Dr. Blind

I admit, there has been a lengthy hiatus of posts on this blog. There were several times this summer when I started to write a post and then stopped - I'm not even sure why, I guess it just didn't feel right. Or, maybe it was because I am incapable of doing anything when it gets really hot - living on the equator hot (or in Toronto during the summer). It was not uncommon for me to suddenly fall asleep anywhere, at any time, when the summer was at its hottest. There were times this summer when I almost found it too hot to chew my food. I'd take a bite of something and then regret having done so. The only appropriate course of action was to go forward with my original plan, and try and stay awake while doing so.
Capital M and I also got two cats this summer. Cat 1 and Cat 2 can be distinguished by who ever is closest to me at any given time. This was never an issue while I was in Toronto but now I rely on M's information on which cat is which. Actually, there were times I had to a get a measuring tape out when I couldn't be certain of which cat was 1 or 2 but it only happened a few times. One of the cats, who happened to be cat 1 most of the time, really likes canned food and isn't crazy about close human contact. Cat 2 (most of the time) really likes to sit on M's lap and is generally more unruly. Both cats, regardless of their geographical location, are pretty funny and nice to have around.
I also became a champion swimmer this summer. Most days I would go down to the free outdoor pool and swim with the seniors. It is true that I don't think they knew I was racing them but even if they did I probably still would have won. Ha, kidding. I'm about as fast as a water logged tree stump at the bottom of a lake. I take more pleasure in diving under the water then in trying to glide across its surface. The pool often reminded me of a nature documentary - You know the ones where they show Africa during the hottest months of the dry season and all animals great and small are packed into an ever shrinking watering hole - that's what the pool was like. On really hot days no one really moved, they would stay motionless with a look of bliss on their faces. Like the wilds of Africa there were dangerous creatures in the pool - people who looked a little too happy or not happy at all. Those who mumbled to themselves and those who seemed relentless in making sure no one else had a good time. However, the perils were worth it and it was the only time of day that I was guaranteed to stay awake.
I think I'll end this post with another edition of:
Things I don't like

• Oprah's name appearing on the books that she has read and likes - if I wanted her opinion I'd watch her show
• Dr. Phil - I don't think I need to explain this one
• Corner Gas - a new, probably lame, season has just started
• Clay Akin has a new cd coming out
• Arrested Development was cancelled
• That this is entire list is comprised of things relating to tv

The end should be a good one

I'm in Toronto.
My dream of becoming a regular on MuchMusic's 'Electric Circus' is one step closer to becoming a reality. I've been watching 'live at the Apollo' and I think I have learned some good moves. At this point I haven't practiced or anything but I have feeling it will all work out in the end. Or will it?
I've been in this city for just about three weeks - I've put out dozens of resumes, filled out all kinds of application forms and I've had only three interviews, none of which went well.

Allow me to recap:

Against better judgment and common sense I went to an audition to be a puppeteer. As a former summer camp counselor I have had experience doing things in front audiences. This is not to say I did anything very well, but I thought that an audition couldn't be much different. However, it turns out I was wrong (as I so often am). There were two men who asked me to do various things like sing, sing like old woman, animate an inanimate object and put on a mask and become the personality of the mask. Part of the problem I had while doing all of this was that I felt both foolish and silly. I don't know how to act, I've never taken a drama class, I'm not familiar with 'the craft' and all I really wanted to do was play with a puppet.
This whole process was also somewhat ironic as it made me think back to my regrettable high school days when I was convinced that I was going to be actor. My heart was so set on that path that I even went to an audition for a theatre programme at a college. Unsurprisingly, I didn't get in. (I do hope the audition tape they made of me has either been burnt or sent into the heart of the sun). Clearly, I didn't learn my lesson after the first audition, but I have learned it now - I'm not cut out for the entertainment world.
My next interview did not involve any personal humiliation but was equally disappointing. I went for an interview at a cafe. Things started poorly and never really improved. The first question my interviewer asked me was 'tell me about the last time you slept in, what happened because you slept in and what steps did you take to fix the problem.' Unless I'm mistaken, I was in grade nine the last time I slept in for work - I called work and told them I'd be there soon. My answer didn't seem to win her over. Should I have lied? I sleep in all the time, I love sleeping in. In fact, my nickname is Sleepybear - just look at the emblem on my stomach.
Question #2 - Telll me about the last time you failed in your job, what did you do, and how did you fix it?
This is where the interviewer and I really stopped communicating on the same level. How do I explain that last summer I crushed the spirit and faith of a ten year old boy by telling him he was no longer welcome at the day camp I was running? That I enraged his violent grandmother and feared for my own safety and his. Now that's a failure. She was even less impressed with this answer. Should I have said 'I once served someone a medium hot chocolate when they wanted a large.' Is that the type of failure she wanted? If so, I can deal with that kind of failure - bring it on.
Question #3 - Tell me about a time where you had to make an important decision, in your last job, on your own. What was the decision and how did it work out.
Hmmm, where do I start? I had to interview and hire all of my previous staff, design the training programme, plan out two month’s worth of activities and trips, and make the decision to remove the 10 year old boy... This was also not what she looking for. Guess I should have gone with 'I once came into work because I thought a shift wasn't covered, and it wasn't.'
I realize that I may be coming off as a bit snippy now, but in the interview I was genuine and tried to put my best food forward.
Interview # 3 - The Scam.
I went for an interview with Vector Marketing to be a 'marketing agent.' The office looked like it had been hastily thrown together to make it look like a legitimate place of business, which it didn't. There was what looked like a Commodore 64 and broken keyboard placed at a dilapidated desk. There were sheets of paper placed at odd angles on the walls. I think they were supposed to look official or impressive, or at the very least the meaning was vague enough to be anything or nothing at all. For reasons I cannot figure out there was a stereo, turned way up, playing classic rock when I walked in. There was no one there to greet me and, even though there were sheets of paper all over the place, none of them said what a person should do when they come in.
My interview lasted all of three minutes. Once the man found out I didn't know anyone in the city he realized that I would have difficulty selling high quality cutlery to my friends and family. Had I known what a 'marketing agent' did, I would not have gone. In my defense I did try and find out before the interview but, for reasons that I now think are clear, that information is not readily available. The worst part of this process was that I wasted a lot of Capital M's time. She drove me to the interview, went home, and came back to pick me up almost as soon as she stepped in the door (the interview was supposed to be an hour or more).
I would like to be believe that I am a hirable person with relevant job experience and skills. Up until the café interview I thought that I could handle any question that came my way. However, getting an interview is proving to be a problem. I did have a have an experience that may help to explain why so few places have called me back. It happened while was I dropping off a resume at a drug store. While I was passing it to the cashier she asked me if I had filled out an application as well. She gave me one and I started filling it in. A short while later the cashier came over to me and asked, ‘is this a test?’
‘A test’ I responded, trying not to sound too baffled. ‘Yeah, is this some sort of experiment or something?’ she said as if she was clearing up my obvious confusion. For a second I thought that maybe she thought I was a secret shopper and was testing how she would respond to someone applying for a job. ‘No, it’s not an experiment, I’m just trying to get job’ I said without much conviction; I still wasn’t sure what she was talking about. However, everything made a lot more sense when she came back with ‘But you have a BA and stuff’ (she was reading over my resume while she said this).
Is this a test? It’s starting to feel like one.

once more, with feeling

This is the last time I'll be using ol'shitty for a while. My flight for Toronto leaves soon and I'm pretty much ready to go. All I have left to do is cover my computer with plastic so when it leaks in here over the summer my computer won't get soaked.
My practicum placement went smoothly enough - with the exception of the last two days. There were two different subs in and the kids, well let me just say that I have seen the face of the devil...
I had a party this past Friday and I think/hope everyone that came had a good time. Being that I don't drink very often it takes very little alcohol to get me quite drunk. Which is what I was and why I'm not entirely sure of the general mood of the people who came. I think I still would have had a great time if armed gunmen stormed the party.
Well Halifax, and my less than fully operational computer, have a great summer.

The voice of a good friend

Tomorrow is the last day of my teaching placement. At this point I should be doing some marking but I can't. Partly because I'm too excited to sit still for very long, and partly because I'm out of surfaces on which to write. The movers arrived on Monday and most of the furniture that was once in this apartment is now in Toronto. So now it's just me, ol' shitty and my Ivy, which needs to be re-potted very badly. The leaves are turning kind of red, which would be cool if we were heading into fall, but it's still spring. Hang in there little buddy, I'll get things straightened out this weekend.

Too much excitement for one night

Sweet mother of mercy! There are some new comments in my blog. How exciting is that? For someone like me, a little too exciting. Now I'm going to have a hard time falling asleep tonight. Seriously, as soon as I turn off the lights and lay my head down my mind starts racing under normal conditions. (When it gets close to Christmas I can barely sleep at all). But now, with all this blogging excitement I don't know what time I'll fall asleep. I lead a rich life.
Since I'm still up, and my day at the school where I'm practice teaching is 8 hours away I may as well talk about a new show on NBC. I saw part of "Teachers" tonight and I was struck by a few things. (I'll make a list since this website makes it easy to do so)

1. Ever wondered what happened to Kenny (Bud) from 'the Cosbey show?' Neither did I, but he is a cast member. It was surprising how easily I recognized him - he still looks like Kenny, just bigger
2. Sarah Alexander, famous for her role on the British version of the show 'Coupling' is also part of the teaching staff. It was weird to see her in an American sit-com
3. A good teacher should be standing by the doorway, greeting students when the bell goes, not milling about in the staff room
4. 'Teachers' is not funny, nor does it depict the life of a teacher
5. I predict that it will be cancelled shortly
6. I have to go to bed or tomorrow is going to hurt

here is the question, answer it

Instead of doing the work I have to do, I chose to answer the questions from an e-mail questionaire. It ate up a lot of time, and time is something that is in short supply these days. However, I will kill two birds by posting this here and sending it out. Now that's efficiency.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:15 – it was supposed to be 6:00
2. Diamonds or pearls? I think I’d be happier if someone gave me some plum jam (I love that stuff)
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? V is for Vengence
4. What is your favourite TV show? Lexx, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Lost, and Arrested Development
5. What did you have for breakfast? earl grey tea, Life cereal and then some peach yogurt
6. What is your middle name? Michael, but don’t tell anyone
7. What is your favourite cuisine? I like anything that doesn’t have the things I don’t like in it, see next question for clarification
8. What foods do you dislike? Broccoli, fish and fish by-products, a multitude of healthy vegetables, vegemite, the memory of ox-tail soup, squishy things, things that are crunchy then squishy, and things that are rubbery.
9. What is your favourite chip? One produced by percussion flaking (ba dum pum pum)
10. What is your favourite CD at the moment? Capital M has made two very good mixed CDs that I have appropriated
11. What kind of car do you drive? An imaginary one (I’m driving it as I type this, weee!)
12. What is your favourite sandwich? Peanutbutter and Honey
13. What characteristics do you despise? Arrogance
14. Favourite item of clothing? An old shirt from ‘united colours of beniton’
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Bali (today), somewhere totally different tomorrow
16. What colour is your bathroom? I don’t believe Crayola makes this particular colour – let’s call it ‘fetid white’ (I live in a university Residence)
17. Favourite brand of clothing? Eddie Bauer
18. Where would you want to retire? I have to start working before I can think of retiring
19. Favourite time of day? Home time
20. Where were you born? In a small hospital
21. Favourite sport to watch? I’m not a sports guy
22. Favourite question in this list of questions? #23
23.24. What happened to question
24? Ask Joel, he started it
25. Coke or Pepsi? I think I’ll stick with my grandfather’s lemon tea
26. Are you a morning person or night owl? Night owl
27. What size shoe do you wear? 12 – it’s like having my own snowshoes, if I were 100 pounds lighter
28. Do you have pets? Do dust bunnies count?
29. Any exciting news you'd like to share with everyone? I will be getting out in 9 months
30. What did you want to be when you were little? A superhero or a dog, I thought they were both pretty cool
31. Favourite Candy Bar? Reese Nutrageous Bars, those things are awesome
32. What is your best childhood memory? My grandfather lifting me up to pick apples off a tree
33. What are the different jobs you have had in your life? A&W bacon fryer (that’s all I did), busboy (I broke many, many dishes), Weed puller, Veterinarian dog walker, street sweeper, outhouse cleaner – I’ve had only the most sophisticated of jobs
34. What colour underwear are you wearing? The same colour as Joseph’s amazing techni-colour dreamcoat
35. Nicknames? The Naturewitch, Milos, Vuk, J-Dawg (thanks Jeff),
36. Piercings? I had one, I looked like ‘Nick’ from Family ties – big hair and a cross hanging from my left ear, no stubble though
37. Eye colour? brown
38. Ever been to Africa? Technically, yes
39. Ever been toilet papered? I don’t think so
40. Love someone so much it made you cry? sure
41. Been in a car accident? Yes, but it’s nothing a man of low grade steel can’t handle
42. Croutons or bacon bits? both
43. Favourite day of the week? It depends on what’s happening during the day
44. Favourite restaurant? Opa, Hungry Chilli, Turkish Delight
45. Favourite Flower? Why this question? There are 63 other questions that I didn’t mind answering. I fail to see the relevance of this one.
46. Favourite ice cream? It’s too hard to pick one, or several
47. Disney or Warner Brothers? Naturewitch productions, after Todd starts it
48. Favourite fast food restaurant? Wendys
49. What colour is your bedroom carpet? A colour no longer produced by carpet factories, I’ll call it ‘prison blue’
50. How many times did you fail your driver's test? one
51. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail? IDS grad society
52. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Is this a punishment? I don’t like shopping
53. What do you do most often when you are bored? think
54. Fork or spoon? hands
55. Whose responses to this questionnaire are you most curious about? John Stamos
56. Last person you went out to eat with? Marzipan
57. Ford or Chevy? Indiana Jones Vs Fletch, Indy hands down
58. What are you listening to right now? Babysitter by Morningwood
61. How many tattoos do you have? None, but I’m thinking about getting one after I graduate 62. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The protozoa
63. How many people are you sending this Email to? A few with a times two field multiplier
64. Time you finished this e-mail? Later than anticipated

Les jours tristes

I remember you, Blackburn...

Up in smoke

I would have thought that talking on a cell phone while riding the city bus would not be the best place to conduct your drug dealing business. Apparently, I thought wrong. While taking the bus home from school today I, and everyone else around me, overheard the wheelings and dealings of small time drug dealer. He's lucky I'm missing one of my casual crime fighting gloves because that would have been the perfect situation to bring them out. It seemed like he was in a bit of a bind. His supplier was currently at the police station and he was therefore unable to get the goods to where they needed to go. The truly amazing thing about this was that he was talking to both his supplier and his client at close to the same time. He would switch between one and the other. It went something like this :

Drug Dealer (to supplier): what you let them catch you with it in your car! just a minute
DD (to client): I'm sorry man, my supplier is at the police station as we speak, they pulled him over for a random check and saw it in the back - hold on
DD (to supplier): they found it all! - what I am supposed to do, I have this guy's money? chill for minute
DD (to client): I'm going to hit up my dealer's woman and see if we can get your money back, I'm sorry dawg. Okay, I'll be in touch soon.
DD (to supplier): you say Eddi's there, how's he doing?...

So I guess the real lesson I learned is that you should only give payment upon delivery when it comes to the purchases of illegal substances. Don't plan ahead and don't try and be a keener.

Good for the economy

I notice things. In grade 10, I could always tell when my music teacher had on new clothes. Being that she was only 22 she was still in the habit of buying new clothes, unlike the rest of my middle aged teachers. I know this is hardly a super power but it keeps my mind active. For example, I was out one night at a restaurant with some friends and I witnessed something that still puzzles me. There was couple sitting next to us. The woman was all dressed up. She was a wearing an elegant dress, her hair was styled and she had clearly taken some time to get her makeup just right. Her companion was the complete opposite. He was wearing jeans and a tee-shirt. Nothing about his appearance gave any indication that he had put in a fraction of the time to get ready as his date. They were also at odds with their phsical proximity to one another. She wanted to be close, he wanted his distance (or so it seemed). My friends were of the opinion that they were on a first date - maybe they had met online and she was trying her best to impress. I however, was of a different opinion. There was a sadness in her eyes and I'm pretty sure she was making a last ditch effort to save their relationship. The restaurant, in the right circumstances, could be a romantic place. Dim lights, candles, soft music and good food (or so I heard, I never ate there). Through it all though, the guy seemed unimpressed. He left before she did, leaving her with the bill. Thinking back, it really was a sad occassion. I can remember her crying at one point, after he had left. It wasn't a loud, sobbing cry but the kind that happens when you try and hold back the tears.
My friends held firm in their belief that it was a first date that didn't go well. And, maybe it was. I'll never really know.

alone in the dark

Jacob Two-Two would have been proud. I had not one, but two presentations today. Alright, I'll admitt, that was a weak link but it's been a long day. In fact, by the time it got to be 3:00pm, it felt like it should have been 4:00pm on Thursday. Today's first highlite was seeing a classmate cutting up numerous hotdogs and saying that it was the grossest thing she'd ever done in her whole life. I don't know why but I found that very funny.
Another highlite was my second presentation. The longest meeting my group ever had was during our 15 minute break in today's class. We used that time to fine tune/plan our presentation that was coming up shortly (thanks to first group for taking up the first half of the class and giving us the oppertunity to meet during the break). All in all, we didn't do bad, but what we had paled in comparison to what the other groups did (thanks for making us look bad other groups).
This term is almost over and I am very happy with that. I enjoy seeing my classmates but I'm tired of the work.

ps- the new commericial with Jimmy Fallon is pretty funny, is it Parker Posy who's dancing with him?
pps- does anyone but me read this?

Tell me if you do

Someone broke a window in the security door of my floor. Some possible reasons for doing such a thing are:

1. Too much Creatine - maybe the vandal has been pumping up and had a 'roid enduced moment of rage
2. Speaking of 'roids, maybe they had a bout
3. Maybe it was a bird, one that oddly ended up in a hallway and could shatter a metal wire reinforced window
4. The building is cracking up (not funny cause it might be true)
5. A cool guy wanted to show his lady friend how tough he was - the window had to pay the price
6. A cool lady wanted to show her gentleman caller the power of her roundhouse kick
7. Chuck Norris stopped by and willed the window to break (why is Chuck making a comeback? read some of these 'facts' they're pretty funny: http://www.4q.cc/index.php?pid=top100&person=chuck)

Smart city, smart move

So it looks like I'll be moving to Toronto. Emmerson got a sweet sounding job out there and she'll be starting soon. I think when I leave this building it will difinitely be a new chapter in my life. No more sharing bathrooms (someone this term appears to have a skin problem). No more fear of the kitchen (it just takes one messy person to infect the lot). No more booming bass at 3:00am on Wednesday night. No more seeing students get alcohol poisoning... I could go on all night but I should go to sleep.
Oh, but before I do, maybe I could see the new Lord of the Rings play in Toronto. That would be awesome! And there are all sorts of concerts we could go to. Big name bands don't often head out this way. All in all, it's pretty exciting. (I just hope they need a social studies teacher in a year's time).

Ipso Facto

One presentation down, two to go. Today's presentation didn't go so well, or at least I don't feel that my part was well done. But, onwards and upwards as they say.
On a completely unrelated topic. How does a blog end up in the 'blogs of note' section of this website. Some of those blogs are nothing but advertisements, some are factual and some are interesting. It's a mystery.

the darkness is coming...

I've just spent way too long putting together a power point presentation. It should have taken me about an hour, maybe a little more. I had all the information typed out, all I had to do was copy and paste. Now, 7 hours later, I'm finally finished. Why the delay? I wanted to make it engaging. So I added things, pictures, captions, the Fonz, anything that came to mind. I'm cool.

The day of Pi

My friend Jeff is making an effort to have March 14th known as Pi day (3.14). What kind of friend would I be if I didn't do what I could to help? So, to the two people who read this blog, let's do what we can to spread of the word of 'Pi day.' I'll have to ask Jeff what kinds of things people can do to show their appreciation for this obscure, punny day.
Also, Ed Robertson from the Bare Naked Ladies recommened the game 'N' from this website: http://www.harveycartel.org/metanet/n.html. I've tried it and it's pretty fun/difficult. If I were writing a thesis I could see this taking up most of my time.
Unfortunately, I'm working on not one but three presentations and my procstination time is quite limited.

Life #2

This one is still bitter-sweet. Just about ten years ago, to the day, I finished an exchange programme with Canada World Youth. For three and half months, I lived in Fredericton, New Brunswick and Tanta, Egypt respectively. The people I met, the families I stayed with, and the experiences I had were all so profound that I still think of them... I remember being stuck in the middle of the Sinai desert after our van broke down - the sand dunes were wind swept and ever changing - there were bedouins riding camels in the distance - it was such a wonderful day that I remember wishing it would never end.
I remember a lot of things.
I haven't been in touch with anyone from the programme for a long time but I hope they are all doing well.
Bassem, where ever you are, I sincerely hope you are happy and that life has given you only the best it has to offer.

Happy Belated Birthday Blog!

Wow, this blog is over a year old. It has 26 posts and my profile has been viewed 54 times (I think I've viewed it the most). Right now I'm listening to Morningwood (http://www.morningwoodrocks.com/). They recently put out their first cd and the song 'nth degree' really kicks it up. I should be working on the mountain of assignments I have due in the coming two weeks but I haven't posted anything in a while and tonight seems like a good night to make it happen...

I need to find some peace

One thing I was hoping to do was update my blog a little more often. So far that clearly hasn't happened. Currently, it sounds like the end of world is occuring outside of my window. The wind is making all the glass (and there is a lot of glass) bulge in the patio doors and windows. The water in the toilet bowl is sloshing around and I can feel the floor shaking beneath me. Being that I'm 32 stories above the earth's surface I'm telling myself it's from the air pressure...
To recap my life since the last post on here, it goes something like this:
I had no life in Decemeber. I was teaching a lot and my life at home was consumed with making lesson plans. Christmas was fantastic and, as usual, I received many, many presents. M got me a really nice watch (amongst other things). New Year's Eve is a bit fuzzy but I do know two certain facts. 1) Marzi and I ended up at a Sierra Lionnian party 2) In my drunken state I tried Ox Tail soup. I am not an adventerous person when it comes to food and I have a somewhat sensitive stomach. Therefore, my judgement had to be very impaired for me to try it.
School this term is a little better in that I have one less class. Only five this term. As well, I'm at a new teaching placement. No more praying to Gad every day and singing his praises at any given moment.
Capital M is currently in Moncton doing a work placement. This is her final requirement for her Masters of Speech Pathology (go M!). Moncton isn't very far away but our little room amongst the clouds has been entirely too quiet since she's been gone.
Moreover, it feels very strange to come home and not see her and her friend 'The Char' or Charizard hanging out.
Anyway, maybe I will post this now and turn off the computer before the power goes out (or I'm shredded by flying glass ;)

ps - I have a theory
I believe that only children do not make good matches/mates for other only children.
Any thoughts?

It's just my luck...

Sometimes I think I have a special kind of luck. It's not bad luck, in that I haven't been diagnosed with multiple terminal diseases, things don't usually fall on me (although there was one bucket of sand), and I haven't lost any limbs in freak accidents. However, it's not good luck either. I'm pretty sure I'm not destined to be a lottery winner or the inheritor of a large family fortune. But I do have some kind of luck. For example, I've had two computers, both of which have ended up getting wet. My current computer, which I have nick named "ol shitty," still works, but just barely. Neither disc drive is operational so playing cds/adding new software/reformatting is no longer an option. My first computer got wet when the place I lived in burned down. Well, not exactly. This is where my special luck comes in. I lived in the basement of a townhouse that was in a row of attached houses. A fire broke out a few houses down and totally wiped out the block of houses (bad luck). No one was hurt (good luck). My basement apartment didn't actually burn (also good luck). But the water from the fire hoses, combined with suet and ash ruined everything anyway (not so great). Oh and to add insult, the fire crew thought they had stopped the fire well before it was actually out. They put away their hoses and were all packed up (I think some had even gone) before they realized the fire had spread and was, by the time they realized it, unstoppable.

Your Grandma she don't understand

Well, it's been about a month and half since my last post. There are three reasons for this.

1. I am busy.
2. I am lazy.
3. Sometimes I do other things in my free time.

In Jasper, this summer, I had so much free time that I could do all kinds of other things and still write an up date in the old blog. I can only imagine what my grandmother and aunt must have thought me - I was either at work, on the computer, or reading. Hey I'm cool. I did actually develop a pretty good relationship with my aunt's dog, Lucky. He's a border collie, and the type of dog I have decided I will get, when I can get a dog.

But back in Halifax things are less dull. I am currently enrolled in an education programme to become a high school social studies/english teacher. The programme is pretty intense. It's not that the work is difficult, or marked with high standards (just doing the work garauntees an A). The problem is the amount of work and the group work (I loath group work).

Capital M is currently listening to 'combat baby' by Metric. If anyone wants to be both amazed and delighted with a truly great band, check them out. Here's a link to their website: http://www.ilovemetric.com/. Also, since I'm on the subject of good music, I feel I should bring up The Dance Hall Crashers. Marzipan introduced to me this band shortly before we started dating and my life has never been the same. Seriously, I sometimes think this must be how a born again Christian feels about God. DHC totally rocks. Part punk, part ska, all good. If I have a mission in life it's to spread the word of the Dance Hall Crashers...

Wow, I just reread the first paragraph and not only is it sad that Lucky (who really is a great dog) was my only friend in town, but it also didn't flow with the rest of the paragraph. And I'm going to be teaching English...

ps- I like it when kids call me Mr.V