082 - Transition

I never did catch up on the rest of my Disney trip blogs. I meant to, I just haven't yet found the time. Over the past month and a half (has it been that long?!), I've talked to many people about it, and I'm pretty sure I lit up each time, except where I talk about missing Carl and Russel (Up characters) by 6 days. Up, by the way, is fantastic. Go see it now if you haven't yet.

Time won't be an issue soon, so I'll catch up on all kinds of pictures. My last class for the summer is tomorrow. My last shift at Disney is Friday. It was a month ago I found out that the store is closing, and each day since then has been increasingly difficult. I may have only been with the company for two years - one of which was actually with Disney (the first year, the Store were owned and operated by The Children's Place), but in that time, I've felt I've found somewhere I belong. It's a company that I would love to continue working with, certainly in a position at an office if not in the field at a store level. The people have been fantastic, especially co-cast members, and especially the guests that I've come to know over time.

Thank you to everyone for being a family and for allowing me to enjoy being at work. For enjoying retail. It's mind boggling that I came so close to not accepting the job when Sharlene called me back about it. I've learned so much from everyone would do it all again in a heartbeat - even if it means hearing Hannah Montana's "Life's What You Make It" 30 times a day.

I once learned from a mediocre Disney movie to "keep moving forward" (clearly not Wall-E, or Up. Those are fantastic. Go see Up). As I look forward to the summer and fall, I have a new year of school (a last one, I hope... for now), a new job, a new position at CFFN, and a new Web site that I've gone back to creating. My life is a deck of cards, and someone is shuffling!

076 - Ads, Earth, and Booster Juice

I've actually been noticing advertisements over the past couple of days, whether it's that Flint one (there's an ad on the radio right now, coincidence?), or this weird recycleme.org one all about organs (oh hey it's about organ donation. Well done, Government of Ontario!), or these new ones that are solid black with seemingly odd white copy... I should learn what they're about. Next time I get a change, I'll take pictures. All I know is that they're far more interesting than the plain ones I'm used to.

Dinseyworld is sooo soon! I started the check-in process! I have to get on a mass laundry schedule and start deciding what to bring. Jimminy "nobody ever listens to me" shirt? check. Red Mickey shirt? Check. Wall-E shirt? check! Princess Jasmine shirt? I don't have one, unfortunately. The next shopping day I get, I'm going to get all the little things I need for a trip. Sunscreen perhaps. Travel bottles (i prefer to not have to buy expensive travel sized products, but rather take travel portions of the home products I have. I also need to make sure I have my tickets. Where did I put them again?



Disneynature's first theatrical release, Earth, opened on Earth Day. And it's 90 minutes of awesomeness. James Earl Jones narrates the story of three families: polar bears, humpback whales, and elephants. Along the way, a few other supporting, er, animals pop up, including my now favourite superb bird of paradise shown above. From this angle, he looks like a Pokemon or something random. And the poor female just wasn't interested. Poor guy. The movie has had some criticism for focusing on family-friendly and for reusing some material from the Planet Earth series (they were both filmed at the same time to maximize budgets and save costs), but I haven't seen that yet, and most of those criticisms chalk up to "but Earth is still good and its worth it". I agree.

Plus Disney planted a tree for me. That the fourth one they've planted for me, if i do my math right. They also gave me a reusable water bottle for recycling.

And if that wasn't enough, Booster Juice finally has a new reusable mug! No more Styrofoam for me!

072 - Disney's (second) Oldest to it's newest! Plus Money!

The Canadian dollar is being my hero! It's been on an upswing for the past week, more or less. While i doubt it'll keep that pace, I would absolutely love it it went up a bit more and stayed there until mid-May. Analysis have been saying the dollar's good fortune wouldn't last too long, so I paid off half of the balance on the hotel and bought some US money for spending purposes. I also went through all my change and found 95¢ worth of US coins, plus another 50¢ in pennies. About 5% of my pennies were American!

This sudden interest in US currency prompted me to check out my quarter collection. I had been keeping US State quarters that I find at work, but wasn't sure how many I had. Turns out, I have 22 different states represented overall (and I scrounged up another dollar in duplicates). If anyone has ones that I'm missing, please can I have them? I'll give you my address and everything (just please don't come and stalk me).


[Click to view my collection]

The new American bank notes are awkward. The newest Canadian designs embrace the colours of the notes of the past. The American ones, are slowly moving beyond their Original Gameboy green-and-black look, and are stuck in a middle "look i have some colour!" state. A note to American currency designers: purple and green are not so nice-looking together.

I've had over 1000 visitors to my blog. I'm no Joseph Mallozzi, but I bet I could be if I ran sci-fi show, ate a lot of exotic food, and had scary, yet adorable puppies to show off. In fact, if that were the case, I would in fact be Joseph Mallozzi. I suspect most of them arrive via google image search finding pics of T'Pol from an entry I made way back. But thank you if you're one of the ones who follows the blog, whether on Livejournal, through my site, RSS feed, facebook links, or any other source that I just can't think about at the moment.

Recently, I watched two movies (in hi-def Bluray!)


I hadn't seen Pinocchio (1940) since I was very young, and I wasn't a fan then. I'm still not a fan. Even though I don't get excited over the movie, now that I'm older, I'm able to appreciate the movie a lot more. The animation is spectacular. The underwater scenes and the scenes inside Monstro are beautiful and detailed, to the point where I can't even believe this movie has been around for 70 years! Also, Figaro has become my favourite Disney cat (sorry, Berlios). He's just so amazing and expressive and little!

The hi-def transfer was very nice, but it wasn't as spectacular as I was expecting; Sleeping Beauty raised my expectations too high. It makes me wonder why Disney is re-releasing two huge old classics one after another (Snow White is due this fall) and not something more modern, like Lion King or Beauty and the Beast to really show off the platform.



Bolt, however, was a fantastic hi-def watching experience. It was just like watching it in the theatres, only on a smaller screen, and three people instead of 70. I actually think Bolt's a great movie, Disney Proper's best CG movie to date. It's not quite on par with a Pixar flick, but in terms of visuals, story, characters, and everything, it's much better than Chicken Little and Meet the Robinsons. I wonder how much of that is John Lasseter's influence.

The opening sequence, which shows the filming (with real-time editing and special effects I might add) of the Bolt show is spectacular, as is the set disaster bit. The region-specific pigeons deserve a lot of credit. They're all hilarious! Also, this movie boosts my love for Malcolm McDowell (Mr. Linderman, the guy that killed Kirk, for you sci-fi nuts), the voice of Dr. Calico, the green-eyed Man. Rhino, the little break-out hamster starlet from the movie gets an all-new short, much like how Pixar makes shorts for their feature releases. This one was pretty forgettable, but cool while it lasted.

070 - Harold, Kumar, and Barack, all at once!

I finally returned a movie to ZIP.ca, I think it was The Manchurian Candidate. I've had three titles for a long time now (it, along with Tron and The Prestige) and no desire to watch them... so I had to cut my losses somewhere and return one. ZIP, probably thrilled that I'm still alive, promptly sent me Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.



Harold and Kumar 2 was an enjoyable, but not-as-much-as-its-predecessor comedy. As Harold and Kumar hopped from one improbable disaster to another, I couldn't decide exactly what kind of movie it was, and I think that imbalance kept the movie from being better than it should have been. It around a lot from smart comedy, to slapstick comedy, to fart jokes, to a hilarious-yet-touching poem about the square root of three. I haven't seen White Castle in ages, though I'm pretty sure it's a better movie. Though Neil Patrick Harris with unicorns AND rainbows? That deserves some mention.

I still don't know what I think of John Cho as Sulu in the new Star Trek movie. He does make a great Harold, but Sulu? I'll have to wait until May 8 to find out, but I still think James Kyson Lee (Ando of Heroes fame) would have been my #1 choice. But isn't he cute as a 90s pre-emo?



Obama was fantastic on Leno last night. I think if all politicians had the sincerity and down-to-earth realness that he presented, then politics would be better off. We would be better off. Just hearing his take on presidential life and living in the white house was truly interesting. The poor guy wasn't allowed to walk 750 yards. But that quip about the Special Olympics, well I expect it to be headlines when I walk pass the newspaper machines.

Also, I don't get why so many people are complaining that he should be "at work dealing with the important issues, not gallivanting on talk shows." He was on for half an hour, and I doubt Leno was his only stop out West. Plus, haven't people heard of multi-tasking? I know women are better at it then men, but still. i should be doing homework right now, or getting ready for work. Besides, how much vacation time did Bush take while in office? It's not like things were less busy back then.

063 - Wine & Whine

Pictures: A bunch of random ones that I took with my cell phone over the summer.

I often forget to dump the pictures that I take with my cell phone, and when I do, I often forget to upload them to Flickr. Well, this is part one!

Disneyworld is 66 days away. Time is going so quick! However, before I can get on a place, I need to deal with assignments, midterms, presentations, and finals, not necessarily in that order. Those are the parts that I'm not looking forward to.

There are three drinks that I can't see myself ever liking are coffee, wine, and beer. Last night, I decided to buy some wine just to see if maybe the "10 times" rule that Prashanta is always on about could apply. After talking to the guy at Wine Rack, I decided to try a pinot grigio, based on the fact that I was looking for something simple. It was alright in the sense that I actually managed to finish a glass (or two?). Some have already suggested that I try red wines... we'll see! If there are any specific suggestions, let me know!

Yogurt commercials are strange, all womany happily eating yogurt with each other.

I recently watched Be Kid, Rewind. The start was a bit slow, and the end was somewhat frustrating, but the middle part was pretty entertaining. I think the most disappointing part was that the movies that the characters would remake in 20 minutes were watchable online, and not in the movie itself - not even in the credits.

On the tv front, Dollhouse is proving to be an interesting show with twists and whatnot - hopefully it can sustain this beyond a couple of episodes. Heroes is proving to be average with touches of excitement that keeps me interested. Mad Men (I'm jsut starting) isn't proving to be anything special after 3 eps, beyond its authentic old school 60s theme (not that I was alive in that day and age with which to compare).

Interesting link: http://www.cscoutjapan.com/en/index.php/eco-art-the-green-island-project

050 - Day Two

The benefit of not having buses is that I won't hear the early morning bus go by if I'm up at 4AM and 5AM. I haven't been up that late in a long time.

I had to go to school for a meeting, so I walked. I brought along my newly-acquired snowshoes so that I could take the bike path that cuts through the Centrepointe area. This path is faster than taking any major roads from my house. After the recent blizzard, I figured the path would be travelled, but difficult (hence the snowshoes), but to be surprise, it was completely ploughed! On my way home, I donned the snowshoes and walked around Centrepointe park - at least until the battery in my camera died.

Is walking a realistic alternative to public transit? It is in some cases. For instance, the walk to school was a pleasant one, given that the weather was nice. And to be honest, it isn't something I've ever done. The only time I had not taken the bus to get to school was the one time I biked along that same path earlier this fall. The 40-50 minutes it takes might get old over time though, especially if it got really cold.

I do, however, really like the idea of showshoeing. I hated it back in elementary school when we would use the big, heavy wooden ones. Not too long ago, I got the idea that I would like to try it again, with a more modern, aluminum set. I figured since I love winter so much, I should go and do more outdoorsy activities, beyond skating on the canal (which I hate and only do once a year). Perhaps I'll actually try snowboarding this year. It looks so easy in 1080 and SSX, after all!

Day two wasn't much of an issue, even less so than yesterday was. As I ponder how I'll get to and from work over the weekend, I'm hoping that the City and the transit union stop acting like fourth graders and start actually trying to resolve their issues. At least the union leader isn't doing interviews anymore. A 10-year old could give better interviews - 10-year olds are in the 4th grade, after all.

Speaking of which, I did see Dan in Real Life last night. It was a surprisingly good movie, with actors in roles in which you don't often seem them. It also makes me not want to wait to have children. That movie might have caused a strange dream in which I was introducing to my family two women (one slightly younger and one significantly older, though neither are people I actually know) who were pregnant by me. However, it was all elaborate, like a reality show, with all kinds ot twists and turns and "you'll find out... when we come back!"-esque moments. I guess that would be the best way to go about such a situation.

048 - Of Stamps and Secrets

Photos: Alanis, Chickens, Meaghan Smith and Ron Sexsmith, Pixie Hollow, Snow in October, escalator, Halloween Costume (Joe Jonas, Jonas Brothers), Pramod Dhakal, Wall-E and Eve art, someone's parcel paid in a whack of 52¢, 96¢, $1.15, and $1.60 stamps.

I completed a huge project that didn't involve school. I'll reveal it very soon, as early as next week. It's pretty awesome, but still a secret. That's what I've been up to. I've also been working a lot and doing some school. Oh, and watching television shows! Stargate Atlantis, Dexter, and Pushing Daisies are impressing, and Heroes is getting pretty tricky. It makes me wish that there were two Bryan Fullers, one for Heroes and one for Daisies. And perhaps one for a new Star Trek as well.

Speaking of Star Trek, someone revealed the new original Enterprise (photo) for the 2009 movie. I must say that I really like it, except for how the nacelle pylons' positions. But that's enough geek from me for one day.

Recently, I've seen the following movies: Strange Brew, which I didn't understand at all. It was too 80s Canadiana for me, I suppose. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, which proved to me that not only is Kevin Smith pretty brilliant at creating a cohesive world and making it entertaining across various viewpoints and characters, but he can also create a spoof that isn't of the terrible quality of spoofs post-Scary Movie. I must see Zack and Miri make a Porno, if only because it's a Kevin Smith film.

Anyway, I must get back to preparing for a presentation for later this week. More later!

047 - Wind Gods and Ringtunes

October is here, and my room is freezing cold. I really think I need to reinsulate the window area, and possibly get a new window. My plan is to go, hire the worst guy possible, then complain to Mike Holmes. In response, he'll come here, ask how on earth someone whose job was to insulate a wall and replace a window used 17 junction boxes in the process. After a few words like "unbelievable", he'll fix it for me, add a shiny new seat and electrical surge protector, and proclaim that he "love his job". Simple, no?

In other news, I've dusted off my Wii. It's sad how I've become accustomed to not having the time to play such fandangled devices. In a rare spurt of energy, I went and beat Lostwinds, a WiiWare game that I bought back in May and stoppe dplaying after all of 41 minutes. It is a great little game, one that I'd love to have seen more of (seeing as I beat it after another 3 hours). Hoping to continue the trend of actually playing the games that I've bought, I moved the Wii back to the living room. It gets more light there.

My DS is far from neglected though. After I get to finishing Kirby, I'll get back to The World Ends With You until the new Castlevania arrives. I hope there's a last minute pre-order bonus with it, though.

Which leads me to movies. The last ones I saw were Bee Movie (cute, but not Pixar by a long shot), A Dog's Breakfast (funny, but not as amazing as I was hoping, despite Rachel Luttrell yummy cameo), and National Treasure : Book of Secrets (much better than the first, surprisingly). I'm working on Hello, Dolly. Walter Matthau is about 30 years younger than what I know him as. It's quite something.

Lastly, I have a new ringtune for my phone, in celebration of Halloween. Listen.

031 - Beauty, Beast, and Mrs. Pot

Photos could be summed up with one phrase: Again with the eye pictures!

So I was thinking today about the words "once" and "ounce". They're so similar in appearance and lettering, but they sounds very different from one another. A linguist could probably tell you that the words are very dissimilar with the parts of the mouth and throat used to pronounce them, all because of one letter. Think of the difference U can make. It would be borderline remarkable if the English language didn't resemble what would result if you left a four-year old in a white room with a bucket of chocolate and a fresh set of Crayola markers. Or crayons.

Happy Easter!

I've managed to stuff all kinds of things into this long weekend: Smash Bros., babysitting, work, movies, and television shows. Some of these activities overlap. Weeds is a great show. I might dare to say fantastic. After watching the first season on a couple of sittings, I might have to buy it and the second season to add to my scifi-heavy tv-dvd collection. And third, and fourth apparently. And I've watched Pirates I, II, and III (minus the first hour for which I fell asleep). They don't wow and amaze me, but it is a fun ride while it lasts (the latter one lasts too long, i fear). My cousins are entertaining. And Smash Bros is grand.

Oh yes, and I've been watching Star Trek The Original Series Remastered Season One. I hadn't seen much of the original show, so the polished episodes and new, yet still retro effects are fun for me. Plus, it's a great way to examine just how television had changed in 40 years, everything from how people act to camera angles... I was telling my mom the other day how in the 50-minute episode The Enemy Within, Kirk's captain's log tell you right from the start what's happened - a doppleganger of sorts was created by a transporter accident, unbeknownst to anyone. If that were made today, that fact would be the big twist that you've been trying to figure out (or had figured out a good 25 minutes ago, depending on the writing and direction quality) that gets resolved in the last 5 minutes of the 42-minute episode. Huh.

The Children's Place announced recently (link) that as part of their effort to "strengthen" their "core business", they are exiting the Disney Store retail space. The Walt Disney Company might purchase back 2/3 of those stores. Interesting news indeed. I'm not yet sure what it means, but I'd love to work for a huge multimedia beast with it's hands in the gaming industry. And maybe I should dust off (well, figuratively. computer files don't really get dusty. Though maybe they should... maybe in MAC OS XI) my resume.

And I think maybe, if it's possible, I've had too many cupcakes today.

030 - Flavours of a Quarter

With Michele at LaserQuest.


Hog's Back on a winter night


Ho Ho Ho, Yo


Chicken Love


Busty


Lights through a glass


Wintery New Year scene


Giant Kaa's hypnosis


Bowling Ball Return


Granny Bowling


Bully and Me


Bully-- Buddy loves his picture taken


Surviving a Sister Attack


Halo Helmet


Master Chief in my Bedroom


I want to ride my icicle


Sidewalk through a snowbank

It's been too long since my last update! So I guess I owe everyone a happy Christmas, New Year, Groundhog Day, Valentine's day, Family Day (where applicable), reading week, and now, March Break. But I beat St Patrick's day... so that'll come in a separate entry.

I've noticed that the number of updates I make is somewhat proportional to how many days I got out with my camera. I haven't taken very many pictures this year so far. No particular reason why... I just haven't done a whole lot worth noting. Other than bowling to benefit children with and at risk of Autism, where I bowled an impressive turkey. It was certainly a highlight - that and the pancakes my cobowlers had afterwards. Haha.

I remembered that I wanted to get my bike tuned up while still taking advantage of my "one year of free tune-ups" that came when I got my bike March 31, 2007. Well, my year is approaching it's end! And if you take a look at the last picture that I posted in this entry, it's pretty clear that winter is still kicking around. I don't know how I'll get to the store just yet.

In other news, I won a Dalmatian canvas print! It's all that hard work that I do. My dvd collection has increased a bit (star trek ds9 seasons 4 and 5, stargate ark of truth, 101 dalmatians, toy story 2, pixar shorts collection, etc.....), as has my game collection. Professor Layton on DS is awesome. Zak and Wiki for Wii is awesome! Smash Bros Brawl's music is certainly the highlight of that whole package, which is saying something because it's a fantastic package to begin with.

And Sarah Slean is tooo awesome. Please listen to her songs: Go Home, So Many Miles, Notes from the Underground. I'm also eagerly awaiting Alanis' Flavors of Entanglement - first new Alanis in about 4 years? Watch the single video here: Underneath Video. That song itself isn't that exciting... but I can't wait for the album!

Oh, and everyone should have a giant Kaa.

I hope everyone is well! Look for more updates soon!