I made breakfast for my brother. He looked surprised last night when I told him I would. I knew he was wondering what I would make since my recent absence means the fridge is bare. I got it at the grocery store when they opened at 7am.

Flying Home

I know. I'm missing posts. I was having so much fun I never really got a chance to complete post. I have to get better at this, especially with a live blogging device.

I am in the YVR bar, flying home to Toronto from Seattle. My vision is fucked cause my left eye is half swollen and its really all I've got.
I'm killing time drinking beer.

Gym tomorrow. I've got an American waistline only high fructose corn syrup can provide.

Having one more beer before boarding. I should have paid the 30$ for the lounge.

Roger Waters The Wall, Live in Seattle

This was the most incredible concert production I have ever seen.

The performance was incredible, Roger played with a genuine passion that was astounding considering the decades he's been with the material.

I've made fun of Mike for purchasing VIP tickets for concerts in the past. While I rock with the proletariat he eats veal side-stage. I will no longer mock such extravagance, having now experienced the luxury for myself.

With ten people in our gang it made sense to take a limo to the show. Once we entered the venue (free from being searched) we were given tote bags with a souvenir poster, t-shirt, program ect....

There was a buffet with some delicious wings. San's Dad bought me a Wild Turkey at the bar.

We had the most amazing seats, thanks to San. We sat in the 6th row. I know we were close cause even as a blind man I could make out Roger;s face on stage.


We blazed constantly. When Roger/Pink points into the crowd and yells "that ones smoking a joint" he pointed right at us.


I can't describe how amazing the whole show was. I tried to take some cool photos of the most memorable moments.

The Schoolteacher from The Wall

Hey Teacher, Leave us kids alone

Fallen Soldiers are bricks in the wall

Roger Waters in Seattle

Mother Puppet from The Wall

Holy Shit they built that fast

One more brick

The Wall

San and I drove to the airport to pick up Matt. At passenger pick up soe asshole started honking at us, then we realized it was Mike, who had driven to the airport with the same purpose.

I turned my phone on this morning to find a message from San. He dropped off some K-cups in Mike's mailbox so I could have my a.m. java. Then he swung by to pick me up for the day.

Stuck

We took San's new Jeep off-road. He was over at Mike's place early. They both took the day off at Google so we could go find some trails the Parks service set up.
We picked up coffee and drove about an hour to somewhere around mount rainier. We found the trails and figured the smart thing to do would be to stay off the hard ones.
We were surprised to see snow (in the mountains, of all places). We only got a little bit in on the 1st trail before we had to turn back.

The Unemployed Jet-Setter Flies Again

It's time for a vacation. An undeserved but necessary vacation.
Sure I may not have a job, but I do have good friends. Friends who are incredibly cool. San and Linsey got us all tickets to Roger Waters next week so I'm heading to Seattle.
I'm up early, I start Mondays episode of Howard Stern and make coffee for my brother. We say goodbye.
I'm late getting out the door and now I'm waiting for the bus at Kipling. It's 3 minutes late. Its supposed to take twenty one minutes. It arrives, I get a seat. It's not crowded. My flight takes off in less than two hours. Good thing I don't have to check any bags. Hopefully I can breeze through security.
I go to the wrong counter to check-in. Sure my final destination is Seattle but I have to connect in Vancouver.
I get swabbed by security for explosives, you can never be too careful.
Pearson airport has a Tim Hortons. This is a big deal cause its so much cheaper than standard airport fare. I got a coffee, everything bagel w/herb & garlic cream cheese, an apple juice and a S'mores donut.
I have now boarded and ready to depart for Vancouver. I must now cease transmissions.

The flight is loaded with the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra The flight crew announced there's 83 of them. No doubt if this plane went down the loss of these youths would far overshadow my own tragedy. They hop around the flight chatting with friends and stand around in the isle. I purchase an expensive chicken wrap, cashews and two rye. The cost of which is 23 dollars. My symphonic seat mates remark on my costly lunch. I wax poetic about the Maple Leaf Lounge and how I miss it's services on this trip. The only reason I didn't throw down the 30 bucks was they wouldn't have started serving before my flight time, so not worth the expense.
I chat up the youths beside me.
I find myself giving life advice to young people, something I have no business doing so I stop.
I check the flight map on the headrest display, we are over Manitoba with just under 3hrs left in flight. A nap takes up 2 of those hours. I wake and decide to listen to Pink Floyd's the Wall, however it seems I've forgotten to put them on my listening device. Almost in Vancouver. I close out Mondays Stern Show.

In Vancouver I must go through security again, My bag and laptop are swabbed for explosives(clean). I clear US customs without issue and now I'm waiting for the puddle jump from YVR to SeaTac. I have pictures of San's son AJ, and dog Kosmo and Kitty Pixel. I can't wait to see them.

drunken dictation

Drinks with my brother Paul and a coworker.  They brought me a cheeseburger. Appreciated.
Paul hits the decks. I attempt some conversation, it goes unrequited. We resolve to listen to Paul spin while I write this blog. To be honest he is dealing out a sweet house set.
My brother Paul is a DJ. Sure he works in computers bus he gets his rocks off on turntables. As I typed that he fucked up a mix, punctuated with his trademark shout of "FUCK".
I go to take a piss Q tips in the toilet. This has to be our guest. I use call girlfriend razor to fish them out of the toilet.
Sure it's 1 am but the blue jays there in minnesota and it's the seventh inning and the twins are up 7-5. You don't count out the Blue Jays that's not what you do, not to the greatest fucking baseball team that ever played the game. Of course my internet connection is fucked up and only showing me flashes of baseball players.
Jose Bautista hits home runs.  We watch an episode of the Simpsons remembering how Mike Socia's tragic illness made us smile

How blogging got it's grove back

It's the first day of May. The Second Cup coffee shop across the street from my place closed unexpectedly. It was the same Second Cup that was featured in the movie Scott Pilgrim vs The World. I guess I was a semi regular there, I would go there when my internet was out, or when I needed to get out of the house to get some writing done if the temptation to play nintendo wii was too strong.

Speaking of which, I came to the realization that within my next few play sessions I will beat the Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword, a game I have played off and on since my brother Paul gave it to me on my birthday in January.

I'm another Second Cup on King West. I frequent here when my former coffee shop had no available electrical outlets.

I had a great conversation with my brother Paul the other day. We were packed like sardines at Wide Open, an ironically named storage-space sized mini-bar. I've seen downtown condos bigger than this bar. Pau told me that I had a responsibility as a content creator to... create content consistently. The only way to have readers return daily is to have daily posts, something other bloggers find the time for, but my jobless ass seems to have trouble with.

I guess the next step is going to the fucking gym I pay for. If I'm going to be in any kind of shape for Burning Man in August I have to start hitting that stationary bike.

I booked another flight, this time to Seattle. My friend San and his wife Linsey are treating a bunch of us to a Roger Waters concert, he will be performing The Wall in it's entirety. I leave in 17 days.

I just about cried at the end of Sunday nights episode of the Simpsons titled "A totally fun thing Bart will never do again". The totally fun thing in the title was a family cruise that Bart wanted to continue on forever through chicanery. After the family discovers Bart's ruse, Homer tells him that life is about enjoying the precious moments while you can. The episode ended with Bart as an old man looking at photos of himself sliding through his life's happiest times, Bart lays back in his bed and says to himself "What a ride". I just teared up and gasped, unable to breath enough to full-on cry. Maybe it's cause the series is closing on it's end, or that the feeling echoed so closely to my own ethos, it struck a strong emotional chord with me.

 

Claude Hooper Bukowski

I booked my flight to the UK for my sister Chloe's wedding. I booked through A Canadian Affair. I normally fly Air Canada but it was way more expensive. I will be flying on Air Transat, it was 200$ cheaper booking on A Canadian Affair than the Air Transat website. My direct/return flight to Manchester, taxes in, was 818$.



I get in on June 21st, a Thursday. Pear Jam will be playing, I've never seen them play but I did see them in person at the Tiff11 screening of their eponymous Cameron Crowe directed doc. It would be cool to go with Marc and Chloe and Wayne if they are interested.

I was very apprehensive about making the booking because without a job I can't really afford the trip, but I can't miss my sisters wedding and the aeroplan points on my credit card will bring me one step closer to another trip to Japan (which I also can't yet afford).

Granny Mo's B Day

My grandma turned 78 today and my mom held a very nice dinner party for her. Paul and I took the GO bus to Mississauga andI decided to stay over to watch the new episodes of Mad Men (Mom has cable).

Gmo blows out her cake

Mom tells an animated tale, while Auntie Chrissy listens

The very least I could do

I'm in the domestic Maple Leaf Lounge at YVR with four hours to kill till my flight home to Toronto. This lounge is a lot larger and much classier looking than the lounge in the international terminal.

I'm going to use this time to drink complementary Guinness and add pictures to the few posts I managed to start but never publish.

I feel somewhat revitalized, I will try and make relevant daily posts all this week.

Last Day in the Mission

The famed Sweet Chinito Breakfast Croissant 

I'm chilling in thr Bernal Heights area of the Mission district of San Francisco, eating my Sweet Chinito breakfast croissant for the third day in a row. I could never get tired of this thing. I will miss it. Mike is on a bus returning from Tahoe NV, we will be flying to his home in Seattle tonight.

I had a great time with Matt and ran into enough old friends to make it a really fun short trip. I love San Francisco and I'm lucky to have so many cool friends here.

I want to go to Amoeba Records and find some cool vinyl.

A spin around Delores Park

It's a big Sunday for us in San Francisco. I'm staying at Matt's place in the Mission. It feels like home I've been here so often. I'm not here for long so we have to make today count.

Sandwich from Sweet Chinito

We went to gamestop to trade in a bunch of Matt's used xbox games. Matt (on impulse) decided to buy  3ds on a whim, something I didn't have the stones for 2 days previous and now regret.

We went to the "pimp suit" store on Mission, between 20th & 19th (I'm such a "local", I knew where we were going with no need for Google). Matt wanted a Leap Day William suit, but after getting fitted they told us it couldn't be ready for Wednesday (Leap Day). It's an expensive joke that will now have to be shelved for another four years.

We picked up sandwiches at Sweet Chinito. It's been over a year since I've had one, and I missed it so much. I got my classic, Turkey, Bacon, and Provolone Cheese on Dutch Crunch Bread.


I love spending time in Delores Park on a Sunday. We ran into Jim and Ashlie, Burner friends from Shadyvil. We sat down and chatted with them for a bit. Matt took this time-lapse video using a GoPro affixed to a Ikea egg-timer on a tripod.




Matt's back was really sore. He scheduled us for Massage in Japantown. I've never been to San Francisco's Japantown before, but I've been to Japan and this is the next best thing. The mall was really cool, I wanted to eat at every restaurant in the place. The massage was my first, it was awesome. It was almost painful but well worth it. She got all the knots out of my shoulder blade.

We met Bobby at Trader Joes and then met up with Mike back in the Mission. We ate some sushi and played Mario Superstar Sluggers.

In flight blogging

I'm gonna write this with my thumbs on my cellphone. Usually I am lucky enough to grab the isle seat but on these 5 hours i will be sandwichced between two ladies (ideal). I can hit post when I land or when I get to Matt's wifi in the mission.

My last US roaming data adventure cost me an extra 30$ on my rogers bill.

I sure got my moneys worth in the lounge considering it was free.

Air Canada has one of the best PVRs in the entire airline industry. I'm going to watch Tin Tin, even though I should see it on Imax instead of the 7" screen before me.

I almost impulse bought a Nintendo 3ds yesterday. I know now that it would have been a good purchase.

When the food goes by I think im gonna buy an in flight beer and chicken wrap w/cashews. Somehow they comped my beer.

I dozed off and woke about 20 minutes before landing. I spent that time trying not to void my bowels.
I'm back in San Francisco, a quick BART ride and I'm home in the Mission.

Fly Sunny J Class

With only the slightest bit of shmoozing I find myself with complementary Maple Leaf lounge access.
I had my sob story ready but Elizabeth barley heard any of it before giving me the keys to shangrila.
This is my happy place. I love the lounge.
People bitch about Air Canada but i have no complaints.
The hot beef & barley soup warms my belly. A soothing familliar feeling befofe the sudden shock of chilly rye & cokes.
I would have gladly paid for the lounge(normally 35$) but my flight was in the morning. Now that my flight is at 630 it makes sense(booze-wise), but its too late to add the option to the flight.
Earlier I said no complaints, but it does apear they are out of cookies.

Never mind, they have been restocked (as has my beverage).

Looks like its time to fly.

Flight Cancelled, re-booked

I was staying up all night for an early transit ride to Pearson for a 9 am flight to San Francisco. I got a text message from Air Canada at 2:45 am about my flight being cancelled. I quickly hopped on the website to find out if I was screwed. Thankfully it has nothing to do with labour strife and everything to do with inclement  weather. I moved fast to re-book on a later flight. The first flight I selected jammed up but the second time I tried I was successful. I will be getting in at 9pm instead of noon. I was really looking forward to spending a Saturday afternoon in my city by the bay but better that my whole trip wasn't shot to shit.

Since my flight now doesn't leave till 4pm, I wish I had added Maple Leaf Lounge access. I guess I can try and get some rest now that I dont have to be on the first subway out, 

sleepy

I volunteered at the lightbox for "Family Day" today. It wasn't busy at all.

Afterwards I went to see The Secret World of Arrietty(Kari-gurashi no Arietti). I watched it when I was in Japan, but this was the english dub.

I was so tired I passed out at 4:30 and just woke up before midnight to watch some tv.

I don't think the antibiotics are working.

one was one too many at rex

Con Air at the Tiff Bell Lightbox was brilliantly stupid. Sure, I saw it back in the day, but back then I wore the rose-coloured glasses of a 15 year old desperate for 2 hours of escapism. To see it with a theatre full of shlock connoisseurs was truly an experience to be had. It's was absolutely ridiculous. At first it almost seems tongue-in-cheek, but in reality it's taking itself completely serious. I had such a good time. I hope the lightbox programs more of this type of fare in the future.

After the movie I went to the REX to meet Shawna and some pals for a pint.

The pharmacist at Shoppers Drug Mart had advised me not to consume alcohol while taking my prescribed antibiotics. Next time I will heed his advice. I threw up 5 minutes after getting home.

It was worth it to see Shawna and everyone and hear some good jazz.

baby steps though blogging

I should try and write a little bit every day. I have to write something everyday. I have been quite ill.

I spent the day volunteering at the Lightbox. It's the "Bell Free Weekend" and wasn't nearly as busy as it was last year, when thousands came for the free Tim Burton Exhibit and movies. They didn't screen any big name family titles that could draw crowds (although the older folks turned up for the Oscar-nominated Monsieur Lazhar) Hopefully next year they will have a little more going on for the kids.

It was great to see my friend Lars, who I haven't spoken to since before I went to Japan. He just got a job at the Lightbox, I'm very happy for him (and proud too). He's a film buff and a Jays fan, so we had much to discuss but only spoke a little (he's a responsible employee, after all). I'm headed back there now to meet up with him and watch the Nic Cage classic Con Air.

Kevin Smith announces Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie

Kevin Smith in Toronto

Kevin Smith announces new Jay & Silent Bob cartoon, hopes to premiere at tiff.

Last night Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes returned to the big screen for Kevin Smith: Live from Behind. A one night only live podcast and Q&A recorded at the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto and simulcast in theatres across North America.

The podcast of Jay & Silent Bob Get Jobs will be available on Smodcast.com soon.

The big announcement of the night was the existence of Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie, An animated feature with live-action elements. The animation will be produced by Starktoons (of Smodimation fame). Kevin said he hoped to screen it in September at the Toronto International Film Festival during Midnight Madness.

On the subject of Hit Somebody!

Kevin Smith Live from behind.

I thought the show started at 7 but when I got to the Scotiabank Cineplex i discovered the actual start time was 9:30. Because its close to home I decided to go back instead of waiting. The line is prigressing quickly so it should start on time. It's being simulcast live so it has to be on time.

Autobus a Toronto

Im on the megabus back home. My traveling days are done for a while. If I was to lay out my plans for the year it would be San's Seatle Trip in May, my sister Chloe's English Wedding in July, and if I get a ticket then Burning Man in august.
The power suply on this so called "megabus" isn't enough to charge my phone, so as much as i would love to keep blogging i feel i must retire with the latest smodcast 199.

Cafe avec mon Perre

I'm wastching a band play a morning set in a cafe with my dad. The band is lead by John Speed a jazzy trio, my dads girlfriend Dorianne sings backup for the on weekends. This place is quaint (Le Depaneur Cafe) and the tunes are solid. These guys are great musicians. Dad just told me to imagine the sound with three ladies singing backup, which i was just thinking of.
I'm going back to Toronto on the bus tonight. Its so nice to spend this time with my dad. Coffee & music. Yesterday was coffee and a movie. Just good times.

Tool Rocks Over London

TOOL totally rocked my ass off. They opened with Hooker With A Penis. We had great seats right on the floor(a most excellent birthday gift from Jagger). It was the closeest either of us have been to the band (Jagz has seen them six times and I a mere five). The John Labbat Centre seemed pretty full, but it looked like even the cheap seats got a nice look at the action.

After the show we hung out at Jaggr's friends place for a few Crown Royals mixed with Schweps (the spumonte bambino of ginger ales).

We laid our heads to rest at the executive suites(jagger rented a room because of my rediculously early train).

Slow train to TOOL

Union Station was used as the dystopic Henry Rollins hobo-hospital in Johnny Nemonic.

I'm leaving my laptop at home and blogging through my phone. Its just to heavy to lug around. I'm getting a new mac soon, but even then do i want to carry a brand new baby all around? An android tablet rocking 4.0 would be perfection, this screen size just isn't enough for my near blindness.

I'm off  to London, Ontario, to  see TOOL, one of the best live rock acts to ever tour. They hit Toronto last night and i would have been at that show too in my younger days. But instead I rested. I'm more mature now and am less likely to folliw a band from city to city. I might eat my words if the Smashing Pumpkins decide to rock nearby. I'm taking the train. I bought my ticket on the internet when I was in Japan, I guess it was a boxing day sale cause it was about 50% off.

I jam back to Toronto in the morning and go straight from the train to the bus for my annual Igloofest trip to Montreal.

I have to say that Via Rail sucks once you have been on the Shinkansen. The service is fine and I got a great price on the ticket. Its a just a real shame we don't have bullet trains in North America. I would be there already. I bitch but I snooze on the train and we are there in figurative "no-time" instead of literally no time.

Downtown London is a depressant. Lots of nerdowells. I check out the Starbucks, they only have a Canada mug, nothing for London.
I explore the sad mall and decide to wait for Ashlie to finish work while drinking a beer at the Fox & Fiddle.
I will add the bar playlist when i get to my laptop for some cut & paste from Shazam.

I use different phone apps to give my photos a little spice. Blog posts without photos are lame. I hope to get some good shots of Maynard tonight.

falling behind

I'm using my laptop tethered through my phone while I wait for the rogers guy to show up and fix my internet. Pretty cool.

I have a lot of blog maintenance to get to.

My burning Man blog is going to get a kick in the pants.

My postcard blog is kind of a mess. I have to sort through all my cards and figure out whats been posted and what still needs to go up.

My Japan blog needs to be polished, posts completed with pictures added and such.

No time for any of that now, I have to go to the Lightbox since I took a volunteer shift this afternoon.

Big Week

My internet service provider, Teksavvy has let me down for the first time. I pay the big bucks for high speed but it went down on Sunday and it could take a Rogers guy 3 days to get out and fix it. So I'm back at the Ol' Second Cup across the street from my place. It's frustrating cause I have a lot of blogging to do and it's cheaper to do at home(I don't have to buy coffee).

I went to the medical clinic down the street since the dysentery I developed a few days ago has so far refused to abate. 

I'm excited for this week, even more than last week. Sure a 30th birthday and a trip to New York is a big deal, but this week I'm going to London Ontario to see TOOL (along with Jagger and Ashlie) and then Montreal for my annual Igloofest trip(w/Matt Ian and Brooke).

Before that I have a few volunteer shifts at tiff Bell Lightbox, which is one of the highlights of my life. I love the festival and the people I meet there. I'm stockpiling movie vouchers so I can see all the Studio Ghibli movies when tiff has a retrospective in March.

Nature calls, hope this imodium kicks in soon (says the guy drinking coffee). 

I have a subwoofer too, assholes

The assholes downstairs have never lived away from their mommies. Now that they are big grown-ups they can play their music as loud and as late as they want with no repercussions. Except for me.
They party like kids do (I'm so old, calling them kids), whooping when the music gets extra awesome.

I have asked them to turn it down in the past, the effect lasts only as long as their tiny minds can retain the thought.

I have no problem with them having a good time, but past 2 am it starts to wear on me. It kept going till 5:30 am, at which point they decided to watch a stand-up special at the same volume till about six.

I waited a little bit.

At 7:30 am I put on some tunes of my own.

I inherited this insane asshole gene from my father, it can be ugly, but it can also be incredibly useful.
Hip hop fans hate Death Cab for Cutie, and Radiohead, it baffles them. So  those tunes became the foundation for my "Fuck you douches" playlist. Oops! The subwoofer seems to have tipped over and is now facing the floor and the bass is up to 11.

It had the desired effect of pissing them off enough bang on the locked outer door and then to call my brother (who isn't even home).

I enjoy a cup of coffee sweetened with vengeance.

I'm Older

So this is me at 30.

The live taping of the Colbert Report was even more funny than when I saw it back in May. Most of the funny came from Stephen's Super Pac, or rather, The Definitely Not Coordinating With Stephen Colbert Super PAC. Before the show begins Stephen comes out as himself (you do know its a character, right?) and answers a few questions. He said that the SuperPac only started because he registered a domain he thought was funny and Comedy Central lawyers became concerned he was starting a PAC, so he decided to start a PAC. He said nothing has been planned in regards to the PAC and that every new move is in response to what the actual candidates are doing with their PACs.

It's brilliant political satire, at the same time it shines light on the ridiculousness of Political Action Committees and the stupidity that has arisen from the Citizens United ruling.

A woman in the audience was a week overdue and said her water had broken the day before. Off the top of the show Stephen thanked "those joining us in studio and in utero" which got a good laugh.

After the show I got a message from a friend who lives in New York, but not close enough to get a beer with. So I picked up a medium pie at Abitino's (In New York, you can say "Pie" instead of Pizza). The pizzeria is just around the block from the Pod Hotel, and they really classed it up from the last time I was here. They changed the lighting and took the clutter out of the decor, looks like somebody had a restaurant makeover. I picked up a 6 pack of Brooklyn Pilsner to wash down my pizza. My room has a TV, I watched some South Park and then Daily Show and the Colbert Report that I just saw taped. It was interesting to see how it's cut together. Sometimes Steven flubs a line and they take the bit back a little. When you watch the show it's seamless. Not a bad way to spend my 30th birthday, better to be alone in New York than alone in Toronto. I got a lot of well-wishers on Facebook(I use the birthday barometer, if somone writes a personal message then they care, if they write "Happy Birthday" then they are doing it cause they think they have to, or are uncreative).

Checkout time is noon so I'm just chilling, eating a bagel from the fantastic Ess-a-Bagel. I'm not 100% sure what to do with my day (my bus leaves in 12 hours). I haven't been feeling well so I won't be making any long treks. Seriously, I need some Pepto-bismol. Maybe that greasy pizza wasn't the best idea but what else are you going to eat in New York City?

SOPA SUCKS (Bagels are good)

I'm blacking out my posts today. It's an internet thing. This SOPA thing would hurt us bloggers pretty bad. Sometimes I use copyrighted material under what I deem "fair-use", but SOPA could mean anyone with a bug up their ass could take down my blog along with half the fucking internet. I don't think me blacking this stuff out will make anyone more aware of the situation than what Wiki is doing.


I finally got my bagel, it was great. The place around the corner has a ton of different types of cream cheese. I tried the "everything" bagel with chive schmear. Delish.


I picked up some postcards it Times Square and an Artie Lange cupcake from Crumbs. I zipped back to my hotel since I don't feel so hot and want to remain close to a clean washroom. Maybe a little nap before I head to the Colbert Report taping.

Checked into my Pod

Still no bagel. I was able to check in early, which was nice cause I really needed a shave. The rooms here are tiny but they have all you need. I looked into staying in a Hostel last time I was in New York but settled on the Pod Hotel, it wasn't much more expensive. I enjoyed my stay and since I had such a great experience here last time I decided to give them another whirl.

A movement in two parts

The smell of the port authority bus terminal had a hobo fanning the air for relief. No matter, I had business to attend to, and I did quickly, sparing you any details.




I have time to kill before the Colbert Report tonight. I figure I can drop my heavy laptop off at my hotel before checking in and walk around for a bit. Maybe get a bagel and a schmear. Half way there I realize I'm going to need another bathroom quick. So this is what it's like to be an old man? Constantly living in fear of crapping ones pants.

No doubt this is my punishment fot the Macdonalds I ate last night before the bus departed Toronto.

I make it to the Pod Hotel, the washroom here is like the Four Seasons in comparison to the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

The lobby has a comfortable lounge with wifi. I bought 10$ worth of roaming data so I can use my phone around town. 

Now feel empty, I really need that bagel!

Greyhound Birthday

I just turned 30 and Im on a bus. I brought my laptop to new york so i wouldnt have to blog on my phone like im doing now. The greyhound has wifi and a power suply but its just flighty enough to kick you off before you've had a chance to save. My laptop is about 5 years old and still works great but its heavy and now i have to lug it around Manhattan.
The bus made good time this far, now we inch along trying to get into the lincon tunnel. We better get there soon cause i got a #2 on deck.

Clone Trip

I have done this trip before, it's a clone. I thought it would be fun with another person, and it might be, but I'm doing it alone once again. It's still going to be tons of fun.

I'm packing for New York, in this case "Packing" consists of making sure I don't have any small bags of weed in one of the small zipped pouches of my kick-ass Zelda backpack (I picked it up last time I was in NY at the Nintendo World Store, I can't wait to go again tomorrow). I'm glad I checked, because I did have a small sack of stems and shake that no doubt would have put me in an american goulag for the rest of my life.

I'm bringing three pairs of socks this time (and wearing a fresh pair). I got so soaked last time I went it sucked. I had to dry my only pair with the hotel hairdryer. I don't want to take any chances this time.

All of my documents are printed, I like to have everything together and know where it is at all times.I'm really good at that. Almost too good, I think it borders on obsessive compulsive.
There is always a panic. This time it was my keys. I'm looking for them in my bag when I stop myself, the are on something or under something. I look to the empty steamwhistles and see my opener keychain. the wheels click and I have found my keys.

It's 8pm, I've got to head to the Bay Street Bus Terminal.

Time to bake the Metropasses

Sunny J (me) is turning 30, not 2. (photo:@ondre)

I'm up real early on a Monday, still unemployed but keeping busy. I'm heading over to the CNIB to help distribute TTC metropasses to blind Torontonians. It's not a magnanimous gesture, I benefit greatly from the pass myself. I also believe that it is my civic responsibility to put back in what I've taken out.

el Venom esta loco
(photo: Shawna)

Last night my mom had a fantastic Birthday dinner for me. I turn 30 on Wednesday. She made a meaty lasagna and a vegetarian option for our herbivore guests. As requested she also picked up a black forrest cake. My friend Shawna came all the way to Missisauga, along with my cousin Treya, her husband @Ondre and their little monkey Lula. My Granny Mo & Andy were there and so was my brother Paul. We even phoned my brother Marc who is over in France snowboarding. I got some great gifts, my auntie Chrissy gave me a bad-assed Venom luchador mask and the Kick-Ass graphic novel. Paul gave me a wii controller and a gift card with enough credit for a copy of the new Zelda game (everywhere he checked for it was sold out). I'm going to spend some serious time playing that game. It was such a great night.

short n sweet

Just a quick one cause I'm busy.

I'm finally on the right track. I usually make my new year's resolution in late January and start working on it mid March.

Volunteering at the CNIB, and Tiff.

I'm cleaning up my room, finally.
Doing laundry.

I have a lot of big moves this year, making a lot of plays.
January is big and I'm gonna be blogging big.

Upcoming stuff this month include:
-Stephen Colbert in New York City (And my 30th freaking birthday!)
-TOOL in London Ontario
-Igloofest in Montreal

Gone Japan'n

Hey, I'm in Tokyo Japan, and I have a special blog, just for my trip. Please check it out by clicking this link:
Sukiyaki Poutine

Howard Stern and Beth touched my calendar

I'm a big fan of Howard Stern. I have been listening since he began on Sirius over 5 years ago. His new hobby is photography, and he took some pictures of his beautiful wife Beth and a few loveable pets for a charity calendar supporting the North Shore Animal League. Howard announced it was on sale via twitter and that the first 1000 would be autographed so I ordered it right away.When listening to the show on Friday Howard told his co-host Robin that she should have gotten her calendar by now since she had ordered hers on the first day. I knew if mine didn't show today I had a problem.

Well it showed up today and lucky me... IT'S AUTOGRAPHED! The dogs are so cute and it has little stories about the animals, and the best part is Howard actually touched it. I will probably never have a chance to meet Howard Stern unless my penis falls off or he writes another book (He is notoriously magnanimous in regards to book promotion).