TMI

Apparently verbal diarrhea LITERALLY happens.  No jokes.

If you're older[er] and you're super, super, SUPER constipated, the poo goes from your large intestine up to your small intestine, to your stomach, up your esophagus, and...OUT.

You learn something new EVERY.DAY.

Change

I want a new hairstyle. This is the one that I want, but it's going be a long time coming. Another year at the very least? Do I have the patience?

Top Five Movies According to ME

I never really wanted to try to list my top five movies because I can't remember all the movies that I've seen, but I figure if it's going to be good enough to make it to my top five, it should at least stay in my memory. So here we go.

My criteria:

1) Watchability- Is this something that I would watch over and over again? Because there are great movies out there that I wouldn't. Like, Passion of the Christ and Schindler's List, just to give a few examples.

2) Visual Experience- As an artist myself, cinematography, videography, colours, settings, and costumes make a deep impression on me, and so influences my movie experience.

3) Plot- Is it entertaining? Does it have a point? Does it tell a story well?

In no particular order:

1. Hero
Great plot. Gorgeous visuals. Especially loved the way the story was told and how colour schemes were incorporated into that. Genius. It took my breathe away.

2. Ocean Eleven [Remake]
Love heist movies. There's just something about watching the plan come together and then executed. Throw in some quirky characters and humour, and we're set.

3. Italian Job [Remake]
Ditto the above. Plus there's the chase scenes with the minis.

4. Elizabeth
She was my favourite female historical figure growing up. I ate up biographies of her. Kapur and Blanchett did a fantastic job of bringing the intricate and complex personal and public life of Elizabeth I to the big screen. Oh, and the costumes? Ahhh...

5. Marie Antoinette
I know, there's people throwing rotten tomatoes at the screen right now for me even mentioning this. I just have to say that it gives a different perspective of the controversial and hated queen. I thought it was brilliant the way it showcased the coming of age of Marie in a pressured, volatile, sometimes hostile, and very privileged environment. It was well done. Oh and visually? A candy shop for the eyes.

Honourable Mentions
These were not listed above because of "watchability".

* Lord of the Rings by Peter Jackson [Too long]
* Life is Beautiful by Roberto Bellini [Too depressing]
* Water by Deepa Mehta [Too depressing]
* Moulin Rouge by Baz Luhrmann [Too sad]

I don't like movies with sad endings.

STEAL

Four plays worth $396.79 for $49.

WHAT. A. STEAL.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,
The Importance of Being Earnest,
Macbeth,
and
West Side Story,

Beautiful, sweet, romantic Stratford,

HERE I COOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMME.

I love dates with the Lord and James Dean the SLR.

It's a Record

In the past month and a half I've managed to accrue a grand total of EIGHT tickets. :(

The stereotype of a female Asian driver lives on!

Random Thoughts That Were Floating in My Head From My First Wedding Shoot

FYI: We got up at 5am and pulled a 17 hour day without any coffee. Keep this in mind.

* Do NOT forget the camera. Whatever you do, do NOT forget the camera.

* To Lydia: I'm just waking up...the pictures are getting better.
(This is 3 hours later.)

* I'm so hungry.

* Foooooooooooooooooooooooooooood.

* Note to self: if you are ever getting married, don't do an early morning wedding.

* Wow, there must be hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of makeup in that little suitcase.
(That the make-up artist brought along.)

* I decapitated the groom!!!
(I broke the head off the groom cake statue by accident.....they glued it back on. Apparently it had broke before.)

* I can't wait to go to Starbucks for a coffee and a breakfast sandwhich.

* Note to self: lanterns are pretty.

* This is rather bittersweet.
(At the bride's entrance.)

* Thank God I can't understand French that well, I'd be so distracted from shooting.

* I hope I'm not blocking anyone's view.

* Errr....I hope I'm not flashing anyone. I forgot these jeans were low rise.
(I had to squat a lot.)

* Should've worn flats that didn't match the outfit. It's kind awkward walking around in these heels.

* I hate this lighting, I hate this lighting, I hate this lighting, I hate this lighting...
(I hate fluorescent lighting.)

* One word: ELOPE.
(I don't really want to elope, but during the middle of the day, I did.)

* Sleeeeeeeep.

* Mhmmm...McDonald's. I'd get a Big Mac meal and a Filet O'Fish meal. And fries. Mhmm...fries.

* Note to self: You'd have to do pictures before the ceremony for an afternoon wedding. Have a morning wedding, but plan in nap time.

* When can I get seconds?
(After finishing my meal at the lunch reception.)

* I'm impressed. My reading skills in french aren't that bad considering the little attention I paid in class in high school.

* Fall weddings are soooo pretty. Too bad, I'll never have one.
(Staff blackout dates.)

* If I had good lighting all the time, my life would be perfect.

* I can't wait to go to bed.

* I've still a loooooooot to learn.
(Pondering my pwnage by fluorescent lighting.)

* Should've been born Quebecois. They're loud, rowdy, and fun. I'd fit right in. Instead of being shamed for it.

* Sleep. I want to sleep. SLEEP!

Happy Birthday To Me

Yesterday my doctor gave me my next three months worth of antidepressants.

Thank you doctor and Jesus.

That was around $200 worth of meds. Hello!

The asian in me, is purrrrrrrrrring.

Still Very Much Enamoured

I have finally found a band worthy of my unending love, admiration, and devotion.

Oh U2.

I've listened to the No Line On the Horizon album nonstop since the concert a week and a half ago. Man it seems so much time has passed since, but it just gets better and better.

My favourite lines from the album.

"Every beauty needs to go out with an idiot."
~ I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight

"Hey, sexy boots. Get on your boots."
~ Get On Your Boots

"Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady."
~ Stand Up Comedy

"Stand up to rock stars, Napolean is in high heels
Josephine, be careful of small men with big ideas"
~ Stand Up Comedy

Ok, granted some of them, fine, all of them are weird taken by themselves, but the way Bono enunciates the words combined with the Edge's guitar... it's just great.

Let's see now...last time they were in town, it was three years ago. So assuming it's going to take them three more years to come back, it'll be in 2012. All the more time to save up for a prime ticket. Mhmmm. Mhmmmm. Mhmmm

Renege

Still selling Stella. Sigh.

In other news. I did 2.5 km in my second run since....high school?
5km is not looking so intimidating anymore.

AND, I've decided to train with C.K. for a triathlon next summer.

Fall Feast

Being born one day and one year after someone on the staff team means that I have to share my birthday glory. Sigh. :P
S.A. and I are having a fall birthday bash with our team. I'm so excited.

Potential Menu

Main Dish
Shepherd's Pie
or
Stew, Dumplings with Fresh Bread

Side Dishes
Roast Squash
and/or
Stuffed Squash
and/or
Root Bake

Dessert
Hand Made Scones
Fresh Apple Crisp- made with handpick apples.

Drink
Apple Cider

What's For Dinner

I know I'm recovering from burnout when I have a higher capacity and desire to cook. Having two friends over on different nights, and hosting a potluck this week. I'm serving:

Monday Night:
Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs (Alliteration not intended)
Chinese Chives and Eggs
Rice

Friday Night:
Handmade Wonton Soup
or
Orange Flavoured Porkchops
Stir Fry
Rice
(Haven't made up my mind yet.)

Saturday Night Potluck:
Five Spice Chicken Wings

For Myself For the Week:
Silken Chicken Soup with Bean Sprouts

Hodge Podge of Thoughts

1. Free movie, free mints, and free popcorn make a good night.
Saw Precious for free at the TIFF last night. Also got two boxes of free mints. Enough to last me until TIFF '10. Plus a bag of free popcorn. Post regarding Precious to come in future.

2. Blogging is relaxing. I forgot about this. Yeah for freedom of speech.

3. "Boys are oblivious only when they want to be." - L. Low
True words. Approximately a month before I see her awesomeness.

4. Everyday needs a dance party.

5. The scent of Fall is in the air, and I love it because it makes me feel like I'm in love. There's just something about fall. Definitely more of a romantic season than Spring. Sorry Spring.

6. Am really liking iced teas. Looking forward to making a plethora of iced teas even in the winter. So far have made raspberry, and white blueberry team. Mhmm.....

7. Am really getting into Soviet and Afghani history, the result of watching the Trotsky and reading A Thousand Splendid Suns

8. Loving Google earth. Fun times.

9. Really need to get on that church membership application that I started, but never completed three months ago.

TIFF 2009

The TIFF, another reason why I love being Torontonian. It's one of the world's top four film festivals depending on who you talk to. Woot.

My Top Five TIFF Wish List

1. Cooking With Stella
I knew I recognized the director's last name when I saw it. He's Deepa Mehta's brother! That and the fact that Lisa Ray's in this movie sold me on it. AND it's Canadian.
2. Whip It
Ellen Page in Drew Barrymore's directorial debut about a girl who enters a roller derby
3. Good Hair
Chris Rock's documentary on black women's hair. I'm thinking this will be like Russell Peter's commentary on Indian culture?
4. Men Staring at Goats
George Clooney and Ewan MacGregor. Need I say more? The premise sounds pretty out there, but funny.
5. What's Your Raashee?
Bollywood. Period.

Oh, and I hope The Trotsky wins the People's Choice Awards. So clever, funny, and CANADIAN.

The other movie that I saw at the TIFF was City of Life and Death. It was about the Japanese invasion of Nanking.
Graphic.
Its images still disturb me every time they flit through my thoughts. The rape scenes were....

Hopefully some free passes to Israeli films this week will erase those mental images. Although as B.M. said, it's good to watch things that make you feel uncomfortable. Not rape scenes per se, but films that deal with somber subjects.

Seize the Day

The last time I auditioned for something was back in university. There hasn't been anything to entice me since due to a lack of opportunity. Add on to that, the memories of the few auditions that I went for and bombed, and whatever incentive I would have had to audition dwindles. In fact, I can't recall a single audition for a show or a dance troupe that was successful.

Nevertheless this Tuesday night I'm going to stick my neck out to audition for a all girls swing dance troupe. I haven't taken any of the lessons or know any of the choreography so I'm going in cold turkey. I don't have all that much confidence in my dancing skills (see above paragraph), but the possibility of maybe making it and being a part is enough to tip the scale in the favour of going for it. If I make it, I get to perform and compete.

After all what have I got to lose? As my high school motto says, "carpe diem!"

Here's to hoping.

Self- Conscious

I really don't like it when I butcher people's names. It makes me so self-conscious. The fact that I'm Asian doesn't really help matters. I almost feel as if I SHOULD be able to pronounce (insert name that I can't pronounce here) because I am of non- white descent. Fortunately I have offended no one. (That I know of anyways.)

Overdue

I think I'm due for a good cry one of these days.
A nice, long, heaving, snotty, sob session that leaves you unable to breathe evenly, and perhaps a few hiccups to finish it off.
You know, just to relieve some stress and frustration.
[For all the guys out there, it's a good thing. Trust me.]

Tonight...

Tonight,
the stress wears, the fatigue irks, and life weighs heavy for minute reasons.
solitude is desired, but loneliness pierces.
the heart sighs.

Stuck In My Head

Songs that are currently stuck in my head:

1. Keri Hilson- Knock You Down
2. Shakira- She Wolf
3. Lady Gaga- Paparazzi
4. Jordin Sparks- Battlefield
5. Beyonce- Ego

First Dance

As a wannabe wedding photographer, weddings are always on my mind.

THIS would be such a good first dance song....except for the fact that it's in mandarin and the lyrics. He's talking about breaking up. But! Oh the melody and his voice. (He's Christian too!!!) There are rare times when I'd want to marry Asian. This is one of them.

How to Have The Perfect Day

Step 1) Have all previous plans cancel.
Step 2) Sleep in.
Step 3) Wake up when body needs to.
Step 4) Piddle around the house leisurely until ready to go.
Step 5) Drive to favourite university town, at top speed whilst blasting teeny bopper pop music.
Step 6) Get to said town.
Step 7) Stop and eat brunch at favourite local breakfast joint.
Step 8) Go to nearby breathtaking conservation area.
Step 9) Find a shady area and take a nice looooooong nap, or what feels like one anyways.
Step 10) Go Kayaking. Nothing like the sound of paddles gliding through water to relax you.
Step 11) Float/swim around in lake enjoying the icy cool water while getting a nice tan at the same time.
Step 12) Hike to a lookout point where you can see most of the conservation area.

Step 13) Pray and have quiet time at said lookout point.
Step 14) Take pictures of said lookout point.
Step 15) Buy favourite pens from local arts store.
Step 16) Drive through town reminiscing about the good 'ol days.
Step 17) Stop by McDonald's for favourite snack: Hamburgers and a large Nestea for cheap.
Step 18) Lounge on the green in front of your alma mater's most well known building.
Step 19) Have a photoshoot of said alma mater
Step 20) Drive home to cheesy chinese pop music.
Step 21) Shower, relax, and watch cheesy chick flick.
Step 22) Blog about said day.