Elderly man's rendition of "Fix You" by Coldplay

Well folks, I have a special treat for you today. This alone made my week. I really hope you enjoy it because it left me on the edge of tears. Seriously, this is so incredibly poignant that it should make Coldplay's Chris Martin rethink his performing style... take note of the oxygen mask... Do enjoy!

Amsterdam

So, I know what you're thinking... and, well, it's true. Yes, Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen! What else could you have possibly been thinking???
It was a great weekend. Well, mostly. First off... thank God, Zues, Buddha, everyone, because my travels this time were incredibly PAIN-FREE! I'm very happy to say that I, not once, ran into trouble getting there or coming back...
Among many of the things I did and saw this weekend, the one thing I know I did for sure was turn 21. yea. woo hoo. hip hip hurrary, what have you... What's the big deal? I spent my 21st birthday in a gorgeous town, seeing the Modern Art Museum, the Anne Frank House, eating Argentinian Steak and going to bed early... who else can say that??? Who else has EVER had some very necessary peace and quiet on their 21st birthday? I sure can't think of anyone. Most people get incredibly trashed and not even remember what happened while ruining 6 or 7 drinks because of all the sick. Gross. Not me! I remember the city and everything that was in it! And for that reason, I had a fabulous time.

In a city who's reputation is stained by college, pot-smoking frat boys and films that only promote its stigma, I didn't know what to expect from this town. I just knew it would be a cool place to turn 21. Much to my surprise, I fell in love with most parts of this town. The city structure is a wonder on its own. It's a labyrinth of canals, winding streets and well preserved flats and buildings. The streets have 3 sections. The tram section in the middle, the car sections further out and then, the bicycle lanes. Oh, the Bikes! The ratio of bikes to cars is staggering! It's something like 2:1 Bikes:Cars. I loved it. They are everywhere! And they are relentless! I was meaning to rent one, but I thought I might not be able to keep up with the pace of those really tall, really good-looking Dutch. Yeah, they are great as well. The locals are amazing. Kind, laid back, gentle and sophisticated. I can't say enough about how much I loved the locals. They were a delight to meet.
So, I had a nice trip and do hope that the tarnished view of Amsterdam won't dissuade you from visiting such a cool city!

Also, if you do enjoy soft drugs... They are legal here. There are hundreds of "Coffeshops" that offer sales and places to consume them. What was interesting to me was how they didn't stick out like sore thumbs like I thought they might. The soft-drug world and the outisde/sober world seemed to be very much in harmony. Well, I guess the pot-smokers just stay out of peoples' hair... and the plant attracts thousands of tourists each year... So they're not complaining!

But, here are some pics from my trip!

Casino Royale: 007

So I saw it.
It was really good.
Very Film Noir.
It was funny, dramatic and charming.
The best Bond in a long long time.
I love Daniel Craig.
He actually makes Bond look human.
No gadgets, no fancy glamour.

Just Bond.

Go see it!

Cool Video

Hey guys,

Here are a couple of cool videos I've seen in the past day. Things are going really well for me at the moment. School is getting more and more serious... with final projects looming in the distance... But I'm hanging in there. Here's something to whet your palette until Amsterdam this weekend!

The first is a video from the Vancouver Film School:


This next video is of the Cure performing one of my newest favourites by them...

Cheers folks!

Pan's Labyrinth

OK,

I know I posted something today already, but I just came accross this trailer. Let's just say that I haven't goosebumps like this since watching the trailer for Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers... This is the kind of filmmaking I want to get into. Beautiful fantasies with stories that are not just for kids... I hope to see this film at midnight! I'm such a dork. Hopefully you'll enjoy it as much as I have... Here it is:

Liverpool

Hiya folks,

Well, I must inform you of my most recent adventure. During this episode, your brave explorer traveled to "The Most Cultural City in Europe 2008" of Liverpool. This time, his beautiful assistant accompanied him as he delved into the lives of the city's most famous sons... The Beatles! Well, delve would NOT be the word to use. Instead... visited their city and saw one attraction would be more appropriate. But, it was very enjoyable and fulfilling. We did the "Beatles Story" museum at Albert Dock in Liverpool Merseyside. Here, we meandered through a labrynth of original Beatles instruments on a chronological journey through their lives narrated by Paul McCartney, Brian Epstein and many others. It was fabulous to say the least. I saw some original guitars... a perfect replica what the "Cavern Club" and its connecting "Matthew Street" would have looked like back in 1958 where the Beatles played over 250 times... and a authentic pair of John Lennon's glasses that he wore during the filming and recording of "Imagine". It was very very well done. I also purchased a road sign of "Penny Lane" for £4.99.... WELL worth it!

Unfortunately, we were not able to see the sites where John, Paul, George and Ringo grew up... I wanted to... but the bus tickets sold out for the tour... and, it later that night, Liverpool's finest weather pissed down on us and blew us out of our "wellies"... So, next time. But, we did have a nice pub meal and saw the town. So, it was worth it.

Now I'm back and I have laundry, cleaning, finances, e-mails, registration and an ESSAY to attend to. I bid you Adieu.

Oh, my pics this time are a bit rubbish.... save for one... you'll know... John Lennon did this in a pic in front of the Statue of Liberty....

Pages from My Sketchbook

Here are a few samples from the sketchbook I have been so diligently keeping over here:

More London

Hey,

Well, the dust has finally settled from the Stampede that was this weekend. My 3 friends from school back in DePere, WI USA visited and also brought their 2 roommates... much to my surprise... For I had merely one bed and a single room to offer them... But, somehow, we managed to cram 5 grown men into a very tiny room. 2 on the bed and 3 on the floor. I'm just glad I was able to sleep on my flatmate's floor! Luckily for them we didn't spend a whole lot of time in the room or flat... We spent most of it galavanting around Foggy London town... which happened to be the nicest and suniest weekend I have seen sicne being here! It's finally turned to fall and it's just beautiful out... Very suitable weather for my USofA friends. Here are some pics from the weekend:

...The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, Me passing from the Muggle world into the Magical World of Harry Potter, The Tower Bridge at Night, Southside of Westminster Bridge, North bank of the Thames, Changing of the Guard, More Trafalgar Square Action!, St. Pancras Tube Station, and My First Love: "Stella"....

The Americans Are Coming!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

3 of my friends from SNC are coming to visit this weekend. They are also bringing their two roommates with them to further cause havoc on my little English world... So, I'll be showing them around London this weekend... You know, the SIGHTS. It should be interesting. I'm looking forward to further delving into and meandering through my precious metropolitan concrete jungle.

They should arrive any minute now actually... So, wish me luck. I'm gonna try to get some pictures this weekend of... London. So you can further see me in my 5 month habitat!!!!

Hannah, this is for you. I saw this in a store in Camden the other day and... well, BAWLED!!!!!!!!! boohoohoo. just kidding. But, I thought of you. Because it's Sigur Rós... featuring a video of all OLD PEOPLE! so, do enjoy.

And for the rest of you. Thanks for reading. I really appreciate it. And feel free to e-mail me whenever. I'd love to see who's reading my stuff! Thanks again

Here's that video:

New Shins Album!

For those of you who listen to music and haven't been hiding under a moss-covered boulder for the past few years, then you may have come accross a band by the name of the Shins. They are the kings of indie rock currently and have 2 albums under their belt... I highly reccommend both.

It has just reached my ear that their new album has been leaked... And because I'm so nice, here's the link to download the .zip file: Love you!

http://www.mediafire.com/1f44ipamulg

New Order Kick...

Here's my favorite song by New Order that I heard them play live on Friday... Just to give you an example... and see why they're the best band ever!

New Order/Maximo Park!!!

Hey Guys,

I saw New Order play last Friday Night at Wembley Arena in Middlesex... very near my school and very near London. It was an amazing gig... truly. A band called Maxïmo Park opened for them... they also happen to be one of my favorites from the past year... It was really a cool experience. Maximo played just about everything off their only LP plus a few new songs. Joe and I had standing spots in the very very front on the railing! It was incredible! We basically drank all night and listened to amazing music. Then, New Order came on.... They left us absolutely stunned.... They played all my favorites and also played 4 Joy Division songs including "Love Will Tear Us Apart"!!! Yeah, this song basically changed the world of music... and I heard it LIVE! Anyway, it was a great experience!

Oh, and the crowd consisted of short, fat, bald white men... And I got fondled, grappled and elbowed by most of them...





Here's a clip from the song "Love Will Tear Us Apart":

Wales pics

Hey Guys,

Here are some pics from the fabulous Wales!

Wales

Hey Y'all,

Just wanted to let you know that I went to Wales this weekend and had a marvelous time. I saw the sea, ate AUTHENTIC Fish and Chips, ate AUTHENTIC Bangers and Mash (Sausages and Mashed potatoes in gravy... mmmmm), saw the sea and walked along the beach. For those of you familiar with Coldplay, their video "Yellow" takes place on a beach very similar to the one I saw.... Incredible. It's a cozy country. The people (I saw) are very hospitable and kind, the food is delicious, the scenery is gorgeous, the weather is a bit dodgy (RAIN and GALE FORCE winds!) and the B & B's are fantastic. I only stayed two nights, but it was amazing. I'm going to post the pics once I get my friends to give me copies of their pics... Cuz I ... I.... I... silly me, forgot my memory card! Oh, well, Pics to come! (and Rome too)

Have a great day everyone!

Here's that video:

Rome

Ciao!

So, last weekend was my big trip to visit my college buddies Booger, Matt and Jeremy in Rome. They are studying there for their Study Abroad Experience... kind of like how I'm in foggy London Town.

It was a great time. I left Thursday afternoon and barely made my flight. I was caught editing an advert for the Student Television Station "Smokescreen TV" at Westminster and was about an hour later than I wanted to be... Not Cool. But the advert turned out great!... So, I get to Stanstead and the queue (line) is a good 600 deep for security. A good 2 hours maybe. Not cool. I had 20 minutes before my flight was scheduled to leave... So, I waited... sweating bullets and twiddling my fingers... then, I did the UNTHINKABLE. I cut the queue. O No O My! I know that's what you are thinking. yes, and that's what the English also think... I was not very well received... but sometimes you have to break a few silly rules. And thank God I did or I wouldn't have made my flight! I ended up SPRINTING about a half mile across the airport to barely make my flight 10 minutes late... And thankfully, there were many in a similar situation... so the plane would have waited a good 10 minutes more. Thank you RyanAir!

I get to Rome. It's absolutely gorgeous. well, filthy, but, the Sheer Grandeur of the buildings and the Epic Empire-like feel to the squares, boulevards and statues. I was in awe. It is much nicer than Athens... with a similar historic feel. The filth that you see almost adds to its charm... I think. It gives it character and age. I met my friends...we walk to their apartment. And, much to my liking, it was one block from the Vatican! Yeah, St. Peter's Basilica is in clear from their front door. So, I spent alot of time snapping pictures of the square.

So, when in Rome do as the Romans do... right? Well, I did. If you consider drinking loads of wine, eating loads of pizza and walking well over 5 miles a day doing as the Romans do, then I am right to say so. Each night we went out on the town and they showed me the places they like to party. The life is a rare treat. It's loud, it's got character and charisma. I loved it. Gypsies, Hobos, Drunken American Stupid Heads (My Friends) and Tiny Cars. It was a fun time.

THEN, on Sunday morning, my friend Molly, Matt and I attended the Canonization of 4 Saints. We rose at 5am sharp with a solid 2 hours under our belts... We then waited in line with something like 10,000 Mexicans. I felt like a Giant. Viva Mexico! they kept shouting. Aren't we here to honor the Saints and see the Pope? Not to promote Nationalism... Anyway, they were harmless. But, we eventually got into the square at 8am... 2 hours of waiting, then at 10am the Pope arrived. That was cool. He wasn't in his Pope-Mobile... but out there in the open with everyone. I thought that was pretty neat. We then sat through a 3 hour Mass... yeah. I'm definitely going to Heaven now. That was more than enough. It was something that not everyone sees in their lifetime... so I was very happy to be there.

So, I left Rome with High hopes and a positive look on a great city. Those high hopes would soon take a turn for the worst...

I'm not sure if these things happen simply because the gods of blogging hate me and find it necessary that I suffer for the sake of my readers... nevertheless, they continue to exist with outstanding strength and vigilance. So, I get to the airport... after MAJOR bus delays... I almost missed my flight again. Not a cool way to start the Voyage.... I get there, pay 10 E for my stupid tiny bag to be checked in... cuz of liquids or some shite. Fine fine. that's cool. I proceed, listening to my FlyPod. Time passes, the plane is delayed a few hours. At least the people around me can speak English... I do my European Cinema Reading. The plane comes, we fly, I read Generation X by Douglas Coupland and laugh out loud. My mood has returned to ok again. It's about 11 pm. We land. We exit. Things are good. My FlyPod is making me happy with a little tunage. I see the queue for customs... a good 200 ppl. yeah, and each one of them is being interrogated heavily. I keep my cool and whip out Douglas Coupland again. An hour later, I'm through customs and ready to grab my TINY bag and return home... Not so easy. My bag is NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. rats. or worse £^%$^%$%$£$%@!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, it's missing. And RyanAir has shut down for the night. It's 1:45 am. What??? Shut DOWN? I then proceed to look for a bus home... Shut Down as well. Trains??? Shut Down. I'm stuck here. £*£&(! k, keep your cool. It's ok. I get the number to call and am told to call after 6am, cuz that's when Baggage opens. K, cool. Not. I wait until 5:30, catch the first train home. I walk into my London flat at 7:45 am. I call the baggage office later that day and complain. The bag still hasn't arrived. It contained my cellphone, my power converter and my essential toiletries. cool. but, it'll be here soon. I'm still recovering from my lack of sleep this weekend... 2 hours in two days. That's a record for me. Love it!

But, don't get me wrong, it was quite the experience and I had a wonderful time. thanks for reading.