All I've got to say is that anything is better than the alternative.

Well, it's a brand new year in Toronto, and I'm going to start it by saying that Mother Nature finally took care of giving us snow.  Obviously, a bit of prayer was involved for my part, but apparently the message arrived to upper management.  I've done my part to lower my carbon footprint (obeying the three R's, actively using SLS and Paraben-free products,  etc.), so I knew it was a simple matter of time before the prayer would be answered.

But a few new things have happened. I finally followed through on my own promise and got a tattoo for myself.  Here's a picture, for those interested. And I know you are.......







A small accomplishment, but an accomplishment nonetheless. In addition, I've made the switch to eating vegan. A drastic change, yes, but one that I think is for the better. The choice was made for my personal health, and specifically pertained to the the relationship I had when I ate food, and what I was putting into my body. What I love about the diet (I say it once, and I'll say it again) is that it makes me consciously evaluate and take stock of what I'm eating. It forces me to read the ingredients on the label, and it forces me to eat healthfully (which is harder to do with modified ingredients). And that says nothing for how I feel now that I've been on it for a couple of weeks. I've never been happier, that's for sure :).

On top of which, the new apartment hunt is now on. Words aren't available to describe how much I'm looking forward to this. I'm not looking for something massive, but something in the city. On a subway line. That's not on ground level. Ideally, that shouldn't be too difficult to locate. Now all I need to do is ensure that it's in my price range, and systems are go.

BEAM ME UP!

Well, it's actually the meaning of my name translated from the original Hebrew. I'm proud of it :).

Well, I wouldn't go in blindly, if that's what you mean. Any life decision requires equal parts of intuition and logic.

Pitas with hummous. No questions asked.

And I don't have a time frame for that. I've loved them since childhood, I see no reason to stop now <3

Portishead. Listen to Humming, and you'll understand why I say this.

I don't look at people for their musical catalogues, and I don't expect them to like me based on mine. It's a moot point in a relationship.

I would tell them to come to Toronto, with a special emphasis on the St. Lawrence/Kensington Markets, and Queen St West. If they're looking to explore some of the more historical attractions (and they're quite done with the CN Tower) then I'd have them check out the Distillery District for a look at some industrial architecture. If they want to hit up the bar scene (and pick up a few locals on the way) I might suggest hitting up The Rivoli, The Phoenix (if you feel the urge to headbang) or Sneaky Dees.

Oh, and Queen St. West For shopping (the best in the city, for my purposes)

I think it would be Horton, from Horton Hears a Who. He's completely unflappable in his faith and optimism, which is what I think he'd tell me to be if ever I doubted my own abilities. He'd also tell me to follow my own heart, because that's the only way I'm going to be happy with what results.

There are times in my life where I truly think that I am destined for more than I initially planned. It's the first time that a thought like that has occurred to me for a while. I don't really pay as much attention as I ought to anymore, because I find most of my thoughts to be like the ocean--fluid and beautiful, but at once fleeting.

I think most of us have an escapist streak. It's not rocket science, especially not when we consider our own lives, personally and professionally. Some of us pour ourselves into our faith. Others write poetry. Some people slap on the headphones to escape life. Others choose to end life. Some of the methods are effective, some of them aren't. Whatever the case, we still haven't stopped trying to escape from the life we've built for ourselves, and the only question to ask is why?

I started contemplating this a few short days ago, and it's clear to me that this is the problem I'm caught in. If I really think I love something, my first instinct is usually to run in the other direction. Getting hurt is a factor in all of it, but I've been hurt enough in my life to know how to get around hurdles like those. I've never contemplated at all what I would want to spend my life doing, and I'm starting to resent myself for not being able to choose. One day I want to be a meteorologist. The next I want to be a gay rights activist. Other days, I contemplate the merits of make-up artistry. Other days, I want to be a lobbyist.

Then I contemplate the things that would get in the way of that. I eventually would like to be married. I'd like to buy my own place before I'm 30. I'd like to write a memoir. Start my own band.

Maybe start my own cruelty-free make-up line.

I suppose my question today is this: Is planning for life the key to enjoying it, or does it work best when you fly by the seat of your pants?