24 February 2005

Home, again.

I am now back home after my brief visit with Edd in the UK. The remainder of our visit from where I last posted, was spent largely hanging out in Leamington Spa, eating 7 pound Pizza Hut pizza (that is so outrageous), visiting Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, being sick and slightly miserable, playing Neverball compulsively, and generally enjoying the company of Edd and his delightful roomates.

We also went to Bruxelles, Belgium for the weekend (well, Saturday to Tuesday morning) to visit Edd's family. Unbeknowst to us ahead of time, President Bush was commencing his European tour in Bruxelles while we were there. This translated to the city being placed under excessive security: helicopters circling the sky constantly, closed Metro stops, and most shockingly, moveable baracades covered in razor wire on sidewalks of major streets, 'just in case' crowds rioted and needed to be restrained. God forbid someone trip and fall near/on to the barricades and hurt themselves.

We also ate the standard waffles, moules et frites, and copious amounts of Belgian chocolates comme d'habitude. On our last night, Edd and I bought a 21 Euro cake from Pierre Marcolini, who was voted the world's best chocolatier in 2002. It was amazing, but I can't believe we spent the equivalent of 35 Canadian dollars on a cake!

Home now, to routine. I always get mildly depressed returning to my dark room, to my detached life here in Toronto...

15 February 2005

En Angleterre.

Greetings from the sunny Midlands. This is actually true, the sun is shining and it's relatively warm here. And by warm, I mean +5! Tropical, even.

Past few days here have been great. After arriving in London Friday morning, we met up with my mate Hayden for an afternoon of mussels and wandering through shops in Covent Garden. Then it was off to the English seaside for a weekend in Brighton! My sister's childhood friend Jen and her boyfriend Timo live in Brighton, and were very kind to invite us to stay with them. The city was quite stunning over all, particularly Hove, which is the area where they live. The street on which they live was amazing: lined with 19th century whitestone mansions, which were all built continously onto one another, and at the end of it (about 2 minutes downhill) the ocean!

We were fortunate to have mild enough weather for strolling along the waterfront on Saturday. I particularly enjoyed the collapsed Victorian West pier, which is quite surreal juxtaposed against the modern pier with all its kitschy attractions. We also went to a great vegetarian cafe for dinner. And right before we left Sunday morning, Jen and Timo cooked up a proper full English breakfast, which came close to making my stomach explode, though in a rather enjoyable manner.

N.B.: Congratulations are in order to Jen, for receiving funding to host a Sociology conference with her colleagues next fall!

Continuing from Brighton, we travelled up to London where we met up with one of Edd's family friends, Pam. We had a lovely meal with her, although all either Edd or I could manage after that massive breakfast was a salad each. We hopped on another train and arrived in the Midlands around supper time Sunday night. So here I am. I met all of Edd's roomates and went 'round to the local pub for surprisingly tasty food (not to mention 2 for 1!).

(If you're still reading this, then good on you!)

Yesterday was Valentine's Day and what a day indeed. The first portion of the day was spent in Edd's computer science lectures, which I struggled not to fall asleep in out of respect for the lecturers. I got a tour of Warwick uni campus and saw the over-hyped cone. We also went shopping along the Parade here in Leamington Spamington, which included my first ever trip to Tescoes. Grocery prices seems to be about par or slightly cheaper in some ways to Canadian prices which was a pleasant surprise.

We had a late dinner at a very charming restaurant in Stratford-upon-Avon which is normally about a 15-minute drive from here, or 45-minutes via Mike's car. We had a wonderful 5-course meal at Lambs, which is located in a Tudor home alleged to have been owned by Shakespeare at some point during his life. All in all, a much more romantic day than last year's which I can't even remember, less the roses I received.

So now you've all been caught up, day for day. Today's plans are yet to be figured out, but it seems a little veggie lasagna may be in order for tonight, perhaps followed by a little hilarious hijinxs? Only time will tell.

06 February 2005

Lame Survey.

Ok, I stole the idea for this from Sarah's site, but I'm super busy with school and need the distraction, without having to put any mental effort into the process.

Last Cigarette: last week? I was inebriated.
Last Kiss: Well, I kiss my girlfriends on the cheek when I see them usually. But my last *real* kiss was with Edd at the airport in Vancouver over a month ago.
Last Cry: A few days ago.
Last Library Book Checked Out: Waste Management by Hans Temamagi.
Last Movie Seen In a Theater: The Take
Last Book Read: Fugitive Pieces. In progress.
Last Cuss Word Uttered: Probably fuck. Probably in reference to school work.
Last Beverage Drank: Five Alive Citrus blend.
Last Food Consumed: Asiago and Artichoke dip with bread.
Last Phone Call: Laura on the phone last night.
Last TV Show Watched: SNL with Paris Hilton (what a let down!).
Last Time Showered: about 7:00 pm last night
Last Shoes Worn: Polo Sport Leather Boots.
Last CD Played: The Stills.
Last Soda Drank: soda? Gingerale two days ago. The wussy soda.
Last Thing Written: Stuff at work.
Last Words Spoken: "Have a good trip. I mean on your way home tonight, not the rest of your time here in Canada. Of course I'll see you again soon." - To the recently arrived Sophie very late last night on the streetcar.
Last Sleep: from 3:00 am - 12:00 pm. I only slept 5 hours the night before in my defense.
Last IM: Yesterday.
Last Ice Cream Eaten: Cookies and Cream.
Last Time Wanting to Die: I can tell you about *not* wanting to die.
Last Show Attended: Jamie Cullum? I've been so busy to go to shows lately.
Last Big Car Ride: Erm, from Thornhill to downtown in a taxi? Car rides are rare for me in this city.
Last Crush: I *guess* that Edward character.
Last Annoyance: All this poorly timed school work.
Last Time Scolded: I can't remember.
Last Shirt Worn: A green long-sleeve with a connect the dots naked woman on it. "Oh yeah!"
Last Web Site Visited: http://news.bbc.co.uk/

NUMBER OF...
:x: piercings = 3
:x: tattoos = 0
:x: height = 5'3.5"
:x: shoe size = 5-5.5
:x: hair color = dark brown
:x: siblings = 2 sisters, 1 brother

LAST...
:x: movie you rented = Viktor Vogel (crazy German film).
:x: movie you bought = I also don't really buy movies... Last movie downloaded and watched was Garden State.
:x: song you listened to = "Of Montreal" by The Stills.
:x: song that was stuck in your head = That robot song on the cd at work.
:x: cd you bought = Nelly Furtado - Folklore.
:x: person you were thinking of = Laura and Hamish.
:x: friend you made = "I have no friends." Probably getting closer with Steff?

DO...
:x: you have a crush on someone = Eduardo.
:x: you wish you could live somewhere else = In a spacious high-rise apartment with a great view overlooking downtown and maximum 2 other people. I'm tired of having so many roomates.
:x: you think about suicide = No.
:x: you believe in online dating = Not for myself. I shouldn't judge others (but I admit I do).
:x: others find you attractive = "My mom says I'm cool."
:x: you want more piercings = Not really. I took my tongue piercing out after 6.5 years and I'm pretty content not to have any more piercings.
:x: you drink = When time permits it.
:x: you do drugs = No.
:x: you smoke = Occasionally. Usually when drunk. To Edward's disgust.
:x: you like cleaning = I enjoy the end product of a clean room.
:x: you like roller coasters = Yes.
:x: you write in cursive or print = Print. Always print.

FOR OR AGAINST...
:x: long distance relationships = God. I'm against them, despite being in one. It's so hard.
:x: using someone = Ha ha. What kind of question is this?
:x: suicide = Ok, this is the third time a question relating to death or suicide has come up. I think the person who set this test needs to seek help.
:x: killing people = This question is ridiculous as well.
:x: age smoking = See above.
:x: doing drugs = People are free to do as they wish. But I have no interest.
:x: driving drunk = Against. Driving drunk is arguably the most selfish thing a driver can do.
:x: gay/lesbian relationships = Power to the people. Do what they want!
:x: soap operas = No. Not now, not ever.

FAVOURITE...
:x: song = Many songs rank highly.
:x: thing to do = Sleep.
:x: thing to talk about = Hmm... depends on who I'm talking to, really.
:x: sports = Snowboarding.
:x: drinks = Bubble tea, water, cranberry juice. Pretty much any alcohol.
:x: clothes = My blue Soviet-style winter coat.
:x: movies = LoTR, About A Boy, lots of documentaries. I don't really like Hollywood films.
:x: singer = Jamie Cullum.
:x: holiday = Summer break.

HAVE YOU...
:x: ever cried over a girl = Probably.
:x: ever cried over a boy = Yes.
:x: ever lied to someone = Minor lies to avoid incrimination. Rarely though.
:x: ever been in a fist fight = No.
:x: ever been arrested = No.

WHAT...
:x: shampoo do you use = Aveda Rosemary and Mint.
:x: shoes do you wear = Polo Sport Boots, Lacoste shoes, Nike sky blue high-tops.
:x: are you scared of = Death. Failing at life.

NUMBER...
:x: of times I have been in love = 3
:x: of times I have had my heart broken = 2.
:x: of hearts I have broken = Hmmm. A few, I'd say.
:x: of girls I have kissed = 4?
:x: of boys I have kissed = Plenty.
:x: of drugs taken illegally = Next question.
:x: of people I would classify as true friends = 9 or 10.
:x: of people I consider my enemies = Niente.
:x: of times my name has appeared in the newspaper = Once that I know of. The Toronto Star.
:x: of scars on my body = One.
:x: of things in my past that I regret = Meh, regret is pointless.

FAVORITE...
:x: disney movie = Little Mermaid.
:x: word = Probono.
:x: nickname = Tron.
:x: eye color = I completely agree with Sarah about dark hair and blue eyes. Something amazing about that combination. But I like everyone's eyes.
:x: flower = Stench blossoms. Any flowers besides carnations.
:x: piercing = Labret on cute people.
:x: actor = Ones that are good.
:x: actress = As above.

Well, that was a productive use of time. Later!

01 February 2005

"Oh yeah!"

One of my favouritest parts of Family Guy ever is the one with Kool-Aid Man. Submitted for your approval: link. You can watch it over and over until it's no longer funny (approximately 7 times, according to Saturday Night Live).