Bold titles are the lazy man's CSS.

Ladies Get Underwhelmed

I'm working on having the next LGU done by the end of the weekend, or Monday. You can check out Todd's (alienhead) journal for a list of the latest things in lit from off his table and others in the mean time. Pretty solid list.

Driven by Design

Personally, I think this is one of the cooler contests that's come down the pipes in a while (non-lit, of course. By default, all things lit trump pretty much everything else. This is fact.)

Scion wants you to skin their cars

Using a template, you essentially create a paint job for a vehicle on your own artistic style. It's a little known fact that my own car (which may or may not exist) was hand painted by myself and features a visual interpretation of Beethoven's Fifth. Needless to say, it's breathtaking.

So, if you dabble in the dark arts of ...art, and you are proficient in the visual side of that, you may want to take a try at this contest.

The Running Man

I'm on the last legs of a University marathon. I started this semester, and since it is mostly based on projects and my own Senior Thesis (which will be live changing) I actually have a little more time to myself than expected. First week jitters are done, and I've been spending class time sitting on AIM/MSN and browsing some prose categories, compiling some potential DDs. Haven't had a chance to test the dAmn rooms yet, though.

Oh, yeah, I'm back

in Canada. Plane ride was pretty quick. Mostly because I actually did finish The Lovely Bones. Which I did enjoy, aside from one or two chapters. Also have finished The Princess Bride, and then I can finally start on The Crying of Lot 49 which I bought ages ago and never started.

As We Speak!

Canada is beating Sweden in the IIHF World Hockey Tournament. Not even getting a medal last year, it'd be nice to see at least a Silver. A Gold, obviously, would be fantastic. They need to pay attention to the younger guys for the Olympic games in 2010, because they are tearing it up.

Don't ask.

What you're really reading for...

The April Agon contest went rather well, I must say. James and I put the forums to task over the last month or so in order to gather some weekly poetry/prose from prompts we'd put out. The results were really great, and there were some specific people who shone quite brightly.

The overall bestest person ever award (Which will be given anually, I'm told) goes to *lovetodeviate who put up a great effort each week, and took the checkered flag in two of those four weeks. Please go give the finale article a read and show it some love.

deviantART in General

I've been keeping up every day (except yesterday, because the net was down) with things, so I am checking notes. I'll be going on a DD scouring mission when I get back to my house (Monday) and have luckily managed to get the ports I need unblocked at my University (I have pull) in order to access all my applications. This means that during boring lectures, I can spend some time on deviantART.

I have decided to re-shift my focus on the site. I know that I've been distant for some time, but I think it's doing no one any favours just hiding out all the time. I don't have any belief that it is hindering those who really want to get things done, but I think they may have to go through alternative channels, and that's not fair to everyone else.

My AIM is Aoril Kilad, my MSN is coshdaddy@gmail.com, which is also my email and GTalk contact. I hang out in #dAlit when I can. Come talk to me. I don't bite.

Do they even have Cheerios there?

My trip overseas is slowly coming to close. I know I didn't offer any updates the last month besides my mention at the beginning, but I was honestly chained to a desk for most of April. April Agon was the only time I could devote to dA, while also dealing with misc. drama (I shortened misc. because I can't remember how to spell it! I am also writing this with my wireless off so I can't look it up)

I left on the 26th. I left from work, where I was actually just signing off, handing in my security badge and running to a lunch with my manager to discuss future plans over some Fuscilli. Needless to say, I didn't get much a chance to calm down until I sat on the plane. Even then, I was buzzing.

I was going to finish reading Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones, which I did bring, or perhaps shine off the last bit of Todd's book, A Knife Transcendent, but I actually found one at the airport that I decided to give a bit of a read. I had heard about Freakonomics somewhere before. Perhaps on Wired.com, which I read a lot during lunch at work. Either way, it sounded interesting enough. And it was.

I really goddamn enjoyed it. Normally I don't take to business oriented books, because I find them trite, but I quite liked this one. Economics is a science I enjoy. Very math, very stats, very sociological and empirical. This book kind of cemented that. So, yeah, a little non-fiction that's not history focused and I actually got through it.

You're a mass transit system

She was not nearly as shy as she was when I got there last time. The airport was smaller, too, and she wasn't late (for once...I'll get an ear full when she reads that). I almost made us leave without paying the parking fee, but we found a spot. We then headed to her parent's house and had a bit of a time just chilling out there. Toni had an interview (that ended up being canceled), which changed our plans from going out to just letting me sleep and watch some TV.

We rented a few movies for the weekend. Saturday. We picked up The Departed, The Night Listener ( nhjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj -- that's the cat, Calamity) and Pan's Labyrinth. We really wanted to see the latter, I really wanted to see the former, and the guy at the shop recommended the middle one (which I wanted to see in theatres, but couldn't get enough interest in to see it). Pan's Labyrinth was really as good as the reviews have been. Perhaps a bit more, as =Jon-Law put it, Schindler's List than Narnia, which I wasn't expecting, but it was still a fantastic film. Toni and I are still arguing over whether or not the fantasy aspect was metaphorical or an actual aspect of the story. I really enjoyed The Departed. It was pretty in-line with what happened in Infernal Affairs, a Hong Kong action-flick which the movie was based off of. All but one key thing, which I picked up on and caught the ending kind of quickly because of it. Scorcese really at his best there. We both agreed that The Night Listener was underwhelming. Could've been much better. It was alright, just nothing particularly special. Very tense, though. Which is how a lot of Robin Williams more serious endeavours have gone for me (One Hour Photo, Final Cut, etc.)

I am no good with dates or order, so I'm just going to keep writing as it comes.

We spent some time in this really lovely spot not too far from her house. It's a farm, petting zoo, craft shop and gardening centre kind of thing. Just really everything that sums what is The Toni. I took a lot of pictures (some of which I'll upload when I get back) and got beaten in a game of horseshoes, but only if you ever ask me again, I'll deny it. I also found some ENGRISH in one of the shops. Needless to say, we both were very happy.

We watched Any Dream Will Do, which is basically American Idol except they get a more solid job after. We're also watching it right now, which is nice. Just a sit by the TV, which has really been a lot of what we've done. Just talk, sit and enjoy.

We spent the day in York yesterday. It was a really lovely. York is a very historic city, all old buildings, churches and river-side cafés. Took quite a few pictures from there, too.

We had a few really great times just in the pubs. There was one there, the Golden Lion, that was really great. It's pretty much my vision of what an English Pub should be like, and we basically sat on this leather couch and munched chips. I think that's the test they make you take to actually get citizenship. I passed.

There was a dungeon there, as well, which was a lot of fun. We didn't actually go in, but the both of us cautiously entering to find a price, was just such a great scene. I'm as big a wuss as any. I hate being scared, and I just know that those places are programmed to make you feel this way.

You know what they say about...

A lot of my favourite times have been just walking Huxley. She walks a lot, too, I can barely keep up. The countryside we've walked along has just been beautiful. Lovely fields of rape (ha!) and rolling hills. Gives us time to talk, too, which, as I said, has been something we've done a lot. Just talk. Which is great.

It's just really been fantastic being here. I know I may talk about it too much, but I know that she'll be reading this, and this is as much a letter to her as anything. I really don't want to go, but I know that we'll meet up again before we know it. It just has to happen, as far as I see it. I feel at home with her.

Lesion? Gross Ulcer.

Literature Gallery Update #11 has rolled out, as promised. Remember to leave a little love, and if I missed anything or you want to have something included for next time, send me a note and I'll let you know what can be done! This month is definitely abuzz with activity.

I'm an idiot

Yes, believe it or not, it's true. I was so interested in getting a journal out on Tuesday that I totally forgot the most important point.

Toni has officially turned 19! Yes, she has finally become legal-drinking age in Canada. A reason enough to entice a visit, I think.

I've got a great gift for her, but I told her that she has to come here to get it, or I have to hand deliver it. The latter is what's going to be the case (details later), but gifts are always much better when you can actually see the reaction, be it positive or negative.

She celebrated her birthday by getting herself trapped in her own home after moving around furniture. We don't really want to ask how that happened, but we should all smile, nod and wish her all the best in her new world of maturity and late-night partying!

Sorry for the omission, sweetheart.

Agon

Ensure that you visit this link. It is so imperitive, you have NO IDEA.

Well, it's pretty cool, anyway. ^PoeticWar and I will be running some NaPo themed contests out of the forums all month, and the first is a pretty neat one that you should all give a try. What do you have to lose besides a bit of time that you'd normally be wasting READING MY JOURNALS? Nothing, exactly.

Get at it.

Is it later yet?

I'm going to be taking a bit of a vacation later this month. I end my final workterm at the end of April and don't start school for a week and a bit. Looked up some flights to England (I was invited back) and got a flight for an amazing price. Seriously, you wouldn't even believe it. So, I'll be heading there! Looking forward to it.

I will stress again, because she'd want me to, that Toni is a fantastic hostess. Even if her creatures are a bit insane.

NaPo

Well, another April is upon us and National Poetry Writing Month has arrived along with it. ^PoeticWar and I are going to be running a few contests out of the literature forums all month, so keep an eye in there. The first one is already up and running, and I think that it's a pretty cool little excercise (if I do say so myself).

I will try to post a poem a day. I have some written, but not posted, but will be posting them within a day or so in catch up mode in my scraps. I'm keeping an eye on a few people that have started already, and I'm really impressed with what I've seen. So much so, in fact, that I'm going to try and post a list of my favourites at the end of every weekend.

LiFe

Work is going steadily. I've had a very stressful time working on a new project, and it's taken up a lot of my time and burnt me out for the rest of it. I've spent some time working on a few poems, and dA things, but otherwise I haven't done much. Haven't seen quite a few of my friends in a long time.

I graduate at the end of this year. That's a scary thought. I know I've placed fears of getting old in my journal from before, but it really does sink in that I have to finally figure out what the hell I'm doing soon or else. I've got a full-time job offer already, but I'm not sure A) I want that job or B) I want to work at all. I might go back to school, or maybe take my small business to a new level (i.e. Level 1). Tell will time on that one.

LgU

Look out for it tonight. There's a lot of cool stuff in there, as there has been a lot of cool stuff going on in the last little while. I know that *LitFFS is taking off, and =MSJames has an article for that's worth a gander. There's always *fotoFRIDAY and more and more. I'll update my journal with a link once it's actually finished.

GeEk

Movies: I saw Reign Over Me a few days ago. Actually, thinking about it now, it was weeks. Damn. Either way, I did enjoy it. Adam Sandler is quite hard to take seriously, and the whole situation which they put his character in got a little tired, almost, at the end. Overall, it was alright. Much better than I expected.

Music: New Modest Mouse disc We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank does not suck as much as I expected it to. It is obviously not going to grasp those Mouse fans that already jumped ship after Good News..., but it is still Isaac Brock, and it's still Modest Mouse. Fly Trapped in a Jar is my favourite track so far, and I am already sink of their once infectious single Dashboard.

Books: I got my copy of `alienhead's book A Wife Transgender...I mean A Life Transparent. What did I say? I've only read as far as I'd already read on his previews, but I am looking to make this a train novel at some point during the next couple of weeks. Go take a look at his website for details on how to get yourself a copy.

Games: I'll be grabbing a copy of Super Paper Mario this coming week, even if I don't imagine I'll get a lot of time to play it. I think the last incarnation of the series arrived at a time in which I was insanely busy, as well, so I played it over the span of a few months. I imagine this one will get a similar spot. Good series, though.

Sports: My team, the Colorado Avalanche, are one win away from the playoffs. That is, they are one win away from being OUT of the playoffs. That is, if the 8th place team Calgary wins, they will be out of the playoffs. Things look bleak. Still, it's been a great season, and they should spend the summer rebuilding and making way for some solid rookies (Wolski, Stasny) and getting some of the younger kids (Svatos) to pick up their game a bit. Also, stronger goaltending is a real must.

This is MARCH!

I've never quite understood, personally, the whole college circuit of sports in the United States. It's just such a big thing there, in all forms, and I've never quite understood it. It's definitely a different type of game, a lot less ego than in a normal one, but there's also a lot less maturity when it comes to loses and wins and calls on plays.

Been keeping an eye on the latest of the Final Four countdown. I really don't know much on the rivalries, but I'm really enjoying a lot of the matches just because of how hard these kids play. It's fiercely competitive, and undeniably intense for a lot of different reasons.

Point is, I'm starting to get now why it's such a big thing. My mind is melting.

This is SPARTA!

I saw 300 on the opening day. I was invited to go to a Midnight show on the Thursday, but I really couldn't bring myself to get 4 hours of sleep for a movie that I already knew the ending, beginning and middle of.

Overall, I have to give major credit. The film delivers. It is exactly what it is advertised as, and exactly what I was expecting. Strong, visually compelling and intense story based on the Frank Miller comic based on the movie from earlier in the 20th century.

It is a designed film, though. It is designed to basically appeal to the animal senses. Has all the necessary components for it. Small army v. Large one. Evil backstabbers and snappy comebacks. Overwhelming villains that become more and more frustrated. You just get that "Root for the underdog!" sense for everything. People eat it up.

So it doesn't surprise me when it's being defended on most sites as the best movie in a long, long time. People get fierce over it. Personally, it carried a lot of the weight that Snyder carried with Dawn of the Dead. The time in between the action scenes were so trivial and odd, and the dialogue was delivered so awkwardly in some spots that I just shook my head.

It wasn't really an epic movie, either. Not enough happened, not a lot of development. We get the characters right from the get-go, and we get no real surprises. We even have the evil villain who ends up more like Green Goblin. "Join me and we will rule the world!" "I'll get you for this gaaaadgeeeeeet!"

It's not a bad film. By no means. It was so well put together that calling it such would be stupid. But, that said, I wasn't completely blown away. It was a good sophomore directing effort, probably one of the better I've seen of big-budget movies, and well executed in the vision of Miller. If I had to rate it, I'd put it near the 7/10 or so. It did as much as it could with the material, so it should get a lot of credit for good delivery on its promises.

This is ENDLESS!

I've been minding the place I live in because everyone who lives there is gone on vacation. That means feeding all the various animals and making sure that nothing catches fire. As such, my dog has been keeping me up all night. He howls. Non-stop. He gets "lonely" and when it gets dark and I go to sleep, he gets loud. But, he refuses to come into my room for more than five minutes. Goes back to the window and starts again. I haven't slept a full night in over 5 days. People don't come back until Sunday.

I won't last.

Lent is almost up. I gave up Chicken wings and coca-cola, both have become a regular part of my consumption regimine. Both are killing me. Easter will be a good time. I am trying to convince `imperfect to come up a bit before then (it is her birthday early April) but we'll see. She's busy applying to jobs and whatnot, and my job keeps me pretty occupied, so nothing is definite. Doesn't mean I can't bug her about it.

Oh, and the first to point out that I am writing this journal at work will disappear mysteriously in the night.

This is VICTORY!

Contests are almost all sorted. Still need to take care of a couple, but I'll soon be done that. LGU is coming soon, so if you have any projects that you're running, planning on running, or ARE EVEN JUST AWARE OF please let me know and I'll do my best to have them included.

I've been approached about running a little contest out of the lit forums, so I might take care of that soon. I'm getting more and more DD suggestions, too, which is great. Sorry if I don't reply right away, but I do read them all. Usually a couple of times before I make any decisions. Keep them coming.