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Recollecting my thoughts to July 1st…

I awoke to a haze of disarray as I realized that Vero was leaving today. Uh…this sucks. But at the same time, a relief since we managed to score a couple of nights at a hostel.

I think Vero and Brad left with these romantic notions of Europe and thought they would backpack across Europe and camp everywhere. While this is an awesome idea, sometimes it can’t be the case unless you either a) Camp outside of the city or b) Sleep in a city park. 😉

Who am I kidding, I had these same notions before going to Europe. In our culture, Europe is hyped up to be some magical wonderland. I’m not saying it isn’t cool, it is! But it’s just like everything else in a way – it still has cities, there’s still maps to follow and you still pay to get around.

ANYHOW, I spent the better part of the day listening to the new Pumpkins album which had leaked that day on ‘The Net’. EXCITEMENT! 7 years since their last album…it is killer.

Vero came over and we watched the bungee jumping video and did some errands before picking up some St. Hubert before heading to the airport.

The airport was pretty well dead and we hung out there for an hour before she decided to go to the security checkpoint. Random memory – someone taking a picture of their friend in front of the checkpoint and the security guy coming out and telling them to leave. Woops!

Seeing Vero was hard but it wasn’t until she actually went through the checkpoint and I couldn’t see her that it kinda hit home for me. I think all along while she was leaving I was putting up this reassuring exterior to myself so that she wouldn’t freak out too much. I would be freaking out if I were in her shoes…so I just put on my ‘It’s going to be alright” hat for the time being. But as soon as she was gone all her fears kind of set in upon my mind and I was thinking “Holy mackerel! She’s going to Europe!”

It wasn’t until I got an email from her a few days later saying she was alright that everything settled back down in my mind. Now all I’m thinking about is how I’m sitting in an office all day, going to school at night, while she gets to explore a different country. JEALOUS!

After the airport, I headed over to Carrie’s where a game of Family Feud was going on. We then headed out to the karaoke bar which ended up being CLOSED (on Canada Day!) so we headed over to Local Heroe’s where we played a few games of pool (where we all won by default. We suck) and I had a decent montreal smoked meat sandwich. Highlight of the night included me dropping the cue on the edge of the table and it smacked me right in the nose. The guys had a good laugh at that!

After that, we cabbed it home once again and the next day we moseyed around the house until Eric showed up and we filmed my school project all day long. We said goodbye to the guests around 3PM as the caravan brought all our vehicles back from Carrie’s place. We managed to finish up filming around 8PM that night. I’d like to send a shout out to Mike, Annie and Eric for helping out during the day of filming. So far, I’m would say I’m 80% done done the project which is pretty good since it’s due in a week from now. All I need is a few academic narratives and think about the need for a soundtrack.

Alright, listen up. July 1 was probably one of the coolest days out there, not in terms of the weather, but in terms of the fact that the new Smashing Pumpkins album Zeitgeist was leaked to the Internet. Awww yeah!

What does this mean? Did my hesitation of downloading music prevent me from nabbing it?

Heck no. I’m still going to buy the album so who cares when I get to hear it? That’s my view on these things. Plus, it may have been a deliberate move on the band’s part as they opened the floodgates the day after the leak and it’s available in streaming format at AOL now.

Anyhow, I want to have a few more listens before giving you a proper review but on the first 10 listens, I have to say this.

It is GOOD.

It’s REALLY GOOD.

I think it’s their best work since Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Hmm…Machina II was pretty kickass though.

Anyhow, the real reason I’m writing here is to talk about their new music video for the song Tarantula.

I’ve enjoyed their music videos in the past. There have been some duds, but for the most part, they have been epic (think Tonight, Tonight and Stand Inside Your Love).

So I take a look at it yesterday morning.

This video is so retarded it is funny. Think of those movies you’ve seen that are so insanely stupid that they become a mockery of themselves and in turn, become one of the greatest things you’ve ever witnessed.

This is what the Tarantula music video is. They have the band members in front of green screen for the entire video and they throw a slew of other band members in the mix – randoms, celebs, etc. All playing instruments.

But the piece du resistance is when Billy Corgan shoots lazers from his eyes.

Uhh…what?

You heard it here. My brain exploded from the sheer absurdity of the lazer beams. I felt like I was watching a bad Austin Powers moment. It is sheer good times. Watch it. Laugh. Watch it again.

iplaying: Not for You – Pearl Jam (Live at the Gorge 2005)

When I first went to Europe, Matt suggested I open a blog and I told him “No Matt, I’m fine with emailing everyone.” until I realized how amazingly simple a blog is. (I always deny a suggestion from Matt right away but in the end, most of the times it’s a decent suggestion.)

So we set up a blog for Vero’s Eurotrip. You can follow along with her adventures for the next month at the following spot:

http://verovacance.blogspot.com

I would say it’s about 3 hours before dropping her off at the airport today. Craziness!

May I also point out that I had originally posted this accidentally into Vero’s EuroTrip blog. Doh! I’ll have to keep a close eye on which blog to post to.

So after rearranging some cars and heading back to Carrie’s, I went upstairs to hang out with some folks I haven’t seen in awhile – namely the lovely Simpson couple, Holly, Alex and Alex’s friend Tom.

Good times were had as we had a few drinks before heading out downtown for the main event. Holly had made some chicken cordon bleu which was awesome (I only took a bite but the taste was in my mouth all night long!) and it looked like all was good on Holly’s birthday. Her Mom (hi Mrs. Pelky!) made an excellent picture slideshow for Holly’s 30th and it was pretty swell – mainly because I ended up in one of the slides.

An embarrassing moment happened in the evening when Alex got a phone call whom I asked if it was Matt on the phone. As soon as I got an affirmative from someone in the room, I grabbed the phone as whoever was on the other line was asking where we were and why we weren’t there. This is how my conversation went:

“Listen buddy. If you can’t enjoy some time with your lady friend at the pub, then there is something wrong with this picture. Enjoy your time with her and don’t think about us. We’ll be there when we get there and if you’re having an awful time with her, then maybe you should reconsider her!”

So the guy on the other end is saying “Uh…ok.” Then I start talking about Karilee (who is the new ladyfriend of Matt) and the guy says “Who?!”.

At this point I stop talking, ask Alex who I’m talking to, to which he replies “Dan.”

Doh!

As everyone is laughing I have to apologize to him saying that I thought it was Matt on the phone all the time. He had a good laugh about it and we all did, but I must admit it was an embarrassing move on my part!

Let’s talk now about the amazing friends we have – Ferda and James who managed to give us a great ride downtown while previewing some great tracks by the band Staylefish. They were decent. After scouring the area for a parking spot, we were let out so we can get in line and lo and behold, the unfathomable had occurred.

There was cover charge at the Heart and Crown.

Never in my life had this occurred! As I grumbled while laying out my five dollar bill, I recollected how many times I had been there without paying cover so I shouldn’t complain too much. However, if they start making this a habit, there may be changes in my pub of choice.

Shaydid was an amazing band as always and it was their last weekend with their keyboardist (which is a shame). Every opening chord he plays sounds like Jump by Van Halen. Even when we started singing O Canada at midnight I thought we were singing Jump!

The singer was quite drunk after the first set but she could still perform well (a mark of a seasoned performer). I got her to say Happy Birthday to Mike as there was five minutes left in the night of his birthday. He had a smile a mile long! She then sang the song ‘Crazy Bitch’ and mentioned afterwards that the song wasn’t ALL about him. 😉

The night descended into the usual Heart and Crown madness and all was good in the world other than the fact that we were right next to the speaker and I think I lost 90% of my hearing. Must remember to bring earplugs.

We did enjoy meeting up with some awesome guys who were dressed in some fab Canadian gear (in picture above). Next day we found a picture of Adrianna kissing the guy with the nice moustache and harmonica! *gasp*

We hopped into a cab after the night was done and watched some old videos when we got home. It was a good night and a great birthday party for Holly and Mike.

iplaying: Broken – Lifehouse (Who We Are)

After Mike was able to move a little the next day, we headed out to Carrie’s place to have a game of bocce ball, frisbee and soccer in the field across from her place. It was all fun and games and gave us some much needed rest time before heading back out downtown for Mike and Holly’s birthday party at the Heart and Crown.

Man I love Canada Day. You can smell the energy in the air at this point with flags on people’s houses and the mass crowds entering the area. Closer to home, it’s nice to have friends come up and visit. Philipp brought his friend Chris (who is an excellent time) to Ottawa for the festivities as he has never been here for them. A true treat for a Brit.

iplaying: Tarantula – The Smashing Pumpkins (Zeitgeist)

Here’s to our little birthday princess!

Mike and I went out to Maxwell’s for Amanda’s birthday, along with a slew of people coming up from Toronto – Miguel, Katie, Adrianna and Val.

I haven’t been in Maxwell’s for quite a few years after getting kicked out of the bar for breaking up a fight! That’s right, I try and help out and get screwed over.

The music was great, the crowd was great and I must say that Mike was having a great pre-birthday celebration. I went to the DJ booth to request a little birthday wish for Mike and the DJ says “Yeah yeah, we got that one. AC/DC right?” I have no idea who already requested something for Mike, but kudos!

Mike was in fine form that night (as well as Amanda). Let’s just say that the next morning when his mother called to wish him a happy birthday I asked him (as he was lying on the bathroom floor) if he would like to speak to his Mom. “Uh…not right now.” was his response. Classic.

Special thanks to Vero who was gracious enough to come pick us up after a night out. We went into the car loaded with some good Elgin Street Diner poutine.

Katie, I would like to point out that I found something that looks surprisingly like schwarma sauce all over the inside of the rear passenger door of my car. I have two words – you suck.

The only downfall of Mike’s pre-birthday bash was the fact that when he hopped in the car, I had forgotten his gift on the front seat which was unwrapped. So I asked him to pass it to me and then I passed it back to him saying “Happy Birthday.” I am such a goof.

iplaying: Bleeding The Orchid – The Smashing Pumpkins (Zeitgeist)

We all know my favourite event of the year is Canada Day. I shall be enjoying like every other year – with friends, and with beer while celebrating this great nation we live in.

I wish everyone some good times during the weekend.

The Scene: In Class

Girl in front of me: Did he take attendance last class?
Me: No, you’re fine.
Girl: What did he talk about?
Me: (rhyming off a few topics). Hey, you know, I have my notes typed up, I can just send them to you if you would like.
Girl: Oh great. Can you do that for me every class?

To this day, I don’t know if she was joking or not. Very shrewd.

iplaying: Grow Up and Blow Away – Metric (Grow Up and Blow Away)

This is bigger than Spinal Tap reuniting!!!

Click here for the story.

I am going to follow their entire tour.

Gak…I need the long weekend to arrive NOW! Having the long weekend before Canada Day weekend just primes you up for some good times.

Last night Vero and I edited the first minute of my mid-term video which came out to be a true masterpiece. My only gripe is the sound within it as there is the constant hum of traffic in the background. Not a big deal though. We are not filming Star Wars here. Editing is a tedious (but super fun!) process. To put it into perspective, it took us 2 hours to end up with one minute of film. This is an amateur event, so if you look at a full scale film production…let’s say it would take 2 hours to edit 30 seconds. Within a two hour film, it would take 480 hours to edit it (which is equivalent to 12 40 hour work weeks. Let’s not forget that I’m probably way off in my estimates and it’s more like 2 hours to edit 10 seconds! This is why there are vast teams of people on hand to help with the production/editing/whatever of a professional film.

So now I’m a little intimidated by the amount of editing this will take so I’m looking forward to get the filming over with so I can move onto the editing.

We had fun filming it on Monday night with Mike. We found a spot in Strathcona Park and set up shop there before the sun set. I must admit that I was worried at the overall product as I had never done much filming before (other than my Grade 11 Audio Visual class (which I rocked)), but with Vero there, it was more reassuring as she is a pro. Mike is a great guy behind the camera also and offers some good ideas while I just sit there and say “Uh…what to do next?”. I shall have a more level head when it comes to filming the rest of the film.

Weekend is shaping up to be a good one. Is there EVER a bad Canada Day weekend? Katie and Miguel will be visiting which will be a good time as always! There are other folks coming up who are staying with Carrie so it will be a full crew when the town gets painted red. Friday night we’ll head out for Amanda’s birthday, then on Saturday Vero and her sister are going BUNGEE JUMPING! Holy mackerel, I would never be doing that! They are insane. After that, we will head out to the Heart and Crown for Mike and Holly’s birthday celebrations.

Canada Day is an enigma right now as Vero will be leaving that night. I figure I will be helping her pack up her things and then drive her to the airport for her flight around 10 at night. It’s crazy to think that she is actually leaving and it is awesome at the same time as she gets to do what I dream about – traveling Europe for a month. Too bad she missed the Smashing Pumpkins festival circuit by a month!