December 11th

Hello All,

This is kind of my introduction to blogging so I'm pretty much gonna keep it simple (and short since i'm at work). It's kind of weir cuz blogging is kind of like an online diary in which people can read your deepest thoughts and such. Actually i'm not really that deep I think, I just think I have a firm understanding of who I am and what I like.

Vancouver, BC. Actually North Vancouver, I live in the most beautiful city in the world (how many people can say that without actually being snobbish?). Anyways there isn't another place I would rather live by choice than here. The beach is a 5 minute drive away, while skiing is 15 minutes away, and unlike the rest of Canada it really doesn't get too cold here.

I have 3 brothers that are all younger but all cool in their different ways. Actually my youngest bro Andrew celebrates his 18th birthday today (I'm in a few days). The other two are Micah 22 and Stephen 25 (I'm not gonna tell you how old I am.....needless to say i'm still under 30). Stephen is mentally and physically handicapped which has given me an interesting perspective on the disabled. For instance, it seems to me that so many people are trying to be PC and not use potentially offensive words like retarded......ie phrases like "That's so retarded" or something else. Don't call people retarded especially those that are, but I don't think Steve particularly cares either ways. Oh yeah and if you've never had the chance to talk to a mentally disabled person, do it. Just because they may not to be up to the intellectual capabilities that we are doesn't mean that they aren't creative, bright, and wise individuals. It just takes them a lot longer to process information.

I'm an avid fan of hip hop rap, whatever you want to call it. I'm not one to lament about the state of hip hop or nothing like that, but I do not particularly like much of what is seen on MTV, Muchmusic, or whatever else there is. That is not Hip Hop, that is Pop with Hip Hop elements. If you draw that distinction then you'll be fine. Still stuff like Outkast, the Roots, Kanye West hold it down pretty well. Of course you find the music that suits you and although I don't even consider myself much of a backpacker (a backpacker is someone that basically hates on the mainstream regardless of the reasons) I do tend to find more of my music in there. When you think that for every group you see on TV, there are like 50 artists putting out quality music in the underground you can understand the diversity that it really has.

For Instance this is what I've been into lately
Thes One, Puts, Sharlok Poems, Dert, Dragonfli Empire. and a bunch of others. It's kind of funny with the mainstream publications that people presume to dictate to me and others what is good. Sorry but i'll find out for myself thank you. Tell me about it but don't presume to know good music....art is art.....who is to judge.

Anyways that's all for now. Peace