The summer rolls along - yikes July is almost over! New tunes I've been listening to include an album entitled You Can't Trust A Ladder by a new band called The Myriad album produced by Aaron Marsh of Copeland. They are definitely in the vein of radiohead but have a sound all their own - shoe gazerish euro rock (think radiohead meets muse meets keane).
A female vocalist whose voice I've come to love is Anna Nalick (recently touring with The Wallflowers). I first heard her on an episode of Joan of Arcadia (I still am disappointed that series has come to an end - one of the few intelligent shows on TV). Her album is entitled Wreck of the Day and is well worth the purchase if you like artists like Chantal Kreviazuk or Sarah Mclachlan.
Apparently Stryper has released a new album appropriately entitled Reborn. I've heard a number of the tracks and they definitely are talented musicians still. They seem to have a little more of an edge to them which I think is a good thing - seem to continue in direction of their last album Against The Law.
Hmmm - what else I can't believe i've crossed so many genres above - shows you what a diverse listener I am. Oh - I really like some of Razorlight's songs - they have a great sound.
G
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Musings on Rockstar: INXS
Anyone else been impressed with INXS's band auditions on CBS? The musicianship totally blows away American Idol from my perspective. And my homeland of Canada is well represented - as it should! I really like Deanna Johnston the Kingston, Ontario girl - powerful voice! She will go places methinks! Fellow Canadian Suzie McNeil did a great job tonight with Superstition. Male vocals - I really like the Aussie Mig's contributions...we'll see what happens. Marty Casey did a great job of Nirvana's Lithium and definitely has great stage presence.
G
G
Explore Places
I have to admit that I love to travel and I have had the opportunity to travel to a variety of places over the course of my life thus far. We haven't done much foreign travel as of late though - that is something that we want to change as we feel that exposure to different cultures is important for our girls to experience.
My family has always traveled and I still recall many of those trips as pivotal times in my understanding of the world and other people. Most of those travels were in the United States but also to the Caribbean a few times. Since then my travels went global - places like Paraguay, Israel, and later Ethiopia & Kenya have definitely shaped my perspective on different cultures.
I also hope to explore some of my own historical culture - with my ethnic roots being in the Netherlands but later my family line traveled to Prussia, the Ukraine, and eventually settled in Canada (for over three or four generations now).
43 Things now has a 43 Places site where I've spent some time entering some of the places I'd like to travel and also places I've been. It definitely isn't complete but it gives a good picture of my love of travel. For whatever reason - I seem to be more drawn to the south pacific as of late - New Zealand, Australia & Fiji. The Orient has never really interested me for whatever reason. I'd love to go back to Africa and further explore it's diverse countries. I've never really been to Europe - which is weird because it definitely is more accessible than most places.
And on this lovely continent - Wendy and I would love to explore Alaska! We'll see what happens!
My family has always traveled and I still recall many of those trips as pivotal times in my understanding of the world and other people. Most of those travels were in the United States but also to the Caribbean a few times. Since then my travels went global - places like Paraguay, Israel, and later Ethiopia & Kenya have definitely shaped my perspective on different cultures.
I also hope to explore some of my own historical culture - with my ethnic roots being in the Netherlands but later my family line traveled to Prussia, the Ukraine, and eventually settled in Canada (for over three or four generations now).
43 Things now has a 43 Places site where I've spent some time entering some of the places I'd like to travel and also places I've been. It definitely isn't complete but it gives a good picture of my love of travel. For whatever reason - I seem to be more drawn to the south pacific as of late - New Zealand, Australia & Fiji. The Orient has never really interested me for whatever reason. I'd love to go back to Africa and further explore it's diverse countries. I've never really been to Europe - which is weird because it definitely is more accessible than most places.
And on this lovely continent - Wendy and I would love to explore Alaska! We'll see what happens!
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Vive le Tour! Forever!
Hey explore play'ers - cycling is worth exploring!
I know it's no surprise but I had to post a congrats to Lance on his seventh and final Tour win in Paris! Admittedly, I got into road cycling as a fan only after his third win five years ago but every year the sport has grown on me to the point I've never been closer to buying a road bike. In many ways - it is a way more extreme sport than my passion of cross-country mtn biking. The high speeds and dicey conditions that these guys endure is simply amazing. And Lance - a year older than yours truly - at 33 definitely proved he was a class athlete who definitely deserved his final win!
I thought it was both appropriate and cool that Lance brought up his kids to the podium to receive his final yellow jersey. His gushing girlfriend Sheryl seemed to be quite emotional about it all - I'm hoping her next album due this fall will reflect some of that passion the two share in their respective callings.
So Lance - cheers on the seventh win!
I know it's no surprise but I had to post a congrats to Lance on his seventh and final Tour win in Paris! Admittedly, I got into road cycling as a fan only after his third win five years ago but every year the sport has grown on me to the point I've never been closer to buying a road bike. In many ways - it is a way more extreme sport than my passion of cross-country mtn biking. The high speeds and dicey conditions that these guys endure is simply amazing. And Lance - a year older than yours truly - at 33 definitely proved he was a class athlete who definitely deserved his final win!
I thought it was both appropriate and cool that Lance brought up his kids to the podium to receive his final yellow jersey. His gushing girlfriend Sheryl seemed to be quite emotional about it all - I'm hoping her next album due this fall will reflect some of that passion the two share in their respective callings.
So Lance - cheers on the seventh win!
Monday, July 18, 2005
Recent Happenings
My lack of posts hopefully reveals to my few but faithful readers that I am in summer-mode! What is summer-mode for a college professor - well I never stop reading as it is an addiction that I get paid for apparently. I also get to take a few weeks off - four weeks to relax, reflect, and hopefully reinvest in some quality time with family. Here are some pics that capture some of what my past few weeks have entailed.
I also spent time during the long weekend doing some teambuilding with a camp that Wendy and I used to be employed at. We take throught their entire staff through a couple initiatives that hopefully teach them a bit of what the summer will be like through problem solving as a team. Key concepts we touch on are the importance of trust, communication, teamwork, and creativity!
"The Blind Maze"
"Blind Design"
July has been somewhat productive in that we have managed to do some landscaping and I undertook the challenge of building a play structure for Chelsea and Aimee. Thank goodness it was a kit but I had to put together ever piece - with the help of my Dad for the main structure.
So yes - you guessed it they can explore play!
G
Aimee's Flower
I also spent time during the long weekend doing some teambuilding with a camp that Wendy and I used to be employed at. We take throught their entire staff through a couple initiatives that hopefully teach them a bit of what the summer will be like through problem solving as a team. Key concepts we touch on are the importance of trust, communication, teamwork, and creativity!
"The Blind Maze"
"Blind Design"
July has been somewhat productive in that we have managed to do some landscaping and I undertook the challenge of building a play structure for Chelsea and Aimee. Thank goodness it was a kit but I had to put together ever piece - with the help of my Dad for the main structure.
So yes - you guessed it they can explore play!
G
Aimee's Flower
Chelsea beaching it at Star Lake!
Sisters!
Sisters!
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Travel
Why not Minot? proclaimed a cheesy mug at a gift shop in this Scandinavian North Dakotan city. That's right - this past weekend Wendy & I and our friends Pat & Dar made a quick escape to North Dakota. Why you ask? Well - limited budget and time and curiosity. Our first stop was at the International Peace Gardens where we ended up tenting and exploring. It is a unique park that straddles the border between Canada & the US that includes both natural forests & man-made gardens. The Peace Tower's four cement spires also are situated over the borderline of our two sister nations.
The most moving display was that of twisted beams from the 911 WTC tragedy. The Manitoban gov't shipped them in from NY and the park is awaiting finances to complete a memorial which will incorporate the beams.
911 Memorial - beams from NY's WTC
We came across some stuffed poached animals in a Ranger museum and I decided to pose with a Grizzly - hey I was on vacation!!!
Ranger Garth with Grizzly
From the Peace Gardens we drove to Minot and hoteled it while doing some friendly cross-border shopping and tourism. I've included some pics for those curious as to our not so foreign travels. We tried to tour the local airforce base but lacked the connections but did spend some time at Minot's Aviation Museum as both Pat and I have a background in flying.
Top Gun - exploring a flight simulator at the Minot Aviation Museum
So maybe our destination was not typical but it was a good temporary escape from home. Perhaps the most foreign aspect of our trip was a tour of some of the Scandanavian culture of Minot. Below is a picture of a recreated church from Scandanavia - simply beautiful woodwork - reminded me of some of the buildings from LOTR.
Scandavian Church in Minot
The food was great - I definitely recommend the local Mexican restaurant Paradiso and Grizzly's Grill located in the city mall. The locale may not have been exotic but we enjoyed our time as friends and tourists. It is good though to be home with our daughters!
G
Sorry for my lack of posts as of late - I'm in summer mode and exploring play with my family outdoors!
Wendy posing by the Peace Towers @ Peace Gardens
The most moving display was that of twisted beams from the 911 WTC tragedy. The Manitoban gov't shipped them in from NY and the park is awaiting finances to complete a memorial which will incorporate the beams.
911 Memorial - beams from NY's WTC
Ranger Garth with Grizzly
From the Peace Gardens we drove to Minot and hoteled it while doing some friendly cross-border shopping and tourism. I've included some pics for those curious as to our not so foreign travels. We tried to tour the local airforce base but lacked the connections but did spend some time at Minot's Aviation Museum as both Pat and I have a background in flying.
Top Gun - exploring a flight simulator at the Minot Aviation Museum
So maybe our destination was not typical but it was a good temporary escape from home. Perhaps the most foreign aspect of our trip was a tour of some of the Scandanavian culture of Minot. Below is a picture of a recreated church from Scandanavia - simply beautiful woodwork - reminded me of some of the buildings from LOTR.
Scandavian Church in Minot
G
Sorry for my lack of posts as of late - I'm in summer mode and exploring play with my family outdoors!
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Tour De France - Stage Four
Lance Armstrong - will he win the Tour D' France once again? Apparently the six-time cycling champion has once again taken the lead, this time in the fourth stage. I personally have never really road cycled - apparently it is pretty extreme - even more so than my addiction to mountain biking. I have to admit in the last number of years to have a growing appreciation for Lance's sport! I like the fact that there are a variety of awards along the way and not just the yellow jersey in the end.
G
G
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)