Monthly Archives: August 2009

Shop Girl Shares xkcd & Wedding Photos We’ll All Remember*

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Shop Girl| 1 Comment

This weekend has been SO crazy I almost forgot that today was Monday! It was full of weddings (my oldest friend got married… it was a big, beautiful Italian wedding) and my sister gave birth to my first (not-so) little niece, Princess Pea. It was my first time holding a newborn (she was less than 12 hours old when I met her) and there really are no words to describe that experience. She’s just… perfect.

But then again, aren’t all babies? ;)

I spent today catching up on the sleep I didn’t get this weekend (I got maaaaaybe 3 hours on Saturday night) and had the laziest day ever. It didn’t even click that since yesterday was Sunday today was probably Monday and that meant it was Shop Girl Shares day! Sadly, as this week was SO busy I didn’t have a lot of time to investigate new websites / blogs so you’re getting a couple of my old favourites today! :)

1. xkcd – A Webcomic of Romance, Sarcasm, Math and Language

(image found at: http://afullerview.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/a-minus-minus.png)

If you haven’t already figured it out from my previous Shop Girl Shares* posts, I love to laugh, and I love things (and people) that make me laugh. I’ve been reading xkcd off and on for a while now, but every time I find my way there again I end up spending hours going through the comics! They are witty, smart, thought-provoking and often down-right hilarious. I LOVE it.

I love this blurb from the comic’s “About” page:

I’m just this guy, you know? I’m a CNU graduate with a degree in physics. Before starting xkcd, I worked on robots at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia. As of June 2007 I live in Massachusetts. In my spare time I climb things, open strange doors, and go to goth clubs dressed as a frat guy so I can stand around and look terribly uncomfortable. At frat parties I do the same thing, but the other way around.

So really, go check it out. If you’re wondering what “xkcd” stands for, read that about page. :)

2. Wedding Photos We’ll All Remember

(image found at: http://allfunny.net/pics/funny-wedding/funny-wedding-photos-12.jpg)

I also love photos. And weddings. And laughing. So really, Wedding Photos We’ll All Remember is my dream come true! haha! I found this collection a while back and I still laugh every time I look at them. I had some similar moments on my wedding day, but thankfully there is only one crazy wedding photo in my batch. I look like I’m INSANE, but I refuse to delete it. It’s Spart’s favourite wedding photo and it alllllways makes us laugh. haha! Maybe I’ll show it to some time. ;)

Do you have one of “those” photos? haha

Posted in Shop Girl Shares*

Exciting News!!!

Posted on August 30, 2009 by Shop Girl| Leave a comment

Hi lovelies,

I’m sorry I’ve abandoned you these past few days… it’s been a little crazy. I haven’t really slept in 2 days BUT I have some exciting news!!

At 2:10 am last night, my sister Peeah gave birth to Princess Pea, a healthy, BEAUTIFUL baby girl, and I’m completely in love with her already.

She’s absolutely perfect. :)

P.s. I promise I’ll come back with details after I sleep. Sleep is good. :)

Posted in Exciting News*

Anonymity — What’s the Point?

Posted on August 27, 2009 by Shop Girl| Leave a comment

(image found at: http://www.wchstv.com/abc/homeimprov/earlhindman.jpg)

I’ve been thinking a lot about anonymity lately.

When I started this blog nearly 3 years ago I didn’t want ANYONE to know about it. It was just going to be me and my writing. I quickly realized that that was boring… I wanted more.

I wasn’t ready to give it all up though, I still needed my “fence”, (oh Wilson, I heart you!) and so, after laboriously searching for my “new identity”, Shop Girl was born. If you’ve ever wondered why I chose that name, I’ve got three words for you–You’ve Got Mail. I have many, many family nicknames that I love, unfortunately signing off as “Beef” didn’t seem to fit with my theme. haha! So, after watching You’ve Got Mail for the millionth time (Meg Ryan + Tom Hanks = ♥) I saw Meg Ryan’s online identity was “Shop Girl” and it just clicked. That was me.

I opened my blog up to visitors (though they were few and far between in those days… haha) and decided to see what would happen. I was still very rigid–nicknames for everyone, no clues as to where I lived, where I went to school, etc and absolutely no pictures.

It was nearly a year before I decided that maybe a picture now and then couldn’t hurt. Then I decided it was probably okay if people knew where I grew up… and eventually even became comfortable admitting that I lived in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).

Then I started teacher’s college and my professors scared the crap out of me. Seriously. We had a workshop about how public our lives become as teachers and that night I purged anything even remotely incriminating from my personal Facebook profile and hiked the security settings up as high as they go. And then there was my little blog… what to do, what to do? I actually did my first podcast about my security concerns and eventually moved to a password protected blog on WordPress… which obviously didn’t last as you’re here. Reading THIS blog. I soon realized that I was overreacting… I don’t live my life in such a way that I would have anything to be ashamed of. I was googled once by my students last year, and while I had a mini-panic attack when I found out, things were fine.

Which brings me to now. I still try to remain semi-anonymous, but I find myself feeling just a twinge of jealousy when I see bloggers living completely out in the open. I DO enjoy this game of anonymity, but sometimes it’s a bit tiring. For once it’d be nice to sign off with MY name, even though I love being Shop Girl with all my heart.

The Hubster forwarded a link to me earlier this week which turned these already swirling thoughts of anonymity into a full-blown mind tornado (ha… tornado. In my mind. I wish I could draw, that would make an excellent cartoon. haha!). I’m not sure if you’ve been following it, but recently anonymous bloggers have been in the spotlight as one blogger decided to call model Liskula Cohen a “skank” and a “psycho”. This model decided to sue the blogger for defamation, and Google was ordered to produce the identity of the then anonymous blogger.

I was reeeeally surprised by this. It never even occurred to me that this was possible– my anonymity is sacred! I know many people who know me read my blog, and I’m very grateful that I’ve never been “outed”.

I guess I’m just a complete muddle of thoughts right now. While I’m slowly revealing more pieces of who I am, I’m definitely not ready to shed my mask just yet. I can expect little to no privacy in my chosen profession–high school students love to Google their teachers! Believe me, I know… so this remains my little happy place, free from those who could potentially twist it against me. *sigh*

Are you anonymous? Is it really important to you? Why?

Posted in My thoughts*

Using Cell Phones While Driving – Yay or Nay?

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Shop Girl| Leave a comment

(image found at:http://shabestan.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/woman-driving-car-adjusting-mirror-applying-make-up-and-talking-on-cell-phone-with-multiple-arms-giclee-print-c12351517.jpeg)

I really don’t write about serious issues very often. I’m more of a “see the world through rose-coloured glasses” kind of person, hence why I write about cute stories, romance, relationships and love.

However, there are a few things that I am fiercely passionate (like shoes) that I like to share with you from time to time. Literacy is one of them (I’m an English teacher, so sue me.. haha).

Driving with cell phones is another.

A week or two ago the Hubs and I were out with Too Kool and due to some traffic we ended up driving along beside the same car for nearly 2 – 3 minutes. The traffic was moving at regular speeds, there was just increased volume where we were. I was appalled to watch the driver of this car (I was in the backseat of Too Kool’s vehicle) who was on the phone the entire I could see him.

The sad thing is, this is a pretty regular occurrence.

I’m sure we’ve all done it–you’re driving along and your cell rings, what do you do? It could be work, a friend in need or your family! So you answer it, intending to only be a second, but then one second turns into two, and then that turns into two minutes. But you were paying attention to the road the whole time, so no harm done, right?

But where do we draw the line?

I was horrified to learn that texting while driving is now becoming a popular thing. As if talking on your phone wasn’t bad enough, needing to look at that tiny screen and those tiny buttons to make sure your message makes sense while also attempting to pay attention to the cars around you must be very difficult. I’ve never done it, so I can’t really say.

Thankfully, Ontario is finally cracking down on these drivers. As of this fall it “illegal to use hand-held cellphones and other electronic devices like BlackBerrys and global positioning systems while at the wheel”. Unfortunately the fine for this offense is only $500–not a terribly strong deterrent… but I hope it does the job.

What worries me most is that today’s youth seem to be most involved in this trend. Cell phones were just becoming popular when I was a teenager, and I didn’t have my own until I was 17, and it was only because I was moving 8 hours north for the summer to work at a camp and would have no other way to contact my mom. Nowadays it’s terribly uncommon for anyone not to have one–I was constantly asking my 12 year old students to put their phones away during class last year.

Now I wonder… why on earth does a 12-year-old need a cell phone? I realize that the safety of school environments has shifted a lot since Columbine and that this could be a worry for parents (I actually had a parent say this to me), but I promise you, we teachers will do our best to protect your children. If that’s not why your kid has a phone, I’m curious–why do they need it? To help them fit in their friends? To keep better tabs on your kids? To make them do their chores at home? (I hear bribes work wonders…)

I’m not anti-technology, but I don’t get it.

Anyway, I digress. I don’t know if many people realize just how dangerous using a cell phone while driving can be, especially if used to text. These days there are SO many devices you can get to eliminate any worry… I wish a hands-free device would come with every cell.

I came across this video today and I feel it really does a great job to illustrate this message. I warn you, it’s graphic and is difficult to watch at times. But after watching I think you’ll think twice about this whole texting while driving business:

What hit me most about this video was the absolute senselessness of it, which was demonstrated even further by the film makers through the lack of any real ending or closure. You don’t know who lives, and there is no “sponsored message” at the end… it just ends. It really hit me, hence today’s tirade.

How do you feel about it? Is it banned where you are, or am I overreacting? I’m only one person… and sure, even I have answered my phone while driving, although I usually try and wait until I’ve stopped. Is it really such a big deal? People do it all the time and it’s certainly not the cause of every accident.

What do YOU think?

Posted in Complaining about something*, My thoughts*

Shop Girl Shares Let’s have a cocktail… & U.B.G. Song TWO*

Posted on August 24, 2009 by Shop Girl| Leave a comment

Before I can begin writing this post (which I wasn’t even sure would happen as I am SO TIRED–reducing my thunderous thighs at the gym kills me. haha) I need to tell you all how grateful I am for your continuing words and expressions of support regarding my horrendous job interview experience. I was overwhelmed by the comments I received here, as well as on Facebook and on Twitter (add me!!). Thank you. I keep hearing that I should write a letter to the company and I’m thinking about it. We’ll see. ;)

Anyhoo, it’s Monday, which means I get to share two more fabulous sites with you! HOO HAH! I really do look forward to Mondays ALL week… this summer has been the summer of discovering new, fabulous blogs and my reader thinger is packed full of glorious reads! It’s like Christmas every time I open the site. It’s magical. ♥

Choosing what I’m going to share with you each week is the hardest part–there is SO much good, hilarious and trashy stuff out there that I now have a running folder of things I want to share with you, and I’m uploading the sites I post to my Delicious account each week in case you want to see them all in one place!

Enough of me–on to the good stuff!! WOO!

1. Let’s have a cocktail…

(image found at: http://letshaveacocktail.blogspot.com/)

LOVE. That’s really the best way for me to describe my feelings toward this blog. I can’t quite remember how or when I stumbled across it, but has quickly won over my heart and I look forward to reading it every morning! The magic that is Let’s have a cocktail... is written by JennyMac, a “mom, wife, professional, daughter, sister, friend (and fab-u-lous dancer) sharing observations on life and culture”. This blog is charming, witty and downright hilarious. Absolutely check out “Be not my future daughter in law” and “You’re so busted you don’t even know.” Sorry JennyMac, I’m hopelessly addicted.

2. United Breaks Guitars – SONG TWO

(image found at: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/07/23/article-1201671-05D0B5B2000005DC-156_468x286_popup.jpg)

A few weeks ago I shared the story of how two United Airlines employees broke the beloved guitar of Dave Caroll, lead singer of the Sons of Maxwell. If you have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about, begin with this post and watch the FIRST video (which is fabulous). The situation continues as the now infamous “Ms. Irlweg” continues to decline Dave’s requests that United Airlines pay for the cost of fixing this guitar–which I believe was a whopping $1200. I’m not entirely sure if United Airlines has that much money in the bank… Ms. Irlweg seems to think not. SO. This is the second of three promised videos, and I LOVE it.

I kinda want Ms. Irlweg to be MY best friend. :)