The Soundtrack of My Life

Here's the tunes that have stuck with me for varying degrees of time, and categorized by blatant movie titles, or other random thoughts that wander into my noggin. Although my memory is short so it may be like "Soundtrack to my Last 6 Months with some longer stuff thrown in there"

Fight Club - For those times I just wanted to rumble.
Take No Prisoners - Megadeth
Crush 'Em - Megadeth
Triple Corpse Hammerblow- Children of Bodom
Daily Combat - Dark Age

Recipe for Hate - For those days I hated everything
I'll Get Even - Megadeth
Recipe for Hate...Warhorse - Megadeth
Liar - Megadeth
Forget Your Name - Gravity Kills
If - Gravity Kills
One - Gravity Kills
Fucking Hostile - Pantera

Step Back from The Man - For when people were just too close for comfort
Zer0 - Dark Age
Needled 24/7 - Children of Bodom
Angels Don't Kill - Children of Bodom
Zero Signal - Fear Factory

I Will Wish Upon a Star - Oh what I wish tonight.
Know Me Strong - Dark Age "If you see me weak, you should know me strong"

It's Kind of like a Love Song - Well sorta.
I'll Be There - Megadeth
Starfire - DragonForce
Portals of Light - Falconer
Losing You - Dream Evil
Always Will Be - HammerFall
Dreamland - HammerFall
Promises - Megadeth
Dreamin' About You - Kick Axe
Nothing Else Matters - Metallica

Let's Rock! - Pre-game, Pre-date. Whatever. Let's Rock!
Nothin's Gonna Stand in Our Way - Kick Axe
Hunger - Kick Axe
Make Your Move - Kick Axe
Roughrider Anthem Remix - Frontlyne
Instrumentals (I don't know the real titles) - Gravity Kills
Mortal Kombat Theme - The Immortals
The Clarion Call - Falconer
For Life and Liberty - Falconer
The Prophecy - Dream Evil
H.M.J. - Dream Evil (that stands for Heavy Metal Jesus).

Let's Make Rock! - Muhahaha
Fire (Turning Ring) - Jaded
Burn - Sister Machine Gun
I Like It - Jaded
Fever - Jaded
I Need a Cowboy From Hell - Crucified Barbara
She-Wolf - Megadeth
Slip Inside My Dream - Kick Axe
Mechanix - Megadeth

Songs For My Friends - Try and find you, and if you can't find you. I'm Sorry.
Phoenix Rising - Annihilator
Guardian - Fates Warning
Seize The Day - Demons & Wizards
Valhalla - Blind Guardian
I Thought I Knew It All - Megadeth

Wow this is long. I cry off.

Boredom = Quizzes

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when everything is uncertain, one moment heaven... the next moment hell. You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy. You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic. Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets. Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. In this moment, you think of love as something you don't need. You just feel like flirting around and playing right now.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

You Are Austin

A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. You're totally weird and very proud of it. Artistic and freaky, you still seem to fit in... in your own strange way. Famous Austin residents: Lance Armstrong, Sandra Bullock, Andy Roddick

What American City Are You?

Your Seduction Style: Ideal Lover

You seduce people by tapping into their dreams and desires. And because of this sensitivity, you can be the ideal lover for anyone you seek. You are a shapeshifter - bringing romance, adventure, spirituality to relationships. It all depends on who your with, and what their vision of a perfect relationship is.

What Is Your Seduction Style?

Your Career Type: Artistic

You are expressive, original, and independent. Your talents lie in your artistic abilities: creative writing, drama, crafts, music, or art. You would make an excellent: Actor - Art Teacher - Book Editor Clothes Designer - Comedian - Composer Dancer - DJ - Graphic Designer Illustrator - Musician - Sculptor The worst career options for your are conventional careers, like bank teller or secretary.

What's Your Ideal Career?

How Not To Run a Band

This post is inspried by the insipid losers in the band Idle Sons (except for the drummer, he was the only one in the band with talent). They were supposed to be opening for Thornley, who my friend an I ended up not staying for b/c we have things to do today, and didn't feel like being out til 2am and then not getting home til 3 or later. So thanks for nothing Idle Sons. And without further ado my list of How Not to Run a Band/Concert. (or a How-To as the case may be).

1. If the doors open at 8, you need to be on stage by 9-9:30. 10 is pushing it. Showing up at 10:45 like they did, when all their gear is already set-up and sound-levelled is UNACCEPTABLE. When a 7-band festival can run on time, a 2-band gig can certainly do it. No excuses.

2. If you are already nearly 3 hours late, DO NOT JOKE ABOUT IT!. We all saw your "groupies" (read:sluts) coming in through the back door. We KNOW what the hell was taking you so long. And for the record, that kind of debauchery is best left for after the show, not the pre-game warm-up. I'm pretty sure even Spinal Tap knew that.

3. Do not come on-stage and ask us if we've had enough to drink. This is Saskatchewan, those who wanted to get loaded were loaded by 6pm. We can already see your drunk. At least when you play power-chords @ 80 bpm there's really no concern that you can't do it. (And I get to say that b/c I'm a power-chord whore myself). When there's no solos to screw-up there's nothing to fear.

4. Realize that being in a band, your success is TOTALLY dependent on the impression you make on the people. Showing up late for shows is not a good way to endear yourself to your audience. When G'n'R didn't show up in Vancouver there were riots. At least Idle Sons will never have to worry about that with their unprofessional attitude. They'll never be as big as G'n'R, or even Kick Axe for that matter.

5. When making music is your way of keeping food in your belly, wouldn't you maybe want to take some pride in your product? Wouldn't you want to be remembered as someone who was professional, and dedicated to their music and what they had to say. I hope Thornley throws you off the tour for all the aforementioned crap.

6. When you're late for a show in Regina, Saskatchewan you know you're 15 Minutes are all most up...oh, what's that? I think I hear a watch alarm going off. I'll get back to you on that.

Happy Dance!

Hey all you all.

What's goin down? Well my guitar came last Thursday..and it has consumed me ever since...until my elbows started swelling causing disconcerting numbness in both my hands. And yes i was doing the proper stretches and such. So I'm taking the day off from it so hopefully the tension and such will go away. And yes I realize that typing isn't really all the much better for me.

And i got my job at the Tunnels. Wewt! So I'm stoked to do that for a couple months before heading back to school . I can't wait. Last year coming up! I'm pumped.

And a Thornely concert on Friday night in Regina. I haven't heard much by them but my buddy is stoked to go, so I'm gonna go check it out.

Hopefully I'll get out to the Riders game Sunday night. I know they got totalled last weekend (all my friends from BC point and laugh) hopefully they won't be nearly so pathetic on defense. But I was impressed by Dominque Dorsey's ability to mkae great punt/kick-off returns. And our new kicker...well McCallum who?

Exciting things I'm looking forward to this summer (and beyond)
1. Lamb of God, Children of Bodom, and Mastodon in Toon Town (somebody come with me!)
2. More guitar jamming.
3. More Riders games
4. Blind Guardian's new CD Aug.28 I believe
5. Dark Age's live DVD
6. Sounds of the Underground Tour Aug 8 (hope I can go)
7. Getting back to dorms, not so much the food.
8. Megadeth's new album October 31!
9. Blind Guardian in Vancouver Nov. 14
10 Megadeth and Gigantour II! (C'mon announce the tour dates already!)

Muhahaha

So, I did it. I took the plunge. I went all the way. I bought my electric guitar (you thought I was talking about something else, you sicko). I can't wait until it arrives. I already have the amplifier. Hell yea! ESP DV-200 Dave Mustaine Signature Flying-V. Uurahh! I can't wait to plug it in and fire it up. Oh we're going to have some fun now. Megadeth songs that sound like Megadeth songs instead of blusey acoustic songs. Muhahaha. i'm stoked beyond all reason.

And for those of you returning to dorm and who enjoy coming back loud and drunk...I have extension cords and will use them...to plug in my amp right outside your hungover asses door. I think I'll come up with a custom tone setting affectionately known as "Banshee". I think that would be sufficiently ear-splitting . For an example of the tone I would call Banshee check out the first 19ish seconds of the Children of Bodom song "Touch Like an Angel of Death". Not very pleasent is it? I like it. It would be sutiably evil.

So I'm still waiting to hear about my job interview from yesterday. Blarg! But I must be off. Catch ya later. Muhahahaha!

Boredom Again.

In honour of my wet, boring day i present to you my Weekly Top 10, brought to you by my iTunes library.

Top 10 for the week of June 3- June 10
10. Because The Night (cover) - Jessica Robinson
9. Nothing Else Matters - Metallica
8. Addicted to Chaos - Megadeth
7. Take the Time - Dream Theater
6. Dive For You - Boom Boom Satellites
5. The Raising Fighting Spirit - Toshiro Masuda
4. Rebirth - Angra
3. Guardian - Fates Warning
2. Torn (Natalie Imbrugilia Cover) - Jessica Robinson
1. Phoenix Rising - Annihilator

Hot New Artist = Dark Age. I can't wait for their newest album to be back in stock online.

Am I Evil?

You Are 64% Evil

You are very evil. And you're too evil to care. Those who love you probably also fear you. A lot.

How Evil Are You?

Feeling Philosophical

We live in a hostile world these days. Not necessarily hostile to our physical well-being. but that depends on your global location. I find myself these days yearning for adventure. Maybe it's because i recently joined the workforce and became a corporate mercenary, selling my soul to the highest bidder. It's pathetic. I know that isn't where my place is, but I also know that for now I must endure. However, if I were to die today, I would certainly have regrets about it. I long for solitude and the open road. That I could criss-cross the land for even a month, relying on my car and myself. But that is not to be for the time being. I find routine dreadfully boring, even though during the school year it becomes somewhat of a necesscity. But to take my closest companions and journey seems so beautiful. I know I'm being idealisitic, but that is how I am.

I'm not meant to be domestic, or tamed...not yet at any rate. I would like to go, and find peace somewhere. Silence, and Solitude would be fantastic. This world, this greed-driven world is hostile. Hostile to our souls. Hostile to the driving force, whatever you believe that to be, it threatens to crush us, and make us just another number, make us work for just another pay slip. It's sad, but we all do it. I'm not saying we should go commie,but maybe that it's time for each of to re-evaluate what it is we want out of life. Sure we all want to be secure, but how secure do we need to be?

It only takes a single voice to start a revolution.

This is a test...

Testing...1...2....3. Testing.Testing. Are we on?

Summertime

1. There is a cure for the summertime blues. It is known as 1977 Firebird + Ashphalt + Saskatchewan Hot Summer Evening. Good times.

2. My car is the hottest thing on wheels. Unless some of the girls I know start using rollerblades. Then it's a draw. Onto the cuddling competition, lol!

3. New song of the moment: The Soul Eclipse by Dark Age. Who knows how to use a violin, with a matching electric guitar melody underneath? That's right, these guys do.

4. Blind Guardian: Vancouver, Nov.14. Who's in?

5. Sub-Zero and Scorpion are the coolest characters in Mortal Kombat history. 'Get Over Here!'

6. Rain, rain go away, come again some other day...or i will whip my self into a righteous frenzy and kick you all the way to Wyoming!

The Secrets of the Heart

The secrets of the heart, lie within the deepest dark of night. Where the light has no dominion, that is where what we truly are hides. Although we show to the world some of those secrets, much of what is known is merely the surface of knowledge, only the surface of understanding. The torrents and storms which lie beneath, that is where the struggle is. Our daily combat swirls within here. If there is a war to be fought, it is to be fought within first. Only then can we escape our inner darkness and come into the light of those around us. To view the outer layer will not bring understanding. How can you understand the depth, by only knowing the surface? It is cruel that all we ever know of one another is merely that surface, and we fail to contemplate that which exists below the seeming randomness of action and word. If we fail to look within and see what truly lies there we will exist at this surface state forever, and never know another human being with any degree of depth.

"I was born to fight in a daily combat
But I found my way to a better day
All that you give will be all that you get
This time it is too late for regret "
Daily Combat by Dark Age

"Cause if you see me weak
You should know me strong
If you think I'm weak
You should know this song
You think that I am weak?
You should know me..."
Know Me Strong by Dark Age

The Warrior's Heart.

The Warrior's Heart Longs for Adventure.
The Warrior's Blood Lusts for Combat.
The Warrior's Mind Yearns for Training.
The Warrior's Soul Fights for Honour.
The Warrior's Hands Kill for Justice.
The Warrior's Feet Stand for Love.
The Warrior's Voice Speaks for Truth.
The Warrior's Eyes Look for Injustice.
The Warrior's Ears Listen for Cries.
The Warrior's Nose Smells for Blood.

The Warrior Lives for Others.

A Snapshot of the Mind

1. I have my first interview for a job tomorrow in town. I'm plenty stoked, and I'm praying it'll go well, so i can start enjoying my summer instead of worrying about money all the time.

2. I found both Dark Age CDs for a low low cost on the interweb. Thank you Century Media!

3. So I picked up Opeth's album Damnation a while ago...and wow, the vocals on that disc are fantastic. So shamelessly...vulnerable. It's quite a departure from my normal mid - high tempo sonic assaults that I enjoy so much. This a very solid album from beginning to end. Beautiful acoustic guitar work, that works so well with the quiet, introspective themes of the album. I give this album 5 tearjearkers out of 5.

4. Honesty = nescessary. But so hard to just stand in and do. Especially when you may take a shot for what you have to say.

5. Metal: A Headbanger's Journey will be released May 23. Wewt! Go and pick up a copy of this fabulous documentary.

6. I'm out of mental go-go juice. Goodnight!

Week 1 At Home: The Boredom Chronicles

So after a longish drive home I arrived at home, where I vegetated for a few days, and then went out of town to begin the annual Job Hunt. Early results are not encouragiing, but apparently I have a few more connections than inittially anticipated so hopefully those will pay off. And there are the local options which I will begin pursuing tomorrow once my pursuit clothes are ready for action again.

On the plus side I picked up a new CD. I got the soundtrack to 'Metal: A Headbanger's Journey' This is a good, long CD action packed with Metal goodness, past and present. My fav tracks so far are Summertime Blues by Blue Cheer. This song is so old-school. Like late 60s old-school. And I love the lyrics, so very, very appropriate. Another one I'm enjoying is Blood Lust by Venom, b/c everyone enjoys songs about vampires. Lots of variety in styles on this disc for sure.

Everyone should go check out www.myspace.com/darkage404 for the German Metallers known as Dark Age. Check out the wicked cool songs 'Dare to Collapse', 'Zero' and 'Suicide Crew' Really cool guitar hooks, and awesome lyrics on those songs.

Other than that have a cool time and stay Metal!

Reflections From The Other Side

The other side of the border that is, lol. I think this will follow the standard Random Musings format, but with some random awards thrown in for shits and giggles.

1. Well I now my home office set-up wewt, but not my home theatre yet. Oh where, oh where will it go? Just call it the Earthshaker!

2. Most Over-Played Song of the Year Award goes to...Valhalla by Blind Guardian! Oh man did we go overkill on that song in dorm this year. Thanks to everyone who made this award possible! Runner up goes to every other Blind Guardian song that we listened to!

3. Driving through Saskatchewan by night is far more entertaining than during the day, especially as you realize your night vision is not what it once was.

4. The Award for _______ _____ ___ ____ ____ ___ ____ goes to: Barwein and Rodimus. Keep up the good work!

5. To order the DV-200 or not to order the DV-200. That is indeed the question. Any input would be appreciated.

6. Who wants to go see Children of Bodom and Mastodon in June? I do! Who else?

7. Home is not conducsive to my wanting to play guitar it seems. Apparently I need the ups and down of dorms to inspire me. Or I'm just tired right now.

8. Holy Crap. I have a lot of stuff in my room. Interesting.

9. I'm going to all the concerts I'm interested in next year, even if I have to pay for people to come with me. Please come back Sonata Arctica (although I missed you for a most lovely and worthy cause), Kreator, Napalm Death, Opeth, Arch Enemy and everyone else I forgot.

10. As I looked through my pics I have from throughout the year I realize how much I came to love everyone (even the jerks, j/k) who had an impact on my life this year. You've been great! We've been Rodimus, Goodnight!

11. And so the job hunt begins on Friday. Yay! Blah. It's all the same.

Thanks to everyone who made this year so memorable!

Musings of Randomness

1. Sociology is so useless. I'd contend that philosophy has better everyday application.

2. Spring is upon us and I'm stuck inside. Yay!

3. I get to drive home on monday. yay?

4. I have decided that Heavy Metal is a bit of an anomaly within the music community. Metal bands seem to command a loyalty from their fans like no other genre of music. And by loyalty I mean 'The willingness to punch a naysayer, or detractor of one's favourite band, straight in the mouth, and then pee on him." I can use myself as an example. I was at my very first Megadeth concert there were these two guys standing behind me who were slamming Dave and Megadeth something fierce. Let me tell you, if they weren't a combined 4 times my size, and if I wasn't standing front row of the balcony I'd have belted them right in the collective mouth.

5. I like my tiger-pig piggy bank. It is cute.

6. Go Riders!

Insomni-omni-omni-a

1. What on earth is this? I'm tired yet, I cannot sleep. I eat and eat and I cannot sleep. What ill omen does this portend?

2. Why? Why the fuck won't you get of my head?! I burned that bridge, and yet you...you are still here. I won't miss you if you just go away! Take all your baggage with you while you burn at the stake!!! I know I've left your mind, so do me a favour and leave mine!

3. Is this what happens when you realize that you left someone over a year ago, but they still haunt your waking and sleeping mind? DAMN!!!

4. What strength of will I have been granted has been robbed by those poisoned memories.

5. "Extreme Aggressions
My Emotions, twisted by your lies!"
-Extreme Aggression by Kreator

6. RRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

7. "Despite all the piety you've been consuming thus far,
A backstabbing motherfucker to the bone is what you are! [...]

A foot away from you is like a bit closer to heaven,
Then again it's like being needled 24/7!"
Needled 24/7 by Children of Bodom

Random Musings XI

1. Easter is upon us. Cool.

2. Finals are upon us. Lame.

3. The Heretic Speaks: "Love and Forgiveness!"

4. 'Metal:A Headbanger's Journey' is one of the best documentary's I have ever seen, not just because of its subject matter, but b/c of its balanced academic approach. So well done. Highly recommended!

5. "I don't know what i'm running from
I don't know where I'm running to
Somethings compelling me
To run into the dark"
- Die Dead Enough by Megadeth

6. These are some pretty weak random musings.

7. I should begin formulating more ideas for my D&D campaign that are sutiably evil.

8. Metal+D&D+Christianity = a Christian. Duh.

Subject Analysis

Case: 1985-PF-10-FR-12-DV
Subject: Rod.
Known Aliases: Rodney. Hot Rod. Rodimus. Pastor Megadeth.
Occupation: Student/ R.A. (for two more weeks).
Status: Single.

Natural Habitat: A room. Filled with enough electronic and sound equipment to shake down a small, poorly constructed house.

Thrives In: Spotlights with prepared material. Spotlights with semi-prepared material. In coffee shops/restaurants with a single (In number and status; although Subject is more than capable of handling himself with larger numbers of the female species) member of the opposite sex. Subject performs admirably in one-on-one encounters, however addition of a same-sex member dramatically decreases Subjects proficiency. Also thrives in darkened settings with extremely loud 'heavy metal' music. Also thrives encased within a vehicle in all forms, densities of traffic and road conditions.

Survives In: Classes of minimal interest. In larger groups settings where the Subject is not the centre of attention (Subject has a natural preference for the limelight it seems). Survives in calmer situations with close friends where there is little or no verbal contact (Subject prefers conversation). Room alone listening to music and reading, although after lengthy stints of social contact the Subject needs these breaks in order to thrive again.

Dies In: Extreme heat and humidity adversly affect both physical and mental functioning. Large conversations where the topic has strayed from the Subject's areas of expertise. Settings where others family's are unsure of how to deal with him. Vast amounts of stress from several different aspects of life although Subject's endurance has increased dramatically within the last Planetary Orbit.

Analysis: Subject is highly versatile, able to survive and succeed in a wide variety of situations. Has the confidence of a frontman, as well as the compassion of a highly-skilled counselor. Could use more support, and acceptance from his father figure, especially after acheiving things thought previously beyond Subjects reach. Rapid influxes of stress still can play havoc with overall functioning, but increased coping, and proactive solutions are decreasing the risk of breakdown signficantly.

Verdict: Highly talented, intelligent, and compassionate. Why this Subject has been unable to find a suitable mate is beyond our analytical capabilites. Subject theorizes he may have fallen victim to the 'Pastoral Barrier'. Further investigation in on-going.

Heart vs Mind: The Ultimate Battle

As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, there is a devastatingly long distance between the heart and the mind on all sorts of issues. Examples include jobs, relationships, musical tastes, vehicle preferences etc. And finally I came up with a suitable analogy for the heart/head relationship.

You know that scene in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers where Sam is dragging Gollum through the rocky border of Mordor? Notice how Gollum is holwing at the distress Sam (and the elven rope) are placing upon him. Notice the fury, and seeming cruelty that Sam employs uses to keep Gollum heading in the right direction, although Gollum's cries threaten to bring down fire and ruin upon their heads.

So in my analogy, Sam would be the mind, rational, knowing the right direction. Gollum is the heart screaming under the mind's cruel whip. And somedays it really feels that way.

However, my analogy fell apart when I realized that if Gollum had not gotten free the Ring would not have been destroyed. Then I realized Gollum was immolated in the process...so my analogy almost stands up, but not really. So yea, Go Team!