The UW Shop Cashed In Today

It's mighty nippley out today. I decided that I'd head to school in naught but jeans and a t-shirt and boy did I ever suffer the consequences for that one. Well played yet again, weather man.

Sadly, my classrooms were colder than the weather outside.

Made for a good opportunity to purchase some school clothing between classes though. The girl at the counter said today had been slow but for some odd reason everyone that came in bought some form of hoodie or sweater

She soooo wanted me.

God Bless High Speed

I'm back home in the Boonies looking after my brother for the weekend. The wonderful thing about coming home is that it makes me think aboot all the things I have to be thankful for.

Family. Friends. Nature. Food.

And, most importantly, high speed internet.

I Can Be Such A Desiderius Erasmus Sometimes

I took yet another online "Which _____ are you?" test. This time it's which Christian theologian I am. Apparently I'm this Desiderius Erasmus guy. I like that.

"It is the chiefest point of happiness that a man is willing to be what he is."

You are Desiderius Erasmus! You have great love for others and will do just about anything to show it to them. You are tolerant and avoid confrontations, so people generally are drawn to you. You are more quiet and reserved in front of strangers, but around some people you open up. When things get tough, you like to meditate alone. Unfortunately you often get things like "what a pansy," or "you're such a liberal."

What theologian are you?

I will say that I rarely get the "what a pansy" comment. I feel that, in general, people steer clear of calling anyone over 6' tall and 200lbs a pansy.

To Imprint Or Not To Imprint? This Is My Dilemma

I haven't updated the blog in a while as I've been a little busy. For instance, I was up until 4am last night working on a paper for one of my Art History classes. Of course, I didn't start the paper until 2am, so it all makes sense in the end.

Anyway, that's hardly the issue. I was checking to see if any comments had been updated and, lo and behold, there were new comments for my review of Man on Fire. One consisting of Becca defending Rotten Tomatoes to no avail, and the other from Dave.

Apparently, Dave goes to my school (good ol' University of Waterloo). Dave likes my writing style. Dave said I should submit my reviews to Imprint, the school newspaper. Dave is a good name. Fun to repeat.

Should I bother submitting my reviews to Imprint? Would they really be crazy enough to publish them? Would I publish under §panky® or Jeffery Bennett? Was Dave drunk at the time he read my reviews?

So many questions.

Feel free to answer them for me. I'm too tired to think aboot such silliness.

The Ability To Sleep Evades Me

As you can tell from the time of my last post in relation to the time of this post, I didn't get much sleep last night.

What you don't know is that I had less sleep the night before. Unless, of course, I've already told you...

I really don't know why this is. It's not that I don't want to sleep. It's that I can't. My mind just keeps going and going like that fluffy little bunny from the energizer commercials. I even went so far as to do some of my Art History reading. Even the reading had no effect.

I am cursed.

I feel I'll be taking tomorrow off work and working Friday in it's place. This would allow me not only to sleep in, but also finish my Art History paper and perhaps see Jaci before her trip to the US of A.

May God have mercy on her soul.

Philosophical Hobbits From Hell

Okay. I get the picture. It's philosophy. The art of asking why. That doesn't mean you have to hold up my already overbearing 3 hour class on a Monday night so you can argue with the prof about the existence of Hobbits.

One thing that you should know, you loudmouthed little bastards in the front row, if the prof makes fun of the point you're trying to make by saying "You don't actually believe Hobbits physically live in this world do you? You do realize if you called 911 and told them Hobbits were in your house they'd come and take you away to a mental hospital?" that means it's a good time to shut the hell up.

I don't mind someone making a meaningful point or asking a question if either the prof asks or if they are having trouble understanding the content. However, if you intend to make some stupid argument that you're bound to lose anyway (he's a flippin' Philosophy prof and you're a first year student) every time the teacher tries to explain something, you're going to receive death threats from all those in the class who just want to hear the lecture. It's a 3 hour night class. We want to go in, learn our share, and get home ASAP.

I won't do anything rash if you continue. I'll merely sit back, roll my eyes, and discuss your ignorant attention getting techniques with other students. Other students who absolutely loathe you.

But, I must admit, though I'm not likely to do anything rash, others might. The guy with the pierced eyebrow who dresses in black and sits directly behind you may just carry a shiv. And, after watching his reactions to your babbling, I feel he just might use it.

I Think I Like This Working Part Time Thing

I've finished my first part time day of work.

It actually wasn't too bad. I was afraid that I'd be bogged down with work that my boss had saved up for me over the past 2 weeks. Truth is, there was some work saved, but not too much and not too little. It was a rather pleasant day.

Excellent weather to boot.

The best part is, I don't have to worry about anything work related until Wednesday. Even then I'll likely leave work early because I have a paper due Thursday.

After Wednesday I have no work until next Monday.

I'm liking this.

The Streets

See I reckon you're about an 8 or a 9,
Maybe even 9 and a half in four beers time.
That blue top shop top you've got on is nice,
Bit too much fake tan though - but yeah you score high.

But theres just one little thing that really, really,
Really, really, annoying me about you you see.
Yeah, yeah like i said you are really fit,
But my gosh don't you just know it.

--The Streets - Fit But You Know It

Yet Another Movie Review

I've been doing a fair bit of movie reviewing lately as I really do enjoy movies. If you don't like it then that's too bloody bad. Get your own blog and complain there. If you do like my movie reviews I want to bear your child...or I would like to...you know...if I could.

Moving on...

Man on Fire. This is definitely one of the best, artistic movies I've seen in a long while. This is a movie I actually bought. That's right. The poor student bought a DVD. Now I'm living on the street fighting rabid dogs for a piece of meat for supper. Get over it.

Creasy (Denzel Washington) is an ex special agent type, military, green beret, blows things up kinda guy with a drinking problem. He's been wandering around aimlessly caring for nothing in particular. He comes to visit an old friend (Christopher Walken) and ends up with a job as a body guard for Pita (Dakota Fanning). Pita breathes fresh life into Creasy and gives him a reason to live. Something he's been without for quite some time.

At the peak of their relationship, Pita's kidnapped for ransom and Creasy is shot and nearly killed. He then awakes only to find out that everything that could have possibly gone wrong at the payoff did go wrong, and Pita is dead. He becomes rather pissed off. So pissed off he vows to kill every person who had anything to do with the kidnapping and death of Pita.

This, in my mind, is a decent story line. You get the lovey dovey touching moments between Creasy and Pita, then you come to the insane rage and revenge Creasy expells on the baddies. Damn I love a good vigilante revenge flick. Especially one that caters to everyone. This is even a flick you can watch with your girlfriend. She'll be taken in by the touching moments between Creasy and Pita, and you can stay tuned for explosions, gunfire and mayhem.

Of course, as I mentioned earlier, this is an artistic film. The camera work, scenery, and visualisations are all very appropriate and well thought out. My favourite visual addition, however, has to be the captions. Many of the characters speak Spanish and the English translations are not placed along the bottom of the screen as usual. They appear next to characters, in the middle of the screen, or in different areas of the screen at once. That, and they also fade in and/or out or appear and disappear in non conventional ways. Sometimes the captions aren't necessarily a translation, but, an important point or repeated theme that the director wishes to emphasize. Crazy caption madness.

My favourite artistic addition, that actually made me want to see this movie from the start, is the soundtrack. I don't know if it's a soundtrack I'd run out and buy or listen to on its own, for that matter, but it suits the movie well. Also, I'm trying not to be biased as the main musical theme throughout the movie is a track by Nine Inch Nails (The track after which this blog is named). I love Nine Inch Nails, especially their instrumental work. It blends well with this film.

I've already told you I've purchased this movie so, obviously, I recommend it. I warn you, though it does have some very heartfelt moments, there is still some rather extreme violence. The two seem to balance out well, and, even if you don't like the touchy feely stuff you'll get by on the action. On the other hand, if you don't like the violence you can cover your head with a blanket until the scene is over (Right Joanne?). Overall, the acting is good, the art is good, the sound is good, the plot is good, the movie is just plain good all over. The only drawback might be that the movie is 2.5 hours long and perhaps could have been a little shorter by cutting out some of the artsy fartsy stuff. You should at least rent this bad boy when you have the time.

Don't let your kids watch it.

Update My Bloody Profile Already!

For some odd reason I really become quite miffed when my profile isn't updated within a reasonable period of time after I post something. Right now the damn thing is way behind. It's driving me absolutely mad.

Ah well. Just thought I'd share.

I Am Superman

Today I ran into Elysia at the book store on campus.

She recognized me as I was leaving and jumped up with a big smile and this is a brief (semi-accurate) script of our conversation.

Elysia: Hey!

§panky®: Hey, how are ya?

Elysia: Not bad.

§panky®: I didn't know you were working here.

Elysia: Yup. You on campus this semester?

§panky®: Yup. Just bought my books.

Elysia: Weren't you in school last semester?

§panky®: Noooo...I haven't been in school for over a year now.

Elysia: Well, then, how do I know you?

§panky®: You don't remember me? *stunned look*

Elysia: *semi-embarrassed look and a shrug*

§panky®: I was like Superman to you.

Elysia: Oh yeah! Ha ha, sorry!

§panky®: Well I've gotta go, but I'll see you around Cole's sometime.

Elysia: Ha ha, okay, later!

That's right. I told a girl I was like Superman to her and then she remembered me. Of course, that's only because she was often teased because she thought I was at least 3 different guys. I'd either change my glasses or wear a hoodie and she kept asking Cole who all the boys were. It was just me. Similar to how Superman puts on glasses and BOOM! Clark Kent.

Lois Lane is such a dumb broad.

Not that Elysia's a dumb broad. It's not like I took her flying all night whilst working along side her all day and she still didn't recognize me. At least we won't be telling her boyfriend that. Now, will we?

Classes: Round #1 --> Complete

I have now officially completed the first class of each of my five classes. Boy am I tired.

Well, here's how they went (In chronological order. Why? Because that's how I'm doin' it.)

PHIL 100: Introduction to Philosophy
(Mondays 7-10)

---

The professor is exactly how I'd picture a philosophy professor. He's a funny, little, balding man with crazy, white hair to the sides who smiles a lot. Okay, I didn't picture the smiling originally, but he changed my opinion. Sadly, not only is he obsessed with The Lord Of The Rings (and will use it in examples), but he makes too many jokes. At first they were funny. Then, they became complicated and philosophical and the joke was lost to those of us who didn't understand. I feel that was everybody. I'm sure the one bastard in the front who would argue with the prof over examples would also argue that he understood. He's a bloody liar.

This class will be boring, but, as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive.

ITAL 291: Italian Culture and Civilization 1
(Tuesday & Thursday 10-11:30)

---

This prof (Gabriel Niccoli) seems amazing! He's open and wants to be called Gabriel. Not professor. Not Dr. Niccoli. Gabriel. He said we're all one big happy Italian Family. Strangely he reminds me of my mechanic, Bambi, only Bambi's Greek. I like my mechanic. Anyway, I get a language credit for this and don't have to learn a language. I just learn aboot how Italy basically cultivated our modern civilization over centuries. And any other interesting and/or useful Italy facts. Possibly with women in renaissance attire playing Italian music, or pizza and wine.

God, I love Italians.

FINE 210: Art: 1780-1874
(Tuesday & Thursday 11:30-1)

---

Prof seems to be a little full of herself. She has potential to make it interesting. Sadly, she likely won't. As for the class, meh.

Shouldn't be difficult by any means. Major project might be fun.

FINE 110: Introduction to Art History
(Tuesday & Thursday 2:30-4)

---

Same prof. Similar class.

Should be easier than the last one and the major project for this one is pretty much the same too.

FINE 228: Electronic Imaging A
(Tuesday & Thursday 6:30-9:30)

---

I think the prof is Irish. Seems like a nice enough guy. As for the class, no exams or tests, only assignments. Assignments seem to consist of taking pictures and turning them into art with Photoshop. Booya!

High average, here I come.

I should also mention that all of my classes seem to have an exceptionally high girl to boy ratio. I knew there was a reason why I left CS...

Note To Self #2

My Philosophy professor, Dr. J. Novak, told the class that the definition of 'man' is 'minded being'.

Now, if I'm not mistaken, this should imply that 'wo' translates to 'absent'.

Hmm...

The Long Day Passed That Has Yet To Begin

Today has been a tiring first day of classes.

I prepared all my school supplies for class, went to Pharma Plus to purchase some items I needed, and went to the LCBO to buy my mom part of her present (and picked up some Japanese beer for myself). Not to mention the TV that I watched with Frank when he returned from classes. Boy oh boy, that Archie Bunker cracks me up.

Alas, I still have yet to go to class. In fact, my class today doesn't start for another hour and a quarter. So I sit here typing. Just waiting to get the bloody thing done and over with. It's gonna be a gruelling 3 hours of Philosophy 100 I tell ya. If the class doesn't end early on the first day.

*fingers crossed*

I'm not sure if I'm prepared to get back into study mode. I've been working for well over a year straight and I just haven't had the need to learn. I mean, I learned some everyday things and acquired some work related knowledge. Other than that, however, I just haven't been learning the primarily useless drivel they teach in school.

Time to get back on the bike I guess.

I mean that literally too. I'm going to be biking to school.

Bah.

Check Dis Out

The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Sixth Level of Hell - The City of Dis!

Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Very Low
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	Low
Level 2 (Lustful)	High
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	High
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Moderate
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Moderate
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very High
Level 7 (Violent)	Moderate
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	High
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Low

Sixth Level of Hell - The City of Dis

---

You approach Satan's wretched city where you behold a wide plain surrounded by iron walls. Before you are fields full of distress and torment terrible. Burning tombs are littered about the landscape. Inside these flaming sepulchers suffer the heretics, failing to believe in God and the afterlife, who make themselves audible by doleful sighs. You will join the wicked that lie here, and will be offered no respite. The three infernal Furies stained with blood, with limbs of women and hair of serpents, dwell in this circle of Hell.

Pfft...only the 6th level? Honestly, I think I can do much better than that.

Take Dante's Inferno Hell Test and see if you can beat me. Be honest though!

Time For A Movie Review!: The Sequel

Collateral

For this movie, I had high hopes. I'd just recently watched both Minority Report and The Last Samurai and felt that Tom Cruise was actually making good movies again. That, and I love a movie where an innocent bystander is forced to test his morality.

This one just didn't cut it.

The premise is interesting. Vincent (Tom Cruise) is a cold hearted assassin sent to kill several important witnesses for some major case. Honestly, I don't recall what the case is, but, that's hardly important. Max (Jamie Foxx) is a damn fine cab driver, and person, with big dreams. Basically, Vincent hires Max to take him around to 5 locations that night, supposedly to get some real estate papers signed. Trouble is, Max finds out Vincent is really busting caps in witness asses when a body falls out a window onto his cab. Dead giveaway really.

So, Vincent forces Max to go along with him often playing with Max's mind and making him do some wild shiznit.

Sadly, for me anyway, the wild shiznit tended to be predictable and didn't happen nearly often enough. The movie was downright slow. Suspense, action, then a pause. More suspense, more action, and another pause. Action. Pause. Suspense. Pause.

Pauses seemed to last roughly 15 minutes or more (Could be wrong. I'm not a freak in a theatre with a stop watch). Far too long for a 2 hour movie. That and the suspense, wasn't overly suspenseful. As I said before, it tended to be predictable. But, honestly, what movies aren't somewhat predictable anymore?

All in all, I've seen worse movies. I just wish I hasn't paid to see this one in the theatre. The story wasn't horrible, just the pace and ending. It could have been a much better film with a more climactic ending, but, I'm not a director so I'll just hush up.

Still, I say it might be worth renting someday.

That guy was a damn good cab driver.

The Prodigal Roomates Have Returned

Well, well, well. It's the day before classes start and my roommates and I are finally together again. I even met the random boy in the basement. He's been in University since '98 and he's only in his 2b term. That makes me feel really happy about being in my second term since I dropped Computer Science for Fine Arts.

CS had it comin'...

Things are starting off slow. Still lots of people to see and meet up with but there's plenty of time for that yet.

Went and visited Katie with Jo and Frank today. She's insane. She's living at home until she renovates some 'friend of the family's' house from top to bottom. It's a very nasty place. She doesn't get paid for this, however, she does get an entire 8 months of free housing there if she likes. I feel she's getting the fuzzy end of the lollipop.

Other than that, today I played Basketball with Jo, Hastie, and Frank before coming home to a bit of relaxin' and homemade Mudslide milkshakes. Yum. Basketball was interesting. The girls decided it should be boys vs. girls. We didn't argue, we just proceeded to lay the smack down on their oestrogen laden asses.

For your info, girls pinch no matter what the sport.

I actually decided to print off my schedule so I know when and where my classes are this coming week. In fact, I'm semi-lookin' forward to class tomorrow. Class tomorrow doesn't start until 7pm so that's not entirely a huge deal. Might have time to finish up my mom's present for her birthday on Tuesday, and, then, maybe take it to her. Otherwise, she'll have to wait until Wednesday because I have no classes that day.

It's good to be in Arts.

Done Work But Still In A Rut

Yesterday was my last official day of work...until I decide which days I wish to work between classes. I feel so free. In fact, last night I celebrated by drinkin' plenty and goin' to Phil's.

Yes. Phil's.

The dirtiest bar in Waterloo.

Don't look up, don't look down, don't touch anything. Beer for $1.75. Booya!

I double fisted my fair share of beer last night. Apparently there are a few minor details of the evening that I don't recall, though Jaci has been reminding me. So what if I put Misty in a headlock in the parking lot after we left the bar? Honestly, I'm sure she had it coming.

Lucky for me no hangover today!

Sadly, I didn't feel like heading to Louie's tonight. I'm not really a fan of the dance club scene. Occasionally, after having enough to drink, I'm in the mood to shake my rump. Tonight, I'm far from that mood. I'm not entirely sure why. I've been out of sorts lately. In a bit of a depression it seems. Boo hiss.

So, I sit here, at home alone, eating Chunks Ahoy Triple Chocolate cookies. Yummy. Hopefully I'll cheer up a bit when my roommates are around and things become a little less lonely. Let's all have a pity party for me!

Oh, how I do enjoy attention.

What We Need Are Business Hammocks

It's 4:20 in the PM and I'm lookin' for a snooze. I've been sitting here at work in a daze for hours, chatting mostly. It's warm in here. The lights are off. It's really quite cozy. And, now, I'm uber sleepy.

Just gotta make it through 40 more minutes...

Finally A Family Guy Character I Can Relate To

I was totally trying to look up a scene in Family Guy where Stewie's trying to give a eulogy for Brian's deceased mother. Sounds horrible, and it was, but oh so funny. Anyway, no luck. If I weren't at work I'd damn well be watchin' that DVD and findin' out. Instead I discovered a site that will tell me the Family Guy character I'm most like.

I totally agree too. Who could have seen that one comin'?

On one last note, someone should really tell the owner of this "Which Family Guy Character Are You?" site that he messed up 'however' in the picture. I just don't have the heart.

I'm Actually Enjoying The Weather

The title of this post doesn't entirely seem that special. Until, of course, you realize that it's pouring rain.

Normally, I'm not a huge rain fan. Or snow. Or hail. Or any form of precipitation. Hell, I frickin' hate clouds. Clowns too, but, that's another post altogether now isn't it?

Today, however, is different. I'm not entirely sure why. Perhaps it's because I'm so close to freedom from work. Perhaps I've just seen too much bloody sun. Either way, I wish to venture outside and play.

Oh to sing and laugh and dance in the rain with good friends, good times, and a good case of beer would be wonderful. I'd prefer clothing to be optional, but, I do live in a family oriented neighbourhood and I just know one of those crazy old prudes would sick the bobbies on me post haste.

Sadly, I'm at work today. I'll have Thursday and Friday off this week. Likely all of next week as I adjust to my new class schedule. Of course, there will likely either be no rain those days, or I'll just not be in the mood for it at the time.

Well shit.

C'est la vie.

Elated Over Foreign Reviews

Jaci started work at 4:00 p.m. today, and, since she left me all alone, I decided I might just check my email, some web sites, and my blog to kill time.

No email.

The web sites...well...meh.

My blog, however, has left me in a magnificent mood. Comments were left for my last post. Positive, encouraging comments. Comments that were actually posted by people I don't know. Complete strangers. One of which was British. God, how I love those Brits!

Anyway, this makes me one happy little wombat.

Time For A Movie Review!

Today I have come across the best grade B comedy/horror flick I have ever seen that does not star Bruce Campbell. It's a British film to boot!

.

Shaun of the Dead

A Romantic Comedy. With Zombies.

Catchy title, eh?

Shaun, our hero, is just a loser bumbling through life. He's failing to keep his girlfriend happy. He's a mamma's boy. He works at a demeaning job surrounded by those lousy teenagers and their music. He tries to keep peace between his roomates. He spends all of his free time with his obnoxious best friend who's holding him back.

If I've described anyone reading this, then, yes, you too are a loser.

Of course, thankfully, loserdom is not necessarily permanent. In this case, the cure just happens to be a zombie invasion.

Now, the last British Zombie movie I saw was 28 Days Later. Also a very good film, but, not even remotely similar to Shaun of the Dead. 28 Days Later is actually scary. Shaun of the dead is hilarious, and not in a "that horror movie was so bad it was funny" kind of way. It's meant to be funny. At least I hope it is.

I wouldn't say this movie is for the feint of heart. There are some incredibly gruesome scenes combined with some sad, heartfelt moments. It's a bit of a grab bag really. Starts of as an apparent romantic comedy, swaps into horror comedy, then some dramatic horror, action horror, then back to romantic comedy. It's a strange brew. On that note, Strange Brew was also a funny movie, eh.

I'm probably biased as I enjoy this type of movie, so, if you don't like it or don't find it to be funny, don't blame me. Unless you're Jaci. I'm going to make Jaci watch it. Though, someday she's going to make me watch Dirty Dancing, so I feel we're even.

In the end, I feel the movie was worth a watch. I won't run out and buy it or anything, but I'm a poor student so that's to be expected.

Ha ha, crazy Brits. Gotta love 'em.

Spyware Upsets Me To No Extent (ie. Pisses Me Off)

So I've spent most of my day here at work working on Bernie's computer. Bernie is a large man from Skyward Towers. So large, in fact, that I will not be blaming his ignorance for the disaster that is his computer for fear that he may one day seek retribution. In other words, pound me.

But, alas, it's not really his fault to begin with. I must try and remember that the harlot creators of this 'spyware' are to blame. Not those who don't know how to keep it from infecting their computers.

I've been running multiple versions of multiple scanning applications to very little avail. Windows files had been corrupted, pop-ups were plentiful, and the thing was just damn slow. But, slowly and surely, I'm getting the job done.

Normally I'd just reinstall the system (as that takes much less time) however, the one thing I might be able to blame good ol' Bernie for, is that he has software running on his computer that is extinct. He has no way of reinstalling it. Yet, he needs it. So I must work tirelessly to do the best I can to repair the dammage these heathen programming bastards have propagated.

Stupid dumb heads...

At least I like Bernie. That makes it easier.