pg9: Someday they will all know my story

It's been a long day.

Nope.

It's been a lonnnnng day.

Admittedly, it was not as long as it might have been, but long nevertheless. I got up bright and early. No, just early, as the lack of sun prevented it being bright, shortly after 6. I caught a lift from mom to the GO station and caught the express train to Union. It was packed, not unexpectedly, and I had to spend the duration sitting on the steps between the lower and middle levels of the train. I got to Union around 8:00 and, as per usual so far, arrived early for Philosophy. I decided, for whatever reason, it would be a good morning to try kicking coffee, and as a result was only partly conscious through the half-lecture about Plato and Socrates. This might not go well. My philosophy teacher has a very relaxing voice. I don't know what to tell you. I feel kinda guilty, even though I did get the gist of the lecture, but all the same... it was sooo effin relaxing.

Then it was off to Narrative for a lecture on the US Constitution as a Narrative. Not terribly fascinating, but at least he showed a schoolhouse rock.

Then came an hour break during which I made some OSAP arrangements and grabbed a light midday snack. Then it was over to Innis for the Citizen Kane screening. I had been annoyed at the prospect of having to spend 7+2 hours at school, but ultimately, how can you complain when 3 of those hours in the middle are dedicated to watching a movie? sure, the seats are a tad scrunched in and I'm prone to fidgeting, but that's incidental, because I was still watching a movie. And a damn good one.

I spent the bulk of the hour between Film Study and my next class literally sitting in place on a bench pondering the nature of the world and my place in it. No, kidding, I was finishing my croissant from before the movie. Then I headed up, up, up Victoria College, to the rustic wood-paneled room in the third floor where sat a square arrangement of tables and chairs for the last class of the day, the 2-hour sprint of Reading and Writing Poetry. If you're wondering what brought me (back) to the poetry classroom, well, who knows. Maybe it was the most interesting seminar left. Maybe I had so much fun in Catherine Graham's class I had to go do it all over. Maybe I wanted to meet girls. Yeah, probably.

As people began to arrive, I noticed a trend. Girl, girl, girl, girl, guy, girl, girl... not surprisingly, there were 24 people in the class and only 5 dudes. Now, I don't mean to fixate on some kind of massive orgy scenario, but I'll say this. One of the most vexing parts of the university experience has been the amount of anonymity I've gained. Most of the day, I'm just the dude sitting there who might say something at some point (but probably not.) In a class of 24 people, you've got to interact and meet people. And it just happens to serve me that all those people were females.

I did end up chatting up the girls next to me quite a bit, mustering up what may not be called my "A"-game, but something at least resembling any game whatsoever. Managing to break out of the cage of passive nothingness was really refreshing for me and helped me end the day on a positive note. Finally by 6 I was on my way back to Union, where I somehow managed to defy logic and catch an immediate train home. I was afraid I was going to have to spent another 40 minutes waiting around munching on McDonald's, but no, I jogged up to 3A just in time to find... yep! Another jam-packed commuter train where I could sit on the steps to the middle level. Hurm.

This actually did not last long and by the Mimico station enough seats had opened up that I managed to take one and sit quietly reading On the Road. I got home in time to enjoy what passes for family dinner (some sort of pasta - linguine?) in this house and relax all evening.

Over the course of the summer, naturally, I had forgotten the feeling of getting home and wanting to relax. It's extremely gratifying to be able to do.

Despite an obvious lengthiness, Wednesday might turn out to be my favourite day, provided I continue to enjoy the movie screenings and relaxed atmosphere of the seminar. I've actually got a pretty good schedule all things considered. Aside from Wednesdays, there are two days when I get home plenty early, and two days when I don't have to leave until fairly late. So long as I enjoy the middle part, I've basically got it made. Sorta.

I mean, you know me. Let's take my personality into account and realize that... I'm gonna freak out. Here and there, I'll totally lose my cool, and often as not for no real reason. That's just how I go, and hopefully, those four readers I've gathered up through various means will bear with that. I don't recant my panic from last night, even if it was partly premature and/or unjustified, those are still thoughts that lurk in back of my head. They'll always be there and no euphoria or alcohol or romance can assuage them. But it ain't important because just as often I figure I'll be all abuzz.

I've still got some administrative matters pressing on me, but nothing I need to get too hung up about. Formalities at this point.

I say that now, but if I get kicked out of school in two weeks I'll go back and say "Oh God here's how it all went horribly wrong!"

Happy Rosh Hashana and Ramadan.

Keep on rockin'
-Scotto