I don't want my nickel back

Shaun and I went to go see Nickelback last night. Traffic was horrible on the way there, and we got there just as the opening band started. It actually started on time, to my surprise! Our seats weren't too shabby for being on the upper level either...

Danko Jones was the first band. Pretty cocky for a guy that opens for an opening band. I get the feeling that he feels disrespected in Canada for some reason...as if we should just blindly cheer him just because he's Canadian. Maybe I'm the only one who got that vibe. I had no complaints with his set though.

The lights went out a few minutes later, signalling that Live was up next...and wow, their stuff was set up fast. Way faster than my experiences at the Odeon! Everyone was telling me how big this band was a few years ago, but for the life of me I couldn't name one of their songs. NOW I remember them. They were cool...not something I'd buy though. My friend Landon thought they outright sucked.

Live's stuff was taken down, but nothing was being built on stage for Nickelback. Odd. Then, 20-30 minutes later, there was a huge explosion up by the stage. Then the lights went off. Guitars were playing, simulating the collective heartbeat of a crowd who were frightened by that explosion! Then, another explosion. A huge black curtain fell down, and then fire shot out of the stage!



Then, Nickelback proceeded to rock the house for the next 2 hours. Good songs, good times.

Two things to add: it bothers me when people leave their seats all night long during the songs; what a waste of money if you're not going to enjoy the show. Also, does Credit Union Centre assume that everyone who attends is of legal drinking age? The girls in the row in front of us went to the beer lines about 7 times and couldn't have been more than 15 years old. I'm glad they weren't in our row! LOL

Actually, I have one more thing to add. I've been thinking about buying a "beginner" drum set for a little while now...last night has made me want to get one even more. I've always wanted to learn, and lately I've had the urge to do something creative. Hmmm....stay tuned...

I never thought I would say this, but...

I wish the Bloc Quebecois had done better in the election.

I predicted they would get 60-62 seats in the department's election pool...instead they get 50-52. Those seats went elsewhere (to my pleasent surprise-->the Conservatives) and thus I finished second overall in the pool and didn't win the $70 prize.

But on the flip side, apparently I know more about Canadian politics and election trends than 95% of the faculty ;)

I think I passed the test...

Today was my "much-anticipated" meeting with my Advisory Committee about my thesis. My project is essentially attached to a larger project that my supervisor is working on, so I get footnoted (and paid!) when he uses my research. It appears as though my topic is too broad and that it needs to be narrowed down into something more manageable...as if Evan's head didn't hurt enough already. Still, it sounds as if my topic is virtually a go. Just needs a 'lil tweaking, s'all. Good thing I haven't worked ahead ;)

Oh, and a reminder. On Monday, January 23rd...VOTE! After all, it is the duty of all political studies students everywhere to rise up and tell the masses to exercise their duty as a Canadian citizen!

Ahhh...Bulls on Parade...as good a song as any to pump me up for research.

Something Different

I debated with myself all day long as to whether or not I should make this post. It's a bit out of my comfort zone, and not one of my typically hilarious posts. For that, I apologize in advance! ;)

I don't normally post about religion. I believe in God, I believe that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins, I've been baptized upon confession of my faith, I contribute to the offering, and I go to Church regularly (heck, I've turned down blind dates because they're not Christian...me turning down dates!!), but I've never been comfortable sharing my thoughts on the subject. I don't feel "qualified" to talk about it, and whenever I do say something, it's often awkward and confusing. Maybe this will be too...let's find out!

A fellow co-worker has been a good friend of mine for a year or so... we've hung out with other co-workers, gone to a few concerts, swapped music, and together we constitute almost half of the number of Christians at work. Lately, she's made some unusually bad choices in life...stuff that I've seen first hand on a few occasions. Today, she approached me and apologized to me for not being a "good Christian" recently.

I didn't know what to say. She hasn't wronged me in any way. I don't know the details that made her do what she did or what made her re-evaluate her life, or whether it'll stick. Did she approach me specifically because she thinks I'm a "good Christian"? I told her she didn't need to apologize to me, but she really seemed to want me to accept it anyway...so I did, just to make her feel better.

Maybe I should be apologizing as well. I don't think I'm a "good Christian" either. I've gotten busier in my daily life, and thus lazier in my spiritual life. I don't read the Bible nearly as much as I did a few years ago. There are huge gaps in between prayers. Sermons about the "end times" tend to excite those around me; personally, they make me uncomfortable and nervous...I don't know why. Maybe it's the over-production of Hollywood? ;)

She realized that she needs to work harder at this. In turn, I realized that I need to work harder at this. We all need to work harder at this.

(I think that actually made sense! Yay me!)

I'll be quirky? Albuquerque!

I'm in front of the computer, plotting out what I intend to achieve tonight, drinking the most wonderful drink I've had in years. Do yourselves a favour and pick up a bottle...nay, a case or six...of Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper. I've seen it advertised on American TV for like the past year, but it's never been sold in Canada. Me and my friend Ashley were even going to bid on a case of the stuff on Ebay, but now we don't have to. Wooooo!

This new school term doesn't seem so bad. I'm glad I got the bulk of my courseload out of the way early. There's full books that I'll have to read, but overall there's a lot less of it to do. The assignments aren't that difficult either. It'll still be a challenge to find time for the thesis though, what with me still working and all. Speaking of the thesis, after numerous date and time changes that didn't involve me at all, I'm finally meeting with my committee (knock on wood) on Monday morning. That should point me in the right direction...

Extra Foods wants to give me the master key to lock up the place a night or two a week. Apparently I'm "training" next week, much to my "excitement". As if I don't have anything else to do. Oh well, it could be an easy gig. I'll follow the guy around and see if it's worth my time. I haven't said yes yet ;) But in order to get the key, they need a police check of my background. I don't know why I'm nervous about that! LOL

I just saw an old friend of mine on TV in a Liberal Party campaign ad. Yes, apparently there ARE Liberals in Saskatchewan...and apparently, she still hasn't seen the light ;)

My hair feels like it's caught in a spider web. Time for a cut. Thinking about colouring it bronze too, just for a changeup.

All that football over the holidays really distracted me from doing work. It'll be all done in February, but I just realized that that's when the Olympics start. Why dost thou tempt me!

I love being the guy who subs for a prof and tells the class that they're going home early. For 30 seconds, I was the most loved person on campus! LOL

I think I'll cash in my HMV gift card before I buckle down and get to work. I've had my eye on the "Audioslave in Cuba" DVD for some time, so I think I'll go with that.

Take it easy, my peeps.