I'mmmm baaaaaaaack!

Yes, I'm in!!!
Hi guys, and long time no see, at least read. Sorry about the downtime, I've had trouble logging in. Actually, I haven't been able to log in. But, fear not, I have found a way about it, and things should be back to normal now.
So, what have you missed? Not too much I guess. I've been working a lot, nothing new there though. I have also gone out a few times with friends to clubs and restaurants. Went to Applebee's on Friday, and that was great, I ate way too much food, and was super stuffed while I worked that night.
I've also been over to Patrycja's house a whole bunch of times, which has been great. Her daughter, Antonina, is super cute, I love her already. We have also been trying to brainstorm some business ideas. So far we haven't had much luck, but we've just begun, and have lots of time still. Besides, we can always open an adult video shop, and make some money, right Patrycja! =P
It's getting warmer outside, which is a great thing. It always feels like I'm awakening from a long dream; as the snow melts away, a fresh start begins.
I also had a pretty bad scare with Nonna Connie. She had two heart attacks a few weeks back, and was going to die. The doctors told us that it didn't look good. Thankfully, she pulled through, and is on the road to recovery. Her kidneys are working better, and she's slowing gaining her strength back. She's also back at her home, which is good for her. It was strange, seeing her in the hospital bed, and thinking that could be the last time I see her alive. It made me cry, because she didn't know how bad off she was, and was worrying about what we were going to eat for lunch. Man, it gives you some perspectives on life, and what really matters.
I also dragged Daren out to keep me company while I stuffed my face at Sushi on Bloor. Thanks for that Daren!
Oh, and I met someone who is smart, funny, and loves having long discussions about business, stocks, and world issues. Yes, really!
And now begins another exciting week.
Talk to you all soon, I promise to post!

PS- No, I will not join Facebook, it's too hip and cool for me,... period ;)
(maybe in a few years)

Today was my day off, and I played a little Zelda again. Here is how it goes for me when I play a new Zelda game:
Day one: Oh, man I can't wait! Hum, this seems a little boring though.
Day two: Oh man, all this stuff again, this seems boring.
Day three: Hum, that part was cool.
Day four: Wow Hyrule is so big! I can't wait to see it all.
Day five: Wait a minute, there are so many things I can do, this is cool...
Day six: "No! I'm not coming for dinner, I'm busy!"

I'm on day five, this game is awesome. Judy, you NEED to play this. On a similar note, my Wii is online now, which is exciting. I phoned Nintendo today to help me out, which was sooooooo cool. I felt like I was speaking to a celebrity. The guy was very helpful and friendly, excelent customer service. When my Wii got online I danced a Russian style dance around my house. Yes, I really did, it was my happy Wii dance.
So, don't mine me if I send you random emails from my Wii. Just make sure to email me back.
=)
~~~~
Yesterday we had our management lunch/dinner/meeting. We went to "10" in Port Credit which was really great. The food was tasty, and the service was nice. Not having to pay for any of it, and getting a Christmas bonus...priceless.
Off to bed.

Parties and chocolates!

Last week was the staff Christmas party at work. It went well, I think everyone had a good time, and it went without a big hitch or anything. Before I went though, I met up with some staff at Applebee's, and had a lot of good and greasy food. Dessert was great too.
On Sunday we made hundreds of chocolates. The new flavour worked out really great, I'm very proud. I can't wait to give them out to people to see what they think of it. It's a gingerbread-pecan chocolate, which goes along with the usual cookie-hazelnut type. It was great to see you again Vickie and Daren. We should go out for a holiday dinner or something.
Today I went shopping, not Christmas gift shopping though, but just selfish "me" shopping. It was fun, I bought a whole lot of stuff. Three separate shore employees asked me "are you Christmas shopping for someone?". I was able to saw proudly, "No, I don't do Christmas shopping". One girl was totally amazed, and asked me a whole bunch or questions. The second girl looked a little embarrassed, as if I were about to saw I'm Jewish or Muslim or something. The guy was surprised as well. Wow, I still don't miss Christmas shopping, the holidays are so much more fun and less stressful now! I even saw some familiar faces at the mall, which is typical of a mall, you see a face from afar, but that's were it ends. Unless, it's someone you like, then you go say hi =0.
Tomorrow I have the morning off, and am very happy about that, I'm going to stay in bed for as long as can.

What's been up...

Hello! It's been a while since I last wrote, bum slap to me.
It's been a busy last 2 weeks, and a fun one. Here's what I've been up to:

I went out with Judy for dinner last week. We went to a place near Erin Mills called Axia. It was nice, but we did so much talking that I didn't really pay much attention to the restaurant or food. It was a great time, thanks for coming Judy!

Another exciting thing is that I got a Wii. My very own Wii to play and enjoy. I've been playing the new Zelda, which is pretty great. I've only put a few hours into it so far, but I should have more time next week. I've review it all for you then.
While on the topic of Wii, I have to mention Nintendo's marketing of the machine. I have to hand it to them for how they are promoting it. They're try to reach a very broad audience, you know, the 8-88 year olds type of thing. I have to say though, that so far they have been pretty successful. They had a rep. in Walmart yesterday who was demonstrating the Wii, and you should have seen the demographic of the crowd. A 40ish year old man was teaching a 65+ man how to play bowling. There was young, and old, male and female, all asking when they could buy one.

Another cool thing that happened to me: I got a package in the mail the other day, opened it up and found 4 DVD movies inside! I won the Toronto After Dark prize pack! I can't wait to watch them.

Other than all that, there's been a lot of work. I've made a new training package at work, and I think it's a pretty good start. I've seen the newbie servers using it, and filling it out.

Today is my mom's Bday, and tomorrow is my staff's Christmas party. I hope they have a fun time, although I'm sure they will because it's an open bar!

On the family front, Nonna Connie hasn't been well. She's been very weak since her surgery, and now the doctors said that she's had two mild strokes. She lost some movement in her left hand, but I think it's coming back. She also needed a blood transfusion the other day. I hope she gets bettter from here, I think her body's got another few years in it at least. Today we're also celebrating her 90th Bday, which is exciting. Now, I'm off to get ready for that. Hope all is well, and just so you all know, you're all invited over one week today for Chocolates Making and Wii Playing Day!

Wii less

Well, it's Sunday, and I'm Wii-less. I've got the new Zelda, and an extra controller, but no system. I couldn't get up early enough to line up outside a store, so I didn't make it. I had no idea that this console was so popular, there's been next to no commercials for it. Oh well, I guess I can wait a few more days. On a good note though, I've got a new ipod nano!! Okay, now I feel happy again. Time to fill it up, later.

Halloween Party at Andria’s!

[Edit: Now with pics!]

Last year I went to Kyle’s Halloween Party, and this year I went to one at Andria’s new house. I went as a fat American,... yes I don’t get it either. [The picture of me is from the end of the night, and after many many Hot Steves. I look like a crack head:P] It was great when Craig “Osama” showed up with his very veiled girlfriend.
Veena and I went together and had a great time. I introduced everyone to the “Hot Steve” shot, which is a total rip off of the shot Chris made us, Patrcyja. I don’t remember the name, so now all my friends know it as the Hot Steve. I also engaged in some drinking games, which included a lot of drinking. And, for all those who remember me as the guy who could drink all he wanted and still be somewhat sober, those days are over! Wow, I now understand all the stories I’ve heard from people blacking out, and throwing up! It was great. Veena drove home, and I threw up three times on the way! I’m proud that I’ve finally experienced this feeling. Oh, and I also fell asleep with my contacts on, an act that I never understood how people could do before. My tolerance has weaken from months of never drinking, and studying for school.
Oh, and Happy Halloween! It’s only a few hours away now! Everyone listen closely for the ghostly whispers and footsteps running down your hallways!
Oh, and one more thing. Guess who forgot to change the time on his alarm, and arrived at work at 8:15 wondering where everyone was. Man, what a flake (to use one of Eric’s terms)

Convocation Camp

Yesterday was a busy day, but in a very good way. There were 2 parts to it, my convocation at York, and the Toronto film fest, Toronto After Dark. One of them was too long, boring and inhumane, and the other was fun, and entertaining. Following is a short story of the inhumane part of yesterday:

I was up early at about 6:55, got ready and we left to pick up Veena and Sreng at 8. After that we headed down to York, where the ceremony started at 1030. They wanted me there 2 hours early, so that I could stand in a line...Opps, I mean in lines.

HOW MANY LINES?

The first line was to pay for my robe. $50.00 bucks, and they weren’t going to give that back, they called it a ‘rental fee’, um...okay. Then the next line was longer, much much longer. Both lines were in a hallway to school, and there were no dividers, or arrows for which way to line up. I ended up in the middle of the second line, cutting in without even knowing it (it was a mess of people). The line was a large spiral, no exaggeration. I saw Patrycja after a while, and she budded in with me (pregnant women get whatever they want in my book). Finally, we reached the end of the second line, and then joined the start of the third line, to pick up the robes. Short line, and we went to Vari hall, which was behind a veil. I joined a forth line/mess of people, in order to get a number. I got 722. The number turned out to be my reserved spot in a fifth line. I crossed the veil entrance to Vari Hall, in order to get in line. What did I find? About 1000 people standing...in a line. I asked a girl if she was in line, and she said she was. She was number 1000 something, and said to head into the core of the line. So, I started pushing my way through, burrowing deep into the heart of this final line made up of graduates. I found the 700’s line, and found my place in front of 723, thankfully. There we stood for another half hour or so, and tried to figure out how to put the sash on properly. Finally, a voice from the floor above shouted at us to “get in line” and showed us how to do the sash. We all didn’t fit into this hall now (which is really just the entrance to York), and people in the higher numbers were overflowing outside.

INTO THE TENT

Finally, after being in this hot and smelly mess, we stated to move, row by row. We walked outside, in the cold (which was refreshing after all we had been through), and made our way to the extra large tent York had set up for us. We filtered in, passing families in friends, all packed together. I knew that my mom, dad, and Veena and Sreng were somewhere in there. I started to think it was a bad idea to come. But, it was nice to be free, walking freely after being stuck for so long in lines. That was when the real and true horrors of the morning began.

Row by row, we were squeezed into bleachers, thigh to thigh, knees to back. There was no leg room, no room to even move your head for fear of knocking off your hat. Facing us was the crowed, probably thousands of people staring at us, and a camera shooting us to place our faces on the big screen above. And then there were the lights, the hot hot lights shining on us. An angel was looking out for me, because Patrycja ended up being seated right behind me, the ODDS!

The ceremony began, and there we sat. Rumours started flying that the ceremony would be three hours, people started flipping through the book of names.....so many names, it got hotter, people were thirsty, hungry, everthing! Patrycja needed to pee, but how to escape this hell? Justin Timberlake started singing from the Ipod beside Patrycja, cell phones started calling....people found ways to cope. I started to laugh, and joke. I said it would be over in 15 minutes, just fifteen minutes. I knew though, deep down, that it would be longer...much longer. Patrycja couldn’t hold it in anymore, and an excape was planned. People moved from the row behind her, and she got to the top, and was able to get down from the side. Behind me the underground railroad was opened. It tempted me, time was passing, it was getting hotter, I felt faint from dehydration. I could see my friends, Sreng’s head tipped to the side, eyes started to close. My parents eyes followed the row of people on stage, name after name. Hurry up, hurry up. Those around me kept following the book. 8 more pages. But it couldn’t be true, they really couldn’t keep us here that long. But, the names kept coming. And then it started happening. After shaking hands, some of the graduates when right instead of left. Instead of going back up to the bleachers, they when right, into the freedown of the outside world. Fresh air, a cool breeze, food, water, freedom. Patrycja came back, and we planned our escape as well.

HOW TO GET OUT?

How would could we hide carrying our jackets and her purse when going on stage? Could we really make it out? We planned, people complained. Only a few more pages now, it had been almost two hours. It was hotter now, my robe was undone, my tie losen, and the top three buttons on my shirt were undone. Water, if only I had some water! Justin Timberlake played some more, people started conversations about nothing, with the prisoners beside them. “they are pronouncing the names wrong” “What is that big pole they are carrying”. We watched the “dignitaries” shaking hands, and smiling because they had water beside them.

We sat and sat and sat and sat. Why did I come? I want to leave and eat Sushi! How much longer! More names, never ending. We began to hate the people that stalled, even just a little. Hugging instead of shaking hands brought hatred from us towards the person. Hurry up! More people snuck off, smart people, free people. Our captures made announcements: “do not leave, stay out of respect for your fellow graduates”. Respect? What did the administration know about respecting us?

Finally, the time came, and my line went. At the last minute we changed our plan, and decided to stay. Standing up hurt, my knees cramped, and I was slightly delirious from dehydration. I waited, again in another line. A line that went up the stage. I shook hands, and smiled. The air down on the stage was cool, and fresh. I was free, and it felt nice. A camera man took my picture (which York wanted to sell us, for about $30), and then I went left. Left, back up to the jail, and we once again put on our row to wait. More names, rows and rows of more names. Patrycia went and came back, but then escaped.

MY ESCAPE...foiled

I then sent a text to my friend Sreng, and he called me back, he was now outside with my mom and Veena, on a washroom break. I told him I wanted to escape, to go back and tell me dad to me outside of the tent. I couldn’t take it, and I followed the path the Patrycja had carved out, and made it to the top of the bleechers. A guard came running, “you can’t leave, sit down!” I didn’t, and kept walking. “Sit back down!” “I’m going to be sick,” lied to her, in a desperate attempt to get out. "No sit down, we let the other girl leave because she was pregnant!” And thus my escape was foiled, and I returned to my seat, now a deserter.

More time passed, and we all counted down to the last page, then the last row, and finally, the last name! We erupted in a cheer, life flowing through our veins again. Speeches were shortened, and finally we were set free. I rejoined my group, and quickly made it outside to the fresh air. We nearly ran to the spot that I needed to hand in my robe and picked up my diploma and certification (I was scared of another line). Thankfully, I made it before any such line had formed, and we make it out.

The rest of the day was much better, more to come...

Toronto After Dark

Are you guys ready for Halloween, the best holiday of the year? Well, get ready by watching some scary movies. Not your usual scary movies either (which are also great by the way), but some all new scary movies!
Join me at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival next week. I’ll be going on Saturday night, probably catching all the shows, first one starting at 3:30.
All the movies are playing at Bloor Cinema located at 506 Bloor Street West.
Check out what’s playing here, there are trailers you can watch too.
I’m going to buy some tickets before I go, so that I save money, you should all do the same. Let me know who wants to go, and we’ll meet up! Andria and Daren have already shown interest, so everyone else........ come along or else!
Let me know.

Bum Night

Just got back from my super fun night out with 9inch and Mike, except that didn’t happen. What did happen? We screwed up with the restaurant, and went to the wrong place. Sreng met us at a place that he was told was 515 Bloor, but it really wasn’t. What it was was a restaurant in construction that said “sushi coming soon” on the sign. WTF? So, we never got to meet Mike, who then waited for us at the real Sushi on Bloor. Mike, I am sooooo sorry about the screw up, I owe you big for ruining your night. We walked down loor to see if we could find you, but we didn’t get close enough to the real Sushi on Bloor.
We ended up eating at an okay Sushi place, but it was nothing like Sushi on Bloor. Nancy dropped Sreng and I off at the Spadina station afterwards (I’ve never been there), and that’s where our night was capped off. We went in the wrong door, and had two police officers chase us down. Apparently thy thought we were trying to skip out on the $2.75 bus fair, and fined us. How much? Oh, just $110 each!!!! So, I have now received my first ticket, for making a mistake.
Am I pissed? Yes, but just about not getting to meet up with Mike. I feel terrible about that. The whole fine thing is a funny story I can tell tomorrow morning. Speaking of that, I should get off to bed, I start my training tomorrow at 9.

Drive In

Last night we went to the drive-in theatre and saw two movies. The first, The Covenant wasn’t all that great, unless you like watching really hot guys in a large shower scene. But really, who likes that? Me missed the first half hour of the file or so, so we didn’t really know what it was about or what was going on.
The second movie, was the newest one with the great actor The Rock. Wow, I am always amazed at the range of characters that he can play, such a great actor. Also, the up and coming actor from Pimp my Ride was in it as well, doing an equal job at acting. Didn’t that guy sing a song back in the day? I think the best part in the movie was the big fat guy that gave up, but then tried again. Wow, that was so original. Yes, AmErica has yet another all AmErican Football movie under its belt, this time with segregation as well.
It was a fun night, we cracked jokes all throughout, and caught up on each other’s going ons.
This Wednesday is also officially Sushi day, as I will be embarking on visiting Sushi on Bloor. I can’t wait to eat until I’m stuffed. Also, 9inch is coming, so it will be a fun night. Oh how you treat me 9 inch, a second outing in the same year

Pooncho takes on the beef...

Hi all! My postings over the last few days have been short and sparse. I’ve been busy mainly working, and organizing the house. I’ve made it my goal to clear out all the junk that I can find, and renovate the basement.
I’ve also been working to the max. So much so, that I have little time to job hunt. My computer is also giving me problems which is making things hard. But overall things have been good. I’ve had time to put some real thought into my equity portfolio as well, and I’m proud of that.
But, I do need to mention some events that have occurred. Last Friday, my friends and I went to Frankie Tomottos again. I was so excited because they are an all you can eat buffet (something that I enjoy a lot of) and they have big beef ribs (another thing that I enjoy a lot). Those two things, along with being with friends made me one happy camper. I had no shame eating those ribs too, you can’t eat ribs politely, you just need to get your teeth right in there!
Deb, you would have been so disgusted by me, I’m sure I ate a whole cow.
Daren, you can just imagine how many I ate. By the way, how was the movie Mr, Film Fester?
I also didn’t go to the Virgin Festival, like I had wanted. It turned out being pretty sucky from what I heard, so I’m happy I didn’t go. Massive Attack didn’t even show.
Today I had the day off, and totally slept in until 1030. I had a ton of dreams too, but I won’t bore you with them. Lately, I’ve been dreaming like crazy, it’s great.
My mom made me spinach dip as well, and that makes me happy=)
Hope you’re all swell.

Wonderland!

Today I slid down waterslides, rode on rollercoasters, ate funnel cake, and even had a foot long hot dog go down my throat. Wow, what a day!
Veena and I went to Splash Works at Wonderland this morning, and had fun in the sun. We went down the lazy river three times, and down a whole lot of water slides. I had to drag her on some rides, but at the end of each she was laughing, and asking to go again. After a few hours we dried off, and I ate a funnel cake. Then we hit up the Dragon Flyer (or however they spell it) and some other cool rides. We left at 815. Ben, I tried texting you back 3 times, but I kept deleting my message before I sent it. I got frustrated with my fat fingers, and gave up.
That’s what I did on my day off.

Escaping the U.S... in the future.

Just got back from seeing Snakes on a Plane with a friend. It was pretty good, my friend said it was alright as well. Entertaining times. We also went to Applebees, and had some great food. I didn't get the blondie again, but he did. I just got spinach dip.

I had the craziest dream last night. It took place in the future, buildings were tall, and mechanical things were everywhere. It started off with me hearing about a terrorist attack and how it wasn't the typical stereotypical thing (ie-middle eastern guys) "they come in all types. These three guys were white, with suits and ties" was what I heard. I could then see the scene, which had been taped by surveillance. Three guys in white shirts had metal packs strapped onto their chest, that allowed them to shoot large flames of fire. They were setting a whole area on fire. It was all boxes or something, like storage. They were doing huge damage, but the area was soooo large, that it was just a small amount of damage overall. I was suddenly there at the scene, watching them in between the rows and rows of stuff that they were lighting up. I thought to myself that I should leave, just in case. I heard sirens coming, and I began to jog. I knew that it would look suspicious for me being there, so I planned to tell the cops that I was just out on a jog. Cops ended up swarming me, in the air (they were flying robot or people things) and on the ground (in futuristic motorcycle things). I told them that I was just jogging through, but they didn't buy it, to them I was a terrorist. They took me to the jail, or whatever it was and put me in a small circular room that had next to no lights. I was interrogated there by two men, one short white guy, and another black guy (I think, or he just stayed in the shadows). I remember them spinning around me, I couldn't see them. I was disoriented, and they tortured me psychologically and maybe physically (I can't remember all the details.). {edit} It was weird. Somewhere along all this, I got away, and had on cool shoes that allowed me to jump 100's of meters into the air. I was jumping from building to building, making my way up. They were really really tall, and each had huge balconies going around each floor. They were also futuristic people wearing bright clothing on each level. The people were weird though, almost like they didn't speak my language or something. Basically, they were not on my side. This was also the US, not Canada. It was also a beautiful day out. All the time that I was making these jumps, the authorities were hot on my ass. I think I was eventually caught again and brought back to the room. The next thing I remember was that I had gotten free, and was running to get to the Canadian border crossing. It was in a building, and looked like an airport. I had to go up two escalators, all the while being chased. I remember that I didn't want to even look back, I had no time to spare. I finally made it to the metal detector, and pushed through everyone and passed into Canada. It was now modern day, and the Canadians were normal (I remember being happy that they spoke, and could understand me). I was so happy that I actually woke up!

I then had a short dream of 9inch making me laugh by joking that she is taller than her bro. I wont even describe that one, but it made me laugh like crazy!

Busy few days

So, on Thursday of this past week, I got my once a year date with 9inch. She was so kind to spare a night on her usually busy schedule to see me;). It was great fun too. We went to Applebee’s, and got a big platter of starters and beer. After a few hours, we ordered dessert, which were crazy good! We got the hot blondie with ice cream and the deep-fried-bread-squares covered in sugar and cinnamon. It was all so good, and both came with hot and sweet buttery sauce to pour and dip. Wow, Applebee’s has the best desserts ever. We left after a total of 4 hours there, and plenty of great conversations.

On Friday I worked most the day and got ready for the yard sale. My parents and I also watched the South Park movie for the first time. It wasn’t all that great, the show has gotten a lot better since the time that it was made. I mean, Butters was barely in it!

On Saturday I got up and forced my parents to do the sale, even though they thought it was going to rain. It didn’t thankfully, and the yard sale went great. It was our first one ever, and was a lot of fun. After that I went to work only to find out that the power was out again. We sat around til 6:15 then stated a long night of work. It was a fun shift though, although I was drained.
Not much going on today either, just going to the gym and work. Anyone wanna go to the waterpark at Wonderland on Thursday? I do, as long as the weather is nice. Let me know=)