Its Business Time

The Vancouver ladies are sadly making their trek back west, meaning the week long weekend is over and life resumes normality too early tomorrow morning. However, as I'm currently watching the Golden Globes I've been reminded of the impending award show that really matters. The Oscars.

I can attribute my fascination to my parent’s annual Academy Awards party. From Cuba Gooding Jr's over the top acceptance speech too Gwyneth’s teary water works. From Angelina Jolie's incestual kiss to Bjork's swan dress, I can vividly remember ticking off my predictions in anticipation of the best movie of the year. While the cinematic campaigning has become a little out of control none of the magic of award season is lost on me. I have many dates with the movie theatre before I can really think about winners. That and the nomination list needs to come out. But, if my early predictions mean anything I’m rooting for Slumdog Millionaire.

Back to the Globes --congrats Heath and best of luck too Mr. Penn.

Tech No Logic

The advancement of technology has become a re-occurring conversation as of late. And the idea of eventually being too old to "get it" has come up numerously. The thought of technologies evolution in our grandparent’s lives and even the evolution in our parent’s lives is ridiculous. My mom was quick to point out her move from the black and white to the colour TV, the toaster oven to the microwave, the gymnasium sized computer to the macbook. It's a tad overwhelming to think of.

A day before I came back to Toronto, I spent the afternoon with my 86-year-old Grandpa. He wanted me to add some contacts into his e-mail address book and then, teach him how to send one. I carefully went through each step and made sure to write it down for reference. After I had left, I attempted to remember the first time I learned to e-mail someone. But I couldn’t. My Grandpa is an intelligent man. But the concept of the internet is still relatively foreign to him. The idea that our futuristic selves may (will) be in-able to comprehend a technology so prevalent within our society leaves a lot to the imagination. If we have Iphone’s and Crackberry’s now, what will our cell phones look like when were 40?

On my plane ride back to Toronto, a man beside me had a lot of opinions to offer. If he could predict the future our cell phones would merely be chips implanted beneath our scalp. Using our thoughts to decide whether or not we wanted to answer. Using our thoughts instead of our mouth to even talk. He amusingly acted out a fake convo with his wife, pretending his brain was magically doing all the work. As she rolled her eyes at the spectacle beside her, she quipped,” relying on the thought process would effectively end every male’s ability to carry a conversation." Her words, not mine.

So This Is The New Year

Good-bye presidential elections. Good-bye Mr. President! Good-bye pregnant man*, Paul Newman, Playgirl and pit-bull Palin. So long high gas prices and disheartening headlines. So long harrowing temperatures and hipsters. So long Heath Ledger.

While 2008 soared high for probably one month too many, the falls felt internationally permeated through the fourth quarter and I’m looking forward to the change. It’s a new year, a clean slate and a reinvention for many. I’m a bit weary of resolutions. There tendency to disappoint or more appropriately disappear has always been my most reliable promise.

But this year looks different. The list is much shorter, though not necessarily sweeter. Filled with valuable realities as opposed too un-achievable fantasies. And if maintained could make for the most rewarding, if not productive, year yet.**

Happy 2009!

*He's at it again, stay tuned for the second baby later this year.
** Yes, I’m acutely aware of my breif twenty years here on earth...thanks.

Blog Blah

The semester is over and this blog has seen a good five posts at most. I could blame the lack of posting on homework, intense course loads or our newly acquired TV...but when it comes down to it I spend way more time viewing other peoples blogs then working on my own. In fact, I spend a considerable amount of time, so much so that it's become a full blown addiction. There are of worse things I could be addicted to... like reality TV, cheese bagels or crack. But instead I choose blogs, linking from one to the next and adding to my ever expanding favourite’s folder. The verdict is still out on whether or not this is acceptable or just plain creepy. But I’ve made a promise to myself, no, a challenge, to channel all my blogging inspiration and continue to work on my own. My first new years resolution (yes I’m already going there) is to resurrect west meets east. This may be an affirmation for my own satisfaction, but I do know that some people read this bad boy and Miss VanDenBoomen is getting annoyed! So, if I don’t post from now until the new year, know that I have not forgotten or moved on, only preparing to start again.

They'll Still Come Home

Burning Cars and breakfast keggers could become a distant memory. Queen's University has decided to cancel homecoming for the next two years. In what seems like their last attempt, university officials have decided to move the celebration from fall to...May? Homecoming, which was intended for the Universities alumni, has turned into a weekend long booze fest attracting students from all across the province. There’s a big football game and I’m sure that’s part of the draw. But, I’m also sure that the only sober people in attendance are the players, and even then, can we really be sure? This desperate attempt to quell the party doesn’t leave me with much confidence. I’ve been to the celebration. I’ve experienced the drama, hilarity and ridiculousness of it all. I don’t really think a little change of date will be enough to keep people from vomiting on Aberdeen St. The party will go on...I predict a riot!

Say It Aint So

Remember, oh, two years back when scientists discovered that Pluto was not a planet...but merely a dwarf planet that brought our solar systems total down to eight. Textbook's had to be re-written, ironic t-shirts were worn and one began to question all that their grade three teachers had taught them...it's happened again.

You know that handy map which outlines the sections of your tongue. Highlighting which areas respond to different tastes --sour on the side, sweet at the tip, bitter at the back, yeah that one...it's wrong. Scientist’s don’t know much yet about the various taste receptors, but they know enough. That map has become absolute.

Turns out there is actually way more receptors lurking on our tongue. Including ones that identify with a more savory taste, specificly soya sauce...excellent! Anyways, I have yet to see a facebook group entitled, "I remember when the tongue map was still in use..." but, I know those ironic t-shirts are coming.

This Is All Old News

I've been accumulating a long list of blog ideas and none seem to have left the post-it they're written on. Everyone's busy so I wont bother emphasizing what's been taking up my spare time. However, if I don’t use some of them they will all become SO out-dated that it would be futile to even consider writing about them.

Firstly, Dominions, more affectionately known as Doms is no longer. The chain of Ontario grocery stores that scream first year to those who dwelled in Pitman Hall or the ILLC has been taken over. The signs have been changed and consumers across the city can now battle the lines at Metro. After some brainstorming amidst the roomies we found a suitable abbreviation for the new chain and have settled on calling it Tro. While the name is yet to resonate just like Doms, the Tro offers no noticeable differences in the over-all shopping experience. The Quebec company behind the take-over however has not committed to Dominions trademark promise of being fresh obsessed...leaving my overall impression of the store slightly wilted.

Secondly, Nuit Blanche graced the streets of Toronto some two weeks ago and left Romany and I in awe. From sun-down Saturday night till sun-up Sunday morning the contemporary art showcase stretched across the city and left many questioning the validity of what they saw. Was it really art? Or, did they just not understand? It seemed upon noon the next day that the negative reviews greatly outweighed the positive --but I got it. From the first installment on campus, to the ridiculous didgeridoo performer outside Eaton Center…from the musical lightshow at City Hall to actually getting to see Josh Raskin's I Met the Walrus, I appreciated and loved every minute of it. Of course nothing could have topped the night of better then a zombie inspired visit to College Park's fountain. People were play fighting and frolicking in the middle of the water when the roar of the crowd turned my attention to the ass naked streaker running across the pond. To my surprise it was our good friend Luke, bearing all in front of the 2000+ audience. While not exactly an art installation per say, it was the perfect ending to an epic night out.

Thirdly, after being out east for almost three years I finally made my trek up to Montreal. This past Thanksgiving weekend the roommates and I ventured to the city that was so close to being my home. After almost missing our early morning train, we arrived and nothing about the place disappointed. We had amazing weather, ate very good food and stayed up all night at new watering holes. The culture of the city fueled my desire to get out of Canada. It also inspired me to drudge out the ol French notebooks at home and remember how to sort of know the language. Monday came too soon, but Im already planning my escape back...if only for more maple candy.

Half-way through October, more then half-way through first semester...hopefully I can post again before it all becomes way too irrelevant.

Vote!

You can kiss those annoying Conservative party commercials goodbye! Today the federal election polls are open to vote. Regardless of your political affiliations get out there and effect change.

If your attention has been predominantly tuned into Barack vs. McCain banter, focus it back up North.

Your voice, despite what you may feel, matters. And whether you support the Liberals, NDPs, Greens or Conservatives you will have no place to criticize those leading Canada if you don’t participate.

For more information on where to vote or what you need to bring, check out Elections Canada’s website. See you at the polls.

The Good Life

Insight into the first month out east....

roomies in action

katie sandwich

pretending to like each other

at the watering hole

transportation

balcony view

living the life

Missing is photos from half a dozen bike adventures, all day shopping excursions, living room dance parties and countless Weeds marathons.

September went by way too fast.

Back When

It’s like summer begun yesterday and we had all just finished grade ten. The math exam was over and we ran home to plan our next two months of freedom. No one had jobs except the older boys, who we probably shouldn’t have been hanging out with anyway. Family vacations were almost passé and the most commitments any of us had were each other.

Then four years whiz past without reflection and you’re no longer teenagers. You are half way through your undergraduate degree and you’re living three provinces away from home with your boyfriend.

Way to grow up.