busy times...

My blog, for a brief moment in time, has had to sit on the back burner of life. For some reason I have been racing to keep up with school, work, friends, etc...

that and I was without computer for three weeks (nearly killed me).

Anyways, a more formal post about thoughts, etc will follow but for now I have to get over this cold...

the ultimate sign that I need some R&R.

dance, dance

I cannot tell you enough about how much fun I had last night, well, actually over the past week since I have returned to educational splendour. I know, enough chat about the school switch, that part of my life is now complete. But the last week has also been spent in the first week back from christmas festivities with friends...

and party we did. listing all of the events would be pointless (a funk night, two movie nights, and one gay bar dance a thon) but, I have to write about the feelings you get out of nights like these. Not only are they normally filled with intoxicants, there is something deeper, some more of a comforting factor in feeling that you are with the right people at the right time.

The last year of my life has helped put into perspective how important friends are, and this has never been more true for me. Last night after stumbling in drunk I headed right towards my roomate's room for 'post bar chat'. I finished the night with my normal drunk dials to ms. tori and messages on msn ran freely from my finger tips.... when most would be annoyed, these people all called back, responded, and let me vent about my massive hangover.

after all, what friends could you drag to a gay bar for a night of dancing and craziness? there isn't one of my friends who wouldn't come along...

I hate to be the optimist but, bad luck will shift, the stars will realign... and after all of this winter 'blah', the summer awaits us with goodtimes.

and if I am right, we have a soph pub on the horizon... deep thoughts for a sunday, the hangover or intellectual side of rob? one will never know.

back.

I hate describing a situation where it all works out perfectly...but it has. And of course, partying chaos has ensued.

Last year dis-oweek was filled with medicines as I battled a cold (and in the end, dropped the meds to celebrate the 19th birthday). This year, my how the tables have turned.

Coming into the week after my 19th birthday with a cold slowed me down, but only for a brief moment. Wednesday at CTO (a wonderful funk night for none other than ms. paige's birthday), thursday night at Jack's, Pheonix, and Jim Bob's (yes, we went wandering) was equally amazing and my first sampling of abscinthe; and friday was another viewing of Rent with the girls from the box.

I love it when school and social life can balance, instead of conflict constantly (last semester). This semester I finally have the option of picking classes I like, enjoying the work I am doing, and seeing all my friends from school that I missed last semester...

and damn, it feels good...

college invasion

Tonight, my roomate and close friend did something a little different. Our original plans included a boring trip downtown for cheap martini's and good times. low and behold, the downtown core was ridiculously packed so we returned home.

Once here, we joked about the stories of college invasion coming to Western, and then we all admitted that none of us had viewed the film.

This is now a lie.

Yes, the three of us sat around a labtop as we watched the video online and I have to say...it was a little bit of a let down.

From a porno standpoint it was fine, but from a face recognizing-able-to-laugh-at-people-you-know kind of live film, we were let down.

Now, I will be the first to admit that porn is often joked about at parties, or the subject of many humorous stories from highschool, sex and the city episodes, etc...but rarely have three sober people sat around and watched a porno and attempted a critique of it.

Random, I know. but I was just giving a heads up to others who think they might recognize people in the film. Probably not true, but feel free to experiment.

you can't deny the t.v.

I think we would all be lying some of us were to say...this isn't the best show on t.v. right now. I know, many shows are mentioned in this blog but come on, we live in a world where television (and all popular culture dominate our lives) so yes, I feel the need to comment on the recent events of desperate housewives.

I might add that normally I see through the charade of a crappy show (like the o.c. for example) but some shows just draw me right in...and I love it.

Desperate housewives has just become a sassy show that I love watching (it's like a soap opera on at night), and the facet that it is followed by grey's anatomy makes sunday night television that much sweeter.

With all this great television, I am amazed that I have time for my studies...who am I kidding, a media student studies with the t.v. on...

am I right?

science kids hate me.

It's resolution time.

yes, 2006, welcome.

but with a new year comes the time to fill blogs with resolutions that you must try to attain. and so my theory is to list them here that way I will feel guilty in december when I delete this post pretending like I never made it (or edit my resolutions to make it look like I am very driven).

I have reached all of my christmas goals (reading two books, seeing three movies, and seeing all friends with the trip to Toronto). But my goals for the year I have put more thought into.

So here are the resolutions:
1- stop taking so much crap (is there a word for this other than pushover?)- but this year I am going to speak up when I am not having a good time, say 'no' when something bothers me, and not do stuff for the sake of making everyone happy... this has gotten me into trouble in the past
2- after losing 25 pounds (you know it) since I left residence in the spring, this year is devoted to actually toning my body up. I know, this is the most generic resolution in history, but if I am going to sit on a beach for a week I want to look damn good.
3- achieve my 80 average that I so didn't strive for last year. This year I can do this, and I am going to...
4- save more money for school during the summer (and not just throw it away like last summer)
5- go see more concerts (at least 2, and more bands that I would never usually go see)
6- tell my parents...it's time.
7- try and be more forward (relating to number one) but I want my ability to be outspoken to not only occur while I am intoxicated.
8- new job.

it is two thousand and fuckin six. and I am twenty years old now (today actually). so let's see what I can do with these two generations behind me.

adventure of a lifetime.

'is your dad a dealer? cause your dope to me'

random start to this post, but I am hoping to include everything I can about the last three days of my life (which were amazing, epic, and surreal...yes, big words to describe such a phenomenal time)

On tuesday morning I was lucky enough to scam a free ride (avec mon pere) to Northern Toronto to begin my adventure in the big city. I arrived at the Vaughn GO station at 7:45am and the journey began. I have to brag about how I easily figured out what to do, where to stand, and how the train/subway system worked and I was in the downtown within half an hour (yes, 8:15). The visitee was shocked at the harsh reality of my early morning adventure, but greeted me with open arms when I finally made it on the proper bus down good ol' Pape street (which can be referred to as Pepe, papie, pope or any other variation as my mind could not figure out the simplicity of the name.

The adventure to Jenn's sisters aside, I was settled in by 9am and we were catching up on our christmas breaks thus far (that and beginning to make plans for our three day adventure). After calling ms. spadafo and discussing how we would meet up with her at her new place (p.s. it was gorgeous, but that will follow) I got my first real taste of Toronto life.

I was so blessed to be in the downtown of this major city, and with friends that I love...and this trip helped me to realize all of this. Jenn (and her sister) I owe a huge thank you to for opening up my eyes to a life outside the closet, and that in non-conservative, open cities you can live freely and be who you want to be. this was the most amazing part of my experience.

The village: was eye opening. I had been before but just to one bar for dancing and nothing special, but I was given the chance to parouse the stores in the village, and take in a bit of the life that I dream of in conservative London. For the first time in my life I was able to ask a ton of questions, which most would find annoying, but luckily they answered them with amazing responses helping to clarify any of my fears of fully coming out... and again, I thank them.

Bloor St.: window shopping in Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and FCUK was stunning, as they were all in a one block radius.

Anni's apartment: was phenomenal. She is living the 'university life' that me, being at Western, has never experienced. Being in a big city, with such diversity, and such culture allows her to truly be herself... I would almost dub her ms. Toronto.

Katie: too cute to describe. So nice to see you, you help keep me grounded and real. You and Anni are stern reminders of how JN2 will never disappear from my mind, and your ongoing friendship is amazing.

Jenn: proved as my saviour this trip. I don't give her enough thanks (to her face) for making me be the real me, and not a phoney person. She pushes me to be exactly who I want to be, and although on this trip I felt I might have annoyed her, she constantly helped me develop resolutions and decide on my future. Thanks again, photoshoots and all, I had an amazing time.

I mean, it's two thousand and fucking six.

Finally, to Eano and Paige (and the rest of the Toronto peoples who I got to meet up with during my visit) thank you for letting me experience that wild life for three days. I envy the fact that when you guys head home you head to Toronto, instead of some country bumpkin town where plaid is still fashionable.

and as I return home to turn another year older (it's happened, I am now 20) I think about how the last year of my life has been the wildest year yet. Here's to raising the bar and trying to make this year ten times that.

p.s. the bus ride home was cute, it was nice to see you.
p.p.s. tomorrow I will hopefully post pictures, my resolutions, and exact stories... but I wanted to clarify how thankful I am...

and welcome...2006...

it seems like so much has passed over the last five days, when really I have been doing the same old thing with a night of mad partying dividing the last week.

New years eve was intense, and yes...we only went to Jim Bob's for the night, but it was the perfect crowd with all my friends from Ingersoll accompanying me along to the bar. Obviously drinks and crazy dancing ensued. but pictures of that shall follow.

The best part of the last week was the quality time with friends and family...and television...and food...

but this all comes to an end as trip countdowns begin (circa 45 days until Cuba) which means I am back to the healthy eating aspect of my life... and an exciting voyage to Toronto commences tomorrow in which I am going to try and see everyone I can!

photo 1 of me and lindsay didn't turn out, but it turned out cool...weird? I think yes
next photo, don't act like pajamas are going out of style!

in other news:
my parents hate the fact that I won't let them watch CNN 24/7 and think that perhaps I might have to change my major if it is going to effect their t.v. watching habits... screw that.

and I am onto book number 3 of the holidays, I am reading 'Tuesday's with Morrie'... i'll keep you posted.

bon voyage!