Ok, so I'm a few days short of a month away from SG and the internet in general but I had to make some arrangements to go to Emerald City Comic Con, so what does one do but come to SG land. Also, I missed everyone.
Sure, I love the gratuitous amount of naked women here like everyone else, but really it's the stories and interactions I have share with you that makes it worth coming back.
Anyway, I've been adjusting my diet, I started at the gym, I've taken up the mantle of union rep for my office and I'm about to begin some much needed therapy due to work/life related stress. I also was approved for all of my vacation requests so I'm stoked to have time off this year starting with a trip to Seattle at the end of the month for the super nerd fest that is ECCC!
2012 is all about my me and my health and I'm off to a pretty good start. Anyway, my membership is about to expire and I may be absent for another week or two but I'll be back.

Peace, love and Asteroids!
phant0mas

I'm turning off the internet for a month as there are certain areas of my life that need attention right now. I will continue to use the internet at work as I have to be connected to an intranet and I pay bills through apps on my phone but everything else will be left alone. In a world where we are so connected to the "net", this will be no easy feat, especially for someone like me who is so social and opinionated. However, it must be tried. I have to see if I can develop some better habits in terms of eating and exercise and caring for my overall mental health. I don't think it's a big sacrifice but we'll see.
Until next time my friends, be well and care for each other.
oh and please watch and share even if you don't live in BC:

My ability to fail, even when I make every effort to succeed, is astounding.
What can I do but try again?! Argh! I really feel now, so much more than ever, I want to be someone else somewhere but I know that line of thinking to be a waste. "If only" excuses only blind us to the experiences and opportunities in front of us but their so tempting when we fail or we're lonely.
Maybe especially when we're lonely. I've got to realize I can't make it on my own anymore. I need help myself. I'm having a hard time coping with the stress of trying to help others who are in need of help and in much worse situations than a lot of us, hopefully, may never experience. But yeah, I've decided I need counselling. Before I can continue to move forward, I need to release myself from the chains of my past. I need to work through my frustrations of not being able to change a flawed system where it do desperately needs fixing. Like a mechanic held hostage by a circus while the ring leader lets monkeys go crazy on cars already in need of repair! But I'm in danger of ranting so I'll stop here.
I want and need help I'm going to get it and let's hope I'm successful in that endevour at least or my blogs will soon become the rants of the insane!

I'm up at 2:30AM because I caught a nasty case of food poisoning. Starting feeling rough at work, got home at 5 and spent the next several hours ejecting everything from my body. It's amazing how the bodies auto defense systems kick in, I just wish it wasn't so violent. So violent. I can't remember ever being this sick. Luckily, it seems to have calmed down. Looks like I'm going to be recuperating all day as I've been up every hour or so. Fuck you Bacteria! Oh well, it gets me out of 1 day of training on the new software at work so there's always an upside

Your daily does of cute for Martin Luther King day

So excited that Rodrigo y Gabriela have a new album out later this month on the 23rd, coinciding with Chinese New Year celebrating the return of the Dragon! It may be interesting to note that these amazing guitar players are from Mexico, home of the Mayans and in 2012, Quetzacoatl their God, a Feathered Serpent somewhat like a Dragon, is supposed to return! What does it mean?! No one knows for sure of course but I can say with all certainty that Rodrigo y Gabriela are amazingly talented and from what has come before, they will surely put out an interesting and fun album!

It may also be interesting to note that I was born in the Year of the Fire Dragon and this will be the Year of the Water Dragon so hopefully it means I will pick up some steam and thin out!

Here's my Top Ten Albums of 2011, Granted, these lists are always subjective and is comprised of the music I was able to listen to this year; which was sparser than previous years due to a workload increase, life changes and a full hard drive.

10.Radiohead, King of Limbs
9.Gruff Rhys – Hotel Shampoo
8.The Roots - Undun
7.The Black Keys - El Camino
6.TV on The Radio - Nine Types Of Light
5.Danny Brown - XXX
4.Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire - Lost in Translation
3.The Weeknd - House of Balloons/Thursday/Echoes of Silence
2.M83, Hurry Up - We're Dreaming
1.PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

I hope 2011 was better than bad for you; I hope that the Year of The Rabbit hopefully didn't ruin your shit too much and I hope the Coming Dragon will change the World for the Better. I know a lot of people are fearful or anxious of what the future holds for us but what can we do?! Stay positive, rock out and be warriors of soul and love!
Peace out SG land till next year!
Happy New Year! Bring on 2012!

Please tell me what your top albums of 2011 were! I really want to know! I love music and there's not enough time in the day to listen to all I want or find new music. Please let me know what you loved in the last year. I'll post my top 10 tomorrow night but I think these will be in there for sure

My Christmas gift to you all. PUPPIES!

If you must have a pet for companionship, please adopt from a local shelter whenever possible and have your animal spade or neutered. Thanks you.
My best to you all this Holiday and I hope if your an atheist like myself, you at least use the time to spend with friends and family.
Phant0mas

Some cool photos from around BC hosted on CBC's BC Almanac








and one I took on my lunch break