Roses Are Red - Aqua

Question mark.

Snakes on a Plane (Bring It) - Cobra Starship

I hate to use the title of a song, titled after a movie (that was titled after a terrible idea for a film) - but, y'know, it's Snakes on a Plane. And the song's actually pretty decent... catchy, rhymey and filled with movie quotes. Including the famous one - "That's it! I have had it with these motherfuckin' snakes on this motherfuckin' plane!"

I think it'd be hard to explain in text how excited I was for this movie. I mean... it's not going to change my life, it's not going to be something that defines me as a person, and really, it's probably not even going to matter in about 6 months. But for now - and the forseeable future - snakes are THE word. I went online and bought the movie poster and had it shipped; my MSN name represented the glory of Sammy L.J.; and the film was decided to be one of the three things making me happiest right now (along with 'fire' and something else movie-ish related).

What can I say? I suggest going to see it. I mean... hey... yeah, for sequels there's "Snakes in a 1969 Citation Trailer" or "Snakes in a University Residence" or, to a degree, even "Snakes in a Business Degree". And those snakes are dangerous and tend to make you uncomfortable... but Samuel L. Jackson comes along and makes it all seem worthwhile.

Honestly... can you even FATHOM being on the board of executives who decided that this film was a GOOD, SELLABLE idea?! I can not. And yet... there we were. 5 of us, including a 14-year old who kept beating the crap out of me, yelling, cheering, clapping and screaming. Watching hte film was like winning an Olympic gold, only without the steroids or Wheaties deal. (Some of us did get a Kid'z Pak deal, however, which included buttered popcorn, a small Coke and some candy. Because I need something else to make my day.)

I can't recall the last time that I saw a movie in theatres and thought, regardless of who I'd been with, "That movie was so worth $7.70 plus all applicable taxes and a $13 small popcorn." Snakes on a Plane achieves that distinction. It was so delightfully awesome that upon its conclusion, I even determined that I would endeavour to somehow go back and see it at least once more in theatres.

You game?... and remember, "Time is tissue."

Batters Up - Nelly

Yes. I'm related. To the black guy.

Back to basics and baseball this summer, as for some inexplicable reason - aside from good hearts (and they'd know) - biology let me patrol centre field and first base for them in the Acadia Softball League. I know what you're thinking... softball is to baseball is what a banjo is to Santana... just not quite what you want.

However... it was the thrill of simply playing again that made up for so much of it! I mean... my legs were ripped to shreds on a regular basis, I got to meet a bunch of great people and, every now and then, we managed a rally that fell just short.

My biggest problems, oddly enough for an soft toss league, was at bat. I made a habit of popping out to the catcher. At one point it's like I was swinging a bloody cricket bat - I just couldn't make contact, I couldn't hit the pitch, and when I did, it was either a bloody little nubber or, my old stand-by, an infield pop-up. I would have felt worse about it... but Cody was even better at it then I was.

One of the best moments came when us outfielders began to slowly creep towards the infield because of a FAB (Female At-Bat). However, when we spotted the batter we reversed our trend and quickly. Nadia can just crush one, and even though she gave it more juice then Tropicana, I was there to catch her liner. Of course, a few got past us... but you never forget the ones you grab.

Best comeback was when we were playing, actually, Nadia's team and were down by, like, 5 or 6 heading into the final inning. Sure enough, we turned in on, and pumped in enough runs to...

Lose by one.

Whatever. Baseball was back, and once I got the ball into the field (instead of towards the effin' catcher) I was playing again and enjoying the game.

Summer - Vivaldi

Diving in head first - or, if I don't get my legs around, slapping into the water back first - was pretty well the M.O. of this summer. Let's see what kind of examples I can dig up and squirrel into the title, shall we, while providing a convienient grade for myself. Feel free to follow along and provide grades yourself.

Thesis - A- One chapter finished and successful. One chapter due the 27th of August which will also meet those requirements. I have also managed to successfully include Eddie Izzard and Terry Pratchett quotes. It's a good thing that human rights is such an easy topic that no one takes TOO seriously... wait a minute... my thesis advisor is on the line.

SSS - D+ Hmmm... hard to get a mark on. There's no doubt that the 'sober' aspect failed miserably. I mean, have you ever even heard of George St.? Staying sober there is harder than cutting through diamond with a marhsmallow. On the other hand, that first 'S' ended up being adhered to rather closely, post-May or so, depending on definitions. I would say average at best. Though, yet again, it appears that even that first 'S' may have some difficulty. Okay - too many variables, I sucked at SSS.

Travel - A I mean, how can I not like hitchhiking for the first time, all through Newfoundland? One guy gave me a lift from Gander all the way down to St. John's (4 hour ride, for those playing the home game), and I managed to not get shot while walking through Shea Heights towards Cape Spear. Aylesford Lake, the Gaspereau Winery, Huntsville ON and a trip to the 'Fax round out the list. None too shabby.

Healthiness - B This question is like Colbert's truthiness... a question of exactly how much honesty is about to come forward. I started out well on my bike, racking up significant kilometerage, then declined as mornings became too... morning-y. While in NS I generally ate well and exercized lots... Lost about 30 pounds. Then stupid Newfoundland and its stupid fried food came along... and I ballooned back up another 10, which is where I still sit. Roughly. Eating better, though, and exercizing more are definite themes of the summer, so a decent mark.

Quest for True Love, Happiness and the Secret to Eternal Youth - A Wouldn't you like to know?

Hmm... summer gets a good rating overall. And the best part is, with Colin on his way back tonight and things looking up with another new friend, summer's rating can only go up from here.