If my ears are bleeding...

It's because Franz Ferdinand wanted it that way.

So I went to see Franz Ferdinand/Death Cab for Cutie on Tuesday, in what can only be described as a mega concert of colossal proportions. This was almost as cool as if G.I. Joe and the Transformers came together to combat evil...Franz Ferdinand was great live, and so loud. At one point they had three guys playing on the same drum kit, which only intesified the sound, and increased the potential for someone to lose an eye. Death Cab, also put on an amazing show...great vocal by Ben, great guitar by Chris. The opening band was a group from England called The Cribs. They sounded a bit like Franz Ferdinand themselves, but finished with a Hax-like ending. For those of you who don't know Hax, they're my housemate A.J.'s ficticious band who shows up two hours late for every show and then punishes any remaining audience with ear splitting, headache inducing music, telling them to "leave" at every instant. The Cribs finished the set by leaving a guitar, string side down on the amp so that it just shrieked until the roadie came and turned off the amp. Look out A.J.....you've got competition.

There were definitely lots of fans from one band or the other, which really took away from the show. I've never seen so many people just standing and staring at a stage during Franz Ferdinand's set, and then going overboard crazy for Death Cab...it was pretty lame, but we represented. Also, there were far too many teenage girls who only knew one song the entire night, texted friends on their cell, and hung out with their collar popping, Abercrombie friends....It just makes you want to push someone...I didn't, but I still might, it's gnawing at me.

Happy Easter

I'm preparing to engorge an entire Easter Meal but I thought I'd take the time to write a Happy Easter wish to everyone. Things had been coming along nicely here. The job keeps me on my toes but there hasn't been much else to divide my attention lately. Things should be happening at a much quicker pace starting Tuesday when I see Franz Ferdinand and Death Cab for Cutie in concert...together....wicked! Also, I'm heading to Phoenix at the beginning of May, and maybe making a sidetrip to the Grand Canyon (That's "Big Canyon" to the lay person) or possibly to San Diego. It would be great to go surfing, maybe even greater to surf the Grand Canyon, because I'm not sure it's been done before. Someone look that up for me.

I went out downtown last night and ran in to quite a few people I hadn't seen in some time. It's amazing how quickly people gorw up and their lives start to change. In that respect I've seen all my close friends from Queen's get jobs and move to different cities, my best friend move to Australia for teacher's college, another friend of mine form a new band (by the way, check them out if you're in Vancouver, www.thepaintedbirds.com). It's crazy to see the people you joked around with all the way through high school and university start to move out and move on...At the same time it's awesome to get together and share all the stories of the things you've seen and done. (I just felt like Doogie Howser when he typed his thoughts at the end of every episode).

Happy Easter everyone...hope you're enjoying yourselves wherever you are

Unreal

I came about as close to meeting one of my idols last night, Nelson Mandela, as I probably ever will. I went to a talk given by Lionel Davis, a South African who spent seven years in the jail with Nelson Mandela on Robben Island. He gave an amazing talk about peace and forgiveness. It was amazing to see how calm he could be about the injustices that he faced in prison, and to leave without any bitterness. Someone asked him what he would say to the Warden of the prison if he saw him today, to which he replied that they are actually neighbours, and that they now work together giving tours of the prison and spreading the message of racial equality. It is an amazing story and and amazing man. The highlight of the night may have been when the school accidentally played the Apartheid anthem...for him to laugh and the situation was an awesome response. I was totally in awe

Try googling his name and read the biography of a truly great man. Also, try reading Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela. His journey to freedom is truly inspiring.