Price for pleasure

My friends know I don't really splurge on myself, so they got me spa certificates for my birthday. I have to use them soon, so I've been calling around for info (I'm a spa-virgin) and available appointments. Well, I tell ya, that frugal mentality is hard to break out of for a day!

The Eccotique pamphlet I have lists an express pedicure ($35), a luxury pedicure ($40), a French pedicure ($47), and then there's the paraffin treatment! Uh?? So I'm talking to Tracy of Eccotique Metropolis, and she explains:

"The express pedicure is 45 minutes, and it's a foot bath, plus nail filing, and cuticle work."

"Mm-hmm ..." ... uh, that's it?

"The luxury pedicure ..." that is it!?!, "is an hour long, and it also has a massage and polish."

And then it's an extra $7 to add the little white strips for a French mani/pedicure. Wow.

The next topic was eyebrows. I've never tweezed my eyebrows before, but maybe I should let the pros do it the first time, since I have a wedding to attend on the weekend. Then I checked out their website ....



Hmm .... Maybe I'd better think this over ....

Got a light?

Edmonton has a new anti-smoking bylaw now. Basically, to confine smoking to bars, smoking is allowed only in licenced bars, casinos and bingo parlors.

The issue comes with The Keep It Simple Club, which caters to recovering alcoholics; they provide a bar ambience without the alcohol. With the new bylaw in place, they'll have to buy a liquor licence.

I love Alberta Premier Ralph Klein's comment about needing a "stupid rules committee" to deal with situations like this.

The idea of the bylaw is pretty good, though. The Keep It Simple Club, being a singular exception, could just not serve alcohol. (How much does a liquor licence cost, anyway?) Or maybe the City could just give them a liquor licence, or provide one hugely discounted.

Raise the red planet!

Mars is near! Mars will be closer than it has been in thousands of years. On Aug 26, the red planet will be beautifully viewable with the naked eye. Apparently you get a nice view only every 15 to 17 years.

Here are a couple of articles from Sky and Telescope:
Mars at Its All-Time Finest
A Mars Record for the Ages

So get out your picnic blanket and flashlight, and head into the fresh outdoors for a viewing!

I really admire how some people go for what they want. I don't mean saving up for the latest and greatest digital camera, or even a car. I'm talking about Life.

I just got an e-mail from a university friend of mine. He's solid as an engineer and brilliant as a comic. After pursuing a minor in Contemporary Arts (after his engineering degree), he has now set up a company Genus Theatre with some of his theatre friends; they'll be performing an original work at Video-In Studios next month. (Check their website for info on the group, show, and how to reserve tickets. I'll definitely be going.)

So, my question is: how do you know that you should pursue your "real" dream? What are the guidelines for how much risk one can afford, or what makes it all "worth it?" When do you reach the point where you shake off a traditional [Asian] upbringing and trade in a stable job for one that may not be financially rewarding - or even feasible - but for which you have a passion?

Cop a feel?

Okay. Today, wanting to get out of the house, I joined my friend at SFU Daycare for her toddler's birthday (ice cream cones and shortbread cookies - yay!). As little A is tearing around the yard with a toy stroller, another mother wearing a spaghetti-strap tank top comes to pick up her daughter M.

As soon as M gets picked up, her right arm plunges down her mom's shirt! I'm standing there, listening to the conversation, trying not to gape/laugh, because for all I know maybe it's normal behaviour (?!). Finally, one of the staff care-givers comments on how M just reaches into anyone's shirt! One person commented that whenever she passes by that daycare and that little girl is in someone's arms, her hand is always down their shirt! HAhAhah.

Connected!

Oh my golly, I've got a blogspot now!

In the last few days, I started joining an outdoor volleyball group (2, in fact!), joined Friendster, and created my own blogspot! I feel so ... social! Much to the chagrin of my parents, of course ....