I took the opportunity today to do something that I would never have accomplished if Adrienne and Erik were around. I taped and edited a video about my craft room. I have dreams of someday owning my own craft/art supply store where I would get to create all day long. I always envision a large front area and a group classroom type area, but I have never thought about having my very own art studio in the backroom. One of the entries in the Cloth, Paper, Scissors special issue on Art Studios talks about her special art space in her shop, and it completely blew my mind! What an amazing idea.

She says that she also uses the space to relax and entertain close friends who drop by the store. Wow! Never before have I wanted my own store so badly! That sounds like the perfect work environment and future project for me. Of course, whenever I daydream about it, I always see it in Canada instead of Sweden. Not really sure when that would happen, so it scares me to think that it may never. For now, it is something that I will think about and plan, hoping it will become my reality someday.

Currently, my craft room is nothing compared to what I see for myself in the future, but it is a peaceful place and it is mine. It is where I go to relax and recharge myself, even if only for five minutes.

My original idea was to be in front of the camera, but after not having a decent night’s sleep in over six months, I decided against it. I also have decided that I’m purchasing iLife 09. The iMovie program that I have is good, but when I see all the tutorials about what 09 can do, it just doesn’t compare. I would like to do more movies in the future and I know iLife 09 will help me make them look more professional with a lot less effort.

Without further ado, I present to you - my sanctuary:

p.s. I can’t believe how much I sound like my sister in some parts of the video. Crazy!

Another obsession of mine is crows. There’s something about them that I just love to watch, whether they are on the ground, in a tree, or in flight. The picture below shows when my love for them began. We were visiting London, circa 1983, when we happened upon this crow in a park. I’m so happy that my mother caught this moment on film. I was so proud of myself for getting so close to him. He didn’t flinch as I got closer. He was watching me, waiting for me to feed him, I’m sure. I thought if he wasn’t scared, I wasn’t going to be scared either. And so it began…

One of my favourite poems to teach in my English classes is “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe. It has everything a poem should: lost love, an unstable main character, and a misunderstood element that makes everything else fall apart. I love watching my students figure out that the narrator is falling deeper and deeper into insanity solely based on his own fear. Plus, it’s nicely written too. The word “nevermore” is key, which is why I used it in my most recent art journal page. It says everything, by leaving it open for interpretation.

My love for all things crow can’t be shown all at once, since there are too many more future posts and journal pages to fill. So, I will leave my favourite movie (The Crow), our mutual love for all things shiny, and my crow superstitions for another time.

Anyone who knows me, knows how big of a Conan fan I am. When he started his show way back in 1993, I was just starting my time in university. I’ve always been a night owl who watches late night TV, but Late Night was different from all the other shows. He got me through a lot of stressful nights and he became a part of my nightly routine. I always tried to be ready for bed before Max started playing the opening theme song. Laying in bed watching his monologue and interviews was always the best way for me to unwind at the end of the day. This routine was the main reason I needed to always have a TV in my room. No matter what was going on in my life, I could always trust Conan and the rest of his crew to put a smile on my face.

I’m sad that I never got the chance to see him live in New York City, but am hopeful that I can make it to a taping in California. Wouldn’t going to see Conan and Ellen during the same vacation be a dream come true?

Five years ago, when I heard that Conan would be taking over for Jay Leno, I was ecstatic because that would mean that Conan wouldn’t be leaving TV for a long time. I could get my fix for many years to come. Of course, I was sad to hear that Leno would be leaving, but thought that he deserved the chance to retire and possibly do more standup comedy like other TV talk show hosts have done.

It really felt like Conan was saying goodbye to more than the studio (and some of the crew) during his last show. This makes me nervous to think of how much of his show isn’t following him out to California. I really hope that, at least, the band is going with him. I can’t imagine Conan talking to Kevin Newbanks every night instead of Max Weinberg. The last show was an amazing one, with Andy Richter and The White Stripes. He even showed my favourite clip about the Old Time Baseball. I had no idea that it was his personal favourite too! Conan’s heartfelt words really got to me and made me even more of a fan. You can really tell when Conan lets his guard down and is showing his true personality.

There’s some debate as to whether Leno is stealing Conan’s thunder by sticking around. At first, I thought it was a pretty crappy move but now that I think about it, it’s probably better for NBC to keep Leno for now. That way, no one will be upset that Leno is gone, Conan can get settled into the Tonight Show and then Jimmy Fallon will be able to start his show. NBC needs all the help they can get to raise their ratings and I can’t wait to start my new nightly routine of watching the Conan/Fallon combo! I just hope that Leno’s show is a different format than what it is now, so he and Conan aren’t fighting over the same guests.

Have you ever hear a song for the millionth time and suddenly hear a completely new meaning for it? That happened to me the other day while listening to Keane’s “Can’t Stop Now”. How do the guys from Keane know how to write about how it feels to be a new mom and completely disconnected from the real world? It feels like there’s no time to be there for others right now and that adds a whole other dimension to the motherly guilt I am becoming well acquainted with. Of course, I will share the lyrics and a video from YouTube.

Can’t Stop Now
I noticed tonight
That the world has been turning
While I’ve been stood here dithering around
Though I know I said I’d wait around till you need me,
But I have to go
I hate to let you down

The motion keeps my heart running

In other news, still anxiously awaiting my new laptop that should arrive tomorrow (at the latest!). I can’t wait to get it so I can start vlogging with the isight camera!

I need to whip this blog into shape! There’s so much that I can update about, but I always think that I need to make a big production, then I drop it. I need a way to post the smaller bits of informatoin and keep myself on some sort of schedule. I was thinking of having days like “YouTube Tuesday” (posting interesting or favourite videos or even our own home movies) and “Thursday Thoughts” (a rundown of things that happened during the week that don’t really need a whole post of their own). That way I can keep things going around here.

I finally took the plunge and bought a MacBook. My old Dell got me through the last 4 years but its screen died on me about a month and a half ago. I held out long enough to see the new lines of the MacBook and the MacBook Pros be released. I’m glad I waited because they are gorgeous and just what I was waiting for. I heard that they will be introducing the 17″ in a few months but I just can’t wait that long, so I bought the 15.4″ one. Not too shabby.

Even though it’s not Tuesday, here is a video of a commercial that is regularly (read:obsessively) quoted around here. It’s funny that a good friend of mine is now working for the company, I totally forgot that it was a Berlitz commercial.

This is what I’ve been doing during nap time lately. I wish I would have ordered the next books in the series a little earlier. They should arrive sometime early next week, but it just doesn’t seem fast enough. Can’t wait to see the movie in November! I can almost taste the popcorn and PB M&Ms now…

With all these doctor visits and all the other wonderful things that this stressful September will bring, there are a few positive things that will give me something to look forward to. One of which is happening mid-way through the month…

I can’t believe it’s been 3 years since I saw them last. They put on such a show that you wish that it could last forever. Last time, Chris Martin ran a lap around the whole stadium. I can’t wait to see what he does this time. I just wish I could go to their concert on the following night too, but it’s been sold out for a while.

Another something that I’m excited about that’s happening at the end of the month is the start of an online scrapbooking course that’s focused on design. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to take classes and learn by doing. Since it’s a little more difficult for me to go to evening classes right now, this online course is absolutely perfect for me. And, since it’s based out of the states the price is excellent too (even though most would think it’s too expensive!). This twelve week course, is equivalent to three evening classes that I would take at one of the local craft stores here. The instructor is none other than “Simple Scrapbook”’s design guru, Cathy Zielske. I love her style and her sense of humour - it should be fun!

For the first time in a LONG time, Erik and I are having some quiet alone time, and by alone I mean from each other. He’s quietly enjoying one of his computer games and I’m crafting. Yes! Crafting! We’ve been getting better at bedtime around here so that means we have more time to spend on ourselves. Over the past week, we’ve been addicted to old episodes of Arrested Development. We had to “acquire” them after hearing such great things about the series from our friends. It is one of the funniest and well written shows I’ve seen in a long time! I love all the characters, but want to slap them all at the same time! I want to watch more, but with every episode, we get closer to the end of the series. How could they cancel such a great show!?!

My craft project right now is painting a necklace holder that is in the shape of a dress form. I bought it at Panduro (Swedish craft store chain) and decided that it needs to be all black. I might add some extras on it, but I’m not sure yet. If I don’t like how that looks, I can always decoupage some nice funky napkins on it. This is the original holder:

The final product will be revealed at a later date (hopefully tomorrow!). It’s not a complicated project, but it’s so nice to finally have paint on my hands again! My plan is to make some necklaces in the near future and hang them on it.

This part of the site is supposed to be about me, my crafts, my inspiration and my life. Since the baby was born, there has been very little time for just me. I really want to keep this part going even when I have only a few minutes here and there to dedicate to it. So, I was thinking of things to add that could represent who I am or what I am feeling at the time.

While I was clearing up my craft room (no I haven’t had time to be crafty lately! I just bought some supplies that never got put away), I noticed the envelope of concert ticket stubs that my mother brought over to me. So, I thought I would give you an idea of how much I love concerts and how many I have been to over the years. I might have to add some as I go. I have to compile them with the pile of concert stubs I have since moving here. Okay….here it goes!

1987:
Haywire
(This is a Canadian 80’s band (if you don’t know already!) They are very much a part of my childhood and I’m happy to say my first rock show. Dave (the keyboardist) was my first fan(atic) crush. After the show, I had enough guts to tell him that he was the best and the cutest in the band. I got him to sign my yellow converse sneaker. I know, I’m cool like that!)

1989:
Bonham
The Cult
Skid Row
Vixen
Europe
Bon Jovi

1990:
Bootsauce
Helix
Lee Aaron
Jeff Healey
Slaughter
Winger
Kiss

1991:
Trixter
Great White
Scorpions
Skid Row
Guns n’ Roses (best show ever!)
Metallica
Slaughter
Cinderella

1992:
Lee Aaron
Extreme
Steve Miller Band
Sloan
Bryan Adams
Bootsauce (2x)
Organized Rhyme (Tom Green’s rap group! We were going to the same high school at the time.)
Testament
Iron Maiden
Big House (w/ Mista Bones)
Killer Dwarfs
Pantera
Skid Row

1993:
Metallica
Sven Gali
Ugly Kid Joe
April Wine
Meatloaf
Def Leppard
Aerosmith
Sass Jordan

1994:
Barenaked Ladies
Hemmingway Corner
Sue Medley
Gowan

1995:
Green Day
Tim McGraw
Travis Tritt (w/ Sammy Kershaw and Charlie Daniels)

1996:
Garth Brooks
Melissa Etheridge
Moist

1997:
Great Big Sea
Big Sugar
Wide Mouth Mason
INXS (This show never happened, Michael Hutchence was found dead a couple of weeks before the show. I still have the unused front row ticket)

1998:
Hayden
Juliana Hatfield
Savage Garden
Pearl Jam
Henry Rollins (spoken word show)

1999:
Alanis Morissette
Matthew Good Band
Edwin

2000:
2001:
2002:
* I know I went to concerts during these years, but I don’t have the stubs here. They must be in another envelope together. I know I saw I Mother Earth and David Usher somewhere during this time!

2003:
John Mayer (2x)
Victoria Williams
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Rufus Wainwright
Avril Lavigne
Bob Dylan

2004:
Default
Nickelback
Butterfly Boucher
Sarah McLachlan
Velvet Revolver
Cher
Pink
Skid Row
Sugababes/Dido/Beyonce/Kylie Minogue (NRJ Radio Awards)

2005:
Billy Idol
The White Stripes
Henry Rollins (spoken word show)
REM
Coldplay
Elton John

2006:
Foo Fighters
Red Hot Chili Peppers (2x - The most amazing two nights in a row, ever!)

2007:
Gwen Stefani
Live
Mötley Crüe (finally!)

2008:
Henry Rollins (spoken word show)
The Cure
Foo Fighters (paid for a full day festival ticket just to see them again. It was worth every penny!)
still to come: Coldplay

Phew! That took a lot longer than I thought it would! At least it’s done now. I’ve never written them all up like this before! This could easily be turned into a scrapbook page.