So, I have some recapping to do before I can reach the gist of today’s post.

REWIND: neglecting to post about the two-woman Tea Addicts meeting that happened Chez Lizard on Sunday is no good at all. I should mention that was a very gracious hostess, and loaned me a book as well as allowing me to sample some of her prodigious tea selection. Among a few duds (which I think were sadly all from my Adagio collection) I discovered two new favorites — Monk’s Blend, purely for its delicious smell, and Royal Bengal Tiger from The Tea Emporium, which was in every way a delight.

MINI-ASIDES: I ate burritos last night for dinner and greek yogurt with honey for breakfast this morning, made a pot of fragrant Jasmine tea for elevenses, my garden lettuce is almost ready to harvest, I planted borage, bergamot and hops in the back yard last night, I’m at the Milkman Conspiracy level of Psychonauts for Xbox, I’ve decided I need to buy the movie ‘Run Ronnie Run’ on DVD, and also I finally gave myself a pedicure but the polish looks like crap because I applied it at 11pm. No good.

More Canada’s Next Top Model spoilers & ranting!

TV REVIEW: Canada’s Next Top Model was vastly improved in episode two. All of my original complaints about the lack of representation and comparative lack of beauty still hold, but the makeovers did wonders for the girls in terms of increasing sass and photogenic qualities. Stylist Paul Venoit was a funny, opinionated, funky addition to the show — I hope we see more of him.

Tiny, whiny Andrea from Whitby was given a Molly Ringwald overhaul that greatly enhanced her femininity and confidence, and she got a great photo review from Trisha (who loosened up a little this week, thank GOD). “Legs for days” is my new favorite model compliment. Glad they didn’t give her a black bowl-cut like Jordan from ‘Real Genius’ because the resemblance would be a little eerie.

Dawn was eliminated, which breaks my heart a little because haven’t we taken enough away from our aboriginal peoples without stealing their hopes and dreams of becoming a top model? Also, I don’t care what anyone says, she was gorgeous: yes, yes, her personality *was* remarkably like that of a soft, fluffy bunny made out of marshmallow cream, but I think she should have stayed on for a few more weeks just to build her portfolio. Good on her for not crying after her elimination, though.

I like how they obliquely referred to the fact that kicking off Dawn wasn’t really a blow to native peoples everywhere by telling Sisi that this competition is about her representing herself, not the entire Asian population of Canada. Tell that to the millions of Asian teens watching the show to see how their sister in racial minority fares… I’m sure they’ll believe you. Meanwhile, Sisi proved unpopular with her housemates, but takes a damn fine editorial photo.

Am I alone in thinking that Ylenia’s incredibly deep eye sockets and total lack of body fat give her face a certain corpsesqueness? Zombie model? Anyone? Heather was mega-whiny about getting her hair cut. Oh my God, it’s just hair. Let it go, woman. Brandi was extensively compared to Tyra, but with her hair pulled back for the Fight Club photo shoot she looked more like Brandi from the Block. Total J-Lo impersonator, in looks and at-ti-tude. Oh, and a message direct from JVL, Aaron and I to creepy almost-albino photographer Christopher Wadsworth: LENS FLARE IS A LAME PHOTO GIMMICK STOP USING IT WE HATE YOU.

FRAMING: $65 when all I wanted was a new mat? Is a ripoff. Getting a lecture from the retailer who charged me $65 for that job, which included an unasked-for glass replacement which she did not call to consult me about first? Is insulting.

But don’t worry, J — I would never transfer my anger at bad service to the person who referred me there. Not your fault at all — I can see you’ve only ever had good experiences with that framer, and I was introduced in good faith — just my bad luck is all.