Holy Crap, Batman!

A bed fell on me this morning. Sounds crazy, and it was even more horrific than it sounds because I was in the bed at the time. You see, the boyfriend got this cool new Murphy bed. They're the ones that mount onto the wall and fold up when you're not using them. So we're just lazing in bed this morning and all of a sudden the screws holding it to the wall make this horrible noise and the whole thing starts falling in on us. It's spring loaded, which makes it easy to put the mattress up, but also makes it somewhat like a trap when the back of it is released. And it's really, really heavy. So, of course, I let loose a blood-curdling scream as the thing came down. Arej at least had the presence of mind to put up his hands. I'm glad he works out. He barely managed to hold it off of us as I scrambled out. Then I held it for him. Unfortunately we didn't escape unscathed. I got whacked pretty hard in the side of the face, and it's not looking too pretty. I also got a cut just at the end of my eyebrow, which was somewhat bloody but isn't looking too bad now. I'm sure I looked a sight with blood running down my face. Arej's arm got scraped and banged quite badly, as well. But, you know what, we can't help feeling incredibly lucky. If it had come down when we were sleeping we would have been crushed in there. I would have been trapped for sure if I'd been alone, and I'd undoubtedly have some broken bones. It was a real death trap. The store that sold it to him and installed it was closed today, and it was too heavy for us to move, so we just had to leave it there in the middle of the apartment all closed up like a giant coffin. I'll try to load some pics for you.

Brrr...no really!

Okay, so it's -15, -26 with the wind chill. Yep, that's pretty cold. But wait, there's more! The smell of pesticide in my apartment is so strong that I'm sitting here with all the windows and my screen door wide open. I'm trying to bear it as long as possible. Good thing I don't have to pay for the heat.

I'm also rather pissed because the pest control guys did a real number on my sofa. I want to get rid of the bugs more than anyone, but they sprayed the oily pesticide all over the sofa and it's totally stained. I might as well have just thrown it out. So now I'm wondering, should I complain and try to get them to compensate me in some way? I feel like all I've done is complain since I moved here and I don't want to become known as that whiney chick with the bugs.

Oh, and when I was laundering all of my bedding last night the fancy mattress cover I paid over $60 for melted into itself in the dryer. It said on the label "tumble dry low," which is what I did. Now I have to try to find the receipt. Maybe that old Greek lady that I pissed off in the park this fall (by stopping her from lighting a fire in the dry leaves) really did put a curse on me. She kept yelling something at me in Greek that I thought sounded like a bad word and I'm pretty sure she was burning a wad of someone's hair.

Okay, my rant's over now. I think I'm going to have to close the screen door now.

I hate homework

Why did I think I wanted to take a class? I'm so done with this homework crap. I want to spend my weekends being lazy or having fun! Ah well...live and learn. I just need to GET IT DONE. No more procrastinating (she says as she's blogging).

In addition to homework, my day will be occupied with preparing my apartment for the pest control people to spray tomorrow. I have bedbugs. :( Don't ask me how they got here, cause I don't know. My place has always been reasonably clean and I haven't brought in any used mattresses or sofas. Plus, I didn't have them for the first two months I was in this apartment. Where did they come from? No idea, but they're here now and they're the nastiest thing ever. It's like trying to sleep knowing there are vampires in the room just waiting for you to look the other way. They have an unfortunate habit of biting my face, so I look like I have blemishes all the time.

The pest control guys came already a month ago, but the bugs only went away for about ten days. I tried to get the place sprayed again when the bugs came back, but they wouldn't do it until a month had gone by. I really don't understand that logic because the ones that are adults now will just be laying more eggs in the meantime. Anyway, it's a royal pain in the ass to prepare for the pest control guys. All the furniture has to be pulled out at least two feet from the walls, which is actually impossible when you have a place as small as mine. You have to take the mattress off the bed and lean it against the wall. Everything has to be taken out of the dresser and the closets. And you can't leave any food or cooking utensils uncovered (quite a feat in a kitchen with only two cupboards and even those don't close all the way). Then you have to wash everything you own in hot water and dry it to death. It took two of us about three hours to get things ready last time (sans laundry), and I'll be on my own this time. I think it will be easier the second time around, though, because I've gotten rid of a lot of stuff and bagged the out-of-season clothes after washing them. Still, it's a drag.

Well, I guess that's more than anyone wanted to know. But that's where I am right now. I'm feeling pretty good, all things considered.

Not Again

Okay, so yesterday my alarm went off, but I was so tired I decided to reset it and sleep just a little longer. For some reason the snooze button never occurred to me. So of course I set the alarm wrong and it didn't go off again and then I woke up and OMG, it was half an hour later. I rushed through my shower, did my hair, put on my makeup, ate breakfast and left for work. As I was walking towards the door to leave the building I noticed that it was really dark outside and there were no other people around. Confused, I looked at my watch and it said 2:00. Maybe it's broken, I thought, and looked at my ipod. Nope, still 2:00. Oh man. If the buses had been running at that time I would have just gone to work, but instead I came back home, got into bed and eventually went to sleep again. Needless to say, I've felt like I was a day ahead ever since.

Yay, new blog template!

I was getting bored with the other one. Maybe this new purdy template will inspire me to post more often. I fear, though, that it's procrastination that will truly be my inspiration. You see I'm taking an editing course right now and once again have homework in my life. I despise homework. My first assignment is due on Tuesday and I'm fighting it. I've done a rough draft, but it's really lame.

I don't really feel like being a student anymore: I've definitely put in my time. But we have to fill out a development plan every year at work, and I wanted to be a keener. On the bright side, I'm getting to learn exciting things at work. One of my editors has given me a manuscript to work on. She's going to mentor me through the process of revisions, line editing, back cover copy and all that other editorial stuff. Very exciting! It's unusual for an editorial assistant to get this kind of mentoring these days, so I consider myself lucky.

settling in

Okay, so I finally have internet access. Yay! I also have a TV, although I don't have rabbit ears for it yet, so I haven't bothered to plug it in. Not quite sure where to put it in my tiny place. I've kind of enjoyed spending my time in more meaningful ways over the past seven weeks, but it is nice to have some form of mindless entertainment, especially with winter coming.

I really feel that I need a vacation. I realized today that I've had all of seven vacation days in the last two years. No wonder I'm getting a bit cranky. I can't wait for Christmas. I'm taking the three days after Christmas and Boxing Day off, so I'll get the whole week. B.C. here I come! I just hope I get to relax a bit and don't have to spend the whole time running around to the homes of various relatives. I love them and all, but I really need to just chill out for a few days.

That's all for now. Hope everyone is well.

kisses,

Laura

moving

September is finally here and now it seems like there's not enough time to do everything that must be done before the move. I still haven't arranged for any of the utilities to be transfered over. I have no boxes at all. The only progress I've made came after watching several Clean Sweep–type shows today. I went through my clothes, books and toiletries deciding what to toss, keep, and give away. So now I have big piles of books and clothes to sell/give away, but I have no clear idea where to take them. I have stacks of beautiful brand new books that have barely been glanced through. One of the perks of working in publishing is more free books than you know what to do with. And when most of your friends work in publishing too its that much worse. I wish it didn't cost so much to mail things. I'd send all of these lovely books across the country. I guess the next best thing will be to find a decent used book store.

I also need to decide what colours I want my new apartment painted. I've pretty much settled on a soft green for the bedroom, but I can't decide whether the living room should be a very light buttery yellow or a creamy beige. Not too different from each other, I guess, but any opinions are welcome. I also have to decide what to do about the incredibly tiny kitchen and the bathroom. Do I just leave them white or paint them in slightly darker or lighter shades of the colours in the living room and bedroom?

Too many things to think about. Is it any wonder it's taking me hours to fall asleep each night? Well, that may also be a result of the emotional fallout of moving backwards in my romantic relationship. Things have been going fairly well there for the last couple of weeks, which is good but bad because it makes me realize how much I'm going to miss him and then I get all sad and weepy. I am looking forward to a more stable emotional life once this is over and I've got my own space again and can get back on track. Fingers crossed that I won't just get all depressed and lonely.

Okay, bedtime now.

endings

This week has been all about endings. Today was my last day as a proofreader. It seemed like there should have been more fanfare or something. My boss made cupcakes at least, and everyone signed a card. I guess if I'd been leaving the company there would have been more ado. It was a reasonably pleasant day, though, and certainly my work life is better than my home life right now.

There are endings there, too, it seems. I can only say "it seems" because there's not much communciation happening to help define things. I guess it was too much to expect that we could carry on as a couple once we'd decided not to live together anymore. It sucks that we have to continue like this for another month and a half. It looks like he may be planning to go camping next week, though, which would be a nice break for me.

I'm ready to start fresh with my new job and new apartment, but I'm stuck here in this relationship limbo. I'm hoping that starting my new job on Monday will distract me from my home situation for a while. I'm really excited about it and can't wait to learn things.

Thanks to those who responded to my last post. I felt inspired to post again in a more timely fashion. Thanks for taking an interest in my crazy little life.

New Beginnings… Are there any old ones?

In response to Jenn's suggestion that I'm overdue to post something here, I'll get on it. Seems a bit silly, though, since I think she's my only reader. Let me know if you're not Jenn and you're reading this post. Maybe then I'll update more often. Of course, maybe if I updated more often more people would visit my blog. Hmm… Food for thought.

So a lot has happened this month. Some good, some bad, some undecided. The good news is that I got the job I wanted. I had applied for an Editorial Assistant position with the same company I'm at now. I'd previously applied for an almost identical position but hadn't gotten it despite being short listed etc. There were a lot of editorial tests and interviews involved and I almost gave up on the second job part way through the test, but I decided to stick with it and I'm obviously glad I did. Woo hoo for new jobs!! It's a bit of a promotion, as it will mean a bit more pay and a higher target bonus. The pay's still not great, but it's publishing so the pay's rarely great. Most importantly, this is the job that sets me on the right path to becoming an editor some day down the road.

In not-so-good news, my boyfriend and I have decided that we'd prefer to live separately. Our living together just isn't working out and it's time to give up the ghost. So now I have to look for a new apartment—I can't afford the rent here on my own and I'm tired of the whole roommate thing. I'm looking forward to having my own space again, but I'm worried about trying to find something new. I have a very specific idea of what I'm looking for and what area I want to live in, so I hope I can find something that fits the bill. I'm obsessively checking all the places where rentals are advertised. I need to try to relax a bit and not panic. We had to give two months notice, so I've got plenty of time to find something. Imagine having to live with someone for two months after you've decided you no longer want to live together. Fun times. It's actually been all right so far.

Well that's a rather long post, I think. If you're still with me, thanks for reading and remember to let me know you were here.

Happy Friday!

wah

Well, I didn't get the job I was trying for. I really, really wanted an editorial assistant job that came up recently. I tried so hard and worked so hard on the tests I had to do for it and I made it to the short list and was apparently really close to getting it. But I didn't get it :( And it kinda sucks because I spent about five hours of my vacation working on the last test. It was supposed to take 20 minutes, but of course I couldn't stop until it was as perfect as I could make it. Maybe I overdid it?

I'm trying to be optimistic because there's another openning for the same kind of job that I've applied for, as well. But I really wanted the one I didn't get. Oh well. At least I already have a job I like. So can't really complain, right? Still, boo hoo!

laundry soap

is a useful item to add when washing one's clothes. We had so much laundry this weekend that we decided to hit the Laundromat (can you believe that's a trademarked word that you're supposed to capitalize?) rather than do one load at a time in the apartment laundry room. So I did four loads of laundry (and still had a closetful of clothes). I realized later that day that I hadn't added a drop of detergent to any of the machines. I have a lot of slightly cleaner clothes. I may be somewhat smelly this week. I hope my boyfriend and coworkers will be understanding.

all good

Well I found out today that I'm going to be made a full-time employee at my job. Don't get me wrong, I was working full-time before, but now I'll have benefits and holidays and stuff. No more contract! My first stop will be the dentist. One of my crowns fell off over a month ago and I've been living with half a tooth missing since then because I was being cheap. I think my next stop will be the chiropractor— It's been a while. After that I'll stock up on meds and maybe find a massage therapist. Ooo…I almost forgot the optometrist. There's a fuzzy brown spot I'd like to look into. Well, actually, I'd like to stop looking into it. And maybe I can get some glasses that are better for reading from the screne. I already know where I'm going to go for my vacation, too. Croatia and Turkey! Can you tell I've had a long time to think about these things?

long overdue post

OK, so I'm becoming more and more slack about posting. I think it's partly because I have no homework to procrastinate over anymore. When there's a due date looming it's always important to spend as much time as possible blogging etc. Also, I found that I was writing a lot about my love life and not everyone really felt comfortable reading about that stuff, so I tried to cut it out a bit. Well, I'm gonna fill anyone out there in on what's been going on in my life lately, and there will be lovelife progress mentioned, so stop reading now if you don't want to know.

I'm still working as a proofreader and I'm pretty happy with it. I wish my job were closer to home (1 hr. commute each way), but I really like my boss and coworkers and I work for a great company. They just extended my contract another three months and if all's well after that they'll make me a regular employee, which means I'll get benefits and vacation time and such. I'm already planning my vacation.

My roommate told me at the beginning of January that she's moving out. I wasn't too thrilled about that because I really like our place and I didn't want to move, but couldn't keep it alone. After much pondering, I decided to ask my boyfriend if he wanted to move in. Yes, that's right, I said boyfriend. He's someone who was a friend for sometime. We used to play basketball together. He's really sweet and thoughtful and funny and supertall (6'9"). He said yes, so that's kind of scary but exciting. We went to Ikea to check out some furniture yesterday. All of the furnishings outside of my bedroom belong to my roommate, and my boyfriend's sofa and dining set are not in the best condition, so we'll be needing some new stuff. Hopefully everything will work out there and I won't be writing a sob story here in a couple months' time.

Winter in Toronto has been surprisingly mild this year. I'm loving it. Still feels like winter to me. The Torontonians seem a little dazed, though. We have had some cold weather and a few snowy days. I experienced the kind of snowflakes that look like those ones we used to make as kids. They were so intricate and beautiful. I didn't think snowflakes ever actually looked like that. I felt like I was a child again I was so in awe of the beautiful snowflakes.

Well, that's a rather large post and now I have to get going. We're going to see Brokeback Mountain tonight. Bye for now :)

Laura

Purple Mittens

Purple Mittens
Originally uploaded by Eunoia.

I must be the luckiest person in the world when it

comes to friends. One of my friends and coworkers is a

fantastic knitter and she volunteered to knit some

mittens for me. I bought the yarn, which is wonderful

soft alpaca (sp?) wool and she made them up for me,

taking careful measurements along the way so that

they'd fit perfectly. I think these are the first pair

of mittens/gloves that have ever fit me properly.

Those who know me can attest to my having crazy long

fingers. I have smallish thumbs and pinky fingers

compared to the rest, so this causes problems too.

Anyway, enough about my fingers!! These are the most

wonderful mittens I've ever owned. They're soft and

warm and purple, which is my current favourite colour.

I wear them everywhere. I'm knitting a scarf to match

but, not being much of a knitter, it's pretty slow

going. Maybe I'll work on it tonight. If you notice

the quilt underneath the mittens, it was made for me

by my lovely sister. I'm clearly blessed by the

amazing and generous people in my life who keep me

warm and cozy in body and soul. Thank you all for

everything you do.



Kisses,

Laura

URG!

So it's 1:10 a.m. and I'm up and showered and ready to start the day…except it's the middle of the freaking night!!! I swear I remember hearing my alarm and turning it off. It must have been a dream. Why can't I just dream about sex and beaches and things? And, of course, it's always dark when I get up these days, so that didn't tip me off.

Now, here I sit with wet hair, wanting to go back to bed but not wanting to disturb anyone by blowdrying my hair at 1:00 a.m. If I go to bed with it wet, it's going to be a real treat in the morning.

Oh dear, now I hear my roommate in the shower. I wonder if my being up and about made her think it was morning, too.

K, my eyes are getting heavy. I think I have to go to bed now, wet hair or no. Let's hope for the best.

g'night!

Happy Laundry Day .... ah, I mean Thanksgiving

First of all YAY THE INTERNET IS WORKING FINALLY!!! Can you believe it took 3 months? And no explanation whatsoever of what the problem was. Bell Canada is the worst excuse for a SERVICE provider in the history of the world. Anyway, rant over now.

Just so you know, I now feel inclined to communicate in incomplete sentences thanks to reading romance novels all day every day, and having to leave well enough alone for the most part. Wouldn't want to mess with the author's style. Lord forbid we should improve the quality of what we're producing. Last week I had to put an accent on a word that shouldn't have one just to appease the uninformed author. Still, it's a decent job and I don't have to deal with bitchy customers or screaming children. So I guess I'll be thankful for my job. It's a great company to work for, and my coworkers are fantastic. Proofreading is a pretty young crew, and we have a lot of fun. I also enjoy being able to pay the rent, purchase the odd item, and go out for dinner with my friends. It's a good life.

So today is Thanksgiving. I've decided to celebrate by tackling the enormous pile of laundry that has taken only a week to accumulate. I'd like to know who wore all those clothes. It just doesn't seem possible that I wore them all in one week. And, how can I have so many articles of clothing, but still have nothing to wear? A common female plight I know.

I'm supposed to go to a friend's place for turkey dinner tonight, but haven't heard from her since Saturday, so am wondering if it's all going to come together or if I'll be sitting at home working my way through the pumpkin pie I made for to take for dessert. Not as great as it sounds because I accidentally put in three cups of pumpkin instead of two. Plus, I don't think I cooked it long enough. mmm... delicious. I'm usually such a successful baker. Oh well, I'm trying to beat my perfectionistic self into submission and just accept my failure instead of running around to every grocery store in the vicinity to see if they're open on Thanksgiving day so that I can buy more ingredients and try again. The perfectionist may yet win that battle.

If there's anyone still out there after three months of silence, I hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving. May your turkey be moist and may your pumpkin pie be cooked through.

Hugs and kisses,

Laura

keeping busy

Well, I don't really know what to write, but I feel the need to post something so I don't lose you guys. I don't have much left to do at work today, so I thought I'd say hi. Things are going fairly well. I still play basketball on Tuesday nights, but will have to bow out of tonight's game as I have a swollen ankle from practice on Sunday. I think I'll spend the time shopping for basketball shoes in hopes of avoiding further ankle injuries.

I'm meeting friends for Korean food tonight. Tomorrow I'm going to see a friend's play and then maybe to watch The Wizard of Oz outside on the big screen. Friday, I leave for a friend's cottage for the weekend. Living in the city is sure a lot busier than living in the country. It's good, though. It's great to have some good friends here and fun things to do.

I think it's just about time to go home now. Take care everyone!

xoxo

Laura

Romance is in the air

Or on the screen as it were. That's right people, I've officially accepted the proofreading job at Harlequin! I'll be able to pay my rent and buy food! They're supposed to be a great company to work for, so I'm sure it'll all be good. One of my friends told me that they have a gym in the building, so that'll be nice. Well, I'm sleepy. It's very hot here :P Goodnight all.

heat wave

I'm dyin' here people. I'm at work and everyone else has left, because they can. It's disgustingly hot in our office. My little office must be up around 36 degrees because it's sweltering compared to the main room, which as at a "lovely" 29 degrees right now. I have wireless on my work computer, so I've relocated to the sofa. I'm chain-eating jelly bellies and putting in my time. I don't have any pressing work to do, and it's too hot to do anything anyways.

On the employment search front, Harlequin seems to want me. I haven't been hired yet, but they've moved on to the reference checking stage. It's hard for me to imagine sitting at a computer reading Harlequin books all day, every day, but it's easy for me to imagine being able to pay my rent. Plus, it sounds like a much nicer way to get into the industry than the incredible hours some of my friends are doing in their new positions with the big publishers. I've never been a workaholic and I don't intend to start now. I work hard (most of the time), but I think 8 hours a day is plenty thank you very much. I want to have a life outside of work. Ugh, I think I'm crashing from too much sugar. Maybe a little chocolate will help. OK, this is too much work. I'm gonna go read a book now.

And I seemed like such a nice girl

Ok, I almost punched out this woman last night on the basketball court. In case I didn't mention it, I've been playing every Tuesday night. It's supposed to be a fun, recreational league, but some people get a bit serious about it. It seems like every game I'm getting fouled on and banged up, and I'm getting sick of it. Well, last night we played against the most intense and unfriendly team in our league and the woman who was guarding me was just all over me with the elbows and the hands. I swear, everytime I had the ball she started smacking me. She was a great player, but she was super aggressive. At one point I actually told her to F**k off. She didn't appreciate that. I just got angrier and angrier and eventually had to take a time out even though I wasn't tired, just to keep from hitting her. I just want to have fun! It's supposed to be fun! I feel like I'm back in highschool. Well, that was our last game of the season and we should have at least a week or two off before summer season starts, so hopefully I'll be over it by then. I wish I had some way to get rid of all this pent up anger. Maybe I need to take a kickboxing class.