All Hallow's Eve

The following people are preventing me from doing my midterm which is due in 10 1/2 hours:

Death Cab for Cutie
Interpol
Franz Ferdinand
Radiohead
Spoon
Arcade Fire

If I was smart I'd just shut off the damn CD player. But if I was smart, I'd be done my midterm already... and wouldn't have gone to see a movie tonight.... and wouldn't be writing this right now....

I'm just starting to understand the material that I have to write about. Curse curse curse! Oh well, I will get it done... I just might hate the class forever. Shit! I just remembered that I have to give a 90 second presentation on my answer as well. Hopefully I'll know what I'm talking about by tomorrow. BACK TO WORK!

p.s. I got what has to be the funniest trick-or-treater in the world. She was a four year-old girl dressed in a flesh coloured t-shirt with huge fake boobs in a blue-sequined bra. I asked "And who are you dressed up as?"

And she said: "My costume is 'Kids grow up so fast these days'!"

I gave her a handful of Campinos, and died laughing.

***UPDATE***

I've got 812 words of what is supposed to be 750ish, and many of those words are slightly unfocussed. I have no conclusion. And I don't know how or where I'm going to print this paper off, and seeing as it's due at 8:30am tomorrow, I don't know when I'm going to get a chance to find a printer.

I really need a break. I think I'll just slap on a hapdash conclusion and hand it in. I suppose I should do a "works cited" page too. Those are such a pain in the ass, especially when working with an anthology.

The time is now 11:49pm. Boop.

Battle of the Acronyms

Thanks to the generosity of two li'l ol' ladies last night, my iPod fund is now at the required $400 level. After 3 or 4 months of scrimping and saving all I have to do is go to the bank, deposit the moolah onto the ol' VISA, wait a few days for it to go through, and order!

So why this hesitation? Why this rotten feeling in my gut? I must admit that seeing $400 paid off of my VISA would be intensely satisfying. More satisfying than hours of Podding goodness?

I think that I've accidently put myself into some sort of crazy self-denial mode by not allowing myself to spend my tips for an extended period of time, so now I feel guilty for this mass purchase. I browse through the Apple website and when I see all the brand-spankin'-new features instead of thinking "Soon you will be mine!" I think of all the other ways this money could be used.

• It's more than a month's worth of rent
  
• It's probably the remainder of the Christmas presents I have to buy
  
• It could go to help any number of charities
  
• It could be used to spoil Jenny, Nora, Xerox, Ichabod, and the fish rotten
  
• It could be saved to help pay for school next semester
  
• I could fix the car with it
  
• It could just be saved

And of course, it could be used to buy an iPod that I don't really need, but kind of want.

This would be a good time to become a monk.

Here's a good reason to be excited!

"The White Stripes have recorded a version of Tegan and Sara's Walking with a Ghost and will be releasing it to radio this week. The track will be available through iTunes on Nov 14 and at US retail as part of a special single release on Dec 6."

This will probably end my hard and fast stand against buying single songs online. But seeing as I will be unable to get my grubby little paws on it otherwise, I may just have to shell out the 99 pennies.

Or I could stage an elaborate road trip to the nearest American music store on Dec. 6.... That too has it's merits....

iPod Fund Update!

I'm now within striking distance! My fund has reached the impressive level of $300, which means that after taxes I'm only about $100 away! Big thanks go out to Natalie Longarini who generaously donated $5 out of her own pocket. What a sweetie!

The added good news about this is that I have no choice but to get a pod that plays video. I thought to my self "Self, you aren't going to like how much more those buggers are going to charge you for this." But a 30GB iPod with video capacity is the exact same price as a 20GB iPod without video capacity!

I'll never use the video thingy, but it's nice to know it's there!

Now only two questions remain:

1) White or Black? (If anyone sings "It don't matter...." I'll slap you.)

2) Do I go with my original plan of getting "Thrift, thrift, Horatio" engraved on the back to remind me that this is one damn expensive jukebox I'm buying, or do I go with "Teh sex" as would make me snicker?

Rock and Roll Hoochie-koo v3.0

There are a lot of female artists who I'm really into these days who, if they aren't solo artists are part of a group and contribute in a significant way to the unique sound of said group. So thus: a shrine to the goddesses of modern music.

(In no particular order)


Sharin Foo of The Raveonettes


Bjork


Tori Amos


Régine Chassagne of the Arcade Fire


Amy Millan of Stars


Meg White of the White Stripes


Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's


Fiona Apple


Tegan & Sara

***EDIT***

I argued with myself over whether or not to put this next picture in. It turns out it's next to impossible to find a picture of Zia McCabe from the Dandy Warhols on the internet where she has a shirt on. I guess I should have expected that from the internet, the old coot! Anyway, I came to the conclusion that if you don't want to see Zia McCabe without a shirt on, you can go and read a book or something, cry-baby. She's a good musician.

You've been warned.


Zia McCabe of the Dandy Warhols

***2nd EDIT***

I'm just going to leave this up until I'm certain I've exhausted my list of personal musical goddesses. Thanks to Luke who helped with these two.


Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth


D'Arcy Wretzky of the Smashing Pumpkins

Scott Adams: Visionary.

Scott Adams (creator of Dilbert) seems to have a knack for voicing exactly how I feel about things. For example:

When I see news stories about people all over the world who are experiencing hardships, I worry about them, and I rack my brain wondering how I can make a difference. So I decided to start my own blog. That way I won't have time to think about other people.

People who are trying to decide whether to create a blog or not go through a thought process much like this:

• The world sure needs more of ME.
  
• Maybe I'll shout more often so that people nearby can experience the joy of knowing my thoughts.
  
• No, wait, shouting looks too crazy.
  
• I know - I'll write down my daily thoughts and badger people to read them.
  
• If only there was a description for this process that doesn't involve the words egomaniac or unnecessary.
  
• What? It's called a blog? I'm there!

The blogger's philosophy goes something like this:

Everything that I think about is more fascinating than the crap in your head.

The beauty of blogging, as compared to writing a book, is that no editor will be interfering with my random spelling and grammar, my complete disregard for the facts, and my wandering sentences that seem to go on and on and never end so that you feel like you need to take a breath and clear your head before you can even consider making it to the end of the sentence that probably didn't need to be written anyhoo.

If that doesn't inspire you to read my blog, I don't know what will.

Was this what I was thinking when I joined this crazy band of vagabonds? Probably almost certainly and definately. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and shout at my co-workers.

So random I can't blink.

Sevigny Unfazed by Bird Flu Threats

American actress Chloe Sevigny is refusing to succumb to the media hysteria surrounding the bird flu virus. Since the disease emerged in southeast Asia in 2003, more than 60 people have been killed by the H5N1 strain of the disease and, in recent weeks, it has begun to spread to the western world. Despite the media's alarming news report predicting how many people will be killed by avian flu, the Boys Don't Cry star remains calm and collected, insisting she doubts she would be unlucky enough to catch the virus. She tells the New York Daily News, "Doesn't avian flu affect old people more? I'm young and healthy. I have a strong constitution. My mother breast-fed me for years."

Well, it's good to know that if we all lose our minds to the horror that is Bird Flu, we can turn to Chloe Sevigny who will...


um....



uh....





No, there just is no good reason to know this.

There's- there's just too much in this article. The last sentence, for example. I can't.... I don't even know where to begin.

Name-arama-rama!

1. YOUR PORN STAR NAME: (name of first pet + street you live on) : Pupper Brock (Although "Pump-her" Brock might have been better... but who has a pet named "Pump-her"?)

2. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (grandmother's/father's first name + favorite snack): Ned Two-Bite Brownies ("Ned Two-Bite Brownies and Susan Sarandon in The Flower that Drank the Moon")

3. YOUR FASHION DESIGNER NAME: (first word you see on your left + favorite restaurant): Z-103 Laughing-Buddha ("Z-103" is a word, right?)

4. YOUR SOCIALITE NAME: (silliest childhood nickname + first town where you partied) : Cronin Peterborough (And you thought "Paris Hilton" had a good socialite name!)

5. YOUR "FLY GIRL/GUY" NAME: (first initial + first three letters of your last name) : A-Roo (he he he... "Fly Guy")

6. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite animal + name of your high school) : Cuddly Puppy PCVS. (This is still ludicrous, but sounded better than "Cuddly Puppy Peterborough Collegiate & Vocational School". My school is pretty.)

7. YOUR BARFLY NAME: (last snack food you ate + your favorite drink) : Poutine Guinness (Man, I could eat and drink myself about now.)

8. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name + street where you first lived) : John Park ("Who shot John Park's illegitimate child with half-sister Marie Grandview?" Soap operas are so stupid. John Park is not.)

9. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (favorite candy + favorite musicians last name) : Kit Kat White ("Up next, the ragtime stylings of Kit Kat White!")

10. YOUR OPPOSITE SEX NAME: (name of {opposite sex] friend + cell phone company you use): Stephanie Not Applicable (This is my favourite)

11. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: ( first 3 letters of your last name+ last 3 letters of mothers middle name /+/ first 3 letters of your pets name + first 3 letters of the town you live in) : Rooane Xersud. ("Rooane" sounds like a girl's name.)

The Inter-Spoon Fire

The other day I bought the following albums:







The Arcade Fire EP sounds appropriately like Funeral's younger sibling. Atmospheric, lyrical, and oh so quirky.

Interpol's Antics sounds nothing like I'd expected. I'd never heard Interpol before and decided to take a chance after hearing some good things about the band. They sound a little bit like if the Killers instruments had a baby with the Arcade Fire's lyrical content.

Spoon's Gimme Fiction was another one I'd never heard of before, except for one review which simply stated "Spoon's new album is delicious. Go and buy it." It is certainly intriguing. It's in the same arena as Arcade Fire and Stars, but there's no female singer. Every song is permeated with a subtle air of menace which is quite "delicious."

Bottom Line: I've got lots of listening to do over reading week which is here now. Hoo-rah!

Litmus test

If you get offended easily, go here instead of reading the following.

Jenny told me these jokes, but in her defense someone else told her.

Q: What did the blind boy get for christmas?

A: Cancer!

Q: What did the blind boy get for his birthday?

A: Molested!

Apologies to humanity.

Some things that were great about 'Elizabethtown'

Susan Sarandon's tap dance was everything that was right about sad/happy grief.


Cameron Crowe always dresses his lead females to the nines.


I could not get over how much Judy Greer looked exactly like she could be Susan Sarandon's daughter.


How could he possibly deliver those lines in a way that didn't instantly demonize him? "You can't outact me, boy." His office is hysterical.


When Kirsten Dunst starts directing people out of the memorial service I could have died it was so funny.



Now if only Orlando Bloom could stop acting so hard! Man was he ever workin' it! He had some really great moments (ie/ In the car near the end when he's talking to his dad) but some others were... troublesome. "Wait... we're not?"

I don't really understand the overwhelmingly negative critical response to this film. Maybe Almost Famous raised expectations. Maybe people expected too much. I did, but I was still pleasantly surprised. I thought Kirsten Dunst's Claire would grate on my nerves, but I knew people like her so it rang true. She may have been a little irritating, but she was real.

Overall the film's up-and-down mix of happy/sad, love story/father-and-son drama, on-again-off-again was a little frustrating because I just wanted one emotion to push through the din so I wouldn't feel conflicted and could either ride a high or "sink into the deep melancholy of everything that has happened." But how do you do that when the story is filled with so many complex emotions and situations?

Meh. I liked it. A lot, I think.

The Laziest Damn day.

Some memorable moments from today:

1) Wandering around my building, trying to find Stephie this morning to wake her up for school only to eventually have it click that she had already left, and my alarm must have been going off for an hour and forty-five minutes before I woke up.

2) Finally being snarky with the girl behind me who irritates me to no end. Take THAT!

3) The girl who took a phone call in the Brenda Wallace, and the other girl who eventually said "SH!" to her.

4) Seeing Angelo zip past my Chekhov class and wishing that he had a big cartoon "ZOOM" following him down the hall.

5) Finding pencil crayons in my bag and drawing a picture.

6) Unashamedly skipping Shakespeare to go home and drink tea in bed.

7) Liz calling me to see if I was alright because I missed Shakespeare. Sample conversation:

Me: Hello?

Liz: Hey! How are you feeling?

Me: I'm fine.

Liz: Where were you today?

Me: I just didn't feel like going.

Liz: Oh... Well, I'm going down to the grocery store and I was going to see if you wanted me to bring you anything, but I don't think I will any more.

Me: That's fair.

Thanks Liz!

8) Scaring the bejeezus out of my boss who forgot I was coming in tonight and doesn't like being in the gallery alone.

We'll see if anything else happens.

A Short Play by A. Root

[A meeting held in a medium-sized room. There is a podium and many chairs set up. The size of the crowd gathered will not require a microphone at the podium. There is a window in the wall behind the podium.]

1: We're now going to vote on whether or not to raise our membership fee by $5 so that we can also increase our donation to local charities.

2: Excuse me. We had worked into our budget that we would be donating a certain amount already for next year, so to raise our membership fee would be going against our own budget. [laughs] And Lord knows, a-ha-ha-ha I don't think we want that!

1: Yes, well if this intiative is passed we would have to work out a new budget.

2: [exasperated] I'm sorry, but I worked long and hard on this budget, and quite frankly I do not appreciate being brushed to the sidelines like this.

1: We aren't brushing you to the-

2: Excuse me, but that is exactly what you are doing. And I know that I'm not only speaking for myself here, but for the seven others who worked on this budget, and whose work you are also invalidating.

1: Muriel-

2: Don't you "Muriel" me! I have had just about enough of your attitude! If you cannot chair this meeting, then I will!

[2 moves to the front of the room, snatches the notes out of 1's hand and takes the podium.]

2: Good. Now that that's settled, we'll just get rid of this "new budget" business, seeing how much work went into figuring out the first draft anyway.

3: I think memberships are just fine the way they are.

2: Right you are, Margaret. Right you are.

3: By asking us to raise them, Margot is also asking us to redo our personal budgets as well!

2: Exactly, Margaret. Exactly.

3: I for one, do not need that inconvenience.

2: Quite true. Quite true.

1: [feebly] It's five dollars...

2: I've had quite enough out of you. All those in favour of the unaltered budget, say "aye"

All [except 1]: AYE!

[2 begins efficiently counting the hands raised. A homeless person walks by the window and looks in. 2 notices and, horrified rushes to the window and draws the curtains. Smoothing her feathers, she returns to the podium.]

2: Now. Where was I? Oh, yes. 17, 18, 19...

The End.

I work at an art gallery?!?!?

People feel compelled to tell me this at least three times a day. Or at least to point out that this is "supposed" to be an art gallery.

The next person who says that "there isn't any art in there" or says "I was just wondering where all the art is?" will be met with the following reaction:

"Holy shit! There isn't any art in there at all?! (picks up phone) Hello, police? There's been a major robbery at the Art Gallery! Yes, Sudbury does have an art gallery! John st.... Just over the Paris St Bridge.... Look that's not the point! Someone came in and stole every piece of art in here! Yes, I have two witnesses here who can vouche for the fact that there is not a single piece of art in the entire gallery!"

Then maybe I'll start sobbing and put my head on the desk and tell them that I'm going to lose my job.


It's so hard to put up with all the philistines in this town sometimes. Luckily I have friends who write things like "Let's have some more of the hot guy behind the desk!" in the public comment book. My boss brought that one to my attention today.

***UPDATE***

Why would you call the Art Gallery to get the phone number for Laurentian so that you can see what's playing at STC?

WHY?

Please don't steal this idea

So the below post was the result of some thoughts that have been swirling through my head as I drive from place to place listening to the CBC and hearing about all the tragedies in the world (sidenote: I'm glad the strike is over, if only for the simple reason that now they won't be saying that it's Sunday when it's actually Thursday).

A wiser man than myself once said that Hell was nothing more than a life without God. That set me to thinking; We live in a pretty terrible world. There are wars, poverty, famine, natural disasters, cruelty and intolerance, diseases, and thousands of people die every day from preventable causes. People in the 1st world who have more than what they need are plagued by unhappiness and psychological issues (although I hear most of these problems can be cured with vitamins and exercise). Corruption and political fandango permeate he highest levels of the world's government. A vast amount of energy is put into keeping ourselves entertained rather than helping people. Does anyone really care what Britney's spawn had for breakfast? Lindsay Lohan crashed her car....again, and Paris Hilton stars in yet another sex tape. These are the fish to the mass's seals.

All this makes me think.... Is it possible we're in Hell already?

I wanted to write an "Inferno" like tale of a person plucked from everyday life and told that he (or she) would be shown Hell and all its tortures, every demon and punishment for the damned. And what they see is our world, exactly as it is.

I don't know if I have the skill to write this... yet, anyway. I'd need to do some research. Does anyone know how to get a grant from the government? Cause I need to not have to worry about how to make rent while I'm doing this.

(Yet another side note: I hate how I started this post with the word "So". I feel like I should have gum in my hair.)

Part the First. (other parts to follow)

I awoke to the sound of rushing wings and the glow of an intense light.
I gazed upon the impossible when my eyes could again see.
Could see what I thought I saw.
But what I saw couldn't be what I saw.

An angel from heaven stood before me.
Though I had been deafened by the wings and been blinded by the light there was none of that now.
Just an old man in a grey cloak and hood.
There was no doubt in my mind however.

"Come," he said, and I was afraid.
"There is no need to fear. Come."

I took his hand.
"What is your name, Spirit?" I asked.
"That is not important." replied he.
"Have I died?"
"No."
"What do you want of me?"
"You have been chosen to see."

I knew not what he meant, but I was too bewildered to press further his unexplained presence.
So I followed.

We walked along a road of pure light, colour and song.
I wept for joy at the very sight of this road and feared to look upon the buildings which lined the streets for fear my heart would burst.
We were walking steadily upwards.

"Where are you leading me, Spirit?"
"All will be made clear with time."
His voice was soothing and carried a familiar accent. Mediterranean. Lilting. Calming, like the sea.

We walked long in silence and the air grew colder. I pulled my dressing gown tightly around myslf and shivered.

Finally we stoppd at the top of a great precipice.
I clung to the garments of the spirit as my head reeled from the height and I saw in my mind's eye my dreadful plummet into the abyss.

"Be not afraid," said my guide. "You have been brought here so that you may see."
"But what am I to see?" I asked, tears still clouding my eyes.
"You are to see the land of eternal punishment and deathless life. You are to see that which men must fear. You are to see."

My brain feels something like this:

Johnny's in the basement
Mixing up the medicine
I'm on the pavement
Thinking about the government
The man in the trench coat
Badge out, laid off
Says he's got a bad cough
Wants to get it paid off
Look out kid
It's somethin' you did
God knows when
But you're doin' it again
You better duck down the alley way
Lookin' for a new friend
The man in the coon-skin cap
In the big pen
Wants eleven dollar bills
You only got ten

Maggie comes fleet foot
Face full of black soot
Talkin' that the heat put
Plants in the bed but
The phone's tapped anyway
Maggie says that many say
They must bust in early May
Orders from the D. A.
Look out kid
Don't matter what you did
Walk on your tip toes
Don't try "No Doz"
Better stay away from those
That carry around a fire hose
Keep a clean nose
Watch the plain clothes
You don't need a weather man
To know which way the wind blows

Get sick, get well
Hang around a ink well
Ring bell, hard to tell
If anything is goin' to sell
Try hard, get barred
Get back, write braille
Get jailed, jump bail
Join the army, if you fail
Look out kid
You're gonna get hit
But users, cheaters
Six-time losers
Hang around the theaters
Girl by the whirlpool
Lookin' for a new fool
Don't follow leaders
Watch the parkin' meters

Ah get born, keep warm
Short pants, romance, learn to dance
Get dressed, get blessed
Try to be a success
Please her, please him, buy gifts
Don't steal, don't lift
Twenty years of schoolin'
And they put you on the day shift
Look out kid
They keep it all hid
Better jump down a manhole
Light yourself a candle
Don't wear sandals
Try to avoid the scandals
Don't wanna be a bum
You better chew gum
The pump don't work
'Cause the vandals took the handles

Good Ol' Angelo

I can always count on him when I don't want to do work. To that end, I present the following means:

1. What high school did you go to?
Peterborough Collegiate & Vocational School (PCVS)

2. What year did you graduate?
2001

3. What was your favorite band(s) or artist(s)?
I was really into Dave Matthews Band at the time. They have since lost some of their lustre.

4. What was your favourite outfit?
I had a pair of brown pants that were fashionable and comfortable but had a paint blotch on the knee.

5. What was up with your hair?
Getting long and breaking out of the style I'd had it in for my entire life.

6. Who were your best friends?
Evan, Aaron, Nick, Rachel (not necessarily in that order)

7. What did you do after school?
Usually go home and be painfully lazy. I should have made more of a use of my prime years.

8. Where did you work?
Chapters, Harveys, Charlotte Anne's.

9. Did you take the bus to school?
Never even once

10. Who did you have a crush on?
Rachel, Jen M., Gillian

11. Who did you date?
Alison, Allison, Libby (for one day)

12. Did you fight with your parents?
Passive-aggressively.

13. Did you ever have detention?
I was under the impression that detention only existed in "Archie" comics.

14. What was your favorite subject?
Ironically I got a 52 in grade 11 english. But that all changed in OAC.

15. Who did you have a Celebrity crush on?
Mena Suvari.

16. Did you smoke?
No.

17. Did you lug all your books in your backpack?
Sorry I don't have time to answer that. I have to go to a chiropractor's appt.

18. What was the best event ever?
The 2 talent shows that I organized.

19. Did you have a clique?
Unfortunately yes.

20. Where was your Senior Prom?
In a hollowed out swimming pool.

21. Did you have a "Max" like on Saved by the Bell?
No, but "Pete's" was close to the school.

22. Were you popular?
Kind of. I was like "alternatively" popular.

23. Who did you want to be like?
Nobody.

24. What did you want to be when you grew up?
Had no idea, wasn't trying to think of one.

25. Where did you think you'd be at the age you are now?
I didn't know I was going to be this age.

26. What was the colour of your yearbook?
garnet.

Where is 27?

28. What was your school Mascot?
Raider Ralph!

"How very inappropriate, thank you" - Adam West

I'm ridiculously bored, so if anyone gets this SOS before 1:30 and comes to rescue me I will throw you a party. Until then, I remain tit-smackingly bored.

***UPDATE***

Fine. No parties for anyone.

The new Scorcese

I've just made a flip decision, and decided to see who else would want to get on board (despite the fact that you're all just figments of my imagination).

This next summer (if I'm still around, both mentally and physically) I think I want to make a short film. I don't know about what, or really anything at this point, only that it might be fun! I'm looking for partners in crime, because I don't have a camera or editing equipment, or an original score, or even an idea. I just haven't done anything like this in a long, long, long time and I'm getting the itch again. (alternatively, I'm looking for pawns I can use to fulfil my manic need for artistic stimulation and bad lighting)

Who's in?

***Edit***

I just had an idea! How about a creature feature? We can use Jenny's chameleon Ichabod as the monster! And have a really half-baked "scientific" solution to the problem!

Things to be happy about today (so far)

• Waking up with not a whole lot of time to spare, but just enough to not make me mental
  
• The quickly-paced drive to school with my gal and my puppy
  
• The short line at Tim Horton's
  
• Watching part of "Jane Eyre" with a lovely actress as Jane. I've decided that Jane Eyre is an utterly terrifying novel and should either be kept away from children, or read to them before bedtime every night
  
• An hour-long nap in the Brenda Wallace
  
• Anton Chekhov
  
• William Shakespeare
  
• My new sweater which keeps me oh so warm
  
• The new Dandy Warhols CD, "Odditorium, or Warlords of Mars." A musical tangent if ever I did hear one

To be continued?

What a weird weekend

Pros:

3 year anniversary!
Bought the following

• First White Stripes CD
  
• 2 Sweaters
  
• 1 Argyle sweater vest (snazzy!)
  
• 1 Fall jacket
  
• 1st season of the Muppet Show
  

Finally sold the car
Matt Foy is going to make Jenny and I lunch today.
Being invited to Thanksgiving dinner at Rob O'Flanagan and Val Senyk's place. Jenny and Stephie coming to play Bingo.
I think Nora's finally learned the basic concept behind "fetch"

Cons:
Work
No turkey. Not a damn scrap.
Poor Michael's crappy borrowed car.
Can't go home.

As you can see, the pros far outweight the cons... I just wish I had some turkey. If anyone has any leftovers, I'd be much obliged. Maybe I can get my parents to fed-ex me some potatoes.

Happy Turkey Weekend!

And for all you veggie-burgers out there, Happy Tofurkey Weekend!

Here are the plans for holiday Monday:

-Watch the Muppets all day while eating turkey and tofurkey sandwiches with Jenny, Stephie, and if I'm lucky, Michael! It's also Jenny and my third year anniversary. Holy honkin's. Can anyone believe that? Seems like no time at all.

Happy aniversary! LOVE!

HELP ME!

Wow... I've been at the gallery for five full hours and I'm only now resorting to writing to cure my boredom... I wonder what that says. Anyway... here's some more acrostic goodness.

Another
Random
Tangent

Guaranteed to be
Attacked by
Livid
Lifeless
Extra ordinary
Retirees
Yet again.

no longer TBD

Leave your name and
1. I'll respond with something random about you.
2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
4. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you.
5. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
6. I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.
7. If I do this for you, you must post this on your journal.

Jenny!
1. Your middle name is Marie. You have a dog named Belle. Your eyes are pretty and they change colours. How cool is that?
2. Amelie reminds me of you.
3. Bee! Bee VOLE!
4. Walking into rehearsal 1/2 an hour late and you gave me a note about how to be an ASM. You were wearing a black turtleneck sweater, and had to leave early that night.
5. An Osprey
6. How long have you been able to do that "Beaker" thing with your mouth? Mee me mee me me.....

Jay!
1. Suits look good on you.
2. "Blitzkreig Bop"
3. Bat Scratch Rhyme
4. Meeting you when you were dating Ami and being mildly amused that you weren't a sock puppet.
5. A wizened iguana.
6. What was the first concert you went to?

Liz!
1. You're the first Liz I've ever met.
2. "Rainbow Connection"
3. Swan boat! Swan boat!
4. I know I knew you before this, but during Trojan Women at the "Song for Troy" bit. "GREEK WHEELS bore down upon me! I was the very earth!"
5. Some kind of cuddly puppy with big floppy ears.
6. What made you want to be a vegetarian?

Luke!
1. When I met you I thought you'd be one of those people who wears a hat all the time. I was wrong. But you do look damn fine in hats, sir.
2. Did Orsen Welles ever write a song? If not, then "The Union Forever" by the White Stripes
3. That I can't think of anything is evidence of our need to hang out more.
4. When Erica was doing her Directing class thing and you were a first class gentleman.
5. A polar bear.
6. Are you ever going to live in Ottawa?

Michael!
1. You are another person who looks damn fine in hats. They seem at home on your head.
2. "Hello Dolly" by Louis Armstrong
3. Hoopertronic! (This might only make sense to me)
4. We went to Cranky Joe's and you sang "Hello Dolly" and were wearing a hat.
5. A leopard. One of those black leopards.
6. Why did you move away from Sudbury, you tit?

Stephie!
1. You're blond and blue and twenty-two! Plus you're sweeter than the sweetest sugar-free sweetener
2. "Has anybody seen my girl?" or the theme song from Friends.
3. "But there aren't any fish in our show." "SHUTUP! DJRK!"
4. I knew you before this, but it stands out when you were in the collaborative project with Brian Cook. What was your name? Oden...something...
5. A pony.
6. If you could get any animal in the world, which one would it be?

Alison!
1. You live in Sweden! How twisted is that?
2. "Minerva" by Ani DiFranco
3. Hello stalker!
4. I have a video of you somewhere tap dancing with a broom. I wonder if I can find it....
5. A lioness.
6. Are you getting along with your sisters yet?

Kirsten!
1. I tried to steal your iPod, but you'd have none of it.
2. You remind me of the movie "Empire Records"
3. Man! Bernie's such a jerk!
4. At Thorneloe this past summer telling me that you got dry-humped from behind by school policies.
5. Like a more active koala.
6. How long have you known Angelo?

Erica!
1. You were very impressive in Movement class.
2. "Angels in America" will forever be linked to you in my mind.
3. See Luke's answer.
4. Meeting you in Chapters sometime after Trojan women.
5. A happy chimp.
6. Can I see your room sometime?

The Stage vs. The Pen

Angelo just asked me "Which do you prefer - acting or writing?"

My authoritative answer is this: Uhhhhh.....

I figured that this idea required further thought, so here is that further thought:

I love and hate them both.

Acting: I think part of what I like about acting so much is the chance to completely analyze every aspect of a really killer script. Maybe that's why I like doing Shakespeare so much. There's so damn much to work with. That said, it's completely nerve-wracking. I've been in plays since I was little and I always need to keep a copy of the script in the wings so I can remind myself what part I'm at. In recent years I've found myself to be feeling physically ill before each show. I hate getting to the theatre 2 hours early, getting dressed and then waiting for 1 1/2 hours for the show to start. I try to take my mind off it by reading or listening to music, but then I start to forget my lines. And after the show, I never know how to feel when I meet people. If they say I did a good job, I don't know what to say other than a stammered "Thank you" and then head for the door. And if I hear something bad about myself, it stings pretty badly. I know it's petty and small of me, but one of my great disappointments from King Lear was that I wasn't mentioned in the poorly written article in the paper. I shouldn't feel cheated by that, but I still do. I like the praise, but I don't know how to accept it. So there's that.

All that aside, it's exhilerating. I love the moment of "getting it" which happens mostly in rehearsal. I love the friendships which form. I love joking around with people in costume backstage just before you're supposed to go on. I love the fun. I love the work that goes into it. I guess that's why I'm a little steamed about not getting mentioned in the paper. I think I put a lot of effort into that part.

Writing: I finally started carrying a little book with me wherever I go so i can jot things down. I have no idea how many little story plans or moments are gone forever because I had nowhere to write them down. It's fun to write. But it's also frustrating. My biggest enemy is myself. I really need some sort of concrete deadline with real consequences if I don't get something produced by then.

Andrew's brain: You have to finish this story before Tuesday.

Andrew: Or what?

Andrew's brain: I'll be disappointed with you.

Andrew: Oh well. I'll just drown you out with tv.

Andrew's brain: Dang.

When I get something good, it's one of the better feelings I can have about myself. I gauge "good" by asking myself "Would I ever want to read that in real life?" and if the answer's "yes" then I keep going with it.

That's a bit of sore spot though. I can't seem to tell anyone in Sudbury that I'd like to write without them either getting a very concerned look on their face and saying "But you can't live on that, can you?" or getting a disgusted look on their face and saying "But you can't live on that, can you? It's very irritating. For example, in a recent jotting from the little book I carry around:

"How am I supposed to succeed when everyone tells me that I won't?"

I get the feeling that it's an uphill battle that doesn't need to be uphill. What I could really use is a published writer to show me the business side of it all. How do you get published? Who do I submit this stuff to? How did they make ends meet when they were just starting out? Chekhov used to publish a short story when he needed a quick spot of cash to pay a bill. What's the equivelent today? Reader's Digest? I'm not holding any illusions that I'm on a plane with Chekhov, but it makes me wonder... If there was the same emphasis placed on reading today as there was back then, would I be published already?

That said, it would be one of the greatest pleasures of my life to answer the question "What do you do for a living?" with "I'm a writer." I just hope people want to hear what I've got to say.

Back scratching, Rd. 2.

Leave your name and
1. I'll respond with something random about you.
2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
4. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you.
5. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
6. I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.
7. If I do this for you, you must post this on your journal.

Angelo!

1. You wear glasses, but not in your profile pictures. WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO HIDE?!?

2. If you took Tom Cruise out of Vanilla Sky and put anyone else in, that movie would remind me of you. As for a song... I don't know why, but "Ramblin' Man" by the Allman Brothers just popped into my mind.

3. "Could you please come and identify this bucket full of your brother?"

4. Sitting in a daze in Hengen's class wondering what you and Jeff were laughing about. It seemed pretty funny. I also wondered what you took in your coffee.

5. This li'l fella seems to ring a bell.

6. What was your high school average? Mine was a respectable 80.3%.

"Morning Classes"

The spoon, heaped high with nourishment
Was guided by the hand with tender-loving-care
Through the ether and crashed against my teeth,
Shattering them into tiny shards
And bruising my tongue.

I taste blood and look with resentment
On the retreating hand
and now empty spoon.

You scratched my back, so here we go!

Leave your name and
1. I'll respond with something random about you.
2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
4. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you.
5. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
6. I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.
7. If I do this for you, you must post this on your journal.

Natty Pants!

1. Natty rhymes with ratty which rhymes with batty which rhymes with splatty which rhymes with castrati which is something Natty can't be. Sorry to impose limits on you, but if it makes you feel better I can't be examined by a gynocologist. So there's that.

2. "Walking with a Ghost." Hate to steal your answer, but it's that kind of weird coincidence that cements stuff to my brain.

3. "Hey Natalie! Write me a note!"

4. I remember seeing you when you had yellow streaks in your hair (not blonde, YELLOW) in Tom Gerry's class, and thinking to myself "I know her from somewhere.... where do I know her from?.... Crap, this is going to drive me insane." I think you were wearing a bright pink sweater.... I think... And you had your hair in two pigtails.

5. Animal, eh? Well, I can't think "animal" and "natty" in the same sentence without thinking of Bobby Boucher. You two are made for each other!

6. Do you work out? Cause you look like you're pretty strong.

===========================

Others are free to leave their names as well.

How I feel about school today.

Partially
Asleep
In
Noisy
Fits
Until at
Long
Last
You

Break
Out.
Relieved,
Excited,
Dead.

Look closely for the hidden message.

=======================

I tried my hand at writing some short poetry today, something I've never tried before. Maybe I'll post it. Maybe I won't.

Dreamscape Link-o-rama

Here is a dream I had last night. Actually I had it in the morning. But it was a dream nonetheless.

At the end of my street there is a small hill. But instead of continuing into another street, there was a vast field. At the end closest to me was a stage. There was a large crowd in front of the stage, but because I was on the hill I was on a level with the stage, and also right next to it. There was a railing which, if I had ducked under I would have been on stage.

The White Stripes are playing. And Jenny and I are enjoying the concert. Then Jack and Meg announce that they'll be back in half an hour, so Jenny and I run home for some water. Jenny gets there way before me, and when I get there she tells me that she has to go to Fort Erie because her cat (which doesn't exist, by the way) has died. So she leaves and I drive back to the concert. I have trouble finding a spot to park because the lot is on a steep hill and my perspective is skewed.

The stage has shifted to the other end of the field and there is a long line-up to get to the front. At the back of the line there are a few little kids dressed up as the Stripes playing guitar.

Then I hear it. Thinking to myself.... "That sure isn't a White Stripes song. That sure isn't Jack or Meg singing. That sounds like... no, it couldn't be!"

But it was. Tori Amos had joined the White Stripes onstage and they were playing "Mother." But the thing was, that Tori was playing this, Jack was playing this, and Meg was playing these. After they finished the song they sat down with the crowd in a large circle to have a discussion. About what, I don't remember, but Shannon Hengen was there. After the discussion, I started taking pictures with a disposable camera, when Jack announced that they were going to start playing some new songs, so the crowd rushed the stage. I was at the very front, elbows on the stage. I could feel someone trying to get their shoulder in front of me to eventually displace me and take my spot at the front. I shoved backwards and they stopped.

Just then a security guard saw my camera and tried to confiscate it. I told him that instead of taking it I would just shoot the rest of the pictures under the stage and waste the film. So I pretended to do that, but he still took the camera away.

But I didn't care too much because Jack and Meg came back on stage just then. Jack said "Ok, my sister and I would like to play our new song for you. It's called 'Top Special'."

And then I woke up.

I just got really really excited.

I was just wandering through internet land trying to find a proper setlist from the White Stripes concert when I came across these..... actual video clips of the show I was at taken from the pit. I think you can see me in one of them.

If you want to see them, click the following:

Meg playing "The Union Forever"

The end of "Do" and the beginning of "Let's Shake Hands" (note how Jack stops Meg's cymbal with his hand)

The beginning of "Hardest Button to Button" (Note Meg's hand on her hip at the beginning.)

Another part of "Hardest Button to Button"

Yet another part of "Hardest Button to Button" (Be amazed as Jack shrieks like he's been kicked somewhere painful!)

Meg singing "In the Cold, Cold Night"

The last verse of "Boll Weevil"