The Weird Stuff That Goes On In My Head

Pansexuality

2012-02-09T21:42:00.002-07:00

What's Your World View?

2012-02-09T11:00:00.001-07:00

Click For Full Size

Third Eye Blind - Eye Conqueror

2012-02-08T18:25:00.001-07:00

An old classic to send you off on a nostalgia trip tonight. One of my favorite song!

Funniest News Article Ever

2012-02-08T09:45:00.001-07:00

News: A Case Of… Bigotry? Oh, Canada! – LGBT People The New Terrorists

2012-02-07T23:52:00.001-07:00

via

If you’re trans, you’re a threat to airline security. This dubious fact has recently been enshrined in a change to the Identity Screening Regulations used at airports around Canada.

Yes, Canada, the country previously regarded as ‘one of the good guys’ seems to have had a change of heart over this last year. Having confirmed on the 13th January 2012 that a Department of Justice Lawyer, working under the Canadian Conservative Party Government of Stephen Harper, nullified all same-sex marriages performed under Canadian license where the couple’s native country does not allow same sex marriage, they’ve gone yet another step further. Equally abominable, however, is the fact that in both cases they’ve done so by the quietest and least democratic means possible without telling anybody at the time.

In this latest attack on fairness, decency and human rights, Stephen Harper’s Government has amended the Identity Screening Regulations -implemented unilaterally by the Ministry of Transportation as part of the Canadian Federal Government’s ‘no fly list’- such that trans, genderqueer and potentially, intersex people are entirely banned from boarding aeroplanes in Canada. The ‘no fly list’, known officially by the innocent sounding title “Passenger Project“, is a Government initiative to identify individuals who may be an “immediate threat to aviation security”.

read on

News: California's Prop 8 Ruled Unconstitutional

2012-02-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

(EW.com) -- A federal appeals court has ruled California's gay marriage ban unconstitutional in a decision announced earlier today, likely sending the case to the Supreme Court.

"Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gay men and lesbians in California," wrote Judge Stephen Reinhardt in the decision.

In light of the announcement, celebs have flocked to Twitter to voice their excitement about the ruling.

@JesseTyler: Historic! #Prop8 is unconstitutional. @AFER & I won't stop until ALL Americans are #free2marry.

@tomcolicchio: Appeals court strikes down California prop 8 (against same sex marriage) as unconstitutional

@Audra McDonald: NOH8 NOH8 NOH8 NOH8!!!!! My dogs think im nuts for the NOH8 happy dance im doing right now.

@DamonLindelof: I try not to get blatantly political on twitter. That being said? UNCONSTITUTIONAL!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

@michaelurie: Take THAT, prop 8.

@oliviawilde: Woohoo!! Die Prop 8 Die!!!! 9th Circuit just ruled you unconstitutional. Next step Supreme Court!

@JuddApatow: "@jcolton: @JuddApatow can you slow down on the muppet cause for about half an hour? we just got good news re Prop 8." Awesome news !

@zacayoung: Since we are taking it to the supreme court, can we redesign the judges' robes? #sequins #Prop8

@TheEllenShow: Today we took another step towards equality. #Prop8 was found unconstitutional again. I couldn't be happier.

@chelywright: I am a gay American and it's my Constitution too. #NOH8

@adammshankman: Courts just AGAIN declared Prop 8 unconstitutional...CUZ IT IS!!! Supreme court, here we come! Equality...is our birthright! Its about time!

@MattGoldich: In celebration of Prop 8 being overturned, boyfriends all over West Hollywood are being overturned.

@sarahcolonna: It's a great day in California! Prop 8 ruled unconstitutional. Today, I'm very proud of where I live. #noh8

@SethMacFarlane: Prop 8 architects: Every civil rights battle is eventually won by the oppressed party. Save your hundred mil and buy some Bud platinum.

@RuPaulsDragRace: Prop 8, sashay away. logo.to/wpZBQA

See the full article at EW.com.

I So Want This Shirt...

2012-02-06T23:16:00.001-07:00

via EpicMealTime

Dear Photograph.com

2012-02-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Photograph,

New Year’s resolutions and 30 years gone by…what was that little boy inside of me thinking about so long ago? I hope I never quit chasing that little boy’s dreams. It’s what matters most.

Scott

Dear Photograph,
Over 20 years ago my father rode his bike around town at Christmas and made people happy! Today I hopped on my Harley and got the chance to continue this tradition. I got to spread lots of Christmas cheer, posing for photos, handing out Tim Horton’s gift cards and making people smile! Merry Christmas Dad, I’m glad to follow in your footsteps!
Jesse

Dear Photograph,

My son couldn’t believe that I was ever little enough to cry myself to sleep on that step.

John

Just Discovered this blog via @Post Secret, and I find it to be quite an inspiring concept. As A photographer, I can appreciate the nice look at the past, paralleled with the present. The blog can be found here, with plenty more really cool photos like these ones!

~AJ~

Dude Looks Like A Lady

2012-02-05T21:05:00.001-07:00

30,000 Pageviews / Some Thoughts / What's Up / Some Pics from Today

2012-02-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

30,000 Pageviews:

Just in the past few minutes, we surpassed 30,000 pageviews!

Big Thanks, Guys!

Thought:

Part of the reason i'm hesitant and resisting getting attached to Edmonton, is that my trip to Grenfel this past Christmas reminded me what it was like to be surrounded by family and relatives, and people who care for me, and how good it feels. I've never really had the "large family" dynamic, growing up an only child to a single parent since I was 3, and having a few people come and go over the years, but no family ever stuck around for long, and in the past 3 years it was just me and my mom, with her having pushed everyone else out of our lives, and now even me.

I loved the feeling of family I got in Grenfel and Regina, and I've been missing it since I left before the new year. Part of my mission since I left Lloydminster and my mother's place, is to re connect with everyone I had lost contact with because of her. I'm back in regular contact with my dad, and have even started to talk to Amy and my nieces again.

There was a couple times while I down in Grenfel that my Grandma joked that I should move there, get a place, and a job at the Co-Op. I know she said it with an ounce of joking, but it was something I had already been considering, and it got the wheels turning...

I want to know what it's like to be surrounded by famly....

What's Up:

Tonight at midnight I'm heading out of Edmonton To Fort St John, BC for a week or so to visit my dad. It'll be the first time i've seen him since my grad day in June 2009, and the first time i've been up to visit him since probably 2006, so I'm looking forward to it. I figure get it in now while I don't have to worry about booking time off from work, as I still don't have full time or even part time employment.

I'm going to use it as a time to re connect with my dad and my step mom, get to know my sisters, and evaluate my first month in Edmonton and see if it's even somwhere I can see myself living for the long term, or if I really do want to know how family feels, and end up heading the opposite direction, to Regina or Grenfel, or even up to Fort St. John.

So yeah, i'm off to FSJ, but will still be keeping up this blog, as I seem to have gotten a influx of inspiration in these past few days, and have a whole bunch of posts prepared, and it's just a matter of hitting "post".

Some Pics:

These are from Churchill Square earlier today, the first few pics are of Bannock on a stick cooked over a fire, and the last one is of a public ping pong table and giant Chess set that were also set up in Chrchill Square...

What are you up to this Saturday night?

~AJ~

Happy Birthday Sis!

2012-02-04T14:58:00.004-07:00

Today my little sister is celebrating her birthday, and I wish I could have been at her party, but I guess a day late works too. Can't wait to see you tomorrow!

30,000 Pageviews By The End Of Today!

2012-02-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

As of this posting, this blog has had 29,962 pageviews since I started it back in May 2010, and at the rate I get traffic thanks to google placing a lot of my posts high up in their search results, I'll easily hit 30,000 by the end of the day, if not in the next few hours even. I owe a massive thank you to my readers, as this wouldn't have been possible without you guys!

~AJ~

Earlier Tonight At Metropolis Edmonton (Friday, Feb 3rd 2012)

2012-02-03T23:00:00.000-07:00

Post Secret Day 43

2012-02-03T21:22:00.002-07:00

Perceptions

2012-02-03T11:35:00.001-07:00

In Washington, DC, at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.

About 4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

At 6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

At 10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.

At 45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

After 1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.

This experiment raised several questions:
*In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
*If so, do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . ..
How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?

Enjoy life NOW... it has an expiration date

People You May Not Expect Me To Find Attractive, But I Do:

2012-02-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

Jukka Hilden

Adam Levine, who I have to say has gotten hotter since Maroon 5 started (pic).

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Patrick Monahan, who has also gotten more attractive as he's aged (pic)

~AJ~

Young Girl Delivers a Rant on Gender-Based Toy Packaging

2012-02-01T09:53:00.001-07:00

Via LaughingSquid

Riley, the young girl in the video Riley on Marketing, delivers an exasperated rant directed to the marketing department of toy manufacturers on the wrongs of segregated gender-based packaging. Standing in an aisle full of pink toys marketed to girls, she says, “Girls want superheroes AND the boys want superheroes!…Some girls like superheroes, some girls like princesses…”

Idiotarod NYC 2012, A Costumed Shopping Cart Race In New York City

2012-01-31T13:30:00.000-07:00

Via Laughing Squid

The NYC Idiotarod 2012, a costume-mandatory shopping cart race, takes place on January 28. The Idiotarod is based on the Urban Iditarod organized by The Cacophony Society, which first struck San Francisco in 1994.

The Iditarod is the famous long-distance race in which yelping dogs tow a sled across Alaska. The IDIOTAROD is pretty much the same thing, except that instead of dogs, it’s people, instead of sleds, it’s shopping carts, and instead of Alaska it’s New York City. Teams of five will race for cash prizes and glory.

Find A Cooler Suitcase Than This, And I'll Post It On My Blog!

2012-01-29T21:30:00.000-07:00

Picked this up at Winners today... if you can find a cooler one, link me to a picture, and when I find one that beats mine, I'll post a picture of it!

~AJ~

That Hula That I Do So Well

2012-01-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

This is part of how I spent my Saturday (yesterday), down at Metropolis in Edmonton. it started out with a break dancing competition, which was entertaining to watch, then the 2nd session of the day was hula hoop lessons. Yesterday was my first time ever (properly) using a hula hoop, and this was shot about 20 minutes after my first significant success, and I spent most of my evening hula'ing away. I'm sore this morning!

(fuck i'm skinny)

~AJ~

Is Burning Man a “White People Thing?”

2012-01-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

Via

Is this what Burning Man's like? Maybe on Wednesday?

Posted by Caveat Magister

A close friend of mine was asking me about Burning Man. She’s a black woman from Brooklyn. “Nope,” she said eventually, with some frustration. “I don’t think I’ll be going to Burning Man!”

“Why not?” I asked. She should. She’s magnificent.

“It’s a white people thing!”

Whoa. I asked her to tell me more about that.

It’s not the first time I’ve heard that phrase applied to Burning Man. My very first burn I was astonished to realize that an event that draws so heavily from the diverse San Francisco Bay would produce a population so colorless. From camp to camp, end to end, it was a long block of white as far as the eye could see, with only occasional dots of diversity … rare enough to raise comment. Where were the Asians? Where were the Hispanics? Where were the black people?

Shortly after I first asked myself that question I met a black man tending bar at a camp with a slip-n-slide. I sat down, he gave me a drink, and I said “can I ask you a potentially difficult question?” He said sure. In hindsight, I’m pretty sure he was expecting me to hit on him.

“I notice there are almost no minorities here,” I told him. “You’re the first black person I’ve seen. Any idea why that is?”

The term “white people thing” came up in his answer.

Since that time I’ve met more minorities on the playa – but not nearly as many as I’d expect. There’s a reason for that: according to the 2010 Black Rock Census only 13% of event attendees consider themselves to be a person of color – noticeably lower than the national population of 28% (according to 2010 census data – although it’s not entirely comparing apples to apples).

And that doesn’t take into account the fact that Burning Man draws heavily from far more diverse areas like the San Francisco Bay (where only 49% of the population considers itself white) and New York City (45%): if Burning Man were pulling people in proportionately its level of racial diversity would be higher, not lower.

So what’s the deal?

Read the Rest Of The Article, And Find Out Here!

Lizard Caught On Camera Catching His Mate Who Fell Fron A Tree:

2012-01-27T19:38:00.001-07:00

via @TheHouseOfWTF

Famous Photogs Pose With Their Most Iconic Images

2012-01-27T12:15:00.001-07:00

Via RawFile

Jeff Widener holds his photo of Tank Man in Tienanmen Square from 1989.

The Tank Man of Tienanmen Square. Muhammad Ali standing over Sonny Liston in victory. The portrait of the Afghan Girl on the cover of National Geographic. Many of us can automatically recall these photos in our heads, but far fewer can name the photographers who took them. Even fewer know what those photographers look like.

Tim Mantoani hopes to change that by taking portraits of famous photographers holding their most iconic or favorite photos in his new book Behind Photographs: Archiving Photographic Legends. Mantoani has shot over 150 of these portraits in the last five years, most of which are contained in the book.

“I felt like there was kind of this void,” says Mantoani. “There were all these anonymous photographers out there who have not been given enough credit.”

At a time when everyone has a camera in their pocket and millions, if not billions of photos are flying around the internet each day, Mantoani wants to help people understand that iconic photos don’t just happen. They are the product of people who devote their entire lives to photography. Giving these people a face, he says, helps do that.

“It was important to step back and understand that cameras didn’t make these photos, photographers made these photos,” he says. “Without these people and their understanding of photography, these moments would not be there for us to understand and appreciate over the course of time.”

Mantoani, a San Diego-based commercial and editorial photographer who is well known for his portrait work, decided to challenge his own craftsmanship by shooting the portraits on the enormous 20×24 Polaroid format. Only a few 20×24 Polaroid cameras still exist, and the film can be prohibitively expensive — about $200 per shot.

Read On

Picture: Mr. Tea

2012-01-25T20:37:00.000-07:00

Via DAVIDsTEA on Facebook

The Five Best Places To Live, And Why

2012-01-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

Via The Guardian

Bored with Blighty? Then why not up sticks and move somewhere else? Tom Dyckhoff spotlights five perfect places – from a surfer's paradise in Hawaii to a bohemian rhapsody in Portland, Oregon

(personal note: in my travels this summer, Portland was my favorite place of all the cities I stopped in, (besides Black Rock City), so this fully justifies my adoration for Portland)

Portland - the city has been the capital of liberal, hipster USA for decades. Photograph: Getty Images

Portland, Oregon

What's going for it? Do you like letterpress? Do you like vintage clothes? Do you play in a nu-folk band? Then get ye to Boise, Eliot and Overlook in Portland. The city has been the capital of liberal, hipster USA for decades. The Dandy Warhols wrote Bohemian Like You about their very home town. There are some, indeed, round these parts who'd like the entire Pacific Northwest to break off from the rest of the US and go it alone. So very liberal is Portland that it's a home from home to anyone from Europe, especially if they read the Guardian. Cyclists are loved, not loathed. There are planning restrictions on crappy developments. Portland has the highest number of microbreweries in the world. Everyone is lovely. My auntie lives there and will make you a nice cup of tea if you're homesick. H.E.A.V.E.N. Shockingly, it still remains relatively good value. Especially the patch north of the Willamette river above the railyards. When I first visited in the early 90s, Boise, Eliot and Overlook were the kind of spots you sped through: always the first sign of a neighbourhood you should buy in. Now you can't move for contemporary modern antiques shops and dinky record stores.

The case against Bit too cool for school. Everyone's like you. Who will you have to hate? Oh, yes, everyone like you. The weather: like Britain, but more so… hotter and colder and danker.

Well connected? Unusually again for the US, cycle and walk without abuse: the most bike- and foot-friendly city in the country, packed with proper cycle routes (15 minutes to downtown from the northside). You may use the car. Occasionally. Perhaps for a surf trip to the coast, or a ski trip to the mountains (both 60-100 minutes).

See The Rest Of The List

News: Teen Involved in Gang Rape of 11-Year-Old Girl Says Gay Taunts Pressured Him Into It

2012-01-24T18:51:00.003-07:00

01/23/2012

A Cleveland, Texas teen involved in the gang rape of an 11-year-old girl told authorities he was pressured into it because his peers were taunting him over his sexuality:

A Cleveland juvenile who is one of 20 people accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl admitted on Friday his role in the attack.

Authorities said the then-16-year-old defendant, whose name has been withheld, had felt "prodded" into the assault after being taunted that he was "gay."

Authorities also revealed in a Liberty County courtroom that some of those accused of assaulting the girl belonged to an adult gang called "Slut Them Bitches." The teen was not part of that gang.

The teen has been sentenced to seven years probation.

Posted 11:42 AM EST by Andy Towle in Crime, News, Texas | Permalink

The First Time

2012-01-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

via milkboys

The Big Picture: Homeless

2012-01-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

In 2008 Lee Jeffries, an amateur photographer and accountant by profession, began photographing homeless people. His portraits may be uncompromising, but they are also beautiful.

Via The Guardian

Lee Jeffries’s portraits may be uncompromising, but they are also beautiful. A woman with exquisite cheekbones; an elderly man who resembles a medieval sage. Tightly composed, with a short depth of field, they are intensely intimate. No detail is spared: runny noses, skin blotches and scraggy beards are the focus as the background melts away.

View The Rest (7 In Total)

What I Made Myself For Supper Tonight

2012-01-23T20:15:00.000-07:00

I'm loving having a kitchen I can stock on my own and can spend all the time I need to to make whatever I want, without having to worry about my mother walking in and deciding there was something she had to do at that moment, making it awkward, and drastically cutting down my window to use the kitchen. Tonight I made 'Mexican Taco Stew" from a recipe I found online. It was delicious!

Tomorrow night, wraps with the leftovers!

Here is the recipe. (note, I forgot to add the zucchini, chicken broth, and onions because I wasn't following the recipe as I was cooking, but it was still delicious none the less)

If This Doesn't Make You Smile, I Dont Know What Will.

2012-01-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

via @The90sLife

Stephen Lynch - If I Were Gay

2012-01-21T16:22:00.000-07:00

What Inspires You?

2012-01-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

10 Most Awe-Inspiring Projects of 2011

1. National Geographic's Up-Inspired Floating House

They actually did it! National Geographic Channel and a team of scientists, engineers, and two world-class balloon pilots successfully launched a 16' X 16' house 18' tall with 300 8' colored weather balloons from a private airfield east of Los Angeles, and set a new world record for the largest balloon cluster flight ever attempted.

What Were #2-10? Click Here To Find Out!

Close Encounters Of The Awkward Kind

2012-01-20T16:45:00.001-07:00

Look who I encountered at the transit station today. I was wearing my scarf across my face when I walked past her, and we were waiting for the same bus, so I waited mere meters from her for about 10 minutes. Either she didn't notice me, or chose to ignore me, but during the wait at the station, and even on the bus, she never acknowledged me, if she even recognized me, (though I don't blame her).

btw, it was Vash.

~AJ~

Post Secret Day 42

2012-01-20T16:30:00.000-07:00

Kinda Feel Like A Creeper... Well More Than Usual...

2012-01-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

If you've been following my blog for a while now, you'll be familiar with Tait Hughes Geijer. He's the only one that has been on my guy crush list continuously since I discovered him. Looking at him, and from what I was able to deduce from a couple foreign language articles, I assumed I was within at most a year of him in age, as I am with Johan (less than 11 months), but the other day I found this scan, and saved it to my computer. I finally got around to reading it last night, and realized that wasn't the case...

Quite Blurry, But It Reads "Born On 13th August 1993"

Which means there's more than 2 years between (29 months).

Which pegs him at 18 years old currently.

I'm not going to take him off my list by any means, but it came as kind of a shock...

~AJ~

oh, and *droooooooools*

lol

Post Secret Day 41

2012-01-19T19:30:00.000-07:00

Challenge Day / Be The Change

2012-01-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

I surprised myself this morning when I realized I had yet to post a single entry about Challenge Day, a program that has had a massive impact on my life. I have attended 3 challenge days total, 1 as a student, and 2 as an adult facilitator. I was also highly involved with the Be The Change club at my school, attending all the meetings, and designing and silk-screening team gear. This video gives a good cross section of what goes on at a Challenge Day:

Their website can be found here, and it contains all the resources and contacts needed to organize a Challenge Day at your school, so you can

you wish to see in the world...

PS: I hope you get Monique as a leader. She's one of my former teachers, and a really awesome person!

~AJ~

Post Secret Day 40

2012-01-18T21:36:00.000-07:00

Second Class Citizens

2012-01-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

Party Mode Me / Happy Birthday Ollie

2012-01-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

When I was in Red Deer a few weeks back around New Years, me and my friend Ollie went out partying on the 30th. We did a little bit of pre-gaming at his house while we got groomed up for a night on the town. We were running ahead of schedule, and the club we were planning to go to for the night wasn't open yet, so we decided to go to another one of our regular hang outs and have some drinks there.

I was tired from a long day of traveling (I was in Regina the night before), so the pre-gaming drinks were hitting me like a truck, and I was getting tired already, so I decided to stop in at a gas station and pick up an energy drink. I cracked it open, and drank it on our way to the first club of the night.

We each had a drink or two, and a number of shots as well. Once we had finished our drinks, we decided to leave as soon as we saw the shooter girl leave the bar with a fresh tray, cause we were finding her really annoying.

As planned, we bailed and headed down the street to the other club. I ordered a double Vodka Tonic cause doubles were on special. I nursed that for about an hour because each time I took a sip, It took some effort to keep it down. I eventually finished that, and convinced myself I was done drinking for the night.

That idea quickly went out the window, and all I remember for sure is a round or two of shots, a couple more highballs, and a Rev and a half.

One of the funnier things i do remember about that night was while I was sitting in one of the booths, there was a coat beside me that was the exact one I own, (my lime green ORAGE one), even the same size, so I had to remember if I had brought my jacket with me, then reminded myself all i brought was my sweater. When I got up to leave the booth, I almost took the jacket with me, and had to remind myself it wasn't mine.

I was drunk, and feeling pretty good, so i decided i was in the mood to dance I went up to the DJ booth and requested this song, one of my personal favorites.

We sat around for a bit at another booth visiting with some of Ollie's friends, and the song came on. I grabbed Ollie, and dragged him out onto the dance floor. I had requested this song, the DJ decided to play it, and i'd be dammed if the song was going to waste. The dance floor quickly cleared out (second time i've seen it do that), and it was down to Ollie, Me, and a handful of others. I didn't care. I danced.

Friday night I was sitting around with the guy who lives upstairs at my new place and his gf and her son, and I was playing DJ for them on youtube, and that (no heaven) was one of the songs I played for them. It was at that moment that I slowly realized that 99.9% of my dance moves when drunk are summed up in that video. That is how I dance. That is probably where I subconsciously learned my dance moves from.

I look forward to having more nights like that in the future, now that I know how.

lol

On that note, a massive Happy Birthday to my drinking buddy, Ollie, who turns the big 20 today!

Have a drink for me, big guy!

~AJ~

'Go into the arts...

2012-01-17T19:30:00.000-07:00

My Pet Peeve (Cyanide & Happiness)

2012-01-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

An Awesome Song For You To Rock Out To Tonight

2012-01-16T21:30:00.000-07:00

I know it's Monday, but who says you can't have a little fun?

99 problems, but a bitch ain't one....

(Hugo - 99 Problems)

News: Archie Comics’ Gay Marriage Issue Out Now

2012-01-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

by Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk
11 January 2012, 12:38pm

The first gay character in the Archie Comics world, Kevin Keller, marries his partner in the latest issue, released today.

In the storyline, in Life With Archie #16, Kevin returns to Riverside as an adult after serving in the Army and eventually ties the knot with Clay Walker.

Kevin first appeared in the Veronica series last autumn, with some critics expecting only a token character to be introduced to the 70-year-old series, which has sold 1.5 billion copies since its launch.

But that issue, 202, sold out, prompting Archie Comics to issue a reprint for the first time in its history.

Mr Goldwater added that people who might be offended by a gay storyline “aren’t the kind of people we want reading our comics anyway”.

Bob Bretall, co-host of the Comic Book Page Podcast, told CNN: “Sexuality is a trait that’s a facet of a character, but is not the single defining characteristic when the writer is doing a good job.

read on

Off To An Oilers Game Tonight

2012-01-15T15:33:00.001-07:00

This morning I decided to make an effort to wake up in time to attend Sunday Service at McDougall United Church here in Edmonton. (Yes, me of all people, went to church under my own free will). It's the church I went to back in June when I was in town on Pride Sunday. I fell in love with the people and the atmosphere of acceptance.

In the announcements before the service begin, it was mentioned that one of the staff had slipped on some ice last night, and was too sore to to to tonight's Edmonton Oilers game, which he had season tickets to. The minister said if anyone was interested in the ticket, to talk to him after the service to get the number. I made a reminder in my phone, and the service began.

Once the service wrapped up, I stopped to introduce myself to the minister, reminding him that I had talked to him on Pride Sunday. He remembered me, and asked how I had been. We caught up, then I asked him for the phone number. He still had it, so I made the call, and arranged to meet up at a LRT station to pick the ticket up. I went downstairs for cookies and juice and to visit, where I met quite a few people.

I hopped the LRT, and made the call telling him I was on my way.

We met up, and made the exchange.

I headed back downtown, and went to City Center to grab a bite to eat, then hopped the LRT home, where I am now.

The game is at 6pm, and the stadium is just down the street from my place, so I'm going to have a quick rest, then hop a bus down to the stadium, for my first Oilers game in more than 6 years, and only my 2nd hockey game in the same amount of time.

~AJ~

Growing Up In Dystopia

2012-01-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

Via Milkboys

More and more U.S. schools have police patrolling the corridors. Pupils are being arrested for throwing paper planes and failing to pick up crumbs from the canteen floor. Why is the state criminalising normal childhood behaviour? The following reads like the Onion’s darkest satire but is, in fact, the sad truth for many kids who have to grow up into what is, quite literally, a police state.

Each day, hundreds of schoolchildren appear before courts in Texas charged with offences such as swearing or misbehaving on the school bus.. Children have been arrested for possessing cigarettes, wearing "inappropriate" clothes and being late for school.

In 2010, the police gave close to 300,000 "Class C misdemeanour" tickets to children as young as six in Texas for offences in and out of school, which result in fines, community service and even prison time. What was once handled with a telling-off by the teacher or a call to parents can now result in arrest and a record that may cost a young person a place in college or a job years later. Read on…

My Writing / My Blog

2012-01-14T22:15:00.000-07:00

I've had this blog for a bit more than a year and a half now, and if you've been following it for a while, you'll know I don't hold anything back. I'm unfiltered. I post what I'm thinking at that particular moment, I post what I'm feeling. I was fake and holding it in for almost 18 years, and it got me nowhere. It held me back. It was slowly killing me.

Yes, my writing has gotten me in hot water a number of times, but I stand by everything I've ever wrote or posted, and refuse to apologize to anyone for anything.

As Dani said "What some people don't get, is some times writing can be brutally honest". Writing is my medium.

This blog has cost me 2 relationships, and almost cost me a job, but so what. There was a reason I posted whatever I did, and if they had a problem with it, they should have talked to me about it directly.

So if I have offended anyone in anyway, either call me on it, or pull up your big boy undies or big girl panties, and deal with it.

~AJ~

Video: Oh, the Places You'll Go At Burning Man 2011

2012-01-14T17:30:00.000-07:00

The First Day Of The Rest of My Life

2012-01-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

Edmonton Sunrise, January 13th 2012. Just arrived in Edmonton after a very fun and talkative car ride with my good friend Dani. We're a good pair, because we've got a similar skewed view on reality, and she isn't afraid to elaborate and explain most points. It's 9am. I'm running on an hour of sleep, and have a hangover and a stomach full of pizza from the going away party I had with my friends Jason and Jessica. The winds of change had blown, and this was no ordinary trip to Edmonton. This is moving day. The first day of the rest of my life. The back of Dani's SUV is loaded up with enough stuff to hopefully get me started on my new life in Edmonton.

She has appointments till noon, so I have some time to kill. I decide to try to get another hour or two of sleep. I sit there for about half an hour, and get hungry, so i wander into the hospital and grab a breakfast sandwich from Tim Hortons. I spend a bit of time checking out the hospital, then get tired, and decide to go back to the SUV and re-attempt sleep. I doze in and out of sleep for the next few hours, getting out to walk around every once and a while.

Her appointments wrap up, and it's off to my new place. I grab a load of stuff, and take it to my room. She brings the stuff to the step, and I bring it in. Everything gets brought in. We hug, and she goes on her way. The fun begins.

This is what the room looked like last week when I first saw it:

Not much to look at.

Once I had finished setting up, I had it transformed into this:

My space. My $300 a month nook. My stepping stone. My launching pad.

Just need to find a job now...

~AJ~

Post Secret Day 39

2012-01-11T09:30:00.000-07:00

Oh Sweden, How I Love You

2012-01-10T19:51:00.001-07:00

Not only do you know how to play hockey:

And you make really beautiful people:

But you now also officially recognize file-sharing as a religion:

File-Sharing Recognized as Official Religion in Sweden

Since 2010 a group of self-confessed pirates have tried to get their beliefs recognized as an official religion in Sweden. After their request was denied several times, the Church of Kopimism – which holds CTRL+C and CTRL+V as sacred symbols – is now approved by the authorities as an official religion. The Church hopes that its official status will remove the legal stigma that surrounds file-sharing.

All around the world file-sharers are being chased by anti-piracy outfits and the authorities, and the situation in Sweden is no different. While copyright holders are often quick to label file-sharers as pirates, there is a large group of people who actually consider copying to be a sacred act.

read on

mmmm...Johan....

Dear Customer Who Stuck Up For His Little Brother

2012-01-10T10:12:00.002-07:00

Via Huff Post

You thought I didn't really notice. But I did. I wanted to high-five you.

Yesterday I had a pair of brothers in my store. One was maybe between 15 and 17. He was a wrestler at the local high school. Kind of tall, stocky and handsome. He had a younger brother, who was maybe about 10 to 12 years old. The only way to describe him was scrawny, neat, and very clean for a boy his age. They were talking about finding a game for the younger one, and he was absolutely insisting it be one with a female character. I don't know how many of y'all play games, but that isn't exactly easy. Eventually, I helped the brothers pick a game called "Mirror's Edge." The youngest was pretty excited about the game, and then he specifically asked me, "Do you have any girl color controllers?" I directed him to the only colored controllers we have, which include pink and purple ones. He grabbed the purple one, and informed me purple was his FAVORITE.

The boys had been taking awhile, so their father eventually came in. He saw the game, and the controller, and started in on the youngest about how he needs to pick something different. Something more manly. Something with guns and fighting, and certainly not a purple controller. He tried to convince him to get the new Zombie game "Dead Island" and the little boy just stood there repeating, "Dad, this is what I want, OK?" Eventually it turned into a full-blown argument complete with Dad threatening to whoop his son if he didn't choose different items.

That's when big brother stepped in. He said to his dad, "It's my money, it's my gift to him. If it's what he wants, I'm getting it for him, and if you're going to hit anyone for it, it's going to be me." Dad just gave his oldest son a strong stern stare-down, and then left the store. Little brother was crying quietly. I walked over and ruffled his hair (yes, this happened all in front of me). I said, "I'm a girl, and I like the color blue, and I like shooting games. There's nothing wrong with what you like. Even if it's different than what people think you should." I smiled, he smiled back (my heart melted!). Big brother then leaned down, kissed little brother on the head, and said, "Don't worry, dude."

They checked out and left, and all I can think is how awesome big brother is, how sweet little brother is, and how Dad ought to be ashamed for trying to make his son any other way.

This piece was originally published on Kristen's blog, www.sweetupndown.tumblr.com.

Post Secret Day 38

2012-01-09T19:59:00.000-07:00

Back In Lloyd... For Now

2012-01-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

So I arrived back in Lloyd last night with a lot of things figured out. I managed to get a place lined un Friday night, and made it down to put the dd and the first months rent down. The key is now on my keychain.

I also have a potential job lined up, security at Rexall Place. I got a call back from them friday night, but it was before I had the place lined up, so I didn't want to commit to starting a job on a certain date and then end up not having a place to live by that date. I'm going to give them a call back on Monday and get the ball rolling.

A good friend of mine has a doctors appointment on Jan. 13th (upcoming friday), so I will be moving for good then. This week is about packing, re packing, selling, and tossing.

I'll keep you updated as time allows.

~AJ~

Jib Jab - 2011 Buh Bye

2012-01-03T17:25:00.002-07:00

Post Secret Day 37

2012-01-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

Post Secret Day 36

2012-01-02T12:50:00.000-07:00

Happy (Belated) New Years!

2012-01-02T10:04:00.003-07:00

So after a bus ride from Grenfell to Red Deer that was 'interesting' to say the least, I finally made it to Red Deer at 8pm friday night. With a quick shave and shower, we were back out the door to Lotus for one of the drunkest, and funnest, nights of my life. New Years was pretty low-key, consisting of a few coolers, some weed, and a stack of movies.

How is 2012 going so far for you?

Me With A Chainsaw... Run For Your Lives!

2011-12-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

So I decided to stick around in Grenfell a few extra days with family. I was supposed to be on the bus right now. I'm having way too much fun, and it's been so long since I was down here last (2003) that I don't feel like leaving yet. There's still some things I want to do before I leave, like challenge my grandpa to a round of pool on the pool table in his basement, and maybe go for coffee with him, and check out downtown Grenfell. I've been spending quite a bit of time out at my aunt and uncle's place, and today we loaded onto the ski-doo sleigh and ventured out into the brush for a wiener roast. We had to get some firewood first, so I got to have a go at the chainsaw with a lesson from my uncle. Here are some pics.

The Wiener Roast

Yesterday I got a lesson in shoveling snow from my grandpa.

Sorry Red Deer, family comes first. This is the first time in years I've been surrounded by this many family members, and the love is astounding. As long as I'm there by New Years Eve, then I'll be happy.

~AJ~

News: 'Tis The Season To Steal

2011-12-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

Dino Grandoni Dec 23, 2011

Hope you have a Merry Christmas, America, because you've been extremely naughty at the mall this year. After surveying retailers in the U.S., the Global Retail Theft Barometer says that shoppers pinched $1.8 billion worth of merchandise during the four weeks leading up to Christmas, reports the AP. $1.8 billion! For context, $1.8 billion is a 6 percent increase from 2010 -- a total of approximately 62 million Tickle Me Elmos at retail. And this is a year when there aren't even any good toys to buy. When stores are offering big markdowns because people aren't spending as much. But that's exactly the point: while there will always be some built-in kleptomania to society, the sour economy drives some people to buy less and steal more. Or at least gives them a good excuse for doing so.

What I Got From My Granny :-)

2011-12-27T10:40:00.001-07:00

She makes one for each of her grandchildren, and I was the last one she had to make, and she had it for me under the tree. She makes them completely by hand, every little detail. I have been looking forward to getting one for years. I now have a connection to my grandmother, made with love :-).

What did you get for Christmas?

A Cyanide & Happiness Christmas

2011-12-25T10:53:00.001-07:00

Merry F**king Christmas

2011-12-25T00:30:00.000-07:00

Today Is Christmas, and I hope everyone is having a wonderful time with family and / or friends. I sure am. Well I gotta get to sleep. It's 1:30 am here and I gotta be up in a few hours to open presents...

~AJ~

It's Christmas Eve... Santa Clause Comes Tonight

2011-12-24T22:00:00.001-07:00

The jolly fat man cometh tonight, bringing gifts for you and yours. What Christmas traditions do you / your family have? Do you go to Christmas eve mass? do you open one present, or even all presents, before bed? do you leave milk and cookies for Santa?

I am in Grenfell, Sk, celebrating Christmas with my dads side of the family. Haven't been here for christmas since 2003, and haven't been here period since 2006. Feels good to be back.

From my family to yours, have a Wonderfully Merry Christmas!

2011 In Lego

2011-12-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

July 2011: Rupert Murdoch's wife Wendi Deng blocks him from getting cream-pied during a hearing of a government select committee hearing on phone hacking

SEE ALL

Trans Siberian Orchestra - Wizards In Winter

2011-12-24T09:30:00.000-07:00

Post Secret Day 35

2011-12-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

Post Secret Day 34

2011-12-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You

2011-12-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

Post Secret Day 33

2011-12-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Alabama - Thistlehair The Christmas Bear

2011-12-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

Post Secret Day 32

2011-12-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

2011 In Review Video

2011-12-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update about my 2011 in review video... I won't be able to finish and upload it till mid to late January, as all the files and the programs are on my laptop, which I am packing up and storing in my friends basement right after I post this, and I will be bringing my netbook with me in my travels.

FYI: It's at eight and a half minutes long, and i'm still in Vancouver on my Burning Man Trip :-O

Another FYI: Less than 36 hours till Grenfell!!!!

Collin Raye - It Could Happen Again

2011-12-21T20:30:00.000-07:00

Post Secret Day 31

2011-12-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

Serena Ryder - Calling

2011-12-20T23:00:00.000-07:00

NEWS: British Facebook Users Are Intoxicated in 76% of Their Photos [STUDY]

2011-12-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

3 days ago by Brian Anthony Hernandez

via mashable

The average British person is under the influence of alcohol in three-quarters of of his or her tagged Facebook photos, according to a new study.

Researchers asked British people to reveal how many Facebook pictures showed themselves drinking alcohol or were taken after consuming alcohol. They estimate 76% of their photographs had some connection with alcohol.

“We’re all guilty of going out and having a good time, but nowadays the photos inevitably catch up with us online, so we wanted to look at how much these photos dominate our presence on social media sites,” says Rebecca Huggler, co-founder of MyMemory, which conducted the study.

Researchers also looked at privacy settings. Only 12% of the 1,781 Facebook users who were polled don’t allow anyone to see their photos, while 58% let friends view their pics. A substantial 26% gave access to anyone.

More than half (56%) admit they had “drunk photos” they wouldn’t want co-workers to see and 8% say their photos might cause “serious trouble at work.”

Ninety-three percent of respondents have untagged photos deemed “too embarrassing.”

Huggler notes many of the photographs with alcohol were taken during special occasions or get-togethers with friends or family. She predicts the holiday season will fuel more photo activity that involves alcohol.

What percentage of your Facebook photos would you estimate feature alcohol or drinking? Are you concerned about who may see them?