Hello... I've waited here for you....

EVERLONG!

Oh... Hi there, Mr. Grohl. It's 3:30 in the morning and I can't sleep.  And there is only one reason.  You, sir.  You and your friends, the FOO FIGHTERS.

I wanted to take a few moments to perhaps tell you why, if you can spare a little time?  I know you are well on your way to Walla Walla, Washington for the show that you are going to play there in less than 24 hours... but I have to get this off my chest.  Okay...where to begin, where to begin?  Okay... how about I start with this...

YOU ARE ONE AMAZING MOTHERFUCKER! I...

What?  Hold on Mr. Grohl...

My wife is telling me that despite you calling me a "motherfucker" all night as a term of endearment... I can NOT return the favor.  Even though I PROMISE I mean it as such.

Can I at least call him Dave?

Okay; She says I can call you Dave or Mr. Grohl.  (Look, I have to make sure I get this squared away now, since she has told me flat out that I am just "Dust in the Wind" if you ever decide to swing by my Calgary home and offer to take her away.  And really... I couldn't blame her.  You are Dave MOTHERFUCKING Grohl!  *Ahem*)

Me in the hat, My beautiful wife, and my "Brother from Another Mother"who helped make this possible!

Moving on...

I have always enjoyed your music and appreciated your talent, but I was one of the few thousand "motherfuckers" in the Dome that was watching you for the first time live. As was my wife... but you can't hold that against her the way you would me.  She is a national reporter and her job takes her all over the world at moments notice.  Many times, in many places, your paths have never crossed despite her best efforts.

I bought these tickets for this show as a surprise for her, kinda forgetting that she really loved you.  So when the cat was finally let out of the bag... she squealed like a little school girl.  Delight really doesn't begin to describe what she was feeling.

Anyway, just hours ago you gave the city of Calgary a show that I don't think it has seen... EVER.

2 hours and 30 plus minutes of in-your-face-melting-rock-and-roll, mixed with awesome power ballads and crowd engaging conversation that displayed a TRUE love for what you do and an internal promise to keep an oath that ensures no one leaves one of your shows without getting at LEAST their money's worth.

You have no idea how much I respect that. You have no idea how much I LOVE that.

Does this man love his job or what?

The problem Dave... is that you fucked up my neck!

That's right. You fucked up my neck and I want to know if you think just because you fell off that stage in Sweden and broke your leg, that now means you can go around the world, fucking up other people's body parts?

How did I do it?

Well it started right off the top I suppose.

I was very excited to hear my favorite Foo Fighters song "Everlong", (Jeebus, what gave THAT away, right?) since that was the first song my now wife and I listened to, together when I learned that she liked the Foo Fighters (acoustic version, but still)

And BOOM!  There it was... kicking off the show!  I am singing my heart out along with you. (pardon the "near" lyric steal there...)  I just KNOW this is going to be an amazing night.

You follow that up with more of your classics, and drop in a great tune from your latest album called "Something for Nothing".

I am thinking to myself... "HOLY SHIT, what the hell was I waiting for to see these guys?"  Just moments later, you gave me SHIT for not coming out to see you sooner.  As though you were reading my mind.  (Not only can you steal my wife if you want Dave... I discover you are PSYCHIC?  NOT FAIR!)

But then it happened.  When you did the real damage.  It seems apropos, considering what I just mentioned. How I had "All my Life" to see you before and never took the time?  And I could feel it coming when you started into it.

"All my life I've been searching for something, something never comes never leads to nothing
Nothing satisfies, but I'm getting close, Closer to the prize at the end of the rope..."

You laid into that song with some very tasty licks and - while my wife was facing the stage and I was standing behind her- I was bouncing and thrashing my head round and round in time with you while you were screaming out those lyrics...

"DONE, DONE, ONTO THE NEXT ONE"
"DONE I'M DONE AND I'M ONTO THE NEXT ONE!"

And then I felt it... A little "pop" in my neck.

Now understand sir, that it didn't stop me from enjoying the show.  Hell, it didn't even stop me from enjoying the song as I kept thrashing my head along with you right to the bitter end.

Once it was over I began to feel my neck and started to think to myself; "Oh man, this is REALLY going to hurt later."

And as I was drinking my wobbly pop to try to easy the pain, I started thinking that if YOU can make it through a show on a broken leg... then I can make it through the rest of this night with a messed up neck. (Even though I don't have Johan from Sweden to put my vertebrae - I think it is C3 or C4- back in place)

Handicapped seating at the Saddledome... MUCH better than expected.

And besides... I don't wanna miss what is coming up next, right?

Damn skippy!

You took us "motherfuckers" through the rest of the show. You had a great laugh WITH and not AT the mullet guy. (Can you believe that motherfucker's hair, Dave?  Seriously.  Wow... just... WOW!)

And look, I KNOW you were playin' the crowd.  Tellin' us we were the loudest you have ever heard.  And we ate it up and gave you everything we had.  And THEN some.  I screamed my lungs out. I stomped on the stands.  And you sat their in your throne with all those "Lazers and shit" ("Kids stay in school, don't do drugs.") and for just a second on that big screen I looked in your eyes... and for a moment I thought that you believed we really WERE the loudest crowd you had ever heard.

Photo:Andy Leblond "Kids, stay in school. Don't do drugs."

And once again I saw that joy on your face... on the faces of the entire band, for that matter.  The joy you get when you KNOW you have done what you have set out to do and have accomplished your goal.

To you, Mr Grohl, to the Foo Fighters... a job VERY WELL DONE.

Now Dave... if I were to give this a "rating" of sorts... I would give this night 4 and 3/4 Foo Fighter Thrones out of 5.  The ONLY way this night is any better for ME, is if Everlong was done acoustically (I am a romantic softie, sue me Dave)... and if I didn't screw up my neck (That part of the night is on me... I should have done some stretches or something in anticipation.)

You may not care because, in the end, I am just one of those "motherfuckers" in the stands tonight... but I wanna let you know that I WILL be back to see you all again.  And I'm sorry for missing those earlier opportunities.

It won't happen again.

Photo:Andy Leblond

Capitalism... or just plain Creepy?

It's a VERY lazy Sunday morning and I am scanning my Facebook news feed, when I happen across a group of pictures taken by a friend of mine while he is on an adventure in Dallas, Texas.

Now when I think of Dallas as a huge sports fan, I think of the Cowboys, the Stars, The Mavericks.  Sometimes I think of those Friday nights at 9pm while I was growing up.  I'd be visiting my grandparent's place and my grandma would demand quiet while she watched that famous late night soap and the evil villain that she loved to hate so much; JR.

But this picture made me think of something else that occurred in Dallas. Something I am sure that most people would rather forget.

Courtesy:Tim Day

Now as a Canadian, I can't even begin to comprehend the magnitude of the assassination of the leader of my country, nevermind a man who was as loved (and hated) as much as John F Kennedy. Hell, I can hardly imagine an assassination, period.  But I would think it is safe to say that this is arguably the darkest moment in American political history.  (Again, this comes from a Canadian's point of view. I am certain there are other moments that my American friends would argue otherwise.)

Now you can say what you want about those who believe in the whole conspiracy theory.  Many people blow them off as wackos who are unwilling to face the facts that this WAS a one man job.  People who don't trust anything associated with the government.

And maybe they are.

I've watched Oliver Stone's JFK and was intrigued by what was presented.  Some amazing performances in that flick.  But that is not what I want to talk about here.  My thoughts on the JFK assassination aren't the issue.

This picture is.

Hippocrates said: "Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity."

And clearly, this is someone using opportunity to their advantage.  I am not clear as to WHAT advantage that may be.  If they were selling something, or if this was part of a tour that someone could buy tickets for.  Maybe someone chose to take Hippocrates' words to heart in the healing process.

I can tell you one thing... I looked at this picture this morning and was - for a lack of better terms - disgusted.

A president was killed YARDS AWAY from here... and this sign happily points to the area where one of  the speculated assassins stood to complete the "hit".

What the hell is going on?

This sign reminds me of the signs that are used to direct people to the Town and County Fair's you see in rural communities across North America.  Hell, the only thing missing are the bloody balloons tied to each end! What are "they" thinking?

It is pretty well known that during JFK's time, Dallas was not the friendliest of cities for the President.  So maybe this is what can be expected in this city when it comes to JFK.  Someone, or a group of people trying to take advantage of the man's death, decades after the fact, believing that most people wont look at the sign and feel the way I did.  Believing visitors will be too excited to take a look from the vantage point and won't bother with the kind of thought I have put into a bloody sign.

But whether you were pleased with JFK's death or not (and YES there were those who were happy with it... so knock off your criticism of that last phrase)... another question comes to mind when I see this sign.

Is it really even necessary?

I mean really; this is where a president was assassinated.  Does anyone need reminding EXACTLY where this happened?  If so, please tell me... for what purpose?  To what possible end?

Maybe that sign would be good enough for those people who believed his assassination was necessary for America...(how ANYONE could think it was good for the US is beyond me, but I digress)... but for those who would suggest that they are simply choosing to "remember" the event in such a way so that it is never repeated...I ask you:

   Don't you think this moment in time deserved better than this?

"This Is The Greatest Day of My Life..."

Now how many times have we said THAT phrase?

I have lost count.  An exaggeration of that feeling of joy never felt before.  It pops out of your mouth so easily that it can lose true meaning after time.

Now I would like to think that I have used the phrase properly throughout my life.  As a child, most times it was tied to receiving birthday or Christmas presents.  As a teenager, I didn't go on many... oops misspelled that...should be ANY dates... so I tied that phrase to achievements in sports.  Provincial championships in Fastball, My first ever no-hitter; Basketball games where I shot the lights out (thanks to help from great coaching and some amazing teammates).  Later on in life, it was the first concert I ever went to...Pearl Jam of course...

Each time I would like to say I was using the phrase, incrementally.  Although some might argue surviving brain surgery for an aneurysm when I was 16 MIGHT have topped all of those without question... I would argue that, as a kid, you just don't know any better, and your perspective is skewed.  And besides, that phrase may have been reserved for a couple of other very important people in my life... and I had no intention of taking it from them.  (Love you Mom and Dad)

Moving on.

I have lost count how many times I have said it, but I know exactly when I stopped saying it.  It was on THIS day 16 years ago when this young woman was born.

My Sweetpea!

 Now my daughter has heard this stories so many times I am sure SHE has lost count... but I am going to share it with you anyway.

I have wanted to be a Dad since I was about 20-21.  I think it is the greatest and most important job any man could ever have.  And when Taylor's mom was pregnant, I was beside myself excited.  And I was every bit the corny soon-to-be father you see on television.  I would read Shakespeare and play Pearl Jam to her in her mother's womb.  (I know, I know... give it a rest with the Pearl Jam will ya Raymond... to you I say... NEVER!)

Finally, the day came.  It was a pretty long delivery... certainly not the easiest experience for her mother.  But finally, she was here.  And of course I am crying now even thinking about that very moment.

The Doc scooped her up and had me cut the cord.  And soon she was wrapped in her towel and I was holding her.  I can't recall if those medical books say it's babies or dogs that can't see all that well when they are born... so I decided that I would do the one thing I had been doing for the past 9 months and talk to her.

And as I moved my finger around her neck and chest, she reached up and grabbed it... and she has had me wrapped around her fingers ever since.

THAT, my friends... was the GREATEST day of my life.

As I said, I believe being a dad is the most important job any man could ever have.  And I take that responsibility very seriously.  Because, let's face it - you don't get a manual with children - and girls in particular are not especially easy. (I know boys have their challenges too, I don't have a son, but I have been told that they can be a handful as well and I trust those parents judgment.)

As Taylor's Dad I have always wanted to show to her that there are just 2 things she needs to remember.

1.  Daddy will ALWAYS love you.  No matter what.  ALWAYS!

2. You can achieve ANYTHING you want when you set your mind to it.  And that your Dad will do anything and everything I can to help you along the way.

I hid this picture for a long time... worried about boys!

Over the years, I was the Dad who would cut out of work early (Sorry, Boss) to go read Lemony Snickett's Series of Unfortunate Events to her class one day a week.  I was the Dad who, to this day, let out a Ric Flair "WOOOOO!" at the end of her dance routines just for that chance to see her giggle, despite the elbow to the side I would get and the strange looks from other parents who would say "that type of behavior isn't appreciated"

And there were some AWESOME times.

But every coin has two sides... and there are difficult times too.  Times when a Dad has to be a parent.

AND MAN DO THEY SUCK!

The very first time there was any real discipline was walking her out of a store to go wait in the car with her when she was about 4.  It was also the first time she screamed out "I HATE YOU!"  I was able to keep my cool and say "That's okay Taylor, because I still love you. And we are still going to the car."; but inside my heart was breaking.  No manual for when THAT happens.

Of course I got over it, and grew as a parent as she grew.  And watching her achievements just made me more proud every day.

Of course, with that you have to be careful too.  With those achievements you have to be sure that you don't put too much pressure on them not to make them feel like the only way you will love them is if they keep succeeding, but in the same respect, helping them set goals; asking them what they would like in their life, and then helping them reach those goals by showing them what is needed to achieve it.

It is a fine balance.  But it is one that as a dad, that ALL good dads are trying to do because of reason number one.  They love their children... they way I love my Sweetpea.

Now time and circumstances have taken me away from my Taylor, and I don't see her nearly as much as I 'd like to.  So being an important part of her life is more difficult but it is something that I am still trying to achieve.

And our disagreements are a lot more harsh than an errant "I hate you" while storming out of a Walmart because she can't have a toy she wants.  But through all of the amazing highs and difficult  lows... all she needs to remember... all ANY child needs to remember when it comes to their dad...

1.  Daddy will ALWAYS love you.  No matter what.  ALWAYS!

2. You can achieve ANYTHING you want when you sets her mind to it.  And that your Dad will do anything and everything I can to help you along the way.

August 1, 1999 was the greatest day of my life.... until I win the lottery.

(C'mon Taylor, you have to admit... that would be a pretty cool friggen day, am I right?)

THIS Is What Happens When I Am Left Alone Too Long...

So I just completed binge watching the Netflix series "Daredevil" last night and I have to say... OUTSTANDING.  

I thought about turning this blog entry into a review of the series and its characters.  But I decided to go with a topic that springs from comment my wife made about the 3rd episode.  Which incidentally was the episode she "checked out" of the series and allowed me to continue along on my own.

Daredevil was kicking the crap out of a LARGE number of Russian mobsters when my wife looks over to me and says... "You really like these darker characters don't you?"

Of course, as always she was right.  It started WAY back in the day with EVERYONE'S favorite mutant...

RIP, Bub.

Wolverine.  

Then there was the one symbol that every bad guy feared on sight.

Frank FREAKIN Castle!

Punisher

And of course the most uncompromising of the Watchmen...

*hrrm* Get your hands off me before I chew your thumbs off!

Rorschach! Wait... that is my dog... hold on...

*hrm* I'm using this more than my Sidekick

Rorsch.... DAMN IT!

*hrm* Finally, the blogger get's it right!

Walter Kovacs aka RORSCHACH!

In every case, my love of these characters began for more of the superficial reasons.  In Wolverine's case, it was the fact he was Canadian ('eh), and those kick ass claws.  For Punisher and Rorschach... the costumes caught my eye at first, and the fact that they were "Regular Joes".

But as I grew older and continued reading and maturing, there was something much deeper to my enjoyment. Deeper... and darker.

In all three of these cases, I loved how they were able to go out and deal with the evils in their worlds.  

On many occasions Wolverine had moral battles with the rest of the X-men, namely Professor Xavier, because they were unwilling to "do what was necessary to get the job done".  If a villain was threatening innocent people or other team members.  you didn't just stop him...you EVISCERATE THEM.

The Punisher was born out of revenge.  His wife and children murdered by mobsters in a Central Park shootout... the war vet (clearly a "Black Ops" kinda soldier based on his abilities) wages a one man war on crime.  His family's killers are the first to die, and he continues from there.  

And then, there was Rorschach.  His philosophy was just like his mask.  There is no grey area in his world.  Everything was black or white.  You were either good or evil.  And if you were evil...prepare to suffer. (Of course the backgrounds of each of these characters are much deeper... but I need to get to my point)

Now I don't mean to brag, but I could be the quintessential "nice guy".  I do my best to help everyone I can, because that is what you are supposed to do.  Put my best foot forward in everything I do, try to be a good example for my daughter and for people around me. 

But there are days.  Days when I wish that I lived in a world where I could "straighten out" all the wrong I see in the world.  Days where I could just take it upon myself and make things right.

It starts, as usual, with "taking care" of the murderers, rapists, pedophiles that we see and hear about night after night on the news.   I think it's pretty safe to say that is where ANYONE who imagines such things would start.  And then I started thinking about where to go from there.

I would beat a little common sense into a few people that need it.

Like drivers in Calgary (seriously people... PUT YOUR EFFIN CELLPHONES DOWN WHEN YOU ARE BEHIND THE WHEEL BEFORE YOU KILL SOMEONE!) 

But how far down the rabbit hole do you want to go?  Do you then start attacking the backstabbers and people that have done you wrong for no other reason than their own selfishness or personal gain?  

It's at that point it stops being about "justice" and turns into revenge.

Which is why THIS guy...

The "Man Without Fear"

 ...the Daredevil should have been EXACTLY the type of character that she preferred.  

Sure, he is a vigilante that kicks some serious ass.  And YES he has a dark side... but he is able to fight that with a set of morals that he holds on to.  And while *I* don't agree with where he supposedly GETS these morals (as Matt Murdock is Catholic), his belief in a sense of the law and his choice not to kill (despite having every reason to do so) are something to be admired...and sets him apart from other characters who simply seek vengeance. 

He may not have been my favorite character growing up... but he is certainly one to enjoy now.

I Remember This Place...

I remember WAY BACK WHEN... I used to swing by here and post funny (to some) and interesting (to others) tidbits of information about what was going on in my life.  It was fun to voice my opinion on the things going on in the world and try and draw out some discussion among my friends.

But something has changed.  That desire to speak up and share my thoughts and feelings, has kinda turned into the Bowflex TreadClimber taunting me while it sits here unused in my living room.  Sure I know it's there, and I definitely need to use it, but I just can't seem to get over the hump. STORY OF MY LIFE... (perhaps that will be better saved for another day)

DAMN YOU!  WHY MUST YOU TAUNT ME SO?

 So, like any continually failing alcoholic/drug addict... I will jump up on the wagon and try my hand once more. (At a more frequent blog posting, not the Treadclimbing.  What am I? Superman? Baby steps, people. Baby steps.)

I have a plan and a few topics to talk about... Epilepsy, Boom Beach, Gettting Older, Crappy Drivers, Great Music, Dogs, World Travel, Self Examination (Mentally folks, get your minds out of the gutter!) and a few others...

I hope you will stay with me for the ride...I'll try to make it as enjoyable as possible.

No Trick...Dixie Chicks PERFECT Halloween Treat!

Blog entries two days in a row?  Has Raymond gone insane?  What could possibly be so important that he would need to post ANOTHER entry so soon.

Well let me tell you, my friends.  Life is good.  VERY good.

The Dixie Chicks are coming back to Calgary.

Now they were scheduled to be in town July 12 of this year as part of the 101st  Stampede celebrations. 

Of course, Mother Nature had a little something to say about that with a flood that put the Saddledome under water.

Now, even if the flood DIDN'T postpone the event, I wasn't going to be able to see them since I was kinda busy in Mexico...getting married. (Sorry Natalie, Martie and Emily...a man has priorities.)

Just my luck...today I learn that DCX is returning Halloween Night!  (Even better, I was given the task of writing/cutting the piece for our newscast...which certainly put a smile on my face.)

Upon hearing the news I text my wife, who is currently VERY busy in Washington, DC to ask what she would think about joining me on a date to see the concert.

Almost, as though she were standing behind me when I began the text, I received an instant reply of "YES!"

Immediately, I get online and take a chance on finding tickets, since the band and promoters are honoring the tickets that were purchased for the July 12th show.

A few clicks later, and voila!  The best Halloween Date I could ever hope for is set.

I'm faced with a bit of a conundrum though.

I thought of the perfect Halloween costume to wear to the concert...get all painted up like a Zombie and wear a name tag that says... "Hi...My name is EARL"; of course, referencing their smash hit "Goodbye Earl" 

The problem is... my conscience is having a hard time being cool with the thought of dressing up as a wife beating son of a bitch who deserved to die a long slow painful death...*ahem*...Sorry, that got away on me a little.

I am sure my beautiful wife will have a LOT to say about it...and perhaps she is up for a night of silliness (costumes) and great music...(the great music is more than enough for me.)  Although, I would love to get you thoughts on if you think it is cool to wear that kinda costume based on what it represents...you know... just as a discussion point.

On a more serious note...I thought I would just take a second to share my thoughts on my absolutely favorite song from the Dixie Chicks (and the link to go with it, so you can watch it yourself.)

The Long Way Around

This song has always "spoken" to me for some reason.  Mostly because it talks about a strength and courage that frankly, I have not always been able to show in my life.

Sure everyone's life is a journey and there are plenty of ups and downs that bring us to where we are today.  But all too often I have been happy to be "one of many" and have missed out on chances to pursue goals that I still regret every now and again. 

All because, the journey would be too long/difficult/not the norm.

It's funny though... As I listened to it again today, I couldn't help but think; "This song describes Carolyn, PERFECTLY" She has ALWAYS been someone who has had the strength to go after her dreams, no matter how hard it is to achieve or for anyone else to comprehend.  It is one of the MANY things that I have admired about her.

Truth be told, this song is one that I hope my daughter Taylor, will take to heart.  That it will remind her that she can do anything she sets her mind to.  I hope she takes the time to find what she wants to do with her life and then go after it with all her heart.

No matter where it takes her in the world.  Even if it *IS* "The Long Way Around".

So now that I have most assuredly annoyed my wife by fawning over her publicly (like always) and embarrassed my daughter by sharing my hopes for her with the internet community (like always)...I'm signing off.

To the Dixie Chicks...thanks for agreeing to come back... I'll be the dude cheering and singing his heart out in section 216...(whose wife may or may not be covering her face in embarrassment)

Life is good.... very good indeed!

Writer's Blockhead

So after spending the last hour and a half writing, erasing, writing, erasing blog entries; I have realized exactly why I haven't posted an entry for the past 18 and a half months.

I have absolutely nothing to say.

Now before you quickly click away (say that 5 times fast) from this site and go back to watching YouTube videos of a cat wearing a shark suit riding a roomba chasing a duck , give me a chance to explain myself.

I started to write a post about my weekend playing ball and how sore I am now.  How I played horribly and came to the realization that time has caught up to me and I am not the player I once was.

Then I thought...That is pathetic.  Why am I complaining about something that everyone faces at some point in their lives?  It's not like I am going to come up with some new idea that will help myself and others deal with aging. 

So I erased that self-serving garbage and started to write about how weird it was to find myself feeling "unexplained anger".  How, out of nowhere and with nothing to incite me,  I was really upset and wanted to yell at everyone about everything today.

Then I thought to myself... do I want to share this clearly unusual feeling with the entire world.  Do I want people to think of me as some weirdo who is on the edge of snapping?

Since some of you already know that is who I am... writing it out would only be repetitive, and there is no room for repetition in a blog. 

Simply no room for repetition.

Then I thought...why not write about something important like the fundraising efforts that are going on in Calgary to help the victims of the flooding in Southern Alberta.  Like Alberta Flood Aid !

Of course, that would mean I would have to talk about Nickelback, and I couldn't bring myself to do it. (I kid... I kid.  Kinda.  Many great artists and lots of people are working together to help those who have lost so much.  Please do what you can to help out... and enjoy what is sure to be a great concert. Seriously... GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!)

So there it is... I've stepped back into the blog world.

A very tiny ripple into the ocean of information (hard to believe, considering just how large I am.  But I will save my weight issues for another entry...another day).

Hope this one doesn't stop you from coming back here in the future.  For those of you who haven't seen my previous entries... take some time and check 'em out.  They'll either give you an inside look at the man... the MYSTERY that IS Raymond; or they will change your thoughts on whether everyone deserves the right to free speech.

Next one will be better... I promise...

I think.