Catching up a little

Howdy Everyone! Yes, yes, it's been ages since I posted anything on my blog. My biggest apologies to all of my faithful readers. I owe you big time. So What was the deal? Well, things have been crazy for me. I started school almost 5 weeks ago, and then on top of that Jody and I have started this intense work out program. Add that in with my commitments at work (a whole other long complicated story), and my commitments to my little boy and wife; my schedule is pretty crammed.

So let me catch you up on things. Yes I have begun school again, this time to finish. I am enrolled in DeVry, and though it's tough, its quite enjoyable.

Work has been pretty crazy. Our company has done a lot of restructuring as we prepare for the future. Its all pretty long and complicated to explain, but needless to say, things are exciting, and we are moving in a great direction that is really going to take us to new heights. However, with something this good, it takes a lot of work, so I've been running myself ragged trying to get things done. I'll keep you all posted.

other than all of that, let's get to some great sports stuff. As you all know, I am a MASSIVE Calgary Flames fan. One of the greatest Flames of all time was Theo Fleury, known as the fly. his story is truly amazing. At 5'6 he's been told his whole life that he's too small to compete in the NHL. Well, he proved the critics wrong, won a Stanley Cup in his rookie year, and went on to have a stellar career (mostly with the flames), worthy of consideration for a spot in the Hall of Fame. However it wasn't all roses. Becoming a huge star in the NHL had its problems. The Fly had a serious alcohol addiction. After he was traded from the Flames, he began a downward spiral of self destruction that ended up in his dismissal from the NHL and suspended indefinitely for violating the league's substance abuse program. Fleury then disappeared off the radar for 6 years. Every now and then you would hear of him popping up at some low level minor league, but nothing major. He had a small concrete business in Calgary, until February this year. During the last 4 years he's been sober, and rehabbed. In February he contacted some trainers and charged them with the task of getting him ready to return to the NHL. This year he announced his intention to try and make a comeback. To shorten the story, he was reinstated by the league, and in a classy move, the Flames signed him to try out for the team. Fleury played in 4 preseason games, scoring a game winner, another goal, and having 3 assists. The crowds were electric, and you could tell Fleury was in heaven. This was what he spent so much time working towards. So this weekend Fleury was cut from the roster. Yesterday he announced his retirement from the sport, as a Calgary Flame. He said he had accomplished everything he set out to, and that he left it all out on the ice. I believe that all he wanted to do was prove he could still play, and retire the right way, as a winner, not an alcoholic disgrace. I think from here, the Flames will retire his number, and I feel he should be considered for the Hall of Fame. It really is an amazing story folks. its inspiring for sure. Way to go Fleury!

Ok, I need to get going, but before I do, let me ask a favor of you all. My wonderfully talented wife is in CMT's Karaoke Star again this year. She listed as a cyber star, and if she gets enough votes, she'll get into the final again. So we need all the support we can get. I believe there are only a couple weeks of voting left. You can vote as many times as you want. Simply click on the link at the end of this post, go the the last page of entries, and she'll be the last video there. Click on the vote icon for her video. If you want to hear her sing, click on her picture. Please vote as many times as possible, there is no limit on how many times you can vote. Thanks everyone, I know she'll appreciate the support. Here's the Link http://www.cmt.ca/kstar/CyberStarVote.aspx

What's on my ipod this week.....

Well for anyone who knows me, you knew this was coming. Yes folks, it's time to give credit where credit is due. On my iPod this week is my all time favorite band... COLDPLAY.

One of the largest thrills of my life was last year when i got to go and see them live in Toronto. It was right after the release of Viva La Vida, their 4th full studio album. It was by far the best concert experience I've had yet. The only thing, the ONLY thing, that could have been better was if they played my favorite song of theirs, Amsterdam.

Coldplay has had my attention since their first album Parachutes. Every single song on that album is great. That's rare, to find an album where you don't skip through a single song. After that came Rush of Blood to the Head (album art displayed), which in my opinion is their greatest album yet. This is where Amsterdam can be found, its the last track, and if you listen to the whole album, its very fitting. Next came X&Y, which was commercially a bit of a step back for them. While it had some very good songs on it, i believe they've done better. Finally, their most recent album, Viva LaVida, along with B sides on Prospekt's March, was released. It is a very solid album, and i enjoy it quite a bit, however, I'm waiting for that magic from the first two to reappear. If any of you want some other good songs of theirs, not found on their studio albums, look up, Bigger Stronger, See You Soon, and Easy to Please. These are from the Blue Room EP which is very rare. They also had another EP called Brothers and Sisters.

Why do I love Coldplay? They are an incredibly talented band that can appeal to anyone. Their music is unique and has a way of calming and relaxing you. It can be a little melancholy, but not depressing at the same time. In fact, it actually makes great lullaby. Colton has a Coldplay album put into lullabies, from Rock-a-bye baby. He loves it, and listens to it at night when he goes to sleep. Anyhow, they have very powerful lyrics, and in a song like Amsterdam; you'll see how much those lyrics impact the song. I also like how they are a legitimate good guys type band. You don't hear about them going into rehab (they actually have made a pact with each other to abstain from drugs and heavy drinking), they do a good job of staying away from the tabloids, they have a social conscience without being obnoxious (Bono, are you listening!), and they seem to be genuine. On top of it all, they are great performers, who know how to put on a show! So go out folks, and crank up the Coldplay, I promise, you'll find their songs getting stuck in your head. Cheers.

What's on my ipod this week.....

Alrighty folks, it's the moment I know you've waited all week for. What's on my iPod this week features a band whose greatness was cut all to short by their lead singers desire to go solo. I'm talking about I Mother Earth! Yes I Mother earth was one of my favorite bands growing up in the 90's. They had a great energetic sound, with a lot of warm thick tones throughout the music, coupled with hard hitting drum beats. Their Lead singer, Edwin; was very talented, as is evidenced by his first solo record that reached into the top 10 when released. I think my favorite part of I.M.E. though, was their guitar. Their guitarist, Jagori Tanna (stage name); was brilliant, with the way he could play. In my wildest dreams I don't think I could play that smooth. I.M.E. went on to have wild success in in the early and Mid 90's, but that's when tensions rose and Edwin departed the band, after that they were never really the same, and I quit listening, as apparently did the rest of Canada.

Anyhow, for any of you interested, go listen to I Mother Earth today, and enjoy some sweet rock. I highly recommend, the songs Raspberry (all time favorite), One more Astronaut, Another Sunday, Used to be All Right. Enjoy.