Home

This is beyond adorable.

I Believe I Can Fly

I Believe I can Fly ( flight of the frenchies). Trailer from sebastien montaz-rosset on Vimeo.

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”
― Bob Marley

Iceland's Nightless Summers

Shotgun - DMB - Gorge 2011

This guitar riff makes me feel so alive. Top 5 DMB song for sure.

Liezl and her Gander

Young Liezl, always the curious little one. Nothing frightened her, and everything excited her.

Lost in her thoughts, forever wandering. The only one who understood her wasn’t like us.

Running off to the pond, hours spent with her feet dangling, toes tickling the water.

All the other kids found it fun at first, but grew tired of the Geese. “They are all so mean and stinky,” the kids would shout. “You like the Geese cuz you are stinky like them!” Liezl heard nothing.

She was fascinated, not with the Geese, but with one Goose, or rather a Gander.

She thought it smelt nice by the pond, fresh and clean. And if they didn’t like it, they didn’t have to come. She preferred to be there alone. Alone with her Goose, or rather her Gander.

She would have conversations with him, hours on end. Although he would only quack back, Liezl could understand him.

As Liezl aged, the Gander remained, not a day would pass, with out seeing her Gander.

Little Liezl soon became, less little, and less young. She found love. She found pain. All the while sharing her stories with her special friend.

As time passed, little geese and ganders were born, and old geese and ganders died, but not him, he stayed the same.

Stories were told, of how the crazy old woman, would just sit by the pond talking to geese. She never married, nor had children. She knew love, but not as we did.

One day a little boy and little girl came along. Playing by the water, so young and little. They loved the Geese, and most of all Liezl’s Gander.

The children noticed that Liezl fed the Geese breadcrumbs, and asked if they could feed them too. “Of course” she’d say, with her beautiful smile.

The kids would come back day after day, feeding the crumbs. But Liezl’s Gander would not eat the crumbs. He only ate candy.

“Why does that one only eat candy?” asked the children.

“He has ever since we were little. We used to come down to the pond as children and throw candy into the pond. The Geese hated it. They would always come to the shore when they saw us, expecting bread. We would bring bread often, but always tried to get them to eat candy. They never would.” Liezl answered with a curious smile, never taking her eyes off her Gander.

For a while the children would come down to the pond and listen to stories of Liezl and her friend when they were but children. Until one day Liezl wasn’t there. The children went to Liezl’s spot only to find the Gander sitting there alone. They tried to feed him candy, but something wasn’t right. He would not eat.

They came back the next, to find the Gander in Liezl’s spot, but Liezl wasn’t there. Everyday for a week they returned to the same scene. Until one Sunday, upon their return they found a dozen or so people around a stone and some fresh dirt in Liezl’s spot. There sat her Gander. No one spoke. The only noise was the cries he made. The people left, but he didn’t.

The children aged, and their visits became less frequent. Every time they came down to Liezl’s spot, there sat the Gander. No Geese remained in the pond, just Liezl and her Gander.

-Graham Balon

?

Do you know what it feels like to have that missing? Of course not, how could you. You have it. Its not that I can not posses it, but that I don’t currently have it. I am not broken, I am lost. I need space, and quite in order to truly find myself. If I am to love my self, I'm gonna have to know who he is first.

Sunday, oh glorious Sunday

I woke up with eggs Benny on mah mind. And guess what, sweet sweet Bonnie, the cook at the camp I'm in, just so happens to be whipping up some hollandaise sauce as I walk into the kitchen. For some reason I felt it a good idea to get up at 7am, that reason my friends twas the hope of Bennys. You see I felt so bold as to make the request this morning for some, but Bonnie already new what this day needed.

So I'm sitting down to my Bennys and a nice glass o milk. 1% of course. Minding my own Benny, and some rig fella strolls into the kitchen. I had noticed him sleepin on the couch in the common room as I so boldly braved the early hours, and thought to myself, who is this riff raff? Turns out hes a truck driver. Got his truck stuck at 3am this morning he did. Hadn't planned on staying the night, but had no other choice. He made the kilometer trek down the soaking mud hill back to our camp, and rather than disrupt anyone to inquire about a room, he crashed on the couch. So I'm minding my Benny and hes jammin on about how he got stuck, and I'm all like, "Fool, get in on these Bennys!" and not really listening to what hes saying. Hes timidly asking all these roughnecks if he can catch a ride, no one responds. Some because they are knee deep in hollandaise, some because they are jerks, or both. He then realizes we are all Benny Jerks, and poses the question, "Ill be safe walking back up right? Not like there are bears out here." False. Plenty o bears round here. Griz and black alike. Seen em wit my own eyes I did. And if there is anything that can pull a man out of some sweet Benny love, tis the thought of a bear enjoying a man as much as a man enjoys some Bennys.

I finish the first of my three Bennys and say, "Pardner, you best be hopin in my ride, ain't gonna see no stinking bear enjoy some Man-Benny on my watch" I kiss my two remaining Bennys goodbye, and escort the fella to his truck.

Its mighty slippery outside, a lesser man would likely have gotten stuck and eaten alive. Good thing that ain't me. I drop the guy off. He is kind folk, something you don't come by too often in the Patch. He was worried about dirtying my truck. I was worried about not eating my Bennys.

I head back to camp, get inside and see Bonnie puttin whats left of the warm hollandaise sauce on my lonely Bennys, bless her soul. "Your steak got cold last night while you were helping the roughneck with his smashed hand, and there was nothing I could do about it. If a man tells me he wants his steak medium rare, I ain't throwin it back on the fire. But I'll be damned if I'll let some Bennys go cold on my watch." Bonnie smiles. Bless her soul she's a fine cook, and finer woman. Oh boy, did I enjoy them Bennys, another glass o' 1% and back to bed I went.


I woke up with football on mah mind. You see when a man is away from home, his mind wonders, he needs to bring it back to the ranch for some rest and cleanin. Today is that day. I sent word back to my homestead with the predictions and wagers on this weeks games. Trusty Stevesy went and placed the order. Watching some pre game with some o' Bonnie's coffee, I hear tell that Stevesy done gone and mixed up our order. "Damnit Stevesy!" I curse, "are you on the Drug?!" Turns out, well you know Stevesy. Bless his little head, I can't stay mad at him, and who knows, maybe one man's folly is another man's gain.

Half time comes around and the only thing going mah way is the coffee. I want to curse that little fools name again, but my mind goes back to the kind trucker fella, and I know Stevesy woulda helped him out too, sure as rain.

What's this Stevesy accidental blunder turns a 21-3 point half time deficit, into a victory, sure does. Boy did I laugh, slapped my knee I did. More than once too. Turns out I made the blunder, damn Buffalo heard had a nice lead on some Bengal cats, but slowed up and got taken alive. And whose idea was it to pick the Buffalo? Yours truly.

I send word to Stevesy, laughing bout the lost cattle and coin, and I joke, "gosh, too bad I had to go and mess up them Buffalo, and you had to mess up the Saints I hired. Don't know how I'mma tell the little ones they'll be no Turducken this year."
Stevesy is quite, and then begins to laugh. Turns out he messed it up nice. No wager was placed on the Buffalo! We might hit gold yet!

Afternoon rolls around. Bonnie whips up some fine Chili for a fine Sunday. "Smells like touchdowns" I say as I walk back to the ol' tele tube. Things are lookin good. One half left to play and just need one more team to come back from 3 down. The unfortunate part is, that team is led by Ellie Manning, the town bicycle. Oh she's been round, sometimes she gets yah there, and sometimes, well best not talk about that in front of the little ones.

Things aint looking good. She's dropping more balls then, oh damn, there I go again.
4 minutes left. 10 points back. Need some help. See we are relying on this gold for our Friendsgiving Turducken feast. I'd be damned if we aint stuffin a turkey with a duck and some chicken covered in bacon this year. The little ones would be so sad. Ain't seeing that. I ain't a God fearin man, but that don't mean we ain't close.

I get on my knees, sweat dripping of my brow, and start gabbin with man upstairs. Its a pleasant chat. I ask if he's ever had Turducken, turns out he ain't, same as me. We finish out chat, and well what do you know Ellie has gotten the game to within 3. Two minutes left, and her older brothas step up. Seems them red shirts they playin against said something awful mean bout lil Ellie. They go and get the ball back for her, yes they did. And they weren't kind bout it neither. Sure nough Ellie gets the job done, with not a lick o' time to spare.

Turducken for all! The Sheppard above has brought the flock in to feed. And what a bountiful harvest she is.

In my joy I am reminded of the kind fella and the last thing he said to me as I dropped him off, "Thank you for your help stranger, hope them Bennys ain't to cold upon your safe return. Bless yah."

Sure hope Bonnie can make it to the feast, I reckon she'd love her self some sweet sweet Turducken.

G'night y'all.

The start of something...

The embodiment of consciousness, contrary to the obvious,

A task not for the dreary, for the soft heart in us.

Take away your stories, take away what you can,

Run, run fast, as to not be captured, by the demons, the demons at hand,

Releasing us from our shackles, before its lost on us.

-Graham Balon

The Avett Brother - Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise

There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
And it comes in black and it comes in white
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it

When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

There’s a darkness upon you that’s flooded in light
And in the fine print they tell you what’s wrong and what’s right
And it flies by day and it flies by night
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it

Embrace

Fear makes me stronger, doubt makes me wiser, feeling trapped makes me understand what freedom really is.

-Graham Balon

I came to the realization that the times I am so happy are not because of how perfect life is, but because of how open I am to accepting whatever life brings.

-Graham Balon

This, too shall pass

“According to an ancient Sufi story, there lived a king in some Middle Eastern land who was continuously torn between happiness and despondency. The slightest thing would cause him great upset or provoke an intense reaction, and his happiness would quickly turn into disappointment and despair. A time came when the king finally got tired of himself and of life, and he began to seek a way out. He sent for a wise man who lived in the kingdom and was reputed and enlightened. When the wise man came, the king said to him, “I want to be like you. Can you give me something that will bring balance, serenity and wisdom into my life? I will pay any price you ask.”
The wise man said, “I may be able to help you. But the price is so great that your entire kingdom would not be sufficient payment for it. Therefore it will be a gift to you if you will honor it.” The king gave his assurances, and the wise man left.
A few weeks later, he returned and handed the king an ornate box carved in jade. The king opened the box and found a simple gold ring inside. Some letters were inscribed on the ring. The inscription read: This, too, shall pass. “What is the meaning of this?” asked the king. The wise man said, “Wear this ring always. Whatever happens, before you call it good or bad, touch this ring and read the inscription. That way, you will always be at peace.”

“Those words inscribed on the ring are not telling you that you should not enjoy the good in your life, nor are they merely meant to provide some comfort in times of suffering. They have a deeper purpose: to make you aware of the fleetingness of every situation, which is due to the transience of all forms–good or bad. When you become aware of the transience of all forms, your attachment to them lessens, and you disidentify from them to some extent. Being detached does not mean that you cannot enjoy the good the world has to offer. In fact, you enjoy it more. Once you see and accept the transience of all things and the inevitability of change, you can enjoy the pleasures of the world while they last without fear or anxiety about the future. When you are detached, you gain a high vantage point from which to view the events in your life instead of being trapped inside them.
When you are no longer totally identified with forms, consciousness–who you are–becomes freed from its imprisonment in form. This freedom is the arising of inner space. It comes as a stillness, a subtle peace deep within you, even in the face of something seemingly bad. This, too, shall pass. Suddenly, there is a space around the event. There is also space around the emotional highs and lows, even around pain. And above all, there is a space between your thoughts. And from that space emanates a peace that is not “of this world,” because this world is form, and the peace is space. This is a piece of God.”
-Eckhart Tolle “A New Earth” Chpt. 8

Radiohead - Live From The Basement 2011

Radiohead - Live From the Basement 2011 by andybe29

Might as well put up the entire set

Radiohead - The Daily Mail - Live From the Basement

Thanks D. Krames for showing me this one!

Home

My house. My family. My life. All so amazing, I am constantly in awe with what I must have done to deserve all this, and then I remember. Ah, what a memory.

That old familiar smell, matches that old familiar song. I am 25 again, if not for a moment, then for a lifetime.

Legs crossed, shoulders ache, and I’m dying of heat, a death gladly embraced, if for just another minute, of this twisted creature, we create.

One so full of love, the others empty of it. One so full of acceptance, the others only been told of it. One so lost, the others the only one who can find it. Health, sickness, through death we temporarily part, forever and ever, for ever you hold my heart.

Echoes and silence, moments we embrace. Anger and violence, keep away from this place. This is our palace, or virtuous place, this is our house, our home, or piece of grace.

City, village, mountain, or beach. The place we live, matters not to me.

Oak, aspen, poplar, or spruce. The type of tree, matters not to me.

Hot, cold, wet, or dry. The temperature, matters not to me.

You, us, him, and her, are what matters to me.

Northern lights, never as bright as that night. Second chance, first time right. Seconds last, for moments that night. Breathlessness, breathes so light, breathing deep, breathe me tonight.

-Graham Balon

Blogotheque - Thai Ha Market, Hanoi, Veitnam

Blogotheque is my favorite thing about the internet.

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - Blogotheque

Frank, AB - The Rural Alberta Advantage

My Love I will hold on to your touch
Until there's nothing left of us
.... save you from this life

And the cold depths of the rocky clutch
Won't take away our love
.... save you from this life


and I'll hold ..... I'll hold on to your touch
'til there's nothing left of us
.... save you from this life


I'll hold ..... I'll hold on to your touch
'til they find the bones of us
.... save you from this life


And under the rubble of the mountain that tumbled
I'll hold you forever
I'll hold you forever

And under the rubble of the mountain that tumbled
I'll hold you forever
I'll hold you forever

They'll build up another on the bodies of our brothers
I'll love you forever

Cortez the Killer - Dave Matthews Band with Warrne Haynes

DMB with Warren Haynes - "Cortez The Killer" from Filament Productions on Vimeo.

Face melting

So Damn Lucky - Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds

Ragged Mile (Spirit Song) - John Butler Trio

I will run,
Yes I will roll,
I will climb your mountains high,
Through the valleys of deceit,
Through the cold winds of denial,
And though you fear the cold dark,
I'll be right here by your side,
'Cos until you know who you are,
You'll never know I'm near not far,
I've caught your falls I've helped you rise,
I've damned these torrents from your eyes, I know.
From the bosom to bare bones,
Between the oceans and the sky,
Since before time began,
I have walked your ragged mile,
And I will call like the crow,
I'll be right there by your side,
I am the candle in your darkest night,
Whether you're wrong, whether you're right,
I'll be there in your finest hour,
I'll be there when it all turns sour,
I know who you are, I know who you are
And though at times you'll be at your knees,
It's better than just running blind,
I'll push you straight into the deep,
I'll challenge you boy every time,
And I won't fall and I won't waiver,
I'll be right there by your side,
'Cos until you be just who you are,
I'll neve stop, I'll always call,
I've caught your falls, I've helped you rise,
I've damned these torrents from your eyes,
I know you are, I know you are
know you are... home

Watch The Throne

Watch The Throne

Purchase this album!

Otis - Jay-z & Kanye West

Great sample.

North Star - The Rural Alberta Advantage

North Star - The Rural Alberta Advantage

Well our eyes,
Watching the stars one at a time,
I lost the words I'm clutching on your hand tight,
Wear a small sweater and it looks nice,
I never felt better.

Then the North Star,
Guiding us home in your friend's car,
Will we ever take a chance or will we restart?
The sky is a map that's guiding back to my heart.

Then the North Star,
Guiding us home in your friend's car,
Follow the North Star,
It's leading you back into my heart.

And then we're home,
When we hit the city limits don't forget me for a minute tonight.

We're far apart under the same sky,
You're diving in the dark I'm in the city's lights,
Wishing just to see you for another night.

We're looking above for the North Star,
Guiding us home in your friend's car,
Will we ever take a chance or will we restart?
The sky is a map that's back to my heart.

Then the North Star,
Guiding us home in your friend's car,
Follow the North Star,
It's leading you back into my heart.

And then we're home,
When we hit the city limits don't forget me for a minute tonight.

Then the North Star,
Guiding us home in your friend's car,
Follow the North Star,
It's leading you back into my heart.

And then we're home,
When we hit the city limits don't forget me for a minute tonight

Simple beauty. So honest and pure. I find this to be the same with lots of their lyrics. I was almost disappointed at first. I thought the lyrics had to be some thing more, but as I grow with this album I understand the perfection they have found with complimenting each other to create music that is a passionately charged ballad. A soundtrack to life.

Barnes' Yard - The Rural Alberta Advantage

Oh let's lie down for another night
I'll hold you close under these skies
Your brother's in the basement doing hot knives
Your brother's in the basement doing hot knives
We struggle to tear ourselves apart in the night
We struggle to tear ourselves apart in the light
Your father's on his way back home from site
Your mother's in the kitchen batting her eyelash
She would never want to be the one to despise
And our heartbeats stopped as we plunge through the ice
We're broken down lovers at the side of the road
We're broken down lovers in the city of oil
There's nothing going wrong in your empty home
There's nothing going wrong and we'll leave it alone
Let's slip under the covers just to save our lives
And our heartbeats stopped as we plunge through the ice

Triple up your socks to dodge the frost's bite
Cutting through Barnes' Yard hip deep in the night
Rough and tumble lovers underneath the covers tonight
I was holding onto you and you were holding me tight
Nothing's going wrong and nothing's ever going

Oh let's lie down for another night
I'll hold you close under these skies
Your brother's in the basement doing hot knives
Your brother's in the basement doing hot knives
We struggle to tear ourselves apart in the night
And there's nothing going wrong in the city tonight

Nothing's going wrong and nothing's ever holding us down
Nothing's going wrong and no one's ever holding us down
Your parents, they say "There's beautiful things in this old place"
Your parents, they say "There's beautiful things in this cold place"
Now your parents say "There's nothing for us in this old place"
Don't leave me to stay and dream of how you're growing old.

Let's lie down for another night
I'll hold you close under these skies
Your brother's in the basement doing hot knives
Your brother's in the basement doing hot knives
We struggle to tear ourselves apart in the night
And there's nothing going wrong in the city tonight



I found it very catchy at first, but as I grow and look deeper, I find the wells of passion these guys are tapping. Its like the tango in written form.

Mumford & Sons - A Take Away Show

Mumford & Sons - The Banjolin Song / Awake my soul - A Take Away Show #105 from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

The boys translating their music into French, beyond cool. Merci!

Stars - A Takeaway Show

Stars | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

I might as well call G's Wishing Well blogotheque#2. Just so many amazing artists in unique settings, I can't help but keep posting more vids. Stars melt my heart.

Stamp - The Rural Alberta Advantage

The Rural Alberta Advantage - Stamp from Saddle Creek on Vimeo.

Sessions pieds nus - Alex Winston - Locomotive / Comatose

La Blogotheque & TOMS | Alex Winston | Locomotive | Comatose | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Vindiction

As the lampshade hits the floor, it’s over. The final scream is that of the bulb. There will be no going back. No Sunday drives, no trip in December, no more of this shit.

The road is slick. Hurrying home, because that will make a difference? The car slides. It’s hard to hear the squeal over the radio. Money well spent.

The blemish on my neck should be gone by morning. No one will notice.

Confess? It won’t help. Not sure how much longer this can go on.

It hasn’t ended yet. Who is to say that it is wrong?

Conversation is fine. Sex is dull. Effort is abundant, but my passion has gone. Going through the motions seems the only way there is to live. Sometimes I don’t even know I am faking it.

Why is it that now I feel? So many nights, so many lies, and now is when it all becomes real. The decisions I have made, the truths twisted. Manipulation is my love. Why? I am not vindictive.

I have forgiven the past, or least I say I have. This garbage is full. Someone else will empty it. Fuck, waiting is the worst part. Sitting here I re-read old emails. Again?! Here?! I can’t let anyone see. I should delete it, but then it will be gone. Lost.

I feel it moving, across my body. Where will it stop? When will it end? Something so familiar, from a stranger, how can it be? Will you set me free? Rescue me.

Running helps, I guess. If I can’t feel good, at least I can try and look it.

I remember the first time we kissed in public. I was being unreasonable and realized it. If I made it better then, how do I now?

It must be too late. Do I turn around? Sleep in the car. That won’t help. I have to pretend, for him. I have to. Too much effort has been put in. He won’t understand but doesn’t have to. I am the one who has to live with it.

I was right, he doesn’t understand. If he did this would be easy. I shouldn’t care, but I do. I do so much that it becomes obvious to me, if not to everyone else. Maybe I can make him angry? Make him hate me. If I am this good at making him love me, it should be no problem.

I know it hurts. I am sorry. You do not deserve this. You deserve so much better than me. I know you don’t care that I think this. But believe me when I say, its one of the very few things I am sure of. You can do better than me.

He begs me to stay. I can’t its late. I need to leave if I truly believe what I say. Now is the time.

Each step I take my mind races. This isn’t supposed to hurt like this. Why is it when I make the right decision, it feels so wrong?

I hear him, he doesn’t understand. He is angry. I didn’t close the door as I left. I couldn’t. He was standing right there.

I can’t end this. I turn around to come back as the door slams. It frightens me, I try to scream, but the noise of glass over powers it.

I miss him already.

-Graham Balon

Baby, I got your Money - ODB

In case you bad mothas forgot...

My itunes rocks at random mix

Elements

On and on and on and on again. We lose each other again. Breathe soft, tread fast. Remember, even the gentlest tide…

Do you do you do you need me? Come on, please me. Remove stains, tumble dry. No one ever listens.

Safe inside your head. Grotto themed, scented oils steam. As the story goes, history repeats.

Break free, shackled by freedom, still you roam. Homeward bound? Is the bastard alone?

If knowledge is the key, I must be the lock. Treasures inside? Forever, will be lost.

Struggle I know you. I can taste your smell. Defeat I love you, sound thy bell.

Balance you’ve deceived me. Ground, don’t fail me now.

Soon we fade. Our colours will change. I embrace the day, when beautiful is strange.

Romance the sheets, fold the love. Burn the flowers, scatter the candles.

Emotionally nude, physically caked. Torch the church, but not the steeple. Create potential, not more little people.

Take it all away. With out it there is no life, just as it is without you.

Give it freely, before you turn blue. Give it freely, as was given to you.

Extinguish, empower. Snuff out, Eiffel's tower.

-Graham Balon

500 or so thoughts

Don’t look down. It’s an impossible view. Scale the peaks. It’s the only way through. Tattered we roam. Tethered to truth. Lost on an island, with the fountain of youth.

Progress is squandered, when abandoned, its true. But answer me this, “What is progress to you?”

Is it adventure, or love?

Can’t it be both? Or neither?

It already is. Destiny is you.

Well then, if honesty is Heaven, by reason lies must be Hell.

Does that make purgatory humility? The choice to do? Beyond temptation, beyond pride, somewhere, where, we have the choice to choose.

A life well lived, what is this to you?

I’ve got the world in my hands, the master plan. Why is it that my time is through?

The looking glass is clouded, my priorities, they’ve gone askew.

I beg you lord, please forgive me, as I have forgiven you.

The price is steep, the toll is due, you know what you’ve done, all I’ve given you.

Forgiveness, there’s no option. Forgiveness? Have you no clue?

The choice you made, you made true. The choice you made, you made, you.

The time was measured justly, to that measure, I’ve been astute.

Your compassion is not measurable. It is beyond me.

Forgiveness, my son, forgiveness, Is what I ask of you.

Each step must be thought through thoroughly, as quickly as possible. Time is against us. The wind and the sun have teamed up.

“Kick us while we are down will you!” the echo boomed, following his yell, each reverb mocking the last one.

Composure is key. Thinking and acting at such a pace is not with out risk. Remember her directions. Remember the reason to her rhyme.

“I tell my love to wreck it all, Cut out all the ropes and let me fall
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, Right in the moment this order's tall” as the silence of his words filled his eyes with tears.

Faith is what brought you hear. In all aspects this is fact. With this kept close to heart, my fire grows.

Sweat is pouring, from pores and saplings alike. The only thing dry is the rock, but don’t let that fool you. Proceed.

Drive, not down the highways, but through the ditches, over the hills, drive until you are home.

Darkness creeps in, the silent army in the trees, approached through the flickers of the flame, whipping in the wind.

Faith is found, in the last thoughts. Can’t shake the feeling that I was a dick as a kid, that I will be forgotten in the peaks, over the hills, strong and alone.

Together we love, together we grow. Apart I am weak, apart is where I go.

Apart, together, into parts unknown.

Looking inwards. Finding things I had locked away. Fear is the cell that contained once forgotten passions. Discovering feelings, new and old has been what I want out of life. I want to be able to feel how I want to feel. For so long it has not been that way. I have been feeling the way I think I should feel for that situation. Thus stunting true experience. There is no such thing as almost integrity, although I would convince you otherwise. Persuasive he is, the one that feeds of controlling me. But he is a creation, and I love him for he has contributed to me. He is how I will learn. How I will live. The struggles, the success, the experience of me, and my little sloth friend inside. I like to call him a Demon, but maybe I am being a little too hard.

-Graham Balon

AHHHHH YE!

The Beastie Boys are streaming their new album! Its like nothing else I have ever heard. Check it: http://www.hotsaucecommittee.com/

Writing Inspiration Mix

The Depression Suite - The Tragically Hip

Under the pillow
I bury my head and try to shut Chicago out
As it turns out there's a whole other world of sounds
of perfect fifths low skids and Arctic howls

all saying are you going through something?
are you going through something?

Under the pillow a little room to breathe
the early morning light's a pale cranberry
I hear the Aaa-aah-aah not-wow-wow
of a siren faraway and closing steadily

saying Are you going through something?
Are you going through something?
cuz I-I-I-I I am too

Under the pillow
I can hear you whisperin' are you going through something?

well honey are you going through something?
Are you going through something?
Then I-I-I-I I am too
Then I-I-I-I I am too

Then I-I-I-I

I am too

Gimme gimme gimme gimme-gimme
Gimme an opportunity gimme-gimme
Put me put me put me put me-put me
In the saddle I'll ride you'll see

There's new work in the Day Room
I can't lounge on-line
Don't you laugh
I'd sell a giraffe and I'd give you half
Just to occupy my mind

I'll be driven my eyes always moving
I'll be riveted to the task yea
No smiling! That's important
I will make my face a mask

And I'm thinking just in passing
What if this song does nothing?
What if this song does nothing

Working in the new NewOrleansWorld
I'm emptying slots working like a ghost
I move through huge rooms with no windows
And no Gulf of Mexico

Gimmegimmegimme gimme-gimme
Gimme an opportunity gimme-gimme
Put me put me put me put me-put me
In the saddle please

I'll be driven my eyes always moving
I'll be riveted to the task yea
No smiling! That's so important
I will make my face a mask

And I'm thinking just in passing
What if this song does nothing?
What if this song does nothing?
What if this song does nothing
What if this song does nothing

Bring on the requisite strangeness
It always has to get a little weird a little weird
Yea you just bring on the requisite strangeness
Bring it on then disappear disappear
Go to be a man of the boom
To Florida without the ocean
But
Don't you wanna see how it ends?
When the door is just starting to open?
When Athabasca depends?
Don't you wanna see how it ends

I can hear you
But I can't stay here
You left me lost in the Barrens
You left me born on the stairs
It's minus 11
Inside my kettle
I didn't come to get lost in the Barrens
I didn't come to settle
To be a man on the moon
To get my little slice of heaven
Yeah
Don't you wanna see how it ends?
When the door is just starting to open?
And Athabasca depends
Doncha wanna see how it ends

Don't you wanna see how it ends?
The door is just starting to open.
Athabasca depends.
Don't you wanna see how it ends?
Yeah
Don't you wanna see how it ends?
I'm holding the door to the Barrens
And Athabasca depends
Doncha wanna see how it ends?

Helplessness Blues - Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues by subpop

Man of the Hour - Pearl Jam

Happy Birthday Todd! Your eyes looked like exploding universes today.

Tidal waves don’t beg forgiveness
'CRASHED' and on their way
Father he enjoyed collisions; others walked away
A snowflake falls in may.
And the doors are open now as the bells are ringing out
Cause the man of the hour is taking his final bow
Goodbye for now.

Nature has its own religion; gospel from the land
Father ruled by long division, young men they pretend
Old men comprehend.

And the 'SKY BREAKS' at dawn; shedding light upon this town
They’ll all come ‘round
Cause the man of the hour is taking his final bow
Goodbye for now.

And the road
The old man paved
The broken seams along the way
The rusted signs, left just for me
He was guiding me, love, his own way
Now the man of the hour is taking his final bow
As the curtain comes down
I feel that this is just goodbye for now.

We Used To Wait - Arcade Fire

I used to write
I used to write letters, I used to sign my name
I used to sleep at night
Before the flashing light settled deep in my brain

But by the time we met, by the time we met
The times had already changed
So I never wrote a letter
I never took my true heart, I never wrote it down
So when the lights cut out
I was lost standing in the wilderness downtown

Now our lives are changing fast
Now our lives are changing fast
Hope that something pure can last
Hope that something pure can last

It may seem strange
How we used to wait for letters to arrive
But what's stranger still
Is how something so small can keep you alive

We used to wait
We used to waste hours just walking around
We used to wait
All those wasted lives in the wilderness downtown

We used to wait
We used to wait
We used to wait

Sometimes it never came
Sometimes it never came
Still moving through the pain

I'm gonna write a letter to my true love
I'm gonna sign my name
Like a patient on a table
I wanna walk again, gonna move through the pain

Now our lives are changing fast
Now our lives are changing fast
Hope that something pure can last
Hope that something pure can last

We used to wait
We used to wait
We used to wait

Sometimes it never came
Sometimes it never came
Still moving through the pain

We used to wait
We used to wait
We used to wait

We used to wait for it
We used to wait for it
And now they're screaming:"Sing the chorus again!"

We used to wait for it
We used to wait for it
And now we're screaming:"Sing the chorus again!"

I used to wait for it
I used to wait for it
Hear my voice screaming:"Sing the chorus again!"

Wait for it!
Wait for it!
Wait for it!

Weather Systems - Andrew Bird

The king of whistling, takes a stroll in Paris.

Wet and Rusting - Menomena

Kosmo, this ones for you buddy. These kids make me so happy. Man do they feel the music.

For Emma - Bon Iver

Knife - Grizzly Bear

Singing, drinking, and walking the streets of Paris. A must do if you ever visit.

I Need a Doctor- Dr. Dre

Who said rap was dead?

Why? Where? What? - King Fantastic

Why? Where? What? from King Fantastic on Vimeo.

Sexy beyond belief.

All of the Lights - Kanye West

I am typically not a fan of script in media. Spelling out the words while they are being spoken seems tacky to me. Well, leave it to Kanye to help me open up. Another one of a kind video. Might be my favorite song off the new album.

Happy Birthday Trevor! I Love You and Buddha Too - Mason Jennings

Another tune that just doesn't sounds as good unless Mr. Wilson is singing it.

Lotus Flower - Radiohead

Beyond excited for this new album.

Mumford and Sons, The Avett Brothers, and Bob Dylan Live @ the Grammys 2011

Uh yeah. This is pretty amazing. Passionate folk rock.

Nothingman - Pearl Jam

Once divided...nothing left to subtract...
Some words when spoken...can't be taken back...
Walks on his own...with thoughts he can't help thinking...
Future's above...but in the past he's slow and sinking...
Caught a bolt 'a lightnin'...cursed the day he let it go...
Nothingman...
Nothingman...
Isn't it something?
Nothingman...
She once believed...in every story he had to tell...
One day she stiffened...took the other side...
Empty stares...from each corner of a shared prison cell...
One just escapes...one's left inside the well...
And he who forgets...will be destined to remember...
Nothingman...
Nothingman...
Isn't it something?
Nothingman...
Oh, she don't want him...
Oh, she won't feed him...after he's flown away...
Oh, into the sun...ah, into the sun...
Burn...burn...
Nothingman...
Nothingman...
Isn't it something?
Nothingman...
Nothingman...
Coulda' been something...
Nothingman...
Oh...ohh...ohh...

The Space Between - Dave Matthews Band - 2002 Winter Olympics

I used to hate this song. Don't know why, seeing how I love everything DMB. First time seeing this video right now from the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.
I fell in love with the song while having a convo with my bro. It was on the radio, in an acoustic version. I told him to shut up, with love, and turned up the radio. We were both floored, it could not have been more relevant. I now get goose bumps beyond belief listening to it.


If there was ever a movie on Dave Matthews, Tom Hanks would be the first actor they would call to be Dave.
This comment on the you tube is great, I agree!

Skinny Love - Bon Iver - Fiddle River

My heart melts for this one. I found out about Bon Iver the day before I decided to go for a solo camp trip in November. I hit up Switzer National Park and went for a hike just inside Jasper National Park on the Fiddle River Trail.

The night spent in Switzer was intense. Winds were gusting up to 70km an hour, temperature was hovering around -4. Neither of which could match the turmoil growling inside of me. Sleep isn't the word I would use, but I got some time of shut eye in while listening to For Emma, With Love. Amidst the the howling winds, blaring music, and terrifying thoughts in my head I heard some noise a short distance outside my tent. Wearily I peeked out my head. In the glisten of the moon light I could see a magnificent Buck. About 25 feet away, it was looking right back at me. We locked glances and in his eyes I saw myself. A being out in the cold moon lit mountains, wondering if it was going to snow. Wondering how to make the next decision. It must have only been a moment, the Buck turned and walked away, into the darkness, with his head held high, still wondering, but not needing the answer. And the ipod sung:

I told you to be patient
I told you to be fine
I told you to be balanced
I told you to be kind
In the morning I'll be with you
But it will be a different "kind"
I'll be holding all the tickets
And you'll be owning all the fines

I woke up the next morning and proceeded to my hiking destination. The corridor at the beginning of the trail used to be an old road way into the hills, that has long been abandoned. New trees and plants grew through the old pavement and stone. It was remarkable. To see nature grow back through mans destruction. It felt as though I was trespassing in an area that we were once aloud in, but since lost our privilege to enter. The trail was adorned with all sorts of fresh tracks in the light snow that fell the night before. The most tremendous of all were paws that were bigger than both my fists balled up side by side. Hesitantly I moved on, remembering the words of the song last night. With each step and each note of the harmonica, my friend Matt lent me for safety, or more so peace of mind, the fear melted away. I reached the river and was flattened by the energy it sent whipping down. I grounded myself, washed my head, face, and hands in its icy waters. I collected rocks, or rather they collected me. Up the river I went. Eventually the path ran out, the river was the only path that remained. With fresh socks and shoes in my car I did not hesitate to step in and continue up the shallow sides towards the fall ahead that awaited.

This river is known as a portal to the spirit world among the Natives in the area. I have no doubt in this upon reaching the fall. I climbed out of the water up the fall to a ledge where I could sit peacefully and look back at the path that had brought me there. I sat for some time with my eyes closed, praying. When I opened my eyes I was pleased to see it had began to snow. The flakes were huge. What I noticed was how slowly they fell. They bounced around like feathers in a breeze. None of them were in a hurry to hit the ground and melt, or join the others that had fallen from grace. I held my head high and I walked back to my car. Patient, fine, balanced, and kind.

1901 - Phoenix

Blogotheque nails it again. Lucky/smart couple to be at the right place to catch that piece of live beauty.

Trapeze Swinger - Iron & Wine

I want this song to be played at my funeral. Its one of those pieces that has the power to stop you in your tracks and make you think of every meaningful moment of your life so far. Pure beauty.