Random gloats: The snow, the shovel and I

[ed_rex]

Delightful agonies

I am in pain. Thighs and bicepts, forearms and pecs, even my mats and abs are, by turns, engaging in a cacophony of complaint and gratitude.

As those of you in the north-eastern States and eastern Canada know, we've just had our first, belated, blast of winter and I — determined to live up to my warm-weather claims to love winter and to be looking forward to shovelling snow — yesterday did twice clear both the walkways and sidewalk in front of our house and our neighbours', as well as the rather long driveway in back. (Why the neighbours? Simple enough: for the past two winters the young(ish) women living next door made sure to shovel out my father and it seems to me a favour that ought to be repaid. And also, I can use the exercise.)

Photo courtesy of the Phantom Photographer

I'd post pictures of the piles I've made, but sadly, my camera decided to give up the ghost somewhere between some few days prior to my departure from Toronto and two or three weeks subsequent to my arrival here in Ottawa. And so instead, a belated picture of the jack'o'lantern the roomate, Raven Tresses and I carved back on Hallowe'en (the flesh of which I last night made into the final pie that good gourd will provide. I have not yet quite managed to recreate the accidental Best Pumpkin Pie in the World which I made more than a decade ago, but I'm closing in with the ever-braver application of spices such as garam massala to the mash. But more on my culinary adventures anon).

Socialism! (sic

A belated note on the slow upticks of my social life.

First, I finally had the pleasure of meeting beable in the flesh last week.

We met at the National Archives to see a film showing as part of a European film festival. This one from Romania and, honestly, not a particularly good one. Earnest and melodramatic, it reminded me of what I imagine Canadian cinema was like in the 1970s — or maybe, what American movies of the week, still are.

Whereas Young Geoffrey has 173 LJ usernames on his "Mutual Friends" and "Also Friend of" lists, and whereas it seems to him that it is mostly the same cast of characters who post comments, he has grown Curious and so, has Determined to Inquire as to just Who among those listed actually reads his journal? [Poll #1497169]

Following said movie, we repaired to a nearby tavern where I proceeded (as is too often my wont) to significantly out-drink my companion, though she assured me I grew neither maudlin nor particularly stupid (always good to have such a reassurance!). We then repaired to her place for more talk and the lending (to me) of several geeky VHS movies I still need to re-watch. In return, I promised to supply her with The Sarah Jane Adventures.

And somehow, it was past 2:00 AM by the time I returned home to a house dark and silent. (And was surprised to find I can walk to the Archives in almost exactly 30 minutes; Ottawa is indeed a small city, or at least, its core is.)

What else? I swear I had a third topic in mind, but the stream of my consciousness appears to have dried up — or, perhaps more seasonally appropriate, frozen over. And so, a(nother) poll! Indulge me if you will, Gentle Readers!

Celibate house-husband

As some of you may know, I rather enjoy cooking and have been doing so since before I moved out onto my own at the ripe old age of 17. Not such a big fan of doing dishes, mind you.

And so, as Raven Tresses and I have gotten to know each other (including via more than one over-night talk sessions in the living room), I have taken to including her in meals. And recently, we formalized the arrangement. Rather than duplicate (and, too often) waste food, particularly of the vegetable varieties, we've started pooling our food dollars and further, more often than not the food itself.

Since I'm cooking anyway, having Raven do the washing up afterwards most nights seems an eminently fair bargain. And she works long hours; and I do enjoy making sure she's eating proper food rather than stoping in at Tim Horton's near her work, so I try to have something for her to take with in the morning as well.

I know, I know — macho much?

Right. Got work to do. Enough self-indulgence. I'm out of here.

Comments

On movies

[beable]

I have a fairly high tolerance for amateur movies, but it's certainly not one I would bother recommending to other people, or seeing again.

As opposed to some much beloved Canadian indie films such as Highway 61, Blood and Donuts, and some much beloved Canadian "I'm not sure if they are indie or not" films such as The Sweet Hereafter and The Hanging Garden. Though it occurs to me now that The Sweet Hereafter may not have been a Canadian production.

More Canadian content of the recommended sort

[beable]

Seducing Doctor Lewis
Ararat
Last Night
New Waterford Girl
Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner
And I have to add Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter, because it doesn't take it's amateur low-budget cheesiness at all seriously - in fact it uses it as an asset (and one can play spot the Ottawa landmark).

Re: More Canadian content of the recommended sort

[ed-rex.livejournal.com]

Atanarjuat is on my list of cinematic masterpieces, Canadian or otherwise. (To be fair, I've only seen it once, not long after it was release; I should watch it again.)

I enjoyed Last Night, but wouldn't put it on a top-10 list. And I'm kind of wondering why you haven't mentioned Jésus de Montréal. Or quite a few others (when they're not made by Atom Egoyan or Guy Maddin.

Which is a somewhat long-winded way of reiterating that I meant 1970s-era Canadian movies; we're not quite the cinematographic back-water we once were.

[tokio.livejournal.com]

If you define "macho" as taking care of someone out of kindness, then YES, VERY MACHO, SIR.

Baby ...

[ed-rex.livejournal.com]

... I'll cook ya dinner anytime!

Re: Baby ...

[tokio.livejournal.com]

I'll bring the booze!

Re: Baby ...

[ed-rex.livejournal.com]

That's always the right answer.

Re: Baby ...

[tokio.livejournal.com]

I'm always the right answer when it comes to dinner and drinks.

Other: Explaining

[beable]

I did not select option 3, therefore the 2nd question doesn't apply ;-)

Re: Other: Explaining

[ed-rex.livejournal.com]

Fair enough — and deserving of a cookie, madam.

[deweyintoronto.livejournal.com]

I selected the second option, but if an entry from Young Geoffrey hasn't appeared on my friends' list for a while I do go see if I have missed anything.

Most gratifying

[ed-rex.livejournal.com]

That's genuinely flattering. And also a good reminder that writing polls may be a lot like writing hedlines: deceptively simple-looking, but actually a craft requiring a significant amount of practice.

[miyyu.livejournal.com]

There's a roommate AND your dad? I think I may have missed something...

I think you did

[ed-rex.livejournal.com]

And this entry ought to get you more or less up to speed.

[jade-noir.livejournal.com]

I picked the first option because I like the wording :

"light of my life"

and your usage of "pine" got me.

I like your humorously pedantic usage of the English language.

Humorously pedantic R us

[ed-rex.livejournal.com]

I don't really have a helluva lot to say in reply except, y'know, I'm pleased I amuse you. Among my favourite posts are those that, I suspect are also among yours and that makes me happy.

Edit: If that even makes sense.