Blog?!?

Ninety-nine per cent of blogs out there fall under either one of two categories: shitty or just readable. The remaining one per cent falls under the "G n' R Appetite days" category - meaning they either set the bar for awesomeness or maintain general excellence. It's hard to find them, especially with so many other blog shmucks spewing crap into the internet about why they had a tough time at the grocery store trying to decide whether to buy yellow peppers or red peppers.

So I figured I'd take the time to highlight some of my current faves. I've done it before, but it was mostly shout-outs to my buds (most of whom have long since abandoned their little digital soapboxes). As for this particular blog, I'd say it's a little past its "Appetite" prime and well into the "G n' R Lies" phase, meaning there are a few morsels to hold you over before I launch into the epic underappreciated brilliance of the "Illusions" era. If you have no idea what the hell I'm talking about here...hmm, well?

First off is Medication. It's the best music blog out there; the brainchild of the good ol' Buddyhead dudes. These guys were just a couple of music fans who got fed up with the state of popular music in the late 1990s and started their own electronic cultural revolution of sorts. Uncompromising and both juvenile and intelligent all the way, Buddyead broke new music industry ground and became a pop culture lightning rod. The thing that's different about the Medication blog is that you can download samples of their favourite tunes right off it. Cha-ching!

May favourite blog of the moment - given the time of year - is Kissing Suzy Kolber. It hasn't been around for too long, but this is the kind of outlook on NFL football that I want: strictly from a fan. I'm sick of seeing and reading former pros blab on endlessly about their glory days and how that's somehow relevant to whatever game I'm watching. And the soulless talking heads who have to supervise these morons aren't any more enjoyable. KSK is fresh and pretty freakin' hilarious.

(By the way, speaking of the Super Bowl, when you're right, you're right - just click on the September 2006 archive on the left. Not that I'm gloating or anything. Heheh)

Many of us have friends working abroad in all kinds of capacities. Out of convenience or just sheer laziness they direct us to their "travel blog" while gallavanting across the globe. Which, like most other narcissistic e-shitpiles, revert back to useless details about how much cheaper beer is in X country or how crazy it is that it's summer there, when it's winter back home. But for people who actually put effort into their road blogs, the results can be really enjoyable and may even spark a bit of jealousy, given the enthralling experiences explained within (especially if you're stuck in midst of the Manitoba winter, but I digress). The perfect example is my good buddy Erik's current adventures in Laos. Amazing pictures and accompanying narratives.

But sometimes you don't feel like reading and just wanna check out some gnarly pics (but you can read the captions too, which often take the image just that one extra step further). As for photoblogs, there are just as many (because taking pictures is easier than writing har har har!), but the same rules apply. It's hard to find the good ones. One of the greats belongs to a guy named Sam Javanrouh. The main reason I dig is because the unseen corners of Toronto are his primary subject matter. You'll never honestly look at Toronto the same way after seeing some of his shots. But he captures many other beautiful moments around the world which he shares as well. And to give a shout out - check out my good friend Jess' work. She makes a good deal of her bread shooting weddings, but she shoots and blogs her adventures as well, which make for visually spectacular stories. Plus, you'll notice a new pic of yours truly on the "about" page, courtesy of her.

So that's it for now. Maybe I'll add to this post later once more come to mind. Hope you enjoy some of the ones I've listed. Please recommend more in the "comments" section if you get a chance.

GO COLTS!

EDITED TO ADD:

Wow...I was looking into some other blogs after I wrote this, and followed a link to the 2007 Weblog Awards site. Talk about a gold mine. Dozens of primo blogs in all kinds of categories. Especially hilarious is Overheard in New York.

In the year Two Thousand and Seven

My predictions and personal goals:

I will learn "Eruption" on the accordion. Then Weird Al will hire me for some studio sessions.

As the 15-year cycle is complete, the "grunge" look will finally make a comeback. Time to bust out the flannel shirt and start ripping holes in the knees of your jeans.

By June, I will be able to bench press a Toyota Prius.

Mattel and Birdhouse will collaborate to finally release the hoverboard. Michael J. Fox will be pissed.

I will get 3 new tattoos: a hot dog in a cage match with a dancing milk carton; a purple dolphin; and the Chinese symbol for "futility".

In Spring, the Harper minority government will fall. A young, brash, hairy political stalwart from central Ontario named "Logan" will emerge and capture the hearts of Canadians from coast to coast. He will sweep the House of Commons as leader of the No Pants Party.

Through revolutionary investigative journalism tactics, I will expose holes in Prime Minister Logan's campaign promises (namely the definition of "pants"). Lewd photos of him and Sasquatch emerge, forcing him to resign in shame and call a December election.

Global will cancel its hit Manitoba-based drama Falcon Beach in favour of new, innovative programming: Rice Beach, a weekend-long telethon of the exploits of a handful of merry chaps and lasses on a Georgian Bay Beach.

The poker craze will finally fade to pave way for the World Parcheesi Tour.

Sometime this year I will use the word "the" in a story.

I will once again make posts of real substance.

GAME ON!

Happy New Year

2006 left us with quite the souvenir. At least a foot of snow piled up over the weekend, making getting around NYE pretty difficult. But it didn't impede the good times! As we continue to dig out of this mess, I wish you and yours a happy and healthy 2007.

Peace and Love,
Waub