Filed under: Books, Doses of Cynicism, Graphic Design, Work Life | Tags: Broken, CEO, Choke, Chuck Palahniuk, Daniel Clay, gym, gym etiquette, Snuff, work
Starting this week, I only work 4 days/week. I’m really excited about it. Although I really need the money, I felt my soul could only take so much abuse per week. And this way, I get to do more of the things I want to do: not going to work.
Lately my managers have been freaking out because the big H aka CEO of “segment of a book, synonym of purple” is coming to visit this Saturday morning. All the displays and merchandising have to be up to standards.
And guess what, I’ll be working that morning. FML.
I met the H once, about a year ago. She seemed plastically nice enough. What more could I ask for?
So along with my shortened workweek, I’ve decided that there are things that I’d like to start doing again, like reading and going to the gym.
I like pretty covers
The last book I read was Broken by Daniel Clay. It was a somewhat depressing, but very gripping book that made me cry at the very end while I was having my back tanned at the pool in Bali. No one knew because I had big dark sunglasses on, and the tears running down my face could’ve easily been mistaken for sweat.
I enjoyed it.
I’ve been meaning to re-start reading Choke by Chuck Palahniuk. The thing about reading his books is that I have to space them out because while his stories are always interesting, he has a really distinctive voice that really stays with you. So if you read his books one after another too soon, characters across different novels start to meld together.
And ever since Snuff came out in paperback, I’ve been wanting to read it too.
And he obviously knows the importance of graphic design because his book covers never disappoint.
I like hot bods
The last time I went to the gym was, well I don’t remember the last time I went to the gym. Except that when I went there was this group of teenaged boys (16-19ish) that thought they owned the gym.
They were loud, and one of them had the most annoying laugh. And really, no one cares which girl in school you would “definitely do because she has a fine ass.”
So I’ve decided to go back tonight. And I will update if I run into those adolescent boys again.
Filed under: Books, Glitter & Sparkles, School Life | Tags: Boys in the Trees, gay, gym, James Purefoy, Kevin McKidd, Mary Swan, Rome
So apparently people come to my blog to see Kevin McKidd and James Purefoy naked alone/together. I’m sorry to disappoint, but I have no access to such pictures. I have only caught glimpses of James Purefoy’s dink in some episodes of Rome.
It was a marvelous… show. It was.
Anyhow, life has been pretty good without the stress of school. I’m still just getting used to going about my days without momentary bouts of anxiety attacks.
I have started going back to the gym in hopes of getting some man-cleavage for my Bali trip in a couple weeks. It has been about an 8-month lapse, and I’ve become a frail child.
On an unrelated note, I’ve been mistaken for a girl twice in 2 days. Awkward.
I have started a new book, Boys in the Trees by Mary Swan. It was a little bit abstract in the beginning, and a little bit too 19th century for my liking, but it’s starting to grow on me.
I missed reading.
Filed under: Books, Doses of Cynicism, My Weekend Pillows, Triumphs & Heartbreaks | Tags: Mitch Albom, Sundays, Tuesdays with Morrie, Morrie Schwartz, Self-help, life lessons
Sundays are depressing. They are even more depressing when I know that the next day I have school from 8-12, and then work from 2-830. And to top it off, I read the ending of Tuesdays with Morrie. Yeah, I could cry right now.
After finishing the book, I was curious to see if Morrie Schwartz’ interviews with Ted Koppel would be on Youtube. And they are. But I don’t think I can watch them right now.
The book didn’t really impact me the way I know it was supposed to. Maybe if I had read the book 5 or 7 years ago, I might have reacted to it properly. I have become more jaded than a 24 year-old should be with all the Wayne Dyers, and the Jack Canfields, and the Rhonda Byrnes of this world. I’ve conditioned myself to scoff at books that are supposed to better my emotional well-being.
Tuesdays with Morrie talks of love, relationships, life, death, and everything in between. It teaches forgiveness, compromise, and honesty. Most of which are true and well-meaning. The one thing that resonated with me the most was when he talked about social/cultural norms, and how you have to create your own sub-cultures if what’s out there doesn’t work for you.
All in all, I would say this book was worth the read.
I reject anything that is spoon-fed to me, even if it was a spoonful of truths and mantras to live by. I prefer my life lessons buried in ironic metaphors, sad stories, and regretful nights out at questionable bars.
But that’s just me.
Filed under: Books, Glitter & Sparkles, Triumphs & Heartbreaks | Tags: Brian Francis, Fruit, gay, gay fiction, high school
All I wanted to do when I got home from work was masturbate into a tissue and call it a night, even though the plan was to finish my radio brochure thing. So much for plans.
Needless to say, accomplishments were few tonight. However, I did finish Fruit by Brian Francis. It was such a fun book. And towards the end, it had just the right amount of sentiments. It made me a little bit sad.
I was a chubby gay kid once. It did not feel good to be called “fat,” even though it was probably for that reason I decided to skip lunch at school in grade 8. As a result, I got skinny and had extra lunch money, but I was also going through puberty and it could have been the hormones that made me thin, who knows.
All I know is, my fat friends called me “anorexic.” And that’s only because they were jealous. And I was not anorexic.
It’s kind of funny how perceptive kids can be. I had been called “gay” since even before I knew I was gay. I’m sure proclaiming that I was Sailor Mercury did not help things.
I always say that if I were to do over high school, I would do everything differently. But I don’t know. Maybe I did try my best to be myself. Maybe I did what I had to do to survive. And I survived. And sometimes I think that’s quite an accomplishment for a chubby gay kid.
Filed under: Books, Glitter & Sparkles | Tags: Brian Francis, Christian Bale, Fruit, gay
Dear Christian Bale,
You will no longer be making appearances in my bedtime movies¹.
¹Sexual fantasies that Peter Paddington, from Fruit, frequently has before he descends into his wet dreams.
Filed under: Books, Glitter & Sparkles, Graphic Design, School Life, Work Life | Tags: Brian Francis, brunch, fiction, Fruit, Gastown, gay, gay fiction, Graphic Design, radio
This Sunday, my sleeping-in session was cut short due to a brunch appointment at Two Chefs and a Table with Pillows’ friends. It’s a charming little place that feels surprisingly roomy when you’re inside. Food was alright. I mostly enjoyed its open kitchen format, floor to ceiling windows, and large tables.
It’s sometimes strange and perhaps a little bit awkward to hang out with Pillows’ friends. Even though I’ve known them now for three years, I’ve never had a real conversation with any of them. Their topics of conversation (real estate and bad movies) never seem to pique my interest.
I first met Pillows’ friends, herein after referred to as the 3 musketeers, about 3 years ago when they used to go to bars to watch hockey games. Suffice to say, there was little or no proper introduction. And after a couple of games, I think we sort of just accepted each other’s presence. Before we knew it, it’s been 3 years, and we know nothing about each other.
It’s too bad because at least 2 out of the 3 of them seem like people whose company I would enjoy. But I will never know.
My fictional radio station
I got home in the afternoon yesterday to find out that the creative brief and signature for my fictional radio were due the next day. It was a nasty little surprise.
Fortunately I was able to whip something up without too much difficulty. I love the conceptual part of any design process. One of the reasons is the amount of possibility and freedom to exercise my imagination.
For my first iteration, I’ve decided to call my radio station that plays an eclectic mix of music Rare FM. Initially it was going to be Radio Mosaic, but I felt that it lacked in personality and edge.
So I settled on Rare FM for now. And no, I’m not in love with the colour red. It was just appropriate.
Yet another moment of weakness
Over the weekend, I was unable to resist buying yet another book largely for its aesthetically pleasing cover.
Fruit, by Brian Francis, is about a 13 year-old gay boy who is going through puberty and thinks his nipples are talking to him. It’s by a Canadian author, and it was one of the selections for Canada Reads 2009.
Sold.
Filed under: Books | Tags: A Spot of Bother, book review, dentist, fear, fiction, floss, Mark Haddon, The Jade Peony, Wayson Choy
Yes. I live to tell of yet another dentist’s appointment. Every time I come out of one of these things, I always promise myself I would floss. I would get over the irrational fear of seeing a piece of string go underneath my gum. I have yet to keep those promises.
This time is going to be different. I can feel it.
Slight Disappointment
Last night I finished A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon. I must say, it wasn’t what I would expect after reading his debut novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time.
Although I didn’t find The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time particularly inspiring, it had its charms in certain places. A Spot of Bother on the other hand, was a little bit confused. It had some humour, some great one-liners, but none too memorable. It was crude and graphic, but it came across a little bit contrived.
Many elements seemed expected and hackneyed. It had the neglected housewife who has an affair. It had the perfunctory gay character. It had the child whose biggest character trait was that he sucked on his thumb.
It was a relatively quick read with lots of things happening to the characters. Main characters took turns progressing the story without contributing much insight or change.
A New Book
Today I started The Jade Peony.
I’ve heard many good things about it. I don’t know how I missed reading it in highschool since it is required reading for most schools in Vancouver.
Filed under: Books, Movies, School Life | Tags: Graphic Design, Kijiji, Marley & Me, matt & nat, packaging, self assess, shopping, swot, validation
It’s only the 2nd week of school and already projects are starting to pile up. I had to request for a day off at work (even though I’m only down to about 2 days/week) because of a packaging project that was due Tuesday. Luckily, my request was approved.
This semester has been quite interesting. We’re treading new grounds with packaging design, corporate identity, self promotion, and digital portfolio. As a result, the scope of some of the projects have not been wide, and context was not given or required.
So far the self promotion project has not been easy as I thought it would be. As much as I secretly enjoy looking inward and evaluating myself, I have found it awkward to share some of those evaluations with my instructors and classmates.
You don’t know me, or do you?
I like to think that although I might not know myself completely, I know myself better than others know me. And sharing my evaluations with the class (people I’ve known and worked with for 3 years now) not only means exposing myself and being vulnerable, but also the possibility of having these findings be disproved.
Eventually I got over my insecurities, and sat myself down for some serious SWOT-ting (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats).
The results were not pretty. And I didn’t think they would be, but that’s ok.
Done with critical thinking
So after our week of extensive soul-searching, JoMondo and I decided to let our minds rest and instead have pop culture tell us what to do.
We went shopping.
Unfortunately, my lack of funds have prevented me from being a good consumer. I looked and did not buy.
Some sales guy at a clothing store commented on my Matt & Nat bag. I was quite pleased. How else would I know I exist, if not for validation from complete strangers?
It seems lately I’ve been suffering from puppy-fever, no thanks to Mondo showing me Kijiji.
After our less than successful shopping spree, we decided to feed my fever by going to see Marley & Me. I’ve always wanted to read the book just because no non satan worshiper can say no to a cover like this.
Despite Owen Wilson’s bad acting, tears were involuntarily shed.
Filed under: Books, My Weekend Pillows, Work Life | Tags: Mucha, holiday, Chapters, retail, skiing, Mark Haddon, Daniel Clay, Justin Evans, Mary Swan, Richard Dawkins, Mitch Albom
As I’m settling into my holiday, the snow has been comfortably settling onto the ground. The temperature has dropped over night below o degrees celsius. Time to break out the big puffy jackets.
It was a circus as Chapters yesterday. Working at a retail environment, Christmas is a time I don’t look forward to. The overload shipment of books never fit properly on the shelves. Every customer thinks they are the most important priority in the world. Where have all the manners gone? I believe everyone should be required to work at a retail environment so they can realize that no, the world does not revolve around you. Wait your turn for question/service like everyone else.
The line up at cash, despite the eight tirelessly working cashiers, never ends or even lets up a little. I was placed on cash since we desperately needed help there. I nearly lost my voice after the 7-hour-straight predetermined dialogue. I definitely feel for the cash team.
This morning, I saw Pillows off on his annual ski-trip. I will miss him, but at the same time I’m really looking forward to my own quiet, perhaps solitary weekend. (Weekend in the sense that I don’t have work in the 2 upcoming days.)
Maybe I’ll curl up in bed with one of the eight books that I’ve purchased yesterday as a result of the Chapters employee discount day.
Alphonse Mucha Masterworks by Rosalind Ormiston
This is just something decadent that I decided to get. It is 200 pages of visually stunning paintings and illustrations with brief bouts of text chronicling Mucha’s life. Alphonse Mucha is one of my favorite illustrators of the late 18th century to early 19th century.
Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon
I read his debut novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. It was a charming little book about a boy with autism. The synopsis of this newer novel sounded intriguing, and I couldn’t resist the hardcover format for 5$, when its tradepaper contemporary is being sold at 30$.
Broken by Daniel Clay
I don’t know much about this book except that it’s supposed to be a modern To Kill a Mocking Bird on steroids, and it’s supposed to be somewhat similar to Heather O’neill’s Lullabies for Little Criminals which I enjoyed.
Little Book of Big Packaging Ideas by Catharine Fishel
I have his friend The Little Book of Big Promotions which I found to be quite inspiring. And I find the format of this series of books to be quite pleasing. At roughly 7″ by 8.5″, it is easy to handle.
The Good and Happy Child by Justin Evans
This is a horror novel, a genre I rarely venture into. Actually I rarely venture out of fiction. Anyway, I’m looking to change that, and expand my reading horizons. To be honest, I just thought the cover looked attractive.
The Boys in the Trees by Mary Swan
I’ve heard nothing but good things about this book. I’m quite excited to read it.
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
I watched his documentaries The Root of All Evil? and The Enemies of Reason. I enjoyed both of these films and I would recommend everyone to watch them. But really it was the shiny cover and the die-cut circle that sold me.
Tuesdays with Morrie By Mitch Albom
I’ve always wanted to read this book just to see what the fuss was about, but being somewhat of a self-proclaimed non-conformist, I’ve resisted and wanted to explore novels with less hype. I finally purchased this book as Pillows says he’s interested to read it as well.
I think I’m done with book purchases for 2009, and it’s not even 2009 yet.
