I'm not going to lie here: I've had better days. OK, so work is going fine and I really have nothing to complain about, except that I'm running the floor (literally) for an indefinite length of time with no indication of whether or not I should be filling up part of my summer with shifts in other departments or trips away from the hell of Vancouver during a minor heatwave (when people seem unable to both dress themselves [white socks with sandals? black socks with white shoes?] and use deoderising products on mass transit). My only real complaint is this retarded stuffiness in both my nose and my throat. It's not a cold. I'm not sick. Just... not well. I wanted to call in sick, but didn't because the lure of money was too great.
Things that make today more than tolerable despite my ongoing battle with a head congession situation (why, oh why didn't i stay on the Cold FX regiment? WHY?!):
1) The Candy Aisle opened a location mere blocks from my workplace. This means easy, effortless access to salt water taffy during any time of the day. You see how this could easily become a problem... It also means Curly Wurlys, Paydays, Whatchamacallits, TimTams and Violet Crunch within minutes. Unless I break my own legs to prevent myself from walking/running over there for candy runs.
2) I bought a pass to Music Waste. Sure, I was a little ripped off... It's being touted as being $15 and I paid $18 at Scratch. But it's still a fricking good deal to potentially see any number of the 40 bands playing over the 4 nights. And the pass itself is absolutely the coolest pass for anything that I've ever seen. You'll have to buy one. Then you, too, can wander the Downtown Eastside with me and possibly "the cutest boy in the world," the always awesome David Boffa (unless David has other people to wander around with while he's in town, which, let's face it, is always possible since he's a little social butterfly and knows more people here than I do, despite never living here).
3) Glinn!!! got CSS tickets, meaning ass-shaking next week. So exciting!
OK, off to poker class. This week: an introduction to no-limit online games!
Currently reading :
Perfect from Now On: How Indie Rock Saved My Life
By John Sellers
Release date: 06 March, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
seriously?
Do people actually fall for this shit? I got this message from a dating site I no longer frequent, due largely from the fact that everyone on it sounds psycho. I haven't changed a single word. For best results, read it out loud to yourself or friends:
Hello dear,
I am Frank M.Onwosi,I view your profile read and found you worthy to be as some one whom i can lying on her arms as long as love is concern caring and loving,and If you are interested in knowing more about me and for us to talk more about my aim of contacting,pls reply me with full love and i will like share my heart with you indeed love worth to be sharering my dear am very kind and loving am seeking for my right loved lady from any part of the world i can also write you more about me if u wish,Thanks for petronised me as an image of God.
I will be on my way expecting ur kind feed back on my letter to you,and i know that you wouldn't disregard this message please i plead,don't disregard me for not knowing me at the forst time,only think about my message then if you are convinced to reply me back fine i think i will be very glad with the respect of ur feed back telling me ur aim and why u wont me or why u want me too,i feel that in any out come of this message always keep intrigue to understand that nothing good comes easy actually but at the same time when you organise seed it becomes as many as,so therefor i want you to organise ur spirit when this message comes to u decide what it looks like to u,either you are free to reply the message nor not then all is well welcome to me because i don't think love can be some thing i can forcefully bring into my self rather when the two parties agreed with each other then love can exile diclosely,so please read my profile very carefully befor reply me back and do not send me back unless u've decided on my profile,forgive me when my message arrived to u with this manner ok.
hoping to hear from you soon.
FRANK M.ONWOSI
Hello dear,
I am Frank M.Onwosi,I view your profile read and found you worthy to be as some one whom i can lying on her arms as long as love is concern caring and loving,and If you are interested in knowing more about me and for us to talk more about my aim of contacting,pls reply me with full love and i will like share my heart with you indeed love worth to be sharering my dear am very kind and loving am seeking for my right loved lady from any part of the world i can also write you more about me if u wish,Thanks for petronised me as an image of God.
I will be on my way expecting ur kind feed back on my letter to you,and i know that you wouldn't disregard this message please i plead,don't disregard me for not knowing me at the forst time,only think about my message then if you are convinced to reply me back fine i think i will be very glad with the respect of ur feed back telling me ur aim and why u wont me or why u want me too,i feel that in any out come of this message always keep intrigue to understand that nothing good comes easy actually but at the same time when you organise seed it becomes as many as,so therefor i want you to organise ur spirit when this message comes to u decide what it looks like to u,either you are free to reply the message nor not then all is well welcome to me because i don't think love can be some thing i can forcefully bring into my self rather when the two parties agreed with each other then love can exile diclosely,so please read my profile very carefully befor reply me back and do not send me back unless u've decided on my profile,forgive me when my message arrived to u with this manner ok.
hoping to hear from you soon.
FRANK M.ONWOSI
overcome by emo(tions)
Today was a stellar day. By stellar, I mean crappy.
My throat is becoming scratchier as this week progresses, and today I wanted to rip it out for at least part of the day. Later, I had tentative plans to go for a drink after work, but that was, sadly, cancelled by the other party with no suggestion to reschedule. Sigh. That was promptly followed up with two rejection letters from my department, telling me I don't need the money I asked for.
So now I will have plenty of time to work extra to be able to afford school. Yea. Except that I may have less work because my supervisor just got a promotion and the person replacing him may take away some of my current hours. This summer is pretty up in the air right now.
On the upside, this morning I met with the head librarian at the CBC about setting up a work experience starting this summer. There are a couple of pretty interesting potential projects and could tap into my obsession with organising unusual collections. Now I just have to figure out exactly what my proposal should propose and get on it. I am hopeful it will work out.
At the same time, I'm getting sick of putting so much effort into things that rarely work out and sometimes think about quitting my job and school, selling anything worth anything, and disappearing to Mongolia to work as a shepherd. Lately I'm so bad at organising with people that it could be months before anyone knew what was happening; it's not that unusual not to see people for months at a time. But you know I'm a chicken shit and my sense of duty prevents me from doing anything irresponsible.
Still, I would like to be a shepherd in Mongolia...
Currently listening :
Call Me for Together
By The Fitness
Release date: 02 September, 2003
My throat is becoming scratchier as this week progresses, and today I wanted to rip it out for at least part of the day. Later, I had tentative plans to go for a drink after work, but that was, sadly, cancelled by the other party with no suggestion to reschedule. Sigh. That was promptly followed up with two rejection letters from my department, telling me I don't need the money I asked for.
So now I will have plenty of time to work extra to be able to afford school. Yea. Except that I may have less work because my supervisor just got a promotion and the person replacing him may take away some of my current hours. This summer is pretty up in the air right now.
On the upside, this morning I met with the head librarian at the CBC about setting up a work experience starting this summer. There are a couple of pretty interesting potential projects and could tap into my obsession with organising unusual collections. Now I just have to figure out exactly what my proposal should propose and get on it. I am hopeful it will work out.
At the same time, I'm getting sick of putting so much effort into things that rarely work out and sometimes think about quitting my job and school, selling anything worth anything, and disappearing to Mongolia to work as a shepherd. Lately I'm so bad at organising with people that it could be months before anyone knew what was happening; it's not that unusual not to see people for months at a time. But you know I'm a chicken shit and my sense of duty prevents me from doing anything irresponsible.
Still, I would like to be a shepherd in Mongolia...
Currently listening :
Call Me for Together
By The Fitness
Release date: 02 September, 2003
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
like crack
I think I need to spend less time on social networks. This time could be spent on more interesting things, like cross-stitch or kirie or sewing a new wardrobe for fall. I'm losing DAYS to these things. And I hate them, yet can't stop looking at them. It's the reinforcement I get when people want to be my friend on them. Like live people aren't enough or something.
The rain has made my head all soft and squishy.
Today on my way home from work I thought about wandering the neighbourhood to take pictures. Just wound up taking a few pictures around Terminal, on Western and Central and Northern. Train-related streets, I'm guessing, since the old railyards still lie in pieces behind the old warehouses that are barely standing.
On my way home last night we went along 1st, east of Cambie. I'm worried I'm not going to get over there again before they start ripping the shit out of some of the bigger industrial buildings. They're behind fences with gaudy advertising, so the end appears to be near. If the weather is fine tomorrow, I might take the no-gear out for a spin after work.
Beware the soapbox.
The president of Heritage Vancouver gave an interesting lecture on restoration projects around Europe that involve similar industrial buildings with great success. I can't understand why Vancouver, specifically, is so unwilling to retain any part of its industrial heritage/history. Terminal Park downtown, near the Marine Building, is laughable and misnamed now that the tunnel mouth is obscured by developments and a new street. If the stupid plan to build a football (soccer) stadium over the train tracks beside Waterfront go through (and you can't convince me that plan is dead, regardless of how hard the City is now making the permit process) then that's a major part of Vancouver's Terminal City history covered up. The redeveopment of South False Creek similarly makes me nervous.
From the Skytrain near Main Street Station, I watch the progression of the encroaching piers built further into False Creek. I know that False Creek has been steadily shrinking because of development since Expo '86; it originally flowed to Clark with smaller streams from East Van draining into it pre-WWII. Still, I thought the Concord Pacific monstrosities on the north side were enough, that something was learned from that mess. But no.
The Olympics will ensure the south side mirrors the north. False Creek South is where the athlete's village will be and the land is being redeveloped for long-term for-profit housing projects, none of which address the problem of the lack of affordable housing. Some days I really wish for a little earthquake, just big enough to make all those stupid glass towers fall over like dominos. I'm pretty sure they're held up with scotch tape anyway.
Currently listening :
Handsome Western States
By Beulah
Release date: 18 November, 1997
The rain has made my head all soft and squishy.
Today on my way home from work I thought about wandering the neighbourhood to take pictures. Just wound up taking a few pictures around Terminal, on Western and Central and Northern. Train-related streets, I'm guessing, since the old railyards still lie in pieces behind the old warehouses that are barely standing.
On my way home last night we went along 1st, east of Cambie. I'm worried I'm not going to get over there again before they start ripping the shit out of some of the bigger industrial buildings. They're behind fences with gaudy advertising, so the end appears to be near. If the weather is fine tomorrow, I might take the no-gear out for a spin after work.
Beware the soapbox.
The president of Heritage Vancouver gave an interesting lecture on restoration projects around Europe that involve similar industrial buildings with great success. I can't understand why Vancouver, specifically, is so unwilling to retain any part of its industrial heritage/history. Terminal Park downtown, near the Marine Building, is laughable and misnamed now that the tunnel mouth is obscured by developments and a new street. If the stupid plan to build a football (soccer) stadium over the train tracks beside Waterfront go through (and you can't convince me that plan is dead, regardless of how hard the City is now making the permit process) then that's a major part of Vancouver's Terminal City history covered up. The redeveopment of South False Creek similarly makes me nervous.
From the Skytrain near Main Street Station, I watch the progression of the encroaching piers built further into False Creek. I know that False Creek has been steadily shrinking because of development since Expo '86; it originally flowed to Clark with smaller streams from East Van draining into it pre-WWII. Still, I thought the Concord Pacific monstrosities on the north side were enough, that something was learned from that mess. But no.
The Olympics will ensure the south side mirrors the north. False Creek South is where the athlete's village will be and the land is being redeveloped for long-term for-profit housing projects, none of which address the problem of the lack of affordable housing. Some days I really wish for a little earthquake, just big enough to make all those stupid glass towers fall over like dominos. I'm pretty sure they're held up with scotch tape anyway.
Currently listening :
Handsome Western States
By Beulah
Release date: 18 November, 1997
Sunday, May 20, 2007
in need of a good night's sleep
What a whirlwind of activity!
A lack of sleep Thursday night/Friday morning handicapped me for the Friday night plan of going to see the Choir Practice. (But totally worth the lack of sleep.) I met up with Glenn (Glinn!!!) at the crepe place for a quick drink and chat about girls before heading over to the Railway. He'd never been to the Railway.
It was still early enough to get in and find a seat, but was filling up pretty fast. The Railway is notorious for late shows, but the first band (of three) hadn't started by 10:30, which was fine, but I was thinking I'd have to take a cab home if I wanted to see the Choir Practice, which I did. While waiting, we saw my friend Bruce and he had us howling within minutes. After catching up a bit with him, he headed off to the front while we clung to the bar.
A few songs in Ken T. made it in (he circled the neighbourhood for a while tryng to find the place; he, too, had never been) and we all talked while the band was playing. I never thought I would be one of those people... You know, the annoying ones that won't shut up when the band is on. But the Strongbow... It had its way with me.
Eventually we left and went to the Naam for some eats. After what seemed like forever, we started off to drop Glenn off. As he got out of the car, he said we'd make a plan to sing Songstar at his... unless we wanted to do it then. Ken T. immediately said yes. I had no idea what time it was, but we sang almost all of the songs he had and I kicked his ASS on all but the couple that I didn't know, and then came dangerously close to winning anyway. Then the talking started. I never knew boys could talk for so long. Eventually I had to get annoying on Ken T. to drive me home because he was in it for the long haul. The sky was lightening when we got outside. I looked at the clock when he dropped me off: 5am on the nose. Fuck.
I kept waking up, but forced myself to stay in bed until 12:30pm. A new record. I did nothing all day. Well, except finally getting sucked into Facebook for real. (I had been lurking, trying not to get involved with it, but it is a dirty whore that seduces even the strongwilled.) Eventually I changed out of my pyjamas and went to a house party.
The house party... Well, if you define party as more than 7 people (which some people do) then this was more of a gathering. I was late and I was the second person there. Low attendance made me stay significantly later than I intended to (it's hard to slip out when only 4 other people are around), but it was actually moderately fun. Guitars were played and singing ensued. I ate olive tapenade. Eventually I had to get out of there because a wave of exhaustion nearly knocked me out. I decided to walk from Cambie and 22nd to mine (about 20ish blocks). Post-rain the walk was lovely and relatively quick. I was home by 1:30am, but it still felt like I hadn't slept for days.
This morning I got up relatively early, around 7, and the phone rang just before 8. I'd talked to Jill about meeting up for sundaes today, but she remembered it as breakfast. No matter, she and Mark picked me up to head over to Commercial for breakfast at a place with no name. We decided to go for a coffee after (the music was starting to grate on the nerves at the breakfast place) and had a nice chat about book clubs. Jill asked me if I knew any books similar to "Heart of Darkness" and I asked why I was thinking of Bruce Campbell. She asked if he was in "Evil Dead" and I said he was. After a few moments she realised what I was thinking of: "Army of Darkness." Fine, I'm retarded when I don't sleep enough. It adds to my charm. But she did decide that would be a good thing to take to the book club because some of the members piss her off and she thought it would be funny to say, "Ya, so, I read Heart of Darkness and saw a lot of parallels with Army of Darkness."
I'm leaving in mere moments for a dinner party in N.E.Van which may involve forceable drinking of wine and eating a lot of lasagna. It's a rough life, this long weekend thing. Tomorrow I'm hoping to meet up with/plan for a date with Julia for sushi while she's in town and rendezvous at the J-hotdog stand on Burrard with Glenn if he can wake up before 3, which, let's face it, is doubtful. (Just kidding, buddy.)
Crap, I'm late.
Currently listening :
Steppin' Out/Very Best of Joe Jackson
By Joe Jackson
Release date: 22 May, 2001
A lack of sleep Thursday night/Friday morning handicapped me for the Friday night plan of going to see the Choir Practice. (But totally worth the lack of sleep.) I met up with Glenn (Glinn!!!) at the crepe place for a quick drink and chat about girls before heading over to the Railway. He'd never been to the Railway.
It was still early enough to get in and find a seat, but was filling up pretty fast. The Railway is notorious for late shows, but the first band (of three) hadn't started by 10:30, which was fine, but I was thinking I'd have to take a cab home if I wanted to see the Choir Practice, which I did. While waiting, we saw my friend Bruce and he had us howling within minutes. After catching up a bit with him, he headed off to the front while we clung to the bar.
A few songs in Ken T. made it in (he circled the neighbourhood for a while tryng to find the place; he, too, had never been) and we all talked while the band was playing. I never thought I would be one of those people... You know, the annoying ones that won't shut up when the band is on. But the Strongbow... It had its way with me.
Eventually we left and went to the Naam for some eats. After what seemed like forever, we started off to drop Glenn off. As he got out of the car, he said we'd make a plan to sing Songstar at his... unless we wanted to do it then. Ken T. immediately said yes. I had no idea what time it was, but we sang almost all of the songs he had and I kicked his ASS on all but the couple that I didn't know, and then came dangerously close to winning anyway. Then the talking started. I never knew boys could talk for so long. Eventually I had to get annoying on Ken T. to drive me home because he was in it for the long haul. The sky was lightening when we got outside. I looked at the clock when he dropped me off: 5am on the nose. Fuck.
I kept waking up, but forced myself to stay in bed until 12:30pm. A new record. I did nothing all day. Well, except finally getting sucked into Facebook for real. (I had been lurking, trying not to get involved with it, but it is a dirty whore that seduces even the strongwilled.) Eventually I changed out of my pyjamas and went to a house party.
The house party... Well, if you define party as more than 7 people (which some people do) then this was more of a gathering. I was late and I was the second person there. Low attendance made me stay significantly later than I intended to (it's hard to slip out when only 4 other people are around), but it was actually moderately fun. Guitars were played and singing ensued. I ate olive tapenade. Eventually I had to get out of there because a wave of exhaustion nearly knocked me out. I decided to walk from Cambie and 22nd to mine (about 20ish blocks). Post-rain the walk was lovely and relatively quick. I was home by 1:30am, but it still felt like I hadn't slept for days.
This morning I got up relatively early, around 7, and the phone rang just before 8. I'd talked to Jill about meeting up for sundaes today, but she remembered it as breakfast. No matter, she and Mark picked me up to head over to Commercial for breakfast at a place with no name. We decided to go for a coffee after (the music was starting to grate on the nerves at the breakfast place) and had a nice chat about book clubs. Jill asked me if I knew any books similar to "Heart of Darkness" and I asked why I was thinking of Bruce Campbell. She asked if he was in "Evil Dead" and I said he was. After a few moments she realised what I was thinking of: "Army of Darkness." Fine, I'm retarded when I don't sleep enough. It adds to my charm. But she did decide that would be a good thing to take to the book club because some of the members piss her off and she thought it would be funny to say, "Ya, so, I read Heart of Darkness and saw a lot of parallels with Army of Darkness."
I'm leaving in mere moments for a dinner party in N.E.Van which may involve forceable drinking of wine and eating a lot of lasagna. It's a rough life, this long weekend thing. Tomorrow I'm hoping to meet up with/plan for a date with Julia for sushi while she's in town and rendezvous at the J-hotdog stand on Burrard with Glenn if he can wake up before 3, which, let's face it, is doubtful. (Just kidding, buddy.)
Crap, I'm late.
Currently listening :
Steppin' Out/Very Best of Joe Jackson
By Joe Jackson
Release date: 22 May, 2001
Friday, May 18, 2007
enquiring mind
What are some sure signs a boy might like you? When he agrees to hang with you? When he nuzzles your neck? When he asks to snuggle? When he picks up beer bottles from around your house while you ready yourself for the day? When he kisses your cheek on the way out?
I'm just wondering.
Boys: one of the great mysteries of life.
Currently listening :
Owl & the Pussycat
By Owl & the Pussycat
Release date: 18 February, 2003
I'm just wondering.
Boys: one of the great mysteries of life.
Currently listening :
Owl & the Pussycat
By Owl & the Pussycat
Release date: 18 February, 2003
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
a quickie
Just back from my parents' place. I decided, after sweet Tangiene offered to drive me, that I should go to the funeral. Despite the rushed trip, I'm glad I went.
We left around 7:30pm yesterday and got there around midnight. The Hope-Princeton is kind of freaky at night when you haven't driven the road for a while, so I was trying my best to warn her about tricky spots. We didn't encounter any wildlife, so it didn't matter that she didn't have deer whistles on her car. Deer whistles are the bomb.
A fair number of my older relatives were in town and our family took up 1/3 of the church. It was a nice service and everyone managed to keep it together. My uncle decided he didn't want a eulogy and he wanted to be cremated and buried in his tackle box with his favourite watch. He was funny like that.
Apparently I missed the party last night after prayers. It seems like all family affairs, happy or sad, involve lawn chairs and a lot of drinking. When my dad's father died they had an enormous party and the cops didn't believe that it was for a funeral. Tonight there was another party at my aunt's house before everyone had to head back home, so I'm interested to hear how that one went.
I only had two or three people ask me when I'm going to get married. I'm hoping they find a new relative to hassle.
Good things:
- spent some quality time with my parents, who are super awesome.
- saw Terry for a bit with the promise to meet up when he's in town next week visiting his girlfriend.
- picked wild asparagus on the side of the road near my cousin's vineyard.
- came home with rhubarb and walnuts. Now need to figure out what to do with them.
- was hugged more in a three-hour span than I had been since my unbirthday, and more.
- get to watch a movie with a cute boy tomorrow.
Currently listening :
Old Traditions, New Standards
By Tullycraft
Release date: 17 April, 2000
We left around 7:30pm yesterday and got there around midnight. The Hope-Princeton is kind of freaky at night when you haven't driven the road for a while, so I was trying my best to warn her about tricky spots. We didn't encounter any wildlife, so it didn't matter that she didn't have deer whistles on her car. Deer whistles are the bomb.
A fair number of my older relatives were in town and our family took up 1/3 of the church. It was a nice service and everyone managed to keep it together. My uncle decided he didn't want a eulogy and he wanted to be cremated and buried in his tackle box with his favourite watch. He was funny like that.
Apparently I missed the party last night after prayers. It seems like all family affairs, happy or sad, involve lawn chairs and a lot of drinking. When my dad's father died they had an enormous party and the cops didn't believe that it was for a funeral. Tonight there was another party at my aunt's house before everyone had to head back home, so I'm interested to hear how that one went.
I only had two or three people ask me when I'm going to get married. I'm hoping they find a new relative to hassle.
Good things:
- spent some quality time with my parents, who are super awesome.
- saw Terry for a bit with the promise to meet up when he's in town next week visiting his girlfriend.
- picked wild asparagus on the side of the road near my cousin's vineyard.
- came home with rhubarb and walnuts. Now need to figure out what to do with them.
- was hugged more in a three-hour span than I had been since my unbirthday, and more.
- get to watch a movie with a cute boy tomorrow.
Currently listening :
Old Traditions, New Standards
By Tullycraft
Release date: 17 April, 2000
Monday, May 14, 2007
guess things happen that way
When I was a kid, I thought my Uncle Johnny was Johnny Cash. I'd seen Johnny Cash on TV and he had the same hair, a similarly weathered-looking face, and the same raspy voice as Uncle Johnny. Obviously it was the same person. I didn't think it was weird that Uncle Johnny didn't sing around me, that I only ever saw him sing on TV, but they had the same name and that they were the same person seemed rational at 6. I mean, the album covers were like photographs from the family album.
I can't remember exactly how or when I figured out that Uncle Johnny wasn't Johnny Cash. I suspect I asked my mom about it and she asked me what Uncle Johnny's last name was. It wasn't Cash. Something so obvious... Why hadn't I thought of that earlier?
Still, if you could see a picture of the two of them... The resemblance is uncanny.
We spent a lot of time with Uncle Johnny because he and my dad were extremely close and we lived in the same town. Most of my birthdays when I lived at home included Uncle Johnny and Auntie Pearl. Summers were spent on camping trips to the lakes around my home with all our relatives, but it was always around Uncle Johnny's fire that we'd roast marshmallows. They had the biggest 5th wheel of anyone in the family and mornings I'd wander over to their trailer to watch Uncle Johnny drink his first cup of coffee and take a Tums to cut it.
Even since leaving home, I always made sure to visit Auntie Pearl and Uncle Johnny when I was home. It was a necessity. And I was always amazed how loving he was with my aunt (they always held hands when they walked anywhere) and with us, since he and my dad are brothers and my dad didn't used to be very open with his affection for us. Hugs from Uncle Johnny tied me over until my dad was able to share affection.
Yesterday morning my Uncle Johnny passed away.
I talked to my mom for Mother's Day and that was the first thing she said. I thought I was OK because his health had been declining rapidly this year so it wasn't a surprise. I went home for Easter so I could see him before he got worse, knowing it would be the last time, and it was really hard to see him, but I was really grateful to have the chance to sit with him and get one last hug.
I don't think I'm OK. All I can think about is my dad and what he must be going through, losing his last brother. I'm not sure if I can handle going to the funeral because I internalise other people's emotions and Uncle Johnny was well-loved by our whole enormous family. At the same time, I want to be there for my dad and my Auntie Pearl because I know how great this loss is for both of them. I'm not sure what I'm going to do.
Currently listening :
American Recordings
By Johnny Cash
Release date: 05 March, 2002
I can't remember exactly how or when I figured out that Uncle Johnny wasn't Johnny Cash. I suspect I asked my mom about it and she asked me what Uncle Johnny's last name was. It wasn't Cash. Something so obvious... Why hadn't I thought of that earlier?
Still, if you could see a picture of the two of them... The resemblance is uncanny.
We spent a lot of time with Uncle Johnny because he and my dad were extremely close and we lived in the same town. Most of my birthdays when I lived at home included Uncle Johnny and Auntie Pearl. Summers were spent on camping trips to the lakes around my home with all our relatives, but it was always around Uncle Johnny's fire that we'd roast marshmallows. They had the biggest 5th wheel of anyone in the family and mornings I'd wander over to their trailer to watch Uncle Johnny drink his first cup of coffee and take a Tums to cut it.
Even since leaving home, I always made sure to visit Auntie Pearl and Uncle Johnny when I was home. It was a necessity. And I was always amazed how loving he was with my aunt (they always held hands when they walked anywhere) and with us, since he and my dad are brothers and my dad didn't used to be very open with his affection for us. Hugs from Uncle Johnny tied me over until my dad was able to share affection.
Yesterday morning my Uncle Johnny passed away.
I talked to my mom for Mother's Day and that was the first thing she said. I thought I was OK because his health had been declining rapidly this year so it wasn't a surprise. I went home for Easter so I could see him before he got worse, knowing it would be the last time, and it was really hard to see him, but I was really grateful to have the chance to sit with him and get one last hug.
I don't think I'm OK. All I can think about is my dad and what he must be going through, losing his last brother. I'm not sure if I can handle going to the funeral because I internalise other people's emotions and Uncle Johnny was well-loved by our whole enormous family. At the same time, I want to be there for my dad and my Auntie Pearl because I know how great this loss is for both of them. I'm not sure what I'm going to do.
Currently listening :
American Recordings
By Johnny Cash
Release date: 05 March, 2002
Sunday, May 13, 2007
6 days on, 1 day off
I can't believe I didn't have Saturdays off for so long. They're dope. And not only because they're my one day off every week.
Yesterday I awoke at my regular time (generally between 5 and 6am) and, after circling my apartment a few times, went back to bed and slept until 10am. I've never been a fan of sleep, but it was nice to get up that late. I didn't go to bed particularly late on Friday night, but was still recouping from Thursday, I guess.
My friend and I had discussed the possibility of my going shopping with him for both a second opinion and a girl's opinion. We wandered around 4th for a while and found some shoes, jeans, a belt and a zip-up. I thought that was pretty good, but he was on a mission for more and we headed downtown to find an additional pair of jeans and another pair of shoes. Boys are so funny about wanting to get everything done in one day.
At Gravity Pope he tried to try on a pair of pretty sweet-looking Fluevogs, but they didn't have his size, so I suggested we go to the source: Fluevog's on Granville. He'd never been (!!!), but I think he's a convert now. He bought the sweet-looking shoes and I think he contemplated wearing them home because he loved them so much. I mentioned the annual sale in August and he declared he was only going to buy shoes from there from now on.
Obviously my mission was complete. Getting boys to love shoes...
There is something satisfying about shopping with someone else because I didn't spend any money (well, except on some salt water taffy... seriously, it's one of my favourite candies ever), but still got the experience. I sort of hate shopping for myself, unless it's shoes or socks. Everything else is tedious.
We had some time before the Peter Bjorn & John show, so we took his stuff back to his house so he could show me his Wood Elves army, which are pretty cool. I have to admit that, had I the money, I would probably be obsessed with Warhammer, too. We decided to walk from his house (around Oak and 23rd) to Gigi's on Broadway (@ Alberta?) for dinner, which was a surprisingly quick but nice walk (he, of course, wore the new shoes). The weather was lovely, all bright and blue out. Since we were so close to my house, we popped over for pre-show drinks and so he could see if the girl he wants to date sent him a message.
The show had started by the time we got there, though just the opening-opening band, who was not very good. It looked like one woman, but she may have had help at various points, though it didn't really help. The opening band, Fujiya & Miyagi, were pretty great and it was sort of the kind of music I would want to listen to while having sex because he had such a hushed voice. Sigh. At this point we met up with Glenn and his friends and had a chance to catch up really quick before heading to the floor.
PB&J put on a fine show and it wasn't bad to be on the floor, even though the show was sold out. The hipsters were pretty good this time around, with no real annoying people around us and lots of people actually dancing. I like dancing shows. And I liked this show. A lot. Even though they didn't have very good merch. Apparently a lot of it got held up at the border, which is sad. When will bands figure out how to produce their merch in such a way as to get it across the border?
I did see Jenny O and Andrea, which is always a lovely surprise. It's really time to make some solid plans with those girls instead of hoping to run into them somewhere. And after the show I yelled with my co-worker Ken T. for a few minutes. (Most of our conversations go as follows:
Ken T.: What up dawg?
Me: Yo, my bitches.
Ken T.: What's shakin'?
Me: Close to nothing.
Ken T.: Oh, hey, have you seen (insert obscure foreign film here)?
Me: No.
Ken T.: Oh, man, you have to see that film. It's so good!) Ken T. knows a lot about movies.
All in all, a pretty fun Saturday. I just have to wait another 6 days to see it again. But it will be a long weekend, so good times for 3 days!
Today I, obviously, have to work (sigh, woe is me), but am looking forward to today because: 1) Ken T. is bringing me "Happiness of the Katakuris" for my viewing pleasure and 2) getting through a day at work means I'm on my way to the Cinematheque to see "The Beales of Grey Gardens" tonight. I'm excited. I might even leave the house for pancakes this morning.
Currently listening :
Writer's Block
By Peter Bjorn and John
Release date: 06 March, 2007
Yesterday I awoke at my regular time (generally between 5 and 6am) and, after circling my apartment a few times, went back to bed and slept until 10am. I've never been a fan of sleep, but it was nice to get up that late. I didn't go to bed particularly late on Friday night, but was still recouping from Thursday, I guess.
My friend and I had discussed the possibility of my going shopping with him for both a second opinion and a girl's opinion. We wandered around 4th for a while and found some shoes, jeans, a belt and a zip-up. I thought that was pretty good, but he was on a mission for more and we headed downtown to find an additional pair of jeans and another pair of shoes. Boys are so funny about wanting to get everything done in one day.
At Gravity Pope he tried to try on a pair of pretty sweet-looking Fluevogs, but they didn't have his size, so I suggested we go to the source: Fluevog's on Granville. He'd never been (!!!), but I think he's a convert now. He bought the sweet-looking shoes and I think he contemplated wearing them home because he loved them so much. I mentioned the annual sale in August and he declared he was only going to buy shoes from there from now on.
Obviously my mission was complete. Getting boys to love shoes...
There is something satisfying about shopping with someone else because I didn't spend any money (well, except on some salt water taffy... seriously, it's one of my favourite candies ever), but still got the experience. I sort of hate shopping for myself, unless it's shoes or socks. Everything else is tedious.
We had some time before the Peter Bjorn & John show, so we took his stuff back to his house so he could show me his Wood Elves army, which are pretty cool. I have to admit that, had I the money, I would probably be obsessed with Warhammer, too. We decided to walk from his house (around Oak and 23rd) to Gigi's on Broadway (@ Alberta?) for dinner, which was a surprisingly quick but nice walk (he, of course, wore the new shoes). The weather was lovely, all bright and blue out. Since we were so close to my house, we popped over for pre-show drinks and so he could see if the girl he wants to date sent him a message.
The show had started by the time we got there, though just the opening-opening band, who was not very good. It looked like one woman, but she may have had help at various points, though it didn't really help. The opening band, Fujiya & Miyagi, were pretty great and it was sort of the kind of music I would want to listen to while having sex because he had such a hushed voice. Sigh. At this point we met up with Glenn and his friends and had a chance to catch up really quick before heading to the floor.
PB&J put on a fine show and it wasn't bad to be on the floor, even though the show was sold out. The hipsters were pretty good this time around, with no real annoying people around us and lots of people actually dancing. I like dancing shows. And I liked this show. A lot. Even though they didn't have very good merch. Apparently a lot of it got held up at the border, which is sad. When will bands figure out how to produce their merch in such a way as to get it across the border?
I did see Jenny O and Andrea, which is always a lovely surprise. It's really time to make some solid plans with those girls instead of hoping to run into them somewhere. And after the show I yelled with my co-worker Ken T. for a few minutes. (Most of our conversations go as follows:
Ken T.: What up dawg?
Me: Yo, my bitches.
Ken T.: What's shakin'?
Me: Close to nothing.
Ken T.: Oh, hey, have you seen (insert obscure foreign film here)?
Me: No.
Ken T.: Oh, man, you have to see that film. It's so good!) Ken T. knows a lot about movies.
All in all, a pretty fun Saturday. I just have to wait another 6 days to see it again. But it will be a long weekend, so good times for 3 days!
Today I, obviously, have to work (sigh, woe is me), but am looking forward to today because: 1) Ken T. is bringing me "Happiness of the Katakuris" for my viewing pleasure and 2) getting through a day at work means I'm on my way to the Cinematheque to see "The Beales of Grey Gardens" tonight. I'm excited. I might even leave the house for pancakes this morning.
Currently listening :
Writer's Block
By Peter Bjorn and John
Release date: 06 March, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
boy + j-movie = awesome (new equation)
Last night I had a movie night at my house with the intention of watching "Happiness of the Katakuris," described on the box as what would happen if the Von Trapps met "Dawn of the Dead." We were ready, we were anxious, we wanted to see that fricking film.
The (occasional) problem with borrowing movies from the library is that people are afraid to report when DVDs don't work for fear they'll have to pay for them. This seemed to be the case with "Happiness" because we tried to play that sucker in my DVD player and on both computers, none of which worked. The disappointment was great, I assure you. It was just lucky I had a stack of movies out, including "Nobody Knows" by the same director as "After Life," which is a brilliant film. We watched the former (so incredibly sad. Based on a true story, although much less brutal than the real story. We were sort of shell-shocked when the movie ended and decided to look up what really happened and kind of wished we hadn't) after attempting to watch "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster."
We eventually went back to the Metallica one after finishing the first movie, skipping over the music portions as much as possible, and had a good laugh. Poor Bob Rock, stuck in therapy with one of the most egotistical bands. Seriously, I'm surprised he didn't rip his long golden hair out. Three fricking years of that shit. A strong, strong man. My new hero.
We realised at the end that we probably could have saved ourselves the drama of the bassist replacement footage by looking at the cover. Instead, we actually watched most of the thing. The art auction was my favourite part. That and the shots of Bob Rock's face when one of the two major egos started talking about their feelings.
I didn't get to bed until almost 4am and am at work now, but am feeling OK. For the moment. Hopefully for the day.
One of my co-workers is THE movie guy in town and knows everything about every movie ever made (he worked full-time at Videomatica and people mourned and wept openly when he left) and he's meant to compile a list of good to excellent foreign films. I'm hoping for a comprehensive list that will see me through the year.
It's sunny today and this is one of the first days that I've worn a skirt and not been cold. Skirt season is upon us. Feel the excitement.
The (occasional) problem with borrowing movies from the library is that people are afraid to report when DVDs don't work for fear they'll have to pay for them. This seemed to be the case with "Happiness" because we tried to play that sucker in my DVD player and on both computers, none of which worked. The disappointment was great, I assure you. It was just lucky I had a stack of movies out, including "Nobody Knows" by the same director as "After Life," which is a brilliant film. We watched the former (so incredibly sad. Based on a true story, although much less brutal than the real story. We were sort of shell-shocked when the movie ended and decided to look up what really happened and kind of wished we hadn't) after attempting to watch "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster."
We eventually went back to the Metallica one after finishing the first movie, skipping over the music portions as much as possible, and had a good laugh. Poor Bob Rock, stuck in therapy with one of the most egotistical bands. Seriously, I'm surprised he didn't rip his long golden hair out. Three fricking years of that shit. A strong, strong man. My new hero.
We realised at the end that we probably could have saved ourselves the drama of the bassist replacement footage by looking at the cover. Instead, we actually watched most of the thing. The art auction was my favourite part. That and the shots of Bob Rock's face when one of the two major egos started talking about their feelings.
I didn't get to bed until almost 4am and am at work now, but am feeling OK. For the moment. Hopefully for the day.
One of my co-workers is THE movie guy in town and knows everything about every movie ever made (he worked full-time at Videomatica and people mourned and wept openly when he left) and he's meant to compile a list of good to excellent foreign films. I'm hoping for a comprehensive list that will see me through the year.
It's sunny today and this is one of the first days that I've worn a skirt and not been cold. Skirt season is upon us. Feel the excitement.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
penmanshipically challenged
I'm afraid I've lost my will to blog.
It's been almost a week and I'm really just writing because of the tremendous guilt surrounding the fact that I almost never write any of the insipid rantings/ramblings rolling around in my half-empty head (it has been draining steadily since the semester ended). Yet I see that someone has looked at my blog 35 times this week so far, despite no new postings, and I feel some responsibility to hold up my end of the deal. As Pete Campbell would say: give 'em what they want.
Don't get me wrong... I've had things to write about. Things are happening. I'm doing stuff. I just can't convince myself to write about it. Or it seems like the time could be used for something more useful, like watching the remaining few episodes of "Six Feet Under: Season Five" (which I was more disappointed with than I can really express. I mean, fine, you sort of know they're really finished and everything, but I almost couldn't even watch the last couple of episodes and would rather have breathed through my nose than bawled my eyes out) or cooking stuff (like chicken tetrazzini, which is probably better with fresh parmesan than the stuff you can buy in bags that is likely saltier and less like cheese than the block of it, but the wholegrain spaghetti probably makes up for it). Time away from the computer is probably healthy. And that means blogging got put on hold.
Until today. A rare appearance.
The rambling... it starts.
My poker playing doesn't seem to be getting better. Last week we had a home game at my house and I broke even (actually, I made $1.35), but lost a few hands that I probably shouldn't have. Then yesterday at class I had a couple of bad beats and lost my stack to my classmate who can't remember which direction to start dealing in. They left, but then my coach came back later to go over some things I was angry about in the game. We played heads-up and I wound up taking his stack, but I'm not entirely sure he was trying as hard as he could have. When it's just him and me I can think about what I'm doing, but with additional people I forget everything. This is probably not the way to win at poker. Sigh.
Tonight I went to "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" at the Media Club and it was pretty great. Both the singers were amazing and I didn't mind the tomato smell towards the end. It's been held over, so we didn't have to buy tickets when we were drunk last Friday night. It's a good thing I didn't drink more before or during the performance because there wasn't an intermission and there were a few times that the guy berated those who dared go to the bathroom during the performance. But seriously, if you sell beer and expect people to drink it and watch something for a couple hours... You've got to expect trips to the bathroom during a dramatic part.
This evening I also discussed a possible work experience at the CBC, so I'm stoked. Just have to figure out what sorts of things I could do there and write up a proposal. This is the only sort of schoolwork I am OK with doing right now. In theory, I could start it this summer to free up some extra time in the fall to work too much, but will have to organise this soon to make that possible. Would be fun to work there.
This weekend I have both the Peter Bjorn & John show on Saturday and "The Beales of Grey Garden" on Sunday at the Cinematheque. And our resumed cheesecake meetings will start again on Friday after work. And my poker coach might be in a fairly substantial poker tournament on Saturday where, if he wins, I may get a 3% cut if he's feeling as generous as he was yesterday. It looks to be one of the best weekends this month.
I know I have more I could tell you, but I'm a bit sleepy.
Do you have any idea how hard it is to get that stupid music listening generator to pull up I'm From Barcelona? Fucking hard. I blame that fucking fucker Tom.
Oh, I'm walking in the Walk for Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter on May 27th, so if you care to sponsor me... Donations $20+ get a tax receipt. I would very much appreciate it and it's for a good cause. Keep it in mind.
Currently listening :
Let Me Introduce My Friends
By I'm from Barcelona
Release date: 20 March, 2007
It's been almost a week and I'm really just writing because of the tremendous guilt surrounding the fact that I almost never write any of the insipid rantings/ramblings rolling around in my half-empty head (it has been draining steadily since the semester ended). Yet I see that someone has looked at my blog 35 times this week so far, despite no new postings, and I feel some responsibility to hold up my end of the deal. As Pete Campbell would say: give 'em what they want.
Don't get me wrong... I've had things to write about. Things are happening. I'm doing stuff. I just can't convince myself to write about it. Or it seems like the time could be used for something more useful, like watching the remaining few episodes of "Six Feet Under: Season Five" (which I was more disappointed with than I can really express. I mean, fine, you sort of know they're really finished and everything, but I almost couldn't even watch the last couple of episodes and would rather have breathed through my nose than bawled my eyes out) or cooking stuff (like chicken tetrazzini, which is probably better with fresh parmesan than the stuff you can buy in bags that is likely saltier and less like cheese than the block of it, but the wholegrain spaghetti probably makes up for it). Time away from the computer is probably healthy. And that means blogging got put on hold.
Until today. A rare appearance.
The rambling... it starts.
My poker playing doesn't seem to be getting better. Last week we had a home game at my house and I broke even (actually, I made $1.35), but lost a few hands that I probably shouldn't have. Then yesterday at class I had a couple of bad beats and lost my stack to my classmate who can't remember which direction to start dealing in. They left, but then my coach came back later to go over some things I was angry about in the game. We played heads-up and I wound up taking his stack, but I'm not entirely sure he was trying as hard as he could have. When it's just him and me I can think about what I'm doing, but with additional people I forget everything. This is probably not the way to win at poker. Sigh.
Tonight I went to "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" at the Media Club and it was pretty great. Both the singers were amazing and I didn't mind the tomato smell towards the end. It's been held over, so we didn't have to buy tickets when we were drunk last Friday night. It's a good thing I didn't drink more before or during the performance because there wasn't an intermission and there were a few times that the guy berated those who dared go to the bathroom during the performance. But seriously, if you sell beer and expect people to drink it and watch something for a couple hours... You've got to expect trips to the bathroom during a dramatic part.
This evening I also discussed a possible work experience at the CBC, so I'm stoked. Just have to figure out what sorts of things I could do there and write up a proposal. This is the only sort of schoolwork I am OK with doing right now. In theory, I could start it this summer to free up some extra time in the fall to work too much, but will have to organise this soon to make that possible. Would be fun to work there.
This weekend I have both the Peter Bjorn & John show on Saturday and "The Beales of Grey Garden" on Sunday at the Cinematheque. And our resumed cheesecake meetings will start again on Friday after work. And my poker coach might be in a fairly substantial poker tournament on Saturday where, if he wins, I may get a 3% cut if he's feeling as generous as he was yesterday. It looks to be one of the best weekends this month.
I know I have more I could tell you, but I'm a bit sleepy.
Do you have any idea how hard it is to get that stupid music listening generator to pull up I'm From Barcelona? Fucking hard. I blame that fucking fucker Tom.
Oh, I'm walking in the Walk for Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter on May 27th, so if you care to sponsor me... Donations $20+ get a tax receipt. I would very much appreciate it and it's for a good cause. Keep it in mind.
Currently listening :
Let Me Introduce My Friends
By I'm from Barcelona
Release date: 20 March, 2007
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
eer schporr dirr...
Now that I have all this time on my hands I have to think of things to fill it. This is significantly harder than you would imagine, as I'm pretty used to having stuff to do for almost 17 hours a day. And I'm not that creative.
Yesterday was my first Monday night off in months and so I decided to cook some soup. While the soup was simmering, I decided to make some rice for dinner and, in the midst of that, decided to make extra for coconut rice pudding (I need to remember that I am not a big fan of raisins in rice pudding, but almonds are fantastic). Then I decided that, since I had some frozen bananas that should probably be used up soon (spring cleaning also involves the fridge/freezer), I would try the banana cupcake recipe again with the cheap Easter chocolate thrown in to get rid of it (I also made a no-bake chocolate cheesecake thing on Sunday night which used up half of it).
That cupcake recipe is so heavy; the cupcakes feel like paperweights. But they do taste pretty good, even without icing. The soup (cabbage, potato and chorizo) is really yummy and the little dollop of mustard gives it a nice little kick. The coconut rice pudding smelled amazing and, even though I don't like warm rice pudding, was so good. Success all around!
I've decided to try out recipes exclusively from food blogs for the next while, just to change my shopping/cooking routines. I often think my friend Alana's recipes look interesting, and the ones I've remembered to try were really tasty. The soup and the coconut rice pudding come from Everybody Likes Sandwiches, and those are really flavorful recipes, too. And you already know about my fascination with cupcakes at Cupcake Bakeshop.
Food blogs seem like a more honest account of how recipes are, since the person has to actually make them and then report on the success. I can't imagine someone lying about how good or bad their recipes turned out, or lying about ingredients. Cookbooks sometimes suck because you don't know who wrote the fricking thing or how much editing the editor did to it (which is why I have recipe books I don't even bother making recipes from; I just look at the pretty pictures and look for better recipes elsewhere) because something just isn't right.
Also, I love leftovers, so cooking full recipes means yummy for days, or weeks if I decide to freeze stuff (which I often forget to do and just eat stuff for two meals a day). [My friend doesn't have a microwave, so doesn't cook more than a meal's worth of food ever. Isn't that sad?]
The Swedish Chef would be a fantastic food blog, don't you think? Since his talking is so indecipherable.
I've got a homegame at my house tonight, allegedly, so might vacuum the house this morning before work. No one in this building needs sleep, right? Are cupcakes weird to dole out during poker games?
Currently listening :
Love & War
By The Pets
Release date: 04 January, 2007
Yesterday was my first Monday night off in months and so I decided to cook some soup. While the soup was simmering, I decided to make some rice for dinner and, in the midst of that, decided to make extra for coconut rice pudding (I need to remember that I am not a big fan of raisins in rice pudding, but almonds are fantastic). Then I decided that, since I had some frozen bananas that should probably be used up soon (spring cleaning also involves the fridge/freezer), I would try the banana cupcake recipe again with the cheap Easter chocolate thrown in to get rid of it (I also made a no-bake chocolate cheesecake thing on Sunday night which used up half of it).
That cupcake recipe is so heavy; the cupcakes feel like paperweights. But they do taste pretty good, even without icing. The soup (cabbage, potato and chorizo) is really yummy and the little dollop of mustard gives it a nice little kick. The coconut rice pudding smelled amazing and, even though I don't like warm rice pudding, was so good. Success all around!
I've decided to try out recipes exclusively from food blogs for the next while, just to change my shopping/cooking routines. I often think my friend Alana's recipes look interesting, and the ones I've remembered to try were really tasty. The soup and the coconut rice pudding come from Everybody Likes Sandwiches, and those are really flavorful recipes, too. And you already know about my fascination with cupcakes at Cupcake Bakeshop.
Food blogs seem like a more honest account of how recipes are, since the person has to actually make them and then report on the success. I can't imagine someone lying about how good or bad their recipes turned out, or lying about ingredients. Cookbooks sometimes suck because you don't know who wrote the fricking thing or how much editing the editor did to it (which is why I have recipe books I don't even bother making recipes from; I just look at the pretty pictures and look for better recipes elsewhere) because something just isn't right.
Also, I love leftovers, so cooking full recipes means yummy for days, or weeks if I decide to freeze stuff (which I often forget to do and just eat stuff for two meals a day). [My friend doesn't have a microwave, so doesn't cook more than a meal's worth of food ever. Isn't that sad?]
The Swedish Chef would be a fantastic food blog, don't you think? Since his talking is so indecipherable.
I've got a homegame at my house tonight, allegedly, so might vacuum the house this morning before work. No one in this building needs sleep, right? Are cupcakes weird to dole out during poker games?
Currently listening :
Love & War
By The Pets
Release date: 04 January, 2007
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