The Underground

Sometime Around Midnight

2011-02-01T23:39:00.006-05:00

I haven't got time to post anything lengthy tonight, so I'll just post a tune that is a bit of an old classic to me.
Some of the most honest lyrics I have ever heard are hidden beneath the lush string accompaniments...

Hope you enjoy.

And how apropos that it actually is sometime around midnight here...

11th Dimension

2011-01-28T19:42:00.005-05:00

Time flies. We are now in the 11th Dimension. When did this happen?
It is ridiculous to think it's been two years since my last post!
It makes me a bit sad for the fact I have been so consumed with work that I move through long durations of time as if a ghost. :|
Unfortunately in my employ I have seldom found enriching experiences, and even more so than now than when I began.

It would also appear that I have lost interest in many different things, which in itself is a bit disconcerting due to my adopting a certain withdrawn attitude that is rapidly propelling me and planting me firmly into the world of misanthropy.
Either way, none of this has diminished my love and interest in music and the arts, it has simply prevented me from posting here.

In keeping with "fresh starts" during the new year, I decided I should try and revisit it once more as I do like posting.
It gives me a cathartic feeling if you will, so perhaps it is beneficial to post?

Even though I have moved through this passed time almost like a phantom, I have made my own adventures. They aren't as plentiful as they once were, but they're treasured nonetheless.
Perhaps if I don't get buried with other tasks I have to complete and with getting buried with the thoughts of the tasks I have to complete I can do some back posts and detail some of the excitement.

In short, 2010 has left me with an odd sensation. I had expectations, and I have yet to decide whether they were met, surpassed or etc.
The year itself seems to have robbed me of any discerning thought with certain things.
Confused or neutral? Numb?
I can't decide whether it is a positive or negative thing, but it is making me shed the excess and refine further the things that are important to me...therefore it must be positive.

Right...enough with this blather.
Hopefully I will whack up some worthwhile posts soon and resurrect this joint.

More to come.
x

Transmission 1

2009-08-11T16:31:00.002-04:00

This is a note to let you all know that I am a rubbish blogger and deserve to be bludgeoned!
I have been neglecting my blog, and will refrain from doing so!!
Transmission 1 complete.

Introducing Palace Players

2009-05-30T18:58:00.004-04:00

Danish band Mew was set to release a follow-up album to 2005's And The Glass Handed Kites in the fall of 2008, but this date was pushed to August of 2009.
This has been a hotly anticipated record and has consequently generated massive amounts of interest between hardcore fans (myself included) and newcomers alike.

The first single "Introducing Palace Players" from the album titled No More Stories Are Told Today, I'm Sorry, They Washed Away, No More Stories, The World Is Grey, I'm Tired, Let's Wash Away was released on 28 May 2009, and it is to be released as an EP featuring three tracks from the forthcoming album in addition to three B-sides (Owl, Start, Swimmers Chant).
Album tracklisting:

No More Stories Are Told Today, I'm Sorry, They Washed Away, No More Stories, The World Is Grey, I'm Tired, Let's Wash Away

1. New Terrain
2. Introducing Palace Players
3. Beach
4. Repeater Beater
5. Silas The Magic Car
6. Cartoons and Macramé Wounds
7. A Dream
8. Hawaii
9. Vaccine
10. Tricks Of The Trade
11. Sometimes Life Isn't Easy
12. Reprise

The album is set to release on 24 August in the UK, and 25 August in the US.
Listen to Introducing Palace Players on Mew's myspace.

Coming Attractions

2009-05-23T10:38:00.003-04:00

Hello everyone,

I've been horrible at posting recently, simply due to unforseen circumstances.
I've promised loads of posts and will get to them, I promise.
So, in the coming days, what you can expect from me is:

A Blog Of Love for TNA (lol, too bad if you don't like it!).

Posts pertaining to recent awesome films including Star Trek and Terminator Salvation.

Posts pertaining to newly released albums that I'm currently enjoying.

Forthcoming/past (missed) gigs.

Some playlist shite that I compile and whatnot.

Other random shite that I always manage to serve up.

You all have loads to look forward to, then...right? :P

Inabit.
x

Poll Results 4

2009-05-23T10:17:00.002-04:00

Ahh, the dreaded bland poll results post rears its ugly head!
It's an excuse for me to post something without drowning you all in boring word smithing.

Anyway, onto the results:

A cigarette and...
1. my left foot - 3 votes
2. a smile - 2 votes
3. black lung - 1 vote

Huzzah!
Now life is complete...or something.
There is a new poll up, so if you would, please vote on it. It brings me many happies during the day... >_>

x

Spring In The Underground

2009-04-25T17:57:00.003-04:00

Right, it's been a little while since I've had a normal post on The Underground.
I have not much time and not much bandwith for that matter, but I figured I'd drop in and let everyone know that I have not died.
It has gotten unseasonably HOT outside, a bit too hot for this early in SPRING, and allergies are running rampant.
Oh well...what is one to do?
Moving on...

Last night I had attended a TNA Live wrestling event (any nerd or geek comments will be eschewed with a firm hand!) and it was mega! Quite out the blue really, and in a hole-in-the-wall venue called the Phantasy, I was treated to seeing some of the biggest legends in wrestling history, and of course, some of my new favourites.
When I am not sat at a computer that takes eons to load things, I shall do a pic posting of who was there and I plan also to do a blog of love to TNA Wrestling down the line (I might have mentioned it back in the previous TNA post, but clearly I have yet to do it...)

Anyway, tonight I am also excited, for I am hitting a Cage The Elephant gig in a rather intimate setting.
Should be a bit messy...if I can help it!

Cheers all,
Sphinx
x

Great And Holy Pascha Sunday

2009-04-12T21:12:00.009-04:00

"Having fallen asleep in the flesh, as a mortal, O King and Lord, on the third day Thou didst rise again, raising up Adam from corruption, and abolishing death: O Pascha of incorruption, Salvation of the world!" - Exapostilarion from the Paschal Matins

THE PASCHAL HOMILY OF ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM*

If any be a devout lover of God,
let him partake with gladness from this fair and radiant feast.
If any be a faithful servant,
let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord.
If any have wearied himself with fasting,
let him now enjoy his reward.
If any have laboured from the first hour,
let him receive today his rightful due.
If any have come after the third,
let him celebrate the feast with thankfulness.
If any have come after the sixth,
let him not be in doubt, for he will suffer no loss.
If any have delayed until the ninth,
let him not hesitate but draw near.
If any have arrived only at the eleventh,
let him not be afraid because he comes so late.

For the Master is generous and accepts the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him who comes at the eleventh hour
in the same was as him who has laboured from the first.
He accepts the deed, and commends the intention.

Enter then, all of you, into the joy of our Lord.
First and last, receive alike your reward.
Rich and poor, dance together.
You who fasted and you who have not fasted, rejoice together.
The table is fully laden: let all enjoy it.
The calf is fatted: let none go away hungry.

Let none lament his poverty;
for the universal Kingdom is revealed.
Let none bewail his transgressions;
for the light of forgiveness has risen from the tomb.
Let none fear death;
for death of the Saviour has set us free.

He has destroyed death by undergoing death.
He has despoiled hell by descending into hell.
He vexed it even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he cried:
Hell was filled with bitterness when it met Thee face to face below;
filled with bitterness, for it was brought to nothing;
filled with bitterness, for it was mocked;
filled with bitterness, for it was overthrown;
filled with bitterness, for it was put in chains.
Hell received a body, and encountered God. It received earth, and confronted heaven.
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?

Christ is risen! And you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is risen! And the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is risen! And the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen! And life is liberated!
Christ is risen! And the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power, now and forever, and from all ages to all ages.
Amen.

Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!
Христос воскрес! Воїстину воскрес!
Χριστός ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!

*(On Pascha Sunday, in Eastern Rite Catholic and Eastern Orthodox parishes, this homily by St John Chrysostom is read. St. John, one of the Eastern Fathers of the Church, was given the name "Chrysostom," which means "golden-mouthed," due to the beauty of his oratory. Some of this beauty on display here, as St John explains to us how even those who waited until the very last hour to prepare for the Christ's Resurrection on Pascha Sunday should share in the feast.)

Good Friday

2009-04-10T12:52:00.008-04:00

Let my prayer rise like incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands like an evening sacrifice.
O Lord, I have cried out to you, O Lord hear me. Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry out to you.
O Lord, set a guard over my lips, and set a seal upon the door of my lips.
Incline my heart away from evil dealings, and from finding excuses for the sins I commit." - Excerpt from the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

PSALM 103/104

Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord, my God, you are great indeed! Clothed in pomp and brilliance, arrayed with light as with a cloak, stretching out the sky as a tent-cloth, establishing your lofty halls on water. You make the clouds your conveyance, you surge on the wings of the wind. You make the winds your messengers, and flaming fires your attendants.

You settled the earth on its foundation: it shall stand unmoved from age to age. The abyss covered it like a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. At your rebuke, they take to flight, at the peal of your thunder, they flee. They hurdle the hills and run down the dales to the place you have chosen for them. You have set up a boundary not to be passed: they shall never return to cover the earth.

Down in the gullies, you make springs to rise; waters shall flow between the mountains. They shall give drink to the beasts of the field; wild asses will seek them to quench their thirst. The birds of the sky shall abide by them; from among the rocks, they will raise their song. From your lofty halls you refresh the hills; the earth shall be fed with the fruit of your works.

You make green pastures for the cattle and food-plants for the service of man, so that bread may be drawn from the earth, and wine that gladdens the heart of man; so that oil may put a gleam on his face, and that bread may strengthen the heart of man. The trees of the plain shall be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. Sparrows shall build their nests in them, herons shall call them their home. To the deer belong the high mountains; to rodents, the shelter of the rock.

You have made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows the time of its setting. You establish darkness, and it is night, wherein the forest creatures prowl. Young lions roar for their prey, and call out to God for their meat. As the sun rises, they will come together, and lay themselves down in their dens. Man will go out to his labor, and work until eventide.

How great are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have wrought them all. The earth is filled with your creatures, even the wide and open sea. Within it are countless creeping things, living beings small and large. Upon it there are ships a-sailing, and the great beast you made to have fan. All of them look to you to give them their food in due season. You provide and they gather up; you open your hands, and they are full. You hide your face, and they cringe; you suspend their breath, and they die and return to their dust. You send forth your breath, and they live; you renew the face of the earth.

May the Lord's glory endure forever, may the Lord rejoice in his works. He looks upon the earth, and makes it quake; he touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live, I will praise my God as long as I last. Would that my thoughts be pleasing to him, and I will rejoice in the Lord. May the sinners vanish from the earth, and the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

The sun knows the time of its setting. You establish darkness and it is night.

How great are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have wrought them all.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

Holy and Great Thursday

2009-04-09T15:47:00.005-04:00

"Let me this day, O Son of God, be a partaker in your Mystical Supper, for i will not reveal your Mysteries to your enemies, nor will I betray you with a kiss as did Judas, but like the repentant thief I openly profess You: 'Remember me, O Lord, in Your Kingdom'"- Vigil Divine Liturgy on Great Thursday: Cherubic Hymn

Catch-Upings

2009-04-09T15:28:00.004-04:00

This is a quick update to let everyone know that I have not perished.
I have simply been spitting nickels.
I had no posts in the month of March, because I hate that month and was essentially dead that entire time.
It was dark, gloomy, sad, the one-year anniversary of my dad's death, stupid and a waste of time.
But thank goodness that April is here, as it really is a lovely time.
Though last week I was sequestered in funeral-land, as my uncle had passed away.
When will it end?
Soon, I hope.
Though that's no problem, as the brightest and most joyous time of the entire year is fast-approaching, Easter Sunday!
The official best day. Ever.
Today is Great and Holy Thursday, and I really wasn't interested in going online today, but stupid things beckoned.
I then figured that I should post some malarky.
So there it is.
Enjoy.

Poll Results 3

2009-04-09T15:23:00.002-04:00

The poll has closed some time ago, but only now have I been able to sit down and put the results up...for those of you who haven't seen it?
Whatever.

Anyway, results are as follows:
What is your favourite genre of music?
1. Rock - 2 votes
2. Indie - 1 vote
3. Alternative - 1 vote
4. Electronic - 1 vote
5. Pop - 1 vote
6. Classical - 1 vote
7. Other - 1 vote

Overall, there were inconclusive results, but a record for the most votes...
:S
I will put a new one up in the same location, and hopefully there will be more activity.
Vote, tell your friends...

Theresa Needs...

2009-02-24T14:05:00.001-05:00

I have found yet another meme, though this one is rather random.
:D

"Google your name and the word "needs" in quotes ("[Your first name] needs”) and see what comes up (use any search engin). The results will be highlighted in the little paragraph contained below each result. List the first 10 and then tag 10 or more of your friends."

1. Theresa needs her own thread after that TV.
2. Theresa needs to get used to the fact that she will remain Ketchup Queen. (LMFAO)
3. Theresa needs to know the surface area of a box.
4. Theresa needs us.
5. Theresa needs Facebook.
6. Theresa needs to have Charlie quickly evaluated using an assessment tool that measures adaptive behaviors and functional skills.
7. Theresa needs big strong Jay to rescue her from Cronus.
8. Theresa needs to realise that she is only an Earnhardt by marriage.
9. Theresa needs some loving too!
10. Theresa needs to face the fact that Ethan's no longer in diapers.

Hubba Bubba Nightmare

2009-02-06T18:06:00.002-05:00

Alright, I admit it...I have melted like a pink bitch and edited some past posts.
I'm not entirely sure as to what the reason for this was.
Perhaps it's because I felt like I exposed too much of something?
Or that I am trying to rationalise with myself and change past views?
It might be the fact that I found certain things entirely cringe-worthy.

Whatever the reason, I think I have gone totally mental today.

Feeling a bit like Charlie tonight also.

I promise for no more entries tonight, but know you this...expect them when you least expect them.
:P

Feel my chewy justice.

x

Forthcoming Gigs?

2009-02-06T17:48:00.003-05:00

It has recently come to my attention recently, that there are a few gigs I might be able to get my arse to!
Excitement ensues, as two of which I just found the details on today!

28 February - Tokyo Police Club

22 April - Kings of Leon

6 May - Killers

13 May - Kings of Leon (different location)

I have seen KoL and TPC live, but would defo love to see them again!
One thing that will be disappointing is the fact that KoL are touring for their *coughs* album Only By The Night...but that's not to say that they won't play favourites from their REAL albums...

Anyway, cogs working, these should go through!
If I'm not too skint, though.
D:

Остров - The Island

2009-02-06T17:27:00.003-05:00

This is a Blog of Love for the film Остров (Ostrov) - The Island.

Ostrov is a 2006 Russian biographical film about a fictional 20th century Eastern Orthodox monk named Anatoly.
A series of events occur, and Anatoly now has the gift of clairvoyance and healing.
He lives in a monastery with monks that cannot understand him and his ways.
People come from all locations to see Anatoly for guidance and cures, and even still, Anatoly remains in a perpetual state of repentance, often travelling by boat to an uninhabited island to pray for mercy and forgiveness.

Directed by Pavel Lungin, starring Petr Mamonov, Viktor Sukhorukov and Dmitry Dyuzhev, the acting in this film is sublime, and the storyline is powerful and inspiring to say the very least.
A definite must-see if anything.

To Spill, Or Not To Spill?

2009-02-06T16:41:00.006-05:00

I have been sat here doing loads of rubbish on the computer, and clearly blasting The Underground with posts.
Some long overdue, others possibly lamentable.
Regardless, it has provided a release of some mental clutter.
How nice it is, to be able to pour such content out into the nothingness of cyberspace.
Which consequently mirrors outer space, as it is endless.

Anyway, here I have been, eating some Chinese leftovers, carefully sifting through the rice and noodles to eliminate the chicken, musing as to why my Google Chrome has decided to play up (slumming it on AOL Browser Explorer...what utter shite), listening to Friendly Fires and Electric Light Orchestra on vinyl (ace as always) and wondering why I have not provided links of this blog to many people.

I have just generally not told anyone of it, sat back and waited to see if blog-fever came over random cyber people.
For the most part it has, even if some visitors arrive merely from google image searches, but arrive they have nevertheless.
Not to mention the better music blogs out there that have linked back to me.
So I reckon that is mission accomplished?
But the bottom line is, shall I share this blog with more people?
Shall I spill?

Should I sit back this time and wait for the cringes and odd expressions?
Perhaps!
Will I be brave enough, in a word?
:P

Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires

1. Jump in the Pool
2. In the Hospital
3. Paris
4. White Diamonds
5. Strobe
6. On Board
7. Lovesick
8. Skeleton Boy
9. Photobooth
10. Ex Lover
11. Relationships

Out Of The Blue - Electric Light Orchestra

Side One
1. Turn to Stone
2. It's Over
3. Sweet Talkin' Woman
4. Across the Border

Side Two
1. Night in the City
2. Starlight
3. Jungle
4. Believe Me Now
5. Steppin' Out

Side Three (Concerto for a Rainy Day)
1. Standin' in the Rain
2. Big Wheels
3. Summer and Lightning
4. Mr. Blue Sky

Side Four
1. Sweet Is the Night
2. The Whale
3. Birmingham Blues
4. Wild West Hero

Fight FOCA

2009-02-06T15:43:00.004-05:00

I hate politics.
I hate the current state of affairs in America with the new 'messaiah' Obama.
I have gained all too much criticism over the past few weeks from people opposing my ideals and opinions of current afairs and issues.
People are meant to have free speech, yes?
If this is the case, then why are people constantly trying to force upon me a dreaded silence?
I normally would not create a post about such political issues, but I feel this particular one far surpasses everything.
This is the issue of life.
And rather, it should not even be an issue.
Since when has the human race become to accepting and approving of murder?
Foul slaughter of the unborn under the guise of "choice."

I cannot even begin to express my feelings on this issue.

The purpose of this post however, is to promote the opposition of the FOCA bill in the United States.
This Freedom of Choice Act will not only provide the country with accessible and easy murder, but also it will destroy twelve years worth of work from pro-life fighters.

If signed, FOCA would wipe away every restriction on abortion nationwide.
Such as:

Bans on Partial Birth Abortion

Requirements that women be given information about the risks of getting an abortion

That only licensed physicians can perform abortions

That parents must be informed and give consent to their minor daughter's abortion

FOCA would erase these laws and prevent states from enacting similar protective measures in the future.

FOCA will do away with state laws on parental involvement, on partial birth abortion, and on all other protections.

FOCA will compel taxpayer funding of abortions.

FOCA will force faith-based hospitals and healthcare facilities to perform abortions.
Catholic bishops in the United states have stated that if FOCA is passed, they will close down every Catholic hospital in the country, thus diminishing healthcare in the US by a stately 30%.

Barack Obama believes this legislation will "end the culture wars." To him, "ending the culture wars" means eradicating every state and federal law on abortion — laws that the majority of Americans support.

During the short duration of Obama's seat in the office, he has already lifted a ban on using taxpayer dollars overseas to fund the culture of death.

Sign the petition.
Support life.

Intimacy

2009-02-06T15:31:00.004-05:00

(I promised this post ages ago...and here it finally is!)

With their hotly anticipated 2007 release A Weekend In The City, Bloc Party changed their direction for a darker approach infused with heady themes.
On this, their third studio album Intimacy, Bloc Party return with fervor, arriving with deeper electronic beats and the expansive soundscapes intorduced on AWITC.

1. Ares
2. Mercury
3. Halo
4. Biko
5. Trojan Horse
6. Signs
7. One Month Off
8. Zephyrus
9. Talons
10.Better Than Heaven
11. Ion Square
Bonus:
12. Letter To My Son
13. Your Vists Are Getting Shorter

Though I think the entire album is mega, standout tracks include Ares, Halo, Talons and Ion Square.

Casino - Poem

2009-02-06T15:23:00.001-05:00

There’s a man who’s telling me ‘now’
There’s a thought that’s telling me ‘how?’
There’s a breeze that’s selling me slow
There’s a life that’s telling me ‘no’

There’s the fool who falls in love
Hands in his pockets
Waiting for that shove

Are you gonna spend it at all?

Drop that coin, let it fall
Are you ever gonna take that gamble?

I’ve taken the plunge, and honey you’re an addiction
So perfect you’re almost made of fiction
Can’t stop this game, I know I’ll never win
Darling, are you out or are you in?

And so concludes my block of mental "literary" fragments.
So sorry.

One Hundred Degrees - Poem

2009-02-06T15:21:00.001-05:00

Nothing matters like it did anymore
The music that’s playing is a bore
I’m here all alone; I can’t find my own way
All I need, all I need is for you to say

Come here baby, I need you now
Take off your dress; I’ve been waiting for this day
(It’s so hot)

You bite, you scratch
You tease, you please

I can’t take it anymore, I’m on my knees
Give it to me fast, can’t you feel it?
The room’s done one hundred degrees
(It’s so hot)

I wipe the sweat from my face, glance at the bar
And you’re dancing to the same song
That we heard when we fuckin’ entered the place

Now that I’ve got my hand on your thigh
You’ve been asking me why my neckline’s so high
So are you gonna say

Come here baby, I need you now
Take off your dress; I’ve been waiting for this day
(It’s so hot)

Death On The Horizon - Poem

2009-02-06T15:20:00.001-05:00

I'm a natural born lover running for you
Enslaved by your body
So hungry, I'm eating for two

Take a look at the skyline, blood red
Let's call it all off
Remember what I said?

You'll be going to glory
Heading for death on the horizon
Do you wanna be a martyr, the outcome gory?

What the fuck are we fighting for?
Lay down your guns
Babe, no matter what I keep coming back for more

I'll walk into your spear
Heading for death on the horizon
I'm here to stay, I've got no fear

Fix - Poem

2009-02-06T15:18:00.000-05:00

My fingers have turned to stone
My head's done in and my heart feels thrown
Another night, another day spent all alone
I know you're not there, so why do I even look at the fucking phone?

I fill my lungs with stale air as you fill my mind with fiery lies
Staring at the marks on the floor, tracing them to the back of your door
I can't take it anymore
Are you a beast in disguise?

Give me a sign, give me a signal
Thinking about you, and honey you're an original

How the fuck am I supposed to know
Where to be, when to go?
You're a contradiction, almost an affliction

But babe, I'm sick of this shit
I'm taking your hit
Are you gonna tell me no?

This Heat - Poem

2009-02-06T15:14:00.002-05:00

I might mention that I gather inspiration from John Keats and John Donne.

Flame
Kiss
Heat
Bliss

Wonder
Awe
Amazement

Scratch
Feel
Tease
Heal

Taste
Want
Touch
It's never too much

Make me tremble
I'll return the favour
For my appetite craves your flavour

Crash
Bang
Beat
This heat, this heat this heat

Triangle - Poem

2009-02-06T15:09:00.002-05:00

This one was just a play with imagery and really is up for total interpretation.

Turn into place
Camping in a race

I lost all my logic on cloud nine
50,000 miles way behind

Sparks facing on the right side
Down by the tree line

Agent Silver Tent in a white gazebo with flag
Leaving behind the ones he dragged

Façade - Poem

2009-02-06T15:05:00.003-05:00

I've just decided to get it over with and post all of this garbage now, as I know that the longer I put it off, the less likely I will be to actually post them.

So enjoy these next few successive literary posts.
Apologies for them being half-arsed and uninspired.

There are little blue lights sparkling like wasted thoughts
My mind is loaded from what I've sought
Will I ever be enough?

As you turn a deaf eye and a blind ear
I look deftly upon your unhappy sneer and wonder
Will I ever be enough?

Stop numbing my head with your Ruthenian chants
I've heard it all before
Always using people in your parade of dreamers and sycophants

I've heard it way back from the start
Isn't there any love in your heart?

The emotion is welling up like rivers of injustice
The feeling so intense
Will it ever be enough for us?

I can't control myself with your firery starburst
So warm yet so cold
Intensity growing more powerful every day
Your shining diamonds are impossible to throw away

I've heard enough way back from the start
Isn't there any love in your heart?

Ease Me Away - Poem

2009-02-06T14:51:00.003-05:00

I've recently been going through some of my "literary works" or whatever you want to call them, and realised that I haven't posted all of them here.
Not that it's bound to bring any pleasure to you, the reader, but it is my blog, yes?
lol

A few more of these to come as well.
:)

Where are you?
I need you
I want it now
I want what you have

I've got this heat burning up my back
Teasing me like the sweetest things
I want to kiss your lips and reach for your neck

Give it to me
All of yourself
Immerse me

Behaviour unexplainable
I feel so high
Your taste in my mind burns and makes me able

I've got it bad, oh so bad
This sticky dirt on my hands, in my mind
How sweat boiling up from behind

You drive me insane
The need for your body becomes a reality
I want you to be mine
I want you

I want to touch you
To feel your heat
I want you to have me from my hands to my feet

Sensations, intoxications
In a room full of guitar
Ease me away
Just say it and I'll go that far

Mind-Tank

2009-02-06T14:48:00.005-05:00

Last night, as I lay awake in the throes of battling the inevitable insomniatic battles that one might experience in my position, I began bubbling and brewing about many, many blog posts that I need to make.
Since I was already in bed, I figured I could make this particular entry off of my mobile device as I had done in the past.
I proceeded, but to my utter dismay, I am no longer able to do so due to the gratuitous updates blogger.com has made to the site!
So mobile-ing has died even before it had reached its total potential.
How very frustrating indeed.

Small and insignificant occurances aside, I generated about forty new entries in my head last night, or rather this morning.
The only thing holding me back is the fact that I cannot physically do all in one day.
Perhaps this is a benefit for you, the reader, since I do my fair share of barraging whenever I have the desire to do so.

One thing I might tell you is to expect multiple postings today.
There is far too much going on in my mind-tank today.

25 Random Things

2009-02-03T19:04:00.002-05:00

I've been putting doing one of these off for ages, but figured I should do after being tagged by a few lovelies.
Feel free to fill it out, as clearly I haven't tagged anyone.

"Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)"

1. I am dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos.

2. One of my biggest dreams would be to go back in time.

3. I love art, photography, literature, music, poetry, museums and everything to do with history.

4. I notice and remember everything, with painstaking detail.

5. I make sound effects and do impressions.

6. I’m shy and don’t speak much. I have a layer system that proves difficult for people to penetrate.

7. Saying that I just like reading and writing would be an understatement. I even have a name chosen for my memoirs.

8. I want to be in a band. Badly.

9. One of my goals in life is to see all of my favourite bands live…or to at least collect their albums on vinyl.

10. My father was one of the world’s leading analytical chemists.

11. I love comic books, action figures, wrestling and other things of this nature.

12. If you have ever heard me say “You’re awesome,” congratulations…because, believe it or not, you have knocked me completely off my feet!

13. I am 100% Ukrainian, and recently discovered relatives that are still alive in Ukraine today.

14. I over think everything.

15. I mean what I say, and if you catch an underlying tone of some sort in it, it’s there on purpose.

16. I practise Hesychasm (ἡσυχάζω - to keep stillness) and wear Chotki every day.

17. I love listening to people’s voices and the way they speak.

18. I really find everyone beautiful, regardless of whether they think it or not.

19. I love patterns and colour.

20. I can’t ever pick a favourite book, film, actor, TV show or song...it's too difficult!

21. I have a unique sense of humour.

22. I think that people have taken names for granted.

23. I don’t know how to adequately describe my love of travel.

24. There are a lot of things I do because “the ancients did it!”

25. I have total confidence in myself that I can out-belch anyone.

Dooooovdes!

2009-01-31T21:19:00.002-05:00

I notice how all of a sudden I have loads to say when it's the end of the month.
Almost like I am trying to squeeze every last post in before the clock hits midnight and February begins.
Oh well.

Anyway, I got inspired to post something about DVD's, as I have just gone mental with getting some recently.
There have been massive sales though...you just have got to know where to look!

Anyway, I just recently got the HMV exclusive box set of the Mighty Boosh with all three seasons in (in a nifty mirrorball-esque box), The Mighty Boosh Live, Trainspotting (Director's Cut), Snatch, A Clockwork Orange (two-disc special edition), This Is England, The Complete Series of The Office inc. Christmas Specials, Spaced: The Definitive Edition and Peep Show: Series 1-5.

Needless to say that I have loads of watching on my hands!
Though I have already watched the whole of Peep Show and all it's special features, and am going through it again...
I will do a Blog of Love about it...it's bound to happen. Fuckingetin!
x

Follow Me On Twitter! If You Dare...

2009-01-31T21:16:00.004-05:00

I've just recently begun a Twitter.
I didn't know anything about it or what it even was when I joined.
Now though, four days in (I think it's four...sort of a blur) I am addicted.
For those of you that don't know anything about it, it is essentially a social site that's sole function and purpose is to have status updates.
Nothing more, nothing less.

What is its purpose?
There is none.

Why is this appealing?
I don't know.

Twitter claims that these status updates (that can be updated from nearly anywhere tech-savvy enough to have made an application) are for friends and family to keep updated on what everyone is doing.
Cousin X finds Cousin Y on Twitter and clicks "follow" to receive any updates, and vice versa.
Family connection?
Maybe.
Depends how you look at it.

One thing I do know is that people are not going to frown if I update my Twitter 300x a day like they do on facebook.
Which brings me to the fact that I hate facebook...despite the fact I have one.

Moving on, it's useless fun, but fun it is for people like me that change their moods and minds once every five minutes.

And if this post hasn't rattled on enough already, you can follow me on my Twitter if you have one, and if not, join up!

A Blog Of Love For The Sunshine Underground

2009-01-31T20:55:00.003-05:00

At last, here is the promised Sunshine Underground post.
(Even if you do not remember, I did indeed promise it!)

Moving on, this Blog of Love is dedicated to The Sunnies, an immensely talented and quality band out of Leeds.
Their debut album Raise The Alarm was released in 2006.

1. Wake Up
2. Put You in Your Place
3. Dead Scene
4. The Way It Is
5. Commercial Breakdown
6. Somebody's Always Getting in the Way
7. Borders
8. Panic Attack
9. I Ain't Losing Any Sleep
10. My Army
11. Raise the Alarm
12. Climbing Up the Walls (hidden track)

The album overall is fantastic, and has high playability.
The Sunshine Underground have fallen into inactivity as of late, due to the recording of a new album.
Some new material has surfaced on the band's myspace titled "Malibu", "Darktime", "Epic", "Animals" and "An Introduction".
However, there has been no confirmation that these new demos will be included on their forthcoming album.

Enjoy!
x

Poll Results 2

2009-01-31T20:46:00.002-05:00

The most recent poll I put up has closed.
The results are as follows:

Which Is Better?
1. Libertines with two votes.
2. DPT/Shambles tied with one vote a piece.

I was hoping for more action than measly four votes, but kudos to those who have...and the best choice won.
:D

x

Get On Your Boots

2009-01-19T14:23:00.007-05:00

The new U2 single GET ON YOUR BOOTS was first spun on Irish radio station RTE at 8:10 AM EST.
It is the first single from their 12th studio album, entitled No Line on the Horizon.
This is the follow-up from 2004's How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, and is set for release on 2 March, 2009 (3 March for US).
Cover art by Japanese photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto.

The track list for No Line on the Horizon is:

1. Line on the Horizon
2. Magnificent
3. Moment of Surrender
4. Unknown Caller
5. I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight
6. Get on Your Boots
7. Stand Up Comedy
8. Fez – Being Born
9. White as Snow
10. Breathe
11. Cedars Of Lebanon

Listen to Get On Your Boots in its entirety here!

Best Albums (2008)

2009-01-16T15:23:00.007-05:00

It's taken me a while to compile this list of the best albums from 2008, as I needed to figure out which were actually released in the year, and then I needed to have a listen to them!
It was also difficult deciding how large to make the list, as so many stellar albums were put forth in 2008. I had settled on the number thirty, as with ten, it was too narrow, and forty was too broad. Though thirty is an odd number, I found it just right for the list.
So, in no particular order, I have enclosed my list of the best 30 albums in 2008!

30. The Airborne Toxic Event - Airborne Toxic Event

29. Modern Guilt - Beck

28. In Silico - Pendulum

27. Innerpartysystem - Innerpartysystem

26. Santogold - Santogold

25. Dear Science - TV On The Radio

24. Diamond Hoo Ha - Supergrass

23. Do You Like Rock Music? - British Sea Power

22. Day & Age - The Killers

21. Strength In Numbers - The Music

20. Here We Stand - The Fratellis

19. You & Me - The Walkmen

18. Apocalypso - The Presets

17. Off With Their Heads - Kaiser Chiefs

16. Dig Out Your Soul - Oasis

15. 4:13 Dream - The Cure

14. Made In The Dark - Hot Chip

13. Hold On Now, Youngster... - Los Campesinos!

12. Elephant Shell - Tokyo Police Club

11. Partie Traumatic - Black Kids

10. Fantasy Black Channel - Late Of The Pier

9. Glasvegas - Glasvegas

8. You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into - Does It Offend You, Yeah?

7. Oracular Spectacular - MGMT

6. Antidotes - Foals

5. St Jude - The Courteeners

4. This Is An Emergency - The Pigeon Detectives

3. Music For An Accelerated Culture - HADOUKEN!

2. Cage The Elephant - Cage The Elephant

1. Intimacy - Bloc Party

Honourable Mentions:

Fizzy Pop - Towers Of London

In The Future - Black Mountain

Midnight Boom - The Kills

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Most Disappointing Album:

Only By The Night - Kings Of Leon

(I know loads of people love this album, but I found it doesn't even hold a candle to the greatness that is Youth & Young Manhood and Aha Shake Heartbreak.
Will the REAL KoL please rise?)

There ya have it...the albums I thoroughly enjoyed in 2008.
Happy listening in 2009!
x

145...and I have no life.

2009-01-16T12:42:00.003-05:00

Guess what folks?!
Another survey! *party cracker*
This one is more entertaining than the last, as it does not deal with irrelevant stereotyping, but rather film!
I did find it interesting though, that the majority of films included in the list were poor choices. :|
Oh well.

SUPPOSEDLY if you've seen over 85 films, you have no life. Mark the ones you've seen. There are 239 films on this list. Put x's next to the films you've seen, add them up, change the header adding your number, and click post at the bottom.

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
() Boondock Saints
(x) Fight Club
() Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total: 8.

(x) The Princess Bride
(x) Anchorman
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
() Saw
() Saw II
() White Noise
() White Oleander
(x) Anger Management
(x) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
(x) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 16.

() Scream
() Scream 2
() Scream 3
() Scary Movie
() Scary Movie 2
() Scary Movie 3
(x) Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
() American Pie 2
() American Wedding
() American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 18.

(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
(x) Resident Evil 1
(x) Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
() Little Black Book
(x) The Village
() Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 26.

(x) Finding Nemo
() Finding Neverland
(x) Signs
(x) The Grinch
(x) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
() Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
(x) White Chicks
() Butterfly Effect
() 13 Going on 30
(x) I, Robot
(x) Robots
Total so far: 33.

(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
() Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(x) Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
(x) KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
() Eight Crazy Nights
(x) Joe Dirt
(x) KING KONG - the original one.
Total so far: 43.

(x) A Cinderella Story
(x) The Terminal
(x) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
(x) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
() Dumber & Dumberer
(x) Final Destination
(x) Final Destination 2
(x) Final Destination 3
(x) Halloween
() The Ring
() The Ring 2
() Surviving X-MAS
(x) Flubber
Total so far: 53.

() Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
() Practical Magic
(x) Chicago
(x) Ghost Ship
() From Hell
(x) Hellboy
(x) Secret Window
() I Am Sam
() The Whole Nine Yards
() The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 57.

(x) The Day After Tomorrow
(x) Child's Play
(x) Seed of Chucky
(x) Bride of Chucky
() Ten Things I Hate About You
(x) Just Married
(x) Gothika
() Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
(x) Remember the Titans
() Coach Carter
(x) The Grudge
(x) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
() Son Of The Mask
Total so far: 68.

() Bad Boys
() Bad Boys 2
() Joy Ride
() Lucky Number Slevin
(x) Ocean's Eleven
(x) Ocean's Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
(x) Bourne Supremecy
() Lone Star
(x) Bedazzled
(x) Predator I
(x) Predator II
(x) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
() Curious George
Total so far: 78.

(x) Independence Day
() Cujo
() A Bronx Tale
(x) Darkness Falls
() Christine
(x) ET
() Children of the Corn
() My Boss's Daughter
(x) Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
(x) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 85.

() Best Bet
() How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
() She's All That
() Calendar Girls
() Sideways
(x) Mars Attacks
() Event Horizon
(x) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
(x) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
(x) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 93.

(x) X-Men
(x) X-2
(x) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
(x) Sky High
(x) Jeepers Creepers
(x) Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
() Freaky Friday - The Original one
() Reign of Fire
() The Skulls
() Cruel Intentions
() Cruel Intentions 2
(x) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
Total so far: 106.

(x) Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
() Old School
() The Notebook
() K-Pax
() Krippendorf's Tribe
() A Walk to Remember
() Ice Castles
(x) Boogeyman
(x) The 40-year-old Virgin
Total so far: 110.

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 116.

() Baseketball
(x) Hostel
() Waiting for Guffman
() House of 1000 Corpses
() Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
() Highlander
(x) Mothman Prophecies
() American History X
() Three
Total so Far: 119.

() The Jacket
(x) Kung Fu Hustle
(x) Shaolin Soccer
() Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
() Monty Python and the Holy Grail
(x) Shaun Of the Dead
() Willard
Total so far: 124.

() High Tension
() Club Dread
(x) Hulk
(x) Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
(x) 28 days later
() Orgazmo
() Phantasm
(x) Waterworld
Total so far: 130.

(x) Kill Bill vol 1
() Kill Bill vol 2
(x) Mortal Kombat
() Wolf Creek
(x) Kingdom of Heaven
() the Hills Have Eyes
() I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
() The Last House on the Left
() Re-Animator
(x) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 134.

(x) Star Wars Ep.I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep.II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep.III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep.IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep.V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep.VI Return of the Jedi
() Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
() Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 140.

(x) The Matrix
(x) The Matrix Reloaded
(x) The Matrix Revolutions
() Animatrix
() Evil Dead
() Evil Dead 2
() Team America: World Police
() Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
(x) Hannibal

GRAND TOTAL: 145.

Outcast, clearly...

2009-01-16T12:28:00.002-05:00

Here is yet another rather useless post. This merely was a means of passing time.
Oh, how I hate stereotypes...

-=-Outcast-=-
[x] You don't have very many friends.
[x] Often times, teachers forget your name.
[x] You were always picked last for kickball/dodgeball.
[x] You don’t like to talk a lot.
[x] You tend to avoid mass social activities (i.e.- dances, ice cream socials, football games, etc.)
[] You don't participate in a lot of extracurricular activities.
[x] All you wish for is to move away or get a fresh start.
[x] Your friends have blown you off before.
[x] You sit alone in most of your classes/hallways.
[x has happened like...bastads...] You have a feeling that once you leave higschool or college, nobody is going to remember you.
[x] You hold interest in activities that other people find strange.
[] You have a large sexual background.
[x] People don't find you friendly.
[x] You hold extreme hate towards another high school stereotype.
[x] You eat alone at lunch.
Total = 13.

-=-Party Girl/Boy-=-
[x] Lets face it: you like to party.
[x] You party every other weekend.
[I wish lol] or every weekend?
[] You've been going to frat house parties since early high school.
[] You're the defending beer pong champion.
[] You know the best hook-ups in the state.
[] Everybody whos anybody goes to the same parties you go to.
[] You've hooked up at parties.
[] You spend time getting ready for parties.
[] You've passed out from being too drunk.
[x] You've partied all night.
[] You've snuck out of the house to party.
[x] Actually, your parents really dont give a shit if you party or not.
[x] You're pretty much nocturnal.
[x] You like to go clubbing.
[] You and your friends always party hop.
[x] You've crashed a party before.
[] One way or another, you've wound up naked in front of everybody at a party.
[] You've thrown up from drinking too much.
[] You've done something that you regret at a party.
[x] You can dance.
[x] You're friends with a lot of people older than you.
Total = 9.

-=-Scene Kid-=-
[x] You know what sXe and hXc actually mean.
[x] You have a obsession with dinosaurs, robots, and Pokemon.
[] You idolize Jeffree Starr
[] People have called you scene before.
[] You spend at least an hour getting ready to take pictures of yourself for your myspace.
[x of my camera!] You have a mirror pic.
[x] You listen to bands that most people have never heard of.
[x] You enjoy going to shows.
[] You only go to shows for the sake of going to shows, not the music.
[x] Your hair is/has been/was multicolored.
[] You accessorize your hair with kiddie barrettes and bows.
[x] Fashion is one of the most important things that define you.
[x] You mosh.
[x] You often mix vintage with modern.
[] Your myspace picture captions are sad lyrics to sad songs.
[] All of your friends are scene.
[] You dont know many of the people on your friends list in person: you just added them because they were scene.
[?] You take angled pictures of yourself.
[x] You enjoy photography.
Total = 10.

-=--=-Prep-=--=-
[] You pop the collar
[] You won't go near the Goths
[x] You own at least one thing from a designer store.
[] You are very clean cut.
[] You are squeamish.
[] People have called you preppy before.
[x] You never leave the house without putting on cologne/perfume[] You have a lot of money.
[] You know who LC is.
[] You watch shows like The OC, The Real World, The Hills, and Laguna Beach.
[fucking hell] One favorite stores are Abercrombie & Fitch,Hollister or American Eagle Outfitters.
[] You're afraid to set foot into Hot Topic.
[] (Girls) You carry a purse wherever you go.
[] You will not take alcohol straight up.
[] You need to wake up at least an hour before school so you can get ready.
[x cover-up...] (Girls) You do not leave the house without make up.
[] You are content overall with how your life is going.
[] You constantly text.
Total = 4.

-=--=-Band Geek-=--=-
[x] You have played an instrument before.
[x] You still play an instrument.
[] You are/were in regular Band.
[] You are/were in Jazz Band.
[] You are/were in Marching Band
[] You've never dated anybody outside of Band.
[] Most of your friends are in band.
[] The band room/band hall is your second home.
[x] You enjoy listening to classical music on occasion.
[] You aspire[d] to be a Drum Major.
[] You've made out with somebody on a band bus or at a band competition.
[] You have trouble getting your non-band friends to go near the band room.
[] Band is your favorite class.
[] You have been to band camp.
[] You walk in step with all your friends.
[] You talk about band constantly.
[] You know that American Pie has got it all wrong.
[x] You hate rap music.
[] Marching Season is your favorite time of year.
[] When you go to football games, you dont really pay attention to the game itself.
[] Your favorite jokes are band jokes.
[] You know it's not about the bloods and the crips: it's the brass and the woodwinds.
Total = 4.

-=-Thespian-=-
[x] You have seen a school play.
[] You have seen a Broadway musical.
[x] You like to act.
[x] You have participated in a school play.
[] You have participated in a play outside of school.
[] You have gone to the Thespian Conference (State or International or both]
[] You get pissed off when people make that thespian, did you say lesbian? joke.
[?] You have done tech.
[] You know that you cannot touch anybody elses props.
[] You have played in the pit orchestra for a musical.
[] You have been to a cast party.
[] You are in a thespian troupe.
[] You often sing show tunes at the top of your lungs.
[] You know who Idina Menzel and Johnathan Larson are.
[] At one point in your life, you were obsessed with RENT.
[] You do not have a personal bubble.
[x] You actually understand Shakespeare.
[] You know how to put on stage make up.
[] You have been a lead.
[] You met a lot of your better friends through theatre.
Total = 4.

-=-Overachiever-=-
[] You participate in a lot of extracurricular activities.
[x] You have a part-time job.
[/] You have or almost have straight A's.
[] You are in mostly honors/IB/AP classes.
[] You do not procrastinate.
[] You have scored a 5 on an AP test.
[] You do not have very much down time.
[] You are very organized.
[x] You always have a thousand things going on at once.
[meh] You are in a long-term relationship.
[never] You aspire to get into an Ivy League School.
[] In your extracurriculars, you hold leadership positions.
[] You are/were on Student Council.
[] You are/were the class president.
[] You are/were a class officer.
[] You are/were the Salutatorian for your class.
[] You are/were the Valedictorian for your class.
[x] People have told you that you didn't have a life.
[] You are getting/have already received the IB Diploma.
[/] You get upset when you get anything lower than an A or B on anything.
Total = 4.

-=-Slacker-=-
[x twasn't my fault!] Your grades (were) are slipping.
[/] You always wait until the last minute to do big projects.
[/] You do a lot of things half-assed.
[/] You are an overall procrastinator.
[] You tend to do your homework when you're watching TV/listening to music.
[/] It takes you ages to turn your job applications in.
[] You are often late to school/work.
[] You dont turn in a lot of your work.
[x] You spend the majority of your time watching TV, the computer or going on facebook when you could be doing something more productive.
[x] You sleep in past noon on the weekends and during the summer.
[x lol...lounge clothes!] You do not get out of your pajamas unless you have to leave the house.
[] You could walk, but you'll just drive.
[] You have fallen asleep during class before.
[] Friends have called you lazy.
[] Life is hard when you lose the remote & you have to walk a million miles over to the TV and change the channel.
[/] When you hang out with your friends, the majority of your time is spent playing video games or doing something where neither of you have to stand up.
[] You have eaten an entire pint of ice cream in one sitting.
[x!] You have sat through an entire running marathon of a show before.
Total = 7 1/2.

-=-Goth-=-
[x] Your wardrobe consists of mostly black things.
[] When you have the money, you shop at Hot Topic.
[x] You think tattoos are hot.
[] You think piercings are hot.
[] You don't get along with your parents.
[x] You have dyed your hair an exotic color.
[liberty?] You've styled your hair in liberty spikes.
[x] Sometimes you ponder the meaning of life and death.
[x] You like to write dark poetry.
[] You are into S&M.
[] You have a pair of oversized black pants.
[] At one point in your life, you liked Foamy, Happy Bunny, Emily the Strange, and the Happy Tree Friends.
[] You listen to grunge.
[x] You have a messenger bag with buttons up and down the straps.
[] You will only date other Goths.
[/] You dont really give a shit what people think about you.
[/] Overly happy people scare you.
[x] You like black makeup & nail polish best.
Total = 8.

-=-Nerd-=-
[] You actually study for tests and quizzes.
[] You have straight As.
[x] You havent had any luck with the opposite sex.
[x] You are into WOW, Magic Cards, and Halo.
[/] You overanalyze jokes to the point where they arent funny anymore.
[] Your mom buys your clothes for you.
[] You actually answer the questions in class.
[] You sit front row center in all of your classes to get the best learning experience.
[] You miss school during the summer.
[/] You wear your pants at your waist.
[] You prefer sweatpants to jeans.
[] You have a pocket protector in your shirt with pens and a calculator in it.
[/] You let cute boys/girls take advantage of you & copy your homework in hopes of getting noticed.
[x] You've noticed some of the spelling and grammar mistakes in this survey.
[x] People always cheat off your paper during tests.
[] Your parents pack your lunch for you every day.
[] You wear/should be wearing glasses.
Total = 5 1/2.

-=-Garage Band Junkie-=-
[am going to learn...] You play the guitar.
[] You have been in a garage band before.
[] You're still in a garage band.
[] You think your band is going to make it big someday.
[] You play shows almost weekly.
[] You play the drum set.
[] You sing vocals for a band.
[x] You write your own lyrics.
[] You spend hundreds on amps and microphones.
[] Your band has a myspace page.
[] You have been in multiple garage bands.
[] You have changed the name of your band at least twice.
[] You have participated in a battle of the bands
[] Your band has been signed.
[] You have taken guitar classes at school.
[] You have played at the same venue multiple times.
[x] You would rather make it big than have to go to college.
[/] You have musical talent.
[lol no] You have groupies.
[] You've made t-shirts and other apparel for your band.
Total = 2 1/2...boo!

-=-Gangstaaa-=-
[] You actually are black.
[x] You know who the bloods and the crips are.
[] You wear doo-rags.
[] You actually grew up in the ghetto.
[] You can freestyle.
[/] You drive down the street blaring your music.
[x] Your ride is pimped out with stereo boosts.
[] You can break dance.
[] You say nigga a lot.
[/] You talk too fast for people to understand you
[/] You are pretty chill with life.
[] You wear your jeans oversized and below your ass.
[] Old school rap is the best.
[] You know that Tupac will never die.
[] You wear bling.
[] You have/want a custom grill.
[] You have custom rims on your tires.
[] You are actually in a gang.
[] You are always big pimpin.
Total = 3 1/2.

-=-Emo-=-
[] You often have trouble convincing people that you aren't emo.
[x] You comb your hair over one of your eyes.
[x] You flip your hair often.
[] You have dark-rimmed glasses.
[] You have cut yourself before.
[] If you're a boy, people often complain about your pants being too tight.
[x] You dont really smile too often.
[x] You blog often.
[x] You never give a real smile in pictures.
[] You listen to Thursday and/or Sunny Day Real Estate.
[] You're too much of a pussy to be a goth.
[x] You own a lot of band t-shirts.
[x] You go to a lot of shows[x not emo though...] You go for emo/scene boys and girls.
[/] It doesn't take very much to make you cry.
[] You have played all the Emo Games.
[x] You wear/have worn black eyeliner.
[] You own a bandana which you wear in your hair.
[] You have dark hair.
Total = 9 1/2.

-=-Skatepunk-=-
[] You own a skateboard.
[] You have been skateboarding since you were in grade school.
[] You have gotten many injuries from skateboarding.
[] You know that World Industries and Element aren't just clothing lines.
[] You have vandalized public property.
[] You have TPed somebodys house before.
[] You have been yelled at for loitering.
[] You have gotten in trouble with the cops.
[x] You listen to punk rock.
[] Chicks on skateboards are hot.
[x] You stick it to the man!!!!!
[] You own skater shoes.
[] You watch MTV2, not MTV.
[x] You enjoy crude humor.
[x] Fuck school, lets do crazy shit.
[x] You have watched the X games.
[x] You know that there are other pro skaters out there besides Tony Hawk.
[] You pretty much live at the skate park.
[] Hygeine does not concern you.
[/] Skater boys are attractive.
Total = 6 1/2.

Outcast = 13.
Party Girl/Boy = 9.
Scene Kid = 10.
Prep = 4.
Band Geek = 4.
Thespian =4 .
Overachiever =4 .
Slacker = 7 1/2.
Goth = 8.
Nerd = 5 1/2.
Garage Band Junkie = 2 1/2.
Gangstaaa = 3 1/2.
Emo = 9 1/2.
Skatepunk = 6 1/2.

The Votes Are In!

2009-01-07T17:51:00.003-05:00

A rather anticlimactic entry following such a jovial title, but it is the first poll closing that I have ever had on my blog.
I have rethought the poll process, and I am no longer going to extend it for nearly a year, as who wants to see a poll time and time again that they have already voted for?

Before I begin on a tangent, I shall move onto the results.

The sort of facial hair that was found superior amongst the general cyber-public that participated in voting was:
1. Designer stubble with 4 votes

Followed by:
2. Jedi beards
2. Sideburns
2. Any kind of facial hair all with three votes a piece, and
3. Eww with two votes.

Woo.
I have created a new poll that you will find on the right hand side.
This particular one deals with an age-old debate, and I shall leave it at that...
Remember to cast yours today!
x

Christmas 2008

2008-12-25T23:47:00.005-05:00

Just dropping in to wish you all a massively Merry Christmas!
Though the physical day has passed, let's not forget about it as fast as it came!

And as we also say, Beceлиx свят i Шacливoгo нoвoгo poкy!

Catch Up!

2008-12-12T11:55:00.006-05:00

I decided to drop this blog post, since I have not posted anything in a rather long while!
I still have a music blog post saved in draft, but alas, I have no time to finish it, as I am meant to be packing like a lunatic for this holiday I am going on tomoz.
It's more or less a memorial trip, as we are all going in memory of Tato. :(
I hope for it to be enjoyable, and I hope to do some serious thinking about things without computers, mobile phones and the other numerous distractions of life.
It's only a few days, but it's going to be nice to totally relax without thinking of all the things I need to do, haven't done and should be doing.
I hope.

Anyway, what else is there to say?
I'm not ill anymore, though it did take an AGE to get over, and my appetite has been severely fucked, but who's counting?!
There is a nice covering of snow outside, and Christmas is fast approaching.
Though for some reason, it doesn't seem like it's right around the corner.
We go through months and months of Chrimbo adverts, so I believe I have become jaded with all of the hype.
I am not into the "buy!!!" and the "5 shopping days left to get what you want!!!!"
Christmas is and always has been a very spiritual time, and this is why I have this sense of disconnect.
My priorities are in different places.

Moving on, I have decided to include an ickle playlist of sorts that I have been listening to lately!

Geraldine - Glasvegas

The Thrill Of Thirty Seconds - Skint & Demoralised

She's Got Standards - The Rifles

Send Away The Tigers - Manic Street Preachers

Vision Of Heaven - Bloc Party

Saviours Of Jazz Ballet - Mew

Bring It On Down - Oasis

Berlin - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Nuevo American - Brazilian Girls

Free Me - Emma Bunton (? lol)

Hot 'N Cold - Katy Perry (I am really very embarrassed that I have been listening to this...forgive me!!)

Song 2 - Blur

Like It Too Much - Kaiser Chiefs

Outta Time - Oasis

Cloudy Room - The Twang

Downing Street Kindling - Larrikin Love

Tis all for now.
x

PS There are only a few day left to vote on the poll at the bottom!!!
I know that many of you don't have a say on the matter, but you see, it is a very important scientific study... :P

Sixteen "Facts"

2008-11-30T19:45:00.004-05:00

Forgive me, for I have a music review draft saved here on blogger, but my brain is too gwushy to finish it off, as I had come down unexpectedly with a bout of rather intense food posioning.
Anyway, in an effort to divert my thoughts from the current unpleasant sensations, I found and completed this ickle 'tag blog' of sorts in which one is supposed to include sixteen random facts, musings, goals and other things of this nature in the list.
Some I have included are new, and others you may know if you are a devoted blog-reader/factoid whore.

1. I dislike the shape of mushrooms...they inspire hatred in my soul.

2. I make sound effects.

3. When all else fails, I break into accents of an assorted nature...it always works.

4. I enjoy being groped at gigs. It's all part of the experience!

5. I can swallow pills without water, and I trained myself to do so just in case I might be stranded on an island someplace.

6. The word 'log' makes me laugh.

7. I make it an effort to get people to say the word 'log' as many times as possible throughout the course of a day. Well, log or any other word I might feel like at the time.

8. I used to think that a piece of electrical machinery that resembled a large lollipop was the city's first defense for a possible giant attack, because as we know, giants love lollies.

9. Blokes in good bands are devilishly attractive. Yum yum.

10. I still think of the book titled "If I Had An Orange For A Bellybutton" to this day.

11. If it's one thing I have learned about sunglasses that are completely opaque, it's that people will do ANYTHING in front of you if they think you are sleeping.

12. I love professional wrestling. More people should watch it.

13. I find that most people criticise everything I do, regardless of the fact that it's not their business to begin with. It grates on my nerves.

14. I once almost choked on an oatmeal cream pie in a closet.

15. I used to know all the lyrics to the Phantom of the Opera when I was five.

16. I wish I had a watermelon.

If you so desire, you may repost with answers of your own!
:)
x

Quoteable Quotes

2008-11-24T14:47:00.005-05:00

I have been wanting to post a few more QQ's on here, but wasn't arsed to do so until now.
There are only a few at mo, but I fort they were ace.
:D

"An optimist believes we live in the best of all possible worlds.
A pessimist fears this is true."

"One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries."

"There are lies, damn lies, and statistics."

Schopenhaven's Law of Entropy:
"If you put a spoonful of wine in a barrel full of sewage, you get sewage.
If you put a spoonful of sewage in a barrel full of wine, you get sewage."

"Posessions increase to fill the space available for their storage."

Non-Reciprocal Law of Expectation:
"Negative expectations yield negative results.
Positive expectations yield negative results."

"A drug is that substance, which when injected into a rat, will produce a scientific report."

Let Nothing Disturb You

2008-11-24T14:30:00.003-05:00

I am not entirely sure what the name of this particular passage is, but I came across it the other day and loved it:

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you.
All things are passing;
God never changes.
Patience overcomes all things.
He who possesses God
lacks nothing.
God alone is sufficient.
-St Teresa of Avila, 1515 - 1582

Savvy?

2008-11-19T13:15:00.002-05:00

Just a quick update to you all (whomever you are and wherever you are!) to say that I have not been trying to neglect my blog, but rather I have been going out a bit too much, sleeping not enough and have a bit of a runny nose.
Therefore, I will get my arse on here in the next day or two and post something of substance!
I so despise posting ickle entires...they look oh-so cheap.

Mushy lovies for you all!
x

1234

2008-11-13T19:57:00.002-05:00

As I took a peek at my blog tonight, I saw the hit counter had read 1234!
It won't read that now, but I did indeed see it.
:P

I promise for postings of a music-related nature coming up soon!

Sphinx
x

This Much I Know

2008-11-07T16:20:00.003-05:00

I had come across this article the other day, and though it is somewhat recent, I love the content.
And since I am constantly attempting to curb my Noel Fielding obsession (attempting being the operative word la), it slakes my lust in a small way. :P
In case you haven't seen it already, without further adieu, I give thee:

This much I know
Noel Fielding, comedian, 35, London
Interview Eva Wiseman guardian.co.uk, Sunday May 25 2008 00.03 BST
The Observer, Sunday May 25 2008 Article history

Fame is a bit Nietzschean.
For everything good, something bad happens to you, so you have to sort of be careful.

My mum and dad are quite hippyish, so I'm pretty naive.
I take everyone at face value.

When you're famous you can't go to Topshop.
Even when I disguise myself in a moustache, baseball cap, sunglasses - the full Madonna kit - it doesn't work: my stupid face is too big.

The more people drink, the more they want from you.
At 9 o'clock people want a photo, at 10 o'clock they want you to write them an essay, and at 1 in the morning, they want you to speak to their nan, who named a dog after you - which is a true story.

Gay people are all like Superman.
You have to be quite strong to be gay - or to be different in any way. You build special muscles.

I'm strong, like a flea.
A really powerful flea.

The more glam you look and the more you believe your own hype, the more likely you are to get your head cut off.
I learned that when I saw a dragonfly being decapitated by ants.

Some people have a fear of being on stage.
I have a fear of coming off it.

Stand-up is like school.
When you're not very good, you're a supply teacher and the kids will run riot. Bill Hicks was a headmaster; I'm getting up to being maybe a part-time French teacher.

Trousers can never be too tight.
You have to go through a couple of days of pain, then everything stretches out.

I visited a friend in Leicester recently.
It was 4am, and we all ran round in a circle, six of us. It's the most fun I've had since I was seven. And I thought: it's not about drink, or drugs, or fancy clubs. It's about running around in your socks, changing direction! In a front room in Leicester.

There's not enough psychedelic stuff on TV.
I want the world to be a bit weirder than it is. I hate reality, so I hate reality TV. But I love Columbo.

We're attracted to dark stuff as human beings.
I know it's wrong, but I love guns.

When I was 14, I saw someone getting their face and wrists slashed with a knife in a pub in Catford.
Nobody lifted a finger. That's when I realised that violence wasn't funny. At all.

I never did that badly with women when I wasn't on telly, but it's a bit out of control now.
Women try it on with me more than I'm comfortable with. It's strange, because I think I look like a troll wearing a woman's wig backwards.

I'm a mischievous drunk.
I hate the kind of drunks that you have to run away from when you see that look in their eyes like they're planning to kill you and wear your skin as a leisure suit.

I like what Little Britain is doing, but when you get as popular as that, it becomes something else other than comedy, like bread or oranges or wallpaper.

With the Boosh we take something like a merman and give him a vagina and make him look a bit like Rick James and get him to play the funk. That's what we do.

It's important to keep the chain of influences going.
Someone you admire likes Bob Dylan, who likes Woody Guthrie... It's important, otherwise people just disappear.

I don't have back-to-front ram's legs, but I feel like I have.
All of my comedy stems from the fact that I feel like I'm half-man, half-animal. A man is funny, but a man with antlers is hilarious. And I'm going to see this experiment through to the end.

Ah, dear, dear Noel.
What a lovely soul.
x

You're just something to miss...

2008-11-04T15:30:00.007-05:00

Felt like posting summat, though don't know exactly what I have to say.
These past couple of weeks have been rather up and down...I really don't know how to look at them tbh.
Things have been said and done to make me think things.
But of course, my inner doubts rule me into thinking that this could possibly be the most absurd thing on the face of the earth.
Why me and etc?
Meh.
Not to sound totally immature and high-schooly...it is more or less me waiting for the words, and if those words never come, then being content in waiting.
Not that anything I've said makes sense.

My birthday turned out well weird, but here I am, another year older I guess.
Halloween came and went with a bang, as threw a rather sucessful bash and even dressed up as a bag of jellybeans to boot.
Been a bit lonely I reckon, and a bit impatient as well.
Why impatient you might ask?

I guess it's because there are those times where things get to you more than others.
It just seems like I'm sitting here wasting away, waiting for things to happen.
And these things I am waiting for seem like they are right in my reach sometimes, and other times they seem like an impossible dream.
I know I shouldn't be discouraged, but am very frustrated at mo.
Whenever I try to communicate with people about my indecision in life, all I get is nagativity and opposition.
They tell me that I need to do things instead of sitting and talking about them.
The thing is that I don't just sit and talk about them.
I just don't know where to begin or even which direction to look in.
As I look back on things, I see that I have been relativley unsucessful in my endeavours.
This gives me an inherently defeatist attitude...of which I am well aware is not a positive thing.

But meh...if.

Artbitch

2008-10-23T20:25:00.004-04:00

This post is really of no substance, but it is merely to tell people that I have my deviantART account up and running.
I have uploaded original artwork and photography, and some of it is even available for purchase if you so desire to have something pretty hanging in the front room.
And if not, you can still go and see all the pretty and swooshy colours that you might wish to have as a wallpaper on your desktop.
Whatever it may be, it's there!
The link is here and I have also posted it on my Link Love section to the right.

Cheers!
x

PS Tomoz is my birthday.
Woo!

My finger is on the button...

2008-10-15T13:04:00.003-04:00

At this moment in time, I am sat in my cousin's flat rather alone, as I went spur of the moment to visit them.
I've got no wheels, so I must wait for right now.
I have taken the liberty to have a bop to a couple of tunes, as I so often do.
I do say that the Chems are treating me rather well. :D
Push The Button is an ace album!

I can't seem to shake this frustration I have currently.
I need to get to a gig and dance like a madman. (madwoman doesn't sound as smooth as madman)
I need to go on holiday. I need to do something worthwhile.
Before I explode.

Anyway, not much else to say...I would like to thank Ashley at likesounds.com for posting in my previous Oasis blog.
Check their site out...tis ace.

Right, am off for now.
That is unless I think of other things to randomly post.
x

Dig Out Your Soul

2008-10-09T11:54:00.004-04:00

Oasis put out a new album titled "Dig Out Your Soul" as the follow up to the 2006 release of "Don't Believe the Truth."
Though I don't physically own it, I have been streaming it on myspace and imeem rather often.
I am no self-procliamed Oasis expert by any means, but what I notice on this album is more of an emphasis on the songwriting and the tracks that seem to have more of an acoustic edge.
Though I have yet to form an opinion on this album, I will say that it is a very solid collection of tunes, but there aren't as many instant Oasis classics.
That being said, a few of my favourite tunes on the album are "Bag It Up, The Turning, Waiting for the Rapture, Shock of the Lightning, To Be Where There's Life" and "Ain't Got Nothin'."
Those particular tracks have some classic Oasis vibe to them, and they've got potential to be crowd favourites as well.
It's defo worth a listen!!

1. Bag It Up
2. The Turning
3. Waiting for the Rapture
4. Shock of the Lightning
5. I'm Outta Time
6. (Get Off Your) High Horse Lady
7. Falling Down
8. To Be Where There's Life
9. Ain't Got Nothin'
10. The Nature of Reality
11. Soldier On

"Maher’s argument against faith laughable"

2008-10-03T14:03:00.002-04:00

I had come across this review of Bill Maher's 'film' "Religulous" from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper, written by Ann Rodgers.
It's a very well written article:

""Religulous" has the theological depth of a religion documentary by a seventh-grade church dropout, which is exactly what filmmaker Bill Maher is.
He uses a more fundamentalist reading of scripture than most fundamentalists do. He doesn't even know the proper name of the New Testament book that he reviles as a threat to humanity. It's "Revalation" not "Revalations," and the vast majority of the world's Christians do not share the doomsday interpertation of it that Maher most fears. The vast majority of those who do have no desire to hasten the apocalypse.
The film is an alleged quest to find out if "religion is detrimental to the progress of humanity."
He concludes that it is, even though most of the believers he meets treat him with far more respect than he treats them. He makes no mention of any good ever done in the name of God, or the millions killed by Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot in the name of atheism.
His fears focus on scripture, but at no point does he interview an actual Bible scholar or theologian. The closest he comes is a Catholic priest who is also a Vatican astronomer and another whose job at a Vatican-related seminary is to translate terms such as "automated teller machine" into Latin.
Maher seems shocked that the Vatican sponsors scientific research, revealing his own ignorance. The Latin scholar may overstate some changes since Vatican II, but that may have been necessary because Maher seems to have missed the council entirely.
He explains that he was the product of a Catholic-Jewish marriage, which may tempt some rabbis to cite this film as evidence against intermarriage.
Maher thinks anti-Semitic stereotypes are funny, telling a bargain-hunting Pentecostal, "You shop like a Jew."
Few Jews have met any like those featured in the film, such as the rabbi who participated in Iran's conference of Holocaust deniers. Maher's thesis seems to be that the lunatic fringe of any religious group is that faith's truest expression.
A young Muslim woman was the only person permitted to give an intelligent response on camera to his questions about difficult scriptures. In this case it was a commans in the Quran to kill unbelievers. When she said the verse was about a specific situation in the sevemth century and did not apply today, Maher replied, "That's not how people read holy books."
But that is exactly how theologians and scripture scholars read them. Their job is to study the historical words, to find what something meant on the day it was written and try to work out how it applies to today. Sermons in evangelical churches are filled with references to life in the Roman Empire and the meaning of Greek verbs. The bestselling Bible in the United States is the "Archaeological Study Bible."
Dangerous distortions come from people who try to teach scripture without a background in history or ancient languages and literature. The guy who wrote "88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988" wasn't a theologian, he was a rocket scientist. Osama bin Laden isn't a theologian, he's a civil engineer.
Bill Maher isn't a theologian, he's a comedian.
There are intelligent arguments to be made against faith.
This is not one of them."

Bill Maher is a fool.
If I may be so crass.

You've been lying to me?

2008-10-03T13:50:00.005-04:00

Well, it would appear that I lied.
I did not have a day of random postings, as I ended up doing other things.
I spent the evening putting things up on ebay (though I doubt if anyone will bid on it), messing about with photos, watching TNA wrestling (Christian Cage ftw!), enjoying some white wine mixed with cranberry juice (yum) and being in sub-arctic temperatures.
It is currently so frigid that my fingers are slightly numb.
Joking set aside.
It could be because I am sitting in only shorts and a t-shirt, but that is my attire year round.
But I do love the cold, so there are no complaints here!

Now enjoy some photos of Christian Cage:

If you haven't noticed, I am a huge wrestling fan, and have been my whole life.
Currently, my favourite is Christian Cage (^_^), as he is a mega wrestler.
I do have others that are ace as well.
Perhpas sometime I shall do a photo barrage!
x

What took you so long?

2008-10-02T13:08:00.005-04:00

I'm sat here in the throes of technology.
Tis rather frustrating transferring files at the speed of butt.
I found an extra portable hard drive that I am going to use to back up the content on my laptop, as it's not backed up anywhere.
It's a Seagate FreeAgent and tis double cool.
It's got a capacity of 232GB, so not bad at all!
But when I checked what content was already on it, I saw that it was almost maxed out completely.
Yikes.
So I now have the task of cutting the files out the device and pasting them into the massive-capacity desktop.
The catch is that it's taking an AGE.
It has been taking about seven minutes on average to transfer only about 500MB worth of files at a time, and I'm going to have to deal with ones that are about 23GB in one go. :|
Currently, am transferring a file of 10GB and it says it's going to take 7 hours.
Please be false!!
These files I am dealing with are actually the complete contents of a custom-built Alienware laptop that was tricked-out like a movverlicker but had crashed.
We hacked the hard drives and extracted the files.
But here we are, dealing with these frustrating contents!
Oh dear, it says now 8 hours.........

Am trying to occupy myself during this daunting task by jamming to me iPod (which is still fucked and chooses what it wants to play most of the time) and have got me noise-cancelling Bose headphones on.
It offers some release of tension, as I despise technology playing up like it does so frequently.

In an effort to beautify my blog and to add some visual stimulation for my ghost readers, here are some photos of the tech bits I am currently a-using.
Apologies for the low resolution on some:

Seagate FreeAgent

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones

Ancient runs-on-gasoline-has-no-colour-display-and-is-seldom-believed-to-exist iPod Third Generation

HP Media Center PC m7757c

HP w2207 LCD Display Screen

Logitech UltraVision Webcam (I don't actually have it on right now, but it's still there)

Woo! I am pleased to say that the transfer of 10GB is complete, and it didn't take 8 hours!
But my work here is not yet done...
Moving on to the next deliciously large file...
Today might be a day of random postings, as I have nowt much better to do but wait.
We shall see.
x

Trapped in the Closet

2008-09-30T21:04:00.004-04:00

I have just spent the last five and a half hours in a closet.
Not just any old closet, mind...a closet the size of a pillbox that hasn't been properly tended to in a few years.
I know...I need to be flogged.

It's immensely difficult to maneuver in such a poorly-constructed closet, so I procrastinate as long as possible so as to avoid muscle cramps, stiff necks and avalanches of doom.
But today I was feeling rather tenacious, as a result of feeling like a waster prior to it.
I dove into the miniscule square of despair, into the old jumpers, plushies, handbags and cobwebs.
It was a dark and dismal journey I tell thee, definitely not for the weak of heart.
I managed to eradicate the out-of-date styles and funky items I have scarcely worn and replaced them with my clothes of mod, retro and indie nature that have not had a permanent home base unitl now.
But, we ran into a bit of a snag when I tried to accomodate my clothing into the space on the rack designated for them.
This particular area when stuffed to the brim would only be able to accomodate a large peanut.
Determined as I was, by some force from above, I managed to fit all of my clothes on the rack.
Mission accomplished.

But due to the stupid closet, I had scrapped my other plans for tonight.
Argh.

Booze and Bose Speakers

2008-09-30T13:22:00.005-04:00

Felt like saying that I am greatly enjoying my Bose soundsystem at mo.
Bose has always been my favourite choice for my sound system needs, and I must say that I have been rather spoilt by them.
This partiular one was in a box for ages, and now it's properly hooked up to the computer.
The sound is liquid gold!
There are two surround units, a touch-sensitive volume controller with multiple jacks and a kicking subwoofer.

The quality is superb, and I haven't even gotten it up to maximum volume in fear that the walls will crumble!
I kid you not.

Am now playing a party bag of choons that I want to hear on such superior sound as well.
It has blown me two steps back!
If any of you are considering any such soundsystem, go for it. Now.
You will not regret it!

I would love to have a massive, massive house party right about now.
I greatly tire of attending parties and the like where they spin proper cheesy shizz on the speakers, if at all.
I would defo have a party if the people I knew were not so...disapproving of such things...to say the least.
Anyway, there would be frantic tuneage, gratuitious amounts of booze, drunken nuggets of wisdom...

Perhaps if I do have a party, I shall invite you.
:P
x

Stop Me on the Way Down

2008-09-29T17:29:00.006-04:00

I know that I said I'd be back to promptly post a review and etc, and I realise that I have not yet done so.
I assure you that I don't do this too often...say I'm going to do something and not do it at all, but I have been extremely tired recently, due to gratutious amounts of partying.
I will get to posting the aforementioned items, I swear. Sometime...
You love it you slags...

Moving on, loads of things have happened since my last enrty.
It all involves weddings, drunken escapades, epic mate drama, causing riots at Mexican resturants, losing at tournaments of a game with the abhorrent name of "corn hole", hammered dentists, walk-a-thons, video game parties and living on an average of four hours of sleep.
It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it...

On the writing front, I've joined a literary website where I have uploaded some of my poems in hopes that some scout might see them and find a place for them.
I would love to be published!
I do have aspirations in writing.
If you can't tell at this point that I never take my writing cap off, simply read a couple of my posts and prepare to be textually assulted.
It is one of the essential supertheories I have about the dismal state of this particular blog.
But anyway, one of my goals is to write and have published a romantic comedy novel, and I would love to write a memoir of short stories and essays.
Perhaps this website could be a vehicle in doing this?
One never knows.

Right, in an effort to make up for my recent sub-par posts and seemingly empty promises, I shall post a list of the choons I have been listening to recently.
And possibly in the future, I shall make them downloadable, so as to attract potential readers that might be appreciative and comment.
Another story for another day...

1. Heartbeat - Late of the Pier
2. White Lies - The Dirty Secrets
3. Cavorting - The Courteeners
4. Human - The Killers
5. Never Miss A Beat - Kaiser Chiefs
6. Hurt Me Badly - Accidental Superhero
7. Strength in Numbers - The Music
8. The Tears - Robots in Disguise
9. Private Affair - The Virgins
10. She's A Weapon - Twisted Wheel
11. Aeons - The Presets
12. Start Again - Electric Soft Parade
13. Crawl - Kings of Leon
14. Propane Nightmares - Pendulum
15. Talons - Bloc Party
16. Something Is Not Right With Me - Cold War Kids
17. The Cycles - AutoVaughn
18. Lucio Starts Fires - Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong
19. Education Pt 2 - The Metros
20. Death - White Lies
21. That Kiss - The Courteeners
22. Sugarbaby - Morningwood
23. The Shock of the Lightning - Oasis
24. Artbitch - CSS

I might possibly add more as they come to me of course.

Laters.
x

Would you stop talking?

2008-09-18T11:43:00.002-04:00

Alrighty...so am here and haven't posted for a bit.
This was partially due to the fact that there was a massive wind storm that knocked out the electricity for a day and the tinternet for two.
It's one thing to choose to not go on the internet, but another to not be allowed to.
I felt like some sort of 21st century freak clawing at cables and silicone.
But it was resolved (thank God) and we are back up and running.

What new has happened?
Oh!
Remember all the discrepencies from hmv.co.uk?
My last parcel finally arrived in the post! I was chuffed to bits and shall post a review soon(ish).
The Sunshine Underground are fucking quality and need to be heard!

I shall also post a new playlist of sorts (fuck the embedding, as I hate the thirty seconds garbage) with some new choons I've been having a listen to.
But for now, you must wait, my pretties...

Sphinx
x

Insight

2008-09-12T13:09:00.005-04:00

I feel rather disconnected from my body today.
Partly because I am disappointed in myself for various reasons, and partly because of severe lack of sleep.
It's disconcerting really, knowing that lack of sleep causes so many health issues and shortens life spans.
Huzzah for this?
Thanking you, but no.

Anyway, I did have a very nice day yesterday.
It began leisurely, as I decided to give up on some of the things I was meant to do in the day and opted for the opposite side of the spectrum.

I went out with my bros to run some errands in the city.
We drove with the soundtrack of CSS, which is amazingly sexy.
It feels like night music should feel like.

Tracklisting:
1. CSS Suxxx
2. Patins
3. Alala
4. Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above
5. Artbitch
6. Fuckoff Is Not The Only Thing You Have To Show
7. Meetimg Paris Hilton
8. Off The Hook
9. Alcohol
10. Music Is My Hot Hot Sex
11. This Month, Day 10

I highly reccomend this record! It's amazing really.

Moving on, we stopped into a square of salvation which humans call a record store.
It's one of the only local ones left in the city, which is well depressing.
But this place is ace, as they carry a load of titles that the conglomerate chains refuse to for unknown reasons.
I had a list of things to search for, and strangely I found a lot of them.
This particular store also carries some imports, indie records and vinyls!
The last time I was there, I had picked up the Lib's Up The Bracket on vinyl, and it sounds fucking mega on the phonograph!
Anyway, the title I was looking for was Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division.
I've been on a hunt for years, as most places carry the greatest hits or don't even bother carrying Joy.
I did indeed find Unknown, but it was the deluxe collector's edition.
Seeing as am so skint, I asked the bloke behind the counter if they had the regular.
He said they hadn't had it in stock, but they could order it in for me.
He did say though, that the deluxe was worth it, as it features a live show recorded in '79 in the Factory, Manc.

Tracklisting:
1. Disorder
2. Day of the Lords
3. Candidate
4. Insight
5. New Dawn Fades
6. She's Lost Control
7. Shadowplay
8. Wilderness
9. Interzone
10. I Remember Nothing

If any of you that might be reading know anything about Joy Division, you would know that thay were a dynamite live band.
Really truly underrated.
The guy behind the counter said that he was all over Joy when they were on the scene, and he would follow them in magazines and buy bootlegs.
I'd be all over Joy as well, had I been alive at the time!
Ian Curtis was an amazing individual, and it really is a tragic life he led.
The guy also said that he has all the vinyls and albums.
I decided to scrap eating and got the deluxe edition instead. ;P
Apparently my bros were surprised that I was talking to the guy in the shop, as they said they were mean.
O.o

We left the little slice of heaven and went to a local farmer's market.
Picked some fresh veg and tasted some tasty things.
We then went to the grocer's for the essentials, and I was able to finally meet this man who is a refugee from Darfur.
Speaking with him for ten minutes was a life changing moment.
I can't really explain it, but this guy really just puts some things about life into perspective.
He really provided a welcome insight into the lives we live, and how things should be, but that we have to accept the way that they are.
It blew my mind.
I really could just sit and listen to him talk.
From the brief time that I met him, I can say that he is a philosopher of our time.
Man.

After that enlightening experience, we went for a quick sandwich and finished our shopping.
Driving home, we listened to CSS's new album Donkey, which is also dead cool!
The evening did putter out though, as we watched two films that were right tankers, but oh well.

It really was a welcome day, though.
:)
x

Dead Cells

2008-09-10T13:51:00.002-04:00

We have all survived the LHC Experiment!
Though, on the negative side, we are now all in the matrix...

Muahahahahahahahahahahahaha....

Shit, are you still there?

It's the end of the world...as we know it?

2008-09-10T01:58:00.004-04:00

Here I sit, in bed at 2AM.
I felt like posting something, despite the fact that I can hardly see from being so sleep deprived.
My arms are actually falling asleep (pun intended as well) as I am situated in a rather awkward position next to the cat.
I am pleased to inform you all (whomever you are) that my ISP has resumed their service to me, after I was told that they were to come tomoz and physically take the adapter out of the cable box.
I really don't understand why they play these games with me.
One would think that a small locally-owned ISP would be on top of things and friendly.
Not so.

The weather outside is getting very nice.
It's feeling more like fall, and I love this.
My birthday is fast approaching, and it just seems to me that the good things happen when it's this time of the year.
Holidays, birthdays, Christmas, gigs, new albums, creativity, temperature, etc...
Not to mention that I plan on concocting a holiday plan sometime soon........
*suspense*

I haven't really got too much to say.
But as I said before, I felt like posting.

Oh, supposedly there is to be a massive scientific event in Switzerland tonight/tomoz morning where they are using a LHC to search for the Higgs boson, which has yet to be observed.
It's finding would teach us more about the planet and the universe, and possibly about the existence of other dimensions.
Sounds ace, yes?
There is a catch, though:
It could create a black hole that would consequently destroy the planet.

That's a little sweetheart, innit?

Instead of freaking out, I look at it as nothing to fear.
If it works, then great. We have amazing discoveries.
If it doesn't, oh well.
If it doesn't make a black hole, yay...we can continue on our run.
If it does make a black hole and destroy us all, I have faith in God's mercy and compassion and we get the eternal reward early!
lol

Come tomorrow, I know that everything will be status quo and that we won't be wiped from existence.

Moving on from such dismal talk about the end of the world which seems rather cliche to speak of it occuring in terms such as those...

I realised that I hadn't said anything about my weekend.
It was ace, actually.
Saturday was my Mama's birthday, and she was invited to a dinner with her brother and sister. (my aunt and uncle, yes, though I feel rather estranged from them...more in another post, as I don't want to get into it right now)
We drove in (to my hometown, where I spend loads of time...tis about a two hour drive) with the dogs in the car, and went immediately to dinner.
Though I was sour on this arrangement, as they had called Mama up and said "We have reservations at 7..." when our cousins (whom are married and are as close to me as my own brothers) said they wanted to take her out.
Then we also got wind that Uncle H was going to be there with Aunty B.
These people I do not enjoy spending time with.
Like I said, now is not the time.

But this was also at a resturant that none of us had wanted to go to...
We got there with much undeeded drama, and had a very strange, tense and awkward dinner.
I just hoped for Mama to have a good time.

After this, we returned to our cousin's pad (which is my centre for crime when in the area) and tucked in for the night.
The next day was Sunday, and we all went to church.
After this was their fall picninc, which we attended.
But guess what...UH and AB showed up, despite the fact that they left our church...
Regardless of that, I had a nice time being outside, relaxing, listening to Ukrainian jams, talking and frollicing...
The picnic would down at about 8PM, to which we returned to HQ for a film and some pizza.
A very nice weekend indeed. :D

Though I have the insomniatic mindset to stay awake when I am rediculously tired, I must depart.

Hope you survive the Large Hardon Collider Experiment... :P
x

Internet Service Providings

2008-09-09T18:23:00.002-04:00

So here I sit on the tinternet.
Nothing out of the ordinary, yes?
Yes.

But, my ISP has cut service to me.
It's their fault really, that they refuse to adhere to regular billing schedules.
Though does anyone realise that I am still using said providings?
This is due to the fact that I have a secret wireless network in addittion to the normal one the ISP knows of.
So they've cut service to one, but the other still functions!
FAIL.

I love it when I fuck with the system...

My Friend Jon (Fratelli)

2008-09-03T20:08:00.003-04:00

Alright folks, here is the promised gig review post.
*excitement*
*party*

Got a bit of a late start for the evening (as was talking to someone important!!) though finally made it to the venue in good time.
I listened to Costello Music on the way there, so was well pumped!

I was a bit nervous about getting three tickets, as for some reason this particular gig had been announced for quite some time.
It was being sponsored by a gum company...though don't know why.
We managed to gain entry into the shockingly packed building.
I have been to this particular place four times, and I had never seen it so full!
It warmed my heart, in a way.
I went to the merch booth and picked up an ace Fratellis shirt and assumed the position of death.
Looking round, I noticed not only volume in terms of people, but cool people as well.
There was a bloke in a trilby (wearing it improperly lol) that kept staring at me to the point of where I fort I had summat on my face, and they were just generally looking like enjoying themselves that night.
It began in only a couple of minutes, and the support called Electric Touch played an amazing set.
The lead is from the North of England, though the band is based out of Austin, Texas.
From what I saw and heard, they have got potential.
This was a surprise, as am always wary of there being a well dodgy support...though these blokes didn't disappoint.
Check their myspace out for some choonage!

During their set however, I was having a right struggle with one of my fookin earplugs! It was getting rather frustrating, and after I had struggled for twenty minutes with it, I had felt a tap on my shoulder.
Trilby-incorrector Man had handed me a packet of new plugs.
Was very appreciative!
I even forgave him for his error in headwear... :P

After the Electic Touch finished, they went to the merch booth and were selling their albums. My bro went over and got one and their autographs.
Said they were top lads as well.
I would have gone over and said hello, but I was afraid of losing my position for the Fratellis.

Then a second support band came on, called the Airborne Toxic Event.
I saw a woman with a fiddle and I almost ran for the hills, as I don't really dig women in bands...despite the fact that I want to be in one...
They began playing and fackin blew me away!
They have a unique blend of progressive, post-punk and indie style.
The woman in the band I even fort was cool.
She came down into the crowd and danced with me at one point.
Their tunes have a palpable depth to them. The lead writes the lyrics, and one can just tell that they're from experience.
Their myspace is here.

After their set, they too went to the merch booth to say hello, and my other bro got the album autographed. He kissed the woman's hand as well.
Rock and roll...

Though finally the time came for the Fratellis!!
They played a blinding set of half-and-half tunes from both albums.
I defo think their songs sound better live too!
They have got really great stage prescence and energy.
The crowd was moshing and body surfing before we knew it.
I even got kicked in the face during Mistress Mabel...
I did go particularly mad during the choons off Costello Music! I too had done my fair share of causing the havoc...
They had played an encore as well!
They had finished with being extremely pleased at playing a great gig, and hopefully they shall return soon enough!

x

PS Apologies for the abrupt blog ending...perhaps I shall edit it later and add some photos for your viewing pleasure.
:D

Flathead

2008-09-02T12:50:00.002-04:00

Tonight I am seeing the Fratellis at a gig.
It's a great venue and hopefully there will be a great crowd.
A full report when I recover!!

Sphinx
x

The Other Boleyn Fish

2008-09-02T12:12:00.002-04:00

Last night I watched the eagerly-anticipated film, The Other Boleyn Girl.
The historical novel written by Phillippa Gregory was a fantastically brilliant read, in which her unique voice paints the past and makes it come alive in vivid detail.

When the film was released, I looked at it skeptically, as I didn't like the actresses they chose, nor did I think it was going to compare to the book.
But I decided to rent the film anyway, to see if it was indeed worth anything.

Though the costumes were ace, the film BLEW.
I do not reccomend it to anyone.
It drags on, there were several details that were changed, and they didn't need to be and they painted the two Boleyn girls with the wrong emphasis!

It makes me angry.
Read the novel.
End.

Jesus of Ruthenia

2008-09-02T11:03:00.004-04:00

I haven't posted in a while...not like anyone cares, but oh well.

Anyway, this past weekend I went camping.
Funny thing was that I didn't even know I was going until two weeks prior to it, and I didn't even know what we were going to do at said place until the night before we were set to leave.
Apparently my family and I were going to go to a monestary for a sort of spiritual retreat type thing.
We were going to be camping with some people we know from another church and church events.
My cousin and his mate were also coming last-minute, so was chuffed about that.

We began the day early, and the night before we boarded the dogs (I feel bad doing that, as they seem to be sensitive poochies), and we were set to pick another girl up at yet another church.
Driving the the grounds didn't take too long, and when we got there, I noticed two large icons outside the entrance of ICXC and OY.
This excited me personally, as most of the time when we attend things like this, all of the people are Latin rite and have no clue about the East.
But this was going to be an entire event with Eastern people!
There is a difference, though.
I am Ukrainian-Greco Catholic.
My family immigrated from Ukraine and etc, and other Eastern churches have the same.
Such as Romanian and Bulgarian.
But back in the day, Ukraine was not officially a country, but rather an empire with different districts.
During that time, people immigrated to the states and they identified with their regions instead of a country that was not yet established.
It would be like saying that I am Southern when I live in the United States.

So they established a Byzantine church of the Americas if you will, which we call Ruthenian.
It has all of the same Liturgical traditions, but there is no heritagal tie involved.
They also have different chants and tones.

Let me just say that I can't fucking STAND their singing.
Apparently it has been a feud between Ukrainians and these Ruthenian-Ukrainians-in-denial.
It's just horrid!
It's like they lament everything in the slowest time signature known to man.

But don't get me wrong. I love them...just not their chants!

That being said, we went to the campground and set up our tent by the family we were meeting.
It brought back memories for me, as the last time I went camping with this particular tent, we were at World Youth Day Toronto in 2000.
(Which I will tell you about at some point, as that was brutal! lol)

The grounds were very nice and massive really!
It was set up in such a way where you could wind round and find little shrines and altars.
I got a schedule and saw that they had various Divine Liturgies throughout the day, also vespers, matins and akathists.
!!

How cool. No Masses and rosary recitation, but Liturgies and akathists!
We went for a little tour of the grounds, and went inside their religious goods store.
It was packed with Eastern items! (yes, I still could not fathom all of the Eastern-ness...)
I looked round and found a medal of OY (the Blessed Mother) which I will get blessed and put on the same chain with my cross, and as I was looking at their amazing icon selection, I found one particular icon that jumped out at me.
It was OY and ICXC (Jesus) in traditional format, but it is so very unique the way He is holding her face.
It stopped me in my tracks.
If I can scan it into the comp, I'll post a picture, as it is truly special.

Having gotten these, we then were going to attend a mini-lecture on the Eucharist, but unfortunately we missed it as we went to eat some lunch.
I really liked how things were very laid back and at everyone's own pace.
What we did was went back to the campground and relaxed.
We sat round and talked, some of them played some American football (bleurgh) and we just sat and waited until Divine Liturgy later on in the day.
The Liturgy was held outside, as was everything else, and I was pleased to see a high attendance of Eastern people, of whom were participating.
Though it was rather difficult for me, as the singing and chanting distracts me to such a degree in which I get angry.
I simply cannot sing with them.
And when I can't sing, I can't pray.
It's screws with everything.
But anyway, I managed to survive.

After this, we went to dinner in the same place and enjoyed.
All the while my cousin's mate (who is actually good mates with me) was having a difficult time, as it's hard for him to get round easily, and there was a lot of walking.
Not to mention that it was inhumanly warm outside, and he had just had his galbladder removed.
We kept telling him not to come! But he didn't listen to us...

We were able to spend more time having fellowship by the tents until the Parastas began at the cemetery.
I did not wish to go to this, as it is too fresh with my Tato's death.
But even still I went against my will, and as I was doing so, the cranky mate decides to take a wizz in front of everyone.
Not only were there very young kids around, but the family we were with are somewhat traditional.
And this is also a religious retreat.
Yikes.
I ran out of there as the father of the family went to talk to him.
Now, I know that he is massively sensitive. And steeped in controversy.
Hence the running.
Apparently he wanted to engage in a fight with the man, but thank goodness he decided against it.
No one really needed his drama during this time!

We were at the parastas when we saw a parishioner from our parish (which was nice! someone from the other side of the mountains!).
We all walked together in the candlelight procession to the outside chapel to have an akathist.
Now this was nice.
I didn't have a problem singing the akathist, as their notes were hardly any different.
After this was done, my brothers, cousin and I attended an adult social...not really to socalise, but rather to get their free pizza...

The social was more a meeting for their youth group, and all they talked about was finances.
It was mega boring, but I had my pizza and couldn't complain.
As we were sitting there, some kid in the back got up to leave and tried to be very cool whilst doing so.
He saluted everyone and bowed, and as he walked out the door, he tripped and fell.
No one took any notice.
And for those reasons, it was one of the funniest moments EVER.
I began laughing so hard to the point of not knowing where I was.
I was trying not to disrupt the meeting, so it was incredibly difficult!
All four of us were laughing so hard that we had to leave...

We returned to the campground for what we call "the bonfire storytime."
Which is essentially a group of people seated round a fire (which incidentally we were not allowed to have at this particular ground) telling bits and pieces of a random story.
It is good fun really.
Let's just say that this particular one involved a storyline of LeBron James as the pope, Polish kobassa being very heavy, little men in cardboard pants, salt-block hats, decoys, marshmallows, air fresheners, Boston cream pies, Barack Obama being reincarnated as various things and swelling to epic proportions...

We went to bed in the tent (very cosy) and were awakened the next day by Liturgies being chanted (no comment) over the speakers.
We had a leisurely morning and afternoon, and we lazed about.
There were confessions going on, and then we went to a lecture on the Jesus Prayer (!).
At 4PM there was the biggest Liturgy of the weekend, in which their eparchs were present, which would be like us having our Patriarch present. (of which they have none, as they are directly under the Pope)
It was again outside, and I survived it once more.
What was very nice was that one of our priests concelebrated Liturgy, and I of course know him!
Also, the priest from our parish and his family came!
I was amazingly relieved to see them!
We spent the rest of the afternoon with them all, and had a little dinner party at the tents with everyone.

My bro found grass in his pie...another seriously amusing moment...
You had to be there then.

We played frisbee, chatted and etc.
Then it was time for another candlelit processesion, but we were set to leave that night, despite the fact that we all wanted to stay another night and actually could.
As they all went for it, we dismakkified the tent and packed up.

A nice time was had by all.
And we hope to go again next year, though we will be significantly better prepared.

And cheers to you if you've gotten through this entire post!
You deserve a rice krispy treat.
x

We all need One Month Off...

2008-08-21T20:04:00.005-04:00

Right...instead of whinging on about myself, I am going to post a blog pertaining to the fact that Bloc Party has released some class new choons, and their third-studio album titled Intimacy is set to drop on the 28th October!
It was all very sudden...what with the Zane Lowe stunt they pulled a month or so ago back where they had this ominous countdown which subsequently led to the release of a new single and album details.
They had just done a webchat a few days ago via myspace (which I had missed) and since then they had released full details, and uploaded three new tracks in addittion to Mercury to their myspace player.

Go to their myspace to listen to Signs, Trojan Horse and One Month Off!
They're ace...really.
I can scarcely wait for their album!

Happy listenings.
x

She is rediculous...

2008-08-19T01:37:00.000-04:00

I'm feeling rather defeatist right now.
Feels like air has been pushed out of my sails.
Sometimes I wonder if I'm wasting my time.
But then again, I wouldn't be where I am and have what I have if I wasn't supposed to...
And of course I only have dialogue with myself.
Fuck it.

On the Cusp of Unity

2008-08-17T15:30:00.003-04:00

Today I went to Liturgy in an Orthodox parish. It felt good.
Well, let me rephrase that slightly:
It feels great that as a Ukrainian Greco-Catholic, I can attend Liturgies in Orthodox parishes, as we have the SAME Church traditions, teachings and Church Fathers.
But, I can also attend Masses in Latin churches, as we are in communion with Rome.
Though, as a Greco-Catholic, I would much rather attend Liturgy instead of a Latin-rite Mass...

One thing that does indeed bother me is the fact that we do not have unity yet with the Ukrainian Orthodox, and because of this, Greco-Catholics are not able to receive Eucharist.
But I know that this unity will happen...it feels as if we are on the cusp of unity.
And when it does, I will be inexplicably overjoyed.
We will then have total unity with the Latins and the Orthodox!

I am now off to laze round, watch some shite daytime telly and tuck in with a good book.
Peace
x

Beneath the noise...

2008-08-16T00:32:00.000-04:00

Right...I am actually in bed at mo, clearly abusing this mobile blogging function.
I had just come to the conclusion that my blog is text-intensive.
It's loaded with the words I never cease to find, and I can see how this is unattractive to the casual blog reader.
Most surfers jump on, scroll through, look at pictures and vamoose if there is nothing that catches the eye.
The absence of any readers affirms the fact that my thoughts are seemingly unattractive in my textual onslaught of a blog.
But hey ho...I do post pretty pictures here and there, and it's your loss if you aren't reading anything...I guess.
I will say though, if there is anyone who does in some miniscule way enjoy my words, I implore you to post a comment.
Or the shoutbox in the corner that is well creepy works as well.
That is, if you can make it through the din and actually sit back reading my mental fragments.

Perhaps I should just begin posting multitudes of photos that have no relevance to my blog.
Then they might attract someone.

Chivalry

2008-08-15T14:22:00.001-04:00

Well, I haven't got anything in particular to say, but I just feel like posting.
I'm just taking a slow day, still trying to get rid of this last bit of illness.
I've got Oxford Collapse on, I'm digging it, and I'm looking out my window into the grey day.
I notice for some reason that a whole load of people are having trees cut down.
I hate this. Why cut one down that's 100 years old simply to accomodate your new plan for landscaping?
Not to mention that there are heaps of construction vehicles whizzing here and there.
It's one thing to cut it down when it poses a hazzard to things, or if it's dead.
I just hope those are the reasons for this time.

Anyway, I'm rather fumed, as I have an ongoing issue that remains unresolved with hmv online.
I had ordered five parcels about two months ago.
Three arrived, and two have been lost.
This happens 60% of the time with hmv.co.uk, and I proceed with them through a replacement routine.
This always works, and I get my items.
For some reason, this isolated time they claim no liability as my postal code was not provided.
They then proceed to tell me that they will not issue a refund unless the items are returned to them.
What the fuck?!
If the items are returned none other.
So I'm sat here money down and no items.
I keep asking if I can provide the information they need and repeat the process.
The only response I receive is an automated one which explains nothing.
I've sent another correspondance today...we'll see how long it takes them to respond...five days?
And I've sent an e-mail to the post office asking them for assistance.
I would like a resolve!

Chivalry is dead.

This Scene Is Dead

2008-08-13T18:43:00.003-04:00

Well people...after my fantastic mobile post of no content, I sit here now poised and ready to divulge the details of the WAS gig on Monday night.

Due to conflicting information on timing, my brother and I arrived what we thought was an hour and twenty minutes late for the support, but luckily we arrived just in time for Oxford Collapse.
Though I lost some minutes from the woman taking tickets who could not give correct change if her life depended on it, I walked into the micro-spec of a venue and went to the merchandise booth.
Much to my disbelief, none other than Keith Murray, lead vocals of We Are Scientists was standing behind the counter.
After blinking a few times, I mustered up all the courage I could to walk up to him and say "I just want to tell you...you're awesome."

Keith is center...and fit.
:p

Shock. Awe.
Such profound words.
This would be the second time that I had unexpectedly met someone at a gig and said something to the extent of "you're awesome."
How very forgettable.
Had I been given fair warning of the chance that I might meet him, I would have arranged some words to say that weren't knuckleheaded.
And also given the fact that I was stood three feet in front of him, I couldn't very well arrange said words as I was staring at him.

I retreated with a grin to regroup.
As I stood those three feet away, I could not understand how a place full of people set to see WAS didn't recognise their lead vocalist.
This never ceases to disgust me.
I saw only one other bloke who went up for a little chat.
After a few minutes, I decided I should go back and get a shirt that I eyed up before.
I went back up to Keith and spoke into his ear (yay!), asking him if he was indeed selling the merchandise.
He responded yes (really, how amazing is it that he is selling his own items!), but there was a conflicting issue with the correct size of shirt that I needed.
So, I made the split decision to pick up their album from this year "Brain Thrust Mastery" that I had gotten before it was released on digital format.
Since I love getting the physical album instead of having an ugly blank disc with Sharpie writing, I felt that this was a good move.
Not only did I buy it from Keith, but I asked him if he could autograph it for me!
He then graciously proceeded to open the plastic wrapping with a WAS badge and he signed the insert with a K!
Woooooo!

After this, I retreated once again to my slight haven, so as to not weird him out in any way, as clearly he was trusting the fact that no one knew what he looked like here.
This revolts me though, as WAS played GLASTO this year, and they are playing Leeds Fest! There are tens of thousands of people that attend these events!
And here in this lounge, he is safely hidden in front of everyone.
Oh well...their neglect becomes my ally!

I then stood on a slight high and watched the remainder of Oxford Collapse's set.
During one tune, Keith got on stage with them and sang along.
They were actually very good.
I picked up their newest album along with a couple dead cool sex-inducing WAS badges.

As we waited for WAS to come out, I looked round at the crowd, and to my severe dismay, I noticed that there were several large gaps where people should have been present in, and a horde of extreme attention-grapping posers.
I shook my head in disdain as I realised that this was not the sort of crowd they deserved.

When they did finally come on stage, they ripped it up with a set comprised mostly of tunes from Brain Thrust Mastery, and a few fucking classics from With Love And Squalour were tossed in.
To me, We Are Scientits are a great live band, and they have got great stage prescence and energy.
They did their usual cheeky commentary in between songs which was so clearly wasted on the thick crowd.
I got the drift that they were shegrined at the turn-out and the fact that they were apathetic.
It was almost palpable that they were slightly deflated.
Though I was avin' it and dancing along with the quality tunes, I felt sorry for them, as the crowd was rather patronising.
WAS even took a request from two rather dim women in the corner who didn't even realise that performers adhere to a schedule whilst playing a show, and it isn't the easiest thing to throw a song in on a whim.

When they finished their thirteen-song set, a whole pack of chavs began dancing in the same distacting and annoying fashion they were using during the show.
At that, I left rather revolted.
Though I had an amazing time...cancelling out the retards everywhere.
I just hope they return to the city one day, as most artists that receive such a lukewarm reception scarcely return for round two. :(
I left with my head held high, my autographed album copy and confidence in the fact that I am a true WAS fan...

I was able to replay it in my head that night, as I stayed outside until the wee hours of the morning watching a well cool meteor shower.

I are Scientist.
x

Mobile-ing

2008-08-13T01:57:00.000-04:00

Alright everyone that may be reading this...though this isn't the We Are Scientists review blog I promised, I simply think it's dead cool that I am posting this entry from a mobile device.
Not to worry my pets, as when I get over this being neato, and when I get cracking tomoz, I do promise that WAS entry.
I won't give anything away now though...sorry.
You'll have to tune in to the same Bat channel at the same Bat time....

x

Lounges, pubs and clubs...oh my!

2008-08-11T15:45:00.004-04:00

Tonight I seem to feel well enough to hit the We Are Scientists gig!
It's in a dead cool venue which I have never been to, but upon seeing pictures from their website, it looks rather intimate.
There are two support acts, one of which is Oxford Collapse (which I keep wanting to call Oxford Comma lol).
I had a bit of a listen to them earlier and they didn't sound half bad. We shall see how they are live!

I am just sat stunned thinking that such a quality band like WAS are forced to play such a miniscule venue.
There is another local venue in the area that I fort for sure they would play, but it's mid-sizedness seems too "big" for WAS's stature?
Where is the fairness?
Some complete and utter shit acts play that mid-sized venue, and the real quality is being pushed into what essentially is a lounge or a mini pub, fit for a small-time jazz maverick.
Oh well...I'm reaping the benefits of being so close.
A full gig-update when I recover.
:D

Sphinx
x

Vote?

2008-08-11T15:39:00.002-04:00

I wonder why no one votes on my poll.
People come and people go, but if they just took a second out their day to speed-scroll to the bottom of this page, they would find my uber-fabbity poll.
And if each person would vote accordingly, I would continue to gather conclusive evidence about the effect of facial hair on today's world.

But with no participation, I am able to gather no results.
Please vote!
There have only been three votes I'm afraid.
I am unable to generate a full report.
:P

These Grey Days

2008-08-10T16:29:00.003-04:00

This is a mini blog of love for Eight Legs, and their choon These Grey Days, of which I have been strangely obsessed with as of late.
I find it eerily relevant in my life.

I shall post the lyrics:

These Grey Days

I've been short of logic so
I'm passed out on the patio, this cold and stony floor
I've been here before 12 times
I'm slime and I've got one thing on my mind
It's on my mind

Well she would sit and talk to me
But that's not quite enough for me
I've sent a nasty text
To show I'm not impressed
She won't comply with the one thing on my mind
It's on my mind

I wish we hadn't changed
I wish we hadn’t kissed good bye to those old days
I wished we stayed the same
These grey days

I've been to a party so
I'm passed out on the patio outside of your back door
And I've been here before so many times
I'm slime and I've got one thing on my mind
It's on my mind.

Something in my brain
And that explains the way that I behave
I need not feel ashamed
These grey days

Here is the video, which in itself is awesome, as it's filming to me resonates with the fact that my sense of reality has been fucked up as well.

Enjoy
x

It's just a matter of time

2008-08-08T13:47:00.003-04:00

Well, here I sit again, in the throes of illness.
Since this stupidity has come about, loads of things I had wanted to do I cancelled on.
One thing which is good is the fact that I skived out on a Vacation Bible School that I volunteered for...though not really volunteered for.
I really don't like kids, and every year the woman who organises it goes more and more overboard with things.
She assumes that I am going to be places.
To me, all the charity is gone when someone assumes your position before you were able to volunteer.
It drives me insane.
I had managed to avoid VBS for four years already, and I have to say I was extremely pleased.
Though this year, it seemed like I had no way out.
Enter illness.
*evil laugh*

Oh dear, I must minimise my evil laughing, as it is making me cough...
Anyway, I am really torn on the subject of VBS.

PROS

It is teaching kids about the Bible in some way, I'm sure

It's engaging the community, having kids participate and communicate with each other

Ultimately, it is faith-based

CONS

It's not an Eastern Catholic programme, and not even Catholic in any remote way. I feel that we should be teaching kids Eastern spirituality from early ages.

It gets convoluted. The activities I fear, will go in one ear and right out the other.

It's a very rushed and stressed atmosphere. I wouldn't like it if I were an atendee.

More planning and preperation goes into this stupid week than things that have been established for years, eg the Acolyte Convention, which is Eastern Catholic in nature, and has more depth and etc.

Whatever...I said I was torn.
Though I did attend the first night, I felt ill that entire time.
I have a suspicion that the people there think I am faking it.
Only because of the fact that I have managed to skive out them all now!
It's not good anyway, even if I were on antibiotics, to be round infants and toddlers.

Anyway, that stupid VBS thing cancelled out my plans for going to NYC to see Bloc Party!!
I am gutted.
Though it seemed mad from the word go, I still wanted to try and do it somehow.
Now, who knows if I'll ever fucking see Bloc Party... :(
Must keep positive!

Though now I am concerned as well, as We Are Scientists have a gig on August 11th, and I desperately want to feel well enough to attend that!
Especially since they are a quality band, it's a very small venue and they are touring with Kings of Leon this fall.
And ultimately, I will not see KoL at another gig, as they decided NOT to include any dates locally this time round for reasons unknown. Gutted about that too.
Imagine...seeing KoL AND WAS.
What a show!
Especially since KoL are mega live!!
Thooooough, I also found out that a date has been sceduled for the Fratellis in September!
If any one person comes between that date and I...I will put a move on them!
It's almost like it's too good to be true.
Gogol Bordello, Bloc Party/DIOYY?, WAS and the Fratellis.
Two down, two to go...
We shall see how my plans will hatch!

I'm losing my mind...

2008-08-07T20:47:00.003-04:00

Well, after that posting barrage, I am not yet satisfied.
I still feel restless, and like I still have loads to say.
One problem...I don't know exactly what to say.
How's that for a fookin' contradiction?

Anyway, I feel a bit tripped out now when I look at my blog, as I have included all those colours. Don't get me wrong, as one of my mottos is "the more colours, the better" but I just want to be able to read the text without seeing coloured spots.
I blame this particular monitor I am using, as it's got a funky position and has "super clarity"...whatever that means.
Not to mention that I keep on hearing banging noises round, despite the fact that I am alone.
It's really beginning to weird me out.
Also, I have become addicted to my lozenges again. They have a cooling vapour action which numbs the back of my throat, making it easier to swallow. :D
I have also set the ringtone on my mobile to "Calm-a-llama down" which has been stuck in my head something wicked.

Calm a llama down
Calm a llama deep down in the ocean
Blue like a barnacle
Sitting in a tight place
Laughing like a monkey arm
Pulling like a China boy
Carraway carraway carraway!
Noise!
Boing chick-a-masala!
Boing chick-a-masala!
Ooooohhh
Tooth, tooth sswwoop!

Pressing forward...I reckon I could include a small list of a few choons I am having a listen to.

Party Up - DMX
Black Heart Queen - Gallows
Not A Crime - Gogol Bordello
Two Times - The Blakes
Hang Me Up To Dry - Cold War Kids
These Grey Days - Eight Legs
Crawl - Kings of Leon
Sex On Fire - Kings of Leon
Wonderlust King - Gogol Bordello
Driving Nowhere - Hadouken!
Lightning Blue Eyes - Secret Machines
La Nuit - Robots In Disguise
Spit It Out - IAMX
Disco Sheets - Wolf Parade
Tubthumping - Chumbawamba
King Christian - Mew
Cherry Red - The Groundhogs

A bit ickle.
Oh well.
I've run out of steam.
Either that, or I've had it. :|

The Prayer of the Servant of God Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky for Divine Wisdom

2008-08-07T20:26:00.005-04:00

And now, one of my very favourite prayers...one that always gives me strength and direction whenever I read it.
It is from Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky...a truly amazing man and one of my heroes.
This humble man will one day be known amongst a larger population of people for all of the amazing works he continues to do through God's grace on this planet.
Metropolitan Andrey, pray for us.

The Prayer of the Servant of God Metroploitan Andrey Sheptytsky for Divine Wisdom

O Great and Almighty God, send down upon me from Your high and holy heavens and from the throne of Your holy glory, Your holy wisdom, that sits at Your side...

Grant me the wisdom of Your good pleasure so that in my life I may know how to desire fervently, seek wisely, acknowledge in truth and fulfill perfectly that which is pleasing to You, to the glory and honour of You holy Name, "to the praise of the glory of Your grace."

Grant me, O God, the wisdom of my state, so that I may do what You desire; grant that I may understand my obligations, grant me the wisdom of my duties, and grant that I may do them as they ought to be done and as is fitting of Your glory and for the benefit of my soul.

Grant me the wisdom of Your ways and the wisdom to walk the paths of Your holy will.

Grant me the wisdom of success and failure so that I would know how not to exalt myself in the former and not to be downcast in the latter.

Grant me the wisdom of joy and the wisdom of sadness; may I rejoice only in that which leads to You and be sad only in that which separates from You.

Grant me the wisdom of everything that passes and everything that lasts; may the first decrease in my sight, and the second grow.

Grant me the wisdom of work and the wisdom of rest; may work for You be luxury for me, and rest without You – fatigue.

Grant me the wisdom of a sincere and straight-forward intention, the wisdom of simplicity, the wisdom of sincerity. May my heart turn to You and seek You in all things all my life long.

Grant me the wisdom of obedience for Your law, for Your Church.

Grant me the wisdom of poverty, so that I would never value goods in any other way except according to their real worth.

Grant me the wisdom of chastity according to my state and vocation.

Grant me the wisdom of patience, the wisdom of humility, the wisdom of gladness and seriousness, the wisdom of the fear of the Lord; the wisdom of truthfulness and of good deeds; may I be patient with no complaining, humble without the least pretending, joyful without inordinate laughter, serious without severity; that I may fear You without the temptation to despair; that I may be truthful without the shadow of duplicity; may all my good deeds be free from self-complacence.

Grant me the wisdom to admonish my neighbour when necessary without exalting myself; grant that I may edify in word and deed without hypocrisy.

Grant me, O Lord, the wisdom of vigilance, attention and wariness; may no vain thought lead me astray.

Grant me the wisdom of nobleness; may I never be brought down by any impure and unworthy attachment.

Grant me the wisdom of what is right; may no selfish intention ever lead me away from the path of my duties.

Grant me the wisdom of courage and strength; may no storm overthrow me.

Grant me the wisdom of freedom; may no powerful passion ever enslave me.

Grant me the wisdom of the theological virtues and the moral virtues: faith, hope, love, prudence, devotion, temperance and fortitude.

Grant me, O Lord, the wisdom of the apostles, the wisdom of the martyrs; grant me a priestly and pastoral wisdom; grant me the wisdom of preachers and teachers; grant me the wisdom of those who administer the Holy Mysteries; grant me the Eucharistic wisdom and mystical wisdom – the wisdom of prayer and spiritual wisdom, and above all, O Lord, grant me the wisdom of sincere repentance, imperfect and perfect contrition; grant me the wisdom of to know myself in my weakness and malice; grant me the wisdom of mortification and fasting; grant me the wisdom of self-denial and self-sacrifice; grant me the wisdom of sacrifice, the wisdom of the Cross, the wisdom of Blood.

O God, grant me, finally, that wisdom which, in accord with Your holy purpose, leads to the unity of churches under one supreme pastor, the Universal Pontiff; grant me the wisdom to cherish the work of holy unity, to love it and to consecrate my life to it.

Grant me the wisdom of our Eastern rite, to hold it, to renew it and develop it. Grant me the wisdom of the Fathers of the holy Eastern Church and all the great ecclesiastical teachers.

Grant me the wisdom of Your great apostle, Paul, so that I would at least well understand his epistles, remember them and know how to explain them to Your people.

Grant me the wisdom of Your first Vicar that I may understand the designs of Your Divine Providence, which governs the Church through the Roman Pontiffs; grant me the wisdom of obedience to them and to the Universal Catholic Church; grant me the wisdom of church history and theology; grant me the wisdom that I and my people lack; grant me the wisdom of true satisfaction, true happiness. Amen.

May you, whomever is reading this, find divine wisdom through these words.
Sphinx
x

"Do It Anyway"

2008-08-07T20:21:00.003-04:00

And now some words from Mother Teresa, as I am random that way.

The verses below reportedly were written on the wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, and are widely attributed to her.

Some sources say that the words below were written on the wall in Mother Teresa's own room. In any case, their association with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity has made them popular worldwide, expressing as they do, the spirit in which they lived their lives.

They seem to be based on a composition originally by Kent Keith, but much of the second half has been re-written in a more spiritual way.

"Do It Anyway"

People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Creat anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Sphinx
x

Sir Winston Churchill...the MAN

2008-08-07T20:14:00.004-04:00

Though I could find many, many more brilliant quotes from Winsty, I can't be arsed at mo.
Though one thing is certain...there will be more to come in the future.

Included in the latest edition of this blog are some fantastic quotes from the genius of Sir Winston Churchill.
Sir Winston had a lovely way with his words, and it is expressed in a few chosen quotes:

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject."

"I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colours. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and feel geniuenly sorry for the poor browns."

"I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals."

"It is a good this for an uneducated man to read books of quotations."

"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else."

And lastly, a very important quote:
"A joke is a very serious thing."

Clever Insults!

2008-08-07T20:09:00.004-04:00

Whilst we are on the topic of finding little quotes in places, this too is an entry from my myspace blog about some clever insults.
And after I post this entry, I shall include some amazing quotes from Sir Winston Churcill! ^_^

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."
-- Winston Churchill

"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries
with great pleasure."
-- Clarence Darrow

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a
reader to the dictionary."
-- William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it."
-- Groucho Marx

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter
saying I approved of it."
-- Mark Twain

"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends."
-- Oscar Wilde

"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new
play, bring a friend... if you have one."
-- George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second..... if there is
one."
-- Winston Churchill to Shaw, in response

"I feel so miserable without you, it's almost like having you here."
-- Stephen Bishop

"He is a self-made man and worships his creator."
-- John Bright

"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial."
-- Irvin S. Cobb

"He is not only dull himself, he is the cause of dullness
in others."
-- Samuel Johnson

"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up."-- Paul Keating

"He had delusions of adequacy."
-- Walter Kerr

"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?"
-- Mark Twain

"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork."
-- Mae West

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."
-- Oscar Wilde

Who is your worst enemy?

2008-08-07T20:06:00.002-04:00

What to write about tonight faithful and devoted blog-readers (wherever you are, and if you do indeed exist)?
Listlessness? Loneliness? Indecisiveness?
It all seems relevant at this point. It could be because of several reasons.
Firstly, if could be because I am ill at the moment, and feel rather useless.
Or it could be from the fact that I still haven't gotten a grapple on my life as it is.
Heck, it could be because I am having a listen to Can.

Whatever the reason, it doesn't change the lingering feeling of it all.
One does not wish to succumb to hopelessness, but sometimes it seems logical.
When this happens, I am sure to push the negativity away.
It never is a constructive thing to feel hopeless.
I have never been one to look at things in an inherently negative light, though I do get down sometimes.
I simply have to take a step back and look at things in a fresh light.
In certain cases, it takes more than a moment, but eventually I'll get there.

I engage in psychological warfare with myself far too often. It could be said that I am my own worst enemy!
The mind of a human being is such a fascinating place. It can take us to parts we never knew existed, and make us conjure things we never knew were possible.
Though it can also be our downfall.
Enter negativity, doubt and various other dubious states.

I came across a quote just now that I wish to include:
"Half the trouble and misery and pain people have is brought on by themselves. They either talk too much or not enough."

Food for thought.

Blogs: A History

2008-08-07T19:59:00.002-04:00

Right...I must admit the truth once and for all:
I have been blogging about on myspace since 2005.
Though myspace isn't a 'blog' website, it does feature a bloging section, of which I utilise still to this day.

Today however, I realised that I hadn't posted there in a while, so I added a new post.
I shall include it in here after I finish writing this useless one, as I am trying to make this a completeist blog.
I will also back log my other blog and pull out some entries I think aren't total rubbish and I will include them here as well.
If no one reads them...who cares? We're in the same position we were in twenty minutes ago.

Anyway, I am feeling a bit irritated tonight, as am ill with what I believe is strep throat, I am really very lonely, in need of a meaningful conversation and freaking out with Can.
Though I know that I will conquer this virus with my own antibodies and white blood cells.
I refuse to see a doctor and take antibiotics!
All I need is some OJ and liberal amounts of garlic!
Guess what? I also feel better today.
Take that, false medical evaluations!

Think Locally...

2008-08-05T13:48:00.003-04:00

Alright everyone...it has taken me a couple of days to recuperate from the complete and utter havoc that was Gogol Bordello on Saturday.

On saturday afternoon, I began to get the pre-gig jitters that I normally experience.
It just hits me...the anticipation, the excitement, the rush of it all.
I began to wrangle everyone up as I changed into my outfit for the night.
It was nothing out the ordinary really, as the whole gypsy-punk thing is how I have dressed since I was very young.
I thank my Baba for passing this style onto me. :D
What I wore was a bright blue shirt saying "THE DAY" which is for our Ukrainian independence, and it has Ukraine on it with a massive Tryzub.
I then wore two belts, of which I merely threw on, black shorts that have buttons all over them and my Brazil shoes.
Though I was annoyed that my cousins were poking fun at me, I remembered that this is the way I like to dress, and that I was going to be avin' it tonight!
After some drama involving cats that nearly made us late, we eventually made it into the city to the House of Blues.
There was a line already, but for some reason the cousins felt it was prudent to eat.
After wasting time walking round to look for some food, we went to a dive pizza shop and had a slice.
Much to my prediction, as we returned to the HOB, the line was massive and stretching round the side of the building.
As we were in line, I noticed loads of people staring at my shirt, and my brother's as well, which read "UkraiNEON".
I noticed loads of Eastern European people around, though there were many posers too.
I reckon you can't have a good show without lame posers anyway. :P

Moving on...
We had seen part of the group that we were sort of with in line before, and they told us that they would meet us inside.
After gazing at them skeptically, I came to the conclusion that they hadn't been to many gigs before.

Once inside, we planted ourselves on the floor, about four people thick from the stage.
It began to fill, but we had no sight of the two other parties that would "meet us" inside.
I ran off and got a shirt for myself, and barely made it back to my place.
There were some well annoying people round me, two of which were seemingly genderless short people that had severe body odor.
I was beginning to wane in paitience, as the DJ that was playing was rubbish, and seemed to be playing for an AGE.
The crowd was already very drunk, and getting actually very violent towards said DJ, so when Gogol Bordello finally came out, there was one immense crush!
I got the wind knocked out of me, it seemed like all the oxygen had vanished from the room, the temperature went up to astronomical heights and it was such a force of people, moshing like there was no tomoz!
The crowd never stopped. Literally.
I got shoved, shuffled, groped...the works!
Gogol put on an INCREDIBLE performance, and they somehow kept their energy up for the nearly twenty songs they had played!
Eugene Hutz, lead vocals, is such an amazing performer. He had nearly finished a bottle of wine during the end of the set.
Not to mention that his pants were so low that I was having a party...lol.
There was bodysurfing, and loads of people got ejected.
I went particularly mad during the tracks of Ultimate, American Wedding, Immigrant Punk, Start Wearing Purple, Wonderlust King, Not A Crime, Think Locally, F'ck Globally, Mishto!, Tribal Connection, Sally and essentially every other song!
One thing is certain...they sound better live than they do on record!
Towards the end of the show, I saw one of my mates fly past and disappear again. At least he was enjoying himself, unlike my cousins.

Putting their dampening moods aside, I left there with scratches, my shoe had fallen apart, I was short of breath from being hit in the stomach multiple times, my pants were unlaced and I tasted of lager.
Such a messy, messy night.

My message for you all is:
Think Locally...Fuck Globally!

"Slavic Rivals Embroiled in Church Rift"

2008-08-01T12:09:00.004-04:00

Also today, I came across this very disturbing news story.
When will Ukraine be able to stand alone and independently?

"MOSCOW — For many Russians, it is bad enough that Ukraine is pushing to join NATO and to eject the Russian Navy from its Black Sea port. But over the weekend, the confrontation over Ukraine’s attempts to shrug off Russian influence reached an even more emotional pitch — when the Ukrainian president sought to split his nation’s church from Moscow’s.

It was the latest round in an increasingly fraught tug of war over history, identity and power. The two governments have fought with many different political weapons — from Ukraine’s threat to join Russia’s cold war rivals to Russia’s ability to shut off the natural gas deliveries on which its neighbor depends. Both quickly made it clear that the struggle over the church — traditionally an institution closely entwined with state power — was at least as important.

On Saturday, President Viktor A. Yushchenko of Ukraine chose the 1,020th anniversary of the advent of Christianity in the Slavic kingdom that predated Ukraine and Russia — a date that each country claims as a founding event of its nationhood — to issue a plea for Ukraine’s Orthodox Christians to gain independence from the Russian Orthodox Church.

With Orthodox Church notables from around the world looking on, Mr. Yushchenko asked Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the world’s 250 million Orthodox Christians, to bless the creation of an independent Ukrainian church — “a blessing,” he said on Saturday, “for a dream, for the truth, for a hope, for our state, for Ukraine.”

The Ukrainian president — who claims that pro-Russian opponents tried to kill him with poison that pockmarked his face — also snubbed the Russian Orthodox patriarch, Aleksy II, by giving him a businesslike handshake after warmly kissing Bartholomew on both cheeks.

During three days of solemn religious ceremonies, rock concerts and political brinkmanship in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, the power struggle was not resolved. Both sides declared victory, as Bartholomew stopped short of supporting or rejecting the independence movement, saying only that divisions in the church would have “problematic consequences for Ukraine’s future.”

But there was insulted pride and inflamed nationalism on both sides as well, and it was clear that it would be hard to resolve the dispute without causing a schism in the church, heating up ethnic tensions in Ukraine and deepening the division between Russia and Ukraine.

The possibility of a split in the church showed that behind the geopolitical bluster that the two countries have directed at each other since 1991 — when they each became independent after the fall of the Soviet Union — lies an identity crisis and a deep sense of loss.

Many Ukrainians believe that the Russian empire and later the Soviet Union robbed them of the chance to develop a national identity, while many Russians feel that Ukraine is now claiming as its own a land and history that belongs to them as well.

For Svetlana Dyomena, a nurse who prayed Tuesday at Yelokhovsky Cathedral in Moscow, the idea of an independent Ukrainian church immediately reminded her of her sadness over an independent Ukraine.

“How can Ukraine not be part of Russia?” she lamented after lighting a candle at the turquoise, golden-domed church, which was Moscow’s main practicing Orthodox cathedral under Soviet rule. “We have a common faith, a common history.”

Ms. Dyomena said it was less painful to see countries like Georgia seek to escape Moscow’s sphere of influence.

“Georgians, well, they were always from the Caucasus,” she said, referring to the restive mountainous region whose people have fought wars against Russian rulers for centuries. But Ukraine and Russia, she said, have “one language, one religion, even one cuisine.”

Ukrainians disagree. Russian was the language of government and education in Ukraine under the Soviet Union and Russian empire, and Ukrainians struggled to maintain their own language. They view the absorption of the Ukrainian state and church into Russia’s institutions under Peter the Great as an annexation that was not reversed until 1991.

“How can you live like neighbors when your neighbor says the house you live in is not your own house, but our common house?” said Bishop Yevstratiy, the spokesman for one of two Ukrainian breakaway churches, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Kiev Patriarchate, which the Moscow Patriarchate has declared heretical.

Establishing an independent church is essential for Ukraine to consolidate its national identity and statehood, and it would probably happen eventually, said Alexey Malashenko, an expert on religion and society at the Carnegie Moscow Center.

“But for Russia it is also a tragedy,” he said. “I don’t know how they are going to agree.”

When Ukraine left the Soviet Union in 1991, the new nation took with it much that was dear to Russia.

The Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, won by Catherine the Great from the Turks for the Russian empire, was a vacation getaway for generations of Russian nobles and, later, for Soviet laborers. Its port, in Sevastopol, is still the home of the Russia’s Black Sea naval fleet. Odessa, an important shipping hub that is now part of Ukraine, is also the source of shared cultural touchstones, from its bawdy jokes to the famous shot of the baby carriage rolling down the steps in the classic Eisenstein film “Battleship Potemkin.”

Even historical tragedies are subject to the tug of war. There is a Ukrainian movement to convince the world that the famines that killed millions of Soviets during forced collectivization constituted a genocide aimed at ethnic Ukrainians — while many Russians object that their ancestors also starved after being stripped of their private land.

But the biggest prize is the inheritance of Kievan Rus, the kingdom that Prince Vladimir — Volodymyr to Ukrainians — converted to Christianity in the 10th century.

In Kiev, Aleksy II, the Russian patriarch, called it “the mother of Russian cities, a city from where Holy Orthodoxy began to spread through our land.”

Moscow church officials, who are close to the Kremlin, linked church unity to political efforts to maintain close ties among Slavic countries.

At a rock concert organized by the Moscow patriarchate, the popular rock band DDT performed alongside Metropolitan Kirill, a Moscow church spokesman who declared in a kind of ecclesiastical rap: “Russia, Ukraine, Belarus — that is Holy Rus! Holy Rus is invincibility!”

Shots were even fired on Saturday — though they were blanks. Ukraine on Tuesday delivered a formal complaint to Russia over the firing of blanks from Russian naval ships at Sevastopol to celebrate Russian Navy Day.

There is division within Ukraine over church independence. The idea is less popular in Ukraine’s mainly Russian-speaking, pro-Russian industrialized south and east than in the Ukrainian-speaking, Western-leaning part of the country west of the Dnieper River.

Aleksy II canceled a planned trip to Donetsk, a pro-Russian city, citing health reasons, but he was widely seen to be either trying to avoid stirring up conflict by rallying his supporters, or to be leaving early because the Ukrainian president did not show him enough respect."

Super Taranta!

2008-08-01T11:56:00.003-04:00

Well...the time is nigh for a gig!
Tomoz night I am going to a Gogol Bordello gig!
Not only are they ace, the lead vocals, Eugune Hutz is Ukrainian!
So, my bros and I are going with a couple of Ukrainian mates to step up the prescence in there.
Should be a messy gig!

*growls*

And, speaking of other exciting things...I am concocting a holiday!
Nothing is set in stone, but all I know is that my bros and I would like to go to various places in England.
Though one can say that I have ulterior motives...
Muahahahaha...
We shall see what comes of this!

Sphinx
x

Custom Blogger Templates?

2008-07-29T21:01:00.003-04:00

Well...I have updated the look of my blog, but I can't say that I like it one bit.
I am looking for a new and exciting template in which I can include some sort of background!
I would do it myself by downloading the XML template, but I don't have the new MSWord to edit it in, as it fucks with other documents that are older.
What a predicament.
If anyone can give me any tips on how to customise, and I really mean customise my blog template, I would be extremely grateful!
And if there is no way to include a background, someone notify me!
I don't want to embark on a fruitless journey.

And I realise that I face yet another predicament...no one reads this blog, so no one is going to be able to give any advice.
Boo.

Am I the only one that wants a nice and coordinating background that I can change at will which corresponds to my mood?
Does anyone else think that it is a bit boring without this option?

Moving on...I have hatched a rather devious plan to attract people to my blog.
I can't say that it will work, but all I can do is try...

"I am"

2008-07-22T18:40:00.007-04:00

I was reading a rather dull blog earlier, but I did come across a few intersting things I would like to include.
One of them is this "I" survey.

So, without further adieu...

I am: an independent thinker.

I think: most people are intimidated by me, and that they dislike my company.

I know: that licking doorknobs on other planets is illegal.

I have: much intensity and passion, despite being precieved as the complete opposite.

I wish: I had a plane ticket in hand.

I hate: pretentious bastads...

I miss: a stable state of life.

I fear: I do not know where to go in my life.

I feel: like I am losing the game.

I hear: my endless thoughts...

I smell: lies and deceit.

I crave: the taste of him in a room full of rock 'n' roll...

I search: for the life I want to live.

I wonder: when good things will come my way.

I regret: not being able to say certain things.

I love: creativity.

I ache: to hold him in my arms...

I am not: going to sit and let my life go by.

I believe: that the purpose of life is to acquire the Spirit.

I dance: to convey emotion and feeling, and to express myself.

I sing: to every worthwhile tune.

I cry: over my foolish sentiments and the mawkish movements of my heart.

I don't always: feel connected.

I fight: with myself.

I write: anything and everything that comes into my mind.

I win: when I look at all the small things I am blessed to have.

I lose: myself in music.

I never: tolerate the people that judge you.

I always: will hold on to my hopes and dreams.

I confuse: almost everyone.

I listen: to everyone.

I can usually be found: smirking to myself.

I am scared: of heights, bugs, dropping things into the toilet and losing people..

I need: love, love love right now...so come on.

I am happy about: awakening to another day and being able to love.

I imagine: what my life will be like in ten years...if I make it that long.

I am wearing: my heart on my sleeve.

I look forward to: finding a balance.

Bit naff, but oh well.
x

A Blog of Love for the Mighty Boosh

2008-07-22T13:25:00.011-04:00

I failed to mention in my last post, which was three minutes ago, that I had a mini Mighty-Boosh-a-thon two saturdays ago where I watched the whole of the two seasons I own (must...get...third...ASAP) in one day.
It was a nice relaxation from the mundane and redundant work I do round the house every day.

Now, if you don't know anything about the Mighty Boosh, nor have you heard of it, I must say at this point...HAVE YOU BEEN LIVING IN A BOX?!
Not to be rude or anything, is just that it should be required viewing for the whole of the planet...

And now let us emphasise the bottom line:
I FUCKING LOVE THE MIGHTY BOOSH!

For a variety of reasons! Of which I shall list... *cackles*

1. Boosh has been one of my very favourite nicknames since I was a wee baby.
Everyone that I tell this to thinks I am fabricating this fact, and that I am influenced by the title of the show.
I am not! The way I actually found the Mighty Boosh was because it shared my name!

2. I love surrealism, non-sequiturism, randomness and pure madness...it is the way I live my life! It is almost like seeing a programme that I myself have created.

3. I LOVE Noel Fielding!!
Not only for the obvious reasons of him being fantastically fit and insanely sexual, but for the aforementioned taste in the same humour!
When I find someone who has got the same humour as me, I find it amazingly attractive, as they don't come round often...

4. Julian Barrat is an amazing comedian!
He has got a subversive, sarcastic, sometimes cynical and dry delivery.
This is the other half of my humour.
I notice that the majority of times people do not know that I am making a joke.
:|

5. It represents a dose of the genius British comedy scene.
Not that any Americans can handle it.
Slags.

Now, that list weren't too bad!

Argh, I would love to see the Boosh live. Fucking Americans!
They'll never travel here. :(

I was thinking the other week of how I would love to have a Mighty Boosh tattoo.
One of the Boosh face with a bit of barbed wire and two other tiny faces round it.
It's the cover of the box set for the DVD's, seasons one and two.

I think it would be well cool on the side of my knee like.
Maybe one day...

But all this Boosh love also encompasses my Noel Fielding obsession!
It is insane really, how fit the man is!
Argh.
Here is the part where I post a few nice piccies of Noel...

I had to force myself to stop...!

Catch-up

2008-07-22T13:04:00.002-04:00

Yoiy, it's been a while since I posted something worthwhile on here...not that anyone reads this thing anyway.
I wonder how to branch out.
I never seem to have luck with advertising things. It just goes to show me that my blog remains uninteresting and unread.
Oh well.
Perhaps someone out there (besides Sarah ♥) will come forth.

Anyway, moving on...

I was able to get out of my exile last week and visit my cousins.
Twas nice, as it always is when I visit them!
I was also invited to a wedding shower during the weekend of a mate.
It was...nice...I guess.
A shower really isn't my bag.
Sitting in a room full of women pretending to be excited over pots and towels?
No thankies.
Even still, I would register for electronics, like DVD's and a whole load of albums.
I doubt anyone would buy them, but who cares! It's my shower, correct?!

Right...enough rambling!

Back at the cousin's pad...
I hung with one of my mates King Ranch (lol) for the ENTIRE four days I was there.
Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy spending time with him, but when he's got a key to the house and comes in and awakens me in the morning, I draw the line!
Thank goodness my bros were there...

The other day, I went mini-golfing, or putt-putt as I call it, and I had a wretched score at the end of 67 strokes.
The mad thing is that the last two times I've gone putt-putting, I have had the SAME score.
In the end, it was made alright, as in the last par, I got a hole in one and won a free game! That is the SECOND thing in my life I have ever won...!
But at the same time it was sad, as the same time last year I went to this particular course with my Tato. :(

Huh.

Well, another post down, and one with no congealing substance to boot!
Fshhh.

The Slip

2008-07-12T19:25:00.003-04:00

To think of all the people that bashed Radiohead for putting their newest album In Rainbows up for a "pay what you want" format!
Not only did the news spread to people who became new fans, it propelled their albums sales and popularity, all whilst the music fans were delighted for having been given a break.

I see that this well-recieved tactic has inspired other artists to follow along the same vein of this fan appreciation.
I recently discovered that Nine Inch Nails had recorded a new album, of which they placed on their official website for FREE download in three different formats!
I honestly know nothing about NIN besides a couple of tunes, but this act has certainly fueled my curiosity and I give them credit for doing this!

The link to the free download is here.

Cheers NIN!

Might as well face it!

2008-07-05T13:10:00.004-04:00

I was just wandering round blogthings.com and taking random quizes when I stumbled upon one titled "What Is Your Seduction Style?"

Upon completion, I got this result:

Your Seduction Style: Siren / Rake

You possess an unbridled sensuality that appeals to many.

The minute you meet anyone, you can make the crave you almost immediately.

You give others the chance to lose control with you... spiraling into carnal bliss.

A dangerous lover, you both fascinate and scare those you attract.

LMFAO...right...

Glastonbury 2008

2008-06-29T19:53:00.007-04:00

Glastonbury 2008 is now closed!
Twas a brilliant fest filled with great performers and performances!
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend (bitterness emerges)...but I was on top of the coverage!
I was able to see the full sets of Kings of Leon, MGMT, We Are Scientists, Massive Attack, Jay-Z, Hot Chip, The Fratellis, The Futureheads, Reverend & The Makers, Cribs and Foals, and I was able to see some clips of Franz Ferdinand and Editors.
Not bad, eh?!

The best performances I saw were Cribs, KoL, Hot Chip, WAS and the bloke in MGMT seemingly having a seizure during "Kids"!

All I do know is that I must get to Glasto somehow before I die.
Oh yes.
x

Do You Wanna?

2008-06-25T20:03:00.013-04:00

I am feeling rather lonely tonight.
No one's been round for ages...it seems.
I notice how I spend 300% more time alone now. It's not a good thing.
I love being around the people I love.
Sure, sometimes it's nice, but nothing is good in excess.
Anyway, I've been doing everything alone.
Going to the store, buying clothes, eating, seeing films, going to entertainment stores in general...yes, you do these things alone, but when it's all the time, it wears on me.
I'm still also trying to find further employment (to no avail) and trying to still apply myself to my existing part time job.
It's well depressing.

Since I don't want to dwell on negative things right at this moment in time, I shall move on.

Whilst I am spending my days alone, I play loads of music.
Which is a plus, as before it was near impossible to hear things besides in headphones at night...which would end abruptly when I would fall asleep... :P
I've been spending a lot of time on imeem lately.
I've been a member there for ages, but until just recently it was sub-par.
Now it is a fantastic website!
It is so very refreshing to wish to listen to something in particular that one does not own and hear more than thirty seconds of it!
I have also been using my iTMS on shuffle when I am doing loads of boring shite on the computer, but as I said about the tunes I don't own but would like to listen to, imeem works just brilliantly.
I also feel dead important when I create playlists...

So tonight, I created a playlist which I shall share here (oh, the horror!).
I think it's aaaace. A bit short right now, but nonetheless ace. And Oasis heavy as well!
But tis also a work in progress, as I am sure I will remember songs to add later.
EDIT: Instead of typing the songs out, I figured I should embed the playlist.
Doh!
But there is a catch with the embedding...you can only listen to thirty seconds of each song. So I recomend following the link at the bottom of the playlist to get to my dazzling playlist page so you can enjoy them full force!

Life In The Hands Of A Rock And Roll Band

It also annoys me that I can't include a tag for each artist. Grrrr.
But, I hope you enjoy!
x

I won't be on my way...

2008-06-21T16:56:00.007-04:00

I really got in the mood for a bit of a Hot Chip sesh, so I figured I might have a mini review!

Hot Chip are a superb electro/dance outfit from London with three studio albums. Their previous albums include 2004's Coming On Strong and 2005's The Warning. On this, thier February 2008 release of Made In The Dark, they continue to create their signature layered, heavy dance tunes intertwined with a minimalist vocal approach.

Tracklisting:
1. Out At The Pictures
2. Shake A Fist
3. Ready For The Floor
4. Bendable Poseable
5. we're Looking For A Lot Of Love
6. Touch Too Much
7. Made In The Dark
8. One Pure Thought
9. Hold On
10. Wrestlers
11. Don't Dance
12. Whistle For Will
13. In The Privacy Of Our Love

The incredibly catchy dance tunes on this album include such tracks as Out At The Pictures, Shake A Fist, Ready For The Floor, Touch Too Much, One Pure Thought, Hold On and the impossible to follow title of Don't Dance.
The more mellow tracks on this record include We're Looking For A Lot Of Love, Made In The Dark, Wrestlers and In The Privacy Of Our Love.
Regardless of what you're looking for, this album surely won't disappoint!

Hot Chip's myspace: http://www.myspace.com/hotchip

Check out these new music videos!

Ready For The Floor

One Pure Thought

Enjoy!
x

Mind that child!

2008-06-18T19:04:00.005-04:00

I am feeling a bit bored and random tonight.
A tad frustrated as well, as it seems like I am just sat here and waiting for something to happen.
Many things are going through my mind at mo...
One is that no one fucking reads my blog.
I reckon it's because what I type about is rather uninteresting.
Either that, or there's still some hope for me, as it's still a new blog.

Another thing going through my mind is how much I love the Alexandre Dumas novel The Count of Monte Cristo.
It's so brilliant!
I never tire of the story and recommend it to everyone and anyone who is up for immersing themselves into a great and mind-blowing literary work!

What else you may ask?

I like shiny red vinyl.

My pants glow in the dark.

My lip gloss tingles.

For some reason, my iTMS keeps playing the Futureheads even when I have it on randomiser.

I like making digital art, but I don't think anyone else but me would like it.

I hate it when people don't get back to me.

I never understand why women think it's attractive to take photographs whilst having their tounges hanging out of their mouths. Frankly, it's revolting.

I want to write a book.

My mobile is stupid and no one rings me.

I am sitting in a very uncomfortable position.

My laptop has been getting very hot recently, and I don't like it.

Extremely matured children are not cute.

The Wombats' cover of "Bleeding Love" is 100x better than that of Leona Lewis.

There is a high number of albums I need to purchase at mo, but I am too skint.

Money is stupid.

My fucking neighbour is a complete twat who has the most noisy vehicle and finds it necessary to come and go at all hours of the day and night.

Meh, I realise that I sound self-obsessed and rather pedantic.

Anyway, here is the latest art-type thing I created.
If you like it and decide to use it, just remember to link back to me if you like.
:)

Oh well...I've run out of quasi-interesting things to say I suppose!
x

Black Kids

2008-06-17T20:49:00.004-04:00

I am currently loving the Black Kids (as per mentioned in the playlist entry before this one)!
They are a foursome from Florida, formed only a couple of years ago.

Their single "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You" is from their upcoming release Partie Traumatic, which is to be released on the 7 July, 2008.

If you haven't already, have a listen to this quality band!
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/blackkidsrock

A Ravishing Playlist

2008-06-15T18:11:00.009-04:00

A regular update of the tunes I am currently listening to.
Though there are some that I always listen to and have listed in the previous playlist post..
Anyway, in no order:

1. Hippy's Son - Dirty Pretty Things
2. Pacemaker - Jamie T
3. My Drive Thru - Santogold, Julian Casablancas & Parrell
4. Shoot the Runner - Kasabian
5. Sale of the Century - The Futureheads
6. Declaration of War - Hadouken!
7. Canape of Love - We Smoke Fags
8. Let's Lightning - Pull Tiger Tail
9. This Is An Emergency - Pigeon Detectives
10. Get Your Gun Boy - Exile Parade
11. Weekend Tongue - Donora
12. Slide Away - Oasis
13. Cheap and Cheerful - The Kills
14. Two Doors Down - Mystery Jets
15. Bom Bom - Living Things
16. 156 - Mew
17. Our Bovine Public - Cribs
18. Got Me Sussed - The Twang
19. Heavyweight Champion of the World - Reverend and the Makers
20. Flux - Bloc Party
21. Ain't No Rest For The Wicked - Cage the Elephant
22. Your Love Alone Is Not Enough - The Manic Street Preachers
23. Borders - The Sunshine Underground
24. Shadowplay - Killers
25. Plan A - The Dandy Warhols
26. I Predict A Riot - Kaiser Chiefs
27. Disco 2000 - Pulp
28. Orginal of the Species - U2
29. Cassius - Foals
30. The Big Bang Jump - Office
31. What Ever Happened? - The Strokes
32. I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You - Black Kids

Looks rather ace from here, yes?!
x

Acolyte Convention 2008

2008-06-15T17:55:00.004-04:00

Hello again my minions...if you are indeed out there...
Not much is new in life.
I did however, attend the seventh acolyte and youth convention for my eparchy last week.
The theme this year was "God is with us!"
It was originally created by my Tato, and my bros and I took the reins and made it work.
It couldn't be more successful! There were about 150 people total, from acolytes, youth ranging from ages 6-50, clerics and the bishop of New Westminster Canada.
A total of seven parishes were represented, and I was touched as they remembered my Tato many times, and as they presented Mama and my bros with an icon in honour of him and his ministry.

There were some things that didn't go as planned.
For instance, the t-shirts that we have traditionally printed as a souvenier turned out to be a disaster.
The printers mistakenly gave us youth sizes, which meant that the shirts would fit pygmies.
But the quote featured on the back of the shirt was misprinted and it is almost comical!
It says "I say unto you, turn and live like children and you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" instead of "I say unto you, UNLESS you turn and live like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
What a mistake!

But all in all, we put it together in only six weeks, and as long as only one person in attendance took something from the convention, it was all worth it.
:)

Sunday of All-Saints of Rus'-Ukraine

2008-06-08T19:00:00.005-04:00

Today, 8 June is the commemoration of all saints from Rus'-Ukraine.
Unlike Latin-rite saints, our Eastern saints are not as widely known.
There are thousands of Eastern saints, and many, many martyrs.
In the year 2001, Pope John Paul the Great named new Ukrainian martyrs.
An article on the topic is as follows:

"Pope beatifies martyrs in Ukraine
Jun 27, 2001 11:44 PM

Pope John Paul put 27 people killed by Nazis and Communists on the road to sainthood before more than a million pilgrims on Wednesday and honoured "anonymous heroes" who died for their faith in the 20th century.

The beatified martyrs included a nun shot at the door of her convent, a priest crucified on a prison wall, another boiled to death in a prison cauldron and a bishop poisoned in hospital.

The crowd of more than a million, the largest yet of the Pope's five-day visit, packed into a muddy racetrack outside Lviv in western Ukraine, heartland of the country's Catholics.

Chanting "We love the Pope!" and waving blue and yellow national flags and Vatican banners, they gave the 81-year-old Pontiff a rapturous welcome on the last day of his tour.

But, urged by a clergyman to also greet President Leonid Kuchma, who flew in from the capital Kiev, many responded with jeers and whistling before falling silent for the Pope.

The president has been bruised by political crisis. Thousands joined street protests this year to demand he resign over the scandal of a murdered reporter.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Kuchma shook hands with and kissed the Pope. After the president descended from the podium, a middle-aged woman ran up to Kuchma, thrusting a document at him. Kuchma's bodyguards seized the woman and ushered her back to her place, where she began to pray.

A presidential spokesman later said the letter contained a request to help find housing and Kuchma had accepted it.

By beatifying the martyrs, and a nun who died in 1918 and was honoured for her charitable works, the Pontiff said he wanted people in the third millennium to forgive each other for the immense tragedies of the 20th century and move forward.

The 27, who died in concentration camps, Siberian gulags or later from the effects of torture and imprisonment, were declared blesseds of the Roman Catholic church.

"They were tested in many ways by the followers of the infamous Nazi and Communist ideologies," the Pope said in his homily to the vast crowd under a clear sky.

"These brothers and sisters of ours are the representatives that are known out of a multitude of anonymous heroes who in the course of the 20th century, the century of martyrdom, underwent persecution, violence and death rather than renounce their faith," he said.

Ukraine's catholics survive oppression

The martyrs were members of the eastern-rite Ukrainian Catholic Church, also known as Greek Catholics. Soviet dictator Josef Stalin tried to annihilate the faith because he saw it as an uncontrollable agent of Ukrainian nationalism.

Recalling memories of Nazi occupation and Communist rule in his native Poland, the Pope said the past must be honoured.

"Their memory must not be lost, for it is a blessing. We admire them and we are grateful to them...they have shown that love is stronger than death," he said.

But he said it was time to move on and shed the mutual resentment and intolerance of the last centuries.

The children of one martyr, Father Mykola Tsehelsky who died in a Siberian prison camp, said on Tuesday the ceremony vindicated their father's tolerance in the face of persecution. Greek Catholic priests are allowed to marry.

The ceremony was the highlight of the papal tour for many of Ukraine's six million Catholics, most of them Greek Catholics.

"Today is a big victory for the Greek Catholics because I remember we had to hide in the forests to worship. I never thought we would be allowed to see the Pope and pray publicly," said Anna Kysina, a grandmother from Striy, north of Lviv.

The ceremony allowed the Pope to end his visit to largely Orthodox Ukraine without the spectre of inter-church conflict which haunted his three days in Kiev.

The Pope's message of reconciliation and unity to allow Ukraine's two main Catholic and three Orthodox confessions to live in peace went ignored by Ukraine's largest Orthodox Church, which denounced the visit.

Two smaller Orthodox Churches welcomed the Pope, though turnout at masses in Kiev was low."

Though I could not find the icon on the Internet of the new Ukrianian Catholic martyrs, I have included the list:

THE NEW UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC MARTYRS

1. Bishop Basil Velychkovskyi (1903-1973), died after years in labour camps.
2. Bishop Gregory Khomyshyn (1867-1947), beaten to death.
3. Bishop Nicholas Charnetskyi (1884-1959), paitiently endured torture.
4. Bishop Josaphat Kotsylovskyi (1876-1947), died in a concentration camp.
5. Bishop Ivan Sleziuk (1896-1973), interrogated mercilessly.
6. Msgr Peter Verhun (1890-1957), died in a Siberian labour camp.
7. Bishop Nykyta Budka (1877-1949), eaten by wild animals.
8. Abbot Clement Sheptytsky (1869-1951), founder of the Studite Order.
9. Bishop Gregory Lakota (1883-1950), "an angel in human form."
10. Bishop Simeon Lukach (1893-1964), stobborn underground leader.
11. Fr Andrew Ishchak (1887-1941), shot by retreating Bolsheviks.
12. Fr Vitalis Bairak (1907-1946), died from a prison beating.
13. Fr Oleksii Zarytskyi (1912-1963), died ministering in harsh Kazakhstan.
14. Fr Roman Lysko (1914-1949), sealed alive into a wall.
15. Fr Severian Baranyk (1889-1941), died, tortured and mutilated.
16. Fr Nicholas Konrad (1876-1941), murdered going to hear a confession.
17. Fr Nicholas Tsehelskyi (1896-1951), harrassed, beaten, exiled.
18. Fr Ivan Ziatyk (1899-1952), beaten and left to die on Good Friday.
19. Fr Emilian Kovch (1880-1941), exectuted by Nazis for saving Jews.
20. Fr Joachim Senkivskyi (1896-1941), boiled to death in a cauldron.
21. Sr Lavrentia Harasymiv (1911-1952), died in Siberian exile.
22. Sr Olympia Bida (1903-1952), underground catechist.
23. Sr Tarsykiia Matskiv (1919-1944), shot "because she was a nun."
24. Volodymyr Pryima (1906-1941), stabbed with a bayonet.
25. Fr Zynovii Kovalyk (1903-1941), crucified on a prison wall.

We stand on the shoulders of these blessed martyrs, and so must we one day be called as servants of Christ in His glory.

Glory be to Jesus Christ!
Glory forever!