Movie Moments Revisited — Assigning Meanings

A few weeks ago I wrote about coming back to Halifax for a job interview. Not just any job interview, but the job interview. I won’t get into specifics, but it was a job that I had wanted for some years now, and had been working towards. The past few weeks, I struggled though the difficult selection process, including a full-day of interviews and tests and a separate two-hour interview the week after. And unfortunately, I didn’t make the final cut. I made the backup list.

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Best Expedition Ever

My current favorite television show is BBC2’s Top Gear. I don’t really even like cars that much (or TV for that matter), and tend to look down at car-fanatics as muscle heads, but this show is absolutely brilliant. It has edged out The Long Way Down and The Long Way Round (also both BBC2) as being my all-time favorites.

The single thing I don’t like about the show is their attitudes towards motorcycles:

“What do you mean you don’t have a car now? What do you drive?”

“A motorcycle. A Ducati.”

“Ah, I see…. So, how long have you been a homosexual?”

I let it slide only because of the fantastic specials, like last season’s Polar Expedition where they race a dog sled and a suped up pickup truck to the North Pole. By far the best thing on television.

Cosplay Karaoke

Cosplay: Corruption of the English Costume Play; To dress up in character (maid, schoolgirl, anime, furry animal). A cultural expression of socially awkward Japanese. Also a popular genre of Adult Video.

Karaoke: From the Japanese Karappo meaning empty, and the English Orchestra (oke); A worldwide phenomena wherein people who can’t really sing are encouraged to sing publicly.

A few friends and I went in November. This is the video that wasn’t supposed to get out…

100 Things To Do Before I’m 35; A List, Part 1

The other night I got wasted drunk with a few close friends and had a great time. Even better was waking up in the morning, and realizing that I had received a drunken present of — a book of Lists.

Have I mentioned that I enjoy making lists? And particularly crossing things off lists?

Thank you Dylan.

Best. Gift. Ever.

It reminded me that about 3 years ago when I was living in Japan I made a List of Things I Want to Do Before I Die (I later changed the list to Before I’m 35 because it seemed to be a better time line).

Below is a copy of what was in the word file.

I actually got to cross off a few, which is fun.

100 Things I Will Do Before I turn 35

Experiences/Adventure

• Bungee Jumping
• Sky Diving
• Scuba Diving
• Motorcycle Canada to South America
• Motorcycle India
• Hitchhike/Boat-hop around the world
• Race in the Iditarod (Alaskan Dogsled race – 1150mile)
• Spend a Week at Burning Man Festival (Black Rock City, Nevada, August – Labor Day Weekend)
• Join a band and tour on a hit single in a foreign country
• Get a traditional tattoo in Central Borneo and Central Africa
• Hitchhike to the North American Hitchhikers gathering
• Magic Mushrooms (someone recommended that I include paints and crafts, or outside)
• Opium tea (I actually didn’t think this one would happen; and no, never again)
• Join the Mile High Club
• Walk across Nova Scotia, both coasts
• Get invited to one of Hugh Hefner’s Famous Parties

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Maid In Japan and Balls of Steel: An Accountabilty List Update

I had promised (to myself and to my loyal readers) that I would post updates on my accountability list, with real progress (as in, checking items off the list). In sticking with my resolve to do what I say I will do, here we go: two more check marks.

(original list here)

Maid in Japan: A visit to a cosplay Maid Café with a Pickup Artist

A few weeks ago, my friend Martin and I went to a maid café. I had previously cut out a coupon from a nightlife magazine that advertised 1500 yen nomihodai ($15 all you can drink) for two hours. When we arrived at the building, a little after 7pm, we stopped at the door. “Mar-Maid Café”, the sign on the door said, with a picture of a doe-eyed anime maid in the French costume. “Wait, hold on a second.” Martin stopped me as I went to open the door. He was smiling. “Wait, I gotta get this stupid grin off my face before we go in there” he said. Pause. Straight face. “Okay. I’m ready.”I opened the door and walked in. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was a crowded room, full of… Salarymen and Otaku (Japanese words for businessmen and extremely socially awkward).
It was like a scene from one of those movies where the middle class city slickers accidentally wander into a rough biker bar – where the music stops and everyone turns to stare. Except we were two cool guys wandering into a sea of nerds. Like if you gathered the entire staff of otakucenter.com all in one room.

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My Heterosexual Male Crush

“Do you like Michael Jordan, Sarah?”

“Kind of.” She pauses. “I guess I liked him in Space Jam.”

I hang up the phone, frustrated.

Michael Jordan rules. He owns basketball. I know this might not come as news to most people, but I actually just found this out two weeks ago.

You see, I’ve never played, watched, or been interested in basketball whatsoever. I’m still not. Only Michael Jordan.

Two weeks ago, thanks to the magic of our favorite time-vortex (YouTube), I came across a video of Michael Jordan in action. I was pretty impressed. His highlight reel looked less like basketball, and more like the work of an extremely talented artist. After reading an article about his philosophy (losing, winning, dedication, passion for his calling) and feeling inspired, I downloaded a few documentaries about his life and basketball career.

“Nothing of value comes without being earned. That’s why great leaders are those who lead by example first. You can’t demand respect because of a title or a position and expect people to follow. That might work for a little while, but in the long run people respond to what they see.”

This guy is amazing. I have no idea why I didn’t watch him when he played. I mean, why the hell aren’t people still talking about this guy? He holds himself with dignity, even grace (and that’s something for a basketball player) on and off the court; not to mention his spirit in training himself and leading his team to six championships…

“It all started with an appetite to prove. Whether it was competing with my siblings or trying to get attention from my parents, I wanted to show what I could do, what I was capable of accomplishing. I wanted results, and I was driven to find out the best way to get them.”

PS. His Airness is the best documentary out of the ones that I watched. Very recommended. I’m going to order his book off amazon now…