Shift Into Silly

Killing time on a rainy afternoon. Half of me is enjoying the cool air blowing in my 20th floor mini-window and half of me is missing all my friends living far away. Cruising the blogs of friends and familiars, I come across the fun and games at blogthings thanks to Newly Human.

So, in honour of my commerce buddies, I thought it only appropriate to test my summer car personality. You see, cars were (are?) a common topic amongst the guys in our little band of merry men. I have worked to become more knowledgeable, but am still a novice in most ways. Still, I think the quiz pegged me quite well as I have been labelled...

Your Summer Ride is a Toyota Prius

Sure you're a little sensible and quite green But no one enjoys outdoors more than you do!

What's Your Summer Ride?

I'd love to hear what you should be driving this season.

Must Love Dogs - movie review

Sometimes you just get the hankering for a little celluloid romance. At the moment the theatres are offering Must Love Dogs (the first formula film to be made about online dating) as the treat to be tasted. Originally I had no intentions of seeing this film at the cineplex because its running time (98 minutes) fell below my theatre-viewing parameter of 100 minutes. But then the movie tickets are cheaper in Halifax (and I have a romance deficiency in my own life) so I made an exception.

This film is really a trifle designed specifically to sate the aforementioned "hankering". It is thin, light, and predictable to a fault but then, that is exactly what the women paying for this froth desire. The purpose of this type of film is to do the following:
1) present a relatable heroine of the everygirl genre
2) establish multiple "oh yeah" recognition moments for the target audience
3) offer a male lead the audience will covet
4) maintain women's fairytale-esque notions about romance (in particular - "one day my prince will come")
These things are often surrounded by kooky supporting characters that vex the leads, animals and/or children doing "cute" things, and outlandish final declarations. Such is the world of romantic comedy.

In understanding, and accepting, these guidelines, Dogs does the trick, for the most part. It deserves a sincere pat on the head for incorporating the necessary elements but falls short of a generous belly rub. Diane Lane is relatable and normal and bright. She carries the action with a realistic edge and runs through the romantic routine with savvy. The supporting cast is typical and functional. The story doesn't stray far from the expectations but hits the funny bone with a family-dinner-table-style wit that anyone would enjoy.

Much of the problem is in John Cusack. He just isn't right here even though you desperately want him to be. Cusack has been recruited to be Lloyd Dobler ... twenty years later. It's likely that many of the seats in the theatre will be filled with women in the 30-40 age bracket: they will see themselves in the 40-something Lane, they will be most likely to dabble in internet dating, and they will all have grown up with Say Anything - the classic 80s portrayal of the thinking, sensitive, "perfect" boyfriend. And that was Cusack. So here we get him again, right down to the overcoat and the rambling. The all-black wardrobe is definitive Cusack and he works it here again. The effect is wrong when placed next to the warm-coloured Diane. It's hard to reconcile the Ramones-loving, semi-goth wardrobe with the vintage boat builder that Cusack portrays.

But there is one moment, the first time Cusack's character is introduced when he looks like an average man of that age and you just go, yeah, he's the one. If you can remember that moment for the entire film, maybe the rest will work for you too. Or at the very least, satisfy your urge for voyeuristic romantic notions of the simplest kind.

To Day

Today was a mild roller coaster of sulkiness and sunniness. The last three days have been lonely ones - my on-my-own-adrenaline finally evaporating. I really hate these in between moments of moving when you don't have any consistent social contact - it's an empty feeling. Luckily (pathetically?) I have been filling that emptiness with TV rather than food. In the space of chocolate I have ingested the last seasons of both Friends and Dawson's Creek - thanks TBS. The only downfall of this plan was being subjected to multiple storylines of people that are meant to be together.

Today started on an optimistic note as I had a meeting with the local office of a youth organization I had worked for in the past. I was actually excited at the opportunity to work for a bit, help out the organization and an old friend, and maybe make some coin. But as the discussion went on, I realized that much in the organization had changed and then it happened ... that stabbing feeling of inadequacy appeared. The doubt that I could do the job. The idea that I was a fraud all along and if I took on too much this time my failings would be exposed. Where the hell did that come from? Needless to say, it knocked me off my game a bit. The feeling wasn't helped as my friend recounted her recent successes (professionally, academically, socially) and my mind wandered into that nasty bog of comparison. Why do I do that?

I was on such a high a couple of months ago. I had finally completed my undergraduate degree and felt as though that particular self-inflicted albatross had been cut loose. And now, in the first moments of alone-ness and new-town confusion I am back to thinking I'm not as good as others. WTF? Cause really, it's not true.

So I walked. And walked. I went to the harbour where the Busker Festival was happening (note to Mitch...you should totally come to HFX for this someday!) and saw a man thread himself through the hole in a squash racquet. And then I continued to walk down the boardwalk. And the sun was shining. I shopped for over-priced jewelery. I watched glass blowers at Nova Scotia Crystal. I saw the sea gulls swarm in the path of the ferries. And the world got big and full of wonder again.

I am alone (in more ways than I really want) at the moment. But I've been here before and it always ends. But today was just a hard one. Oh, and all that walking? Did it in flip-flops and now I have shin splint pain. Damn.

Phone rings last night at 1:30am...

ME: Hello?
HIM: Hey Baby
ME: Who is this?
HIM: You know who this is.
ME: Who is this?
HIM: Is this Susan?
ME: Ah, no. This is the new tenant. Susan doesn't live here anymore.
HIM: Oh.
Click!

Memorials

Today was the 60th Anniversary of the atomic strike on Nagasaki. In rememberance of the event a vigil was held to observe a moment of silence. I made my way to the library to partake in the moment. Sadly, the vigil was more of a mini-rally/info fair for various special interest groups and so I didnt't stay. (I went and got my library card instead.) I had been planning on going to the vigil since I had seen the notice. I missed the Peace Day activities (Saturday - the day Hiroshima was bombed) and was reminded of the vigil during a walk yesterday when I saw the "shadows" on the sidewalk. The shadow campaign is in its first year in Halifax and entails the painting of white body outlines on the sidewalks. My mother has an oft-recalled story about her first encounter with the shadows. Since hearing her tale, I ensure to walk AROUND the figures and face a mild disappointment when I see others walking over top of them. So today I skirted my way around the shadows to mark my observance of a horrific action. I've always wondered about the bombing of Japan that "ended" WWII and I can't help thinking that if Germany was the holdout, then there would have been no bombings. Either way, the purpose of Peace Day activities such as this is to fight for a nuclear arms - free world and that's a goal I support.

As I wandered back towards the university after my unsatisfying vigil, I came across the "Old Burying Ground". It is the oldest cemetary in Halifax and dates back to 1749. Approximately 12000 souls were interred in a space that measures about 1/4 of a city block but only a tenth of them have been marked. It is a captivating space. The dingy stones harken to a past age and an arch is topped with an Aslan-esque lion at the gate. The cemetary was actually completely restructured in the 1990s in order to repair damage to the grounds. It is a space that is calm and peaceful despite its proximity to the downtown core. I walked the path slowly from the present into the past and back again.

My last observance of the day was the fantastical quality of Halifax homes. Saint Mary's is situated in the south of the city and is surrouned by a historical neighbourhood. The homes are structured in a way that is completely different from Ontario. They have character. Much of their look is achieved through funky colours: blue, purple, green, teal, yellow, rose, magenta, olive, etc. and gable detailing (always in a contrasting colour!) Thanks to my friend Myriam, I understand the rationale for these details. It seems that many of the homes have been declared "historical properties" and the owners are paid to keep them in good shape. All the homes with the little plaques are bright landmarks and just seeing them makes me smile. Walking down the streets I also came across random stone pillars and fence posts from an age long gone. They have been maintained and outline properties that have been divided over time. The city has moved on but still remains in the warm embrace of memory.

Hot Time, Summer in the City...

...Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty. Yes, this was the scene today as the heat wave from the west finally descended on the coast. And I was just getting used to the comfortable 20-degree weather and having to take a cardigan in the evenings to stave of the wind chill. But not anymore. Today opened with a blaze and has stayed on broil all day.

Unfortunately, today was also the day I started my actual outdoor "exercise" regimen. Now, I admit to liking a good sweat (and I'm a good sweat-er!) but sometimes it sucks. And thinking about things like ass-sweat is not a motivating thing (in fact, not pleasant at all and I'm kind of horrified that I mentioned it, but it was in my thoughts as I sped-walked the giant block around the school). I was also a little disappointed in my comfy shorts that decided they would rather exist as hotpants today and spent most of their time creeping up the inside of my thigh = not attractive. What is with that? Are those of us with less-than-perfect thighs denied hassle-free shorts? Usually yes, but on sticky hot August afternoons, not so much.

I know, it is silly to complain because if it was colder I might be griping about that instead. I think its a real Canadianism to be obsessed with the state of the weather, the impending weather and the effects of the weather. In the end, I retreated to my apartment that was only mildly oven-esque and wandered around half-dressed. THAT is the best part about living alone. So the day wasn't a total loss, but I am going to wait till the sun dips a bit lower before making myself presentable and going outside again.

The Infomercials Were Right!

As I come to the end of my first week in my new place, I want to comment on two inventions that have made living on my own so easy...

The first is the George Foreman grill. I have a mini version that Tom gave me and it rocks. I can cook chicken breast (sliced in half) in 3 minutes. It gives the meat this nice toasted look as well. And, it cleans up quite easy. I'm sure that I will be using it extensively in the coming year.

The second appliance is my Miracle Bullet - a graduation gift from my brother and sister-in-law. My addiction to smoothies prompted this purchase and I have to thank them for it now. My bullet (the store version of the famous Magic Bullet ... as seen on TV!) blends a super smoothie in minimal time. The availability of jumbo bags of frozen berries in this town also helps. I haven't had the opportunity to use all the Bullet attachments yet (I also have a blender and juicer for it) but the preview is totally positive. Cindy, if you're reading this ... Buy a Bullet Now!

Road Tripping

It took 3 days and put almost 1500 kms on my little K-car. At times, the trip was beautiful. At others, it was downright coma-inducing. But in the end, my little caravan (one van and BERT) successfully navigated 4 provinces and found its way to the shore and my new home. The following are some pics from the journey (click on the images to see a bigger view).

This is my parents in Montreal. They are on the balcony at Nat's place. If it was not for them, I could never have made this move. They provided SO MUCH to the endeavour. I can not thank them enough.

A fun pic taken primarily for my grandfather's benefit as he mentioned this little town to me. It's unique name (exclamation points included!) has nothing to do with laughter, but rather form an old French word for unexpected barrier or dead end.

Our pitstop for the second leg of the journey was in Grand Falls/Grand Sault, New Brunswick. The gorge is the main attraction that slices right through the downtown. I had to share its impressiveness. We stumbled upon its existence by accident while we cruised back to our hotel. Sometimes you find amazing things without even trying.

Mom and me at the Nova Scotia border. This was the last day of travelling and the only day that rained. But it poured! I guess it's fitting that is should rain as you enter the maritimes. The air is naturally filled with water - it just happened to be soaking on this day. What a great sign, eh?

Me at the front entrance to the university. Saint Mary's was founded in 1802 but it didn't move to this site until the 1950s. My mom thinks its funny that I'm going to a school with a big cross on it since I'm so non-religious. Personally, I like the old buildings - they have an academic air.

A shot of the two main buildings in my life for the coming year. The highrise is my apartment residence - it looms over the campus completely, including the football/soccer stadium on the other side. The Sobey building is the home of the business programs.

This is the view from my bedroom window - don't hate me. I'm on the 20th floor and can see the expanse of the northwest arm of the bay and city below. I'm amazed at the greenness of the city - Halifax has put alot of effort into keeping things "green".

Not much else to say but I'm sure there will be fun East Coast updates and pictures to share in the future - stay tuned!