Flashback Friday: Silverchair

This was always one of the bands that I enjoyed the most even though they were a little off. So much emotions from such little guys.

1st Flashback Friday

The first weekly post I will debut is Flashback Friday. I will feature a song from back in middle school or high school. Basically be prepared for some 90s shiz (my favorite music decade). Today I will share two songs from 1996 (something on the R&B and alternative side) in order to get us started right. Enjoy!

Mint Condition - What Kind of Man Would I be?



Eels - Novocaine for the Soul

Welcome 2011!!!

Okay I have taken some time off from the blog. 2010 was a long year and I guess I didn't feel like sharing. I am back and I am going to try to make this a much more regular and interactive experience. Expect some video blogs, weekly features and much more. Enjoy & comment

Love,
MPC

The Lyrical Styleeings of 311

So it's pretty clear that I have a obsession with the band 311. Even the title and subtitle of this blog are direct quotes or inspired by 311 lyrics. I thought in my tradition of quoting lyrics I would have an edition dedicated to 311 songs. Aside from the great music, I have always appreciated 311's lyrics. They really are inspiring and make you think. Let's start with the song that inspired the blog title (aside from the subtitle lyric):

• Beautiful Disaster (from Transistor)
  

Today seems like a good day to burn a bridge or two
The one with old wood creaking that would burn away right on cue
I try to be not like that but some people really suck
Some people need to get the axing, chalk it up to bad luck

• I'll Be Here Awhile (from From Chaos)
  

Far is solace in the maddening pace
Sad state written on my face
Not a tight rope walk but dance
Uncertain game of chance
But I'll see it through in time...

And if a person place or thing can deliver
I will quiver with delight
Tempted by the hand that could
Blind my vision and sight
But at twenty years of age
In frolic and in rage
I will see it through in time...

But the dawn has come into the endless night
And everything's gonna be alright
But at thirty years of age
Through frolic and in rage
All regressed and healed in time

• Flowing (from Soundsystem)
  

Tick, tick, tick the clock bludgeons your mind
Endlessly replaying times that were unkind
Go away sun, I'm not prepared for you today
It seems you are, it seems you are, huh!

• Creatures (For A While) (from Evolver)
  

My name is volatile
I've been this way a long while
I'd surely like to rest
But energy get's the best of me
It's been a wild ride
I wouldn't change a minute
I can't slow down inside
Guess that's why I live it
To the extent that it's absurd

• Beyond The Gray Sky (from Evolver)
  

It is a gift I know
A moment of bliss that we hold
A firecracker flash of light then on
To the next plane soul remain
Come along if you dare
It's gonna be that you're scared
Lovely life I thank you
For the reason to see the pain through

• Visit (from Music)

He wouldn't say he cared at all if you asked him
You're heading for a fall brother, it goes right past him
In another world, he's in another place
You know the need for speed's just another form of greed

But when you're Jones and your brain's frozen
You're not thinkin' 'bout the choices you're makin'
You're just rollin' on and on, it's anybody's guess
'Cuz no one's at the wheel, at the front of that mess, yes

• Omaha Stylee (from Grassroots)
  

Omaha stylee didn't think there was one
Where you know the radio's weak and the shows are more fun
But you know we fucked up the dance since 1988
Many did not think when they hear that we come from this state

Okay I think I've done them justice. We've covered most of the best albums (in my opinion). Notably I have left off the self-titled 311 album, but honestly if you haven't explored those songs, you probably have never even heard of 311 and might be a lost cause.

Ads I Admire: iPhone 4 - FaceTime Commercial

Above is the full version of the iPhone 4 FaceTime commercial. I really do love this commercial for a number of reasons. On the surface this is a commercial about an iPhone app which really is not very novel considering all of their "there's an app for that" commercials and variations. However, this commercial is not really selling the app, but rather a defining feature of the new iPhone 4. It highlights a main differentiator between the new version and the 3GS (which you upgraded to not so long ago), and more importantly a feature that you do not get from just upgrading your OS.

Their focus on the unique selling proposition is not where the genius lies however. What I love about the commercial is the way that they are able to really showcase how the feature, and by extension the phone, enrich and contribute to you have a more fulfilling life. I know, this is super cheesy, but the creative actually makes me buy it. This is particularly impressive considering that we are currently in a state where much of society consider their mobile phones to be a necessary evil that we have to deal with. It is also executed in a much better way than the heavy handed AT&T commercials (you know the one where changing your train ticket on your quick phone leads to you meeting the woman you are going to marry and having a child that will become the first ambiguously ethnic President of the United States). I personally also love the song and the fact that they are able to convey this message using it as the only real audible component. Congrats to TBWA/Media Arts Lab LA for creating this. All, be on the lookout for all of the variations of this full version that are being rolled out.

Update: The new shorter versions of the FaceTime commercials are seriously lame. Telling the father you're pregnant over the phone is even more tacky than making out at a bar, and no one cares about your husband lying about how he hates your too short hair. In fact if you couldn't see him at least he wouldn't have to give convincing "FaceTime". I suggest a return to less dialogue and emotional music.

State of the Union: Lyrics Style

Those of you who frequent the blog know that I love music, and even more so, I love reflecting on the poignant lyrics. I was inspired by a great trip to the gym, where the ipod's random mix came up with some great songs that seem to reflect my mood as of late. I got a great workout out of it and you get a great new blog post:

• Never Win by Fischerspooner

If I was not me
I would hate me too
Just like you do
I don't need to need you
Tell me what to do
Tell me what to say

It's all made worse by a simple scheme
You're slipping away from me
Can't decide sometimes if it's worth the point
The point is the struggle, insecurity

Hopefully, you make no mistake
If you learned from what you've got to take
Good or bad, it's all going to add up in the end, but
You can never win

• Gold Guns Girls by Metric
  

I remember when we were gambling to win
Everybody else said better luck next time
I don't wanna bend like the bad girls bend
I just wanna be your friend, is it ever gonna be enough?

• Passenger by Deftones

Roll the windows down
This cool night air is curious
Let the whole world look in
Who cares who sees what tonight?
Roll these misty windows down
To catch my breath again
And then go, and go, and go just drive me
Home and back again
Here I lay just like always
Don't let me go
Take me to the edge

• Clark Gable by The Postal Service
  

I want so badly to believe that
"There is truth, that love is real"
And I want Life in every word
To the extent that it's absurd

I know you're wise beyond your years
But do you ever get the feel
That your perfect verse is just a lie you tell yourself
To help you get by?

• Rockstar by N.E.R.D.

Something on your chest
Better get it off
There'll be no one left when we set it off
We ain't gonna take it no more
Since

It's almost over now
Almost over now

You don't succeed cause you hesitate
You think we're fly
But we levitate
Just be yourself
Don't ask us why
Cause if don't we'll make you fly

• Send the Pain Below by Chevelle

I liked having hurt
So send the pain below where I need it
You used to beg me to take care of things
And smile at the thought of me failing

But long before, having hurt
I'd send the pain below
I'd send the pain below

Much like suffocating...

• When Did Your Heart Go Missing by Rooney

I meant every word I said
I never was lyin' when we talked in bed
I'm retracin' every step in my head
What did I miss back then? I was so misled, oh

Hope you enjoyed these inspiring nuggets. As I was compiling these I noticed 1) it seems like most songs really do center around love themes (let's mix it up "artists") 2) some of the lyrics of the songs that I listen to are a little disturbing when you actually pay more attention (not these), and 3) It takes a really long time to create these lyric posts, but it's worth every second.

Love, success, and happiness~

Momma Don't Take My Kodachrome Away

Recently me and a few friends went on an adventure to southern Utah. Lindsey had the brilliant idea to get away for a bit of a red rock vacation the weekend before Memorial Day when everything gets crazy. I think we all needed a break from our lives in the SLC, would hopefully have a bit of sun, and I had been having a hiking craving something fierce.

After the most amazing game of trunk tetris I have ever seen, we set out on our little adventure. As we got further and further south, the more happy I was to get off the grid. Seriously the level of connectivity that we have in these modern times is great, but it can also be oppressive. Sometimes it is nice to just focus on your friends and your connectivity to them.

That first day we encountered a few problems. After a heart pounding ride on the beautiful, yet slightly terrifying Route 12, we arrived at Calf's Creek. It looked like the perfect place for our adventure and the hiking looked very
promising. Unfortunately, all of the camping grounds were full :( We had planned for this a bit. We headed towards Escalante where the next closest campgrounds were.

We checked the first. It was a bit of a dirt pit, next to a construction area and pretty crowded. There were a few spot available, but we decided to go to some spots further up a canyon for more of a true camping experience. The drive went on a bit longer than we expected and the outside temperature gauge kept dropping. Finally we reach the campground for which we were headed. It was beautiful with a lake. However, the temp had dropped 10 degrees, there were bear boxes, and SNOW! We moved back down the canyon to another site we were considering and the story was the same, but with the addition of a creepy middle aged single camper guy. In the interest of preserving our lives and virtue, we headed back to the construction pit... which was now FULL. We got a tip from the ranger and headed towards Escalante Outfitters which we were told had cabins and tent spots.

When we arrived at Escalante Outfitters, it looked very promising. The cabins has nice little porches, and the proprietors were already drinking by the counter (which is where they also sold liquor... in Utah). All I wanted was a cabin and to relax with a cocktail. No cabins available, but they did have tent spots. Now all I wanted was to get my tent set up, and then to relax with a cocktail. We got a nice little spot next to the chicken coup (no rooster though so we could sleep late), and got to the much needed drink (I declared tonight's cocktail hour started at 8).

While hanging out on the grounds we befriended a great couple from the Chicago area, and a young doctor from New York. We began by making fun of them (our international sign of friendship) and then offering them a drink (our international sign of friendship). I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that when asked what we had, we responded,"Beer, wine, gin, vodka, and whiskey." We totally forgot about the rum in the car. We drank, discussed the secret that is Utah (Shhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!), Sammi had stumble #1, and we went to sleep.

I the morning we decided to head to Kodachrome Basin, which had been our original destination until they did not have any spots on Friday. We had been told when we were making our ressie that there were spots on Saturday, and we were hoping that was still the case. If not, on to Bryce Canyon. After avoiding an old Datamark coworker (I was dirty and hungover. People ask me why I always try to look good, and it's because I run into people everywhere), and a great breakfast from the EO cafe, we were off.

We arrived at Kodachrome and were in luck for once. There was a campsite! We got our tents up despite the wind that had been plaguing us all weekend, decided on a hike, and packed our lunches. The hike that we decided on was probably about a 5 mile loop. The hike was extremely beautiful (as you can see from the pictures), and it was exactly what we needed... until Lindsey rolled her ankle jumping of a rock... 10 feet before the point where we had to turn around and go back.

If you know Lindsey's trick ankle, it's no joke. We could be in trouble. Luckily one of us had some hangover remedy pills, i.e. ibuprofen. Lindsey had some and elevated her ankle while the rest of us ate lunch and let everything kick in. Amanda and I found her a walking stick and Sammi acted as the human crutch. We took a nice leisurely pace back which was actually great. Amanda and I got to drink our post lunch beers and I think it was a bit easier to take in all of the beautiful scenery as compared to our brisk early pace. We made it back, got some ice and chewy lemonheads (which are weird), and all was well.

You know what happens next... cocktail hour I declared started at 6 and went until whenever we felt the need to cook something. The wind and and were not really conducive to the relaxing atmosphere that we needed at this time. We noticed that there was a grass patch by the bathrooms and showers that were seemed to not be as windy, and what wind was there was not full of sand. We bought our box of wine and our cocktails over and had the best conversations.

We were feeling much better around dinner time. It was getting chilly so I slipped into my Ace and Gary AGD long johns (and of course took pictures). We had some ridiculously delicious shrimp gumbo. Sammi was the bartender and was whipping up some mighty tasty cocktails (even when it came down to water mixer for me). She also fell two more times. After the final fall it was time to go to sleep. One issue I forgot to mention was that our air mattress had been deflating all trip during the night even though mine was only being used for the second time. That and the cold made the sleep a little rough, but I only woke up once, threw my coat over my head, and went back to sleep.

We went home the next day after a great trip. Amanda and I were super gross and I think only changed once as we really tried to embrace the gross tragedy. We had gained numerous inside jokes, a new understanding of each other, some Facebook friends, and a much needed break from the city. Also, apparently it was rainy up in the SLC that weekend and then we had a late snow storm that week. My forehead and nose were just starting to peel from the long hike. Only in Utah.

"Modern Marvels"

I have made no secret about the fact that I watch a lot of trashy TV. It's entertaining, relaxing since I don't need to think & end up feeling better about myself, and I get to yell at the TV. However those that know me also know that I watch a good amount of educational programming and reading. Hello, do you think all of this interesting conversation and factoids come from nowhere? The History Channel, Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, PBS, etc. yo! Plus, and I cannot stress this enough, TWITTER IS NOT JUST FOR INANE STATUS UPDATES. It's not just about whether or not Ashton Kutcher just got off the pot. Seriously people, depending on what and who you are following it can be a nonstop stream of interesting articles, pics, and tidbits customized to what really interests use. Avail yourself to the wealth of content.

As usual I digress. The point is that one of my favorite History Channel shows has gone down the tubes (no pun intended). I remember when I used to see Modern Marvels on the Comcast guide and what I was going to watch was a no brainer. Now I have to go and see what the topic is before I "give it a try". The topic used to just be the surprising bonus after you had already changed the channel.

The topics of the shows really is where the problem lies. They used to have storied about the latest, tallest skyscrapers, or an incredible bridge, or the latest space technology. All things that I know nothing about, are completely fascinating to most people, and served up in a manner that does not make me feel as if I am trying to get my doctorate in physics. AWESOME. Slowly I have seen a decline, almost as if they are running out of topics. I have written down some of the worst that I have seen lately and they are as follows:

• Coffee
• Corn
• Shovels
• Truck Stops
• Super Steam

If you are not on the page with me yet, those are all super lame. Let me just say that some of these episodes can be interesting. You know in that, "things you didn't know about seeming mundane topics," kind of way. You know what? I basically know how coffee and corn get to our pantries. What's being buried by a shovel is generally more interesting than the tool. I don't need to know any more about the "interesting" things that happen surrounding truck stops, and no matter what you do with steam it is still just water and heat! There is nothing particularly modern or marvelous about any of those things. You have set a higher standard by virtue of your title. Save that pedestrian shizz for an 8 minute segment on How Things Work where they belong.

Yuppies Tie One On

Recently I have been interviewing a lot. Okay let's just get this out of the way. It's not like it's a secret, but I am currently unemployed. Whatever. Things happen. I didn't want to make a big deal about it so this is actually the first time I have explicitly referred to it on any online post.

Anyway, I have been interviewing a lot lately so I have been wearing a lot more ties. While prepping for my last tie worthy interview, I was searching for a tie to wear (I look for the tie first generally and then find a shirt to work with it. Let's be honest the tie is the major "statement" when it comes to men's formal wear). Inexplicably, I noticed that I was speaking to my ties. "None of you are working for me today. Come on ties. Speak to me!" Even worse, now I am asking them to speak back.

Clearly I did not want the ties to talk back, but I needed some inspiration. I have been demanding that clothes give off a vibe lately. Recently after a night out I showed my friends a new shirt that I bought whose color gave off great energy. I believe I said something like, "From now on I am looking for clothes that pulsate with energy. If they don't have energy, I'm like, 'Fuck you clothes! I'm not buying you.'" Okay perhaps a bit aggressive, but you get the idea. Yes I am demanding that most of the clothes that I buy make me feel something and are signature pieces because otherwise it is a waste of money. Pay for something you love and that will last, not for mediocre crap.

That's all well and good, but I also noticed that I have quite the penchant for striped ties. I decided to count and found over a dozen ties that are actually still in the "wearable" pool. Some different colors but mostly blue and silver striped ties. How do you expect to get energetic, storm cloud colored, striped ties? I don't know, but somehow I do. Let's be honest a small strip of fabric can only put out so much "energy". I don't even like "loud" clothes, but rather classic pieces with a quiet confidence and modern edge. Couple that with a powerful knot and you're set. Anyway, I need a new job, because I am feeling the need to find some summer energy before everybody buys the awesome stuff. Oh, and for my interview, I wore a silver and green number ;)

Quote of the Week

We have a double QOTW this week. Yay!




"Did you ever think when you were a little kid you would be in a RuPaul video? I thought I was going to be a doctor."

-Jujubee RuPaul's Drag Race

Quote of the Week

Sorry I'm a bit late but it has been a hectic week. Keeping with the Grey's Anatomy theme:



"I used to have sex injuries with Mark. Mark would always give me great sex injuries "

-Lexie "Little Grey" Grey on Grey's Anatomy


Seriously what is wrong with this woman? I have a feeling one of these "great sex injuries" was a headboard blow to the head.

Quote of the Week

I'm starting a new feature on the blog called Quote of the Week. It will be a funny pop culture quote that I have heard during the course of the week. It will likely come out every Friday, but may be more frequent. Something for you to look forward to. The first is:


"It's okay because we've had sex before. It was recycling. It's like... good for the environment."

-Lexie "Little Grey" Grey on Grey's Anatomy

See I'm Not Shallow. I'm Über Deep Yo

So far this year has been fairly interesting. One of the biggest outlets that I have had has been music. I have always been really interested in music and for the most part have pretty diverse taste (particularly for a Black man ;) ). Many of my friends are the same way (word up Amanda & how should I put this?... others).

Lately I have had a bit more of a specific taste. A lot of the songs are not new. I think that it is mostly inspired by groups like Metric and Stars. A bit more melodic, sometimes slower, some might say at times a bit emo, but not necessarily. A common theme would be some powerful, thought provoking lyrics and a dynamic sound. In the interest of expanding your musical horizons I wanted to list a few of the songs that I have been listening to in 2010, and some of the lyrics that I have resonated (as I sometimes do):

• London Halflife by Metric

Oh watch out, you're only better off with half your life
Otherwise wasted
House of cards, you fall hard

• Midnight Coward by Stars
  

Sweetness, sweetness never suits me, when I get up to take you home
Maybe it's love, love at first slightly drunk
Now I'm walking with the sun in my mouth

• The Reeling by Passion Pit

We dug these holes we crawled into, now they're my home
Now here I cannot feel the wind, can't feel the rain oh no
And I believe in gentle harmony
Well how I loathe all this obscenity
Is this the way my life has got to be?
Have I a single opportunity?

• You Didn't Fucking Mean It by Electric Valentine

If you loved me
Half as much as you said you did
Why'd you leave me?
Break my heart then come back again
If you loved me,
Turn around and just let me go
From the first time
Hurt more than you could ever know

• Wanderlust by Björk

Lust for comfort
Suffocates the soul
Relentless restlessness
Liberates me (sets me free)

I feel at home
Whenever the unknown surrounds me
I receive its embrace
Aboard my floating house

• Everybody's Changing by Keane

So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move just to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name
But everybody's changing and I don't feel the same

Here are some other songs I have enjoyed lately, but are less poignant/your emo hearts and this blog are about to explode from lyric overload:

Elevator Love Letter by Stars
Soft Shock by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Heads Will Roll by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
White Gold by Metric
Gold Guns Girls by Metric
Cheryl Tweedy by Lily Allen
Take it Off by Ke$ha
Ima Be by Black Eyed Peas
California Soul by Marlena Shaw

Okay we're done. That was a lot of work. I going to have a piece of cake as a reward. Ciao!

To Tweet or Not to Tweet

The other day I was watching a commercial for Kirstie Alley's Big Life... ok then later I watched the show. The point is the show was about her Twitter addiction. Again last night I was watching Chelsea Lately and her and Taraji P. Henson were talking about how they were reluctant to Twitter and first and now they love it. These moments in my life of pop culture brought me back to something that I have been thinking a lot lately: Why is that so many of the people I know my age are afraid of Twitter? Wow now I need to ask why this sounds like a Sex and the City?

I could count on probably 1 hand the number of people who are my friends and are actually active on Twitter. I know that Twitter is not a phenomenon of the young (<24 years old), and 35+ has been what has driven the platform, but 25-34 is fairly high indexing. Plus I have never really been a first adopter of technology amongst my friends. Twitter would probably be the first time, and not just because it was my job. Why do people seem to be so afraid?

I have been asking a lot of people in the age group in question (perhaps because it relates to my job), and the answer to "Why not Twitter?" seems to be that people do not need to know everything about their life. "I'm at the grocery store." "I'm chewing gum." "I'm dumping the body."

Really people? Are you not more creative than that? This is not Foursquare we are talking about (BTW do not get me started on getting my friends involved in that). You're not afraid of status updates on Facebook. Pretty similar. More importantly I use Twitter & my addiction to TweetDeck to keep me up to date with everything in the world that I am interested in. Little bits of info and news just blip on my screen like a stock ticker, ready for me to interact. I read, I share, I take the meal deal at the restaurant nearby, while planning for the hot concert that is happening later that night.

It seems like Kirstie, Taraji, & Chelsea have discovered all of this joy and information. Not sure what is up with my friends, but maybe soon they will grow up ;)

Love is a Verb

I have gone through a lot recently... in a lot of different areas of my life. Strangely enough I think that it all is for the best. I think that of all of the changes, the one that has impacted me the most was my relationship. Somehow I think that things like that also impact the other areas of your life. It went on (and off) for much longer than it should have, although I have no regrets. With that all done I thought I would have this final written catharsis before I move on electronically.

To start, let's get the details of my relationship out of the way. There were good times, there were bad times, and there were downright disturbing times. Both of us were at fault in one way or another for times in each category. It's for the best that it's over. The timing of everything was unfortunate, but sometimes that is how life is. If you have to hide that you are in a relationship or when your relationship reminds you of a bad episode of Six Feet Under or Carrie & Big, you are in trouble. Speaking of Carrie & Big, they are the perfect example of how two people (& millions who watch them) can delude themselves into thinking that their jacked up relationship is just their complicated journey towards true love. It's just a bad relationship that you should end before it becomes a complicated journey towards couples counseling followed by divorce. Ok I let the bitter slip a bit.

Anyway one thing that I have learned (thanks Tough Love Couples) is that you need to remember that love is a verb. It is something that you have to do; have to work at. That is true in relationships and with yourself. Once you lose sight of your own journey of self improvement, everything else in your life suffers.

The aftermath has been a bit rough too. A lot all at once. It was fine at first and then got a bit ugly. Right before we ended it, I was at a delusional point where I started imagining (and perhaps a bit of planning) our future life together. Whatever, make fun of me, but I only share this to illustrate the point that we (at least I) were/was at a place that is hard to paddle back from once you abruptly end everything . Since we weren't right for each other, that was the easy part. The hard part was separating your life from someone you consider a friend. Physical separation is easy. The internet will kill you, particularly because I am a jealous stalker... of everyone. I initially joined MySpace to see what shit my friends were talking about me (a "Lurker" one of my coworkers called me). I would be jealous of someone that was going to a party with 10 kegs when I only have 9. Seeing that someone was still living without me, even with no fun being had, gets to me. Yes I know this is a bit irrational and borderline narcissistic. That has been taken care of though. Luckily when you feel like you need to remove e-contact from someone, but don't want to be "rude", the spirits in the sky resolve the issue in short order :)

Ok, we are done. I feel catharsis (to the point of needing to ralph). No more talk about that. No more blogs and in fact I am trying to not speak "that name" any longer. I have bigger, more interesting, and probably more tragic things to deal with. It's a loss for both of us, but I think in the end everyone will win. Time to stalk that.

An Open Letter to Shaving

Dear Shaving:

I hate you. You're a jerk. You are like one of those friends that everyone deals with that's "just kind of a douche," but people let you get away with it because, "that's just who you are." Then there is that friend that you go just a bit too with (and they are a bit sensitive anyway, which is probably why you go too far with them) and they announce to the rest of your friends that they are done with you so that they know to keep the two of you apart. I am that friend, and I am done with you.

Seriously you are already the most time consuming part of my getting ready routine. The most annoying when you are not attended to when you need to be. It is like you start pouting in the corner and progressively get louder and louder with each passing moment... on my face/head! Wiry hair escaping only for you to draw it back in to attack me. To make me bleed, to mar my face!

Today you took it too far. I get out a brand new, very shave friendly razor for you. How do you repay me? You cut me. On the ear. In two spots. From one cut. Oh how I bled. For 3 hours. Gushing. I applied pressure while I got dressed and packed up with one hand, all the way to work, as I was getting ready for my client meeting, and as I struggled to get a band-aid on so I would not bleed all over my client. I went through two band-aids during that client meeting. 2!!! Even though everyone knows how heinous you are, one still sounds like an idiot when they say, "I cut myself shaving," in response to, "What happened to your ear?!?"

From now on, Shaving, we are like coworkers that don't like each other, but work on all of the same projects. Clearly we have to work together. People who see me from 100 feet know that we have a highly involved working relationship. For better or for worse, you are my work wife. I will be cordial to you. I will smile in the hallway. But we are not friends (that's why you got the business greeting in this letter)! We communicate when at all possible through email (no IM or calls! Do not even think of commenting on my Facebook page), and you do not get invited to the after work happy hour (I need that time to vent about you)! I just wanted you to know, so we can avoid situations that could get awkward for both of us and those around us.

Sincerely (because I am sincere and you get no "Best Regards"),
Jarett LaTour

Update: This post reminds me of a joke: "I cut my ear shaving my legs." :) Seriously though, I have to shave my whole head so it happens.

The Breakup: Part 2

I have had some time now to reflect on my first breakup (and kind of do it again), so I thought it was about time that I wrote the second part of this blog and list some of the things that I learned from the first go around:

• A RELATIONSHIP IS BETWEEN 2 PEOPLE & FOR THE MOST PART SHOULD STAY THAT WAY! Involving your friends, family, coworkers, and others too much just makes this complicated and causes trouble. It also makes it hard if you want to make decisions that are "unpopular" but are right for you (in the singular and plural sense). Plus for the most part they only get one side of the story.
• The more serious you get, the more work the relationship takes. You would think it would get easier the more in love you are, but it is the exact opposite. Well maybe not the exact opposite, but feelings do make things more complicated in good and bad ways.
  
• I am continually shocked my humanity's capacity to put their hand back on a hot stove. Unless someone does something completely horrible to you to the level where you hate them, you will probably always love that significant other and it is easy to go back to them. People say it takes 10 good things to make up for one bad, but I think it is the opposite in relationships once you have gotten to a certain point.
  
• Ground rules should be placed and followed once you get to a serious area (a region if you will) of a relationship. You both have needs that need to be met, and the structure needs to be there in order to make sure that happens.
• It is surprisingly hard for me to compromise and be flexible in a relationship. I have always felt that in the right relationship you don't have to compromise or at least it wouldn't feel like you were. Don't know where I stand on that, but I am more of an only child than I expected.
• I now know why people in relationships withdraw a bit from their friends. Alone time is key and generally goes more smoothly.
• This I learned from the very wise Mrs. Duh, but it is easy to see why a break up is hard for someone who is broken up with. It is harder to see why it is hard for the person that initiated the break up. The hard thing for them is that they have all of the doubts and what ifs. "Did I make the right decision? Could I have done something differently to make it work?" That and the guilt are what kill.
• Relationships are actually very enjoyable. I always enjoyed being single, but now I much rather be in a relationship (I guess the other thing that I learned was that I am old).
• At this point, I definitely agree with "It is better to have loved and lost..." I don't regret a single second of it.

Update: I actually wrote this awhile ago, but never got around to posting it. I added in a couple of updates in here, but even after some time it still rings true.

The Breakup: Part 1

So as most of you know, I recently ended my first relationship. I will speak more about that later, but I thought for the time being I would keep it a bit lighter.

Before I experienced one, I thought one of the most interesting aspect of a breakup was the music that one chose to listen to in order to get over it. I always imagined I would listen to a lot of Fiona Apple. Not so much. Okay there is one particular Fiona line that I think about, but that's between us.

I thought with this post I would share some of the songs I have been listening to and their more poignant lyrics, but first the music I have stopped listening to:

I try to avoid...

• Most Katy Perry songs, particularly Waking Up in Vegas ;), but not I Kissed a Girl strangely enough
• Anything from the All American Rejects' new album
• Most Pink songs, but Please Don't Leave Me makes me want to ralph.
  
• 1,2,3,4 by The Plain White T's. Thank God I only liked that song for a week and stopped listening to it awhile ago. Memories though :(
  
• Boom, Boom, Pow by the Black Eyed Peas.
• FloRida Right Round, never really liked this one or thought that the popular version featured Katy Perry. It's Kesha, but there is a Katy Perry mashup
  
• Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop & Can't Let Go by Landon Pigg
  
• Coldplay's Shiver, this one is a tragic loss, but I will get back to it when I feel ready to give "that" again
  
• A lot of MGMT but I have begun to work through this
• Most No Doubt songs, but I suffer through my favorites in order to shake it off.

I revel in (plus their lyrics to cuts yourself to ;) )...

• This Circle by Paramore

"This circle never ends

And it's time you
Just face it, don't pretend
That it's over."

• Emergency by Paramore (I'm sensing a theme & perhaps a Fiona replacement)

"Cause I've seen love die way too many times
When it deserved to be alive
I've seen you cry way too many times
When you deserve to be alive, alive."

• End it on This by No Doubt (technically I should have lost this in the divorce)

"Washed up to the shore
Given one last chance
To try some more
But I'm tired, I'm freezing
Let's stop and call it history."

• The Scientist by Coldplay

"Nobody said it was easy
It's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this hard
Oh take me back to the start."

• Panic Switch by Silversun Pickups

"Mmm, I'll try
To hold on tight tonight
Pink Slip
Inviting me inside
Wanna burn skin
And brand what once was mine
But the red views
Keep ripping the divide
If I go everywhere you want me to go
How do I know you'll still follow."

• Battersea by Hooverphonic

"Battersea how it is
It's over, forget
Memories full of chocolate
I've got to get over it, forget."

• Hard to Explain by The Strokes
  

"I say the right thing
But act the wrong way
I like it right here
But I cannot stay."

• The Hollow by A Perfect Circle

"Cause it's time to bring the fire down
Throttle all this indiscretion
Long enough to edify
and permanently fill this hollow.

No I do not sit around at night crying and thinking of easy ways to end it all (I could never be that dramatic). Those who know me know that I have listened to most of these songs anyway. Okay, there are plenty of other more upbeat songs I've been listening to, but these are the most topical (I give them a 10!). Plus if you wallow in the pain of others, and get out your emotions in the music, what you have to deal with seems like nothing in comparison... and these are much more funny. Wow this may have been too personal.

These Are a Few of My Favourite Shows

I had a conversation this weekend, and happened to have noticed myself right before said conversation, that I had not written a blog since January. Sorry guys. I am going to try to do something at least once a week. I have "blogging" as a recurring Task in Outlook & I always do what Outlook tells me... I hope it never turns sinister (at least more so).

Anyway, I thought I would discuss my thoughts on some the current crop of TV shows. I watch a lot of trash (mostly reality) TV shows. Whether you like them, or like them because you hate them, they are a great escape and excuse to yell at the flat screen.

I am going to start with the shows that I have major beef with.

The Biggest Loser
At first I enjoyed that they were playing the game in such a fair manner and looking out for who needed the house more, health wise. However at this point in the game, I am going to need some cutthroat competitive spirit. You are all skinny(ish) now, and therefore should slowly be transforming into self-involved douches that want to prey on the weak.

Gossip Girl
Oh Gossip Girl, you know I love your Cruel Intentions style qualities, but I am about to break up with you. Attention Upper East Siders: What WB series, that thus should consider itself privileged that we would even tune in, is angering its fans because it will not have 3 new episodes in a row? GG, better watch out, or else its ever dragging 2nd season might be it's last.
XOXO Manpretty Calamity~

America's Next Top Model
I am so bored with you. Even the girl covered in scars made me yawn. I guess next season you are only going to have girls 5'7" and under. I believe that that will be Cycle 13 and I only have 3 words for you: JUMPED THE SHARK!

For the Love of RayJ & Bret Michael's Bus O Hos
Even I can't bring myself to watch these. I guess we need feeder shows for new contestants & challenges on I Love Money.

Now on to everything else.

I Love Money 2
Yes! Finally a show that makes no bones about its money grubbing, fame whore contestants. Becky Buckwild and Saphyrie need their own show after this (oh I am so writing a letter now). However, their hookups (with Frank the Entertainer and It respectively) have been highly questionable.

Dancing with the Stars
AKA Next Stop For So You Think You Can Dancers (NSFSYTYCDrs). I watch it, but I think I watch for the dancers more than the "celebrities"... well and of course the next crazy, sexually inappropriate comment from Bruno. Seriously I think Bruno's name is a bit off too. When I think of the name Bruno I am thinking pit bull or rottweiler. If he were a dog he would one of those tiny Chinese bald dogs.

Tough Love
Oh how I love this show. Let's find every kind of girl psychosis that ruins relationships and scare men away (Golddigger, loner, skank, clueless, drunk, loser lover, etc.), brutally tell them what is wrong with them on national television, & put all of that crazy under one trainwreck of a roof. I keep thinking that they vote people off every week, but seriously someone just loses it every week and has to go home. Literally this last week after Airen (yes pronounced like the skinhead nation) could not stop being a skank and having panic attacks when they tried to call her out on it, they recommended that she needed serious therapy and they could not help her. Kind of sad, especially since I was always waiting for her and host Steve Ward to make out.

Real World/Road Rules The Duel2
Yes, we have gotten to MTV. Seriously these people need work. Go on to some trash VH1 love show so you can go on I Love Money since they have much easier challenges. You know I will still watch though because these people are seriously insane and know what we all want. The Challenges are just an excuse for them to let loose so the producers will bring them back... yet again.

The Hills
Oh my baby! So the show is clearly "reenacted", but the production and story quality make you not care. This season is by far the best, even better than Laguna Season 2. Basically the show goes like this: Major confrontation where they pay off Stephanie to put people in the most incredibly awkward situations that thus implode. Once the mushroom cloud has settled, MTV pays all of the key players to have one on one confrontations with the people that have wronged them during the main event and then follow up confrontations based on that confrontation. This builds to the climax confrontation that ends in tears/sets up the next episode's disaster event. Heidi's storyline is particularly hilarious this season as basically everyone that she comes across tells her that Spencer is the planet's biggest douche and that she should leave him/asks why she is with him. Heidi's response is always to nod with a facial expression as close to pensive as she can get. Seriously guys, I say this every season, but you have to watch the After Show online. Canadians get together and make fun of them and then invite a key cast member from that episode to discuss what they have just seen. It is worth watching the show just to be ready for the After Show.

Facebook is the TMZ of Social Networks

As I have mentioned in a previous blog, I joined Facebook and I really wasn't too keen on the whole "scene". I liked the fact that my MySpace page was unique as opposed to the sterile Facebook standard page.

My tune changed a bit. Facebook has a huge advantage: the gossip factor. Seriously Facebook is like a stalkers dream. Everyday I login to see what is the latest drama amongst the group of my cyber friends. What are people up to? Who's been talking schmack? What cryptic message do i need to follow up on? What dirty details from the weekend are being shared?

Then there are the moments when you login and you see the holy grail of symbols on your homepage: the relationship status heart. No matter what, it is going to be good. Did someone finally get locked down and/or forced to change their status? Did someone break up (scandalous)? Is someone in an open relationship (even more scandalous)? I also enjoy the "It's complicated" status, which should really be everyone's status. I also love everyone's comments in response to a status change. Talk about shock and awe.

Seriously, it has really gotten to the point that just about any time anyone asks how anyone knows about anything the answer is Facebook. And why didn't you know? Either you're not on Facebook (in which case we will start a group to force you to join, Lindsey), or you didn't have time to check it. How did you know about that party? Facebook. How did you know they broke up? Facebook. How did you win the interactive Christmas card kissing contest? Facebook. Are they really together? No, their Facebook pages have not been updated yet (true sign of commitment). Based on the conversation string on Facebook, I think this is what really happened. Facebook.

It is a bit crazy, but if I am going to read about the details of people's life on the internet, and of course then judge them, it might as well be about people I actually know, right?

Update: I wrote this post at the end of December 2008 and needed to repost because of some formatting issues, so if you are feeling some deja vu there is a reason. I think that this blog is a funny little piece about the current power of social networks. Today was actually a banner day with 4 relationship status updates on my homepage (one I actually witness the demise of this weekend), however I think it is valuable to note that Facebook, and social networks in general, are powerful deseminators of information. Yes, some of it is personal and gossipy, but I find so much more then that as well. I have really reconnected with many of my high school classmates because of Facebook. I'm not talking about that, "Hey, what are you up to?" superficial post. I am mean actually have gone to hang out with them... more than once. Many of the social events that I have gone to lately, both personally and professionally, were a result of Facebook. I think that you get my point. Social networks can be what you want them to be, and at different times. It seems as though the Internet is starting to reach its potential, just in time for the bar to be set higher.