But I don't feel like dancin', no sir, no dancin' today

I've always been bad at first dates and meeting new people. My small talk is lacking. The worst possible question to come up during these times is the dreaded "So, what kind of music do you listen to? What's your favourite band?" The times that I mumble "I like everything", because I really, truly do. The times where the recipient also can't narrow down their favourite music because "music is my life!" I'm totally not like that. I used to think that was the case, but it was such a lie. Music is not my life.

If I cared enough to have favourite musical acts, they'd totally be the Beatles, Bon Jovi, Tom Petty, and Journey.

I never know new music. I'm never very particular about what I listen to (some people would argue that's how Whitesnake and all that country fit into my playlist). I enjoy jazz, terrible 80's and 90's tunes, anything that makes me lamely attempt to shake my shoulders (I can not do it for the life of me) and move my feet. Country music makes me happy because it reminds me of home, and of summer. I'll dance around the house to Madonna or Britney. I've gotten into some music through B (Blackfield, Opeth, Porcupine Tree, etc.), but most people don't get the Metal (not that Blackfield and Porcupine Tree are metal). Every football game is a dance party for me.

I used to be good at keeping up on things. I went through so many music phases through university... probably because I was away from the nothing but country! confines of the farm. Cows like country music, what? I went through phases of jungle, drum and bass, classic rock, hipster tunes... and now I'm at a loss.

For my birthday, Kitty replaced my broken iPod with a shiny new green one. As I went through my iTunes, populated by things I like and a lot of crap (so maybe I like some music more than others) that the old roomie downloaded onto my Mac, I realized I need help. I need some music that doesn't suck.

Give me suggestions. Pretty please?

Good idea in a bad economy?

I've been paying a lot more attention to home furnishing lately. With the thought of moving out of the downtown apartment I've been in for the past three years, and moving into the Boy's northeast digs, it's fun to imagine what I can do to make "our" place prettier. He's well aware that I'm not a fan of some elements of his place, and now that it's no longer all peach, we can start to think about getting rid of the awesome university-style futon or the kitchen set that was last reupholstered before he was born.

Combined with the fact that we now have digital cable and an onslaught of American networks, it becomes very disheartening to see commercials from American companies with low-low-low prices. If only we were in the US, look at the bargains we could be getting! More and more often, these commercials are for DirectBuy, a company which apparently skips the retailer so you work directly with the manufacturers.

While daydreaming of new home furnishings lately, it has come to my attention that DirectBuy is not solely an American company afterall. You can Direct Buy Ontario and Alberta. My question is this: has anyone ever used this company before? Have you had a good, bad, or lukewarm experience? There's a free visitor's pass available on the website, but does anyone know how much it costs to actually be a member?

I'm daydreaming of pretty kitchens and cabinets and living rooms and wondering if this company is worth it. I do love a bargain.

I misplaced my creativity. I found it in my bowl.

I just can't seem to get myself motivated these days. Everywhere I turn, I'm bombarded with messages of layoffs, the failing economy, and the messed up things we're doing to the environment. Even the good days are overshadowed by these dark clouds rolling overhead.

While I've been hiding from the world quite effectively in my little love bubble, I'm pretty sure the sickeningly sweet words swirling through my mind are nothing you people need to hear.

I was pretty excited today to get the International Association of Business Communicators' CW magazine delivered to my desk. The front cover urged me to "Get Creative!" and yet, nothing within its pages did the trick. Over and over, articles told me the importance of being creative in this failing economy, the doom and gloom of this economy and attempted to educate me on how to weather the downturn.

I need something to get my creative juices flowing. Maybe some delicious homemade butternut squash soup? I wanted to dive into the blender to devour every last drop.

Butternut Squash Soup
1/2 of a white onion, chopped
4 tablespoons margarine
2 butternut squash (I used 1 squash and 1 sweet potato to change things up)
water and chicken bouillon/chicken stock (enough to make 3-4 cups of chicken stock, but you can use broth if you want to)
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (I was out of this, so I used curry powder. Yum.)
About half a stick of light cream cheese.

1) In a large saucepan, saute onions in margarine until tender.
2) Cut squash in half, put them insides down on a plate with a bit of water, and microwave for 12-15 minutes.
3) While squash is cooking, add water, bouillon, marjoram, black pepper and cayenne to the onions.
4) Take the outsides off the squash when it's cooked. It will be hot, so be careful.
5) Add squash to pot and let the flavours do their little dance.
6) Puree soup and cream cheese in blender (I did half at a time) until smooth.
7) Return to saucepan, heat through (don't boil).
8) Try not to lick to bowl. Who am I kidding? Go for it.

A new President, a new era

As I huddled with others into a coworker's office this morning to listen to the inaugural address of Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States of America, I could not help but notice the stark contrast between him and his predecessor.

Instead of a man who talked about a country binded by fear, on a day which seems like it was not all that long ago, we heard a man who talked about the hope of America. The goodness of the people. The unity of a country that would reach out to those in need. A man who admitted that the road ahead will not be easy, but who called upon his nation to work together.

It was amazing. It was moving. It was about time. It's a good thing not only for the people of the United States of America, but for the world.

I encourage everyone to read the full text of Mr. Obama's address here, in case you weren't so lucky to see it this morning.

Anyone there?

Roomie and I have been receiving some strange phone calls lately. It's nothing out of the ordinary, just sounds like the auto-dialer from the telemarketer forgot to connect us with someone trying to sell us something. We signed up for the national do-not-call list and everything.

Apparently, it takes a bit of time for that list to kick in.

In the meantime, why not Report Annoying Callers?

Check the caller ID, and either check online to find out who it is and if other people have had the same problems, or comment on something strange that other people might run into. The website is easy to use, with a box to type in the phone number right at the top. Others can provide tips on how to deal with your strange numbers, if they are something to worry about (mine aren't, but hey, you never know).