A Cynic by Nature?

I graduated from Trent University in 1999. In June of that year, I was so optimistic. I was going to change the world. I would continue to protest Tim Hortons (yes.... I attended a rally to protest the introduction of Tims on campus, knowing a mom and pop shop would lose out in the end), corporate takeovers of the world, oh and the list goes on. Almost 8 years later, and I've lost my will. Money talks, without it you might as well be silent because no one is going to hear you. I know what happened to my idealism. The working world, chipped it away. Even though I have worked in the not- for- profit sector, my cynicism level is high, or at least it was. Some of you know that I work with University students. They have incited in me a new level of hope for the future. There enthusiasm is contagious. They discuss current events with vigor and believe they can make a difference. And they will. I am going to try to get back in the game and volunteer my time and believe that what I do for a living does make a difference. It does. Education is one of the greatest gifts anyone can receive. A gift that everyone should have the right to open. With government cutbacks getting larger and larger, philanthropy will play a larger role in university and colleges across the country (for all you cynics out there - this was not presented to me at work as a brainwashing video) I guess what I needed was inspiration. I will take action! I will keep you posted on what happens! So there!

March brings ( a list of the obvious and not so obvious)....

1. CC 'sbirthday...yippee more cake.

2. Time change ... longer days!

3. Spring!

4. My last month working nights!

5. St. Patricks Day

Cooking Tip of the day: Nothing beats a box of mac and cheese. My favs? No name spirals mac and cheese, and PC's white cheddar mac and cheese. Don't eat it every day.. you'll get scurvy!

Because I Said So

Last night I went to see Because I said So. Oh I know what some of you may be thinking... why Kylie why? I enjoy the frivolous, romantic comedy on occasion. I enjoy the clothes and watching people have perfect lives. This movie however annoyed me. The movie is about a turbulent mother daughter relationship. A mother who worries about her daughter because she can't keep a man!! Her mother doesn't seem satisfied that her daughter has a successful business, friends, great apartment and a loving family. The only way her daughter could be truly happy is to have a man. Disturbing. Maybe I am a little agitated because over the last week I must have been asked, 'Kylie do you have a man?' a billion times. When I answered no, most people presented me with a face full of pity. THAT PISSES ME OFF!!!! Why don't people ask how my career is going? What my plans are for the summer?, or even, what I am having for dinner? Please do not feel sorry for me... you crazy people. Feel sorry for people who don't have great friends, a good job, a great family or a kitchen -aid mixer.

Upcoming events in my life:

1. A 3 day course this week, on discovering the leader that I am.

2. Lost Party!

3. OC series finale party

4. Cooking a homemade lasagna (which I am very excited about - I have been researching the recipes for weeks)

5. A haircut

6. A birthday party

7. A birthday dinner

8. The Academy awards

Cooking tip of the day: When selecting ingredients for your recipes, always buy the best quality ingredients you can afford. It will make a real difference. And remember the best quality is not always the most expensive.

A weekly Blog?

Maybe I should call this a weekly blog? I really do intend to update this space more regularly, but time has escaped me. Doing what? I couldn't tell you. All I can remember is work and a delicious Starbucks beverage. Today, however was busy. I really enjoyed my day. It started with brunch and shopping with my brother Peter. I then attended a first birthday celebration. I then made dinner for my family, and finished off the day with dessert with a friend. While my day was jam - packed...I love days like this. Social activity after social activity. If only I could get paid to be a social butterfly.

Things that have bothered me tremendously lately:

1. Ottawa Mayor - Larry O'Brien. I think he may be responsible for making Ottawa a complete mess. He is well on his way to accomplishing his goal.

2. Environment Minister and my MP - Mr. Baird. He is an idiot. According to him, if we follow Kyoto protocols, Canada could become like Moscow. What is that even suppose to mean? Is this a scare tactic from the 1960's. He has no idea what is taking about.

3.The fact that Anna Nicole's death was the most important headline for almost every news source on Thursday.

Cooking tip of the day: For a special and easy breakfast treat. Make a smoothie. Combine fresh or frozen fruit, yogurt, juice and a little honey. Delicious and nutritious.

Some Internet Finds

Hello again. I once again apologize for my lack of posts. I have been feeling a bit negative lately. So I figured if I haven't got anything nice to say I shouldn't say it.
As some of you may know I am new to the world of the Internet at least for my own entertainment.I have come across some sites that I really like, some of you may be aware of them. Either way check it out!

The first two allow you to catch up on any new or old TV shows you may be addicted to. There are also movies. Now the quality is not 100% but it is decent enough to get your fix. Mine is Veronica Mars.

http://www.peekvid.com/

http://www.alluc.org/alluc/

The final Internet site, I love. I listen to it all day at work. It is a website that lets you design your own radio station. You can determine a station by choosing an artist you like or even a song. The station will then play songs for you based on the artist or song you have chosen. You can then rate the songs as they play, and the station will continue to alter itself to your liking. Currently I have a mix of JT, George Michael, U2, the Pernice Brothers and Sarah Harmer radio stations. The only hitch is that you can only be a US citizen to subscribe, the site only confirms this by entering a postal code. I just entered 90210.

http://pandora.com/.

Enjoy!

Adventures I would like embark on in the upcoming year:

1. Go to Beckta.

2. Go out East this summer.

3. Go out West this fall

4. Attend the Toronto International Festival.

The funny thing is I think if I had a choice, and only could pick one I would pick Beckta.

Cooking Tip of the day: Make a soup. It's good for you and not very time consuming. And easy! It's so comforting and delicious!

Movie Mania

I know it's been a while, and I apologize to any of you who have checked for a new post, and there was nothing. So I guess it's time to give an update on what I've been up to. Not much really, but I have committed myself to seeing a lot of movies before Oscar night (February 25th, 2007). A few years back I would have considered myself a movie buff and by the time the nominations were announced for the Academy Awards I would have seen most of the nominees. I can no longer pronounce that to be true. Luckily movie fever has hit me, and I have already seen two movies in the last two days with more to come this week.

Friday I saw the Queen (It's been a while that I have seen a G rated movie). I really enjoyed the film...it didn't feel that I was in the theatre for almost two hours, time just flew by. Helen Miren is amazing in this picture. The movie is worth seeing just for her performance.

Last night I saw Stranger than Fiction which I don't think is nominated for any academy awards, but it has been on my list for awhile. Great movie! I love Will Ferrill and it was nice to see him in a film where he wasn't making an ass of himself to get some laughs. The funny thing about watching this film in a theatre, some people thought because Will Ferrill was on the screen that they should laugh, almost forced. There are funny moments is this film - but not the what I like to call from the belly laugh. I don't think some people knew how to react to him, playing a dramatic role. The only thing that was annoying about the viewing experience was that this one man insisted on laughing for the entire film. I felt bad for the person accompanying him. Then I thought, imagine you fell in love with someone who managed to not only embarrass himself everytime he was in public but annoyed everyone around him. Now that is true love.

Some meals I have had in the past week (all homemade by me or someone who cooked for me):

1. Spinach and cheese burritos with a tomato salsa

2. Ham and cheese strata

3. Cheddar and ale risotto with cherry tomatoes and broccoli

4. Vegetable Korma with basmati rice

5. Fettuccine with pancetta, white wine and spinach.

All delicious!

Cooking tip of the day: Read as many cookbooks as you can (if so inclined), not so much to imitate the recipes but to give you ideas for your own culinary masterpieces. A good place to pick up cookbooks for cheap, is in the bargain section of chapters/indigo. Often they have beautiful cookbooks for a fraction of the price. Last month I purchased 5 cookbooks and one novel for $26.00, all from the bargain section.

A loss for Words.....

It doesn't happen often but I'm having trouble putting my thoughts into clear, concise sentences (ha!). So some thoughts from today:

1. I said goodbye to my good friend Lisa as she heads off on an amazing adventure. She is getting married this week to her Alex and then they are off to Australia for a few years, on the way they are visiting Thailand, Japan and Vietnam. I wish you both the very best and hopefully I'll visit you soon. I'll miss you!

2.I really need to do laundry.

3. I enjoyed a lovely corn chowder for lunch.

Cooking tip of the day: When a baking recipe calls for sifting the flour with salt, baking powder or baking soda. Save yourself some time and mix the ingredients together with a whisk. It's almost as effective and saves some time.

My Sense of Entitlement (probably needs to be questioned)

Today I went to the grocery store to buy the week's worth of groceries. On my weekly (or thereabouts) visits, I usually get very frustrated because there is usually something on the list that isn't available at the grocery store where I shop. Today I was very upset because the store was out of cauliflower. I became very agitated. I wanted cauliflower (for a vegetable korma for Thursday's dinner) and now my whole grocery shopping experience was ruined. I thought this while I picked up some raspberries, some fresh herbs and other produce. During a later car ride, I began to question my earlier temper tantrum. Why should I have cauliflower in February, let alone raspberries? I live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and it's mid January, and I am upset because the store was out of cauliflower! Should I even be entitled to cauliflower in January? Raspberries? Cherries? I am probably being dramatic and I pretty much love the fact that I can make any recipe in any of my cookbooks anytime of year and will probably be able to find the ingredients somewhere in Ottawa. Another problem with the world. I will probably complain next week when the store is out of snow peas. Not sure which is worse.

What I did today
1. Went to the gym (which I do 5-6 times a week)

2. I thought about the Ipod, the digital camera and the tires I want for my birthday (my sense of entitlement goes way beyond the produce section of the supermarket)
3. Had brunch and enjoyed some lady grey tea ... you should try it.
4. Went to the grocery store
5. Made dinner for a friend and watched 4 hrs of 24.

Cooking Tip of the Day: If you are short for time but still crave something more refined, use prepared foods (a contradiction) to your advantage. For example take a prepared pasta sauce and add fresh herbs, a veggie, maybe even some wine and volia something that tastes like you spent all afternoon slaving over your stove (is it always about appearances?)!