calima

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November 30, 2004

Christmas cards

I regret to inform those of you who sent me Christmas cards last year, that I have moved twice since Christmas.

However, this year, I'll not be giving out my address this year due to personal reasons. But please feel free to donate some money to Cancer Research instead.

Thanks :)

x

Posted by calima at 12:49 PM | Comments (3)

November 28, 2004

For those who eat

Happy thanksgiving to everyone.

It was a good day for me, despite the fact that this is the 2nd time in my life that I didn't spend thanksgiving with my family. However, good times were to be had anyway.

Got my 2nd annual call from Debbie, which was sweet. When she called, I was actaully standing in the rain waiting for Oj to show up, so we could head over to the dinner. We had a good chat...despite the fact that I was freezing. Debbie's so sweet. she promised to send over tootsie pops.

Talked to my mom yesterday...she's sending me my christmas package, Woo! Scheduled to appear are (in no particular order):
cookies
cheetos
fritos
my cds that I left there
christmas presents
more cookies
hershey kisses
ranch sauce
cafe francais

Can't wait! I told her that after I got the package, I'd be walking around with cheese stained fingernails from eating the entire bag of Cheetos in one sitting. It's so true. I can't wait until that gets here.

Now watch...she'll end up sending the puffs instead of crunchy. Oh well...cheetos are cheetos are cheetos.

Still no TV yet, and I suspect that won't change for a while. But I have been doing crossword puzzles to increase my knowledge and decrease my boredom. I haven't really gotten any better at doing them, I'm just better at looking in the back for the answers.

Miles says 'hello, I guess'. He's decided that he does, in fact, like the shower, even if it's still wet, and I found him in there today when I said 'goodbye' and came to work. He's an odd one.

Also, he does have this one very odd thing he does. After flipping all of the cat litter out of the box, he goes around and sweeps it off the carpet into a nice little pile.

I'm not kidding, and I'm not making this up.

I think he was Mr Belvedere in a former life.

Certainly takes the pressure off me having to hoover all the time.

x

Posted by calima at 03:22 PM | Comments (2)

November 24, 2004

despise, dislike, abhorr, loathe...

...the list is endless. Almost.

One thing that I cannot stand is not being taken seriously. I know...I'm a jokey kind of person...I'm sarcastic...I'm hardly ever serious, which is, I suppose why I'm not taken seriously.

But when I'm serious, I mean what I say, and I say it becuase it needs to be said, and it deserves to be said, and I deserve to have the right to say it, you know what I'm sayin'?

So, someone tries walking all over me today and I've had enough. I've had it up to here and I'm not going to take it so...

...so, I got fed up today and put my foot down.

And you know what? They didn't accept.

Foot was down.

It was not recognized.

Now, I really hate that. I'm a nice person. Too nice, would say. I like being nice...but the one thing I hate is when I'm not taken seriously.

Foot.

Down.

And so, this morning, I was livid. Raging. Foot was down, man. It was sooooo down.

I've hesitated to call action from the foot in the past. Sometimes, the foot only wavers halfway between up and down. Sometimes there's a foot compromise. Sometimes, there's no need for the foot at all.

Beware the foot.

Posted by calima at 01:01 PM | Comments (1)

November 19, 2004

It's no workin'...

Well, I've been trying my hardest all day to be melancholy, but it just isn't working.

As a result, I'm chipper and lively (and annoying).

Nameless is no longer nameless (much to his delight) and is now responding to 'Miles'. Thanks for your suggestions. Miles thanks you, too.

I'm thinking he might be a 'Sir Miles', but we'll see if he can get to knighthood status on his own.

He's been doing some pretty hilarious things lately. One of the very least hilarious things is that he bites at my feet while I'm sleeping. Tres annoying. I'll get him out of that habit soon enough.

I think I might be able to buy new shoes this week. Woo!

Oh...one funny thing...Regan sent a text to my home phone instead of my mobile and I got the message spoken by a computer voice. Hilarious. 'Whoa. The. Excitement.'

hee!

x

Posted by calima at 04:52 PM | Comments (1)

November 16, 2004

Kitty Box Gymnastics

It just occured to me that I should make a new category for Nameless.

Yes, for now, The Cat Formerly Known as Dennis is called Nameless.

He seems to be settling in well (for one that has no identity). He's picked out his favourite chair, which I pushed against the window so he can look outside, and he likes it there so much, that he hardly ventures to sleep elsewhere.

This is after he got drenched in the shower.

[Shower scene]
I have this little shelf at the far end of my shower, where all my shampoo etc is kept. But I don't have very much, so the second shelf is empty.

Nameless, being a curious kitty, discovered the second shelf and planted himself there on his first night in the flat. I got up in the morning, and looked all over the flat for him, started to panic, and then pulled back the shower curtain and found him sitting, calmly staring at me.

Well...I made him get down so I could take a shower, but as soon as I got out, he decided to go back up to his new place.

Hellloooo water!

After my shower, the bathtub was (obviously) drenched, and, Nameless, not knowing that, jumped into the tub and jumped back out, whining and shaking water off his back.

Ha! Silly bugger.

he hasn't tried to get onto that shelf since. Life lesson learned.
[/shower scene]

Nameless, I was told, was probably abused by a former owner. I did get him from the Cat Rescue, which means that there's a chance he may have been removed from an abusive home, or was living on the street. I don't think he was on the street though, as he's not very street smart.

At any rate, he ducks his head and squints when he thinks he's in trouble. So I try not to raise my voice at him, but just firmly tell him 'no' when he's trying to eat the chicken off my plate.

Once he has a name, that'll help, I'm sure.

So, we've got it narrowed down to a list...let me know which one he looks like, or if you have a suggestion, feel free to leave it here.

Possibilities:
Winston
Oliver (Ollie)
Oscar
Obidiah (Obi-Wan)
Mr Darcy
(or Lord Marbury...but I think he doesn't quite look it)
Miles

BTW, I'm trying the comments things again. Rhymm assures me it's been fixed.

I've already closed all my comments on previous entries though, so....we shall see.

x

Posted by calima at 07:56 AM | Comments (11)

November 15, 2004

Here he is

He needs a name. 'Dennis' has only been his name for 3 weeks and it's just not him (I don't think).

x

Posted by calima at 05:42 PM

I'm sorry, but it must be this way

I am turning off the comments to my blog for reasons of insanity due to spam. I always thought I'd be immune. I always thought it'd never happen to me.

Alas. It has.

I had 100 spam messages scattered throughout my blog (one instance being 20 spams on one entry alone).

The new spam-fighting software that we supposedly have implemented is apparently on holiday at the moment, and won't be back until it runs out of money or gets bored, whichever comes first.

Therefore, I am turning off my comments, as I cannot stand it anymore.

I'm sorry. I know you like comments. It just has to be this way, don't you see? I can't think of any other way around it.

It doesn't have to be a bad break...we can still be friends.

Friends email each other. They do! You can email me at calima at g mail dot com.

Be a pal. Email the blog author.

x

Posted by calima at 02:49 PM

November 13, 2004

First Date

My first date with 'Dennis' is tomorrow. I can't help but admit to being nervous. I guess it's mainly becuase I've all but agreed to take him in...I bought his carrier today. Also part of the reason is that I'm used to getting kittens at a very young age, so they're trainable. Dennis is 4. He's had a lot of life already. I suppose with a kitten, if they do something you don't like, you squirt them with water until they act just like you want them to.

This explains a LOT about why Dodi turned out the way she did.

At any rate...first impressions and everything. I hope that Dennis and I get along. I shall know tomorrow, and yes, pictures will be posted.

This week is going to be a very very stressful week. I have a presentation, and an essay due this week, and then first thing monday I have another essay due. Not having a computer at home is really cramping my style*.

Regan and I wondered about why we're so much more stressed about essays this year than last year. We concluded that this year means so much more than last year did. This year things actually count...not that last year didn't count, but this year is the year when we learn if we get into honours. It does matter this year.

All this stress has given me bouts with very horrible, dehabilitating headaches. I don't think my body is dealing with the stress as well as I'd like it to. I'm hoping that after this week is over I can breathe a sigh of relief and then shrug all this pressure off.

*sigh* I hope the next 2 years aren't like this one.

x

* Calima's definition of style: Writing essay night /morning before it's due

Posted by calima at 06:04 PM | Comments (1)

November 11, 2004

I have some news

I may be getting a new flatmate. I'm going up to Greenock this weekend to meet him and see if he and I get along. His name is Dennis, and he is four years old. I don't know much about his history, but I am told that he's quite amiable and I have a good feeling that he and I will get long very well.

If so, then I'll be bringing him back on the train with me. I don't know if he'll be able to keep up with his rent, etc, but I'm sure we can work something out.

In case you're confused by all this 'flatmate' business and why I'd meet some guy named 'Dennis', then I'll tell you that Dennis isn't a guy in the historical sense of the word.

He is furry, walks on four paws and says 'Meow' with authenticity.

x

Posted by calima at 05:50 PM | Comments (7)

November 08, 2004

blarg

Back to Uni this week. Oy. I wasn't quite prepared by the utter waste of my week off. I think I was more exhausted last week when I had no uni, than now that I've gone back.

Glasgow's doing that funny thing with the weather again. The reverse Indian Summer thing. It's fantastically gorgeous in the morning and then by afternoon you're wishing you'd brought a scarf a hat and two or three more coats.

It's not rained today, though, so that's a relief.

It is getting darker earlier now, which means a few things:

a) it feels like bedtime at 4pm.
b) if feesl like I just got up.
c) I can use my new phrase I learned! (nights are fair drawn in)

Only 7 more months of this! Yay!
[ /sarcasm ]

I wrote a play last night. Well, actually I finished a play I've been pseudo working on. The ending is weak (a lot weak), so I'll need to fix that and touch a few things up. Then I'll hand it over to my producer and see what she thinks of it.

Maybe it won't go anywhere at all, but it's a pretty big step, for me anyway. Just letting someone read what I've written is a pretty big step for me.

Who knows? Maybe it will go somewhere. But even if it doesn't, at least I've let myself learn.

I should be studying. But at this point, I'm about sick of Lord Byron.

x

Posted by calima at 06:15 PM | Comments (3)

November 05, 2004

California....California

I love the OC. This surprises me becuase I often get bored with the on-going plotlines of primetime soaps (except for Melrose Place, which I watched religiously).

When it first came on tv in the States (long before I arrived here) I thought:

What. A. Dumb. Show.

But then you get all caught up in it, and you're on the edge of your seat wondering if Seth will choose Anna or Summer, or whether Kirsten will ever stand up to her father, etc etc. And what the hell is Julie Cooper up to this time?

You end up falling in love with the characters (the irony being that you're living your life by watching someone else live their lives...but not as bad as watching Big Brother Live on E4, which is infinitely more sad).

Except for Marissa. She's a dumb bunny, ain't she? She keeps learning all these life lessons, but somehow manages to get dumber. I don't know what Ryan sees in her, frankly.

But anyhow...I love the OC. And I was reminded of that today becuase I got the soundtrack and it's just perfect. It kept me from plungeing into a blue funk this morning (bless), and we'll see if it can work its magic later when the blue funk threatens again.

Bless the OC. I can't wait to get my tv so I can watch it again.

x

Posted by calima at 11:12 AM | Comments (3)

November 03, 2004

jeez mah knees

My knees are totally screwed. I don't know what's wrong with them, but I was in some major pain last night. I've been taking ibuprofen to get the possible swelling down and help alleviate any pain, but it isn't quite working. At least not in the way that I want it to.

I think I need some new trainers. The shoes I have are, I think, just about worn down to the nub and not giving the right support. But shoes will have to wait until either a)I can't stand it anymore or b) the new pots and pans are bought.

I saw this really cute set of glasses and mugs the other day and I'm totally ganting to buy them. They're the 'awww cute' kind of glasses. They have different cats on them and say like 'Curious cat' or 'scaredy cat' etc...I know I'm going to get the piss taken out of me for them, but I like them, and therefore, must have them.

I watched some coverage last night on the telly. My plan was to stay up and watch all the coverage, and Sweetheart said, 'No way. You'll fall asleep.' And while I was totally prepared to prove him wrong, I was so knackered last night when I got there and my knees hurt so badly that I just stretched out on the sofa for a good snooze. Every once in a while he'd wake me up to see the latest tally, but then I'd drift off again.

It wasn't so bad simply becuase the winner wasn't decided last night (or yet today). I would have been more annoyed at having slept through some major event, but it seemed to me, between bouts of dozing, that the coverage was basically just 'wait and see'. At least I didn't miss anything important.

Today though, i feel just as exhuasted as I was last night, and I'm really dragging. I feel so heavy and I'm feeling it in my knees especially. I don't want to walk anywhere, so I dont' want to go anywhere.

Why walk, when I should be carried?

Ah, the princess treatment. That's what I really want.

Thanks everyone, for voting, if you did yesterday. Well done (I hope!)

x

Posted by calima at 12:24 PM | Comments (7)

November 02, 2004

Hrmmmmm

This doesn't sound right! I can't be ......*whine*

You Are a Liberal Republican

When you tell people that you're Republican, they rarely believe you. That's because you're socially liberal - likely pro-choice and pro-gay rights. You're also not so afraid of big goverment, as long as it benefits people and not politicians. You are the most likely of any Republican type to swing over to the Democrat side sometimes.

(stolen frivolously from hancoll)

Posted by calima at 05:11 PM | Comments (1)

Dreaming

I need a 'hungry' category. I'm starved. I was doing ok, until I had that Babybel and that piqued my appetite. Now I'm wishing we hadn't changed the clocks back an hour becuase it'd be 10 til Noon instead of 10 til 11.

*sigh*

Had a lovely evening. Went out with 3/5's of the Set to discuss our group plans etc for the rest of the year. It went pretty well, and we got some things decided and realized that we're not as far behind as we once thought.

If you're confused about what I'm talking about, then good. You should be ;)

Regan and I are trying to make plans for Christmas. The lack of trains/busses to Edinburgh around Christmas is really putting a hindrance on our plans. While it's annoying, I like the fact that the train/bus drivers can have Christmas and Boxing Days off to spend with their families.

I'm making two pies for Thanksgiving. One pumpkin and one apple. I've never made an apple pie before, so I think I'm going to have to practice once before I unleash my pie-making-fury on the general public.

I'm feeling a bit better about Christmas this year. Last year at this time everything looked so bleak. I had very few friends, and was generally swathed in a blue funk for about 6 months. It was a very black time for me, and while it didn't seem that bad at the time, I look back now and I wonder how I managed to make it through. It's amazing what a person will deny to themselves. I just kept hiking up that mountain, I wasn't looking for the peak, I just kept my head down and hiked.

And I feel I've made it. I've accomplished so much in the past year, that I feel I ought to be proud of myself. I've done something that, while it's no award-winner, is a challenge that most people are too scared to face. Moving away from home is hard. Moving 100 miles away from home is hard. And moving 2,997 miles from home is very hard.

But I've done it...and this year I feel exactly as I wanted to feel when I came here: I wanted to feel independant, and I wanted to feel proud of chasing my dream.

Remember Rogers and Hammerstein:

Climb every mountain, ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow, till you find your dream!

Posted by calima at 11:01 AM | Comments (6)

November 01, 2004

crave

I have a HUGE craving for Cheetos.

That is all.

x

[Edit]
Apprently Britney eats cheetos, too

Posted by calima at 12:30 PM | Comments (2)

i love the theatre

Last night was great. Worked at the theatre, and it seemed that all of my favourite people were working. Not that I have many un-favourite people there. But it was like a great dream where all your friends all work at the same place. Nice.

First of all, there was no interval, which means I did about 30 mins worth of work, but got paid for a whole shift. Niiiiice.

Then, after the show went in the DM brought in cake leftover from his b-day, and we had tea brought around from the bar. And we sat and had a little Front of House tea party. Lovely.

We all sat around and chatted and had a good laugh, and before I knew it, the show was out, and I'd stayed 1.5 hours longer that I'd needed to. Life's like that in theatre...you get trapped into staying later, but you don't mind becuase you're having a good time.

Well, after the patrons were shooed out of the building, we learned that there was food that had been delivered to the performers in dressing room 6. So, we all scrambled up there to a huge buffet of treats and sandwiches and, good golly just about everything you'd ever want to try to eat at one time.

And we got the goods to take home too. I had my bag so crammed full of food (jalepenos! What are those about? I don't care, Ah'm puttin' 'em in mah bag!) I felt like a theif. Though it wasn't theiving at all, it was more like charity.

Those vegans made me take all the yoghurt. Oh go on then, twist my rubber arm.

I'm getting hungry again just thinking about it.

Bless the theatre.

Posted by calima at 10:33 AM | Comments (0)