Helen and I met in our first year at UBC and we’ve been friends ever since. We share the same [i.e., superior] taste in music, and we’ve made it a bit of a habit to get together whenever Collective Soul is in town. Friday brought them (and us) once more to the Commodore.

Collective Soul is one of those bands that’s been around for a long time, so they are proficient musicians, have fabulous stage presence, and have lost all the pretentious bullshit that so many new bands exhibit. Ed was jumping around the whole time, they played to the crowd, and there was even a moment when I was convinced that we were going to witness a break-dance fight (we got some pointing and prancing instead, as evidenced in the pics below). They clearly enjoy each other and their craft, and they love their fans.

They are the quintessential rock band, and I can’t wait to see them again!

Hard to believe I was in England last month; it really was the perfect vacation. Saw old friends, made some new ones, and just had a brilliant time. The pictures are here.

I’ve put together my soundtrack based on the stuff I listened to most during the trip. There was lots of pop to keep me going, and some of my staples at the time. Click here to download, and enjoy!

01. The Clash – London Calling
02. Spoon – Don’t You Evah
03. David Gray – Fugitive
04. New Pornographers – These Are the Fables
05. Hardi-Fi – Little Angel
06. Phoenix – 1901
07. Hootie & the Blowfish – Hold My Hand
08. The Romantics – What I Like About You
09. Radiohead – 15 Step
10. Amos Lee – Listen
11. Kaiser Chiefs – Ruby
12. Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal
13. Beast – Out of Control
14. Tom Petty – I Won’t Back Down
15. Led Zeppelin – Over the Hills and Far Away
16. Jets Overhead – I Should Be Born

Thinking of throwing my hat in the ring for NaNoWriMo again this year. In 2008 I made it to just under 46,000 before my tendonitis got so bad that I had to accept defeat. This year the problem is that I haven’t thought of anything interesting to write about.

DETAILS.

But, while I try to drum up some inspiration, here are a few things I’ve heard recently that have made me stop long enough to scribble them down.

“Stock your mind, stock your mind. You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace.” – Frank McCourt

“Where one burns books, one will, in the end, burn people.” – Heinrich Heine

“The skill of writing is to create a context in which other people can think. – Glaser & Way

“We don’t grow into creativity… we get educated out of it.” – Ken Robinson

“A good book is the purest essence of a human soul.” – Thomas Carlyle

I’m sensing a theme…

I heart Trace Bundy because he is talented and his music is interesting.

He’s playing this Thursday in Vancouver; details can be found on his website.

In the meantime, here he is playing Metallica’s One on his iPhone. Epic.

What a spectacular weekend!

FRIDAY
Morning ferry to Nanaimo with Harry as my companion.

Taking the scenic route to Courtney to meet up with my cousin Caitlin and Auntie Cheryl.

Meeting Uncle Brent back at theirs and making homemade sushi.

Unplanned visit to Auntie Doris and Uncle Mike (it’s been so long!).

SATURDAY
The Big Time Out. Need I say more?

In bed by 2am.

SUNDAY
Up at 4.30am and on the road by 5.

Early morning ferry back to the Mainland. Doze and have exhaustion-induced dreams.

Drive like a maniac to Abbotsford. Have been traveling for 6 hours by the time I arrive.

Celebrate my Great Aunt Traude who jumps out of a plane to celebrate her 65th birthday! For reals!

She has no fear–I hope I’m like her when I hit 65!

I have NO idea who wrote this… it was in my grade 12 English notebook, which I discovered under my parents’ powder room sink. If you know, please tell me! I haven’t been able to find it on Google.

I went with Shannon, together with her friends April and Scott, to see The Decemberists last Tuesday, and I have to say, I like the idea of my first exposure to their new album being a live performance. They spoil me, because for their first set (yep, they played TWO sets), they played The Hazards of Love from start to finish in its entirety.

Took me until approximately 2/3 through the set before I realized that Colin was playing two different characters, but then, I never claimed to be smarter than your average bear.

They were terrific, and I feel like we had the best seats in the house, particularly during their dramatic reenactment of Olaf the Pretty Good of Norway discovering Canada in his quest to win the hand of the fair princess.

(Here, Olaf the Pretty Good discovers Canada)

Speaking of pretty good, the openers were. Pretty good, that is. Check ‘em out.

I feel like a kid again! I picked up a Harry Potter novel after a ten-year hiatus (for reals–I did the math), and already I find myself being sucked back into the world of Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, messenger Owls and that damned Whomping Willow.

I’m sensing some serious teenage angst from dear Harry, but I guess he IS 14 now (reading The Order of the Phoenix). I remember when he and I were the same age. Sigh. We grow up so fast.

Should be good times!

Best. Wedding. Entrance. Ever.

One guy said it would probably be best if I didn’t run a background check on him. Of course, I did, and learned all about his long, sordid past of law-breaking. Our client actually offered him a job as a staff accountant, but quickly retracted the offer when I had to tell them about his recent arrest for a meth lab in his basement.

HAHAHAHAHA! Read the rest here.