Over a year. That's how long it's been since I've written on here. I guess I don't think my life is sufficiently interesting to blab about it, but I've had random shit on my mind lately and felt like writing it down somewhere. Today's issue: Canada's involvement in Afghanistan.

Let it be known that I'm a left-wing person. I vote NDP/Liberal. I am generally opposed to war and using force to solve conflicts. As such, I've been distinctly anti-involvement for the Afghanistan effort. Today however, I read an article (link) that made a few good points, and while not entirely convincing, at least has me thinking. I'm aware that this has been a peace-keeping mission all along and that the Afghan government wants us to continue our efforts, but for the most part I did not feel that Canada was obligated to help in this conflict and that our citizens lives do not need to be sacrificed for this purpose.

This article has gotten me to question that stance though. Perhaps we are obligated to help? The shit going down in that part of the world is atrocious. Running some comparisons here. If I was walking down the street and saw an innocent child being assaulted by teenage bullies, I would feel obligated to step in and stop what was happening. If I witnessed a co-worker being sexually assaulted, I would feel obligated to confront the offender. So here's what I'm thinking about now: on what scale and how far from home should injustices be happening before we no longer feel obligated to step in and try to stop it? And I don't know the answer. Overall, I'm still opposed to the our involvement in the war, but I guess I'm empathizing with the 'support our troops' folk a bit more now. I think the article does make a good point too that if we are actually going to stop this shit, we can't half-ass it. We would need some serious commitment and enthusiasm. Though I just can't see that coming from myself or most Canadian citizens at this point in time.

Obama seems to be going around saying 'can't we all just get along? Come on, let's talk about it.' That would be nice. It seems that dicks with guns don't usually want to sit down and chat though.

Time for the first blog in about 8 months. Sweet. First things first, general update on life: working in Ottawa again and living at home. Got my first co-op job back at the National Research Council of Canada at the Centre for Surface Transportation Technology ("CSTT at NRC" is faster). I've done a few interesting projects and a really cool one started up about two weeks ago but nothing much is happening on it right now so I'm stuck doing bitch work until the project manager can get focused again. So work is kinda blah right now but at least not very stressful.

Lots of shows going on these days. It's currently Bluesfest in Ottawa meaning a whole bunch of bands that were loosely influences by blues and a few actual blues bands come to play. This hear I got to see Primus which was absolutely amazing. Been listening to that band for almost ten years now (and I'm not even 20 yet). Stars and Most Serene Republic played tonight but didn't bother to go, seen'em both multiple times and had work to do. Friday night is Metric, who I've seen a bunch of times as well, but they'll presumably be playing a bunch of new tunes so I intend on going. Then separate from Bluesfest, going to see At the Gates (!) in Montreal on Saturday, and back into Ottawa for Boris and Torche on Sunday night. Full freakin weekend. I kindof can't wait.

So lots of shows this summer, but more importantly, I'm actually getting the cottage(s) this summer since I'm not stuck at school in Waterloo. And yeah, we have two cause my mom inherited one about 6 or 7 years ago, and only two years prior to that my Dad and older brother split on one. They're in different provinces though, and a very different experience. The one my mom inherited, my family's been on the lake since the 1800s so it kinda means a lot. Here a few pics of that one:
view of the lake:


view of the cottage:


Seriously can't wait to go up again. No pics of the other one right now (don't happen to have any of nice views).

I think I will go read now. Trying to finish Chuck Palahniuk's Haunted, then read Choke before the movie comes out later this year (which, by the way, I have pretty high expecations for). I was really sad when they aborted plans to make Survivor into a movie, so hopefully this makes up for it.

Maybe I'll post again in another 8 months. A bit sooner if I feel anything is worth posting about.

Band I'm currently digging: Speedmarket Avenue

I fully realise that I rarely post blogs on here (or anywhere) and can't decide if it's due to shyness, a lack of enthusiasm, or a simple lack of things worth blogging about. In any case, here's a bit of an update on the this semester...

I really have mixed feelings about everything this semester...I'm living in Burlington, Ontario on a co-op term at a company called CIMTEK. In all honesty I don't really care for what the company does (designs and assembles machines that test circuitry in components of vehicles and consumer electronics). I'm a mechanical engineering guy and just don't really care about circuits. Fortunately though, my work is pretty much all mechanical-based so I don't mind getting up and going into the office. It's coming home from work that's not so much fun. If you don't know Burlington, which you won't unless you live in Ontario, it's a small city off the west edge of Toronto, kindof an extension of Mississauga. And in case you were considering ever venturing to this little town, I beg of you to stay away. It's one big spraw of cookie-cutter houses for upper middle class white families whose fathers work in the standard industrial sector beside the highway, children between 0 and 13, and mothers who drive around in their over-sized SUVs (and just happen to nearly run me the fuck over while I'm on my way to the bus stop). This place is one giant suburb, only there's no urb, it's a suburb of itself. Honestly. And to top it off, I don't know one person who lives in this town. So I come home and cook for myself, then sit down and read or watch a movie by myself.

So my weeks have pretty much sucked thus far, but I do have to admit that my weekends have been really good. The only good thing about Burlington is that it's close to Hamilton where my girlfriend goes to school, as well as to Toronto where at least half my friends go to school / work. Every single weekend I've hopped on a train or bus and gotten my ass out of here so go have a social life to two day increments. I've seen a bunch of good shows too... Most Serene Republic, Bloc Party, Shout Out Out Out Out, Wintersleep, and Stars later this month.

At the moment I'm still basking in the events of this past weekend when I went up home to Ottawa for my brothers' birthdays... it was absolutely awesome. I only realise how much I miss my family when I get to see them for a couple days, and then leave again so quickly. In any case, I saw some Ottawa friends, ate lots, drank lots, and had a great time. Especially because I got to see my one year-old niece: she happens to be the cutest thing ever.

So that's my update of the term (that seems to be about how often I post on here). I seem to have too bland of a life to make much of an interesting post, but if anything incredible or horrific occurs I'll be sure to post.

Song of the day: Stars - Life 2: The Unhappy Ending

Exams is a very unique time of year. Any form of biological clock is shut down. Every other meal consists of a caffienated beverage. An already plain (Waterloo) social life becomes entirely non-existant. And all the while the emotions are ranging from stressed over the amount of studying that needs to be done, to bored as hell for the lack of remotely interesting things to do, to guilty for wasting time with an external hard drive full of movies and cartoons, to an excessive sense of isolation.

I remember last exam period was when I discovered The Sounds. I'm positive I listened to Dying to Say This to You about 15 times over a ten day period. I don't know if it got me through so much as it was a happy, catchy, fun distraction, which is really what I think the goal for the album was so it succeeded as far as I'm concerned.

Check it out if you haven't already.

There's no particular album getting me through this time, though I have been really into High on Fire lately. At least the end is in sight now. 8 more days... 3 more exams... This fall will be a welcome change. I finally get to be within half-an-hour of my girlfriend again. I shouldn't complain as we lived an 8 minute walk from eachother for two years, but this past year has been a little annoying being 6 hrs away. I have to say, I miss my lady.

Ok, on to calculus.

Let's have drink.