Last year, at this time, we were in full wedding mode. To Lina & Jed and Ronnie & Stimpy, Happy Anniversary!
Saturday, July 31, 2004
"That's easy...just drink every time it sucks..." ~ The O.T.C.
The Goonies was the movie my cousins and I watched during the summer, and when the video game came out we played that too. The Goonies was our movie. I mean there are others, we also watched Star Wars, mostly Return of The Jedi, but The Goonies sticks out to me as the movie that we watched over and over, and over....
It reminds me of funny things from my youth and childhood and makes me smile. Joey laughing and snorting Green Kool-aid out his nose, Danielle complaining about the way I make Kraft Dinner, and all of us playing the 'Alligator Game' (which easily could have just been called "Don't step on the Green Carpet", or "Jump only on the Furniture" but where is the adventure in that). You know, those endless summer days that seemed to drag but were over far too soon. I loved The Goonies.
So, we watched The Goonies again, yesterday. As an adult it is a totally different movie altogether. This might have something to do with 'The Goonies Drinking game' we played whilst watching the movie, but I think it has more to do with my reaction as an adult to the movie itself. Apparently the younger version of me didn't really think that having a genetic mutant chained to a wall in the basement was all that strange. I also never noticed the weird relationship that "Sloth" and "Chunk" form. Captial C, Creepy. They even kiss! a couple of times! ugh. My favorite bit was when Chunk comments to Sloth, "Wow Mister, you smell like phys. ed!"
The Cheerleader, Andy, struck me as a much different character now. In my youth I thought she was popular and pretty, I envied her. As an adult she struck me as a kind of a slut, and a hysterical one at that. Cripes, Samwise Gamgee even gets a piece of that action! The clothes are pretty funny too...and those glasses, why did people wear such big glasses in the 80's?
The Drinking game proved to be effective. Drinking twice when anybody says "Wow" has to be the one rule that screwed us. Holy crap.
The Dude wanted to drink every time there was cheesy 80's music. I figured you'd have to be hooked up to an IV for that one...
Here is the version we used:
I was certainly drunk by the end of the movie. Ahhh..nothing like drunken nostaligia to get you primed for a Football game.
The Esks won, again, last night. I would comment about the game, but my commentary on Football is ridiculous, at best, so I will tell you instead about the Misguided Winnipeg fan, I called him 'Target', who flaunted his colours and paid the price. Every once and a while Target would come to the top of the stairs, waive his little blue flag and taunt us, we'd boo at him, he'd get another beer, and go sit with his friends.
The 5-0 tossed out 2 other people and a fight was brewing by the 3rd quarter. It was rather eventful in College Corner last night. In the last few moments of the game poor Misguided Winnipeg fan, Target, meanders swaying and staggering up the stairs, antagonizing the crowd the whole way, and he just gets walloped in the mind by a half-full, plastic, water bottle and that starts it! If people had something in their hands they threw it...empty glasses, the lids from the glasses, then somebody launches a large pop at him. That's when the Druid Security guy finally rushed to help him. It was funny because most people missed altogether, work on your aim drunk people!!
To my amazement I saw Leon and Jeff M, from Canuck Tire, and the infamous Mike D. That was a bit of a blast from the past, and all in chronological order...I'll have to call verny and tell her...she'll get a laugh.
It was a great game. We punch-danced, even added the "double-punch." We ended up at Boston Pizza, drinking girl drink drunk in the end. Good times.
Now, sadly I am at work. I wish I was going Hack camping. They are probably leaving right now for Pigeon Lake. Have fun, Dudes. Wish I was there.
It reminds me of funny things from my youth and childhood and makes me smile. Joey laughing and snorting Green Kool-aid out his nose, Danielle complaining about the way I make Kraft Dinner, and all of us playing the 'Alligator Game' (which easily could have just been called "Don't step on the Green Carpet", or "Jump only on the Furniture" but where is the adventure in that). You know, those endless summer days that seemed to drag but were over far too soon. I loved The Goonies.
So, we watched The Goonies again, yesterday. As an adult it is a totally different movie altogether. This might have something to do with 'The Goonies Drinking game' we played whilst watching the movie, but I think it has more to do with my reaction as an adult to the movie itself. Apparently the younger version of me didn't really think that having a genetic mutant chained to a wall in the basement was all that strange. I also never noticed the weird relationship that "Sloth" and "Chunk" form. Captial C, Creepy. They even kiss! a couple of times! ugh. My favorite bit was when Chunk comments to Sloth, "Wow Mister, you smell like phys. ed!"
The Cheerleader, Andy, struck me as a much different character now. In my youth I thought she was popular and pretty, I envied her. As an adult she struck me as a kind of a slut, and a hysterical one at that. Cripes, Samwise Gamgee even gets a piece of that action! The clothes are pretty funny too...and those glasses, why did people wear such big glasses in the 80's?
The Drinking game proved to be effective. Drinking twice when anybody says "Wow" has to be the one rule that screwed us. Holy crap.
The Dude wanted to drink every time there was cheesy 80's music. I figured you'd have to be hooked up to an IV for that one...
Here is the version we used:
Goonies Drinking Game
-Drink every time Mikey uses his inhaler
-Drink every time Data uses one of his inventions
-Drink every time old 80's slang is used Ex: narly, rad, ect.
-When Mouth speaks or translates Spanish.
-When Mikey talks to One Eyed Willie or himself
-When Chunk breaks anything, twice if it helps the situation.
-Twice when anyone mentions "The Rich Stuff"
-Twice when anyone says "Wow"
-When you see Cindy Lauper
- When the word Goonie(s) is used
I was certainly drunk by the end of the movie. Ahhh..nothing like drunken nostaligia to get you primed for a Football game.
The Esks won, again, last night. I would comment about the game, but my commentary on Football is ridiculous, at best, so I will tell you instead about the Misguided Winnipeg fan, I called him 'Target', who flaunted his colours and paid the price. Every once and a while Target would come to the top of the stairs, waive his little blue flag and taunt us, we'd boo at him, he'd get another beer, and go sit with his friends.
The 5-0 tossed out 2 other people and a fight was brewing by the 3rd quarter. It was rather eventful in College Corner last night. In the last few moments of the game poor Misguided Winnipeg fan, Target, meanders swaying and staggering up the stairs, antagonizing the crowd the whole way, and he just gets walloped in the mind by a half-full, plastic, water bottle and that starts it! If people had something in their hands they threw it...empty glasses, the lids from the glasses, then somebody launches a large pop at him. That's when the Druid Security guy finally rushed to help him. It was funny because most people missed altogether, work on your aim drunk people!!
To my amazement I saw Leon and Jeff M, from Canuck Tire, and the infamous Mike D. That was a bit of a blast from the past, and all in chronological order...I'll have to call verny and tell her...she'll get a laugh.
It was a great game. We punch-danced, even added the "double-punch." We ended up at Boston Pizza, drinking girl drink drunk in the end. Good times.
Now, sadly I am at work. I wish I was going Hack camping. They are probably leaving right now for Pigeon Lake. Have fun, Dudes. Wish I was there.
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
"And then Mrs. Fancy Pants Theresa Heinz Kerry is all 'He's so great this' and 'He's so great that'..." ~ Samantha Bee
All this U.S. Election coverage, so little content. Maybe blogs will fill in the gaps...Yeah, blogs, that's the ticket....
Down at The D.N.C.:
Really? Hrm...who knew....I want to get me some of these official credentials for bloggers. I wonder what the criterion are?
Politics Watch has a list of info for the candidates and list the links to their blogs. (albeit the Nader link isn't really to a blog, but it does give day to day info about the status of the campaign) The blogs are not actually written by the candidates, sadly, but they give an interesting insight into the campaign.
Nader is still fighting to get on the ballot in a lot of states, like in Michigan and Illinois, and the Bush girls are apparently firing up their own blog to help campaign for their father.
I personally like the official Kerry-Edwards blog the best...it has cool pictures and is the only one that actually resembles a blog...and it allows for comments, which I have to say, I am a big fan of. Also they list the name of the person who wrote the blog entry. Georgebush.com is the only author at The Bush Blog. Not that I would know who Dick Bell or Peter Daou are, but it seems a little more personal to know their names. It seems like they are trying to reach a younger audience. Nader even has a whole section dedicated to students.
But I'd have to say the best commentary so far comes from 'exotic Canadian' Samantha Bee and her "Dear Democracy Diary." 'Wikked funny'...and focused on the all important line-up to the ladies bathroom and who is cutting in and such. That's critical information for the average voter in America, I would say.
Down at The D.N.C.:
"the Convention issued official credentials to bloggers for the first time, and sponsored a special breakfast to introduce the bloggers to the media and each other. As the "new kids on the block," bloggers have gotten unusual amounts of attention from the traditional media"
Really? Hrm...who knew....I want to get me some of these official credentials for bloggers. I wonder what the criterion are?
Politics Watch has a list of info for the candidates and list the links to their blogs. (albeit the Nader link isn't really to a blog, but it does give day to day info about the status of the campaign) The blogs are not actually written by the candidates, sadly, but they give an interesting insight into the campaign.
Nader is still fighting to get on the ballot in a lot of states, like in Michigan and Illinois, and the Bush girls are apparently firing up their own blog to help campaign for their father.
I personally like the official Kerry-Edwards blog the best...it has cool pictures and is the only one that actually resembles a blog...and it allows for comments, which I have to say, I am a big fan of. Also they list the name of the person who wrote the blog entry. Georgebush.com is the only author at The Bush Blog. Not that I would know who Dick Bell or Peter Daou are, but it seems a little more personal to know their names. It seems like they are trying to reach a younger audience. Nader even has a whole section dedicated to students.
But I'd have to say the best commentary so far comes from 'exotic Canadian' Samantha Bee and her "Dear Democracy Diary." 'Wikked funny'...and focused on the all important line-up to the ladies bathroom and who is cutting in and such. That's critical information for the average voter in America, I would say.
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction! ~ Irish Proverb
This weekend is the Edmonton Heritage festival...the 29th annual, no less. If you have never been you can expect some great entertainment, good food and a nice tan (if the weather cooperates).
I will be going Sunday afternoon, or trying to go, depending on what time I actually get off work. I found some good links so I thought I'd post them here. Hope to see you there! Let me know if ya wanna hook up and we can all go together. This year they are also having a 50/50 draw, so maybe we can win some money for tuition too....
Heritage Festival
PDF of "Park and Ride" transportation information
Buy tickets in advance (sheet of 30 for $25)
Hey...On Monday they will have another citizenship ceremony....we could go that day and renew our oath. again.
This year marks the 29th annual Edmonton Heritage Festival, the world's premier three-day showcase of Canada's vibrant multicultural heritage. This year will feature fifty-one pavilions representing over sixty cultures from all over the world. In each one, you can sample culinary delicacies, see creative performances, shop for crafts, artwork, and clothing, or chat with people eager to tell you a little about their cultural roots and their present-day communities in Canada.
I will be going Sunday afternoon, or trying to go, depending on what time I actually get off work. I found some good links so I thought I'd post them here. Hope to see you there! Let me know if ya wanna hook up and we can all go together. This year they are also having a 50/50 draw, so maybe we can win some money for tuition too....
Heritage Festival
PDF of "Park and Ride" transportation information
Buy tickets in advance (sheet of 30 for $25)
Hey...On Monday they will have another citizenship ceremony....we could go that day and renew our oath. again.
Time cools, time clarifies; no mood can be maintained quite unaltered through the course of hours ~Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
More and more this summer I find myself impatient with the time I spend doing shit I don't want to do. I'm not patient though, I never have been. But lately I am acutely aware of each day as it passes by, slowly grinding my life into a tortuous, monotonous existence that seems focused on the pursuit of capital. The only reason I do it is to make money for school. I have actually wanted to be able to fast forward through these long, boring days. But I have to do it. When does life get to be about what I want to do?
I suspect the answer to this is: never. Sadly, getting out of here is my motivation, the main reason I go to school, and it is the only hope I have that one day I won't have to get out of bed and come to a job where people yell at me for shit that I don't give a rat's ass about. It's the promise of one day having a job I want. A job where I feel like I am part of something constructive and interesting. It's like my life is stuck at Wednesday. Hump day. With no end in sight. No promise of the weekend, no relief from the monotony. Waiting.
Today I am bitchy, though. I'm tired so I have to admit I am letting my mood rule my day. Things are just not going my way and I am mad about that. I want something that I can't have. I can't stop thinking about it, oh how I wish I could just shut my mind off for 5 minutes. Now, like a two-year old I feel like shouting life isn't fair! Like the U2 song...."Some days you feel like a bit of a baby".
It's stupid, I know. Luckily it will pass, and I know I need to just suck it up, but someday's really are better than others. Fuck...
"Such a muddly line between
The things you want
And the things you have to do..." Sheryl Crowe 'Leaving Las Vegas'
Song Du Jour ~ 'It Doesn't Matter" - Depeche Mode
I suspect the answer to this is: never. Sadly, getting out of here is my motivation, the main reason I go to school, and it is the only hope I have that one day I won't have to get out of bed and come to a job where people yell at me for shit that I don't give a rat's ass about. It's the promise of one day having a job I want. A job where I feel like I am part of something constructive and interesting. It's like my life is stuck at Wednesday. Hump day. With no end in sight. No promise of the weekend, no relief from the monotony. Waiting.
Today I am bitchy, though. I'm tired so I have to admit I am letting my mood rule my day. Things are just not going my way and I am mad about that. I want something that I can't have. I can't stop thinking about it, oh how I wish I could just shut my mind off for 5 minutes. Now, like a two-year old I feel like shouting life isn't fair! Like the U2 song...."Some days you feel like a bit of a baby".
It's stupid, I know. Luckily it will pass, and I know I need to just suck it up, but someday's really are better than others. Fuck...
"Such a muddly line between
The things you want
And the things you have to do..." Sheryl Crowe 'Leaving Las Vegas'
Song Du Jour ~ 'It Doesn't Matter" - Depeche Mode
Sunday, July 25, 2004
"The kid, is hot tonight, whoa so hot tonight..." Loverboy
The concert was great last night, but Trooper was better last year. They had a wicked good crowd on hand though, I was impressed. Seems that the new Pepsi (TM) Commercial has had revived ole Loverboy. "Everybody's Working for the Weekend" was the best part and the crowd was totally into it...
K-days was good this year. We spent time at The Beer Gardens (Mad Bomber Society played a really good set), the casino and in the ole trade fair, where cheesy salesmen sell you 'a brand new-never seen before-can't buy it anywhere else' type of products. Yeah, right. These people are like the evangelicals of capitalism. It is a zealous art, and they were fun to watch. We were walking by the Ukrainian food place and there were girls holding slushie drinks with wee umbrella's in them, it was like Bogg's wet dream.
The Dude and I had a good laugh at that one.
What else can I say...the kids were sticky, they kept running into my purse with their heads...Honestly, I wasn't even trying to hit them with it...okay well maybe that one time. The beers were cold, and the corndog was delicious. I was still hungova from my Cousin's birthday party the night before so no rides for this girl. Also the smell of the pigs at the petting zoo were enough to make me gag...ugh. We should have played bingo longer, but The Dude forgot 'his smokes', and I didn't have my 'troll dolls' for good luck.
We've decided the games are impossible to win. The Triumph Dog that The Dude won, at the Duck game (which is a *very* difficult game to play), was put together in China and his eyes were crossed so he looks like he's always staring at his nose, which was not straight on his face. Poor retarded, little puppy. Watch out or he'll poop on you.
Fuck, there is literally too much to say about the last 2 days, and yet I find myself unable to blog most of it. Let's just say this was one of those weekends where every body is planning to go out, but all over the city...Could ya get a little more organized people? I was supposed to go to 3 parties at 3 different places every night, but what the hell...I got to hang out with all my favorite people. It was a blast and we need to figure out a way to make the hours between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. last longer to facilitate more drunken debauchery. I'm so sorry if I didn't make it to your bash. And happy birthday to all of you. All in all two of my best friends are home again and I got too spend a good portion of my time with them which rocked.
To all of you at the Birthday party for Danielle, you fucking rock and thanks for letting me bring my boys. There was too much beer, evidenced by all the dead soldiers we watched Danielle empty into the sink. Such a waste of beer...it broke our hearts. To my ladies at O'Byrnies, It was just like old times, and I hope the bruises are healing well after that wee tumble down the stairs. What can I say, we are all class. To The Strath...I'll see you soon sweet Strath...
Here is a question for you. Public displays of affection:
Is your reaction, "Awww, that's so sweet"
or is it, "Fuck, get a room..."?
It has been a while since I have been subjected to watching two individuals who seemed to need to be in constant contact with each other. At first it was endearing, by the end of the night we were making fun of them behind their back.
Now I need to go and rest my head....
Song Du Jour: Blasphemous Rumours ~ Depeche Mode
K-days was good this year. We spent time at The Beer Gardens (Mad Bomber Society played a really good set), the casino and in the ole trade fair, where cheesy salesmen sell you 'a brand new-never seen before-can't buy it anywhere else' type of products. Yeah, right. These people are like the evangelicals of capitalism. It is a zealous art, and they were fun to watch. We were walking by the Ukrainian food place and there were girls holding slushie drinks with wee umbrella's in them, it was like Bogg's wet dream.
The Dude and I had a good laugh at that one.
What else can I say...the kids were sticky, they kept running into my purse with their heads...Honestly, I wasn't even trying to hit them with it...okay well maybe that one time. The beers were cold, and the corndog was delicious. I was still hungova from my Cousin's birthday party the night before so no rides for this girl. Also the smell of the pigs at the petting zoo were enough to make me gag...ugh. We should have played bingo longer, but The Dude forgot 'his smokes', and I didn't have my 'troll dolls' for good luck.
We've decided the games are impossible to win. The Triumph Dog that The Dude won, at the Duck game (which is a *very* difficult game to play), was put together in China and his eyes were crossed so he looks like he's always staring at his nose, which was not straight on his face. Poor retarded, little puppy. Watch out or he'll poop on you.
Fuck, there is literally too much to say about the last 2 days, and yet I find myself unable to blog most of it. Let's just say this was one of those weekends where every body is planning to go out, but all over the city...Could ya get a little more organized people? I was supposed to go to 3 parties at 3 different places every night, but what the hell...I got to hang out with all my favorite people. It was a blast and we need to figure out a way to make the hours between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. last longer to facilitate more drunken debauchery. I'm so sorry if I didn't make it to your bash. And happy birthday to all of you. All in all two of my best friends are home again and I got too spend a good portion of my time with them which rocked.
To all of you at the Birthday party for Danielle, you fucking rock and thanks for letting me bring my boys. There was too much beer, evidenced by all the dead soldiers we watched Danielle empty into the sink. Such a waste of beer...it broke our hearts. To my ladies at O'Byrnies, It was just like old times, and I hope the bruises are healing well after that wee tumble down the stairs. What can I say, we are all class. To The Strath...I'll see you soon sweet Strath...
Here is a question for you. Public displays of affection:
Is your reaction, "Awww, that's so sweet"
or is it, "Fuck, get a room..."?
It has been a while since I have been subjected to watching two individuals who seemed to need to be in constant contact with each other. At first it was endearing, by the end of the night we were making fun of them behind their back.
Now I need to go and rest my head....
Song Du Jour: Blasphemous Rumours ~ Depeche Mode
Friday, July 23, 2004
"It's a terrible thing to hate your mother. But I didn't always hate her. When I was a child, I only kind of disliked her" ~ Raymond Shaw:
The Manchurian Candidate. I saw this movie about 10 years ago and its subtle political satire was all but lost on me at that time, but I remember thinking it was very clever. Clever, indeed. With a new version of this movie coming out this month with Denzel Washington I really wanted to see the original again. It was made in 1962, and is a serious role for Frank Sinatra, who pulls it off very well. The complicated plot weaves its way around the Democratic National convention and is filled with intrigue, and some crafty satire, McCarthy Style. ....My favorite part:
Poor Pussy-whipped Johnny Iselin finally accuses "57" communists...
Ahhh...The Cold War...If you get a chance to see it let me know what you think.
Let's see...Other random Friday evening news...I got to see my new nephew, Caiden, today and he and his Mommy are doing very well. He's so wee. After that I rushed to work just in time for my shift. For the last few months at work we have been subjected to banging, clanging and jack-hammering above our heads to accommodate the resurfacing of 99 Street, which is part of the bigger revitalization plan for Churchill Square.
Let me interrupt my own commentary here to say that as a taxpayer I am unimpressed with the new plan for Churchiil square. It seems that the people who planned it forgot that area is a place where "lost souls" hang about. One constable, who recently came to do a security presentation because of recent security issues, refers to them as "Lost souls" I call them Meth Addicts and vagrants. The square seems to be aimed at a more posh clientele, with fancy lawn furniture and gushing fountains...Sometimes I feel they were kind short-sighted when hatching this plan, but that remains to be seen, and I digress, so back to the point.
Noise. And lots of it. Construction noise has it's own kind of freakiness. For the most part it usually sounds like the roof is going to cave in on top of my co-workers and I at any minute, and that came be somewhat disconcerting. It is also hard to hear our customers, not to mention really annoying. It literally got so bad the construction workers even sent us flowers after a really bad day of booming and scraping. The whole station was vibrating that day. So today they have moved us. We crawled out of our dark and dreary cave and are temporarily relocated.
We have windows. Windows!! When you have worked underground for as long as I have, you have no idea how great this is. I can look out and see beautiful City Hall and as far North as the eye can see, very pretty! God Edmonton is really beautiful in the summertime. I can even see K-days from here...Over on the other side of the office we can watch John's picking up hookers. Our computer monitors are also the double wide type, with two side by side, which takes some time to adjust to, but really cool just the same.
The best part: The new, some would even call it awesome, office I am in has a "Wayne Gretzky's Overtime Hockey" table top hockey game. Sweeeeeet.
Feels like I got a promotion.
Poor Pussy-whipped Johnny Iselin finally accuses "57" communists...
Ahhh...The Cold War...If you get a chance to see it let me know what you think.
Let's see...Other random Friday evening news...I got to see my new nephew, Caiden, today and he and his Mommy are doing very well. He's so wee. After that I rushed to work just in time for my shift. For the last few months at work we have been subjected to banging, clanging and jack-hammering above our heads to accommodate the resurfacing of 99 Street, which is part of the bigger revitalization plan for Churchill Square.
Let me interrupt my own commentary here to say that as a taxpayer I am unimpressed with the new plan for Churchiil square. It seems that the people who planned it forgot that area is a place where "lost souls" hang about. One constable, who recently came to do a security presentation because of recent security issues, refers to them as "Lost souls" I call them Meth Addicts and vagrants. The square seems to be aimed at a more posh clientele, with fancy lawn furniture and gushing fountains...Sometimes I feel they were kind short-sighted when hatching this plan, but that remains to be seen, and I digress, so back to the point.
Noise. And lots of it. Construction noise has it's own kind of freakiness. For the most part it usually sounds like the roof is going to cave in on top of my co-workers and I at any minute, and that came be somewhat disconcerting. It is also hard to hear our customers, not to mention really annoying. It literally got so bad the construction workers even sent us flowers after a really bad day of booming and scraping. The whole station was vibrating that day. So today they have moved us. We crawled out of our dark and dreary cave and are temporarily relocated.
We have windows. Windows!! When you have worked underground for as long as I have, you have no idea how great this is. I can look out and see beautiful City Hall and as far North as the eye can see, very pretty! God Edmonton is really beautiful in the summertime. I can even see K-days from here...Over on the other side of the office we can watch John's picking up hookers. Our computer monitors are also the double wide type, with two side by side, which takes some time to adjust to, but really cool just the same.
The best part: The new, some would even call it awesome, office I am in has a "Wayne Gretzky's Overtime Hockey" table top hockey game. Sweeeeeet.
Feels like I got a promotion.
Thursday, July 22, 2004
The White House is the finest prison in the world. ~ Harry S. Truman (1884 - 1972)
I didn't do this quiz back when I first saw it on Sarah Kelly's blog. Then J-Lo, Marc, Sammers and Bazin and everybody else who has a blog did it, so I thought, I am bored, why not? Then my results struck me as funny...working in the White House....I wish!
Wackiness: 46/100
Rationality: 54/100
Constructiveness: 66/100
Leadership: 30/100
You are an SRCF--Sober Rational Constructive Follower. This makes you a White House staffer. You are a tremendous asset to any employer, cool under pressure, productive, and a great communicator. You feel the need to right wrongs, take up slack, mediate disputes and keep the peace. This comes from a secret fear that business can't go on without you--or worse, that it can. If you have a weakness, it is your inability to say "no." While your peers respect you, they find it difficult to resist taking advantage of your positive attitude and eagerness to take on work. You depend on a good manager to keep you from sinking under the weight and burning out.
They are obviously mistaken about the sober bit...clearly that should read Drunk Rational Constructive Follower.
Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society~ Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
I will certainly try to be coherent here, but on 3 hours of sleep, I'm not making any promises. It has been a great day for people-watching, one of my favorite things to do, and many people are out in full-on Klondike regalia, and it is splendid.
There was a gentleman dressed like Colonel Sanders this morning and he made me think about Mint juleps and horse racing. Some of the costumes seem a little too tight this year, some are looking worse for wear, but the hats with bold, brightly coloured feathers, the and the dainty parasols made me feel nostalgic for simpler days.
Simpler days when baby strollers were not the super-dee-duper-de-lux, mammoth type that we have today. C'mon people, bigger is decidedly not better when it comes to toddler transport. Seriously, some of the double-wide, double-long strollers are impressively bulky. Especially when you are carrying them up and down the stairs of the LRT station. Yup, that is what I was doing for a good portion of the day. You see, the station, built in the 70's, only has one elevator and when only one of these massive strollers fits at a time, well, it takes a while to get them all down to the platform. Last year, the elevator broke down so we had to carry all the strollers down the stairs by hand. Mmhmmm, you heard me right, carry them.
This year, praise be to Allah, the elevator worked but, because the line for the elevator extended to The Citadel pedway, we decided to offer the same manual service. Oh, and did I mention that the escalator was kaput too? I got one hell of a work out. I made over 100 trips. Down the stairs with a stroller, up the escalator, down, up, down, up...My knees are weak, and not in the good way.
Earlier in the morning I found myself, along with a co-worker, standing on Fort Road directing traffic. I nearly lost my life twice. Drivers forget that as they approach they need to signal their intentions and not just stop in the middle of Fort Road and look at me blankly...it was rather comical. Dangerous but comical. One lady flipped me the bird because the north parking lot was full at 9:30 a.m. on Parade day (imagine that). Yes, that is right Madam, it's my fault.
The questions were, as always, hilarious:
Her: "Is the LRT on detour because of the parade?"
Me:"you mean the buses?"
Her: "no, the train underground.."
after a moment of incredulity I responded , "oh no, they've decided to do the parade above ground this year..."
Her: "Oh wonderful, thank you..."
All in all a good day, and rather entertaining, however I am wearing my work t-shirt which states on the back "Questions? I've got the answers..."
If the commute to work was any indication I will be answering random queries in the street. It will certainly be an adventurous ride home.
There was a gentleman dressed like Colonel Sanders this morning and he made me think about Mint juleps and horse racing. Some of the costumes seem a little too tight this year, some are looking worse for wear, but the hats with bold, brightly coloured feathers, the and the dainty parasols made me feel nostalgic for simpler days.
Simpler days when baby strollers were not the super-dee-duper-de-lux, mammoth type that we have today. C'mon people, bigger is decidedly not better when it comes to toddler transport. Seriously, some of the double-wide, double-long strollers are impressively bulky. Especially when you are carrying them up and down the stairs of the LRT station. Yup, that is what I was doing for a good portion of the day. You see, the station, built in the 70's, only has one elevator and when only one of these massive strollers fits at a time, well, it takes a while to get them all down to the platform. Last year, the elevator broke down so we had to carry all the strollers down the stairs by hand. Mmhmmm, you heard me right, carry them.
This year, praise be to Allah, the elevator worked but, because the line for the elevator extended to The Citadel pedway, we decided to offer the same manual service. Oh, and did I mention that the escalator was kaput too? I got one hell of a work out. I made over 100 trips. Down the stairs with a stroller, up the escalator, down, up, down, up...My knees are weak, and not in the good way.
Earlier in the morning I found myself, along with a co-worker, standing on Fort Road directing traffic. I nearly lost my life twice. Drivers forget that as they approach they need to signal their intentions and not just stop in the middle of Fort Road and look at me blankly...it was rather comical. Dangerous but comical. One lady flipped me the bird because the north parking lot was full at 9:30 a.m. on Parade day (imagine that). Yes, that is right Madam, it's my fault.
The questions were, as always, hilarious:
Her: "Is the LRT on detour because of the parade?"
Me:"you mean the buses?"
Her: "no, the train underground.."
after a moment of incredulity I responded , "oh no, they've decided to do the parade above ground this year..."
Her: "Oh wonderful, thank you..."
All in all a good day, and rather entertaining, however I am wearing my work t-shirt which states on the back "Questions? I've got the answers..."
If the commute to work was any indication I will be answering random queries in the street. It will certainly be an adventurous ride home.
Oh, I almost forgot...I found a real gem of a website thanks to Alex Taylor and her link to another blog...
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
I hate women because they always know where things are. ~James Thurber
"Hooooooney, where's my Pants?"
"Honey, where did I put my keys?"
Women who are married or living in sin will know exactly what I am talking about on this one. So right back at you funny Mr. Thurber...I hate men because they never know where they put their own shite. Okay...No, I don't really hate all men, some of them can probably take care of themselves, or at least I hope they can. But this is one of those things that I promised myself; I would never again date a man who asks me where his pants are. And why do men do this? Why? Is it just laziness? If he was home alone he'd have to find these items on his own so is it just because someone else is in the house? What do men do when they are home alone? Wander around shouting out "Where's my pants?"
I will also never date a man who does not like Hockey or U2.
So that made me wonder does everybody have these little checklists? He/she has to be *this*, check.
He can't be *that*, check.
What's the silliest one you have?
As I get older I wonder how fucking long might this list get and where do you the draw the line? Is there a hierarchy of these attributes?? I mean if he fits all the other major things like, he's not a serial killer and he treats me well is the fact that he is too lazy to open his eyes and find his own pants or keys really a drawback? If he doesn't really like U2 can I get past that if everything else is great? Hrm...for me that is a deal breaker. How ridiculous...
**to note that this has absolutely nothing to do with my current roommate shouldn't be necessary because he is perfectly capable of finding his own pants...
In other news, tomorrow K-days starts up and so do my 18 hour shifts. I work from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Hopefully the barbarous multitude will be in a good mood and will be full of stupid questions to amuse me during my long, long day...
"Honey, where did I put my keys?"
Women who are married or living in sin will know exactly what I am talking about on this one. So right back at you funny Mr. Thurber...I hate men because they never know where they put their own shite. Okay...No, I don't really hate all men, some of them can probably take care of themselves, or at least I hope they can. But this is one of those things that I promised myself; I would never again date a man who asks me where his pants are. And why do men do this? Why? Is it just laziness? If he was home alone he'd have to find these items on his own so is it just because someone else is in the house? What do men do when they are home alone? Wander around shouting out "Where's my pants?"
I will also never date a man who does not like Hockey or U2.
So that made me wonder does everybody have these little checklists? He/she has to be *this*, check.
He can't be *that*, check.
What's the silliest one you have?
As I get older I wonder how fucking long might this list get and where do you the draw the line? Is there a hierarchy of these attributes?? I mean if he fits all the other major things like, he's not a serial killer and he treats me well is the fact that he is too lazy to open his eyes and find his own pants or keys really a drawback? If he doesn't really like U2 can I get past that if everything else is great? Hrm...for me that is a deal breaker. How ridiculous...
**to note that this has absolutely nothing to do with my current roommate shouldn't be necessary because he is perfectly capable of finding his own pants...
In other news, tomorrow K-days starts up and so do my 18 hour shifts. I work from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Hopefully the barbarous multitude will be in a good mood and will be full of stupid questions to amuse me during my long, long day...
Monday, July 19, 2004
On June 24 the U.S. Senate passed the African Growth Opportunity Acceleration Act (AGOA)
I'm back, and talking about Africa...again...for something a little lighter simply scroll down...A funny Picture of Smith and Bogg awaits you....
So Africa. Trade is a huge issue for Africa. We've seen what trade can do for our economy and development and Africa has been excluded from that for far too long. With high tariffs on goods produced there, and protectionism the way it is in the first world, most African countries cannot engage in international trade because they are marginalized. The International trade system works against them and organizations like Oxfam (and their Make Trade Fair Campaign) and Data have been trying to raise awareness about these issues.
The African Growth Opportunity Acceleration Act (AGOA) will work to alleviate these barriers and has had big success in Lesotho, Madagascar and Kenya, but mostly in the textile industry. I have been following this closely and the extention to 2015 will hopefully allow them to branch into other industries. This new development is good news, and I feel like this act has allowed African's to help themselves instead of the first world just throwing money at a situation or trying to control, like with Debt and structural adjustment policies. I think that Canada should also get on board with this, but Canada should also raise it's overseas Development Assistance (ODA) too. I am hopeful that Paul Martin will continue to work towards the African agenda set down by Cretien. Paul Martin has already proven that he is willing as he was responsible for the moratorium on African debt owed to Canada in 2001, but that gets into the whole debt issue and that is another post altogether. It seems like for the first time major change is within our grasp... Let's just hope Martin actually continues to pursue these options.
I recognize there are still a lot of problems with the way the system is set up, but things are changing and it because of the hard work of the NGO's that these items are on the agenda in the Senate and Congress. It is a lot of hard work and an uphill battle so I wanted to acknowledge the fact that we are making a difference out there. It can be done.
Some times you lose, like the loss of the additional $15 Million dollars for AIDS that was promised by George Bush, (it was a promise he made and then Congress did not approve it because of the additional money being spent in Iraq, which makes sense, but a kick to junk nonetheless when the funds did not materialize) and sometimes, like on June 24th you get a little victory...
Bogg asked me the other day why I am so concerned about Africa, and I guess I just can't turn my back on it. I feel like I know about the dire situation there and because I know so much I'm implicated and I can't turn away. Hence the name of this blog that comes from 'Bad',
"I'm wide awake....I'm not sleeping."
If you want to get involved, just go to those links above and make your voice heard.
Song Du jour: Acrobat ~ U2
"and you can dream, so dream out loud! You can find your own way out. You can build and I can will and you can call, I can't wait until you can stash and you can seize , in dreams begin responsibilities and I can love and I know that the tide is turning 'round, so don't let the bastards grind you down"
Egalitarian rant over....
So Africa. Trade is a huge issue for Africa. We've seen what trade can do for our economy and development and Africa has been excluded from that for far too long. With high tariffs on goods produced there, and protectionism the way it is in the first world, most African countries cannot engage in international trade because they are marginalized. The International trade system works against them and organizations like Oxfam (and their Make Trade Fair Campaign) and Data have been trying to raise awareness about these issues.
The African Growth Opportunity Acceleration Act (AGOA) will work to alleviate these barriers and has had big success in Lesotho, Madagascar and Kenya, but mostly in the textile industry. I have been following this closely and the extention to 2015 will hopefully allow them to branch into other industries. This new development is good news, and I feel like this act has allowed African's to help themselves instead of the first world just throwing money at a situation or trying to control, like with Debt and structural adjustment policies. I think that Canada should also get on board with this, but Canada should also raise it's overseas Development Assistance (ODA) too. I am hopeful that Paul Martin will continue to work towards the African agenda set down by Cretien. Paul Martin has already proven that he is willing as he was responsible for the moratorium on African debt owed to Canada in 2001, but that gets into the whole debt issue and that is another post altogether. It seems like for the first time major change is within our grasp... Let's just hope Martin actually continues to pursue these options.
I recognize there are still a lot of problems with the way the system is set up, but things are changing and it because of the hard work of the NGO's that these items are on the agenda in the Senate and Congress. It is a lot of hard work and an uphill battle so I wanted to acknowledge the fact that we are making a difference out there. It can be done.
Some times you lose, like the loss of the additional $15 Million dollars for AIDS that was promised by George Bush, (it was a promise he made and then Congress did not approve it because of the additional money being spent in Iraq, which makes sense, but a kick to junk nonetheless when the funds did not materialize) and sometimes, like on June 24th you get a little victory...
Bogg asked me the other day why I am so concerned about Africa, and I guess I just can't turn my back on it. I feel like I know about the dire situation there and because I know so much I'm implicated and I can't turn away. Hence the name of this blog that comes from 'Bad',
"I'm wide awake....I'm not sleeping."
If you want to get involved, just go to those links above and make your voice heard.
Song Du jour: Acrobat ~ U2
"and you can dream, so dream out loud! You can find your own way out. You can build and I can will and you can call, I can't wait until you can stash and you can seize , in dreams begin responsibilities and I can love and I know that the tide is turning 'round, so don't let the bastards grind you down"
Egalitarian rant over....
Always a bridesmaid, never a bride....
Well following Bogg and J-Lo I took the wee Quiz and ended up with this:
The Maid of HonorDeliberate Gentle Love Master (DGLMf)
Appreciated for your kindness and envied for all your experience, you are The Maid of Honor. Charismatic, affectionate, and terrific in relationships, you are what many guys would call a "perfect catch"--and you probably have many admirers, each wishing to capture your long-term love. You're careful, extra careful, because the last thing you want is to hurt anyone. Especially some poor boy whose only crime was liking you.
Your exact opposite:Half-cockedRandom Brutal Sex Dreamer
We've deduced you're fully capable of a dirty fling, but you do feel that post-coital attachment after hooking up. So, conscientious person that you are, you do your best to reserve physical affection for those you respect...so you can respect yourself. Your biggest negative is the byproduct of your careful nature: indecision. You're just as slow rejecting someone as you are accepting them.
ALWAYS AVOID: The False Messiah, The 5-Night Stand, The Vapor Trail, The Bachelor
CONSIDER: The Gentleman, someone just like you
The Maid of HonorDeliberate Gentle Love Master (DGLMf)
Appreciated for your kindness and envied for all your experience, you are The Maid of Honor. Charismatic, affectionate, and terrific in relationships, you are what many guys would call a "perfect catch"--and you probably have many admirers, each wishing to capture your long-term love. You're careful, extra careful, because the last thing you want is to hurt anyone. Especially some poor boy whose only crime was liking you.
Your exact opposite:Half-cockedRandom Brutal Sex Dreamer
We've deduced you're fully capable of a dirty fling, but you do feel that post-coital attachment after hooking up. So, conscientious person that you are, you do your best to reserve physical affection for those you respect...so you can respect yourself. Your biggest negative is the byproduct of your careful nature: indecision. You're just as slow rejecting someone as you are accepting them.
ALWAYS AVOID: The False Messiah, The 5-Night Stand, The Vapor Trail, The Bachelor
CONSIDER: The Gentleman, someone just like you
Sunday, July 18, 2004
Vertigo where'd you go??
Somebody couldn't wait to get the 5 finger discount from HMV so they stole U2's newest, unreleased, album right out from under them.
The Edge says it was his copy....
I wonder how long until it hits the 'net? This certainly isn't the first time this has happened. Bono lost his briefcase in 1981 and lost the lyrics to the October album. In 1991 Achtung Baby outakes are stolen and released for sale. 1996/97 Discotheque is prematurely leaked and in 2002 - Electrical Storm is prematurely leaked (Bono gave a copy as a wedding gift to a friend, who happened to be a DJ...).
And ummm..perhaps by now they'd know it's time to bulk up on security .
I sure hope that they get it back...
Here is more:
French police investigate loss of disc which could cost band £10m
The Edge says it was his copy....
I wonder how long until it hits the 'net? This certainly isn't the first time this has happened. Bono lost his briefcase in 1981 and lost the lyrics to the October album. In 1991 Achtung Baby outakes are stolen and released for sale. 1996/97 Discotheque is prematurely leaked and in 2002 - Electrical Storm is prematurely leaked (Bono gave a copy as a wedding gift to a friend, who happened to be a DJ...).
And ummm..perhaps by now they'd know it's time to bulk up on security .
I sure hope that they get it back...
Here is more:
French police investigate loss of disc which could cost band £10m
Nobody in the game of football should be called a genius. A genius is somebody like Norman Einstein.~ Joe Theismann, Former quarterback
My 'whoroscope' from yesterday:
Does anybody really believe in this shite? And for the record telling me: "why argue? Give in?" uhhh...yeah, cause I never do that...
So my 'cosmic cast of characters' and I got together at The Esks game and had a great time. The Esks had a good game and won their second of the season 51-30. Fleming impresses me with his ability to fuck up even the easiest punt...cost us a touchdown last night. I am shocked I am not sun-burned because we sat up in College Corner and baked in the sun for a good 3 1/2 hours. The beer was cold and that's all that mattered. There were guys prancing about in green and gold panty-shorts and one guy, dressed only in a green plum-smuggler, had on his white tube socks and black, patent dress shoes...Classy.
Boggy and Sammers abandoned ship before halftime. Pussies. We ended up at Avenue Pizza for beers and wings and watching the spectacular thunderstorm roll in. As luck would have it the rain stopped just as we left Avenue Pizza and politely waited until I got to The Commune.
In other news, my friend went into labour this morning and will, most likely, have her babbins today!!
Funny, her horoscope for today mentions nothing about this....or does it...
Cosmic cast of characters indeed. That bit that made me giggle....Capricorn(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Playtime has been inserted into your ordinarily businesslike agenda, thanks to a cosmic cast of characters who won't take no for an answer. Why argue? Give in and recreate.
Does anybody really believe in this shite? And for the record telling me: "why argue? Give in?" uhhh...yeah, cause I never do that...
So my 'cosmic cast of characters' and I got together at The Esks game and had a great time. The Esks had a good game and won their second of the season 51-30. Fleming impresses me with his ability to fuck up even the easiest punt...cost us a touchdown last night. I am shocked I am not sun-burned because we sat up in College Corner and baked in the sun for a good 3 1/2 hours. The beer was cold and that's all that mattered. There were guys prancing about in green and gold panty-shorts and one guy, dressed only in a green plum-smuggler, had on his white tube socks and black, patent dress shoes...Classy.
Boggy and Sammers abandoned ship before halftime. Pussies. We ended up at Avenue Pizza for beers and wings and watching the spectacular thunderstorm roll in. As luck would have it the rain stopped just as we left Avenue Pizza and politely waited until I got to The Commune.
In other news, my friend went into labour this morning and will, most likely, have her babbins today!!
Funny, her horoscope for today mentions nothing about this....or does it...
Gemini(May 21-June 21)
You'll be dealing with at least one highly emotional person for a while -- and the first on the list may be you. Stop stressing. A change isn't always bad.
Saturday, July 17, 2004
What Jesus fails to appreciate is that it's the meek who are the problem. ~John Cleese playing Reg in Life Of Brian
I watched Life of Brian last night. I had never seen it before and only found out about it because of research I was doing when writing my final paper for English 285. It is blasphemous and wickedly funny and as Ebert points out: "Monty Python's Life of Brian" is funny, in that peculiar British way where jokes are told sideways, with the obvious point and then the delayed zinger.Oh the absurdity...oh the nudity...and remember always look on the bright side of life! I hope Steve Smith has seen this movie. There is one part where Judith runs in and interrupts a meeting and they propose a motion to "get on with it" and I thought of council at that moment and Bazin because they needed a seconder. HC7 should watch this movie together, they'd love it.
Outside it is one hot, muggy day. HOT! Even at 7 a.m. this morning it was 20 degrees already. I was looking forward to coming to work for some air-conditioned relief. When I came to work the air-conditioner had made this office like the arctic at Christmas. So the heaters kicked in and are now pumping full tilt.
How's that for logic? Only the City would be heating air-conditioned air.
Your tax dollars hard at work.
It has also come to my attention that some people have no idea how to read addresses. A lady called this morning needing to get to 6325- Gateway Blvd. Initially she told me, "I want to go to 63 Ave and 25 street". That would put her in a farmer's field between here and Sherwood park somewhere... she just didn't know how to read addresses.
So allow me to take a moment here and explain how addresses work in this city because it can be confusing as hell. Whatever the address is, you should be able to look at the larger number and take 2 digits of the end to get a street and Avenue:
ie: 6325- Gateway Blvd. (6325 = 63--drop the 25-- and you get 63 Ave and Gateway Blvd.)
another example: 10424 - 178 Street. (104--drop the 24-- and you get 104 Ave and 178 Street.)
So there you have it, just drop the last two digits. I should mention in our illustrious city any street or Avenue that curves is given a name. Like Argyll Road or Fort Road, or Kingsway Avenue. Oh and Millwoods is fucked.
This concludes the educational portion of this mornings' blog post.
In other news, Paul Wells is back posting on his Blog, and he's talking about Research and Development. When I think of research I think of how The University seems to put way too much focus on research and not enough on teaching and quality of education. But I am student so that is my perspective. This focus on research comes from the top, the top being the federal government, and affects the students at a University in different ways. Mr. Wells has a different look at it and asks some interesting questions, things I had never considered before. Oh and can I please be the 'Minister of Grass'?
Outside it is one hot, muggy day. HOT! Even at 7 a.m. this morning it was 20 degrees already. I was looking forward to coming to work for some air-conditioned relief. When I came to work the air-conditioner had made this office like the arctic at Christmas. So the heaters kicked in and are now pumping full tilt.
How's that for logic? Only the City would be heating air-conditioned air.
Your tax dollars hard at work.
It has also come to my attention that some people have no idea how to read addresses. A lady called this morning needing to get to 6325- Gateway Blvd. Initially she told me, "I want to go to 63 Ave and 25 street". That would put her in a farmer's field between here and Sherwood park somewhere... she just didn't know how to read addresses.
So allow me to take a moment here and explain how addresses work in this city because it can be confusing as hell. Whatever the address is, you should be able to look at the larger number and take 2 digits of the end to get a street and Avenue:
ie: 6325- Gateway Blvd. (6325 = 63--drop the 25-- and you get 63 Ave and Gateway Blvd.)
another example: 10424 - 178 Street. (104--drop the 24-- and you get 104 Ave and 178 Street.)
So there you have it, just drop the last two digits. I should mention in our illustrious city any street or Avenue that curves is given a name. Like Argyll Road or Fort Road, or Kingsway Avenue. Oh and Millwoods is fucked.
This concludes the educational portion of this mornings' blog post.
In other news, Paul Wells is back posting on his Blog, and he's talking about Research and Development. When I think of research I think of how The University seems to put way too much focus on research and not enough on teaching and quality of education. But I am student so that is my perspective. This focus on research comes from the top, the top being the federal government, and affects the students at a University in different ways. Mr. Wells has a different look at it and asks some interesting questions, things I had never considered before. Oh and can I please be the 'Minister of Grass'?
Friday, July 16, 2004
I will not jump with common spirits, And rank me with the barbarous multitudes. ~ Prince of Aragon, The Merchant of Venice 2.9.31-2,
Well Summer is here, finally. I hope. It is a glorious day here in Edmonton. It is hot, dry, and a deep, rich green lush look has settled in because of all the rain.
On my way to work I walked through the construction zone that is Churchill Square and took a moment to enjoy the sun at City Hall. The pool was filled with what Mr. Speaker refers to as the barbarous multitude. It was funny to watch all the 'Suits' walking by staring enviously at all of them splashing in the pool and soaking up the sun. The City, apparently, has even invested in 'lifeguards' stationed out front, now. And by 'lifeguards' I mean 2 teenagers giggling with each other and not paying attention at all.
As I walked by, the mist from the fountains cooled me off and the carillons began to chime atop the Friendship Tower of City Hall Plaza. I swear it was playing "Frosty The Snowman." This caused a number of us to actually stop and look up at the tower and wonder what the hell? It was a picture perfect scene on a busy, bustling Friday afternoon in Onion city. Except for a pair of deserted tightie-whities abandoned in a drying puddle near the pool and I laughed because somewhere some Commando out there is wondering where he left his panties.
I wish I was outside but instead I am here inside an air-conditioned office. Maybe I should be thankful I am not sweltering out in the hot sun.
But now that I am here at my desk and in between callers, I am surfing the net, checking blogs, checking e-mail accounts, checking on-line communities, checking webboards...it has become a daily ritual.
Of note in my cyber-travels today (and partially related to previous posts about Africa and AIDS):
Express News has 2 articles of interest to me today, which rocks. One is about the social stigma associated with AIDS and men in Malawi. It highlights that there is a dearth of education about this disease and that is causing it to spread. Malawi also made news last year because they stoned to death a local politician because he was rumoured to be a vampire. No wonder it is so difficult to help these areas, no education, corrupt governments, but at least there are people there trying to make a difference. That makes me feel better.
Then I stumbled on to this cool story:
Student View: The power to change
I love the U of A. It is so dynamic and there are so many different view points and interesting individuals. I am lucky to have met so many.
Tomorrow we are expecting another +31 degree day. Whew! Tomorrow will be a good day. (well once 2 p.m. rolls around and I finish my shift at work) I will be going to the Football game with The Boggfather and The Dude. I will bring lots of sunscreen. Go Esks!!
(That sounds like one bad sitcom or gay porn..."The Boggfather and The Dude")
And tomorrow Queen Leighanne-Alana and Princess Emma finally come home to visit!! YAY! They will feel right at home in the hot weather.
C'mon 21:00, hurry up!
On my way to work I walked through the construction zone that is Churchill Square and took a moment to enjoy the sun at City Hall. The pool was filled with what Mr. Speaker refers to as the barbarous multitude. It was funny to watch all the 'Suits' walking by staring enviously at all of them splashing in the pool and soaking up the sun. The City, apparently, has even invested in 'lifeguards' stationed out front, now. And by 'lifeguards' I mean 2 teenagers giggling with each other and not paying attention at all.
As I walked by, the mist from the fountains cooled me off and the carillons began to chime atop the Friendship Tower of City Hall Plaza. I swear it was playing "Frosty The Snowman." This caused a number of us to actually stop and look up at the tower and wonder what the hell? It was a picture perfect scene on a busy, bustling Friday afternoon in Onion city. Except for a pair of deserted tightie-whities abandoned in a drying puddle near the pool and I laughed because somewhere some Commando out there is wondering where he left his panties.
I wish I was outside but instead I am here inside an air-conditioned office. Maybe I should be thankful I am not sweltering out in the hot sun.
But now that I am here at my desk and in between callers, I am surfing the net, checking blogs, checking e-mail accounts, checking on-line communities, checking webboards...it has become a daily ritual.
Of note in my cyber-travels today (and partially related to previous posts about Africa and AIDS):
Express News has 2 articles of interest to me today, which rocks. One is about the social stigma associated with AIDS and men in Malawi. It highlights that there is a dearth of education about this disease and that is causing it to spread. Malawi also made news last year because they stoned to death a local politician because he was rumoured to be a vampire. No wonder it is so difficult to help these areas, no education, corrupt governments, but at least there are people there trying to make a difference. That makes me feel better.
Then I stumbled on to this cool story:
Student View: The power to change
I love the U of A. It is so dynamic and there are so many different view points and interesting individuals. I am lucky to have met so many.
Tomorrow we are expecting another +31 degree day. Whew! Tomorrow will be a good day. (well once 2 p.m. rolls around and I finish my shift at work) I will be going to the Football game with The Boggfather and The Dude. I will bring lots of sunscreen. Go Esks!!
(That sounds like one bad sitcom or gay porn..."The Boggfather and The Dude")
And tomorrow Queen Leighanne-Alana and Princess Emma finally come home to visit!! YAY! They will feel right at home in the hot weather.
C'mon 21:00, hurry up!
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Chaos is a friend of mine. ~ Bob Dylan
Last night I rented "Dude, Where's my Butterfly effect" starring Ashton Kutcher. What a fucking cool movie. It made me think of all the random events in my life that led me here.
I am a big fan of the "what if". The speculation of what life could have been like if I had chosen a different path. It makes me think back to a night, about a million years ago now, outside the Purple Onion, of all places. I had met this guy, when I was upgrading at Grant MacEwan down in Millwoods, and this was the first night he came out with me and all my friends. I was sure we'd scare the shit out of him. Which we did. That night a series of weird, chaotic events played out in front of me and they are so vivid to me to this day and I often wonder if, in the chaos of that night, if I had chosen differently, where would I be today? Why does that moment seem so significant?
The (abbreviated) History:
I really liked this guy and I realized I should really introduce him to my friends, get it over with, as it were, so I invited him over to the Moon Tower for our usual, pre-bar Friday night drinking and smoking. I figured if he made it through the night we just might have a chance. This was a mixed event with all my guy friends and The Rottens and assorted other frat boys, etc.... I was nervous. Friends always find it necessary to embarrass you by telling inappropriate stories and such, especially when drunk. It went way better than I expected, save the fact that we spilled bong water on him, whoops, poor guy. After we all got suitably tanked we headed out to Whyte Ave and the stinky P.O.
Also invited to the P.O were my girl friends from Rugby, a good but raunchy bunch...and as usual there were lots of rugby boys there, including one who I had "dated" a couple of times. By 2 a.m. The rugby girls were picking fights on the dance floor, The Rottens felt the need to provide "back-up" and, like I have never seen before, the fight spilled out onto the street and I stood, holding my new interests' hand, while my friends got into a huge cat fight with some scary looking chicks.
It was very surreal (and hilarious now that I think back on that...)...I didn't know what to do. In my head I am thinking "Fine first impression this is..." I kept turning to him and saying "they never do this, really..." There was bitch-slapping , scratching and hair pulling and I remember the moment vividly because at that moment the Rugby boy comes up and holds my other hand and gives me the ole "how you doing." So there in that moment I made a choice, I said buh-bye to Mr. Rugby and that night I shared a first kiss with my new man, and we were together for 3 years. It changed my life totally.
Somedays I want to go back to that moment and pick differently. I also want to know why that moment sticks out in my mind in such a vivid way.
Like in that movie "Sliding Doors" where Gwyneth Paltrow gets to play out 2 scenarios of her life. In one life she misses a train, in the other she catches the train and also catches her boyfriend in bed with someone else.
I loved that movie and the 'what if' aspect. That significant moment in which her life changed forever.
You really can make your own history. That made me really think about life. What if I had not gone back to school? What if I hadn't suddenly enrolled, after my friends' wedding, at the U of A? What if I hadn't run for council?
What if....
It's not just about regrets either...to me it about the wonder of that other life...
It's all moot of course, because reality insists we live and breathe the consequences of our actions, but if I could go back in time and make a different decision that night...what could have happened?? I wish I could peek into that other life, see what lies there...
I am a big fan of the "what if". The speculation of what life could have been like if I had chosen a different path. It makes me think back to a night, about a million years ago now, outside the Purple Onion, of all places. I had met this guy, when I was upgrading at Grant MacEwan down in Millwoods, and this was the first night he came out with me and all my friends. I was sure we'd scare the shit out of him. Which we did. That night a series of weird, chaotic events played out in front of me and they are so vivid to me to this day and I often wonder if, in the chaos of that night, if I had chosen differently, where would I be today? Why does that moment seem so significant?
The (abbreviated) History:
I really liked this guy and I realized I should really introduce him to my friends, get it over with, as it were, so I invited him over to the Moon Tower for our usual, pre-bar Friday night drinking and smoking. I figured if he made it through the night we just might have a chance. This was a mixed event with all my guy friends and The Rottens and assorted other frat boys, etc.... I was nervous. Friends always find it necessary to embarrass you by telling inappropriate stories and such, especially when drunk. It went way better than I expected, save the fact that we spilled bong water on him, whoops, poor guy. After we all got suitably tanked we headed out to Whyte Ave and the stinky P.O.
Also invited to the P.O were my girl friends from Rugby, a good but raunchy bunch...and as usual there were lots of rugby boys there, including one who I had "dated" a couple of times. By 2 a.m. The rugby girls were picking fights on the dance floor, The Rottens felt the need to provide "back-up" and, like I have never seen before, the fight spilled out onto the street and I stood, holding my new interests' hand, while my friends got into a huge cat fight with some scary looking chicks.
It was very surreal (and hilarious now that I think back on that...)...I didn't know what to do. In my head I am thinking "Fine first impression this is..." I kept turning to him and saying "they never do this, really..." There was bitch-slapping , scratching and hair pulling and I remember the moment vividly because at that moment the Rugby boy comes up and holds my other hand and gives me the ole "how you doing." So there in that moment I made a choice, I said buh-bye to Mr. Rugby and that night I shared a first kiss with my new man, and we were together for 3 years. It changed my life totally.
Somedays I want to go back to that moment and pick differently. I also want to know why that moment sticks out in my mind in such a vivid way.
Like in that movie "Sliding Doors" where Gwyneth Paltrow gets to play out 2 scenarios of her life. In one life she misses a train, in the other she catches the train and also catches her boyfriend in bed with someone else.
I loved that movie and the 'what if' aspect. That significant moment in which her life changed forever.
You really can make your own history. That made me really think about life. What if I had not gone back to school? What if I hadn't suddenly enrolled, after my friends' wedding, at the U of A? What if I hadn't run for council?
What if....
It's not just about regrets either...to me it about the wonder of that other life...
It's all moot of course, because reality insists we live and breathe the consequences of our actions, but if I could go back in time and make a different decision that night...what could have happened?? I wish I could peek into that other life, see what lies there...
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
The Germans discovered it in 1904, and they called it "San Diego", which in German means "whale's vagina". ~ Ron Burgundy
I think I have too many things to Blog about today.
Today while getting ready to come to work I had the "Global Gossip at Noon" on and, in what must be an extremely slow news day, they had a report on the magnetic field of the earth. Or more to the point, what *could* happen if *one day* the magnetic field of the earth flips. Apparently South will be North and North will be South. This "report" had clips from the Movie "The Core" cut into to it, clearly to enhance it's authenticity. Without a bit of credible information added (or what I like to call "truth") the reporter at the end of her 2 minutes signs off by saying,
WHA?????
I thought it was just me, but even Anchorman Shaye Ganam paused for a moment to remark, "what? Okay I am more confused now having watched that than I was when she started." Shaye and his, (what would you call him..."co-anchor/weatherman") Kevin whatshisface, then launched into the silliest conversation about Kevins' compass that I have ever heard.
This all took no more than 5 minutes, but highlights the shite that Global covers and the fact that they call themselves the news at all well, it boggles the mind really.
Speaking of anchormen, wow what a transition, I went and saw the movie Anchorman last night with my ladies. I thought it was hilarious and laughed so hard I thought I might choke. Stiner will love this movie. Steve Carell, from The Daily Show, simply stole the show. He was bloody brilliant as Brick Tamland: "I ate a big, red candle."
However, my friends did not think it was as amusing as I did. It is one of those movies that if you go in with too high an expectation then by about 3/4 of the way in you will be disappointed. It's like they have no idea how to end these movies, so yes the ending was silly, but the back alley fight between the anchormen was hilarious and it has a bunch of cameo appearances. (Ben Stiller and Tim Robbins have some great hair in this movie) I wish I had seen it with Roman, I think he'd love it. Which reminds me, if being politically correct is your thing, then don't go see this movie.
From anchormen, and movies about them, to provincial Leadership...
The other day I was watching the news and heard Ralph make his big announcement about wiping out the debt. Go Ralph, Go. Here is the question I ask people who tell me he "did what he said he'd do"...
Are you further in personal debt since Ralph took office? The other question I have...is it better to have a provincial government out of debt and the people of that province further entrenched in debt?
Just after Ralphs' big announcement on the news, they cut to this brown haired Dude, at the legislature, and I'm all "who's that?"
He's laying into the Premier and talking about social spending and the cost of paying off the debt....Sounds like NDP...I think "where is Raj?"?
Then Kevin Taft takes the stage and said a bunch of stuff that just sounded like whining. God, I really do feel for him. He's bitching and moaning that a September election would be too quick for the Liberal party, but he just came across as a whimpering sad-sac. Poor bastard. He has a point but they should have expected this....
Klein has so much power. I am in awe of it.
At the end of the news it is announced that Raj, yes 'Raj against the machine' Raj, is stepping down as ND Leader. "Oh," says I, as synapses fire, putting two and two together, "that brown haired Dude who sounds like NDP must have been Brian Mason." Hrm. Now it all makes sense. Brian Mason, 'poet extraordinare' according to the website, doesn't seem to have the same presence that Raj had though...that is concerning. Plus, I pay attention to politics and I didn't recognize him, will others? Will that have an impact on the election?
Lets just hope he sticks with politics and not poetry, that poem "wherefore art thou Romanow?" must have William Shakespeare twisting in his grave.
*shudder*
Today while getting ready to come to work I had the "Global Gossip at Noon" on and, in what must be an extremely slow news day, they had a report on the magnetic field of the earth. Or more to the point, what *could* happen if *one day* the magnetic field of the earth flips. Apparently South will be North and North will be South. This "report" had clips from the Movie "The Core" cut into to it, clearly to enhance it's authenticity. Without a bit of credible information added (or what I like to call "truth") the reporter at the end of her 2 minutes signs off by saying,
"But this could take another 100-200 years, or (pause for added drama) it could be tomorrow."
WHA?????
I thought it was just me, but even Anchorman Shaye Ganam paused for a moment to remark, "what? Okay I am more confused now having watched that than I was when she started." Shaye and his, (what would you call him..."co-anchor/weatherman") Kevin whatshisface, then launched into the silliest conversation about Kevins' compass that I have ever heard.
This all took no more than 5 minutes, but highlights the shite that Global covers and the fact that they call themselves the news at all well, it boggles the mind really.
Speaking of anchormen, wow what a transition, I went and saw the movie Anchorman last night with my ladies. I thought it was hilarious and laughed so hard I thought I might choke. Stiner will love this movie. Steve Carell, from The Daily Show, simply stole the show. He was bloody brilliant as Brick Tamland: "I ate a big, red candle."
However, my friends did not think it was as amusing as I did. It is one of those movies that if you go in with too high an expectation then by about 3/4 of the way in you will be disappointed. It's like they have no idea how to end these movies, so yes the ending was silly, but the back alley fight between the anchormen was hilarious and it has a bunch of cameo appearances. (Ben Stiller and Tim Robbins have some great hair in this movie) I wish I had seen it with Roman, I think he'd love it. Which reminds me, if being politically correct is your thing, then don't go see this movie.
From anchormen, and movies about them, to provincial Leadership...
The other day I was watching the news and heard Ralph make his big announcement about wiping out the debt. Go Ralph, Go. Here is the question I ask people who tell me he "did what he said he'd do"...
Are you further in personal debt since Ralph took office? The other question I have...is it better to have a provincial government out of debt and the people of that province further entrenched in debt?
Just after Ralphs' big announcement on the news, they cut to this brown haired Dude, at the legislature, and I'm all "who's that?"
He's laying into the Premier and talking about social spending and the cost of paying off the debt....Sounds like NDP...I think "where is Raj?"?
Then Kevin Taft takes the stage and said a bunch of stuff that just sounded like whining. God, I really do feel for him. He's bitching and moaning that a September election would be too quick for the Liberal party, but he just came across as a whimpering sad-sac. Poor bastard. He has a point but they should have expected this....
Klein has so much power. I am in awe of it.
At the end of the news it is announced that Raj, yes 'Raj against the machine' Raj, is stepping down as ND Leader. "Oh," says I, as synapses fire, putting two and two together, "that brown haired Dude who sounds like NDP must have been Brian Mason." Hrm. Now it all makes sense. Brian Mason, 'poet extraordinare' according to the website, doesn't seem to have the same presence that Raj had though...that is concerning. Plus, I pay attention to politics and I didn't recognize him, will others? Will that have an impact on the election?
Lets just hope he sticks with politics and not poetry, that poem "wherefore art thou Romanow?" must have William Shakespeare twisting in his grave.
*shudder*
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Apocalypse Onion
These photos are from my friend JT who lives in Calgary. I found that rather humorous. Somebody from Calgary has to send me photos of my own apocalypse. Quite fitting then that my friend Gabe, who lives in Vancity, made me laugh out loud when he, instead of blaming God for the weather blames, "all the Edmontonians cheering for Calgary that brought down the wrath."
Monday, July 12, 2004
Still lamenting Tory merger, Clark bids farewell
This is a great read. Why does Joe Clark remind me of S. Murray Smith?
"Mr. Clark loved language and knew the power of words"
even if they were written drunkenly on wee napkins...
Does anybody remember what was written on that napkin?
"Mr. Clark loved language and knew the power of words"
even if they were written drunkenly on wee napkins...
Does anybody remember what was written on that napkin?
"And it's true we are immune, when fact is fiction and TV reality, and today the millions cry, we eat and drink while tomorrow they die..."
While earning my Poli Sci degree it has become clear to me that there are topics like the genocide in Rwanda that continue to keep fostering huge problems even though we just marked the 10 year anniversary of that tragedy. I read about these things, I get angry and want justice, I write an essay.
When I was doing some research for Dr. Knight last summer I read some papers on the fallout of the Rwandian genocide and how the orphans, ten years later, are still caught in a terrible trap. They have nowhere to turn now so they turn to crime. Then they end up in jail and they are brutalized and raped and then returned to the streets in a cycle of violence and there seems to be no hope for these orphans. AIDS claims 6,500 Sub-Saharan Africans each day and the orphans (estimated to be 40 million by the end of the decade) left behind will grow up with no hope for a better future.
Now, even though many countries and the UN have pledged to never ever let it happen again, they are using the "G" word to describe the actions of the National Islamic Front and Janjaweed, its Arab militia allies, in Sudan.
So let me be an arrogant westerner (not Albertan, I mean from the first world) here and just use some labels. WE, the west, continue to stand around bickering back and forth about terminology like is it 'genocide' or 'ethnic cleansing' and wonder what it is we are supposed to do. Have we learned nothing? Apparently.
Will Africa forever be the continent of lost souls and war? Can/should the First world intervene? We have the ability but not the will. I sit here a million miles away from the conflict in Africa wondering what I can do. Write an essay?
There is this huge gap between my life here as a student and the lives of those living in Africa. So here I sit, at my cozy desk typing this and I sit here thinking about what a pain in the ass it is that my stupid cell phone is not working. Oh poor me. A crime against humanity is being committed and I am thinking about my cell phone. Where do I find the balance between those two worlds?
Can I continue to buy my groceries, shop at Walmart, because I am living from paycheque to paycheque, and save enough money to get by (and buy an education) and still try to care about people half a world away? How do we find some balance?
I wrote Paul Martin another letter. I feel frustrated today.
When I was doing some research for Dr. Knight last summer I read some papers on the fallout of the Rwandian genocide and how the orphans, ten years later, are still caught in a terrible trap. They have nowhere to turn now so they turn to crime. Then they end up in jail and they are brutalized and raped and then returned to the streets in a cycle of violence and there seems to be no hope for these orphans. AIDS claims 6,500 Sub-Saharan Africans each day and the orphans (estimated to be 40 million by the end of the decade) left behind will grow up with no hope for a better future.
Now, even though many countries and the UN have pledged to never ever let it happen again, they are using the "G" word to describe the actions of the National Islamic Front and Janjaweed, its Arab militia allies, in Sudan.
25 June ~ At a press conference, Mr. Annan says he will use his upcoming trip to Sudan to press Khartoum to meet its obligations to protect its civilians and to disarm the Janjaweed. He says the international community must keep up the pressure on Sudan and urges donors to step up their aid. Mr. Annan says the people of Darfur are suffering a catastrophe and terrible crimes have been committed against them. Asked whether it is genocide or ethnic cleansing, he says we don't need a label to propel us to act.
So let me be an arrogant westerner (not Albertan, I mean from the first world) here and just use some labels. WE, the west, continue to stand around bickering back and forth about terminology like is it 'genocide' or 'ethnic cleansing' and wonder what it is we are supposed to do. Have we learned nothing? Apparently.
Will Africa forever be the continent of lost souls and war? Can/should the First world intervene? We have the ability but not the will. I sit here a million miles away from the conflict in Africa wondering what I can do. Write an essay?
There is this huge gap between my life here as a student and the lives of those living in Africa. So here I sit, at my cozy desk typing this and I sit here thinking about what a pain in the ass it is that my stupid cell phone is not working. Oh poor me. A crime against humanity is being committed and I am thinking about my cell phone. Where do I find the balance between those two worlds?
Can I continue to buy my groceries, shop at Walmart, because I am living from paycheque to paycheque, and save enough money to get by (and buy an education) and still try to care about people half a world away? How do we find some balance?
I wrote Paul Martin another letter. I feel frustrated today.
Thursday, July 08, 2004
It's like something out of that twilighty show about that zone. --Homer Simpson
Okay so I am bored at work and I stumble across this blog with Pictures of Giant Panda's in Times Square
which made me giggle. The last photo of that panda awkwardly hugging the tourist kids made me laugh out loud.
I'm thinking it is a David Letterman style prank or something....
This blog is silly, what's with the crazy guy YELLING at me in my comments about buses? Thanks Guy. You rock!
Last time I talk about buses on my blog....That'll teach me....
Oh and if you are not reading it already let me point you in the direction of POI
it is terribly entertaining.
which made me giggle. The last photo of that panda awkwardly hugging the tourist kids made me laugh out loud.
I'm thinking it is a David Letterman style prank or something....
This blog is silly, what's with the crazy guy YELLING at me in my comments about buses? Thanks Guy. You rock!
Last time I talk about buses on my blog....That'll teach me....
Oh and if you are not reading it already let me point you in the direction of POI
it is terribly entertaining.
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
The only thing that saves us from the bureaucracy is inefficiency. An efficient bureaucracy is the greatest threat to liberty ~ Eugene McCarthy
Because I think (hope) some of you might have an opinion on this and I'd like to hear it.
Future Trolley Operations update:
The Transportation and Public Works Committee (TPW) of Council continued discussing future trolley operations on Tuesday, July 6th. After directing several questions at City Administration, Councillor Thiele made the following motion:
1 That Edmonton Transit continue to operate trolleys.
2. That auxiliary propelled units (APUs) be added to the existing units to free up diesel buses currently used as back-up.
3. That Administration arrange to have a demonstration of low-floor trolley buses to be utilized within the system for information gathering.
4. That expansion of the trolley fleet to Northgate be considered in the 2006 budget.
Councillor Thiele’s motion will be discussed at the July 20, 2004 meeting of TPW. No decision has been made yet. City Council will make the final decision on this matter. Stay tuned.
Men show their characters in nothing more clearly than in what they think laughable ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
The SU had an appreciation party at Molson House for all the councilors and the Students' at large who sat on the many SU committees.
It was a great night. Upon entry we got one beer and 3 additional beer tickets. But everybody kept giving me their unused tickets. I think I had 9 beers in about 2 1/2 hours. There was singing on the piano, a nice speech from then President Brechtel, and after some mingling we ended up all outside on the stoop. At 9 p.m. the Molson party was over and we were shown the door, so we drunkenly set our sights on The Druid and some of us walked over and Bog Drove. I went with Bog.
Our Allie walked with a group over and ended up going tits-up out of a grocery cart. That was some bruise the next day. But I always say that the bar is fun but it usually the getting there that is the best adventure. Seriously..on the way to concerts. On the way to O.T.S. My girls will remember the adventure on the way to The Agricom for Rugby fest with our "chauffoi"...those were the best times. It's like the potential of the night is somehow intoxicating too.
Once we got to The Druid we drank back pint after pint. I seem to remember Steve Smith scribbling legislation on a beverage napkin. I, of course do not remember the drunken, hilarious conversation at all, but at some point, after I went pirate, Half-Pipe put on Samantha's headband and rammed a glass in his mouth and I had the mind to grab my camera and take this picture:
It was a great night. Upon entry we got one beer and 3 additional beer tickets. But everybody kept giving me their unused tickets. I think I had 9 beers in about 2 1/2 hours. There was singing on the piano, a nice speech from then President Brechtel, and after some mingling we ended up all outside on the stoop. At 9 p.m. the Molson party was over and we were shown the door, so we drunkenly set our sights on The Druid and some of us walked over and Bog Drove. I went with Bog.
Our Allie walked with a group over and ended up going tits-up out of a grocery cart. That was some bruise the next day. But I always say that the bar is fun but it usually the getting there that is the best adventure. Seriously..on the way to concerts. On the way to O.T.S. My girls will remember the adventure on the way to The Agricom for Rugby fest with our "chauffoi"...those were the best times. It's like the potential of the night is somehow intoxicating too.
Once we got to The Druid we drank back pint after pint. I seem to remember Steve Smith scribbling legislation on a beverage napkin. I, of course do not remember the drunken, hilarious conversation at all, but at some point, after I went pirate, Half-Pipe put on Samantha's headband and rammed a glass in his mouth and I had the mind to grab my camera and take this picture:
Monday, July 05, 2004
Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons. ~ Woody Allen (1935 - )
If you buy an ice cream and the 'Ice-Cream Man' gives you change out of his sock would you refuse it??
Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. ~ George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)
Living on Whyte Ave during the summer months is fantastic. Except for the fact that they should call it "Blow yer horn Alley." When the Flamers almost won the cup they blew their horns. On Canada Day they blew their horns. Greece won the European championship yesterday and they blew their horns.
At least I know when something *important* happens.
Gainers is on fire,(all the vegetarians/vegans give a cheer!) and this is causing major delays for ETS by Belvedere. This is not the end of the world people, you will get home, you just need to take the contingency bus service. The world is still turning and you will get home. Hopefully sometime tonight. That is not a guarantee though.
Steve Smith is talking about his funeral. I read his blog first before coming to my blog so he has tainted my theme. Oddly, Smith talking about funerals is rather entertaining. All I know is that the rafters in council chambers are going to get pretty cluttered with 7 stuffed hacks hanging up there. So now I feel the urge to comment here on the topic of funerals.
Smith doesn't mention music. Weird how Smith thinks of all the other stuff..I think about the music, my friend Caroline and I have had this conversation before. I think of everything in life in terms of music first. If I ever get married I know the music will be a big a part, too. So, just for the record, at my funeral I want all sorts of sappy music played. Hopefully, because I will be *so* successful, the funeral will be a big one with bagpipes and such (Amazing Grace on the bagpipes...is there anything more sad?)...but if there is no state funeral with all the pomp and circumstance, and Mr. Speaker in a top hat, then play all my favs...
You know the ones I like, slow U2 songs Like "One", Sarah Mclachlan ("Terms"), That Williams Brothers song "Can't cry hard enough". I'd like my cousin Danielle to play "Morning Has Broken" on the piano...or her brother Joe can play it on the guitar.
Oh and I'd like Gary Wallace to deliver my eulogy, please. I'd like to be cremated and buried somewhere close so that if some one wants to they can go and visit me. My mother was buried somewhere (her ashes scattered) and I can't go and visit her and that has always kinda pissed me off.
If I could, on the sad, sad day that Mr. Smith departs, I would like to be able to read that famous poem by W.H. Auden at his funeral:
That would be good and sappy, it might even live up to his gynormous ego, and it would have the whole place in tears. And isn't that the whole point of a funeral?
On another sad funeral note, on Coronation Street our Sarah loses her baby, Billy, and that funeral has to be one of the saddest moments in Corrie history. When gay Todd leans over the grave and says "Billy, it's Daddy...", it is sooo sad. (And yes, Caroline, I know it's not real...)
At least I know when something *important* happens.
Gainers is on fire,(all the vegetarians/vegans give a cheer!) and this is causing major delays for ETS by Belvedere. This is not the end of the world people, you will get home, you just need to take the contingency bus service. The world is still turning and you will get home. Hopefully sometime tonight. That is not a guarantee though.
Steve Smith is talking about his funeral. I read his blog first before coming to my blog so he has tainted my theme. Oddly, Smith talking about funerals is rather entertaining. All I know is that the rafters in council chambers are going to get pretty cluttered with 7 stuffed hacks hanging up there. So now I feel the urge to comment here on the topic of funerals.
Smith doesn't mention music. Weird how Smith thinks of all the other stuff..I think about the music, my friend Caroline and I have had this conversation before. I think of everything in life in terms of music first. If I ever get married I know the music will be a big a part, too. So, just for the record, at my funeral I want all sorts of sappy music played. Hopefully, because I will be *so* successful, the funeral will be a big one with bagpipes and such (Amazing Grace on the bagpipes...is there anything more sad?)...but if there is no state funeral with all the pomp and circumstance, and Mr. Speaker in a top hat, then play all my favs...
You know the ones I like, slow U2 songs Like "One", Sarah Mclachlan ("Terms"), That Williams Brothers song "Can't cry hard enough". I'd like my cousin Danielle to play "Morning Has Broken" on the piano...or her brother Joe can play it on the guitar.
Oh and I'd like Gary Wallace to deliver my eulogy, please. I'd like to be cremated and buried somewhere close so that if some one wants to they can go and visit me. My mother was buried somewhere (her ashes scattered) and I can't go and visit her and that has always kinda pissed me off.
If I could, on the sad, sad day that Mr. Smith departs, I would like to be able to read that famous poem by W.H. Auden at his funeral:
"The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good."
That would be good and sappy, it might even live up to his gynormous ego, and it would have the whole place in tears. And isn't that the whole point of a funeral?
On another sad funeral note, on Coronation Street our Sarah loses her baby, Billy, and that funeral has to be one of the saddest moments in Corrie history. When gay Todd leans over the grave and says "Billy, it's Daddy...", it is sooo sad. (And yes, Caroline, I know it's not real...)
Saturday, July 03, 2004
"Dumb-ass decided to drive through," passenger Ian Hardy said of his father. "He needs to have his head examined."
My favorite part..."That marijuana from the '70s caught up with him."
Holy torrential downpour, Batman.
Think of all the people getting married today. Shitty.
Caroline says we can mud wrestle in her back yard.
"I lost myself in the summer rain...."
Holy torrential downpour, Batman.
Think of all the people getting married today. Shitty.
Caroline says we can mud wrestle in her back yard.
"I lost myself in the summer rain...."
Friday, July 02, 2004
"You're an errand boy, sent by grocery clerks, to collect a bill." ~ Col. Walter E. Kurtz, "Apocalypse Now"
It's raining. A virtual deluge pours down in this lazy Naw’lins hamlet of flophouses and broken-down tenements.
A lone and nasty jazz sax wails and cries in the horny decibel of an alley cat.
This thing, this person, part-man, part-wounded brute stands alone in that deluge, howling like a siren gone insane. Something is clearly wrong with this man. You don’t know what, but something.
He’s lonely. He’s hurt. He’s repentant. He’s frustrated. He’s experiencing some insane strain of pain and anguish and he lifts his brutish face to the rain and screams “Stellllllll-la!”
He’s a raging poem of a man, his words spoken at midnight, after too many cigarettes and belts of bourbon.
He’s crying now, like a lost and tormented child, missing and desperately searching for his mother:
“Hey, Stellllllllllla!” he tears his tee shirt and screams.
You’re afraid of him now. And maybe just a little amused by him. But suddenly you realize Stella is not his mother. Stella is his woman, and he wants out of the doghouse. He wants to be let back in— let in the door, let into her sanctuary, let in between her legs.
She appears, his angel, and the horns get real, real lewd with it now. She’s all spiteful and salty, all slow legs and silent-thigh-sweat. She’s that cinematic silent-speak, which telegraphs she’s horny as hell. Without words, only horns, eyes and spicy subtext, she glides down the stairs, and you just *know* she forgives him.
He picks her up, throws her on his beefy shoulder. He carries her seductively up those seedy stair-steps, to their sleazy little life and to both their sanctuaries.
This was my introduction to Brando. I was mesmerized.
He was authentic. He spoke volumes with his silences. His subtext alone would fill dictionaries. He spoke, he moved, he scratched, and I believed him.
He elevated the craft of American acting and raised it to an art form. Without him, it’s doubtful there would even be a Dean, Newman, Deniro, Hoffman, Pacino, Duvall, Hackman, Nicholson, Denzel or even a Penn. The list goes on.
Film critics, scholars and actors and directors have showered him with accolades for decades, and the man was worthy of them. I was a fan from that first riveting scene from “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Loved him and FELT him madly in “On The Waterfront, “Guys and Dolls, and of course, his memorable turns in “The Godfather”, “Apocalypse Now,” and “Last Tango In Paris.” He was hot like fire and cooler than ice.
I even admired parts of his off-screen life, from his visible role in the struggle for Civil Rights to his support of African-Americans, Latino, Asian, and Native-American people.
In his prime, he was a laconic hunk with a deep social conscience. Men admired him, and the women adored him. So what if the man had issues with penis discipline. Yes. He produced a mess of children with a small army of exotic women. But his greatest progeny is his film work, sparse as it was, and this should and will be his testament, cinematically speaking.
Brando’s gone. It’s doubtful we will ever see his like, again.
Funny, how I’m reminded of his character Terry Malloy from ‘Waterfront’: “I coulda been a contenduh. I coulda been somebody…”
Trust me you were, man. You were!
It's like finding a needle in a stack of needles ~ Captain John Miller
"Earn This!" says Captain John Miller from the movie "Saving Private Ryan" or if you're The Dude "Saving Ryans' Privates". I love that movie and the message it carries.
This last week we voted and had a national celebration honouring the birth of our country. With rampant nationalism all around us yesterday I felt very proud to be Canadian. I had a fun-filled day filled with deafening explosions. Yes, literally.
The pancake breakfast was great! Seriously one of the best I have been to. We confused Bill Smith, The Mayor not the GM, by waving at him like we knew him and the look on his face made me giggle. The Chai was delicious and so was the passion juice. The Citizenship Ceremony (what Roman jokingly referred to as the 'Parade of Immigrants') filled me with a sense of pride. People from Rwanda, Eritria, someone from the United States and what sounded like Utopia but probably wasn't, gave their oath and became Canadians. Then we got to give our oath. Lois Hole also gave the best, most inspirational speech I have ever heard her give. We left as Anne McLellan took the stage and went to check out some lawn bowling and then we got to see a 21 gun salute.
I have never seen a 21 gun salute upclose and personal and I was fascinated by it. Scared the shite out of us everytime they went off...
I also learned, from a very cute officer, why we have a 21 gun salute and the meaning behind it. I thought of our Paul Welke. I thought of how those guns may have been used in war at one time and how fucking scary it would be to fight in a war. Serioulsy, to see those things fire round after round southward at Strathcona (just blanks but you get the picture) it made me realize that I am so lucky. Lucky that I get to spend a day in the beautiful sunshine with some hacks. Lucky that I can just go to the store and buy whatever I want and can have a barbeque and drink some ice cold beers with good friends. Lucky that, if I want to, I can take my freedoms for granted, because for the most part I do.
I had the best day yesterday and I topped it off by sitting down and watching a movie about earning what I take for granted. Once a year it is good to remind myself that I have to work hard every day to make the most of what I have. Whilst watching the movie and during the horrific depiction of the landing on Omaha Beach, Mr. Speaker commented "and to think that some people can't even get off their lazy asses one day in 4 years to go and vote." Indeed. Then Andy suggested that if we ever have to go to war again we should draft those people who don't vote and put them on the front lines. You think more people would vote if they knew that was the consequence?
So yeah Canada Day was amazing, the fireworks were outstanding and the good times were second to none, but I just wanted to take a moment to say that I will never forget what is at stake. I am wide awake, I know that the world is a terrible place and that I live in the "utopia" that is Canada. To the 6,500 mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers who died in Africa of AIDS yesterday I want to say I won't forget. To those who starved to death or were the victims of tyranny and oppression I want to say I will not forget.
I will try to earn the life I have been given. That's what Canada Day did for me, it reinforced my resolve to be a good citizen and be the best person I can be.
This last week we voted and had a national celebration honouring the birth of our country. With rampant nationalism all around us yesterday I felt very proud to be Canadian. I had a fun-filled day filled with deafening explosions. Yes, literally.
The pancake breakfast was great! Seriously one of the best I have been to. We confused Bill Smith, The Mayor not the GM, by waving at him like we knew him and the look on his face made me giggle. The Chai was delicious and so was the passion juice. The Citizenship Ceremony (what Roman jokingly referred to as the 'Parade of Immigrants') filled me with a sense of pride. People from Rwanda, Eritria, someone from the United States and what sounded like Utopia but probably wasn't, gave their oath and became Canadians. Then we got to give our oath. Lois Hole also gave the best, most inspirational speech I have ever heard her give. We left as Anne McLellan took the stage and went to check out some lawn bowling and then we got to see a 21 gun salute.
I have never seen a 21 gun salute upclose and personal and I was fascinated by it. Scared the shite out of us everytime they went off...
I also learned, from a very cute officer, why we have a 21 gun salute and the meaning behind it. I thought of our Paul Welke. I thought of how those guns may have been used in war at one time and how fucking scary it would be to fight in a war. Serioulsy, to see those things fire round after round southward at Strathcona (just blanks but you get the picture) it made me realize that I am so lucky. Lucky that I get to spend a day in the beautiful sunshine with some hacks. Lucky that I can just go to the store and buy whatever I want and can have a barbeque and drink some ice cold beers with good friends. Lucky that, if I want to, I can take my freedoms for granted, because for the most part I do.
I had the best day yesterday and I topped it off by sitting down and watching a movie about earning what I take for granted. Once a year it is good to remind myself that I have to work hard every day to make the most of what I have. Whilst watching the movie and during the horrific depiction of the landing on Omaha Beach, Mr. Speaker commented "and to think that some people can't even get off their lazy asses one day in 4 years to go and vote." Indeed. Then Andy suggested that if we ever have to go to war again we should draft those people who don't vote and put them on the front lines. You think more people would vote if they knew that was the consequence?
So yeah Canada Day was amazing, the fireworks were outstanding and the good times were second to none, but I just wanted to take a moment to say that I will never forget what is at stake. I am wide awake, I know that the world is a terrible place and that I live in the "utopia" that is Canada. To the 6,500 mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers who died in Africa of AIDS yesterday I want to say I won't forget. To those who starved to death or were the victims of tyranny and oppression I want to say I will not forget.
I will try to earn the life I have been given. That's what Canada Day did for me, it reinforced my resolve to be a good citizen and be the best person I can be.
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