Wednesday, 15 June 2011

Netflix Versus Fun Chics

I'm feeling extremely low key this week, with the full moon and a severe bout of PMS I just want to be left alone to brood for a couple of days. Over the weekend, I decided to finally sign up for Netflix to see what the hype is about. Last month I downgraded my cable to basic and I have no regrets, as there still isn't anything to watch on TV other than Y&R and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Okay so about Netflix, one word, "wow"! It's fantastic, I love it.

In my university class last fall, Readings in Film & Television, I participated in countless discussions with all the fresh faced, tech savvy kids in my class about how the art of cinema is about appreciating films on the big screen in a proper movie theatre, and that the experience of watching a movie on a small computer screen in your bedroom is not the same thing. Well guess what, I was totally immersed in my movie watching on my laptop in my bedroom, all comfy and cozy. When my computer is working normally and doesn't feel like dial up Internet, with a click of a button I can be instantly transported into another world.

Since my studies in Film are now complete, I didn't realize how much I missed watching good films. With Netflix, I was engrossed all weekend with my favourite genre, "Foreign Films", even though the films I watched weren't exactly the best films script wise, (I could have written a better script in my sleep), I appreciated the art and creativity of making a low budget film, the subtle nuances of emotions conveyed on the screen with a mere look and the exotic music. Do I watch the characters or read the subtitles? So challenging but so enjoyable. I loved the solitude of watching a film sprawled out on my bed, even though I have a big screen TV in the living room. It was just me, my laptop and Netflix.

Anyway, my Russian friend Karina & a whole bunch of her Eastern European gal pals want to do a girls' night out this upcoming Saturday at a trendy lounge/club. When it was mentioned a few weeks ago, I was all for it but this week - the way I'm feeling, I'm not so sure. Part of me just wants to stay home in my lounge wear and watch Netflix on the weekend, while the other part of me is like, "What the hell is wrong with you?" I mean when did this become okay to stay home on a Saturday night? I am slowly morphing into one of those people who loves their leisure time so much, weekend or no weekend. In all honestly I've done the clubbing thing since I was 19 and now that I'm slightly older, only special live shows like Tortured Soul or Bajofondo can lure me out of seclusion for a night of dancing.

Karina leaves for Israel next week for 3 weeks and in all fairness her friends are a lot of fun. In fact, they think that I'm the cool one with the 411 on all the local haunts. This crowd is tough to please, it's a combination of single women, young divorcees and me. The ladies love to toast anything & everything, "Drink more wodka". No matter how many Vodka's you've had, it never seem adequate around them!  I remember a time, when I would live for the weekends, choose the designated club, select my favourite outfit in advance, confirm with my group (and by that I mean my sister Thalia and our friend Shabana) who it turns out hated clubs for years, but continued to go out with us from Thursday to Sunday, every week - for years, just so we could hang out! Plus back then, I could stomach multiple Tequila shots and Chocolate Martinis. Karina loves clubbing, she's 30 and wants to party every weekend, I just don't have the stamina or the inclination to get dolled up for her particular club selection, she likes Top 40 music, yeah, not my thing at all. If I'm going dancing it better be hardcore house tunes pulsating through every fiber of my being, in a dance frenzy with like minded dancers on the floor who are there solely for the music!

If the weather is hot and feels like summer (like it did last week) then perhaps I'll venture out for a fun Saturday night and drag my friend Lily out who is not a club person but is willing to try something new, in which case I would opt for a cool lounge where we don't have to scream during conversation. However, if it continues to be fall like weather and rains then it's a no brainer - hello Netflix!

Moody Girl Out.

Wednesday, 8 June 2011

Birthday Kisses, June Wishes

Today is The Complicator's Birthday and big celebrations took place over the weekend by all who love him. It is a milestone birthday and even though it isn't my birthday, I wonder if I am the one who is feeling reflective. The Complicator has spent the weeks leading up to his birthday by keeping himself busier than usual with work, sports and recreational activities. This is the tenth birthday we've celebrated together, I remember the first one we shared together and the most recent one and everything in between is a blur. What I do know is that time is going by very quickly, birthday or no birthday The Complicator continues to move through life at his own warped pace, regardless of my place in his world.

So it's now June and I'm  looking for a new full time position. I've been searching since April in between many distractions that keep surfacing much to my chagrin. I am applying to positions that I hope may inspire me to want to get up and go to work everyday (plus I'm completely broke). I've exhausted all my financial options and now am running out of time. The Complicator refuses to assist me financially in the meantime (and by that I mean a mere loan of $1,000 or so) and suggests that I take any job that I can find, regardless of the industry. I finished my degree this past spring in Film, on a part time basis while working the whole time, this was also a ten year journey which runs parallel to my relationship. After submitting resume after resume to the entertainment/media sector, I am starting to realize that I picked a very difficult field to break into. Okay, so I'm not 23 years old, I'm slightly older and  have lots of work experience in other areas. I was hoping to transition smoothly into the job of my dreams. My biggest fear is ending up in any boring administrative job as an office drone. Been there, done that, in the distant past when I was completely focused on my then music career to get me through the drudgery of Monday to Friday. (Suffice to say, I didn't become the next singing sensation). This time it's very different. I'm older (but not that old), wiser, smarter and drowning in a growing sea of debt, even though I'm in denial most days.

When I first met The Complicator he was working for his dad's company and received a weekly pay cheque, I was just beginning my studies. Over the last decade he has built a successful business and is financially independent. Sadly, I don't benefit in any way other than dinners, movies and live music shows that we see together. He has his place and I have my own mortgage. It's times like these (his birthday, my birthday & basically every other day) that I wonder what my life would be like if I had the support system to boldly chase my dreams (whatever they are). In the meantime, I wish The Complicator, Many Happy Returns and remind myself how lucky I am in other areas... Summer is finally here, it's very hot and the scent of Hyacinths permeates the gardens outside my residence. As I inhale the intoxicating fragrance, I wish upon a summer's night that everything will work out the way it's supposed to...

Moody Girl Out.