Monthly Archive: May 2007

Thoughts at the concert

Categories:

Thu. May 31, 2007

I don’t plan on writing a synopsis of last night. I don’t have the patience to do that. Ill just post some thoughts I had through the night.

  • The seats we got were probably the farthest from the main stage. We were directly opposite, facing the stage, on the top level, at the very top row. Yeah, central, but so distant. I took a picture of the view with my phone. See what we were up against?
    accgsc.jpg
  • We were right by the concrete walls, so we expected the acoustics to be wretched. They were. They did Lady Sovereign absolutely no favours. Her punk numbers sounded all mushed together into one big cacophonic mess. The sound for Akon’s set wasn’t all that much better. When the little girlies screamed, I went deaf from the echo. It was like everything was focused and amplified by the time it got to where we were. I think for Gwen’s set, we tolerated it. We knew the tunes and were able to makes sense of things.
  • What the hell…is he managing to get all of these pubescent teens to sing “I wanna fuck you” in unison? Kind of unreal.
  • Come to think of it, much of the audience in the ACC that night was female (duh). I was slightly surprised at just how trampy most of them were dressing. Underage. Underage. Underage.
  • Gwen knows how to make an entrance, holy.
  • The video screens on stage present great visuals. On some of the songs, it really helps to contribute to the atmosphere.
  • Speaking of visuals, the ones shown during her performance of Yummy reminded me so much of something that Terry Gilliam might have come up with when he was creating those animation bits for the Flying Circus.
  • I think, when she got into the upbeat songs off of her first dance album, the energy of the crowd started climbing.
  • At one point, she ran out into the crowd and performed amongst the people. She actually went close to the back of the place and immersed herself. My friend and I were thinking that that alone would have provided great memories for the lucky folks that got near her. It would’ve been totally unexpected.
  • While she was in the crowd, I noticed that even from the distance I was looking at her, you could still make out her abdominal definition. She’s fit.
  • It was hot in there. The vendors were going around pimping water bottles. I inquired about the price and refused to buy when I found out it was $3.75. The vendor told me: “You’ll get thirsty eventually!” How ominous.
  • This shit is BANANAS.
  • 3/4 of her Harajuku girls are from Japan. Who knew?
  • She likes to sort of pander to the audience. Of course, many performers are good at doing that. I thought it was kind of cute, so maybe I was succumbing to her? Yeah…no.
  • In the end, you don’t go to her performances to hear her sing. It’s all about the fact that she can bring high entertainment value.

Tags:

Leave comment

Tell them how old I am!!!

Categories:

Thu. May 31, 2007

So, I went out to see the Gwen concert last night. It was what I imagined it would be, but I found myself having more fun there than I expected. I’ll probably share some more concert specific thoughts later, but for now a small story.

At some point between Akon and Gwen, two girls in the row in front of my friend and I, one brunette, one blond, turned around to chat with us. The brunette and asked “how old are you?” My friend responded. She then asked if we could do her a favour. She said that her ID had expired and the people at the bar wouldn’t take it even though she’s of age. We asked how old she was and she said she was 27 years old. 27! Years! Old! Uh-huh. I said, “no” and asked her when her birth year was. It took her a few moments before she correctly answered 1980. I looked at her friend, and she looked like she was 18, and dolled up to look older. The brunette pulled out a worn-out drivers license which expired in 2002. It just didn’t look right.

I had enough of this and was content enough to leave them alone, but my friend decided he was going to be nice, and said that he’d buy her drinks, as long as she’d pay him back. I was in shock that he was even entertaining the request. He got up and left, expecting her to follow. She went out, but after a few moments she came back into the seating area asking me where my friend went. I thought: “Honestly, how the hell would I know?” I told her that he went out to by her drinks, and that he’d be back. I don’t know whether she was satisfied, but she left on what I assumed was a chase to find him. I thought nothing of it.

A few minutes later, she came back with two beers in hand, telling her friend that got them on her own. She didn’t find my friend. Upon seeing that, I started trying to call my friend’s cell to get him to not buy anything. I tried a few times, but I couldn’t contact him. I wasn’t too happy. The blond turned around, and saw the look on my face. She told her friend, “OMG, look, he’s angry at us!” I told them, “my friend is out there buying you girls drinks.” Yeah, he’s out there spending his time and energy. The brunette seemed a bit apologetic, and said she’d pay for the drinks if they came back.

Sick of the play, I attempted to point out the stupidity of it all. I told her “you know, if you’re going to lie about your age, you should pick something a bit lower.” Seriously. I didn’t believe she was 27. It wasn’t too much about the looks, but more about the lack of responsibility in:

  1. having a valid license
  2. having a valid license to buy drinks
  3. having a valid license to perhaps gain entry to a club
  4. having a valid license to go to a casino

At my remark, she said drunkly “oh wow! You’re so sweet!” The two girls conferred amongst each other. The blond whispered loudly: “OMG! He didn’t believe you? You should take it as a compliment! You so look 18!” God, that was not intended as a compliment. The blond was entirely amused. The brunette insisted that she was 27. She whipped out her worn out license. I didn’t really care, but pretended to examine it. She then whipped out what seemed to be a worn out birth certificate. I waved it off, like I didn’t care anymore. And I didn’t. This charade was just weird.

My friend soon came back empty handed. He told them that the line was just too long. In truth though, he got the missed calls on his cell and figured out not to buy.

That was about it for that event. Up until the blond’s mother apparently dropped by. They asked her to confirm: “tell them how old I am!!!” She said incredulously, “uh…27.” I just smiled at how fucked up this was getting. The mother left after asking them where they got the drinks. I was going to apologize, but then I remembered how silly it all was. The brunette did turn around and drunkly speak with us during various parts of the Gwen portion of the evening to comment on set design and costumes and such. So, she didn’t seem insulted at all.

Was I wrong? Did I care? I guess I didn’t. Part of me asks, “was this a missed opportunity?” Another part of me then replies, “for what?” For what, indeed?

Tags:

Leave comment

The way forward

Categories:

Tue. May 29, 2007

Scorpio (Oct. 24 – Nov. 22):

Do your best to develop some way to be happy, regardless of how you feel right now. By being light-hearted, the way forward will appear. This is all part of an amazing education the universe is providing. You’ll pass with flying colours.

This post has no tag

Leave comment

Running log: 2007/05/28

Categories:

Mon. May 28, 2007

If yesterday was marked with feeling of being at the lowest of points, today can be marked with…no, not triumph (HELLS NO!), but one of contentment with myself.

After yesterday, my right knee was feeling like crap the whole work day. As I trudged up the stairs to the office, I had to forcefully suppress the urge to go “ow~!” with every step. No, no. Can’t have that. Oh, but the pain lessened as the day passed. I mean, all day I’m basically at my desk mashing away at the keys, giving my legs a lot of rest.

Anyway, I left work early and headed for my RR class. When I got there, I changed and was feeling good. I had my orthotics in my shoes, and was feeling some level of confidence that today wasn’t going to be as bad as the fiasco that was yesterday morning. Holy crap, never again!

Well, as we left, I stayed near the back of the group. I had full intentions of taking it easy this time around. I didn’t want to take the risk of over-striding and making things harder on myself. I eventually started feeling the expected pains. First, my shoes are still really stiff. I felt every corrective curve and bump in them with every step. As well, my knee pain was acting up again. I eventually slowed down considerably, and sure enough the front pack pulled far…FAR ahead of me. Well I knew that would happen, but you know what, I was tired of feeling sorry for myself for being slow. Screw that!

I honestly thought I was going to be left behind in everyone’s dust, but to my surprise, a few people slowed down with me and kept me company. They were asking if I was OK. I said I was, but surely the awkward stride and pained look on my face was giving me away. In particular, a middle-aged mother named Anita kept pace with me. I introduced myself to her, and it turns out she has a son with the same name. Nice! Connection! I was so thankful. Even with most of the group far ahead, we spoke with each other about our experience with this clinic. Neither of us were really active beforehand. I remarked that it’s a challenge to have to move this much weight. And yes, it is. Please! Can you imagine having to propel 200+ pounds of meat at 5 km/h? Uh huh.

We were supposed to be doing 2 + 1′s, but I was often running out of steam before the full 2 mins. When I slowed down, she slowed down too. A while in, the front of the group were so far ahead of us. We commented how they were probably active and probably could have tackled the 5K clinic instead of the Learn to Run. OK. I realize that saying such things smacks of pettiness. I know everyone is running their own race, etc. and that some of the front people are probably in a real struggle with it all, but I can be honest and say that for us “back-packers” this attitude is a survival mechanism, know what I mean?

(Seriously though, if that little kid ever complains again that it was too easy, someone should smack her upside the head…

not that I’m advocating violence…

against little girls…

…no matter how much it may be deserved…)

The instructor was still blowing her whistle. We were doing our best to run for as long as we could during those intervals. As we rounded some of the last corners, we ran into another person who was basically tapped out. We both encouraged her to keep with us as we made our final push, and she did. I was happy that we were feeding off of each others energy.

During the last stretch we were determined to run to the end. As we started, one of the other two started a count down. 10! 9! 8! I could feel it at the end: there was a palpable sense of accomplishment from the group of us. The few of us that didn’t think we’d make it, actually finished–and running at that. Even though I was drenched in sweat, I was fucking beaming a smile at everyone. I wanted to cheer out loud. It was fantastic. I can’t describe it. I mean, when I looked at the people of the front pack, maybe all I could pick out was a sense of frustration that the back people were taking so long. Well, whatever! Maybe they should slow down! Hahah. I thanked Anita for running with me. I was very much appreciative. One of the other runners who was with me on the painful Sunday asked about my shins, and I exclaimed that everything was super.

So yeah, I’m proud and content, despite my apparent suckitude. I still feel like I accomplished something amazing.

So, anyway, things will continue to get harder from here on out. I realize that. However, if I somehow maintain this support group with some of the other participants, I think we’ll be just fine. And even if we don’t make it, we can all suck at running together.

And that’s what matters.

Tags: ,

Leave comment

Running log: 2007/05/27

Categories:

Sun. May 27, 2007

I am so incredibly frustrated with myself at this moment. I went for a practice run this morning. The weather was damp. By the time I got to the RR, light rain was starting to fall. If you recall, a few days ago I said that I wanted to experiment with not wearing my orthotics. Today was the day. So, the run felt the same as every other time, but closer to the end of the run, I was finding myself in a lot of pain. On other days, with the orthotics in, the pain was located in my calves. Without them, I was most affected in the shins. No, the muscles became incredibly tense making running ridiculously painful. In the last 5-10 minutes, I had to slow down and walk the rest of the way. The instructor turned back towards me and asked if I was OK. I explained my situation and she told me to stretch when we got back. I tried a few times to do the run intervals, but I had to stop from because of the discomfort. The pack had pulled far ahead of me while I was walking.

After the last turn, the instructor called back to me, “are you going to walk the rest of the way?” I yelled back to her: “I’ll be fine! Don’t worry about me!” I lied. I felt like absolute shit. At first, I thought it was just humbling. However, that feeling quickly morphed into utter disappointment. With the rain falling down on me, it almost felt like nature was feeling my pain and responded. At the final traffic light before the RR, I caught up to the instructor. I lamented about how it seemed like it was impossible for me to ever get to 20 + 1′s by the end. She told me how to stretch my shins, and when I tried, I just could not do it. I tried, but my muscles were quaking. I don’t know what emotions I had on my face, but I was feeling downright miserable.

I’m sad. I’m so frustrated with myself and my limitations. Part of me wants to quit, but I can’t do it. I have to keep going. Still, I feel like a failure. Yes, I know that this current pain is a symptom of my footwear, but regardless, I feel like my body is broken. It was just not meant to accomplish sports-related things, and that sucks. I’m putting so much effort into this running class. I don’t want to fizzle out, but my body might be telling me otherwise. I don’t know what to do.

The feeling will eventually pass, but I need to keep in a positive state-of-mind. I’m just finding it really hard. :(

Tags: , ,

Leave comment

Tourist advice

Categories:

Thu. May 24, 2007

I grabbed a seat in the back of the streetcar, with my mind focused on the sliding window, thankful that I’d be able to feel a cool breeze once the car started moving. A guy with a map sat down next to me. I paid no heed until he asked me a question. It was simple enough. He wanted to know if the streetcar made it to a particular street. I said, “yes, it does,” and thought nothing of it.

Moments later, he asked if he could get to Niagara Falls from there. I did a double-take at that question. Eh? I told him that there was a bus terminal on that street he was asking about and suggested he check there. I told him it would probably take 1-2 hours to get there. He was wondering how long of a walk it would be to get to the terminal. I gave him his options, but felt uneasy giving advice. I didn’t know what he was thinking. I felt obligated to inform him though that Niagara Falls was a different city altogether.

It was obvious that he was a tourist of sorts, with just some second-hand information regarding what someone should see while in Toronto. I mean, sure, Niagara is great to visit, but really only if you’ve got relatives or friends willing to drive you there, know what I mean? There’s lots to see and do in Toronto, really. Just…if you were to ask me, I’d have no idea where to send someone besides the usual tourist trap type places. I’d almost recommend someone to go wander around downtown for a while. Check out the architecture of City Hall! Head to the Eatons Centre! Go up the CN Tower!

etc etc etc etc

Luckily, I think my point got across and he asked how to get to Chinatown. I told him where to get off. As he got up, I wished him luck. Thinking about the guy heading to the Falls without an idea of where he’s going, or what he’s undertaking bothers me. I can rest easy, I guess. And I hope that he can find someone that can give him better information about what to do around here.

Tags: ,

Leave comment

Spider-man vs. goomba

Categories:

Wed. May 23, 2007

gagamba_goomba.jpg

I posted some time ago that I’d post this picture up. Not much to see, but I find it kind of funny.

This post has no tag

Leave comment

Running log: 2007/05/23

Categories:

Wed. May 23, 2007

Today was one of those drop-in runs at the Running Room. If you remember, last week I didn’t make it because of the weather. Anyway, I made it on time this time which is great. Today, marking the second week of the class, we’ve moved from 2 minute walking periods/1 minute running periods to 1 + 1′s. We did about 10 of those. Oh man, they killed me!

First of all, I’m still breaking in my new sneakers. The orthotics may be causing them to over-compensate my foot pronation, so I might experiment with not wearing the insoles one time. I’m reluctant though because doing so might kill my ankles. It’s hard to tell what to do. I might have to just suck it up and fight through the discomfort until it starts feeling normal. The run itself wasn’t too bad, although close to the end of the run I was kind of wiped out. This clinic seems to be in a unique position because even after two weeks,, we haven’t had any proper classes or talks. It’s just our luck that our first scheduled date landed on a holiday. So, honestly I don’t know if my technique is alright. At times, I felt like I was a horse or something going *clomp clomp clomp*, which can’t be right. I don’t know much about pacing. During the walking intervals, I was going pretty slow, causing some people to walk past, but during the running intervals, I amped it up and ran past. Maybe I was pushing too hard. I dunno. I’m a little bit lost.

Well, when we got back to the store, I went through a cycle of emotions. I felt euphoric from all of those chemicals rushing around my body. At the same time, I was feeling a bit bitter at everyone for whatever reason. Hell if I know what that was about.

Well, here I am at home, being thankful for a nice comfortable chair that I can relax in. Simple pleasures, no?

Tags: ,

Leave comment

Older posts «

Switch to our mobile site