Tag Archives: Anecdote

22 July 09 -- Wednesday

twenty-four

By Kate

For my birthday weekend I combined celebrating with visiting with househunting in the humid heat of Victoria, BC. Or home. Whatever you want to call it.

I arrived Thursday night around 9:00 to which Luke and I had dinner at Montana’s and went to see the latest installment of Harry Potter. I might’ve almost fallen asleep twice and jumped once but after the gorgeous day driving and ferry riding, it was so nice to be there and so nice to see him. The following day, my birthday, I had a delightful coffee with Auntie before melting at the minigolf course on my birthday date with Logan and Connor (and Ky too)! Not that it matters, but I won. :) . The day got better as I got to meet Elias Riley later that afternoon before going to dinner with some friends at one of my favourite restaurants in Victoria. Either the Booster Juice portion of Luke’s gift to me or our continued celebration up on Mt. Tolmie where Luke and I got his car locked inside the parking lot (who knew it had a curfew?) and subsequently had to walk back to his house made 24 seem to foreshadow great things to come — a fantastic day!

Saturday found us hitting the house hunting trail pretty hard, even though I ended up renting the very first place we saw — success! I also saw Nadina and Ty’s new place right before Luke and I spent some time people watching at the breakwater café. So fun(ny?). That night we had a beach fire with Georg and it was so good to shoot the breeze, share some homebrew, and laugh in the company of great friends. After a trip to DQ and a hug goodbye, I went over to Brooke and Amanda’s for a little catch up and more laughs in their new-old suite.

And Sunday I signed my renter’s agreement, did more househunting in effort to find Luke a home as well, attempted to go have a scooter adventure which was a crushed dream when we found out the place was closed, had a caricature drawn in the inner harbour, bbq-ed at Scott and Ky’s, went to the Lagoon and then went to see Bedouin Soundclash (compliments of Amanda and Ry!). Though the concert came with high anticipation, my mood faltered when I was there for only a brief period of time before the cocktail waitress lost her footing and therefore, her drink tray, which came crashing down…and all over me. So I was soaked in a myriad of alcoholic beverages. And covered in sand from the Lagoon which I had forgotten about. They put on a good show but I think I was a bit of a downer — so not my fault. ;)

Then on Monday, I went to see my place one more time, PICKED UP MY UVIC DEGREE, and had lunch with Luke outside his work before calling it ‘a weekend’, going to pick up Kels, and hitting the ferry home. Now I am back and it doesn’t even feel like I was there two days ago.

I guess the point is that time and timing are everything. I think while being 24 I hope to get better at making the absolute most of the time that I’ve got. I’ll never know when an opportunity is sitting at my feet, a conversation needs to be had, a quiet moment is a fleeting breath, or that life is simply too short to waste or worry on the impossible — because nothing really is, if I am not paying attention. Maybe the greatest gift is not just life itself but the sweet surprises that are unexpected, unappreciated, and sometimes missed altogether. So for sage, insightful, 24 year old wisdom? I’ve got none. But this weekend was a lesson in the responsibility I have to myself and to the closest people/person/lives around me to be as open, honest, real, spunky, easygoing, and free-spirited as I can because that’s who I am. So anything less than that means I’ve lost sight of that in some way.

Reserving the absolute best parts of myself for the people that matter the most — doesn’t that make the most sense? But also be ok when there are times when being vulnerable or insecure or afraid is a part of me… at least it’s being honest or real. I think? Doesn’t mean I consider those the best parts of me, I guess in showing those parts means I’m getting better at being a little more transparent. Potentially?

Maybe ask me when I am 25 — hopefully by then I’ll have a better idea. I am so grateful for the weekend, the great times with some of the best people I know, and the pure reality that when I am measuring up what could happen being 24 against being 23, I have a hard time wondering how it truly can get any better — I think I would argue any of you that I have one of the very best lives and absolutely adore living it. And more than the appreciation I have for my own life, I am so overwhelmed by the gift that you’ve given me by allowing me to play a part in yours. So on my birthday weekend, more than remembering my dreams or the years I’ve had, I also remembered that some of the best parts of it have come from the company of the best people — it’s been an honour. And a favour I hope to return one day.

Happy birthday to me. And thanks.

2 comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Adventures, Rooted

20 June 09 -- Saturday

i wish i was exaggerating

By Kate

My wallet got stolen on Wednesday — somebody broke into my car and took it.

Here’s why being Kate is such an adventure…it went something like this:

I finally cracked down and decided to fix Bella, my blue little fireball of a car. (This is the same car that was broken into and the stereo stolen and the same car that was stolen herself). I’ve known for quite sometime that the CV axel and bushings (whatever those are) at the front end needed to be replaced, this knowledge heightened when the problem wore out my tires and left me stranded in Williams Lake with two flats when I was travelling home from Smithers.

So on Monday I brought my car in and on Wednesday my coworker brought me to pick it up after work. I made a deal with myself that if it cost under $650, I would go to Staples and buy an external hard drive for my computer. The work cost me $640. 43 so to Staples I went. I had called ahead of time from work so all I had to do was go to the counter and pay.

I arrived at Staples at 4:58 pm. It was pouring rain so I just grabbed my debit card out of my wallet, shoved my wallet under my gym bag, and ran into the store. (Sidenote: I don’t need the ‘don’t leave anything in your car’ lecture — you’re not allowed, see previous thefts #1 and #2… this is the first time since that I’ve left anything in Bella). When I left the store, the manager was walking in and said “Do you own a Honda Civic?” and I yelled “WHAAAAAT” thinking the little expensive disaster just got stolen AGAIN. No.

“Somebody just shimmied the lock, stole something, and ran away!” – Manager

“I saw the whole thing!” – Some lady.

“WHY DIDN’T YOU YELL!!!!” – Hysteric me.

“Well, I DIDN’T KNOW!” – Said lady.

“I am sorry.” – Me. Still hysterical.

“HE WAS WEARING A BLACK HAT AND BLUE SWEATER AND CARRYING A BAG! And he ran over there by the TD!” – Lady.

“OK. Have a nice afternoon, THANKS” – Me.

(Sidenote #2: Never try to drive a standard when you’re having a conniption. My leg was shaking so much I stalled three times.)

So what did I do? Why, what any classy, smart, level headed woman would… I went after him! I drove up by someone who fit the description and rolled down my window and said

“Can you please give me back my wallet?”

To which he responded

“I don’t have your wallet! Ha Ha Ha.” and he kept walking/running up to the crosswalk.

I am thinking This is SO NOT MY DAY. So I circled around through the Mohawk parking lot and saw that he was crossing the street into the mall parking lot. Where there is a CIBC. My bank. Oh NO he has my VISA. Oh ****! (I am not proud of this, but I was cussing in my head and probably outloud, the next few minutes are a bit of a blur). So I phoned my mom and said:

“MOM my WALLET WAS JUST STOLEN OUT OF MY CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“WHAT! Kate! WHAT! How?”

“Mom there’s no time, I need you to cancel my Visa RIGHT NOW.” (The stores were still open and he was heading to the mall!)

“Well, what are you doing?”

“I AM TRAILING THE GUY! I already asked him nicely now I am following him, we’re in the Cherry Lane Parking lot and I am in my car”

“Well, GET OUT THERE AND DEMAND IT BACK.”

So what do I do? Obviously. I parked, kept my mom on the line, and ran after him. That’s right, it was all of my CSI dreams come true until I had a fleeting moment where I realized I didn’t know what to do if he pulled a gun on me. I’d deal with that later and kept running. When I caught him, he was angry and said “Look, I don’t have your wallet” and pulled out his own from his back pocket. So I asked if I could look in his bag. He threw it on the ground and let me. It was filled with pop cans and bottles. My heart broke, I apologized and said he fit the description and I didn’t mean to invade his space and to have a really nice afternoon.

Anyways, I am still convinced he had it but whatever.

I went home, and mom had cancelled my Visa. If you can believe it: I left Staples at 5:04 pm. Mom had my visa cancelled at 5:13 pm. The guy tried to charge something to it at 5:18 pm. So in the matter of 14 mins (more accurately, 19 minutes from the time I arrived at Staples), I bought a hard drive, my car was broken into, my wallet stolen, I chased down a criminal (twice), my mom dealt with my bank, and I failed miserably. That was the longest 14 minutes of my life. But look how FAST things like this happen.

So the rest of the hour I was on the phone with my bank because not only was my Visa in there but my cheque book so I had to cancel my bank accounts as well! Then, because my S.I.N. card was in there I had to call the Credit Bureau(s) to flag my credit in case of fraud, and talk to the RCMP… who, sidenote #3, strongly encouraged me to buy a different vehicle given my history with her in such a short period of time!

The nice B.I.D. (blessing in disguise) to this adventure is that an hour or so after my life was flashing before my eyes, a gal from a local pub phoned to tell me she found my license underneath her car. So mom and I went to pick it up and did some dumpster diving/scouring back there before I went and met the RCMP officer in the parking lot to talk about what happened.

I am getting so tired of talking to the RCMP.

And way too used to feeling violated.

Thus begins the painful, annoying, expensive process of replacing everything that was in there. For example, my birth certificate was in my wallet because I just recently got a passport and didn’t take it out yet. For the love of fruit smoothies, that is so annoying. Along with my BCAA, Visa, S.I.N., UVic Student ID, etc. etc. etc… I don’t have time for this heinous nuisance.

On the way home from our Crime Scene Investigating, my mom says

“Kate, I just have to laugh, I think this is how your life simply is…you need the adventure”

To which I responded

“Mom, are you kidding me? It’s not like I am asking for this or walk into these sorts of things on purpose!”

“But Kate, it’s not like these sorts of things surprise you anymore, either.“

Good point.

But get this, along with my license, the gal found my air miles card and Save on More card under her car. HOWEVER, when we were on our way home, I turned the Save On card over and burst out laughing… it wasn’t my card! SO, either it’s from another wallet  stole OR it’s the card of the thief’s…

Ergo, the saga continues… maybe they’ll start letting me ride in the squad car.

I think this picture fits well here, yet again:

Picture 79

4 comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Adventures, Tirades

12 June 09 -- Friday

renders me catatonic

By Kate

Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.

- Plato

He’s made an excellent point. Now just to decide which category I fit into cause honey, I’m not often at a loss for words. This could foreshadow problems to come.

Also, my baby brother recently graduated and while the gold and purple looked dashing on him, the experience caused me to reflect on my own day of white and blue a mere, disgusting six years ago. I’d like to believe I’ve come a long way. But then again, I sure enjoyed myself in those days — I hope that kinda thing lasts well into the post-ten year reunion years:

(holy smacks, please don’t judge how these pictures have been placed on this blog — they are impossible to manipulate properly, even if Trav would disagree, I am helpless).

kate the grad

my best friend and me.
my best friend and me.

we thought those gowns looked hot.
we thought those gowns looked hot.

i was scared michael would trip and fall... can you sense the concern?
i was scared michael would trip and fall… can you sense the concern?

my triple 'p': Perfect Prom-date Pete.
my triple ‘p’: Perfect Prom-date Pete.

are these dresses retro and outdated yet?

are these dresses retro and outdated yet?

entering a new phase of 'good-looking'.

entering a new phase of 'good-looking'.

nadina nailed it
nadina nailed it
more foreshadowing of things to come.
more foreshadowing of things to come.

Cue Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again” and Mark Perry’s “Under Northern Skies” and you, I promise, will feel like you never missed a moment of Grad 2003… not entirely grossly overrated, but growing up kinda has been.

Leave a comment   |  tags: | posted in Adventures

25 January 09 -- Sunday

Here She Is…

By Kate

…Miss America!

Check this out: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20254721,00.html

2 comments   |  tags: , | posted in Hilarity

8 June 08 -- Sunday

what a steal

By Kate

Meg, this is for you: I was in Kelowna today shopping with Mom and Jayme and naturally had to go into RW & Co. Not only did I find some awesome work shirts… but I found a JACKET for $19.95… originally $108.00!!! Can you believe it? It’s kind of like a trench coat (not really) but it’s black, goes to mid thigh, and super classy…and for $20!!

ALso, my cleanse is going great — I cheated once and ate a cookie at work. Not too stressful. But I feel fantabulous.

1 comment   |  tags: , , | posted in Adored

9 March 08 -- Sunday

case in point

By Kate

As pertaining to my last post, God’s been proving himself fairly regularly:

Friday night I went to rent movies for myself after dropping my roommate off at the airport. It was apprx. 7:45 pm that I got home from the excursion. I talked to Mark and Jes on the phone, roasted some vegetables, and settled into my little evening — not leaving the house the rest of the night. The next morning, Saturday, I woke up at a reasonable hour, did laundry, cleaned house, did some reading, watched some Discovery channel, and chilled out. At 1:15 I decided to quit being domesticated and go for a work out. I was going to treat myself and buy a Booster Juice on the way home, so I thought “I should make sure I have my sticker card in my wallet.” I went to check my wallet and the wallet was not in my purse. So naturally I figured I left it in the car, so I started walking outside over to the car, not too stressed. From our pathway I noticed something kinda of half near my car – half in the middle of the road… my WALLET. So I scream-ran over to it and lo and behold, nothing was taken from it. My cards, cash, license, important phone numbers, everything remained intact. I could not believe it. I don’t necessarily live in a sketchy neighbourhood, but I wouldn’t say it is the safest by Victoria standards…definitely if a wallet is strewn across the road, one of my lovely neighbours should’ve surely went and got the goods. But NO! Wow hey? I’ve been watching my visa account on the hour, just to be sure, but the only thing I am miffed about is that it poured rain, so my whole wallet/stuff is sopping wet. Can you believe it? AMAZING.

And to be thankful, I decided to pass on the Booster Juice [because I didn't really need to spend $6 there] and still had a stellar work out.

Here is everything as it dries, courtesy of my camera phone — excuse the lame-os-ity once more:

Kate’s Cashish

3 comments   |  tags: | posted in Hilarity, Unfolding

9 January 08 -- Wednesday

walked all over… literally

By Kate

I am a struggling disappointment.

No matter which way I spin it, I can’t seem to measure up.

I am too clean, therefore my roommate rages because she feels my cleanliness is a passive aggressive way of making her be clean. It’s not, at all, why I am clean. But okay. (I have many more roomie examples of how I am a constant failure but I will leave that topic at a standstill for the lack of privatization of this venue…I am sure I will need re-constructive personality counselling once this school year ends and we part ways!).

I take the bus, not because I am environmentally conscious but rather because I am bank account conscious [gas and parking]. And the weather in Victoria is very mild compared to Calgary, even though I am not used to the rain. So I under dress for my bank account conscious ride to school in the morning, yet when I am waiting for the bus, the rain pours and I am left a soggy mess the rest of the day. What sort of pay off is that?

I eat healthily and work our religiously at a very routinely pace of certain hours of the day, certain amounts, certain balances, and I get a ton of sleep, but I am absolutely exhausted all the time. My body is letting me down.

I read and read and take notes only to have a quiz this morning that was only on one very specific act of the play. I try to overachieve, then end up royally undeachieving, as I didn’t focus enough on it to get 10 out of 10. I think I plateaued at 5.

I pay close attention to the couple I was house sitting for, especially how I was supposed to ‘arm’ and ‘disarm’ the alarm. the first thing I do when I began my job? Set it off the alarm. The alarm company was very gracious, but I am not sure how the couple feels.

To top it all off, yesterday I was walking into the computer lab as Luke was walking out of it. He’s 6’2. I am 5’4.5ish. I said hi and waved to him and he literally walked/looked right over me. Maybe the air up there is a little stuffier, therefore inhibiting his ears and eyes, but when I asked him about it later, he absolutely did not see me… and yet if I had reached out about 4 inches form my body (my struggling, exhausted body), he would’ve been in my arms, we were that close. My height has always served decently for me, really just became something of a complex in that moment (and subesquently, from now on). It was embarrassing humbling to note that not only am I a struggling disappointment, but I am an unnoticeable one.

And these examples are only the last 4 days! The rest of my life provides a true, embarrassing humbling testament to that.

It’s not funny.

:)

2 comments   |  tags: , | posted in Tirades, Unfolding

29 May 07 -- Tuesday

combination skin

By Kate

Someone once told me that to be a successful person, both in life and love and all our desires, we need to be able to humble ourselves.

This is me humbling myself.

I wasn’t planning on posting this because it is basically horrifically embarassing, but it’s been over 3 days now and I am still in shock so I figure, it is worth telling.

On Friday (last week) I took my road test to get rid of my ‘N’ (novice in graduated licensing for all you non-BCers). It was a long time coming but I submitted to the fact that I, unlike most people, maxed out on my ‘N’ and it expires in a month so I had to get rid of it. Who has the darn thing for 5 years? Me. Anyways, after driving a flawless (thank you, thank you) road test, I was in the Service BC office doing some mumbo-jumbo paperwork in order to be issued my new, adult-esque restriction-less license.

So I am standing there, my feet on both ‘paws’, getting my picture taken. After she took it, the lady was humming and hawing over my photo. I looked at her and asked her if it turned out ok. I kid you not, this is what she said:

“Well I really like your picture, but there is a big shiny spot on your fore head. You are smiling and the colour is good but you have a massive shiny spot, it looks white.”

I looked at her and said I didn’t care. It’s just a license and the pictures are horrible anyways and the only person who is going to see it is the police (she didn’t think that was very funny at all).

She responds, 100% seriously,

“Can’t you just wipe off your forehead? Yea. Just wipe it. Really good cause it looks like you have a lot on there.”

Hello? Sure I can wipe the massive amount of loudly-spoken-for-in-a-public-office oil off of my forehead.

“Good that would be great…” snap, another picture…”hmm, sorry, that didn’t solve your problem. I guess people are just naturally oily.”

I guess so.

What?! Maybe it’s time for a new foundation… stupid M.A.C.

But hey… if it’s natural, I am glad that the license issuer took it upon her self to point it out to me. I am blaming it on my Holenstein genes.

I digress.

6 comments   |  tags: | posted in Tirades

20 March 07 -- Tuesday

diamonds in the rough

By Kate

My mom talks a lot about seeing the “extraordinary in the ordinary” and I want to look at things in life like that. Kind of like diamonds in the rough, sometimes we have to search for these rare gems and find the beauty in things that may not appear to be. Or more importantly: Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary that someone else may over look. So I spent my drive home yesterday thinking of the things I find beautiful, that go past a sunset on the oceans surface or the snow on a Christmas morning:

~a hot bath after a long day
~skating so fast at night on the lake when all I can see is my breath from the cold and the starry sky
~Dave Matthews, Tom Petty, John Mayer, Bryan Adams, and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers
~Staying up super late, playing basketball in the parking lot, and wishing time would stand still
~driving with the ‘top down’ on the bug in the middle of the summer
~A good book
~Going into someone’s room and looking at everything on the walls… a self portrait without even meaning to be
~thunderstorms any natural phenomenon.
~the power of prayer
~Driving alone at night, for a long ways blasting Mark Perry (any Smithers residents soundtrack for life ;)
~Silver jewelry
~Chats with my sisters and mom
~Strawberry marshmallow candies and cream soda
~Spending time with my Dad.
~Dreams (and not sleepy dreams, but life-dreams…especially hearing other peoples)
~Long hair
~Living in residence, only 5 doors down from one of your new best friends
~Memories
~One Tree Hill, Ocean’s 11, Blood Diamond, and Prison Break
~Movie nights where I fall asleep and wake up to find everyone else doing the same
~Adrenaline rushes, risks, and forgetting who you are for a moment
~An unexpected phonecall from a dear friend
~Iced tea with peppermint
~The feeling that the song “Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me” by Keith Urban, reminds me of, and makes me want to feel.
~John 15:13
~The serious side.
~Writing
~Jumping on the trampoline with soap and water
~Playing first base
~Calgary’s skyline; Camrose’s simplicity; Prairie sunsets
~Independence; Innocence
~Barefoot
~Swimming at night
~When he looks at her “that way” and she keeps his secrets: observing from afar
~Smithers moments
~Smiling at someone who needs it
~Ken’s aunt’s cabin out in Kananaskis, and the moments along with it
~The smell outside after the rain
~Steak, medium rare
~The way anyone can always make me laugh
~Reliability and freedom
~Feeling to never forget such as: walking down the aisle at grad or when I saw Jayme for the first time
~Knowing who I can cry to; who to trust.
~Wishing on the stars
~My fleece blanket
~Family gatherings
~Talking to you—listening to you
~Wearing socks to bed then taking them off in the middle of the night.
~Crawling out my window in my old room in Smithers to lay on the grass when I couldn’t sleep
~How I never know your voice on the phone
~Wet hair
~Pictures, photo albums, yearbooks and old letters
~The gingerbread my mom makes
~Laying on a dock, counting shooting stars, at Tyhee Lake
~Seeing someone for the first time, after a long time
~Swiss Pride
~Arguing with someone even if you know you’re wrong
~My quicksilver toque
~Being deliriously happy
~Curb sitting
~Knowing that there will forever be something to come home for.

and most importantly,

~A feeling that nothing will ever be the same. For if it was the same, I wouldn’t grow. And because it changes, I have hope.

I know it’s long, and I am sorry for that, but it’s on my heart… so tell me, what do you find extraordinary? What are some of your diamonds in the rough?

xo your Kate

8 comments   |  tags: , | posted in Adored, Narcissism

11 March 07 -- Sunday

sunday

By Kate

Guess WHAT?

Only one month and three weeks until I go home for the summer holidays. I know you’re extremely excited for me. I feel like these next few weeks are going to be nothing but work work work and somehow, it’s ok. Just knowing I am going home seems to keep the perma-smile on my face.

Now, for a little anechdote. I have two midterms on Tuesday. And a paper due. Tuesday. Yep. So it’s Sunday, and I decided to go to church and aprés, study and write my day away. Well, I was sitting at the kitchen table that’s in my room, doubling as a desk, and my eyes kept wandering towards the window. It’s Chinooking: it’s a gorgeous, beautiful, fantastic, warm day here in Calgary today, and I desperately would rather be playing catch with the guys (or tackle football, whatever is the option du jour) than be studying ethics or writing about Ocean’s 11 (my paper’s topic).

So, in typical Kate form (those of you who know me can attest to what happens next) I decided to pack up my books and go outside. I heard my roommate and boyfriend come into the house, so rather than go upstairs and have to make small talk (there for debilitating my focus on my studies) I decided to climb out the window. Yes. I climbed out the window. Probably the most unattractive thing (thankfully, I live in a gated retirement community). Once I climbed slash fell out the window, I realized my hoodie and sweats (which I ripped a huge hole in the process) might’ve been a little too much so I took them off, right in the middle of the yard (which is shared by the two other villas). I sat down, back to the fence, when I just felt the water seaping through my shorts. Only it wasn’t water, it was mud. Long story short, I folded my sweatpants to sit on and within 2 minutes they were soaked and, after bearing the discomfort for about 10 mins (wet rear; no sunglasses; wet notebook), I pondered and then went inside. I tried climbing through the window but my roomie saw me in HER window… so I used the back door instead.

I guess there is morale in a picnic table. But YAY for the Chinook. +

And for those of you concerned, I won’t know until next Monday if my boyfriend is incarcerated again. Stupid court and law.

Anyways, here’s my rally to show my support of my old home town…

Smithers made it into the Top 5! You have until March 16th to vote Smithers as Hockeyville:http://hockeyville.cbc.ca/Default.aspx?Language=en-C&Video=3&Bandwith=High

8 comments   |  tags: | posted in Hilarity

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