I’ve been planning a themed movie night in my head for the past couple of weeks or so, a screening of Touch of Evil and Psycho. Touch of Evil, of course, is the Orson Welles film I spent months analyzing in Toronto last year, and it gets better with every viewing. It’s also a film that had a pretty direct influence on Psycho, which was released two years later to much higher acclaim. I bought special editions of both and I’m aching to watch them back-to-back with some folks who appreciate good films. I would call the night “Janet Leigh’s Bad Luck with Motels,” or something to that effect.

Ideally, I’d really like to have a movie night weekly, where I’d screen a movie in my living room and my friends could show up if they wanted to and we could go out and grab a beer afterward, just to have a night where I know I’d get to see people and hang out for a bit. I should do some field research and find out what night would typically be best.

Since I’m turning 29 soon, I’ve been tossing around ideas in my head of things I’d like to accomplish before I’m 30. Right now it’s small. I still get a kick out of trying new things, and I’m sure that desire will continue. I like the idea of having a year to cross things off a list. Like a bucket list, but without the death part.

Lua and I have been chilling out the past few nights in Andrea’s absence. She’s a glutton for attention.

Goals for today: Finish the Gulland review, start reading Lewis Mackenzie's book, upload the new Wire and Light track.

The NSLSC called me this morning, but I didn't answer because I didn't recognize the number. They probably want to negotiate my repayment terms. Joke's on them. I don't have any money. I did complete a form for them that I have to mail that if nothing else tells them that I won't allow them to direct withdrawal funds from my account. I have to call them and set up Interest Relief for the next six months. Normally I'd download the forms, but I can't because my loan doesn't enter repayment until November 1st. Money!

Last night I went on the Ghosts and Gallows Haunted Walk tour with Andrea, Ash and Ian. It was pretty rad. We toured the jail that's connected to the Ottawa Hostel, looking at cells and the gallows near death row. The stories and history were pretty creepy. The staff at Haunted Walk have the option of staying overnight in the jail, which I would be all over if I had the option.

I watched Lost in Translation before I went to bed last night. That movie makes my heart beat very fast. Every time I see it I'm struck by the contrast between what Coppola shoots from high above the city and what she shoots from the ground. It's an outstanding thematic technique.

I went to HMV today and picked up season 7 of The Simpsons since I've exhausted my Seinfeld collection. I also picked up Ben Folds' new album along with the special edition of Casablanca.

My goals today: read 100 pages of Gulland, study a chapter out of my French textbook. The second presidential debate is on tonight.

I'm turning 29 in one month.

I'm trying to make peace with the job situation as it stands right now. I've applied for a few positions but I'm nervous about landing myself a job that I don't want or that will be tough to get out of for a month while I travel next year. I think I'll be better off waiting until the Senate resumes after the election to make a serious effort at the hunt. I have a bunch of volunteer stuff to do soon, plus a trip out of town and a couple of reviews to write that work would get in the way of. For now I'm just trying to breathe and not panic. There's no need to yet.

I do have to set some goals. Today I'm going to get a working draft of the short story I just wrote off to Joe for his thoughts. I need to dig further into the Sandra Gulland book and read about another hundred pages. I've been working on a new Wire and Light track today that I want to finish off tomorrow.

Last night I watched the No Mercy pay-per-view online. The Jericho/Michaels feud has been stellar, the best I've seen in awhile.