Maggie becomes a lolcat as she waits for the carnage that is Christmas morning.
Counting down
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Monthly Archives: December 2007
Trip to the woods
With the weather good and presents to deliver, Jan and I drove up to Wasaga Beach today to see Maxine and David. Had a very nice lunch and some time to take photos.
We weren’t the only ones looking for something to eat. One of Max’s deer decided to drop by. A group of about 8 frequent the backyard in search of corn but this is the first I’ve been able to capture on camera. Incredibly skittish, they never relax. This one stayed for about five minutes and then bounded away through the snow with white tail flashing.
Max always does a beautiful job on her Christmas trees (there’s always at least two). Found this wise little guy hiding near the back.
Another yearly event is the construction of the village which usually takes place during the pre-Christmas party that we could not attend because of last weekend’s snowstorm. Everything seems to be in place.
While I was working on the village, Jan got a chance to get to know Fancy, the latest addition to the Wasaga crew. It didn’t take the cat long to realize that she was laying near a cat lover.
(Click any picture to go to the Flickr page to view them larger).
The leader of the band has died
Dan Fogelberg passed away today at the age of 56 from prostrate cancer. Famous for songs such as “Leader Of The Band”, “Longer” and “Auld Lang Syne”, Fogelberg was born in August 1951 making him just a few months older than me.
I loved his music even if it was known for being a little sappy. His collaboration with Tim Weisberg on the album “Twin Sons From Different Mothers” was a seminal fusing of jazz and folk.
For your consideration, here’s a video of his Run For The Roses.
One of my favourite songs was “Nexus” from the album The Innocent Age. Great lyrics:
Across the vein of night
There cuts a path of searing light
Burning like a beacon
On the edges of our sight
At the point of total darkness
And the lights divine divide
A soul can let its shadow stretch
And land on either side –
either side.
And balanced on the precipice
The moment must reveal
Naked in the face of time
Our race within the wheel
As we hang beneath the heavens
And we hover over hell
Our hearts become the instruments
We learn to play so well.
Wealthy the spirit that knows its
own flight
Stealthy the hunter who slays
his own fright
Blessed the traveler who journeys
the length of the light.
Outside the pull of gravity
Beyond the spectral veil
Within our careful reasoning
We search to no avail
For the constant in the chaos
For the fulcrum in the void
Following a destiny
Our steps cannot avoid.
Across the vein of night
There cuts a path of searing light
Burning like a beacon
On the edges of our sight
At the point of total darkness
And the lights divine divide
A soul can let its shadow
Stretch and land on either side.
Wealthy the spirit that knows its
own flight
Stealthy the hunter who slays
his own fright
Blessed the traveler who journeys
the length of the light.
In a spiral never-ending
Are we drawn towards the source
Spinning at the mercy of an
unrelenting force
So we stare into the emptiness
and fall beneath the weight
Circling the Nexus in a
fevered dance with fate –
Wealthy the spirit that knows its
own flight
Stealthy the hunter who slays
his own fright
Blessed the traveler who journeys
the length of the light.
I must have a fever
Enough Christmas music bashing. There actually is some that I like.
1 – “2000 Miles” – Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders. Live version.
Beautiful song.
2 – “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” – Band Aid. Bob Geldof’s benefit to fight African hunger resulted in this classic.
Even Boy George couldn’t kill it.
3 – “Fairytale Of New York” – The Pogues and Kristy MacColl. Don’t look at Shane MacGowan’s teeth (I know it’s hard), just listen to the words.
Not the happiest of songs but Christmas isn’t all candycanes and eggnog.
4 – Wintersong – Sarah McLachlan. Beautiful.
5 – “Song For A Winter’s Night – Sarah McLachlan. Written by Gordon Lightfoot, McLachlan makes it her own. Unfortunately, the only video I could find has the song playing over clips from the movie King Arthur.
For comparison, here’s the original version. A completely different feel.
That’s enough for now. I have an image to maintain.
Have yourself a Hoffy little Christmas
German visitors will proably have my head if I’m not careful what I say about this selection. David Hasselhoff, inexplicably, is a huge hit in Europe. I love Germany and find the people very nice but they sure have some strange musical tastes.
Speaking of taste, I’m sure everyone’s seen the video on YouTube of him lying in a drunken stupor on a bathroom floor trying to eat a greasy hamburger. I won’t repost it here because I just got back from our company Christmas dinner and the tummy is feeling a little rocky. Go watch it for yourself.
Anyway, back to this holiday horror. Hurry quick and you can buy a used copy on Amazon. It was a top 10 hit in Germany!!! Meh.
Frankly, his former partner probably has a better voice. Always was a much better actor.
A nerve touched, and an apology
As part of my continuing quest to unearth Christmas albums that you’ve never seen and probably never want to hear, I posted an entry to introduce you to a disc by the “Average White Broads”. One of the members took issue with my words and has sent me 2 emails telling me I was unfair and giving me more information about the group. Yes, they still perform and to good reviews.
Ok, it’s almost Christmas and I’m feeling particularly seasonal so I’d like to take this opportunity to apologize to Robyn, Bonni and Patti and wish them all the best. Sorry girls, I won’t delete the original post as I haven’t done that since Michael Crook threatened to sue me for $25 million. (Google his name to see why)
Seasonal sniping will resume tomorrow.
Gift packages for Canadian soldiers abroad are security risk
Over a 1000 holiday care packages destined for Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan are being held in Montreal because the Armed Forces cannot transport them if they are not directly addressed to individuals.
Even though the gifts were packed in an armoury and have been kept under lock and key, officials say that they cannot vouch for the contents which constitutes a security risk.
Give me a freaking break!
At the same time, from CNN, US officials refuse to deliver thousands of greetings addressed to “Any Wounded Soldier” fearing anthrax or letter bombs.
The terrorists have already won if we’ve come to this.
The Dreamliner nears flight
News from Boeing today that progress on the 787 Dreamliner continues on schedule with the first flight still planned for early next year. Highlights of the conference call.
This picture released by Boeing shows the first flying aircraft as well as 2 others that will be used for static testing.
Big hair, bad music
This one is just too easy. What in the name of the Flying Spaghetti Monster would make you want to listen to this? The bone logo?
Twisted Sister was (or is, I’m not sure) a novelty act at best and just plain terrible at worst. A couple of moderately funny music videos that came and went as MTV and MuchMusic went all “artistic”.
Still available over at Amazon. Or you can just spare yourself all the trouble and watch this on YouTube.
I’m sorry.
Monday, Dec. 10: Most stressful day of the year, U.K. survey finds
story . I sort of agree. It’s my birthday and each year seems to get a little tougher.