Random Channel Surfing

So I haven't written anything in a long while. Well, technically I have written some things; I've written texts, emails, tweets, tags, and the occasional re-written sentence at work, but I haven't written anything of real (artistic) significance since I left Montreal. I'll admit it: I'm sad. I'm disappointed. I'm frustrated. I'm confused. I'm angry. I'm heartbroken. I'm melancholic. In short, I'm at another impasse in my life, one where the song "Should I Stay or Should I Go" is on loop. An impasse where so many conflicting emotions are at war--and frankly, I'm exhausted . I met with Char yesterday and I almost said, "my dreams are dying" when she asked how I felt post-Montreal. And yeah, I have a tendency to over-dramatize everything in my life, but I do feel that my changing -- sorry, evolving aspirations and dreams signals that something's wrong. It's awful and scary and I'm confused. I'm an...

This year's SONiC Boom has quite the lineup. Jack White. Death Cab for Cutie. The Arctic Monkeys. Tegan and Sara. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE. Foster the People. The New Pornographers. Stars. MS MR. July Talk. Oh. And DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE. There are more bands (obvi), but the amount of sheer excitement I feel over the bands I listed (one in particular... not sure you can figure which one I'm referring to...) is ridiculous! I thought going to Montreal for Osheaga would be enough, but no. Sonic had to go and book THE ARCTIC MONKEYS, FOSTER THE PEOPLE, AND DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE. I feel like I'm going to be thinking in caps for the rest of the week.

I love Melissa at FUSS. I'm being 100% honest when I say that she is one of the few people on this planet I trust with my hair. She has great vision, great taste and is oh so cool :) So yeah... it's safe to say I like this change.

The 24th Annual Edmonton International Film Festival started this weekend and I went to the screening of Sisters & Brothers , which was written by Edmonton-born director, Carl Bessai, who was all kinds of happy over having the movie screen in his hometown. I was very proud and happy to watch the film. Not only was the entire film improvised and low budget - something that was clearly obvious, given the limited shooting locations - but it was extremely well-acted and well-executed. The stories flowed seamlessly and the tone of the film was never lost on its audience. Funny scenes were funny. Sombre scenes were sombre. And hella awkward scenes were hella awkward. Now, our boy Cory? Extremely enjoyable to watch. Basically, he and Dustin Milligan played two brothers. Older brother Justin (Cory Monteith) has found fame being a Canadian mega movie star in Hollywood, while his younger brother, Rory (Dustin Milligan), has recently come back from Africa after a failed attempt at fam...

And I'm still not all that "wise." So what have I learned this past year in respect to the past, present, future, death, growth, my dreams and life in general? I've learned that I am even MORE romantic than I'd originally thought; that I dream big, but have my feet firmly on the ground; and that I spend more time reveling in the future and analyzing the past to really enjoy the present. My to-do list for the next year is to focus on the here and now. Enjoy being stuck in Deadmonton and keep my sights on Montreal. Sure, it won't be a while until I can move East, but I know I'll get there. As Paulo Coelho says in The Alchemist , "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." It's only a matter of being patient.

There's no denying that I love going to concerts. If there's an indie or alternative band coming through town, I'm there. Practically all of my money goes towards concerts and I'm happy with the way I spend my money (though I'm not gonna lie, I'd love going to shows for FREE!) Last night, Pilot Speed  was playing at Edmonton's KDays (or rather Capital Ex... the gross new name that city counselors bestowed on the fair in '06) and my lovely Arkells (from Dine Alone Records) were opening for them. Of course, Fabs and Luls (who were taking their lil sis and friend) were going to this show, too and we made plans to meet up and enjoy the festivities... I mean, the music. So we're waiting for Arkells to start, a few members of the band (who are acquainted with Fabs and Luls) wave in our direction and smile.  Now, I gotta say that yesterday was also the first day that it was BOILING hot in the city. Like, +30 hot! That's why we were all a bit taken abac...

Saint Alvia came through Edmonton on September 12, 2008... and boy, was it ever sweet!!! The boys from the former-Cartel (they recently changed their band name to Saint Alvia...) put on a great show (as can be expected from them, really!) and Fabiana, Lucina and I were lucky to chill with them backstage for a while. Anyway, they were opening for Against Me! and played before Japanthar. Interesting thing, I looooved Japanthar! This twosome was so impressive. They were a mix of electronic and punk-rock... But didn't sound at all like indie music... haha... I don't know if my comparison makes any sense, but regardless, I loved their set. Then, Against Me! came on. These dudes are ENERGETIC! I've seen them before (they opened for the Foos back in March). I love music!!

I hung out with my three best friends on Sunday night.  It was our Sex & The City  date.  While an enjoyable movie, it was so predictable. Near the end, I wanted to bitch-slap Carrie across the face when she... well, when the movie ended (I'm not spoiling it for anyone who hasn't seen it!). There is nothing worse than predictability in a movie. Anyway, other than the movie's predictability, it was a super-funny, much-needed, inexpensive date with my hunnies.  We talked about Nicole and my escapades... about my plans concerning my move to Montréal next summer... about Nicole's plan of following suit... about Jenn's wedding plans... about Janis' new boy. It's amazing how they make my life whole. We realized that night that my desire to live in Montréal has everything to do with the wonderful city and nothing to do with my stupid irrationality. *Fewf!* That was one twist in my story that I wasn't counting on... at least now I know.