Punch me in the face! Go on, I'm sure I've deserved it at some point... As of Monday I can get injured/sick with impunity because I am covered by the local health system. Slightly short-sighted me didn't extend my travel insurance to cover all of the three months it takes to qualify. The theory here is that it's done by province so if you move from Quebec to Ontario, Quebec covers you for the first three months, then Ontario takes over. Unfortunately I didn't have another province to look after me and I've had my fingers crossed for three months that I didn't spontaneously get acute appendicitis. (First stop: emergency room to have my fingers straightened.)
Job listings have slowed down so only a couple applications this week. I have branched out and am essentially applying for anything that sounds like something I would enjoy and be good at. And pays okay ;) I'm hoping for something in downtown Toronto so I can live nearby and walk/subway but I might end up out of town in which case I'll join the cool kids who commute every morning. I'm aiming to not need to own a car because a) insurance here is a bitch, b) driving here seems unnecessarily arduous with lots of traffic, lots of "no turning" signs and lots of trolley cars in the way and c) any expense avoided is an extra dollar towards Ethiopia. Or Peru. Wherever I end up next.
I've read a few more books since we last had a catch up including The Devil All The Time by Donald Ray Pollock which I recommend if you like your books with an edge of weirdness. It's a disturbing and creepy coming of age story set in the 1950s and 60s of Ohio. Included: animal sacrifice, serial killers, preachers eating bugs and an oddly endearing, and often violent, main character named Arvin. I am slowly working my way through my pile, but also have more books to pick up from the library tomorrow so it seems to be getting worse, rather than better!
It is less than a month until I see Mum and Peggy - another exciting thing to count down to.We're having Christmas here then, I think that's a record for us. We're pretty flexible about Christmas because we're so often in different countries/time zones but I think two months late is the most we've pushed it out.
Wednesday 25 January 2012
Wednesday 18 January 2012
Books, Bell and Boots + Bonus book review!
I had my first big snow this week! It was exciting. I think maybe I don't hate snow as long as it remains like this - light, fluffy, not too disruptive. I shovelled the pathway to the front door, a novel experience. Not too difficult but probably quite good exercise if I had more of it to do.
My pile of books has shrunk somewhat - I've read six since I last saw you all. Most were exceptional, but reading so many so quickly is probably not the best way to do them justice. Mum has convinced me to start a file on my desktop of how many books I've read and while the last months' lists are somewhat incomplete it will be interesting to go back over them and see what patterns I end up finding.
I've applied for yet another seven (ish?) jobs in the last five days and still don't hear back for interviews. It's off putting but I'm still thinking positive. I have a few more months before money gets tight, and I'm enjoying getting to know the city. If it comes to the worst I'll turn to retail to plug the gap!
Had a great day today. I finally sorted out my phone so now I just pay a bill once a month and get free incoming calls (including international, so, you know, call me!). This country is slightly ridiculous in that people pay to receive calls. I know, right? I worked out that I've owned ten phones, in five countries on four continents and this is the only place with that system. Still, got amazing service at Bell so might have to make sure they get praised. I also shopped for waterproof boots but was indecisive so I still don't own any... Then dinner with a friend and now home to play with my fun new phone. It looks fancy, but is, in fact, quite cheap. But still loads better than my other one.
And today I'm trying something new: a book review of The House of Silk, by Anthony Horowitz. Because the entertainment world can't help but embrace bandwagons this is a new Sherlock Holmes mystery. In the past few years we've seen new "Robert Ludlum" books, a sixth Hitchhiker's Guide book and The Wheel of Time series being completed, all after the original author's death, some authorised and some driven by what I can only describe as hubris.
I'm a big fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Many I've read more than once, and I've whole-heartedly enjoyed both the Guy Ritchie and BBC recent re-imaginations so I was open-minded but apprehensive about reading the novel. Overall I was impressed. The story opens with Watson reminiscing about his friend Holmes and their adventures, telling the reader there is one last story to tell, which could not be told at the time. The House of Silk is a conspiracy worthy of Holmes and Doyle, and draws in many of the patterns and themes of the original stories. Starting with the destruction of four paintings and an art auctioneer being stalked, the death of a thief and a young boy, and taking a jaunt through an opium den for old times' sake it takes a long time for these threads to weave together but it was fun to watch them start to connect. I haven't read anything else by Anthony Horowitz, but would be more likely to try his other work now.
At times I forgot I wasn't reading something contemporary to the time, although this was usually broken by character's expressing views more modern than their time - a common difficulty for modern writers setting a novel in "olden days". They want somehow to show that their characters were good, forward-thinking people, but in fact succeed only in breaking the spell they've cast of London in the 1890s.
So if you liked the originals, or have only seen the films or TV show I'd recommend this. It has enough "in jokes" for fans of Doyle, without, I think, spoiling any of the stories for those who haven't read his work. And if the epilogue is overly sentimental we can probably forgive the author, as long as he doesn't draw the whole thing out with yet another novel next year.
My pile of books has shrunk somewhat - I've read six since I last saw you all. Most were exceptional, but reading so many so quickly is probably not the best way to do them justice. Mum has convinced me to start a file on my desktop of how many books I've read and while the last months' lists are somewhat incomplete it will be interesting to go back over them and see what patterns I end up finding.
I've applied for yet another seven (ish?) jobs in the last five days and still don't hear back for interviews. It's off putting but I'm still thinking positive. I have a few more months before money gets tight, and I'm enjoying getting to know the city. If it comes to the worst I'll turn to retail to plug the gap!
Had a great day today. I finally sorted out my phone so now I just pay a bill once a month and get free incoming calls (including international, so, you know, call me!). This country is slightly ridiculous in that people pay to receive calls. I know, right? I worked out that I've owned ten phones, in five countries on four continents and this is the only place with that system. Still, got amazing service at Bell so might have to make sure they get praised. I also shopped for waterproof boots but was indecisive so I still don't own any... Then dinner with a friend and now home to play with my fun new phone. It looks fancy, but is, in fact, quite cheap. But still loads better than my other one.
And today I'm trying something new: a book review of The House of Silk, by Anthony Horowitz. Because the entertainment world can't help but embrace bandwagons this is a new Sherlock Holmes mystery. In the past few years we've seen new "Robert Ludlum" books, a sixth Hitchhiker's Guide book and The Wheel of Time series being completed, all after the original author's death, some authorised and some driven by what I can only describe as hubris.
I'm a big fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Many I've read more than once, and I've whole-heartedly enjoyed both the Guy Ritchie and BBC recent re-imaginations so I was open-minded but apprehensive about reading the novel. Overall I was impressed. The story opens with Watson reminiscing about his friend Holmes and their adventures, telling the reader there is one last story to tell, which could not be told at the time. The House of Silk is a conspiracy worthy of Holmes and Doyle, and draws in many of the patterns and themes of the original stories. Starting with the destruction of four paintings and an art auctioneer being stalked, the death of a thief and a young boy, and taking a jaunt through an opium den for old times' sake it takes a long time for these threads to weave together but it was fun to watch them start to connect. I haven't read anything else by Anthony Horowitz, but would be more likely to try his other work now.
At times I forgot I wasn't reading something contemporary to the time, although this was usually broken by character's expressing views more modern than their time - a common difficulty for modern writers setting a novel in "olden days". They want somehow to show that their characters were good, forward-thinking people, but in fact succeed only in breaking the spell they've cast of London in the 1890s.
So if you liked the originals, or have only seen the films or TV show I'd recommend this. It has enough "in jokes" for fans of Doyle, without, I think, spoiling any of the stories for those who haven't read his work. And if the epilogue is overly sentimental we can probably forgive the author, as long as he doesn't draw the whole thing out with yet another novel next year.
Thursday 12 January 2012
Busy beaver
I had four events in a row this week! And I have a coffee planned for Saturday which makes for five events in seven days. How's that for building a social life?
I've also applied for five jobs, and emailed a friend's dad who said he'd look over my resume too. So yay for opportunities.
Sunday I had dinner with my cousins, who flew to Cuba this week, Monday was book club (Room, by Emily Donaghue), Tuesday dinner and a movie with Joanna and her colleagues, and yesterday was a Kiwi Expats Abroad event at the NZ themed pub, Hemingway's. That was lots of fun - it's so nice to hear the accents! Also we had a long conversation about why Canadians need to pick up the word "flat" and "flatmates" because it sums up a way of living that most people experience at some point: sharing a house with friends or strangers. Here they say "roommates" which is silly - nobody shares a room! I also had a long conversation about Israel Dagg, who I interviews, with his "cousin", talked about green stone with an amateur carver and about wine with a guy from Hawke's Bay. All in all very nice to relax into that community for a while. I might even have made a connection for some freelance work writing copy for websites. Back to the whole "who you know" thing.
So far 16 of my 40+ books have arrived at the library... Boy am I in trouble there. It's only three week rentals here so I have to read 16 books in 21 days and still apply for jobs and hang out with people. I accept this challenge. It's free, unlimited renewals unless it's reserved so I figure I'll do my research and prioritise what to read first... And how's that for boring blog material. "The reserving, borrowing, and renewing policies of the common Toronto Library (librarium Torontosus)".
I'm meeting a girl from my bookclub for coffee Saturday, very hopeful for the whole "make new friends" potential of this group. There are quite a few young people there so I figure as long as I go every month I'll keep making contacts. The only trouble now is that Waitangi Day is ALSO the first Monday of February, so the big Kiwi night at Hemingway's lines up with my next bookclub. Because I am Socialiser Extraordinaire I intend to attempt both. Take that, common sense! Of course if I'm working by then it gets triple as complicated but whatever, I'm up for the challenge.
Peggy is in Paris - what a brat! I'm jealous. Although not as jealous about that as about her stop in Bruges. I hope she sees people filming midgets and that no one falls/jumps off the tower while she's there. I'm planning my trip to Ethiopia for this time next year...
I've also applied for five jobs, and emailed a friend's dad who said he'd look over my resume too. So yay for opportunities.
Sunday I had dinner with my cousins, who flew to Cuba this week, Monday was book club (Room, by Emily Donaghue), Tuesday dinner and a movie with Joanna and her colleagues, and yesterday was a Kiwi Expats Abroad event at the NZ themed pub, Hemingway's. That was lots of fun - it's so nice to hear the accents! Also we had a long conversation about why Canadians need to pick up the word "flat" and "flatmates" because it sums up a way of living that most people experience at some point: sharing a house with friends or strangers. Here they say "roommates" which is silly - nobody shares a room! I also had a long conversation about Israel Dagg, who I interviews, with his "cousin", talked about green stone with an amateur carver and about wine with a guy from Hawke's Bay. All in all very nice to relax into that community for a while. I might even have made a connection for some freelance work writing copy for websites. Back to the whole "who you know" thing.
So far 16 of my 40+ books have arrived at the library... Boy am I in trouble there. It's only three week rentals here so I have to read 16 books in 21 days and still apply for jobs and hang out with people. I accept this challenge. It's free, unlimited renewals unless it's reserved so I figure I'll do my research and prioritise what to read first... And how's that for boring blog material. "The reserving, borrowing, and renewing policies of the common Toronto Library (librarium Torontosus)".
I'm meeting a girl from my bookclub for coffee Saturday, very hopeful for the whole "make new friends" potential of this group. There are quite a few young people there so I figure as long as I go every month I'll keep making contacts. The only trouble now is that Waitangi Day is ALSO the first Monday of February, so the big Kiwi night at Hemingway's lines up with my next bookclub. Because I am Socialiser Extraordinaire I intend to attempt both. Take that, common sense! Of course if I'm working by then it gets triple as complicated but whatever, I'm up for the challenge.
Peggy is in Paris - what a brat! I'm jealous. Although not as jealous about that as about her stop in Bruges. I hope she sees people filming midgets and that no one falls/jumps off the tower while she's there. I'm planning my trip to Ethiopia for this time next year...
Friday 6 January 2012
Back to routine?
As my dear sister Peggy pointed out it is not Wednesday... but by my calculations Monday and Tuesday were public holidays so today is the third work day of this week and is therefore a lot like Wednesday.
I am finally back in Toronto for the foreseeable future - and also hopefully back to routine. I've found a couple jobs to apply for and have decided to expand out and apply for office admin roles. Sure, it's not my dream job but I'd rather do that than work at Shoppers Drug Mart until my dream job comes up. The worrying thing is that in just two weeks it appears my brain has turned to jelly (or cake maybe, I ate a lot of cake) and I can't figure out how to write this application. It's new to me because it's about organisation and multi-tasking (which I'm awesome at) not about communication and multi-tasking (which I'm also pretty damn good at) so new cover letter etc. Fun times. Focus, right? I'm sure I can do this...
Along the way to turning my brain into cheesecake I spent Christmas with Dad's family, between Christmas and New Year in Ottawa, New Year's Eve in Toronto with my cousin Jen, New Year's Day until yesterday in Hamilton with Mum's family... it's been a busy two weeks. Ooh, and I got my hair-cut. That's pretty much the big news of my week :) It's been great to see everyone. The main reason I wanted to come to Toronto (as opposed to another city) was to get to know everyone, especially the kids. So when the chance came up to babysit my cousin's girls (aged two and three) I signed up without hesitation. The three-year old has the most amazing imagination - we spent the whole afternoon rescuing baby animals from corners of the family room to reunite them with their mommies.
Closer to home Faith's has become the refuge for her friend's daughters - Joanna moved in this week so we'll be flatmates until she finds an appropriate place to live. Should be fun to see her more often and maybe get to know some of her other friends.
There are lots of events on here - next week I'm going to drinks with the local Kea (Kiwi Expats Abroad) group, the week after is sledding, then a scavenger hunt, then another pub night... So lots of chances to meet people. Add to that my monthly book club and I am anything but bored! I also might get to apartment-sit for my cousins while they're in Cuba.
I've gone a little overboard reserving stuff from the library and I still have quite a few books to read from my last trip. I read all the "Best Books of 2011" lists and ended up with more than 40 reservations. One of the lists focused on Canadian writers and I thought that would be a great way to increase my knowledge about this country, but my job hunting could seriously suffer as I try to make sure I read everything that crosses my desk.
Okay... back to the grind. I have got to apply for this job. Plus, the pay is better than most of the comms jobs I've been looking at ;)
I am finally back in Toronto for the foreseeable future - and also hopefully back to routine. I've found a couple jobs to apply for and have decided to expand out and apply for office admin roles. Sure, it's not my dream job but I'd rather do that than work at Shoppers Drug Mart until my dream job comes up. The worrying thing is that in just two weeks it appears my brain has turned to jelly (or cake maybe, I ate a lot of cake) and I can't figure out how to write this application. It's new to me because it's about organisation and multi-tasking (which I'm awesome at) not about communication and multi-tasking (which I'm also pretty damn good at) so new cover letter etc. Fun times. Focus, right? I'm sure I can do this...
Along the way to turning my brain into cheesecake I spent Christmas with Dad's family, between Christmas and New Year in Ottawa, New Year's Eve in Toronto with my cousin Jen, New Year's Day until yesterday in Hamilton with Mum's family... it's been a busy two weeks. Ooh, and I got my hair-cut. That's pretty much the big news of my week :) It's been great to see everyone. The main reason I wanted to come to Toronto (as opposed to another city) was to get to know everyone, especially the kids. So when the chance came up to babysit my cousin's girls (aged two and three) I signed up without hesitation. The three-year old has the most amazing imagination - we spent the whole afternoon rescuing baby animals from corners of the family room to reunite them with their mommies.
Closer to home Faith's has become the refuge for her friend's daughters - Joanna moved in this week so we'll be flatmates until she finds an appropriate place to live. Should be fun to see her more often and maybe get to know some of her other friends.
There are lots of events on here - next week I'm going to drinks with the local Kea (Kiwi Expats Abroad) group, the week after is sledding, then a scavenger hunt, then another pub night... So lots of chances to meet people. Add to that my monthly book club and I am anything but bored! I also might get to apartment-sit for my cousins while they're in Cuba.
I've gone a little overboard reserving stuff from the library and I still have quite a few books to read from my last trip. I read all the "Best Books of 2011" lists and ended up with more than 40 reservations. One of the lists focused on Canadian writers and I thought that would be a great way to increase my knowledge about this country, but my job hunting could seriously suffer as I try to make sure I read everything that crosses my desk.
Okay... back to the grind. I have got to apply for this job. Plus, the pay is better than most of the comms jobs I've been looking at ;)
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