best Friday ever

hey, I just want to tell you, in extreme detail, about Friday, September 29, 2006. the coolest day I have had in a very, very long time.

-I woke up at 8AM, despite not getting too much sleep. and yes, Ashley Jane, I went to the RAC for an hour and 15 minutes, and it was well worth it, as usual. (inside joke, kind of.)

-I showered and got ready to meet up with Trish at the corner of Yonge and College, where we took the streetcar to the Lillian H. Smith library on the corner of College and Spadina. this is where they house the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books, where I saw a book that was over 700 years old, as well as the smallest book in the world, which was pretty cool. check out the links for more visuals and info.

-I walked back from the library with Jenee and Dean, my new Friday Adventure team. we're going to try to wake up early, go to the gym, and then go out for an adventure every single Friday, just to explore Toronto further. I mean, might as well explore it while we can, right? so we took this crazy route and ended up at the new Canadian Tire and Best Buy, right in the new Ryerson Business Building. they shopped for wrenches, (for rowing,) and as a matter of fact, they are doing a 36-km rowing race RIGHT NOW. so, good luck homies!!!

-I gathered things before my 2PM Spanish class, which was allright. I got 63% on my first quiz, which is much better than failing, but I know I can do better! and I will do better, my GPA has to come up this semester.

-I printed off a document quickly and made my way to the RTA Lounge, where I chilled with Heather for almost two hours, recruiting brand-new VoicePrint homies!!! let's hope it's a success this year, as I'm the Student Ambassador for VoicePrint at Ryerson this year! ohh la la.

-I then walked over to the Eaton Centre, ran into some really random people along the way. I viewed my status of my time off request for Thanksgiving weekend (Sunday and Monday are "pending,") and then I stopped by Hollister to see my favorite homie, Danielle Rose. and that was great.

-I then had dinner @ the Ram (which was actually a massive chunk of time, like an hour and a half,) with Meara! so that was excellent, of course. I ate a ton of food though, something I kind of need to avoid doing, as I had half a carton of ice cream of thursday night, which is really really bad for you... yeah.

-tracked down Jenee so that I could get my wine back from last weekend's birthday festivities, and walked over to Ashley Jane's apartment to pre-drink, which was fucking awesome. here's some pictures.

so that was awesome. and we got really drunk.

-we then stopped by res for some reason before grabbing a taxi to The Drake Hotel, the classiest place on Earth. and that was awesome, very very chill, and we were definitely the youngest people there. but it was well worth it. they had a 44-year-old photo booth there, where we decided to take some pictures. we look like we're out of the early 60's, eh?

yeah, it was Ashley Jane, her twin sister Danielle, Alex Taillon, and me. GOOD TIMES on the SkyYard (rooftop lounge) and all of that!

-finally, we grabbed a streetcar back at 2AM and had some lovely food at Fran's. and then I walked back with Alex (to res) and slept forever.

and here I am, done with typing! OK, hope you enjoyed. I gotta do something before I go into work today.

-Joel

very brief update on a Friday night

hey,

I have better things to do right now other than update my blog, unfortunately. like readings, oh baby. (not.)

so! here's the animal cruelty section of today's post.

click here to tell Burberry that fur is NOT in fashion for this fall, and that they should discontinue using fur, as it is not only out of fashion, but it is indeed very cruel.

and as these drag queens can tell you, fur is indeed a 'drag.'

finally, watch Beyonce get served, fuckaz! DON'T WEAR FUR.

and now, for my Friday Five. and my work schedule, because I want you to come and visit me at work.

tomorrow, 4-7PM
wednesday, 4-9PM
next saturday (30th) 4-7PM

le vendredi cinq

1. Given a choice, and imagining that money and time were no object, would you rather cook dinner, eat out or order in?

Eating out is definitely the best - to the classiest restaurant possible. Because hey... Money isn't an object, now is it?

2. What is the most elaborate meal you've ever prepared yourself or purchased at a restaurant?

I've probably eaten some of my most elaborate meals at my friend J.F.'s house, where I first experienced sushi. I have also had homemade pad thai there, as well as swordfish, and lamb pizza. Some meals I had in France were also pretty... Different.

3. What food do you find yourself making and/or eating way too much?

CEREAL. I eat SO MUCH CEREAL it is retarded. Like, absolutely retarded. At least twice a day, if not more. So damn good! (And good for you... Depending on what cereals you buy. I buy the good kind.)

4. What was your most disastrous cooking/eating out experience?

Ah, well? I don't really know about that... I've never had anything terribly disastrous happen before as pertaining to food, (knock on wood.) Of course there's always the foods you eat RIGHT before getting the flu, which make you sick for quite a while afterwards. Or that one time when I was 5 years old or so, and my babysitter Margie was minding me, and my mom had broken her kneecap that day. Usually my parents picked me up well before dinner, but this time Dad was at the hospital with her, so I had to stay extra-late. And she was making this gross-ass turkey... But just in time, Dad came and picked me up, and we had pizza. Interesting, no?

5. Would you rather cook for someone else or have them cook for you?

It really depends who it is, and what they want to do.

fin du vendredi cinq

Sweet! I'm off to clean the piles of dishes accumulating in the floor 13 senior suite kitchen sink, and then find out what the hell I am doing tonight.

oh...and yes, I'm doing well, thanks for asking!

joel

P.S. damn, I am so full right now. I had such a huge dinner.

Abercrombietastic

holla!!!

before I say anything else, please click here immediately to sign the petition to help STOP the Canadian Seal Hunt. each year, 300,000 baby harp seals are beaten and skinned for their fur. many baby seals have their heads bashed in or are shot point-blank. you may visit the video footage on the site, which will give you a much better idea of what I'm talking about, though I will warn you the footage is graphic.

thank you. now back to our regularly scheduled hotness.

this past week has been pretty foolish. let me fill you in :

-did a meet and greet on the 2nd floor of Pitman Monday night, to give 1st-year RTA Students a better idea of what to expect this year. when asked what I wish people would have told me at the beginning of my first year, my answer was: "don't burn bridges." and it's so true, especially in this program.

-pitched VoicePrint Canada, an organization for which I am student ambassador here at Ryerson, to the entire first-year class on Tuesday morning alongside Heather Slepchik. so cool!

-got over my hangover-of-death finally on Tuesday!!! (knock on wood) it was so exciting to not want to puke all the time!!! though I did get headaches afterwards for a few days, it was OK.

-had a hardcore RAC session wednesday morning. oh baby.

-met up with my new "student mentee" as part of the Tri-Mentoring program. yes, I am now a mentor! how exciting. she's a good girl, so it shouldn't be a tough year. this was Thursday for lunch, by the way.

-had a MARATHON studio day, doing a show called "Let's Do It." it was forever - longest 5 hours ever. (and yes, the show was exactly what you thought it was about.)

-this was followed by a visit to Abercrombie & Fitch to get my new jeans and a t-shirt as well. it was a surprisingly complicated process, but my friend Tia helped me, so that was cool. and now I look good.

-I chilled until late in Jade's room, because she's gone to Kingston for the weekend.

-Friday woke up late, and went to the RAC all the same. had Spanish from 2-3PM, that was fun times. (en otros palabras, yo deseo vomitar en ese clase. :) ha!)

-went to the phenomeonal ROM with ash, saw exhibits on Greece, Egypt, Ancient Europe, and Medieval Times as well. it was educational AND fun!!!

-we then walked back from there - stopping at H&M, where I got a new jacket - it's pretty hot.

-this was followed by clubbing at the Docks, at "Fusion," a sexy event put on by the RSU (Ryerson Student Union.) it was OK - I didn't get too crunk, as I was still paranoid after last weekend's disaster.

-yesterday I worked 2-7PM, it was GREAT! very fun times at Abercrombie... though not NEARLY enough people visited! but my co-workers are all very nice, the job's not too difficult, and EVERYBODY IS HOT! what more I could I ask for??? lovely.

and this morning I went to the RAC once again - did 20 laps on the track, did the cardio machine, and finally did some laps in the pool! I feel GREAT!

however, this is mega-slacking, as I have soooo much work to do, and I've been neglecting it hardcore. thanks for reading, my homies.

yours,
Joel

Toronto Film Festival! (who needs to see the movies?)

hey, awesome, it's your favorite entertainment reporter with the CRAPPIEST pictures in town of all the latest stars!!! aren't you so excited?

no?

well, last night I went to the red carpet of "The Last Kiss," featuring Zach Braff, Jacinda Barrett, blah blah - an all-star cast, there are many more. I got pictures of three of these celebs (and questionably a fourth,) so please enjoy (both the pictures AND the commentary.)

There may be others to come! My roommate Christina got an actual picture WITH Zach Braff... shittt son. I also saw Brad Pitt and Matt Damon last night, but at that time I was without a camera, damnit, but I have someone to back me up that I actually saw them.

but yeah, I'm still nauseous, if you can believe that- I was pretty good all day - but I'm pretty sure my stomach has shrunk to the size of Randy Jackson's, because whenever I eat something relatively filling I feel like throwing up. I'm gonna call Dr. Mom, cause this really sucks ass, I can't be this sick for this long, I have so much stuff to do.

thanks for reading eh! P.S. I start at Abercrombie on Saturday, sweet, from 2-7. come visit, right in the Eaton Centre.

peace ouuutttttt,

joel

P.S. Please take some time to reflect upon the tragedy of 9/11, which happened 5 years ago today. I know I don't really have the "authority" to tell others to reflect upon this event, but it happened, and it was tragic.

weird-ass message

so, it's a sunny and somewhat cool afternoon here on Mutual Street in Toronto.

this morning I had my orientation for Abercrombie & Fitch, pretty great times. I thought it was quite bizarre when I discovered we as models had to offer everyone skinny jeans, even people without legs, as to be inclusive to all. that's... polite, right? right.

anyway, before going to the Eaton Centre, I received a rather bizarre message in my inbox, from a completely unidentifiable number. I am now going to listen to it several times and do my best to transcribe it to you. Mind you there's tonnes of mumbling, here I go.

"Message 4, from phone number (416) XXX-XXXX, received today at 1:02AM.

Allo, comment ça va? C'est ton A S, euh depuis qu'un an j'ai mangé des sausages, puis c'est tres bien pour la santé, puis je demandera pour un von-von va vague en vaaiiii, ça va lai de retour sont des bon chips, alors tu dois manger des chips pour avoir les bon santés, moi je l'ai le pork a lai pork pour le fuckin beer, c'est bon, C'EST BON! (Background laughter.)

End of message."

ah yes, nothing says good morning quite like a message like that. it was a male voice by the way, a lot of the words were slurred, most likely due to alcohol. pretty hilarious, though, I must say... i think.

yesterday was the end of the world, it was awful. I was afraid of walking to the washing machine, in fear of throwing up on the way there or back. I still have some residual nausea (mind you it's Sunday afternoon and I got drunk Friday night,) so that was one huge-ass muthafuckin' hangover.

I'm off to study Spanish and English, because I'm a good student. I miss home quite a bit, I'm going to write a letter to Ben today. have a good one, hope you're enjoying the last little bits of summer!

yours
Joel

quick update!!!

hey,

just want to recap everything I've done since Friday, very quickly.

friday, went to the RAC for the first time this year, and went off to Glamour Bingo, which was quite amazing. I posted some pics of this event for your enjoyment.

good times!!! the pictures are self-explanatory.

saturday, did some crazy errands before going off to CANADA'S WONDERLAND! HOLY SHAT!!!! THAT WAS THE BEST TIME EVER! I did pretty much every ride there, including Drop Zone, Top Gun, Dragon Fire, Cliffhanger, The Bat, etc. etc... SO FOOLISH. And so much fun, basically the time of my life, I am so happy and grateful.

sunday, RAC, then I went to chill at the Best Western with Shasha and Anne, in their new apartment... pretty interesting. I then when to Ashley's house, Ashley Poitevin that is. she's the really cool girl, she's Jian Ghomeshi's assistant!!! her, Dan DeMaria (CALIFORNIA DAN!!), Jill, and myself all went off to Little Italy, they had this huugeee festival going on - we went to a restauarant and had a 2-hour dinner, it was pretty effing foolish! pictures will come soon. that night we rented Urban Legends, partly filmed in THE RAC HERE AT RYERSON!!! WHOAAA!!! and then I had some wicked-awesome chocolate cake, it was amazinggg.

monday, ho shit son! I woke up and did some errands, i.e. purchasing some shower spray and lamenting the fact BOTH the LCBO and The Beer Store were closed... (it was labor day monday, after all! ho, I wore white today... oh well.) but right, then I called Ash to see if she wanted to go to the Blue Jays with me, and we just ended up chilling in her apartment / making dinner/ meeting up with muffinpants and dan / having a great time. I went back to rez for a bit, then went back to her apartment, drank with her, and then we went to Mick E. Finn's to have a fucking awesome drunken night. sweet.

tuesday, start of classes! 10-11AM, Studio Lecture, it's going to be BRUTAL but well worth it class! (we seem to have to build our own sets.) that afternoon I tried to print off shit at the library, unsucessfully. I then went to Abercrombie & Fitch to apply online for a job, after which the manager invited me for a job interview at 4PM... it was a group interview of course, but it was pretty great. it was reminiscent of Hollister, and we all know how that turned out... so we'll see how this goes. (I still really hope I get it!) and this evening I had a class from 6-7 (supposed to be 6-9PM usually) at the NEW business building, right on the corner of Bay and Dundas! it is BEAUTIFUL. WOW. then tonight I chilled in rez, it was really really nice. I love my first years, and everyone else.

and now I'm wondering what the FUCK I am doing awake, I am so damn tired... excuse the pottymouth, but holy shat. and if I don't get Abercrombie, not only am I applying to other jobs, (or even if I do get the Abercrombie job,) I am scouting modelling agencies, muthafuckaz. YEAH.

yours
Joel

wake me up when september ends

yes, you may now vomit because of my entirely stereotypcial "teen angst" title, but I thought it was appropriate... today being the first day of September and whatnot.

so things are looking up after my first 3-4 days of utter hell, yeahhh! allright, it's been a week of fun times basically - Monday I got my tooth repaired and I did some hardcore grocery shopping with Flora, after which I visited her RIDONCULOUS apartment/condo in Jazz, I died... hoooly shat it was nice! I'll take pictures soon and post them, either on my blog or on Facebook!

Tuesday was interesting, I moderated a workshop called "Ask the Expert." I've never moderated / hosted something like that before! That night Josey Vogels the sexpert paid a visit to Ryerson, which ended up in quite a bit of insightful hilarity. (I learned that girls can ejaculate up to 2 cups! ...not 2 litres.)

Wednesday was equally cool, I helped with a presentation on leading a healthy lifestyle... and realized this past week (since I've moved back to TO) I've been leading an extremely unhealthy lifestyle. I know I'm skinny as anything, I'm a runner, and my parents are basically the hosts of BodyBreak, but I've been eating too much and have been getting too little exercise. It was really a nice wake-up call... Especially when young people are expected to grow up so quickly and be adults/know everything at such a young age, it's nice to be reminded how to lead a healthy lifestyle, and to never make assumptions about one's health.

Wednesday night was a visit to the Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club in downtown Toronto. it was pretty hilarious! it featured two comedians from "Video On Trial," one of which asked the audience, "raise your hand if you used to be unnattractive!" I then rose my hand, and she said (while looking at me,) "it's OK, you're sexy now." YESSSSSS... highlight of my night for SURE. we also walked there and back, it was pretty intense exercise.

Thursday, aka yesterday, consisted of getting up for 8:30-10AM, for icebreakers in the Ryerson Quad, pretty fun!!! and then from 11:15-3:30 I was a "greeter," pretty pointless job really! but I got to have lunch, chill / meet new homies, and watch a REALLY GOOD BAND called "God Made Me Funky." I strongly reccomend you click here and go to their MySpace page - they are indeed funky as hell.

last night was the X-rated hypnotist show, courtesy of the RSU, aka Ryerson Student's Union. HILARIOUS. my good homies Amanda and Aaron got hypnotised, it was phenomeonally entertaining. this show was followed by me making my new phone list for the year, and then going (sober of course) to the Pyjama Pub Night at the Ram in the Rye, (campus pub.) pretty awesome, I danced with lotsss of girls, hoooo man!!! good times, I missed such events, it was a pretty ridonculous dancefloor.

my drinking contract ends Monday, s'gonna be a pretty foolish party!!! but for now I am a sober boy.

and today, well I WENT TO THE RAC MUTHAFUCKAZ. my arms are kind of sore, but hells yes did I get a good workout! and then I went and chilled with annie for a half an hour or so, I love seeing people I haven't seen for FOUR MONTHS. it's gonna be RETARDED when we all party together!!! oops... being a ROC, I'm not actually allowed to say the following :

1) that's retarded,
2) that's gay,
3) that's lame.

yes, those are quite taboo here in res! anyway I'm off to go and buy some cool clothes at Goodwill for Glamour Bingo tonight, and Wonderland might be cancelled tomorrow due to rain... :( damnnn.

before I leave, why not a short Friday Five though?
besides, this is still technically "my summer" until classes start on tuesday, right? right.

1. What book or books were special to you in your childhood?
Buttercup's New Calf was a big title for me as a child, it's basically the book that taught me how to read. I was a big fan of Little Critter books, and there was this one book called What Happens to a Hamburger? that I adored because it dealt with the digestive system... Perhaps an indication to my future interest of NUTRITION. (Thrilling? Aww YEAH.)

2. What was particularly special or memorable about those books?
As for What Happens to a Hamburger, it simply dealt with something that seemed so revolutionary, and yet was all inside you. (The digestive system.) Buttercup's New Calf and Little Critter simply took the new concept of reading to a whole new level of interest, with short, concise, and colorful stories that are quite enthralling for a child.

3. Have you re-read any of them as an adult?
Well, Ben read (and still reads) Little Critter, and so I am able to re-visit these cute stories. As for the other two books, well, not so much. I did however read "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch (is that how "Munsch" is spelled?) when I was about 12-13, I really enjoyed that too, I think that book is timeless, regardless of era or age.

4. If so, were the books as good as you remembered them?
Well, sure. As long you keep your expectations low, they're simple children's books. I wouldn't be looking for sex and intrigue in Buttercup's New Calf, for example.

5. What do you think about movies being made out of children's classics (like the Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of The Rings, etc.)?
Regardless of the movie, the book is always better. In the book, you are the director, costume designer, set designer, etc., and no one else's perception is showing you the story.


allrighty! I am OUT my dawgz, thanks for reading, as always.

yours
Joel, the second year university student