Lisa is a 30mumble-year-old technical author, mum, avid cook, extremely amateur veg grower, novice knitter, and closeted graphic designer, who enjoys referring to herself in the third person. [more...]

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Graphics created by me and Corel.

30 July 2004

get outta here


I think there ought to be a law: if you live in a climate that is not usually hot and sunny, any day that it is hot and sunny should be spent outside and you should get the day off work. Paid, of course. Working during lovely summer days is really bad for you. I don't have any actual data to back this theory up, but trust me; I know stuff. Someone should supply you with free ice cream for the day as well. Which leads me to my next point - does anyone actually eat the strawberry portion of Neapolitan ice cream? Or does it get left in the freezer in one neat strip in every household?

We're planning on having a barbeque on Saturday as Paul's parents are coming up for a visit this weekend. Again, apologies in advance if the weather turns to crap - it's likely to be our fault. In my continuing quest to steer away from the traditional English "burned on the outside, raw on the inside sausages and burgers" barbeque, I am going to attempt to make ribs. I've found a good lookin' recipe here, but any tips or hints would be most welcome.

Here's to slushy, fruity drinks weather out in the garden. Yay!

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --

28 July 2004

hurrah for Ed


Hey, something to blog about! It's Ed and Martine's 12 Monkeys time, and this month's theme is:
Describe your first impression of Montreal.

I'm not sure if we made it through Montreal, but I know we drove through Quebec on our way down to Boston when I was almost 9. The only French I knew was "Je m'appelle Lisa", thanks to the one and only phrase my Dad could remember from his grade 11 French class. I remember stopping at a park where a girl joined me on the swingset. Being the friendly sort I am, I said to her "Je m'appelle Lisa". Of course it never occurred to me that once I got that one phrase out, communication would get a bit tricky if she only spoke French, and sure enough the little girl proceeded to yak away at me at great length in a language I didn't understand. I have a vague recollection of being confused and walking away from the swingset, and thanks to me, this girl probably grew up with the impression that Anglophones are really rude.

The next time I visited Quebec was a weekend with a friend in Montreal in 1989. I absolutely fell in love with the place. There was so much that was completely foreign to me, and I'm not just referring to the language (at this point, my vocabulary had expanded to ordering beer at restaurants and getting cigarettes from the convenience store). I loved how coffee came in big bowls, eating these yummy things called "Croques Monsieurs", and how everyone smoked - anywhere and everywhere. I loved attempting to speak French and trying to decipher conversations happening around me. I loved that it had cobbled streets and a bazillion cafes. I couldn't believe how cheap rent was (remember, this was 15 years ago and it was compared to Toronto) and how easy it was to get around the city. I was smitten.

On a whim that can only happen when you're 20 (or again at 30 if you're me), I decided to move there. My friend went to Montreal ahead of me and picked out an apartment for himself and another one for me, and I moved there without having seen it. I was surprised at how pleased my parents sounded when I announced that I was moving in the next month, but in retrospect it was probably due to relief that I didn't stay put and marry the guy I was with at the time. My Dad rented a van and drove our things 300 miles to Montreal. Ah, the days when my possessions would fit in half a van. I lived in five different apartments, had eight different jobs, and made dozens of very good friends. I left in 2000 to move here, but I will always consider Montreal home. I miss the bagels, the fantastic multicultural cuisine and communities, all the festivals, the "doo dooooooo" sound of the metro, and I even miss speaking French (which vastly improved over 11 years, thankfully). Most of all, I miss my friends.

Of course we'll always have MSN Messenger.

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --

general ramblings


I've been really poor at updating this blog lately, mostly because I haven't had anything specific to blog about. I haven't bought any interesting CDs or DVDs, and the last film we saw was Shrek 2 (i.e. not really fodder for lengthy, thought-provoking posts). I've not read any books lately, and Heat magazine doesn't really count as provocative reading material. We haven't visited any new places, dined at new restaurants, and I haven't come across any new and interesting web sites. I did try a new smoothie drink from Innocent Drinks last week, and it was really yummy. I don't think I could write an entire post about it, though. But do try them next time you're at Sainsbury's.

This isn't to say that life is dull; on the contrary - there is lots going on at the moment. Lots. Hooooo boy, is there ever. I just haven't found any particular topic to blog about lately and haven't updated this site, rather than ramble on about nothing. Erm...not including this post, that is.

I need Mike Meyers as Linda Richman to say to me, "[insert topic here] - discuss. Talk amongst yourselves!"

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --

25 July 2004

check my pockets


We resisted...



...but damn, it was hard to say goodbye. :(

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --

23 July 2004

sunshiny day


On the way back from lunch today they played "Steal My Sunshine" by Len on Radio One, a song I haven't heard since it was a hit in the summer of '99. It always reminds me of warm bright summer days in Montreal, sitting on a terrace with a drink watching the city go by.

What's your summer song?

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --

22 July 2004

the working girl's guide to blogging


I remember one of the first "casualties" of blogging when the lovely Heather at dooce.com got sacked because of her personal blog. Two years later, this is still a potential danger, as illustrated by this cautionary article posted by Blogger recently. Although I can understand why it's probably not a good idea to spend your entire workday blogging from your office PC, or why posting proprietary information about the company you work for might be frowned upon, how careful do you need to be when discussing your job on your personal blog? A blog is public in the sense that anyone with an Internet connection can access it, but does that give people the right to tell you what you should and shouldn't write about? Is that a valid argument for being reprimanded by your employers?

For example, I have a personal blog that:
-I do not "advertise" at work (e.g. I don't include the URL in my email signature or make an effort to pass the URL to my workmates)
-never mentions the name of the company that I work for (let's pretend for a moment that I don't include this information on my "About" page)
-never mentions workmates by name without their permission
-does not reveal anything that violates the nondisclosure agreement I signed when I was hired
-never discusses projects that I am currently working on or have worked on in the past

In this personal blog, let's say that I write the following post:
"I work with engineers who have really bad haircuts. My boss has an abnormal number of vacuum cleaners. Sometimes the ice that comes out of the fridge ice machine smells like fish."

The following is true about this particular post: it doesn't mention anyone by name, it doesn't contain libellous comments about my workmates, and my boss knows she's got an abnormal number of vacuum cleaners and it's a longstanding running joke. One of my engineer workmates reads this and thinks, "Lisa must be talking about me and my bad haircut. Now my feelings are deeply hurt." Should I remove this post? Should the engineer complain to my boss about my blog? Can I be sued by the manufacturer of our fridge for slander? Does someone else have the right to tell me to remove the comment about my boss and/or the engineer because it could be viewed as being hurtful?

My answer is a resounding no to all of the above. There is nothing wrong with letting off some steam about a work-related incident if you don't reveal details. Blogs shouldn't require disclaimers. It should be obvious that the opinions expressed in any blog are someone's personal thoughts and reflections, and chances are, that post you were wondering about was probably not about you.

Blog responsibly, but also read and react to other blogs objectively. Long live mediums that encourage people to write - and rue the day that people are made to feel like even the most innocuous opinions cannot be expressed.

[Although I said that blogs shouldn't require disclaimers, I will put one here. I did not get any flack for my blog nor has anyone at work taken great offence about anything I've written. A friend has been through this but is still, thanks to some people having some common sense, employed. Feel free to discuss amongst yourselves.]

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --

wrong in so many ways


"Once the fried dough embodiment of hot and fresh, Krispy Kreme has transformed its original glazed doughnut into a new frozen beverage for summer.

The chain introduced a new line of frozen drinks Wednesday, including frozen original kreme -- a drinkable version of the company's signature doughnut -- raspberry, latte and double chocolate." [Full article here]


Now I'm all for trashy food (I am North American, after all), but even I can't stomach the thought of a doughnut in liquid form. Maybe it tastes better than it sounds, but I suspect that it's one of those things you'll only ingest if you're very, very drunk or if your regular diet consists of nothing but Pop Tarts and Cherry Coke.

There are many foods that I don't readily admit to eating, mostly because they make English people wince in culinary agony. The last time I made a peanut butter and banana sandwich in the office kitchen, three people fled in terror. My guilty food pleasures include: grilled cheese sandwiches dipped in ketchup, Kraft Dinner (although this treat has come to an end since moving here, sadly), Denny's breakfasts (on American holidays only), fake plastic cheese slices on a bagel or in a toastie, Pizza Hut, Ben and Jerry's Reese's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream (American holidays only, dammit), and almost any kind of chocolate chip cookies.

Alright, now you guys fess up. What are your favourite foods that are wrong but feel oh so right?

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --

20 July 2004

going to the dogs


The nice lady who we got Jasper from has moved to a farm much closer to us. We're going to see her on Saturday and as an added bonus, Jasper's Mum and half brothers/sisters will be there too. It's a canine family reunion! Jasper's Dad and the nice lady's dog called Fern just had a litter of pups 6 weeks ago, which means it's going to be a puppy-filled afternoon. You can imagine my glee (If you're a cat person, imagine being surrounded by little fluffy kittens. If you're neither a cat nor dog person, imagine being surrounded by scantily clad men/women holding your favourite beverage); I'm very much looking forward to it.

I've told Jasper that he's going to be seeing his mother, but he seems a bit confused by it all. Mostly because his reaction to the situation appears to be "I know you just said my name and you're using an excited tone of voice, but I have no idea what the hell you're on about", while staring at me intently and wagging his tail. Or should we have been more sensitive when revealing the news that he's actually adopted?

Now the trick is not to leave the farm with a puppy (although at 7 weeks old, we wouldn't get to leave with a puppy anyway, but you know what I mean). We do not need another dog. We do not need another dog. We do not need another dog.

Argh! Look what we're up against!

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --

15 July 2004

sooooo mature


It's Friday for me today!
Nah nah nah nah nah naaaah!
I'm off tomorrow and Monday!
Nah nah nah nah nah naaaah!
I'm gonna stay in my pyjamas until noon!
Nah nah nah nah nah naaaah!
Don't you like my lovely tune?
Nah nah nah nah nah naaaah!

Wow, I managed to annoy myself there. So yes, we're off work for the next few days simply because we both really need the break. We're not going away anywhere (we might take some day trips to the coast if the weather improves), and I plan on spending most of the long weekend pampering myself. I might even get a haircut. Why? Because I'm worth it.

See you on Tuesday.

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --

14 July 2004

you can call me m'lady


It seems like several people at my company have a Very Important Title, particularly those at our Ft. Lauderdale office. For example, I had a list of people I needed to send a document to for approval but many of the names were unfamiliar. I looked them up in our company address book, and every one of them was a "Senior Product Manager". It appears that we only have senior roles for this particular position, as I've never come across just a "Product Manager". What are they before they become senior? Why are there so many of them? What do they do? The mind boggles.

It's like the fact that I'm a "Lead Technical Author". I don't actually have a team, nor have I ever been anything but the sole author for a particular product (thus, I've always been the lead writer), but I have both the thrill and honour of this extra word at the beginning of my job title. Where can I go from here? Apparently, the next step up is Lead Technical Author 1. Goodness.

Everyone should have a Very Important Title. If you don't have one, I urge you to come up with one today and print it on some business cards. It'll make you feel better about yourself, and people will invite you to lots of meetings. Go on, give it a try!

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --

12 July 2004

little bits


Total cop-out post today. I don't have the energy to write several sentences about one particular topic; all I can muster up are bullet points. I'm old and it's a Monday - I'm amazed I managed to drive into work today.

  • Overheard on a cooking show today: "...and if you're vegetarian, you can make this salad with tuna. It's just as delicious!"
  • Thank you for the Reese's peanut butter egg, Tosha.
  • Whatever is making me sneeze today, stop it. Shoo.
  • I am in a really bad, irritable, stinky mood today. And I already ate my peanut butter egg.
  • My keys are in Kent. Say that ten times fast. Whilst drunk and without making that last word sound really rude.
  • I am so tired that I almost fell asleep on the way up the stairs at work this morning. I was holding an enormous pillow at the time, which probably didn't help.
  • What should we have for dinner tonight?

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --

09 July 2004

ruby red


It's Paul's Mum and Dad's 40th wedding anniversary on Sunday, so we're heading down to Kent this weekend. By the time we have our ruby anniversary, we'll be 75. Hopefully the kids will be out of the house by then.

So strange how in one generation the norm goes from getting hitched right out of school (my parents were 19 and 21 when they got married) to delaying marriage until our 30s. Personally, I'm elated that I didn't get married young and I've only just started feeling like I've accomplished something significant in my life. I'm happy with my relationship, my job (most days), we've got a lovely house, a fantastic dog, two cars, and we've done quite a lot of travelling. Most importantly (I do realise that most things on that list are material), I simply feel happy; with myself and with my life. In my 20s, there's no way I would have said that. I can't even imagine getting married at 19 and having a baby before my 20th birthday. At 20, I could barely keep a houseplant alive. In fact, I killed two pet turtles (not on purpose, don't get all uppity) at 21. At 35, I'm pretty sure my plants and pet are safe from harm.

Oh, and before I go, I apologise for this weekend's weather in advance. It will pour rain on Sunday because we're going to have a BBQ. Sorry 'bout that.

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --

08 July 2004

it's not just nuts and berries


It's no secret that I enjoy trashy television (and trashy magazines like "Heat", if you really must know), and channel 4 is usually such a fantastic resource for this sort of thing. I've been watching a new programme called "You Are What You Eat" that is both horrifying and hilarious (mostly the former). Basically, a rather unpleasant and acerbic woman called Dr. Gillian McKeith (who also has a dodgy Scottish accent, but I digress) invades the homes of families with extremely unhealthy eating habits. Yesterday's episode followed the story of a family whose daily salt intake should have caused them to all drop dead about ten years ago. Now while I'm all for trying to keep yourself healthy, it really hacks me off when people insist that healthy eating must involve tasteless horrors slathered in tofu. This woman force feeds these poor people things like gigantic salads with no dressing, topped with seeds. She made some godawful version of what she called "sushi", which was really just goopy green something smeared on seaweed and rolled up. Regular sushi is so healthy, so why come up with a ghastly substitute? There are loads of things you can eat that are good for you that actually taste good. I suppose watching a family eat a bolognaise made with extra lean mince isn't quite as entertaining as watching them choke down a three bean salad.

Don't even get me started about Supernanny. Hoooooooo boy.

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --

05 July 2004

anniversaries, weddings, and honeymoons


So it's our second anniversary today, which will have to change to our "first date anniversary" soon. We're dining at the very hotel where we will be getting married, which leads me to my next point. At lunchtime, we're heading back over to the Registry Office to go over wedding ceremony details with the nice lady who'll be conducting it for us. This is to ensure that the string quartet won't suddenly burst into religious song or the father of the bride isn't going to recite the entire New Testament as I march in. I never knew that you can't get married outdoors here (the room or building must have a special license, which you can't get for outdoor spaces), which is a shame. Then again, do you really want to rely on English weather if you're getting hitched on the edge of the white cliffs of Dover?

And finally, we have booked our honeymoon today as BA were kind enough to have a seat sale. Aren't they nice? I really cannot wait - I am in dire need of a holiday and we need to restock our pantry with our Napa Valley favourites. We're flying into San Francisco and will spend most of our time around wine country before heading down to La Jolla to see Paul's relatives. Since we've only ever been to Napa Valley, any suggestions for other regions to visit/places to stay/things to see in that area would be greatly appreciated (many thanks to Martine for the info she sent us already!).

So that's 82 days until our wedding, and 85 days until we go on honeymoon. If someone could knock me unconscious until then, that would be grand. Thank you.

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --

01 July 2004

what did i say, roy?


As I've been saying for years, dieting is bad for you and drinking is good for you. I can't find any articles today stating that exercise, eating brussell sprouts, or working for a living are bad for you too, but trust me. They are.

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --

oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy!


It's Wimbledon, and do you know that that means? Lots and lots and lots of amusing tennis pictures! *giggle snort*

Oh, humour me. There's nothing on TV and I didn't get much sleep last night.

[posted by: Lisa Durbin] --