I Lived on the Moon

My tall friend Jesse showed me this video, and it is one of the best videos I have seen. This is how I think music videos should be; they should tell imaginative, personal stories that complement the music, rather than simply showcase the band playing their instruments.

At 1:54 I always get goosebumps. I love when music does that to me.

Jam Sessions

In my last post, I stated that Rock Band was the awesomest game of E3 this year. I may indeed have been mistaken.
A little game I had picked up on over a year ago, and had all but forgotten, resurfaced at this year's E3.
You do me a favour. Watch the video, look me in the eye, and tell me that is not the best thing to happen to handheld video games since dual screens.
Of course, you say, I could always just play the real guitar. And you'd be right, I *could* just play the good ol' regular wooden acoustic guitar. But does a real guitar literally fit in my POCKET?
And for those who do not play the guitar, well, this is a lot easier, and even gives lessons. It develops rhythm! It allows you to record!
I really should stop gushing, but how cool is it when 2 of my favorite things, guitars and video games, are combined into a sweet little handheld package?
In short, I am going to purchase this intriguing video game. And if I did not have a DS, I would buy one for this game.

Rock Band - Awesomest Game of E3

Honestly. Just... Honestly.
How awesome is this game gonna be? I mean, yes, it will undoubtedly be very expensive. But when I see videos of this game being played, I have visions of playing the game in front of a live audience as a real rock band.
How fun is this gonna be.
And I know some of you think a game like this is lame just because everyone else likes it, and to you, Jake, I say that *you* sir, are the lame one.

Groovy Dancing Girl

I do enjoy dancing videos of this caliber. It makes me want to be a better dancer, and a better man. It makes me want to be better, faster, stronger.
And so I shall strive to push the limit of creative expression.
Truly inspirational.

Conan Walker lever

One of my favourite features on Conan O'Brien . His reactions are priceless. This is how old TV shows should be remembered by the current generation. Really, is there a greater tribute to the legacy that is Walker Texas Ranger, than this?

Clocks by Coldplay on Mario Paint

Mario Paint was so sweet. Especially when it played Coldplay.

In other music related news, U2 appears to be in Fez recordnig a new album!
Also, they will be releasing a movie in theatres this fall called U23D. It will be in 3-D. That's pretty cool.
So is Clocks in MarioPaint.

Assassin's Creed

This is a pretty awesome video for a new game coming out this year called Assassin's Creed. Notice how it's made in Montreal? That's cool. One nice thing about it, is that when it was announced, it was initially set to be a PS3 exclusive, but now it's coming to the XBox 360. I enjoy games that manage to take on a more art-sided presentation. And slow-motion to fast-motion while playing the game is just cool. Like, 300 cool.

I am enjoying life

I just thought I would let everyone know that I am enjoying life right now. I didn't think I would be, considering I'm in clinical full time during the spring semester. Clinical tends to be hyper-stressful, and makes it impossible to have any sort of life other than school. But with it being spring, and having the sun rise along with me at 5:00 am, and enjoying beautiful weather, I am enjoying it.

I went go-karting the other day, and played guitar alot last week, and have even been watching the playoffs every once in a while.

I wish people watched the playoff's together more though. We should all get together for Ottawa's games.

It's kinda weird, cause in clinical there is a classmate of mine who is really struggling, and she is going through almost the exact same thing I went through last winter when I withdrew from clinical. It's strange because now I am doing very well in my studies, and I realize that I am getting back to the place where I want to be. It's not just school either. I have been missing out on lots of stuff in my life that I used to enjoy because I just wouldn't put in enough effort or procrastinated too much. I feel like I am finally getting to a place where I have wanted to be for over a year. It's a nice feeling.

To anyone who feels a little bit lost, or down, I can honestly tell you it'll get better. Now that I'm actually trying, it's getting better for me.

Love, Graeme

Frisbee Attacks!

Frisbee Attacks! is the first video I made with my Canon Powershot digital camera. Also the first video I edited by myself.

Here's the real question though. Can you tell me what the music in the video is from? Post your guess in the comments, and if you're right I'll give you a prize. I'll give you a hint: it's from a video game.

(Dave can't guess)

Canucks are pretty cool

Go Canucks! Woot! They finished the Dallas Stars in game 7, and it was a mighty fine finish. I'm very pleased to see the Canucks move on, as well as the Ottawa Senators. poor Calgary, they're out. But with the way they were playing they honestly didn't deserve to be in.
In review, my round one playoff picks were 7 for 8, I was wrong about Calgary. That's ok though. Vancouver is gonna do good in round 2 I think. And currently I am in 7648th spot in the CBC playoff pool. That's not too bad, considering there's 45966 spots.
Well, here's my Round Two (2) picks.

Buffalo vs NY Rangers - Buffalo in 6
New Jersey vs Ottawa - Ottawa in 7
Detroit vs San Jose - San Jose in 5
Anaheim vs Vancouver - Vancouver in 6

P.S. Yet again, CBC has gone and surprised me with doing something cool and unexpected. You can watch any and every playoff game that they air on CBC, live and streaming in high quality at cbc.ca/hockey. Pretty cool, especially when I've been trying to follow games while I'm at school.

Milk. True.

Havin' a milk, watchin' the game.

Dear Sister

Andy Samberg is definitely producing the best material for SNL right now.

He's originally from the group The Lonely Island who tried a show called 'Awesometown', and while their show never took flight, they have most of the stuff they made available on their website at thelonelyisland.com , and you should really check it out.

Also, check out the Special Christmas Box SNL skit. It's the greatest.

Before Snow Patrol

Let's waste time chasing cars around our heads. And go to Snow Patrol concerts.

Stanley Cup Playoffs - twenty 'ot seven

The playoffs are here again! Go Oilers Go! I mean, uh... rats.

The playoffs are here, and I guess I can't cheer for the Oilers. So I'll cheer for Vancouver instead.
Here is who I'm cheering for (in order of importance):
1) Vancouver Canucks - They've got a strong team, I think they're gonna be Canada's best chance this year. Plus, they already have my love because of the 2010 Olympics, and the fact that Stargate SG-1 was shot there.
2) Pittsburgh Penguins - I love Sidney friggin' Crosby. This one's pretty much just Crosby-Bandwagon hopping. But March of the Penguins was a good movie. Morgan Freeman narrated that, and Morgan Freeman is friggin' awesome. Except in Outbreak, that movie kinda sucks.
3) Calgary Flames - I've never hated the Flames much, and I'll certainly cheer on the Albertan playoffs team. I like the city, and they're close enough to us to create an exciting atmosphere in Edmonton. Not like last year of course, sigh... But I remember in 'ot four, some people had Flames flags on their cars, that was neat.
4) Ottawa Senators - I cheer for 'em cause they're Canadian. I don't know much about the team, and I'm cheering for Pittsburgh overtop them, but if they win, I'll be happy. Plus, Ottawa is one of the most beautiful cities in Canada, second only to Victoria in my experience.
5) New York "Oilanders" - I do love Ryan Smyth, and I will certainly cheer for the underdog Islanders in their drive for the Cup. Plus Marc-Andre Bergeron is doin' pretty awesome over there. They get my former Oilers vote.


Now that you know who I'm cheering for, here are my Round One predictions.

Vancouver vs Dallas - Vancouver in 6
Detroit vs Calgary - Calgary in 7
Nashville vs San Jose - San Jose in 6
Anaheim vs Minnesota - Anaheim in 7

Ottawa vs Pittsburgh - Ottawa in 6
Buffalo vs Islanders - Buffalo in 5
New Jersey vs Tampa Bay - New Jersey in 6
Atlanta vs Rangers - Rangers in 7

Top 10 Church Websites, ERBC doesn't make the list??

I was checking out my digg feed and saw a post called 10 Stunning Church Websites You Should See. It's posted by a site developer who admired the design and standards compliance these websites have.

The sites are very well done, they use flash, attractive design, catchy art and all in all appear to be relevant to an internet audience. And the post has already got over 200 digg's, so these websites (which are able to appeal to people who appreciate sensible and attractive sites) just got a whole lot of exposure.

That got me thinking about my church's website. It's a pretty bad site. It's mostly text, and the only pictures they have are about 10 years old, and are rarely of people who actually attend the church. I think that if our church put some effort into making a respectable website, it would have a pretty positive effect. Tons of the ERBC youth and young adults are on sites like MySpace, YouTube, and Flickr everyday. If there was an attractive and relevant online site, there would be a great potential to build a community in that way.

At least there's a Sr High forum.

Montréal -40 from Edmonton

Boo ya. Malajube was awesome. Awesome and rad. I made a video of their performance of "Montreal -40", but the audio was quite poor so I just used the mp3 for most of it. Is that bad? No, I don't think it is.

Anyways, the conert was one of the best I have ever been to. Malajube was great, they're francophones from Montréal you know. There were so many frenchmen there, it was fantastique. While I was in line for the concert I had a conversation with a couple from Montréal for about half an hour, all in french. They didn't know I was from Alberta, and they said I have a really good accent! I told them it was fake. Also, I found out I am an infermier, which is french for nurse. So cool.

Champion headlined (his friends call him DJ Champion, well I do anyways). DJ Champion headlined and I was all like "Wull, I'm just here to see Malajube, and this DJ guy won't be that good." Let me tell you, that DJ guy was way that good. He was unreal. The coolest thing was that he had a band, and each member played real instruments. And by instruments I mean guitars. There was four electric guitars and one bass. I rocked out, literally to the max.

I feel bad for all of you who missed out, cause it was a real fun time. Sometimes you should listen to your crazy uncle Graeme, and go with him to cheap concerts. I'm talking to you, Jesse, Dave, Jake, and/or Caleb. But I don't know how many of you read my blog. Brandon gets all the points for coming with, and rocking out Montréal-style.

Malajube, a band of Frenchness, and also of Awesomeness

Malajube is a band from the French side of Montreal. Not like Mobile, those English panzies.

They have a cool sound and catchy songs, which are in French (but don't let that deter you).

The reason I am posting about them is that I found out they're coming to Edmonton on MArch 29!!! Wooooot! I am definitely going to go see them. Tix are $15, please come with me, it'll be tons of fun! They probably speak english too!

Death Cab for Cutie - Different Names for the Same Thing

I absolutely love this song. I think he's singing about synonyms. And life.

One of those things

That was weird. I just had one of those weird things happen to me, kinda like a deja vu. But not. I was at work today, and for no reason at all (or maybe for every reason) I had a song stuck in my head, and I only knew the one part and it went "Do you realize... that you have... something something... beautiful smile". I had no clue where this song was from, I could only place it vaguely to some commercial I had seen a year or more ago, judging mostly by the fact that I only knew the one chorus of the song. Anyways I got home, and started checking my blog, and my MySpace, went looking for music on MySpace and wound up on The Flaming Lips' page.
And there it was. Do You Realize??. Staring at me, beckoning me to hear in totality what I had been hearing in fragments all day long. I thought, well, that was neat.

Sure enough, this song has been featured on commercials for Mitsubishi and HP. And, another interesting fact that makes me look stupid, is that the song is from the Flaming Lips' album 'Yoshimi Battles the Giant Pink Robots', which I have been listening to for a week or two now. I guess that's why the song was stuck in my head.

Jasper was pretty

Feb 22 2007 Road Trip

Well, Caleb and I drove to Jasper last week. It was lots o' fun, we took lots o' pictures. We left at about 6:30 am, hoping to be out of the city to shoot the sunrise but the sunrise was hidden by silly clouds!! There was plenty of hoar frost to go around though, which makes everything prettier, and hoochier. We got to Jasper around noon and went to Pyramid Lake and Athabasca Falls. We stayed till about 5:30 and headed back home. The drive home was pretty much the worst drive of my life. Caleb and I finished listening to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince audiobook on my iPod, and you all know how that book ends... Then it started getting dark, and after we left Edson, it started snowing. And I mean snowing. I could not see anything, except snow of course. Visibility was greater than or equal to horrible. And Caleb kept yelling at me in Mandarin, and I was like Caleb, you don't even speak Mandarin, you speak Cantonese! Stop yelling at me in Mandarin! And then there was this Ice Dragon, which I thought were extinct, but I guess not, and I had to battle it again and again until I finally vanquished my enemy using a fantastical sword!!!

Well, anyways, we got home. It was good fun. 9 hours of driving, 5 hours of Jasper. It was worth it, if only for this picture.

PS My grandpa is doing better, he's back in his nursing home in Barrhead. Hurray!

I heart Alberta

What a beautiful country we live in. What a beautiful province. It's actually pretty cool to think about how we have such easy access to greatly beautiful and beautifully varying natural landscapes. Does that make sense? I love the prairies, our sunsets are truly like none other.

I love the mountains; picturesque, strong and breathtaking. Alberta is delicious, and I plan on having some metaphorical Ice Cream. Tomorrow Caleb and I are gonna drive to Jasper and head back later the same night. We'll take lots of pictures, maybe some video, and by doing so eat lots of delicious symbolic sweets. I'll be sure to throw up some pictures on my picasa site.
In other news, I borrowed a compact disc by Sufjan Stevens. Very goot, I recommend you take a listen.
Also, my Grandpa is doing pretty poorly, he's in the Barrhead Hospital and my family and I have been heading up pretty much everyday for about a week now. He seems to be improving bit by bit, and if you guys could pray for him, I'd really like that.

Love, Graeme

Trees of Late Winter

Trees of Late Winter

Sun sets itself again
Cold hangs in the air
Frost and Snow
Trees are showing
Signs of longing
Longing to be full of new growth
Fresh life from Spring
Not here yet
Cold hangs in the air

Graeme Emmerzael

Warning! DS is a target for creepy strangers!

Be warned parents! Your child's Nintendo DS makes them extremely vulnerable to Highway PictoMolesting!
A quality news story from FOX!

U2

What a sweet, sweet music video. It took me a while for this song to grow on me, but I think it's quite beautiful - and with this video it's awesome.

It's Good to Be Naked

Dude. Barenaked Ladies, in town, so awesome.
I love the Ladies. They are so great in so many ways - hilarious, fantastic music all around. I'm going to their concert at the Skyreach Center this week, and I am mucho pumped. And I saw this new video for their single 'Sound of Your Voice'. Not my favorite single, per se, bit the video's pretty sweet. BNL seems to be one of the most 'with-it' groups around; they understand and relate to the listener to a degree I just don't see from most bands, especially big-label bands that've been around for 15 years.

The video is a compilation of home videos and webcam clips of some YouTube celebrities doing some air guitar to the Ladies' new single. That in itself isn't that great - it could easily be that the Ladies simply paid them to do (Numa Numa = Moola Moola, Gary B!). I don't think they did though, BNL just isn't like that, they're cool, dog. After all, this is just a spin off their 2nd most recent video, where regular fans (unfamous YouTubers) did some air guitar to 'Wind It Up'.

Basically, this video reminded me of how some musicians are very cool, and down to earth, and not all about making the big bucks. Check out the CMCC, which was started up by BNL and includes Sam Roberts and Sarah McLachlan!

Hurray I'm super-duper excited for the show! I'll try and bring my lil Canon Powershot camera and get some video if I can. In the meantime, You can be My Yoko-Ono.