I sang the first line of "Theme From Mahogany" as the train pulled out.
Jun 27, 2009
Do You Know Where You're Going To?
A few moments before I took this photo, this subway was taken out of service and we were kicked out. This man couldn't get off in time; he was sleeping beforehand.
I sang the first line of "Theme From Mahogany" as the train pulled out.
I sang the first line of "Theme From Mahogany" as the train pulled out.
Mid-Year Movie Roundup
So far this year, I've seen the following movies (in chronological order):
Gran Torino
Coraline (3D)
Polytechnique
Monsters vs. Aliens (IMAX 3D)
State Of Play
Earth (twice)
Star Trek (twice)
Up (once each in 2D and 3D; I prefer the 2D version)
Food, Inc.
I must say that I haven't seen any outright stinkers yet; at the very least, I've gained a fun experience from every movie. The more memorable movies from this list, however, have offered more than just pure entertainment - they've also given me topics to think about long after the final credits have rolled.
I plan to see My Sister's Keeper later this morning, even though it looks like a tearjerking chick flick (albeit, one based on a book with an interesting premise). The last time I cried at the movies was while watching Seven Pounds, and given my tendency not to cry at emotional entertainment, I vowed that I wouldn't tear up. Boy, did I ever eat crow on that one.
In the near future, I definitely want to see Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen in IMAX, despite the bad reviews it's earned. Julie and Julia also looks interesting, if only to see an acting legend (Meryl Streep) and a breakout star (Amy Adams).
Gran Torino
Coraline (3D)
Polytechnique
Monsters vs. Aliens (IMAX 3D)
State Of Play
Earth (twice)
Star Trek (twice)
Up (once each in 2D and 3D; I prefer the 2D version)
Food, Inc.
I must say that I haven't seen any outright stinkers yet; at the very least, I've gained a fun experience from every movie. The more memorable movies from this list, however, have offered more than just pure entertainment - they've also given me topics to think about long after the final credits have rolled.
I plan to see My Sister's Keeper later this morning, even though it looks like a tearjerking chick flick (albeit, one based on a book with an interesting premise). The last time I cried at the movies was while watching Seven Pounds, and given my tendency not to cry at emotional entertainment, I vowed that I wouldn't tear up. Boy, did I ever eat crow on that one.
In the near future, I definitely want to see Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen in IMAX, despite the bad reviews it's earned. Julie and Julia also looks interesting, if only to see an acting legend (Meryl Streep) and a breakout star (Amy Adams).
Jun 25, 2009
"Weird Al" Yankovic - "Fat"
While riding the subway home, I found out that Michael Jackson died of cardiac arrest earlier today. A group of strangers told me the news, but I honestly thought I was being punk'd. However, I got the feeling that they were legit even before one of the ladies showed me the news on her Blackberry (at least, I think it was a Blackberry).
No doubt, every blogger on Earth will be posting MJ videos in tribute. You know I don't tend to follow the crowd, so here's my tribute.
No doubt, every blogger on Earth will be posting MJ videos in tribute. You know I don't tend to follow the crowd, so here's my tribute.
Jun 17, 2009
Suddenly Wanting To Reconnect
I ran into a high school acquaintance a few Saturdays ago at a Luminato event. We had a very good conversation, after which I asked if she was on Facebook. After getting an affirmative answer, we exchanged Facebook names; I added her as a friend that evening.
I think the events of that day have served as a catalyst for the recent friend requests I've made on Facebook. When I first signed up, I knew of many people from grade school who were also there, but I didn't rush to add them as friends. The truth is that I was scared of their possible rejections due to past indiscretions with my temper, which I touched on in this post. However, in the past few days, I've made five friend requests to people whom I at least thought treated me with respect back in my school days.
Four have been accepted so far. If number five rejects, it's her loss.
I think the events of that day have served as a catalyst for the recent friend requests I've made on Facebook. When I first signed up, I knew of many people from grade school who were also there, but I didn't rush to add them as friends. The truth is that I was scared of their possible rejections due to past indiscretions with my temper, which I touched on in this post. However, in the past few days, I've made five friend requests to people whom I at least thought treated me with respect back in my school days.
Four have been accepted so far. If number five rejects, it's her loss.
Jun 16, 2009
CD Collection Update #3
I picked up this album just like I said I would. I'm listening to it as I type and I like what I hear.
Artist: Jonas Brothers
Title: Lines, Vines And Trying Times
Genre(s): pop
Download my updated CD collection.
Artist: Jonas Brothers
Title: Lines, Vines And Trying Times
Genre(s): pop
Download my updated CD collection.
Jun 13, 2009
Luminato 2009: Cirque du Soleil (Day 2)
The world-renowned Cirque du Soleil troupe gave free performances today at Toronto's waterfront.
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| Luminato 2009: Cirque du Soleil (Day 2) |
Jun 12, 2009
Rockin' The Sure Shot
My current camera is a Fujifilm FinePix A510; I've had it for almost three years. My reason for purchase was to take photographs of my 2006 summer vacation in Montreal; I probably thought that I would just use it for subsequent vacations after that one.
As you've probably figured out, I've used it for much more than that purpose - so much so that I've been seriously considering an upgrade to a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera. In recent days, I've been researching cameras from companies like Nikon, Canon and Sony. Also, while I was taking photos this afternoon, I checked the brands of the cameras (particularly the DSLRs) which people brought with them, and Nikon and Canon definitely stood out. Interesting fact: while on my way home from church tonight, I looked at a temporary carnival at Jane-Finch Mall and guessed the shutter speed and aperture I'd need in order to take good shots. I've never needed to consider those parameters with my current camera, but once I step up to the DSLR leagues, their considerations would be my bread and shutter.
So far, I've spoken with a few people (about three) about which brand I should go with; they've all said that Nikon is my best bet. Furthermore, one of the trainers at my gym recommended that I go with the Nikon D60 as an entry-level DSLR. In truth, even before I asked him, I short-listed this camera as one of my choices (along with the Canon EOS 450D).
Until I save enough money for this purchase, my Fuji will continue to be my main camera. Furthermore, even if I save enough money, I'll still need to find full-time work before the end of July - otherwise, my savings will go toward my living expenses.
As you've probably figured out, I've used it for much more than that purpose - so much so that I've been seriously considering an upgrade to a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera. In recent days, I've been researching cameras from companies like Nikon, Canon and Sony. Also, while I was taking photos this afternoon, I checked the brands of the cameras (particularly the DSLRs) which people brought with them, and Nikon and Canon definitely stood out. Interesting fact: while on my way home from church tonight, I looked at a temporary carnival at Jane-Finch Mall and guessed the shutter speed and aperture I'd need in order to take good shots. I've never needed to consider those parameters with my current camera, but once I step up to the DSLR leagues, their considerations would be my bread and shutter.
So far, I've spoken with a few people (about three) about which brand I should go with; they've all said that Nikon is my best bet. Furthermore, one of the trainers at my gym recommended that I go with the Nikon D60 as an entry-level DSLR. In truth, even before I asked him, I short-listed this camera as one of my choices (along with the Canon EOS 450D).
Until I save enough money for this purchase, my Fuji will continue to be my main camera. Furthermore, even if I save enough money, I'll still need to find full-time work before the end of July - otherwise, my savings will go toward my living expenses.
Luminato 2009: RedBall Project (Day 5)
Once again, I took photos of a giant red ball in downtown Toronto. This instance proved to be a bit more interesting than the first one.
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| Luminato 2009: RedBall Project (Day 5) |
Jun 9, 2009
Jun 8, 2009
My Photos At The Luminato Website
As I said in my previous post, I submitted a few photos (thirteen in all) to Luminato for possible inclusion on their website. I'm happy to report that they've all made it.
Go to this page in order to see the photos I submitted. At press time, photos #2-13 and #23 are mine, but in any event, mine are labelled "Luminato photos: Light On Your Feet (Salsa Night)" (mouse over the photo to see the label).
Go to this page in order to see the photos I submitted. At press time, photos #2-13 and #23 are mine, but in any event, mine are labelled "Luminato photos: Light On Your Feet (Salsa Night)" (mouse over the photo to see the label).
Jun 7, 2009
Luminato 2009: Light On Your Feet (Salsa Night)
I didn't expect to take 100-something photos at yesterday's Luminato event, but I did.
Expect a few more Luminato photo albums, including another Light On Your Feet event showcasing big band and swing music. I've emailed a few photos from this album to Luminato for possible inclusion on their website.
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| Luminato 2009: Light On Your Feet (Salsa Night) |
Expect a few more Luminato photo albums, including another Light On Your Feet event showcasing big band and swing music. I've emailed a few photos from this album to Luminato for possible inclusion on their website.
Jun 3, 2009
CD Collection Update #2
I didn't pick up the new Franz Ferdinand remix album. I did, however, pick up the following...
Artist: Grizzly Bear
Title: Veckatimest
Genre(s): folk, indie rock
Download my updated CD collection.
Artist: Grizzly Bear
Title: Veckatimest
Genre(s): folk, indie rock
Download my updated CD collection.
Jun 1, 2009
One Flu Over The Cuckoo's Nest
I've been cooped up at home for six days, but it wasn't by choice.
I felt great last Monday (May 25); I took my normal boxing class and had a few nice chats at the gym and on my way home. I was already looking forward to seeing the new Pixar movie, Up, in 3D. I was also looking forward to bowling on Friday night with young adults from my church.
On Tuesday morning, however, everything changed. At first, I just started coughing; no big deal, right? On that same day, however, the aches, headaches, chills and fever followed. This was definitely not a cold.
Since I determined that evening that this was the flu at work, I decided to stay home and recuperate, even if it meant that my plans for the week (including the weekend) would have to be put aside. As a result, I've pretty much been resting in bed for entire days, only taking breaks to do necessary things like eat - and that was when I had a full appetite. I recall one time when I mixed my nightly protein shake and took a very small sip, but at that point, I felt like I was ready to vomit! I quickly washed my shaker and briskly walked straight to bed, only getting up again when I felt okay.
It's almost Tuesday morning as I write this post; I'm feeling much better, thank God. Note to self: get a flu shot this year!
I felt great last Monday (May 25); I took my normal boxing class and had a few nice chats at the gym and on my way home. I was already looking forward to seeing the new Pixar movie, Up, in 3D. I was also looking forward to bowling on Friday night with young adults from my church.
On Tuesday morning, however, everything changed. At first, I just started coughing; no big deal, right? On that same day, however, the aches, headaches, chills and fever followed. This was definitely not a cold.
Since I determined that evening that this was the flu at work, I decided to stay home and recuperate, even if it meant that my plans for the week (including the weekend) would have to be put aside. As a result, I've pretty much been resting in bed for entire days, only taking breaks to do necessary things like eat - and that was when I had a full appetite. I recall one time when I mixed my nightly protein shake and took a very small sip, but at that point, I felt like I was ready to vomit! I quickly washed my shaker and briskly walked straight to bed, only getting up again when I felt okay.
It's almost Tuesday morning as I write this post; I'm feeling much better, thank God. Note to self: get a flu shot this year!
Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks"
I've already made room in my spending plan for new albums by Franz Ferdinand (Blood) and the Jonas Brothers (Lines, Vines And Trying Times). I might have to squeeze in Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest if this song has anything to do with it.
They've been getting excellent buzz for that album, but I've largely ignored it...until now.
They've been getting excellent buzz for that album, but I've largely ignored it...until now.
Good To The Last Drop
I've been sick with the flu for one week so I haven't been updating this blog. I'll explain in more detail later, but in the meantime, enjoy this photo which I captured this morning.
May 24, 2009
Doors Open 2009
I took 259 photos yesterday at Doors Open 2009; here they are.
Of all the years I've been attending Doors Open, this one was definitely the best. This was the most fun I've had taking photographs in a while.
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| Doors Open 2009 |
Of all the years I've been attending Doors Open, this one was definitely the best. This was the most fun I've had taking photographs in a while.
May 21, 2009
One Down, Three To Go
I did something totally unexpected this morning: I paid off one of my student loans.
Even though I'm not working right now, my former employer is helping me in my job search with its own brand of employment insurance. Unfortunately, I cannot access my pay stub online anymore, so I can't know what my net pay will be in advance. As a result, I had to wait until this morning in order to find this out.
When I plugged the numbers into my budget spreadsheet (which is really more like a spending plan), I discovered that I had enough money left over in order to pay off the balance of one of my student loans. Ergo, I did just that.
Yes, I'm pondering the biggest decision of my life right now - but even with that, I have cause to celebrate today. Pop the bubbly and get me a chocolate chip cookie dough Blizzard while you're at it...
Even though I'm not working right now, my former employer is helping me in my job search with its own brand of employment insurance. Unfortunately, I cannot access my pay stub online anymore, so I can't know what my net pay will be in advance. As a result, I had to wait until this morning in order to find this out.
When I plugged the numbers into my budget spreadsheet (which is really more like a spending plan), I discovered that I had enough money left over in order to pay off the balance of one of my student loans. Ergo, I did just that.
Yes, I'm pondering the biggest decision of my life right now - but even with that, I have cause to celebrate today. Pop the bubbly and get me a chocolate chip cookie dough Blizzard while you're at it...
May 20, 2009
Eric B. & Rakim - "Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em"
I used to borrow CDs from the library when I was younger; one of them was Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em by Eric B. & Rakim. I didn't realize the significance of what I had back then, but I'd come to realize that Rakim was - and still is - one of the most respected hip-hop lyricists of all time. Listen to the title track from the aforementioned album and see how Rakim's deft wordplay makes people like Soulja Boy Tell 'Em sound like cheap impostors.
Mind you, this is coming from someone who likes "Kiss Me Thru The Phone."
Mind you, this is coming from someone who likes "Kiss Me Thru The Phone."
Do I Know Where I'm Going To?
As I continue to recover from my recent outsourcing, I'm faced with possibly the biggest decision of my life so far: continue to look for a job or go back to school.
So far, it looks as if I should go with the former option. If I go with the latter choice, I'd still need to look for a part-time job to sustain myself while I hit the books. I'm the primary breadwinner in my household and I have no one to fall back on if my income dries up. Besides, Lord only knows that this job could be an even bigger insult to my intelligence than my former job ever was, and there is no way that I'm going to willingly put myself through that again. Having said that, some short-term pain (the part-time job) is probably warranted in light of the long-term gain (the dividends from returning to school).
At least my provincial (Ontario) government has a program to help people who are in my situation and willing to go back to school for retraining. It's fittingly called Second Career; the gist is that the government pays for tuition and other expenses if you qualify for this assistance. Mind you, there is a process which every applicant needs to go through - however, the prospect of changing careers on the government's dime sounds worthwhile, especially considering the possible long-term benefits.
Personally, the fields of study relating to the arts sound very appealing to me, especially as a person who thrives on being creative. I used to produce drum 'n bass music as Charlie Van Pelt, and I terribly miss those days...
So far, it looks as if I should go with the former option. If I go with the latter choice, I'd still need to look for a part-time job to sustain myself while I hit the books. I'm the primary breadwinner in my household and I have no one to fall back on if my income dries up. Besides, Lord only knows that this job could be an even bigger insult to my intelligence than my former job ever was, and there is no way that I'm going to willingly put myself through that again. Having said that, some short-term pain (the part-time job) is probably warranted in light of the long-term gain (the dividends from returning to school).
At least my provincial (Ontario) government has a program to help people who are in my situation and willing to go back to school for retraining. It's fittingly called Second Career; the gist is that the government pays for tuition and other expenses if you qualify for this assistance. Mind you, there is a process which every applicant needs to go through - however, the prospect of changing careers on the government's dime sounds worthwhile, especially considering the possible long-term benefits.
Personally, the fields of study relating to the arts sound very appealing to me, especially as a person who thrives on being creative. I used to produce drum 'n bass music as Charlie Van Pelt, and I terribly miss those days...
May 19, 2009
Victoria Day Fireworks 2009
These are photos I took at the 2009 edition of Toronto's Ashbridges Bay fireworks show.
Fact: I walked down Coxwell Ave. and up Woodbine Ave. to/from the show. I don't feel exhausted at all, but I'm thankful that the washroom at Bloor station was still open on my way back home!
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| Victoria Day Fireworks 2009 |
Fact: I walked down Coxwell Ave. and up Woodbine Ave. to/from the show. I don't feel exhausted at all, but I'm thankful that the washroom at Bloor station was still open on my way back home!
May 18, 2009
ETX = A-OK
I previously said that I was planning to see Star Trek in ETX at AMC's Yonge-Dundas location. I did that this morning and, for what it's worth, ETX gets more than a passing grade. I'm not saying that it gives IMAX a run for it's money, but I was suitably impressed.
Star Trek's visuals were already amazing in the regular version, so I don't think there was any significant improvement in the ETX version. On this subject, though, I must say that I felt ripped off a bit. ETX boasts a "20% larger floor-to-ceiling screen," but the movie didn't even use all of it. This may have been due to the movie's dimensions, but if IMAX-formatted movies can make the necessary adaptations, surely they can be done for ETX.
One area where ETX proved itself very capable was the sound. We're dealing with "11-channel surround sound with 57,000 watts of power" (direct quote), and the wattage really made itself evident whenever the bass frequencies were involved. When it comes to sound (or music), I particularly pay attention to the lower frequencies; boy, did they get a workout here.
If my suspicions prove correct and Transformers 2 ends up screening at AMC in ETX, I may very well pony up the additional two dollars and check it out.
Star Trek's visuals were already amazing in the regular version, so I don't think there was any significant improvement in the ETX version. On this subject, though, I must say that I felt ripped off a bit. ETX boasts a "20% larger floor-to-ceiling screen," but the movie didn't even use all of it. This may have been due to the movie's dimensions, but if IMAX-formatted movies can make the necessary adaptations, surely they can be done for ETX.
One area where ETX proved itself very capable was the sound. We're dealing with "11-channel surround sound with 57,000 watts of power" (direct quote), and the wattage really made itself evident whenever the bass frequencies were involved. When it comes to sound (or music), I particularly pay attention to the lower frequencies; boy, did they get a workout here.
If my suspicions prove correct and Transformers 2 ends up screening at AMC in ETX, I may very well pony up the additional two dollars and check it out.
May 15, 2009
Plans For The Weekend #3
Thank God this is a long weekend, although thanks to my unemployment situation, the last two weeks have felt like one really "long weekend." But I digress...
Besides repeat viewings of Earth and Star Trek (both of which I highly recommend), I'll also be getting my first manicure in more than one year at The Ten Spot. I was always promising myself and Kristen Gale (the owner) that I'd return, but a few days ago, I just went for it and booked my upcoming appointment. In order to give my esthetician something to work with, I let my nails grow really long (for me, anyway).
I also plan to take in the annual fireworks display at Ashbridge's Bay Park on Victoria Day. I missed it last year due to the biggest brain cramp in the universe, but barring bad weather, I'll surely be there this year!
Besides repeat viewings of Earth and Star Trek (both of which I highly recommend), I'll also be getting my first manicure in more than one year at The Ten Spot. I was always promising myself and Kristen Gale (the owner) that I'd return, but a few days ago, I just went for it and booked my upcoming appointment. In order to give my esthetician something to work with, I let my nails grow really long (for me, anyway).
I also plan to take in the annual fireworks display at Ashbridge's Bay Park on Victoria Day. I missed it last year due to the biggest brain cramp in the universe, but barring bad weather, I'll surely be there this year!
We Just Sat There...
This afternoon, I was took the subway to pick up a rice cooker at my former place of employment. While riding, a fellow passenger accidentally spilled a few items from her bag. She started picking them up while we sat there for about five seconds.
Yes, I said we sat there for about five seconds.
In my case, I hesitated with the decision to help her, thinking that someone else sitting closer to this passenger would be more willing to help. Unfortunately, that did not happen; only after I volunteered to help did someone help pick up the spilled goods. While I expressed disgust that these other passengers looked the other way (metaphorically speaking) while another passenger obviously needed help, I might as well have said "Hello, pot. My name's kettle."
The next time this happens, my prayer is that I'd lead by example.
Yes, I said we sat there for about five seconds.
In my case, I hesitated with the decision to help her, thinking that someone else sitting closer to this passenger would be more willing to help. Unfortunately, that did not happen; only after I volunteered to help did someone help pick up the spilled goods. While I expressed disgust that these other passengers looked the other way (metaphorically speaking) while another passenger obviously needed help, I might as well have said "Hello, pot. My name's kettle."
The next time this happens, my prayer is that I'd lead by example.
May 14, 2009
Kid Cudi - "Day 'N' Nite"
This is what loneliness can drive some people to do. Not that I've ever taken it so far as to dabble in drugs, but it's a feeling that I wish on no one.
Bonus points if you can catch the very clever Prince reference.
kid cudi - day 'n' nite
by 75_prod
Bonus points if you can catch the very clever Prince reference.
kid cudi - day 'n' nite
by 75_prod
May 12, 2009
May 11, 2009
I've Found The (Mani)cure!
For the longest time, I've been promising myself that I'd return to The Ten Spot and get a manicure. Understand that it's been more than one year since the last time I did that...actually, my last manicure was on March 22nd of last year! Talk about anticipation...
Yesterday evening, after returning home from church, I finally booked my comeback appointment using their new online booking system. I missed having the opportunity to seduce the receptionist, but this new system not only allows you to pick a service and the date thereof, but also the person who will be doing the procedure. In light of that, congratulations *** - I just made your day.
Besides, I can always seduce the receptionist on the day of my appointment. Two for the price of one! ;-)
Yesterday evening, after returning home from church, I finally booked my comeback appointment using their new online booking system. I missed having the opportunity to seduce the receptionist, but this new system not only allows you to pick a service and the date thereof, but also the person who will be doing the procedure. In light of that, congratulations *** - I just made your day.
Besides, I can always seduce the receptionist on the day of my appointment. Two for the price of one! ;-)
Special Delivery
This morning was pretty mundane; I spent time with God and took my shower as I usually do. However, as I stepped out of the shower, someone knocked on my door. It turned out to be a mailman with a package for my mom, and he couldn't wait for me to moisturize and put on my undies. I told him I'd be right over...
There was no way I was going to answer the door in my birthday suit, so I wrapped a towel around myself and proceeded to the door. Upon opening it, I said, "You'd better hope this doesn't fall off."
That mailman probably didn't want to risk seeing what he shouldn't have seen, even though I was covered. He ended up dropping the mail on my floor before leaving.
Your tax dollars at work...
There was no way I was going to answer the door in my birthday suit, so I wrapped a towel around myself and proceeded to the door. Upon opening it, I said, "You'd better hope this doesn't fall off."
That mailman probably didn't want to risk seeing what he shouldn't have seen, even though I was covered. He ended up dropping the mail on my floor before leaving.
Your tax dollars at work...
Set Phasers To Stunning
I was going to see Earth for the second time, but that plan got scuttlebutted. I didn't wake up early enough to do what I needed to do before attempting to catch the 10:30 a.m. screening. That's okay, though - I ended up watching Star Trek and it turned out to be worth every penny of the six-dollar admission price. This is one movie which probably benefits from IMAX, but I honestly didn't miss it at all.
I also didn't miss the recently-implemented Enhanced Ticket Experience (ETX) which, upon a casual glance, looks like AMC's answer to IMAX. It seems as if only the Yonge-Dundas location offers this feature, which includes a "20% larger floor-to-ceiling screen, 11-channel surround sound with 57,000 watts of power, and 8.8 million pixels providing 4X the resolution of HD" (quoted from AMC's movie listings). It also offers a two-dollar surcharge because there's always a catch. I'm offhandedly inclined to think that IMAX comes out on top, but you can see what IMAX offers for yourself.
In any event, I plan to see Star Trek again, likely in ETX for comparison's sake. I hope it's solid; AMC's Yonge-Dundas location may very well be screening Transformers 2, and I was definitely looking forward to seeing that in IMAX!
I also didn't miss the recently-implemented Enhanced Ticket Experience (ETX) which, upon a casual glance, looks like AMC's answer to IMAX. It seems as if only the Yonge-Dundas location offers this feature, which includes a "20% larger floor-to-ceiling screen, 11-channel surround sound with 57,000 watts of power, and 8.8 million pixels providing 4X the resolution of HD" (quoted from AMC's movie listings). It also offers a two-dollar surcharge because there's always a catch. I'm offhandedly inclined to think that IMAX comes out on top, but you can see what IMAX offers for yourself.
In any event, I plan to see Star Trek again, likely in ETX for comparison's sake. I hope it's solid; AMC's Yonge-Dundas location may very well be screening Transformers 2, and I was definitely looking forward to seeing that in IMAX!
May 10, 2009
May 8, 2009
In Defense Of The Jonas Brothers
I like the Jonas Brothers' music...well, from A Little Bit Longer onward. That statement alone is enough to make me lose a lot of cred in some readers' eyes, but I don't care.
I'm male and almost thirty years old, so I'm way outside of their demographic. A few years ago, I wouldn't have given them the time of day, neither. Every time a song like "When You Look Me In The Eyes" came on, I'd cringe. I used to dismiss them as a band that tween girls go ga-ga for; the story should have been over at that point.
Around the release of the aforementioned third album, I checked out "Burnin' Up," the lead single. Thanks in large part to the melody and the fact that "Kiss"-era Prince influenced the song, I ended up actually liking it. However, it wasn't until I heard "Lovebug," with its genius structuring (saving the rockout until close to the end) and tap dancing in the second verse, that I started to admit that the JBs just might sneak their way into my CD collection.
As of late 2008, they did - and they'll probably do it again with the release of Lines, Vines And Trying Times in a few months. "Paranoid" is the lead single this time around; I heard it yesterday and it sounds as if the JBs may have been influenced by The Killers and Weezer. Lyrically, it could signal a shift away from the romance-centred lyrics of their third album, although it devotes a few lines to taking shots at an ex. I bet the music press will be all over them, perhaps wondering if Taylor Swift or Miley Cyrus is the intended target.
In any event, this is one album I look forward to checking out.
I'm male and almost thirty years old, so I'm way outside of their demographic. A few years ago, I wouldn't have given them the time of day, neither. Every time a song like "When You Look Me In The Eyes" came on, I'd cringe. I used to dismiss them as a band that tween girls go ga-ga for; the story should have been over at that point.
Around the release of the aforementioned third album, I checked out "Burnin' Up," the lead single. Thanks in large part to the melody and the fact that "Kiss"-era Prince influenced the song, I ended up actually liking it. However, it wasn't until I heard "Lovebug," with its genius structuring (saving the rockout until close to the end) and tap dancing in the second verse, that I started to admit that the JBs just might sneak their way into my CD collection.
As of late 2008, they did - and they'll probably do it again with the release of Lines, Vines And Trying Times in a few months. "Paranoid" is the lead single this time around; I heard it yesterday and it sounds as if the JBs may have been influenced by The Killers and Weezer. Lyrically, it could signal a shift away from the romance-centred lyrics of their third album, although it devotes a few lines to taking shots at an ex. I bet the music press will be all over them, perhaps wondering if Taylor Swift or Miley Cyrus is the intended target.
In any event, this is one album I look forward to checking out.
May 7, 2009
The Art Of Doing Nothing (Part 2)
Up to this afternoon, I was planning to go to the gym and do strength training on my back. I even packed my gym bag with deodorant and a fresh pair of underwear, although I would have needed to take a shaker cup and some protein powder, as well.
I had lunch around 2:00 p.m. after playing N for two hours straight (I'm currently trying to get past episode 37). After this, I took what should have been a short nap on my living room sofa.
The key phrase here is "should have been."
Besides getting up once to "take care of business" (i.e. take a piss), I didn't get up again until 7:00 p.m. in order to eat dinner. Now that I'm unemployed, working out on Fridays is an option and I plan to do this tomorrow...if I don't take another "short nap."
For those of you wondering where part one is, it's not here. Kristen Gale, the owner of The Ten Spot and blogger behind Dating Myself, wrote a blog entry where she explained the art:
I had lunch around 2:00 p.m. after playing N for two hours straight (I'm currently trying to get past episode 37). After this, I took what should have been a short nap on my living room sofa.
The key phrase here is "should have been."
Besides getting up once to "take care of business" (i.e. take a piss), I didn't get up again until 7:00 p.m. in order to eat dinner. Now that I'm unemployed, working out on Fridays is an option and I plan to do this tomorrow...if I don't take another "short nap."
For those of you wondering where part one is, it's not here. Kristen Gale, the owner of The Ten Spot and blogger behind Dating Myself, wrote a blog entry where she explained the art:
It’s a little motto I think I made up, that I try to live by when confronted with a situation that can go one of two ways – either escalate or descalate (I made that word up – it’s a verb and means the opposite of escalate).You could say that I descalated this situation...for five hours.
Regretting My Low Social Capital (Part 3)
This is the final post in this series. I promise.
Up to now, I've been lamenting my low social capital. The solution here should be really easy: get out more, deliberately meet more people and stop living like a hermit. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
As a matter of fact, I've come to the point where I'm so used to the disease that I'm afraid the cure will kill me.
For example, this weekend, a "surprise" birthday party is being held in honour of one of my church's pastors. I put "surprise" in quotes because he probably knows about it already, but he'll need to act surprised at the event. Anyway, being an active member of my church, you'd think that I'd sign up right away - but I didn't. Actually, I didn't sign up at all.
It's not that I have anything against the pastor himself. Au contraire, I very much respect him, especially for sometimes injecting secular songs into his sermons and not giving a crap what people think about it. It's just that I don't want to find myself in a socially embarrassing situation, where I end up sitting with people I don't know and become the odd one out while they talk amongst themselves. Worse, I could end up being forced into conversation when all I want to do is sit, eat and take in my surroundings. Given the fact that I'm on stage every week (I sing on backup and in the adult choir), this is a very real possibility. I've been through these situations enough times to know better than to risk repeated public awkwardness.
There are only two types of people who willingly jump into the same fire twice: firefighters and idiots. At least firefighters get paid for it.
So I'm going to let that "celebration" pass and do what I think is best: go to Indigo and read a few magazines...by myself, thank you very much.
Up to now, I've been lamenting my low social capital. The solution here should be really easy: get out more, deliberately meet more people and stop living like a hermit. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
As a matter of fact, I've come to the point where I'm so used to the disease that I'm afraid the cure will kill me.
For example, this weekend, a "surprise" birthday party is being held in honour of one of my church's pastors. I put "surprise" in quotes because he probably knows about it already, but he'll need to act surprised at the event. Anyway, being an active member of my church, you'd think that I'd sign up right away - but I didn't. Actually, I didn't sign up at all.
It's not that I have anything against the pastor himself. Au contraire, I very much respect him, especially for sometimes injecting secular songs into his sermons and not giving a crap what people think about it. It's just that I don't want to find myself in a socially embarrassing situation, where I end up sitting with people I don't know and become the odd one out while they talk amongst themselves. Worse, I could end up being forced into conversation when all I want to do is sit, eat and take in my surroundings. Given the fact that I'm on stage every week (I sing on backup and in the adult choir), this is a very real possibility. I've been through these situations enough times to know better than to risk repeated public awkwardness.
There are only two types of people who willingly jump into the same fire twice: firefighters and idiots. At least firefighters get paid for it.
So I'm going to let that "celebration" pass and do what I think is best: go to Indigo and read a few magazines...by myself, thank you very much.
Tsar Kasim Vs. $2.50
As J.D. Roth at Get Rich Slowly says, nobody cares about your money like you do. Case in point: I checked my VISA account this morning and saw a $2.50 bank charge for a cash advance I processed on Tuesday.
Allow me to provide some context: I used my budget spreadsheet to reconcile my VISA account on Monday. Unfortunately, I ended up duplicating one payment I already made on the previous weekend. As a result, my VISA account had a negative balance (i.e. an overpayment) in the amount of the duplicated payment. I corrected that error on Tuesday, hence the cash advance.
Yesterday morning, I checked that same VISA account and it had a zero balance. This morning, however, was a different story; there was a nice shiny service charge for $2.50 applied for the cash advance. I decided then and there that I would not pay any service charge for correcting an honest mistake. I then called the number on the back of my VISA card and calmly explained the situation to the agent on the other end of the line. While acknowledging that this service charge is applied to all cash advances regardless of the VISA account's balance, he gracisously reversed it since he knew what I was trying to do. After expressing my gratitude, I promised to be more careful in the future.
Keeping abreast of your financial situation is of utmost importance, especially in this recessionary climate we're in right now.
Allow me to provide some context: I used my budget spreadsheet to reconcile my VISA account on Monday. Unfortunately, I ended up duplicating one payment I already made on the previous weekend. As a result, my VISA account had a negative balance (i.e. an overpayment) in the amount of the duplicated payment. I corrected that error on Tuesday, hence the cash advance.
Yesterday morning, I checked that same VISA account and it had a zero balance. This morning, however, was a different story; there was a nice shiny service charge for $2.50 applied for the cash advance. I decided then and there that I would not pay any service charge for correcting an honest mistake. I then called the number on the back of my VISA card and calmly explained the situation to the agent on the other end of the line. While acknowledging that this service charge is applied to all cash advances regardless of the VISA account's balance, he gracisously reversed it since he knew what I was trying to do. After expressing my gratitude, I promised to be more careful in the future.
Keeping abreast of your financial situation is of utmost importance, especially in this recessionary climate we're in right now.
Regretting My Low Social Capital (Part 2)
I had a lot more to say in part one, but it would have been too much for one post. Picking up from where I left off...
I'm at the point in my life where I'd love to share it with a special woman, but due to my low friend count, I sometimes think that I'm getting ahead of myself - as if I'm putting the cart before the horse. A good number of dating articles say that being a loner can be a red flag when looking for a mate, although some say that this can work for good, too. Having said that, in my experience, my lack of friends always proves to be a stumbling block.
A few years ago, there was one pretty (or so I thought) young lady who recently started going to my church. Honestly, it was a crush from first sight; it took me quite a bit of time to chalk up the nerve to ask for her number. When I did, I didn't exactly play it smooth, but I ended up coming off very nervously. Perhaps she sensed this and already wrote me off before I dialed her digits and made my pitch.
That first call was very awkward, to say the least. Among the questions asked: when did I last have a girlfriend (junior high school), what was my testimony - or did I not have one (I found that last part very rude), and who did I hang out with from church? The lady was already unimpressed, but when I answered that last question, I might as well have given up then and there. Ironically, she told me that I need to "go out and meet people" - which, strangely enough, is exactly what I was trying to do here. After putting up with being told that my life is "so boring" for two calls in a row, I ripped up her number and put it where it belonged. I'd much rather be lonely and single than go through that crap.
She isn't the only person I've encountered who thought it odd that I don't hang out with friends on a regular basis. A few weeks ago, I was talking with a fellow churchgoer about a movie I recently saw; it was probably State Of Play. He asked if I "called my boys" and watched the movie, to which I replied, "What boys?" His reaction wasn't nearly as rude as that of my former crush, but I could tell he was surprised to hear that my social "circle" is really a dot.
There are other reasons that I can't even think about dating right now, like being unemployed. I think the then-prospect of it hurt my chances with a recent lady I went on one date with, although the fact that I "speak in parables" (her words) probably didn't help. Regardless, people always tell me that love strikes when you least expect it, so perhaps I should set aside one month's salary in anticipation.
Actually, I would...if I was still earning a long-term salary in the first place. ;-)
I'm at the point in my life where I'd love to share it with a special woman, but due to my low friend count, I sometimes think that I'm getting ahead of myself - as if I'm putting the cart before the horse. A good number of dating articles say that being a loner can be a red flag when looking for a mate, although some say that this can work for good, too. Having said that, in my experience, my lack of friends always proves to be a stumbling block.
A few years ago, there was one pretty (or so I thought) young lady who recently started going to my church. Honestly, it was a crush from first sight; it took me quite a bit of time to chalk up the nerve to ask for her number. When I did, I didn't exactly play it smooth, but I ended up coming off very nervously. Perhaps she sensed this and already wrote me off before I dialed her digits and made my pitch.
That first call was very awkward, to say the least. Among the questions asked: when did I last have a girlfriend (junior high school), what was my testimony - or did I not have one (I found that last part very rude), and who did I hang out with from church? The lady was already unimpressed, but when I answered that last question, I might as well have given up then and there. Ironically, she told me that I need to "go out and meet people" - which, strangely enough, is exactly what I was trying to do here. After putting up with being told that my life is "so boring" for two calls in a row, I ripped up her number and put it where it belonged. I'd much rather be lonely and single than go through that crap.
She isn't the only person I've encountered who thought it odd that I don't hang out with friends on a regular basis. A few weeks ago, I was talking with a fellow churchgoer about a movie I recently saw; it was probably State Of Play. He asked if I "called my boys" and watched the movie, to which I replied, "What boys?" His reaction wasn't nearly as rude as that of my former crush, but I could tell he was surprised to hear that my social "circle" is really a dot.
There are other reasons that I can't even think about dating right now, like being unemployed. I think the then-prospect of it hurt my chances with a recent lady I went on one date with, although the fact that I "speak in parables" (her words) probably didn't help. Regardless, people always tell me that love strikes when you least expect it, so perhaps I should set aside one month's salary in anticipation.
Actually, I would...if I was still earning a long-term salary in the first place. ;-)
Get Your Coconuts Broke
And now for something on a lighter note, courtesy of Meghan Telpner. Fast forward to 2:29 to witness the act.
No word yet on what the lime thinks about this. ;-)
That's an intentional grammatical error in the title, by the way. It's a play on one of Len's album titles: Get Your Legs Broke.
No word yet on what the lime thinks about this. ;-)
That's an intentional grammatical error in the title, by the way. It's a play on one of Len's album titles: Get Your Legs Broke.
Regretting My Low Social Capital
I spend most of my time alone (or by myself among strangers). I like to think that this is by choice and that I enjoy it, but the truth may be different.
I'm not anti-social and I don't have a social phobia, but somehow, I've become very comfortable with solitude. I'm not entirely uncomfortable with being around people, but my reaction depends on the situation. In any event, I don't have to worry as much about seeming awkward or unintentionally inciting disapproval when I am alone.
I can think of one incident a few years ago at a Lush party among strangers. I made an attempt to chat up a female journalist, which ended up being massively unsuccessful. To make things worse, she tried to chat me up a few minutes later; once again, I came off like an inept fool. Events like this are typical of my predicament; it's not that I don't want to talk to people, but since this makes me risk embarrassment, I often don't bother.
I can also think of the many times I pushed people away when I was in high school, particularly grades nine to twelve. It's not that I was a total jerk; au contraire, I treated people with respect most of the time. However, when I lost my temper, I really lost it. I did this often enough to make fellow students approach me with caution.
One particularly crushing event happened while my class was in Washington, D.C. with students from another high school. We went into a restaurant to eat dinner; I remember running up the stairs and picking a booth, thinking that at least a few people were longing to have the pleasure of sitting with me. I'd soon find out otherwise; I ended up sitting with two classmates, but only after being passed up by student after student after student. After confiding in a fellow classmate about this, I found out that I unintentionally made myself a pariah thanks to my outbursts.
Fast forward to the present. I'm almost thirty years old and my friend count is practically zero. I don't have a social network I can call on, and it really would have helped me deal with my job loss. Mind you, my workouts serve as my stress release. However, picking up the phone and calling someone to talk or do something with them is not an option right now.
That could make for a very lonely thirtieth birthday. If it's going to be anything like my twenty-seventh, I'm not looking forward to it at all.
I'm not anti-social and I don't have a social phobia, but somehow, I've become very comfortable with solitude. I'm not entirely uncomfortable with being around people, but my reaction depends on the situation. In any event, I don't have to worry as much about seeming awkward or unintentionally inciting disapproval when I am alone.
I can think of one incident a few years ago at a Lush party among strangers. I made an attempt to chat up a female journalist, which ended up being massively unsuccessful. To make things worse, she tried to chat me up a few minutes later; once again, I came off like an inept fool. Events like this are typical of my predicament; it's not that I don't want to talk to people, but since this makes me risk embarrassment, I often don't bother.
I can also think of the many times I pushed people away when I was in high school, particularly grades nine to twelve. It's not that I was a total jerk; au contraire, I treated people with respect most of the time. However, when I lost my temper, I really lost it. I did this often enough to make fellow students approach me with caution.
One particularly crushing event happened while my class was in Washington, D.C. with students from another high school. We went into a restaurant to eat dinner; I remember running up the stairs and picking a booth, thinking that at least a few people were longing to have the pleasure of sitting with me. I'd soon find out otherwise; I ended up sitting with two classmates, but only after being passed up by student after student after student. After confiding in a fellow classmate about this, I found out that I unintentionally made myself a pariah thanks to my outbursts.
Fast forward to the present. I'm almost thirty years old and my friend count is practically zero. I don't have a social network I can call on, and it really would have helped me deal with my job loss. Mind you, my workouts serve as my stress release. However, picking up the phone and calling someone to talk or do something with them is not an option right now.
That could make for a very lonely thirtieth birthday. If it's going to be anything like my twenty-seventh, I'm not looking forward to it at all.
May 6, 2009
Might As Well Not Jump
I read an article in Metro a few weeks ago saying that Virgin Radio pulled a few advertisements due to their references to subway suicide.
They missed at least one. Here's proof.
This is the bus stop at Trethewey Dr. and Todd Baylis Blvd. I noticed the ad while being driven home from choir practice last night.
I'll be emailing Metro and Virgin Radio shortly after posting this entry.
They missed at least one. Here's proof.
This is the bus stop at Trethewey Dr. and Todd Baylis Blvd. I noticed the ad while being driven home from choir practice last night.
I'll be emailing Metro and Virgin Radio shortly after posting this entry.
May 5, 2009
CD Collection Update #1
Earlier this evening, I picked up my copy of an album where I did some backup vocals. I normally post an image of the album cover, but this isn't possible at the moment.
Artist: Dennis C. Brown
Title: Are You Prepared
Genre(s): gospel
You can't miss my voice; I'm the only male backup singer. ;-)
Download my updated CD collection.
Artist: Dennis C. Brown
Title: Are You Prepared
Genre(s): gospel
You can't miss my voice; I'm the only male backup singer. ;-)
Download my updated CD collection.
Len feat. Biz Markie - "Beautiful Day"
Speaking Of N...
Like I said, I've been playing a lot of N ever since I downloaded it. Here's my current progress.
Each square represents an episode consisting of five stages. As you complete columns, new "flavours" (i.e. colours) of ninja are unlocked. You start with a black ninja, but you can eventually choose from colours like blue, brown and pink (my favourite so far). As you can see, I've completed 32 episodes and 160 stages thus far, with many more to go.
N is 100% free to download; I highly recommend it. It's not a game where button bashing is the key to success; you'll need to strategize and think your way through each stage.
Each square represents an episode consisting of five stages. As you complete columns, new "flavours" (i.e. colours) of ninja are unlocked. You start with a black ninja, but you can eventually choose from colours like blue, brown and pink (my favourite so far). As you can see, I've completed 32 episodes and 160 stages thus far, with many more to go.
N is 100% free to download; I highly recommend it. It's not a game where button bashing is the key to success; you'll need to strategize and think your way through each stage.
Thoughts Of A Newly Unemployed Man
I can sleep in tomorrow morning. That's weird.
I can stay up as late as I want to tonight. That's weird, too.
As you know, I lost my job last week. After having been on the workforce for four years (including approximately one as a temp), this is my first week as an unemployed man. I'm not finding it too hard to adjust, but at the same time, I pray that I find my next job sooner rather than later.
At this point, I have yet to hear from the career transition firm which will help me, but I'm not concerned. I don't have the clearest idea of what I want to do next, but as long as I'm not doing my previous job, I'll be very happy.
In the meantime, I'm working out, playing lots of N, and enjoying my "vacation" as much as I can.
I can stay up as late as I want to tonight. That's weird, too.
As you know, I lost my job last week. After having been on the workforce for four years (including approximately one as a temp), this is my first week as an unemployed man. I'm not finding it too hard to adjust, but at the same time, I pray that I find my next job sooner rather than later.
At this point, I have yet to hear from the career transition firm which will help me, but I'm not concerned. I don't have the clearest idea of what I want to do next, but as long as I'm not doing my previous job, I'll be very happy.
In the meantime, I'm working out, playing lots of N, and enjoying my "vacation" as much as I can.
May 3, 2009
Depeche Mode - "Wrong"
I took a listen to a few songs from Depeche Mode's latest album, Sounds Of The Universe, on Saturday afternoon. This song was easily the highlight; it sounds really good.
Depeche Mode - "Wrong" (official music video)
Depeche Mode - "Wrong" (official music video)
May 2, 2009
The Clothing Show - Spring 2009
Photos from the spring 2009 edition of The Clothing Show.
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| The Clothing Show - Spring 2009 |
I should mention that since Picasa Web Albums have a limited amount of space for photos, I'll delete old albums and their corresponding posts as necessary.
May 1, 2009
Plans For The Weekend #2
I was planning to see the new X-Men Origins movie tomorrow morning for $6.00, but seeing the middling reviews that it's getting, I might scrap that plan. By contrast, Star Trek comes out next week, but it's already earning positive reviews. Mind you, future reviews could lower the average critical ratings, but if enough of them say that you don't have to be a Trekkie to enjoy the movie, then I'll probably check it out (in IMAX, if possible).
In any event, I definitely plan to attend The Clothing Show on Saturday evening. I attended the last edition in the fall of 2008 and I was pretty impressed with one of the runway shows. Many designers are featured, although they tend to cater mostly to women. Not that I'm complaining... ;-)
A few years ago at the very first Clothing Show I attended, I scored a vintage Mr. Yuk shirt. I still wear it every summer; it's one of my favourites because I'm not likely to see anyone else wearing it.
Oh yes - can't forget to play lots and lots of N! I'm currently trying to get past episode nine.
In any event, I definitely plan to attend The Clothing Show on Saturday evening. I attended the last edition in the fall of 2008 and I was pretty impressed with one of the runway shows. Many designers are featured, although they tend to cater mostly to women. Not that I'm complaining... ;-)
A few years ago at the very first Clothing Show I attended, I scored a vintage Mr. Yuk shirt. I still wear it every summer; it's one of my favourites because I'm not likely to see anyone else wearing it.
Oh yes - can't forget to play lots and lots of N! I'm currently trying to get past episode nine.
I Lost My Job Today
This is how my office looked right before I left it for the last time.
As of this afternoon, I am unemployed.
As of this afternoon, I am unemployed.
Apr 27, 2009
Take This Job And Shove It (To India)!
I started cleaning out my desk at work this morning. Since this is my last week at my current job, I won't be using it for much longer.
Last October, three weeks before my 29th birthday, my department was informed that all of its jobs would be outsourced to India. These jobs were slated to go in two phases, with the first one ending in December. My job is in the second phase, which ends in May; my last day of employment is May 1st.
I used to wonder what would happen if the day ever came that I suddenly didn't have a job anymore. Not that I was too worried; I use a budget spreadsheet in order to track my income and spending, and I make sure to contribute to my tax-free savings account and RSP with every paycheque I earn. Mind you, I don't deposit so much that my disposable income ends up being on a downward trend.
Having said that, I'm pretty much the breadwinner of my household (absolutely no details on that), so you should understand that a job loss would cause a little concern with me. I'm also at a disadvantage when my inexperience and lack of a strong social network are taken into consideration. As you've probably figured out, I've had a very hard time so far in landing suitable employment. From October to the present, I've only had two (unsuccessful) interviews.
And yes, I am trying, thank you very much.
Last October, three weeks before my 29th birthday, my department was informed that all of its jobs would be outsourced to India. These jobs were slated to go in two phases, with the first one ending in December. My job is in the second phase, which ends in May; my last day of employment is May 1st.
I used to wonder what would happen if the day ever came that I suddenly didn't have a job anymore. Not that I was too worried; I use a budget spreadsheet in order to track my income and spending, and I make sure to contribute to my tax-free savings account and RSP with every paycheque I earn. Mind you, I don't deposit so much that my disposable income ends up being on a downward trend.
Having said that, I'm pretty much the breadwinner of my household (absolutely no details on that), so you should understand that a job loss would cause a little concern with me. I'm also at a disadvantage when my inexperience and lack of a strong social network are taken into consideration. As you've probably figured out, I've had a very hard time so far in landing suitable employment. From October to the present, I've only had two (unsuccessful) interviews.
And yes, I am trying, thank you very much.
Apr 26, 2009
Living In A Box - "Living In A Box"
I still have this song on seven-inch vinyl! Man, those were the days...
Apr 25, 2009
Richard Harris - "MacArthur Park"
This is one of the songs which played while I waited for Earth to start playing.
Bonus - Donna Summer's cover!
Bonus - Donna Summer's cover!
Enthralled by "Earth"
I watched Earth this morning, just as I planned to do - and I was very impressed. These days, studios rely on gimmicks like 3D and IMAX in order to attract moviegoers, so it's refreshing to see a nature-based documentary where the "characters" do the talking (along with the narrator, James Earl Jones). Not that I have anything against these gimmicks when done right, like in Coraline and Monsters vs. Aliens.
There were scenes of humour, heartbreak, terror and beauty throughout. As a matter of fact, I almost cried at two points, but I won't reveal them in order to avoid spoiling the movie. All I'll say is that you'll be amazed and awestruck by the wonder that is our planet and its inhabitants. You'll also wonder how the heck the production team "did that" and you'll do it often; watch for one scene where the camera goes over a waterfall and then turns around to face it. Wow...
This is one movie I hope to see again. It makes me look forward to Disneynature's next film, Oceans, which arrives on Earth Day in 2010.
There were scenes of humour, heartbreak, terror and beauty throughout. As a matter of fact, I almost cried at two points, but I won't reveal them in order to avoid spoiling the movie. All I'll say is that you'll be amazed and awestruck by the wonder that is our planet and its inhabitants. You'll also wonder how the heck the production team "did that" and you'll do it often; watch for one scene where the camera goes over a waterfall and then turns around to face it. Wow...
This is one movie I hope to see again. It makes me look forward to Disneynature's next film, Oceans, which arrives on Earth Day in 2010.
This Is Where I Pray Every Weekday Morning
I won't be praying here beyond next Friday, though, as I'll no longer be working in this area.
Eaton Centre, 4th floor (near Indigo), taken April 24 2009.
Eaton Centre, 4th floor (near Indigo), taken April 24 2009.
Apr 24, 2009
Eaton Centre Fountain (April 24 2009)
I took these pictures of the Eaton Centre fountain before and after it started running. Taken April 24 2009.
Papa Roach - "Lifeline"
Papa Roach isn't a group I listen to on a regular basis, but "Lifeline", the recent single from Metamorphosis, caught my ear at the gym a few weeks ago. Lyrically, it's nothing we haven't heard before; the lead singer describes the pain he feels as he recounts a bad situation. However, take note of these lyrics from the second verse:
With that said, enjoy Papa Roach's song.
So I put out my handThe last two lines should look familiar to Christians or anyone else who reads the Holy Bible.
And I asked for some help
We tore down the walls I built around myself
I was struck by the light
And I fell to the ground
Just because some people aren't explicitly religious, it doesn't necessarily mean that they aren't thinking about spiritual matters. As a matter of fact, Christian Music Today has a series of articles called Glimpses Of God, where they explore the spiritual aspects of secular music. Their most recent examination was on Bruce Springsteen's latest album, Working On A Dream.And as (Saul) journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
(Acts 9:3-4, KJV; emphasis mine)
With that said, enjoy Papa Roach's song.
Money Honey
The already-crowded field of savings accounts just became more crowded. Canadian Tire is now offering savings accounts with an introductory interest rate of 3.50%, but this only applies for ninety days from the date of registration. After that, according to the fine print, your money earns interest at a "regular variable rate" of 2.50%.
For as long as I can remember, I've stashed my savings with ING Direct. Their interest rate of 1.5% is really low at the moment, but I've had no problems with them so far. I won't be cancelling my accounts there anytime soon.
On the other hand, I may have some extra Canadian Tire money in my apartment somewhere... :-)
For as long as I can remember, I've stashed my savings with ING Direct. Their interest rate of 1.5% is really low at the moment, but I've had no problems with them so far. I won't be cancelling my accounts there anytime soon.
On the other hand, I may have some extra Canadian Tire money in my apartment somewhere... :-)
Close Calls (Epilogue)
The shooting which happened on Wednesday at Jane and Eglinton is now a homicide, as the victim has died of his injuries. A CBC story says that it happened around 6:30 p.m.; on the day of the murder, there were reports saying that it happened around 7:00 p.m.
If the 6:30 time is correct, it means that I passed through that intersection not too long after it happened. That explains the skid marks, but I didn't see anything else which looked amiss. Heck, when I passed there yesterday, it looked as if nothing had happened.
In any event, I'm a bit surprised by how close I was to becoming part of a crime scene - or, worse, a victim of one.
If the 6:30 time is correct, it means that I passed through that intersection not too long after it happened. That explains the skid marks, but I didn't see anything else which looked amiss. Heck, when I passed there yesterday, it looked as if nothing had happened.
In any event, I'm a bit surprised by how close I was to becoming part of a crime scene - or, worse, a victim of one.
Apr 23, 2009
LCD Soundsystem - "Losing My Edge"
Here's a cheeky song about a presumed music reporter (or hipster) who can't keep up with the new generation.
The Sound Of Love
This would have been a perfect entry for my previous blog, Pitch Attack.
Today's Metro has an interesting article written by Andrea Woo. In it, she opines that the music that people listen to is an important part of their identity; ergo, this is bound to have an impact when it comes to dating. She goes so far as to say that she has "a deep suspicion for anyone who doesn't listen to much of it." I won't spoil her article for you, but you might want to be extra careful if you listen to Matchbox Twenty or Lady Gaga.
I've previously joked that I'd dump any woman who didn't like Amon Tobin or drum 'n bass, but in all seriousness, Ms. Woo makes a valid point. For example, as a Christian who listens to Christian and secular music, I'm always cognizant of what any potential girlfriends will think of some of the music I have at home. Sure, I happen to enjoy the usual Christian suspects like Israel & New Breed and Kirk Franklin. Then again, I have a few Elton John CDs at home, along with Franz Ferdinand, Boards Of Canada, and Muse. Quite frankly, that wouldn't sit well with some people - not that it bothers me any.
Just to prove how eclectic my tastes are, have a look at my complete CD collection. The newest addition is Israel Houghton's The Power Of One, which I bought a few Sundays ago.
P.S. I hope Andrea likes Amon Tobin. ;-)
Today's Metro has an interesting article written by Andrea Woo. In it, she opines that the music that people listen to is an important part of their identity; ergo, this is bound to have an impact when it comes to dating. She goes so far as to say that she has "a deep suspicion for anyone who doesn't listen to much of it." I won't spoil her article for you, but you might want to be extra careful if you listen to Matchbox Twenty or Lady Gaga.
I've previously joked that I'd dump any woman who didn't like Amon Tobin or drum 'n bass, but in all seriousness, Ms. Woo makes a valid point. For example, as a Christian who listens to Christian and secular music, I'm always cognizant of what any potential girlfriends will think of some of the music I have at home. Sure, I happen to enjoy the usual Christian suspects like Israel & New Breed and Kirk Franklin. Then again, I have a few Elton John CDs at home, along with Franz Ferdinand, Boards Of Canada, and Muse. Quite frankly, that wouldn't sit well with some people - not that it bothers me any.
Just to prove how eclectic my tastes are, have a look at my complete CD collection. The newest addition is Israel Houghton's The Power Of One, which I bought a few Sundays ago.
P.S. I hope Andrea likes Amon Tobin. ;-)
Close Calls
I had a close call yesterday evening, but I didn't realize it until I got home.
A shooting occured at the intersection of Jane and Eglinton at about 7:00 p.m. I pass through that intersection everyday on my way home from work, and yesterday was no different - except for the fact that I did so right before the shooting happened. Not that I saw anything strange (other than skid marks leading to Eglinton Flats), but the fact that I could have been part of a crime scene isn't lost on me.
This is not the first close call I've had. When the infamous blackout happened in 2003, I was on my way out of the employment centre at Lawrence Square. Actually, I was taking a pee when the lights flickered (or something like that). Thinking nothing of it, I finished and then headed for the elevator...which, for some reason, was not working. Down the stairs I went.
When I exited the building, it kind of looked like a scene from an Armageddon movie. I still didn't have a clue what was happening, but rest assured that I found out soon enough. The point here is that had I not heeded nature's call, I could have been stuck in an elevator for God knows how long.
A shooting occured at the intersection of Jane and Eglinton at about 7:00 p.m. I pass through that intersection everyday on my way home from work, and yesterday was no different - except for the fact that I did so right before the shooting happened. Not that I saw anything strange (other than skid marks leading to Eglinton Flats), but the fact that I could have been part of a crime scene isn't lost on me.
This is not the first close call I've had. When the infamous blackout happened in 2003, I was on my way out of the employment centre at Lawrence Square. Actually, I was taking a pee when the lights flickered (or something like that). Thinking nothing of it, I finished and then headed for the elevator...which, for some reason, was not working. Down the stairs I went.
When I exited the building, it kind of looked like a scene from an Armageddon movie. I still didn't have a clue what was happening, but rest assured that I found out soon enough. The point here is that had I not heeded nature's call, I could have been stuck in an elevator for God knows how long.
What's In A Name Change? (Part 2)
This blog hasn't existed one week yet, but I'm already contemplating a name change. Voulez-Vous Doucher Avec Moi sounded hilarious a few days ago, but I might be the only one in on the joke. I'm starting to think that My Life Would Suck Without Me would be a better fit in light of this blog's main subject - i.e. me and my life.
It would also be a cheeky reference to Kelly Clarkson, one of my favourite pop artists. I hope she doesn't sue me, but even if she does, I'll just remind her that I've been a loyal fan since Breakaway.*
By the way, if you're wondering why this is part 2, part 1 happened with my previous blog, Pitch Attack. I previously named it Silence Between The Notes, but that name was too common.
*I still love My December
It would also be a cheeky reference to Kelly Clarkson, one of my favourite pop artists. I hope she doesn't sue me, but even if she does, I'll just remind her that I've been a loyal fan since Breakaway.*
By the way, if you're wondering why this is part 2, part 1 happened with my previous blog, Pitch Attack. I previously named it Silence Between The Notes, but that name was too common.
*I still love My December
Apr 22, 2009
Israel Houghton - "Just Wanna Say"
The first single from Israel Houghton's The Power Of One finally gets a video. He's definitely in on the OutKast reference.
Plans For The Weekend #1
I decided a few years ago that I would not wait for someone special to come into my life before I started to live it. Ergo, every Saturday, I try to find an excuse to get out of my apartment, even if it means just going to Chapters or Indigo and reading the latest magazines. Entertainment Weekly, People, and Cosmopolitan are particular favourites of mine.
Whenever time and money can be spared, I also like to catch a flick - usually by myself, I might add. Last weekend, I saw State Of Play, which I found to be an intelligent movie with a witty script full of memorable one-liners. This weekend, I'm going to check out Earth, the new Disneynature flick which focuses on the journeys of three animal families. Obsessed is also coming out this Friday, but depending on the critical consensus at sites like MetaCritic and Rotten Tomatoes, I'll wait until next weekend to see it. It probably shares similarities with Fatal Attraction, so that's likely one strike against it.
I'm not a spendthrift by any means, although I've been known to splurge here and there. In light of that, I really like AMC Theatres' A.M.Cinema deal; if you watch a movie on a weekend or holiday at anytime before 12:00 p.m., you pay a discounted price. This price depends on the location, but at Yonge & Dundas 24 in Toronto, it's six dollars.
Keep in mind that Scotiabank Theatre is in fairly close proximity to AMC's downtown location, so these theatres compete each weekend for blockbuster releases. Sometimes, movies which initially open at Scotiabank end up at AMC's Yonge & Dundas location. I've seen this happen with Hancock, Quantum Of Solace (for which I waited forever to start playing at AMC, but I still got burned) and He's Just Not That Into You. You'd think that Scotiabank would win out most of the time, but last year, WALL•E started its run at AMC and played there for a good few months.
Other than the usual trip to church on Sunday, nothing else is planned at the moment.
Whenever time and money can be spared, I also like to catch a flick - usually by myself, I might add. Last weekend, I saw State Of Play, which I found to be an intelligent movie with a witty script full of memorable one-liners. This weekend, I'm going to check out Earth, the new Disneynature flick which focuses on the journeys of three animal families. Obsessed is also coming out this Friday, but depending on the critical consensus at sites like MetaCritic and Rotten Tomatoes, I'll wait until next weekend to see it. It probably shares similarities with Fatal Attraction, so that's likely one strike against it.
I'm not a spendthrift by any means, although I've been known to splurge here and there. In light of that, I really like AMC Theatres' A.M.Cinema deal; if you watch a movie on a weekend or holiday at anytime before 12:00 p.m., you pay a discounted price. This price depends on the location, but at Yonge & Dundas 24 in Toronto, it's six dollars.
Keep in mind that Scotiabank Theatre is in fairly close proximity to AMC's downtown location, so these theatres compete each weekend for blockbuster releases. Sometimes, movies which initially open at Scotiabank end up at AMC's Yonge & Dundas location. I've seen this happen with Hancock, Quantum Of Solace (for which I waited forever to start playing at AMC, but I still got burned) and He's Just Not That Into You. You'd think that Scotiabank would win out most of the time, but last year, WALL•E started its run at AMC and played there for a good few months.
Other than the usual trip to church on Sunday, nothing else is planned at the moment.
Apr 21, 2009
Punk'd!!
I consider myself a smart guy and I don't usually fall for pranks. However, I got punk'd big time a few minutes ago - by my mom.
I opened my apartment door and my mom had this scary look on her face. She kept saying that there was a man at the door, but I didn't recall seeing anyone in the hall when I stepped off the elevator. Still, she kept insisting - heck, pleading - that I make the man in the hall go away.
Honestly, I thought it was a temporary episode of insanity - but no, mom was convinced of this man in the hall, and I was eventually convinced that she was going insane by way of Satan. Despite my insistences of there being no one in the hall, the situation escalated. After putting my things down and taking off my shoes, I eventually motioned over to the phone to (presumably) call 911, but she swiftly moved towards it, preventing me from doing so. I even tried to get my dinner from the oven, but she wouldn't even let me do that!
Honestly, I was scared crapless at this point. I asked if she remembered who I was, and she replied in the negative. Her insanity was growing worse and worse (or so I thought) and I decided that I had enough. I grabbed my cell phone, put on my house loafers, ran like hell towards the stairs and made my way to the ground floor, panting all the while.
After a minute or two, I came back upstairs - but mom wasn't there. She came back after me and explained everything. She was doing a school project on mental illness and was required to get somebody's reaction to her facade of insanity.
I hope she's happy, because I just gave her enough reaction for two projects...
I opened my apartment door and my mom had this scary look on her face. She kept saying that there was a man at the door, but I didn't recall seeing anyone in the hall when I stepped off the elevator. Still, she kept insisting - heck, pleading - that I make the man in the hall go away.
Honestly, I thought it was a temporary episode of insanity - but no, mom was convinced of this man in the hall, and I was eventually convinced that she was going insane by way of Satan. Despite my insistences of there being no one in the hall, the situation escalated. After putting my things down and taking off my shoes, I eventually motioned over to the phone to (presumably) call 911, but she swiftly moved towards it, preventing me from doing so. I even tried to get my dinner from the oven, but she wouldn't even let me do that!
Honestly, I was scared crapless at this point. I asked if she remembered who I was, and she replied in the negative. Her insanity was growing worse and worse (or so I thought) and I decided that I had enough. I grabbed my cell phone, put on my house loafers, ran like hell towards the stairs and made my way to the ground floor, panting all the while.
After a minute or two, I came back upstairs - but mom wasn't there. She came back after me and explained everything. She was doing a school project on mental illness and was required to get somebody's reaction to her facade of insanity.
I hope she's happy, because I just gave her enough reaction for two projects...
Now That We're Here...
They say the third time's the charm, and I hope that proves true with me. I've previously launched and shut down two blogs, so either this one will be viable or I'll kill this one and start a fourth.
To make a long story short, I go by the name of Tsar Kasim at this blog (say it as one word); I'm a 29-year-old single young'un living in Toronto. At this point, my life has fallen into a rut characterized by waking up, eating, working (or looking for work), sleeping, going to church, and pining after women I can't have. Fun times, I tell you...
The title doesn't really refer to what the blog is about, but rather, is my attempt at being clever. I juggled other titles like "Hot Flash Memory," "Spork In The Road" and "Diary Of A Virginal Sex Machine." For one reason or another, they wouldn't work in the long run. Besides, for the last one, I'd eventually have to drop the "virginal" part of it. ;-)
And what is this blog about? Me. My adventures, my thoughts, my ramblings. Simple, no?
To make a long story short, I go by the name of Tsar Kasim at this blog (say it as one word); I'm a 29-year-old single young'un living in Toronto. At this point, my life has fallen into a rut characterized by waking up, eating, working (or looking for work), sleeping, going to church, and pining after women I can't have. Fun times, I tell you...
The title doesn't really refer to what the blog is about, but rather, is my attempt at being clever. I juggled other titles like "Hot Flash Memory," "Spork In The Road" and "Diary Of A Virginal Sex Machine." For one reason or another, they wouldn't work in the long run. Besides, for the last one, I'd eventually have to drop the "virginal" part of it. ;-)
And what is this blog about? Me. My adventures, my thoughts, my ramblings. Simple, no?
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