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...it's called summer. I took this photo of Maggie in Lake Ontario the afternoon we drove to Niagara-On-The-Lake. It was a beautiful afternoon and not once did snowbanks, brown slush or wet socks enter my mind. These days, I need proof that spring will come again.
This is not a list of resolutions. Resolutions are empty promises. This is a list of five things I want to do this year and the general theme is to simplify my life:
1) Purge things: CDs, clothes, things I've not used in the past year. I have too much furniture and too much stuff right now. For the next month or two, I will be decluttering and will soon have boxes of things I am donating or throwing out.
2) Keep track of my spending: I've started recording everything I spend my money on and I hope this practice will help me find ways to reduce it once I see bad habits forming in my expenses.
3) Make my home my home: This is related to the Great Purge. In the past three years, I've moved eight times (including moving twice in Hong Kong alone). It's time to settle down and make my apartment my own. Last night, three months after moving into my current apartment, I attempted to put curtains in my room. Turns out the drill is broken and I failed, but it was a step in the right direction. Anyone have a working drill?
4) Walking: Of course, no New Year's goal list is complete without a reference to exercising. Yes, I plan to play squash more regularly (anyone need a partner?) But even more than that, I'd like to walk around the city more. I've been pretty good with it lately, even in the colder weather it feels great. It's about the physical activity but also the interaction between pedestrian and environment. I feel much more a part of the city when on foot than I do in a vehicle.
5) Stick to my schedules: This is the hardest because it relies on other people but I guess I have to be a bit of a bummer and say no more often. I like to map out my own schedule days in advance, whether it's in my head or in my agenda. Unfortunately, with the way people make appointments with each other, they're rarely concrete plans. I blame the cell phone, people just say "I'll call you later" instead of making a plan that moment. I need to balance the spontaneous with the schedule and the key, I think, is to stick to my priorities, which are, more or less, mapped out above.
I try to maintain a reasonably professional and positive attitude on this blog but I'm going to make one acception today because I have something important to say:
This year sucks.
There, I said it.
I don't like much about 2008.
I've been allowed one day of pessimism and I'm going to use it.
Things that suck: fevers, body aches, throat infections, laryngitis, tonsillitis, pink eye, HSBC Hong Kong's "English" customer service, Trimurti's samosas, "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and searching for a new roommate.
Things that don't suck: pirate eye patches and this song:
(At least I ended on a positive note.)
The summer was good to me. Cottage-country sunsets, windy boat rides, French fries, Sauvignon Blanc, Lullabies for Little Children, dodgeball defeats, softball hopes, Robin Hood costumes, my pirate, roasted tomatoes, barbecue, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and love, love, love. Yes, summer was good to me. Was it good to you?
[mp3] Tegan & Sara - The Con
[mp3] Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Phenomena
[mp3] Two Hours Traffic - Heroes of the Sidewalk
Last week, I moved in with my buddy Chelle. It was a spur of the moment decision and now I find myself living in a small house in East York. Yes, East York. I didn't really escape the suburbs. Instead of being surrounded by the wealthy immigrants of Markham, I'm in the older, more Caucasian suburb bordering Scarborough and the Don Valley Parkway. It's OK though, the rent is affordable and it's temporary. I have access to a foozeball table, Wii, PS2, Game Cube and an interesting cat named Phoenix.
My favourite thing is that we share a side yard with the upstairs neighbours. Although my parents have a backyard on their Markham property, it's not very accessible since it's in a townhouse complex. One has to trudge through the basement (where I've put my life in boxes) to get to the back door OR go around the complex and through neighbours' yards. It's not very private or nice, despite the view of the golf course.
Here in East York, however, there is a nice side yard with green grass, a big weeping tree and toys strewn all over. I like it, despite the mess, I think it's charming and last Wednesday, I decided it symbolizes everything I love about spring: the re-emergence of forgotten toys, leaves and colour.
I hope you're enjoying spring. This humidity is gross, but at least there's colour again.
[mp3] Feist - I Feel It All
[mp3] Sarah Harmer - The Hideout
My mood is directly related to the weather and although the temperature is cooler today than the days before, I am welcoming the sun like a child welcomes Christmas. Spring time, I love you, don't ever leave.
One of my favourite things about the warmer weather is driving with the sun roof open and windows down. It makes for tragic hair sometimes, but for the most part, it's worth the risk. I did this yesterday afternoon and while on the 404 in early rush hour traffic, I looked to my right and a man was bicycling on the highway (!?!). I suspect he is from mainland China where these things are normal. I hope he arrived alive.
The incident reminded me of that time a woman (from China) made headlines when she tried to cross the 401with a baby carriage. Didn't she know the 401 is the busiest highway in the world? Then again, anyone who has ever tried to cross a major street in Beijing (where there are often no traffic lights) knows that chaos is no deterrent.
[mp3] k-os - Highway 7
On Wednesday night, I drove Robbie to the airport. South on Jameson, he remarked that he often forgets that Toronto sits on a lake. It is so easily forgotten. It really was a great sight that late afternoon. Too cold for boats and too warm for ice, the water look undisturbed.
On my way back into the city, I stopped by the boardwalk to absorb this part of the city I rarely take the time to appreciate. The cold wind cut my stroll short but I managed to take some photographs before I retreated into my car and back into rush hour traffic. I'm no Annie Leibovitz or Ansel Adams but it sure is nice to bring my camera everywhere again.
[mp3] Great Lake Swimmers - I Could Be Nothing
[mp3] Feist - The Eastern Shore
I left the shopping mall and was greeted by a beautiful pink and purple sky. I tried not to think about the pollution that went into painting that picture but instead thought about how I could capture it. I went west towards home, chasing the light, hoping that with my new camera I could find the perfect photo. I was listening to Neon Bible for the first time and perhaps it was "us kids know" echoing in my head that I was naively inspired. I came up with nothing. Everything was blocked by a building, lamp pole or car. The light changes quickly this time of year and as I prepared the final left turn into my neighbourhood, this is all I could come up with. I like how the darken clouds on the horizon look like their the shadows of an escarpment or mountain. But really, they're just clouds.
[mp3] The Arcade Fire - Keep the Car Running
[mp3] Bright Eyes - Tourist Trap
I changed L's mind about beans with my sweet potato chili on Monday night. Although too much was made, it felt good to finally cook again, and for someone other than just me. Chili and Vietnamese pho are my two favourite comfort foods, as different as they are. Chili and a warm piece of bread make the freezing temperatures milder and look! Toronto is now hovering around zero and our pant bottoms are all puddle and salt-stained. Could this be the end of our winter of discontent?
[mp3] Bright Eyes - Arc of Time
[mp3] Red Hot Chili Peppers - My Friends
February has the harshest of reputations and we all sigh a breath of relief as the shortened (though seemingly longest) month comes to a close. Unless you are Chinese and celebrate a new New Year, I can't think of anything to cheer about in February. After all, the groundhog lied, there is no early spring on the horizon.
I want to use Mother Nature's hostility as an excuse for my idling, but really, how many times can I write about the weather? The truth is, I lost focus and forgot about all my New Year's (re)solutions. I never did the fast (more research showed I was "crazy" for even thinking about it,) I haven't read as much as I'd like nor have I been exercising as much I should be. Sometimes even I doubt the meaning of my own words, even if they're typed out in plain black and white.
But I am really trying now: I've settled into my new job; relived myself of negative baggage; and prioritized sleep, rest and mental health. So far, it's working out and I've made plans to do more things I said I would in 2007. I can't complain really, it's shaping up to be a fairly good year. This week, the positivity continues. I will start a new book, cook a real meal and spend quality time with important people I haven't seen in weeks, possibly months. That said, I'm ready for March...
[mp3] Ohbijou - Blizzards
