*UPDATE* MONDAY MARCH 19/2012

                                Tune Me Out

  This week, I reflect on a truly amazing moment that I've had the pleasure of witnessing, as well as I review a couple of songs that I'm dangerously close to adding to the "Must Listen" list.  Perhaps the only thing stopping me from adding them is the fact that I haven't created that list yet.  Oh well.

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  Golden Moments:
   Ever have a moment where it literally makes you stop dead in your tracks?  It never seems to be a very large moment, just something small that strikes you as incredibly profound.  Well today I experienced a moment that did just that.  I needed to cross a small grassy patch on the way to work, and in this grassy patch was a worn-in path that I've traveled down many times.  So here I am, at 1:00 in the morning, traversing down the usual path, when I notice a small rabbit standing on the path, doing regular rabbit business.  Now, I am not a rabbit-ologist, but I think I get the bare essence of what they do.  They search for food, reproduce like crazy, and run like hell when scared, which is often the case.  Occasionally you can witness two rabbits fight, which is freaking HILARIOUS.  But that is the extent of Rabbithood. They don't do yoga, eat parfaits or fingerpaint. Boring.
    I start thinking about whether or not I should walk down the path, as I do not wish to disturb him.  Perhaps I will take a wide flank so we both can do our thing in peace.  At this moment I realize how pathetic I am being.  I am yielding to a little rodent who is not likely to live for another month.  So as I approach, Bunny does something I've never seen before.  He turns his back to me.  He watched me walking closer, and proceeded to completely ignore me.  He wasn't even pointing his ears back to listen to me.  So I make the decision to test him, we'll see how many meters he can last before giving in to instinct and taking off.   Ten Meters.  Nothing.  Five Meters.  Rabbit is sniffing the ground, bored.  Three Meters.  Rabbit looks around.  Two Meters.  Rabbit looks at me.  WTF.  You should have been long gone.  One Meter.  I am now looking down at the Rabbit.  He is looking up at me.  We have now connected in our moment and gaze at one another.  I look into the rabbit's eyes and see no fear.  After a long moment, I continue onward, marveling at the small timid creature who was so much more than that in this moment.
Kudos to you, Mr. Rabbit.  Bugs has nothing on you. 
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  Siren's Song.

  I have not had my best week.  Coupled with feeling sick the last few days, and just feeling a little low, I was just leaving lots of room for improvement in the coming week.  Some positives have occured though, such as a gentleman coming into the bowling centre who sounded EXACTLY like Davis from Corner Gas.  Down to the laugh.  It was incredible.  

  Also, two songs have worked their way into my life in the last couple days.  The first one is "Purple Sky" by Kid Rock.  Kid Rock? Yes Kid Rock.  Apart from the song "Lonely Road of Faith"  I would not put Kid Rock up on the top of my favorite singers.  Not even close.  Occasionally his songs can fit my mood if I feel like letting the rebel side go, but as that's not my style, normally his music will pass me by without a second look.  Yet, as "Purple Sky" played on the satellite radio at work, it became almost a hit favorite right away.   It's casual honesty was just perfect for my mood, and because it was very easy to listen to, it made me appreciate how Kid Rock is trying to vary in his music a little more. 

The Chorus definitely moved me, enough to bring it here.

"I just want to drink 'til I'm not thirsty,
I just want to sleep 'til I'm not tired,
I just want to drive 'til I run out of highway, into a Purple Sky."


As I write it, I just drift back into awe.  I feel like a message is resonating with me as I connect with the words.  I love how it's not about gaining, achieving, creating or striving.  In my low moment, I do not have to claim anything.  I can simply just be content with what I have right now, until the time of change arrives.  In a weird way, I love how the song is telling us "it's not about being good enough, rather just about having enough"  and I think it's helped me appreciate the fact that I'm doing alright. 




  If "Purple Sky" spoke to me at all this week, then it was nothing compared to this next piece.

 Artist Miranda Lambert is also not one of my favorite artists.  While I do enjoy a lot of country music, her songs usually are a little too raunchy for my liking.  She is very much her own person and that comes through in her music.  Now, I heard a song she released a couple years back for the first time this week, and it takes the messages from "Purple Sky" to an even more extreme level.  I've posted the entire set of lyrics here.


Miranda Lambert
"Heart Like Mine"




I ain’t the kind you take home to mama
I ain’t the kind to wear no ring
Somehow I always get stronger
When I’m on my second drink

Even though I hate to admit it
Sometimes I smoke cigarettes
Christian folks say I should quit it
I just smile and say “God bless”

‘Cause I heard Jesus, He drank wine
And I bet we’d get along just fine
He could calm a storm and heal the blind
And I bet He’d understand a heart like mine

Daddy cried when he saw my tattoo
Said he’d love me anyway
My brother got the brains of the family
So I thought I’d learn to sing

‘Cause I heard Jesus, He drank wine
And I bet we’d get along just fine
He could calm a storm and heal the blind
And I bet He’d understand a heart like mine

I’ll fly away
From it all one day
I’ll fly away

These are the days that I will remember
When my name’s called on the roll
He’ll meet me with two long-stemmed glasses
Make a toast to me coming home

‘Cause I heard Jesus, He drank wine
And I bet we’d get along just fine
He could calm a storm and heal the blind
And I bet He’d understand a heart like mine

Lyrics posted from Cowboylyrics.com


I love how she delivers these already-powerful lyrics.  She brings them with an attitude that suggests she is both content with the person she is, and battling her demons at the same time.  She is resolute in the fact that she is good enough and at the same time, she is addressing the fact that she is yearning for Jesus' acceptance.  While I don't share the same religious views as her, I certainly can empathize with her points.  I live a life that sure is far from the holy pure one I could live, and I'd be lying if I was going to change it anytime soon in some regards.  Yet I too believe that despite my bad habits and the wrongs I've done in the past, while I may not deserve anything, I also could be understood one day at the very least. 




  Anyways that's enough rambling.  Hopefully this week finds you well and the music that accompanies your life is enjoyable and meaningful. 


Logan

*UPDATE* MARCH 12/2012

                           MIND THE GAP!            

  

    Yes you are seeing correctly.  This would be a child's birthday cake today at Chinook.  Cupcakes surround the outside of the cake, while a piece of fondant is sprinkled with colored candy and a few select...go carts.  Creativity has indeed reached a new peak, folks, as I present you the Rainbow Road birthday cake.   "What is rainbow road?"  You need to get out more.  In Mariokart games, Rainbow road is a ridiculously ridiculous course that seems to have too much color and not enough roadblocks, so the player spends too much time falling off the edge and not enough time actually racing.  In the picture above, the carts are indeed flying through the air, while racing around a giant King Boo.  Had I packed my extra large suitcase, it would have been the first time I indeed stole candy from a baby.  Or perhaps more accurately, road candy cupcakes from a six year old who wouldn't appreciate the true beauty of this art piece.  Relax Timmy, stop crying.  You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Also in this issue:

-Mind the Gaptooth-"Goon" featuring Sean William Scott is reviewed.

-Micromillions:  Mastermind or Mook?-Pokerstars' newest tournament attracts my teeny tiny online bankroll.  I unveil my strategy going into the series.

-Let Gord's light shine....I go toe to toe with an unknown adversary, and bestow upon him the Wrath of Gord.   
Hope you enjoy!
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Mind the Gaptooth:  Scott's new movie "Goon" is a surprise smash.  

 So I just return from work last Saturday, thinking I have just a nice quiet evening to chill and relax

and forget the day, when I receive a text from my buddy checking for a hangout.  While I am not really feeling the vibe of going out and partying, he throws the idea of catching a show out (which is different for him) so I change up and head out.  No surprise "Goon" is our target show for the evening as we are both hockey buffs, so tickets are bought, air hockey is played (table was broken so I didn't win.) and seats are now filled.
 

  "Goon" was based on a true life scenario revolving around Enforcer Doug Smith.  Sean William Scott plays Doug Glatt, (inspired from Smith's story) a big softie who can fight, but his skating sucks bigtime.  Here are some of the highlights.

  Actor Jay Baruchel both helped to write and perform in the movie "Goon".  A downside to the story is that a lot of Baruchel's comedy is not intended for a younger audience.  While kids wouldn't necessarily watch this show anyways, it still is unfortunate to have the show slightly dampened by the vulgarity.  On the flipside, Liev Schrieber (Salt) stars opposite Scott as Ross Rhea, a bigtime baddie who was sent down from the NHL in his final years after serving a 20 game suspension for taking a stick and whacking some guy in the back of the head.  This is where "Goon" shines.  The movie is not centered around the sport of hockey so much.  It more focuses on these "Goon" characters, who in the older days were big behemoth players whose sole purpose was to go and physically wear down the stars of the opposing team.  Skating prowess and shooting ability did not matter so much, it was solely about the size and dominance of the enforcer that secured his spot.  While the NHL is currently trying to wean these players out, enforcers are still key parts of the game.  Perhaps my big D-Man Douglas Murray should watch this show, and perhaps he could throw the Sharks back into the Playoff spots.  I'm not saying....I'm just saying.
 

  Liev Schrieber is amazing.  His role in this movie, while fun, was still relayed with such acting professionalism.  He played the role unbelievably.  He has one scene in a diner where he relates his story and woes to Scott's character, Glatt.  The wisdom he portrays is easily accepted as true, and looking at Liev, he seems to have those memories in his eyes.  Another credit to the writers is that they didn't make Schrieber's character a complete heel.  Ross Rhea is the antagonist, but at the same time, he has the feel of a good guy.      

  Allison Pill's performance is smaller, but satisfactory.  Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that she is much better looking in this show than in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.  Hard to say.

  Biggest surprise?  Doug Glatt is actually a nice guy.  It was so odd to see Scott William Scott in a nice role.  It was tough to imagine, but Scott pulls it off.  It was a successful role too, as the smallest things he does will win you over, such as refusing to step on the team logo with his skate.  In amongst the blood and tears, he does a supreme job shedding his former raunchy, rude credits (Stiffler, Wheeler, etc.) and donning a completely new, positive persona. Now, that being said, bring on the American Reunion.

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 Mastermind or Mook?

  I spend a lot of time around poker.  While my job certainly accounts for a lot of that time, I do like to dowse in a bit of reading and play as well.  I try to avoid online play when possible, as it tends to do more harm than good. 

  Poker is a game.  It involves luck.  It involves skill.  Those two factors do not waiver.  So many people believe it is all one way or another, but it is not true.  If I can decipher your actions so indepthly that I can pinpoint your cards down to the suit, I've all but eradicated the luck portion.  That being said, if you can only catch one of two cards to win in a deck of 52, it is not impossible. 
Poker is a river...you can only steer it.  If you try to control it, you will only capsize.  Ride it when it flows well, rest when the waters are still. 

  I have not played much lately.  I am taking more financially responsible steps lately (or trying anyway)  and do not have a bankroll.  Sure, if I wanted I could sit into a game with no bankroll, but that's no good.  So I'm carrying on my usual playless day when an email comes in from Pokerstars.  Apparently starting Friday they have a new series of events that are all micros.  You can buy in for tournaments as low as eleven cents, and the payoffs are going to be much larger than a standard tournament.  At this point, my account is riding on bones.  I have only got around $100 dollars to my name there, so this will provide me many chances of scoring a nice payday.  For instance, the prize pool in the 11 cent tournament is $25,000.  The largest event, price tag is $22, pays over $150,000 to first with a 1,000,000 prize pool!  So this tournament will be seeing a lot of me.

  While the events are soooo juicy, I do not play a ton of hold'em online.  This tournament will draw tons of people, and the straight fact is, most of these players do not know squat about the game.  This actually gives them an advantage.  They make a dumb move that the better players do not anticipate because it is a ludicrous play and it could send the pro to the rail at any moment.  But here's the beauty.  They have some mixed games as well, including my favorite game,  PLO8.  Pot Limit Omaha with an 8 or better split.  Rather than conventional hold'em, Omaha gives you four cards, but you must play two and only two.  In hold'em, if four diamonds land on your board, and you have the ace of diamonds, you got the biggest flush possible.  If you have the ace of diamonds and three black cards in Omaha, and four diamonds come, you do not have the flush.  You MUST use two of your cards.  Not only that, but Eight-Or-Better split adds another weird twist.  You are not only trying to get the best five card hand, but the worst five card hand as well.  So many people avoid this game because of the complexity, and the amateurs that play it are well liked because the theory is so tricky that they often ship money to bigger players faster than Fedex.  Most of my success comes from PLO8, so I will be definitely playing that one. 

 I will be keeping a spreadsheet of how I do, where I place, any potential earnings, etc.  You will find it on here when I include a new post.  Good luck to all my friends playing as well.  Hee haw.

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The Book of Disciples:  Wherein the Gord inspires Logan.

 I posted a story on my facebook page a while ago about an idiot that phoned me at work and his lack of IQ managed to corner me.  I got tons of reviews and feedback about it, and it was received well. 
I received a request just before that from a bowler I've known for years that I should chronicle the idiots I run across in my jobs.  While this a) gives the idiot too much credit and b) is too much work and a potential liability, sometimes it is worth writing about. 

  In my high school days, I got a tip to visit a website in my tech. class.  This tip lead to the usual path of no homework being done, time wasted, and a large amount of unconventional wisdom.  www.actsofgord.com is forever a favorite.  Yes, it is meant as a play of words on "Acts of God".  

No offense meant.

  "The Gord" is a former video game store owner, and has chronicled his stories of idiot customers, weird events, and cherished memories.  By all means, check it out.  It is well worth the read, even more so if you are familiar with Video Games. Here is my story:

  I was at work yet again (a theme in my life) and a group is bowling on friday night. I have not been feeling well that day, and my frustration was at a "Moderate" level, or yellow if you go camping and only know the word moderate through the fire danger signs.   While the Gord is long gone...and missed...I am inspired to this day with his customer service abilities.  His phrase "Door's to your left" awakes me in my sleep.  So there I am, spraying shoes, when I am alerted by the crashing of balls on the lane.  I look up to see two twits throwing multiple balls at a lane that is turned off.  While my cohort begins to type a message to their screen, I have taken action.

 Grabbing the microphone, which instantly elevates my voice louder than theirs, I ask them to stop throwing balls because their lane is turned off.  True, it was turned off BECAUSE they were idiots, but seeing as how they have had a couple of boozies, no need to get technical.  I omitted the information about how they could blow the sensor, or damage something else equally as expensive. 

  Thing 1 and Thing 2 decide I was not talking to them, and proceed to return firing at the dead lane. 
I have had enough.  Normally, I am slightly more patient, but I'm sick, they are stupid, and enough is enough.  Back to the microphone!
"HEY! DON'T MAKE ME PHYSICALLY REMOVE YOU!"

Now I've got the attention of everybody.  Seems like I've embarrassed these two.

Success!  The renegade bowling has stopped.  They are now silent as they rejoin their group and take off the bowling shoes.  My coworker has not said anything, but I figure if I'm to be disciplined, I'd gladly receive it for a win, not a loss. 
Things 1 and 2 come to the counter with their shoes, put them on the counter.  Then, to my disbelief, formed words start coming from their mouths.
Thing 1:  "Yo man, what wuzzat?  You got sumthin to say?"
Oh the window of opportunity.  I wish we weren't inside so the clouds could part for this one.
"Yes, as a matter of fact.  Doors to your left."
Thing 1: "What choo say???."

Logan:  "I made it as clear as possible.  Get lost."

"Yo man, you can't say that to me.  You know who I am? You wanna find out?."
"New plan, get the hell out. Now."

Thing 2 comes up now. 
Thing 1: "Come on, you gonna throw me out?"
Logan: "I would love to, but I already told security they could."
Thing 2: "Go ahead, call security."
*Blink Blink*
Logan: "Uhh...if you want me to I gladly will.  Or you could get the hell out of my bowling centre. Your call."

At this point, Thing 2 starts telling my cohort about how I should "watch it." 
While my cohort is indeed my superior, he has been silent until now. 
Cohort: "Well, he did tell you to stop nicely, we ..."

Thing 2: "I don't care..He still better watch himself."

Thing 1-to Me: "Bring it on."

Ever see a dog's ears perk up when food is poured into it's bowl?  That was similar to my reaction.
Apparently skinny dweeb wasn't expecting me to rise to the challenge. 
Thing 1 and Thing 2 leave, still telling me to watch it. 

 Apparently the alcohol has created something that I cannot see, because I'm evidently still failing to watch what I'm supposed to be watching.
They leave the center, still pointing at me through the glass door, mouthing words which I assume were either "watch it" (creative) or crotch-itch.  Either way, I figure now that they are gone and the powder keg has failed to ignite, time to resume being professional from my momentary lapse.
Or maybe not.  I was never good with temptation. 
The last thing they saw as they left was me at the counter, with the biggest smile I could possibly muster on my face.  Good riddance, buttheads.
Now...where was the rest of the group? Oh yeah, handing in their shoes, all untied, apologizing for their friends, who were in danger of not getting a ride home.  I love happy endings.
Still no word from dillholes...if anyone has figured out what I'm supposed to be watching, please inform me at once.

Dear Gord....I love you.  

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That is all for today guys.  Have a great week, sleep well, and watch it.

Logan

*UPDATE* Monday, February 20/2012

Schrodinger's Cat: Obtaining Power Through Choice

  Up until two hours ago, I really had no clue what today's topics would be based on.  The usual routine consists of this during a Sunday Evening/Monday:
-Get up around Midnight after a 5 hour or so nap from working my First Job
-Shower, Eat, Prepare for Work at my Second Job.
-Get to work for 1:30 AM
-Proceed to work.  Or at the very least...Pretend to work.  (In case my boss reads this, I actually did do work..honest...)
-Wage war against my eyelids, which become heavier by the minute.
-Go home when game dies.


Today was a little different.  Having the unexpected day off from Job #1, I got to sleep a little earlier in the afternoon.  I awoke around 11:30 in the evening, and could not return to sleep.  So I got ready, and in the last half our before taking the usual trip to work, I popped in a DVD from the first season of Big Bang Theory. 

 "But Logan, you told me you hated that show."

  Alas, it's true.  While I did find the show somewhat annoying at the beginning, I would like to try and be open-minded in my approach to things.  Therefor, I have given the show until the end of the first season.  While it is humorous at times, and surprisingly witty, it had yet to inspire me.  Here we are, just a couple episodes from the end of the first season, when this scene happens.  (If you haven't seen it, here's the fastest rundown ever.  4 nerds and a hot chick are main show stars.  Main Nerd has crush on Hot Chick, who like most scenarios, keeps falling for bad boys and gets heart broken, while nerd hopelessly tries to get girl.  Throw in other nerds with their own peculiar personalities, and some humor that the viewer doesn't understand due to the use of really big words, and you have a show.)

  In this scene, we finally get to the point where Nerd #1 (Leonard) is on the couch talking to Hot Chick (Penny).
She starts going on with the usual "Where can I find a nice guy...yada yada..."  and Leonard, in a very awkward and cheesy way, asks "what about me".  Sure enough, the two of them begin to go out at the end of the series, which is good in a way, since it opens up room for comedy and it will be nice to finally have Leonard stop pining after Penny.

 In the final episode of the season, which was the episode that I watched at 11:30 this evening, Penny is trying to make a choice between staying friends with Leonard, or risking her friendship and dating him.  She resorts to asking Sheldon for help, and he brings up a theory that I haven't thought of since high school days. 

  Schrodinger's cat is an example of Superposition, which is pretty much useless unless you like to play around with Quantum Theories for fun.  But I digress... Superposition (dumbed down) states that if we cannot see the state of something, it exists in all possible states so long as we do not confirm it.  While this obviously can be argued, it is shown in the crude experiment of "Shrodinger's Cat."  A cat is placed in a box along with a container of hydrocyanic acid.  If an atom of the hydrocyanic acid decays, a device will break the container and thus, sadly, kill the cat.  We cannot tell from the outside of the box whether or not the cat is alive or dead, so we would be forced to open the box in order to see.  Since we cannot know the state of the cat at that moment, the cat is said to be in Superposition of states, existing in both possibilities.   Unless it is observed, there is no outcome. 

  Stupid? Definitely.

  Regardless, this can be tied into useful situations.  How many of us have moments in our lives where we take neutrality and indecision, and allow those moments to remain untouched?  Perhaps there is a cute someone in your biology class and you have yet to say hello.  Or maybe you are deciding whether or not to venture out and get a new job.  Whatever the case, this experiment has got me thinking about just how important it actually is.

  As a human, I believe it is so important to not become a victim of circumstance.  Life is a pitcher who loves to throw curveballs. In my leadership training that I've done in the past few years, I have learned the tools to change crisis into opportunity.  While events occur in my life, it is not these events that shape me, it is how I react that shapes me.  Therefor, I take responsibility for the path I've walked, knowing that I have the ability for walking a proper path in the future.  I can see my choices clearer and I am not bound by the weight that others carry.

  For example, when I was a younger boy, I had a small mole on my shoulder that was changing.  While I'm not familiar with medical terminology, the mole had something called "Melanocytes", and skin cancer often grows in them.  After a surgical procedure to remove the mole, I was informed they did not succeed in getting all of them.  I went back for a second procedure, where they took a large chunk from my shoulder.  I didn't know much about cancer at that time, other than the fact that it has a habit of taking people I care very much about.

 I grew up thinking I was flawed, carrying the disease that would one day kill me.  I was scared to talk about it, like I already had the cancer and it was waiting to surface.  I made choices based on my views of the disease, and for some time feared it.

  I now realize something.  By allowing myself to fear this disease, I have unknowingly given it power.  I have based my life in response to it, and have robbed myself of certain joys because of it (like skipping out on going to the beach because I didn't want to go out in the sun).

  Bottom line, we choose to live the way we do.  Rather than giving power to the things we believe control us, we instead should focus on creating the results we desire. If you yearn for contact with someone you lost it with years ago, reach out. If you are unsure as to whether or not you want to go back to school, ask yourself what it is you really want.  Sitting on the fence serves No Purpose.  By not acting, we are choosing that course of action.  In the Big Bang Theory predicament, Penny must decide what she wants her relationship with Leonard to be. She must choose to look in the box.

  I have been slowly working on my first novel series, and have serious commitment issues with finishing it. I feel that because it represents my own life, I am not ready to finish it.  Yet in it's own way, that too is the same thing.  I am not fulfilling anything by letting the ideas sit on the shelf.  So my choice is to begin seriously writing it.  If it flops due to inexperience, than I shall find the opportunity within that.  I hate looking back and seeing that I haven't achieved anything after all this waiting.

   So, regardless of who you are, look at the situations in your life that need addressing.  The possibilities are all there, and they all await your decision.  One thing is clear, by not choosing, you gain nothing more than you already have.

  Until next week,
                Logan


P.S.   "Logan's Letter" has reached 200 views.  Thank you to everyone who reads loyally, your support is highly appreciated. You can always become a member, or choose to send me a message on my facebook page if you wish.  Thanks again!

*UPDATE* MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH, 2012

                           Iconic Female Vocalist Whitney Houston Passes Away

  The nation was mourning today for the loss of another larger-than-life superstar.  Whitney Houston passes away suddenly and unexpectedly, and the cause at this time is unknown.  Houston did have known incidents with drug use, but it is unclear if that is indeed the case.  She holds the record for the largest streak of number one hits on "Billboard Hot 100" (she had seven number ones in a row) and the only female artist to obtain 2 "Billboard 200" Album awards.  She also did some small movie work as well.


Included in the Letter this week:
-We continue the Shannara Series with the next edition, "The Wishsong of Shannara".
-We celebrate the Birthday of a Great Man (includes a review of "Two and Two-Thirds Men".)
-I lose my mind as I compare two songs that are haunting my life.  Neil Young's classic song, "Old Man" is under the microscope along with a cover version of the same song by Redlight King. 
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 Jet-Setting  (yes it's a Winnipeg Jets pun)

  At this point I'd like to wish my grandfather a very happy 80th birthday.  Grandpa is one of those guys who does and does for others without wanting anything in return. Every time I see him truly happy, he is enjoying the company of friends and family.  So that's what he received for his birthday this year (along with a lot of Rum.)
Typically I'm not a good birthday present, myself, but he was at a loss for words when we all rolled up, so I guess it was worth it! Happy Birthday Grandpa, you deserve it!
*******REMEMBER THIS RANDOM INTERJECTION LATER!!!***************
How it happened,
-This weekend was rather different for me, who's life has gotten a tad redundant and cyclical lately.  Saturday morning was spent boarding a plane along with members of my family.  We were headed to Winnipeg, where unlike Weird Al Yankovic's song, "Albuquerque" the towels are not fluffy whatsoever.  If you do not understand this joke, and you have nine minutes to burn, click www.youtube.com/watch?v=1765UzjAQxI

 The flight is short, and we arrived with no problems, apart from playing the most annoying scrabble game in my life.  First of all, it gives you three to four "best word" scenarios where it will show you the most lucrative place to put your letters.  That's not true scrabble.  I win because I play opponents who are not nearly as word-based as I am.  Gah! Also, they gave me a rack with 7 letters such as E E I I A O U.  What words can you make with this?  Not too friggin' much. Even Ol' Macdonald who had a farm didn't have this many damn vowels.

 We arrived in Winnipeg.  Our mission was to surprise our grandfather, who (hopefully) had no idea we were coming.  A giant surprise party was planned, and we pulled it off successfully. It was truly a gift to see my family again, as most of them do not live near Calgary whatsoever and some of them are pretty frickin' cool.  (Such as my great-aunt, with whom I talked hockey with a for a decent stretch.  While we disagree on Tim Thomas, we bonded over a love of watching Zdeno Chara primitively force his way through everyone. "CHARA SMASH!"

  Part of the surprise was a dinner theatre show that took place in the hotel that we stayed at.  The theatre group "Celebrations" had a unique show that mirrored "Two and a Half Men".  The food was decent and the show was satisfactory, and on the whole, enjoyable.  The servers all had personalities, different outfits and looks, and some of them were rather eccentric.  One awkward moment was created when my buttocks were pinched by a certain man with a cross-dressing persona.  I don't like females with more chest hair than I have.  On the flipside, he sounded like Vinny from Disney's "Atlantis", who is definitely my favorite character. A certain mermaid came and we briefly planned to discuss romantic matters after the show, but I'm still waiting.... Actually she turned out to be the girl playing "Rosie" (who was a mock of Rose) and she turned out to be quite the surprise.  Though she was a lot younger than her fellow cast, her voice and dance technique were highly trained and easy to listen to.  Apparently she is an Edmontonian who does musical work, according to her bio.  Not too bad for a mermaid these days...

  The biggest thrill from the show would have to be the lady that was cast as Berta.  (Or in this show's case, Bertha-real creative huh?)  What an excellent fit. While definitely slimmer than Berta, and with a voice that can both sing beautifully and at the same time create flashbacks of Roseanne Barr, she stole the show for me.  In character the whole time, she thrived in her role.  The marquis sign is here...take a wild guess at which one plays Berta. Just Incredible.  Would gladly see a show with her again. 

 
 A big highlight was they got all the birthday people onstage and got them all to admit their age.  Much to his credit, my grandfather admitted that he was turning 80.  They rewarded him by making the entire birthday entourage dance to a Rendition of Sweet's "Ballroom Blitz"  (Aptly named the Birthday blitz).  Now I will try to keep this mature, but watching 30 or so people do pelvic thrusts to the lyric "She thinks she's the passionate one!" would make you piss yourself laughing. So yeah, fairly successful. 

  We departed the hotel next day, and spent time at the museum before the return trip home.  While most of it was fairly museum-like, I did walk away with some new information that I cannot decide what to do with.  Apparently, if you gaze up at the stars and look at them, (I would recommend trying this at night) you are actually looking at what they looked like thousands of years ago. Because light, even though it is super fast, still takes so long to travel through space, by the time the light reaches us, it's not in real-time.  So remember when that supernova happened a month or two ago, and you could see the fuzzy star as it died? Well it actually happened thousands of years ago.  Even radio signals to Saturn and back take well over an hour to travel.  While it's neat to look so far into the past, it makes me wonder if some of those stars actually do not exist anymore?  

  The trip home was good, albeit delayed.  I would have thoroughly enjoyed it, apart from playing scrabble.  What the hell do I do with E E E I Y O W??!?!!
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 Wish For It, Sing For It

 That's the premise of the magic behind Terry Brooks' next book, for those who have been following the Shannara Reviews.  "The Wishsong of Shannara" is a great story, like all the rest.  What stands out for me in the last story was the creation of fear and danger that Brooks' invoked into the story.  It felt like a race against time.  In this story, it is the characters that bring forward the entire book.  The enemies are very dynamic, not just an assorted bunch of demons with a special few that are more developed.  He builds on the legend he's created, while once again creating new entities to thrill readers. 

 The book has two main characters, which is very uniquely done.  It is the two children of Wil and Eretria (Characters of the Elfstones of Shannara).  Allanon has once again returned, and adventure resumes.  What's interesting though, is that both Ohmsford children play two very different roles.  Both have remnants of the Elfstone magic, which has been turned innate due to the use.  Jair, the younger brother, can sing and create images with his use of the magic known as the Wishsong.  It works differently for his sister Brin, who can physically change the reality of the world she lives in with the Wishsong.

 While some familiar essences still remain to help reassure the reader they will not be disappointed, Brooks' succeeds in creating lovable characters that help pave the way for the next books.  The Grimpond, Garet Jax, Kimber Boh, Cogline, Rone Leah and Stythys, among others, are so versatile as far as their contrasts, and each represent a part of us.  He creates new and exciting fear, whether it's facing an Unstoppable enemy in the Jachyra, or walking through caves where the floor is filled with Procks (stone that will open and close, it preys on people who can't see in the dark caves.) The procks will open and close upon the victim, who has no chance of escape.

 To explain the plot for this story would diminish it, so read this one for yourself.  It's full of literary surprises, and it concludes the history of Shannara.  From here on in, things change.
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Track Attack!   Neil Young vs. Redlight King

 While music is full of different styles and types, and each of us like certain pieces better than others, we can all agree on one thing.  When bands do a cover, it often sucks....bigtime.  It's rare that a cover is even remotely close to as good, and if it is, the original probably sucks.  Even a live version from the same band can often be horrible.

 There are a select few cases where the band is as good live as it is on the album (Pink Floyd, Rammstein, 3 Doors Down, Matchbox 20, etc.)  but music that is good live will never be covered.  If it is covered, then the Court of Logan will deem the group unworthy and their cover shall be burnt in the fire of hell.

  Lately, I have been cursed.  While dealing cards back in the summer, especially during the graveyard shift when the satellite radio can actually be heard, often the same songs come on as the playlist is not very large.  While it's opened my eyes to some new songs that I like, it also played "Old Man" from Redlight King.  At least once a day I would continue to hear it, every time I dealt.

  After it successfully pissed me off, Neil Young's original version was found in the depths of my Ipod.  Suddenly realizing that this was a cover that I heard daily at work, it disgusted me even more.  It had rap-like verse lyrics, and the chorus was a little different.  Still, I proceeded to hear it every day.

  I turned to people for help.  I was driving in the car with my mother and I mentioned my predicament.  THE VERY NEXT SONG on the radio after we discussed it was Neil Young's version of "Old Man".  While she laughed, I entertained the thought of ripping her radio out and throwing it across Glenmore.  What are the chances that the song I am hearing every day is the next song on?  Especially when it's so old...until that point it was probably at least ten years since Mom heard it...

  Whether I've gone officially crazy (which is a likely theory) or because that is how this song works, I've started to actually enjoy the new cover version, probably even more than Neil Young's.  I actually got to listen to the lyrics from Redlight King, and the main theme of the song is that point of realization when you discover you are more like a male figure (for example, your father) than you once thought (often a scary point in life).  The key phrase in Neil Young's song is "Old Man, look at my life, I'm a lot like you were..."  He is fairly soft-voiced and with simple lyrics, it is a sadder song to listen to.  Redlight King's song's rap/light-rock sound gave it more edge, but not enough to fall in love with it.  If you want Neil Young's lyrics, go search.

  I took a look through the lyrics of Redlight King's version, and posted a video of them here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Ruo8yzu0w

  The song is still dark, but this is where I started to appreciate how good this new version is.  While Redlight King is definitely newer-age, and some old-fashioned people may be turned off instantly by the sound difference, the lyrics are definitely very real.  They trade in Young's lyrical symbols for hard truths, and they tell the story of tough love well.

  Initially I did not like the change of the actual chorus structure.  When you cover a song, it should showcase the original artist.  The more change, the worse it gets.  However, the band must of had a clear vision of how they wanted it to be, as it definitely has grown on me.  I feel that since the key phrase is "Take a Look at my Life, I'm a Lot Like You"  the new chorus type delivers that with a more emphatic finish.  It is solely designed to make you absorb that piece.  They got rid of the word "were" at the end, which adds to that striking finish.  Songs become good with Power.  There's a reason this never became Neil Young's trademark song.  Redlight King has surprisingly provided a new, unique and creative cover.

Remember the interjection above?  That's where I heard it while I was writing.  Son of a b**ch. 



That's All For The Letter this week!
Thanks again for Reading,
Logan.

*UPDATE!* MONDAY JANUARY 30/2012

 This Edition will be featuring news, events and features 

                                                                         from this past weekends All-Star Game!

 



Also featured in this edition:

-The Elfstones of Shannara Review
-Australian Open Results
-Logan's How-To Guide for getting destroyed at MW3


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  This past week has been a different week in the sporting world, as both the Australian Open and the All Star weekend wraps up.  We will begin down under with a look at the final matches from the Australian Open.

 
  In the Mens Singles event,  Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal to obtain the 2012 Australian Open Title.
While this was disappointing to me, (I'm a big Nadal fan) Djokovic has been playing incredibly well lately and has his sights set on the French Open. The match lasted over 5 hours, with both competitors completely exhausted.   With the 2012 Summer Olympics looming, Djokovic could potentially not only have a Grand Slam in his future, but a Golden Slam as well.  (For non-tennis fans, a Grand Slam Champion has won The Australian Open, The French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open all in one year, as each Major event is a Grand Slam.)  A golden slam also includes a gold medal at the olympics. Only one person (Steffi Graf) has accomplished that feat to this date.  Hopefully Nadal or Federer can throw the proverbial wrench into his plans.

  The Ladies Singles title was awarded this year to Victoria Azarenka.  This marks her first Grand Slam win as she defeated Maria Sharapova in straight sets.  Sharapova looked as though she started strongly, but quickly fell apart.  The match ended at 6-3, 6-0 and lasted just shy of 90 minutes. 

  My girlfriend, Caroline Wozniacki, better start pulling up her socks.  I do not like it when she loses.

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Judging By The Cover: The Elfstones of Shannara

  Finally we arrive at the next book in the Shannara series.  In the flagship story, the Sword of Shannara, a very classic-themed fantasy novel takes place.  Main character goes on adventure, meets people, obtains talisman to defeat evil character from long before.  While this is true for many stories, including the upcoming one, Terry Brooks manages to perform pure magic with this next masterpiece.  The Sword of Shannara definitely displays Brooks' inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien.  The formatting of the story as well as characters are mirrored within the pages of the book.

  In the Elfstones of Shannara, things change.  Terry Brooks steps through the bread and butter fantasy regime and launches into a completely different storyline.  While the story takes place in the Four Lands, (as did the Sword) it focuses mostly with the Elven Nation.)  The story begins with a very dark, evil premise.  I do not plan on spoiling it, but here are the basics.  Do not worry, I will not ruin it.  The elves have a very sacred tree known as the Ellcrys.  The tree has long ago sealed away a vast army of Demons who want nothing more than the destruction of the Elves. After hundreds of years, the demons have eroded that seal, and the Elven nation is caught off guard as the Ellcrys proceeds to die.  The only way to restore the seal is to have the tree reborn, having one of the tree's chosen to cross dangerous wilderness to find the Bloodfire, in which the seed must be cast.


  The characters that take place in this story are all very dynamic and interesting.  The demons are all lucidly described, and the horrors of their army are only made worse by my imagination.  The three demons that Brooks has described with such detail would easily make you wet your pants in real life.  He also brings back the things from the Sword that were so crucial to the success of the story-the Druid Allanon, the Elfstones and the heir of the Ohmsford line.


  The Elfstones would be one of my favorite Shannara stories.  All throughout reading the book, I was fueled with the sensation that I was running out of time, despite the fact that I am merely the reader.  The shocking turn of events at every corner instills the desperation within the person reading, and the events shock you. 

  Lastly, there has forever been a plan to create a movie version of the Elfstones of Shannara.  I don't know who you'd get to play Eretria, but I am willing to bet that most guys love her very forward, eager character, and that there is a high bar of expectation there.

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    Whoops, I accidentally threw a grenade at myself: A beginner's guide to MW3.

  "Logan, get the new Modern Warfare game, then we can play together" my brother prompted, and given that we are both busy and live in separate provinces, it did not sound like a bad idea.  When it comes to gaming, my brother and I differ.  I like a select few games.  I will play many types, but if I get a moment of free time and decide that a game will be my way of passing that time, I only have 3 or 4 that I will choose from.  I can also maintain constant attention on a game for a long period of time, which allows me to become increasingly better at a fairly fast rate.  I am highly competitive, so I will strive to beat you, regardless of whether or not there is a prize.

  My brother plays even an even smaller variety of games.  Whether because I am so competitive, or because he just does not play much, we do not often have a game we are evenly matched at, with the exception of stratego.  (By the way, stratego is awesome.  I challenge you)  So, my brother has played call of duty games before, and I have never allowed C.O.D. to be brought into my inner circle of wanted games.  Suddenly we both have xbox live accounts, and a good way to spend quality time with my brother surfaces.  What better way to show I love him than to let him shoot me in the face with an M4?

  We start talking over our wireless headsets, which is like a phone, but no airtime charges.  Love it.  We begin a match.  I'm playing against him (oh great) and people who have scores thousands above my own.  I do not understand the scoring, but I'm sure that it somewhat bears consequence on their virginity.

  Everyone in the game is lightning fast.  Apparently, they can run, aim, shoot, throw grenades, eat a sandwich, call an airstrike, all in the time that I can reload and walk into a wall.  So I find a nice place to hide, and stay there for all of ten seconds before my brother immediately pops up and knifes me in the back. 

  Watch Family Guy? In one episode Peter buys MW3 and is playing, and is hiding with teammates behind a car.  He tries to crouch, hits the wrong button and throws a grenade into the car, proceeding to kill himself and the team.  Well I recently discovered that I am Peter Griffin incarnate.  No one is safe. 

 Also, you start with these Piddly-ass weapons.  These guys have super-upgraded stuff with silencers, scopes, heat sensors, etc.  and I'm stuck shooting a weapon that makes the Klobb from Goldeneye 007 look good.  (For those of you who didn't understand or appreciate the klobb reference, the Klobb is a gun that may as well not use bullets.  It may be more prudent to throw the gun.  It may have been effective for tickling opponents.

  So my brother and I are fairly evenly matched.  Hallelujah.  So if your trying to rack up the kills, add me.  You'll have to kill me before I kill myself though, so good luck.
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  To wrap up for the week, we head to Ottawa for the All Star Weekend.  Now we begin by going through the draft as I critique the choices of the captains.  Following will be the results.

Chara-Captain (Lupul-Assistant Captain)                     Alfredsson-Captain (Lundqvist-Assistant Captain)
1. Datsyuk                                                                   Karlsson
Winner of first round definitely is Chara.  In a game of scoring, lead with scorers, regardless of whether or not you guys are buddy-buddy in the locker room.
2.Thomas                                                                     Spezza
Winner of round two is once again Chara.  Alfie is clearly set on bringing Senators in the desire to get home ice advantage.  Only one problem remains.  The Senators suck.
3.Malkin                                                                       Quick
WTF is Alfie thinking.  Chara clearly wins, and Alfredsson is showing signs of post-concussion syndrome?
4.Hossa                                                                        Giroux
Funny, Giroux tweeted that it will be great when he gets drafted first round.  Foot in mouth must be bad when you wear skates.  Alfie wins close draft here.
5. Timonen                                                                    Letang
Close battle with two defensemen.  Given that Chara has scorers, his draft was likely a better one.
6.Perry                                                                         Stamkos
Alfie solidly wins, I would say this is Chara's first misstep. Stamkos is en route for the top guy in the league one day.  How do you choose Corey Perry before him?!
7.Price                                                                          Elliot
Chara wins. While I do not really like Carey Price, Elliot was not good for years.  One good year does not merit a high draft choice.
8.Kessel                                                                        Weber
While Kessel officially shut everyone's mouth this year by starting out as the leading scorer after being picked dead last in 2011, this is a close draft, but Chara wins again.  Chara has obtained a scorer. Alfie responds by getting a defense.  But instead of getting a shutdown guy (like Weber's teammate Suter) Chara picks a big scoring guy.  D'OH.
9.Suter                                                                          D. Sedin
Weird round.  Yes Suter gets picked.  Healthy choice, good draft.  The fact is, the Sedin brothers, though they play for a hated team, are talented.  Coupled by the fact that they are on the same line, Goalies have to legitimately fear them.  Point awarded to Alfie.
10.Howard                                                                   Girardi
Alfreddson do you not read Logan's Letter?  The Rangers suck. So do your draft choices.  Point-Chara
11.Campbell                                                                 Yandle
Point to Alfredsson.  Yandle has been a heavy part of the solution in Phoenix, and while Campbell is a good player, Yandle is a better choice.
12.Kane                                                                       Michalek
Point to Chara.  Chara drafts a scorer, Alfie drafts a mucky muck Senator.  Not to discredit a former shark, but Michalek has not quite reached All Star Status.
13.Phaneuf                                                                   H. Sedin
You may think I awarded this to Alfie because he got both Sedin's and chose the better player.  Truth is, I just really hate Phaneuf.
14.Iginla                                                                       Neal
Tough decision.  Iginla is a great sniper and support forward, while Neal is thriving with his position in Pittsburgh. You call this one.
15.Wideman                                                                 Edler
Chara wins again.  Wideman knows how to score, win, shutdown, etc.  While both Defense have earned their successes, Wideman is clearly a better choice, and not just because I own him in my pool.  Edler is not used to shutting down a collective brute scoring force.
16.Gaborik                                                                  Tavares
Again, you decide who wins.  New York Rangers center Gaborik is clearly better stats-wise and has more experience, while Tavares has accomplished much with his other-New York team.  One thing is certain...both these guys shouldn't be drafted in the 16th round.
17.Eberle                                                                     Hartnell
Point to Alfie.  Eberle shouldn't be here. Hartnell is now on a team with teammate Giroux, and Philadelphia is a scoring machine this year.
18.Seguin                                                                     Pominville
Point to Alfie again. He has been outdrafting Chara in the back half.  I have been in a battle in my pool lately, having just acquired Pominville.  My rival has Seguin.  I believe Pominville is a better choice and is a shoe-in for at least one goal.
19.Benn                                                                       Couture
Last point goes to Alfie.  Not just because Logan Couture and I share a name, or because he plays for the Sharks.  It's because this kid will be amazing someday.  He's leading the Sharks, who (injuries not withstanding) have one of the most well rounded offenses in the league.  Plus the kid has talent.  He deserves
the car that he wins for being drafted last.)

I'm crediting my buddy Mitch for this joke.

Mitch: Did Taylor Hall make it?
Logan: I don't believe so.
Mitch:  I guess he's not good enough for the All Scar game!
Sheldon: Bazinga


* In searching for the results, I ran across a page that describes the Nine events of the all star skills competition.  I pissed myself laughing at many of the jokes the writer had to say.  For pure hockey based enjoyment, click here. http://blogs.theprovince.com/2012/01/28/your-2012-nhl-all-star-skills-competition-using-guide-nhl-lures-younger-demographic-by-spelling-it-skillz/
Skills Competition

Elimination Shootout

Hardest Shot

Accuracy Shooting

Fastest Skater

Breakaway Challenge

Relays

Alfreddson wins skills comp 21-12.  Domination!

Yet Chara wins the Game, 12 to 9.  Chara Smash!



Thanks again! Be sure to send me any feedback you wish.

Logan

*UPDATE* MONDAY JANUARY 23, 2012

Logan's Letter

  This week, the Letter takes a more casual route.  I began the week by collecting small pieces of news and stories to report on, with the full intention of renewing my weekly addition to the online world.  I was going to report on some political crap that I have nothing vested in, or maybe that one of our fellow Albertans (providing you are reading this from within Alberta) have won the 6/49 for a cool $25000000.  I was going to write the word million, but so many zeroes just makes it that much more fun.  (If by random chance you as the reader were the lottery winner, or just have a ton of money in general, remember your good old buddy Logan, who has a fancy for a large V8 Nissan Titan.)

  As with many of you I'm guessing, I have been pretty wrapped up in my own life lately.  Not anything bad, just busy.  I do not want to use it as an excuse, but writing is a passion and a hobby both for me, and sometimes I need to just let myself off the hook for a bit.  I apologize for not writing, but at the same time it was necessary.  To write the average previous column, it would take 3-4 hours a session, and I had to work around the silly fact that I had no internet at my apartment.  Perhaps worst of all, following the format that I had set for myself, I found myself not looking forward to writing some articles.  That is bad news.

  Ever have trouble looking at the big picture?  Me too.  I have been told I can easily draw people in with my words.  I have been given compliments about the sincerity and the emotion in my poetry.  I have acknowledged that people may benefit from my words somehow in ways I may not understand.  Like many others, I sometimes find it tough to accept that maybe there is something more than what I see.  So here is my plan. I'm no longer following agenda.

 I began seriously writing in high school.  True, I often skipped class to go write, whether out of boredom or because it allowed me to cope with the depression I struggled with.  I had no storyline, no basis to follow.  It was pure creativity, and it manifested in a surprising way.  I often looked back at the lengthy piece that I wrote that day, and found myself not remembering writing it.  A story that I was telling was breaking out of me, and while it was raw and lacked structure, the story started to tell itself.  I have had this story developing within me for 9 years, and while I still feel unprepared to write it, I still want to become submersed in that same feeling.  My story builds in my mind and grows, and one day will be written.  For now, I am focusing on writing from within.  My writing, when I write with full flow and power, teaches me and leads me.  It is oddly intuitive.  For the longest time this was most likely the most at peace with myself I had ever been.

  I had the goal of building a sort of "portfolio" with this column.  Now, I want to just make it more personal.  I will simply be writing what I want to that week.  It will likely have much of the same content, just less structure.

  I appreciate you all.
  Logan.


P.S.  I would like to congratulate all those who are representing Calgary in the National Open.  The 20 game qualifying tournament was this past weekend and we will have great teams bowling in our name.  Good Luck at Provincials!!!

P.P.S.  Sharks, stop losing to the Canucks.

P.P.S.S.  Elfstones of Shannara review next week.  Have you started to read the Sword of Shannara yet??

DECEMBER 23/2011

 




   First off I would like to apologize for the absence of a column in these past two weeks.  While I normally had written my column post Sundays in the late hours while at work, our business has been showing strong interest as of late.  Obviously I must work before I can play, so the new post dates are Fridays.  (Such as today.  Or, if you are reading this on a different day, such as Friday the 23rd of December.)  On a side note, I may or may not be playing a game of online poker while I write this, and I may or may not be keeping track of all the times I get 7-2 offsuit.  Enjoy the column, and may the force be with you.  (Oh and for those who have messaged me saying comments do not work, I have tweaked a setting so hopefully you can leave comments now if you wish.)

                                                             

                  No, it's not Jackie Chan

  No doubt you have heard that in the last week, North Korean Dictator Kim-Jong-Il has passed away.  According to sources, Kim Jong Il suffered a heart attack while aboard his train.  While maybe North Korea is not your likely choice for a vacation hotspot, and though North Korea holds no value in the game "Risk", it is safe to say that we as a nation should at least be somewhat concerned of the arising issue.

  Kim Jong Il will likely be succeeded by his son, Kim Jong Un.  While not too much is known about Kim Jong Un's personal life, his role in North Korea is far more established.  He is the son of Kim Jong Il's third wife, and though he is only in his twenties, he has already earned the military title of "Daejang", one that is said to be equal to a General.

  At this point, do North American's need to worry about the fact that a young military leader will now be at the reins of a huge, dominant military? Or will the new leader have changes to bring with his succession?  Only time will tell.  Shortly after the passing of Kim Jong Il, North Korea deployed a test missile.  While it is not confirmed that Kim Jong Un is responsible, this is definitely with intent.  North Korea is trying to posture, stating that the change of leadership will not happen with weakness.  Whatever happens, keep an eye on headlines, as the story of Kim Jong Un will be revealed as his actions progress.


Also in this column:
The Sword of Shannara review (Books)
The return of the absence of Sydney Crosby (sports)

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LIFE: In the face of Christmas


  Before we get too carried away, let us make a statement here.  While this column means no offence, this column may contain the word Christmas, and likely it will be repeated.  Many times.  If you have an issue with this, choose to click away now.  Everybody is running around with their politically correct crap, saying we keep stepping on their religion's toes by saying Christmas.  So hold on while I put on my boxing gloves here.

   First of all, I fully understand that North America has changed the face of many holidays.  I get that.  Look at holidays now.  It's almost like every holiday has become about food.  Don't believe me? Look at this.

  Thanksgiving was simply a holiday that evolved from the European Harvest Festivals.  When explorers, such as Martin Frobisher, arrived in town here, he spread the tradition of celebrating the harvest by having a wonderful feast.  In this, they gave thanks to the gods who protected their crops and in turn protected them.  Modern day Thanksgiving?  Turkey. Football.  Perhaps thinking back and taking an opportunity to be thankful for the gifts in your life.

  Halloween?  Used to be a sacred day, where the spirits who have passed were celebrated.  In Germany, they celebrate a version of this called Totensonntag, which loosely translates to "day of the dead".
Now, it's Candy! and costumes, and more candy.

  St. Paddy's Day?  Green Beer.
Valentines Day has candy hearts.
Easter now is represented by a Chocolate laying bunny.
Christmas is now a fat guy who fills a whole bunch of socks with toys and chocolate, and then we celebrate by stuffing our face with baking and more turkey.  This is the only holiday in which we actually leave food for our invented character.


Let this be said.


 Your religion is your religion.  I give no thought as to what you may or may not believe in.  I do not believe you to be any less or more worthy for it.  I do not believe in religion personally, but I am not an atheist either.  For so long have we fought nonsensically over religion.  Religion vs. Religion,  Religion vs. Science, Religion vs. Spirituality.  Enough is enough

  This time of year, regardless of religion, we choose to celebrate.  You decide for what.  Whether it's beliefs, love, family...it does not matter.  I was told as a young child that a man named Jesus Christ was born 2011 years ago, and he grew up to spread messages to us all of faith and love.  On the day of his birth, miracles apparently happened and people from everywhere travelled from afar to see him.  He spread the word of the Lord and used peace as his tool, rather than violence.  He ended up dying on a cross as a symbol of that Peace, a story which even non-believers still know about.

  While I am unsure as to whether or not Jesus really existed, (and I'm not the right person to comment on it), I know that the story of his birth and life has travelled over two millennium to find us today.   While I never went to church, every year at Christmas we still sing songs to instil that love and hope inside us.  Christmas is literally  "Christ's Mass".  We gather amongst family and friends and celebrate that message of love.  It makes no difference as to whether or not you are religious or believe that Jesus really existed.  The fact is that through this story, mankind grew to become something more than a race of vicious intolerable people. That alone is worth celebration.  Even if the story is not true, whoever wrote it had more wisdom than we can appreciate today.

We, as a race of people, live free.  Our nation has many cultures, many beliefs.  We have grown together.  We have attained that peace.  Thank who you want for it, but remember to thank them this Christmas.


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SPORTS:


  No hockey team breakdown today...this will change to a monthly thing, done at the end of each month.  I find that these columns usually take a couple hours, and to spend another hour every week on that is ridiculous.  Go sharks.

 The annual tournament, the National Open Championships for 5 pin bowling will be taking place in a few weeks.  While I will likely not place on a team, I will be competing.  Here's to me not sucking.

 Did You Hear??? SYDNEY CROSBY is out again, with concussion-like symptoms!  As if we did not see that coming.  You know that commercial where he works in a store and he is selling his own stuff?  I'm pretty sure that is excellent foreshadowing of his future.



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Judging by the Cover: Sword of Shannara


  Well I'm thrilled to start writing about the writing that sparked my passion.  As I previously said, Terry Brooks is my favorite writer. While his initial book, "The Sword of Shannara" is not my favorite, it is still very entertaining.

  Have you bought your copy yet?  If not, shame on you.

 "The Sword of Shannara"  is the first book that launches the reader into an unbelievable world.  The story for this first book is very simplistic at first.  Good guy learns he has a big quest in front of him, must travel through land of elves, dwarves, trolls, gnomes, etc.  while being accompanied by a large magical man, all to destroy a large evil being that existed long ago with a magical talisman.  Sounds a lot like Lord of the Rings at first.  However, the similarities stop here.  Upon the arrival of his second book, the reader is captured.  Brooks' depth as a writer show, and as you traverse throughout the stories, you realized why the "Sword of Shannara" was so important to the rest.

  He began to write the Sword in 1967, writing sporadically for the next 7 years.  He had it published in 1974, and he was claimed to be the next Fantasy giant next to J.R.R. Tolkien.  Terry Brooks was indeed inspired by Tolkien, but his language is more modern day and you do not get hung up on the tough language.

In a tribute book to his own writing, called "Sometimes the Magic Works", he writes;
I would set my adventure story in an imaginary world, a vast, sprawling, mythical world like that of Tolkien, filled with magic that had replaced science and races that had evolved from Man. But I was not Tolkien and did not share his background in academia or his interest in cultural study. So I would eliminate the poetry and songs, the digressions on the ways and habits of types of characters, and the appendices of language and backstory that characterized and informed Tolkien's work. I would write the sort of straightforward adventure story that barreled ahead, picking up speed as it went, compelling a turning of pages until there were no more pages to be turned.



 This book is definitely worth the read.
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Views Under Review


George of the Jungle

  This hilarious, wildly entertaining movie features Brendan Fraser, John Cleese and Leslie Mann, who all lend a strong hand in bringing this film to potential.  George (portrayed by Brendan Fraser) is a klutzy goofball who enjoys swinging through the air and foliage, at least until he finds himself smacking into a tree.  (There's a joke about the tree's bark being worse than it's bite, but I'll ignore it).   This movie is rich with clever humor and an innocence that you cannot seem to find anymore.  

Creativity- 9/10
Originality-9/10
Entertaining -10/10
Inspiring- 8/10
Purpose- 7/10


George of the Jungle is rated 86%.  This movie is one you want to watch.


Battle Los Angeles

  This recent story of an alien invasion was a little dry.  It had reminiscent moments of "Independence Day" but on more than one occasion I found myself wishing I was watching "Independence Day" instead.  The plot was almost non existent and the movie did not engage the viewer.  Sad to see Aaron Eckhart have a not very good role.

Creativity-6/10
Originality-6/10
Entertaining -5/10
Inspiring- 4/10
Purpose- 7/10


Battle: L.A. is rated 58%.  Watch "Independence Day".
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TRACK ATTACK


 "Dela" (I think I know why the dog howls at the moon)
Performed by Johnny Clegg and Savuka.

This song is actually from George and the Jungle.  It's upbeat tempo and captivating sound creates that feel-good sensation almost naturally.  In the movie it is used as a dancing scene song, and then again at the wedding.  This song just might get you dancing as well.


"Out of my Hands"
Performed by Matthew West.

  This song is a christian ballad that is truly impressive.  The viewpoint is of a man who surrenders his troubles and let's go of control.  I love how he does not directly bring in God, so as not to offend others, as this also allows people to listen and connect freely.  I found myself really connecting to this song, and if you are in need of something light and beautiful right now, I would recommend this instantly.


"Down Under"
Performed by Men at Work.

 Probably the catchiest song I've heard in ages.  This one is still stuck in my head.  Very neat, very catchy.  Only problem is you will have to google the words because most people only know the sounds.  What the hell is a vegemite sandwich anyway?


THANK YOU TO ALL WHO VIEWED TODAY!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!