A few more things that happened this summer...

Apparently I really like taking pictures of fireworks. These ones were taken with a slower ISO so I had to compensate with a slower shutter speed, this made some very cool pictures. Please click the link and check out the rest.

Labels: photography, summer

The Week Is Gone, and so is Summer

Sadly, summer is all but gone... Just one more weekend, and I'm back to school. As sad as I am for the end of summer, I am very excited for school. Let's look at some pictures I took.

For reasons I have decided I won't discuss online, I think I may now be one of the most ridiculous people ever.

Labels: photography, summer

Brave New World and Daft Punk

I went to see Daft Punk play in Seattle on the 29th of July and I am only now going to blog about it. It's sad, calling myself a "blogger" and never blogging. A little before, and into the trip there, I read Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" and I wanted to talk about the two of them side by side.

In the book, entertainment is heightened to the next logical level: adding the other senses in to a movie. Just as sound was added in the early part of the century, and then colour, taste, smell and touch is added in A.F 632. This somehow reminds me of the Daft Punk concert experience.

See for yourself:

The show was out of control, and I think everyone was really impressed. The only complaint I had was that it was getting a little hot, and an air gust here and there was barely cutting it. I would love to see air vents and smells added to things like concerts. Imagine: Patchouli drifting through the air, during a slow portion and then crash! a swirling vortex of citrus from the stage during a more explosive portion.

This however may not be enough for the average person who is suffering from work day woes. Like in the book, I am in favour of a drug like "Soma", however I do not think it should be a mandatory dosage. If we could combine some of the effects of Marijuana, LSD and morphine we could create a audience member that has it's senses artificially heightened.

Drugs tend to have negative impacts on the human body, so most drugs in their current form aren't a feasible option, they are however used illegally and experiments like this take place to this day.

I hope that the makes up for taking so long to post something. If you don't want to read the whole thing just check out this mathematical equation: Daft Punk + Seattle + Myself = Awesome/(good times)+Robots+(the Future)

Labels: books, music, philosophy, road trip, summer

Experimental in Lethbridge

I did some time in Airdrie, and had a lot of fun. I had a wild dream about Boards of Canada playing a show (with me watching), and I got really inspired. I remembered I haven't talked much about the music project, and that is because it is becoming a little slower going. The more intricate stuff takes longer, and other things are taking up my time. I am releasing a "Digital seven inch" for everyone to download.

The File
Enjoy

Labels: dlb, mp3, music, summer

I Hate Rodeo

I don't "Hate" rodeo as much as I don't care for it. What I hate is the attitude that you must abuse animals for fun. I do however enjoy watching people getting their asses kicked by said animals. Nature is great!

Right now I am kicking it in Calgary waiting for a ride down to Stampede for some "Hoot n' Hollerin'" fun, and possibly alcohol. Some popular country band will be playing Nashville North, which is where we are going to hang out. This will be reason enough for the alcohol.

Joey is back, and it is her birthday today, so off to the Stampede we must go! It's great having her back as I have never had so much fun sitting around in Airdrie. We're heading back to Lethbridge tomorrow for my own birthday, which should be a good time.

Many regards my good friends, it's hot, so I will need your prayers.

Labels: adventure, friendship, life, road trip, summer

Bicycle Buddhism

Only a few days back on my new bike, and I must say that I am smitten. The weather here has been great bicycle riding weather. I was riding tonight, with a cool breeze in my hair and warm pavement under my wheels. Call me a romantic, but I was seriously in love with my life. There is clarity in the craft of bicycle riding, and I must say I am rather sorry I hadn't been in so long.

Like I mentioned before, my bike was stolen and that discouraged me a bit from riding. However this newish addition to my life has pepped me up with a love for a nice bike. I think I have developed a new style of thinking due to this fact, and I'm very excited. My summer has exponentially improved.I'm sure these ideas have a lot in common with many other thinkers, I do not consider myself a philosopher or a profit of any sort.

When I was a child, I felt chained down when I did not have my bike. Locked down in my basement, doing banal little things because I been grounded or popped a tire I could not afford to fix. A terrible atrocity to a 14 year old boy. Did anyone else feel this way? I usually only had one desire, adventure and explore.

Riding these past few days, I felt the same way, I felt like I was exploring. I think I saw most of Nicolas Sheran park in the past few, and it feels great. I am also finding some fine time to meditate. When I am riding, I am focusing forward, on my bike, on pedaling, and maintaining balance. Clearing my mind of everything else, moving forward without dying is an interesting goal to set. I also find that I do not want as much when I am riding my bike. My desire for worldly possessions falls limp, and my mind goes almost blank. Bicycle meditation? Bicycle Buddhism?

Not saying that this type of feeling is exclusive to cycling, as I am aware of the thrills and fun of many other modes of transportation. I guess whatever works for you will hopefully guide you to a place you want to go. Just as Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty found America and themselves kicking up dust up and down California. Jack Kerouac knew the score, and I feel closer to his stories now that I can relate. I may have found the strange hybrid of Buddhism that I have been looking for.

I'm not preaching to destroy your cars and join my cult, but I would not shy away from a leisurely ride around the west side of Lethbridge with anyone willing for a ride.

Labels: adventure, lethbridge, philosophy, summer

Zen and Bicycle Repair

So I finally got my bicycle back from a friend who had it due to a series of strange events, but I must say that I am thrilled. My original bike was stolen and almost completely trashed due to being ridden in some sub-zero temperatures, and much harder than any Sport-Chek bike should be. I used to race BMX, so I'm pretty good at riding in a reckless manner, and I am sure that lead to the death of the bike. However the thief now has a broken bike.

I however decided to try and balance some karma by stealing a bike from the university that had been tagged as "In violation of bicycle parking", and was long abandoned. I later found out the bicycle belonged to a friend of mine, and she gladly allowed me to steal it. Here is a picture of the bicycle in all it's glory.

Ok, I know it's a girl's bike, but I don't care, it was free!

I took off the front and rear fenders, as well as the back brake. The back brake was broken, and the fenders were rubbing. As well, it looks much cleaner now. So I am going to do some upgrades to make this the coolest thing ever:
-Get a new seat; The current one is horrendous.
-New pedals; The current ones are probably older than me.
Remove the chain guard; It's ugly and I never wear baggy pants anymore.
-Make it a Fixie?

The reason for the question mark is the fact that riding a fixed gear bicycle can be extremely dangerous if not taken seriously. However, it is apparently very rewarding once you can get the hang of it. It will also let me remove the extremely antique gear shifter, and horrendously rusted gears. Think I can do it? I'm not too sure either. I have however found this resource online, and it seems I may just need to go wheel shopping. "How To Build A Fixed Gear Bicycle"

Let's hope I don't die.

Labels: adventure, holidays, lethbridge, life, summer

Happy Go Skateboarding Day

It's sick, choking young teens for skateboarding and "Disorderly Conduct". A lot more information on the incident.

Labels: anger, Skateboarding, summer

Weekly Blogging Doesn't Cut It

Sadly, blogging once a week just does not cut it. People tend to stop checking for new posts after a few days of being let down. I had it down to 1 or 2 days a few weeks ago, but with two jobs, radio and trying to stay in contact with old friends, I have lost my momentum.

Last night I got to hang out with some great old friends, I will toss up some pictures of the evening tomorrow or later this evening. I'm going to be working a lot next week, but I will try and make sure to blog a bit for you fine folks. This may be a rip off of another nice quote, but... "I'd rather live a great life, than blog a bad one".

Labels: blogging, friendship, philosophy, summer

All Around Lethbridge

Not downtownish.

Labels: photography, summer

Graffiti In Lethbridge

I love the centre justified, I think it just adds so much to the post. Isn't it weird that this website has nothing to do with the radio show that shares it's name? I need to fix that, check out the photos!

Labels: adventure, art, photography, summer

I hope I have made a difference in your life

Some of this may come off as pretentious, and I no doubt am a little pretentious from time to time. I'm sure it pisses people off, and I don't even realize. Anyways... A story:

I was bobbing along Blackfoot Road towards the Backstreet, I was going to have a few beers with some friends and I thought that I should walk. The night was clear, crisp, and packed with an energy that I could not explain. Bob Marley's "Jammin" was keeping my steps in time, and putting a giant smile on my face. I walked with passion and conviction under the silent streetlights, and I felt that nothing could stop me. However, something did cross my path that I did find concerning.

Two shadows appeared a distance from myself, traveling in the opposite direction. I noticed stumbling, a case of beer, and a little red ember that the big one casually brought to his mouth. I inferred they were drunk, or had at least been drinking and I became a little concerned. Drunk people have a tendency to do two things: Make fools of themselves, and become violent. I have enough real world, and pop culture knowledge to know these things to be facts. I began weighing my odds as I approach the shadowy duo, and realize that instead of them being some university students coming home from a party, it was two first nations people.

The big one, a young man smoking a cigarette motions for me to stop. I bounce ideas back and forth in my head, deciding if I should stop and talk, or keep walking. This guy could spit in my face for a number of things, he could steal my wallet, but he could also be no different then myself. I stopped, slowly pulled my earphones out, and simply said "Hey", "Take out your iPod headphones and let me ask you a question" he replied.

"Can you see this girl here, serving you as a stewardess for Air Canada?" he asks, pointing to his shorter counterpart. I look his friend in the eyes and see thirty some years of potential balled up and ready to shoot out. I wonder why she didn't believe in herself, and if it was because there were too few people that did. I remember back to "Indian Reservations" that I have been to, I remember back to Bob Marley's inspiring words of perseverance and happiness.

'"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds"'

I think about myself, and what I have learned since I have come to Lethbridge. I stupidly spout "I think that she, and anyone else can be whatever they want to be. They just need to believe in themselves" and the woman smiles. "She's in a place where she has no idea where she is going, her head is mixed up" her friend responds. The last thing I say of any importance or interest is "I know the feeling", we shake hands and go on our own way.

I placed my earphones back in and begin to drown out the silence. I really hope I have made a difference.

Labels: drunk, friendship, philosophy, summer

The "UnPose" pose

Bask in the glory!

My new favourite style of portrait

Don't pose unless you are going to pose like you are not posing!

Labels: funk, photography, summer

Endless Summer

Wow, what a summer we've got shaping up here. A lot of sun, blue skies and cool people all around this fair city of Lethbridge. Saturday was an excellent day for swimming, and swim we did. Some friends who were in town for convocation convinced me to don some swim trunks, slap on some sunscreen and rock out on the water. It was probably the most fun I've had yet this summer, although I am almost completely beat because of it. I really liked how tanned I got near the end of last summer, so I intend on doing that a little earlier this time around. I took what I consider to be some pretty cool pictures:

There are more if you are a facebook friend, as well, some pictures from the night before which I like equally as much.

Have a good summer, and check back for some more updates!

Labels: drunk, friendship, lethbridge, summer