* not with ink

Earlier this month, Jess suggested I take part in NaNoWriMo . I laughed. Then I thought about it for 12 hours and said, Sure! Then I started recruiting other people to join. If I can do it, working 50 hours a week, so can you! People have begun asking me, What's your plan? Plan? I asked myself, I need a plan if I want to write a novel in a month? So now I need a plan.* *I at least have an idea for the story. I was telling Amelia last night that I haven't decided on what big crisis will kick-start everything, and she said, "I think she should be dying." "No," I said, my nose wrinkled, "because then I already know how it ends." "How?" she asked. "She dies," I said, "obviously." "Unless..." she suggested slowly, "it's Star Trek." She looked startled, surprised by herself, "Oh my gosh. 2008 Amelia would never have even thought that."

I need to purge some text messages from my phone. I have roughly 40 texts of songs that I am supposed to check out from one delightful friend, who is one of the most all-around attractive packages (I mean, people) that I know. And then there are the assorted random thoughts and pieces of conversation that make me smile each time I re-read them. They include: Proontf! You have assumed correctly and you smell fine. I just had a dream that you and I were attending Dartmouth University...It was awesome. The men were awesome...and totally digging us. Also, the dessert selection was sweet and so was the library. OK, Puddles, where you is? I guessed. And the actual answer to your question is that my face is jorpis but good. modern family #reallifenottheshow How was it, charmster? It's ok to be slow I have now officially had an accident while driving and texting: calling you a guy. You know I would never do that on purpose. Hey! I had this dream last night that we were driving to ultimate...

This evening, I spent roughly four hours* making minute ( my-nyoot , not min-it ) changes to this blog. Most of you won't notice them, since you're reading this in your RSS feed/aggregator/etc. Which I recommend for the rest of you ( *cough* Mom-and-Sarah *cough* ) . The only change worth pointing out is that I added a page called The Back Cover that talks a bit about myself & this blog, and links to some of my favourite entries through the years. In the new year, you should expect to see some far more drastic changes here...I'm so excited for next year. And not just because my blog will be so much better. *okay, actually, I spent most of the time reading old entries, reminiscing and smiling and cringing. It was great.

I've had a tab open in my browser for weeks now to remind me to do a little research on Elizabeth Bishop . I first heard of her through a poem she wrote that was referenced in In Her Shoes (starring Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette). Anyway, the poem gripped me. So here it is. I won't make any comment on it, although it seems I like American poets from the first half of the 20th century . One Art The art of losing isn't hard to master; so many things seem filled with the intent to be lost that their loss is no disaster. Lose something every day. Accept the fluster of lost door keys, the hour badly spent. The art of losing isn't hard to master. Then practice losing farther, losing faster: places, and names, and where it was you meant to travel. None of these will bring disaster. I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, or next-to-last, of three loved houses went. The art of losing isn't hard to master. I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,...

Nadine's wit was so extensive this week that I saved a few for a rainy day. Eventually there will be a week where she says nothing worth repeating. But her reputation will remain intact, thanks to my blog and my foresight. (Here's some hindsight, if you are new to this series).  (plunging her hands into a sink of dishes ) her: I mixed dish soaps. This might kill me. her: It was the most gorgeous wedding I've ever been to in my life. And it was in Scarborough, which makes no sense. her: And then I look at myself and think, I'm one of those disgusting boys who wears underwear with holes in it! But it's outerwear. her: If my last name were Virgin, I would name my daughter Sexy. her: Okay. I feel like priority number one is putting on pajamas. her: I think my middle finger is losing weight. me: What? From overuse? her: No, that would be you. her: This band is missing the Susan Doyle factor. her: You need a swooper. her: Vegan, cruelty free p...

Disclaimer: This post is intended to generate discussion and a sharing of many opinions. It is NOT intended to judge or condemn anyone's life choices. I had an unexpected moment at the ROM last month. C and I were listening to a presentation for kids on wildlife conservation (or rather, I was listening, and C was eagerly anticipating what live animal would come out next), when a statement caught my attention and still hasn't let go. For most of history, the earth could provide enough resources for the earth's human population. But today, our population is growing rapidly, increasing by 250 000 people every day... Forty years from now, it will require 2 Earths to provide sustainably for our survival as a human species. But we only have 1 Earth. 250 000 people. Every day. That is roughly twice the size of my hometown. In one day. So I did a little math. (First, I rounded down to 200 000, just in case the figures were inflated or failed to account for some sort o...

Nadine has told me many times that I need to watch the "literal version" of the music video for Total Eclipse of the Heart . I didn't understand what she meant. So I didn't watch it. Until this weekend. Then I went on a "literal video" binge. These are my favourite three. (I must say that several of the ones I wanted to see most couldn't be seen because I live in Canada, and Sony BMG blocks content in my region. Boo, Sony BMG.) Warning: some lyrics may be offensive.