as well as that. I really took to creative writing after reading his second book, You Shall Know Our Velocity. He changed my perception of what a book *should* be.

2) Douglas Coupland - Overtime Coupland became a bigger influence to me than Eggers - maybe just because he publishes more often. I feel like Coupland's novels do two things really well: 1) They speak to the experiences of young people and 2) They give a sense of what it's really like to be a modern Canadian in the city - it's not always about canoeing and moose.

3) David Sedaris - I am inspired by his humour and honesty as a writer. He writes about himself without being boastful - in fact his self-deprecating style is what makes him so special. He's the reason I've been more interested in personal narrative style writing lately. I strive for this type of writing sometimes in my blog.

4) Christina Hendricks - In the world of Mad Men, you're either a Jackie or a Marilyn...or a Joan. I want to be a Joan...or at least a Christina. She makes me proud to have curves. I want to wear a pencil skirt and bright lipstick and dye my hair red. I have a bit of a girl-crush on her. Whenever she's on the cover of a magazine I buy it.

5) Leslie Feist - I want to be Feist. I love her voice, her talent, her humble nature. Unfortunately the only thing we have in common is our hairstyle.

It's time to curl up in bed with a good book - maybe make some tea. Have a good one!

And Tom, there's really nothing I would rather do, I'm happy just to blog with you :) See you Wednesday (hopefully).