Things they say in Thunder Bay

 

Flag of Thunder Bay

Dart - At first I thought a lot of people just enjoyed the game with the bulls-eye. I started to get suspicious when you could get 'a pack of darts' from the convenience store and "go out for a dart". So Dart here means cigarette. 

Seen - "I seen it happen", "I seen that", "I seen this thing the other day." This made my eye twitch at first. Then around month 5 I started to accept it as a part of my surroundings. Then last month it happened, it became ingrained in my vocabulary and I said it... seen. Steph was the only witness but I'm fessing up, I used seen in the grammatically wrong way.

Inner-city - One of the first malls in Thunder Bay, Intercity connects Port Aurthur and Fort William. The T just gets vacuumed out, like the second T in Toronto for Toron-o Locals.

P.A. - Stands for Port Aurthur, the city although called 'Thunder Bay' is still divided in two parts.

Wes Fort - The West Fort part of Fort William... lets not go there.

Shag -  "Please come to my Shag." is something you're bound to hear every week in Thunder Bay. It's basically a Jack and Jill (for you Southern Ontario folk), a joined bachelor/bachelorette themed party to raise money to cover the expense of a wedding. They are usually themed. Because I work most every Saturday I have been saved from going to one, but I have already bought or been given many a ticket.

Persian - Not to be confused with a person's nationality, this is a type of very gross pink doughnut that people fawn over for a reason I still have not uncovered. Amazing for doughnut lovers maybe but I can't really imagine it.

Camp - Instead of the Southern Ontario word for cottage people up here in Thunder Bay say camp even though they clearly mean: a solidly formed structure on a designated plot of land (usually including a sauuu-na), not to be confused with a tent in a campground.

Right ______ - "It's right cold out there", "That's right horrible", "He's right crazy" There's a lot of 'right _____' going on in this town.

Sauuu-na - The proper way to say Sauna here in Thunder Bay is a little 'cat got your tongue' when you get to the u. The Finnish/Dutch pronunciation is rampant here.

Happy Silly Hallowe'en

I really did not want to be anything sexy, cutesy, or girly for this hallowe'en. [One friend tried to convince me to dress up by saying, "It'll probably be good for tips" which made me cringe.]

Have you seen this vid yet?

SO, after much debate the night before to even dress up, I've decided to go as a hipster dude, which kinda ended up looking more like a french farmer...
 

My reasoning for this costume and why it won out... Well, I recently got suspenders from a clothing swap and really wanted to wear them and a mustache. BUT ALSO because working at a bar/pub/restaurant I knew I'd be inviting certain attention had I dressed up as say... a catholic school girl just because I have the skirt.

It was suggested to me to be a Goth because that's pretty opposite my personality but it still holds sex appeal. If anyone deems this Hipster Dude/French Farmer costume sexy throughout the night it will be my personality, not my body on display. We don't live in a time yet where a woman dressing in a revealing outfit wont get you a certain kind of attention from certain kinds of people. Knowing full well that certain kinds of people are gonna be intoxicated and not necessarily on their best behavior and I wont be in control of the kind of people I'll be in contact with, I'm going for the most androgynous and let face it silly costume.

Happy Hallowe'en, have a safe and fun night! 

Pink Flamingo Hair

I use to be a brunette, and once upon a time (circa 2008) I bleached my brown locks from a box so it was an awesome orange, and then covered it in Manic Panic electric blue. It only lasted a few weeks but from then on I wanted to grow my hair as long as it would go and dye it a whole bunch of colours.

I left it long for a while, and when I was traveling I didn't have time or money to waste on hair care. This year was finally the time! I went professional for the bleaching and trusted Sal at Violet Blonde to take me as blond as he could. Sal has seen my many hair transitions, from super long to pixie short, and he always makes my hair look amazing. He had my complete trust and I loved the blonde he managed to get me to. 

I let it stay blonde for a few weeks but when my roots started to come it, it was time for the pink!

I started with Manic Panic Cotton Candy. Placing it sparingly in highlights so it peaked through my hair. It was nice to start with but I quickly started adding more until I wanted something more vibrant.


I got Manic Panic Fuschia Shock,  Hot Hot Pink, another Cotton Candy and went to work mixing colours and layering for an ombre effect.



The Fuschia shock was completely overpowering though...

The ombre effect was hardly noticeable until after a few washes. Then the lighter pinks started to wash out completely. That's when I learned you could mix colours with conditioner and place all over, to restore the colour. That's when the ombre really came through.

Then I was kinda over it with the pink washes and an annoying patch of fuschia would not let up. So I redid my roots and did an all over bleach at Curl Up 'N' Dye. 
Now I have a new blank canvas to try out...

Purple's next!

"Road Trip" Day 1 - The best F*cking Monday of my life

(posted a little late, this took place Aug 2013)
Since I arrived in Buena Vista at night I had no idea the view that was waiting for me when I woke up. I stretched, yawned, and open the door to see the trailer park where all the rafting guides were living for the summer. A glance skyward had me in awe, almost everywhere you look there are beautiful 14000 foot peaks, and the sun was shinning in the valley.

The Sawatch range, on the west side of the Buena Vista valley is home to fifteen 14000 foot peaks, the largest collection in Colorado. Not only do these mountains look gorgeous, but when storm fronts come through the area they smash into the Sawatch range and dump all their water and snow on the west side of the mountains, the storm systems break apart and reform on the other side of the valley. Because of this the valley of Buena Vista is blessed with an average of 312 sunny days, the most sunny days out of any other town in the whole of the USA.

Jenn returned with Mike and it was off to coffee, breakfast burritos, and renting a raft. Then we were off to the liquor store and I still had to find shoes.
"Pull over, pull over! That's a consignment store, I'll be two minutes." I shout to Jenn as i jump out of the car.
So no, I didn't bring running shoes. I've lost so many pairs of shoes over the past two years that I only own flip flops, black flats, and some heels that have stayed in my closet at my parents. I had considered buying runners in Toronto but I had trusted our materialistic world to provide, and it did. After two minutes and $20 I was back in the car with a pair of brown and turquoise Brooks. Now I was ready to raft.

While Jenn and Mike pumped up the rafts and got things secured, I got my basic training. It was a mix of: paddle hard, stick your feet in strong, and you'll know your PFD is tight enough if your beer stays in place at the top. It wasn't time for helmets just yet, Mike drove the car to our put out (where we'd be taking the raft out) and was going to hitchhike back to our put in.

Jenn and I took that time to play a game of crib and begin to catch up on all the summer adventures.  When Mike came back I was finally nervous, I have never been on white water before and I didn't want to fall in. We went over all the saftey precautions and I knew I was with the best have-fun-BUT-safety-first guides. Mike had ran the river only once before, and Jenn was going to try her paddle at reading and running.

Notes were scribbled on paper and put in a clear dry sack giving clues on what turns and bends and rocks where coming up, but Jenn would have to rely on her training as a guide to make it through these class 4 rapids.

First you hit Primero, Segundo, Tercero, and Pumphouse; a succession of four rapids close together that give you just a taste of what you're in for.

Jenn maneuvered us and the raft by shouting out strokes that we had to obey. I did my best to plunge my paddle deep into the water without falling overboard. At the beginning my enthusiasm made up for my lack of skill but by the middle I was leaning into the action and making a strong stroke.  

Then it was Wall Slammer and rightly named. Our raft tapped the wall of the gorge and we were pushed back to the middle to observe the great walls of the canyon on either side of us. I was in awe of the 1200 ft walls of the rock on either side of us.
Then it was back to paddling. Rafting on the Royal Gorge combines Class IV rapids setting you up for a wild ride and finishing with the unanticipated bliss of completing Sunshine Falls.

Unbeknownst to us there was a photographer that captured us at Sunshine. 

After we were three quarters in we found a spot to pull up the raft where there was a small climb up the canyon to a mini ledge for cliff jumping.

I have never gone cliff jumping before. Yup, I'm just too chicken shit. This time I was armed with a helmet, a PFD, an encouraging friend, and I still had hesitation. I was clinging to the wall, just afraid to look down. Mike went first and my heart was racing. 
"If you jump before me, I'm not going to do it." I told Jenn as she offered to go ahead. 
"Well, you don't have to…" 
"I want to, I just… I've been conditioned not to do things like this." 
Moments away from a deep philosophical conversation, "You're thinking too much." 
"Yeah, you're right." I took a deep breath and launched myself from the rock, screaming all the way down. The plunge was amazing and I surfaced quickly. I was still alive, adrenaline was pumping, and as my head broke through the water I had one though: I want to do that again.
"Feet up!" Mike screamed at me as I quickly floated back to the raft turning to see Jenn jump behind me.

We were all wearing broad smiles and passed around some fireball to warm up from the cold water and added another layer of sweaters.  "That was fucking amazing! I can't believe I've never done that before!"

"Yup this is what we've been doing all summer." Mike leaned back with his arms gesturing to the life of rafting.

"I'm thinking of all the Monday's I've woken up to go to school, go into an office, get on the subway. This is the best fucking Monday of my life."

"And we still have more rapids to hit!"

We jumped one more time and got back in the raft for the craziest rapids of the gorge. One after the other, all in succession. No time to think, just listening to Jenn calling out strokes to make it through the zig zag rapids without flipping and without getting caught it the rocks. We all hollered and whooped and clicked our paddles together at the end of Sunshine. As we came to the put out we were all exhausted and euphoric.

Laying on the raft as it lets out air photo by Jenn

Photo by Jenn

It was time for dinner and I was spoiled for life in terms of white water rafting. The truth of the danger we faced didn't catch up with me until the next night at a party where the rafting guides gave major props to Jenn for reading and running the gorge. 27 people have died on that stretch of water and we had a perfect ride.

 I am so grateful for that day

Sometimes even hummingbirds get stuck

So tonight I was a little angry-upset. Yup, even on a beautiful island you're allowed to be upset. Well, I went upstairs to my room and flopped on the bed thinking of the online chats that got me into this funk, when buzzing and bumping around me was a beautiful little hummingbird. I have the most open room on the property; I have one full wall, two half walls and one "wall" is actually just a waist-high wood railing. A hummingbird made it's way in and somehow can't figure out how to get out, or doesn't want to leave. I got out of bed and watched it fly around, perching itself on the wood rafters and the close line, then zooming around again. I turned off the lights and still it hasn't left.
I was wondering as I watched this hummingbird fly high with the roof around it, but just 1 foot below has open space waiting for it to fly through, if that could be a metaphor for problems in life.
Could it mean:

a) when we're in a problem that's all we see, not the open space/solutions that surround us

b) sometimes we can bash out heads against the wall, but all we really need to be free is to get outside

c) sometimes we aim our resolutions too high

d) sometimes a there is no higher place to go, there is no high road option, for a problem

e) absolutely nothing, it's just a pretty hummingbird to distract me so that I forget what I was ever in a funk about.
                   ... thanks lil hummingbird

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

This week, I decided to take on two very different books. Both were given to me some time ago, and were staring at me from my shelf saying 'either pass it on, or read it'.

On The Shoulders Of Atlas, is a financial book, that tells the story of how many advisors it takes to sell a family business, that is now worth millions. Unless you like reading business books, or are in that situation, I really wouldn't recommended it, as the information wont be relevant. I almost always find those details interesting, so I'm sure that's how I came into possession of this book in the first place.

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, is a graphic novel, and a fantastic read! So smart and funny, the author tells what feels like a candid, humorous, true account of her growing up, while giving insight into the intricacies of Iran, without making it complicated. The drops of wisdom given through the characters is heartwarming and inspiring. A great story and a great gift.

There's an interview done with the Author through the Washington Post that you can read here. Reading the interview and this account of her life, makes her seem like someone who always speaks her mind, and always speaks her truth. I want to put Marjane Satrapi, on my list of people I'd love to have a cup of tea with, in a smoke filled cafe in France.

An excerpt from Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi 

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

Have you had someone just push a book on you and say it was good, and then that meant you just had to read it? Well that's what happened with The Bean Trees and I'm really glad it did, otherwise I don't know that I would have picked it up on my own. Thank you Rachel!

It is a wonderfully written story, and my first Kingsolver read. It carries it's sadness through humor. Simple truths make it touch your heart and the characters are so real, you think you could call them up for a coffee, if you were to ever drive through Kentucky, Oklahoma, or Arizona.

I judge a book by it's title and expected the whole book to be about bean planting, but the reason for the title is much deeper than that. Kingsolver has such an enthralling way of story telling, I believe the book must be based on a few true stories meshed into one.

If you're in a mix up of uncertainty, of what to read next, I can't shove it in everyone's hands, but recommend you go pick it up.

Waiting for the Witch

I had a wonderful bunch of visitors the past two weeks who all left on Thursday. Once again I'm left to my own devices, which had me remembering a funny story...

Upon coming to this great big 'house' in Panama I was asked only a few questions by the local Ngobe people. The most reoccurring from the women was bluntly put,
"Do you have a husband?"
"Nope"
"Do you live with your mom?"
"Nope"
They pressed on, "You don't live with your mom or a husband?"
"Nope"
"Oh, Samantha..." One woman said 'tsk'-ing and shaking her head.
She looked at me quite seriously and said, "I would be scared living in a great big house all by myself."
It was the day before I was to be all alone, so I was a little taken aback. With the neighbors very close and workers coming every day, this is the most people I've been around consistently in three months. I worried for a moment that maybe there was a risk factor I had overlooked...
"Well I have Angus and Bella" I said, referring to the dogs, who are well feared. "Why would you be scared? Just because it's so big?"
"Yes. You know what happens to people who live in a big house all by themselves..."
I shook my head 'no', as I thought about gluttony, and images of people living in L.A. in big mansions. She broke my daydream with, "You have to be very careful, because of the witch"
I did my best not to smile, as I imagined the witch from Beauty and the Beast knocking on mansion's all over the world. I was also careful not to mention that my friends and family often affectionately refer to me as a witch. If there was a witch in the village I certainly would love to meet her, but perhaps I didn't understand.
"Is she a spirit, a ghost, a real person?"
"Oh, she's a real person."
"Can I meet her? Can you tell me where she lives?"
"No no no. Oh, Samantha" More 'tsk'-ing and head shaking.
"...Have you seen her?"
"No! If you see her, she will kill you"
"Oh..." I said, thinking on my vampire, werewolf and zombie apocalypse safety measures.
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Yes, you need a #&)x!."
I was positive I was miss-translating. The clarification of what she was saying went back and forth for a long while, until I went into the kitchen and got a fork.  It couldn't possibly be as simple as a dinner fork, but it was.
"What does the fork do to the witch?" I asked.
"It takes away all her powers"
"So then I can have a nice chat with her? Once her power is gone?"
"Oh, Samantha" She said, again 'tsk'-ing and shaking her head.

I'm happy to report that I have managed more than a month without a witch sighting. It used to startle me, especially in the city when things moved out of the corner of my eye, but there are just so many things moving here, all the time, you just have to relax because its probably a bat, a bird, a leaf, a gecko, or a bug you'd rather not acknowledge. The witch could be here a week trying to sneak up on me and I might just brush her off. 'Oh, that's probably just a monkey' I'll say to myself. So even though all my visitors have left and I'm alone again, don't worry, I have a fork.

 

I love learning about the different superstitions all over the world (I think it steams from being born on a Friday the 13th). We continued talking and I was having difficulty explaining what a superstition was, so we talked about other different beliefs around here. For example, if your tooth falls out while you're sleeping it means a relative has died. When I told them about the tooth fairy I think they felt a little gypped, and then they really wanted to know more about North America. If you have any superstitions about bats please send them my way.

One quarter down! - happy 25th Birthday to me

'Sam the blue blob' - Photo courtesy of Tom K

Go figure! White donkey and Black sheep in the same field! Nov 13,  2011

That's me last year on my birthday, unfortunately that's probably not even the most ridiculous photo of me. Below the blue blob is a field with a white donkey and a black sheep! I've cropped myself out of that photo but trust me I fit right in. On my birthday last year I continued on the Camino de Santiago from Finestere to Muxia, it was a beautiful walk and ended at a beach. This year was spent at a warmer beach (with no walking through unexpected bog water, score!) I played in the waves and attempted some snorkeling, my cousin helped make the day special and I sure do feel more older. Below is a song I enjoyed a lot the day of my birthday, it was definitely a day of reflection on the past year, what a trip it's been!

I was really beaming from all the great birthday wishes I received this year, it really felt like I was in a big spotlight of love. So thanks to everyone; especially Kates for the most ridiculous video ever, I felt like a cat and miracle; and my aunt Monica who always sends me a wonderful heartfelt note. Thanks for reading! xoxo

Meanwhile in Canada...

I recently stumbled upon Meanwhile in Canada a Facebook group, here are my faves:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Oh, Canada...

ME TALK PRETTY ONE DAY by David Sedaris

My Kobo tells me I spent just 5.6 hours reading this sarcastically funny book. Some parts were more hilarious then others. It's a kind of humor that sneaks up on you with layers and feels almost as if Mr. Sedaris is having a chat with you about funny moments in his life. I like how he owns each of the moments he describes, explaining exactly how it affected him. Making even dark times something to laugh about. I think this book would make a great gift for that person in your life who appreciates dark absurdity.

The Mission

"A friend in need is a friend indeed!" That's what I thought of on this particular morning. Jenn and I were on our way into town when we were asked if we could lend our help. Someone had dropped their keys in the water (a.k.a. the bottom of the ocean) and it was up to us to open up a steel hatch, enter the boat and get hold of the spare set. With three of us together giving our best efforts there was no way that hatch was moving. As Jenn went around to inspect this steel boat she found the bathroom window was open with a screen insert. As I got hold of the screen and removed it I was doubtful if my head would even fit through the port hole. "You can do this Sam, I have been trained to coach you through this moment." Holding up the screen to my hips and noting that there was a 1/4 inch of extra space Jenn was convinced that I would fit.

Jenn has been working as an outdoor educator in France before we made the trip over to Panama. After a long hike she would take her group of kids to a rock face with what is called a 'birthing hole'. The kids would look at this small hole and say "There is no way I can fit through there" but one by one Jenn coached them through, convinced that they could make it to the other side. Every kid had made it though. She really had been training for this moment. As I lifted myself up and put my legs in first it seemed almost likely but my butt needed some help to be squished in.

 

Once I had my hips in and my feet balancing on something I knew I could physically fit but felt more comfortable being able to see where I was going. Lifting myself back out I gave it another go but this time I dived in 'Super man style' going head first with arms out. Balancing myself in a kind of awkward handstand on a toilet... I was in!

 

OMG I made it!!

Back outside, using a door to exit, I had to take a moment... 

Did I really just jump through there?

This shall be forever in my memory bank as that time I jumped through a steel boat. Traveling gives you a lot of great experiences but nothing quite as valuable as problem solving skills. There's a lot that happens on any given journey where you learn to just figure things out and do what has to be done. When 'problems' happen if you're with the right people it can be a fun adventure... and hopefully someone brought a camera!
I noticed that when I travel my problems are a lot different, there's no time to hum and haw and discuss with people and make it into a big deal. You're too busy working out a solution so you can move on. Sure you talk about it after but there's not the drama of 'oh no, woe is me, what will I do' if that happens its for a second and then it's launching into trial and error. There's usually not even a moment for negative self speak, you're forced to move along usually right away.

Second City Unscripted By Mike Thomas

I love the second city. I've gone to their shows in Toronto and encourage others to go. I've wanted to take a class there for years and was finally able to this past summer. I took the writing class and am slightly jealous of everyone who is continuing in all the levels. If I was in Toronto right now I would want to make that place my home and dive into the community.

Since I'm far away from Toronto I've taken to reading books by comics and specifically a book complied of interviews about the second city from those who were closest to it. It's the first time I've read a history book that touched on history I was a part of. The book starts in 1959 and through words of crew and cast takes you to 2009. How they kept their structure, who says what about whom, who held things together and how crazy the cast members could get. I like reading about how people started and so many great comics that I admire graced the stage or school of second city.

So much of it made me laugh and it was really neat to read about different sketches and characters that didn't always work on stage but made up so many popular movies and tv shows. I love the life philosophy of improvisation, the 'Yes, and...' If you're in Toronto check out the John Candy Box theatre for their Improv nights. It used to be on Monday but might have changed to Fridays at 70 Peter st.

My motto is "as long as someone's laughing" so if you have funny books to recommend please do!

Bossypants

By Tina Fey

This book made me laugh hardcore on the subway. I was actually looking for excuses to make extra commutes just so I could keep reading.

She has a great way of joking and then following up with it a few chapters later just to see if you're paying attention.

I was definitely caught in fits of giggles but I held the book up proudly in front of my face. Buy this book and make everyone jealous that you are reading it.

Happy Birthday to my Aunt Alex who will be getting a copy!

Problem with jeggings - college humour

This makes me laugh so hard hehehe

This has to be my favorite photo

Sometimes, I feel like this...

Happy Wednesday everybody!