10:55 am
Starbucks
Dundas and Richmond
People in general and especially in public are disgusting.
Forth, the first collection of new music by the Verve in over 10 years is excellent. The album released in August of 2008 features a more mature outlook on life by the band and in particular its lead singer Richard Ashcroft. My favourite songs from the album are Valium Skies, I see Houses and Numbness, all will be featured in today's blog entry.
"How many lives, will you waste, how many times, must you taste before your freedom..."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=UWtHWMVp5G4
I See Houses by The Verve
It has been a long and frustrating week. I am sick of winter and I am sick of working midnights. The latter has been alleviated for a couple of weeks because like millions in North America I am now laid off do to a lack of business. Secretly I am not all that disappointed with having sometime off, though money issues will arise should it be any longer. I might even look for a new job, one needs to be prepared in these "uncertain times". I wonder how many times the phrase "uncertain times"has been uttered in the past year. I am sure Obama himself has used the phrase hundreds of times and the date for his Canadian visit has been set for February 19. Though it might not be as much of a God like coming should he continue to use protectionism language and implement protectionism policies when it comes to the United States trade with Canada. A recovery by the United States will required an open and transparent border with Canada. Both economies are in recession with December's GDP shrinking by 3.8% in the United States and .7% in Canada. Should Canada be shut out from U.S. markets in iron and steel, the Canadian numbers will definitely get worse and in the short term, the United States numbers might improve but eventually they will need good and services produced in Canada and, at when this day comes these will not be available or significantly more expensive.
"Just breathe in the air, but don’t be afraid, there's a time for us to make sense of all this pain...."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa5FBK4bEVM
Numbness by The Verve
This past week I finished reading The Time in Between by David Bergen, which I liked. The novel tells the story of a Vietnam veteran who upon returning home is haunted by his memories, his wife's infidelity, and after divorcing her moves to rural British Columbia. Shortly after his wife dies and he is forced to raise his 3 children by himself in his isolated caboose cabin. Once the children are grown, Charles haunting draws him back to Vietnam where the majority of the story unfolds, as two of his children try to piece together his last days.
I also finished reading the short and exotic novel Milk by Darcey Steinke. This novel combines the sexuality and spirituality of the divorced Mary, the gay priest Walter and the ex-monk John. The sexuality of the novel is extremely graphic and contrasted by religion, which makes for some interesting mental pictures.
"And I'm a million different people from one day to the next..........."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=3GnWRjoP9mQ
Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve (live Glastonbury 2008)
Below is an article from today's New York Times about a now aborted Burger King Whopper campaign asking people to delete 10 "friends" from Facebook to receive a free Whopper. They know like we all do that we have people on our Facebook page who aren't our friends, and really have not been for a long time, if ever. I think it is brilliant but since they were sending messages to people informing them that they had been deleted for a tenth of a burger, a lot of people were getting offended. A tenth of a burger is not such a bad thing, unless you actually thought you were friends with this person. I do not eat Whoppers anymore.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/fashion/29facebook.html?em
The following is from the Underpainter by Jane Urquhart, it can easily be applied to me.
"In contrast, there was me; my relationship to any place, any surroundings, was always awkward and self-conscious. Yes, then there was me dismissing relationship so caasually."
Awkward and self-conscious.
john.
Valium Skies
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=yR67PcuiTV8
The Verve
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
"No time left for you, on my way to better things, no time left for you, I'll find myself some wings........"
8:55 am
Home
It was freezing this morning when I woke up around seven, the temperature was -16 or -23 with the wind chill. Another good day to stay inside, at least until I have to go to work tonight. I think Sunday is now my least favourite day of the week.
Last night I watched some of NHL All-Star skills competition and 3 on 3 young stars game. I certainly hope tonight's all-star game itself is more exciting. What I saw last night was boring and lacked any intensity.
"I'll lift you up, we can love or cry......."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=8bG1ZBaniv0
Lift Me Up by Live
I also watched Zack and Miri Make a Porno last night. It was a fairly funny movie and a "sweet" sort of story. This certainly is not Seth Rogen's funniest movie, by far, but it had a few moments. Elizabeth Banks is cute, but does not provide much of a comedic sidekick for Rogen. There is nudity, both female and male, and lots of colourful language, along with subtle (and not so) racial jokes, aimed at both blacks and whites. The song above by Live was used in the movie, the song was recorded for Selling The Drama but never made the cut and finally found its way into this movie. It is a typical emotionally building Live song with a catchy chorus. Information about the movie is below.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1007028/
"This holiday she's alone, she leaves the lights on the tree and though the New Year has come, every night, they'll stay on for you to see......."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=5XHZL-KE9Jk
Always by Peter Bradley Adams
I really like the song above.
http://www.myspace.com/peterbradleyadams
I wrote the following last night, wishing for eternity to make things right.
Perpetuity
I broke a mirror, literally
My hands shake, occasionally
All their strength sapped
By years of lacking confidence
A man afraid and meagre
Thirty years looking inward
Without living a life outward
Always the banjo waits for her
I can only strum its strings
My voice quivers and leaves
The temperature grows colder
Winter lingers across Ontario
I sleep more than necessary
Always waking up more alone
Unable to capture her sexuality
A naked canvas but no nudity
The shadow of her body warm
In the light cast by a new day
Hours stretching out for miles
Life’s greatest trick and illusion
Makes us believe in perpetuity
But every face ebbs eventually
Flowing out to sea on a wave
Destined for a ship of memory
I will walk its plank and drown
Unable to swim back to shore
The land of beauty and vanity
A place lacking any real purity
On television and in magazines
Even its music is manufactured
Pop stars glowing like real ones
Their celebrity dimming quickly
Hollywood is nothing like Memphis
New Orleans knows suffering now
Making its jazz and blues stronger
Reality exists among the people
Their voices have been given hope
By a black man in a white house
Handing out hundreds of billions
Money to educate and encourage
The ideas of a young generation
Intellectually motivating their hope
Should I return in another lifetime
The fish in me will walk on land
Past houses devoid of sale signs
Our collective materialism gone
Replaced not by an Utopian dream
But with the reality of opportunity
No matter how broke or broken
You have been made by this life
Appearances will be deceiving
Making mirrors useless for love.
24/01/09
"All the other girls here are stars ...... you are the Northern Lights...."
Another version of my countdown is below.
Top 25 songs played on my iTunes player this year
1. Kathleen by Josh Ritter (1)
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=FCJopVRYL4c&feature=PlayList&p=7AF39F0EF4F0E947&playnext=1&index=3
2. Heart of Gold by Neil Young (3)
3. Golden by My Morning Jacket (2)
4. Twenty Years by Augustana (9)
5. Autumn Walker by Jets To Brazil (6)
6. End of the Empire by Sam Roberts (4)
7. Thank You by The Redwalls (5)
8. Elephant by Damien Rice (21)
9. Body in a Box by City and Colour (8)
10. Vanity by Emerson Hart (7)
11. 1 2 3 4 by Feist (12)
12. After Hours by We Are Scientists (14)
13. Cannonball by Damien Rice (22)
14. A Long December by Counting Crows (25)
15. Revolution by The Beatles (10)
16. Is There a Ghost? by Band of Horses (20)
17. Sweet and Low by Augustana (-)
18. You Don't Know Me by Ben Folds with Regina Spektor (24)
19. Recovering the Satellites by Counting Crows (-)
20. Grey Room by Damien Rice (19)
21. Long Division by Death Cab For Cutie (11)
22. Tears and Rain by James Blunt (-)
23. Human by The Killers (-)
24. Hollow Man by R.E.M. (13)
25. All in Good Time by Ron Sexsmith (17)
Another place to hear good music is by listening to XPN and especially its World Cafe program.
http://xpn.org/xpn-programs/world-cafe
I am currently listening to a full length concert from the excellent Iron and Wine. A good Sunday morning choice. A Sunday morning where I did not win part of Lotto 649's 43 million dollar prize, my 5 tickets combined contained 2 winning numbers, the 3 winning tickets worth just over 14 million were sold in Ontario.
Below is an article from today's New York Times analyzing Obama's Inauguration speech and how it wasn't time for poetry, it was time for harsh criticism of America.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/opinion/25rich.html?_r=1
There will always be time for good music. The Guess Who's No Time is below as another Sunday begins to unfold around us.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=FXDlwkuInBY
john.
Home
It was freezing this morning when I woke up around seven, the temperature was -16 or -23 with the wind chill. Another good day to stay inside, at least until I have to go to work tonight. I think Sunday is now my least favourite day of the week.
Last night I watched some of NHL All-Star skills competition and 3 on 3 young stars game. I certainly hope tonight's all-star game itself is more exciting. What I saw last night was boring and lacked any intensity.
"I'll lift you up, we can love or cry......."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=8bG1ZBaniv0
Lift Me Up by Live
I also watched Zack and Miri Make a Porno last night. It was a fairly funny movie and a "sweet" sort of story. This certainly is not Seth Rogen's funniest movie, by far, but it had a few moments. Elizabeth Banks is cute, but does not provide much of a comedic sidekick for Rogen. There is nudity, both female and male, and lots of colourful language, along with subtle (and not so) racial jokes, aimed at both blacks and whites. The song above by Live was used in the movie, the song was recorded for Selling The Drama but never made the cut and finally found its way into this movie. It is a typical emotionally building Live song with a catchy chorus. Information about the movie is below.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1007028/
"This holiday she's alone, she leaves the lights on the tree and though the New Year has come, every night, they'll stay on for you to see......."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=5XHZL-KE9Jk
Always by Peter Bradley Adams
I really like the song above.
http://www.myspace.com/peterbradleyadams
I wrote the following last night, wishing for eternity to make things right.
Perpetuity
I broke a mirror, literally
My hands shake, occasionally
All their strength sapped
By years of lacking confidence
A man afraid and meagre
Thirty years looking inward
Without living a life outward
Always the banjo waits for her
I can only strum its strings
My voice quivers and leaves
The temperature grows colder
Winter lingers across Ontario
I sleep more than necessary
Always waking up more alone
Unable to capture her sexuality
A naked canvas but no nudity
The shadow of her body warm
In the light cast by a new day
Hours stretching out for miles
Life’s greatest trick and illusion
Makes us believe in perpetuity
But every face ebbs eventually
Flowing out to sea on a wave
Destined for a ship of memory
I will walk its plank and drown
Unable to swim back to shore
The land of beauty and vanity
A place lacking any real purity
On television and in magazines
Even its music is manufactured
Pop stars glowing like real ones
Their celebrity dimming quickly
Hollywood is nothing like Memphis
New Orleans knows suffering now
Making its jazz and blues stronger
Reality exists among the people
Their voices have been given hope
By a black man in a white house
Handing out hundreds of billions
Money to educate and encourage
The ideas of a young generation
Intellectually motivating their hope
Should I return in another lifetime
The fish in me will walk on land
Past houses devoid of sale signs
Our collective materialism gone
Replaced not by an Utopian dream
But with the reality of opportunity
No matter how broke or broken
You have been made by this life
Appearances will be deceiving
Making mirrors useless for love.
24/01/09
"All the other girls here are stars ...... you are the Northern Lights...."
Another version of my countdown is below.
Top 25 songs played on my iTunes player this year
1. Kathleen by Josh Ritter (1)
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=FCJopVRYL4c&feature=PlayList&p=7AF39F0EF4F0E947&playnext=1&index=3
2. Heart of Gold by Neil Young (3)
3. Golden by My Morning Jacket (2)
4. Twenty Years by Augustana (9)
5. Autumn Walker by Jets To Brazil (6)
6. End of the Empire by Sam Roberts (4)
7. Thank You by The Redwalls (5)
8. Elephant by Damien Rice (21)
9. Body in a Box by City and Colour (8)
10. Vanity by Emerson Hart (7)
11. 1 2 3 4 by Feist (12)
12. After Hours by We Are Scientists (14)
13. Cannonball by Damien Rice (22)
14. A Long December by Counting Crows (25)
15. Revolution by The Beatles (10)
16. Is There a Ghost? by Band of Horses (20)
17. Sweet and Low by Augustana (-)
18. You Don't Know Me by Ben Folds with Regina Spektor (24)
19. Recovering the Satellites by Counting Crows (-)
20. Grey Room by Damien Rice (19)
21. Long Division by Death Cab For Cutie (11)
22. Tears and Rain by James Blunt (-)
23. Human by The Killers (-)
24. Hollow Man by R.E.M. (13)
25. All in Good Time by Ron Sexsmith (17)
Another place to hear good music is by listening to XPN and especially its World Cafe program.
http://xpn.org/xpn-programs/world-cafe
I am currently listening to a full length concert from the excellent Iron and Wine. A good Sunday morning choice. A Sunday morning where I did not win part of Lotto 649's 43 million dollar prize, my 5 tickets combined contained 2 winning numbers, the 3 winning tickets worth just over 14 million were sold in Ontario.
Below is an article from today's New York Times analyzing Obama's Inauguration speech and how it wasn't time for poetry, it was time for harsh criticism of America.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/opinion/25rich.html?_r=1
There will always be time for good music. The Guess Who's No Time is below as another Sunday begins to unfold around us.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=FXDlwkuInBY
john.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
"What makes a man walk away from his mind? I think I know, I think I might know........"
9:45 am
Home
"Houses burned beyond repair, the smell of death is in the air. A woman weeping in despair says, he has been here...."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=CtQjMSfBs90
No Bravery by James Blunt
On Tuesday I finished reading the Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway and though it is mostly fictional, the cellist did exist and did play for 22 days following an attack that killed 22 people. The following is from the afterword of the novel and provides some background information about the siege of Sarajevo.
"The Siege of Sarajevo, the longest city siege in the history of modern warfare, stretched from 5 April 1992 to 29 February 1996. The United Nations estimates that approximately ten thousand people were killed and fifty-six thousand wounded. An average of 329 shells hit the city each day, with a one-day high of 3,777 on 22 July 1993. In a city of roughly half a million people, ten thousand apartments were destroyed and a hundred thousand were damaged. Twenty-three percent of all buildings were seriously damaged, and a further 64 percent had some damage."
There might not be any bravery in the act of killing but there is ample stories of bravery living among death. The best fiction weaves its way through real landscapes, real people and real life.
Some of the best books I have read are fictional stories set in the histories of our wars and our conflicts. The characters may not have existed but their realities definitely did.
"But I won't ever cry for you anymore, the days when I would die for you are now gone..."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=FvTP6Rsy5Qw
Nuclear Daydream by Joseph Arthur
The line above is one of my all-time favourites, its brutal honesty resonates after the song has finished. The truth of life is that there comes a time, when you will know longer cry for someone and you will no longer die for them. The reasons are no longer reasonable.
I was feeling good Thursday morning and decided to stay up after work. I went out for breakfast and to do some reading. I got home around noon and tried to sleep, it was impossible and ever since then I have been feeling dragged down. Yesterday I slept for a couple of hours after work, went to my grandparents for dinner and to the Knights game. They lost 6-4, played sloppy and deserved to lose. I think they are having a tough time adjusting to the trades and playing with Tavares, just like he looks out of sorts at times. Though he does have 8 goals and 2 assists in 5 games with London, but the team is 2-3, 34-10 overall and falling further behind Windsor who is now 40-5. After the game I slept alright through the night, and today I am trying to catch up on little things I have been neglecting. Also I think today will be the first day of the year, where I will not go outside, I have no reason or desire. The cold weather is back and I can do what I have to inside, people will only annoy me further today. It always amazes me how quickly I can go from feeling good to feeling blah, as quickly as Thursday morning to Thursday night, I suppose.
"I don't wanna follow death and all his friends......"
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=I_wcRxGbqdU
Death and All His Friends by Coldplay
I wrote the following on Thursday morning when I was out.
A Mathematician of Conversations
I sleep with too many thoughts
They are not quite like demons
I am no long scared of everything
Death and its nothingness is all
I wake up ready to scream about
My voice is quiet like it always is
Every word remains calculated
A mathematician of conversation
Less is more and no remainders
I feel too much is already unsaid
These ramblings sparsely crafted
This has not been a poetic year
Winter’s bitterness more extreme
Our pasts are weather memories
Births, deaths and wedding days
There is hope in a new President
On Tuesday the sun light shone
The presence of it was brilliant
Much like a lover’s smiling face
Secrets passing through eyes
Words once again not needed
Today the sun hides its light
A Thursday of winter greyness
The temperature is warmer
Her smile remains brilliant
Though it is never for me
A passing glimpse is enough
I am learning not to look
The reflection can be lonely
Knowing there is perfection
I had absolutely no part in
Surely the sun will reappear
On another overcast Thursday
Winter is our price for spring
I would pay with my heart
For a smile my eyes know
The knowledge of it a secret
Brokenness can be repaired
With a lot of smiles and love.
22/01/09
"I think of flying down into a sea of pens and feathers, and all other instruments of faith and sex and God..."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=tu9rtD7KKBI
Rain King by Counting Crows
The following passage is from Milk by Darcey Steinke, another book I just started reading. The word nipple is used rather frequently in the first 50 pages or so, slightly obsessive it seems.
"Snow created a silence similiar to the silence of God. God was where your mind went when it wasn't thinking of anything in particular."
I don't know where my mind goes most of the time, it does not necessarily go where I want it to go. The featured lyrics today are from City and Colour, and another song off the very good Bring Me Your Love, or your smile.
jr.
What Makes a Man
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=wwC0iWMQ2oM
Home
"Houses burned beyond repair, the smell of death is in the air. A woman weeping in despair says, he has been here...."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=CtQjMSfBs90
No Bravery by James Blunt
On Tuesday I finished reading the Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway and though it is mostly fictional, the cellist did exist and did play for 22 days following an attack that killed 22 people. The following is from the afterword of the novel and provides some background information about the siege of Sarajevo.
"The Siege of Sarajevo, the longest city siege in the history of modern warfare, stretched from 5 April 1992 to 29 February 1996. The United Nations estimates that approximately ten thousand people were killed and fifty-six thousand wounded. An average of 329 shells hit the city each day, with a one-day high of 3,777 on 22 July 1993. In a city of roughly half a million people, ten thousand apartments were destroyed and a hundred thousand were damaged. Twenty-three percent of all buildings were seriously damaged, and a further 64 percent had some damage."
There might not be any bravery in the act of killing but there is ample stories of bravery living among death. The best fiction weaves its way through real landscapes, real people and real life.
Some of the best books I have read are fictional stories set in the histories of our wars and our conflicts. The characters may not have existed but their realities definitely did.
"But I won't ever cry for you anymore, the days when I would die for you are now gone..."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=FvTP6Rsy5Qw
Nuclear Daydream by Joseph Arthur
The line above is one of my all-time favourites, its brutal honesty resonates after the song has finished. The truth of life is that there comes a time, when you will know longer cry for someone and you will no longer die for them. The reasons are no longer reasonable.
I was feeling good Thursday morning and decided to stay up after work. I went out for breakfast and to do some reading. I got home around noon and tried to sleep, it was impossible and ever since then I have been feeling dragged down. Yesterday I slept for a couple of hours after work, went to my grandparents for dinner and to the Knights game. They lost 6-4, played sloppy and deserved to lose. I think they are having a tough time adjusting to the trades and playing with Tavares, just like he looks out of sorts at times. Though he does have 8 goals and 2 assists in 5 games with London, but the team is 2-3, 34-10 overall and falling further behind Windsor who is now 40-5. After the game I slept alright through the night, and today I am trying to catch up on little things I have been neglecting. Also I think today will be the first day of the year, where I will not go outside, I have no reason or desire. The cold weather is back and I can do what I have to inside, people will only annoy me further today. It always amazes me how quickly I can go from feeling good to feeling blah, as quickly as Thursday morning to Thursday night, I suppose.
"I don't wanna follow death and all his friends......"
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=I_wcRxGbqdU
Death and All His Friends by Coldplay
I wrote the following on Thursday morning when I was out.
A Mathematician of Conversations
I sleep with too many thoughts
They are not quite like demons
I am no long scared of everything
Death and its nothingness is all
I wake up ready to scream about
My voice is quiet like it always is
Every word remains calculated
A mathematician of conversation
Less is more and no remainders
I feel too much is already unsaid
These ramblings sparsely crafted
This has not been a poetic year
Winter’s bitterness more extreme
Our pasts are weather memories
Births, deaths and wedding days
There is hope in a new President
On Tuesday the sun light shone
The presence of it was brilliant
Much like a lover’s smiling face
Secrets passing through eyes
Words once again not needed
Today the sun hides its light
A Thursday of winter greyness
The temperature is warmer
Her smile remains brilliant
Though it is never for me
A passing glimpse is enough
I am learning not to look
The reflection can be lonely
Knowing there is perfection
I had absolutely no part in
Surely the sun will reappear
On another overcast Thursday
Winter is our price for spring
I would pay with my heart
For a smile my eyes know
The knowledge of it a secret
Brokenness can be repaired
With a lot of smiles and love.
22/01/09
"I think of flying down into a sea of pens and feathers, and all other instruments of faith and sex and God..."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=tu9rtD7KKBI
Rain King by Counting Crows
The following passage is from Milk by Darcey Steinke, another book I just started reading. The word nipple is used rather frequently in the first 50 pages or so, slightly obsessive it seems.
"Snow created a silence similiar to the silence of God. God was where your mind went when it wasn't thinking of anything in particular."
I don't know where my mind goes most of the time, it does not necessarily go where I want it to go. The featured lyrics today are from City and Colour, and another song off the very good Bring Me Your Love, or your smile.
jr.
What Makes a Man
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=wwC0iWMQ2oM
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
"There's hope for the hopeless........"
12:30 pm
Home
I am glad I stayed up after work this morning to watch Barack Obama's inauguration. The massive crowd was unlike anything I have ever seen on television, it was a sea of faces, white and black, men and women along with their children. The word history is used too often to describe insignificant events but the word history here is itself insignificant. This is more than history, it is an idea taking shape and the brilliance in its application. Today is a day of hope, a day of remembrance, a day of tears, a day of smiles but most importantly it is a day of change. Memories of today will be written more eloquently elsewhere and in the shadows of their words I take my place, with Hope For The Hopeless by A Fine Frenzy whispering against the wind.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=qOSUvgNMuWA
To stay awake following work, I went out to Starbucks for a thermos of green tea, a bagel and finished reading The Cellist of Sarajevo. I also got a couple of tickets for the Knights game Friday. I also wrote something, not really a poem, just a train of words, they will be further down the page. Below is a passages from The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway.
"And to be a ghost while you're still alive is the worst thing he can imagine. Because, like it or not, sooner or later we all become ghosts, we are washed away from ground until even the memory of us is gone. But there's a time when we are not, and you have to know the difference. Once you forget, then you are a ghost."
I think I am too often a ghost but then there are days like today when I feel very much alive and inspired.
The sun light here this morning was appropriately immaculate especially for a January day. Since I sleep during the day, it seemed extra bright to me and it was almost too much for my eyes. It reminded me of beauty, love and music. Because it is a Tuesday and because I am a fan of Counting Crows, the song On A Tuesday In Amsterdam Long Ago seemed perfect for my ears. I was listening to its raw emotion, and thinking someone in Amsterdam will look back upon this historic Tuesday with their own memories carefully placed out on paper or a computer screen. The memories will not be the same as those in the song, the music playing will not be the same and the city will not be the same. The emotions might not even be the same but the rawness under their skin will always be the same as yours or mine, it is what unites us.
"She's a carnival diver, hung in the sky, cutting through time like a memory strung on a wire, the color of anything fades in the air, but she is the film of a book, of the story, of the smell, of her hair....."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=_HfF-CFCq7Q
Black book, pencil, lined paper and capital letters, a man and his thoughts.
I wrote the following sitting in a Tokyo purple velvet chair and trying to keep sun light aided, sleep deprived and otherwise induced tears from falling.
The sun has returned today like the memory of a girl who very briefly shone in my sky. Her presence in my thoughts is very rare now like the sun in January. I have gradually fallen out of love with her and nothing has replace her in my heart. I fell in love with her on the wings of a snowflake. Never had I seen so much snow and because of this the day could not be forgotten. The swings of our hearts would never move in the same rhythm. I should have known in the beginning because I know my endings. They are the results of false starts and imaginary reciprocation. So like the sun in the January sky and Obama in the White House, there is immense hope for tomorrow. In love and life, I do not deserve anymore. After all, love and life are air and simple gifts, inhaled and exhaled, wrapped and unwrapped.
john edward charles raeside.
Home
I am glad I stayed up after work this morning to watch Barack Obama's inauguration. The massive crowd was unlike anything I have ever seen on television, it was a sea of faces, white and black, men and women along with their children. The word history is used too often to describe insignificant events but the word history here is itself insignificant. This is more than history, it is an idea taking shape and the brilliance in its application. Today is a day of hope, a day of remembrance, a day of tears, a day of smiles but most importantly it is a day of change. Memories of today will be written more eloquently elsewhere and in the shadows of their words I take my place, with Hope For The Hopeless by A Fine Frenzy whispering against the wind.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=qOSUvgNMuWA
To stay awake following work, I went out to Starbucks for a thermos of green tea, a bagel and finished reading The Cellist of Sarajevo. I also got a couple of tickets for the Knights game Friday. I also wrote something, not really a poem, just a train of words, they will be further down the page. Below is a passages from The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway.
"And to be a ghost while you're still alive is the worst thing he can imagine. Because, like it or not, sooner or later we all become ghosts, we are washed away from ground until even the memory of us is gone. But there's a time when we are not, and you have to know the difference. Once you forget, then you are a ghost."
I think I am too often a ghost but then there are days like today when I feel very much alive and inspired.
The sun light here this morning was appropriately immaculate especially for a January day. Since I sleep during the day, it seemed extra bright to me and it was almost too much for my eyes. It reminded me of beauty, love and music. Because it is a Tuesday and because I am a fan of Counting Crows, the song On A Tuesday In Amsterdam Long Ago seemed perfect for my ears. I was listening to its raw emotion, and thinking someone in Amsterdam will look back upon this historic Tuesday with their own memories carefully placed out on paper or a computer screen. The memories will not be the same as those in the song, the music playing will not be the same and the city will not be the same. The emotions might not even be the same but the rawness under their skin will always be the same as yours or mine, it is what unites us.
"She's a carnival diver, hung in the sky, cutting through time like a memory strung on a wire, the color of anything fades in the air, but she is the film of a book, of the story, of the smell, of her hair....."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=_HfF-CFCq7Q
Black book, pencil, lined paper and capital letters, a man and his thoughts.
I wrote the following sitting in a Tokyo purple velvet chair and trying to keep sun light aided, sleep deprived and otherwise induced tears from falling.
The sun has returned today like the memory of a girl who very briefly shone in my sky. Her presence in my thoughts is very rare now like the sun in January. I have gradually fallen out of love with her and nothing has replace her in my heart. I fell in love with her on the wings of a snowflake. Never had I seen so much snow and because of this the day could not be forgotten. The swings of our hearts would never move in the same rhythm. I should have known in the beginning because I know my endings. They are the results of false starts and imaginary reciprocation. So like the sun in the January sky and Obama in the White House, there is immense hope for tomorrow. In love and life, I do not deserve anymore. After all, love and life are air and simple gifts, inhaled and exhaled, wrapped and unwrapped.
john edward charles raeside.
Monday, January 19, 2009
"You act like you're hip to their tricks and you're strong but a virgin Wurlitzer heart never once had a song....."
8:30 pm
Home
One more day until history is made.
Sleep is my answer to the cold weather.
Sleep is my answer to the constant boredom.
"And when you look at me like that, I know that someday it's gonna end and when you go, I bet you miss your friends........"
Definitions of friend from dictionary.com
1. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.
2. A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.
3. A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.
4. One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement: friends of the clean air movement.
No where in the definition of friend is there a mention of its time frame. This is something we must figure out ourselves. Not every friend is a friend for life, not every friend is actually a friend and not everything friend is trusting. And when they are gone, you might miss them or you might realize it was simply a matter of time. In their passing you get brilliant and beautiful songs like the one above by Ryan Adams. Though I cannot find a clip of this song on the Internet.
A day late.
Top 25 songs this year according to my iTunes player
1. Kathleen by Josh Ritter (1)
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=JbCPDHZG2W4
2. Golden by My Morning Jacket (2)
3. Heart of Gold by Neil Young (3)
4. End of the Empire by Sam Roberts (7)
5. Thank You by The Redwalls (6)
6. Autumn Walker by Jets To Brazil (5)
7. Vanity by Emerson Hart (10)
8. Body in a Box by City and Colour (4)
9. Twenty Years by Augustana (13)
10. Revolution by The Beatles (12)
11. Long Division by Death Cab For Cutie (17)
12. 1 2 3 4 by Feist (19)
13. Hollow Man by R.E.M. (9)
14. After Hours by We Are Scientists (8)
15. Thought I Knew by Weezer (22)
16. Kite by U2 (23)
17. All in Good Time by Ron Sexsmith (24)
18. A Falling Through by Ray LaMontagne (20)
19. Grey Room by Damien Rice (11)
20. Is There a Ghost? by Band of Horses (14)
21. Elephant by Damien Rice (16)
22. Cannonball by Damien Rice (-)
23. Michelle by The Beatles (15)
24. You Don't Know Me by Ben Folds with Regina Spektor (-)
25. A Long December by Counting Crows (-)
The following is from The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway, which I am reading after finishing The Story of Edgar Sawtelle over the weekend. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle was really good, tragic at the end and a little mysterious throughout.
"She tried to think of something else, directing her attention away from the mourners. A row of newly dug graves led away from the hole they placed Slavko in. They gaped empty and expectant, like the mouths of baby birds. She knew that by the end of the week they'd all be full."
I guess I should get ready for another night of work.
jr.
Home
One more day until history is made.
Sleep is my answer to the cold weather.
Sleep is my answer to the constant boredom.
"And when you look at me like that, I know that someday it's gonna end and when you go, I bet you miss your friends........"
Definitions of friend from dictionary.com
1. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.
2. A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.
3. A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.
4. One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement: friends of the clean air movement.
No where in the definition of friend is there a mention of its time frame. This is something we must figure out ourselves. Not every friend is a friend for life, not every friend is actually a friend and not everything friend is trusting. And when they are gone, you might miss them or you might realize it was simply a matter of time. In their passing you get brilliant and beautiful songs like the one above by Ryan Adams. Though I cannot find a clip of this song on the Internet.
A day late.
Top 25 songs this year according to my iTunes player
1. Kathleen by Josh Ritter (1)
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=JbCPDHZG2W4
2. Golden by My Morning Jacket (2)
3. Heart of Gold by Neil Young (3)
4. End of the Empire by Sam Roberts (7)
5. Thank You by The Redwalls (6)
6. Autumn Walker by Jets To Brazil (5)
7. Vanity by Emerson Hart (10)
8. Body in a Box by City and Colour (4)
9. Twenty Years by Augustana (13)
10. Revolution by The Beatles (12)
11. Long Division by Death Cab For Cutie (17)
12. 1 2 3 4 by Feist (19)
13. Hollow Man by R.E.M. (9)
14. After Hours by We Are Scientists (8)
15. Thought I Knew by Weezer (22)
16. Kite by U2 (23)
17. All in Good Time by Ron Sexsmith (24)
18. A Falling Through by Ray LaMontagne (20)
19. Grey Room by Damien Rice (11)
20. Is There a Ghost? by Band of Horses (14)
21. Elephant by Damien Rice (16)
22. Cannonball by Damien Rice (-)
23. Michelle by The Beatles (15)
24. You Don't Know Me by Ben Folds with Regina Spektor (-)
25. A Long December by Counting Crows (-)
The following is from The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway, which I am reading after finishing The Story of Edgar Sawtelle over the weekend. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle was really good, tragic at the end and a little mysterious throughout.
"She tried to think of something else, directing her attention away from the mourners. A row of newly dug graves led away from the hole they placed Slavko in. They gaped empty and expectant, like the mouths of baby birds. She knew that by the end of the week they'd all be full."
I guess I should get ready for another night of work.
jr.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
"My nerves will be the death of me, I know......"
8:35 am
Home
It has been a cold week. The temperature this morning with the wind chill is -29 Celsius. I think our winters here in Southern Ontario have gotten milder over the last few years (though I do not have the stats to back this statement up) and we have become wimps to the cold. I know I am.
Last night I went to my first London Knights game of the year, particularly to watch John Taveras. Johnny T did not disappoint, he scored 3 times in a 6-5 shootout loss to the Guelph Storm. The game had a little bit of everything, and during the first intermission, the power at the John Labbat Centre went out. Apparently the main breaker quit, causing a thirty minute delay, the entire arena was completely dark for only 30 seconds before the emergency lights kicked in. It was a weird feeling though being in the dark with so many people.
"A change is gonna come, oh yes it will......"
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=h8swpAhqfXo
A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke
As a white Canadian, I am eagerly anticipating the swearing in of America's first black president. Barack Obama's inauguration is Tuesday and it can't come soon enough. It has been 233 long years for the black race and the change is no longer coming, it is here. George W. Bush, one of the worse presidents in history, has left Obama with a mountains of problems to climb. Whether he is able to successfully climb them all or not, does not matter, the world and America will be a better place following his 4 or 8 years in office. The polar opposites between Obama and Bush are striking. Bush is what America was and is a mirror reflection of its greed. The son of a President, rich on oil money, a southerner and a Republican being replaced by the son of a foreigner, raised on little money and a Democrat. These men are about as opposite as men can be, Bush is old American and Obama is new America. Old America will still have some say but their voice is being drowned out by those with more Liberal views and those who are demanding change. I think that despite the challenges facing the world and America, there is hope in a new president. Hope that expands beyond its borders and beyond sex and race. I think Canadians will welcome Obama with record crowds when he does make that first international visit here.
"All these wasted dreams waiting for the sun to open up my heart to anyone..."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=d7NCPucoSsg
Children In Bloom by Counting Crows
Not every dream is wasted, not everyone is waiting for the sun and not every heart is closed.
Above is a great rocking version of a rarely played live Counting Crows song. It shows off the great guitar abilities of Immy, Dan, David and Millard, along with the drumming of Jim. The brilliance of the band is in their many dimensions, often from one song to another, during the same song and one night to another.
The following is a famous poem by Robert Frost, appropriate for the weather lately.
Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Do what you have to do, enjoy what you want to do and save a little change for later, because eventually we all must change.
john.
If I have not said enough, the song below by City and Colour will play through the credits.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=z4LYbw3eMSk
Home
It has been a cold week. The temperature this morning with the wind chill is -29 Celsius. I think our winters here in Southern Ontario have gotten milder over the last few years (though I do not have the stats to back this statement up) and we have become wimps to the cold. I know I am.
Last night I went to my first London Knights game of the year, particularly to watch John Taveras. Johnny T did not disappoint, he scored 3 times in a 6-5 shootout loss to the Guelph Storm. The game had a little bit of everything, and during the first intermission, the power at the John Labbat Centre went out. Apparently the main breaker quit, causing a thirty minute delay, the entire arena was completely dark for only 30 seconds before the emergency lights kicked in. It was a weird feeling though being in the dark with so many people.
"A change is gonna come, oh yes it will......"
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=h8swpAhqfXo
A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke
As a white Canadian, I am eagerly anticipating the swearing in of America's first black president. Barack Obama's inauguration is Tuesday and it can't come soon enough. It has been 233 long years for the black race and the change is no longer coming, it is here. George W. Bush, one of the worse presidents in history, has left Obama with a mountains of problems to climb. Whether he is able to successfully climb them all or not, does not matter, the world and America will be a better place following his 4 or 8 years in office. The polar opposites between Obama and Bush are striking. Bush is what America was and is a mirror reflection of its greed. The son of a President, rich on oil money, a southerner and a Republican being replaced by the son of a foreigner, raised on little money and a Democrat. These men are about as opposite as men can be, Bush is old American and Obama is new America. Old America will still have some say but their voice is being drowned out by those with more Liberal views and those who are demanding change. I think that despite the challenges facing the world and America, there is hope in a new president. Hope that expands beyond its borders and beyond sex and race. I think Canadians will welcome Obama with record crowds when he does make that first international visit here.
"All these wasted dreams waiting for the sun to open up my heart to anyone..."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=d7NCPucoSsg
Children In Bloom by Counting Crows
Not every dream is wasted, not everyone is waiting for the sun and not every heart is closed.
Above is a great rocking version of a rarely played live Counting Crows song. It shows off the great guitar abilities of Immy, Dan, David and Millard, along with the drumming of Jim. The brilliance of the band is in their many dimensions, often from one song to another, during the same song and one night to another.
The following is a famous poem by Robert Frost, appropriate for the weather lately.
Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Do what you have to do, enjoy what you want to do and save a little change for later, because eventually we all must change.
john.
If I have not said enough, the song below by City and Colour will play through the credits.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=z4LYbw3eMSk
Sunday, January 11, 2009
"I know you are waiting and I know that it is not for me......"
5:15 pm
Home
Absolutely true.
Well it is 2009, and it has been for almost 11 days now, in case you failed to notice. Below is the first installment of what I have been listening to this year, mostly it is what I was listening to last year.
Top 25 songs listened to according to my iTunes player
1. Kathleen by Josh Ritter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKLZRxHSH5k
2. Golden by My Morning Jacket
3. Heart of Gold by Neil Young
4. Body in a Box by City and Colour
5. Autumn Walker by Jets To Brazil
6. Thank You by The Redwalls
7. End of the Empire by Sam Roberts
8. After Hours by We Are Scientists
9. Hollow Man by R.E.M.
10. Vanity by Emerson Hart
11. Grey Room by Damien Rice
12. Revolution by The Beatles
13. Twenty Years by Augustana
14. Is There a Ghost by Band of Horses
15. Michelle by The Beatles
16. Elephant by Damien Rice
17. Long Division by Death Cab For Cutie
18. If You're Gonna Leave by Emerson Hart
19. 1 2 3 4 by Feist
20. A Falling Through by Ray LaMontagne
21. Sky Blue Sky by Wilco
22. Thought I Knew by Weezer
23. Kite by U2
24. All in Good Time by Ron Sexsmith
25. Tears and Rain by James Blunt
"You say you want, your love to work out right, to last with me through the night.."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWBKBkEJQRk
All I Want Is You by U2
I slept horribly last night. I didn't get to sleep until after 3 and woke up at 6, I lied in bed until I think I finally fell back asleep around 9. I ended up sleeping until almost 2 and feel like I have wasted my day. I like to get up before 9 on Sundays, go out and do stuff, like breakfast and relaxing, and then take a nap in the afternoon before work. Well not today.
I did though watch most of the Knights game today, the first with John Taveras in their lineup. They won 7-3 over Mississauga and Taveras had 2 goals and an assist. London looks like they are going to play an exciting run and gun style, whether they have enough bullets remains to be seen. It should be fun to watch though.
"For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught, to say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEbgB6X6S5c
My Way by Frank Sinatra
Below is an opinion article from the New York Times by Bono, in the article he discusses the new year and Sinatra.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/opinion/11bono.html?ref=opinion
There are many ways to do anything, but only one way will be your way.
jr.
Home
Absolutely true.
Well it is 2009, and it has been for almost 11 days now, in case you failed to notice. Below is the first installment of what I have been listening to this year, mostly it is what I was listening to last year.
Top 25 songs listened to according to my iTunes player
1. Kathleen by Josh Ritter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKLZRxHSH5k
2. Golden by My Morning Jacket
3. Heart of Gold by Neil Young
4. Body in a Box by City and Colour
5. Autumn Walker by Jets To Brazil
6. Thank You by The Redwalls
7. End of the Empire by Sam Roberts
8. After Hours by We Are Scientists
9. Hollow Man by R.E.M.
10. Vanity by Emerson Hart
11. Grey Room by Damien Rice
12. Revolution by The Beatles
13. Twenty Years by Augustana
14. Is There a Ghost by Band of Horses
15. Michelle by The Beatles
16. Elephant by Damien Rice
17. Long Division by Death Cab For Cutie
18. If You're Gonna Leave by Emerson Hart
19. 1 2 3 4 by Feist
20. A Falling Through by Ray LaMontagne
21. Sky Blue Sky by Wilco
22. Thought I Knew by Weezer
23. Kite by U2
24. All in Good Time by Ron Sexsmith
25. Tears and Rain by James Blunt
"You say you want, your love to work out right, to last with me through the night.."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWBKBkEJQRk
All I Want Is You by U2
I slept horribly last night. I didn't get to sleep until after 3 and woke up at 6, I lied in bed until I think I finally fell back asleep around 9. I ended up sleeping until almost 2 and feel like I have wasted my day. I like to get up before 9 on Sundays, go out and do stuff, like breakfast and relaxing, and then take a nap in the afternoon before work. Well not today.
I did though watch most of the Knights game today, the first with John Taveras in their lineup. They won 7-3 over Mississauga and Taveras had 2 goals and an assist. London looks like they are going to play an exciting run and gun style, whether they have enough bullets remains to be seen. It should be fun to watch though.
"For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught, to say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEbgB6X6S5c
My Way by Frank Sinatra
Below is an opinion article from the New York Times by Bono, in the article he discusses the new year and Sinatra.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/opinion/11bono.html?ref=opinion
There are many ways to do anything, but only one way will be your way.
jr.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
"There's so many words that we can say, spoken upon long-distance melody, this is my hello, this my goodness...."
6:40 pm
Williams
Richmond near Central
Reflections are their own illusions, they show us in very vague moments. Those reality has already captured us in and we are frozen, changed or leaving. Long before illusion forgets our memory.
The stupidity of our intelligence, is in the intelligence of it.
I have found since I do not write as much anymore, there are random lines like those above finding their way into my thoughts. Most of the time I forget them after they arrive, (this coming from someone who claims to remember everything) but I have started to write some of them down. In the past they would end up in poems but since I do not write many anymore, there is no home for them.
"I'm dreaming of car wrecks and thunderstorms bright, let's bury ourselves and go haunt someone tonight....."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU2edbKMfx4
St. Augustine by Band of Horses
I love Band of Horses. A friend recently wrote me saying that No One's Gonna Love You was one of her favourite songs right now and I should check it out. Of course, I am already a fan, so it was exciting knowing someone else I know shares my liking of them. Though we are more often than not musically aligned.
I did write a poem this afternoon, despite being distracted as I often am. I used to feel comfortable in certain places and among certain faces, I do not feel so comfortable anymore. The poem below is about losing this comfort and many other things, I could not explain.
Losing the Comfort of Places and Faces
The late afternoon snow begins to swirl
A serious conversation carries on quietly
The gusts of wind are colder and longer
Words are lost, stolen or never spoken
Our future has been decided separately
A child will never be born between us
Memories of May’s beginning end here
On a Saturday barely into a new year
The plainness of our goodbye remains
Long after we have left forever apart
Puzzles of love are often uncompleted
A blue sky in pieces and roads unpaved
There is no gold among the silver lining
Jude cannot make the sad song better
A piano is best tuned for the melancholy
Those of us who listen without happiness
Disillusion at the tips of uncurled fingers
The hand holding days have been broken
We now walk alone through our cities
Reminiscing about first and last times
Unimaginably hating favourite songs
Losing the comfort of places and faces
Waiting for January to become February
Unable to shake the old from the new
Months and years end unlike calendars
There is always a new beautiful picture
Perhaps a famous or insightful quotation
Words to live by when you cannot speak
Choosing to be silent in a world of noise
Martyrs, rockets and all the war deceased
Innocence does not immune us from death
Life leaves us vulnerable to many cruelties
Foremost among them is love’s departure
With reasons too complex for explanations
Our necessity to have them is irresistible
The way having a hand to hold becomes.
01/10/09
"But, by then it would be winter, not much for you to do, and those winds sure can blow could way out there....."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIc5h2bfYyU
Four Strong Winds by Neil Young with Willie Nelson
It was confirmed today by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office that Barack Obama's first international trip would be to Canada. This is not uncommon for American presidents, though Bush visited Mexico first, this might explain a lot. I am sure Ottawa will be all abuzz when the new president comes visiting, no date has been set, but I am sure he will not be heading out to Alberta. The inspiration for Ian Tyson's great Canadian song Four Strong Winds, a song covered by many artists including Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, John Denver and very successfully by Neil Young.
"The winter birds have come back again, here the sprightly Chickadee, gone now is the Willow Wren, in passing greet each other as if old friends, and to the voiceless trees, it is their own they will lend........"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6Ma9MCxzLM
Winter Birds by Ray LaMontagne
Winter here takes on many forms, tonight it is growing cold and light snow has been falling since late afternoon. Next week we are supposed to have daytime highs of -10 and above. A deep freeze. After this it is not impossible to think that we will have a thaw and then another freeze. Canada's winter weather can be unpredictable or predictably cold.
I noticed today that the Israel protests here in town had more supporters out than last week. It doesn't surprise me as it is a mirror reflection of the world's reaction. I really think both sides need to stop before they reach a point of no return. This can only mean more innocent deaths in Gaza and more hatred towards Israel. Not to mention the potential of an all out war, bringing Iran and American into the equation. I am sure soon to be President Obama doesn't want this, Iran and Hamas might, as might Israel. There are no innocent governments in the world, only the innocent people who put their faith or are forced to put their faith in them.
The following is from The Cellist by Steven Galloway.
"He has been coming here all his life. Everywhere he looks reminds him of some memory, of something lost that can't be recovered. He wonders what will happen after, when the fighting stops."
My city is not at war, but it feels altered to me, much in the way the passage says and as partly reflected in my poem above.
And the following is from The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski.
"Just because a thing can't be logged, charted, and summarized doesn't mean it isn't real. Half the time we walk around in love with the idea of a thing instead of the reality of it. But sometimes things don't out that way. You have to pay attention to what's real, what's in the world. Not some imaginary alternative, as if it's a choice we could make."
A feeling.
Today's featured lyrics are from the song Vienna by The Fray, it has been in my head all week. There is a link to it below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70HuGYAPIVQ
The snow is still falling on Victoria Park. The trees are dark, in the absence of their holiday lights, which should remain illuminated until spring's arrival. A few souls are taking an evening skate on the outdoor sheet of ice. Inside people come and go, beverages and food are consumed, conversations are started, finished or left hanging to be picked up like a coat on a hanger.
In my ears is music and on my mind is home, and sleep.
The weekends are tough on me. Yesterday though I did have a good visit with my grandparents. Dinner was a great meal of fried and battered chicken, fried red pototo pieces with bread and onions, along with a garden salad. Though after the meal I could barely keep my eyes open. I went to bed before 10, woke up around 12, stayed up until around 3 and slept until after noon. So I really shouldn't be tired, perhaps I am bored or creatively exhausted.
I do not know if there is snow on the ground in Vienna but it is -8 with freezing fog, sounds like the weather there isn't much better than here.
john.
Williams
Richmond near Central
Reflections are their own illusions, they show us in very vague moments. Those reality has already captured us in and we are frozen, changed or leaving. Long before illusion forgets our memory.
The stupidity of our intelligence, is in the intelligence of it.
I have found since I do not write as much anymore, there are random lines like those above finding their way into my thoughts. Most of the time I forget them after they arrive, (this coming from someone who claims to remember everything) but I have started to write some of them down. In the past they would end up in poems but since I do not write many anymore, there is no home for them.
"I'm dreaming of car wrecks and thunderstorms bright, let's bury ourselves and go haunt someone tonight....."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU2edbKMfx4
St. Augustine by Band of Horses
I love Band of Horses. A friend recently wrote me saying that No One's Gonna Love You was one of her favourite songs right now and I should check it out. Of course, I am already a fan, so it was exciting knowing someone else I know shares my liking of them. Though we are more often than not musically aligned.
I did write a poem this afternoon, despite being distracted as I often am. I used to feel comfortable in certain places and among certain faces, I do not feel so comfortable anymore. The poem below is about losing this comfort and many other things, I could not explain.
Losing the Comfort of Places and Faces
The late afternoon snow begins to swirl
A serious conversation carries on quietly
The gusts of wind are colder and longer
Words are lost, stolen or never spoken
Our future has been decided separately
A child will never be born between us
Memories of May’s beginning end here
On a Saturday barely into a new year
The plainness of our goodbye remains
Long after we have left forever apart
Puzzles of love are often uncompleted
A blue sky in pieces and roads unpaved
There is no gold among the silver lining
Jude cannot make the sad song better
A piano is best tuned for the melancholy
Those of us who listen without happiness
Disillusion at the tips of uncurled fingers
The hand holding days have been broken
We now walk alone through our cities
Reminiscing about first and last times
Unimaginably hating favourite songs
Losing the comfort of places and faces
Waiting for January to become February
Unable to shake the old from the new
Months and years end unlike calendars
There is always a new beautiful picture
Perhaps a famous or insightful quotation
Words to live by when you cannot speak
Choosing to be silent in a world of noise
Martyrs, rockets and all the war deceased
Innocence does not immune us from death
Life leaves us vulnerable to many cruelties
Foremost among them is love’s departure
With reasons too complex for explanations
Our necessity to have them is irresistible
The way having a hand to hold becomes.
01/10/09
"But, by then it would be winter, not much for you to do, and those winds sure can blow could way out there....."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIc5h2bfYyU
Four Strong Winds by Neil Young with Willie Nelson
It was confirmed today by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office that Barack Obama's first international trip would be to Canada. This is not uncommon for American presidents, though Bush visited Mexico first, this might explain a lot. I am sure Ottawa will be all abuzz when the new president comes visiting, no date has been set, but I am sure he will not be heading out to Alberta. The inspiration for Ian Tyson's great Canadian song Four Strong Winds, a song covered by many artists including Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, John Denver and very successfully by Neil Young.
"The winter birds have come back again, here the sprightly Chickadee, gone now is the Willow Wren, in passing greet each other as if old friends, and to the voiceless trees, it is their own they will lend........"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6Ma9MCxzLM
Winter Birds by Ray LaMontagne
Winter here takes on many forms, tonight it is growing cold and light snow has been falling since late afternoon. Next week we are supposed to have daytime highs of -10 and above. A deep freeze. After this it is not impossible to think that we will have a thaw and then another freeze. Canada's winter weather can be unpredictable or predictably cold.
I noticed today that the Israel protests here in town had more supporters out than last week. It doesn't surprise me as it is a mirror reflection of the world's reaction. I really think both sides need to stop before they reach a point of no return. This can only mean more innocent deaths in Gaza and more hatred towards Israel. Not to mention the potential of an all out war, bringing Iran and American into the equation. I am sure soon to be President Obama doesn't want this, Iran and Hamas might, as might Israel. There are no innocent governments in the world, only the innocent people who put their faith or are forced to put their faith in them.
The following is from The Cellist by Steven Galloway.
"He has been coming here all his life. Everywhere he looks reminds him of some memory, of something lost that can't be recovered. He wonders what will happen after, when the fighting stops."
My city is not at war, but it feels altered to me, much in the way the passage says and as partly reflected in my poem above.
And the following is from The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski.
"Just because a thing can't be logged, charted, and summarized doesn't mean it isn't real. Half the time we walk around in love with the idea of a thing instead of the reality of it. But sometimes things don't out that way. You have to pay attention to what's real, what's in the world. Not some imaginary alternative, as if it's a choice we could make."
A feeling.
Today's featured lyrics are from the song Vienna by The Fray, it has been in my head all week. There is a link to it below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70HuGYAPIVQ
The snow is still falling on Victoria Park. The trees are dark, in the absence of their holiday lights, which should remain illuminated until spring's arrival. A few souls are taking an evening skate on the outdoor sheet of ice. Inside people come and go, beverages and food are consumed, conversations are started, finished or left hanging to be picked up like a coat on a hanger.
In my ears is music and on my mind is home, and sleep.
The weekends are tough on me. Yesterday though I did have a good visit with my grandparents. Dinner was a great meal of fried and battered chicken, fried red pototo pieces with bread and onions, along with a garden salad. Though after the meal I could barely keep my eyes open. I went to bed before 10, woke up around 12, stayed up until around 3 and slept until after noon. So I really shouldn't be tired, perhaps I am bored or creatively exhausted.
I do not know if there is snow on the ground in Vienna but it is -8 with freezing fog, sounds like the weather there isn't much better than here.
john.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
"I laughed at love cause I thought it was funny but you came along and moved me honey......."
5:20
Home
The weather today is winter crappy. Well it was this morning after work and definitely last night before work. I slept today from about 8:30-4:30 and still feel tired. The middle of the week is always the hardest to get through.
So Canada won Gold Monday night at the World Junior Championship, beating Sweden 5-1. This championship is my favourite sporting event to watch throughout the year, especially when it is played in Canada. The purity of the game, players and their immense joy is enough to soften the most hardened critic of professional sports.
"You, your sex is on fire, consumed with what's to transpire...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVEPlXadNDA
Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon (live on later with Jools Holland)
Apparently the porn industry feels like it needs to be financially bailed out like other industries. A short article about its request is below. Personally I think their movies with fake bodies and bad acting can all but disappear. Amateur porn is growing and will continue to, as technology makes it easier for couples and individuals to record their own videos. The Internet is already full of web cam videos, stolen sex videos and pictures of carefree individuals. Though there is the potential of exploitation, it is easier today than ever to make a porn video outside of the industry. The days of Playboy, Penthouse and countless other magazines are limited. They don't need a bailout, they have made enough money and need to face the realities of their industry.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/
"Take the way home that leads back to Sullivan Street, cross the water and home through the town, past the shadows that fall down wherever we meet, pretty soon now I won't come around....."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0p1WCfcXuM&feature=related
Sullivan Street by Sara Bareillis (live cover of Counting Crows)
The following is from The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway.
"She possesses a particular kind of genius few would want to accept. If she could choose, she wouldn't believe in it either. But she knows it isn't up to her. You don't choose what to believe. Belief chooses you."
Just like love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J8H5ZopC-4
Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis (live on Letterman)
Balls of fire is right. Below is an article about woman setting her husband's genitalia on fire.
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?Woman_who_set_husbands_testicles_on_fire_charged_with_murder&in_article_id=460960&in_page_id=2
Extreme measures to be sure.
I read recently that upon meeting Jerry Lee Lewis John Lennon dropped to his knees and proceeded to kiss his feet. Jerry's response was to say son there is no reason for that. Even the most famous are humbled by their heroes.
Back to Sullivan Street for a moment, it is a perfect song about wanting to leave and how you don't really care if you ever return. It is like I said the other day, seeing the same faces, places and becoming numb because there is nothing left as it was.
Canada has lost another soldier today, so we can continue watching hockey and writing about our numbing lives.
jr.
Home
The weather today is winter crappy. Well it was this morning after work and definitely last night before work. I slept today from about 8:30-4:30 and still feel tired. The middle of the week is always the hardest to get through.
So Canada won Gold Monday night at the World Junior Championship, beating Sweden 5-1. This championship is my favourite sporting event to watch throughout the year, especially when it is played in Canada. The purity of the game, players and their immense joy is enough to soften the most hardened critic of professional sports.
"You, your sex is on fire, consumed with what's to transpire...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVEPlXadNDA
Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon (live on later with Jools Holland)
Apparently the porn industry feels like it needs to be financially bailed out like other industries. A short article about its request is below. Personally I think their movies with fake bodies and bad acting can all but disappear. Amateur porn is growing and will continue to, as technology makes it easier for couples and individuals to record their own videos. The Internet is already full of web cam videos, stolen sex videos and pictures of carefree individuals. Though there is the potential of exploitation, it is easier today than ever to make a porn video outside of the industry. The days of Playboy, Penthouse and countless other magazines are limited. They don't need a bailout, they have made enough money and need to face the realities of their industry.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/
"Take the way home that leads back to Sullivan Street, cross the water and home through the town, past the shadows that fall down wherever we meet, pretty soon now I won't come around....."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0p1WCfcXuM&feature=related
Sullivan Street by Sara Bareillis (live cover of Counting Crows)
The following is from The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway.
"She possesses a particular kind of genius few would want to accept. If she could choose, she wouldn't believe in it either. But she knows it isn't up to her. You don't choose what to believe. Belief chooses you."
Just like love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J8H5ZopC-4
Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis (live on Letterman)
Balls of fire is right. Below is an article about woman setting her husband's genitalia on fire.
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?Woman_who_set_husbands_testicles_on_fire_charged_with_murder&in_article_id=460960&in_page_id=2
Extreme measures to be sure.
I read recently that upon meeting Jerry Lee Lewis John Lennon dropped to his knees and proceeded to kiss his feet. Jerry's response was to say son there is no reason for that. Even the most famous are humbled by their heroes.
Back to Sullivan Street for a moment, it is a perfect song about wanting to leave and how you don't really care if you ever return. It is like I said the other day, seeing the same faces, places and becoming numb because there is nothing left as it was.
Canada has lost another soldier today, so we can continue watching hockey and writing about our numbing lives.
jr.
Monday, January 5, 2009
"People always told me that bars are dark and lonely, and talk is often cheap and filled with air......"
6:00 pm
Home
"The world is a dangerous place. Not because of the people who are evil; but because of the people who don't do anything about it." Albert Einstein.
Israel is doing something about the "evil" people in Hamas, who are sending rockets at their country. But their actions are proving to be extreme and without regard for the "good" people in Gaza. This is not about evil and good, it is about right and wrong. The wrong is rockets flying into Israel killing innocent civilians and Israel does have the right to defend itself. But what it doesn't have the right to do is to defend itself and also kill innocent people. Hamas makes this difficult because they are scattered about the civilian population but Israel needs to do a better job of identifying military and non-military targets. In the simplest of statements, they are fighting over a piece of land and nothing more. Though, of course, it is more than that to both sides. This conflict, which has been brewing since the creation of Israel seems to me to be a waste of time and lives.
"She looks like the real thing, she tastes like the real thing, my fake plastic love...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDS4wOd_o1I
Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead live Glastonbury 2003
I feel invisible or like I'm not really there, at times. I often think that people could walk right through me, if they really wanted to. The flesh and bone are only a small inconvenience. I remember almost every face I have seen and I have to remember that most people forget faces. I can walk by someone I might have met once years ago and instantly remember, whereas they have no idea who I am. It is strange to hold so much miscellaneous information and mostly useless information in your head. I have this reoccuring dream where I am finally freed from this town of places and faces remembered and allowed to start fresh in a new city. Not that I don't love this city, because it is home but there is very few people I would miss. Perhaps it is people in general, I dislike, and a home in the woods might be perfect for me. Though I like the chaos and stupidity of everyday life, watching people become confused over the simplest of things. I am no longer sympathetic to the plight of anyone, things are no easier and probably harder for me. Let's compare scars.
"Why can't we just rewind?...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwILHCwj30Y
Rewind by Paolo Nutini (live on television program)
If we could rewind, there would be no point in going forward.
The other night I watched P.S. I Love You, because I was bored. It passed the time and was nothing special. It was a different role for Hillary Swank and hopefully she goes back to more serious roles soon. I thought Kathy Bates was good in this movie though but the Irish actor was horrible. Harry Connick Jr. was also very awkward in his role. The song above was nice to hear though. Information about the movie is below.
Also below is an article about a man's winning lottery ticket after his death, and his wife's final gift.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0431308/
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090103/world/lottery_legacy_1
"You feel a little shy these days because everybody goes away......"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP1Hc2SA5u0
Good Time by Counting Crows live October 30, 2008.
I think in my case, it is more like I am the one going away and everybody else is staying.
The following is from one of the books that I am reading, The Human Strain by Phillip Roth. I have given up on trying to count how many books I have on the go at the moment. It is horrible.
"The secret to living in the rush of the world with a minimum of pain is to get as many people as possible to string along with your delusions; the trick to living alone up here, away from all agitating entanglements, allurements, and expectations, apart especially from one's own intensity, is to organize the silence, to think of its mountaintop plenitude as capital, silence as wealth exponentially increasing."
So last night it was back to work for the first night in almost 2 weeks. It seemed like the longest 8 hours of my life, though it was no different than any other 8 eights. I am now back to worrying about how much I sleep and whether I am eating properly or not. On the sleep front, I slept from around 9 this morning until after 4 this afternoon. I feel pretty rested. My eating last night consisted of half a can of salmon, a small ceasar salad, 3 cookies, 2 tangerines, 2 bananas, a few pieces of marble cheese, some carrots, 2 yogurts, a bottle of water and a couple small cups of tea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUPnvUOgMqI
Golden by My Morning Jacket (live @ Pemberton Festival 2008)
It could be a golden night for team Canada tonight at the World Junior Hockey Championship, should they defeat Sweden, it would be their fifth consecutive gold medal. Their victory on Saturday against the Russians was awesome to watch, they tied the game with less than 5 seconds left and won it in the shootout. It was mystical, magical, nerve wracking and ultimately amazing if you are a Canadian hockey fan. Hopefully tonight isn't as close and Oh Canada is once again sung by over 20,000 fans in Ottawa, along with millions from coast to coast. Because from coast to coast, is what makes this country beautiful, a vast strip of land unlike any in the world.
john.
Home
"The world is a dangerous place. Not because of the people who are evil; but because of the people who don't do anything about it." Albert Einstein.
Israel is doing something about the "evil" people in Hamas, who are sending rockets at their country. But their actions are proving to be extreme and without regard for the "good" people in Gaza. This is not about evil and good, it is about right and wrong. The wrong is rockets flying into Israel killing innocent civilians and Israel does have the right to defend itself. But what it doesn't have the right to do is to defend itself and also kill innocent people. Hamas makes this difficult because they are scattered about the civilian population but Israel needs to do a better job of identifying military and non-military targets. In the simplest of statements, they are fighting over a piece of land and nothing more. Though, of course, it is more than that to both sides. This conflict, which has been brewing since the creation of Israel seems to me to be a waste of time and lives.
"She looks like the real thing, she tastes like the real thing, my fake plastic love...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDS4wOd_o1I
Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead live Glastonbury 2003
I feel invisible or like I'm not really there, at times. I often think that people could walk right through me, if they really wanted to. The flesh and bone are only a small inconvenience. I remember almost every face I have seen and I have to remember that most people forget faces. I can walk by someone I might have met once years ago and instantly remember, whereas they have no idea who I am. It is strange to hold so much miscellaneous information and mostly useless information in your head. I have this reoccuring dream where I am finally freed from this town of places and faces remembered and allowed to start fresh in a new city. Not that I don't love this city, because it is home but there is very few people I would miss. Perhaps it is people in general, I dislike, and a home in the woods might be perfect for me. Though I like the chaos and stupidity of everyday life, watching people become confused over the simplest of things. I am no longer sympathetic to the plight of anyone, things are no easier and probably harder for me. Let's compare scars.
"Why can't we just rewind?...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwILHCwj30Y
Rewind by Paolo Nutini (live on television program)
If we could rewind, there would be no point in going forward.
The other night I watched P.S. I Love You, because I was bored. It passed the time and was nothing special. It was a different role for Hillary Swank and hopefully she goes back to more serious roles soon. I thought Kathy Bates was good in this movie though but the Irish actor was horrible. Harry Connick Jr. was also very awkward in his role. The song above was nice to hear though. Information about the movie is below.
Also below is an article about a man's winning lottery ticket after his death, and his wife's final gift.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0431308/
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090103/world/lottery_legacy_1
"You feel a little shy these days because everybody goes away......"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP1Hc2SA5u0
Good Time by Counting Crows live October 30, 2008.
I think in my case, it is more like I am the one going away and everybody else is staying.
The following is from one of the books that I am reading, The Human Strain by Phillip Roth. I have given up on trying to count how many books I have on the go at the moment. It is horrible.
"The secret to living in the rush of the world with a minimum of pain is to get as many people as possible to string along with your delusions; the trick to living alone up here, away from all agitating entanglements, allurements, and expectations, apart especially from one's own intensity, is to organize the silence, to think of its mountaintop plenitude as capital, silence as wealth exponentially increasing."
So last night it was back to work for the first night in almost 2 weeks. It seemed like the longest 8 hours of my life, though it was no different than any other 8 eights. I am now back to worrying about how much I sleep and whether I am eating properly or not. On the sleep front, I slept from around 9 this morning until after 4 this afternoon. I feel pretty rested. My eating last night consisted of half a can of salmon, a small ceasar salad, 3 cookies, 2 tangerines, 2 bananas, a few pieces of marble cheese, some carrots, 2 yogurts, a bottle of water and a couple small cups of tea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUPnvUOgMqI
Golden by My Morning Jacket (live @ Pemberton Festival 2008)
It could be a golden night for team Canada tonight at the World Junior Hockey Championship, should they defeat Sweden, it would be their fifth consecutive gold medal. Their victory on Saturday against the Russians was awesome to watch, they tied the game with less than 5 seconds left and won it in the shootout. It was mystical, magical, nerve wracking and ultimately amazing if you are a Canadian hockey fan. Hopefully tonight isn't as close and Oh Canada is once again sung by over 20,000 fans in Ottawa, along with millions from coast to coast. Because from coast to coast, is what makes this country beautiful, a vast strip of land unlike any in the world.
john.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
"All is quiet on New Year's Day, a world in white gets underway.........."
12:40 pm
Home
I feel a little better today. Though this is the third straight day where I have had a morning headache.
It has been all about hockey since last night. Canada beat the United States, 7-4, in a thrilling World Junior game. Canada was down 3-0 early, on home turf, only to storm back. Aided by power plays, an official mistake and an unravelling U.S. team Canada made the night memorable for Canadians.
Today it is all about hockey, Chicago, Wrigley Field and the outdoor game between the Blackhawks and the Red Wings. I cannot get enough of the lead up to the game, that the game itself will probably pale in comparison to the hype. Though Chicago is a good young team and Detroit are the defending champions, who already beat them at home 4-0 this week.
"Because I'm still in love with you, I want to see you dance again...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbls_kkf0yE
Harvest Moon by Neil Young
Yesterday afternoon I was bored and flipping through my movie networks and came upon the good Canadian movie Away From Her. I had already seen it once but decided to watch it again. I am glad I did, it is worth watching every year or so. We are always going but not necessarily gone. The song above by Neil Young was used very appropriately in the movie. Information about the movie is below, the veteran acting in the movie is very moving.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0491747/
"Big birds flying across the sky, throwing shadows on our eyes. Leave us, helpless, helpless, helpless...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5KRVtjgMkM
Also used in Away From Her is a cover of Neil Young's Helpless by K.D. Lang, you can check out a live performance of it above.
I watched a bit of the Dick Clark's New Year's Eve special and it is sort of sad listening to him struggle speaking. We are used to hearing Dick's unique and familiar voice, and not what a stroke has left him with. Though you have to admire his courage returning to what he loves and leading millions into another New Year. At times in life, we are helpless to its diseases and ailments, all we can do is fight.
I have also started reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski, which I am looking forward to, because it is seems to be on every list of the best books of 2008. I actually finished 32 books last year, most of them 300 + page novels, which isn't too bad for my lack of attention span mind. Perhaps this year I will finish more.
I also finished 2008 winning $51.80 on Proline, picking 5 right outcomes on the hockey games last night, though the prize never seems to fit the achievement, better than losing $2 I suppose.
Today's featured song, not overly creative by me, is naturally U2's New Year's Day. Mine is watching hockey, 3-1 Chicago right now, and dinner with my parents and grandparents later.
john.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sudlxUNj30I
Home
I feel a little better today. Though this is the third straight day where I have had a morning headache.
It has been all about hockey since last night. Canada beat the United States, 7-4, in a thrilling World Junior game. Canada was down 3-0 early, on home turf, only to storm back. Aided by power plays, an official mistake and an unravelling U.S. team Canada made the night memorable for Canadians.
Today it is all about hockey, Chicago, Wrigley Field and the outdoor game between the Blackhawks and the Red Wings. I cannot get enough of the lead up to the game, that the game itself will probably pale in comparison to the hype. Though Chicago is a good young team and Detroit are the defending champions, who already beat them at home 4-0 this week.
"Because I'm still in love with you, I want to see you dance again...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbls_kkf0yE
Harvest Moon by Neil Young
Yesterday afternoon I was bored and flipping through my movie networks and came upon the good Canadian movie Away From Her. I had already seen it once but decided to watch it again. I am glad I did, it is worth watching every year or so. We are always going but not necessarily gone. The song above by Neil Young was used very appropriately in the movie. Information about the movie is below, the veteran acting in the movie is very moving.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0491747/
"Big birds flying across the sky, throwing shadows on our eyes. Leave us, helpless, helpless, helpless...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5KRVtjgMkM
Also used in Away From Her is a cover of Neil Young's Helpless by K.D. Lang, you can check out a live performance of it above.
I watched a bit of the Dick Clark's New Year's Eve special and it is sort of sad listening to him struggle speaking. We are used to hearing Dick's unique and familiar voice, and not what a stroke has left him with. Though you have to admire his courage returning to what he loves and leading millions into another New Year. At times in life, we are helpless to its diseases and ailments, all we can do is fight.
I have also started reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski, which I am looking forward to, because it is seems to be on every list of the best books of 2008. I actually finished 32 books last year, most of them 300 + page novels, which isn't too bad for my lack of attention span mind. Perhaps this year I will finish more.
I also finished 2008 winning $51.80 on Proline, picking 5 right outcomes on the hockey games last night, though the prize never seems to fit the achievement, better than losing $2 I suppose.
Today's featured song, not overly creative by me, is naturally U2's New Year's Day. Mine is watching hockey, 3-1 Chicago right now, and dinner with my parents and grandparents later.
john.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sudlxUNj30I
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