What · the · heck?

So I've lost about 30-32 pounds so far, yay!
My goal is just not to gain anything before the New Year.
I mean if I lose a little I won't complain, but I also want to be realistic. I know myself and the holiday. ;)

Besides the virus/flu/cold that I must have picked up somewhere in Toronto, the trip itself was really nice. We got to see a lot of sights. And even just half a semester of discussion on architecture and historic preservation really gave me an eye and some appreciation to all of the really cool buildings Toronto has. Specifically the Distillery District is awesome. It is a completely pedestrian area now (the brick roads themselves were preserved) with all sorts of interesting shops, galleries, theaters and places to eat.
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We also went to the Casa Loma, the Spadina House, the CN Tower (bad elevator!), the Toronto Zoo and then various other shopping and eating experiences.
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I really love Toronto. It has such a cool feel to it.
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I would write more but the cold honestly is making it hard to think. :P

Heck, sick and most anything don't mix.
But certainly not graduate school...and upcoming tests and projects that I can't focus on because my head feel 8 sizes too big. And then of course there is not even making it to work. But I have to try and get to class tonight. Having classes that only meet once a week make them too important to miss. I took Dayquil earlier today and it did nothing for me, so hopefully I can find something more powerful before I leave.

Meme
Grab the nearest book.
* Open the book to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST.
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"Finally, central cities tend to be the locus of most monuments and districts of artistic and historic significance; because of this, they are also the center of tourism."

Okay, so I joined Facebook. And so far (although I don't really know how to do everything on it or navigate it quite right) it is really addictive. Especially the D&D Tiny Adventures which you can make a character for and play with your Facebook friends. Sheesh...like I need more things to keep my distracted!!!

My hubbie and I went to see Delerium show on Friday night in Royal Oak. I listen to Delerium all the time, and they really are one of those groups that has become the "sound-track to my life." The show was honestly a disappointment to me for one ...okay two major reasons. 1. The doors opened at 7pm and we got there about 7:15pm. The first opening act comes on at about 8pm. She had a beautiful voice (I can't remember the name) but it was just her and her keyboard, so I only wished there was more to see. The second band comes on ...wow. She really had a terrible voice. I'm not sure, but it sounded like she was clenching her jaw while she sang. There was just something off about her voice. Once they are done I think, finally! Delerium should be coming on, right? But no...they put a DJ on! I have no problem with DJs, under the right circumstances I completely enjoy them. But not in this type of venue. Why do I want to listen to a DJ play canned music that he is barely mixing on stage with nothing else to watch? But somehow we suffered through it and Delerium finally makes the stage...which leads me to problem #2: Sound. I have actually been in a band. We played for a while, and even came out with a CD. We played at several venues in the Detroit Metro area, so I do have a little bit of experience with sound mixing. But I'm not so sure that the people who were in charge of the sound at the show were. The mix was terrible and completely too loud (no that isn't just the old person in me saying this). :P Numerous people fled to the lobby just to try and protect their ears. The mix was also very tinny on the vocals (particularly with Delerium, it was bad)...but also the low frequencies were so gawd-awful I was burping because of the vibrations. My chest literally hurt from the amount of shaking my inards were getting. In fact, after about the fifth song Delerium played we left. My hubbie made a few comments to the manager of the venue, who was very nice, but assured us that he understood and even tried three times to talk to the guys on the sound board, but couldn't do anything more than that. Anyhow...

Elaina woke up this morning and obviously wasn't feeling well. She had hit the bathroom several times between the hours of 4 and 6am. Her nose was completely stuffed up, but she really really wanted to go to school, so off she went (medicated, of course)...I get her home today and she is obviously still not well, but telling me how "fine" she is. She crawls onto the couch and gets under the blankets. I think she is tired and should take a nap, but she tells me that no, she is just really really cold. It is 75 in the house, so I head to take her temperature. 101.7 Hm...so no school for her tomorrow, and unfortunately (she'll be even more upset) no slumberparty at her friends house tomorrow. Now she is nicely tucked up in bed and I hope she'll feel better in a little bit.
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The semeseter is well under way. I have a huge exam coming up in Architectual Nomenclature would should be...um...fun? Very difficult to study for, though. I hope I do a good job. I really am interested in the subject, but the professor goes through the material SO quickly, it is hard to follow. Working on a few other projects too -- paper on Octagonal houses (They are cute!) and a paper/group project on the History of Living History...I don't know anything about that. :P
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Almost about to turn 34. I could say a lot about this...but I don't want to sound whiney, either. :)
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Looking forward to starting up some new RPing games with a few people. I've been playing an Earthdawn game for several years now, and hopefully soon will be playing in a Desolation game. RPing games are my drugs of choice. If I had more time I would be doing much more of it. Like, I know when I'm really sick or depressed when I don't want chocolate, or I don't want to game. Then there is a serious problem!!

Okay, well maybe not exactly wild....but certainly interesting!

My hubbie and I were watching this a few weeks ago, but I watched it again this morning and thought how completely amazing it really is...I thought I would share.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMCf7SNUb-Q

Hi!

My assignment deals with the cultural mannerisms (do's, don'ts, expected behaviors, attitudes, values, customs, etc) of the city of Ann Arbor and how these mannerisms are unique to this community. And not just the positive ones, but both positive and negative aspects of this community's culture.

What sort of mental imagery to you get when you think of Ann Arbor? What do you "see"? Is there a 3-dimensional picture in your head? If so, what is in the foreground, the mid-ground and background of this "picture"? Are there any emotions or sensory elements that come to mind when you think of A2? The more detail the better!

I also need assistance from people who have never been to Ann Arbor!! Do you know of the city at all? If so, what sort of opinions do you have about Ann Arbor, or the University? Are you aware of any sort of cultural mannerisms that this community might have?

I really appreciate this!!!
Ideally I need 9 people (6 residents or people familiar with A2, and 3 non-residents/people who have never visited). Again, the more detail, the better.

So I have a beautiful house (in my opinion)! With lots of great colors and everything. So I don't really need a change.
But how much fun is this:
http://www.behr.com/behrx/workbook/

Behr paints has this website that allows you to "test out" different colors on a variety of style rooms so you can get a feel on how paints might look in your own house. In fact, you can even download photos of your rooms and apparently test them out that way too. I just love trying out different combinations.
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Albeit I should be doing more homework but... :)