Location Location

Where is this going to be held? And when? Hopefully before Christmas? All that yummy Christmas food. And I miss the library. Oh the library.

p.s. Marx is killing me. Killing me.
p.p.s. I'm glad Kris is still alive posting random comments of Noooooooooo!!!!!

...

Yes....hello.....there
....this year I won't be joining all of you insignificant specks for the Christmas Gathering. Just kidding you're not insignificant, you are merely specks. Just Kidding.
I am too too busy with, obviously not school stuff, but I'm getting a job over the holidays to save for travels for next year and what not, and will simply not have the time to buy stuff etc. etc.
But I will see you sometimes I think...probably...maybe...."hopefully".
THAT IS ALL
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Warm Thoughts

I'm sending warm thoughts to you people back in Alberta, don't freeze to death, and remember to wear long sleeves. Happy Early Birthday to Anna and Emily. Can't wait to see everybody when I get back. I'll definetly be free in the daytimes, but not the night times most of the time if it makes any sense. I have a craving for making snowmen and ice skating. I'm not even thinking about Xmas presents right now...

http://www.torontoist.com/archives/2006/11/the_torontoist_2.php

music covers that are supposedly even better than the originals. the only creepy thing I saw was crispin glover, aka creepy skinny guy from charlie's angels singing to his rat.

p.s. Sylar in Heroes looks just like Clark Kent. Scary! Clark Kent is not a crazy brain sucking super villain, no matter how thick his eyebrows are or how dorky his glasses are either.
p.p.s. i concur with Natrix on the Fountain, the visuals would only be fitting on the big screen, but bad reviews kinda turned me off from it. My love for the New James Bond is still there.

XMAS LIST (owscorpio)

It seems you're all having fun making up your christmas lists, and I can't wait to see everyone again. This year I won't be sending any list out, and ask that you don't still go ahead and buy something for me. I can't buy everybody fancy gifts, although I was hoping to get a token ('cept judging from all your posts, there are lists of things to not buy, which leaves me in a muddier rut! XD). Well, see y'all soon! Good luck with exams...3 more weeks!

OWscorpio

XMAS LIST (For Kris)

I'm so happy that everyone's getting on this, and surprisingly so am I. Gasp! The world's about the implode. I can feel it.

Anywhoo, here's my list (we'll definitely do e-mails this year once the buying begins). Also, when everyone's list is up, I'll e-mail out a massive super-list with everyone's stuff on it.

MY XMAS LIST:

Since others have mentioned it, I should say that I too have too many calendars that I don't know what to do with all of them. I've taken to burning them for heat, but there was this nasty incident with the police, but I won't get into that.

Also, please no knicknacks, unless they absolutely scream "Kris". I'll leave that up to your judgement.

BOOKS:

- Norwegian Wood, Kafka On The Shore, The Elephant Vanishes, After The Quake, Underground, OR Sputnik Sweetheart by HARUKI MURAKAMI.

- Anything from that new Agatha Christie set of hardcovers published by Black Dog And Leventhal (they're cheap, don't worry) which have grey pictures on the covers mixed with one really bright colour. [JUST NOT "MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS"]

- Anything by Arthur Nersesian EXCEPT "The Fuck-Up"

- Anything by Laurie Notaro

- Others up to your judgement. Hopefully good things.

WIDESCREEN (preferably) DVD:

- The Devil Wears Prada (Doesn't come out until Dec. 12, but it's so amazing. SO AMAZING!)

- The Rules of Attraction

- Cruel Intentions (The one with Sarah Michelle Gellar)

- Closer

- Some TV seasons (might have to combine if anyone wants to get me these) of either Supernatural, Desperate Housewives 2, Lost 2, Futurama, or Family Guy

- Others up to your judgement. I think I trust too much. XD

RANDOM:

- A really good water bottle that's narrow and carries a lot of water. And it can't leak. God help you if it leaks.

- A travelling coffee mug from Starbucks. One of the ones that can be closed without leaking.

- Messenger bags. Pretty ones. I love messenger bags. (none of the ones that look like those old school backpacks. Things like canvas and other cool looking materials are awesome)

GIFT CARDS:

- Starbucks, Chapters, Best Buy (NO FUTURESHOP!), Gap/Banana Republic/American Eagle

That's about it for my list. Although I love everything on this list, if you find something that has an extra-special air of me feel free to get it for me. I totally trust your judgement. ^__^v

XMAS LIST (Natrix)

Good gosh, what am I doing here? >_> I hate how when you have so much work, you take silly breaks and get easily distracted, only to stay up longer later. ARGH.

So here's a list, if people are already starting to make purchases:

First off, please no:

-Toys (plushies; models; etc--it'll likely end up eventually for Toy Mountain or something, because there are more deserving and appreciative kids!)
-Calendars (the family uses a common calendar; silly to have a second to make people check that one too for *my* life)
-Thingers (meaning stuff I can just use to decorate desks and stuff that don't really have a use--my desk is buried with junk, my parents scream I have too much stuff, and I work in the kitchen)

LISTY:

Books

-That book only Kris knows of, the experimental novelist; interested most in the book that reads simultaneously from the front and back as two storylines in different times XD
-Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (Patrick Suskind)
-Sandman graphic novels (only the following):
>>>Worlds' End
>>>The Kindly Ones
>>>The Wake
-Everything Learning German Book (Edward Swick)
-Essential German Grammar (Guy Stern, E. F. Bleiler)
-501 German Verbs (Henry Strutz)
-Ultimate German Advanced - not the version with a CD!! (Living Language series)

CDs

-Any album by Mogwai
>>>this also includes soundtrack for The Fountain;
>>>this also includes soundtrack for Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait
-A Posteriori (by Enigma)
-An Ancient Muse (Loreena McKennitt)
-Embody (Synaesthesia)
-Desideratum (Synaesthesia)

Widescreen DVDs

-Clone High (First Complete Season)
-Hard Candy
-Shrek
-Shrek 2
-Requiem for a Dream
-Lola Rennt / Run Lola Run

Gift Cards

-Chapters
-Futureshop

That's all. :) Happy shopping, hope it didn't come too late. And yes, we should do that e-mail thing again where you inform everyone what you bought for others, so as to avoid doubles.

XMAS LIST (Twill)

EDIT: (We'll see if anyone sees this...) If it's not too much trouble, would it be possible for everyone to include a gift receipt (or keep the original) just in case? I have some overlap with this list and some stuff from my relatives, and since you guys live closer than they do, it would be much easier. That said, don't worry too much about it. I don't want to make anyone stress out. I myself keep receipts until, like, January something-something, just in case, so feel free to ask me for copies as well.

=D

DVDs (fullscreen where applicable, please)
- X3: The Last Stand
- Pretear Vols. 3 + 4 (anime)
- Justice League Seasons (animated series, and the recent one – not the old stuff)

BOOKS (by author/type)

Scott Adams
- Try Rebooting Yourself

Piers Anthony
- Pet Peeve
- Stork Naked

Tad Williams
- Shadowmarch 01

Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
- Hunters of Dune (I know… it’s STILL not finished yet… must have…)

Misc. Classics Books
- Theogany by Hesiod (Oxford World Classics)
- Works and Days by Hesiod (Oxford World Classics version would be super)
- The Library of Greek Mythology by Apollodorus (again, Oxford World Classics)

PC
- Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (kinda expensive but I’m throwin’ it out there)

OTHER
- gift card to Safeway
- gift card to Chapters
- etc.

:) And there we are. I agree with Rubin - no caldendars please. I have a feeling I'll get one from my family. Also, it would be super if everyone stuck to this list or to related stuff. Go wild with creativity on Kris' vague demands XD

Also: Will we be doing the usual sending of emails to say what we've gotten/planning to get everyone?

XMAS LIST!!!!! (For Rubin!!!)

EDIT Since Twill brought it up, it would also be absolutley amazing if y'all could attach gift receipts as well; I always try to get a gift receipt, if possible, for any gifts that I get from people, but like Twill, do not stress out about it. And also, just like Twill, I keep my receipts for a very, very long time, so just ask if you need it. AND please read my PS about Starbucks stuff at the end of the post. Thanks!

Ok... seeing as how NO ONE has posted their lists yet (lots of talk! but no action!) I decided to pull time out of writing my very "interesting" essay (NOT) and be the first one to make the list! (hurrah!) I'm thinking that maybe some weird Le Chatlier's principle thing will kick in once I make the first list (It's all about equilibrium, people, only equilibrium.... STUPID CHEMISTRY!!)

But I digress. The list, as of now (and can change without notice at any time):

Books and Literature:
- A handy general purpose or Chinese cuisine cookbook (ie. "Basic Asian: Everything you need to create yin and yang in the kitchen" by Cornelia Schinhart. OR "The Joy of Cooking" by Irma S. Rombauer et al)
- "Near a Thousand Tables: A History of Food" by Felipe Fernández-Armesto
- "Cantonese Phrasebook: 4th Edition" published by Lonely Planet
- "Mandarin Phrasebook: 6th Edition" published by Lonely Planet
- "French Phrasebook" published by Lonely Planet
- "The Story Of French" by Jean Benoit Nadeau
- "Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong: Why We Love France but not the French" by Jean Benoit Nadeau

Games/electronics and the like:
- The Sims II Stuff Packs (not to be confused with expansion packs; they're cheaper and just provide more funky objects): either "Family Fun Stuff Pack" or "Glamour Life Stuff Pack".

Gift Cards/Certificates:
- Chapters
- Banana Republic
- Safeway
- Best Buy (BITE ME FUTURESHOP!!!!)
- Starbucks

Other:
- A U of A T-shirt/sweater (Medium size)
-BOOKENDS!!!! (Something I desperately need!!!!!!!!) In white, since all my shelves are white

Starbucks Stuff:
- Please see my PS at the end of the post

Avoid:
- calendars... (I receieved so many from the my friends last year that I just have no where to put them all up!)
- "Thingers" (as Natrix pointed out, I, too, am running out of space on my desk
- Mugs, cups, glasses and other drinking vessels.... I already have WAY too many

Hmmm... and that's all I can think of right now. I hope that the rest of you can post your lists soon because I really want to get the last bits of my shopping out of the way; I've acutally done all the shopping I need to do this year! (For my other friends and my family).... I just have you guys left! So if y'all can get your lists posted by early December, that will be an enormous help! (or else I'll just be getting people who do not submit their lists Starbucks giftcards!!!!)

Cheers!

~Rubin

PS. On Starbucks stuff, view my post entitled "A Note on Starbucks Stuff".

The Fountain: A Gorgeous, Moving, and Meaningful Film That Will Suck at the Box Office

And that's really too bad. :(

But go see it. :) In theatres, preferably--any bootlegged copy, I *guarantee* will not be such an awesome experience. The visuals won't translate on some cam filming the film, and besides, the movie will barely register income-wise (at least I think not, given some observations of audience reaction).

All of you are intelligent here, and should quite understand the movie. It's not confusing if you just absorb it all, collecting info as you wait for the answer / message (though "wait" is the wrong word, implying, "When will this end?" where I was thoroughly intrigued).

And sorry to Calgary-based people here that I really could have seen the movie with, but didn't--I went with my family, because a) I really wanted to see it now now now and my mum suggested we go today; and b) I worked it around my tight homework schedule, which would probably have been a time sink and hassle to coordinate friendlings. :P

Anyhow, The Fountain was candy for the eyes, and perhaps for the soul as well.

The New Seven Wonders of the World: Which Ones Will You Choose?

Hey Hey!

I just came across this site online and it sounds so awesome! Essentially, out of the list compiled by the N7W board, we, the people, choose the Seven New Wonders of the World! (And about time too! The old 7 wonders are all gone except for the Great Pyramids of Giza)

I haven't really thought much about the list, but here's my list (for now) of my picks for the 7 New Wonders:

- The Acropolis (I'd probably be smitten by Twill if I didn't include this on my list... But also, I've always considerd the Acropolis one of the most stunning examples of Ancient Greek architecture and a very fitting monument to the achievments of ancient Athenians.

- The Colosseum (A testment to the power and might of the Ancient Romans... I don't think I need to dwell on this topic anymore)

- The Great Wall of China (It's so bloody long!!!! That, and it took enourmous amounts of time, effort, labour and material over a period of several dynasties to accomplish this feat.)

- The Eiffel Tower (For being the world's tallest building for many decades and I believe, the first building to be made from iron, as opposed to masonry AND for becoming one of the world's most recognizable symbols of a city and a nation)

- The Taj Mahal (For the most stunning example of Hindu-Islamic architecture and for being one of the most romantic buildings in the world.)

- The other two I shall have to dwell on a little longer...

But ya! Please go have a look and register to vote! But be careful with your choices though! You only one chance to vote!

Go to: http://www.new7wonders.com/

~Rubin

Xmas Stuff

[THIS GOES OFF TWILL'S POST BELOW]

As always, Xmas is a really exciting season and I love buying gifts, so this'll be awesome.

I'm also going to actually be in town this year too! (except for like 5 days) We should have a party and get-together etc. It'll be awesome.

Anywhoo, Xmas lists. I was thinking of a more efficient format by doing this:

For the lists themselves, put "XMAS LIST" as the only thing in the subject (so it can be easily filtered).

For everything else regarding Xmas, use "XMAS" as the first word in the subject.

Anywhoo, we should have a list date soon because I want to do shopping ASAP. I'm all excited now. So, what does everyone feel is a good due date for a list?

I think it's a bit funny I'm talking about lists since every year I'm the worst at them.

Just some random notes...

Hey all!

Here's just some random notes I learned of surfing the web:

- Rupert Murdoch cancels Fox TV special and book. (thank the Heavens!)
Murdoch: ""I and senior management agree with the American public that this was an ill-considered project" (no duh!)
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2006/11/20/oj-cancel.html

-The Thorpedo retires...
(sigh.... such a handsome figure....) I don't think I need to say more.... but hey! at least the idea of a comeback later on is still open! (Side note: I can't believe he's only 24!)
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/amateur/story/2006/11/20/fina-swimming-thorpe.html

-Wii sold out in Canada
Need I say more? http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2006/11/20/tech-nintendowiisellsout-.html

-Cruise and Holmes get married
I know... old news.... especially for Obsidian... hope I didn't cause you more pain and suffering by reminding you!
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2006/11/18/wedding-cruise-holmes.html

and that's it for now!

~Rubin

PS.
Thank you Nyx for making the blog private.

PPS.
Twill, the lists are coming soon, and Natrix's idea of posting them here is a good idea, in my opinion. I hope your list comes soon! And mine will too!

PPPS.
I LOVE DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dragon Dragonball

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAGudA85-nU&mode=related&search=
Best movie ever! Best dub ever! If you ever ever watched dragonball, you must see this. Goku is the prettiest tranny I've seen in a while.

p.s. Learned the viennese waltz today, so dizzy. I could dance all night. Counting down until I see you guys again. Almost a month.

James Freaking Bloody Bond

He's amazing. He is bond. Who cares about Brosnan? He was getting old. New blood! All the bloody way!

Poker was never so interesting as it is in this bloody movie. The writing, my goodness, a well-written action film, it's like an oxymoron nowadays. It's the best Bond since Goldeneye. And there's actual chemistry between the two leads, and an evil french villain to satisfy the Duke. And he has a scar. I won't go as far as saying it's a sexy scar, but it's a scar nonetheless.

Ignoring the lame-ass theme song, the opening credits were good too. Who doesn't want to be pierced by a spade?

Only one more thing to say, his eyes! His gloriously pale blue eyes! Thank goodness he's signed on for the next Bond. Best action film I've seen this year, and in a bloody long while. THat doesn't include Superman Returns because Superman isn't action, it's girlish glee and whatever.

You can next see Daniel Craig aka Mr. Bond in The Golden Compass as that dude, you know, the uncle of the little girlee, with Nicole Kidman playing the evil Mrs. Coulter or whatever her name is. I must get around to reading it now. Oh the eyes!

Four freaking thumbs up, and lots of squeals too.

Christmas Wishes

I'm putting this out here as a way to start poking, and as a reminder to myself to write an email about it later just in case people don't check the blog often. So. The question is: What would everyone like for Christmas? Wishlists are needed for shopping. Shopping is needed for presents. Everyone loves presents.

Oh, and also, when is everyone going to be finished exams? There is the whole matter of pseudo-Christmas or other get-togethers that should start mulling over in peoples' brains. Food for thought.

Christmas Goodies

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/
Someone go look at the microbes! Who doesn't want sleeping disease or the black plague in plushie form? The star wars stuff wasn't that interesting except for Darth Tater. The miracle of the internet. I also recommend the cylon-snowbot.

Thanks to all

Thanks for a great evening...and morning...on my birthday. You really shouldn't have brought so many gift, but it is much appreciated since the sweater will need to be washed soon and mermaids do plague my dreams. Thanks for the ecards from the out of towners too.
love owscorpio

Musings

JUDITH REGAN’S EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH O.J. SIMPSON
“O.J. SIMPSON: IF I DID IT, HERE’S HOW IT HAPPENED”
TO AIR AS A TWO-PART SPECIAL ON FOX
Special to Air Over Two Nights:
Monday, November 27, and Wednesday, November 29

It's sad, but it's true. Thanks to the lovely people at Fox.
On a side note, I suppose I should post something of actual substance that says something besides pop culture references.

I'm still alive over at Kingston. The rain hasn't buried me yet. Ballroom dancing is going along merrily, althouhg my partner can't seem to dance in a straight direction. Oh well. I've also discovered the miracle of swing dancing with a more experienced partner. It's a bloody blast. All that twirling. Twirling truly is what makes the world go round, and I didn't even knock into anything. I highly recommend it to anyone. Bust a move people.

P.s. Happy Belated Birthday small one. I forgot if you had a code name. Let's call you Michael Douglas-adoptee wannabee. May you stay young and spritely forever.

p.p.s. recently learned in abnormal psych that drinking is bad. so is drugs. it does things to your pleasure centers. which is good. but doesn't last. and then your pleasure centers are gone. down with bacardi and those sexist sexist commercials.
that is all.

p.p.p.s. to blue bear, isn't the Offie, the bloody bomb! I sense love triangle, or menage a trois!

spiderman spiderman

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/30649?its_the_ultra_webtacular_spiderman_3_trailer
no words
definetly must-see movie of next year
and it comes out on star wars day
may the fourth be with us all

Whose side are you on?

I know probably one of you guys followed the American elections yesterday. And another one of you knows something about superheros.

http://daveslongbox.blogspot.com/2006/11/election-day-2006-whose-side-is-your.html

Superheroes unite.

p.s. essays have killed me.

Zut Alors!

Why isn't "couch potato" a valid career? Stupid society.

VIDEO!SPAM again!

The Artistic/Creative Ones:

The Softlightes - "Heart Made of Sound"

Field Music - "In Context"

OK Go - "Here It Goes Again"

"Little Big Love" - A tiny robot falls in love with a kettle. SO CUTE & SAD.

Emilie Simon - "Fleur de Saison" - The CG is so good.

"Flower Mashine"

Lemon Demon - "Word Disassociation"

Genki Rockets - "Heavenly Star"

The Funny Ones:

Panda Sneeze!

And The Rest:

"The History of Anime"

Incubus - "Anna Molly"

The Sounds - "Painted By Numbers"