I'm baaaack!

Hello fan! I am finally back in action!
After being in Vancouver for months without a computer, I had sort of stopped blogging. But I've finally succeeded in obtaining a computer to call my own. A gorgeous iMac 21.5" with 4gb memory blah blah such and such. To apologize for my long vacation from the blog world, I've made this exquisite playlist of some good tunes.

This blog is mostly for just music and videos and things I find that I connect with and enjoy. There is other projects underway I'm in the works of, but not for my blog. These plans are for bigger things. But don't even worry! I'll keep ya'll up to date. Meanwhile, enjoy these songs.

It feels good to be back.

White Mountain Fog - First take.

mario kart 65

   When you first move away from home, you create this image in your mind of how a living life on your own will be. You think being a fully independent young adult will be a constant roller coaster ride of excitement and mystery. The reality is that living on your own is not a permanent vacation, its serious stuff! Us boys spend a lot of time at the apartment (Carl) since we are all extremely short handed for cash. I am blessed to be handed a job as a backstock boy at American Apparel. I am making next to minimum wage, spending $100 a month to buy a bus pass so I can commute 1 1/2 hours to work and back each day, so I can afford to buy no-name brand food and pay rent and bills. Money is tight, but hey, did anyone say it was going to be easy?

Our lack of spending money has yet to really make a permanent dent on our spirits and morale. Everyday we try to find new ways to spend our time and have fun. Some days we pull out the old 35mm cameras, get fresh from head to toe, and try to become the next lookbook superstars. When its cold and wet outside, we find things to do at home. Our latest time-waster involves Mario Kart and a whiteboard. Basically what we've managed to do is put a whole new

spin on this classic game. We keep track of who won what race on whatever track, and the goal is to claim every single track. Its a bit like monopoly, trying to own properties and take out the competition. You can also get stars by beating tracks you already own and doing other race challenges. As you can see, I own every track on Special Cup (purple). This game is still a work in progress. We might find a way to include a money system into it, or something.

   In other news, I decided the other day that I have given up smoking forever. The past few months, cigarettes have had a serious effect on my life. It has tethered me down, and emptied my wallet. It went like this: I pulled the last cigarette out of my carton, looked at Ben and said "This is the very last cigarette I will ever have in my life." I felt so certain about it when I said it. There was no hesitation. What a time to quit, I must say! In times of struggle and despair, responsibilities and poverty, after being stabbed in the heart by whores kept hidden by the cross, you would think I'd need cigarettes more than ever! But I don't need something to control my life anymore. I feel 100% free now. It is great.

   That basically sums up this post, and sums up what's new in NVan. I miss my family, and I miss my dog!

The Mario Kart board

epic decks

Last weekend, me Ben and our good friend Jason from Vernon were hanging out at the apt, bored. While seshin hard on our tech deck park, we decided to get some epic shots. I don't have the legit shots (yet) but here are a few I do have. Expect some super sick looking ones soon.

The Shangri-Las.

Sometimes we forget how much of an impact music of the 50's 60's and 70's has made on modern pop music. This song is called "Remember (Walking in the Sand)" by The Shangri-Las. Its sound is daunting and full of feminist power. Its sound its virtually indifferent from what modern groups try to achieve. Its soothing, moving, angry, unsettling, and catchy all at once. Shangri-Las, you are my latest addiction.

The Shangri-Las "Remember (Walking in the Sand)"

The Golden Controller.

Here at the apartment, we don't have too much for entertainment. No cable, barely a computer. Our greatest sources of fun come from Lost seasons 1-3 and the N64 we bought. We've got 4 controllers: 3 flat greys and a yellow, or as we like to call it, "The Golden Controller." Whether we're playing Mario Kart or Goldeneye multiplayer style, the winner of the tournament receives the privilege of using The Golden Controller. We do a good job of staying true to the code. The controller gets passed around the room like when a "Surrey gurl" meets the Vernon Vipers. Tonight, Dale robbed away the golden prize from Ben in what must have been the most intense Mario Kart tournament of all time. Like camping, it was intense.

Congratulations Dale, and for the rest of you, I hope you've gained a bit of knowledge on how fun North Vancouver is in late November.