So... this is a blog, huh?

Somehow I thought it would be a little more... I dunno, involved? Who knew how easy it would be to just spew out some random thoughts into the great unwashed masses of cyberspace? Oh great, that's a great way to start, call your readership "unwashed." Wait, readership? Who in the world is ever going to read this?!? Hmmm... I guess there are a few things I haven't worked out yet.

So, I suppose I should start by telling you all a little about me. (Again, though, 'you all'? Who is reading this???) Well, I'm 23, living in an area known as Grovedale, which is actually a small hamlet outside the city of Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. It's kind of odd that I tell everyone I live in Grovedale, mostly because Grovedale is merely a school, a general store, a hockey arena, and a community hall. I actually live a good fifteen or so kilometers from Grovedale proper. I currently live with my parents, lately only during the summer months. September to April, I'm usually living in Edmonton, attending the University of Alberta. Although, seeing as I only have six weeks of school and a practicum left before I get my Education degree, I'll only be in Edmonton until about mid-October this time around. After I'm done my practicum in December, I have absolutely no idea what I am going to do with my life. One thing is fairly certain: I don't think I was meant to teach high school. Don't get me wrong, I completely intend to finish my degree, it's just that my yearn to teach social studies and english has waned somewhat over the last couple of years... In any case, I don't have to make any firm decisions on that front just yet.

Well, lemme see... I'm an avid skier, I used to be an avid golfer and am just now getting back into it, I love reading, listening to music, and building scale models. Yeah, I know, yawn, right? Well, I enjoy it, and I'm making no apologies for it!

One thing I want to do with this blog is list book recommedations, movie reviews, links that I frequent, and favorite music. So, without further ado, here are today's:


Books

Just finished: Village of the Small Houses by Ian Ferguson. This book tells the story of a young man growing up in the small town of Fort Vermillion in northern Alberta. A very excellent story that really puts you smack dab in the middle of the lives of the people chronicled in its pages. The story is brought close to home to me by the fact that my father was living for a summer in Fort Vermillion during the period in which this story takes place. Village of the Small Houses is touted on the front cover as being a "memoir of sorts." Ian Ferguson grew up in the community, and while most of the book is a direct telling of his experiences, some of it has been fictionalized. Of interest to note is the fact that during the period chronicled in the book, Fort Vermillion was the third-poorest community in Canada. At the time the book was written, things had improved. Fort Vermillion had become merely the fifth-poorest community in the nation.

Just started: The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century by Thomas Friedman. This books promises to talk about history, geo-politics, and the forces of globalization at play in the world at the dawn of the twenty-first century. I don't know much about Thomas Friedman or his politics, so I'm interested to see what he has to say. I'll keep you all posted!


Movies

Last movie watched: The Pink Panther (2006) I watched this film for the second time the other day on DVD, and I have to say, I was suitably impressed. Although no-one can replace Peter Sellers as Inspector Clousseau, I have to say that Steve Martin did a very stand up job. The best part of his performance was the fact that he didn't try to impersonate Peter Seller's Clousseau, but created his own take on the famous French inspector. Not exactly a sparkling jewel in the crown of Hollywood achievement, but certainly watchable.

Movies I'm looking forward to seeing: An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore's dire warning on the dangers of global warming, and of course! Superman Returns, director Bryan Singer's take on the Man of Steel. Not sure when I'm going to be able to see Superman, but I'll be going to see An Inconvenient Truth tomorrow night with my friend Chris. (Or is it tonight? Wow, after midnight already!)


Music

Well, as far as music goes, I'm mostly into oldies. I'm currently compiling a CD collection of the top 1000 rock songs of all time, from a list put together annually by the local radio station in Grande Prairie, 97.7 Sun FM. Right now, my favorite songs to listen to in the car are "The Load-out" and "Stay" by Jackson Browne, and an all-time favorite of mine, "Heart of Gold" by Neil Young.


Link of the Day

sarah. on the run. Fans of the G4/Tech TV program "Attack of the Show" will know Sarah Lane from her time on the program, and her previous work with other G4/Tech TV programs. An intelligent, beautiful, and sassy woman, she has captured the hearts of many viewers. So much so that her departure from Tech TV was a very sad event, and she is missed dearly. However, she has just recently gotten married, and she is experiencing a year-long honeymoon with her husband, Brendan Moran, travelling all around the world. She is updating her blog with beautiful prose and photographs every so often. However, the real treat is her and Brendan's podcast, "The Travelling Morans." If you are a fan of Sarah or Brendan, check it out! If you're not, check it out anyway! You will love the adventures (and mis-adventures) these two experience as they make their way around the world. Stops include Greece, Turkey, Russia, Vietnam, and many others.