Smells like Highway

My car has no AC; I basically drive like I'm back in 97'. Windows down, sunroof activated, sunglasses on, music blazing, you could call me hardcore.

I was about to take my exit towards home along the 99 from work yesterday - the work I quit yesterday suckas - I noticed a non-highway aroma filling the air as I was about to take my exit towards the Ferries. It wasn't diesel, or toxins from semi's, or manure, or even the little green tree air fresheners people buy for their cars at 7-11, it smelt of soup. Good soup. I was trying to put my nose on exactly what kind of soup, but just as I got onto my exit, the smell disappeared. Nature has its way of taunting me.

Today the same thing happened on my way home from work, in the exact same place, only this time it smelt of spices...almost like a taco, or chili...

If only I had more time with the smells, I'm sure I would be able to label exactly which food it was. Needless to say, I only had it engage me for about 10 seconds, and then it left.

Hunger is a cruel thing.

A reenactment.

Thanks to Andy Warhol for this soup can. Glad to know his art is good for something.

Craigslist Missed Connections Post: A Good Man

I frequent Craigslist Missed Connections, and I usually find some humorous things from some lonely people. Today I found something human from a person who is obviously searching for something. This has to be one of the best posts I have seen on that site; people really are searching for love. 

older asian gentleman and wife, i think u had parkinsons (kits beach)

---

Reply to:pers-rvyp4-1194403878@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}
Date: 2009-05-28, 10:00PM PDT

Around 9pm tonight at kits beach...you were a handsome older asian gentleman maybe in your 50's, well dressed in a sweater and dress pants, and you sat with your wife on the bench in front of Watermark restaurant watching the sunset. You seemed like you had parkinson's disease and are in an advanced stage. Your wife was always watching over you making sure you were ok, even with all the movements you involuntarily had. After a while the both of you got up and walked down the sidewalk past the beach, and the both of you were trying to hold hands as difficult as that looked. It seemed like she had to hold your hand behind your back just to hang onto you. 

A bit later I saw you go by again with what appeared to be your family, as I saw your boy call you dad and kind of play with you. You were still struggling to hold your wifes hand. 

I have to tell you, I almost cried. Watching that was true love, I can't imagine how difficult it is for the both of you. You have to know that I would give my life for you in a heartbeat if I could make that go away and let you enjoy many many more years with your wife and family. I'm a guy in my mid 30's, and I can only hope to experience love like the two of you have. 

Take care 

Going Against the Girly Norm

I'm not really a girly girl, though I tend to think I have improved much in the way of femininity over the years. 

This year I took up the sport boxing, Ali style. I originally wanted to take kick boxing, but for what was offered boxing ended up being the cheaper choice (and who doesn't like cheap?).  I'm glad it ended up this way, it's hecka fun. And MAN, helloooo muscles I never knew I had before. 

It's definitely a sport geared towards men, I knew that even before taking the class. Showing up to the first day also made it clear that guys are clearly more interested in boxing. Maybe that's why I like it so much, I get to challenge myself with something which I am clearly out numbered in.

I used to think tattoo's were stupid. Actually for the most part I still think they are. Why would someone permanently put a skull on there arm? Seriously, in 20 years it's going to look like a blob. 

"What does that tattoo mean to you?"

"I don't know, I just thought it was cool..."

Sigh.

Good reasoning for something that isn't going to come off.  I think if you're going to get a tattoo, at least have it mean something to you. My friend got a tattoo of the Pink Breast Cancer ribbon for support of her mom. I think that's pretty cool.

This weekend while I was listening to music (coming back from YC in Edmonton, needless to say it was a long bus ride), I suddenly had an epiphany, and realized that I wanted a tattoo. I've always kind of wanted one and have thought about getting a Jesus fish on my foot, but have been told how over done it is, so I changed my mind. This time I have a more secure idea of what I want. If I get it, then I will say what it is. If I don't, then you'll never know. HA.

When I used to work at the construction site (refer to this posting for more information and how I was traumatized), I often would get a ride to work on my boss's motorcycle. Ever since then, I'm in love with them. S.O. M.U.CH. F.U.N. Seriously, if you haven't been on one, you need to befriend someone who has one and make them take you on it. Hopefully one day that person you find will be me; I'm thinking about getting my motorcycle licence this summer. Reasons why? It's awesome, it's cheaper than a convertible with the same effects except better, you can go cruising with your friends (once you convince them to get their own licence), and who doesn't like a motorcycle babe? Seriously. 

My hands smell like worms

I've just come back from doing some gardening. My mom used to do it all the time, and since she's not around to do it this year, the kids (Garrit, Chelsea, Matt and I) decided to continue on with it in remembrance of her.  Man, how she did it every year I'll never know.

I remember I used to help her plant vegetables when I was younger. Sometimes I would occasionally water, and then of course harvest. When I did it this year I didn't know what I was doing.  I'm pretty sure I bought 3 bags of fertilizer when in fact I only needed one bag (I thought the other 2 were special kinds of soil). It's a garden gong show, but at least it's a pretty one. I can't say all the plants are going to survive (God rest their souls in advance), but I'm pretty sure the ones I bought post seed will turn out. The ones I planted myself from seed...well...I can't promise that I won't have to go to the grocery store to buy some carrots. Good news though, the potato plant has sprouted! Scalloped Potats anyone?

From this experience I've also realized my strange emotional attachment to insects/buggies. Seriously, it's bizarre.

I was trying to make a new area in the grass to plant some corn (can't promise anything) so I started digging up the grass, and I found that I kept cutting worms in half. What a sight, what a war. I felt pretty awful. So I threw some dirt over the dead bodies and decided to not continue. Is that even appropriate I call them "dead bodies"? Probs not, but it's my blog.

I remember in elementary school I used to have a "Save the Worms" club, and every time it rained, us kids would run out onto the playground during recess and pick up all the stray and homeless worms and put them underneath a classroom portable. Then we would feed them compost that we had collected over the week. Needless to say, the club doesn't exist anymore.

Here's some other bugs I've taking a liking to over the years:

Spiders: I've had conversations with them where I tell them there is much better living space in a different room, and their current home is very inconvenient for the rest of us.

Flies: In my younger years (last week, but seriously), I used to call the flies in my house "Fred". I would help guide Fred(s) through the rooms until he was able to reach the great out doors. There have been many Freds. 

I think I'm a little bit too compassionate...is that even possible?

Fleetwood Mac-cers at the TACOMA DOOOOOME

Matt and I bought tickets for my dad for his birthday to go to Fleetwood Mac. Unfortunately the Vancouver show was sold out, so we settled with going to the Tacoma showing ("DA TACOMA DOOOOOOOOME"). It was a pretty good show considering it's a bunch of 60 year old's partying up the stage...I can only pray that I have that much energy at their age. I guess when you strike it rich as a preformer, your fans never really go away. We had such good seats that I was lucky enough to get my picture with Jon Mcvie and Stevie Nicks!

Some people got me confused with Mario's brother, I don't know why. 

The Great Blog Off

Anyone heard of it? Well, Apparently I am now a part of it for a month. I'm too lazy to type out my own description, so here is a nice paraphrase (cough Alan cough):

The Great Blog Off (3.0) is a competition blogging group. Essentially, a variety of bloggers compete to blog better than the others in the group. The best blogger is determined by you, the members of The Great Blog Off group.

Voting will take place June 10-14, with the winner being announced on the 15th. One vote per person, for one blogger, during that week only. You may base your vote on whatever you think makes the best blogger.

We encourage as much participation as possible. Comment on The Great Blog Off wall, on the blog's, email, message, whatever.

So there you have it. I'm blogging my life away. It should be interesting, I don't think I have ever committed to blogging more than once a month, let alone once a week, and now I have to do it at least three times a week...SICK. 

Let me do a quick introducing to my fellow competing bloggers since I'm a superb sport. Alan Schram created a site intended to help you (ya you) save money. I've already used his financial advise and have gained an extra $13! That's like 3 happy meals and an extra hot fudge request for your hot fudge sundae! Adam Loewen is a fantabulous photographer who incorporates his work in his blogging and likes to talk about the artist community; oh Adam, you are so creative. Jeff Hawker is a local musician who knows a thing or two about pursuing your dream and making yourself motivated to do so; let's just say, he's got an itunes hook up. Adam Roper is a killer poet who I believe does know it (eww, I can't believe I even went there) and has great reflections to read on life. 

Okay, so I'll be honest, I don't really know the other three bloggers personally, but I have read some of their blogs, so I will say this: Tony Bookless is a very funny man, and is mastering the vlog. Jordan Shaw is another great photographer and shares some of his experiences on his blog. Chrissy Ramstead (yay another girl!) is new to the blog off too, and from a glance at her blog, I think we'll be seeing a health theme. The group is on facebook, so come join and vote your heart out. Actually that was just a figure of speech. You're only allowed to vote once. 

And me? What do I blog about? Anything really. I'm pretty boring (or interesting?) that way. I doubt you'll see any themes, but you never know, I could surprise, and tantalizeeeee...

tan·ta·lize  (tnt-lz)

tr.v. tan·ta·lized, tan·ta·liz·ing, tan·ta·liz·es

To excite (another) by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach

So to recap, my blogs are out of reach. Have a good day!

Wolver-hot

I'm seeing X-Men: the new one also known as the 4th tonight. I've heard it is suppose to be crap; I'm seeing it anyways. I love Xmen, loved it before the movies. Let's be serious, the movies weren't good enough to make anyone love them...well maybe the first one, but even still. 

I remember when Saturday morning cartoons had the show X-men Evolution. Granted the show didn't have a large budget (if you watch it, the quality of animation is a giver), but I was addicted. The show was taken off the air before I could finish the series, but luckily for me I found a website about a year ago with all 3 seasons (yay!) to watch at my leisure. Yay teenagehood!

Ya, I know all you die hard Xmen fans are like, "Are you freakin' kidding me? X-men evolution? COME ON!". No, I'm not kidding. I like it; I should be asshamed, but I'm not. 

If the movie does suck, I think I'll survive. I'm going for all the sweet mutants and to finally see Gambit in the movie (finally!). Okay, let's face it, the only reason I'm going to see sweet, sweet Hugh Jackman play Wolverine. I find the character Wolverine to be hot, but when you put good ol' Hugh in the role? FIERCE.

 

Cali-fornia

Last week Matt, Richard and I planned a trip to California next week. 

Details? Okay.

Leaving on Thursday at 2am. Drive straight through Washington, Oregon and all the way to Chico California. Remember to make pee stops along the way. Make a couple more. And food stops. Some gas for the car might be good too. Get to Chico by 6pm the same day. Have a tiring dinner at our good friend Kira's house. Celebrate because we are in summer. Have five day fun with Kira and random Americans and sun. Visit San Fran sometime during our stay. Say goodbye to Kira the following Wednesday. Head to Anahiem. Visit the happiest place on earth. I mean Disneyland. Stay a day or two. Take random routes back and visit road side attractions. Get back to BC by the 26th. Have a super happy, warm, fun time. Hurrah. 

The end. 

Jealous? Because I am. Of myself? Who isn't. 

Can you feel the pressure?

I sure can. Let's list my pressures, shall I?

-I have a 5foot x 4foot painting due on Thursday

- Start and finish a 24 x 30 mixed media drawing today

- Start and finish a 24 x 30 mixed media drawing next Wednesday

- Revamp my art piece for the Emergence show before I drop it off on Sunday

- Find a job so I can pay my bills and be able to afford gas

- Have two weeks to complete two 24 x 30 nature vs. culture paintings 

This is art up the wazoo. Normally I wouldn't care, I like art motivation, but deadlines drain me. I'll get it all done except maybe the job one, I'll just be sacrificing my life and sleep. I'll put up pictures in my other blog my-illustrated-life.blogspot.com of all the stuff when I get them done. 

Potential Proposal with Kleenex

This past weekend I thought perhaps Matt was going to propose to me. We hadn't been on a date in several...months? so for him to plan one and not tell me what we were doing seemed like a surefire thing. I did think, "well he could of been sneakier about it and not even tell me we were going out", which also made me think, "oh you silly nilly, he's not asking you on Saturday, get that out of your head!" which of course is impossible to do once it's in your head.

It actually was a well planned day. In all of the time Matt and I have been together, we have never spent a day walking downtown together, so Matt decided it was time. We went to the Van Art Gallery (which he so slyly told me on Friday we would go on Sunday when I told him "I WANNA GO"), and then we went to a super yuppie/trendy place called Joey's,

(waitress: so have you been to joey's before? 

us: *look at each other, look back at the waitress* nope

waitress: *disgusted look* ooooohhhh...)

and then we basically wandered around the streets, the chapters, and the mall. That night we were suppose to babysit Matt's niece Isabelle, but I started thinking, "maybe it's a ploy..." but reassured myself it wasn't...sort of. It would of been perfect to ask me that day, besides the fact that both of us were sick.  I'm actually glad he didn't ask then because the proposal would probably sound like this:

Matt: *gets down on one knee but needs to balance himself on near by bench because he feels faint* just a second

Amanda: *stuffed nose* nohka

Matt: Amanda will you *cough* marry *cough* me?

Amanda: ES, ES ni mill mairy new! *kleenex*

Matt: I think I'm going to hurl...

Amanda: *HACK*

So my hunch ended up being wrong (not the first time), but the day went well besides being sick. We ended the day at Matt's brother's house to babysit for the evening, which always proves to be entertaining; Isabelle is quite the attention getter. 

Here are some shots Matt and I took from our day! 

one of the interactive art pieces in the "how soon is now" exhibit

the exhibit was amazing. one of my art teacher's work was in it.

the problem of having short arms

isabelle think's fingers belong on the lens

just like uncle matt

haha the best is when she shakes her head

Valentine's Day: girls get presents, but what about guys?

Flower's, boxed chocolate, stuffed teddy bears, cut out cards, jewellery, all of the many things that women recieve on Valentine's day. So what do the girls get the guys? I don't know.

I've heard some guys think getting flower's on valentine's day as a reversal thing is cute and sweet, but I'm pretty sure most guys think that flower's are for girls; so then what? What can us ladies get you guys?

I've been thinking about this for some time, and I can't really come up with a lot of suggestions. I think I have two...maybe three.

1) Make him a mix CD with his favorite genre of music in love songs

2) Bake him dessert

3) Make him a card

Yes, not very in depth, but these do take time to do, and I believe something is even more valued when the significant other spent a lot of time doing it.  I'm going to post a list of love songs that people can use for mixes later, but for now, what are your suggestions? What can girls give their guys on Love day?

Valentine's Day: Be my Kittentine?

...I don't even know. Haha

Valentine's Day: Setting the Bar to Impossible

Romance is key for a great Vday, as this video has shown us.   

Happy Valentines Day

I know what some of you ladies are thinking. Wow. That guy went to a lot of trouble to show his girl how much he cares for her, how sweet! And I know what most of you guys are thinking. Wow. That guy totally screwed himself over.

The key to a great Vday is to do something practical that is possible to top or match for future Vdays to come. If you do something as elaborate as this, you will have her melting in your arms; you'll also be expected to match/top this next Vday. BE WARNED. If you start high, you have set the bar, and you'll never be able to go below it. If you're up to the challenge, that's great! Personally I suggest to start simple and then work your way up to avoid disapointment. 

The lady of the man who made this video is going to be surprised next year when she just get's a box of candy and a "well I did to it last year" remark. 

Could have saved yourself a lot of trouble dude and just stuck with roses and candy for your first Vday experience together.

Valentine's Day: Intro for Men part III

The final part to this merry tale. I hope you don't take these too seriously.

Men Anonymous: Step Three

Valentine's Day: Intro for men part II

If you think you qualify as a certified male from the first video, then here is a follow up lesson.

Men Anonymous: Step Two

My Past Life: Grade 12

I love organizing emails into seperate folders and then leaving them to shimmer. The fun of it is when I forget about them and then reremember them a couple years later. I love reading old emails and old conversations from old friends; it's insightful about their character then and now. I find it also helps me figure out who I used to be when I didn't think I knew who I was. 

I was browsing through a folder for my friend Darryl - we had become penpals in highschool from a christian penpal site - and it surprised me how frank I wrote about myself. From reading it, I feel like I was much more articulate then than I am now and I wasn't even aware of it. It's kind of inspiring. I'm not saying it's some intelluctual thing because it's not, but everything I said then is still applicable now. It's funny how insightful your past self can be to your present.

"yeah, i have told my friend about Christ and everything, she goes to my youth and she's a catholic. I don't know though, she's stubborn haha we've  had good talks about God but there's certian things she believes that i can't change her opinion on, she will just have to learn herself. I don't even understand some of her views, it's strange; but i love her anyways. unfortunatly, she has made me immune to certian conversations, i am asshamed to say. it's hard you know, living in a secular enviroment, being a christian, expecially when there isn't a whole lot to encourage you,. sure theres church, and youth and christian friends, but it gets dangerous when it starts to become a routine; like it is for me. It's like i'm in a horrible repititive cycle and i don't care. it's hard to get out of, holy  moly is it ever. I'm still in it, and that's why i'm stoaked for the summer where i go to camp. i'm hoping it will help me grow closer to God. it's not like i have lost my way, but more like my flame. I mean everyone does, and maybe it's because grade 12 is so darn busy that i have "no time" for God,  which is aload of crap in a bucket, but thats what it feels like. I feel like i'm standing still and my life is just passing for me, llike i don't even have a say. And also like we were talking about before, the want for a relationship. i don't deny that i want one, but when i let it get in the way of my relationship with God, then i'm going over the line i shouldn't. doesthis make sense? who knows."  19 Feb 2005

Valentine's Day: Intro for Men

I've decided I'm going to post a blog every day up until Valentine's Day about relationships, love, or being single. Don't worry, 80% of the time (all the time) it's going to be video's that will help us understand the opposite sex and/or love. It will also help us understand humor.

When I used to explore the vastness that is myspace.com, I came across a guy who I believe (for the most part)  does hilarious videos. Thank goodness for us that most of them are about relationships.

Here is the first video of a nice introductin course on how the guy is different from the woman, and if he wants a lady how he needs to proceed in order to woo/impress/keep her.  

Men Anonymous: Step One

Pre-Valentine's Day

And this is why I have told Matt never to propose to me in public or on Valentine's Day.

Valentines Day Proposal Fail at NBA Game

Going to be honest, that really sucks. Also going to be honest, that girl has courage.

Lend me an idea.

I'm planning on submitting a proposal for an exhibition at an art gallery, and the deadline for submitting is March 6. Seems far away in retreospect, but that's not just the deadline for the title of the proposal, it's also the deadline for the works that I am proposing to be finished. I am aiming for 10 or so paintings... that's a lot in a month. The art peeps usually like a theme, and I need one fast that can work with my ideas, and preferably with some works that I have already started. It's a rush because what I create depends on the theme I choose, and I don't want to choose a theme where I need to stretch all my creative endeavors into making excuses why a certain piece fits with the theme "The house resembles the building struggle of man and nature which reflects the struggle between the tide and the ocean...cough...". 

So here are some groupings of paintings/mixed media ideas I came up with (They aren't detailed so  when reading they seem kind of lame...just go with it):

saving yourself  

saving money

saving people    (obviously these three would be part of a collection)

flying low heron over cars

atop the dump  with a kite

ferris wheel with yellow balloon

saving virginity

white rhino (made with paper bags)

thread men putting in light bulb  (thread and paint)

mailbox

squirrel crossing telephone wire

bicycling (crayons and paint)

I have a couple finished paintings and it would be great to try and fit one it; that would mean one less painting to do!:

button tree

crow with blossoms

reflection in water

These are some theme idea to work with some of the ideas/finished works:

saving

dreams

flight

toys

environment

childish dreams

mere child's play

I'm leaning towards mere child's play, cause I figure I can probably fit more in there. I can fit some works in there that would consist of media that children would use ie. crayons, buttons, paper bags, along with deeper/lighter meaning ones.

 Suggestions or thoughts?

Songs for my Appetite

So these pretty much make up my favorite songs. There are about two that don't follow the  "have known for two years" rule, but I think they will qualify soon enough. I'm sure I have forgotten some, so I'll probably be posting an updated blog or a new one some other time. For all the songs I found a live verison, recorded version, or music video so that you may listen to it and maybe have it become your favorite too. Oh, and it's all alphabetical too for those of you that like order.

City and Colour - Like Knives

Coldplay - We Never Change

Counting Crows - Mr. Jones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHMTolJWKBs (embedding disabled)

Damien Rice - The Blower's Daughter

Daniel Bedingfield - Girlfriend (hahaha this video is so cheese, but i guess the song is too)

Death Cab for Cutie - Soul Meets Body

Delirious? - August 30th

Delirious? - It's Ok

Delirious? - King or Cripple

Emery - By All Accounts (Today was a disaster)

HelloGoodbye - All of your love (Jimmy pop remix)  I think the main singer is trying to be geek chic

Jason Morant - Inside of Me

Jimmy Eat World - Polaris

Jonezetta - Backstabber (You can watch some random girls dance to an awesome song)

Mat Kearney - All I need

Mute Math - Chaos

Neverending White Lights - The Grace

New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle (remix) 

Playradioplay! - Elephants as big as whales (bonus track)

The Police - Roxanne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3kG-7I_Y6k (the embedding was disabled)

Sting - I'm so happy I can't stop crying

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VsenuJqZP4 (the embedding was disabled...but you should really watch this video...it's really classy)

Tegan and Sara - You wouldn't like me

U2 - October

U2 - Miracle Drug

Albums of My Liking

After reading a blog my friend Dan wrote about his favorite music albums, I thought I wanted to write my own list of cds I could listen to in any situation and still not get tired of hearing them. Sadly to say, I could only think of three albums:

 a) that don't sometimes annoy me

 b) that don't make me wonder why I like it in the first place

 c) I have owned for a period of 2 years or more (Dan's rule) 

d) where I enjoy every song on the cd

e)  that remind me of something significant in my past

Sometimes by City and Colour is an album I always seem to play when I paint. I think I cried the first time I heard it.


The second album is Promises for the Imperfect by Number One Gun. To me this album is all about my time at CBC, and even more significantly my time at CBC with Matt. It goes as far back as the first week we met.



The third album is Parachutes by Coldplay. I know they make a lot of rockin' music, but I believe by far this is their best.


Because there is so little that fits my criteria for awesomest ablum eva, I've decided to write about my favorite songs; songs that I always skip to on my ipod, songs that I always have on repeat. I'll be using the same defining criteria that I used to choose my favorite albums except "d)" for obvious reasons. That shall be my next blog, for it will be significantly more than three, I asure you.

EDIT: I lied. I actually have four albums, I forgot an imporant one:

Plans by Death Cab for Cutie is also stellar. That is all.

"No Peter I wasn't hidding, I only told you that so you would leave me alone" - Jesus

So my friends and I discovered these videos a couple years ago, and it's still getting quoted to this day. I originally thought this was making fun of Christianity, but then I discovered it was created by a church team. Here's a quote from the site vintage21.com: "In the Spring of 2003, Vintage21 had a four week series on Jesus Christ, taking a deep look at what He said and did. It was difficult at times to get past our preconceived notions that had been developed by staunch, starched Sunday School classes of old. This is a satirical look at what some people think Jesus is like. Thank goodness He's not."

There are more, and it was hard for me to decide which one was my favorite, but I think I chose well.