I'm Wide Awake

"I wanna be where I've never been before..."

2011-08-20T07:49:00.000-06:00

"...I wanna be there and then I'd understand..."

Song Du Jour:

"Counting down 'til the pain would stop"

2011-07-14T12:57:00.002-06:00

Is there anyone who goes through life without feeling both edges of pure joy and complete sadness? I like to think that they match each other, or perhaps the joyful moments can over power any sad moment, can't it? Joy is tougher, sometimes you miss it or take it for granted. I am humbled to say that joy has filled my year so far, I have been careful to recognize it and wallow in it for a while.

I returned from my last U2 concert of the 360 tour Sunday. I knew Saturday, during the concert, how special that night would be, I was there in that moment, willing myself to be present. Meeting new friends in GA, hearing "Shine Like Stars" at the end of WOWY and sharing that moment with fans who were also blown away by that! Incredible night.

Early the morning after, teary eyed, I dragged my suitcase away from good friends and fun back to a plane home. At home came the news about the passing of a friend. Tomorrow I will be attending a memorial for a friend who lost his life last Saturday. Life, you crazy thing...so blessed is a life filled with joy and pain all at the same time.

Every eye looking every other way
Counting down 'til the pain would stop

At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility

"If you love me like I love you please won't you let me know "

2011-06-30T13:40:00.007-06:00

It's rather amazing what drums and a guitar can produce. The Black Keys were incredible. The set list was stellar. From material they've produced since 2002 and up. I was glad to hear My Next Girl, The Breaks, 10 Cent Pistol...that song is incredible live. Strange Times was intense. You could feel it in your chest. Everybody was up dancing...and everybody seemed to be high...lots of pot smokers in that crowd, which was very young and mostly male.

The stage was stripped right down to almost nothing...it was a skeleton of lights and it was stellar. Just some white lights strung up...at times it was like being in a backyard or in your buddies basement. I loved it. But I'd love to see them in a more intimate setting.

The crowd was timid at first....but they warmed up quickly. It was a bit of a lovefest really, I felt the crowd really had a lot of respect for what they were seeing. It was incredible to watch the interaction between the drums and the sweet blues guitar...they added musicians for Tighten Up and the the bigger hits, they sounded great too. Still amazed by the guitar.

Cage The Elephant, the opener, was a lot more screamy than I had imagined they'd be. But they performed their hits well. Sans yelling.

It was a brilliant night. We realized that all of us, and there were 12 of us, had met through twitter. Also you should try Granville Island's Maple Cream Ale, it's delicious.

Song Du Jour:

"Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"

2011-06-28T10:53:00.003-06:00

I've been trying to figure out this odd feeling that keeps washing over me this last month. It's like it builds up in my chest until I can't take it anymore and I feel like I might burst.

Last night I was in Save On Foods rushing about in my workout gear after getting my arse handed to me at kickboxing/punch dancing class and I found myself smiling away at the bulk organic soynuts cascading into the bag while a woman berated her child in the bulk foods aisle. She was an angry lady...poor kid. All of a sudden Mysterious Ways by U2 came on the speakers and I sang along happily while two men had a fight over soda near their cart. "No dude, you can make Cuba Libre's with fake pop..." "yeah but Coke is too expensive, ya jackass." "oh fuck you...just leave it in the cart" "You're already ruining next weekend dude!" Holy Drama! And Cuba Libre's? That uptight Dude needs a new cool beverage to drink.

Then a lady ran into me with her cart. "oh sorry" I said, like it was my fault, then I helped her pick up the stuff she knocked over and she looked at me and said thanks, she had a bad day. She thought I was going to yell at her. I said, well it can only get better now. I smiled at her. And she smiled back then rushed off with a look of exhaustion in her eyes.
I stopped there for a moment and watched people rush around like mad, fight and skulk about and even though I had about a 1000 things still to do and it was already 8 p.m. I felt this calm sort of serene feeling...what is that, I wondered.

And I am startled to discover it is happiness. and contentment. I know that sounds silly, and it's not like I haven't been happy before, don't get me wrong, but a sustained period of elation can really catch you off guard. And this time it's different because everything in my life happens to be coming at me all at once and I should be cowering in a corner in a panic...but I'm not. I blame this on all the things I have to look forward to in the upcoming month and the really incredible year unfolding around me. I had an epiphany...I can't control life so now I am just so excited for what's next. It's a Castaway moment for sure (yay pop culture)...Tom Hanks in the middle of that 4 way stop...You never know what the next wave will bring. All I know is how fucking grateful I am for all the things in my life. How happy I feel right now, in this moment.
Tomorrow is a huge day for me. I plan to celebrate it by going with my #yegmusicclub to see Black Keys, who I have been dying to see live. Nothing like live music to elevate you even higher. Then next week (next week!) I am going to see U2 again with the most incredible people from around the globe. I've never been this excited to go stand and wait in a huge queue.

"Oh, it’s my road and it’s my war..."

I have Young The Giant stuck in my head today so that will be the Song Du Jour:

"It's not what you're dreaming, but what you're gonna do"

2011-06-17T15:50:00.004-06:00

I got to take public transit this week! My car decided (in the pouring rain, on the Henday) that the Wiper Blade motor Linkage should break and then the check engine light came on. It was one of those moments...I could not pull over and needed to make it to the nearest mechanic. So I did my best to stay calm...got off on 87 Avenue and took the back roads, stopping every couple of blocks to manually clean the windshield. This must have looked hilarious. After that my whole day was derailed, but I managed to get through without freaking out at all. I mean what can you do right?

It has been a long time since I took the bus, and it wasn't half bad. I mean sure I had to transfer twice and run for both connections, but it only took me 40 minutes to get to work. For ETS, that's impressive. I like having all that time to listen to music and think. I have lots to think about right now. Lots. Do you ever find yourself having to make giant decisions and you just can't? I feel oddly contradictory this week. I have to find a new car, a process I am dreading and although I really want a more reliable car, but I sure don't want to have to pay for it. It's a weird feeling. I know I need a car...really my whole life is organized around being able to get places that have no transit service...but I have really, just recently, considered not buying a new one. Think of all the money I could save each month and I could go travelling more. But is that worth months of no car in a city that you need one? hmmm....
It's a giant decision. I thought once I was forced into it...well I thought making this decision would be easier. Turns out it's not. I need more time.

I am also working on a series of blog posts from my U2 week, including the gig bit of the Edgemonton show and my first hardcore GA and front row experience...oh and all of Seattle which was seriously so much fun. I will get around to posting them soon. I did something a bit different and took a journal with me on my trips, then actually wrote my adventures down in it. I know. So 1990's. I kinda really enjoyed it.
It's also not a public blog so I put a lot of good stuff in there. Which none of you get to read. Sorry. But because it is all written down I feel very lazy about blogging it, actually. It's lovely to have things to look forward too, I can't believe how lucky I am...well you know relatively speaking, the car business is just a blip on the screen, I hope.

Song Du Jour Summer Rain by U2

"It's not why you're running
It's where you're going
It's not what you're dreaming
But what you're gonna do
It's not where you're born
It's where you belong
It's not how weak
But what will make you strong..."

U2360 Edgemonton "Begging to get back to my heart, to the rthym of my soul.."

2011-06-01T23:59:00.003-06:00

From the GA:

I fell asleep under a make shift lean to supplied by my mates in line, and got about 5 minutes of sleep. I kept dreaming I was trying to sleep under the chairs in a medicentre waiting room. Surrounded by fans chatting and visiting their conversations were creeping into my subconscious.
After 3 hours of trying to sleep I heard someone ask for hj from the atU2 boards. I heard my line mates tell her that I was sleeping and could she come back later. She said she was Garden Tart and I poked my head up...I really wanted to meet her, she drove up from Calgary and we'd been friends on the boards for years. I think it was 8:30 a.m.

I gathered myself up, ran my brush through my hair and brushed my teeth, camping style. It was next to impossible to be worried about how I looked so I thought, screw it, and just got on with it. Who needs sleep when there is all this excitement going on. It was gig day! I had waited 581 days to see this concert!! Everybody was excited!

The day FLEW by. I can barely remember meeting all the people who came to introduce themselves. We organized and got our red and white balloons ready to distribute.

By 10:30 I was taking my first break, home to shower, pack some stuff back with me from GA and get lunch. I got back in line at 11:30. I felt like a new person after that shower.I was ready for the gig. We took turns numbering the rest of the fans. We stopped at 850.

By 2:30 the security folks were already passing out mixed info. They gave us 5 minutes to pack up our stuff and many fans missed it. Some of the top 50 in line lost their spots. It was very disorganized and a huge let down after all we had done to try to communicate with Commonwealth. They moved us into a short line, side by side, and we waited. And waited. It was the most anxious time. But we tried to keep our spirits up and we took a group photo:

Then a lady came out and told us very specific instructions. They would open 3 gates and we would proceed down aisle M. Then she came out and told us something different. We were all very concerned because it seemed like they had no idea what they were doing.

And they didn't have any idea what they were doing, it was clear. When the gates opened, many fans tickets would not scan. People from the back pushed forward in a surge, once we got in we headed for M like we'd been told only to be yelled at for that...and told we were going the wrong way. Massive confusion and it caused a panic. I looped back to the end zone stairs and ran down them. No one stopped me, it could have been very dangerous. We ran across the field. I pretended to be Calvin McCarty and ran that 110 yards for a touchdown faster than I think I have ever run in my life. It was a giant loop to get into the inner circle, my heart pounding, my adrenaline pumping. One usher, she tried to tell me I could not enter the turn style, she was wrong and had been given the WRONG information, so I pushed past her and carried on. (I felt really bad about that and went back to apologize later) I rounded the corner only to see all my line mates, panic on their faces, running towards me, Commonwealth had closed the gates on Adam Side so they all had to run around to Edge Side.

Commonwealth managed to make it the WORST GA I have ever been a part of. They are just lucky no one got hurt. When it all stopped...I realized I had grabbed a rail and just sat down. We all took a moment. WHEW! I was inner circle, front row, between The Edge and Bono. HOLY SHIT!

I needed a beer.

U2360EDM "Faraway, So close up with the static and the radio"

2011-05-31T23:45:00.001-06:00

Woke up Tuesday Morning and knew I should get out to the Commonwealth right away, just in case the line up for GA (The general Admission line) had started. I went for a run, had a quick shower, ate breakfast and thought, I have plenty of time, I will be back home soon and can get my stuff packed. But I packed my chair and umbrella....just in case.

If there is one thing I have learned this week it is be flexible when it comes to GA. After 18 months of planning, you just have to roll with it. I pulled into the parking space at commonwealth, it was a flurry of activity. Trucks were lined up and the inner claw works were just being put up from Winnipeg. They seemed to be behind a bit. I rounded the corner and the GA line had started. They were already giving out numbers. It's was 9:44 a.m. the day before the gig. I had to make a decision. Get in line now? Come back later? I asked GA Joe what his rules were. Took it all in and decided I was in. I got my number.

#12! Never thought I would be that close. It a split second I realized...this was it, my chance had come to be front row for U2. Then I called my friends and told them to hustle down to get their numbers too! I went back to my car and got my chair...thank god I jammed it in the trunk!

I sat myself down and had a moment of "what the hell am I doing? How did I end up here?"

Really, if you told me I would wait more than a day in line for any band I would have laughed at you. And yet...there I was.

Getting to be number 12 means many things. First off, you earn that number. You have deal with the constant media attention, it's like being in a fish tank. You get to meet all the other people in line behind you. We all took turns giving out numbers and explaining the rules, answering a billion questions....well actually it's just the same 3 questions over and over.

It also meant a full 2 days of perhaps the most fun I have had. Sitting around waiting and chatting with U2 fans from all over. It's nice to be able to talk about U2 without having to explain shit. These people, this travelling band of GA family members, they just get it.

I may have been in my home town, but in that GA line I felt like I had finally come home...to a place where everyone knows your name and shares the passion you have. I took a break from 1-2 and went back home and got together all my stuff. Thankfully, I had organized that before I left for Winnipeg. So all I had to do was pack the cooler and load up my car. I got back in line and thought I would be leaving again, but as it turned out, that is where I stayed for the next 14 hours. You'd think it would drag right? Nope. All of a sudden it my reinforcements were there with supper. I looked at my watch and it was almost 6 p.m.

Friends came to visit. The other U2 fans who had seats or Red Zone tickets came by to say hi. It was flying by!

We would take walks around Commonwealth to see the claw build in action. By 8 p.m. a tent city was forming as we all nestled in for a chilly evening. Everybody was having a great time, so many friendly faces and we laughed and laughed. After dark we could see they were doing the light checks on the stage so we walked around again just before midnight. When I saw the Claw all lit up, my tummy did a little flip and I realized this was going to be such an incredible gig. There is nothing like seeing U2 at home. My line mates were so amazing. A kind gentleman, who shall remain nameless, may have snuck some Guinness into the line...which he shared with me. Sitting there sharing a pint...I will never forget that.

I went to sleep for 2 hours then Ernesto, who took the first shift, woke me so I could take the 2nd one - 2:30-5:30 shift. I did it so that Joe (#1) and Christopher (#2) could get a good night sleep, they deserved it, and I figured I would get to sleep during the day. Sitting there in the dark, listening to the wind rustle the trees, and the gentle idling of the trucks, and the cars whooshing by I thought of how lucky I was. I was cosy and packed into my sleeping bag with my touque and mits to keep me warm. I passed the time by listening to music and tweeting. Roll call for the GA was at 7 a.m. By 5:30 we had almost 150 in line.

"I know I'm going home, that's where the heart is.."

2011-05-31T05:35:00.001-06:00

Having just touched down after Winnipeg I had the day to get ready to do it all again.
Quickly got ready for the giant fan gathering we planned at O'Byrne's and returned to the airport to pick up my fellow U2 gypsies. When I returned to the West jet parkade, the same driver from the a.m. recognized me. I doubt they get a lot of customers returning on the same day.

Even though I had just seen them it was nice to see Dave and LJ and welcome Dave from York and Cathal from Derry to Edgemonton. I dropped them off at the hotel and then made my way to O'Byrne's.

At first we seemed a little coy to get up and sing in front of eachother. Perhaps afraid to butcher some of our favourite songs. So thanks to the Regina crew, LJ and Dave got us started, so did the pints. We had a blast. The highlight of my night was a duet with my new friend Cathal. We both are ginger kids so we got up together to perform Angel of Harlem, which hence forth shall be named "Ginger of Harlem", because when ever we heard it from that point on, we totally changed the lyrics.

I knew then that this U2 week was going to be the best week of my life and that I best hang on and enjoy the ride. By 11:30 I was so tired I had to call it a night because I knew the next morning would be filled with GA and wanted to get an early start!

"Let me in the Sound" Winnipeg U2360

2011-05-30T09:20:00.018-06:00

Dreams came true this weekend! It may have been a butterfly inducing wait but the U2 360 show in Winnipeg was worth every second of that insane anticipation!
I left on Saturday morning for Winnipeg and once I arrived it was full steam ahead. We went to the stadium, it still stuns me to see the stage built-- as we walked around we stopped to talk to the people in GA line, then we went to a fan gathering at Shannon's Irish pub where I met such incredible people. U2 fans prove to be, on the whole, intelligent, inspiring and gracious! We partied until we knew we should get to bed...only one more sleep!

I woke up early, GIG DAY! Too excited to go back to bed I went down to the pool for a quick swim to start the day off well. From our hotel room you could see the claw, the stage U2 builds in each city, and that gave us a ton of entertainment. From the pool I could see it too..and it was hard not to feel just a tiny bit guilty thinking of all those freezing fans in the General Admission line up. It was rather chilly in Winnipeg so GA was a bit of a challenge, and I was very aware of how lucky I was to have Red Zone tickets.

After the swim we went for breakfast and to pick up our wristbands. There is such energy around the stadium leading up to the show. Many people ask you questions, fans introduce themselves, strangers stop and talk to each other and find they either met on line at some point or know the fans you know through other fans. It really is proving to be a wonderful community of fans and we had a blast with them.

We returned to stand in the Red Zone line, we arrived first which was exciting so we started the line. Plenty of giggles while we waited. It went by super fast too...and then the band arrived and I was standing on the curb whenBono, with his window rolled down, drove past and as they slowed down I said, Hi Bono! He gave me a wave and they pulled in and started to sound check.

We waited, I got so nervous...it was such an odd feeling! We got to our spots with no difficulty...it almost seemed too easy. Then the wait. The Fray opened.
Then a flurry of activity and the butterflies started. The anticipation built up and every time the song on the PA would end I was hoping the next one would be Space Oddity, and then it finally came!
And then there they were!
Even Better Than The Real Thing was like a fist in your chest it was such a great opener!
I Will Follow made me bounce and that song live still, after all these years, manages to make me feel like I am a teenager again.

Get On Your Boots featured a very nice Canadian theme and was pumped up on the bass.
Magnificent was performed with a new intro...It was Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu, who Bono referred to as The Arch. LOL! But there was no video just the audio. They were having a tough go of things in Willie Williams land. We forgave them for spelling it "Winipeg" and for calling the province a State by accident. Everything else made up for that about a 1000 times over.

Mysterious Ways, Elevation, Until The End Of The World were so good because they were so well received by the audience, they were jet engine LOUD! I was so proud of my fellow Canadians (and many other nations) when they cheered that loudly! It was intense and we loved it!

All I Want Is You came a shocker for me as I had been ignoring set list for the last 5shows and had no idea it was coming. At the beginning TheEdge was having guitar problems so Bono said they had a "new" tech, and intro'dspan> Dallas Schoo. It was funny and light. Actually Dallas was the only one who got an intro, Bono must have forgot that bit as he never gave us the fun of his band intro'sspan>.

Then after the emotional tide of All I want is You washed over us...I was stunned again. I have never heard anything off the album Zooropa and Stay is a song that means a lot to me. A lot. I was praying I would hear it and imagined they MIGHT play it later this summer in Montreal...but I didn't have to wait for July!

Stay, Faraway So Close! Which made me bawl...god I LOVE that song.
"If I could stay.. then the night would give you up>Stay, and the day would keep it’s trust
Stay, and the night would be enough"

The lyrics are heartwrenching and even now, typing this, I well up. That a song that reminds me of a time when...you know...you can't let go and are clinging to the hope it is not over because your heart aches? Yeah...the emotions bubbled up as soon as Bono started to sing. The harmony Edge adds...JAYSUS...that is an incredible voice, so haunting and emotive.

Then came around right in front of us. Then he looked at me and to my left and reached his hand out to the girl next to me and to her delight she got hauled up on stage with her friend.

The two girls and Bono read the lyrics to You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet, but the one girl got so flustered--it was so sweet--and Bono was such a gentlemen. He helped them both down and bust into Beautiful Day!

Then came the sing along and Pride followed by a riveting performace of Miss Sarajevo, how the hell Bono sings that...well, it is amazing live. He does the opera parts and to hear his voice change and hit that high note...well, L'Amour indeed!

Then came Zooropa and I jumped up and down when I heard it! They pulled the screen down to it's max and only lit up the inside of it where the band performed in near darknes. It added such intensity to it because it felt deep and dark, even mysterious. They have new jackets that light up and those looked great!

The 3 sparks of City Of Blinding Lights, Vertigo and Crazy Tonight with a snippet of Discothèque brought the whole place to its feet! Spectacular!
Then Sunday Bloody Sunday followed by a song of OCTOBER! My first...lots of Firsts; Zooropa and October songs, the first time they ever played them in Candada. Scarlet was ethereal and Bono took a chance to tell us about Aung San Suu Kyi and her freedom and moved me with the passion in his voice, it truly is amazing she is free. Cue Walk On and we all sang Happy Birthday in honour of Amnesty International's 50th Birthday at the end of May.

One was very moving with a very inspiring speech by Aung San Suu Kyi. Her harrowing fight for her country is not over but she thanked us and reminded us that we all have a voice. One led right into Streets and I braced myself for it. Possible the best live song I have ever seen, and it gives me goosebumps everytime without fail. The whole place lit up red and I'm pretty sure we all bounced together, even the people up in the bleeds!
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me and With Or Without You were the icing on the cake, they either ran out of time before Moment of Surrender or it was just too cold (Edge and Larry both put on scarves and outerwear, as the wind was cutting)

Lights up and there is that familiar exilaration that comes and you can see it on the face of those around you. As we left crews were already hastily pulling it all apart. I know they got to get it to the next destination, but they sure don't fuck about. WOW!

I'm already SO pumped to see it all again in 2 more sleeps. I love my life.

Song Du Jour: Stay, Faraway So Close Live in Sydney from the ZooTV tour.
**I will post pics once I can get my computer to cooperate.

"I'm digging the ditches of someone else's luck..."

2011-05-13T11:32:00.008-06:00

Sooohooo...it's Friday the 13th. Do you believe in the superstition? I don't really believe in that stuff...actually, I am just glad it's the last day of the work week. Woohoo!

My mother passed away on a Friday the 13th so as I was growing up I used to wonder if that would set the stage for more terrible experiences on that day...but none have come. Thankfully. Maybe one big terrible blow out Friday the 13th is all I will have to endure in my life. Though I don't think I would plan for anything on a day like today, like a wedding for example, I don't truly believe any one day is more lucky than any other. I guess, for me now, it is all about making my own good luck and not relying on something else to bring it to me.

Why is adversity deemed unlucky? Adversity has sometimes been a blessing in my life! It has taught me more than success ever has. Perhaps I am just so very, very lucky to have had all manner of adversity to struggle through because I could have turned out to be such a shallow, selfish person without those experiences. Seems to me the luckiest people are just those of us who believe, without fail, that they are lucky and look at life's ups and downs as just par for the course.

I know a lot of superstitious people and many of them are hockey players. They only lace up their skates in certain ways, or they are the last off the ice during practice, or they tap the goal posts in the same way for every game. Is that why there is no playoff game tonight? Perhaps the NHL recognized that neither the Bruins or The Lightning players would be too keen starting the semifinals tonight.
I enjoy watching the rituals hockey players conjure up for good luck and when fans get in on it by also growing playoff beards, etc. Are there other sports like hockey that take superstition to the nth degree? I can't think of any other sport that celebrates a conference final win by presenting trophies that none of the players will touch.

Today will be as lucky for you as you think it will be. I personally feel that this just may be the luckiest day of my life! I hope it is for you too!

Song Du Jour: Lucky by Radiohead

U2360 countdown: T-Minus 16 more sleeps!!

U2 > News > 'The Ones You Remember'

2011-04-15T14:46:00.000-06:00

U2 > News > 'The Ones You Remember'

"All human virtues increase and strengthen themselves by the practice and experience of them.” ~ Socrates

2011-04-08T09:12:00.010-06:00

I'm going to the Oilers final home game of the season tonight (YAY! and GOILERS!) where they will pay tribute to a gentleman named Paul Lorieau who has been the singer of our national anthem since 1981.

There is wonderful thread that connects a community when they gather en masse to sing their national anthem together (it's why they write anthems, I'm pretty sure...). I suppose it is important to note that I personally love the anthem singing at any game or event, and I go to A LOT of hockey games, heck I announce hockey for the Panda's 8 months of the year so I sing it twice a weekend. I even sing along when Garner Andrews plays Oh Canada every morning on Sonic 102.9 radio to start his broadcast. I also love our Canadian National anthem and know the lyrics in both English and French, mostly I sing it in French as I prefer that version, I just think it is so beautiful. "Des plus brillants exploits!!!" I suppose it is silly to call Mr. Lorieau an institution but he really is because every Oilers fan knows who he is and has sung with him at least once in their lives.

I think this will be a very emotional night for him and for long time fans of the Oilers. I have met Mr. Lorieau 3 times in my life, I gushed terribly the first time like he was a rock star or something, as he came to Clare Drake to sing the anthem at important University of Alberta Bears hockey games. I hold a special respect for Mr. Lorieau because I cherish him as a part of my earliest memories when I was young and learning about hockey from my adoptive father. Later, as we were all gathered at the Stanley Cup Finals at Rexall Place, (at the next game after the opposing teams fans had booed the Canadian National anthem in game 2) Mr. Lorieau stepped onto the ice and thousands of fans sang the American Anthem as loud as they possibly could, with encouragement from him. There would be NO booing in our rink. The rush of pride I felt was for this community...one that would not take the low road...instead we honoured the American anthem and showed our respect.
Then Mr. Lorieau did the most astounding thing. We were all on our feet cheering as he began to sing Oh Canada and we joined him as usual but the entire place, I mean every fan and seemingly even the concession workers, joined in. It was so beautiful and then, after a few lines, Mr. Lorieau simply raised his hand, with the microphone out to us and allowed us to sing the rest....Goosebump city!

It is a gesture I will never forget. Throughout the rest of that playoff run we continued to sing the anthems together in that fashion and something changed. The team took some of that momentum and built on it, the fans felt more connected than ever, and the community came together.

To Mr. Lorieau I would like to thank him for what he has meant to me and for the moments each night he sang for us and I hope we have given him the same level of respect he gave to us. Those moments are some of my favourite memories as an Oilers fan and an Edmontonian. I wonder if he knows how much he will be missed?

Song Du Jour: Close to Me by The Cure

"The more we take, the less we become a fortune of one that means less for some" ~ Sarah McLachlan

2011-03-30T13:12:00.005-06:00

It's the start of the 41st election here in Canada and I am pissed off already.
I feel frustration at the lack of choice and a complete feeling of hopelessness. None of these political parties seems to be talking about what we really need. Electoral reform should be the jumping off point, affordable housing and affordable daycare need to be addressed now. Instead all I have seen are a bunch of old white guys trying to say the right thing and hit the right notes for the sound bite. It is atrocious.

And my fellow Canadians are going to vote (in record low numbers) for a government they think will protect them when they are rich...even though they are low to middle class right now. Stop that Canadians, just stop it.

Government should be there to make the tough decisions, the hard ones, like a parent who makes you eat your veggies and go to sleep at bedtime. None of us should be asked to vote on their popularity. Would you have voted for your Mother and Father if you had to elect new parents every time you disagreed with them or questioned why they were being so hard on you? Doubtful, you would have voted in new parents who made all sorts of promises. But we are not children and we need to recognize that the status quo is not working and election promises should reflect the state of our economy right now. This is not the time. It is time to get serious.

The process is broken. BROKEN. Would someone please run a campaign that will initiate actual changes? No, because they are all too afraid of losing "power".
So we will continue to suffer, our votes not counting, our government unwilling to change the very system it perpetuates. Power politics piss me off because I'm left feeling used and ignored.
And you know what? Nobody cares. None of my friends give a rat's ass about this election. They are just happy to think this is all there is or that they are helpless to change it. Apathy is apalling.

There is nothing at stake any more for voters because no matter who is in charge nothing is being done to improve the lives of low to middle class Canadians.
It is all such bullshit.

Song Du Jour:

Share Glasvegas - The World Is Yours

2011-03-25T13:28:00.000-06:00

Share Glasvegas - The World Is Yours

"We long for an affection altogether ignorant of our faults. Heaven has accorded this to us in the uncritical canine attachment" ~George Eliot

2011-03-18T15:20:00.008-06:00

I've been house sitting/dog sitting for a friend whilst she traipses about Europe this month.
Meet Marleau, isn't she cute? She is such a sweet dog, but for some reason I keep calling her Kitty Cat...it just suits her. She cleans herself like a cat which, at 3 a.m., is a rude awakening. Lick, lick, lick...ugh. She eats her poop too and, if I'd let her, I think she would eat other dog's poop. Dogs are gross, hey?

I always say how much I want to get a dog but, as a sad realization this month, really I don't want the responsibility of being a pet owner. It's a shock to have realized this. I like other peoples dogs...mostly because the owners have to do the dirty work. I don't really enjoy going for a walk and having to manhandle the excrement of the pooch and carry it in a bag with me. But who does right?

The part I like is coming home to someone who is so excited to see you they pee a little on the floor. I just don't like having to wash the floor after all that excitement.

This got me thinking there is always a give and take in life, no matter what, like the universe is a teeter-totter that has bad and good at each end in perfect balance. Every time good goes up, wheeeeeeee....bad's weight brings it back down and vice versa.
Lately, I have been trying to weigh the good side in my favour....trying to upset that balance so that I can only reap the good. But it never works like that does it? Most of the time Bad just topples over the handle and Good gets launched skyward only to come crashing down hard on its arse.

"Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and the Universe is endlessly bountiful.
Just put forth a clear enough request, and everything your heart desires must come to you."
~ Mahatma Ghandhi

Ok, Mahatma, I am working on it.

Song Du Jour: Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People

What is it with songs with whistling in them? I seem to love them. Roger Whittaker would be so proud.

"...When there's all kinds of chaos and everyone is walking lame you don't even blink now do you or even look away..."

2011-03-14T10:27:00.009-06:00

On Thursday night I was up late and was just about to go to bed when CNN started to show live images from an earthquake in Japan and I could not believe my eyes. Watching the destruction live on my TV was heart wrenching and I had a feeling of helplessness as I watched that tsunami crush and mangle peoples lives before my eyes. All I could think about were the families torn apart and was there anything I could do to help?

On Friday we were told via various news reports that this horrific crisis in Japan has a confirmed 1000 deaths and no, all seems to be alright out at the nuclear plant...Just a bit of a leak, but they are handling it. I thought to myself, a 1000 dead and no nuclear fall out, can that really be true? There is no way I thought. I mean did you see the destruction? How could there not be thousands more dead?

Then I felt really bad for thinking that because, although I am not hoping for high casualty numbers or some sort of nuclear fall out, I just don't think the news coming out of Japan is accurate and I immediately wondered if they are keeping the truth from us to mitigate the financial fall out. Probably.

Clearly, the TSX and Nikkei think the worst given their plunge this morning and this concerns me greatly. I know it will take months for Japanese authorities to confirm number of deaths, sheesh, it will probably take that long just to gain access to some of those washed out communities but given the level of destruction is there any one out there who thinks it will be less than 30,000 casualties claimed? Now with rolling black outs and supply channels cut off, how will the Japanese cope? It is hard to sit here and watch as this unfolds knowing there is nothing I can do to help (except give to the red cross and hope my donation actually makes it to someone in need). It's also hard to understand news reports that say there is no nuclear fall out when we've witnessed explosions at reactors, do they think we are morons? And already the insurance companies are calculating "losses" . This also pisses me off because calling these 'record" losses for the insurer seems redundant to me. They are INSURANCE companies!

I read The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein and now I can see, even in these first brutal days after this tragedy, the vultures are descending. One of the first reports I heard after the news was a report about Canadian lumber and how timber companies shares spiked after the Japan quake. I acknowledge that this is reality. Finance and economy come first, got it, but that still doesn't make it any easier to stomach.

I hope the people of Japan are not taken advantage of while they are struggling to comprehend this tragedy but what do I do with the knowledge that there will be plenty of advantage taken?
I supposed it bothers me that in our world the people who look at this situation, who rub their hands together gleefully and think ooohhh...how can we make a buck, will not be held accountable or even be criticized. Post-Earthquake Reconstruction will be big business and that seems to already be the focus.

Song Du Jour: When I Look at The World by U2

"I can’t speak the sounds that show no pain..."

2011-03-12T06:37:00.001-07:00

What's your favourite Bob Dylan Song?

Tomorrow is a Long Time is mine and our Song Du Jour. Perhaps because it breaks my heart when I hear it, or how it resonates longing for a love that is lost in such a profound way. I imagine Bob, unable to sleep, his heart broken, pouring out his emotions into this song in the dead of night. It is also the way he sings it, the way he pauses, "then I'd lie.....in my beeeeed.....once again."

This song is like a lullaby in its sound, I love the delicate guitar in it, but its lyrics....I really have to say that out of melody, rhythm and lyrics I think lyrics are the most important part of a song to me.

HOLY shit...I never knew Elvis sang this song. Sorry, tangent here....but I was just looking for it on You Tube to provide you, dear reader, with a link and there is Elvis, crooning away. huh.

Seems it has been covered by lots of artists...I did not know that either.
Hm...nope, after listening to Elvis' much more country sounding version I still find the original Dylan version much more touching and emotional. He sings with such sweet melancholy in his voice and for me that is missing from those other recordings:

This song would be great on a soundtrack.

As an aside: I would love to be the person who picks out music for movies...not score a movie, I have no musical talent, nope, but I could be the "Zach Braff" of Garden State, you know --compile the songs for movies. I feel I would be excellent at this...or maybe I have just watched too many John Hughes films and I think it would be easy. Sometimes when I hear a song I can create a scene from a movie in my head that could feature that song. I do that a lot actually. Or I can pull from my own experiences a moment that would fit with a perfect song. How many times have you sat in a theatre watching a movie and a song swells during a scene and you think I could have picked a better song for that moment?
Or maybe I should just write my own movies just so I can make soundtracks....

"A good mix tape to put you in the right mood...."

2011-03-10T11:29:00.014-07:00

Yesterday was the 24th Anniversary of the release of U2's Joshua Tree Album (JT) so it made me all nostalgic and I started thinking about where I was 24 years ago and how I listened to music back then compared to how I listen now. Those were my formative years, you know, the ages of 11-14 when you start to form your preferences for music, and I relied heavily on other people to make me mixed tapes. This started with my adoptive family at home because I was now living with real teenagers for the first time. This influenced me more than I realized at the time and I am thankful they both had such good taste in music.

Your older brother making you a mixed tape is a bit of a repetitive notion amongst music fans and for me it was where it all started too. My first mixed tapes had Depeche Mode, Bauhaus, U2 and plenty of punk rock on them.

I got my first Sony Walkman for my birthday at age 11 and I LOVED that walkman. Later in high school I listened to that every day on my walk to and from school (Rattle and Hum was worn out on that Walkman). It was always in my school bag with a selection of tapes clattering around. There is the first big difference from then to now. Now I don't have to carry around a device to play my music AND my music on various tapes. I bet even the thought of that would seem hilarious to any 11-14 year old in 2011 with access to a MP3 player. Rewinding, Fast forwarding, taking out the tape, putting it back in its case, taking out another cassette and winding (with your pinky finger or a pen) up the wayward spools of tape which sometimes spilled out. It seems hilarious now, but back then it was just the way it was -- and better than albums, for sure. Believe it or not a school bag filled with tapes was a "convenience" at that stage.

I was always driven by the single and wanted to hear as much music as I could and that is still true today. I ached for an easier way to get more music and in a way I could manipulate the music so I could put it in the order I chose. I had a lot of mixed tapes, even ones I made off the radio. I used to know where all my music was on those tapes too. I knew which songs were on the b-side of the cassette so I could cut down on the rewinding and fast forwarding. For some reason rewinding took more battery power than fast forwarding so sometimes you pulled the tape out and flipped it over and hit FF to get to the song you wanted. Now, I pull out my ole iPod or my blackberry, cue it and play. Not to sound like an old codger but it has to be said...Do the kids really know how great they have it these days?

I could never really afford to buy music so I only owned records or cassettes of what was given to me or made for me. (I never owned the JT cassette, actually I only finally bought a copy (CD) when it came out remastered 2 decades later) I only had JT on a mixed tape --made for me in the late summer of 1987 --by my friend Leighanne's brother, Todd. Looking back on it Todd was my first MP3 dealer. He was my Napster. And really isn't the mixed tape just the old version of MP3 sharing?

Todd didn't just take JT and copy it onto the cassette for me. No, instead he had also purchased most of the singles that had been released to that point too; the With or Without You single and the Where The Streets Have No Name single. Single cassettes were available but more difficult to find however, the want for the single (and for the b-sides) was already huge amongst music fans, or at least in the fans I knew had a penchant for them. It was record companies who at this pivotal moment in music history were already scaling back the single in hopes we would all buy the album so they could make more money off us. But back in '87 Todd bought all the singles too, God love him, so my mixed tape of JT also included songs that I thought for a long time were on the original album. The Streets single had a wee song called Sweetest Thing on it. My friend Leighanne and I loved this song. When we found out we were a bit ahead of the curve and nobody else knew about this gem, Sweetest Thing became our secret song. The one song so few others knew about in a time when U2 was every where. (oh and years later when U2 actually released Sweetest Thing I turned my music snob nose up at it and still think the original is far superior, but that is love speaking there for sure, I just loved the b-side so much because it had more meaning to me)

I listened to that JT mixed tape during a time of great personal crisis. I was a rebellious teen of 15 and my adoptive Father found caring for me too difficult, plus all my Mother's life insurance was spent, so long story short --I was out on my ass. The sense of loss I felt was something I pushed down deep into my heart, I can see that now, and it was music that allowed me to feel, allowed me to grieve the loss and start to overcome the adversity I was faced with. Running to Stand Still (RTSS) was a song I instantly connected to on that mixed tape. I didn't know why U2 wrote it or what the 7 towers were or any of the meaning behind it then, no, all I knew was how it connected to me. I was learning some tough life lessons and the lyrics resonated with me. In my first wee apartment, there were many nights when I needed some solace and I would play that tape over and over...."And so she woke up, woke up from where she was, lying still, saying I gotta do something about where we're going...." "I only see one way out....you got to cry with out weeping, talk without speaking, scream without raising your voice..."

One night I accidentally hit record in the dark instead of play....which is the worst feeling in the world...and it was only a second blip--on the second whine of Edge's guitar on the intro to RTSS-- but because I listened to it that way it stuck there forever in my mind. Even to this day when I listen to RTSS I still hear that wee pop at that part of the song in my head. It just became part of the song for me. Looking back I never really considered all of these things the way I do now or really thought much on how much the mixed tape influenced my life. I wonder if Todd knew how much his mixed tapes meant to me? I should thank him.

Song Du Jour: Professor Booty by Beastie Boys

"Wipe your tears away..."

2011-02-11T14:25:00.011-07:00

Feb 11, 2011. What a day this has been!

The Military Council in Egypt dissolved the Parliament and the government today. A dictatorship has fallen and Tahrir Square becomes a place of hope again. I found out via Twitter. Actually, over the last 2 years of being on Twitter, I get the majority of my news from the micro blogging site. I think what I like the most about it is hearing from people who are not paid to be there, unlike the media who seem to always get it wrong, or make the story about the media. Instead on twitter you get to wade through a mix of personal reports, emotional outbursts with twitpics and educated blogger's tweets.

This morning on Twitter I followed some fellow U2 fans around a special tour of the FNB stadium in Johannesburg prior to the big gig there coming up on Sunday. I saw pictures from the other side of the world instantaneously. It gave me a thrill. It's the 21st anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela today...I imagine the concert on Sunday will be very emotional and uplifting, as always, and I bet Willie Williams will have prepared something special (and spectacular) for the fans at FNB Sunday night. What will their performance of Sunday Bloody Sunday bring us? I can't wait to see videos from my fellow fans via YouTube.

Being so connected on the Internet is a double edged sword for me; it allows me to connect to places around the globe in a way I never thought possible but it also shows you exactly what you are missing. I would never give it up but, you have to get really good at stopping the thoughts of wishing to be everywhere your heart desires, it could drive you mad.

Then there are the places where life is becoming more difficult for people. Places like southern Sudan.....These events seem so much closer to us if you care to read about them I guess. Hundreds of people are dead because all they want is freedom. It weighs heavy on my mind and my heart breaks for the children and parents who have lost their loved ones, who will wipe their tears today? Can they find the strength to continue their fight? Today the news is filled with splendid hope and horrific despair, as usual, but the juxtaposition of these events remind me to be grateful to live in Canada (...although secretly I wish I was in South Africa, shhhh...).

Song Du Jour: The End By Kings of Leon

"It's never gonna be enough, I just wanna be there when your all alone, thinking about a better day...."

"I want to tear down the walls that hold me inside..."

2011-02-10T14:55:00.003-07:00

I went into a meeting to talk about my pending vacation requests and while we were talking the radio was playing lightly in the background in my bosses office. All of a sudden I hear the opening bars of Where The Streets Have No Name by U2 start. I can't believe my ears. The fact that I am taking time off to go see U2 and their (arguably) best live song comes on the radio at that moment is like the universe saying, there you go...all that worry for nothing!

I knew at that moment my request would be approved and by the time Bono sang "when I go there I go there with you it's allllll I can do..." my vacation request have been approved!

I love my life.

*108 more sleeps*

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness” ~ Mark Twain

2011-01-21T05:29:00.003-07:00

I am in a travel prepping mode with 3 trips to plan this summer and I've just submitted my official 2011 request for vacation. Now I have to wait. Wait until my request is approved and the waiting is pretty much killing me. So to be proactive I have been a keener looking up websites, trying to establish where I will need to be, how I will get there...wondering what is nearby, is this the best hotel? I just had the foolish thought that it would just be so much easier if I could just travel there before the concert to check it out. Then I rolled my eyes at myself.

I will admit I am just a bit over-the-top excited about my trips this summer...I could use the word elated...but that just does not sum it up...more like ridiculous. I am excited to get on planes, see new places I have wanted to visit my whole life, meet new people, see old friends, visit new friends, wring some adventure out of life...oh and see U2.

Now I find great things in all these amazing cities and have to stop myself from booking them and just WAIT.
I do not possess the virtue of patience.

*taps pen*
*waits*

Song Du Jour: Boy by Ra Ra Riot

"The man who has begun to live more seriously within begins to live more simply without" ~ Ernest Hemingway

2011-01-19T05:32:00.005-07:00

Well Hello 2011.

I am hoping for more blue skies this year and not in some fanciful figurative way, no, just literal and mundane weather talk here. Currently my city is blanketed in snow piles so high it feels surreal like we are on a movie set. It sure looks like a winter wonderland and I keep getting caught up in its beauty and have to smile and give a little sigh. Today for about 15 minutes the sun came out from behind the grey, it washed over the stark and cold landscape and cheered the place up! When I walk around my neighbourhood I find the sight of the drooping trees, branches laden with heaping white mounds, very beautiful. It's like everything is frozen in some beautiful postcard except I have to drive to work in it every day and carry on like the city is not limping along with only one lane open.

Of course, there are more important things to discuss than the weather; like Tunisia or Sudan where politics and freedom (and nation building) are at war. I am riveted to the events in those countries and struck by the way 2011 has already started with a brash notion of hope. For those who dare to hope I wish you plenty of blue skies too!

Song Du Jour: Do You Love Me - Guster

"I still owe money to the money to the money I owe"

2010-11-09T16:50:00.001-07:00

I know it is only November, but my favourite album of 2010 is High Violet by The National.

You really need to go buy it.

That is all.

Song Du Jour Bloodbuzz Ohio by The National

"I need the darkness, someone please cut the lights..."

2010-09-27T15:55:00.000-06:00

When I found out Arcade Fire was finally coming back to Alberta I quickly got my posse together and bought tickets through the fan club and got GA! I was going to be on the floor to see this...I could not believe my luck! The Coral in Calgary seats about 7,000 so this was like a dream come true!

We drove down to Calgary on the day of the concert and like a keener I went down to the Stampede grounds to check out the GA line up. Sadly, the kindly, older gentleman at the gate had never heard of "The Arcade Fires Band" so he checked his list and told me..."The Fires Band doesn't start until tonight, you have to come back later..."

I did my best to explain the intricacies of General Admission process to this fellow, "but there will be fans in line already so if I could just...." and while I spoke the look on his face told me, 'shush now, he's never going to let you in....'

And he didn't (There was a line up of hard core fans that I met later, but they walked in and did not have to deal with the gatekeeper). So, plan B, I went over to get my friend JT and he was reluctant to go back when I wanted to so by the time we got there they were just about to open the gates. I met some of my fellow U2 fans in line, which came as no shock to me.

We piled to the front of the GA (Edgeside) and with only 2 other people in front of us and I was pretty impressed with our spot given we had just arrived. Then the wait began and for me it was business as usual but there was a moment where I turned to JT and said, "seriously are you just going to complain the whole night?" GA is really all about patience. I have learned to wait it out because it is worth it, but JT was not so sure, and I knew I could not convince him, we'd have to wait for the show to start for him to appreciate it. And he did. Oh...he did.

The opening band, Calexico--and I forgot my sombrero--played an accordion and all manner of odd instruments! Bizarre.

Listen, I knew I was in for a great show, I had seen Arcade Fire on Austin City Limits and even through my TV I could tell it was something special, but HOLY FUCKING SHIT.

The energy level they exude is unbelievable and the way their live show builds in intensity is really incredible. They fired up a phenomenal set list and we were off!

Ready to Start
Month of May
Keep the Car Running
Neighborhood #2 (Laika)
No Cars Go
Haïti
Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
Modern Man
Rococo
The Suburbs
The Suburbs (Continued)
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
Ocean of Noise (with Calexico)
We Used to Wait
Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
Rebellion (Lies)
Encore:
Intervention
Suburban War

Wake Up

Actually, I found myself really enjoying the new songs the most! The ethereal Sprawl II still sticks in my mind, it was so beautiful, almost haunting.

Wim is on the piano in this one...loved that, they are all over the place!

The last song of the night was Wake Up when I look at this I can't believe how awesome it was to sing that with everybody, I was fist pumping and singing..."ooooooooh, oooooh, ooooooooh, oh, oh, oh, oooooooohhhh... At the 3:24 mark I thought I was going to bounce right out...the whole floor pulsated with people there!

When Regine steps forward at 5:15 she touches my hand in there, I told her I loved her. LOL! I was all high off the concert....seriously concerts are like my biggest addiction....that song, it just explodes! The passion they play with, it is phenomenal. (I need better adjectives, there is nothing I can find to describe how it hits you in the chest!) I loved the whole show, it went really fast and was over before I knew it. The most intense song was Rococco...really intense. More than I ever could have imagined. Wim (lead singer) got really focused before he started and it was very powerful. A night I will never forget.....

Song Du Jour ~ No Cars Go by Arcade Fire

"Once I had a love and it was a gas...it soon turned out to be a pain in the ass.." Blondie

2010-08-17T15:52:00.008-06:00

Over the weekend I steeped myself in music culture and took in Blondie on Saturday night and got up close and personal on Sunday night with Fran Healy from Travis. A very satisfying weekend, indeed.

First, Saturday night, I made my way out to the tent at River Cree Resort and Casino which was packed to the rafters and AMEN they've stopped allowing smoking inside so there was no thick haze to wade through. Now I came to this Blondie show with ridiculous notions and all of them were completely obliterated by the time they performed Rapture.

You see, the first memory I have of Blondie is from my 5 year old mind, my Mother loved Blondie and listened to them all the time and we would dance in the living room to Call Me.
They are cool defined I thought, and as I grew up Blondie always managed to avoid that awkward, 'everybody hates Blondie stage' and we still used to party to Blondie and dance and sing if they played Blondie in the bar...But, I never did see them live, never thought I would have the chance. From history I thought Debbie Harry would be brooding and sullen and 'angsty'.

Wrong. I was amazed when out pops this wee firecracker in a see through white tutu and punk rock jean jacket and belts and busts into D-Day. Debbie Harry, looking great, sounding phenomenal and strutting up there like Dolly Parton sans the giant knockers, she was AWESOME! Funny and entertaining and they sang some new songs and then...then came Rapture. The first rap song. Ever. I am not kidding, look it up. She rapped. I can now say that I have witnessed that, it is awesome. And so was Blondie.
From the 1970's fast forward 20 years or so to '98 when my co-worker Bryony Stone from Scotland says one day, "hey you would love Travis, ever heard of them?" And...They became one of my favourite bands. And Bryony and I are still pen pals to this day.

Then this summer rumours were flying that Fran Healy, lead singer of Travis, is working on a solo album and might tour so imagine my delight when I actually got tickets.

Sunday night Fran Healy came to the Starlite Room-- just him and his guitar and he sang, sang, sang and talked, talked, talked and we never wanted it to end. The place was crawling with U2 fans. You couldn't have swung a dead cat without plowing down some U2 fans. And not just part-timers, hard core, uber U2 fans who have seen way more gigs than I have. One guy I spoke to had never heard of Travis at all, but had come with his buddy. His buddy was the dude crying 'man tear' after 'man tear' and closing his eyes and singing every word of every song with Fran.

Fran sang some new songs, I thought of Alan Cross and how much he would love this, cause he's a music geek too and he would have loved knowing all the tidbits about each song. He spoke of love when he sang his new one, "Buttercups" and wowed us with tales about Meko Case and Paul McCartney who are both featured on his new one, Wreckorder (out October 5th). Oh and it is pronounced, "recorder"...he wanted me to pass that on.

Fran spoke of becoming a father when he wrote "My Eyes". Then he sang 20:

I was 5 feet away! He talked to the audience and we got to ask a few questions, "how many push ups did you have to do for the video shoot of Turn?" LOL! His answer was hilarious because it involved many takes and he was vibrating through most of it! LOL! He explained the genesis of all the songs he sang, then he sang them--that voice...I love his voice.

I think every music fan daydreams about the opportunity to sit and talk about music with a talented songwriter...so throughout the night at Starlite Room I kept catching my mouth agape with awe, trying not to be so struck by the incredible songs and stories pouring out of Fran on that stage. I just could not believe I was lucky enough to be a part of that.

Then he sang Driftwood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzUdJ-5fscA . Then he sang The Humpty Dumpty Love Song and I cried, it was so beautiful.

It was over too fast. It came to the point where he was to "do the encore thing" which we all agree is so over. He admitted what they, the band, do in that in between (whilst the audience is supposed to kill itself clapping and begging for more) for a moment or two backstage, "mostly tripping over wires in the dark". LOL! So he proposed a postmodern encore. He said Goodnight...then he walked to the curtain and back and then turned and came right back and picked up his guitar for more. (For the record, apparently the same night in San Fransisco, Kings of Leon also rebuked the traditional bullshit of the encore and played through, saying they didn't want to waste any time that could be filled with song-- these steps towards abolishing the whole archaic encore shite warms my heart...but I digress)

The encore was great, he did 3 more songs for us, filled us up with a bit more joy and sent us on our way. It was a really special night. A night I will not forget and my friend Bryony will be super jealous of when I tell her in my next letter. Muwahaha!

Currently my favourite song off Suburbs is:

Song Du Jour: City With No Children by Arcade Fire

And guess who just got GA for the Calgary gig in September? SO EXCITED to finally get to see Arcade Fire live.

"What you got, they can't steal it, No they can't even feel it..."

2010-08-14T09:31:00.005-06:00

Yesterday My Cousin was admitted to the Bar. We, her family, friends, teammates, and colleagues, packed into the Law Courts (first we removed our shoes and belts and got searched -holy security!). It was a really nice ceremony, in a courtroom with a judge, and her Principle who was recommending her roasted her a bit which made it really funny (and embarrassing for her) and took the edge off the very formal nature of the proceedings.

To be there to see that moment with her was really something special, and it really showed me how many people it takes to support us through our lives. All those people that gathered there yesterday have touched her life, each in a special way, which made her who she is today. Just like she has made me who I am today with her support of me. It was all very joyful and I needed my tissues. a lot.

Then we went back to her firm and got loaded on free beers. She also has a really cool office and it makes her look so damned official.

Kinda weird to see her all grown up and to hear other people, (older, professional people!) talk about her with such admiration. It was a total love-in. LOL! I am so proud of her.

But you know the best part? She is still just MCD.

Song Du Jour: Walk On by U2 (of course....)

Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic - Van Morrison

2010-08-05T08:59:00.004-06:00

Finally got to see the man himself last night, the one and only, Mr. Van Morrison.

My first experience at the Folk Music Festival was rather magical. The backdrop of the city combined with the most beautiful sunset and a mass of humanity on a hill soaking up the musical offering...man, it was awesome. I really enjoyed all the violin, it was amazing, he has such an awesome band.
They gave us candles on the way in and as twilight fell to darkness each concert goer lit there wee candle to create a milky way. Seeing all those lights on that hill from the top to the bottom made Van jump right into Gloria to get us up off our butts, which were asleep by this time, and watch all those candles sway with the dancers! It was a perfect ending.

The Edmonton Folk Music Festival really has an incredible infrastructure running it, from the volunteers to the security, it was so well organized. Although I did not eat anything I could see plates (yes, actual plates they will wash and use again!) of heaping salads, fruits, healthy Curry dishes and Bison Burgers with Saskatoon Berries. They also have the crap you want like those wee crack 'donuts' but, I was impressed with how much fresh food was available. It would have been awesome if I could have filled up my water bottle on site, instead of having to buy those 2 blue bottles.
I love that they really keep their eco footprint small and all the "Folkies" clean up after themselves and don't leave anything behind.

Song Du Jour - Suburbs by Arcade Fire....I mean seriously the album is out, you should get it.
Here is a link to the Video

"As hard as it can get, there are still moments where the four of us can shut out the world." - Adam Clayton

2010-04-24T06:39:00.003-06:00

"The editors of SPIN have ranked the most influential releases since the magazine's 1985 beginnings - and Achtung Baby (AB) comes in at No.1. 'U2's most immediately dynamic music since 1982's War, and its most emotionally frank songs to date, capturing that particular early-'90s rub of boundless possibility and worn-down despair... 'One' became an indelible anthem because it admitted 'we're not the same' but urged that we've gotta 'carry each other' nonetheless. The squalling swagger of 'The Fly' resonated due to the rock star at its center confessing he's a liar and a thief. And for 'Mysterious Ways,' the Edge somehow concocted a jubilantly snarling riff that transformed Bono's gospel come-on...' "

I love that article in Spin.

I think I love what AB means to me, over and above it being one of the best albums musically and lyrically. It reminds me of my 1992 adventure through the Rockies to see U2 in concert for the first time. I can't listen to that album without feeling the way I felt then. When I think of Vancouver it is this album that is the soundtrack behind my memories. On the bus ride down, listening on my NEW "discman"! One-- the epic breakup song...Is there anyone that doesn't struggle to find the words to express how much that song means to them? It is so personal. So intimate.

It is bound by our humanity and AB puts to music the feelings I find so hard to express; Pure Joy and happiness to complete heart searing loss.
I love the way AB can make me smile and dance and think and cry. It also rocks!

Track List
Zoo Station Lyrics
Even Better Than The Real Thing Lyrics
One Lyrics
Until The End Of The World Lyrics
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses Lyrics
So Cruel Lyrics
The Fly Lyrics
Mysterious Ways Lyrics
->Song Du Jour: Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World Lyrics
Ultraviolet (Light My Way) Lyrics
Acrobat Lyrics
Love Is Blindness Lyrics

Youtube Playlist

A man will rise, a man will fall from the sheer face of love like a fly from a wall..."

2010-04-23T08:59:00.004-06:00

After purchasing tickets today I punched in my hometown into the Ticketmaster search engine and whilst browsing the list I played that game--that if I could enter into any event on that list, free of charge here, which events would I attend (it made me laugh) :

Band of Skulls
Simon & Garfunkel
Stars
Civil Twilight with Elias & Wool On Wolves
David Gray
The Buzzcocks
Public Enemy
New Pornographers
An Horse
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and Joe Cocker
U2 360º Tour
Lilith
Deadmau5 (Live)
Blue Oyster Cult
Juliette Lewis
Vans Warped Tour
Blondie

Things I never thought I would say after 1984: "I am going to see Buzzcocks and Blondie this year!"
SonicBoom is not listed yet (Sonic 102.9 will announce the line up on Monday, April 26th at 8 a.m.) but I am totally going to that too. I am really jonesing for some Foo Fighters live and to see KoL again.

Of this list I have tickets to 7 of the events, some of them I would not go to if I had to pay I just want to go to watch the spectacle--you know, "fly on the wall events". That is some eclectic list if I do say so myself. AND we haven't even hit May yet, soon there will be even more to see!

Song Du Jour: Letters From The Sky by Civil Twilight

“Coincidence is the word we use when we can't see the levers and pulleys.” Emma Bull

2010-04-09T09:41:00.006-06:00

This week I got to see my beloved Oilers twice, the last 2 home games of the season. It was pretty freaking exciting! I know the season sucked sure, but the fans are still so very amazing. As we won both nights my streak of the Oilers winning when I am in the building is now 2 for 2. I am going to start keeping track...I wish I had started back in 2006 because my stats would be impressive; I just know it. At the end of the thrilling game on Wednesday the crowd stood and gave our boys a standing 'O' after such a challenging year. They raised their sticks and for a moment it was a classic meeting of Thoreau's Mutual Admiration Society.

I am so proud to live in Edmonton and be in the company of such big hearted fans. Even if they boo Horcoff relentlessly. I will forgive you if your passion for the game blinds you this one time...Hockey here is so much more than just a game.

It is also noteworthy that Patrick Hendricks won a car at the Oilers Game, the winner of the 50/50 draw was a Mrs. Hendricks and, "Matt Hendricks tapped a goalmouth rebound under Jeff Deslauriers with seven minutes left in the third to tie the Game 4-4." Recap: http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=2775566#ixzz0kcOE1O3T

What does it all mean Universe? What does it all mean?

Wish my last name was Hendricks.....

In remembrance of Malcolm McLaren who passed away this week I dedicate the Song Du Jour: SEX PISTOLS - Anarchy in the UK - rare live at sweden 1977

Who is Malcolm McLaren?

"this journey...has filled me with the power and courage to discover life’s lessons" ~ Agnes Nyamayarwo

2010-04-07T13:24:00.008-06:00

Today, in the mail, a package arrived with some lovely crafts I ordered from Uganda. The goal is to help an organization I have followed for a long time but whenever a package arrives from the Mulago Positive Woman's Network I wish that I could do more.

It is simply space and time that separate me from these women in Uganda but as I live my life parallel to them I consider what invisible chains hold me back from changing my life. Comparing tales of adversity is not really what I want to do, in those terms my struggle is dwarfed, but it certainly gives me another healthy dose of perspective.

Here I am in the first world feeling held back by my circumstances. Seems ridiculous, no? I don't make 'enough' money, I don't own a home, I don't have a 'nice' car. There is a lot of pressure to get these things. I look at my friends who have these things and I sometimes I wish I had them too. Unfortunately, I have never been motivated by money. I am surrounded by a consumerist society that encourages me to keep up with the newest things to what end? Where is the merit in that? I don't fit in.

Surely, I would last about 10 seconds in the third world but sometimes, today especially, I wish I could go there to shake up my world and my sense of privilege. Nobody here in Canada would ever call me privileged as I live just over the poverty line here but I feel rich beyond all imagination when it comes to life experiences and love. I just wish that seemed to matter. But my wish will remain just that. Today I feel inspired yet trapped...and philosophical, apparently.

Song Du Jour: When I Look at The World by U2

wtf Blogger why won't you post this with the spaces between the paragraphs? They are there, honest.

"Everything about you resonates happiness now I won't settle for less..."

2010-03-31T09:31:00.034-06:00

Music is pretty important to me yet, it is hard to pinpoint the exact reason why I love music the way I do and, I struggle to find words to explain the emotions it brings out in me. Muse played Rexall Place Monday night and peeps, if you get a chance to see a Muse gig, take it, you will be rewarded!

Hearing music live gives a song a chance to fly and I love being at a concert when songs soar and that's what Muse did --they let their songs soar and (lucky, lucky us) brought us along for the flight.

First, I must mention Silversun Pickups! They opened the show and really performed well in a larger setting like Rexall! Their light show was also really well done and they seem to really like Edmonton. They explained they were out on the Ave on Sunday night and at Sherlock Holmes Pub their song, Substitution came on while they were there and they really got a kick out of hearing it. They are going to be headlining their own shows at Rexall soon enough. "Locked and Loaded!"

The waiting between SSPU's and Muse was pretty hard for this lady. I actually had butterflies in my tummy in anticipation! Then the lights went down and cue Uprising!

Nevermind the laser show and amazing set on stage which were visually stunning...or the great audience who sang and sang along...

The star of this show? The MUSIC! Shit, these dudes are talented!
The sound was amazing. The band performed so well I was literally taken aback. How Matt Bellamy brings his incredible voice to peaks and valley's and manages to be pitch perfect AND not miss a note....all while dancing about the stage playing his guitar like a man possessed? I have no idea! It was really amazing to watch just him! And his bright blue leather pants!

When Matt sat down to the piano for Ruled By Secrecy I just let it wash over me, that was really special, here is my video...not the best but...

With creepy eyeballs falling from the rafters and laser beams galore there was plenty for your eyes to feast on, but the music really did sound like someone is playing the disc for you. Yes, that good!

My favourite parts were "Bliss" (yay!) and the haunting and lovely Undisclosed Desires (I was waiting for it and just loved that performance, so beautiful!).

But "Knights of Cydonia" (clip at the bottom) at the very end had the whole place bouncing and I have to admit it was not my favourite Muse song, but I never saw it live!

They let loose on the crowd with such power...the buildup and explosion of that song live is incredible! I loved watching the GA come apart during that song. The energy was amazing and I will do what ever I can to see them again! and again, and again I hope.
See the rest of my videos from Muse here .

Thanks to @melwitsa for the photos!

Setlist: Uprising , Resistance, New Born, Supermassive Black Hole, Interlude, Hysteria, Bliss, Nishe, United States Of Eurasia, Ruled by Secrecy, Helsinki Jam, Undisclosed Desires,Starlight, Unnatural Selection, Time Is Running Out, Plug In Baby. Encore: Exogenesis: Symphony, Part 1: Overture, Stockholm Syndrome, Knights of Cydonia

Song Du Jour: "Knights of Cydonia" live in Edmonton (watch the lid come off rexall at the .55 second mark...I get goosebumps just watching it again--honestly..it was freaking amazing!)

"And you know it's time to go through the sleet and driving snow...."

2010-03-26T13:25:00.007-06:00

Winter is so pretty sometimes. Even in March. There are lovely icicles on our garage that make it still seem like a winter wonderland.

But, I am moving tomorrow and, even though it happens to be snowing today, beautiful weather (13°C !) is expected and the sun should kiss the last of those icicles buh-bye!

Moving in the Spring means you take your chances with what you might wake up to -- but this time it looks like nice weather, FTW!

Oh and in other news, (another first on my blog, I think)--I have a commenter flirting with me. It could be somebody I know pranking me, or it could be someone I don't know at all pranking me...or it could be legit. I don't know - and how could you know? I am flattered though. Isn't that silly? What is the proper reaction to overt blog flirting? I am clueless at this and I am so not interested. But you can't just blurt that out, right? You're expected to play the "flirt game" back...I am not good at that 'game playing' stuff, thankfully. I know ladies who are experts. They would know what to do here and say something sweet and saucy. They'd know how to flip your hair and smile via "blog flirting". I'm not that fancy. Plus, I tend to fuck it all up.

So kind Gentleman Commenter, thanks very much for taking an interest and being so lovely with the compliments. I really appreciate it, thanks!

Also...Countdown to MUSE continues...3 more sleeps!

Song Du Jour: A Sort of Homecoming by U2

“There's something liberating about not pretending. Dare to embarrass yourself. Risk.” ~ Drew Barrymore

2010-03-25T10:16:00.000-06:00

Well, a first on my blog not to mention something I promised I would refrain from, The dreaded Questionnaire.

I was emailed said questionaire...you know those annoying things that you hate to fill out but find rather interesting to read when your friends fill them out? So I filled it out, procrastinating as per usual, and sent it back.
And now I have be "dared" to put it up on my blog. I declined. I am not some 13 year old who is going to take a dare. I was told I "never" post anything about myself on my blog. I would argue that is ridiculous! All I talk about on my blog is myself -- given the selfish nature of the blog, no?
So for the 3 of you who actually read this blog I will volunteer to share this with you. Apparently, I have been told, it might be of some interest. Feel free to disagree, I know I do.

What were you doing at 11 last night?
Packing my bags, Alice

Do you think you and your best friend(s) will be friends in 10 years?
Yes.

What's the craziest thing you've done?
I went to New York to see U2 in October 2001, a fan had a ticket and we went together. I had never met him before. That was crazy.

Do you have any plans for the weekend?
Moving, unpacking and whatnot, Panda's Silent Auction, dinner and drinks with family and friends.

Would you change yourself for the person you love?
Nope, well not since highschool. Oh yeah...I tried that but it doesn't work -- at all.

Let me guess, your last incoming call was from the opposite sex?
Yes.

Would you kiss anyone you have texts from in your phone?
Yes.

When was the last time something bothered you?
about 2 hours ago.

Do you like to hold hands?
Yes.

Anything embarrassing happen today?
No yet...

What does your phone do when it receives a new text?
My Blackberry vibrates and "Hello, hello" ringtone from Vertigo plays

Has anyone ever done mean things to you while you were sleeping?
Yes, you've met my friends!!
I was once half asleep, on a road trip to Peach Fest with my ladies, and one of them thought it would be hilarious to honk the horn...it scared the living crap out of me. It was hilarious but it took me a long time to admit it --I was so mad.

Do you have someone of the opposite sex you can tell everything to?
Yes, and I am very lucky that I can say I have more than one.

Last thing you spent money on?
I just bought a lottery ticket. *fingers crossed*

Have you dated the person you texted last?
a million years ago, yes.

Is good grammar attractive?
Very.

Who was the last person to call you baby?
I don't know...I don't really like to be called baby so I can't say as anyone has ever called me that.

What is your favourite color?
Blue

What color are your eyes?
Blue

How tall are you?
5'9

What do you have planned for tonight?
Getting ready to move in the morning; Glamourous things like laundry and cleaning.

Do you want to get married and have children one day?
If I met the right man I would be open to discussing the possibility.

Who is the 9th contact in your phone?
The Dude, I had to check...I just pranked him. Sorry The Dude.

Would you date an 18 year old at the age you are now?
Gross.

Have you ever dyed your hair?
Sure.

How many windows are open on your computer?
6

What was last thing you drank?
Water.

What do you like better: hot chocolate or hot apple cider?
I like them both

Do you collect anything?
I have a U2 collection and I collect postcards from all of my friends, well any of them who travel and are willing to send me one.

Do you think you are pregnant?
No

If the year consisted of only one season, which would you choose?
Autumn

You've had sex within these past 10 days haven't you?
You just had to ask this one....I think this is why you sent me this stupid thing

You have to get a piercing, what do you get?
Hepatitis B knowing my luck.

You have to get a tattoo, where and what do you want?
I am getting one this summer with my Cousin. It is the U2 symbol from ATYCLB with the heart in the suitcase.

When is the last time someone of the opposite sex gave you a hug?
About 15 minutes ago

Do you have a good relationship with your parents?
No. Mother passed away, Real Father = don't know, adoptive Father = jackass, no contact

Are your friends taller than you?
2 of them are taller, yes

Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?
I can see the merits of both really. And I like both.

Is the first person you talked to today male or female?
Male

Who was the last person you rode in a car with under 21?
My friends' children.

Do you know anyone named Matt?
Yes, we call him The Kid.

Is your hair curly or straight?
Straight Naturally? yes

What jewelery are you currently wearing?
Today I only have my white One Bracelet

Could you go the rest of your life without smoking a cigarette?
Yes

Have you ever in any way, been betrayed by someone you trust?
Yes

Did you have a good birthday this year?
It was wonderful!

"Here comes a feeling you thought you'd forgotten..." ~ Horchata by Vampire Weekend

2010-03-15T16:44:00.008-06:00

Went to see Vampire Weekend at the ole EEC last night and was pretty excited about it! I think I yelled, "oh my god, they are so freaking awesome!!!!!!" a couple of times.

Honestly, Vampire Weekend was brilliant last night. The crowd was kinda stunned...at least on our side of the great and giant pole. Horchata is off their new album and it rocks live, I am so glad to hear their new material and someday I can hear those anthems filling huge arenas.

I got some video clips!
Here is my favourite, Taxi Cab!

My favourite song off Contra is Taxi Cab. I loved it live too...they all gathered together on stage and the lights lowered and they played it almost sweetly with the bassist like magic on the bow. Beautiful! The rest of the clips are here.

That's what I like about Vampire Weekend, just enough salty to go with the sweet. A Punk blasted away! I was loving being down front for A Punk...Hey, hey hey hey!!! We were right next to some Uber VW fans who were also right into it. We sang and they knew all the words. Vampire Weekend nailed all the hits, they already sound so amazing, the new stuff is just more lush...and I was so grateful they covered so much material --it was a wicked set list.

I hope they come back soon!

Great night all in all, but I have made the decision not to rant again about how much I loathe the EEC. Mmmm...The Heinken's were delicious too.

Song Du Jour: Cape Cod Kwassa, Kwassa by Vampire Weekend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wHl9qRsMzw

"And now I'm going to go have shots with Kings of Leon." — Green Day frontman Billy Armstrong after accepting the band's award for best rock album.

2010-02-01T11:44:00.009-07:00

I watched for about 30 minutes and then turned the channel. Junk. The Green Day musical sounded so bad. Why do they always have to opera up the lyrics for a musical? Why? I was hoping it would be more punk rock than musical. Makes me concerned for the Spiderman musical too. Also, they awarded (prior to the show) a lifetime achievement award to Loretta Lynn...I was rather disgusted they did not actually actually recognize her in a meaningful way.

I suppose the fact that I did not even watch most of it makes my opinion moot though. So keep that in mind as I continue to rant.

I will admit I flicked past the Grammy's a couple of times later in the show, call it wishful thinking, and what I did see was a really big disappointment. What was the point of MJ's daughters speech? Why? I wish I could stomach it. It's just such a shit show. ummm....why couldn't Beyonce accept her first award? She was there, how much f'n prep time did she need to get in that skimpy dress?

I guess I just don't get it and that is fine with me. There is such amazing music out there, why this crap is held up by the Grammy's...it is senseless. I am oddly (and secretly) glad U2 did not win. I know it would have "legitimized" their album and helped, blah, blah ,blah...but NLOTH is so above the level of the shite I heard last night. It made me question; Can Taylor Swift even sing? She was flat and tuneless.

What did you think? Did you enjoy it? What was the highlight and lowlight for you?

I was shocked at the amount of viewers (via @sonic1029 on the twitter: 26.6 million watch the Grammys last night - more than any year since 2001). SHOCKED. Apparently, I am the only one who loathed it. I am glad Phoenix was recognized. And Silversun Pickup's should have won even if they are not new. I will say Eminem was....well I am amazed at his talent, it was an amazing performance by him. He just blows Lil Wayne and Lil Drake out of the water.

One final note: Autotune? Are you fucking kidding me? If this is the future of music just shoot me now.

Song Du Jour: Crawl by Kings Of Leon

You Tube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZkIBOAa4VY

"You're like Def Leopard and I'm like Enya..." ~ Sara Quin

2010-01-13T13:47:00.007-07:00

My first concert of 2010 has set the bar pretty high! Tegan and Sara played the Jubilee auditorium for two nights and I was at the 2nd show last night. The opening band An Horse, who come from Australia, were also very engaging and I thought WOW so much sound from just two people. One Singer/guitarist and one drummer (very impressive) and they have really good, catchy songs. They joked that they were brought on tour so Tegan and Sara could watch and laugh as they froze in Edmonton in January. They were very funny and warm hearted.

We went for some beers in the lobby during the intermission and it was like a reunion we saw so many people we knew, it was lovely to see good friends!

Once we were settled the lights dimmed and a red screen descended from the stage and there they were: 2 wee girls surrounded by a ton of equipment. On stage all the band members wore red shoes (the drummer wore red flip flops--in January--in Edmonton, brave man) and it was as if we all just old friends getting together again after a long time apart. They changed guitars between each set and had 3, count 'em THREE, giant keyboards.

Tegan and Sara are talkative and engage the audience in a way I have not seen at a concert of this size before. They were witty, funny and gracious and made sure we were up out of our seats for some songs and comfortable throughout. Last time I saw them I was all crammed in standing room only at the Power Plant, it was nice to have a seat and breathing space to really enjoy the concert. They played a range of music. Lots of new stuff co-mingled with the old favourites I love and it was a great set list. The encore was amazing and my favourite part as it featured Call it Off, Back in Your Head, and ended with Living Room (linked in the title ^). It was such a treat.

There was one young girl who was yelling from the audience and was slightly embarrassing after a while. She asked Sara out and that got a bit of a conversation going. Tegan asked where she would take Sara on a date and the girl replied, "to my bedroom" and Sara replied, "I am not that kind of girl, I need dinner and a movie and to be romanced first."

Tegan told stories about her love addiction and prefaced many songs with anecdotes about the genesis of each. I really enjoyed this part, I love knowing where the inspiration for a song comes from. Tegan is a talker...she joked about the review of the 1st show in the paper and wondered aloud what loquacious meant. One audience member shouted, "Verbose" and another, "talkative" and she had to agree with the review...she does like to talk. I was grateful for it. How many times to you go to a concert and get to really hear from the band members in a meaningful way that is not just "Hello [insert city name here] we love you..."?

Great songs, incredible melodies, and such harmony that I found myself closing my eyes to soak them up just like the rays of the sun on a beautiful day. It warmed me and energized me. I had that "can't sleep concert rush" when I got home and had a hard time coming down off the music high. That is the signature of a great concert for me.

If you missed them you have a chance to see them again very soon as the news just came out that Edmonton will be part of the Lilith Fair concerts this summer and Tegan and Sara will be sharing the stage with an incredible array of talented women.

Song Du Jour: Miracle Drug by U2

Sometimes I wish I was dead. I'll be okay, I guess, 'cause I'm lookin' up. Lookin' for something to fall

2010-01-11T19:33:00.002-07:00

So we went and saw Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire and I struggled to watch the really hard parts. It was the best movie...which seems somehow wrong to say...it was the most provocative movie I have seen, but I haven't seen Hurt Locker, it doesn't open until next week here. With Precious you see a stripped down, raw, and tender glimpse into a young woman's life. A woman who is told she has no worth but just refuses to listen. It will inspire you --no....Precious will rip your heart out and remind you to LIVE your life to the fullest. You will be transported back into the late 80's to Harlem where giggles and laughs are hard to find but when they come they are pure joy. The scenes with Mary the Mother from HELL are riveting. Mo'Nique should win the oscar --hands down. She plays a woman so completely convinced of her own distorted reality that I was blown away.

Not recommended for the softies out there, violence is part of their lives every day, and to walk with Precious through her life from day to day will wind you. It's the kind of movie you have to sit back in your chair after the credits roll and take a moment to let it all sink in. Powerful to the point that I thought how grateful I was for my screwed up life....Go see it!

This is going to be my pick for best movie of 2009. This and Up in a weird top 2 list. Everything else I have seen...from Avatar to Sherlock Holmes (maybe in my top 5 because of Guy Ritchie, but I hate a movie that just leads to a freaking sequel) to what ever other regurgitated scripted crap hollywood churned out---this is the one to see.

Song Du Jour: Born On The FM Waves Of The Heart by Against Me! (with Tegan! can't wait to see the Tegan and Sarah concert tomorrow night!!)

"Only the dead have seen the end of war... "

2009-12-11T09:42:00.006-07:00

You know how normally you go to a movie to escape reality? The movie Brothers is no escape. It is incredibly heart wrenching, profound, complicated, violent and in a word, real.

And that is why you should go see it.

The tension between father and son (and father and daughter) is portrayed so vividly that I squirmed in my chair in the uncomfortable and pregnant silences. I have to admit I went to see this movie because I saw the trailer months ago and got goosebumps because they featured Bad by U2. That song brings so much emotion with it, and then to know Jim Sheridan was involved, well I knew it was a must see. Winter, a song soon to be nominated for an Oscar, is perfect in this movie and puts an end to the movie that left me breathless.

There were some firsts for me at the theatre last night...it is the first time I have seen the cops arrest someone at a theatre. Then, because I was about 1/2 an hour early, I was killing time in the lobby when security dragged another person from a theatre, all this drama and the previews hadn't even rolled.

During the movie, another first, a lady sitting behind us bolted from the theatre in tears, horrified. There is considerable violence in this movie...emotional and physical violence . One scene in particular, the one that had that lady running for the door clutching her tummy and sobbing, depicts a marine trying to get back to his family at any cost. The cost might be to dear.

The Brothers motif could have been reinforced with a few scenes from their past which would have made me connect to them as brothers. As it is, the sibling relationship does not develop fully or resonate the way I think Sheridan really wanted it to. I think that he almost had it because Tommy, Jake Gyllenhaal, tells the children about a time when he saved his brother from the river...this would have worked well if there had been one extra scene depicting that for recall later in the movie when the troubled Tommy has to wade into metaphorical waters and save him from drowning again. I wish that had been developed more.

The movie sort of falls short on dialogue...and doesn't really gel because it left me empty at the end and wondering a bit what was the point. BUT, the performances are spectacular and I hope they get oscar nods. Toby Maguire as Cpt. Sam Cahill is one scary mofo but the script lets him down I think. Bailee Madison, as the oldest of Sam's 2 daughters is so riveting I think we may see a lot of this young actor. She managed to show us the emotions behind her emotions on screen. Incredible. Really incredible.

So go see this movie for the U2 songs and for the performances and prepared to be assaulted by some real people in real situations with real problems. There is no fantasy here. It is raw and will leave you in the same state.

For the U2 nerds like me: Bad is the version off Wide Awake In America with additional lyrics "Come On Down", at the end. Winter is a different version than the one used in Anton Corbijn's movie Linear. The soundtrack version of Winter has more piano it, no strings and really captures the films rawness. But you have all heard it already this week so you already know. Go see the movie and then tell me which version you like better.

Song Du Jour: U2's Bad (Wide Awake in America version) live in 1985:

You Tube
Lyrics

Photo: Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal in Brothers Photo belongs to all rights reserved: Lionsgate

"I was born to sing for you, I didn’t have a choice, to lift you up"

2009-12-06T10:53:00.004-07:00

My 2009 CONCERT SEASON

I honestly think that our broken economy was brought back to life with a "b-zolt" from the Modern Rock Defribulator! The sheer number of concerts and all the amazing bands who toured this year must have had some impact. I could barely keep up and even though I saw Blink 182 and Green Day for free (Thanks Sonic 102.9 and Veronica and Clint)--like a pumpkin on the street come Nov. 1st I smashed my concert budget wide open this year.

Here is my Top 10 list of concerts from 2009. This was THE busiest freaking concert season so many of the peeps I saw didn't even get on the list. I missed No Doubt and Moby...but I imagine they'd be on this list if I had gone. Sad I missed out.

1. October u2 360 Las Vegas (BEP) - GA for the first time - nothing compares.

2. June 18 Coldplay (Snow Patrol) - almost as good as a U2 concert! And Snow patrol were great too. I have waited a long time to see these 2 bands...incredible show...The Hardest Part made me tear up...
3. August 12 Kings of Leon (The Whigs) HOLY CRAP this was a great show!

4. August 14 Silversun Pickups (Manchester Orchestra and Cage the Elephant) Just go see them.

5. Sept 5 - Sonic Boom Franz Ferdinand Taking Back Sunday, Metric, Billy Talent, Alexisonfire, Girl Talk, IllScarlett, The Wet Secrets, uss Special shout out to Ill Scarlet here...they blew me away! They alone were wicked! (I saw them again at the Starlite room with USS and they can get a crowd moving in a way that is incredible)

6. August 29 Oasis (Ryan Adams & The Cardinals)
7. Sept. 26 Gaslight Anthem, althought I hate, hate that venue...grumble, grumble...)

8. April 27 The Killers (Wild Light)

9. March 13 - Faunts

10. July 6 Green Day (Bravery) The Bravery sucked live which broke my heart, I am hoping they will tour again and come back and redeem themselves. Got to see soundcheck with GD!

Honourable mention: July 31 Blink 182 (FOB) (because it was a great show and Travis Barker...amazing, I am surprised they are on this list too by the way, the energy was amazing at the concert I got all caught up.)

The worst concert: The award for most disappointing goes to Stone Temple Pilots...and I was soooo excited to see them, they were not excited to be here. or be on the road, or be on the stage and you could tell. Love their music. Sad their energy was so lackluster

Song Du Jour: Catch and Release By Silversun Pickups.
Swoon was my 2nd favourite Album of 2009 after No Line on The Horizon By U2
Concerts already booked for 2010:
Tegan and Sarah in January. Vampire Weekend, Muse & Silversun Pickups in March! U2 x3 in June and July, you'll only understand if you've seen them live, and Sasquatch! I can hardly wait!

"...20 minutes in that shop defined our sound as a band..." Mr. The Edge

2009-12-01T15:16:00.010-07:00

I went to see the movie It Might Get Loud last night and, like every other motion picture I have watched at the Princess, I loved it! You are instantly transformed into voyeur and you get to delve into the lives that created Rock Gods.

You get to revisit places with them, see the look on their faces as they walk the halls they once recorded in...see the place where they laid down the tracks that changed music. The Jack White "together at different ages" was odd, but whatever. Getting to hear them all play together was riveting.

As a music fan I loved the discussion about hand made guitars (Jack White is officially the MacGyver of guitars) and getting to see the first guitars these gentlemen owned was very compelling because it showed that genius comes from any little spark.

As a U2 fan (obsessed sans frontiers) this movie takes you into the magic world of Mr. The Edge and his own obsession with music. There is sweet video of The Hype performing Street Mission and it is pretty classic and hilarious, I wasn't the only one who laughed out loud. Larry, drumming in a Red Jacket, looking about 12 years old is worth the price of admission. The fashion the Hype are sporting is just flamboyant enough to distract from the look of terror in their eyes as they perform, giving it their all.

This movie proved to me that even if you are not really sure --you should just follow your instincts. What if Jimmy Page had not broken away from session guitar playing to follow his own sound. What if the Edge has become a banker and didn't pursue whether or not he was a songwriter.
That he asked that question....that to me was a brilliant part of this movie. The Edge's insight into Sunday Bloody Sunday and what it took to write that song was like getting a peek behind the emotion that resonates in that song, to catch a view of what he was like at that age in a time of war in Ireland.

At one point he is at a kitchen table rooting through old cassettes and crams one in to a 1960 style tape player and out bubbles the creative genius behind Streets. I loved the whimsical look on his face when he recognizes what it is. The old recording is edited incredibly well with concert footage; Flash forward to the Elevation tour and Streets in concert, the crowd giving it back to them. Having just experienced being on the floor of a U2 concert for Streets I got goosebumps watching that crowd bounce in unison and the power of that riff...the sheer power of rock and roll.

If you have no idea what I mean about the power of a rock song then this movie is not for you.

If you have ever been to a gig and felt something in your soul crack wide open when that guitar plays then -- go see this movie! I mean now. GO. What are you still reading for, go! Off with you..look up the time the movie starts and just go! If you are in Edmonton it plays at The Princess 6:50 and 9 p.m.

Song Du Jour: U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday (The Edge) - Live Popmart Santiago

"As some of you know, my wife left me after 17 hours of marriage, but I survived that because I live for music"

2009-11-16T16:07:00.003-07:00

I like movies, I see a lot them. So far this year I have been wondering if every movie is going to be a horror movie...man, there are a crap load of those being made lately...shit even Martin Scorsese is making one called Shutter Island (I just saw the preview and the chicks sitting behind us screamed at the end of it, so that bodes well. Not for me...for Scorsese I suppose).

Anyhoo...there is this wee gem of a movie out there called Pirate Radio and if you like music you must see this. British humour is so smart and witty and well I just loved it from beginning to end. My favourite scene has no lines in it, features tea and cookies and 3 men on a couch, it is endearing and lovable. Glad they FINALLY released it here. Finally a wicked movie in a sea of shite.

Speaking of shite, I have a guilty pleasure you've read about it before on this very blog, I saw 2012. Not because I thought it was going to be a wicked movie, because it is not. If you want plot go see Pirate Radio. If you want excellent story telling rent Up. But if your goal is to delight in the downfall of civilization go see this freaking show. The visuals are stunning! I really enjoyed the amazing break up of the earth's crust...the screaming peeps, the death and remarkable destruction.

I just came back from Vegas so watching the Wynn crumble was really enjoyable. I really do have a soul, really I do, but I just love these movies for some reason that is beyond me. Bury the bar and you will enjoy this movie. Have no expectation and you will be wowed. I honestly thought the acting wasn't half bad (gulp) and watching the mean dude get it is satisfying. There are also some pretty funny parts where you are indeed laughing with them and not at them.

Also the new theatre at City Centre (Empire Theatre) Mall has really classed it up over there, you should check it out. They have flowers in the bathroom and everything. CLASSEH!

Song Du Jour - "Back Against The Wall" by Cage The Elephant

Magic night in God's Country

2009-10-27T01:17:00.013-06:00

23 October 2009 ~My evening hosted by U2 + 40,000 fans.

I flew out of Edmonton with such excitement I thought I might burst! 5 long hours later as we flew into Vegas the plane changed direction, came around, and from the right hand side of the plane you could see Sam Boyd stadium and the 360 stage inside! The people on the plane commented they'd never seen any one so excited to come to Vegas! It was a party atmosphere.

On concert day as I rounded the corner onto Broadbent drive there ahead of me peeking over the stadium was the massive claw! It looks greenish in real life...like fluorescent green tarp with big orange buttons. Its sheer size was phenomenal. I had 'claw awe' and in the car I let out a huge OH MY GOOOOOD! It was a special moment for sure and it hit me...I am really going to see this concert soon! Many U2 fans were already in line at 6 am when I got there at 2 p.m. There were about 800 people lined up.

I joined some of the Zootopians in the tailgate party and we had a blast. I took some beers and walked up to the front of the line, took photos, talked to all the peeps in line, gave them water if they were out, and they had a merch table right at the front. I met lots of fans, they were all fun and everybody shared in the excitement I felt. It is great to be around people who are as excited as you are. It was electric!I made my way back down the line as everybody was packing up to get ready for the line to move up. We spent more time dancing and listening to U2 in the tailgate section and when the line started to move at 4 we walked our coolers and whatnot over and joined the line...I imagine there were about 2000 of us by that time.

We met so many great people in the line. Amnesty International came by and we got a picture with their sign and signed their petition. ONE was there giving out bracelets and taking pictures of people kissing.We slowly moved forward until about 5:30 when the GA line was consolidated and then they opened the doors and let groups of about 100 or so in at a time. They wrist banded on the way in. There were tons of media trucks from all the major news stations, they asked us where we were from and there were so many Canadians near us. They interviewed us and then we got the line up singing ISHFWILF. Amazing! Then we were moving up to the front and I thought I might pee my pants I was so pumped to FINALLY be getting in!

I flew (floated) up the giant staircase and ran into the venue and there to my right the stage stood in all its glory! I was amazed how it filled the stadium from side to side, top to bottom! I ran to the front and ended up about 3 deep back from the outside rail, dead centre. Then I sat down for the first time in about 4 hours and rested my feet. whew! It was going to be a long wait. It was hard to stay patient.

About and hour later the Black Eyed Peas took the stage and pumped us up. They were better than I thought they would be and the "tonight's going to be a good night" song was their last and we were all bouncing up and down in GA, a mere glimpse into what the energy was going to be for the concert. Once BEP was off the stage the crowd had grown and we all got a little closer together and waited to hear Space Oddity, to signal the beginning of the concert…it was the longest 35 minutes of my life. My feet hurt and I was so thirsty but I was afraid to leave my spot just in case I couldn’t get back there…so we waited and the uber U2 fans in the crowd threw up a HUGE cheer when the familiar sounds of Space Oddity began…We all counted down with the song…5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and then the giant mast down the centre of the claw belched forth huge clouds of smoke and we knew lift off was moments away.

The butterflies in my tummy made me jump up and down with glee and then there he was, Larry, walking up to the drum kit and wearing that classic white T in his sexy way…then came the drum beats and the sounds of Breathe…and I had to remind myself to breathe…and the crowd erupted again when The Edge appeared, then Adam! Breathe sounded amazing, you can feel the beat in your chest the sound is so clear and crisp…and then the crowd erupted as Bono struted out…It was magic..total lift-off…he sang to us, we sang back to him…”Breeeeeeeaaathe, I can breathe…” It is phenomenal live!

Bono told us the future needs a big kiss and then The Egde fired up Get On your boots and the guitar exploded in front of us and we all gave the future a big kiss! Bono knocked it into high gear, but it is really Adam who shines with the bass in that song. I was right down front and could not believe every time they came within about 10 feet of me!!! Boots got the whole pit jumping up and down in unison…the energy lifted us all up!

Bono moaned rather seductively a few times...then the familiar sound of Mysterious ways came on and the whole place went nuts….Bono strutted around with his best dance moves, The Edge walked around the stage in front of us. Beautiful Day made me break out in Goosebumps…ATYCLB is one of my favourite albums and very emotional…when it started the whole place sung right from the beginning and I noticed Bono give The Edge a look like, “wow they are loud!” and it was such a beautiful day…It was not windy, not too hot, not too cold, it was like we were indeed In God’s Country, so Bono sang a snippet of that, “dream beneath a desert sky…” perfect for Vegas and the crowd knew it. The whole stage is lit up green a blue…for obvious reasons…it was very cool lighting!

Then….impossible to believe we could be louder…the beginning of I Still Haven’t Found What I’m looking For started and Bono just let us sing…he turned his mic around, motioned to the boys to quiet it down and we all sang…“I have climbed highest mountain, I have ruuun through the fields only to be with you…..only to be with you….” it was very powerful and the emotion in that song, from the whole audience was tangible in that moment…Then Bono took us up into the atmosphere and we all held out our hands to him when he sang “held the hand of the devil…it was warm in the night…” I can’t explain that part any better…there are no words in that moment…only feelings….Love, anticipation, longing, sadness mixed with great unbelievable joy…as Bono likes to Say God was in the room. So was Elvis. LOL!

Bono started with Stand by me, which EVERYBODY sang to him…(it is like all our voices pooled there adding to the volume of it…) Then Bono put on his best Elvis Swagger and led us along to Viva LAS VEGAS! “Vivaaaa, VIVAAAAA LAS VEGAAAAAS!” Hilarious. Huge applause!

Then Larry and Adam took a break and Bono and the Edge moved closer together and sang Stuck together. I LOST it. Tears streaming down my face and we all sang…”Oh LOVE look at you now…stuck in a moment…” The Harmony of the last verse with Edge on lead with Bono together…it sounded amazing.

My favourite song on the new album, and THE moment I have waited for since first hearing it, No Line on the Horizon…it was better live than I thought…the crowd in front wanted to bounce and when they launched into it, it builds and builds intensity and BAM! It was awesome! Straight into “ELEVATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOO WoooooOHooooooo! Woooo! Woooohoooo!”And we were Elevated there…never been in GA before and now I know why it is so amazing….when the whole audience jumps as one, we are a team with our only goal: SOUL! The place just lost it…it was the most incredible feeling!I think next came “In a Little while” which was special to me because this whole time waiting to get to Vegas I thought the lyrics were perfect….”Friday night running…to Sunday on my knees…” There was a really sweet bit in there from the ISS…Bono stopped to watch the big screen with us and it was a pure moment of awe. VERY cool…

Then Unknown Caller, which is such a great song for a big audience because they did it like Karaoke…and you now how U2.com asked everybody to send in video of themselves singing…they use those images up on the screen…juxtaposed against a huge map of the world…it was brilliant. “Ooooooh oooh oooh, oooh oh oh oh!” It is such a fun song! Then Bono put out his hands like a conductor at the end and had us all sing, “bum, bum , bum bum bum…ba bum bum bum bum…as it build to Edge’s solo…which proves why he is the best guitarist ever. LOL! Great rock song!Then Until the end of the world started up and Bono and The Edge play off each other big time…remember when they used to the bull fight…Bono the bull trying t gorge the Edge? Well…(Oh I wish I had a photo) they use the two bridges that circulate around the stage to get closer and closer to each other as the song builds up steam at the end and just as they are about to reach each other the bridges move away from each other…incredible climax and they had it timed to perfection! I will always remember that moment as they came so close in front of me …Then came the visually most stunning bit of the set…starting with Unforgettable Fire, which is such a heart wrenching song…the screen descends and lights up the whoooooole arena! The swirling lights mimick movement in a way that is truly exceptional. Kudos to Willie Williams.

Bono pulls a kid on stage and they break into COBL! The screen almost touches the tops of their heads…I have seen photos…I KNEW it was coming and it still took my breath away…And then just to crank it up VERTIGO. Now I have never seen COBL or Veritgo because I missed that tour and HOLY SHIT! I think I even said that out loud a couple of times…again being in the GA for Vertigo was something incredible. 1, 2, 3, 14! And the pit went CRAZY! I started to laugh…it is a feeling like nothing else I can explain!

Bono gave a shout out to The Killers with a bit of All these things that I have done…The Killers may have been there, they are from Las Vegas..so that was cool. Oh and Bill Clinton was there too…that was pretty sweet. My friends walked past him and his security on the way to their seats, they said he was having a great time with a huge smile on his face!

Then came Crazy Remix and Bono spent most of the next two songs right in front of me!! Here is a wee video for your viewing pleasure...and a break from this long ass review:

He was right there… AMAZING. The crowd loved it and I would say, of all the new material, it seemed like the crowds fav. I lost it at the end and had to put the camera down just so I could bounce...too funny! Sorry about the singing!

The whole arena went green for SBS! Bono knelt in front of us. Is that the most powerful song? It really blows your hair back I tell ya. I have seen it a couple of times but this time I could see the emotion on Bono’s face and he is transported elsewhere for that song… he is transformed. How do I explain it…it’s like he’s in a dream and when we sing it with him it only drives him further into it. Then a bit of an irish Lullaby, MLK, before Walk On I pulled out my mask and wore it and felt overwhelmed by Bono’s words about Aung Sun Suu Kyi, he is so eloquent…at the very end the ONE campaigners come onto the stage and stand for her, as if we all were her for just a moment…it was very beautiful and touched me greatly.

There was a break and I braced myself because I knew it was going to be ONE next…and from the end of the Tutu speech I felt the tears well up as that song filled the desert night with love. That song gets me every time. The part about “I can’t keep holding on to what you got….when all you got is hurt..’. So intense and wondrous and emotional for me. We were all swaying together…Bono’s voice lifting us up….I know now it is not what U2 songs mean to U2 that make them exceptional but instead, what all of us as fans find them to mean…that song to me is very powerful because it takes me back to a specific time in my life. I realized that I also bring power to it…

For a week I have been thinking about being in GA for Streets and when the time came it did not even compare to what I had imagined…what is it about that song that is like the power of a jet taking off? That guitar riff that caused me to forget everything else around me -- was like I was part of something so intimate so natural and base...elemental. The smell of the earth was in that arena at the time, wafting up from the powerful air conditioning coming out of the stage for the band…it was ethereal…I am pretty sure my feet never touched the ground that whole time. It exceeded my expectations and blew me away and after I felt lighter….connected and right with the world. At the end when we sing, “Love, Love, love” with the crowd all singing…”love, love, love…..” Can anybody explain that? That feeling? That moment? I am struggling to and well…it is something I will cherish as an experience.

Then the band said bye…but it’s like everybody knew there was more…there was no ridiculous cheering to beg them to come out…it was almost as if everybody needed a moment to collect their thoughts after Streets.Enter Bono in his super cool laser coat of lights. The steering wheel mic drops and Ultraviolet floods the stadium with brilliant flecks of red laser. It was an incredible performance.

It leads right into WOWY and the mirror ball on the top of the mast lights up all of Vegas casting out sparkles & twinkles while Bono belts it out. At the end he slowly removes his coat of lights and hangs it on the mic as it ascends to the heavens…it was a very sad moment the way he watched it go…as he bid it adieu it dawned on me…Moment of Surrender was next marking the end of the concert and I felt a flood of emotion…it was almost over…so I gathered myself and my new friends around me.

Let me tell you…it is some feat that Bono can sing that powerfully at the end of 2 hours….and it is powerful….the first line elicited a “WOW” from those near me. We were immersed in a milky way of lights, all surrendering to this incredible band and singing, “oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhhh.” Incredible way to finish the most incredible show.

They thanked us and stayed up on stage long enough for me to convince myself they might sing another….and then they slowly walked away to massive cheers. We all stood, somewhat stunned…like we all had to take it in for a second. Like a U2 haze that clouds your head with love and fulfillment. What an incredible feeling! I walked about feeling a bit tipsy having consumed no alcohol for hours…my feet hurt, my knees ached, my calf muscles felt like they might rip…but none of it mattered. I had to sit and catch my breath before I fell to my knees . Worth every second of waiting, worth months and months of planning, worth every cent I spent that I really don’t have. The U2 fans, the people I met the fun times in line all of it together…well it was magical!

Song/video Du Jour: Where The Streets Have No Name - Las Vegas 10/23/09 - Sam Boyd Stadium October 23

"I won't regret saying this, This thing that I'm saying..."

2009-07-13T15:32:00.004-06:00

Another wicked shot from the Greenday concert...I have decided it should be my job to go to concerts full time. Where do I apply?
I have also decided that trains should not be allowed to run during rush hour...period. Or at lunch time.

Sonic just announced a huge concert at Northlands for Sept 5th...hosted by this dude, who --until just this second --was "last nameless" to me...he's always just "Jay" or more to the point will always be to me - "JayandsilentBob". I am so excited to get my tickets tomorrow! Leave it to Sonic to bring us some sweet modern rockness.

Song Du Jour: Call it off by Tegan and Sarah

"The rage and love, the story of my life, The Jesus of suburbia is a lie..."

2009-07-07T10:31:00.005-06:00

Concert hangover for sure today. F'n hell Green Day play a sweet show. I won tickets from Sonic and got VIP passes to the soundcheck---a once in life time chance to see them up close with just 18 other fans. Sadly I only have the snapshots in my mind to remember...no cameras allowed.

The Sound check (nutshell): So we arrived outside at Wayner's statue and hung out with Sarah from sonic who is awesome by the way-- and we chit chat and wait for the punk rock stars to organize themselves.

There were some "winners" who were complaining about the wait, but not me...ummm they are Greenday you morons!
We get escorted indoors....wait a bit...go downstairs...wait a bit by the giant oilers locker room door. A large man who resembled Mussolini, so we nicknamed him 'Moose', came out and told us when we hear music we can come out and he'll show us where to sit. We wait a bit. We mill around sad the bar is not open. There were 20 of us in total and it was pretty big range...young-uns to mid thirties, mostly chicks--except for the 15 year olds "always making out couple". ugh.

Then we hear a drum beat. We all looked for Moose, but no, that was not "music".

We move closer to the entrance to the arena....excitedly we wait a bit. We hear a guitar squeal...we all look around anxiously...we heard music...can we go? Can we go? We wait a bit. More sounds of music blasts in. Moose comes and gets us and out we walk...onto the Visitors Bench...and there they are...pocket sized punk rock stars; BJ is in a toque wearing all black.

They are all in their spots (just like later at the concert) running through some 21st century breakdown...We awkwardly stand on the visiting players bench...awed by seeing them and hearing them, but somewhat self conscious voyeurs.

They acknowledge our group and Billie Joe claps his hands, wants us to clap, (indicative of the upper body work out to come later) we clap with him, we woo hoo! The band motion for Moose to let us come out on to the floor. They herd us out... I pretend to knock the whole group over rushing past them to the front---others hang back not sure where to stand in all this space---I bust up and park right in front to the left of the ramp out into the auduence at centre stage. I imagine the feel of the crush of people that will be there in mere hours--I take a mental snapshot of them with the american flag up in the rafters above them while they play. The band works on getting American Eulogy worked out... The Dude and I try to mosh (hilarious to us, we are being silly)...we jokingly slam dance into each other. We figure 20 people is just not enough. We laugh and I look up to meet the eyes of Tre Cool at the drums he laughs with/at us too. He's drinking a Miller Light. not sure what to think of that.

Billy Joe stops...the roadie gets him the the TP launcher (the one he used between Brain Stew and Jaded at the concert) and BJ tp's us from the stage. They sing BLVD...or more the work on the transitions between it and Minority...Mike Dirnt looks up at one point right near the end and points out to the band, "uh oh---We're in Oil Untry"....noting the broken sign in the rafters...they all chuckle. The saxophone dude plays King for a day...they bust out the accordion. We all cheer...they tell us we have to go...we say bye and float out. One of the girls shouts out a mandatory "We love you!"

In 3 words...Awkward yet amazing. Thanks Sonic 102.9 for the fun times...I will never forget it.

The concert you ask? Brilliant. It was filled to the brim with punk rock goodness. I waved my arms (like I just don't care), I pumped my fist in the air and Hey Ho'd...I sang " are we we are the waaaaiiiting, unknown" at the top of my lungs. It was bliss *with pyrotechnics. Here is the setlist.

Song du Jour: Jesus of Suburbia by Green Day, of course. (my fav of the night-that link is to video of them live in Vancity 05.07.09)

"You left the sweetest taste in my mouth, You're a silver lining the clouds"

2009-06-19T09:17:00.011-06:00

I am still a bit elevated from the concert last night. Honestly...it ended at 11 p.m. and I floated for about an hour...Coldplay certainly delivers an emotionally packed show. It was top notch. I have heard people compare it to the Elevation tour and that it is on that level and I would have to agree. They have the u2 like rock anthems--songs you can sing along too and that just made the whole experience so amazing. I love it when I can sing at the top of my lungs. My favorite parts were Lost, Yellow, The Scientist...Lovers in Japan was....in a word, amazing.

When Chris and Will performed "the hardest part" I cried, it was so lovely....what a beautiful song. Yellow just about tore the ceiling off Rexall place. They had all these yellow balls...coool!
Then they moved to the other end and did Green eyes and daydream believer.

My photos are so blurry. Stupid camera.
Snow patrol was phenomenal. I loved them, they were engaging and funny and they sang all my fav's! They said we were a gorgeous crowd...only irish men can call a crowd gorgeous. LOL! I felt like they'd be awesome to have a pint with, I wished it could have gone on forever. Here are shots of SP..they did Hands Open:

Crack the shutters, chasing cars
And finished with You're all I have. I loved it...what an awesome concert. But still can't nudge U2 out for best live performance. I thought it was the closest I have seen though and that is saying something. Hope you like the photos.

Song Du Jour: Strawberry Swing by Coldplay
I never really loved it until I saw it live...it was such a perfect day!

"Out with the cold, in with the woo" ~ E. Marshall

2009-05-06T06:07:00.000-06:00

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

Do you feel it too? The first of the pussy willows have arrived, I had to take this photo as proof of Spring. Yup, it has been that tough a winter...

Song Du Jour: Help I'm Alive by Metric

Nature smiled.....

2009-05-05T18:01:00.004-06:00

Every time we walk along a beach some ancient urge disturbs us so that we find ourselves shedding shoes and garments or scavenging among seaweed and whitened timbers like the homesick refugees of a long war. ~Loren Eiseley

Your boyfriend's passed out at the Sev again.....

2009-03-05T20:27:00.002-07:00

This dude was passed out cold in front of the 7-11...it was Sunday night at 7:40. Classy. I thought he was dead. The store clerks seemed completely indifferent....totally not concerned in the least.

Song Du Jour: Zero by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Recess! Yaaa..ummm booo?

2008-12-04T12:49:00.004-07:00

Well, shocker...GG Jean granted the PM his early recess to prolong the inevitable. I am disappointed, I think if the government loses the confidence of the house it's done. There should be no time out, no time to get their fear machine fired up and scare us all to death with a lie about this being a unity issue. On the other hand I don't agree with bailing out the car manufacturers so on that issue I don't support the proposed coalition either. Hm, what to do?

I will be writing the leaders of the Liberals and NDP and requesting they call an election and not shoot themselves in the foot (or the leg ala Plaxico Burress) with this coalition. Am I the only one who thinks the coalition partners (save Gilles Duceppe who wins either way) will end up worse off in the end? As far as I can tell Harper might be done but this will only help the Conservatives in the long run, especially given the reaction from the Canadian people. I am not sure that most Canadians realize that Harps really brought this on himself. You have until January 26th to get your letters in to tell them what you think should happen. And only those of you who got off your lazy asses and went and voted should bother to spout forth your opinion.
Next time go vote and maybe this kind of shit would not happen. Lesson learned?

Please keep in mind:

"The coalition sprang up after the Tories released an economic statement that was lambasted by the opposition parties. They accused Harper of doing nothing to address the current economic crisis and slammed what they saw as ideologically driven measures such as the proposed elimination of subsidies for political parties, a three-year ban on the right of civil servants to strike and limits on the ability of women to sue for pay equity.
Yes, Harper has since backed down on those contentious issues, but the opposition has pushed forward with the coalition.
The coalition — which would have a 24-member cabinet composed of six NDP and 18 Liberal MPs (all legally elected members) — has vowed to make an economic stimulus package a priority, proposing a multibillion-dollar plan that would include help for the auto and forestry sectors.
With 77 Liberal MPs and 37 New Democrats, plus the support of 49 Bloc members, the three parties have more seats than the 143 held by the Tories." This is being touted as a 62% majority in the press.

Song Du Jour: Use Somebody by Kings of Leon (best song of 2007 IMHO)

Am I the only one loving the spectacle?

2008-12-03T15:50:00.008-07:00

There is no precident for what is happening up in the bubble, ummm I mean Ottawa.

And yes I worry about the "crisis" and it's impact, I'm not oblivious to that bit...but personally it is like watching one of those disaster movies like Deep Impact or Twister...you just know disaster is coming and you can't look away when the deadly effects finally come crashing through!

The amount of misinformation is amazing, holy rhetoric batman...and the blame game is hilarious...Harps did it! It's Dion, he's to blame! No it's Gilles he's the antichrist! Puh-lease. Pull your heads out of your asses dudes and get it together. I love the reaction of the uber conservatives here in the blue province, they are equal to none in pure entertainment value! Stop freaking out and making it seem like Conservatives had a majority in the first place. This might be a minority governments worse nightmare but for a nerd like me...I love just watching it unfold, what jackhole manoeuvre will our political parties pull next? I have to admit I have been watching CPAC every night; with popcorn.

I have to say the best "blurb" I have read so far (that kinda matches my opinion)comes from Todd Babiak:

He notes in the Edmonton Journal that the Alberta capital has been largely ignored by the Harper Tories and finds no reason to fear the coalition. “Attempting to cripple the opposition [by proposing to revoke campaign subsidies], and therefore debate and criticism, is a much more profound assault against democracy. As the national portrait gallery debacle demonstrated so fluently, conditions have not improved for Edmonton since 2006, when the Conservatives swept Alberta and took control of Ottawa. Why would they? According to the Conservative war room, we’re a strategic void.”

This one just made me giggle:

"The Calgary Sun’s Rick Bell says it’s one thing to hate the idea of a crippled téphane Dion and inexperienced Jack Layton teaming up to govern the country while relying on the Bloc Québécois to act as a crutch. It’s just not all that useful right now: “We know everything is spinning out of control. Premier Ed yesterday urges all parties to ‘put Canada first and stop the nonsense’ and deal with a financial meltdown he calls ‘the biggest elephant in the room.’ Unfortunately, it’s tough to hunt an elephant when you’ve got the guns squarely pointed at each other.”"

What will the GG do? Oh how I would love to be in her shoes! What a cool time to be in her position! There is no reason (I can think of, no precedence anyhoo) why she would say "no" to the Prime Minister if he asks for recess so I imagine they will get an early Christmas, but I don't think Harps will survive this. Stick a fork in him peeps.

Sad way for him to end it all...I really do mean that. I imagine the Conservatives 3 weeks ago sitting about, like villans rubbing their hands and grinning, evily, and saying, "I know lets revoke campaign subsidies just to fuck them!" and then they all laughed and laughed...

I wonder if any Conservative could have imagined that little jab at the other political parties would have had such an detrimental effect. I bet the wish they had a "takeback".

Song Du Jour: I'm a Pretty Lady by Pinback

"...If the letter is found, please set it on fire, It will ease this pain, end this thing..."

A song for the Conservatives

Livre Du Jour: Holidays on Ice - David Sedaris

There are now 33 million people living with HIV worldwide

2008-11-28T16:46:00.002-07:00

World Aids Day is December 1st ~ Click here for Information

(RED)Wire is (RED)'s latest initiative: a digital music magazine that allows you to discover new music while providing medicine to those in Africa who need it. For $5 a month, every Wednesday you will get two DRM-free songs (one will be "exclusive" from a major artist), an extra (video, slideshow, or something similar) that is "inspiring," and updates about those receiving the medicine you're paying for. Subscribers will receive their new music via the (RED)WIRE player, which also puts each song into the iTunes media player. $2.50 goes directly to The Global Fund, an organization that buys and administers medicine to women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Song Du Jour: U2 - If God Will Send His Angels

Intelligence is relative

2008-09-18T08:15:00.009-06:00

So I went to see the movie Burn After Reading and God love the Coen Brothers. At least you can rely on them to throw you a curve ball. Totally unpredictable....you never know what will happen next...horrific and hilarious. I was laughing so hard...the only thing is that I don't think other people in the theatre thought it was as fricking funny as I did. I love that they gave Margie a big shout out from Fargo and in the end I wish William H Macy had played the role that was so William H. Macy.

It is hard for me to believe that they wrote the screenplay for this whilst writing the screenplay for No Country For Old Balls. They say they alternated every other day between scripts. I can't even imagine that.

All of the previews before the movie looked abysmal and the lights kept coming on during the show...which was pretty funny...thanks the volunteers who got up and went and told the 70 year old lady taking tickets to figure out the light situation.
I can't wait to see what the Coen Bros. come up with next:

Suburbicon (2009) (in production) (writer)
Gambit (2009) (announced) (screenplay)
Hail Caesar (2009) (pre-production) (writer)
A Serious Man (2009) (filming) (writer)

Song Du Jour: Sometime Around Midnight by The Airborne Toxic Event

"Decision to decisions are made and not bought...."

2008-09-17T08:15:00.000-06:00

Why do American politics seems so much more compelling? There is an election going on here in Canada. Yeah, there is. No really...it's on October 14th. I will be voting NDP...but because my vote doesn't count it won't make any difference. The leaders of the 2 largest parties know my vote doesn't count either which is why they haven't come west of Guelph this whole time.

I've grown tired of our defunct electoral process. And I love elections! I'm tired of hearing what a jackass Dion is and what a jackass Harps is (and his Agriculture Minister who made a joke and lost his job, say it with me...what a jackhole...Note to politicians; yes, still too early to make cold cuts jokes....) ..blah, blah, blah...can they start talking about the issues that actual effect us? Fuel prices, affordable housing, the growing global economy issues?
No. The media and the party "spokespeople" and ministers want to sling mud. Awesome.

So to the people of Canada I ask you to please vote. Take an interest. Call the freaking media and tell them you want to hear about the issues instead of the politics. Call your local candidate and volunteer. Engage, in the words of Jean Luc Picard....Engage!
ay, ay Captain.

Song Du jour - Kids - MGMT
Update: Okay so one of the federal leaders is coming west!

Rally 4 Change: Edmonton
Jack Layton and the New Democrats
Start Time: Saturday, September 20 at 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Where: Winspear Center

UPDATE: Harps is coming
Ramada Inn - Harper is supposed to be there between 5:30 and 6:00 but show up early. Thursday, September 25th
11834 Kingsway
Edmonton, Alberta

"At the end of the line I will be there for you while you take the time, in the burning of uncertainty I will be your solid ground..."

2008-08-07T09:16:00.006-06:00

Life is so unfair. My friend Ashish passed away.
The memorial service is Friday, August 8th.

The service will be held at the following location:
McInnis & HollowayPark Memorial Chapel
5008 Elbow Drive SW
Calgary, Alberta

Song Du Jour: Rise Above This - Seether

"We're facing the worst financial and economic crisis since the end of World War II and nobody in Belgium seems to care'' ~ Mark Eyskens

2008-07-15T17:35:00.005-06:00

Anybody else enjoy watching states fail as much as me? God, I am such a nerd! I know I could get on here and blather on about music (which I do already) or my boring life or my horrible work day...but no.

First the Zimbabwe government takes corruption to a whole new level with *seemingly* complete international impunity and now in Brussels --the shit has hit the fan! It is always a gamble to make change, which is what the coalition government tried to do, but now it is incredible to watch the different interests battle it out. What are they fighting about you ask? Language (not a new fight) and self rule. The home of the EU and NATO might just go kaput. It's hard to wrap my head around.

The hardliners in the national party are advocating the breakup of the country to solve their differences and yesterday the Premier offered his resignation to the King.

In a statement, the royal palace said its decision had been suspended. Meanwhile, the king began consultations that included, for the first time, the most senior regional politicians from the different language communities. That raised the prospect that they, rather than national political leaders, may be asked to help find a way out of the impasse.

Can a country divided by language keep it together or should they split her down the middle and call it quits? (a very Canadian question too...hm.) Further proving that regionalism can be a real beotch. Can a constitution designed around separating people based on language and location result in a harmonious state? I'm afraid of the Belgian answer and even more interested in the Canadian answer to that question.

Song du jour: The Stakes Were Raised by Slow Runner

"All of my hoping just turned into lying
Kidding myself without even trying
I should have noticed the whole thing was dying
But the stakes were raised
And so I looked the other way..."

Happy Birsday Dani!! I love ya!

Mark Eyskens is a member of Leterme's Christian Democratic Party who served in Belgian governments from 1976 to 1992 and was prime minister in 1981-82.

Happy 141st Canada Day!

2008-07-01T11:54:00.007-06:00

"Whether we live together in confidence and cohesion; with more faith and pride in ourselves and less self-doubt and hesitation; strong in the conviction that the destiny of Canada is to unite, not divide; sharing in cooperation, not in separation or in conflict; respecting our past and welcoming our future" ~ Lester B. Pearson

Working on Canada has become the norm in the last few years so no funtimes for this lady today...just the crack of the whip. Happy Canada Day to the rest of you lucky bums who are off today!

Song Du Jour: If You Could Read My Mind by Johnny Cash (written by Gordon Lightfoot)

"We turn away to face the cold, enduring chill, As the day begs the night for mercy love...."

2008-06-22T09:43:00.003-06:00

2008 marks the 35th anniversary of the death of Victor Jara. They just re-opened his murder case and the courts appear to be willing to listen to new evidence.

I'm not sure when I first learned about Jara but his story stirs emotions in me I am unable to find words for. He was a popular folk singer who poltically supported Allende in Chile. After Pinochet took control in 1973 Jara was captured, his hands were injured (cut, crushed, broken, burned, even severed...the reports are not clear) and then he was forced to play his guitar by the military. He sang. He played with broken hands and sang to his captors. He sang his popular songs of freedom through his torture and was killed for it.

Bono wrote about Jara on a song called One Tree Hill....arguably my favorite song off of Joshua Tree. The song itself is dedicated to another man, Gregg Carroll, a close friend of the band, who was killed running an errand for Bono. Bono wrote the lyrics at at One Tree Hill in New Zealand where Carroll was later buried. I am often amazed at the source or meaning of the lyrics Bono writes and how they carry such emotion; love, loss, grief and the power of song.

Bono sings:

"And in the world a heart of darkness

A fire zone

Where poets speak their heart

Then bleed for it

Jara sang, his song a weapon

In the hands of love

You know his blood still cries

From the ground

It runs like a river runs to the sea

It runs like a river to the sea"

I understand why Bono was so moved by his story. I hope Jara's family finds justice.

"The cultural invasion is like a leafy tree which prevents us from seeing our own sun, sky and stars. Therefore in order to be able to see the sky above our heads, our task is to cut this tree off at the roots. US imperialism understands very well the magic of communication through music and persists in filling our young people with all sorts of commercial tripe.

With professional expertise they have taken certain measures: first, the commercialization of the so-called ‘protest music’; second, the creation of ‘idols’ of protest music who obey the same rules and suffer from the same constraints as the other idols of the consumer music industry – they last a little while and then disappear. Meanwhile they are useful in neutralizing the innate spirit of rebellion of young people. The term ‘protest song’ is no longer valid because it is ambiguous and has been misused. I prefer the term ‘revolutionary song’" ~Victor Jara

Song Du Jour: One Tree Hill by U2

"We will never allow an event like an election reverse our independence, our sovereignty, our sweat and all that we fought for ..." ~Robert Mugabe

2008-06-21T12:31:00.006-06:00

A world away "democracy" is taking a beating friends.

"Democracy" in Zimbabwe is like Apollo Creed in Rocky 4 and I wonder... has Mugabe just landed that last fatal blow. What comes next?

PHOTO1: Main opposition Movement For Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai (C) is greeted by supporters during a visit to a Harare suburb June 21, 2008. Despite signs of growing African discontent over bloodshed that has escalated since Zimbabwe's March 29 general election, President Robert Mugabe vowed never to hand over power to the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, whose leader Tsvangirai is his rival in the run-off. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo (ZIMBABWE)

"The MDC (opposition) plans to meet on Sunday to consider whether to contest the June 27 vote, with the party claiming that about 70 of its supporters have been killed since the first round of voting in March."

70 people dead. Many more injured and jailed. Should the MDC give up? I've been a part of elections first hand and I have marvelled at how difficult they are for candidates and how much work goes into running for office. And that's here in Alberta...so the very thought of the position the MDC find themselves in today is hard to wrap my brain around. What kind of person stands up to the violence and intimidation to take Mugabe down?

I am riveted by these events. What will Mugabe do next? It seems like western nations have no idea how to offer assistance.

At least Zimbabwe made it on to the agenda of the UN's Security Council meeting thanks to Condi Rice. Will anything come of it?

Today I am not taking my democracy for granted.

Song du Jour: Lost by Coldplay

PHOTO 2: A supporter of President Robert Mugabe holds an election poster as she cheers during a rally at the White City Stadium in Bulawayo June 20, 2008. Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is considering whether to pull out of the June 27 presidential run-off election, fearing it will be a charade, a spokesman said on Friday. REUTERS/Emmanuel Chitate (ZIMBABWE)

"Thank you for fan...I want speech longer but my English short" ~ Selke winner, Pavel Datsyuk

2008-06-13T11:08:00.005-06:00

That was a pretty good show last night. My favorite bit was Datsyuk accepting his trophies.

His first speech, accepting the Selke Trophy, he read off a peice of paper and although he struggles with English he was great.
As they were listing off the nomminees for the Lady Bing I wondered does he have another speech prepared if he wins? They announced his name and once he took the podium he looked up sheepishly at the crowd and stated, "I got nothing..."
Fall down funny!

Song Du Jour: Jigsaw Falling Into Place by Radiohead

I think this is my favorite song off In Rainbows, but I'll need a few more months of listening to the disc to be sure....

"And we were dressed from head to toe in love... the only label that never goes out of style"

2008-06-11T11:36:00.002-06:00

Went to see Sex and The City with the ladies and it felt like seeing a whole season in one sitting so it really translated well from TV to the big screen. It felt like stepping back into your favorite slippers, very comfortable. However, I was disapointed because it was too freaking predictable. I'm too cynical and jaded to believe that shit so I think my attitude ruined it really..it's a good movie and I enjoyed it on one level. My ladies were all verklempt at certain points and I was all...whateva.

The idea that these women are in their 40's and 50's and are still not able to understand men makes me wonder what advantage age has when women are still making the same mistakes they made when they were 18? That resonated with me for sure. I guess I enjoy watching the relationship the 4 main characters share because it is amazing how important friends are in life and that was represented well. All the other crap...meh.

I've heard rumour they will make 2 more sequels, "Cattrall says, that a sequel is likely"(there are some spoilers in the link...)

Song Du Jour: Strength in Numbers (that's the name of their new album too)by The Music

2008-06-10T11:31:00.001-06:00

Today sucks.

"This scar is a fleck on my porcelain skin..."~Stars

2008-06-08T10:42:00.002-06:00

It's Sunday and I am totally missing the NFL.....sigh....

I'm reading a book called Seeing by Jose Saramago. It's a what-if type of story, and a follow up to a really great book he wrote called Blindness. Right now I am at this part about a long cabinet meeting that makes me laugh. That's good satire Mr. Saramago! I can't tell if he's just being totally sarcastic though...It's hard to pin down the tone of this novel. I bet a lot of people would find this book really boring. It's all about elections, government meetings and power. Poli Sci nerds rejoice!

Song Du Jour: Your Ex-Lover Is Dead by Stars

"We'd like to turn it around and make the stories about opportunity and the adventure of the African continent, not the burden and the obligation"

2008-06-07T08:49:00.002-06:00

Dr. Bono! He was just in Japan...getting an honourary law degree from Keio University. His first lecture marks the commencement of the 2008 G8 season....and all he wants is more aid for Africa and he's only been fighting for that since 1985. He was a busy man in Japan.

Tree planting with kids in Tokyo.

He got to be Guest editor at Japan's second-largest newspaper, the Asahi, with his mate Bob during an annual conference on African Development. He was also presenting/advocating at the MTV Awards...He's everywhere!

Song Du Jour: Love and Peace or Else by U2

"I don't know if I can make it, I'm not easy on my knees"

"...the controversy and debate created by a contest wouldn't necessarily be bad" ~ Scott Moore

2008-06-06T18:09:00.002-06:00

CBC reports that err...CBC may not use the theme to HNIC.

"Scott Moore, the executive director of CBC Sports, told Newsworld on Thursday that negotiations for a new licence fee are ongoing with the representatives of Vancouver composer Dolores Claman."

And everybody is freaking out. I love Canadian hockey fans. Some people think it is a publicity stunt but I don't know if the marketing peeps over at the Mother Corp. were savvy enough to dream this one up. Who knows...

I just hope they come to their senses and pay Ms. Claman what she's asking for, which is $575 per use instead of the $500 per use they've been paying her for over a decade. I simply can't even imagine any other song...that song has been a part of my life since I was 5 years old. It's a personal thing I think a lot of people can't explain, but just want it to stay the same tradition it a has always been.

Song Du Jour: Intergalactic by Beastie Boys

"Robbie is in California working on his strength to get to that next level.." Coach Bucky on Schrempf not being here

2008-06-04T10:22:00.010-06:00

Go Falcons!

The Edmonton Oilers Development Camp is in full swing this week. It's like a conditioning camp for some of the young draft picks and a chance for them to get to know one another before playing together in Springfield for the Falcons. I'm wondering if Bucky will be able to turn them into a great team this year? He sounds pretty positive.

If you can go --you totally should. You get the chance to see these young players show off their talent before they get to be huge stars. I love this stuff. Now I am just trying to figure out how I can take a really long lunch hour tomorrow! You're last chance to see the kids...

Thursday, June 5, 2008 (Millennium Place; Sherwood Park)

10:00 am to 12 Noon – Final Scrimmage Game

Song du Jour: Tesselate by Tokyo Police Club

"was it all a joke? Never had control, I'm not better on my own..."

2008-06-02T23:18:00.002-06:00

The Red Wings were (barely) up 3-2 in the game of their lives tonight and then the crowd, with about 6 minutes left in the game, started to chant. "We want the cup, we want the cup..."

The hockey gods took note. As soon as I heard them start the chant I knew it was over and that we would not see Lord Stanleys Mug this day. Talbot and Sykora (former Oiler, Mr. -20) were the hero's, sure, but I am firmly placing blame for the loss at the feet of the chanting fans. ;P
The Penguins haven't won in Detroit since Dec. 10, 2000!

Take note hockey fans....the chanting of "we want the cup" = bad things. It's a proven fact! Therefore, I move to abolish the use of the chant effective immediately.

And congrats to Sykora on his apparent promotion last night! LOL!

Song Du Jour: - I'm Not Over by Carolina Liar

photo by Matt McNulty

"Beer may be judged by just one sip but it is better to be thouroughly sure" Passport to Beer Credo

2008-05-29T09:10:00.006-06:00

My friend Gabe Jones is celebrating the 5th Anniversary of his book. He's the only friend I have who actually wrote a book. A book about beer. Many, many beers. The new edition will be on shelves in the week prior to Father’s Day (likely on June 9th)!

They officially launch it at the Mother of All Father’s Day Beer Festival in Seattle on the 14th and 15th. The next major festival is the Canada Cup of Beer on July 5th in Vancouver. Their website is partially under construction but can be found at http://www.passporttobeer.com/.

Gabe Jones has about the greatest job...I'd trade him in a second! He managed to turn his love of beer drinking in to this is. Fuck, wish I had thought of it! Congratulations Gabe!

You should buy his book. One day I would like to travel along with it and hit up all the great places listed!

Song du Jour: Wake Up by Arcade Fire - loving this song.
That link's a version with Bowie...which is amazing!

Picture: Zac (buddy and co-author) and Gabe feeling no pain in a shower of hops after the Great Canadian Beer Festival in Victoria (Canada’s largest).

"I lost myself in the summer rain..."

2008-05-21T10:37:00.000-06:00

"It's not where you're born

It's where you belong

It's not how weak

But what will make you strong..."

Song du Jour: Summer Rain by U2

"My old friend...I swear I never meant for this..." ~The Bravery

2008-05-19T18:15:00.007-06:00

I've decided that I don't care for the venue formerly known as "Red's" or "Ed's" --what they now call The Edmonton Events Centre --it still really blows, and in a way that borders on comical. We went and saw Cake on Friday night...I was so excited, I have waited so long to see them live, let's just say I was stoked. I got there early, like keener early. I lined up outside the venue, then when I finally got into the venue there was no seating left. So basically we got there early to stand for 6 hours.

It was very "Grade 10 Hall party" drinking Stella from a can and although the music was great I really did not enjoy the experience all that much. I was there with good company and we had many, many beers, but really everything else was a big ole cluster fuck. The constant ringing of the fire alarm was hot.

When Cake *finally* took the stage they were better live than I could have imagined, we danced, we sang, we laughed, we sweated because it had to have been 120 degrees in there! Although I could not hear anything lead singer John McCrea said he did give away a tree at one point. A pretty little cedar...apparently they do that at each concert. They ask a "trivia" question to the audience and then give the tree to the winner to plant in their city. I thought that was pretty cool. War Pigs was my favorite song they performed which surprised me only because I have never been a fan of that song until Cake covered it. I loved Never There too.

The Best of the worse? The Bathroom attendant. They had a lady seated on a stool in the bathroom with crap laid out all over the place (taking up valuable sink, counter and mirror space). She had it all for sale: chocolate, chips, tissues...after you washed your hands she gave you a towel. It was all somewhat surreal. Mostly, it meant there was only one sink for every one to wash their hands in. So picture it...You had to wait in line to go to the bathroom (fire alarm blaring). Then wait in line to wash your hands. Then wait, hands dripping and people pushing, for the lady to sell the high chick in front of you a mini coffee crisp before she hands you your single towel. hmmm...Are you supposed to tip that lady?

It was just awesome! All in all the night could have been spectacular, but the venue managed to fuck it up by just being so retarded.

Song du Jour: An Honest Mistake by The Bravery
This song is very New Order-esque and Depeche Mode-like on the keyboards...sooo 1982.

Photo by Justin D. Renney/Getty Images: John McCrea of Cake performs at Lollapalooza on July 23, 2005 in Chicago, Illinois.

"Bill C-293, no doubt unwittingly, tends to undermine the very objectives that it tries to establish." ~ Hon. Hugh Segal

2008-05-17T10:58:00.005-06:00

Last Friday, May 9, 2008, the Canadian government finally passed better aid legislation. It's called Bill C-293. I sent thank you cards to the leaders of each party. Martha would be proud.

Unfortunately Bill C-293 is a perfect example of "too little, too late" and 7 years from now the fact that we are still not on track to meet the Millennium Development Goals, an international obligation we have to meet, will be as obvious as the nose on your face.

I'm not so impressed with our slipping international reputation. We say one thing but we rarely follow through. The bill started out with some lofty goals most of which got purged in the Senate but at least we have a law on Canada's aid spending. It's only 2008. Fricking hell, it was Pearson who went to the UN in the 60's and set the 0.7% goal and we are still pretending we are a country that cares about the poorest of the poor. Clearly our actions would indicate we don't, and we haven't for a long time. More tied aid and broken promises make Canada look bad. And we can barely seem to find an agreement about even the very purpose of aid.

This year, Harper's Conservatives will provide 0.3% of GNI for development assistance. That means Canada now ranks 15th among all advanced industrial states in terms of its aid contributions - and our rank continues to slide. 15th!

I'm tired of the image we try to present to the world because it's a total fake. Parts of the world know it and yet I think most Canadians have no idea because there is no news of this in the media. Canadians have sent the message that Canada is no longer an international good guy because a lot of them support Conservative and Liberal roll backs on international aid. I read a report some time back....I wonder if anything has changed since 2004? We seem to want to look good but not if we have to put our money in to it, or as that report puts it, "Canadians do not appear to be prepared to sacrifice domestic priorities for the greater international good." Simply put, we lack the will to change and our clever disguise is starting to slip.

Song Du Jour: The Con by Tegan and Sara

"The workers are going home" ~ Weezer

2008-05-15T22:14:00.021-06:00

So much for my prediction eh? Both the Stars and the Flyers managed to avoid the sweep. Whilst watching the Penguins and Flyers game every time I heard the crowd chant for their Flyers I imagined they were saying Oilers instead. I know...I'm delusional, but it made the game about 100% better. Also I wasn't so angry when Lupul scored because well, Goilers! I like my reality best...

After all my 'beotching' about the Whitemud I thought, "I should take the Henday home...." So tonight I did. Just like about a 1000 other drivers. By the time actually got to the Henday, through all the other delays...someone please explain to me how you can have both 111 Street and Calgary Trail clogged by construction at the same time? That is just such poor planning.
Anyhoo...by the time I got to the Henday I was relieved to have the wind in my hair and cruised along blissfully until 127 Street...holy congestion over the bridge. So it was exactly the same as the Whitemud...

The sad bit? The 20 minutes stuck on the bridge made this ginger kid a tad bit sunburned

...wtf?

It's like that scene from The Core when the sun burns people stuck in traffic in their cars on the Golden Gate Bridge through the hole in Earth's magnetic field...AND it's only the first day of nice weather here...this does not bode well.

I was cursing my luck, or lack thereof, and mulling over moving to the southside when I came crawling to a stop at the lights at Lessard Road. It was hot and everybody was scowling. Ahead of me a girl put her hand out of the car and bubbles floated up. Beautiful bubbles. And just like that my angry drive home was instantly transformed by bubbles...it made me laugh, and really wish I had bubbles too!

Maybe if everybody had bubbles in their car in traffic it would be less tense. Perhaps I should put a bottle in my car just for traffic jam emergencies. And, clearly I'll need a bottle of Coppertone with an spf of 50 too. It was a real Lawrence Welk moment for this lady and made the rest of my journey home much more pleasant. Thanks to the bubble girl.

Song Du Jour: My Name is Jonas by Weezer

Bubbles Photo by Will Koffel with permission.

"Just know that these things will never change for us at all..." ~ Snow Patrol

2008-05-14T11:04:00.013-06:00

Driving on the Whitemud to work is like taking your life into your own hands twice daily.
Now construction season has commenced and they have milled the top off both sides of the pavement from 159 Street to just past Fox Drive. On Monday they had up some signs that reduced the speed limit to 50 Km. Today those signs seemed like a cruel joke as we all crept along in bumper to bumper traffic at about 20 km.

Fun times.

The state of the Whitemud was really bad, so part of me is excited to have it fixed. The other part of me wonders why I don't just suck it up and take the Henday every day and avoid the whole debacle. Oh right, the cost of gas is prohibitive, right...oh and construction on the 23 ave interchange means either way I'm hooped.

I think the hardest thing for most people is not knowing what's going on or how long it will take to fix the road. The City of Edmonton has a link to put all your questions to rest.

Whitemud Drive, 53 Avenue to 170 Street (Major Delays, various lane closures)until approximately July 11. Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction, on ramp/off ramp closures in effect 7:00pm - 7:00am.

Speaking of pylons, I wonder will Dallas pull out one win at home tonight? I sure hope not. I'm pretty excited to watch the Detroit game tonight. Any predictions? Let's see...I'll guess, with Franzen still out, I think it will be 4-0 Detroit to finish the series.

Song Du Jour: Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

Photo by Greg Southam / Edmonton Journal

"we try, we skate, hard, more, faster... we get zone then puck goes in." - Pavel Datsyuk

2008-05-13T10:39:00.011-06:00

Nine wins straight!

And I'm not even a fan of the Wings...but that's some pretty spectacular hockey! Pavel Datsyuk's hat trick last night was pretty impressive so I understand why the media likes to catch him in between periods to interview him but his interviews crack me up. The best part is the reaction of the Sports Dude sent to interview him. I hope he scores more goals in the next game just so he can get in front of the camera again...oh and of course I hope they sweep Dallas.

That would just be so sweet.

Song Du Jour: Into Your Hideout by Pilot Speed

Photo by John T. Greilick / The Detroit News

"Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve" ~ George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

2008-05-09T09:26:00.006-06:00

This just in! Gather round nerds...
1,002 Canadians 18 years of age and older voted NOTA when asked to name the most trustworthy federal leader! Raise your hand if you're surprised. Crickets. Tumbleweeds.
Yeah, didn't think so...

Results of the "CPAC-Nanos Poll":
Question: As you may know, Stephane Dion is the leader of the federal Liberal Party, Stephen Harper is the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Jack Layton is the leader of the federal NDP, Gilles Duceppe is the leader of the Bloc Quebecois and Elizabeth May is the leader of the federal Green Party. Which of the federal leaders would you best describe as:
The numbers in parenthesis denotes the change from the previous Nanos Research survey completed in February 2008 (90 day change).

The most trustworthy leader?

Stephen Harper 31 (+1)

Stephane Dion 14 (NC)

Jack Layton 14 (-7)

Elizabeth May 5 (-3)

Gilles Duceppe 4 (-2)

None of The Above 32 (+12)

What gets the masses ignited? Certainly not politics...that doesn't effect us right? No...of course not! What has everybody talking? Rumour has it West Edmonton Mall is going to be getting a Bath and Body Works sometime in the fall! Some local women even started a facebook page for their 'cause'...now that's advocacy! And they were successful if the rumours are true. If only the mothers of the world actually realized the power they hold, eh?

Happy Mum's Day, Ladies!

Song Du Jour: Don't let go by Sarah McLachlan and Bryan Adams
Rarities, B-Sides and Other Stuff Volume 2 is the second rare tunes album she has put out and I bought it yesterday...I already love it. You'll hear "Don't let go" at a wedding you attend this summer for sure!
I hope Welke knows Sarah has another album out....

"You were so wrong Weeds..." ~OTC

2008-05-02T10:07:00.004-06:00

Last night, before the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado 'Lanch game, we made our predictions. OTC said, "'Blanch will win 4-2 with an empty netter..." A bold prediction!

I said, "pfft...it will be 5-1 Detroit."
At the end of the Franzen Blitz OTC looks at me and says, "You were way off..."

8-2! Hans Franzen there with his $950,000 showing the rest of the millionaires what it takes to win games. They never stopped either...The Wings just kept on coming. The 'Lanch is broken with a capital B so it's unfortunate that we didn't get to see a better hockey series. Secretly, I wish the Sharks would win the series against Dallas. I really don't want to watch "Mike and the Mechanics" anymore. Boooooring! Make no mistake, I'm only in it for the spectacle. The Rangers game last night...now that's good spectacle!

Go Habs Go!

Song Du Jour: I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab For Cutie

Photo: Colorado Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj looks up after the Avalanche lost 8-2 to the Detroit Red Wings duringGame 4 of an NHL Western Conference semifinal hockey playoff series in Denver, Thursday, May 1, 2008. Detroit beat Colorado 8-2 to sweep the series. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

"While Frank Sinatra sings "Stormy Weather" the flies and spiders get along together" ~ Cake

2008-05-01T09:56:00.008-06:00

Finally it is MAY! Happy May Day peeps. On the 16th I will be going to see Cake in concert. YAY! It's hard to state how excited I am to finally get a chance to see them live...I am already doing the big 15 more sleeps countdown!

I heard on the news last night that the PC's were on a mission to Washington to tell the powers that be down der that our province is environmentally responsible in the oil sands. Some ducks had a mission and a message of their own for the world.

My friend Mike Hudema has been in the news lately (last night on behalf of said ducks) and I find myself defending him. Which is so freaking frustrating. I am not sure why it is that people older than me need to say things like, "one day he'll learn" or "When will he stop fighting against things he has no control over? Doesn't he see what a waste it all is?"

What Greenpeace did at the Conservative convention pissed a lot of people off, I know, but why? I commend those activists for standing up for what they believe in. They are trying make Albertans aware of what nobody seems to want to talk about. Is being aware really that bad? Clearly, a lot of people don't care for awareness.

All I said to those older folks, with their angry, closed-minded bobble heads tsk, tsk, tsking, was, "Mike will fight for as long as he draws breath, that I am sure. What I want to know is why you're not outraged too" Sadly, I lost the taste for hard core activism some time ago and pussied out because fighting against the system is hard work. Harder work than most people do in their life time.

I will be very sad the day Mike Hudema no longer gets up in the grill of politicians and I want to say his willingness to fight has always impressed me. He questions humanity in a way few people do anymore, we just want life to be simple and easy. I know I don't really want to know the real impact of the Oil sands project because it scares the beejebus out of me. What are we doing to our province? I hope he never gives up like I did. He's a very strong advocate and he deserves to be recognized for that. Even if you don't agree with his politics, he's the kind of person who engages people in debate, and in this province we don't have enough of that.

"Don't move
Don't talk out of time

Don't think
Don't worry
Everything's just fine...just fine..."

'Numb' by U2

Song Du Jour: Never There by Cake

"Lady-oh, am I gonna ever learn what I never learned before?" - Neil Diamond

2008-04-29T08:46:00.006-06:00

"City lights, city lights burn so warm and they burn so bright, but

me, I walk the city night to forget you, Lady-oh...." That's such a beautiful song...

The Man...He's COMING to Edmonton! Now I'm not a crazed Neil Diamond fan but the nostalgia knows no bounds on this crooner! My mom used to listen to him, we've sang and danced super (super) drunk to many, many of his songs, and with a best friend named Caroline...well you get the picture. If I can get tickets I am totally going.

Additionally, today Coldplay released the download their newest single on their website, if you can get on it. I tried with no success. But I heard it this morning on Sonic. It's got a kind of Beatles sound to it, with some heavier guitar...what do you think? I like it. A lot.

Song Du Jour: Violet Hill - Coldplay

Oh and Go Habs GO!

"Fear tries to pierce the armor of truth...."

2008-04-25T10:56:00.009-06:00

I bought the Vampire Weekend CD! They were on Jimmy Kimmel Wednesday night rocking out with a whole Highschool drum line...it was really good. Click on the title (up there) to see the performance.

Vampire Weekend is a refreshing change. It is such a summer album...when I hear the track "Oxford Comma" I think of the beach or driving in your car with the warm wind blowing...they use tones of Reggae--very Police-esque...or like No Doubt with the ska.
I love "M79"...weirdly the drums remind me of Paul Simon.
"Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" is very tribal. This is going to be the summer of 08 album for sure! When "A punk" comes on the radio when I am in my car I totally have to turn it up and sing! I am sure this provides hilarity to the drivers around me. Who knew the steering wheel could be such a great drum!?

Song Du Jour: Hollowpoint Sniper Hyperbole by USS
(The full name is Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker)
They don't have an album out yet but they have music up at Myspace.

"Oh. Smells like barbecued dog hair"

2008-04-22T21:56:00.004-06:00

JR Burns Cujo.
Thank you hockey Gods. I don't think I could have stomached having the "They're not the Canada Flames" argument again.

"Till now man has been up against Nature; from now on he will be up against his own nature" ~ Dennis Gabor (Back in 1964)

2008-04-22T15:21:00.008-06:00

I'm not going to complain about the weather soooo...Happy Earth Day! Mother Nature appears to be conducting her own protest for us here. I'm never sure what to do on Earth Day. I have been turning out lights in empty offices and turning off my handy Sharp calculator when it is not in use...which is slightly annoying because I have to keep turning it off and on. Off and on. Off an on. Off and on. I even turned out the lights in my office while I ate lunch...actually I do that every day mostly to keep people from bugging me.

Should I fill my car with ever-increasing, super expensive gas or should I wait until tomorrow so as to not offend Mother Earth?? I guess I should have taken the bus. Believe me it crossed my mind this morning when I dug my poor car out of the snow drift I call my"parking stall".

Anybody else do something to mark Earth Day? Apparently, the first Earth day was observed April 22, 1970 and as a direct result of Earth Day, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in December 1970. Hm. The website suggests emailing the government and ask them "to enact tough and fair climate change legislation". If you feel the need to act, and you call Canada home, call 1-613-943-5959 and leave them your message.

Tonight I will watch The San Jose Sharks finish the job they should have finished about a week ago...those filthy procrastinators! We are eco-conscious couch potatoes so we'll watch with the lights off and because I am going to watch it with friends we'll be conserving the energy of at least 2 additional TV's.
Go Sharks! Pleeease for the love of all things holy!

Song Du Jour: Pork and Beans by Weezer
Weezer have unveiled the full track listing for their new self-titled, Red Album which drops June 24 -- if the whole thing doesn't leak in the next week I'll be amazed.

"Been around the world and found that only stupid people are breeding...."

2008-04-21T17:52:00.001-06:00

I went to a stationary store by my work on my lunch hour and my purchase totalled $4.61.

The really nice lady (looks like a 40-ish, white, stay-at-home Mom) who helped me could not make change from the $5 I gave her. She said she punched it in wrong to the register, she punched it in as $50, and was looking for her calculator to figure out the $.39 change!

Song du Jour: Flagpole Sitta by Harvey Danger

"There is a kind of revival of the multilateral spirit...we are facing global problems and to those global problems, there must be global answers"

2008-04-18T19:59:00.002-06:00

The world hunger crisis is all over the news this week. In just three years, the price of staple foods like wheat, corn and rice has almost doubled. If we don't do something soon, hundreds of thousands of people face starvation and a hundred million more could fall into extreme poverty.

Does anybody care?

I just took action with the ONE Campaign...does that count?

I've quoted Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF managing director and clearly the IMF seems to be thinking of the bottom line...and with a "mild" recession predicted in the US on its way it would seem the outlook is...for shit.

Will this push the so called "global community" to changing international trade regimes to benefit the poorest countries? The Scientists say it's about time. Or maybe we're going to be okay after all-- The superheroes? Parliaments of the west clearly! Even though said parliaments are proven liars and don't follow through on commitments made, or "allocate 0.7 per cent of gross national income to official development assistance whose latest figures are in steep decrease". But the "Positive Patty" award of the month goes to Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro for at least giving me hope in the Millennium Development Goals again! Whew!

Last night whilst watching U23D Vern leaned over and said, "Bono is so smart...how do you get things accomplished and make a difference? Become a rock star!" I want to be a rock star.

How long? How long must we sing this song?

Song du Jour: Come Downstairs and Say Hello by Guster (warning: cheesy video) "Be calm, be brave, it'll be okay..."

"One man come in the name of love..."

2008-04-17T08:44:00.008-06:00

Got myself a free pass to see U2 3D! Again. I wonder what kind of numbers have seen it here in Alberta because I think maybe 50 U2 fans have seen it like 4 times each. Rick Lee has seen it six, scratch that, SEVEN times! Crazy. That's who gave me the pass too, thanks Rick! It's nice to be surrounded by avid U2 fans!

As for the film itself....It was so worth the wait. First off--I had a hard time sitting down through it...and not singing out loud. I wanted to clap after each song...what can I say..I like to clap. I clap at everything. Seriously. I loved the crowds singing the big rock anthems and how the crowd already knew the bit they are supposed to sing...how they rocked out! When Bono planted one on Adam...awwww....that really was touching and you could feel the Bro-love they share in that moment. Nothing planned about that moment, they always keep it so genuine.

What an interesting experience in 3D. Right at the beginning when someone splashes their water bottle and it sprays out, I honestly expected to feel the wetness hit my arm...
I'll admit I let slip a few tears during "Sometimes you can't make it on your own"...that was my favorite song of the movie because I've never seen it live and because of Bono and his Father and what it means. His lyrics just...just...I can't explain it!

It was like I was transported to South America! The whole "coexist" message was powerful...And the comparison between Ireland and Argentina, "no matter how hard our past, we won't let that stand in the way of our great future...." The powerful image of him blindfolded with the smoke and haze billowing around him as he sang.

Just for a moment even sitting in a darkened theatre I felt like part of something bigger than me. The young woman reading out the declaration of human rights. Then Pride bursts out!

Pride just came on Sonic as I wrote this. Creeeeeepy.
I swear, it totally did!! Garner Andrews cracks me up..."Bono should just buy Rick Lee a house..."

Going again tonight and dragging my Vern and the OTC too! Can't wait!

Song Du Jour: Dead Disco by Metric

"You Can't, You Won't And You Don't Stop..."

2008-04-15T10:19:00.008-06:00

hrm. The New Kids on the Block are actually touring. False advertising knows no bounds apparently...New? Kids?
Really?

I sent an email at the beginning of March to my MP and the leaders of the parties asking for some clarification on reports from Amnesty International about claims of torture by detainees at the hands of Afghan authorities, and similar reports indicating widespread abuse throughout the Afghan prison system. I am pleased to report that the first response I got (on March 13th) was from (the assistant of ) Jack Layton and the NDP:

The NDP have been pressing the issue of treatment of detainees for quite some time. We have repeatedly asked the Harper government why they are withholding key information, witnesses, and documents that are essential to get to the bottom of the alleged prisoner abuse.

Furthermore, we are on record saying that Canada must not turn detainees over to Afghan authorities until we fix the flaws in the Prisoner Transfer Agreement to ensure that Canada lives up to its Geneva Convention obligations. I want you to know that the NDP will continue to push the Harper government for action.

Then yesterday, I got a response from ("Assistant 1") my MP:

"Both military and government official in Kandahar are satisfied that conditions of Afghan prisons have improved since allegations of abuse were reported.
Since then:
* Canadian officials have conducted more than two dozen visits to the Kandahar detention centre
* This government has funded $1.5 million for prison improvements
* Canada will be providing training on human rights standards to staff at the Kandahar detention facility
* There has been record-keeping improvements for all detainees handed over to Afghan authorities.
The military respect their international obligations and make decisions each and every day on difficult operational matters such as this. As such, Canada's current transfer agreement with Afghanistan will remain in force as long as the standards expected remain consistent with their current state.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to do so again in the future with your questions and comments.
Sincerely, Honourable Rona Ambrose, P.C., M.P.

45 days for the government to return an email? The responses are typical and totally what I expected, they explain little. I wonder what the $1.5 million for "prison improvements" was spent on? I wish my Canadian mind was put at ease knowing the government appears to be reacting and supplying assistance and human rights training, but its not.

My next email will ask about blacked out documents and the real potential of Canada being charged with war crimes.

Jebus.

Song Du Jour: Sure Shot by The Beastie Boys

“Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the biggest Foo Fighters show in Canada...”

2008-03-31T10:23:00.005-06:00

As the Foo Fighters took the stage Friday night the peeps in my section were texting friends for Oilers updates from Colorado...The Oilers game didn't go our way but HOLY CRAP can the Foo Fighters pull the lid off Rexall!!!

My favorite bit? My Hero. It was brilliant, all acoustic from the 2nd stage. And Everlong. Is there anything better than singing along at the top of your lungs with your fellow Edmontonians? (Except for maybe a trianlge solo?) When My Hero ended we were all on our feet with a standing 'O' and after about a minute Dave Grohl yelled for us to "Shut the f*** up!" He was fall down funny and this counts as the most entertainingly funny concert I have attended. I didn't know it at the time but apparently this was the only Foo concert to sell out in Canada. I hope we showed them a good time, I know I was amazed, although I had one too many of those giant "heroin" beers they serve at Rexall. And a special thanks to Sonic 102.9 for saving me with the bottle of water they handed out after the concert!
I had my "man voice" on Saturday...but it was well worth it.
The Oil also pulled out the win over Calgary too on Saturday! Let's hope they beat them again, shall we?
On Sunday OTC and I went kite flying. It's amazing the amount of fun you can have for $1.88.

Oasis is coming too! Another Friday night concert! I'm a big fan!
11 more sleeps to U23D!

Song du Jour: Monster Hospital by Metric

"And you can dream so dream out loud..."

2008-03-28T14:58:00.006-06:00

I have an U2 3D update!!!

Mark Katz from National Geographic just emailed me and he is happy to report the following news:

They will launch U23D in digital 3D theatres on April 11th in Edmonton and Calgary.!!

I just want to thank all of you for your help! Our hard work and my er..um..."gentle pestering" paid off big time!! Please don't contact the theatres (2 in Calgary and 2 in Edmonton) just yet, they will certainly announce it very soon, check your local listings and I will even post them here once they are announced officially!

I think I need to send Mark Katz a big bottle of booze-ahol or some flowers or something to show him how grateful I am to him for following through for us!! And a big shout out to Cineplex who listened and re-arranged to accomodate this event!!

Hope to see you there!!

"If everything could feel this real forever, If anything could ever be this good again..."

2008-03-28T09:35:00.003-06:00

I was pretty happy to wake up this morning to see that the forecast for snow was greatly exaggerated! Still had to scrape the frost off the ole car...I'm getting pretty good at it. I still have not mastered the fine art of the windshield squeegee though. It must be comical to watch. There I am at 'Safeways' gas bar trying to avoid the giant streaks and splashes to no avail...it's an art, I am convinced.
Sadly, I am so bad at it, I'd rather just take her to the car wash than use the dreaded squeegee.

It just came to my attention that Tom Petty avec his heartbreakers are coming to town. How could that just totally slip past me? I am S.O.L because tickets went on sale months ago....actually the price is pretty steep anyhoo..but frick he'd be great to see live. Love Tom Petty! Get your air keyboards out cause he's bringing Steve Winwood to open.
I will win tickets. Yes, clearly that is what I'll do.

Song du Jour - Everlong by Foo Fighters
The concert reviews are coming in from the 306 and apparently it's a "phenomenal" concert...I have to admit I love the Foo because of the all the memories their songs represent to me. And because they make the best videos!

"In too deep and lost in time, why'd you have to go and let it die?" - Foo's

2008-03-27T08:44:00.007-06:00

It's going to snow tonight. Cripes.

I guess I have nothing to complain about considering we haven't really been hit with snow like Ontario has this year, but when I heard it was going to snow tonight something inside me broke a little bit. I'd just like to go to work without having to scrape the mess off my car every morning. ugh.

You're right, suck it up, I know...I know.

On a more positive note I'll be at Rexall tomorrow night getting my hair blown back the Foo Fighters with opening bands Against Me! and Hifi Handgrenades. I am so glad I have something to look forward to...er...other than digging my car out with my hockey stick, like I had to the last time it snowed....grr.

Song du Jour: Let it die by Foo Fighters

"Love must be forgotten, life can always start up anew...."

2008-03-25T10:19:00.004-06:00

More live music!

Have you checked out the Pemberton Festival? It may take massive amounts of organization (not to mention some sort of fundraiser) but I really want to go! Tickets on sale Friday, peeps! Going to the Foo Fighters Friday too!

Here are just a few of the reasons why I'm contemplating a 15 hour drive to BC this summer....

COLDPLAY

TOM PETTY and The Heartbreakers

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

SAM ROBERTS BAND

MGMT

VAMPIRE WEEKEND

THE TRAGICALLY HIP

WINTERSLEEP

Song du Jour - Time to Pretend by MGMT

"One thing I will say: Human suffering should preempt commercial interest." ~ President Bush

2008-03-14T11:21:00.005-06:00

Time has published a frank article by Bob Geldof regarding his recent sit down and walk about Africa with George W. Bush. (photo by Jason Reed / Reuters)

"...he (Bush) doesn't ever have to justify his Africa policy. This is the person who has quadrupled aid to the poorest people on the planet. I was more comfortable with that. But his expression asked for agreement and sympathy, and I couldn't provide either. "Mr. President, please. There are things you've done I could never possibly agree with and there are things I've done in my life that you would disapprove of, too. And that would make your hospitality awkward. The cost has been too much. History will play itself out." "I think history will prove me right," he shoots back. "Who knows," I say.

It wasn't awkward. It wasn't uncomfortable. He is convinced, like Tony Blair, that he made the right decision. "I'm comfortable with that decision," he says. But he can't be. The laws of unintended consequences would determine that. At one point I suggest that he will never be given credit for good policies, like those here in Africa, because many people view him "as a walking crime against humanity." He looks very hurt by that. And I'm sorry I said it, because he's a very likable fellow. "

I always find it interesting when two people with seemingly nothing in common sit down to talk. It shows me that common ground can be found in very unlikely places. We are more alike than we are different. I'm curious to know what other people think of that article, I hope you will comment on your reaction to it.

Song du Jour: She's Crafty by The Beastie Boys

Clearly, there can never be too much cow bell in a song...

“In a society where the rights and potential of women are constrained, no man can be truly free. He may have power, but he will not have freedom.”

2008-03-13T11:23:00.004-06:00

The stars are aligning nicely for me because a woman I have admired for years will be speaking at one of my favorite events! You should come too.

U of A Visiting Lectureship in Human Rights Presents:
Mary Robinson
Wednesday, April 2
7:30 pm
Citadel Theatre
Tickets: $10

Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights will deliver the 10th Visiting Lectureship in Human Rights.

Devoted to addressing issues of injustice and inequality, Mary Robinson founded and currently leads Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative. Realizing Rights is tackling three critical issues: the imbalance in global trade and development, the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa and the barriers to facilitating more humane international migration. Her lecture, as part of the University of Alberta’s Centennial celebrations, will reflect on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, health as a human right and will highlight current efforts to address critical human rights issues in the world today.

“I was elected by the women of Ireland, who instead of rocking the cradle, rocked the system.”

It'll be a ginger kid convention for sure...

Song Du Jour - Kite by U2
it's been a rough one and this song is perfect for me today....

"You're the last guy to feel the optimism of improvement.." ~ Coach MacTavish

2008-03-12T09:48:00.008-06:00

I'm taking a lot of heat for being an Oilers fan and being excited when they win lately...this is new to me. Because the Coilers need a miracle to make the playoffs it seems fans have written the team off. Even the hardcore Oilers fans seem more cynical and jaded and some are not even watching them anymore.

Can't I be excited about a win regardless of the post season?

"Who cares...they won't make the playoffs" was the pat answer when I brought up that "left arm tingling" show the Oil put on last night. Around the water cooler they looked at me with pity in their eyes, as if to say, poor, poor Heather the misguided Oilers fan. Personally, I feel that some fans are missing out on some great hockey or they are so critical of the players they miss the game.

Let me be clear, I am well aware of their (lack of) playoff chances. I am not hopeful they will get that miracle and make the playoffs. I am fine with watching this team rebuild. In fact, I am thoroughly enjoying it.

I am super excited about Cog's record setting OT goals even if it doesn't propell them out of 11th place. How about that no look pass from Gag-ner to Cog's setting up the OT goal? Beautiful.

How about Grebeshkov (Gruba) with the block in front of Garon to shut down Kariya in the third? And Goggles Pisano and his shorthanded break away, Smid had one too, and Hemsky...I'm still surprised Legace came out unscathed after "Maim the Goalie" night at Rexall.

Glengarry Glencross has my vote, he adds a lot to his line....Matt Greene makes me nervous. Still.

Are we so spoiled that we can't be proud of a team that is on fire with rookie potential? Frick they are so fun to watch! Why am I the only one who'll admit that Oilers games are super entertaining? Sure they shit the bed (even last night they did) but that's not new, hence the "Coilers" moniker...but that game was highly entertaining.

Go on -- admit it, don't be afraid.

Song Du Jour - Nine in The Afternoon by Panic at the Disco

"In every aspect of life, there has to be a void, so you can look back and see what you need to do to get better and become successful again." ~ Coach

2008-03-11T11:21:00.006-06:00

Your Panda's Hockey Team didn't fair so well at Nationals. Super Sad....

They came in 4th with a loss yesterday to the Manitoba Bisons. At the end of February your Panda's beat the Bisons for Canada West Supremacy in a controversial game that took double overtime periods to decide a winner. The Bisons coach ended up pitching a water bottle at the ref after the Panda's scored the game winner, on the powerplay, after some 98 minutes of play. Seems like Manitoba had something to prove at Nationals....

I watched the games from Ottawa via webcast...which was awesome this year, not hurky-jerky like years before. I'm so proud of our ladies! From watching them this season I could see them forming a great bond and, although they lose a couple of graduating players, I can see this team building together next season and performing well at Nationals in 2009.

Next year watch forwards Cabana and Miller because their play since the Christmas break has been stellar. On the D, Rayanne Reeve, has really come in to her own.

Song Du Jour: Snow (Hey Oh) by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"When all is said and done, the weather and love are the two elements about which one can never be sure." ~Alice Hoffman

2008-03-04T07:29:00.000-07:00

Why do we find the words, "I don't know" so difficult to say? I mean honestly, how will you ever learn if you don't put yourself out there?

It's okay to ask for clarification. It's okay to admit that you don't have all the answers, and for the love of all things holy, just admit it so we can move forward.

That is all. Oh except for this photo of the frozen tundra for your viewing pleasure....purdy.

Song Du Jour - Shadowplay - The Killers

"Look outside at the raincoats coming..."

2008-03-03T10:34:00.002-07:00

I've been talking a lot about music here, eh? Blame my local radio station Sonic. They have this great little show called Farm Fresh which is all new music...I've got a little crush forming for Al Ford, I'll admit it. Coldplay is also working on new songs! And the new U2 Album should drop in the fall so you'll be hearing about that over the next few months, ad nauseam.

Anyhoo....I heard this new (to me) band from New York called Vampire Weekend on The Letterman show and to my glee, they are going to be on SNL on March 8th. Click on the link up there to watch their catchy little ditty on You Tube. It's stuck in my head today....

Soooohooo...it's election day, don't forget to vote peeps! Oh and thanks in advance Alberta voters...it'll be more of the same ole bullshit I am sure. I will cast my ballot after work and then watch the 'exciting' news coverage. The election nerd in me watches every year with great hope of change...I don't want to sound cynical and jaded, but I am so..... why won't you won't vote for a change? Why? I've become tired of party politics, friends...and I feel powerless to change it because nobody realizes that you have to vote to get change. Moreover, why can't I get my friends to vote? They have so much invested...my friend's G'ma spent 4 days in emergency at the Grey Nun's on a bed in the corridor, with no care because the nurses won't do anything until the patient is in a room. How much is your dignity worth? And still --my friend doesn't equate that with our election process. How can I make the connection?

I think voter turnout in Edmonton was 50% last election...I'll hazard a guess that it will be 42% this election. I really hope I am wrong. Prove me wrong...please.

Song du Jour - A Punk - Vampire Weekend

"I need something more, to keep on breathing for, so give me something to believe...."

2008-02-29T08:26:00.005-07:00

So it's leap day!! Happy Leap day to all.
Anything you do today doesn't count right?

Today is also marks an important anniversary! Well, important to me...
February 29, 1992: U2 kicked off their high-tech, multimedia Zoo TV tour in Lakeland, Florida. This was my first real opportunity to go and see my favorite band in concert. When tickets went on sale we snapped up two and my friend Natalie and I took the Greyhound all the way to Vancouver (not recommended). It was my first road trip to The Vancity. Coincidentally, we stayed in a hotel on Heather Street and Broadway so of course we tried to steal the Heather Street sign, to no avail.

This was the tour that supported the Actung Baby album. We sat up in the rafters of BC Place to watch the spectacle with our oxygen tanks. You may not know this but this tour actually made no money because of the sheer size of it. It was my first dose of live U2...and even if you don't like the band that much, cripes even if they turn your stomach, their live show is something to behold. The energy of the band...not just Bono's charisma, but Larry Mullen hitting those drums like his freaking life depends on it! Bono called the White House from the stage trying to get the president on the line as cars swirled around the stage and images flashed on the screen. I had never seen anything like it. I vividly remember the word BELIEVE flashed in white on a black screen and the word started to fade leaving just LIE up on the screen. Not only did this mean I would never misspell that word ever again, but more importantly it challenged me to start questioning the source of my daily information. In hindsight that concert changed me....made me more aware and forced me to sit up and take notice of the world around me. I was much more curious about the things I would eventually study at Uni and emboldened by the thought that maybe I should question some of the things in my world.

That whole trip was so sweet...partying up in North Vancouver (the details of which I can't share here, but let's just say Lonsdale Quay is but a blur at sunrise in my memory), spending our days wandering the campus of UBC, I'll never forget my first ever U2 concert experience because it brought so many other things with it.

Song Du Jour: Believe - The Bravery
The Sun and The Moon stands as my fav album of 2007...they just re-released a double cd with remixes should you feel the need to run down to your local HIV and buy one...

"..something is vacant when I think it's all beginning, I been drifting along in the same stale shoes.."

2008-02-22T08:33:00.005-07:00

I don't get it...Peeps are complaining about last nights provincial election leaders debate and the 2 minute-free-for-all-debate after each topic. Well, who's the moron who approved the structure of the debate? Hrm? If the media wants a free for all then yes you will get 4 suits all talking over each other which makes for baaaaaaad TV...and it makes the politicians loook like children behaving badly. After the first free-for-all I think the moderators realized it wasn't going to lead to the kind of fireworks they wanted...and then they tried to moderate those two minutes...to no avail. Whoever planned that debate needs to have their head examined, and I don't blame the leaders.

Most people, here at work, think the Wildrose Leader won the debate. I think he was terrible...using big words for no reason, and how many times did he say "innovation"? How many times did he repeat himself? He spoke of rewarding innovation but doesn't seem to have any innovative ideas himself. But apparently he came off as the most charismatic. Wtf?

I am tired of hearing that these particular politicians lack Charisma...yeah dudes, they're NERDS! I'd rather have a completely socially inept leader than some jackass who is all talk and no substance. Sadly all I saw were nerds with no substance. God love them for getting up there and doing their best. You know it takes a lot of perserverance to stick to it like Taft has. However, every time Taft opened his mouth it sounded to me like the teacher from Charlie Brown, "wha, wha... wha, wha, wha wha..."
Good Grief!

And Mason...although well prepared (okay too well prepared) sounded staged. He also looked the most nervous. His "Zingers" fell a wee bit short and Taft nailed him for flip-flopping....even if Mason didn't flip flop as the Journal reported, Taft hit home that remark. Are you shocked to read that I think Stelmach came out looking fresh as a daisy and calm? Because I am shocked. He's like the Teflon Leader...how do they do that? Steady Eddy indeed.

Daveberta said it best, "I do think that because the expectations are so low for him that an even moderately okay performance by Stelmach will be seen as a win for him (regardless of how painful the experience is for both Stelmach and viewers)."

Song Du Jour ~ Jackass by Beck

"...Afraid of what you'll find if you took a look inside.."

2008-02-21T13:54:00.002-07:00

Frick.
So the short answer to my query on bringing U2-3D to Alberta is: Not right now.

Cineplex is booked solid and will not break contracts to show it here.
You'd think that would be the end of it, but no...clearly, they don't really understand U2 fans.
Heck, if this movie was like any other and I just had to wait until my local video store had it I wouldn't be trying so hard, but that's not the case...the only theatre equipped at this time to show this movie in all of Alberta is Cineplex.

Please email:
guestservices@cineplex.com

Tell them you want to know when, after December 2008, Mr. Michael McCarthy from L.A. will show it here. Why can't NG enter into a contract for January of 2009? WHY?

I shall find out friends!

Song Du Jour: Staring at The Sun ~ U2

"...So tell me the truth of your heart, please tell me, please tell me ..."

2008-02-20T11:57:00.005-07:00

So I called to see if the candidates in my riding are conducting a candidate forum and the lady who works for the PC candidate finally called me back...and I can't go because it is in the middle of the freaking day! But just on the off chance you are in my riding and can attend here is the info:

Edmonton-Meadowlark
Thursday, February 21st at 12:45 P.M.
The West End Seniors Activity Centre
9629-176 Street.

Additional forums at the U of A for other ridings:

Edmonton-Strathcona Provincial Election All-Candidate Forum
Presented by Your University of Alberta Students' Union
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Myer Horowitz Theatre (2nd Floor, Students' Union Building)

Edmonton-Riverview Provincial Election All-Candidate Forum
Presented by Your University of Alberta Students' Union
Monday, February 25, 2008
Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Dinwoodie Lounge (2nd Floor, Students' Union Building)

Song Du Jour: The Dugout by Ladyhawk