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.
Monday, January 19, 2009
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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