One year ago today…

M and I got married.

I almost can’t believe it’s been a year, but in some other ways, I totally do.  We’ve had the traditional ups and downs of first year and we’re totally ready to make it to year two and mellow out a little bit.  At least we hope so! 

Tonight, to celebrate, M and I took our gift cards for Kelsey’s that we got over Christmas and headed to the Queensway for dinner and a movie.  It worked out perfectly because in the end we got dinner and the movie tickets for only 5 dollars.  Sweet. Plus I managed to find an old 5 dollar gift certificate for the movie theatre so we got a treat before heading in (Nibs, the usual).  We watched the movie Slumdog Millionaire,  which is so totally amazing.  Everyone should see it. 

Oh – and the best part of the evening?  Walking in to the theatre  and suddenly getting an overwelming smell of nothing else but pot.  Wow! We were kinda wondering what to think, but then we get in to the theatre and realize we’re second only to one older man sitting at the very back all by himself…hmmm….Very conspicuous indeed! 

Overall, a very pleasant evening.

Happy Anniversary, baby.  I love you.

A very busy weekend

Sheesh!  Just when I’ve been trying to get in to the swing of things when it comes to school work, I land with the first of three very busy weekends for me in September.

Friday night was the QPT AGM and BBQ.  It was really good to spend some time hanging out with that crew, especially since I haven’t seen quite a few of them since we did the show in June.  It was good – we had lots of beers (sweet beer) and lots of food.  Shout out to Amy and Peter for being our gracious hosts in their new and almost renovated house.  In the end, we also got some business done.  We collectively elected a new executive board, and I’m proud to say I will get to sit on it for another year.  It’s good because even if I don’t have too much time during school, I’m still helping plan events and I’m a part of the club!

Saturday was good – It started of easy, I slept in a little bit.  Then I got up and did some reading for tomorrow, before I had to get showered and head to KW for Roshan and Stephen’s engagement party.  It was a good road trip as Nick and Rachel came along too.  We hit up the party, which was expertly planned, but a tad overwhelming at the BBQ got moved inside due to the rain, and there was about 65 people there and kind of loud.  But it was good – the soon to be Chancellors and the Barons decided to sit and have a nice chat on the front porch while periodically making food and drink runs in to the house.  We left in the early evening, and made one other quick stop before heading home – ok, wait two.  The first was Value Village – a treat, seeing as the ones in Toronto are usually super picked over already by the hipster crews and such.  I managed to find two sweaters, a scarf, three pairs of earrings and a brooch for 25$.  Sweet!  Nick also found some duds, which was good.  After that our last stop was Dairy Queen before heading back.

The drive home was rainy, but good.  We were glad to be back, we Wii-ed it up a little then settled on watching Vantage Point on Rogers on Demand.  Very good movie.  It’s a little stressful at first, and a little overwhelming to constantly be changing perspectives, but I enjoyed how it played out in the end.  And really, it’s a pretty clever concept.  I recommend it.

Today was even crazier.  I got up at 7:30 to start my reading.  I managed to get quite a bit done.  Then it was showering, hitting up the bulk barn and heading to Rachel’s sis’ place where were hosted a bridal shower for her.  We had a great showing, not too many cheesy games and lots of great food.  We had girl time and Rachel got spoiled with some great gifts that I’m positive Nick will appreciate too! 

Tonight was also a busy one.  David did his last sermon as senior pastor of FT.  It’s sad to see him go, but he’s got some new adventures to pursue.  Plus we’ll definitely see him and Jen around town.  They’re not moving to Siberia or anything.  It was a good celebration, and a good close to a chapter in the life of FT.

Baby steps from here.

Date night

Last night M and I went to see Pineapple Express.

Overall, it was a funny movie. James Franco and Seth Brogen had a great rapport and made the jokes roll off really well. However, it wasn’t my favourite movie – I guess it’s because some of the jokes aren’t as funny if you aren’t a regularly around roaches, etc. Also, the ending is a little more far fetched, even though funny, so it got a little ridiculous. Oh well!

It was a little reminiscent of Superbad. It was funny, but sometimes it felt a little too much like people were trying to live you their greatest aldolescent fantasies on film – and you can only live through so many jokes about sex, drugs and drinking…

The other criticism – it was totally missing the awesome M.I.A. song from the previews. Gah! That song is awesome – seriously!

The final word? Go see it – it’s worth it. It’s definitely entertaining. If you do see it – let me know what you think.

Certified awesomeness

Friday night was pretty chill – Marty and I decided to have a quick dinner and head to see the early show of The Dark Knight at the Beaches Cinema.  Totally worth it.  I’ve head lots of hype about this movie, but it’s truly a good one.  Heath Ledger is fantastic at the Joker.  He’s strange, twisted, and malicious, yet you’re totally enthralled with him.  Aaron Eckhart is also really good as Harvey Dent.  I really enjoy him as a lead-type guy, and there always seems to be something genuine about him.  These gents definitely steal the show, and although I do enjoy both Michael Caine and Christian Bale too, I’ve gotta say they didn’t stand out nearly as much.  The plot of the movie is also fantastic.  Seriously – go see this movie!

Saturday and Sunday were taking up with doing a First Aid/CPR course with the St John’s Ambulance crew.  There were about 20 of us in the class – interestingly even on guy named Jeff who went to Grebel with M.  It was good – the information has been update quite a bit since I last did my training (with JetsGo in 2005).  The instructor, Will, was awesome and really made it fun.  In the end, I got my certificate – yet one other step needed for school!

I’m getting there.

Run, work, run

It’s been a busy start to the week after a relatively relaxing weekend of watching movies with M and sleeping. This week my work counterpart in Montreal is enjoying a week’s vacation, and as payback for all the vacation help I got over the last little while, I told him I would cover his site for him this week. Little did I know it meant I would barely have time to breathe for the last two days – yuck. But it’s not just me – our whole work place is a-buzz with craziness. I’ve just been trying to make it through the day.

Otherwise, it’s kind of weird not having M around this week – he’s up north working on a job site, so I’ve been chilling at home by my self. It’s strange, but it’s also good to have time apart so you appreciate the reunion.

Highlight for the week – seeing Get Smart with Coatesy. Definitely worth a view!

School, Iron Man and beyond

This weekend I was really glad to be able to mix in a little pleasure with all my work.  I had a short work day on Friday, studied up some Physiology, some Women’s studies.  Then Marty and I went to get a few necessary things to wear for ultimate at Lululemon, and we decided to hit up the new AMC theatres at Dundas Square to go see Iron Man.  Totally worth it!  Robert Downey Jr. is so good, and the movie is a nice mix of plot and story versus awesome super hero type action happening!  Go check it out!                                              

 Saturday was another study filled day.  I got up around 9:00, starting working, took a few break until the afternoon.  Then I went an got a kick-ass Toronto Library card so I could get some books for my upcoming term papers.  Turns out I’m in a little bit of a pickle because the book I was going to use for my Sociology paper is not available from Athabasca, and it’s only for in-library use at the Toronto Reference Library.  That’s going to make coordination tricky, but I’m hoping to get on that essay ASAP.  It will happen!

Later Saturday evening, Marty and I hit up a good-bye party for a friend who’s moving to England for 2-3 years.  I feel kinda sad to see him go, especially because I hadn’t seen him in almost a year, and I only saw him that night to say “See ya!”  I was good to go either way because I got to catch up with some other friends who I swear thought I was dead.  After that we rushed off to wish a “Happy Birthday!” to Danielle.  We felt terrible because we got there late (11:30ish) and then had to wait in line, during which time we found out we could only park on Ossington until 12:00!  So much for a long celebration with Danielle.  We go in the club, gave our best wishes, and then headed out again!  (Danielle, we owe you some good dancing time!)

Yesterday was an eventful day too.  I got up, did work, called Mum to wish her a “Happy Mother’s Day”, and hopped in the car to go to  my sister-in-law’s.  Yesterday was not only Mother’s Day there, but also a birthday celebration for both my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and niece.  Crazy!  We had a BBQ lunch, and watched Rebekah open some prezzies!  It was good.  My favourite part was having a chance to practice some jumping on the trampoline! 

Last night was pretty chill – we go home about 3:30, took a nap, and I went back to the books.  I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel!

 

Countdown to Harry Potter

Ok – there are days to go – yes, it’s almost time! Harry Potter is almost here! Twofold! Can you believe it? I can’t! I’m so excited about the book/movie coming out that I’ve re-read all of the past books and I’m working my way through the past films in preparation. I’ve even gone as far as reading just about everything on J.K. Rowling’s official website, searching Wiki for details, and reading up on discussions held on fan sites. I am so prepared and so excited. I can barely contain it all. Really. I’m going to sit and read my book – just that one book – until it’s done. Done. Done.

WOOO!

And so in honour of me being slightly obsessed, check out my new widget.

I’m in love with Ryan Gosling

Last night, after a fairly crappy work day, I went to see the movie Half Nelson with Robby J, Karl and Soojeen. I mostly went because K and RJ are my boys, and I love them dearly – how could I resist some quality time with them. Also, the movie stars Ryan Gosling, whom I have loved since his days on the Mickey Mouse Club, and features music by Broken Social Scene. Can this be a bad movie?

I’m honestly not going to give a review of it here – it’s something I suggest you all go out and see. I know I shall be watching it again because I feel I didn’t catch half of it’s subtext. It’s really well done, and it’s just totally worth watching. Ryan Gosling is very talented. Wow. He always picks very good, rather independent seeming movies, and he does really, really well. This is another great example. Go see it.

On another totally superficial note – Ryan is beautiful in this movie. Really. I was totally digging him. He wears vintage clothes in a somewhat badass kinda way, but they look GOOD. He’s got these sunglasses and scruffy beard – mmm… He’s definately my “type” in this movie. Wow. And well, ladies, that alone makes the movie worth it.

Double feature

Oh the adventures of spending a Saturday night with film people. Karl and I went to see Lady in the Water and then ended up (unbeknownst to me until the moment of) meeting up with his friend Kevin to see Miami Vice right after that. Both we worthwhile movies to see, though I do lean towards the former as it has a MUCH better story. And that’s saying something seeing as I don’t really like all of M. Night’s movies. And I will also concede that Miami Vice is worth seeing, as it was shot in video, and that does have an interesting effect.

After the movies, the three of us went to the Village Idiot and squeaked in right at last call for a couple of pints, and at chat with a random drunken guy at the bar. Interestingly we ended up having a conversation about God. Funny how those conversations find you. The nicest part of it was being called “an angel”. It was very sweet.

Both Kevin and I ended up crashing at Karl’s place, so when we go up we all chatted more, and I made omelets for breakfast, and Kevin and I bonded over music. All in all it was a good time. Props to “grills, hammer pants and BFF’s”.

An Incovenient Truth

I went to see this movie last night, thanks to my friend Karl, who treated a whole bunch of us. I suggest that all of you see it. It’s a well made movie, and it doesn’t come over quite as heavy handed as you would think. Rather, it’s a really interesting scientific and political look into the issue of global warming. Some of the facts discussed are just astonishing, and I pray that we do see the truth of the matter and all start to do something about it.

One can walk for miles on ones own, but if there are people following along too, it makes it all the more bearable. The same goes for daunting tasks like saving this planet. Sure, it’s a huge undertaking, but loosing our one and only earth shouldn’t be a sacrifice made to laziness and ingnorance. If we all make small changes, they will add up. History proves this. One person’s step out in faith can start a revolution if others see the worth in undertaking it. Look at Ghandi.

Let’s start praying with our feet for change.