Falling into old habits

24 hours just isn't enough. I often fall into the whole "work, life, balance" water cooler conversation. Why? Because it's bullshit. 12 hours a day, 60 hours a week and I still go home feeling guilty that I'm not a "team player", working the weekend like all the other keener newbies in the office.

Fortunately the fall season has begun and I'm about to deluge my brain with television, weird indie dramas, and rush seats to random plays or exhibits. Continuing my boycott on all gyms, which only serve to make me feel like I'm either a) wasting money for not going b)shitty for my old sweats and dirty sneakers and c) irritated when some ***hole is taking too long on the machines in front of me. Eat less and cut out sugar. Gave me the same result after years of running like a hamster on the treadmill.

Great finds...

11 Flowers (above): One of the best films to debut at TIFF, made by the celebrated filmmaker Wang Xiaoshuai (Beijing Bicycle). A personal, quality film that reminded me of Stand by Me (although very different). An 11 year old boy becomes entangled in a local crime during the Chinese Cultural Revolution.

We Need to Talk about Kevin: Tilda Swinton's oscar calibre role in Lionel Shriver's raw, haunting tale of a mother's love for her murderous son.

Drive: Ryan Gosling continues his winning streak with this moody action flick.

Most anticipated flick of the year? Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.. only annoy aspect of the film is the name.

TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) has turned into a bit of an over-bloated greedy pig ($22 for a BLOODY TICKET??? WTF is that?) with the line ups, hiked prices for flicks that come out in theatres in a few weeks, and annoying fans. The best part? The foreign selection that most never get access to and energetic vibrant hum of the audience.

The kindness of evasion

I find it odd and rather insensitive when I watch others get interrogated with intrusive questions during events. Every crowd has one or two individuals who constantly aim for the soft spot. "Have you gained a few pounds?" "Any children, when are you going to have children?" "Dating anyone yet?" "Married yet?" "What do you do?" "Grandkids?" "How old are you?" "How much money do you make?" "Did you find a job yet?" The list goes on and on. A friend of mine detests the question "What do you do?" the most.

Every question is a loaded one. All of it applies to societal pressures and living inside the box.

Judgement. What everyone does, but shouldn't do. Because in the end, we don't know what the next day will bring, and it's nobody's business but their own.

Silence is golden.

Scavenger hunts for adults

A group of overheated teammates pounding the concrete through the scorching hot midday sun passed us by today. With matching t-shirts and large numbers plastered on their backside, I almost thought I was watching the Amazing Race. The Great Urban Race was passing through and next week it'll cross over to Madison.

It's a great way to really test a relationship as you navigate through the urban jungle hunting for random clues.

Click on the website to see if it's heading toward you.

Return of the Prodigal

Netflix has struck gold.. well.. they'll be shelling out the gold but they will likely see it pouring back... and hopefully with a profit. Rumour has it that Dave Chappelle is working on another comedy show. One season .. two seasons... whatever.. I'll take what I can get.

Dave Chappelle's New Show: Comedian Working On Subscription Network Show, Report Says

Dave Chappell's sell out San Fran performance

lame

Well Vancouver lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, boo-hoo. I was pretty impressed they made it to the end in the first place, most Canadians wish the Leafs, Habs or Oilers could get so far.

It's a weird town, I've seen photos from so many onlookers, posting images of cars burning and horrifyingly... a few people getting beaten to a pulp. Toronto Star posted a live viral of a good samaritan protecting a shop front. First I thought, who was this ass**** filming it rather than helping the guy when the lynch mob struck him, and second, what the hell?

Over a game? Destroying a city when Japan survived a horrific earthquake with quiet dignity, and Syria riots for their freedom? Some blame it on only a select few, but from the scores of photos and now... videos posted, it's apparent that a few thousand of Vancouver Canuck fans are nothing more than playground bullies. Goading on others with their chanting and watching others get hurt in the process.

A poor woman reported that as she was trying to get to her car an angry fan jumped on her roof smashing it down. She was quickly engulfed into the crowd when she tried to pull him off.

Surprised? If you've lived in Vancouver, you wouldn't be. Vancouver has a large downtown area that closely resembles "Children of Men" ... is a city with a large prostitution ring (especially considering the small size of the city), and has such an overinflated housing market (jacked up prices by the non-resident wealthy foreign money), that locals can't afford a decent home. The Olympics may have created a beautiful veil of serene calm, but in reality the city is no better (or worse) than any other North American town.

Think small, become small.