Not-so-Speedy Service?

I was getting some passport photos from an instant-photo booth in the train station. I need them for my entry visa to Cambodia, which is where I'm flying to this weekend.

The machine helpfully had an "English" option on the touch screen.

Not so encouraging was this message:

At least the makers of the machine can't be accused of trying to over-sell their product.

Taken with my iPhone, January 26, 2010.

Remembered.

While home for Christmas, my father and I visited the newish Canadian War Museum.

It was very well-done, and a fitting tribute to the men and women who shaped Canada's history, and gave their times and lives for a cause they believe in.

My father showed his Veteran's Card when we entered. We received not only free admission to the museum, but free parking, and vouchers for lunch at the cafeteria. It was a small gesture, but it still touched me to know that my father's career of service was appreciated. Because he really is my hero, and I'm very proud of everything he has accomplished.



The photo is of Regeneration Hall, which was designed by the architect to be a physical representation of hope for future generations. The window itself frames the Peace Tower of Canada's Parliament buildings. It was somber, but somehow very soothing being in there.

Beagleocalypse.

This is Ridley.

He is, obviously, a Beagle.

My sister's beagle, to be exact. He's old, but we'll call him distinguished instead.

Behind him is Dillinger. Dillinger is also a Beagle. More than that, he is a Rescue Beagle. Some idiots thought he would enjoy being the subject of testing.

Now he has a wonderful home and freedom.

Beagles rule. My sister rules.

This picture makes me happy.

#17 Re-Live Childhood: Check.

Yes, those are in fact Dungeons & Dragons manuals and dice.

Yes, I am indeed starting a Dungeons & Dragons campaign with a few friends this weekend.

Yes, I am the biggest geek in the entire world.

And, the happiest.


Still find me sexy?

Nightcapping

I'm in a musical mood this week. No, I'm not suddenly bursting into elaborate song-and-dance numbers. Although, that could be arranged for a fee. Rather, the purchase of my new sound system has meant that I've been listening to even more music than I usually do. "Usually" being a word that could be replaced by "pretty much all the time."

Last night, I was enjoying a quiet evening in. The lights were down low. I was relaxing on my heated carpet with a half-bottle of superb Italian Chianti, and I was listening to the tunes washing over me. Now, I would never be one to condone drinking alone. But, if you were so inclined, these are 5 album choices that you could do worse with than to use as your musical accompaniment:

"Fox Confessor Brings the Flood" by Neko Case. Subdued, slow-tempo torch songs by Ms. Case. Just hearing her voice sets me to a slow burn that practically mulls wine by itself, countered only by the goosebumps that run up my spine when she hits the bridge of each song.

"Time Out" by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. One of my personal favorite jazz albums ever. Recorded in 1959, it's Mr. Brubeck early in his career, but "Take Five" is my all-time favorite jazz tracks, and the version on here is absolutely smoking. In fact, I could listen to nothing but that track on repeat and polish off a crate of wine, no worries. It doesn't hurt that the rest of the album is equally as awesome.

"Blue" by Joni Mitchell. Let's face it, there's a fair chance you'd be drinking red wine alone on a Wednesday evening because of relationship problems. Or, worse still, a breakup. In that case, you might as well be wallowing in self-pity, sadness, and loss with the ultimate break-up album. I guarantee that, given enough wine, you'll find ways to apply each individual lyric to your own situation. And yet, there's still an air of hope and optimism throughout the album that makes you feel better for having heard it.

"Floodland" by Sisters of Mercy. Sometimes, in the dark of the evening, in the solitude of your own home, in the grips of a nice bottle of wine, all you really want to do is dress up in black, light some candles, and listen to Goth music. And that's fine. Just make sure it's this album, if you want it to be done right.

"Discreet Music" by Brian Eno. Other times, you just want to have something in the background, so you can focus solely on the enjoyment of the wine, and get lost within your own thoughts. This early ambient album of Eno's is just the thing. Simple and soothing, it's best played low and allowed to wash through the room and over you. Don't listen for meaning it, just enjoy the ride.

Of course, if I were entertaining others, it would be a completely different list. But that, as they say, is a question for another day.

Comforted

What's better than snuggling up in a new, fuzzy blanket?


Nothing.


The defense rests.



Blanket from Muji-Rushi.

Alienated

10 adjectives I've completely made up to describe the experience of watching the Blu-Ray version of "Aliens" on my new home theater system last night.

Cameronrific
Ripleyfying
Blu-razing
Hi-fine
Alientastic
Sigourney-Weaverizing
Science-Frigging-awesome
Hi-Definitely-worth-it
Extra-Terrestrial-sensational
Abadabbadadabbada (the noise I kept making as my brain melted from the sights and the sounds)

Thwarted

Ah, technology. You constantly find ways to ruin a Sunday.

As a birthday present to myself, using an unexpected Christmas work bonus, I got the deal of the century.

A beautiful Marantz home theater amplifier for a fraction of its original cost.

It was delivered bright and early this morning, along with a couple of Blu-Ray DVDs that I had bought to blow me away with True-Dolby sound this Sunday afternoon.

Eagerly, I ripped open the packaging, cleared (a lot of) space on my shelving unit, and placed the behemoth gently in its new home.

Only to discover that my current, cheap-ass home theater system uses stupid proprietary speakers that have their own special jacks.

Currently, then, I have a lovely, beautiful, hi-fidelity bookend on my shelves.

Look like someone's using the rest of the Christmas bonus on new speakers.


Here's my new shiny behemoth. Below it, as an example of scale, is the amplifier that I had been using up to this point. And which I guess I'll still be using for a while longer.

Burned By The Midnight Oil

Usually, my east-west jetlag is much worse than my west-east. This recent trip back to the motherland has proved the exception, however. Last night, night 5, was easily the worst so far. Knowing I have an 11-hour work shift today with three two-and-a-half-hour lectures, I climbed into bed at 11:30 PM, and immediately fell into a deep sleep.

Only to wake up at 12:45 AM.

And remained awake.

The. Rest. Of. The. Night.

A lot passed through my head in those long seconds, minutes, and hours as I watched the clock tick by from 12:45 until 7:00 AM, when I had to get up and trudge, zombie-like through the streets and subways of Tokyo to my workplace.

Things I thought about at some point of the night included:

1. Is my apartment building haunted? Conclusion: I don't know. Possibly. If it is, then my ghost is very well-behaved, settling for gently opening a single cabinet in my kitchen from time to time.

2. What kind of work does my new neighbor do that he comes home at 3:00 AM and immediately does not one, but THREE loads of laundry every night? Conclusion: I'd rather not know, but it might explain where the ghost came from.

3. Should I get up and go to 7-11 to buy a snack? Conclusion: I couldn't be bothered, instead settling for a very stale cookie someone gave me as a souvenir from their trip to Thailand. In October.

4. Do I find Lea Michele from "Glee" attractive? Conclusion: From 1:00-3:00 AM, yes. From 3:00-5:45 AM, not really. 5:45-6:00 AM, easily the most attractive woman who has ever walked the face of the earth. 6:00-7:00 AM, when I finally awoke, sometimes.

5. Is that a U.S. nickel I can see on the far corner floor of my bedroom? Conclusion: Possibly Canadian. From my bed I couldn't tell if that was Thomas Jefferson or Queen Elizabeth stamped on it. That probably says unflattering things about both of their profiles.

6. How long will that guy in the big Mercedes stay parked in the street with his motor running? Conclusion: I guessed 45 minutes. Actual elapsed time: 2 hours, 5 minutes.

7. Would I feel more comfortable if I were wearing wool socks? Conclusion: I would.

8. Do I feel like getting up out of bed to fetch wool socks? Conclusion: I did not.

9. What is the largest piece of furniture I would be able to pick up and throw through my window? Conclusion: None of my windows are wide enough for my bed, so it would probably be the bookcase I keep my DVDs and CDs in.

10. Will I ever fall back to sleep again tonight, or will I be an absolute shambles in the office tomorrow? Conclusion: the second one.

*Sigh*

The Divine Ms. Emma

Now aren't you happy you checked in with me today?


This is Emma. Emma is my parents' dog. She is exactly as wonderful as you are imagining she is.

A Slight Return

I used to write in short, sparse sentences. With an economy of words and language. A flow that I found refreshing, and pleasing to the eye.

A few simple words that could convey so much. Dreams, and thoughts, and desires.

Here's to conciseness and clarity in all its forms. Here's to truth through language. Here's to a slight return, or a return to slightness.

Here We Go Again.

Somewhere over Southern Ontario on January 2, 2011.