Literature: Beatrice and Virgil

   Good morning dearest readers, and I hope you are all planning a wonderful day since many of you are probably only starting your summer vacation now. This morning's entry is a short and sweet book review about my latest Yann Martel novel.

   The book is called Beatrice and Virgil (as per the title of the entry) and I have to admit that it turned into a one-a-dayer and it was a day well spent. The story addresses the issue of animal extinction while using a more serious and well known tragedy. It's described as a story within a story, and the story whitin the story is told through the perspective two animals; a howler monkey and a donkey. 

   If ever you want a good read, pick it up but I'm warning you that it does have some disturbing content. If you prepare yourself, I can garantee that it will be one of the most memorable reads that you've ever done. So open your eyes and open your mind to the ideas of a world of wonder.

K.P.H.

Laughter: Funny Phrases

   Good afternoon dearest readers and I apologize in advance for not being consistent with the number of entries I should be posting, but it is taking a little bit longer to fall back into the habit; but have no fear, a routine is slowly but surely being established.
   For today's entry, its comic punch line has been building up during the summer and it's only been until lately that it has really started to become evident. I am glad to report that the "Things Amb Fam says" book has been started so that we can record our funny moments but there's another thing that's quite funny that can't specifically be placed in the confines of a page. There are a lot of perks working with people from different regions (we can relate more to a greater number of students) but there are still a little bit of problems that turn out to be more like funny instances instead or royal burdens.
   Having two people from the east coast (New Brunswick and Newfoundland), two from the province of Québec and two from Ontario (GTA and northern Ontario) makes us quite geographically diverse, but it also turns the office into an interesting place to have a conversation. During tours where we're all professional presents the unknowing citizen a typical picture, but to those who get a glimpse of our lunch time hour, or our Saturday excursions get a glimpse into a confusing conversation. Every person on the team can speak and understand both French and English (which makes things a little bit less easy right from the beginning) but since we're all from quite different regions, we all have different expressions for often the same idea. We catch ourselves writing down these funny phrases, but sometimes, some of them just seem to not work. I've had to explain myself on countless occasions just like the others, so that we can understand the point we're making to one another. Ryan even made me a dictionary with some of the expressions he uses so that I can understand when he makes a reference.
   There might be tougher times when it happens that we're from all different regions of Canada, but I have to admit that our conversations are never dull and always quite entertaining. So if you're feeling bored and want to become more educated on different cultures dialects, you don't have to go far for research, you might just have to go take a look next door.

K.P.H.

Literature: Once Upon a Time

   Good morning dearest readers! It is Wednesday and the week and halfway done. I'm more excited for Thursday since that's when my dad is coming to Ottawa to visit. I even get to spend all of Friday, and Saturday morning with him; it's kind of a vacation while still working. This morning's entry is a short one since I have to make sure that I don't miss my bus.
   On my evenings off, I've started to watch different TV shows in between my reading time. I've started to watch Bates Motel, I finish American Horror Story 1&2 with Riley and now I've also started the show Once Upon a Time. I absolutely LOVE this show. I'm a person who absolutely loves all kinds of fairy tales and the best part is that its not strictly stuck on fairy tales but also on classic stories. Disney created wonderful first edition of the works, but the show now offers a more realistic-ish view on the classic characters.
   I recently watch the episode where Captain Hook was introduced to the story. Peter Pan (and all versions of the story) has always been one of my top 5 fairy tales; it's up there with Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel and the Little Mermaid. In the version of the movie where the characters are played by real people, my favorite one is Peter Pan, but in the show Once Upon a Time, there's something more than Captain Hook's appearance that attracts me. The "Bad Boy" persona is an attractive characteristic for many girls these days so coincidently, many characters are portrayed that way. Personally, I don't find that type of person quite attractive, but the thing with Captain Hook's character is that yes, he is traditionally the villain, and yes he does make bad choices, but he still shows some signs of respect and honour, as well as performs courtly gestures. Lastly, what I think make him a character that people are drawn to is that there is a glimmer of hope that lingers, which urges the audience to wait for his redemption; this moment in which he will do good and defy his intended nature.
   It's for characters like this that I like to write stories, but it's also why I absolutely love watching shows that offer this hope in them. Therefore my dearest readers, if you are trying to pick your next show to watch, try out Once Upon a Time, and loose yourself in a world of wonders.

K.P.H.

Literature: A Free Mind is a Great One

   Good evening dearest readers, I hope you all had a wonderful Monday. I sure did since it was the first official Monday that I did not have to go to class previously. Ever since I've completed my exam last Friday, I've taken advantage of the weekend to give my mind a rest; but apparently it cannot stand inactivity for too long or else it starts to retaliate.
   This weekend I worked on the Saturday, did my groceries and had a movie marathon with Riley. Sunday started off with a hike in Gatineau park with a friend of mine, followed by a lunch and another period of rest. Once 8:30 hit, I was lying in bed watching America's Funniest Home Video's for an hour and a half. Now the trouble happened when I found myself unable to sleep for the following hour. Your mind always does the opposite of what you want it to, and for me, it started linking together a very interesting train of thought during the time I was supposed to be sleeping. I also knew that the idea was good and that I'd be too afraid to loose it with the uncertainty of sleep therefore I had to write it down. So I took a good half hour to write down every little thread that accompanied the thought, and immediately after the last word was written, I found slumber.
   The point of this is that if you feel like you're having a creative block, try doing nothing for a period of time until inspiration can no longer stand the inactivity. For some who have ignored the creative flow, it might take more than 36 hours, but it will arrive none the less. Because of this gracious mishap, I've chosen my first book to read this summer (Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel) and I've been blessed with another story to write. I don't know how this one will end, let alone pick up from the introduction, but I know that this one will speak and evolve with not only myself as the writer, but also with its reader.
   Without quite knowing the context, nor the essence behind it, I ask you dearest readers to chose from the four different titles below, which one appeals to you the most. Two of them are similar, but please comment on the one you'd be more likely to pick up in the store simply by its title. I appreciate every little help I can get, and since the "I Am Grateful" project worked wonderfully, I'm sure your creative insights will prove wonderful as well. Remember dearest readers to keep your mind open so that what is locked behind trivial things can awaken you and lighten the way to a completely different path.

Choose one:
-Remain Nameless (not to be biased but this is my favorite)
-Remaining Nameless
-A Disappearing Breed
-Though I May Wander

K.P.H.

Love: Happy Father's Day!

   Good morning dearest readers, and what a morning it is. I am glad to say that I have officially finished summer school so my presence on the blog will return to be a regular one. Today I've decided to celebrate with one of my friends, and we're going hiking to take advantage of this beautiful weather. With that being said, I have to admit that I'm excited for this week to start. My normal work shifts are starting since school is over, but even better than that, my Dad is coming to visit me!
   I've gone a little old fashion and decided to make my father a gift to celebrate his day; some might think that it might be a little childish but to be honest, I know that my dad usually just wants a card. For him, it's not the actual gift, but the thought behind it, so that's why I'm giving him something I know that he'll like so much more than another tie. And the reason why I'm still being a little vague about it, is because I know that he'll read the entry today and I'm only giving his gift on Thursday once he gets here so I don't want to spoil the surprise.
   So on this beautiful father's day, I'd like to also wish a wonderful day to all of the great dad's in the world and those who are close to me. I'd like to wish a great day to my Opa, to my Grand-papa, to my uncle René, uncle Danny and uncle Russ. I'd also like wish a happy father's day to my best friend's Véro's dad who is pretty much like a second father to me. Thank you to all of you for being the best dads and I miss you all very much.
   So on this special day dearest readers, don't forget to thank the number one man of your life for all that he has done for you. Je t'aime papa et j'ai hâte de te voir! xo

K.P.H.

Laughter: Good Times with Good Friends

   Good morning dearest readers and I apologize for the lack of entries lately; you wouldn't believe how busy this week has been. My summer class is ending next week and my big work project was due yesterday, therefore all of my focus needed to be on those two things. However, all work and no play makes for a very unhappy person, so after work I decided to take advantage of a little bit of free time and spend it with my friends.
   Tuesday night, Riley had won tickets to a pre-screening of the movie "Chef"; it was AWESOME. It was funny, witty and you wouldn't believe the wonderful food they showed during the movie. I believe it officially comes out today so I encourage you all to go see it for a good time.
   Yesterday was another exciting night, and I must admit it now that I've got myself a pretty good social life and my mother (or I) couldn't be happier at this point. Anyways, so yesterday my colleagues and I went over to Daphné's house before our movie. We had decided to go to see "The Grand Seduction" at the Bytowne theatre (it's this cute little old theatre downtown). I was lucky enough to see two good movies in one week and it doesn't happen often to me but when it does, my week just keeps getting better. "The Grand Seduction" was funny, heartfelt and the best part is that parts of it were filmed near where Ryan lives back in Newfoundland. Before the movie we had played a funny board game and shared a few slices of pizza before the main attraction.
   I don't know why I didn't go out more often this year or last year for that matter, but with this new sense of freedom and good times just happening every day, I think I won't want to give up this kind of life any time soon. So my dearest readers, I promise to start writing more often, and just remember to live your life to the fullest since you only have once shot to get it the way you want it to be.

K.P.H.