From the 25th floor of the Monte Carlo, looking out to the soon-to-open Citycenter

Been trying to get to work on time, as opposed to whenever I get there. I think I’m gutsy to take on such an endeavor during the autumn, when it’s still dark out when I turn off my alarm.

If I were a much more motivated person, I would use the early mornings to go out for a jog, or do some other morning exercise.

But I think I’ll take it one step at a time. Get used to waking up early first, and then we’ll move over to this exercise business.

I walked across this bridge, in the rain, all by myself. I’m not particularly scared of heights, but to be honest, I was nervous for a few seconds there.

From the seventh floor of the Toronto Renaissance Hotel, facing south.

I’ve lived in this city since 1993 and there are still things about this place that I haven’t seen before.

Originally written 28-September 2008

It’s good that I’m good at ending relationships. Maybe I should count that as one of my special skills.

I really didn’t need that particular person in my life. I was getting nothing out of it — it was primarily one-sided, benefiting only him. He contacted me on his time, making me listen to his whining; but if/when I needed a friend, he wasn’t available. That’s utter bullshit. If there’s anything I’m big on, it’s fairness. It’s not fair that I’m getting the short end of the stick. I felt it’s better to cut off the parasite before it contaminated me even further.

I’ve been wanting a new (bigger) bed anyway, and life just pushed me along to get it done. I can’t wait till they deliver my new bed next Monday. Finally, the cat will have somewhere to sleep.

Also, since M moved to his new place, I’ve had to return the nice sofabed that he lent me… so yeah, I need to get a new sofa as well. It actually gave me a chance to rearrange the bookshelves and put them against the wall instead of arranging them in the corner as a reading nook. Maybe I’ll get another bookshelf just so I wouldn’t have to pack in all those manga.

(Yes, I know that I could just get rid of the books/manga that clutter my shelves, but seriously, what makes you think that’s even an option for me?)

I know that flaking out and ignoring messages is ‘commonplace’ on such sites like Craigslist and Freecycle, where there’s no way to police people’s behavior and to deter bad manners.

At the same time though, it’s extremely frustrating to me, when I’m just trying to get things done and then I have to deal with person on the other side of the transaction who isn’t willing to do the same.

Some tips that I’ve found helpful:
1) When replying to an ad, provide as much information as possible. Let the original poster know that you’re interested, but also provide times when you’re available to meet and close the deal. If you’re feeling especially brave, provide your phone number or other contact information as well.
2) Reply promptly once you receive confirmation.
3) Actually show up. Other people have lives too and it’s such poor taste to stand somebody up, whether they be friend or stranger.

I sent him a postcard that I bought from the university bookstore. It got to him within three days, which is amazing since even mail tagged as “priority” doesn’t even get to me that quickly. I thought of him a lot when I was there, I actually think of him a lot when we’re not together, anyway.

When did I become that girl? Or, maybe I’ve always been that girl but just needed the presence of the other person to trigger the change.

I’m still not fully convinced that I like her.

Yet another notch to add on that fleeting phenomenon known as ‘internet fame’ (Scroll down to the bottom — they featured my review of The Jakewalk).

Or, maybe it’s just additional proof that I go out drinking a lot.