So let's pick it up. I am now at Kanata Honda watching the good old band wagon get lifted up and beautified for winter. I really like Honda to be honest. They are quick with their services and don't charge an arm and a leg. Also for a winter tire switch, oil change with filter replacement and brake inspection (and probable replacement) it's going to be under 3 hours. That's quite quick. I remember when we had a Subaru about a year back and just a service and headlight replacement was close to 5 hours. It was really just generally the dumbest amount of time required. Also there was this classic sleazy car salesman whose hair was awful and to which mine probably now closely resembles.

Anyways.

Some fine friends and I went down to Toronto this weekend mainly for a headlining concert of my favourite band without question, the Gaslight Anthem. Seeing them twice in 3 months was pretty radical. They're just...so good. I can't really explain it. It'd be like explaining who your favourite band is. Because to you it's not just music, you know? You appreciate the people in the band as well as the music itself. How it takes you from nothing to something. The show was utterly fantastic, 2 hours long and all my FAV TUNES were played live right in front of me (there was no way we weren't snagging the front rail) and then we went home with a buzz on. The lads of the Anthem were on fire, cracking jokes left and right and sincerely enjoying themselves. They played well, too. If I had a song to recommend for a first time listener...just youtube the band name and click whatever pops up you probably won't be disappointed and if you are get the hell off this blog (it's okay if you're not a fan) (no it's not). 

This lady across from me is breathing so loudly. I wonder if she is sleeping with her eyes open. Like Gandalf. 

Roaming Toronto was pretty fun. I'm not usually a big fan of larger cities but nonetheless there was lots to look at. We brought my video camera but we were too dumb to actually roll it when we were in Toronto so we just took videos (Graeme took videos) while driving to and fro which you can watch here. Sushi happened, Gracie's happened (that DID happen, right?) and practically burning our disposable income happened.

Now that I'm back, I don't really know what to say. My family gets back on the 7th after being gone since August and I really have no idea how I'm going to react. It will be fine I just know my dad will head back to work VERY grudgingly.

I need a bloody haircut.

I play a coffee house tonight and have zero idea what song to perform, but it'll be Gaslight. Probably.

It's nearly 1am and I must arise at 7am in order to make my car service appointment at 8am in Kanata. I don't know why I do this to myself, but lately I've just been incapable of good rest or sleep. Stared at a lot of highway this weekend, and way WAY too much coffee. Of course this is a slippery slope as you wake up feeling like a train wreck and then buy more coffee...

Anyways, entertain me with this post and make me feel better about weekend induced insomnia. 


Sayings I hate:

"Dope"-most uses of the term. Mainly: "that's dope" or "most dope". Shut up. You're not Mac Miller. He is a plug. Don't be a plug.

"Reach"-mainly "hope you guys can reach tonight." "It'd be dope if Tdawg could reach tonight" "I'm at goodlife. Reaaaaaach". Just..say what you mean to say. How's the fohawk?

"Grab"- mainly "Let's go grab." Just say you're going to purchase alcoholic beverages. Just say that.

"Mucking"- think mommy would be happy to know you enjoyed "mucking her meal?". Personally I'd think you were doing something completely different with mommy. 

Sayings I love:

"Plug."- see all sayings above.


Fight me.



Here's a really great photo Graeme snapped of my dog and I this morning. 

I'm going to bed. Real post laaaaatteeeeeeerrrrrr.

Everyone does their own thing in the morning. Some are motivated enough to wake up earlier than usual and get some work done, others to go work out, others to make an unusually glorious breakfast that is time consuming. Fact is, I was supposed to be awake at 5am to go open Second Cup but a fine friend switched shifts with me so I could enjoy the Who concert last night in full time glory. 

My morning started at 10am with a incredibly lacklustre attempt of getting my laptop out of my backpack with one hand (that took a WHILE) to write this as well as see what kind of facebook action happened overnight. I really don't use facebook that often anymore except for the sole purpose of messaging friends. facebook is annoying. facebook causes useless drama because some girl you don't know liked your boyfriend's picture and is a definite cause to believe she wants to fondle his chopper and nibble his ear. Lads, don't ever leave your facebook open to a girl's profile and walk away for someone else to see it. That means you've no doubt gone through every single photo she has up on there dating back to the high school dance with her first boyfriend but that's alright, because now you know what you're up against. Spend your time elsewhere, like writing a shitty blog (hehe). 

I really do love the morning time but there are some days when you just mutter "fuck it" and refuse to leave your bed, even if you know you really need a shower or  your stomach is making you nauseous because it's like "yeah..still need to get fed.". Graeme is still asleep (it's 11:54am) so there's that. What a..trooper..yeah.

I have this thing where I refuse to stay in bed past noon (I'm sitting on my bed now HA). Sometimes I wake up past noon, more often than not after acting the fool at a local cocktail party, but that's alright. I find myself waking up early because I am just so very excited to road trip to Toronto this weekend. I've never found myself really wanting to visit the big Canadian city but for some reason...I am really thrilled to be going. 

Anyhow, I've killed 2 episodes of the Walking Dead (all caught up now!) and it's time to shower and hit the workplace with similar lacklustre to the one armed laptop jiggle. 

Fake smiles, fake problems, expensive coffees. 

Keep the memories in your bones.

M

It's climatology class which means it's time to blog. 

On Friday I handed in a paper on how the legalization of prostitution in Amsterdam has shaped its city space and economy that was worth 40% of my grade in that class. I had been slaving all week staying up later then I ever have for homework every night of the week but I feel it is a solid B level paper. I would like to thank editor in chief of PC Gamer magazine Mr. Logan Decker, a rock legend, for taking the time to proof read it and throw me ideas..they went a long way! That is a pretty huge deal to me and I think it's cool to become good acquaintances with someone solely through the internet and similar interests. Logan, you're pretty.


Needless to say Friday night I let bloody loose. A fine friend of mine and her pretty roommates decided to host a cocktail party involving flattering attire and tasty appetizers. Mixing gin and tonics on the side porch in the dark was a fascinating experience as you never quite knew how much gin was going into the drink...it was like a fun surprise every time. As I finished cans of tonic water I would drunkenly throw them at what I thought was my car parked on the curb. Sarah, the fine friend and one of 4 hostesses came outside and promptly told me I cannot throw cans at cars, to which I retorted "Sarah it's not a crime to throw cans at my OWN car!"

I drive a silver mini van (and I'm proud of that).

The car being hit with my empty tonic water cans was a hot red 2 door coupe.

Go fucking figure.

FROM THERE was the arrival of my roommate and other half Graemeth as well as the unexpected arrival of a friend we have all been missing, Christineth. Shots of tequila from the bottle and impromptu wine occurred and by that time I was feeling bloody ridiculous. A sober friend, Taylor, drove us to the Elgin Street Diner where a completely unneeded breakfast sandwich was consumed and a second sandwich ordered to go which I drunkenly delivered to a hostess who said she was hungry. After that...blur. I awoke with what felt like twin horns growing out of my head and the car in the driveway, so I'm assuming it got there 100% legally. (It did)

I left the righteous Temple at 3:15 pm and the Sun was already setting. I didn't mind though, this was what I needed and wanted after such a week of stressful nights and pounding the backspace button cursing my thoughts and ideas for not being academically astute enough. 

Saturday night was the 007 Drinking game with Graemeth. Slept until noon, went home, saw Skyfall, drank wine, slept until 7am today and here I am.

This week is filled with a lack of stress and good times. Wednesday night is the Who show which should be absolutely unreal. Unfortunately I'll be missing my favourite local bands and a ShackTac session but such is life sometimes. This weekend is a road trip to Toronto to see a headlining Gaslight Anthem show, which will probably be the best concert of my entire life. So far. I don't go to Toronto often but I have a good feeling about this visit! Seeing some fine friends and taking some with me as well. 

I hope you all have a grand week as well. If you've got term papers, pound them. Ask friends for insight or to take a look at it. Another set of eyes really helps you out, it seems. 

Keep the memories in your bones.

M

i'm beautiful no matter what they say. 2000 more words to go on this paper about how legalized prostitution shapes the city of Amsterdam and benefits it as a legitimate business.

it was my dad's idea.

always, always wear a fucking condom. not some other kind. a fucking kind.

i am getting so drunk friday.

ke

hellooooooooo monday. i jolted awake at 4:30am thinking i felt as if it were much later and that i had missed my opening shift, and thus lost my job. it's weird to open your eyes and immediately be the pessimist. the fact is i had a full hour and 15 minutes before i had to even shamble up the road to work. i lay there until 5:15am pondering how bad it would be if my dream state event actually unfolded in reality, and that was enough to get me up and moving to prevent that ever happening. 2 glasses of OJ and a bagel later i was walking in my full black attire to the workplace to make heavy milky drinks people don't actually need in a large size and half sweet latte modifications that people can't notice. if you are willing to pay 5.25$ for a large flavoured latte that will be luke warm by the time you are half way through it, you are an idiot. for the record, there is more caffeine in coffee than espresso. if you really want to get jolted awake, have a cup of coffee. or get real and just do espresso shots. as soon as the milk hits the espresso it loses its kick in under 30 seconds. keep that one in mind. moving forward.


a girl named Tanya left a coffee cup sleeve at the table she was sitting at on saturday when i closed the store down. the sleeve said that i should text her, followed by a smiley face and a number. although i have no idea who this girl is or what she looks like, i found that to be very flattering and smooth. that doesn't happen much anymore, does it? unfortunately i do not believe i will pursue this number but it will be one for the books. moving forward.

friday night was the world infamous Stittsville Show, where a bunch of bands play this tiny room in a basement for fun and no one really cares how good anyone sounds. it's fun to meet up with friends of old and thrash around and support each other. the nice boys in Rydell were there doing what they do best, and it sounds like they've done really well for themselves with their newly released EP that you can and should find here. before them played another local band i had never heard of before called Neighbours (find their demo here), and they killed it. they dropped a blink 182 cover and were generally really tight and fun, even if they did have to tell these two drunken idiots to stop grabbing at their fan girls (no, i was not one of them. maybe.). all flies at the rock show. the singer shouted "please don't hold any animosity to anyone for what goes on in the pit!" and jump kicked into another fast paced single pedal punk song. they sounded like friday night. moving forward.

saturday night was the Tanya sleeve and suiting up with some old friends post workplace. they're a pretty rad group of individuals i became very close with during high school and it's awesome that we can all still pick it up after so long and just enjoy ourselves. my friend Jessica, god bless her, had a few (a lot) glasses in her and when i showed her the Tanya sleeve exclaimed at the top of her lungs "TANYA AND HER SEXY PUSSAY" and i didn't really know how to feel. sorry Tanya. the lads and i went ahead and polished off a half bottle of Canadian Club whiskey and then our minds went ahead and fucked off. all i know is ended up eating a poutine, not paying attention to my phone as much as i should have and somehow not staining my blazer. 

i have my first 10+page paper due this friday and i haven't even started thinking about it. i've fired off the outline to my ultra smart sister and father and am hoping they channel their gifts into my mind and i can let the fingers fly. after this week i am pretty much home free until finals and plan on obliterating the universe friday night. that's pretty much all there is to me right now.

it would be really cool if you gave those bands a listen. no, they don't sound like Bon Iver or Mumford. no, it's not really something you'd listen to before going to sleep but it's good music and you should always keep your ears open to the locals. they're good guys putting themselves out there and trying something really daring that they'll sink thousands of dollars into before seeing one penny back. but, it's pretty obvious they're doing what they love which i think is a lot more than we can say about what we do day to day (schhoooooooooool)

thanks for reading!

keep the memories in your bones.

M

I do this thing where I have no idea what I'm doing, right? I've got about 3 cups of REALLY good coffee in me (Clearly) and am thinking a mile a minute and acting on things in ways one probably should not. You try and keep it suave and you tip over the edge and act a fool. This is rambling. As in like WHAT I AM TYPING RIGHT NOW is rambling. I am in an incredible boring lecture doing this right now and I do not believe I have ever typed so fast. I'm in a weird spot, recently returned from my Africa trip and don't really know what to make of it all. Christ. I am torn between old and new and there are a ton of things about to land on my plate that I haven't even cleaned yet.

Episode 6 of the podcast is up. Listen listen...

It really sucks when you're not in the same boat. It really really sucks. 

I have a midterm on Thursday? Fuck me, right?

It's okay if you didn't get this post because neither the fuck did I. 

Here's a cool picture of me being neurotic showing off my moustache, roots watch, Skate4Cancer hat and Rydell tank top. Rydell is fucking rad. So is S4C. So is roots. So is my 'stache

real post soon. or not. ha. k.

There's a video of me playing Gaslight's "45" in the post below this one how cool is that.

shut up, Marco.