Friday, October 3rd, 2008 07:01 pm: The Friday Five

The Friday Five for October 3rd, 2008

1. Who was your first kiss?
First 'innocent' one - LC, first real-ish one - AM.
2. Who is the last person you kissed?
Uhhhh.... been a LONG time.
3. What is the story of your most romantic kiss?
My love life has sucked, lol.
4. What is the story of your worst kiss?
See above.
5. Who do you want to kiss right now?
You mean 'whom' - but i can't say, lol... Sometimes i'd rather be a student than a teacher, lol.

Friday, October 3rd, 2008 08:49 pm: Winery, Butterflies and Niagara Falls

My sister and i have been planning to go to the Niagara Butterfly Conservatory for a while, and we finally did it this week.

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First stop was a winery tour, Hillebrand to be specific. I've been there before, but i thought it'd be good to go to one i knew had a decent restaurant. I think this tree is chokecherry.

Here's the winery's 'main street' - store to right, restaurant behind the people, my sister waiting on the bench for a bus.

That truck is unloading, vines in the background.

That's the Skylon on the Escarpment (actually, quite a ways back on it). I didn't realize we were straight north of Niagara Falls.

I forget what that tower is for, ha ha. These must be icewine vines, because they have the plastic that can protect them.

Grapes being dumped with stems and such, headed inside to the de-stemmer.

Our tour guide, Daniel. He was very animated, and very informative. We didn't really believe he was married with kids, ha ha. Easily the best winery tour i've had.

Those giant towers are filled with fermenting grape juice - there are little pipes of cold water that can cool the towers down (as fermenting create heat).

The restaurant from the outside.

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Down in the 'champagne' cellar (i think). The first wine we tasted, Trius Brut, outside, was the champagne-like sparkling wine. Very tart, acidic - i liked it. Then we tried a white, unoaked chardonnay, i think, by the vineyards. The guide taught us how to sample the wine, and why. Here we're trying an oaked red, a cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot blend.

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The French oak barrels cost 1000$ a piece (the American ones cost half as much, and can overpower the wine).

Sparkling wine bottles - one was missing (because it sploded).

The machine that removes the leftover yeast inside the sparkling wine bottles.

We went back up outside and into the store, and tried the icewine. I haven't quite enjoyed icewine, because i found it cloyingly sweet, too much like lychee. But the riesling icewine was very good, more like pineapple (so i assume it's the vidal i've had before). I was surprised we had 4 tastes of wine, equivalent to at least a glass.

My sister paid the 10$ (5 each) for the tour, and said i could pay for lunch - she laughed at time, ha ha. For lunch, my sister had the daily soup, something tomato and red pepper, which came with an unfiltered chardonnay, and for main 'Hand Cut Pappardelle Pasta', with smoked chicken, spiced pork sausage, artichokes and sweet peppers, in a tomato sauce, which came with a merlot. I had the peach and watercress salad (with radish, fennel, and prosciutto), which came with a glass of muscat (say what? never heard of muscat wine being made in Canada, and it was a little bland). For the main, i had the 'three sliders' (mini-burgers), with icewine onion marmalade - one was chicken, one was very sweet pork, the other was beef. I enjoyed my previous meal at Hillebrand more. With tax and tip, lunch for the two of us cost 130$, so my sister offerred to cover me at the Butterfly Conservatory, ha ha. And why did i only photograph my appetizer?

Outside the Butterfly Conservatory. As we headed towards the entry, some women asked us if we were going in, and gave us a couple of spare tickets she had, so we got in for free, ha ha.

Stay still! There was not enough light for good photography inside - most shots were at 1/8 of a second.

Half of these ones are pale brown inside, the others bright blue - but they hardly flapped once down.

There were hatching butterfies too.

My sister's fancy camera.

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I tried the flash - ick.

How rude!

Sister (left) and butterfly.

One landed on my sister's butt.

See? Blue inside.

Bum buddies - they must be sharing a small office.

Not the same as the blue ones above - this is a swallowtail.

This looked like a pale blue monarch.

After, we had to run through the rain to get back to the car, and then went to Niagara Falls. The sun came out for a bit, but then went hiding.

A composite of three shots (i'm getting better with this).

Very grey out.

Sister!

Ha ha, very specific signs.

Maid of the Mist.

Rocks below the American Falls - i liked how the sheets of water came over the rocks,

In summer, this place is packed with tourists.

On the way back, the rain started coming down hard - luckily, i had my umbrella, and my sister had a hooded nylon jacket.

Sometime, i'm going to come down to Niagara Falls and visit all the cheesy places on Clifton (Castle Dracula? Louis Tussaud's? ha ha). About halfway home, the radio said traffic was still bad in TO, so we went off the highway looking for some place to eat - i was hoping for a Lick's, until we finally gave up and went to McDonald's. Ha ha, my sister said she'd cover it (she also paid for parking at the Falls). Turns out it costs less than the tip on lunch. On the other hand, we got to enjoy the McDonald's food over and over, ha ha. Fun day.

Friday, October 3rd, 2008 09:39 pm: Infinite? How so?

Good class this morning. Then a bit of marking. Then i went to physio, for both my right hip joint, and the twinge in my lower left back (which was bugging me earlier this week). Electrodes on my hip and back, ultrasound on both, but separately, then he stretched and twisted my right leg.

After, i went to see a movie, and got greedy, buying a hot dog AND popcorn. Oh, and a cider while waiting, lol - got there early. read the last book in the Essex County trilogy. The movie i saw was Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. It was cute, but not a lot more. Michael Cera plays the same character he always does. Kat Dennings character seems to have a little something, like not wanting to be identified by who her father is (but it sure helps), but that doesn't go very far. At least they got some actual action. The gay buddies were a fun idea, but the drunk girl is a little over the top (someone that bad needs serious help), and again, as a story idea doesn't go far. Why do nice people always have such jerk exes? Why not be a more realistic you-can-see-what-they-saw-in-them-but...? And i thought you had to be 21 to drink in New York these days?

I think we both said some things we didn't mean, like...when you broke up with me...on my b-day.

Sunday, October 5th, 2008 09:58 pm: Nuit Blanche 2008

Another Nuit Blanche already?

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First start - i picked up a map and guide (having read advice from various sources about where to go). Then supper, waiting for dusk. I tried to get into Spring Rolls in the Atrium, but it was packed. Johnny Rockets again!

My first exhibit didn't seem to have a name or number - i liked the fountain on this sculpture.

Video installations inside, with really terrible digital animation - presumably from Ryerson's film program. This is why it takes at least 3 years of study to become a good 3D animator.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT: Sitting Ducks - "the live ducks that traditionally visit the pond will be replaced by hundreds of environmentally friendly man-made ducks". Cute!

Uh, not quite, ha ha.

House of Leaves - 'leaves' meaning pages of a book.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT: Monday's Child, Zero C - the lamest site, not actually being ready, and not looking like it's about to.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT: Heaslip House - unfortunately the fashion show wasn't for a while, a problem when you're trying to visit lots of sites.

Fifteen Seconds - The camera in the watchtower focusses on one person for fifteen seconds (actually, Warhol said 15 minutes)

Into the Blue - okay, i liked this, it was fun (creator is Japanese, of course). Too bad you can't see it spinning around.

I took an elevator ride to get a different perspective.

Okay, it looked even better when they turned off the Eaton Centre's lights, ha ha.

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Domaine de l'angle #2 - "a 40 metre long drop ceiling in the alley of St. Enoch's Square beside Massey Hall, framing the dumpsters, recycling bins and other life of the alleyway in the cool fluorescent light of the modern office".

I wonder if the garbage was real, as there seemed to be an awful lot (incuding a pile of Christmas stuff - i think maybe it's a plant, because it seems pretty office-y).

"...other life of the alleyway..." i guess - he was tossing and turning, so i think we were disturbing him.

Turbulence Sound Matrix: Signe - an audio exhibit, sounds from a piano, typing, and wind, 64 speakers.

the common and the tense (a sound ecology) - wait, maybe not...

I think this just happened to be here - the dark things are people going between the panes.

the common and the tense (a sound ecology) - ok, i think this is the exhibit, a mix of urban sounds, piano, and electronics - the image being 'dragged around' by the person on this screen were projected as below:

Benefit of the Doubt - this building used to be a court house, and the sign is based on Honest Ed's. Meh, not very interesting.

The Greatest Falls - unfortunately, the performance at the base of this projection of Niagara Falls was just finishing as i got there. It had a bunch of guys in Mountie uniforms, and a 'Mountie' dressed as Christopher Reeve dressed as Superman (see Superman II for Superman in Niagara Falls). It looked like fun, anyway.

QUIXOTIC - a performance i also just caught the end of.

Inside St James Cathedral - that looks like a Regimental flag...

They also look like Regimental flags (never sure which are the Regimental Colors and which are the Queen's Colours).

DON COYOTE - still inside St James, connected in theme to the outdoor performance QUIXOTIC, a retelling of Don Quixote set in Calgary, ha ha.

STILLNESSENCE - a video work, in which people imperceptibly fade in and out, sometimes clother, sometimes not - apparently it goes on for a very long time. Kind of mesmerising.

It was here i must've lost my map, in which i plotted out my path, so i was highly ANNOYED for a while...

Appetite - "contemporary art project organized a bit like a dinner party. Food will be served, friends will drop by, stories will be told, and appetites will be satiated. Not everything will happen at once – different courses will appear at different times as the night progresses." - kids having a pie eating contest, ha ha. The girls are coaching, the man is emceeing, and make sure the guys are not cheating.

Corvidae Ibidem - the artist "occupies an exhibition space for a 12-hour period. His intention is to act as an ambient element in the environment, sensing his surroundings, more or less silent and motionless, clothed in black, a staff at his side, barefoot [not, as you can see - probably too cold] and blindfolded." People were just standing around and watching him, sometimes sneaking up to see what's on the walls. After, i found some photocopied maps lying around.

Alternator - ha ha, little oil rigs have been placed on oil stains in this parking garage, plus fake spills, and a vehicle that goes nowhere.

Toronto Nocturnes I - this doesn't seem right - right place, wrong exhibit, or maybe i missed it. It is a photo exhibit though, with a lot of interesting ones. We really need a photography museum in TO. I was starting to get very tired by now.

A performer in Shanghai, doing stage cosplay (i believe) - okay, i just think she's cute.

Killed in the unrest in the Congo, and being brought back for study. An awful lot of war photos, unfortunately.

Horroridor - one of my fave ones, with a unique and interesting take on audio and video. It takes clips of screams from movies (from Tropic Thunder to Hulk, to Someone Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest [see below], to grindhouse horror), and plays 6 at once, one after another, filling the underground space with screaming. You could heard the very loud screams, as well as a low roar, which seemed to come from the combination of screams (very unnatural). Picked up a new map, lol.

Earth and Sky - two artists started work on the same sheet, and eventually integrated the work.

Below were girls doing a traditional Inuit dance (i think that's what it was).

They were dancing around a couple of women doing Inuit throat singing.

Commerce Court - one of the better projection pieces, a little film about about corporate hucksters, actually projected in Commerce Court.

15 Minutes of Fame - visitors arrange objects (prison-like bed area), and then write about it, which of course means there's a very long line up to do it, and even to see. I tried to cheat by photogrraphingn through the window, none too successfully, lol.

Business Class - a performance and projection piece, as passengers go through airline-style security, ha ha.

A Window on Ballet - okay, if i knew it was only a video projection, i wouldn't have bothered visiting, ha ha. Plus, i annoyed myself by not detouring to visit City Hall.

A CRUSH of people on Queen Street. They seriously ought to close down Queen and McCaul Streets - cars were trying to navigate through crowds, and someone could get hurt. Plus, they could set up tents all along Queen - it would be nice to put some of the exhibits closer together, ha ha.

I stopped, like last year, at the Queen Mother for a break, but had to make do with sitting at the bar. I had a ginger ale (needed the sugar energy, lol), and pad thai, because i hadn't been able to get into Spring Rolls before. That is my server, Monica, the fastest bartender i have ever seen. Very tired, and still not half done, lol. Glad i didn't bring my tripod.

Cocoon Garden - lights and chirping, not sure how it's a commentary on consumer society, but it looked cool.

Bravo!FACT Picture Show - i used to really enjoy Bravo Videos, too bad they cancelled it (maybe it's still on once a week) - whatever happened to music videos? I enjoy them a lot more than reality TV.

Sketching Beauty (part of Useless Beauty: notions of beauty and utility) - an all-night sketch crawl (no, i didn't participate - i was cold, tired, cranky, it was dark, and i wanted to go see other exhibits, lol).

Part of Useless Beauty: notions of beauty and utility - i'm sure there's a point here, lol.

Part of Useless Beauty: notions of beauty and utility - it's hard to see these are fashions.

Scintillator - the shadow of a cyclist (people are taking turns) is integrating with a mechanical animated horses set up.

EURONIGHT '08 - video installation, but it had this neat webbing structure people were getting into.

The outside of Concurrence - Emerging Canadian Artists (Canadian Polish Art Initiatives).

That thing is bleeding black.

Inside Concurrence - Emerging Canadian Artists (Canadian Polish Art Initiatives).

Dancing can be lonely.

Waterfall - a 'quilt' of recyclable plastic.

Behind Waterfall.

Not an exhibit, i just liked the light in this building. DAMMIT! I lost my map AGAIN! What a goof! I should've taken a spare and put it in my knapsack.

Okay, i lost my damn map AGAIN! Argh!!! So, i had to guess where things were, and it was getting late, so i cut things short. And i began to see a lot of people on bikes, and people just hagning out, rather than checking out exhibits - like students who do all-nighters in the lab supposedly to do work, but goof around and talk about doing all-nighters rather than actually doing work, lol.

No idea what's being projected, lol. Is this Sweet Dreams?

Sound Forest - i couldn't see anything, but i could hear it. This was an evolving show, and while i was there i could hear bongos in the centre of this crowd. There's no way i could do everything i'd hoped to get too. I skipped the Bloor-Yorkville stuff. BOO!

I never got a good pic of Meeky: The World's Strangest Little Boy - supposedly Meeky was tiny, but could jump like a flea. It's a fictional recreation of a carnival freakshow from the 1950s.

The line-up was enormous - i wouldn't have lined to get in even it hadn't been past 2 in the morning, lol.

Time-Piece - a sped up projection of the moon going through its cycle.

Zombies in Condoland - ha ha, volunteers are made up as zombies (i think some made themselves up), and try to get into this building (i don't think this actual building is going to be turned into zombies, though).

Time's up! Zombies go home. I saw zombies everywhere i went. I felt like a zombie, as it was past 2:30...

These zombies are bloodier than the ones i saw - others were more black.

Four Sisters - a 77 minute film of the Gardiner Expressway - there were a ton of chairs in front, and only a tiny handful of people watching. Seriously, too long for this type of event, and i'm not sure what it's trying to say.

Stock Extravaganza - ha ha, a concert stage inside a garbage receptacle - it was very crowded outside looking in.

I can't see much in the one i looked into (and could photgraph even less) .

A long shot from the ramp at City Hall looking at Into The Blue in the Eaton Centre.

I had to go out of my way to see this one, when i really wanted to go home, because i screwed up my path before. That'll learn me.

Stereoscope - a huge animated video display, using the 960 windows of City Hall as the screen. Neat! This one will be one until Friday the 10th.

By the time i got into my car, it was 3 am, OMG - last year i left at 12:45, thought it was late then. It seemed like i saw more last year, but probably not. Maybe more colour? I got into bed just befpre 4 am. It's 16.5 hours later, and i'm very tired, lol.

A couple of thoughts. It's a hugely successful (one million people) and fun event. I like to go with the flow, and i know sometimes the pieces will be successful, sometimes cheesy, sometimes good, sometimes great, and sometimes not. There are too many pieces that are just projections - you need a hook to make that interesting (like the City Hall one*, or the scream one). Installations that have huge gaps between performances are kind of useless unless you're just lucky to catch the show at the right time. Interactive installations need to be able to engage lots of people at once, or be able to quickly go through lots of people, or at least be worthwhile to spectators.

It would be nice to be able to see it all, but i saw so little. On the left was my plan, on the right, actual.

I didn't even get down to The Queen West, or Liberty area. I feel bad for people who work on exhibits that are off the beaten path (and these maps).

* Hmmm... imagine extending the Stereoscope idea to using all of the downtown towers as video displays at the same time, turning it into a 3D choreography.

Sunday, October 5th, 2008 11:53 pm: "I'm wrong about everything."

Today was a catch-up day. Fortunately, i slept until 9, so i got 5 hours in. I edited last night's pics, showered, went to eat at Lick's, and saw a movie.

The movie i saw was Religulous, Bill Maher's documentary on religion. A documentary is not supposed to be objective journalism, although it can be. Generally they are film essays, which means they take a point of view. They shouldn't distort other views, and good ones try to anticipate arguments from the other side. Anyway, his view is skeptical on religion. He's agnostic, in that he says he doesn't know what's beyond us, but a rationalist too, so is skeptical of miracles and things which need to be taken on faith. I enjoyed the movie, although it could be criticized on focussing on Western religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Mormonism, Scientology) and ignoring Eastern ones (Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Jainism). Also, he ends it by drawing conclusions, blaming religion for various evils, except that's not what the movie discusses - it actually discusses the irrationality of various beliefs. Maher works better when he asks questions, and is skeptical, instead of polemical.

"You don't need to pass an IQ test to be a senator."

The site of Armageddon (Megiddo, in modern Hebrew).

Sunday, October 12th, 2008 10:18 am: Woodblock Prints and Noh Costume Display

Thursday i went with Jackie and Mo to see the latest exhibit at the Japanese Foundation, Mokuhanga: Water Wood Paper, on the art of woodblock printing (which i've actually done - although not well, lol). First it started with a series of classic mokuhanga, including the famous ukiyo-e ('floating world picture'):

Women making woodblock prints.

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Ghost story.

Scene from a Noh Theatre production.

Then it had a series of modern woodblock prints, including both Japanese and Canadian artists:

Rebecca Salter.

Moya Bligh.

Kurosaki Akira.

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Kurosaki Akira.

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Elizabeth Forrest - my instructor at Open Studio for woodblock printing! [my photo]

Wayne Crothers. [my photo]

Wayne Crothers. [my photo]

Jackie's hand. [my photo]

Wayne Crothers. [my photo]

Miki Kuroki - i'm not so big on collage.

Ralph Kiggell.

Ralph Kiggell.

Jackie stares at an empty space on the wall. [my photo]

Shibata Yasuyuki.

Sakamoto Kyoko.

Mo, and Jackie looking at Mo in disbelief. [my photo]

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After lunch at Spring Rolls, the Library opened at 2, and we saw the "Noh Theatre Costume Display at the Japan Foundation Library", which had samples of Noh robes and cloth for Noh robes:

Sunday, October 12th, 2008 10:40 am: Thursday afternoon and night

The weeks are passing by quickly, and i seem to be at least treading water with marking. Heroes is losing me - flipping personalities is the lamest conceit in superhero stories - like all stories, they should be character-based.

After i dropped Mo off (we left Jackie at the Library's manga section), i met up with Chris and Matt for sushi. Then the three of us went for drinks at Jack Astor's, where Matt started getting very drunk (obsessed with the waitress's admittedly large breasts), Miah joined us. Then we went to the Tap for wings and more drinks (i switched to ginger ale), John, and D (briefly) joined us, Matt got increasingly obnoxious, and apparently is the only one among us who would vote Conservative, so we harassed about that, and he started talking about a co-worker's breasts. He's not handling his wedding preprations well, either, ha ha ha.

"Each one's gotta weigh about four pounds. Oh, for sure, man. For sure!"

I left just after John (who was let out by his wife for 2 hours, and was text messaged while there 4 times), around 10:30. I'm hoping someone sober gave Matt a ride home. I wonder if he showed up at school the next day.

Some shots of a real plastic model based on a 3D model caricature of me a student did.

Sunday, October 12th, 2008 11:27 am: City of Ember

Friday after work, i went to see a movie. Originally i was going to see The Duchess, but i wasn't in the mood for a period piece, so i saw City Of Ember instead. I was kind of disappointed. We knew where things were headed, and it felt rushed at the end, as if much had to be cut to service a bare plot of an end. The set up was good, and i liked the actors in their roles. It wasn't awful, but not great either.

I didn't realize they were supposed to be 12. She played Briony in Atonement.

Friday night i had a bath, did laundry (including bedding) and bank statement, read Thursday and Friday papers.

Sunday, October 12th, 2008 11:28 am: RocknRolla

I had just a couple of errands to do Saturday, including picking up some wine. Couldn't find the stuff i wanted. I left my jacket in the car - the weather had warmed up a bit.

There's a bit of an exhibit i wanted to see at the ROM, which i realized i could squeeze into seeing a movie, although i had barely enough time. I had a very quick lunch at Crepes-a-GoGo. I had the Dina-mique, which was melted brie, tomatoes, and herbs - so, so good.

The movie i saw was RocknRolla, Guy Ritchie's 'return to form', and it was pretty fun. This one involved property development, political bribery, heroin addicts, homesexuality, and a favourite painting we never get to see.

"I'm dead Pete. Dead people don't like company."

"Keep your receipts, cos this ain't the Mafia."

Sunday, October 12th, 2008 12:06 pm: The ROM

The ROM has a temporary exhibit of what is supposed to be Marie Antoinette's dress (although they aren't sure).

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I also did a quick run through Shanghai Kaleidoscope presented by the Institute for Contemporary Culture again.

And i took photos i wasn't supposed to take! Meep.

And i went to see Sobey Art Award 2008, Presented by Scotiabank, also presented by the Institute for Contemporary Culture (no photos). To be honest, i can't say i was overly impressed, and there were a couple of things i called bullshit on.

What's he setting up for?

Sunday, October 12th, 2008 12:10 pm: Maybe being single isn't so bad...

I got a call from my friend (in tears, unfortunately) - they'd had an argument, and so my dinner was post-poned. So, i decided to see another movie as well, another one not showing in my area. Supper was simple, just a street hot dog - i was still basically full from lunch and pocorn (real butter!). The second one was Rachel Getting Married, starring Anne Hathaway as Rachel's sister Kym, who is in rehab, and returns to home for the wedding. She's been in trouble for years, having caused a tragedy when she was 16 and high.

The wedding is an interesting backdrop - it's in some ways pretty unconventional (Jewish and black families, wearing saris), while at the same time it seemed a very naturalistic view of weddings. Part of that was Demme's choice to film it almost documentary style, following characters around. Kym's presence causes a lot of angst, and exposes a lot of resentments and anger (it's easy to understand how the family constantly dealing with someone else's problems can make you feel neglected).

Getting in between the wedding? Anne Hathaway's performance was amazing.

Trying to hold the family together? Mom (rather frigid towards her kids) is played by Debra Winger.

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 11:46 pm: turkey, duchess, acupuncture = turducken?

We had Thanksgiving dinner at my sister's on Sunday. As usual, i went over around 2, and watched as others did work, drank wine, and ate hors-d'oeuvres (kolbasa, cheese, crackers, carrots, etc). My whole family was there (minus my Mom of course :'(  ), and for the first time in a long while, neither of my nieces had boyfriends there (so there was no tussle about which day).

Dinner was good, thanks to my sister (turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash, peas, cauliflower casserole (what?), gravy, buns, choice of pies - apple, pumpkin or raspberry). It used to be, when my Mom made the big dinners, we got to eat the left overs. Okay, after the second day, you could get sick of turkey, but we also got more pie.

My sister and i checked out each other's photos after dinner. Later, my sister-in-law checked out my comp, and had already set up. I was pretty drunk all evening, lol.

Unfortunately, i got reflux in the middle of the night - i ate way too much (mainly because a ate a meal's worth of snacks). Meh. I actually had to throw up.

Monday i felt a little crappy, probably more tired than anything. I'd wondered about going to the Pacific Mall, or the Zoo, but decided to keep it local. I just went to Lick's, read the final two of last week's manga, and then saw a movie.

The movie i saw was The Duchess. It's the vaguely true story of Georgiana Spencer (yes, a relative of Diana Spencer), who is married at a young age to the (much older) most powerful peer of the time to produce a son and heir, and became a very popular figure (much like Princess Di). The Duke of Devonshire was a bit of a shit though. Anyway, it was pretty good - Keira Knightley does a good performance. The basic info is true, but who knows how much the personal interaction is true.

"I love you in the way I understand love, " a.k.a. as bigamy and adultery.

My first class this morning was a bit of a disaster - the room was very very hot, and several computers weren't working (probably because of the heat frying the graphics cards and processors).

After school, i had another physiotherapy session. He was very busy, so left me on my own longer than usual, which meant i actually got more therapy than usual. Anyway, this hip thing is taking forever, so we tried acupuncture again. We'll have to see.

Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 11:19 pm: Losing my cool at school.

Yesterday, the week started off badly at school. In the Games lab, for first years, the temperature must've been above 90 F - it was terrible. And 6 computers were dysfunctional, 4 totally, 2 just barely able to do anything - so we didn't have enough computers for all the students. Why? Probably because Facilities turned off the air conditioning (and installed a cheap system that tends to fail), so the heat was actually frying processors and graphics cards - penny-wise pound-foolish. That was my first class of the week.

Today, the classes were okay. But i was trying to catch up on other stuff. I had some time during my last class to do some marking - tried printing the marksheets - it printed one sheet. Refused to accept my printing jobs.

I phoned TPH to see what happened to my business cards. They had to call me back.

I wanted to send a file i prepared to fellow staff members. So i wrote an email, then tried to attach the file... took a LONG while.

So, in the meantime, i had some work i needed printed out nicely. Asked the head tech guy (once i found him) how to go about it, he told me to select the right printer on the leader station in a class room - since that printer wasn't available on my own comp. Great, sounds easy. He left, i logged on, opened the files, tried to print - that printer wasn't on the list. Tried to add the printer - but i needed to be an admin. Couldn't find the tech guy - argh!

Okay, went back up to the office. Checked my email - file was attached, tried to send. NO DEAL. Why? Too big. Not sure why webmail can attach files that are too big to send - just to waste my time, i guess.

So, i decide maybe i'll print it out. Except Word won't open the file. You see, it's a Word DOC. We have the new version of WOrd, which makes DOCX files. But there's a problem on Macs, where it refuses to open certain files - that is, it's own. In fact, as a matter of fact, it was that very version of Word which had saved that very file, on that very same computer, the day before. I tried several times to open it, tried all my tricks (renaming the extension .docx, opening it in TextEdit first), no luck.

TPH called back, saying they found the order number, but no order itself. So, they'll redo it. Thanks.

So i thought, i'll restart Word. I had some files still open, marking, as a matter of fact. I tried to save the changes - BUT it refused, saying there had been a network disconnection. ARGH. So, i thought, i'll use Finder to Connect to Server, go through the back door, so to speak. This is when Word crashed. You Mother-*#$%@)@+!

This is when i lost it, and started swearing loudly, very loudly and angrily. The garbage can "walked into a door" again.

Not too long after, i heard a knock on my door. It was one of my second years, the sweetest person you can imagine, who'd heard my explosion, and wondered if i was okay. I felt so stupid, lol. I may have corrupted her virgin ears, lol.

Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 11:45 pm: Tired Of Moral Victories

Okay, voters continually prove how stupid they are:

1. How did the Conservatives increase their vote? I guess meanness and eliminating budgetary surpluses is what the voters want.

2. In my riding, the NDP candidate withdrew, yet still got 12% of the vote - i'm assuming that all came from people at the advance poll? Yeah, right.

3. Why does anyone vote for the Bloc? They have no influence over policy.

4. Why are John McCain and Sarah Palin are even considerations?

5. Less than 60% of electors actually voted - but it's not lower than American participation, since only 70% of them are actually registered in the first place.

Good news:

1. At least the Bloc denied the Tories a majority.

2. And the Tories got less than 40% of the popular vote.

3. The NDP won seats in Quebec, Newfoundland, and Alberta(!), and increased their number of seats overall.

Sunday, October 19th, 2008 09:28 am: The Friday Fives

My brain is forgetting stuff, it seems.

The Friday Five for October 10th, 2008

1. What is the one most important thing by your side right now?
I guess my laptop?
2. Why is it so important?
I use it an awful lot.
3. Can you live without it?
Well, i have a desktop. Can i get my stuff off it first? lol.
4. What is the one thing you can't live without?
Sight.
5. Who is the one person you can't live without?
Turns out, my Mom.

The Friday Five for October 10th, 2008

1. If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?
Does Kryptonian count as an animal?
2. If you could mate two animals together, which would you pick?
Human females.
3. What would you call the offspring from #2?
Miraculous.
4. If you could change an animal's colors, which would you pick and which colors would you use?
Multi-coloured tigers, leopards and zebras.
5. If you could make one animal extinct, which would you pick?
Republicans?

Sunday, October 19th, 2008 09:33 am: Zoo in the Fall

Thursday morning i went to the zoo. Going to the zoo in the fall has been on my to-do list for a while, so, yay! There weren't a lot of people there, but more students than i expected - i thought school trips were in the spring. They were mostly teens too, so maybe louder, but more interested in each other than torturing animals.

<lj-cut text="Yet more zoo pics">

Towards Americas (but not Canada?), Eurasia and Australasia.

Inside the Australasia pavilion.Tree kangaroo.

"Duuuude!"

Start of the Great Barrier Reef exhibit.

A yabby (crayfish).

Seahorse - there were some fat ones too (pregnant males?), but they were out of focus.

Corals.

Lazy-ass Siberian tigers.

Do i want to go to Eurasia? Nah!

Butterfly garden... i don't think i've ever seen a butterfly there.

Yak!

Whuh?

Buh!

In the Americas now.

Prairie 'dog' vibrating its molecules at superspeed.

The otters always have so much fun.

Hah - thought you could hide in the den!

Jaguars.

Lawn ornaments.

Lazy-ass lions.

At least the lazy-ass cougars are being cuter.

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<lj-cut text="Yet more zoo pics">

Hard to get a good photo of the Arctic wolves, ever since they put up the fine-mesh fence (because they escaped a number of years ago).

Wood bison.

Uh, yup! Uh huh huh huh.

The Aboriginal interpretive trail.

Grizzly - wishes he had some fires to put out.

The old monorail. "Monorail!"

Musk ox.

Ostrich (m).

Ostrich (f).

Not exactly graceful looking.

Hypotheses!

Loxodonta africana.

I heard someone pronounce its name as "war-thawg".

Pacing Sumatran tiger.

This one sees the pacing one coming around, hides down, and pounces when it comes around.

</lj-cut>

I had a late lunch at FitzPatricks and saw Burn After Reading again. I still had time, so i went up to the school and got caught up with some work. Met the guys and gals at the Tap for wings and foolery.

Sunday, October 19th, 2008 09:49 am: Max Payne

After work on Friday, i went to see a movie, Max Payne, starring Mark Wahlberg, the poor man's Matt Damon. Okay, i wasn't expecting anything great, although it was visually interesting. Some dumb reviewer wonder where the valkyries came from, as they weren't in the video game. Interesting to have the big climax with the hero completely out of his mind (didn't affect his aim, though).

Visually interesting.

Visually interesting. (Mila Kunis!?)

"There's an army of bodies under this river, people who ran out of time, out of friends. I could feel the dead down there, reaching up to welcome me as one of their own."

Sunday, October 19th, 2008 09:59 am: Royal Botanical Ga... that is, winery tour.

Saturday, i drove to the Royal Botanical Gardens to see fall colours. Despite the fall colours reports, the trees at the RBG were no where near to their peak - barely changed colour at all. So, instead, i decided to go to another winery, Peninsula Ridge Estates, near Beamsville.

<lj-cut text="Yet more RBG - i mean, winery pics">

I made it just in time for the tour - this is a caterpillar warming itself in the front.

You can see Toronto very clearly, across Lake Ontario.

Looking to the vineyards, to the southwest.

Our tour guide - very knowledgeable, not quite the speaker as the Hillebrand guide.

Cabernet Franc grapes.

Pointing out the pruned grapes on the ground, to enhance the ones left on the vines.

</lj-cut>

<lj-cut text="Yet more winery pics">

Inside the winery.

Looking down from above.

The coachhouse - this used to be an orchard farm.

The old house is now the restaurant - and i didn't have a reservation, so i couldn't get seated. It was lunch time, and we tasted 4 wines inside the store, so i was hungry.

A wide shot on the way out, restaurant on the left, store on the right. Why did i put my sunglasses on the roof of my car?

So, i tried East Dell - their restaurant was booked up too!

And so was Vineland Estates. Stupid wineries.

I'd given up, and was headed towards the highway, and passed Ridgepoint Winery, and saw a 'Casual Dining' sign. Ha! Success. I had a salad greens salad, with green grapes, walnuts, goat cheese and red wine vinaigrette, roast pork loin, apple-onion bread pudding (tasted more like stuffing), and seasoned root veggies.

Their winery itself was a bit of a bust, but the vines were picturesque.

On the way home, i stopped at Yorkdale - Club Monaco had a sale of sorts, but nothing i wanted to get. The evening i wasted surfing, though i did edit photos.

Thursday, October 23rd, 2008 11:21 pm: Passchendaele, pineapple

Sunday, i saw Passchendaele, a Canadian romantic war epic - although the bulk of the movie takes place in Calgary. Paul Gross (some may remember him from Due South (Mountie in Chicago) plays the lead, a man who returns from battle (WWI) suffering from shellshock, having being awarded a medal for killing a young German. He becomes attached to his nurse (Caroline Dhavernas, from Wonderfalls), who has a young brother trying to atone for his father's betrayals by enlisting (despite his asthma).

It's a bit over-wrought in some places, and the story is predictable overall, but still well done, and some of the war scenes show the desperation of battle as well as i've ever scene. Some call it 'old-fashioned', although it's definitely not pro-war. It's hard to be pro-war about the battle of Passchendaele, where hundreds of thousands of men lost their lives for nothing, essentially.

"There is only one rule... don't die."

Monday evening (and Tuesday morning, though i had to teach then), we had an open house at the college. I went with those of there to the Tap for wings after.

Today, i did very little work (all in scripting), and met Lisa for lunch. We went to the Thai place downtown. I had the chicken with sour and spicy sauce, and rice, and deep-fried pineapple with ice cream for dessert. After, i shopped a bit at H&M (bought some pants), and saw Nick & Norah again.

Saturday, October 25th, 2008 01:44 pm: The Friday Five

The Friday Five for October 24th, 2008

When did you last...

1. ...scrounge for change (couch, ashtray, ect) to make a purchase?
Twelve years ago, before i got a career, lol.
2. ...visit a dentist?
June-ish, i think.
3. ...make a needed change to your life?
Far too long ago. At least i've signed up for the gym.
4. ...decide on a complete menu well in advance of the evening meal?
Probably never. Wait - maybe when i had friends over, when my parents went to Florida.
5. ...spend part of the day (other than daily hygiene) totally/mostly naked?
Whenever i get a decent amount of time home alone, lol.

Saturday, November 1st, 2008 10:47 pm: The Friday Five

The Friday Five for October 31, 2008

Holiday Season Edition [Why does Holiday Season begin at Halloween?]

What's your favorite holiday...

1. ...Song?
I dunno. I like Silent Night, but i'm not religious.
2. ...Movie or TV special?
A Charlie Brown Christmas and How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
3. ...Memory?
Far too long ago. At least i've signed up for the gym.
4. ...Baked good or dessert?
Maybe apple pie? You also need mince tarts and shortbread.
5. ...Each year, what's the one moment that lets you know it's officially the holiday season?
The Santa Claus Parade, mid-November.

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 12:18 am: Happy-Go-Crazy!

It's been a week! Last Sunday i saw Happy-Go-Lucky, the new Mike Leigh comedy (comedy-drama?). It's an odd duck, just like the lead character, Poppy, who is super-happy about everything, so much so that you probably want to smack her in the head once a while to get her to shut up. Still, she's a pretty likeable person, and we can see she is anything but a bubblehead. It's a pretty good movie - still, it has its weird moment when Poppy suddenly walks into a Mike Leigh film.

Zoe: "You can't make everyone happy."
Poppy: "There's no harm in trying that Zoe, is there?"

Scott (world's angriest driving teacher): "Bear with me."
Poppy: "Is there? Where is he?"

Anything interesting this week? Went out with people after work on Wednesday - first a couple of us went to see Burn After Reading again (for me), then a bunch of us went for wings and and drinks at the Tap. Some people got angry at others for maybe drinking too much before driving, others got angry at some for 'being a mother' for pointing that out. I don't really get the vehemence, and think maybe alcohol is to necessary for some people to have fun. Bleagh.

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 12:24 am: Jack And Miri Make An Underwhelming Romantic Comedy

Friday, after work i saw Zack And Miri Make A Porno, a lazy romantic comedy by Kevin Smith, who is now officially a lazy man's Judd Apatow. The laughs aren't bad, but the story hold zero surprises. Pretty unsexy porno they make, too. Brandon Routh (Superman) and Justin Long (the Mac guy) play a gay couple, one fairly normal, the other way over the top, which kinda shows nhow mixed up the movie is.

"Porn has gone mainstream. It's like Coca-Cola or Pepsi, with dicks in it."

"Paris Hilton can make a sex tape and then go on to sell perfume to tweens."

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 12:26 am: Holloween

When i got home, my brother was there for some reason (and left today). In the evening, i went to Mo's for a Halloween party. We made a half-assed stab at playing Kings, and walked over to another student's party, which had hardly anyone there. There was a student from another program there who seemed overly interested in, for just having met. She was probably drunk (at least, i hope so). I coulda got lucky, i think. Anyway, we left after not too long, and there were issues with someone driving while under the influence (someone different). There was another party, but i knew only one other person there, so it was a relatively early evening.

My Halloween costume. My cheap bowler hat was too small, the cheap make-up was sucked, and i hadn't gotten around to getting suspenders. One of my students dressed as a zombie version of me (i.e. based on a 3d model another student did last year) in class, but it took me a while to realize which zombie he was, ha ha. No photo yet...

Today i did little of consequence. I left around 12:30, got some candies for L&R's girls, went to the Pacific Mall, intending to look around, but mainly i just bought some really good dumplings. Did some shopping for new boots and coat, but found nothing. Bleagh.

What have i done all evening (other than laundry), and what did i do all morning?

As an aside, here's a photo i took last week of me outside my house.

Monday, November 3rd, 2008 10:45 pm: Ice cider?

Sunday was a little more productive. I made it downtown just after noon, had lunch at Spring Rolls. I bought a bottle of ice cider - never had that before. I saw Wong Kar-Wai's Ashes Of Time Redux again. So amazing.

Then i did some shopping - bought a new winter coat at H&M, and new winter boots. At home, i decided to wash my old winter boots and discovered again why i wanted new boots - the crack in the bottom of one. Boo! Into the garbage they went. Oh, and discovered the cords i've been wearing has a torn pocket - i tried sewing them but today the stitching came undone. Fail@domestic!

Despite the hype about being a spoof of Great Pumpkin, the Simpsons Halloween episode was another bust.

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 01:11 am: Another dream dies...

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 10:43 pm: National Ballet Fall Shorts Program

Last night, i went with Lisa to the ballet (after we dropped the girls off). Traffic was strangely awful (always seems to be good when i'm by myself). So, we had to rush supper at the Queen Mother - we both had the special pasta, ravioli with artichoke, sundried tomatoes and asparagus in a cream sauce with goat cheese, and shared a pear and arugula salad with blue cheese. I had a Strongbow, she had a glass of white.

Whenever i go to the ballet (again a dress rehearsal), i like to pick the mixed program. I probably should've had pop at the restaurant, cuz i felt tired at the beginning of the performance. Don't tell anyone, but Lisa snuck a couple of mini chocolate bars while we were in the theatre (although she did telegraph the motion with big arcs and open gestures).

It started with Bizet's Symphony in C, choreographed by George Balanchine, a beautiful classical piece, though no 'story' to it. Unfortunately it was too relaxing and i was too tired, lol, so i kept nodding off. I like the classical pieces (not to mention the female dancers essentially in frilly undies), but i like the modern pieces more.

Next was Ligeti's Polyphonia, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, a minimalist, abstract, athletic piece - where the first one used a full orchestra, this used a single pianist. It felt like it was from the jazz age (the music was).

Sadly, these are not from the actual show, so you don't have the very dramatic lighting, with their shadows in large against the background.

Finally, there was Philip Glass's In the Upper Room, choreographed by Twyla Tharp - while i liked the second one more than the first, this one was simply spectacular. Unfortunately, there are even fewer photos. The costumes start off like prisoner-striped pyjamas, with many of the dancers in running shoes (i even recognize the name of the costume designer, Norma Kamali), and they increasingly show more skin and scarlet tights underneath, and increasingly more dramatic music and dancing. The dancing is unlike anything you'd expect at 'ballet', with fog and lights, and it ended in a stunning crescendo.

And to top it off, we were rewarded with a win for hope and Barack Obama when we got back to the car.

Saturday, November 8th, 2008 11:12 am: Return to the Cinematheque

Went out with a handful of teachers (Chris, Matt, Angelina, me) on Thursday - luckily drinking and anger were kept to a minimum. First it was sushi, then it was The Tap. I left around 10:30, no idea when the others left.

Yesterday after class i marked until 4 - i only got through one assignment. Yeurgh!

For some reason traffic into the city has been miserable the last few times i've gone, just sucking p my time - seriously, it seems some cars are just meandering the streets. I did have enough time to make it into Malabar, but they were out of bowlers in my size (preparing for next year, ha ha).

Supper was at The Queen Mother (i had hoped to have enough time to make it to Jules, but oh well). It was so busy i had to sit at the bar. I had their steak-frites (sans mushroom) - pretty good, and a Strongbow.

The movie i saw was The Sun's Burial (Taiyo No Hakaba) by Nagisa Oshima. Set in the slummy areas of Osaka after WWII, the residents struggle to survive, some through prostitution, some through selling illegal items (blood and identification), some through petty robbery and theft. Allegiances and agreements are pretty shifty - having a conscience is something they can't afford. Hanako sells herself at night, buys and sells blood by day - yet she is constantly forced to seek new partners as old ones force her out. Takeshi joins a gang to feed himself, but becomes self-destructive when he becomes party to a robbery and rape. Most of the residents resign themselves to drinking and sex, although a few enjoy their petty power, and one of them looks forward to a war in the near future. It's not a happy story (though there are a few laughs) - it's disturbing, manic, sweaty and lurid.

I thought a former student was going to meet me at the movie, but it didn't happen - or maybe she misunderstood. Who knows?

Sunday, November 9th, 2008 10:23 pm: Role Models

Yesterday was a quiet day - did my exercises, laundry, the garbage, blog. I went for lunch and manga (Nana) at Lick's. Then i saw Role Models, about two men who are sentenced to become Big Brothers instead of going to jail. It was actually pretty funny, much funnier than i thought it'd be.

The ever-cute Elizabeth Banks.

"My job is to service these young boys."

Ronnie: "Suck it, 'Reindeer Games'!"
Danny: "I'm not Ben Affleck."
Ronnie: "You white, then you Ben Affleck."
Wheeler: "You *are* white."
Danny: "That's true, I am white".

The evening i spent surfing for silly stuff (French Canadian foods?), and reading.

Thursday, November 13th, 2008 01:15 pm: The New AGO

On Sunday i went to the Art Gallery of Ontario for the member's preview of the AGO renovation by superstar architect (and Canadian) Frank Gehry before the official public reopening. It's not quite done - the big new stairwells weren't ready, and there are various other things still to be done (video installations not complete, not all elevators functional yet, the front still not cleaned). I specifically joined the AGO as a member to see this (plus to enjoy it on a regular basis - i go to the ROM a lot more since i became a member). The official opening is tomorrow and it is open free to the general public November 14th (4 pm-midnight), the 15th (10 am to midnight) and the 16th (10 am to 5:30 pm).

Even though it was members only, it was still pretty crowded, so i went up to the top floor (5th) to work my way down. The 4th and 5th floors are all contemporary art, and though sometimes contemporary art can be hit or miss with me, overall it was pretty spectacular. I tend to like a lot of 1950s-60s stuff like Les Automatistes or Painters 11, or colorfield works. One of the more interesting works i saw was a modern one - i forget the artist's name, but it was a cartoonish giant sculpture of a face, stretched and distorted.

Photo doesn't do it justice.

Unfortunately you can't take photos inside the AGO (unlike the ROM), so i have to rely on the Gallery's own pics. There was one piece that was small models of architectural pieces, and other items, laid out like a city block. The labels said things like '5 centavos CUBA' - so it dawned on me that the models were from images on money. So, i saw the model of the Library of Parliament - i checked my wallet, and discovered the artist screwed up. The Library is on the 10, not the 20, ha ha.

There was no way to get to the 3rd floor (just as well, as it doesn't have galleries). I ended on the first floor, looking at the Prints and Drawings and Photography collections (which includes 9000 photos from the Klinsky Press Agency before WWII).

Young Country Girl Dancing

By the time i got through those, it'd been over 3 hours of walking and standing, so called it quits for the day, and made it down to the Queen Mother for lunch (pear and arugula with blue cheese salad, and decadent French toast stuffed with fresh berries, covered with yogurt) and manga. Also, i bought a new winter coat (50% off at H&M).

I finished class in Tuesday at 2, marked until 5, and went into the city since the AGO's free preview went to 9:30. This time i ate before, at Jules (sauteed chicken & frites, greens salad and creme brulee).

Anyway, this time i started on the second floor. I went through the Inuit sculptures and prints, the Oceanic collection (all Australian aboriginal work, actually), African collection (which is a major new collection), which is connected to modern movements and works directly influenced by African art (Picasso, Matisse, Brancusi). I also started on the Canadian collections, including part of the Thomson Collection (the enormous donation by the late Ken Thomson to the AGO). I was awestruck by the Krieghoffs - 145 of them - i didn't even see them all. Also, i walked partway along the Galleria Italia, which is this enormous open window/atrium that faces Dundas - the street is just wide open, what a gorgeous view. I wish i could take photos from there.

I'll have to wait until the clean up is finished to photograph the exterior of the AGO.

Thursday, November 13th, 2008 11:46 pm: "Darn you, Darwin!"

I'm pretty much caught up with marking at school. Just one assignment came in this week, and a handful of resubmissions.

So, on Wednesday, i treated myself to a movie (after getting the week's comics). I saw Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, which actually was better than the original, which i was a little iffy on. It seemed a little contrived, but the new one is a little sharper and funnier (although there's a certain predictability to the story, which is "Madagascar meets The Lion King".

I was impressed by the animation too, at least with the main characters - i caught myself watching their eyes, which were never dead, always slightly darting back and forth from eye to eye (watch someone's eyes closely). Although, there's something weird about the human characters (which hasn't changed since way back in the original Shrek) - they behave very cartoony, but look too human (i think that's it). I liked the references to other movies, some obvious, some subtler, like Twilight Zone (the gremlin on an airplane wing episode), West Side Story, Born Free (the music, and, well, the story i suppose), Flashdance (yeah, i caught those moves), and Planet Of The Apes - plus the Barry White-ish Hippo, and the kids game Barrel Of Monkeys. Plus, you have to keep you're eyes out for the little things happening behind the main action, like as the plane is crashing, the penguin flight attendant finally handing someone his drink, and as a penguin fumbles a piece of equipment he mumbles, "Darn you, Darwin!"

"Alright, but you're so darn ugly!"

Today, i bought presents for my friends' kids for tomorrow, and saw Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa again. I used a coupon my Dad gave me to pick up some KFC for supper, a useful reminder of why i shouldn't eat KFC.

Thursday, November 20th, 2008 11:40 pm: The Friday Five redux

The Friday Five for November 7, 2008

(I wrote this a couple of weeks ago and forgot to post - and there wasn't one last week!)

1. Could you live without your phone for 1 week for $500?
Oh yes, easily.
2. Whom do you talk to on the phone the most?
I guess my friend Lisa.
3. Whom do you no longer talk to on the phone but wish you still did?
My Mom.
4. If you could get ahold of one celebrity phone number, whose digits would you want?
Meh, no one.
5. Do you talk on the phone more or less than you used to?
Less - there are so many ways to communicate now.

Thursday, November 20th, 2008 11:43 pm: The Friday Five

The Friday Five for November 21, 2008

Feelings...

1. What made you happy this week?
Most of my classes were pretty fun. Games i did a simple little demo that kinda wowed most of them, and put paid to some snarkiness, ha ha. I did a lot of one on one in 3rd year which felt good.
2. What made you sad?
Nothing in particular, just general malaise. I miss my Mom. I wish the idea that a bunch of us go to Vegas didn't die.
3. What made you angry?
I don't remember being angry this week...
4. What are you looking forward to in the next week?
Umm.. i guess, at this point, getting back to physio, and getting some podiatric advice, AND massage therapy..
5. What are you not looking forward to?
All that marking!

Friday, November 21st, 2008 12:05 am: Long catch up

I've been lazy for no good reason. Last weekend i visited Matt and Jenn in rural western Ontario (i.e. Paisley), and thus their girls, including my goddaughter, who is just becoming verbal. I'd left school at 11, crossed most of the city by noon, to see Quantum Of Solace at the Colossus in Woodbridge. I ate at Hero Burger - i got the largest one. I don't really like them, because their meat is too lean, so it's not juicy at all, but the larger one was better. I left for Matt's after the movie.

It was a pretty quiet weekend. We didn't go and do anything. A lot of time was spent entertaining children, and waiting for them to go to bed, so we could drink and see movies (Eddie Izzard and Get Smart).

On the way back Sunday morning, it was snowing, first ral snow of the year, and i passed a really bad accident at the intersection of a county road and a highway - one car (sitting in the middle of the intersection) had its front entirely gone, doors were open, airbags had been deployed. The other car was sittingin a field off the road, like it'd been knocked there. Two people were still in the front seat, as if in shock. There was a person lying down in the field people were attending to, conscious i don't know, but presumably from the first car. Other people were getting blankets. There were cars and people all around, so i didn't stop (traveled very slowly through the scene). Emergency vehicles passed me not long after, so the accident had been very recent. It was upsetting. An hour later, i saw another car in a ditch (not a dinky little ditch, but virtually a hill it had to drive down).

I went into the city to see a movie at the Cinematheque, but traffic around the gallery was horrendous - i'd forgotten about the Santa Claus Parade. Also, the AGO had its official opening, and entry was free, so there were enormous crowds around, in the parking garage, and the streets. Lunch (pad thai) and manga (Wet Moon 4) were at Queen Mother.

After 40 minutes trying to get out of the parking garage (crazy!) i went on my way again, stopping for supper at Licks. When there Lisa called me. She thought i was still at Matt's, so was surprised when i showed up at her house 10 minutes later. I was there for an hour and half or so.

Monday, a bunch of us from work saw Quantum Of Solace - i think reaction was mixed. Tuesay after work, we went to a new (noisy) pub for wings and drinks. Yeah, they were pretty good. I left after 10 - they stayed for 3 more hours, unbelievable - no wonder they're tired at work.

Today, i went to get my oil change and tire rotation, and spent the time reading comics at Burger King (ugh, their eggs are powdered). I had lunch at Licks (mm... Licks), picked up a few things, and came home to get ready for my doctor appointment. Hence my appointments and prescriptions.

At work, i've been a marking machine.

Movie reviews to come.

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008 12:41 pm: A very small amount of consolation...

Last Friday, and again last Monday with some friends, i saw Quantum Of Solace, the latest James Bond movie, and sequel to Casino Royale. It was different than the usual Bond film, grimmer (which comes out of events from the last movie, i.e. the death of Vesper), and even grittier - i quite liked it.

(Strawberry) Fields forever!

Dirty girl.

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008 01:27 pm: "I have no problem with homophobia. As long as they do it behind closed doors."

While away last weekend, i managed to catch Eddie Izzard: Unrepeatable - i love Eddie Izzard's performances, and this is one of the few DVDs i hadn't seen.

"I appreciate your applause, but I don't do it for applause. I do it for cash... it's much better."

"Nowadays, we're more sophisticated as consumers. We go into supermarkets and we read the labels. (mimes reading label) 'This jam is made by Nazis with dead trees, bits of mud and spit.' I don't think I'll have that one. (mimes picking another jar up) 'This jam was made by groovy people and fruit who agreed to be in the jam in the first place. Volunteer fruit, better known as free-range fruit, allowed to casually chat to chickens.' "

"And we have pets because they lower our blood pressure, this is apparently official - they lower our blood pressure. I don't know how they do that, (mimes petting pet) you sort of stroke them, you go to sleep, and while you sleep, the dog puts one of those big, puffy things in your arm, and (mimes taking blood pressure)... 'It's 180 over 60.' 'What does that mean?' 'I don't know, I'm a dog!' "

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008 01:58 pm: "The Boy Who Sold His Pigeon"

On Sunday i caught Ai To Kibo No Machi (A Town Of Love And Hope) by Nagisa Oshima at the Cinematheque. It's a story about a poor boy, with a sick mother (who shines shoes for a living, and wants him to go to school to better himself) and a younger and mentally impaired sister who sells their pet pigeons to help the family - the trick being the pigeons return home to be sold again. He sells one to the daughter of a rich manufacturer, and she and his teacher become his advocates for getting a good job at the their factory. The teacher and the manufacturer's son (also part of the management) begin a relationship. A very political, though not violent, movie, a little heart-breaking.

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008 02:15 pm: I eat danger for breakfast!

Yesterday i went to see Bolt. I've been seeing the trailers forever, and had no interest in seeing it - it looked so smarmy and annoying. But the reviews were good, so i thought i'd give it a shot. I was very surprised to find it was pretty darn good. Nothing ground breaking, and nowhere near Pixar's best, but very entertaining, a little below Kung Fu Panda, a little higher than Madagascar 2.

"Wow. Crazy day for ya, huh?"

I thought the character animation on the pigeons, matching natural pigeon jerkiness, was pretty good.

Sunday, November 23rd, 2008 09:40 am: Poor Cedric, why couldn't he R.I.P.?

I had a lazy day yesterday, doing stuff around the house (laundry, journal, etc). As much as i like going out, it was a bit of a relief not to pay 20-30$ for a meal, ha ha - like Friday night, i had a burger, salad and Bulmer's cider at FitzPatrick's.

Anyway, things were under control by supper, and it was over soon enough that i was able to make it to the cinema for 6. The movie i saw was Twilight - unlike the other showings, there were no line-ups (i saw huge line-ups of mainly tweenie/teenie girls the day before). It was decent enough - kind of a typical teen romance with vampirism thrown in (at least the real bad guy isn't her ex). Edward is something of a creeper, stalking her at night, but in a creepy obsessive way, not a vampiric predator way. It was strange in some ways - Bella seems constantly weirded out, and all the kids behaved so oddly at first you wonder if the whole thing is a spoof (but at least there are no evil 'queen bee' bitches around). And yeah, the superspeed looks really cheesy. The no-death-before-we're-married abstinence angle was interesting.

The nerd table. Seriously, does Edward here have smouldering intensity, or just a brain injury?

"Yeah. Um... I had an adrenaline rush. It's very common. You can Google it."
"I have considered radioactive spiders and kryptonite. I know what you are. You're impossibly fast. And strong. Your skin is pale white, and ice cold. You're a White Martian. Or Norwegian Olympian."

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 11:01 pm: Marriage according to the Bible

Marriage should be between one man and four women - two wives and and two concubines (Genesis 29 & 30).

Thursday, November 27th, 2008 11:11 pm: Slumdogs

On Sunday, i went to the city to see a movie (of course). Had my usual crepe & orangina, checked out the bookstore a bit. Also went to Club Monaco - they had a 30% off sale, and i took advantage to get a pair of tartan trousers, and as it turned out, they had a style that was even tartanier, so yay!

The movie i saw Slumdog Millionaire, by Danny Boyle (director of Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, Millions, and Sunshine - how's that for variety?). A young poor man is being roughly interrogated by the police, accused of cheating in the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. They want to know how a 'slumdog' like him knows the answers - he replies by telling the story of his life living in the slums, the death of his mother at the hand of anti-Muslim rioters, his and his brother's struggle for survival (as small children), his search for the girl they left behind, and so on. Will he be released to finish his run on the show, and maybe become rich? Will he reconcile with his brother? Will he find the girl he's been seeking?

One site billed it as a 'romantic comedy', which is ridiculous. There are funny parts, and there is a love story, but it's also a brutal and gritty story of survival. It's also very good, the only false note being the convenience of the questions being asked in the order of the stories of his growing up (it would've been okay to jump around in time).

The young Jamal gets the autograph of his idol, despite having fallen into an outhouse.

The girl and the two brothers.

The girl forced to become a street dancer.

Sunday, November 30th, 2008 10:07 pm: Ha ha ha ha!

The opposition has every right to defeat the government but Stéphane Dion does not have the right to take power without an election.
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper gives the nation a lesson in parliamentary democracy from the foyer of the House of Commons (November 28, 2008)

As leaders of the opposition parties, we are well aware that, given the Liberal minority government, you could be asked by the Prime Minister to dissolve the 38th Parliament at any time should the House of Commons fail to support some part of the government's program. We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority. Your attention to this matter is appreciated.
- From a letter to then-Governor General Adrienne Clarkson signed by all three opposition leaders: Gilles Duceppe, Jack Layton and Stephen Harper
(September 9, 2004)

--------------------------------------------------------

We'll support the government on issues if it's essential to the country but our primary responsibility is not to prop up the government, our responsibility is to provide an opposition and an alternative government for Parliament and for Canadians. What the government has to do, if it wants to govern for any length of time, is it must appeal primarily to the third parties in the House of Commons to get them to support it.
- Stephen Harper

Well there are lots of things that could bring the government down, but my opposition can not bring the government down. The government can only be brought down because it alienates several parties in the House. And the first obligation in this Parliament, if the government wants to govern, it has to come to Parliament and it has to show that it can get the support of the majority of members.
- Stephen Harper

"When a government starts trying to cancel dissent or avoid dissent is frankly when it's rapidly losing its moral authority to govern."
- Stephen Harper

We'll see. We'll see - time will tell - but there does seem to be an attitude that they can govern as if they have a majority. And as I've told you I think Joe Clark taught us I think that's the wrong attitude to have in a minority Parliament.
- Stephen Harper

Sunday, November 30th, 2008 11:21 pm: Shangri-La

Friday evening i went with Jackie and Mel to see a free movie through the Japan Foundation at the Bloor. We went to two pubs to eat - the first one had the crappiest service - thanks for the menu, then ignoring us.

Anyway, the movie was Shangri-La (Kin'yû Hametsu Nippon: Tôgenkyô no hito-bito). A dark satirical farce about financial collapse, 'Shangri-La' is a happy settlement of the otherwise homeless, but not hopeless, they get involved in saving a printer from bankruptcy when a contractor (owned by a very wealthy and corrupt man, who nevertheless remains personally wealthy) goes bankrupt. A little fraud and extortion to right the scales of justice. A little slow in places, but also very funny - the funniest when we see the corrupt man looking like he's having a seizure, only to sit back in relief, and have a man crawl out from under the table. Also a little touching in places.

The 'Mayor' and his ex, and the printer, the 'Mayor' and 'Deputy'.

The 'Deputy', the 'Mayor', the Rich Man and one of his mistresses.

Sunday, November 30th, 2008 11:46 pm: Physio, Foot and Massage Therapy, oh my!

This has been a week of semi-medical appointments. Tuesday it was back to physio after a big break (the therapist had some issues of his own). Good thing too, as one of my exercise bands snapped. After that, it was a meeting with the foot specialist (podiatrist? chiropodist?). Apparently, i'm putting too much pressure on my big toe and the big ball behind it, and i have low arches. Who knew? Anyway, the fascia underside of my feet (left in particular) are suffering (i have a nodule of scar tissue build up in the middle of my left arch). So, i'm getting inserts for my footwear.

Friday, it was the massage therapist, for the pained muscles between my right shoulder and neck - no mystery there, it comes straight from working on computers all day (helping students, etc). She was very informative, and in particular gave me penty of warning about what was involved: it's not spa-type massage. No indeed, it was fairly painful, lol. She did my whole back, and neck area, looking for trigger points and inevitable scar tissue - i could hear it popping like bubble wrap as she went up my back muscles. Anyway, i was okay Friday, but the whole neck/upper shoulder area feels very bruised. And she only did one of several trigger points in my neck, lol. Aughhhh.

Saturday, i did hardly anything - the constant neck pain was making me feel queasy (low-level, but constant). Did laundry and such, but that's it. My brother dropped by with steaks (it'd be useful if he told us he was coming), and then went to help his daughter get up her Christmas lights. I had to leave early, so my Dad just made me the sloppy joes we had planned (and frankly, i wanted more, lol - anyway, i'd had a great steak the night before).

I went to see Alice & Minerva's latest ballet - they were extras in a version of Cinderella, which was accompanied by some older girls (god bless'em) doing Les Sylphides. This time Lisa sat with Russ and i (her parents were sitting in our original seats - don't ask).

After, i got The Globe, and some fries and a coke at McDonald's (i only had one sloppy joe and i usually have one and a half, okay?!).

I left today for the city while my brother was still in bed, and he was gone by the time i got home.

Monday, December 1st, 2008 12:21 am: Uh, 'Merry' Christmas...

I had little over an hour when i got into the city. For lunch i tried the Italienne crepe (brie, tomato, onion, and sliced egg), which was yummy. Had about 15 minutes in Indigo, but didn't get anything. I did get popcorn at the movie theatre, though, lol.

The movie i saw today was Un Conte de Noël (A Christmas Tale). It's about a dysfunctional family coming together for Christmas, and for testing, because the mother of the clan (Catherine Deneuve) has a rare cancer and needs a bone marrow donor. First there's the son who died when he was 6 (also of a rare cancer needing a donor) who is no player but is a presence, then the daughter who tries to be controlling but ends up depressed, the temperamental and unstable middle brother (banned by the daughter because he's uncontrollable - and who was conceived to provide a donor for the first son, played by Mathieu Amalric, the latest Bond villain), the little brother who tries to fix everything, the cousin who still pines over the little brother's wife, plus the dad, assorted children (one who was recently committed), spouses, exes and girlfriends - and oh, the late grandma's 'companion'. Hostilities are almost always at the surface.

Unbelievably, it's a comedy, and not in the wacky-schmaltzy Hollywood style (for that, go see Four Christmases or Nothing Like the Holidays) - and it's quite funny, in a dark way. Maybe it's really only in the movies, but sometimes the French take their philosophizing too seriously, and definitely smoke way too much.

Middle brother - so random...

Grandma's 'companion', mom, and daughter.

Younger son and wife, daughter's crazy son, daughter, and daughter's usually absent ex.

One of the smaller boys, the girlfriend and the dad.

Sunday, December 7th, 2008 05:31 pm: High And Low

Tuesday was physio. Thursday was our annual Christmas Screening. It was organized by some second years, and it was a little blah (short and hardly any first years were there), although to be fair, this was the first year it wasn't part of their homework. Generally i'd prefer it to be just a Christmas Party, and leave the screening to the spring, but oh well. Maybe it's good for the 3rd years to see their work on the big screen.

We met the 3rd years at a local pub, for eats and giggles, some 2nd years also dropped by, but then we left to be out on our own - annoyingly it started snowing and making the roads hazardous, but thankfully it disappeared halfway to the new place. I didn't mind the new place, it was clubbier, loungier, and the waitresses were very easy on the eyes (not to mention helpful). But it was kinda dead. When everyone decided to leave to go to the old pub which we decided to never return to because the service was awful), because the musical 'talent' looks like Kevin Bacon, i went home. Of those of us who worked on Friday, i was in the best shape.

Friday was my last class of the semester, and after i did some marking. I'm now down to one assignment for each year. Yay! I like the new first year classes, they're good kids.

Yesterday, i went to see a movie at the Bloor - Jackie had suggested it, but it turned out she couldn't make it. I ate at the new burger joint that hadn't yet opened when we saw Shangri-La. It was okay - the meat needed a little seasoning.

The movie i saw was Kurosawa's Tengoku To Jigoku ('Heaven And Hell', also known as High And Low). Over two hours long, it's the story of an executive (Toshiro Mifune) in the midst of a takeover of the company he works for, when a boy is kidnapped. The first half, after beginning a discussion of corporate cynicism (his rivals wanting to make cheaper, crappier shoes), deals with the moral dilemma of whether to pay the ransom or not - the boy was supposed to have been his son but the kidnapper got his chauffeur's son instead, even if they pay there's no guarantee the boy will be returned alive, and if they pay and the boy is returned the family will be bankrupted anyway (having mortgaged their home for the takeover). The second half of the movie is more of a police procedural, as the police work to track down the kidnapper.

It was excellent, except i thought it was somewhat long, and you could probably trim it. The visit to the 'druggie alley' was bizarrely lurid - no idea how realistic it was, but it seemed a little 'reefer madness'. Interestingly, it was back and white, except for one scene with bright pink smoke.

"I'm not interested in self-analysis. I do know my room was so cold in winter and so hot in summer I couldn't sleep. Your house looked like heaven, high up there. That's how I began to hate you."

When i got out, it was snowing, and it took much longer to get home than usual (almost two hours). Bleagh, winter sucks.

Sunday, December 7th, 2008 07:29 pm: "What is this, a freak out?"

Saturday i spent at home. I was thinking or renting a movie, but as luck would have it, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory was on, and i've never seen the 'original' (of course, it was a book first, and the second movie was closer to the book). I can't say either version grabbed me, but i don't dislike either of them. I liked this story of Willy Wonka - that is, i didn't like the character's back story in the Johnny Depp version, but the newer one has a more interesting look (that's Tim Burton for you). It does seem odd to me the way characters behaved - really more like cartoons, and i wonder if i'd prefer it animated vs live action.

I think it's actually uranium in the case...

"What is this, Wonka, some kind of funhouse?"
"Why? Having fun?"

"I want the world. I want the whole world. I want to lock it all up in my pocket. It's my bar of chocolate. Give it to me now."

A screen shot from Jack Albertson's series Chico And The Man.

Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it with dew
Cover it with choc'late and a miracle or two
The Candy Man, oh the Candy Man can
The Candy Man can 'cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good

Who can take a rainbow, wrap it in a sigh
Soak it in the sun and make a groovy lemon pie
The Candy Man, the Candy Man can
The Candy Man can 'cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good

The Candy Man makes everything he bakes satisfying and delicious
Now you talk about your childhood wishes, you can even eat the dishes

Oh, who can take tomorrow, dip it in a dream
Separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream
The Candy Man, oh the Candy Man can
The Candy Man can 'cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good

The Candy Man makes everything he bakes satisfying and delicious
Talk about your childhood wishes, you can even eat the dishes

Yeah, yeah, yeah
Who can take tomorrow, dip it in a dream
Separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream
The Candy Man, the Candy Man can
The Candy Man can 'cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good
Yes, the Candy Man can 'cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good
a-Candy Man, a-Candy Man, a-Candy Man
Candy Man, a-Candy Man, a-Candy Man
Candy Man, a-Candy Man, a-Candy Man

Sunday, December 7th, 2008 08:37 pm: The Friday Five

The Friday Five for November 28, 2008

Ear Worms!

Ear worms are those annoying little songs that get stuck in your head. Sometimes they are the last song you hear on the radio before you go into the office, sometimes they just randomly pop in.

1. What is a common ear worm that you get?
I dunno... maybe If I Only Had A Brain.
2. How long do they last?
Dunno... by the way, 'ear worm' is a stupid name.
3. What do you do to get rid of them?
Stop thinking about them.
4. What is the worse ear worm you've ever had?
'Hamster On A Piano'.
5. Do you get some guilty pleasure in passing the ear worm along?
Sure.

The Friday Five for December 5, 2008

1. Do you like the look of your country's currency (bills and coins)?
Sure (especially the newest notes - the coins need revising, although i'd like the voyageur coin back).
2. Regardless of their actual value, do you like bills or coins better?
Well, they both have their charms, but there are too many of both of them. Canada has 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cent, and 1 and 2 dollar coins, though there's been talk about simply getting rid of the penny. Then we have 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollar notes, although there's been talk about replacing the 5 dollar notes with a coin. Generally our currency follows the 1-2-5 pattern, except for the lack of a 2 cent coin, and we have a quarter instead of a 20 cent piece. Inflation has destroyed the value of penny and nickel. And it's dumb that it takes 5 cents to make one nickel, but only two nickels to make a dime (two dimes and a nickel to make a quarter, four quarters to make a dollar, two loonies to make toonie, etc). We don't really use the 50 cent piece. It's so sloppy, for a logical mind like mine.
   Here's my plan: 10 and 30 cent, and 1 and 3 dollar coins (shrunk down from current sizes for loonie and toonie), and 10, 30 and 100 dollar notes. It takes 3-4 coins to make up the next higher denomination. Instead of 7 coins and 5 notes, only 4 coins and 3 notes, and lighter in weight. Actually, you could add a big collectible 10 dollar coin, like the silver dollar used to be. In fact, you could get rid of dollars and cents - why is it always '100 somethings make 1 something else'. Be like the Japanese, just 'yen'. Just do everything in dimes: 1, 3, 10 and 30 dime coins, and 100, 300 and 1000 dime notes.
3. What is your favorite foreign currency? And why?
I like the names of the old currencies of Europe, such as pound/livre/lira, shilling/sou, and penny/denier/dinero, plus individual coins like crown, florin, ecu, noble, sovereign, etc. You begin to realize most European currencies were related to each other.
4. Do you collect coins or bills? Elaborate.
When i was little i used to collect coins, and i still have sme of them (got rid of the generic every-year coins, kept the silver, foreign coins, etc).
5. Do you think human society could make do completely without money? Explain.
Nope, civilization needs a medium of economic exchange. Barter is feudal/iron age or earlier. Cash, however, could disappear.

Sunday, December 14th, 2008 01:09 am: I just saw Sebastian Grainger, The Dears, Tokyo Police Club, and METRIC

And YES, that makes me better than you.

"Looking on the bright side..."

Sunday, December 14th, 2008 11:09 pm: The Friday Five

The Friday Five for December 12, 2008

1. What did you do on Monday?
At school, had interviews with the 3rd years. Watched Heroes.
2. What did you do on Tuesday?
At school, had interviews with the 3rd years - one flunkd out (as it turns out, virtually intentionally). Put work on a CD to mark. In evening, marked at home.
3. What did you do on Wednesday?
In the morning, marked at home, in afternoon, had physio and massage therapy, in evening, marked.
4. What did you do on Thursday?
Went to school, input marks. Went back to town to the podiatrist, got my orthotics (450$! thank goodness i got insurance). Met up with Chris and Angelina for sushi, then to The Tap for a drink, Angelina left, John and later Emma joined us.
5. What are you going to do Friday?
Friday, we had our marks meeting in the morning, then met about rigging. I had lunch at Wimpy's, dropped by Lisa's to give her money for the kids' ballet ticket and junk i was forced to buy. Spent the later afternoon, evening at home.

Saturday, i read comics, newspapers, did laundry, tidied, and such.

Tuesday, December 16th, 2008 10:20 am: Jingle Bell Rock 2008 (Metric, Tokyo Police Club, The Dears)

Saturday night i went to Jingle Bell Rock 2008 at the Sound Academy, with Sebastien Grainger and The Mountains (whose set i mostly missed, although i was only a little late), The Dears, Tokyo Police Club, and headlined by Metric.

During the first DJ set (by Mike Relm, - pretty good, he even played The Who at one point), I wandered around a bit, went to the back and got a drink. Took me a while to realize the place was divided into drinking and 'all-ages' sections (not much crowd control when i first went in).

Overall, it was a pretty young crowd, although i wasn't the oldest person there. There were also a bunch of Identifiably Parents (carrying junk, looking confused, waiting for their kids to be done, i guess). Also, some Sensible Girls (i.e. those who wear sensible shoes), presumably there for Emily Haines. The crowd was really well-behaved (parents, don't worry about your kids at a Metric concert).

I liked that the show started at 7 and ended by 12, so for someone who's gotten into the habit of waking up early for 8 o'clock classes that was really good.

The next band up was The Dears, a Montreal band, kind of a cross between Morrissey, Blur and Joy Division, yeah. I love Lost In The Plot. They didn't sound all that great, and later on i think it's perhaps because i'd stayed at the back. Their set wasn't all that long either. Have to wait for them to headline something to really get the experience, i think. While watching them, some girl hit me (my elbow) with her breast and apologized. No problem.

(not my photos, i was too lazy to bring my camera - i need something smaller for clubs)

After The Dears finished, i wandered around into the all-ages area, mainly because it was closer to the stage (and not so crowded). There was some short 30ish dude wearing a leather jacket with flashing lights on it (spelling something like 'Fergusons DVDs'), which he was stopping to show off to various girls. It made them laugh - then roll their eyes and smirk at each other after he left.

Then Tokyo Police Club (from Newmarket) came on - they're on of those groups whose name i knew, whose songs i knew, but i never connected the two. Their show was pretty damn good - not just the sound (i was in the front, drinking Pepsi), but the enthusiasm. I really enjoyed them.

During the next break i wandered around to the back, used the facilities, sat down for and had a slice of very good pizza (now that is a venue!). But i went back to the front for the last band.

I've always loved Metric, although this is the first time i've seen them in concert. Emily Haines was pretty subdued at first, although she came alive between songs, and gradually opened up more and more as the show went on. They played everything from their upcoming album (there was one that really grabbed, but like i can remember the lyrics), and all of their hits. Pretty awesome.

What wasn't so awesome was trying to get out of the place - we were lined up for ever and hardly moving. A girl behind me bumped into me and said "Sorry, i keep hitting your ass, Tall Guy." Ha ha ha. Stupidly, it turned out the line-up was caused by people at the coatcheck. DUH! I didn't need to be in a coatcheck line-up, as i'd only worn a hoodie (had a proper coat in my car).

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 11:31 am: :(

I can't believe it's been a whole year, as of today, since my Mom died. I miss her terribly.

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 08:18 pm: Anime Con and Hockey Game

Sunday i went with Jackie and her little sister (anime nerd in training, lol) to the December Toronto Anime Con (D-TAC) at the Convention Centre.

"Oh Em Gee!" - a con-goer, on seeing Jackie's gothic-lolita costume.

<lj-cut text="DTAC pics">

The line up to get in was fairly long.

But the dealer room was ridiculously packed - so much so i saw police and security come in to check things out.

It was hard to move around.

There were a lot of people who decided to stay out of the room. There wasn't much going on, so it was kind of a bust, compared to FanExpo or AnimeNorth.

CCS!

</lj-cut>

We went for lunch at some pub on King Street before going back to The Shwa.

I had enough time between getting back and going to see friends for supper, so i snuck in another showing of 3D Bolt. I missed the beginning of the new Pixar Cars short. Meh.

I had a good time at Lisa and Russ's, but everyone had to disperse after - Lisa and the girls went to her mother's choir, Russ was going to a hockey game. Lisa's Dad has season's tickets to the Oshawa Generals, and because he went to see his wife sing (of course), there was a spare ticket. First time i've seen a live hockey game since university (and that was a Varsity Blues game).

<lj-cut text="Hockey pics">

I was surprised the place was that full - it seemed pretty fun. Here a bunch of schoolchildren leave having performed the national anthem.

It was the Oshawa Generals vs their main rivals, the Peterborough Petes.

During the intermission, they had some peewee hockey, doing shots on net.

Zamboni!

The view from the concessions level.

</lj-cut>Save! The game was a little stupid, up and down. At one point, Oshawa led 4-1, but it was tied 4-4 at the end of the third period, no one scored during the over-time, so it went to a shoot out.

The winning goal, by Oshawa, in the shoot-out (5-4).

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 10:58 pm: Museum Monday

Monday morning, at the last minute, i decided to take the train into Toronto and visit the ROM. In particular, there were a couple of new shows i wanted to see.

The first was The Nature of Diamonds. For a museum, there was a lot of reading (i can do that with a book), and another issue is that most of the objects tend to be pretty small (not quite as awe-inspiring as a dinosaur skeleton). Still, there were pretty stunning pieces, including an amber coloured one the size of a mandarin (although shaped like a tear), and a pink rectangular one (no sign of a panther inside), and ones that were pure bright orange (most colours tend to be just tints).

The other show was Mysteries of Ancient Ukraine: The Remarkable Trypilian Culture (5400-2700 BC), about a Neolithic culture in eastern Europe (actually west Ukraine, Moldova and northeast Romania). It was pretty fascinating.

Then, it was over to the Japanese Foundation to see ENSO Contemporary Japanese Calligraphy Exhibition (by Noriko Maeda):

"Enso is a symbolic shape in Japanese Calligraphy. It is simply a circle, however, every circle reflects the uniqueness of the creator. In Zen Buddhism, it is said that Enso exposes the absolute truth and symbolizes enlightenment and the universe. The painting of an Enso is an expression of the moment and reveals the spirit of the artist. The strength of the line, its splashes, rugged bumps and seamless flow are all filled with subtle, yet complex, nuances. As no two creators are alike, the same lines resonate differently to its viewers."

I took the subway down to Yonge & Dundas, and ate a late lunch at Spring Rolls ( Chicken & Vegetable Dumplings, Stir Fry Lemongrass Chicken Rice Platter, Mangotini). Then a tiny bit of shopping, to replace a pair of pants i really liked that somehow got damaged - oh, and not only was it on sale, but so was another pair i really liked.

After i got back, i dropped by Lisa's to pick up the cheese cake and pies i bought (damn fundraising).

Thursday, December 18th, 2008 12:18 am: Random stuff

Tuesday i went in to work to finish up - one student handed in stuff very late, but i bent over backwards for her - i didn't want to be the only one who failed her, if it was at all close. She lives to fail another day. Another one was borderline, and mine was the only class (i had to wait to hear that from other teachers who were late with marking. We teachers were supposed to be getting together, but someone had to bail - it's like herding cats.

So, after McLunch, i did some Christmas shopping - i've left it late-ish again this year. Ugh! I hope my nieces like Body Shop. No idea what to get my Dad. I miss buying for my Mom, and opening presents and stockings in the morning. :( Now, it's just a card with cash from my Dad.

Last night i did the Christmas cards. Today i mailed the cards, and did more shopping - almost done. Stopped to get comics, but a snowstorm delayed the delivery. My niece dropped by to chat with my Dad, probably because it's the anniversary of my Mom's passing.

A couple of weeks ago (a month maybe?), someone flipped a switch from Fall to Winter, and we've had a couple of piles of snow, and pretty cold temps! We had another one last night. Last week we had a big snow, and at Licks, the customers redesigned the parking lot, not being able to see the signs underneath - it might actually have been a better arrangement, ha ha.

Here are a couple of photos i took about a month ago, on the way back from visiting my friend Matt. It's a bit excessive for mid-November, don't ya think?

Ha ha - doctors these days...

The story is gruesome, but this line from an article is written poorly:
"A mother from Merseyside came face to face with the man who tortured and murdered her son during his parole hearing..."
As it implies he killed her son during the parole hearing.

I was thinking about the movie Twilight. Bella was born in 1987, making her 17 in 2004 (when the book was set, and possibly the movie). But while Edward may look like a 17-year old, was born in 1901, making him at least 86 years older than her. CREEPER!

Almanac moment: The earliest sunset, 16:38 hrs, has already passed for 2008, between December 7th and 16th. The latest sunrise, 7:17 hrs, won't happen until between December 29th and January 10th, 2009. And the fewest amount of daylight, 8:54, happens between December 18th and 24th.

Friday, December 19th, 2008 01:10 pm: Let The Right One In, but you have to say it

Yesterday, i did some secret stuff with some other teachers. Well, i mostly sat, but my hands shook. %-}...

Then it i made an appearance at the good bye party for JoAnne, our long time Administrative Coordinator, before meeting Angelina and Chris for sushi. I will not say what i did with Angelina's extra sushi. Or what she did!

Then i drove into the city, did some shopping at the Eaton Centre (no buying). Had a drink at Milestones, beside the Yonge-Dundas cinema. The movie i saw was Låt Den Rätte Komma In (Let the Right One In): "Oscar, an overlooked and bullied boy, finds love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar 'girl' who turns out to be a vampire." Essentially it combines a European-style coming-of-age love story with a vampire story. Very different and much better than Twilight, less melodramatic, creepier, and more touching. There's also an interesting angle about sadism (bullying) vs need. The only real flaw was the CGI cats, which looked ridiculous. Ugh, it may be remade by Hollywood, by the director of Cloverfield.

Personally, i think the relationship between the old man and the girl is pretty obvious.

"Are you really my age?"
"Yes. But I've been this age for a very long time."

Swedish health care is still better than America's.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

"Squeal, Piggy!"

Friday, December 19th, 2008 06:43 pm: The Friday Five

The Friday Five for December 19, 2008

1. What decade did you attend/are you attending high school or college?
1977-82 and (university) 1982-1987.
2. What clothing fashion from that time are you glad/do you wish went out of style?
I dunno - maybe anything Michael Jackson?
3. Do you still listen to the music from your high school/college years on a regular basis?
Sometimes - not so much the cheesey stuff.
4. What hairstyle/hair color did/do you wear during high school/college?
Pretty plain, parted on the left - onger enough to cover my ears in the early years, progressively shorter, and then progressively disappearing, lol.
5. What was/is "the cool thing to do" while in high school/college?
I dunno, i was never cool. Probably sex, drugs and rock and roll.

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008 11:52 am: Hog wild

Friday i never left the house - CRAPPY WEATHER! I did Christmas wrapping.

I watched a DVD i rented, Hell Ride, one of the 'Quentin Tarantino Presents' series. When i picked it up, i thought it actually was Tarantino, but it was directed by and starred Larry Bishop (who was actually, decades, ago in the grindhouse movies this is supposedly paying tribute to) with Michael Madsen, David Carradine, Dennis Hopper, etc. So many old guys, it could've been a sequel to Wild Hogs. It was a pale imitation of Tarantino's style, and just not very interesting.

"We like our women slutty and with silicone implants, but we like bikes and killing more."

"We like our men grimy, violent and stupid, and three times our age."

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008 11:55 am: Yes, that Jean-Claude Van Damme

Saturday i went in to the city again. Did a little Xmas shopping (not all for me). Had lunch at Spring Rolls - stirfry lemon grass beef rice platter, this time with a springrollini.

The movie i saw was JCVD, named for and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. It was actually very good! It's not a typical action flick, in fact it's a bit of a comedy-thriller-drama. He actually stars as himself, being seen as something of a washed up action star, in the middle of a custody battle (where he gets ripped for the violence of his movies), when he gets caught up in a bank robbery and hostage situation in his home town in Belgium - and the police believe he's responsible. I liked the replaying of the hostage situation from the outside and inside point of view.

Saturday evening i spent at home, and watched the latest Futurama DVD, Bender's Game, which was a riff on Dungeons & Dragons. It was okay, not my favourite one.

"What else can we slay? Is that a hobbit over there?"
"No, that's a hobo and a rabbit. But they're making a hobbit."

"Just knowing we're in the same genus makes me embarrassed to call myself Homo."

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008 11:56 am: "I'd like to buy a bowel!"

Sunday afternoon i went to see The Tale of Despereaux. It's only loosely based on the book, and the story is a little disappointing - it's got the epic sweep of a children's classic, but the bits don't fit together, and we barely get to know some of the characters. It has an interesting visual style - and gets more interesting when we see parts of a story a character reads also animated, so they the abstraction gets pushed to an extreme.

The Princess (voiced by Emna Watson) and Despereaux.

Voldemort... i mean, Botticelli, and Roscuro.

Time for a regime change, eh, Mig? Why is it only princesses get to be thin and beautiful and live in castles, while you have to serve them or slop pigs for a living?

In the evening, i went to Lisa and Russ's for dinner - the girls were wrapping each other's presents. This time Lisa made lasagna, and Russ made garlic toast (very good garlic toast). I had too much to drink, ha ha. We played scrabble until midnight, when i gave Lis a lift to the drug store to get some contact lens solution.

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008 01:41 pm: mussels, yes, snow

Monday morning, i had a physio appointment, more acupuncture. Then i made a bee-line for the GO Train to meet a friend for a 3 o'clock meal (actually scheduled at 3:30, but oh well). I had taken some juice, a banana and a yogurt along for the trip, but forgot to bring a spoon. D'oh! I used a straw for a juice box, ha ha.

I had intended to visit the AGO, but the gallery, it turns out, is closed Monday. Gah, what an idiot. So, i checked out Chapters, some clothing stores, and what not. I'd gotten so fed up with the new boots i'd bought, that i bought newer boots, which are much more comfortable to wear (i.e. no pain).

I met up with Ange at 3 at Jules. I had the pork loin in cream sauce (a lot like the sauteed chicken, actually, but not as tender). Ange had the mussles. I didn't have anything to drink, but i did have dessert (creme brulee). We chatted for a good 90 minutes.

I could've gone home, though i didn't want to be going on the train at rush hour. So i walked up to Yonge & Dundas AMC to see if anything was playing. As luck would have it, Yes Man started at 5:30. It was decently funny.

"What was that you said?"
"No." [gets hit in the head] "Yes?"

Jim Carrey is 46, Zooey Deschanel is 28. Just sayin'.

Yesterday, i spent running around doing some last minute shopping - ran into Lisa and the girls at the mall. Traffic was crazy, and we had ANOTHER storm. I had an appointment with the chiropodist, who adjusted my insert. They still feel odd, but at least no shooting pain. This morning was all shovelling, AGAIN!

Sunday, December 28th, 2008 11:41 pm: My Christmas 2008

Christmas Eve, after supper, i went over to Lisa and Russ's, for our usual Christmas Eve get-together. The girls finished up their letters to Santa, and Lisa, Russ and i had some cheer, ha ha. We exchanged presents. They got me The Red Balloon, the 1956 classic, a manga, Aqua 1, and a handful of CDs, including two mix CDs. I gave them each a big pile of dollar store toys, just for fun - the girls got a proper sketchbook with artists' pencils and chalk pastels, eraser and sharpener, while Lisa got some body shop hand cream and a 'lip butter', and Russ got Body Shop after shave, and a lip balm. Plus, i got them all tickets to the next Cirque show in Toronto (to go with mine, ha ha). After the girls went to bed, we had some of Russ(the chef)'s bruschetta. Yum!

Christmas morning is pretty quiet now. My Dad and i had some of the breakfast my niece prepared for me. Then i went out to see a movie. When i got back my Dad and i went to my sister's place. He went to the family room, to watch TV wth whoever was there, while i stayed with my sister in the kitchen, and occasionally helped with dinner, though she really has everything under control. We had some wine, as people came in, and ate the cheese, veggies and crackers my sister put together. No one brought any boyfriends this year (the girls each have new ones, it seems).

Dinner was roast beef (of which i had two large fatty and tasty chunks), mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potato, steamed carrots (i avoided, because i'd filled up on carrots earlier), cauliflower casserole (i avoided, because ick), yorkshire pudding (yum!), whole whear rolls, gravy (of course), and choice of pie (raspberry, apple, or pumpkin).

After dinner, the wine drinking continued, and my sister and i tried some cabernet ice wine, and ice cider (not as good as the wine). A bunch of us played cards - i played with Katie, Jake and Mitch (while Albert hung around us), while my Dad played with my sister, brother and sister-in-law. One niece had left earlier, so i guess that left just my brother-in-law watching TV. My Dad and i got home around 10:30.

I got 100$ from my Dad, my brother and sister-in-law gave me Loony Tunes Golden Collection 3, and another DVD. My brother's son gave me a box of chocolates and a DVD. My sister's sons gave me a shirt, a calendar, and a DVD. One niece gave me a Chapters gift card, the other a Ticketmaster gift card (with loose candies too). I'm not sure who gave me which DVDs - i ended up with two Wall-Es, and a Kung Fu Panda (after a switch-around - i originally got a Corner Gas set, which thankfully someone said was not for me). My brother's son did a switch again with me on the way out, as he got two Dark Knights, ha ha. So i ended up with Wall-E, Kung Fu Panda and The Dark Knight (as well as the Loony Tunes).

Sunday, December 28th, 2008 11:43 pm: Un-Spirited

The movie i saw Christmas Day was The Spirit. Reviews have not been kind, and not without reason.In fact, Frank Miller's been disappointing me since The Dark Knight Strikes Again. What i've seen of All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder verges on repugnant. It's a shame because there's a lot of good stuff in the movie - it just needed a director to get some acting out of the actors, and a story out of the writers. Although i like the art direction, Frank Miller's sense of humour is pretty weak. A symbol of what's wrong with the movie, or rather, why: Frank Miller's storyboard art was shown through the credits. That should've been Will Eisner's art - after all, he created the character.

"You're in love with every women you meet, Mr. Spirit. You say lovely things to all of us and you mean every word you say."

Sunday, December 28th, 2008 11:46 pm: Curious

On Boxing Day, i planned to go into the city and to the Art Gallery, but the weather turned me back - snow making the roads slippery and hard to see. Since then we've been having unseasonably warm weather, and rain. Anyway, i stopped at Licks for lunch, picked up a hot pack for my neck, and went to Lisa and Russ's - where they gave me a second lunch of quesadillas, ha ha. Oh, and cookies. The girls showed me what they got for Christmas.

After, i went to FitzPatrick's, to meet up with some grads at 4. Unfortunately they were 40 minutes late. I'd ordered already (steak sandwich), while they had to rush, because we were seeing a movie at 5:30. The movie we saw was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I enjoyed it, it had a fairy tale-ish feel to it, and very much like Forrest Gump (as it turns out they had the same screen writer) - except Benjamin plays no important role in world events. I really enjoyed it. In some way, there's no real point to the reverse aging gimmick, as mentally he ages normally. Well, it's not the first time someone pointed out old age is a lot like childhood, losing both mental and physical abilities. The main difference seems to be we mostly die alone, one way or another.

"You're so young."
"Only on the outside."

"I was thinking how nothing lasts, and what a shame that is."

Sunday, December 28th, 2008 11:47 pm: Art Gallery of Ontario - Canadian Collections

On Saturday, i went into the city, finally. First i stopped off at the AGO, and finished off the second floor, all Canadian art! The collection is enormous, rooms full of Krieghoffs and Kanes and Kureleks and Group of Sevens. There was a room of wacky 60s stuff - i don't know how much of that is permanent.

Native projectile points.

Kane.

Krieghoff.

Carr.

The new Canadian collection galleries - you can see native artifacts in the centre of the rooms.

The salon, designed like a Victorian salon, jam-packed with painting.

The salon has one of my favourite paintings, The Shepherdess by Paul Peel.

I also explored along the galleria again, and walked up the spiral staircase all the way to the fifth floor.

Sunday, December 28th, 2008 11:48 pm: MOCCA - Art Metropole: The Top 100 / Carte Blanche | Vol. 2: Painting

I left the AGO around 2, had a quick lunch (falafel in a pita), and went to MOCCA (Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art), on west Queen West. They have two current exhibitions.

Art Metropole: The Top 100

"This documentary-style exhibition situates the Art Metropole Collection historically, tracing its beginnings as a loosely-based agency of Toronto-based artists in the early 1970s, as it evolved into a unique artist-run centre."

I'm not really big on the ephemera.

Carte Blanche | Vol. 2: Painting

"The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art is pleased to present the exhibition Carte Blanche | Vol. 2: Painting, one of the most comprehensive surveys of contemporary Canadian painting undertaken in recent years."

I did like the paintings though. The individual pieces can be hit and miss, but there were a lot of good ones.

Sunday, December 28th, 2008 11:50 pm: Meh

Saturday evening, i had a get-together with some former students. The organizer isn't as good as he thinks at organizing, and too rigid. Anyway, we ended up with only Mo, Andrew P, Ryan C, Celeste and Chris P, and Miah, another teacher. Too bad, i was looking forward to see others. It was a lot more intimate i guess. I stayed with the stragglers until the end of the Ultimate Fighting battles in TV. Then i stayed up way too late chatting with Hana H online.

Today, i took it easy in the morning, doing laundry, reading papers and such. I was late in leaving, and only went to Yorkdale to shop. I bought two pairs of pants (which depsite being a size down, turned out to fit) and a shirt (which despite being the correct size, is a bit tight in the belly area). Had lunch at Licks (again), treated myself to onion rings (they are pretty yummy). I read Solanin, which is actually a pretty awesome full-sized self-contained manga graphic novel.

I've been feeling a little down - the poor turn-out at the party didn't help, neither did the framing story of the mother dying of cancer in Benjamin Button. Part of it is missing my Mom, part of it is just being unhappy, and not seeming to have what it takes to change things when they need changing. A big part of it is being lonely, and seeing that that probably won't change.

Tonight i just caught up with LJ, and watched The Sound Of Music.

Monday, December 29th, 2008 09:06 am: The Friday Five

The Friday Five for December 26, 2008

Books!

1. Do you enjoy reading?
Yes!
2. What is the first book you remember reading?
The books that were read to me - i still have a bunch, but the ones that come to mind are Hoppity, a very gentle story about a rabbit's day in a garden, and Mee-Yow, about a Siamese kitten left alone for a day when school starts, who howls so loudly, they end up getting him another cat for company (Mee-Too!).

3. Who is your favourite author?
I don't know - no one in particular comes to mind.
4. What is your favourite book?
I have way too many books - any decent atlas will work for me.
5. What is the last book you read and the first you'll read next?
Last i read was Solanin, the next probably The World Without Us (what would happen to the planet if humans suddenly disappeared).

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 11:31 am: Frost/Nixon

Monday i had planned to go into the city for the Art Gallery again, but a friend asked me to visit her. Which is good, because i keep forgetting the Gallery is closed Mondays.

We met at a cinema, a very busy cinema, and stood in line forever to get snacks (actually, i got a slice of pizza, at the slowest line up for pizza i've ever been in). The movie we saw was Frost/Nixon, a re-enactment of the famous interviews of the President who resigned in shame (and was pardoned before he was convicted of any crime). It's an interesting take, although Langella is not nearly as weaselly as the real Nixon. I think it plays up Frost as a lightweight interviewer too much (that's what Nixon thought, but it seems Frost was a regular political interviewer in Britain). I was struck by how serious the other networks took their news back then - American network news now is a hollow shell (so much so that comedy shows like The Daily Show and Colbert Report have more credibility). As dirty as 'Tricky Dick' was, he was so much smarter than George Bush. How far the Republicans have fallen! (Sarah Palin? Seriously, that's the best they have?)

"Are you really saying the President can do something illegal?"
"I'm saying that when the President does it, that means it's *not* illegal!"
"...I'm sorry?"

She was also in the movie...

After, i picked up some wine, and we went to her house. One kid was away, the other was at a movie with friends. I barely saw her hubby (he's on an earlyshift). She made us pasta and chicken. We chatted until after 10.

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 03:32 pm: Art Gallery of Ontario - European Collections

Tuesday, i took an early train into TO. I was lazy too, so i took the subway up to Dundas. I was actually there before the AGO opened.

Mainly what was left was the European galleries, which includes 17th-century Dutch-Flemish painting, Italian baroque works, 19th-century French impressionism, and 20th-century abstract and surreal works. There are also a bunch of Chinese snuff bottles in the area, of all things, and a ton of Christian pieces (eg. books from 1200s).

Bernini

Chagall

Degas

Leger

Matisse

Picasso

Ruben's works

Miro

I did a brief tour of the Grange, the original house that became the gallery, and went up the staircase at the back of the museum. I also did a brief run among the Thomson Collection of ships.

The cafeteria at the AGO is a little too low brow for me (especialy compared to the ROM's), while i've never been able to get into their restaraunt (i guess i'll need to make a reservation).

I walked down to Queen, but Malabar didn't have what i was looking for. And the Queen Mother Cafe was packed!

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 03:36 pm: ROM: Housepaint

I went to the ROM to see the show i missed last time at the Institute for Contemporary Culture, Housepaint, the 'first exhibition on the subject of street art in a major Canadian museum'. Drawing attention to issues of poverty and homelessness, this ground-breaking exhibition is a collaboration between ten street artists in memory of the former residents of Tent City, (a shanty town whose residents were evicted without warning in 2002). Each artist has painted a canvas house in their personal style.' I know one of the artists involved, EGR.

By EGR.

The ROM was crazy busy - the cafeteria was so busy they essentially had bouncers and were limiting access. And the expensive restaurant didn't have room until 2. Meh, i walked over to Bloor Street Diner for lunch (had the prix fixe, caesar salad, bavette steak and frites, and creme caramel).

I piced up some bubbly at the LCBO, took the subway back to Union, and kept reading World Without Us.

Today i went to physio at 7:30 (too early), and shovelled pretty much the entire driveway, plus three deck/porches. Napped when i came in.

I went out again around noon, dropped by Lisa & Russ's, but got there just as Lis was leaving for a birthday party with the girls, so i gave them a bottle of bubbly, and chocolates (that was a re-gift, lol). I got this week's comics, and went to Lick's for lunch, using a gift certificate Lis had.

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 04:15 pm: To sleep, perchance to dream.

I had a dream a few days ago, an odd one. I hate the fact i can usually remember only the last few minutes of dreams, but maybe it's better that way - sometimes i can hear my Dad yelling in his dreams.

Anyway, for some reason in this dream i had a small man in my hands, about GI Joe sized, and he was wrapped up with packing paper. I think he was one of a number of super-villains. His power seemed to be the fact he was so small (although i vaguely remember they were all wrapped up that way). I'm not sure why i was holding him, but he was trying to escape, slashing through the paper (mini-wolverine? - he was strangely voiceless). I was worried he was going to cut me, so i decided maybe i should knock him unconscious - by bashing his little head against a wall or furniture or something. Oops! Uh, i accidentally broke off a leg, ha ha. Then i woke up.

It's a good thing i dont have super-powers - how do you know hard to hit someone so that you don't pop their skull like a grape?

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 06:45 pm: Uberlist 2008 - Review

I got a certain percentage of things done this year, but not nearly enough, especially in important areas like finding my own place, getting exercise and drawing. I seem to have stalled part way. Still missing my Mom, and still pathetically single.

I did an update midway through the year, and added some new items.

Just when i don't think anyone's reading this blog, i get a post out of nowhere, ha ha.

Car & Travel Tasks
1. Plan what to do in an ACCIDENT. (FAIL! )
2. Learn how to use a CARWASH, so i'm not stuck doing it at home. Ideally some automatic thing. (FAIL!)
3a. Visit ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS in the spring (lilac season, late May). (DONE!, and tulip and rose seaons too!)
3b. Visit ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS in the fall (change of pace - hopefully when the leaves are in full colour around Oct 10). (DONE! although the leaves hadn't realy changed, and it was bland compared to the woods.)
4. TRAVEL somewhere during the summer (realistically): Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, and/or New York. (DONE! - went to Ottawa for the Animation Festival)
5. TRAVEL somewhere (unrealistically): British Isles, France, Japan or Australia.
6a. Visit a winery in the winter. (FAIL!)
6b. Visit a winery next fall (their big season, maybe late September). (DONE! and in the summer too)
7. Visit the zoo in the fall (i've done the other seasons, and i think there are probably few school groups). (DONE!)
*NEW* 92. Arrange a vacation for Reading Week - i've booked it off! (Not yet, but here's hoping)

Arts &c Tasks
8. Update PORTFOLIO - also, need a new case. (DONE and DONE!)
9. Make Halloween costume ASAP, well in advance of October. (DONE!, although it was last moment, i needed suspenders, and the hat was lame.)

Digital Tasks
10. Get stuff off those VHS tapes and into digital format. (FAIL!)
11. Try to get data off the old PERCEPTION system. (FAIL!)
12. Get more DATA STORAGE on my system for school stuff. (DONE! in the form of a brand new computer, with an enormous [1 tb] drive)
13. Once Data Storage is in place, use BACK UP system. (working out some technical glitches [i.e. copying from Mac to PC], and have to back up data at school)
14. Do something with my personal LJ (not the madlycool one). (FAIL!)
15. Create a digital version of my COMICS CATALOG. (FAIL!)
16. Finish scanning all the photos I have, turn them into a DIGITAL ALBUM (replacing the old physical ones), with captions - an enormous job (one day....). (FAIL!)
17. Change PASSWORDS for various email addresses and eBay, again. Should do it every year. (DONE!)
18. Will have to update VIN page, again! (DONE!)

Learning Tasks
19. Learn ILLUSTRATOR. (FAIL!)
20. Learn ZBrush. DO THROUGH WORK. (DONE! well, not enough to teach it, but i took some shots at it.)
21. Learn Maya 7's new IK/FK rig. (looked at it - seems crazy, created a default file for people to use - we're on Maya 2008, which i guess would be like Maya 9 now.)

Junk &c Tasks
22. Get rid of old VINYL albums. (FAIL!)
23. I'd like to find a place to RECYCLE worn clothing, stuff that's not useable, like old socks and such. (FAIL!)
24. Clean out my DRESSERS/CLOSET of junk AGAIN. (DONE!)
25. I think i need to do a major cull, of what COMICS i have, and what i'm buying. (FAIL!)
26. Find my VISA statement for May 2006. (DONE!)
27. L&R have some of my negatives - one day i'd like to get them back. (FAIL!)
28. I think Matt has some of my letters from him - they're missing anyway. (FAIL!)
*NEW* 93. Cull books, CDs, etc. (DONE!)
*NEW* 94. Use old closet for coats and dress clothes?(DONE!)

Home & Financial Tasks
29. FIND A PLACE OF MY OWN. (FAIL!)
30. Will have to think MORTGAGE. (FAIL!)
31. Do a proper BUDGET - I used to have one when I made much less money. (FAIL!)
32. Get a rice cooker (wait for when i move...). (Waiting.)

Fashion &c Tasks
33. Get some new DRESS CLOTHES. (FAIL!)
34. Get some better TOPS (wear fewer tees). (SOME...)
35. Need a more stylish COAT. (DONE! - my last coat finally died, so i will be forced to buy a new one - actally got a few, although not what i had in mind)
36. Need more stylish BOOTS. (DONE! - except the first pair i bought hurt my feet, and i ended up at a chiropodist, so i've bought another pair that seem better. The insert from the chiropodist hurt too.)
37. Need dressier SHOES. (FAIL!)

Reading Tasks
38. Read the COMICS I've let sit (Batman from the late 90s). (FAIL!)
39. Read the COMICS I've let sit (Hellblazer from the late 90s). (FAIL!)
40. Read the book on BRITISH LEGENDS i bought but let sit. (FAIL!)
41. Read HITCHERHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY. (FAIL!)
*NEW* 97. Read Q&C's PRIVATE WARS i bought but let sit. (DONE!)
*NEW* 98. Read HAVE YOU SEEN THE HORIZON LATELY i bought but let sit. (DONE!)
*NEW* 99. Read ABSTRACT PAINTNG IN CANADA i bought but let sit. (DONE!)
*NEW* 100. Read FOG MAGIC i bought but let sit. (FAIL!)
*NEW* 101. Read GOLDEN BOOK OF FAIRY TALES i bought but let sit. (Did a cursory run-through)

Movie Tasks
42. Rent or see THE MAD FOX 1962 by Tomu Uchida (FAIL!)
    Rent or see these Eddie Izzard dvds: (Did 3/4.)
43. DRESSED TO KILL. (DONE!)
44. GLORIOUS. (DONE!)
45. DEFINITE ARTICLE (DONE!)
46. CIRCLE. (FAIL!)
*NEW* 96. Eddie Izzard: SEXIE, UNREPEATABLE (DONE!), LIVE AT THE AMBASSADOR (Did 1/3.)
    Rent (at least) 5 of these Godard films: (Did 4/5.)
47. 1960 LE PETIT SOLDAT (THE LITTLE SOLDIER). (DONE!)
48. 1963 LES CARABINIERS (THE RIFLEMEN). (DONE!)
49. 1964 BANDE À PART (BAND OF OUTSIDERS). (DONE!)
50. 1967 WEEKEND. (DONE!)
51. 1962 VIVRE SA VIE (TO LIVE ONE'S LIFE, MY LIFE TO LIVE), 1964 UNE FEMME MARIÉE, FRAGMENTS D'UN FILM TOURNÉ EN 1964 EN NOIR ET BLANC (A MARRIED WOMAN: FRAGMENTS OF A FILM SHOT IN 1964 IN BLACK AND WHITE), 1966 MADE IN U.S.A.
    Rent/see (at least) 5 of these Kurosawa films: (Did 3/5.)
52. 1952 IKIRU (TO LIVE). (DONE!)
53. 1965 RED BEARD. (DONE!)
54. 1963 HIGH AND LOW (HEAVEN AND HELL) (DONE!)
55. 1945 THE MEN WHO TREAD ON THE TIGER'S TAIL (tried to rent, but it was damaged)
55-56. 1943 SANSHIRO SUGATA (JUDO SAGA), 1944 THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, 1945 SANSHIRO SUGATA PART II (JUDO SAGA 2), 1946 NO REGRETS FOR OUR YOUTH, 1946 ONE WONDERFUL SUNDAY, 1948 DRUNKEN ANGEL, 1949 THE QUIET DUEL, 1955 RECORD OF A LIVING BEING (I LIVE IN FEAR), 1970 DODESUKADEN, 1975 DERSU UZALA, 1980 KAGEMUSHA, 1990 DREAMS, 1991 RHAPSODY IN AUGUST, 1993 MADADAYO (NOT YET).
57-59. Rent/see these anime: WONDERFUL DAYS (SKY BLUE) (Korean), THE PLACE PROMISED IN OUR EARLY DAYS, THE BOOK OF THE DEAD. (FAIL!)
60. Rent or see PERHAPS LOVE 2005 by Peter Chan. (FAIL!)
61. Rent/see a Demy film. (DONE!, saw A SLIGHTLY PREGNANT MAN)
62-63. Rent/see (at least) 2 more Demy films. (FAIL!)
*NEW* 95. Rent or see LA FRANCE 2007. (FAIL!)

Shows
64. BALLET MEMBER'S NIGHT: Apr 30. (DONE!)
65. BALLET 24 Preludes: Feb 4. (DONE!)
66. SPRING BALLET REHEARSAL: May 15. (DONE!)
67. BALLET Fidele: Jun 12. (DONE!)
68-71. See Bands in a Club at least 4 times. (Did 3/4 - went to see The Dandy Warhols, Goldfrapp, and Metric-Tokyo Police Club.)

Social Tasks
72a. Meet up with CARA. (TRIED, but she sucked - we should've gone to Jeff's wedding together)
72b. Meet up with JEFF. (DONE!, three times in fact)

Health Ongoing
73. LOSE WEIGHT - i've still got at least 50 lbs of unwanted fat. It looks awful, and is very unhealthy. (FAIL! although i've ost a tiny bit)
74. EXERCISE - it needs to be aerobic, and i still like the idea of yoga, tai chi and swimming. I just wish i had someone to do it with. (mixed - doing exercises daily, because of physio, but it's not very aerobic)
75. EAT BETTER - this would definitely be easier if I were on my own. Why don't i crave fruit? I need to eat more fruit and vegetables. (FAIL! but i have stopped buying iced tea/pop at home - i'm drinking watered down apple juice, including at meals, so my juice intake hasn't risen, much)
76. I still ought to FLOSS and use that weird little rubber thing every day. (FAIL!)
77. Take my daily VITAMINS. (DONE!)
78. SLEEP! - seriously, i think it got to the point where i was so sleep deprived it was hurting my health. (FAILED! BADLY!)
*NEW* 102. Participate in intentional physical activity at least three times each week (for some specificity). (FAIL!)
*NEW* 103. Go swimming at least once a week during the summer. (FAIL!)
*NEW* 104. Get a massage (having discovered how to do the physio, i think i'd like to get an occasional massage paid for through school). (DONE!, kind of, through the physio clinic, and not relaxing, ha ha)

Arts Ongoing
79. More PHOTOGRAPHY. (DONE!)
80. LIFE DRAWING. (DONE!)
81. DRAWING - cartoony. (FAIL HARD!)
82. DRAWING - 100 people (that's at last 8 a month). (FAIL!)
83. DRAWING - fill a sketchbook. (FAIL! and i bought two new ones)
84. PAINTING. (FAIL!)
85. PRINT-MAKING. (FAIL!)

Home & Financial Ongoing
86. Regular SAVINGS (downpayment). (DONE!)
87. Regular SAVINGS (new car). (Redundant, i guess.)
88. Regular SAVINGS (RSP). (It's all just being saved - i should think about this more - on the other hand, i didn't get killed by the stock market crash)
89. CLEAN, dust and vacuum more regularly. I guess that means launder sheets more too. (FAIL!)
90. Take the new comics DOWNSTAIRS regularly. (FAIL!)
91. Stop WASTING my time online (sometimes i just surf pointlessly). (FAIL!)