Last night, I was privileged enough to be invited to the coolest goddamn dinner I’ve ever been to.
My step father, John Angus, is an honorary member of the Black Watch mess, and his brother Steve used to be the company’s colonel. They managed to sneak me an invitation because of that, and my great grandfather was also a colonel of the Black Watch.
The Black Watch is a Scottish regiment, and is the most storied and histories regiment in Canada’s history, and has taken part in every major battle in both the great wars. As we walked into the Hall of the Watch through the entrance, past the honor guard dressed in formal parade gear, with regiment colors, kilt, spurn, tarkin, sash, and tall hat, the Officer on Duty came to attention for a display of arms to greet Steve, the guest of honor for the night. Behind them stood a trio of bagpipers and a drummer, who played an abbreviated rendition of the Black Watch Hymn. After he inspected the guard, we were ushered into the officer’s mess.
As you walk in the imposingly large double steel doors, you find yourself face to face with four massive wooden placards, with the names and years battles past. Paschendale, Vimy, Ypres, Somme, Dunkirk, the Oder River assault, Caen; the lists went on and on, listing all of the most influential, most gruesome battlegrounds of the wars that played host to the Black Watch.
We saluted.
First off, a few hours of ‘fighting thirst’ as they call it, which essentially means drinking neat scotch until you need to be helped to your seat. Maclallans, Glenlivet, Gelnmorangie; the list of fine spirits had me giddy, being a huge scotch lover, and I threw myself in wholeheartedly, and with much encouragement from the others to help me on. The others, I started to realize, were a who’s who of Montreal, and Canadian, big names. Though I’m not allowed to name names, there are a few things I can tell you. The black watch is an active regiment, serving in Afghanistan, as well as several other countries, around the world. There’s fear of family names being leaked, and it coming back to haunt their families, as has happened in the past.
Let me put it like this; to my right at the table was a Lieutenant General, to my left two majors on leave from Afghanistan. Across from me was a Major General, retired, who had served in the Second World War as Assistant Commander of the African Theater, and next to him was the Canadian minister of finances.
The meal was incredible; Sherry Consommé, followed by Steak a Jus, with wild beans and carrots, then Haggis with Sherry, followed by apple cobbler and handmade vanilla ice cream. And scotch. So much scotch. The table was set to a formal setting, all in fine polished silver and bone china emblazoned with the Regimental Crest, but there were only two glasses; one for scotch and one for sipping sherry. No water, not even wine or port. Scotch and Sherry; that’s it. There were crystal decanters for every two people, filled with the finest of spirits. Between every course, a jug of sherry, crystal as well, would be sent around, but there was a catch; as long as there was sherry in the jug, it couldn’t be set down on the table. It had to be emptied.
At the beginning of every course there was a parade progression of pipers and drummers with a different hymn each time. The best was when the haggis party came out. Four soldiers holding a platform with a big, steaming pot filled with a massive stomach, full of all the fixings. The commander of the Watch was handed a dirk, which has been blessed by the pope and given by the queen, and stabs the haggis three times, then pours brandy over it. Then, we all toast the haggis party and they head off.
Another strange experience was the snuff. Finley powdered, naturally grown tobacco leaves that are served to you from the head of a ram, in a little inset silver bowl. You sniff it. I don’t really get that part…
The night was a roaring shit show, and everyone there was completely pissed before long, and it only got worse.
I loved it.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Blog Summary - oct 28
Though technically my first written synopsis, I have been keeping an eye on my trends in leisure throughout this blog, and there are a few outstanding points. First and foremost, nature is prevalent in my activities. Though there are instances otherwise, being outside, getting fresh air, and generally being active, are staples to my recorded leisure. Be it Capture the flag or gardening, the majority of the time, leisure goes hand in hand with nature for me. Personally, I’d like to entertain the belief that I use leisure as an enabler to find myself in the outdoors, as compared to nature being criteria for my leisure activities. I’ve taken that stand because I still do a lot of other, non nature oriented leisure activities; like, for example, gaming. I’ll sit on my ass, smoke a joint, and play videogames with friends for hours on end locked up in my apartment. I’m also a big scene freak when it comes to music, which often finds me holed up in dark, smoky rooms with obnoxious, gritty electronic beats saturating the atmosphere. Not exactly a natural milieu. On the whole, however, regardless of what I’m doing, either as a guide during the summers, paid with responsibilities, or running through the woods like an idiot with friends for shits and giggles, I have fun in the woods, even if it’s mundane work like raking.
Another outstanding set of trends that I have noticed on a personal level are my tendencies towards purple, or deviant leisure. There are some things I’ve mentioned in my blog, like for example, my little shenanigans with the saran wrap, but there are also many things I have pointedly neglected to mention on my blog. Things such as graffiti, or drug use are something that I’m not comfortable going into detail about, though I will go so far as to mention that some such activities tend to be prevalent in my leisure. Those, I see as accessories to leisure, save maybe with graffiti. Graffiti is a draw for me because of the rush, the risk. That dopamine release associated with adrenaline keeps me coming back, so in that case, the deviant nature of the activity is the driving force. But in essentially all other cases, my leisure is accentuated by such deviant tendencies.
I’d say the biggest thing I’ve gained from the blogging process is a critical view on why I do what I do in leisure, as well as the subjective attitude that requires. Also noteworthy is the venue for expression blogging has given me; I find I enjoy the expression of my thoughts quite a bit.
Another outstanding set of trends that I have noticed on a personal level are my tendencies towards purple, or deviant leisure. There are some things I’ve mentioned in my blog, like for example, my little shenanigans with the saran wrap, but there are also many things I have pointedly neglected to mention on my blog. Things such as graffiti, or drug use are something that I’m not comfortable going into detail about, though I will go so far as to mention that some such activities tend to be prevalent in my leisure. Those, I see as accessories to leisure, save maybe with graffiti. Graffiti is a draw for me because of the rush, the risk. That dopamine release associated with adrenaline keeps me coming back, so in that case, the deviant nature of the activity is the driving force. But in essentially all other cases, my leisure is accentuated by such deviant tendencies.
I’d say the biggest thing I’ve gained from the blogging process is a critical view on why I do what I do in leisure, as well as the subjective attitude that requires. Also noteworthy is the venue for expression blogging has given me; I find I enjoy the expression of my thoughts quite a bit.
Friday, October 24, 2008
so, i guess this is worth talking about.
...
Actually, i know it is, because it was goddamned hilarious.
So, i was working for a friend's parents, and as i and a pair of friends were leaving, we found four rolls of, oh, i'm gonna arbitraily say about 200m of seran-wrap to each roll. We started scheming so bad, it was contagous like HIV. We built up these elaborate schemes of who's cars or houses to wrap, in their entierety, in plasic wrap, giggling like little school boys. Our imaginations ran wild with the possibilities.
Well, we part ways with the intent to meet again soon and finalize our plans. As one of the friends and i are driving back to our place, we have an ingenious idea.
'Jesus mary and joseph, ian, i've got an idea!' he blurted. Well, not really, but that's what it felt like. We pulled a quick u-turn and headed back towards the house of our third partner in crime to seran his van while he was at rugby practice. We were so proud of our devious nature.
well, we get to his van, all hyped up, only to find out that these massive, 30kg rolls of Plastic are actually tubes of seran, as compared to one long sheet.
wow, we were dissapointed. Like, you know when you drop the icecream cone when you're like 5, and you're ready to find a fucking bridge to jump off? That's what we felt like. We would up just putting the huge-ass roll under the wheels of his car, so it couldn't move. Until he moved the roll.
Sigh. So much wasted potential.
What have i learnt from this? Aside from the fact that i should never buy a car, or my life will be wrought with angst, forever in fear of having it pranked, i learnt that leisure can kick ass. When it pull off.
Pz
...
Actually, i know it is, because it was goddamned hilarious.
So, i was working for a friend's parents, and as i and a pair of friends were leaving, we found four rolls of, oh, i'm gonna arbitraily say about 200m of seran-wrap to each roll. We started scheming so bad, it was contagous like HIV. We built up these elaborate schemes of who's cars or houses to wrap, in their entierety, in plasic wrap, giggling like little school boys. Our imaginations ran wild with the possibilities.
Well, we part ways with the intent to meet again soon and finalize our plans. As one of the friends and i are driving back to our place, we have an ingenious idea.
'Jesus mary and joseph, ian, i've got an idea!' he blurted. Well, not really, but that's what it felt like. We pulled a quick u-turn and headed back towards the house of our third partner in crime to seran his van while he was at rugby practice. We were so proud of our devious nature.
well, we get to his van, all hyped up, only to find out that these massive, 30kg rolls of Plastic are actually tubes of seran, as compared to one long sheet.
wow, we were dissapointed. Like, you know when you drop the icecream cone when you're like 5, and you're ready to find a fucking bridge to jump off? That's what we felt like. We would up just putting the huge-ass roll under the wheels of his car, so it couldn't move. Until he moved the roll.
Sigh. So much wasted potential.
What have i learnt from this? Aside from the fact that i should never buy a car, or my life will be wrought with angst, forever in fear of having it pranked, i learnt that leisure can kick ass. When it pull off.
Pz
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Return of the King(shit)
Well, i'm back, at long last.
I've got numerous excuses and explanations, but utimatley, my lack of presence herewithin can be summed up by a lack of internet. I'm ghetto, and havn't paid my bills.
But hey.
Well. I have in fact been quite leisurley in the past little while. This past weekend, i had organized a game of Capture the Flag on the Mountain, which was epic. It's a game i usually play at my summer camp, Kanawana, but this weekend, things took a really different spin. Because of the sheer ammount of space involved, the game was played with more of a John Rambo mindset, as compared to the Lance Armstrong that's usually prevalent at camp.
It was two teams of six playing over, ooh, about a square mile. our time was spent sneaking and crawling, done up in full camouflage. I felt like an SAS commando.
It was great for me, because, dispite the time required to organize it, it was a great chance to see people i hadn't seen in quite some time. There was work involved, but boy, was it leisure.
Well, it's been, what, a month? I figure it's about time to drop some beats, get some feet movin.
This is the latest of the latest; it's been online for about an hour as of this posting. Just remeber; it's MstrMono that brings em to ya live.
Thunderheist - Jerk it (Nasty Nav + JFK from Mstrkrft remix)
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&batch_id=Y2ovS3dnUzhZY1EwTVE9PQ
I cant get this goddamn song out of my head.
Matt and Kim - YeahYeah (Flosstradamus remix)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/50141044f6654a7b/
Shinichi Osawa - Rendevous (crookers remix)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/5014125098a9a873/
So, i'll be back soon, now that my net is up, in a flailing attempt to compensate for lack of time spent.
peace, fools.
I've got numerous excuses and explanations, but utimatley, my lack of presence herewithin can be summed up by a lack of internet. I'm ghetto, and havn't paid my bills.
But hey.
Well. I have in fact been quite leisurley in the past little while. This past weekend, i had organized a game of Capture the Flag on the Mountain, which was epic. It's a game i usually play at my summer camp, Kanawana, but this weekend, things took a really different spin. Because of the sheer ammount of space involved, the game was played with more of a John Rambo mindset, as compared to the Lance Armstrong that's usually prevalent at camp.
It was two teams of six playing over, ooh, about a square mile. our time was spent sneaking and crawling, done up in full camouflage. I felt like an SAS commando.
It was great for me, because, dispite the time required to organize it, it was a great chance to see people i hadn't seen in quite some time. There was work involved, but boy, was it leisure.
Well, it's been, what, a month? I figure it's about time to drop some beats, get some feet movin.
This is the latest of the latest; it's been online for about an hour as of this posting. Just remeber; it's MstrMono that brings em to ya live.
Thunderheist - Jerk it (Nasty Nav + JFK from Mstrkrft remix)
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&batch_id=Y2ovS3dnUzhZY1EwTVE9PQ
I cant get this goddamn song out of my head.
Matt and Kim - YeahYeah (Flosstradamus remix)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/50141044f6654a7b/
Shinichi Osawa - Rendevous (crookers remix)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/5014125098a9a873/
So, i'll be back soon, now that my net is up, in a flailing attempt to compensate for lack of time spent.
peace, fools.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
And now, for somthing completley different...
So today i went out to the west island to visit my parents. Mabye visit isn't the right term; i helped close up the backyard and rake some leaves, and in exchange, my mom let me use her washing machine, so i could do a whack of laundry. it wasn't really obligated time, but it was fulfilling base needs, and it was kind of work.
To me, though, it was leisure. Romping around in the backyard barefoot, sticking my hands in dirt and water, getting messy, and getting fresh air. It was relaxing to play with the dog, getting in her last swim of the year.
Though i often neglect it, times like those often bring home the value of gardening as leisure. To me, it's using the work as an enabler to get some fresh air and slow down.
To me, though, it was leisure. Romping around in the backyard barefoot, sticking my hands in dirt and water, getting messy, and getting fresh air. It was relaxing to play with the dog, getting in her last swim of the year.
Though i often neglect it, times like those often bring home the value of gardening as leisure. To me, it's using the work as an enabler to get some fresh air and slow down.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Hold up...!
Stumbled upon a copy of Def Jam's 10th anniversary. Couple a good, old school hip hop beats.
Keep it f r e s h .
3rd Bass - The Gas Face
http://www.zshare.net/audio/18958490397c206c/
Public Enemy - Shut Em Down (Pete Rock Remix)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/189587018e4a8842/
Keep it f r e s h .
3rd Bass - The Gas Face
http://www.zshare.net/audio/18958490397c206c/
Public Enemy - Shut Em Down (Pete Rock Remix)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/189587018e4a8842/
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The Magnifying Glass
So, considering how this is supposed to be me taking a good look at leisure, and how i spend my time in leisure, i figure i should, at least once throughout this here shindig, take a straight up, no bloodclat, look at how i'm spending my time.
I chose the past few days as my subject of reference for a couple of reasons. first, i've got nothing to do, so i might as well. Secondly, i've been doing so goddamn little with my time, even i want to know exactly what i have done. I mean, i say i'm doing nothing, but i'm clearly not sitting in my room, staring at the wall, letting spittle build in the crook of my mouth until it dribbles down my chin. On to my shirt even.
Well, at least i hope not. Anyways, here we go.
First things first; i'm a gamer. And a huge techie. but a gamer first and foremost. Needless to say, that's been taking up a great deal of my time. To me, i'd have to say the concept of Leisure as Flow for sure applies to this; i'm playing games for six hours, straight, only broken out of my reverie by a painful urge to heed to the calls of nature. Try and tell me that's not a textbook example of "flow". Upon closer thought, it's true. I dont play games that are too hard or to easy, too fast paced or too slow, because they dont match my skill or interest levels. I've spent enough time gaming to know my niche, so i usually hit flow fairly fast. I'm going to have to allocate a good 20-25 hours of gaming out of 96. (Dont hate me for who i am...)
Next most frequent? This is a toughie. I'm going to have to say arbitrairily that it's socializing. This means many things, sure. Going downtown, cooking dinner, working out, playing games, whatever it may be. But i do feel as though, for myself, that the activities, save mabye cooking, are ones i do to be with people. It's my primary objective. That, to me, brings and represents, *ahem*, "...a state of mind, freely chosen, that results in intrinsic feelings of happyness, satisfaction, pleasure, and/or enjoyment." (Steven Henle, Sep. 16, 2008, AHSC260/01). I'm gonna pin a good 20-25 hours on the grapevine factor.
The remainder of time spent went towards less noteworthy stuff. Like, say, sleep. Or hygene. And other such. I'd allocate 40 hours for said peripherals.
But where, you ask, have the last five some-odd hours gone? Limbo perhaps?
...
I was hoping you could tell me....(and in case you didn't notice, that was a quote, up there. That one's for you two. :D )
I chose the past few days as my subject of reference for a couple of reasons. first, i've got nothing to do, so i might as well. Secondly, i've been doing so goddamn little with my time, even i want to know exactly what i have done. I mean, i say i'm doing nothing, but i'm clearly not sitting in my room, staring at the wall, letting spittle build in the crook of my mouth until it dribbles down my chin. On to my shirt even.
Well, at least i hope not. Anyways, here we go.
First things first; i'm a gamer. And a huge techie. but a gamer first and foremost. Needless to say, that's been taking up a great deal of my time. To me, i'd have to say the concept of Leisure as Flow for sure applies to this; i'm playing games for six hours, straight, only broken out of my reverie by a painful urge to heed to the calls of nature. Try and tell me that's not a textbook example of "flow". Upon closer thought, it's true. I dont play games that are too hard or to easy, too fast paced or too slow, because they dont match my skill or interest levels. I've spent enough time gaming to know my niche, so i usually hit flow fairly fast. I'm going to have to allocate a good 20-25 hours of gaming out of 96. (Dont hate me for who i am...)
Next most frequent? This is a toughie. I'm going to have to say arbitrairily that it's socializing. This means many things, sure. Going downtown, cooking dinner, working out, playing games, whatever it may be. But i do feel as though, for myself, that the activities, save mabye cooking, are ones i do to be with people. It's my primary objective. That, to me, brings and represents, *ahem*, "...a state of mind, freely chosen, that results in intrinsic feelings of happyness, satisfaction, pleasure, and/or enjoyment." (Steven Henle, Sep. 16, 2008, AHSC260/01). I'm gonna pin a good 20-25 hours on the grapevine factor.
The remainder of time spent went towards less noteworthy stuff. Like, say, sleep. Or hygene. And other such. I'd allocate 40 hours for said peripherals.
But where, you ask, have the last five some-odd hours gone? Limbo perhaps?
...
I was hoping you could tell me....(and in case you didn't notice, that was a quote, up there. That one's for you two. :D )
Sunday, September 14, 2008
once-a-gain
So. I'm back.
Again.
Dont look too enthusiastic...jeez...
Well, nothing major for this post. Just making a recap of my time spent over the past three some odd days.
Actually, i think spent is a more generous term then is really applicable. The implication behind spent entails that there was some gain, or even some cost, to my time-spending activities. Fact of the matter is, i sat on my ass for three days. I put on clothes twice; once, to go get a pack of smokes and some milk, and another time to get shitfaced (and i did that, boy...). Aside from that, i did nada. Litterally. I would wake, read for a hour, sleep, 5 horus later wake up. Mabye eat, mabye not. Read, which lead to sleep, again.
And so it went, for three long days, and three even longer nights.
Something tells me that kind of gross misapropriation(sp?) of time and energy fits into what leisure is to me, somewhere. I'm sure, it must, surley. Ergo.
Lets see what i've got in my magic, uh, folder on my desktop....
I think i'll get a little emo/indy with this one.
LCD Soundsystem - New York I love You
http://www.zshare.net/audio/187972333a32062a/
The Postal Service - Clark Gable (when i get all depressed, i sit in the corner, put on a beret, chainsmoke gauloises, drink a bottle of wine and cry, with this song playing in the background. True Story...)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/1879739547a9d06e/
Spoon - The Way We Get By (this song was my anthem, and still kinda is.)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/18797514360f03c7/
so, there you go. another chunk of nothing.
Hope you enjoy!!
Again.
Dont look too enthusiastic...jeez...
Well, nothing major for this post. Just making a recap of my time spent over the past three some odd days.
Actually, i think spent is a more generous term then is really applicable. The implication behind spent entails that there was some gain, or even some cost, to my time-spending activities. Fact of the matter is, i sat on my ass for three days. I put on clothes twice; once, to go get a pack of smokes and some milk, and another time to get shitfaced (and i did that, boy...). Aside from that, i did nada. Litterally. I would wake, read for a hour, sleep, 5 horus later wake up. Mabye eat, mabye not. Read, which lead to sleep, again.
And so it went, for three long days, and three even longer nights.
Something tells me that kind of gross misapropriation(sp?) of time and energy fits into what leisure is to me, somewhere. I'm sure, it must, surley. Ergo.
Lets see what i've got in my magic, uh, folder on my desktop....
I think i'll get a little emo/indy with this one.
LCD Soundsystem - New York I love You
http://www.zshare.net/audio/187972333a32062a/
The Postal Service - Clark Gable (when i get all depressed, i sit in the corner, put on a beret, chainsmoke gauloises, drink a bottle of wine and cry, with this song playing in the background. True Story...)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/1879739547a9d06e/
Spoon - The Way We Get By (this song was my anthem, and still kinda is.)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/18797514360f03c7/
so, there you go. another chunk of nothing.
Hope you enjoy!!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Ooh, so wize (assed)
I feel scholarly.
I'm sitting here in a trendy cafe that doubles as a gallery in DG, sipping on my Chai, the dreary drizzle of todays rain pattering against the window.
I'm wearing jeans, flipflops, and a cable knit sweater. I'm listening to trendy electro-trash music, in my own little womb, surrounded by screens, books, and notepads, pencil notched in my ear.
I can say that i epitomize what i see as being a uni-tard, someone i used to chide for being so self obscessed.
And now i'm one of them, planted here over my Chai, plugging away hours reading school books, dabbled with a smattering of facebook, and a je-ne-sais quoi of IMing.
As i sit here, rolling myself a smoke, i wonder. Am i proud? Am i happy?
To be continued....
(but in the meantime, here are some more beats!!!:O!!!)
Face-T - Set the Trend - This track makes me laugh and want to move. Wow!
http://www.zshare.net/audio/18659205abe048de/
Calvin harris - Merrymaking at My Place (Mr.Oizo Remix) - This epitomizes tend/scene-sters. but it's still so good.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/1865929560269cac/
Justice - Planisphere; This is a set of 4 tracks, all bunched up as on in this file, that Justice, the hottest trendsetters across the pond, were asked to do for a Hugo Fashion show. It's a 17 minute song, but it's epic. Trust me.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/186599250f1dd4ff/
I'm sitting here in a trendy cafe that doubles as a gallery in DG, sipping on my Chai, the dreary drizzle of todays rain pattering against the window.
I'm wearing jeans, flipflops, and a cable knit sweater. I'm listening to trendy electro-trash music, in my own little womb, surrounded by screens, books, and notepads, pencil notched in my ear.
I can say that i epitomize what i see as being a uni-tard, someone i used to chide for being so self obscessed.
And now i'm one of them, planted here over my Chai, plugging away hours reading school books, dabbled with a smattering of facebook, and a je-ne-sais quoi of IMing.
As i sit here, rolling myself a smoke, i wonder. Am i proud? Am i happy?
To be continued....
(but in the meantime, here are some more beats!!!:O!!!)
Face-T - Set the Trend - This track makes me laugh and want to move. Wow!
http://www.zshare.net/audio/18659205abe048de/
Calvin harris - Merrymaking at My Place (Mr.Oizo Remix) - This epitomizes tend/scene-sters. but it's still so good.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/1865929560269cac/
Justice - Planisphere; This is a set of 4 tracks, all bunched up as on in this file, that Justice, the hottest trendsetters across the pond, were asked to do for a Hugo Fashion show. It's a 17 minute song, but it's epic. Trust me.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/186599250f1dd4ff/
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Flashback
I had a dream this summer.
I opened my eyes, and found i was lying on my back. Warm sun beat down on me, un adulterated by clouds, a cool breeze snatching the heat away before it got too hot. I lay half in the shade of a pristine White Birch, it's tall, slender form branching out above me. The leaves, being tickled by the wind, chattered quietly, flashing back and forth between their pale undersides, and their vibrant, emerald tops. The sun's reflecting brightly at my eyes off the bark, a bleached white.
There's somthing under my back. A couple of things, actually, so I sit up.
The view itakes my breath away. I'm sitting along side, about four or five meters from, the shore of a huge lake. The ground is moist and healthy, covered in rich brown topsoil and detritus, scarreted with spots of rich, soft, green moss. A slender path wove it's way through a stand of tall Red Pine, wraps around a patch of Wood Sorrel, and cuts sharply to follow the shore, ending before a tight clump of Cedar trees. The trees are open in front of me, making a perfect window overlooking the lake. It's waters are clear and crisp, the surface glimmering, rippling in the gentle wind, its reflections twinkling like stars under the bright sun. The far shore is nothing but a hint, a suggestion of a forest, misted by the haze of distance, it's profile traced along the horizon.
I take a deep breath, and my lungs are filled with a fresh, healthy blast of air, just a little humid, carrying the musky, heady scent of decomposing forest floor, mixed with spores and pollen of all kinds. The cool air rishing into my lungs sends waves of contentment running over my body.
My stomach is full, and it feels warm and good. I look over and see a quaint little firebowl, flames bareley peeking over the edge of the bowl. There's a pot resting in the coals. It's steaming, top off. A whiff of spices is cought by the wind, and sent my way, hints of curry and ginger sneaking into my nostrils.
I yawn. And smile.
And then i realise; i'm not dreaming. I'm actually here, living my dreams.
Ever since i was young, i've known what i wanted to do. More specifically, i knew where i wanted to be. Out here, in the fresh, the free, the clean, the natural. So many months, so many years spent in the woods, and they've played host to my greatest memories, my best stories.
So why did i change? When did i forget about this? sure, i'm happy with where i am, but i'm still damn far from what makes me really happy. I've got to get back to that place, that state of mind. Shit, i have been, it costs me a decent ammount of cash to be able to do this every summer. But i dont want to vacation; i want to live this, day by day. It's so right.
I opened my eyes, and found i was lying on my back. Warm sun beat down on me, un adulterated by clouds, a cool breeze snatching the heat away before it got too hot. I lay half in the shade of a pristine White Birch, it's tall, slender form branching out above me. The leaves, being tickled by the wind, chattered quietly, flashing back and forth between their pale undersides, and their vibrant, emerald tops. The sun's reflecting brightly at my eyes off the bark, a bleached white.
There's somthing under my back. A couple of things, actually, so I sit up.
The view itakes my breath away. I'm sitting along side, about four or five meters from, the shore of a huge lake. The ground is moist and healthy, covered in rich brown topsoil and detritus, scarreted with spots of rich, soft, green moss. A slender path wove it's way through a stand of tall Red Pine, wraps around a patch of Wood Sorrel, and cuts sharply to follow the shore, ending before a tight clump of Cedar trees. The trees are open in front of me, making a perfect window overlooking the lake. It's waters are clear and crisp, the surface glimmering, rippling in the gentle wind, its reflections twinkling like stars under the bright sun. The far shore is nothing but a hint, a suggestion of a forest, misted by the haze of distance, it's profile traced along the horizon.
I take a deep breath, and my lungs are filled with a fresh, healthy blast of air, just a little humid, carrying the musky, heady scent of decomposing forest floor, mixed with spores and pollen of all kinds. The cool air rishing into my lungs sends waves of contentment running over my body.
My stomach is full, and it feels warm and good. I look over and see a quaint little firebowl, flames bareley peeking over the edge of the bowl. There's a pot resting in the coals. It's steaming, top off. A whiff of spices is cought by the wind, and sent my way, hints of curry and ginger sneaking into my nostrils.
I yawn. And smile.
And then i realise; i'm not dreaming. I'm actually here, living my dreams.
Ever since i was young, i've known what i wanted to do. More specifically, i knew where i wanted to be. Out here, in the fresh, the free, the clean, the natural. So many months, so many years spent in the woods, and they've played host to my greatest memories, my best stories.
So why did i change? When did i forget about this? sure, i'm happy with where i am, but i'm still damn far from what makes me really happy. I've got to get back to that place, that state of mind. Shit, i have been, it costs me a decent ammount of cash to be able to do this every summer. But i dont want to vacation; i want to live this, day by day. It's so right.
Sneak attack?
Well, i had originially intended this blog to be a venue for music.
...
Now it's really just behaving as though it's my very own little soapbox.
...
Now it's really just behaving as though it's my very own little soapbox.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Commando Mission
Funny story; i'm actually sitting in class right now.
Sure, i realise that could be frowned upon, but hey. I live life on the edge.
I've noticed my style of living is changing. I've started living a much more self motivaited and organized life. Sure, that may not be saying much for yer average joe, but i'm a hedonistic slob by nature. My apartment is almost always in a state of filth, i'm really last minute when it comes to deadlines, and i'm the king of procrastination. No, i invented procrastination. Call me pappa procrast.
But my apartment is kinda clean. It's actually got a bti of a two face thing goin on; two rooms are almost hospital-antiseptic level clean, and the other two are filthy, but i'm working on it. A room a day.
I'm organizing more events this season, and i'm launching a proposal to the Y for a Special Needs integration program with a friend, which will be sweet.
It's odd. My days, until i cleaned up, used to consist of...uh...drinking? smoking? Sex? 's bout it. this whole, you know, being productive thing is new territory for me, and i'm enjoying scouting it out. (though i do still do most of the above mentioned illicit activities, particularly the latter...)
I'm happy with this.
What's this?!? more beats??!
So, this is a track by Lightnin' Hopkins, called Black Cat Blues. It's a really epic old louisiana style twangin blues song. It's great. It's a story of a young handicapped lad.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/1847954687b7a215/
This is a classic blues track by Robert Johnson. He was so shy when he recorded this track, his first recording ever, that he sat in the corner of a hotel room, facing the wall, which is what gave the song such unique accoustics. it's called Come on in my Kitchen.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/18479724383f83fa/
Last, but not least, a little je-ne-sais-quoi of triphop, the style that's all but gone from the mainstream, but is still close to me heart, she is. This is Zero Theory, by Cold Spin
http://www.zshare.net/audio/184799016f52e184/
Hold it down, brehdran san.
Sure, i realise that could be frowned upon, but hey. I live life on the edge.
I've noticed my style of living is changing. I've started living a much more self motivaited and organized life. Sure, that may not be saying much for yer average joe, but i'm a hedonistic slob by nature. My apartment is almost always in a state of filth, i'm really last minute when it comes to deadlines, and i'm the king of procrastination. No, i invented procrastination. Call me pappa procrast.
But my apartment is kinda clean. It's actually got a bti of a two face thing goin on; two rooms are almost hospital-antiseptic level clean, and the other two are filthy, but i'm working on it. A room a day.
I'm organizing more events this season, and i'm launching a proposal to the Y for a Special Needs integration program with a friend, which will be sweet.
It's odd. My days, until i cleaned up, used to consist of...uh...drinking? smoking? Sex? 's bout it. this whole, you know, being productive thing is new territory for me, and i'm enjoying scouting it out. (though i do still do most of the above mentioned illicit activities, particularly the latter...)
I'm happy with this.
What's this?!? more beats??!
So, this is a track by Lightnin' Hopkins, called Black Cat Blues. It's a really epic old louisiana style twangin blues song. It's great. It's a story of a young handicapped lad.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/1847954687b7a215/
This is a classic blues track by Robert Johnson. He was so shy when he recorded this track, his first recording ever, that he sat in the corner of a hotel room, facing the wall, which is what gave the song such unique accoustics. it's called Come on in my Kitchen.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/18479724383f83fa/
Last, but not least, a little je-ne-sais-quoi of triphop, the style that's all but gone from the mainstream, but is still close to me heart, she is. This is Zero Theory, by Cold Spin
http://www.zshare.net/audio/184799016f52e184/
Hold it down, brehdran san.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Al-hum-ni
Gutten Tag!
Wie gehts?
So. This past weekend, (technically, now, since i'm still there...) I was up at Kamp Kanawana for the Alumni weekend. It was great times.
Showed up friday night, after an absurdly tight drive up. Five decent sized people in one not-so-decent-sized civic. Made for good times. Met up with some staff, went for drinks in Sauveur. Nothing fancy.
The next morning was strange. I have spent fifteen summers going to this place. It's my home, without a doubt, and I love Kanawana with all my heart. But I rolled in well after dark, and went right from the car, to the cabin, and slept. (I was DD, dont worry.) When i woke up, i was looking out at a comfortingly familiar sight gone wrong.
The colors were changing.
That's something I've only really seen once before, up here at kamp, but when I was much younger. This place is always so full of life; the air radiates with energy. Not long after the sun rises, the lush green forests are filled with the sounds of kids and laughter, accompanied by the whisper of a cool breeze whisking through White Birch and Maple. It's gorgeous beyond description up here.
But now, it feels off, feels different. It's like Kamp is letting out a long, slow sigh, winding down after another long summer (115, to be precise, I thank you.) The place is quiet, and i dont like it. I miss junior boys, with their shit stained underpants, senior girls with their obnoxious cheering. It's like a battery without a charge; It looks the same on the outside, but when held in your palm, it feels different.
I realised somthing this morning, while sitting down on the docks, smoking a cigarette and nursing a hangover, somthing that broke my dour mood a little. Kanawana has always been this bubble world to me. You appear in this magical little world, tucked in behind a mountain, and are overwhelmed with the life and love. And then you leave - and that's that. I've never realised that this place has it's own life outside of the summer. I know this sounds idiotic, but it fits a little better into the cycle of things now.
God, i love this place.
Anyways, enough waxing poetic for a while.
I should also be found wanting if i were to neglect the absurd ammount of drinking done last night. If you could only see how many bottles of liquor, beer, and wine we've got, you'd probably ask yourself how the fuck we fit all of it into us. Us Kanawanians are a resourceful bunch, trust me. We dont just find the way, we find the will too. It was great; sleeping on rafters, 'chilling' in the freezer, making bacon, cavorting in the woods, and just being merry. I'm glad i came.
So. I cant drop any beats for now, since i dont have any of my music here, not my computer. Next post, soon to come.
Hold it down, suckers.
Wie gehts?
So. This past weekend, (technically, now, since i'm still there...) I was up at Kamp Kanawana for the Alumni weekend. It was great times.
Showed up friday night, after an absurdly tight drive up. Five decent sized people in one not-so-decent-sized civic. Made for good times. Met up with some staff, went for drinks in Sauveur. Nothing fancy.
The next morning was strange. I have spent fifteen summers going to this place. It's my home, without a doubt, and I love Kanawana with all my heart. But I rolled in well after dark, and went right from the car, to the cabin, and slept. (I was DD, dont worry.) When i woke up, i was looking out at a comfortingly familiar sight gone wrong.
The colors were changing.
That's something I've only really seen once before, up here at kamp, but when I was much younger. This place is always so full of life; the air radiates with energy. Not long after the sun rises, the lush green forests are filled with the sounds of kids and laughter, accompanied by the whisper of a cool breeze whisking through White Birch and Maple. It's gorgeous beyond description up here.
But now, it feels off, feels different. It's like Kamp is letting out a long, slow sigh, winding down after another long summer (115, to be precise, I thank you.) The place is quiet, and i dont like it. I miss junior boys, with their shit stained underpants, senior girls with their obnoxious cheering. It's like a battery without a charge; It looks the same on the outside, but when held in your palm, it feels different.
I realised somthing this morning, while sitting down on the docks, smoking a cigarette and nursing a hangover, somthing that broke my dour mood a little. Kanawana has always been this bubble world to me. You appear in this magical little world, tucked in behind a mountain, and are overwhelmed with the life and love. And then you leave - and that's that. I've never realised that this place has it's own life outside of the summer. I know this sounds idiotic, but it fits a little better into the cycle of things now.
God, i love this place.
Anyways, enough waxing poetic for a while.
I should also be found wanting if i were to neglect the absurd ammount of drinking done last night. If you could only see how many bottles of liquor, beer, and wine we've got, you'd probably ask yourself how the fuck we fit all of it into us. Us Kanawanians are a resourceful bunch, trust me. We dont just find the way, we find the will too. It was great; sleeping on rafters, 'chilling' in the freezer, making bacon, cavorting in the woods, and just being merry. I'm glad i came.
So. I cant drop any beats for now, since i dont have any of my music here, not my computer. Next post, soon to come.
Hold it down, suckers.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Round One - Fight!
So.
Yesterday was a hell of a time.
Picnic Electronic brought in Nu Ravers on the Block, Jordan Dare, and MSTRKRFT for their labour day special. C'etait hot. Nu ravers opened the whole shindig at about 3 in the aft, which was kinda off. I'm used to hearing electro in dark, dank, crowded rooms; not in parcs, in the middle of a beautiful sunny monday.
But we capitalized. Draining bottles of wine and packs of smokes, life was hard. I mean, we forgot sunscreen. We were at risk.
So we kicked it (or stumbled it...) to the stage about half way thru Mr Dare's set, pis y'etait bon en colis. The place was finally starting to fill up with scenesters and hipsters; It was a deluge of clothing that was too small, colors that were too bright, and shitty old vintage sunglasses. The mood was set.
Then, all hell broke loose. Mstrkrft shows up on stage, trademark bottle of Crown Royal in hand, smokes already wedged into the crooks of their mouths. People started moving hard even before they hit the Decks. This is the second time i've seen them live, and i'm, once again, none but impressed. They just seem to know what buttons to press to make peoople want to dance, what beats to drop to make people hot. It was fuckin overload.
Anywhom. Couple a tracks to drop, start things off. These Pop. Trust me.
Bloc Party - Mercury(Herve is in Disarray Remix)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/180651111dbe8f5f/
Kidda - Under the Sun (Herve Remix - Extended)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/180672038a52ca51/
A-Trak - Say Woah!
http://www.zshare.net/audio/180673107318b4cb/
Yesterday was a hell of a time.
Picnic Electronic brought in Nu Ravers on the Block, Jordan Dare, and MSTRKRFT for their labour day special. C'etait hot. Nu ravers opened the whole shindig at about 3 in the aft, which was kinda off. I'm used to hearing electro in dark, dank, crowded rooms; not in parcs, in the middle of a beautiful sunny monday.
But we capitalized. Draining bottles of wine and packs of smokes, life was hard. I mean, we forgot sunscreen. We were at risk.
So we kicked it (or stumbled it...) to the stage about half way thru Mr Dare's set, pis y'etait bon en colis. The place was finally starting to fill up with scenesters and hipsters; It was a deluge of clothing that was too small, colors that were too bright, and shitty old vintage sunglasses. The mood was set.
Then, all hell broke loose. Mstrkrft shows up on stage, trademark bottle of Crown Royal in hand, smokes already wedged into the crooks of their mouths. People started moving hard even before they hit the Decks. This is the second time i've seen them live, and i'm, once again, none but impressed. They just seem to know what buttons to press to make peoople want to dance, what beats to drop to make people hot. It was fuckin overload.
Anywhom. Couple a tracks to drop, start things off. These Pop. Trust me.
Bloc Party - Mercury(Herve is in Disarray Remix)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/180651111dbe8f5f/
Kidda - Under the Sun (Herve Remix - Extended)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/180672038a52ca51/
A-Trak - Say Woah!
http://www.zshare.net/audio/180673107318b4cb/
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