people these days are so concerned about whether or not i have stuff, whether or not i'm comfortable, whether or not i'm happy. as if any of those things had the remotest thing to do with any other of them.

i mean, look - these top two photos, depicting my home for the past four weeks, are perfectly satisfactory. i have my jerker desk with my computer, with which i can keep in touch with the outside world (without actually having to venture into it), and the stony plinth that i've constructed out of cardboard boxes and sweaters that i don't intend to wear ever again provided me with plenty of comfort at bedtime. but after i decided to stay in toronto, it seemed that it would be less fitting a senior web developer living in an upscale neighbourhood to not have any actual chattel or living accoutrements, so i decided to take the plunge.

thanks to my good friends at citi financial, i was supplied with an ikea credit card and i finally got kitted out. i got the bed that i like, with a nice firm mattress - almost as firm as fifteen cardboard boxes with a layer of sweaters and bathmats stretched across it - but softer. i got the wall unit that i wanted to house the television that i never watch, but which is also good for storing books that i am now reading. and of course, the focal point of my new life - my bright red leather looooooooveseat (as my friend bruce calls it). this thing is so precious, even hans won't scratch it. but even if he decides to start, i have a spiffy red slip cover to put over it and some extra cardboard to put in between it and the sofa.... that thing will last me... a few years at least!!

i know what you are all thinking - but george, hans will shred that leather loveseat like it was christmas wrapping paper with those ferocious claws that you see fit to never trim!!  the more careful of you onlookers will notice that there are still a couple of unpacked boxes lurking beside the wall unit next to the cat litter box.  that is my cunning plan to keep my precious cherry loveseat pristine.  i filled this box with books that i was planning to put in my storage locker, but the real purpose of these boxes is to give hans something to scratch OTHER than my new loveseat.  hans' one weakness is cardboard, and he loves to shred it intensely.  until i finish (and start) my double-dome carboard cat lounge (plans to be displayed herein shortly), this will have to suffice.

i also signed up at the fitness centre at my building, and saw casino royale this weekend. craig is a fantastic bond (even if he is 38, making out with freakin 20 year olds). now, everyone can relax and stop worrying about my comfort.

- g