I've been admiring trees lately.

Autumn has turned the leaves red and yellow and the wind is now liberating them from the tree branches that they once were so much a part of. It's so beautiful at this time of year. In fact, it's quite awe-inspiring!

I cannot wait for the weekend to begin. I can walk through forests and listen to the wind blow, see the trees sway and drink in the colour of the rainy, blustery world around me.

I'd especially like to welcome my Hungarian friend. Your letter arrived yesterday and although I haven't had time to play the songs that you wrote, I will definitely make the effort to try it out this weekend. Keep on playing! And remember, you're never really that far away...

This morning, on my daily walk, I saw a taxi pull into the local cemetary. It wasn't as if the driver was just turning the car around because there was a spot to do that at the entrance. No, the taxi, complete with passenger entered at 7:30 in the morning and headed towards the back.

Does anyone else out there find that a little weird?

I mean, who would you be visiting at that time of the morning?

Have you ever had the feeling that you might explode?

No, not from eating too much but from overthinking something. Something that you know deep-down what the answer is yet you aren't ready to face?

That's what I feel like today.

I know what the answer is yet I still hold on to the notion that I shouldn't be too quick to make a decision. I really am indecisive sometimes. Those of you who really know me have most likely known this for longer than even I have.

Actually, my over-consumption of caffeine over the weekend doesn't help the situation much...

I had the pleasure of attending a small showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show this past weekend. It put me into an entirely strange frame of mind in that it reminded me of my teenage years. It was then that I believed that it would be really hot to date Frank-n-furter. After all, what more could a girl ask for? Here she had an uninhibited, sexy man who had no problem wearing (and looking good in) women's lingerie. It didn't hurt that he was pretty naughty...

So, I ask you girls out there. If you had the choice between a nice man and the ultimate bad boy, who would you ultimately find yourself attracted to? I don't know about you but somehow the bad boy always wins out with me. Sure, it's more turbulent, however, the "danger" makes things much more exciting.

Damn you Frank-n-furter! Look how you corrupted me! I pity the poor nice guy that I pass over because of your influence.

Hmmm. Could nutritional deficiences be the cause of anti-social behaviour and violence in humans? Read this and decide for yourself.

If you ask me, I think that this could be quite probable having learned so much about what I was like due to the deficiences. Fish oil was extremely helpful for me because I don't eat fish. However, the lack of it in my body definitely caused some problems.

What do you think?

Dreams have dictated this past weekend. No, not the one's that I had personally but by things that seem inspired by dreams

Saturday, I went to see La Science des Reves with some friends. It's amazing about one's imagination, don't you think? In my life, the lines of reality and dream are often quite blurred. It was interesting to see that kind of feeling translated onto the big screen. If you'd like to laugh, experience three languages almost simultaneously, and have a great time doing it, check out the film. It's English title is "The Science of Sleep".

Yesterday, I went to an art exhibition opening. The artist, Brad Pasutti, has an amazing perspective and that is reflected in his work. Until now, I had seen much of his pastel work however, this show he worked painted in oils and did drawings in acrylic ink. The show was entitled Secret Theatre and as always I was not disappointed. His work is so inspiring and I often feel caught in a dream while being totally conscious and awake while looking at his work.

If you get a chance to get to Victoria before October 30, you should check the exhibition out at Winchester Galleries in Oak Bay. It's always better to see works in person as websites don't always capture the full effect. And, if you are so inclined and have the funds, you should definitely think about purchasing one. I know that he would appreciate it. I know that when I have a bunch of disposable income, I will.

So, here it is Monday and I am caught in that space between dream and reality. Very soon, I will hopefully be in a place where both can exist. You know, where your life is exactly how you want it. The only thing I wish now is that it is really possible to live the ideal of being an artist yet not have to starve...

I love the autumn season. Here are some of the reasons why. There is such beauty at this time of year.

Isn't it truly amazing how nature has created such colours?

This is really sad. Could this Keiko woman is real? While I don't know for sure, there is a high probability that it is for real.

Guys, what do you think? Would you take advantage of an offer like this?

Would you be ashamed of her if it is in fact real? What do Japanese women think about this.

If I were Japanese, I'd be more ashamed because stuff like this give all Japanese women a really bad name. After all there are many white guys out there that believe it's better to have a Japanese woman because they are so grateful to have a white guy that they will do anything to keep the "prized" hakujin boyfriend. (I also have a theory that many closeted gay white guys go after Asian women because their smaller, skinny bodies resemble men, yet they are still women so suspicions are not aroused outside of the relationship... not always the case but I have known of more than a couple of cases like this in which the men eventually outed themselves).

And for those guys out there who want an easily manipulated Japanese girlfriend, these women are not always what they seem. They are way stronger - on so many levels - than western women. It's not always as easy to take advantage of them as you might think.

However, I digress. My advice to "Keiko" is that instead of putting it out like this, she should simply say it like it is. "Hi there all of you horny white guys. I'm a prostitute and you're welcome to stay at my place...

Thanks to Rad for the link...

Here's an article entitled Birds and bees may be gay about a new museum exhibition in Norway documenting homosexuality in the animal world.

The exhibition's project leader acknowledged that homosexuality has been observed for more than 1,500 animal species, and is well documented for 500 of them. Entitled "Against Nature", provides many examples of incidences of the same sex animal behaviour of insects, birds and mammals thus proving that this is a totally natural occurence in nature. It looks like it's not just a human trait after all.

I've always thought that animals have very strong sexual urges and that it would only be natural for homosexual behaviour to exist as well despite the danger that it would create a genetic dead-end for some species. Apparently though, this activity may actually strengthen the gene pool because it appears that acceptance within the pack and thus help their chance of later mating with females.

Whatever the reason, I find this quite fascinating. It would certainly blow the whole "homosexuality is wrong" theory out of the water if it were the norm for homosexual behaviour to exist.

Field of dead people?

That's how some young guy on the bus referred to the local cemetary today. I suppose that you can't expect too much from a couple of guys who thought that it would be alright if you copied your class essay from Wikipedia. After all, instructors could not accuse you of plagiarism because there was no way to prove that you didn't write the actual item on Wikipedia.

Funny guys, I don't think it would be that easy to get away with that...

Okay. So, even though I am proud to be Canadian, I must say that I feel fairly embarrassed by the Government in my own country.

Yesterday, Stephen Harper's Conservative government released a lame-assed plan to deal with emissions that cause climate change. There was a big announcement that they would create a "Clean Air Act" but they wouldn't really release any of the details. I really cannot get my head around how bloody stupid this government's policies on dealing with greenhouse gases are!

In my opinion, this administration is pandering to the oil production companies and many other environmentally irresponsible companies that do very little to curb their pollution levels. It's really all about money, isn't it? Oil is still big business, despite the harm it causes to the planet so of course the government doesn't want to piss that industry off. God forbid someone spends some cold, hard currency on developing less harmful form of transportation and it actually saves money!

I suppose that none of our parliamentary representatives have even read the David Suzuki Organization's plan for Sustainability Within a Generation. Part of the plan was that, without responsible government legislation, Canada would fall behind the rest of the world (in fact, it already has) despite the importance most Canadians place on nature in this country. We are falling behind and policies (if you can call a vague notification a policy)

If anything was going to make me do something drastic, it would be this. A deep breath would be good for me, I know.

Today, the Guardian online reported that an estimated 655,000 Iraqis have been killed since the invasion started.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that more than was allegedly killed and tortured by the evil Saddam? Have things really gotten any better for the Iraqi people since the US started this democratization of Iraq? It seems senseless if you ask me.

So, the Iraqi people have suffered great loss and so have the Americans. What's too be gained by keeping it up longer? All I can see is more death and more destruction.

Is it no wonder that George is shifting his attentions to North Korea? Give the people something else to fear so that they forget how badly he's screwed up until now. I mean really, if the US was worried about nuclear weapons, they would have started dismantling their own to set an example.

If you ask me GWB is just as crazy as people say that Kim Jong-il is.

I've always been a little critical of western news sources as I am well aware that media is controlled by those who have the money and the power. I figure we only hear what "they" want us to hear and how "they" want us to hear it. Today is one of those days where news is affected by whatever group is controlling.

The news item is the alleged nuclear weapon test in North Korea. No one is really 100% sure that it's happened and it's interesting what two major news sources have commented differently on China's thoughts on the matter. A very heavy weight has been given to China as they are still actively aligned with that kooky North Korean leader and I find it interesting how it's been documented on two totally different media companies.

In the Reuters story, China has said that Korea should be punished however the Aljazeera source has said that China says that while they condemn the test in North Korea, that other countries should be careful not to act too quickly in the punishment department. So, really, who are we to believe.

I very much believe that our emotions are being controlled by the media to reach whatever result they want, in order to drum up the support to whatever crap they're trying to shove down our throats. Find yourself not wanting to agree with this? Just take a look at all the false information reported to get people behind the War on Terrorism. It appears now that 58% of Americans now agree that they were lied to about the war in Iraq.

I hate to say I told you so, but today, I really do feel like saying it...

It's the Friday before a long weekend and all I can think about is lunch. Two days ago, someone sent me a link for a newish "fast-food" place in town and it's all I've been able to think about since. Today, a coworker and I will go and check it out.

I mentioned this to someone here the other day and he said that there were these types of "sandwiches" in the UK only they sound really huge. Depending on how it goes today, I will probably have to move to Britain so that I can try them out. After all, while the staid British food that you get in restaurants is pretty marginal, the Indian places are pretty much to die for.

On another front, I found myself extremely amused by reading the local free entertainment magazine yesterday only to find that the Victoria Symphony will be having a special performance next Friday. They'll be performing music to the 1922 version of the silent film Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens. My amusement from this does not stem from the film itself, instead because I know someone who LOVES this film. I called yesterday to let this person know and I have no doubt that he will be there dressed as his favourite vampire. His enthusiasm for this character makes me smile.

It reminded me that Hallowe'en was not far off so one should really be thinking about a costume...

Do you remember my post a while back about hand dryers versus paper towels?

Well, it appears that James Dyson has come up with a more energy efficient hand dryer which is a step away from the household vacuums that Dyson's company has created. Thanks to the Guardian online, you can read about it here.

Wow, I just did a colour quiz and the results were uncanny.

Here's what my results said:

Working to improve her image in the eyes of others so as to obtain their compliance and agreement with her needs and wishes.

An existing situation or relationship is unsatisfactory, but she feels unable to change it to bring about the sense of belonging which she needs. Unwilling to expose her vulnerability, she therefore continues to resist this state of affairs, but feels dependent on the attachment. This not only depresses her. but makes her irritable and impatient, producing considerable restlessness and the urge to get away from the situation, either actually or, at least, mentally. Ability to concentrate may suffer.

Willing to become emotionally involved and able to achieve satisfaction through sexual activity.

Circumstances are such that she feels forced to compromise for the time being if she is to avoid being cut off from affection or from full participation.
Seeks success, stimulation, and a life full of experience. Wants to develop freely and to shake off the shackles of self-doubt, to win, and to live intensely. Likes contacts with others and is enthusiastic by nature. Receptive to anything new, modern, or intriguing; has many interests and wants to expand her fields of activity. Optimistic about the future.

Anxiety and restless dissatisfaction, either with circumstances or with unfulfilled emotional requirements, have produced stress. She tries to escape by intense activity, directed either towards personal success or towards variety of experience.