Live, Laugh and Love

4:34AM - Hello?

Is there anybody out there? Remembered my password. Must not be getting as old as I though. Who's still around?

9:08PM - A life well lived.

An LJ friend, Becky, asked this yesterday. And I liked my comment so much I'm gonna post it and ask you what you think a life well lived entails?

The other day I came upon a funeral at one of the oldest, biggest churches in downtown Toronto. There were a bunch a people there. Over 200 people. And they were all dressed to the nines. Really expensive clothes and cars. But I quickly noticed that all the people were white, upper class, same age group (minus the few grandkids) and I couldn't help but think of how boring it must be to have all the people in your life be the same. So I think a life well lived includes an eclectic collection of friends.

11:08AM - "Music Lover" is a title that is earned.

A couple of weeks ago I bought two CD's. One was K'naan's Troubadour. Amazing. I can't express how talented this guy is in words. You just have to hear his work. Today Adriana found this letter to the people on his facebook page. I think it says everything I want to about the music industry today.


A Personal Message from K'NAAN
25 February 2009 at 12:53
Hey folks,
I wanna start by saying thanks to all of those who have shared with me, in person or online, how much you've been moved by my music. This great response is encouraging. You must understand that a lot of artists these days are losing motivation. I know intimately many would-be great artists who are being shackled by the business of music today. Sales are low across the board, because most people are not really interested in buying music. I had a theory for a long time that this is because a lot of the music being made today isn't worth people's money anyway. But when an artist steps outside the box, and puts his heart and soul into their music, ignoring all the voices hoping he would stray, the weight of suspicion is greater than you can imagine. A lot of people out there would like for me to succeed. But there are quite a few also who would rather say "I told you so".

"Listen, K'naan," they would say, "You can't make genre-hopping music with lyrics that actually have meaning and be successful". I've heard this throughout my entire musical life, even from people who wish me well. But I could never lower myself to make music that I don't believe in. This is why I made 'Troubadour,' and there is a reason why I recorded it in Bob Marley's home studio in Jamaica. I'm very proud of it and I hope that it will mean something to you for a long time to come. Today, Tuesday, February 24th, the album is available on iTunes, music stores and all major online and off line outlets. If you love it, I ask that you actually buy it. This is when supporting real music becomes critical. Because the odds are way bigger than us. Tell everyone you know as well, because it's one thing to commend me for my efforts and integrity, but it's another thing to help me continue to do it.

Thank you very much, and know that all the support is truly appreciated, ya'll.

Let's celebrate, because 'Troubadour' is here!

K'naan

8:15AM - My kitty works hard

My kitty works hard, macro please.
( Read more...Collapse )

Current mood: accomplished

8:33AM - FRANNO!!!!?????

Where the fuck is your journal!!!!???????

2:43PM - One Hundred Dollars.

So, last night Adriana and I went to the Dakota to see a band called One Hundred Dollars. They ROCKED! Country folky but with a great mix of faster songs. The singer sounds a bit like Janis on Me and Bobby Mcgee. But the lyrics are what make them an amazing band. I don't often post lyrics, but I'm doing it here. And I don't know how to cut and don't have seamagic on here yet...so your stuck with it.

Hell's a Place.

Their eyes are scornful and ours'll be black
It we don't get our shit together and get on track
Out from the mountains, away from the west
Rumor has it there's a village where we can rest.

It doen't matter if our love is true, Them biggots have it out for girls like me and you
Their morals rain from that G-d up above.
And according to him Hell's the place for our love.

Thumbs out of Quesnel, through Veder Crossing
Memories harden like the earth beneath this stranger's tires.
They spare us guns of war, then beat us in our homes
convinced our interlocked legs are fuel for fire.

If we don't make it, I'll meet you in hell
where the hot hot heat of our love can swell
Higher than the egoes of righteous men,
and larger than the expanse of this goddamned land

Now six days traveled we just reached Broadview
I couldn't have another trucker's hand run up my thigh
he struggled sluggishly, you took the wheel
His breath cut short by CB radio wire

Don't worry darling bout the fires we'll meet
heaven would have burned up from our hot heat
Don't worry darling it'll all turn out well
We'll get to that village or I'll love you in Hell.

Current mood: creative

7:09PM - One of the best people ever!!!

Happy Birthday Fran!!!! I'm so glad that LJ brought us together. I can't wait till we can get together and party again :) Love you lots!!!!

12:35AM - New computer!

The bad news is my computer died. Finally. It was 5 years old. Not bad. The good news is I GOT A LAPTOP!!! I'm staying over at a clients tonight and I can surf the net! I'm so excited and totally geeked about the whole thing.

So I've been off line for a week. What's new?

3:24PM - Someone did something nice for me.

The week before last I interupted two skeezers stipping my bike out front of my building at noon. So while I had all my bike parts, they were parts and I'm no Mrs. fixxit. I bought the bike at Cycle Solutions on Parliment St about 5 months ago so I took it back there. I've always had GREAT service there. I told the guy what happened when I dropped it off and we chatted about how much bike thieves suck.

When I went to pick it up today and asked how much the owner
said "don't worry about it". I was shocked. I asked if he was sure
and he stated " We got it covered." I knew there was a 2 year warenty
on the bike but I didn't think it would cover bike thief damage.

So, if you have a bike and are looking for an awesome local bike shop I
highly recommend Cycle Solutions on Parliment. They also have a selection of great bikes.

Current mood: cheerful

8:56AM - Weather.

According to citynews.ca the temp is supposed to reach 293 degrees on Friday. Holy shit that hot!!!!

Current mood: curious

9:50AM - today....

Today will be a better day. Even if we do get 25-30cm of snow. I really, really hope it will be the last of the snow.

11:19AM - Teresa is not a second class citizen.

Please take a moment in your busy day to remember Larry King, 15. He was shot in the head by another classmate for being gay. I am sickened by this story. Adriana and I are very lucky to live in a bubble. The gay bubble of Toronto. And we sometimes forget how hard it can be to live as a gay person outside of our bubble. People here assume we are a couple, not sisters or "business partners". When we step out of our bubble we realize how different the rest of the world can be. And sometimes we are forced to play the pronoun game. I don't want to live that way. I also don't want to be afraid to live my live, ANYWHERE I WANT TO!!! But unfortunatly that's not a reality. The reality is even in North America I could be killed for loving the person I want to. How sad is that? Killed for love.

Ellen Degeneres has spoken publicy on this horrible tragedy and I think it's time others did too. It's not right that a 15 year old boy be killed for asking someone to be his Valentine. Numerous lives have been ruined. This boy was shot IN THE MIDDLE OF A CLASSROOM!!! It's time for the hate to stop. For more information on the story and things you can do to help visit Ellens website. Watch her passionate plea for an end to "jokes where the punchline is about gay people". Using the term "gay" in a derogatory manner such as " That movie was so gay" is not acceptable!!!!!! It's the first step in making it okay to bash a gay person. It makes me cringe to hear it, and I've heard it from people in my own family. You would never hear someone say " That movie was so Black or Chinese or Mexican" so why is it okay to call it "gay"?

So just for today watch yourself and see if you are one of the people who perpetuate this type of hate without even knowing it. And if you are, make an effort to change. My life and the life of my WIFE depend on it.

11:36AM - Snow.

Enough all ready!!!!!!!!

Current mood: cold

11:38AM - Huh?

Yesterday it was 5 degrees. Now it's -8 with a windchill of -17. WTFF? Who wants to come and walk dogs for me today?

10:30AM - Fog.

This intense fog kinda freaks me out. WTF???? Anyone else in Toronto creeped out today??

Current mood: anxious

10:05PM - Something fun to make me smile.

If you have me friended, I want to know 28 things about you. I don't care if we've never talked, never liked each other, or if we already know everything about each other. I really don't. doooooo it. NOTE: All comments are screen on this one.

1. Your Middle Name:
2. Age:
3. Single or Taken:
4. Favorite Movie:
5. Favorite Song or Album:
6. Favorite Band/Artist:
7. Dirty or Clean:
8. Tattoos and/or Piercings:
9. Do we know each other outside of LJ?
10. What's your philosophy on life?
11. Is the bottle half-full or half-empty?
12. Would you keep a secret from me if you thought it was in my best interest?
13. What is your favorite memory of us?
14. What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
15. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you:
16. You can have three wishes (just for you, not for the greater good) - what are they?
17. Can we get together and make a cake?
18. Which country is your spiritual home?
19. What is your big weakness?
20. Do you think I'm a good person?
21. What was your best/favorite subject at school?
22. Describe your accent.
23. If you could change anything about me, would you?
24. What do you wear to sleep?
25. Trousers or skirts?
26. Cigarettes or alcohol?
27. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together? (If you have no idea, just say something awesome crazy!)
28. Will you repost this so i can fill it out for you? (it's okay if you don't)

11:35PM

You Are 84% A Child of the 80s

There's hardly a moment of the 80s that you missed out on. Was there ever a better decade? As if!

9:55AM - I was there.

I was there.
For Christmas, in 1987, I opened up my gift from my brother Danny, and found a box of Toffeefay candies.  I said thanks, and he was grinning like an idiot and he said "open the candies, I want one."  So I opened the box and noticed that the plasitc wrap was already gone.  Two tickets fell out of the box.  Keep in mind, I was only 14, and this was big, big news at the time.  My brother took me to this...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Rumble_(1988)

I had kind of forgotten about it till last week.  We had a great time :)

4:39PM - Hit me up!

I could use the love!



Get your own valentinr

Current mood: crappy

12:27PM - Wannabe's

Don't ask for advise and then get defensive when it's given.  Expecialy when you have proven you didn't do the research you said you did.

Current mood: bitchy