Accounting

I'm thinking about another template redesign and possibly a format change. I want to get some bloggers together to make a ring of blogs like they do over at "Weblogs Inc.". If you don't know them they do "Engadget" "Joystiq" and "The UnOfficial Apple Weblog", which are my favourite blogs on the internet. The UnOfficial Apple weblog is really nice, because as a Mac user it has a lot of tips and tricks for making your computer more radical/useful.

Einars is bringing out a new blog, and I think it would be fun to make a little web-ring of bloggers with similar tastes in music and design.
My original plan for lifebystereo.com was a music blog, however I never listened to nearly enough CDs, and usually only got CDs I knew I'd like. So that whole thing kind of got ruined. I want to talk to some peope about writing some reviews of records, DVDs and whatever. Send me an e-mail at Bananatree(at)gmail.com if you are interested.

Anyways, I've got my first mission. I'll be reviewing "Grrrls with Guitars Vol. 3" for here/The University's Newspaper.

Rock and Roll Journalism

There hasn't been much to say lately. I finished "The Shining", good book I must say, ends on a much nicer note than the movie, with a lot of differences. King + Kubrick is a very nice combo, and I can totally tell why the book got made in to a movie.

I think I am going to make a habit of going to pick up oldish books at thrift stores, or at least seeking some choice books out. I'm watching "Almost Famous" right now, and I have a feeling that I want to read "Fast times at Ridgemont High", to get another perspective on the already awesome movie. Cameron Crowe has lived a very interesting life, makes me kind of jealous. He was writing for Rolling Stone when he was 15, and wrote a book after going back to high school. I mean, "Fast Times,.." kicked a whole lot of ass. Let's not forget John Cusack's 1989 opus "Say Anything".

Rock and Roll kids, Rock and Roll.

Jaron,

Broken Social Scene

I must say that Broken Social Scene put on a really tight, really long, really fun show. Kevin Drew, the lead singer and one of the four guitarist, was rather drunk. Entering the stage with a glass of wine, and taking down a few bottles of beer during the show. Bantering and doing introductions a little too boisterously, generally having a good time.

They played a solid set-list, drawing mostly from their second two albums. As was expected, since the first album is mainly slow instrumental tracks. I was rather surprised that they played both versions of their track "Major Label Debut", The fast version and the slow version.

All and all, I am not much of a music critic, the overall sound quality could've been better. While all the instruments had been separated nicely, and the distinguishment between horns, violin and guitar was done very nicely. My only real grip is that the highs were a little too intense when the guitars got a little crazy.

Good times were had, and much love was spread among the fans.

I hadn't really been settled by the time "The Most Serene Republic" however what I heard and saw was fantastic. Try and listen to "Content was always my favourite colour" if you get a chance.

Best Regards, Jaron W.

The Good Times Are Killin' Me

I actually wish that was true. The good times are keeping me alive since what is really killing me is 3D animation. This class is evil, and I hate it a whole lot. To kind of summarize why I dislike it, here is a metaphor: Working with 3D is like working with Play-Doh that defies all physical laws. Moving bits of the Doh will create strange new faces. The computer makes you do things so it can calculate it's stupid new mathematical co-ordinates.

The good times will be healing me on Tuesday night, because I am going to see Broken Social Scene. This being excellent, because A: I've been wanting to see them for a year and a half, and B: I need an awesome concert to save my soul. I saw Mars Volta & System of a Down, then the next day I saw Underoath, Alexisonfire and The Used. This was disheartening, because the best bands at both shows did not really get the play time they deserved. System of a Down and The Used ruined the respective shows for me. Whether it was screaming 14 year old girls, or roid-ragers with their shirts off, punching their arms.

So I am pretty pumped about a mellow show without insane people screaming like retards. Broken Social Scene rocks some really mellow pop music, with some ambient sounds and chill beats, I'll be really confused if there is anyone there with their shirt off screaming "Fuck yeah, I'm so drunk, BSS is so ROCK"
Broken Social Scene
With Guests: The Most Serene Republic
Tuesday Nov. 15th @ Mac Hall Calgary, Alberta, Canada

gateau-fabulous

I had to blog this since I think Wolfparade is rock:

Dude: Shit in the pussy!
Wolf Parade singer: ...Did someone just say "shit in the pussy"?

That's from Overheard in New York and it's one of the better sites on the internet. Better than both "Myspace" and "Nexopia".

Another thing I think is really good is the new "Boards of Canada" album. Other notables include: everything I have heard from the new Controller.Controller, DFA 1979 Remix album, David Bowie and Amandine. Amandine album is not out yet, but the song "Blood and Marrow" is good. You can check it out if you google Amandine. I suggest it, therefore it must be worth thinking about.. ATLEAST

In one week I am going to see "Broken Social Scene" with Kristy and Martine. I am going to yell something stupid at the band, and hope they respond hilariously. "Shit in the pussy" will be considered.

Bananarific.

Books

I've dove head first into "The Shining" by Stephen King, and I am finishing off the movie "Breathless" as I type this. The 60's flick, not the Richard Gere one. It is really good, but I keep forgetting that I can't speak French, and that I am truly reading the subtitles. I really need to learn to speak French. For the good of the commonwealth, as it were. Other than having to read the subtitles, I really dig this movie, the subs don't take away anything from it, it's just annoying when I am so droopy eyed and trying to write.

The score is full of excellent Jazz music, and the entire film has an excellent beatnik feeling to it. Very nice suits, girls with big glasses, fedoras, stripes, girls sans-bra. Styling aside, the movie was shot in a strange style that apparently was very exciting back in the day. Quick cut shots making some scenes disorienting, and adding a certain element of speed to certain scenes. Some classic lines too, an awesome flick, if the subtitles were done better I'd buy this movie in a second. (or maybe I'll just learn French)

True Love forever.

Jaron W.

Come and Gone

I just finished "Interview with the vampire", and now I am watching Godzilla 2000 before I go to sleep. "Interview" is a very good book, I think you should check it out and then watch the movie, which I am pretty excited for. I decided to abstain from the movie until I was done the book, since I don't do that very often. I mostly see movies and then later hear about the book, or I read a book that never gets made into a movie.

While written by a woman, I think "Interview" touches on a few subjects that are really interesting and important for men to look at. Violence and men seem to go hand in hand, this is very unfortunate, because a lot of people can be hurt at the hands of men. This is also very unfortunate, because as men we are also very sensitive, much more than we usually let on. Our nature as a species, and our heritage has bred a very strange organism, that seems to love and hate all at the same time. Rice's vampire love and hate so deeply that sex and draining one's blood go hand in hand. I find the book being very real in that regard.

In other news, I've been watching a few Godzilla movies, much more than I have before. I really like cheesy monster movies. Godzilla, Ghidorah, Mechagodzilla, Ultraman, King Kong, all really awesome. Peter Jackson's King Kong should be excellent. Trailer/look inside I saw the original King Kong when I was very young, and found it magnificent. I really should rent/buy it on DVD.

All in all, good times are being had around 254 Blackfoot Rd,
Best Regards~
J=W=

P.s I updated a chapter of the "Young Adventure Team". For those who don't know: I am slowly writing a series of chapters, based on a team of young adults who travel in to space on a mission to save the world. I have written 3 chapters, chapter 2 and 3 are broken up into 2 subchapters each. I hope you enjoy the newest entry. Young Adventure Team