Overdue updates

Oh hey guys! It's been a while since I've updated! New things in my life include:
- so long Ottawa, I moved to Toronto and am living above ground and with my girlfriend after years of basement loneliness;
- the thesis was finished and defended (accepted with distinction, no changes requested);
- got a new little cat named Alvy Singer (orange tabby with some white spots);
- BBQ-ownership (yes!);
- there was a Winnipeg visit that happened w/Schnarr Lake trip as well (Steph's inaugural trip/trial by fire);
- I felt like I had more but maybe not (1st PhD course begins today, got some student cards, damaged my credit rating with PC Insurance and their auto-renewal, still no couch but a couple of comfortable chairs, I need a haircut again...)
Okay! Hopefully see you soon/more often!

Bar Fight

I just learned about this cartoon BAR FIGHT, from Christy Karacas, the mad genius behind the wonderful SUPERJAIL!, which I've been revisiting.

Get ready for joyful mayhem!

Nerdy Boyfriend

While I am one, I'm not speaking specifically about myself but rather this very impressive photo/fashion blog I've only recently learned about: http://nerdboyfriend.com/

Every couple of days whoever runs this thing posts a picture of some classy, classic man or man exhibiting some great (almost always) retro style followed by a number of picture links to products very similar to some of the clothes and accessories worn in the original photos. Since I am generally always in dire need of looking/dressing better I'll have to keep an eye on this url for sartorial advice (despite never being able to afford anything most likely - beware the Japanese products made with arcane and expensive production techniques I often cannot/will not pronounce)...

Lisa Hanawalt's "Bad Pets"

From Vice's site today:
More amazing anthropomorphism here: http://www.lisahanawalt.com/

***Apathetic Update***

I don't seem to have much blogging in me lately. Everything interesting is already on some other blog and I don't feel like just linking. I don't want to talk about my thesis and I don't have anything funny or interesting to say.

I guess my time in Ottawa is running down, 17 more days or so. I'll miss things like the Manx and Bridgehead and the canal/locks, DiRienzo's and Kettleman's, probably the Mayfair most of all.

The beard came off a while ago and the moustache is going really strong, probably the strongest it's ever been now. I documented the beard in its last hours but I don't really want to upload pictures of that right now, or the moustache - you'll just have to take my word on it. The moustache has actually been getting compliments lately (it goes through stages in that regard), and the beard was a hit with some, so much so that it may make a repeat appearance when it's colder out. Who can really say though?

Anyway, want to see my bike? I might be leaving it behind but also may bring it along to Toronto. It's called the "Sky Wagon".

Complications

Let's just say things got a little more serious since that last post...

Thesis Beard

If all goes according to plan, I should have a draft of my thesis' final proper chapter done by Tuesday morning, meaning I will also be able to shear the thesis beard from my face. With Tuesday looming, I thought I might want to document the beard right now. Of course taking time to do this means getting further and further away from actually finishing, but oh well.
Full-face action:


And the profile (note the under-lip, "soul patch" area! I recently had the pleasure of a bus ride whereby I sat facing, across the aisle, a young gentleman whose face was devoid of facial hair save a long soul patch which curled slightly under his soft chin, bouncing slightly as he shredded a free newspaper. Perchance I will keep that part as a monument to his way of being in this world.):

Stilted

Lately I got a couple new records like Pink Mountaintops' Outside Love, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart's self-titled record, and Tyvek's latest, but I've been bouncing back to Crystal Stilts a lot a lot alotalot: