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2008-01-13T10:19:00.000-08:00

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System Shock

2007-11-28T00:43:00.000-08:00

Sometimes things can shock you.

Going from warm weather in LA, to Snow here where I live in a day did just that.

My toes are even freezing right now, and I'm in doors!

On the bright side, the trip was a lot of fun. 12 hour plus days in the studio sound boring, especially considering I'm not actually doing any of the recording. But between video games, trips to the grocery store, and Scrabble, it was a great time. Plus having a week off of work for the first time...ever...was nice as well.

But now I'm back to routine and snow. Christmas is coming; time for shopping.

Fuck.

The Past

2007-11-18T22:12:00.001-08:00

Sitting in the Vancouver Airport, on my way to LA, without an internet connection. (I hate that WiFi is still not just a free service, but that's the greedy person in me perhaps.) Thus, this is being written in textedit, and when I post it, it will be history.

I got to the airport much too early. I over-judged and got here a good three hours earlier than need be. Not joking; three hours. It's currently 3:35, and I got here at 11:45. Lesson learned, as I wandered aimlessly with a heavy carry on bag over my shoulder, and a lighter suitcase full of clothing. No joke there either. My suitcase is lighter than my carry-on. A laptop, camera, extra lens, two books, and a few little odds and ends I suppose adds up pretty quickly.

So in the meantime, I worked on the Counting Heartbeats book, which was more troublesome than fruitful, as I have now realized I did a few things wrong and have to go back and re-edit all the pictures I did. Oh well, not a major deal, there's only a handful to go through, and it's a simple fix.

So now I sit and wait. At least I had an enjoyable last night in town (for a whole week!) last night.

I went out for dinner with Nirat, a girl I met through a series of Birthday parties (one including her own). We went to one of my favourite spots in town, The Mint. A sidenote about the restaurant, I've been there a good 100 times or so (I said it was one of my favourites!) and every single time, I always see the same server there. I am beginning to think she never has a day off; or possibly even lives there.

During one point in our conversation the topic of my novel came up (which considering how I look at it as pretty ridiculous, banking on the grammatical errors alone).

"So tell me a story now."

"What kind of story?" I asked.

"Something about a parakeet and," she paused and thought out loud, "It needs to be something scary. I know, a baboon!"

"A baboon? Of all the things in the world that are supposed to be scary, the first thing you think about is a baboon?"

"Yea! They're one of my biggest fears. Seriously, if I had to pick between fighting either a shark or baboon, I would easily pick the shark."

We laughed and went on to talking about fears. I never did tell a story.

After dinner we hit the town in search of Gelato, but were rather disappointed to see all the places (the three we could think of anyway) were closed. I guess the Winter Ice Cream demand isn't as big as we had hoped. So we just decided to keep walking down by the harbour. As we walked pass the Empress I mentioned that I had never been inside, despite living in Victoria (or a town close enough to be considered a part) my whole life. Shocked, she decided we should go in, if nothing else, to see the Tiger head in the Bengal room. (I didn't even know that existed until last night!)

As we got inside, we were unfortunately once again disappointed by this city when there was a private function in the Bengal room, and access was permitted.

So we walked around a little while, then it was off to our respected washrooms to get rid of some of what we had drank for dinner (too graphic?). The mens and the womans washrooms were in much different locations, and when I came back around to see if she was out yet, she was on the floor at the bottem of the stairs with a waiter from the private function asking if she was okay. She was, a sore ankle, but nothing in need of the doctor that the waiter was insisting come check her out. I think the most disappointing thing was that she fell down the stairs, and I missed it. A total bummer.

We went to Tim Horton's for a drink after that episode, and I couldn't help but bring it up.

"So what happened exactly? Did you just trip?"

"Well, you see, funny story. So I was thinking about how long the Empress has been there and all the surely glamorous people that have walked down those stairs before, with their ball gowns and what not, and I kind of started imagining I was one of those people. Gracefully descending form the heavens above. And then I guess, I missed a stair."

Sparkly

2007-11-17T02:22:00.000-08:00

I'm covered in glitter. My ears are ringing. I saw too many men in dresses.

Why do I go to these crazy events?
Who even likes the Velvet Underground?

Fucking hipsters.

Leaving On A Jet Plane (soon)

2007-11-15T23:51:00.000-08:00

On Sunday I head to LA to hang out with my friends Maurice as they record their first album for Warner Brothers records. I'm really excited to both go, and have a week off. I haven't had a full week off in over a year and a half. So this is pretty exciting. And then considering what I'm doing in that week off, I couldn't be more excited.

But now I think I'm going to sleep.

Pep 'N' Ched

2007-11-14T22:20:00.000-08:00

Caitlin and I went to town to see Lars and The Real Girl tonight. It's a movie I've been looking forward to for a long time considering my man-crush on Ryan Gosling. The movie was stellar, as I expected it to be, but as per usual, the highlight of the night was the conversation.

Caitlin has a weird humor. Not weird in a bad way, just weird in a way that's like no others. And always makes me laugh.

"Driving a standard is way harder than driving an automatic," she said. Recently she got a new* car to go with everything else new in her life. New job, soon to be new place; I'm completely envious as I still sadly live at home, half an hour a way from everything I do. This poses a huge problem once school starts, I'm really not ready to pay 400 dollars a month on gas (which will probably be even higher once September rolls around considering current economic trends.)

"How so?"

"Well, for example, I was trying to eat a Pep 'N' Ched the other day,"

"A what?" I asked, assuming I just heard wrong.

"A Pep 'N' Ched, you know."

"No, no I really don't."

"That bun thing with a Pepperoni stick in the middle? Don't you know what those are?"

"Of course I do, I never called it that though."

"What do you call it?"

"A bun with a pepperoni stick in it."

"Oh. Anyway, it was in cellophane so I was kind of driving with my elbows so I could use my hands to unwrap it, and I heard this weird noise the whole time I was doing it."

"What was it?"

"Oh, well I guess my elbows were pressing against the horn. So I was driving down the Highway with my horn blasting."

"What does that have to do with the car being a standard?"

"Nothing."

*new to her

I don't stick to things, I suppose.

2007-11-13T21:39:00.000-08:00

I go away. I come back. I go away. I come back. I go away. People nag. I come back.

Maybe I'll stay this time. Although, I say that every time, don't I?

Who will see this? I'm not going to tell anyone about it, but I think I'll post a link to my blog on my Facebook, for the first time making it 100% public. Not that most people didn't know about it before.

The weird thing about going away to blogging and then coming back, is reading where you were when you were still writing. It was the summer then, and so much has changed since. My heart, my mind, my mood, all vastly different. To try and explain would be too tiresome, so I'll just start fresh with a blank slate.

As of,

Now.

Songs and Salamanders

2007-08-24T01:08:00.000-07:00

I've never written a love song that was happy. Every word always ends up broken; and soaked in tears. It's something I've wondered why it happens. I guess it's kind of an obvious answer though. I guess in a way, they're not really love songs if they're not happy. And, I guess they're not really love songs if you've never really been in love.

In September, Danny and I will start again to work on my album. My friend Aidan is going to LA to work on an album with the band Maurice who he plays bass in, so while he's gone for that time, Danny and I are going to use his studio, as where we started recording was his living room while his parents were away. Danny is moving out of his house, which makes that spot a little hard to use. I'm excited though. I've been working on a couple songs for the first time in awhile. I feel somewhat inspired. I don't know what brought it on. I've been writing about cars, and memories, and people I know. I hope when you hear it, you'll like it. At least some of it.

My voice has never been something that I've been proud of, but I hope when people hear my songs in the future, even if I don't sound all that good, they believe what I'm singing.

The Sun Also Sets

2007-08-19T23:57:00.000-07:00

I find it sometimes eerie how much a song can really depict things going on in your life. Almost to a tee.

Too Bad

2007-08-17T23:35:00.000-07:00

So tonight after a wonderful dinner at my one of my favourite restaurants in town, The Mint, Maude and I headed to the theatre to see Superbad.

But unfortunately, it was sold out. Granted we got there ten minutes before it was supposed to start, on opening night. But I really did not expect it to be sold out; I especially didn't expect the 10:20 showing to be sold out. I guess we didn't plan this too well. But at least we had a good dinner, and we plan to try again Sunday, this time going early enough to allow ample time.

But in some ways, part of me is glad that happened.

Driving back, we decided to take the scenic route, and talked about each other's lives. It was the first time I'd hung out with Maude that didn't involve seeing live music in a long time, so there was a lot to catch up on. Her boy situation, my girl situation, her Europe trip, my decision to take one more year off, jobs (new and old), and so much more. It was good to talk about things with her, as she's someone I've always felt really comfortable talking too, and from the things she told me, and how few people she said know about even half of it, I think (or at least hope) those feelings are mutual.

Just as we were about home (we live on the same street), some guy flagged us down and asked if he could get a ride into town since he forgot his puffer and was having an athsma (sp?) attack. So I did. Which was fine, but he gave me his life story in between wheezes. I don't mean to sound rude, but I don't understand why some people feel the need to do that. I was more than happy to help the guy out, but I didn't really want to hear about how his life has been so hard and how much he makes an hour laying concrete even though he shouldn't because of his athsma (sp?).

But other than that, it was a good night, even if Superbad was a no-go.

a loaded weapon

2007-08-07T20:53:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you have to take a long walk by yourself, with an mp3 player pointed at your head, full of music, to blow your brains into the world.

I find I can think a lot better if I just walk. Tonight I did that, to clear my mind, and figure out what I'm trying to get across.

The weekend was a crazy one. So many things happened. And I had such a vast range of emotions
one might think I was loosing my mind. (Maybe I am?) Missed ferries, feeling like peeing, drives to no where and a bad dessert, and feeling like your wanted for the first time in your life. All of that doesn't even come close to saying everything.

I think truth is one of the hardest things to not only accept, but admit. There is so much concern in truth, that it will cause so much pain. In another, or yourself. I'm trying to get better at it. I need to get better at it. I'm for lack of a better term, a coward. I know this, yet I find it hard to overcome.

But I will. I know I will.

I have to be more positive. That's something else I'm learning to do.

This is the summer of learning.

Picture

2007-08-07T20:38:00.000-07:00

Well Anna, I'm Here

2007-08-01T22:25:00.000-07:00

Anna asked me where I am.

Perhaps bringing a blog back and ignoring it for months is rather anti climatic.

But the truth is, things are going pretty good for me, which is perhaps why I feel reluctant to write. I am having a summer I fully enjoy for the first time in, perhaps ever. I have good friends who I love. I have been spending time with someone I recently met, and I've never felt better spending time with her. It's not a relationship. Maybe it never will be. Maybe it will be. I don't know. But she says kind things and I believe her. She touches my shoulder and I believe her.

She's the first person to tell me "I'll always be there if you need anything" and believe it 100%.

I've been going to lots of shows as well. Lots of local ones. Tegan and Sara twice. Which were probably the best shows, (except perhaps the first Final Fantasy show I saw) I've seen. The new record is fantastic. I love it.

Speaking of new lovely records. The new Matthew Good. FUCK ME. I could die with this playing and I'd feel ok about it.

On Saturday I'm playing an Open Mic in Chemanius. It's the first time I've played for people in over a year, and for some reason I'm not nervous about it at all. In fact I'm really excitied. I'm playing two songs of mine (Silly Grin, and The Birthday Song, which I wrote for Marnie on her Birthday, I think it's the best thing I've written) and Sort Of A Protest Song. I'm also going to go horse back riding and watch a movie in a park in the small town of Crofton. Then Sunday going camping for a night on Sidney Spit island.

Let's hope for good weather.

So Anna, and who ever else still bothers to look here. That's a little bit of what I've been up to.

champions of nothing

2007-06-28T23:22:00.000-07:00

the new Matthew Good album is everything i ever wanted it to be and more.
and more
and more
it's just what i needed at this moment. and even though I dont own it, and cant take it with me, and can only listen to it at this moment, listening to it in the mood i am in right now, is the perfect thing.
my mind has been a mess today. maybe it had something to do with the fact i woke up at six am to go to work. maybe its the fact my throat hurts in a weird way that is really nagging at me. maybe its because of someone's lack of caring.
maybe its all these things
or more.
or more.
and more.

Call Me On Your Way Back Home

2007-06-24T17:38:00.000-07:00

Awhile back, when discussing my various websites and things with a friend, he asked why I don't combine my blog with my photosite. I told him it was because on my blog I talk about how miserable I am and don't want to have that kind of thing on my photo site.

It takes just one second, one person, to turn your whole mood around. I had felt as if I was on a high, and now, it's all gone. I had big plans. Happy thoughts. Took time off work. And now, nothing to show for it.

Perhaps I will learn from this. Not to go head first. Not to be nice. Not to do a lot of things.

In other news,

I went and saw Patrick Watson last night, and it was incredible.

Home Again

2007-06-19T22:30:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend in Calgary, doing family things I didn't really want to do. There were too many tears involved for my liking. But it had to be done I suppose, and it will most likely be the last time I go to Calgary for a long, long time.

I hung some pictures in my room today. One of Bob Dylan I got with a book, and four of my own that I printed of shots of Counting Heartbeats. I tried to pick ones that were some of my favourite moments (Aidan's guitar on fire in Naniamo), certain favourite shows (White House Art Gallery in Kelowna) and just good pictures (Aidan on the ground within the first 2 seconds of a set at Lucky Bar here in town).

I think the pictures on the wall make the room look a lot better than just plain painted walls.

Now if I could bring myself to clean my room.

That Burning Sensation

2007-06-11T23:10:00.000-07:00

My eyes feel as if someone is blowing smoke directly into them. It's that burning sensation that only stings more when you close them tightly. It's not as if I'm tired; the rest of my body still feels full of energy.

Who knows?

An RSS feed link is added on the top of the sidebar now.

Two more days now before I head to Calgary for five. The trip is not something I'm all that looking forward to; not to say I'm dreading it either though. I'm more indifferent I suppose. There's a lot of great things I'm missing out on though by not going which is disappointing though. But at least I'll be able to get a lot of work done while I'm there. Perhaps maybe even get inspired to start another novel.

Writing another novel is something I want to do so badly, but I can't seem to think of a whole story. I can think of bits and pieces for one hundred different locations, different characters, ideas, scenes, but not a single plot. It's driving me insane. I wish I was more creative.

I also wish I could paint.

Badly.

Browsing

2007-06-10T21:29:00.000-07:00

I've been trying out Camino as a browser the last couple days, and I am honestly pretty disappointed with it. Mainly for the lack of RSS feeds. Given that I use RSS a lot now, I plan on finally putting the RSS link to my blog back on the side bar. Well, if people want it...

Does anyone else use RSS? I won't bother if no one else does.

After all the sun I talked about latley, it's been raining alot the last couple days. Today the wind blew to new extremes. It's like we're back in March.

This town where I live, never really has seasons. It's like a year long autumn.

here we go again

2007-06-10T00:25:00.000-07:00

Another night where I should be sleeping already, but I am not. Perhaps I'm an insomniac. It's so hard for me to settle down and rest.

My mind is always so busy. Thinking of one hundred million things at once.

example:

"What's the capitol of Delaware?"

Perhaps

2007-06-09T18:20:00.000-07:00

Chances aren't great, but I may be spending a lengthy amount of time in the States.

More info to come if it happens or doesn't.

In other news,

I went to a really fun show last night. I'll post some pictures here to come. It was supposed to be and acoustic show, but only two out of four acts was acoustic, which actually made the whole night a bit more enjoyable I think. I like shows with lots of diversity. Seeing the same kind of bands over and over can be a bit of a bore after awhile.

Thursday I leave for Calgary for five days. Not sure what I'll do when I get there to kill time other than whatever my family has planned, but I'm sure something will come up.

Knocked Up

2007-06-08T17:35:00.000-07:00

I went and saw Knocked Up last night, and enjoyed it a great deal. It had me laughing out loud a lot, which is always a good thing about comedies. This has been a pretty good year for comedies when you think about it.

Hot Fuzz was hilarious. I liked it better than Shaun Of The Dead.

Blades Of Glory was easily the best Will Ferrel movie to date. (yes, I said it.)

and then Knocked Up.

I'm sure there's been other comedies this year that have been good that I haven't seen, but a lot of comedies I find rather boring and cheap. So to find so many good ones in a single year is a nice surprise.

Recording Myself Making Weird Noises

2007-06-06T18:46:00.000-07:00

Over the last month I've been slowly working on making a record of songs with some friends of mine. It started out as a concept, which much to the chagrin of someone I'm sure, has branched away from that. But the songs are coming along slowly.

It's a bit hard for me though to hear myself and be happy with how it sounds, my singing mostly, because I guess I want it to be better than it is. Perhaps it's the high expectations I have given that most of my best friends are some of the most talented musicians ever.

But eventually it will be finished, and anyone that wants one will be able to download it somewhere. Probably here. Maybe Myspace. Maybe somewhere in between. I don't quite know yet. I only have five songs right now, so it's still a ways off.

Weather

2007-06-04T14:56:00.001-07:00

It's been nice here for days and days. The temperature has been so high sleeping has been hard. Tossing and turning at three a.m. trying to get comfortable without sweating out every drop of water in you is a daunting task. But today, the rain has returned with a heavy vengeance. Which of course is great since it's my last day off in nine days, and I have a photoshoot this evening, that was scheduled to be outside.

Go figure.

Hopefully the rain will part by then though, or at least be light enough to not affect it. Who knows, in retrospect it might create some interesting things, the only problem that really worries me is the lighting of it being cloudy at six o'clock. I guess I will just have to wait and see.

The plan is to go up to Goldstream park, and shoot in and around the river. Considering just how gorgeous it is up there, hopefully I can manage to get some nice shots in the short time I'll have.

im back

2007-06-04T14:51:00.001-07:00

who cares?

Bon Voyage

2007-04-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

Another trip with The Heartbeats this weekend.

Be Back Monday.