Athena's Favourite Things

For the sole purpose of having a laugh, here's a listing of Athena's Favourite Things:

Favourite colour - Blue with greens & earth tones tied for second.  These are the colours I want to use to decorate my apartment.  Christiane gave me the most ingenious idea - I could paint my own artwork!!  How cool is that?!  What better way to express myself than through art.  Just as an aside, I don't believe art can be taught.  Art is something that comes from the soul and no one has any right to judge self-expression.  Don't hate - appreciate!  I divagate.

Favourite tunes - Anything with a good beat.  Music has to sound good so I don't really have a particular favourite however I do like English pop.  My iPod has everything from Led Zeppelin to Backstreet Boys to Shania Twain.  

Favourite sport - To watch is definitely football (soccer to us North Americans).  I also enjoy playoff games... 2 minutes left and the losing team is down by 1 so it's all or nothing.  This is the only way I can stomach hockey & baseball.  The Summer Olympics is also great - when else would you watch 4 hours of cycling & sailing coverage?!  Only every 4 years!  

Favourite TV Show - Tie between Coronation Street and Y&R.  As a singleton housewife, it is imperative that I keep up with my stories.  Lately I've been letting Y&R pile up on my PVR since the V-Day marathon so one of these days soon I'll have to further dent my couch & catch up.  Supposedly they brought back Mackenzie!!  I also enjoy the Amazing Race (go Margie & Luke), Kings (best new show in YEARS), Grey's and Ugly Betty.  Thank the Sun for my PVR.

Favourite Shopping Destination - Simons.  This is THE best clothing store on this green earth.  They've got fierce (I just used 'fierce' in a sentence) styles, good cuts for those of us who eat more than lettuce once a week and crazy low prices.  Oxford Street in London, UK is also wicked despite the large amounts of quid I dropped last time I went... ah well.  You're welcome, Lizzie!  Target is also worth a mention.  Too bad I need a passport to drive to the one location that's only an hour away.  A passport, you ask?  For my fans (heh heh) outside North America, a valid Canadian passport is now mandatory for entry into America by land, sea or air.  Don't ask.  What would they do if I beamed myself there?  Can't catch me - I'm Athena Titanides!

Favourite Drink - Coke Zero.  REAL apple juice.  REAL orange juice.  Lemon Heaven Lemonade.  Grocery store red wine (vin de table in these parts).  Boris Cool.  Volvic.  There's too many to pick just one!

Favourite Food - Indian, KFC, fries from McDo, Whoppers, Christiane's pasta sauce, lamb sausages, strawberries in season and chocolate.  All of these foods satisfy my cravings when the moon is just right in the sky.  Tonight I had KFC, a Coke Zero and a McCain Delite chocolate cake.  I could've had a smoke after that meal.  No wonder I have no libido.

Stay tuned for more updates on How Athena Got Her Hots Back.  

inclement weather

Ah, the rain continues in Montreal.   Last night I saw the most incredible thing - this truck-like vehicle cleaning the sidewalks.  I must've stared at this machine in amazement for about 5 minutes.  Just like the snow removal machines I saw in the winter, this thing was cleaning up the piles of gravel from the winter.  Wow.  I'm really not in Toronto anymore.

I've been following the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as of late.  I find The Beautiful Game is much more exciting than any North American professional sport.  Soccer is a sport that anyone around the world can play regardless of class, status, race, etc etc.  Here's an interesting fact: 204 countries are competing for 31 spots (South Africa automatically qualifies as the host nation).  That's the same number of countries as the 2008 Summer Olympics.  The World Cup is just as significant to the world stage as the Olympics.  Sadly this is the men's World Cup that takes centre stage - the women's World Cup takes place the year after the men without the pomp and circumstance.  Either way, I find myself intrigued by this sport.   I'd love to learn how to play however I am in dire need of flexibility and the ability to run for more than 200m without dry-heaving.

So I heard on the news that HRSDC has been overwhelmed by the number of people applying for the dole to the point that their website crashed.  If this isn't a sign of the times then I don't know what is.  EI also had to hire hundreds of people to help process all these extra applications.  Here's a novel idea - why not hire those of us in this situation to process these claims?  What really has to be done to process a claim?!  Perhaps we'll never find out.  My claim is somewhere in this haystack and I am to have an answer by Thursday at the latest.  When I do get approved, I'm having a pogey party!

In the meantime, my existential crisis continues.  I watched a movie called 'Zeitgeist' which really made me think about how this world works.  It appears to be a little trippy at first then it gets into the meat & potatoes of the world around us.  Funny how I always thought there was something off about humankind and lo & behold, there are people who share my opinion.  Yet this school of thought may explain my lack of desire to work for 'the man' - my sweat, blood, tears and good clothes go to line some fatcats' pockets while I bring home enough pesos to eke out some semblance of survival.  Good gravy.  Forgive my absence of inclination to go this route - not withstanding the halfwits that are in the workplace.  

I still think the COC should train us statistics for the 2012 Olympics.  Laugh not - this could actually work!

fiddlesticks

I got a call today from a headhunter that I met last week at a job fair.  They asked the standard questions - what are you looking for, what salary are you expecting, etc.  I'm confident I scared them off because I told them what my salary range was and she was speaking so fast that I couldn't understand.  Blast!  I felt sad after I hung up the phone and I'm not sure why.  This headhunter had a few jobs posted that I could do however they seemed a bit junior for me.  

Truth be told in my state of mind right now I don't know how I could perform in the corporate world.  There's something else I need to experience and learn before I go back out there.  Athena is a person with depth and feeling - two things which are not needed in the workplace.  My field is heartless and unyielding.  It looks to protect paper profits.  It works in the best interest of only a selected few.  People are a commodity - a cost, an asset... ultimately expendable.  Never mind the toilet-like state of the economy and people applying for government cheese at an all-time high (I myself am one of those people) - to watch those privileged few prosper of the backs of the masses irks me. 

So did I apply?  Curiously, yes.  I sent my CV a few minutes ago.  I gotta consider all avenues if Steve's cheddar doesn't pan out.  If it does, I will sit on it until it runs out.  Why not?  This process of self-actualization isn't over for me yet.  I was meant to be in this place for a reason.  I needed time to really look inside my self to find out where I am going.  Since I stopped living my life for others I've made progress.  

Now this is trippy - I just glanced out the window and there was a guy walking past with two backpacks - the kind you take on a backpacking trip.  Was that a sign to say this journey is not over?  I believe so.  Sometimes I find myself not fully enjoying this process... like I want it to hurry up and finish so I can move on to something else.  I need to enjoy every moment.  I need to stop worrying about the future and concentrate on the present moment.  

Having said that, I'll no longer tell people that I don't know what to do with my life.  I know.  I've always known.  I'm doing it right now.  Writing.  Expressing thoughts to the world.  I want to be an artist who uses words as her medium.  Athena Titanides ain't no fool.  

Here's the fun part - financing the dream.  

love, love, love

Steve Harvey was on Tyra this morning and he was talking about his new book "Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man".  He had some really valid points and I have to say that out of all the dating books I've read (believe you me I've read a LOT) this one seems to make the most sense.  

A buddy of mine insists that I'm way too 'picky' and my standards are too high.  I tried lowering them once and I ended up with a pile of crap.  So I went back to my buddy and told him flat out that my standards are going right back up to where they were.  Why should I settle for crap?  I don't deserve crap.  I think I speak for all womankind when I say there is something to be said to want and wait for quality.  I do believe there are good guys out there so as a woman, I just have to keep the faith.

There were times when I thought I knew what I wanted in a man and now they seem quite silly - things like nice body, backside and face; good job, etc.  Now that I'm older and somewhat wiser I think my standards have evolved.  I'm sure you're burning with curiosity now so here goes - Athena's Must-Haves:

1. My man has to be attractive to me.  Sure, this sounds superficial and shallow but you all know it's true.  It's what you notice first about a person.  It's also what you keep noticing about them as time goes on.  Doesn't matter if others don't find him attractive (that used to be important to me but now I don't care) however I must.
2. My man must have a plan.  Sounds contradictory to my current state of affairs yet everyone knows that a man with a plan is really hot.  Really.
3. My man has to love me.  End of.  I'm not a woman to be part of a collection of women to choose from - I am the one for someone.  
4. My man needs to be chivalrous.  He has to want to look out for me no matter the situation.  I know I have to learn to let someone take care of me since I'm so used to taking care of myself - my man needs to be willing to be patient with me so I can learn to let people help me.
5. My man ought to understand that I like sports.  Your one eyebrow may be raised at this point in wonder yet I have had guys run for the hills because I knew what a two-minute warning was.  Whatever.  Your nads will not shrink because of my knowledge of sport.  
6. My man will be able to express himself.  I want someone who I can talk to about everything - from current issues of the day to Survivor recaps to emotions & feelings.  

None of these sound like too much to ask... at least to me anyway.  Ladies, listen to Athena when she speaks - there is absolutely nothing wrong with having high standards.  We deserve it!

A lot of time has passed since I was in a relationship... Ian seemed like a good idea at first then he left much to be desired.  I'm ready now to meet someone who's the total package.  Cupid, show your stuff!  I'll keep you all updated on my romantic exploits as right now, there's nothing to report.

an amazing poem that I must share with the masses...

... it's called "Desiderata" by Max Ehrman.  It was written in 1926.  Enjoy!

 

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, 
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, 
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. 
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment 
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, 
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, 
in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. 
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world. 
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

(c) Max Ehrman 1926

la relåche

I check the Internet job boards on a quasi-daily basis and lately I' ve been seeing jobs that I've applied for in the past reposted for some unknown reason.  One in particular was for FancyCars.  I applied there last spring and I made it all the way to the reference stage - only to receive a thanks-for-coming-out email.  Not even a year later, they've reposted the job.  Ha!

What does that mean when companies do that?  To me it says they didn't hire the right person from the get-go.  Then again, would I have really wanted that job?

Truth be told I really don't know what I want.  There are jobs out there that I could do however I fear I'll just either quit or get the boot and I end up on the pogey again.  Perhaps I could just stay here - right here in this place.   Where is this place, you ask?  It's me typing furiously on my laptop.   It's me wondering how I'm going to live on less than $600 per month.  It's me wanting desperately to travel and see the world.  

I've got a new routine... I get up around noon, eat 'breakfast' and check email, shower, do laundry, watch All In The Family (I LOVE that show), play solitaire, eat dinner and watch TV till midnight when I fall asleep all over again.  How's that for fun times?

Sometimes I deal with boredom and other times I don't.   In this moment I just don't know what to do.   I feel kinda torn as to my next move.  Ho hum.

don't hit people

I is back with another two cents' worth.  The way things are going, I need to just keep my pennies and dish out my thoughts for free!  

Everyone's talking about Chris Brown & Rihanna and the 'alleged' assault and more importantly, after this 'alleged' event she took him back.   First of all, people need to stop saying alleged.  They've already made up their minds that he did it and he's a douche for doing that.

Let me be Swarovski clear: no one should hit another person for any reason. End of.  Men should not hit women nor women should hit men.  Ever read that book that some guy wrote about everything he needed to know about life he learned in kindergarten?  One of the things he learned was don't hit people.  It's that simple.  We all know that women are the ones that are usually the target of abuse (in all its forms) however people need to realize that men are also being abused.  There's even a shelter for men in Alberta that was built for the sole purpose of having a place for men to go to escape from abusive relationships.

As a child I witnessed abuse - physical, emotional, verbal... I've seen it all.  I'll be damned if I get myself into a situation like that.  I was never taught that I deserve better... it was always that you should just accept if you're in a crappy life and just deal with it because that's all life is - perpetual crap.

Keep in mind I didn't always listen to my folks.  I questioned the things they told me because they just didn't sound right to me.  If my life is supposed to be crap, then why encourage me to go to school?  I could've just gotten a crap job out of high school for crap pay and hooked up with a crappy guy and have crappy sex and make babies and give them a crappy life.  What's the common thread to all this?  CRAP.  I don't think so.

Our lives were not meant to be crap, nor should we have to put up with crap from anyone or anything.  While I was chatting with Christiane earlier today I realized that there's more to life than settling for crap.  My heart goes out to people who are in crappy situations.  It's just not right.  My Aunt Marion told me this evening that sometimes we have to pray to God to help give us the grace and wisdom during tough times.

Check this out - that's like Rihanna saying, "God, give me the strength to endure another beating at the hands of someone who's supposed to love me."  It's like saying God wants our existence to be chockerblock full of drivel & twaddle.  Seriously?  I may be teetering on existentialism here but I can confidently say no one up there (including Allah, Buddha and God) wants us earthlings to hit each other and put up with crap.  

There's a full moon in the sky right now - maybe it's helping me to be cognizant of what's out there.  I now know there's more out there than just crap, drivel & twaddle.  

For all one knows I have been tapped by Mephistopheles to do his bidding and write these crazy things and think these crazy thoughts.  Ribs, anyone?

verisimilitude

So everyone's talkin' about The Bachelor... as a longtime fan of the show I must put in my two cents' worth on what's gone down.

We all know what we saw and of course, we think of reality TV as just that - reality.  In reality, I'm sure situations like Jason's happen but over a longer period of time.  We fall in love with the wrong person and we do what we can to rectify the situation for all parties involved.  Would we have the balls to do it on international television?  Likely not.  I'm not a person to take things at face value and this supposed twist just didn't add up.  Something didn't seem right.

I found this blogger by the name of Reality Steve and he alleges that ABC set this up from the beginning for the sake of ratings.  We know past seasons of The Bachelor haven't done too well in the ratings and that's what counts at the end of the day, right?  I gotta give Reality Steve props because what he posted on his blog makes sense.  What does it say about someone's integrity if they would agree to go along with such a plan? Better yet, now that this unconfirmed theory is out there, is it going to make people continue to support the show? 

 It's certainly changed my opinion about reality TV and anyone who knows Athena knows she's a big fan.  I love watching Survivor and Big Brother however now I'll think to myself, is the 'villain' really like that in the real world?  Are they that much of a sleazebag?  Maybe not however the networks think that's how we will perceive them hence guaranteeing ratings which means (survey says:) dollars.  Money talks, kids.  

Will I continue to watch The Bachelor?  To be honest, I'm not sure.  Only if he's hot.  I'll definitely tune into The Bachelorette to support Jillian Harris - a good Canadian girl.  Let's all hope and pray that the show doesn't pull any shenanigans with Jillian.

On another note about things you see on TV, today on the The View I saw some Republican guy say that the economic stimulus package was bad because it's spending more money than was spent on Iraq, Afghanistan and Katrina.  Man, am I ever glad to be Canadian!  Seriously???  Was this for real?  You have a president who gives a hoot about what happens in your own backyard and wants you to be prosperous.  You don't want that?  Are you outside your mind???  There are countries in this world who would live like kings & queens with a fraction of what you have!

Some people's children.

The moral of the story here is not to believe everything you see, hear & read from the media.  Do research!  Check out other points of view.  Seek out the truth!  And for goodness' sake, stop posting foolishness on messageboards about things that have been fabricated for that exact response.  All you're doing is fueling the fire.  Om.

lassitude

There are no words to express the amount of boredom I feel right now.  I have no idea what to do with myself!  I'm sitting around waiting with bated breath to watch After The Final Rose at 10pm tonight but other than that, I haven't a clue.  Ho hum.

stranded

I had all kinds of aspirations for today.  I woke up this morning thinking I'm going out to face the world and handle my bidness as needed.  Then I realized it's March - my bus pass doesn't work anymore and I don't have enough change to take the bus to buy tickets.  My landlord lost my rent cheque and it'll take up to 2 months to replace it.  My driver's licence is going to take longer than expected,  I don't have any health insurance yet and my passport has expired... all of which take money to fix.

I have to wonder if I've been living in a daze this last little while.  I could have done all of these things last month.  Why does that time feel fuzzy?  It's almost as if I enjoy making things difficult for myself so I can prove that I overcame such difficult circumstances.  Why in hell would I do that?  Perhaps I'm waiting to be rescued just so I know what that feels like... to have someone give a hoot.  I am truly tired of relying solely on myself.  Everyone else is being taken care of by another so why not me?  There are times where I feel really alone in this world since everyone else has their own lives.

What next?  Maybe I'll do some more laundry.  I could work on the outline of my book (I started it last night).  I could apply for a few jobs.  I could also reflect.  Either way, as per the norm, I gotta get myself out of this situation.