late to bed, early to rise

Late nights and early mornings are starting to get me down.

This week I got to see my old flatmate Neal for the first time in something ridiculous like 8 years. We've talked electronically over the years, but kept missing each other when both of us were in the same approximate geographic region. It was a lot of fun hanging out with him and Nathan, and I think it might have been one of the only times all three of us drank together (I was much more serious and concentrated in university. When we worked at the student paper, I was the one who forced the production editor to do the templates on Sunday night so I could start laying out my section. By default, Neal and Nathan also wound up having to go in on Sundays to start working on the Monday paper, Neal because he didn't like me walking home at 11pm in -36'C and Nathan because he was Editor-in-Chief and needed to oversee templates. Being the serious one, I was also no fun and drank pop instead of Jager shots or Canadian on tap. I also almost completely finished my section before the other editors even started writing some of their stories and I take some nerdish pleasure in being the only editor in recent Gateway history to finish my section completely by 5pm on a press day. Geez, I loved that job... ).

Nathan and I really tried to convince Ozano to move to Vancouver, but he seems adamant about making it work for a while longer in Halifax. He's driving a truck and tent trailer his uncles gave him (not sure if they were just sitting around or what) from Vancouver to Halifax. No idea how long the trip will take or where he's going exactly, but it will make a great story whenever he gets there. He's started a blog called Ozanada; hopefully he manages to update it on the road.

This week I'm also starting to lose patience with one of my friends and am trying to figure out how to not constantly get pissed off when he does stupid, thoughtless things. It worries me that this is turning into one of those friendships that need ending to prevent more negativity and anger. All interactions this week have been frustrating and a couple of times I've hung up on him or walked away because he wasn't listening to the problem. The specific problem right now is that it's a pretty unbalanced relationship; he is not very good at reciprocating kindness. And while I'm not the most thoughtful person, I at least try sometimes to do more than I need to for friends because I know the scales will balance eventually. With him, the scale is tipped so far in my favour that the resentment is starting to seep in. I will take a break from him and assess in a couple weeks.

Yesterday I went to my friend Kim's group show opening at the Contemporary Art Gallery. Her stuff is absolutely amazing. She's very detail-oriented and the pieces in this show are flies (for fly fishing) from a catalog, with names and wire gauges. Talking with her, I also got to meet a few of her friends, including a fantastic couple who just moved here from Israel. She's a textile artist; he told me that I would find more men to date if I was Jewish. I would have liked to stay longer, but had to run to BLIM to see my friend's screening of a fucked-up horrorish film from 1981. I can't even go into it right now, but suffice it to say I need some time to get over the trauma. I'm not good with horror.

Perhaps I wouldn't be in such a state if I were able to sleep in later. These next few days I'm looking after my friends' cat, or at least pretending to. I have the feeding and watering part down pat. It's the petting/loving part that is troublesome because Lego has claws and sometimes likes to use them. I am not a fan of scratches (I get enough of them without trying) and didn't want to look like I've suddenly started cutting. Still, he's pretty cute and I've started a series of photos. If I get enough good ones I might start a Catbook profile for him. But because they live a decent distance away, it means my day starts earlier because I have to feed him before work, and I work at 9am.

Which reminds me... I should probably get rolling. Hopefully with this long weekend I'll get a bit extra sleep and my mood will improve, or be less foul.

Currently reading :
The Bluffer's Guide to Psychology (Bluffer's Guides - Oval Books)
By Warren Mansell
Release date: 01 July, 2006

weird week

Things are so weird right now.

I reclaimed my house a few days ago, making me feel both slightly guilty and extremely relieved. My sister found a place downtown, so moved out on Thursday after much prodding. Hopefully she transitions OK and figures stuff out soon. It's hard being stuck in the middle of family situations, especially when I can't do anything about it.

The stress of the last few weeks must have weakened my immune system, or else I never fully recovered from the cold I had at the end of last month, because a stupid chest cold knocked me out early in the week. It's at the raspy voice stage now, normally the best time to talk to me on the phone. During past colds, it had been suggested to me that I could make a lucrative career as some sort of phone or radio talking person. I'll leave it at that.

This morning I got a call from the friend (and co-worker) I was out with last evening, informing me he was just in a car accident and wouldn't be in to work. He's OK, but it's unnerving to be the first person someone in a car accident calls. He's got a concussion and slight whiplash, but will be in to work tomorrow. I'm freaked out that it happened.

Tonight after work my union took a strike vote. Our employer has not been bargaining in good faith so, to get talks started, we have to get a positive strike vote before we can go into mediation. It's so fucked up that we have to do this to get our employer to acknowledge our concerns, but the GVRD has been fucking around with all public employees' contract negotiations. Most of the the Lower Mainland CUPE locals have positive strike votes, so, if some of the negotiations don't start getting settled, entire cities will literally start shutting down. In Vancouver the locals have unbelievably high turnouts/percentages for their strike votes. It reminds me of grade/high school: every second year, my district was either on strike or locked out for part of the school year.

Oops, Chinese food is distracting me.

kultured

Just home from the art gallery's big all-nighter social. It was aight. We probably got there too early, judging by the enormous line-up when we left, but I'm not sure it would really have changed my opinion of the thing. Who knew art was so popular among the young and hip? Though members didn't have to wait in line...

I did want to stay all night, just to see if the animal things from Huang Yong Ping's exhibit came to life like in "Night at the Museum," though I understand the difference between a natural history museum and an art gallery. Still, it would be cool if the bats came to life and started attacking people, or the elephant/tiger started running through the gallery or that alligator/tiger-like thing attacked people's ankles. One can dream.

Drugged up on a cocktail of cold remedies, I was more subdued than my friends probably would have liked, but it wasn't like there was time or space to be sociable. After the initial meet up, our group divided into pods and never reformed. People started dropping out by 11:30 and I was the last one to leave. And I'm getting over a cold.

The lounge was on the 4th floor, but it was so small that there was a constant line-up before 10pm. And the lounge is where everyone wanted to be, probably because red light makes everyone look healthy. We managed to get in early before being lured away by tap dance lessons and smoking (not me), but my friends had to sell their tickets to people in line because they were never going to get back in to drink them.

One thing that was really cool was the art trap installations. They had them set up in different spots around the gallery and a patron was lured in for some sort of performance. The one I saw in action had a robotic-looking guy playing chess with someone. Apparently a few cause people to scream.

The problem with nights like this is that, if you want to see the exhibits, you don't really have the time to put into them. People jostle around you, bump into you, talk in front of the pieces... Seems easier to go any other time. I went through the Monet to Dali exhibit, but it really needs more concentration. The same with the Andrea Zittel exhibit, which is absolutely cool.

I'm a little pissed in general about the night because I was brushed off AGAIN by the same person who cancelled plans weeks ago. Sigh. Seriously, how can someone not want to spend time with me? So frustrating. I just don't get it.

As an aside, 77 people have read my blog this week. With just the one posting, I've gotta ask: who ARE you people?

Currently reading :
Paper Fan: The Hunt for Triad Gangster Steven Wong
By Terry Gould
Release date: 30 July, 2004

exploding drummers

A couple weeks ago Spinal Tap came up in conversation. We were talking about how easy it would be to be in a band if only we played drums (because of the drummer shortage in Vancouver) and possible drawbacks to being a drummer. Top on the list was, obviously, spontaneous combustion.

When I lived in Japan I went to a French movie with Japanese subtitles starring Gerard Depardieu called Vidocq. In it, and I can only guess because my French/Japanese skills were pretty pathetic, people spontaneously combusted. That wasn't really the central focus of the movie; just an aside. But that movie was fucked and caused nightmares because of the cutting out of tongues (up there on the "greatest fears caused by movies" list, along with clown dolls [Poltergeist] and being buried alive [The Serpent and the Rainbow]), so I couldn't concentrate after a while.

Um... drummers. Right.

Whomever I was talking with didn't believe me when I said I saw Spinal Tap play live. They stopped in each province in one day on Canada Day in '92. It was memorable. "This Is Spinal Tap" came through work yesterday, so I thought it was time to rewatch it.

My friend and I agreed that a kickass name for a band would be the Girly Boys. I totally want to be in that band, so have to learn the ukelele. Drums are too scary. I don't even like direct sunlight, nevermind exploding.

Currently watching :
This Is Spinal Tap
Release date: 01 August, 2006

aural fixation

I think it's time to take a break from rock shows. I've seen 25 bands over the last week-and-a-half, and, while a lot of them were fantastic and I'm glad to have seen them, I need to diversify a little.

And I don't mean going to the jazz festival, even though that's a great suggestion (Tortoise with Fond of Tigers? Bebel Gilberto with Sekoya? Amon Tobin? Hells, ya!).

OK, can I tell you how much Yacht kicks ass? It's true. One guy with a laptop and a mic, and it was one of the most energetic shows I've seen for a long time. Architecture in Helsinki was also particularly awesome. And, despite the lack of a crowd (until well later into the evening during the band that nearly put me to sleep), 011 was a lot of fun.

What I want to do is hear people talk about stuff. Or maybe just not always listen to music.

Tuesday night there's a lecture at the library on guerilla gardening (planting in abandoned lots illegally) that I will probably miss. And the new exhibits are all open at the art gallery, including that crazy huge "Monet to Dali" exhibit from Cleveland. Fuse is on Friday night (the all-nighter 6pm-6am) and, while I'm sure there will be talking tours of the new exhibits, there will also be DJs and bands playing, which means more music. Sigh. I just can't get away from it. (Life is so *hard*.)

Thursday night Rose Melberg is playing at Video In with Julie Doiron and Calvin Johnson, so I'll (gladly) have to see that. Wednesday is both a dance party fundraiser for an AIDS hospice that one of my friends is DJing and a lecture at the library for World Refugee Day (which includes some opportunity to feel what it's like to be a new refugee at the border). But the following week I'm going to try to see a few movies, including one my friend organises once a month at BLIM. And the Wednesday night walks are finally scheduled on John Atkin's website (the first is Japantown on the 27th. Who's with me?).

Of course, if the weather would just suck less I would spend every waking minute outside doing stuff. But I'm a fair weather everything.

Today's a pretty good looking day. Not the weather, but as far as doing stuff goes. I'm shortly on my way to the train station to get on a bus for the last Secrets of the City tour of the season (to be started up again in the fall). It's free today only and I have no idea where it's going to be, which is the whole fun of the "secret" part. And today is also the Main Street Day Festival, so I'm going to drink lemonade and look at cute stuff for sale on the street, and hopefully see Rachel and my tiny buddy Augie.

Good times are waiting.

Currently listening :
The New Transistor Heroes
By Bis
Release date: 06 May, 1997

lady mullets

Just back from the Railway. It was Ladies' Night or something similar for the campus radio conference happening at Harbour Centre this week. I've gotta tell you... The Pack is awesome. Two ladies with rocker hair, beating the shit out of drums and playing bluesey rock riffs. Absolutely worth your time.

just having an average mornin

Mornings...

This morning I decided, since I was running late anyway, to let my hair dry whatever way it wanted to. It's good to give it a day off. Unfortunately, even though my hair is somewhat curly naturally, it isn't in cute curls the way a boy I know's hair is. His hair is fantastic in long, tight curls. Mine... not so much. But it is soft. That's all it has going for it today.

Upon leaving my home, I was literally dive-bombed by a crow. I'm not exaggerating. As it swooped past me my hair flew up as if caught in a tornado. I literally squealed and clutched my chest from the shock of it. And I thought we had reached some sort of understanding...

An elderly woman got on the bus ahead of me, but no one got up to give her a seat. So I said to the twenty-something girl sitting in the front seat that she should really give up her seat. She ignored me, pretending that she didn't see the woman and didn't hear me, even though she looked me in the eye when I said it. But the woman beside her, who had been reading a book, immediately got up and apologised that she had been looking down. I get annoyed when young people sit in those seats and moreso when older people have to stand.

They've put longer buses on Main Street during rush hour and are discussing the same for Fraser buses. Mine was a regular old trolley.

The roses are in bloom outside the Hydro building, so it's likely time to make a tour of the city's rose gardens while they're still in good shape. Had I a couple days off in the next couple of weeks, I would consider a trip to Victoria to see the rose garden outside the Empress. But I think the Stanley Park one should be lovely right now, and I haven't been to Van Dusen for a while.

Uneventful morning.

bang head against wall

Sometimes I wish I was stupider.

Don't get me wrong. I'm pretty stupid sometimes. Slow on the uptake with certain jokes. Giving other people more credit than they deserve. Forgetting somewhat important things. That sort of stupid is normal. That's not the stupid I mean. Maybe I wish I were less observant or more oblivious.

I have an annoying habit of reading people. And, more often than not, I'm correct in my reads. Sometimes this is helpful, like when avoiding serial killers and schmoozers. But sometimes it means I know when people don't like me. I can get the sense of it almost immediately, even if the person outwardly appears to like me. It is especially troublesome when I like the other person. It's times like this that I wish I was stupider.

I remember reading an article on Rose Melberg when she released Go Sailor on a punk label and she talked about people writing terrible things about her because the music didn't fit the label. And she exclaimed in a fake sob, "But they don't even know me!" Sometimes I feel like the music that doesn't fit the label. Some people get the music despite the label; some people aren't willing to listen.

Maybe I should just stop thinking in general. Oblivious/painfully slow people seem to be really content; I could do that. Possibly. With practice. And a blunt force trauma to the head. Which wouldn't be that great because I am not a fan of physical pain. Please don't try to hit me.

I'm going to stop thinking about it. I can't make anyone like me, even though they're completely wrong not to. Heh.

Unrelateds:
Yesterday, while looking for yellow noodles for hiyashi chuka, I discovered that the Korean grocery store downtown carries my favourite yakisoba brand. I got all natsukashii and daydreamed of having a Japanese bbq party, especially now that someone donated a bbq to me. Just need to find a slab of metal to cook on.

I am one step away from a professional experience at the CBC Library. I've organised a supervisor, who approved my draft proposal with no changes or additions. Today I'm going to send in my proposal to the school and hope for the best. I could have security clearance by July if all goes well.

This weekend I'm going to try to stick closer to home. 011 is ON on Friday night, though I don't want to jinx it by getting overly excited, even though I am. The Main Street Festival is going on between 23rd and 28th avenues, and I hear there's going to be some lemonade and a cake walk (thank you, Seamrippers). Can't recall what the festival on Main Street was a couple weeks ago, but I'm not complaining. Street festivals are dope.

Currently reading :
Let's Cook Japanese Food!: Everyday Recipes for Home Cooking
By Amy Kaneko
Release date: 08 March, 2007

distractions

Seems like I haven't been home much the last while. I like the distraction from thinking/worrying about possible job action and cramped living quarters.

Things of particular interest:
- last Wednesday I went for a birthday dinner with visiting David and got to see such rad people as Sue and Sara. I followed it up with CSS at Richard's, which kicked ass. Dancing at live shows is awesome, and I wish more people would shake their asses in public.
- Thursday and Friday nights I went to Music Waste and saw all sorts of fantastic stuff. Highlights: Yukon, the Choir Practice, Kellarissa, Secret Mommy, and Bison. I meant to go on Saturday night to see 011 from Montreal (beats!), but I'm just going to see them this Friday at the Western Front for a full set instead of the tiny 30-minute one.
- Saturday was Eileen's birthday gimlet party. Gimlets, according to Raymond Chandler, can only be gin and Rose's Lime, but we added a little tonic to cut the sugar. Loads of out-of-control people by the night's end, but definitely a fun time. I accidentally let drunk people borrow my camera and when I went to download the pictures I was surprised to find 77 photos waiting for me.

Spending a few nights on the DTES, I can't figure out why I was ever afraid of it. Sure, there are always loads of people sort of learing at you, but they're not necessarily all out to get me. I felt surprisingly safe walking to the bus after shows, and the only hit I got was a little bit of bird poo splattered on my shoe from a dive-bombing seagull with some sort of grudge. The only really weird thing I saw was the gate of bikes outside the Royal Unicorn: people locked their bikes up the height of the gate, doubling up.

I'm currently trying to convince my sister to move into a co-op, despite her being less than leftist. I'm hoping she gets into one suggested by friends' friend so she may become a little more social and Socialist. I have no idea how we can have such diverse political/social views when we were raised by the same parents. I mean, my parents are more leftist than my sister. Weird.

Loads of good stuff this week. Tonight's the last night of Music Waste and there are a few shows that I would like to go to if I didn't have to deal with Ticketmaster, including Architecture in Helsinki/Yacht. Friday I'm going to the Pipettes/Smoosh, but it's an early show and, like I said, I'm pretty jazzed about getting to that 011 show. (Seriously, search them out on here. Soooooooo goooooooood!)

Next week Rose Melberg is playing!!! *swoon*

acknowledgements

1) A discussion with Eileen and corroborating evidence confirm that Victoria Beckham looks like one of the Thunderbirds. Creepy.

2) There are a bunch of new bus drivers on the 8 Fraser route who are absolutely adorable, and I think I've seen one of them at rock shows. Of course, I don't actually see them except when I get on the bus, but it's always nice when cute boys are nice to me, even if it is their job and if it's only for a second.

3) I've had better days. Today is pretty miserable so far.

4) If the weather ever improves, I will attempt to organise a toy camera shooting party. Since some of them have never been used, and since I now have a good supply of expired film (finally!), it's probaby time to see how some of the weirder ones perform. I think I'm up to around 14 toy cameras; maybe more, maybe less.

5) I hate when people don't return emails/phone calls, yet admit I am lately guilty of the same.

6) I found a picture and want to know where it was shot from. I know the general area; just have to wander around the neighbourhood to find it. It's my weekend adventure plan.

Unsure the day can get any worse, but without a full night sleep it's hard to predict.

Currently listening :
If You're Feeling Sinister
By Belle & Sebastian
Release date: 23 June, 1999

things to do when it's hot and humid (randomly)

Just registered for my last year of classes and my department made it near-impossible to organise a satisfactory schedule. If I actually took all the classes I wanted, I'd be going to school 4 days a week both semesters. Still gots to be paid, so I'm taking a few classes that I'm not really thrilled about, but that will allow me to work my regular hours.

Of course, if I suddenly won the lottery or collected a sugar daddy things might be different. Then again, registration is a bitch, so probably not. I can't even believe I have to take 8am classes in my last semester. What am I? A first-year undergrad? (I could go on at length about this particular scheduling issue. Briefly: the University is marginalising my department (a female-dominated one) by giving male-dominated faculties access to our building during rational times, like 11am to 2pm, rather than allow my department to continue to schedule classes with just a 1.5 hour break. Now I'll have a three hour break between classes in my last semester and, because there aren't many afternoon classes that are offered due to this scheduling issue, were I to take classes I want in the evening, I'd have a 7 hour break between classes.)

This past weekend I had a superb visit with my sweet friend Jill on her way back to jolly ol' England. It's been quite a while since I've seen her, but just meant we had loads to talk and giggle about.

I collected her from the airport on Friday and eventually got back to mine to drop her luggage. We had intentions to grab a drink up the street, but decided instead to finish off the big bottles in my fridge instead. (Note to self: replenish big bottle stash.)

Saturday we managed to drag our sorry asses out of bed by around 10am (I know! I was mostly asleep until 10am!) and got organised for breakfast at Slickety Jim's. Chris was in the 'hood looking at an apartment, so joined us for eats when he finished. We stumbled onto the Mt. Pleasant Festival, so wandered around Main for a while and attempted to see an Elvis Tribute Artist with Terry. After waiting an extra half hour in the sun with no obvious start time, Jill and I ditched and headed off towards False Creek South. We walked along the seawall thing (it is probably really fun to ride along and the gearless may see some action along there) and stopped for a pint of Strongbow at Stamp's Landing before continuing on to Granville Island. We wandered around and finally ended up at Go Fish for dinner; so good, and totally worth the effort. I was starting to tire from all the sun, so we caught the bus home, had a brief rest, and then headed to the Veteran's Hall for a few drinks. They've started Saturday night karaoke, so we watched for a while and had some Strongbow. (I've gotta tell you... I really appreciate all the Strongbow popping up around town.) Eventually we wandered down Main to Soma to see what they serve now (Strongbow: $5.25); it's pretty posh in comparison to the old place, but I like that it's another local watering hole within blocks of my house. After rounds of beer and picking on the smarmy barkeep who was trying to use horribly lame lines on us, we stumbled homeward, safely though surprisingly made it down the path to my door, and promptly went to sleep.

Sunday I remembered why I don't drink very much, but Jill is a persuasive comrade. (This was something I already knew, since much of my time in Superhouse involved too much consuming of various things, and Jill seemed to be around for much of it. I'm just sayin'.) We had a fatty breakfast to absorb whatever booze was still in our systems, and I headed off to work while she made plans for the afternoon. We met up after work and made our way to Chinatown for a bite. We ordered a ridiculous amount of food at Hon's (I've got leftovers for the next week) and then wandered around the Night Market a bit, though it really pales in comparison to the Richmond one. Shortly after arriving home, I sent her off in a taxi for her red-eye flight. Such a good weekend. (Thanks, Jilly!)

This week I'm pretty excited about all the stuff going on. Tomorrow I think I'm hosting poker; Wednesday I get to meet up with David Boffa (!!!) for his birthday dinner, then I'm off to CSS with Glinn; Friday is another cheesecake meeting; Saturday a birthday party; and hopefully that's it because I'll be broke by Wednesday and I can't remember off the top of my head what else there is.

At some point in the summer I remember why I love the summer so much: it always seems easier to convince people to go out and do stuff when the weather is fine. Today it's a little meh out and people are starting to resemble zombies, like their will to live is gone. But soon... soon it will be good again. And, seeing my schedule this fall, I have to get all the fun in while I can.

Currently reading :
Vancouver in Focus: The City's Built Form
By Mike Chadwick
Release date: 15 November, 2006