December 14: Lightning

First, this guy sold me his $15 ticket for $10 at the door.
Then, local band Flash Lightning rocked an incredible gig.
Then, White Cowbell Oklahoma on stage at Lee's Palace.

Weekend Bonus: Random

This week, in no particular order, three good things:

1. Booyakasha! I finally remembered the numbers on my old combination lock. They were in my memory bank all along.

2. Hip. I was told by the young'uns in the mailroom that Nike Airs circa 1995 are coming back. My cross-trainers (in white leather) have been part of my wardrobe all along.

3. Eh? I finally got my first Toque. This Canadian classic features hand-knit wool, chin strings and long ear flaps. I never did wear one, though I was Canadian all along.

November 19: Respite

1. Respite: running late, but meeting cancelled.
2. Vehicle: dad finally agreed to let me use his.
3. Insta-outfit: got my forgotten blazer back.

November 14: Wedding

1. Compassion. My former boss returned my call quickly. [I am grateful.]

2. Compliment? I thought I recognized someone on the subway. I looked at him funny, then shook my head and explained that he looked familiar. He said, ‘I wish I was.’ [I am flattered.]

3a. Conversation. Email chat with a friend in Brazil, who invited me to her wedding next summer. [I am delighted.]

3b. Conversation. Email chat with an old school mate. Shoutout to Oliver: Good luck with your thesis work! [I am proud.]

And not to be unappreciated on this most mid-November of days:

4. Currency. Unlike some at work, my pay was deposited into my bank account. [I am relieved.]

June 19: Recipient

1. Oodles of string from dad, for cereal necklaces.
2. 10 minutes from my hairstylist to trim the ‘fringe’.
3. Spicy seafood wrap from one of my higher-ups.

April 23: Miles

1. I learned that I have just enough miles left in my points program to go hang out in Chicago.
2. I received an unexpected phone call from my grade two best friend.
3. Perfect timing as J and I left our homes/offices, hopped in a cab and caught the 1145pm screening of King Corn. I don't want to plug too many films, but if you eat food in North America, you owe it to yourself to see this.

April 3: Timing

1. Hello: Somewhere in a shopping mall in Athens, there is a phone booth, sponsored by a phone company, that allows unlimited free phone calls to anywhere in the world. From that phone booth, I received a call from a friend who thought of me.
2. Perfect timing: Fresh pizza, right out of the oven, at the Italian bakery. I've never had a more comforting slice.
3. Support: Daiva, for her email and this quote:

‘When I am anxious it is because I am living in the future. When I am depressed it is because I am living in the past.’ — Unknown

March 7: Daughters

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

1. Strict standards and happy discoveries! I play fashion consultant to my friend at Burjuman. I won't knock it; Dubai has great shopping malls.

2. Great timing, as we join two other passengers and split a taxi ride all the way to Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates

3. I – a guest of a guest of a guest – am kindly welcomed into a Lebanese family's home. To my relief, the daughters love the Canada t-shirts my uncle sent with me, and put them on immediately. We eat a fabulous dinner and proceed to the Hilton for drinks. In addition to my tea (I have now caught a cold), the waiter brings me every little extra I ask for: ginger, lemon, honey and more hot water.

February 27: Sale

MADRID, Spain

My incredible hostess and friend interrupted her sleep at 1am to open the door for me - in addition to feeding, providing for and enlightening me all weekend to this very cool city.

1. Alejandro's taxi arrived perfectly on time for the airport.
2. I met the same nice flight attendant returning to Italy.
3. Another chance at playing The Big Turd and catching some zzz's. I don't care how many hot businessmen were on that flight.

MILAN, Italy

1. No major damage in terms of shopping until today. Thankfully, the girl at Coccinelle reminded me to fill out a tax refund form.
2. Sonya, her sister, her boyfriend and I all met for tea at Duomo. It was so nice to see familiar faces in a strange city again.
3. Bruno Magli shoes on sale at the airport, right outside my gate to Damascus. A mere fraction of what I'd pay on this side of the pond. Destiny.

Let's call it minor damage: three pairs of shoes and a handbag. How was I to know I'd be in Europe during sale season?

February 19: Pedicure

1. The Etobicoke Sprint: ran ran ran for the bus and made it.
2. Pedicure, finally! Cindy is interesting. She always refers to herself in the third person.
3. Evening snack: yummy Polish marshmallow cookies from G's mom.

Oh, and I found a loonie in my pocket. This is something non-Canadians might have to look up.

February 1: Psyched

1. Beginnings: Happy New Year, again. If January didn't work out, try February! It's working for me, though I've already broken my resolution to avoid chocolate.
2. C A L M . . . Long overdue massage, with jacuzzi and nap thrown in for good measure.
3. Psyched! I got my travel visa to the Middle East back from the embassy in just two days (more on this later).

January 12: Serendipity

1. I drove a car for the first time in three years. Everyone lived.
2. Tummies full of prosciutto chicken, we (a small group of friends) played a DVD board game together.
3. Everything tonight was serendipitously timed. Don't you love when that happens?

January 5: Friday

1. Friday has arrived. I've got nothing against that.
2. The boss is out. I've got nothing against that either!
3. I'm having a good hair day, all things considered.

January 2: Antipasto

Shit happens every day, but the more I think about good things, the harder it is to narrow them down. Like today:

1. I left the house on time for work (even if I had to call a taxi).
2. I listened to the yummiest song ever: Soir de fête by Yann Tiersen (possibly a Gotan Project collaboration).
3. I created a new dish: shredded potatoes - con spicy Italian antipasto! (now accepting name submissions)