Georgia on my Mind

Dilemma: I want to see the world. Europe, South America, Australia, all of it. But after this past weekend, I am never flying again.

My "airplane" to Atlanta was a 60-seater Delta Com Air. It was essentially a glorified schoolbus with wings, except schoobuses have much higher ceilings and wider aisles and cushier seats. TINY! (I was sitting in the aisle seat and when I crossed my legs, I hit the guy across the aisle from me. Oops.) Anyone remember that SNL (or maybe SCTV) skit where they board the sketchiest plane on the planet, and their seatbelts consist of old frayed rope? This wasn't that far off. I broke into a cold sweat every time we hit turbulence, and made my peace with God and my life at least a dozen times.

Until technology improves and I can instantly beam myself places, I am staying the fuck put, thank you.

I was mostly underwhelmed by Atlanta's ugliness, pollution and filth (I saw a vagrant smoking crack! USA! USA!), but Janki & Amit's wedding was beautiful and a lot of fun.

I have pictures!



This is Julie and Janki at the Mehndi party. It's a Hindu tradition that women decorate their palms with intricate henna designs before the wedding. (My "plane" was delayed about an hour, so unfortunately I missed this part.) The bride's mehndi has the name of the groom hidden in it several times, and on their wedding night he has to find the names on her palms before they can get their consummation on.



Alison and I at IHOP. The bacon, she was greasy. My arteries will never be the same.



We took a tour of CNN HQ. I haven't really been keen about broadcast journalism since starting my program, but when I saw the newsroom, I could have jizzed myself. It was amazing. I was starry-eyed the entire tour and suddenly acquired the desire to go into television. Teevee is neat.



Here we are, standing outside of Coca-Cola HQ.

I am drinking an Orange Julius.

Underneath my clothes, I am likely wearing GAP underwear produced in sweatshops where 18-month-old infants with no arms work 29 hours per day sewing using their scraggly milk teeth.

I feel dirty.



I want a Hindu wedding. Everything was so insanely pretty.



The mister and missus.



Highschool all gussied up at the reception. The caterer (not pictured) and I became fast friends. He helped me avoid anaphylactic death. And introduced me to paneer, which is basically chunks of delicious cheese in a spicy/buttery sauce. Holy fucking shit! Indian people are so smart!



Look at this picture. Now shake your head really quickly from side to side until your vision goes blurry and your head hurts a bit. You now have a good idea of how the rest of the night went for me.

Thank-you to the bride and groom for having us. It was an unforgettable weekend (except for the reception, which I am already having difficulty remembering).

(Now playing: "Love Buzz", Nirvana - Peel Session)

Solid Ground

I am happy to report that I am back from my weekend in Atlanta and successfully dodged death - both in the form of green pea/chick pea/lentil-laden cuisine and sketchy flights. (I could have kissed the ground at Trudeau airport.)

A lengthy wedding update will follow mid-week, after I get my schoolwork backlog sorted out and develop the photos.

In the meantime, if you are in the U.S., do not buy this gum:



Dentyne should probably re-name it BURN BERRY or BILE BERRY or UNWASHED ASS BERRY.

If anyone wants to try it and see what I mean, let me know and I'll hook you up. I have two whole packs! For the price of one! How DO they do it?

(Now playing: "Everyday Should Be a Holiday", The Dandy Warhols)

We've Been Had

I'm not really one for quizzes, but how could I NOT take this one?


hamilton leithauser (the walkmen): he is girl
crazy. you are boy crazy. beware of chicks with
better shoes than you.


who's your indie rock boyfriend?
brought to you by Quizilla

Me? Boy crazy? Weird.

Not much to report. I just thought I would update before taking off for a few days on my mini-vacation/4th wedding of '04. (Airplane rides! Oh boy oh boy oh boy!)

Unconditional love and shout outz to my numerous homies who are birthdaying this week. (Extra shoutz to my very own bro-mie, who turns 23 tomorrow).

I will think fondly of you all whilst tanning in sunny Atlanta, GA.

(Now playing: "Sunny", Dressy Bessy)

A Dilly of a Pickle

I needed to post to get rid of that insanely sexy photo of Morrissey. It hurts me to look at the man. I whimper like a puppy every time.

In its stead, I will post the colourful logo of a cleverly-named theme party I am fortunate enough to be attending this evening:



I will be bringing mango, cran-apple and elderflower pop. I am looking forward to seeing how all of the aforementioned will taste when mixed with peach schnapps.

In other news, I'm considering applying for an editorial position at a magazine in Toronto. It's basically my dream job and I believe I'm qualified. The only problem is this: it starts before Christmas. If I actually got the job, it would mean:

1) I would not finish my journalism program at Concordia
2) I would have to move back with my parents (but since I would have a steady full-time job, that would likely last no more than another year)
3) I would have to abandon my wondrous housemate and force her to live with someone who is not me for second semester, which would be really sad for both of us
4) I would have to leave Montreal

I have yet to discuss this with my housemate and parents, but I'm pretty sure that I'm going to go for it. After all, my program is about finding a job. And this is a really great opportunity that I shouldn't pass up.

Updates as they come.

(Now playing: "Picadilly Palare", Morrissey...for a change of pace)

Now My Heart Is Full

Stood so close, I could see his steel blue eyes.



Yeow-za.

Proof that women should not write Morrissey reviews while ovulating.

The set list:

1) Bigmouth Strikes Again
2) First of the Gang to Die
3) November Spawned a Monster
4) I Like You
5) The World is Full of Crashing Bores
6) Such A Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference
7) Shakespeare's Sister
8) Let Me Kiss You
9) I Have Forgiven Jesus
10) How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?
11) The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get
12) How Soon Is Now?
13) Irish Blood, English Heart
14) Rubber Ring
15) Now My Heart is Full
16) Everyday is Like Sunday
17) You Know I Couldn't Last
18) There is a Light That Never Goes Out (encore)

(Now playing: "Billy Budd", Morrissey)

He Knows I'd Love To See Him

Last night, I dreamt I saw him playing live.

(I fell out of bed twice.)

I find out sometime today if I get a press pass to tonight's show at the Hummingbird Centre, or if I have to head back to Montreal truly disappointed.

It's going to be a very long day.

(Now playing: "Lucky Lisp", Morrissey)

In honour of Thanksgiving, I thought I'd share a cartoon I drew for our campus humour publication (Golden Words) a couple of years back. 

Autumn Sweater

I really love the way it smells outside right now.

(Now playing: "Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself", Morrissey)

I'm Pop

I just wanted to share that I went to the Three Gut Records showcase last night, featuring:

• Sea Snakes (adorable, from what I caught)
• Gentleman Reg (Jono, is that you?)
• Jim Guthrie Band (who played hilarious covers of "Ain't Go No/I Got Life" from Hair and "Survivor" by Destiny's Child)
• The Constantines (terrifyingly precise and aggressive, as usual. Hot. Sweaty. Emphasis on hot. Made people in the crowd act like total assholes, however. I got hit by this one crazy dancing girl's giant backpack maybe 10 times, and Joslyn's sandaled toes took a savage beating. Also, I haven't seen bodysurfing since 1997...what the fuck? Is a headbanging renaissance just around the corner? Only time will tell.)

Since I'm obviously in no mood to write in full, coherent sentences, I will simply direct you here for the full details of my Pop Montreal experience through the eyes of someone much taller.

(Now playing: "Goodbye Baby & Amen", The Constantines)

Pop Goes Montreal

Pop Montreal makes me feel a bit like a kid whose three best friends are having birthday parties on the SAME DAY. You know you've got to pick just one party, but you can't help wondering what the others were like. And if you made the right choice.

The party I went to was nice, anyway.

(Pocket) Luke Doucet, Pete Elkas and Cuff the Duke were excellent as expected, although their sets ran a bit short. Luke's was basically the same set I saw him play at the QP two years ago. Pete's was the same set I saw at Petit Cafe Campus last month, and Nia in Toronto in August. He wore the same cream corduroy jacket, too. Good God, Pete! Mix things up a bit, won't you?

Mommy and Daddy Elkas were there too, cheering him on. That was cute. Daddy Elkas looks like every uncle and great uncle I have. Very Hellenic and proud. I wanted to talk to the Elkases and say something along the lines of: Hello! My name is Sofi. I am a nice Macedonian girl from a good family and I most certainly continue our womenfolk's legacy of excellent cooks and solid child-bearing hips. Why, is that your son over there?

Exciting indie can-con celeb sighting: Rob Benvie, before camoflaging himself and disappearing into the night. I stared at him all creepy-like.

Anyone catch the presidential debate? How'd that turn out?

(Now playing: "Long Winter", Cuff the Duke)