if the computer isn't lying,

I'm going to see Beck in August!

Who would've believed he's come to this little city?

Late Addition: Okay, so the computer was correct and I have a ticket to this concert in my hot little hands!

I'm so very excited!

Sorry for the lack of posts lately...

I am still here and promise to post the next time I get some spare moments to do so. I hope that you are all doing well.

It never ceases to amaze me that the journey of life can be truly amazing as far as the biological aspects of humanity. My friend who is in medical school once told me that during one of her first semesters of anatomy, she discovered that they human body was beautiful on the inside and was absolutely amazing. I guess, even though I haven't seen the inside of a body that she was spot on in this observation... The vessels that make each of us up must be a truly amazing machine.

I remembered this today when I saw the latest image on +33 photograph - which I'd like to share with you all. Entitled 2008.5.9 - sumire, it shows the newly emerged Sumire preparing for the beginning of the journey of life. It's such a stunning image, don't you think?

It's ironic that even now, in the middle of my journey, I find the start of life so amazing!

I've been thinking a lot about the end of life lately as well. It's not unusual that as we get closer to our last days, we think a lot more about it. Have I accomplished all that I had planned to? Will I have time to do the things that I haven't up until now?

I've also been pondering my later days. Have I prepared enough for my impending old age days? I know the answer to that and it makes me a little afraid. By the time that happens, I don't know whose mercy I'll be at. And it makes me wonder if anyone else is a little afraid of depending on the youth of today when we are less able to take care of ourselves...

But, then I remember the photo I've got linked to earlier in this post. This child is beautiful. However, it has it's own journey and shouldn't really be expected to take care of others. It's hard enough in this life to take care of ourselves.

I had a conversation with someone the other day that reminded me that we cannot expect that children will take care of us. For that matter, we cannot expect that our partners will either. Basically, we are all on our own... and thus, responsible for our own lives.

On the bus that I take to my new office these days, I've come across a couple of elderly men that make me smile. From what I can figure, they are friends that go out for coffee every morning and they ride the bus to wherever they are going together. They've obviously lived long lives and yet they have very different perspectives.

One is originally German and the other was French and I just can't help smiling when I listen to them banter back & forth about the state of the world. One is quite pessimistic and the other is the complete opposite... his optimism reminds me that in this world that both deem to be a very selfish place, that to be able to see the world in a more rose-coloured way is certainly the best way to go.

So, today, I celebrate life. The beginning, the end and yes, the middle of it. It's such an amazing gift!

The Annoying Rock Star vs Accountability...

I meant to write about this a few days back but haven't really had time but I just cannot hold my tongue about it. If you haven't heard, Chad Kroeger of Nickelback was convicted of drunk driving and received a tiny little fine and had his license suspended for a year. I think that both the fine and the suspension was too low. It's just wrong to drink & drive.

The thing that irritates me the most is that this guy is going to appeal the decision because it would make his life too difficult because he lives in a rural area. Sorry to hear that Chad but you really should have thought about that before you got behind the wheel of your car. This guy could have killed someone and he's worried about how he's going to get around. Hell, you have loads of money you loser so hire yourself a driver!

I find it sad that he said that drinking & driving is wrong yet he does it. That's not exercising your responsibility as a role model. In my opinion, this guy has a huge responsibility to be accountable for his actions. He should have to live with the result of his actions!

This will probably not happen though. This "one sound wonder" (yes, all of his songs sound exactly the same) will probably get off and inspire others to do the same as he does. That's what happens to all the other has-been celebrities these days...

I say that we all band together and boycott the albums by this guy and his so-called band. Maybe if his income is affected, he'll get the message that he's not above the law.

Much ado over nothing...

I also wanted to comment on all of the hoopla on the Miley Cyrus photo shoot with Annie Leibowitz (see the photos & read the online article here). I guess I'm not all that surprised by the reaction to that amazing photo shot by one of the best portrait artists of my generation however, I wonder if Miley owns any halter tops. If you ask me, Ms. Cyrus is overreacting on this one... so are all of the other folks out there who are outraged.

Being a photographer of sorts, I found the shot far from being sexy because she's a pastey fifteen year old girl. It reminded me of renaissance art where young women were not photographed but painted in an extremely tasteful way. Society is all screwed up. It's okay for Britney Spears to start her career looking like ever man's ideal of the naughty schoolgirl yet a fifteen year old is photographed pretty much covered up with the exception of her back (thus, the halter top comment earlier), all hell breaks loose. I think this girl's parents are miles better at parenting than Ms. Spears' sorry excuse for guardians.

And, let's face it... this girl is no Nastasha Kinski...

I just left the local cinema after seeing the film Young @ Heart and rushed down to the local internet cafe to advise you to see this film. It's a touching documentary about a chorus made up of seniors who perform rock & punk songs instead of what you might think they would be singing. I feel that it inspired me not only musically but also gave me inspiration in my approach to living.

Check out this chorus' version of The Ramones' "I wanna be Sedated":


You can also check out the chorus' website here.

I'm planning to take my mother to see it next weekend... It's such a fitting idea as it will be Mother's Day. Anyone care to join me in this idea?

Speaking of music, I think I promised to say more about the Duran Duran concert I attended this week. (Did everyone enjoy the video?) I'm not sure whether I had much more to say about it but for whatever reason, I was inspired by the opening band because of their performance despite the singer's injury. Equally inspiring was the fact that the members of the headline band are still out there putting on a great show despite them being the same age as me or older. I still feel a little like abandoning the responsible side of myself and just running away with a band... I had been toying with taking up the drums a while back and still have that feeling but also feel inspired to take up the bass guitar. It's such a sexy instrument and I figure that if I really try to get over my ever-existing lack of confidence, that it will no doubt release that sexiness that is dying to be expressed.

I guess that this post just goes to show that no matter how old one is, that music is so important to humans. I think that it's time for us all to explore that.

Have a great weekend all!

Come undone...



Went to see Duran Duran in Vancouver the other night and since then have just felt a little like I haven't really wanted to come back to work. No, I wasn't thinking of running away with the band however I couldn't help thinking that it would be so nice to liberate myself from the shackles of the nine-to-five job and embark on the full-time life of an artist.

There is lots that I could say on this subject but I think I'll wait until I get my head around expressing it in words. For the time being, enjoy the video. It's a little old but I just love this song.

And if you're interested, check out the opening band Your Vegas originally from Leeds. I enjoyed their set but, personally, really admired that they came on with a lead singer that had broken his foot (doing something stupid, he said - I can only assume that it was some testosterone fuelled event) yet he sang all the while hopping around on one foot or resting the injured leg on a stool. You gotta love someone who just admits "I'm an idiot"... yet manages to put on a great show...

See ya!