It's all just STUFF!

I never knew that Pez Dispensers were so cool to everybody. Are you guys being serious, or just laying it on thick so that I will reveal more for you to make fun of?

Do you seriously need a full list of everything? I started one for the loosies, but it's beginning to get very tedious for me to list them all. But I'm a pleaser, if a list is what people want, then I'll give you a list of everything I have.
I don't think a list does it justice though. To fully appreciate the Pez Collection in all it's majesty you have to see it for yourself. I'll work on a huge picture post.

Here's the story on my Pez Collection. I've had it since Grade 12 (1999), I haven't added to it in a few years because my priorities have changed. I'd like to move out of my sister's place ONE day! But here's the rub. I still love it. If I keep them out of sight in these bins, under my bed, the temptation won't be there to buy more. But I occasionally see the new ones come out in the grocery store. They have Madagascar ones, new Star Wars ones, Sesame Street ones, Bob the Builder ones, oh man, the list just goes on for the ones that I don't have.
It's ridiculous, I should really try growing up for a change and stop holding on to all this STUFF.

I have too much STUFF.

By Request

Here's just a little taste of how big a nerd I am. I have another 2 bins like this. I'll work on a list, this is just to whet appetites.

* * * Bigger nerdiness to follow. * * *

Wedding Crashers, sort of.

If you've already visited TGP's blog you'll already have an idea of what I'm going to blog about. Here are my highlights.

On the way out there TGP and I didn't truly get going on the giggles until after we had driven by the ocean. There must be something in the air. Pockey just sat in the backseat and got a little worried about us.

Immediately upon arriving I was called out for being part Asian, which I am. It's just very surprising when I was just being introduced to someone and they immediately spot the 1/4 Chinese in me. I think Ken has a crush on me now. But it still didn't stop him from trying to mack a little on the bridesmaids next door.

When the bridesmaids next door danced in, it felt like the party we crashed had won some kind of Coolness Prize. That's when I knew, we were the cool kids and everyone wanted to hang out with us.

If I get really drunk, I dance like a maniac... on the floor. With only 2 beers I was only able to pull out the Running Man, the Elaine (from Seinfeld), and one that I haven't found a suitable name for. It's where the feet run in one spot to the beat of the song, but the upper body does the running in slow motion. (TGP is a big fan.) Other than that I just did the standard guy dance moves. It takes way more than a few beer to unleash the true dancing machine Mike H. Look out New Year's!!

Miss K was looking smashing as always. Which means, she was smashed, but still managed to look as gorgeous as ever. So why couldn't I just ask her to dance with me? I don't know why, I just became paralyzed everytime I thought about it. I'm not ready to get myself out there yet. But that doesn't mean I don't like being in the same room with her. Any Miss K contact and I'm a happy camper. I'm being very literal when I say I have a little boy crush on her.
The all time Highlight of the night was when we were leaving, and I apologized for not asking her to dance, she hugged me not once, but three separate times. And she said she liked me and that we all need to hang out more. Hello Movie Night!

A blog a day keeps the Ho Hums away!

I've got nothing in particular to Blog about. Just some random stories of my day.

Big Sports News of the Day (for me anyways)
Canucks beat San Jose 3-2, although they were really given the game by the Ref. He allowed a goal for Vancouver that probably should have been disallowed, and didn't count a goal that most definitely was a goal for San Jose. Those Canucks got away with one there. They're very lucky.

What Else Is New?
We're very shorthanded at work on my shift, and yours truly gets to be in charge of it all. The regular Team Leader, Mstile, is on a trip to Cancun for 18 days. Lucky bastard. Of course, this is the week that we get a new employee, and management changes all kinds of procedures on us. Poor kid, he's not going to know what's going on in the coming weeks. And neither are we.
Bonus Work News
Being as we're so shorthanded we've had people in on Overtime helping us out for the past, oh, 4 months maybe? Always different people, we usually see the same group of 8 signing up to work with us on our shift. Today, one of the girls heard me tell one of my coworkers the awesome letters I have been receiving. To make a long story short, she is now a part of the Mike H Snail Mail revival. It will probably be the shortest distance I will send a letter, but it's going to be interesting because she seems very excited to get something other than a bill.
That makes 12 people I send letters to now. With a possible 13th. I haven't decided if I'm going to renew the letter writing with this person. She's probably living in Spain or something, and not Canada like she used to. But who knows?

Personal Messages to my loyal Blog Readers
TGP - I'm very much looking forward to tomorrow night. Before you called me it was a really good plan, and now it's a super fantabulous plan. Mainly because I'll get to see Miss K. She's cute! (I hope she doesn't drink too much.)

Shipkicker - If you really want a letter I'll write you one, and I'll even put it on scented cupcake paper, with rainbows, just like I've previously stated. Unless you're too cool for that kind of thing which I suspect you are.

Pockey - Winnie the Pooh is a great book. But it's difficult to read it at night when My So Called Life is on. (I think I just double deuced myself.)

Cranberry - I'm drinking cranberry juice right now. I wish I had some apple juice so I can mix them together. Oh, and the postcard picture you sent makes me laugh a little on the inside.

Phats - Thank you for cheering on the Canucks. They're doing just fine, and I'll update you on my opinions about their chances for the Stanley Cup in the New Year. I promise.

Ms. Nuttyblonde - The mix CD is on it's way. I made myself a copy too, and I listen to it every morning on my way to work. I love the music I listen to!

Gareth - I'm going to kick ass in the Blog-iator Challenge (shallaunge?) on Phat's Blog. At least, I hope I will. Oh man, I'm so bad at "trash talking".

Grish - Hello? Are you out there? I'm SO sending you a letter!

Cher - TGP hearts you. Pass it on.

I hope everybody has a good weekend!

Tagged! D'oh!

Alright, so I've been tagged by Cher. That means I'm obligated to do one of these things. True to form though, I will not be tagging anyone else. All through my e-mail life, I've been the Forward Killer. Whenever I got one, I read it and deleted it. And I'm still here, so there's your proof that nothing bad happens. Anyways, on with this tagging business.

1. First name: Michael
2. Were you named after anyone? Nope, nothing fancy about Michael
3. Do you wish on stars? Not since 10th Grade.
4. When did you last cry? A few weeks ago. I was watching an older Michael Keaton movie called 'My Life'. I blubbered like a baby, then I went to sleep. Actually, I guess it was Sunday night during Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I always tear up during that show. But no one ever notices. I'm a stealth crier.
5. Do you like your handwriting? No, it's terrible.
6. What is your favorite lunch meat? Garlic Turkey Breast
7. What is your birth date? May 8
8. What is your most embarrassing CD? Um, Avril Lavigne - Let Go. It's nothing like any of my other CD's, which are loads better.
9. If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you? Of course! I'm very easy to get along with.
10. Are you a daredevil? No, I'm way too responsible. It makes me sick.
11. Favorite Magazines? Don't read them
12. Do looks matter? Health matters. I think if you're keeping yourself healthy, you look good.
13. How do you release anger? Punch my stuffed The Cheat.
14. Where is your second home? My parents house.
15. Do you trust others easily? I usually have faith in the basic good in people. But then I get hurt and it's harder to believe in that.
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? He-man action figures. And plastic dinosaurs.
17. What class in high school do you think was totally useless? Gym.
18. Do you have a journal? I carry around a small notebook. I kind of use it like a journal.
19. Do you use sarcasm a lot? No. Sometimes it doesn't "take" to me and I actually believe the person using it against me. Usually ends up with the other person explaining things to me once they realize that I just don't get it.
20. Favorite movie(S): Top 5 Favourite Movies of all time.
1- The Princess Bride
2- Amelie
3- High Fidelity
4- Leon: The Professional
5- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
21. What are your nicknames? Mike, The Hammer, Hammer of Thor
22. Would you bungee jump? Sure
23. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Yes, how else are they going to come off my feet?
24. Do you think that you are strong? Physically, no. Mentally and emotionally, yes, or so I've been told.
25. What's your favorite ice cream flavor? Vanilla
26. Shoe Size? 13
27. What is your favorite color? Blue or green.
28. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? I'm too particular about some things.
29. Who do you miss most? This is not a fair question.
30. Do you want everyone you send this to send it back? I'm a Forward Killer!
31. What color pants are you wearing? Blue jeans, my everyday uniform.
32. What are you listening to right now? Most Serene Republic - Content was always my favourite colour.
33. Last thing you ate? Mini Pizzas
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? The whole damn box baby!
35. What is the weather like right now? It's been foggy outside for the last 5 days!
36. Last person you talked to on the phone? Ex-girlfriend. #3 on the Most Heartbreaking Breakup list.
37. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex? Smile, Eyes, Hair, and then boobs.
38. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yes, she sent me the best letter I have ever received.
39. How Are You Today? Lonely.
40. Favorite Drink? Any kind of fruit juice. Sometimes I mix them together. Cran-Apple is best.
41. Favorite Sport? Hockey! Hockey! Hockey!
42. Hair Color? Very dark brown. Almost black, but it's brown, trust me.
43. Eye Color? Brown.
44. Do you wear contacts? Glasses. I had to wear my contacts for the last 5 days and hated every minute they were in my eyes. Blech to contacts.
45. Favorite Food? I'll try everything once.
46. Last Movie You Watched? Walk the Line. And Goblet of Fire in about an hour.
47. Favorite day of the year? Christmas
48. Scary Movies Or Happy Endings? Happy endings. I can't handle scary.
49. Summer Or Winter? Winter, because cuddling for warmth is the best past-time ever!
50. Hugs OR Kisses? Hugs. Kisses are too much pressure.
51. What Is Your Favorite Dessert? Cheesecake.
52. Who Is Most Likely To Respond? N/A
53. Who Is Least Likely To Respond? N/A
54. Living Arrangements? Rent a room from my sister and her boyfriend. And we have a dog.
55. What Books Are You Reading? Today? Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne.
56. What's On Your Mouse Pad? Todd Bertuzzi, Markus Naslund, and Trevor Linden.
57. What Did You Watch Last night on TV? Nothing good. But LOST is on tonight! Woohoo!
58. No #58? I'm scared!
59. Rolling Stones or Beatles? Beatles
60. What's the furthest you've been from home? Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I'm not very well travelled.

One Million!

$1,000,000!
One Million Dollars!

I wish for A Million Dollars!

(see comment section in previous post for full explanation)

The list revisited.

Ok, was anybody around when I did my Top 5 Most Heartbreaking Breakups last month? I know some of you were. Well, let me hit you with an update on all that.

I e-mailed Natalie L. (#4 on the list) and we got together and had Tea and Hot Chocolate at Tim Horton's. It was great. We caught up, we renewed the friendship once more, and things are great. She's moving back to my area soon and would love to catch a movie with me as soon as she's settled. We're talking, not until the New Year folks. And she's still just a friend. A really great friend who doesn't have any drama in her life at all. She gets along with everybody! It was good to catch up.

Then on that same day (no joke) I get home and check my e-mail, and lo and behold, out of the BLUE, Sara O. has tracked me down via Myspace. Sara O. was the #1 Heartbreaker of all time. She messed me up pretty bad. I'm still trying to get rid of the ring people. I'm working on it, believe me. She sent me a message saying "Just a quick Hi!"
If anyone is interested in checking out what a first class Heartbreaker really looks like, here's her account.
http://www.myspace.com/sara81
It's harmless to go look, really. But don't lead her back here. Who knows what she might think! Probably be weirded out by all of us coolios.

And if you check out her friend list, you may notice a girl named Melisa. Yes, this is the infamous Melisa G. She who is #5 on the all time Top 5 Most Heartbreaking Breakups list.
Oh man, the Internet is a weird and crazy place sometimes.

Oh, and I'm going to a hockey game tonight (Go Canucks!) with Andrea T. #3 on the list. We still have some business to sort out about the whole working together thing. It's rough on my poor head/heart. I don't exactly WANT to go with her. But it'll have to do, I promised to take her way back in the pre-season. And I always keep my promises. Even if it means suffering a little bit.

No word on #4, Christina T. aka X-tanic. I hope she's NOT happy in a terrible relationship with some douche bag while feeling regret for ever dumping me. Serves her right. Blah!

To Blank with love...

To Craig Kilborn with love,
Late night television just hasn’t been the same since you left. Now all we have of you is that jerky character in Old School. Glad to see you’re in a new movie, as… wait… another jerky character? Proud of you Kilby, don’t ever change.

To my Pen Gals with love,
It may take me a while to send you letters, but I write when I have the time and I’ll always make time for you, baby. Right after the hockey game is over, and if you’re up anyways could you grab me another beer from the fridge? Hugs and kisses from Canada!

To The Cheat with love,
Before you arrived on my doorstep I had nothing to punch, so I bottled it all inside of me. Now that you’re here, I can punch you a million times over and you still come back for more. What’s that? Giving me more sass again? You’re getting a punch, and maybe even a kick if you’re lucky.

To TV shows on DVD with love,
Where would I be if I didn’t have the first season of Fraggles, Muppets, Simpsons, Futurama, Samurai Jack, Gargoyles, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Lost, Arrested Development, Batman the Animated Series, Superman the Animated Series, Family Guy, He-man, and Invader Zim on DVD? I’d probably have a lot more money and a much more fulfilling life. Maybe I should join a book club or something. My pupils are going to become square shaped soon.

To Gareth with love,
We abuse you because you’re so far away and therefore we fear no reprisals. It’s all in good fun buddy, we don’t really believe all the mean things we say. In some secret, messed up way, we’re mad that you’re not on the same continent as us. Because all we Canadians really want is Lucky Charms, there’s a rumour going around that they’re magically delicious. You silly little Leprechaun.


To all the Bloggers who read this with love,
I blog for YOU, and I read everyone’s new posts regularly. Actually, who am I kidding? I blog for myself, and if nobody leaves a comment I feel like I’ve wasted my time. So please everybloggy, leave as many comments as you want! Ask me anything! Please?!

Your Pal, Mike H
Proud

Dammit!

Of all the freaking annoying things to happen!

My glasses just broke!
Right about the time that every single glasses repair shop place in my hometown closes down.

Now, on any normal day this wouldn't bother me so much. In fact, annoying things happen to me all the time. I've accepted that this is just the way my life is. (It's made me a very patient person.) But today, I was free all day. Why couldn't it have happened earlier, when I had the time to fix it! Why did it have to happen now, when I can't get it fixed for 2 more days because I'm working.
It's not like I'll be blind mind you. I DO have a pair of contact lenses I can wear. But at work, which I start tomorrow, I'm supposed to wear safety glasses. I don't have any safety glasses because I wear regular glasses, which is totally acceptable. But now I have to borrow some, because our Safety Inspector just got laid off and he normally gives out the safety glasses. But with nobody in the position, nobody is going to know what the heck is going on. So I'm borrowing some. This is so annoying.
This kind of feels like the perfect storm, doesn't it?

When is this great karma supposed to kick in, TGP? I mean, I gave that guy a Starbucks card, shouldn't something mildly good happen to me now?

My work 'friends' are Nerds.

Henry Rollins is awesome! He is so unabashedly honest about the way he feels, and humble to the point of self humiliation, how can anyone not like the guy? I'm obviously a fan now. Although not to the extent that TGP is a fan. I do NOT want to bear his children.

Cher, we looked around for the people you knew. But alas, we saw no big chicks with retarded native friends. But we really looked hard, honestly.

***

I am a sucker, a rube, a small town country boy. Let me explain.

While we were standing in line (2 hours before the doors opened) I had to go throw out my now empty cup from the peppermint hot chocolate I had consumed earlier. On my way back to TGP, freezing her toes off in line, I was sidetracked by some guy (outdated jacket, backpack, a few days growth, didn't smell unshowered, he didn't appear homeless) asking me what the lineup was for. He seemed pretty excited that Rollins was in town and wanted to know if I had an exra ticket. Yeah right, my friends hadn't even shown up with my ticket. Little did I know that this small talk was merely a ploy to ask me for some food.
Damn. He just asked me for food, not money or weed or cigarettes, but actual food. I told him, being the soft hearted sucker that I am, that I would buy him a sandwich from the Starbucks we were standing outside. But he wouldn't go in. He said that he has had arguments with the employees at this Starbucks before so he could not go into it with me to pick out the sandwich of his liking. Then he said that he would rather have one of those gift cards because he could really use the coffee in the morning. I figured there was no harm in giving him a gift card that he could only use at a Starbucks location. It's not like giving a homeless guy money so he could go buy more drugs. He was very appreciative of my $5 donation to him and thanked me. I felt totally taken. I hope he actually went out and enjoyed a coffee and did not scam some poor person out of $20 for a Starbucks gift card that only had $5 on it.
I am such a sucker.

This all goes to show that at the heart of the matter, I will still believe that people are inherently good and they tell the truth when telling the truth is important.

I should just carry sandwiches around when I visit Vancouver.

"You're out of your element, Donny"

Last night I actually went out to a party. It was totally an adult party, there were appetizers and wine. People talked about their jobs and how they met their significant other. I was totally out of my element.

But I did go with a friend, and she was kind of out of her element as well. She invited me so that we could both be the only 2 people who barely knew anybody there. Actually, she knew the hostess and her brother, whereas I knew nobody.

It's been so long that I've been to a social gathering, I was absolutely petrified most of the time. I don't mean, like, afraid to speak to anyone. I mean that I didn't really initiate any kind of conversation with anyone, but I responded to questions about myself if anybody saw fit to talk to me. I figured, 'I don't know anyone here, they all know each other, let THEM come to me'. So I didn't really end up talking to too many people.
I ended up doing a lot of crowd watching, and listening to what other people were talking about. There were, like, 10 couples there, and there were probably only 22 people, or something like that. This was not a party in which to meet any prospective ladies.

Overall I had a good time. I know now what not to do at a party. Do not just sit in a chair next to the one person you know and listen to her talk to others. I should have done more mingling, as soon as I figure out how to do that.

That's the not-so-exciting story of my Saturday night.

Monday should be much better as I'm going to see Henry Rollins with a work friend. But coincidence of the year, TGP is going as well! This should be grood.

Great and Good.

You mean I actually have plans tonight?

Oh my goodness, I've been invited to a get-together.

I hope it's not boring.

Of course, everybody knows I'll blog about this later.

Thanks to everyone who sent me their address!

I'll bring the mail pile to the Post Office on Monday.

(Now where do I find scented rainbow cupcake paper?)

Post Haste

So, there's been some talk in the ol' comments section of people wanting to be put on the list of Mike H snail mail. I took this as there being a demand for my mundane, run-of-the-mill letters.
I've set up an email address if anybody would like to have their info remain anonymous to anyone but me. Just send me your address and I will send you a letter.

iwantmikehsnailmail@hotmail.com

I will write you a letter, but depending on how many people want one, it may take some time. I can make everyone the promise that it will be there before Christmas.

Oh yeah, my family does a Christmas letter every year. I usually get the task of writing it, but because I am not currently living at home, I believe I will write my own page for the Christmas letter. My Mom can take care of the family goings ons. I will take care of my own. Let me know at the above e-mail address if you would like a Mike H Christmas Letter Addendum.

I look forward to writing everyone a letter. Plain as it might be.

What to do, what to do.

I wish I had something different to do than watch boring television and movies. Wait, scratch that. I wish I had someone to do these things with.

I miss having a girlfriend. I just want someone to do nothing with, because I know that doing nothing is still like doing something when you're doing nothing with someone. You follow?

I was picking up some of my stuff from my parents house yesterday (They have a lot of it stored for me because of my 3 moves last year) and I came across the shoebox of stuff I had from the #1 Most Heartbreaking Breakup, Sara O. In it was every note she had ever written me, a few framed pictures of the happier times, and the ring I bought for her that she returned when she dumped me.
It's still as small as I remember it. I seriously can't blame her for giving it back. Even though I spent what I still feel is a lot of money.

I don't know what to do with it now. I mean, it's a diamond ring, for a girl. It meant a lot for me to give it to her at the time, but now I don't know what I should do with it.
Sell it?
Keep it?
Give it to the next girlfriend I fall in love with?
I feel like such a fool for buying it now. How did I ever fall so hard?

Le sigh....

Anyways, my point.

I'm bored and I need something to do.

I used to write letters to people. I love writing letters. Not some typed up letter that you can go back and edit, or some e-mail that gets there instantaneously. I mean, true blue snail mail letters. TGP can back me up on this, because we used to send letters to each other all the time. I kept all of hers, I wonder if she has all of mine?
It's a great way to kill time. But most of the people I sent letters to are all gone from my life, with the exception of TGP of course. I think I'm gonna start this up again. It might keep my mind off of all the stupid lonely things I always seem to dwell on.

So I guess this is like, an official declaration of my intention to restart writing letters to old friends.

Watch out mailbox, here I come.

Disneyland

I just got back from Disneyland.

It was SOOOO much fun.

I probably don't need to explain much about the place. It's seriously awesome. The last time I went was in '94, so there were a million and one new things to do when we were there this time. Including California Adventure Park. I can't believe Disney put a whole new theme park right over top of their own parking lot! And where do all the thousands of visitors park now you might ask? Why, in the 10,000 car parking garage built on an old strawberry field of course. A 10,000 car parking garage. And it was full on Saturday.

But, instead of boring everybody with all the details of my trip, I'll just post the pictures that I took with my NEW digital camera. The reason I didn't have time to post a "see you in a few days" message was because I was out buying it.

Here we go...

I was just trying to eat my lunch, and western style Goofy came up and grabbed me.

My parents and Sully. So cute.

I was gonna try and get Cinderella's number, but long distance relationships never work out. And she's married to Prince Charming. I can't compete with a guy who owns a castle. Oh yeah, and Belle was way hotter, but I couldn't get close enough to her to get a picture.

OK, Pluto was freaking everywhere. In the days after this picture was taken we saw him around Disneyland 5 times. I'm totally sick of seeing him now.

I went on Star Tours twice. We tried to go on Space Mountain more than twice, but with an entourage of 7 people it was hard to do everything that everyone wanted to do. Oh yeah, and Yoda is awesome. Anyone who really knows me knows that I love Star Wars. I bought the Episode III DVD the night before, and then went on vacation. I still haven't had time to watch it yet.

And Mickey of course. We lined up and met him at his house in Toon Town too, but it's not a great picture.

So there's a brief, quick description of what we did in Disneyland. I don't want to rub in peoples faces, but it was awesome. A much needed vacation.