Simple pleasures for a simple mind

People watching is a past time for me. I do it when I need to relax and just let my mind wonder. Some people may find it unsavoury and rude, but I tend to think that they haven't quite gotten the hang of it yet.
Yes, flat out staring is often considered a social faux pas, and not highly suggested when you're with an overbearing crowd. True, it can also make others feel uncomfortable and odd, but really, it doesn't do them any long term harm. In fact they sometimes get really amused by it, and if you're truly lucky they stare right back!
This habit started a long time ago when I was young and brought to church every Sunday. My dad always sat us in the very first pew to the right hand side of the church; assumedly so we could get a good view of the whole thing but not get in the way ourselves. This also happened to be in the perfect position to stare at the floor. When I was very small and couldn't see over the pew my world consisted of the kneeler, and shadow puppets I could make with my hands. Living in a church existence that was almost entirely auditory I had memorized everything the priest said, and the timing of that happy little chime.
As time passed and I got to be a much more adult height (at least according to my limited experience with height), I could see the floor on the otherside of the pew. My favourite part of this was when it was time to get the host. We always had to kneel and pray, which ment a lot of floor staring. Being in the front of the church also meant first dibs on J.C.'s 'body', the rest of the time was preserved for kneeling and praying. So for 10-15 mins every week I would watch as the rest of the church walked right past me recieving the host.
As they past I would stare at their shoes. I began to know parishoners by their shoes. It became quite a game in which by looking at a person's shoes I could get an idea of their general appearance regarding, age, clothing, stature , etc.
For instance, take the pair of feet below... Duckies, they are utilitarian (as are the jeans), the feet and ankles are small, and the stance is slightly wider. Hinting at a person who dresses casually, but for a purpose, and who is most likely female (small features and slightly wider stance indicating more feminine hips).
Low and behold, it's my roommate Meghan!
I even became convinced that one of the women was infact a man... Her feet were much too large for her body , the way she walked wasn't feminine and once I looked up she had a very square jaw. She just didn't fit with the rest of the women I observed in the church, the pieces just didn't jive.
From my church days I have graduated to watching people right up and down. Today I sadly missed the shuttle bus by only two minutes leaving me with another 40 to blow by. After checking my email I strolled down to the Roddick Gates (pictured to the right) and settled into my favourite spot between the 2nd and 3rd small pillars with my mug of coffee.
There I stood, noticing that about half of the student population travelling to school are still wearing toques, I only like sideslung bags when they hang around hip level (however smaller bags can pass lower downon the body on men in big coats), and many people feel uncomfortable standing by themselves looking useless.
Lately I think I may start doing more watching since the weather is getting better and there are no minimum or maximum times required. Preferably on a bench in a high traffic area, but slightly off, so people are at least a few feet away from me. And of course with a mug of coffee... because I do nothing without coffee. If all goes well and the weather holds true, people watching season should be in full swing by mid to late April. If you're interested in joining me for limited conversation and a few guilty stares call me up.
Till next time,
Booth

Yes, we are in university

Just a quick video that I have finally figured out how to post on this thing. This features my friend Max as a foriegn fisherman who has come to Canada to fish in the Great Lakes. We made it for a light hearted presentation on Zebra mussel invasion in Canada for our Science of Inland Waters class. It was incredibly amusing, and all for dearest Dr Lewis.

Such an eventful Monday

Today was one of recovery, I sadly woke up early and had trouble going back to sleep. Even then the 10 am shuttle was rough times getting to. Oh well, life happens as someone recently reminded me.
In that happening life today had a few highlights. Firstly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!
Today's a big one... 60. And what else would proper daughters do but get his lawn coated in plastic farm animals for all the world to see?! Now everyone knows, and hey you're only as old as you feel and you can still run a couple miles a day, so I wouldn't worry too much. Plus, who can really be unhappy about a birthday that kicks off the official season of spring... truly, I am jealous.
Next, my grandfather John's surgery was bumped up over a week to today. It's gonna be rough when he wakes... having part of your lungs removed can do that to a person... but it's all up hill from there. Lots of love out to you both.
With so much happening and it only being a Monday I figured I'll end this on a lighter note. Anthony informed me today of an incredible discovery he made... chocolate. This stuff is fair trade and raises money towards projects that benefit endangered species. So visit the page, buy a bar and save a big furry tiger. Besides they have the best web address ever; http://www.chocolatebar.com

Luck of the Irish

Once again the biggest St Patrick's Day parade in Canada was a stumbling success. It was hard to tell whether it was the green beer or floats that flowed more readily, but really it doesn't matter too much... it was all good. The group of us started our morning filling up on potato pancakes, waffles, ham, bacon and fruit.... oh ya, and a few strong shots of Baileys to go with sweet, sweet coffee.
After the parade it was finding friends on all three floors of Brutopia, games of pool at Sharx, and of course.... tacos ( sadly 49 cent tacos were canceled for the night because there was too much money making potential).
It became hard to find the difference between people on a party high or just plain mentally off. Perhaps a difference doesn't really exist. The highlight for me at least was 'interviewing' a random man on the street with my new friend Papie. This man ended up spending his 3 minutes of fame on my camera about the visitation of an alien mothership to Montreal on 7 November 1990. He ranted on about them coming back a number of times since - aparently they are very nice - and they will return again this year, but the exact date is classified. To keep you satisfied until then, take a look at the CBC series on that fateful visit. Stay green, and while the skies are empty check out the day's pictures in my photo album (some photots generously donated by Ashley).

I want it that way

Hi again, I'm really sorry about this but this goes out to Emily. The girl who fired my obsession with the Backstreet Boys. Backstreet may not be back, but these guys could have a chance!
I promise, this is the last stupid video for a while. If I post another it will be solid GOLD. Thanks for your understanding.

My Guitar Gently Weeps on a Ukelele

Ok, well wasting a little time has never killed anyone. For the first time in a long time I stubbled onto Google Video and low and behold, in the area of hi demand I found this young man. It wasn't his looks that attracted me, but the object he held in his hands. The small Ukelele drew me in. A phantom of my elementary school past. I can remember a time when for music class in an underfunded arts education world, my teacher pulled out a box full of ukeleles. They were each numbered and assigned to us, free to take home and practice as we wished. Admittedly I enjoyed the idea of the whole thing.
Unfortunately for Mrs D'Aoust, a group of 12/13 year olds just beginning to be influenced by the status symbol of the guitar we gave the instrument little respect. Perhaps if she had shown us this instead of teaching us Rufous Rustous Johnson Brown we would have given the whole thing a little more respect. This Jake fellow now makes me realise the folly of my ignorance of not persusing my musical beginnings, which have unfortunately already come to an end.

On a much less sentimental, down right funky note, the band who's website I mentioned in yesterday's post played a show that same night. Two as a matter of fact! One for Emergenza, a battle of the bands like competition at an admittedly impressive scale, and another for adoring fans. The boys teamed up with friends Steak this Thick and Hamilton native Shad to make for a night that definitely will not be forgotten anytime soon. The band made me proud and I couldn't get memories of one of my first days in residence back in Laird Hall. Ashley and I wondering the halls looking for people who might like new friends. Just down the hall we found Tony (now back in the US) and Amar (front centre on the picture) even more drunk than we were attempting a beat out of a drum and a guitar. How far things have come. If you didn't catch it the first time check out the Rhythm Method and I hope to catch you at their next show!

I have this thing...

So I have this thing, I obsessively check this website. It's not in with the popular culture line of things, or even very well known. Nothing with news updates, weather updates or even a decent game of sudoku. No this site only gets updated every once in a while, perhaps once every few days if I'm lucky. But without fail I manage to punch in that website address a couple times a night waiting with baited breath for the update that probably won't be there.
Why? You may ask. Sorry, I have no straight forward answer for you, I'm just a sad sorry soul. However, it did make me realise something. I haven't updated my blog in a while. In my defence I have been in Europe and then back here trying to straighten things out and getting back on track.
On the bright side I did have a birthday. I turned 23, Danielle and Meghan even lit me a birthday toast. Ah yes, and I also went out for dinner, had numerous drinks, breakfast, Mexican complete with sombrero, dessert with the girls, and who can forget the Einstein action figure, roses and chocolate truffles!
Other news... hmmm other news. Not too much, the usual... school attempt at a social life and can't wait to get that degree in a few months. This is the start of a new era, I will get back to my regular updates these days. And thanks for the exposure on the toothbrushes, the link is still active and over 400 people have checked it out; so incredibly delightful. Sorry for the drought!

By the way, the site I was talking about... it's for a friend's band, The Rhythm Method, you should get hooked on it too.

Finally, a post!

Well you may have noticed that posts suddenly became very not in existence this past month. I swear, I can explain! On February 17th I left for a two week holiday in Greece. It was incredible and the greater details you will find below on a hopefully day by day basis - I'm working on it. The week leading up to the trip I think I had the majority of my course assignments due... so as you can imagine I was rather busy and ended up not sleeping for a couple of nights.
This past week I was basically trying to get back in the swing of things. As of today my brain has finally switched back on, unfortunately I'll probably end up killing it with birthday celebrations tonight!
I have loaded the pictures from my holiday onto my photo album and they should be ready for viewing within the next couple hours of this post. Please sit back and enjoy!