well it's true

Me: Hahah! I just farted on Tonks.
Jeremy: What!?! Why would you do that, that’s terrible!
Me: What? She farts on me all the time!
Jeremy: I can’t believe you did that to her.
Me: C’mon! She eats poop!

jeremy built tonks a den

It took her over a year to use it and now it's her favourite place. 

It has a hinged top so we can open it up and clean out whatever treasures she's dragged in there. I think Jeremy should market these and we can be millionaires. 

let the record show

I realized recently that this blog serves a double purpose. Not only is it a creative outlet (when I use it); it’s also a record keeper. Jeremy and I will always disagree about when things happening. Specifically when we started dating (again) and when we got Tonks. We always forgot and it happens again. Luckily for me, I blogged around those things so it is documented for eternity! If I’m not writing about things that happen I will have no proof that I’m right.

And we can’t have that now can we?

halloweird

We spent Halloween with Jeremy's parents. We ate chili on mashed potatoes, drank wine, played Password and watched Abbot and Costello.

For the walk I insisted Tonks wear her Pupperina costume, and I’m glad she did because she got TONS of attention.



First we ran into her best friend Delilah and they had a quick romp. Later we met a dog who the owner told us ‘loved dancers’ and a little chocolate chip cookie who excitedly pointed out the ballerina dog to her parents. It was very cute.



For once I didn’t mind Jeremy walking ahead of me as the sight of him and Tonks walking was especially adorable.



For a costume I pulled together a last minute Mr. Peanut – who is pure evil as we all know.



I carved a delightful jack-o’-lantern in record time. I asked David if it should be funny or scary, he said both so this is what I came up with. I imagine it making the sort of chittering noise that Boo (from Mario) makes. Tonks kept trying to lick its insides, which didn’t surprise anyone.

They only had two rings of the doorbell and I hadn’t handed out treats on Halloween since grade 5 when I hung out with my Grandpa and helped him hand out candy to all the neighbourhood kids (including lots of my classmates, which was odd), but I digress.

I jumped up to hand out candy, and making the appropriate fuss over the kid’s costume, I dipped into the candy bowl and pulled out two fun sized treats for him. When I came back to the festivities it was to find the scorn and shock of the in-laws that I had only given the child two treats. Jeremy was in his element – teasing Clara. He enjoys it so much, and after 5 years I am still just as susceptible and easy to get riled. Sigh. The guilt of being a candy Grinch only lessened after our second doorbell ring. This time it was three teenage girls in only somewhat trampy costumes. I wasn’t going to get up this time, and open myself to more teasing. But when David went to the door he didn’t bring the candy so when I heard the hollered ‘where’s the stuff?’ I ran up with the candy and gave a generous handful to each girl. Of course this time when I returned Jeremy told me I gave away too much candy and the rest of the kids wouldn’t get enough. I ignored him.

When I got home I watched my Halloween present – Trick r Treat. Great movie! Totally creepy and gross but funny too.

All in all a great night. As a bonus I got to take large amounts of leftover candy home – which I am eating for breakfast. Yay Halloween!

happy birthday jeremy

Sit down little ones, gather ye near,
For the delightful tale you are about to hear.

Listen to my fantastic story,
Of a boy named Jeremy, in all his glory.

This day he was born, he caused a sensation,
With the largest head in all of creation.

His mother, exhausted, cradled him close,
His father counted, 10 fingers, 10 toes.

The years marched on, he flourished and grew,
Sometimes rebelling, as kids often do.

He fought with a wit, sharp and sarcastic,
His sisters’ bane (it was less than fantastic).

He can cook
He can bake
He can fix up a Mac.

He can pout
And annoy,
But he’ll still make you laugh.

For the good and the bad, through the years we have found -
We may just decide, to keep him around.

o…n…g…

We had the pleasure and good fortune to attend a Luminato event the other night. An evening with Neil Gaimen. Jeremy, Rebecca and I all gathered our hopeful books, graphic novels, comics and more, tromped on down to the Jane Mallet theatre and excitedly waited for the man of the hour.

He was as rumpled and charming as I’d hoped, much funnier than we expected, and all in all well worth the time and money spent to attend. We did several readings, which were simply fantastic, the man has an incredible voice I could listen to for hours. I’d love to hear him and Alan Rickman have a conversation. Sigh.

Anyway when it came time for the autograph session we had to choose one item to get signed (we had brought three each, just in case). Jeremy opted for Good Omens, so Terry Pratchett can sign it when he meets him this summer at the Discworld convention. Rebecca chose the dangerous alphabet and I decided to go for something different.

Voila.

A picture of Neil and his dog (a rescue) Cabal. He seemed a little surprised to see a picture of them (“it’s a picture of me! And my dog!”) but I quickly filled him in on the story of Tonks and told him that she liked to see picture of Cabal on his blog. I showed him a picture of her and he said she was beautiful and asked where we got her. We chatted for a bit and then he asked ‘Can I keep this?’ holding the picture of Tonks.

Gasp!

I nearly split my face grinning. ‘Yeah! It’s for you!’ I said rather eagerly. Then I moved on and watched as Jeremy got his book signed, saying nothing only smiling rather idiotically. Rebecca somehow managed to get Neil to take off his sweater when she got up there and didn’t leave before shoving her hand out to shake his hand. So forceful. Rebecca I mean.

We left, giddy and squealing and reminiscing about our brief yet unforgettable moments with Neil Gaimen. I showed Tonks the picture when I got home. I think she was very excited. She hasn’t tried to eat it so I think it’s clear she appreciates the value.

five years...dear god...

Approximately 5 years ago today (I say approximately because I drank a lot more back then and the details are a little fuzzy), Jeremy and I said hey let’s be together. Again. For those who haven’t heard the story before, we met and dated in University then broke up and reconnected once I moved to Toronto many years later. A few days later we were living together. Okay maybe not exactly that quick but it sure felt like it.

So here we are 5 years later. Holy mother. Time sure flies. Sure it’s been fun. it’s also been exasperating, hilarious, annoying and cozy. Heck it’s even been sublime.

So I guess I’ll stick around. Heh.

this is SPARTA

Jeremy got a haircut yesterday; it accentuates his beardiness.

catdog

I’m convinced Tonks is part cat. She does this thing where she’ll hold one toy and then bat around a ball with her paws. Very feline.



Oh and yesterday she ate a bird.

Well technically Jeremy took it away from her before she could eat it but she did kill it. They were walking and a bird of some sort (Jeremy claims it was a condor) flew in front of Tonks and she leapt into the air and caught it. An instant, bloodless demise. Jeremy was traumatized. It’s hard to reconcile the pup that is at this moment lying on the couch with her head on a pillow watching tv, with a mighty huntress. I guess she’s just tuckered from all the murdering.

creepo

I was walking home from the subway the other day and in my peripheral vision I saw a creepy guy coming towards me on the sidewalk. He had a hood on and was rather shaggy looking; I inconspicuously edged away from him as he neared me. To my dismay he mirrored me and moved to block my path. My head snapped up, nostrils flaring, ready for battle –

And came face to face with Jeremy.

Methinks it’s time for a shave. Not sure if there is anything we can do about the slouchy skulking walk though.

bday fun recap

So my birthday was frickin awesome.

The In-Laws spoiled me as usual, with dinner and presents galore. Highlights of the evening were my yellow and Jesus themed wrapping paper and a picture of MOI!



This cartoonesque portrait was done by a client of Denise’s and I must say is he ever talented. Through pictures and personality info provided by Jer’s family he created this marvelous rendition. A stunning likeness if I do say so myself. I’ve always felt like I was a space pirate/cyborg trapped in a cube dwellers body. It’s true.

I’m planning a ‘hot girl’ wall of artwork. Jeremy has a sexy girl Captain N Gamemaster, Indianette Jones and I have Dreamgirl and a cute Anime girl in a purple jumpsuit. Space Clara will go along nicely if I do say so myself.

Now I didn’t think I would be seeing my family on my birthday weekend, in fact I thought it strange that we hadn’t made any plans or at least lamented the lack of Clara on this special day. Well I was wrong.

On Sunday Jeremy made me get up and go out. Wouldn’t tell me where. I was unwashed in grubby clothes and had to be dragged out. He said it was a romantic surprise. So as we get to Yonge and Eg and don’t head on the subway I finally figure it out – the Mandarin! Fun! I’d never been.

So we walk in and I blindly follow Jeremy around the restaurant until he pops into a room and declares us ‘here’. I saw my dad at one of the tables. I sort of stared uncomprehendingly for a moment and then the rest of my family jumped up from behind the tables and yelled surprise. I was flabbergasted. I’ve never used that word in a situation that adequately harnessed its linguistic potential. But there you have it. I was. Flabbergasted. I stared at everyone for awhile then covered my mouth and started tearing up. Once I got past the shock I was just so genuinely happy to see my family and spend some time with them. Even the niece and nephews were there. Adorable.

They made me some charming object d’art. Nephew One created a sculpture for my desk and Only Niece made a hanging piece with a working bell on the end. Truly magnifique non?

After gorging myself on dumplings we played “Clarinko’. Much like Plink from the Price is Right but with a smaller board and poker chips. Each chip would land in a category on the bottom. The one I got the most was ‘The 80’s’ and I totally rocked it. For example one question was 'Name the 4 Ninja Turtles and their corresponding colours. Please. I even named their weapons. Oh snap.

When I got a correct answer I won Danier Dollars and after lunch Jenna and Kaity took me to the Danier outlet to pick out a leather jacket. I have never had a brand new leather jacket. I was pretty thrilled. I happened to pick the one that Jeremy was championing and I have yet to hear the end of it. When I put it on he compliments me lavishly then says it’s a good thing he came too otherwise who knows what I would have come home with. Cheeky thing.

Ah yes, Jeremy. Well the boy did very well this year. He indulged my weakness for barbarians and shiny things. This limited edition Conan really does justice to that kooky Cimmerian. I deliberately positioned him in from of the mirror so as not to hide his rippling back muscles. Now the necklace is one of TWO citrine lovelies that Jeremy gave me. I was pretty stunned. I had just that week been harassing him and emailing links to Birks ordering him to buy me jewellery. I’m so gracious.

cocoon III

For Christmas I got Jeremy a hammock. This weekend it was finally put away. I was honestly worried it was going to live in my living room and be the ‘gaming’ hammock.

Jeremy likes to be cocooned in any way shape or form so I thought this would be perfect.

It was indeed appreciated; sometimes I would come into the room and see only a suspicious eye peering out at me, and then muffled giggles.

frosty the jerman

I spent this New Years in a hot tub outside in -25 degree cold with a water bottle full of wine.

Oh yeah baby. That’s class.

We were all covered in frost by the time we came in. And by came in I mean "ran screaming from the hot tub to the cabin and tried not to freeze to the metal doorknob on the way in".

ghost tour ‘08

This Saturday Jeremy, Craig, Lindsay and I went on a ghost tour in the hopes of experiencing some Toronto hauntings.

We boarded a yellow school bus at 9am and headed to lower bay station with high expectations. We wandered through the abandoned station, marveling at the unexplored terrain and assiduously taking notes.





After awhile we began to suspect that the lady in a red dress stories were more lore than legitimate. However when we braved the dark recesses of the tunnel we were pleasantly surprised by an encounter.





Yes. It’s true. Kleenex Ghost haunts lower bay station. Jeremy dutifully recorded our findings for further studies.





After we had seen him he seemed comfortable making his presence known in other places at the station. It was truly a remarkable experience.





After bidding Kleenex Ghost adieu we boarded our bus once again and headed to Colborne Lodge in High Park. Before we began our tour we took a stroll around the grounds. We were startled by a fleeting glimpse of a kleenex ghost. He seemed eerily familiar – could this be the Kleenex Ghost?





We noted this for further discussion. Upon entering the lodge we studied the paintings of John Howard and heard about his and Jemima’s life. We were surprised to see a kleenex ghost sitting on the original 1860’s furniture. After all we had been expressly told NOT to sit on the furniture. I began to suspect this was indeed our Kleenex Ghost from lower bay station. He seemed to be a bit of a troublemaker. A rebel even.





Our suspicions were confirmed when we had a look at the washroom and found Kleenex Ghost masquerading as Toilet Paper ghost. Oh Kleenex Ghost. We know it’s you. Sigh.





Our last stop was the Elgin and Wintergarden Theatres downtown. We had heard of many hauntings on this spot so were anxious to search for activity. After all we had great luck so far in the day.

We weren’t disappointed. Shortly after we arrived we spotted Kleenex Ghost lounging in the lobby of the Elgin Theatre. We were having incredible luck with all the paranormal activity. It almost seemed too good to be true!





Kleenex Ghost seemed to have lost whatever inhibitions he originally had, this may have been in part to his choice of refreshments. I didn’t get close enough but I’m pretty sure it was not sparkling water he was ordering…





We stumbled upon his usual seat while wandering through the Elgin. He seemed pretty engrossed in the tour guide’s spiel and didn’t pay us any attention. We respectfully let him be (after snapping a quick photo).





I had hoped we weren’t disrupting Kleenex Ghost earlier but I fear this was not the case. He was clearly upset with us. Our group was taking the elevator up to the 4th floor to the Wintergarden Theatre when the elevator jolted to a stop and stalled for several minutes. We happened to glance back after anxiously exiting and saw Kleenex Ghost at the controls. Hopefully this little prank will appease him and we can continue our tour without incident. At the same time we were all secretly excited by the poltergeist behaviour we had just experienced.





After we spent some time searching for activity in the Wintergarden Theatre we think all was forgiven by Kleenex Ghost as he treated us to a rare spectacle on stage. It was so beautiful. Kleenex Ghost touched all of our hearts in that special moment. We felt a bond with Kleenex Ghost, and each other, for having experienced it.





We quietly left the theatre, thoughtful about our long day of paranormal experiences. We did make a last sighting of Kleenex Ghost as we left. We couldn’t make out the conversation, as he was speaking ghost, but we speculate he was making a call to the 1920’s.



We had a certain affinity with Kleenex Ghost after our day together, and were sad to go. It was truly an amazing experience; a day of trepidation, intrigue and eventually acceptance.

Thank you Kleenex Ghost. Thank you.


Jeremy's notes on the eventful day.

fan ex day two

Day two was also awesome. There were many more amazing costumes, such as this Mario on Yoshi. So cool!

Lindsay impressed all the boys with her cockmaster shirt (very obscure reference, I’m going to see if anyone knows where that is from); my favourite part is the look of innocence and mild distaste that crossed her face when I made her pose with the severed penis in a jar from The Butcher Shop, masters of fake body parts and gruesomeness all around. Classic.

I did swing by and pick up the robot eating a watermelon by

Alana McCarthy. Le sigh, robots = happiness in my soul.

Speaking of happiness in my soul, I met BOBA FETT! That’s right, here we are becoming fast friends. He was one of the nicest celebs I’ve met at these conventions, also he was very cuddly. I had another celeb moment when we were taking the escalator down to the convention and I noticed a guy in a really nice suit going up on the escalator right beside us. It took me a moment to register his face but it was Wes Craven! I could have reached out and touched him but I have proper escalator respect.

I heart fan ex.

fan ex

Jer and I are spending this weekend with Craig and Lindsay at Fan Expo reveling in our inner (…oh who’s kidding who - outer) geek.


Fan Ex takes place at the metro Toronto convention centre, where the graphic exit signs ensure we can all escape safely in the event that flames actually start to chase you. This set our minds at ease.

Day one was filled with many many purchases. I finally picked up Vincent Valentine for my toy collection (I’m a girl I don’t have to say action figure). I got a few t shirts – Yoshi and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and a book of art by my favourite sexy girl drawer – Simon Bisley. You all remember my dream girl I’m sure?

In fact one of my favourite things about Fan Ex so far is all the independent artists I wouldn’t have been exposed to otherwise. I got some great prints by Wendy Ding and it’s always cool to sit and chat with the artist about the work you are buying. There are some more I might pick up today, most notably an adorable robot eating a slice of watermelon.

Craig is as always a good sport and let me take lots of pictures of him in various costumes and things. Here is scary and cuddly Craig, respectively.




The best celeb sighting so far has been Brent Spiner. It’s a dark and grainy picture but we didn’t want to get too close and anger the people who had been waiting in line for ages. We were about 30 feet away. Watching him talk and interact with fans I totally am reminded of my dad. Similar profile and mannerisms. Cool!

So today is another day. We’re hitting up some panels, most notably a PVP seminar for World of Warcraft (yesterday we actually all logged on the convention because we are so cool) and the masquerade. If we can fit it in we’ll stop by and hear Wes Craven talk and see a preview of the 30 days of night prequel. I’m very excited about the masquerade, if the costumes we’ve seen so far are any indication, and I think they are, we are in for a sweet show. This Silent Hill group blew us away. The costumes and gestures were perfect. Chilling.



Hopefully I have more fun things to share after today, I can almost guarantee more Craig pictures, and I’m pretty sure I mentioned they would end up on the internet. I’m sure it’s expected at this point.

ursa lamer

So when we go to bed Jeremy straps on…a headlamp (what did you think I was going to say? Pervs) and reads for a bit before falling asleep.

Last night I crawled into bed and waited for the inevitable and aggravating 20 minute shuffling and grumbling that is Jeremy getting into sleep position. He’ll stand or kneel on the bed and make sure the blankets are a certain way and the sheet is wrapped around him just so before gingerly lowering himself to the mattress. For some reason this time the head lamp was turned on already when he was standing on the bed; I had rolled into bed and pulled a sheet half over one thigh (MY bedtime routine). After about 30 seconds I realized that, hey, there was still a light shining on me. I grunted and waved a hand in it’s general direction. At this point I heard a suspicious giggling noise. I turned and, squinty eyed, questioned Jeremy’s sanity. He merely replied ‘I’m a Star….I’m the North Star!’.

Sigh.

He used the same tone and mannerisms as he did the time he informed me he was the princess from the neverending story. After this display I was serenaded with a tuneless droning of lullabies (his words, not mine..accurate though).

Ah, hilarity.

2 days later...