First Date

So I had a first date with a sweet, funny, cute-as-hell guy last night. What can I say? It was so much fun - and that is not just the beer talking. Ok, right, you are not supposed to drink alot on a date - whatever. I think you do what flows for the person you are with and a night at a great watering hole followed by dancing sounds like a perfect time to me. So good times. It is always nice to meet someone new. It is even better to spend time with someone and have that time just flow. To just run through the hours with energy and smiles and laughs. That doesn't mean it will become anything. That doesn't mean it will always be that way. But it was a wonderful way to spend a wintery Friday night! Check it!

LOST

Yeah, I am sometimes late to the TV show bandwagon. And sometimes I just don't find the time to make up the slack. Last spring I watched the Season 1 DVD of "LOST" with my gal Cathy. We LOVED it! We got addicted. But then Season 2 wasn't yet available - in fact the final episodes had not aired! I did my best at staying away from the remainder of Season 2 on TV and then the DVD was released this fall. Sadly, I was WAY to busy to get into it until recently. But I have finally gotten there (again, in time to be behind on Season 3!) and it was great. Not as impressive as the first season but still pretty cool I mean, what the hell is the Dharma initiative? So I will be ready this January when the season starts again. I am onboard with this one. Let's just hope it can keep the goods coming cause I really hate it when a show starts strong and then leverages its popularity to become pointless. Time will tell. Until then, being LOST is fine by me.

And Snow it Begins...

It snowed for the first time today. Big, fat flakes filled the sky and whited-out the world. It was glorious. Everyone in my office stood by the window and watched the tree branches get heavy with fluff. I love snow. And the first snow of the season is always a wondrous experience. It changes the world. It makes it a different place. Of course, tonight that was a wet, chilly, frustating place full of blackouts and gridlock. I got to avoid most of it as I walked home under a black sky still dropping blobs of uniqueness onto my toque. It was great.

My Mom

Today I have to send out Happy Birthday greetings to my Mom. I don't know if she reads this blog (and maybe, considering some of the content, I wouldn't want her to!) but I thought it was important to send out birthday vibes. It also give me the chance to share this old pic of her - she is about 19 - and freak everyone out with how much I look like her. I still do. My mother is an amazing person. Her life was completely different from mine (and that is, admittedly, a challenge to our relationship now) but I am always inspired by her strength, intelligence and generosity. I don't think I have met anyone who knows my mom without feeling some impact from her. She is coming to visit for a week in January - look for the updates then!

Kind Words

So last night I am struggling to get my final paper done. That last minute stress of trying to finish! That feeling of knowing that once you get this ONE thing done you are free (well, almost). But I was stuck. So in a moment of pure panic I sent out a random call for kind words to my messenger contacts in the hopes of restoring my faith in me and spur me on to complete the task. My wonderful responses are below ... thanks you guys for making my life grand. (btw ... paper is done - 9 full pages. I rule!)

you are a lovely friend with an ever amazing collection of footwear! – Justin

you bleep a mean bleep – Matt

you are the smartest person I know. If it wasn't for your support....I never would have passed my last year......everything you write sounds beautiful. that is why I read your blog.......because you write so well! It always amazes me that I know the girl that writes this stuff! - Beth

you can DOOOOOOOOO it .. you DO have more to say! there ARE more ideas to discuss!!!! there's even MORE insight to add! - Nancy

hahaha!!! someting nice..... you have an absolutely amazing talent to put whatever it is that you are thinking into eloquent words. so you will have absolutely no problem getting your paper done... and doing very well on it!!!! - Diane

One Word

Because I am having an absolutely horrible case of the Novembers, I needed a diversion post. Thankfully Kat and Steph offered up this one as good choice.
You.
Can.
Only.
Type.
One.
Word.
No.
Explanations.

1. Yourself: Frustrated
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend (spouse): Non-Existent
3. Your hair: Messy
4. Your mother: Wonderful
5. Your father: Absent
6. Your Favorite Item: Camera
7. Your dream last night: Homework
8. Your Favorite drink: Rye
9. Your Dream Car: Porsche
10. The room you are in: Basement
11. Your Ex: Inspiring
12. Your fear: Rejection
13. What you want to be in 10 years? Settled
14. Who you hung out with last night? Myself
15. What You're Not? Stress-free
16. Muffins: Tasty
17. One of Your Wish List Items: Love
18. Time: Flying
19. The Last Thing You Did: Sleep
20. What You Are Wearing: Pyjamas
21. Your Favorite Weather: Cool
22. Your Favorite Book: BraveNewWorld
23. The Last Thing You Ate: Popcorn
24. Your Life: Confusing
25. Your Mood: Tired
26. Your best friend: Amazing
27. What are you thinking about right now? School
28. Your car: Reliant
29. What are you doing at the moment? Procrastinating
30. Your summer: Great
31. Your relationship status: Me
32. What is on your TV? DVDs
33. What is the weather like? Chilly
34. When is the last time you laughed? Sunday

Casino Royale -movie review

The new James Bond franchise has arrived with a blue-eyed blond in the title role. That very statement feels counter-intuitive to most Bond fans. And I admit, when Daniel Craig was announced as the next double-O (over my preferred tall & dark Clive Owen) I was not completely sold on the idea. Further, as the previous offering (Die Another Day) was a bloated and gadget-happy endeavour I wasn't very excited for this one. However, repeated exposure to the trailer inspired my interest. And I am happy to report that I can eat my words on all counts!

Casino Royale is an amazing film. It is kinetic, engrossing and sexy as hell! Craig brings a new level of hotness to the franchise built on a physicality that has been missing. He also mixes his magnetism with a playfulness that few women would resist. And the blue eyes? These are showcased to spectacular effect. All of these elements are released in full force from the beginning and don't let up for 2-plus hours.

Based on the first book of the series, Royale is built on a solid Fleming foundation and it shows. The plot is tighter than previous offerings and has been cleanly updated for the new millenium (although an early Cold War quip my M notes the history). This time around, Bond has just earned his OO7 status and is still coming to terms with his license to kill. He is brash, impulsive and aggressive. He is cabapble of running down a target through a construction zone to demolish an embassy. He can jet to the Bahamas and gamble a man out of his car, his wife and his life in under a day. He can (almost) save himself from a heart attack. He can fall madly in love with a dazzling Vesper (Eva Green) and name a drink after her. And he can kick butt with lethal intensity and detachment until the moment when even his butt is exposed. And all of it is done with style. And by the time the Bond theme is playing over the credits you cannot help but be converted to this new brand of Bond.

All I Want for Christmas...

Another holidy season is fast approaching. This year I've realized that there are not many things that I want this year. I know I don't NEED anything so it makes this least seem materialistic and selfish but I can't help it. So, I have constructed the following list of little wants for this year. The list is highly populated with DVDs - cause really? - I need the distraction form than anything else sometimes.

Things carried over from last year...
- a memory key
- a Herb Ritts "Supermodels" poster print
- subscriptions to "The Economist" & "Harvard Business Review"
- a pair of black leather gloves (6.5/7)
- ORIGINAL TRILOGY Star Wars Monopoly
- any book by John Ralston Saul

New Requests...
- a craft cutting board about 11X14 (they are green)
- a big, beautiful ATLAS of the world

Things on DVD...
- Toy Story
- Out of Sight, The Usual Suspects, Fight Club (special edition), Heat
- Season 5 of "Angel"
- Seasons of "Coupling"
- Seasons of "Arrested Development"
- Seasons of "Futurama"
- Seasons of "Felicity"

Things loved anytime...
- massages, pedicures and facials
- box(es) of After Eight chocolates
- Winners, Old Navy, Reitmans Gift Certificates
- Hugs and Love
- Good health for my family and friends

... 2005 ...