some stuff

to prorogue or not to prorogue...

I'm no expert on political matters (in fact, I get most briefings from Brys), and I've avoided as long as possible reading the headlines on the Globe about the feds' latest antics. But then Canadian politics appeared as breaking news on the Jerusalem Post as I was lurking around there (how often does THAT happen, I wonder?), and I figured I should finally see what's going on. My first reaction: finally, thank God Harper is getting his come-uppance: his little let's-call-a-random-election-to-increase-my-power stunt was pretty arrogant. Waaaaaay to go back on your word. Jerk.

So, kudos to the other leaders for rising up in their own fashion and scaring the hell out of Harper. Of course, I can't help thinking that there's no WAY Harper is going to let them just walk in and take his power away, so why wouldn't he prorogue? Now, it seems a little undemocratic to close down the fort just so you don't lose power. But is it?

That's my question. There seems to be a lot of banter/labelling of both sides as undemocratic: for Harper to prorogue, and for the other parties to take power.

From the Toronto Star:
Harper: "We will use all legal means to resist this undemocratic seizure of power. Such an illegitimate government would be a catastrophe for our democracy..."

Peter Russell, political scientist: "...this is the most dangerous because it shows the intention of the Prime Minister to govern without Parliament and that is undermining our parliamentary democracy."

From the same article: - Harper has full constitutional power to prorogue parliament.
So... this power IS instated in our democracy.

But it's also true that Layton, Dion, and Duceppe haven't gotten the military together to overthrow the government. So how can either of these sides really be called undemocratic? (Of course, Daniela would say this is not even really a democracy, so it's a moot point.)

Frankly, Harper's desperate libelling of this process makes me want him out even more. I say, "way to show a strong front" to the opposition. Now, I may just be bitter from the past election (it felt like when Bush got voted in for the second time), and I may feel like this gives Dion a chance to save some face (God, you had to feel sorry for him before). But seriously, am I wrong to question whether it's the economy that's reeeeeally the motive here?

sex is not peripheral to life

From the U of T's newsfeed: Gay men's risky sexual behaviour linked to feelings of undesirability.

Mmm... ok. So, a study has been done that shows that gay men are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour and to develop psychological problems if they feel undesirable.

This apparently ground-breaking study also reports that undesirable gay men can face avoidance or rejection (which can lead to depression and substance abuse, surprise!).

Granted, I've only read the short blurb on this study. But it's one of those things where you just go... "No. Really?!" ...but in a really sarcastic sense. I just can't help thinking that anyone that feels unwanted or stigmatized is at risk to develop psychological problems. And that anyone with very low self-esteem would be happy to get a little love. Am I wrong?

I will grant as well that things might be exacerbated in the gay community, although I don't want to risk going into stereotypes, even if I have info from good sources. ;) But still. Is this such a revolutionary thought process?

The phrase, however, that I found even more weird, was this one, from Professor Green: "We tend to devalue sexual life as something that is extracurricular and frivolous, but this research shows a significant link between sexual desirability and health."

Extracurricular? Frivolous? Really?

I dunno about you guys, but I think it's pretty clear that sexuality is a pret-ty important theme in our lives. Alright, sure, I'm young, randy, blah blah, whatever. But I'm of the opinion that a happy sex life is fundamental to a happy life, in general. That with other things, of course. But frivolous, it is not.

Man, academia IS bullshit, isn't it.

Oops... don't tell the sacrilege police... or my professors.

progressions

I'm trying to notice things that are changing, so that I don't find myself saying "wow, that year was a blur".  That will surely happen anyway, but I guess it's my little effort at slowing down time. 

Queen's Park: from torrential downpours through the foliage to changing leaves that littered the ground in vibrant colour; and now to bare trees and fading hues sinking into the earth.

I've added another layer of fleece under my jacket to combat the cold, and I wore long-johns under my  jeans for the first time today.  Must seriously think of some way to cover my face. It's only -3 right now...

I counted four houses with Christmas lights up, the only consolation I've found for having to bike up Ossington in the cold.  I obsessively look at the number of gear I'm on, and I'm pretty sure I used to bike up from Bloor at 4. Then it went down to 3... 2... and today I could only make it on 1.  I blame the weather.

The lights are up at Christie and Bloor too. I like to think they're welcoming me home.

I actually have gotten to Unit Bet (i.e., 2) in my Hebrew book.  It's going at like... extra-slow-motion right now. I haven't even started seriously looking at my essays... it's kind of hard to justify studying something for fun.

I am glad I am making tacos for myself tonight. I need something warm and vaguely spicy.

Oh yeah, and the dead mouse outside in the alley I think has stopped decomposing.  At least, that's what I fear... I was kind of counting on him disintegrating down to his bones so that I didn't have to move him. I'll just keep walking by him with my bike and see how it goes.  Unless anyone is willing to come over and bury him for me....

another saturday night

Hmm.  To make up for last Saturday night my good friend Rebecca agreed to stay over and make the weekend something worth living.  My Saturday ended up being excellent.  If anyone was wondering, here are the ingredients for a good day:

1 morning phone call from a wonderful Mexican

5 new songs written by a dear friend

1 crazy motivated cleaning spree

1 sweet and solidaritous red-haired Mennonite 

10 000 veggies chopped into a salad

2 chocolate desserts

1 british movie involving soccer and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers

beer to taste

The only thing not accomplished last night was going out dancing.  By the time we decided to go out, the rain had made up its mind to change to wet flurries and buffet us with horribleness as we wandered the streets.  Kudos to all those club-goers and club-hawkers who actually stayed out. We pretty much ran home.  Toronto clubbers meet Toronto weather, and we blinked first.

We were up today before 8am, which strangely I am quite happy about. It took me about 3 hours to get through Chapter 35 of Daniel Deronda, making notes and whatnot.  Before retiring to my freshly-made lunch, I will make some general observations:

General Observations

Fresh air makes a body happy

Being up for a beer is a good quality in a person

Tuna is delicious

What is labelled "spicy" in the supermarket really isn't at all 

Computer viruses are freaky 

Cashews are genius in salads

My music collection is not bad

I need to be more tolerant of people

why the hell not

Actually, probably shouldn't answer that.  It's Saturday evening and the day has sort of evaporated on me. I just woke up from a nap and I'm severely disoriented as well as slightly depressed at the realization at how screwed I am for school.  Here's my five-minute break to myself...

1. EVER BEEN GIVEN AN ENGAGEMENT RING?: nope, not even to hold

2. LONGEST RELATIONSHIP? uhhhh.... uhhh.... like 8 months maybe?

3. LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED? hmmm. presents? holy crap. i have no idea

4. EVER DROPPED A CELL PHONE? yeah, but he was ok 

5. WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU WORKED OUT? thursday evening

6. THING(S) YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON?: a LOT of money? usually just going out i guess

7. LAST FOOD YOU ATE? rice and my meat sauce 

8. FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX? that's like asking what you notice about people first off. which is, I guess, whether or not they look nice 

9. ONE FAVORITE SONG? skinny love

10. WHERE DO YOU LIVE? toronto

11. HIGH SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED: st clair seconday

12. CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER: kooooodo

13. FAVORITE MALL STORE: mall store? are there special mall stores that aren't "real" stores? i dunno, whenever I've gone to the eaton centre it's for Sears or my cell phone

14. LONGEST JOB YOU HAD: restaurant down by the beach :P

15. DO YOU OWN A PAIR OF DICE? like those hang-up ones? no, thank goodness

16. DO YOU PRANK CALL PEOPLE?: too chicken, but kudos to those quebeckers

17. LAST WEDDING YOU ATTENDED: yeah, no idea. i was little anyway

18. FIRST FRIEND YOU'D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY: probly Rich to throw it in his face hahahah

19. LAST TIME YOU SAW YOUR BEST FRIEND: best friend eh

20. FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT: Subway

21. BIGGEST LIE YOU HAVE EVER HEARD: take your pick of what any politician says

23. WHERE'S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO EAT WITH FRIENDS?: anywhere out!

24. CAN YOU COOK? yeah, i can get by

25. WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE?:  i don't! reub barely even lets me touch the mazda anymore

26. BEST KISSER:  couldn't tell you. still looking

27. LAST TIME YOU CRIED?: hmm.... ah yeah thursday but just a couple tears. damn hamstring

28. MOST DISLIKED FOODS: seaweed kind of makes me cringe (sorry haru)

29. THING YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF: my ability to laugh a lot of the time 

30. THING YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF: i'm kind of dumb

32. LONGEST SHIFT YOU HAVE WORKED AT A JOB?: 14 hrs?

33. FAVORITE MOVIE? i keep coming back to amores perros but there are others.

34. CAN YOU SING? i do tend to, but it's pretty mediocre

35. LAST CONCERT ATTENDED? virgin fest - to be specific, foo fighters. unless jazz at the Rex counts

36. LAST KISS? holy crap. is it sad that i can't remember? .... last... march?!?!?!

37. LAST MOVIE RENTED: also don't know, it's been too long. i usually leave that to the parents

38. ONE THING YOU NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT: keys

39. FAVOURITE VACATION SPOT: I haven't "vacationed" in the same place more than once. Actually, where do I even vacation? my parents' house, really

43. LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER?: laptop... hey Allie!

44. FAVOURITE COMEDIAN?: seinfeld!!

45. DO YOU SMOKE? No. no, no, no.

46. SLEEP WITH OR WITHOUT CLOTHES?  well, with pajamas.

47. WHO SLEEPS WITH YOU EVERY NIGHT?: Cow

48. DO LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS WORK?: I've seen them do so

49. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE? once 

50. PANCAKES OR FRENCH TOAST? french toast, hands down.

51. DO YOU LIKE COFFEE?: yeah, don't drink it every day but sometimes it really makes things better

52 HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS? over easy, over hard, in an omelette, boiled, scrambled. just gimme those eggs

53. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY?: what do you mean? do i believe in the existence of astrology? that's not really a question. do i believe that what astrology says is true? i'd say no, but i don't know anything further than the lame horoscopes in the newspaper

54. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?: probably valerie hahaha, only person that calls me. unless it was that wrong-number guy

55. LAST PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALL LIST?: it says: No Caller ID

56. WHAT WAS THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECIEVED?: i believe it said... "Are you there now?"

58. NUMBER OF PILLOWS?: two

59. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW?: sweatpants and t-shirt

60. PICK A LYRIC, ANY LYRIC: "rest assured baby, you're adored" (thanks brys)

61. WHAT KIND OF JELLY DO YOU LIKE ON YOUR PB & J?: fraise ou framboise

62. CAN YOU PLAY POOL?: yeah, need to practice though

63. CAN YOU SWIM?  i don't drown anyway

64. FAVOURITE ICE CREAM?: can i have yogurt instead?

65. DO YOU LIKE MAPS? YEEESSSSSSS !!!!!!!!

66. TELL ME A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF: i chew my fingers



68. EVER ATTEND A THEME PARTY?: no

69. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON: fall, but summer rocks too 

70. LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED AT SOMETHING STUPID? haha, living with myself it happens quite often

71. WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING ?  uh, various times.

72. BEST THING ABOUT WINTER?: sparkly snow

73. LAST TIME A COP GAVE YOU A TICKET?: that time i got pulled over... a few years back now

75. NAME OF YOUR FIRST PET?: Blue, although I don't think he was really mine

76. DO YOU THINK PIRATES ARE COOL OR OVERRATED?: depends on which pirates we're talking about here! somalian ones are neither cool nor overrated

77. WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND?? fucking NOTHING

78. BIRTHDATE:  July!!!

79. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE: happy!!

85. ARE YOU ON A LAPTOP?: quite

87. ARE YOU SMILING?: it's a neutral expression, really

89. DO YOU MISS SOMEONE RIGHT NOW: strangely yes

90. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD YOU GO?: israel 

92. ARE YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL?: nope, not anymore!

93. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?: yes i do!

94. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE NAME?: i've been liking ליאת lately

95. WHAT COLOUR IS YOUR BATHING SUIT?: black, how standard

96. DOES YOUR SCHOOL START IN AUGUST?: september, like civilized schools do

97. DID YOU GO ON VACATION LAST MONTH?: what is this obsession with vacations? no, last month wasn't very vacationy. oh wait, yeah i did go home twice

98. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A CRUISE?: no, haha

99. DO YOU HAVE A SISTER: no, too bad

100. ARE YOU UPSTAIRS?: should i be? i think they would think that was weird 

101. ARE YOU IN LOVE?: cannot say that i am

102. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL?: not to stay overnight or anything

103. DO YOU WISH YOU COULD SEE ANYONE PARTICULAR RIGHT NOW?: kind of yeah

104. WHAT JEWELRY ARE YOU WEARING?: that brown necklace i always have on

105. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AFTER THIS SURVEY? keep reading daniel deronda. be lonely :( hehe, crap saturday night

Rubén's famous

Well, my good friend Rubén from Madrid has made his debut on television.  So that I don't lose the link and so I can boast about what a good guy he is, I'm going to post it here: http://video.google.es/videoplay?docid=-6845666481861159979&hl=es

If you're curious about seeing my awesome motorcyclist friend, he appears 1:40 into the video.  

In case you don't speak Spanish, or don't happen to know the particulars of the housing situation in Spain... I will share with you my extremely vague and faulty knowledge.  (If he comes to visit in December I will get him to explain it better to me... the poor sod.)  Basic problem: housing is expensive in Madrid.  Lots of apartment buildings have been made, by people who were trying to make a lot of money, but they're too expensive for most people to live in; these buildings then stay empty while it remains difficult for lower-income individuals to find a decent place to live.

Rubén has been working for a while now with a group that aims to create affordable housing all over Spain. Their website is at www.viviendadigna.org .  What they want to do is use tax dollars to create housing at a lower price, so that it would ultimately not cost more than 30% of someone's income.  The prices he quoted for me were 30m2 for 200€, 60m2 for 400€/month.  Now to see how that compares to Toronto...

us vs. the crazies

So, tonight I called the cops on my housemates.

Lauren and I have never really had the best of relationships with them, but lately their midnight vacuuming stints and pumping karaoke parties have been getting on our nerves.  Tonight there has to be fifteen people up there, rocking out to the Spice Girls and "Killing Me Softly".  Now, I'm sure there are those of you saying, "but I LOVE "Killing Me Softly"!" and that's all right and good. But when I'm down here with a headache trying to read Plato, it somehow jars.

I just wanted to say that I do feel kind of like an ass just calling the cops on them without any warning.  My defenses are that A) me talking to them wouldn't do any good and B) they're fucking annoying.  (I had a better Defense B, but I forgot it.)

Wow, the house is actually shaking now.  I hope the police get here and scare the crap out of them.  Of course, in that event, we might get into an all-out war. In that case, all I can say is "Bring on the cream pies, 'cause I'm not scared of you, crazies!!!"

And yes, they alone inspired me to create a blog.  Ah, Wednesday-night karaoke, how I shall miss you if I call the police enough times to make them shut up.