Riding on Frozen Ground

I had a great escape to the Sandilands with Pat & Ed - taking on the "roller-coaster" section of a trail that follows the main escarpment on the west side of the park.
We drove in through the clear-cut section (the aftermath of a fire) and got to the trailhead - unloaded the bikes and sped effortlessly over the frozen ground.
Sure some the hills' traction was compromised by the light snow but for the most part - the riding was fast. I went solo for the last half - taking a different trail than the others - I felt I need some alone time both mentally & spiritually - it was good!
Not sure how many kms I put on - about a dozen I'm guessing. I'm definitely out-of-shape compared to summer but I did surprisingly well. I hope it isn't the last ride of the year - we'll see if I can escape again this next weekend?

Bob Dylan Concert - 11.02.08

For whatever reason - my Sunday only really started at 7:45pm when Dylan walked onto the stage at the MTS Centre. I suppose the time-change messed up my wiring because I was dragging my feet until the show started. Wow. WOW! Bob Dylan and His Band simply blew my preconceptions away.

That's right - Mr. Dylan playing some gee-tar!

I was expecting his voice to be somewhat mumbling & rambling but whoever was doing sound was spot on - his voice was perfect and musically the band was tight. Some of the songs listed below were completely reinvented - which is typical Dylan I'm told and I wish I could get some recordings of it.
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right had these amazing guitar parts that reminded me of a modern Moonlight Sonata (I joked with my sister who joined me for the show that Dylan had written that too).
My personal favs included: Don't Think Twice,Highway 61, I Still Believe, Ain't Talkin, Thunder on the Mountain, and the two closing numbers in the encore totally rocked - Rolling Stone & All Along The Watchtower! So there ya have it - I once again witnessed a legendary musician. It's been a good year of live music for me!
Setlist:
1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
2. The Times They Are A-Changin'
3. The Levee's Gonna Break
4. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
5. 'Til I Fell In Love With You
6. Simple Twist Of Fate
7. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
8. I Believe In You
9. Desolation Row
10. Blind Willie McTell
11. Summer Days
12. Nettie Moore
13. Highway 61 Revisited
14. Ain't Talkin'
15. Thunder On The Mountain
Encore:
16. Like A Rolling Stone
17. All Along The Watchtower

Bob Dylan "prancing" on the stage...you go Mr. Zimmerman!

Band Members
Bob Dylan - keyboard, guitar, harp
Tony Garnier - bass
George Recile - drums
Stu Kimball - rhythm guitar
Denny Freeman - lead guitar
Donnie Herron - viola, banjo, electric mandolin, pedal steel, lap steel

Concert Review: Neil Young with special guests Death Cab For Cutie & Everest

Well - another great show at the MTS centre on Oct. 16, 2008. Not as great seats as we had for Sheryl Crow but it was great to have a hometown legend like Neil back in the Peg. I could have done without two opening acts personally - even though I enjoyed Everest's sound (vocals reminded me of Paul Simon) and Death Cab For Cutie were brilliant but better suited as a feature act. Their set was short & sweet with most of my favorites. Here's a review from the Winnipeg Free Press and a few other links here & here.

Here is the setlist for those interested in Neil Young's show - a great mix of grunge-y rockers, some acoustic classics, and everything in between. Highlights for me were Cortez, Cinnamon Girl, Mother Earth, The Needle, Unknown Legend, Heart of Gold, & Old Man. I was hoping for Harvest Moon but was impressed with the great mix of old, in between, & new.

1. Love And Only Love
2. Hey Hey, My My
3. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
4. Powderfinger
5. Spirit Road
6. Cortez The Killer
7. Cinnamon Girl
8. Oh, Lonesome Me
9. Mother Earth
10. The Needle And The Damage Done
11. Unknown Legend
12. Heart Of Gold
13. Old Man
14. Get Back To The Country
15. Just Singing A Song
16. Sea Change
17. When Worlds Collide
18. Cowgirl In The Sand
19. Rockin' In The Free World

Encore:
20. A Day In The Life

Extreme Swinging?

Concert Review: Joe Satriani with special guest Mountain

Well - it appears my blog has become a concert review site. Last time I saw Joe Satriani was in 1990 - fast forward to 2008 and my same thoughts re-appeared - I clearly am not worthy of playing a stringed instrument compared to Satch. Not only can he shred effortlessly - his melodies & tone are unmatched! He played my favorite classics like Ice 9, Always With Me/Always With You (played at our wedding), Surfing With The Alien, Time Machine, Flying in a Blue Dream, One Big Rush, and some new ones like: the showstarter - I Just Wanna Rock (not my favorite but appropriate to open with to a crowd going), Asik Vaysel - really neat sound to this one!

I won't claim ownership of this pic but it captures well two legends!

I had no idea who the opening act Mountain was until clicking in while playing Rockband that Mississippi Queen was their song! Both Corky Laing & Leslie West of Mountain were entertaining but were joined by perhaps the most annoying bass player I have ever seen. He was a good player but seemed to think his 5 braids at the top of his head were a circus act as he twirled them repeatedly. Corky - apparently from Montreal - entertained the audience by firing about 40 drumsticks into the audience towards the end of their set. Leslie is still an accomplished vocalist & guitar player but has no clue about starting songs smoothly - his solos were cooking but intros & endings were brutal.

Satriani clearly was who most people came to see and my jaw was on the floor consistently...it was good to see Stuart Hamm back Joe up on bass. Very inspirational player - although he seems to have aged the most between the two. Joe is 52 years old and Stu 48 apparently but I would have sworn it was the reverse.
I still have my concert ticket stub from July 13/1990 - $24.75 at the Concert Hall. Ticket prices apparently have sky-rocketed with this show at Burton Cummings Theatre ringing in at $45 not including taxes & entertainment fees. Having said that - compared to Tom Petty and some of the other shows - that's cheap!
I haven't found a good setlist for the show - if I find one I'll post it! Here's another review of the show.

Sheryl Crow Concert - 9/27/08

It seems Wendy & I have become regular concert goers as of late. We had amazing seats for the Sheryl Crow concert - 5th row on the aisle in line with the stage in the 106 section - basically about 30 feet away from center stage. She definitely is a great entertainer, musician and interacted well with the Winnipeg audience. The favorites were definitely her classic tunes but some of her new songs definitely caught our ear as well. Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo fame opened up the show with some of his solo hits and a couple of Blue Rodeo tunes from the vault as well. He has an amazing voice and super-talented musicians surrounding him. Wendy & I have seen Blue Rodeo a few times back in the day and so it was get to hear Cuddy again. Here's a local review for those interested.

Sheryl's website listed this as the setlist:

GOD BLESS
BABYLON
LOVE IS FREE
CHANGE
VEGAS
STRONG ENOUGH
CAN'T CRY
MOTIVATION
MISTAKE
GASOLINE
NEIGHBORHOOD
DETOURS
I SHALL BELIEVE
HAPPY
OUT OF OUR HEADS
SOAK
WINDING ROAD
****************************************
ALL I WANNA DO
ROCK AND ROLL

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Aug 9/08

The show was fantastic sonically & visually and Tom Petty connected well to the Winnipeg audience.
The shot above you can see the cool backdrop (U2 videobeads) and the cubes that projected video or images. A very cool stage set-up from my perspective. The Steve Winwood set seemed to lag somewhat compared to Tom Petty and although the musicianship was top-knotch - Winwood didn't seem to connect as well to the crowd. He just doesn't have the long-term radio hits that TP & H have.
I love this shot - I find that my little point&shoot digital works better with more light projected - especially white light. It was great to have two songs with Winwood joining Petty (The Heartbreakers are probably the best backing band you could ever have - eg. Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash) - a lot more energy than when he was with his band. All in all a great rockin' show that Winnipeg loved!
Here's the setlist:

1.　You Wreck Me
2.　Listen To Her Heart
3.　I Won't Back Down
4.　Even The Losers
5.　Free Fallin'
6.　Mary Jane's Last Dance
7.　End of the Line
8.　Can't Find Way Back Home (with Steve Winwood)
9.　Gimme Some Lovin' (with Steve Winwood)
10.　Saving Grace
11.　Breakdown
12.　Honey Bee
13.　Learning to Fly
14.　Don't Come Around Here No More
15.　Refugee
- encore -
1.　Runnin' Down A Dream
2.　Mystic Eyes
3.　American Girl

A shot of Wendy, Mandy, Sarah, and the crowd at the show!

Recap of Birthday

I worked for most of the morning - so much prep ahead yet but had set aside the afternoon for my daughter Aimee's birthday. We had "A"-shaped pancakes for breakfast thanks to the creativity of Wendy and the plan was unveiled to AJ that we would be going to Tinkertown & she could bring along her friend Piper. Aimee was so stoked! We spent almost 3 hours enjoying an assortment of rides and Zach actually went on a few as well. I'm not sure why they insist playing that crappy country pop stuff - pretty annoying music. It was a cooker too - 28 degrees C. We of course snacked on the famous donuts & some ice cream treats. Then it was off to Applebee's - Aimee's favorite restaurant! Nothing fancy for the girls - grilled cheese but I enjoyed the Lime Chicken & Wen had some Chicken Fettuccine. We followed that with a driveby to get a castle cakepan at a store, then off to ToysRUs for a birthday gift and party supplies. Wen will host a "princess" party next week for Aimee & some of her friends - this week just slipped away on us and we weren't able to get it all going. So there ya have it 08.08.08 - a great day for a birthday escape!

08.08.08

Interesting numerical date today - start of the Olympics in Beijing and also my daughter Aimee's birthday! Lots planned for today!

Anything's Possible!

The Vacation Is Over - Sort Of

Well it's back to work as of today after another couple weeks of holidays - most spent at Star Lake. I managed to squeeze in a great mtn bike ride in Ingolf with Pat for a couple hours - around 20kms I'm guessing and although I haven't ridden as much as I'd like - most of my rides have been good.

I've done some road-riding with my buddy Paul as well and actually did a 40km "Magic" Loop today. I hope to get in some more riding before the semester picks up in September - I made some adjustments to my mtn bike that have helped make it a better ride as well.

So what have we done as a family over the past number of weeks? We did a trip out to Edmonton/Calgary/Banff to visit friends/family/mountains which was pretty epic. The kids especially enjoyed the view from on top of the mountain we "gondala'd up" and hopefully gave them a good taste of future hiking trips up mountains.

We've done some work to our house - including a couple garage sales to help us simplify and simply get rid of some accumulated stuff. We still have more of that to do though - hard getting rid of possessions - not sure why though? It seems as soon as one gets rid of something we tend to replace it. It's the classic "fill-the-box-you-have" phenomenon that I see played out in rooms, houses, and even hard-drives!

I think spending time at Star Lake or in our backyard have been the most family-oriented & relaxing though. Amazing how the "great outdoors" does that - recharges you!

Holidays & Blogging

You'd think with some "extra" time on my hands I'd be blogging more often - apparently not. I do want to record though that I went to two great concerts this week. Tuesday - my cousin Alex and I enjoyed Jimmy Eat World at the Burton Cummings Theatre - seats could have been better but they put on a great show.

But the best show I've been to in a long time was this past Friday with Mark Knopfler (of Dire Straits) at the Concert Hall - amazing, amazing, amazing musicians & incredible tonality & sound! Thanks much S & D for the invite and getting the tickets. I just love shows that exhibit such amazing musicianship & class. Definitely up there with The Police show I saw last fall.
Update: Courtesy of Isaac - a setlist!

Cannibals
Why Aye Man
What It Is
Sailing to Philadelphia
True Love Will Never Fade
The Fish and the Bird
Hill Farmer's Blues
Romeo and Juliet
Sultans of Swing
Song for Sonny Liston
Marbletown
Speedway in Nazareth
Telegraph Road
Encore:

Brothers in Arms
So Far Away
Going Home (theme from Local Hero)

We've managed to squeeze in two garage sales which I've officially nicknamed Purge-itory - not convinced I'd be willing to do that again. Great making space & getting rid of some excess possessions but really time consuming. Celebrated with taking in the fireworks on July 1st here in Steinbach and escaping down south to Grand Forks for July 4th & my Grandma's 80th birthday.

I haven't done as much riding as I'd like - hope to escape sometime tomorrow - we'll see! We're enjoying a great summer though!

The Sandilands Fire

Okay, so I know I mentioned the fire in a previous post but I haven't posted any pics as of yet. I'm still not sure what the outcomes will be from this fire. Obviously forest fires can be a natural thing and clear out the old to allow for new growth to occur but when fires happen through careless means (like ATV derbys held in provincial parks?) I get a little steamed. I already was upset from all the erosion caused by ATVs - especially in soil as easily disturbed as some of the sandy areas in the Sandilands.

The pic below is taken courtesy of my friend Pat at a section on what call the Race Trail as that is where our local mtn bike race association has held cross-country races. About 70% of the trail has been effected by the fire - some sections completely charred, other sections not as bad but I'm assuming with time - most of the trees will not recover & eventually be pushed over by winds.

Below is my lovely steed - with a backdrop of a burnt stand of pine trees & some curious "sand-boils" - which conveniently made a great place to stand up my bike in.

This is the trailhead to the race area which isn't as damaged but the heat cooked the needles of the pines and thus they are changing colour.

A close-up of the coloured-needles.

And this last shot is a picture of a different trailhead - we call the black single-track - it actually is a trail that comes of the black ski-trail.I'll post some more pics in the future...including some melted ski-signs.

Failure Is A Risk But A Necessary One

A buddy of mine had this posted and after my string of "risk-related" posts I couldn't resist including it here on musings as well. It captures well some famous failures.

The Story of Stuff

Okay - you need to go to The Story of Stuff site and see the full scoop...amazing video that captures well what is happening in our consumer-possessed world. We have way too much stuff and we buy way too much crap. And most of the damage has happened in the last 100 years. It almost seems we need to hit the reset button or something...I'm still angry about the fire in my park. 600 ATVs trashed 8000 acres of forest through their actions - I don't even understand how they have access to a park from all the erosion their spinning tires cause never mind the fire-starting potential. A good number of trails for hiking & mtn biking have been incinerated.

New Word Tool - Visuwords

As a writer, researcher, and teacher I am naturally connected to the "world of words." I stumbled across Visuwords earlier today and I'm wondering if it might be useful in exploring concepts & even inspiring ideas. You simply enter your chosen word into the search box and the online graphical dictionary whirs and spits out a "live picture" of linked words that shows a relationship with other words & kind of provides a context for each word you explore. Take for example the word adventure:

Four Questions To Consider When Dealing With Risk

I read Ben Carson's book Take The Risk back in November last year and my last post reminded me of Carson's thesis when considering risk. It was one of those amazing finds in airport bookstores that I sometimes am blessed with. I think it was on my way to Atlanta or on the way back that I found it. Very good read! I think Tony Dungee does the forward and hey any book on risk is bound to attract a danger addict like myself.
Carson is a neurologist who faces risks headlong everytime he operates - ever wonder how a brain surgeon deals with the life/death question with patients - read the book. Carson suggests these four questions to consider when dealing with risk:

What’s the best that can happen if i do this?

What’s the worst that can happen if i do this?

What’s the best that can happen if i don’t do this?

What’s the worst that can happen if i don’t do this?

Quote: Helen Keller on Security

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. . .Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. . . Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."

- Helen Keller, deafblind American author, activist and lecturer

It's All About Perspective

Exploring Thailand

Hey all in blogland (the half dozen of you who lurk this haunt every now and then)! I'm off to Thailand for two weeks and leave tomorrow for a flight to Vancouver-Hong Kong-Bangkok-Chiang Mai. I'll be traveling with a group of young adults from my church and volunteering at an orphanage/school/camp and our team will be presenting some music/drama/dances/crafts etc. It will be tough to be away from my family so your prayers & thoughts are appreciated! I doubt that I will have time to blog but I'll keep a journal and post it when I get back.

Sandilands Ride

I got in a fast & furious ride on the race trail this afternoon - cool temps & a stiff wind but I was sweating up the steeps and grinning down the descents. Always good to be out on my bike - about 8kms so not a lot of distance but did it well under an hour.

Nice Spin in the Sandilands

It seems a few different muscle fibres are used for mtn biking than road biking as I'm feeling a little fatigue tonight after a quick 9km ride earlier this evening on the race trail in the Sandilands. Amazing how the climbs were so easy in the fall compared to spring. Good to have the trails in great shape - I just need to get back there more often it seems for my fitness to get back on track.

Getting Back Cycling Legs

I love escaping on my bike but I hate the process of getting back ones' legs. 47 kms today will have helped some - even though I'm wiped right now!

Exploring the Music of the Eighties

It almost feels like I'm confessing when I admit I grew up as a teenager in the 80s but clearly it has shaped my taste in music. Being born in the 70s & the influence of my Dad's listening tastes exposed me to Johnny Cash & Elvis which I am forever grateful - interestingly on 8-track. I still have that machine somewhere in a box in my house.

But it was in the 80s that I heard the sound of U2, R.E.M. & the Police - post-punk and the new rock of the era. Both bands remain on my playing lists along with a number of other lesser known bands of the 80s. The 80s also birthed a new type of hard rock or metal that some now refer to as glam rock or hair bands. So Van Halen, Giant, White Lion, Stryper, White Cross, the Scorpians, Def Leppard, Queensryche, & others influenced my love of screaming guitars. As I write this the fluid melodies of Joe Satriani provide me with an inspiring background of sound.

Thankfully - it wasn't all metal being played on my walkman or stereo. Some musician friends exposed me to Canadian folk rock artist Bruce Cockburn which led me to others more eclectic music like the 77s, the Choir, INXS, Mark Heard, Neil Young, Tom Petty, the Traveling Wilburys, Peter Gabriel, Dire Straits, Paul Simon, Larry Norman, and thank God - Bob Dylan! I think this balanced out my taste in music and I moved beyond one category of music.

Fast forward to the late 90s and the 00s and I realized I did miss a whole category of music from the 80s with my focus on hard rock/metal/americana. This category is in the same vein as early U2 & the Police - a post-punk that morphed into what some call new wave. Some examples that I consider favorites in this genre include: Echo & the Bunnymen, the 77s, the Cure, the Smiths, and interestingly just this last week I discovered the band The Feelies. These bands influenced so many bands of the 90s & the 00s and have impacted me as well.

Music for me is an ocean of sound that I love to swim in and occasionally just get lost in & dream. The soundtrack of my life is varied and includes more genres than I dare to list right now. A post for another time is how the 90s further blew wide open my tastes. I love rediscovering music either I'd forgotten about or haven't heard in awhile or music that somehow I missed. As a musician and an audiophile - it really is one of my escapes.

To Bike is To Explore

I'm super-stoked that my daughter Chelsea has finally mastered the art of cycling...she was really close to it clicking last fall and would go about 10 or so feet by herself. But now she is able to start on her own, safely do circuits and come to complete stop without wiping out! We've had a cold spring so far but we've taken advantage of plus temps.
I went for a nice 36km loop myself on the road bike with Pat & Paul - strong wind but it helped a bit on the stretch home. Gotta love two wheels for exploring this planet! I still remember my dad teaching me to bike on our front lawn and that feeling of freedom once I got the hang of it. I'm so proud of my daughter in how she is confident on her bike as well. The girl is fast - and I've taken up running apparently to keep up!

Bloodthirsty Loons...

So I read an article in the Free Press the other day that a Loon can actually be a pretty aggressive bird when another Loon encroaches their territory. I came across another article online that says the same thing - I had no idea! I'll never hear the call of a loon as being that of a cry out to a lost lover as has also been surmised. It may be in fact a call to war! Loons have been known to fight to the death - piercing another loon through the chest and into the heart. I'm not sure I can look at a Loonie the same way again either.

Quote a Three Year Old - Amazing Stuff!

Our little AJ has some amazing quotes: today she told me I should maybe close my laptop so it doesn't get dried up. "Don't get it all dried out daddy - because then you can't press things." I asked her why i wouldn't be able to press things & her response was, "Because God made it, painted it, cleans stuff for us too, and makes stuff for us, and papers for us to draw on, boots, Dora,..." I'm not sure how the two are connected.

Carpe Diem - Harvest the Fruit - Seize the Day

iPod Game

Okay so here's the classic inspired by a former classmate - pull out your iPod & advance your shuffled playlist for each question.

1. What does next year have in store for you? Closer to You - The Wallflowers. This definitely is a song about intimacy & introspection. Sounds good to me!

2. What do you say when life gets hard? Race against Time - U2. This track has an amazing bassline that just drives & builds. This song is almost unknown instrumental with one real line "race against time" - I can hear me listening to this song while road-biking; good pace! As a side note - the song was originally released as a B-side for Where the Streets Have No Name.

3. What does your love life look like next year? Into Your Hideout - Pilot Speed - cool indy band I saw & heard open up for MuteMath in the fall. The song is about tearing walls down which I'll equate to continue to getting to know my lovely wife better and better.

4. Song that reminds you of good times? Out of Time - Jason Collett - another indie artist who I heard through Paste Magazine which sends me good music monthly along with an alright rag. This song fits in the rock-americana vein - a modern day Springsteen (definitely some Dylan influence) - good bass line here too. Reminds me that the good times are fleeting.

5. What do you think when you get up in the morning? Watch What You're Doing - Larry Norman - I loaded up some classic rock from the 70s after Norman passed away this past month. Classic blues rock song and great reminder to think before acting - especially as a teacher. If you know the song - amazing humour & great guitar tone.

6. What song will you dance to at your wedding? From West Texas - Explosions in the Sky - amazing song that drips with emotion, reflection, but I'm not sure it would be the best song to dance to - definitely would be a slow dance.

7. Song that reminds you of your first kiss? No One Like You - David Crowder Band - ha! I love it - it's actually a worship-type song that praises Yahweh with how Beautiful He is! I would say our first kiss was a God-inspired moment so it fits. I find a lot of love songs reflect well my relationship with the Creator. "There's never been anyone like you!"

8. Your favorite saying? We Are the Sound - The Afters. Hmm, it's a great song - I suppose it's somewhat about speaking up & about not giving up. It's not my favorite saying but I'm all for speaking up and not giving up.

9. Favorite place? Natural Beauty - Neil Young. Talk about eclectic and an amazing acoustic song by the legend from Winnipeg. This is a sad song and I have to admit being in that place is normally not where I'd like to be but I do know I learn from such circumstances. It seems my songs are all about seizing the moment - carpe diem.

10. Most Missed Memory? Norwegian Wood - The Beatles. Wow, trippy & reflective - gotta love the fab four. Admittedly this one takes me back to high school & the flirting in the hallways. Talking to girls, holding hands, etc.

11. What song describes your best friend? Jump - Van Halen. What? How'd that get in the mix...let's put our hands together for the Winnipeg Jets! Memories of a high school dance that wasn't was but was, seeing VH in the Winnipeg Arena twice...how does this describe my best friend? Well I have a few...I won't mention their names but it does capture the thrill of adventure we've experienced in life!

12. What song describes your ex? Good Intentions - Toad the Wet Sprocket. I think we both wanted things to work out but mistakes were made and the relationship died. Song is fitting - linked to era. I actually don't have too many regrets though years later as it all led to future decisions that has forever changed me. Oh and I skipped a couple tracks to get to this one...somehow the Hounds of Winter by Sting or God's Gonna Cut You Down by Cash didn't seem appropriate.

13. Where would you go on a first date? Ride - Cary Brothers. Great song that is all about escape - riding in a convertible with the top down is the picture I get or riding horses on some wooded trail.

14. Drug of choice? Hurt - Johnny Cash. Wow what a song. In my top 5 for sure - which is why it shows up on my iPod. This is a song about trying to escape but seeing the reality of hurt. My drug of choice has always been escape - usually on two-wheels or for a paddle - there is nothing like the high of surfing a wave or weaving through perfect single-track.

15. What song describes you? A Dream Like Mine - Bruce Cockburn. Hmm, again a bit of a Carpe Diem feel - imagining what could be. Love St. Bruce - seen three or four times and his lyrics ooze with depth & symbol. Great drums & bass - I love the subtleness of the surf guitar in this song.

16. What is the thing you like doing most? Synchronicity - The Police. Okay I saw these guys live back in November in Atlanta - they nailed this song! I love connecting things together when I teach - abstract things that somehow fit. I love connecting people together - & reconnecting people who have struggled in conflict. The thing i love most is teaching and so in a sense this song affirms that. Cool - I'll never look at this song the same.

17. The song that best describes the prime minister? Doomsday Clock - Smashing Pumpkins. Umm, okay that's a little freaky & no I didn't cheat on this one but I will say...I really haven't ever liked any politician anywhere. I don't think our prime minister is as scary as some country's leaders but can the power of leading any country be healthy? I definitely don't envy the responsibility that comes with such power.

18. Where will you be in 10 years? Typical - Mute Math. Ha! Okay I'm motivated by being unique and so my pet peeve is the typical. I love the music in this song and these guys put on an amazing live show!

"Come on, can’t I dream for one day
There’s nothing that can’t be done
But how long should it take somebody
Before they can be someone"

19. Your love life right now? Drunk With The Thought of You - Sheryl Crow. Okay, I'm laughing again. I love my wife and no she's not leading me to getting drunk - but I love the song's attempt at capturing being giddy with the thought of someone special - I think it is very Song of Solomon'ish. Love makes one do crazy things! Although I don't think this isn't a simple song about love & alcohol - it seems to be a song of unspoken love. I think in the busyness of being a dad, husband, & teacher - there are things unspoken & definitely times for escape! The song I wish I hit was Derek Webb's I Wanna Marry You All Over Again - great tune!!!

20. What is your state of mind like at the moment? The Book I Write - Spoon. I absolutely fell in love with this song when I heard it in the Stranger Than Fiction movie. This is the book I write - great line and absolutely apt.

21. How will you die? Bottom Line - the 77s. Okay hilariously there is a line, "I fall down every mountain I try to climb" that sounds pretty ominous. The bottom line is about "I'm going to live forever", about "I've got someone to love me forever" - interestingly these two lines are echos not captured in the liner notes. The bottom line for me is that I want to live my life to the fullest!

Spring's Thaw & Anticipating New Music

So here I sit marking & grading once again. I'm feeling pretty good about where I'm at in the academic year but more assignments to come. I know that grad will be here soon and I'll be sending off yet another crop of graduates - I am finding it tougher every year. I imagine it is similar to what it feels like for parents releasing their 18 year olds to college.

Well March is thawing away the snow & ice that has accumulated since winter's first kiss back in November. The sun is slowly warming the earth and revealing new growth. I'm longing for some new music and thankfully some has made its ways to my ears through I-tunes. I'm loving the new Daniel Lanois album soundtrack to Here Is What Is and hope to purchase the movie it accompanies today sometime. It definitely is growing on me similar to what Shine did.
Sheryl Crow's album Detour is good & upbeat but not mind-blowing. Good music to play in the background I suppose and some songs are stirring lyrically. Reminds me most of her first album - somewhat trippy & happy but plays with some darker & political themes as well. A bit over-produced though, she needs to get in the studio with Lanois or Burnett or Rick Rubin methinks.
It definitely does not have the depth musically of Norah Jones' Live in 2007 EP - not that it is surprising because Norah knows how to hit the soul of the ear. The new Jack Johnson Sleep Through The Static is in the same category as Sheryl Crow - good but everything feels revisited - I've heard this before sort of. I really think this is the worst album cover I've seen in a very long time. I bought the first JJ basically because I listened to two tracks and liked the cover. It isn't that it is a bad album and admittedly he pulls out an electric for some songs which is refreshing but I'm still hoping for a more defining album.

I'm looking for something original this Spring and I'm hoping the new Death Cab For Cutie due in May will be that. Their new single "I Will Possess Your Heart" definitely is interesting and is a good wake-up from the winter song. Great intro bassline that grooves & provides an amazing foundation for the song. An 8:36 single = crazy eh?
The Afters new album Never Going Back to Ok is good driving music - lots of depth musically and to a point lyrically. I'm loving Wintersleep - great "drive" in their music - particularly in "Oblivion" - reminds me somehow of The Hip. So what am I waiting for this spring? Well the new Coldplay, Death Cab For Cutie, and we'll see if the Counting Crows can bring a new sound to my ears. Here is to hoping? Oh and the U2-3D Imax film - definitely worth the ticket price - great sound & amazing videography. Not cheesy 3D but a little freaky at times - Bono kind of steps into your personal space at times. Great songs but at an hour and half - left me wanting more. I'm not sure though visually if I could have gone 2 hours in 3D. So surreal! I also am hoping U2 will finish up their new album for fall - fingers crossed.

Some Quotes Concerning Adventure:

"Remember what Bilbo used to say: It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." - J. R. R. Tolkien

"It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves - in finding themselves." - Andre Gide

"People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering." - St. Augustine

Time

Amazing how fast time flies when you are doing the things you love to do and how slowly the clock ticks when you find something monotonous or upsetting. My sixth year of college teaching is winding up and I'm in awe how fast things have gone. Wendy and I have three children who we dearly love and treasure - and they too are growing up so fast. Zachary is nearing that moment of walking - our baby will become a toddler. Chelsea & Aimee are both enjoying their transitions into kindergarten & preschool.

My birthday is today - March 9th. You blink and ten years whirs by eh? But I have very few regrets as I've lived a full life and want to continue to live in such a way. My heart for teaching continues to grow and I'm really struggling with seeing another group of students graduate. It is a bit like the "empty nest" syndrome that I experience every May. I hope my trip to Thailand with our church will off-set that a bit as I dive into another opportunity to challenge young adults - this time in a completely foreign culture.

Time has certainly past when I first met Wendy in our days at college & more meaningfully at camp. It twas' the God's Creation that put our two paths together, the stars, the dancing lights of Aurora Borealis, the reflection of it all in glassy waters. From the nervousness of new relationship to the warm comfort of being together for so long - it truly has been a miracle & so worth celebrating.

We've shared so many adventures together from traveling to the Caribbean, to Africa, to Costa Rica, and perhaps beyond in the future. From our time spent at Medeba exploring adventure sports & our leadership skills to building a home here in Manitoba - all of it has been stretching and rewarding. I'm in the midst of dreaming about sabbatical - a few years away and wondering where we'll be in the future. I know that I'll blink and our kids will be high school & exploring their own futures beyond our home. I hope I can still say "what a ride, what a ride!" and thank God for every minute I've had.

The Legend Brett Favre

It's tough to see a hero retire but my admiration for Brett Favre continues on. I love football - it is one of toughest sports out there and from my perspective not only the most physical but one that requires the most mental effort. Every player has a role to play and critical for any forward progress to occur. The quarterbacks, receivers & running backs get the majority of the accolades but each player on the team is necessary. I love that. I would encourage y'all to check out his retirement video as it truly reflects this man's love of the game.

Favre completes his 17-year career as the NFL's all-time leader in every significant career passing category - touchdowns (442), completions (5,377), attempts (8,758) and yards (61,555), plus wins (160). His 253 consecutive starts (275 including playoffs) is the NFL record for quarterbacks and the second-longest recorded streak in league history.The league's only three-time MVP, Favre led the Packers to 11 playoff appearances, including seven division crowns, four NFC Championship Games, two Super Bowls and a World Championship with a victory in Super Bowl XXXI.

Clearly, Favre was not only a three time MVP but also an "everyman" - a person that anyone could relate to. He was a legend but so down-to-earth & clearly fallible. He's a hero that I will expose my son to as a man to emulate - someone who although went through struggles, fought & won.
Favre ended his career with class & character. Will I wonder - what if he stuck around another year? You betcha! But I admire him going out on top.

I consider myself blessed to have actually seen Brett Favre & the Packers play on Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Football will not be the same without him and it will be interesting to see where the Pack ends up next season but I've been a fan of the Pack for close to twenty years - 16 of them Favre has been the QB - and I will remain a Pack fan.

Wendy & I in Green Bay, WI watching the team & game I love!

Ukuleles

An amazing song by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - got to love how a basic song structure can be used again and again. Did I ever share the story of taking ukulele lessons in Hawaii? I didn't go far in that scene but the ukulele is one of the many stringed instruments I've played.

Dealing With It...

So here I sit at my Dell watching my words spill out on to this blog post. I've been battling a cold all weekend, a migraine taking me out completely on Saturday. I had the lofty goals of going for a ski that day but no energy or willpower could be mustered due to my weakened state. So instead of exploring play outdoors - I've spent most of my weekend indoors. Even my body winces as I cough out, revealing a soreness throughout my back, neck & joints. I'll admit it freely that I'm a complete "suck" when it comes to being sick.

Tomorrow it is back to teaching and I still have some prep to do - might be time to go with a dvd back-up lecturer or a small group time. We'll see how it all works out. I also have much to do in preparing for this next weekends' retreat at Camp Arnes. I'm looking forward to connecting with some junior highers from my home area and hopefully encouraging them in their journeys through life.

I'm looking forward to traveling this spring to Thailand with a group of young adults from our church to do some teaching, construction, & help out an orphanage. I'm guessing the photo ops will be prime and perhaps my writing will get a good igniter as well. Traveling for me has always helped my musings on life.

I'm also looking ahead to a summer of outdoor play with my youngest child Zachary - he should be in full-on run mode by then, and my girls hopefully will be furthering their cycling abilities. So much to look forward to but lots to be done before then. Cheers to getting better and curses to this dreaded cough that threatens my very breath.

Kayak vid - Outta Africa

As most of you know I happen to love whitewater kayaking and although I don't get many opportunities to do it here in Manitoba when I get the chance I embrace it. Enjoy this video of a sport I hold dear.

Mountain Bike Vid - Bones Over Metal

So I'm not into huge jumps like these guys but I love the same sport and definitely am missing riding these days. Nothing better as a stress reliever than a good fast run on some singletrack or downhill run.

Happy Valentine's

Life keeps whirling on it seems this February...I love my wife, my daughters, my son, and all that God has graced me with from an amazing & inspiring job to the opportunities I have to travel, to keep adventuring, to encourage those I meet on this journey called life! I realize nothing I do is of value unless I love...and so this Valentine's I call out to planet earth - learn to love & learn to live! This video is a cool collection of postcards to postsecret - a library of broken hearts & mended ones. Enjoy!

5 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Kids Do

I've always loved how the element of danger makes life interesting. Without adventure I get bored and so I've always had my inner "curious george" get me into some sort of trouble. Danger, adventure, curiosity in my life have led to growth - it seems to have the best way for me to learn new ways of thinking, experiencing, & living. Whether its been in sport, in love, in education - the element of some risk makes the challenge of living life all the more rewarding.

Growing up beside a river meant adventuring was just a step outside my house, a small forest is the buffer between my parents' property and the slow winding river - a perfect place for bike trails, tree houses, forts, and the thrill of exploration. I have stories filled with adventures that helped develop who I am today - whether it has been my many journeys overseas to exotic locales like Paraguay, Israel, Ethiopia or trips spent engaging the elements like ice-climbing in the Adirondacks, whitewater kayaking the Ottawa River, Scuba-diving off the coast of Bonaire, or mountain biking down a volcano in Costa Rica, all of these journeys of risk have taught me something about life - it is meant to be lived to the fullest!

I love to read and many of my books have adventure inserted into their title or fit neatly in the category. A classic book of adventure is Coral Island by R. M. Ballantyne - a tale of shipwrecked adventurers who learn to survive and even thrive on some pacific island. My love of archeology was largely inspired from the exploits of Indiana Jones and yes, I'm looking forward to the fourth installment this coming May. (I should note I've traveled to a few of the locations used in Indy movies in the past and it looks like this one is using Brazil's Iguazu Falls which I visited in the early 90s).

I want to pass on my love of adventure to my kids and so I have collected the complete set of Enid Blyton's Book of Adventure series with titles such as The Valley of Adventure, The Mountain of Adventure, etc. - all books that inspired me as a young boy to seek out challenges & become a part of my own legendary stories. And so when I came across The Dangerous Book For Boys & The Daring Book for Girls - I knew I had to add them to our family collection of books.

The following TED video by Gever Tulley illustrates the need for danger in our kids' lives - enjoy!

Quote: Mark Twain on the Secret of Getting Ahead

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one."

- Mark Twain, humorist and author (1835 - 1910)

Grocery Store Wars

Okay this is a little cheesy but I chuckled so I'm guessing you might to...enjoy!

TED - Ideas Worth Spreading

A great website that promotes new ideas recently came to my attention. Great videos that I've accessed lately include speakers such as: J.J. Abrams (Creator of Lost, Alias, etc), Malcolm Gladwell (writer of Blink), Bono, Peter Gabriel, & Gever Tulley (5 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Children Do).

A Great Ski in the Sandilands

With our weather hovering just below zero for a few days I decided enough is enough - I gotta get out and ski. So Saturday afternoon I went for a tour on our local ski trails (the fly-in golf course) out my backyard for an hour and did another great ski of about 9kms this Sunday afternoon. I've been working out with my iPod - helps me keep up my pace during fast songs and slow down the pace for slow songs - still working on the ultimate workout mix, any suggestions? New semester starts tomorrow - we'll see if I can squeeze another ski before the deep freeze returns or if I'll be back on the bike trainer indoors.

From Russia With Love

A really cool story about a Russian couple reunited after 60 years apart due to Stalin's exile of people who didn't buy into communism. Check out the amazing reunion story of how they happened to meet in the village they were originally married .

King of the Mountain

"I've had a full and rewarding life. Life's a bit like mountaineering - never look down." - Sir Edmund Hillary (20 July 1919 - 11 January 2008)

Merging Blogs

Admittedly, I haven't been great at posting on either of my blogs since the arrival of facebook & other distractions so I'm thinking about streamlining my thoughts somewhat and just posting to this blog. But apparently there is no way of merging blogs other than copying and pasting each post - this would take a very long time! So anyone out there know how to do this more efficiently? Having said that - I'm not getting much in the way of comments since the advent of facebook either (or maybe this blog has become a wingless duck?) so I probably won't get an answer to my plea for help!

Album of the Year 2007

Scotch Mist - A Film With Radiohead In It (All of In Rainbows)


Did I mention that really like this album?

RIP

I'll be blogging now at musings and allowing this blog to wander cyberspace without my input. If I find ample time to move things over I may - cheers!

Happy New Year's Planet Earth!

Explore BBC's Planet Earth set to Sigur Ros & Explore Play!