The Grand Ole Opry ain't so Grand Anymore

As I worked last night, I listened to the satellite radio for approximately 12 hours. the result of that is a list of my issues with "country music". the more I listen to todays country, the more I feel that a lot of it should be listed in its own category, which I would label "over-produced Nashville crap". the following is a list I have compiled to defend my argument.

1.Sugarland-horrible! I can't hear that womans voice without being filled with rage. She should have been a one hit wonder with "baby girl". First of all, I dare say it was a bold move for an artists first single to brag of their huge success. It would have been better for the whole world if the baby girl stopped singing in 2004. However, she did not, and the forced twang continues, much to my disgust.

2. Darius Rucker. Very talented singer, but he needs to go find his blowfish. He is not country, and the fact that he is continuing to have success as a "country" artist says a lot about how far Nashville has strayed.

3.Hank Williams. Everyone knows his name. He is an Icon, supposedly an inspiration for just about every country artist since 1953 when he died, yet he still has not been reinstated to the Grand Ole Opry. You would think that country music's most prestigious organization would reinstate the man who played a huge role in their early success. Now for those who don't know the history, Hank Williams was an alcoholic and drug user, and was dismissed from the Opry and told he would be reinstated when he sobered up. Unfortunately, he died before he became sober. I admit this was a valid reason for dismissal, but my objection is not based on the original decision, but rather its hypocritical actions since. first, if you were to go to Nashville and tour the Opry, the first thing you'll see outside their door is a big picture of Hank Williams. Second, if being drug and alcohol free isa a standard that the Opry enforces, then why are Johnny Cash, Keith Urban, willie nelson, and Johnny paycheck members, just to mention a few.

4. Dierks Bentley. His new album "up on the ridge" is amazing. he switched things up with this album, going back to a more blugrass/traditional style. The result is his best work, that country radio refuses to play. It upsets me greatly that rascal flats gets airtime and Dierks doesn't.

5 Hank III. This man is gifted musically. His style is very traditional (neo-traditional, as it is now called). His band is extremely talented, and they have brought back the roots of country. As a warning, he is the first "country" artist to have an explicit lyrics label on his albums. I don't support everything he sings about, but you can't deny his talent. He is a modern day outlaw of country, he hates Nashville for what it has done to music, and he is very vocal about his opinions. He is also hated by Nashville, and is never played on country radio or tv. He is the reincarnation of his Grandfather, following Hank's footsteps, but the difference between country legend and unwanted outlaw is the fact that one is dead and one is alive.

All that being said, I love country music...the real country music.

Im re-posting some Eric Church lyrics because I find them Quite fitting.

Get-ups, gimmicks
One hit wonders that don't stick
Pretty boys acting tough
Boy bands give it up

And if it looks good on TV
It'll look good on a CD
Shape it up, trim it down
Who gives a damn 'bout how it sounds

I don't think Waylon done it that way
And if he was here he'd say Hoss, neither did Hank
I ain't dogging what you're doing
But boys come on let's get real
You still got a lotta boot left to fill

You say you're the real deal
But you play what nobody feels
You sing about Johnny Cash
The man in black would've whipped your ass

I don't think Waylon done it that way
And if he was here he'd say Hoss, neither did Hank
I ain't dogging what you're doing
But boys come on let's get real
You still got a lotta boot left to fill

So so long 'til I see you again
When you're laying in the bargain bin

Though we ache, though we cry, never break, never die

Something keeps squeaking, and every time it happens I jump. Normally I wouldn't be frightened by little noises, but seeing as I am a half hour snowmobile ride plus an hour drive to the nearest person, the little noises become not so little.

So here I sit, next to the fire, a warm cup of coffee on the table beside me, Thousands of square feet of Beautiful mountain lodge all to myself, each window framing a different, yet equally beautiful landscape. Nothing but snow, mountains, trees, and sky. The perfect place to escape to, which, coincidentally, is exactly what I have been looking for. I realize that where I am is not real life. I can't stay here forever, and if I did, I would probably go crazy. It is, however, just as easy to go crazy, in the presence of friends, family, co-workers, and strangers, without leaving the comfort of home. For no reason in particular (or perhaps many reasons put together), I found myself losing a piece of my sanity last week. I can put my finger on some of the reasons, but in all honesty, none of the excuses I came up with justified the reaction my brain had. The physical result of my issue was 6 days with 10 hours of accumulated sleep, barely enough food to survive (luckily I have reserves), unnecessary irritability, and hours upon hours of reflection.

What did I learn from this experience? I stand now on the opposite end of what could have been a breakdown, and I am happy. I hated Life, I cursed, I was angry, then passive, then angry, I prayed, I thought (deep thought), I avoided thought, I cried out, I sat in silence, I mourned, I schemed, I listened,and then....I accepted. I accepted that my life is what it is, And that I cannot change who I am. I can, however strive to be the best me possible, to be the best friend I can be, the best man I can be, and to change things for the better.

This was not necessarily a life changing moment, but it has definitely brought me peace, so that I can fully enjoy being where I am, and look forward to where I will be next.

"This is the start, this is your heart

This is the day you were born
This is the sun, these are your lungs
This is the day you were born

And I am always yours

These are the scars deep in your heart
This is the place you were born
This is the hole where most of your soul comes ripping out
From the places you've been torn"

-Jon Foreman

Worst band in the world

As I was sitting in my chair at work today, I heard on the radio something that brought a smile to my face. It seems that a well respected British magazine did a poll among the general public, asking who people thought was the worst band in the world. To my delight, number 1 on the list was none other than Chad Kroeger and his painful attempt at at mimicing Eddie Vedder, and, dare I say it, Scott Stapp, as the frontman for Nickelback. Now, I wouldn't necessarily say that in general they are actually the worst band in the world, I have heard many horrible attempts at music that make nickelback sound quite tolerable, but I will say that based on personal preference, There isn't another band that I can think of that annoys me quite as much as them.

As I sit here writing this, I realize that music is a very touchy subject, as every individual has their own likes and dislikes. For example, When Joe reads this blog, It will no doubt make him laugh, because I know that he is as repulsed by Nickelback as I. However, If Candace reads this blog (which im pretty sure she doesn't, so im safe), she would probably be angry, because Nickelback is one of her favourite bands. I can appreciate a band that puts in time, and makes a living, even if they arent the best musicians. Heck, My favourite band for years was MxPx, and although it progressed throughout their career, their musical talent is moderate at best. Any band that writes multiple songs that can be successfully covered by MuG is far from the peak of God given musical talent.

This has lead me to appreciate 2 types of musicians or groups:

1. Artists with undeniable, amazing talent. people in this category include: Keith Urban, U2, Jeff Beck, Billy Joel, Carrie Underwood, Switchfoot (Jon Foreman in particular), Justin Timberlake, Jars of Clay, Michael Buble (dont know how to get the accent over the e), Kurt Cobain, sting.

2. Artists who have the drive to make up for what they lack in Natural born talent. Not that these artists arent Good musicians, but their passion and/or honesty puts them close to, if not more than even with any other act. people in this category include: Johnny Cash, Reese Roper, MxPx, Eric Church, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, John Fogarty (could be in either category, couldnt decide), Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, showbread, Pearl Jam.

Both lists could be a whole lot longer, but i think i made my point. Not all of the artists or bands i listed are my favourites, some I hardly listen to at all, But I have great respect for what they've done for music...whether in general, or within their specific genre.

One more list before I go...artists who I have little respect for, because they have either sold out, been a disappointment, are enormously famous before they've proven themselves, or have risen to fame because of a marketing gimic or through having the right connections, despite mediocre talent. people in this category include: Backstreet boys, Miley Cyrus, POD, Nickelback, Lady GaGa, Britney Spears, And many other pop artists that i hear daily on the radio or around town. POP music is doing horrible things for the industry, and i would even go so far as to say that a lot of what I hear today will go down in history as the dark ages of modern music.

And Now, I leave you with some lyrics...how fitting

"Get-ups, gimmicks
One hit wonders that don't stick
Pretty boys acting tough
Boy bands give it up

And if it looks good on TV
It'll look good on a CD
Shape it up, trim it down
Who gives a damn 'bout how it sounds

I don't think Waylon done it that way
And if he was here he'd say Hoss, neither did Hank
I ain't dogging what you're doing
But boys come on let's get real
You still got a lotta boot left to fill

You say you're the real deal
But you play what nobody feels
You sing about Johnny Cash
The man in black would've whipped your ass

So so long 'til I see you again
When you're laying in the bargain bin

Well I don't think Waylon done it that way
And if he was here he'd say Hoss, neither did Hank
I ain't dogging what you're doing
But then again, hell yes I am
I just don't give a damn
'Cause you still got a lotta boot left to fill"

-Eric Church

Sick, sick, sick, I get sicker every day!

Greetings. As promised, I am here with a new post. After saying that I was going to write a new post, I started thinking about what to write. It sometimes feels like nothing much is going on, which isn't the worst thing in the world, but it does make for a rather dull read. So, I decided to write about how I made full use of our wonderful health care system over the past 8 months, and I hope that whoever may read this may find it to be informative and entertaining, or at least worth reading.

Round 1.In March of this year I suffered a knee injury that left me somewhat disabled. A series of doctors visits and and x-rays, as well as a fair bit of pushing and pestering resulted in the decision to go for scope surgery, and in early may I visited the surgeon in penticton. I was put on the wait list, and thought I'd be there for quite some time, as I have heard the horror stories about our wait lists here in Beautiful British Columbia. Approximately 10 minutes after I left the surgeons office, I received a phone call from the receptionist at the surgeons office informing me that there had been a cancellation, and that I could have my surgery the following Friday. I realize that this doesn't always happen, but the experience left me feeling rather comfortable about the care we recieve, in comparison to many other places around the world. After a short recovery and a summer of working, my knee is back to normal and feeling strong.

Round 2. While recovering from my knee surgery, I came down with what I assumed was a normal cold. I wasn't working, so I wasn't too worried about being sick, until it came time for me to go back to work 2 weeks later, and the cold had only worsened. I managed to work a full week, but on the saturday after working for one week, I had to rush to the hospital, because my airway had shut, and I was unable to breathe unless I was standing up....not a good feeling when it is late at night and nothing sounds good except sleep. 3 days, many doctors, nurses, andtibiotics, a scalpal, and lots of blood later, I had had enough of Grand Forks' indecision and lack of results, so I went to penticton, where I saw a throat specialist. It turns out that I had tonsilitis, and my tonsil was getting so swollen that it blocked passage of air or food or water. The specialist made me feel like he actually knew what he was doing in the situation, and I recieved antibiotics, painkillers, and a mouthwash, all of which worked as they should, and A few days later I was back to normal.

Round 3. After returning home from a visit up to Prince George in late august, I started feeling severe pain in my right hip. after a week or so, the pain had moved, and for the next 3 weeks, I constantly felt like I was being kicked in the groin. More Doctors. More confusion. Of all the injuries and illnesses I've had in my life, This one worried me most. It wasn't the worst pain, nor the longest lasting, but there was just something unsettling about the location and persistance of it, and I will admit that it scared me. I saw the doctor 3 times, got some pain killers that didn't work, and had tests taken that didn't show anything. After 4 weeks of struggling to work with the pain, I was set to have time off from work to go north. Plans changed, and I instead took the time off to relax and hope for healing. Healing Came, I don't know why, I don't what was wrong, but it went away, and I am healthy again...except that it is cold season, and I seem to have caught one. There's nothing quite like the smell of vapour rub as it burns your nostrils on a crisp fall day.

I have seen hospitals; I have seen people go crazy in them, I have seen people losing hope in them, I have seen people healed in them, and I have seen people get worse in them. I do not wish to go back to one for a long time, but I am quite thankful that they are there, and that people are willing to look after the sick and hurt and disabled...It is a profession that I respect greatly, because I could not go to work every day and have to deal with sick, hurt, whiney, annoying people, and still have a smile on my face. Anyways, that is all for now.

these lyrics don't really have anything to do with my post, but they're from the new showbread album, and I like showbread, so enjoy!

The soapbox you stand on has got a few cracks
The horse that you ride is quite high
Perhaps you’re as wise as your words may suggest
or perhaps you wear a disguise
For all the wrong that you call to attention
some seems to have been misplaced
And since you speak so honestly
why don’t you point your finger right back in your own face?

-Josh dies

A New Post?

I doubt anyone ever reads this anymore, due to lack of posting, but i feel like there's a post or two that I have on the tip of my tongue. Tonight, however, I am tired, and need to sleep, so this is just a tease. Stay tuned.

I think a motorcycle's a good way to die

Good evening, and welcome to my display of journalistic wonder. Having felt pressure to inform my readers of the events which transpired in the past week, I have finally caved.

As I previously mentioned, I was fortunate enough to receive a ticket for the Vancouver Canucks game last Saturday. The day started with lance picking me up at 8:20, and off we went for Vancouver via kelowna. The first hour of the drive was beautiful, forcing me to wear my sunglasses. We quickly discovered that it would be short lived, however, as we ran into some severe weather north of Beaverdell. We picked up Dan in winfield after encountering 2 separate snowstorms, and had trouble finding his house as his directions led us into a rather sketchy trailer court. After phoning dan again, and driving over someone's garden (as he watched us), we found dan and were again on our way. the drive turned from bad to worse, forcing us to take the southern route due to extreme conditions and closure of the coquihalla connector. south we went, and between kelowna and chilliwack we passed 4 years worth of weather. The sun would break, the day would look beautiful, reminiscant of late spring, and 10 minutes later we were in the midst of a snowstorm rivaling a frigid january saskatchewan hell. Through the cloudy chaos we marched, and broke free of the storm to find ourselves at the tail end of a beautiful Lower mainland day, and the sunglasses returned for the final steps of the journey to abbotsford where we met up with Joe.

The sky train transported us to GM place, where we quickly made our way to Costco for a hearty (not to mention greasy) dinner. We dined around a trash can, as there were no tables available. Next we made our way to the stadium, and entered through the Canucks store. First Joe, then me, then lance got our tickets scanned and entered. we didnt look back until half way up the stairs, and quickly realized that Dan was having a problem scanning. We watched to see what was wrong, and were informed by the man with the scanner that Dan had bought a ticket for the game a week earlier. A moment of sympathy quickly turned to laughter at Dan's expense. Who buys a ticket for the wrong game...seriously. Honest mistake, but a costly one. Luckily Dan was able to buy a new ticket and didn't miss the game, but he didn't get away without a weekend full of ridicule.

The game itself was one to Behold. 2 goals for the canucks in the first 6 minutes, with a final score of 3-1. Suck that, San Jose. At one point in the game a man somewhere in the crowd in front of us walked past to go get food, and he happened to be wearing a trail smoke eaters jersey. Trail sucks...always has, always will. This fact promted us to hurl ridicule at the man who so boldly supported such an unworthy organization, and town, for that matter. The third time the man passed us, he seemed to be getting annoyed at our insults, and stopped to defend his toilet bowl of a town. Neither me nor lance were willing to retract our comments, and stood by them firmly, at which point we were asked if we wanted to take the matter to a more physical level. Being completely satisfied with our verbal beating, we both declined the request, partially because there was still close to half of a Canucks game to watch. Also, I was quite confidant that the man had probably been beaten up by someone from Grand forks at the T&P pub in Christina lake, and felt no need to capitalize on the matter.

The Game ended, and back to the canucks store we went. Me, lance, and dan all walked out with new merch. Dan felt it necessary to purchase a zip up hoodie that he fell in love with, but was only available in a small. Dan is not a small man. We tried talking him out of it, but he wouldn't budge. he could get it on, and it doesn't look horrible on him, but if he ever washes it, his wife will be the proud new owner of a Johnny Canuck Hoodie.

Back to abbotsford we went, and a late night turned later for me and Joe when we stayed up talking until close to 5 am. Its good to catch up with a friend I don't get to see very much, so I was not opposed to this. However, due to the late night, coupled with the spring-forward time change, sunday morning was spent sleeping, and we didn't hit the road until noon. Roads that had caused nothing but grief on saturday, had had a change of heart, and sunday's drive was pleasant and stress free, a relaxing end to a busy weekend. I have pictures of the trip, but am too lazy to post them, so you will have to use your imagination.

All in all, canucks trip=Awesome.

On another note, I once again am sporting the cane. An incident at battalion on wednesday left me with a right knee that is semi-functional at best. I have seen a doctor, and am faced with either a bad twist which should heal within 2 weeks, or a torn ACL, which is no small burden. I am hoping for the best, as I am slated to start working as soon as the snow is gone. The bright side is that I have always been a man who has enjoyed the cane, mostly because it provides me with an object to use on anyone who feels it necessary to annoy me. But be warned, I may or may not have a cane that can quickly turn into a sharp weapon.

As I am tired, that will be all. I leave you with these words, written by a man, who wants to do the simple things that a man enjoy's doing:

In the hunter-gatherer societies,
I'd bring home the bacon.
Public thought says men should try and be tame,
stirred but not shaken.
I say "baseball" then you start to cry,
I'm sorry I grieve you.
I think a motorcycle's a good way to die,
this must bereave you.
I know that you try so hard,
and I'm not saying it's a sin,
it's just that they don't feel my pain,
in Vogue or Cosmopolitan.

-Reese Roper

So far, So bad, that's how it goes

Alas, boredom has drawn me back to this creative outlet I so scarcely approach. As I have no exciting stories to tell, This post will simply be an update on what is currently happening in my life. On February 4, I packed up my things from the J2, and caught a ride back to Grand Forks. It was a bittersweet day. I loved the ranch, and the job, but was forced to leave due to unreconsilable differences with certain people there. Although I am sad to be without a job again, I love Grand Forks, and am happy to be here for the time being.

Since being home, I have done my best to keep busy, which hasn't been all that hard. OK Tire has been a regular hang out spot for me, where I've played a lot of crib, or just sat around talking. in fact, once this post is done, I'll get dressed and walk on over. I managed to score a ticket to the canucks game on March 7th...Jer was supposed to go with his brother, but Jer's wife is going to Lethbridge to pick up Brittani that weekend, so he has to stay home with his kids. Thank you Britt, you rock! So, next saturday, me and Lance are headed to the coast, where we will meet up with Joe, and hopefully Dan, and have a good time watching the Canucks stomp the Sharks. I am very excited, as this will be my first Canucks game.

I also spend a fair amount of time at the Jepsen house, and even worked half a day yesterday at the daycare...good times. apparently the kids really missed me after I left in the fall...they were all fairly excited to see me when I moved back, and even some of the new kids that I'd never met knew about me. One dad was a little upset one day when I walked in the door and his 2 year old wanted to go to me instead of his dad.

Other than that, not much is new in my life. Still looking for work, although I havent exactly been looking hard lately, mostly because I've been sick and don't have much motivation. If any readers know of any work, feel free to let me know.

Until next time, take care

"The advertising dollars buy,
the right to stifle antonyms,
to sterilize the truth with fiction,
so we can sing their corporate hymns.
And all of us were cowed and bought it,
hardly anybody got it.
While mergers made their spires grow taller
what they let you know grew smaller.
And we were scared, or too bemused,
and so we still turned on the news."
-Reese Roper