I haven't thought too much about the order of this but I believe it's an accurate summary of 2008's highs (and, connected with them, lows). This past year will go down in history as a landmark for me. In the form of Stop Six, I shall explain.
6. The Downtime - After finishing a glory semester at a school on a hill, I decided to take some time off. I was able to disguise it as just part of the program I had taken (and at first, that was the reason) but really it was so I could have time to think. I also watched a lot of Lost. And I did a lot of writing. But most importantly, this downtime taught me how much I hate downtime. Don't get me wrong - I understand the need to relax as much as anyone. Yet I used to think that I would be happiest with nothing to do but to sit back and enjoy life with friends. That's not true. I need challenge. I need goals. Fortunately, the rest of my experiences of this past year set me up for those.
5. The Creation of Stop Six - Silly, I know. It's not that Stop Six itself is that meaningful to me. Rather, it's the fact that I have an outlet of writing. Most of my ventures in writing (like during the downtime) were far too serious. I'm a person who always needs to have a venue to express himself through writing. I would try to write the greatest composition known to man. Needless to say, it sucked the fun out of the experience. Stop Six has taught me that it's not how good you write, it's how much you enjoy writing it.
4. The Dynamic Duo - I went to my friend's cabin again this summer. Usually, I go up with a group of four or more of my other friends. This time, it was just me and said friend. I was worried that it would make for a fairly boring time, but it proved to be quite the opposite. I had more time to just chill, I didn't have to share all the fun stuff with other people and I bonded well with the one friend. And there were girls.
3. The Haters and Lovers - I had a terrible job this summer. I got no respect, shifts, or money. I wrote an angry Stop Six entry about it (one that I believe will go down in Stop Six history). It was not a good experience at all. In the limited sense at least. What this prompted was one of the best experiences of my year. It was ironic that the job that I wanted for so long was easily one of the worst I ever had. It led me to re-evaluate what exactly I wanted in life, and to see that things are rarely as you hope them to be. I quit that job and moved on to what was the best job I ever had. Why was it so good? Because I got everything that was missing - I got respect, shifts, money, and in the words of my manager - love.
2. The End of An Era - I'm not planning on going back to that school on the hill. I had many reasons to leave and not return through my years there. None of those were good, however. But the one I've left on is very, very good. And my memories from that school are equally good. Much of my past few years of life were defined by that school, and my last few weeks there were the perfect ending for it. It was like your favorite TV show coming to an end - so many great times, but to keep it going would just be an injustice. It was time for it to end, and the season finale was fantastic.
1. New Life, New Direction - Tomorrow I will officially begin at my old/new school. I used to get most excited for the video games I would get at Christmas, or seeing a pretty girl the next day at school. Now my child-like excitement is directed towards a new career path. I never thought that would be possible. The above-listed experiences all played a role in my discovery of what it was I wanted to do with my life. This is my challenge. This is my goal. Few things feel this good.
Good plot twists are not changes. They are a revelation of the unexpected direction the story was heading all along. This year, my life saw many a good plot twist.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Top 6 Albums I Discovered In 2008
6. People In Planes - As Far As The Eye Can See
I'm not fully sure that I first discovered this album in 2008. Even if it was 2007, it was probably close enough to still count. A very memorable rock album that mixes the tried, tested and true with some things I can't quite put my finger on.
5. Radiohead - Kid A
This past summer, I wrote a blog on my Radiohead experiment. The results found OK Computer as their best album. I've changed my mind. Kid A embodies Radiohead better than any other album. Also, I've come to accept that fact that I will never fully understand why Radiohead is the greatest band ever. Unrivaled in musicianship and ingenuity, that's for sure. But they're pushed more to the top because the latter attribute is also what our society holds as the highest virtue.
4. Cold War Kids - Robbers and Cowards
I went to see the Killers a few weeks ago, and was struck with the most pleasant of surprises - Cold War Kids were also on the bill. Even more surprising was that they looked nothing like the odd-ball rockers I had them pegged for. They were all fairly clean-cut young men, with the lead singer looking like Conan O'Brien. That's always a good thing. And of course the show was awesome, because Cold War Kids does what music is all about - they write, and play good songs. I guess this write-up is more about the show than the album, but the reason I liked that show was the same reason I love this album.
3. The Killers - Day and Age
I wasn't the biggest fan of the last bit of this album at first, and I'm still not. But I'm just liking the first eight songs more and more. It's too bad that the Killers got to famous and started being billed as the potential world's biggest band, because it plastered them with so many expectations. They're are not and will not be a band that is all things for all people. Just like this album. It's got rock, it's got dance, it's got jazz and who knows what else. But it certainly is not a hit machine in the traditional sense. There's a distinction between musicians who sell albums and musicians who sell songs. Day and Age works better as the full piece, which is not condusive to Big Band-ness. But I like it better that way.
2. Keane - Perfect Symmetry
Sweet, sweet Keane. Even though they are getting bigger, they are still a hidden gem. Keane is catchy and you like them when you first listen to them. Yet people who give this band a whole bunch of listens find more and more treasure each playthrough. Perfect Symmetry was very close to being the best album for me this year. But it does not function well enough on its own. It's missing Under the Iron Sea, just like Under the Iron Sea was missing Perfect Symmetry. Coupling the two together could be the culmatively greatest album of my life, but Under the Iron Sea is a few years to old for me to do that. It would just be unfair.
1. Coldplay - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends/Prospekt's March EP
However, both of the above albums came out this year, and were coupled in the same collection. Just like Keane's two recent albums, these two together could be culmatively the greatest album of my life. There will always be temptation to say that nothing can top Rush of Blood to the Head, but there would always be the temptation to think my life was awesome in grade 4 when I'm really just forgetting all the hardships that childhood had. There is a sure superior quality to Coldplay's work on these albums. They did a lot of different things, but it still sounds like good ol' Coldplay. Coupled with the new songs on Prospekt's March, this epic is one that I will look back on this album for the rest of my life. Probably listen to it, too.
I'm not fully sure that I first discovered this album in 2008. Even if it was 2007, it was probably close enough to still count. A very memorable rock album that mixes the tried, tested and true with some things I can't quite put my finger on.
5. Radiohead - Kid A
This past summer, I wrote a blog on my Radiohead experiment. The results found OK Computer as their best album. I've changed my mind. Kid A embodies Radiohead better than any other album. Also, I've come to accept that fact that I will never fully understand why Radiohead is the greatest band ever. Unrivaled in musicianship and ingenuity, that's for sure. But they're pushed more to the top because the latter attribute is also what our society holds as the highest virtue.
4. Cold War Kids - Robbers and Cowards
I went to see the Killers a few weeks ago, and was struck with the most pleasant of surprises - Cold War Kids were also on the bill. Even more surprising was that they looked nothing like the odd-ball rockers I had them pegged for. They were all fairly clean-cut young men, with the lead singer looking like Conan O'Brien. That's always a good thing. And of course the show was awesome, because Cold War Kids does what music is all about - they write, and play good songs. I guess this write-up is more about the show than the album, but the reason I liked that show was the same reason I love this album.
3. The Killers - Day and Age
I wasn't the biggest fan of the last bit of this album at first, and I'm still not. But I'm just liking the first eight songs more and more. It's too bad that the Killers got to famous and started being billed as the potential world's biggest band, because it plastered them with so many expectations. They're are not and will not be a band that is all things for all people. Just like this album. It's got rock, it's got dance, it's got jazz and who knows what else. But it certainly is not a hit machine in the traditional sense. There's a distinction between musicians who sell albums and musicians who sell songs. Day and Age works better as the full piece, which is not condusive to Big Band-ness. But I like it better that way.
2. Keane - Perfect Symmetry
Sweet, sweet Keane. Even though they are getting bigger, they are still a hidden gem. Keane is catchy and you like them when you first listen to them. Yet people who give this band a whole bunch of listens find more and more treasure each playthrough. Perfect Symmetry was very close to being the best album for me this year. But it does not function well enough on its own. It's missing Under the Iron Sea, just like Under the Iron Sea was missing Perfect Symmetry. Coupling the two together could be the culmatively greatest album of my life, but Under the Iron Sea is a few years to old for me to do that. It would just be unfair.
1. Coldplay - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends/Prospekt's March EP
However, both of the above albums came out this year, and were coupled in the same collection. Just like Keane's two recent albums, these two together could be culmatively the greatest album of my life. There will always be temptation to say that nothing can top Rush of Blood to the Head, but there would always be the temptation to think my life was awesome in grade 4 when I'm really just forgetting all the hardships that childhood had. There is a sure superior quality to Coldplay's work on these albums. They did a lot of different things, but it still sounds like good ol' Coldplay. Coupled with the new songs on Prospekt's March, this epic is one that I will look back on this album for the rest of my life. Probably listen to it, too.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Top 6 Albums of 2008
1. Crystal Castles - Self Titled
2. Fleet Foxes - Self Titled
3. Lykke Li - Youth Novels
4. Coldplay - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
5. Hercules and Love Affair - Self Titled
6. Deerhoof - Offend Maggie
2. Fleet Foxes - Self Titled
3. Lykke Li - Youth Novels
4. Coldplay - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
5. Hercules and Love Affair - Self Titled
6. Deerhoof - Offend Maggie
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Top 6 Records that I've Discovered or have been Released in 2008
6) Against Me- New Wave
5) David Gray- White Ladder
4) Athelete- Beyond The Neighbourhood
3) The Killers- Day and Age
2) Keane- Perfect Symmetry
1) Coldplay- Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
5) David Gray- White Ladder
4) Athelete- Beyond The Neighbourhood
3) The Killers- Day and Age
2) Keane- Perfect Symmetry
1) Coldplay- Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
Monday, December 8, 2008
Top 6 Break Ups
Before I write this i have not done any of these but after discussing these scenario's with people I believe these would be hialrious break ups, So I'm proably once again going to sound like a jerk.
6) The Non-Verbal Break Up- Nothing would suck more than to be texting the lady and getting a response back saying were through. At that point my phone would be half way across the room in a rage against technology. Unlike Kip's song "I Love Technology" I would change it to "I despise Technology" and punch something, proably causing damage.
5) The It's You Break Up- There's the cliche its not you it's me break up. But what if you were so fed up and unimpressed with the person you said, "Ill be straight up here, it's you." What a moment that would be, I would give a standing ovation to whoever utter those words. Maybe after even throw in a, "To be honest, I feel like I'm a real catch."
4) The Jerry MacGuire Break Up- We all know the infamous Secret Garden scene (love the song) where whats her face said, "You had me at Hello." What if you were to reverse that and be in the pouring rain saying to her, "I was excited to say goodbye." Then instead of embracing her, walk off into the distance with your head held high saying, "Who needs Tom Cruise and what's her face, I've got other options."
3) The Singing Break Up- If I was a up and coming muscian and the girl I was with was purely there for the rise to the top, that would suck. That is until you dedicate a song to your lady on stage and say, "This next song is called, Were Through" play a few notes and express your feelings through the chords of G, D, and C. Once she gets the point make your next song 'Return of the Mack" nothing says your over her like an early 1990's R&B song.
2) The Zodiac Break Up- In any marina you'll see small inflatable boats that have little engines on the back that allows you to explore land and gives you the freedom of a small boat. The freedom you'll gain after this break up will be monumental. The premise of this one is you and the lady are standing on a dock and you break the news, saying it's not going to work out. At this point another person comes to the dock on a zodiac and picks you up. Here you crank the motor and plain into the distant sunset leaving her wondering what could have happened after that epic exit.
1) The Face Push Break Up- My personal favourite. This will only work if the person your with is in fact one of the worst humans of all time. Preferably extremely whiney or controlling. The premise is you are walking towards the person and from a distance you can hear them talking about something you apparently did wrong or how you are an idiot somehow. Once you are within a couple feet of the person you extend your hand and as they start to rip into you because of your close proximity you put your hand directly into the face and push them aside. You keep walking and never talk to the person again. Brilliant.
6) The Non-Verbal Break Up- Nothing would suck more than to be texting the lady and getting a response back saying were through. At that point my phone would be half way across the room in a rage against technology. Unlike Kip's song "I Love Technology" I would change it to "I despise Technology" and punch something, proably causing damage.
5) The It's You Break Up- There's the cliche its not you it's me break up. But what if you were so fed up and unimpressed with the person you said, "Ill be straight up here, it's you." What a moment that would be, I would give a standing ovation to whoever utter those words. Maybe after even throw in a, "To be honest, I feel like I'm a real catch."
4) The Jerry MacGuire Break Up- We all know the infamous Secret Garden scene (love the song) where whats her face said, "You had me at Hello." What if you were to reverse that and be in the pouring rain saying to her, "I was excited to say goodbye." Then instead of embracing her, walk off into the distance with your head held high saying, "Who needs Tom Cruise and what's her face, I've got other options."
3) The Singing Break Up- If I was a up and coming muscian and the girl I was with was purely there for the rise to the top, that would suck. That is until you dedicate a song to your lady on stage and say, "This next song is called, Were Through" play a few notes and express your feelings through the chords of G, D, and C. Once she gets the point make your next song 'Return of the Mack" nothing says your over her like an early 1990's R&B song.
2) The Zodiac Break Up- In any marina you'll see small inflatable boats that have little engines on the back that allows you to explore land and gives you the freedom of a small boat. The freedom you'll gain after this break up will be monumental. The premise of this one is you and the lady are standing on a dock and you break the news, saying it's not going to work out. At this point another person comes to the dock on a zodiac and picks you up. Here you crank the motor and plain into the distant sunset leaving her wondering what could have happened after that epic exit.
1) The Face Push Break Up- My personal favourite. This will only work if the person your with is in fact one of the worst humans of all time. Preferably extremely whiney or controlling. The premise is you are walking towards the person and from a distance you can hear them talking about something you apparently did wrong or how you are an idiot somehow. Once you are within a couple feet of the person you extend your hand and as they start to rip into you because of your close proximity you put your hand directly into the face and push them aside. You keep walking and never talk to the person again. Brilliant.
Top 6 Songs That I Would Write If I Were A Songwriter
Like all songs, these are about love. Like all love songs I understand, these love songs are about frustrated love.
6. I Want to Love You But You Don't Love Me
5. I Want to Love You But You Can't Spell So Well
4. I Want to Love You But You Weigh More Than Me
3. I Want to Love You But I Just Can't Love A Beast
2. I Want to Love You But You Have No Future
1. I Want to Love You But You're A Pagan
6. I Want to Love You But You Don't Love Me
5. I Want to Love You But You Can't Spell So Well
4. I Want to Love You But You Weigh More Than Me
3. I Want to Love You But I Just Can't Love A Beast
2. I Want to Love You But You Have No Future
1. I Want to Love You But You're A Pagan
Monday, December 1, 2008
Top 6 Places Not In British Columbia
As promised, here is the sequel. I hope this one isn't a disappointment.
6. The House of the Ninja Turtles - I saw a lot of touristy things when I backpacked around Europe. In fact, I saw so many touristy things that by the time I got to Paris, I refused to go up the Eiffel Tower and enter the Louvre. A lot of people would think me dumb for it, but you don't know how boring even the most historically rich artifacts can get after a while.
But the Vatican museum could never get boring to me. I could spend months with a tour guide, asking more and more questions about all the artifacts that are in there. The trip through the museum also ends with the Sistine Chapel, which is probably the single greatest work of art not in British Columbia.
5. Infinity Beach of Eternity - I grew up in Brazil for almost four years. I also almost drowned twice while I was there. Those strong Brazilian currents were too much for my seven-year-old self. Fortunately I was saved by my parents both times.
But that's not why this beach, or the beaches in Brazil in general, are one of the greatest places not in British Columbia. Aside from almost taking my life, I owe a lot to the Brazilian beaches. There were so many of them that taking a trip to the beach did not constitute fighting with crowds all day. They are endless sand, and as serene as those screen savers you can get. Those were beaches. And those are the reason I can never enjoy the British Columbian beach.
4. The Room of Darkness - I went to Africa with a good friend of mine. The trip was all filled with drama and I was very incapable at dealing with it. One of the ways I managed, however, was to sit in the living room of the place we were staying and listen to music with my friend. We were the only two in that house, so we could get away with it. The generator of the complex we stayed at went out in the early evening, so we would sit in the perfect darkness to listen, talk and ponder our lives. The place I was in at the time and stage of life made it all the more better.
3. The Germanic Village - Also on my trip to Europe, I was privileged to stay with my uncle, and later a friend's cousin, in tiny villages in Germany. It wasn't the boonies like we would understand in North America. In Europe, many places have the population of one of our cities spread out in tiny villages, all just over the next hill from each other.
The time I spent at these places was peaceful and rejuvenating. Both were especially needed as I was on a very hectic trip.
2. The Jesus Circle - My aunt lives in the Cayman Islands. We went to visit her once. As we were exploring the island, we came to this one cul-de-sac. The road leading into the cul-de-sac led out onto a peninsula and was straddled by palm trees. The cul-de-sac featured a statue of Jesus in the middle. It wasn't the statue, so much as the pristine peninsula that ended perfectly at the edge of the dynamic Cayman ocean that made it the one place I hope to have a house someday. Maybe.
1. Space - I've never been to space. I probably never will be. But there is no place that is cooler and that I would love to go more. That's sort of sad, but at the same time, it's probably good. I know that if I had a chance to go to whenever I wanted, I would soon become underwhelmed by it.
6. The House of the Ninja Turtles - I saw a lot of touristy things when I backpacked around Europe. In fact, I saw so many touristy things that by the time I got to Paris, I refused to go up the Eiffel Tower and enter the Louvre. A lot of people would think me dumb for it, but you don't know how boring even the most historically rich artifacts can get after a while.
But the Vatican museum could never get boring to me. I could spend months with a tour guide, asking more and more questions about all the artifacts that are in there. The trip through the museum also ends with the Sistine Chapel, which is probably the single greatest work of art not in British Columbia.
5. Infinity Beach of Eternity - I grew up in Brazil for almost four years. I also almost drowned twice while I was there. Those strong Brazilian currents were too much for my seven-year-old self. Fortunately I was saved by my parents both times.
But that's not why this beach, or the beaches in Brazil in general, are one of the greatest places not in British Columbia. Aside from almost taking my life, I owe a lot to the Brazilian beaches. There were so many of them that taking a trip to the beach did not constitute fighting with crowds all day. They are endless sand, and as serene as those screen savers you can get. Those were beaches. And those are the reason I can never enjoy the British Columbian beach.
4. The Room of Darkness - I went to Africa with a good friend of mine. The trip was all filled with drama and I was very incapable at dealing with it. One of the ways I managed, however, was to sit in the living room of the place we were staying and listen to music with my friend. We were the only two in that house, so we could get away with it. The generator of the complex we stayed at went out in the early evening, so we would sit in the perfect darkness to listen, talk and ponder our lives. The place I was in at the time and stage of life made it all the more better.
3. The Germanic Village - Also on my trip to Europe, I was privileged to stay with my uncle, and later a friend's cousin, in tiny villages in Germany. It wasn't the boonies like we would understand in North America. In Europe, many places have the population of one of our cities spread out in tiny villages, all just over the next hill from each other.
The time I spent at these places was peaceful and rejuvenating. Both were especially needed as I was on a very hectic trip.
2. The Jesus Circle - My aunt lives in the Cayman Islands. We went to visit her once. As we were exploring the island, we came to this one cul-de-sac. The road leading into the cul-de-sac led out onto a peninsula and was straddled by palm trees. The cul-de-sac featured a statue of Jesus in the middle. It wasn't the statue, so much as the pristine peninsula that ended perfectly at the edge of the dynamic Cayman ocean that made it the one place I hope to have a house someday. Maybe.
1. Space - I've never been to space. I probably never will be. But there is no place that is cooler and that I would love to go more. That's sort of sad, but at the same time, it's probably good. I know that if I had a chance to go to whenever I wanted, I would soon become underwhelmed by it.
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