It's been a long time since I rock and rolled...

As my unashamed reference to Led Zepplin states, it has been quite some time since i last posted. What's at fault? Probably a mixture of apathy, laziness, and lack of inspiration. If i really wanted, i suppose i could go on a bitter rant about some of the idiocy i have been subjected to as of late, but i feel this blog has enough bitterness in it already. So, i shall instead list some things that have happened recently (or  will happen soon) that make me happy.

1. My recent purchase of the newest K'naan album "Troubadour." While K'naan is a hip-hop/rap artist, he is a poet of the finest calibre, and is not afraid to share his experiences growing up in Wardhiigleey (which translates to "the lake of blood") in Somalia during their civil war. Whether he is tearing through the braggadocio which so often infuses his genre of choice, or is sharing the story of his girlfriend's murder when he was twelve years old, he is always eloquent. His beliefs always show through, and while they are different from my own (he is a muslim), i still have a great deal of respect for him.

2. Tonight i have the great opportunity to see Leonard Cohen in concert. Leonard Cohen is, was, and will always be one of the best things to ever happen to Canadian popular culture. His lyrical genius more than makes up fo his lack of musical ability. His songs have been covered hundreds of times by some of the most popular musical artists of the 20th century. He is quite possibly my favourite contemporary poet. i might even go so far as to say that i appreciate Cohen as much as i do Dante.

3. Adventures in rural south-eastern Manitoba. Whether it's traipsing through abandoned houses/barns,  being harrased by a dead coyote's ghost, crashing a luchadore photo shoot, or simply touring around the country listening to southern rock. This is something i've recently started taking part in with my brother Sean, and our friend Kris (and whoever else happens to join us). These adventures/tours are like mini road trips, and i find it amazing how much awesome stuff there is right in my backyard that i don't even know about.

4. Cornerstone Music Festival. Best music festival ever. It's going to be fantastic.

5. Tom Waits in a rap song. There are no words to describe...

Other things that have made me smile recently include freshly baked cookies, strange Scandinavian women and their equally strange music, McDonald's food late at night, reconnecting with (long, lost) friends, and good quality fantasy epics.