For some reason or another, I’ve been feeling like drawing bunnies lately.  So here are the first three:

This one’s more of a cartoon-type bunny:

and lastly, a bunny with flowers:

Happy Friday!

The weekend went by fast, seems like their becoming shorter and the work days are becoming longer. But maybe that’s just due to my current severe disatisfaction with how I spend my 9-5. But that’s another blog post. (Probably a “for invitation only” and not public post.)

Anyways, on the weekend, I took Selena to the vet for one more butt checkup and the vet gave her another antibotic shot, but hopefully this will be our last visit to the vets for awhile. We saw a mammoth Irish Wolfhound at the vet’s and it was so cute to see our little brown furball look..wayy..up at his face and attempt to kiss him. I love giant breeds-They are such darlings, but their food and vet bills are pricey and unfortunately they don’t live too long. But this wolfhound looked good, all smiles.

Later that day, I went to my parents place and brought my wedding dress and some things that were in storage at their place to my house.  My allergies have been terrible lately, so I also bought a new vacuum for the stairs and couches and am looking to buy a new upright vacuum with a hepa filter. If anyone’s got any suggestions, I’m all ears.

Saturday night, CM and I went to see “Paranormal Activity“. The theatre was full of teenagers who kept giggling and saying “Oh my God!”, which was irritating, plus one numbnut who kept yelling out “genital warts!” during the previews, which he thought was hilarious. (We really don’t need to hear about your medical problems buddy!)  Plus, I skipped dinner and gorged on popcorn and combined with jerky camera motions, I was worried that I might heave in the middle of the movie! Luckily, however, the feeling subsided after awhile. I saw a bunch of people leave during the beginning of the film, maybe it was scaring them or maybe they were just sick of the dumb teenagers. LOL. Anyways, the movie itself was good-The protagonists ignored all common sense, like horror movie characters do and proceeded to get themselves even more stuck in a bad situation. I wasn’t scared by this movie right away, but going to sleep that night…proved to be a bit difficult.

On Sunday, I did some drawings and hubby and I watched the very last episode of “Six Feet Under“. It was a great series and I’m sad that we finished it. Some shows lose quality after a few seasons, but that show stayed strong until the end. Now, we just have to find a new series. I am loving the new season of “Dexter” with John Lithgow, but hubby just isn’t as into ‘dueling serial killers’ as I am. LOL.  Has anyone one else been watching that show?

There are some definite pluses to being a public servant-Dental and medical coverage, nice pension, job security and we get Remembrance Day off. I spent part of that day ruminating on the courage of former and current soldiers and feeling very grateful for their sacrifices.  Yay! for freedom and democracy! While the rest of the day was spent in a rush of creative productivity and I finished this painting:..

…and got started on another one. Since it was a nice sunny day and those are becoming few and far between, I took my materials outside and painted en plein air. I also watched “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and quite liked it. There were some genuinely beautiful scenes in that movie. (And not just the ones of Brad Pitt swimming naked. Although those were nice too! LOL)

Tonight, I’ll be going to French which will be weird since it feels like forever since I’ve gone. My instructor was sick, then I was sick, so it will probably be awkward. Ah well, I’m considering taking a French painting class in the winter, so that way I can improve both my painting and French language skills. Two birds, one stone, non?

It was a nice weekend-Full of yummy food and socializing. Saturday morning was the Ottawa Blogger’s breakfast and the Fox and Feather was packed to the gills with bloggers. I met Capital City Chris and a few others, as well as caught up with some familiar people. We sat with Raino and her two daughters, but this time, the hot sauce stayed put in the container and didn’t wind up again in her hair again. LOL

After we left I took a picture of the outside building, which caused hubby to roll his eyes and say “Do you have to take a picture of everything?”

Yes, yes I do.

Then we rushed home so hubby could get started on his school projects. Later that night, we went to Mayo, Québec to my bellydance instructor’s house for a pasta dinner potluck.  She lives WAY out in the boonies and there weren’t a lot of signs or illumination in that area, so driving around there at night was frustrating.  Anyway, because I like to document everything, here is a picture of the ferry across the Ottawa River.

My instructor, in addition to teaching dance, also makes pottery and small ceramics, like this lady:

and these very cool mugs:

They also had this deer head on the wall, which I’m guessing they inherited from some great-grandpa, because neither of them strike me as hunters. (I honestly do not understand why people put dead carcases on their walls.)

Anyways, we had some nice homemade and store bought pasta and engaged some of her friends in coversation. I chatted with this guy and his wife and probably overshared a bit on my creative endeavors. 

Interesting story-A couple of years ago, when I was pursuing photography more seriously, I took some slightly more risqué photos and used them to pad my portfolio. One of my models was quite the character. I like to photograph people as they are most comfortable and his “thing” was leather, chains and S&M stuff. He was a big gay bear and a very nice guy and I think we created some fantastic yet tasteful photos, but it wasn’t stuff that you would find on postcards or anything.

Anyway, I was sitting there, wine in hand yammering away about my early photo adventures, while this couple looked at me horrified! LOL. Which kinda surprised me because I’m fairly reserved and maintain a strictly professional relationship with my subjects.  Personally, I think some of the best photos can come from going outside your own comfort zone and engaging different kinds of people and cultures.

Yesterday I started working on this penguin and after some quick colouring, decided to post it, since its been awhile. The picture didn’t scan very well, but it can be difficult to get clear, bright colours using pencil crayons. Perhaps I should start using markers and pens..hmm.

Are there any artists out there that use these mediums in their drawings?

“You look weird”

This phrase came out of my husband’s mouth recently as we departed to do our grocery shopping. Apparently he didn’t want to be seen with his wife in public if she was wearing her fabulous cat hat. My response was: “Well I happen to like my cat hat and am proud of my cat lady craziness, so shaddap!”

He was probably teasing and he does love (or well tolerates) my ‘weird’ accessories and purchases, but his remark along with XUP recent post on adulthood got me thinking. Perhaps I am too old for such frivolities.  My current employment existential crisis has prompted me to become more serious about my career and make some changes. But should moving up the corporate food chain require forfeiting all character and personality, in order to become a bland drone?

Do we all have to become the same kind of stereotypical adult? Wearing the same “grownup” clothes, eating the same food, watching the same shows and discussing inane topics around the water coler?

Yech! No thanks! Perhaps the trick to real happiness is to ‘play’ pretend adult Monday-Friday, 9-5pm and let your silly child side shine in your off-time. Cat hat or no cat hat.

This week has been crazy busy, and rather than bore you all with a giant paragraph, I figured I would describe it succintly in point form instead.

Monday

-On the way home from work on the bus. I spot a seat at the far back, but its a tight squeeze in-between two guys.  I look at the seat hesitatingly until one of the men says to me: “Sit down. You are the highlight of my day anyways.” Um..thanks?

-Went to bellydance class with my jazzy new scarf. Turns out the rest of the class bought new hip scarves too and we make a lot of noise jingling around. My instructor is trying to recruit dancers for the beginner’s class performance. I raise my hand to join, then she tells the class we’ll be dancing in front of 350 people! Yikes!

Tuesday

-My neighbours are making all sorts of noise, like their moving furniture or installing shelves, at 7am. It sounds like there are raccoons  in the pipes.

-Finally got around to seeing a physiotherapist who advised me to see the sports doctor on site who can refer me to get an x-ray. The physio also provides me with exercises to strengthen my “core”. Unfortunately for most people, the sports doctor only works Mon-Friday, 9-5, so its gonna take some manoevering to see her.

Wednesday

-Went to my second “Comic Jam” at Shanghai restaurant. On my way there, I spotted this licence plate. It says “Cup4Sens”. Gotta love a man with optimism eh?

The Jam was great-the food was yummy and the “Halloween-themed” drawings were hilarious and very cool. There weren’t as many artists this time around, but there were some journalism students who came to report on the event. I got interviewed by a girl from CKCU and tried my best not to appear too nervous. She also tried to capture the sound of a pencil drawing on paper with her microphone, so I was sitting there attempting to draw and kept accidently tapping her mic with my pencil. Oops! Anyways, here is a photos of the event:

Here is a sample of the drawings, to see them all go to the site. I drew the first square and the silliness grew from there.

Thursday

-My software at work is driving me bonkers and I wonder why the financial system we use at work can’t be easier and more user friendly? Why does it take ten people to fix one little issue?

-Fully intended to go and see Stella perform that night but with a sore throat, I decided not to risk infecting her and the rest of the patrons at the tavern.

Friday

-After work, I felt bummed about my stagnant daytime career and how alienated I feel from my work group. Wine helped me forget about it a bit.

Saturday

-Took the cats and dog to the vet. $400 later, their butts may not smell pinesol fresh, but they are healthier

-Got my hair done and fooled around with my camera

-That night, stayed home, ate candy and watched Trick ‘r Treat while kids showed up demanding that I share my ’stash’

Sunday

-Went out and bought hubby a videogame for his birthday, which he spent all day playing. I think he likes it.

-Did some painting and promised to myself that I would start cleaning next weekend.

Is it wrong that I find certain ’evil’ movie characters seriously hot? I don’t think so, but maybe I’m just nuts.  Since it’s almost Halloween, I thought it would be fun to disturb you all with my list of the “sexiest bastards” to ever grace the big screen. 

 1. Cillian Murphy-”Scarecrow” in Batman Begins

Personally, I prefer him without the cloth sac over his head. LOL.  Something about mad genuises always gets me!

2. Ralph Fiennes-Red Dragon/Francis Dolarhyde from movie “Red Dragon”

Maybe it’s because I love the novel so much or maybe its due to my appreciation for his sinewy back muscles accented by that beautiful Blake tattoo, but damn is he fine! Sure he murders families and has a split personality, but nobody’s perfect right?

3. Tadanobu Asano as Kakihara in “Ichi the Killer”

I’ve seen a few Japanese “yakuza/action” flicks and while many of them are beyond ridiculous, this one is a little less so with interesting characters and visuals. Kakihara is a crime boss who is also a twisted pervert and loves giving and receiving pain.  (So much so that he slashes the corners of his mouth and staples the cuts together. Ow!) Which I guess makes him a good antagonist. I don’t appreciate or respect sick scumbags like this in real life, but as a strictly fictional character, for some crazy reason I find him attractive. Go figure! (Now if only he could improve his wardrobe)

4. Billy Zane-The Collector in ”Demon Knight”

Speaking of gory flicks,  Zane provides a nice distraction as a demon who is searching for a key that will plunge the Earth into the Devil’s playground. He’s not only hot, but also very funny in this movie!

5. Gerard Butler “Dracula 2000″

So this pick is kinda obvious-Most women find Gerard attractive and probably doubly so as the die-hard romantic Dracula. Personally, I just like seeing him with his shirt open.

6. Malcolm McDowell-Alex deLarge in “Clockwork Orange”

Yet another ‘gang’ leader and all round evil bastard who gets neutered in a experiment to reduce violent tendencies in criminals. But you gotta love a guy who appreciates Beethoven though.

What about you? Any favorite male or female villains?

Pictures:

Scarecrow-http://screenrant.com/chris-nolan-reteams-scarecrow-niall-6514/

Red Dragon-http://www.aveleyman.com/FilmCredit.aspx?FilmID=25837

Kakihara-http://www.robink.ca/movies/ichi-the-killer-2001/

The Collector-http://www.best-horror-movies.com/demon-knight.html

Dracula-http://mereshorrorscifireviews.blogspot.com/2009/02/dracula-2000.html

Alex-http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2007/11/a_life_spent_chafing_moguls_an.html

On Saturday morning, my mom and I went to a bellydancer’s bazaar. After the doors opened, we went in and I followed the signs to the nearest ATM machine. The machine was located in a bar next door and as I approached the door, this jerk of a vendor sitting on the sidelines looked at me and said:”Can I have your card”
Me *thinking he meant my admission ticket, gave him said ticket*

Him: “What is this? No, I want your bank card. I want your money”

Me: *Glared at him like “wtf?” *

Him: “That was a joke.”

Me: “Fun-nny”

Because nothing is more hilarious than pretending to stick someone up. Moron! Anyways, I got my money from next door and after ignoring his next comment “Where’s my money”, we were all set to browse.

I wish that I had taken some pictures of the individual merchandise, but I wasn’t sure if that would be o.k.  My multi-talented bellydance instructor was there giving tarot card readings and invited my mom into her “tent” for a reading. I tend to be a little bit skeptical of tarot card/palm readers, but apparently she gave my mom a very accurate reading. While she was in there, I managed to buy a very nice Turkish coin belt, since my last one got misplaced during our last move.

Saturday morning was also when hubby took Marcus to the vet since our cat has been smelling pretty nasty this past while. Turns out he had infected anal glands and the vet took him downstairs to have them “expressed” and got a shot for the infection at the same time. Needless to say, Marcus was not impressed! LOL. I never heard about this issue before, but these glands need to be expressed regularly or else your pet can run into major problems. But I read recently that putting more fibre in your cat or dog’s diet can help.  We’ll be taking our whole ménagerie to the vet’s this weekend to get all their butts checked. And if you own a dog or cat and haven’t done this yet already, I recommend you do the same thing!

             Sorry, I had to post this video, because its so silly!

Tonight would’ve been my French class but the instructor is sick, so its been cancelled. This suits me fine because Aunt Flo came to town and I’m just not feeling up to yakking it up with strangers in an overlit room. How is the French going you ask? Well, knock on wood, its been going well. I’ve been chatting with French/Belgian/Québecois penpals, studying various language books, listening to French music, watching French TV (the cheesy soaps are entertaining) and reading French books. (Like this weird one) Now I just have to keep it up and hopefully my confidence in that language will be much better!

Anyways, the rest of my time has been divided up between dance class, painting, drawing and cleaning.  Hubby also wants us to go to Toronto again for a communal birthday party between him and his friends who live there.  I must be getting old/lazy, because I don’t really want to go that far again for a shindig. I mean we just got back! Ah well, we’ll see how it goes!