It's been a rough week. Had a co-worker pass away this morning from sun stroke. He had been in a bike race in Calgary on Sunday and ended up collapsing partway through from the heat and ended up in a coma. There was a glimmer of hope yesterday when he seemed like he may be turning the corner but...It's really sad as he was my age, healthy and just a cool guy. It's almost surreal, like a joke or something. I was just getting to know him better since I moved to the office and was also on his golf team for our company tournament. It really shows what the heat can do to you if you're not getting enough fluids and over-exerting yourself. I'm really not a fan of this heat, it's too much. I guess the only thing to do is think of the life Cam lived and hope that his family can get through this tough time. Hopefully some of you reading can put them in your thoughts and prayers.

On a different note, my dad just turned the big 6-0 yesterday and I just want to pay tribute to him. He has always been, for me, a model father and I wouldn't be the man I am today without his influence on my life growing up. I can only hope I'd be half the father he has been to me when and if I have kids. Thanx for just being you, pops!

In other news, there's some Pronger rumours swirling around. Once again my man BBBoris beat me to the punch. He knows a guy named Scott (a fake name to protect his identity) that heard that Pronger cheated on his wife and got a girl pregnant and then his wife left town. That actually makes sense. Even if that happens to be true it doesn't change my stance on him. He's still a hardcore asshole and I would have no sympathy for him.

I'm sure everybody's heard the news about Pronger wanting out of Edmonton. What a fuckin' joke! I thought he was a good guy but obviously I was wrong. Why the hell do you sign a five year contract if you're gonna demand a trade after one year? As far as I'm concerned, good riddance. Don't let the door hit you on the way out, asshole! The oilers run this year will be nothing more than a faint memory next year when were back to our old ways of being happy just to barely make the playoffs. With Bergeron and Dickie T manning the blueline you can't help but have confidence, right? Right? And it looks like the other teams in our division are already making themselves better while we take a step backward. The Flames picked up Alex Tanguay while the Wild acquired Pavol Demitra. Now, why can't the Oilers go out and pickup proven point producers like that? I definitely don't envy Kevin Lowe; I even feel sorry for him in a way. He didn't plan for this whole Pronger shit to happen. This whole thing leaves a really bad taste in my mouth.

I saw Rollie Pemberton (AKA Cadence Weapon) twice walking the streets around my area listening to his headphones. If you don't know who he is you probably soon will. He's only the best thing to happen to Edmonton hip-hop in, I don't know, ever. He's been on the cover of Exclaim, used to write for pitchfork and is a talented rapper and producer. And the guy is only like 20 years old. I love how he could totally leave Edmonton and find greener pastures but he chooses to stay here and that's amicable. I gave him a wave one of the times I saw him and also fawned over him in a drunken state one time at the Black Dog a while back. He's really just a regular, approchable dude. His future looks amazingly bright.

This heat is too much. I think I fried my brain today after hanging out in the sun this morning after camping last night. Then I came home and stepped into my sauna, er home and that didn't help at all. I was a little out of it the rest of the day. And I probably drank like 12 gallons of water today but I'm still not hydrated. This summer could be quite hellish for me.

Hey, what's up. I've been neglecting my baby here the last little while. It's this freakin' job, it's frying my brain. I guess I hadn't been learning anything new for awhile with my old job and I kind of got in a comfort zone. That's never a good thing. Now I'm learning new things at an alarming rate and my brain is having trouble keeping up. I like the challenge, though, and the days go flying by.

Had another flag football game today. We got our asses handed to us on a silver platter. It didn't help that we were playing a team that consisted of 90% of the Edmonton Huskies. I mean, give me a break! I'm playing this shit for fun and it's getting a little too serious for me. I ended up straining my groin early on in the game and played through it because there was still a lot of game to be played and we were short guys. I've definitely realized flag football is not for me. I think I would do better with tackle because it's actually easier than grabbing those freakin' flags. I'm not one for giving up so I'm not going to quit but I need to rest my pulled wire for a while.

I saw "An Inconvenient Truth" on tuesday and it was really eye-opening. It really makes you think about what we are doing to harm our earth and make future inhabitants worse off. The data and facts that are shown in this film are really not that surprising this day and age but the things that could possibly happen in the future are. One crazy fact: If either Greenland or Antarctica melt completely (as they are well on their way to doing at an alarming rate), sea level will rise 20 feet and flood large parts of Florida, Shanghai and India - among others - displacing or killing hundreds of millions of people.
Al Gore is really good in it as well. You can tell he does not have an agenda ( a la Michael Moore) because he's been lobbying about the harmful effects of global warming pretty much his whole political life. He's really sincere in his goals to get this world ( and especially the U.S.) to change their ways. This Documentary really made me want to be an activist, work for a good cause, saving the earth. It sounds kind of cheesy but seeing this film really puts it in perspective and really makes you think. You definitely owe it to yourself to see it. Go! Now!

Lastly, really digging the new AFI more and more. I can't get that shiat out of my head. And they're coming here July 21. Bonus!

It's all over but the shouting. But as a great man named Doug Thickett said, you can't be pissed off just merely disappointed at the outcome of tonight's game. The oilers were well above anybody's expectations this year and they deserve nothing but our undying love and support. They captured the imagination of this city and this run truly showed that the best fans in the NHL are right here in our fair city. It coudn't have been done without the stellar play of guys like Pronger, Roloson, Pasani and Markannen. Jussi especially deserves praise for helping us even get to a seventh game. Once Roloson was injured I'm pretty sure 99% of the fans including me gave up hope right there. But after game 2 Jussi was nothing short of amazing and I have a newfound respect for him. There's going to be a lot of important decisions made this summer but I have complete faith in Kevin Lowe to make the right ones. Just another thing about the game: what the fuck was Kid Rock doing there anyway. Has he ever watched a hockey game in his life? Does he know the difference between a hockey stick and a doobie? I don't think so. Go back to your trailer park and screw some groupies you has been! I mean you never was.
Alright, that's too much ink for him. Season's officially over, so bring on the summer!

(I really shouldn't have eaten that sundae with like, no word of a lie, twelve toppings, tonight. Damn you, Katelyn Combs!)

What a night! What a game! I wish these playoffs would go on forever. It's one big non-stop party. Last night we were blasting ABBA's "fernando" repeatedly right off my balcony and generally making fools of ourselves. I'm pretty sure one of my neighbour's is gonna slit my throat in my sleep if this keeps up. I guess the glares in the hallway are enough to keep them satisfied.
About the game, what Canes team was that? Do they really miss Weight that much? Brind'Amour looked invisible out there. Oilers aren't gonna have it that easy on monday but if they come out like they did last night they will be alright. Yes, flag football is postponed on monday because of the game. I believe my body's thanking me in advance.

Just heard from a reliable source that Tool may be coming to town. The question is, do I even care anymore. They haven't done anything new and relevant in ten years! To be fair, I heven't even tried to listen to their new album yet but I got the gist from the first song.

There's too many more interesting bands out there right now, so caring about Tool at the moment just seems like work. Don't be too sad, though, Maynard look at the big picture you get.

isn't he sexy?

Well, yesterday wasn't all good. My car did decide to just shut er down right in the middle of gateway boulevard on a busy saturday afternoon when the road was already down to two lanes. What a helpless feeling! I love how the people trying to get around me were looking at me like I just murdered someone. Like I really planned to be in that situation. C'mon! Luckily, i scrounged up four guys from the Tim Horton's to push me to safety. Thanx dudes, whoever you are.

All I can say in closing is: GO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOILERSSSSSSSSSS!

Was in the grove tonight and looks like I missed the great flood of 2006. The parking lot for the apartment behind my place looks like a swimming pool. I was tempted to grab my trunks and go for a dip but I got a thing against asphalt burn. Plus i'm still recovering from my flag football game on monday! That shiat was intense and my body's saying don't do it again. I'm sure the second go round won't be nearly as bad.

So this daily grind 5 day a week stuff is pretty hard to adjust to. I'm actually working less hours than I used to but I feel I have less time to do things. It's weird. And I've decided mondays really suck.

My listening this week has consisted of the new A.F.I. - Decemberunderground

It's really quite good. I got into A.F.I. after their last album and this just continues the ball rolling. To be honest there's nothing really amazing about them musically but Davey Havok's voice more than make's up for it. He can find so many different ranges that, vocally, he's truly he's like his own musical instrument (if that makes any sense). I do like how they throw electronic elements into the mix every once in a while. One qualm I have is with the song "kiss and control" where Davey does a lame Bert McCracken-like rant with no music. Other than that, no problems with this album. I guess other people are jumping on the bandwagon as well, the disc was #1 on the billboard charts last week.

Lastly before I politely bow out I wanna wish the oil luck in their amazing quest to win the cup. It's only a matter of time, it's fate I tell ya. Go OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOIL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well didn't wanna post this late but had an unexpected phone call...

Anywayz, it's hard keeping up this mofo but I have to please the masses so I trudge on.

Well the mighty oil aren't so mighty anymore. Yesterday was hard to watch because Carolina beat them at their own game. They were blocking shots and going to the net hard like the oilers need to do to be successful. And it doesn't help that there's no saviour in the nets now. You can't really blame Jussi, though, as long as he has guys like Bergeron backing him up. He really has to go, far, far away.
In other NHL news, Ted Nolan has been hired by the Islanders. It's his first opportunity in the NHL since he won coach of the year almost ten years ago then was let go and blackballed in the preceding years. I always liked him because he seemed to have a real fire in him that a lot of coaches lack, including, I have to say, Mac T. I think he'll finally bring the Isles the consistency they've lacked in the Mike Milbury era.

Hard to imagine it' s been 30 years since Tommy Lasorda's famous rant on a reporter after dave Kingman had just beat the dodgers with 3 Hr and 8 RBI. All you kiddies probably don't remember it but it's just like it was yesterday for me. Check out the audio at http://tommykingman.ytmnd.com/. Freakin' hilarious even after all these years.

Well as far as TV goes there's only one true reality show on TV. The stories on A&E's 'intervention' (sunday nights, 8 P.M.), will bring you back down to earth in a hurry if you think you got it bad. They don't pull any punches showing the everyday lives of drug, video game, shopping and gambling addicts, rageoholics, people with eating disorders etc. etc. If these stories and their continuing sagas and conclusions don't move you then you have no soul, my friend. It's truly riveting stuff.

In music news....

Apparently the Chilli Peppers hit "Dani California" looks to be a direct rip-off of Tom Petty's "Mary Jane's Last Dance". As reported by my buddy BBBoris (www.bigbadboris.com), the chord progressions and everything about the song are very similar to Petty's '93 hit. I have to agree. Listen for yourself here: http://www.jared-morris.com/blog/petty.mp3.

Lastly, I've really been getting back into Public Enemy's old-school "Fear of a Black Planet" era shit. I can really see where the roots of conscious rap were born. It's really sad to see Flavor Flav seriously going off the deep end these days but at least you can go back to the old days and reminisce. I can bug out to it!

Oh Man! What a way to lose. That's a heartbreaker. You can't blame Conklin for it although I'm not surprised he contributed with his track record. Bergeron should finally be riding pine for good after barely skating back on the Williams breakaway (Grapes pointed that one out), and hitting the guy that ultimately ran into Roloson. I guess Brind'amour should get something in return for being born with a face only a mother could love. What an ugly motherfucker! He would fit right in with the Franz Ferdinand boys.
Let's hope Roloson is alright or else were pooched, the proof is in the pudding. I guess we can discuss...hold up, this just in, roloson is done for the series. I don't need to say anymore, oilers are in trouble. The high hopes I had for a cup win are now out the window. I know I'm being negative but when have we ever been able to depend on Conklin or Markannen?
Maybe we should talk about some real news: did you hear Jarrett Stoll is dating Rachel Hunter, Rod Stewart's former flame? Now that's news!

I'm out like the oilers hopes.

Alright kiddies, here it is, pt.3 of the continuing sasquatch saga. I promise this is the last instalment as i'm pretty sure I've lost half of my four fans because of it. tailgate party on the side of the highway when it was closed due to a traffic accident
More beautiful scenary
Walking in the first night and checking out the amazing backdrop
H.I.M. performing friday night - what does that stand for anyway? They actually weren't that bad
More concert fun...big shades are back babeee!


So that's it, I've exhausted the sasquatch to the point that I'm sick of talking about it. That doesn't mean it wasn't a serious amount of fun.
It's time to move on to more pressing issues, like the oilers stanley cup run.

Game 1 tommorow and let's hope whyte ave doesn't go down in a heap of rubble if we win. I'm into having fun but there's a point where enjoyment becomes stupidity and I believe that line was crossed last saturday. Let's keep it peaceful.

Until next time Canada...

So here's Pt. 2 of the sasquatch craziness, on friday night no less. I really needed to take it easy 2nite, believe you me. the gang, minus Jay ( a little blurry but it does the trick)
the end of the NIN show
our campsite complete with medic Jay looking for damsels in distress, plaizier on air guitar, and if you look closely in the middle of the picture this chick who was literally a human garbage disposal. She cleaned us out of beer, rye and food so she had to go
Rogue Wave doing what they do, rock!!!
the crowd behind me facing the big stage
beautiful scenary
More team pics
i couldn't resist, one more
the brain doctor ready to perform a checkup

Some more observations:

- Biggie's song w/ too short, "big booty hoes", would make eazy-e blush if he were still alive
- Even though it might be weaker, you can't go wrong with the US's half-price beer
- I'm addicted to monster lo-carb energy drink - not sold in canada - and I have very little left ( Pinner cleaned out the upper east side of Idaho like some sort of monster monster)
- Pinner wishes his soul would meet his body, like the song which he just latched unto a year after release
- There's a lot of losers from calgary, as evidenced by our campground
- Four guys watching german porn on a 7" screen in the back of a van isn't as creepy as it sounds
- Strawberry mini-wheats are a gift from god, I really should have bought a case

Pt.3 tommorow, or maybe the next day ( I'm really stretching this out for my own enjoyment of the memories)

Sufjan Stevens rocking out in his hardhat
The beginning of the hail
The aftermath

Me n' Pinner bringing back hang loose Showing our true colors
Pinner n' I doing a victory lap around the campground
Once it hits your lipsss...Don't get any ideas Barnfather!
Matisyahu beatboxing
My last pic before the camera died, some random hot chick

This is actually pt. 2 of the pictures ( I couldn't fit anymore)

Pt.1 tommorow, the saga continues...