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RANDOM THOUGHTS

In this section you will find things like political commentary, jokes I enjoyed, dreams I had, good experiences, bad experiences, as well as book, movie, club and music reviews. Basically, whatever comes to mind when I feel like updating my page, if it doesn't quite fit in the other sections, will show up here.

March 24, 2003 9:23PM PT
Fancy that. Eleven months since my last update. What's to report? The biggest change in my life since last April is that my first love is over. Andrea and I broke up amicably on January 5th after being together for a year and a half. A year and a half - it still amazes me that we did so well for so long with so little previous experience in the field. We're still good friends (seriously), there is no animosity between us, things just weren't good anymore. What can I say? January was really hard for me, February was a little better, and March has been mostly ok. I feel ready (if cautious) to find love again. I say find as opposed to look because in my own humble view looking doesn't seem to get anyone anywhere. Love will come again. Meanwhile, I'm just about graduated from University, looking for work and a place to live. I want to stay somewhat local at least for the summer, maybe longer. I like it out here and I want to be close to family and friends. That war is ugly and worrisome, though I think it may be necessary. I pray for a good future for the people of Israel, the peoples of Iraq and of the whole region, and for the safety of everyone who fights for true freedom and justice.
April 24, 2002 12:56AM PT
Wow, it's been forever since I wrote here. So much to say, so much to say, so much to say, so much to say. Another school year come and gone. I did far better academically and emotionally this year than ever before. I blame my Andrea. We've been together for almost 10 months, which is huge compared to anything either of us was involved in before. Much of my thoughts of late involve the situation in Israel and those Crazy Canucks/NHL playoffs. Plans for the summer include lounging around, playing guitar, sleeping in late, some writing, volunteer work with troubled teens and music (more on that when it starts in a few weeks), and maybe a summer position in the CPSC department. There will be many trips to Bellingham, many trips to the beach, some roller hockey, weightlifting, reading, all sorts of wonderful things. Best time of year for sure! SCHOOL'S OUT FOR THE SUMMER.
August 22, 2001 2:09AM PT
It's Andrea's birthday but she's far away at a conference. We talked on the phone, but we didn't get to snuggle. Oh well, she'll be back in less than six days.

I'm trying new stuff with the site. I put a different colour scheme on (almost) every page. Perhaps you noticed. Also put tags wherever anything's changed since the last update. What do you folks think? If there's a particular colour scheme that you love or hate, I'd appreciate your suggestions via The Blabber or email.

Through my reading and prayer recently I've started feeling a strong connection to my Judaism again. It's something I lost long ago and it's wonderful to get a piece of it back.

School's starting soon. C'est la vie mes amis.

August 14, 2001 12:38AM PT
Here's a random though: I should write more.
I have a headache.
August 9, 2001 11:37PM PT
So much to say, so much to say, so much to say, so much to say. I've fallen in love for the first time. Andrea loves me and I love her. Love love love. Wow! I want to say more, but words can't do justice. I'll be putting up tasteful pics of us as soon as I get my roll developed.
July 16, 2001 2:19AM PT
Camping pics are up already and they're really good. Check out all 55 of them at www.burundo.net/~burundo/fotos/071401/.
July 15, 2001 12:33AM PT
Went camping with Ianiv (aka Burundo) and Arianna, Eugene, Ian and Lindy. Tons of fun. Chilliwack Lake is beautiful. Two warnings: the flush toilets they claim to have don't exist, and the lake is friggin' cold, especially when you're skinny-dippin' in the middle of the night. But don't let that stop you. Watch for pictures which should appear on Burundo's site soon. Must go camping again soon; hopefully my Sweety (Andrea from B'ham) can come next time. In other news: On a sad note, it appears I will not be seeing Gord Downie this summer. Andrea from Calgary tried her best to get tix, but apparently they sold out almost immediately. Oh well. I will survive with a little help from my Sweety. Despite missing Gordy, these are the happiest days of my life so far.
July 8, 2001 2:52AM PT
A most amazing thing happened to me. I discovered a beautiful woman and she likes me too. And she's even Jewish! Yay me! Yay Andrea from Bellingham! I say from Bellingham to distinguish her from my good friend Andrea from Calgary. Yay Andrea from Calgary too! I'm going to the Calgary Folk Festival at the end of the month to see THAT Andrea and my hero Gord Downie. You should be so lucky too.
May 14, 2001 12:49AM PT
Ok, I've really been neglecting this thing, so it's time to change that. Big news: it looks like I have a band for the summer! Sweet. With Aaron rocking out on bass and Carl crooning and belting all we need is a drummer and we're set. This is fucking awesome. I should really write more. Oh well.
December 21, 2000 5:17AM PT
Exams are over, FUN FUN FUN.
Exams are over, DONE DONE DONE.
Finally a break from skewl. This will give me some extra time to sleep, write and record some music, develop my mp3.com site, play guitar, and have a jolly good time. Happy Festivis one and all.

In other news, John Lennon's still dead after 20 years. My birthday's coming up: on January-ary-ary Two I will turn 20. So what are you getting me? Someone else is turning 2000 in a few days. Coincidence? You better believe it.

Thanks to all who've posted to my Blabber so far. That's Blabber, not Bladder, Ian.

I love you all.
Well, I love most of you at least. I hardly know some of you.
Actually I hardly know anybody really. Oh well, spread the love.

October 26, 2000 2:25AM PT
Well school officially sucks again. That didn't take long , did it? On the bright side, I've made a few new friends and I'm finally making some money. I've been writing some poems lately. Haven't done that in a while. Maybe I'll put some up.
September 5, 2000 12:30AM PT
Another summer come and gone. This was an eventful summer for me. I return to school a completely different person than the one who left in April. Not enough sunshine, but there were a couple good, hot stretches. This summer I learned to be very outgoing, how to meet and talk to strangers, and how to make nearly any event a good and memorable one. Towards the end of the summer I finally figured out my recording equipment and began serious work on my demo CD, which should be ready by the end of October. I also spent several nights dancing and sweating at the Blarney Stone, attended not one, but two awesome jazz festivals, heard my favourite local band play live several times, and secured a TA job at UBC's Computer Science Department. For once in my life, I'm looking forward to school so much that I think I won't mind a bit of rain.
June 21, 2000 12:29PM PT
What's the deal with marijuana? Study after study has shown it to be less addictive than caffeine, minimally hazardous to health when used in moderation, and not a path towards hard drugs. Unlike alcohol which makes users confrontational and edgy, "pot" tends to have a calming, soothing effect and the ability to neutralize the ability and desire to fight. It has been shown to be an effective and safe pain-killer, and has therapeutic abilities for a wide range of ailments. Legalizing marijuana would give BC's government the ability to regulate its production with strict purity standards to eliminate the dangerous substances which are often passed off as pot on the streets. It would encourage large, competitive companies to get involved in the production and distribution of marijuana-related products which would force prices down and quality up. It would eliminate the hypocritical double-standard which exists now, in which dangerous drugs such as alcohol and tobacco are freely traded, while pot is taboo. Without all those pot-busts which currently take up a significant portion of the police forces' time and efforts, we could have safer streets. And, perhaps most importantly, by taxing marijuana, BC could add millions of dollars to the government's pockets, much-needed money which could go to health care or education or eliminating our deficit. Look at Amsterdam. It's one of the most beautiful, safest cities in Europe. Crime is low, especially violent crime, tourism is way up, and there is no evidence that legalizing marijuana has significantly increased it's use. Come on people, let's grow up. Tell the government to stop playing baby-sitter and do something useful.
June 12, 2000 10:01PM PT
The recent death of Hafez al-Assad has turned my attention once again to the Middle East. I believe that we must never rejoice at the death of anyone, even the loss of an adversary and an attacker must be mourned. If you have not already figured it out, I have strong ties to Israel. Before he was President of Syria, Assad waged war on Israel as the head of the Syrian forces, particularly in 1967. For most of his life, Assad was adamantly opposed to any peace with Israel or even acknowledging the existance of the country. When Egypt became the first Arab nation to declare peace with Israel, Assad was furious and went so far as to say anyone who makes peace with Israel shall be cursed. But over the last 10 years a real change has begun to happen in the Middle East. As Israel negotiated with Jordan and the Palestinians, Assad slowly softened his stance. When he died, many believe that Assad was almost ready to make peace with Israel. The only hitch was that he demanded 100% of the Golan Heights, which would cut Israel off from one of it's major water sources, Lake Kinneret. Stubborn to the last, Assad was always a strong negotiator and a worthy opponent. Despite the facts that he supported terrorism for much of his reign, and openly attacked Israel in 1967, I respect the genius, the leadership abilities, and the humanity of Assad. He was an enemy, but he was no monster. As Syria recovers from the loss of their 30-year President, I look towards a bright future of peace, prosperity and co-operation. For the new President and the Syrian people, I wish the best. And for Israel, I wish that some good will come out of this tragic event, that soon a lasting and comprehensive peace will be acheived with all the country's neighbours.
If you would like to comment on my Random Thoughts, feel free to email me at burnabyjoe@hotmail.com.