I couldn't resist

Really I couldn't ... so, here:

Martin Brodeur: "Why is a puck called a puck? Because dirty little bastard was taken."

Bwahahahahahahaha!!!! That will forever and always be my reaction to that quote. I don't know if it's because I'm (also) a goalie, or because I'm always over-tired when I read it, or what ... but yeah, I think it's hilarious.

A consideration

Well, since I don't generall have much to say, at least not to a faceless, and seemingly sparse audience, I'll let other people say stuff for me, and comment at will:

The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind.
William James (1842 - 1910)

I quite like this quote, and I've heard many from William James before, and I think many people would do well to keep it in mind from day to day. It's sort of like a friend of mine telling me about how he decided that he would learn asmuch as he could while working the crappy jobs he's been in, because it helps keep him from the rut that other people get in, in the same job. And keeps him hopeful. I think as long as you don't think that getting the attitude that you're a superhero will mean that you can eat 1,000,000 burritos at one sitting ... that's not super.

More than a month ...

Well I guess the only excuse I have for the delay is that I was waiting for something interesting to happen so I could write about it, and said thing never happened.
I've also been pretty busy with school (of course), playing hockey, and watching hockey, and then Easter showed up. I had a great weekend, despite a few important thesis related deadlines looming like a threatening stormcloud, and it was definitely great to have the warm weather so I could go horseback riding. I'm sort of resigned to the fact that my favourite season is coming to and end, and thankfully I was able to go skiing a few times while the conditions were still snowy. :)
I'm excited about the fast-approaching end of the school year, as I am definitely ready for a break from the monotony of lectures and paper-writing. Not that I don't like writing, it's just the subject matter that causes the malcontent.
Side Note: I finally have all three "special extended DVD" editions of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. YAAAAAAAAAAAY!! :D The cast commentary feature is quite entertaining. Exploring the appendices will have to wait until the summer.

Anyone want to offer me an interesting, education related, high-paying job in the Owen Sound area for the next year? Oh, and it has to have 3 hour lunch breaks. 2 hours at the minimum...

Hockey Overload?

I had a post written out here about how I've played hockey 9 times over the last 8 days, and how I'm likely to be playing 3 times in the next 2 days ... and yadda yadda yadda it's a good excuse to eat extra food.
And then I told the story about my morning last Thursday (got trapped in a bathroom, had my dressing room invaded by juniour kindergarteners and their parents, and thought someone had stolen my hockey sticks) ...
But I don't really feel like writing it all out again.
I said something about my lovely niece and a box of tissues as well ... :)
Anyhow, I hope anyone reading this doesn't feel bereft by the lack of information.

It's been a while ...

So is entitled a once popular song ...
But anyhow, I keep thinking of things to write, and by the time I come to the keyboard said things have slipped my mind.
But not today, even though the topic is related to the proponent of "slippery when wet" signs ... water!!!
Hi, my name's Bob, and I'm a hydromaniac. (Note: although hydromania is a condition, hydromaniac apparently isn't an existing noun, but it's my noun ... learn to love it :))
I can't say I don't like the rain that's been assaulting the streets and outdoor rinks of this city for the last few days, because that would be lying. Well, actually, I could say it, but I won't. I love water in any form: ice is exciting, snow is stellar, and, when in liquid form, water's dynamic and enthralling. I've always loved the great expanse of lakes and oceans, the crystalline vines that play the artist with window panes, small streams that through grassy fields replete with cow prints as obstacles, until they expand safe and enfettered upon reaching the other side of the barbed wire... I'd love to live on the ocean for a while, but I could never be a fisherperson; I hate the smell and taste of fish (unless thickly battered).
Forgive my attempts at poetic prose, it's been too long since I tried, and longer still since I've succeeded.
Forget a stiff drink, I need reading week.
Other than the realisation (or perhaps long-time-in-coming confession) of my hydromania, things are going okay. School's going, which is something in itself, and I'm getting enough social interaction to prevent my status from officially being declared as hermit.
Now if the NHL and NHLPA would figure things out, I could really get on with my life.

This title will not end in 3 dots!

That exclamation mark made everything so much more exciting, I'm sure. At least then something would be exciting.
I am really looking forward to the next couple months of school. There's nothing I like more than sitting in a classroom every day and inwardly revelling in the cranial stimuli being presented for me to metaphorically chew on. Living along is great as well, since it's so much easier to get stuff done when the only person to talk to is yourself, and you don't particularly enjoy the conversations.
All that said, the only down point in my week is when I have to play intramural hockey, and the goalie lessons I have started taking. Also, I dread travelling home on the weekends; all that family stuff just isn't my bowl of soup.
I don't have anything else to say and I never really had much to say in the first place. I just didn't feel like trying to get to sleep just yet ... that and I'm watching a tennis match where I already know the guy I'm cheering for is going to lose ... :(
I will be very original 2 lines hence.
This message has been brought to you by the number 5 and the word SARCASTIC!!!
"It's over"!!!!

A rocky relationship ...

Well, all metaphors aside, it seems that with Vincent when one door is open, another one's closed. Sometimes I think I have the key and it will work, but all the pulling and coaxing has no success. The cold is taking it's toll on his health and sometimes there's some coughing, or he's frostbitten. I feel sorry for him, but I am trying to keep him happy. I even finally gave him his Christmas present.
I'm sort of looking forward to when I can finally get a better car, but he'll do for now.
Welcome to installment 1 of: Personification can be fun!

"You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake ..."

At least I hope not, or you'd be a meltin'!
Crappy weather, I wish it would freeze and stay frozen.
Anyway, I don't have to many significant things to say, or any at all really, I just thought that it had been a little too long since I last posted so I would write something to verify the fact that I am still a live and have not forgotten my blog password.
So, Christmas was pretty good, although many things didn't go quite as planned, and it was sad not having Leo around for the first time in many years.
My birthday was fairly uneventful, but a lovely day and weekend nonetheless (even without a cake, the lack of which was my fault). 23. I sound old. :(
No NHL. No snow. I might as well be in Madagascar.
That's not really what I think, but I'm bored waiting for this lab to start. I wish I could watch Thundercats.

Barenaked Happiness

So, a couple of nights ago I went to a BNL (Barenaked Ladies) concert in Toronto ... although I went to one less than a year ago it always feels like forever in between concerts (except for that time I went to two in two nights) ... so it was great to see them again!! It's always a delight not having to sit through an opening act, as well, especially since most of them are nothing compared to BNL.
I even got a pic that Ed threw at the end of the show (way back to row J), but I gave to a little kid who looked like he wanted it, and I already have 2 from other shows ... I almost gave it to Curtis Joseph, but I thought he was going to find the one under the seats in front of him.
I won't bother going through what they played, how hilarious Sean Cullen's Christmas story was, and all of that, but if anyone has any questions feel free to ask. They are sincerely the best live show ever, especially when playing in their hometown.
World Junior's start soon, and thing are looking good for Team Canada, and something like Christmas is coming up soon as well. All of you should know this, as we have been forewarned of it's approach ever since the passing of the American Thanksgiving.
Hey everyone, want a tip? If buying gifts, buy something practical, or at least something they would want 2 or more years in a row ... not something they'll forget about/not use for more than a month. This applies more and less to kids, depending on the item (ie. kids grow out of some toys, and some items need replacing (hockey equipment)), but generally it works. If you're at a loss trying to buy something for the person that has everything, how about doing something for someone that needs help and telling them? I would be happy if someone said that as a gift for me they gave a meal to a homeless person, or something of the like. It's a better Christmas present than a mug, anyhow.

call me slacker...

I definitely won't be offended ... at least it means I'm not spending exorbitant amounts of time looking for something to do and ending up engaged in something fairly pointless ...
So, I went to an OHL game tonight, in which an unbeaten streak record was tied. It's nice finally cheering for a winning team for once! It was a great game, pretty chippy, with a couple of fights and some pretty plays thrown in there as well.
Other than that I'm really glad classes are over for Christmas (a.k.a. holiday) break. Not too much fun or interesting going on, and I definitely need some time to restore my creativity. At least I think I once had it ... it's been so long.
Things that have been really bothering me lately (most being recurring):
- prejudice people
- bad drivers
- rude people
- squirrels
Well actually, one of those is not like the other. The list should be made up of only 3. Choose which bother to eliminate at your own leisure.
Oh, just remembered another one ... tacky Christmas lights!! Boo!!! The world need a lesson in tastefullness.

Insomnia still wants to be my best friend ...

and I'd like nothing more than to choke it to death, forcing into the deep sort of sleep that continues to elude me because of it's presence ... So, I'm up late, but it's not THAT late.
I have once again been struck with the realization that, despite my apparent lack of fear concerning many things, I remain extremely trepid regarding people I think don't like me - clammy hands and shortness of breath being the physiological symptoms. I think it comes from a variety of incidents and confrontations throughout my public school and high school years, and has been reinforced by certain personality characteristics.
I need a psychological makeover ... or maybe I should just write some really self-pitying (or sadistic) poetry.
My apologies to anyone reading this, although I don't think there's many/any people who do, that this is the best I could come up with ... at least I didn't incorporate Christmas music. Or wait, now I did. Crap.
Jingle the bells away

You can get a license ..

But they won't let you write the GRE?!?
How crazy is this, and how much more obvious about being greedy do the GRE people need to be. I mean if you have a license and a health card (so you can endager other peoples' lives ... use tax-payer money for personal health), why would you need more identification, just because you aren't Canadian-born, to write the GRE? You need proper identification to get those pieces of identification. And if it wasn't really you why would you WANT to write the exam? It's not like it's fun, or is it? I'm sure all of this is besides the point but I'd really like to hear their justification on treating someone this way (not letting them write, and taking their substantial amount of money anyway), although it might make me more frustrated.
Possible verdict on that coming after I've written/oralized (that sounds good, really good) it ...

I wonder as I wander ...

How many people have choked to death on peanut butter? And is all natural peanut butter easier to choke on than the additive-preservative etc. filled stuff? Chunky vs. smooth?

This isn't all I wonder about, nor is it by any means related to most of the stuff I wonder about ... but it's all I'm sharing, for now.

School is so many things ...

... a trial, a distraction, a means to an end, a job, a learning experience ...
I'm doing my best to motivate myself into viewing it as the latter 2 of those 'things' school can be ... I can't believe I'm so easily distracted by stupid tv and video games ... hockey's a factor in there, but I won't dare call it stupid, and hockey at least is something I'd be doing/watching regardless of whether or not I had anything I was trying to avoid.
So, that said, anyone who reads this should feel welcome to pray for all students for the ability to concentrate on and allot ample time to school work.
Thanks. :)

anime-ing it up

So, there was an Anime Festival in the vicinity at the end of last week and I managed to make it to ... only one movie. Just one. But it was Appleseed (2004) and I really enjoyed it!!
It was possibly the only time the English sub-titled (a.k.a. original Japanese) version will be shown in Canada ... so that made it specialer-er. :)
Want to check it out? : http://www.a-seed.jp/en.html

thinking but not talking

I can't claim to know a lot about American politics, or even much about Canadian politics (a situation of which I am slightly ashamed, and looking to rectify) ... but I have been forced to know something by the fact that news of the upcoming American election has been everywhere. There was even a report about the amount of political opinions being shared, defended, and explained in blogs ... so I thought I would share my political stance, and thus become a statistic!! Go numbers!! And Nader ... or as my Dad called him: "The David Suzuki of the States".

again it's Tuesday ...

So, after having my car break down last Tuesday morning, I head out the door this morning expecting to be able to drive my car to the arena (and subsequently play hockey) ... Instead, I head out the door, and start my car, and drive. Quite quickly I stop. Because cars are not supposed to make a noise like that, while their moving or otherwise. I have a flat tire. (Not just slightly deflated but totally flat.) And no spare. :-# <--- that's my angry face
How did this happen? No idea, the tire was fine last night. I got to hockey, but it was expensive. I wouldn't have paid that much to go play soccer, so is it bad that it wasn't?
On a bright side (I'm musing on a cube, not a coin) I got concert tickets today.
And going to an OHL game on Saturday shall be fun. At least it should be fun.
I hope anyone reading this is doing well, as I am, really. These are just pesky annoyances/pleasantries.
Feel free to make grave comments, or spout boisterous opnions.
I like both. :)

random funny-ness

Okay, so brought to my attention today was this orange pen for sale on ebay. That in itself, not very funny or unusual. What was interesting was the item description, and subsequent additions are definitely not showcasing 'normal' selling points. Check out a couple of excerpts:

"I received this stupid pen on my birthday years ago from my ex-wife, and even before I divorced her flabby body, I hated the pen. I have no idea why she bought me this piece of crap. Sure, it writes fine and could "seem" kind of cool, but I hate it. The color is ugly, it barely fits in my banana sized hands, and it comes with some weird carrying case. King Kong could barely write with it."
"I have to tell you one more thing about the Ex. She was a tad younger than me, so she was still hanging out with her high school friends when we met. No, she wasn't still in High School, she just acted that way. So she had this friend, who I will call "Laura", because that was her name, who was very odd. This was her best friend in the whole world. Brainless as well, I might add. She wore dark makeup and black clothes always, and could have been Marilyn Manson for all I know. She had a boyfriend that was a complete psycho, who loved to have bonfires in his back yard, about 3 1/2 inches from his house, and got drunk and threw explosive spray cans into the fire to hear them blow up. Another Yale graduate. He was great with cars and engines though, so he was destined to go somewhere in life, like Jiffy Lube. He had fixed up an old truck for Laura and thought it would be cool to decorate it, shall I say, differently. So what does the braniac do? He stuffs her deceased cat's head, inserts some glass eyeballs in it, puts a bolt in the neck part, and mounts it to the gear shift in the truck. I kid you not. "

Do you think this guy is serious, or that he just makes up these stories to attach a stigma to the items people are bidding on, so that said items can be conversation pieces?

Orange is fine, on leaves. That's it

Give thanks for Thanksgiving.
That was a smashing break! I enjoyed myself fully this past weekend, with an assortment of activities including, but not limited to, ball hockey, volleyball, horseback riding, and ice hockey.
And eating, of course! mmmmmmm, pie .... PIE!!!!!!!!
Coming back this week has been a smack of school reality, for sure. My car breaking down on Tuesday morning on my way back to school did NOT help, for sure, and consumed a lot of time that didn't need to be spent sitting by the side of the road, eating grass, and watching a Mennonite woman pick apples. It wasn't all bad, obviously, but awfully consuming of time that I felt should have been spent on school related activities.
But what's done is done, and although I'm still playing catch-up the weekend is up and coming and that will bring relief. And much needed sleep.
Boy, am I ever a whiner today.
Somebody shoot me ... with a paintball ... preferably a lime green one.
Thanks.

ewwww ...

Well, I've never been one to mind Mondays that much, but this one is awful! Just for me, though, so for anyone who's enjoying it ... good on ya, mate. I have a lot to do this week, so I hope I can get feeling better by tomorrow. It's probably nothing a good night of sleep won't fix.
The weekend was great fun, and I wouldn't have missed any of it for an hour or two more sleep, that's for sure.