White Out (Snowed In)....
Woohoo Snowdaaaay! Even though it somewhat distorts my plan/weekly schedule, it's been a while since I've been through one of these! I always get all giddy upon the first major snowfall...and to add to that, I have that stupid/trippy summertime song stuck in my head (I blame the secluded asian style karaoke booth from the weekend).
It's been a while indeed, why I have returned to these realms? Well, part of the explanation lies in the above=) I'm not apologetic in the least, who still uses Livejournal in this day and age? On top of that, through a series of occurences I have come to the realization I truly have no "best" friends, other than a couple of very personal-related folks, and I find that rather depressing but I've always been to myself now haven't I? Adapting, surviving and thriving in any new place/situation...truthfully, other than the music, alot of these conflicting feelings and thoughts have remained contained within.
So much has happened in the past few years that I could literally write a book, but I've decided to condense the major events on here. Reflecting back on all those past entries through some of the highschool and "learning curve" years, I've decided to save, possibly publish or at the least certainly release them online in some format beyond this. Could be years at the earliest since time and editing are certainly factors in this decision. I do not think in the least of this as exploiting some teenage bullshit/drama, nor do I believe it's highly beneficial on an academdic level (or writing), just having taken so many social courses over the years, I think it's useful to think back, go back to the moment, realize what and why one has become what they are; as well as learning from (and bearing in mind) all those past mistakes.
Album was FINALLY released last year, played some awesome packed local shows (including a grande cd release party), solid reviews but unfortunately the scene is dead. If we formed maybe 10, 5 years earlier than we did, we would've caught the last tail of what was once a somewhat stable, worthy music industry. All major labels simply need a quick buck and are far too concerned about making it with the already established/popular bands. So that's the reality of the music biz. I shant even get into CD's (which I still collect and the horde grows!) and playing live (though this is key to my periodic therapy). Lineup changes once again, check the fucking myspace for that! But in all honesty, other than the usual members who need that constant, consistent practice, this is a lineup I'm rather proud and happy to have for once. Lots of new trained and gifted talents at the forefront who will take this group to a whole new level in future endeavors (Woodwinds, female vocals, new rhythm guitar who can learn anything in a flash).
In a rather abrupt decision that shocked everyone (well, some of us saw it coming and as inevitable, didn't we?) Misha got married this past autumn...found out there was a kid on the way and bam, had to settle the deal kinda last minute and all. There's only so much your close friends can advise you, in the end, a man has to decide for himself, know what he wants and that's a major problem itself for some people. I truly wish him the best, it won't be easy but he's a tough lad who perseveres much like myself. Wedding ceremony/dinner was lovely, lots of russians so Dave and I felt awkward at times, left early but good time overall. We shall see how he balances the family life and music in the coming months...
There's been a ton of new, mature material already written and being rehearsed and I truly believe and hope his passion and talents continue on the ever-winding musical path...
A brief glimmer of what's already written...
The Return
Water of Life
Kolovrat Turns
Moon Goddess
Northern Soul
Gorale
Marzena Drowning
Dagda
Cher Awalla Ru
Motherland
RUSALKA
A PASSAGE THROUGH ICE
VANISHING GREEN LIGHT
FROZEN IN TIME
SYMPHONY Of Whispering Pines
KTO NIE WYPIJE
CENTURY BULBIKAT
CRUELTY
BLACK WIDOW ROMANCE
MARK OF PERUN
DEVIRGINIZER!
SHADOWTANZ
(Volk split) - Dm Bathory intro
Soundcheck song
Katyn Wood
No shortage of ideas there hehe although I did have writer's block for nearly half year then it all came naturally (doesn't it always?). Tis just a matter of getting everything down with the band now. The amount of idiocy in the scene never ceases to amaze me, due to this pagan symbolism we bear we've been accused of being nazis or some shit, which i find amusing yet down right aggrevating considering the bands' backround and respective history and struggles. There have been shows where we've been banned already, idiots showing up and starting shit...quite the ride but we shall continue to ride the storm! You can't inform idiots when their ears and eyes are shut or hearing and seeing what they want to:P
As for myself, I am now residing in London until the Spring. Perhaps I mentioned it in earlier entries, but I have made the decision to become an educator. This is not something that happened overnight believe you me. I figured alright, I did the Comm/English bachelors with honors, where can I take it from there? I enjoy informing, influencing, inspiring and enlightening people, taking control and speaking so it seemed like the most logical thing to do in my case. Not to mention some of the great highschool teachers I was fortunate to have, along with noteworthy musicians being teachers, figured it's not so bad and it's been great so far, immensely heartwarming and eyeopening at the same time. Did my first practicum in a grade 4 class, amazing kids, taught some math, gym and music and actually got invited back to the same school for my second! It's this failed 1970's hippy open concept school with no walls in between classes if you can picture that, really irritating some days:P
Currently teaching grade 8 class English, geography and history. Well-behaved overall but some of the maturity (at least in girls) is astounding.
The in-class/lecture aspect of the program is a bit too theoretical, do prefer the hands on experience more than anything, but I suppose it's some essential background BS the OCT requires. This new curriculum is far different than what I grew up on, all this technology, modelling, diminishing attention spans, overlooking grammar...what the future holds frightens me at times. As bright, appealing and innovative as it may seem on the surface, I have this inclination that it's cold, dark and dead beneath the surface.
Why Western? Well, let's just say the York and U of T fagets didn't accept me. Nuts to them though, looking back now, wouldn't want to stick around that shithole city for another year. Needed that time to get away, get a perspective on things and people and it's been quite the time thus far. Still no cellphone=)I'm sure people are busy but there's such a lack of courtesy these days, again, in the department of friends, it's been a tad depressing.
It's quite the party school, the rumors are true but blown out of proportion as always, though I myself haven't been too crazy. I'm 24, if I was a some punkass undergrad starting ok, I'd be going to all those hipster clubs (not that I ever fancied them) but it's just not my cup o tea nor ever really was. Rather sit and jam, write material, have some refreshments, debate, conversation, listen to some worthy music. Met a few decent, intellectual aquiantances as well as idiots (they're everywhere). It's absolutely horrifying to think some of these people want to be teachers. Wtf are you going to teach the youth? What was on entertainment tonight or some BS sitcom? "Oh, teaching is only part of my 5 year plan", Umm, the job market (in urban areas) isn't all that promising, to land a contract job in that time is considered lucky. I'm not ruling out teaching overseas or up north somewhere desolate, not for a second. Would be splendid to get away even further...
I've learned to play a pretty bad ass recorder in this music class=) Just a shame how the curriculum views it as a "toy" considering Bach amongst others wrote parts for it.
My beloved Carolyn is still down under at the ends of the earth, I've decided amidst all the BS we both have experienced in each others absence, this time and distance have brought us together closer than ever. Supposedly she's returning after the new year and o how long I await the day. It'll be almost 2 years. Sure, you may think I'm fucking crazy/stupid as a man, but it's honestly been the most meaningful, perfect and committed relationship I've ever been in. I have never been into meaningless relations and have always been faithful and devoted to those I hold dearest.
The year has been quite the rollercoaster to say the least, bipolar if that sums it up accordingly. All this time without my love always gives me mixed emotions, the loneliness plagues me every now and then, all these events, Misha's marriage, fathers' unemployment, Peter Steele and Dio's passing...then in the summer saw RAMMSTEIN in quebec city in front of 100,000 people which was an absolute upper for me. So as long as the music is still my therapy, I shall keep upon the path marching onwards...
That's as summative as it shall get for now...maybe I'll return (maybe not)
Warn wintry regards,
M
It's been a while indeed, why I have returned to these realms? Well, part of the explanation lies in the above=) I'm not apologetic in the least, who still uses Livejournal in this day and age? On top of that, through a series of occurences I have come to the realization I truly have no "best" friends, other than a couple of very personal-related folks, and I find that rather depressing but I've always been to myself now haven't I? Adapting, surviving and thriving in any new place/situation...truthfully, other than the music, alot of these conflicting feelings and thoughts have remained contained within.
So much has happened in the past few years that I could literally write a book, but I've decided to condense the major events on here. Reflecting back on all those past entries through some of the highschool and "learning curve" years, I've decided to save, possibly publish or at the least certainly release them online in some format beyond this. Could be years at the earliest since time and editing are certainly factors in this decision. I do not think in the least of this as exploiting some teenage bullshit/drama, nor do I believe it's highly beneficial on an academdic level (or writing), just having taken so many social courses over the years, I think it's useful to think back, go back to the moment, realize what and why one has become what they are; as well as learning from (and bearing in mind) all those past mistakes.
Album was FINALLY released last year, played some awesome packed local shows (including a grande cd release party), solid reviews but unfortunately the scene is dead. If we formed maybe 10, 5 years earlier than we did, we would've caught the last tail of what was once a somewhat stable, worthy music industry. All major labels simply need a quick buck and are far too concerned about making it with the already established/popular bands. So that's the reality of the music biz. I shant even get into CD's (which I still collect and the horde grows!) and playing live (though this is key to my periodic therapy). Lineup changes once again, check the fucking myspace for that! But in all honesty, other than the usual members who need that constant, consistent practice, this is a lineup I'm rather proud and happy to have for once. Lots of new trained and gifted talents at the forefront who will take this group to a whole new level in future endeavors (Woodwinds, female vocals, new rhythm guitar who can learn anything in a flash).
In a rather abrupt decision that shocked everyone (well, some of us saw it coming and as inevitable, didn't we?) Misha got married this past autumn...found out there was a kid on the way and bam, had to settle the deal kinda last minute and all. There's only so much your close friends can advise you, in the end, a man has to decide for himself, know what he wants and that's a major problem itself for some people. I truly wish him the best, it won't be easy but he's a tough lad who perseveres much like myself. Wedding ceremony/dinner was lovely, lots of russians so Dave and I felt awkward at times, left early but good time overall. We shall see how he balances the family life and music in the coming months...
There's been a ton of new, mature material already written and being rehearsed and I truly believe and hope his passion and talents continue on the ever-winding musical path...
A brief glimmer of what's already written...
The Return
Water of Life
Kolovrat Turns
Moon Goddess
Northern Soul
Gorale
Marzena Drowning
Dagda
Cher Awalla Ru
Motherland
RUSALKA
A PASSAGE THROUGH ICE
VANISHING GREEN LIGHT
FROZEN IN TIME
SYMPHONY Of Whispering Pines
KTO NIE WYPIJE
CENTURY BULBIKAT
CRUELTY
BLACK WIDOW ROMANCE
MARK OF PERUN
DEVIRGINIZER!
SHADOWTANZ
(Volk split) - Dm Bathory intro
Soundcheck song
Katyn Wood
No shortage of ideas there hehe although I did have writer's block for nearly half year then it all came naturally (doesn't it always?). Tis just a matter of getting everything down with the band now. The amount of idiocy in the scene never ceases to amaze me, due to this pagan symbolism we bear we've been accused of being nazis or some shit, which i find amusing yet down right aggrevating considering the bands' backround and respective history and struggles. There have been shows where we've been banned already, idiots showing up and starting shit...quite the ride but we shall continue to ride the storm! You can't inform idiots when their ears and eyes are shut or hearing and seeing what they want to:P
As for myself, I am now residing in London until the Spring. Perhaps I mentioned it in earlier entries, but I have made the decision to become an educator. This is not something that happened overnight believe you me. I figured alright, I did the Comm/English bachelors with honors, where can I take it from there? I enjoy informing, influencing, inspiring and enlightening people, taking control and speaking so it seemed like the most logical thing to do in my case. Not to mention some of the great highschool teachers I was fortunate to have, along with noteworthy musicians being teachers, figured it's not so bad and it's been great so far, immensely heartwarming and eyeopening at the same time. Did my first practicum in a grade 4 class, amazing kids, taught some math, gym and music and actually got invited back to the same school for my second! It's this failed 1970's hippy open concept school with no walls in between classes if you can picture that, really irritating some days:P
Currently teaching grade 8 class English, geography and history. Well-behaved overall but some of the maturity (at least in girls) is astounding.
The in-class/lecture aspect of the program is a bit too theoretical, do prefer the hands on experience more than anything, but I suppose it's some essential background BS the OCT requires. This new curriculum is far different than what I grew up on, all this technology, modelling, diminishing attention spans, overlooking grammar...what the future holds frightens me at times. As bright, appealing and innovative as it may seem on the surface, I have this inclination that it's cold, dark and dead beneath the surface.
Why Western? Well, let's just say the York and U of T fagets didn't accept me. Nuts to them though, looking back now, wouldn't want to stick around that shithole city for another year. Needed that time to get away, get a perspective on things and people and it's been quite the time thus far. Still no cellphone=)I'm sure people are busy but there's such a lack of courtesy these days, again, in the department of friends, it's been a tad depressing.
It's quite the party school, the rumors are true but blown out of proportion as always, though I myself haven't been too crazy. I'm 24, if I was a some punkass undergrad starting ok, I'd be going to all those hipster clubs (not that I ever fancied them) but it's just not my cup o tea nor ever really was. Rather sit and jam, write material, have some refreshments, debate, conversation, listen to some worthy music. Met a few decent, intellectual aquiantances as well as idiots (they're everywhere). It's absolutely horrifying to think some of these people want to be teachers. Wtf are you going to teach the youth? What was on entertainment tonight or some BS sitcom? "Oh, teaching is only part of my 5 year plan", Umm, the job market (in urban areas) isn't all that promising, to land a contract job in that time is considered lucky. I'm not ruling out teaching overseas or up north somewhere desolate, not for a second. Would be splendid to get away even further...
I've learned to play a pretty bad ass recorder in this music class=) Just a shame how the curriculum views it as a "toy" considering Bach amongst others wrote parts for it.
My beloved Carolyn is still down under at the ends of the earth, I've decided amidst all the BS we both have experienced in each others absence, this time and distance have brought us together closer than ever. Supposedly she's returning after the new year and o how long I await the day. It'll be almost 2 years. Sure, you may think I'm fucking crazy/stupid as a man, but it's honestly been the most meaningful, perfect and committed relationship I've ever been in. I have never been into meaningless relations and have always been faithful and devoted to those I hold dearest.
The year has been quite the rollercoaster to say the least, bipolar if that sums it up accordingly. All this time without my love always gives me mixed emotions, the loneliness plagues me every now and then, all these events, Misha's marriage, fathers' unemployment, Peter Steele and Dio's passing...then in the summer saw RAMMSTEIN in quebec city in front of 100,000 people which was an absolute upper for me. So as long as the music is still my therapy, I shall keep upon the path marching onwards...
That's as summative as it shall get for now...maybe I'll return (maybe not)
Warn wintry regards,
M