Can't help it

So last week my brother sent me the most awesome care package with some brilliant tunes involved...however on the weekend I also picked up both Britney and Kylie's new albums...

and I can't help it...I can't stop listening to both of them;)

Hehehe...I'm just a wannabe pop fan!

No stroke that...I'll admit, I like pop...pop music...

'lyrics' to express the moment

Our house. It's our castle and our keep.
Our house. At the end of the street.
Our house that is where I will sleep.
Our house. At the end of the street.

M picked up the keys today at lunch.

After work we are gonna have a picnic and sit (on lawn chairs) in our new living room.

Then we will clean.

But we will be cleaning OUR house...and not a rental.

I'm sooo excited.
I just can't hide it.
I'm about to lose control and I think I like it.

Feeling Rough

What can I say - it was a pretty ace weekend but it's left me feeling less than fantastic. It started on Friday with pre-drinks at the flat before a group of us headed off to see my friend's band (same one as in Manchester). It was a bit touch and go when we had a communication problem with the guest list, but this was rectified fairly quickly and we were in. The gig was good, though the new non-smoking ban has resulted in the clubs smelling of B.O...not so great (this is England and air conditioning isn't really prevelent).

Met up with M after the gig and had a really good night. Lots of drinks consumed, and I recall being hit on my the tour manager and some guy from Canada now living in Bristol (who was adament that we exchange earrings--to which I refused). Some drunk dialing occured, as did apparantly being in the precense of the most beautiful girl in the world, oh, and M stumbled into the alley and was lost for about 45 minutes...

We stumbled home at 4:30 in the morning (much to my dismay as the party moved to Malmaison and I wanted to see the rooms!) but it was for the best...especially since M's parents showed up at our flat at 10:00! We had a really nice day wandering around Leeds and in the evening we met up with C (who also participated in the previous evening's activities) and we went to Opera in the Park...which was also great...

This week is going to be pretty manic...I'm off to London for a fun night out on Monday and for a sustainable homes conference on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday I'm off to Sheffield in the PM to see 'Ultimate Power Duo'...Saskatoon's best and finest! From there we are off to Norwich for a long weekend of camping, summer games and a festival...I'll finish it all off with picking up my Harry Potter on the Monday when I'm back at home!

Here are some pics from the weekend...

Rainy Manchester, Big Hands, and Rock Star Evenings

Another good weekend has come and gone. It was pleasant and enjoyable both Friday and Saturday but climaxed on Sunday. Sunday started a bit rough, with few memories and many reminders due to the four bottles of wine left on the kitchen table. A bit frantic, M and I got ready and rushed out to catch a train to meet up with a friend of ours in Manchester for a nice day trip out.

We chitchatted, we went out for a civilised urbanite lunch, we wandered in a park avoiding slugs, and we cooked up some pierogi's and ate them with gusto. M and I then left to go to a gig, where the bassist in the band is a old friend from when I lived in the 'capital of the world'.

After the gig, through some rock star eye catching antics (yelling out my friend's name when I saw him near the stage), M and I were able to arrange to go for drinks with the friend and his band. As M and I knew that we were now missing the 11:30 train and having to catch the 1:30, we felt it appropriate to make this into quite an evening. Shots of jagger, lovely vodkas and then the free red stripe when we were backstage was a nice start.

I managed to somehow convince the bands that they need not go to some lame house party but rather to a nice club just around the corner from the gig place. So we wandered over where the nice club had the nerve to charge the groupies to get in but not the bands...jerks. Anyways it was a fun night catching up with old friends, being complimented on my 'nice tits', being treated like the queen groupie to the two girls there for the support band, and introducing M to someone from 'my past'...that sounds sordid but its not.

After being doused with a spilt pint, the night ended as the bands had to make their way back to the bus. M and I hopped into a cab and headed for the train station. In what I can only consider one of my finer moments, once in the train station toilet, I whipped off my skirt and used the hand drier to dry it off. As I was standing in the bathroom in my leggings I wondered to myself what the two ladies thought of me, as they sat there discussing which corners were the best to work....

After a quick late night snack, M and I were on the train back home...I guess he managed to also pull a classy move by being sick in the train toilets...nice. Home and in bed by three...but it took it out of me. Sick at home today, finally accepting that the cold I've had for the past week probably was none to pleased with me for what I put it through yesterday.

Oh well. C'est la vie. Two days till jolly paris!

People Don't Dance no More...

So I feel like I'm returning to my old music self as of late...so many exciting things are happening and have happened that I'm feeling ok about the state of the musical world...

In February I went to two indie dance nights, one of them at the infamous Le Bateau...which was fantastic...then last week M and I went to see the gossip and it was fantastic...but Beth's voice is so amazing, how could it not be? Plus I almost got into fisticuffs with a pregnant chick which made it all the better...
Yesterday M and I went to see the Rapture and I danced my little heart out...any band that uses the cow bell gets lovin from me...plus I got my set list signed so I felt like quite the little groupie again (le sigh!).
And today I read that the Beastie Boys are planning a summer release:) YEEKS! How exciting!! Of course this means that they are unlikely to release an album until 2009, but still, an end is in site! Now if only Chinese Democracy had a release date I could die happy!
To celebrate all of this I plan on using my itunes card to buy me some new Arcade Fire...sweet sweet bliss! I'll listen to the new album while plotting the next vacay to Paris:) Woot!

Sexy's Back

Today is awesome. Why? Because both Basement Jaxx and Justin Timberlake drop new albums today. And because I'm getting a surprise purchase from CD Plus -- will it be the new outkast album or the new lillex album (yes, I said it, the new lillex album).

This evening cannot come fast enough for my listening pleasures...

Theme Song

THEME SONG: LAUGH/LOVE/FUCK (The Coup)

I am vacating the fair lands of Canada in protest over the Stanley Cup being hijacked from our hands. I will return when the pain of the loss is over (dramatic pause, cue orchestral music), and pick up from where I left.

I have chosen the song: Laugh/Love/Fuck by the Coup as my theme song...

Chorus:
I'm here to laugh, love, fuck and drink liquor
and help the damn revolution come quicker

Go England! Go Ecuador! Does Spain play today? Ahh, what the hell, Go Spain!

See you on the flip side....

Hookah Shoes Part Two, ULOB Part Four

Hmm...perhaps this all relates back to what Kundera said about noticing what we want to create motifs in our life...
After the Hooker shoe incident I went over to my brother's house and hung out. Randomly I asked if they had Salt and Peppa on CD and if I could borrow it. I don't know why I wanted to listen but I had an urge. So today I was listening to 'None of Your Business', S&P's best song, and one of the lines in the song is 'the difference between a hooker and a hoe aint nothin' but her feet'....creepy huh!

Ok, on to ULOB:

Awesomenes Insight #4
'Tereza went in to get dressed and stood in front of the large mirror.
No there was nothing monstrous about her body. She had no pouches hanging from her shoulders; in fact, her breasts were quite small. Her mother used to ridcule her for having such small breasts, and she had had a complex about them until Tomas came along. But reconciled to their size as she was, she was still mortified by the very large, very dark circles around her nipples. Had she been able to design her own body, she would have chosen inconspicuous nippes, the kind that scarcely protrude from the arch of the breast and all but blend in colour with the rest of the skin. She thought of her areoloae as big crimson targets painted by a primativist of pornography for the poor.'

Who hasn't analyzed their body, and their breasts (for the females) and wondered why they were stuck with what they have? I think that breasts are in particular a source of examination for females. I mean, I find myself in awe of the perky breasts I see on the the big screen for mine look nothing like them. I don't have that cute, upturnedness that other, more popular breasts do...mine I suppose are like big pouches hanging from my shoulders. Sigh.

Then there's the nipple issue! Like I remember going WTF when I watched the breast scene in American Beauty because a) one boob was bigger than the other and b) her nipples were massive! So to have a line regarding crude pornography in the best book of all time was quite apt, because it is true...The imperfections we all have become like this larger then life subject when we analyze our own selves...they become characictures for our bodies...do people wish I spell checked...oh well...

Once again, lyla's thoughts on the awesomeness of kundera.

PS: Lyla has her thinking cap on and its gonna be big..stay tuned for the unveiling..ok its not that big but it makes her happy...

hawksley

So I finally saw hawksley workman, something I've been wanting to do since his first album was released (2001ish).....apparantly I've seen him before but thats a contentious issue for another day.

It was in convocation hall and all I have to say is go see a concert there if you ever get a chance...it was soo nice..the acoustic's were fantastic and the brand new sound equipment provided the best sound i've ever heard at a show. That includes beating the 9:30, a feat I thought not possible...

And you have to love an artist who can take a glam rock sock like striptease and perform it using only finger cymbol's and it comes out sounding pretty fucking good.

Oh and I scored the setlist...not shocking I know but it's always nice to get another one to add to the collection.

that is all for now.

crazy fool

At approximately 9:15 PM Thursday night, patients at City Hospital witnessed a strange occurance in Kinsmen Park. In amongst the trees and sculptures there appeared to be irradic movements passing along one of the many walking paths. At first this instance caused some alarm until a keen sighted nursing aide focused on in the subject.

"At first I was scared really...I mean there was this thing, flayling about...Arms were pumping alongside the body, hands dancing in the air, hips moving and every now and then a bit of a hop" Sandi Destinowski reported. "As a nursing aide I have to be able to stay calm in situations like this, so I took a deep breath and focused. Poor Alma was sent into another cardiac arrest at the sight! So I let Ro..I mean Doctor Caliente focus on her while I figured out the park situation. I soon realized it was just some crazy chick dance-walking to her ipod".

One of the nurses ran out to speak to the crazy chick, trying to determine what caused this behaviour. Said the girl, "It was a little bit of Arctic Monkeys, a little bit of Ciara and a whole lotta Madonna". She wouldn't promise that this wouldn't happen again in the future.

--Lloyd Robertson and Sandi Rinaldo contributed to this story--

GRRR

I managed to completely wipe out my ipod today in an attempt to do some tricky maneouvering...I was trying to transfer some wiped out itunes songs that I still had on my ipod back to itunes...

Unfortunately I cleared them all...now I'm Madonna and Jose Gonzalez-ess, amongst others...my two current top plays at the moment. I think I'll purchase JG but Madonna? Can anyone help a sista out?

Saskatoon Peeps:

I'm coming to the city tomorrow till Saturday and staying at my brothers...email for the number or just hope that I call...if I don't its because I didn't bring your numbers.

Now this next task I found extremely fun (during my oh so productive days as an unemployed person). I'm sure one could do this with their cd changer if they lack the ipod capacity -- or maybe their itunes/real music...it's good fun whatever the case.

4, 5, 6, 10 and 13 kinda made me laugh and chuckle....

Oh and go to http://biasedandmyopic.blogspot.com/ for more on the New Year's celebrations...



iPod. Shuffle.
Body: Put your ipod on shuffle and ask the following questions. No cheating.

1. What do you think of me, ipod?
When I Go (Simian)

2. Will I have a happy life?
Treats for the Kiddies (Del Tha Funky Homosapiens)

3. What do my friends really think of me?
Square Dance (Eminem)

4. Do people secretly lust after me?
Natural's Not In It (Gang of Four)

5. What does [insert significant other ] think of me?
Homeward Bound (Simon & Garfunkel)

6. How can I make myself happy?
Good Morning America (Moistboyz)

7. What should I do with my life?
Kissy Kissy (The Kills)

8. Why must life be so full of pain?
Gone to Earth (Goldfrapp)

9. How can I maximize my pleasure during sex?
Where's your Head at? (Basement Jaxx)

10. Will I ever have children?
Bbydhyonchord (Aphex Twin)

11. Will I die happy?
Sugar Blaster (The Starlight Mints)

12. Can you give me some good advice?
See Through Head (The Hives)

13. Do you know where your children are?
Tombstone (Peaches)

14. What do you think happiness is?
On the Run (The rascalz)

back in black

ok well not really. I was wearing jeans when I arrived back in the uk.

Chicago was fantastic -- the city is AMAZING!! The proportion of building height to street width, including ample pedestrian room, was right on and the buildings were great.

Got to see a Gehry, a Wright, some Mies, a Saarinen and a Calatrava...which I think is pretty fucking cool.

The wedding was beautiful -- my emotional mess of myself shed a tear and the food and free booze was excellent.

good times....and now, back to LFC tomorrow...but not before checking out some young swedes tonight (Mando Diao).

And then tomorrow I get to see M...yay!

The man sitting across from me just broke a glass and everyone is staring at him, poor guy.

Its Really Fucking Oasis: Lyla!

I was leaked on the internet last week, and this week I finally made my radio debut. The new single from Oasis was played on radio one, and I sound pretty decent. But we always knew that I would...

The drugs don't work...or they are taking their sweet time kicking in. Antibiotics for the could that won't quit...my body produces some nasty stuff...but we always knew that I would...

Off to carlisle in a few hours...ma and pa Peter get to meet M...definately not trivial.

Whip it On

Well, last night was a blast!!!! Went to the Raveonettes (I think this was my fourth time at one of their shows) and the set was great..they played a bunch of new stuff which sounded really good. They even did a cover of My Boyfriend's Back which had everyone excited. Snagged the set list and headed to the after show party. Unlike the Dizzee show, this after-party had the band show up. I ended up talking to Menosh (sp?) for a good part of the night...he keeps in touch with Miss K, from DC but now in SF....so we talked about her, and then he asked about my friend Jason who works for Sony -- I guess they were hanging out together last week at SXSW...so that was fun.

We also discussed how it was crazy that I'd be going to Copenhagen before he did, yet he'd be in DC before I would...crazy.

When the album drops, go buy it because the stuff we heard was amazing...that should be in May (for NA, July for UK).

Then as we were heading out, the lead singer was leaving so I told him good show. He smiled and thanked me and walked off ahead. Ended up running into him on the street as he was looking for a cab...told him where he could catch one and then said, Tell Menosh that we'll tell Miss K hi...then the singer was like, you know Miss K! So do we!...she's infamous I tell you!

Another highlight of last night (as I remember from my whiskey hangover) was having a bit of a moment with Rock Star Charles. He was trying to get past k and I last night holding beers and he did this little jig dance and we imitated it back, laughing. He sooo wants to know us! I love being shallow and insane.

So off to Copenhagen later today...Yay!

a mish mash of things to say

Just returned from my four days in London and it was a really good trip. Finally made it on the London Eye, and it was awesome. That day it was like 15 degrees C. so we could see for miles. Awesomeness.

On Saturday K and I went out to Canary Warf, the new development are in London, which is like little North America. Due to another beautiful day, the ability to walk along the Thames and sip Daiqairies on the boardwalk, Saturday was great. It was topped off by FINALLY seeing the Lloyds building, which is an amazing architecturally designed building!

Sunday was a bit dreary but we hopped the train to Hampton Courth where I learned that due to his asthma, King William had Sir Christopher Wren build the first floor of his wing only 8 ft tall so that he wasn't as winded when heading to the public areas on the second. Also toured the gardens which were designed to rival versailles -- in other words, they were beautiful.

Monday I went to the Design Museum with cool exhibitions on Album Design Covers, Le Corbusier's chair designs, 2001: A Space Oddesy set design information and mapping designs...all very cool but not the best. Then it was off to West Minster Abbey and Harrods. Great trip all in all.

Denmark on Friday and until then I must work work work!

The Bravery had the number 5 cd sales this week on their debut album...not so bad (UK results) so congrats to them..

Name Dropping

Once a band-aid (groupie?), forever accused of being a band-aid....

Text receive March 8, 2005, 6:28 PM from M:
don't suppose you've fucked either of the gallagher brothers have you? Their next single is called Lyla.

I suppose this means that I'll now have people singing the new Oasis song vs. layla by E. Clapton when they learn my name. And my name will now become more popular -- Kate Moss' daughter is also named Lyla....

So much of me -- you luvs it...

quick summary

Things that have happened since my last blog:

Friday: dinner party with the Mexican's from my course. DELICIOUS!!! The food was superb, authentic Mexican food and fun times. Followed this by going to see The Subways, which was decent enough, although for seven quid the band played a VERY short set (half an hour). Followed this by drinks in town before heading over to a house party in which alternate universes were entered: people passing out that shouldn't; drunken hook-ups and me being mistaken for being Irish. Then Scottish, and then I finally had to say I was Canadian.

Saturday: dancing at liquidation, as per usual.

Sunday: Restless sleep due to need to secure money as I'm bleeding it at the moment. Final tuition payment is sketchy at best.

Monday: Lunch at a French Bistro that was awesome -- three course meal; homemade cream of mushroom soup, followed by stuffed mushroom (cream cheese and veggies) on polenta bread with steam veggies and then an apple crisp. Then off to Manchester to see Mando Diao, who put on a great show in a crap venue so the show didn't seem so great. They are ADORABLE, I want their babies...then drinks and great chats with LJE and K.
(see note to Sunday -- obviously I'm not working on this 'bleeding' enough)

Random thoughs...I have had a cold now since February 7. I think I'll try make a doctor's appointment tomorrow. Probably a good idea. M has said he doesn't really know me without this hacking, phlemgh inducing cold. That's scary.

UPDATE:(

I woke to the news this morning that my superstar rap boyfriend, Dizzee Rascal has been arrested by the bobbies in London. This is devastating news for me, and possibly Dizzee. Apparantly he was carrying pepper spray, which, in this country, is supposedly a bad thing. But C'mon, he's a rappa! he's from tha street...he's got to carry something, and it would be desperately bad if he was carrying a piece.

I suppose what one learns from all of this is that the cops in London are extremely racist and hell bent on destroying Mr. Rascal's career. Also, reviewers such as El brucio who don't recognize the impact that Mr. Rascal has on the British Urban music scene (which seemingly only consists of Ms. Dynamite, THe Streets, Jameilia, Lemar, and GLC).

Therefore I urge my reading public, all one of you, to petition the London police for the quick and immediate release of Mr. Rascal, so that he can continue making music for his adoring fans.

Peace Out.

What a week...

Uggh...last week was, well, tiring! But fantastically fun! I say it started off with seeing Closer on Monday which I really enjoyed...mainly because it was fun to relate the characters to myself...

Tuesday K and I went to Manchester to see The Bravery. LJE joined us and the show was great...as the girls kept screaming I wondered how much I could get for Michael H's number...Met up with Michael after the show and hung out backstage...found out that the one I thought was cute had lived in DC for some time...later went to a club in town and proceeded to get wasted. Woke up the next morning realizing there were three of us in the bed, I was still drunk and that I had blacked out the last part of the evening --- as had K and LJE...remenants come to me at times, shots, flirting and wanting food...

K and I hopped the train to London...hooked up with our DC girls in the evening and had a blast...made me really miss DC, the people and the old hood. The next day went to the Tower of London with the whole DC family and it was fun to see how the girls were so much like their parents...saw the crown jewels (decided I needed my own royal orb), different types of armour and a bunch of other historical stuff...

Met up with Johnny Makeout for a quick supper at a pub (much to M's dismay -- in fact, still haven't crossed that bridge)...hadn't seen him since October so that was kind of fun..although I realized that he bears a striking resemblance to my fake other other brother which was a little disconcerting...but still a cutie. Found out his last name is shrubshole or something like it -- meaning one who lives in a hole with a shrub outside. Nice.

Went to the club that Carl from the LIbertines dj's at on Thursday for a indie night -- five DC girls almost mauled this poor moppie as we all stared him down...he wouldn't have known what hit him had one of us acted.

Then on Friday the girls came to tha pool and we went out for supper -- great food and then off to the club where we had a good time -- saw a band called The Performance that peeps need to check out (weareperformance.co.uk)...they were great. Girls left and now I'm sad that I don't have any DCers coming to town -- lord knows my SK peeps aren't showing up anytime soon.

Weekly round up complete. The Bravery fucking rocked -- so happy that they are doing so well...album is out in March and they're on itunes...check them out...It was fun hanging out with rock stars again -- oh I'm shallow.