i can drive now, but i can't get a credit card:(...

Well, after 3 hours had elapsed between walking into the local DMV and walking out triumphantly...I managed to register my car...though it cost me $540. Ok, will start a rant...why doesn't the state of California recognize that I paid 2 taxes in Canada?...even though it's printed on my vehicle purchase form. They only gave me credit for paying one tax...then assessed the state tax on the car and made me pay the difference..sheesh! But I have license plates!!! Finally! I also passed my written exam...and my car passed the smog test...woo hoo...$650 bucks later, my car "exists." Then, was off to AAA to buy insurance...$1400 later, I am insured...I think I will just move back to Vancouver and ride the bus! At least my bus pass would be covered by work:(

Haha, on a different note, spent 45 mins on the phone with the bank this morning...went from the customer service rep to the credit "specialist," back to cust. service and then was on hold for credit again...gave up after waiting for 10 mins. You would think that they would be happy to give me a credit card...after all, I had finally gotten my SSN...but NO! I do not qualify...and they don't know why either (???)...the funny thing is that my checking account is with their bank and they know how much gets deposited by my company... What the $#@*! For goodness sake, perhaps I don't have enough education or a good enough job(?). Sigh...once again...more fun times ahead!

life in TO...

Well, a few more observations...
-I hate networking...have spent way too much time tinkering with the %$^#(* network at my place ...and it still doesn't work:(
-driving at 80 mph (128 kph) with 40 mph (64 kph) crosswind gusts makes freeway driving that much more interesting...factor in crazy, aggressive drivers...and I never fall asleep at the wheel
-the closest Asian supermarket is 40 miles away...and they don't even sell the dumplings I like:(
-In 'n Out Burger is really good (or have I mentioned that already?)...it's worth repeating
-some Americans don't know any geography outside their state
-having no internet sucks!...but I detest networking even more...(notice I separated my two references about networking...this way, I don't seem to be going on a rant...haha:P)
-driving to Fry's Electronics 3 times in 2 days is too much...I should get a job there, considering how much time I spend perusing the networking section...that makes it 3 references (if you're counting at home)
-and the strangest thing I have noticed so far...a Chinese restaurant (albeit fast food) doesn't have any Chinese ppl working in them...not even a token Asian-looking person...:P

Aside from that, am continuing the existence that can best be described as mundane...

...good to know I do one thing well:P

children of men...

Am watching the movie "Children of Men" right now...definitely not the standard Hollywood fare. Not to give anything away...but the movie is set in the not so distant future (2027) where women are no longer fertile...it is a time where, even though humanity cannot ensure its future, it continues to destroy itself...a dark, distopian future characterized by a police state with areas that are reminiscent of the European ghettos of WW2 and fighting that brings reminders of the current situation in the Middle East. It is a time when there is seemingly no hope...

I am not sure if this is a brilliant movie or not...or even how to classify this movie...is it an action movie?...or something to provoke thought?...is it a statement about the world we live in?...is it about sacrifice?...not sure...maybe it is all those things...no matter what, it works on many levels...I really liked this movie...

It made me think...humans are dominant in this world of ours...but within that, we are the only species that can create what spans the ages...but also have the ability to destroy what we have created and kill each other...