Self-Portrait Story Project

I thought I'd share some of my recent self-portrait story projects with my readers. The photos, their composition as well as their editing have all been conducted by myself.

All of the lyrical content is written by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree.

"Boy Inside the Man"

Written by Mr. Tom Cochrane.

A song I have long since loved:

So long so long so long he's been away
So long so long so long he's back again

When I turned seventeen
We had passion, we had dreams
Thought the love we were fighting for
Was something holy, something more

When I turned twenty-one
we were outside on the run
When I walked out with my girl
We went halfway around the world
CHORUS
I dreamed I saw her standing there
Running for the boy inside the man
I was hit hard by the light so bright it burned
All at once I knew she'd understand
Boy inside the man
The boy inside the man
When I turned twenty-five
We were hungry, we had drive
When I turned much older then
When the boy was lost in pride

Now I just turned thirty-one
I have lost and I have won
Still I've kept my dreams alive
'Cause the boy will never die
CHORUS
Ah do you understand
CHORUS

The boy inside the man
The boy inside the man
So long so long so long
You been away
So long so long so long
You're back again

Sister cool this face
As if it's carved in stone
Don't leave me in this place
Like a boy without a home (repeat)
Boy inside the man

Got Me Rush Tickets!

They aren't front row of course...

In the stands.... But woohoo!!!

Pre-Sale Tickets!

Tomorrow the Pre-Sale tickets for Rush's May 29th concert here in Vancouver, go on sale!!

Hoping for the best. Will report back.

"Lazarus" by Porcupine Tree (Live)

An absolutely beautiful song. Do enjoy.

Blew An Artery!

OMG...

I'm meeting a girl that I've been talking to online for a couple days at Oakridge mall here in Vancouver tomorrow morning at 11:00am

AND

Rush announced their 2008 leg of the "Snakes & Arrows" tour, and they're coming to Vancouver on the 29th of May!!

AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Excitement! %* %^#R

MOOD: HAPPINESS!

Weekend Video's (#42)

Barenaked Ladies - "The Old Apartment" (1996)



Dire Straits - "Calling Elvis" (live '91)



Peter Gabriel - "Digging in the Dirt" (live in '03)

Weekend Video's (#41)

Rush - "One Little Victory" (live in '03)



Loreena McKennitt - "Dante's Prayer" (live in '07)



Porcupine Tree - "Halo (live in 2007)

Guitar Legends - All Rush

For any Rush fan, this magazine is pure pornography. True, there isn't a whole lot in the magazine that I didn't already know (although even this Rush loony learned a few new things!), but it's the pictures and classic interviews make it a necessary item.

Christmas Morning

It's Christmas morning ya'll, and "Far Cry" by Rush is a playin'.

Merry Christmas folks.

Christmas Eve

Wow. It truly is unbelievable that as I write this message, it is Christmas Eve. Seems like it kind of snuck up out of no where, if you know what I mean.

And you know what? This is the first Christmas Eve in the last seven years that I've actually enjoyed. And ironically, it also happens to be the first one that doesn't feel like Christmas Eve.

As I mentioned some time ago, I have had a string of awful Christmas' over the last several years. And when I say "awful", I truly mean it.

This year is a little different though. I'm feeling fantastic because the today has played out in a manor in which I wanted it to play out, for a change. And I must mention that even despite the horrible cold (throat, nose and head) which I've been fending off for the last three days, my Christmas hasn't been ruined even the least bit.

Woke up at 4:30am, ate and then surfed the net for a few hours. And after I saw that I had a new double-match on HotorNot.com, felt totally confident and happy. Really look forwarding to talk with her.

After that, I spent the entire day with my father around various locations in Vancouver; a few of which included Granville Island, exotic car dealers and Jericho Beach. So, suffice to say, I got lots of exercise today and am feeling completely refreshed.

And for the last couple of hours, I've not only been surfing the net, but rocking out to as much music as I bloody want. And because my house-neighbours went away for Christmas this past Saturday, I get to listen to it at any volume I desire. I've been listening to Rush and Porcupine Tree non-effing-stop. In fact, I'm listening to Rush's 1989 album, "Presto" at the moment...

Essentially what I'm trying to say is that I think what most people fail to recognize, is that Christmas is something different for everyone. While some people's idea of great Christmas consists of a big party, a thousand family members, turkey and a ton of presents, my idea of a great Christmas is a great deal simpler. Hell, I didn't even set up a tree. In fact, my house looks identical to how it did 6 months ago. No decorations, no nothing. And I wouldn't have it any other way. For me, Christmas is best enjoyed with few family members (my dad specifically), food (other than Turkey - perhaps Pizza), loud music and next to nothing when it comes presents. Truth be told, I hardly got any presents for Christmas this year, but couldn't care. I've got my dad, and I've got my music.

And you know what I'm going to do first thing tomorrow morning? I'm going to listen to Rush's "Snakes & Arrows"... And I'm going to enjoy every minute of it. Now this is what I call a great Christmas.

Oh, and here's something that makes me that little bit happier.

Weekend Video's (#40)

Rush - The Big Money (1985)
Uploaded by -J-rom-

Katie melua - spider's web - Sopot-4
Uploaded by kiligolo

Porcupine Tree - Way Out Of Here
Uploaded by Northia777

Songs & Albums of the Moment

My ten most listened to songs over the week (alphabetically ordered by band name):

* Porcupine Tree - "The Start of Something Beautiful"
* Porcupine Tree - "Open Car"
* Porcupine Tree - "Mellotron Scratch"
* Rush - "Distant Early Warning"
* Rush - "Mission"
* Rush - "Prime Mover"
* Rush - "Double Agent"
* Rush - "Nobody's Hero"
* Tom Cochrane - "Paper Tigers"
* Tom Cochrane - "Will of the Gun"

My five most listened albums over the week (alphabetically ordered by band name):

* Porcupine Tree - "Deadwing" (2005)
* Rush - "Counterparts" (1993)
* Rush - "A Show of Hands" (1988)
* Rush - "Hold Your Fire" (1987)
* Tom Cochrane - "Ragged Ass Road" (1995)

Weekend Video's (#39)

Rose Rossi - "Fade" (2007)



Heart - "Barracuda" (1977)



Porcupine Tree - "Lazarus" (2005)

Weekend Video's (#38)

Rush - "Malignant Narcissism" (2007)



Jethro Tull - "Songs From The Wood" (live in '77)



Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - "I Won't Back Down" (1989)

Weekend Video's (#37)

Avril Lavigne - "Nobody's Home" (live in '04)



Tragically Hip - "Ahead By A Century" (1996)



Porcupine Tree - "Piano Lessons" (1999)

Weekend Video's #36

U2 - "Sunday Bloody Sunday" (live in '83)

U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday
Uploaded by parlantichris

Porcupine Tree - "Strip the Soul" (2002)

PORCUPINE TREE - Strip the Soul
Uploaded by haggard

Bryan Adams - "Run to You" (1984)

Bryan Adams - Run To You
Uploaded by hakim93200

Love 'Em!

Man, Porcupine Tree is unquestionably the best band I've heard since discovering Rush. I just cannot believe that it took me so long to find 'em.

Steve Wilson - the leader singer and song writer - is an absolute genuis.

And they sure as hell put on a great live show:

The Sound of Muzak
Uploaded by touffu

porcupine tree" blackest eyes--live"
Uploaded by miklo

*shock* I think I love them as much as Rush... *Shock*

Yaaa!!! It's Mine!

As I said yesterday, I was going to set out to purchase my first Porcupine Tree album this Saturday.

And here it is - on top of my MVI-version of Rush's "Snakes & Arrows":

Though finding a copy of the album didn't come without it's fair share of problems. I had to go to three stores to find the bloody thing; a "FutureShop", a "Best Buy" and eventually, an "HMV". The first two once had them in stock, but had no PT albums left in the stock. Thankfully, the HMV that I visited some 2 hours ago had just one copy left. Yup, just one.

It's rockin'!

EDIT: I forgot to mention that when I bought the album, the girl at the cash register undoubtedly liked me. Her nervous reactions and deep stare into my eyes were a clear give away. It was actually quite uncomfortable for the two of us... Good looking girl though!

Weekend Music Video's #35

Porcupine Tree - "Fear Of A Blank Planet" (2007)



Blue Rodeo - "Trust Yourself" (1990)



Dream Theater - "I walk Beside You" (live in '06)