| (no subject) |
[Nov. 24th, 2009|10:50 pm] |
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Being back in the city was fun. Though i came back with what i believe to be a fractured rib, the rest of the trip had be doing everything i wanted to and seeing all the folks i needed to. Since i've been back though, i've been laying pretty low. The main reason is due to me just trying to save as much money as i can and oddly enough, i've gotten my spending down to less than 30 bucks a week it seems. I just figure with the weeks counting down, i've been spending too much time enjoying myself and not really banking anything. Yes, it's been rather boring and yes, living under the roof of the folks has been a bit too much at times, but i've been using my downtime to my advantage. I'm trying to keep up with my excercise and have started taking things a step further by adding some jogging into the mix, which i'm actually enjoying alot more than i was expecting. The progress has been actually quite unbelievable. After only a few sessions i've gone from being out of breath, having to take various rests, lots of coughing afterwards etc. to being able to run lengthy distances without breaks or stopping once and STILL feeling like i can push myself to do more. It's weird, but i'm really starting to get a kick out of this healthy living thing and at this rate, i'll be in even better shape than i was this past spring/winter. Aside from that, no concrete plans for the near future. I've been accepted for school, will go for my driving test in a couple of weeks, am planning on releasing a new record on my label and will hopefully be back to Toronto to stay for a longer visit and see the people i didn't / wanted to see more of last time around. For now, i'm still doing the countdown. |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 28th, 2009|07:33 pm] |
Every muscle in my body is aching right now, mostly a combo from alot of the use my body has been getting in the past while i suppose. My new job has been pretty physically demanding and along with more drums and lots of exercise, i'm feeling near wiped at the end of the day and would rather nothing more than to lie back and watch some of the shows that have become new favorites since i've been back. I think i can stand to get through the next couple months before i split and take on a new different way of living yet again. Too much adjusting.
Back to Toronto in a couple of days. Many coffees, good people, welly darks, bands, record shops and breakfast joints to see. |
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| (no subject) |
[Sep. 18th, 2009|05:43 pm] |
I've been keeping myself occupied with this and that, still waiting to hear on school and failing that, seeing what i can pull out of my ass for work depending on my uncle's "contacts". Either or, things will be getting away from this lull in the next couple weeks i'm thinking. Paychecks have stopped rolling in and sadly i'll be spending the next two weekends with little dorks at drivers ed, so i doubt that i'll be making my escape from town anytime soon. Still, i might be able to save myself for a few days. Things would be much easier if i was already situated.
I discovered a few weeks back that my long time partner in crime George has been back in truro for sometime now, but only got to meet up with him for a bit last week. Catching a free ride to the city with my brother on Sunday, i decided to stay til then in truro and get caught up with my long time best friend. Really was a great night, sharing stories, a few drinks and more laughs than i can remember having recently. The guy seems to have things on track, with a good job, a nice place and a proper mindset. I'm just glad to see him after a year and half and know that we still haven't drifted apart after all these years. Means quite a bit to me. I know i've found few people who have even offered a fraction of that kind of loyality over the years. And speak of the devil, the goon just called. Goin to the mall, dear god. What are we, 16 again? |
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| And things are back on track in general... |
[Sep. 3rd, 2009|07:26 pm] |
I'd be lying if i said it hadn't been an eventful summer, but for better or for worse i know that everything will be fine. I have things sorted, but as mentioned, it's a rocky start to something that will pay off in the end. I miss getting to travel, spend at will, something i realized over the weekend after hanging out in airports and wandering around another city for a bit. Though i just feel like heading out to somewhere in scandinavia on vacation for a week or two, there's a time and a place for everything and that won't be for another while i'm afraid. It was great to see some friends as brief as my stay was and hope i can keep up with visits. Done with work for the time being and off to Halifax for a few days to create some antics with some folks. A good balance.
Totally neat, totally sweet. |
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| Insert Irish Powerpop Song Title Here... |
[Aug. 25th, 2009|09:21 pm] |
| [ | Jukebox... |
| | Tinopeners - Set Me Free | ] |
I find it strange that my current life situation is the same as it was this time when i just turned 20. Wasn't this not supposed to ever happen again? Waking up at some ungodly hour to go work in a damp field at a job i hate to cope with the joys of a broken heart. Almost didn't make it out to montreal this weekend. Thankfully things are back on track with that at least. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 17th, 2009|12:45 pm] |
I've been home for a little under two weeks now and though i wish i could say the time has been whirling by, it's actually slowed down to feel like my days here have doubled to what one of my days in Toronto was. I've been trying to keep busy best i can and since i've been back, i've been extremely productive, taking care of various things that i said i'd do once i was home. Applied for school, have plans to move to the city in the winter, have some temp work lined up, got my learners driving licence etc. so things are slowly unfolding and i'm feeling a bit more confident in my decision than i was the first few days. I've had a couple trips to the city so far, most recently the night before my birthday where i celebrated the start of my 25th year in my brother's kitchen with him, his girlfriend and my buddy ron. This was of course to be followed up by a 2 night camping trip with Bman, Sandro and Dpeck which saw us exercising our normal retardation. Right now, i'm just recovering and enjoying myself before i start my first day of work tomorrow. It'll be nice to get some money coming in and have something to keep me occupied until we split to play Montreal at the end of the month.
Mentally, i've been ok. There's alot of things up in the air right now and though i'm a person who likes to have control over alot of the things in my life, i feel like i have control of next to nothing now. Many things are out of my hands at this point and i've just got to be patient and deal. It makes it hard, dealing with such things in a small town where none of your friends live anymore, but i've been managing thus far somehow. I think the next 3 months will be the hardest, but i've done much worse. No one said that this was going to be easy. |
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| Full Circle... |
[Aug. 3rd, 2009|03:42 pm] |
| [ | Jukebox... |
| | The Zombies - Kind Of Girl | ] |
I'm sitting on the floor in my now almost barren apartment's living room surrounded by my life packed up into boxes. The U haul gets packed tomorrow and then it's off to the east again to sort it all out. I'm not really thinking about it right now, just concentrating on the tasks that are currently at hand. Almost 5 years ago i started typing out alot of garbage on here and i find it rather funny that i've kept up with it for the most part. I can remember the days leading up to my flight here, never having been on my own or ever even visiting the city, landing with nothing more than 2 suitcases. I guess 5 years is a good chunk of time to gain experiences, gather junk and learn a few lessons, all of which i feel i've done to a T. I'm weirded out by things now, but that's ok. I think after i'm on the road with all my stuff, it'll be smooth sailin from there. Having one last goodbye dinner with a couple close friends at the Black Hoof tonight to close things off and maybe a couple farewell pints with some folks tomorrow night. Leave it to me to kinda want to stay just when i finally get the guts to leave. I'm not done with this place by far. |
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| ' Totally.' |
[Jul. 27th, 2009|05:57 pm] |
9 days left. An intense weekend of nonstop get togethers and shows has left me putting off the 'important stuff' more and more, but i'm laughin'. No big deal. No records, no slaving at shit jobs, no more bills, just livin it up and having fun. Damn dude, should have been a different time so i could stick it out. Life and good timing never seem to line up for me.
Let me get my things set up. I need some vistors... |
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| Trapped. |
[Jul. 13th, 2009|06:21 pm] |
Not that i'm one to really post all that much in here anymore, but i figure 2 posts in a few days isn't gonna kill me. I'm really stoked to be getting out of this apartment in the coming weeks i've realized. I feel trapped in my home and it has this weird way of keeping me here despite the fact that i've grown to hate lingering around here. Having spent the good portion of the afternoon out biking around and hanging out in the park, i came back to fix myself a bite to eat and relax. Not too much later after that, i'm ready to get out again but i'm still here. There's a half decent show across town that i should go hit up, but i'm not gonna lie, i just want to hang out on the beach in the east end with a stereo and a few tall cans, away from it all and just wait til the sun sinks. Something about that stikes me as way more comforting. Fuck it, i'm doin it. |
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| "If you can't give me everything, don't you give me nothing at all..." |
[Jul. 10th, 2009|06:18 pm] |
| [ | Jukebox... |
| | Plastic Bertrand - Sha La La La Le | ] |
The summer is slipping away and the move is drawing ever so close at this point. Yes, i've started to feel weird about it and the changes i'll have to make in the coming months. Yes, it's going to be quite the adjustment for me, but i'm thinking everything will even itself out in due time. It's the little things that i'm going to miss, some of which i've already thought about, others that won't hit me til i'm gone. But hey, nothing is forever and i've always got options and many doors open to me, so i'm not all that worried. Ronnie's flight is booked but i still have to wrangle a van, pack and rid myself of alot of junk, so there's still alot to work out before the 4th. In this time however, there's still much to see and do and i've done a good job at dotting my last few weeks here with alot of plans. This i might add, doesn't leave much time for work (something i should def be doing more of, or spending less), but i figure after slaving away for a few years on a regular basis and the fact that i'll be crashing with the folks that i've earned some time to fuck off and enjoy my remaining weeks with my friends. And i am enjoying it, even if there's been some confusing times and some wrenches thrown into the gears. I know myself better than anyone and i know i keep getting smarter. |
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| Because i got lots to say... |
[Jun. 2nd, 2009|08:02 pm] |
Fake Ray-Bans.
20 Degrees.
Sun.
Lake Shore.
Flamin Groovies "Shake Some Action" lp on my Ipod.
One awesome fuckin' bike ride.
In other news...
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| KAAOS MAKES ME PUNKER. |
[May. 25th, 2009|07:56 pm] |
| [ | Jukebox... |
| | Kaaos...but also a bit of Rudi... | ] |
A drained kid i am today. I got back in from Austin yesterday at 7 at night, but this was after leaving the after party on sat at 4am, going straight to the airport, having 2 stopovers before getting into Buffalo at 3 and then having an extra long 4h ride to Toronto. Needless to say, i felt like utter shit by the time i was back, but well worth it after the weekend i had. Drinks / a bite with payson and i'm in bed by 9:30 not to awaken until noon today. Productive day, as i did laundry then cruised around the city replacing my sunglasses, getting a coffee and scoring a couple records. Pretty much sums up a good day for me in any event.
The fest was great. Mostly due to to all the friends i got to see and chill with, but the bands of course played a good roll. Cro Mags were so tight that it saw me doing close to 9 stagedives (4 of which i'm pretty sure were shirtless due to the insane heat), which is 9 more than i'm usually known for. Cocksparrer sounded just like on record and played ALL the jams. Me and the rest of the CS guys watched from the benches though as to not mingle with the many meatheads that showed up. Judgement of course were great. Wahji and i def raged hard up front to 'the mad dog' and 'no reason why'. This is of course not to forget the boat show which saw us getting quite trashed by noon, getting tons of sun, seeing probably the best sets by BK, Annihilation Time and Judgement, going swimming after jumping off the boat and of course, general fucking around between bros. Certainly was the highlight of the trip. Long days and no sleep led to me being kinda lackluster and longing for my bed by the time we went to play the bridge, but i was over it by the next day. All in all, i went for broke on the weekend, but no regrets. Will be hard to beat that this summer for sure.
In other news, i'm packing up my bags and leaving town. Mid summer i'll be heading back to the east coast, something that i've been talking about doing forever. After much debate and weighing my options, i've come to the decision that for this time in my life it's probably the best thing for me to do and it'll be good for me to get my life in order. Details are still very hazy, but there will be plenty of time to think things out soon. Sure, there's things here that i'll miss, but that's not to say i won't be able to come back once i have a better grasp on myself. Until then, it's back to the homeland. |
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| Sure, why not... |
[Apr. 23rd, 2009|09:39 pm] |
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I don't have to work til 11 tonight for some strange reason, so i've had the whole evening to do fuck all and just kick back to spin some 45s, something i haven't done in ages. I'm probably destroying my neighbors eardrums, but i've been blasting the shit out of some old uk jams (Cockney Rejects, Anti Pasti, Combat 84 etc.) along with CCR, Marvin Gaye and some old garage tunes i've found digging in dollar bins lately. It's hard to keep you motivated to dig in a city that's been picked over a thousand times by a thousand assholes, but i still manage every now and again to turn up some gems. I mean, sure i could drop some more bills on knocking some of my top finnish wants off my list, but where's the fun. Plus, i could stand to save some money for once in my life. Yeah, i seem to hand myself a raw deal in life pretty often, but i still manage. Plus, i got the Rejects to keep me company. Good dudes. |
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| Bad scene, everyone's fault,...maybe Pt.7... |
[Apr. 2nd, 2009|08:58 pm] |
| [ | Jukebox... |
| | Springtime albums. | ] |
Yeah, the springtime is upon us. Lots of stuff to do, plenty to get done and lots of folks to see. I'm into it. My bank has looked a bit better in the past, but with all i've been up to and the lack of work (that has been a thorn in my side for the past few months) it's sort of understandable. The good thing about that is people will soon be in need of splitting town on vacation (myself included) so there should be plenty of 'mad scrilla' for a gent like me to clean up on. I ended up bailing on my shift last night to head down to Buffalo with some friends to hang out for the day and see a few bands from Texas. I knew the shift was going to be a waste of my time and of course, we had a total blast. Hung out with some folks i hadn't seen in ages, the bands were awesome, ended up hanging out at Niagara Falls at midnight for my first time and then we headed back for some free drinks at last call before ending up at Zoe's place. Got up today for breakfast with the kids before fucking off and hanging out before my shift tonight. Damn, i got a good feeling about good things.
If that wasn't grand enough, i split for the east coast on sunday which will be a given for good times. Booked my ticket tonight for Texas in may, also going to be stupidly fun. Can't get enough of it man, maybe i've just been feeling awesome as of late but everything on the horizon is lookin golden. Did i mention i started to narrow down my favorite springtime albums? Let's end on that...
Bad Religion - No Control
Cocksparrer - Shock Troops
Jawbreaker - Dear You (with bonus tracks of course)
Motorhead - Overkill
Adverts - Crossing The Red Sea With The Adverts |
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 17th, 2009|05:16 pm] |
No, I'm not dead, just caught up with life i guess. Not really mindblowing stuff that i have the huge urge to write about, but some really rad stuff along the way. For example, getting to see my friends from Sweden the other night combined with a roadtrip to buffalo = best way to spend a sunday. Got back to meet up with my friend andrea who i haven't seen in close to 3 years, since she moved to Korea and this being her first visit back. Felt good to see her and though me and Lorne continued to harass her throughout the night to move back, it was a lost cause. I'll get to see her once more tonight before she takes off but sadly we'll never have our college street run ins that we used to. Lame shite.
Josh texted me out of the blue today saying that we need to plan a trip to Easter Island, something which i was supposed to do this year on my own, but fell through due to cold feet and financial reasons. He's working quite a bit now and making some decent money for the first time since he's been out of school, so he's got the ability to bank for a trip now, which is pretty damn great. All things considered, the little shit could be pulling my leg, but i think it's legit and a pretty cool place for the Brown Boys to take our first vacation together. Into it. Thankfully now that the cold here in the city has died off and people are more willing to call me into work, i can start banking some scratch aswell.
I'm making tapes like a fucking madman these days. No foolin', all these bad bois RAGE. I keep getting requests and actually make good on them, not usually my forte. Noone can fuck with a good punk tape. |
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| (no subject) |
[Feb. 12th, 2009|06:05 pm] |
"Anything could happen and it could be right now"
That just happens to be the line from a song that i've had on rotation and in my head for the past few days. To be perfectly honest, it's perfectly honest and i don't think i've felt this much relation to a song in quite sometime. "Anything Could Happen" by the Clean is the song i always wanted to write, but never could i guess you could say. There doesn't seem to be any words out of place that i can't relate to in some way and oddly enough, it all makes perfect sense. Almost too much.
I'm looking forward to heading down to Austin, TX in May to see some awesome bands play at Timmy's fest. Haven't been since 2006 when we played, but it looks like this time around he's got the best line up yet. Apparently we're going to play too, something that's pretty great considering we're all going down to hang out anyways. I anticipate fun and good times but i have the sneaking suspicion that i'll be in the presence of some undesirable individuals, something that i can't even escape on my vacation. All things considered though, raging to Judgement will make everything worth it and there's even talk of Greg coming down with me. SO, time will tell.
Going to dinner tonight and then off to see this band that various friends have been raving about called The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. Very influenced by the Smiths i was told, i decided to look into it and am quite taken by the songs i've heard. Plus, can't really complain about a free show. When was the last time that a new punk band was this good? |
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| (no subject) |
[Feb. 8th, 2009|09:27 pm] |
| [ | Jukebox... |
| | Flying Nun Stuff.... | ] |
I few things have come by my way in the world of punk records, but what else is new. Yes, i've had an exciting week, but i don't feel much like getting into THAT. Instead, why not talk about the latest scores while i sway to the New Zealand mix that my good friend Jerry decided to whip up for me. Some great tunes, i will say that much. For starters, instead of doing my usual sunday brunch routine, i decided that the day was better spent doing my MUCH needed laundry and then rewarding myself with a bit of record shopping. This proved to be a good idea as i walked away from one shop with a copy of the Nervebreakers "Politics" ep which contains the hit jam 'My Girlfriend Is A Rock', a record i've been wanting since i picked up their 2nd single earlier last year. As great a find as that was though, the well has been quite dry in these parts as of late so i've been doing alot of hunting though other collectors elsewhere. My mate John from the UK sent me a package of a couple things which contained the "When the oil runs out" single by Newtown Neurotics which i've been trying to get back since i traded mine away a couple months ago. Also, hands down my favorite NN single due to the B side 'OH NO' being my favorite song of theirs. John also threw in a copy of the Exploited's "Rival Leaders" single on Pax for me. Fuck off, i hate the Exploited like no one's business, but 'Rival Leaders' is the JAM. On the note of UK punk and the like, had another package from my friend Clayton show up which contained a platter which i've been looking for for ages. That of course would be another to add to my Irish power pop and Good Vibrations collection, the Tearjerkers "Love Affair" single. Totally top notch song, though the B side on that guy is a bit of a drag compared to some of their unreleased stuff which never made it to vinyl. 'I'm Sorry' would have been a MUCH better choice, but after all, that's my jam. Clayton's a good man for hookin that up regardless. And yes, i guess i'm still "hip" to the current world of punk rock as i got a bunch of copies of the new Eddy Current Suppression Ring single on Nervous Jerk to distro here in the city to all the kids that suck. Though a bit different from their last lp (even though someone told me that these tracks are outtakes from Primary Colors), these songs are still great in the same sense as those on the full length and have warranted several spins. But enough of a nerd out for now as i have to rage to my new copy of Motorhead's "Another Perfect Day" lp before i go out and yell shit at people i hate...TA! |
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| Cassette Dek Wrek... |
[Jan. 30th, 2009|04:42 pm] |
| [ | Jukebox... |
| | New stellar tape.... | ] |
Been making plans to make another tape for myself for the past few weeks to add to my archives and finally got around to it the other night. See, a couple years ago i started the archives, making a mixtape every few months containing stuff that i was jamming very hard at that moment in time. I've been dating everything and printing out a nice little track list for each so i remember when i made them and to keep them all similar. Whatever, nerd stuff, but few people have ever bothered to make me tapes that have any thought put into them, so i have to take matters into my own hands. It's been pretty cool to have them and they certainly were handy whilst i was working at the record store as i'd just chuck a few in my bag and play them throughout the day. Anyways, all BS aside, the great thing is the tapes just keep getting better with every one that i make and my latest editions are always slick. Had a good talk with my friends Dave and Zoe about this the other night as they're some of the few that i know who still have a tape deck. CD-R? Fuck that stale shit. I continue to rage and bob my head to these jams until my Sony deck fucks off...
January 2009 Mix Cassette
Side 1
Naked Raygun - Home Of The Brave
Haskels - Takin The City By Storm
PJ Bonneman - Hey Ronnie
London Zoo - Recieving End
The Geeks - I'm Lookin For You
Reigning Sound - Time Bomb High School
Marked Men - All In Your Head
Skinnies - I'm A Dullard
Professionals - Mods, Punks, Skins
Teenage Head - Bonerack
Chosen Few - Disco Tek Wreck
Reign Of Terror - Don't Blame Me
Side 2
Suburban Reptiles - Saturday Night Stay Home
The Doubt - Fringes
Lama - Jeesukset
The Now - 9 O Clock
Husker Du - In A Free Land
Eddy Current Supression Ring - I Admit My Faults
Scientists - Frantic Romantic
Cheifs - The Lonlies
The Pagans - What's This Shit Called Love?
Neko Case - Knock Loud |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 23rd, 2009|05:03 pm] |
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I assure you, Pictures Of Home by Deep Purple has been getting a lot of play on my ipod as of late, but that's just what i've had going on in between going places. Maybe I'm A Leo is also not without it's charm. Things in the working world have left me in a bit of a slump due to the season. Not many people needing me to cover shifts and my actual job is cutting back on shifts until business picks back up again. Doesn't really affect me per say, but the cleaner just got fired so i'm back to busting more ass than i have been for the same pay. On the plus side though, i've had some extra free time on my hands so i've been spending that with friends and people i haven't seen in a while. My dear friend Timmy was in town for the week so there was much 'hangage' that transpired between the two of us at various eateries and establishments. Really though, there isn't much else you can do in the winter. Been trying to write, but everything i come up with seems to be trash. Speaking of which, also ended up at a book launch the other night for a friend of a friend which ended up being a great evening. Tired to pick up the book on my way out, but they'd already sold out of all the copies they had. Damn shame for me, but good on her for selling them all. |
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| Because Ghosts are All In Your Head... |
[Jan. 12th, 2009|10:54 pm] |
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Bman and i had a good chat tonight and one up'd me in the music department by letting me know that the new Marked Men album leaked. Damn i love that little guy. Sent me the link and i've given it a listen. I'd come to the conclusion long ago that this was my band and no matter if it's on record or seeing them live, these guys just never let me down. They've been consistently my favorite current band for almost 5 years now and i'm glad that this makes me more into the songs than ever. Sadly, with jeff going to japan for a while, they're in the midst of taking a break but Brendan and i have made a pact that if they play again, we're going to be there front row. This will no doubt be in Texas, but it's been a while since i've been there anyway. If only those 4 goons knew how many times they saved my life and my sanity, i'd probably owe them pretty heavy. Best dudes and best band. Really now, this is the catchiest thing i've heard all year... |
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