where were you when...

Michael Jackson is dead. Long live the King of Pop.

I'll always remember where I was when I heard the news - I was on the phone and I happened to glance at Facebook and people were posting comments about his death... so I turned on CBC Newsworld and then it was confirmed - Michael Jackson had died of cardiac arrest.

Sure, it's a shock. I'm actually really moved by this. Sure, he had issues. Who doesn't these days? How ironic is it that in times like this my thoughts always come back to the same thing - life is short. You honestly never know when your time is up.

Suddenly my problems don't seem to matter anymore. I am struggling at the moment with literally no money to speak of and not much to eat... yet I'm alive. I've got hope for a better tomorrow. I got some EI dosh coming in soon and a potential chum on the horizon (more about MJ later) so things are indeed looking up.

No matter what happens in life I'm going to keep fighting the good fight. I could very well be hit by a bus tomorrow and it would all be over. At that point I can look back and say, yes, there were tough times however there were also good times. More than ever I will do whatever I can to make sure I get the absolute most out of life.

ostie crisse je m'en calice

I had my fourth date in two weeks with Charles. Two words can describe this man:

1. All
2. Bran

My sneaky feelings were right on point. When I first saw Charles' picture, I thought he looked like he could use a good stool softener. Two weeks of emailing and 150 minutes (I'll never get them back) later, I was right. Charles is a francophone in denial. He hates being French-Canadian. He lacks the ability to hold up his end of a conversation. He doesn't like to let loose and just have fun. Funny how he's thinking of moving to Toronto - he will fit in just fine with the rest of those status-chasing whack-jobs. To top it all off, his chest is practically an afro! I was tempted to say to him, guy, you need a pick & some Afro Sheen on that jazz. How did this guy have a girlfriend? Good gravy.

So here I am listening to 'Born Slippy' wondering what next. Do I take myself out of the sea for the time being? I'm beginning to think there's nothing out there for me. I even stooped so low as to call Jean-Marc, my new "friend". I saw He's Just Not That Into You. I read He's Just Not That Into You - three times. Why on earth am I calling him? Okay, I just deleted his number from my phone. Ironic how out of all the guys I've dated so far, I liked Jean-Marc the best but his heart is elsewhere. Only in Athena's World would such foolishness happen.

Right now it's as if all avenues have been exhausted and I'm left with nothing. Did you know that I applied to St-Hubert yesterday for a job? That's how desperate my situation is right now. Luciana says I'm too hard on myself and I should chill a bit. I know she's right yet it doesn't stop me from wanting the best for myself. I flatly refuse to settle for anything less that the best - end of. I know what I want to do with my life. I know what kind of guy I'm looking for. I know Montreal is my home. So what's the problem? Why am I having such an issue going from A to B? Only the Sun knows that.

Before I forget, here's my top 5 hottest men on the planet:

Gabriel Gervais - he is a work of art that stopped me from breathing.

Rob James-Collier - so what if he's dating a WAG. He's single in my dreams!

Fernando Torres - I love his freckles... they're so cute!

Adam van Koeverden - Christiane thinks he doesn't like girls. I know he'd like me.

Henry Cavill - yes, my Lord, I shall visit thee in thy chamber this night.

my predilections

I don't even know where to start.

First & foremost my fishing expeditions are getting to be quite interesting. Moira & I have a challenge going to see who can get the most dates. So far we're tied at 3! Last night I got stood up by a bloke named Nathan. We got on great over the phone yet his looks were certainly not up to par. Oh well. Guess I just wasn't that into him anyway.

Then there's Jean-Marc. I can't really put that date into words just yet as it still seems surreal. I'll say this much - he's an incredible catch that I wish I could take home and show the world. I have a feeling the adventures of Athena & Jean-Marc are long from over.

I've also been emailing this lad named Charles for at least a week now. I do like Charles a lot yet I know there's no way he's in the mindset for a relationship right now as he's in the midst of changing careers. According to Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, if a guy doesn't have his career together he feels like he's discombobulated.

Earlier this morning I felt so fired up! I've got an interview with Big Top Talent tomorrow morning and I know I'm going to rock the house. So what if it's all in French. They would be a fool not to hire me as I believe in myself. I know it's not teaching English yet I still haven't lost sight of that goal. I'm also thinking of teaching adult education; specifically adult literacy. Wouldn't that be just so intrinsically rewarding? Intrinstic rewards are more important to me than monetary rewards. It's not like I don't want to earn what I'm worth yet I'd rather feel good about a job well done. Money will always come in time.

Now more than ever I have to stay true to the things I want. I'll never settle for second best in any aspect of this life. Finally I know what I'm looking for in a career and in a mate. Ain't no stopping Athena now!

p.s. I had a dream two nights ago that I was dressed head to toe in white gossamer walking on water. Guess it was because Jean-Marc called me a goddess and an oracle. That is I - Athena, goddess of wisdom, heroic endeavours and war. Booyah.

begin again

As if I'm sitting here with a busted ankle. It's bright purple and about the size of a tennis ball. This is what I get for putting myself out there on the dating scene.

I went out with Insensitive Marek on Saturday night and well, it wasn't the greatest of dates. He seemed a little frigid; even crossing his arms at one point. We're kicking around a soccer ball and POP! I roll over on my right ankle. Best part of all is that Marek just stands there watching me cry in pain and does nothing. To make a long story short, I will not be seeing this fool again. When times are hard, people's true colours come out. Since this coolio didn't do much to help me out, what would he be like in a relationship when times are bad? Would he just stand there and do nothing? I don't even want to know. Let him continue to find himself by himself and leave me be to tend to my purple ankle.

Enough about that - just the thought of it is making me snicker.

I reapplied for EI today as the unemployment rate in Montreal went up to 9.5%. That's kinda bad if you think about it - that's 95000 people looking for work, not counting the underemployed and others who don't count in StatsCan surveys for whatever reason. I'm hoping that this time around there's no foolishness when it comes to my claim. I was told by a puppy maker at Service Canada that if I reapplied I'd get a response within the 28-day timeframe. Here goes!

Now is the time to begin again. I'm applying for jobs but all the while I keep thinking about taking the ESL course and teaching come this fall. For once I know where I want to go and feel good about it. I can take a course in August yet I need to get to August, you know? There's bills to pay and my mouth to feed. I can't help but look to the future as the present isn't so bright, especially now that I've got a busted purple ankle.

Perhaps my ankle is a sign for me to slow down and take stock of what's been going on as of late. I could be putting myself out there too soon as my ducks aren't really in a row (will they ever be? Does that actually happen?). I can't really rely on EI as income because it's a crap shoot. Finding a job is also proving to be difficult since I know deep down I'll quit once I start teaching. So what's most important? Right now it's my ankle. It looks horrific. Come what may next.

pimpin' really ain't easy

Ah, we have come to the end of another sunny day in Athena's World.  I bought some groceries and picked up Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man from the library.  Guess who I should see entertaining a lady friend is none other than Emile!  Man, this cat gets around!

Emile seemed genuinely happy to see me but I couldn't say much for his companion.  I wonder if that's his girlfriend and not the 15-year-old-looking girl I last saw him with.  I'm sure Emile thinks I am one of many and he's the hombre, you know?  Sorry homes, you weren't man enough for me.  I would still like to be friends with him nonetheless - I actually mean that!

I just spent the last hour or so on Plenty Of Fish.  This site is quite intriguing to be honest.  It's a great way to people watch, even thought it's only by searching profile after profile after profile.  So far the one thing that's stuck out the most is the difference between guys from here and guys from Toronto.  Guys in Toronto are really hot and they know it.  Their profiles are so egotistical and unsincere.  Here, guys are more down to earth.  Sure, they work but that doesn't define them.   I'm sure I'll catch a fish one day soon!

I did manage to send out a few messages and I'm hoping I'll get some responses in the next few days.  In all honesty, I've not a clue how this is supposed to work.  Am I not supposed to sit back and let the fish come to me?  Why am I attracting the 50+ crowd?  Why do guys insist on uploading pics of their exploding chests?  Clearly if that's all you think you have to offer I'm going to keep looking.  What happens after I message them?  Is there a protocol that's supposed to go down? Beats the flaming hellfires out of me.

Today has also found me exhausted after a pre-9am phone screen.  I could barely speak and I wonder if I get the chance for an interview.  Somehow I doubt it but we'll see what happens.  

let's play "Sotomayor says"

I've been curious about this Sotomayor person I keep hearing about on the news.  So here's what I found out:

Her name is Sonia Sotomayor and she was recently nominated to the US Supreme Court.  In 2001 she made a speech and she said,

I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experience would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life.

This is what people seem to be losing their minds about.  Seriously??  When I saw this I thought, good gravy, Fox News has nothing better to report on.   What if she left out the "white" part and just said male?  Would she be labelled as a man-hater?  Come on, folks - let it go.  Why not try reporting on something meaningful... like how a haircut in Zimbabwe costs 1 trillion Zimbabwean dollars which is the equivalent of $3 USD.

gone fishin'

All right kids, I have an announcement.  I'm now a fish on Plenty of Fish.  No, I haven't lost my mind.  Those who know me well know that I tried 'fishing' sometime last year with horrific results.  The guys I met were well past their sell-by date and dare I say it, pretty busted looking.

I just had this feeling today that I've got nothing to lose.  So I log on and upload a pic and fill out my profile.  I hate writing those blurbs... I always think I'm going to say something foolish like how I love long walks on the beach.  Sure, I live on an island but that's preposterous.

Along comes a Polish bloke named Marek.  We exchange emails for most of the afternoon and we arrange to meet up this Saturday to play football.  Thank the Sun I don't have to worry about what makeup to wear since I'll be clad head to toe in lululemon.  

Of course I'll keep you posted on this new development.  Isn't life fun!?

from atop my soapbox... again

I just watched the hot mess that is I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!  I don't know if I'll get that time or the brain cells back however it's that type of reality that literally is so addictive you gotta keep watching to see what happens next.  

Watching that show is not what prompted me to get out my soapbox.  During the show, one of the contestants was actually baptized in the name of Jesus before making a 'dramatic' exit.  That's right kids - bloody baptized.  Hearing these fools go on and on about how they're born-again Christians and they try to live the life of Christ every day is beyond nauseating.  Are they really Christian?  Better yet, is there even such a thing?  I want to shout from my soapbox that I do not believe in Christianity and its followers.  The Roman Catholic Church is a farce of an organization.  When you give to the church, you're funding someone's lavish lifestyle while you scrape by on government cheddar and food stamps.  Save your money, folks.

My Aunt Marion is a perfect example of these coconuts.  She told me that the ONLY way to live is to pray and read the Bible.  Why would I want to read something commissioned by Constantine & the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD?  Our homey Constantine was a Roman Emperor who was getting heat from the sun worshippers and the Christians.  In order to save his own ass, he decided to fuse heliolatry and Christ worship to form Catholicism.  The masses were happy and off they went to burn witches at the stake and massacre thousands in the name of Christ.  Fast-forward a few centuries and you've got the Holy See condemning birth control & homosexuality only to turn a blind eye while Catholic priests were discovered to be total diddlers.  Yeah, like I'm going to praise that.

If you are reading this and damning me to tell, go for it.  I don't mind since that is clearly what gets you through the day.  This Jesus jazz just isn't for me.  

Now I will direct my rant onto a blogger who will remain nameless.  This blogger has a site where they post their views for all to see... yet as a fan of this blog I was shocked to see the blasphemous comments madebabout Canada.  You know who you are so listen to this.

Canada may be a land of igloos, mounties and Tim Hortons but we are more free than you Yanks to the south.  We do not fear our own shadow.  While the rest of the planet can't stand your stank modus operandi and your constant meddling into affairs that are not your own, other countries actually like us.  We can travel the globe and wear our flag proudly while you run to the local embassy because someone spat at your feet.  We are an intelligent nation and laugh at you because your kids are so thick they can't even point out where they live on a map.  We brought the world basketball. Insulin.  The BlackBerry.  Instant replay.  The telephone.  What have you Yanks given the world?  Nothing but aggro and a state of unrest. And yes, we do have a queen.  Her name is Elizabeth II.  She lives in a faraway land called the United Kingdom.  You'd know that if you paid attention in history class.

Our men are fine and we women are a force to be reckoned with.  We are more than a hockey-loving nation.  We embrace other cultures and do not force new citizens to leave their ancestry at the border.  Most of all, we have free health care.  Canada may not have star power but we have power nonetheless.  You Yanks are the real rednecks.  You are the reason for the global recession.  You are the world's worst polluter.  While your head of state is a respectable man, he sure has his work cut out for him as he tries to make your pathetic union a fraction of all that is Canada.  So, my bloody Americans, stay on your side of the border and leave us in peace. Our milk may come in a bag and we might have funny accents yet we live in peace with ourselves and the rest of humankind.

(dammit)

Icanadastandit

So GM went under yesterday.  No surprise there really, to be honest.  Here's a company who prided themselves on making these behemoth cars that suck gas like nobody's business.  For a time this worked for them and they made a lot of money.   Then one day somebody realized, yo - maybe these cars aren't so good for the planet.  Just like the tobacco companies, GM said no worries - our cars are just fine.  A few days after that, someone else bought a smaller car that didn't need to suck as much gas.  This trend caught on so much that green became the new black.  How did GM respond, you ask?  They put thousands of people out of jobs in the name of profits and continued selling behemoth gas-sucking cars.  Then the US government gave them billions to help them out but after all that, they still threw in the towel.  Cha.

I shake my head at these fools but nothing burns my cookies more than hearing that I, Athena Titanides, is now a part owner of GM Canada.  Stevie & D-Mac decided that it would be a great idea to take $10 billion and 'save' GM Canada.  Seriously?!  What kind of idiot move is that in this economic climate?  It's like if I took the precious little I have and bought a 65" plasma TV.  What in the hell for???  I'm glad I don't live in Ontario anymore.  If I were those folks I'd be livid.  Props to D-Mac for trying to save the manufacturing sector however if they were smart about it, they could put that money to much better use.  GM has no plans to make cars that are in demand right now.  So why invest in something that clearly has not worked in the past?   Duh.