ZOMG

My favorite photographer had a photoshoot with Jessica Nigri... that guy.. so lucky..

Things i've learnt from moving

- its preferable if your sink has room on both the left AND right; one side can hold a drainboard, the other any extra pots

- you need a mat at the a) front door, b) washroom shower c) kitchen by the sink, d) the backdoor/to the balcony

- never buy a dollar store 1) plastic bowl [cracks easily], 2) sweeping pan [broom is ok]

- watchout for built in lights (if it doesn't have built-in lights, then you must buy alot of lamps which take up outlets

- blinds, the pull down is convenient, but feels flimsy, but is probably less work than the column blinds that you twist open

- beware dark colored hardwood floors; while they look good and may have better resale, dust is very apparent

- when building (ikea)furniture, having a measuring tape, hammer and screwdrivers are very helpful; try to have another person helping you with an extra set of tools so they're not just waiting. Also, knee pads are a good investment

Sex.

While I'd start the entry off saying, how important it is in a relationship, when I stop and truly think about it, maybe it isn't.

I would argue that it is not the best thing if it is introduced too early (you can determine what that time frame is)in a relationship and that there are merits to waiting for marriage. But at the same time, it may be a bit unrealistic when we are constantly bombarded with sex and sexual images every day (altho that may not be too strong an arguement).

I think sex is a very open thing when you're younger, while it becomes a more private topic when you mature. Maybe its the people that surrounds you that affects this though, for my group is rather close-lipped. When you were younger, you'd talk about it, think about it and crave it.. but it seems like when you're older, it kind of becomes a taboo subject. Maybe its because sex IS supposed to be something private between the two partners involved and not with anyone else. The thing is, it has become so private that it seems like people don't have sex anymore.. married ones.. or atleast ones in longer relationships.

It makes me wonder, guys that are tight-lipped about such topics.. 'joke' that they don't have sex with their wives anymore.. but then frequent strip clubs a lot.. whats up with that?

I really wonder what it is in longer relationships that causes people to stop. While this is not a comment on my own relationship or others.. its more just a curiosity. I believe, though, that in terms of a guy (atelast), if it was something hot and heavy (& frequent) in the beginning, if it tapers off, that MAY BE natural.. but if it stops altogether.. there might be something wrong.

There is a serious problem i'm encountering when living on my own. Well maybe not serious for 'me', but serious for anyone else. I didn't do a very good job planning out my meals for this week and i'm eating the same things, over and over. Like I had baked chicken with quinoa for snack and lunch... and dinner? If I have spaghetti for dinner, that means ill have had the same thing for dinner for the past 3 nights.. If I have chicken again, that maybe overkill, b/c I packed chicken and quinoa for lunch AND snack for Thursday as well.

The Madness!

Living on your own?
Develop a good meal plan. Otherwise you'll go insane.
Me? I don't mind.. I kinda feel guilty eating the same thing over and over now. I don't get sick of it, just guilty. Makes me yearn for the days that my dad would cook amazing different food every single day.

I think a normal person, must have atleast 5 different meals setup that can act as both lunch and dinners to have variety. I myself, think I need 3-4 different meals.

Fyi. If boneless chicken thighs look a little small in the packages, then they probably are. But.. then there are obviously no bones to work with. I don't know which is the better deal, or whether there is a price difference (boneless vs bone-in). If there is no differentiations (which doesn't make sense), then boneless thighs would be the best bang for the buck (weight vs price).

I started writing on my gaming blog again and thought that although I don't know which site (this one or the other) has more REAL traffic, I know that you guys comment more, and that I appreciate.

So, I'm nearly, fully moved into my new place; it has been an incredible adventure, full of twists and turns; it has been incredibly stressful, but also the largest positive change to my character and maturity as a person. Moving (out)is A LOT of work. Period. There is so much to take account for and is incredibly hard if you're all on your own. While you cannot expect your friends (even family) to help, it makes it just that much easier. I don't feel like you're burdening me if you ask for help as now i've gone through the process and know how much things are on one's plate.

While you may not be strong enough to move boxes/furniture for your friend, there is so much more you can do:
- be there for the company while things are getting delivered; things don't always happen as planned and you need the moral support
- go shopping with the person; you don't need to buy stuff for them, but just having that extra set of hands or brain that can help think of ideas of things that the new place will need
- if you're skilled in cooking, you can help them cook some food; and if you're not, help do some prep cooking (cutting, peeling, washing, marinating etc)
- help them unpack and organize (!) their stuff into logical places; i've lost 3 things in my move and found 2 of them. Its because i'm not used to where these critical things are, when I put them away, I can't find them again
- help them sweet their place, or mop, or clean their dishes
- help them setup their internet or electronics to make sure they all work
- be that person that will explore an area with them, whether that is inside (apartment/condo) or outside (whats around, ammenities, services, gas stations etc)

There is SO much you can do to help your friend. And altho they may not seem like they need your help, they do; everyone can use a hand in something like this. Even the smallest gesture of texting/email/calling them and seeing how things are going and allowing them to heave their problems onto you can make a world of difference.

I had one of those X-Men-Cyclops-before-he-dies moments yesterday at work. Maybe you've had one too, where you hear someone calling your name but there really isn't.
Like a ghost.

I officially got the keys to my new condo on Wednesday and today the movers will bring my furniture; hoping everything will go nice and smooth.

That is all.