The Johnny Quest Experience

It's a Poultry Tale of Folk Down on the Farm

2006-11-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of news and actually quite a bit of time to write about it so here it goes.

First off all, I think I should throw it back to the Streetlight/Reel Big Fish show. Amazing. Simply amazing. The night kicked off with Westbound Train, a really solid rocksteady/reggae band that I was actually quite impressed with. They put down one great set that got the crowd pumped. Then came the low point of the night. A little band called Suburban Legends. If you don't know who they are, let me catch you up on them. Their a ska band who actually back in the day used to be not bad until they totally sold out and started touring under the Disney Channel and they got really wussy. Recently, they released a new album that is somewhat lacking in the ska department and sounds more like KC and Sunshine Band.

Their set included "witty" banter and choreographed dance moves by the horns. All in all they sucked and it showed. The audience hated them. By the end of their set, people were spitting on stage and giving them the finger. Honestly, they deserved it. Later that night, they had to resort to giving away stickers because no one was buying anything from them. Most of these stickers found the floor.

Finally, the band I came to see took the stage and immediately you could tell a difference between them and Suburban Legends. For all of you uneducated folk, Streetlight Manifesto is by far my favorite band. You can tell that each member of the band is an amazing musician and they are just down to earth guys. No flashy dance moves or screamy lyrics. Just amazingly fast, precise horn licks that will send you reeling.

They started the set off with A Moment of Violence and then quickly transitioned to Everything Goes Numb. Then they played some songs off of their new album which sounds really solid. They then played That'll Be The Day and then played a roaring version of the Intro to Point/Counterpoint which led into Keasbey Nights and then transitioned into the Outro of Point/Counterpoint. They then played one more song off of their new album and then finished with an amazing version of Here's To Life.

I was skankin' my butt off and got some pretty weird looks for some of the people in the pit as well as some of the members of the band. All in all, it was amazing. Finally, Reel Big Fish took the stage. They put on an amazing show including All I Want is More, Ban The Tube Top, Drinkin', You're Guts (I Hate 'Em) and a cover of Metallica's Enter Sandman. It was a great night with a lot of fun to be had.

This past week was the week of the Winston Churchill play which I am proud to say I was a part of. We did 8 shows in the course of 4 days and it was the most grueling thing I think I have ever done. Doing a show is so draining but doing 2 a day for 4 days straight is insanity. For the last four days I have been on a constant diet of Halls, Ricola, Fisherman's Friend and Cepocal. Not to mention, I drank about 3 L of water an act and visited the facilities there are the Sterndale 4 times an act.

Even after all of that I wouldn't have given this opportunity up for anything. This year, we did Honk! A 2 act musical all about the ugly duckling and I got to play Drake, the somewhat lazy slob of a father that just likes to have a good time. I loved my character. I got to make fun of the Ugly all play which was played by Kyle Epp. (Perfect for the role)

Everyone I talked to loved the play a lot. Some even said that it was the best High School Production that had ever seen. I don't know about that, but I know that it has been the funnest High School Production I have ever done and I can't wait to watch the DVD they recorded of it. It school be so much fun. I am looking forward to One Acts and I hope that we win. You know, it's funny to think that this might be the end of something that I love so much. I know that I probably won't pursuit after school but a part of me wishes I could.

I am planning on auditioning for the Lethbridge Musical Theatre over the summer and perhaps that will be my last show but I hope it isn't. I enjoy doing drama so much. To act in a way that you normally wouldn't. To come out and perform in front of that audience is such a rush. To know that they enjoyed it and that you enjoyed it and that everyone for that moment was happy and a better person is such a joy. To see the play all come together, set, lights, sound, lines, characters is a beautiful thing.

Well that is all for me. It was good to get you all caught up on what I've been doing and it was good to sit down and blog. Truth be told, I was feeling a little sad that I was done with Fall Productions but having this opportunity to think about all the good times I have had and the joy it brings me, not to mention listening to Cuban Music, I have successfully cheered myself up.

Garnsie

I secretly love the B-52's...

2006-11-07T21:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay. I know what you all are thinking, "where have you been? I can't live my life without you!" Well, lets just call that a little hiatus. I was originally just planning on coming back when I started getting some new stuff from Neil but seeing as how even after yesterday he didn't blog I figured he might never be cool again.

I'm sure that most of you reading out there know about this already as most of you readers are siblings but for all of you people that don't know, here's the skinny. Tomas, this ones for you!

Well, the other day, it was a ho hum monday but it quickly started off with a bang. Neil is my seminary teacher and well I guess he had gotten fed up with teaching a class that A) never spoke, and 2) didn't have any scriptures with them. Finally, he had had it. It was time! He got up his courage and let it fly. The only problem was during this whole time I had my head down laughing. True be told I was just thinking about how Neil should put some cheese on the roof and punch it. His rant included having people write their names on the board and a quite lovely, all be it upset plug for a book store in town.

Today things were better but there was still a little ackwardness. Everyone was late today. I just figured that I was the only one to come back but eventually people came in. In all honesty, Neil is right. I get tired of being the only one, (aside from Moonani) to talk.

In other news, Thursday is Streetlight Manifesto and I couldn't be more happy. My very first ska show and I am sure it won't be the last. It will be amazing. More on that later.

Anyways, I must be off. I have to study for a math test and then go to sleep. This was fun, we should do it again some time.

Garnsie

Oh great! Now my upper arm is soaked with Urine!

2006-10-09T09:59:00.000-06:00

Recently, I was in a certain washroom with a certain individual. As it turns out, we had both been holding it in for quite sometime and had been drinking quite a bit in this period of time so when it came times to go use the facilities, this gentleman let it fly a little to hasty and ended up splashing the guy next to him... ME!

So because I know he reads this blog I have decided to help the young man out in case he ever gets in that situation again and the person next to him isn't so forgiving. So without further adieu, here is Male Washroom Etiquette.

For centuries men have had a profound and meaningful relationship with the men’s room, the lavatory, the Lue. This sanctuary has given relief for countless numbers of men all over the world. It has acted as a safe haven for those, seeing a man about a horse or dropping the kids off at the pool. While the room has evolved, it sometimes seems that we as a species have not.

In reality, there is a has been a code of conducted since males were squatting over a freshly dug cat hole in the noon day sun. This unwritten, unspoken code preserves the sanctity and efficiency of the male public facilities but due to cross pollination of cultures the code has no yet been universally embraced. It is this very same code that was so savagely disregarded September 28th 2006.

The first and foremost rule of the code is efficiency. It is this key point that makes male facilities far superior to that of our female counterparts. Waste no time. Get in, do your business, wash your hands and get out. Make no eye contact as this can been seen as a sign of aggression. Keep your gaze focused on the task at hand no matter how interested you may or may not be in another's nether regions.

Next comes the sticky process of urinal selection. A key to the urinal selection is maximizing your distance away from other occupants. No one wants someone breathing down their neck as they try to drain the lizard. If the only urinals open are next to occupants to do the courteous thing and wait or use a stall.

Flushing can be a tricky situation. When are you suppose flush and when is it okay to just leave it? The answer is never. Always flush. While it is true that the urinal can slide until the liquid because a rich orange, it is always good to flush. As for commodes, flushing is a necessity. If you happen to come a cross a commode that is no flushed, leave the stall and go to the next one.

Any noise in a public restroom is considered undesirable. While grunt is highly inappropriate, some leeway can be made for the occasional cough of clearing of the throat. Even this is border line though, on meaningful communication. Remember that in a public bathroom speech is you enemy. Never say anything. This simple act corrodes the efficiency of the bathroom and places the very fabric of society in peril.

To recap, here is the condensed version of the code of conduct.

I. Efficiency
II. Urinal Selection
III. Flushing
IV. Noise Pollution

By following these four simple guidelines all men can find common ground and we can rid the world of poor evacuation habits.

Garnsie

Come out to play and we'll pretend it's Christmas day in my Atomic...

2006-10-01T12:42:00.000-06:00

Don't mess with Greg

Let's turn it up, We're going down

2006-09-23T18:45:00.000-06:00

Another entry for another week. Hopefully this one is happier.

5 more days until Bad Religion. It's going to be a good show but I just wish that I didn't have to stand through 3 crappy bands to hear them. Couldn't they have come with say, Rise Against, or maybe Tiger Army? But no! We have to stand through not only The Dropkick Murphys but Comeback Kid to see these punk rock legends.

That's right, punk rock legends and anyone who disagrees can get bent. What other band has been around for 25+ years that is still capable of write music so meaningful and rocking? They have represented this punk rock movement from the get go and are still big players in the genre. That's what makes preparing for this concert so hard. The material that Bad Religion has is overwhelming. I am sure, picking the set lists must be hard. Try putting 25+ years of music into one night of music. (25 years of music - Television. I hate that song.) Here's hoping not all of their shirts have cross-busters on them.

In other news, casting for the musical is done and the parts handed out. I am the father... again. I don't know what it is about me. Maybe I have some sort of fatherly qualities? Maybe it's because I use the briefcase at school? Whatever it is, I'm happy with my part. Drake has about 50 - 100 lines and is on stage for about 1/4 to 1/2 of the musical. That's right Jace and Garth! I only wished that he whistled but I don't think he does. We get started on Tuesday I think and the show runs that last week of November. It's going to be good.

So there you have it. Life has been good this week to make up for the car. Bad Religion coming up as well as the musical and oh yeah, I got 91% on a math test.

Garnsie

There's snakes on the MuthaF-in' Grass... Again!

2006-09-15T22:14:00.000-06:00

Could it be?

The answer is yes. That's right. All of you readers out there might like to know that snakes in the grass 2 has recently happened to me of all people. It wasn't so much snakes in the grass as Jophnny Quest being a moron. Way to hit a parked car you idiot.

If you can't tell I'm a little rattled. This is the first think like this that has ever happened to me. I promise I am a better driver than people think. When I am by myself I can drive with the best of them but if you get someone in the back seat it throws me off. I think it's because I want to be into the conversation too much and then end up not paying attention to the road.

The other huge truck with the stainless steal bummer is just fine but my piece of plastic crumpled like a cheap napkin. I am starting to think that Garth is right about getting a truck. So this is it. The end of my driving career and just before my brother's wedding too. I am pretty sure I should be writing my toast instead of writing my anger down on this blog but I am just too frustrated. My parents are saying they are thinking it is going to be $1000. I say, it'll buff right out.

I guess it was bound to happen sometime I was just hoping that it wouldn't have been tonight. Maybe when I was by myself and having it be the other guy's fault. That would have been nice. After the acident we drove around listening to The Specials - Pressure Drop with the windows down. I figured I probably needed to calm the nerves of not only the people in the car but me so we went to the Dairy Queen and got the largest dipped cones money could by. The lady working there was such a noob and she made one for me with 13 oz. of ice cream. Are you joking me? That's like a small child. That's the new tradition. Every accident I have, I am going straight to dairy queen for a dipped cone.

So now I am fat, frustated, angry and still have to write a toast tonight. I am just grateful for Garth and Minkins. Thanks for all the help and laughs. Looks like I'll be riding the bus of a while now. By the way, my parents didn't give the old... "Cars can be fix but people can't" line so I guess they don't care. I'm pretty sure my dad is just thinking about the grand.

So that's it. The story of tonight. It was originally planned to be a date so at least I didn't make a fool of myself in front of some girl. Just the cousins, Garth and Minkins. Now I am just sitting here listening to a little rockstead Chris Murray - Heartache and singing away my blues.

Garnsie

I guess this is the end of an era

2006-09-06T19:02:00.000-06:00

Just a quick note to all you fans of the radio show.

It turns out that they have already turned over to the fall schedule so I won't be doing a show on Thursday. Sorry because I know you will be sad but I will be coving shows throughout the semester so I'll let you know when that comes up.

Garnsie

Enjoy yourself! It's later than you think.

2006-09-03T15:26:00.000-06:00

So I was thinking as I was at work yesterday and this is what I came up with.

These days people are misinformed about a lot of things and instead of educating themselves on issues they choose to just stave it off and keep being morons. People probably aren't thinking about it like that but it's what ends up happening. Perhaps you dedicated readers in Lithuania would like an example? Sure, I'd be glad to oblige.

Music. When it comes to music there are people out there (girls mostly... I don't know why that is but it is.) that listen to the dumbest music and why? Well... it's on the Top 40 isn't it? I'm sorry but few music on the Top 40 is good but still just because Much Music is playing it we have follow the pack and listen to Justin Timberlake bring sexy back. Personally, I don't need it brought back.

The last stake dance I went to it was the same old rigmarole. Everyone dancing to songs that are stupid. Songs like that stupid Cha Cha one. I'll stab you in the jugular!

It seems to me that girls in particular either don't care or are too busy studying up on make-up to worry about what they are listening to. The funny part is, if a girl is crushing on some guy, what is the first think she figures out about him and copies? His taste in music. I guess my only hope is to date all those girls that think that Much Music is a legate source of musical knowledge.

They way I see it music has some responsibilities with it. The one that gets focused on mostly is the responsibility of the artist to realize music that talented, well written music but we have a responsibility too. We have to learn about the music we are listening to. Find the music that is truly well written, with good lyrics and that will last. A good band should span generations. The Beatles, The Specials, Bad Religion. I'm sorry but Crazy Frog can't do this.

I'm I saying that Top 40 is bad? No. Good bands have a will be on the Top 40 and that is no reason to stop listening to them. It's like indie kids that will only listen to a band as long as they are indie. As soon as they get a label they drop them. You're telling these bands that if they are popular or if they actually start selling cd's that's not good.

All I am saying is be educated. You don't have to listen to London Bridge because it is the new offensive piece of garbage. You can find smarter, better and funner music. I know it might take some work but it is well worth the effort.

So now that you have read that maybe you don't know where to start. Well here are some suggestions.

If you are hard up for a good place to get cd's in your attempt to become well versed in a musical language other than Ain't No Other Man check out Blueprint. It's a really good cd store here in Lethbridge over by the bargain Shop.

Thursday is the last show for Johnny Quest at ckxu. If you wanted to get more acquainted with the music that I like you can tune in at 88.3 FM, 99.7 Cable FM or at ckxu.com. Normally, I put up last weeks set but I lost it in the shuffle so I can't but trust me it was a good one.

Garnsie

They say eh instead of what or huh. That's the might power of Canada.

2006-08-27T16:01:00.000-06:00

Here we are on location in Utah. YEEHAW!

A little rant about the things I hate about the radio. First and really only, is the CRTC. I hate the CRTC. It is the dumbest system ever and here is why.

It seems that we as Canadians like to think that we have an identity. Sure, we play hockey, eat Butter Tarts and say eh but really do we have one? No. The answer to that question is that the only identity we have is that we are "Not Americans." Big Whoop. So, I'm no American, but in an attempt to be "Not American" we cut off our nose to spite our face.

Has this ever happened to you? You'll be watching a show on an American station, say, Americas Got Talent over at Jace's. All of the sudden the show is over and suddenly and without warning the channel flashes and you are left watching the last 3 minutes of the show you just saw. Haha... The CRTC strikes again, forcing us to watch Canadian ads instead of just allowing us to watch the unchanged show straight from the United States. Sure, we might not really need to watch commercials for Rite Aid, (Which Canada does not have) do I really need to see a commercial for Peka Roll Shutters?

I have been forced to play Canadian Content on the show that I do every week but why? I'll tell you why. Back in the day, before the CRTC, the only Canadian bands that got played were Anne Murray but what about the smaller bands trying to get a market? Well in that case the CRTC is good. Suddenly, bands like Loverboy were getting played instead of BTO. Then it was a good thing but in this age were the internet dictates media, do we really need it? Bands like Arctic Monkeys would have never been as popular as they are now without the use of the internet which brings me back to my point.

Then, it was good but now it is annoying. Even without the CRTC I usually play about 9 songs that fall into the category of Canadian Content. It never a struggle to find good Canadian music out there it just bugs me that I need on organization like the CRTC to tell me that I have to watch Canadian shows or commercials so that I am not "American." Surely Canada as a nation can find a much better identity than that. I don't need the CRTC to tell me not be American. I don't want to be American and I don't need a government run program telling me this. I am quite content with my butter tarts thank you.

Garnsie

Get The Facts, Not Fear.

2006-08-21T11:59:00.000-06:00

Mustard Plug - Mendoza - Evil Doers Beware
I Voted for Kodos - Just Wanted You To Know - Close Enough for Ska
General Rudie - Empire of Crime - Unrealsed Track
Skavenjah - El Ritmo de la Vida - El Ritmo de la Vida
Five Iron Frenzy - Superpowers - Our Newest Album Ever
Sonic Youth - Reena - Rather Ripped
Soy Captain - Joy Division Beat - Merci EP
Serotonin - Headlines - The Formula
Rise Against - Under the Knife - The Sufferer and The Witness
Bob and Wisdom - I Believe in Music - v/a Jamaica to Toronto
JFK and the Conspirators - Ah Oh Oo - Mash Up the Dance
Jah Jesco - West Gone Black - v/a Studio One: DJ's 2
Chris Murray - Thrill Me Up - v/a Ska in The Key of Love
Voodoo Glow Skulls - Shoot the Moon - Firme
The Flatliners - Scumpunch - Destroy to Create
Skankin' Pickle - I'm in Love With a Girl Named Spike - Sing Along With Skankin' Pickle
Crowned King - Turn It Up We're Going Down
Catch 22 - Opportunity - Permanent Revolution
Catch 22 - Keasbey Nights - Keasbey Nights
Streetlight Manifesto - If and When We Rise Again - Everything Goes Numb
The Afterbeat - Groove Yeah - Unrealised Track
Less Than Jake - Lockdown - Losing Streak
Buck-0-Nine - My Town - Twenty-Eight Teeth

A Message to You Rudy

2006-08-14T13:04:00.000-06:00

We meet again blog...

I've been busy. No, that was a lie. I've been... I don't know what I've been but whatever it is, I haven't been writing for a long time. It must of been tough trying fill the abyss that is your lives without the rants and writing of Johnny Quest.

Thursday's radio show was definitely not my best but I mean, even sub-par for me is pretty amazing. I've heard some pretty good things about it and next Thursday at 6:00 I get 90 minutes. I know what you are saying... Eric, we get it! You have a radio show but it seems like your blog has just become the place where you promote it. So with that said I am actually going to blog about something. I realise that you are hard up for some rants.

If you haven't noticed yet I'm pretty much ska crazy. I listen to it everyday, tell everyone I know about it, have a radio show playing ska, what to start a ska band and I wish there was a bigger scene here in Lethbridge. Strike that. I wish there was a bigger scene PERIOD.

Ska is a dying genre. I know it. I just don't want to come to reality and admit it. It's a real shame too. Ska music is happy music. Perhaps it isn't the most technical pieces of work but it is fun to listen to and I think that that gives it something special. Too many bands nowadays, are too concerned with changing the world with their lyrics and in the end make their songs hard to listen to. Don't get me wrong. I am not against bands with smart lyrics but I find that bands that try to be too "serious" end up making all their songs downers.

It seems to me that people don't realise that a song about serious things don't have to make you cry or make you want to punch something. For example, look at the song Let's Face It by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, a fun song that you can dance to about racism and discrimination. A song that could have easily been written to make someone mad was written to make you dance.

Why is ska dying? I don't know. I wish it wasn't. That's not to say that I wish the scene was selling out because ultimately that would be worse but I wish that the fans better represented it. Just like every genre out there, ska has good and crappy bands the only difference is that the fan base is lacking.

Perhaps it is just because I live in Southern Alberta, but it seems like no one knows about ska. I'm a lonely rude boy in a sea of hardcore and punk kids. That is one of the reasons I have a ska show on the radio and why I advertise it to everyone in Lethbridge. Hopefully when I say ska in public people what act like I am speaking Spanish.

Before I leave, here is last weeks show for all of you that liked what you heard and want to check out a band. Here it is:

Status - Two Tone Bowlers - The All Skandian Club
Headphone Jack - The Hebrew School Dropouts - HSD
Superspy - Save Ferris - It Means Everything
Wasting My Time - The Wedgewoods - Wasting My Time
Sarah Saturday - The Bouncing Souls - The Gold Record
I Believe - The Planet Smashers - The All Skanadian Club II
Superman - Goldfinger - Hang-ups
Jezebel - Ska Cubano - Ay Caramba!
Reggae Wiggle - Bobby Jakie and Soul Defenders - v/a Studio One DJ's 2
Pressure Drop - The Specials - Blank Expression
Backstreet Killer - The Kingpins - Watch Your Back
Destroy - The Matadors - Horrorbilly 9000
Santa Carla Twilight - Tiger Army - III. Ghost Tiger Rise
Royal Oil - Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Let's Face It
Let's Face It - Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Let's Face It
Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts - Less Than Jake - Losing Streak

Garnsie

I've got a plan to have no plan

2006-08-08T12:19:00.000-06:00

It's been a while and there is a bit of new news so lets get down to it.

I hope you all enjoyed the half an hour on Friday. From what I have heard everyone is liking it but this Thursday it gets even better. Spend a full hour with Johnny Quest and his ska library at 12:30. I figured that I am going to post the set list from the previous weeks shows up here just incase you liked a song and want to look it up or you missed the show. If you don't care just skip down.

The Porkers - Aporkalypso - Hot Dog Daiquiri
Suicide Machines - Hey - Destruction By Definition
Rise Against - Bricks - The Sufferer and The Witness
Bad Religion - Struck a Nerve - Recipe for Hate
Crowned King - Pathetic - Tempting Fate
Whole Lotta Milka - Skank - The All Skanadian Club
Catch 22 - The Spark - Permanent Revolution
The Planet Smashers - Never Going to Drink Again - Mighty

In other news, bridge jumping was so much fun yesterday. We ended up playing a little catch while jumping and boy is it harder than it looks to hang on to it once you get in the water but it was fun nonetheless. If you want to see some high lights go to Jace's blog.

Anyways, that's it. Just giving you a quick update to my life. Make sure you check it out Thursday because it is going to be one amazing show.

Garnsie

Skankin' and Stompin'

2006-08-03T15:48:00.001-06:00

Tune in Friday, August 4 2006, at 2:30 to 88.3 FM or at ckxu.com and get your skank on to this eclectic hodgepodge of classic ska beats and punk tunes. From Less Than Jake to The Specials, Rise Against to The Clash, this is everything you’ve ever wanted in a radio show and more with Lethbridge’s very own Johnny Quest

Garnsie

I'm 21 century digital boy. I don't know how to live but I got a lot of toys

2006-07-31T23:21:00.000-06:00

It seems to me that there is a curse sweeping the land and that would have to be cell phones.

Everywhere I go, everyone has a cell phone. Not just a few people, everyone! That is not what bugs me about cell phones. I am really not anti-cell phone. In general they are actually quite useful but it seems to have a hypnotic power over the minds of people my age. It seems to be the ball and chain of our generation, so I pose the question. Who is really in charge, you or the cell phone?

It may seem like a dumb question but let me give you some examples why I am becoming more and more convinced that cell phones run some people's lives.

My sister is I guess a sort of socialite in her community of friends and it shows by how many times her phone rings in half an hour, with everyone asking her the same questions, where are you? Sometimes she won't answer the phone and do you know what happens then? In comes a barrage of text messages. Everyday, the same thing and everyday a little more is added to the bill.

Another example. My classes in school are full of teenaged girls that figure that small talk with the person in the room down the hall is worth their time, while their averages go out the window. It's amazing to me the lengths they will go through to send a simple message saying hi to someone they will see in 20 minutes. Not only that but I am stunned and the sheer stupidity of these girls. Once I learned of a girl who was sending text messages to a girl in the same room! 10 feet away and they still decide to communicate through their phones.

So I pose the question again, Who is really in charge? I'd like to think humans but I find that we have trained ourselves like a dog to a whistle. When ever the new 50 cent tune starts playing we go running to the phone. I think that if you find your phone controlling you life, if it is ringing more that not, if your bills are outrageously high, it's time to turn the phone off.

Garnsie

Garth is a pile

2006-07-29T10:46:00.000-06:00

I am in agreement with Jace on this matter. Garth is a pile. Instead of coming to the dance with me last night he decided that he was too cool for that. But let me ask you this, are you too cool to have them play Ska Trax 2 and then go and be the only person on the floor skanking. Strike that, the only person on the floor at all. I could go on in this manner but I think we can all see why Garth is a pile.

That's about all I have to say about Garth. Kill this mix.

Moving on. So yesterday I was talking to Jace about how when I find a girlfriend that I have to run it by him first to get the okay. (Like there is any doubt that she will be cool) So after that I was driving home and I was thinking about the things that drive me nuts about girls and so, here it is, Things that I look for in girls.

10. Girls with a sense of balance. Balance in all facets of life. Between family and friends, work and fun, saving and spending.

9. Girls with a plan. I don't need a detailed plan for the next 12 months but a little direction in their lives would be nice. What do you want to do with you life? Where are you going? All questions you should probably be able to answer without saying something stupid like... I want to be a model.

8. Girls that aren't over sentimental. Honestly, don't look into every little detail but I will tell you that guys are thinking about that. Not everything has to be a scene from The Notebook.

7. Girls that like to laugh but know when too. It seems to me that girls either never laugh or laugh at everything. I know it's hard to believe but not everything I say is funny.

6. Girls with some talents. Have some talents. Do them. It doesn't matter what they are. Just take an interest in something and do it.

5. Girls that know how to employ tact. I'm going to tell you, this bugs the crap out of me, girls with no tact. It's useful to know when to say something and when not too and girls that don't have this mastered bug me.

The meat of the order is coming up now so listen up.

4. Girls that have a sense of humility. Contrary to popular belief you are not the greatest thing since sliced bread. A little humility goes a long ways but it is a good thing to have. You are not above the rest of us so don't act like it.

3. Girls that can carry on a meaningful, intelligent conversation. Yes or no answers to questions is not really my idea of a great conversationalist. Take an interest in what I am saying and think before you talk. (Again a little tact is order.) Ask questions too. I can’t stand when I am the only one asking questions.

2. Girls that take an interest in the things you like to do. This right here is a two way street but I'm not a big fan of when girls dismiss this things that you like to do. For example, if you haven't noticed already, I like music. A girl that won't at least try and like ska and punk music bugs me. I am not saying you have to be in love but it shouldn't bug you that I like it. The same goes for guys. Guys have to take an interest in the things that girls like to do to. That's not to say trying on make-up but if she wants to look at a store in the mall just hang out.

1. A brain. It's pretty self-explanitory. I mean look at who you are dealing with here. An intellectual giant like myself cannot stoop to the level of stupid girls. Don't act like an idiot because you think it is "cute." It's not. Stay aware of current events happening around you (Such as the "bombshell" that Lance Bass is gay. Who would have guessed)

That's it, that's all. There you have it girls now you know what Eric thinks on the matter so now you have no excuse to be stupid around me.

Garnsie

Footage at 11

2006-07-28T10:33:00.000-06:00

"The next entry should be an interest one so tune in for it. I have some kind of funny, exciting news but it just hasn't been confirmed yet."

Well, it's the time again plus I left you all in suspense the other day so here it is, The big news.

Recently, I was driving around minus a radio transmitter for my ipod as my sister had sniped it. So do to these recent events I was listening to the radio only finding myself listening to James Blunt. (I hate that guy) Then I switch the station over to 88.3 just to see the CKXU is broadcasting. Whatever it was it was much better than James Blunt so I took it. As the day progressed I continued to listen to the station when all of the sudden an ad on the station intrigued me. "CKXU is looking for people to fill out the summer program."

I went home and sent an email over and after a little wait we hooked up this week and talked about having a show. She seemed into my idea of having a mainly ska show and so I began training that night, sitting in with Shane the Librarian on his No Flyers Please electronica show.

It's not that CKXU is such a powerhouse of the radio or anything. I mean they are actually quite low on the ladder. (Shown by putting a guy like me on air.) It's just exciting to do something that I love to do. Listen to music and show music to others. I have a huge passion for music and I really like to share it with others.

Now I am just waiting for an email to set up my next training time in which I will be on air for half of the show. Finally, after that, I will be doing a full show with a dj sitting in. Once I get more information I'll shoot it your way. I still don't know the day or time slot that I have gotten but I would think it might be on Wednesday at maybe noonish.

Oh, and don't worry. If you’re not into ska very much there will still be some punk mixed it.

Garnsie

With hope in our hearts and bricks in our hands, we sing for change.

2006-07-22T19:10:00.000-06:00

Wow, it's been a while and I have a lot to say so let's go.

Warped tour this year had a ton of ups but also a few downs. I would say all in all it was pretty good. The day started with a lot of looking at tents because my brother and I didn't want to see Senses Fail or The Early Novembers. (boo)

Finally at 1:30 we went over to the Ernie Ball stage to check out Crowned King live. They are a sort of ska band from Vancouver and so I think I enjoyed it a little more than my brother but they played an amazing set full of all their old stuff. If you haven't done so already, check out this band. They are well worth your time. After that, we high tailed it over to the main stage where we caught the last 5 minutes of Helmet's act (which was quite lack luster) before we moved up to the barrier for Less Than Jake.

Less Than Jake put on one of the best performances of the whole day. They played the perfect mix of old and new including Look What Happened and my personal favorite Johnny Quest Thinks Were Sellouts. The show included a lot of crowd surfers and me catching a pick.

After that we were tired and so we stood in line to get some food, after which we stood in the back of the crowd to catch the last song of Anti-flag, Die for your Government.

After that we stood to the side for Underoath. Man what a horrible band. Honestly, they sucked. I don't know how anyone could like that band.

Then we moved into the middle about 5 people away from the barrier for Saves the Day. They played a pretty good set which included them playing At Your Funeral by request. The crowd was dead for them because after Saves the Day was AFI. Really, it was just the AFI fans getting a good spot.

By far, the biggest let down of Warped was AFI. Before AFI even came out it was packed there. All the fans wanting to get close to the stage as possible which was understandable. As soon as AFI came out though it was madness. There was a huge push towards the stage which made a packed audience even more so. They started off with Girls Not Grey, easily the worst song on Sing the Sorrow but the crowd was crazy. People were getting pushed around every direction and were starting to trip and fall not to mention no one was making any attempt to help anyone if they did start to trip. My brother and I could see this was getting out of hand. All it would take is one person to fall and then you would have 30 people on top of you. The crowd surfering didn't help matters so we ended up moving to the back were we heard the rest of AFI's set which included, Leaving Song pt. 2, Silver and Cold, Kill Caustic, Love like Winter, Total Immortal, (The best song in the set but somehow not performed up to AFI standard) and they finished it off with Miss Murder.

After that we moved up a little further to get a better spot for Rise Against but while we were doing this we missed out on Nofx's set which sounded like it was awesome. They played Eat the Meek and the entire Decline. All 18 minutes. If I could back I would definitely skip out on AFI and would have gone to Nofx instead.

Then Rise Against came out. Wow. This was definitely the best show of the day. They kicked things off with State of the Union off of their Sirens of the Counter Culture. It was such a good atmosphere even including the mosh pit. Tim was at his best and even invited Dallas of Alexisonfire on for a song. (Not really big deal for me seeing as how I am not a big Alexisonfire fan) They played my brother's favorite song Bricks as well as Ready to Fall off their new album The Sufferer and the Witness. They were awarded the extra time and so they played for an hour or so. Definitely the best show of the day and all in all a fun time.

That was Warped in a nut shell. The next entry should be an interest one so tune in for it. I have some kind of funny, exciting news but it just hasn't been confirmed yet. Footage at 11.

Garnsie

Let me tell ya 'bout a friend a mine... His name's Boll Weevil, check him out.

2006-07-03T21:49:00.000-06:00

Do you want to know the cheapest thing to do on a hot day, not to mention the most fun? I am sure you do.

The answer is bridge jumping. It is so much fun and the best part about is that it is free! Absolutely, no money is spent to go jump into a cannel full of water. It might sound a little white trash but it isn't. It's loads of fun not to mention you can get some pretty crazy pictures. (Jace I want to see those.)

If you haven't guessed yet, that's what I did today and it got me thinking. Anything can be fun. It doesn't have to be tons of money or at a fancy place. Just friends, a cannel and a bridge and we are set. Aside from the mosquitoes which I hate by the way and having to listen to the new afi... instead of old afi. (haha Jace and Garth are going to chew me out for saying that) it was very enjoyable.

So if you are looking for a fun/cheap time. Go bridge jumping. Just don't go on ours because we will kick you off.

Garnsie

PS. I notice that the posts get progessively shorter and shorter. I will have a long one when I have something to say.

So cool they have a Championship of the Universe Tournament

2006-06-27T23:40:00.000-06:00

I can still remember how excited we were back in the day rent an original Nintendo for the rental place, just to bring it home and crash on games, the likes of which have never been seen since. Games like Mario, Contra and Blades of Steel, but by far, our favorite was R.B.I Baseball. I mean can you blame us?

Kids these days (ha) would complain about the graphics or the sound (When really the music is the best part, not to mention it will get stuck in your head. ) or say that it isn't realistic enough for them. Well that's crazy talk. RBI Baseball was and still is a fun game. Sure maybe it is a little dated, but I think the commercial speaks for its self and if you think otherwise, in the words of Jace... You are wrong!

Garnsie

Misery Love Comments

2006-06-23T14:34:00.000-06:00

Recently, I have been reading blogs. Well, I have been reading blogs for a while but I have been giving them more thought recently and I have found one thing about blogs that really erks me. That's when people use their blogs as a pity party in an attempt to make sure that they have friends. Is this really necessary to justify your popularity by seeing who will comment on your blog?

Yesterday I read one that when a little something lika this:

I kind of wish more people would love me for who I am. Or just that more people would love me.

Oh well, at least I've found my family.

Where would I be without theatre?

What is that?! I wish more people would love me? That's not a blog. That's lame. Misery loves company but in this digital age we live in Misery loves comments. Stuff like this makes me hate the internet. It are these same people who use suicide as a plea for popularity.

If people have something to say about a blog then they will say it. You don't have to tell people to comment. It just happens.

Garnsie

Yet Another Album From Beyond the Grave for Tupac

2006-06-22T14:44:00.000-06:00

Okay so after I posted yesterday's entry I got to looking at the other bands that would be touring with Streetlight. They included, Reel Big Fish, Mxpx, Transition and another band called Whole Wheat Bread. Oh man! I got to looking into this band and found something I have never seen before in my career of music. That would have to be this.
For a sort of ska/punk band which I can only explain as sounding sort of like LTJ during their borders and boundaries era I don't understand the Tupac get up. I'm not saying that they need mohawks or have to wear Doc Marten's to earn my respect as a band but to have "bling" with the baggy jeans pulled down to their knees and the sideways hat is defiantly not helping them. Especially since their music sounds like another generic version of Borders and boundaries which is really isn't LTJ's best album.

Still this look makes me want to see them live. I just want to see what type of show they put on but to me it looks as if it would be an act that I would have to suffer through to get to Streetlight as show in pictures like this.

Garnsie

Everytime she passed me by, I turned my head and quitely sighed

2006-06-21T16:30:00.000-06:00

This just in...

For all of you that don't know me really well, I love the band Streetlight Manifesto but it seems they do not return the love. Recently, I looked on the Streetlight Manifesto tour dates where up dated. Everytime, I get excited thinking about the amazing show they would put on if they ever were to come to Southern Alberta. So I look, and I looked and look on the list of cities only to find this.

Nothing. The closest they come is Salt Lake City which they have played many times. I have even emailed the band as well as the booking agents to see if a Western Canadian tour is in the forecast but receive no response. I think I just might be destined to a life of not seeing Streetlight Manifesto.

Why do I want to see them so bad? Well, 1st of all, they are a ska band and I love ska. 2nd, from what I have seen they put on some amazing shows like this.

My only hope is that usually during the summer our family visits granparents we have in Salt Lake. Perhaps I could persuade them to go August 3rd so that I could make a stop at the Salt Air to see Streetlight. It's a long shot but you never know.

In other tour news, I am getting jacked to go to warped. It's mostly just to see Rise Against, AFI and Nofx and maybe Less Than Jake if they play Losing Streak stuff. The great new is through, is that I heard that the extra time is either between AFI or Rise Against. Man, I hope AFI gets it because then they will be forced to play some of their old stuff which will be great! I hope that warped doesn't turn out to be a bust but you never know.

Other than that, life is just scrummy. I just wish that Streetlight would come out. If you like Streetlight and you want to see them in Southern Alberta, you can contact them here
If you don't know who Streetlight Manifesto is, go out and buy their album. Well, that's all for me.

Garnsie AWAY!

Speak the truth, but leave immediately after

2006-06-20T11:32:00.000-06:00

I am amazed by the stupidity of people my age all the time but recently it seems as though it has stooped to a new low. If you really care to see it first hand go to any myspace account (I hate that site for too many reasons to list) or even MSN spaces and you will see stuff like this.

When did this become the "it" thing? It seems like everywhere I look I see picture depicting some sort of suicidal act and just think how stupid can we get? An angst filled generation of suicidal morons that with pictures like this almost support tragedies like Columbine.

These attention grabbing mongers feel the need to hold suicide over our heads. How selfish do you have to be to make statements like this when for the most part you live in a society that gives you everything you could ever want? Still we go on feeling sorry for them when others are seriously considering suicide as an option. Crying wolf doesn't lessen the existence of wolves.

To you who may be considering this as an option to life. If you think that you can't go on, you need to put your priorities in place. Please don't fall into this trap that society feeds you about not being worth anything. Suicide isn't painless when those you leave behind are in pain. You have much more to live for than you give yourself. Please, if you are one of these people who think this, go talk to someone.

Am I too sensitive or could it just be that everyone else is desensitizing? I like to think it is the latter.

but don't take your life
because it's all that you've got
you'd be better off just up and leaving
if you don't think they will stop

and when you wake up
everything is going to be fine
i guarantee that you wake up in a better place
and in a better time
so you're tired of living
and you feel like you might give in
well don't
it's not your time
Streetlight Manifesto - A Better Place, A Better Time

Garnsie