Jentastic

While there are many fabulous people in my life, the one that needs recognition at this time is Jennifer "Fantastic" Fawcette. Oh! I wish that Village Photo hadn't gone all capitalist on our asses, or I would include a photo here. Alas, I will have to try and write a thousand words in place. The theme of the relationship between Jen and I during the second half of this year has been cohabitation. We bonded over music, western heartbreakers, red shoes, too much bloddy enthusiasm, and delight in short haircuts during September, October, November and December, and ultimately decided that we were destined to be roommates. Since then Jen has done all the stressing and effort exertion in order to make a compromise of my dreams and her dreams (which tend to be similar), and now Ella and Marit's dreams as well, a reality. And, mutha fucka, (mootah?)...she did it.

Next year, thanks to my darling darling fabulous fabulous Jennanigans, I will be living in a four bedroom house, next door to the subway station, in a fabulous little community, close enough to both school and downtown, paying only $420 a month. This palace of ours has inside laundry! big rooms! stained glass! hardwood floors! a kitchen big enough for a couch! a porch! a laundry line! My list could go on and on.

And in the face of such a triumph, Jen shows up at my house with a thank you card for me??? Yes, I love you, hon, but really that card should be for you.

So, without further ado, I'd like to say my mega thank you to this wonderful woman that happened into my life, and kicked things up a notch, without causing any unwanted havoc (is it possible to take me by storm without causing a storm?). I LOVE YOU JEN!

(slash, I'll write 307 words about her. Less than a third of a picture, but with Jen, the average person wouldn't be able to handle anymore)

Spare some change for a wicker ottoman from Ikea?

Lama and Taxes

I feel triumphant, grown up and ready for a summer of increased independence. Last night, I did my taxes. I don't know anyone else that did their own taxes, apart from my darling parents, and that makes me delightedly self satisfied. Not that I'm surprised, but I don't have to pay them anything either!!! I think the satisfaction comes from the fact that everyone dreads doing their taxes, spends the day on it, and is toast at the end of it. Helps that I don't have any dependents, a spouse, or benefits. It's just nice to know that I can do it, and that I'll be able to do it myself for the rest of my life now.

I went to see the Dalai Lama the other day, and it was wonderful to see him. It was interesting, not because what he was saying was particularily profound or new, but because it was him that was saying it. In addition, the dynamic of the crowd at the event (in the skydome) was drastically different than the one that was present at the Blue Jays home opener that I went to a couple of weeks ago. Of course, it was an extremely positive speech, and it left me feeling calm, rejuvinated and in a more adequate position to handle life, and development.

It's interesting that calm and rejuvination, and ability to handle life, are quite consistently the things I seek to get out of experiences. Of course there's also adventure, good stories to tell, and happiness.

Right Words at the Right Time

Excitement is building as the final approach to Montreal commences. Who would ever believe that Jess, Brennan and I would live together, half way across the country, in close proximity to our beloved Shona over in Ottawa? MUTHA! And the best is that the whole thing is so freaking practical. I started packing today, and am worried that in the midst of the summer, I'll desperatly want something of mine that is in Scarborough in storage. My parka, for instance, maybe a text book, in case a point needs to be proven, perhaps my bible, or book of inspirational Oscar Wilde quotes.

"Nothing is so dangerous as being too modern. One is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

I sent a mail today to everyone, letting them know my contact info in Montreal. On purpose I included lots of people that I hadn't talked to in ages, and delightfully, I've got some emails back from people I'd lost touch with. Reconnecting is in the air. When I went away from Victoria, I felt as though I was being so tough, and that I would step out of the plane and leave it behind me. Slightly ridiculous, as there are so many fabulous fabulous people still on the island, that I still love. Thanks all for reminding me, and illustrating the fact that we can still be part of each other's lives, even from a distance (cheese and truth in the same sentence).

famous last words

It is a dark day. Shadows pass through my mind, my heart. Is depression imminent? Politics: Comparative Development and its examination certainly are.

Wk 1 Slide 7

I've had a very varied week, from deep heart to hearts with roommates, to drunken declarations of love to good friends; from blue jays games to res parties; from all night techno nights, to dinner dates; from studying to sex and the city; from crazy days at the deli to dozing in the sun.

International Health Policy tomorrow. What are your biggest health concerns?

Repatriation of Profits

The days are divided between exam study and Sex and the City, season 6. So much love.

My near inability to be home alone (after 8 months of constant human contact) worries me. This weekend will be a test, as I've got the house to myself. Perhaps it's just Scarborough?

Fantasia for Four Hands

A lovely Toronto day. Woke up, brunch at the Red Room (avocado and brie sandwich of course), and then a wander down Spadina and then onto Dundas (going east) as I'd never walked that way before. While chatting to a lovely but absent roommate of mine, I found myself infront of the AGO and on a whim decided to go inside. I'm extra glad I did as it was the last day of a vivid exhibit by Edward Burtynsky that made me smile out loud. I love noticing the themes that run through my life, like Jesus and Development, and this exhibition was no different- it reeked development like a mutha.

It brings to mind my concerns about finding beauty in Poverty, like in Jamaica, and a friend in Victoria's photos of dilapidated dwellings in Laos. Here, though, Ed legitimated beauty in things that are actually destructive. Perhaps it is just a little more difficult to justify see beauty in impoverished people.

I find myself having to convince myself just to breathe in galleries. Stop looking at the people around me, stop hearing what they're saying and just let my eyes glide over the art works, let myself just enjoy it rather than analyzing others analysis of me. Rodney Graham's video installations succeeded in calming me down, I stopped thinking about whether or not I was getting it, and just didn't pay attention to anything. Lovely.

I took the subway home- St. Patrick's station with it's green hue was nearly as soothing as the gallery itself. Looking out the window on the RT was as vibrant as the paintings and photos in the gallery, and I was happy for that outlook.

Now I'll sit down and watch some slightly more mainstream video- My Best Friend's Wedding- and find myself something to eat. It's too bad this blog isn't circular, as that was one of the best things about Graham's work. Perpetuation.

Limbo IV

Why is it that one always tends to look forward at the same time one looks backwards? I am waiting anxiously to get on the greyhound bus destined for Montreal. I look forward to temporarily having a new life- me being the only constant. How many times can I just pick up an leave before it starts negatively affecting me? The only thing that stands in the way of summer is exams. I know that I'm supposed to be at the climax of second year, but it feels as though the climax is passed and I'm in limbo before the ascent of another story. Limbo seems to be a frequent blog theme.

In the sense of looking backward, I've been talking with some people in Victoria who I haven't phoned since getting here. And Montreal seems to be the reuinion of the ages: Kate, Jess and Brennan in one house, Shona in Ottawa, and Ariel somewhere close, but undisclosed. I can't wait to see them all! I've also invited countless other good souls to come and visit, and wouldn't it be wonderful if they did?

It comes down to my inability to sit still, in a micro and a macro sense. Will I ever stop moving?