“Can imagine your face in a far hidden place…”

I sure got a good laugh out of that one. Mark was also responsible for such Apollo-aimed humour as “The Destruction of Apollo“.

Well, on to other things. Today I’ve been mixing supreme leisure with finishing up the neglected tasks of doing laundry and grocery shopping. I still have slight tinglings of the concert high from last night; it was an incredible experience that I won’t soon forget. It’s been a month of unforgettables, really. To be sure, I won’t take any for granted.

A week ago today I started working at my new job. Well, to be honest, the hotel has not yet opened, so I am working but not where I will be. I went to an orientation and then was drafted to run data inputting for a couple days while the other employees had to do some interviewing at local businesses. Then from Friday until Sunday I was involved in training for the new system that will manage hotel operations where I’ll be working. So far I think I have a good batch of co-workers and I’m feeling increasingly confident that I’m up for the challenges I’ll be facing at the job. We have plenty of time to become comfortable with the workings of the hotel before it opens and i’m thankful for that.

Last month the Second International Conference on Gross National Happiness was held here in Nova Scotia. I’m one of those folks (seeing that I’m a socialist) who was easily converted to a supporter of the notion that we should focus on happiness for all above other, unfulfilling measures of progress; GNH promotes “conservation of the environment, preservation and promotion of culture, and promotion of good governance-as well as sustainable and equitable economic development-as key indicators of progress.” The Coast, a local paper, ran the article “Happy Meter” about the event a couple weeks ago and I found it a nice introduction to the system. Bhutan, one of the world’s most beautiful and facinating places, is also a leader in implementing GNH. There leaders have embraced the system and are using it to govern in a way that can preserve the happiness and beauty the country holds in the face of immense global change. (For another take on this, I can’t recommend the wonderful film Travellers and Magicians, by the Bhutanese saint Khyentse Norbu, enough.) In our already splintered societies we can still find a beacon of hope in this approach to governance; there are still ways to shift our focus from possessions to true happiness and from selfishness to compassion.

Yes, the battle for happiness is happening all over. In Indiana (and surely many other places) teachers have been told not to teach fantasy or fiction to students because “kids do not learn important information from these types of genres.” This assault on literature is incredibly harmful and I was very pleased when I read Terry Brooks‘ response to a letter detailing the struggle in his monthly public correspondance, “Ask Terry.”

Keep your guards up friends, for the fell swords of those who do not love literature are sharp indeed. Grab your pens.

I’ll wrap things up with some questions and answers, for you curious folk who want to know about my hygene and thoughts on golf.

-BASICS-
Name: Apollo
Age: 22
School: I attended Dalhousie University and am not currently in school.
Occupation: Auditor / aspiring holy man
Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada / Dean, Nova Scotia, Canada
Town where you are living: Halifax
Siblings: Ilea, 20
Pets: none at the moment, but cats keep looking at me sweetly, so that may not last.
Sports you play: Does avid walking count? If not, none regualarly, sadly.
Daily mode(s) of transportation: My feet and often the bus.
Relationship status: single
IQ (seriously): I believe it’s in the 120-140 range.
Religion: A mix, with a strong Buddhism influence.I usually just say I’m spiritual.

-FAVORITES-
Color: black in dress and blue in general.
Food: Chocolate coated chocolate beans
Overall musical artist/singer songwriter: I couldn’t narrow it down.
Band: Again, asking that of a music junkie is not right.
Animal: crows and cats
Flower: I’m not sure I have a favourite.
Writing untensil: well flowing pens and sometimes sharpies
Store: Strange Adventures, Random Play, Freak Lunchbox, Little Mysteries
Song: I’m a music junkie. Don’t ask unanswerable questions like this.
Actor or Actress: I very much enjoy Tuesday Weld and I can’t think of any male I’m especially fond of.
Place: Parrsboro
City: That I’ve been to? The holy trinity of Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.
Article of clothing you own: My Stars shirt.
Movie: Lets see if I can name a few. Samsara, The Three Colours Trilogy, Dinner At Fred’s, Mulholland Drive, Enlightenment Guaranteed, Lord Love A Duck, American Splendor, Neverwhere,The Lord of the Rings, Crash
TV Show: I don’t watch TV, but I have downloaded and enjoyed the new series of Doctor Who.
Stuffed animal: I have a stuffed bear I gave to my grandfather when he was in the hospital before passing away and was later returned to me and another bear that was given to me by Ashley.
Restaurant: That’s a tough one. I don’t eat out often anymore, so I can’t say.
Subject: English, literature, history, religion, philosophy
Play: Hmm… I haven’t seen many, but I especially enjoyed Jesus Christ Superstar.
Book: Ok, this is another tough one, but it comes down to House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski, The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien, A Stone’s Throw by Ross Laird, The Onion Girl by Charles de Lint and Blankets by Craig Thompson.

-THOUGHT PROVOKING QUESTIONS-
If you could be any insect in any time period, what and where would you be? An insect? Well, I’d have to go with being a dragonfly.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Why? I would love to write and be able to do that for a living, but otherwise I don’t see myself in any career that is more than a career.
Are you intellegent? I’ve been told so, but I don’t tend to worry about that.
Why do you drive on a parkway and park on a driveway? Well, I do neither, since I’m a pedestrian.
Do you feel that golf is a a game or sport? Why? Are not all competetive sports games?
Do you like the President? Why or why not? Of the USA? Not at all; I believe him to be a terrible leader and a man of great corruption.
What is your proudest moment? i’m proudest of the gentle moments when I’ve listened and shared with my friends who have needed conversation.
Does Nilla Wafers in Pudding sound unappetizing to you? Why or why not? I have no idea as to what that is, so I can not say.
What are you avoiding by filling out this survey? Nothing, really.
Are you successful? I sometimes achieve my goals, and can find happiness, so I’d say so.
What is your greatest achievement? I don’t know. I’d like to think that lies in the future.
What is your most embarrassing moment? I couldn’t narrow that down. I’ve had my share of those.
Do you think that people are born homosexual or that it is a society derived attribute aquired during the growth process? Why? I think there are a lot of factors involved in human sexuality and that genetic and social causes contribute to our sexual development.

-Random questions-
Did you like the “Back to the Future” movies? Yes, I loved them when I was a kid.
Ghosts and Witches: real or hoax? Witches in the sense of a religious movement are real, as for the supernatural aspects of those, I can’t assume anything.
Do you like Michael Jackson or do you think he is a has-been? I think he was gifted but has always been incredibly troubled.
Do you speak any other language besides English? I’m incredibly rusty at French and I can say a few words awkwardly in Spanish.
Do you find the “Iron Chef” humorous? I’ve never seen it.
Do you think that cheerleading is a sport? Sure.
What type of computer are you using right now? My Dell Inspiron 8600 laptop.
Do you own an article of clothing that is pleather? Sadly not.
Did you buy that piece of clothing as a joke or do you wear it regularly? n/a
Are you watching TV or listening to music right now? If so, what are you watching/listening? I’m listening to Moby’s “I LIke It,” a mighty sexy tune.
What does your hair look like right now? slightly frizzy and messy
What time is it? It’s midnight.

-PERSONAL QUESTIONS-
What is in your shower right now? soap, shampoo and conditioner
How much of that do you actually use? I use each.
What time do you wake up in the morning? It depends on what I’m doing that day. I mix things up unless I have a routine.
What is your daily routine? Starting at what point? It really depends on what obligations and things to do I have planned. I like to stay somewhat spontaneous.
Do you have a lot of friends? I would say I have quality over quantity when it comes to friends.
Do you have an actual best friend? I don’t think I could narrow down to one.
Do you live with anyone? Nope, I’m a hermit.
Your room: spacious/tiny? personal/cluttered? bare/busy? nice/ugly? Tiny? My room is spacious and very tidy.
What do you like most about yourself? My compassion and ability to evolve.
Does your job suck? Not so far.
Do you get along with your family? Yes, we get along rather well.
Do you enjoy the people in your everyday life? I don’t really have anyone I see daily or even more than weekly.
Are you critical or gullable? I’d say I’m balanced.
Do you trust people? Why or why not? I tend to have a good sense of who I can trust and who I can’t. I like to think I’m healthily guarded.
What is in your purse/bag/briefcase right now? My messenger bag is currently empty. When I use it I put my Clie, pens, a notebook and anything else I might need during a day in it.
What defines the perfect partner for you? Someone with intelligence, insight, humour, compassion and beauty

-BODY QUESTIONS-
Do you have good personal hygene? I think so.
What _______ do you use?
-facewash: I use Noxzema.
-soap/bodywash: I mix it up.
-lotion: None.
-perfume/lotion: My bottle of Gravity just ran out. What should I use when next I need some?
-makeup: None
-toothpaste: I alternate between different whitening toothpastes. Currently I have cinnamon spice.
-mouthwash: Cinnamon Ice Scope
-floss: Butler Weave mint.
-deoderant: I use various Gillette gels.
-shampoo/conditioner: I use various frizz-killing lines.
-mints: I don’t often use mints.
-hair products: I sometimes use gel when I tie my hair back.
-upkeep products: I’m not sure what’s meant by this.
Do you clean (Q-Tip) your ears? Infrequently, because I’ve been told it’s not wise.
Are you in good physical shape? I’m healthy and live well, but I wouldn’t say I’m physically impressive.
How do you take care of your feet? I wash them daily and keep my toes trimmed but otherwise let them be.
What are your eating habits? I eat frequently and a bit unpredictably when left to my own devices.
What is your hair color? Red.
Do you smoke/dip? Nope. What is dipping?
How often do you shower? I have a bath daily and a shower maybe once a week.
What do you usualy drink during the average day? Coffee, tea, fruit drinks.
Do you paint your nails? If so, what color? Nope
Do you have more than one hairstyle? Pulled back and let free.
Do you wear retainers/braces? Have you? Nope and nope.
Do you have contacts/glasses? I have glasses but don’t wear them often.
Do you think that you are a healthy person? Yes, I believe I am.

-ETC-
How often do you get online? Usually daily.
Do you write letters to people? Yes, but I can be very neglectful in that.
Are you afraid to ride in a plane? Why? Not at all. I’ve never been on a plane but would love the chance.
Are you tired? Slightly.
Do you want to go to sleep? Not yet.
Have you ever been in love? Yes, I have.
Are you attracted to anyone? Of course.
Do you wish you had someone right now? I do, but I’m content to be as I am.
Are you away from home and do you miss it? I’m home now, but if I was away I don’t think I would miss it here too much.
Are you at home and wish you were somewhere else? Sure, I’d like to be exploring some other place.
Do you think that AL Gore’s beard look makes him look laid back and rustic or makes him look like he’s trying to look laid back and rustic? He has a beard? I think it’s an improvement.
What is the best coffee you’ve ever had and where can I get it? I don’t know. I’ve had some fine coffees, most made in a kitchen.