A Friday Five for the weekend...

1. What do you most want to be remembered for?

World class writer and fun, down-to-earth guy.

2. What quotation best fits your outlook on life?

"You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need."

3. What single achievement are you most proud of in the past year?

Performance of my first play.

4. What about the past ten years?

Graduating with a BA and an MA; getting into the PhD program at the UM

5. If you were asked to give a child a single piece of advice to guide them through life, what would you say?

Never give a sucker an even break.

1. What's the worst thing about Mondays? School shooting (Boomtown Rats anyone?)

2. Do you believe in soul mates? Have you met yours yet?

Not sure. I think I bumped into her on the bus once. She has shoes made out of milk cartons.

3. What do you recall wanting to "be" when you were a child, dreams of what you'd do when you were an adult for work - who you'd live with... where you'd live... how many kids you'd have. How does the dreams you once had compare to your reality, same, much different? You have surpassed those dreams?

I wanted to be the regular things, cowboy, doctor, dictator. I teach Freshman English at a middle of the road univeristy in the Cdn Praries. Oh, I'm where I wanted to be!

4. What do you think of education in your town/city? In your country? How would you improve it?

It's there.... I'd improve it by getting smarter students. Put the idiots in a room somewhere and let them fight each other for money.

5. If you had to pick three songs to sum up your life what would they be and why?

"Hey, I love (Won't you tell me your Name)" by the Doors; "Something to Look Forward To", Spoon; "High and Dry" Radio head.
Why? Just because.

6. Do you believe in love at first sight? Can it really happen?

What am I, ten? No, there's no such thing. There's lust at first sight, sure, but that's it.

7. What's your greatest fear?

The voices in my head...

BONUS: Have you forgotten?

Of course not! Forgotten what?

Today's comment question: Did you do anything fun this holiday weekend?
This wasn't a holiday weekend in Canada, jerkface! But, yes, I did do a couple of fun things. I'm just not going to tell you what they were!

Well, here I sit, in my cubby-hole of an office, pretending to work. Actually I just dragged five boxes of catalogues half way across campus, so I'm not really pretending; I'm taking a breather.
I turned 28 on Friday and to be honest, I feel different. I can't remember a brithday when I felt signicantly older. Not 16, not 21, not 25. For some reason, though I FEEL like I'm getting older and that my life is, I don't know, slipping away from me. Maybe it's the gettting close to 30 thing. You know, don't trust anyone over 30. Well, what happens when I'm over 30? Of course the people who originated that expression are in their 50s and 60s. Does knowing that make turning less traumatic? Not really.

To be honest, birthdays don't usually do much for me. I don't enjoy celebrating them or making a big fuss about it, but this year I wanted something special. I wanted people to remember. And some people did, which was cool. Some people didn't, which is to be expected. I mean, I don't really know why I think people should remember or even know. How many of my friends and acquiantences' birthdays do I remember? A staggeringly lower number, I can tell you. Oh well. Perhaps I'll try to make an effort. You know, the ol' "Do onto others" thing. Maybe if I remember theirs, they'll remember mine. Maybe...

Friday Five....

1. What drinking water do you prefer -- tap, bottle, purifier, etc.?
Brita-filtered water, I guess. I really don't dig the H20

2. What are your favorite flavor of chips?
Sour Cream and Onion, Cheddar

3. Of all the things you can cook, what dish do you like the most?
North African Chicken.. MmmMMM Good.

4. How do you have your eggs?
Don't really LOVE eggs, but I'll eat them poached, hard boiled, or scrambled

5. Who was the last person who cooked you a meal? How did it turn out?
Cooked for me, well the little old El Salvadorian ladies at the restraunt we ate at. The cooked burrito poderoso, and some potato-like root vegetable that came served with Coleslaw and salsa. Everything was delicious!!!

Mike's amazing mid-May movie review:

Okay, so I went to see the Matrix Reloaded on Sunday. And no, I'll refrain from making the lame "They mean Matrix Overloaded" joke that every critic on the PLANET seems to have made. Let me start with a confession: unlike most people, I was not that struck with the first film. Its smorgasbord offering of pseudo-intelligent, profundity and theology was like listening to that guy in high school who'd read one philosophy book (either Kierkegaard or Nietzsche) and sat in the lunchroom dispensing wisdom like Pez - tiny tablets without any real substance. But with guns, lots of guns.

Visually, the second film, like the first, was quite impressive; in fact, it was a little over-impressive. The opening sequence was so utterly CG'd, and so utterly logic defying, that I really didn't know what to expect from the much-hyped fights. Thankfully, with the painful exception of the Neo vs. 100 Smiths, most of the fights were cool. The 100 Smiths battle, which I have heard many people praise as the future of film fighting, was like watching a video game that some else was playing. It's like I didn't even have to be there. With all the other fights relying on intricate wirework and the actors doing their own marital arts, why do I want to see a computer generated Keanu Reeves beat up a bunch of computer generated Hugo Weavings? Why do I care?

But perhaps the most confusing scenes in a picture wrought with Keymasters, Ghost Twins, omnipotent beings were the church meeting/orgy in Zion and Neo's meeting with the Architect.

The overlong church meeting, with "prayers" to no one in particular and a lot of hot, sweaty semi-naked people gyrating around, seemed grossly out of place. When they started dancing, I thought to myself, "Oh, they're Pentecostal." Then I thought, "Are all Pentecostals this SEXY?"

Where were the old and sick looking people who offered Neo and Trinity gifts? Are only the young and pretty allowed to go to church in Zion? Do they worship St. Nelly and sing his familiar hymn, "It's getting hot in here, Lord. So take off all your clothes, Lord." This was just some teenage masturbatory fantasy, not something that added to the plot of the film I was watching. Pointless and stupid!

Also pointless and stupid was Neo's conversation with the Architect. This is where the film should have ended. But, no, the Wachowski Brothers needed to drag this story out into another film. So instead of answers, we get more questions. Personally, I was hoping to find George Lucas at the heart of the Matrix.

Worse than needlessly dragging this film out, was the ridiculousness of the Architect's language. It was like a first-year University student who has discovered the "Thesaurus" function in his word-processing program. Was his speech supposed to be the most convoluted piece of nonsense? Or was this a clever ploy to get all the geeks back to watch this film one more time in a futile attempt to understand this gibber-ish? This was the point in the film where I largely tuned out: multiple Matrixes (what's the plural?), multiple Neos, multiple crap. I can't wait to find out in the next film that Zion and its inhabitants are all part of a much larger Matrix. Boy, won't that be fun!

Finally, a Monday Mission that speaks to me...

1. This seems to be the year for movie sequels (Terminator 3, Matrix Reloaded, 2 Fast 2 Furious, LOTR: The Return of the King, etc.). Is there a movie you would like to see Hollywood make a sequel to?

No. Well, maybe Lethal Weapon... what are we up to? 7? 8? That movie NEVER gets old.


2. What movie sequel do you think should never have been made?

Exorcist 2, any of the Jaws films and the new batch of Star Wars films. BOO!!!!


3. Are there any books (comic, novel, etc.) that you would like to see made into a movie? Who should star in it?

Oh, of course. A new Lone Wolf and Cub series would be great. I always want to see Toshiro Mifune play the lead, but, alas, he's gone. Can't think of another Japenese actor, currently working, with the fericiousness and compassion needed for the role. Also, I have been a huge fan of films made from lesser known comic over the past few years - Ghost World, Road to Perdition, even From Hell. Any serious underground comics would be great.

4. When was the last time the you got a shot at the Doctor's office? Do you prefer them in the arm or your backside? Or would you rather just take a prescription?

What does this have to do with movies? I haven't had a needle in a while. I prefer my arm though.

5. Do you make friends easier in "Real Life" or online or is it about the same? Do you have closer friendships in "Real Life" or online? Why do you think that is? Are you ok with that or would you like to make a change?

Real Life, and I like that you put it in quotation marks.

6. When you first got your drivers license how did you feel ? Did you get it on the first try, second, third, more than that ? Do you have a license ? If no, do you plan to get one ? Why or why not ?

I don't remember feelings overly excited. I'm not a huge fan of driving, but I got my license on the first try, without much drama.

-byRebecca



7. Have you ever had your tonsils removed? Did you ever come close? Tell me about that.

No, no. ... NO!

BONUS: Who's that girl?

Where?

Today's comment question: How do you prefer to have your Ice Cream served? Cone (sugar, cake, waffle), cup, or something else?

In my hand.

Another Friday Five... and actually on Friday!

1. Name one song you hate to admit you like.
The Humpety Dance by Digital Underground.

2. Name two songs that always make you cry.
I can't think of any song that makes me cry, so I'll go with the two songs that make me feel the saddest: All I Want is You by U2; and She by Elvis Costello

3. Name three songs that turn you on.
Let's Get it On, Marvin Gaye (like everyone else); Red Red Wine, UB40;... can't think of another one.Maybe Lay, Lady, Lay by Dylan.

4. Name four songs that always make you feel good.
White Light, White Heat by Velvet Underground; My and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, Paul Simon; I Fought the Law, The Clash; Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, David Bowie.

5. Name five songs you couldn't ever do without.
Using only songs from previous questions...
Let's Get it On, I Fought the Law, She, Me and Julio, and White Light, or at least something by the VU.

So I'm a little apprehnsive about my upcoming birthday. I don't like to think about getting "older". See, I'm coming really close to that magic age, 30; the age young people are supposed to stop trusting you. It seems like such a milestone birthday. I am 30!, sounds more like a statement of being than an indication of age.

A Friday Five...

1. What was the first band you saw in concert?
Actually, it was Philosopher Kings/Great Big Sea/Spirit of the West in my first year of University. I wasn't a big concert guy. Though one time, in high school, a friend of mine tried to get me to go and see Henry Rollins... I was scared.

2. Who is your favorite artist/band now?
Miles Davis

3. What's your favorite song?
I don't think I have just one; I like a lot of different songs for different reasons. Some of my current favourites are "I Don't Like Mondays" Boomtown Rats; Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get it On; and "Cold Blooded Old Times" by Smog.

4. If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
Guitar.

5. If you could meet any musical icon (past or present), who would it be and why?
Miles... why wouldn't you want to meet Miles. The man was a musical genius!

Thought I'd add a little bit of colour to The Not Very Exciting World of Mike. Perhaps my readers (both of them?) will dig the new look. Must keep the peeps happy.

Over the summer I hope to write more entries here. I won't go so far as to "vow" to write more, 'cause more likely than not, it's not gonna happen. Why lie? I intend to write more though. So take comfort in that.

I saw Adaptation over the weekend and I must say, this was one of the most interesting, inventive films out there. As someone deeply connected to both literature and film, I'm often stuck by the problem of adapting novels or short stories into film. Most people give the obligatory "The book was better" response, but fail to take into consideration the very real problem of transferring something from one genre to another. Charlie Kaufman's script about his own inability to turn _The Orchid Thief_ into a film deals with this problem in an interesting and, not to be too sentimental about it, endearing way.
A lot of the older people in the audience I saw the film with were understandably confused by the caper-ish ending of the movie, but the statement is poignant nonetheless: people enter the movie theatre with expectations.

1. Who are your favorite cartoon characters?

Space Ghost and associates, and Nitz.

2. Have you yet reached the point where you feel like you are from a different generation than today's youth?

Oh yes. I feel old and out of touch. I reference television programs they've never even heard of.

3. What was the first Music Video that really impressed you? What made it so amazing?

I remember the first time I saw "Take on Me" by A-Ha. Brilliant piece of work; stands up with things made 10-15 years later.

4. Name a song and an era that comes to mind when you hear the word "Retro."

Boy in the Box, Corey Hart

5. How has your life been affected by HIV or AIDS?

Other than the usual list of dead celebs, it really hasn't, I'm happy to say.

6. Yesterday in the USA, we celebrated "Mothers Day," a day where we honor the mothers in our lives. If you were on a "special day" nominating committee, who or what would you recommend that we create a day in honor of?

Multi-national card and flower companies - wait a second...

7. Last week, we have several Tornadoes tore through many neighborhoods, destroying homes and devastating the lives of the residents. How would you feel if you lost every possession you owned? Or would it matter? How would you go on with your life?

I suppose I'd get on (I seem to have a remarkable ability to go on despite changes), but I don't like to think about losing my stuff.

BONUS: Do you remember the 21st night of September?

Oh, what a night... No.

Today's Comment Question: What part of your body would you like to have permanent hair removal performed on?

Fingers... I don't know.

001. What's your first name?: Michael
002. Whats your middle name?: William
003. Last Name?: Boyce
004. Nicknames: "Mike"; ocassionally "Boycie"
005. City: currently the Peg, but I've lived in Toronto, Oshawa and Waterloo
006. Birthdate: May 23, 1975
007. Chick or dude: totally dude
008. Zodiac Sign: Gemini - i haven't decided which twin I am though 
009. Siblings: sister, Allison
010. Pet(s): none
011. Eye Color: brown
012. Hair Color: brown 
013. Height: 5'11
014. What hand do you write with? right
015. Hair Length: pretty short
016. Do you bite your nails?: no
017. Do you think you are cute?: Oh heck no.
018. Do you think others think you're cute? doubtful, but I suppose anything's possible in this wacky world
020. Shoe Size: 91/2 - 10
021. Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend: Nope
022. If so what is their name?: n.a.
023. Are you Happy?: No, I'm Mike. Seriously though, I guess I'm not unhappy.  
024. Did you send this to your crush?:  maybe
026. Where do you shop the most?: HMV; Chapters maybe
027. Do you think your fashion is cool?: i don't think anything about me is "cool"
028. Do you have any piercings? nope
029. What do you want pierced?: nothing
030. Do you do drugs?: no
031. Do you drink?: hardly ever
032. Who are your friends?: they know who they are (and who they are NOT)
033. Who is your best friend(s): i don't know if I have one
034: Who is your longest friend: I've never measured them
035: What kind of Shampoo and Conditioner do you use?: The kind in the shower
036. What are you most scared of?: being neglected
037. If you could go anywhere where would you go?: Key west  
038. How often do you cut your toenails?: Whenever they need it
039. What are you listening to right now?:  Ruby Tuesday by the Stones
040. Who are you talking to right now? myself
041. What time is it?: 10:27 am
042. Do you have your own phone line?:  Yes
043. What's your phone number: I'm not telling
044. What's your favorite shoe brand?: Docs  
046. What clothes do you sleep in: tshirt & pj pants
048. Who is the last person who called you? my boss
049. Where do you want to get married?: if I got married again, Vegas baby
050. If you could have one wish what would it be?: i don't think I'll share that
051. Who is the hottest guy/girl in your school: i don't know, there's lots of people here. I can't possibly have seen them all.
052. If you could change anything about yourself what would it be?:  I'd stop being so darn charming
053. How many people live in your house?: three, soon to be two
054. Who do you really hate?: I try not to hate people, but I do hate stupidity
056. Favorite Color(s): black
057. Favorite number(s):  2
058. Favorite Candy: Chocolate 
059. Favorite Band: Miles Davis Quintet  
060. Favorite Food: Spagetti
061. Food restaurant: Are there other types of resaurants? China Garden in Waterloo
062. Favorite Girl Names: Happy, Sleepy, Sneezy, Doc... wait, that's not right.
063. Favorite Boy Names: don't have one
064. Favorite animal: the wiley mongoose
065. Favorite Radio Stations: there's an internet Jazz Radio station I like
066. Favorite book: don't have one favourite: i love a lot of books
067. What perfume/cologne do you wear?: a playah's never reveal their stylin' secretz
068. Favorite summer activity?: sweating
072. Bungee Jumped?: nope
073. Sky dived?: nope
074. Went movie hopping?: Yes but they were bad movies
075. Ran from the cops?: Should have  
077. Tried to kill yourself?: Mmm... Actually yes, but that was a long time ago  
079. Skinny dipping?: are you offering?
080. Been In Love?: Sure, who hasn't?
081. Made yourself cry to get out of trouble?: All the time

***What do you think of when you hear these words:

082. Brown: poo 
083: Cow : Moo
084. Pig: bacon
085. Rubber:  boots
086. Science: voodoo 
087. Chair: table

***Which is worse:

088. Barfing on your date or date barfing on you: both are pretty bad, but I'd say it would be worse if I barfed on my date. If a girl barfed on a guy, and the guy handles it right, he is awesome.

089. Have your tonsils or your appendix removed?: tonsils, i guess

**Out of your friends, who is the:

090. Coolest: Dave
091. Weirdest:  Broomhead
092. Smartest: George
093. Happiest: Kim
094. Most Ditzy: There a few girls I know who might fit this. You know who you are.
095. Funniest: that's hard, cause people are different types of funny - Mel and Nikki together are a riot. Adam's funny (but he doesn't know it), Dave has an ability to make me laugh
096. Loudest: Shelley, Heather and Rachel
097 Quietest: Cheryl
098. Prettiest:: Ummmm, I won't say, but she really is the prettiest person I know, though she probably doesn't know that.
099. Who do you go to for advice?: No one, have you met my friends?
100. Who knows all your secrets?: ah, me?

***Do you know any:
101. Steve: Sent me this, bless him.
102: Mike: That's me... and about forty other people I know
103. Lindsay: a girl a year behind me at WLU, cute and sweet.
104. James: yes, a couple
105. Missy:  no... does anyone really know a Missy?
106. David:  Lots... and most of them are EVIL I TELLS YA! EEEEVVVIILLLLL.
107. Pat: Yep, a coworker who nods in sympathy
108. Roxette: Come on, Join the Joyride.

***Have you ever:
109. Eaten an entire gallon of ice cream?: sure
110. Caused a car accident?: does running into a fence count?  
111. Seen the ocean?: which one?

***This or that:
112. Night or Day?: Night
113. Chocolate Chip or Mint Chip?: chocolate
114. Ocean or lake?  ocean, in my experience, lake's smell
115. Chocolate or vanilla?: I'm starting to enjoy vanilla
116. Lion or Tiger?: tiger
117. Love or lust?: depends  but lust is easier
118. Silver or gold?: gold
119. Pencil or pen?: pen
120. Skirt or jeans?:  to wear? jeans.
121. Rose or tulip? : I don't care about flowers  

***Have you (in the last 48 hours)

122. Cried?:  no 
123. Blah Blah Blah: no  
124. Worn a skirt?: still no
125. Gone for a walk?: yes (Woohoo!!!)
126. Gone for a drive?: yes 
127. Been taken out for dinner?:  nope
128. Taken a test?: nope
129. Talked to an ex?: actually yes, well I got an email from her
131. Watched your favorite movie?: no, but I saw X2 and it was pretty cool
132. Gotten a present?: no
133. Missed someone?: sure
134. Hugged someone?:  no
135. Kissed someone?: no
136. Danced with someone?: nope
137. Had a nightmare?: nope
138. Fought with your parents?: no
139. What do you feel about the Ouiji board?:they're ouiji-tastic (actually they're crap)
140. Do you believe in yourself?: meh
141. Worst feeling in the world?:  when she doesn't talk to me
142. Best feeling in the world?:  hot bath
143. Are you for world peace?: meh  
144. Are you a health freak?:  nope
145. Do you have a crush on anyone?:  of course

***Final Questions:

147. Do you like filling these out?: oh yeah!!!
148: Who will respond to this?: Everyone, or else

Over the past few days, I have started writing here five or six times; sometimes quite a bit too. But something always makes me erase what I've written and start again. To get me into the writing mood, I think I'll start with a Friday five to see how it all works.

1. Would you consider yourself an organized person? Why or why not?

In certain things, I'm very organized. Unfortunately, I'm also chronicly lazy. So often, when things get "unorganized" I can't be bothered trying to fix them.

2. Do you keep some type of planner, organizer, calendar, etc. with you, and do you use it regularly?

I have one, yes; using it has been a continious struggle.

3. Would you say that your desk is organized right now?

Yes, yes I would.

4. Do you alphabetize CDs, books, and DVDs, or does it not matter?

I have, but my wife always wrecks it. DVDs are currently alphabetized within certain categories, but Criterion DVDs
are by issue number on the spine.

5. What's the hardest thing you've ever had to organize?
When I got married I alphabetized the combined CD collection and book collection. It was a nightmare (but so comforting).