Dun-Dun

Its just like starting over

2010-01-31T17:34:00.000-08:00

new blog

Decided to restart my blog. You can find it in the link above. More to come soon.

Blogs.

2008-12-11T00:25:00.000-08:00

I guess i should really start blogging again. I cant believe that its been three months. Have i really been that demotivated? Well i guess so. Its not as if this readership is ever expanding. Or that exciting things happen to me that are news worthy.
So what have i been doing with my time? Good question. Once i retrace the steps and find out how i got here, well, I'll keep you all informed. However, I have one little fun fact that I've come across this past year: Ive gone to approximately 30 concerts this year alone. 30! I knew it had been alot but apparently i have a huge problem. So i guess its time to come clean. I am a concert addict.
I suppose there are worse things to be, not to mention do with ones time, but the numbers don't lie. And i don't seem to be kicking this habit anytime soon. With Metric and Broken Social Scene with Tegan and Sara coming over the horizon.
But its not as if this isn't all in good fun. I think to close out this blog for 2008 I'll do a recap of all the concerts i can remember going to. Who knows it might even be worth a read. I cant really think of a way to go out here so..........

Current Music: T.I-Live your life
Current Comic: Runaways-Moore

Keeping ya'll updated.

2008-09-15T22:15:00.000-07:00

So. Well theres a lot to cover here, I guess I should start with the concerts. There's been a few in the short span here. Starting with Airbourn. It was an intense show. But then what else would I expect from a band that sounds exactly like AC/DC. The opening acts were basically forgettable. Seeing as how i forgot about them. Although i did like it when the first band called one of their songs our "we are the world" and its actual title was "Ive got rabies" Then proceeded to scream the ssymptoms of rabies for the next five freaking minuets.
The next concert in recent memory banks was the New pornographers show at Stanley park. Where I was impressed more so by the opening acts then the headliner. But to be fair I had seen the headliner four times now. And I was more excited to see the likes of Black Mountain and was impressed by the 1900's so overall it was a great show.
Next up aside from the concerts I went to are the ones coming up. Such as AC/DC, Neil Young, The Raconteurs and I think that's it.
I also went to whistler this weekend and stayed at Chateau DE Megan. It was actually a pretty fun weekend, minus the vomit. Sorry again Megan. I managed to do a lot of hiking and even took a canoe out. Yes i did both voluntarily. Whistler really is a great town and i cant wait to return to go boarding in the winter. sometime.
Now all that being said. The really big news. Is that i got into PDP, the teaching program at SFU. Yeah that's right. There going to let me teach kids. This has been certainly a long time coming. And though there was moments of self doubt, I got in. It still really hasn't sunk in that I did it. I accomplished a goal. And it feels awesome. Scary. Intimidating. But awesome. Life has a funny way of sometimes working out. And I hope i can meet this challenge, this new chapter head on.

Current Comic: Maus-art spiegelman
Current Music: Vampire Weekend-one(Blake's got a new face)

Holy crap its been a month.

2008-08-21T00:43:00.000-07:00

So its been a month since my last post. I'm actually kinda surprised that i really got this lazy. Or was it this busy? Theres alot that went on in the last couple weeks. BBQ. Concerts. Work. Drama. More Drama. Useless drama. Needless to say I'm looking forward for time off in September.
Anyway. Concerts. I went to Feist with Richard and graham. And that was amazing. I love outdoor concerts. It was fantastic weather and a much better set list than the last time i saw her. Though sadly I still failed to hear secret heart. I think my personal highlight for that show was her playing So Sorry. I don't know what it is about that song, but it has a special place with me.
Now. On to the most anticipated concert of the summer. Radiohead. Ive been waiting for this since like last December and it didn't disappoint at all. In fact I was so off the wall happy with it that I've now deemed it my second favorite concert of all time close behind AC/DC and I'd probably put floor seats for bob dylan third.
Anyway I went a little nuts when the tickets went on sale so I ended up going with Div, Rich, Graham and Travis. And although it was a bitch to get down there. It was so so so worth it. I was let down that they didn't play let down. And the fact that we had to choose between idioteque and Paranoid Android. Was a little sad. Why not both? But the fact that they played. Just. Weird Fishes. Paranoid Android and Karma Police, was well it was heaven. There were just far to many highlights to list.
Anyway. The next concert I have up is Blue Rodeo. So that should be good times.
Other than work. There really hasn't been a whole lot going on. I'm planning whistler round two. Seeing as how round one never went anywhere. And I really miss winter. I wanna get back into hockey and snowboarding. Yup. That's the time in a nutshell. Anyway's I'll leave you with some pics from radiohead.

Current Comic: Box Office Poison by Alex Robinson
Current Music: Radiohead-Just

Batman.

2008-07-18T03:07:00.000-07:00

There are very few times in life you will ever walk out of a theatre feeling better about yourself. Something in the air. Like life somehow makes sense again. Like you had fun sitting around with a bunch of random strangers watching moving pictures. Like coming out of Plato's cave.
My friends this is one of those times. My words will fail to successfully express just how good this movie was. This movie became so much more than itself. It had a life force.
Never in a theatre has one mans presence emoted so much from the audience. Never has one mans performance been that good. I've joked around (pardon the pun) like any good comic geek would. Like any fanboy would. That he'll never get an Oscar nod cause its a comic book movie.
My friends he will get an Oscar nod. And it wont be a pity nod because of the tragic circumstances. This man breathed life into this character. He was this character. The subtlety and nuances that he put on, well it just gave me chills. The clearing of saliva from the throat. The combing of hair. The laugh. My god the laugh was just perfect.
There are very few times that i have ever been moved by a performance. Had you come to me last year and said that I would be moved by someone acting as the joker. Well I may have laughed at you. But as luck (and possibly the Joker) would have it. It looks as if the laugh is on me.
I want to find a flaw in this movie. Discredit it in someway. Jump off the inevitable hype machine. But i cant. This was fate. This was the perfect cast. With the perfect script. At the perfect time.
This movie became something more than comics, characters and cannon. It became about a performance. It became about a man, who poured his life and soul into his craft. His life was cut short tragically. But that performance. The subtleties, the nuances will live forever. And fanboys like myself thank you for it. Thank you Heath Ledger, you became the true hero of this story. Rest well.

Current Comics: Batman the killing joke-Alan Moore
Current Music: nanananana batman

Time off. Comics Movies. And Fight night.

2008-07-04T23:29:00.000-07:00

So apparently Im an indie music snob. This was discovered after vikram invited me to TV on the Radio. A band I was more than certain he had never heard of. Needless to say I was shock so if I appeared snobbish I appoligise to you good sir.
Im also attending Airbourne with Div in sept. I checked them out recently and its pretty kickass stuff. Im looking forward to it.
Im also looking forward to a lot of the comic book movies that are coming out this summer. On the top of my list are Batman the dark Knight (but of course) and Hellboy 2.
I've actually really been impressed with the calliber of movies this summer. Aside from Indiana jones and the plots that go nowhere I've been more than pleased. I have yet to see it but I've heard even the hulk is good. I think I'll go sometime this weekend. But its going to be hard to match the awesomeness that was Ironman. There's something i never thought id say.
Tomorrow is fight night. Im going to be getting drunk and watching two grown men kick the crap out of eachother for money. What an age we live in. Should be good fun. Contact me if you wanna come watch.

Current Comic: Batman the Killing Joke-Alan Moore
Current Music: Airbourne-Stand up for rock n roll

Oh and i got a week off starting on the 14th of july. I suggest a lugs road trip.

Recently Me.

2008-06-27T17:01:00.000-07:00

So Im bored. Sitting around listening to the new Coldplay album. I actually really like what I hear. Which is kinda suprising.
Anyway on a releated music note. I went and saw stars for the second time. It was another great show. They pretty much covered all of their material and even stuff of the Heart album. The opening act Curtis Santiago was very intriguing. A local boy from vancouver. He was a mixture of R&B and Ballad soul music. It was an interesting mix. His cover of Metrics Police and the Private was amazing. He definatly had the voice for it. And I loved his song which was essentially about robots.
The only other signifigant note lately. Is well I saw the lugs boys again. Finally. It had been far to long. And i forgot how fun lugsdays can be. Normality is a good thing.
Im really looking forward to the following movies. Batman the dark knight. Hancock and if i ever get to see the hulk i'll be happy. But yeah batman is definatly in order. So if anyone wants to go see anyone of those let me know.
Other than that theirs not much to report on. Maybe attending the pantless party on the 5th. That should be good times.....course they're elements that could make it really really awful. Ugh drama. And my whistler trip is still very much on the bubble. I think its going to be a weekend get away. Hooray for that. Anyway thats it.

Current Comic: Absolute Dark Knight-Frank Miller
Current Music: Coldplay-Lost

SFME

2008-06-06T00:05:00.000-07:00

Well there you have it ladies and gentlemen. I did it. Yes. I completed my B.A. of English this year. Some say its an accomplishment and I guess a part of me is finally letting it sink in.
Its been a really long road to get to this point. And i think back to all the work and doubt, well Im kinda proud that I actually saw it till the end. There were countless times when I asked myself if it was worth it. And now having gone through all the pomp and circumstance, well i can say yes, yes it is worth it.
I've done what a lot of people havent done or had the oppertunity to do. I've done what a lot of people (let alone myself) didnt think id be able to do. Its an achievement to be proud of. And I think im going to be for a long time.
But i guess right now I want to thank all of those who supported me and pushed me through this. You all know who you are. Friends and family. Without you none of this would have been possible as cliched as that is. Its true. So thank you. I truly mean that.
Now the only other thing I've been up to lately is more and more concerts. Im headed to see Stars, Blue Rodeo, Racanteurs, New Pornographers (again) and actually i think thats it. I went to see destroyer with graham megan and travis last week. Which I thought was really great and I kinda liked frog eyes the opening act. But the sound in the venue was really off for some reason. Vocals got drowned out and things but it was still a great show. Oh and ive started reading novels again. Ive missed them. Ive started with the life of pi. Its good so far.

Current Music: Wolf Parade-Language City
Current Comic: Something batman

Concerts concerts concerts.

2008-05-24T22:38:00.000-07:00

So where did we last leave off? Its been an insane week. For starters I worked 9 days straight at a job that is becoming less and less of a priority. Didnt get a long weekend. And even had to work on my days off. LOL so Ive been in a great mood lately.
My time lately has been filled up with concerts and movies and work. And drinking. So it started with a show for Tokyo Police Club. It was an amazing concert. Im liking the whole plaza club more and more for a venue. Smoosh and Attack in Black opened for them. Smoosh was not to bad had some pretty good energy and fun songs. Attack in black was pretty amazing and really won me over. Tokyo Police club was great though. Totally worth the price of admition tesellate is a really great track.
Next I had city and colour lined up. I cant recall who opened for them the first one sucked big time. The second was pretty decent and was from austin texas. They kinda sounded like the shins. But more country. Whoever they we're they entertained me but good. As for city and colour itsself. Im not the biggest Dallas Green fan ever but I've gained a lot more respect for him. He's got an amazing voice in the right venue and the orpheum was the right venue. His songs dont suck either.
Finally in terms of the concerts I went and seen REM and Modest Mouse and The National all in one show at deer lake park. This was my first time ever at deer lake park and I gotta say its a really sweet venue. The national really blew me away and the cds pretty damn sweet. Modest Mouse had the perfect set list I love hearing Paper thin walls. REM really blew me away to. There was nothing really to complain about it was actually probably the perfect show. And Im really looking forward to Feist now.
As for the movies I saw Ironman and Indiana Jones. Now the former was actually pretty amazing. And I cant wait for the avengers to actually get off the ground. Its good to be excited about something other than spiderman for a change. Indiana Jones was well....Indiana Jones. It was good all that you could expect from it, rendered with only a few hiccups here and there. Overall It was a lot of fun. Id give Ironman an 8 and Indy a 7. But thats just my own take on it.
Anyway Im off to listen to the national and catch up on some reading. Cant wait for destroyer next week should be great fun. LOL im so freakin tired....

Current Comic: Batman-Morrision
Current Music: The National-Secret Meeting

Welcome to the real world. It sucks.

2008-05-13T00:25:00.000-07:00

Hey all. So I know your all dying to know what ive been up to the last couple of weeks. Honestly not a whole lot. Their aint a whole lot of new stuff going on in my life. Well nothing of great importance lately.
A few weeks ago Graham and Megan returned to BC. So we all went to see the sarah slean concert. It was an amazing show. I forgot how freakishly talented she is. Her voice simply blows me away. Minus the opening act which almost put me to sleep a couple of times the show was flawless. And hearing eliot done live was great. She should be way more popular than she is.
The next show I got lined up is the Tokyo Police Club. I love this band. They're totally amazing. The new album is really really good to. You can tell that they've come into a zone in recent years. So the show should be amazing.
Im also seeing City and Colour and REM and my personal favourite Destroyer this month. So nothing but concerts for me lined up in the next few weeks.
The only other piece of news I have is i played hockey at GM Place again it was uber fun. I miss hockey and being in shape. And i think ive actually improved as a goalie lately. My rebound controll has gotten a whole lot better.
Lets see what other news. Hmm. Oh yeah. I graduated from SFU! Im done thats it. No more teachers. No more books. No more getting stranded up on a hill cause someone jacked knifed a bus. Okay that was only the one time but still.
The rest of my time will be spent trying to get into SFU's pdp program. Im trying to apply for jan. And I think my volunteer experince is going really well. Anyway thats about it. I should go sleep now. Later days.

Current Music: Tokyo Police Club-Tessellate
Current Comic: Absolute Dark Knight-Frank Miller
Current Album im looking forward to checking out: Sloan.
Current Concert I wish i could drag someone to: Adele and Wolf Parade

What the hell have i been up to?

2008-04-27T00:52:00.000-07:00

Well apparently alot. So heres the rundown. Last week or a week ago i went to the Metric show at the commodore. It was freaking amazing. No seriously it was, I had my doubts about it but it was just awesome. It was also great to reconnect with andrew and travis again.
Then I got to live a dream on sunday and play a game of hockey at GM Place. This was simply amazing. Though i was so out of shape i was dying by the first period. This is why sunday night hockey has to start up again. I dont want to be a lazy ass anymore.
Anyway this week I had my first aid tests to do and Im half way through that. So hooray me. Im now qualified to save lives people. Not just enrich them anymore =P
I forget what day it was but lets call it thursday we went to woodys got really really really smashed. Which i havent done in a really long time. And Yeah it was good times had by all. A lot at my expense but still good times. God damn shots.
Anyway tonight I had the AC/DC concert which all of you bailed on. Some of you had ligit reasons others just suck. So I ended up dragging my poor mother to it. Though she claims she liked it even though she couldnt hear a word of what they were saying. But the fact that she can tolerate it is an improvement. I've had to put up with her country music way to long.
I was really impressed with how much the lead singer actually sounded like brian johnson. But the guitarist though really good failed to live up to angus young. Theirs no one on earth who can hold a candle to that man. So there but for the grace of god goes rock. Next couple weeks I have a few more shows lined up. Sarah Slean, Tokyo Police Club, REM, Destroyer. Junes looking like a lazy month so far. But we'll see. Anyway Im off to sleep and then get up to stupid first aid all over again.

Current comic: Me no read
Current Music: something destroyer or something tokyo police club
Current Concert: Sarah Slean

Back.

2008-04-09T01:52:00.000-07:00

So alright. Today was my first day back volunteering back at middle school. It was actually a lot of fun. Saw some familiar kids from last time. So im sorta easing myself back into this. Also i think im slightly back to normal. Well as normal as a Dunning can be.
Im also looking for other work oppertunities. At least branching out. I probably wont leave roos just yet cause most of my oppertunities im seeing are seasonal. But I just need something to deal with other than crackheads.
Like this one crackhead last week came in hyped up on something. All mumbly and cracked out. Couldnt really understand what he was saying. He took off his shoe at one point cause apparently his money was in there. It turned out it wasnt. Finally i just kicked him out. Like physically.
The other interesting thing was watching one guy and two teenage girls get arrested and have their car towed at our parking lot. That was funny. I've actually never seen that many cop cars in one place for awhile. Last i counted was five.
Other than that I'm trying to plan out my summer. I NEED to go away somewhere. Even if its just to whistler. Got a couple of concerts in august that im dying to see and yeah thats about it. Things are actually really good right now. Should be an interesting couple of months come june. PS I think its going to be a Wild vs Penguins final. Seeing as how the canucks once again did fuck all. Anyway I really think we should blow up the team in the off season and give kesler the C. But thats just me. Stupid fucking canucks. Argh!

Current Comic: Scott Pilgrim-Bryan lee o'Malley
Current Music: Ladyhawk-My old Jacknife

Current Comic:

Black Mountain.

2008-04-07T01:06:00.000-07:00

Okay. So this weekend was yet another concert to go to. It was a little band that surprisingly more people have heard of then I thought. They're a local Vancouver group called Black Mountain. And surprise surprise they're awesome!
Actually the whole night was a kind of surprise. The evening opened with some dude called Chad from Toronto. At least that's all i picked up from his ramblings. I don't know what his actual band or stage name was. Anyway he had a really good stage presence and voice. But his music was sooo not my music. Which kinda had me dreading how the rest of the night would go.
The following act was called Ladyhawk. Now this band was the real surprise. They actually blew me away. Mainly cause i wasn't expecting what i got out of their performance. See when I heard the name Ladyhawk for some reason my mind was drawn to alt country. Which is all well and good. I'll listen to Blue Rodeo from time to time. But i was not really in an alt country kinda mood. Thankfully what i got was a mix between early Modest Mouse and Cuff the Duke. Real high energy rock with great songs. Again great stage presence but they didn't play to the crowd enough. They just kinda played. And rocked. I advise you all to check em out.
Finally we come to Black Mountain. I've actually listened to their two albums a bit so i knew somewhat what i was getting into. However what I got was even better. They blew me away actually. Which is funny cause I'm not really into the whole progressive psychedelic hipster rock. But I was told by a friend to check them out and I kinda got hooked. Needless to say what i got out of the performance was much much more than whats delivered on the album. Black Mountain was much more intense live than i could have thought. That's not to say the albums aren't solid. They are. Its just to say I got much more that what I was expecting. Which made the night all that more enjoyable.
The only thing i didn't enjoy was going to this show by myself. Although all the drunk stoner dudes and dudettes did make it interesting. Seeing some guy get nailed with a lemon wedge for standing on a table was hilarious. To bad you all missed out on a great night and a great show.

Current Comic: Buffy season 8
Current Music: Ladyhawk-I dont always Know

Born to run out of 8th place.

2008-04-02T01:20:00.000-07:00

So this was a bit of a crazy go lucky weekend for me. Friday was spent hanging out with the lugs crew and playing some smashbros. Crazy good times for sure. There was even a chick present. LOL the real ironic thing is she came with me. Somebody better go check to see if hell has indeed frozen over.
Aside from videogames and getting frustraited with such (but we'll get to that in a min) my weekend was once again filled with concerts and hockey.
Sunday Div suprised me with canucks tickets and shockingly enough it was a good game. Not only was it a good game but they actually won! And for a brief time all was right in the world. We we're back in the playoffs and then tonights game happend and....well lets just not get into tonights game.
Anyway after going to my game I went and played in my own. Which sucked cause i was the only goalie that night. I played well but constant odd man rushes and breakaways are not a fun way to spend sunday nights.
Monday brought another fun filled day of work. I really want out of that place by the way. And then came Bruce Springsteen. Over the past couple of years ive really got into bruce springsteen. Born to run became a staple song at karaoke. Dancing in the dark is always great and to see both of them preform live was amazing. Actually the whole concert was amazing. I dont know how these old guys go on for three hours non stop.
He was really good though. And seeing the E street band was cool to. All the memembers bring their own unique flavour to it. I didnt really get ending the show with American Land. I mean the more logical choice would have been Born in the USA. But then im not the boss. Bruce is. And he really played to the crowd well. You can tell he's been doing this for awhile. It really has been a great couple of days. Now if only i can get some decent sleep I'll be good.

Current Comic: Silver Surfer-Stan Lee
Current Music: Adele-Chasing Pavements

ps i still suck at rockband. Told ya we'd get back to video games.

New Job.

2008-03-28T00:33:00.000-07:00

As i kicked yet another crackhead out of the store today, I came to the realization that I hate my job.
At first it was fun. I mean the staff was great. Some of it still is. But this is not what i want to do. I dont want to deal with crackheads who are hopped up on something on a daily basis.
Like today I had to kick one out who refused to leave and took off his shoe for some reason. Apparently he thought thats where his money was. Course that was probably just the crack talking.
Im done with being a cashier though. Im done with shitty pay. Im done with the little things bugging the crap out of me. Lets see what else am i done with? Oh. Im done with selling booze to addicts. Im done with the smell of booze. Im done with smelly people. Im done with smelly money.
The only thing im not done with is making money. So im off to look for a new job. Actually im looking for something closer to the teaching feild. Seeing as how that is the actual career i want to be in. Im trying to convince myself not to quit until i have something thats another paycheck. A better paycheck. And has less of a risk of being hazzardous to my health. I've totally lost my train of thought cause msn keeps flashing at me. So i better wrap it up.
Conclusion. Want better job. Need more money. Done with shitty jobs.

Current comic: MIA
Current music: Bruce Springsteen-Radio Nowhere.

These are the hangover days.

2008-03-23T01:35:00.000-07:00

Went to see the Jason Collett concert with rich tonight. Thanks again rich. But yeah on to what i thought of the show. For those that care. I guess I'll start with the bad. There's not much i can nit pick at other than the fact that it was too damn short. I dont care that people wanna dance. People can dance to freaking Collett! Well apparently thats not actually the case.
Anyway I kinda look at this now as a warm up to whether or not I would actually go to a Blue Rodeo concert. Collett and Jim Cuddy have very similar styles. Its really laid back pop rock. But with great songs such as We all loose one another, Fire and Hangover days you really cant go wrong. Then again you cant really go wrong with Lost together either.
I dont really know why i enjoyed this concert so much. But i did. It would have been nice had i caught more than two songs of the opening act. But thats my own fuck up really. Ah well I paid for Collett and in Collett i got a great entertaining show. Well worth the low low low price of admission.
The venue isnt to bad either. Considering it was really a nightclub venue. The plaza had a really good set up. Good stage area. But not the greatest sound system. But then again these days you get what you pay for.
Anyway Collett was great. The next venture i have to look forward to is Springsteen but i think the inner hipster in me is looking forward to Metric a tad more. Both are going to be good times. Anyway im out.

Current Comic: Same as always
Current Music: Jason Collett-hangover days
Current Hate: Dirty hippie drum circles
Current goal: Sleep.

after quite some time we'll be who we were

2008-03-20T00:27:00.000-07:00

There is always three things that I will always consider a big part of my life. Music, Friends and Family. Well four if you count comics. They make me who i am. And lately I've relied on friends a lot more. Tonight was no different. Tonight Derek and I ventured forth to brave the hipsters and the scenesters, to attend what would be a great show.
I've always been a big music fan. And lately Ive adopted the philosophy that music is very therapeutic. It can get you through the rough times and show you a good one. Tonight accomplished both of those.
Hawksley Workman is an accomplished musician. In fact i had no idea just how accomplished he was. A multi talented singer song writer Workman plays several instruments to entertain the masses. Not an easy task.
Not only instrumentally is he talented. But man what a voice. Its easy to see that Hawksley has really come into the zone as of late. Especially on his latest album Between the Beautiful. The venue was a perfect setting for Hawksley to showcase his latest creation.
Part of the reason however tonight was so great, was the mixture of current and classic Workman. Not to mention playful covers like Beyonces Crazy in love or the culture club just to name a few and there were a few.
But what really won me over for tonight was Workmans playful banter with the crowd. From his personal stories about his family to his Adam Sandler impression. Workman knew how to really work the crowd. Pardon the awful pun.
The second thing that won me over tonight was the venue. See it wasn't at the orpheum or the commadore. It was at St. Andrew's Wesleys church. The acoustics in this venue complimented Hawksleys voice amazingly. Course it didn't hurt that we we're two rows away from the speakers.
The latter half of the performance really rocked the house. But it was the strip down intimate displays of Workmans latest creation that was worth the price of admission. I'd defiantly recommend catching a Hawksley performance if you can. Great Show.

Current Music: Hawksley Workman-All the trees are hers
Current Comic: Strangers in Paradise vol 6-Terry Moore

The rest is still unwritten.

2008-03-19T01:41:00.001-07:00

Its funny. People have been telling me to chill out for a while. That I've been looking far to stressed. And I guess I should have been listening to them. I've been feeling a little bit complacent lately.
However something happened today that, though hard, has made me come to realize that perhaps i have been drifting. Just a little. As such I'm going to try hard to adopt a new philosophy. Get back into the swing of things. And just make some small changes that I should have made a while ago.
One thing however that will not change. Is my sad pathetic obsession with a little show on MTV called the Hills. It chronicles the life of Lauren Conrad and friends. Just as addicting as this non stop mtv drama, is the after show. The after show, which is a panel discussion hosted by MTV personalities who then discuss the current Hills episode you've just seen.
I'm seriously looking forward to the season premier on March 24th. I don't know quite what it is that i find so compelling. All i know is they're hot

Current Comic: Strangers in paradise vol 6-Terry Moore
Current Music: Hawksley Workman-Piano Blink.

Canucks.

2008-02-29T00:18:00.000-08:00

Im tired. I feel like bitching and then i remembered I have this form to do it in. Anyways I took Milynne to the canuck game on wednesday (her first). It was against colorado so naturally we lost. Although in retrospect it was a great game. And it was kinda cool to actually see what the hosts do at GM place.
Everytime i go to a canucks game and sit in the lower level though, they either loose in the last period or get blown out. There is no happy medium. I remember when i went to the toronto game a few years ago. This was back when we had Potvin. They lost with 6.5 seconds to go in regulation.
This time around colorado tied it up with 14.7 seconds in the third. Maybe im cursed? But at least it wasnt like the last time I saw the Avalanche play aka the Bert incident. That was a gong show.
Anyway aside from loosing in dramatic fashion there were a bunch of highlights. Like getting A list celeberity treatment just cause i was with someone who worked there. The fact that i was seven rows away from Luongo. Who has officially become my favorite canuck/player in the nhl. That glove save was amazing. Another highlight was seeing Bobby Orr. Oh and some dude named darwin won a million dollars.
I guess I am more of a canuck fan then i lead people to believe. But what i dont understand is why we fail to do anything signifigant at the trade deadline. Im sick of the "my hands are tied" excuse. Im tired of nonis sitting on his ass after getting Luongo. We have a seriously small window here to actually do something. We have a good team, we just need more fracking scoring.
Alright I guess thats enough bitching at our team. I got a busy month coming up this month. Im going to three concerts. Hawksley Workman, Jason collett and Bruce Springsteen. Should be good. Oh and another random thing is the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever has become a front runner for the type of dog i wanna get. They're so cool. Alright im out. Laters.

Current Comic: Who has time to read anymore?
Current Music: Jason Collett-Sorry Lori, Hawksley Workman-Piano Blink, City and Colour-waiting
Current favorite canucks: Luongo, Kesler, Burrows, Linden, Pyatt ;)

Dogs.

2008-02-21T02:15:00.000-08:00

Its been almost a year since Jock (my dog) passed away. Actually maybe a little more than a year. I miss him alot actually, along with my cat (lucky). They were part of the family.
As it happens I was watching the westminster dog show the other day. It really got me wanting a dog again. Actually I've wanted a dog for a while now. All for selfish reasons. But I love dogs. And since my mom and the canadian government refuses to let me have a monkey (as im pretty sure its illegal) then a dog it is.
But what kinda dog will it be? I dont want another terrior. And I've had my fill of labs these days. I've pretty much had a lab or a retriever at one point or another since i was five. Maybe earlier than that.
I've always wanted a husky. I dont really know why. But I love that kinda dog. Course i may also go a little tiny bit smaller. Like a collie or something. Actually ever since I was a kid, I remember watching wrestling in the early 90s. I was a big fan of Davey boy smith aka the British Bulldog. He would always come to the ring with one. I thought they were always pretty cool to. Though im fairly certain my mom wont ever go for that.
Its sad but I even have names picked out already. Well im narrowing it down. So far the front runners are Aristotle or Andronicus. What? I like obscure literary refernces and greek philosophy. Although i may even go more obscure than Andronicus on the literary side. Dont think i havent thought of comic book names for inspirations. Logan and Thor are front runners to. What? Im still a nerd at heart.

Current Comic: Strangers in Paradise-Terry Moore
Current Music: Hawksley Workman-Piano Blink

And we'll collect the moments one by one

2008-02-13T02:11:00.000-08:00

So i just got back from the vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad (aka the Feist concert). My friend Milynne and i went together and i think we both came to the conclusion. This was not what we were expecting at all.
First off the crowd was a mix of the elite and the hipsters. Its very surreal to be sitting four rows away from the priemer of the province. I mean Im pretty sure Gordon Campbell doesnt listen to Feist. Infact i think half the people there hadnt. I know the two people infront of us didnt.
Aside from the strangeness of the crowd.There were the 2010 mascots, cause no one celebrates its heritage like canada. There was also Ben Mulroney hosting the event. Lets just say. Im not a fan. The guy plugged canadian idol like there was no tomorrow. However once he and a few other speakers shut up it was on to the show.
The vso (vancouver symphony orchestra) just came off a Grammy win and were an easy highlight of the event.
It kicked off Suzie McNeil who sang some song called believe. She had a good voice actually. She only did the one song which apparently was some olympic thing. But it was still impressive.
Next up was Leela Gilday. She was a pretty good folk singer. Didnt really blow me away. But then again i was eagerly awaiting Feist. So im sure i didnt give her a fair chance.
Jorane was another new comer id never heard of. She sang all of her songs in french. It was....interesting. Actually to be fair she had a really good voice and could belt out a note. I just had no clue what she was saying.
Ron Sexsmith was another i was eagerly anticipating. I'd always heard Rich talk about him. I listened to his last cd before the show and didnt hate it. But honestly he was actually really really good. I was a little unsure of how his performance would be but i enjoyed it in the end.
Now on to Feist. Let me just say this woman rocks. Shes so damn cute to. And you cant really apprecate her till you see her live. Its amazing. I didnt get to hear secret heart but my new favorite song Sea Lion Woman kicked ass. She kicks ass. The banter with the crowd is great to. And her duet with Ron Sexsmith was a highlight of mine. I also loved the fact that the VSO played with her. Really if you ever get a chance to see her play go. You wont regret it. I didnt. What a great night.

Current Comic: Sip-terry moore
Current Music: Jason Collett-Hangover days

Ladybugs.

2008-02-10T18:20:00.001-08:00

Out of all the creatures in the world to be afraid of; you'd think ladybugs would be on the bottom of a totem pole.
I mean Im afraid of a lot of things. Spiders, sharks, snakes. Hell even some other bugs come to mind. Ladybugs are now moving up the ladder though. Why you ask? Well its simple. My room has become a safe haven for these disgusting little creatures.
I swear though, these are no ordinary ladybugs. These are the bugs spawned from the darkest reaches of hell and mordo itsself. Im not kidding.
I dont even know how they keep getting into my room. I dont know why they would want to get into my room. I have no heat. I have no plants. I was going to buy a banzai tree for myself but after this exeperince, im thinking thats not the best way to go.
I dunno maybe i need to seend these creatures a message. I've tried everything else. Ive cleaned, bug sprayed and still they make there way here. Hell ive even taken them outside carefully and placed them into trees and they still come back. What are they plotting? Why must they torment me so?
Ive lost patience with them. I know were all part of this whole circle of life thing but im afraid these creatures have left me with no other recourse. Ive found a giant boot. The next one i see is meeting an untimley demise. I mean how else am i going to solve this? Suggestions?

Current Music: Feist-My Moon My Man
Current Comics: Strangers in Paradise pocket book 5-Terry Moore

Holy crap a years gone by.

2008-01-04T01:55:00.000-08:00

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOO! What happened. Wasnt it just July!? Wasn't i just in san deigo free and blissful and surrounded by geekdom. What happened? No really.
I've tried to be reflective on this past year. But thinking sometimes isn't always a good thing. I wouldn't say 07 was necessarly bad. Infact looking back there was a lot of good that came from it.
Like for one Ive managed to make some deeper connections with people. Something from previous years gone by i didn't think i had in me. I also learned I could be happy with myself and have fun just going out and exploring the city solo. Apparently B.C. is not all doom and gloom.
I slowly started to try new things. If you had told me this time last year that i would have snowboarded with people i hardly knew. Gotten back into hockey with people i hardly knew, and choked down seafood. All the while developing an appreciation for wine and beer; well sir i would have called you crazy.
And indeed 2007 had spurts of insanity. It really was an emotional time. There was the whole feelings thing. I'm not going to go into it to much. I imagine people are sick of listening about it by now. Plus I'm kinda sick of talking about it. So it will have to be left up to your own imagination.
For all the good and the bad of 2007 I think I've managed to dust myself off and pull myself back up. I mean I'm happy 2008 is here. I welcome the challenges it will throw at me. Both good and bad. I'm prepared for another good year. Join me wont you?

Before i leave here I thought id write down some of the resolutions I've been wrestling with in my head. They're all pretty lame but i cant really think of what else i need.

1. Be open to new foods. But still refuse if the food can look up at you.
2. Write more. No I'm not going to be writing more in this. I mean in general. LOL I might even start a journal. Shut up its normal!
3. Fix car situation
4. Be there for the friends I care about. Be open to accepting new ones.
5. Learn how to write music notation properly.
6. Get reaquainted with the greatest TV show on earth Buffy. See im still a nerd.

Current Comic: Strangers in Paradise book 4-Terry Moore
Current Music: Journey-Don't stop believing

Whistler.

2007-12-11T01:41:00.000-08:00

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.

2007-12-05T01:39:00.000-08:00

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

Five cds Im listening to now.

2007-11-27T01:58:00.000-08:00

1. Jens Lekman-Night Falls over Kortedala

Im more than certain that there will or have been comparisons to Sufjan Stevens. And frankly that's a justified argument. Jens though unique does have similar undertones. Its a very odd mix of sounds for the senses. 50 nostalgia mixed with post Come on feel the Illnoise indie rock sound. Jens can be compared to Sufjan fairly but I think Jens offers us something a bit more. Theres a uniqueness to Lekmans voice that simply sets him apart from any other artist. He may not be the most polished singer but the album offers so much substance that one can forgive his short comings.
Lekman is a strong narrative writer. Each song presents us an insight into his talents with the pen. A Postcard to Nina perhaps gives the best example. A story based somewhat in truth as Lekman would like us to believe. The only negative on this album is that it may not be for everyone. Not even for every indie fan. That's not to say he wont find his niche but it may take a lot for me to convince the average joe to pick up this album. However you really should. Its Worth its weight.

2. Ben Harper and the innocent criminals-Lifeline

I was first introduced to Ben Harper by Vikram who sent me a song called burn one down. I think my first reaction was oh great another smoking weed hippie song. Many years past since I last listened to Ben Harper. I'm kinda sorry it went down like that. This latest album by Ben is masterful. Heart of Matters has to be one of my favorite songs from this year. The man really writes good soul music. And as a Caucasian comic collecting mid twenties Canadian I love soul music. So this album makes me very happy that this form of music is still out there. Maybe with a little more Ben Harper and a little less Britney the world would be a better place. Regardless this is an amazing album with amazing songs. You should listen to it. Next time he rolls into town I'm going to go see him.

3. Beirut-the flying club cup

Beirut is someone who could also garnish comparisons to Sufjan but more likely The Magnetic Fields. This album is a little bit more instrumental than the aforementioned Jens Lekman album. Beirut as is my understanding does have a bit of an indie following. And After listening to the Flying Club Cup its easy to see why. As this album is a gem and is right up my alley. Its a bright and worldly alley filled with sounds from the french quarter. This album may not be for everyone. But those that appreciate it. Appreciate it a great deal.

4. Bruce Springsteen-Magic

Ha! I bet you didn't see this coming. Actually neither did i really. Ive made fun of springsteen for so many years that I hadn't given his music a chance really. Seriously who the hell call themselves the boss? Aside from tony danza. Yet over years I've actually come to really like Springsteen. Perhaps its the karaoke magic that happens everytime one of us decides to do Born to run. And that's the appropriate title for this album. Magic. This is album is the first in five years from Bruce and the e street band. But its like no time has past at all. Rough Raw and Restless which is everything a Springsteen album should be, Magic doesn't disappoint. I thought i might be disappointed with this album as I was expecting it to be filled with a few Born to Runs and Dancing in the Dark. Hell i would have settled for Born in the USA. It falls a little short in that category. But its still a superb album. I'm certainly not going to get tired of it anytime soon.

5. Radiohead-In Rainbows
I don't know if what i have is the official release of in rainbows. So this might not be a fair review. I will say this. I had always written off Radiohead for a long time. I didn't really like them. Thought it was random noise. Then a friend got me into OK Computer. And i ha vent looked back. In Rainbows promises to be a really good album. And I really really hope that they have a vancouver tour date. I'd sacrifice a goat to some demon god to see Radiohead (goats are stupid). But then that's just me. Anyway from what I've heard of this album its really good. So far theres no standout song like a Karma Police to me yet but theres a lot of solid songs on here. Which is good cause i had a high expectation like everyone else for this album. But they've met it again it looks like.

Current Music: Jens Lekman-A postcard to nina
Current Comic: Scott Pilgram-Brian Lee O Malley

Sick and Sick of Bill Gates.

2007-11-23T01:03:00.000-08:00

I remember awhile back. My buddy Rich was bitching about xbox being an inferior product. Or at least i think he was. I wasn't really paying to much attention to the conversation (sorry Rich). For a long time I disagreed with this assessment.
I was happy with my xbox purchase. I mean it had everything i could ever ask for. Gears of war. Halo 3. Xbox live. Guitar Hero. And a tone of other cool games. The graphics were pretty amazing. And as far as i could tell it seemed to run pretty smoothly. Everything was golden.
Then about a month ago or i guess at best a few weeks ago. In an all halo party I experienced the red rings of death. I like to think I took it pretty well. In fact I kinda half expected it. But the fact that it happened on a brand new system still kind of annoyed me.
After speaking for a good 20 mins the xbox service guy told me to plug it into a wall outlet directly. This actually fixed the problem. Seriously what the hell? I mean I'm happy to have my xbox 360 back and operational but I'm kinda annoyed at the fact that not plugging it into the wall outlet directly caused it to explode.
This has got me to thinking that I might buy a wii after all. I still like the games for the 360. I mean rock bands coming out. But the wii is still a lot of fun. Sure its a party system but Ive seen a lot of good single player games for it to lately. So we'll see. Hopefully this scam of the red ring of death by Microsoft wont happen again. Why is it a scam? Well its got me to purchase an extended warranty. As far as i remember Nintendo never asked me to do such a thing. Just blow in it when the screen turns pink. Bah! lousy Microsoft.

Current Comic: Strangers in paradise book 3-Terry Moore
Current Music: Ben Harper-Heart of Matters, Radiohead-Weird Fishes/Arpeggi

Christmas.

2007-11-17T00:59:00.000-08:00

Christmas used to be my favorite time of year. It really did. I guess its still up there in terms of holidays. But its not really the same.
I don't really feel that family togetherness anymore. Coming from a divorced family i guess i never really did. But Christmas always made it seem...Well it was better. And now that I'm bitter and old. And now that the family is smaller. And the holiday is even more commercialized. I find myself thinking more and more what the fucks the point?
For the last few years we've been doing this stupid ass secret Santa thing. Apparently we're on a budget. Anyway to me this totally defeats the purpose of the holiday. This is not the spirit of Christmas. This is not the spirit of anything! This is the spirit of cheapness. Maybe.
Perhaps its just my nature. I like giving gifts. Mainly cause i don't really need anything myself. And well it makes me happy to, so i guess its a little selfish. Plus i like to think of myself as a good gift giver. That might not be the case but well who knows.
Ive come to the conclusion though in the last few months that I'm going to focus Christmas mainly on my friends now. I mean lets face it. I'm not married. And I sure as hell don't want a family of my own anytime soon. So who else is there for me to splurge idiotic amounts of money on? You guys!
But what about those friends you haven't really known all that long or feel all that connected to. Well okay there's a connection sure but you all know what i mean. Whats the etiquette for gift giving? Nothing pisses me off more when i tell someone I'm going to get them something and they respond "oh you don't have to get me anything". Really? No fuck. That's kinda the point. Its a gift. Nobody has to give you a gift. Gifts are given on the sole purpose that someone wants to do something nice for you. So shut up you ass.
I guess in the end gifts are a judgement call. Both by me and my visa bill. Regardless theres going to be a few new names in the Christmas pile this year. Gifts will be given so help me god. Course by the 24th I may just say fuck it all and everyone might get a varity of alchol. Until then though Im actually going to put some thought into it. I swear.

Current Comic: Strangers in paradise-Terry Moore
Current Music: Phil Collins-In the air tonight.

Victory is mine...sweet justice.

2007-10-23T00:09:00.000-07:00

So you may have or may not have read my last related work post in which i described a few of our regulars. Well one of them today "creepy bald headed dude" got caught shop lifting. My boss has reviewed the tapes and now he is banned from the store. OH HAPPY DAY...OH HAPPY DAY...OH HAPPY DAY...I have been given the right to say "you have been banned get the fuck out" and to call the cops. A method you can bet I'll enforce. His face is getting plastered on our wall of shame.
Speaking of getting plastered. I had a few drinks tonight. Oh and I bought a bottle of wine for Friday. Oh yes my friends the weekends going to be oh so good. I tried some Asian beer tonight. Didn't really like it. Still, it beat Canadian. But then everything does lately. On a related note...I am an ass. Or at least I'll feel like it tomorrow. On an unrelated note the beard is sorta coming in nicely. sorta. I'm giving it two weeks starting today. I'll see how i feel about it come November. Later people.

Current Comic: Strangers in paradise-terry moore
Current Music: Air Supply-Making love out of nothing at all

B.A Beardacus

2007-10-20T00:30:00.000-07:00

Yeah that's right. I came up with that one. Although its not for mine. Ive decided i need to make changes. Or at least attempt some new things. But Ive decided to ease myself into this. So the first new thing is a beard. I'm sure its going to look horrid but the reaction I've gotten telling people the news of my decision is quite astounding. So I'm going to take the ball and run with it.
It will probably last a week or two. Infact its already starting to bug the crap out of me and its only been three days. But this could be a new look for me. Which lets face it i need. Plus it be nice not to get I.D. everywhere I go.
Though I'll never have the glory that is the Magnum P.I. or even the Sean Connory. I think it might turn out okay. Maybe. But really this whole baby face thing wasn't doing me any favours. We had a good run. A few laughs. So maybe now its time to move on to bigger and better things. So there you have it. I'm thinking of calling this one Patch Bearadams. But Im happy to take suggestions.

Current Comic: Strangers in Paradise-Terry Moore
Current Music: REM-Everybody hurts sometime

Poco makes me sad.

2007-10-17T22:49:00.000-07:00

So I havent done a work related post since I left the depths of hell that was petro canada. And I havent blogged in a while so here we are. Anyway I really love my new job. Okay I like it. The people I work with are great. Its nice to finally be in a close group. That being said when you serve a lot of well lets just say not so well to do people. You get to see a lot of shady things.
I never realized how shady poco is. And I can hear some of you say already its not that bad. But those some dont live here anymore. POCO IS SHADY. For example one of my coworkers was walking back after his shift at 11 o clock and got stabbed. Attacked by three young punk kids. Hes fine. Actually the kids took the worst of it. But still, stabbed!
And then there is the four attempted robberys at work that Ive been involved in. These people are a cancer on my soul. So far thank god nothing serious has happend. But the fact that it happens is scary enough. Ive had the cops involved twice now. There was one arrest.
Then theres the other sketchers. Like Creepy bald headed roid monkey. This dude freaks the shit out of me. He deals, he intimidates the clerks. He got picked up twice in the past week and yet hes back out on the streets in a day. He steals from other stores in the area and us. But the fact that he tries to intimidate clerks is scary enough. Im really freaked out that this dude will try something sometime.
Then theres the smelly creepy voodoo lady. She comes in every day, I mean EVERY day and buys shit. She smells, her crumpled up money smells and she tries to take advantage of the store. She always asks if she can pay it back later. Sometimes if its not much like forty cents or something i let it slide. But my boss is getting pissed cause its starting to turn into 8 bucks and shit. I say no of course. But Im afraid she'll show up one day with a tiny little doll of me and a pin/lighter.
Finally theres the fucking scam artist. These people make me hate life and this vocation. Other than them though the vocation is great. Although i did get scammed last week for a shitload of money mainly cause im not that bright. But this guy didnt look like a bum. And I trusted him. Like i always trust everyone one. Again this is me being not so bright.
Anyway other than that I love the job. People are great. Its fun. Getting back into hockey and planning a sweet trip with some people in december. Oh and England made it to the knockout round in the world cup of rugby. I'll probably stay up late into the wee hours of the night to cheer on Johnny Wilkinson. Anyway thats it. Later days.

Current Music: Broken Social Scene-F-cked up kid, Little shop of horrors-Skid Row
Current Comic: Invincible-Robert Kirkman

Bone.

2007-10-02T01:05:00.000-07:00

For all my comic enjoyment over the past few years. I have never been able to really say that Ive enjoyed something as much as this book. This is possibly the greatest fantasy comic of all time. I'm sure there are others that come close. I'm sure some try to pack just as much adventure, fantasy and humor.
However as sure as i am of all this, I am sure it all falls short. Nothing can compare to Bone. This was just enjoyable from beginning to end. I know its cliche to say but its true.
The dragons, the rat people, the lord of loctus, lost kingdoms and of course The Bones from Boneville. You could say this book has it all. And you wouldn't be lying. Im serious it does. Its a modern day lord of the rings. Except with Jeff Smith you don't get long drawn out paragraphs chronicling everything you could possibly think of.
What you do get with Jeff Smith, is quality writing. A certain understated sense of humor that will just make you smile. Like a calvin and hobbes panel.

Every time i think i have this book figured out Jeff throws a curve ball. You really get to know these characters and this world. You get to connect with them in every way possible. Feel for them. Their triumphs and heartbreaks. Their imperfections. Its all believable and yet not so much.
Jeff Smith has received so much success from this book that its even being reissued again in color by scholastic. Did I mention this was black and white? Some might not be drawn to that form of graphic novel but I tell you this, it is so worth it. I mean yeah it looks great in color. The black and white however is where its at. Seriously. I guess in the end without spoiling anything all i can say is really this: This is better than the last few Harry Potter books. Close to the lord of the rings. And just a kick ass book all around. I wouldn't say it surpasses Alan Moores the Watchmen but it certainly cracks my top ten of great graphic novels.

Current Comic: Invincible-Robert Kirkman
Current Music: Lavender Diamond-You broke my heart

Arctic Monkeys.

2007-09-30T23:49:00.000-07:00

Just got back from concert number two. It was Awesome. A lot of fun actually. Well the opening act kinda sucked balls. It was like listening to a heavier morrisey but with less talent. Thankfully they only played for 40 mins who ever the hell they were.
The Arctic Monkeys however put on an awesome freaking show. Really. Maybe I just didn't expect to much. Maybe I didn't know what to expect. Maybe I'm just getting better at doing the whole concert scene solo, but I had a lot of fun.
And yes, I did dance. A lot. I'm starting to feel the after effects a little bit. Actually there was a lot of fun to be had at this concert considering it was an all ages show. I normally hate all ages shows. Teens annoy me. What can i say I'm cold hearted. However tonight was fun. I keep saying that a lot. So I guess it must be true. One of the highlights though was the drunken soccer mom dancing beside me. One she danced like a cross between my uncle and Elaine off of Seinfeld. Two is it me or should soccer moms not know anything about this band? She wasn't even with any kids. So i guess she doesn't really qualify as a soccer mom then. Ah hell I'm rambling.
This weekend though has made me realized that I need to go to more concerts. Of bands I like. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm still trying to track down some broken social scene tickets. And I'm gearing up for stars in November. I might even take in a little Ted Leo as a warm up to broken social scene. Either way I'm back having fun. There is no downside to this plan. Only that I may become a scencester (which i hate) but really how far away was i?

Current Comic: Bone-Smith
Current Music: Arctic Monkeys-Fluorescent Adolescent

New Pornographers.

2007-09-29T23:46:00.000-07:00

So I'm back from the concert. It was weird having to go to one by myself. Its not something I normally seek out. But hell the New Pornographers are my band. Friday night made me realize this. I had fun even though I was by myself. Course that could have been the 6 dollar high ball. And for someone who would normally never dance at these things once i heard Myriad Harbor I was pulling out a few moves. Sure people laughed but come on do they really expect me to have rhythm?
I also fell in love with one of the opening acts. Lavender Diamond. Normally this would not be my kinda music. But the lead singer was a cutie and a little crazy. A combination that worked. So apparently flower child's I like. Hippies i still have issues with. Yes there is a difference! The other opening act, Fancy, didn't really strike my fancy (heh see what i did there? I should write for the New Yorker)
I was going to say something else but I've totally forgotten what it was. Damn hippies.
Oh and getting a cab in this city is near impossible. Well at least it is when you're by yourself. I mean I guess I could have walked it really. But at 1:30 in the morning I didn't really feel like it. I mean its not poco so I'm sure i would have been fine. But Im lazy.
Shout outs go out to derek and jowen for letting me crash at there respective places. Mi casa es Su Casa or whatever. Anyway I'm off to do it all over again tomorrow when i go to the arctic monkeys. You best believe I'm pulling out some sweet dance moves for them.

Current Music: Lavender Diamond-Open your heart
Current Comic: Bone-Jeff Smith

New Pornographers.

2007-09-05T00:13:00.000-07:00

So alot has been made about the New Pornographers new album Challengers. You know, when I first heard this album I wasnt really sold on it. At all really. Infact I thought it was very standard. But Ive listened to it a few times now, and I think all the critiscm it recieves is very undeserved.
Carl Newmans song writting is solid and very much improving. It may not have the impact of past albums that the indie "supergroup" has produced. I dont think anything will surpass Mass Romantic personally. I dont mind the direction they're taking this album though.
This album has a lot of solid tracks. Like the title track Challengers, Go Places and Adventures in Solitude. Still they may not be as fondly remembered as Letter from an Occupant, Ballad of a Comeback kid or even Sing Me Spanish Techno.
The strength of this album truly shines with Dan Bejars contributions. I absolutly love Myraid Harbour, Entering White Cecila and the end track the spirit of giving. I really dont know what it is about Dan Bejar thats so captivating. The man could sing the instructions on a Raid bottle and it would still come out amazing. He's like a modern day Dylan. At least to me.
In the end this album is still good. And I'll probably at least listen to it alot before the next New Pornographers album comes out. Which may be a while. I may just have to settle for a Destroyer album. Which is also something Ive got my fingures crossed for. It'll be interesting to see them live again. Im sure its going to be a wicked show as always.

Current Music: New Pornographers-Letters from an Occupant
Current Comic: Bone the one volume edition-Jeff Smith

According to online quizzes it could happen.

2007-08-15T01:40:00.000-07:00

Which Entourage Character Are You?
	You are Vince. Your well-to-do nature and optimistic outlook on life provide you with great Karma and make it almost impossible for anyone to resist your charm. You are a person that loves living life in the moment, inciting most people to view you as naive and impulsive. However, your faith in life and good-nature allows you to overcome any hurdle, making you the brightest Star in the group.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

current comic: something green arrow
current music: something tegan and sara

wow.

2007-08-08T01:12:00.000-07:00

Man. Facebook really is like crack. It made me practically forget about this little piece of junk i got here. So I might as well update people on well......nothing i guess. Yup got nothing to blog about.
I guess the basic updates, new job. Good so far. Thats about it. Oh went to comic con had a tone of fun there. Spent way to much damn money. Oh well. tis the price i pay for the things i love. I guess I'll post a review of something by the end of the week.
I suppose I could post comic con pics on here too, but see thats what facebook is there for. But I'll give you all this little nugget.
And post a review in a week. Other than that, its been all golden. Later days.

Current Comic: does harry potter count? Cause thats all that ive been reading. When I have time. NO SPOILERS
Current Music: Madonna-Like a Prayer

The last one falls.

2007-07-21T17:22:00.000-07:00

Well I did it. With much kicking and screaming I have joined facebook. I didn't want to. I still don't want to. And I probably wont even use it all that much. So why I joined the evil that is facebook I really don't know. Please don't hate me if I reject you as a friend. But if I haven't talked to you in 10 years why do you want to talk to me now? God I hate facebook. What have I done?

Current Comic: Justice League America-Meltzer
Current Music: Tina Turner-Simply the best

He fishes with a bow now.

2007-07-15T16:42:00.000-07:00

Though nothing can surpass the greatness that was Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1985 Commando. The latest installment of the Rambo series comes close. Ladies and Gentlemen prepare yourself for John Rambo

Current Comic: DMZ-Wood
Current Music: Feist-My Moon My Man

Runaways Review

2007-07-12T01:33:00.000-07:00

Okay. You may or may not know it but for a while now Brian K. Vaughan has been a favourite comic scribe of mine. I first got introduced to Vaughan in his run on Y the Last Man (which is fantastic by the way). So needless to say I wanted to see what else he was up to.
Then I heard about Runaways. Well I heard about it late and only because Joss Whedon, writer and creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was taking over the project. So naturally with that news I was more then a little intrigued.
So what is Runaways exactly? Well basically the premise is this. Its a group of teens 17 and younger, they discover that their parents are evil and in fact crime lords. So naturally they run. Which is good, cause then the title would seem a little pointless.
Anyway the plot seems simple enough, but this book is so much more than a bunch of kids on the run from the law. Its humor, pop culture and well crafted story lines. When I read the final issue of the first hardcover where Rebel without a Cause was quoted, I think that's where it hooked me.
The second volume was just as entertaining. Even more so perhaps. A lot of the situation that Vaughan puts his characters in are typical "teen issues" but with a twist. The characters deal with sexuality, love, leadership and finding true family. Which when you think of it, is really kind of surprising given that this book was originally aimed at a younger audience.
The character of Molly Hayes may be one of the youngest Marvel characters that i can think of in recent memory. Aside from maybe Franklin Richards (~shudder~). However Molly is at least tolerable. In fact funny at times. In the third volume that starts by hearkening back to Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist you begin to understand why this character appeals to people.
I guess my favourite aspect of the book is the encounters with other Marvel characters and how its played up. Vaughan pulls out the obscure references with a couple of Cloak and Dagger appearances. Of course a few more of the main stagers show up as well. However even the heroes reinforce the theme that adults are not to be trusted.
Overall Brian's Run (pardon the awful pun) on this book was entertaining. Mr. Whedon's seems to be just as good so far. The one knock on this series would be the Art. It didn't really grasp me but then it was originally aimed at younger kids, so its at least understandable. The only other thing I could think of is, that it reminded me a lot of Buffy at times (which isnt really a knock).
At any rate this book is at least worth checking out. However, don't go in expecting Y the Last Man. There's no Monkeys here (so far).

Current Comic: DMZ-Brian Wood
Current Music: Wilco-On and On
Current Next Review: Fell-Ellis

Transformers

2007-07-05T01:36:00.000-07:00

I will never say another bad thing about Michael Bay. Or at least I'll try very hard not to. Without giving to much away Transformers was everything that it should have been and more. Was it perfect? No. I have (like so many fans) my own personal grudges with minor changes or exclusions.
For instance when Megan Fox states "You shoot, I'll drive" Michael Bay should have had The touch begin to blare in the background. Had that happened I think i would have "geeked out" even more so.
I've never been this emotionally invested in a movie. Well not since Serenity. And these are two very different movies. Every time Optimus Prime came on screen I had literal Goosebumps and my heart swelled. I was five years old again, and with prime every step of the way battling the evil megatron.
I read a lot of reviews and heard some hype goin into this movie, so I had some expectations. Granted there were some corny dialogue. But overall the acting in this was good. I mean its giant alien robots beating the shit out of each other. So I think we can let that slide.
I really defy anyone to go into this and not come out with a smile on your face. You will enjoy this movie. Transformers fan or not. This was simply good. I haven't had this much fun in a theatre in a really long time. I walked out with a permanent smile on my face that's still there.
Optimus Prime continues to be a role model to young and old. And in the end that’s more than I could ever ask for.

current music: Stan Bush-The Touch
Current comic: Runaways Vol 3-Brain K Vaughn

Music recommendations

2007-06-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

Okay. So as I wait for my iPod to sync up all the classic rock I've just uploaded to it, I thought I would recommend you all some albums that I've been listening to. You may or may not all be listening to these as well. If you are Im sorry I've wasted your time. If you aren't. Check them out.

1. Wilco-Sky Blue Sky

I have never really been an alt country fan. In fact I've never really been a 'true' Wilco fan. I never bought into the hype of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Or Jeff Tweedy. That's not to say I never liked some of there songs or albums. I just didn't like it as much as some people I know. However when i came across Sky Blue Sky. I thought to myself what the hell. I took a chance and I gotta say I'm slowly beginning to buy into the hype a little. The first two songs didn't really grab me at first. Yet when Impossible Germany (the third track) hit my ears, well something just clicked. The entire album is outstanding even until the final track On and On. I've been hooked ever since that first listen. I've even gone back and listen to all the past albums and yes even A.M. I guess I'm slowly buying into Wilco. You should to.

2. Tokyo Police Club-A Lesson in Crime

Dancey, Poppy and all around Catchy. This Ontario based indie band has made a big impact. Well at least on my iPod. I swear I could have Citizens of tomorrow on constant loop and never get sick of it. Its the best futuristic robot conspiracy song out there today. Probably the only one. Regardless Tokyo Police Club makes upbeat music with well crafted lyrics. check them out.

3. We are Scientists-With love and Squalor

I was a little unsure I'd actually like this band. I don't even know why I decided to check this out (considering its a couple years old now). However I was pleasantly surprised. In fact I actually recognised a couple songs (although from where i don't know). Songs like Nobody Move, Nobody gets hurt draws you right into the album. Other key songs like Inaction, Cash Cow and Lousy Reputation keep the beat and keep you entertained. If anything this is a consistent album. For some reason I can relate to it. Minus the booze, drugs and relationship problems.

4. Arctic Monkeys-Your favourite worst nightmare

Okay. So I'm going to steal a line from one of the tracks in this album that best describes it. "D is for delightful and try and keep your trousers on!" The Arctic Monkeys put forth one of the best cds of the year so far. I don't really know how much hype they receive back over the pond, but I'm going to assume they're huge. They should be here as well. Unfortunately the latters not the case. The Arctic Monkeys make heavy dance rock fun again. Not that that ever wasn't the case. In any case if you don't pick this kick ass album up, well there really isn't a whole lot i can do about that. But if you do. You have made a wise choice my friend.

5. Bloc Party-A Weekend in the City

Im still on the Bloc Party kick. It was a tough decision of who should get the fifth and final spot on my list of recommendation. I've been listening to A LOT of music lately but this is probably my most played. From the get go I was blown away by this band. I usually like british bands for some reason, and this was no exception to that weird quirk of mine. Tracks like I still Remember and Waiting for the 7:18 are outstanding. I really couldnt say much more about this album other than its impressive from start to finish. Ya'll should pick it up.

Close Seconds:
Lilly Allen-Alright, Still
Decemberists-The Wife Crane
Feist-The Reminder
LCD Soundsystem-Sound of Silver

Cant put into words.......

2007-06-16T00:22:00.000-07:00

You all know how much of a comic dork I am. What you might not know is that I actually like the Fantastic Four. Alot. I was sorta excited to see the Silver Surfer on screen. However knowing how bad the first one was (which i still haven't seen) I was just a tad hesitant.
I tried to keep my expectations low enough as not to bring about my disappointment. However that was not humanly possible.
I've never been this bored in a comic book related movie. Hell I've never been this bored in a movie period. This was all around bad. I'm not even mad that they didn't make a good Fantastic Four Movie, I'm more pissed that they made a shitty movie in general. I want my ten bucks back. Seriously.
I cant put into words really how terrible this was. Good god that was awful. Comic book movies have to have a certain feel. This just made me feel violated.
Seriously marvel. Recast and Revamp. And please give me my ten bucks back.

Current Comic: Fell-Ellis
Current Music: Arctic Monkeys-D is for Dangerous, Tokyo Police Club-Citizens of Tomorrow

cast ye stones not at me.

2007-06-06T00:54:00.000-07:00

For a long time now I have been a Nintendo fanboy. Hell I've even been known to wear a Nintendo shirt on occasion (cause Im a nerd). However lately I've felt left out of the gaming circle, and craving a next gen console. For awhile there, it was going to be the Wii. It really was.
On the one hand I still really like Nintendo. Yet, today I broke down and bought a Xbox 360 (premium edition). Yes that's right, the basement has a new edition! The reasons I finally decided to go through with the purchase was the following:

1. Nintendo may be fun but i am SICK of party systems
2. Microsoft needs more money
3. GUITAR HERO 2!!!
4. Nintendo wont stop rehashing the same game over and over again. As much as i love Zelda, i don't love it that much.
5. It was two hundred dollars below cost.
6. PS3's are way to damn expensive (though i came close today to buying one for 700) its just too much to ask.
7. first person shooters and button mashing is fun.
8. Mario Sunshine. I mean really what the hell!?

These reasons may or may not be valid. But before you go off ranting and raving about how I'm a sellout, know this. I made an informed decision before buying it. And frankly I don't care.

On a couple of separate issues: This Saturday will be xbox 360 day. All are welcome. I promise chips and salsa and booze. Nothing more.
Two: I love my new job. I cant really believe i get paid to do this. Its awesome. But I'll say no more about it.
Three: I'm going to be updating less here. Mainly cause of a)work and b)I'm out of rants. Well maybe that's not true but I'm going to turn this slowly into just reviews and stuff. Maybe eventually I may even do a podcast.....but I've been promising that for years and not delivering. So dont hold your breathe. Or do. Its a free country.

Current Comic: Silver Surfer: Requiem-JMS
Current Music: The Killers-Bones
Current Next Review: Runaways-Brian K Vaughn

Mouse Guard Fall 1152

2007-05-30T18:36:00.000-07:00

So, its Lord of the rings meets the Knights of the Round table; but with mice. I cant exactly describe Mouse Guard any other way. Honestly I love these kind of graphic novels. When the creator, in this case David Petersen takes time to actually create a world with history and depth, you really appreciate the work more. I dunno maybe that's just my thing. In the Preface Petersen himself states that he got the idea as he scribbled down "Mice have a culture all their own. Too Small to integrate with other animals." And its the culture and way of life that perhaps is the most interesting aspect of this well crafted book.
I remember seeing the issues out on shelves and thinking to myself that's kinda cool. At the time though it was a little to out there for me. Wizard Magazine however kept pumping it out as one of the top ranked indie comics of the year. Fans seemed to generate a lot of buzz for it too. And where the fans go I go.
The one problem with creating a world with such depth is that you may feel a little overwhelmed. Certainly there was a lot of character development.
The plot stayed true to the fantasy genre. A lot of action and adventure. A lot of tales of heroic deeds and legends woven into enrich the culture. Territories mapped out and plotted with Tolkienian fashion. There's definitely history here. You feel that the Guard has been around.
Petersen wrote and illustrated this graphic novel. And Well the art speaks for itsself. Its really great stuff. Its a style I cant really describe. Cause again, the lack of art knowledge. So here's a shot that might give you an idea.
Now I ask you, how can you not love that?

Overall Mouse Guard Fall 1152 is a fantastic read as a collected graphic novel. Which is good, cause from what i hear you cant find these issues on the shelves anymore. However we shouldn't fret "Winter is coming". Which means sequels. Which consequently means a happy Dunning. It'll be interesting to see where Petersen takes his characters in the weeks to come. Along with what new obsticles the Gaurd will have to face. So if you havent already. Do yourself a favor and pick this up. You wont regret it.

Current Comic: Runaways Vol 2-Brian K Vaughn
Current Music: Eagles-Takin it easy

Criminal.

2007-05-19T17:15:00.000-07:00

I don't blog about comics enough on here (ha!). Oh sure, you guys know what I'm reading at this very moment in time. Yet rarely do you get to hear about what I have read in the past and have actually enjoyed. This all changes today. Try and contain your excitement.
As I looked to try to find the perfect thing to review, I found myself lost in an assortment of Marvel and DC history. Then I remembered who actually still reads this blog and choosing something from those two universes just didn't seem logical.
Still even all the "indie" comics that i could review, well I've already talked about them to death, so where does that leave me?
There's very few comics out there worthy of the fanboy hype. Certainly there are a lot of talented writers and artists. But are they really worth your time and money? Who to choose? Thankfully Ed Brubaker makes that choice easy for us. Ever since Brubaker, had taken over for Bendis on Daredevil I've been hooked on his writing. His style is very fluid and fits the Crime genre well. A lot of his work with DC and Marvel, have been seen with a detective backdrop; so its only fitting that Brubaker would give us the flip side of that element with Criminal.
Criminal Vol 1 "Coward" is not for the weak of heart. Its a dark read. How could it not be when its main characters are junkies, pimps and dirty cops? Yet amidst all the brutality of this world he's created there's a possibility for redemption. Where things are supposed to be black and white, Brubaker tints it with a shade of grey.
Criminal is a quick read, but an enjoyable one. You connect with the characters and their misguided motives. You begin to understand how they ended up in that world and why. A lot of that could be connected to the art.
Sean Phillips may not be the most polished veteran on the comic scene. I don't really know a lot of his work to be honest. Yet his style compliments Brubaker well. As many of you know I'm not really an art guy when it comes to comics. However Phillips does add to the story and helps bring you into the world in which they've created.
If you're the slightest bit interested in getting into comics but not necessarily superheros. Or if you have a interest in the crime genre. Or if you're simply looking for a good quick easy read, head down to your local comic shop and pick up Criminal you wont be disappointed. Trust me.

Current Comic: Mousegaurd-Petersen
Current Next Review: Mousegaurd
Current Music: Feist-My Moon My Man

Spiderman.

2007-05-12T23:25:00.000-07:00

Alright, so i just got back from Spiderman 3 tonight. Im split. I loved parts of this movie. Then there were some parts in this movie that made me laugh outloud and I really dont think i was supposed to. I guess that made it all the more enjoyable.
The action in this was pretty amazing. Venom was amazing. As was Sandman. There were certain aspects of this movie that really bugged me. Im not going to go on and on about this.
Overall it was fun. Nice visuals. Okay plot. But was it the best in the trillogy? Well Im not really sure i could crown it that. Its not that I went in with high expectaions and had them dashed. I was excited but not as much as I've been for other movies.
Anyway go see it and make your own conclusions. I can definatly see why people are saying that they crammed way to many things in. However in the end I guess its still worth the price of admission and thats all that really matters.

Current Music: Queen-We are the Champions
Current Comic: Criminal-Ed Brubaker

Does what ever a......

2007-05-04T23:28:00.000-07:00

So there's this little film opening up this weekend. Perhaps you've heard of it. Something about a Spider and a man. As a skeptic I'm really trying hard not to get my hopes up. But all the footage I see of this movie has the fan boy in me jumping for joy. I'm excited to see Gwen Stacey finally introduced into the franchise. Yet I cant shake off this looming feeling, that this may be another Revenge of the Sith. However I have more faith in Sam Raimi then George Lucas these days. Not to mention the casting for this just looks right. So "True Believers" (sigh) who will accompany me this Sunday or perhaps Wednesday to see this? Someone has to come with me as I geek out (and you know i will) for the web slinger. Look at that. It's already happening.

Current Comic: New Universal-Warren Ellis
Current Music: Something U2
Current Saturday: Going to go see George Carlin

Still cant dance.

2007-04-29T01:49:00.000-07:00

So. Tonight was Seana's B-day at the Foggy Dew. Happy birthday again Seana. Sharmilla and a few friends joined us later, and it was a lot of fun. However,
I realized tonight I still cant dance worth anything. People always tell me I can but obviously their perspective is slanted. Maybe I just needed more drinks and less sweaty guys bumping me every two mins. Though if i did drink more i probably would have ended up like that dude in the washroom throwing up everywhere. Classy. I still cant do shots either. Although I liked whatever that was. At least more so then others I've tried. I'm a lightweight what can i say. I've got play that funky music white boy stuck in my head now. So I think I am going to call it a night. The foggy dew was good times again. I dunno what it is. But that place doesn't suck.

Current Comic: World War 3-John Ostrander
Current Music: Tokyo Police Club-La Ferrassie

A Mixtape for ?

2007-04-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

I haven't done this in awhile, but i figure this is an easier way to show you all what I've been listening to as of late. I know none of you actually listen to the music i like. Still.......enjoy?

1. Tokyo Police Club-Cheer it On
2. Arctic Monkeys-Fluorescent Adolescent
3. Modest Mouse-Dashboard
4. We Are Scientists-lousy reputation
5. Bloc Party-I still remember
6. Arcade Fire-No Cars Go
7. Of Montreal-A Sentence of Sorts in Kongsvinger
8. Mika-Grace Kelly
9. Feist-My Moon My Man
10. The Shins-Sleeping Lessons
11. Final Fantasy- This Lamb Sells Condos
12. LCD Soundsystem-New York I love you, but you're bringing me down

Current Music: Feist-My Moon My Man
Current Comic: World War 3-Keith Champagne

Annoyances.

2007-04-24T00:06:00.000-07:00

And now a list of things I find annoying. Enjoy.

1. Meshing celebrity names together to make one stupid name.
2. The phrase in hockey "he's going to be serving two minuets or less" (how can it be less is there a penalty thats 1:55 that i dont know about)
3. The fact that im not a reality tv star
4. "The Fans call a penalty"
5. Having missed two episodes of Lost. Now i may actually be lost.
6. Trying to be clever when im sick.
7. Being sick.
8. the double edge sword of capatilism
9. Not being able to come up with more valid things to be annoyed about.
10. Endings

Current Music: Feist-My Moon My Man
Current Comic: Hellboy-Mignola

Its all in the cards

2007-04-19T00:42:00.000-07:00

So I ventured forth today in preparation to loose $20 bucks at the Riverrock with the Lugs Crew. The odds were not in my favor yet I was determined. On the sky train Tainted Love popped into my head, which shook my confidence. Not exactly a song to get psyched up with.
At commercial I made the mistake of eating at the local A&W as well. A mistake which I'm sure I'll pay for in full tomorrow.
As we arrived at the Rock, I was slightly optimistic. Yet still intimated by the tables. I decided to go with Jowen, and play the nickle machines. This was mistake number one, and twenty bucks was gone. I then took out forty more. As Gamblor reared his ugly head inside of me. Twenty was for the slots, Twenty was for black jack. At least that was my original plan.
However I lost another $12 on this Price is Right knock off. Which as far as I could tell, had nothing to actually do with the price is right. Stupid Bob Barker.
My frustration boiled over and I left that horrid machine. I found myself then at a five dollar black jack table, with thirty bucks to my name. I sat down and for once in my life I actually won.
In the end I came out with $108 bucks. So hooray me! I'll let you do the math on how much I'm actually ahead. Cause well, I cant do math. In the end I'm up. And that's really all that matters. Happiness is Go!

Current Comic: Fabels vol 5-Willingham
Current Music: Something Muse

Stuntman Mike

2007-04-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

So this weekend I went to see the double feature Grindhouse. I went with the Lugs Crew. Minus one of course. It was a good time. I ended up missing the canucks game, but when I saw the score I'm kinda glad i did.
Anyway I had been really looking forward to seeing Grindhouse and let me say this movie did not disappoint. Kurt Russel Still remains a badass and that was one of the best car chases I've seen in awhile.
Not to mention Rose Mcgowen with a Machine Gun leg. Well its just brilliant. There's practically no other way to describe it.
I was a little worried that it would be to gory for me. Even though there was a lot of disgusting crap in it, Id say overall it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be in that department.
Even the little trailer spoofs were great. Machete and Hobo with a shotgun. I seriously wish someone would make those.
Overall I think I'd say if you like this kind of genre then defiantly see it. However if you don't. Then defiantly stay away. Personally I cant see anyone not liking that. Stuntman Mike. Brilliant.

Current Comic: Runaways-Joss Wheadon
Current Music: Meatloaf-Objects in the rear view mirror

White Towel

2007-04-12T16:33:00.000-07:00

Its only game one and I am already sick of the playoffs. Seven periods of hockey is too much for any one fan to endure. I seem to be against the grain, but I didn't think the four periods of O.T. were all that exciting. I'm pretty sure that had I been actually at the game, I probably would have been torn; on whether or not I should actually stay or leave. However knowing my string of luck, I would have stayed and they would have lost. Thankfully that was not the case last night. But it still doesn't make me feel any easier about this series. This is going to go at least 6.
In other complaints. When bars give away free beer for the first goal of the game. It shouldn't be Miller Genuine Draft. That's a slap in the face to customers. Plus its just bad business all together. Then again, the only way you'll ever see me drink Miller is if and when its free. And I couldn't even bring myself to do that last night.
This weekend I'm off to see Grindhouse. So far the one person who I know has seen it, said its good. However its three hours. So we'll see how long i can maintain my excitement/enthusiasm for this movie. Its got Kurt Russel, so it has some potential there at least. Plus Rose McGowan has a machine gun for a leg! If that's not worth my ten bucks I don't know what is. I think for my next post I'll do a "book" review which I'm sure the majority of you will ignore.

Current Music: Bloc Party-Waiting on the 7:18
Current Comic: All Star Superman-Morrison

Im bored. So this wont end well.

2007-04-07T19:49:00.000-07:00

Im bored. I need more things to occupy my time. Actually i should be doing my final. But screw that Ive got two whole more days. The canucks sealed up third place and Im happy. I also had an interview this week. Hooray?
So am I the only one who is not on facebook? What is up with this thing? I dont get it. I dont want to get it. I dont think I'll ever join it. Yet people cant stop talking about it. Ha! I barely like the friends I have now, why do I need more pretend ones who I'll never see or talk to in real life? Okay that friends comment was a little harsh and unfair. Still I like to think my point is valid.
Facebook and myspace have become like a plauge. Its like Outbreak but without the monkey. And Morgan Freeman. I miss Morgan Freemans sage like wisdom. Maybe I'll go watch Shawshank Redemption. YOU HAVENT SEEN SHAWSHANK. You should. I also watched the Big Lebowski for like the hundreth time this weekend. Cause this weekend was all about the wacky fun. Wasnt I supposed to be in whistler? You all peed on my valued rug.

Current Music: Bloc Party-Blue Light
Current Comic: Buffy The Vampire Slayer-Wheadon

Talky talk.

2007-04-03T16:44:00.000-07:00

Well. I had my big old presentation today. As far back as grade seven, I remember having a giant fear of them. I don't know why really. I never used to be like that. Well today though was good. Or at least it was one of my better ones.
I still hate them and probably always will. I dunno why there's added pressure. But its there and its not going away. So i shut up like i always do and do something i don't like doing.
Maybe it was the class size this time though but for some reason i didn't suck as much. Maybe I'm just getting better at it. They all seemed to like my bad jokes. The dreaded ice breakers as it were. I dunno. But i think this might have gone well.

Current Comic: Iron fist-Brubaker
Current Music: Lilly Allen-Smile

You win this round conga line.

2007-04-01T01:28:00.000-07:00

Oh man. Im so going to pay for this in the morning. Stupid sweet nector of rum. Why do you tempt me? There should be a greek god for alchol. There was for everything else. God damn. Im to old to be doing this anymore. And now i have kung fu fighting stuck in my head. I'll have to admit it is indeed a little bit frightning.
My life needs to have more togas and conga lines. A line of any kind is a good thing except for when nature calls. And what pisses me off more than anything is when people piss on the seat. We have toliet paper for a reason people! Wipe it the fuck up.
Damn i love the foggy dew. Why dont we go there more often. Okay i say that now when im drunk but will I say it when im sober. Survey says yes. Stupid game shows. Oh god damnt. Im really out of practice with this whole thing. Why do all cover bands cover Bryan Adams? Not that im complainging, but come up with something original. And play more JOURNEY! I wont stop believing till you do.
Damn that wasnt even funny. I think i should go throw up now. OR sleep. Just not both. Good times!

Current Comic: Iron fist
Current Music: Iron Maiden

Blogging about nothing.

2007-03-23T02:22:00.000-07:00

Three more weeks. Then Summer. Hopefully no more rain. On tuesday and wednesday it snowed at sfu. SNOWED! Isnt it march? Arent we in spring? flowers blooming, birds singing all that crap? Global warmings a myth. It hasnt been warm in months. Im tired of it. When will it end?
Also. I've been on a real Decemberists kick. I wasnt really thrilled with the crane wife album when it first came out. However, over the last few weeks its become one of my favorite albums to listen to. Good bus music. I think if i had to rank the Decemberists albums for me right now it go: Crane Wife, Picaresque, Her Majesty the decemberists, Castaways and cutouts. For now thats really all I've been listening to lately. I have a few other albums but I keep forgetting about them.
Yeah. Thats about it. Smallvilles gone back to the suck. They take something with great potential and just ruin it. That shows wearing me down. Thankfully I still have Lost to keep me interested in tv. Until Heroes is back.
Anyway Id blog about other stuff right now. But Im going to do a bit of self censorship. Plus I need to start writing. So I think im going to go do that.

Current Comic: Buffy the Vampire Slayer "Season 8"-Whedon
Current Music: Decemberists-Sons and daughters

2am

2007-03-20T02:04:00.000-07:00

I have completed my essay. I have enter sandman by metallica stuck in my head. And now I leave you with a haiku...and now sleep.

Vile weed it is
potent smell doth it maketh
Old English is fun

Current Comic: Powers-Bendis
Current Music: Barbra Striesand-The Way We Were

300

2007-03-10T19:10:00.000-08:00

So I just got back from 300 with div. The verdict is that its good. Not perfect. I still liked it though. Id give it a 7.75 out of ten. Not quite an 8 mind you, but close enough. I think that visually stunning, would be the way to go. On the other hand its got some slow in parts. When Sin City opened i was immediately drawn in. This took awhile for me to get amped. I doubt it needed to be 2hrs.
This was a bit of a different movie, but then again its a bit of a different graphic novel. All that pride and honor talk can sometimes feel a little heavy handed and drawn out. Still there really wasn't a whole lot of dialogue in this movie at all, so I'm nit picking i guess. In the end this stayed true to form. And yeah was visually stunning. Will it win best picture. No. Will it be nominated for anything. I doubt it. I still had fun though. So for me it was worth the price of admission. So go see it, and come back with your shield, or on it.

Current Comic: Daredevil Omnibus-Frank Miller
Current Music: Carebears countdown.

Teachin.

2007-03-10T00:19:00.000-08:00

So today was a lot of fun. First the kids in my Language Arts class made paper mache mummy masks. Which was messy, interesting and hillairous. "My eye my eye" "his eye his eye". I guess you had to be there. Next in P.E. i impressed a few grade 8s with my mad hockey skillz. It was good to be in goal again, even if it was to stop a whiffle ball. But I guess what i was most happy with was that I could start to take a little control of the class. As the teacher wasnt actually there for the first bit. Kids seemed to respond, which was both nice and reassuring for the future. Things have been on the up. Still looking for that job. Hoping I get one soon. But we'll see. Really looking forward to Frank Miller's 300. Though the "visually stunning" reviews have me worried. I have faith though. Franks stuff is awesome and it was a good graphic novel. Speakin of I just bought his Daredevil Omnibus. Its like my 6th omnibus now. Damn essential comics. Oh well. Its Daredevil and Frank Miller how can i not buy it. Anyway I'll write a review of three hundred later. This better not suck.

Current Comic: 300-Frank Miller, Daredevil-Frank Miller
Current Music: Something Feist or Lily Allen

RIP Lucky

2007-03-04T23:38:00.000-08:00

You were a good cat. You will be missed. Apparently 18 years was a long life for you, but not long enough for me. Why must things die?

Current Comic: Runaways-Brian K Vaughn
Current Music: The Byrds-Turn Turn Turn

You took the words right out of my mouth.

2007-03-04T00:10:00.000-08:00

So I saw meatloaf last night. I had pretty good seats(not great but good). The opening act was okay. Typical female singer songwriter. Her voice was good but the clarity for the audio in the coliseum sucked. It didn't improve much until the intermission.
I guess the highlights would have to be: Paradise by the dashboard lights and Hot Summer Night. Meatloaf always has good on stage presence and actually puts an act on during the show. Which is sorely lacking in most concerts. I miss the spectacle of rock.
I hope one day that I'll actually find a karaoke place to do either of those songs listed above. Or any of his material really.
In unrelated news does anyone know when the labor day weekend is? See, I was in class the other day and I was listening to an author talk give a lecture. He was talking about his book and said he wrote it on the labor day weekend for some contest. So i thought to myself why not do that!? I'm going to try. However I'm lazy and probably wont. This seems like a good enough time to end this post. I'm not even sure why I started.

Current comic: 300-Frank Miller
Current Music: Meatloaf-Bat out of Hell

Comics

2007-03-01T01:56:00.000-08:00

Originally I was writing this as a best of review for 2006. Well I don't think that really applies anymore. Still I'm going to bore you all now with my comic recommendations. I'd be recommending these anyways but at any rate, enjoy?

Best Series:

1. Fables-By Bill Willingham

By far one of my favorites and quickly rising up my all time rank is Fables by Bill Willingham. It was nominated this past year at comic-con for an eisner, and won. Eisners are sorta the Oscars of comics. Stressing the stora here. In any case Fables is a well crafted bizarre tale. It encompasses all the old "Fable" characters such as the big bad wolf, snow white, etc and puts them into or rather exiles them into "our world". Now don't get the wrong impression here, its not a kids book. Though most people get that impression about comics these days but that's a digression for another time. Fables is well worth its purchase.

2. Invincible-by Robert Kirkman

This was a big year for Kirkman. His Walking Dead book is simply awesome, His run on Ultimate x-men is going good so far. Even though I haven't read it yet, I hear Battle Pope (yes you heard me) is an enjoyable (if not odd)read. However, hands down Invincible is by far his best work. I picked up the ultimate trades and I couldn't put them down. That rarely happens with me and trades. I always finish them, but never that quickly. It was a simple read mind you. Dad's a superhero from another world, son gets powers and has to grow up fast. However it is also a very and i stress the very entertaining read. I simply love this book and its a shame I have to pick it up in the trades.

3. Strangers In Paradise-By Terry Moore

I never thought id start a review off, with holy fuck shit! But holy fuck shit this stuff is good. Buy it! Buy it now! I had my apprehensions about it. However the Internet buzz was too much for me to overcome. This is one of the best non powered/indie books out there. In fact it might be my favorite. Terry Moore can draw better than most. Plus the way he crafts his story, consistently awesome. Sadly this series is ending forever. Yet that shouldn't stop you from buying the trades. I did it. So can you.

4. Queen and Country-By Greg Rucka.

Now I know some of you will love this trade, and some of you will absolutely hate it. If you're not a fan of gritty espionage, surrounded by well crafted storylines and characters, then this may not be for you. However, Rucka is one of my favorite personalities in the comic realm these days. His story telling is just solid. Queen and Country is some of his best work. There's really nothing more to say.

5.Daredevil-Ed Brubaker

Okay I know Daredevil is just a character. Its all just entertaining fiction. Yet why for the love of god cant this guy just catch a break. I feel bad for taking so much pleasure in seeing how much more twisted and horrific, Matt Murdoch's life will become. On the other hand I cant stop reading it. I was almost going to drop this title when I heard that Bendis was leaving. Brubaker's run however got me to love this character all over again. Daredevil may be my favorite superhero of 2006 which is saying a lot.

Events: DC VS Marvel

Civil war: I, like so many of us comic nerds and fanboys alike; had been psyched to see this come out. However in the past months and weeks as the storyline unfolded I became bitter and disappointed that there were too few highlights and not enough pay off. That's not to say its not good. It has its moments. It ended on a high note. However, then there was the delays. I think the 4 month delays were the straw that broke the camels back. Marvel really dropped the ball on this one.

52: Okay so I started out really liking 52, though not fully grasping what the hell was actually occurring in it. Not being a huge DC fan its hard for me to care about the minor character story lines, like booster gold. So I actually stoped reading about issue i dunno 10. Now I've gone back and reread all 42 issues thus far and the verdict is that 52 is outstanding. Not just good. Its hard to imagine that DC can pump out a comic once a week, without fail and without delays. Still have a great overall story arch. While marvel has continuous problems with crossover titles and release dates. 52 is making me see that Crossovers aren't necessary for big event issues. With 52 DC is slowly winning me over as a fan all over again.

Writers
1. Robert Kirkman
2. Bill Willingham
3. Grant Morrison
4. Darwyn Cooke
5. Joss Whedon

Artist
1. Darwyn Cooke
2. Mark Bagley
3. Terry Moore
4. Ryan Ottley
5. Alex Ross

My eyes hurts.

2007-02-28T02:19:00.000-08:00

I really should be sleeping right now. I didnt watch the Oscars. I really was only interested in two categories. Director and screenplay and I was happy with the result of each.
Heroes and Lost have been taking up a lot of my time. Last episode of Heroes has totally sucked me in. Not that i wasnt already, but cmon how good was that!? The verdict is still out on the Black Donalley's or whatever its called.
The Canucks still have me puzzelled. Why do we always loose to the blues? And why the hell did we pick up Sopel? Isnt that why we got Mitchell?
I havent been up to much other than essays. Went to Karaoke. Tried to do Roxanne, but it just wasnt the same. Im going to see Meatloaf this friday. Yeah you heard me. Meatloaf. Im a sucker for rock opera, what can i say. Speakin of rock opera, Tenacious D was last week. It was good too. Not really what i expected but well I dunno what i expected. There's a few more concerts i wanna see coming up too. I'll post more on those later. Also going to post the comic stuff tomorrow when im on break probably. If i have time and not passed out in the AQ like a hobo. Universities need more bean bag chairs.

Current Comic: Strangers in Paradise-Terry Moore
Current Music: Lily Allen-Smile

Going good.

2007-02-17T01:13:00.000-08:00

Im sorry blog. I've been neglecting you. Im back now though. Well at least for right now. So things have been progressing around here. Its been the third week of my volenteer hours for my pdp program. I think i'm starting to get the hang of what middle school life is like. I also like to think Im doing okay at it. Been told once or twice on occasion. Basically have 3 classes. 1 Gym 2 LA. The students are actually fun to be around. For the most part. And its just nice to be in a gym again. It's also nice to see the game of skittles is still used.
Not much else is happening. Schools getting busy again. My dad went and bought another golden lab. And apparently Ghost Rider sucks. Now im almost glad i was too tired to see it.
Speaking of comics. There's a convention coming up thats a prelude to Nerdicon down in seattle. Last weekend in March. If anyones interested in makin a roadtrip. Its no comic-con but still. COMICS!!! Speaking of Speaking of comics. I will post my thoughts on some series you guys should be reading. I've been meaning to do this since january. However no one takes my suggestions seriously. Nor do they (as in the people i know) read comics. Still come monday I'll post it. Anyway im going to go and write this essay. And do some reading. Later all.

Current Comic: Runaways-Brian K Vaughn, Strangers in Paradise-Terry Moore, 52 Weeks-Rucka, Waid, Morrison, Johns
Current Music: The Shins-Sleeping Lessons, Radiohead-Spinning Plates

Things of that nature...

2007-02-04T00:12:00.000-08:00

Well, here we all are. God what a horrible starting sentence. Anyway there is much to discuss. Well not really. Things have been moving...I don't want to say the right direction, but a direction nonetheless. This week was my first student teaching experience. Usually when I'm forced into new situations, as many of you can attest, I write them off with utter contempt for no apparent reason. Its what i do. However, I'm glad to say I actually really enjoyed this. It wasn't what I was expecting.
For starters usually when I'm forced to be in front of a room, expressing myself and some viewpoints. Well it doesn't go well. Anyone who have seen my public speeches in high school can confirm that. Yet this was different. Maybe its the fact that it was little kids. Maybe it was the whole "Mr. Dunning" thing. Maybe it was the fact that I got a round of applause after an introduction. Whatever the case I didn't make an ass out of myself. In fact, i like to think i did well. Not perfect, but good enough by my standards. So at least now I can start to get a feel for this teaching thing, with the knowledge that I can actually do this.
In other news. Probably less shocking. If shocking is the right term. I've started my quest for another job. So far it hasn't been bad. Yet produced nothing. Its still too early to tell though, but we'll see how it goes.
Now on to other filler. I've picked up a bunch of graphic novels this week, probably review a few after i get a chance to read em. I'll probably post some comic recommendations in the next week on here. Which will fall on deaf ear. Really digging the new modest mouse single. Really hating the new fallout boy. Interested in seeing Hannibal Rising if its not a gore flick. Going to see Tenacious D with div. "Indy" will win the Superbowl. Chitown will loose. Whedon is off Wonder Woman and so is all my interest in that movie. Anyway that be all. Keep on trucking?

Current Comic: Strangers in Paradise-Terry Moore
Current Music: Modest Mouse-Dashboard

RIP Jock

2007-01-26T18:31:00.000-08:00

You were a good dog. You will be missed.

Current Comic: Green Lantern-Johns
Current Music: Arcade Fire-Crown Of Love

Monkey.

2007-01-18T19:33:00.000-08:00

I could post about a lot of stuff right now. However, I think I will just leave you with one of my favorite youtube videos from the past year. I don't know why but it cracks me up

Current Music: The Dears-You and I are a gang of Losers
Current Comic: Fantastic Four Omnibus Vol 1-by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Frack you SFU

2007-01-10T20:16:00.000-08:00

Step 1. Build a campus on top of a hill.
Step 2. Add snow and ice and poor planning.
Step 3. Unleash hell.

Holy crap that was a nightmare. It took me an hour and half no scratch that two hours to get home tonight from campus. In fact I wouldn't have gotten home at all if it wasn't for the kindness of some strangers, who turned out to be some pretty cool people.
Basically at 5:30 they tell us that the buses have been closed down due to bad road conditions. My first offer for a ride home came from a person in my class which was cancelled. However her car is forever jammed in that lot. So she decided to stay up on campus. Then I waited down by the buses while trying to figure out what to do. Two girls started asking drivers for rides. They were refused twice by EMPTY VANS (assholes). Then I joined them in trying to procure a ride, finally someone stopped. who happened to be going to coquitlam and we hoped in. After taking an hour and half to get down the fracking hill. With one side swiped bus, 8 cars in ditches and about 12 other abandoned cars we finally got out. Dropped the girls off at the lougheed skytrain. One apparently is in my class, the second was her biology prof. And the driver and I seemed to know a few people being both from port coquitlam. On the way into poco we had to push an old lady's car well we didn't have to but did it anyway. I couldn't let another person be stuck tonight. Even further into poco the poor dude lost his front bumper, we both tried to reattach it before throwing it in the back seat. The rest of the way went smoother...thankfully. So yeah that was my fun time tonight. On the plus side at least now I know someone in my education class. And at least I didn't have to endure a four hour Canadian lit course. So some good came out of this hell.

Current Comic: Fables Vol 4 tpb-Willingham
Current Music: Simpson's Streetcar named desire musical-You can always depend on the kindness of strangers...

Huzzah...

2007-01-08T00:09:00.000-08:00

Today I was a little pissed that I was going to miss another Lugs poker night. I still want to go to the casino so if that is ever on and anyone reads this let me know. Anyway today while on break at work I decided to buy a scratch ticket for $2.00. I came away with 25.00 from that. So yeah, happy. This is probably the most I've won on one ticket, so I think it makes up for the poker. A little.
Also I've taken up to playing racquetball again. Mainly because I'm tired of being lazy and it gives me something to do on the weekends. Also i don't suck at it. However if anyone is interested in playing some racquetball during the week, either in poco at sfu let me know and I'll book us a court time. This is the second week in a row I've done racquetball and the rust is starting to wear off a bit...but i still need some work.
Finally I'd also like to try and go to a decent karaoke place at some point. Hopefully before Richard leaves, maybe this Friday or something even Thursday could work. Anyone who is interested contact me. Laters....

Current Comic: Absolute Kingdom Come-Ross and Waid
Current Music: Vanmega Almanac-2006

New Comp...

2007-01-03T00:02:00.000-08:00

So I just set up my New Comp today. So far so good. Installed most of the hardware, downloaded the latest messenger crap. Now comes the boring and pointless process of transferring everything from the old to the new...though I might just say to hell with that. And keep it all on the old. Its nice to now have a) no viruses b) massive amounts of memory c) in accordance to a) a virus protection that actually works. Still trying to get used to this new keyboard and mouse set up though. I'm sure it'll get worked around. Anyway I'm going to do some much needed reading and watch some much needed Battlestar.

Current Comic: Wolverine-By Frank Miller and Chris Claremont
Current Music: trying to find The Knife and see why pitchfork put them at number one of 2006

No more rum.

2007-01-02T01:17:00.000-08:00

Well I know I've said this before, but I don't plan on drinking for awhile. The Drought will probably only last up till my birthday. As someone who usually never gets hangovers (unless tequila is involved) this one was a bit of...well it was something . 1. Now I don't think I would have had this problem had a mickey been bought as requested instead of what was actually purchased. 2. I also regret that it has been documented and I hope those videos and pictures never see the light of day outside of that memory card. Although I do kinda want to see them. In all honesty though, the night wasn't all bad, it may have been stupid, but it was fun stupid. The bad was just trying to get up in the mornin...er...afternoon.....stupid drunkin fun.

Current Music: I dunno
Current Comic: Ultimate invincible vol 2-robert kirkman....

happy new year.....

2006-12-31T01:11:00.000-08:00

Just thought i'd say a big ol happy new year to all. Hope alls well that ends well for you. And I hope by 11:45pm Im at least half way to drunkville. I suppose eventually once I get my new comp all set up, that I'll make the standard 2006 review lists or something to that effect. Or I might not. I do have a lot of reading to catch up on. And no one really reads this blog anyway. So my opinion of 2006 doesnt really hold value. At any rate so long 2006, hello 2007.

Current Comic: Ultimate Invincible-Robert Kirkman
Current Music: something from the decemberists probably Craine Wife...

Horrible songs stuck in my head.

2006-12-20T00:43:00.000-08:00

I haven't updated in a while, mainly cause there hasn't been much to update. I figure I might as well give it a shot now. So things have been somewhat progressing. At least in terms of work and school. This semester went pretty good as far as marks and shit go. So my gpa is pretty much high enough now that I don't really need to worry about that part of the PDP acceptance. So its just a matter of finalizing my freaking degree and worrying about the other half of the requirements.
In Jan im going to be starting the volunteering end of it. So its going to be a little bit of a crazy semester. I really have no idea what I'll be doing. Just where.
In a topic unrelated to school. I've come up with the idea that the next time im drunk somewhere it be a good time to see if I can write a decemberists-esq song. It really shouldn't be all that hard. I could probably attempt one now but it wouldn't be as good. So I wont. In related music news I will probably end up posting my pics for the best of 2006 soon. In other related music news, I really don't like that John Mayer Your body is a wonderland song. It's been stuck in my head all day and its driving me nuts. Speaking of 2006 coming to an end. I was thinkin of having a new years party a bit early like say the 29th after 7pm as well that's the only day I have off that weekend. I don't even have it off really I just work until 7. If anyone's interested let me know.

Current Comic: Y The Last Man kimno Dragons-Vaughan
Current Music: Metric-The Police and the Private
Current Wish: I get my new computer before x-mas

A Justice League...but do I care...

2006-12-08T20:14:00.000-08:00

For a long time now Smallville has sucked. Thats no secret. Yet I've continued to watch trying and hoping that at somepoint, this show will become at least half decent. And for most part of this season it has. Introducing the Green Arrow was great. Jimmy Olsen I could have done with out. Even seeing a supposed Martian Manhunter was promising. Now I get wind that they'll be doing a Justice League episode. From what i can tell of this trailer the team consists of Flash, Green Arrow, Aquaman and what looked to be Cyborg? Oh and ovbiously Clark. Dont get me wrong. I'll still watch it. Seriously though it just isnt the same without Batman and Wonder Woman Involved. Or even Green Lantern fot that matter...

Current Comic: JSA-Johns
Current Music: John Williams-Jurrasic Park theme
Current Mood: Geekish

Saturday nights alright.

2006-12-08T02:20:00.000-08:00

Anyone want to do something Saturday night? Its my last exam during the day on saturday so friday will be spent craming. At least thats what i say. We'll see how it goes. Anyway let me know. Oh I refuse to watch the canucks anymore. Like Roger Nelson I place a white towel on a stick and raise it high. The team either needs to make a trade or score some damn goals. Then maybe I'll stop watching UFC and come back to hockey.

Current Comic: Fathom-Turner
Current Comic X-mas Wish List: Strangers in Paradise-Terry Moore
Current Music: Metric-Too little Too Late

The Maid Needs A Maid

2006-12-04T13:57:00.000-08:00

I've been listening to a lot of the new Emily Haines cd. Its really good. Doesnt sound much like a Metric album which is what i was expecting. Speaking of Metric looks as if they're playing the commadore on the 18th of next month. Anybody interested in puttin up with the hipsters and going with?

Current music: Emily Haines-The maid needs a maid
Current Comic: Powers-Bendis

Ffffffffffffffrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeddddddoooooommmmmm

2006-12-01T18:36:00.000-08:00

Thank god thats over. I really started to not really care near the end there. Now all I have to do is prepare for a couple finals this week and its all good after that. So yeah. I'll be living stress free for the next couple weeks. Well I still got to "work" but thats neither really here or there at this point. But as I said before all I plan on doing for the next couple weeks is catch up on: Battlestar Galagtica, Comics and some music. Oh and I might be fixing my comp up soon so any suggestions on how or what to get with that would be appreciated.

Current Comic: New X-men Omnibus-Grant Morrison
Current Music: Swan Lake-A venue called Rubella

This may not make sense. Cause you kinda had to be there

2006-11-26T01:27:00.000-08:00

First off let me say the concert was just awesome. I never really got into the stones until later. However they put on a hell of a show. It's twice I've seen them and each time im more impressed. Though I have a feeling this is going to be their last tour. At least for a while. Oh and Bonnie Rait or however you spell her name was just alright. Kinda boring really. So I wont be rushing out to get her cd anytime soon.
Now on to one of the funniest things ever to happen. I like to think Im generally a passive person (pussy really) I don't go looking for shit, I don't start shit. And there's very few things that will get my blood boiling to the point where I stand up for myself in any manner. This night was one of those nights that almost resulted in me fighting a drunk over the hill Frenchman.
It was me, my dad, and one of his rugby players. We were tryin to get out of the parkling lot at BC Place. Everythings going fine, till this jackass instructs his wife to try and cut into us. They weren't even in the two lanes that were merging. And clearly we had the right away. But this didn't stop the verbal exchanges. At first I stood back. Then finally when my dad boxed them out I look over and see the guy grab something. At first I thought it was a bat. And thought oh shit here we go. However it turned out to be an icescraper. So I wasn't all that intimidated when he came to the car. For some reason though he came to the backseat where I was and started swearing his drunk French head off. So I exchanged a few well lets say pleasantries. I wont repeat it cause it wasn't too nice. Then he said something to get my dad half way out of the car to which I thought he was going to get into a fight with the guy. But finally it ended with the guy denting the car door with his boot. The guy walked back to the car I got half way out the window and said some things I regret. Oh and we threw a snowball at him for our victory celebration. It sounds funnier if you were actually there. What can I say though the French get me riled up. The rest of the way home went on with out incident, but really who the fuck attacks a car with an ice scraper? God damn French bastards. AAARRRGGHHH.

Current Comic: Fables Volume 5 Bill Willingham
Current Music: Rolling Stones-Gimmie Shelter

Posting for the sake of Posting.

2006-11-25T16:07:00.000-08:00

I seriously hope I get at least one day off next week due to snow. Its snowing right now and that means the roads up to sfu are probably closed. Im hoping they stay that way. Its the last week of classes and to be honest with you all. Well lets just say that I've reached my breaking point. I think some of it has to do with the fact that Im so close to being done and out that well I just dont give a shit anymore. Im trying to do 3 essays for this week and prepare for finals. But my hearts just not in it. Maybe thats why I resorted back to the bottle last night. And by that I mean spent way to much money and drank way to much rum. Personally now Id rather have the money. But oh well.
In other news there's a few things I plan on doing once schools out of the way. 1. Find time to get caught up in Battlestar Galagtica 2. Do a podcast. The reason i've been hestiant on the podcast is well the one's ive listen to are way better than anything i can do. Unless drunk. They have witty banter and actual stuff to talk about. Im just one guy spouting off crazy theories into a mic. Do I really need that kinda hassel in my life? Probably not.
Well that'll be about it. Im off to see some ancient relics from a world long past. Actually im just going to see the rolling stones tonight, but its about the same thing really. I mean just look at keith richards and tell me thats not a relic.

Current Comic: Fables vol 3-Willingham
Current Music: The Rolling Stones-Street Fighting Man

too drunk till dawn

2006-11-25T02:00:00.000-08:00

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrruuuuuunnnnnnnnkkkkkkkk

me bareley type. me type good. good monkey shit. shit not good. god good. good god. room is spsinnnging
hahhahahahhahahha
bacardi. rum. rum good. vodka work of devil. also 80s music

where me am? puke now. sobere later. SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTONNNNNNNNNNNNES
ITS MORTAL COMBAT AND FINAL COUNTDOWN ALL INONE ME BITCHES. ME BITCHES LET ME COUNT THE NUMBRES. 12344555950-0334983304I9438947433083229-249248478934--2=-24984 HOOORAY. OH HOW I HATE YOU VIKRAM. YOU DID THIS TOO ME ON SOME LEVEL I HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE. castration anxiety is the anxiety of loosing the phallis and thats not good for anyone. 1 i hate you 2 i hate you all 3 i hate ecoli 4 water please for the merciless god of thor 5 praise asgard. 6 michale jackson 7. i hate you all. 8 look dude just pay the rent so i can get some tail. 9. ahahhahahahahhhahahahahahahah 10. bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbooooooooooooooooooooooyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
11. regret everyhing later

Money.

2006-11-16T00:12:00.000-08:00

Today I got a raise to $9 an hour.....Tomorrow the world!! And upon further review that joke was crap. Also today I figured out what the hell I need to do to get out of sfu. An end is in sight, and its not that far off. I may actually be going back there to do the pdp stuff but nothings for certain yet. So don't quote me. Not that I ever get quoted much. Come to think of it the only time YOU do quote me is in my insane drunken rants. Why is that? Come to think of it I haven't done a good old drunken rant in really long time. Maybe that's a good thing. Man Im really on my game tonight with this post. And on that note I think I'll end it.

Current Comic: Astonishing X-men-Whedon
Current Music: Same as yesterday

Sleep. Sleep my friends is for the weak.

2006-11-14T01:47:00.000-08:00

Its 1:40. And Im only on pg 2 of my stupid essay. This seemed like such a good thesis topic however comparing Marxist theory to Frankenstien is harder than I originally planed. Now Im stuck with writers block and Saved by the Bell's the College years theme song stuck in my head. I Guess I truly am standing on the edge of tomorrow today.

Current comic: Neil Gaimen-Sandman Vol 1 tpb
Current music: William Shatner-Common People
Current Semesters left at sfu: looks like 2 but I'll know by wednesday.

With Great Success.

2006-11-04T23:41:00.000-08:00

Today was a good day. I had recently bought a new Motorazr for $100 bucks and a new 3 year deal. Today when I was downtown, I stopped in at the fido store and noticed that it was now on for $25 bucks! Needless to say I got $75 bucks back. After much complaining.
My good fortune continued as I made my way down to check out Golden Age Comics, where I was able to track down some trades I've been missing out on. After that, I then managed to return the single Stones ticket for a full refund.
Feeling I've had some good fortune I decided to try my luck at the casino. I managed to walk away with $230 bucks. Like I said, today was a good day.

Current Music: Sunset Rubdown-Stadiums and Shrines
Current Comic: The Walking Dead Vol 1-Robert Kirkman
Current Movie Recommendation: Borat and Rebel with out a Cause

Oh yeah, I have a blog!

2006-11-02T00:03:00.000-08:00

I guess this update is a long time in coming. Well for me anyway. I haven't really felt up for blogging these days. For obvious reasons. That being said I would like to say thank you for everyone's support. I want to extend a special thanks to Vikram and Graham. They both know why and I wont get into it here. However that's not to say everyone's support hasn't been appreciated.
I had intended to originally title this post "Fuck you October" but then I thought about it more rationally. For a month that started out on such a high note, it all went spiraling down a lot quicker than anticipated. However I cant blame all my woes on October (that would be unfair and insane)these things just happen.
Im hoping that November will go a lot better. Starting with this weekend where I plan on either a)finding something to do downtown b)getting my money back for that single stones ticket or c)Going to see Borat. Maybe I'll just do all of the above.
There was something else I wanted to talk about, but its totally slipped my mind. Im sure it wasn't important. Anyway I might update again sometime, but I am not promising anything, so don't hold your breath.

Current Comic: The Walking Dead Vol 1-Robert Kirkman
Current Music: The Killers-For Reasons Unknown.

Go stone hands Go!

2006-10-06T00:44:00.000-07:00

I should be sleeping. Instead though im doing the stupid thing of trying to get ahead for my SFU shit for next week. This weekends going to be nuts. Relatives coming in for Thanksgiving. Wedding. Essay's. Work.
Speakin of work, there's a new "law" that's going to be passed or has been passed (I cant remember) about prepaying at night. Im happy. Though still little disappointed that its not longer and that it wasn't mandatory already. Personally I think the whole complaining of prepaying is fucking retarded. The only other business that I can think of that lets you get the goods and services before paying is restaurants. No other stores let you take the product then pay later. That isn't how the capitalist system works! At least to my knowledge which granted is very low. Man, gas stations are frustrating.
Speaking of frustrating Smallville's second episode aired today. And my excitement for this season goes shooting straight down to the gutter. Okay not all the way down, but nearly. Seeing Oliver Queen aka Green Arrow was pretty sweet. Seeing Clark getting "super breathe" also kinda cool. But having an episode revolve around a sneeze? Not so cool.
Other tv shit, Heroes second episode was great, a lot better than I expected. I suggest you all go watch. Go on. Go! Also, managed to catch Lost's premier which was good but not great. Im also pissed that I'll probably be missing BSG 3rd season opener ah well. Anyway Im going to go sleep. Go Canucks Go and all that. Good old stone hands is on pace to score 82 goals this season. If its half that I'll be a happy canuck fan.

Current Comic: New Frontier volume 2- Darwyn Cooke
Current Music: no idea

You had me at "Kneel before zod"

2006-09-28T21:08:00.000-07:00

Damn you Smallville. Damn you for suckering me in. Now I have to endure another season filled with corny lines, and Tom Welling's horrible acting. You're a show with sooo much potential. Yet you tedder on that boundary of greatness and mediocrity. However, I am such a huge Superman fan that I'll be willing to over look this. YET AGAIN! You got me Smallville. All ya had to say, was "Kneel before Zod"

Current Comic: Justice Leauge of America-Meltzer
Current Music: Feist-Secret Heart

Heroes.

2006-09-25T23:20:00.000-07:00

Okay. So I tuned into watch Heroes on NBC tonight. Now I wasn't sure if I really wanted to talk about it too much. However its either this, or reading more Socrates. I think the choice was obvious. Now I looove super heroes. I love hero mythology and yeah I get all fanboy, and geeked out about it. Infact I could go on and on and on, but don't worry I'll spare you. For now.
The point is I had heard some rumblings about Heroes for a while now. There was stuff at the con about it. A whole big panel which I didn't go to. There's been some adds in comics, but in all honesty I had no idea what it was about. Other than the hero part.
Now to get right to the point, overall it was good. However, there were a few things that kinda pissed me off. 1. This in my mind was built up to the "next Lost" and in so doing has come off looking like a poor mans version of it. Granted its only one episode in, but that's kinda how I feel right now.
Lost really grasped me into the show right away, and I can see Heroes taking a real long time to develop. Which isn't all that much of a problem I suppose. Just irritating.
2. It seems that part of the plot is going to be a whole meta comic with in a comic thing. It sounds more complicated than it is. And I guess its just another irritation to come. I like the fact that they're stories are situated in the "real world" and I don't really need that reminder of super hero's=comic books. Im not sure how impactful it'll be really and I'm ranting so maybe it wont irritate me as much as I think.
Like I said though. I thought for a pilot, it was well done. The powers were interesting. Overall the plot was good, I liked the impending doom factor. I will be following the series some more and if you can I suggest watching the replay tomorrow on NBC. Or atleast download it from youtube. Anyway that wraps up this post.

Current Comic: Moonknight-Huston
Current Music: Otis Redding-Mustang Sally

Title (im clever)

2006-09-25T14:37:00.000-07:00

Well now, that is to say, that was a pretty interesting day. There are parts of it that I look back on and think my god that was a fucking stupid thing to do. There's also a part where I think my god I could have been killed. Or at the very least seriously injured. I'd blog about it in more details but for those that weren't there, its kinda hard to paint that picture. Speaking of pictures I need to get those off someone.
Alcohol does bad things to good people. But I'll be damned if I don't love the stuff. However I think I stopped loving it after my 5th double that night. Why the hell did I keep getting doubles? All in all good times were had, im just happy I could a)stand at the end of the night and b) that I didn't puke. Vomit is gross.
Anyway I need to get that podcast up tomorrow. Or at least attempt to record it. Everythings in place. Im just being lazy.

Current Comic: Civil War-Millar
Current Music: Gnarls Barkley-Crazy

durnken dunning: stag

2006-09-24T03:41:00.000-07:00

I dont have a lot to say here im kinda wasted.

Current Drinks: too many to count
Current Rejections from chicks out of my leauge: 4
Current Mexican/Italian guys throwing me around:8?
Current song stuck in head from club: sexyback-JT
Current hope for tomorrow: that I survive tonight
Current comic: what the fucks that?

ch ch ch changes.

2006-09-20T23:54:00.000-07:00

Okay. I dont really want to post right now, but I might as well. I mean I havent done a post in a while. The reason being Im thinking of revamping this blog. Everytime I look at that sidebar, I roll my eyes in disgust. Yet do nothing. So as of now Im taking suggestions on what to do with this. They'll all probably fall on deaf ear though and I'll just do what I want. Or I might (and this is more plausible) do nothing at all.
Im also taking podcast suggestions. And trying to come up with an actual format before venturing further. That and I dont really have time to fit in right now. Anyway, any advice on what I should do with this pile of crap I call a blog, would be helpful.

Current comic: New Frontier volume one-Darwyn Cooke
Current Music: Mates of State-Think Long

links galore

2006-09-14T01:08:00.000-07:00

I was going to do some updates from this past weekend. I was also going to do a podcast. I instead ended up doing neither. Why? 1. Lazy 2. Too much school shit 3. I have nothing of interest to say in a podcast.
At any rate I still plan on doing one sometime. Maybe this weekend, but I've said that before. Im still looking forward to seeing the protector but I thought Id leave a list of movies with some actual plot and substance that I also want to see. So here's my top 5 and I'll leave it at that.

1. The Prestige
2. The Departed
3. Apocalypto
4. Casino Royale
5. Ghost Rider (it'll probably be shit)

Current Comic: Fables-Willingham
Current Music: something John Williams
Current guilty pleasure: The 1982 Fame TV Show

Things.

2006-09-10T01:16:00.000-07:00

Im tired. There was something I was going to ask. Oh yeah. Does anyone know some good Van Morrison stuff I should check out? Apparently he's opening up for the stones concert. I know one of his songs but I can never remember the title of it.
Anyway should be some interesting posts tomorrow. Also got the podcast to do still. Not sure what the hell its going to be about or anything yet but it'll be up.
Got to do some reading now. School's looking on the up and up this semester. So yeah check back tomorrow. Im going to go read or sleep. Probably the later.

Current Comic: The Dark Knight Returns-Miller
Current Music: You choose

Just say no to Fugly middleage biker chicks.

2006-09-06T00:03:00.000-07:00

So this customer comes in with her Biker bf today. They were arguing and bitching at eachother. Then she turns to me and goes "want a date". This was met by a large awkward silence as her bf with a tattoo of a dragon on his neck stared me down. I politely asked if there was anything else trying to change the subject. This was met with "The only catch is you'd have to do me in the ass". As you can imagine this was met with an even more awkward pause. Mainly because I was trying to keep down the vomit, as well as trying to think of a way to end this conversation. So I did what any good natured guy would do. I lied my ass off and said I was spoken for. She then said so was she but thankfully she decided to leave. With her angry Biker Bf. I then went into the back to vomit for awhile. Okay so that last part inst true. However the rest of it sadly is.

Current Comic: see below
Current Music: see below

Podcast Delay

2006-09-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

Well what a surprise. The podcast is going to be delayed for a bit. Im going to try and have it up by Thursday or Friday now. It'll depend on how bogged down I get with reading. Anyway I figured this would be good enough for now. So here now is some Stephen Colbert goodness.

Current Comic: Invincible-Kirkman
Current Music: My Morning Jacket-Lowdown

night markets are cool.

2006-09-02T00:52:00.000-07:00

Well. Just got back from the night market experience. I gotta say it was worth the drive. Getting to hear that crappy band play a incredibly horrific version of paranoid android was awesome. It made my night.
Also got to finally buy a copy of Battle Royale. I'll probably watch it tomorrow. Hopefully it'll live up to my expectations. Speaking of tomorrow. Im going to try and get a podcast up. Emphasis on try. Im not really sure about the program yet, but Im slowly getting the hang of it, so we'll see.
Anyway if I get a podcast up and running, I'll post a link here but hopefully I'll get it sorted out by Monday at the latest.

Current Comic: Invincible-Kirkman
Current Music: My Morning Jacket-Off the Record

Comic Con 2006

2006-08-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

Well here it is. Comic-Con. The reason for the delay was blogger was being a bitch. But anyway they're up now. Also if you want to see more of what Comic-con is like go here

Comic Legend Stan Lee

Marvel Editor in Chief Joe Quesada

Holy Fuck its Joss Whedon!!!

insanely Popular Marvel Artist John Cassaday

Comic artist Legend John Romita SR.

Popular artist John Romita JR.

One of my Favorite authors Jeph Loeb

great marvel writer J. Michael Straczynski

Marvel writer Paul Jenkins he's probably in my top 20 this year

Marvel Writer Greg Pak

Great artist Gabriele Dell'Otto

Current Wolverine Writer Marc Guggenheim
DC

Great DC writer Marv Wolfman

All time great George Perez. One of the nicest guys at the Con.

Hey everyone its Kurt Busiek

DC writer Mark Waid

Greg Rucka. Pick up his Queen and Country title.

One of my favorites Geoff Johns

Grant Morrison. His writing style is a bit askew but I still like it.

Artist Terry Dodson.

very good author Gail Simone

Artist Alex Sinclair. He did a sketch for me.

Writer Brad Meltzer. Gave me a book. It aint half bad.

Jim Lee. Perhaps the number one artist in the industry.

That is next to this guy. Michael Turner. Who is still my personal favorite.

Bill Willingham. Pick up his fables

Rosario Dawson. For those that don't remember she was in Sin City and Clerks 2.

Mike Mignola creator of Hellboy.

MUTHA FUCKIN SNAKES!!

Shit I bought

Shit I got Signed

What I thought of Amtrak!

Days off.

2006-08-29T00:51:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else out there find Glenn Beck really annoying? I don't know why I bothered to watch his show. Come to think of it I don't know why he has a show.
Anyway, its my last week of freedom. Its been a glorious four months of non productivity. It really has. But alas, I venture back to the hallowed halls of SFU.
I got my books last week or this week. No last week. Either way it saves me having to wait in line come Tuesday. I also replaced my library/student card after a semester and a half of not having one.
I think this weekend I'll be heading down to the Night market in Richmond. Atleast those were the initial plans. Im looking forward to going, being my first time and all. Maybe I'll buy some throwing Stars. It'll be the last line of defense for Petro Canada employees.
Isnt this post Awesome? Oh and speaking of awesome, I'll be testing out the podcast this week to see how a trial run goes. So I guess tune in for that. Well you don't have to. Anyway look out for the podcast. Oh and not that anyone cares but Comic Con pics will be up tomorrow finally.

Current Comic: see below
Current Music: something by the smashing pumkins

There goes one of the Greats

2006-08-28T01:02:00.000-07:00

Godspeed good sir. May Toronto treat you well.

Current Comic: Crisis on Infinite Earths-Wolfman & Perez
Current Music: Radiohead-Paranoid Android

Dun-Dun

Its just like starting over

Blogs.

Keeping ya'll updated.

Holy crap its been a month.

Batman.

Time off. Comics Movies. And Fight night.

Recently Me.

SFME

Concerts concerts concerts.

Welcome to the real world. It sucks.

What the hell have i been up to?

Back.

Black Mountain.

Born to run out of 8th place.

New Job.

These are the hangover days.

after quite some time we'll be who we were

The rest is still unwritten.

Canucks.

Dogs.

And we'll collect the moments one by one

Ladybugs.

Holy crap a years gone by.

Whistler.

Bye Bye money.

Five cds Im listening to now.

Sick and Sick of Bill Gates.

Christmas.

Victory is mine...sweet justice.

B.A Beardacus

Poco makes me sad.

Bone.

Arctic Monkeys.

New Pornographers.

New Pornographers.

According to online quizzes it could happen.

Which Entourage Character Are You?

wow.

The last one falls.

He fishes with a bow now.

Runaways Review

Transformers

Music recommendations

Cant put into words.......

cast ye stones not at me.

Mouse Guard Fall 1152

Criminal.

Spiderman.

Does what ever a......

Still cant dance.

A Mixtape for ?

Annoyances.

Its all in the cards

Stuntman Mike

White Towel

Im bored. So this wont end well.

Talky talk.

You win this round conga line.

Blogging about nothing.

2am

300

Teachin.

RIP Lucky

You took the words right out of my mouth.

Comics

My eyes hurts.

Going good.

Things of that nature...

RIP Jock

Monkey.

Frack you SFU

Huzzah...

New Comp...

No more rum.

happy new year.....

Horrible songs stuck in my head.

A Justice League...but do I care...

Saturday nights alright.

The Maid Needs A Maid