conjunction junction, what's your function...

I don't profess to have the best command of the English language. I am fully aware that at times, my grammar stinks. But I like to think I have a decent grasp on punctuation. I recently came across two blogs that I added to my Google Reader because they show everyday misuse of the apostrophe and quotation marks. And I find this highly amusing.

The Blog of Unnecessary Quotation Marks highlights exactly what the title implies. It's quite funny to see how people misuse the quotation mark, often making the opposite statement of what they are actually intending. This one is a personal favourite.

Apostrophe Abuse is another blog that I am enjoying immensely. I'm always floored at how many people do not understand how to use the apostrophe when omitting letters. This is a great example. We're=we are not where. Seriously!

I'll throw one more link in even though it's not grammar related. Passive Aggressive Notes makes me laugh my ass off. People submit notes that they have seen posted in public or for a specific audience. It's hysterical what people will write in a note rather than expressing face to face. Case in point...

Obviously, it takes very little to keep me amused.

take me as I am...

My dear friend Elizabeth tagged me on a meme a while back. Here is my overdue response.

6 Quirky Things About Vivian

1. Labels on cans and bottles must always face forward in my universe. In the fridge, in the pantry, in the shower, even the cat's stash of food in the downstairs closet. This probably stems from the years I spent working at Kmart in my teen years stocking shelves and such.

2. Like Elizabeth, I too have the ability to converse in song lyrics. I've often thought that if my brain was not overfilled with song lyrics, I may have been quite the intellectual.

3. The bed must always be made before I go to sleep. I just hate the feeling of getting into an unmade bed. And if Steve dares to go to sleep before me without making the bed, I will wake him up so that the bed can be properly made. I don't care how soundly he is sleeping. Sorry hun.

4. And speaking of bedtime, I am paranoid about forgetting to set the alarm. I check it at least 3 times. In a row. I will set it and then check it 2 seconds later. And then 2 seconds after that. You know, just in case. Of course, I almost always wake up before the alarm goes off.

5. When driving, I will make several right turns around the block to avoid making a difficult left turn in heavy traffic. I'm sure this has a lot to do with the car accident I had in high school. Honestly, I just hate the pressure of having the long line of judgemental drivers behind me, wondering why the hell I haven't turned yet, when all the while I'm searching for the sweet spot in the oncoming barrage of cars and pedestrians coming at me in all directions. Hmm...maybe I shouldn't drive...

6. I have no problem listening to the same song over and over and over. If I'm really into a song at a particular moment, I can repeat it 20-30 times or more. And I never get sick of those songs. Ever.

So there you go. Just 6 of my many quirks.

And since this is a meme, you're it Pel.

i won't grow up...

If there has ever been a rock band that was meant to write a children's book and cd, it's the Barenaked Ladies. Case in point, check out this animated video for one of the songs from their forthcoming Snacktime release.



It's obvious that these guys grew up on Sesame Street, School House Rocks and other classic children's programming of the 1970's. I can't wait to get the book and cd when they come out in May. And no, I don't have kids. That doesn't mean I can't enjoy it, right?

we know the game and we're gonna play it

I'm not sure that I understand the phenomenon of the rick roll, but it totally cracks me up. If you haven't experienced it yourself here's how it works. You will be lured to a weblink thinking it is one thing and it turns out to be the video for Rick Astley's 1987 hit song, Never Gonna Give You Up. If you take the bait and click the link, then you have been rick rolled. I myself, because I am completely naive and gullible, have been rick rolled. Several times. And I laugh my ass off every time. I was just rick rolled a few minutes ago, but it wasn't the original Astley video. Instead, I got this.



Hilarious! And just in case you are interested, here is the original clip.

and I feel fine

I am listening to the brand new and long overdue R.E.M. album, Accelerate. If you were ever a fan of this band, you will love this recording! And if you are too young to know who they are check it out anyway. And then go back in time and listen to Life's Rich Pageant, Document, Automatic For the People and Out of Time just to mention a few. And then explain to me why there is so much shit on the radio these days. The world needs more music like this!!!

And while you're at it, check out this important message from R.E.M. front man, Michael Stipe. :)

cool for cats

Have you seen garfield minus garfield?

I first heard about this hysterical sight on Derek K. Miller's blog. I've since seen it referenced on countless other blogs. So I'm jumping on the bandwagon. Please check it out. I laughed my ass off! You may too.

and i'll print it on a t-shirt...

A little while back, I posted about a cool initiative called the Joy T-Shirt project. If you purchase a shirt from this site, you can submit a photo of yourself to be used as a t-shirt design. I purchased a t-shirt a couple of months ago, submitted by photo and kind of forgot about it. Then, I received the following email:

Hey Vivian I just wanted to thank you so much for participating in the Joy T-shirt project it truly means a lot. I must apologize for the long delay as things have been a little hectic and I have fallen behind but am in the process of getting some help. In any event I just wanted to let you know that your profile pic is now posted on JoyTshirt.com. Once again thanks for your patience and please continue to spread the Joy! Wishing you well. Kindest Regards, Jeff Woodrow

That's right people! You too can own a t-shirt with my face on it. But the picture itself is not the point. When I decided to purchase a shirt, I went through every picture available. And it wasn't looks that made my decision. I decided that I wanted to choose a picture of a person who lived outside of North America and who listed interests that I found cool. I chose Sabry. He is a 39 year old from Algeria who lists his passions as "Hanging out with friends, sleeping in on weekends, smoking the hookah." Amen, brother.

So check out the site and if you feel the joy, order a shirt. And check out my profile.

it might as well be sping...

It's feeling more and more like spring these days. Here are a few tell tale signs:

• people eating ice cream at the mall
• ducks in the creek behind my house
• the garden centre at my grocery store is getting ready to open
• a student came into my office last week wearing flip flops
• it's still light out when I get home from work
• I constantly think about going to the cottage
• I actually feel like exercising again
• for the first time in months, I actually feel hopeful

Sorry for the blog hiatus. I'm back!

turn off the lights...

It's Earth Hour. I am sitting at my dining room table, blogging by candle light. I forgot how much I love candle light. When I was in university I used to study by candle light. Well not completely. The small desk lamp would be on, but other than that, just candles. There is something warm, soothing and peaceful about candle light.


I'll be interested to see the stats on Earth Hour and if the WWF feels that they have achieved what they wanted with this initiative. Personally , I'm generally pretty conscious about turning the lights off when leaving a room, but this hour has really got me thinking about what more I can do to conserve energy. I guess that's the idea with this little experiment, isn't it.

i can see clearly now...

Before I was a cat owner, I would have found these cute and funny. But now it means that much more.





Created by Simon Tofield.

pussycat, pussycat...

Life has been nuts over the last couple of weeks. More on that later. For now, I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our family. Sami.




How could you not love this face!!!

i've got a pocketful of dimes...

I've been following a bunch of gadget blogs lately and am blown away by some of the stuff that people are coming up with. Some of it is very exciting either due to practicality or coolness. Some of it, is just freakin' hysterical. I'm amazed at what companies will market and what people will actually buy. Case in point.


This is the 4-in-1 Hot Dog Maker. Perfect for when a pot of boiling water is just too complicated.

Thanks to the fine people at The Uber Review for bringing this one to my attention.