En Aytch Ell

How many NHL franchises can you name in 5 minutes? I got 25 out of 30, which I think is pretty decent considering I only pay attention to one team (and very little attention, since they suck.) And whats with their new jerseys? My vote is that they use the vintage jersey as their primary from now on.

Anyways, many many moons ago I linked to a webcomic called FreakAngels, saying I hadn't formed a real opinion about it yet. Well I think 31 episodes is enough to form an opinion, and I have. A good opinion. I really enjoy the art, and I'm excited to see where the story is leading. So go check it out if you haven't.

If you're interested enough in my life to care what radio station I listen to, it is Rock 97.7 fm (The best new rock and killer classics!) Follow that link and you can have a listen, and even find out what's going on in my new hometown. I've met some of the DJs (Cliff Kriz and Raff Papaianni), and they're a blast. The morning show is prolly the best, but I'm never up before 11:00 anymore.

Nada

Once again it's been a long-assed time since I blogged. I guess you could blame it on me not having a lot to say, but that's never stopped me before. I have been busy, but not that busy.

I Don't have much to say right now, and I've already wasted half of the day doing nothing. So I promise that I will have a new blog post 1 week from today (barring any unforeseen circumstances) with something interesting to show you or tell you.

Until then, please take a moment to browse my other blog, which is unfortunately in a state of disrepair. But at least it updates almost every day.

Sweary

I keep having these really long breaks between blog updates, I guess because I've been kind of busy lately. It's been a rather long and stressful few weeks, and I'm broke as hell so that's not helping.

I don't really have much to give you guys right now. So how about a rant?

Have you heard that song "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock? What the hell is that all about? I know that most of these narrative type songs about the musician's younger days aren't true at all. But at least when the late great J.C. sings about pickin' cotton or going to jail it's plausible. Then again, he did pick cotton and go to jail (if only for a short time). Kid Rock claiming he was camping by the lake in 1989 listening to 'Sweet Home Alabama' and dreading the end of summer, however, seems much less believable. Especially since in 1989, at the age of 17, Kid Rock was signed to a RAP LABEL. I doubt he cared about "when the leaves begin to change" living in Detroit and rapping about performing oral sex.
The girl in the video for the song, supposedly aged 17, looks like a prostitute. In fact all of the 'teenage' girls in the video seem really oversexualized, never mind the boatload of strippers that mysteriously appears in the video. Is there a Kid Rock video that doesn't have strippers in it?
All of this would probably piss me off less if he wasn't taking some seriously good rock songs and butchering them. I don't care if Lynyrd Skynyrd approves, or the estate of Zevon. Those are awesome specimens of PURE rock, and they've been hacked apart to be used by some no-talent jerk. Seriously? Who rhymes "things" with "things"? In the chorus of the fucking song?! GAH!
Okay, cooling off now. Kid Rock, You are not from the south. You are not a Rock & Roll Jesus. I don't care how much Hank Williams Jr. likes you, you aren't a cowboy, or a rebel. In the words of Hank Williams III;
"Just so you know, so it's it's set in stone, Kid Rock don't come from where I come from: Yeah, it's true, he's a Yank, he ain't no son of Hank: If you even thought so, god-damn, you're fucking dumb."

And so I will leave you with a real rock song, as written by one of the best rock bands ever, performed by a real rock band (and a modern rock icon).

One Star At A Time

I guess it's been a while since I updated. Been busy, you know how it is. I've pretty well clinched a job at a Casino, though, which is pretty exciting. I'll be gettin' my dough from the High-Rollers, bonafide hustlin'. Pfft, yeah right. Still pretty stoked about it though. Apparently the tips are mad money.

Say you're involved a sword fight. What are you fighting with? Swords, of course. How about a gunfight? Guns seem like the most reasonable answer. A fistfight? Must be fists. So what were these guys fighting with, and how did someone lose a hand?

Hexiom Connect has stolen my soul! I'm not even joking. I see it when I close my eyes at night. Play, but be warned.

I'm sure by now everyone has heard of the Reel Geezers. I found them a few weeks ago but forgot to mention them. I absolutely love their perspective on modern movies, and it's funny how sometimes their opinions echo my own. I particularly enjoyed their critique of Superbad, but all of their stuff is pretty good, so go check 'em out.

And speaking of movies...

Pineapple Express (2008)
I pretty well loved this film. Most of the stuff that Judd Apatow has been involved with is pretty funny stuff, but none of it has made me laugh like the first 40 minutes of this movie. Seth Rogan, appearing here as Dale, is as funny as always. I've never seen James Franco in anything but a serious role, so I was a little worried about his performance in this movie. Thankfully he surprised me and was totally convincing and hilarious as perma-fried dope dealer Saul. My favourite part was probably the fight between Dale, Saul, and Red (played by Danny McBride). As far as plot is concerned, it got a little stupid towards the end, and if you don't like drug humour you're gonna hate this. Also it was a little violent, a lot more than I expected. But It was funny all the way through, and I really recommend that you see this flick.
(My Rating - 4 out of 5)

I'm going to end today's post with a video. Any Canadian should know these guys, but I was shocked to discover I don't actually own anything by them. Here's "Bobcaygeon" by The Tragically Hip. I remember hating this song when I was a kid. Kind of funny how your tastes mature with you... If you like this, and you've never heard it before, check out their song "Ahead By A Century"



P.S. I've uploaded a bunch of pictures on my Flickr account that I'm rather proud of, but won't be appearing on the other blog. Please, go have a look at them. It will make me feel good.

As Much As I Ever Could

I was watching COPS earlier this evening and this guy who had been shot exclaimed "This is all because of that bitch!" as he helped an EMT apply a bandage to the bullet wound in his own head. As I type this, I realize it doesn't seem as funny, but at the time I laughed like a fool.

Since I started my daily picture project I've begun to appreciate fine photography (and photography in general) a lot more. Brian has a photoblog called A Bag of Rocks. Brian takes pictures with his cellphone. Some of Brian's cellphone pictures are better than anything I've ever taken. Follow that link to see Brian's work, and maybe drop him an email and tell him to update.

Continuing on the subject of photography, Dark Roasted Blend is full of weird and wonderful things including some amazing photographs, but this collection of spiderwebs in particular caught my attention.

Last but not least in the vein of photography is Sexy People. I think it's inevitable that people will laugh at today's portraits in the future. I already regret my hair/clothes/smile in some of my school pictures. But who cares? That's the future. And god put goofy looking people on this earth to make us laugh.

Actually, one more thing that kind of fits in this category. MSN just did one of those 'Celebrities Then & Now' deals. I really liked the baby picture of John Travolta. And could they have used a more Jail-Bait picture of Brooke Shields? Holy Hell!!!

In the words of the b3tard who posted it, It's Intensely Annoying Japanese Game Time! "This Will Frustrate All!"

Does this belong in the photography category? I'unno. It's fun, at any rate. Cake Wrecks is a blog of cakes made by professionals, all of which are crappe. Look for the one designed by Malki ! though, it's a gooder.

Book review time! I decided I'd better read a book before I forgot how, so I went for the old standby, Stephen King.

Needful Things by Stephen King (1991)
The standard King fare, small-town goings-on and evil-doings, but fun to read, which is why I keep going back to him. Not my favourite novel by far, not even close to my favourite King novel (that title belongs to 'Salem's Lot, one of the only pieces of literature which scared the bajeezus out of me). I suppose the 'main protagonist' would be Sheriff Alan Pangborn (like most of his work the narrative comes from a number of viewpoints) but I didn't particularly like his portion of the narrative. Really, I preferred the Barney Fife-esque deputy Norris Ridgewick. I also enjoyed the character Leland Gaunt, the main antagonist. He had some really great dialogue, much of which was hilarious and totally inappropriate to repeat here. Overall the plot was good, I liked the idea of Mr. Gaunt playing the townspeople against each other, but I think his omnipotence was a little overplayed. I also didn't like how, as soon as he was defeated, the spell was lifted and everything sort of went back to normal. I found that a little bit 'fairy-tale-ish'.
(My Rating - 3 out of 5)

Now how about a movie review?

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
The first Hellboy film is one of my favourite movie adaptations of a comic book*, and I was told that the 2nd installment was even better. Frankly, I was disappointed. I actually considered walking out of the theater a few times. I guess I'm glad I didn't, but I still wouldn't say I liked this movie. Some parts were actually good. I liked the scene where Red (as portrayed by Ron Perlman) battled the Forest Elemental. The conflict of emotions (destroy the elemental, the last of its kind, to save both loved ones and strangers) was something you don't usually see in a flick like this. I also enjoyed the Angel of Death, not the scene itself, but the depiction of Death Personified. Visually speaking this movie was actually quite astounding. I liked most of the characters in this movie, including new additions Johann Krauss (whom I just learned was voiced by Seth MacFarlane) and Prince Nuada (but whats with the creepy incest vibe regarding his sister Nuala?). However, I wouldn't say that the characters and the handful of good scenes made up for the crappe. Such as the Troll Market. Mos Eisley Cantina anyone? That goblin dude with no legs was ridiculous too.
*(I have decided to no longer use the phrase 'Graphic Novel').
(My Rating 2 out of 5)

Heck, I'm on a roll here. Let's end with an album review.

Bring Me Your Love - City And Colour (2008)
If you've never heard anything by City and Colour, please make an effort to do so. Dallas Green (city and colour, get it?), also of Alexisonfire, has a really awesome voice. He's the only reason my wife agreed to see Alexisonfire in concert. Anyways, I've already listened to this more than Green's last release, Sometimes (2005). A lot of people I've discussed the album with complained about its low production quality, but the fact that it sounds like a basement recording is part of why I find it so endearing. There's not a track on this album I don't like, but I really enjoy "Sleeping Sickness?", featuring Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip. "Against The Grain" is also nice, and has a folksy, Bob Dylan-esque vibe. Really, it's all good. This album has a really great, mellow vibe. If you just feel like chilling out, put this CD on and burn some incense and watch your goldfish swim around or something. Keep in mind, it's not exactly a 'pick-me-up' album. My wife made me switch CD's the other day because this was 'too sad'.
(My Rating - 4 out of 5)

bing bong

So I'm back. From outer space? Anyways, we now have Internet access at the new place, so updates will continue at their regular rate. As for now, just a short update to tell you that I survived my wedding. It couldn't have gone better (except for the trains going by during the ceremony). everything actually went according to plan, there were no fistfights, and no one had to call an ambulance. I managed to not get terribly drunk, though I did split a bottle of zinfandel with my 85 year-old grandmother. Eventually I should have some pictures to show you.

That's all for now. Expect the usual fare next week.

Until then, keep your stick on the ice.

!

I Still exist! I may be updating again in the next week, but chances are slim. Regular updates should resume in the begining of next month. I'm getting married on the 16th, wish me luck!

P.S. The photoblog is updated, please go check it out.