Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Ghost Rider

Last night I went to see yet another "adapted from the comics" movie, this one starring the guy who named his baby Kal-El Cage. All I can say is I should be more selective in choosing the movies I see, because I saw another bomb. After Music and Lyrics early in the month (which I liked), I've seen two really bad movies with supposedly good actors (Number 23 with Jim Carrey and Ghost Rider with Nicholas Cage).

The fact that I'd never read the comic Ghost Rider probably had something to do with the confusion I felt in the movie. It just didn't make sense. Perhaps the only good thing about the movie is that every once in a while I got to see Eva Mendez' cleavage because they definitely had that in mind when they selected her wardrobe in the movie. If you can get a hold of ANY clips with her in the movie you'll see what I mean.

Monday, February 26, 2007

Pissed Off

This bloody kidney stone is really frustrating. On one hand, I've felt pretty painless since my brief stay in emergency. They detected the 4mm kidney stone and now it's a matter of it passing. Supposedly 85% of them pass within 1 or 2 days. Luckily for me I always defy the odds so now I'm on day 3. Every time I go take a piss I wonder if it's THE TIME. Just get it over with and let me have the painful pee that is usually required. Then again, maybe the stone managed to already sneak through (because I really don't feel much these days). Just get it over with.

Now aren't you glad you read this entry?

Sunday, February 25, 2007

The Number 23

No use waiting at home for my friggin' kidney stone to come out so I decided to go watch this Jim Carrey "thriller" despite a lot of negative reviews. Perhaps the movie would be so bad my kidney stone would pass. The movie was pretty bad but my kidney stone didn't pass.

The movie made no sense. Yes, I know about a lot of these connections with the number 23 but that didn't make the film any more sensible. Yuk, I should have gone to see Ghost Rider.

And now back to my suffering.

Friday, February 23, 2007

Pain Threshold

So that's what having a kidney stone feels like. And so for the first time in over 13 years, I'm calling in sick for two days. Hopefully this friggin' stone gets pissed off soon enough (hmm, that sounds hilarious on second reading).

Thursday, February 22, 2007

But Seriously Folks

I've begun to change a bit at work, acting more seriously (and therefore more professional?) because I know for a fact that my "Mr. Nice Guy" persona means that I can easily be taken advantage of (and I have). Interestingly, a number of people have come up to me and ask me if something's wrong with me. They're used to the "Happy Go Lucky" atmosphere that I try to convey at work, but now it's a bit different. They have to do their job... and as long as they do that I have no problem. I snapped at two dealers because they decided to switch tables without telling me. We'll see how this turns out.

Just a thought, a really mean girl is called a bitch, what's a really mean guy called?

Monday, February 19, 2007

Words from a Friend

The following is taken word for word from the blog of my old friend, johnnymc. The words are hauntingly similar to those I would have written for myself.

"There are times when I am not so sure that things are at closure. Though it is obvious by this time in my life that relationships from a decade ago or longer are long over, apparently my greatest thrill in life is wishing to 'try again' at old jobs, relationships, etc where I know I can do 'better'.

This of course is all horse puckey since hindsight is just that; a view of the past with wisdom to do 'right' where you did 'wrong' and cannot be reversed.

These things should not be dwelled upon, unlike my realization to let go, inasmuch as my life needs to continue forward - growing with these past experiences and blooming future endeavors to be more productive and successful."

- Johnny McMenamin

Friday, February 16, 2007

ThankYou Mr. President

Thanks to President Bush, all Canadians wishing to fly to the States (as of January 21) had to get a Canadian passport. I haven't had one for 10 years because I've never needed one. But I needed one now, and yes, it was my fault for waiting so long but I figured that the lineups to get one wouldn't be as long one month after the deadline. Well I got to the "end of the line" at 8:33am this morning, and waited... and waited... I did not leave the Passport Office until 2:25pm. This was after I'd completed a 10:30pm-6:30am shift. I'm gonna be friggin' grumpy at work tonight.

Boy I can't wait to do this again in five years. No wonder nobody likes that Bush dude. Sorry Johnny, I really can't stand the guy.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Music and Lyrics

In truly masochistic fashion, I decided the best cure for my Valentine's Day blues was to go BY MYSELF to see a romantic movie. And it just so happened that this movie was out today. I sat down expecting the usual formula:

boy meets girl
boy and girl falls in love
boy does/says something to upset the girl
boy and girl break up
boy does something mushy and gets girl back

The movie itself could be summarized with the above formula, but it was a lot more than that. I found myself travelling down nostalgia lane. The opening music video had me (and most of the theater) in stitches because it was so 80's (which was its goal), and in fact, so WHAM! In fact, the main character reminded me so much of Andrew Ridgeley (you know, the OTHER guy that was part of WHAM!).

Both Hugh Grant (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, et al) and Drew Barrymore (Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates, et al) have done these movies before and there was nothing spectacular about their performances but nevertheless I enjoyed the movie. I also like the song that the two characters wrote together. Maybe it will become an actual hit?

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Yuk

And so begins the most overrated day each year. People (like me) without a loved one to spend with curse February 14 because it makes them feel that much lonelier. I can't go out anywhere because the thought of going somewhere by myself on Valentine's Day is silly. So I have a dentist appointment at 2:15pm instead.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Ennui

It's been a boring week at work but at least I'll finally have two days off after tonight's 10:30pm shift. There was one graveyard managing shift but other than that, it's been all late night supervising shifts. I found myself staring endlessly into space. Unfortunately it will be more of the same as next week is also to be comprised of supervising shifts.

Friday, February 09, 2007

Anna Nicole Smith

When she was alive, I have to admit I thought her life was a joke. From her marriage to someone 60 years older than she was, to her weight/drug/alcohol problems, I couldn't believe how silly she was.

But in the end, she died too young. I don't care how she died, but her death mirrors a lot like that of another blonde whose life was cut way too short. Elton John sang about the death of one Marilyn Monroe and this one is just as tragic. She leaves behind a 5-month-old daughter who will never get to know her mother.

Rest in peace, Anna Nicole Smith. I hope you are at peace.

Monday, February 05, 2007

Laughter is Contagious

This must be the most hilarious video I've seen in a long time. I haven't laughed this hard in a long time. I dare you not to.

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Work is Cool

I had a great night (and morning?) at work yesterday. The casino was busy and as a graveyard manager it is my responsbility to close tables and run the floor as efficiently as possible. Every now and then staff will have to incur overtime, and for a long time it looked as if that would happen. Rather than close tables haphazardly, I managed to do everything efficiently and somehow, some way, everybody went home on time. Some of the staff were amazed that I pulled it off. I love my job again. Stress actually is a great drug for me.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Another Week

Two graveyard floor shifts to start the week, and then who knows. My schedule keeps changing as the week goes on, as it seems even the managers have to call in sick once in a while. But, as I've said time and time again, that's work.