I'm tired of being stuck in a no-win scenario
So I guess I'll have to make a new scenario for myself :\
I'll update you as I make adjustments to my plans (if anything actually ever gets done!) and I'll definitely be blogging about my adventures in the future.
Love and awesomeness,
C.
Good Evening, S!
It's Friday, June 12th, 2009, and I'm exhausted.
I actually was excited to blog because I actually have something to say! I was watching the Cup Final (yay PENS!) tonight, and talking to T, and I decided to do this thing that I do when I'm bored... This is not super well known, but I always either have a Microsoft game (FreeCell, solitaire, etc), amazon.com, or some other random pass time running in a different window when I'm doing something on the computer or talking to someone. It's both a habit and a hobby. Therefore, I decided to start series on these hobbies! Obviously this is because I can't have any down time while I'm surfing the web. (*rolls eyes*)
So the thing that I like to do when I'm especially tired, cranky, bored or sick is to go to Connecticut and other east coast state real estate sites, and look up mansions that are on the market. Usually I select the ones that easily list for over twenty eight million dollars. Unfortunately, the market has gone down with the recent economy crash, but I am quite certain that it will pick up again soon.
It sometimes is ridiculous looking at these sprawling estates. I mean, who really needs a 10 bedroom, 6 bathroom home, other than a very well facilitated youth hostel? Can you honestly imagine real estate brokers bringing a potential buyer through a house like that?
Agent: "And here we have the butler's pantry. It's about the size of a regular 1 bedroom apartment. It has lots of counter space, 5 dishwashers and a built in robotic butler. Did I mention that the robot will transport across the home in less than 5 seconds? It perceives your needs before you even think of needing them..."
Wife: "Oh but honey! The last house had THE robotic butler from the Jetsons television show (even though it was a cartoon)! We can't just settle for some regular old robotic butler. It seems kind of tacky, don't you think?"
Agent: "Well ma'am, if I may cut into the conversation, the 1st floor bar area (not to be confused with the second floor or basement bar areas) does host the world's only completely diamond countertop, as well as the bar stools used in the popular James Bond film 'Octopussy.' It also has the carpet that Elvis DIED ON. We can stroll over there now, if you'd like. It's just down the hall 1/2 a mile, and straight on into the east wing."
Husband: "Splendid."
Wife: "Indubitably."
(It should be mentioned that all imaginary insanely rich people say 'indubitably' and have monocles and constantly eat caviar while taking part in skits in my mind... They also wear a lot of furs.)
Similarly, I know T loves to look up European castles when she's bored, which I completely encourage. Castles would be the best things to live in, in my opinion. They're big and pretty and you could easily escape a major war/revolution if you had to. Conversely, you would never actually know if anything was needed for repairs unless you kept vigilant watch on your entire property. It would get a bit gruelling, I suppose...
[note: I assume that it would be semi-bad in some way for me to put up pictures of the real estate listings I found, but here is my favourite site to visit --> link <--- and you should check this out instead asap.]
I know it is kind of short, and I know it isn't my usual style of uppity writing, but in all honesty, I'm not sure how long that is going to last anymore. You see dear S, I am very tired from work, seemingly all of the time. It is with great dissatisfaction that I haul myself to the bus, supervise a bunch of kids cleaning, and return home (usually I walk, because it's cooler outside) by ten o'clock in the evening every day. It's a thankless, uninspiring job, but I think of my future travels and awesome adventures, supplemented by my awesome job in museum work, and it almost seems worth it. Enjoy the evening, S. It certainly is gorgeous out.
Oh! And of course, don't forget to be awesome!
-xo
Good morning S & T!
It's Monday, June 8th, and once again I'm sitting at my computer, wishing I could go anywhere but here.
I've been thinking of continuing my A-Z of places I'd rather be, as well as introducing other new topics to the blog, but I can never get satisfaction out of planning and researching trips I can't go on. Not anymore at least. It's kind of heart breaking to me, because other people will go on these trips and enjoy themselves and I'll be here at home, working 5 days a week with 2 non-consecutive weekend days.
To fight the holiday blues, I've decided to compile a list of things that get me through the week. These things are all simple to-dos (because I lack the time and effort to create tough ones, plus it would probably ensure that the hard to-dos on the list are never done) which you can use to uplift yourselves when you are stuck at work, instead of on a plane to somewhere exciting. They won't be quite as good as an actual holiday, but it might just kick up your mood until you get one.
1. Take a mini trip. Mini trips have long been advertised by popular travel magazines, television shows, and even our provincial government. It's nice to know that there is life beyond the drive to and from your work. I often get nostalgic for the distinct country smell of cows (thanks to Little Rascal Ranch) and freshly mowed lawns. I honestly couldn't tell you how excited I was when I smelt barbeque just outside of my building. Recently, I grabbed my father, some Tim Hortons and some tunes and hit the road for a day to unwind. While it wasn't exactly the trip I was hoping for (my dad missed the turn to our destination, and we ended up driving in a circle instead), it was fun to pretend I was going somewhere amazing. Mini trips can be as long or short as you'd like them to be. I only took a day for my trip, but you could spend a few hours at a nice town half an hour from you that you rarely visit or spend the night in a gorgeous hotel 5 hours away. You're focusing on your own mental health, so you get to decide.
2. Grab some movies and take out. T and I made a special day to grab a movie and some food and just take a few hours to chill in the theatre. It doesn't hurt that summer blockbusters are full of gorgeous men... On another note! Renting movies, or watching movies online (not that I condone that at all, internet... plstonotbesuingme!) is sometimes just as good as going to the theatre. Put yourself into the world of the movie and hang out for a bit.
3. Read. Blogs, books, magazines; if you're at all similar to me, you can escape in a good book and completely forget the woes and worries of work. I keep up on a lot of travel blogs, fashion magazines, and have a miriad of different genres to read when I feel down. Pick out something that looks good to you and sink into it. It might just change your mood for the better. Forgetting about work is almost as good as not working at all (only you've also got the added advantage of a paycheck ;) )
4. Go for a walk. You'd be amazed about how many things you don't see when you're on the bus on your way to work. If there are fancy beaches or bike paths near your house, take a stroll and watch the sunset. Relaxation is what I'm stressing here, my friends. Life is crappy, work is crappy, but nature and architechture and fresh air will never be. Go somewhere you rarely visit: an arty place in town, a shopping center, a museum, a historical heritiage site, a swimming pool, etc.
5. Plan future vacations. I know I said I now find this a little sad to do, but it used to be one of my favourite past times. Planning future vacations and setting up bugets and schedules is a fun way to bring up your mood. I like using expedia.ca because of their options in hotels, car rentals and attractions to visit in the area. Besides that, research into a specific area, will help you in the future to plan out your actual vacation. Knowing the things to do in surrounding areas, as well as the best times to go, and other stockpiled info might just be your ticket to the vacation of your dreams.
6. Life to Laugh. Hang out with people that make you happy to be where you are. While you're at work, you have something to look forward to (like burgers at Broadways) and you'll also accomplish #7 on my list.
7. Define yourself outside of work. You are not a cashier, desk jocky or (insert your job title here), you're a person who has hobbies, friends and family. If you're lacking in one of those categories: take up something you've always wanted to do. While there, you can meet new people. It's scary, and god knows that I would be terrified if I tried, but I do believe that regular minded people could make friends whereever they go. As for the lack of family: sometimes it's a good thing, but your best friends double yourself as that little nostalgic family as well: nuclear families are not the only type anymore. Besides that, even if you're at your dream job, you're probably going to hate some aspect of it. Relieve yourself from the pressure of the work week by reminding yourself that you will have holidays, weekends and retirement to do what ever you want, when you want to. (sometimes I aspire to get through life as quickly as possible and get to retirement. I'm not even 20 years old yet :P )
8. Makeovers! Makeover your house, your life, or yourself! A change in pace and routine is sometimes enough to give you that extra kick. What person doesn't want a clean and newly reorganized house and fresh, new makeup? You obviously can't do this too much (you have to think about you're savings if you actually want to go on vacation), but every once in a while it's time for a change.
9. Get some sleep. Sometimes the work week is too long, and you're hours outside of work are too few. Perhaps taking a couple of hours to sleep in, or taking a nap will help to re-energize your day off, so you can accomplish what you want. Nap time is sooo not only for the kindegarteners anymore. Take advantage of that fact and relax.
10. Blog. Write out your frustrations and problems, as well as your aspirations and hopes in a journal or blog. It helps. That's why I'm doing it right now. I complain to family and friends a lot, but my life is just like everyone else's. I'm pretty positive that no one expects you to go through life only relying on yourself - that can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. You're not alone, so share your troubles - people have amazing advice and pep talks sometimes, and it truely helps.
I hope this helped at least one person. I know it is a fairly limited and simple to-do list - but it was just as I promised: little things that help me. I basically create a world outside of work that I should probably expand a little, but for those hours when I'm doing something non-work related, I'm almost as happy as I would be photographing ruins on the Eastern coast of Italy. I may be squandering my prep-for-work-time right now by writing this blog, but it has helped to remind me that vacations will come eventually, but my life is actually pretty decent without them.
DFTBA, S &T.
-xo
Good Afternoon S!
It's Friday, April 17th, and I want to go on vacation.
I don't have a lot of time to post, so I'm just pulling up some pictures on Flickr of one of the places I most want to go: Crete. Sorry if this takes too long to load!
I personally would go for the ruins, the sea and the moutains... I know T would go simply to sing Mamma Mia on the beaches (I'd probably join along). Hopefully posting enough of these picture posts will inspire me to save some money so I can actually go to these places! One day.
Good Evening, S!
It's Monday, April 13th and this has nothing to do with travel.
Here is an email that I sent to my Mythology Prof for a participation mark. Basically, in the class we have to either send the prof something that reminds us of myths in a cool way OR answer opinion questions about myths to get our 10% participation mark.
Hi Professor "K"!
I hope you've had a great long weekend.
I just wanted to show you something that was kind of a creative way of using mythological creatures. It seems that recently, ad companies are selling the idea of using mythology to promote their brands. The best marketing campaign I've seen yet has been the Metro PCS commercials (a cell phone company in the states). They're using marketing research to develop these commercials for their new cell phone plans around the slogan "a wireless plan so amazing, it sounds like make believe."
There are three commercials that I found (you'll need quick time):
1. Medusa & a dragon at the park: http://video.mediapost.com/index.cfm?clientfile=MetroPCSMedusa.mov
2. Mermaid & a unicorn in a hot tub: http://video.mediapost.com/index.cfm?clientfile=MetroPCSMermaid.mov
3. Minotaur & a jackalope at a restaurant: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=53757390
Here's an article about it: http://www.screenmag.tv/seeingspots.aspx?ssid=2926
:)
"C"
You'll have to copy/paste the links because for some stupid reason, my hyperlink won't work. I sincerly hope you check these commercials out, they are awesome.
DFTBA!
-xo
It's Sunday, April 12th and I should be writing my take home final!
Once again I am sucked into the world of blogging by my best friends T & S. I seems to me that finding a topic is very easy (travel interests me, that's why I have the blog in the first place), it's just finding the time to write about it... I found something.I'm writing about it. I hope you're happy.
Upon another recent search of the Digg travel section, I came across a very interesting story about hotel rooms. When I think hotel room, the first thing that comes to mind is the scratchy comforter. Then comes the crappy carpet, followed closely by the textured wallpaper (always in a beige colour) and the sterilized bathrooms with neatly point-fold toilet paper rolls. This image that is currently glued in my mind is probably due to the fact that when my family went anywhere on a trip, we would not stay in luxury hotels, but instead at the generic chain hotels (that decided on a colour scheme for each room plan and stuck with it, nation wide). This way, it wouldn't matter if you were waking up in Vermont or San Diego - your blackout window treatments would still be drawn, and you'd still want to punch the person on the other end of the white, large digit touch-tone phone that is delivering a wake up call at your request.
This, apparently, is no longer the way to vacation, dear readers. Family vacations do not include a night's rest at the Best Western, oh no. They are now replaced with all inclusive, deluxe rock star suites in spa hotels. I would not be surprised if they had personal star-fruiters; that is, people who come into your room at your beck and call to cut up star fruit for you, stick it with a tooth pick and put it in your mouth (probably even going so far as moving your jaw up and down for you so that you don't have to chew it yourself).
... ok S. I'll admit it. I *MAY* be a little upset that T is going all the way down to Florida for a week to fetch you, while I am stuck vacation-less at home. I miss going places that aren't a half hour bus ride away! I want to feast on moderately edible airplane food and get headaches from hours in a car too! Life, sadly, is not fair.
Alas.
The story that I was mentioning before my tirade about star fruit was concierge.com's "The World's 11 Most Amazing Hotel Beds" by Josey Miller. She goes on about how these hotel beds will make you "kick up your feet, rest your travel-weary self, and stare at much more than just the ceiling. These beds think outside the box springs—and they're what dreams are really made of." The article goes all out in conducting tests at various hotels and providing observations on the likeliness you'll get some sleep to the best time of year to go. It even go so far as offering contact information to those who want stay at the fabulous hotels and resorts, as well as revealing the cost per night for the amazing sleep you'll surely get. Although prices per night vary, these beautiful pictures are the closest I'm going to get to these places anytime soon (thank you minimum wage), but I can dream ; )
Check out the link above if you want to be forever jealous.
Ocean Houses from $2,000
Have a great Easter T.
I'll see you soon S!
Don't forget to be awesome!
-xo
**If the owners of these pictures or information would like me to remove them, please feel free to contact me.
Good Morning, S!
It is January 13th, 2009, and I haven't been on this blog in awhile.
One of my resolutions for the new year is to spend time doing what I love to do, and enjoy my life instead of stressing out over it. This includes this blog, but it also includes taking a step back from school and realizing that I went into Classical Studies because it is something I love, not something I fear or stress over. My 'u' button isn't working properly today. *sigh* Anywho, I am please to inform you good readers (and 'random' button visitors) that this blog does actually have a subject, which I will be announcing shortly.
The Australian government is launching a new tourism campaign "to protect the state's 18 billion Australian dollar a year tourism industry during the tough economic climate caused by the global financial meltdown." The government is offering out a vacation in a 3 bedroom beach home on Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Here are the rules:
Interested?
According to Yahoo!News: "Applications are open until February 22. Eleven shortlisted candidates will be flown to Hamilton Island in early May for the final selection process and the six month contract will commence on July 1."
Job-seekers can apply on: Islandreefjob.com
Warning: the traffic on this site is ridiculous right now, so only a lot of patience will get you on it.
I know that you're going back to Florida in a couple of weeks, S, but I still wouldn't mind taking the Aussie's offer...
Have a good Tuesday, S!
Don't forget to be awesome,
-xo
Ps: T, we're totally roadtripping somewhere on reading week. I do not care if we don't have money - if it is an imaginary road trip, that's fine with me.
EDIT: I apparently have an awesome boy from the Zeals now... wtf?
