Uma Rocks

In my quest to expand my horizons in movie genres, I rented Kill Bill: Vol. 1 tonight. Although I watched over half of it with my hand in front of my eyes, peeking between my fingers, I couldn't stop the movie. I loved it - the actors, the cinematography, the music - what a rush! My final thoughts on the show? Two words: Uma rocks.

A Parallel First

I just added another city living skill to my list of skills acquired: I parallel parked for the first time. YAY! OK, so I'm a little further from the curb than I'd like to be, but in one smooth, swift motion I swerved in, adjusted once, leaving the perfect space between my car, the one in front and the one behind - and no dings! I sat there and grinned at my success. That's a parallel first for me; I think it deserves a celebration.

More Connections In The City

There was a change of plans tonight. Unfortunately my friend got stuck with a project at work that kept her there for the night. So, I could either stay here and feel sorry for myself, or get out and go for a walk. I walked to Bridgehead coffee shop and did a bit of people watching.

As I sat there sipping my decaf (I know it's fake, but I can't drink real coffee late at night), savouring my favourite chocolate bar, I wavered between feeling lonely and content. Then Video Store Guy walked in and waved at me. Huh. Nobody ever recognized me like that in the burbs, and now that I'm downtown, Video Store Guy recognizes me in a coffee shop.

After coffee, I walked over to the video store to pick up a movie. Video Store Girl asks "Aren't you the one who was looking for the black & white version of Harvey a few weeks ago? I found one the other day!" Huh. I don't recall anybody remembering any of my movie requests in the burbs, but move to the city and Video Store Girl remembers what I asked for three weeks ago.

In a previous post, I mentioned that it was possible to feel lonely amidst the hustle & bustle of the city, to feel like I was on the sidelines. Tonight, it struck me that small connections like these can make me feel like I'm part of it all. Huh.

Ramping Up to Birthweek Celebrations

Man, you know it's a slow week when you write about cleaning your desk (see previous post). That's ok. You need some of those. However, now I'm ready to ramp up the Birthweek celebrations: last night was a night at the Ottawa Little Theatre with a friend to see The Melville Boys; tonight I have plans to get together with another friend celebrating her birthweek; tomorrow, I look forward to a few hours of pampering and then a night on the town with some girlfriends.

It's Friday, the weather is springy, I just bought AC/DC's kick-ass Back in Black CD and some fun going-out clothes ... may the birthweek celebrations begin!

I Can See My Desk

Not too much to report tonight, except that I finally ventured into my office to start untangling the mess that covered my desktop (the literal desktop, not the one on my computer). After spending over an hour sorting and sifting through paper, I now have a few organized piles of like material, and if I combine those piles into even taller ones, I can see the majority of my beautiful glass-top desk.

Out of all the rooms in my apartment, the office has become the official dumping ground for items that have not yet found a home. Quite frankly, it's getting a little unmanageable. But ... I've taken the first step. Who knows, maybe I'll be so inspired by the work I've done that I'll want to clean again tomorrow!

OK, that's not really likely - but at least I can see my desk.

Powerful Words on a Sunday Afternoon

"It is not a garment I cast off this day, but a skin that I tear with my own hands. Nor is it a thought I leave behind me, but a heart made sweet with hunger and with thirst.

...

Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself. But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love; and to bleed willingly and joyfully."

- Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

Urban Living Checkpoint: Week Eight (And a Bit)

Wow. I've been here over two months already. Hard to believe isn't it? Here are a few more things I've been thankful for during the past few weeks in my new digs:

• getting a free movie after having rented 12 at my local video store
• discovering Alfred Hitchcock movies
• walking to a local diner late on a Saturday night for much needed escape and comfort food
• listening to music in my living room - my small speakers rock!
• seeing the morning sun dance on my couch through the mini-blinds when I wake up in the morning
• discovering a cool restaurant I'd never tried before within a 20-minute walk
• sitting on my very slanted hardwood floors, drawing
• getting a glimpse of spring's effect on urbanites - it's a whole new energy!

I know there've been crappy days but after 8 weeks, I'm still glad I gave urban living a shot. I can't wait to see what the spring and summer will bring. :)

My First Infraction

I got my first parking ticket yesterday. Does that mean my car's now been flagged by the parking ticket people? It's funny, I wasn't very upset when I saw the ticket on the windshield. I was sort of happy. Granted the stakes weren't very high - we're talking $25 - somewhere in my twisted little world it was liberating to break the rules for once. Huh.

Riding the Rails

I've been watching some old movies with trains in them. It makes me want to take a train somewhere. I did a bit of research yesterday and found this enticing possibility from Via Rail. Imagine sitting in the observation deck, looking out at the Canadian Rockies ... Who knows? I have a one-year sabbatical coming up. Maybe I'll spend part of it riding the rails across Canada. Wouldn't that be a treat!

Antidote to a Crappy Night

The antidote:

• 13 hours of sleep
• go out for a comfort food breakfast and coffee
• allow yourself to not cook, clean or do any chores
• spend the afternoon walking in the city, enjoying the sun and the fresh air, watching people do the same on a spring-like day
• buy yourself a fun pair of turquoise gloves at a cool vintage clothing store
• treat yourself to a last minute ticket to see Savion Glover's show at the National Arts Centre (more on him below)

Savion Glover:
Jazz music + Savion Glover = Oooh so sexy. Dreads and arms flailing about. Armani shirt dripping with sweat. Completely giving himself to the music. Wow. This guy tap-danced for over an hour, duelled with his musicians, reproducing their instrumental challenges in tap, and sang a contemporary version of Nature Boy without even missing a beat with his feet! I wanted to close my eyes, leap to my feet and shout in praise every time his body became one with the musical chaos. And the music ... oh the music. Once again I was mesmerized by the passionate and harmonious yet chaotic sound of jazz. It moved me to the core.

Mr. Glover's introduction to the last segment of the evening struck me. The segment was called Stars and Stripes Forever, For Now. For now, because Mr. Glover likes to celebrate now. Not yesterday, not tomorrow. Now. Amen to that.

Maybe that's the antidote to a crappy night.

Oh Crappy Night

It's mild, it feels springy, they're calling for a beautiful sunny day tomorrow ... it's a shame I feel so crappy. I'm sitting in a funk, watching episode after episode of Friends on DVD, trying to get a few laughs before I fall asleep. I miss the warmth of my fireplace and the familiarity of my previous home. Tonight the vibrancy of the city isn't doing a thing for me. Even my apartment feels strange. The only things comforting me are the check-in calls from a dear friend, the wool blanket I have wrapped around my shoulders and a steaming cup of herbal tea.

Freak Flags Unfurl

I watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind this weekend. I was drawn to Clementine, Kate Winslet's character, with her blue hair and zest for life. Somehow I'm always drawn to eclectic, artistic, colourful, free spirited characters in movies: Clementine from Eternal Sunshine, Amélie, Frida Kahlo, the odd girl played by Penélope Cruz in Vanilla Sky ... Perhaps they represent possibility. I think my spirit wants to fly, has wanted to for a while or, to quote a great line from a mediocre movie, I have a freak flag - I just don't fly it. Although in theory it shouldn't make a difference, I think I'd be more likely to fly that flag living where I do now than where I was before. There's less chance of standing out. Maybe it's one of the reasons I was led to the city in the first place. Maybe it's time for me to let the freak flag unfurl. :)

Breakfast? Now? Really?

I just spent over an hour sitting in a diner late on a Saturday night. My most impressive observation? There are actually people who order bacon and eggs at 11:30pm. Hm.

Connections Here, Connections There

After a fun, sassy, thought-provoking evening with a friend, my mind is swirling this morning with thoughts about connecting. Connecting with others: friends, family, colleagues, strangers, and everyone in between. Connecting with myself. Connecting with something bigger, a Higher Power. I realized that although I've felt lonely in the midst of bustling city streets, there are some moments where I've felt connected. I felt connected to strangers as we smiled at each other, tentatively negotiating our way through icy streets on my very first morning here; to the folks at the video store when they asked me what I thought of a specific movie; and to the guy at the coffee shop who suggested another blend I might enjoy based on my choice that day.

What makes a connection? Is it eye contact? Is it presence? Genuineness? Intent? All of the above? Whether it's for an evening, a lifetime or a split-second glance, I bet you opportunities for connections abound if we want them. Perhaps it's just a question of opening ourselves up to receive them.

Urban Living Checkpoint: Week Six

After six weeks in my new place, here are a few more things I've enjoyed:

• birds chirping at my window from the fire escape
• proximity to the Rideau Canal - makes it easier to get out for fresh air and a skate!
• longer walks to my car on sunny, mild mornings
• parking spots close to my door on cold, crappy mornings
• an abundance of restaurants and cafés to choose from for weekend brunches and afternoon coffees
• a local magazine shop where I can find colourful, artsy magazines that cost a fortune but feed my creativity with each page

Just a few things I've appreciated during the past few weeks. 'Til the next checkpoint ...