I'm literally freezing my ass off.
For the past few weeks, we've been suffering through a cold snap. It comes and goes, but there have been moments walking around outside where the frosty wind and dampness have made it feel like -25 C. That's damn cold!
In an effort to keep warm, most have adopted a winter-weather strategy. Some have been bundled up in heavy parkas, others not so willing to sacrifice fashion for function jump from doorway to doorway, trying to re-warm their frigid legs stuffed into skinny jeans.
My approach hasn't really changed much over the last few winters: have a warm coat and wear my secret weapon when needed.
Long johns.
Sounds kinda stupid, but it truly works. If I wake up and my window is frozen closed and frosted over, it's a good bet I'll reach for my thermal skivvies. They fit snugly on my body, and nobody even notices since they don't bunch or add 10 pounds to your legs and ass.
And for the most part, they work fairly well at keeping me warm. I don't have much else to wear warmer than jeans, and since I don't want anything important suffering from frostbite, it makes great sense to sacrifice a bit of sexiness by doing the full-length version of briefs.
For their part, the gays seem to be trying to stay warm this winter as best they can, which seemingly includes visits to other people's beds. Shared bodily warmth, you know...
On one such occasion, I had actually forgotten that I was still clad in long underwear under my jeans. For a moment I predicted disaster; what is a bigger turn off than seeing someone wearing something your grandfather probably walks around the house in?
But the fact I was keeping my bits and pieces warm actually received a compliment for ingenuity, and I have to say, the large fly-flap on the crotch proved most useful.
So when I went shopping yesterday to find another pair (since it's not getting any warmer around here) I was a little surprised to have such a hard time finding some.
I stopped at an outdoorsy manly-man type store swimming in plaid, and there before me stood a rack of multiple kinds of underwear. They had the fleece variety, the waffle-woven cotton blend and what looked suspiciously like a leotard.
And they were all two sizes too big.
As I went, rack by rack, I realized with a growing horror that every pair in the store was much bigger than I needed. They ranged from medium, what the package called 34-36, all the way to 3XL, and who knows if they even count waist sizes for things that big...
I combed the entire shelf, hoping that I could find one small pair of them, but to no avail. This must be the one instance where I don't want to shell out for Calvin Klein, but at least they have something closer to my size...
It was then that I realized, I must be the only homo in Toronto that actually wears the damn things. What's a gay to do?
Apparently when ordering long underwear for the masses, smaller-waisted folks were not given a second thought. Now, I know that the target audience for such a store is the overweight, jerky-chewing variety of masculine male...but Jesus, couldn't they have ordered a couple small's? Every customer isn't necessarily headed for bypass surgery.
Just to be sure that it's not a slight against the gays, I decided to check the selection at one of the underwear stores that cater to those of the homo persuasion. That, and I needed to buy a new bottle of lube, but I figured I should multi-purpose my trip.
To be fair, they did have a couple pairs of very long underwear, even in sizes that fit me...but since I could practically see through them I decided they were probably more for play than for work. I left the store (nearly) empty handed, and more than a little discouraged. Even our own people don't stock the damn things!
Am I so out of touch with things that I haven't yet realized my quest for long underwear will end with me empty handed? Does nobody stock sizes that will actually fit my waist? Am I really not 'average' in the long-underwear business? And most importantly, how do the gays keep their bits warm during those frosty days and frigid nights?
For now, I've got to rely on my one lonely pair that are, as we speak, spinning away happily in the wash.
But I should be careful with them, since they're apparently a collectors item: the only small size in town...
Showing posts with label Weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weather. Show all posts
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Let it snow...
Finally I've figured out what my preferred weather system is.
Snowfall.
I was joyful beyond words last night, walking from my place out to meet friends for dinner. Through the day, the snow had flown off and on, but I wasn't expecting it to be dumping when I was headed out the door.
As soon as I rounded the corner from my door, a smile crossed my face. It was cold, but a manageable cold, one you don't really notice too badly until you're frozen stiff. Gloves and scarf and iPod all firmly in place, I set out amongst the falling snow.
Like I had said before, snow silently fall is so peaceful, and even more so at night. With the beautiful glow of the city lights as a backdrop, huge fluffy white flakes settled on the asphalt and patches of grass.
The entire walk I was smiling like an idiot, humming along to my iPod and completely enjoying the feeling of walking through this storm. Really, I don't know what it is that makes me so entranced by snow over, say, a thunderstorm...but I now recognize that my favorite weather system is a good snowfall, especially at night. It turns the gray city streets into a different, magical setting.
The dinner was also nice, something I needed I guess. A few of us met up at around 7, and tried to get into a couple restaurants. But of course, no reservations on a Friday night near Christmas means a bit of a wait for a table. But it was worth it.
We wound up at a fairly nice place with a 45 minute wait. Someone suggested just buying some ingredients and cooking at my place, but I really didn't want to have to walk all the way back. We took up a spot at the bar, had a drink and just talked. The minutes blew by, and we had our table.
During the dinner conversation, I became a little apprehensive in wondering if people knew about me. There were the usual sex questions, and someone started talking about bath houses and what exactly went on in there.
"Oh, group sex, public sex, one-on-one sex in public or private...pretty much anything," I said blandly.
"And how do you know so much about this?" one of them joked.
"Well, not that I've actually been to one before," I said, laughing.
Time wore on, and I don't recall how it came up, but someone was asking a question and suddenly tagged on, "But I'm not entirely sure, your sexuality seems to be a bit ambiguous, so do you mind if I ask what orientation you are?"
I shook my head, and said, "Not at all, I'm gay."
"Ah, well that's what I thought, but wanted to make sure," he said. "Oh, and I'm totally cool with it, by the way." Why do people have to tag that on? Obviously I would suspect you're alright with it, if you didn't jump from your seat and run the other direction.
Still, it's nice to hear that people want to go the extra step and really remind you it doesn't matter.
Outside, from our seat beside a window, I could see all sort of people, and all sorts of snow. Magic.
Conversation then took another turn, as I was informed of some sort of informal declaration about people in our program. Apparently I rank as one of the 'cool' people in my program, part of a very short list according to the people privy to such information. I was also declared one of the best looking, but of course, I'm not letting this all go to my head...
Actually, it's almost funny for me to have such statements made about me. I would never consider myself a ranking member of the 'cool kids' in my program, yet I've been voted in as such. It kinda makes me feel good, considering I'm not out to impress anyone by acting any differently than I normally would. So that must mean...people like me for who I am?
Oh, there's also one person who doesn't like me much, but I like her fine so we all think it's a miscommunication.
After several drinks and hours of conversation, we left at around 12:30 a.m., light-hearted and talked out. Outside, the snow was still falling in quiet wisps, and as I walked home I still had the goofy smile on my face.
This time, it was about more than the snow.
Snowfall.
I was joyful beyond words last night, walking from my place out to meet friends for dinner. Through the day, the snow had flown off and on, but I wasn't expecting it to be dumping when I was headed out the door.
As soon as I rounded the corner from my door, a smile crossed my face. It was cold, but a manageable cold, one you don't really notice too badly until you're frozen stiff. Gloves and scarf and iPod all firmly in place, I set out amongst the falling snow.
Like I had said before, snow silently fall is so peaceful, and even more so at night. With the beautiful glow of the city lights as a backdrop, huge fluffy white flakes settled on the asphalt and patches of grass.
The entire walk I was smiling like an idiot, humming along to my iPod and completely enjoying the feeling of walking through this storm. Really, I don't know what it is that makes me so entranced by snow over, say, a thunderstorm...but I now recognize that my favorite weather system is a good snowfall, especially at night. It turns the gray city streets into a different, magical setting.
The dinner was also nice, something I needed I guess. A few of us met up at around 7, and tried to get into a couple restaurants. But of course, no reservations on a Friday night near Christmas means a bit of a wait for a table. But it was worth it.
We wound up at a fairly nice place with a 45 minute wait. Someone suggested just buying some ingredients and cooking at my place, but I really didn't want to have to walk all the way back. We took up a spot at the bar, had a drink and just talked. The minutes blew by, and we had our table.
During the dinner conversation, I became a little apprehensive in wondering if people knew about me. There were the usual sex questions, and someone started talking about bath houses and what exactly went on in there.
"Oh, group sex, public sex, one-on-one sex in public or private...pretty much anything," I said blandly.
"And how do you know so much about this?" one of them joked.
"Well, not that I've actually been to one before," I said, laughing.
Time wore on, and I don't recall how it came up, but someone was asking a question and suddenly tagged on, "But I'm not entirely sure, your sexuality seems to be a bit ambiguous, so do you mind if I ask what orientation you are?"
I shook my head, and said, "Not at all, I'm gay."
"Ah, well that's what I thought, but wanted to make sure," he said. "Oh, and I'm totally cool with it, by the way." Why do people have to tag that on? Obviously I would suspect you're alright with it, if you didn't jump from your seat and run the other direction.
Still, it's nice to hear that people want to go the extra step and really remind you it doesn't matter.
Outside, from our seat beside a window, I could see all sort of people, and all sorts of snow. Magic.
Conversation then took another turn, as I was informed of some sort of informal declaration about people in our program. Apparently I rank as one of the 'cool' people in my program, part of a very short list according to the people privy to such information. I was also declared one of the best looking, but of course, I'm not letting this all go to my head...
Actually, it's almost funny for me to have such statements made about me. I would never consider myself a ranking member of the 'cool kids' in my program, yet I've been voted in as such. It kinda makes me feel good, considering I'm not out to impress anyone by acting any differently than I normally would. So that must mean...people like me for who I am?
Oh, there's also one person who doesn't like me much, but I like her fine so we all think it's a miscommunication.
After several drinks and hours of conversation, we left at around 12:30 a.m., light-hearted and talked out. Outside, the snow was still falling in quiet wisps, and as I walked home I still had the goofy smile on my face.
This time, it was about more than the snow.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
First of the season...
People are mad, truly.
My alarm just went off, 9:03 a.m. The tune that greeted me is familiar..."White Christmas", by good old Bing Crosby.
Dear God...it's started.
Like a kid on Christmas, I jumped up and tore open my shades, looking out at...
SNOW!
Whee...it snowed!
But why people are so excited, and need to celebrate by turning the radio station into a constant stream of Christmas tunes in November, is beyond me.
If I survive my trip to school today, I'll post some pictures.
---
OK, so it's 3:30 p.m. and I made it both to and from school, and took a long walk around the city looking for winter pictures. Here's what I got, from around city hall.
---
I was surprised at how exciting and festive it was to walk through the snow. I guess it's one of the last vestiges that grown-ups have to enjoy little slices of innocence. Really, what is more pure than a snowfall, especially the first of the season?
For me, I was surprised at how uplifting it was. For a few minutes, I just looked at the world around me with a different attitude. Eyes actually open, drinking in the scenery. And of course, all the nostalgic thoughts that come along with Christmas, wintertime and the soft silence of falling snow.
My alarm just went off, 9:03 a.m. The tune that greeted me is familiar..."White Christmas", by good old Bing Crosby.
Dear God...it's started.
Like a kid on Christmas, I jumped up and tore open my shades, looking out at...
SNOW!
Whee...it snowed!
But why people are so excited, and need to celebrate by turning the radio station into a constant stream of Christmas tunes in November, is beyond me.
If I survive my trip to school today, I'll post some pictures.
---
OK, so it's 3:30 p.m. and I made it both to and from school, and took a long walk around the city looking for winter pictures. Here's what I got, from around city hall.
---
I was surprised at how exciting and festive it was to walk through the snow. I guess it's one of the last vestiges that grown-ups have to enjoy little slices of innocence. Really, what is more pure than a snowfall, especially the first of the season?
For me, I was surprised at how uplifting it was. For a few minutes, I just looked at the world around me with a different attitude. Eyes actually open, drinking in the scenery. And of course, all the nostalgic thoughts that come along with Christmas, wintertime and the soft silence of falling snow.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Hardly working...
I cannot work out of a home office.
Today, because of the terrible weather and general laziness, I decided to work from home on an assignment that I needed to submit by this evening. It afforded me the luxury of being able to eat, drink, pee and otherwise attend to any needs that I may discover during the span of my working day.
This wasn't a bad idea, in principal. I've done these 'work-from-home' days before. I never go to the library to write essays or do readings. Some days I'll research from the library for easier, faster access to journals, but that's usually just to get out of the house.
Unfortunately, when one wants to procrastinate at home when one should be working, it is much easier to become distracted.
Not that I really accomplished anything fun while not working. I made tea. I turned on all the lights in the place, because it's so damn dark. I checked messages. Found something very, very interesting online (which I'll post later tonight).
Hell, I've still yet to eat lunch, and it's almost 4 p.m.
All in all, I've become frustrated with myself. I guess I should have dragged my ass out the door this morning in order to get some physical human interaction, not just messaged people randomly online.
Goes to show, I don't think I'll ever be one to have my own home office.
---
There have been a few questions about any 'progress' on the Danny front. There has been no word, for those of you who are interested. For those of you about to hit me, no, I'm not holding my breath or really moping about it anymore. Now, I have moved to moping about the fact I have two brief but failed relationships that I'll never understand. Also on the moping agenda: How can I meet boys?
Today, because of the terrible weather and general laziness, I decided to work from home on an assignment that I needed to submit by this evening. It afforded me the luxury of being able to eat, drink, pee and otherwise attend to any needs that I may discover during the span of my working day.
This wasn't a bad idea, in principal. I've done these 'work-from-home' days before. I never go to the library to write essays or do readings. Some days I'll research from the library for easier, faster access to journals, but that's usually just to get out of the house.
Unfortunately, when one wants to procrastinate at home when one should be working, it is much easier to become distracted.
Not that I really accomplished anything fun while not working. I made tea. I turned on all the lights in the place, because it's so damn dark. I checked messages. Found something very, very interesting online (which I'll post later tonight).
Hell, I've still yet to eat lunch, and it's almost 4 p.m.
All in all, I've become frustrated with myself. I guess I should have dragged my ass out the door this morning in order to get some physical human interaction, not just messaged people randomly online.
Goes to show, I don't think I'll ever be one to have my own home office.
---
There have been a few questions about any 'progress' on the Danny front. There has been no word, for those of you who are interested. For those of you about to hit me, no, I'm not holding my breath or really moping about it anymore. Now, I have moved to moping about the fact I have two brief but failed relationships that I'll never understand. Also on the moping agenda: How can I meet boys?
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Cats and dogs...
The rain just started falling and ruined my pathetic evening plans.
Really, in some ways, it's best the rain fell. It saved me from myself. When I pulled my jacket on, plugged myself into my iPod and reached for my umbrella, he sky opened. I could see people on the street below running for cover from the rain.
My big plan tonight was to go to Starbucks. And maybe read.
How sad is that?
Here I am, back in Toronto, surrounded by thousands of people...limitless things to do. But nobody to do them with.
My day went really rather well. I've been stressed, already, about school and getting some early assignments in. But today everything went really well. I came home, with the vague desire to do something fun tonight. After all, things went much better than expected, and I wasn't nearly as tired or stressed as I had anticipated.
After eating dinner with Laura, I tried to think of something to do. The first thing that popped into my mind was a pint at one of our local jazz establishments. I haven't gone yet, and it's always a fun time. You get a great mix of music with time for talking, plus I like the beer one particular place serves.
But as I drew up my plans, I drew a blank on who to go with. There's Christine, a friend I haven't even seen on campus yet. Or what about Joe? Maybe his roommate Andrew. Oh, how about Jayne, the girl from France?
As I spoke out names to myself, I couldn't seem to find someone who fit. It started to scare me, and I felt like I did at points last year; disconnected, out of the loop...unsocial.
I never ended up calling anyone, because in truth, there is nobody on my list of people I feel comfortable enough in just calling up and saying, "Hey! Lets meet up at (blank)."
I got to fool myself this summer. Told myself, "Look at your last few weeks of school, you were busy! You were out! You were in some demand!" The thankful excuse was that I was out of town, had no reason or way to get in touch with people. There was no need to worry, things would be different when I got back.
Now, here I am. Back. It's not even been two weeks yet and I'm already worrying myself over the fact I haven't made any big plans yet, haven't hit the bar with friends, haven't gone to a movie with someone...
The truth is, I don't know what kind of a creature I am. Before, I swore up and down I didn't need lots of interaction to be happy. I despised people who could not be alone for an evening, or an hour, without feeling the need to call someone or make some plan.
Now tonight I'm doubting myself. I'm here, almost by myself (my roommate off studying), and I'm feeling vulnerable and alone. Jesus, I'm not a first year, how is it that I'm struggling to come up with someone to go for a quick beer with?
Ultimately I've slipped into a very bad mood tonight. I don't even know why anymore, just one of those frustrated, tired evenings. I wonder if all the party boys have these moments too. Do they cover them up by diving face-first into 'fun', or are they blissfully unaware of their own misgivings and shortcomings?
Do party boys have shortcomings?
An astute psychologist may interpret my problem as age-related angst. For, you see, Steve has recently (and quietly) turned 21. So what exactly is my problem? Here I thought I was growing up, becoming more comfortable with myself. Mature enough not to worry about petty things like a social life. Happy to curl up after a nine-hour day with a plate of Thai food and Sex and the City.
I quickly fall back on the 'if-there-was-a-boyfriend' idea. Well, if there was one, I wouldn't feel out of place doing nothing on a Tuesday night. Maybe we'd read together, or have a late dinner, or watch a movie...some small distraction. But doing these things by one's self seems to outline your separation from other people, more than doing this with a significant other outlines your dependence on one person.
Ultimately, I just don't know. I kept telling myself that when I was a little older, things like this just wouldn't matter anymore. I'd be happy doing my own thing, in my own way. But I just haven't quite got there yet.
Really, in some ways, it's best the rain fell. It saved me from myself. When I pulled my jacket on, plugged myself into my iPod and reached for my umbrella, he sky opened. I could see people on the street below running for cover from the rain.
My big plan tonight was to go to Starbucks. And maybe read.
How sad is that?
Here I am, back in Toronto, surrounded by thousands of people...limitless things to do. But nobody to do them with.
My day went really rather well. I've been stressed, already, about school and getting some early assignments in. But today everything went really well. I came home, with the vague desire to do something fun tonight. After all, things went much better than expected, and I wasn't nearly as tired or stressed as I had anticipated.
After eating dinner with Laura, I tried to think of something to do. The first thing that popped into my mind was a pint at one of our local jazz establishments. I haven't gone yet, and it's always a fun time. You get a great mix of music with time for talking, plus I like the beer one particular place serves.
But as I drew up my plans, I drew a blank on who to go with. There's Christine, a friend I haven't even seen on campus yet. Or what about Joe? Maybe his roommate Andrew. Oh, how about Jayne, the girl from France?
As I spoke out names to myself, I couldn't seem to find someone who fit. It started to scare me, and I felt like I did at points last year; disconnected, out of the loop...unsocial.
I never ended up calling anyone, because in truth, there is nobody on my list of people I feel comfortable enough in just calling up and saying, "Hey! Lets meet up at (blank)."
I got to fool myself this summer. Told myself, "Look at your last few weeks of school, you were busy! You were out! You were in some demand!" The thankful excuse was that I was out of town, had no reason or way to get in touch with people. There was no need to worry, things would be different when I got back.
Now, here I am. Back. It's not even been two weeks yet and I'm already worrying myself over the fact I haven't made any big plans yet, haven't hit the bar with friends, haven't gone to a movie with someone...
The truth is, I don't know what kind of a creature I am. Before, I swore up and down I didn't need lots of interaction to be happy. I despised people who could not be alone for an evening, or an hour, without feeling the need to call someone or make some plan.
Now tonight I'm doubting myself. I'm here, almost by myself (my roommate off studying), and I'm feeling vulnerable and alone. Jesus, I'm not a first year, how is it that I'm struggling to come up with someone to go for a quick beer with?
Ultimately I've slipped into a very bad mood tonight. I don't even know why anymore, just one of those frustrated, tired evenings. I wonder if all the party boys have these moments too. Do they cover them up by diving face-first into 'fun', or are they blissfully unaware of their own misgivings and shortcomings?
Do party boys have shortcomings?
An astute psychologist may interpret my problem as age-related angst. For, you see, Steve has recently (and quietly) turned 21. So what exactly is my problem? Here I thought I was growing up, becoming more comfortable with myself. Mature enough not to worry about petty things like a social life. Happy to curl up after a nine-hour day with a plate of Thai food and Sex and the City.
I quickly fall back on the 'if-there-was-a-boyfriend' idea. Well, if there was one, I wouldn't feel out of place doing nothing on a Tuesday night. Maybe we'd read together, or have a late dinner, or watch a movie...some small distraction. But doing these things by one's self seems to outline your separation from other people, more than doing this with a significant other outlines your dependence on one person.
Ultimately, I just don't know. I kept telling myself that when I was a little older, things like this just wouldn't matter anymore. I'd be happy doing my own thing, in my own way. But I just haven't quite got there yet.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Characterization...
I love those moments when you don't intend to learn something, yet it sporadically falls in your lap.
Earlier, I was looking out the window, watching the rain patter onto the burnt grass and blacktop. For some reason, I wrote the words, "I am a rainy Thursday."
This in itself is nothing amazing. A few words written almost subconsciously and for no particular reason. I went away, did something else, and came back, re-reading what I had wrote.
It then started me thinking, what does this mean? What makes me a rainy Thursday. And then I started to see the light.
In many ways, I really am a rainy Thursday. I feel like a Thursday, anyway. The day before the fun chaos of the weekend breaks out, when the freedom is close enough to taste, yet an entire other day away. Thursday nights are best spent with friends and a few drinks; good times but overshadowed with the knowing you have one more day left before you're able to truly be free.
But why rainy? Because, I'm just different than most other days. Not using the usual imagery of clouds and depression, but rather the approach there are more sunny days than rainy ones. And I really feel like I do stand out from the sunny days. Hell, if a 20-year-old can recount the better part of the lyrics to the entire 'Born to Run' album, there's got to be something different about him.
Maybe someday soon, I'll move on from Thursday and become...not Friday. Fridays seem to be the times when energies run highest, when nights out drag far into the next day, where people do anything to help unwind from a weeks worth of stress. I'd take a Saturday though, with a good time in the evening and rolling around with someone in bed all morning.
Who knows. Maybe things will change someday soon.
So, what day are you?
Earlier, I was looking out the window, watching the rain patter onto the burnt grass and blacktop. For some reason, I wrote the words, "I am a rainy Thursday."
This in itself is nothing amazing. A few words written almost subconsciously and for no particular reason. I went away, did something else, and came back, re-reading what I had wrote.
It then started me thinking, what does this mean? What makes me a rainy Thursday. And then I started to see the light.
In many ways, I really am a rainy Thursday. I feel like a Thursday, anyway. The day before the fun chaos of the weekend breaks out, when the freedom is close enough to taste, yet an entire other day away. Thursday nights are best spent with friends and a few drinks; good times but overshadowed with the knowing you have one more day left before you're able to truly be free.
But why rainy? Because, I'm just different than most other days. Not using the usual imagery of clouds and depression, but rather the approach there are more sunny days than rainy ones. And I really feel like I do stand out from the sunny days. Hell, if a 20-year-old can recount the better part of the lyrics to the entire 'Born to Run' album, there's got to be something different about him.
Maybe someday soon, I'll move on from Thursday and become...not Friday. Fridays seem to be the times when energies run highest, when nights out drag far into the next day, where people do anything to help unwind from a weeks worth of stress. I'd take a Saturday though, with a good time in the evening and rolling around with someone in bed all morning.
Who knows. Maybe things will change someday soon.
So, what day are you?
Monday, June 11, 2007
Smacks of summer...
Well, I guess summer is here.
The temperature is high, the sun is out, the grass is green... all the telltale signs that indeed summer is upon us are here.
Seems that I'm at the stage in my life that I'm re-evaluating practically everything. This weekend I did many summerish things, including BBQ-ing, a trip to the beach, an afternoon at a friend's pool, and a disappointingly sugary bottle of California Zinfindel. But after it's all over, I'm looking back and realizing I don't have that tingle of "It's summer!" like I used to.
Not that I mind being off school, or a change of scenery from the city, or the great weather. All of those things are amazingly excellent. For instance, tonight I just sat on the deck with a great cup of tea and enjoyed the sounds and smells of the season. I would by no means be able to do that after mid-October, so I'm taking it while I can get it.
But there's the part of me, perhaps the dying flashes of childhood, that makes me wonder if I'm using my summer as best I can. Granted, there are many moons of it to go, but nothing I've done so far has stirred the summer spirit I used to have in my young years. Then, when I think back, it wasn't very exciting then. I guess the real fun was being out of school, home with your parents, helping garden and getting to stay up late and not go to the bus stop the next morning. But there it was, the blissful innocence of summers long past that still make me smile.
Of course, when I ask my friends about what they're doing this summer, I get very similar responses to my own. Hell, half the time I'm out with them anyway, so what I'm doing, they're doing too. So is this it? Once you get to that age, summer is just a happy season because you get more daylight hours, warm temperatures, and the chance to BBQ your dinner instead of baking it?
Not that I don't see the joys of all of those things! But when I think about the 'stereotypical' Hollywood teen summer, I guess I wonder how many people are actually surf instructors who also play in bar bands and drive convertables. Or the one where the young protagonist moves to a resort community for the summer, forming close and life-changing friendships with their fellow employees, all the while making deep discoveries about themselves and living life to it's fullest potential.
I don't know. Maybe I'll just throw a dinner party and we'll all get really pissed.
The temperature is high, the sun is out, the grass is green... all the telltale signs that indeed summer is upon us are here.
Seems that I'm at the stage in my life that I'm re-evaluating practically everything. This weekend I did many summerish things, including BBQ-ing, a trip to the beach, an afternoon at a friend's pool, and a disappointingly sugary bottle of California Zinfindel. But after it's all over, I'm looking back and realizing I don't have that tingle of "It's summer!" like I used to.
Not that I mind being off school, or a change of scenery from the city, or the great weather. All of those things are amazingly excellent. For instance, tonight I just sat on the deck with a great cup of tea and enjoyed the sounds and smells of the season. I would by no means be able to do that after mid-October, so I'm taking it while I can get it.
But there's the part of me, perhaps the dying flashes of childhood, that makes me wonder if I'm using my summer as best I can. Granted, there are many moons of it to go, but nothing I've done so far has stirred the summer spirit I used to have in my young years. Then, when I think back, it wasn't very exciting then. I guess the real fun was being out of school, home with your parents, helping garden and getting to stay up late and not go to the bus stop the next morning. But there it was, the blissful innocence of summers long past that still make me smile.
Of course, when I ask my friends about what they're doing this summer, I get very similar responses to my own. Hell, half the time I'm out with them anyway, so what I'm doing, they're doing too. So is this it? Once you get to that age, summer is just a happy season because you get more daylight hours, warm temperatures, and the chance to BBQ your dinner instead of baking it?
Not that I don't see the joys of all of those things! But when I think about the 'stereotypical' Hollywood teen summer, I guess I wonder how many people are actually surf instructors who also play in bar bands and drive convertables. Or the one where the young protagonist moves to a resort community for the summer, forming close and life-changing friendships with their fellow employees, all the while making deep discoveries about themselves and living life to it's fullest potential.
I don't know. Maybe I'll just throw a dinner party and we'll all get really pissed.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Twas a hot and sunny day...
It's so warm out. And it has been for 2 days. Therefore it will probably be a blizzard by the end of the week...
I'm sorry for not posting sooner, but damn, I've been having another one of those weeks, including working with that crazy bitch I can't stand, who was equally as charming as usual.
The warmpth of these past few days has been amazing. It really does feel like spring is around the corner. It also feels like a cruel joke...that the warm will be taken away and we'll plunge back into the freezing cold. But for now I'm enjoying being able to stand on my balcony, not wearing a winter coat and scarf and gloves to walk to Starbucks, and the fact that the streets are bustling with people getting outside.
It makes me a little sad, because I'm starting to feel the pluse of the 'summer city'. People are out at all hours, walking, chatting, in good spirits. The warm smells and the feel of the air in the back of your throat are all the telltale signs that sleepless nights of 30 degree C weather are coming nearer and nearer.
I'd really like to experience a summer in the city, complete with friends on the balcony, cold gin and tonics, a barely-clothed guy standing in my living room...
But seriously...it's something that I've yet to get the full effect of. Since I'll soon be returning to the great hills of small-town-bum-fuck-nowhere, I won't get more than a day in the summer city. No overnights, random ice-cream runs, being driven mad with passion from the heat...
Where am I getting these ideas that summer + heat = sex? Bad romance novels? Or even worse...bad reality MTV shows?
Maybe someday I'll get to live in the city for the summer. Then of course I'd need to make a whole batch of new friends to actually kill the time with on those hot August nights, since everyone I know goes home. Oh well, maybe someday...
I'm sorry for not posting sooner, but damn, I've been having another one of those weeks, including working with that crazy bitch I can't stand, who was equally as charming as usual.
The warmpth of these past few days has been amazing. It really does feel like spring is around the corner. It also feels like a cruel joke...that the warm will be taken away and we'll plunge back into the freezing cold. But for now I'm enjoying being able to stand on my balcony, not wearing a winter coat and scarf and gloves to walk to Starbucks, and the fact that the streets are bustling with people getting outside.
It makes me a little sad, because I'm starting to feel the pluse of the 'summer city'. People are out at all hours, walking, chatting, in good spirits. The warm smells and the feel of the air in the back of your throat are all the telltale signs that sleepless nights of 30 degree C weather are coming nearer and nearer.
I'd really like to experience a summer in the city, complete with friends on the balcony, cold gin and tonics, a barely-clothed guy standing in my living room...
But seriously...it's something that I've yet to get the full effect of. Since I'll soon be returning to the great hills of small-town-bum-fuck-nowhere, I won't get more than a day in the summer city. No overnights, random ice-cream runs, being driven mad with passion from the heat...
Where am I getting these ideas that summer + heat = sex? Bad romance novels? Or even worse...bad reality MTV shows?
Maybe someday I'll get to live in the city for the summer. Then of course I'd need to make a whole batch of new friends to actually kill the time with on those hot August nights, since everyone I know goes home. Oh well, maybe someday...
Thursday, March 1, 2007
My weekend starts with not a bang, but a whimper...
Dammit!
Snow everywhere! I love snow, it's so beautiful as I look out the window, staring at the plane in front of me, I'm overwhelmed with blinding rage...
See, the plan was to fly to Ottawa tonight at 8, so I could be good and go to all my classes today. But wouldn't you know it, nothing goes according to plan. I was shoved to the 4 p.m. flight, since my later one was cancelled. Now I'm waiting in Porter's passenger lounge, which conveniently has terminals and internet access.
I don't know why I even bother trying to plan ahead, because if there's one life lesson I know, it's that plans often change unexpectedly. My family always plans vacations to the last detail, but nothing ever works out as it should. I guess I've gotten used to it now, since I rarely ever get away without some messups. But I'm still annoyed...
So the plan is to wait here until this evening, when I'll hopefully be put on a bus, taken to another airport, and then put on a plane. With any luck, I'll be in Ottawa by 9:30...like my original arrival time was supposed to be. But luck isn't exactly on my side today, so I'll have to wait and see.
Either way, you probably won't be hearing from me until after the weekend (again...I'm so sorry! I'll miss you too.) So until then, have a good one, and stay safe if you're in a bad-weather zone!
Snow everywhere! I love snow, it's so beautiful as I look out the window, staring at the plane in front of me, I'm overwhelmed with blinding rage...
See, the plan was to fly to Ottawa tonight at 8, so I could be good and go to all my classes today. But wouldn't you know it, nothing goes according to plan. I was shoved to the 4 p.m. flight, since my later one was cancelled. Now I'm waiting in Porter's passenger lounge, which conveniently has terminals and internet access.
I don't know why I even bother trying to plan ahead, because if there's one life lesson I know, it's that plans often change unexpectedly. My family always plans vacations to the last detail, but nothing ever works out as it should. I guess I've gotten used to it now, since I rarely ever get away without some messups. But I'm still annoyed...
So the plan is to wait here until this evening, when I'll hopefully be put on a bus, taken to another airport, and then put on a plane. With any luck, I'll be in Ottawa by 9:30...like my original arrival time was supposed to be. But luck isn't exactly on my side today, so I'll have to wait and see.
Either way, you probably won't be hearing from me until after the weekend (again...I'm so sorry! I'll miss you too.) So until then, have a good one, and stay safe if you're in a bad-weather zone!
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