So I don't update blogger that much, and don't do a lot of photography or artwork on here. Why? Well, because it's just inconvenient and not that easy to use. I use DeviantArt. It is WAY easier and more intereactive and convenient. I can upload my art/photography, add other artist's work to my "favourites", blog, comment on people's galleries or pieces of art, and recieve comments and feedback from other artists on my work.
If you want to check out my photoghraphy, here's the link!
http://lauren-mae-obrien.deviantart.com/
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Skating Ducks.
I took this photo on Friday, March 26th, at Bellevue Park in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario.
The weather had become warmer, so the ducks have been out and about for the past couple of weeks. However, it got colder again last week, so the water froze over again. This picture is of a few ducks walking (skating!) along the ice.
To me, this photo is a sort of parallel to the stereotypical image or movie scene, that shows a group of happy people (and of course the romantic couple) skating around on the ice in winter time (often a scene in Christmas movies and winter art). Instead of people skating happily along the ice in winter, this shows the happy ducks (romantic couple in front) skating along the ice in spring. Mostly for that reason, I love this picture.
Skating Ducks
Lauren O'Brien
Friday, March 26, 2010
Cancer Bats, Against Me, Alexisonfire, Billy Talent.. AMAZING NIGHT.
Monday night, I went to the concert that I had been waiting for for 5 years.. ALEXISONFIRE. They have been my favourite band for exactly that long. I heard "No Transitory" in grade 7, and fell in love. It has been my favourite song by my favourite band ever since. DALLAS GREEN is my all-time favourite musician - whether he is playing in Alexisonfire, or solo as City and Colour - his music is beautiful, his voice awe-inspiring, and lyrics full of passion and meaning. His music inspires me. Even if it's just a painting inspired by a song (I made a painting once that was inspired by the song "Mailbox Arson" by Alexisonfire - a mostly abstract painting of a city on fire). So basically, When I heard that I would FINALLY have the chance to see them play.. I had a fit! I got my money, floor tickets, and started a countdown. The only reason I was going to the concert was for Alexisonfire (I'm not much of a fan of Billy Talent. I personally think their new stuff SUCKS, but their first album as Billy Talent (with the song River Below) was great, and their second not too bad.)
ANYWAYS. the concert was THE DAY after I got back from Spain (perfect timing, right!?) so I was pretty supremely excited. After co-op, I went to the mall, met up with some people, and went to wait in line at the venue (Essar Center). I felt kind of left out in that group, then I saw two people that I had been pretty good friends with back in the day (grd 9 & 10) when I was always going to shows (Steph and Jazmin), so I went to join them. Lucky me, they were right at the front of the line, and Jazmin had a special bracelet that let her in 15 minutes earlier. So of course, Jazmin went in early and bolted to the front, saving me and Steph a spot.
First performer: Cancer Bats. How were they? Spectacular. High energy, reallly got the crowd going (I would know, I was right up front, being shoved and squished up against the barrier LOL) but it was definitely worth it. They even did a cover of the Beastie Boys' song "Sabotage" :D
All that squishing made me really have to pee. So, I talked to these two nice guys behind me (Albert, a big guy who could definitely save my spot, and Jeremy, who also agreed to help.) I made them promise, PROMISE, to let me back in front for Alexisonfire, and they did, Jazmin also knew them and said they were trustworthy, plus she was also staying there. So yeah, me and Steph took a little pee break during intermission between Cancer Bats and Against Me. During the pee break, I discovered that my thin cotton, loose-fitting grey tank top (that I really liked) had been destroyed. All the rubbing up against the barrier (it was metal with small holes, almost like a cheese grater without the sharp) had worn and ripped holes in the front of my shirt, at least I had another tank top under it. The holes were also in the area where the buckle of my belt is, which probably contributed the the wear-and-tear. Still, It was worth it.
We got back and.. a wall, of people. But I would NOT give up. Steph decided to hang back, she's tiny and was wearing her glasses (I decided to wear my contacts, something I RARELY do, maybe once a year!) SO to get back, I knew there was only one way.. MOSH. not many people were doing it, so I decided to be the obnoxious little girl who started dancing, kicking, punching, and shoving.. and it worked! At one point, this one other girl (woman) didn't like it. I heard her say: you're a easy fix. and she grabbed my thrashing body (did I mention she was HUGE and round?) I kept fighting back though, but she grabbed my boob (probably didn't meant to) which momentarily weakened me, and threw me away. STILL I did not give up, I found another route to thrash and mosh through, and I was SO close. Jeremy saw me and reached his hand over some people and grabbed mine. He tried to pull me through but it didn't work, so I let go. Then, the helpful guy he was, he shoved his body back, making a momentary gap in people and I shoved and rushed my way through, so I was squished in front of him, with Jazmin in front of me, and Dan, a guy from my school that I have occasionally talked to, also in front/beside me. I WAS BACK IN THE (almost) FRONT ROW! Albert was completely smushed and could not give me my old spot back, at least not while Against Me was playing, but he agreed to make a way for me to be right in front when it was time for Alexisonfire. Anyways, I was fine where I was, completely smushed (but then, everyone in the first few rows were) it was like a sandwich with a fat man sitting on top. But we still jumped and danced, our bodies all moving together in unison, fist pumping while trying to not elbow your neighbor in the face. It was fun. Against me was high-energy, very dancey type songs. I had never heard them before but hey, I liked them! I danced/jumped, fist pumped, chanted along to the baba bababa bababa part of the one song that I had maybe ONCE heard by them haha. It was a good time. Kind of felt weird at first, being so tightly squished against a bunch of guys.. I think more than with any other guy ever, that I hadn't been dating.. and I either didn't know them or had met them only a half hour, maybe hour before? WHATEVER everyone was that squished, all for the same passion and reason - amazing music. Against Me finished their set, and as a little team, the guys and Jazmin made room for me right at the front, in between Jazmin and Dan. I think what happened was Albert moved himself back a bit, clearing space for Jazmin to skooch over slightly, Jeremey pushed back, giving me room to breathe and squish myself forward between Dan and Jazmin. it was a VERY tight fit, but it worked. Still ended up squished from behind by Jeremy and some other guy's arm who's face I never saw LOL. but I was in front, I could put my arms over the railing to handle my camera and take pictures. and look STRAIGHT in the face of GEORGE PETTIT, singer (screamer) of Alexisonfire.
ALEXISONFIRE: I was RIGHT THERE in front. It was amazing. George was really interacting with us in front, smiling and and actually LOOKING at us and laughing and pointing and stuff. He threw his water bottle to us at one point. I'm guessing he noticed that I sang every word of each song, because he kept looking at me, and pointed a couple times.. if only Dallas (who was SO CLOSE to my left) had also noticed, but I think he was focused on his guitar and his own vocals, two in one must be harder to focus on than just one (screaming) that George has to. Still, it was WORTH IT! The second song they played was NO TRANSITORY! as I said before.. the first and favourite I heard by them, I sang every word of that! Don't remember all the songs in order, I was in too mush of a happy craze. I distinctly remember when they played The Northern (anyone who was there MUST) George went onto the keyboard, Dallas started it with his beautiful vocals "Here he comes here he comes, judge so severe, the seven trumpets speak, oh they speak him near.." going into the chorus with George as well "Oh brother you wanna be there, I'm gonna go to heaven when I die.." Then it was George's turn for the verse, Dallas said something like "Everybody, George Pettit!" and the spotlight shone down on George as he screamed "Here he comes here he comes..." Then of course, what was possibly the HIGHLIGHT moment of that song performance, quiet, spotlight on Dallas, and then everyone sings along with him, fist pumping/raising their hands up "Hallelujah, we'll praise the Lord, Hallelujah.." then of course when the drums, bass, guitar, and George kick in.. continuing on "Hallelujah.." So I guess you get it.. amazing, epic, beautiful, absolutely SPECTACULAR. (If you haven't heard the song "The Northern" yet.. I suggest you listen to it.. it's beautiful.) They also played Accept Crime, to which almost everyone sand along, at least when they sang "Accept crime ONE TWO THREE" haha, and "there's no police, there's no police between two beating hearts.." Of COURSE they played This Could Be Anywhere In The World, it WAS very popular in the Crisis album, again, singing along, a lot of jumping, and a LOT of crowd surfing. BOILED FROGS! another great one they played, more high energy, I was singing along with George and he looked right at me. That was awesome :) It was during the part "Poor little tinman, still swinging his axe, even though his joints are clogged with rust.." They also played, Old Crows, and Young Cardinals (TONS of jumping ans crowd surfing during that one) During Old Crows, George also made eye contact and pointed at me, during "we are not the kids we used to be, stop wishing for yesterday". They also played We Are The Sound, to which everyone chanted along "we are the sound, we have no voice".. they played a couple more, I just can't completely remember them at the moment but basically.. beauty. The entire set was perfect. I hardly noticed the intense pain and bruising happening on my chest (squished against the barrier) and my sides and arms, or the total squishing from behind, I could hardly breathe! But it was okay. It was WONDERFUL. I was sad yet completely happy and exhilarated when they ended, and upset when they wouldn't do an encore, but I guess because they weren't the headlining band, it wouldn't really be appropriate for them to do an encore. So when they were obviously finished and not coming back for an encore, I really started to feel the quish and discomfort. So I turned around (even that was difficult, so squished) and said: k, I have no reason to be up here for Billy Talent, I don't even like them that much, I need to get OUTT! So it took a couple minutes but we made enough room for me to squeeze out, then anytime I got to a barrier of people I would just say: I'm just trying to get further back.. and they would move.
I went and found Steph, and we decided to go to the merch tables up top. I was covered in water, wearing a white tank top (plus the ripped gray one hanging loosely on) so I bought an Alexisonfire t-shirt. It's black with a Cardinal on the front with ALEXISONFIRE written below. I like it :) Of course I went to the washroom and put it on, so I wouldn't be stuck in a wet shirt.. uncomfortable. Then me and Steph went over to the Cancer Bats table, and the singer of Cancer Bats (Liam Cormier) was there, so we had a little chat about random stuff haha. Steph bought a sweater, we chatted some more with Liam, it was all good. Then, I decided that I would like to go back down to the floor area just to mosh. I didn't want to get up to the front again, but it would be fun to join the mosh pit a bit. Steph stayed on the side, and I went in and had some fun times moshing around :P THEN I decided that I wanted to crowd surf.. REALLY BADLY. I asked a couple guys if they could get me up, and they agreed right away :) crowd surfing.. was exhilarating. I was lifted up and I felt like I was floating! on a cloud of tons of hands, it was so amazing, I didn't even think about it, I just lay back and let the hands carry me around up to the front. Once you get to the front, the security guards just grab you and set you down, then point the way out (a path right in front of the stage, between the barrier with the crowd and the stage. As I stepped down I realized something: I was missing a shoe! My right foot had only a sock on! I couldn't stop though, I knew the security guards wouldn't let me, and honestly, I was too exhilarated and excited to care! I walked along with a huge smile on my face, passed by Jazmin and Jeremy and gave them high fives :) and walked right out. Then I went over to Steph and showed her that I was missing a shoe. Of course we had a little laugh.. I think I knew deep down that I would not find my shoe until the show was over, but I didn't care too much.. I wanted to search for my shoe anyways. So I did. I went walking around through the crowd with only one shoe, met a lot of new people that way haha. They would say stuff like: "Oh! you're missing a shoe!? Hope you find it!" or "Haha how did you loose your shoe? ... Oh, crowd surfing? AWESOME!" or even" Haha you're never gonna find that until the show is over.." (That was said by mike I think his name is, he used to play in The Crossed, a small band from the Sault, we chatted after the concert about The Crossed reuniting and stuff haha) I also talked to people I already knew, some laughed at me for losing a shoe, some offered to help find it, eventually I gave up.. but want to know what's kind of crazy? I went back into the mosh pit.. not too far in, because I mean, one foot was unprotected, but I still had fun, of course :) Once Billy Talent's set, and 3-song encore, was finished, I went towards the front, and someone who had been near me in the front came up and gave me my shoe! He said: we found it up front, Jazmin said it was yours! I was pretty relieved haha, so I thanked him and went to find Jazmin.
After the show, me and Jazmin went outside to wait around and HOPEFULLY meet the bands, or for me, at LEAST Dallas Green, she at least wanted to meet some guys from Billy Talent. I stood outside in the cold, wearing only a t-shirt and jeans, for TWO HOURS! Until almost midnight. Eventually Liam from Cancer Bats came out, riding up to us on his skateboard :) We chatted some more, took some pictures, and talked about their upcoming tour in the fall, I mentioned that they should play at Fanshawe College again (they had once before) and he said they would if someone set it up and everything, which makes me happy because well, I'll BE at Fanshawe in the fall :D Then he left and we waited a bit longer, at about 10-midnight, Dallas Green walked out, pulling a little rolling suitcase, walking towards the bus, we called his name and someone asked if he would come over and and so he said: "sure!" and walked on over :) I asked if I could get a picture with him and he said "of course!" so I got my picture, we talked a bit about nothing in general, I told him that I love his music and asked if I could just shake his hand haha, which of course I did! That moment right there, MEETING Dallas Green, my favourite musician and inspiration for the past 5 years.. was the most amazing moment in my life so far.. just absolutely amazing. Then he moved on to the other people around, and It was midnight (I had a 1/2 hour drive home and school the next morning and work the next night!). So I said to Jazmin: I can leave happily now :) I hope I see you around sometime soon! Then I walked across the street to the mall parking lot, got in my car, and let myself burst with joy! With a huge smile on my face, I let out a little squeal haha, I was so.. I don't even have a word for it.. ECSTATIC! to the extreme. Then, I drove home.
That would be the end, but it does continue slightly. I got home, and, while changing into pjs for bed, noticed allll the bruises! It's bad hahah, my arms (mostly bicep and shoulder area), my back, my legs.. the WORST is my chest . There is a horizontal line, about 3 inches thick, across my chest, starting right in the middle of, well, you know.. my chest hahaha. That line is from the bar of the barrier that I was completely smushed against for Cancer Bats and Alexisonfire. The next morning I realized that the whole inside of my left cheek was cut and ripped up from my braces (very painful) but my braces have never done that before on their own, which made me realize: I must have been punched or elbowed in my face, left-cheek, at the concert, without really noticing at the time. HAHA! You would think I'd have noticed right? guess not :)
Now you have to know, I am by NO MEANS complaining about these injuries.. they were SO worth it. A BROKEN RIB would have even been worth it. It was amazing, spectacular, beautiful, fantastic, exhilarating, awe-inspiring.. just perfect.
Now for pictures (all taken by me except for the ones OF me):
ANYWAYS. the concert was THE DAY after I got back from Spain (perfect timing, right!?) so I was pretty supremely excited. After co-op, I went to the mall, met up with some people, and went to wait in line at the venue (Essar Center). I felt kind of left out in that group, then I saw two people that I had been pretty good friends with back in the day (grd 9 & 10) when I was always going to shows (Steph and Jazmin), so I went to join them. Lucky me, they were right at the front of the line, and Jazmin had a special bracelet that let her in 15 minutes earlier. So of course, Jazmin went in early and bolted to the front, saving me and Steph a spot.
First performer: Cancer Bats. How were they? Spectacular. High energy, reallly got the crowd going (I would know, I was right up front, being shoved and squished up against the barrier LOL) but it was definitely worth it. They even did a cover of the Beastie Boys' song "Sabotage" :D
All that squishing made me really have to pee. So, I talked to these two nice guys behind me (Albert, a big guy who could definitely save my spot, and Jeremy, who also agreed to help.) I made them promise, PROMISE, to let me back in front for Alexisonfire, and they did, Jazmin also knew them and said they were trustworthy, plus she was also staying there. So yeah, me and Steph took a little pee break during intermission between Cancer Bats and Against Me. During the pee break, I discovered that my thin cotton, loose-fitting grey tank top (that I really liked) had been destroyed. All the rubbing up against the barrier (it was metal with small holes, almost like a cheese grater without the sharp) had worn and ripped holes in the front of my shirt, at least I had another tank top under it. The holes were also in the area where the buckle of my belt is, which probably contributed the the wear-and-tear. Still, It was worth it.
We got back and.. a wall, of people. But I would NOT give up. Steph decided to hang back, she's tiny and was wearing her glasses (I decided to wear my contacts, something I RARELY do, maybe once a year!) SO to get back, I knew there was only one way.. MOSH. not many people were doing it, so I decided to be the obnoxious little girl who started dancing, kicking, punching, and shoving.. and it worked! At one point, this one other girl (woman) didn't like it. I heard her say: you're a easy fix. and she grabbed my thrashing body (did I mention she was HUGE and round?) I kept fighting back though, but she grabbed my boob (probably didn't meant to) which momentarily weakened me, and threw me away. STILL I did not give up, I found another route to thrash and mosh through, and I was SO close. Jeremy saw me and reached his hand over some people and grabbed mine. He tried to pull me through but it didn't work, so I let go. Then, the helpful guy he was, he shoved his body back, making a momentary gap in people and I shoved and rushed my way through, so I was squished in front of him, with Jazmin in front of me, and Dan, a guy from my school that I have occasionally talked to, also in front/beside me. I WAS BACK IN THE (almost) FRONT ROW! Albert was completely smushed and could not give me my old spot back, at least not while Against Me was playing, but he agreed to make a way for me to be right in front when it was time for Alexisonfire. Anyways, I was fine where I was, completely smushed (but then, everyone in the first few rows were) it was like a sandwich with a fat man sitting on top. But we still jumped and danced, our bodies all moving together in unison, fist pumping while trying to not elbow your neighbor in the face. It was fun. Against me was high-energy, very dancey type songs. I had never heard them before but hey, I liked them! I danced/jumped, fist pumped, chanted along to the baba bababa bababa part of the one song that I had maybe ONCE heard by them haha. It was a good time. Kind of felt weird at first, being so tightly squished against a bunch of guys.. I think more than with any other guy ever, that I hadn't been dating.. and I either didn't know them or had met them only a half hour, maybe hour before? WHATEVER everyone was that squished, all for the same passion and reason - amazing music. Against Me finished their set, and as a little team, the guys and Jazmin made room for me right at the front, in between Jazmin and Dan. I think what happened was Albert moved himself back a bit, clearing space for Jazmin to skooch over slightly, Jeremey pushed back, giving me room to breathe and squish myself forward between Dan and Jazmin. it was a VERY tight fit, but it worked. Still ended up squished from behind by Jeremy and some other guy's arm who's face I never saw LOL. but I was in front, I could put my arms over the railing to handle my camera and take pictures. and look STRAIGHT in the face of GEORGE PETTIT, singer (screamer) of Alexisonfire.
ALEXISONFIRE: I was RIGHT THERE in front. It was amazing. George was really interacting with us in front, smiling and and actually LOOKING at us and laughing and pointing and stuff. He threw his water bottle to us at one point. I'm guessing he noticed that I sang every word of each song, because he kept looking at me, and pointed a couple times.. if only Dallas (who was SO CLOSE to my left) had also noticed, but I think he was focused on his guitar and his own vocals, two in one must be harder to focus on than just one (screaming) that George has to. Still, it was WORTH IT! The second song they played was NO TRANSITORY! as I said before.. the first and favourite I heard by them, I sang every word of that! Don't remember all the songs in order, I was in too mush of a happy craze. I distinctly remember when they played The Northern (anyone who was there MUST) George went onto the keyboard, Dallas started it with his beautiful vocals "Here he comes here he comes, judge so severe, the seven trumpets speak, oh they speak him near.." going into the chorus with George as well "Oh brother you wanna be there, I'm gonna go to heaven when I die.." Then it was George's turn for the verse, Dallas said something like "Everybody, George Pettit!" and the spotlight shone down on George as he screamed "Here he comes here he comes..." Then of course, what was possibly the HIGHLIGHT moment of that song performance, quiet, spotlight on Dallas, and then everyone sings along with him, fist pumping/raising their hands up "Hallelujah, we'll praise the Lord, Hallelujah.." then of course when the drums, bass, guitar, and George kick in.. continuing on "Hallelujah.." So I guess you get it.. amazing, epic, beautiful, absolutely SPECTACULAR. (If you haven't heard the song "The Northern" yet.. I suggest you listen to it.. it's beautiful.) They also played Accept Crime, to which almost everyone sand along, at least when they sang "Accept crime ONE TWO THREE" haha, and "there's no police, there's no police between two beating hearts.." Of COURSE they played This Could Be Anywhere In The World, it WAS very popular in the Crisis album, again, singing along, a lot of jumping, and a LOT of crowd surfing. BOILED FROGS! another great one they played, more high energy, I was singing along with George and he looked right at me. That was awesome :) It was during the part "Poor little tinman, still swinging his axe, even though his joints are clogged with rust.." They also played, Old Crows, and Young Cardinals (TONS of jumping ans crowd surfing during that one) During Old Crows, George also made eye contact and pointed at me, during "we are not the kids we used to be, stop wishing for yesterday". They also played We Are The Sound, to which everyone chanted along "we are the sound, we have no voice".. they played a couple more, I just can't completely remember them at the moment but basically.. beauty. The entire set was perfect. I hardly noticed the intense pain and bruising happening on my chest (squished against the barrier) and my sides and arms, or the total squishing from behind, I could hardly breathe! But it was okay. It was WONDERFUL. I was sad yet completely happy and exhilarated when they ended, and upset when they wouldn't do an encore, but I guess because they weren't the headlining band, it wouldn't really be appropriate for them to do an encore. So when they were obviously finished and not coming back for an encore, I really started to feel the quish and discomfort. So I turned around (even that was difficult, so squished) and said: k, I have no reason to be up here for Billy Talent, I don't even like them that much, I need to get OUTT! So it took a couple minutes but we made enough room for me to squeeze out, then anytime I got to a barrier of people I would just say: I'm just trying to get further back.. and they would move.
I went and found Steph, and we decided to go to the merch tables up top. I was covered in water, wearing a white tank top (plus the ripped gray one hanging loosely on) so I bought an Alexisonfire t-shirt. It's black with a Cardinal on the front with ALEXISONFIRE written below. I like it :) Of course I went to the washroom and put it on, so I wouldn't be stuck in a wet shirt.. uncomfortable. Then me and Steph went over to the Cancer Bats table, and the singer of Cancer Bats (Liam Cormier) was there, so we had a little chat about random stuff haha. Steph bought a sweater, we chatted some more with Liam, it was all good. Then, I decided that I would like to go back down to the floor area just to mosh. I didn't want to get up to the front again, but it would be fun to join the mosh pit a bit. Steph stayed on the side, and I went in and had some fun times moshing around :P THEN I decided that I wanted to crowd surf.. REALLY BADLY. I asked a couple guys if they could get me up, and they agreed right away :) crowd surfing.. was exhilarating. I was lifted up and I felt like I was floating! on a cloud of tons of hands, it was so amazing, I didn't even think about it, I just lay back and let the hands carry me around up to the front. Once you get to the front, the security guards just grab you and set you down, then point the way out (a path right in front of the stage, between the barrier with the crowd and the stage. As I stepped down I realized something: I was missing a shoe! My right foot had only a sock on! I couldn't stop though, I knew the security guards wouldn't let me, and honestly, I was too exhilarated and excited to care! I walked along with a huge smile on my face, passed by Jazmin and Jeremy and gave them high fives :) and walked right out. Then I went over to Steph and showed her that I was missing a shoe. Of course we had a little laugh.. I think I knew deep down that I would not find my shoe until the show was over, but I didn't care too much.. I wanted to search for my shoe anyways. So I did. I went walking around through the crowd with only one shoe, met a lot of new people that way haha. They would say stuff like: "Oh! you're missing a shoe!? Hope you find it!" or "Haha how did you loose your shoe? ... Oh, crowd surfing? AWESOME!" or even" Haha you're never gonna find that until the show is over.." (That was said by mike I think his name is, he used to play in The Crossed, a small band from the Sault, we chatted after the concert about The Crossed reuniting and stuff haha) I also talked to people I already knew, some laughed at me for losing a shoe, some offered to help find it, eventually I gave up.. but want to know what's kind of crazy? I went back into the mosh pit.. not too far in, because I mean, one foot was unprotected, but I still had fun, of course :) Once Billy Talent's set, and 3-song encore, was finished, I went towards the front, and someone who had been near me in the front came up and gave me my shoe! He said: we found it up front, Jazmin said it was yours! I was pretty relieved haha, so I thanked him and went to find Jazmin.
After the show, me and Jazmin went outside to wait around and HOPEFULLY meet the bands, or for me, at LEAST Dallas Green, she at least wanted to meet some guys from Billy Talent. I stood outside in the cold, wearing only a t-shirt and jeans, for TWO HOURS! Until almost midnight. Eventually Liam from Cancer Bats came out, riding up to us on his skateboard :) We chatted some more, took some pictures, and talked about their upcoming tour in the fall, I mentioned that they should play at Fanshawe College again (they had once before) and he said they would if someone set it up and everything, which makes me happy because well, I'll BE at Fanshawe in the fall :D Then he left and we waited a bit longer, at about 10-midnight, Dallas Green walked out, pulling a little rolling suitcase, walking towards the bus, we called his name and someone asked if he would come over and and so he said: "sure!" and walked on over :) I asked if I could get a picture with him and he said "of course!" so I got my picture, we talked a bit about nothing in general, I told him that I love his music and asked if I could just shake his hand haha, which of course I did! That moment right there, MEETING Dallas Green, my favourite musician and inspiration for the past 5 years.. was the most amazing moment in my life so far.. just absolutely amazing. Then he moved on to the other people around, and It was midnight (I had a 1/2 hour drive home and school the next morning and work the next night!). So I said to Jazmin: I can leave happily now :) I hope I see you around sometime soon! Then I walked across the street to the mall parking lot, got in my car, and let myself burst with joy! With a huge smile on my face, I let out a little squeal haha, I was so.. I don't even have a word for it.. ECSTATIC! to the extreme. Then, I drove home.
That would be the end, but it does continue slightly. I got home, and, while changing into pjs for bed, noticed allll the bruises! It's bad hahah, my arms (mostly bicep and shoulder area), my back, my legs.. the WORST is my chest . There is a horizontal line, about 3 inches thick, across my chest, starting right in the middle of, well, you know.. my chest hahaha. That line is from the bar of the barrier that I was completely smushed against for Cancer Bats and Alexisonfire. The next morning I realized that the whole inside of my left cheek was cut and ripped up from my braces (very painful) but my braces have never done that before on their own, which made me realize: I must have been punched or elbowed in my face, left-cheek, at the concert, without really noticing at the time. HAHA! You would think I'd have noticed right? guess not :)
Now you have to know, I am by NO MEANS complaining about these injuries.. they were SO worth it. A BROKEN RIB would have even been worth it. It was amazing, spectacular, beautiful, fantastic, exhilarating, awe-inspiring.. just perfect.
Now for pictures (all taken by me except for the ones OF me):
Liam Cormier, lead singer of Cancer Bats, during their performance.
Again, Cancer Bats.
George Pettit of Alexisonfire. Yes, he WAS right in front of me :) no zooming in here! :D
Again, George Pettit of Alexisonfire.
Dallas Green and Chris Steele of Alexisonfire.
I like this picture a lot. George Pettit.
Again, George Pettit. He was right in front of me which made it a lot easier to take pictures of him. :)
Missing shoe after crowd surfing. Hahahahaha!
Me with Liam Cormier of Cancer Bats!
..and of course the highlight of my night (life?) me with DALLAS GREEN! :D You can see the excitement in my face.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Two-Week Spain Trip.
COMING SOON.
Can't say exactly how soon. It will be long. I will start once I select the photos I want to use (approx. 2 per day). but no worries, it WILL be up eventually! LOL for now - shorter, unrelated blog posts :)
Can't say exactly how soon. It will be long. I will start once I select the photos I want to use (approx. 2 per day). but no worries, it WILL be up eventually! LOL for now - shorter, unrelated blog posts :)
Saturday, March 13, 2010
March Break/ Spain trip
k SO. I am currently in Spain, have been since March 8th. I left the soo on the 6th, arrived in Siville, Spain, on the 8th. and have been here since. I still have one more week here too! not leaving until the 20th :) BUT YEAH. this is just a short post about why i'm not posting often hahahah! Once I get home from my trip, there will be a post or two about this trip, plus PICTURES! I'm travelling with my family all through the Andalusia region of spain, and I think I'll pick one or two of my favourite photos from each day of the trip :) just as a little overview, I guess :) so far I've been enjoying it. Even with many arguments with my parents and younger brother, Lachlan (we don't get along well when travelling as a family. especially when it includes road-trip parts haha) my parents hate my sarcasm, I can't seem to go a day without a sarcastic comment. doesn't work out too well, obviously. but anyways, other than that.. my dad had told me to pack for weather that might be cool in the mornings, but get up into the 20s in the afternoon. well instead, it hasn't gotten any warmer that 10 MAYBE 15 degrees. at all. so THAT sucks. because I highly dislike cold weather, especially when I am not really prepared. but whatever, I'm dealing - layers, you know ;) yesterday i had a long sleeve shirt, cardigan, thin leather jacket, and scarf. and was still cold except for the couple hours of warm sunshine. but some cold moments I just put on a sweater under that jacket as well. so I've been mostly handling the cold. BUT YEAH. that's basically all for this post. Next post will probably be once I get back :)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Some call it "Road Rage", I call it a reasonable reaction to annoying people.
Driving is good, I enjoy it, going the speed limit. APPARANTLY I have road rage. but NO. I just HATE getting stuck behind those annoying people who drive 40-50 in a 60 zone! GO THE LIMIT. People want to get where they're going, okay. Sometimes I just want to go knock on their window and say : hey, bud, you can go 60 here so.. GO 60!!!! On my way to Co-op I ALWAYS seem to get stuck behind someone, at least once, going under the limit. it drives me insaneeeee. I can understand if it's like snowy, or icy, or even rainy.. but when it's a beautiful day out, sun is shining, clear skies.. GO THE LIMIT. Another one that annoys me.. when they don't signal before changing lanes right in front of you. it's like: OKAY do you WANT me to hit you? Or when they can't make up their mind where they're going, one way, then no they don't want to turn, then oh yes they do. okay cool. KNOW YOUR ROUTE. It's a basic rule I learned in driving school, and SHOULD be common sense. but whatever. I'll just continue my silent road rage from inside my car - I don't actually yell at anyone or honk or whatever, just talk to myself. or yell quietly (oxymoron k) in my car.
The end of this Rant. I guess Rant #1?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Accidents happen..
Okay so first look at this photo, it's a pretty decent shot of the Character Club at our school, selling cupcakes for anti-bullying week. In our school's front foyer we happen to have an LCD TV screen there, this photo was taken during the olympics and we were screening the games on that TV, and the one in the Cafeteria. Along with the olympic games came the commercials. I didn't take this picture, my friend Liisa Steinwedel did. I just saw this and when I noticed the little OOPSY/coincidences that happened, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. So I think I'll just point out how a simple pictuire can become HILARIOUS with some total timing accidents and coincidental little things... here is the version of the photo that I photoshopped to illustrate the little things that make this HILARIOUS.
.........................................................
SO here we are. the man in the commercial on the TV, is sitting, in an interesting way, it could either be taken as : he is sitting on her head, or, what came to my mind (but maybe it's just my very STRANGE mind) was: HAHA IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S POOPING ON HER HEAD!) then I noticed the girl in the corner, plugging her nose (could have just been scratching or something, but in the photo..plugging) as if something smells bad.. tying right in with the pooping on her head scenario HAHA. so okay maybe a little immature, but I found it laugh (and blog!) worthy! Good job Liisa Steinwedel, you accidentally took a picture that really hit my funny bone!
so tip for picture taking: try to see EVERYTHING in the photo before you take it, to avoid little things like this.. or if you are a comedic type, to MAKE this kind of photo! :)
***** NOTE!!! ***
I do know who all the people in this photo are, and have no personal issue with any of them! they're all nice people, and the purpose of this was NOT to be rude or mean or anything, it's just a funny coincidence. someone saw me editing this photo and commented: you must not like them?" but NO that's not what this is! haha.if it was ANYONE in this photo, even strangers, I would have reacted the same.
also, I do know the names of these people, but I left them out for privacy purposes.
also, I did ask permission from Liisa to use this photo in my blog. she also thought it was funny, btw :)
Snowboarding.. or whiping out?
Okay! So, Sunday I went snowboarding at Searchmont (the local ski hill, which is awesome btw). I've been snowboarding for about 5 or 6 years now, and love it. Before that, though, I skied for many years (age 4 - 12) so I also know how to ski, just don't enjoy it as much. ANYWAYS. I love snowboarding, and when I snowboard I mostly go for speed, like racing, I would LOVE to get into snowboard racing! But I've never been big on jumps. I generally understand the concept of how to go off a jump, I just don't try, because I'm kinda scared of breaking bones haha. So yeah, speed + racing = good, jumps = bad. BUT Sunday, I had the strange urge to try to go off a jump (man-made), the one I chose is about a meter, maybe a meter and a half, tall. So not HUGE olympic-sized, but still large. My younger brother, Lachlan, went off first, because he does that kind of thing often. Then it was my turn. SO I went, and it was all good at first, but I guess once I hit the jump I leaned too far forward (this is what Lachlan said) so I was in the air, then the tip of my board caught in the snow, I flipped forward and landed SMACK on my chest/stomach/hip. As I was falling and the ground was coming towards me, I thought: oh no, don't land directly on your side/ribs, they'll break. So I twisted a bit to try to land more on my stomach/abs. Which did happen, just more painfully than I expected. My left hip also hit the ground pretty hard as well. SO I got the wind TOTALLY knocked out of me, which sucked. I managed to get up after a minute and at least get off to the side, hunched over, with lachlan. I Took a little breather and went on with snowboarding my usual way haha. NOW I have a huuuge black bruise on my left hip bone (where it sticks out in the front) and bruises on the front of my rib cage, mostly on the left side but also the middle, and standing up / sitting down is painful and uncomfortable. Also, it is verypainful whenever I laugh, bend over, cough or sneeze (too bad I also have a cold!). Luckily, nothing is broken haha. But the bruises and pain willl last a while :S. So anyways, moral of the story is: start small! or, if you are one of those go-getters.. wear safety padding :) (I DID have a helmet, of course).
Oh hey good thing, Lachlan was the only one who saw the embarrassment haha, except for maybe some people on the chairlift, if they happened to be looking over at the terrain park curiously (quite likely).
Well that's my snowboarding story. probably last one for the year. because I am leaving for a 2 week trip to Spain in a couple days, then when I get home, searchmont will likely be closed for the season. I would be excited for next year's snowboarding season, but I'm going to be in college at Fanshawe, which is in London Ontario, no real ski hills around there :( Whatever, at least I'll have christmas and reading week!
Oh hey good thing, Lachlan was the only one who saw the embarrassment haha, except for maybe some people on the chairlift, if they happened to be looking over at the terrain park curiously (quite likely).
Well that's my snowboarding story. probably last one for the year. because I am leaving for a 2 week trip to Spain in a couple days, then when I get home, searchmont will likely be closed for the season. I would be excited for next year's snowboarding season, but I'm going to be in college at Fanshawe, which is in London Ontario, no real ski hills around there :( Whatever, at least I'll have christmas and reading week!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Introduction
So I figured I should start with a basic introduction of myself.. so here's my life story.. JOKE. not ACTUALLY going to give you my full life story now. I'll give you the fairly-condensed version, I guess.
I was born on September 24th 1992, in Ottawa, Ontario. My mom is an Anaesthesiologist - aka, the people who put you to sleep for surgery and give you epidurals when you're going into labour.. yeah, pretty much her job is to knock you out and take away your pain. My dad is a cabinet maker, basically he just makes really nice furniture and stuff, he is also a stay-at-home dad, he works out of his workshop now which is just a huge garage really, that we don't actually use as a garage. I have 3 brothers, Malcolm - 2 years older than me, Lachlan - 3 years younger than me, and Ranulph (Ran) - 9 years younger than me. I have 2 dogs, Karma and Kaos, newfy/lab mix, Karma is black and Kaos is white, and I think they are about 2 1/2 years old now. And I have a cat, Patches aka KittyKat aka Fatso, she has been my kittykat since I was 8 years old, I love her to death, even though she is overweight and psychotic. That is my Family, and even when I am SUPER angry at them and say I hate them, I really do love them all, deep down.
I lived in Ottawa for most of my life, but when I was in grade 7, my mom told us that she was taking a job in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, and we would be moving during the summer before my grade 9 year. FYI, Sault Ste Marie (SSM or the Soo) is about 11 hours drive from Ottawa. We had a cottage there for a few years before this, so at least we were familiar with the place, but trust me, that did not make me any happier to be moving - right before beginning highschool. We tore down our tiny cottage, and built a larger house in it's place. I like the house a lot, we went through a couple years of renovations and landscaping and I think we are FINALLY done! (but knowing my mom, we never will be hahaha) I love the house and our property, don't get me wrong - in my backyard (literally) is Lake Superior, and on the other side of the road is just a marshy-forest which is beautiful in the fall. The reason why we were able to do all this, well there are a couple reasons, one, my mom is an anaesthesiologist - they make some pretty big bucks, PLUS the government or something PAID her to come and work in the Soo, they are really short doctor's all over the country, but Northern Ontario has really been hit hard, especially in her field. For that and other reason's, she agreed, at least that way she wasn't doing locums all the time (two weeks Ottawa, two or three weeks SSM). So anyways, they paid her enough money to build that nice house of ours. I'd say that was the only good thing about moving, at the time.
So, as of now, I am a 17 year old grd 12 student, living in Sault Ste Marie, with my whole family except my older brother, Malcolm, who is away at college for Electrical. I want to have a career in photography, and am going to college for that next year! I work at a pizza place/italian restaurant, I am in all-day co-op for photography/graphic design, I snowboard in the winter, horseback ride all year, go to Youth group at my church, and in the summers I work at a christian ministry/horseback riding summer camp, called Circle Square Ranch. Other than that.. I have no life! woohoo!
So I guess that's all for my basic introduction.. one little story in there about moving and stuff, I'll warn you now.. I tend to go off on tangents.. a lot. It's just something I do.
I was born on September 24th 1992, in Ottawa, Ontario. My mom is an Anaesthesiologist - aka, the people who put you to sleep for surgery and give you epidurals when you're going into labour.. yeah, pretty much her job is to knock you out and take away your pain. My dad is a cabinet maker, basically he just makes really nice furniture and stuff, he is also a stay-at-home dad, he works out of his workshop now which is just a huge garage really, that we don't actually use as a garage. I have 3 brothers, Malcolm - 2 years older than me, Lachlan - 3 years younger than me, and Ranulph (Ran) - 9 years younger than me. I have 2 dogs, Karma and Kaos, newfy/lab mix, Karma is black and Kaos is white, and I think they are about 2 1/2 years old now. And I have a cat, Patches aka KittyKat aka Fatso, she has been my kittykat since I was 8 years old, I love her to death, even though she is overweight and psychotic. That is my Family, and even when I am SUPER angry at them and say I hate them, I really do love them all, deep down.
I lived in Ottawa for most of my life, but when I was in grade 7, my mom told us that she was taking a job in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, and we would be moving during the summer before my grade 9 year. FYI, Sault Ste Marie (SSM or the Soo) is about 11 hours drive from Ottawa. We had a cottage there for a few years before this, so at least we were familiar with the place, but trust me, that did not make me any happier to be moving - right before beginning highschool. We tore down our tiny cottage, and built a larger house in it's place. I like the house a lot, we went through a couple years of renovations and landscaping and I think we are FINALLY done! (but knowing my mom, we never will be hahaha) I love the house and our property, don't get me wrong - in my backyard (literally) is Lake Superior, and on the other side of the road is just a marshy-forest which is beautiful in the fall. The reason why we were able to do all this, well there are a couple reasons, one, my mom is an anaesthesiologist - they make some pretty big bucks, PLUS the government or something PAID her to come and work in the Soo, they are really short doctor's all over the country, but Northern Ontario has really been hit hard, especially in her field. For that and other reason's, she agreed, at least that way she wasn't doing locums all the time (two weeks Ottawa, two or three weeks SSM). So anyways, they paid her enough money to build that nice house of ours. I'd say that was the only good thing about moving, at the time.
So, as of now, I am a 17 year old grd 12 student, living in Sault Ste Marie, with my whole family except my older brother, Malcolm, who is away at college for Electrical. I want to have a career in photography, and am going to college for that next year! I work at a pizza place/italian restaurant, I am in all-day co-op for photography/graphic design, I snowboard in the winter, horseback ride all year, go to Youth group at my church, and in the summers I work at a christian ministry/horseback riding summer camp, called Circle Square Ranch. Other than that.. I have no life! woohoo!
So I guess that's all for my basic introduction.. one little story in there about moving and stuff, I'll warn you now.. I tend to go off on tangents.. a lot. It's just something I do.
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