I broke up with The Girl last night. It was a tough decision, but one I had been sitting on for a bit, especially during some quiet time up north. It's not that there was anything wrong with the relationship, there just wasn't enough right. She's a good girl, and a fun friend, but I didn't like her enough to be a real girlfriend, and I didn't feel that was fair to her and I told her as much. Also she was slightly too clingy, texting me about ten times a day and trying to hang out with me every day. I had to keep making up excuses to not see her and it was getting frustrating; I would see her in the morning for coffee, she'd go to work and then text me asking to see me again when she got off, which would be late at night. I'm far too set in my ways to have someone try and pry in there all the time. I like my privacy and doing what I want when I want. I'm a Robin Scherbatsky.
But it is said and done and I feel far worse for her than I do for myself. She's super pissed at me, which is understandable.

My Boston Terrier fever is still running high. I know that the good, responsible thing to do is wait until I have a steady job to pay for all the costs of getting a dog, especially an expensive breed, instead of rushing out and getting one. I'm also torn between planning with a breeder or just waiting until it's a good time and getting a dog for cheaper. If I go the breeder route, it's at least a two hour drive as the closest breeders I can find are in either Pembroke or Kingston and those dogs will be 1200-1500 bucks. But those would be guaranteed well bred, well raised and well tended to vet-wise. And I would be certain of getting a puppy. Getting one off of, say, Kijiji would mean I'm getting either a home-bred dog (not totally a bad thing) being sold probably for a bit of cash or a puppy a family can't take care of anymore, which would put me back about 400-700, but then the vet fees might be bigger with less breeder care. It's a toss up.
I also have to make absolutely certain that the dog can get along with Kenobi, which is the main reason I want a puppy. And I'm kinda specific that I know I want a black and white male, who I'm going to call Nibbler.
There's a breeder in Pembroke who's expecting puppies in late April, which would make them available in June, which is when I want them.I'm considering contacting her, but I don't want to make a commitment just yet, when it's entirely possible I can get a perfectly good puppy for cheaper.
This dog stuff is hard.

FUCK, my week's been busy. Let's try to record it in order.
First, the move:
Stephris bought a house a while back and Friday was their move day. I went over 'round noonish to help them pack and organize their things before the actual move later that evening. I helped Steph pack for a bit, we ate lunch, helped pack a bit more, Steph went to work and I helped Chris pack, Chris went to get Steph and Tall!Chris came by and we packed what little more we could, and then the loading began. And sweet hammer of Thor, they have so much stuff. The move took five goddamn hours and by the end we were all so tired and grumpy and hungry and we just sorta collapsed in their dining area and ate pizza/beer before going home.
Then Saturday I go over to help! A lot later than I thought I would've, though. Instead they had some trouble with the satelite getting installed, so I ended up spending most of the day with the Girl and getting her hooked on 30 Rock. Then Chris finally picked me up and I helped Steph unpack a bit of the kitchen and we ate some dinner and went to the Great Big Sea concert.

The concert:
HOLY FUCK YES. This was my first big concert and it was awesome. The ticket I managed to snag was AWESOME, right up on the floor near the front, and I actually managed to squeeze up to the front for a bit. I didn't sit down all that much at all, we were too busy rocking out on the floor, although I did eventually hurt my back from all my dancing (and the move) and had to sit out the rest. It was still awesome though. And at about halfway through, they did a little 'karaoke' bit where they played the music of different hit songs and encouraged the audience to sing. They did Bohemian Rhapsody, 500 Miles, Summer of 69, a bunch others that I can't remember, and when they did 'Jesse's Girl' no one seemed to know what the song was. I'm singing along and everyone else has that 'I know this... what is it?' look, until the chorus hit and then it was a big 'OH, this song!' And then the concert continued and it was more kick ass.

Then Sunday I had a 'real' date with the Girl where we went to go see 'I Love You Man', which is fucking hilarious and now I'm totally going to be saying 'totes ma-gotes' all the time. I'm not sure if that's how it should be spelled, but hell, it's the best phonetic way. ANYway, the movie is dammned hilarious and my love for Jason Segal only grows stronger. We then wandered the Rideau Center for a bit and I found a copy of Little Shop of Horrors on DVD, fuck yeah, and then we went for dinner. It was a nice and good time, and she's coming over again tonight so I can show her the awesomness that is LSoH.

And then this week I hope things will not be crazy and busy and I can have some pleasent time for myself to work on my portfolio.
Things are really looking up for ol' Liz Lemon.

I keep forgetting to mention: When I was at Wizard of Oz on Saturday, we saw the Harper family there to watch the play as well. My friend Amanda had mentioned that bodyguards had split the crowd to let Harper through, and this put Chris to OMG fanboy mode. We looked around before the show started to see if we could find them, but it wasn't until the intermission when we saw some earpiece wearing toughguys standing in one of the baloncies, and sure enough saw Harper and his family sit down before the second act.
Just felt that needed a mention.

The coffee date today has ended up extending into a dinner/movie date later tonight when she gets back from work. We've hit it off incredibly well, even with both our slight hangovers from last night. We got coffee, chatted about nerdy things, enjoyed the outdoor weathers and went back to her place for a bit where I was hilariously assaulted by her dog. Then she awayed to work, but is coming back afterwards and we're going to get some 'za and watch Pulp Fiction.
She's actually pretty awesome, so if nothing comes of it date-wise, at least I'll end up with another good, new friend. That lives in my building no less, just a few floors beneath me.

Also, I want to change my hair, but am torn between curling it or letting it continue to grow long. Hurm.

So I'm chatting up this girl online today and we're hitting it off and possibly making plans to meet, and it turns out she's good friends with Lubke and I'm almost positive I remember her briefly from college. Small goddamn world, isn't it?
I'm kinda finding myself really hopeful about this one. She likes cooking, skating, bad old sci-fi movies, comics, she's a layout artist/illustrator, she's weird enough to be friends with Lubke. Who I'll have to remember to poke at for not introducing me to his hot lesbian friend before. I'm always worried about putting too much hope into something, but holy hell, when am I going to find another nerd girl who likes bad sci-fi and beer and food for a second time? I swear to Batman, I'd better not screw this one up.

Also: LOST OMG. Dan is now my new favourite character, with Locke and Ben still tied for second. Now let it be known that I hate time travel, hate it because I always think about it too much, but LOST isn't hurting my brain or making me angry. I love it so much. And shit's getting answered! Answers! On LOST! I want it to be next Wednesday so bad.
Also: Charlie? Inside tears when I heard that.

It was a snooooow storm today, which of course means that I got to stay home and not go to work. So instead I did a bit of cleaning and doodling and watched some movies. This morning I watched Milk, which I expected to be a mostly standard political Oscar-bait, but then I ended up getting pretty into it and was genuinely sad at the end. Then I cleaned a bit more and Chris came over and we watched The Illusionist, which was pretty good, but it was clear to see why Prestige kicked it's ass. I'm slowing making my way through seeing movies, but I'm going to need to speed up if I want to meet my goals.
After the movies, I went bowling! It was the Mercury Toot and Puddle wrap party at the nearby bowling alley, so we went and played and I sucked terribly. Like, super horribly bad. I blame it on the fact that the balls were too big for my tiny girlish hands and I couldn't get a good grip to through right. Also, I have a terrible hook and no matter how I threw, I almost always managed to get it in the left gutter. I got a few freak strikes my last game, which we jokingly placed on Ryan saying sexist things so that I could win 'for women everywhere', but then I just started sucking again. Bowling for human rights is something I should never do.

Otherwise, that's been my life. Today's been the most exciting day since my last update. Life's been a decently dull repeating spin of the wheel, but hey, at least no one's dying or stuff like that. I'm trying to get into the dating game again, pretty hard without transportation (damn you busses!) but I'm chatting with a girl and she seems pretty cool (and know's someone at Mercury, small world) and maybe something will some of this one. Who knows?

Finally: This is the most hilarious news I've read all week

Well, I'm jobless.
Not right now, not until the end of contract, but after that c'est tout and I'm done. I've been told that the whole place is getting trimmed down a ton, which seems odd given that we'd just moved into the big new studio, but I was at least given assurance that should more work pop up, I'm definitely on the callback list, so that's my small comfort. Also got told of a new studio that's looking for animators and to check in there, so that's definitely what I'll do, once I can scrounge up a demoreel. And most of my friends are in the same boat as me, so we've the hope of all of us starting at the fledgling studio and being awesome and not job/homeless.
Otherwise I've got to poke around for more work. I'm not spending the entire winter on the internet again, let me tell you that. Hell, I've even got Starbucks on my list of consideration, since I heartell they got good benefits and I've enough Threadless shirts to be a totally queer hipster if need be. I'm in the know, I'm down with what the kids say. And it's a good place to meet people. Plus, coffee.

On a bonus point, being as I have a wee bit of a crush on a coworker, I can ask her out without having to worry about awkward workshifts after she says 'no' because I misinterpreted our constant teasing banter as flirting because girls are impossible, raarrg.

Day The Earth Stood Still post! I have an unpublished yet firey burning dislike for the remake - I'd only recently seen the original and immediately feel in love with it. After learning about the remake shortly after I was confused because there's no point and every bit of news I received afterwards only made me hate it more. In fact, the only thing I like about this movie is the casting choice of Keanu Reeves because that guy should have it easy playing an alien playing a human.
Naturally, of course, since I hate this movie and everything it's doing to the original story, I've been obsessively following everything.
Keanu Reeves excellent adventure
Making the Earth stand still
Earth stood still science advisor reveals all
They're sending TDTESS into space.
Don Draper explains how to solve the alien problem with scotch and cigarettes
The science behind giant robot Gort
I truly and seriously see no point to remaking the movie and then they bork up the plot/story/message by taking out the main point and making it environmental. If that's what they wanted, why didn't they main their own movie, instead of taking a few names and the title from a classic? Goddamn Hollywood. My rage must sustain you in some way .

Reg Linkspam:
So soon after I learn of the 101 Dalmations musical, I then learn of the Spiderman musical. My lasting wish of seeing a Batman musical may actually see the light.
Wall-E named best picture by L.A. film critics
Detailed Wall-E bento art too good to eat
Alien invaders who conquer the earth to protect the universe
Hottest sci-fi kisses you never saw
Hairspray 2 plot outline revealed
Dead Like Me: Life After Death gets a release date
Revolving door uses you to make energy
Beedle the Bard... the movie?
How come boys get all the cool toys
The many faces of Santa
<a

And again my updating seems to suffer.

I'm thinking it's partially for two reasons - one being that there's little happening in my life I feel is worthy of note, and the other is that I keep neglecting the infernal linkspam and thus, feel guilty updating without it.
I'm going to try and remedy this by updating with linkspam only periodically, instead of feeling the need to include it in every post that's longer than a few lines. The lack of much of anything shouldn't be as much of a crutch as I try to excuse it as: after all, I'm of the firm opinion that anyone's life is thrilling, if written about properly. After all, I think it's only human to assume that everyone's life is far for exciting than your own.

On topic of this life, I'm going to see Spamalot tomorrow, and that's exciting enough! It's only in town for five days and tomorrow is the last day. Friend Steph managed to score some tickets for the group of us. I'm excited, since I've been obsessing over musicals pretty much since Wicked revived my love for them. I've been giving some serious thought to a New York trip, Broadway style, this summer and if I can put aside enough money monthly, I should be able to afford it easily by July-ish. Of course, this all hinges on work in the future: the current contract ends by the end of next month and the rumour mill says that we're to get a month off before heading back to work, but those are still rumours. We're up for working on another Disney project, at the very least, but the last year has made me a bit wary. With luck, I'll have more information before the inevitable break.

Also related to Spamalot and work, I'm stressing out over some scenes due Monday morning, aka Sunday. I'd taken the Friday off to go out with The Girl and am slightly regretting it. I'd half hoped that the studio would be open today until at least 8, but I got there at 4 (after a lunch/day with my mother, grandmother and sister) and it closed an hour later. I've full confidence that I can get it done tomorrow before the show, but whatever worrying gland I've managed to inherit from my father is working overtime and I can only pray that everything works according to plan.
I'd adopted over-working tendencies mostly to make money, but now I'm starting to think that it's starting to burrow deep. While I accept being at home for brief periods of time, I'm starting to feel anxious when I'm not working. Even now, at 9:30pm on a Saturday, I'm thinking that I should really be at work, even though the studio is locked and closed.
This type of thinking probably isn't very healthy, but it's starting to become my coping mechanism for the odd hours. I started it to make some extra money, but now I do it because it's the easiest, most comfortable place to put myself. I enjoy working, I enjoy what I do, and it's something I can focus all my attention on. To be perfectly honest, things with The Girl are not going well. Or in any case, they're gong well enough, they're just not going well.
I enjoy her company, she's fun to be with, but each of our dates are starting to follow the frustrating pattern of going out to eat, having a fun time talking, or walking, or pool or what have you, and then we end up at her place to do nothing but watch television until I feel I've overstayed my welcome and awkwardly leave.
I'm not, by any means, good at this relationship thing. In fact, I'm quite terrible. And while I don't want to assume anything, I think she's waiting for me to make the first move, which is a horrible idea because I have no sense of timing in the least. Obviously the clear answer would be to actually make the first move, but as I'm shy as all hell and as emotionally retarded as a stump, the likelihood of that happening is close to nil. So instead of I wave cheerfully when I leave, say 'see you next time' and stomp off to catch a cab.

And so, I decide to stay married to my work. There's no attempt to figure out human emotion or deciding when it's the proper time for anything. You just sit down, do the work for when it's due, and get more when you're done that. It's simple, demanding enough only to keep it interesting, and justly rewarding. It may be considered unhealthy, but I don't particularly care. Even now, I'm starting to think the only reason I even tried to start a relationship with The Girl was because being seen as single for the last 4 years without even an attempt could be seen negatively. If I even do start a relationship in the future, it will probably just be for practical reasons. Maybe I'm sounding like a bitter single, but the notion of romance is pretty much past me now. It certainly seems like far more trouble than it's worth.

I GOTTA ADMIT, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I EVER FELT BAD FOR DOWNLOADING ANYTHING. OH GOD, I HOPE THE RATINGS FOR PUSHING DAISIES HAVE IMPROVED FOR TONIGHT'S EPISODE. CAPSLOCK OF HOPE HERE. IT JUST CAN'T GET CANNED. I HAVEN'T ACTUALLY WATCHED IT YET, THE TORRENT'S STILL GOING, BUT OH GOD THE GUILT. WHY DO I LOVE THIS SHOW SO MUCH.
YES, I WILL PROBABLY POST A SIMILAR PANIC EVERY WED/THURS POST. DEAL.

I kinda, sorta, forgot to vote in yesterday's election. I felt guilty about it (hey, work had me stressed and that was pretty much all I focused on) but considering that it turned out just as I figured it would, I don't really feel all that guilty. Harper may be a robot, and a bit of a creep who hates fabulous women, but Dion was just way too unlikable to beat him out. It was pretty much a waste of an election, IMO.
The Girl(friend?) enjoys talking about what a douche Harper is though - she temped for the Conservatives a few years back and he told her she was going to hell and she was 'heavily pressured to quit' once they found out she was gay. Stuff like that just sorta makes me laugh. I never know how much is self-fueled worry/paranoia and how much is actual idiotic douchebaggery, but I'm still prejudice free. I sometimes forget that there's people out there who hate me who haven't met me yet.

The Girl and I are still doing well, from the one time we've seen each other since deciding to actually date. I'm still woefully ignorant on how this works and painfully shy, though now that the whole 'is she or isn't she' awkwardness is gone it's a little better. She came out with a bunch of us on Friday and it was a good time. And she took good care of me when I chugged some bizarre green drink.
I have no idea why I did that and it was the worst idea ever. In fact, ( this is all I really remember )
I dimly remember snatches of her giving me water and taking me to a cab at the end of the night. I think I just pretty much passed out on her after the drink. Everyone else thought it was hilarious.
I was going to have her over this weekend, but she's busy with other friends, so I'm having a party instead. WOO PARTY. Only now am I really bummed by the night shift, since I can't keep skipping work just for social calls. But every second Friday we plan on going out to the bar, so there's still always that.

And finally, I need to stop shopping. I think I'm addicted. I was excited about shoes today. I have freakish mutant feet, I hate shoe shopping, but I enjoyed it what the flying fuck.

Linkspam:
The Toxic Avenger Musical * Drive-in theaters still popular after 75 years * The evolution of TV love * The Muppet adult film * Video games turn 50 * What movie could be next year's Dark Knight? * Burton talks Depp, Wonderland and more * The 10 least competent time travelers

Macbook 2008 roundup

Walmart's Ultra Douche * Walmart sells you an empty box, but you bought it with stolen cards * Cigarette ads: recommended by doctors * Alone, female and eating: a real drag * UN could unleash human clones on the world next year * Spy trades sex for secrets * 'I am under 18' button clicked for first time ever * Amazing food art

BTW, for the linkspam: Did you guys who read it prefer this format or the single list format better?

( A fishy )
My Ritalin perscription ran out about a week ago, and I haven't made the appointment to refill it yet. At first I didn't really notice anything but now, obvious with hindsight, I realise there really is a difference. I'm going to try and remember to call the doc on next Tuesday for the refill and hopefully it'll push me back up. And it's not like my work's suffered, thankfully, but looking at my recent habits at work and I could be making more money and I should probably really want that. So hoping I remember!

And in other life news, it looks like I am finally moving forward in the date I mentioned earlier. I'd seen the girl for lunch and other a few times after that and we still got along swell, but nothing seemed to be happening. I wondered if there was miscommunication or she just wasn't interested, or whatever else and finally just upped and asked her and found out that she was wondering the same thing! So now that that's cleared up, we're both agreed now that it is dating we both want and will keep doing.
Exciiiiiting. Everything's lining up for ol' Liz Lemon.


Linkspam:
Interview with Lee Pace of Pushing Daisies*Del toro to fly solo on Hobbit*How bad with the American 'Absolutely Fabulous' be?*Hathaway and HBC head to Burton's Wonderland*5 badass reasons fans will love the Green Lantern movie*5 ways Doctor Who made a difference*Shamalamadingdong on Unbreakable 2*Watchmen sneak peek reveals Snyder's ambition

Glowing Jellyfish win Nobel Prize*Body in suitcase was full of heroin*Creativity and mood disorders linked?*10 ways to eat more bacon*6 menacing towers fit for a supervillain*My roommate, the drug dealer*The coolest apartment block on Earth

Well, look at the liar I am! Saying I'll update and then never doing so. But I had some free time today between finishing Dexter and chores, so here's the update.
This week as been slow and energy draining. I don't even know what's up, but I do know it's not just me, a bunch of the studio has been leaving early or just being sluggish. I think it's just the transition from summer to fall is making everyone feel a bit crappy. It's been a bit cold and wet this past week and I know that for at least myself it's been making the old back pain resurface, so I've started doing my physio and stretches again. And it sucks, because it's not cold it's just damp, but the damp is cold so turning up the heat does nothing. I'm wearing sweaters and blankets and drinking tea and that keeps me alive.

In slightly exciting, optimistic news, I may have a date tomorrow. I'm tentatively calling it that, but I think it's more a pre-date date. We're just going out for coffee tomorrow afternoon, so I think it'll be one of those things where if it works out great, it's a date, and if not then it'll just be a coffee meet between friends. We've been emailing though and getting along spectacularly but this'll be our first time meeting in person. I hope it goes well. It's been ages since I've done anything datelike. Fingers crossed!

The Jersey Devil hunters
10 things you don't know about Earth
Top 10 up and coming products
Rare African Okapi seen
Charges against manager who refused 911 call
Game characters time forgot
15 repulsive foods
15 ways to get people to watch tv again
11 mnth old uses phone to help unconscious mom
Build a Batcave
Blue People
Fearing the end of the world, girl commits suicide

As of today I now have an apartment! HOORAY FOR ME. And L. Tom, as is the other half in the owning, though not the other half. Funnily enough the lady at first thought he was my boy when we first went for appointments and the whole thing was hilarious. My mum is also placing the bets on when Tom and I shall hook up. The poor woman. I dread dashing her high hopes.

Speaking of dating, apparently Tom and I are in some sort of secret competetion as to who can get a real GF first. He has a girl at Indigo books he wants to ask out, so I need to beat him first, for pride if anything. I know I've mentioned Michelle as my girl, but she really isn't. It was simpler to describe to people, as we sortI'd proa border on that line, but as she is very much like my sister it's a line I'd probably rather not cross.

However! There's a funny story in this. Every few weeks I go to the grocer to buy cream and sugar for the coffee-ness at work. Every single time I go, I always end up with the same cashier, a cute darling named Megan (as I have read on her nametag :p). It is not stalking, as I just randomly go to different cashes with the smallest lines and I only just noticed last week. Clearly, this is fate or some sort - I'm going to try small talking next time. Worst case scenario she is homophobic and I simply make the effort to avoid her. Best case scenario I win. :D

Today I went to Jayme's and we watched Wizard People Dear Reader which is hilariously quite hilarous, especially parts that I will not spoiler. Download! I say. It is two hours of your life you'll pay to live again.
Also, Chris Doe, a classmate, might be living in the same building as Tom and I. This is amusing news.