Bryanna and the City

Friday, April 29, 2005

Big Brother

Okay.
Enough's enough.
Who reads my blog from UBC?
Who reads my blog from YorkU?
I'm VERY curious...why don't you speak up?
I can tell you read my blog because it shows up on my sitemeter....
It's been puzzling me for some time now.
Drop me a line, friends...I don't bite...to the point of breaking skin...it's more like a little nibble...people say it doesn't even hurt.
I'm especially curious about the UBC person...dude/dudette..I go there too!
Seriously, let your true identity be known and email me sometime.

PO Box time!

So I just got back from the favorite part of my work day...checking the PO Box. It doesn't really have anything to do with the PO Box itself, I mean, I may be a simple person, but I'm not THAT simple.

As much as I enjoy having a job that allows me to spend *some* of my day blogging, I really can't handle being enclosed in an office with the same people for hours at an end.

It makes me go nuts!
Bonkers!
Insane in the membrane!
Loopy!
Crrrraaaaaazzzy!

See? Look at me! I'm already nuts!

But, back to my story....

The four block walk to the PO Box allows me some fresh air, some sunshine and some interesting encounters. Like today for example....

As I was walking back to the office, a man sans t-shirt (and not in a good way) sitting on bench facing me stopped me to chat. Here's what transpired:

Man sans t-shirt: Hello.
Me: Hello.
Man sans t-shirt: How are you today?
Me:I'm well....how are you?
Man sans t-shirt: I'm great....I can't help but admire your figure...
Me: *chuckle* uh.....thanks

He probably couldn't hear my last response because I started walking at a pace that some may only describe as running. It's not that I don't appreciate the compliment, it's just a bit uncomfortable having it come from a man who is half naked (and not in a good way).

Actually, to tell you the truth, I DID appreciate it.
I'll admit, it felt nice.
I've been working my butt off for two weeks getting into shape for my trip. It's good to know that SOMEONE, even creepy sans t-shirt man, appreciates my efforts!

New Look!!!!!!

So I decided to invest in my blog because, well, it's turned into my life. Wow, that's sort of a sad sentence...meh, whatever! I'm a Bloggie for life!!

Well, actually, to tell you the truth a couple of days ago I was going to delete it COMPLETELY.

*gasp*

I was fed up. I sat there with the mouse over the "Delete this Blog" button for about five minutes going back and forth. Do I press? Do I not press? Do I press? Do I not press? Obviously I didn't press. Want to know why? Because I realised that I love my blog and everyone who reads it. Yes, I did say love...I don't think people say it enough. And I do mean it. Excuse me while I break into a song....I believe in a thing called love...Yes, I'm a big dork. But you should have realised that by now.

So what now?

Now, I'm getting a new template! I was so envious of Jackie's and Melina's new sexy blog looks that I decided to go check it out for myself. Really, I just went to look. But then I saw it. It was already created by Rachel and it was perfect. It's called "Think in Pink". It's pink and teal (my two fav colours right now). And the girl's hair is all crazy like mine usually is at the end of the day. AND she has big pouty pink lips!

So look out! Breezy's getting a new look!

P.S. I may put comments back on because now I've turned into a check my gmail account every two seconds junkie! I didn't realise I had such an OCD personality!

Thursday, April 28, 2005

I'm Serious

I think I'm going to manufacture bracelets that have WWSD? on them. That's is "What Would Scarlett Do?" As in Scarlett (my hero) from Gone With the Wind. Yes, that spoiled ninny is my hero...many a time in my life I've looked to Scarlett for guidance. She may be ninny, but she's a strong, intelligent ninny. A woman who survived and triumphed. Okay enough of that, now I'm going to share some of my favourite Gone With the Wind quotes... Are you ready? Do you care?

"With enough courage, you can do without a reputation."
-Rhett Butler

"How fickle is woman."
-Rhett Butler

"I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow."
-Scarlett

"No, I don't think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That's what's wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how."
-Rhett Butler to Scarlett

"Marriage, fun? Fiddle-dee-dee. Fun for men you mean. "
-Scarlett to Rhett

"I can't go all my life waiting to catch you between husbands. "
-Rhett to Scarlett

"You'd rather live with that silly little fool who can't open her mouth except to say "yes" or "no" and raise a passel of mealy-mouthed brats just like her."
-Scarlett to Ashley

"And you, Miss, are no lady."
-Rhett to Scarlett

"As God as my witness, as God as my witness they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be hungry again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again."
-Scarlett to the world

"You're like the thief who isn't the least bit sorry he stole, but is terribly, terribly sorry he's going to jail. "
-Rhett to Scarlett

"He looks as if he knows what I look like without my shimmy."
-Scarlett about Rhett

"I want you to faint. This is what you were meant for. None of the fools you've ever know have kissed you like this, have they? Your Charles, or your Frank, or your stupid Ashley."
-Rhett to Scarlett

"You go into the arena alone. The lions are hungry for you."
-Rhett to Scarlett

And my favorite....

"I've always thought a good lashing with a buggy whip would benefit you immensely."
-Rhett to Scarlett

Words to live by...

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those that matter don't mind."

~Dr. Seuss~

Momma says "knock you out"!

Okay, I'm feeling a little nostalgic today so let's go back....way back...

Actually, let's stay in the present for just a second. I've always known that if I were a man, I'd be one strong mofo. For a girl, a short petite girl for that matter, I've always been able to "hold my own". Strike that. I've always been able to break out a "can of whoop ass" when required. Think I'm talking smack?

Well, let's go back my friends...way back...to my grade 8 math class.

It must have been near the end of the school year (I'm hoping it was because this shouldn't have been allowed otherwise) and someone in my class (no doubt me) initiated an arm wrestling competition (can you already see where this story is going?).

It started innocently enough, anyone who wanted to partcipate both boys and girls paired off and "went at it". It became apparent quite quickly that I was kicking some serious butt. Soon it was me against the entire male constituency of my grade 8 math class. One by one they lined up and one by one they fell down.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

I'll admit, a few times I thought my winning streak was up, but in the end they all succumbed to the strength of my right arm. *Excuse me while I take this time to kiss my right bicep* Well, all except for Will, but he doesn't count because he was held back like ten times and I think he was 18 and 6'5". I'm not Super Woman people.

The point?

Whenever I'm feeling helpless or weak I think about that glorious day and realise that when everything was "equal", before the testosterone had fully kicked in and messed up the playing field I, Bryanna, was the strongest of them all.

Na na na boo boo!!

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Every party has a pooper!

I removed comments from my blog for many reasons. The one reason I will share with you is that when I started this blog I wrote for me...I only had one reader (DD) and I wrote for the sake of writing, not for the approval of my peers or for the comments. Lately I've been obsessed with comments... probably half of the hits on my site are from me refreshing to check for more comments. I was a junkie. And the only way to stop it was to remove them completely. It's not that I don't cherish your opinions...I really do, it's just that I want to get back to writing like I used to.

For me.

I you want to get in contact with me you can e-mail me at:

bryandthecity (at) gmail.com

I would love to hear from you!!

Curse?

I had a soul awakening epiphany while I was putting the conditioner in my hair this morning. You know, the only kind you can have when you're still half asleep and your brain isn't functioning at it's maximum capacity.

Well, I was trying to consolidate some things in my life (something I've been doing a lot lately) when I realised that I already knew the answer... it was so completely obvious that I can't believe I'd never thought of it before. The pattern was there, I was just too blind to see it. I had heard the same line repeatedly, but I never realised what it was truly worth until this morning. I always thought it was a curse, which it very well might be, but it's a damn good curse that I'm going to exploit. I'll exploit it for all it's worth and I know I'll have a wonderful time doing it.

From "supposed curse" to a "career"? Damn that was a good shower!

Now, excuse me, I have to go switch my major and plan the rest of my life.

P.S. Don't ask, I'm not going to tell.

Breathe

***
There's a light at the end of this tunnel you shout 'cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes that you've made
You'll just make them again if you'll only try turnin' around

2 AM and I'm still awake writing this song
If I get it all down on paper it's no longer inside me threaten' the life it belongs to.
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary screamin' out aloud
And I know that you'll use them however you want to.

But you can't jump the track
We're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourlass glued to the table,
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand...yeah breathe
Just breathe, ohho breathe.....

***
-- Anna Nalick , Breathe (2AM)

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Cold Turkey

No comments for a while.
I need to get out more.

Sunday, April 24, 2005

HOME

Things I've noticed since I've moved back home:

1. Doing nothing all day isn't as fun when someone (read: my Dad) points out that I "have done nothing all day".

2. Privacy. Um, what's that?

3. I've heard the phrase, "I only expect you to do two things...keep your room clean and wash a bathroom every week" over five times already.

4. I've already forgotten how to plan meals and wash my own laundry.

5. I've used both "whatever" and "I don't care" as a response far too many times for a 22 year old woman.

6. Blogging from home isn't nearly as fun.

7. Hearing my mom say, "what kind of impression are you trying to give of yourself on your blog, Bryanna" in person, isn't nearly as fun.

8. Eating at the dinner table isn't nearly as fun as eating in front of the TV.

9. Dish washers rock!

10. Having a car rocks even more!

Saturday, April 23, 2005

It's a B. A. U. Ti fal DAY!!!

And I've spent most of it inside!!
You know those days that just take you hours to get going?
Yeah, that's me today....
but as soon as I post this I'm going to get on my jogging pants and a tank top and go for a run (sans lipgloss of course).
I love running in the hot sun.
I love sweating.
So later gators!

UPDATE: I'm going to go for a run as soon as this episode of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is over. I swear! I'm such a slave to the tube and 5 catty gay men! I totally *Heart* Kyan!!!!

"O things just keep getting better..."

Friday, April 22, 2005

Sorry

I'm just not in the mood.

Thursday, April 21, 2005

Happy, Happy







HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY SMS!!!

I heard you were hunting for a pub to celebrate.
I'm sure you had a wonderful time.
I'll buy you a pint or two in July!
Wow, 25, you're old!
He he he....kidding!

Love,
Your little sis

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Riddle me this...

It's no secret that I love men...because I do, I really, really do (especially cowboys)....

BUT...

Sometimes I don't really understand you.
When a girl's walking down the street...minding her own business...not even looking at you...
Why, oh why do you feel the need to make kissing noises, or honk, or yell rude things at her?

This is not a rhetorical question. I want answers!

I found out the hard way today that men in this little ol' town of mine can't handle a woman in a skirt.

Numero Uno

I saw it.
The one.
The one I must fit into by July 15.
My bikini!
The cutest pink/brown/green bikini ever!
Just looking at it makes me do lunges....seriously, it was a little embarassing.
I'm going to the gym tonight for the first time in, well, a very long time.
While I'm stepping my *little* (he he, right) butt off, the only thing I'll be thinking of is that bikini...and me strutting my stuff on the beaches in Greece.

Tip O' the Day!

Before going for a run,
DON'T lube up your lips with pink lipgloss.


Last night I had to remove 3 (yes, 3!) flying bugs who met their fate on my lips. This also makes you look crazy to the people driving by and if you weren't aware of this before, bugs really don't taste that good....no, seriously, they don't.

Monday, April 18, 2005

Missing you!

It's been almost 6 months since my dog passed away and the thought of him still makes me cry. Every time I visited my parents after we had to put him down there was always that split second when I forgot that he wasn't there and I expected to see him waiting for me...stub of a tail wagging, ready to jump all over me and lick my face. Now that I'm back at home it's seems to be even harder. When I go to sit on the couch I still check to make sure I'm not going to sit on him, when I look in the living room I can still see him on the back of the couch looking out the window; our ever devoted watch dog. Sometimes I think I hear his little bark or the tinkle of his tags...why is this so hard? Why do I feel like I've lost my best friend even now? Why is it hard for me to type this because my eyes are full of tears? I miss you stinky! You better be humping a lot of bitches in doggy heaven...

Fo' Shizzle!

It looks as though I start my new job tomorrow...
Um...yeah...so much for taking some time off.

I went for my dentist appointment this afternoon and when I came back, my boss from my first Co-op position last summer phoned me and offered me a job. He asked if I could come in tomorrow at nine and I was like fo' shizzle....(I actually could say that to him, he's a pretty funny guy). The first thing he said to me when I aswered the phone was "where the hell have you been?".

I'm grateful not to have to "hit the pavement", but part of me wishes I could have taken a little more time off (I might negotiate this tomorrow).

Oh and I won't be able to blog on this job because a. I won't have my own computer and b. it's a non-profit society and that just wouldn't seem right....

Take me away...

Cowboy take me away
Fly this girl as high as you can
Into the wild blue
Set me free oh I pray
Closer to heaven above and
Closer to you closer to you
Closer to you
Cowboy take me away.
Closer to you...


--Dixie Chicks "Cowboy Take Me Away"

Sometimes a girl just wants a cowboy...sort of like today...

Si!





Your Inner European is Spanish!









Energetic and lively.

You bring the party with you!


Sunday, April 17, 2005

Junk!

Trying to unpack my stuff into a room half the size is extremely frustrating…however, it got me to thinking about something.

Junk.

I’ve got it.
You’ve got it.
Everyone’s got it.

I never really think how much junk I carry with me until it’s time to pack that junk into boxes and then find a new place to store that junk when it’s time to unpack. For example, I’m not sure why I still have the letters sent to me by my Korean pen-pal when I was 12, or why I display the Mardi Gras beads I talked two “boys” into bestowing upon me without showing them my “you-know-what’s” at ACF 2004, or why I’ve never thrown out a single Archie comic…or even given one away? What is it about this junk that makes the thought of throwing it away so unsettling and sad?

Perhaps my biggest junk possession is my box…my secret tin box, that is. Over ten years of junk/crap/stuff is contained in that little box; my first pay stub from my first job, the hockey game ticket stub from a first date, the unsent letter written with a broken heart, an ex-boyfriend’s gym pass and even my hospital bracelet from my surgery 3 years ago. When I’m feeling nostalgic or grumpy or sad, I usually whip out that box. In fact, it’s sitting in my lap right now. I always have to chuckle when I read the notes sent to me by ACE during Religion class with “The Beaton”. This is what she had to say about boys, “I tell U, we’re better off without ‘em! Well, sometimes they’re fun to have around”. And you know what? I agree with her to this day. She was definitely wise beyond her years!

So why does this stuff mean so much to me? Why can’t I throw away a 6 year old empty pack of gum consumed while dating my first boyfriend? The only answer I can come up with is evidence. This little box is evidence of my life. Evidence of my tears and my joys. Evidence of where I was and how far I’ve come. Evidence of the lessons I’ve learned and the mistakes I’ve repeated. Evidence of the beautiful friendships I’ve been blessed with and the boys that tried to break my heart. Evidence of a life that one day I hope to share with my children…I just hope they don’t think it’s junk.

As soon...

as my life is free of boxes, I'll be back...I miss you all! I feel so "out of the loop".

Love,

Bry

xox


Me Posted by Hello

Wednesday, April 13, 2005


. Posted by Hello


. Posted by Hello

Au Revoir...

Good-bye Vancouver!


. Posted by Hello


Posted by Hello


Posted by Hello


Posted by Hello


Posted by Hello

Friday, April 08, 2005

Guess What!

Today is my LAST DAY OF WORK!!!

Leaving the office is actually "bitter sweet" as I've met a lot of wonderful people these past 7 months and I will honestly miss seeing them everyday...on the other hand..."no more files, no more data entry, no more snoopy co-worker-reading-this-over-my-shoulder looks".

However, this will mean that I won't be spending 8 hours everyday in front a computer to *ahem* work, and only occasionally write in my blog and read every blog on my blogroll (there's still 6 more hours left in my work day and how pathetic would it be to get 'dooced' now?)

So, what will I do now that I'm unemployed? I've thought about it and I came to the conclusion that doing nothing for the next three weeks suits me just fine...fabulously actually. Ha ha right...of course I have a plan...really, I do.

I'm actually looking forward to moving back home as I always get a huge rush of energy to actually exercise, which could be due to the fact that there's not much else to do, oh yeah, besides knit. So, getting a gym pass is at the top of my priorities...wow, I can't believe I just said that, I actually do have other "priorities"...really, I do, I just can't think of any right now. I heard somewhere that your body is somehow able to remember its form before you stopped exercising, making getting back in shape easier and faster. I sure hope this is true and that my ass remembers where it sat just a year ago...do you know what Mono can do to a healthy 21 year old body? Trust me.... nothing good, besides an initial weight loss of fifteen pounds. Anyways, the clock is ticking and I only have three months to get into "Greece worthy" shape. A daunting task, for sure, but I'm ready dammit!

You know, when I started this blog, I really just intended it to be a creative outlet...I didn't think that anyone other than my mom would actually want to read it, and I definitely did not foresee it as being an opportunity to meet some truly amazing people from all over the world, well actually, pretty much just the US, but I do hope some day to go global. I'm not trying to be sappy, but every one of you has changed my life in your own special way, so thanks for being you and accepting me for, well, me.

Which brings up a whole different subject entirely. Trust. I'm an extremely trusting person, some people (read: my mom) would say I'm too trusting, almost to the point of being very naive, but I honestly believe that most people are kind at heart, have generally good intentions and would never want to hurt me. My mom, on the other hand, is so different than me that she probably still doesn't trust my dad (only kidding, my parents have been happily married for um, 28 years I think). Last night she informed me that men in prison can read my blog and "will one day get out of prison, Bryanna". So, because I don't like stressing my mom out and because I am actually paranoid about "internet stalkers" as well, I've decided to remove information that would allow someone to easily track me down, climb into me bedroom window during the night and kidnap me. It truly saddens me to have to do this, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, yesterday I *actually cried when I accidentally stepped on a worm. I tried to trip myself to avoid him, but alas, the toe of my shoe squished part of his little body…maybe his head or his bum…is there actually a difference? I had to look away as he reeled in pain...I think I could hear at little squeal too. It was truly a horrible sight to behold and I should have released the little guy from his misery, but it was too heartbreaking for me to look at the damage I had done...I saw him this morning while I was walking to the bus...dead…and a little shriveled too. Rest in peace little guy. If it wasn’t me, it would have been a bird, what were you doing on the sidewalk anyways?


*I actually did let out a little "ack", much to the amusement of the man on the opposite side of the street.

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

Interview with Mr. P: Part One

this is an audio post - click to play

Interview with Mr.P: Part Two

this is an audio post - click to play

Interview with Mr.P: Part Three

this is an audio post - click to play

Last night...

I found out that my mom reads the same blogs I read...and she sometimes leaves comments too. We had a good laugh when she revealed her "commenting name" to me. My mom's hilarious, I think she has a few crushes too, I mean, not like I have any fellow blogger crushes or anything...um, yeah, so watch out...my Italian momma's watching you!

Tuesday, April 05, 2005

I was bored, so....

this is an audio post - click to play

Not so Helpful Hamburger Helper

...or the post in which I gross everyone out...ha ha sorry suckas!

I *almost* wasn't going to come into work today. At about 1:30 in the AM last night I woke up with the most intense pain in my abdomen...at first I thought it was gas (and a lot of it), then I thought it might be super PMS cramps, then I thought it was my appendix...I thought of all the terrible things it could be and then realized how crappy work would be tomorrow if I didn't feel better in the morning and hadn't gotten any sleep. So, I did what any 22-year-old, independent woman would do in my situation and rolled into the fetal position and whimpered for 45 minutes. The whimper turned into a low cry every minute or so when the pain would intensify on my right side for about 5 seconds. This then turned into the noises I used to make when I was five and had a stomach ache and wanted my mom to wake up and rub my back while I barfed...anyways, I finally decided that it was time to "medicate" the problem and took some Advil. It helped enough to let me fall asleep again and the pain was a lot better when I woke up. "What's the point?" you may be wondering.... the POINT people, is that Hamburger Helper is the most evil, disgusting invention. Cheese is not meant to be in powdered form and noodles should not be boiled with beef. I should have remained ignorant when it came to HH, but curiosity and an undeniable carb craving after one and a half weeks of a low carb diet got the better of me...Never again! I guess that's one more *food* item removed from my "safe to eat" list.

Monday, April 04, 2005

Mrs. Clean

What do you do on a lazy Sunday afternoon (with a *slight* hangover) when one of your roommates decides to move out a month early, taking her TV and furniture with her?

Let me share...

11:00 AM (oops I mean 12:00 PM): Wake up.
12:15: Call Mom and wish her a happy birthday. *Happy Birthday Mom*
12:45: Cook some breakfast/lunch...er I guess that's called 'brunch'.
1:00: Eat brunch in a chair looking at the blank wall where the TV used to sit.
1:30: Rearrange remaining furniture 3 times...including leopard print rug that came with the place.
2:30: Sweep floor.
3:00: Vacuum floor and gross leopard print rug that clings to every strand of hair and won't let it go so that I have to collect it with my hands *yuck*.
4:00: Mop floor.
5:00: Clean bedroom.
6:30: Clean bathroom.
7:00: Wash dishes in the sink, clean teeny, tiny kitchen and prepare dinner.
7:30: Eat dinner on couch...again staring at a blank wall, feeling sorry for myself.
7:30-8:30: Call anyone who will listen to me whine about not having a TV.
8:30: Decide to "call it night" because there's really nothing else to do.

What am I going to do for the next 2 weeks without a TV?

Read more?
Enjoy the great outdoors?
See my friends more?
Work on my work term report?
Pack?
Be somewhat productive?

I have no idea!

Just a little taste of my life (with an Italian mother)…

Conversation with Mom #1
(with Dad listening quietly on another line).
Friday Night...

Mom: I just phoned to tell you that the Pope died today.
Me: Yeah, I heard already.
Mom: You better not write anything bad about him on your Blog.
Me: Wha? Why would I do that? I mean it's never nice when someone dies, but I can't justify mourning the death of a man who lived an amazing life until the old age of 84 when my 12-year-old cousin is dying. That's all I'm saying...

Conversation with Mom #2
(with Dad listening quietly on another line).
Saturday Afternoon...

Mom: I have a couple things to talk to you about.
Me: Okay.
Mom: You're not leaving the house when you move back home. Another man was brutally beaten in Westside.
Me: Hmm...Well, all the recent fights have involved men, Mom, and I'm not the type to try to break up a fight...
Mom: I'm serious Bryanna. You're not going to the bar. I'm going to teach you how to knit and you can focus on getting trim (not that you're not trim already) and you can go to Starbucks with your girlfriends like a mature person.
Me: Sounds fun...

Anyone want a scarf?


Work Contract Countdown: 5 days left!

Friday, April 01, 2005

Ouch!

...that hurt! Coming into work today to find my HaloScan comments working and my Blogger comments nowhere to be found sort of caught me off guard, but I guess it's "out with the old and in with the new"! I have a feeling it's going to be worth it...it better be!

BTW...does anyone else get really, really excited when it's time to change the calendar to the next month?