It's been about 2 months since my last post so there's a few stories at least. If I've talked to you in the past month, you've more than likely heard me raving about how great Bonnaroo was. For those of you that have no idea what I'm talking about, my aunt and I drove a total of about 7000 kms to a music festival in Tennesee (3 days of driving each way...yes, driving). There were about 40 bands there, probably more and about 80,000 people. My aunt went purely to see Metallica, but I was more interested in Jack Johnson and Pearl Jam. We also got to see B.B. King the legend himself. I hope when I`m 82 that I can still rock out. A few of other acts there were Tiegan and Sarah, My Morning Jacket, Iron & Wine, The Sword, Willie Nelson, Stephen Marley and way too many more for me to remember.
My favourite show was Jack Johnson. He played all kinds of stuff from all of his albums (except the Curious George soundtrack, which was rather odd) and played my favourite tunes. He also pulled Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam up on stage to sing Constelations with him and that was epic.
I also had the crazy experience of driving through St Louis during rush hour. Strangely enough, Calgary traffic seems much more insane. We also drove down the state line between Iowa and Nebraska where all the floooding was and you could see lakes where farm land was supposed to be. God kept us safe and we didn`t have any problems as far as having to re-route our trip due to some of the cities being flooded (such as Cedar Rapids or Des Moines).
Friday night I headed out with some friends to do some camping out in the Crowsnest Pass. Sometimes it`s easy to forget how busy we make ourselves doing absolutely nothing. Until you don`t have access to it for a few hours, it can be kind of second nature to veg out in front of the tv until you pass out or check your facebook every 5 minutes. And how little you actually miss it when it`s not there.
I`ve also been working on recording some new songs with my friend Matt. We usually get an idea down and work it about 75% through before forgetting about it and never finishing it. So, we`re trying to actually fully finish a whole song. He`s pushed me to start writing some lyrics which has always been hard for me because I`m rarely if ever satisfied with what comes of my writing. Thankfully that`s starting to change.
And speaking of recording, some of my buddies are in a band called Phao and they`re heading to Toronto to record an album. Pray for them if you could. They`ll be there for a month and might be doing some shows while they`re gone. No idea when the album will come out but I`ll keep you posted. Support local music!
peace.
7.13.2008
5.11.2008
microscopic view of a telescpoic realm
I'm really glad it's the weekend. This week seemed to drag along and most weeks will do that when you're getting very little sleep, but Friday seems that much more worth it once you're there. It`s really nice to just hang out with some friends and relax. Had a nice surprise on Tuesday when my friend won tickets to the sold out Hurricanes game and we got to go to one of the last games of the post season. I wish I could say it was a good one, but that would have required our home team to play some real hockey which sadly did not happen.
Depending on your views about God and church, you may wish to skip the rest of this post entirely.
Before I get started, let me just say that I have a different view than most when it comes to church politics and how dysfunctional they can be. Theories are great, fantastic even. Socialism is great in theory, but just ask a Russian who was around 20 years ago how great it is in practice. My feelings toward church membership are very similar. First of all, if you have a biblical backing for why church membership should exist, I`d love to hear it. To date, I haven`t heard a single verse quoted when membership is discussed, and far be it from me to blur the lines of membership and baptism (which an extremely dangerous and biblically unfounded practice).
I`ve talked to friends, pastors and bible college professors about this issue and have had the same answer each time: ``it`s a good idea.`` Yes, this is where I become very un-Canadian and start saying that someone is wrong. It`s not polite, and definitely not politically correct, but here I am saying this anyway. Using ``it`s a good idea`` as the foundation to any thought process is a terrible terrible thing to do. Someone once said that good intentions pave the pathway to hell, and if you`ve been involved with a church for a period in your life you may agree.
Community is something that is built, not demanded, and certainly not established just because you`re a member of any group (whether it`s the place you work, a club, or a church). Sorry folks, it doesn`t happen that way. Telling people that they cannot be involved in ministry at your church because they`re not a member is atrocious! I can certainly understand a need for membership and a need to know where your leaders stand on biblical and theological issues. No complaints there. One particular church I was at that endorsed membership made it so you couldn`t be a leader if you weren`t a member, but you could be involved. For example, you could be on the worship team, but unless you were a member you couldn`t be a worship leader. If I had to pick the lesser of 2 evils, I`d pick that example. At least people can be involved and contribute if they don`t feel comfortable with being a member of the church.
Some reading this entry may have witnessed what I witnessed this morning when my pastor said, from the stage, either you`re a member or you cant be involved with ministry here. Maybe I`m just reading an old version of the Bible, but I have never read or heard of Peter and John having to be members of a church to be one of Jesus` disciples. I don`t recall Paul holding membership classes for the people in Ephesis or Corinth or Masedonia. Perhaps the argument for membership stemmed from the verse that talks about keeping up the practice of meeting together (Hebrews 10:25 if you want to check it out). But even there, the idea is community: encouraging each other and holding each other accountable.
Unfortunately, membership is one of those ideas that is great in practice. Does this sound familiar to you...``if you`re a member we can know where you stand theologically and hold you accountable because you signed this piece of paper that says you`re part of our community now``. However, you can go into a church full of `members`and although that`s great, they have no idea what each other`s names are.
I`m sure that somewhere in some magical church, membership works as well as the theory behind it. Please show me that church. I`d love to see it because it would be a brand new experience for me.
I`d love to hear your thoughts on this idea, either for it or against it.
Depending on your views about God and church, you may wish to skip the rest of this post entirely.
Before I get started, let me just say that I have a different view than most when it comes to church politics and how dysfunctional they can be. Theories are great, fantastic even. Socialism is great in theory, but just ask a Russian who was around 20 years ago how great it is in practice. My feelings toward church membership are very similar. First of all, if you have a biblical backing for why church membership should exist, I`d love to hear it. To date, I haven`t heard a single verse quoted when membership is discussed, and far be it from me to blur the lines of membership and baptism (which an extremely dangerous and biblically unfounded practice).
I`ve talked to friends, pastors and bible college professors about this issue and have had the same answer each time: ``it`s a good idea.`` Yes, this is where I become very un-Canadian and start saying that someone is wrong. It`s not polite, and definitely not politically correct, but here I am saying this anyway. Using ``it`s a good idea`` as the foundation to any thought process is a terrible terrible thing to do. Someone once said that good intentions pave the pathway to hell, and if you`ve been involved with a church for a period in your life you may agree.
Community is something that is built, not demanded, and certainly not established just because you`re a member of any group (whether it`s the place you work, a club, or a church). Sorry folks, it doesn`t happen that way. Telling people that they cannot be involved in ministry at your church because they`re not a member is atrocious! I can certainly understand a need for membership and a need to know where your leaders stand on biblical and theological issues. No complaints there. One particular church I was at that endorsed membership made it so you couldn`t be a leader if you weren`t a member, but you could be involved. For example, you could be on the worship team, but unless you were a member you couldn`t be a worship leader. If I had to pick the lesser of 2 evils, I`d pick that example. At least people can be involved and contribute if they don`t feel comfortable with being a member of the church.
Some reading this entry may have witnessed what I witnessed this morning when my pastor said, from the stage, either you`re a member or you cant be involved with ministry here. Maybe I`m just reading an old version of the Bible, but I have never read or heard of Peter and John having to be members of a church to be one of Jesus` disciples. I don`t recall Paul holding membership classes for the people in Ephesis or Corinth or Masedonia. Perhaps the argument for membership stemmed from the verse that talks about keeping up the practice of meeting together (Hebrews 10:25 if you want to check it out). But even there, the idea is community: encouraging each other and holding each other accountable.
Unfortunately, membership is one of those ideas that is great in practice. Does this sound familiar to you...``if you`re a member we can know where you stand theologically and hold you accountable because you signed this piece of paper that says you`re part of our community now``. However, you can go into a church full of `members`and although that`s great, they have no idea what each other`s names are.
I`m sure that somewhere in some magical church, membership works as well as the theory behind it. Please show me that church. I`d love to see it because it would be a brand new experience for me.
I`d love to hear your thoughts on this idea, either for it or against it.
4.13.2008
somewhere out there
Friday was an unusual day. I had to cancel out on seeing the hurricane's game (which they won by the way) to play a set at a coffee house. A coffee house I had forgotten about until the day before, and was not informed until the night before that I may be needed to play a set, which was fine by me. It's been a long time since I've formally played in front of anyone (I'm not including church here because worship isn't a performance) but it went great. I also did something I haven't done in a very long time, I wrote a song. A song about spring fever...which I forgot half the words to when I was on stage. Note to self: stay away from writing a song 2 hours before you have to perform it. I think I'm getting better at articulating my thoughts so this might just mean writing some words to the plethora of instrumentals I've come up with.
And speaking of instrumentals, Tuesday night was filled with random noises being recorded at Matt's place. Didn't realize until I was there that we haven't recorded anything in about 5 months, but whenever we do get something down it sounds pretty tight. Still haven't finished it, but it sounds like it's too happy to be an industrial song but too heavy to be pop. Perhaps something will come of it.
I've come to realize that I have little to say when asked "what's new?" And perhaps this would explain the infrequency of my entries here, or that I'm hopelessly lazy. Sometimes life feel so incredibly repetitive and fast it's hard to keep track of where you're going. An adage that I love quoting is "life is like a roll of toilet paper; the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes." But in reality it's like pulling toilet paper out of one of those nasty dispensers in a public washroom that really doesn't let you see how much is actually left. You can just hope there's enough in there for your immediate purposes. I'm one of those people that abhors junk mail. It is one of the most incredibly useless and simultaneously most irritating presences in my life. I hate how it fills up my mailbox and usually has nothing important or relevant for me. From time to time my roomates get to it before I do and it ends up on some table. I came across an article in one of those crappy community newspapers they stuff in your mailbox each week about how people are responding to the idea of what they would do had they only 1 year to live. None of the people interviewed are in any dire health condition but had all read one of those hippy self-help books regarding this concept.
So where do I fit in here. Am I one of those decrepit old people that simply wakes up one day to realize the tp role has nearly run out, or simply so uninvolved in my own existence that time really carries no gravity for me? Corporate jobs are great for stability and congruence but horrible for sucking the life right out of you. With that said, I'm quite happy with my current job but I wouldn't say I'm having the time of my life or that I live for the thrills of discussing investments. But perhaps this is all just a bunch of psycho-babble and I just need a vacation....come to think of it, it has been a while.....
And speaking of instrumentals, Tuesday night was filled with random noises being recorded at Matt's place. Didn't realize until I was there that we haven't recorded anything in about 5 months, but whenever we do get something down it sounds pretty tight. Still haven't finished it, but it sounds like it's too happy to be an industrial song but too heavy to be pop. Perhaps something will come of it.
I've come to realize that I have little to say when asked "what's new?" And perhaps this would explain the infrequency of my entries here, or that I'm hopelessly lazy. Sometimes life feel so incredibly repetitive and fast it's hard to keep track of where you're going. An adage that I love quoting is "life is like a roll of toilet paper; the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes." But in reality it's like pulling toilet paper out of one of those nasty dispensers in a public washroom that really doesn't let you see how much is actually left. You can just hope there's enough in there for your immediate purposes. I'm one of those people that abhors junk mail. It is one of the most incredibly useless and simultaneously most irritating presences in my life. I hate how it fills up my mailbox and usually has nothing important or relevant for me. From time to time my roomates get to it before I do and it ends up on some table. I came across an article in one of those crappy community newspapers they stuff in your mailbox each week about how people are responding to the idea of what they would do had they only 1 year to live. None of the people interviewed are in any dire health condition but had all read one of those hippy self-help books regarding this concept.
So where do I fit in here. Am I one of those decrepit old people that simply wakes up one day to realize the tp role has nearly run out, or simply so uninvolved in my own existence that time really carries no gravity for me? Corporate jobs are great for stability and congruence but horrible for sucking the life right out of you. With that said, I'm quite happy with my current job but I wouldn't say I'm having the time of my life or that I live for the thrills of discussing investments. But perhaps this is all just a bunch of psycho-babble and I just need a vacation....come to think of it, it has been a while.....
2.05.2008
say what?
Yes, it's time for some ed-ja-ma-kay-shun! Disco nap can be defined here....basically napping before something important/cool so you are awake.
In one of the states they're trying to pass a law to make it illegal to serve 'obese' people in restaurants. Sadly this is no joke. Leave it up to folk in the deep south state of Mississippi to do something like this.
I'd like to blame in-breeding for such blatant stupidity, but in Toronto (sucks and Peterborough sucks and Oshawa sucks and Alan Thicke sucks....) parents pressured the school board to have an "Afro-centric" school. Yes, it's all about being black in that school. If you're reading this blog you probably know me well enough to know I'm not racist, but I'm just putting that out there just in case you're one of those creeps that cruises the internet looking for entertaining, thought provoking, wonderfully written blogs to read. This is supposed to be some kind of alternative educational approach, but get bent. Is it really going to help disenfranchised youth by doing this?
It does about as much good as the anti-fat customer law in Mississippi. It's backward thinking that does nothing but segregate people all over again. Sure it might seem like a good idea at the time but honestly, what's next? Last thing anyone needs is for that kind of retarded thinking to make its way westward. Who knows, maybe in Hong-Couver they could have it so gang members could get their high school equivalence diploma while selling drugs. Because really, in this politically correct society there are no bad ideas, just morons who are misunderstood.
In one of the states they're trying to pass a law to make it illegal to serve 'obese' people in restaurants. Sadly this is no joke. Leave it up to folk in the deep south state of Mississippi to do something like this.
I'd like to blame in-breeding for such blatant stupidity, but in Toronto (sucks and Peterborough sucks and Oshawa sucks and Alan Thicke sucks....) parents pressured the school board to have an "Afro-centric" school. Yes, it's all about being black in that school. If you're reading this blog you probably know me well enough to know I'm not racist, but I'm just putting that out there just in case you're one of those creeps that cruises the internet looking for entertaining, thought provoking, wonderfully written blogs to read. This is supposed to be some kind of alternative educational approach, but get bent. Is it really going to help disenfranchised youth by doing this?
It does about as much good as the anti-fat customer law in Mississippi. It's backward thinking that does nothing but segregate people all over again. Sure it might seem like a good idea at the time but honestly, what's next? Last thing anyone needs is for that kind of retarded thinking to make its way westward. Who knows, maybe in Hong-Couver they could have it so gang members could get their high school equivalence diploma while selling drugs. Because really, in this politically correct society there are no bad ideas, just morons who are misunderstood.
2.04.2008
tom brady can't save you now
Any insight in this posting will be purely coincidental as it's 6:22am and I feel exhausted. After using my in-ear monitors at church yesterday, I will not play without them now. I'm a big believer in them.
I also took great joy in watching those cheating Patriots lose to the Giants. I really did think New England was going to pull it off and crush New York, but that's ok. My favourite superbowl ad was definitely the dalmatian training the horse in that budweiser commercial (if you didn't see it, check arround).
That's it for me, time to venture out into the cold. ew
I also took great joy in watching those cheating Patriots lose to the Giants. I really did think New England was going to pull it off and crush New York, but that's ok. My favourite superbowl ad was definitely the dalmatian training the horse in that budweiser commercial (if you didn't see it, check arround).
That's it for me, time to venture out into the cold. ew
1.30.2008
maybe they'll sing for us tomorrow
This blog brought to you by shameless promotion, but really because I think bands are awesome.
First of all, I was pretty excited to learn that Hammock has a new album coming out, coincidentally by the same name as the title of this blog entry. If I haven't raved to you about how great these guys are, then I shall digress. Very cool chillin music to listen to whilst drinking a coffee, smoking a cigar, or trying to find that song that expresses the emotion you can't find the words for. I would really encourage you to check them out. Their music is art. Check out their site here.
Secondly, check out Phao. They're a local band, but super good...some pop punk kinda stuff going on but still cool. And now they have t-shirts! *oooh....ahhhh*
When we last left our hero, he was musing, full of mystique and rage....
Yes Sarah-Anne, I am lazy. I know you've been harassing me for weeks to update this thing so I do wish much minor amusement to be bestowed upon you.
The last month has disappeared like a fart in the wind, but you know what they say: life is like a roll of toilet paper. the closer to the end you get, the faster it goes. Over the past few weeks I've spent much time worrying about things that end up working out, but they're legit so I don't regret it. My mom's been in and out of the hospital a few times because of stuff going on with her heart medication and pacemaker and what not. She's ok, but you know how it is when people close to you have to make a habit of chillin at Le Hospital (yes, i DID just put french into my blog...just for you Megs). Last week she was in the Foothills in Calgary and I had to boot it up and back in the same evening, but still somehow have the presence of mind to work the next day with little sleep. And thanks to Kelsey I didn't get totally lost on my way there (you rock)...who knew 1 turn would be so important....Thanks for the prayers and good wishes. It means a lot to me.
Work has been going pretty good and I'm quite enjoying things. I went through some more training in the beginning of the month so I could deal with more kinds of calls. Had a nice potluck today and I'm tellin ya, those things are money! I'm all about getting stuffed with good food, especially when it's under the guise of a meeting lol.
Warning: music nerd ramblings ahead.
Last week my in-ear monitors came in. If you aren't familiar with them, basically instead of having a monitor blaring at you when you're on stage, a the feed that would normally go to the monitors is put into a wireless transmitter and you wear a beltpack that some intense ear buds plug into, effectively blocking out the excess noise on stage. This also saves on your hearing quite a bit. The ones I got were the Shure PSM 200 and they're friggin great. They're a little on the pricy side, but they're worth the investment. I'm using them at church this weekend so that will be good...give them a real test. So far I've just used them to jam with my ipod but it's awesome.
I also managed to lock my friend out of her house for an hour and a half. When her roomate was coming back with a bunch of people. And it was the middle of a snowstorm. Yes, this is pure genius at work. Just a tip: don't try being nice and locking someone's front door for them. This may have totally disastrous effects. Like ripping apart half a wall only to realize it wasn't ply wood like someone told you it was. Or realizing every door on the exterior (and in the garage) of the house has a completely different lock and none of them can be picked. Or like having to thaw a window with a blow dryer. Fortunately my friend has really great neighbors that used to own the house she lives in and were able to save us from that disaster.
If you're going to my brother's wedding, I assure you I shall not disappoint you. Please be warned: by reading the next section you may have a shock induced heart attack. If you haven't heard, my brother and his fiancé asked me to be the MC at their reception. Yes, someone has foolishly decided (or lost a bet) to do this to themselves. I prefer to think of mockery like a sport: do it whenever you can. I've tossed around the idea of framing a pair of pants for my dear brother so he remembers what they look like when a woman isn't wearing them. I might be an ass, but I'm not as bad as some. One of my friends is getting married next weekend and his stag was on Friday. His best man made him wear a wedding dress and had a ball and chain tied to his wrist. It was all fun and games until one guy's wife came and decided the groom to be was missing something. So she took off her bra under her shirt, but it was too small to be worn propperly, so instead it became a hat. Not to be defeated by this turn of events, the ladies returned a short while later with a bigger bra and a sexy little pink lingerie number which was worn on top of the wedding dress (and yes i do have pictures). Oh good times....
I'm fast becoming a real Wii nerd, so if you want to add me, my console number is on my Facebook page. Do it.
Also, feel free to leave your 2 cents. Smart ass remarks are always a plus.
- josh
First of all, I was pretty excited to learn that Hammock has a new album coming out, coincidentally by the same name as the title of this blog entry. If I haven't raved to you about how great these guys are, then I shall digress. Very cool chillin music to listen to whilst drinking a coffee, smoking a cigar, or trying to find that song that expresses the emotion you can't find the words for. I would really encourage you to check them out. Their music is art. Check out their site here.
Secondly, check out Phao. They're a local band, but super good...some pop punk kinda stuff going on but still cool. And now they have t-shirts! *oooh....ahhhh*
When we last left our hero, he was musing, full of mystique and rage....
Yes Sarah-Anne, I am lazy. I know you've been harassing me for weeks to update this thing so I do wish much minor amusement to be bestowed upon you.
The last month has disappeared like a fart in the wind, but you know what they say: life is like a roll of toilet paper. the closer to the end you get, the faster it goes. Over the past few weeks I've spent much time worrying about things that end up working out, but they're legit so I don't regret it. My mom's been in and out of the hospital a few times because of stuff going on with her heart medication and pacemaker and what not. She's ok, but you know how it is when people close to you have to make a habit of chillin at Le Hospital (yes, i DID just put french into my blog...just for you Megs). Last week she was in the Foothills in Calgary and I had to boot it up and back in the same evening, but still somehow have the presence of mind to work the next day with little sleep. And thanks to Kelsey I didn't get totally lost on my way there (you rock)...who knew 1 turn would be so important....Thanks for the prayers and good wishes. It means a lot to me.
Work has been going pretty good and I'm quite enjoying things. I went through some more training in the beginning of the month so I could deal with more kinds of calls. Had a nice potluck today and I'm tellin ya, those things are money! I'm all about getting stuffed with good food, especially when it's under the guise of a meeting lol.
Warning: music nerd ramblings ahead.
Last week my in-ear monitors came in. If you aren't familiar with them, basically instead of having a monitor blaring at you when you're on stage, a the feed that would normally go to the monitors is put into a wireless transmitter and you wear a beltpack that some intense ear buds plug into, effectively blocking out the excess noise on stage. This also saves on your hearing quite a bit. The ones I got were the Shure PSM 200 and they're friggin great. They're a little on the pricy side, but they're worth the investment. I'm using them at church this weekend so that will be good...give them a real test. So far I've just used them to jam with my ipod but it's awesome.
I also managed to lock my friend out of her house for an hour and a half. When her roomate was coming back with a bunch of people. And it was the middle of a snowstorm. Yes, this is pure genius at work. Just a tip: don't try being nice and locking someone's front door for them. This may have totally disastrous effects. Like ripping apart half a wall only to realize it wasn't ply wood like someone told you it was. Or realizing every door on the exterior (and in the garage) of the house has a completely different lock and none of them can be picked. Or like having to thaw a window with a blow dryer. Fortunately my friend has really great neighbors that used to own the house she lives in and were able to save us from that disaster.
If you're going to my brother's wedding, I assure you I shall not disappoint you. Please be warned: by reading the next section you may have a shock induced heart attack. If you haven't heard, my brother and his fiancé asked me to be the MC at their reception. Yes, someone has foolishly decided (or lost a bet) to do this to themselves. I prefer to think of mockery like a sport: do it whenever you can. I've tossed around the idea of framing a pair of pants for my dear brother so he remembers what they look like when a woman isn't wearing them. I might be an ass, but I'm not as bad as some. One of my friends is getting married next weekend and his stag was on Friday. His best man made him wear a wedding dress and had a ball and chain tied to his wrist. It was all fun and games until one guy's wife came and decided the groom to be was missing something. So she took off her bra under her shirt, but it was too small to be worn propperly, so instead it became a hat. Not to be defeated by this turn of events, the ladies returned a short while later with a bigger bra and a sexy little pink lingerie number which was worn on top of the wedding dress (and yes i do have pictures). Oh good times....
I'm fast becoming a real Wii nerd, so if you want to add me, my console number is on my Facebook page. Do it.
Also, feel free to leave your 2 cents. Smart ass remarks are always a plus.
- josh
12.24.2007
A long December
Who would have thought that wearing an ugly suit to work would make so many people laugh. My friend and I decided to wear our ugliest brown suits to work on Christmas eve and a good time was had by all. Some said I looked like a 1930's pimp, but most said i looked like a used car sales man. Speaking of car salesman, being as I got off quite early today I stopped by to have a coffee with my dad which was good too. I play at church tonight for the Christmas eve service and that should be alright. Normally this day of the year involves going to an early church service and then going for greasy chinese food which to my chagrin is not happening this year. So perhaps I shall dart over to my friend's place for a few drinks with her family that's coming in from out of town (before you get any ideas, she likes the ladies).
The past few weeks have been quite challenging as work has been very busy with questions like "how come you didn't _____" and polite answers from me saying "because, moron, you didn't send the right paperwork or you didn't sign it". Here's a no-brainer piece of advice: if you know you have to take care of something before the end of the year, don't screw yourself by leaving it until the absolute last minute. Maybe do it in November because asking for an exception a week and a half before the year is over will get you nowhere. *sigh* Enough about that. This time of the year is more difficult this year reflecting on where I was last year, what happened and what could have happened. The Counting Crows said it best: "memories are films about ghosts", but as the saying goes "this too shall pass". I'm hoping for expediency in that process.
If you haven't heard of Rockband, think of guitar hero on crack. It's even better to play with other people who suck like you and who are drinking. Thus went my Friday night. It was fantastic and full of great music like Weezer, Nirvana and R.E.M., and horrible bands like Rush, David Bowie and Hole. It makes me almost want to buy the game, but then I realize the overwhelming sticker shock and like a fart in the wind, the passing thought is gone. Great game though and I quite enjoy it especially when played on a 52" hi-def plasma tv. So good.
In the mean time, I do believe I will go play video games for several hours.
The past few weeks have been quite challenging as work has been very busy with questions like "how come you didn't _____" and polite answers from me saying "because, moron, you didn't send the right paperwork or you didn't sign it". Here's a no-brainer piece of advice: if you know you have to take care of something before the end of the year, don't screw yourself by leaving it until the absolute last minute. Maybe do it in November because asking for an exception a week and a half before the year is over will get you nowhere. *sigh* Enough about that. This time of the year is more difficult this year reflecting on where I was last year, what happened and what could have happened. The Counting Crows said it best: "memories are films about ghosts", but as the saying goes "this too shall pass". I'm hoping for expediency in that process.
If you haven't heard of Rockband, think of guitar hero on crack. It's even better to play with other people who suck like you and who are drinking. Thus went my Friday night. It was fantastic and full of great music like Weezer, Nirvana and R.E.M., and horrible bands like Rush, David Bowie and Hole. It makes me almost want to buy the game, but then I realize the overwhelming sticker shock and like a fart in the wind, the passing thought is gone. Great game though and I quite enjoy it especially when played on a 52" hi-def plasma tv. So good.
In the mean time, I do believe I will go play video games for several hours.
12.03.2007
my titles are usually song lyrics few people know
So if you don't understand what my titles mean, now you know.
Yes, it's been a while since I posted. What has happened? Very little. I'm sure I'll find a few stories to keep you entertained though, mild as that entertainment may be. The first and most pressing topic is new music. If you haven't heard, Jon Foreman from Switchfoot has released the first of 4 EPs named after each season. This one is called Fall and is very very cool. Kind of a Jack Johnson feel to it but not really the same. I really enjoy it and pretty much enjoy each song equally because they're so good. So check it out.
Last weekend I was away visiting several people in several places. Spent a day and a half visiting my goddaughter and my friends up in Lloyd. Always good times...except when a 4 year old cries when you leave...man does that make you feel bad. "uncle dosh, wen you comin back? how many sleeps?" It kind of rips your heart a little. From there went to Red Deer to play poker and for some ridiculous reason, 2 pair was my downfall all night because someone always had a full house or trips or quads or a straight...stupid! It was a fun night though. Spent saturday hanging out with family and playing trivial pursuit which was a blast. Went to calgary for the evening watching a movie with a friend. It was really great evening making fun of Bruce Willis and his incredible acting abilities in the latest Die Hard movie. Had a great talk and it was one of those night you wish wouldn't end. I didn't realize how badly I needed a few days away.
Field trips to Dennys always entail some bizzare conversations/situations (do YOU feel supported yet?). Today was no different. Not only did they play one of the greatest crap songs ever: You're So Vain, and not only did I start singing it, but someone else at my table did and then people at another table were singing it too. Yes, this is what I do after work: I go to Dennys and sing Carly Simon songs while drinking hideous amounts of coffee and shhhreee chez-cake. Somehow stories of romances gone awry sound so much better when you replace the real names with soap opera names and make up an absurd location (yes, Dr Drake Remorë was at Guantanimo Bay Summer Medical school trying to woo the lovely Melinda...so scandelous). I've decided to tell all my life stories in a soap opera fashion. It's so much more interesting.
As for Christmas, I'm so not a fan. Trying to get a single pair of gloves yesterday at the mall was an epic endeavor. It turned into a 3 hour tour. A 3 hour tour. For all you insane christmas shoppers that do your shopping at 1 store here's a memo: If you have a billion items in your cart please find it in your heart to let the person behind you with 1 item in front of you. I can guarantee if you do this, it will save them the temptation of violently attacking your kneecaps. Because honestly, it's very tempting.
Yes, it's been a while since I posted. What has happened? Very little. I'm sure I'll find a few stories to keep you entertained though, mild as that entertainment may be. The first and most pressing topic is new music. If you haven't heard, Jon Foreman from Switchfoot has released the first of 4 EPs named after each season. This one is called Fall and is very very cool. Kind of a Jack Johnson feel to it but not really the same. I really enjoy it and pretty much enjoy each song equally because they're so good. So check it out.
Last weekend I was away visiting several people in several places. Spent a day and a half visiting my goddaughter and my friends up in Lloyd. Always good times...except when a 4 year old cries when you leave...man does that make you feel bad. "uncle dosh, wen you comin back? how many sleeps?" It kind of rips your heart a little. From there went to Red Deer to play poker and for some ridiculous reason, 2 pair was my downfall all night because someone always had a full house or trips or quads or a straight...stupid! It was a fun night though. Spent saturday hanging out with family and playing trivial pursuit which was a blast. Went to calgary for the evening watching a movie with a friend. It was really great evening making fun of Bruce Willis and his incredible acting abilities in the latest Die Hard movie. Had a great talk and it was one of those night you wish wouldn't end. I didn't realize how badly I needed a few days away.
Field trips to Dennys always entail some bizzare conversations/situations (do YOU feel supported yet?). Today was no different. Not only did they play one of the greatest crap songs ever: You're So Vain, and not only did I start singing it, but someone else at my table did and then people at another table were singing it too. Yes, this is what I do after work: I go to Dennys and sing Carly Simon songs while drinking hideous amounts of coffee and shhhreee chez-cake. Somehow stories of romances gone awry sound so much better when you replace the real names with soap opera names and make up an absurd location (yes, Dr Drake Remorë was at Guantanimo Bay Summer Medical school trying to woo the lovely Melinda...so scandelous). I've decided to tell all my life stories in a soap opera fashion. It's so much more interesting.
As for Christmas, I'm so not a fan. Trying to get a single pair of gloves yesterday at the mall was an epic endeavor. It turned into a 3 hour tour. A 3 hour tour. For all you insane christmas shoppers that do your shopping at 1 store here's a memo: If you have a billion items in your cart please find it in your heart to let the person behind you with 1 item in front of you. I can guarantee if you do this, it will save them the temptation of violently attacking your kneecaps. Because honestly, it's very tempting.
11.20.2007
...until winter gives way to spring
so i think i'm turning into a rather sad gamer. no i haven't started playing computer games in my parent's basement. i picked up the new super mario game for Wii on friday and have been playing it a ridiculous amount. good game, but this post isn't a video game review cuz that would be lame.
it has been a few weeks since i posted anything, and since then I have exhibited 2 incredibly hideous costumes and yes there are pictures on my facebook. why do i do these things to myself? because i'll do pretty much anything for a laugh.
this evening included the first snowfall of the year. something about drastic changes in weather seem to cause people to go insane; this is what i've concluded. discussions ab out other people's relationships aren't fun, especially if you think they're not being treated right. it is nice though to feel you've said everything you need to without saying more than you need to, but slightly dangerous too. we'll see how that disaster goes.
when you start dreaming about being at work you know it's time for a vacation, so as of tomorrow after work i have a 4 day weekend which will be super fantastic. looking forward to seeing my goddaughter and playing poker with my uncle (this will be the second time i've ever hung out with him and my aunt).
it has been a few weeks since i posted anything, and since then I have exhibited 2 incredibly hideous costumes and yes there are pictures on my facebook. why do i do these things to myself? because i'll do pretty much anything for a laugh.
this evening included the first snowfall of the year. something about drastic changes in weather seem to cause people to go insane; this is what i've concluded. discussions ab out other people's relationships aren't fun, especially if you think they're not being treated right. it is nice though to feel you've said everything you need to without saying more than you need to, but slightly dangerous too. we'll see how that disaster goes.
when you start dreaming about being at work you know it's time for a vacation, so as of tomorrow after work i have a 4 day weekend which will be super fantastic. looking forward to seeing my goddaughter and playing poker with my uncle (this will be the second time i've ever hung out with him and my aunt).
10.21.2007
something goes here...
The background noise is from my bro's laptop and he's watching a video about segues. Enough laundry is done so I can make it another week without going nude (and just when your hopes were up eh?). An unmentionable amount of glee fills my soul as I realize tomorrow is monday and my weekend disappeared like a fart in the wind. Oh it's a bustling day alright.
Last Friday I had the pleasure of the company of 3 ladies while we sipped beverages at Starbucks followed by a horrible 80s movie. 2 were friends I hadn't seen in a very long time so it was good to catch up and make fun of each other (in case you're wondering, the 3rd was one of my friend's traveling buddies who made a fantastic pastime of pretending to tolerate me). It was a fun evening that got me to thinking about people I haven't talked to in a while...some for much better reasons than others. Seems that the more people change, the more they stay the same. Some make you still feel you're still fortunate to be basking in their invaluable presence because they're so much cooler than you. They find a significant other and suddenly you're a last resort rather than good company. Or they move far far away. You find you've changed and they haven't or vice versa and the laughs that were once there are a creepy afterthought. Sometimes change is good, sometimes you wonder where God is taking you because somehow it doesn't quite add up.
I've become acutely aware lately how quickly time is passing me by. No this isn't the part where I break into some overly analytical tirade about how we are all but sands in an hourglass. I'm just tired of waking up at 6am to realize my day is almost already over. John Foreman was right, life is faster than a gunshot (as a source, I site the setlist a roadie gave to me from a Switchfoot concert I went to back in 2004). The work I do isn't overly hard, not by a long shot. It would just be nice to feel like something is being accomplished. For a single, gainfully employed 20-something looking for a little more than surface success, sometimes harder questions need be asked. Perhaps it's the challenge that entices us. Friday night I was playing poker with some friends of a friend and some of you may or may not know that usually the only thing I'm good for at the table is adding to other people's chips. For a little while this was true. It was fun smoking cigars, having a beer and playing some cards. After a while I began to finally make some progress and a few good hands later I was the chip leader. I stayed in for a while and watched the chips move around, but became quite bored and left the others to split up my chips because I wanted to go home (aside from the fact it was 4am). And no the game wasn't for cash; I wasn't that tired.
- josh
Last Friday I had the pleasure of the company of 3 ladies while we sipped beverages at Starbucks followed by a horrible 80s movie. 2 were friends I hadn't seen in a very long time so it was good to catch up and make fun of each other (in case you're wondering, the 3rd was one of my friend's traveling buddies who made a fantastic pastime of pretending to tolerate me). It was a fun evening that got me to thinking about people I haven't talked to in a while...some for much better reasons than others. Seems that the more people change, the more they stay the same. Some make you still feel you're still fortunate to be basking in their invaluable presence because they're so much cooler than you. They find a significant other and suddenly you're a last resort rather than good company. Or they move far far away. You find you've changed and they haven't or vice versa and the laughs that were once there are a creepy afterthought. Sometimes change is good, sometimes you wonder where God is taking you because somehow it doesn't quite add up.
I've become acutely aware lately how quickly time is passing me by. No this isn't the part where I break into some overly analytical tirade about how we are all but sands in an hourglass. I'm just tired of waking up at 6am to realize my day is almost already over. John Foreman was right, life is faster than a gunshot (as a source, I site the setlist a roadie gave to me from a Switchfoot concert I went to back in 2004). The work I do isn't overly hard, not by a long shot. It would just be nice to feel like something is being accomplished. For a single, gainfully employed 20-something looking for a little more than surface success, sometimes harder questions need be asked. Perhaps it's the challenge that entices us. Friday night I was playing poker with some friends of a friend and some of you may or may not know that usually the only thing I'm good for at the table is adding to other people's chips. For a little while this was true. It was fun smoking cigars, having a beer and playing some cards. After a while I began to finally make some progress and a few good hands later I was the chip leader. I stayed in for a while and watched the chips move around, but became quite bored and left the others to split up my chips because I wanted to go home (aside from the fact it was 4am). And no the game wasn't for cash; I wasn't that tired.
- josh
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