1 year Anniversary!

August 23, 2005 was the date that this blog began. Yes, it has already been one year since the start of Hug My Soul. When I started it, I honestly didn’t think it would last that long. I found it strange to write on it, almost as if I was writing to myself. Who would read it, how much detail should I write about, how personal should it be?

But one year later, I think I’ve figured all that stuff out. I know people read it because they tell me they do, and because of all the comments! Thank you all for the comments, they really do keep my blog alive. I’m glad I kept this blog, because it shows me how I have changed over the last 12 months, and how many things I’ve experienced and learned.

There are also so many great stories about friends and good times, which makes me happy. And like any good book, there’s also stories about death, birth, confusion, dreams, politics and a little bit of sex mixed in to spice things up.

I tried to pass on knowledge that I thought was important, and I hope you guys became a bit more educated. You educated me as well. Look through this info again, its really great: Children of Beslan, Book, Middle Sex, Chemical Weapons used by USA in Iraq. There's also so much more. I feel that it's up to us to educate each other, and share info. I don't shove things down people's throat as I may have in the past, but there's so much stuff we need to know to better this world.

There were also a number of Pooncho Parties as well. These are events where we all get together and stuff our stomachs with food. Here are some of them we've gone through: Pizza Hut, Sushi on Bloor, Cookie Dough Ice Cream, Cantina Mexicana.

I've also shared some of my crazy dreams: Killed Hitler?, Jack White and a Flood, Reoccurring Dream, Nonno John, Nancy making me laugh.

There have also been a tone of great experiences with friends. Just a few were: Halloween fun times, Vegas clubbing, more Vegas clubbing, Vegas peeps, making chocolates, baby shower, Simple Connect, Vegas Tryst, Veena's Bday, Judy's Bday, 5ive, my Bday (pics), and dead battery.

I also had my fair share of rants on various issues: Evangelical Christians, Fox News, annoyances, school and life, nice guests, bottled water, less news more fun, Mexican aliens, Canadian Terrorists.

Also, my Grandfather passed over this year, and I had help through it all: sick, fatal, passed, funeral.

And of course, a blog about my life has to have stuff about me;). I told you a bit about my beliefs, experiences that I've learned from, and finally finishing my four year degree and certificate. I also went to a strip club for the first time, experienced a robbery, told you some nice work stories, won an award, and got cream pied for the first time.

Wow, those are just a few of the nearly 200 posts on this site, along with just as many comments. Thanks again, and here's to another year!

I want one

How great would it be to play this with my Vodka shots rule?





Very great.

School is Finished

I just wrote my last exam, meaning that school is over for me!!!!!!!! (Pending that nothing terrible happens, like I fail the course or something). The exam was hard, but I did alright because I studied a lot.
And, I also got my award money from York today. They sent me $550.00 for the thesis that I wrote. I’m very happy about that too, I can’t believe that my cheap ass school is giving me money for once!
Ya, so school is over. I wonder what this will be like.=)

No AIDS funding this week, PM says

So, first Harper doesn't make an appearance at the annual AIDS conference that is being held in Toronto this year, and now he says he doesn't want to add new funding yet. How sad is it that people like Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, and a world of other groups came to our country to discuss the pandemic of AIDS, but our PM chose not to attend.
Well, to the people who voted him in, I hope you're happy with your choice:P

Updating our Solar System

Finally, it has been decided! Pluto is a planet. But, so are three new rocks. Our solar system now has 3 new planets, time to update the textbooks!

A.W.E.S.O.M.-O

Here is one of my favourite South Park episodes ever! Sit back and relax, and watch the whole thing!

This Just In: WMDs Found in Iraq

Ya, this is more stuff about how the US media can make stupid people believe anything. It's a good read, that looks at a poll that shows that 50% of AmEricans believe WMDs were found in Iraq. Ben, this is one of those websites I was telling you about that offers a different look at the news.

Playstation 3 VS. Wii

This video is a rip off of the new Mac ads. Its kills me, you have to watch it. It's great if you know about the PS3 and Wii.=) It is not real though (ignore what the people say at the start, it's just a joke). Click here if it's not working for you.

Sticks and Stones

Many people believe everything that is said on the news. Many people believe what Fox News says, which is a total crime. But, I guess for every smart person, there has to be a stupid one. This short show from the CBC is great at illustrating what is happening to the news stations, particularly in the US. This is a great show, please please watch it. You will learn something from it, I guarantee it.
Ben, this is the same video I told you to watch months ago, you'd better watch it now!
Mike and Sidd, you'll like this as well.

Let me know what you guys think, post some comments!

Self Indulgence

Yesterday and today I found myself shopping for clothes. Yesterday Veena and I went to Guess, and I bought a few things, like track pants. I haven’t owned track pants since I was in grade 8. They were so comfy though, and look alright to wear in front of people, so I got them. I also got a T-shirt. Then, today I went to Mexx, and bought some dress clothes. I got a pair of black pants, and two dress shirts. I got them for when I go to interviews. I will be applying for jobs soon, and need something nice to wear. I didn’t stop there, I then went to Square One, and got a belt at RW&Co, and a necklace from Guess. I then stopped over at Buffalo and bought a pair of jeans for way too much. They’re so nice though, I didn’t care. I haven’t shopped for myself in so long, and haven’t cared about what I wear since first year of University. Okay, that wasn’t totally true, but it’s been a rare day that I care about how I look.

Before shopping today though, I also went to Mark for a hair cut and colour. It took just under 3 and a half hours, which seems to be the average. I left much happier than the last time, Mark’s great. He cleaned me up nice, no more shaggy Stephen. I HATE being there for so long though, man I wish they could speed up the process!

Other than that, I have more time of my hand. Being out of school has freed up so much time for me, probably a little too much. This is why some of you will notice me calling you more often. I’m just looking for someone to hang out with when I’m super bored. So, if you’re every super bored as well, give me a shout. Judy, I can’t get through to you no matter when I call. Delete all those old messages so that I can leave one!;)

CBC News: Israel to bomb all moving vehicles in southern Lebanon

I guess people are expected to flee on foot then?...

almost not single

So very sleepy, yet so compelled to blog at the same time.
I just got in from work, which was very slow. I was also zombie-like because of lack of sleep. On Friday, Veena and Sreng came over. We ate chicken wings, nachos and ice cream. I also called Ben, and we spoke for a little while about pink teddy bears, car chases and a girl who has 2 moms and a dad. I’ll have to call you again soon Ben, maybe sometime this weekend since my parents are gone. Sreng, Veena and I then watched a movie called Pride and Prejudice. It was a Bollywood-Hollywood type movie. It was strange, everyone spoke English, and even Ashanti was in it. I don’t like Ashanti, but she was looking good here. After that they left, and I picked up my friend from his work, and we hung out at my house.... Then we eventually slept, and I made it in for work at 530, very sleepy. It was a great start to the parental free weekend.

Last class

Today was my last class, last school presentation, and I handed in my last school marketing project. I edited the thing all day, and was glad to be rid of it too. The presentation had next to no rehearsal, and was totally thrown together, but we rocked it. Yes, three birds killed with one stone, it was awesome. I also cleared out my gym locker, which felt really strange. I can’t believe that it’s over, minus my last exam on the 18th.
When I began school, I was totally lost and confused as to what to do. I got accepted as an undeclared major, and drifted through first year. I remember that almost every week I would consider dropping out. I soon identified that it was mainly one class, an online class that that causing my turmoil. I ended up dropping two classes, and really was only a part time student then. Not having a major meant no direction, which meant no motivation. So, what happened? I went to Vegas.

That Summer I went to Vegas and met up with my friend Jason there. He told me that he had graduated with a major in Communications. I looked at his life, and he had a nice place to live, and a steady job. I remembered that major when deciding on them that summer. When I looked into it, it seemed interesting and very general at the same time. This made it a safer bet for a confused little me. When I went to apply, I was told that I needed to do a double major. At the time, I chose English, but soon switched it to Psychology after reading about all the cool courses in that field. So for the next two years I balanced my course selection, being very very careful with what I took. One mistake could set me back a whole year, I had no room for error. Actually, I planned to be in school for a total of five years. At the end of my third year, I knew I needed something more. I needed something to do with business. I felt like I had learned very little practical real world knowledge. That’s when I found the marketing certificate, and signed up.

At first marketing was the polar opposite of everything I had learned in communications. Suddenly, a good ad was one that got people to buy lots of useless things. Cheap labour in poor countries was a competitive advantage, and culture jammers where no where to be heard of. Somehow I managed to adjust, learning the other side of things, and at the same time, learning that my anti consumerist views were a little too extreme. So, my last year consisted of my fourth year Communications course, my Psychology Thesis, and a pile of marketing courses.
After all this, I’m proud about where I have ended up. I did a four year double degree, and a one year certificate program in one year. And, that’s even with all the problems I had first year. Yes, I’m gloating a little, but we all earn it now and then. I even worked throughout it all, and maintained my friendships, now that’s reason to gloat!=P
Anyways, I am now even closer to that strange land that lies between full time school, and full time work.

And the best news???? The weekend is here, I have the car, and my parents are gone!!!

Virgin Festival!

Hey guys! I just looked into this concert, and it looks great. Massive Attack, Zero 7, and Wolfmother will all be playing on Sep 10th. If you don’t know those bands, then please accept my condolences. But, now its your time to find out! Believe me they’re great, and there are a whole bunch more playing that day too. Check out the site: http://www.vfestival.ca/en/
Yes, it’s sponsored by Virgin, and it is really a commercial in disguise. Nothing is sacred in today’s times, not the Skydome, Brampton Centre, etc. But, whatever, it will be cool!
So, come one and all! You can buy tickets at Future Shop ...cough....the concert’s core target market?...cough).
Drop me a comment and let me know!

Lose lips past midnight

I’m not sure what I want to write about tonight, but I feel like I want to write about something. I can’t say that I will decide though...
Maybe about passing time in a steamy windowed car. Maybe about being at work and totally not feeling it. How about awkward discussions with parents. How about watching a barn burn to the ground, while ambers filled the air. How about how it was one of the most beautiful sights ever. How about how great it is to have friends who care. Maybe the dream where I saved myself and let a whole train filled with people die. How about the long and old looking washroom in my dream, and the creepy janitor.
My parents are away next weekend, and I have the car as well. This makes me happy, are you all invited over? Of course.
Am I still a spoiled brat? I wonder. Why do I dislike being around my parents? Why do they force me to lie, I’m the worst liar and I know they know. I can’t wait until I’m settled into the next section of my life, after school is done, after I find a job, after I find a home, and after it all feels right and I like it. New things are scary, and there are so many new things ahead. Scary things are exciting. From that comes great things. I don’t want to lose anything, just gain more.
Is this where I say ‘that’s life’. Ya, it is.
That’s life;P