Nine Things...

...that you might not know about me (or atleast that wouldn't necessarily come up in conversation!!)...

- when I was little I used to think that being vegetarian also meant that you couldn't eat gummi bears or animal crackers!

- during the summer of 2000 I did the reverse bungee jump at the Calgary Stampede with a giant stuffed polar bear!

- the first time that I ever drove, I picked up two hitchhikers!!

- I went trick or treating until my second year of university (and yes...they gave us candy!!)

- I started being afraid of thunderstorms when I was 27 years old (thanks to the Smyth/Smit/Brinkman/Alexander camping weekend!!)

- I was named after actress Genevieve Bujold

- I spent the entire year after the movie American Pie was released having people stop me in the street to ask if I was related to Shannon Elizabeth (I have NEVER seen the resemblance!!)

- I often dream in french!

- even though my husband is three inches taller than me...my legs (hip to floor) are the same length as his!!!

What don't we know about you...???

Everyone Has a Story...

A couple of weeks ago, Dad, Steve and I spent the day in the West end of town tackling the ravages of IKEA and Bayshore shopping centre. I don't really know what the logic was behind doing this on a Saturday afternoon but, we mentally prepared ourselves for border line holidays shoppers and braved the elements!! We ended up having a really good time and surprisingly enough, we didn't spend a cent on anything other than food (how does that happen?!?!).

Anyways, in between visits to IKEA and Bayshore, we stopped at this fancy furniture store across the Queensway to check out how the better half lives. As we were all roaming around the beautifully set up room displays, Steve suddenly yelled out to me "Hey Gen, come here...this is the kind of desk that we have to get you when you become a writer". Sure enough, Steve had found this amazing solid wood desk that I couldn't have picked out better myself. Then he said "when you start writing your first novel, we should get this and stick it in front a window so you can write!". I was astonished. My husband believed, with complete confidence, that I was going to become a writer.

I have always loved to write. I've been writing ever since I was a very little girl and even in the age of technology, I've still always prefered the long lost art of letter writing. I've been told on more than one occasion that I should write a book and as romantic as it sounds, I've never really taken it very seriously. What would I write about?!?!?

However, one of the people that first suggested to me the idea of writing was a professor of mine in fourth year. He was one of my communications professors and his class was one of the funnest that I had taken throughout university. He thought that I should write a novel about my life and my experiences. I took it as a beautiful compliment and, for the first time, considered my writing abilities as something unique that I had earned the right to be proud of.

Anyways, as it turns out, that professor has become a finalist for the 2006 Governor General's Literary Awards for his non-fiction book The Empire of Mind: Digital Piracy and the Anti-Capitalist Movement. He's up against four other non-fiction books and even if, ultimately, he doesn't win the big prize...he's still going to be the man that helped me to appreciate my writing as a gift to be pursued.

With that being said...I guess maybe I should take his comments to heart and start working on this novel of mine (and saving for the fancy desk!)!!!

Congratulations Professor Strangelove...I'm rooting for you!!!

Desiderata...

Go placidly amid the noise and haste
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others,
even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is.
Many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disappointment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars.
You have a right to be here.
And whether it is clear to you or not, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham and drudgery and broken dreams
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrman, 1927

The Case of the Smyths vs. Loser Housemate...

Our new housemate is an idiot!!

About a month ago, the guy who lived on the main floor of our house moved out to go and live with his girlfriend. Given that his lease wasn't up yet, he recommended a friend of his to move in and sublet the remainder of his lease. Sure...this seemed like a good idea...at the time!!

Three days after he moved in, we got woken up at 4am (on a Wednesday!! Are you kidding me?!?!) to him having a huge party. I annoyingly went downstairs and complained to the happy party-ers that they were being loud and aggravating, and that some of us had to be up in three hours to go to work.

A week later...another party. This time on a Thursday night. We closed our windows and decided to ride it out.

Two days ago (ten days after the last time)...yet again...at 3am we woke up to one of his friendly gatherings. This time we emailed him at work to explain that different arrangements were going to have to be made for his socializing, as being up once a week until all hours of the night just wasn't going to work for us. We were courteous, friendly, willing to do our part, and after a few email exchanges, it seemed like there was an understanding and the problem had fixed itself. Until last night...

At 3am this morning, our new friend hit an all time low. As the walls were shaking from the music and the girls that were over had out sung themselves, we (along with the tenant below us) went to his apartment once again to complain. This time though, when they heard people knocking on the door...not only did they all rush and huddle into one room (so no one would "hear them"...c'mon, give me a break!) but, all the very classy women that were over were scrambling to put all of their clothes back on!!! Very tasteful dear neighbor!!

After the three of us finally managed to pull them away from their alcohol and karaoke long enough to tell them that we were fairly unimpressed with the situation...they actually had the nerve to "shoo" us away and turn the music up again. Trust me...it was a real barrel of laughs!!

At this point, these morons had pretty much unleashed the 3am rage inside of me. Hence, I marched upstairs and proceeded to call the cops. Less than five minute laters, three police cruisers showed up outside our house. Two of the officers stood at the door knocking while, once again, our night hawks scrambled into a room (though their intelligence prevailed this time and they congregated in the room right next to the front door with the windows open...BRILLIANT!!) while a "voted delegate" was assigned the job of answering the door.

Once the police went inside, we all went back to our respective apartments and the party dwindled shortly there after. Needless to say that some very strongly worded emails have been passed around today and all future courteous behaviour is declared right out the window. The war at 141 Powell Avenue has officially been launched, so start placing your bets folks!! Given the very mature behaviour that we have seen in the past three weeks...I'd have to say that the odds are in our favour!!!

Stay tuned...

The Nearest Book...

1. Grab the nearest book
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next four sentences in the comments section along with the title of the book.
5. Don't you dare dig around for that "cool" or "intellectual" book on your shelves. (I know you were thinking about it.) Just pick up whatever is closest.

Here's what I got...


"...Colourful cushions nestled into a wooden bench or a steel-framed chair not only promise comfort but add style and color. Every outdoor seating area should include a few lightweight, portable pieces for flexibility - tables that keep drinks and reading material closeby, and chairs that can be pulled right up to the warmth of a fire pit."

- Pottery Barn Design Collection, Outdoor Spaces