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Leg Measles or Why I Don’t Wear Shorts

I first picked up a pair of tweezers and pulled out a hair in my second year of university. I had had my legs waxed for the first time, a gift from my mom in preparation for a week at an all-inclusive 3-star resort in Cuba, the first trip I had ever saved up and paid for myself, and was disappointed to see a few stray hairs remained on my shins. That’s normal, my mom said, just pluck them out. I…

101 things to do in 1001 days IN PROGRESS; #7: Complete the 416 Women’s Run

I just reached 300km in my quest to complete the Toronto Women’s 416 Run Challenge! Which means I get another little charm in the mail – the U/1 (R/6 for the first 150km, and N/4 for finishing – which I obviously have to do because I’m not walking around with a bracelet that says “RU”). The Challenge was started last year to help get people moving while we go through various stages of lockdown.…

101 things to do in 1001 days IN PROGRESS; #99: Start painting your nails again (5 pretty designs)

Occasionally, I like to do my nails. Sometimes it turns out okay, sometimes it does not. Most of the time, it’s an excellent way to prevent me from chewing them. It’s been a while, and sometimes it’s hard to get motivated to spend so much time doing something that often turns out disappointing, so I thought a list item might motivate me. Here’s the first design for #99. This is my first time…

101 things to do in 1001 days IN PROGRESS; #13: Do 10,000 steps every day for a month (also #7: Complete the 416 Women’s Run)

For the month of April (and one day of May, for a full 31 days), I hope to take at least 10,000 steps each day. Sure, that’s an arbitrary number based on an old marketing decision, but it’s a nice, round-numbered goal to work toward as I try to get back in something resembling shape. I ran a whole entire marathon on the Great Wall of China in 2019, and now I can’t do 5k without taking a break.…

101 things to do in 1001 days; #92: Wash face properly every night for a month (like with the Korean creams and everything)

I did it! I used those creams every day, and for once, they may not expire before they’re finished. Might do that mask again tonight to celebrate. How’s the skin? I don’t know if it looks all that much better, but it feels amazing. But instead of the dry, flakey skin and little red spots/the occasional rash along my jawline, all month I’ve been getting those deep, painful zits that take a while…

101 things to do in 1001 days; #64: Watch and review No Country for Old Men

Repeat to self: No Country for Old Men, Children of Men, and There Will Be Blood are different movies. No Country for Old Men, Children of Men, and There Will Be Blood are different movies. No Country for Old Men, Children of Men, and There Will Be Blood are different movies. Warning: This review is going to make people who are serious about movies seriously question their friendship with…

101 things to do in 1001 days; #55: Watch and review Django Unchained

Well, it was nice to see Christoph Waltz use his powers for good this time. I did really enjoy this movie, but damn, it was an uncomfortable watch, given the amount of torture and N-words we are submitted to in the name of entertainment. I mean, it’s not like this was a serious movie about slavery; it was a fantasy revenge flick, so I’m not sure all the torture and, again, constant use of the…

101 things to do in 1001 days; #92: Wash face properly every night for a month (like with the Korean creams and everything)

I’ve gotten lazy during the pandemic. Actually, that’s not true, I’ve always been lazy, but my skin has gotten weirdly bad during the pandemic. It’s dryer and spottier than it used to be, despite no change in routine. I’m not sure if it’s the stress or the fact that I rarely leave the house, but it seems like it could use some extra care and attention. When I was in Korea (I am aware I sound…

101 things to do in 1001 days; #53: Watch and review Parasite

A comedy without clowns, a tragedy without villains Even though I lived in Korea for a year in 2014/2015 (best 12 months of my life, and I miss the people and the country all the time), I never really got into K-pop, or K-dramas. And I’ve never actually seen a Korean movie until now. Mainly, this is because I’ve never seen most movies. I keep having to make lists like this one to get myself…

101 things to do in 1001 days; #56: Watch and review: Inglourious Basterds **SPOILERS**

Only one person in this picture is alive by the end of the movie I love stylized action movies. I loved Kill Bill. I hate Hitler. So why didn’t this movie work for me? Well, for one thing, if I was writing fan fiction about killing Hitler, I wouldn’t have all the Jewish characters die in the attempt. Or maybe not all. Was Pitt’s character Jewish? If not, why was he even involved? Why was he the…

101 things to do in 1001 days; #51: Watch and review Interstellar

This movie is beautiful. SOME SPOILERS I’m not 100% convinced Interstellar makes sense, but I loved it. First of all, the cinematography is just astonishing. It is as majestic and otherwordly as you’d hope a movie about space and black holes and the end of humanity and the need to explore would be. I do wish I had been able to see it on the big screen rather than the computer, but until I’m…

100 things to do in 1000 days; #59: Watch and review Logan

I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t written “and review” in there. Oh well. The intent was to get writing again, so write I will do. (Vague spoilers follow.) This movie was very…squishy. There was just a lot of foley. And I enjoyed watching it, but I’m not sure I want to spend a lot more time thinking about it. I think, during the pandemic, after so many deaths and struggles both personal and global,…

100 things to do in 1000 days; #67: Watch and review 10 Things I Hate About You

Small spoilers, if you’re a person who hasn’t seen this movie in 2021 (WE EXIST! I WAS ONE UNTIL 20 MINUTES AGO). I was 12 in 1999, when this movie first came out, so should I have already seen this ’90s teen classic? Of course. I should have seen a lot of things. That’s why I’m doing this. And I’ve felt like I’ve already seen it in a way, thanks to all the references and memes and existing near…

100 Things, 1000 Days

At the end of 2010, I started my first “100 Things in 1000 Days” project, inspired by Heather Cocks of Go Fug Yourself fame, and with the goal of motivating myself after a difficult year. So now, 10 years later, after another appalling and devastating year, it seems like a good time to do another one. For me, these lists should be a good mix of things that are easy to do and things that are…

100 Things, 1000 Days Report and Bonus Round