Whistler.

In the words of Super Dave Osborne "New Pain". That's what i got to experience this weekend in whistler.
Somehow or another I got it in my head that i really wanted to try snowboarding this year. I don't know or remember really how it came about but it did. And well I gotta say what ever sparked it I'm glad I went through with this insaine plan of mine.
First whistler is an amazing place. I wouldn't even mind living up there for a season or to. Being up there reminded me how freaking lucky we are in this province. My dad always told me how great Ontario winters were. However I cant see how it could even compare to fresh powdered snow on blackcomb.
There really is a different mentality up in the village. People are actually nice. Not to mention trustworthy. Maybe that's cause they're all tourists. Maybe its cause they're all drunk. Maybe its cause I'm drunk. Whatever the case is theres a different buzz.
Now. Bein drunk. Bar hopin and partying is all well and good for a fun filled weekend. But the whole point of this trip was to try something new. That was snowboarding (obviously). Now for those that know me best they'll make the argument that I'm not the most coordinated person on the face of the planet. Nor do I enjoy heights. So attempting a sport that combines the two should seem beyond ludicrous to them.
And for the first while there they would have been right. I was nervous. I was prepared to fall but not that much. Prepared for pain but not that kind. Prepared for fun but not that much. Nothing says fun like crab walking out of some trees in a snowbank after a massive face plant.
The funny thing is that after awhile I actually started to get the hang of it. Even enjoy it after going through the four stages of: Anger. Bitterness. Resentment and what i like to call The Rudy (the more frustrated you get the more determined you become). And once the eye of the tiger set in me. I started to suck less.
Maybe it was just the desire to survive. Maybe it was the climate. Maybe i just adapt to winter sports better than i think. Maybe it was the positive reinforcement from a few good friends. Whatever the case I really really really want to go again. That freezing cold mountain has made me content. Something i haven't been in a long time. I think I've found my Zen. Or possibly Muse. Either way I'm good.

Current Music: Journey-Don't Stop Believing
Current Comic: Fantastic Four Omnibus vol 2-Stan Lee
Current Mood: Content
Current quote: "I love it when a plan comes together" Col John "Hannibal" Smith

Bye Bye money.

With my whistler trip approaching quickly, the ability to actually save money for it shrinks. I found myself spending far to much money on myself for my own enjoyment. Where is my money going? Surely not all to comics. Well that parts partially true. It goes to mostly concert tickets these days.
Ive recently purchased a set for not only Bruce Springsteen but also Feist. Both of which are performers I'm dying to see. Yes you heard me I'm dying to see Springsteen. Its kinda sad but he's one of the few artists left to cross of my list. Yeah i have a list.
It seems all Ive done for the past while is go to concerts by myself. It gets easier and easier every time i go. Lets see over the past couple of months I've seen the following bands: New Pornographers, Stars, Arctic Monkeys, Destroyer, Broken Social Scene. I think I'm forgetting one. Nope that's it.
That's a lot considering the only one I didn't go to alone was Stars. Stars and Broken Social scene were amazing. However Stars more so. Amy Millan is amazing live and the whole band puts on a great live show. Full energy all the way through. It was great.
I'm really looking forward to Feist. I heard nothing but good things from her last show and it'll be nice to go to the Orpheum again. I'm sure in the coming months theres going to be a few concerts I'll be booking days off for. But I'm defiantly on the lookout for more than a few concerts. Let me know if you see or hear of any. And now I leave you with a list of bands i want to see and great bands Ive crossed off my list.
Ive crossed off the following:
Bob Dylan. AC/DC(x2). Rolling Stones(x2). Rod Stewart(x3). Elton John. (soon to be) Bruce Springsteen. Gordon Lightfoot. Meatloaf. Neil Young.

I want to see still:
Radiohead. U2 (even though i really dislike Bono). The Eagles. Death Cab for Cutie (shutup). Led Zeppelin. The Decemberists. Fleetwood Mac. Metric. Tom Waits. The Shins. Bloc Party. We are scientists. The Dears. Wilco.

Those are all i can think of off the top of my head. If I wanted to sit down and go through every concert and band that I have or want to see, we'd be here all night. Or at least Id be. On an off topic note three days till whistler! And even further from that I still have the beard however it may come off soon. Its looking really hoboish. I'll probably post pics at sometime before i trim it down. We'll see.

Current Music: Bedouin Soundclash-When the night feels my song
Current Comic: Ex machina-Brian K Vaughn