Hi.

For those that actually read this blog, heres a bit of an explanation.

No I haven't posted in a while.

No I haven't forgotten about this blog.

Yes I have exams.

No I do not have time to post until I am done exams.

Yes I will continue to post once exams are through.

Yes you should WATCH THIS VIDEO. This is radiohead.


Groovy.

Go.

If I could do anything at all right now with 2 allowances, unlimited money and zero school responsibilities, I would go on a drive. Not a road trip, because a road trip seems to imply that we are headed to a destination. No, I'd just grab my sister and jump in the car and drive. I'd stop to pick up my friends, you know who you are, and we'd just go. The goal wouldn't be to find the most amazing place, or do the most amazing things. No, the goal would be to have no goal. To just drive and stop and explore and have fun, and when we got sick of driving, we'd get a hotel, or camp out somewhere. We'd take a million pictures. We'd do everything, and nothing at all.

j.



*I'M LISTENING TO: Pilot Speed*

Just one.

I love that 1 song in a million that can be played a million times without getting old. I love the feeling of sheer joy when I realize I have found a song that will never let me down.

Currently the song A Sunday Smile by Beirut is tickling my fancy. I've listened to this song for a few months now over and over and I love it more than ever. This song is available for listen on Beiruts myspace.

Cherish these songs when you find them, as they are few in number and part of a dying breed.

*I'M OBVIOUSLY LISTENING TO: Beirut*

Cyclic Redundancy Check

So I'm sitting here, studying for my telecommunications course, and I'm reading up on error detection methods within binary sequences. I stumble across a method of testing entitled Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC), and of course the name jumps out to me instantly and screams;

"BE INSPIRED!"


and its obvious that I was.


Those two beautiful words; Redundancy.... Check. What a dangerous and provocative duo. I began to question my own life, "How often do I do redundancy checks? Does my life just repeat? Can I safely say that I make a solid effort to change things up on a regular basis?".

I could attempt to think of an intense and exhaustive list of things I can do to prevent redundancy, but as you know, I am studying telecommunications. So here are two things I have done in the past (and plan to do more in the future) to make life more interesting.


Instead of listening to music on the way to school or work, I will sometimes listen to sounds. I'll listen to traffic and wind and any number of background noises. When you stop to listen to sound for entertainment purposes it can be intensely interesting.

I'll scout out colour. Colour is beautiful if you stop and pursue it.

I think Redundancy Tests should be used for more than just binary.

A Softer World

I recently stumbled upon a site intriguingly titled A Softer World. Run by Joey and Emily, the site reeks of their beautiful satire. The main element of this site is the comic that they both take part in making. Joey writes the comic, and Emily designs it.

click image to enlarge

Joey also writes some very interesting "application" letters to various companies. My personal favourite is a letter to Bill Gates entitled "Money is Awesome" [link].


A Softer World *note that this site contains some questionable subject matter and language.

Surprise me.

Msn messenger responses to "Say something inspirational".


Me: Say something inspirational.
Person 1: when life gives you lemons, squirt them in people's eyes


Me: Say something inspirational.
Person 2: Follow your heart... to Jesus.


Me: Say something inspirational.
Person 3: those moments have to come naturally; i can't just say something to inspire on the spot.


Me: Say something inspirational.
Person 4: do or do not, there is no try


Me: Say something inspirational.
Person 5: i had a full head of inspirational sh*t yesterday because i was watching the boondocks. but now im waching kill bill. so sorry.


Me: Say something inspirational.
Person 6: each human being has infinite value and potential


Me: Say something inspirational.
Person 7: try again.


Me: Say something inspirational.
Person 8: inspiration


Me: Say something inspirational.
Person 9: Naww


Me: Say something inspirational.
Person 10: its not about the ending. its about the journey to get there. what's learned is better than the outcome.


Me: Say something inspirational.
Person 11: miller lite has more taste than bud light and only half the carbs.


Me: Say something inspirational.
Person 12: A relationship, I think, is like a shark. You know? It has to constantly move forward or it dies.


Me: Say something inspirational.
Person 13: never regret anything. thats my motto


Me: Say something inspirational.
Person 14: The true things in life worth having are the ones we have to fight for -- the things we have to overcome every obstacle to get to


Me: Say something inspirational.
Person 15: y? u want a new screen name?



Well I'm inspired.


*I'M LISTENING TO: Kkrusty*

Sabrepulse

I don't plan on doing this often, however, I will post about a band when I find one that really stands out.

Ash E, aka sabrepulse, creates high intensity electronic music. Now I could go into the specifics of this music and define it in elitist musical terms that most of you wouldn't even understand OR I could just explain how this music will make you feel.

Imagine being shot 10'000 feet into the air. All the clouds you soar through are made of rainbow coloured cotton candy, and the entire world is pulsating night and day as if the sun is a huge strobe light in the sky. Right before takeoff that beautiful girl (or awesome hunk of a guy) you've had a crush on for years just kissed you for the first time, so needless to say your emotions are at an all time high.

This is sabrepulse.

With 2 full lengths and a handful of EP's under his belt sabrepulse is taking 8bit music by storm. All his music is free on his myspace (check the left hand side under "sounds like"). I would suggest listening to "Gare d'Europa" on his myspace if you get the chance.

Colour is Intimidating

Of all the concepts I have attempted to understand, colour is one of the most devious. In my exploration of the metaphysical, I will turn concepts around in my mind, a process that will often take weeks or even months. This being said, I'm convinced that colour will take a lifetime to assimilate. The essence of colour, its meaning and its depth, has been evading me for some time now. I am sure that there are many deep spiritual ties to colour, and that eventually they will reveal themselves to me.

I believe the main reason that colour has been eluding my comprehension for so long is that it has the ability to remain silent unless pursued. If colour isn't sought out, it remains unappreciated. I have found that I often forget to acknowledge colour, and that when I stop to flirt with its beautiful aura, I never leave unsatisfied. A simple glance around to look only at colour is always an overwhelming experience. I realize this beauty and passion is right there, screaming in my face, and yet I so often miss it.

Illegal Advertising

Apparently MANY of the advertisements that we see every day (billboards, signs on buildings, etc) are illegal. Many are not properly licensed and/or do not meet the standards for size.

There is a wonderful organization now acting in Toronto called Illegal Signs which aids in the removal of these horrendous abominations.

The Toronto based site tracks illegal signs, as well as lax enforcement through freedom of information requests and old-fashioned sleuthing. Since starting earlier this year, his organization was able to remove 200 illegal signs in just their first 2 months.

Taken from Anti Advertising Agency

IllegalSigns.ca

*I'M LISTENING TO: mewithoutYou*