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Tuesday, March 19th, 2002
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11:45 am - the breakfast of champions!
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I'm staying home today to work on my essay for Thursday. Unfortunately, I'm going to miss two classes. I've got a lot to do because I haven't read any sources. Sometimes, you don't have to read books at all; its the index that counts. Equally, I've got sources and passages from old papers I've written that I can recycle for this essay.
I've just finished eating breakfast (eggs over easy, bacon, mashed potatoes, whole wheat toast and tea; the breakfast of champions!) Sometimes I think I'd make a good short order cook. I cooked in less that 5 min. The sausages and mashed potatoes were leftovers. (On a side note, bacon keeps well in the fridge for a few days; its always a good idea to have cooked bacon in the fridge for BLTs.) All I had to do was cook eggs, toast bread and make tea. mmm...
current mood:  content
current music: Wink - Higher State of Conciousness(Dex 6 Jonesy's Mix)
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| Wednesday, March 13th, 2002
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12:16 am - misc.
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Joe went to the "Peel Pub" tonight. Drank beer and ate a hamburger with fries.
Took two showers today; 8 hours apart. I felt hot today and sweated the whole time I was at school. It was like 7 C / 45 F this afternoon. I wore my jacket outside and sweated profusely indoors. Perhaps the heat was on too high indoors.
After, Sci-Fi Film a girl was handing out flyers for an upcoming referendum at school. I walked up to her; she looked at me called out my name: Joe! She was my TA in a class I took 2 years ago. I was infatuated with her. She looks really young; not like the typical Ph D student. Somehow, she remembered my name. One time after class, I was the only student left in the room; I was there to ask her a question. We stood there eye to eye a few inches apart; staring at each other in an awakward way. I asked my question and thought about kissing her but then bolted towards the door (we both did).
It'd be fun to work as a "plumber". The kind of plumber who worked for Richard Nixon and plugged leaks. I'd pay people off if they weren't major enemies. If they were, enemies, I'd dig up dirt on them or simply fabricate dirt and threaten to expose them if they don't shut up. Remember folks, its legal as long as you don't ask for money; that's blackmail. Its legal to tatletale.
Lately, my favorite condiment has been horsradish mayo on sandwiches. Its fucking hot! You can feel it in your ears!
Fuck, I hate it when you hiccup after drinking mulitple beers.
current mood:  tired
current music: The London Suede - Trash
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| Monday, March 4th, 2002
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3:24 am
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Hmm... that's strange. The lamp(with a flourescent bulb) on top of my filing cabinet flickered out a few minutes ago; shortly after, the flourescent light on my desk turned on by itself! That was kind of creepy; especially since its 3am. Well, I guess its just a case of electromagnetic interference...
Strangely, my radio always used to change stations too (it hasn't happened lately). I'd tune it to 102.1 FM. The next time I'd use the radio, it would be on 104.5 FM. That happened a few times. I can't fathom how the radio station could change on its own; its a manual dial radio...
current mood:  weird
current music: Primal Scream - (I'm Gonna) Cry Myself Blind
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| Saturday, March 2nd, 2002
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10:03 pm
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I'm still dizzy and my head hurts from drinking last night. I had to have the car stopped twice last night so that I could throw up. That was at 3:30am. At 3:00pm this afternoon, I threw up again. I've been in bed all day, haven't eaten yet, and only drank some hot chocolate and diet coke. At least I've showered and am wearing fresh clothes.
I hate it when I do this to myself. Lately, I've also been loosing my tolerance for alcohol. I've poisoned my body... Fuck! There's still a taste of alcohol in my mouth.
current mood:  nauseated
current music: 4 Non Blondes - What's Up
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| Friday, March 1st, 2002
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1:06 am - What a small world...
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While waiting outside of the lecture hall, a fellow student asked me how my reading week was. I answered and we both went into the lecture hall and sat together. We talked about our mid-term, movies and science fiction. Six minutes later, Liz arrived in class and sat on my left. I turned away from the girl on my right and began talking with Liz when I suddenly realized that I know the girl who is sitting on my right.
At the end of class, I asked the girl on my right if she used to go to the "Dance Cave". She repiled Yes. I then said "Yeah, I've probably met you before"; she had no recollection. We talked more; I suddenly ask, "Are you Magda?" "Yes!" "What's your name?" "I'm Joe" It turns out that we mutually know the same people but are in different circles. In fact, we're distant friends-in-law seperated by four degrees (friend of a friend of a friend of a friend). I used to see her in clubs twice a week but had only said hello. This is the second time we've sat together in class, I did'nt recognize her at first because I was use to seeing her wearing tank tops, jeans and with blond hair (currently, she has brown hair). What a small world...
current mood:  surprised
current music: The Who - Baba O'Riley
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| Wednesday, February 20th, 2002
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8:55 pm
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Last night, I went to the Peel Pub. It was time well spent! We (Tina, Teresa, Claudia, Dave, Chris and me) availed ourselves of the draft beer specials ($2.50 for a good sized mug). Its a relatively cheap place to eat. The servings are ample; the cusine is simple, yet hearty. (e.g. roast beef, roast chicken, poutine, BLTs, burgers, etc.) I think Tuesday's @ the Peel Pub is going to become a ritual...
We all seemed to unwind (even though I don't really have anything to unwind from). There was also a general feeling that we were'nt adults (we're all around 24). We acted like we were college students (playing footsie, throwing little balls made of napkins at each other, etc). Admittedly, we're a rather young looking clique; furthermore, our pictures would be right beside the definition of "drunken tomfoolery".
current mood: relaxed
current music: Space - Female of the Species
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| Saturday, February 16th, 2002
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12:20 pm - ressurected
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Wow! I feel ressurected! Lately, I haven't felt refreshed after sleeping. Yesterday, I had a mid-term test and didn't get much sleep for most of the week. I went to bed at 10pm and woke up at 10am today.
During the test, I got a peek at Maria's red underwear yesterday. (she was supervising the test) She was checking out my computer and leaning forward; I was standing behind her with a pretty good view. I think she could model jeans with her figure and posterior. She's essentially a good looking version of Penelope Cruz and Britney Spears mixed together. (I tend to see a lot of girls underwear at school. During lectures, when a girl sitting in front or beside me leans forward; a gap opens up between the bottom of her sweater/shirt and beltline of her jeans. I've seen: yellow, pink, white, baby blue, purple etc. and even tommy boxers.)
exam/test writing background...
I'm given a computer to write with; Instead of using a pen and paper.
50% extra time.
use of a semi-private or private room.
e.g. I wrote yesterday's exam with 4 other students from my class at a separate location. We had computers and were given extra time.
current mood: relaxed
current music: The Stone Roses - I Am The Resurrection
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| Thursday, February 14th, 2002
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7:57 pm - "good souls"
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"Good Souls" by Starsailor is my favorite song right now. Here's an excerpt from the song:
So I turn to you and I say
Thank goodness for the good souls that make life better
So I turn to you and I say
If it wasn't for the good souls, life would not matter
I'm starting to think that I'm a person who attracts the good elements of society. Perhaps it's a result of my intermittent ability to put smiles on the faces of strangers without having to tell a joke or do something funny. For instance, holding the elevator for someone, picking up a pen that was dropped and handing it back, etc.
This term, I've encountered and interacted with a plethora of "good souls" who make things better. Many thanks to Johann, Liz, Kristin, Tamara, and the anonymous individuals I interact with on a daily basis @ school.
On a related note, I've always thought It'd be cool if students voluntarily wore name those " Hello, my name is _____" stickers. People would get to know each other etc.
current mood: thankful
current music: Starsailor - Good Souls
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| Thursday, February 7th, 2002
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1:10 am - a burden has been lifted...
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Sometimes I'm the epitome of good study habits. I have a paper due today. After lunch(roast beef sandwich, soup and hot chocolate)at 4pm, I took a 1/2 hour nap only to be interrupted by a phone call. At first I couldn't recgonize the girl's voice, and was just saying "oh yeah, how you doing?" I was on the phone for 30 min talking and just saying, "yeah, uh hmm..." I got back on the computer @ 6pm and worked till 9pm when I watched "West Wing". Worked for an 1 hr 20 mins then met up with folks for beer and a cheesburger at Jack Astor's. I did that to celebrate! After working on and off for the last day and 1/4, all I have left to do is write 1/4 of a page to finish the paper. I'm going to finish it off now. Print it out, edit and proofread it multiple times. Lastly, print out the final copy and staple it. Hop into the sack by 3:30am feeling relieved that a burden has been lifted...
current mood: relieved
current music: Coldplay - Yellow
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| Tuesday, February 5th, 2002
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11:55 pm - too many words
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When working on my assignment that's due on Thursday, I have to wear my glasses (never had to do that before). The articles in the course packet are in small print. I don't need glasses when using the computer; Conversely, my drivers license indicates that I need to wear glasses while driving.
The assignment is for Geography USA. The prof gave us 4 artices to read (its roughly 160 pages of reading), and write a four page paper on this statement: "The regional geography of the American South and Manufacturing belt underwent major changes between 1900 and 1980."
Interestingly, we don't have to use normal academic referencing, unless we use a quote. He said he knows what sources we're using and thus don't need to say so. I also dig the 4 page double space limit. He said some classes want 15 page papers but this isn't one of those classes.
The short length of the paper reminds me of what Ronald Reagan's staffers had to do. Memos and briefings sent to the President had to be a maximum of 2 pages double spaced. I agree with the "gipper" (Reagan's nickname); things should be efficient and to the point.
A good example of using too many words is Herman Melvile's book "Moby Dick". Its like 700 pages and has chapters devoted to whale blubber then it jumps back its narritive and plot. Melville could have told the story in like 300 pages. I'm sure there's a philosophy he's trying to convey in the chapters about whale blubber...
current mood:  thoughtful
current music: Starsailor - Good Souls
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| Monday, February 4th, 2002
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12:29 am
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Drinking beer, eating wings and watching the "Super Bowl" with friends at a house on Oriole Parkway was how I spent Sunday.
Things to do this week:
Write a geography essay for Thursday.
Go to the barber today.
Find the mittens I lost at school; at either the theater or lounge.
Clean off all the paper and books left on my desk since November.
current mood:  determined
current music: Ben Folds Five - Battle Of Who Could Care Less
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| Thursday, January 31st, 2002
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7:30 pm
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11:04 hrs / While waiting for class to start, I was talking to the girl sitting on my right (a stranger). I got a comment I've never heard before. She said that my voice sounds exactly like her friend's voice and that if she didn't see my face, she would have thought she was talking with her friend.
12:03 hrs to 13:30 hrs / After class, I ran into Adam and his friends and chatted for a bit. We all went to Papa Ceo's for lunch. I had the "Marlon Brando" slice that's made with ground beef, mushrooms and onions. All their slices are named after actors; Al Pacino, Charles Bronson, etc.
13:42 hrs to 14:10hrs / Still time to kill before my next class so I went to the Woodsworth lounge and read my "free" Toronto Star. (Its one of the perks our school. Every morning, newspapers are stocked in Sidney Smith Hall, Wilson Hall, etc.) There were only a few people in the lounge. I took initiative and put the t.v. on MuchMusic. Some days I walk in there and people are watching CNN and other news channels. I also don't like it when the t.v. is on BET. I don't mind if its on Maury or RealTV.
current mood:  blank
current music: Collective Soul - December
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1:02 am - tormented by dreams
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Well, its time for me sleep. Earlier tonight, I was sorta feeling depressed over something. Sadly, I felt much better after a few drinks. On a good note, I'll sleep good tonight. For most of December and January, I'd wake up from sleep soaked in sweat; enough to have to change my shirt. I went to my Dr; nothing was wrong with my body. It (the sweating) hasn't happened lately. I think I was simply tormented by dreams that I don't remember.
Things to do today...
Wake up and frolic in the snow.
Go to school.
Buy a post card and mail it to a friend in Montreal.
current mood: tired
current music: Primal Scream - Come Together
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| Tuesday, January 29th, 2002
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5:41 pm - Joe recommends...
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I own two physical fitness uniform "PFU" shirts (The military gives special names for everything). They're good all purpose shirts. I've used them when: I bike ride; mow the lawn; chill around the house; underneath a sweater; or with a pair of jeans. The shirts are light, yet warm and cozy. Made of 50% cotton and 50% polyester. Despite the polyester content, the shirts are breathable and fast drying (also don't smell too bad if they're soaked in sweat). My favorite feature is the collar that's impossible to stretch. I own an XL "ARMY" and XL "NAVY" shirt. Available at surplus stores everywhere...
current mood: bored
current music: Primal Scream - Loaded
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| Sunday, January 27th, 2002
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4:20 pm
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3:43 pm - ecstatic
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I feel fulfilled, satisfied, and ecstatic! I haven't gone cycling since the last week of November. Its 11 C / 60 F today and windy. I actually ride in colder weather (as long as its above freezing and not too windy). I made it to 21st gear five times! In case you don't know I ride 25km / 15 miles in roughly 45-60 minutes depending on the wind. Even though I haven't rode in like 2 months, I still had stamina and power! I think I feel so good because of the adrenaline rush...
During the last 1/3 of the ride, I felt like I was one of the F-14s at the end of "Top Gun" (Its the scene where the jets are flying off into the sunset and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" is playing).
Oh yeah, I weighed myself today. I haven't done that since the summer. I though I was putting on too many pounds. Well, I weighed in @ 162 lbs. That was how much I weighed in the summer and last Febuary. That's pretty encouraging, that means I can make it back to 130 lbs with a little work. I was under the impression I was like 180...
I'm going to reward my-self and cook a steak medium rare, (seared on a cast iron pan then broiled)some fries and eggs...
current mood: ecstatic
current music: Righteous Brothers - You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
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| Saturday, January 26th, 2002
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6:55 pm - drank too much
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Last night, I went with some friends to a club on Adelaide street. It was for a friend's b-day. I drank too much. By 3:00am, everything looked as though someone was playing around with the vertical controls of a t.v; I then experienced instant nausea. I had my friend pull over @ a gas station near my house where I threw up. I woke up at noon with a spltting headache and had to throw up in the washroom. Went back to bed and woke up at 3 pm. I still feel a slight headache & dizzyness but feel much better after eating and showering. There's still a slight taste of alcohol in my mouth.
current mood: tired
current music: Coldplay - Everythings Not Lost
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| Thursday, January 24th, 2002
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5:46 pm - outside wearing shorts or t-shirts in -5C / 22F
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Is it just me, but I've seen 4 knuckle-heads in the first three weeks of January walking outside wearing shorts or t-shirts in -5C / 22F weather. Maybe they're just going next door or just buying a paper etc. Perhaps they were robbed. I'm puzzled. What's their story?
P.S. Actually, I shouldn't call them knckle-heads. That's passing judgement on people.
current mood:  amused
current music: Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride
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| Sunday, January 20th, 2002
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2:22 pm - random
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-Yesterday, I went to the mall with friends. I think I'm going to go back tommorow and do shopping. Maybe, Old Navy, AE and Gap. Shopping is something I really don't like doing... The last thing I bought were Etnies shoes two weeks ago. I usually procure clothing every two years but was lazy last year and didn't really buy anything.
-Had a burger at "Licks" (it was my first time). It was good but I thought the burgers were made by hand when you order it. That's why I like burgers from diners/greasy spoons run by some old Greek Guy named Peter who makes the burgers himself. Really, I go to a diner on Danforth Ave called "Motorama"; the Greek proprietor is named Peter. I've frequented that diner for like 14 years now. The most amazing thing is that the "specials" have only gone up like 50 cents in the last 10 years.
-Late into the night, I saw "Black Hawk Down". It was a good movie... Had a cherry slurpee!
-Today, is catch up day. I have to make up for the week and do homework. I was really tired all week and didn't do homework (maybe cause I'm not getting good sleep and my apettite is going down). I have to catch up because I'll probably get an assignment this week...
-On Friday, for film class we watched "Bram Stoker's Dracula" (1992). I probably wouldn't like that movie but I loved it cause it was on the big screen with big sound. The communal experience of watching with other people made it pleasnt too. Francis Coppola fimled the movie in a style similar to an Oliver Stone movie. That is: the effects, sound, scenery, sky etc. would make you trip if you were on shrooms...
current mood: tired
current music: Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun
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| Monday, January 14th, 2002
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7:05 pm - Black Hawk Down
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I feel like writing something critical today... I'm not well informed on international politics and theories. I took an international relations course back in 2000 but withdrew....
In 1993, America was involved with a United Nations humanitarian mission in Somalia. Somalia had been engulfed in a civil war and the United Nations intervened to effect humanitarian relief and set up a stable government. The UN's efforts failed. Warlord Muhammad Farrah Aidid and his lieutenants were wanted by the UN. American Army Rangers were sent in to find and arrest Aidid. On Sept. 25 1993, one Black Hawk helicopter was shot down in Mogadishu (the capital city); By Oct 3, two more helicopters shot down. Mobs desecrated the bodies and paraded them through the streets. Toronto Star journalist Paul Watson was there when two Black Hawks were shot down. He took this picture:
Watson's Photo appeared in newspapers world wide. He won the Pulitzer prize for journalism.
The United States should never have taken part in a UN operation. America's armed forces are for fighting and winning wars; not nation building. The UN had sent in peacekeepers where there wasn't any peace to keep. Furthermore, they (the UN) weren't invited to Somalia by any of the warring parties. America was also the wrong country to particpate in a UN operation; Anti-American sentiments probably compounded the situation.
America should only have intervened if there were American interests at stake. America's 18 and 19 yr old soldiers shouldn't be put in harms way and fight in somebody else's war.
A connection exists between what happened in Somalia and what's happening now. There's no way to prove this but, Somalia demonstrated that America can be forced to back down. After the U.S. embassy bombings in Africa, Osama Bin Laden gave an interview where he mentioned that America's retreat in Somalia indicated a lack of national resolve. I think a demoralized America didn't have the resolve to go after those responsible for the embassy bombings. Terrorists looked at it as open season to attack.
Personally, I'm not too fond of the UN. Its a misconception that America is isolationist; America has always been engaged in trade and foreign relations. Isolationism means to cut off contacts and be a self-suffcient fortress. What people call isolationism is actually unilateralism. America perfers to "go it alone". For example, why should America be forced to participate in treaties that aren't in America's best interests. In George Washington's farewell address, he warned the Republic to stay out of other people's entanglements and not become involved with foreign alliances. Washington believed in expanding commercial relations but not political relations with foreign powers.
current mood: thoughtful
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