the daily snivel

  "In between molecules of oxygen and carbon dioxide..."

Today the person I think I love (I'm not a clear-headed observer of such subjective and hormonally driven phenomena, so it's hard to be sure) departed Ottawa for a three-month internship with an NGO in New York City. Practically all of her friends in Ottawa came out last night to wish her well and let her know she would be much missed. She's the sort of person for whom clichés like "life of the party" and "lights up the room" were intended. Someone referred to her today as a "genuine" person -- funny and quick-witted, but also intelligent and thoughtful and sincere. Though the trip was temporary and enviable, she remarked in surprise that it was almost like she was shipping overseas to go to war, what with all cards and hugs and emotional goodbyes she received.

Still, it was a party, and much fun and booze and laughter was had by all. It was, above all else, a happy occasion. The only regret I had on my part was that I spilled most of a pint of Keiths on myself (I am what they refer to as a "spilly talker," what with all my zany gesticulating and all) as I bantered with my friend's younger sister, who is staying for the summer at her apartment and performing on tour in the area. This made a huge mess, though fortunately as we were mopping it up, someone knocked something off a wall and this caused the whole bar to go silent and stare, and this entirely drew any attention away from me and my wet pants.

Even though I had an articling interview at 9am this morning, I stayed out last night until the very end of the party (ie. when the lady of the hour decided it was the end and went home to finish packing and get some sleep). I thought it was important to be out send my pal out in style by (among other things) buying my friend a drink or two and share as many laughs with her as possible, since I wouldn't see her for several months. I am, above all else, a sentimental idiot.

Eventually it was time to go, and we made our way out of the pub into the night air. I'd exerted no small amount of energy into thinking what cool words I would say as a farewell, and eventually managed to babble "So long," when my friend opened her arms to give me a hug. This was very nice, and as we embraced I kissed her cheek. She pulled me in slightly to extend the hug, which made me feel so deliciously warm and fuzzy inside, and she left her hand on my shoulder once we separated. I told her I intended to send her cheezy Ottawa postcards on a regular basis, said goodnight to her sister and her best friend who stood with us, and made my way dizzily out into the night.

I sent the first postcard out today.

Tonight I'm going to the gym, as I have been regularly doing for the past few months. Getting into even better shape is sort of my mission for the summer. It's my hope that, in September, when my friend gets back from New York and we get together again, she won't believe her eyes.  

  Watch out, Radioactive Man!

Imperial Walkers and corporate pigs aren't enough -- Dick Cheney has enlisted Voltron to help Halliburton and the Bush Administration take over the world, and take over the world Voltron does. Things look grim for the planet Earth, until Hulk Hogan, who joins forces with fat-ass He-Man and Mr. T (along with a growing team of heroes, like Jesus, Christopher Reeve, and Howard "The Scream" Dean), vows to stop the looting and destruction of the United States. It's a game, it's an educational romp, and it's quite tasteless. http://www.emogame.com/bushgame.html

I won, even with my poor hand-eye coordination, so you definitely can. 

  Not everyone at law school is dull or evil!

During the last party I was at (a bash to celebrate the end of exams), I had the good foresight to bring my SLR camera and take some decent photos of some of my dearest friends from law school, who fill up a huge part of my life and yet I've had no actual pictures of until now. Some of the pictures that came back captured their essences so well that I decided to post them on my blog for posterity. In particular, I like the fact that everyone in these pictures is both drinking and laughing -- truly natural and typical poses for my much-loved pals.


This if a photo of Aimee, who works at the Clinic with me and is someone who almost never stops laughing. Due to a strange arrangement of circumstances, I'm her "surrogate boyfriend" for the summer, as her current boyfriend is in the Yukon Territories for the next two months, and I can be trusted to be distracting and entertaining without being actually any kind of competition. The only inappropriate feelings I might have are actually for Aimee's new bicycle, which is a beautiful pink single-speed "Hello Kitty" bicycle that I am on record as saying I want to lick.


There is no better soul in my law school than Aniel. He's half Irish, half East Indian, and all swell. He's mastered the perfect Guinness pour while working as a bartender in Ireland, conquered tax law, and tells stories of such mirth and wonder to make your eyes water from laughter and amazement.


Jenn is probably my favourite law student, as she mixes up a commitment to social justice and international human rights with even more extraordinary and charming things like an enduring love of Coronation Street, the CBC, wine, and endearing stories about her parents back in Newfoundland. Self-described as the "Pinky Tuscadero" of the faculty of law, she is the funniest person I know, while also being wonderfully politically engaged.


This is a photo of Aniel's sparkling girlfriend, Haley (left), and my wonderful, sweet, quiet friend Samar (right).