Miscellany

In other news, I went an saw Batman Begins the other night. I was initially sceptical about this film, primarily because of the precipitous plummet the franchise has been enduring lately as far as quality goes. I loved the original Batman. Batman Forever, I enjoyed...but only because Jim Carrey is the quintessential Riddler. And Batman and Robin...oh god. I shall not start. Must...resist...urge...to mock....gah!

So yes. A movie about Batman's roots? With none of my favourite actors among the cast (except Michael Caine...geinus to end all geniuses)? Which gives us a glimpse into Batman's psychology? And features ninjas? God help me, I thought, this may be a Batman-comic-reader's wet dream, but I'm gonna be outta the loop and left behind.

But I went, because Jon was going, and I don't like to let him out of my sight for long. He gets into all kinds of mischeif.

Well, I walked out of that theater feeling like an idiot all right, but not for the reasons I'd anticipated. I felt stupid for having had doubts about this film in the first place! The acting was stellar (well, I can live without Katie Holmes, but let's not nitpick), the pacing was perfect--lots of violence and car crashes and bad guys doing what bad guys do (also, an unforseen bonus, some fun CGI effects with worms and maggots and glowy eyes) --the plot was engaging (it was undeniably cool to see Batman from the human side of things, as opposed to the icy-cool, super-slick fighting machine he's always been protrayed as). I left the theater desperately wishing the other films had never been made, so that the cast, crew, and director of this one could do 'em instead (well, maybe not the original Batman, because Jack Nicholson and Tim Burton...I mean come on. CAN you get any cooler?). I want to see this flim again. And then I want to learn how to dangle nasty people by one leg several stories above the ground. It seems like a good negotiation tactic. It worked for Batman anyways.

In other news. Queen's offered me a spot. I turned 'em down. Also, Reel Big Fish is coming to Vancouver in a month or so. I am rather excited about this show, as they (in conjunction with Less Than Jake) are responsible to for turning me on to Ska, which then led to Ska Punk, which is currently my poison of choice. I shall be there, I shall dance(skank) my butt off, and I shall procur for myself a T-shirt. And there will be much rejoicing.

The Beast and Dragon, Adored

God bless Spoon.

I got to see them in concert this past Friday with Jon, Rob, Saul and some other people I didn't get the names of. I'd heard that they were really excellent live, and they didn't disappoint. Their live show is very polished...if I recorded it and played it alongside the albums, you might have a tough time discerning the differences. Well, while that may sound like a recipe for disappointment, the reality was that the band's physical presence was so intense, any major reworking of their music would have felt like a distraction. Yeah, I kinda missed the random jam sessions of OAR and the frantic, jerky energy of Modest Mouse, but damn yo. SPOON! Hearing that voice coming out of a real person's mouth STILL blows my mind.

So yes. Excellent time. Bought the T-shirt (me 'n Jon match...yay!). Now own most of their albums. Heartily recommend that y'all see 'em if'n ya get the chance!

In other news, I am a paragon of inconsistency. Three posts, and then a long silence. Boo. I will try to do better.

I get to see a very good friend of mine from High school tonight after I get done with work. Meliss has been in Sweden for a year, and will shortly be headed for India and China. Dunno when I'll see her again, so better make this night count. It's been a long time since Erin, Mel and myself were together...can't wait!

Okay, LAST post of the day!

Wait wait, one more thing...or, hang on...FIRST thing (damn you blogger and your reverse chronological order! Who wants to read relevant stuff FIRST???).

This is ostentatiously about my med school applications, so, couple updates. If you can't stomach ME BRAGGING, then stop now.


Okay.

Got an acceptance to Calgary (as you may remember, I was waitlisted there originally, but have since been called off the list). I, of course, declined. But it's fun to learn about people wanting you.

Oooh. Heh.

As for U of T, I'm waitlisted there. Same with Queens. So my tally so far: seven applications. Four acceptances (two immediate). Two waitlists. One outright rejection (screw you too Ottawa!).

Okay, now I'm really done!

Okay, I lied.

I claimed, over MSN, that the previous post would be witty and wonderful. Um. Hey, welcome to my blog. ALL this stuff is funny in my head. But somehow, something gets lost between my brain and the keyboard.

SUCH a NERD!

Well, after months and months of not playing, I have finally resumed my activities in the highly addictive world of KoL (that's Kingdom of Loathing, y'all). I'd post a link, but I'm technically inept, so google it yourself.

KoL is like a cross between D and D, Hitchhiker's Guide, and the Discworld of Terry Pratchett, with a lot of little Monty Python/They Might Be Giants/Nethack/other ancient RPG references. Plus the art is insanely adorable. Plus I got to be a Disco Bandit with Mad Lootings Skillz and the capacity for Disco Face Stabs and Electric Boogaloos. How can you go wrong?

Well...much as I hate to admit it, there was only so much Mafia Penguin ass kicking/Degrassi Gnoll butt whooping/herb brownie eating I was capable of doing before becoming inexorably bored. Things got way too easy as I leveled up, and it felt like what new content was added was more of a stopgap defense, meant to keep people occupied with busywork that I, frankly, had no patience for.

But then the Naughty Sorceress came into play, the King of the Kingdom was abducted, and it was up to one supremely pimpin' DB to save the day.

Which, of course, I did. With much style, and aplomb. And man, it was a long hard road...had to whoop several asses on several lesser monsters to even reach that slut. And these monsters aren't the kind you can just beat on with your sword, they're all cleverly crafted riddles, and you can ONLY beat them by figuring out the right item to use. There are little clues and puns and obscure references that put you on the path to success (to kill a Tyrannosaurus Tex, you need a chaos butterfly, which flaps its wings and alters the trajectory of a nearby asteroid...). Anyways, following those things (and a tough little duel with your own shadow...obligatory stuff in any RPG), you get to meet the sorceress.

And she's tough. She likes to blow sulty little kisses at you, y'know, distract you at the crucial moment. And then she morphs into this multi-tentacled (think scary anime tentacle rape...or maybe don't...hmm...yeah, go with the latter) thing and kicks more ass, and then, she morphs into...a SAUSAGE. But a dark energy filled one! And you can only beat her with...

Hang on, wait, no one cares. Even I don't care, because hey, it's over and done. I kicked her sexy little bottom, set free the king, and did what I've been longing to do since I started playing.

I ASCENDED.
Um. Hard to explain. I'm still me, with one of my key skillz (Mad Looting, of course), but I'm now reincarnated as a different class. Accordian Thief. So. Cool.

I <3 Jick.

Bliss

Got a cat purring in my lap, new Alkaline Trio blaring from the speakers, a boyfriend on his way home, exciting plans for the weekend with good friends, new clothes to try on, a nice big paycheck coming in the mail, an acceptance to my top choice med school, a good review on my last teaching assignment, and a fridge full of strawberries.

Life doesn't get much better than this. All I need is a beer and I'm in heaven.