All those expectations

Hello, world.  How are you?  I’m still here and I think I’m fine.  Fine of course, is relative, but that’s another thing altogether.  A brief summation of things I’ve done/seen/been in the past little while.

Still unemployed.  Still working on finding that brass ring of a job.  Had two jobs with the Toronto Film Festival Group fall through.  I got myself really worked up over the second one, because they’d called me back for a job I hadn’t even applied for, which is, y’know, generally a really good sign.  Very frustrated when I got the call that they’d “gone another way”.  It seems that everyone is going another way these days.  Props to Neil for helping me out with some work from home (database creation!  alright!  yeah!  okay.  whee.  fun?) so that eventually I’ll have some money.  And maybe more marketable skills that people can be impressed with (and then not hire me, because that seems to be what happens).

The band is still going well.  I’m still not sure what we’re called.  We were Sixes (after being Aim Low, Angel) and we might soon be Fire Engine Fire, which I guess is a name.  I’m done arguing with the rest of the guys, I just reserve the right to veto names.  We have a gig coming up which is a benefit for “below the waist” cancers.  Details are here.  Tickets are $15, but like I said – it’s a benefit for cancers, and there’s going to be a magician and a comedian and stuff too.  So that’ll be entertaining.  Oh, and it’s in Whitby, of all places.  Also, one of our guitarists (I hate to say lead guitarist, because both Paul and Paul play “lead” parts) is moving to Cambridge (specifically to Queenston Road – like three blocks from my high school) in September, so we’ll see how that bodes for the band.

I went and saw the Dark Knight on opening day (at three in the afternoon – I’m not that crazy) and it was phenomenal.  I think I promised a review to some people, but I’m going to leave it until after tomorrow – when I’m going to see it on IMAX.  Booyah.

I’ve got a few new albums recently, the real standout being Spiritualized’s Songs in A&E, which I listened to on repeat last night about six times in a row.  From about 10:30 pm to 3:45 am.  Why so long, you ask?  I was playing poker (on PokerStars) and had entered a $2.02 tournament.  The poker gods were smiling on me, because I ended up finishing in fifth place (out of 894) to win $142.75, which is a rather good turnaround, if you ask me.  Suffice to say, I was pretty exhausted by the end of it, and probably could have finished higher than I did, but made a bad move on the last hand.  Ah well.  I’m still quite happy with my showing.

I’m sure there’s more I should write, but it will come later.

Retour. Return.

I went to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull on Sunday, and I have to say, it was exactly what I expected it to be. It was fun. It was fast-paced. It was a little silly. But at the same time, it was awesome. I had a good time, and don’t understand why people are complaining so much about it not “staying true to the old movies.” I’ve got news for you: The old movies (while fantastic) were not works of cinematic genius. They were meant to be pulp-y, serial style films that would often choose the cheesy joke over the subtle one.

Regardless, it was ten times better than the National Treasure films combined with the Da Vinci Code.
Speaking of returning, I’m thinking seriously about going back to school in the fall/winter. Probably winter. I’m looking at Humber’s Broadcasting – Radio program, because it’s something that always interested me, and I feel like it’s something I would be good at. I’m starting to get a little scared, because apparently they only accept 20-25 people into the winter program. It’s only two semesters and finishes with a work placement. I know someone mentioned they knew someone in radio, and I could probably start to do some interning, but I can’t remember who that was (I have some ideas, but am not sure.) If it was you, let me know. EDIT: It was Sam, apparently.  I suck at memory.

The job hunt is still blah. I have a job lined up with BMO Mastercard that starts on the 23rd, working in their call centre. But I don’t really want to do that, now do I? Other things have come up, and seem to be going places, or not going places, so I’m just waiting. Another interview tomorrow in the morning. We’ll see how that goes. Also, the government is frustrating me, because I’ve been out of work for nearly two and a half months and have yet to see dollar one of my EI. Not that I believe I should be living on the government dole, but that I’ve helped to pay for this service and should be able to benefit from it. And that I’m broke. With a capital BR.

The band (Sixes) played our first gig two weeks ago. It went pretty well. Thanks to those who attended. We’re going to try to get something booked for the next two weeks (our drummer leaves for a month in Japan on the 23rd) so keep your ears peeled. There’s still rumblings about changing the name again. I’m done with those games. The band is called Sixes. Done.

new country song

if i told you a secret
if i told you a lie
would you hold it?
would you keep it alive?

if i were a rich man
i’d do all i could
just to rub it in
like you know that i would

i know that it’s easy
and i’m sure that it’s fine
it’s a circumstance
it’s a chance to be

i know it’s not perfect
but i know it’s divine
that it’s better than
i could ever be

and i’ll swing for the bleachers
i’ll play for the crowd
just to see them smile
just to make it

and you sound like we sound like everyone
and we’ll finish and we’ll see what we’ve done
and you sound like we sound like everyone
and we’ll finish and we’ll see what we’ve done

if i told you a secret
—
there are three more verses, but i’m still making it up as i go along… we’ve been playing this one for about a month.  dave (our bass player) basically keeps goading me as to whether i “have anything” to bring to the band.  i came up with a chord progression on the spot, and just started putting this together.  i think it’s the best song i’ve written.  so simple.  i really like it, and the rest of the band does too.

I was having an excellent day…

…until I got to work.  Seriously, I was listening to Abbey Road on the streetcar, and just as I got off the car to walk the block and a half to the office, it was right in the middle of the medley.  On comes Golden Slumbers, and the part where the chorus hits just… hit me.  It was like that feeling of joy and pain and elation washed over me, and I smiled.  I smiled on the corner of Yonge and Melinda Streets.  And I kept walking, and the music just got better and better.  That album is perfect.  Sure there are pops and crackles occasionally, and one could argue that I Want You (She’s So Heavy) goes on just a little long, but I don’t think that argument could stand up to any argument about the medley that closes the album.  Those songs fall together seamlessly, effortlessly; it’s like they weren’t even separate songs.  I think when I was a kid I thought it was all one really long song.  I loved it then too.

 Then The End finished, and I was at my office door.  I kept my headphones in and listened to Her Majesty while I took off my coat and hung it up.  And then I sat down at my desk, and realised that I’m here, and I don’t want to be here.  Thankfully, I won’t be here ever again.

Now… if only I could do something about that little “unemployment” issue I’ll have in the near future.

Like a jigsaw…

The pieces are falling into place for band number two (or three, if I count mine and John P’s on-again, off-again, project.  thought really it’s never quite been ‘on’) which should be awesome.  Me on guitar and vocals.  Adam on bass and vocals.  Neil on the hand drum (and various noisemakers as necessary).  All 80s (or classic fun pop) all the time.

 Band names, song ideas, and various other tips are welcome.  We’d like to start gigging around TO in the summer.

As for the other, actual band, things are going well.  We’re trying to get some actual songs together.  I’m realising I’m not really much of a lyricist, and I’m not good at writing stuff down.  I don’t know how that’s going to pan out.  I always feel like when I sit down and write something down intentionally, it takes some of the life out of it, which is never good for the rock (and roll).  For now, I’m still sort of freestyling and seeing where things end up.  I have a lot of ideas that I keep reusing, and a lot of them seem to be working well.  I wouldn’t say that the songs are really cohesive or have deeper meanings or anything.  They’re actually a little dada-ist to be honest.  Well, not really dada-ist, as I’m not assembling things in a truly random fashion.  I just say what comes into my mind.  At the coda of one of the songs (3122 Disco) I sing “send the cavaliers/to the shoreline” which doesn’t really mean anything, but sounds good when sung with passion.  With our latest song, we were joking about Terrence & Philip in the South Park movie, and the remix for Uncle Fucka, and I just started singing “thought I told you that we won’t stop/I thought I told you that we won’t stop” over and over again at the end.  And in a weird, surreal way, it worked.  When we re-visit it this week, it may not be as wonderful, but it’ll be a start at least.

math, math, math, mathematics! (times tables turn)

I’ve always loved Spookey Ruben, particularly the song Born on Labour Day (Mathematics) for obvious reasons.  Something about his meticulous songcraft that just appeals to me.  The thing that really frustrates me is his intermittent nature.  His first album (Modes of Transportation, Vol. 1) came out back in 1995.  I’ve had it since ‘97 and then spent four years waiting for the follow up(s), 2001’s Bed and Breakfast, which are both fantastic in their own right.  It was like his very own Use Your Illusion.  Only funny.  And good. 

 As early as 2003, I started seeing posts on his webpage for an upcoming album, The Mind is a Messed Up World, which I’ve been quite excited about for some time now.  It still has not come out.  Spookey’s website (linked above) lists a Spookey <3 Shauna remix EP that was supposed to come out on February 14th, and a new album, entitled Mechanical Royalty (pretty sweet title, I’d say), due March 22nd, 2008.  I’m confused, annoyed, worried, scared and so, so excited that there might actually be a new Spookey Ruben album within the month.

That being said, try as I might, I can’t find the Shauna EP, which was supposedly released three weeks ago.  Methinks things do not bode well for the new album.  Again.

This was probably completely uninteresting to you, but I’m trying to find my writing style again (I used to have one I swear) and I think the best way to do that is to just write about whatever it is that pops into my head.

We want cake!

It’s amazing how happy a children’s album can make you.  Such is the case with They Might Be Giants‘ new album Here Come the 123’s, which is, of course, a follow-up to their 2005 album Here Come the ABC’s.  Both make me happy, but the songs on 123’s seem to be a little better written than the previous album.  I can never get enough TMBG, and I really hope they make their way up to Toronto for a show while I’m still living here.

 At some point, I’ll write something worth commenting on.

Liars – Liars

I’m not entirely sure why I waited ’til last night to finally buy this album.  While there are a couple tracks I could do without, the standouts are head and shoulders above what they accomplished on Drum’s Not Dead.  Melody is really at the forefront on songs like “Houseclouds” and “Sailing to Byzantium”.  It’s really quite awesome.

 The snow outside is kind of insane right now.  Sam’s trying to make it back to Elmira right now, and while I trust her skills as a driver (better than my own, for sure) I still feel a little worried.  I’m going to meet her in Kitchener via Via, which is always fun.  The plan is to head out tonight with her friend Caitlin who’s back from Taiwan to visit, then out tomorrow with both sets of parents to see Double Impact (my 5th grade teacher’s band) and have an excellent dinner.  Sunday will involve Superbowling (that’s when you bowl twice as hard, and twice as fast, right?  Kind of like speed golf?) and relaxorz in general.

The odd thing today, was getting off the subway at Onion [sic] Station and running into Sheena, who I haven’t seen since graduating high school back in ‘00.  We chatted for a little while and agreed to meet for coffee or a drink some night after work.  We’re going to try to re-assemble entertaining and fun people via facebook (which I would be doing now, but I can’t access at work) and try to make an “event” of it.  Should be an interesting endeavor. 

 Also, I’m not a huge fan of the New Pornographers, but they’re playing with Okkervil River in April, and I think I’d kind of want to go see OR again.  They rock pretty hard (and pretty soft, if the mood finds them) and are a force to be reckoned with.

 I’m sure at some point, someone’s going to ask why I’ve started a new blog.  That is, if I ever tell anyone that it’s here.  I think the reason is that I just got tired of the “black-and-grey-sad-emo-kid-livejournal” format and couldn’t be bothered to edit everything.  I’ll probably still read my friends page, it just seemed like a good chance to start over.  Maybe try to do some real “writing”, which I haven’t really done, but whatever.

Opinions

Things I have opinions about (a list):

Music (especially good music, which I like, and bad music, which I dislike vehemently)

Movies (see Music)

Politics (though it’s tough to make an over-arching statement regarding such a debacle)

Television (see Movies and Music, with the exception of a lot of reality programming, which is bad, but I like, or at the very least tolerate just to feel better about myself)

The Internet (oh great waster of time, we bow to your network of tubes!)

Specifics (things I have enjoyed in the last little while):

The Magnetic Fields – Distortion

Battles – Atlas

No Country For Old Men

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

M.I.A. – Kala

Pulp – Different Class

Juno

/film

xkcd

There’s lots of other stuff, but we’ll leave it at that for now.

at a new beginning

we just find decay.