Downsizing

I have too many comic books.

I've just got to keep my collection under control (which it isn't right now). Last year, after I got rid of two boxes, I had piles of other books I was going to sell on craiglists. Haven't done that yet. And now I've found a rationalization not to - there were some semi-valuable books in those piles. I need to do my homework, see what the going rate for some of these books are. Really, I can't think about how much a book is worth or nonsense like that. I'm not exactly sure now I'll sell them but I need to do something, getting rid of anything I'm not going to read again and just forget about it. Can't go to my comic book guy because he won't give me a fair trade (well, he can't really since he needs to re-sell it to make a profit). I need to find someone who wants my books as an "investment". Here's hoping.

I'm not young anymore

At work, a younger coworker told me she was, "really into music." I didn't respond but I believe the assumption was that I wasn't into music. And I might not be. At least not as much as twenty-something me was. I'm not in the clubs trying to find the next big thing or listening to over hyped acts that no one will care about in two months. I follow the big music sites/blogs and listen to a couple of podcasts but I let the music come to me now instead of searching it out. And this new state of being doesn't bug me at all. Younger me would be shaking his head at present-day me (as he should).

Change of Plans

A couple of days ago I booked my flight to Phoenix as part of my summer vacation to hike to the Grand Canyon. My friends were taking an extended road out there and I was going to meet up with them so we could camp at the bottom. However, today I was informed that one of the drivers had backed out so the trip is in jeopardy. My flight is non-refundable so no matter what I'm going to the southwest. Where should I go? What should I do? I know next to nothing about the area. I've got an uncle who lives who there along with a couple of cousins but I don't want to impose them so I've got to find my own entertainment. San Diego and Los Angeles are less than six hours away if all else fails.

Then the Music Stops

People stop blogging, tweeting, and generally having an online presence all the time. Complete strangers just stop, often without notice. One day it's there and then it's gone. People get bored, make a mistake, or just stop. It's perfectly understandable.

Not sure where I'm going with this. I guess you just an observation. Blogs and online presences don't have an end date so when they do end (unnaturally) it makes you wonder and take stock.

Cheap Comic Books

So I've just discovered this shop where every comic in the shop is 50 cents (or 50 comics for $20). This week the owner is having an even better sale - 100 comics for $30. While I don't need more comics, I can't help myself. I'm so excited to go. So I've now for TONS of cheap comics littering my apartment. Little piles everywhere. It's driving some people a little crazy.

New Disclaimer

I added a disclaimer. I doubt it'll stand up in court or anything but it's better to have it than not. I assume the Creative Commons would also offer some help. It's not that I believe someone is going to steal me work.

Honestly, I saw it someone else's blog and decided I'd add it to mine.

So you've all been warned.

Years Gone By

Here's a picture of my new Doctor Who glasses that I got for my birthday. Colour changing is back in style!

As I get older, my birthday presents are becoming smaller and more meaningful. No more game systems or bicycles. Thoughtful gifts based upon my interests. Can't wait for the second part of the Doctor Who season to start at the end of the month!

Outside My Comfort Zone

Things that happened this week:

• On Tuesday, I got a night guard because I grind my teeth in my sleep. 
• On Wednesday, I went to a gun range and shot a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, and some kind of rifle. 
• On Thursday, I purchased a reasonable priced suit.

I guess going to the gun range was the most random thing I did this week. My friend recently got a gun license so I took him up on his offer to check out a gun range north of Toronto (you need to be in a group of at least two people). First thing you notice about guns is that they're loud. Really loud. Second thing you noticed is that the brass shell goes flying every which way after you fire.

I'm not going to discuss my opinion about guns (re: gun laws). I will say, however, that I'm not becoming a gun owner anytime soon.

My only regret was that I didn't take a photo of the waiver I had to sign. There was some very interesting stuff on it.

Nothing and One

It's March break next week. I don't have the week off but there aren't any classes so it's a light week. I've got a lot personal things to do, first on the list is to buy a new suit. I've got a sport jacket but I don't have a suit. Haven't had one in years. Haven't need one. But with my sister's wedding coming up, it now necessary. And since I'm actually working I'll get a half decent one.

I've been supplying a lot. Yeah, I finally got a job working for a public school board. It's as an adult literacy instructor (so very part-time) but it's something. The learning curve has been very steep but it's been great. There's no training of any sort. I guess because my other job is doing the exact same thing so it's not necessary?

At first I didn't like it because it was boring. Unlike supplying with children teenagers you're not babysitting (no legal responsibility). You're there to take attendance and then that's usually it. Sometimes you help learners with their work but often you're just watching the clock. I've been all over the city for work these last couple of weeks and it's been great to have the secondary income. But it's also meant some late nights. Evening classes usually end at 9 pm and it's taken me, on average, about an hour to get home from them.

Hell, I can even start contributing to the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan now (only requirement was to be a public board employee with a teaching certificate).

I'm also seeing a physiotherapist and it's been doing wonders for my quality of life. It was nothing serious but it's making all the difference. I can see how in little while longer I'll be back to "normal". Now if I could do something about the ringing in my ears...

So things are busy but good.

Good Afternoon

I thought I knew the city of Toronto. I thought I had walked many of its streets and seen many of most the interesting sights. I was wrong. Hiking through the many trails these last couple of months has opened my eyes. And now my new job as a supply instructor as me travelling to suburbs, seeing even more. But I knew I had never been to those places. I had driven past them but that's it.

Today took the cake. I decided to meet my gf along the Danforth and decided to walk there, taking a new route. And what did I see? Things like the sign below. And a row of houses built in 1913 that had a rather large looking industrial looking chimney in the middle of a residential area. There's little bits of history hidden all around the city.

Anyway, I love this city.