The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side. [Hunter S. Thompson]

Currently Listening
A Rush of B-Sides to the Head
By Coldplay
see related

Several days ago, Stephen Harper [Canada's Prime Minister] had the pleasure--nay, the honour--of attending his first White House visit with President George Bush. In this meeting, Bush pledged flexibility and simplicity in implementing the passport requirement on the Canada-US border. This story would have a happy ending had Harper then pledged flexibility and simplicity in implementing the proper usage of his name.

*SIGH*

The truth is, GWB apparently thought it would be a nice gesture to call Prime Minister Harper, "Steve." It's a good thing Harper reigns over a peaceful, fun-loving, half-stoned nation like Canada. I imagine how nuclear missile testing talks might go if Bush busted out with "Kimmy" or "L'il Kim" at a meeting with North Korea's always-cheery Kim Jung-Il.

But ever bipartisan, I must say that, since coming to "power" after the last election, Prime Minister "Stevie" Harper is looking less and less like the West Coast Conservative Conscience, and more and more like Emperor Palpatine. Note:

             Harper: Present Day                     Harper: 30 Years From Now

Truly scary. I wonder at the fate of my country...

And that's all I've got, folks.

~DREW~

So, tonight I went to see 'Superman Returns' at the movie theatre. There are a certain few things in life that still create within me that pure and giddy childlike delight. To name a few: nachos, an ocean breeze, James Taylors' "Carolina In My Mind," and yes...going to the movies. It's such a strange mixture of pleasure and pain for me, however. I raise my expectations; things will be perfect. The lights will dim, after ten to twenty minutes sitting in anticipation (because any longer is uncivilized, and hard on the bottom in the long run). My fellow moviegoers and I will immediately cease our small talk, and for an average of two hours, all involved will enjoy a blissfully QUIET Hollywood creation.

Now, I realize that this can only exist in a perfect world. And while I'd love to lie and tell you that this perfect world is right here in Calgary....well, quite simply, it is not.  And while I'm thankful that the theatre does not reek of urine, or that I don't have to worry about rats nibbling at my feet (a throwback to my days in Malaysia), I do have a few complaints.

First, I have to ask: why is it that they serve the loudest possible snacks at theatres? Popcorn. In paper bags. The only thing I can possibly imagine that would cause me a greater amount of pain would be....oh, I don't know....say, if they boiled live lobster right there in the theatre, and you had to endure the high-pitched squeal of their slow deaths. Then you have all sorts of snacks packaged in plastic bags. Honestly, kill me! The noise is intolerable. I imagine at some point down the road, they might just install a small casino in the back, with some slot machines, and maybe even a low-stakes blackjack table. Cause honestly? Why not.

Next. I've never understood people who come to the theatre to talk. It's like some big cosmic joke! Like people who go to the swimming pool JUST to urinate. Of all the places I can think of to talk, this is probably near the very bottom of my list.  Lower than funeral and wedding ceremonies.  Lower, even, than at the dinner table with my grandpa, and that's saying a lot. Regardless, I find myself enraged by peoples' need for useless chit-chat during movies. What is so important that they must talk right then? Go to a coffee shop. Go see your therapist. A priest. All I know is that my patience is wearing thin, and the next poor frat boy wannabe who smacks through his bubbalicious to tell some double-digit IQ joke is going to regret it.

So I'm here to add one more thing to my list of things that create within me that pure and giddy childlike delight: If you would all just SHUT UP! Cause I swear to all that's holy and pure, a pimp slapping is in order. Cause that's just how I roll.

Peace Out!

~Andrew

Currently Listening
Something Always Goes Wrong
By Dntel
see relate

I'm at work. Done all my morning paperwork, and now I'm just bored. At least I WAS bored, until I came across what has got to be the funniest website since...well, I don't know. I nearly shat my pantalones for all the laughing I've done. My favourite quote to date is:

When the entire community of legal hookers in Las Vegas probably looked at you and said, "Girl, you are cheaper than top ramen," you have erred.

Anyway. That's really all I've got. I say I've completed all my morning paperwork, but it's 15 minutes away from technically being afternoon, and then I'm sure there will be more work. So I'm off. To eat. Exciting post, huh?! Wheee!

 Good Lord, why Argentina!! *sigh* Go, Germany!

So, I'm back from Germany, all safe and sound. I had a great time
there visiting with family and friends! It was altogether a very good
trip, though like I mentioned before, definitely bittersweet at times.
Enough about that. If you want to know more, email me. If not, great!

I'm going to come out and officially say: I'm cheering for Germany in this World Cup! Jawohl! Volare!

One of my group home kids just said to me: "I hope I'm not related to Hitler or George Bush." Heh!

Well kids, I don't have a whole lot to say. I'll write more when I do.

So, Germany is....just as I remember it. Except for all the people who made my experience here invaluable. Of course, I HAVE seen some of them. The Drakes, Shawn and Eric Newby, David Armstrong, Jeffrey Laughlin, Dunham, Luke Gibbons, Gail Palsky. So yeah...it's been great to see them!

As for the usual litany of holiday activities, I've been doing a lot of relaxing. I think in the upcoming week, I'll start visiting places that I love: Basel, Freiburg, Staufen, perhaps the Alps....who knows. Definitely at least France and Switzerland on several occasions. Who can tell? Regardless, I will take pics with reckless abandon.

Well, I suppose I don't have much to say. It feels odd to be back. It's my favourite place in the world, so it's strange that I feel sad (in a way) to be here. I reckon that, as I start visiting places which I associate with different people, this same bittersweet feeling will remain. It's always been a healthy exercise for me, though. It somehow helps me move past those strict associations, and enables me to enjoy the place for what it is.

So I'm out of here. Will I have a fourth fitful night of what can loosely be characterized as sleep? I hope not! Jet lag sucks.

~Drew

To some of you I owe emails.

To some of you I owe money.

However, you'll all have to wait: I'm off to Germany. Bis spater!

Cost (in gas) of commute home from work: $2.34
Slurpee at 7-11 on the way home from work: $1.69
Grocery odds 'n ends for dinner on way home: $9.98
Falling asleep at the wheel while waiting for the turn signal to turn green, and with a long line of cars behind: priceless.

I always thought it was funny when someone would insult another person, but use incorrect spelling and/or grammar to do so. It just instantly sabotoged their credibility. Take heed, wannabe cynics:

I rest my case.

*Sigh*

Addendum: As an aside, I've noticed that certain people rarely, if ever, comment on my site anymore. I wonder why. Have I unwittingly offended them? Do they not want to be linked to me, via comments, for all to see? Am I not good, hot, moral, hip, cool enough? Are they lazy? Are you lazy? Uhhh...have I neglected to comment on their sites, and now they don't/won't comment on mine? It's all very interesting. And by "interesting" I really mean "unfortunate." Maybe this is why I find Xanga to be so dull these days. Sometimes I feel like giving up on it altogether.