Auld lang syne.

With the last day of the year upon me, I am left to reflect on how it went.

My 2008 began in Stephenville, where I brought in the New Year with the most important people... my Stephenville family.

My spring was unmemorable. Actually, I didn't remember anything until I saw these pictures:

And then there was the summer. Three things stand out for the summer in my head.

One - Robyn

Two - My Brother

Three - The Road Trip


And of course the fall and winter of 2008 which equals:




And here is hoping that next year's post will be just as (if not more so) full.

So it's Christmas.

The festivities are winding down and I am sad that such a great holiday is ending. My Christmases are usually heinous and involve lots of bickering and generally depressing times.

But this Christmas has proved to be different, with my brother home (our first Christmas as a whole family in eight years!) everyone was jolly and thankful that his was one of the few flights that got through during this Canada wide whiteout.

Christmas Eve my brother, mom and I went to church (my church, yay!) and we came home to the multitudes of food and goodies my dad had prepared. We popped a bottle of champagne and sat around the tree to open presents.

I couldn't afford to buy anything this year (but my family knew this). I did get two photos blown up and framed for my mom and brother. The one for my mom was a picture of her parents (S'ville Nan and Pop!) smiling and sitting on a wharf in front of the water. The picture is about fifteen years old and my mom had never seen it before because I scammed it from my Nanny. Needless to say it was loved. Brother Bear got a picture of him and I with Santa circa 1989 and he is holding me in his arms while I'm screaming in fright over the man in the red suit.

Christmas day we opened stockings and ate Christmas dinner. Spice pudding, oh yeah.

Boxing day morning was spent with McKayla who arrived bright and early. My brother and I spent a lot of the day just driving around the city looking at lights and old merchant homes. Also, for anyone who is in the city, Signal Hill has a HUGE star on the side of it. It is pretty insane and extremely beautiful to look up in the hills and see the star shining down over the city.

I hope to see everyone at our New Year's party. Please come back in time! No fireworks sadly, but sparklers and tons of food for everyone. And a great view of the harbour to watch the city's firework display as well!

Missing you.

Christmas wishes.

Just a quick note wishing everyone a super Merry Christmas! I am having a great time with my family and I hope you are too.


P.S. I am posting this from a new toy my brother gave me for Christmas, can anyone guess what it is?

Tuney misters.

Read this article and be amazed at the good things being done in this country for young musicians... much to Stephen Harper's dismay.

It rolls in from the sea.

Everyone who drives around downtown/old St. John's says the same thing: the streets are too effing narrow!

But that's because they were made for horsies. :)


I love living on this side of town. Stepping out to face the day and being greeted with the clip-clop of horses, seeing the Basilica towering down the road, Signal Hill in the distance.

Sigh. I live in a magical place.

Intergovernmental relations in Canada.

This is my 600th post. I think I might need a hobby.

A little something to lighten us up as I head into my two Poli Sci exams this week.

'Tis merrymeeting.

OMG, HOUSE BLOG.

Jonesy time.

I have a special treat for you hooligans this evening: a guest blogger!

Rob left a comment on my blog a few days ago stating that he would like to write for my [soon to be coming] house blog. And of course I said that he was welcome to blog on any blog of mine.

So he chose to post here instead!

Without further ado, I give you:

Jonesy Time

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BIGGER. BOLDER. BOUNCIER. STUPIDER.

If you've never heard of the show MANswers, now you have. If you've never seen it, you simply don’t know what you’re missing.

The subtitle of the show is: BIGGER. BOLDER. BOUNCIER.

I know this sounds ironic, but: you have no idea how gross an understatement that subtitle is until you've had first-hand experience with this gem of American brain-washing propaganda.

The first thing I noticed when watching this show is that THE HOST IS ALWAYS YELLING EVERYTHING AT YOU. IT'S LIKE HE'S AFRAID YOU'RE GOING TO MISS ONE OF THE HUNDREDS OF UNNECESSARY FACTS THAT HE THROWS AT YOU.

In fact, the only way the show can create any sense of dynamic is with an even more abrasive barrage of sound effects and images.

So, while the host is yelling something moronic like, "BOOBS ARE LIKE SEX: EVEN WHEN THEY'RE BAD, THEY'RE PRETTY GOOD", there is a simultaneous visual bombardment of girls with really fake boobs, in really tiny bikinis, eating really big pieces of meat. And don’t forget the obligatory “BOING” sound effect that plays while these girls run around.

This is the essence of MANswers, and that’s not one word of a lie.

Some common synonyms for breasts used in this show include:
Money-makers
Fun-bags
Melons
Utters
Glorious-globes
Dynamic-duo
Firm-fruit
Knarly-knee-knockers
Ankle-anchors
Rockin’-racks
Droopy-disasters
Sag-sacks
Love-pillows
B-cup-bozonga-bonanza (Once again, totally serious)

So, even if you don't retain any of the gratuitous nuggets of knowledge that they throw at you, at least you'll accumulate amplified abilities in alliteration - you're english Professor will surely appreciate that.

As you can guess, there's some really offensive stuff in this show, but one question that totally blew my mind was this: "HOW CAN YOU TELL IF SHE HAS SAGGY BOOBS BEFORE YOU RIP HER CLOTHES OFF?"

How in the hell do they get away with this shit?

I mean, this show is single-handedly increasing stupidity in America (and Canada too; you can thank cultural imperialism for that), and the last thing we need is more idiot guys obsessed with nothing more than meat, cars, and T&A.

Anyway, I'm going to stop now before I have a stroke. If you need me, I'll be driving my Hummer to Mc Donald’s while ogling girls on the way.

Trust me, it's ok, Spike TV said so.

HERE, HERE and HERE.

- Watch. Listen. Be enlightened.

The talented Tookie.

You're so pretty.

You speak like you're someone else while on stage in front of lots of people. Wow. What braveness.

I miss you so very much, little one. Have a beautiful and amazing birthday.

Happy times are ahead.

Undercover.

Something to make you laugh during these stressful times. I've already watched it like ten times... addictive.

Sean left his jam-jams.

A week since my last post! A record for sure. No internet and living with awesomegasmic people will do that.

I'm sure things will get back to normal over the course of December. Because yes, it is indeed December, despite whatever your internal clock might say.

In honour of a very special lady day here in Canada, I'm showing you these lovely lady faces:
I look really different in those photos. Like young and old Sarah.

Also in honour of special lady day, a special lady song... CHRISTMAS SONG!


I want to start a house blog, starring my lovely roomies and I. Audio recordings of Phillipe and Moo doing it included. OBVIOUSLY.

Look a baby bear.

Since I didn't have a photo of the new home I drew one in paint. Did I mention I'm moving? I'm moving.

It has been an extremely stressful week. Packing and essaying and spraining. I can feel my mood brightening despite the fifteen page paper which is due Tuesday assessing the advantages and disadvantages of the social union agreement for stimulating policy innovation and learning across jurisdictions. OMG, POLI SCI MAJORING IS AWESOME.

This morning I got out of bed and when I put my feet on the floor I accidentally smashed an entire glass with my right foot, caveman style! Luckily there wasn't anything in the glass so nothing was spilled... except my blood.

Things I have purchased in the past week:
3 pots
2 frying pans
4 mugs
6 cups
4 knives
4 spoons
4 forks
1 mixer
2 bagels from Tim Horton's (stress = starch consumption)
1 pair of sexy suede boots

But I've also been downsizing. I cut my 23 pairs of jeans (how embarrassing is that number) down to 10. And I have a gianttt bag of clothes for the thrift store.

My Mom is making me pack up all my shit I don't take so she can have a room to make booze in. I wish I was lying.

This creates opportunities to find awesome stuff like:

My Middle School friends! A lot of the same friends I have now. Brett, David, Ben, some guy, Kenneth, Robert, Kelly, Ashley, Kaylan. Yeah, not so much Kaylan. He was just in love with David. And one loonie for the person who knows who that random guy is.

The "grad" dance from Middle School. That is McKayla up there with Caitlyn White. Rob with Kelly. And MR. JONES. Now this has to be the best photo ever. Simply because there are three pages of photos from this dance, all of them groups and couples. And one. Of Robert. By himself. Infront of the lattice arch. GOLD, MY FRIENDS.

Found my admission letter to music school. I wonder how different my life would be if I had actually gone. Would I be happier? Hmmm.

No more what ifs! I have too many pretty friends here that keep me lovin' life.

Feet-ah (spelled phonetically).

This has been the worst week of the semester. By leaps and bounds.

It's only Tuesday.

I have no money. No time. No right wrist.

I am officially failing a class for the very first time in my life. 47% in French. 3% stands between me and fulfilling the last of my language requirements.

I wrote a 2500 word paper last night. A 2000 one the night before.

Tomorrow I have a French interview and I don't speak French. It is 10% of my grade and right now, 10% makes a hell of a difference.

This weekend I am supposed to move. Yes, move all of the shit I have accumulated these past three years. I have to come up with a month's rent.

Monday I have a dictée, another 10% I desperately need.

Tuesday another 2500 word paper.

I can't think because when I do I realize I am ruined.


Oh, and I sprained my wrist. Why not.

Loving you is easy ('cause you're beautiful).

I went to Twilight with Robyn and Kaylene, and although we arrived a half hour early, we were still faced with a packed theatre. Luckily, we managed to snag three seats together in the second last row.

We decided fifteen minutes before the movie began that we were all indeed quite thirsty. Robyn and Kaylene decided to run to Timmy Ho’s for some drinks while I guarded the seats.

Who knew I had the harder job?

A couple minutes after they left this woman and three of her friends (all of them adults, late thirties probably) started venturing up the stairs hoping to find seats of their own. I knew they would be out of luck considering we had barely been able to find three seats twenty minutes prior.

I wasn’t really paying attention to them, though the woman was standing directly next to me because my seat was next to the aisle. Robyn had left me her iPod and I was enjoying the wide range of music I had at my fingertips.

That’s when I noticed that the young girl sitting two seats from me was looking at me. Now she was looking at me like I was hella crazy. Shit! I thought, I was totally singing those Hillary Duff songs out loud, right?

I took out one of the headphones in case she wanted to say something, I then realized she wasn’t trying to tell me I was crazy. But she was definitely indicating that the woman standing directly to my right was.

This ADULT woman was ranting. Raving. Yelling. Cursing.

I find this terribly ironic considering the theatre was packed with adolescent girls.

In addition to the two vacant seats next to me (Robyn and Kaylene’s seats) there were also two empty directly in front of me (same situation, they’d venture for snacks and a friend was sitting there waiting for them to return).

Apparently this woman did not see fit for our friends to pee or get drinks or step outside. Though arriving much later than everyone else in theatre, it was her right to sit where she chose.

I know some of you might be chuckling now. Because I am Sarah Smith. And I have no time for this shit. And I am not afraid to tell you so. I am six feet of nonsensical bitch.

So I do the tough girl routine (secretly nervous though that I’m going to have to fight this obese woman and miss the movie because the cops will inevitably be called), meaning I take out the remaining headphone in a slow motion cowboy kind of way. I put my purse on the floor, uncross my legs, and shift my body so I’m facing her. I look right in her dumbass eyes and just challenge her to say something to me. I am made for this shit.

Unfortunately, the girl who was saving those seats in front of me was considerably less intimidating, probably around eleven or twelve years old. The girl had each of her friends’ seats saved with a single pink mitten. I thought that was pretty poetic at the time.

This dumbass, realizing she cannot pass by me to get to the two vacant seats on my left without a confrontation, marches down a couple steps to this young girl, picks up each mitten and flings them into her lap. “YOU AREN’T ALLOWED TO DO THAT.” yells the dumbass.

By this time she has attracted a crowd.

The guy sitting next to this girl looks at the woman and says “you better not sit in those fucking seats.” Luckily (?) the friends of the young girl are right behind the woman and they plop down in their respective chairs.

The woman starts ranting again; she looks at me and says “YOU AREN’T ALLOWED TO DO THAT.” I put both my elbows on my legs and lean in close to her. Total badass (and also dumbass because one of these days someone is going to call my bluff and curb stomp me).

She huffs off yelling “I’M GETTING THE MANAGER. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. YOU AREN’T ALLOWED.”

Humanity at its best.

Obligatory review.

Twilight has been mine for a long time. I spent quite a long time defending myself over this book.

"Hey Sarah, what are you reading now?"

"Twilight!"

"Oh yeah? Never heard of it. What's it about?"

"Umm, well. It's about this girl who falls in love with a vampire. And like, how it's pretty complicated."

"... Why are you so gay?"

But then I woke up one day and people were all like "omg, have you ever heard of Twilight?!" and I have to be all "omg, you just judged me like ten seconds ago" and then they go all "omg, no! I don't remember that!"

So now it's cool to like Twilight. Whatever.

The movie. I always thought this would make a good movie. Except it would have to be a Pride and Prejudice mini-series sort of thing. Two hours doesn't really do the book justice.

The characters? Exceptionally well chosen in my opinion. Rob Pattinson = sex. So that's always great. PEA COATS AND HAIR OF ANGELS AND COLLAR LOVE, WOW. Stylists, give yourself a nice big pat on the back.

Kristen Stewart is cool. The voice? EEEEEEEEEEh. The look? Very Bella.

Jacob, um, YUM. Man this cast was hot hot hot. Seriously, see the movie for just like a major actor-boner. Yeah, I just said that.

Soundtrack? PERFECT. I was worried they wouldn't put a Muse song on it.

One complaint would be that the whole movie was super desaturated. It was very bland looking. But they were totally going for that so everyone would look all emo and pale. Whatevs.

Did I mention Rob Pattinson is sex?

Edward, yes?

+

=

The most beautiful night EVER.

I are cancerous.

Women are taking over (yay).

Boring politics post, ewww.

There was a collective "wtf" moment a couple weeks ago when Stephen Harper elected Leona Aglukkaq as minister of health. Health is HIGH-PROFILE. Aglukkaq is a first time MP. SHE'S THE SARAH PALIN OF THE NORTH JONES' PANTS.

I was super happy to see a woman get this position, but in all honesty, I'm pretty sure it was just Harper shining up his cabinet. I mean, what is better than a female native cabinet minister? Nothing... except maybe one that's in a wheelchair.

And this sounds cruel, yes, but I've taken enough Poli Sci classes to realize THIS IS THE SHIT THAT MATTERS. It is not who is qualified for the job a lot of the time, it's who looks good/sends a good message. Just ask Duceppe's hairnet supplier.

Back to women in politics.

Eva Aariak was elected as Nunavut's second ever premier today. I know absolutely nothing about her and the CBC says she's an "Iqaluit store owner."

Paul Okalik has held the position since 1999 when Nunavut was formed. I'm kind of sad to see Okalik go. Not because he accomplished anything worthwhile mind you. But he always said hello and kind words when I passed him on the street during my lunch breaks in Iqaluit (Nunavut's a tiny place... population wise).

And I super loved that classy seal-skin vest he wore all the time.

I seek you out.

I have a French exam this week. I knew I had to study this afternoon so I watched Amelie. Constructif, non?

I kid, lots of studying was accomplished. Minus a Philippe makes the whole process a lot more arduous though.

Started making my Christmas cards today. That's right! This year I'm going the homemade route for gifts/decorations/cards. The only downfall with this is that you have to start mid-November, which is something I am not that cool with. Whatyagonnado. Less than seven weeks until Christmas!

Also, I have decided to take a brief hiatus from drinking. I haven't decided how long yet. But I was drunk three times this week. And this number was almost five times, but I've abstained from joining in the past two nights. Really? REALLY?

I'm just not having fun anymore and I've run out of funds. Lame, yeah.

TODAY IS AMKI'S BIRTHDAY. ARE YOU EXCITED?! I AM. We had her pirate birthday last night. :)

I'll be there.

It's cool to know nothing.

Today was Remembrance day. Instead of reiterating what I've said in previous posts, let's talk about something else.

Music? I sure love it. This song has been stuck in my head ALL DAY. Loves me some new Kaiser Chiefs too. Oh, and this song from the Amelie soundtrack makes me wish I could compose music for piano with any sort of efficiency. Well. I did co-write Mendelssohn Monster. I'm going to have to dig footage of that up.

Since this has turned into some sort of a demented version of a love list, I might as well keep going.

Loving diet Ginger Ale and the beautiful friends who brave the cold to get it for me.

Love making plans with my super cool awesome Robynsky for super cool awesome extravaganzas.

Totally love the word: extravaganza. Say it aloud a few times... extravaganza, extravaganza... don't you feel wealthier!

I love an event where I can go and make crafts out of recyclables (pictures to come!), eat bacon and pancakes and celebrate with friends ALL IN THE SAME NIGHT.

Love predicting futures. No matter how screwed my friends are. :)

LOVE YOU.

And I loves me some Degrassi Junior High. Currently in the middle of season three and it is ROCKIN'. Spike had her kid and Shane has finally stopped being a douche bag and is giving half of his allowance to help support them. 'BOUT TIME. And man, Lucy sure goes for the pervs. And Allison, oh Allison! How you slay me.

Everyone else blinks.

I cannot believe I've had a Ze-free two years. I miss him thinking for me. :(

REMEMBER THIS.


AND THIS.


OH MAN, AND THIS. PMD's... love it.


Sigh. He's like a smuttier version of Alex Marland.

Bahama mamas.

This is where I make that Tim the Toolman noise (AAAHHHWUUU?).

The man will speak.

There is something important about a politician's voice. Maybe it's the whole voice-of-the-nation thing. In Canada we've had our share of poor speaking leaders, as well as legendary ones.

A single sentence can make or break a politicians career.

I wish Obama would do books on tape or something. I would definitely read the Harry Potters if Barack was the one describing all the wizard shit.

What am I getting at? DUDE CAN SPEAK. And America needs to gain some face in that department. Because rarely is the question asked: is our children learning?



Obama '08, baby!

Ageless beauty.

Last night I got to fulfill one of my life goals. Cool, huh? I have a list of ten bands I need to see live before I die... now I can cross a second off (the first was OLP)!

Stars makes me musicgasm all over the world. I don't know how else to describe it. I bought Set Yourself on Fire in 2005 and there has been no going back.

AND I GOT TO SEE THEM LIVE. LAST NIGHT. WOW.

We were like three metres from the stage and I peed a little when Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell came out with giant smiles and handsome attire. They were made for live music.

Oh, and Torquil threw me a rose. Yup. Why not. It almost bet the Raine Maida pointing at me thing. I WAS MADE FOR THIS STUFF.


Now if only Muse would play here so Matthew Bellamy could blow me kisses...

Awww.

I thought I'd share one of the birthday gifts that were lovingly bestowed upon me Friday night. Robert wrote me a wonderful poem. :)

Sarah Smith

A person who makes life a bit
easier just by being there
and existing the way you do.

Never subtle but never coarse
a friend that always has advice.
Opinions with the best of intentions
ones that I can find nowhere else.

A friend of older times,
a sweet spirit that never grows dull.
A girl who can always make me smile
even if there is no real reason for it.

We live in a world full of
Sarah's, but I know the best one.
Your name may be common
but you are anything but that.

My birthday party success-ing.

Some of my photos got deleted. :( I definitely remember taking a cute one of Sierra, Robyn and Heather on the couch and it is so not there. The price of letting someone else have your camera all night I suppose.

But there are still lots of others shots. :)

P.S. The first one is of Robyn and I getting ready at her house, I did not wear curlers to the party, hehe.

P.P.S. Videos from this weekend are currently being edited and will be up over the course of this week. Hummus and Muse singers, yayay.