Halloween 2010

I took the prize at my company this year for the Halloween costume contest. I had been planning this costume for months but only put my plan into action earlier this week. I actually didn't start sewing until 7pm last night after I got home. I went to see Adam at 8 and he helped me make up for lost time by doing one of the arms. That saved me so much time, plus I picked up a waaay faster stitch from him. I actually need to go over the costume again tomorrow and sew up some of the seems that are falling apart. The last time I did anything remotely exciting for Halloween was 5 years ago. And 30 minutes before leaving the house I exclaimed to my mother that I had nothing to wear so she leant me a pair of crutches and a head bandage and I went as a fight victim. But Inflatable Tube Woman still takes the cake.

I'm in the middle of a thing with Elections Ontario right now. If I can't prove my political donation to a friend's campaign was cashed within the campaign fundraiser period they are going to keep the money. I'm 99% certain I gave the cheque well in advance of the cut-off time. Even if I come back with the proof and nothing happens I'm going to my MPP and then I'm going to tell off Elections Ontario. And if I don't like their response I'm going to write a letter to the editor somewhere. B-S.

Weekend Update

I've been remembering a lot more dreams than normal lately. It's strange to wake up and have such a vivid recollection of another world that exists only in my mind. Hopefully this trend won't keep up.

This week got off to a really great start with two tickets to the Leafs/Islanders game. Sim and I had perfect timing with our meet up at Union, and after picking up some snacks that we successfully smuggled into the ACC we took our seats just in time for the national anthems. That's actually one of my favourite parts of any sporting event. The Leafs were in fine form, and if they keep that level of play up they just might make it into the playoffs this year. Their cup record is embarrassing, but more disappointing is the current trend of not even making it to round 1. It was a really close game. With about 3 minutes left we tied it up, but after getting a penalty in OT the Islanders managed an easy victory.

Wednesday was a nice chill games night at Sim's, followed by some drinks at the Fox and Fiddle with a couple of work mates. It's tough working in an office that doesn't really provide me with many friend opportunities. Not many people that live in the city, and even at that most people are married and not looking to hang out with the likes of me. So different from Calgary, but that's ok.

Friday night I went to a late showing of The Social Network with Adam. Our reaction was that it was an ok movie, but the hype is way too high. Maybe it would have been better if it was based on the official story of Mark Zuckerberg. It was definitely rental worthy, but not worth the trip out or the cost of movie ticket. Saturday was a slow day. I finished a book Nik loaned me. It was children's literature, but it was a nice change in pace from the last two 500 pagers I picked up lately. Next on my plate is a book by a Toronto local writer. I read another of his novels that was nominated for the Giller prize a few years back (A Perfect Night to go to China), so I'm looking to this early novel by David Gilmour - Back on Tuesday.

And then there was today. I did some clothes shopping, which I loathe. I picked up some material for my Halloween costume, but I think I might be a metre short. I hope not. And if the construction doesn't work out I'm not going to dress up at all. I was going to buy Nylon but it turns out it's $10 a yard so I went for a more affordable less authentic alternative material. We shall see how it works out. I'm catching up on my laundry and dishes and I'm getting ready to cook up some dinner. I have a photo I want to share, but maybe next time. Adam did some hilarious clipping from a Sun article from a few months ago. The image features Hazel McCallion and another volunteer (an older gentlemen) holding some water bottles and standing in a warehouse of disaster relief goods. The headline from the below article runs along the bottom of the photo and reads, "Scarborough doctors will focus on waterborne diseases." It's really a hoot when you see it.

Googaly Doogaly

I saw something really messed up last night. This kid was trying to get into the show at the Phoenix after the last band was going into their encore (I had stepped outside), and the bouncer was aggressively pushing him back. I understand that they protect the club but it was too much force. I was walking down the exit ramp as it happened and I thought he was going to push this kid into me. I got out just in time as the kid was thrown to the ground with such force that his shoe came off. Yet still he tried to get back up and insist that he had paid $20 and he just wanted to see the show. At this point there was a max of 3 encore song left before the show was over, he fight was fruitless. The kid finally starts to walk away, and I don't know why but as he's 30ft away from the entrance the bouncer walks down the ramp and walks up Sherbourne after him. I didn't see the entire altercation but I saw him pick him up by the scruff of his clothes and shout at him, "Are you scared now? Are you scared now??" And I'm pretty sure after that he pushed him down and walked back to his post. This kid was like maybe 22 and 120lbs at the most. Not a force to be reckoned with by any means, and this guy who was almost 3 times his size was just batting him around like a yarn ball. In the bouncer's defense I heard him repeat a few things the punk kid said. At one point he apparently threatened to stab the bouncer, and at another point he called him the n-word. Both being incredibly stupid and rude. But as soon as the kid had left the property and was no longer a threat to the surrounding patrons I think maybe you should leave your personal feelings aside and let it go. The show itself was fantastic. The Smashers always put on a great show. I think standing and watching music for 5 hours was a bit long, but I had missed my dinner and was cranky. I remember the days with Nik skanking in the pit at Lee's Palace. I should get back into shape so I could do that again.

It's going to be a low key day. I have a book I want to finish, and as always a bunch of cleaning to do, chores to finish, etc.

Lost in Transcendence

Let me just start by saying I do not appreciate being honked at to drive into the oncoming traffic lane to take a left turn. Just because the main street is backed up and everyone else is doing it doesn't mean I don't have the right as a driver to wait until I'm moderately perpendicular to the street in question before I decide to cross traffic. I also apologize to any passenger that is forced to witness my outrageous road rage.

The above incident aside, yesterday was a pretty great day. After a long hour commute home I met up with Adam and we went for pie at Wanda's Pie in the Sky. Probably the best part of the whole thing was being in Kensington. Other than that, I don't think I would ever pay that much money for a slice of coldly serve pie of an average to less than average size. Adam's piece on the other hand was massive, but possibly a fluke as they reached the end his selected pie and couldn't in good conscience serve it as two. I'm usually not underwhelmed by a place that comes so highly recommended, but...meh.

Afterwards we scooted down to Liberty Village to check out an art show I spotted online. It was basically just a small exposition for up and coming talent across Canada, the US, and the UK. Our night was American photographers. The small commercial area we were in was very cute. It was like walking through a hanger, covered ceiling and all, flanked with high end stores and art galleries. We almost missed the boat because I didn't write down the unit number but it wasn't too hard to find. The location was a squarish white room and there were about 6 sets of photos all with their own unique theme. Some were misses but most of them were hits. I especially enjoyed some of the candid shots with their clever titles. Then it was back to Adam's for a movie and an episode of Bored to Death. Great cast, great show. We also watched Lost in Translation the other night, which has shot back up into my all time desert island top 5.

This weekend I'll be spending three days with my family up North. I'm not looking forward to the first few hours before the heat from the space heaters kicks in, but if this weather keeps up maybe it will be alright. I found out my mom is going to butterfly the turkey so it won't take eons to cook. My only response was, "But mama.....the stuffing has to go inside the turkey." I'm pretty sure my childish pleas were willfully ignored.

Time for a quiet night in, accompanied by some clean up time. Al-right.

Monetary Mitosis

I've been rubbing two pennies together all night to see if I could witness the miracle of penny creation, but no such luck. My plans to reign in spending for the rest of 2010 have gotten off to a rough start. I have an especially large challenge since one of my paycheques this month will only be for half time. If I can get by on 75% pay then I know I'll be in a good spot when it goes back up to 100%. I've considered getting a second job, but perhaps I will wait until the new year to see how my cost saving plans work out.

Nuit Blanche was pretty fun. We got off to a late start, but I wouldn't have looked forward to the crowds for the first portion anyhow. Adam and I hit up Yonge & Bloor, and then traveled to Dundas Square and walked the main downtown core. Then back up to finish the night at Casa Loma. Surprisingly, the whole night took 4 hrs. I was put to shame by my colleague who lasted until 5:45am and yet started well before 6:00pm. Good for him. A lot of people have spoken negatively about the night, and perhaps I just don't have a good point of comparison, but I enjoyed myself. I am kicking myself for missing the human clock. We arrived at 4:15am and it wasn't back on until 5:00am so we left. A coworker says it was his favourite of the entire night. I also missed a self mourning experience just south of my house, out of pure laziness. I should have just walked down on my own at some point earlier on.

I finished the book Old City Hall last night. It was written by a top criminal lawyer in Toronto. I did enjoy the city references, which is one reason I picked it up in the first place. But overall it just wasn't my cup of tea. Ending several chapters with, "I can't believe I didn't think of that before, how could I have missed it?!" got annoying after a while. And with a constant multiple narrative running through out the entire book I was happy for it to be over. He also left the ending completely unresolved leaving multiple plausible explanations for how the murder could have happened. With 4-5 main characters all with rich character development, I often found myself flipping to the early chapters of the book to remind myself who was who. In the end it felt like a drawn out 400 page episode of Law and Order. I would suppose maybe mystery just isn't my genre but Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood is one of my favourite books, and it even has a cliffhanger ending. Perhaps because Alias Grace was based on a true story it resonates more with the reader.

As annoyed as I may sound, I feel the fruits of my frugality shall pay off in the near future. I've always had enough money to get by, but I want better for myself now.