I Have Read the Internet

In my incessant attempts to avoid any type of school work, house work, or social life, it would appear as though I've watched everything there is to watch, read everything there is to read, and pinned everything there is to pin. Anybody have any ideas? Because otherwise I'm going to have to get down to the dirty business of being a student. 

But until then, I'll share one of my favourite songs lately. Doesn't it just make you feel nostalgic? 

Jump for Joy!

  Came across this photo series on My Modern Met called 'Dancers Among Us"  and absolutely fell in love. I completely agree with the premise that dancers combine art and athleticism in this increadibly difficult way of life. I mean, have you ever looked at a ballerina's toes? I'm always so jealous of dancers, (I mean, who wouldn't be?) but my admiration is even greater! I especially love the expressions on bystanders faces.   Full gallery here, Met article here.

Some Things

Some things are just too good to keep to yourself. I mean seriously, if you ask me where the best chocolate in town is, I will tell you. If you ask me what average people look like, I will tell you. I will also tell you that National Geographic is awesome for many reasons. One is that my Grandmother gave a subscription to Nat Geo Kids for my 10th birthday, another is that they made Steve McCurry famous, and the latest in a long line that I can't possibly explain now is this video.

Songs I Just Can`t Get Enough Of

So last week was a pretty good week, which I finished off by watching the latest Bones episode and making these scones.  I`m not even kidding, I made a double batch and my roomies have eaten them all. But this is all about music that I can`t seem to get enough of (only a very small sample) 

If you have a chance to see the Civil Wars on their current tour, Milo Greene is opening for them and they are absolutely AMAZING. That is not a label I give to music often, but they just give you pure joy.

Nats

Look at this! Suren Manvelyan

So, I've come across many a photographer's work, but somehow Manvelyan is one that always makes me stop and stare. My sister first introduced me to his "Beautiful Eyes" series, and when he was featured on My Modern Met a while ago, you know you've got a good thing. I love his attention the little things and the softness he evokes.  Here's his website if you like these awesome photographs!

Ain't Fall Grand?

So, I know its early, but it's already positively Fall here in Montreal. The weather's increadibly bipolar, the squirrels are squirreling away, the leaves are starting to fall, and the farmers' markets are in full swing. My favourite season! now, if only it wouldn't end in a month! This is just a taste.

What I've Learned from Working: Part 1

As if I could look that good

As all once-upon-a-time full time students know full well, an education is expensive. And stressful. And did I mention expensive. And I'm in Canada, nothing like what there is in the States, but for the first time in my life, I'm in debt, and that's a terrifying thought for anyone who grew up with relatively little money. 

So I have done what many are expected to do: get a job. 

Say what? Nats, you're not even 20 yet, and you want to enter the workforce and have to file income tax forms? 

Honestly no, but who does? 

So my first year I worked cleaning empty apartments. Now I know I will get a bit repetitive of my use of the words 'pig,' but it is an apt term. So I now share with you the bits of wisdom I learned from cleaning apartments for a year.

1. Garbage should be taken out at least once a week. I'm not kidding, if you've moved out and I find a pile of garbage under the sink, I can tell that you were a socially irresponsible, never got laid dirty pig who left their mess for someone else to clean up. 
2. People in tight financial situations are not necessarily the smartest. In a particularly messy apartment, I found two items of interest: an empty Ipod touch box with the receipt* and a letter from the building saying that they were way over due on their rent and owed over $3000.
3. Guys cannot aim. 'Nuff said. 
4. Mold will grow everywhere. Including vents, sinks, ovens, fridges, freezers, and bathrooms, and that is just gross. Use bleach, and you might live a bit longer.
5. Pipes can't be allowed anywhere near cold. In my time in a single building, we had three floods that spread to multiple floors causing hundreds of dollars worth of damage to the building and personal effects. So please, close your windows when you go out of town.
6. Your landlord will judge you. Or at least the workmen will. Constantly talking to them when they are trying to work doesn't, unfortunately make you endearing unless you're a size two ex-model with a degree in biomedical engineering. It's unfair, but we tend to be a very judgmental species.
7. Just because you move out doesn't mean the contents of your fridge magically follow you.  Fridges were by far the grossest part of cleaning an apartment. Please don't assume that someone will be in to clean immediately after you vacate the premises. It could be up to two weeks, and things just don't keep that long, not even fruit.
8. We appreciate neat people. Landlords, cleaning staff, and workmen all appreciate it if you leave a place as neat as you found it. We treat you with respect and expect at least you can do the same for our apartment. There is nothing nicer than walking into a place and thinking that the previous tenant was a nice enough person to take care of their shit.
9. Just because you are a good person, bad things can still happen to you. This may be self evident, but for me, it wasn't. I'd been working at this building for almost a year when the summer came and I desperately needed to see my family. I'd arranged to take off the month they were the least busy three months in advance, and provided them with two candidates to fill in for me while I was gone. They told me that they probably didn't need anyone, and I went on a well deserved vacation. When I got back, I found out that they had hired else for my job two weeks into my absence and still owed me my pay. I felt so betrayed because I  had done everything I could have and still got screwed. See, people are pigs.

*In case you didn't store that info as something necessary to know, an Ipod Touch goes for around $230




Photos courtesy of The Idea Girls Says and My Modern Met