arvTales

Walking home, I was very tired. It's not usual that I notice my tiredness walking, but I noticed it tonight. Then I saw a group of kids walking en masse, headed for their next treat. Brought a little smile on my face, they looked so cute.

I got to my front door and lifted the mask that, for the past 3 years now, has greeted trick-or-treaters at my door. I promptly put the mask on my head and rang the doorbell. The door opened and some crazy screaming ensued. It was freaking hilarious. *sigh* I'm laughing just thinking about it.

--->>>begin tangent
Ravens just fumbled the ball. I told JR and now I'm tellling you, they have no chance against the Steelers.
<<<---end tangent

So what happened today? My head wouldn't stop spinning. I got a new assignment from Bill. That was/is cool. We're starting a production company, we are. Heh. From his vision that's what it sounds like. I checked out the meeting room where the vids are going to be produced and analyzed the sitelines, lighting required, and measured how long the mic has to be. Not bad. Acoustics are okay. We have options in that room, and it's good if the camera doesn't have to move. Of course, we have to set first steps. F, if you're reading this, we have to set First Steps.

I was overwhelmed but I overcame. Lots of work, but hey, that ain't new. Gotta love the challenge or else you go nutzoid. I look at all the work we have to do, all the plans and balls we have in the air, and I can't help but think that we can do it. There's A LOT but the folks we have at this company, they can make it all happen.

Wow. I'm usually not so optimistic.

There is two and a half hours left. In theory, I could read a book, watch the telly, or just veg. But I am not doing any of those things. I am writing. I just finished reading a piece that professed itself to be a well-written, well-thought-out article. It wasn't.

One of my biggest pet peeves is reading something you expect to be a grade 'A' writing but turns out to be not worth the paper it was printed on. I see it all the time in the Toronto Sun, even sporadically in the Star and rarely in the Globe & Mail.

I really dislike bad writing. That's pretty much the whole point of this entry: me bitching about people who can't write.

Reading that piece--and seeing an advert for the "Raise A Reader" campaign that seems to be everywhere--got me thinking. Reading is not enough. You have to read the right things. We run into problems here because what is the "right" thing? There is so much crap out there in bookstores, libraries, and the internet, that it's sometimes hard to determine what is worth your time to read. The quality of writing worldwide has gone down a bit, I would bet. There's more content being written everyday but it turns out that most of it is just not worth reading.

It must have been easier a hundred years ago. It was hard to create books so the only things that were printed were the good stuff. Or not.

The classics are classics because they have been tested by time, by generations. They are great literature. I hope that there is still great literature being created today.

About a couple of weeks ago I took JR to Curry's at Market Village. I love Curry's. That's the only place I go for my art supplies ever since I discovered it in high school. In case you didn't know, I took five years of art and I was exposed to pretty much every kind of style and medium there is. Curry's is the only place I know where I can get all the supplies I want, whether I'm feeling like drawing a seascape using a graphite bar, or painting lillies with oil on canvas, or brushing watercolour on fine parchment to imitate the sky.

I love Curry's.

JR is getting into art seriously. I'm thinking he might even have the patience and the skill to make a great living at it. So I introduced him to Curry's. I got him a pencil set, a blending stomp, and a nice sketch book. I got a couple of drawing pens for meself 'cause I'm selfish that way. When we got home he got to sketching. He drew himself a nice 2-point perspective view of the city. Very nice and hard if you don't have patience. I've always disliked 2-point perspective but I do love the effect it creates.

I asked him to make me a logo just to see if he can. If he can make a decent logo he might make it as a great graphic design artist for a major firm. I'm thinking long-term, I know. Dude's still very young but I figure I should nourish his talent and love of art now. Maybe he can make a living out of his passion, unlike most people. Sorta like a movie with a Hollywood ending. Maybe.

Maybe he too will love Curry's.

Makes one feel kinda good, even if one doesn't believe a word of it.

Daily extended (by Astrology.com)
There's only one way for you to live your life: by doing what's right. You follow the rules, dot the i's, cross the t's and make sure each and every authority figure you encounter knows how much respect you honestly believe they deserve. So when news comes along now, about something you've been hoping for so much you were afraid to even talk about it -- well, there's really no need for you to be surprised. You've earned it. Enjoy.

Edit: Oct 28, 2005. I got voted for Commitment @ work today. Cool, no?

On the telly: Star Trek: First Contact, on Space
Jukebox: What's Luv by Fat Joe

I have settled into a groove at work. Which is great 'cause the rest of my life seems to be in flux. I feel discombobulated at the moment.

The week went by faster than I had hoped. Brought work home again this weekend, which is fine but I hardly had time to get to it. There was enough time to finish it all, however. So I'm happy.

Went to Tita Larry's birthday today. Kenneth has really grown. He's a big boy for his 4 months. As per usual he was the centre of attention. And I can't help but smile every time I see the little dude.

I watched intently as my mother handled Kenneth. Throughout the day I got the feeling that she really wants a grandchild. She would be an awesome grandmother. I know I would be a great father and that's pretty much the only reason I didn't join the priesthood. I want a family. It will always be a part of my life, but my vocation is not the Church. This I know with great certainty. How? Sort of the like Josiah Bartlett, who went off to study religion in college, hoping to join the priesthood. There he met Abby and everything changed.

It's funny where tangents take us. I started this entry thinking I was going to write about the past week. Look where it ended up.

I feel less discombobulated and more sure of my life. And right now I'm pretty sure Star Trek and Fat Joe don't mix.

Of friends, of family, of love, of strength. Of Being.

The week went by without a hitch. Today I discovered good green tea thanks to Harmony.

And more thanks to other great people.

Thank you Frances for lunch. The food was excellent and the company superb. You know the next one's on me, right? We've learned much for Johnny... We definitely have to look for a new place to try out 'cause new things rock.

A big thank you to the Divine. The Supreme Being. In one word: God. I haven't felt better, physically, than I do now. I still have a long ways to go but I feel like I am on the path.

Thanks to JR for keeping me straight and sane. Everyone one needs a touchstone but not everyone has one.

Well, I've been having me some problems with blogger lately, so I'm finding it difficult to write daily like I wanted to. Hopefully, if you're reading this, the problems have gone away never to be seen again.

Yesterday I asked JR, "What should I write about today?"

Mouth full, he points to his chest and with an inquisitive look I question, "Nipples?"

I laughed so damn hard.

In all fairness to him, I think he was just trying to get some food off his chest. Or maybe he did want me to write about his nipple.

Karen ran. She actually ran. And she finished too! Woohoo! Congratulations. 5K is how much I run everyday I run.

Didn't see her on the telly though. Tsk tsk Pulse24, tsk tsk.

It felt like I was reading someone's blog. It read like Charissa's. It was an entry about what she did for the summer. A name stood out: "Tim McDonald." It is a name not familiar to me.

JR woke me up with a loud knock knock knock on my door. That's all I remember save the good feeling I had when I awoke. It must've been a very well written blog entry.

What does it mean? Could be because I've been blogging a lot lately. Why Charissa? I have no earthly idea. Why Tim McDonald? I might be jonesing for some fries. I know I was jonesing last night for Burger King's Angus burger. Could be it. I doubt it though.

I got in on time!!! On a Friday! So basically, on the day that I really don't have much work to do, I tried my darndest to get to work in time.

Got out of the house 5, maybe 10 minutes earlier than on thursday and that made all the difference.

---begin tangent---
Destiny's Child is annoying. Listening to "Soldier" as I write this entry and I had to stop it 'cause it just wasn't conducive to thinking and writing. Man this song sucks. On the plus side, my research found that Avatar is on Sunday mornings at 03h30. Good news.
---end tangent---

How can waking up 10 minutes earlier translate to being a half hour at work earlier? You got me. The Math does not add up. Sometimes I hate The Math. But you know what I love? Figuring out how I can get in on time. I got in on time!!!

I've been seeing a lot of pregnant women lately. It started last week when in a single day I saw five very pregnant women. Everyday since then I've seen at least one a day.

Today I saw another 5.

Now it's on my mind. Am I pregnant? I don't think so but I'll have to ask my doctor just to be sure.

What's going on in my subconscious that I'm noticing all these buns in the oven everywhere I go? Do I want a kid? Eventually, sure, but not right now.

My unconcious mind is trying to tell me something by making me notice pregnant women. Mayhaps someone I know is pregnant, I just can't see it or accept it. Maybe.

Current Read: Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell.

Great book so far. Early in the book Gladwell describes how a researcher in the field of relationships and marriages can tell if a couple is going to last based on a short video of the couple talking.

I totally buy it only because recently I got a strong vibe from a couple I knew, but not too well. They were practically strangers to me. But when I saw them interact with each other, I got a funny feeling that's difficult to put into words. The closest I can translate is a sort of "I'm not getting my fingerprints on that train-wreck" type of feeling. So I didn't. Now they're broken up.

This is not the first time. Most of the time I can tell which couples are going to last and which ones aren't. It was a hobby of mine in high school. Of course, that was high school where three month relationships were considered "long-term." I honed this skill in college. Again, that was college, not really "real-life." But close enough. Lately I've been watching couples together. At restaurants, on the TTC, at church. Wherever I see them I try to gauge the relationship. I try to figure out who the dominant one is, who's more in love, if they're even in love. Problem is I don't know if I'm right.

There was a couple on the subway today. They were very touchy feely. It was young love and a recent one at that. They were boring. Couples in the subway, you can tell the ones that last (read: I think will last) by how they don't need to talk or constantly have their hands all-over each other. The ones that last are the ones that quietly hold hands or stare at one another. No words, just a sureness in their body language. "I love you and I will be with you till the day I die," their expressive eyes say.

Again, I don't know if I'm right. I just know that I get these feelings and thoughts when I observe. I trust my instincts on this one. I don't know if I'm right, I just think I am.

Oh, I almost forgot. Fiona's getting married in a year and seven months. I don't know to whom yet though. Neither does she. Congratulations!

Did the alternate route work? Not so much. Got in later, actually. I'm thinking the simplest solution is the best.

Gotta get up early tomorrow, that's all there is too it.

A new day, a new hope. I tried again today. Same time, same result. I'm starting to think that a different route is the better way.

I have a theory on why the subway is taking longer than usual. The subway scare in NYC is obviously making transportation officials of metropolises around the world very nervous and jumpy. The TTC, in particular, likes to err on the side of caution. Add to that some nervous, stupid, or possibly just regular plain crazy passenger and you've got yourself a recipe for delays and long waits standing up.

'Course, I really don't want to try the other route. Not only is there more interchanges, it also passes through Kennedy station. I dislike intensely this station. It smells like pee, gangbangers and mallrats tend to hang out there, and it is way too crowded for comfort. And it smells like asparagus pee. The RT passes through a recycling plant that smells better than the pee. Not much better, mind you.

After the NYC threat you'd think less people would be using the subway. You'd think that but you'd be wrong. Moron.

Seriously though, as an avid user of public transit, I never gave the threat much thought until now. I guess I figure if it happens it happens. Plus, I trust my observation and survival skills. I can tie three different types of knots and cook a squirrel if I have to. Well, that seriousness didn't last.

It's probably time to go to bed. With thoughts of subway cars blowing up comforting me to sleep. Wonderful.

I woke up extra early today to welcome the new week. You know what happened? Just as I was about to walk out the door, my iPod froze. That forced me to grab the power adapter so I could restart it. That made me a minute late to catch the early bus. That made me had to get on the next express bus, which was an older model bus. The bus driver of this bus was super slow, mainly because the bus itself was super slow. The bad traffic along Steeles made things worse. So what would normally be a 40-minute bus ride took over an hour.

Compound on top of that a very slow Tuesday morning for the subway. Triptonin from the turkeys must have gotten to everyone running the subway.

There was a train pile-up at Finch station. I got on the next train that was scheduled (read: shed-duled) to leave but it didn't leave till 5 minutes after I had gotten on. And it was already full when I got on which tells me that that particular train has been there for quite some time. At around Sheppard station an announcement blares through the TTC PA system. There's a medical emergency south of... Museum, I think. So the train starts to crawl.

The good news is that I got to work at 09h00. The bad news is that I was supposed to get there at 08h30. So much for planning ahead.

I feel compelled to write yet I've nothing to write about. Let's think of something.

The other day Karen told me I've got this whole "British" thing going on. Man, just 'cause I pronounce it shed-dule, and not skedule, does not make me have a "British" thing going on. Me calling it the telly and the clicker and ottoman makes me have a "British" thing. I grew up watching Australian & Japanese television. Give me a break.

And it's al-yoo-min-yum, smartass.

My email account comes with pretty nifty extras like a personal calendar, photo storage, local news and events, a shopping centre, movie reviews, and the local listings amongst many others. I logged in to see what's on the telly later at 20h00. One other nifty thing my email comes with is the daily horoscope from Astrology.com.

Now, you know how this shit scares the crap out of me. It did so again today:

Daily extended (by Astrology.com)
You've followed all the rules and done everything right, even in the eyes of the higher-ups who've been looking to find fault with you. In other words, you've been tested and found to be right on top of your game, and on top of every else's, too, by the way. So if the Powers That Be seem to be acting a bit oddly at the moment, force yourself to stop worrying. Who knows what's going on in their world? Unless you ask, of course, which wouldn't be a bad idea.

With my new role and responsibilities I am hoping that this horoscope is accurate. I'm praying for it. I think I'm on top of my game. I try. And lately I have been worrying about what the PTBs have been thinking.

I should ask Bill. Remind me to ask Bill.

Most all the drafts that were waiting to be finished are now all finished. They're up in their respective days.

So I implore you, dear reader, to go back and read what you might have missed. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cry, but most importantly it'll give you insight to who I am. And isn't me the only thing that matters? You can say no, but you're still reading this blog, aren't you? I thought so. Check and mate.

He doesn't do it often but my dad sings.

He hardly ever does it outside of karaoke parties but my dad sings.

Today he was singing. He's cooking Turkey Day stuff and he just starts singing. Normally I would joke him about it, but I was just too busy to think about it at the time. I did store the memory so I can think about it now. What's funny is how he just burst out singing. It totally came out of nowhere.

He doesn't do it often but my dad sings. And I am glad. Of the "not often" part.

"be specific and write with conviction"

Above was the little note I wrote to remind myself what I wanted to talk about in this entry. That was a couple of days ago and my mind has changed.

I'm going to write about robots. With giant lasers that can cut through titanium.

Actually, I think I'll write about what I am thankful for. I am thankful for everything. That's pretty much what I wanted to avoid. Be specific, he said. Write with conviction, he said.

I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for what I have right now: a good life, a great job, fantastic friends, wonderful colleagues, and an understanding family. I am thankful for stability in an unstable world. I am thankful for the ability to enjoy the little things in life for goodness knows that not everyone in the world can do the same. I am thankful for little things like Troy. (I am thankful she didn't drop him.)

I am thankful for robots. With giant lasers that can cut through titanium. And make toast. Yeah, it has to be able to make buttered toast.

Last long weekend of the summer and what do I end up doing? Work. Yup. And I don't really mind. I'm caught up on Regforms. Not done, but caught up. I'll leave the rest for twosday.

So I was flipping through the telly and I happened to catch a glimpse of the turkeys on CTV. No, not the local newscasters but those three turkeys they show during commercial breaks advertising the network. So I saw the turkeys and the first thing that came into my mind was, "guys, none of you of are gonna survive tomorrow." Then I took the thought further. Those three turkeys are probably dead. CTV has shown that same Thanksgiving promo every Turkey Day for at least the past three years now.

begin tangent--->>>
iTunes is playing Hark The Herald Angels Sing/Gloria (In Excelsis Deo) by Mariah Carey. I think my computer is trying to tell me to get started on my Christmas shopping.
<<<---end tangent

So back to the dead turkeys. Those little guys in that promo are all probably eaten, digested, and, um, you know.

This is the problem with thinking too far ahead. I should just get back to work. Gobble Gobble.

As I write this my parents are preparing for Thanksgiving. They had just come back from grocery shopping with bags full of yummy goodness.

Meanwhile, I've been sitting in front of the computer all day working, or, at least, trying to work. I'm supposed to be catching up on work but as you can probably tell I am procrastinating. I'm good at that.

There's a file folder full of paper that's not going to read itself but it might as well 'cause I'm not touching it till tomorrow. So, in a way, it's not really procrastinating so much as it is re-scheduling tasks to help better enjoy the long weekend. I also justify things very well.

I think I'll go prepare ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner.

Need a work break. Supposed to get off at noon but we both know that ain't gonna happen.

My name is Mr. Sneezy "The Donut" Dippindunkin.

Funny the first time you say it out loud.

You know what JR told me last week? His class saw Supersize Me for a class project. Or, possibly, to kill time. He told me that watching the film--a film about how bad fast food is very, very bad for you--made him "hungry for McDonald's." Direct quotation. Then I asked him if he wanted Burger King instead.

We got whoppers.

I laughed and laughed and told him, "That's going in the blog."

Yesterday we went to Upstate New York. Once every summer we visit Our Lady of Church in (or near, Fatima don't really know) Lewiston, NY.

Spent all morning there praying, contemplating, walking the grounds. I always love walking the grounds. It's always clean, the willows are always so inviting, the water tranquil. Didn't see any ducks yesterday though. And another thing, didn't find St. Benedict's statue again. I'm beginning to believe that they don't have him. I have not given up, however. Next year is another year, and I'm not gonna ask 'cause I am so finding him myself! (The photo shows the Rosary at the front of the Church. This shot was taken from the roof of the church. And yes, that is my brother and sister at the sharp end of the heart, near the cross.)

Took lots of pics of the whole place, even a couple of nice panoramas. First time I was there with my camera, you understand.

---tangent--->>>
I'm a shutterbug. Hmmm... I must've taken some 500 shots since I got the SD500 a couple of weeks ago. No, that can't be right. According the Elements I have stored 582 shots, and I've deleted a lot, so I must have taken around 1000 pictures. Whoa. Cool
<<<---end tangent---

Inside the Blessed Sacrament cave (that's what it felt like) I lit a candle and said a quick prayer before signing the prayer book. Almost left my favourite pen there too. Actually forgot to get it three times, but dad mentioned something that made me remember it right before we left the parking lot... God works through other people? I used my own pen 'cause the ones that were there were all, um, black. And who knows who's touched them and chewed on them and used them to clear their ears. Not that I do that. Just the chewing part. So the lesson here is this: Don't Touch Arvin's Pens.

The afternoon was spent at Walden Galleria which was quite boring. It's a more expensive Eaton Centre only because you're paying in greenbacks. Got a steel ring at Spencer's Gifts though. I always find the best rings there. I never buy my rings anywhere else.

After that big bore we went to some outlet malls and I picked up lots of new shirts for my new position. They all make me very pretty-like, handsome, even. Plus I got cool new shades at Eddie Bauer. And a nice blue shirt that should wow the women. Hello, ladies!

But, oh, the most exciting part of the day came when I entered Geoffrey Bean. A couple of slow-ass-poke ladies took forever trying stuff on. They were there for what felt like a good half hour. I was patient only 'cause there was stuff to look at, like, um, the sales girl, and the georgeous, over-priced clothes. Pretty brunette sales girl finally asked them to get their fat butts out of the clothes they were trying on and move it along. Important people (i.e. me) were waiting. It took me a whole 5 minutes to try on 3 shirts and buy them all. Beat that, slowpokes. Sales girl said bye and thanks. Should have taken her pic. And number. Darn.

Oh, and I got me 3 new books too, Shakespeare quotations, Hamlet, and Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. I'm reading them right now and, I swear, I remember reading Treasure Island when I was 10, but what I'm reading now doesn't sound like the book I had read. Weird.

I’m thinking. So I got to thinking about her.

Heading out of the theatre at the end of Serenity, I grabbed a Teen Tribute; Teen because I was in too much of a rush to look for the regular Tribute. Besides, all I’m interested in is the horoscope, and they’re all the same anyway, no matter what newspaper or magazine you pick up.

I don’t put much stock on astrology because I choose to believe that we have a modicum of control over our lives. But they do, on occasion, scare the crap out of me.

You’re unusually energetic and bold right now. That’s because for the first time in your life, fiery Mars is going to be in your sign for six months! Yo Mama! That’s why you’re so flirtatious lately. You feel like hotstuff and you’re not afraid to show it. In fact, you have a serious crush on someone. This is excellent timing. You couldn’t pick a better time to dazzle the person of your dreams. (Issue 3, volume 8, Fall 2005, Teen Tribute)

Totally true. I’ve changed my wardrobe considerably. I’ve felt different, more out there. More alive.

And the crush. That’s true too.

Now here’s the thing: It Ain’t Gonna Happen.

Why?
Because I say so. Because she’s not the same religion as me.

Why, dufus?
Because I want to focus on my career and family. With the changes at work, I don’t think I can give enough time and attention to anyone or anything else, much less a serious relationship.

Why do you lie to me?
Because I want to make myself feel better and I can’t really express the real reason why it’s a Bad Idea To Ask Her Out ‘cause I’m not totally 100% sure about it myself. In short, I need more time to think.

I’ve got time. I’m listening.
Okay, stop getting pushy. I’ll try to work the thought process faster.

Brad once told me “They’re not the ones marrying her.” He wasn’t the first to tell me that love, “Love,” is not about what your parents or her parents want, or what religion or creed the other person is. It doesn’t matter what nationality they are, or whether they’re left-handed or not. All those things that you think are hurdles will fall off if she’s the right person. People in love tend to make things work. He wasn’t the first to tell me that but he did put it in a way that shook, shocked and surprised me. And I agree wholeheartedly with tha t bit of wisdom.

Huh, imagine that. Bradley as Yoda.

So what are you waiting for? St. Swithin’s day?
What day is that? We get along fine but I haven’t felt The Spark. I want that spark. I’ve felt it before and it was great. I want it for my next relationship. I swore to myself… I swear to myself and the world that the moment I feel The Spark I will act.

It hasn’t happened with her yet. I stare into her round, brown eyes, listen to her high, loud, penetrating voice. Nothing. I enjoy her company. Most times, we’re surrounded by friends; but those couple of times it’s been just the two of us, there has been nothing. I really do have to ask her out on a real date.

So do it already.
Shut up. I’m thinking.

A very Whedon movie.

Surprise, laughter, insight, politics, joy, sadness, death.

I loved it.

With a cast of 9 regulars from the television show, it was to be expected that the movie could not focus on all of them, so some characters were there mainly as comic relief, or stand-ins. But the story did not suffer much from it. In fact, it helped the story much. Without revealing too much of the plot, each character had their moment to shine.

Fight sequences were well done, even if a little unnatural at times. You could tell there was string work being done. Summer Glau's background certainly helped in her fight sequences. It was like she was a ballerina again, gracefully kicking bad guy ass. Guns were, well, there was too much gun violence. They're thieves, so it's understandable.

CG effects were astounding. However, they did put sound in space, something they never, ever did on the TV show. It made sense though. The only time I noticed it was during the one big CG scene. If they were going to break their rules about sound in space that was the best place to do it.

But oh, the writing. Complemented by the acting, framing, cinematography, and directing. Whedon knows where to put the camera, when to have it in place and when to have it moving. His actors know their characters so well even though they only embodied them for an a TV season. They were well cast. Whedon frames the scene so well that he can induce emotion just be showing who's on screen against what background. Especially true in the final scenes, where you see the crew on a moon or planet, paying respects to fallen comrades.

And yes, the writing. Wit galore. Chuck full of one-liners, my current favourite being Kaylee's smooth, so-quick-you'll-miss-it-if-your-ears-blink delivery of "Been more'n a year since I had anything twixt my nethers didn't run on batteries!" I laughed so ruttin' hard I ain't laughed like that for quite a spell. Of course it was written and delivered the way it was 'cause it is a 14A movie, and he wanted to get it past the lil ones who ain't too quick on the uptake.

Sex with robots. Nice homage to Buffy.

Mal's, "Get back to work" reminded me a bit of Angel's "Let's get to work." 'Course, I don't think 'twas much intentional on Mr. Whedon's part.

The one-liners are good but the interaction between the characters are even better:
Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: While I'm gone, Zoe is in command. Now, if I'm not back in an hour, I want you to take this ship, take off... and you come and you rescue me!
Zoë Warren: What? And risk my new ship?

It's a great movie. I'll have to see it again some time so I can write about it some more. You too. Watch it.

A final quotation from the flick 'fore I go: "I swallowed a bug!"