I love long weekends.
Even when the world is in turmoil (wholly self centred - my world is in turmoil) the sunny weather, the 'double sunday', the extra sleep, and the relaxation that is somehow imposed on us through a long weekend, makes everything seem ok.
Friday: After working until 8:45, I sort of wandered out of work with no specific plans. I wanted to go see my friend Elizabeth's band play, but I've realized that I'm not good in bar settings, alone. I wandered to the liquor store at spadina and king, and as though by a sixth sense, received a phone call from my lovely friend cole - he wanted to know if I wanted to go see MacGruber. Having never ever heard of it, I said 'but of course!' I headed there with time to spare, grabbed us both tickets, and got seats. Cole met me with a minute to previews (our favourite part), and we laughed through the whole thing - with popcorn, pop and twizzlers. My original plan was to see Elizabeth's band, so I convinced Cole to come with me to see the tail end of the gig.
Benefits to always being late - not having to awkwardly pick the first seat at group dinner engagements; not being awkward about waltzing into 'whereever' in a flurry of activity (which I always seem to do - my one friend calls me the energy tornado); not having to pay cover, as it's way too late. We went in at mitzi's sister, and the band seemed to be only at the beginning of their second set! Awesome! No cover! We grabbed drinks, and enjoyed the music. Check BF Soul out - they're super awesome. Cole and I talked a bit, over the music, and when the set was done, we may have been the loudest ones in the bar. That or we felt like being energetic. Got to say a quick 'hi' to Elizabeth before she headed out, and cole and I chatted late into the night. We got to that point of 'I love YOU', no I love you MORE' (yup - it went there), and felt pizza, then bed was the best option.
Note to future self: hot sauce, though awesome, should not entirely cover a slice of pizza. Your mouth will not enjoy further bites of said pizza slice.
Saturday: woke up pretty late with plans to meet up with my friend for breakfast. Ditched. Instead, spent some time alone (I love love love alone time). Went to future shop and picked up an external hard drive. Went to american apparel - though I'm on a shopping ban, I manage to amass quite the collection of gift cards/credit notes. As a result, I felt no guilt in finally spending these. i picked up a 'Jj' tshirt, lame hot pants - yes. hot pants. i'm a floozy - as well as some headbands. i also stopped at dollarama, and got some awesome plate/bowls. i can't wait to live alone. got back to my friends, and made some lovely gnocchi with tomato sauce.
here's the thing - i was going to buy some mason jars as cups for my new place, but i have these brilliant friends, who suggested i simply buy the tomato sauce in glass jars, then use the jars (which turn out to be mason jars!) as cups! smartest. people. ever. hence.... i'm eating a LOT of pasta. I was planning on going to a friend's gig that night, but he told me that the first set wouldn't be the best. so instead, i read. i read and read. i finished reading 'dry' by augusten burroughs and got back into my friend leonard by james frey. when i realized it was almost 11, i figured i best be on my way. headed to finn mccools on the esplanade, to see the mark feldman band, with whom my friend plays bass. they were awesome! great covers, and packed house. we ended the night with some late late night indian food, and didn't get home until about 4.
Even when the world is in turmoil (wholly self centred - my world is in turmoil) the sunny weather, the 'double sunday', the extra sleep, and the relaxation that is somehow imposed on us through a long weekend, makes everything seem ok.
Friday: After working until 8:45, I sort of wandered out of work with no specific plans. I wanted to go see my friend Elizabeth's band play, but I've realized that I'm not good in bar settings, alone. I wandered to the liquor store at spadina and king, and as though by a sixth sense, received a phone call from my lovely friend cole - he wanted to know if I wanted to go see MacGruber. Having never ever heard of it, I said 'but of course!' I headed there with time to spare, grabbed us both tickets, and got seats. Cole met me with a minute to previews (our favourite part), and we laughed through the whole thing - with popcorn, pop and twizzlers. My original plan was to see Elizabeth's band, so I convinced Cole to come with me to see the tail end of the gig.
Benefits to always being late - not having to awkwardly pick the first seat at group dinner engagements; not being awkward about waltzing into 'whereever' in a flurry of activity (which I always seem to do - my one friend calls me the energy tornado); not having to pay cover, as it's way too late. We went in at mitzi's sister, and the band seemed to be only at the beginning of their second set! Awesome! No cover! We grabbed drinks, and enjoyed the music. Check BF Soul out - they're super awesome. Cole and I talked a bit, over the music, and when the set was done, we may have been the loudest ones in the bar. That or we felt like being energetic. Got to say a quick 'hi' to Elizabeth before she headed out, and cole and I chatted late into the night. We got to that point of 'I love YOU', no I love you MORE' (yup - it went there), and felt pizza, then bed was the best option.
Note to future self: hot sauce, though awesome, should not entirely cover a slice of pizza. Your mouth will not enjoy further bites of said pizza slice.
Saturday: woke up pretty late with plans to meet up with my friend for breakfast. Ditched. Instead, spent some time alone (I love love love alone time). Went to future shop and picked up an external hard drive. Went to american apparel - though I'm on a shopping ban, I manage to amass quite the collection of gift cards/credit notes. As a result, I felt no guilt in finally spending these. i picked up a 'Jj' tshirt, lame hot pants - yes. hot pants. i'm a floozy - as well as some headbands. i also stopped at dollarama, and got some awesome plate/bowls. i can't wait to live alone. got back to my friends, and made some lovely gnocchi with tomato sauce.
here's the thing - i was going to buy some mason jars as cups for my new place, but i have these brilliant friends, who suggested i simply buy the tomato sauce in glass jars, then use the jars (which turn out to be mason jars!) as cups! smartest. people. ever. hence.... i'm eating a LOT of pasta. I was planning on going to a friend's gig that night, but he told me that the first set wouldn't be the best. so instead, i read. i read and read. i finished reading 'dry' by augusten burroughs and got back into my friend leonard by james frey. when i realized it was almost 11, i figured i best be on my way. headed to finn mccools on the esplanade, to see the mark feldman band, with whom my friend plays bass. they were awesome! great covers, and packed house. we ended the night with some late late night indian food, and didn't get home until about 4.
Sunday: since sunday morning began rather eventfully, frighteningly, and for respect of those involved, in a manner i can not share, i slept until 2pm after falling back asleep. thank goodness for long weekends, as i felt like a whole day was wasted. nevertheless, my friend and i managed to fit in breakfast at sadie's (delicious heuvos rancheros - *drool), and a good walk around downtown toronto in the BEAUTIFUL weather. on the way out, visited la merceria, and picked up my dwell studios hand towel - i desperately wanted these, but ended up with these instead. happy medium since they only had the gate napkins in sun. I went in to visit my friend at Lavish and Squalor, and ooed over all the new goodies they have. *sigh. to be rich. then headed home to my parents - i intended on getting things organized for my garage sale next weekend, but ended up late, as a result of the morning i had. so instead, i went straight to boston pizza, to meet up with the girls i went to high school with. we've been trying - every few months or so - to get together and catch up. it's always so nice to see them... and i really enjoy the time. after we ate, we headed to chantel's house (who is one of my oldest and closest friends) for a bonfire. enjoyed some laughter, and reminiscing around the fire - the weather was AMAZING.
Monday: woke up at my parents, and chatted with my mom (who is a social worker) about the events of the morning before. wanted to get some input. spent a chunk of the day getting my things ready for the big move next weekend, and then headed back to toronto. went to drop my car off at work, where i get free parking (thank GOODNESS) and headed to the eaton's centre for some errands. had burrito bandidos for lunch, and then walked back, through the queen street fire. walked back to my friend's place, and prepared to head out on a bike ride down by the lakeshore. rode down to ontario place, and up through the city. grabbed some thai food to last me a few days for dinner/lunch and headed back to get into bed. not before watching 2 episodes of 'fringe', and going to bed way too late.
this is how i feel about early mornings, mental illness and fires.
james frey is my hero
photo originally on 'gawker'