Your Saturday mixed bag of tricks has been brought to you courtesy of Edan. To hear more of/more about this project you can point your clickers here, or here. Have a great day!~
1 hour ago
Between a rock and a hard place: no bluffing!
If someone were to ask me (but no one has, so I'll volunteer it) what I miss most about my pre-baby days I would say that it would be "activity". This is a bit ironic considering how much I try to cram into every single day, but I really mean all the exercisey things that I used to do: walking downtown for dinner, riding a bike on a nice day, jogging a few times a week, grabbing my ipod and just walking around the streets at night for a few hours: the ability to just move without limitation or restriction. I thought, before I had Hayden, that the hard parts would be sleepless nights, crying and wailing or not being able to go out drinking on weekends. What surprises me the most is how much I miss being free to move about physically. It's almost painful that I have to beg, borrow and fight to get a few hours a week to myself just so I can walk around town. Like an alcoholic I find every excuse I can to walk* somewhere. I looooove teaching an evening class just because it means I can walk to work and then walk home again afterward. If I have a few hours free to visit Famous Frankie's Fantastic Fetes (TM) I make sure to walk there, and I take the long route. Heh. And they think I just get lost all the time. ^^
So I guess, in that context, it makes sense that I would have fallen in love with rock climbing. Just stretching my arms and moving my legs feels soooo good: I don't have words for it. What I experienced the first few times (at the mountain, and then at Daejeon rock climbing wall) was the joy, after 4 years, of rediscovering that my body has (or had!) muscles and could be coaxed back into movement. I'm happy that the IGK guy(de) was so supportive (!) and encouraging from the beginning though, because I'm learning that rock/wall/ice climbing is NOT just about lunging up a wall of rock but actually requires something called "technique" and "practice". No one told me that at the start, and I'm glad because it might have frightened or intimidated me. I was safe, I was given an introductory lesson, I learned to make knots, wear a helmet, unclip and duck my head if someone yelled "ROCK" ... but that's about it. I was given a big piece of rock and told to climb it. Bless them for doing that for me.
Thursday's are my one day where I have a few hours free in the afternoon and the IGK Guy(de) also has free time so I have been forcing him to take me to the wall and, in freezing temperatures, watch me boulder around and try to learn this mysterious "technique". I'm not an easy student, but he's patient, and as he told me last week, what I lack in technique, I "make up in gumption".**
It's a good thing too, because my attempt at refinement and technique almost killed me today. Well, not really! But my IGK Guyde (must ask permission to call him by name!) felt that I wasn't "warmed up" properly and wouldn't believe me when I told him I was fine. So, because he's cool, matter-of-fact and professional, I let him make me (like that? I "let him make me") hang on the rocks, do jumping jacks, practice my different cross-over walks, do the Dreaded Squats and even exercise wearing his massive marshmallow jacket (because apparently mine wasn't warm enough) until he felt I was warmed up enough. He was right -- or he was partially right -- because a warm up is really important, but I think he was also over estimating my stamina*** because I (my legs and arms) were sooo tired by the time I finished warming up that on my FIRST ATTEMPT to get up the wall, I got stuck, got cold, couldn't unhook, got SPITTING MAD, swore a vulgar blue streak, kept trying and STILL couldn't get up the freakin' wall. And then I gave up in disgust and went home feeling like a frozen (pea)ved, weakling. It was awful.
But it was also amazing because from the time my feet hit the ground until ... right now ... the stronger feeling has been: OMG OMG OMG I want to go back and try it again. I want to get up tomorrow morning and run back there so I can jump on that damn wall again and haul myself up it. It's an amazing thing I've stumbled across and I hope it stays with me for a long time. I can't go back everyday but I'm hoping I can manage it at least on Thursdays, and eventually get to the top without stopping and hollering at the ropes! Or at my smart, warmed-up belay. Heh.
Here's my dedication to my Thursday afternoons. If I could make that wall a love-hate CD it would start like this:
MP3:Asobi Seksu - thursday
MP3:The Avalanches - since i left you
MP3:Tim Williams - hit another wall
*although I like excuses to drink, too!
**please, note the word GUMP in there!
***look, I'm pretty sure I gave birth in 2 hours because my body knew it couldn't take much more than that without getting really pissed and giving up.
So I guess, in that context, it makes sense that I would have fallen in love with rock climbing. Just stretching my arms and moving my legs feels soooo good: I don't have words for it. What I experienced the first few times (at the mountain, and then at Daejeon rock climbing wall) was the joy, after 4 years, of rediscovering that my body has (or had!) muscles and could be coaxed back into movement. I'm happy that the IGK guy(de) was so supportive (!) and encouraging from the beginning though, because I'm learning that rock/wall/ice climbing is NOT just about lunging up a wall of rock but actually requires something called "technique" and "practice". No one told me that at the start, and I'm glad because it might have frightened or intimidated me. I was safe, I was given an introductory lesson, I learned to make knots, wear a helmet, unclip and duck my head if someone yelled "ROCK" ... but that's about it. I was given a big piece of rock and told to climb it. Bless them for doing that for me.
Thursday's are my one day where I have a few hours free in the afternoon and the IGK Guy(de) also has free time so I have been forcing him to take me to the wall and, in freezing temperatures, watch me boulder around and try to learn this mysterious "technique". I'm not an easy student, but he's patient, and as he told me last week, what I lack in technique, I "make up in gumption".**
It's a good thing too, because my attempt at refinement and technique almost killed me today. Well, not really! But my IGK Guyde (must ask permission to call him by name!) felt that I wasn't "warmed up" properly and wouldn't believe me when I told him I was fine. So, because he's cool, matter-of-fact and professional, I let him make me (like that? I "let him make me") hang on the rocks, do jumping jacks, practice my different cross-over walks, do the Dreaded Squats and even exercise wearing his massive marshmallow jacket (because apparently mine wasn't warm enough) until he felt I was warmed up enough. He was right -- or he was partially right -- because a warm up is really important, but I think he was also over estimating my stamina*** because I (my legs and arms) were sooo tired by the time I finished warming up that on my FIRST ATTEMPT to get up the wall, I got stuck, got cold, couldn't unhook, got SPITTING MAD, swore a vulgar blue streak, kept trying and STILL couldn't get up the freakin' wall. And then I gave up in disgust and went home feeling like a frozen (pea)ved, weakling. It was awful.
But it was also amazing because from the time my feet hit the ground until ... right now ... the stronger feeling has been: OMG OMG OMG I want to go back and try it again. I want to get up tomorrow morning and run back there so I can jump on that damn wall again and haul myself up it. It's an amazing thing I've stumbled across and I hope it stays with me for a long time. I can't go back everyday but I'm hoping I can manage it at least on Thursdays, and eventually get to the top without stopping and hollering at the ropes! Or at my smart, warmed-up belay. Heh.Here's my dedication to my Thursday afternoons. If I could make that wall a love-hate CD it would start like this:
MP3:
MP3:
MP3:
*although I like excuses to drink, too!
**please, note the word GUMP in there!
***look, I'm pretty sure I gave birth in 2 hours because my body knew it couldn't take much more than that without getting really pissed and giving up.
2 Song Tuesday: Foreigner
Blogging: it's the new talking in 'code'. Rock on!
MP3:Foreigner - juke box hero
MP3:Foreigner - i'm gonna win
MP3:
MP3:
Cool songs
One of the reasons I don't call this a music blog is because I'm not ready to stop talking about my real life (or the parts of my life that I choose to talk about anyway). Also, I just don't have the time or temperament to run around asking bands for interviews and Mp3s and music. Everything you get here is recycled: most likely pulled from the depths of my music collection (remember Napster or Audio Galaxy Satellite*?) or has been downloaded from one of the music blogs over there. From time to time I've tossed around the idea of starting a music blog with people who would be willing to share the posting, but mostly I just keep doing this categorization-defying blather: a bit of me (but not the bitter me!), a bit of Korea, a bit of music, and, obviously, I really enjoy it! I've met about a half dozen really wonderful people though this blog, and I correspond with about a half dozen more. And in fact I plan on marrying 4 of you. Yes, 4 - or maybe 5 - as soon as it's legal to do that!!
Anyway (Melissa peers through the dust left behind after the stampede) ... about the music. I'm just no good at writing reviews, and that's another reason for the lack of strict musical genrefication** on the go over here. I mean, I can write a review (and I've done enough of them) but I lack the original thinking, motivation and (maybe?) the confidence to be excellent. I can say XYZ sounds like a young version of Bob Dylan on a hot day pretending to be Dinah Washington with a cold, or something like that, but really, I just don't quite believe it. I feel like I lose a little of something in the translation, or in the interpretation. Music (for me, anyway) isn't really about the adjectives, it's about the verbs: what does it make me feel? Or do? Or want to do? Or think? Or remind me of? It's a selfish take-take relationship because I never give anything back. There's never any reciprocity, and I think that's another reason why I should just sit back, click play on my Yahoo Media Player and keep passing the songs on to you. It's really the best review I can give.
So, do you know what I feel like doing lately - what with all cold weather and grey skies? I feel like climbing walls, walking so fast that my legs hurt from the stretch, riding my bike, drinking dark beer and listening new songs. Or maybe old songs done new. And being happy. That's always good plan, no matter how many people have done it before. Imagine Facebook: Melissa likes winter.
* Oh, I STILL MISS IT!!!
** but I can invent words, apparently.
MP3:My Gold Mask - bette davis eyes
MP3:Florence And The Machine - you've got the love
Anyway (Melissa peers through the dust left behind after the stampede) ... about the music. I'm just no good at writing reviews, and that's another reason for the lack of strict musical genrefication** on the go over here. I mean, I can write a review (and I've done enough of them) but I lack the original thinking, motivation and (maybe?) the confidence to be excellent. I can say XYZ sounds like a young version of Bob Dylan on a hot day pretending to be Dinah Washington with a cold, or something like that, but really, I just don't quite believe it. I feel like I lose a little of something in the translation, or in the interpretation. Music (for me, anyway) isn't really about the adjectives, it's about the verbs: what does it make me feel? Or do? Or want to do? Or think? Or remind me of? It's a selfish take-take relationship because I never give anything back. There's never any reciprocity, and I think that's another reason why I should just sit back, click play on my Yahoo Media Player and keep passing the songs on to you. It's really the best review I can give.
So, do you know what I feel like doing lately - what with all cold weather and grey skies? I feel like climbing walls, walking so fast that my legs hurt from the stretch, riding my bike, drinking dark beer and listening new songs. Or maybe old songs done new. And being happy. That's always good plan, no matter how many people have done it before. Imagine Facebook: Melissa likes winter.
* Oh, I STILL MISS IT!!!
** but I can invent words, apparently.
MP3:
MP3:
Follow The Map ...
Have a great Sunday, people! It smells like snow over/down/up here, and THAT makes me happy! Thanks to Fingers Become Thumbs for this video. ^^
Me me me meme ...
1. Is there anybody you just wish would fall off the planet?
Oh, yes. A few people.
2. How do you flush the toilet in public?
With my foot.
3. Do you wear your seatbelt in the car?
Yes, unless I'm in the backseat of a Korean taxi and retrieving the seat belt which has been stuck behind the seat will mean coating my fingernails in soul-shuddering grime. Then I just curse and swear under my breath and make plans to move back to Canada.
4. Do you have a crush on someone?
Yes. I do.
5. Name one thing you worry about running out of.
Coffee.
6. What famous person do you (or other people) think you resemble?
I've been told I resemble someone famous from French movies. I forget her name, but she looks like a hippo.
7. What is your favourite pizza topping?
Italian sausage.
8. Do you crack your knuckles?
Yes.But only when I'm alone. Edit: I thought that was true but I guess not. Someone commented on my knuckle cracking at work today. Whoops. Just goes to show!
9. What song do you hate the most?
I"m utterly incapable of answering that. Probably something from a death metal band.
10. Did just mentioning that song make it get stuck in your head?
No, but trying to think of a song made my brain get stuck.
11. What are your super powers?
I make single motherhood/full time employment/full time grad student/full fledged Internet whore/amateur rock climbing fiend/professional drinker seem easier than it really is. Don't I? Also, I can kill people with my gaze.
12. Peppermint or spearmint?
Spearmint. Who writes these questions?? :)
13. Where are your car keys?
No car.
14. Last song you listened to?
Au Revoir Simone - another likely story (social disco club edit)
15. What's your most annoying habit?
I talk too much. Or not enough. At the wrong times.
16. Where did you last go on vacation?
Canada.
17. What is your best physical feature?
I've been told it's my shoulders.
18. What CD is closest to you right now?
Elvis Costello
19. What 3 things can always be found in your refrigerator?
Molasses, eggs and beer
20. What superstition do you believe/practice?
I hate to write my name in red ink.
21. What colour are your bed sheets?
One white/one blue.
22. Would you rather be a fish or a bird?
Bird.
23. Last thing you broke?
A heart. Or maybe it was a cup.
24. What are you having to eat tonight?
I'm goin' to Frankie's! So, whatever he gives me. Edit: I had something delicious called "sotanghon soup", with potato chips and stout.
25. What colour shirt are you wearing?
Turquoise
26. If you could be doing anything else today, what would you rather be doing?
Rock climbing. And having sex*.
27. Do security cameras make you nervous?
Only when I'm robbing banks.
28. If you wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
How To EditOut The Hard Parts.
29. Last time you went to a cemetery?
Summer, 2006.
30. Last concert you went to?
Billy Joel!
31. Favourite musician(s)/bands you've seen in concert?
I saw a Bung concert once that was mind blowing.
32. Next concert you're planning to attend?
Guns n' Roses!!
33. Do you talk to yourself?
Yep.
34. Have you ever adopted or purchased a pet?
Yes. A cat.
35. Have you ever been present when an animal is being born?
Yes. And it hurt a lot.
*Musta been those 2 songs I uploaded yesterday.
Oh, yes. A few people.
2. How do you flush the toilet in public?
With my foot.
3. Do you wear your seatbelt in the car?
Yes, unless I'm in the backseat of a Korean taxi and retrieving the seat belt which has been stuck behind the seat will mean coating my fingernails in soul-shuddering grime. Then I just curse and swear under my breath and make plans to move back to Canada.
4. Do you have a crush on someone?
Yes. I do.
5. Name one thing you worry about running out of.
Coffee.
6. What famous person do you (or other people) think you resemble?
I've been told I resemble someone famous from French movies. I forget her name, but she looks like a hippo.
7. What is your favourite pizza topping?
Italian sausage.
8. Do you crack your knuckles?
Yes.
9. What song do you hate the most?
I"m utterly incapable of answering that. Probably something from a death metal band.
10. Did just mentioning that song make it get stuck in your head?
No, but trying to think of a song made my brain get stuck.
11. What are your super powers?
I make single motherhood/full time employment/full time grad student/full fledged Internet whore/amateur rock climbing fiend/professional drinker seem easier than it really is. Don't I? Also, I can kill people with my gaze.
12. Peppermint or spearmint?
Spearmint. Who writes these questions?? :)
13. Where are your car keys?
No car.
14. Last song you listened to?
15. What's your most annoying habit?
I talk too much. Or not enough. At the wrong times.
16. Where did you last go on vacation?
Canada.
17. What is your best physical feature?
I've been told it's my shoulders.
18. What CD is closest to you right now?
Elvis Costello
19. What 3 things can always be found in your refrigerator?
Molasses, eggs and beer
20. What superstition do you believe/practice?
I hate to write my name in red ink.
21. What colour are your bed sheets?
One white/one blue.
22. Would you rather be a fish or a bird?
Bird.
23. Last thing you broke?
A heart. Or maybe it was a cup.
24. What are you having to eat tonight?
I'm goin' to Frankie's! So, whatever he gives me. Edit: I had something delicious called "sotanghon soup", with potato chips and stout.
25. What colour shirt are you wearing?
Turquoise
26. If you could be doing anything else today, what would you rather be doing?
Rock climbing. And having sex*.
27. Do security cameras make you nervous?
Only when I'm robbing banks.
28. If you wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
How To Edit
29. Last time you went to a cemetery?
Summer, 2006.
30. Last concert you went to?
Billy Joel!
31. Favourite musician(s)/bands you've seen in concert?
I saw a Bung concert once that was mind blowing.
32. Next concert you're planning to attend?
Guns n' Roses!!
33. Do you talk to yourself?
Yep.
34. Have you ever adopted or purchased a pet?
Yes. A cat.
35. Have you ever been present when an animal is being born?
Yes. And it hurt a lot.
*Musta been those 2 songs I uploaded yesterday.
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