Strange Days Indeed

Partly pleased partly grieved to announce that, contrary to popular belief (mostly mine), I'm evidently not going back to school afterall, at least not until January. Ha! I never thought I would be wishing to be back in Western but sure enough, George Brown ("The City College!") has driven me to the point where I would even pull out my Gap golf t-shirt and Banana Republic khakis and return back to UWO if it meant I could sign up for a course hassle free. The short story is George Brown sucks. The long story is their websites give a whole slew of wrong info re: pre and co-requisites for certification programs. Bastards! I'm pretty pissed, but at the same time it means I don't have to return to my nemesis quite yet. Hmph. They said I could take the ER course in January providing a) it's being provided ("maybe it won't") and b) the other course I have to take can be offered online ("that depends"). I should just tell them to go f*ck themselves and forget about the whole thing but now I'm just in it for spite. Bring it on GB!

Enough of that crap though. On to other crap. I read the news today (oh boy....) and keep wondering what's going on? In general, 2005's been a year and it ain't over yet. Is it just me or does the world heading downhill? I'm not familiar with weather patterns or trends or anything of the sort but I'm thinking more and more that I should start learning. The inane small-talk subject of weather is getting a little more intense as of lately. Has anyone ever recalled such an amazingly hot Canadian summer? The 2004 tsumani? So many hurricanes that the people who name them have supposedly almost run out of names? New Orleans is sinking man (and I don't wanna swim...) I know global warming is only supposed to hit our great grandkids or something but I just want that doublechecked. Then again what do I know, this could just be a freak weather year and I could just be a freak paranoid android.......but still, enough with the pollution people.

Keeping with the subject of news, I know I should be used to the Iraq war by now. But I'm not. 'Nuf said.

I'm also not used to watching my puppy grow old. My golden retriever Jake is now over 13 years and my family is watching him slowly fade away. I used to take him for hour long walks around Barrie's lakeshore everyday, him going swimming and chasing the ducks and crunching on crayfish and all sorts of other dog-related hobbies, never truly believing this day would come. The day is here though. He's still a puppy at heart though, still thinks he's a puppy, and although he can barely manage one time around the block now, he still pulls on his leash to go further. His nights were once spent keeping watch outside my bedroom, guarding me as I slept, but now he can't even make it up the stairs. So it's now my turn to keep watch over him, and I'll sleep beside him downstairs on the couch whenever I'm home. I've always been such a tremendous animal lover and I know there's those of you out there who will never understand how much a dog or a cat or a pet of any sort can become such a close and complete part of your life. I also know though there's those of you out there that do understand. You'll understand how hard it is to know that everytime you say goodbye, it may be goodbye for the last time. And you'll understand how much you'll miss such a dear old friend.

Last of the Summer Wine

Evenin' all, just thought I'd drop a line, get some of my incessantly orbiting thoughts out of my brain and onto some soft copy.

The summer has been a hootananee, quick summary is as follows: Europe, cottage, beach, camping, booze, etc......all the usual summer stuff everyone does to keep sane, myself included. And what grand times we have! So laid back, so in the moment, so perfect... as long as you don't remind yourself you have to go home to Toronto, it's all love. Special shout out to the week I spent in Tobermory with Jolan at my uncle's cottage ~ right on the lake, deck with BBQ, hikes and caves along the Bruce Trail, hammock and campfires and a bajillion stars. Not to mention some intense mini-golf skins games. (Intense!)

Another cool weekend we had was when, on a last minute spur of the moment idea, I booked a room for Jolan and I at the posh Royal York Hotel using Jess' friends and family discount (she's a hostess at the restaurant there). Hey, why not? We went out for a nice supper then spent the night sipping wine in our lush complimentary bathrobes. We lived in the lap of luxury, if only for a night. I figured there would never be an occasion for us to spend a night there, so why not create one? Carpe Diem!

Now I know what you're all thinking (and asking regularly), I'm spending an awful lot of time with this Jolan character (is that a real name?), what's it all about and will the wedding ball and chain be rattling soon? Answers: 1) yes I'm doing all these things with Jolan, not so much because I like him, it's just because he's there (kidding!) Honestly though, I really don't have many friends here in T.O. and since the majority of you are spread out across Ontario and the globe, Jolan wins by default. 2) yes it's kinda a name and 3) as Jess would say, "Oh fuck no!" (Nonsensical ramblings aside though, he truly is the absolute best and we care for each other a great deal. We're both still so young and will take it as it comes. Always an adventure with him, will keep you posted.....)

So school starts for me next week (vomit vomit vomit)) and George Brown College has already managed to screw me over! Now that's talent! Even Western didn't start to piss me off until after I actually set foot on campus. Won't go into details, this course just better be bloody worth the hassle. Vomit.

Have much more to say but I'm tired, seems like all I ever write about is pretty superficial mundane day to day stuff. Thought this whole blogger idea would be a bit more insightful but I guess that was a bit too much to assume. Da well. Maybe it's because I'm broadcasting to the world and maybe it's because I'm just not that insightful. I'll leave that one to ponder over for another time.......