Person: Kate Moennig as Shane McCutcheon

sex symbol. mesmerizing. androgyny. depth. captivating.

When I started watching The L Word I literally couldn't keep my eyes off her. I had to go back in scenes because I'd miss things.

Person: Todd Selby

This man has made a career out of my main, and really, only hobby: taking pictures of people and their things. Todd Selby created The Selby is in your place. It is a photography website that consists of albums of people in their place, meaning their jobs and homes.

It's some of the most inspiring work I've ever come across. His photos are accessibly simple, just people and their things and places, but at the same time have a profound quality when Selby captures an expression as fleeting as the momentary glance to the boiling liquid on a stove to make sure it isn't burning or a mother's eyebrows questioning "what's wrong?" before the thought reaches her lips.

He's very talented, and his subjects are all made so intriguing in the composition of the photos. They are brightly lit and the colours are sharp, inviting the viewer to stare for a while, discovering all the parts like in an I Spy book.

For a quick peek, here are the favorite Todd Selby photos of 2010.

In the 'about' blurb on The Selby.com, it says that Todd started out taking pictures of his friends in their homes and posting the pictures on his website. Eventually he started getting requests.

It may be a while, if ever before I start getting requests, but I'm in the process of starting my own project. I wont call it The Ankersen though, that lands a bit heavy on the tongue.

Place: Vancouver Aquarium

I don't have much to say about the Aquarium except for this. It's a great place to practice nature photography. The water exhibits are well lit for optimal viewing potential which really lends itself to getting amazing jellyfish or anemone shots.

The day my friends and I went a couple weeks ago there was also an amazon exhibit, home to a few varieties of butterflies as well as colourful

reptiles arranged in beautiful homes safely behind glass.

It was the first time I had been there in about 15 years and nothing was familiar as I had hoped, but it was definitely worth the money and time. I'm only sad I didn't get a good shot of the otters. They were adorable.

I'm not one for entrapped animals, but the Vancouver

Aquarium is really a learning centre and a home to a few rescued animals, as well as a huge part of Vancouver culture. It gets my approval.

Thing: Cake

This recipe is 3 things:

1. Easy. (Most anyone could do it, it doesn't even use the "cake method" for those of us who didn't take Home Ec. in highschool. No offense to those of you who did.)
2. Delicious. (Like, seriously, tasty)
3. Fast. (Almost quicker than making cookies. Okay, thats a lie, but pretty quick for a cake?)

It doesn't really have a name, but I'll just call it White Cake. Even though you might call it yellow, what with the brown sugar and eggs in it.

White Cake

1 C Brown Sugar

1/2 C Butter

2 Eggs

2 tsp. Vanilla

1 tsp. Almond Extract

1 1/2 C Flour

1 3/4 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 C Milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter and sugar, add eggs one at a time and vanilla. Beat. Combine dry ingredients and add to wet ingredients. Mix on medium-low speed and add milk slowly until smooth.

Grease 9" pan, pour batter.

Bake for about 30 mins, or when top is slightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean. DON'T OVER BAKE.

Cool and ice. Yum.

Person: Me

I am 19. I am a woman (of sorts, I don't have a job or pay rent or have children). I go to University. I am in between programs. I am working towards a degree in Child and Youth Care. I don't babysit the little boy I used to, he moved away. I am still in a relationship with Chad. I still live at my parents house. I still live in Victoria. I received a D in my Psychology 210: Conceptual Foundations course even though I really enjoy Psychology. I took two Linguistic courses even though I didn't enjoy them. I have only made two friends at UVic one of whom, honestly, I don't even like. I am lonely often. I still love bagels. I still love coffee. I have gained weight. I am afraid of getting a job. I spend too much time on the computer and not enough time outside. I still like taking pictures, and do so on a regular basis. I have a bad case of Wanderlust.

These are facts about myself that I know are certain.

Thing: Time

The most common blogger cliche is that one post that arrives a year late and is entitled "Busy" or "So Sorry!".

This post consists something along the lines of, "Oh my, I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted! I'm SO sorry, I've just been terribly busy."

The lucky thing about this blog however, is that no one reads it! So although I abandoned my blog for summer and then my first two semesters of University, I'm picking it back up again.

Maybe it's a spring thing.

In any case, I'm starting back up again, but by the time anyone reads this they probably wouldn't have even noticed that the archive skips June through March. So now that I've drawn attention to this gap, let me try and fill it with October till now, is that a compromise?

Here is my Tumblog. Its mostly pictures that I didn't take. Enjoy!

Thing: "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger

Lovely.

If there is one book genre I cannot resist, it's a romance threaded with the sorrow, frustration, and decisions that come with self-discovery. 'Coming of age' novels. Petty love stories don't interest me so much, it's the tales of anguishing commitment that get me. More than a life story; a lives story.

Paint It Black and White Oleander by Janet Fitch are my favorite books, and they both fall under this category. Written as close to poetry as I've ever seen a novel come, they are books that it is impossible to just skip a paragraph because you've become bored. I desperately wanted Janet Fitch to write another book because I thought I'd never find another I enjoyed so much as hers. I was wrong... The Time Traveler's Wife is genius. It parallels the same sort of stream of consciousness-narrative style of writing as Fitch's novels, however, it is dually told by a couple.

Niffenegger has taken the time travel, the subject of sci-fi films, books and articles and made it seem common-place. It is a secondary characteristic of Henry, and at the same time it is the foreground and foundation of Clare and Henry's relationship. Amazing. And a must-read.

Person: Chad

I like him. He is me.

Thing: Ribena

Yum.

Recently my love for the black currant flavoured drink syrup was rekindled, and I wanted to share the experience. What a multifaceted drink!

It serves as a fancy non-alcoholic treat for kids when mixed with soda water, as well as an everyday thirst quenching juice when combined with water and ice. Although, admittedly it is simply glorified sugar water for me it harbors sentimental value as well as a "grape-drink taste" alternative and serves as a more sophisticated juice box experience.

I associate Ribena with my mother's Swiss friend who looked after me at a young age, as well as my first trip over-seas to London when I was 10, and more recently, a trip to Norway as well as dinners at our Swedish/Norwegian family friends' home. Every time I drink it, I'm reminded of these people and places and it feels exciting and familiar at the same time.

Ribena gives me wiiings.

Place: Beacon Hill Park

A staple in the park-goer's repertoire, Beacon Hill Park is lovely any time of year for anyone. This being said, springtime is the optimal time to visit. Ducks, crocuses, grassy fields, buskers, bird watchers, a stone bridge and peacocks add to the irresistible pull of the park at this time of year.

The versatility of the park could charm anyone- families love the water park and children's farm, the abundance of grass spaces as well as picnic tables can accommodate any picnic, adventurous or civilized and anyone is sure to be more than satisfied with the many walking trails, which they may or may not have to share with the residing ducks.

I think my favorite part about Beacon Hill Park is how accessible it is, despite it's hidden-away feel. Quite a few bus routes can take you just a short walk away from any of the entrances. Also, its proximity to Douglas St. makes it an easy place to go after a meal or even to bring your food.

One close-by vendor frequented by locals and tourists alike, especially in the spring an summer seasons is the Beacon Drive-In which offers soft serve ice cream and classic burger joint fare, along with coastal twists on favorites, such as the oyster burger (delicious).

Beacon Hill Park is a wonderful place to go and relax and if nothing else, to visit the sweetest baby goats you've ever seen.

Person: Beau-Bear, Age: 2 years, Train Enthusiast

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.

Sir Francis Bacon
English author, courtier, & philosopher (1561 - 1626)

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Place: Starbucks Everywhere

I drink coffee every day. I love rich dark roast with hints of chocolate, and heavy bodied espresso. I would do almost anything for well made wet cappuccino. I get really into my coffee, which is a little embarrassing; I recognize how irritating "those people" are. I just really enjoy coffee.

I enjoy it so much that I've grown tired of Starbucks and have moved on to greater things.

My goal is now to find great coffee, locally. And for the most part I think I've succeeded. But that is another post. Today is about my Starbucks dilemma. While I love brewing Starbucks beans at home -my favorite roast being Cafe Verona- I am often disappointed with the quality of store-bought Starbucks drinks.

For example, an Americano should always be made with the water first and espresso after. This way the crema from the espresso is not dissipated by water being poured over it. However, at Starbucks, some water is always added on top of the espresso unless you specify "all water first".

I think it is bad faith for Starbucks to rely on the "tastyness" of their beans rather than the quality of their drinks.

In any case, today is "free coffee with a travel mug" day at Starbucks, and although my coffee needs can no longer be properly met by Starbucks baristas, I will be participating in this event, because really, who can say no to free coffee?

As a follow up to this post I intend to compare local coffee shops and rate other excellent choices of beans for home brewing and hopefully I'll never have to endure another mediocre Americano, not-so-wet "wet cappuccino", or pay $20.00 for a pound of beans again.

Unless you're offering me free coffee, so long Starbucks.

Thing: Bagels

Recently, my mom suggested a new way to play the "What's your favorite food?" game. She introduced an idea that I'm sure has been thought of before, but was new to my 7-year-old sister who loves to learn people's favorites. It is this: favorite foods can be sorted into 2 categories:

1 - The 'last meal of your entire life, ever' foods.

and

2 - The 'eat everyday for the rest of your life' foods.

For me, however, bagels fall into both of these categories and thus, I'm sure can be determined as my ultimate favorite food. This month, anyways. I reserve the right to detract this statement at any given time.

Although they take the prize for most delicious and most delicious over extended periods of time, any old bagel will not do. It must be fresh and it must be toasted and smothered in cream cheese. A cinnamon raisin bagel will not do, as it is weird with cream cheese and a blueberry bagel is frowned upon- too sweet. Favorites are: plain, whole wheat, cheese and the everything bagel. If you really want to impress me, add lots of capers, thinly sliced red onion and a thick chunk of lox. I love bagels.

Place: Victoria, BC

Things to appreciate about the CRD, Number 1:

Just when life gets monotonous and my early afternoon "naptime" walks with the little boy I look after seem to take the same 3 routes with the same 5 coffee shops, somethings happens. I decide to turn left instead of right, and at once, I've stumbled past somebody's regular cafe/bistro and fresh market that I didn't even know existed.

How silly of me to forget to explore the possibility of boutiques and cupcakeries that don't reside in Estevan Village, or to imagine that Haultain Corners hosts the only great furniture consignment shop. Often I feel I've experienced all Victoria has to offer, and don't realize that this predicament is self-afflicted and occurs because I've kept to the places I know and forgotten to search out the inexperienced.

Here's to discovery. In posts to come, I will attempt to document and comment on exciting findings, as well as share some old favorites.

Thank you Saanich, Victoria and Oak Bay for keeping the small town alive in the CRD.