I have quite a bit to write, and never any time to write it, all of a sudden. So, let's begin with contentless updates, hint at more, and then not indulge you any farther, hurrah?
Work Shirt Drama
At work, we get to dress casually throughout this summer. However, after that, we need to be more formal, to better impress potential clients who will go "Wow, look at how well dressed these people are! This is but one more point in favour of giving them my business!" It sounds shallow, yes, but apparently it works. Anyway, this necessitates a minor expansion to my wardrobe. It amuses me that, while at TRIUMF, most of my wardrobe would easily have been considered as business casual. I had a lot of formal-looking shirts at the time (though not dress shirts). In the 3 years since, I have a more casual wardrobe (not that I actually purchased much in the way of clothing), and left almost all of my formal wear back at my father's. I am impressed by how much it could change without me actively making any effort. I wonder what I will look like fashion-wise in another 3 years! Oh, the shallow prospects! I wonder whether I am shallow. Anyway, shallowness combined with incredible cheapness makes it very difficult to purchase new dress shirts. My requirements are that they fit (15" collars are too small, 16" collars are almost too big!), that they be black (I have actually put great effort into resisting the accumulation of black clothing- however, as my girlfriend notes: I look excellent in a black dress shirt), and that they cost me $15 or less! I investigated Zellers (poor selection of sizes, but nice prices), the Bay (poor prices, but a great selection of sizes), several miscellaneous outlets (prices or sizes always close, but not close enough), Winners (the worst place to look; it was in utter disarray), and Sears, where they had the best deal: 2 dress shirts for $20. Sadly, any package that came with a black one was accompanied by a white one. White isn't so very bad, but I already own one white shirt. OH THE SHIRT DRAMA.
I also acquired snazzy new shoes, but not the snazzy new jackets, found at Zellers. I will upload a photo, or claim to, and then never do it. I have an interest in minimising consumption. I needed shoes, more or less, due to the degradation of the only pair I own. That pair I've only had for four months, though, so they may be called a bad investment. I never really expected them to be very durable, and I abused them. At 4x the price of the last pair (which were $7, by the by), I am optimistic that my new shoes should make at least a year.
Olympian
I don't care about the Olympics, more or less. However, I have, in the past, enjoyed Kendo. Recently, in part due to my girlfriend resuming karate, I am considering resuming Kendo. However, I must find a dojo locally that does not take itself too seriously. The Burnaby one is particularly strict. I cannot bring myself to treat a lot of things very seriously anymore. My irreverence has grown. I seem to take late buses seriously enough, though... Ack! I will become Samurai once more.
I hear from a friend of my girlfriend who has been teaching English in Japan that the cuisine there isn't very vegetarian friendly, due to an inclination to include fish or fish-derivatives in many or most dishes. Yikes! Perhaps I should continue to admire their culture from afar.
Regarding the Olympics, I am mildly disappointed that Canada has started accruing medals. I was pleased to see the National Post list animals who can commonly best our best athletes in speed, weight-lifting, swimming, and jumping. Hurrah for the animal kingdom. They're never invited, mind you.
I have been fascinated by the International situation situated around Russia much more in the past few weeks. Russia seems to have acted rather cleverly. More than I would expect from most modern national governments. Not that my expectations are at all informed.
Dreams
Strangely, I saw my mother in a dream the other day. Do you know how, sometimes, a possibility has passed on, the feeling that, perhaps it might one day just resume being as it was, being possible? In this dream, I saw her at home with my father, and they were both quite happy, and I decided not to draw any attention to the improbability of the situation. I was quite content, despite the illogic, to let it be and be very happy with it. I think it was spurred by seeing a lady who looked like my mother sitting outside of my work the other day. I came very close to approaching her and asking her whether she was German, just to make sure. In reality, logic reigned supreme, sadly. Note to self: sabotage logic.
Sunday's Best
"Sunday's Best" is a neat album released by a friend of mine: Mike Harloff. He's an Ontarian who went to my high school, and the album is very nice. It is a bit mellow but not sad. It is soft but still indie. His Last.fm profile.
More to say
There's more to say, of course, and, of course, I won't say it. I have spent enough time away from bed and I cannot spare anything further! However, I would like to advocate Indie Bird's latest game, Swarm. It's a simple, fun, polished Indie game.
Good night
