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
Friday, June 29, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
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.
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.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
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
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
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
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
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
Saturday, June 16, 2007
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
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
Thursday, June 14, 2007
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.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
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.
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.
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