Staring Back

One of my favorite poets published this Op-Ed piece in the Washington Post this week, I though it would be a great link.

Kenny fries is a Disabled, Gay, Jewish poet - who often writes about all of his subjectivities in his poems and prose. One of his greatest books is a collection of poetry called Anesthesia. A look at his disability (he is missing his fibula and various other bone structure in both his legs) and a reflection on watching a lover die from AIDS. Few poets have touched me as greatly as he has, and I am pretty happy to say I can consiering him an acquaintance as well. He recently published a new book: History of My Shoes and the Evolution of Darwin's Theory.

I urge you all to go read him. Start with the Op-Ed Piece, which can be found here. See I gave you the link twice, you have to read it now!

Also, go to his website.

I'm givin' up the dove to the beast

Tonight we went to see Rufus Wainwright in concert with Sarah Slean opening. Both acts were amazing. I was feeling rather overwhelmed by Rufus, it seemed that just as the show was starting to wind down, he'd jump in with another set. Moving from doing pretty much his entire new CD Release the Stars to a Judy Garland number, to a rock fantasy moment, then an incredible Irish folk song, then the encore which included his song "La Complainte de la Butte" from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. He finished the encore with a drag number of a Judy Garland song... he rocked that outfit.

Rufus is an amazing talent - one of the few openly successful gay musical acts out there. Tonight he really proved just how amazing his is.

You knew it was going to be a good night when one of the first things he says to the audience is: "So about my sequined jacket - well I had to find something to go with the sparkly lips on my pants, oh and because I'm just so gay."

It was all amazing from that point on. He was clearly having some problems with the techs for the show - seemed to be having feedback in his ear piece... but he worked it out. I loved just sitting and watching him play the piano... he is such a good performer, even when sitting down.

Opening for him was Sarah Slean, a Canadian songwriter. This was actually the first time I had sat down and listened to her. I loved her. She's funny, intelligent, and unbelievebly talented. She told a story about living in Paris for a while to write, but the songs she wrote in the beginning of her stay were all about being lonely because she just sat in her small apartment. Right after the concert I dragged Jes to HMV to buy two of her CDs: Night Bugs and Day One.

It was a fantastic (and gay) night. One I won't be forgetting. Now, if Rufus would just bring his Judy Garland tour to Toronto (or release it on DVD) my life would be complete.

Runaways

I started reading a new comic series this week - Marvel's Runaways. Holy crap! Its amazing. It is about a group of 6 teenagers who discover their parents are supervillians. They then runaway and form a group to try and stop their parents. Naturally, they all discover they have specific talents along the way. In a similar fashion to Buffy (where High School literally was Hell) these kids mortal enemies are their parents. They have to fight the super powered parents to stay alive. The entire series takes place in California - where it seems that no one really wants anything to do with Super Heroes, they are referred to as a East Coast problem.

Genius!

It's one of the freshest and most original ideas I've seen come along in a while. Just recently, Joss Whedon (Buffy, Angel, and Firefly) took up the writing mantle of the series. I have not gotten to those issues yet, but I know they'll be amazing.

So far I have gotten through Vol. 1 of the manga sized graphic novels. I am going back to the comic store today to get vol. 2 and 3.

I highly recommend anyone who likes comics to read this series. I love it!

Ok, off to pack... and then some more Runaways.

SNL Fun

This first one is a digital short featuring Natalie Portman rapping. It is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen



Here is Jake Gyllenhaal performing "And I'm Telling You" from Dreamgirls... in drag!



Here is Jake performing on the Deep House Dish skit for SNL




"This is my signature look, and I am going to wear it out"



Bronx Beat - one of my other favourite skits.

A Night of Drunken Craziness

Photo Caption: Jessica and I looking hot and sexy at Numbers.

Wednesday night rocked my world - it was a quiet day really, not much happening. But then that night I went with my 313 gang, and Christine, to Numbers for Karaoke. It was one of the best nights ever.

Because the fireworks - stupid fireworks - were on it was totally dead in the place until about 10. We started the night out with some Pat Benetar, then some Prince, then some Breathe (2am), and it just went on from there. I personally didn't get up to sing, was feeling shy that night. But I think I am addicted to WATCHING people do karaoke. Got to see Mitch (the bartender) sing some more Cher... I love his Cher impersonation. Next week I might do a bit Cher - we'll see.

There are just so many unique things about that night - and there was a lot of drinking. Too much drinking. There was a lot of dirty dancing - with each other and then Alice and I branched out a bit and grabbed onto various other people. By the end of the night, Alice, Bri, Christine and I ended up calling Graham (C's husband) to come get us at 2 AM (he was not very impressed... but he came, we love him so!) so we could go to Spanish Banks....and we skinny dipped. Yes that's right, I was naked - in public.

I can't remember the last time I had so much fun. The only problem was that I had to work the next morning and be up at 6:30... I was still drunk when I got up the next morning and that hang over lasted ALL DAY LONG! Nonetheless, we are going for a repeat this Wednesday... wonder where the night will take us. Perhaps more public nudity?

This coming week I might go for something other than beer - cause the hang over yesterday was horrible!

Today... had a drs appointment. Now am going to eat. Then up to SFU to bring the boxes from my office home... getting ready for stage one of the move that happens Monday! But for tonight, I will forget about moving and boxes for a while and watch one of my favorite movies of all time - The Godfather. I fucking love that movie!

A Veronica Mars Moment

As I start to write my essay on one of my all time favourite TV shows, Veronica Mars, I felt I had to start posting some great moments from the show. This is especially for those of you out there who have never seen the show (looks pointedly in the direction of a certain someone in Toronto).

Here is Veronica singing a Blondie classic... the song pretty much sums up who VM is and what the show is all about.

Enjoy.

Beedogs

I promise that there will be a post very soon about last nights debauchery. I just need to recover from this hang over. In the meantime, enjoy Beedogs.

Its exactly what the picture above suggests. Dogs dressed up like bees. The site is here.

This Calls for a... Sexy Party!

The last few days have been rather eventful - on monday after I got home from the local college, I went out and picked up some life giving pills from London Drugs and came home to a message from Bri inviting Jes and I over for a sleep over.

Now, being urban gay men, we don't wander into the suburbs too often, but figured what the hey - we want to meet Bri's cats and hanging out with her is one of the best parts of our week, so off we went. And it was a lot of fun. Watched Sex and the City... listened to Bri's friends complain about men... I still am confused about that whole story. Smoked some, watched Bri and Jes do pot, and drank a lot. The sleep was not the best, having two cats incubate my feet all night got a bit hot... but the bed was super comfy.

I felt like a 16 year old again. Fun times. Although I worry that my morningness scared Bri - I am not the happiest person ever in the morning.

Then I taught all day yesterday - I don't think I said anything too too horrible to my students, but I did get mad at them for not knowing anything about certain questions I asked to prepare them for the final exam.

Oh and I arranged for the movers to come get my stuff - they will pick it all up on the 9th of August and it will arrive in TO a day after I do on the 25th. Exciting! Also talked to the landlady - seems nice, if not a little crazy.

Today is mom's birthday so I am heading out for lunch with her. Then more gay bar karaoke tonight!

Its a sexy party in my life right now!

Sometimes you need...

Sometimes you need a little David Boreanaz to get you through the day. I love this picture of David, every time I see it I can't help but imagine that he and I have children and he would be walking around shirtless taking care of our baby.

Today has been a good day - Bri drove me to the local college to get the payment forms in order so I can get paid for all that marking I did. We then drove off to a local sushi place to eat and then grooved on Journey as she drove me home.

Now some more marking and then off to London Drugs to pick some stuff up.

Tomorrow - the dreaded tuesday of teaching.

Happiness is...

Today has been a good day - got up nice and late, goofed off on line, then marked a bit. Went and had a great brunch at Brown's Restaurant Bar in Yaletown, after which I marked some more and then talked to Hotty McHot from Toronto.

That last bit made me really happy!

I know he reads this... so I can't gush too much. But I am quite smitten with him and am really nervous to meet him for the first time.

Tonight Bri is coming over and we are going to help her with a presentation and she will help us with packing.

Cool Whhhip. (Some family guy fun)

Trying to say Cool Whip



Stewie Likes Being Spanked.



The Infamous Glass in the Head Moment

Rilo Kiley

Exciting news - Rilo Kiley is going on tour, and I'm going to see them IN TORONTO! I found out they were touring through Facebook and sent an email to Hotty McHot in Toronto asking him out to go see the show with me. He said yes. I bought my tickets this morning. Super cheap too! They are playing at Pheonix Concert Theatre - I have no idea what that is!

I am so excited. I'd loved them, ever since their song "Portion for Foxes" was on Grey's Anatomy I became obsessed and bought all their CDs. How cool is this! So excited. Maybe Jenny Lewis will perform "Rabbit Fur Coat" from her solo album. Their new ablum is out on August 21st, it is called Under the Black Light. The first single sounds amazing - totally unlike anything they've done before. Which is part of who they are. They experiment with sounds, can range from pop to folk to rock to jazz within the span of am album. I am so excited!

Today is all about listening to Rilo Kiley, reading, doing some marking, and a bit of light packing.

Oh, and here is Rilo Kiley's new video "Moneymaker." Enjoy.

How do you measure

***Apologies for the fucked up font - formatting would not work with a pasted sentence from a website***

I am tired... FUCKING TIRED. Yesterday I had a great day helping some friends move their books from their offices at the school to their home in Kits. I was so wiped last night, I couldn't even post. Today I had to marking papers for an instructor at a local college

When i got them to her, she did not say thank you, did not even acknowledge that I did her 80 papers in a week. She bitched about the fact that were some I did not mark - I'm sorry, they didn't follow the parameters of the assignment, so i don't mark them. Oh and to top it all off - she forgot the paper work. So I have to go to the college on Monday so I can get paid for my slave labour.

Would it have been hard to say thanks?

I feel exhausted - I feel like the kids from RENT when Benny is trying to evict them. Tonight I seem to be asking myself: "How do you start a fire when there's nothing to burn and it feels like something's stuck in your flue?" So yeah... How do I start a fire when there is nothing to burn in me. I'm so tired I could just fall asleep here in my chair.

In other news - got a check form another college in town - thank goodness, I really need it right now.

Ok, off to sit on the couch and eat fruit and feel bohemian

Just a member of that great yellow family

I am now obsessed with the Simpsonize me page - i can't stop. i am now doing it for my friends.

I love my avatar - I think it eerily looks like me. Don't you.

9 days till the Simpsons movie is out... how excited are you!!!

I look really happy here - kinda surprised, but still distrustful of the world around me. Its an avatar after my own heart.

Looking at it makes me think I need more piercings.

Spider-pig

If there is any reason to see the new Simpson's movie - it is this. Spiderpig. How can you NOT find this funny?

"Spiderpig, spiderpig, does whatever a spiderpig does."

Lost Shirts and Victoria Beckham

Lazy Sunday

Despite being rather hyper today I am going to try and be a bit lazy... although my plan is to mark papers, and get a good chunk of them done. I can do that.

Yesterday I spent the day on the beach with members of the department, and I was totally inspired to plan another beach day! My going away party is going to be on the beach in August - I just sent the invite around to people on Facebook. I normally don't plan parties myself - but I really want to have a going away party and I worry that everyone is going to get so busy and crazy that I won't get to see my friends before I leave. So, I took matters into my own hands and planned one! A BBQ on the beach - which is fun, cause its time on the beach! How can that not be fun!

So yeah... got side tracked there. Today is all about getting marking done and just relaxing. I don't really plan on going out too much - just to grab some food and then head back inside. If I get tired of marking, I'll read Philip Pullman's The Subtle Knife - second book in His Dark Materials Trilogy. Which is a great series. The Subtle Knife was rather slow to start with, but it is picking up now, around page 200. I hope it gets even better.

Also, I thought a rather sultry picture of Matthew Fox would help edge me into laziness today.

Marking and Beaches

So, what does a newly minted Master do the day after his defense? He marks papers naturally! Cause that is what my life is all about. I have about 80 papers from Langara - which won't be too bad I don't think, I should be able to get them done in a short amount of time. I would like to have them done by monday. Then I have my own students' papers to mark. Those won't take any time at all. All they are are revised versions of the last paper. So they will be quick reads.

Still not too excited about marking them.

Later on today I have a departmental party to go to, it is a going away party for 3 professors - one of them is my supervisor. She hinted rather hard that she would like me to go to this thing, so I can't really disappoint. We are going to go with a few other grad students from the department. It should be pretty interesting.

Later - back to Lost. Onto Season 3!

A Master of the (English Literature) Universe

I defended. I rocked that defense! It was not as bad as I had started to imagine...I did my mini presentation and then fielded questions for about 40 minutes. None of the questions were a huge surprise to me.

I passed the defense with minor revisions.

I officially have a masters degree.

How hard do I rock?!

Nervous Now.

Ok... sitting in the computer lab at school, 45 minutes till the defense, and I am getting very very nervous. Would like this to end now.

please.

Defending

So in about 4 hours I will be sitting in a rather hot and stuffy room at the school defending my Master's project (or you could consider it a thesis by now). And yes, I am nervous. I was fine yesterday - kept telling myself I'd do great etc etc etc.... well now, I'm fucking nervous!

I'm not super great at public speaking, although everyone I know tells me otherwise. I always feel like I am not actually saying anything interesting. But I also know I will have no problem talking about this paper. I've been working on this paper for a very very long time now, months and months and months. I feel really good about it, I like what I've said.

The paper is an examination of Brokeback Mountain and how it can link back to 1950 and 1960s gay pulps. I especially look at the establishment of affect within those narratives - affect through physical objects. How the shirts in the story come to represent queer desire for the two men. Furthermore, it looks at how the closet operates in such affected spaces . I really do like what I've written - just not so sure about having to talk about it out loud and deal with questions about it.

Nevertheless, I'm ready - lets get the defense over with so I can drink tonight!

Dead Until Dark

***SOOKIE WARNS YOU: SPOILERS AHEAD***
***SOOKIE WARNS YOU: SPOILERS AHEAD***
***SOOKIE WARNS YOU: SPOILERS AHEAD***

Sookie Stackhouse, Charlaine Harris's protagonist in her Southern Vampire Series, is a small town cocktail waitress - who also happens to be able to read minds. The first book in Harris's series - Dead Until Dark - is a odd little book. I loved it right away, it is quirky and unique, playing off of a number of Southern tropes - small town communities, a love of Civil War history, families. But on top of that, it combines a great story with superb characterization.

The beginning of the book is quite good - within the first 20 pages we meet Sookie, her friends at the Bar: Sam (her boss), Arlene (co-waitress and best friend), then we meet Bill the Vampire. No fancy French names here - like Jean-Luc - just plain old Bill the Vampire. Immediately after that, Sookie has to save Bill from Vampire Drainers - people who use Vampire blood as a sexual stimulant - and there is nothing hotter than little Sookie attacking a couple people with a huge chain.

We then meet Sookie's grandmother - who quickly became my absolute favorite character. In the midst of all this character development, and the clear establishment of a series of books, murders start to happen. Women who associate with vampires are found strangled in their bed. And Jason, Sookie's brother, starts to look guilty.

Now, I have no problem with giving the main character a huge tragedy to work through, but if you do. Make it realistic - this was the one point I really didn't like. Out of no where - Sookie's grandmother dies at the hand of the murderer.

But we get over that really quickly and move on - Sookie and Bill start seeing each other, and have really hot sex. Again, I was not so sure on that one... Sookie didn't really seem like the "hey, I know, lets have really nasty Vampire human sex on my kitchen table in the same room where my grandmother died." But... I followed along.

The book got slow at around the 200 page mark, but it started picking up - a few revelations that I had already figured out a lot earlier. But then...

Harris redeemed herself.

Elvis (yes the King himself) showed up... as a Vampire. That was an amazing twist. I loved it. He has taken the name Bhubba because he does not like being called Elvis.

The rest of the book panned out as I expected it - although the murderer was a huge shock to me... I was really floored.

I thought for a first novel, Harris did a great job of setting up a interesting cast of character within a really unique epic type plot. I really am looking forward to getting to read the rest of the series - gonna pick up the second novel tomorrow!

Groggy Heat

It is too hot! I certainly don't complain about the heat normally, but when you have to prepare for your MA defense tomorrow and the heat makes it hard to do that... well I then complain. I have to write this brief introduction about my paper for tomorrow - and I have not put a single word down on the page. I know what I want to say, but I am too tired and too hot to do so. Yuck.

I will probably talk about why I wrote the paper, what it was that inspired me, why it developed in the way it did. Blah Blah Blah.

By tomorrow at 5 - I will have my Master's!!!!

This morning I went up to school and got my students' papers - I have not touched them yet, and don't really plan on it at all till the weekend. Plus I am getting papers from Lovely Langara lady today - wow, that's a lot of marking! But I need the money.

Ok, gotta write a little bit... then dinner on the Drive. I think I need more ice tea.

A World Of Wizards - Potter V.

The fifth installment of Harry Potter was really very good - not as good as the third one, but still pretty damn good. I was surprised by how much was taken out of this particular film, although it was understandable considering Order of the Phoenix was like 900 pages. But I was so hoping that more would be developed with Ron and Hermione - instead it really became a movie about just Harry and his teenage troubles.

One of the things I love about Order of the Phoenix is that it takes on Harry's transition into teenage-hood and applies it to his dark and twisty world around Valdermort. It is a good connection that Rowling makes in the book.

I would have liked more scenes while they are at the Ministry of Magic and at the Order's headquarters. But I'll make do. Also, certain amazing scenes were cut during the fight scene between Dumbledore and Voldermort... I would have liked that to go on for a while.

Oh and creepy blond girl - Luna Lovegood - also a total amazing character... I loved her.

But above all else, the greatest part of that movie is Helena Bonham Carter who plays crazy Bellatrix Lestrange, a crazy evil witch who rules the entire movie. She is part of Voldermort's army and really kicks ass. As normal Carter can control a screen just by appearing... she barely needed lines, just insane laughter.

I'd say go see it...

Happy Heart

So today was my 6th month check up at the heart clinic... for those of you who don't know, I've had some problems with my heart in the past. Died once. Came back.... I make it sound light, not because it is but because I get tired of making it sounds like it was the defining moment of my life. It certainly changed me - how can dying not?

What I have (or is it had) was similar to what Denny suffered from on Grey's Anatomy. A form of cardio-myopothy. Which is essentially heart failure. That is why I have such a interesting connection with him as a character.

Anyways - for the past 2 years I have been going to St. Paul's hospital to see caridologists in the "Pre-Heart Transplant Clinic." Today, I graduated from that clinic. I am no longer even remotely close to having to have a transplant. I had an eco-cardiogram, which is like an ultrasound for your heart. And it was at a 60% rate - which is what everyone else has. We all operate with a 60% rejection rate apparently. So, that means I am totally better! After that I had a Exercise test - which might be the most humiliating thing ever. Having to ride on a exercise bike with electrodes strapped onto you and a breathing thing on your mouth to monitor your breathing rate. They had to shave a spot on my chest to attach the elctrodes, I was not happy. (oh and one of the technicians working there was a total bitch.)

After that, I had some blood work done and then went the clinic where I was told: "I'm totally healthy and can graduate from their clinic."

This is news I have been waiting for for a LONG LONG time. Perhaps 2 years. Still have to take meds, but I am back to normal! YAYAY!!!!

As a way of celebrating, I am going with Movie Diva, her friend Miss Divine, and Jes (he still has no special nickname) to see Harry Potter 5! But before that, perhaps a walk to Marble Slab is in order.

I rock, and my heart rocks!

The Day of students and Kate comes home.

Today certainly has been busy, I was up at 6:45 (well actually earlier than that because Queen of the Universe - the cat - decided I should wake up at 5 am). I then was off to school to teach. I love my kids, but sometimes... not so much.

It was a long day, as Tuesdays normally are. But I think the biggest stress was having another TA's tutorial join mine. This would normally be fine - but one individual in this tutorial was rather uncooperative. Even going so far as to say, "This assignment is pretty dumb". I kicked her out of the tutorial. I was not impressed. Although, I was proud of my kids, they really shone today... they kicked the other TA's Tutorial's ass in group work. Go D107!

Oh and I taught wearing only a tank top, shorts and my flip flops today... yeah I was cool!

After teaching I headed down the Comic Store with Movie Diva and her friend. I had promised myself that I would get ONE thing - sadly, Movie Diva convinced me to read something called Preacher. I'll give it a shot. My other thing... the Kate action figure from Lost. How cool is she! I was really excited. Although I wanted Hurley. I'll get him. Kate will have a place of honour on my shelf. I consider her to be an early "You passed your defense" gift. (Yes I am that sure).

After Movie Diva and friend dropped me off I was just about to get in the elevator when the fire alarm went off - I was stuck outside my building for 40 minutes. How dare they. This lady whose son live in the building talked to me, was very nice. Sadly the son was not as cute as I had hoped. But there were lots of guys in tank tops waiting with me. So all was not lost.

Now I will go eat something - perhaps to the bad place - and then relax with Queen of the Universe and my book.

Singing Along...

A friend of mine posted this on her facebook page. She is featured in the video for a second. But ALL of my grad student friends are featured in the video. It is a CBC "Living Vancouver" about a local sing along night at The Railway Club. Hard Rock Miners happens once a month, I think. And it is a group of guys with guitars singing old 80s songs, and you sing along. (hence the name).

Anyways - most of my friends make an appearance once, none of them are interviewed. Although I wished they had interviewed Marx-girl, that would rock hard core.

Take a look at the drunken debauchery. Video is here

Marble Slab

After many hours (well 2) on the beach today I was really hot and wanted ice cream. So, on the advice of The Movie Diva I tried this new place called Marble Slab Creamery. Oh. My. God. It is amazing. They have about 25 flavours, and what you do is you pick your flavours - I had Double Dark Chocolate and Peppermint - and choose a mixer. They have about a dozen mixers, everything from mini marshmellos to skor bits, to York peppermint patties. Then they take your two big scoop of ice cream and mix them together with your mixer - on a marble slab, finishing it off with a waffle (chocolate dopped) cone.

I cannot tell you how amazing this place is. Its the best ice cream I've had in years. Better than Casa De Gelato, you ask? MUCH MUCH BETTER. The ice cream is smooth and creamy... oh my god. So good! I might go back tonight for dessert.

As for my day on the beach - it was super relaxing, read my book, and watched the hot boys. One particularly hot boy knocked his ball onto my towel - which I was fine with. The interaction was a bit like this

Me: Careful of your ball.
Him: My balls tend to get out of control
Me: (Stifling a yelp at that) Well, guess you need to handle them better.
Him: Oh I can handle my balls and many others just fine.

He then winked at me and wandered away... I should have asked for a number. Why do these things always happen when I am alone!!!

There was a couple of teenage girls whose entire conversation consisted of "Likes" "No ways" and "Yeahs!"

It was a good day - I think I will make it a Monday Tradition from now on!

Now, back to thinking about Marble Creamery

Sand and Sun

Today is beach day! I decided earlier this weekend that I am going to hit the beach and chill out with my book, my ipod, and many many cute boys. So, once I am finished with this post I am headed out the door to find a nice spot on English Bay (pictured above) to chill out and enjoy the sun.

Yesterday I did as promised and did nothing - I read my book, I watched tv, I had dinner, then snacked on cherries all night. It was a great day. Looking to repeat it today.

Hope you all have a great day - although I know from Hottie McHot in Toronto that it is 40 degrees there... ouch! That is not fun heat, that is killer heat!

Variations on Nothingness

Today is about nothing... a WHOLE LOT of nothing. I am going to read my book, maybe watch a movie, and I might (just might) leave the apartment to get food of some kind. But all in all, I intend to do a crap load of nothing today.

No laundry, no cleaning, no cooking... nothing. This is supposed to be my weekend off. I will resume working Tuesday when I have to teach again. (Cause that's a joy and a half).

I'm noticing that the city is also rather quiet - with the exception for the crazy honking that just happened. I think Vancouver is in Sunday mode, where the city stays pretty still for most of the day, and you only see activity when you hit Robson, or one of the malls. But for the most part, its quiet and relaxed. Which I'm really happy about, means that my laziness will be rewarded today! Hooray!

So, I am off to do my nothingness and enjoy it. Oh and laugh at Jes cause he has to go to Chilliwack today... HA HA!

"Transform and Roll Out!"

*****SPOILER ALERT*****
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
*****SPOILER ALERT*****

Now I know that a lot of people are slamming the new Transformers movie, in most cases it is simply because Michael Bay directed it. And while I will admit that Bay is in general a bad director, this move shines.

I'm not exactly sure what people wanted from this movie. People are saying it has no substance, it is hollow, blah blah blah. Ok, its a movie. About Robots. From Outer-space. Who attack each other on Earth. What exactly is there to be deep about this movie? Its a Summer blockbuster, popcorn crunching, rocking good time!

Even Robert Ebert agrees - this is an AWESOME SUMMER MOVIE! See his review here.

I am a Transformers fan - I have been since I was like 5 years old. I read the comics, I own the entire series on DVD, I have the 20th anniversary edition of Optimus Prime. I love my Robots in Disguise. This movie is EXACTLY what I wanted it to be. Dozens of call outs to the fans (like when Megatron says: "You've failed me once again Starscream.") And just keeping the campiness of the series intact.

So, when I see it I scream the first time Bumblebee transformers, I cheer when Optimus Prime first appears, I go crazy when Megatron brings out his Morning Star, and cheer even louder when Primes energon axe appears... I go into that theater to celebrate being a Transformers fan and I love every minute of it.

I love balancing act that Bay and the writers did between giving the robots screen time and the humans screen time. Also, reconstructing the origin story they way they did was fantastic - having Hoover Dam be built to house the captured Megatron - awesome. I am not a huge fan of Prime's lips, but they are growing on me. And when Bumblebee tries to get Sam laid... so cool!

Tonight Jes and I went to see the movie for a second time, and it was even better. Although I don't think the magic I felt when I first saw it will ever be rediscovered. For all of you out there who are complaining about the movie or whatever - just go enjoy the fact that the most advanced CGI EVER used on film have brought these amazing figures from pop culture to life in a way we never expected. I will see it again - maybe tomorrow, maybe monday maybe everyday this week.

Its fun. Its camp. Its a gay fan boy's dream.
It's (Yes, I'm gonna say it...) More Than Meets The Eye.

"Where Does The Good Go?"

Despite Jes having stolen my thunder by posting about Suzanne Vega's new album, I will make my post about Vega (and music) so much better!

So, in two weeks Canadian music icon Suzanne Vega comes out with Beauty & Crime, her first album in ages. I love her - her song "Tom's Diner" has always been one of my favourites. And now she has a brand new album filled with folky, fresh tracks.

To her her first single - a live recording of "New York is a Woman", go here.

In other amazing music news, one of my absolute favourite Local Bands - Tegan & Sara are also coming out with their new release, The Con. It is out July 24th. They have really matured and grown as a duo. This lesbian twosome started with The Business of Art, but over all I think their best album was So Jealous (2004). They have really come into their own and become a bit more mainstream, appearing on Grey's Anatomy, Veronica Mars, ER and even Six Feet Under. These girls rock so hard! They also have a great DVD, If It's Not Fun, Don't Do It. This is perhaps the most exciting news for us fans.

More importantly, a new album also means... a TOUR!

Here's a Clip from one of their FEW music videos: Speak Slow

I love music in the summer...

Moon Called

My weekend off has begun. I woke up a bit earlier than I planned this morning (at 11am) and decided I'd read a bit before lugging myself out of bed.

Currently I'm finishing up Patricia Brigg's Moon Called, a new paranormal series about a Native American shape shifter (Mercy - the mechanic) who can transform into a Coyote and was raised by werewolves. There are some really interesting things going on this book - for instance, no other fantasy novel like this has as many Native American characters - the main character is Cherokee I believe. And there seems to be a huge community of Native American Warewolves. Plus, it takes on the whole idea of Europeans (in this case, Vampires and Warewolves) having wiped out Native American culture and lives here in North America, especially the paranormal sects.

One of the other parts of this book I like is the depiction of a lone woman (not a part of any warewolf pact) watching the uber-masculine world of warewolves and making snide comments about it all.

That all being said, the plot is moving a bit too slowly for my tastes, it seems that now at page 200 (of a 278 page book) we are finally dealing with the main plot for the book. Until now, a lot of it has been Mercy running around trying to save all the werewolves she could and giving us A LOT of back story for her.

One thing that surprised me, is how ineffectual and stupid the werewolves are - they keep needing Mercy to come a long and save their ass for them.

werewolf: Mercy, I am super strong and an oh so dominant werewolf, yet this vampire has me enthralled (even though 6 pages earlier I said I could never be enthralled by a vamp). Won't you help me?

Mercy: Yes I will help you with my never before mentioned abilities to stop vampires. Oh look I happen to have a religious artifact that I can use. Then we can run off and both turn into animals and almost have sex.

COME ON!!!

Anyways, I am enjoying it - and that is saying a lot, because I never read fantasy. In general I am not a huge fan, but I am trying to get into it. Perhaps as long as there are vamps and werewolves in it I'll like it...

Ok, back to seeing what other convenient plot devices will happen in the next 70 pages - or if we'll ever hear about the kidnapped girl again, or the world wide werewolf leader... lots of open threads to clear up!

Light (or enlightened) Reading

I happily admit that I have a small spending problem - especially considering HOW MUCH I spent today.

Tonight after dinner Jes and I went for a walk (see I walked!) and ended up at various book stores around the neighborhood, and then decided to hit up the Chapters on Robson and Burrard. I was looking for a Laurie R. King novel - who rewrites Sherlock Holmes with a female assistant, highly recommended - and I found one. However, the super shopper in my head kicked in and I had to do the Buy 3 paperbacks get the 4th free.

Yeah I know... I have no will power.

Anyways... since I have decreed this the summer of light reading and am only reading non-academic books (that means no Atwood, no Modernists, no theory, nothing that I might study) I bought myself a few more paper backs. Charlaine Harris's Dead to the World, Susanna Clarke's Jonathon Strange and Mr. Nowell (a big huge HUGE fantasy novel). And something for Jes.

I am speeding through books right now - and really enjoying giving my brain a bit of a break.

But I promise - this will be the last purchase of any size bigger than 20 bucks for a while.

(snort of laughter)

Comics, Part Deux.

Awesome I can bore you all by talking about the comics I just read.

Lets go in order - World War Hulk: can we says AWESOME! Worlds greatest superheroes think The Hulk is too powerful to exist on earth and decide to send him away into space, he lands on a war torn planet and is enslaved to become a gladiator. Eventually he leads a revolution (cause why wouldn't he!) and becomes king of the crazy planet. He marries a beautiful woman, only to have her be killed by a bomb that the heroes who sent him into outer-space put in his space ship (why wouldn't they!). So, Hulk goes mad with RAGE and decides to go back to earth and destroy those that he blames for all this. In the first issues he kills one superhero... its an amazing story, I'm totally loving it. I think there are a few issues so far for WWH that I don't have yet - going back to the comic book store tomorrow!

X-Men: Extinction. Not as amazing as I had hoped. They are not doing whole comics, but it is a side story about Beast trying to find a way to reverse the effects of The Scarlet Witch's ability to destroy the mutant gene. Hello! The Scarlett Witch said "No More Mutants." and suddenly only 100 mutants were left in the world. What about this does not scream: Major Comic Book Event! Not impressed.

Transformers Vs. The Avengers. The first issue rocked my world. I mean, how can I not like it. It combines some of my favorite things - Transformers, Wolverine, and Dr. Doom. I loved every page. Although could use a little less Avengers time in the first issue. But holy crap, I loved it!

Out of all of these - I'd say go get Transformers and Avengers. (But World War Hulk is a close second).

Wow... reading over that post, I realize just how big a dork I am.

Comics, Losing Weight, and other randomness

I happily went down the comic book store in Yaletown today and let myself splurge on a few things. After Marvel's Civil War that happened throughout the year (ending in Captain America's Death) Marvel was like "Hmmmm... what should we do now?"

Their answer: "Hey I know, let's make The Hulk go crazy and become a killing machine AND we'll start killing off X-Men characters! Cause, that'll totally go down well with the readers."

Course this is coming from the guy that just bought this week's issues of World War Hulk and X-Men: Extinction... why are comics so addictive? Plus, it was the first issue of Transformers Vs. Avengers this week - I am quite excited about that cross over.

As soon as I am done here I am going to read my stash!

After the Comic Book Store, I went off to American Eagle because I need a second pair of shorts (I have one pair that I wear too often). I bought a pair of blue plaid shorts - I like them. The problem is: I had to buy them one waist size up. This is NOT GOOD! Mind you I did this because the only pair of shorts I liked was in that size so I had to buy then, othewise I would have had to buy "dust colored" shorts. What the hell color is DUST anyways?

But that is besides the point... I need to start thinking about dropping a few pounds. I don't want to be fatty mcmatty when I move. Hence the plan:

Instead of Frappachinos I will have ice tea or ice coffee
Instead of burgers and pizza at lunch I will eat salads
I will not let fast food touch this mouth again for at least 3 months (this includes Subway)
I will walk more - try to walk at least 3 times a week.
No more pop - unless it is diet - now ice tea (brewed) or Dole Sparklers

But I am not giving up my snacks in the evening... I like my chips or crackers while I watch TV - just gonna cut back on the WHOLE containers of Ben and Jerry's.

I will lose weight... I will.

The good news is: I think these shorts look pretty sexy on me.

Alarm Clock Noise

Once again this morning I managed to NOT wake up at the sound of my alarm - well, actually it is pretty clear I did wake up, turn off the alarm and then roll over and go back to sleep. I re-woke up at 10:10 - exactly 20 minutes before my meeting with the lovely Langara Lady (L.L.L.) to talk about marking. I flew out of bed, threw on a pair of jogging shorts, Jes's WWBD shirt and my flip flops and ran out the door. I got there at 10:35 (that is a huge record - getting from Burrard and Smithe to Commercial in like 20 minutes). I spent the whole trip there texting Hotty McHot in Toronto and complaining about sleeping in. Course, it was mostly an excuse to text him. I then met L.L.L. and chatted about marking and how horrible students are these days. She brought up my favorite topic - GAY PULPS! I blabbered like an idiot about them for 20 minutes.

This is the second time in 2 days that I've done this - wake up with NO time to get to where I need to be. Yesterday I woke up an hour before I had to be in lecture at the school and I live AT LEAST 40 minutes away. I got there on time through an incredible feat of me begging Sexy-B (I am giving my friends special names) for a ride.

I'm not entirely sure what is up with me sleeping through the alarm... perhaps being over tired, perhaps stress... but who cares as I will not be setting any alarms for the rest of the weekend! Actually I am not sure if I am planning on leaving the downtown core at all this weekend, hell I may not even leave the apartment.

Once I get my butt in gear here, I am going into Yaletown for drinks at Section (3) and then some comic book shopping. Then, some reading about Warewolves. (Fun times).

"Battered Veg."

Ok, a someone (aka hotty mchot in Toronto) directed me to this really really funny video - Catherin Tate's show, and her skit called Tempura. I think everyone should watch it once, and then a dozen more times!

I was laughing so hard in my office at school that my neighbor came to ask what was going on.

Tempura - go watch!

Not so Fresh Thoughts

Ok, so after a very long time thinking about this, I decided I would actually do it. I made a blog. This will be a lot of me being all anxious about my move and starting my phd - which causes me stress every time I think about it. But in all actuality, it will be more me talking about pop culture, my crazy students, and drunken stories!

For my first post - which I will probably keep short - I can be very happy to announce that I turned in my Master's Research Project today for my committee to read and prepare for my defense next Friday. Yes, that's right I am a week away from being a graduated Master's degree holder. And crap did it feel good to put that paper in my profs' boxes!

I can safely say that I have not felt this tired in ages, sadly I can't really sleep in as long as I would like to tomorrow as I have a meeting with an instructor from Langara to talk about marking. But after that - the weekend is mine! And it will begin with a visit to the Comic Book Store. Transformers Vs. Avengers... here I come!

Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy my blog, and do comment! Please!