Great news everyone, Green Apple, my work pet plant is making a full recovery. She's like full of energy, and it makes me feel good that I managed to save it. Give her some new soil, some daily water, a little sun, and voila. Please call me Dr. Lee.

Last week however, my co-op predecessor a.k.a. 'plant killer' came to the office to do a long overdue work-related presentation. We chatted a bit, and the only that came into mind was that he was the plant killer. But before I even had a chance to kindly confront him about the plant, he made a remark that it was "wonderful that I managed to preserve the plant." Omg, so not only was he aware of the state of the plant before he left, but he had the guts to comment that I saved it.

That's just being really nasty. I swear, that's like manslaughter.

Anyways, I politely mentioned him next time to return the plant back to our plant-lover colleague if he doesn't want to take care of it. So that was that.

I went to the North York Central Library yesterday to get transit financing materials for work (Yes, it was quite the day). I must say, I'm amazed at the level of interesting material in the library. Wow, it was like heaven for planning geeks.

The North York Central Library is has the second largest collection of works related to Urban Affairs (the largest is at Metro Hall, but they've classified most of their titles as reference materials, ugh.) It's so large that they've dedicated a whole floor to it. There were so many transit-related reports, and I just had to take a look at them. It was totally neat. I was disappointed that there wasn't any reports on crazy proposals that I don't know already know about. There was one project that was kind of absurdly intesting. There was a proposal that instead of building the subway along Sheppard Avenue, they would build it along the hydro corridor from nearby Downsview Station to Scarborough Centre. This is such a bad place for a transit corridor. There would so not be any redevelopment interest along that area. Sure it would be cheaper, but definitely not practical.

So yeah, the library is pretty neat, better yet, I find the whole North York Centre area very fascinating. It's actually interesting to be in this neighbourhood in the daytime, it was definitely a novel experience to see all the office people. This whole area had definite been entirely transformed from 25 years ago, when it was just like every other suburb. But now, it's completely transformed into a great residential and employment hub. Although Mel Lastman didn't do so well with the amalgamated Toronto, I can see why he got elected. He was without a doubt a jewel to North York.

Back to North York Centre. They also have a smaller-scale version of Toronto's PATH system, which I think is totally neat. It really presents this interesting downtown feel without having to treckle downtown. If only the area was oriented a little wider, instead of its current formation along the Yonge corridor. Obviously, zoning provisions makes it very difficult. This would definitely be an ideal place to live, in my opinion; you get the best of both worlds. You get great access downtown, and experience all the culture and excitement, but at the same time, you're within a short drive to my ethnic necessities: (i.e. Commerce and Pacific), and the affordable suburban lifestyle and consumption (i.e. my Wal-marts, Loblaws, and other cheaper places.) Plus, don't forget our vicinity to Fairview and Yorkdale.

---

Oh yes, today is Budget Day. So today has been about being on standby, so that if additional information is required, were totally pumped to deliver. So far, is been quiet, which is definitely a good sign, and things are going swell. After tomorrow, there will not be hot OPP officers (and their ranger hats) to protect us. It is definitely a fun time to be a PIR.

Also, I'm published on thestar.com's Voices! Yes, I know, I'm a little too excited. Check it out!

I survived Day 3 of my 18-week co-op term. Yes, I just realized that the Spring co-op term dates are slightly longer than the others.

So far, things have been pretty busy, which is great. It keeps the heartrate going and prevents me from falling asleep. There have definitely been more interesting files to work on than the previous term. Hopefully this will remain so for the remainder of the term.

I'm totally feeling the effects of work-lag. I have been having trouble sleeping at night—probably for two reasons: (1) I'm anxious about work, and (2) I'm just not used to going to bed that early. As a result, I get to work all groggy, and unprepared to be on the top of the game. I'm slowing adapting however, as my body is just dying to sleep.

Again, there's plenty of co-op students this term. One more than the Fall term, for a total of nine: 4 from McMaster, 1 from U of T, and 4 from UW. The students come from many different fields, but again I'm the sole Planner.

So yes, us UW-ers are a big minority this term. As a result, we've been kind of clique-y from the get-go, although we're beginning to intermingle.

Dave, my fellow UW partner in crime, decided to start some university rivalry when we rememebered those cheers we had back during Black and Gold opening game during Frosh Week, where the Warriors played Mac.

"A dollar-seventy-three, that's how you get a Mac degree!"
Something along the lines of that. Cheesy, but fun. :P

Some healthy team rivalry could possibly be some fun :P We'll see how that goes.

More on the work front, I was greeted at my cubicle by a nearly dead plant. Yes I know, so welcoming. It was the same plant that I left behind in the Fall term, to maintain the overall decor of the cubicle. I left a friendly note to the upcoming student to take good care of the plant, but instead, I got this [See below].

Ugh, maybe he wanted to spite me.

It's quite sad to be seeing this completely limp plant just depressingly lying completely off the pot and onto the desk space. I was so appauled I had to to take a picture and express to you the damage of my poor plant.

Here it is. Trust me, it was worse. I had already picked out all the dried and yellow leaves that were still attached.

I really don't understand. How could anyone actually watch the plant to look like that? I don't expect everyone to be plant-lovers, but if you don't want to take care of it, fine-- just send it to another person who does. Maybe I was expecting too much for a person to give it water, because the water cooler is literally a horribly difficult 5 steps from my desk. Ugh. Also, people do see the plant as they pass through the corridor, and imagine what other co-workers thought if they saw the plant in that condition?

A lack of responsibility, that's what I see.

Anyways, I'm so pissed.

I have restored water to my lovely creature, and hopefully, Dr. Matt could heal this sick plant. I've decided to pay more close attention to it, and hopefully it will come out of its coma.

Its got a new name, for its renewed life: Green Apple. I'll let you know how it's doing.

AMAZING GRACE:
Man, this show is exactly what it says: amazing. It is the final few episodes but the cute couple Meredith and Gretchen have been eliminated. I think those two are just great for each other. Sure, Gretchen could be a bit whinny at times, but with Meredith's patience, their qualities seem to weave together so perfectly. They are definitely an admirable couple, not only because they've surpised everyone for making it this far, but because they are a positive, compassionate, and loving team who was here to have fun, and experience the world.

Unlike some pitiful teams, Rob and Amber-- but that's another story.

I just discovered something interesting in my cubicle.

It feels incredibly soothing when you take a stack of warm freshly laser-printed sheets and place it on your cheeks.

Who needs steam facials when you've got laser-printed documents?

Mmmm, I think I need some private time at my desk.

Note: Due to database corruption issues from November 7, 2004 to December 21, 2004, entry comments may been deleted, or misplaced. I have tried to recall some of the comments that was mentioned.

Hello there. I?m really trying to blog more, I really am.

WORK STUFF:
Work has been tough. It's not just the work, but also the interpersonal relations in the branch. The bad thing is that research at work does not involve excessive Google and Trellis like school. it would make my life so much easier. But because of all the sensitive information, I have to consult with a billion people. Yes, the crazy red tape.

Another thing is that coworkers are not exactly cooperative. Therefore, I end up making assumptions, which then leads to the question of validity. I managed to write 15 assumption endnotes on a table. I then wonder what the point in me compiling this information.

Seriously they need a restructured government; none of these steep vertical specialized organizational structures.

---
HOT COPS:
This week, they have started strict ?lock up? security measures at work; I think this is in light of the Legislative Assembly being back in order. On every floor, there are these OPP detachment officers. There's something about the navy uniform and the ranger hat that's just so striking.

The OPP officer on our floor is super kinky. My proximity card didn?t work today, and he had to escort me to the identification office to get a visitors card. He expressed a fine balance of police authoritative sternness and consideration for others. So now I have a cop friend, haha. I hope this lockdown carries on. Maybe I'll go to Tim Horton's and treat him to some donuts. I'll put on my special glaze.

I want an OPP uniform for Hallowe'en, I think that would be a blast. My sister's boyfriend's brother is a cop, maybe he can hook me up! Ermmm, maybe not. Hmmmm, I was thinking either that or a be a TTC bus. Hmm, I wonder if I could fashion a bus together; it would go great for work. My boss would love it because he previously worked there and is "TTC crazy." Tiff said I'd be making a lot of "short turns."

---
GOOD OLD WATERLOO:
On the Waterloo front, there has been word from Shima of hot flammy "pretty boy" planner on campus. I believe Shima mention they're all in the same design class. Maybe Shima or Liz should ask him which team he plays for during crits! Maybe sneek in a question. Hmm, just a thought :P. She says I should buy her a digital camera so she can be my Waterloo "prospect" correspondent and spy on "pretty boy". She strikes a tough deal, but it think I'm sold on the idea!

Harro everyone.

Weekend was pretty good. I managed to steal Jeff from Liz on Saturday. We both had lunch at this french restaurant in Richmond Hill. I must say the restaurants at Main Street Richmond Hill, kicks both Markham and Unionville's Main Street restaurants. Yep, while Shimes and Liz have their fun in Waterloo, me and Jeffrey are hitting it up here! Aren't you jealous ladies? We're cooler, suckers! But you're right, Shima and Liz, I miss our Wednesday night dinners. We have to carry this on for the Winter Term. :P

Me, Mark, Leo, and Bow went down to Ashbridges Bay and walked around the beach, and admired the new Duany-like-Seaside-New Urbanism-ness in the Beaches area. It was fun, but this couples-venue makes me really really bitter. Sigh.

Today has been a pretty good day, too, despite being super not-busy. (It's been widespread in the department in the past few days.) Yes, it's been awesome, I finally have my first report reviewed with no edits! YIPPIE! HOURAH! SHOUT FOR JOY! Oh my, you don?t know how happy I am!

This is a milestone for Matthew Lee. WOO!

I feel so happy that I wanna go home and put a shiny sticker on my report. Mind you, the report was shorter than the others, but what matters is that my boss said it was ?very well done.? Haha, I feel like I?m back in elementary school. You don?t get an ?A?, you get a ?Well Done?, ?Developing as expected? or ?Progress Emerging.? I?m supposed to get a legislature tour tomorrow, however I have to miss it because of conference calls. Grr.

I think I need a start a new Union. The "CHP: Canadian Hot People Union", or the "Local 783129274923874932749238". I want to bargain for this tour and meet the Honourable Dalton! Oh Dalton!

Oh yeah, speaking of the Honourable Dalton, Tiff wants to name her son Dalton! So there?s Dalton Loh, Marshma Loh, Bunga Loh, and also Waterpo Loh. Haha!

---
Not your ordinary Tim Horton's:

OMG, I have stories about a ministry coworker, let's call her "Cher". Well, Cher, unlike the real one, is one of those really attractive girls-- y'know, the very slender, hourglass shape, super tall, sexy voice-- she has everything physically going on. But anyways, with the attractiveness, I must say that she's quite the diva. If you're not catching on to what I'm saying, just picture a car dealership receptionist. They look nice and pleasant, but you can just tell that are the people you don't want to piss off.

Anyways, I forgot my passcard one day, and she dared not to open the door for me! I wanna inform you all that there is a button at the desk that she simply can push. But she didn't, she goes and picks up a phone call and completely snubs me; there is no way that she didn't not see me. UGH! Since then, I've grown very not fond of her. Give her the nod of acknowledgement every morning and walk on. Yes, I already have work grudges. Haha.

Then today, as I got my needed coffee in the kitchenette, I catch her pouring liquor in her morning coffee! HELLO KAREN WALKER! Oh my, this is a first for me. I pretended not to look, but I was like "oh my". Haha. She literally snuck out a mickey of what I presume to be vodka and poured and poured. Interesting interesting. Hmmmm.

Drinking at work. Maybe I'll take up drinking at work. Better yet, I think I'm going to spike the company coffee! Maybe then, I can stir up some social activities in the workplace. :) Maybe I can then influence the big shots to fund the projects I like :P

Work has made me super emotional lately. I feel better now that hump day has passed, and I have the weekend to look forward to. It?s going to be an interesting 14 weeks.

So yes, work has really got me down lately. Just yesterday, my Vancouver Transit report submissions that I?ve made to my boss was returned?returned with a phenomenal amount of edits. When edits, I mean significant additions and omissions. As I scramble to revise all his edits, I received this horrible feeling that I?m not contributing. I hate this feeling. What?s worse is that not only do I feel that I am not contributing; I am essentially placing a burden on them having to edit my low-calibre work. I really hate feeling like this. I have no one to blame but myself.

Oh, as for the other York transit report submission?my boss and I had a brief meeting on Tuesday. He just said politely that I don?t get offended if the document is dramatically changed. Wow. That comment just completely took the wind out of me. OUCH. It really put a nice sharp dart to my chest, but at the same time I appreciate that he was straight with me.

It's one of those things that I?m actually glad I have a male boss. I find male bosses speak more directly, women bosses tend to take ?detours? to get to the real point.

Anyways, yes, I just want to crawl into my room, cry and never come out. The real world is really scary. If I?m unable to fulfill my co-op job duties, I can?t even think of how it must be like in the ?REAL-real world.? I?m feel uneasy talking about work-related problems with the other co-op students, but at the same time I?m curious to find out how they?re feeling. Thankfully, Tiff managed to electronically keep me company; Outlook can be your friend.

One thing I completely dread are meetings; meetings consists of these PIR bigshots talking about how they can?t afford to fund the massive amount of unsolicited projects. Btw, infrastructure funding is soooo inadequate.

Remember how I said that the intimidating bosses aren?t so intimidating? Well, I take that back. The meeting room was quite freaky: a dozen of middle-aged hardworking, charismatic men with very eloquent tongues. I take back my predisposed views about slacking civil servants, some are indeed very enthusiastic and diligent; perhaps the front line workers are the ones that makes us perceive government workers as rude and lazy.

Anyway, a billion acronyms come flying across the meeting room: CSIF, RFPs, OMIFAS, ABCs, XYZs, WHATTHEFUCKs. Okay, I made some of them up, but yeah. I spent hours and hours on Google finding out what the heck they are. Apparently, my bosses suggest I take PLAN 320 to make it easier. It?s funny though, my predecessor was an Economics major and to my knowledge, he seemed to have done okay. The question is: why is the planner struggling? Perhaps I?m just retarded.

Anyway, today has been better, however. I submitted more documents today, so maybe I?ll cry some more tomorrow.

FIRST OF ALL, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIFF! You're Twenty! WOO HOO! You better start buying some anti-aging cream, honey!

So Week One has come and gone. So far, I have to say that it going pretty well, I say the co-workers are quite quiet, however they are generally very nice. The intimidating bosses aren?t so intimidating anymore, so I?m happy about that. It?s casual Fridays today, however, I?m surprise how ?casual? people look around here. Everyone?s here with their tight Club Monaco denim with complementary shirt (the young one?s at least)?which looks quite nice I might add. I can?t wait to look sexy in 'office' denim too, but I won?t do it quite yet?maybe in a few weeks?until I?ve really settled in with the office culture.

Picture of me in my Waterloo student ghetto in my ghetto toilet.

Yes, I enjoy taking a dump with my jeans up.

On another note, I have a small rant today: why do men persist to read when they?re taking a dump? It wasn?t that serious back when I was working in Waterloo, but it is pretty acute here. Surely, it might not be the most entertaining times during the period when your behind on a dirty toilet seat, but please, for the love of Peter, don?t read. I find it really distasteful.

Am I overreacting about this? I?d love your input. C?mon, do women do this in the bathroom too, or is this predominately a male activity? (Dirty thought just came to my head). It?s worse when I see my seniors come out of the stalls with the Star sports section in their hands. I don?t know, but I would be highly embarrassed. He just smiled back at me mildly, placed the newspapers back in the newspaper bin and back to his desk. Remind me not to touch the Star sports section.

Has reading on the toilet become the next big thing in office leisure? Perhaps the new yoga and pilates for the workplace? Hmmmm....

What is worse is those to decide to leave newspapers cluttering in the stalls. It looks awful. What if there are clients and visitors in the office? What would they think when they see this?

Is this what our world has come to? Do we need to be entertained or to have to be desperately doing something at every hour of the day? Or is bathroom leisure reading just a good way to ?legitimately? slack off? Questions, questions. Questions I?d like answered. I?d say that reading is a good thing, whether you?re catching up on current events or reading an exciting piece of literature, there are great places to read?let?s just avoid the restrooms. AIYA! For all the toilet bookworms out there, please. Can?t we just do our business in peace and tranquility?

summer is now over. yes. time to wash those eyes and face reality. good bye carefree-ness, goodbye staying up; hello responsibility, hello real world. life sucks ass.

so yes. today was Day One at PIR. I managed to get up at 7:00 and boarded the 7:40 Steeles Express to Finch. The entire ride, I didn't even get an seat opportunity. I got to work sharply at 9:00; that's an-hour-twenty. That really sucks ass. I dispise living in Markham for this reason-- probably the only reason-- but it's big.

There were 5 other co-ops working as well, however, none of the five work for my department. So again, I'm the sole co-op lonely warrior. On the bright note, my interviewer asked me which branch I wanted to work for back in June, and thankfully, i found out today that i got a placement in the strategic iniatives branch-- which essentially deals with public transit. so that i'm happy.

i was extremely anxious about working here. i don't know why. actually, i think i know why:

1. male dominated workplace
for some reason, i'm intimidated by powerful men. yes, this may sound surprising and weird to you. but yes, i'm afraid of men of authority. and no i don't mean kinky authority like cops and firefighters; that, i obviously don't mind. ;) all kidding aside, yes i find my seniors (all male) really intimidating. i was so scared and nervous. let me lead the dialogue for you:

Me: "Hi, I'm Matthew Lee the new coop student"
Boss: "Al XXXXXXXX, nice to meet you"
Me: "Nice to meet you too, Matthew"
[In my head: OH MY GOD. YOU ARE RETARDED]
Me: "Wait, that's my name"
[Giggles]

Talk about bad impression. he looks a bit like Donald Trump. and my other boss kinda looks like Ted the Food and Wine Connoisseur from Queer Eye.

2. Policy Work
I'm afraid of doing policy work. You know when you write essays at school, you just kinda don't really care, just get all the facts and do a half-assed job. but now the pressures on. i cannot screw up. not to mention, there's no one to blame but myself. as bad as it sounds, i really really really don't wanna be accountable for anything. i'm just not confident enough to do policy work. not yet at least. AHHH!

3. group introversion
I've never heard such silence in an office in my life. it is literally library. heck, it's worse. no peep, no talking, no music, no laughter. dead silence. corpses would enjoy the office, it's nice a peaceful. and my cubicle tucked away in the corner doesn't help with relieving group introversion.

4. two bosses
again, i have two bosses. what's with people and making people report to two bosses? it boggles my mind. just in the afternoon, i received two assignments from the two bosses. i'm starting to already freak up. they don't talk much (see group introversion), and i'm afraid they're both going to come at me with work, having no clue what the other has assigned. please let me be just overreacting :S.

on the brighter note, our department has a new intern that started today as well. she's a sweet girl: a graduate from WLU. she'd definitely the one i talk to most.

tho i can see how this term is going to suck. too much time wasted on commuting, long 9 to 5 hours. just 12 hours is spend commuting and working. that's half of the day. we have yet to include sleeping time. someone find me a free place to live in Toronto! PLEASE! and aid my misery!

is this how full time people live? if so, dear lord, please don't let that time come. by the time that i'm home, i'm just so exhausted to care about anything. i just sit there on the couch or my computer chair and just sit, sit, sit; just like my father. seriously, being at school is where it's at; despite my continuous rants.

that's all for now. it's 11:02, it's time to shower and get ready for bed. oh my gawd, i have no life. ack!

It's Friday, I'm so happy! But it's the last FedBus trip this term :( It's Greyhound until the end of the term :( Things have been okay. Roommates are actually being somewhat cooperative. Maybe this will be a good trend. Managed to have a fantabulous dinner with my good Chapters buddy Ani last night who goes to WLU. Apparently, our manager fired a co-worker because of a "personality issue" WHAT THE FUCK! that's a violation of Labour Laws! If I were him, I'd sue his ass!

more issues at work. omg. it's about my documentary. so yesturday, the psych experiment supervisor came in because he'd like my work files firewired onto his hub-- since they collaborated with us. anyways, i had compressed the file down to a simple quicktime because I couldn't occupy the memory for that long on the Video eMacs-- it was 20 gigs. :S. the means the file is no longer in little snippits of little clips put together-- people won't be able play around with the footage sequencing and the all video layers have been flattened.

He was so disappointed that i compressed the file down and he made me feel bad for what i did-- "well, i guess we'll have to start from scratch again" i don't know what to say about that. Seriously, that was so rude. i understand that for the next experiment, they might simply play around with the different footages to make a few new elements that will be appropriate for the next study.

But seriously, I just don't want them to play around with my work-- it's my work-- and don't want someone altering it a little and then passing my work as their own. Obviously, I didn't say that, but seriously if they want some new footage, they can call me up and I'll help them out. -- I kept saying that again and again -- that I'm willing to help them out for the next study--but he doesn't understand what I'm getting at -- these are the 6-digit-salaryacademicians we're paying for here :S. (Did I mention he's a psychologist?) I don't think i'm being selfish am I?

The Misprint is out today-- it's the annual funnies edition of the Imprint. Read this, this and mathies and engineers: this! Haha! Yay Imprint!

That is all boys and girls.

Hey, what do you know! It's Thursday! It's good old Imprint and Friends day. The best weekday of the week (excluding Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) Actually, Sunday sucks cuz it's basically Monday-preparation day.

Anyways, things have been pretty calm. Again, not much going on. Same old work. The Bike Path documentary is coming along pretty well, and hopefully I could have it done by Monday. I'm pretty much finished the lovely Planning Website-- except for the Graduate Studies information because i'm not getting much cooperation over there. (8 more weeks folks!)

I think I've finalized my classes for the Spring-- after lots of rearranging and thinking. GIS (PLAN255), Geography (GEOG222), Consumer Finance (ECON344), Organizational Behaviour (MSCI211), Microeconomics (ECON201). A total of 17.5 Hours. I'm sooooo psyched to go back to school! GO SCHOOL! WOO!

Hollywood is here in the School of Planning! There's an associate prof who looks likes Richard Gere! :O :O His actions and this facial features, like wow! Haha, Matt likes old sugar daddies so that I don't have to work and be a domestic engineer and watch Oprah. (Shima, I'm looking at both our financial futures!). But yeah, really a nice guy, let me continue stalking and see what class he teaches! lol.

So yes, to add to Shima's entry regarding the lovely "Immigrant Room", which is just between my office and Shima's. Yes, me and shima were always wondering what goes on in there. People who come in and out of the room, mostly Chinese international students, all look kinda sneaky and suspicious. They always close and lock the door on their way in and out. The room is always dark and no lights are ever on. I was talking to my Ecology TAs, Justin and Wendy (Wendy is pretty), and yes, it's confirmed that it IS the workroom for Planning graduate students.

So yes, we have come up with the fact that the Planning masters students are preforming some covered up illegal activity. Perhaps some plan to break zoning bylaws, violate height densities, or maybe starting an urban underground path to China (probably an expressway throughfare with major urban sprawl with dozens of desireable walmarts and other big- box devils) to transport pot, opium and other goodies . BAD PLANNERS! AHHH! We better keep an eye on them!

Update:
It's been an excellent week for the most part. Tuesday was snow day! Which means your buddy-old pal didn't have to go to work, nor to go to school. WOO! SMASHIN, and now there's less to study for on the midterm. This rocks. But even with the snow day, this week seems particularly long.

Wednesday, Shima, the Ram-crew and I went to LunarFest-- a bigass Lunar New Year celebration hosted by all the UWs Oriental clubs: Konja, KSA, MSA, VSA, CSA, CASA and Asian Focus-- man there are too many Asian clubs. Anyways, we went to support Konja and there was quite a lot of us there considering the size of Konja compared to the megaclubc like CASA and CSA. Tt was a pretty good show I guess, tho the whole thing was a sponsorship gimmick, which I didn't enjoy. I paid my limited-broke-ass-student-cash to watch sponsorship commercials, wtf? There were spectacles and dancing. Anyways, I didn't drink even a sip of alcohol, since I didn't want to risk feeling or looking crappy in the morning. But without alcohol, I just can't dance until 2 am-- that or I was just painly tired. I'll get to the interesting part in Features.

Work: (so much to rant, it deserves a subtitle of its own)

Work has been really really shitty. Seriously, where is this "experience" I'm getting out of co-op? I'm seriously just an office bitch with nothing to do. All my colleagues show up late, take extended lunches, and leave early. I don't understand what kind of example they are setting for me. Even when I'm late for work from snow traffic, no one would know, because I'm still the earliest to show up. These horrible business ethics really bugs me. People take time off like mad, they might as well just make appointments for the days they are coming in.

As much as I want to inform my progress on web implementation, my "bosses" (who also practice poor business ethics) simply don't give a shit what I do. The aura in this floor saddens me. There is no motivation and incentive to work hard, and I can't stand that. Why am I doing this website, when I'm not going to get any feedback on it, or even appreciate my work? Because they don't care, I have no idea what the think of me. Who knows, I could fail the Work Evaluation.

Here comes another story: so yes, aside from Website Development, I'm the official office bitch. I've been working on helping professors put PowerPoint presentations together; which is cool, I'm delighted to do it. But I cannot tolerate people who ask me for help, but don't even care to know my name, not to mention, I am always the having to initiate to introduce myself. I'm tired of being refered to as "Excuse me" (this name is so damn popular). And you can so tell that they don't remember my name and trying to avoid it all together. 2 profs call me "MAX", could be believe it? It's MATT! Geez!

I have worked exactly one month today, and profs (needless to say, with Doctorate Degrees) don't even have the consideration to remember my name (or in some cases, remembering my name correctly). I take an effort to remember all my collegue's names because I think that it's a small gesture that really shows a lot, it shows that you accept some sort of relationship with that person. Like the show Cheers: "Place where everyone knows your name", they accept the relationship with the customers, it's good what someone knows your name, y'know? So having people who I work with regularly not remember my name correctly, it offends me.

Features:
Enough ranting about work, now I'm going to talk about work and 9 - 5 jobs. I've definitely become accustomed to the 9 - 5 workday routine. Going to bed at 12ish and getting up at 7:30. It's kinda nice knowing exactly what you're going to be doing for the day (nothing), but at the same time, it frightens me. It is how we are going to be living our lives? Get up, go to work, go home, cook something, shower, and go to bed?

When I was at FedHall on Wednesday, all I thought of on the dance floor was whether I will be able to get up in the morning. "Omg, how am I going to get up in the morning? what am I going to make for lunch? Are my shirts ironed? Do I have any clean shirts for tomorrow?" I have work anxiety and paranoia. And as I get more and more tired, these thoughts revolve again and again. Maybe this was caused by my lack of intoxicants-- which I may add, make a night mega-ultra-super-duper boring.

One (and only) thing I learned in coop is that the school lifestyle is definitely more fun and exciting than the work lifestyle: unless maybe if you work for Microsoft or EA. I like the unpredictibility of school, not knowing what really to expect makes it a little more interesting. I definitely won't enjoy getting up to a 9-5 job for 40 years.

Tho it's nice to have my own office, I must take advantage and do something kinky in it, before the term ends. mmmm

[A bitchy-looking middle-aged woman approaches C.S.R. Matt near the Bargain Book section holding a gift card, and seems a little puzzled on what to purchase]
Woman: [In a frustrating tone] Excuse me? Where's your Playboy?
Matt: [Thinking I might have heard wrong] I'm sorry?
Woman: The magazine Playboy? Where is it?
Matt: I'm sorry ma'am, we don't carry that here.
Woman: [Surprised] What? But you have so many magazines!
Matt: Yeah, I don't think that would be too appropriate in this store.
Woman: [Gives me weird face] Okay, alright then.

WOWSERS, talk about a very interesting story. OMG, either she has no idea what kind of content Playboy provides, or she is completely clueless that this is quite the family store. For the love of Pete, go the convenience store! Man, the questions we get here are unbelieveable.

And twice today, perhaps it's a new trend, but customers have started calling me "Chapters Guy." Perhaps it is somewhat appropriate, since, well, I'm a guy and I work at Chapters, but still, I don't like that name. I've become so accustomed to people calling me "Excuse me" that "Chapters Guy" seems kinda weird. Tee hee.

I'm quite bored tonight. not "quite"-- VERY. anyway, had a nice dinner at the dragon dynasty place cause my grandma wanted to celebrate her 10th anniversary upon stepping into our beloved Canada.

Haven't done all that much since my last update. Didn't do the movie thing this week. Hopefully we'll resume our tradition next week. YAY!.

MY LATEST RANT:
(This one is kinda boring, so if you don't like politics or China, read no further.)

Well, since I've been kind of bored for the past few days, I begin to question and wonder weird things. I was pondering, when and where did Simplified Chinese get here? So after doing some research, I have another reason on why the Chinese Communist Party is utterly retarded-- I will explain later.

Well, I have always had a rant of Simplified Chinese to begin with-- I think it's ugly. Doesn't it look like something is missing? Perhaps that is the Taiwanese-Hong Kong attitude. But seriously, do you guys see the HSBC at Oriental Centre at Brimley and Sheppard?-- Simplified Chinese. Ewww, yucky.

Anyway, back to why the Chinese government is retarded. Okay, well, back in the day, they've realized that the Chinese language is very difficult-- and indeed those strokes can be quite tricky-- I completely agree with them. So, as a result, the government decided to enforce specific characters to "simplify" the language. The government believes that Simplified Chinese is easier to learn in school-- that is so dumb. Geez, first of all, if you don't know how to write a character, it doesn't matter if there are 7 strokes or 14 strokes, if you don't know, you don't know. Instead of "simplifying" the language, how about putting your energy to more worthwhile things, building a better education system, and perhaps have a way to teach kids to write correctly?

This is another way of the Communist Party to abuse their power, and change for the sake of change. The last thing you need is to have a langauge that confuses its users. Language is supposed to evolve naturally. Words like "Emoticon", or "Spam", have naturally evolved after increased usage in the English speaking world. But the deliberate and enfoced change by the Communist Party is completely ridiculous.

In short, this is just one of a few reasons on the craziness of the Chinese government. I'm sure in the non distant future, Simplified Chinese will not be understood by Traditional Chinese folks-- let's drink to that!

hey hey everyone, it's been a crazy day here at chapters... not only have customers been especially needy-- questions coming from everywhere, all demanding like 20 minutes of my time-- it was quite crazy...

i had to attack the mountain of books lying in the receiving bay area, the amount of books to shelve (and return) is overwhelming! anyways, the drama was that two people got fired today! very crazy, cuz no one knows what's going on. there was police involvement and everything. hopefully we will get a response when i work tomorrow. very scary.

oh yeah.. so britney spears admitted in an interview that she did in fact have sex with justin timberlake-- not just had oral sex... c'mon people... that is not news people... they're stupid... with her slutty ways, there's no way she's still a virgin! lol... but the thought of Justin and Britney doing it is quite kinky!.. the (new) Prince of pop with the princess of pop?!? wowsers.. mmm..

so yes. saw legally blonde on tuesday, i personally enjoyed it... reese witherspoon is great.... i saw Mark Bond at Fairview, didn't have a chance to talk to him because we were rushing to get to the movie.. but i did manage to holler his name.. lol.. he responded.

now i wanna just get something said... okay... do you know when someone's really really hot, you tend to just stare at them a lot? do you think i'm totally weird on this situation??... i donnno.. i just can't stop looking... ahhhhhh... sometimes, it just makes my day, just looking... hehhe.. i will continue to look.. mmmmmm.. i think the quote "get a picture, it lasts longer" would really apply to me.. i really hope i had a picture. lol..

that is all for now ladies and gents, night.

hey everyone!... hope you all like my new little mattism gospel feature section!!.. and no that that sexy man is not me... it's John Mayer! well. it is summer, so which means i do have a little more time on my hands... so i'll do little features to keep you people entertained, instead of doing a new layout... the webcam section has been temporarily been suspended.. as you all know.. the previous pic was still one of me when i was back in Rez.... i have not been updating my hot face because of my stupid computer only has 2 USB ports... and they've both been tied up: the mouse, and the printer.. sure, USB is more friendly, but damn, can they make more ports?!?.. i'm just too lazy to just keep swapping ports. hehe

i have not done all too much.. OH YEAH....

I GOT AN A.E. INTERVIEW!

woo!.. well.. let's not get all too excited yet.. cuz i didn't get the job YET.. well awhile back, me and Elaine went on the resume spree.. and we BOTH got the interview.. hehe.. so that's TWO chances for discounts!!!! hahah.. so we'll both be at it on the Saturday group interview. :)

right now i'm not sure if i even could work at AE since the Merchandising Thomas at Chapters quit so, my manager Laura says i'll be getting about 30 hours... but an AE job would definitely be sweet. :) i'll just go to the interview and see.

went to Mississauga to see Justin and Hanah yesturday.. they're just the coolest... i love em soo much... then we met up with Ben and Byron... had a lot of fun.... ;)

thats been it so far.. have a great night!

PS: I will be the best Fairchild Weather Girl ever!!!!... hahahha