Friday, June 10, 2005
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3:07 p.m.
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By the time Friday arrives, everyone in my office (including myself) are so sapped of any desire to do work that it descends into a farcical tribute to the great office comedies of our generation like Office Space and the BBC's brilliant work, The Office.
I'm aware that I used the word "office" entirely too many times in that sentence.
So far today, I've managed to do most of my work. I have no idea how this happened. It's kind of like when you're driving and all of a sudden you arrive at your destination, but have no idea how you got there. In my opinion, that's when you're driving your best. You're not overly aware of your actions, and yet your responses are smooth and even. And hey, maybe you figured out some new way to make french fries while you weren't paying attention to the road.
That's what this job is like, but all the time. If you pay attention to what you're doing (in my case, personal ads, which elicits grins and laughter from anyone who finds out what I do), you'll go insane. Who cares about the 200 lb. woman who's favorite activity is going to a carnival? Or the ad by a woman named Victoria Secretion? (That one got edited out, by the way).
Long story short, this job will kill you if you don't have fun.
So, today I have done the following:
1. Checked message boards from other Serenity movie-goers to try and get extra tickets.
2. Played balloon volleyball with Bill who works on the other side of my desk wall.
3. Made fun of Colleen for wanting to bring cupcakes for another co-worker, Li, who's birthday is on Monday.
4. Made fun of Li for buying pants to go with her new bicycle.
5. Misinterpreted a t-shirt. Nathan did the same thing. That made it okay.
6. Planned a work birthday party.
7. Listened to the Coldplay album.
8. Watched some C.S.I.
9. Visited my websites, which include Action-figure.com, Whedonesque, Coming Soon, Penny Arcade, and more.
10. Had lunch.
11. Went to Harvey's to get out for a little.
12. Read the newspaper.
13. Talked quite a bit.
14. Have done some work. Almost all of it, in fact.
Interesting, don't you think?
I think jobs are best served by those who either truly love what they're doing, are addicted to money, or have the ability to turn their brains off. I only wish mine could get cable in this near vegetative state.
My chair is uncomfortable and it gives me daily back pains. Last night, my neck bothered me. I mentioned this several times, and not once did Catherine offer to massage it. I've dumped her for it.
I took her back when she bought me dinner. Life has a way of working things out.
Back to work (*snicker*).
Thursday, June 09, 2005
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12:35 p.m.
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That's right, I managed to snag four tickets to the upcoming screening of Serenity on June 23rd at the Paramount here in downtown Toronto. For many of you, I expect many angry letters and threats about spoilers. I shall do my best to remain silent while many of you wait another THREE MONTHS.
I took a little pleasure in that.
(I originally had a section in here about having two extra tickets, but Paul and Victoria snatched them up fairly quickly. I'm working on getting TWO more (been added to a list of Browncoats online), and will likely be successful for those interested in seeing the film. Put your names in the hat NOW).
Being the smart cookie I am, I also sent in a pitch to eye about the whole thing. If they don't resond by say... Friday... heh. I'll probably go with my contacts at the Sun and try to fish a story to them that way. I just want to make some money and get my name in th' paper.
I'm selfish that way.
Ah, Serenity.. I'm coming to see you soon...
Two weeks and counting.
www.cantstopthesignal.com
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
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2:46 p.m.
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The new Coldplay album landed. Some sources claim it's the best thing since sliced bread, others are slightly more immune to the hype machine and merely label it 'good.' Rolling Stone seems to be balanced in the middle, and after my first pass through the album I'm inclined to agree.
There are no breakaway hits for me other than "Fix Me." With other Coldplay albums, songs like "Don't Panic," "Yellow," "Clocks," and an assortment of other tunes seemed to break through whatever exterior I had going on at the time and have a ripple effect in my emotional center.
It's hard to place "X&Y" yet as the best they've done, and right now it's still behind "Parachutes."
My biggest frustration with the group is they want the label of the best rock & roll band in the world. Sorry, but that belongs to U2 and you need more than three albums to top it. Also, some guitars and, you know, ROCK songs, probably would help.
Still, it's a good album and worth listening to. You can borrow or burn it from me.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
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10:22 p.m.
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Anyone else played the PopCap game? It's highly addictive, as are most of their offerings. The full version is much more fun, but you only get an hour trial. If only I knew how to beat it into submission without forking over an unrealistic $30 US.
That, and I'm cheap.
Then again, I did just spend more than $120 on clothes last weekend. Those of you who know me (and I'm assuming that the three of you who read this do, in fact, know me), should have passed out with shock. None of the labels had the letters "D," "V," or "D" in them.
I'm trying to pull together a Wonderland trip for the June 25-26 weekend. Much like a comic convention organizer, I consider my prime "catch" to be Jamie and Nicole. I've yet to hear a yay or nay from them, but they're the backbone of this whole operation. After all, Paul and Victoria are nice, Josh is nicely dysfunctional, and Jer... lives nearby.
Sorry, Jer. You're a friend by proximity only. And you're sexy.
So, if you're in, that makes for a great weekend of gaming, geekery, and rollercoasters. Seeing as how Jer's cottage weekend may bust, this could be the next best thing.
I swear it won't suck.
AND... I'll plug in my air conditioner. That's as good as money.
Back to Heavy Weapon...
Thursday, June 02, 2005
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1:07 p.m.
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Actual answers from Family Feud.
And yes, I'm bored at work. I could be fired by the end of the month if they downsize my department. I friggin' hate life some days.
OOHH!! Candy!!
Q: Name a fruit that is yellow.
A: Orange.
Q: Name something that floats in the bath.
A: Water.
Q: Name a part of the body beginning with “N.”
A: Knee.
Q: A job around the house that has to be done every fall.
A: Spring cleaning.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
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1:39 p.m.
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Revenge of the Sith... brutally violent cartoon... 
“When a cat is dropped, it always lands on its feet, and when toast is dropped, it always lands with the buttered side facing down. I propose to strap buttered toast to the back of a cat; the two will hover, spinning inches above the ground. With a giant buttered cat array, a high-speed monorail could easily link major metropolitan areas.”
Once again, I'd like to thank my brilliant page-a-day calendar. Mysteries of the universe are nothing compared to geeks with too much time on their hands.
Speaking of geeks, Jamie wishes to discuss Star Wars and so I shall. Like all the films I've seen, I liked it much better the first time I saw it. The second time I saw it, the things that annoyed me the first time really grated. Such as the terrible "I love you," "no, I love YOU" talk between Anakin and Padme, and Darth Vader's ridiculous "NOOOO!!!" at the end of the film.
That said, I went out and bought the original trilogy shortly after viewing this film. A few minutes into A New Hope and I remembered why I love Star Wars and it's not because George Lucas has figured out that animation is cheaper and less effort, it's because real Stormtroopers are just that much cooler. ENHANCING a film through it's backgrounds, or the number of troops, or things along that side are fine. I'm all about that. But that scene in Episode III when all the wookies stand up and cheer is just painful when a making-of documentary I saw shows that there were only four guys there.
Lucas, stop being a lazy prick. Then again, I suppose it's all moot now. Still, my complaint is that 90 minutes of Episode III is a cartoon, and therefore not the movie I wanted. Take notes from Peter Jackson, who although has a great deal of computer effects in his film as well, at least did his best to make as much of it as real as possible. To the point where it becomes very hard to tell what is and what isn't real. Gollum vs. Yoda.
Enough said.
Still, the final battle and epilogue to the movie were more than satisfying and a treat after the first two films. I left the theatre satisfied, which was all I could have hoped for. General Grievous is a personal favorite. I bought the action figure.
Monday, May 23, 2005
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4:21 p.m.
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After being gone a little over a week, my sweet Catherine will arrive home tonight. I'll be leaving shortly to go to the airport to pick her up.
It's amazing what a little time apart can do. I've missed her so much, and it's reminded me why I love her so much. Though the times apart kind of suck, they make the reunion that much sweeter.
Hopefully she brought me home a present!!
Thursday, May 12, 2005
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2:57 p.m.
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My co-workers insist I've gone mad, but I think it's because they're blind to the horrible truth that there are, in fact, gnomes at work in the building.
Each night I go home leaving my desk area unmolested. It's in prime condition with a row of assembled Kinder Surpise toys lining one end of my shelf, a small Kubrick Spider-Man figure hanging from my inbox tray, and a few pictures scattered around my area.
And then I come back the next morning and things are... different.
It started with Spider-Man. He was fine and dandy most of the time, but then one day I came in and he was facing the wrong way. Nathan, one of my co-workers was my first suspect. He's had it in for me since I started chucking paper clips at him. He denies it, but I'm still not sure.
It happened again the next day and the day after. Then things seemed fine.
Until I looked at my Kinder toys. Someone clearly moved my metal X-Men figurines around. They were all together, then suddenly apart.
Today it got worse. Two toys that were previously "chasing" each other now faced each other. The X-Men were moved out of order. My martian Kinder had flown away to the other end of the table.
This is the work of an evil genius. One who must be stopped.
I still suspect Nathan, as he's here long after the rest of us go home. I wish there was some way to set up a trap to catch the culprit. They all tell me I'm paranoid, or that the cleaner's are having a go at me.
I'll get them. I'll make them ALL pay.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
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11:41 p.m.
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Arthur and Marvin... or Jer, Victoria, Paul, Catherine and myself tomorrow on the way to Big Turk's for the weekend. It shall be glorious. Hopefully we'll get out to see this flick along the way.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
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5:20 p.m.
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September can't come quickly enough in my opinion. Not only will it mean the end of my exile here at this job, but it also brings Joss Whedon's feature film version of the incredible show, Firefly, to the big screen.
All of the original cast are back in a trailer that is fun, fast, furious, and stylish. For those of you who, like me, couldn't get enough, at least this juicy offering will help overcome the pangs of its cancellation.
Oh yeah, I mentioned the trailer. It's online NOW at www.apple.com/trailers.
Go see it. Then post your comments in the chatterbox. It's really good looking. The only person I didn't spot was Ron Glass as Shepherd Book, though I know he's in the film. Nathan Fillion, aka Malcolm Reynolds, gets the juiciest parts.
"Define bad situation." - Mal
"Oh god, oh god, we're all going to die?" - Wash
Brilliant.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
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12:02 p.m.
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Shortly after he was elected to the Holy office, Catherine sent me a brief message about her first impression of the Pope.
"Have you seen the new Pope, yet? He looks shifty."
Every time I see a picture of him I DO think he looks shifty, and feel the need to make me eyes dart left and right quickly like a certain dog on The Simpsons.
Any thoughts?
Friday, April 15, 2005
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1:39 p.m.
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You will come back from within yourself
you can be art when we melt
and I will know what you were for
I say we're leaving
There ain't nothing here at all
Another day, a week, the mall
and baby, if I was in demand
You would be mine
Some day, this place is gonna burn
Is your whole life in there waiting?
Some day, your head is gonna turn
And you'll realize I'm missing
Do you realize?
You will come back, convince yourself
You can stay alive and wait for me
And I will know what this was for
And I'll say we're leaving
There ain't nothing here at all
Another month, a year, that's all
So we can tell them I'm coming out
Who's coming with me?
Some day, this place is gonna burn
Is your whole life in there waiting?
Some day, their heads are gonna turn
And they'll realize you're missing.
You're missing
We are there
- MGB
Thursday, April 14, 2005
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9:18 a.m.
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The Juggernaut is in the house.
According to a scoop on Coming Soon (you'll have to cut and paste this link as my Mac at work doesn't have all the options) http://www.superherohype.com/news/x-mennews.php?id=2845, Vinnie Jones is currently in talks to play Professor X's half-brother, Cain Marko... aka The Juggernaut, in the upcoming X-Men 3.
This would be very cool if done right. A waste of time if it isn't. Still, one of the biggest things missing from X-Men 2 was a REALLY good brawl between super-powered characters. They were mutants, but didn't use their powers in battle as much as I would have liked.
I'll be there for this one.
So far Hugh Jackman, Famke Jansen, and Alan Cumming are set to return. Everyone else is in talks.
It comes out in 2006.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
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11:25 a.m.
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Just because it was a lyric in a song I was just listening to doesn't make it any less relevant a question.
"Can money pay for all the days I've lived awake but half asleep?"
What am I doing here?
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
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10:50 p.m.
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For my dear, sweet, Catherine who today turns 26. I love you more with each passing day and can't imagine what my life would be like without coming home to hold you in my arms.
I love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
You look so cute asleep in bed right now.
I'm glad you had a nice day.
Monday, April 11, 2005
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12:49 p.m.
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This was an article in today's Metro and I wanted to post it for a couple of reasons.
1. I think it's kind of ridiculous. Society is becoming way too picky for its own good.
2. I figured Catherine would find it funny. My job is to amuse her.
"Cookie Monster, the blue furry muppet known for his penchant for cookies, will be eating less of his favourite food in the coming season, CBC.ca reports.
The change in Cookie Monster's diet is part of a new focus on television's Sesame Street, one that will stress healty eating habits for children."
It's official, the world has gone nuts.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
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7:56 p.m.
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“A Subway sandwich shop employee in Edmonton, Alberta, somehow managed to activate the burglar alarm and disarm two men who were attempting to rob him at knifepoint. Scared by the sandwich maker’s heroics, the felons fled the scene. The Subway employee pursued the would-be thieves, shouting that there was no harm done and that he’d gladly make them free sandwiches if they came back. Amazingly, they did! Police arrived minutes later and arrested the hungry thieves, who were patiently waiting in line for a Cold Cut Trio.”
—Stuff magazine
Monday, April 04, 2005
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1:55 p.m.
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Jer, Aaron and I ventured forth to see this comic book-turned-film on the big screen. While it has a lot of value in terms of cinematography, I found the execution to be a bit overwhelming. As a comic book fan, I appreciate the literalness of the translation, but I can imagine the uniniated arriving to the show and finding it a bit wanting.
Some found the endless narration jarring, and others will be blown away by the brutality of the film.
The biggest impression that the movie will leave with me, however, had nothing to do with what was on screen.
It was the audience. The crazy fucking audience.
There were people smoking hash somewhere in the theatre. I can't confirm it, but my suspicions fall on the guy in the back who laughed REALLY loudly at anything and everything. Apparently others noticed it as well as during the third act theatre employees stood on both sides of the theatre and were scanning the crowd. It was a bit disconcerting.
Add to the fact that the guys behind us were drunk. You could smell it clearly, especially on the breath of the guy who leaned forward in his seat. He kept knocking over glass bottles the whole time.
The woman beside Aaron kept falling asleep. This wouldn't have been bad if she hadn't cried out when Aaron got up to go to the bathroom. I thought it was quite funny.
The guys in front of us wouldn't take off their hats.
All of this was crazy and could be explained any number of ways. They were prepping for the bar or a party, maybe they had already been out for a good time. Then again, seeing as how it was a matinee and showed at 4 in the afternoon, maybe they were just idiots.
Oh, and they showed the movie and the Star Wars trailer. That was good.
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
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4:26 p.m.
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This is from the Globe and Mail's Social Studies: "Of all the terrifying
circumstances to which one's home is vulnerable, nothing equals
that of a guest who stares straight at one's bookshelves," wrote Roger
Rosenblatt in Time magazine more than a decade ago. "It is when
those eyes stop moving that your heart, too, stops. The guest's body
twitches; his hand floats up to where his eyes have led it. There is
nothing to be done. You freeze. You hear the question even as it
forms: 'Would you mind if I borrowed this book? . . .'One has books;
one has friends; they are bound to meet."
I realize it's been more than a little while since I last posted but I have a REALLY good excuse: I'm lazy.
That's about it. Sometimes there's nothing one can do to become motivated to write endless pieces of drivel about their day, life, job or other circumstance.
For those of you who care, the new Fantastic Four trailer is out and I'm still uncertain what I think about it. Paul is falling on the cautious side while I'm sure that Jer already hates it even though I don't think he's seen it.
Aaron would just shrug. It's his way. Don't judge.
Monday, March 21, 2005
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11:11 p.m.
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Anything that, in happening, causes something else to happen, causes something else to happen.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
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11:23 p.m.
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Anything that happens, happens.
Friday, March 18, 2005
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6:38 p.m.
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... or encouraged. Honestly, at this point I'm not sure which side of the fence I fall on.
For those of you in the dark, Lucas made an announcement today that for the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars, the films would be released, one a year starting in 2007, in 3-D. This is a true story.
What's more interesting is that Peter Jackson has made comments about doing something similar with Lord of the Rings. What's more, apparently he's already done it with some of the footage.
Don't get me wrong, I'll be there front and center for all of this because I'm a consumer whore. It's just that Lucas and his madness of forty different versions must be stopped sooner or later. I'm told that in 2017, for the 40th Anniversary, there will be smell-o-vision and actual garbage will get dumped on us during the trash compactor scene.
Again, I'll likely be there.
It's too bad that these films need the size of the theatre to really work, though, as watching them on a TV at home will likely lose the effect. Unless you're Paul who owns a projector, and I'm assuming by the time the movies actually come out will have bought his own theatre.
Star Wars. In 3-D. Wild.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
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8:14 p.m.
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I am not rich. I must stop acting as though I am.
I admit I've hit a bit of a spending streak lately that really must stop. I've managed to stop shy of getting carried away, though.
Part of it is due to finally getting a job. I bought a nice present for Catherine and picked up something for myself as well. Seemed only right. Then of course I had to pay for my karate grading, and I didn't realize I had to pay off that much on my credit card...
Then came a couple of games (board and video) that didn't cost that much individually, but they add up.
Not to stop there, I went and picked up the latest series of Marvel Legends figures today which included War Machine, Dr. Strange, Professor X, and Nightcrawler. I had no choice. Each figure comes with a piece of a giant figure, in this case Galactus, and I only need to secure one more to have the whole figure. The thing is a giant at 16".
Still, the cash ride is over for the moment. Everything is taken care of that needed it. Well, I suppose I didn't HAVE to buy season 4 of Buffy, but it was used (or sold as used... it was still in the original packaging)... and I guess I don't NEED to buy U2 tickets this Saturday... but I will. It's too bad I couldn't buy them closer to the actual concert date which is in September. Can I count them as a September purchase?
No worries as I do have the money for all this. I haven't gone nuts.
Yet.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
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8:26 p.m.
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• Chou Remains Cremated
• New housing for elderly not yet dead
• SILENT TEAMSTER GETS CRUEL PUNISHMENT: LAWYER
• GREEKS FINE HOOKERS
• Federal Agents Raid Gun Shop, Find Weapons
• SHOUTING MATCH ENDS TEACHER’S HEARING
• YELLOW SNOW STUDIED TO TEST NUTRITION
• County Wants Money for Taking Dump
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
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8:21 p.m.
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Ah, that graceful Campbell style of eating... Rory Marie... 8 months old.
As per his chatterbox instructions, I gave Brody a call. He's up north at the moment (and has been for a year... or at least that's how long since he was last in Guelph), and doing just fine. He and Lisa are having a great time raising little 8-month old Rory Marie.
We've vowed to email each other much more often than the never it's been so far. I find it funny that we don't talk much as I still consider Brody to be one of my best friends. That's all fixed now, however, as he's sent the opening email to me and I've already applied.
As per my request, Brody has already fired off a group of pictures of his lovely daughter. The first thought I had was "she looks just like him" followed quickly by "that poor, hairy, baby."
I hope to see my friend again soon as it's been too long. Whenever I see Brody, things just seem to make sense again. It's probably just his open and honest nature and great sense of humor. He's just one of those guys that makes day-to-day life a bit more enjoyable.
It might be the beer.
Ah, if Brody was around, the video games we'd play would be endless. Poor Rory would be fatherless as her Dad would stumble home late at night with bloodshot eyes from staring at screens.
Not a bad life, if you ask me. And perhaps better than the day-to-day operations up at Pickle Lake. Brody, I salute you.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
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11:44 a.m.
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This, one and all, has to be my personal record for the longest time in between blog entries. In fact, it would be longer, but I'm avoiding doing work on a Saturday at the moment.
It's been a while, so I'll bring you all up to speed: I have a job now at a company called First Media Group. This is not the glorious job I feel I was promised in the early days of my youth and in fact the job itself can be boring and repetitive. On the bright side, however, this is my first real annual salary kind of job and I'm not about to mess it up.
I'm a production artist there and I lay out ads for many major and minor papers around Canada. We'll be expanding our efforts to the States eventually, and I'm sure my head will explode. It's only been one week, but already I've stayed late on three of the four days I've worked.
Hopefully this extra effort will cease.
In other news, Marvel is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Age of Apocalypse. One of the best X-Men stories to have ever been produced, all the original books are going to be collected in four massive trade paperbacks. Like a good little boy, I'll likely buy all of them when they come out.
In addition, Marvel is producing a six-issue limited series and a one-shot. I have the first issues of both, and I must say I'm rather impressed. 10 years is a lot of time to lose the magic, but so far so good.
Also, this week saw the release of Ultimate Iron Man. Normally I wouldn't announce such a project, but this one happens to be written by my favorite author, Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game). It's being drawn by Andy Kubert (Origin), another favorite, and worth taking a look at. By taking a look I'm sure most of you will take this to mean it's okay to read my issue.
Catherine and I are shuffling along and doing well. She's just completed her Felicity collection on DVD and is busy trying to get me to cheer up about getting a job. You'd think I'd be celebrating, but somehow it feels like the end of all there is...
Hrm.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
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12:55 p.m.
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Just when you think my blogging will approach anything sort of regular, I end up in a near-coma state passing the hours and days as I will in my own strange ways.
This week involved more work, but not the kind I'm continuously hoping for. At the very least it all keeps my head above water, but it could be more fun.
The point of this post is to enquire about this weekend. Everything looked primed for last weekend, and things were postponed, allegedly, to this weekend. I have no idea if Josh or Paul or Jamie or Nic or if anyone is coming down.
The last time I saw Jer was on the weekend when we spent money to go see Constantine. While I was primed to dislike this movie, I have to admit it wasn't that bad. Jer is firmly in the camp that Keanu Reeves should have been recast with a more grungy looking actor like Bruce Willis, but I didn't mind Reeves at all.
And for reasons I can't begin to fathom (well, I can, I suppose... I wanted a special kind of gun), I've almost completely played through Resident Evil 4 again. This time, however, it's at less than half the time it took me the first play through. It's still a whack of change.
Next week sees the release of my newest and likely last game (though the next Zelda game looks great) for the Gamecube, Mortal Kombat: Deception (MK6).
Friday, February 18, 2005
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12:02 p.m.
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If the world gives you lemons...A struggling playwright named Greg Kotis was homeless in Paris, surviving on $4 a day. He slept on park benches and often had to choose between eating and using the city’s pay urinals.
...Make lemonade: One rainy afternoon while making such a choice (he chose food), a thought occurred to him: What if a single evil corporation controlled all of the pay urinals in a city? Inspired, Kotis wrote a play called Urinetown: The Musical. After a sold-out off-Broadway run, it opened on Broadway in 2001. Highlight: a song called “It’s a Privilege to Pee.”
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
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1:34 p.m.
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Angel: Season 5
"You have to initial here concerning your immortal soul." - W & H employee
You have to admire the guts it took to move the final season of Angel into the offices of the series' major villains. What could easily have blown up in the faces of the cast and creators was embraced by fans and the result is an incredible season. And how on Earth can you top turning Angel into a puppet?
My copy came in the mail today thanks to a pre-order off of Amazon.ca nearly two weeks ago. I had a coupon for $5 off, so the whole thing only cost me $50. Now, as it happens, my Angel collection is complete. I even have an extra sleeve for season 5 as it came in a bilingual wrapper. Heh, if anyone wants a copy of the season I can burn one and even give you a proper sleeve.
My madness doesn't stop there, however. I picked up season 3 of Buffy last week used for a song, and then last night as a Valentine's Day present, the ever-wonderful Catherine picked up a used copy of season 5 for me.
That just leaves 4, 6, and 7 left to go.
I'm probably insane, but that's okay by me. I'm enjoying myself and getting every drop of pleasure of out these DVDs that I can. Now I just have to wait for Firefly to find it's way back to me after being on what seems like permanent loan to friends and family and I can have a Joss Whedon party.
PS. Firefly is selling used across the street for $35.
I'm sure I've gone nuts now.
There's also been no comment from Paul or Jamie about this weekend. I'll have to begin bugging in earnest.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
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7:49 p.m.
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I love these calendars, I really do. Though I think I may be one of the few out there who do. Today, I bought one (featuring dogs) for Catherine purely so I could have my year-long online access back to the Uncle John's Bathroom Reader version. It was such a pleasant way to begin a day of being anchored to a computer, so I didn't want to pass it up again.
Here are a few highlights I've discovered so far:
"In 1946 the following ad appeared in several southern California newspapers: “Wanted: Congressman candidate with no previous political experience to defeat a man who has represented the district in the House for 10 years. Any young man, resident of district, preferably a veteran, fair education, may apply for the job.”
The ad had been placed by the Republican party. The young man who answered the ad was awarded the job and did in fact defeat incumbent Jerry Voorhis after a dirty campaign. So who kicked off his political career by replying to a want ad? Richard M. Nixon (born on this date in 1913)."
And another good one:
• In 2003 televangelist Jim Bakker paid a $3.7 million settlement for defrauding his followers. Lawyers got $2.5 million of it—and each victim got $6.54.
• In a 2003 settlement between Sears and customers with improperly done wheel balancing, lawyers got $2.45 million—and customers got $2.50 per tire.
• When a bank settled a lawsuit over improper interest charges, the lawyers got $8.5 million. Each bank customer got less that $10...and then had to pay the bank $91 to reimburse its court fees.
And finally (for today at least):
"In 1990, 14-year-old Lisa Reid went blind as the result of a brain tumor. The doctors told her it was permanent. Then one night about 10 years later, she bent down to kiss her guide dog goodnight and accidentally smacked her head on a coffee table. Amazingly, when she woke up the next morning, 80 percent of the vision in her left eye had been restored. The first thing she did: telephoned her mother and read her the health warning on a packet of cigarettes."
Other than that, I had a job interview last week that either went really well or I botched completely. I've decided there's no such thing as in between seeing as how you either get the job or you don't.
Catherine and I are enjoying an extended 'Valentine's Day Weekend' with trips for breakfast, gonig to a movie (Million Dollar Baby), a proper dinner on Tuesday night followed by a performance of Mamma Mia.
Personally, I think it's fantastic that after 5 1/2 years of being together that she and I still go out on dates. She's gotta be the most romantic person I know (after myself of course).
PS. This weekend Josh is coming to Toronto to hang out. I'm putting out the call now for Paul, Jamie, Nic, and whomever else is interested to take a little trip into this damn city for a good time.
Friday, February 04, 2005
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11:12 a.m.
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As most of you know, I met with the Toronto Tonight host about a week and a half back (jeez, nearly two now) about a possible career in television. The intention at the time was to get advice for my SPACE pitch, but Ben wound up suggesting something else entirely.
"We have an associate producer job that's come open," he told me. "It entails watching the wires, gathering press releases, and then presenting them, along with any original ideas, to story meeetings each day. The rest of the day is meant to gather guests for the show, and maybe do a bit of tagline and editing with a video editor."
Needless to say, I kind of liked that idea. What' s more, Ben said that he thought I'd be really good at it.
This is the kind of encouragement a 'starving artist' such as myself needs when first trying to get something going. There's nothing definitive here, but it doesn't hurt.
Then Ben told me to retool my resume and send it to him. Now, Ben's name isn't the person on the contact information, but I took it to mean that he'd give me his stamp of approval and you can't do much better than that.
He asked me to have to him within two or three weeks.
So I sent it in on Wednesday, adding about 6 or 7 story ideas, nailing the concept of who the station was (thanks to Catherine for her help with everything), and waited patiently. While NOTHING is set in stone, this email reply I just got gives me a lot of hope for the future...
Hey Brian,
Zev and I looked at your resume. Ronke is the one doing the hiring for
this position...but it doesn't hurt that Zev and I are both impressed.
He'll tell her that. As I said, there's somebody already doing the job
on a temporary basis -- nothing's guaranteed for him, but
he is doing a very good job. But it definitely bodes well for the
future for you, even if things don't work out this second.
I'm not sure what I can add to your presentation. As Zev said, "This
is very smart." We get a lot of resumes. We rarely say that (if ever).
Great first page, great 'branded' look, and excellent last page. The
story ideas are great, but beyond that, you really nailed who we are
and why you'd fit.
I wish I could offer you a job right now. Can't. But keep in touch.
Ronke will be calling you soon to get you in for an interview.
All the best,
Ben Chin
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
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3:34 p.m.
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Ah, how I do love chocolate milk... and how I love that it became headline news yesterday that Sealtest put out a bad batch of it. How is it that protests, murders, and all the other events in this city was spoiled by some fun loving chocolate milk gone bad?
Have we all gone nuts?
Well, whatever. All it did was make me want chocolate milk. So I went out, bought three bags and a bottle of Quik (TM). No worries, it wasn't THAT big of a craving as Catherine and I bought the rest of our groceries then as well.
How is it that between the two of us we managed to rack up $70 worth of food? It certainly doesn't seem like that much when you spread it out.
It beats eating out, though. That was costing us HUGE amounts of money but it appealed to our lazy side. It also means I need to start getting back into karate as my bulge is beginning to obscure my belt. I wish I had more local overweight friends. We could band together and fight. Who am I stuck with? My girlfriend is in amazing shape, and the two closest best friends are freakin' rails.
Ah, the irony.
Friday, January 28, 2005
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9:38 a.m.
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The Washington Post's Style Invitational once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.
I'd like to begin OUR version of this incredibly simple, yet bizarre game. I invite you all to participate in the chatterbox, and I may even come up with a no-prize for the lucky winner. You just never know. To give some examples, here were this year's winners at the Post:
1. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
2. Foreploy (v): Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.
3. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.
4. Giraffiti (n): Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
5. Sarchasm (n): The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
6. Inoculatte (v): To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
7. Hipatitis (n): Terminal coolness.
8. Osteopornosis (n): A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
9. Karmageddon (n): It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And
then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.
10. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good
for you.
11. Glibido (v): All talk and no action.
12. Dopeler effect (n): The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
13. Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
14. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning
and cannot be cast out.
15. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you're eating.
And the pick of the literature:
16. Ignoranus (n): A person who's both stupid and an asshole.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
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2:22 p.m.
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The last and final page of the brochure. Dan posted what he thinks, but I'd love to hear more feedback...
I may not have revealed all there was to know about that meeting the other night with the two journalists.
They gave me advice, and in one case, a bit of work. That much is true. What I didn't reveal is that one of them may be slightly off his rocker.
He politely informed me that he would be giving up his job later this year to pursue his true life dream: racing. Seriously. He then went on to tell me how he once sped by a cop doing 170 in an 80, and then opened his bike up to 200 so he could get away. He DID get away, and spent two hours hiding in the forest to make sure the coast was clear.
He would also ask questions like: do you still feel like a man in this world? as well as "does it make you feel less honorable to buy your meat wrapped up at the supermarket than by going out and killing it yourself."
I blinked twice at this.
What do you say to that? Keep in mind, this was after great advice, encouraging comments, and three pints of beer.
Still, I can't complain. At least it was an interesting night.
On an unrelated note, Resident Evil 4 is just about one of the best games I think I have EVER played. That's pretty high praise. It feels as though I'm close to the end, though knowing that I can take a while to explore an area to make sure I've gotten everything, I think I'm only about half way through. 10 hours of intense and amazing gunfights, and I'm only half done.
So I think, anyway. I could be closer. Not having finished the game before, however, means that I could be really, really off. Still, there's a character I spotted in the game's trailer that I haven't even come into contact with, as well as another character whom I've only had two quick chance meetings with.
And I now have a mine-thrower and a rocket launcher.
I'm primed for more carnage. I only wish I didn't have this job so I could go back and play.
This is the game that consumed Aaron for more than four hours last Saturday. He started playing just before midnight, and stopped playing around 4am. He's hooked. I wonder how long until he shows up at my apartment with bloodshot eyes looking for a fix?
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
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9:51 a.m.
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Here is page #2 of the brochure...
Sometimes that's what life feels like. One large, unending trial. The kind that you face every time you get changed for gym in high school.
Last night I met with a couple of journalists currently working in the industry to get some perspective on my job search, perhaps a couple of contacts, and potentially even some leads towards new jobs. I left with, at the very least, the promise of some minor freelance work.
It's not much, but it's something in the right direction. They kept going on about how freelance is really the key to getting your start in this business. It gets you contacts, clippings, and familiarity. The only problem is that I can't live off the haphazard way that freelance pays a newbie journalist. If I sold three stories in a month, I'd make maybe $500 or $600 dollars. It's just not realistic.
That, and I refuse to believe that I, unlike many of my college peers who got full-time jobs here in Toronto since graduating, have to go through the freelance process in order to break in. It seems like madness. It's an option, and certainly one worth exploring as a part time option, but dammit, I just want my job.
I hate jumping through hoops. To be honest, I'd probably have left the city by now if it weren't for how much I love Catherine. She has an amazing job here, and as such, we can afford to stay here whether I have a job or not. Right now the only discomfort in my life is the lack of a satisfying day job. That's it.
So, the search continues. I'll keep plugging at it and sooner or later something will happen.
I just hope it isn't me going crazy.
Monday, January 24, 2005
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1:39 p.m.
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Here is page #1...
It's been a while since I updated this blog with anything extremely relevant, and for the three of you out there who read it I'm sure you're curious about how my project turned out.
Quite well, I must say.
There were a few bumps in the road, but the final product was worth every effort. The video is fun and interesting, and the brochure looks amazing. One page will be put up on this blog a day for the next three days so you can see the finished product.
I dropped off the final results at City last Thursday, and the ache in my stomach and in my head seemed to go away the second it was out of my hands. I had lunch with Toronto 1 anchor Ben Chin today, who suggested I call them later this week to make sure they had received the package and then bug them incessantly after the deadline.
The most surprising after-effect of my work has been the reaction to the brochure/resume. My mother is convinced that I've stumpled across a revolutionary way to self-promote and has even suggested it as a potential business. Given the reaction that it's gotten from a lot of people I can't say that she's wrong. I'm certainly going to start emailing THAT out as my new resume to companies as Quark will allow you to convert your documents to jpgs.
Let me know what you think about the resume. It will be easy to update text and graphics, and really could be the edge that I've been looking for.
Other than that, things are fine and dandy. I'm afloat financially, Catherine's doing great, Truffle is chewing away, and I'm knee deep in Resident Evil 4 and Supreme Power.
Now I just need a job.
It's been a day and a half. Why hasn't SPACE called yet? Then again, I haven't checked my phone messages yet...
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
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11:12 a.m.
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Option #2...
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
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3:44 p.m.
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This is one of the headshots I'm including. I'll post another one later tonight, and for those of you viewing the blog, keep checking back and then vote on your favorite in the chatterbox. The one with the most votes will grace the front page of my pitch.
That's what Bono tends to sign about, anyway. My ambition this week has been to do something unheard of in my circle of friends, and that is to break into the on-air television journalism field.
Sure, Jer and Aaron are doing the Humber thing as we speak, and Catherine is a fellow alumnus, but at the moment I'm the only one not doing anything of particular interest or value. I happen to think I stand a decent chance of getting this job (or else I wouldn't be going to all the effort) so I'm putting my best foot forward.
The brochure/resume is nearly done. A few small edits and a couple more pics and I'll be there. I'm taking the final version to Humber tomorrow to get thumbs up or down from the teachers.
Today I shot video of Erik Ko (Street Fighter), and Chris, who is the comic book manager at the Beguiling. Tomorrow morning it's off to Humber to shoot the stand up and edit the video. As long as all goes well, I'll probably be dropping off the entire package at CityTV tomorrow afternoon.
That's kind of crazy, if you think about it.
Still, I'm thrilled to be doing something with myself and my time that isn't related to depression or watching TV. Creating, writing, and editing again has fuelled a flame that I thought was long extinguished. Hopefully I can get this enthusiasm across on tape, as this literally has to be the best thing I've ever done.
You see how I'm not pressuring myself at all?
Friday, January 14, 2005
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3:17 p.m.
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For those of you who don't know, I'm attempting to land an on-air gig at SPACE here in Toronto. It's a sci-fi specialty channel that has been airing the precious seasons of Buffy and Angel that I've been going on about here since, well, forever.
To this end, I have to put together a video demo of myself. I have a couple of field reports from Humber that I did and I'm trying to put together another brief video spot in the early days of next week (help for which I've been begging people, but only Jer seems able or interested in helping me with). I need assistance to shoot something in Humber's basement and some advice on the script and delivery. The whole video will be no more than a minute in length.
I've also been pumping my sources for reviews about my reviews. I'm a fairly well respected reviewer in the comic book field and I know just about everyone as a result, so I hit up big names for some quotes and so far I've heard back from Mark Millar (The Ultimates, Wanted) who was generous enough to say this:
"Brian Wilkinson has one of the best reps in the online community. He's one of a handful of journalists respected by the pros and the fans alike. So much so, in fact, that when I sold my last property to Universal Pictures I had Brian's quote about the comic-book at the top of the intro-sheet.
He's a very personable guy and liked by all the people who read his site. The entertainment industry is full of crazy people, but Brian is thankfully one of the sane ones.
PS I don't mean any of this ;)"
That really made my day. Now I just need to wait for Bendis, Chris Claremont and Frank Tieri to respond. My intention is to put together a flashy brochure-style resume featuring a story sample, cover letter, resume, and quotes/pics from enough people in the biz to get me noticed. I may not look like a Much Music VJ, but I can rock them with a great presentation.
I'm going to include an article I wrote dealing with Buffy and Angel stars I met this summer, as well as quotes from comic pros and a few pics of myself and other facets. This isn't what they asked for, but presentation and creativity are two core aspects required for this job.
I'm also dumping in a normal resume and a copy of Convergence. I figure I likely don't have a shot at getting this job, but wouldn't it be great if I did? At the very least I hope to have fun trying.
The whole video (shooting and editing) should only take a day. Preparation of the other materials should take me another. I hope to have everything done and handed in by next Wednesday.
If you can help with script advice or by being a sounding board (or filming at Humber next week) that'd be great.
If not, well, you're terrible people.
On a completely unrelated note: I bought Resident Evil 4. It rocks so damn hardcore it's almost indecent.
Another unrelated note: Catherine is still amazing. She just had a performance review that she rocked... so much so they gave her a raise. I'm hoping this means I'll finally be getting an allowance from her.
Not likely, though.
Monday, January 10, 2005
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1:29 p.m.
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I'm done. I just can't take this anymore. What more do I have to do to prove myself before I finally get a chance to start my career?
It's been five and a half months and still nothing of worth.
The only thing I can figure is that it must be as my uncle said: "There must be something wrong with you."
It's times like this I wish I was an alcoholic.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
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10:39 a.m.
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Want to know what your name looks like in chinese? Copy and paste the link... http://www.easternheritage.com/freechinesenames/protect/mainpage.htm#
I toyed quite a bit with putting up a letter of reference that my friend, the psychiatrist, accidently left in an envelope of work I have to do today. I'm fairly sure this letter was intended to be mailed or faxed over to an organization which enables me to work for the psychiatrist legally but it wound up in my hands and I, well, read it.
What would you have done?
There's nothing negative in it at all. In many ways, it's quite flattering to have, in print, a list of your virtues (though thankfully none of my many faults). By the end of the letter, I wound up feeling better about myself and my ongoing search than I have in quite some time.
It's amazing what a few kind words can do. It wasn't about "getting the job I was meant for" or even "finding the good in what I have" it was just about the fact that he thinks I'm a good person.
I won't quote the whole thing, but I will include one small part:
"Brian is kind and caring and has a great capacity for emapthy. He relates very well to adults and children and is compassionate to those in distress. He can set limits when needed. He is advanced in his years in terms of maturity but youthful in enthusiasm."
That quote makes me feel like a better person. I hope all of it is true, but the only way I can prove it is to try every day to be the man that he's talking about.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
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11:07 p.m.
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Why is it that every time I blink, several days have gone by? I come to this blog daily to search (fruitlessly) for comments from visitors and yet it never seems to strike me that it's been a long time since I last posted.
I remember when I first started this thing I had the rather lofty goal of writing at least an entry a day. I think I told Catherine it would "keep my writing sharp" or some other such nonsense.
It is a good outlet, but not quite good enough. To that end, I've decided to add a half hour "workout" every day where I do nothing but creative writing. Today I'm three pages into a potential novel, and tomorrow I'll continue working on a back-up story for X-Men Unlimited featuring the Beast. Whether any of these projects are worth a damn is up in the air, but Catherine seems to like them.
Just because she's dating me, doesn't mean she's going to be too nice, does it?
To ensure full feedback potential, I'll offer to head up a pseudo-reading/writing group. All you have to do is contribute five pages minimum a month to be able to read any and all pieces of writing that are created. We'll bounce them back and forth... whether they're ideas, concepts, or full stories. And I figure we'll come up with a list of publishers and contacts to try and get the ball rolling.
So far I've only vaguely discussed this as a possibility with Aaron, but I have a feeling that others like Jer and Josh will get on board this idea quickly. If you're interested, drop me a line either through email or as a comment at the end of this post or in the chatterbox.
On an unrelated note, I watched the first episode of Medium tonight. I had my doubts about a show starring Patricia Arquette, but I have to say that the first episode has enough meat on the bone to keep me interested. I'll come back next week to see how it progresses.
Otherwise, I'll have to content myself with Lost, which starts up again with a new episode tomorrow night.
Saturday, January 01, 2005
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1:09 a.m.
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It's just a few minutes after twelve... and Catherine, Truffle and I have had another brilliant year together. Well, there may have been a few pitfalls along the way, but we're happy, healthy, and together. And that has to count for something.
A few people I have to thank for last year being so great:
Catherine, the love of my life. Without her, all struggles are meaningless.
My mom... who puts up with me, loves me, and is always proud of me.
My dad... for being a lovable grump. Without his support, I'd be in a world of hurt.
My brother... for being a dork. Seriously. Well, maybe I love him, too.
And all my friends and family. Aaron, Jer, Paul, Brody (and his lovely new daughter, Rory Marie), Chris, Pushee, Nick, Ron, Eric, Victoria, Jamie, Julian, Al, Eric, Patti, David, Peter, Rhonda, Jake, Frank, Lindsey, Dzuiba, Josh, Jamie and Nic...
The list goes on and on, doesn't it?
Most of all, this past year will always remind me the most of Rooter, the little degu that was taken from us far too soon. Those of you who have had pets know how attached you can get and the line that separates pet and familiy member becomes non-existent. That was one of the hardest times I've had yto go through in recent memory, but I do my best each and every day to honour her memory... sometimes by talking to her, but mostly through doing everything I can to make sure her sister, Truffle, enjoys her life to the absolute fullest.
Nobody ever said life was easy and there's a reason: it is the hardest thing any of us have to survive. It is also one of the most rewarding. Every day there are checks and balances to what is good and what is bad, but it all adds up. It all has meaning.
This was the year of the Buffy and Angel (which I now own all four seasons of), of Firefly, Astonishing X-Men, the final Lord of the Rings dvd, of school ending, of Catherine getting her job, of my endless frustrations in finding work. Of my publishing Convergence, a magazine I helped to create from scratch, and of Aaron and Jer, moving to Toronto to follow a similar path that I firmly believe will lead to greater heights. Of the trip to New York City which Catherine and I absolutely loved.
It was the year of Survivor: All Stars, 24, Felicity, Shaun of the Dead, Spider-Man 2, nearly a dozen trips to the zoo, of new friends Victoria and Jamie, and the beginning of the loan payments. It was also the year of change for Catherine's family... for my mom to have little Jake come into her life. For my 16-year-old niece to finally get a chance to live with my brother, for my dad to keep on being one of the best people I know.
This was a year of change, and while much more, and arguably greater, changes are to come, I know I'll never forget what I learned this year. This year, more than any other, I think I grew up.
For most of that, I have Catherine, Rooter, and Truffle to thank. They are my world, and have been for years. Though it's not always easy, we work hard to make things work well, to love each other more each day, and to do our best to make our future always brighter than our past.
I'm so grateful to have them in my life.
I wish all of you the same kind of success.
Before I get too sentimental, and before I head to bed to snuggle with my lovely girlfriend, I'll part as I'm likely to do... with a few lyrics from U2.
"I've conquered my past...
The future is here at last...
I stand at the entrance
To a new world I can see."
Hugs and kisses, 2004. Let's see if 2005 can raise the bar.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
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11:52 p.m.
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Catherine (whom I'm sure is loving that her picture is on my blog), my mom's dog, Jake, and me after decorating my mom's tree a few weeks ago. Happy Holidays!
To one and all. I hope everyone has the Christmas holidays that they deserve.
I got to spend some time with Aaron tonight, which was sorely needed after my weak of bachelorhood. Let me tell you, Catherine is in for lots of hugs when I see her on Saturday. The little one, too.
I'm off first thing tomorrow to my mom's in Bolton, and then Saturday I'll be in Brantford with Catherine and her family. Sunday, I'm off to my Dad's to see him, my brother, the nieces and nephew, as well as my Uncle Brian. Monday I'll be back in Brantford, and likely heading back to Toronto.
I do this every year.
At least my mom helps out with the use of her car. That in itself is a great gift, otherwise I'd have to pick and choose which family to spend time with, and I don't want to do that.
I'm looking forward to the break. Despite the fact that I don't have a job, I could really use some down time.
At any rate, I hope to see Chris and perhaps Brody on my return to Guelph... as for the rest of you, I hope you have a brilliant Christmas.
Does anyone have any plans at all for New Year's? Somehow, I always seem to forget this occurs a week afterwards.
Must be all the eggnog.
Mmmmmm.... eggnog. Send some if you can.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
at
11:10 a.m.
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Above: Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire comes out in 2005... right in time for the release of book six on July 16: Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince (see below).
Gets its official release date: July 16, 2005! For those of you who have never bothered to read this series, you're really missing out. Despite being labelled as a children's book, it's some of the most clever and imaginative work I've ever read.
Other that that, there isn't much news to report. I picked up series 8 of those Marvel Legend figures I'm obsessed with collecting. I've now added Doc Ock, modern armour Iron Man, Iceman and Storm to my figure collection. I've got to get ahold of myself.
Catherine left me. And she took Truffle. That's new.
Before you panic and start in surprise, she's just gone home for the holidays. She'll be back soon enough. In fact, when I see her on Saturday for Christmas, I may just scoop her up and carry her back home. Her and the little one.
It's a terrible thing, to live alone. Coming back to the apartment without the love of my life and my little degu was horrible. Not that I can't be alone for a little while, but I keep trying to talk to Truffle, only she isn't there. I keep waiting for Catherine to come home from some imagined trip to the store, but she isn't coming back.
Keep that bed warm without her isn't the same. It's funny when you realize how much simple joy you take out of another persons love and company, and how hard it is to go without it for even a day.
It may not sound like it, but I love it when she goes away for a short time. Nothing gets my heart going more than missing her and nothing feels so good as holding her in my arms again after a long time apart.
Of course, five minutes later I'll ignore her and play video games.
Well, maybe not.
Monday, December 20, 2004
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1:34 p.m.
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Maybe it's just me, but I happen to love the idiotic double-meanings that some signs can take. What I love even more is that someone approved the signs in the first place. Maybe it's sort of an evil pride that I take in loving the dumb things people do and say.
• No children allowed
—Florida maternity ward
• Our motto is to give our customers the lowest possible prices and workmanship
—Maine shop
• Persons are prohibited from picking flowers from any but their own graves
—Pennsylvania cemetery
• Ask about our plans for owning your home
—loan company office
• Best place to take a leak
—radiator-repair garage
Thursday, December 16, 2004
at
1:30 p.m.
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Though my job has its interesting points, it is by and large a study of the bizarre, unusual, and the people that come to identifiy with these two words.
Most of my work involves answering the phone and doing summaries for my friend who has kindly provided me with work during the holiday season, but I must admit that it can be quite boring as well. Some of the jargon I encounter is simply stunning:
"Psychiatric and Neuropsychological Findings After Stereotactic Hypothalamotomy, in Cases of Extreme Sexual Aggressivity" is the title of just one of the articles I'm researching. If you can understand half of it, you're on the same page as I am and it reads like this: HUH?
It's all good, though.
Jeromy has requested that I speak my mind on the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King extended edition DVD which I picked up on Tuesday. This I will say: it looks brilliant next to the first two parts on the shelf.
As for the film, I haven't managed to get through the four and a half hours and change that the movie is made up of. I'm just shy of the 2 hour mark and I must say, that like the first two parts, it's brilliant.
I will mention, however, that while I'm thrilled for any and all extra parts thrown into the package, so far I haven't encountered many new scenes that completely redefined the viewing experience the way it worked with the first two films. Perhaps it's because this movie was already incredibly long. The Voice of Saruman scene at the beginning, however, is priceless and I can't understand why this was left out. It's creepy and shocking and just darn cool.
In a short time, Catherine is heading out to pick up a portable DVD player for me. She's not buying it herself, per se, but rather my Dad has given me a lovley cash Christmas gift and this is the item I've chosen to pick up. Some would pick a PS2 or Xbox, but I don't play enough games to justify that. What I do in spades, however, is watch movies, and I would love something to enjoy during commutes and other long trips. Heck, I have a couple of hour long train rides coming up this weekend as well as a boatload of travelling next week. I'm looking forward to this little item, to be sure.
Now I actually want a decent commute so I can watch movies and tv episodes. How sad.
I'm almost done my shopping for this year and it's cost me, on average, about what it normally does. In the $350 range. Thank god I had enough work from various sources to offset this cost, not to mention allow me to pay rent, so I can't complain. I may even head out to buy some new Marvel Legends figures this afternoon.
And then... nothing for a good long time. Between my birthday, Christmas, and my own pocket change I think I've been more than spoiled enough this month. Shockingly so, I think. This kind of makes up for the past four months where I had to scrimp, save, and count pennies before buying a donut. Crazy.
I really should be working.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
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9:19 p.m.
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The Myth: A penny is made of copper.
The Fact: Pennies minted after 1982 are 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper.
The Myth: Dogs sweat through their panting tongues.
The Fact: Panting may help them cool off, but they sweat through their feet.
The Myth: Your nails continue to grow after you die.
The Fact: They don’t. Your tissue recedes from your nails, making them appear longer.
MORE DINOSAUR BONES HAVE BEEN FOUND IN CANADA THAN IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY ON EARTH.
I just have to say that useless trivia is quite entertaining when you get right now to it but it is a pleasant diversion. That, and neither Jer nor Aaron post this sort of thing. They seem to be on the same page much of the time, so just going to one blog usually catches me up on the kinds of rants they're experiencing at home.
Just kidding. I might go over to see Aaron shortly. Apparently he's recovering from last night and awaiting Jer's return from a Christmas party.
I smell fun!
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
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2:07 p.m.
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Here are some real (no kidding) albums:
• Music to Light Your Pilot By, from the Heil-Quaker Corporation (a heater and air-conditioner manufacturer)
• Where Are the Dead?
• The Addicts Sing
• Music to Be Murdered By (from Alfred Hitchcock)
• Songs for Gay Dogs
• Christmas with Colonel Sanders
It's times like this that it occurs to me that I was lied to by the admissions packages that Humber College sent out on a regular basis. They didn't straight out lie by claiming that each and every one of us would be safe and secure with a job before we even graduated, but it was strongly implied.
I can't deny that many people did "job out" and more have since found their jobs. It doesn't keep me from becoming increasingly frustrated that with my skill, experience and desire to get going that it doesn't seem to amount to much of anything at the moment.
That said, at least I have three jobs to keep me afloat. It ticks me off to do it, but I could be in much worse straights given that I know several people with nothing at all. Right now I have contract work with my friend Julian in his office until the 23rd. That means lots of money that I need. More importantly, it means I can pay rent.
And that's a good thing. I'm sure Catherine would agree.
But she's just happy with Mario Party 6 right now. We picked it up last night and have been having a blast. Too bad I have to split it between Metroid Prime 2 right now, which I still haven't finished.
Not enough hours in the day.
So things are okay. Not brilliant, but okay. At least Christmas is going to go smoothly and really, what more do you need at this time of year?
Maybe a trip to Spain or something.
Friday, December 03, 2004
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4:29 p.m.
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My brother, Graydon, is celebrating his 37th (in a row?) birthday today. He's got three kids, a live-in girlfriend and a mortgage. I'd snicker but I'm sure my time is just around the corner. Then again, he does have a 16-year-old daughter and that DOES make me laugh.
In other related news, I was just rejected for job #6 or #7. I'm consistent at least.
All that stuff I wrote about last week about being happy no matter what gets just a little bit tougher on days like today, and it doesn't help that we have an unwanted guest in our apartment.
Last night for more than 2 hours, a psychotic evil mouse was heard chewing and scampering around the apartment. You wouldn't think it'd make much noise much less arouse any suspicion, but damn if it didn't keep Catherine and I awake all night. Then I got a call at 6:53am asking me to come in to teach. I've been a zombie all day.
I'll still go to karate tonight (though I won't enjoy it being so tired) and then hopefully Catherine and I will find something interesting to do. Season 5 of Angel just started on Space last night and we haven't seen it, so we eagerly await the next days' taped episode. I'd watch it when it came on, but Space, in their infinite wisdom, has decided to air the show at 1am every night.
Oh yeah, and I've bought 1 out of about 6 or 7 presents for people last night. Catherine's parents and her brother's present are out of the way. I have no clue what to get Catherine, an inkling for my mom, and clear ideas for my brother and a young man named Chris Vettoretto.
My brain is oozing out my ear.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
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10:20 a.m.
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I seem to go through a lot of those when trying to blog some days. It's been a week since the last time I posted, which means I had to have gotten rejected for at least one more job, but as it was my birthday last week that also means I had a lot of cake.
The universe has a quirky way of evening things out.
Catherine and I spent most of the weekend at my mom's house where we prepped her basement (our old apartment) for Christmas. It looks pretty good if I say so myself. Not wanting to stop there, when we got home Catherine and put up our tree and a nice bit of lights in the window. So far as I can tell, we're one of three people in the visible neighbourhood with lights up already.
Some might say that it's too early for Christmas decorations but the malls have us beat by nearly a month. I just didn't see the wisdom in putting up a tree a week or two before Christmas only to pull it down soon after. Besides, seeing it up gives me nice feelings and I'd like to keep those as long as possible.
Other than that, I've been called in to teach at my uncle's school two more times. I was really paranoid about this at first because my previous experience teaching there had been horrible, including an hour and a half drive from Guelph. Taking the TTC for 50 minutes is much less stressful, and coincidentally the same amount of time it takes for me to get to Humber.
I'm doing what I can to have money for the upcoming holidays as well as to make sure I can make my monthly loan payments. They aren't astronomical at $150 a month, but when you already need a ton of money for other things it can put a bit of a pinch on things financially.
Who knows if I'll get a job in December... I'm betting on not as a lot of places won't be hiring/firing until the new year. That sucks for me in terms of getting my career started, but luckily I have a lot of friends that require my services in exchange for pieces of paper called money so I can't really complain.
Well, I can, but that doesn't help anything.
Other than the above, I've been trying to squeeze in as much time as possible for Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, which Catherine bought me for my birthday. It's every bit as good as the first and perhaps a little bit better. It's going to be a good few months for me as a Nintendo fan... the new Mario Party is coming out, as is Resident Evil 4 and the new Mortal Kombat.
But first things first.... Christmas.
Cue tense music.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
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4:50 p.m.
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It's here... it's brilliant... and just in time for my best birthday ever.
Today is my birthday. I say this not to ask for congrats, pats on the back, or anything else like that, but to share a revelation brought about in part from the release of U2's brilliant new album, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, in part from a quote from C.S. Lewis (see above) and from the simple good will and grace of my friends and loved ones...
Sometimes you can't make it on your own...
For too long I've been working under the delusion that life is all about me. What I don't have in terms of a job or wealth, my frustration with sitting at home, and all the other excess that we each too frequently buy in to. The truth here is that without the love and support of my friends and family I would have nothing. I would be the nothing I feared I was just because I didn't have a job.
That's just ridiculous.
My birthday has been the best that I can ever remember and I haven't even gotten to the sweetest part... my dinner and time with the best girlfriend and most beautiful girl in the world, Catherine.
It began Saturday with a day with my Dad. A movie, National Treasure (not too shabby at all), then dinner and a long walk back home up Yonge and across Bloor. Why was it great? We just talked and talked. For all the world he was my best friend. It was great.
Today I got to spend the afternoon with my mom. One of the few advantages to not having a job is that you're pretty much always free. We had a great lunch and then to my total shock we wound up buying a few things that I needed and one I didn't (another movie... but can you really have too much?) Before I met up with her, I made a copy (shhh) of the U2 album for her to listen to. It's just that good. Everyone should have a copy. Just ask and I'll make you one.
My mom and I just walked and talked. It felt great. This week I got to spend really good quality time with two of the most important people in my life. I couldn't ask for more.
Tonight I spend with my family: Catherine and Truffle. The little one will get her free play time (half an hour outside the cage to run around), Catherine and I will enjoy a nice romantic dinner and most importantly I'll get presents. Actually, that's not important at all, I just like it. ;)
I'm not religious, but the only word I can think of that matches my situation is blessed. I have a wonderful home, a loving girlfriend, great parents, a great kid (Truffle) and with friends like Jeromy, Aaron, Chris, Brody, Jamie, Josh, Paul, Pushee, Patti, my brother Graydon, Catherine's great family, and my parents.
Man, I don't think anyone else has it as good as I do.
Oh, and buy the new U2 album. I got up first thing and rushed out to get it. It's worth it. $10.99 at Music World. Or I'll make you a copy. ;)
I'm 27 now. Crazy.
Saturday, November 20, 2004
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11:26 a.m.
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Neither could I, really. What follows is absolutely true, though why anyone would believe it is beyond me. Well, okay, maybe it isn't beyond the realm of believability, but it is pretty damn funny.
Here is an email I sent to an old editor friend of mine at the Toronto Sun. It was in relation to a job opening they had for their layout division:
Hey XXXX,
Hope things are going well with you. I'm still doing the job search thing, which I must admit, is steadily growing on my nerves.
At any rate, I'm going to apply for a job at the Sun doing layout (it's been posted online) and I was just wondering if you had any tips or suggestions that I could use should I get called for an interview?
Anything at all would be great!
The reply is surreal to say the least. This comes to me three days later:
Are you ready? It's pretty odd...
Here it is (unedited):
Hi Tim,
No, sorry, no suggestions ... and I've thought about it, I really have. Unfortunately, it's not my area of expertise. Wait... here's something. The current graphic artists do maps, charts and lay out pages. They also do a little copy editing, although sometimes they are discouraged from doing that. Hope that helps.
XXXX
Catherine still finds this funny...
Thursday, November 18, 2004
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3:15 p.m.
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Put on your thinking cap
Meaning: Carefully and thoughtfully consider something
Origin: In previous centuries, it was customary for judges to put a cap on before sentencing criminals. Because judges were respected thinkers, it was referred to as a “thinking cap.”
Want some more useless trivia? Every 3 months you replace your eyelashes. You'll have 600 sets of them in your lifetime.
You probably thought this post was going to be interesting and relevant. Hopefully the above trivia is interesting and you find a relevant way to use it in your life.
Not much else is going on, really. I tried to bite my tongue off last week in karate. I got hit in the jaw with an uppercut (headgear on, of course) as I was trying to speak and now it looks like a piece of hamburger. There are teeth marks all around the outside and a bit of a scab on one side.
Yum, don't you think?
It took a few days for it to get back to normal. Catherine had gone home for the weekend so I was pretty much here feeling useless. Jer, Aaron and I went to see Garden State on Friday night and it was a pretty decent flick. The rest of the weekend Pushee was supposed to show up but didn't. So I cleaned.
Other than that, I started doing supply teaching for my Uncle in Scarborough again. This is a terrible job. Well, not so much terrible as it is a long commute to do things with disabled, dysfunctional and disorderly kids. It's a taxing job. I don't know how he manages it. So far I've only been called in on one day, Monday, but that was more than enough for me.
The rest of the week it's been doing eBay listings for the Wicked Witch of the Consignment Stores. God, I hate that job. That seems to be a theme these days. But it's money in my pocket which slowly but surely is getting larger and larger. I'm by no means self-sufficient yet nor satisfied with my current condition, but I'm working on it. Catherine thinks I still need to lighten up. Maybe I do.
Other than that, been watching Angel, Lost, and doing my best to keep my head down. Next Tuesday is my birthday and I plan to... oh, wait, I never make birthday plans. Somehow I always forget. I got a card in the mail today that reminded me it was coming up.
I'll be 27. God, that's old. Too old.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
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4:09 p.m.
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Ever since Sept 7, the release date of season 4 of Angel, I've been pestering those poor souls to give up the ghost and get it in so I could rent it.
Seriously.
At least one or two calls a week, and I'd stop in at least once a week and ask about the inevitable arrival of this show. After all, they had every other season of both Angel, Buffy and the brilliant Firefly so I don't think I was that off base in expecting the next season.
See, I'd never seen the show (any of them) before this summer when I went on a huge rampage and rented them all. I became hopelessly addicted over the course of the 200 shows or so and was left with a cliffhanger at the end of season 3... Angel being dumped in a metal tank into the ocean.
And then those jerks dragged their butts for TWO MONTHS before they got it in.
If I had the money, I would have just bought the damn thing. Alas, I do not.
But, today was a good day for TV and for Brian because they finally had it in (along with season 7 of Buffy which I broke down and watched off of Space before I'd even seen all of season 6). So I have it now.
Of course, Catherine is making me promise not to watch it this weekend as she'll be going home to visit family.
Curses!
Ah... but wait... my newly purchased piece of technology may have arrived just in time to prevent a disaster...
Monday, November 08, 2004
at
2:28 p.m.
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The Incredibles... the best superhero movie ever made. And THAT is from a self-confessed Marvel zombie. Go see it!
Sunday, November 07, 2004
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8:00 p.m.
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I've finally done it after much talking, debating and patient waiting. The new burner is installed and running like a top which means that I was finally able to clear out the gutters of my computer and bring it into the new milennium.
That's kind of ironic given that I was running Milennium Edition before, which is nothing more than a slightly souped-up version of Windows 98.
Paul came over this weekend and generously donated his time (I say Thankya) and now the comp has a shiny new face in the form of Windows XP!
Right now I'm in the middle of ruining all that hard work by installing a bunch of crap programs that, unfortunately, I've come to know and love over the years. It's all coming together... it's all happening...
But even geeks need breaks. Today, Catherine and I headed out for a great afternoon at the zoo. We checked out our old favorites, had a hamburger or two, and even picked up a zoo Christmas ornament. Not bad for a day out, dontcha think?
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
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1:31 p.m.
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This one is for Occupational Health & Saftey magazine, or more specifically, a weekly newsletter that the same organization produces. There would also be the need for me to write one feature-length article of around 2500 words every six weeks, otherwise I need to be in charge of about six pages a week. It's not a ton of work, just stuff that requires constant attention. All in all it doesn't sound like a bad job, it's just not going to be laugh a minute. Well, so far that I can see. Still, maybe this will turn out to be a bit of a fun experience. I've learned never to rule anything out. If they want me, they'll likely get me and the best work that I can do as well.
The day: well, I left really early to make sure that I was there on time. I did too good of a job as I was half an hour early. So I sat in the lobby and read. It was nice, but the sun focused through the windows seems to have burned almost half my face.
The interview was done with two women, the editors of both a weekly newsletter and the magazine which is published eight times a year. It seems my job would be a contract position, lasting december to december, where I would be in charge of the weekly six-page newsletter including layout. I'd also have an editorial assistant for a couple of days a week.
That's just bizarre if you ask me.
The rate of pay, benefits, etc didn't enter the conversation and part of me is wishing that I had asked. But seeing as how I wasn't offered the job on the spot, I figured that might be a bit much. I almost never ask even though it's the question on top of the pile in my brain.
The interview went well. Discussed strengths, kinds of stories, approaches, office environment, etc. Things seemed to be fairly relaxed and easy going. The office is a bit stuffier than others I've been to, giving it an air almost of a banking office or something along those lines. Most magazines are a bit more cluttered and relaxed. It's funny, given that magazines have specific looks and polishes so people assume the places they're made would be the same.
So, I think it went well. The commute is roughly 40-50 minutes depending on traffic (passing a PetSmart along the way), the building is 9 stories in a semi-residential area. On the whole, it doesn't seem too bad. Keep in mind that I really don't want this job (I want the others I interviewed for) but a job is a job.
I'm not sure about this year-long contract though as I'm still considering applying for teacher's college, which would start in September. A year is a bit long to be tied to a place. I much prefer the old method of come and go as you please.
I figure I have a week or two to go before I find out from any of these places, so in the meantime it's back to normal life and the job search. Which I hate.
I hate a lot of things, though.
But not my birthday! That's coming up soon and Catherine has asked me for a list of things... the only problem is keeping it narrowed down. And reasonable. I don't know if she can do a 'world trip' at this point, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
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3:34 p.m.
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The interview went fine. It lasted about 35 to 40 minutes and pretty much talked about the same kinds of things that I did at my last interview. There were two people, one younger woman that was talking to me and seemed interested, then an older guy who I think was the EIC or Publisher who talked very little but mostly just wrote on a pad of paper. It was quite distracting.
All in all, it sounds like a brilliant job to be honest. Lots of creative freedom, the kinds of subjects that I'm interested in and plenty of wiggle room to make it mine. All I need to do is employ some kind of mind control technique to get them to pick me. Money works the best, I've found.
Oh well. Hopefully I'll be offered the job. They said it could be as long as two weeks before they start the second round of interviews. They said this round was continuing this week and into next. There was a girl who came in as I was leaving for her interview.
Who knows how it will all work out. Hopefully the job I'm meant to have will be the one I get. I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed.
In 1845, Congress selected the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November as Election Day. Here’s why:
• Because most Americans were farmers, November was the most convenient month—the harvest was over and the weather was still mild enough to allow travel over dirt roads.
• Tuesday was chosen over Monday so the rural voters would have time to travel to the polls. (They couldn’t leave on Sunday because of church.)
• Why the first Tuesday after the first Monday? Two reasons: November 1 is All Saints Day, a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics, and most merchants did their books from the preceding month on the 1st.
Fascinating stuff, isn't it? No? Well, the heck with all of you. I hope Kerry wins.
On an unrelated manner, I have an interview Chart magazine for their entertainment editor position at 2pm today. Unlike the previous interview that I was all kinds of nervous about, I feel almost nothing about this one. Perhaps it's because they're only offering $18,000 a year (which isn't enough to live on in Toronto). Kind of them, isn't it? Oh well, maybe it will be better than that and open a lot of other doors.
I just don't have a lot of options these days.
Monday, November 01, 2004
at
11:23 a.m.
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• Flugie: A rule that helps only the rule maker
• Bloviate: To speechify pompously
• Roorback: An invented rumor intended to smear an opponent
• Snollygoster: A politician who puts politics ahead of principle
• Boondoggle: A wasteful or crooked government-funded project
• Mugwump: A political maverick
• Bafflegab: Intentionally confusing jargon
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