I Just Want it to be Over July 28, 2009

Day 37 of the Toronto Union Strike and the light at the end of the tunnel is near. A tentative deal has been reached and we’re just waiting with, soon to be stinkless, anticipation on the official decision.

The reasons I want this to be over? Firstly, the wall of stink I hit when I walk out my front door is becomming unbearable. I can’t even imagine the maggots and such growing, breeding, eating in my compost bin. Secondly (and most importantly), this means that ferry service will be back!

One of the things I was looking forward to most in my first summer in the city, was spending my weekends at the island. It’s so calming, peaceful and inspiring. Yes, that sounds like the most cliched load of crap, but it’s honestly true.

I wanted to spend the summer writing, just dumb nonsense. Short stories, mainly and I haven’t been able to get motivated to do so. My backyard is extremely uninspiring (it could be, in part, due to the countless times I’ve heard the neighbour nextdoor shout, “I’m on the toilet!”). My bedroom is for sleeping, not writing. The parks around me are mediocre (with the cemetery across the street, but I feel wrong sitting next to a burial plot and writing something mildly witty). The Island is the perfect writing location.

I went camping at Sandbanks a few weekends ago and brought along David Sedaris‘ Me Talk Pretty One Day. It was the first book by him that I had started reading (thanks to Punnery) and I was hooked. He writes witty short stories. It was perfect for camping because short stories don’t require a lot of commitement. I was looking forward to a day at the beach with my book and was heartbroken when I’d discovered that I had left it on the roof of the car as we drove away. Le sigh. I needed more Sedaris. I made the Boy and I drive into town, to the nearest bookstore to find another of his books. Success.

I’m now reading his book When you are Engulfed in Flames and it’s just as good. Sedaris has motivated me to write (realish) short stories. Now I just need this strike to end so that I can reach my inspiration destination (without a $40 water cab fee).

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Update on my own strike: I slipped on day 21. I lifted the ban for my friend, B. Only for her. No one else. I was on my best behaviour. Was offered the opportunity to cheat the system, resisted and paid my $2.75 fare (eeer… B did).

Dancing in the Streets July 21, 2009

I’ve finally found a song that had me let go of all inhibitions (no beer required) and bust a move in the streets. What’s yours?

Censorship at it’s best July 8, 2009

A few years back when Snakes on a Plane came out, I had purchased the title track by Cobra Starship specifically because it had the famous line from the flick delivered by Samuel L. Jackson opening the song. It’s one of the most hilarious lines I’ve ever heard in a movie.

It was on FX recently and the most hilarious line is now THE MOST HILARIOUS line. I love censorship.

Shit Needle July 7, 2009

My friend, J.Co, has been in Korea, teaching for the past year. Before she left, I had sent her a link to a blog post written by Boy’s friend, Joel. I wanted to warn her of children wanting to play shit needle with her.

What is shit needle? Shit needle is a game Korean children like to play, in which they attack unsuspecting victim’s dungholes with their 2 index fingers pointed together.

I’ve fallen victim to this game and it is not fun. I now walk with my hands covering my bum when I am with this person, specifically when I’m walking up a set of stairs.

J.Co attended the Korea Floritopia 2009 festival and posted the lovely photo below on her f-book. Shit needle really is popular, not a myth like I had thought. Ch-ch-check it out:

I love this so much. Also, to add a little fun and excitement to your otherwise blah Tuesday afternoon, play this shit needle-inspired game (which was linked from Joel’s blog post). Poopie!

Thanks for the pic, J.Co!

XOXO, Gossip Girl July 6, 2009

OMG! OMG! OMG! I’m trying to calm myself down but I’m too excited. I’ve always been a huge fan of east coast style (eeer… New York style to be exact) and finally it’s made easy!

Anna Sui is releasing a clothing line for Target inspired by my fav show, Gossip Girl. I can’t wait for this to debut! All it takes for me to be best dressed in the office is a day off, a few hours in a car to Buffalo, anxiety at the border and fighting crowds at Target. It will be well worth it, n’est pas?

Who will I dress like? Hmmmm… it’s a toss up between B and Vanessa. Who’s style do you like?

Check out the line here.

xoxo,

Gossip Girl

On Strike! July 5, 2009

Since everyone else in Toronto is on strike, I’ve decided I will as well. I was an idiot this weekend. I had a girls’ night on Friday and it ended terribly. I won’t go into too many details but I’ll just say that my July TTC pass was revoked, it was only July 3rd. Argh!

So, in an attempt to punish the TTC, I refuse to use any of their services for the next 30 days. Or more! That’s right, I will walk or drive anywhere I need to be. I don’t care how environmentally unfriendly I’m being. I was treated poorly by a TTC employee and I know they are extremely unlikely to notice this loss, I don’t care. It makes me feel better. 

I’m happy with this decision. After only 3 days back on the TTC (I was away for most of June so I didn’t get a pass), I’m already feeling some disease coming on. I’m happy to have the 4 walls of my car to myself, no unwanted germs or crazies disturbing my morning commute. Take that!