The Musings of Mr. C.C.

Song Of The Day #33

2012-02-12T14:37:00.000-06:00

This song comes from a band that is relatively new as they've been around for four years. This particular song has been played on CBC Radio 2 a lot. I dig it. The guy has a higher voice and it's been likened to Prince. Take that for what you will.

"Free" by Graffiti6
YouTube link

Loving Thy Enemy

2012-02-11T15:25:00.000-06:00

I mentioned in my last post that I struggle with the idea of loving thy enemy. This post will into depth more about my thoughts about this very issue. I will use some scripture in a way that will hopefully make sense to you.

Looking scripture on "loving thy enemy," I came across an interesting passage. It is Matthew 5:43 and it says "You have heard it was said, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.'" (NIV) With this passage, it seems to contradict what most Christians are taught in the "hate your enemy" part of the verse. A lot of Christians if not 99 percent of them are taught to love your enemy. But unfortunately, I am in the one percent that either doesn't love the enemy or struggles with that notion. Is it natural to hate someone you consider an enemy? I have always hated an "enemy" of mine. I find it easier to just hate them rather protrude a loving reaction to them. Even if someone preaches the opposite of this passage, deep down, most people have someone they hate or have hated. If they say they never did than who am I to call them out on bullshit? Nevertheless, this passage seems to define how I think with my struggles. Just go all out and hate this person.

Matthew 5:44 contradicts the previous verse. It says "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (NIV) I struggle with praying for someone I hate. Maybe it is beneficial to pray for change in thy enemy. But I just can't bring myself to do it. So I don't pray for an enemy. I feel like "screw them" and just leave them to their own devices. That's what happened with this one guy my best friend and I were friends with. We helped him a lot and we were given nothing in return. So herself and I left him to his own devices. He never changed after going to rehab (he is an alcoholic). He kept doing the same thing he has always done. So I hate him and could never be a friend to him ever again. It may not be right in the eyes of some people, but it's been said that you just have to walk away from it all. I did that and have never looked back. I don't feel bad for doing it either. Don't even think about laying a guilt trip on because that is totally childish and lame to even attempt to do so!

Luke 6:27-28 also talks about praying for your enemy among other things. "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (NIV) All these things it says to do in this passage, I find myself not being able to do. I know there is a point to doing it all, but I can't for the life of me bring myself to do it. I feel it goes against everything I think about this and that's the struggle. The struggle to do the good I should be doing versus what I do. I know it's easy for some people to love thy enemy and do all the things as stated, but it's not so easy for me. It's a struggle and if you've struggled with this, than you will know exactly where I'm coming from.

I am not necessarily holding grudges per se because I try not to do that. It's just a flat out hate for my enemy. This is something I face everyday and it gets no easier. I can't just one day wake and say I will love thy enemy. It's not that easy for me. It will never be that easy. So don't even try to put a spin on it that it is. It's not all smoke and mirrors. It's not all black and white. There is a big grey area for me. There will for a long time be a grey area. Until that day comes when I can love thy enemy, it will be a struggle no matter what I'm told.

Westboro Baptists

2012-02-11T13:21:00.001-06:00

I've probably done a post on this group of from Topeka, Kansas; but I'm doing another one. Every time I hear about, read about, or watch footage on the Westboro Baptists, I get so enraged. The stuff they do is beyond stupid. The doctrine they believe is quite primitive. It is so primitive that even like minded individuals that in terms of doctrine reject them. Even the Klu Klux Klan think what they do is wrong.

In the Bible, it says "love thy enemy." This is something I struggle with. Westboro Baptists are the enemy. They are blind to what they believe that they think what other people believe and is wrong. They go on the basis of freedom of speech and freedom to protest. That's all fine and well, but when does freedom of speech and freedom to protest become more than that? They use the law to their advantage to spew their rhetoric. Here is the irony, when someone protests or does something against them than it's a no-no and not acceptable. The hypocrisy of it all. It's all good in their world until you throw it back in their face.

Even if one of their own throws it back in their face, they will shun you and kick you out of the church. If you ask me, that would be more of a blessing than anything else. You are seriously screwed up in the head if you are involved in such a group. There are better ways to spend your time instead of promoting hate. I don't know about you, but as a Christian, I've always told to love one another (even though it's hard to do so towards everyone). But they can't even attempt to show love towards their fellow man. They would rather look for the negative and dwell on it. They are wasting their time spreading hate rather do good.

I don't even consider the Westboro Baptists Christians. They use the Bible in sick and twisted ways. They manipulate the scriptures to show hate whether it says it or not. They actually get joy out of saying that this natural disaster is God's wrath or some crap like that.

Even though I don't like the Westboro Baptists or even "hate" them per se, it's been said that we should pray for them. But praying for the enemy is something I struggle with. Hopefully one major event can help them see the errors of their ways that they change. Then again maybe not. But one can be hopeful!

Now vs. Then and Mainstream vs. Indy/Indie

2012-01-23T22:21:00.001-06:00

People like to bitch about various items nowadays saying that back in the day was better. Not everything back in the day was better. But they complain about the music, professional wrestling, TV shows, and other items. There are good things in each of those aforementioned items. There are times in history where things are bad, but no matter what, people will bitch that things in the now is bad.

People are too stubborn to look at things objectively. They would rather subject things to this one standard nowadays and back than. Nowadays being crap and then being awesome. That's not the case if you look closely. People would rather bitch than look at things objectively.

If bitching about things in the now isn't annoying enough, they have lump in the whole of something based on the mainstream. Take professional wrestling for example, some people will say that wrestling overall is terrible because the mainstream is not what it used to be. If you are not even checking out indy wrestling, than how can you accurately say that wrestling overall is terrible. You can't accurately judge something by strictly the mainstream.

This is a problem I encounter. A lot of people think the mainstream is the measuring stick for everything. That is further from the truth. In all honesty, being mainstream or indy/indie is irrelevant to how good or bad the whole of something is. Unfortunately that doesn't factor into the realm of thinking for a lot of people.

You can find pretentious ass clowns in both the mainstream and indy/indie of whatever. Tegan and Sara have said they did indie music festivals for years and the people that go to them look at you as if your pants are not tight enough, hair is not a certain way, etc..

People need to stop being so pretentious about everything. They can't find anything good in anything. Get over it and stop complaining. But nothing will ever be good enough for a lot of people even when you prove there is good in stuff.

Why Being Polite Is Overrated

2012-01-22T22:54:00.002-06:00

The Music Think Tank has an article on why being polite is overrated. I found the article via a ReverbNation tweet. When I seen the tweet, it made me check out the article. I agree with the article 100 percent. My friend and I talked about this very topic.

It's true that being only complimentary is a big problem. I know a person who releases music to a very small fan base. His fan base is nothing but his friends and a few people he knows. The problem is that they won't say anything critical or be honest about his work. They will brown nose him showering him with praise and compliments. It's good to get compliments and praise for your work. But if you work is terrible, how will you grow as an artist if people are not honest?

Maybe I feel this way because I am hard on myself with some of my music. I find I write songs that are sometimes too long and I get frustrated that I can't pare a song down from to a three or four minute song. But some people are too stubborn and thick skinned to realize stuff like this about their music and as I said, people won't tell them that. Are people afraid to offend someone? Are people afraid that the artist will get mad? Proof is with Taylor Swift. Somebody wrote something about her she felt hurtful. So she turned it into a hit song... People need to stop being so sensitive. If you can't handle constructive criticism, than you are in the wrong business.

People can't handle a big steaming pile of the truth. People would rather have their feelings safeguarded with some bogus bullshit and fake ass kissing because it's what they want to hear. But the truth can be your best friend. You can actually benefit from the truth. If you want me to lay down a dose of truth on your music, I'll do it. I'm not afraid that you'll get butt hurt because in time you'll get over. The article says the truth which is negative can foster creativity and make your music better because it shows you what you can do differently or improve upon. If you can't accept the truth, than how will you ever improve? Not improving sounds counterproductive. Not only that, but arguing or debating and sarcasm makes you more creative because it makes you view things in a different light. But sometimes it comes back to being stubborn. Some people don't want to see things differently.

People don't need to sugarcoat things. If you feel one way, than say what you feel. Don't say something you don't feel because it's what they want to hear. Sure it's not pleasant to hear, but sometimes they have to bite the bullet and deal with it. You as an artist will be better for it.

Winter Weather

2012-01-20T20:33:00.000-06:00

In various parts of the world, weather can change in an instant. This is especially true in Saskatchewan. This past Sunday, Saskatchewan woke up to a blanket of snow. This is the most snow we've had all winter (if you would even call it that.).

The seasonal norms for this time of year is not always what we get. Some people think it's odd to get these cold -40 C with the windchill temperatures multiple days in a row. We are Saskatchewan after all, so temperatures like this for a few days shouldn't surprise you. Unfortunately with some people it does.

I guess living in Saskatchewan hasn't taught some of the population anything. But at least this cold snap we are in isn't effecting just Saskatchewan. On the Weather Network, they showed the parts of Canada where it is extremely cold. From part of Eastern British Columbia to parts of Northwestern Ontario are experiencing a major deep freeze. Some parts of Canada are less accustomed to this sort of weather than other places.

When I hear about other places in Canada complaining about a foot of snow and have to get the army to get the army in to help them dig out, I think "get over it." Some people are pansies when it comes to winter. You live in Canada, so you know what to expect out of winter. Yet people want to live in oblivion thinking that the next winter won't be bad. We will never know until we are faced with winter. You can try and predict the winter, but it won't always be what is predicted. That's the unpredictability of winter and weather in general.

I bet people want what is forecast for weather. Unfortunately, that's not always possible. You can use all these methods, tools, and technology to try and accurately forecast what the weather for winter is going to be like, but even that is not always foolproof. I guess you can think of forecasts as a possibility of what the weather might be like. As I said, living in Saskatchewan, the weather can change in an instant and if you've spent any time here, you'd know that.

I Am Not Broken

2012-01-16T17:57:00.001-06:00

The title is a bit deceiving. I'll tell the story.

Friday was like any other day. Or so it seemed. It was Friday 13th. I don't focus on the superstition of it. I find it to be a load of shit myself. So I went on with my day unassuming of anything. I did my duty of running the shredder while the one I work with was taking lunch. A semi was being unloaded during that time. You might think there is no significance in that. I was grabbing tires to put on the shredder and I looked up and a tire hit me square in the face. It was on the right side of my nose and under my eye. There was some blood, but no stitches were required. Nothing was broken either.

My glasses and safety glasses were broken.

People at church were shocked to hear what happened.

I was needing know glasses anyways, but this will speed things up in getting them.

That's the story. It is true, I am not broken.

Song Of The Day #32

2012-01-13T18:58:00.000-06:00

This is the latest single from the Deep Dark Woods. It's been getting some play on CBC Radio 2. Great song!

"Sugar Mama" by Deep Dark Woods
YouTube link

Song Of The Day #31

2012-01-09T18:08:00.000-06:00

Here is another song I hear a fair bit on CBC Radio 2 Morning and even heard it on CBC Radio 2 Drive. This song has a Sloanesque sound.

"The Year Things Feel Apart" by The Golden Seals
YouTube link

Song Of The Day #30

2012-01-08T16:52:00.003-06:00

This is a song that I hear a fair bit on CBC Radio 2 Morning. It's a catchy song!

"Are You" by Alex Cuba
YouTube link

All Of Nickelback's Greatest Hits Played At Once

2012-01-02T22:23:00.000-06:00

This was posted on Facebook by someone on my friends list. It is beyond classic! Most people will find this funny.

YouTube link

This Is Freaking Insane!

2012-01-01T22:00:00.002-06:00

Check out this link. It basically shows the progression of stickers being put everywhere by thousands of kids. This is a totally unique concept. It is simply mind blowing when it comes to the end result!

Song Of The Day #29

2011-12-31T10:44:00.000-06:00

This song of the day I heard while watching the Google year in review video. Mat Kearney's voice sounds a lot like Chris Martin of Coldplay which I like. This song is off his 2011 album "Young Love." This is a great song.

"Sooner of Later" by Mat Kearney
YouTube video

2012 End Of The World Is A Joke...

2011-12-30T14:03:00.000-06:00

Some people believe that 2012 is the end of the world. A lot of people don't understand the basis of this. I don't know much about it, but it has something to do with the Mayans. They had some way of figuring that this particular year that the world was going to end. I don't get it, but they did. Other people believe that the world is going to restart itself and be the way it is meant to be or something along those lines.

All I know is that people have bought into this doomsday crap and it hasn't come true. In the year 2000, people thought the world was going to end. But here I am posting on my blog. May 21, 2011, the world was supposed to end and again, here I am. Apparently Harold Camping miscalculated the date and the actual date of the world ending was October 21. But here I am once again...

This whole end of the world crap is a joke. The world will end when it's ready. We don't some crackpot or Mayans to tell that this day or during this year the world will end. All this is just a scare tactic. There were commercials that showed people running for their lives and that they had to get entered into some lottery to get a spot in some underground shelter so you survive the end of the world. Like I said, it's all just a big scare tactic and people shouldn't buy into this. It's just sad that there is a portion of the people that do.

Occupy Wall Street Movement

2011-12-29T23:39:00.000-06:00

I've been sitting on this for a while now and have been just trying to collect my thoughts. This post stems from a status on Facebook. But now I've decided to actually finish this post...

Apparently the "Occupy Wall Street" movement is still happening. What I want to know is, what has it accomplished? Has Wall Street took notice and thought "lets change things?" Have corporations changed how they run? No! They are still doing what they have been doing for eons and not batting an eye. They are making money, so why do they care if they stay the same?

I understand there are a portion of the people that protest to try and get changes to happen (which may never happen). But there are a portion of the people that protest because they think it's cool to protest and try and stick it to the man. I'm all for sticking it to the man if it accomplishes something, but I have yet to hear or read about it accomplishing something.

I've been saying that if they truly want to make a change, than they should do it from the inside by working their way up through a company or corporation and try to bring about change that way. I would think that this is the smart way to go. Or so one would think, but people would rather be unproductive and complain about things being so shitty instead of trying. I am all for protesting, but doing this is a cop out to not having to do anything from within to bring about change. Sure you'll feel satisfied (for a lack of a better word) knowing that you brought through protesting. But wouldn't you feel better if you brought about change from within knowing you worked hard to bring about that change? Maybe it's the fact I grew up being told to work hard (even though I don't a lot of times) that I feel that change should be brought from within.

It's not only all the above stuff I mentioned, but also that the "Occupy Wall Street" movement has been funded by the wrong people. People don't realize who it's funded by. George Soros has funded the movement yet he is in one of the groups (Wall Street) that people are protesting against. Isn't this the biggest heir of irony? People like to be oblivious and think their particular "Occupy Wall Street" protest is not funded by a guy like Soros, for exmaple, but in reality they don't know who is funding it. Their particular protest could be funded by the crookedest people in corporations or Wall Street and they wouldn't be none-the-wiser to it.

In some places I've heard about that have these protests, they have been violent. Isn't being violent taking away from the intent of why you are protesting? Isn't the counterproductive and change the focus onto something else other than the intent of the protests? Plus it only takes one person to get the crowd violent and whatnot.

Maybe I'm looking at the surface of this issue. Maybe it goes much deeper. Either way, I have yet to hear or read about their protests bringing about even the slightest change.

Oh and to the Saskatoon man who didn't buy Christmas presents for his children because it is supporting the corporations, you can buy presents at businesses that are not corporations. I may have bought Christmas presents at corporate stores, but it wasn't at mega corporation department starts like Walmart. There are alternatives and it can be done. Just saying...

Random Fact #7

2011-12-28T11:35:00.000-06:00

Roger Ebert tweeted today that today, December 28, is the birthday of movies. So to all, past and present, who who have made a career making movies, in some way or another, or just enjoy watching movies, we say happy birthday movies.

In The Age Of The Internet

2011-12-19T19:56:00.001-06:00

Here is a poem I randomly started to write as a status on Facebook, but decided to post in a blog instead.

In the age of the Internet, news travels fast and five seconds later it is old
In the age of the Internet, people will believe anything
In the age of the Internet, people will have their nutty convoluted views and opinions affirmed
In the age of the Internet, there are ways to get things without paying for it
In the age of the Internet, jokes and sarcasm are not easily picked up by people as they are too dense
In the age of the Internet, the stupidest shit becomes popular
In the age of the Internet, people will start rumors on social networking sites because they seemingly have nothing to do
In the age of the Internet, people act differently than they do offline
In the age of the Internet, people think it's a big deal to hide their identity when you can easily be found
In the age of the Internet, people act like they know everything and don't like to be proven wrong
In the age of the Internet, people post statuses on Facebook saying they are bored yet they are on the Internet
In the age of the Internet, people say they support charities and causes, but in actuality, they don't do anything to prove that
In the age of the Internet, we have crafted a language specifically for use online because we've become too lazy to type complete words
In the age of the Internet, people like to label people without knowing them even if it is true
In the age of the Internet, things have changed for the good and for the bad

Song Of The Day #28

2011-12-17T09:36:00.000-06:00

Here is one of my favourite traditional Christmas carols. This version is amazing because of who sings it. He does an amazing vocal. It's so AWESOME! This version is in Spanish.

"Angels We Have Heard on High" by Andrea Bocelli
YouTube link

Reflections On Sunday

2011-12-17T09:27:00.000-06:00

Looking back on this past Sunday, I can say that there was a lot of emotions. There was sadness, joy, thanks, praise, and love to name some. It was just a great time to reflect on what Brandon and Jessica have done for the church. The impact they had on the community will never be forgotten. You could feel the spirit of the Lord moving throughout the service, the way the music way played, the gathering around Brandon and Jessica praying for them.

There were tears shed, thanks were given, and it was just a great to sit back and reflect. Sure there will be a void now, but at the same time, I know that College Park Covenant Church will be alright! The groundwork that Brandon and Jessica have done will continue to go on. We have great ministries within the church that were started when Brandon was here. I've noticed that a lot of new people and families (a lot of young families especially) have started coming to the church and they have connected with the church through Brandon.

Overall, Sunday was a great celebration, a great sendoff, and more of a "see you later" rather than goodbye to the Shurr family. They will be missed and we all thank them for their selfless work at College Park Covenant Church!

Song Of The Day #27

2011-12-12T23:25:00.000-06:00

This song of the day is my new song obsession. It's from "Portal" a great video game. I like both the original featuring classically trained soprano Ellen McClain from the game and the new version recorded by Johnathon Coulton featuring Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara on vocals for Coulton's 2011 album "Artificial Heart." Coulton was approached by Valve to write a song for a video game which was "Portal." Being a fan of the "Half-Life" series (which is an amazing video game series), Coulton jumped on the opportunity. This is what Coulton came up with.

"Still Alive" by Johnathon Coulton featuring Ellen McClain
YouTube link

"Still Alive" by Johnathon Coulton featuring Sara Quin
YouTube link

Bluegrass Goodbye to the Shurr Family

2011-12-08T00:08:00.000-06:00

Sunday is Brandon's final day. His family and himself are moving back to Indiana to plant a church in his wife, Jessica's, hometown of Bloomington. I am playing in worship and it will be awesome. It is a bluegrass themed worship where we take old hymns like "I'll Fly Away," "Softly and Tenderly Jesus," "Amazing Grace," and others and put a bluegrass spin on them. I am playing the kick and snare. I will also sing. I am just so pumped. It will be a great time to celebrate Brandon and his family and all that they have done for the church.

We will have another practice on Friday evening. It will be awesome. I feel the spirit of the Lord when I am playing. I've never felt it this strong when playing music. We will do a quick run through on Sunday morning.

I thank the Brandon for all he has done for the church. Please keep them in your prayers as they plant a church in Bloomington and get settled. The Shurr Family will be missed.

Song Of The Day #26

2011-11-27T00:56:00.000-06:00

This song is my current song obsession. This is the band's current hit. The lyrics, especially the chorus, are amazing. I've been listening it to a lot. Enjoy!

"These Days" by Foo Fighters
YouTube link

Pittsburgh Steelers Fans Are Delusional...

2011-11-06T02:36:00.000-06:00

In different leagues in different sports, there is always a team that is a legendary team above other teams for a variety of reasons. For example, in the NHL there is Montreal Canadians. They've been overall the most successful team winning the most Stanley Cups. So, I was on the Green Bay Twitter page the other day and their background says "13 time World Champions." I asked why Pittsburgh Steelers fans always throw it in your face about winning six Super Bowls and why it said "13 time World Champions" on their Twitter background. I found out that it was before the NFC and AFC were formed that Green Bay won a lot of them.

I looked up the history of the NFL and found it was founded in 1920. Of course the NFL wasn't known as the NFL until 1922. I also looked up the history of the Green Packers and they were established in 1919, but they didn't become apart of the NFL until 1921.

With a slight history lesson out of the way, the Pittsburgh Steelers fan like to rub people's noses in the fact that their team won six Super Bowls. Great, you won six NFL Championships. Is that supposed to be impressive? They are only the fourth best team of all-time in the NFL. Even the Chicago Bears and New York Giants have won more NFL Championships then the Steelers have. But I guess they don't like to bring that up because it shows they are not all the fans brag them up to be. Another history making fact about the Green Bay Packers is that they won the very FIRST Super Bowl in 1966. Also they are the only team to make three straight NFL Championship game appearances and did it twice I might add.

The Pittsburgh Steelers fans are too delusional for their own good. They won't give props to the other teams that are deserved. They think their team the best and every other team blows. Granted, fans other teams think that way, but Steelers refuse to believe, even in a terrible season, that their is that their team is bad. On the off chance they do come to terms with the fact that their team is terrible they will bandwagon another team until their team is good again.

I've noticed that Steelers fans are like Edmonton Oiler and Edmonton Eskimo fans. Majority of them are nothing but egotistical douche bag asshole that like to throw things in your face. They are quick to point out stuff about other teams, but not so quick to admit things about their own team. If you can't even poke fun at your own team, than who are you to rip on another team? Sure we all do it, but I do it in good fun. I know when my team blows and don't care either way because I am a fan regardless. Unlike the Steelers fans, they are too delusional to know what humility and know what being humble is. Oh well, I guess they like believing in their own bullshit and like having tunnel vision. But that's a Steelers fan for you.

Song Of The Day #25

2011-10-02T22:58:00.001-06:00

This is a great song by Tegan and Sara of their 2010 Polaris Music Prize shortlisted album "Sainthood."

"Hell" by Tegan and Sara
YouTube link

One Of The Sweetest Dreams EVER!

2011-10-02T22:52:00.000-06:00

Yesterday (October 1), I had one of the sweetest dreams ever. Basically it starts out with the Covenant Bible College (CBC, the college I went too) Choir performing this show. The choir and band is going with an upbeat song. I walk out near the end of the song, grabbed a microphone, and started wailing. It was so awesome. We transitioned into the song "My Body" by Young the Giant.

YouTube link

The band is doing the intro and it comes time to go into the verse and I was like I don't know the words. The band vamps on the verse. Than someone gets me the words and I hold it in my right hand so nobody sees it. Than I go into verse and start singing, than I woke up. I wish I could have finished the dream because it was so bad ass. Oh well. Still one of the sweetest dreams EVER!

Philadelphia Flyers' Wayne Simmonds has Banana Thrown at Him During Overtime Shootout

2011-09-25T18:27:00.000-06:00

Earlier this week, an NHL exhibition game took place better the Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings in London, Ontario. You might think it's nothing new. But if you read the title of this post this is what made it more than just an exhibition game. The incident that happened has gotten some coverage (you can read the story here). The people's comments on this story have strayed so far away from the actual story and it became a blame game of religion, countries, etc..

Basically what happened is Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings were in a shootout and someone threw a banana onto the ice when Wayne Simmonds was going to take his shot. You might take it as odd. But here is the thing, Simmonds is black. The term "monkey" is racist towards blacks. So you can see that throwing a banana is basically calling Simmonds a "monkey."

Obviously this was premeditated and they don't sell bananas at the arena. So this person who did this intended to do this. It's not been determined if this person was drunk or not, but people have been assuming this person was drinking. So this racist act is fueled by alcohol? But seeing as this was premeditated, that would mean it wasn't fueled by alcohol.

Now this has nothing to do with it being religious based. That's what an ignorant assclown would say to further degrade religion. You don't have to be religious to be a racist. Atheists can be racist too. But some of these atheists are too ignorant to see that. Also, they are blaming countries. Just because the game was held in Canada doesn't mean it was a Canadian. Americans do come to Canada to watch sporting events. So whether it was a Canadian or an American is irrelevant.

This could be considered a hate crime, but the person who did it was not caught and can't possibly be charged with anything.

The COO of the Comcast-Spectator Peter Lukko released a statement, but when he said "It appeared as though a fan threw an object onto the ice during the shootout. Unfortunately, we weren't able to identify the individual. We certainly don't condone such a foolish act (like this) as a player could potentially be seriously injured." Well no shit Sherlock. Besides stating the obvious, Lukko was avoiding the issue that it was a racist act. Lukko is a dumbass for turning a blind eye. He needs to call it what it is.

I agree with what Garry Bettman said in a press release, "We have millions of great fans who show tremendous respect for our players and for the game." Bettman said. "The obviously stupid and ignorant action by one individual is in no way representative of our fans or the people of London, Ontario."

This goes back to the blame game, you can't one place or another because what one person did.

But Simmonds was so professional about it. He didn't let this bother him which I give him big props.

A question I asked is why did this happen to him. He isn't the first black man to play in the NHL. Geroges Laraque came before him and is a black man. But why was there this one incident towards Simmonds? It's a question that will never be answered or at least not now.

Point blank this incident was in very bad taste. Sadly, people are shocked that racism still happens in 2011. I wish I could live in a bubble of ignorance. But I don't because I don't want to be one of those people that don't want to acknowledge that stuff still exists.

The Saskatchewan NDP Is Not Getting My Vote

2011-09-22T19:51:00.000-06:00

Saskatchewan has a provincial election coming up. It's basically between the Saskatchewan Party and the New Democratic Party. But certain people running for MLA as an NDP candidate don't even use party colours on their billboard. Instead they are using Saskatchewan Party colours. Also, they are not even acknowledging Dwain Lingenfelter, the leader of the NDP, in their literature. How sad is that?

Are they are not wanting to have it known that are running for a party that is in such disarray? If that's the case, than why don't they run for a party that they can be proud to run for. I wouldn't run for the Saskatchewan NDP either or at least acknowledge I was. With the stupid shit they are doing and the unions having their hands up their ass like puppets. I would be embarrassed to run for them. The NDP needs to get back in order and show their candidates and people in general they are a party worth running for. But unfortunately that hasn't happened.

Until they can actually do something worth while in office (that is if they can get back in office anytime soon), than I'm not voting for them. If you look at the NDP history over the past 20 years, you can see they reduced the population by driving people elsewhere, not reducing the provincial debt, not making wages on par with other provinces, etc.. With the Saskatchewan Party, they have reduced the debt, increased population, increased jobs, etc..

So you can clearly see that no matter how much they try to spin it, they will not get my vote. Like I said, they have to prove they are worthy of it and with Dwain Lingenfelter as leader, that's not going to happen. He will be the first NDP leader to not get elected as premiere. That is if he doesn't get elected before he retires.

Worship Team Meeting

2011-09-08T12:07:00.000-06:00

We had a good worship team meeting last night with some of the people who participate in worship. It was a good chance to get together, share ideas, and talk about where worship is going. It's great to have direction. Great to have sense of knowing that there will be a sense of structure with worship. I think with structure there will be new roles for people who already participate. I feel that I am ready to step into a role of leading worship because it is something I've been wanting to do for sometime now.

This new direction feels right. It feels like it's going to be fresh and exciting for worship. This stability will be great for all involved. Sure it will take time to get in the groove, but once we are it will be awesome. I can't wait.

Drummers That Don't Get Enough Recognition

2011-09-03T12:43:00.000-06:00

I was on YouTube and I came across videos posted of the "Late Show with David Letterman" and the two weeks of drum solo week. There I came across a number of drummers that I don't listen to. After watching and listening to them, I've come to the conclusion that they are not nearly as talked about and given the recognition they deserve. Well at least with the people I talk to about music. I'll post the videos to the ones I thought were amazing.

Sheila E.
YouTube link

Sheila E. is someone who I've never seen or heard much of. But she is one of the best female drummers/percussionists. This solo proves how good she is. She can drum and sing well. That is something not many people can do well. Phil Collins comes to mind when it comes to doing both well. Not to mention she is hot for being in her 50s.

Stewart Copeland - Founding member of The Police
YouTube link

I've only heard what Stewart Copeland has done with The Police. So this is great to see someone from a band I absolutely love showing off his chops. Copeland deserves more recognition for his skills. He is truly talented because aside from drumming he composes music for ballets, operas, and soundtracks. A great gem of a solo.

Gavin Harrison - Drummer for Porcupine Tree
YouTube link

Porcupine Tree is a great progressive rock/metal band. Gavin Harrison doesn't nearly the recognition he deserves. At least that's what I think. With some of the bands he has played with, they are more rock and metal based. So showing of his jazz chops is refreshing. It shows that metal musicians take stuff from jazz and I bet a good portion of the metal heads out there don't know that. Great solo too I might add.

Tony Royster, Jr.
YouTube link

I used to think that Tony Royster, Jr. was nothing special because of all the hype he got as a child. But I can say now after watching this solo that the hype is worth it. Sure you don't want to over hype someone as it could lead to a massive ego, but from the looks of things, Royster, Jr. looks humble enough. He has proven me wrong about him. Good job Tony.

These are just a few of many amazing drummers that don't get talked about nearly enough. If you know of amazing drummers that I should check out than let me know. I'm always looking to check out talented drummers.

Lloyd Robertson Stepping Down

2011-08-30T23:04:00.000-06:00

Lloyd Robertson wrote a great letter earlier this week and it's a great read.

Letter from Lloyd Robertson

Robertson is an icon of Canadian television and news. It will be odd not watching or hearing him with his classic sign off. I've grown up with him and he is what most Canadians for the last 40 plus years have known as their trusted leader in bringing us the CTV National News.

This iconic Canadian will be missed. He is still going to be active in other facets at CTV just not on air. Everybody has their time and know when to move on. Some just take a lot longer to do it. September 1 will be his last newscast. I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavours and thank you for your dedication in the news field. I may not do him justice, but here goes.

That's the kind of day it's been on this August 30, 2011. From myself here at the Musing's of Mr. C.C., thank you for reading and good night.

James Hetfield Is A DOUCHE BAG

2011-08-26T16:24:00.000-06:00

When I'm on YouTube I often times stray away from the original subject matter of the videos I was searching because the title of a video catches my attention and today was no different. I found a couple of videos back during a 1994 Metallica tour. James Hetfield shows himself to be a total douche bag as he makes jokes at Layne Staley's (R.I.P.) drug addiction twice. You can tell by Hetfield motioning shooting up in the two videos.

YouTube link

YouTube link

In the first video, you can see Hetfield acting like a whinny bitch because people are throwing things at him. That's life, get over it. It's a douchey thing to rip on someone's addiction. If you know about Metallica, right around the time they were going mainstream with their self-titled album or "The Black" album, you would know that Hetfield was a boozer. You didn't see Staley ripping on Hetfield. Maybe that's because he has more class than that. He is dealing with his own stuff that he doesn't have time rip on anybody else. Apparently in an interview years later Hetfield said that he didn't know Staley like he knew the rest of Alice in Chains. Why would you talk shit about someone you don't even know or have a beef with. Just go about doing your thing because making jokes about stuff like that makes you look like a huge chump. Aside from their shitty music and their shitty drummer, stuff like this make you look even worse. Metallica is overrated and the dumb Metallica marks can get all pissy if they want.

I have been around enough to know that there are some stupid Metallica fans that think it's sacrilegious if you don't praise and worship Metallica. I'm not sorry that I don't like them and they are overrated hacks for the most part. Their past few albums are proof that are crap. I don't care if they continue to make their shitty music. I will pay attention to the bands and artists that are actually worth listening too. Metallica can suck it for all I care.

R.I.P. Jack Layton

2011-08-23T23:26:00.001-06:00

The man, the myth, the mustache, Jack Layton died yesterday after a bought with a second type of cancer. He took the national New Democratic Party to heights never seen before. Going from civic politics in Toronto to national NDP leader without ever being elected nationally is a pretty huge accomplishment.

It's too bad that he will not be able to see this all through. No matter what you think of him, you have to agree he was very respected. He was passionate about what believed and he could make people want to vote for him not the NDP as a whole. Sure people said that his platform might cost money, but he was passionate about helping people.

You can't deny his character and the person he is. You don't have to like him, but you at least have to respect what he did. Not only politically, but Layton as a person. I respect what he accomplished politically and him as a person. He seemed so personable. The stories you hear make him seem down to earth. Canada lost one of it's greats. To further back this is the fact that they are giving Layton a state funeral which is this Saturday. Usually state funerals are reserved for prime ministers, governor generals, and cabinet ministers who died in office.

R.I.P. Jack Layton!

I Gotta Feeling...

2011-08-11T23:26:00.000-06:00

Throughout this week I have been in this amazing mood. I've been talking and texting this girl. She is absolutely amazing. I've seen what she looks likes and she is beautiful. We haven't met in person yet. But we've been getting to know each other via text message. I haven't felt this way in a long time. She has a lot of the qualities I look for in a woman. She is caring, beautiful, modest, smart. I have an amazing feeling about this! I feel blessed that I've been getting to know her.

Song Of The Day #24

2011-08-09T22:27:00.000-06:00

This is a song I heard on 90.5 FM CFCR. It is the community radio station here in Saskatoon. The song has an interesting message. I like it.

"Laughing With" by Regina Spektor
YouTube link

Song Of The Day #23

2011-08-06T23:34:00.000-06:00

Here is a song I heard one morning on the community radio station in Saskatoon CFCR 90.5 FM. When I heard the lyrics, I thought of a friend and a situation he went through.

"Rage!" by Chromeo
YouTube link

Somalia Famine

2011-08-04T21:17:00.000-06:00

I called in to "John Gormley Live" and the topic on that part of the show was on the Somalia famine. Out of everyone that called, I was the only one who brought up the issue of desensitization. If you think about it, we have become desensitized because of all the images on TV, newspaper, Internet, and other forms of media. You have Oxfam, World Vision, Foster Parents Plan, ChildFun (formerly Christian Children's Fund), and others. They show these images and it's like we think "that's unfortunate," but it doesn't really make use feel like doing anything to help.

We have this attitude of "I'll do it tomorrow." But tomorrow turns into the next day or the day after that. We have become so busy in our lives that it skips our minds to do something. I myself have done the World Vision 30 Hour Famine a couple of times. So I have done something to help. It may not been a lot, but it was something. Other people think that we should help out our own community before we help out anyone else. But it's good to help out your fellow man because one day you might need the help.

I understand where they are coming from, but you have to balance out where you put your time and give your money too. Right now, we are in a vastly better situation for the most part than those in Somalia. Something needs to be done to ensure that the money and aid gets to the people that need and not in the hands of the corrupt.

Nycole Turmel: The Interim NDP Leader

2011-08-03T22:53:00.000-06:00

Nycole Turmel, if you live in Canada and have been paying attention to the news than you would have heard that name over the last number of days and weeks.

She was appointed by NDP leader Jack Layton as the interim leader because Layton is dealing with another form of cancer which hasn't been revealed. She is coming under fire for being a former card carrying member of the Bloc Quebecois. But she only got a card for the Bloc Quebecois is because she supported a friend. A question asked is why did she keep sending the annual renewal fee? Apparently she agreed with some of the policies of the Bloc Quebecois. From a non-Quebecer's standpoint the Block Quebecois have been criticized with being a separatist party. But unless you've really looked into the Bloc, than you would come to the conclusion that they are a separatist group. Has anyone even bothered to think that maybe she just kept sending in the annual fee without even thinking about it.

Now she is coming under fire for being a card carrying member of Quebec solidaire. They are an extremist separatist party in Quebec. That is all we really know. But looking into Quebec solidaire, they have a socialist, green politics, alter-globalization, and feminist ideologies aside from their extreme separatist ideologies. But people are only focusing on that.

Unless Turmel is expressly states separatist sentiments, than why are we getting bent out of shape? We need not lose site of what Jack Layton is doing. If Layton has confidence in her than we should give her a chance. If she starts doing stuff that seemingly goes against what Layton wants than there is reason to worry and make a big deal. But until such time let her do the job she was appointed. Layton made inroads in Quebec and boosted his stature in the province. So it's probably a just strategic move to increase his presence there.

When he comes back, Turmel will be back as an MP. So this is just hopefully short term.

Song Of The Day #22

2011-07-30T08:51:00.000-06:00

I heard a song which blew my mind in the sense that I wrote the opposite of it. I wrote "Spring is Here" and Hawksley Workman wrote "Autumn's Here." So it is the next song of the day!

"Autumn's Here" by Hawksley Workman
YouTube link

Random Fact #6 - "Eat It" by Weird Al Yankovic

2011-07-21T10:56:00.000-06:00

What do you know, I'm back with another random fact. As you can tell by the title, this has everything to do with "Eat It" by Weird Al Yankovic. Oddly enough I heard this on "Q," a CBC talk show which has Yankovic as a guest on today's show.

The song "Eat It" by Weird Al Yankovic reached number one in Australia. I bet you are thinking big deal. Well, "Beat It" by Michael Jackson, the song in which he parodies only reached number three. Also, it was "Eat It" that made Weird Al Yankovic uber famous. Here is the song "Eat It" for your enjoyment.

"Eat It" by Weird Al Yankovic
YouTube link

Saskatchewan Roughriders Start 0-3

2011-07-19T00:20:00.001-06:00

Have you had enough time to digest the 33-3 beat down the Saskatchewan Rougriders were handed courtesy of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats? I understand if you haven't. If you haven't seen the highlights of the game. Here they are.

YouTube link

The Roughriders haven't had this bad of a start in 11 years. So we haven't been accustomed to seeing this bad of a start in some time. What is needed to be done to improve this team? Does Darian Darant need to sit out a game and Ryan Dinwiddie put in. Put in second stringers and back ups in place of our starters? What is the answer to the problems facing the team? It was said that special teams was the problems. But if special teams got us the points, than that's not the problem. Something's got to give or we won't make the playoffs.

Busking

2011-07-17T21:16:00.000-06:00

So I went busking for the first time yesterday. If you live in Saskatoon than you'll know that the spot to busk is on Broadway and 10th in front of the Bulk Cheese Warehouse (awesome store). It was so much fun. I can't believe how much fun it was. I made more than I thought I would. It was crazy. So I went back today and did more busking and again I made a fair bit. Little less than yesterday, but still a good day. I was given $5 by someone which is totally crazy and unexpected. I played original stuff both yesterday and today. I need to finish some other songs so I can have a variety of stuff to play since it's only originals I play.

If you see me on the corner of Broadway and 10th, stop by, throw some money in my guitar case. It is greatly appreciated.

Tegan and Sara

2011-07-05T01:11:00.000-06:00

I went to Tegan and Sara on the last night of the Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Fest. I took a chance on them and I'm glad I did. They were nothing short of amazing. They had great banter and funny. They had a great set list. The only songs I know by them are "Call It Off" and "Back In My Head."

I was never really into their music and only liked to two aforementioned songs. But this concert totally changed my opinion of them. I can officially call myself a fan of them. It was just such a totally amazing concert. I would go see them again in heartbeat. The crowd was also amazing. We got them to come out for one more song. If the reaction of the crowd is any indication, I would say to bring them back for next years Jazz Fest if possible. I would go see them for sure.

If you haven't seen them than I would suggest checking them out when they come close to you. They are worth your money. Who knows maybe they might be back in Saskatoon before next years Jazz Fest. That would be bad ass if they were.

Song Of The Day #21

2011-07-04T10:50:00.000-06:00

Here is another song of the day. I am putting a Tegan and Sara song as my song of the day because I seen them in concert last night and they were AMAZING!

"Call It Off" by Tegan and Sara
YouTube link

Song Of The Day #20

2011-07-01T05:23:00.000-06:00

Here is a great song for Canada Day. Happy Canada Day!

"Oh... Canada" by Classified
YouTube link

The JAPW Women's Championship & Women's Division

2011-06-27T11:42:00.000-06:00

Two years ago to the day we saw Sara Del Ray defeat ODB to become the first JAPW Women's Champion. With JAPW seemingly expanding the women's division, it looked like it could be something good for the promotion. I had no doubt that she would hold the title for sometime and have many successful defenses. But as time wore on, Del Ray went one year into her reign. Not a big deal. She continued to turn away opponents with a few more successful defenses. But now with her last defense being well over six months ago on December 11, 2010, we see her as the two year champion. With three other women in the division, is it worth it to keep the belt around if we know more than likely that Del Ray will retain? It doesn't even seem like the women in JAPW who are mainstays are being put in situations to make it look like they really want a shot at the title and want to take the belt off Del Ray. That is through no fault of their own. Maybe you can say it's the booking which is the issue. Or you can say that since JAPW is running less shows that, you'll see the JAPW Women's Championship on a very limited basis.

Is that something you want? I sure don't. Sure I live in another part of the world and can't come to any shows, but I follow JAPW via the Internet and know what's happening because I follow this promotion on Twitter, go on their forum, and whatnot. It's travesty that something that looked good from the onset with their JAPW Women's Division shows, that it comes has come to this. There is still great potential to have a good women's division, but more talent needs to be brought in and the title should be defended more than it has.

I look to the indys for great women's wrestling because the WWE isn't delivering and TNA has had flashes of brilliance the last couple years. I would like to see JAPW return to a full-time schedule because this way it would give the women's division the opportunity to expand and become the division I know it can be. But if JAPW is only going to have the amount of shows it's now having, than the women's division will either have die a death before it really got the chance to shine or it will have such growing pains that it will be difficult to watch.

Now, don't get me wrong, Del Ray is a great talent and has been a great JAPW Women's Champion. But there comes a time when change needs to happen. A change in champions is just what this division needs. That and bringing in more talent to baluster the roster so actual feuds for the title can happen and not just one off matches. Having programs for the title would also be beneficial for not only Del Ray but the division as a whole. Either feuds for the title need to happen or a new champion needs to be crowned. Truthfully, how much longer will Del Ray's title reign go before people start calling it stale?

Strike, Strike, Strike

2011-06-25T09:17:00.001-06:00

Saskatchewan has become accustomed to hearing about strike this year. With the strikes centered in the province of Saskatchewan, there are more to come. It just so happens that they are conveniently striking when a provincial election is set for this fall. I guess you can look at this as they want to really disrupt the current government that they might see the fall of it so that the NDP will get back into power. As you may or may not know, the NDP are rooted in unions and the unions would like to see the NDP back in power.

Now the strikes happening or that will happen are in the public sector or within crown corporations. Being that Saskatchewan is a socialist province, a lot of people depend on the programs and if they are on strike, it will screw everything up and cause more headaches and an unnecessary backlog of work. But that probably doesn't even factor into it. They don't care about that. If they have to work some overtime to get caught up, that's more money for them. They are striking because they want a better rate of pay, don't like the working conditions, or some other item. Mostly it's about the money. Non-unionized workers have the option to either suck it up or find another job. It's that simple. But to bad these public sector and crown corporation employees are too good to look for another job if they don't like their current rate of pay. Let's just strike to waste time and money because we are greedy. To the people that feel they need to strike, I say boo hoo because people in the private sector or the non-unionized workers can't just walk off the job. It was to walk off the job, I would be told to "have a nice day" and told to look for other work. Have it too good in a sense.

The only time they don't have it good is when they strike goes to the length that they start getting strike pay. Strike pay can't afford you to pay bills. That's one reason why resolving disputes is in the best interest of everybody, especially those supporting a family. Also, strikes cost money and can hurt the economy if it's already fragile and unstable. Maybe hurting the economy is what some union leaders want because they want to make the particular current government look bad.

Most of the strikes, as I said, are based upon money. That's what the teacher's strike is about. They want to be paid the same as other teachers in Western Canada. If what EducationCanada.com says is up-to-date, than a person with a six years of education, than you can make at the most is $66,103 and four years of education is $59,500. I might not see $50,000 a year. People who make $50,000 to $60,000 are so hard done by. They want an extra ten to twenty thousand dollars a year. Suck it up buttercup, you could be making $20,000 or less a year like a lot of people. We wouldn't want to have them face reality and make a wage like a lot of people make. If you don't like the money you're making or that it's not good enough than go find another job.

There are two evils to unions that I see. Now this is a non-unionized workers view bare in mind. Some people union members don't to have to pay into unions because they are seemingly paying into something they don't want to be a part, but seemingly have no choice. Than the other side of it is is that they are basically paying into something that allows them to basically hold their employer hostage because they are selfish in a round about way. If a union has 500 member and only 100 show up to meetings and strike votes, than why force people to pay into something they don't care about? Unions would be better served by having people who want to be in unions pay into them. But it seems like you have no choice but to pay into them.

Certain union leaders like Bob Bymoen like to pull these stupid tactics. For instance, Bymeon took the snow plows off the highway in 2007 when they were needed. Earlier this week because of Bymeon, the crop insurance sector walked off the job during a time of need. Sure crop insurance strike was quickly ended as a deal was reached. I'm sure Bymeon does this for his own amusement.

This summer in Saskatchewan, we are expected to have more strikes by more public sector and crown corporations. I'm just so sick of these strikes. The sooner they are over the better. If I hear about another strike, it will be too soon...

Stupid Fans and Stupid Morons

2011-06-17T17:28:00.000-06:00

I find it funny and sad how people are ripping on the Vancouver Canucks when they don't win especially some Canucks fans. The better team won, so people need to deal with it...

With that being said, people need to stop being such poor losers and take it in stride. Some fans are quick to be a fan when they are winning and doing well, but when they are not, people are quick to lose hope and even turn their back. If you are a fan, than you should be a fan through thick and thin. I've been a fan of my favourite teams through some of their worst times. That's the mark of a loyal fan. But I guess it's only good to be a fan when a team or athlete does well... We would want you to be loyal or anything.

What's wrong with giving Vancouver Canucks or any team or athlete for that matter your loyalty not matter how they are perceived by others? I guess being loyal is not a good thing...

The American media needs to get their heads out of their asses because generalizing the Vancouver Canucks as Canada's team is pretty stupid. Not all Canadians like the Canucks. But I guess since it's a Canadian team they assume all Canadians will cheer for them, but that is oh so not the case.

But what's worse is the black eye we thought healed up from 1994 and during the G20 Summit when they had the Olympics. But this made it comeback with this riot. It shows how stupid people can get when they drink and get in big crowds of people. What's worse, middle aged men and women were laughing and cheering on their behaviour before it really got started. That gets the people started and they don't nothing of it. It than escalates from there.

The mayor of Vancouver, Gregor Robertson tried to dumb down the incident saying it was a group of a few people causing problems. No it wasn't just a few people. He is trying to downplay the magnitude of it. He also it was a few anarchists. No it wasn't a few anarchists. People were saying it was a black bloc because there were people seen wearing masks, but it wasn't. It was a large group of people. They came prepared for this. They came ready to cause some damage and destruction. They didn't care what they did. It wasn't their property, so why give a damn. If it was their property, than they would have cared. The sad fact is that some of the instigators came from Seattle. The fact they got over the border is baffling.

Not only that, but the police presence was very minimal. They obviously didn't learn from 1994 or the G8 Summit. I heard that in Times Square, they have a shit load of police that you can't do anything without a police officer being there. Now if Vancouver had a huge police presence, than this may not have happened.

This all could have been avoided, but no, Vancouver wanted to be oblivious to it all. This has made international headlines and has made Vancouver and the province of British Columbia look bad. Vancouver seems to have a great cultural presence and whatnot, but this stupid shit that is pulled again makes them look bad. Vancouver needs to a hard look at this and make some serious changes so this doesn't happen again. This didn't happen in Calgary, Edmonton, or Ottawa. So why Vancouver? Do they continually want to give themselves a bad name? I guess so.

Go to VancouverRiot.com, VanCityRioitCriminals.tumblr.com, or any other website and submit pictures and videos. Let's bring these bastards to justice. So far at least one has been charged due to posting stuff online bragging about it. Let's keep it going!

Song Of The Day #19

2011-06-15T00:07:00.000-06:00

Here is a song I heard on CBC Radio 2 while driving to work. My friend had a blog titled the same as the name of the song. That's how he came up with the name. It made sense once the name of the song was said in the song as the song was part way through.

"The Piano Has Been Drinking" by Tom Waits
YouTube link

Noisetrade.com - Artists I've Downloaded So Far

2011-06-13T11:06:00.002-06:00

Noisetrade.com is website created by Mark Nicholas, David McCollum, Brannon McAllister, and most notably Derek Webb of the Christian rock band Cademon's Call in May 2007. It was created because of the response to Webb's 2005 album "Mockingbird" and the success it had in it's free distribution. Webb got the idea after he noticed the sales of his albums and attendance at his shows increased. So that's a bit of a condensed history of the website. Basically Noisetrade.com is way to get free trade music.

So lately I've been browsing that site and looking around at some artists. There are a lot of Christian artists, folk/folk rock artists, jazz artists, rock artists, etc.. You can search based on top downloads, what's new, artist name, album, for fans of (meaning if you like U2 for example, than anyone who has them as for fans of, they will show up), and finally genre. To get the album or song you are listening to you, you just enter in your email and postal or zip code. Than you will get emailed your download link which is good for five days. If you so choose, you can leave the artist as tip as a show of your gratitude for making some of their music available for download on NoiseTrade.com. Just use the slider to set how much you want to tip. So far I've downloaded 18 solo artists, duos, groups, and bands, etc.. When I download more, I will share them with you!

The Vespers
"Eyes Wide Open" off the album "Tell Your Mama"
YouTube link

The Local Strangers
"Haunted Ghost" off their debut EP "The Local Strangers"
YouTube link

John Thomas Oaks & Grand Central
"Journey to the Center of Your Heart" off the album "Blue York"
YouTube link

Tim Pepper
"Are You Coming Home" acoustic version
YouTube link

Jas Patrick
"Best I Can Be" off the album "Working on My Soul"
YouTube link

The Dirt Daubers
"The Devil Gets His Due"
YouTube link

I couldn't find a good quality version of the song entitled "Wayfaring Stranger" by The Dirt Daubers I wanted to post.

Red Mountain Church
"Help My Unbelief" off the album "Help My Unbelief"
YouTube link

Eric Baker
"The Chair" off the album "Hope & Thin Space"
Bandcamp link

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://ericbaker.bandcamp.com/track/the-chair"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;The Chair by Eric Baker&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Courrier
"Paper Ghost" off the album "A Violent Flame"
YouTube link

The Walla Recovery
"She Said" off their debut EP "With Trembling..."
YouTube link

Cary Brothers
"Under Control"
YouTube link

Luke Brawner
"A Rock in a Wilderness" off the album "Flannelgraph Sessions"
Bandcamp link

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://lukebrawner.bandcamp.com/track/a-rock-in-a-wilderness"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;A Rock In A Wilderness by Luke Brawner&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Poor Rick Folk
"Grace" off the album "No More Than a Window"
Bandcamp link

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://poorrichfolk.bandcamp.com/track/grace"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Grace by Poor Rich Folk&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

The Fiction Writers
"Mile a Minute"
Bandcamp link

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://thefictionwriters.bandcamp.com/track/mile-a-minute"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Mile A Minute by The Fiction Writers&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

two seconds away
"Freakin Me Out"
Reverbation link

Chase Foster
"He Won't Miss You Like I Do?"
YouTube link

I couldn't find his cover of Billy Joel' "Vienna" which is the song I did download.

Justin Caldwell
"Please Don't Go" off the album "Hill Studio Sessions"
YouTube link

Ohio Avenue
"Shine Through" off the album "The Sound"
YouTube link

I hope you enjoyed these artists I've downloaded. Go to NoiseTrade.com and discover some new artists today.

Aaron Rome's Hit On Nathan Horton

2011-06-09T10:37:00.001-06:00

Adam Rome's hit Nathan Horton has received major reaction. People are for the suspension handed down and some people are against it. I am against the suspension handed down. Here is the video

YouTube link

Some people say including the commentators said that it was a late hit. The hit occurred late. That's is a plausible argument. But people are making it seem that Horton is the victim here which can be. Here is the problem with that. Horton made the pass and kept looking and admiring his pass. He had his head down not looking ahead to get out of the way and it looked as though Rome wasn't looking where he was going. Sure it's unfortunate that Horton got injured, but part of the responsibility lies on him.

Here is a good point, that when Zdeno Chara hit Max Pacioretty nothing happened. One of the league's top guys and of course nothing will happen. Sure you can make the argument that Chara was just finishing the play. But if you look at the following video, you can clearly see that Chara pushed Pacioretty into the boards. The league did nothing about it.

YouTube link

If you are going to start handing down suspensions now in the playoffs, than you should do it throughout the whole playoffs and not just the Stanley Cup playoffs. It shows that the NHL is losing integrity. You can't pick and choose when you want to hand down suspensions. You can't turn a blind on one thing and not to another. If you want to eliminate all these types of hits that cause head injuries, that is fine, but it's not going to deter some people from making these type of hits if they know they could possibly get off without anything happening to them. The league needs to be firm. Even a one game suspension is better than nothing.

Sometimes the sentence handed down is too lenient. After Claude Lemieux broke Kris Draper's face with a which needed reconstruction to fix his broken jaw (which was wired shut for a month) and broken cheekbone and a broken nose, as well as gave him a concussion. Lemieux was suspended one game and only fined $1000. The league needs to look over how they handle such hits and see if the punishment is appropriate. If you look at the hits in the 90s, guys would take huge hits and get up after it. Sure the hit Lemieux laid out Draper with was a serious one, but if someone was hit like Horton was in the 90s, people wouldn't think twice and if there was a sentence it would seem like a slap on the wrist. Now people expect a sentence to be handed down for such hits. I just think people are blowing the Rome hit on Horton out of proportion when if you look at Chara's hit on Pacioretty, it was worse and the league turned a blind eye. If you want to do something about head shots and the like, than you have to hand down sentences on everything and not just somethings. Until such a time when that happens, the NHL will continually lose integrity.

Should Be Able To

2011-06-02T01:24:00.002-06:00

I have a friend who is finishing up her schooling and her schooling was funded through student loans. She also had to stretch out the money she was given to live off of. She was told that it would last her the whole school year. That in fact turned out to be false. I know that she will be fine once she gets a job in her field of choice. But until then she doesn't know how she will manage to pay the important stuff. I asked her if she can get some assistance while she is finishing up school. But she said that she can't because she is still finishing up school. I find that to be stupid that she is not allowed to apply for some temporary assistance.

I pose this question to you: If someone who is living on their own and trying to put themselves through school be able to apply for assistance to live? Now I know that you can ask for a living allowance when applying for a student loan. But if that living allowance doesn't give you enough to live off of, than yes they should be allowed for assistance while in school if they so need it. There has to be some criteria so it restricts it to people who TRULY need it.

It's bad enough that there is such a cost associated with getting a post secondary education. But the cost of living on top of that isn't cheap overall. You can try and live as cheaply as possible like my friend was trying to do, but unexpected expenses can come up. So getting some sort of assistance while going to school when you need it needs to be there. Life is going to go on whether you have the money or not. Maybe this is the socialist in me, but if someone is trying to better themselves by going back to school or getting some sort of training, than they need to be allowed to apply for the assistance. I understand that you have may have objections for that fact that it may cost a lot. I will admit that socialism isn't necessarily cheap. But if it's structured in a way that helps those are trying to better themselves than it can work for the most part.

The point of I'm trying to make that being a student isn't cheap. I should know as I went back to school in 2006-007. So it is crucial that they are allowed to apply for assistance when they need it so it helps with living expenses if they are living on their own and whatnot. Going to school will put you in debt and you shouldn't, if you can help it, go into debt because of basic life expenses. I understand that will happen, but worrying about how you will survive day to day when you are worrying about school shouldn't have to be an issue if you were allowed to apply for assistance. If my friend was able to apply for extra assistance while going to school than shouldn't wouldn't necessarily be in the situation. But such as life goes.

3D Movies And TV - Is It A Ripoff?

2011-05-30T20:23:00.000-06:00

This post got is something I started thinking about after seeing a comments on a video on YouTube about theaters being not taking the 3D lens off the projecters in the certain theater chains in the United States.

3D movies have become all the rage in the last number of years. It's basically a gimmick to get you thinking that it's something different from a 2D movie, which it is in a sense, and to get you to pay more. Certain theater chains do get you to pay more for 3D movies. Now, this 3D is not true 3D. I know for a fact because I've seen true 3D. Back in 1987 when my family took a trip to California and did the whole Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Sea World, and Universal Studios trip. We went and saw "Thriller" in 3D and it was something different. Things popped out at you and you thought you could actually reach out and touch it. That's what 3D should be. But unfortunately it's not.

When watching these 3D movies, nothing pops out at you. Is it worth your money? Not really. It's another gimmick to make money as previously mentioned. But the movie can be absolute shit sometimes in 2D, but people will think it's amazing just for the fact that it's in 3D. I've a number of films in 3D and some of them were good not because they were 3D, but because of the story itself. The 3D experience has become overdone and overrated that the uniqueness of it has been lost. True 3D movies are only done in certain major cities with one being Los Angeles. If you have the chance to go see a true 3D movie, you will find yourself feeling ripped off at how horrible the mass produced 3D movies are.

Now 3D TV is going to be a fad. You buy this TV and have 3D glasses. The glasses themselves cost $800. You might be thinking that's a bit steep and yes it is. You can watch the TV in 2D but you have to shut off the 3D option if there one. Than what's the point in buying a 3D? You are essentially spending, actually blowing and wasting thousands of dollars for a 3D TV that you don't intend to use for the purpose it was intended for. Plus how many TV shows and video games are being filmed and created in 3D? If there is not much aside from movies being created in 3D. Can you tell me what TV shows are being filmed in 3D? You can't. Even some 4D and some 5D stuff is being created. Once 4D and 5D becomes the big thing than 3D will become obsolete for the most part.

I am not trying to change your opinion. This is just one man's opinion. I find that this mass produced 3D is overrated. If they produced movies in true 3D than it would not be so overrated. I find that the way it's produced is a ripoff and a waste of money. I would rather not have to pay the extra money to see something in 3D if possible. I would rather not waste money on a 3D TV if there is no 3D content being produced on TV. Finally, what's next, the Internet going 3D? I wouldn't be surprised if it does.

"Macho Man" Randy Savage Passes Away

2011-05-20T14:44:00.000-06:00

It's a sad day in the world of professional wrestling. Former WWF Champion and WCW World Heavyweight Champion Randy Poffo aka "Macho Man" Randy Savage has passed away. He suffered a heart attack and lost control of his vehicle. His wife Lynn was in the car, but she suffered minor injuries. Earlier this month Randy and Lynn celebrated their first anniversary.

Savage is someone I grew up watching. His feud with Hulk Hogan, matches with Andre the Giant, feud with Jake "The Snake" Roberts, his time in WCW, his famous WrestleMania III match against Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, and whatnot. He had the total package. He was great in the ring and great on the mic.

Hopefully whatever the heat between Savage and Vince McMahon, if there was any, will cease. All the rumors about Savage and Stephanie McMahon were never proven and will never be proven. People need to stop spreading rumors about something they know nothing about.

The magnitude of this story is mind boggling. The fellow professional wrestlers, mixed martial artists, etc. are talking about it. It's all over the news outlets. It's crazy how big this story is. It shows magnitude of Savage and how respected he is.

He will be missed and as NWA Dakota Pro Wrestling put it: "The Macho Man was truly a legend in a business that uses the term way too lightly."

He was 58. Here is a ten bell salute and theme all in one.

YouTube link

Wedding and Marriage

2011-05-14T00:01:00.000-06:00

My good friend Rob is getting married. The more it draws near, the more excited I get. I've never been excited for a wedding per se. But I am for this one. I don't know why.

Getting married is something you don't enter into lightly and I know Rob and Courtney are doing anything but taking this lightly. Some people get married out of convenience and think they will just coast through it no problem. Marriage is never easy and you can't take the attitude that it is. People need to be serious about it. If I ever get married, I know I will do with the utmost seriousness and commitment that goes with it. Marriage isn't something that I will take lightly. Marriage is traditionally a union between a man and a woman and should not be entered into lightly. I know that sounds cliche, but it's the truth.

Marriage is a sacred bond between two people and I'm honoured that I get share in this big moment in the life of my good friend Rob and Courtney. Cheers to my good friend Rob and Courtney. I know they will have a long and wonderfully blessed life together. I can't wait. The ceremony is at 2:00 pm on May 14. Congratulations to the both of them.

Laying The Votedown!

2011-05-07T17:13:00.001-06:00

I laid the votedown this past Monday. It is the first time I voted. I am one of those people that feels that you should vote based on who would do the better job and not based on a particular party. You can like a particular party all you want, but if that particular party is not going to do the best job, than does it make sense to vote for them? No! But a lot of people don't vote that way. It would be in their best interest to look at the issues each party stands for, than make a decision based on what appeals to you. You would think that most people do that. But unfortunately they don't.

I'll come out and say that I voted for the NDP. A big factor in why I voted for them is that they have a good stance on helping families. I've received criticism for this and that's fine. But one thing I've criticized Jack Layton for is his cap and trade idea which would add ten cents a litre at the pumps. Gas is expensive as it is.

Let explain why I like his stance on helping families. It is because there a lot of families struggling to get by. Some families work hard and don't have a lot of disposable income to save. 41 percent of our money goes to the government to pay various things. Sure I get that there are people who like to abuse welfare by staying on it their whole life and not even attempt to find a job. Welfare never runs out unlike other things like unemployment. If your source of money never runs out, than why incentive is there to look for work? My mom has said that people apply for jobs after being on welfare for years and find out working isn't always easy, so they quit their job and go back on welfare. Like it's been told to me, that if you are an able body, you should be working and I totally agree with that. Having people on welfare puts on a strain on taxpayers. It also doesn't make you a productive member of society. Sure I've had times in my life where I wasn't a productive member of society and I hated it.

Stephen Harper's $100 cheques were sent out in place of all the other programs he cut funding too or stopped. $100 a month is not going to help people with the of raising a child. What does Harper expect that everything will instantly become cheaper and everything will work itself out? $100 a month will not pay for childcare while the mother goes out and works. Nine times out of ten the women ends up staying home with the children because those $100 checks will force them too because it doesn't do much. But childcare is just one part of it. Raising a child isn't cheap, but if you take away or under fund the programs people need even though they are trying to provide for themselves and their child would be doing families or single parents a big disservice. There are many items in terms of helping people, especially families, that Jack Layton has a stance on that appealed to me which in turn is why I voted for him.

On Facebook, on my friends had a status up and it generated a number of responses. But a person I know brought up a bit of a far fetched thing where he asked if we should we give these people a new house. I wouldn't go that far. But you need to keep programs running smoothly in place and even improve some of them so they are their when families or yourself need them. That encompasses a lot of things. Not just for the families.

The one thing I don't like that I mentioned is his cap and trade idea because it adds ten cents a litre at the pumps. Maybe I don't really understand it. I've noticed if you don't understand something you hate and bash it. Maybe it's the fact that I don't understand it which is why I don't like it. Will this idea eventually reduce gas prices? Decide for yourself if it's a good idea.

Jack Layton explains the cap and trade from NOW Magazine on Vimeo.

I still may need to know more about it to make a firm decision on whether I truly like or dislike it. The first impressions were that it would raise gas price upon hearing about this. But if it in the end reduces the price of gas, than I'm all for it.

In any event, I voted for the first time and probably will vote in the 2015 national election. As you can tell, I focused on two issues with the NDP and if Jack Layton can somehow draft a way to show the people how cap and trade will help us at the pumps, than he could get more votes next time around. I would just like to see it's benefits.

Song Of The Day #18

2011-05-04T02:41:00.002-06:00

Here is the another song of the day. I couldn't find an album version. So this one will have to do. It's appropriate in a some ways as it is currently raining. This song is on Phil Collins' album entitled "Face Value."

"The Roof is Leaking" by Phil Collins
YouTube link

Over Thinking, Anaylzing, Criticizing, and Emotions

2011-04-25T08:08:00.000-06:00

I often wonder and think about stuff whether it's about stuff I'm interested in or whether it's about my faith or people (in my life or what have you). At times I over think and I over analyze certain things. You might say that I consciously think and you may say that is a good thing. But I truly have a hard time believing that. It gets me in these moods. I don't like getting in these moods. If you read my posts from last summer than you would know what I am talking about in terms of these moods. I think when I'm bored, can't sleep, at work, etc.. I try to have things that occupy my mind so I don't get into over thinking. But I still do.

I talked about this with my friend Mark on Skype yesterday and he can totally relate to where I'm coming from. He said that certain people, especially females don't like it when you analyze everything. I've never thought about that before and it actually does make sense. Looking back at talking with my one friend, I can totally see now that I analyzed a lot of stuff. I told my friend on Skype that I need to change this. I also find that my over analyzing of stuff is a way of me being honest. I even over analyze stuff in my head and it ends up at times spilling over into my conversations. That is something I need to be more conscious of when I talk to people. Especially friends that is.

Another thing that my friend said on Skype is that he noticed I tend to give criticism before praise. I've never noticed that about myself. But everybody has something they don't notice about themselves. Everybody criticizes, but some people do it more than others. Maybe because I don't notice it, I don't know how often I do it. I told him that I do need to work on this as well. I guess need to find a healthy balance between criticism and praise. With a bit of effort, I hopefully will be able to do this. He said that people react in the opposite way than you thought when you criticized them. I've noticed that too. So as I said, I need to find a balance between criticism and praise.

I told my friend on Skype that sometimes I wish I was a Stoic. But it's hard to not think emotionally. It's easier said than done to not to. He said he feels that way at times, but even when he feels indifferent he feels everything is meaningless. I'm not always able to think or act logically because it's easier to wallow in emotions than it is logic. Logic takes effort in a different way than emotions do. Logic can make you do what's best or what's right. Emotions can be make you do something on impulse. If I didn't have the ability to feel emotions, than I wouldn't feel strongly as I do about certain things or certain people. But such as it is...

The "Rated R Superstar" Edge Retires

2011-04-14T04:31:00.000-06:00

This past Monday on Raw, Edge made the announcement that he is retiring. It was doctors orders that he retire due to his physical well being. You can see his speech from Raw with the following video:

YouTube link

I have had time to process and think about his retirement. I must say that after looking back on his career in the WWF/WWE, he worked his ass off to entertain the fans, to try to put on good matches, and everything else that comes with being in the WWF/WWE. He at times was one of the most loved or one of the most hated wrestlers. But in the end, he will go down as a legend.

Even if you don't necessarily like Edge, you have to admit that he gave it his all. He sacrificed his body for the love of the business and that is what I respect. He never necessarily did it because he thought he would be the WWE and or World Heavyweight Champion. Sure it's a goal and dream to become that one day, but not everybody get to hold one of those titles in their career. To someone who went the extra mile to entertain his fans, becoming the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships respectively was a way of thanking him for his hard work. Some guys get their respective spots by pulling politics, but I can say that Edge has truly earned his spot. That is something I can also respect. But the days of earning your spot is dead. Well at least in the mainstream.

Edge has had some good feuds, good promos, good quotes (check my quotes blog), and just all great. He wanted to finish his career in the WWE so he didn't have to start over in another promotion. He got his wish and went out on top. Sure it was sooner than everyone expected, but it was expected he was going to retire in the next year or two anyways. At least he is not going to have to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Plus his body will fill a lot better due to not having to wrestle everyday. Other wrestlers with banged up bodies like Mick Foley have said they felt a lot better by not having to wrestle all the time.

Edge's speech itself was filled with emotion. You could see that even though it was best for him, he didn't want to have to retire. He also felt a sense of relief that for the first time in a long time, he doesn't have to put on his ring attire and work. He just loved what he did and it showed during his speech.

Even though he is not working anymore, he is financially set for life. He was smart with his money and paid off his house. He won't have to worry about money as he will have royalties from merchandise with his name and likeness on it.

Edge will missed and I thank him for years in the business. He is one of my all-time favourite wrestlers and a future Hall of Famer definitely. Once again... THANK YOU EDGE!

Music, Music, Music

2011-04-12T18:19:00.000-06:00

Music has been a big part of my life and as I've grown up I've tried to be open minded to different genres and artists. But growing up it was a bit harder to do. With that being said, the value of music has never diminished for me. Sure I grew up listening to a lot of mainstream music because of the radio stations that were in my hometown and of course MuchMusic. It was harder to find less mainstream music. At least that's what it was like in my experience growing up. I was able to find some, but not as much as I would have liked. Different parts of my life growing I've come to realize now that these artists I am fan of like Johnny Cash. I grew with Johnny Cash and listening to "American IV: The Man Comes Around" in college made a fan of his.

Going to Covenant Bible College (CBC), it was time where I was exposed to a lot of different music. Not necessarily liking it all. But I was able to actually get in some artists that I've heard very little from. I was able to get into Dream Theater, John Mayer, Alice in Chains, and System of a Down to name some of the bigger ones. I was able to find such artists like DragonForce and MercyMe to name a couple off the top of my head. That time at CBC was a good time to discover different music.

As the Internet has become an increasingly more popular way to distribute your music, it's become a great way to discover new artists. Through the Internet, I've been able to discover some awesomely talented and great artists like Jack Conte, Nataly Dawn, Pomplamoose, Freedom Call, Julia Nunes to name some. You can use YouTube, Facebook, Myspace (if you still use it), Band Camp, and other websites to discover music. I've been fortunate to discover great music through Internet. People like to complain about mainstream music, but with access to the Internet, you should be finding new music that isn't mainstream. The Internet has even allowed people to have music careers without going through the traditional way in music. Take Jack Conte for instance, he has been able to make a living off of selling MP3s, YouTube, iTunes, and where ever else he is able to sell his and produce music online. The Internet is a valuable tool for music.

But with how I discover music whether it be through word of mouth, people, TV, radio, Internet, etc.. I will value the place music has in my life. I will always love music!

The Home Stretch of Lent

2011-04-07T13:37:00.000-06:00

I am on the home stretch of Lent with under ten days to go. I've really haven't had much to update you on. Although on day 19 I had a craving for ice cream, but I didn't give in. On day 26, they had ice cream at the church, but I didn't give in. Will power prevailed that day.

To paraphrase what someone posted on Facebook that he was told by someone that you shouldn't give up something what you shouldn't already have. Now I get what is being said, but if what you shouldn't be having is something we have to deal with? Even though I understand the basis of it, it seems like if you don't know the individual reason for that person giving up that thing.

Take me for example, I am giving up junk food like chips, chocolate bars, candies, ice cream, and related stuff. I know I shouldn't have it, but it is something I've had to deal with for years. So saying you shouldn't give up something you shouldn't have is easy for you to say if you don't a problem with that certain thing. It's something I have to deal with. So giving up junk food and going the entire length of Lent without it is a victory for me. It proves that it's slowly becoming not such a big thing for.

If you don't practice Christianity, just give up something for 40 days and see how it turns out for you in the end. It's a great test to see if you can handle being without it. This is the second time I've proven I can go without it. So I know I can. Can you?

Here is to the home stretch of Lent. I know I can make it! I can do this!

Random Fact #5 - Muffin Top, OMG, Wassup, LOL, and More

2011-03-25T21:03:00.002-06:00

"Seinfeld" has made a significant impact on pop culture. It none more apparent than their coining of the term muffin top being added to the Oxford English Dictionary. Of course the "Seinfeld" definition of muffin top is not the only definition.

Other words like OMG (oh my God), wassup, and LOL (laugh out loud) are among the many new words added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

They added such words like LOL and OMG because the English language is evolving.

You can see the full updated list here. The Globe and Mail linked to the list in their article which you can see here.

Song Of The Day #17

2011-03-21T23:07:00.002-06:00

Here is next song of the day. I will have here in this post two versions. One is the original and one is an amazing cover in two very different genres. I like these versions equally. I first the original over the system at the one site I do security. I immediately loved. It has played multiple times as the same songs are in rotation 24 hours a day. I never knew what the song was called and who it was buy. So I finally found it and I was so stoked! This is a new favourite song of mine!

"Ordinary World" by Duran Duran
YouTube link

"Ordinary World" by Gregorian
YouTube link

Writing and Recording

2011-03-16T15:19:00.000-06:00

I've trying to come up with some new stuff to write about. But once I get some new strings for my guitar, I will record of the stuff I have written. I just have the itch to record, but it will have to wait. The songs I have recently written are:

"Our Song"
"Sudan"

I have other bits of stuff I've written but have not been able to finish it. I've started another song entitled "(Sometimes) I Feel All Alone. It's a work in progress. I just need to finish the lyrics and work on the tune.

Song Of The Day #16

2011-03-16T11:19:00.000-06:00

Here is the next song of the day. It is a great duet that I first heard on CBC Radio.

"Broken Heart Sun" by Melissa Etheridge and Serena Ryder
YouTube link

Melting Snow

2011-03-14T19:04:00.000-06:00

The snow has been melting the last couple of days. It has made for a lot of puddles on the streets. Big puddles that is. Circle Dr., especially on the stretch with the businesses are on has a lot of big puddles. There are other places where the water isn't draining as quick as it should. Listening to the radio, we need a slow melt, not a quick melt. It's just so that there isn't flooding. But at least there is some warmer weather which means spring is on the way.

Lent

2011-03-08T21:21:00.001-06:00

I never know what when Lent starts. But luckily it was brought up on Facebook, so I know it starts tomorrow. Doing something for Lent is what I've thought about. I am going to give up junk food again. I gave up junk food for Lent when I was attending Covenant Bible College in 2006-2007. I know I can do it because I was successful when did it in 2007. Sunday is the only day you can take a "day off" so to speak from whatever it is you are giving up. Even when I partook in Lent, I hardly used Sunday as a reason to take a "day off."

Once midnight hits, I will be junk food free for 40 days. This will be easy because I know I can do it. The question is could you give up something for Lent? Someone I know is going vegan for Lent. More power to him. I could never do that because I need my meat.

If you decide to do something, then good luck because it might be tough. But when you complete it, you feel the satisfaction knowing you can do it. I'll do daily updates. So follow me on Twitter @mr_c_c_. Or you can see my updates on the side to the right of blog.

Song Of The Day #15

2011-02-19T15:42:00.000-06:00

The song of the day is by a Saskatoon band who is in a contest on the Rolling Stone magazine website in which the winner gets on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine and will get a record contract. So go to the Rolling Stone website by clicking here. Please make sure to rate them five stars. Their song "I Don't Know" has been getting some airplay on Rock 102 FM here in Saskatoon.

"I Don't Know" by The Sheepdogs
YouTube link

Snow

2011-02-17T12:20:00.000-06:00

Snow, snow, and you guessed it, more snow. What happened to the unseasonably high temperatures we've been having. What happened to that? In the course of a day, we dropped 21 degrees. Going from +4 C on Tuesday to -15 C on Wednesday. I'm not saying that I'm not used to the cold or anything, but all that in 24 hours takes some getting used to. Then again, I live in Saskatchewan where the weather can change in an instant.

Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T13:59:00.001-06:00

February 14th is the day marked as Valentine's Day. If you truly look at the historical roots of Valentine's Day, then you see that it is rooted in Christianity (much like St. Patrick's Day being named after a historical Christian). Over the centuries, Valentine's Day has been shaped and molded into this day of love and all that is related to it. People do loving things or give gifts to someone specifically for this day. I guess this is the one day where it's common practice to nice things for someone. What about the other 364 days of the year? Are those just another day where you don't have to do nice things for someone?

Has this idea of Valentine's Day become so ingrained in us that we have to associate it with love, Cupid, and related items only? Those ideas associated with Valentine's Day can be used throughout the year. If you do that, then Valentine's Day can be just another day. Plus the whole idea behind Valentine's Day has become another reason for the business world to make money hand over fist and commercialize it much like other days of the year and holidays.

If Valentine's Day followed the original traditions then I would be all for it. But it's been turned into something vaguely like the original except, as I said, it has become more commercialized. Some Middle Eastern countries don't even use the excuse that Valentine's Day promotes western ideologies. They don't want Valentine's Day celebrated in their countries because they are predominantly Muslim and the historical roots as I said are based in Christianity. There has been some issues between the two religions throughout history.

Don't go thinking that I'm only saying this because I'm single and bitter. That is further from the truth. You can have Valentine's' Day any day of the year. You don't have to have it on the prescribed day of February 14 necessarily. If you love someone enough, one day of the year shouldn't force you to do something special for them.

Judging The Whole Of Something By The Mainstream

2011-02-14T00:27:00.000-06:00

I see this a lot in certain things like music and professional wrestling. People will judge it as a whole based on the mainstream. When it comes to music they say: "Music nowadays sucks." That subjects music as a whole to being terrible. If they looked outside of the mainstream box when it comes to music, then they would know that there is good music out there. I don't subject music as a whole to this standard that the mainstream projects. Sure there are a lot of terrible artists and songs in mainstream music, but there are also a lot of good artists and songs in the mainstream.

If you took time to look outside the mainstream or look to find the good music in the mainstream, then you would find some great underground, indie, and or mainstream artists. But oh no, that would take too much time and effort to look for artists who are not mainstream or that still very good yet mainstream. As well, just because you are more mainstream doesn't you are just mainstream. Look at Arcade Fire for instance, they are still an indie rock band, but they are very popular have broken into the mainstream. Some people might think that being indie as well as mainstream is an oxymoron, but that is not the case. Again, Arcade Fire have proven that theory wrong.

Arcade Fire performing on the 2011 Grammy Awards have further proven that they can still be indie while performing on a mainstream awards show. Part of being indie is not just the style of music they play, but being indie is also about being signed to an independent record label.

When it comes to professional wrestling, people say: "Wrestling is shitty." That is also subjective because indy wrestling is great. The mainstream product of wrestling is not as good as it has been in the past. But don't stereotype all of wrestling as being shitty because the WWE and TNA project itself that way. There is a lot of good wrestling out there if you take the time to look for it. You have the Internet, so use it to your advantage.

I find that a lot of people are just too stubborn to look outside the box. That's why I continually say this when it comes to music and professional wrestling. If you are going to judge something, you need to choose the right words or actually have an idea of what you are talking about because it would make you look like you know what you are talking about. As I said, you have the Internet, so use to it your advantage would be a smart thing to do. Go figure... After all, you use it to bitch and complain about how bad mainstream music and mainstream professional wrestling are. Do it see the good rather than the negative.

Song Of The Day #14

2011-02-05T19:15:00.000-06:00

Here is another song of the day. It is "Dead Hearts" by Alexisonfire which is a cover of a Midnight Oil song. The original version by Midnight Oil was released in the 80s. This song is what Alexisonfire wanted to achieve and that is a radio friendly hit. As well, this is the only Alexisonfire song I like.

"Dead Hearts" by Alexisonfire
YouTube link

Floor Hockey

2011-02-01T16:10:00.000-06:00

The last couple of weeks I have been playing floor hockey at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Last week I got three assists while this week I got a goal and two assists. My friend Rob has been playing and I decided to go and it's good exercise. We play on Mondays. So anybody in Saskatoon know where the church is located, we play at 7:00 on Mondays. I can't wait for next week to see if keep my scoring streak and my points streak going.

Song Of The Day #13

2011-01-17T19:12:00.000-06:00

Here is one of my favourite songs if not my top favourite song by Dream Theater.

"Take Away My Pain" by Dream Theater
YouTube link

Random Fact #4: Paul McCartney And Ontario Provincial Police Badge

2011-01-02T23:53:00.001-06:00

Paul McCartney is seen wearing an Ontario Provincial Police badge on the cover of the "St. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" album. "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" is an album released in June of 1967 by the Beatles. I read this in the Canadian edition of the Uncle John's Bathroom Reader.

Gluttenous Is Not A Good Enough Word

2010-12-28T09:52:00.001-06:00

Source: Toronto Sun

And you thought you were feeling full after your holiday meals.

A New Jersey mother who is trying to become the fattest woman in the world sat down for a 30,000-calorie Christmas dinner over the weekend.

Donna Simpson ate for two straight hours, the U.K.'s Daily Mail newspaper reported.

She ate two 25-pound turkeys, two maple-glazed hams, 15 lbs. of potatoes, five loaves of bread, 5 lbs. of herb stuffing, four pints of gravy, four pints of cranberry dressing and 20 lbs. of vegetables.

After that main course, Simpson also ate a "salad" of marshmallows, cream cheese, whipped cream and cookies.

"I eat as much as I want, whenever I want, but at this time of year I really go all out," she told the newspaper.

She also told the U.K.'s Sunday Mirror, "People who feel guilty about eating are hilarious."
Simpson holds the Guinness World Record for being the world's largest mother and has said she wants to become the fattest woman in the world.

People can sign up and pay to watch her eat online. Her website says her favourite food is sushi.

This woman is beyond a glutton. She doesn't even care that her actions are effecting her. By the time it's too late she will have so many health problems or will be dead. Does she really want to be remembered as the fat pig who ate herself to death? That would be a terrible way to be remembered.

I like food as much as the next person, but even I wouldn't eat that much. She is not setting a good example for her children. She is telling her children that it's alright to over indulge, make yourself look like a pig, etc.. What is disturbing is that you can pay to watch her eat on her website. On the people with that type of fetish would do that. I wouldn't pay to watch her eat.

I wouldn't be proud to want to be the fattest person in the world. The fact she wants to be in the Guiness Book of Records as the fattest person in the world is disturbing and sad. People who look in the book will be looking at it with disgust and distain. The fact is she doesn't care, but when she does care, it could be too late.

Ugh... she is beyond a glutton if that's possible. To be honest, if I had no conscience and no will power like she does, then I too would gorge out like that. You have to know when to say enough is enough.

"Big Bang Theory" And Christmas Gifts

2010-12-26T01:07:00.004-06:00

I watched a Christmas episode of "The Big Bang Theory" on Christmas Eve when I came home from church and a nice cocktail party. This episode made me think of some things.

For instance, you should try to know about someones practices and beliefs because then you would know if it's appropriate to give them a gift of some kind. Especially if you consider this person a friend. The character Sheldon doesn't believe in giving gifts. I understand that the character Penny was doing a nice gestur, but she didn't know not to give Sheldon anything. Would it have been better if she knews this? In real life yes, but for the sake of the show and to make the episode better then no. You shouldn't assume they celebrate Christmas or give gifts for that matter. A lot of people celebrate Haunaka or Kwanza and it might not be in their customs to give gifts. Penny, after finding this out, then says she won't give it to him. But Sheldon replies by saying that he already seen the gift, so thus it must be given for which it was intended.

Now a question I bring to you is, with Sheldon and Penny being friends, wouldn't you think that they would know certain things about each because of said friendship? Sure they might not be best friends, but you would at least think that they would know some stuff about them and not just the obvious stuff. Another question I bring to you is, is it Sheldon's fault that he never told her to not worry about getting him a gift no matter what the cost because of his belief in not giving gifts? The same can be said for Sheldon as he doesn't understand Penny and he gets a bunch of gifts. Something to think about.

A second thing from the episode that got me thinking was that Penny didn't go out her way to get Sheldon a gift that cost any money. Penny is a waitress and Leornard Nimoy who is famous for playing Spock in the original "Strek Trek" series dined at the restaurant she works at. So Penny took the napkin Nimoy used to wipe his face with and got him to sign it and put "live long and prosper" on it as well. Penny knew full well that Sheldon is Trekkie and would love this gift. Penny gives Sheldon the napkin wrapped up. Sheldon is not aware about what is so special about the napkin. Sheldon thinks it's just a napkin. But Penny tells Sheldon to turn it over and sees that was used and sign by Leonard Nimoy. This to him is a great gift as he almost cries.

Is the best gift of all getting something that cost nothing give? Or is it better to give a gift that cost money? Penny did know that Sheldon is a Trekkie and thus gave it to him because of knowing this. Or was the reaction she got from him and what followed made giving it too him that much more special?

Finally, as you see in the minisode I linked to at the end of this post, Sheldon brought out all those gifts because earlier in the episode Sheldon feels obligated to buy a gift after Penny says she got him a gift. Sheldon can't decide what to get to Penny and what size to get her of a gift. So basically he bought multiple sizes of related items.

Does it necessarily matter that Sheldon needed get Penny a gift in return? He felt obligated because of the fact Penny get him one. But on Penny's part, it was the thought that counted as we obviously. Now does it matter the cost or the size of the gift? You don't need to spend a whole lot or anything to feel as if you have given some which equaled the value of the one you are receiving. Sheldon planned to have multiple presents ready for Penny so he could give her a present equal in value to the one she gave him. Was this really necessary? My mom and stepdad didn't want anything for Christmas and they gave out some gifts. Just because you give does not mean someone else has to return the favour and give you a gift back. As I said, it's the thought that counts. That's what Penny was going for and it showed by Sheldon's intitial reaction.

"Big Bang Theory" - Sheldon's Greatest Christmas - Minisode

Top Ten Traditional Christmas Songs

2010-12-24T01:43:00.002-06:00

I gave you my list of top ten non-traditional Christmas songs. Now I will run down my top favourite traditional Christmas songs. These are the carols that have been sung for centuries and are known as "traditional" with messages of peace, love, hope, Christ, etc.. I will start at number ten. Enjoy!

#10 - "Carol of the Bell" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
YouTube link

Trans-Siberian Orchestra is AMAZING! You might recognize this from "Home Alone." Check this metal version of it!

#9 - "O Come O Come Emanuel" by Joel Cathy and Colleen Ballinger featuring Wade Johnston
YouTube link

Another YouTube collaboration which is a great version!

#8 - "Ding Dong Merrily On High" by Charlotte Church
YouTube link

It was hard to find a version done by a lot of people. So I chose Charlotte Church. It's a great version in itself.

#7 - "Silent Night" by Andrea Bocelli
YouTube link

Another great version of a classic Christmas carol by the one and only Andrea Bocelli.

#6 - "O Holy Night" by MercyMe
YouTube link

A great version by a favourite Christian rock band of mine.

#5 - "The Holly And The Ivy" by Jim Brickman
YouTube link

I couldn't find a good one with vocals I liked. So I am using a very good piano instrumental version of it by Jim Brickman.

#4 - "Angels We Have Heard On High" by Andrea Bocelli
YouTube link

This is an amazing version by an amazing operatic tenor singer in Andrea Bocelli. The words I say would not be enough to express how awesome he is on this song.

#3 - "The First Noel" by Kenny Rogers and Boyz II Men
YouTube link

A unique pairing of Kenny Rogers and Boyz II Men, but it worked for this classic traditional Christmas song.

#2 - "I Saw Three Ships" by Sting
YouTube link

This is a great version by one of my favourite singer-songwriters and musicians. His voice just makes it ace!

#1 - "O Come All Ye Faithful" by Pomplamoose featuring Wade Johnston
YouTube link
Download song

A great version by a favourite talented duo of mine accompanied by an equally talented Wade Johnston. They do this version in a different and unique way.

I seriously hope you enjoyed it because it took a bunch of searching and thinking to come up with this list. If I don't post anything before Christmas, I just want to wish a safe and blessed Christmas. Merry Christmas peeps!

Random Fact #3 - Jake "The Snake" Roberts

2010-12-23T12:30:00.001-06:00

Jake "The Snake" Roberts never won a title in the WWF. Even though he won titles elsewhere and was put in some good feuds in the WWF, he was never a title holder during his WWF stretch of his career or when he returned in the mid-90s for that matter.

Top Ten Non-Traditional Christmas Songs

2010-12-23T02:26:00.001-06:00

I figured since we are in the Christmas season, I thought I would run down my top ten non-traditional Christmas songs of all-time as they currently are. When I say non-traditional, I mean they are ones that are not ones like "Oh Holy Night," "Silent Night," "O Come All Ye Faithful," and others I will start at number ten. Enjoy!

#10 - "Wonderful Christmas Time" by Paul McCartney & Wings
YouTube link

The tenth spot was hard to come up with. But this a good one and makes number ten.

#9 - "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" by Brenda Less
YouTube link

Can't go wrong with a classic version!

#8 - "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms
YouTube link

Can't go wrong with a classic version!

#7 - "Where Are You Christmas" by Faith Hill
YouTube link

I'll admit that I'm not the biggest country music fan out there or Faith Hill fan for that matter, but this is a great song from "How The Grinch Stole Christmas."

#6 - "White Christmas" by Dina Krall
YouTube link

A great jazz version of this song. Even though Bing Crosby does a great version of the song, Diana Krall is one of my favourite jazz artists!

#5 - "Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord" by Boney M
YouTube link

I grew up listening to this song and it was on one of their Christmas albums that we had.

#4 - "I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Josh Groban
YouTube link

Another song with so many versions, but I chose this one because of messages from the troops which just makes this version that much more unique. Also, Josh Gorban is another favourite singer of mine.

#3 - "The Christmas Song" by Michael Buble
YouTube link

There are also many versions of this song. Even though I thought of posting the Diana Krall version, the Michael Buble version of this song is so soothing and jazzy. It's a great vocal from one of my favourite singers.

#2 - "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" by Coldplay
YouTube link

There are many covers of this song and I chose this version by Coldplay as I liked the vocals Chris Martin did.

#1 - "My Favourite Time Of Year" by The Florin Street Band
YouTube link
Download song

I found this one randomly on YouTube yesterday (Tuesday) and I was instantly blown away by the song and video. This band did the song without the backing a record company and it did make onto the some charts in the UK.

Song Of The Day #12

2010-12-21T19:47:00.003-06:00

This is a crazy good Christmas song and video. I found it randomly on YouTube and I'm glad I did. It's by the Florin Street Band. This Victorian-themed song and video was produced without record company backing. Their goal with this song was to get a real Christmas song on the charts. I'm not sure if they accomplished that goal.

"My Favourite Time Of The Year" by The Florin Street Band
YouTube link

Retards Jump Off Roof Into A Table

2010-12-10T11:16:00.001-06:00

I know I've posted it and I still find it stupid they did this, but here is infamous clip of two dumbasses jumping off a roof performing a professional wrestling move known the Kryptonite Krunch, Celtic Cross, or Air Raid. Yes there was a big possibility for injury and they knew that, but they did it anyways. Apparently the guys in the video are trained professionals, but I have a hard believing that.

The best part of the video is people asking if they are okay and what's wrong. Of course they are okay and of course nothing is wrong... They are just rolling around in pain because they want to sell
it. Oh wait... it's just some yard tards being yard tards. Yard tard is slang term for backyard wrestler. I can respect someone who actually decides to get trained if they once were a backyard wrestler, but people who just do backyard wrestling with no desire to get trained, then I can't respect that especially the ones who do the ultraviolent, extreme, hardcore, and deathmatch styles of wrestling like it's cool to do so. It's best left up to the people who actually have training.

Have a laugh at theses two dumbasses expense.

YouTube link

Don't Speak English - Joke

2010-12-06T19:05:00.000-06:00

I heard this joke on the radio one day, so I thought I would share it with you.

There was a married couple in an airport in New York City wait for their flight back to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. They were dressed in parkas and boots. There was another married couple who sees them and the wife says to her husband: "I wonder where they are going." She asks her husband: "Why don't you go find out?" Her husband replies: "You go find out because you want to know." So she goes over to the couple, then goes back to her husband five minutes later. Her husband asks: "So where are they are going?" She replies: "I don't know, they don't speak English."

"Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows"

2010-12-04T14:25:00.003-06:00

"In this feature-length documentary, director Paul Jay was given unprecedented access to the world of Bret Hart and pro wrestling as his camera followed Bret "the Hitman" Hart for one year. Going behind the tightly guarded walls of wrestling's spectacle and theatre, the film explores the meaning of today's wrestling morality plays. As fantasy crosses into real life, the true story of Bret Hart's struggle with Vince McMahon, the legendary owner of the WWF, is revealed. Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows climaxes with the tale of the biggest double-cross in pro wrestling. "

This is a great documentary and I'm not just saying that because Bret Hart is my favourite wrestler of all-time. At that time in wrestling you never got to see much of the real life backstage goings on. It's something great to see. Nowadays seeing what's going on backstage is something we don't think about because of the social networks and whatnot. I highly recommend it regardless if you are a professional wrestling fan or not.

NFB link

"Viva La Vida" by Louis Cole & Genevieve Artadi

2010-12-04T02:43:00.001-06:00

I was asked many moons ago by Louis Cole to review a video of his and Genevieve Artadi. I told him to put out some other videos and I would check them out. Well I checked out some of his other stuff and I found their videosong cover of "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay. It is an interesting cover to say the least. This cover may not be to everyone's taste. But it is different and I enjoy it. They do speed it up, but that's that beauty of covering songs. Covers are not meant to be true to the original. Some don't like a cover and some do. But I do like this one. Louis Cole is a pretty bad ass drummer I may add.

YouTube link

"Life My Life Through God"

2010-11-24T09:59:00.001-06:00

I was checking out some pictures on Facebook which a friend uploaded during our time at CBC (Covenant Bible College) and I came across some song lyrics I wrote. The song is entitled "Live My Life Through God."

Verse 1:
I can feel your presence
When I start to pray
I can feel you with me
When I go about my day
You are the mighty one
But this is going to be hard to say

Bridge:
I want to walk with you
I don't want to fall behind
Lead me down the right path
I don't want to lose my way

Chorus x2:
I want to live my life through God
I want to live my life through God
Show me how Lord
Show me how Lord
To live my life through God

Verse 2:
I can feel you standing over me
In the dead of night
I'm not going to struggle
I'm not going to put up a fight
Please pick me up
With your power and your strength

Bridge 2:
Your strength is what I need
Please help me grow stronger
I need your eyes and ears
So I can see and hear you
(REPEAT CHORUS)

Time For Redemption

2010-11-21T22:00:00.003-06:00

The Saskatchewan Roughriders made it to the Grey Cup game by defeating the Calgary Stampeders 20-16 in the West Final. It is the second straight year that the Roughriders have made the Grey Cup game. It is also the second straight year that we are facing the Montreal Alouettes.

Now if any of you remember, we squandered the victory and the Grey Cup by getting a to many men on the field penalty which allowed Montreal to get the field goal for the win. The big joke this past season was that we couldn't count. The Roughriders even took a couple of too many men on the field penalties. Let's hope we can redeem ourselves. Let's bring home the Grey Cup!

Bandwagon Hopping

2010-11-19T10:48:00.006-06:00

Bandwagon hopping happens a lot in a many things. But I find that it happens a lot in the realm of professional wrestling. It's one thing to not be a fan someone, but it's the fact you are no longer a fan to outright bashing this particular wrestler or promoter or whoever when they were in fact once a fan. I get that I rag on Hulk Hogan because I am not on the Hulk Hogan bandwagon like I once was when I was a child. I mean, it's cool that you are still a Hogan fan, but that was only a phase for me.

Now I see and hear people ragging on John Cena, but it's not that it was a phase when they were a fan. They were only fans of Cena because he was a heel. As a fan we are supposed to cheer the faces (good guys) and boo the heels (bad guys). That has changed with the advent of the Internet and the whole "IWC" (Internet Wrestling Community). With the information that were getting at a rapid rate and able to see more of the backstage goings on, we able to cheer and boo for who we want regardless of alignment of heel, face, or tweener (in between). With Cena, when he turned face and become one of the top superstars in the WWE, it was a 180 degree turn and people who loved him because he was only a heel, they now can't stand him and loathe him. I don't necessarily loathe Hogan to the point where I wish death upon the guy like some people wish upon Cena. I just don't like certain things he does. Some people bash his wrestling, his over saturation of his merchandise, his movies, his rap music, and whatnot. It's not his fault that he was pushed to this degree. If you want to bitch at someone, then bitch at Vince McMahon and the WWE for pushing him to this degree. I find some irony here because people cheered Steve Austin for being pushed big time while making the WWF loads of money. But people don't like it because John Cena is doing the same. If Steve Austin was the big superstar and face of the WWE now, then people would be doing the same thing. They would be bitching about the same stuff they do with Cena. It's for the fact that it's no longer the Attitude Era and the Attitude Era spoiled fans as well as it's a PG rating.

It's not just Cena's bandwagon people have hopped on and off. If you've ever been on wrestling based forums, then you will know smarks (Google the term if you don't know what it is because don't want to go on a rant about what smarks are and why I can't stand them) continually bandwagon hop. They have a thing that I like to call "the flavour of the week." That is where they like one person in wrestling one moment, then the next moment they like some other guy to the point the bash them. I don't get why they do it. If you like a certain wrestler than that's cool. You don't stop being a fan because they turn face or they turn heel. You be a fan regardless. It's like your sports team being terrible. Even though you acknowledge they are not doing that good doesn't mean you start cheering for another team until they are doing good. You cheer for a team no matter what. But I guess people will continue to be that way, just like they are in wrestling.

In the end people need to get over it because there will be the next big thing once John Cena is done with the WWE and wrestling.

One Step Closer

2010-11-14T21:16:00.003-06:00

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are one step closer to the Grey Cup. We defeated the British Columbia Lions in double overtime. It was a really great game. But the better did indeed win. Now it's on to the West Final against the Calgary Stampeders. It should be a great game. But of course the good guys will. That's what I'm hoping for anyways.

Hopefully we don't wait till the second half to start playing like I know they can. That could mean the end because Calgary could take advantage and put up a lot of points on the board. We need to keep the game close so we don't get blown out. That or we put up a lot of points early and often so we can get a good lead. We can't play like crap like we did during the middle of the season. If we do that, then we don't even deserve to play for the Grey Cup. This is a must win and as I've seen before, we can pull out the win.

Song Of The Day #11

2010-11-05T19:53:00.003-06:00

Here is a great jazz song featuring Sting on vocals.

"In The Wee Small Hours" by Chris Botti featuring Sting
YouTube link

Song Of The Day #10

2010-10-28T00:49:00.005-06:00

Here is a great song for the song of the day. I heard on the radio while getting my hair cut yesterday.

"I Cry" by Bass Is Base
YouTube link

Loaner Phone

2010-10-26T17:54:00.002-06:00

So I took my phone in to get fixed. So right now I am using a loaner phone and these loaner phones blow! I can't wait to get my phone back!

Snow

2010-10-26T15:23:00.003-06:00

We got blanketed with snow in Saskatoon. I wonder how the streets are? Probably slick and slippery I would imagine. I do need to do stuff, but I don't want to because of how the streets are. I will just suck it up and do what I need to do.

Song Of The Day #9

2010-10-25T17:26:00.004-06:00

This is an artist in a genre that I don't usually listen to, but this is a good song surprisingly.

"Just A Dream" by Nelly
YouTube link

Snow

2010-10-25T12:28:00.002-06:00

They are forecasting close to 1cm of snow from this evening (Monday) to tomorrow afternoon (tomorrow). AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I could do without snow for a little while longer...

Song Of The Day #8

2010-10-23T12:02:00.003-06:00

Here is the eighth song of the day.

"Somewhere Out There" by Our Lady Peace
YouTube link

Suing Over Wrestling Titles

2010-10-10T18:05:00.001-06:00

Someone on Facebook posted a link to a picture of a TNA United States Championship. Then someone else said that he "smelled a lawsuit coming." Unfortunately, the WWE would have no case to sue TNA. If the WWE was going to sue TNA, then they would have to sue every other promotion who has their own United States Championship.

Why they would have no case is because if they start suing a promotion for having a United States Championship, then they would have to sue a promotion for having a World Heavyweight Championship, World Tag Team Championship, etc.. The WWE was not the first promotion to have a World Heavyweight, World Tag Team, or United States Championship. The NWA had these titles before the WWE ever existed all the way back to Capitol Wrestling in 1952 and even then when Capitol Wrestling become World Wide Wrestling Federation, they were twice under the National Wrestling Alliance banner.

The only a successful lawsuit over titles came when the WWE sued then AWA Superstars of Wrestling when they tried to claim title lineage from the American Wrestling Association when Dale Gagne and Jonnie Stewart formed the promotion in 1996. I can see why they were successful in their lawsuit and that is because the WWE or then WWF bought everything to do with AWA when the promotion ceased operations in 1991. So Gagne and Stewart changed the promotion name to Wrestling Superstars Live. Even though they are not allowed to claim lineage they still display lineage for the AWA World Heavyweight, World Tag Team, World Women's, World Lightweight, and United States Championships going back between the 50s - 80s per respective title when they were established on their website. Gange and Stewart can't publicly claim lineage for any of the AWA Championships.

The problem I find some people having difficulty understanding is that the TNA is NOT and I repeat NOT claiming any of the WWE lineage from the WWE, WCW, or NWA. TNA is no infringing on anything the WWE has copyrighted or trademarked.

Now I searched the United States Copyright Office website and found that you can't trademark a title. So even if the WWE wanted to sue promotions for having United States Championships they couldn't. Look at the following document and you will see:

http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ34.pdf

I was engaged in a debate about this on Facebook with some person and I finally got that person to see the point I've been trying to make. Promotions all over the world have a lot of titles with the same name. So going through all the promotions to sue them would be pointless and ruin wrestling because of this whole "its mine" type mentality. If wrestling acted on that mentality to the nth degree, then the business would be in a worse state.

Song Of The Day #7

2010-10-09T17:36:00.006-06:00

Here is the song of the day. I always seem to have this song in my head...

"Amongst The Waves" by Pearl Jam
YouTube link

Song Of The Day #6

2010-10-03T14:25:00.004-06:00

Here is a repeat song of the day:

"Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars
YouTube link

Relating

2010-10-03T02:48:00.003-06:00

Whenever I watch a movie, see a trailer for a movie, listen to a song, etc., I find that there are things within those types of media that I can relate to. For instance I seen a trailer for an upcoming movie entitled "Love and Other Drugs" which stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway. Now the trailer showcased a line in which I can relate to. This may not be an exact quote, but Gyllenhaal' character pretty much says what I feel. He says something to the effect of, "The more you reject me, the more I want you."

I feel that quote is true in my life. I feel that the more this person rejects me in the way I want, the more I want this person. She knows it, but doesn't want it like I do which is how I relate to this in some round about way.

In the same breath I feel like Ricky Gervais's character in the "Invention of Lying" is someone I also can relate to in terms of how his character likes this one woman who is Jennifer Garner's character yet she doesn't feel the same way. Even though they remain good friends, Garner's character goes on to dating Rob Lowe's character just because he is a "perfect" genetic match for her. Gervais's character likes Garner's character and doesn't want to see her with Lowe's character because he is an asshole. Even though Gervais becomes rich and successful, Garner's character still doesn't feel the same way. That is until she talks to her mother and tells things about him that she likes. Then she starts changing or so it seems. Garner's character continues dating Gervais's character even though Gervais's character becomes rich and famous. He is invited to her wedding and doesn't want to go until his friend tells him he should. So he does and when the wedding officiant asks if anyone objects to them getting married, Gervais's character objects and even though he pours his heart about to her, she tells him that she has to marry Lowe's character because he is a "perfect" genetic match. Gervais's character knows that being a "perfect" genetic match doesn't always equal happiness which is so true. So in the end he gets the woman he wants despite all the negative stuff she mentioned about him in the earlier in the movie. She went from realizing that you don't need someone who you think is perfect to be happy to you can be happy with the one you are with.

I get how Gervais's character likes Garner's character, but goes through being friends with her. I have the same thing with my best friend. I want to be with her, but she doesn't feel the same way. Don't get me wrong, but I'm very blessed to have her in my life as my best friend. I don't like bringing up this issue with her because it makes me feel so UGH if you know what I mean. But you get what I mean. Gervais throughout most of the movie wanting her like I want this person, but even he ended up getting the woman he wants. That's something I'm still waiting on.

When it comes to music, I can relate to lyrics of some songs. For instance, "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars is one of those songs. It's just a simple song about telling a girl how beautiful she is which my best friend is. The chorus sums it up perfectly:

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

So as you can see, Bruno Mars wrote a song that I found relates to me in how I feel about my best friend. She is beautiful, amazing, and just plain awesome. Bruno Mars admits it's not lyrically mind blowing which it isn't, but it does says something that a lot of songs don't in this day in age. I like it for that because again, this songs says what I feel.

You can see how some of this stuff relates to me. If life played out like a movie or song, then there would be a lot of more positives like me getting what I want instead of having to wait for the one I want.

The Illusion Of Support

2010-10-02T21:40:00.001-06:00

I have done a post on this type of thing before. But today I was thinking about this again. I thought it would be a good thing to do a sermon on.

So in this previous post I talked about people "showing" support for the troops by sticking a bumper sticker on their vehicle verses actually supporting them. I thought that why show the illusion of support? Jesus and God don't show the illusion of love that they have for us. So why should we show the illusion of support for a cause?

I could feign my support for something to go with the general consensus of a lot of people. But why would I do that? Just because a good portion of the masses want you to show support for the troops because they fight for your freedom doesn't you have to. Don't get me wrong, but I do respect that people have chosen that career path and decided to go in to some sector of the military, but why should I support a war or a mission that has nothing to do with us in the first place?

Wouldn't feigning or showing illusion of support for something be wrong? I know people do it all the time. But why should I compromise who I am just because it's the "cool" thing to do is show support for something. God and Jesus don't think it's "cool" to show the illusion of love because it's what you want from them. It's the fact that Jesus and God do truly love us. That's why if you are going to put a bumper sticker on your vehicle that you have to actually support the troops, ending breast cancer, ending aids, etc.. Don't just say you support, but actually prove it. Saying you support something is easy to do because it's not like you have to go out of your way to physically do something to show your support.

I've supported stuff in the past and not just said I do. I've actually done a 30 hour famine and collected pledges to help people in developing countries. It's good to actually go out of your way to show your support just like God and Jesus have gone out of their way to show their love for us. They didn't just stick a sticker on something that said "I love all of mankind" or something like that. You could say you love someone, but that doesn't truly mean you do. God and Jesus don't just give lip service like a lot of the people in the world do when They declare their love for us. So why should we just give lip service when we show our support for something?

I just think sticking a bumper sticker on your vehicle is just a lazy and hollow way to show your support for something. After all, Jesus and God are not lazy and hollow with their love for us.