Happy Halloween '06

I'm so pleased with how reasonably well I've done on exams so far, half of which have been 90%+. It's amazing how I did so well while juggling a demanding job, barely enough time to go out and practically no time to sit and read (yeah, yeah I got my priorities straight).

I just vexxed all weekend. Yes, I had a looming paper due Monday morning, but "pssshhh", I said. I totally blew it off until Sunday night. I deserved it after the madcap midterm week (school-work-library-sleep). Friday night began with Poker at the Lam's until the wee hours in the morning. I don't know why, but the next day a bunch of us decided to go to a buffet for lunch. We got there at 2 pm, an hour before they were to shut down the lunch buffet. So what were we to do but to stockpile our table with as much food as possible? I've never attempted to eat so much ice cream, so quickly in my life. After, Kathy helped me with my ninja costume and we fasciated a 'sheath' and shoulder strap out of nothing more than electrical wire tape. Thank you, Kathy. You're scrappy.

And it was a really nice treat to have a fabulous Halloween party to go to at the end of exams. And what better way to go to a fabu magazine party than with your single (alas!) girlfriends? Oh yes, and add that with the open bar and free food and you have yourself a fantastic evening with a ton of memorable pictures!

We met up at Jez's apartment at about 8 pm, intending to leave at 9pm. What were we thinking? You can't get four girls to get ready and out the door in an hour. After all the primping, slathering of make up, painful hair-curling and a million "Is this skirt to short?", we were finally out the door and in a cab at 10 pm.

We arrived at what used to be a church but converted to a reception hall. The taxi cab driver said that it was a popular place to hold parties. You can't really say we were late for the party, because the party only really started when we got there. I was amazed at all the costumes that were there. Some people put alot of time and money into them and they turned out great. Anyway, we bee-lined it for the VIP area to be greeted with the open bar and the yummy finger food.

The party itself was great. Not only were people dancing and getting drunk, there were also performances during the evening, including a mock S&M sequence (hmm), female Thai boxing, lion dance and some bondage demonstration that included needles (at that point I had to stop watching). Did I mention that the theme of this Halloween party was "Chinese Torture Theatre"? Yeah, it was a theme within a theme party.

I know Jez was a little worried that we would embarass her because it was sort of her work party and there was an open bar, but we were on our best behaviour. Besides her work people, there were other people there that I didn't really know of, but everyone was friendly and approachable. I found it be less abrasive than meeting people at a club (maybe because the people at this party were a little older and a bit more inhibited and they weren't dry-humping me?).

There was a costume contest, but I can't remember who won. Alot of the finalists had really good costumes (a headless Marie Antoinette, Ghost Rider, Hell Raiser). And of course, like any other major-corporation-sponsored soiree, everyone got goodie bags at the end of the night. I love you, Blockbuster.

Some interesting moments of note from the party:

~ I really wish I took a picture with "Borat" who came up and said "Jesemesh!". I said "High five!" and we high-fived. A golden Kodak moment right there.

~ I should've taken down a couple numbers of guys I talked to. Why, oh why can't I do that?

~ The line to the one bathroom was huge so me, Sarah and a few other impatient women went into the guys' bathroom. Some of the girls started a fight, then the guys got involved and before you know it, there's a big brawl -- over a bathroom stall.

*WARNING: the following pictures may be deemed "NSFW" (not-safe-for-work) so don't view them if you're not comfortable with slight nudity wherever you are.

^"We're picking up tonight?!": Vicki's reaction after she sees our 'sexy and slutty' costumes

^Me as 'Sexy' Ninja and Sarah as Batgirl: "Comin' atcha!"

^Jez as Naughty Schoolgirl and Vicki as Dorothy from Wizard of Oz

^The Batgirl signal

^Me, mingling

^Me, Sarah and some delicious meatballs on a stick

^Sarah, Vicki and me (lookin' like a Native Indian, at first)

^PARTY TIME!!!

^Sarah making a dash for the food table

^Dorothy, Schoolgirl and Bat Girl join forces

^"Is that real?" *poke*

^Mmm, appetizing

^Sarah posing with some guy we mingled with at the food table. I think he's supposed to be some character from Calvin and Hobbes (and I forgot to unzoom)

^Lookin' for the open bar?

^Worst costume?: Burnt Chef Smurf

^Female Thai Boxers

^These mini-potatoes-on-a-stick thingies were sooooo good

^Me and "Pete"

^Sure puts the whole "is this skirt too short?" into perspective, huh, Jez?

^For the fellas

^Who's up for some bondage?!

^Me and Sarah: can you tell that time of month is coming? The Period Pimple makes an appearance :/

^Jez and Sarah

^Bat Girl meets Batman!

^Sexy Ninja meets an even sexier ( and real) ninja!

^Dorothy meets the Wicked Witch of the East! ^The Sexier Ninja performs ^Sarah and Vicki with some guy from V for Vendetta (Vicki looks like she's getting knifed) ^The MC: not sure what he was supposed to be, something scary I suppose ^View from the top ^That Silver Head Guy from GI Joe

^Hell-Raiser and friend: it must suck to try and kiss him

^Night Rider: you can't tell, but it's a really awesome outfit

^Fallen Angel and Tank Girl

^"Tortured Artist" or Van Gogh painting, so creative!

Dude looks like a ladaaaayyyyy

I have never heard any of their music, I don't even know if they play rock, pop or country music. And I don't really have any interest in listening to them. Their music is pretty kick-ass. Even their attempts at English version. However the guys of Tokio Hotel are really interesting to look at. I think I am especially attracted to the third one from the left. I can't even tell if that's a chick or a dude, but 'it' looks awesome. In fact, I just like how this band looks in general, such a colourful collaboration: the Farmer Dude, the Thug, The Pretty Female/Male Neo-Gothite and the Band Member.

They also remind me of the all-male Korean rock group, TRAX (who I'm pretty sure came before Tokio Hotel): Same thing here, I was strangely more awed by the 'non-normal looking' ones, which is about 3 out of 4 of them. Haha. Yeah, I have strange tastes. Next I'll be saying I have a thing for Gackt and secretly hope to obtain makeup tips from him as well.

Men in makeup. Why is that a strangely intriguing amusement for me? It is not a new thing and it's been done for over a hundred years. Just not to this extent.

I know I would probably never date a guy who wore make up (Date rule #2: Guy must not be more vain or more maintained than I) but I must admit, it's a little sexy. I think some people might call this a 'fetish'...

I have a theory that we are all bi-sexual. But just to certain degrees do we lean towards a certain sex that we are more attracted to (but not exclusive to) than the other sex. Kind of like a Straight-Gay Scale, where you have a certain balance from either side. I think this right here is my 'gay side': men who wear makeup, who look like women.

I wonder if they have clubs for people like me.

ETA: I just YouTubed these people and it has suddenly occured to me that not only are these people German, they are kids (17 years old). Oh, I'm going to hell. But nonetheless, their music isn't that bad!

I approve, even though they've got that teenaged girl appeal to them.

Rue Morgue Magazine presents...

Last night I went shopping with Jez for our costumes. I actually never realized how resourceful Value Village is. I'd never buy clothes there for the everyday use (largely in part that I never really find anything I like) but its a goldmine to find inexpensive costume pieces for Halloween. I managed to find this magnificent plastic sword (for just three of the Canadian dollars!) and Jez found her entire outfit for less than $30. While Jez and I opted to put our costumes together, Vicki and Sarah are going to buy their outfits. Nevertheless, we're gonna look so freakin' sweet.

I found out, though, that the party we're going to is actually a magazine party!!! It's not a Vanity Fair party, but I'm working my way up there.

The magazine is a local one called Rue Morgue, a self-proclaimed 'horror magazine'. Honestly, I'm now a little freaked. But in a good way. Now that I've realized how freakin' fabulous this party is going to be, I need to upgrade and really put more effort into my ninja costume... suggestions?

Always the Mutant, never the Ninja

This weekend I was invited to what sounds like a stupendous Halloween costume party downtown. As I've mentioned before, I love theme parties. I especially enjoy them when others are willing to participate (which is almost nil these days).

So with three days left till Halloween, I am currently scrambling to think of a good Halloween costume because apparently a really "enthusiastic costume" is mandatory for this particular shindig (in fact, I was invited on the condition that I come fully costumed). I suppose I could go with my angel costume from last year, but I have to keep in mind that this party is downtown, I'm not driving and it is now October (so swimsuit model is out, Nam). I've been pillaging a couple of ideas, all of them seemingly too unoriginal. Witch, cat, angel, devil. On top of that, the only costume suggestions I seem to be getting are of anything having to do with the word 'slutty' (it's really sad how women use Halloween as an excuse to dress slutty. Why can't they be themselves the other 364 days of the year?). I wish I could go as someone like BoA or Namie Amuro, but 9.5 out of 10 people will not know who the fuck I am so what's the point?

My friend Gerard finally came up with a seemingly original idea that also seems to be simple to put together with stuff lying around my closet: a female ninja. However, when I think 'ninja', I also think 'turtle', so I Googled "female ninja" for some ideas...

^This one seems to be a promising start even though it's pretty crudely drawn. I have the flat, thigh-high boots and the mini skirt. I can use hockey tape for straps (oh, it's gonna be a bitch to get them off my skin) and I'm sure I can find a similar looking halter top, or something more sensible for the weather.

^I'm not sure if I'd label this a 'ninja', more like some sort of female cyborg-marauder. I do like those hand strap thingies.

^Okay, I wish.

^ Maaan, if I had the time, resource and proper welder, I'd so rock this costume. I'm lovin' those razor-sharp 'wings' and the 'do.

^This reminds me, I need to get a sword. Or two. Maybe not a real one (too heavy) but something I can carry on my back and be readily available to fight crime. I'm trying not to make a comment on the boobage but I mean, look at them. o_o

^I think this came from a website offering various "Halloween costumes for teens". I don't even know where to begin with a comment, but just looking at the picture itself, sets itself up for your own personal mockage. My comments need not apply.

So, this is what I've come up with so far. I will likely change my mind and end up doing a last minute costume change (like last year where I made a makeshift halo out of a coat hanger and Christmas sparkle) or, if I'm lucky, I'll find an XL chicken costume I saw at the Old Navy's kids section the other day.

And if you are in the mood to go out and party with other costumed strangers, I encourage you to come downtown with the rest of the closeted freaks. You might as well do it while you're still 'young' before BAM! Your Halloween routine will be that of staying home and forking over candy of your hard-earned money to be-scrubby fingered fat kids.

Might as well hit the parties now, while it is still socially-acceptable. There's going to be a ton of costume parties this weekend and it's gonna be fun seeing what the other Halloween-enthused will come as. I wish I could go to this ACOM/HiLife party. Why? Because someone actually came dressed as BoA circa 'Atlantis Princess' days (first row, second from left) last year!!!

I came to bring the pain...and the party to Victoria

^Class of Fug

So,I've finally decided that I want to go to University of Victoria for law school. Yes, it is smack dab out of the blue, especially since I've rioted against continuing school and questioned why anyone subject themselves to more school. So here I sit, about to embark on something I'm not sure if I should do, but know that I want.

Where did this come from, you ask? Well, I think a large part has to do with the fact that since I've started working at a law firm, I've realized that being a law clerk sucks. Yes, I know I have to 'pay my dues' in order to really get to whatever this job will lead me to. And, this experience will help me become a paralegal. And yes, I can now be eligible to be a licensed paralegal now that Bill 14 has been passed, but I say "fuck it". I think I've just grown such a hatred for this profession that I feel I need to elevate myself and get this degree to do something else. Does that sound weird? Yeah, it does. Why get a law degree if I don't really intend on practicing law? *shrugs, since I have the background I might as well do it. And just because I have a law degree doesn't mean I have to practice. Besides, 'LLM' would look so cool after my name.

And why University of Victoria? Well, since my program is relatively still new, not alot of schools have accepted it. However, UVic and some school in Calgary do recognize my program and I figured Victoria was the "lesser of two evils" (To be by the endless ocean, or be by the endless flat land?). Besides, it ought to be interesting to experience another way of life, a life on the West Coast.

I've talked to a guy I met last summer who hails from Vancouver and asked him about Victoria. The idea I got from him is that Victoria is like the equivalent to somewhere like Barrie. 'Cept with nicer beaches and maybe more trees. Yes, lots of trees. From the pictures I've seen, there's not a whole lot of urbanization ("it's [urbanization] not as much as Vancouver and Vancouver is not as much as Toronto" he says) and according to him, "most people come to Vancouver to party instead". Grrreat. It's suitable for Ish and April, but we all know that I'm not exactly the quiet type. However, my qualms about going to BC, where I'd be plucked in with a huge pile of Asians, were quashed when he told me most of the Asians are centralized in Vancouver. Although Victoria is not exactly diverse: all White.

So why would I subject myself to all this stuff that I'm not used to and not too fond of? Because I love the idea that it may be a challenge and it will be an adventure. It is something for me to discover on my own (well, not totally on my own. I need my Humber girls to get me through law school) and to try out. I've lived in the same area my entire life, and it's time for me to open my eyes and a change of scenery would be nice. That is not to say that I'm trying to get away from anything around here.

Oh, no. I know I'll miss so many people and things terribly. I'll miss my girls (even if you're mad/hating/whatevering me), my boys, my boy toys, my dysfunctional family, my house, my bed, my walk-in closet, the places/things I take for granted (like Square One and Mississauga Transit, but probably not the TTC), Mississaugan suburbia, the jadedness that is in us Torontonians and yes, even Captain's Pool Hall. I know I won't find anything like all of the above in the West Coast. I'm gonna have to somehow adapt to it all and I'm currently trying to figure out how to get a snowboard on a plane because I know that that is one thing I will probably be doing alot (besides looking at trees and, oh yeah, studying). After all, I can't imagine that there are any decent clubs (are Toronto clubs decent?) in Victoria and I do have to wonder if I will find some decent Chinese food there.

Although I probably won't be moving for another 1.5 years, there still isn't alot of time to prepare. First, I need to prepare for the LSAT, which can take god-knows-how-long for me to prepare between working and school. Second, I'm going to have to scope out somewhere to live over there while I'm here. I most definitely won't want to live on rez because a.) it's just too dirty and b.) too noisy it's just too dirty. I haven't lived on residence before, but from what I've seen, it pretty much sums up rez life (besides the non-stop humping). This means I'm going to have to start saving up big time to pay for an independent lifestyle. Hurrah.

It sounds like I'm purposely trying to torture myself by going to this 'hell hole'. Nahhhh, there's also other things I'm looking forward to. The weather will definitely be more bearable, and not like the absurdly bitter winters of the East Coast (lowest it gets to is about 5 degrees Celsius!) and because Victoria is gonna be on the Pacific Ocean, beach beach beach (won't have to worry about the E.Coli a la Lake Ontario too much)

So there you have it. Some people have tried to talk me out of it (I'll miss you too!) but I think this is something that I need to do. Not just for the sake of 'advancing my education', but just something of a life experience. AND, I encourage all to come visit! Yes, it's like a $200 5-hour plane ride from Toronto, but you only have to visit once~! And everyone's invited (I'm sure Ish and April will be cool with it haha) to crash, so don't worry about accomodations!

Aaaahh, an unprecedented future is a plausible future!