MissEmily

I actually found out about the true story behind the song quite a while back, but I still have my own interpretation that I personally like to hold on to. When I first sat down and dissected it, I thought he was talking strictly about his diagnosis with depression. Not about the events leading up to it, just the pain and just the confirmation that it's OK to let the pain take it's course - as opposed to trying to get over it ASAP. Of course, after finding out about his friend's story, my perspective changed drastically when I realize he wasn't talking about his experiences at all. However, when it all boils down to it, he's still talking about personal pain. Whether it's feeling completely helpless that you cannot help your loved one, or feeling completely helpless period, it's pain none the less, and it's OK to let it take it's course. So happy he played it both times he came to Sarnia this year. ;)

It's an extremely long story, so I'll try to be quik about it. When I was getting ready to go off to school, I originally was going to go for music, but I just couldn't get to Toronto to the audition, so I ended up settling for a media fundimentals course at my community college. Big mistake. A month before I started college, my boyfriend dumped me - which lead to the bipolar diagnosis. Just my luck, he also attended this college, which ended up causing massive panic attacks. By the end of the first semester, I was already on at lest two different medication for the depression and the bipolar, and one use as needed medication for the panic attacks called Ativan. I ended up continuously oversleeping on a regular basis and when I did get to school on time, I would pass out in class. I did not complete the course, and I didn't have the money or engery to try again the next year. That was three years ago. I'm still down right ashamed that I screwed up my education that badly, even though it was completely out of my control. I want to go back extremely badly, because I love to learn and I'm at home in creative environments. One of these days, I will. ;) However, until that day comes, I will probably continue to have dreams reminding me of the failure.

I agree. I would have hoped that a hardcore fan like David Cook (and he is), he would have picked something older. Than again, as a fan who would love to see more exposure in the states, I must grateful an OLP song was picked for the show.

I have a lot of dreams about going back to public/high school, but they're definitely a bi-product of the depression. (I had to drop out of college because of my dianosis, and I really, really want to go back.) They're comforting because I usually end up going back for some kind of art; but yet they can be extremely embarrassing because I end up forcing my school to accept me into a grade 9 music class because I insist I need the brush up for a theory exam. ;)

I'm not going to lie: I actually dispise at least 90% of everything released between 1980 and 1990. For me, almost everything released in those 10 years is shite. I was born in '85, and I was rased almost exclusively on AM oldies until I was 15, or when I was finally introduced to modern rock radio from '91 forward. Beyond the fact that most '80's bands sucked, the majority of the recordings made were far too overproduced and made even my favourites sound like crap. Just not a good era for just about everything. Having said that, I do like U2, the Police and the Clash.

I definitely cringed at this one. I didn't even finish it to hear what the judges had to say about it. I hate to ask this because I'm slightly embarrassed to admit I paid attention to it: did anyone see it on Americian Idol when the winner, David Cook, sang OLP's Innocent? Wasn't the best performance in the world, but he didn't ruin the song by any means.

Never Hear the End of It - Sloan (vinyl)

Big Sugar - Hit and Run: Greatest Hits

Blue Jay Way - The Secret Machines (from the Across the Universe soundtrack)

I saw Love Guru last week. It's definitely not for someone who has a metal rod up their ass - just so happens, I don't, so I found it to be fucking hilarious and made for an excellent night out with my best friend. ;)

Fortune's Favour - Great Big Sea

"So here's to the Poorest Poet Who always pens the truth Players Writers and Gypsies The Minstrals and all their tunes I'd rather live an honest lifetime With those with nothing to lose Than waste a night Knee deep in shite That's polished slick To look just right I'd rather live a lifetime in the Company of Fools" ~ Company of Fools; Great Big Sea

That doesn't even begin to discribe what he was all about. A good start though. ;) I spent a good portion of my day sitting with my mom watching some of the stuff on YouTube. She got me addicted to his piece on stuff. We definately lost a good one today.

All I Can Do - Chantal Kreviazuk

You just hit it on the nail as to why I need to leave for awhile. The people around here are more than happy to remind you by any means necessary, that you're NOT holier than thou, and yet run around like they're the only ones that mater. Screw Big Al's. Not even a year after I graduated from Skank Clair, at least five girls from my class who got pregnant, one of which now has two kids and I know at least two guys with kids now.

Currently watching The Hour. Very excited, the guest tonight is Dave Foley.

I too am not scared of much anymore. A few years ago I was scared to run into my ex-boyfriend because of my panic attacks. I still get but I'm proud to say I've weathered it out. ;) Other than that...well I severly dislike tornados. I've calmed down considerably in the past few years when warnings and watches spring up, but even last weekend when those storms went through Ontario and I was able to hold it in (I was in public), I was still a nerve ball.

Saturday Night Live: Best of Mike Myers (The last sketched they aired before this commerial: Mike Myers as Mick Jaggar and Mick Jaggar as Keith Richards.)

The news, I think. It was before I went to work, so I'm probably not too far off.

I really wish he'd take some kind of break from touring. The Beatles did it and look what happened there. The good news in Matt's case, he's only dealing with one person, so touring would never be out of the question. Either that or simply cut back on the touring. Maybe two weeks here and there, fly out to whatever province and tour a week, etc, but not two months straight. After the bullshit he seems to put up with everytime he tours Ontario, the rest would be extremely benefitcal. Besides, it's not like his true fans will really miss him - thanks to his blogging, he's in continuous touch with us, and that alone can sometimes be worth more than the touring. Yes, getting to tell him how much his music means to me to his face and getting him to sign the picture I hang on my desk at work is exciting, but being able interact like I can online made the second time I got to say hi feel like when I meet other Internet friends for the first time. (The first time was not so much because I had only just started reading the blog full time about a month or so prior.) I wish him a safe journey home and a speedy return to the blog.

I dunno. I've never heard it be called that, but it's a good one. My personal favourite though I saw on Facebook - there's a group called "For all Who Grew Up In the Ghetto of Ontario: Good Ole Sarnia" I personally live in the Sherwood area, and work downtown, and it can get pretty bad sometimes.

I'm looking into heading out to Vancouver myself. I'm not going for anything specific, my goal is just to go out, try it and if I like it, I'll set some roots and maybe look into going back to school. I would love to try Toronto (I absolutely adore the city), but with the job market going the way it has been going in this province, it's probably a good idea to head west. That and Vancouver is the exact opposite of Sarnia. Toronto, as much as I adore it and it is extremely close to being an exact opposite, is in the same province and smells like Sarnia (or ass, right Lauren? ;)). I'd also love to try Alberta, but if I wanted to work for Imperial Oil that badly, I'd go back to school and try to get into the plant here. Edit: I can't spell today.

Indeed they are, but that's half the awesomeness about them. They are one of the only groups I can think of that are getting better with age. The last two albums are two of the strongest of their career. Designate: If you like any Canadian independent music at all, Sloan are one of the originals and are still heavyweights. I personally think they sound almost identical to the Beatles. Recommendation: Never Hear the End of It.

Have you ever taken part in a Guitar Hero competition? That's where it gets fun. ;) I came third the last one I was in, and that was without actually owning the game.

Mine. I'm very much in love with them right now, and the release of their new album must be celebrated.