I heart Dublin...a nd now Croatia

Awww, aren't we cute? Model Polish children, our parents raised us well. Needless to say, I ended my trip in Dublin with a bang - had a little party at the Bartman's and Soren's place that I couldn't deny myself going to, despite the liver going through some painful times this weekend. They really know how to party in Ireland, including dance parties as well:

There's Chris the Swede, and the poles who are all bustin a move - we were pretty damn good I have to admit.

Today I left for my trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia in the afternoon and get here at 7pm. I have literally been here 6 hours and I love it here so much I want to move here! I got picked up at the airport by the manager of the house I am staying in and he drove me the 45 minutes it takes to get to the inside of the city. On the way, we stopped on the highway to take some pictures, and he also took me the long way to show me the buildings that have been bombed and not fixed yet. We then literally dropped my bags off and then went to meet the rest of the lodgers for dinner. Dinner was a restaurant right on the water serving the catch of the day. Big moment for Mon: I ate oysters! And had some honey schnapps (homemade of course) to wash it down, as well as fish and wine. Perfect evening in really lovely company comprised of Ivice the owner, Phil the Brit, Dan the NY'er and Julia and Simon the Aussies. We had great conversation, consisting mostly of me laughing at the various expressions that Phil uses - git, sod, bugger, wanker etc. We also discussed the notion of retoxing versus detoxing, and we played the animal game (will have to introduce this into Canadian culture). We finished off with a walk in the old town which looks basically like this:

Above is my own actual picture. I am in heaven people!

Dublin

So Dublin is craaaaazy! I got here on Thursday evening, and Bart and his roomie Soren welcomed me very nicely into their home. Both had come from work (I tend to forget that people aren't on vacation like moi) and we chilled in their place. Bartek and I went to this pretty cool tapas place called Market Bar and had some fantastic food, and it's also the site of where I got introduced to my first Bulmers - the best cider EVER. I am inlove with this drink - it's basically a low percentage cider/beer that tastes like water. Yummm. Anyway, we then went for martini's at a fancy place called Morgan's in Temple Bar and finished off with me having my first pint of Guinness at a pub with local musicians playing. I can't wait to download the pictures, cause that is my favourite shot of the trip so far.

Friday I woke up a little later and cleaned the guys' apartment as a thank you - and also because the woman in me had to clean a boy apartment. I then went for a trip to Howth, a kind of spontaneous idea that Bart said would be good. It was a 1/2 hour trip from Dublin and the biggest surprise of my trip so far. I absolutely loved the place! It is a port town with a really nice walk in the cliffs to the summit. I walked the path for a while, while getting burned (which I found out later that night) and workin up a sweat (the weather was amazing). I ended up at the summit with time to spare, and bought a Bulmers to enjoy on the patio there. I met and picked up some nice Irish men, one of which had a lovely cane and the other a very snazzy hearing aid. They were, sadly, the most proper and polite of any Irish men I've met here - I have to say the young adult male population leaves something lacking when it comes to being gentlemen.

Moving along... I bought some fresh salmon and mussels on my way back, and got back to the apartment around the same time as the guys. Bart made the mussels and I was really hesitant to try them since I never have had mussels, but they were delicious!! I then made dinner while the boys went to nap, and I have to say it turned out pretty well (thank God, I had my doubts). We then got ready to go out, and made a crazy night of bar hopping and seeing downtown Dublin in all its glory on a weekend-night, which was tamer at first until we got to the Temple Bar area and it got a little later into the night. We started off in a bar that used to be an old church, then moved to Zanzibar, a very Polish place (I have never partied with that many Polish people) and ended off at Fitzsimons, which was a multi-level club right by the Liffey (river).

Anyway, today has been comprised of a later wake-up, some booking of hostels and flights (which I think are done) and some walking around Dublin. It really is a lovely city - if I were to choose to live anywhere but Toronto, I think Dublin would be it. Other than the prices of things though... I just paid $5 for a diet coke, ouch.

Off to see the rest of the city and to try and get some sleep tonight! Which will be difficult, seeing that it's a Saturday night and I feel the air is getting hot... (Dance Music '92 anyone?)

Caerdydd

So I got to Cardiff, no trouble - the train was the smallest one I had ever seen, and I had to sit with my backpack on my lap which proved to be advantageous as it allowed for a quick power nap.

Adam picked me up at the station and we took to scenic route through the City Center (no, not downtown, City Center) to his rez. His buddy left back home early and ended up having a free room, so I got to stay for free and right in the residential area (bonus!). We went for some delicious food with his buddies, who ended up being mostly Canadian and a girl from New Orleans with a Theatre background - awesome group! We went out for drinks after and did a little bar hopping - Cardiff is actually much smaller and more residential than I thought, but that doesn't mean it lacks in excitement. On our way to the local student pub we met two guys (Irish? Welsh? English? we'll never know) who were dressed as women, makeup and all. I asked if they lost a bet, but it seems they just enjoy 'dressing up' literally when they go drinking. They were loaded by 9pm by the way, and we had some wildly funny conversations about European and North American politics, which I couldn't take seriously because of the awesome lipstick and mascara job they did.

Anyway, we ended up chillin at Adam's friend's til about 3am listening to old school music and playing funny tipsy/drunken games and watching youtube. I set the alarm for this morning and Adam walked me to the bus station to catch my plane to Dublin - and here I am! I've already heard tons of Polish and seen tons of stores with Polska written all over them. I feel somewhat home here, I can see the allure for all our young peeps to be moving here.

On a side note, I have to comment on the 3 most important men in my life (other than Dad and Adam) - in no particular order are Robin Thicke, Michael Buble and Timbaland. Their music is what keeps me going on all these buses and airplanes, it's so comforting to hear some nice American music sometimes haha. Also, I just finished reading The 5 People You'll Meet in Heaven and Tipping Point, which are both amazing books.

Vacationing is really great... although I'm much more sentimental than I thought - I miss everyone!! Hopefully I can move past this sucker moment - maybe a nice Guinness on a patio somewhere soon, oh in about 10 mins, will help.

Cheers to Eire!! (That's Dublin in Gaelic)

London - over

I have only a few minutes until my train to Bath and then on to Cardiff, but I wanted to post about how crappy this morning was (what a great introduction hahaha).

Not only did I sleep in, but I walked into my room after my shower and there were 2 strangers guys in it! Turns out they're not so much stranger as they live in my room too, but they have been out all night the past 2 nights and therefore we always missed each other. I always knew them as just the backpacks in the two empty beds.

Moving on, I couldn't access any internet, and went to a library - they conned me into signing up for an account (free at least) so that I could use the internet, only to find out that they had no free computers. Thankfully the librarian noticed my frustration and helped me find my train to Bath, leaving at 11:30.

I knew I was cutting it close to make it, but London obviously doesn't want me to leave. I had to switch trains 3 times because of technical difficulties, and was stuck on the damn tube for an hour. I am now wasting some time before my train at 1 (ouch) so that I can speed through Bath and then meet with Adam at Cardiff for some well-deserved beers.

Here's to a fantastic night and I hope I make my flight to Dublin tomorrow...

London con't

So apparently I am not allowed to access my blog website from my hostel due to 'unsavoury content'. I really don't think that I write anything scandalous... actually on that note can I just say - the men in London are damn hot!! All the ladies should make their way over here ASAP (especially you Eves). It seems my hostel is within walking distance of the working area of town - it is crawling with tall, dark and handsome men in suits (did I mention I have a weakness for guys in suits?? damn.)

Hmm, anyway... so otherwise London is absolutely lovely. I keep either singing 'A Foggy Day in Londontown' or 'London Bridge is Falling Down' as I walk around (Loser? Yes.) I went for a very long walk last evening/night and the most notable event was my visit on the London Eye which would have been very enjoyable had it not contained a nursing mother the ENTIRE TIME. I had to keep looking on way in order to not be a pervert. Therefore I have a LOT of pictures of the East side of the city, and missing the rest of the 360 view. I walked along the Thames for quite some time, and apparently almost bumped into some British celebrity but I have no idea who. I got back later at night, and met my two Aussie roomies (who I suspect may be a lesbian couple, but I really don't know - wishful thinking?) who are awesome.

This morning woke up a little late, but managed to see Tower Bridge and the Tower, Buckingham Palace and the surrounding park (layed on the grass for a while, heavenly) and walk up through Oxford and Piccadilly Cricus, the British Museum and then to meet Sam at Covent Garden. Overall, I absolutely adore London but I can definitely get the sense that people are very class-oriented here. I was wearing my short shorts, which would not be looked at twice in TO, but as I was walking through Regent Sts and around the expensive stores I was getting stared down unkindly. Note to seld - wear nice pants next time. I think my favourite part of London is Soho, where it's much more chill and 'hip' than anything I've seen - kinda reminded me of the Latin Quarters in Paris.

I met with Sam in the afternoon, and she finished her last essay of the year (yay!) after I distracted her from it all weekend. We were on a mission to find skinny jeans and nice flats, and I'm happy to say we were both successful and then some. We finished off by going for dinner in an amazing pub called Churchill Arms in Notting Hill, which actually looks like a fish and chips pub but ended up serving delicious Thai food. Great night!!

Tomorrow I am getting up damn early to make sure I can hit up Bath before I head to Cardiff to party with Adam - university styles. Very exciting!

On a side note, I would just like to remind anyone visiting here that it is damn expensive in the UK - I keep forgetting that to convert you have to double the amount of pounds you're spending, and it hurts everytime.

Cheerio! (Trying to be more English)

My first impression of London...

Ok, Adam, you were right... I have been in London all of 2 hours and it is AMAZING! I got dropped off by an angry bus driver (he had issues) after a 2 hours taking some crazy ass detours because there was a huge accident on the highway. The stop was kinda in the middle of a busy intersection, and I decided to just walk north to see if I could get my bearings.

After about 5 mins of walking, I look up and realize I am right under Westminster Abbey among a hoard of tourists. I look around and there is the Clock Tower, and Parliament and I can see the Millenium wheel off in the distance. The whole city is just covered in history, you can almost see what it looked like centuries ago. The people on the other hand don't seem to like foreigners, but they are polite enough and I really attempt to keep the convos brief and use my 'filter'.

I am now in some hostel where it seems that a bunch of high school German kids have decided to take over (as they usually do) and be highly annoying so I am escaping to visit London by nighttime. My one goal tonight is to walk along the Thames and face my fear of heights and take a ride on the Wheel - by myself!

P.S. On a side note, the amount of Polish people I've already identified in London is ridiculous - we really are taking over the West.

The eagle has landed

I get treated right abroad, damn. Not even here for 24 hours and I get roses from a Rhodes Scholar!!

Let me start at the beginning... I left Canada on Friday afternoon, with a flight that lands at 5am local time (aka 12am our time, which is ideally the time you are asleep). Let me preface this whole post by saying that I spent the week before leaving trying to exhaust myself so that I would sleep on the plane. That plan failed. I did not get any sleep until last night at 530am.

So I landed at 430, and then had to wait all the way til 715 to get a bus that travelled to Oxford. Once I got here, I had trouble contacting Sam so I didn't end up seeing her til about 930! At that point though, none of that mattered because I was soooo happy to see her.


The weather yesterday was perfect, which was amazing because Sam had planned a slightly early picnic in honour of her birthday. I felt like I was still back home until I realized the picnic was just outside Oxford on the grounds surrounding a castle where Churchill was born. Say what!?!? Sam's friends are awesome, and mostly Canadian anyway, and we enjoyed some very satisfying food on the grass while watching the ducks on the nearby pond. It was heaven - I even passed out for a quick nap.


At the end of the picnic, there was talk of some ball - it turns out this is quite common among these British types! So we decided at 5 in the afternoon to go to a ball somewhere on campus. I got to get pretty and party with Sam once again... ah the Western days (I know we're sideways, but don't we look great?). We went to this swingin partay dressed to the nines, where I proceeded to down 3-4 vodka martinis like I was back in first year again. Let's just say that this, coupled with no sleep and fun in the sun = Mon having a GOOD TIME (and trying to imitate funny accents). I vaguely remember being walked home by a Polish (of course) very kind and gentlemanly friend of Sam's, after which I fell asleep around 530am.

Let's just say this morning was rough. And not even, because I realized that jet lag applies to even hangovers - by 8pm, at the formal dinner that we were attending with Lord Butler, it hit me like a ton of bricks. That tasted of vodka. And some tapas I had while out sightseeing Oxford. While I was eating duck meat. Riiiiiiiight...

Anyway, Shane has come to visit now and we had an amazing evening of catch up and talking... it's off to London tomorrow morning!

What the bleep?

I take the idea of parenthood very seriously. The idea of being a parent is so serious that I'd rather not even have kids if there's any prospect of scarring them or being an unstable parent.

That being said, I put the same standards on the rest of society. Unfortunately, the ability to procreate that's given to almost every living thing (except mules, but that's a separate story). I'm not promoting some fascist way of controlling the population, but I just wish that people were more self-aware and critical of what they can really offer a child. Otherwise this happens.

I know every generation always thinks that society is becoming more Sodom and Gomorrah as time goes by, but I really think there's something going terribly wrong in today's communities. From what I know, the mother was always assumed to be the stable, loving, trustworthy, self-sacrificing and ultimate parental figure. There has been some disturbing rise in postpartum depression, not to mention violence among mothers and it really freaks me out. I think we may find out in a few generations that the birth control pill was really some sort of toxic hormone that poisoned and threw women off-balance - it feels like something is eating away at the foundation and values that we all have, and we keep trying to cover it up with medication and false cures. I really hope that I'm wrong on this.

Seriously? Seriously.

You know, people always rag on women - saying that we could never do a good job in politics since we get our emotions in the way. To that I say:


Really? Grown men in a country like Turkey duking it out in Parliament?? How does this look? Actually quite funny - the fellow from the right is totally trying to get his finger in ‘stache man’s nose… which we all know is the deadliest move of all (no, not the nose!).

While perusing Craig's list this morning (yes, I am finally considering moving out!) I noticed a section labelled "Missed Connections". I decided to explore what that really meant, and had to pass through a "Yes, I'm 18" survey... it was starting to seem suspect.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the website is sort of a wanted ad meets Lavalife profile: in the m4w (men for women) section specfically, it's where guys can write about girls they saw but didn't have the courage to go up to, or about a crush they have and can't confess. One ad in particular I really liked:

"Monday 5.30 pm Bloor subway station"

We both got on the subway at Young-bloor but you got off at saint Clair. I wish I had the chance to talk to you.Cant stop thinking about you.

I love it! It's the whole romantic (a.k.a. girly) side of me that is completely enamoured with the idea that this could possibly work; it's the whole Sleepless in Seattle syndrome. I don't know what the odds are of someone even finding this ad, let alone knowing they're the target of the fantasy... but it's nice to dream.

What are the odds!?

Lo and behold! My friend from ages ago won (or rather her mother did) the lottery! It was half the $20 M jackpot... so lucky! What I would do with 10 million dollars...

Somewhere, in a galaxy far, far away....

I was going to blog about this recent picture on the Hubble website - scientists believe it comes as a result of two gigantic clusters (of what?) smashing into each other. The most interesting part of this pic is the darker ring, which apparently is the elusive dark matter. Dark matter, in a nutshell, is mostly what the universe's mass is made up of. What's more interesting is that scientists can't actually prove its existence but can "infer" it by looking at pictures and measuring gravitational pull and blah blah. I was going to write about how fascinating it is that we know so little about the universe, and that I feel so small when I think about it, etcetera, ergo and vis-a-vis... blast, whatever.

Instead, I decided to delay the writing of my blog - nay, it was not my choice but the choice of annoying coworkers and cubemates at the office. Some would gasp at the idea of delaying writing in a personal blog (which really takes about 5 mins when I get into a rant) at work, but this nice mini-break provides me with some sanity in my work day.

However, I am now seriously annoyed at the stupid programmer jokes, and the coworkers who are trying to assert their dominance over me and the growingly complicated relationships with several of them, and therefore cannot revel in my wonder of the universe!!!!

My apologies. I think I might be PMS’ing.

Zsa zsa ewww?

As always, whenever you think it's sunshine-y outside, that you are boring and no drama can occur, it pours down on you and makes you rethink things that you think could never be shaken.

I am not necessarily saying this about me, but the past few weeks have been especially active in my social circle. It could have to do with it being spring fever, and people's foundations being shaken up by some extra hormones. Changes in career, family, love life, health, etc. has been on everyone's mind.

My recent diversion has been whether or not to activate the still-hibernating that is my love life specifically, since everything else seems to finally be stable. I'm starting to debate the importance of the zsa zsa zoo (SATC - that initial chemistry you get with a guy when it's really special). If it's really someone you can have a future with, do there need to be fireworks in the first moment you meet? Or can you be friends first and grow into a loving and chemistry-filled relationship? My friend Eva is convinced you need the amazing, initial contact in order for it to work. I am inclined to give others a chance - those guys that are great as friends, but who you don't necessarily want to jump within a minute of meeting them.

I am conflicted because I have a few friends that I have amazing chemistry with - verbally, of course. But there's a risk with trying to take it to the next level because 1) what if we're too far gone in the relationship for it to work, 2) if it was supposed to happen, wouldn't it have happened already, and 3) you can lose an amazing friend because of awkwardness.

Everyone always tells me that whatever happens, it's when you don't expect it and it's usually easy. But what if you miss that first window - can you wrench open a window later?

Way to start off the week

I couldn't find an appropriate pic to go with this post - a "frown-ey" face perhaps?

I got to work pretty early today, and went to the walk-in clinic to get make sure all was good after my cold. As I got back, my coworker asked where I was and grabbed me saying that I had to come to breakfast with them... as I came back up with my breakfast already purchased. I thought it was weird, but got the sense that something happened.

Anyway, I should preface this all by saying we have a pretty tight social group at work - until recently, it amounted to about 8-9 people. In the past 3 weeks, 3 of those people quit (right about the time we had a major re-org change announced). Today, we found out that one of the guys (my cubicle-mate) just got fired this morning. It kinda took us all by surprise, so I spent a pretty somber breakfast trying to go through the process of shock, sadness and then acceptance - that way, I would be emotionally stable before my actual boss told me.

I understand that people should separate personal from professional and that I don't know much about this guy and his work ethic, but I do know that he was a great friend to me at work. And for that I can't help but sympathize and grieve his situation - getting let go is never a good feeling, no matter how much you may expect it.

Now it's just Charlie's Angels and Bosley left...

You know what's really hot?

When you're walking to work in the morning (and by morning I mean before 8 am, when people haven't even eaten yet), and the person in front of you decides she needs a breakfast cigarette. Seriously, I really love to witness an old broad in front of me, hacking up a lung and blowing smoke in my face. It makes my day.

P.S. I just HAD to write this blog so I could put up this picture - isn't it a riot?!

Being sick sucks

Remember the days when you were a kid when you would pray to get sick?? It wouldn't happen often, but then you could stay home and watch cartoons and eat all the chicken noodle soup you wanted... ah, those were the days.

These days, getting sick is a curse - not only did I lose Sunday, 1 of the precious 2 days I have off and yesterday. Taking a sick day from work is no longer considered a vacation: I think I was more stressed about missing a deadline/meeting at work being away between my fits of coughing and naps due to drowsy medication. My teacher (a.k.a. boss) is no longer sympathetic - work has to get done, and I don't have a few days to do the make-up homework.

Other than that though, I actually got bored of the TV and watching movies - who would have thought!? It was nice to get dressed up and ready for work this morning, and to see all my colleagues - in general, rejoin the normal, social world. I guess this is what it means to be an adult... I think I just might be growing up.

Where is the line?

With some recent events in the past few days, I've realized that I am sometimes a really naive and gullible person.

I'm not refering to life in general (although I don't fare much better there), but it's the working world, and the behaviour that really has me confused.

This morning, I found myself in a pickle (I've been waiting to use that saying for quite some time now) because of a possibly inappropriate and line-crossing event that happened last night with a coworker. I don't even want to go into details, but I will just say that it was highly unexpected, and while I understand that consultants are humans too, I am seriously considering if this will have any reprecussions on my life - after all, what comes around goes around, and you can't always trust everybody right?

Because of the recent changes going on at work, I was until then an oblivious and happy-go-lucky member in my team. But since there has been some serious org changes, I've been hearing a lot of "you may like your team, but you really have to think of yourself in the end" or "the only person you can count on is yourself" and so on. To be honest, ever since this attitude reared its ugly head at work, the comraderie and quality of work has diminshed greatly - even I, the filter-free and optimist young one have been infected with the "self" vibe.

On that note, I have been seriously debating the issue of trusting people at work - I feel that I can trust friends if they give me a verbal promise not to betray my secrets, but what value does a verbal agreement have at work? If it means getting ahead, or looking good in front of the boss or, horror of all horrors, being fired, would anyone really protect their colleague? The line between friend and coworker invisible during good times, but it becomes painfully obvious when the tough gets goin.

I still intend to keep a positive attitude, but maybe yesterday was the time for my reality check. And really think about the power of my "word" - and watch what I say.

Heart attacks no longer killer?

I found this article on digg.com (after reading about all the controversy - wow, nerds get fiesty when provoked) today and found it fascinating.

It talks about what it really means to be "dead", and how it's almost the opposite of what we've been teaching our medical community until now.

From what I understand, when someone has a heart attack, it's true that their heart stops beating, but the cells actually remain alive and intact. It's only when those cells become re-oxygenated (which is usually during the time the paramedics revive the victim) that they release their self-destructive "stuff" and start to die. According to the article, a new strategy is to actually cool down the body of a heart attack victim and "bring them back to life" really slowly and avoid the release of the "suicidal chemical" the mitochondria would otherwise release. It has an 85% success rate, while the old (a.k.a. current) method had only 15% of people survive. It's amazing!

To think that we could look back in a few decades from now and realize that we could have saved so many people and we had the strategy all wrong. Kind of like how a few centuries ago, people would bury the "dead" who were really just in comas and would actually wake back up while buried. ("Saved by the bell" apparently stems from that, when during the Plague people were being buried alive but unconscious, and morticians started tying bells to their hands before being buried so that they could save them if they woke up. Can we say creepy?!)

I wonder how this topic came about....

"Hey, you know what we should study?"
"What?"
"So I've been observing lesbian women and I've noticed that they all look bigger than the heterosexual women. I think we should get someone to fund us for a 5 year study and find out if that's true or not. This could have serious reprecussions on society-at-large, plus we could give lesbians even more reason to feel bad about themselves."
"That sounds like a great idea."

An Unfortunate Doppleganger

Every time I come to Markham, I always find some kind of interesting article or event in the world (due to the inability to escape outta here and due to the fact that I know no one). For instance, did you know that yesterday was International Dance Day? I have yet to specify if that means a day celebrating different national dances, or simply a day where it is encouraged to “boogie”. In the case that it’s the latter, I must admit that every day is “International Dance Day” for me (I’m a notorious car dancer).

More on that later… a more interesting blurb blurb came my way today about Bin Laden being arrested. I could not believe that this did not make news headlines all over the world! Unfortunately, what it’s really about is a poor Afghani chap trying to cross the border into Pakistan who happens to look exactly like OBL. Not only did he go through this traumatic experience recently, but it’s not the first time - he’s been arrested before! What’s that saying: “Fool me once, shame on you - fool me twice, shame on me”? These officials should get their facts straight, cause not only are they embarrassing themselves, but OBL might get clever and use him as a decoy.

I am truly fascinated by the idea of a doppelganger. I feel like it’s comforting and exciting to know that there is someone out there who looks exactly like me. Although some people describe doppelganger as an “evil twin”, I prefer not to think of it that way. In fact, apparently if you ever find this person, you are both supposed to be destroyed and/or ruined. Kinda like Harry Potter and Voldemort. I was hoping to meet mine eventually, given the whole “one must die while the other lives” kinda sucks.

P.S. I had to add this article - sometimes people are truly idiots. A bizarre twist here would be if the new groom/groom’s brother was also his doppelganger.

It’s been an interesting week…

In a nutshell, I spent the entire weekend outside - a combination of washing the car, tanning outside, coffee and club patios. I have to say, I now know what has been missing in the past 6 months - the freedom of going outside, wearing next to nothing and just enjoying the city as it should be enjoyed. Speaking of which, gotta hit the gym… no one should be wearing Daisy Duke shorts looking like Rita McNeil…

I also got a chance to see PCD and Christina Aguilera on Monday night. One word: amazing. Hot. Incredible. Ok, many words.

Anyway, during the weekend festivities my girlfriend Eva and I stopped by a vegan restaurant called Fressen. It is a very earthy and hip place on Queen St W, and even though the list of ingredients seems to be limited to veggies and fruit, it was surprisingly good! I would love to be vegan, but my love of fish and eggs would probably not be acceptable (just maybe). But it inspired me to try out new things, and also explore different parts of Toronto (who knew we had so many great restaurants and patios?)

Here comes an amazing summer in TO!

Akon at Zen Nightclub, Trinidad - Disgusting

I think the title of this video says it all - I am seriously disgusted and shocked that something like this happened - and "artists" like this are actually popular. Notice the audience clapping!

Today is a sad day for rappers - Cam'ron is quoted in the news today as saying "he wouldn't helpt police catch even a serial killer because it would hurt his business"... all I have to say is - what the deuce is going on!?

Pearl the Landlord

I just watched this video and nearly choked on my DC - this is the funniest video (albeit a little scary if she remembers the words they taught her).

I gotta go - need to "get my drink on"...

Ever since graduation/my trip to Europe, I've been building a "List of things to do before I'm 25... then 30" so that I can be conscious of everything I still want to accomplish.

I checked off one additional item on that list this weekend - auditioning for Canadian Idol. It was a really fast, and only slightly nerve-wracking experience - I think I'm actually getting better at this whole "performing in front of strangers" thing. I got some really nice compliments, but apparently "have what a lot of other people have" - I think they need something different and original this year. I went in just for the experience, but I got so motivated after it that I'm definitely trying out next year again! This is why I love the list - a personal dare turned into a self-affirming experience - and I can't wait to challenge myself with the next item on that list.

Friggatriskaidekaphobia

I don’t really consider myself a superstitious person, but I have to admit that every time a “Friday the 13th” comes along I think twice about doing anything significant (because of the tiny possibility that luck may not be in my favour that day). How silly, you all say… however, a quick Google search produced hundreds of thousands of hits about the superstition: stats about increased accidents, unexplained bad luck and fear so paralyzing that 5% of the US population has physically harmful anxiety on this day.

It’s funny that no one can really explain where the superstition comes from - Dan Brown insinuated that it was the day that King Philip ordered the arrests and murders of the Templars sometime ago, and that day has been considered unlucky since then. Either way, it is one of those globally-spanning superstitions, and Wikipedia lists it as especially significant in Germany, Poland, Portugal and English-speaking countries… Poland? Really? I think all we need is a nice drink to get rid our worries…I wasn’t even going to go out tonight but now I see that it’s physically necessary.

P.S. Is the reason apartment buildings don’t have a 13th floor because of bad luck? Riiiiight…

Would you bail me out of jail?

I recently had a conversation with my coworkers about Facebook, and mentioned that I had over 400 friends listed on my network. Although a lot of these people are those that I don’t even talk to, but significant from my past, my coworkers couldn’t believe that I would bother being “FB Friends” with so many…

…from which stemmed a lovely conversation about what a “real” friend is, and how many you really have that you can call more than an acquaintance. The Facebook Coolness Factor seems to be to have as many friends as possible, when really you could only stand to see 4-5 of them on a daily basis. My coworkers say that in fact, they can think of 1 or 2 that they would really count on. “What does ‘really counting on them’ mean?” I ask.

To which Kevin replied, “My best friend is a guy who I know would lend me a significant sum of money, no questions asked, if I asked him to lend it to me. Or he’d be the guy that I would use my one, single phone call from jail from cause I know he’d drop everything and come bail me out.”

That got me thinking… sure enough, although I have all these FBFs, I can only count on one hand the number of people that would do that for me. This has become my measuring stick in the past couple of weeks, so much so that I have started to care for those suckers that would do that for me more than those I realized wouldn’t. These are the girls/guys that will most probably get me outta that inevitably bad relationship, or tell me I have something in my teeth… both incredibly necessary and difficult to do.

Point being, I hope that everyone realizes who those friends are (and hopefully you haven’t been a jerk your whole life and can name someone other than your parents) and treat them like gold - I know I am.

We have a new enemy on a very new front

My friend Bart sent me this great article today - kinda random but definitely a compliment to us Polish girls.

Eva, Adam and I were talking about relationships (what else) this weekend, and traveling to Poland, and how almost every woman you see there looks like she just stepped off of a runway, while the Polish guys look like they’re all gang members (and act like it too). And yet, by default, these bum guys get these gorgeous girls…

Anyway, moving past that, the background behind this online piece is that a lot of Polish people (mostly young adults or young families) are emigrating to the West - Ireland, England - since we entered the EU. It’s actually kinda sad for Poland, because we can’t seem to keep our young peeps in the motherland.

Anyway, these British Pirate-Hookers™ [courtesy of A.B.] are deciding that the Polish girls are too hot for their own good and bullying/beating them up! It seems the British males are more inclined to the Eastern European ways, and the locals aren’t appreciating it. Shameful… I feel like they’re animals trying to mark their territory.

On that note, I am heading to the U.K. this June (officially got some vacation approved today!) so needless to say I’ll be kicking some British ass when I get there…

Lent update

With Palm Sunday approaching and Lent almost being over, I have to say I think I have followed through pretty well with my Lenten promise.

I thought giving something up was overdone (especially "junk food" or "TV") since most people can't follow through with that anyway, or end up spending the time/money that they may save on equally wasteful activities. To be blunt, my goal throughout these 40 days was to "avoid being a bitch". It's been hard but I've made a conscious after.

I have to say though, after reading this article on CNN , being nicer is nothing compared to what these people chose to give up! I mean, it's damn near impossible...

I’ve become a true Toronto downtown-ite

Ever since I started work, I wanted to make sure I still maintain some individuality throughout this rat race that we call the “working world”. This may seem silly, but part of that commitment was to keep bringing my own lunch, take the TTC like a trooper (regardless of the crazies) and by all means, avoid coffee like the plague. I can say right away that bringing my own lunch stopped at about week #2.

Unfortunately, this week has become another week of broken promises - not only did I take the GO Train for the first time yesterday, but I loved it! It’s the most comfortable, quiet and fast ride to work - and it’s even better than I thought it could be. I have to admit, embracing the crazies on the subway has neither been as rewarding nor as mutual as I thought it would be. I tried to be nice to one, and got lava-burned on my first attempt [I’m not going into detail]. Yesterday morning on my way through the tunnels of Kipling station, my bitterness for the TTC was coupled with a good-looking man almost beckoning me to follow him to the GO Train station. I followed my gut (and libido) and lo and behold, found myself on the GO - and felt a real guilty pleasure.


My other broken promise is almost too horrible to speak of: as a constant nag to my coworkers and family, I have been a vocal opponent to this unhealthy addiction. But a simple mistake made me a hypocrite this week. Last week, I (innocently) went to Second Cup and wasn’t sure what to get, when the coffee man (of course, a good-looking one again) suggested a Moccacino with soy milk and half the chocolate. I naively accepted, and then tasted the most delicious drink I’ve ever had. Since then, every day I pass by the Second Cup (on the way to work) I have to fight off the urge the evil but delicious coffee…

I can now concede that 1) coffee is a true and real addiction, 2) “subway crazies” are no longer an amusement but a provocation and 3) my libido/men in suits/men in Second Cup uniforms get me into trouble.

I couldn't help myself

So I've been going through a "cute phase" recently, and my senses are acutely aware of anything remotely adorable or endearing. I saw this video a while ago, but it was recently brought to my attention again and it really makes me laugh (especially after something crappy at work). You will either think I'm the biggest nerd, or it will make you laugh at least a little.

Ooops, she did it... again?!?!

So I had a full out post written about stuff that's going on in my life, but I though I'd take the opportunity to comment (being the millionth person to do so, no doubt) about the girl/mom/Girl-Interrupted-in-real-life that is Britney Spears.

I have to admit, I have always been a Britney fan - I can even say she was my girl idol crush at her peak (Slave for You? Hellooooo hot). Every girl wanted her abs, and her love life (circa JT) and her moolah. Because for the girls of my generation, she was the girl who grew into a woman as we became women too - she serenaded our teenage and semi-adult life with lovely, poppy and sugary tunes when we needed the break from the angst-filled Alanis, trippy Radiohead, and boy crushes BSB and NSync.

I really think this is why we are all taking this recent situation with Britney so seriously. I mean, we all thought K-Fed wasn't good enough for her, but felt bad like you do for your girlfriends - who hasn't fallen for a guy that looked great to you but was really a loser to everyone else? And when she got married and got pregnant, we were happy for her in a disappointed way, but we knew she would bounce back because she is Britney - despite her mistakes, we knew her career was huge to her and that the comeback was eminent.

Which is why the break-up with K-Fed was a huge deal - she finally got rid of what was holding her down. Instead, it seems like she got rid of what was holding her together. What is going on now!? Drugs, sex, partying and with two kids at home?

I have to say, I still had faith until the head shaving incident. I became less naive to the possibility that it was all being blown out of proportion, and realized that this is a really, really sad version of Britney. And what's worse, is if it happened to someone like her (albeit she's not the most intelligent), what would stop us, those girls that grew up with her, from having this nervous breakdown potential?

I really just hope that something can save her, because she has (had?) so much potential that she lost in the past 3 months. And lemme tell you, the only person happy about this situation must be Tom Cruise, because "head shaving" is the new Crazy - "couch hopping" has moved to a distant second.

For my part, I'm keeping the electric clippers faaaaar away from my house.

R.I.P. Paula Menendez

The past few days have been filled with shock, sadness and disgust at the Debowski house.

On Monday morning, our street was filled with cop cars and the house right across the street from us was cordoned off with police tape. We had no idea what happened, except that my dad’s physiotherapist, and our neighbour, Paula Menendez, lived in that house.

The story started off with a rumour that Paula had been abducted - her door was found wide open, and her car was in the driveway. Laura, our neighbour, was getting questioned by the police and was really upset.

As the day progressed, the news reported on having found 2 women murdered in a house in Markham. Getting home that evening, the police found out that one of the women was the (alleged) murderer’s husband, and the other was not yet identified. For a passing moment, I thought about Paula being involved in this murder, but dismissed it almost immediately.

Imagine our surprise when news crews showed up on our street, and started interviewing residents about Paula’s murder - her being the other woman in Markham. All of our neighbours are shocked, and disturbed by the constant presence of cop cars on our street. It turns out that it is highly likely that Paula was abducted, by Christopher Little, and then taken to Markham where she likely watched Julie getting stabbed and killed, and was then dragged to the garage, bound and hanged. The details of the story involve a love triangle, with Paula’s husband Rick recently dating Julie, Christopher Little’s husband.

This is really a surreal situation - to think that someone living so close to you could be robbed of their life in such a brutal and violent way. We all keep thinking about the absolute terror that Paula went through on Sunday night, and feel incredible guilt about possibly being just a few metres away when the coward came to attack an innocent woman. I am disgusted, shocked and will forever feel partly to blame for not noticing that anything was wrong. I can only hope that whoever did this will be punished enough for the crime of robbing 2 girls of their mother, and murdering another because of his own fucked up life.

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/181543

This puts a whole new spin on B.O.

I was about to make a comment about how I completely disagree with an article I read (at least on a conscious level) and how sweat is gross.... but I got, and still am, distracted by the hotness that are Brad Pitt's abs (glistening ones, no less).

Damn.

So... back to focus. Reading the news this morning, and trying to sift through the plethora of articles regarding Anna Nicole Smith, I found this great one about how females are sexually aroused and get a faster heart beat simply by smelling a chemical found in guy's sweat.

Mmmmm, crazy delicious.

Of course, the scientists found a useful result of this experiment - the smell of sweat actually increases cortisol levels, which is what makes humans able to cope with stress, and well-being - basically feel-good stuff for the body.

Anyway, as a business person, this is somewhat inspiring - perhaps I will create a product that simulates the smell of sweat and sell it?? “Eau d’homme: guaranteed to make your night a “feel-good” night”.

Oh man! Maybe that’s what the put in Axe? Bummer… I’m always the last to know…

I can NOT believe he didn't do this when I went to see him!!!

I can't believe this... I'm incredibly jealous. Next best thing is to watch it on video...

Oh Justin, you are amazing even with a box over your crotch.

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1740879

Romeo and Juliet

This is definitely something I've never seen before...
Apparently archaeologists have found 5000 year old skeletal remains of a male and female in an embrace near – where else – Verona, Italy. It seems like it’s the real proof to Shakespeare’s story, despite the 6000 + year difference between the age of the remains and the classic tragedy.

The article is pretty self-explanatory, but I just love to think what the background is behind this story – were they really lovers trying to escape something and dying together? Could Shakespeare have been inspired by some variation of an original true story, and used it to write his own?

There’s something to be said about seeing such a tender moment captured in history, underground for over 6000 years. Seeing these kinds of discoveries makes me appreciate what it means to be a human, and a small but important part of our history – I wonder what fossils our generation will leave for humans in 5000 years… hopefully it’s not just a legacy of indifference for the environment and a global crisis on their hands.

The inevitable post has finally come...

So with Valentine's Day quickly approaching, and a few recent changes in my friends' singledoms, I thought I would finally post about the inevitable conversation topic: relationships.

I don't know whether it's the recent holidays, or whether spring fever has come early this year, but at least 4 of my close friends have recently given up their precious single status to be nauseatingly happy in fast-moving relationships.

That sounded incredibly bitter... and I don't think I am, although there is something bewitching in the thought that there actually is someone out there willing to put up with your crap and still be with you despite it.

As an outsider, I can say that I find all the PDAs and constant hand-holding a little over-the-top, although I guess it's not as disgusting when you're actually in the relationship. But with my recent resolution to become more open to dating, I realized that it's increasingly difficult to find someone - especially since I am very clear and decided in what I want in a guy.

Perhaps I am a little bitter this morning... having gone on several dates recently, I had a fantastic experience this weekend but it made me realize that there are so many factors out of my control - even if I do manage to meet this close-to-perfect man, there is always the issue of timing which seems to always get in the way.

However, after reading this article on msn, it lifted my mood a little bit - it's a pretty accurate measure of what you can gain from being single: http://msn.match.com/msn/article.aspx?articleid=6320&TrackingID=516311&BannerID=544657&menuid=7&GT1=8953.

That being said, I am happy for all you couples - if anything, it makes my life easier because you're all in such good moods. Keep it up - just try to tone down the PDAs and get a room.

I don't believe in resolutions... but here goes nothing

Alright, I have caved into the pressure, but for more than just the silly reason of it being a new year.

I have decided, as so well put by my friend Jess, that I have lost my "groove". It may be that time of year, or the fact that work is consuming my life, or perhaps that in exactly 11 weeks I will be crossing the threshold into my mid-twenties (gasp! yes, run away in fear, I am becoming middle-aged...)

Whatever it is, I have identified it as "negative" and not how I want to live my precious few weeks of early-twenties. Therefore, on the eve of the 11 weeks preceding said birthday, I am giving myself one goal - to become the best version of myself that I've ever been. I read some BS somewhere that once you write something down, you become much more committed to it or something, so here's my strong (and ulimately regretable) written contract to myself to fulfill my goal. That way, if I don't achieve it, I will not only be sorely disappointed, but be aware that this public declaration will also lead me to new levels of humiliation should I fail.

I have not decided yet what it means to become this best version - you'll excuse me for my vagueness, since I am on 3 hours sleep and see not many more hours on this proposal-filled horizon. But, I will be writing down these goals as I think of them, and will write what I have achieved at the end of 11 weeks. I do promise, however, that my goals will not include taking up smoking, avoiding Nutella or frequenting that gigolo place I mentioned before... I'll save that for my breakdown as I approach my late-twenties (Good God, can you imagine being thirty?!?)

Good night, and good luck (to myself, I'll need it).

Tis the season to be...lonely?

During my morning breakfast (at noon) today, I noticed an article in the G&M about relationships during the holiday season. Apparently, Christmas brings out the loneliness in people - specifically women. In fact, we miss having a man around so much that apparently the use of gigolo services increases by 25% during the month of December.

At first glance, I scoffed and pitied the poor women who needed a little lovin to make up for the lack of a companion during the holiday season. But upon further reflection, I realized that I am not so different at all!! Mon, the "strong and confident woman", is also missing a male companion as of right now, and is defintiely feeling it. I hate to use the word lonely, and I won't admit to it, but there's definitely a void that I never noticed before. And as I've admitted to Amal - I miss having a guy around. There, I said it - and I won't say it again.

But having a relationship is something that can't 100% be replaced by anything else. I've got a great family, friends, job and a chance at polishing up my own self, and I don't even mind spending time alone with just a book, or music or movie. But being with someone is an addiction, like to a drug - once you have one taste, you know what you're missing when you lose it. It's especially noticeable when all of a sudden all your friends have some love interest on-the-go (when did that happen?!?)

I am not the type to just go for anyone - I would rather be alone than to fake some sort of relationship with someone I am not completely crazy about, and I hope to never reach that point of desperation. But my self-righteousness is lessened of late - I have realized that while being alone is great, I am weak/strong enough to want someone else to share my life with. Someone who happens to be tall, dark and handsome, with a great job and family values, who can be modern and traditional at the same time, and who will be loyal for the time that we are together. And to be honest, until that guy comes along, I will continue to fill the void in my life with new experiences and make it as full as I can without him.... and avoid the gigolo clubs until I really, really need them.

Anyone need some last-minute Christmas ideas?

This is the FUNNIEST SNL skit I've ever seen!! Uncensored and everything...

Really? Him?

Does this really look like a man who can lead our country?

Take a good look: he looks like a little boy lost in a playground, seducing the Canadian public with those puppy dog, watery eyes.

With the federal elections not too far in the distance, and the Conservative Party losing ground every day, it seems that the Liberals are well-positioned to win those elections. Which means the timid Mr. Dion will likely be our next Prime Minister.

I’ve been getting more involved in politics recently, what with more than half of my friends either a candidate for or supporting provincial/federal parties. I’m really trying to be passionate about it, but it’s difficult for me to choose sides – I’m a fence sitter, which really isn’t allowed in politics. You choose one party, and then stick with them for life while mocking the opposition.

I was actually a Michael Ignatieff supporter for a while – he’s from my ‘hood, he’s an academic and easy on the eyes. But a few speeches later and I lost my inspiration and stopped following the Liberal Leader race.

Watching the coverage this weekend, I was still convinced the whole time that he would win. However, when it came down to the last ballot, Michael lost that confident smile he had been sporting throughout the whole election and I finally admitted that Dion might win.

It’s just that when you really think about Canada and its reputation, and the current situation we’re in, I can hardly see this man as an assertive, articulate speaker. I’m even going through a French phase (in that I love them and would move to Montreal in a second), but I’m neither inspired nor confident in the new leader. Picture him trying to fight the bully that is the US, or gain an audience with Chinese leaders (Harper had some trouble) or invoke fear into terrorists hearts when we join the fight on terrorism.

I can’t believe I’m going to say this… but next time, I’m voting Conservative.

Fergie - Billboard Awards 2006 Performance

If you watch Fergie on this video, she
a) doesn't move at all
b) looks like she's going to trip on her heels when she walks
c) forgets her lyrics, especially during the her "rap"

This girl is either drunk or high - Will.i.am has to follow her around and fill in the lost lyrics (she even glances at him every so often like a scared puppy).

I can't believe more people didn't notice this!!

Evolution of Dance

I laugh out loud everytime I see this video... the guy is actually talented.

I learn more from the radio in transit to work than I actually do AT work

So apparently myth is true… although it doesn’t seem so much a myth because if you watch any group of women, they prove that it has to be a bona fide fact (every episode of Sex and the City is based on this fact).

Women talk more than men do – 3 times more!

A study stated that on average, women use a whopping 20,000 words in one day, while men barely use 7,000. This brings about an interesting debate…

Do men use less words cause they’re smarter, dumber or just unable to express themselves? Do women use more words because they’re more emotional, and therefore need to voice those feelings? And is this something we should equalize/ attempt to narrow the gap, or is it just one of those differences between men and women that we all love to analyze…

When I compare my mom and myself to my brother and dad, I can definitely see the difference in word use – it’s actually a common spat in our family – my dad tries to get a word in but my mom is too quick for him.

To me, the more you speak, the more you have to bullsh*t – how else can you account for the extra word use? I must say, I have long been a fan of saying more in few words – I have put conscious effort into not talking as much (I find this makes me seem like I understand everything at work while I really don’t have any idea what they’re talking about). I also find people (a.k.a. women) at work who talk too much annoy not only me, but make me doubt their real capability since the BS factor seems to be so high.

Really, some self-control is needed at time- in my male-dominated workplace, I keep myself in check to make sure I don’t sound like a ditz. Once I leave that office though, it’s time to relax – I say let everyone speak! It really takes greater skill to be able to verbalize what you’re saying… anyone can shut themselves up. Otherwise, one day bottling up all that “talk” might turn you into a crazy on the streets of Toronto that just talks to him/herself…

Pho? How bout NO

If evil were to take form as food, it would be Pho.

I'd like to add that I am really trying to be experimental with food choices - I definitely tried a lot of different foods in Europe, and I attempt to keep an open mind (as much as I can complain while I do it).

I knew Pho and I weren't meant to be when I smelled the coriander in the mix - I don't know what it is, but coriander makes me... I won't get graphic. Not only that, but the smell sticks with me for days after. *Shudder*

Then, Dirk (my coworker) pointed out the pieces of tripe or stomach or whatever it was... I swear, my imagination got the better of me and I couldn't eat anymore.

Good news though - I couldn't eat anything the rest of the day - looks like I found that secret method for sticking to that diet my trainer tried to put me on.

P.S. This post is not meant to offend any Vietnamese people - I'm sure you're all lovely, and that other choices on the menu were delicious, but yuck.

Has someone been reading my blog?

It seems my tirade against O.J. Simpson's TV interview and book made a difference - both have been cancelled today! This is the first time that media has listened to me - and about oh, 10 million other people.

And in the meantime, we count another beloved star making a nosedive in their reputation - Kramer, from Seinfeld, was doing stand-up and was getting heckled by some (apparently) black people, because he went into a shameful verbal assault against them. It seems like he had a mini-crazy moment - possibly pulling an Anne Heche, circa 2001, or maybe a Mel Gibson, circa raging alcoholic. Either way, somewhat unfortunate. Check it out on www.tmz.com (with video!)

"IF I did it" - BS by OJ Simpson

I know I said I’d write about happy things… but the truth of the matter is that happy things are often boring, rare, and I’m unable to rant about them. They just don’t get me into the Mozone, you know?

Hence my next subject – I read about O.J. this morning: he is writing a book and interviewing with Fox about the murders he “didn’t” commit. He will write/discuss how he would have done it IF he was the one that murdered Nicole and Ron.

I don’t understand how people can watch this bull. How can you watch someone describe a murder that he obviously committed with the smug satisfaction that he did not get charged nor will ever be charged? This is an actual quote from the interview: “I have never seen so much blood in my life. I don’t think any two people could be murdered without everybody being covered in blood.” I don’t even know what to say to that… I only hope that his kids aren’t watching, because not only am I disgusted that someone would give this loser any more attention for being a murderer, I am infuriated that the US judicial system would allow for something like this to happen – he should be stopped and silenced forever.

I rest my case.

After canvassing for 6 months and having an amazing team to support him, Andrew’s hard work paid off last night. Although he didn’t actually beat the incumbent/offensive John Filion, he got an amazing 35% from his ward.

Needless to say I am slightly hungover and very tired this morning… my night ended around 1:30 (not bad for a Monday) after traveling home on the subway from Yonge and Sheppard and making several pit stops along the way.

Whatever happened, it was all worth it – I’m proud to say I worked on a campaign for a guy like Andrew. As Pat would say, “a real class act”.

E-Day is finally here...

After helping Andrew out for the past few months, the day is finally here - election time!

Go out and vote, and then come celebrate Andrew Miller's successful campaign in Willowdale - he deserves it!

On a side and completely unrelated note, I just read an interesting article on CNN about Toronto, professors and weed - we should be proud that we got into international headlines with this story.... riiiiiiight.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/11/13/canada.professors.reut/index.html

Good ol' TTC...

So although I bitch about commuting, it definitely gives me a chance to satisfy my obsession with Sudokus, books, music and people-watching for about 2 hours every day.

Although most days I'm either touched or amused by people's actions, the past few days have made me realize that a) riding the subway is like a microcosm for the "real world" and the type of people in it b) (continuing on that thread) there are a lot of "weirdos" in Toronto and c) there are a lot more homeless people than I realized (now that it's cold outside, the homeless keep to warmer areas).

A touching moment was yesterday, when an elderly couple got onto the subway, snuggled together and both fell asleep during the ride. It sounds cliche, but it was cute since they were doing it without any false pretense.

Some scarier experiences were when I saw a group of teens harass another teen (damn bullies), then myself got assaulted on the same day. Some guy started touching me, and then following me off the subway - thankfully a pair of knights in shining suits saved me with their white briefcases. A modern day fairy tale perhaps?

The worst part of my commute was yesterday, when I was coming back from Spanish class - as I was entering the subway, sirens were going off behind me and following me up to the entrance. I was trying to get to the Westbound trains at Yonge/Bloor, and as I was transferring through, I noticed a commotion and a man perched on a railing in the tunnel looking like he was ready to commit suicide. Turns out the sirens were cops trying to come stop him...

EIther way, it really saddened me that this actually happens - I mean, I'm not naive enough to think that suicide is more common than the public assumes, but to actually see someone desperate enough to do it in PUBLIC is a tragedy.

On that note, I've decided to write about happier things from now- it seems my blogs always end on a sad note, which is not an indication of me at all. Sooooo.... next blog: rainbows and puppies and raindrops on roses.... you get my drift.

Finally...

It has finally happened!

TMZ (www.tmz.com) has just reported that Britney Spears filed for divorce from Kevin Federline - anyone who knows me knows that a) I love keeping up with Hollywood gossip b) I always loved Britney and c) K-Fed is white trash.

This is my superficial side coming out, but I am glad that she finally got rid of him. And she waited til she looked good and caused a stir last night on Letterman to do it.
http://www.tmz.com/2006/11/07/holy-crap-brit-is-hot-again/

You go girl! (I can't pull that off can I?)

GAH!!!

I lost my mother%\*$& in cell phone on the subway - I'm an idiot!!

I thought I'd try and vent on the blog to deal with this major annoyance. Oh, and to mention that I am a predictable human being: it seems the 5 Stages of Grief apply to me: I passed Denial about 2 hours ago, when I couldn't believe that it happened to me, and tore through my purse/bag/car/clothing (with odd stares from fellow subwayers). I am currently, and obviously, going through the Anger stage - if any of you were here with me right now... well, you don't want to be.

Beware of stages 3-5: Bargaining (yeah right), Depression (ouch) and Acceptance (very far away). Don't say I didn't warn you.

Release therapy - literally.

Apparently this man strikes so much fear into people's hearts that they get turned on.

On my way to work this morning, I read a little blurb in the Metro about increased condom sales and bookings at "love motels" in South Korea recently. I'm not kidding - the article wrote that "despite the South Korean's apparently blasé reaction" to North Korea and nuclear situation, South Koreans are actually "seeking solace in sex".

I don't really know what to say... usually I would say that people have their own way of dealing and that I don't understand, but finally, this is a grieving process that I can appreciate.

Something tells me that in about 9 months, the Metro might report an unexplained "increase in babies born" in South Korea…

Mon the mom? Highly unlikely.

Being a parent scares the crap out of me.

Not that I am thinking about it becoming a reality anytime soon - I'm still proud to say that I am in a selfish phase in my life, and that raising a child is nowhere near the realm of my possibility.

I have seen my share of bad parenting, and especially horrible parenting, through disasters in our (formal) social circle, through children at my mom's school and just through personal experience at my own schools. When it comes down to it, a lot of parents should have either waited, or declined the role in the first place. It's common sense that the environment that you grow up in creates the kind of person you are, with a few exceptions that break the mold.


I love the Cosby family - if I could choose a fantasy family of my own, I think they'd be a lot like them. I'll never forget the episode when Theo talks to his dad about not being smart enough to do well in school, and that he should be able to choose his own path in life, which doesn't necessarily have to be so hard. He talks at length about loving him no matter what he studies, and that his dad should accept that. A Full House episode would have called for a pat on the back, and a "don't worry, honey, you can settle for mediocrity if that's what you want" moment.
Cosby, on the other hand, replied with the unforgettable "that is the stupidest thing I've ever heard!". Classic... it sounds exactly like my dad, and it was refreshing to know that there were other kids out there trying to take the easy way out and the parents to nip that kind of mentality right in the bud.

Anyway, I digress once more... my blog is inspired by an article I read this morning. It seems there is a study saying that autism could be caused by too much TV at a young age: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1548682,00.html?cnn=yes. These kinds of studies freak me out, since it puts one more thing on the ownice of the parent. I am by no means a control freak, but remembering all the "dos and don'ts" of parenting make me realize I am far from ready or willing to become a mom. Or I could try to adopt a child from Malawi, but it seems that's fraught with even more problems than having my own.

I think that being selfish, single and lovin it is the way to go for me - no mini-Monika's for now.

What are you smoking?

With my office (partial) view into the building courtyard, I was surprised to see a large number of people frequenting (props to Adam) the outside walkway. It was pouring rain, and cold, and I couldn't figure out why people would subject themselves to an unpleasant environment.

...Then, I saw the magic sticks. People were obviously in need of the hit of tobacco and the trade-off between smoking and getting wet was an easy decision to make. I was and am surprised by how many addicted smokers there actually are - living in the suburbs, and hearing all the anti-smoking laws has deluded me into thinking that nobody smokes anymore, but one visit to downtown toronto during morning coffee or lunchtime definitely clears up the confusion.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really not one to loudly judge the smokers - even I have casually 'experimented' with cigarettes/cigars, and don't feel guilty about it. I don't think I can really understand people with a full-blown habit, that required a morning smoke to get through the day - then again, I'm not the type to have an addictive personality, so apparently I "will never understand".

Smoking provides some kind of high that people need, hence the addiction - find a new high! Listen to Brooke Shields (whose 80's advertisement against smoking I find highly amusing), whose "looks are spoiled" by the cancer stick. It can't possibly be the white jumpsuit and cheeks the colour of a fire truck that are ruining her vibe... Brooke Shields circa 1985 has a lot to teach you all, take notice and dump those cigarettes (especially the ones that you stick in your ears, those can hardly be good).

I'm inlove...

It has happened, and much, much sooner than I thought it would:

I have met someone, and I'm completely infatuated after only a few days.

Bold statement? Yes. But this male is exactly what I was looking for. First of all, he's incredibly low maintenance - he is completely happy (from what I can tell) with just hanging out with me, and doesn't need anything fancy to be content. He holds himself with a quiet dignity that few possess, says a lot using very few words. Of course, he's extremely good-looking, but a little too territorial sometimes (he would rip the competition to shreds, literally). Although it's only been a few days, he has been there to tuck me into bed and wakes up to greet me in the morning.

Want to see this gorgeous specimen? He's really one-of-a-kind:

Meet Moe.

Homecoming definitely felt like coming home...

Sigh... I didn't realize how much I missed London until this weekend - although I didn't have time to think about missing it, given that I had 24 hours to celebrate my return.

This picture (my most favourite) is the perfect image of what the weekend was - passed out but still showing school spirit (on the left) and lookin fly (our actor friend on the right). Sadly, this is the scene at the beginning of the trip, but it was definitely worse on the way home (I almost joined them, and I was driving).

The weekend started off with the football game, which I am proud to say we won, but I didn't make it through - it rained almost the whole time and I got my sick ass frozen to the core up until half-time. After driving some soaking boys and myself back to the apartment, we di dsome shopping and chilled up until we realized we were late getting to the bar at 8pm! The Frog had a 45 minute line-up, which we quickly manoeuvered around by paying the bouncer the equivalent of cover at a Toronto bar, and got in immediately.

The Frog is by far the best bar I have been to, and that includes Toronto bars/clubs as well - it never disappoints. The crowd was great, cheap drinks and more cute guys than I've seen in one night. We kept it a girls night, which was the best - Amal and I partied hard til closing, and got few hours of sleep that night. The next morning, we dragged our hungover bodies to Starbucks, and on the way home hit Barakat's, which completed the customary London weekend - keeping it traditional is comforting.

To sum it up - I saw almost everyone from our graduating class (one friend even flew up from LA just to be there) and London is an amazing place to party it up. Amal and I decided that we are definitely visiting sometime soon again, and embracing the early arrival time, cheap drinks, familiar faces and the one crowded street on the way home from the bar. Thank God we chose Western... who knows what might have happened if we were U of T'ers (no offense lil Deboz)...