Sunday, December 21, 2003

   Heeheehee . . . . .
I gotta head out quickly, so this'll just be a quick thing. Beck's mentioning of the "purists" has reminded me of my friend's webcomic.

http://www.sfu.ca/~dleee/webcomic/bigfatcomic.html

Going from about December 9th and onwards, there's some pretty funny bits. I mean, it's all pretty funny, but these bits pertain to the topic at hand.

Meanwhiles, I gotta go shoppin'. See ya tonight/tomorrow morning!
Comments (4) | Permalink

   My friends are bakas . . .
So, I learned the other night why it is that I'm the one who always gets stuck in positions of leadership/responsibility: my friends suck rectum at it.

Again, "Legolas" is involved, as it downtown. He calls me, tells me to meet with himself, "Pippin", and "Boromir" at the train station downtown at 8:00 so we can all go to some pub he knows about. I'm all for it, of course, since, well . . . . . ya know . . . stuff . . . Well, I got there a little before 8, and waited a bit. After a while, I called "Legolas" to see where he was . . . . .

He was still at home. It seemed that during his talk with "Pippin", he had understood that "Pippin", "Boromir", and myself were going to get together first, THEN come downtown . . . yeah, I had never heard of this aspect of it . . . . . in any case, "Pippin" said he'd come down and meet me.

I called "Pippin". He was also still at home. Seems he didn't really mean meet at 8; he only suggested that as a possible thing to do . . . sheesh . . .

In any case, I was probably alone at that train station for about an hour or so, just sorta walking around the little nearby shopping areas and stuff. That, or I was just standing against a wall: either an inner one, singing "The 12 Days of Christmas" to myself (I sang it about twice), or an outer wall, smelling cigarettes, smelly people, or . . . yeah, there was probably some weed smell as well . . . fun hour, I gotta tell ya . . .

In the end, the three of us did get together ("Boromir" was working and wasn't gonna be able to make it). So, the pub was a really cool place despite it being crowded as hell with conversation-drowning music. We ordered some food, we ordered some drinks . . .

. . . and spent most of the rest of the outing talking about "Pippin's" new girlfriend or "Legolas'" ability to get girls . . . . . and let's not forget the wonderful "advice" session that I got to go through as well, now! Whoo! Yeah!

No wonder I downed my drinks so quickly . . . . . aiya . . . . .


I'll try to get a picture of myself all shaved and pretty for tomorrow so I can post some "before/after" shots of my lower facial area, 'kay? 'Til then, then!
Comments (10) | Permalink

Friday, December 19, 2003

   There and Back Again: Book II . . .
On the left of me, sitting in the theater, was "Gimli" and "Boromir". On the right of me, farthest coming in, was "Legolas", "Sam", and "Gandalf". Directly to the right of me was "The Girl". I think "Sam" took pity on my situation or something, I think (damn and bless that girl all at once, is all I can say . . .).

During the actual film, most of my interaction between my friends was my constant mutterings of "ack!" or "geez!" when things got messy and stuff, and of "yeah!" and "Aha!" when things were brilliant.
To "The Girl" next to me, the majority of my direct interactions laid in my poking of her head when that elf showed his "gorgeous" self onscreen . . . it was kinda funny! I got to see a "group Legolas-swoon" up close! Some instances were also spent with quick "reassurance touches" whenever she sorta squirmed or cringed . . . which she did a lot of (she's not desensitized to these things yet, you see . . .). Other than that, there were slight moments throughout the film where her right foot, being crossed over her left knee, would just barely graze my right knee. It was barely a touch, but it was still enough to notice if either person tensed a muscle or anything . . . very slight touch . . .

The Battle of the Pelennor Fields was in full swing . . . the mumakils/oliphaunts were just about to make contact with people . . . I heard another whimper to my right . . . "The Girl" had actually covered her eyes . . . . .

Almost instantly, I grabbed her left hand with my right and pulled it away from her face, down towards the armrest between us . . . I kept my hand there, holding hers, nestled between her side of the armrest and her lap . . . . . once holding on to somebody, I suddenly realised how much I myself was jumping (I was probably squeezing her hand more often than she was mine) . . . though it was only a brief moment . . . probably not even a minute or two . . . it seemed like a long, long time . . .

After the heavy fighting wore down a bit, she slid her arm away, looked at me, and told me, "I'll be alright now." I just smiled, sort of . . .


As already stated in Book I, we then all went for dinner and everyone went their respective ways . . . . . and then I shaved . . . . .


It was about 7:00pm that evening, and I was on the computer, getting into my evening routine . . . "Legolas" called me.
It seems that when I dropped him and "The Girl" off at the train station, they went shopping instead of home! The next thing I know is that I am being asked to come downtown to meet them and go out for ice cream!

I was swift to get a ride from my brother to a train station, and half an hour later met up with the two of them, putting an arm around each of their necks, muttering "the things I do for you people . . ."

Including the ice cream bit, the three of us spent a couple hours just walking around, talking about days long past, where we all are now, how we used to be . . . "Legolas" continued to talk about how his romantic life has gotten much better (apparently dating people on a regular basis). "The Girl" and I could only sit/stand/walk, somewhat baffled at how open he was about these things . . . cause seriously, he told us some things we simply did NOT want to hear!

In any case, at around 9:00-9:30, "Legolas" headed for a bus stop and "The Girl" and I got on the train back towards home. Once there, we chatted some more about whatever seemed appropriate. The general feeling was that the day - the entire day - had been an excellent one.

About half an hour after we first got on the train, we both got off; it was where I would catch my bus, and it was where she chose to wait for the train that would take her home. We stood, leaning over a banister of sorts, just completely exhausted from the entire day.
I eventually steered conversation towards my semester with Computer Science. While sort of looking up at the ceiling of the train station, I told her that I felt really bad about that third assignment that I never did, and that I really wanted to do well in that course - I didn't add "for her", but I'm sure I can add that another time . . . in the end, just as the train came, she told me that she hoped I had passed.

Just before she got on the train, I quickly jumped forward and hugged her from the side around the shoulders, thanking her for coming to see the movie . . . for being able to finish off work that had begun over a year ago . . . . .


(Incidentally, my final mark for CS111 was 50%, a D, and 4.0 credits earned. I think that means I passed - probably by the pity of the professor, but a pass nonetheless.)
Comments (13) | Permalink

Thursday, December 18, 2003

   There and Back Again: Book I . . . . .
Just as The Lord of the Rings is split by books into two different stories, so will be my recollection of the day's events . . . in a similar manner, I shall also codename my friends, seeing as there were nine of us - you can consider me as Aragorn, of course . . . and ya know, I WAS gonna call "The Girl" Frodo, but I think I'll simplify that . . .

8:52am, I met "Boromir" and we dropped his car off at the place so it could be undercoated and treated and such. We then drove to the mall and thus, the theater . . . we drove to ruin, and the world's ending . . . . .

at about 9:30am, we had our McDonald's breakfasts and were sitting on the stairs leading to the theater. We had some excellent positioning. All we had to do was wait for the rest of our "fellowship". While waiting, "Boromir" and I just chatted about how things were not going so well for us . . . you see, "Merry and Pippin" were impossible to contact, as "Pippin's" cel phone was dead (as we later found out). Likewise, "Legolas" had slept in (blaming his painkillers from wisdom teeth [how funny is that?]). He said he'd leave as soon as he could. "Gandalf", well, she already gave an excuse and we expected her to come later.

At about 10:00am, "Sam" came . . . strangely, without "The Girl". It seems "The Girl" left her bus pass at home and had to go back for it (though "Sam" seemed to have heard "hat" . . . oh well . . .). It was well beyond the scheduled time I was hoping on, and only ONE person was here! Well, about half an hour later, "The Girl" made her way to find us after some embarassing mishaps. Well, we still had time, we figured, so we allowed "Sam" and "The Girl" to go get some food before the movie. We also finally got word that "Legolas" was up and moving, and that "Gandalf" was also on her way. Things were finally making sense . . . . .

. . . about five minutes later, the theater doors opened . . . and not just the front doors either! Straight from the front entrance we suddenly found they were ALREADY taking tickets and letting people into the cinema! It was still over an hour before the movie! "Boromir" and I flew like the fools we were and quickly took up nine seats along a row in the center of the cinema. We continued trying to contact "Merry and Pippin" to no avail (his phone was simply dead). "Boromir" offered to make a quick sweep of the outlying area. He made contact with "Gimli" who was buying food, and shortly after "Sam and The Girl" as well, and had them return to the cinema with him (where I sat alone, two jackets and one backpack splayed over eight seats around me).

By now it was around 11:30, and I was truly starting to worry . . . we were still waiting for "Legolas and Gandalf" to get to the theater, and "Merry and Pippin" were STILL nowhere to be heard! Well, shortly thereafter, I went out and acquired "Legolas and Gandalf" and quickly brought them into the cinema. By this point, we had decided it was the end of "Merry and Pippin", and relinquished control of their seats . . .

ONE MINUTE before the lights dimmed, "Pippin" finally contacted us! He was in the mall! "Gimli" had to go to the washroom, so he offered to take the tickets to them while he was out. Needless to say, "Merry and Pippin" sat at the very front of the theater . . . during the first quiet moment, I said out loud, "so this is The Last Samurai, right?" My friends looked at me funny . . . we watched the previews and whatnot . . .

TEN MINUTES after the previews started, they ended! This was WAY ahead of my previously conceived schedule, and was somewhat confused . . . I then compounded that by saying in the theater, "what movie is this again?"
My friends hit me for that.


Now, I could go on to express my thoughts on the actual movie, but clearly I need not explain that one. I loved it dearly in ways words can not describe. Therefore, I shall leave this section blank . . . that's not what is important anyhow.


After the movie (where we all clapped), we decided to head back to "home" so we could get "Boromir" back to his car. Well, "Merry and Pippin" said they'd stay at the mall (go fig . . .), so the rest of us piled into my car.
Now, I have a 5-seat Sebring. We fit 7 adults into it. Now THAT was fun! In the back seat, "Boromir and Legolas" took the sides, while "The Girl" and "Gandalf" fit themselves in between . . . "Samwise" just sorta sat on top of them somehow . . . she was facing backwards a lot, I recall . . . but yeah, LOTS of fun!

After that, we got "Boromir's" car, we went out for dinner, and then we all got each other more or less home. "Boromir" took "Gimli" and "Sam" one direction, and I took the rest. I dropped off "Legolas" and "The Girl" at a train station, and took "Gandalf" home (she lived near me).

All in all, a wonderful outing with wonderful company. I got home, took pictures of my 19-day old facial hair . . . . . and shaved. I'm still not used to looking at it yet . . .

And so ends Book I: next day, Book II!
Comments (9) | Permalink

Wednesday, December 17, 2003

   Today shall be the day I crap my pants in awe . . .
Holy crap. It's December 17th. It has finally arrived . . .

After years of waiting . . . after over a year of planning . . . after COUNTLESS setbacks and complications . . . . . the Return of the King has finally come upon us . . . . .

This morning, I expect to meet my friend at 8:52am (and how he decided upon this exact time, I shall never know). We will then go drop off his car at the car place so he can get it finished. We shall then drive to the mall and thusly get to the theater. With luck, it will be about 9:30am - a full two and a half hours before commercials and trailers.

During this time from 9:30 to 10:00, I expect the majority of our party to find us lined up on the stairway leading up to the theater (which will probably still be closed at this point). Though I am already aware of one delayed member of the nine of us . . . holy crap! There's nine of us! How scary is that?!

Well . . . technically, it''ll still be considered "8 plus 1" as there will be the one guy who'll just make things weird, I'm sure . . . . . I mean, with him (who is far from what geek status the rest of us have) I highly doubt I'll be able to ask the question, "so who from the fellowship would you be out of the nine of us?" Blast . . . . . anyhoo . . .

With a little luck, the doors to the theater shall open around 11:00am or earlier; we can then continue waiting in the line-up inside the theater as opposed to the stairs leading to the entrance. Again, I am only guessing, but at about 11:20 to 11:30am, the actual cinema itself shall open and the line shall make haste into the dark, seated area. We must then acquire 9 seats - probably two banks, one of 4, one of 5, one directly behind the other - and, should all of us not be there by then, flag them with jackets and whatnot.

We will then spend about half an hour sitting idly, chatting amongst ourselves, catching up on whatever we've all missed of each other as of late. Likewise, I'm sure most of us (if not all of us) shall take turns emptying our bladders so we will not have to later in the movie - I, being one who had to hold it in 2 years ago while the fellowship was ONLY at Lothlorien, shall definitely partake in this particular practice.

At 12:00pm, the lights shall dim, some people shall cheer, and we shall then watch about 5 minutes or so of commercials for cel phones, coca-cola, and/or beer. There will then be about 20-25 minutes of previews for movies soon and long to come.

At approximately 12:30, the screen will open up to its full size, some people will undoubtedly cheer again . . . . . and I will finally see the film I have wanted to see for a very long time . . .

. . . with extra luck, it will also be beside the person I have wanted to see it with since December of 2002 . . . . .


Everybody who's seeing this movie this day, have a safe and pleasant day or night, and I shall see you in the morning. Until then, I shall say good day, fare thee well, and remember: today, life is good . . .
Comments (9) | Permalink

Tuesday, December 16, 2003

   Okay! I got something!
Got the tree and decorated it just now. Looks decent enough, I must say . . . question is, where the heck are all the other Christmas decorations?

It took me a while to realise, but the box the lights and tree stuff were in was NOT the box that we've been using for over a decade now! So, I'm stuck here, I think - gonna need to search the basement and stuff for those stockings and other things . . . . .

And in other news . . . um . . . . . my mother told me to shave. I said I would soon enough. Heh.

Alright, so I've started calling around giving final instructions for how Return of the King is gonna work out. I think on the whole, there's gonna be a bit of public transportation and a whole lot of luck for a bit. Also, people are still in shock that we're watching a noon showing . . . they are also in even MORE shock that because of this we're gonna hafta get together and in line by about 9:30 - 10:00am!

[Shakes fist, sarcastically cursing "The Girl's friend's" name . . .]

Ya see, I always wonder how it is I get myself caught in these leadership positions . . . . . very curious, indeed . . .


Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention this one! If I lick my lips, sometimes I'll brush the 'stache, making me go, "uwah! It's THAT long?!" Eheh heh heh . . . alright, see ya tonight . . . or tomorrow morning . . . or . . . ah, see ya.
Comments (11) | Permalink

   Facial Hair: Day 18
I swear, it grew faster these past 5 days than before! Also, I think I know what it's like for a cat to have whiskers now . . . last night I dropped into bed, face-first . . . . . the hairs under my nose all touched before the rest of my face, yet it registered on my face because of the hairs . . . SUCH a weird feeling! Cool, but weird!

Almost Wednesday, almost Wednesday, almost Wednesday, almost Wednesday, almost Wednesday . . . . . . . almost Wednesday . . . almost Wednesday, almost Wednesday . . . . . gah! I'm starting to get really REALLY excited now!!!

Um . . . . . I've got nothing else right now. Maybe tomorrow during the day . . . . . wow, I'm at a loss of words right now . . . weird . . . . .
Comments (6) | Permalink

Monday, December 15, 2003

   "Ohhhh, we're halfway there, Oo-ooohhh, Livin' on a prayer . . ."
(Heh . . . gotta love Bon Jovi . . . . .)

Alright, so I call my buddy up. We're FINALLY off to buy some tickets!

So, there's another complication: my buddy's getting his car finished/protected, and won't be able to get it until after 2 . . . essnentially, our final thing we could do is buy tickets for a NOON showing of Return of the King and then EVERYONE would be able to go.

Aye . . . the things some guys'll do to accomodate the ladies, let me tell ya . . . so yeah, we have the tickets, and everyone's happy . . .

Well . . . . . okay, one LAST unavoidable complication . . .

So everyone has those sort of "fringe" friends, right? Ya know, the ones who you know well, but don't really like hanging out with? The ones you talk about where you go, "what's [insert name] been up to lately? He still screwing up his life doing all that stuff?"
Yeah, we got one. He's coming. Damnit.

It just sorta happened, too! He called my friend up, OUT OF THE BLUE, and it somehow came to this . . . damnit all!!!

Ah well . . . guess things could be worse . . . I mean, they could be a CRAPLOAD way better! But ya know . . . DAMNIT!


In better news, while there, my friend and I stuck around and watched The Last Samurai, finally. Yes, it was gold. Indeed, it was so good I almost crapped my pants. Wonderful movie in so many ways . . .
Comments (12) | Permalink

Sunday, December 14, 2003

   One problem down . . .
Ya know, mO really needs some smilies with big sweatdrops the the sides of their heads . . . . .

Seems my buddy should be okay for Return of the King, and has a very good chance for not having to be called into work that day. Makes things much easier, I must say.

So now, all we need to worry about is getting a movie viewing at or before 2:00pm to tailor to everyone . . . . .

. . . yeah, we didn't get around to buying those tickets today/yesterday after all . . . eep! Gettin' kinda scared now!

Anyhoo, I actually did stuff with humans today/yesterday, so I'm happy about that. I think cabin fever was starting to set in . . . . . anyways, it's almost midnight, so I think I'll leave it at that for now. Peace out!


OH YEAH! I forgot to gripe about this earlier in the week, I think: YTV restarted Inuyasha from the beginning again!!! I mean, it's been 3 months of 2 episodes a week, and now it's back to square one!!! NO!!!!!
Comments (11) | Permalink

Saturday, December 13, 2003

   Finals End and Life Gets Complicated: Extended Edition
During that night, while my friend and I were discussing what we would do if things got messy, we essentially accepted that if the worst was to happen, someone - him, or "The Girl's" friend - would have to miss out. My friend then, the gallant guy he is, said to me, "Well, if I have to work, then don't worry about me. I can always see it with [my girlfriend] when she gets back in town." He then went on to saying something about how it's always a good gesture to tailor to the ladies and stuff (which is true from our standpoints).

Well, I would have none of that. Like I said, this friend of mine is my LotR geek buddy! He's been planning this with me all year now! I simply told him, "no way, man. You deserve to see this on opening night!"

My next message had something along the lines of, "If things don't work out, well, ["The Girl"] can go see it again with [her friend] another time, and even thought this'll probably REALLY screw me over in the long run, well . . . dude, you're going, no questions asked!"

Yeah, convictions and morality are a bitch . . .


So yeah, there's the extra scene that was cut from the theatrical version. Hope it gave a bit of insight into this whole mess.
Comments (7) | Permalink