I hung out with Ren tonight. It was good to see him, since I haven't seen anyone from Ottawa in going on two months. He's in town working for Henry's and they've outfitted him with a hotel room and such. He's going to be moving to Toronto in a couple of weeks to take advantage of a more corporate full-time position with the company. We had a chat over pub food at a place called Hemingway's near the campus and then went to check out The Darjeeling Limited, which I really enjoyed. Wes Anderson and Jason Schwartzman are delivering a Q&A at the same theatre on Wednesday, so I bought a ticket. I still can't get over how many opportunities Toronto gives to see famous people in person.

I enjoy walking downtown. The buildings are enormous, often tiered to multiple businesses and restaurants, and the streets are always busy with people. It's hard to not feel connected with everything when so much is going on around you. I wish I lived a bit closer, but it's probably for the best as far as studying is concerned. I can't forget that I'm on a mission with the time I'm given here.

I'm caught up on my readings for tomorrow. I have a four hour break that I'd like to use to take some pictures. Ren and I talked about the value of keeping records; he's far more hesitant than I am to do so. I suppose I like the idea that images and words have the opportunity to be left in my wake. Indications of how I felt about the world, where I experienced it, what struck me as important. You can't take them with you, but you can keep them until it's time to go, and pass them on as a testament that you were alive and realized it.

I added a fancy new userpic, taken by the fancy Andrea, featuring my fancy new haircut. Effin' fancy.

Jason's gone for the weekend, so we stayed up late watching Ocean's 12, which was good but felt long (that's what she said! Sorry, too many Office episodes)...

First off, my sister Holly just got engaged to her boyfriend Steve. They've been dating for about 7 years, so it was a while coming. My parents just had their 38th wedding anniversary a couple of days ago, and I think the announcement coincided, so that's nice.

I started off the day marching over to the license bureau and shelling out $75 to renew my driver's license, which expired ten months ago (I don't drive). I was having my picture taken when some guy walked right past me in the line of the shot, so I was momentarily taken aback. The woman at the counter smiled as if thinking "these are the kind of douchebags I'm going to have to deal with on a Friday? Faaaaaaaaantastic." She assured me he didn't end up in the final shot, but I'm expecting a photo of me in mid-WTF glance. If your license photo is supposed to be bad, at least mine will come with a story.

We made our way to the U of T campus to pick up my student card and tour around a little. We checked out the old buildings that looked like something out of Harry Potter. Apparently there had been a fire in the regular location of the English Department offices, so everything is moving to the far north of the campus. I still have yet to find out where exactly my classes will be taking place.

After visiting the University bookstore, we made for the Eaton's Centre. We stopped at a Tim Horton's and I tried tipping the cashier but she told me they don't accept tips. That's BALLS. I worked there for four and a half years and those people DESERVE tips. Way too cockamamie. I picked up records by The New Pornographers and Rilo Kiley, plus Whylah Falls by George Elliot Clarke to prepare myself for what this guy is capable of. Andrea showed me the spot where she picked up the fake Maine ID she used back when I first met her. Sam The Record Man has closed its doors, on a sad note. Maegen used to work there and I myself have fond memories of browsing its racks.

After additional shopping and one hilarious photo op we headed home, watched some TV, ate a good meal, and said goodbye to August. Not a bad day on the whole.