I tested for a position as a transeditor with the House of Commons today, a two-hour, three-part process. Part one was a typing test, definitely the most grueling part as it was timed and I wasn't used to the keyboard. Part two was a written grammar and government knowledge test, mostly multiple choice and fill-in-the-blanks that I feel I did well on. For part three I had to transcribe a debate from audio tape. The recorder was hooked up to a foot pedal, so it felt like driving. Every confidence that I whooped that part's ass. They're going to let me know in about three weeks if I'm worthy of an interview.

I watched JFK last night, and it's a phenomenal film. Stone's editing makes it, as he assaults the viewer with multiple types of motion and still photography to produce different storytelling effects, mirroring the frenzy of the conspiracy theories he address. For not having known much about the assassination, it was incredibly revelatory for me as a film about the importance of questioning government. Cutaway scenes during the trial of JFK's autopsy were real and gritty and took my breath away.

Speaking of dead politicians, how about that Stephane Dion? The worst Liberal showing in Canadian election history. Slow clap. The election played itself out pretty much how I thought it would, though it's certainly a shame the Liberals didn't perform better. The Conservatives are even stronger than they were before. The NDP are inching back up to where they were in the 80's. See you again in two years.

My phone woke me up a little before ten thirty. I had opened it and was able to consciously grasp that someone had called me and was waiting for me to say "hello." It turned out to be a woman calling me about a transediting position at the House of Commons I had applied for a couple of weeks ago. I'm going in tomorrow to get "tested" for two hours.

I went to the grocery store and ran into Amanda Earl. Afterward I decided to head over to Future Shop where I picked up special editions of JFK, Psycho and Touch of Evil along with a gift certificate for my brother. I've been wanting to see JFK ever since I watched the Seinfeld episode that references it constantly awhile ago. Plus, W. is coming out on Friday and I haven't seen any of Stone's presidential biopics.

I voted at the Knox Presbyterian Church at Elgin and Lisgar just before I got home. I received an email about a Senate job I applied for asking me to take a French reading/writing comprehension test. I looked at some of the sample questions and I don't think I'll be able to get a good enough mark, but depending on how things go tomorrow I might try it out anyway. Couldn't hurt.

I'm worried that I might become addicted to Mythbusters.

I'm halfway through the MacKenzie review, which I've been nervous about writing since a lot of the military language and conflict detail went over my head. So many acronyms. But the review is progressing nicely. I'm happy to be through with the book since I can now go back to reading books I've chosen for myself.

Last night Andrea and I ate tacos and watched You, Me and Dupree, which was inoffensive enough. At least it wasn't just a series of Owen Wilson pulling stupid move after stupid move to annoy Kate Hudson and Matt Dillon. After he almost burns down their house during an act of fornication halfway through, the antics shift gear, which I appreciated.

I've started a new song. I'm going to send away the short story I finished for publication in a week regardless of whether or not I've heard back from Joe. Andrea gave me some helpful comments and I feel positive about it. The next couple of weeks are going to be a little crazy with the Writers Festival coming up and the dust settling on the election (and possibly my immediate future with the Senate).

Tomorrow is election day. Don't forget to vote.

I'm... bored. Bored is the right word.

Last night I watched The Blair Witch Project, which made me nervous to look into dark corners for a period afterward. I posted film stills of it on Livejournal (haven't done that in awhile) and then went over to Andrea's and watched SNL while reading MacKenzie, which is what I've been doing today in between setting up net presences for Wire and Light.

Andrea works until ten, and then we're going to make Thanksgiving dinner (tacos). Yum.

New Wire and Light track: 93

And the myspace page is here: myspace.com/wireandlight

Feedback has staved off since I posted the first song, but I'm going to keep at it.

Last night Andrea and I watched Lars and the Real Girl, which was definitely unique. It kind of ran out of steam about 3.4 of the way through, but it's worth a look. Ryan Gosling is good in the movie, though I kept thinking of David Arquette with that moustache of his.

I started reading Soldiers Made Me Look Good by Lewis MacKenzie, an autobiography about his military career. Like Mistress of the Sun, it isn't the kind of book I'd normally pick up, though the man can certainly write an anecdote.

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 finished the new song. I'll post it tomorrow. Andrea's going to take a pic of me first for the myspace page.

I also finished reading Mistress of the Sun. I suppose it was okay for what it was. I'm 100 words into the review, which will be vaguely positive, admitting that I don't know shit about 17th century France, so give it up for Sandra Gulland, who does.

I've been plugging away at French lessons, enjoying it. Last night Andrea came over and we ate pasta while watching Weird Science, an 80's teen flick that escaped my adolescence. I couldn't stop laughing at the scene where Bill Paxton voices the mound of talking gremlin shit or whatever Lisa turns him into. Seriously, I don't remember the last time I laughed that hard at something so stupid.

Going on a Haunted Walk tonight. It'll be a first.