margaritas and pop tarts

at the beach till saturday

if I bring back the ashtrays, can I have my prefrontal?

I'm completely exhausted after spending all day yesterday running around downtown Toronto, but goddamn, was it ever worth it! I didn't find much in the way of clothes, but I managed to pick up two black skirts (yeah, redundant, but for whatever reason, they caught my eye), a pair of vintage printed shorts, a giant studded belt, a black and gold chain clutch (which I'll probably un-clutch, and add a chain strap) and a couple of "photo cubes" which I plan on using at the art sale on saturday. Most importantly though, I went to the TIFF orientation and interview, and despite being ridiculously nervous and showing up far too early, it went fantastically! I won't go into details, as those only interest me, but I signed up to work at the AGO's theater, which screens avant-garde films throughout the festival! I also signed up for the Ryerson theater, which is a much bigger venue, and holds Midnight Madness screenings, and it all just sounds fantastic! Since I'll really only be in Toronto to work, I figure I'll probably pick up a few extra shifts, hopefully at some of the red carpet events!
In other news, my first solo hot yoga class went well, and I plan on going again tomorrow (for a morning class, yikes!). I'm also slowly getting my shit together for the art sale, tomorrow I'm going to the furniture warehouse to try and find a table, or whatever will work. Tonight I'm taking it easy, finally filling out my GeoVisions application, and watching Blade Runner. And my week at the trailer looms ever closer, ee!

Mostly-Funny People

I didn't mention in my last post that I saw Funny People on Friday night. And as you can tell from my oh-so clever title, I'd sum up the almost three hour behemoth dramedy with a solid "meh". The first half of the film was typical hilarious Apatow fare, focusing on Seth Rogen's character. It was during the second half of the film that everything started to lag. Maybe I'm alone in this, but as great as Adam Sandler was in Funny People (and I never thought I'd be praising Adam Sandler), his storyline lost it's charm quickly. It was as though everything that was set up in the first half was put on the back burner to make room for a storyline that really didn't have a purpose. Aparently, Apatow said in an interview prior to the film's release that he wanted to make a film in which the main character doesn't change, and well, he succeeded. Congratulations? Honestly, I just wanted to see more of Jason Schwartzman and RZA.
Anyways, my weekend of solid work is over, thank god. I met up with Anna, Kylie and Michel to discuss food and booze for next week, when we head up to my trailer! I haven't been up there in almost two years, so I'm excited to return, especially sans parents!
I ran around town earlier today, returning books and movies to their respective libraries or video stores. I renewed VALIS by Phillip K Dick for another three weeks, as I didn't get around to reading it this month. I also picked up More Than Human by Theodore Sturgeon and Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn, two books that have been on my must-read list for a while. And I borrowed Blade Runner, because I've made it almost eighteen years without watching it, and that's just not right.
I'm planning on going to hot yoga again tonight, because I want to get as much in this week as possible. Tomorrow, I'm off to Toronto to go to the TIFF orientation and do a little bit of shopping. I'm really, really nervous about the orientation, and I don't want to talk about it until it's over. I don't even know what I'm going to wear! I'm also slowly planning for the art sale thing on Saturday. I was just going to take some folding tables and chairs, but the more I think about it, the more elaborate I want it to be. I'm considering taking a trip down to a local used and vintage furniture warehouse and picking out a neat looking bedside or end table, and using that instead.
I could even use something like that (only a bigger version, of course) and put my photos in the drawers, and just leave them hanging open. Hmm, something to think about, at least.

blueberry strawberry orange smoothie

I intended on writing a post after my hot yoga experience, as most people come out of their first time a little bewildered, and often pretty out of it. I actually felt great after my first class, and went for a bike ride after, rather than coming home and coming on here. I can honestly say that I have never sweat that much in my life, in fact I really didn't think it was possible to perspire like that! It was a challenge just to stay in the room for the entire 90 minutes, let alone do all of the 26 poses! But I really did enjoy it, and since I bought two weeks of unlimited lessons, I'll be going back. Unfortunately for me, I'm busy as fuck again this week, so I won't be able to go again till Monday, possibly Tuesday.
So yeah, I'm busy as fuck. Today was shift two out of four in a row for this long weekend, hoo-rah. That said, since Monday is a holiday, I get paid time-and-a-half. And I could certainly use the money. I finally had a chance to talk to the rep from GeoVisions, and I've been sent the official application for the program, but I haven't had a chance to look at it yet, and I'm too stoned to look it over now. I also finally made it to the lab to pick up a few rolls of film, and I ended up with about ten or so pictures that are reasonable. Here's one from the Gaudi garden in Barcelona:
I ended up going to a dinner party of sorts at a friend's house, and I actually had a pretty solid time. There was poppyseed cake! And I almost lost my bike tonight, because I managed to leave it attached to the rack on the front of the bus. Waiting for the bus to come around to the stop across the street forced my friend and I to be fashionably late, however, so everything worked out. And I got my bike back. Success!
Anyway, David Cross is on the teevee behind me doing standup, so I'm going to go watch.

busy busy busy

I'm back, after a few busy days. On Monday, I went "mission shopping", which is to say that I actually went to a mall (surprise number one), with my mom (surprise number two) and bought the things that I intended on buying(ultimate surprise!). Yoga wear, a yoga mat, new pants for work (I managed to rip my old work pants right below my ass, how convenient) and new "minimal" sandals were all on the list, and they were all checked off at the end of the day! I also stopped by Gen X to pick up Barry Lyndon, since it was 'half price monday'. I had to watch the film in three pieces, which is something I usually feel bad about, as I'm pretty adament about films being watched in their entirety, but since it's a bit over three hours in length, I don't feel so bad. To say it was great would be an understatement, it was fantastic, which is to be expected from Kubrick. The cinematography is legendary in this one, specifically because of the cutting edge cameras that were used in the candle-lit scenes (of which there were many). Every frame was like a painting, absolutely gorgeous.


On tuesday I ended up in Stratford with my mom (yes, again; she has this week off, and because of the weather, she's having a stay-cation), and even though we weren't able to see a play, as all of the discounted tickets were sold out, and we weren't prepared to pay $102.95 per ticket. We wandered around and checked out all of the little shops around Stratford, and ate at a restaurant called Othello's. Once we were back in town, I picked up a couple of rolls of film that I had dropped off last week, and ended up being offered a job at the camera place. I'm not sure if I'll take the job or not, because as much as I complain about Pharma Plus, I have it made there, and I'm not sure if it's worth it to give up a solid job to work in a field I'm sort of interested in. Plus, I'll hopefully be gone for most of the winter, and if I continue to work at Pharma Plus, at least I'll have a job to come back to upon my return.
Speaking of being gone for the winter, GeoVisions called! I missed their call because I didn't hear my phone go off, but I left a message for them on Tuesday, and I'm supposed to call them sometime today. I'll do that once I finish this.
After work yesterday I hung out with one of my favourites, Michel, who is finally back in town. We went out for a late dinner, and I had an awkward run in with a friend of mine that I hadn't seen in months. I think he was on a date, and I was just giggly and awkward for no reason, so I wouldn't say that it went well. And I further proved to myself that I'll be alone forever after talking to a ridiculously cute waiter, and not asking for his number. Greeeeeeat.
That description makes it sound like last night was awful, but I actually had a a lot of fun! Today, I'm doing some housework, going to drum lessons and then I'm off to try hot yoga! If I don't die in the process, I'll be back with a full report. I also rented Man On Wire and 12 Monkeys yesterday, so hopefully I'll get to watching one of those tonight.
Also, there's a trailer out for the new Coen Brothers film, A Serious Man. It looks incredible!

to what end?

Last night I sat down to watch The Draughtsman's Contract (on my new teevee, hurrah!), and I was absolutely floored. Beautifully shot, well acted and accompanied by a fantastic score, I really wasn't expecting so much from what seemed to be so little. Period pieces often get a bad rap, for being long and unwieldly, and oh, incredibly boring. Not only was The Draughtman's Contract very well paced, the dialogue was suitable to the setting (1694) but still accessible and interesting, and the cinematography! My fricken god, it was beautiful. The intricate costumes, combined with beautiful scenery and more than a few candle-lit scenes; it was a joy to watch.This is only the second Peter Greenaway film that I've seen, and I'm now determined to see more of his work. Though it may sound strange, the way that he's able to work sex and sexuality into his art is fascinating, and I would recommend his work to anyone interested in art cinema.
In less interesting news, work was mediocre, and the only thing worth mentioning about today is that we had another monsoon-like storm. I really don't mind all of the rain that we've been getting recently, though warmer weather would be more than welcome.
I've found someone to drag along to hot yoga, so I'm hoping to go tomorrow night, maybe wednesday if tomorrow is a no go. Right now they have a "Look Great Naked" special (two weeks of unlimited classes for $30!), so I'll probably opt for that. And if the special gives the results it advertises, well then, mission accomplished. I'm also planning on picking up some film tomorrow from the lab, which I haven't been able to afford lately. It'll be interesting to see more pictures from Europe, as I feel like I've forgotten half of the trip already.
Speaking of trips and traveling, I haven't yet heard back from GeoVisions. Fuck. I'm starting to get a bit worried, because that's what I do best, but I figure if they don't respond soon, I'll email them asking what's up with that.
Tonight a friend is supposed to come over to watch Kill Bill II, which he hasn't even seen yet (I know, I know), so it'll be fun to watch him go ZOMG at the ending and all. Tomorrow is half price at Gen X, so I'll probably rent Barry Lyndon, since I'm in the costume piece mood, and it's been a while since I've watched some Kubrick.

4. blog more often!

And so I'm going to start on that now. School has ended, and now that I don't have to be in a certain place for six hours a day anymore, I need something else to do. I've been filling that void with far too many hours at Pharma Plus, reading, film view'n, picture takin' and workin' out. That last one isn't a joke. And now, for whatever reason, I feel like blogging again.
Brazil is almost a definite. I sent in my application a few days ago, and now I'm just waiting for them to actually get back to me. And volunteering at TIFF is preeeeetty much definite, so long as I can make it through the interview next week without having to show id, and thus revealing that I'm not 18. In any case, the interview gives me an excuse to go to Toronto for a day, which gives me an excuse to shop. Sandals sandals sandals. And speaking of clothes, I bought a bathing suit on Urban Outfitter's website for $9.99, and I'm going to show it off because it makes me happy!And hurrah, it can be strapless.
I had today off, and I ended up getting my hair cut, buying a new teevee (the old one had a psychadelic colour thing going on), getting a little bit of sketching done and getting some boards to paint on, which I'm hoping to start on monday. And The Draughtsman's Contract is waiting to be watched.
Tomorrow I'm back at work, for a shift which is almost certainly be to spent entirely on cash, but I think I'll survive. I might be going to Stratford with my mom this week, which should be good for pictures and maybe a bit of shopping. I'm also hoping to start hot yoga this week, but I have to find someone to drag along first. This goes along with the whole working out thing, and I'm not sure why I suddenly feel the need to do it, but I do, so I do.
I'm going to end this with a picture of Rio, and hopefully I'll be back tomorrow, or Monday.