Geeze

absence makes the heart grow fonder
so i went away
but i couldn’t bare to be without ya
and i came back the very next day

I fuckin’ hear that.

Whoa

K so, some interesting stuff’s happened lately!

The Constantines have been signed to Arts & Crafts – I’m not too sure how I feel about this one, yet. When I first heard about it I was really fucking stoked, A&C is a good label, and they’ve been successful over the years. But when I really got to thinking about it… A&C is full of fucking sissy rock. Broken Social Scene = sissy rock, Feist = sissy girl rock, New Buffalo = even more sissy girl rock, etc. The Cons’ self titled album was straight up, unfiltered rock. Shine a Light was also straight up unfiltered rock, but they added a synth so the rock was diminished slightly. Tournament of Hearts was also pretty rock, but there is definitely a difference… it’s a little more, “working class” rock than the previous “drink 40s under bridges” rock. I’m just kind of worried about where this could take them… I get the feeling they might get all sissy rock on me, and I dont think I could handle that. The Cons are my favorite band, and I really hope it stays that way. Either way, on their new A&C website they posted what seems to be a studio video with a song that could possibly be on the new album. The song’s good (there are no lyrics), it almost reminds me of Chumbawa by the Detroit Cobras.

In other news, I have brown hair again. I’m so fucking stoked about it, I missed brown hair a lot. Also, school’s going well. It’s keeping me insanely busy, which nice. Annnd, friends of mine from all over western Canada are living in my city now, which is fucking excellent.

That’s all!

I’ll update sometime, I guess.

Another week?!

Another story I’ll explain later.

But I am still alive.

Maaaaaaaan!

Sorry about the emphasis on the words in the titles lately!

With that said, on to more pressing matters… I have to take a moment to thank whoever is in charge of my life these days. So whoever is in charge of the occurances and experiences I’ve had recently, thank you. Your work is much appreciated, and I am extremely grateful.

I can’t even begin to explain how fucking phenomenal this past week has been, and I wont bother trying. I’m almost worried that typing it, speaking it, or even contemplating it – will ruin it. For this to be ruined would be a darn shame, and I’m not someone who gets down with darn shames. I’ve had 6 months of darn shame, and I’m happy about it being over.

Nothing’s been set in stone, and I doubt it will be for a while to come – but so far, things are going really well. I’ll be patient and wait it out; sometimes in life you have to wait, and as the cliche suggests, the best things are worth waiting for.  I’ve waited a significant amount of time for what happened this week to happen, and all of that time was worth it. It gave me time to grow up, to learn about myself, to travel; to evolve into the person I was created to be. Time may be the only constant in our lives, and some may think I’m wasting mine. However… with the way I feel right now, the way I will surely feel tomorrow, and the way I hope to feel one day – this is no waste. This is time very well spent.

Will update tomorrow, I need my beauty sleep.

Ahhhh!

Sorry I haven’t been around much lately – I started school, and have been painfully busy since.

Here’s an update one some stuff that’s happened recently:

School, of course – it’s awesome this year. Good professors, good classes, good people. A bunch of really good friends I haven’t had the chance to spend time with in a long time (2 years or so) are at Mount Royal, so my breaks are spent with incredible people. Alex, Robin, Chai, Paisley and a few others! I’m really excited about the whole thing.

 And um, well….. something else, but it’s so top secret at the moment that I wont get into it!

I’ll finish some homework then give y’all some more updates.

Tomorrow, tomorrow; I love you, tomorrow…

Tomorrow’s going to be a pretty fucking awesome day!

Andrea, Julia, Johnny and I are going to school to get textbooks and whatnot. (I should add – why are textbooks so unrealistically expensive?! Honestly, I’m already paying upwards of $5,000/year for tuition, and now I’m being asked to drop close to another $1,000/year for textbooks I’m probably only going to use once?! I understand scholarships, and I understand the work that goes into them – but to those of us who didn’t get scholarships, how are we expected for afford that? I’m lucky – my parents are paying for my first degree. But I can’t move out [if I do, my education is no longer paid for], and even if I did I wouldn’t qualify for a student loan due to my dad’s income. For students out there who are not eligible for a student loan/their parents won’t pay for their education, life must be extremely difficult. I’m amazed people get degrees before they’re 30.) Anyhoo, textbooks tomorrow! I’m so excited! Also, my brother is going to Vancouver (thank goodness! He has been so annoying lately) and I’m going to be dog-sitting/quitting smoking at Andrea’s house while she’s in BC.

In other news, Jon Stewart just (metaphorically) pissed on the face of some dude who wrote a book about Dick Cheney. I need to turn off the Daily Show and the Colbert Report and start watching CBC – I’m feeling a little…. less Canadian. I suppose it never hurts to be informed, though. I still watch CBC documentaries and the Hour occasionally; but to be honest, Canadians aren’t interesting. I suppose that what’s foreign and unknown is more interesting than what’s local and being shoved down my throat at every commercial break, whenever I turn the radio on, and whenever I decide to pick up a news paper.

That tangent reminds me – some fucking douchebag is running for premier (or something, I wasn’t giving devoting much attention is his direction). He figured he would let Albertans know that our humble province was built on “a strong Conservative point of view” and that if “any new Albertans refused to follow in those Conservative footprints, they might as well go back to where they came from”. AKA my province was ‘built’ by rednecks who would rather stone the gays than make any sort of realistic (and needed) progress.

Oh, just to give you some more insight into the whole Alberta redneck situation – Stephen Harper’s constituency was SW Calgary. I live in SW Calgary, Harper has his annual Stampede Breakfast appearance at Hull Home (a detention centre for several of Calgary’s Courtney Love’s) which is literally down the street from my house. My dog is part of Pals (a therapy dog organization); my mom and dog went down to Hull Home for the breakfast, and both met our ‘noble’ PM.  I guess his security guards spazzed over the idea of his majesty being near an over-sized rottweiler – sissies.

How the hell did I get into this political talk?

I’m going to bed.

Music stuff

Here are some of the bands/artists that I enjoy a whole bunch:

 
Dan Sartain – if you’re cool with rockabilly and enjoy the feeling of your brain exploding from awesome riffs and a voice born straight outta hell, you’ll love him.

Mirah – we wont even talk about what an indie rock hearthrob Mirah is, what’s important here is that her tunes are catchy, her voice is sweet and her ability to perform is unbelievable.

Neko Case – I dont know if you have ears, but if you do you definitely need to check out Neko. Her voice is unreal. Neko’s also part of the New Pornographers – but her solo stuff is almost twangy country. A true delight for the ears.

The Tragically Hip – yeah, I’m Canadian, but that has nothing to do with my love for this band. Gord Downie’s solo stuff is excellent as well, and I’m pretty sure most of you have a pretty good idea who these dudes are.

The Constantines – easily my favorite Canadian band. The Cons are from Geulph, Ontario – and to say the least, they will blow your mind. Bry Webb’s voice is gravely and Springsteen-esque; paired with heavy guitar, pounding drums and the undertones of synth. Seriously, check them out.

Del Tha Funkee Homosapien – if you like hip hop, you know this dude. Genius is all I can say, really. Have you heard of the Gorrilaz? Deltron? Kid Koala? All linked to this guy, folks.

Gift of Gab & Blackalicious – again, if you know hip hop, you know this dude.

 That’s all for now!
 

It’s late

However, I have something important to share with you! I have the NEW Josh Ritter album! The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter is easily one of the best albums I’ve had the pleasure of listening to – ever. I’m so stoked on this album that I’m going to do something I’ve never done before – review it. I’m all about reviewing movies, but when it comes to music I usually find reviews to be really biased. There’s no doubt about it, I’m being one hellofa hypocrite at the moment. I’m very much biased when it comes to Josh Ritter; but trust me, this album is brilliant.

In my opinion, Josh seems to be exploring more musical options. Rather than having primarily acoustic based songs, this album incorporates all sorts of instruments and experimental sounds. Don’t get me wrong – the acoustic is not gone, it’s still very much there. With that said, if any average Joe were to compare Historical Conquests with Hello Starling the variation would be very obvious. From what I’ve noticed, I would say this change was concieved in last year’s album The Animal Years. This new ‘Josh Genre’ is fucking brilliant, and I’m so excited about what else he has in mind for his loyal listeners.

Here’s the track listing:

1. To the Dogs or Whoever
2. Mind’s Eye
3. Right Moves
4. The Temptation of Adam
5. Open Doors
6. Rumors
7. Edge of the World
8. Wait for Love 
9. Real Long Distance
10. Next to the Last Romantic
11. Moons
12. Still Beating
13. Empty Hearts
14. Wait for Love (you know you will)

I cannot find a single flaw with this album, and I really dont think a flaw is a possibility. Even the most pretentious of music fans will be acknowledging the talent and over-all greatness that is embodied in Josh Ritter. This is a probably a shitty review, and I’m cool with that! All you need to know is that this album is worth a listen and Josh Ritter is definitely deserving of praise and congrats! Before I go I’ll leave you with some links…

 

Josh Ritter’s Official website – this site also has samples of the new songs, tour information, biography and pictures for the ladies.
The Promo video for Josh’s new album – this video features the song “Rumours”.
Josh Ritter’s Backstage Recordings – songs that Josh has covered (mostly) with friends! Note: the dude that covers Motley Crue’s Home Sweet Home is easily one of the most babe-a-licious dudes ever. Needless to say, this website is fucking excellent – and I’m not just saying that because I also love the Silver Jews, Townes Van Zandt, Motley Crue, and Jill Barber.

The Animal Years Videos:
Lillian, Egypt
Girl in the War

Hello Starling Videos:
Bright Smile

Live Videos:
The Temptation of Adam – this is on the new album, and live in some dude’s appartment
Mind’s Eye – also on the new album, and in juans basement
To the Dogs or Whoever – also, new album, and again in juans basement
Stuck to You (The Science Song) - this is not really live, but it’s definitely one of his best songs
Kathleen – this song’s on Hello Starling

I should add, I have met Josh ritter and the aforementioned babe Iain MacDonald (Josh’s tour guitar guy). He played here last February with a local songwriter (Dave Simpson), and I was so impressed I had to shake his hand. Josh is really gracious and it’s not unusual to find him shaking hands with his fans after a show. I was terribly excited and likely embarassed myself, however, Josh was exceptionally grateful and one of the friendliest people I have ever met. I wrote a letter to him afterwards, thanking him for such a wonderful show and for taking the time to have a meet and greet. He responded, on a post card from Idaho. It was one of those “Holy shit” moments – it’s not often at all you send ‘fan mail’ and get a legitimate response. I was very, very, very pleased; needless to say, I have liked him more and more since. So really, readers – if you’re going to buy an album this year, make it The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter.

oh news!

I heard back from the Humane Society…. I’ll be attending the orientation night on the 4th (which is also my first day back to class) and I’ll begin volunteering after that!

SO excited!

Folks,

I’m currently sprawled on my family room floor, watching the food network, and waiting for something interesting to happen. The likelyhood of something interesting happening is very slim, though I’ll keep my hopes up. Who knows?

Andrea came over today during her lunch break – she’s really sick with some sort of cold. I’m not suprised, there was ice on my car this morning. Ice – in August! I definitely have a love/hate relationship with this city.

I’m not too sure if Ontario will be any better, with those pesky ice storms and whatnot. Ahh well, at least Trent offers grad degrees in Anthropology and I’ll be able to escape the grip of the praries. I will miss the mountains, I will miss the people I’ve gotten to know over the past twenty-something years, and I will cherish the memories of this city. One thing I wont miss – this city’s inability to function during rush hour and/or construction zones. Oddly enough to most annoying construction zone (Glenmore trail – the only way to really get to school) will be completed when I move in 2008. Ah well, that’s life.