our particles are in motion

OKAY, still studying. Going a bit mad, to be quite honest. BUT this is cool.

If Sun lasts another 5 billion years, the hydrogen in the core will run out. Hydrogen fuses together into helium, which is what powers Sun, so if that runs out, Sun will become a "red giant" and expand to 100 times its size, which means probably out to where Earth is. Note that Sun is already 109 times the size of Earth. And if that happens, Earth will pretty much vapourize. Isn't it weird to think that even if you're dead, your dust will vapourize? It's actually kind of reassuring in a way.

But we have bigger things to deal with. Like the fact that the Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxies are hurtling at each other at something like 500,000km per hour. And that's going to happen in like 3 billion years. I'm kinda glad I'm not going to be around for that.

So yeah. Some of this stuff is interesting. This is much better than "Earth, Art and Culture",at least partially because it's taught by a competent prof. Also, because the Universe is crazy cool. Seriously.

amanda

I had really been hoping for more from you, Fran.

I have been a Travis fan for a long time. I can remember the first time I saw the 'Sing' music video, and I remember going to the Sunrise in my local mall and not being able to remember the name of the song I had heard, but I picked up a copy of 'The Man Who' and hoped for the best. Most clearly, I remember being in Hannah's van on the ride home and realizing we had, independently, stumbled upon the same band. That isn't to say Travis were relatively new; this was at the time of 'The Invisible Band''s release. However, I was in grade 10, and it was my first introduction to the world of music beyond the singles on KISS92.5.

So Travis have always and will always hold a special place in my heart.

I know they get flak (most painfully from Chuck Klosterman, who was all "Coldplay are a knockoff of Travis who are a knockoff of Radiohead" or something similar) for being light rock, but fuck it. I rather enjoy light rock, and sometimes, you just need something enjoyably pretty without the density indie bands too often like to shroud themselves in (I also couldn't say whether or not I agree with Klosterman's statement, as I've never been much of a fan of Radiohead; however, the first part I can say surely I do not agree with. Travis self-proclaimedly sing about miserable things in an upbeat way, and I think (early) Chris Martin was a little too heavy-handedly introspective for that. That is not the case anymore. But that's for another day).

'12 Memories', their last effort, really grew on me. At first it was off-putting, but I liked the concept and the execution - including 'Paperclips', which I still can't listen to too often because it creeps the fucking shit out of me. It wasn't stagnant; it was a band confident in their style and willing to make a few leaps of faith - including having a rowdy group of football fans chant "Peace the Fuck Out" for the song of the same name (the irony!). Admittedly, both of the aforementioned tracks are the weakest on the album, but Travis were always best at catchy pop songs. 'Somewhere Else' and 'Love Will Come Through' fit that bill nicely, and are among my faves of theirs (as is the brooding 'Happy Hang Around', which has the most delightfully throbbing opening). '12 Memories' was an effort that had some balls, and a logical progression for their sound.

Which is why 'The Boy With No Name' fucking kills me.

First off, the title. It's so self-indulgently achy. I get it, you guys like melancholic, whimsical titles. But seriously.

It opens with '3 Times and You Lose', a song with the dreamy sadness 'The Man Who' based itself on. At first listen, I was intrigued - "perhaps this is their swan song, this is a fitting opening track if it's their last effort". It's nice enough, just feels like a finished style. Number 2, "Selfish Jean" is a great track, and reaffirmed my original thoughts of this being a final album - there are pretty guitars at a rollicking pace, and Fran is having fun vocally in a way we haven't seen since the band's first album, 'Good Feeling' (okay, I'll admit, this album was released independently, so not a lot of people have heard it, but they SHOULD). He growls, and I just love Fran's growl. Delightful. 'Selfish Jean' is Travis in a very loveable place, and is probably the best track on the album. But from then on, it's pitsville.

'Closer' is a terrible lead single, and a mediocre song at best. 'Big Chair' is (I suppose?) their attempt at a new sound, but it sounds like a shitty version of a U2 song, which is saying something. 'Eyes Wide Open' is an interesting little ditty, and refreshingly placed in the sixth track spot, but it isn't redeeming enough to save this album. Every other song on the album is indistinguishable. I couldn't even review them if I'd wanted to, because they all sound the fucking same to me. Which is really very sad, because listening to the new album of a band you've followed for a long time should never be that way. Even if no one else understands the subtle nuances in sound, a well-tuned ear to that band's style should always find something interesting about even a terrible song. This was a dismal effort, and it's clear they've got their heads stuck back in 1999.

That really pained me to write. So get back to the drawing boards, boys, and give me a send-off album I can feel really good about.

If you want to love Travis like I love Travis:
"Midsummer Night's Dreamin'" off 'Good Feeling'
"As You Are" off 'The Man Who'
"Sing" off 'The Invisible Band'
"Happy Hang Around" off '12 Memories'
"Love Will Come Through" off '12 Memories'

thanks joni

Okay, so I'm taking this Earth Sci class right now that's all about stars and planets and crap. It really sucks HAVING to learn about it, but I thought this was cool in a very romanticized everything-is-related-to-everything sort of way.

The first elements that were created after Big Bang were hydrogen, helium, and lithium (although technically not hydrogen, the isotope deutrium, but close enough). Everything heavier than that was made from stars going supernovae and exploding, or just really big, hot super-giant stars. So because all of the heavier elements were created in stars, and we and everything that is around us is composed of those heavy elements, we are made of stardust. Literally. We are all made of stars, as Moby once put it.

I have to get my pearly whites checked out tomorrow. Wish me a pain-free visit and good karma will come your way.

Shine on, folks.

I have eaten the plums that were in the icebox

My free time is being monopolized by a lame-o assignment on the Hubble telescope, so this isn't a long post. This is just to say

- I've finally listened to the Rihanna album, and damn, I like this girl. She's making some of the best music for the clubs out there now, and she isn't afraid to make some musical leaps of faith. She tries out a few styles on "Good Girl Gone Bad", and it's refreshing to see an artist who isn't hung up on making an album of songs that sound indistinguishable. I like my variation. Try "Breakin' Dishes," "Sell Me Candy," and "Lemme Get That" (the latter of which really just reminds me of high school). Sweetness.

- I really like the new White Stripes single, "Icky Thump". I find it interesting how they seem to be finding melody in cacophony and in using unconventional pacing and instrumentation. I'm looking forward to the new album - the Raconteurs was a nice homey change of pace, but I need some more Jack White being his crazy ol' self (and I'm hoping for some more Meg)

- The Bird and the Bee album is kinda cool in a Imogen Heep/Mr. Rogers lovechild sort of way. It's short, but thats kind of preferable, since it all kinda sounds the same anyway. And "Fucking Boyfriend" gets stuck in my head like crazy, but is also not work-appropriate singing material. An unfortunate dilemma.

- Hubble is boring, but has taken some really awesome pictures. It is also almost retired. We should throw a Hubble retirement party when that happens.

- Knitting project will be finished within the next few days, wha what. I know I got bored of it for a while, but I changed what I was working on for a while and now have returned filled with determination. Perhaps not the most practical of knitting project choices, but that's kind of the amazing part.

- My dad has gotten a new scanner. I was going to scan in my comic, but I'm considering adding colour, so it might be a while before that happens. We'll see.

Okay, I'm out folks. Stay rad.

amanda

mouseketeer

okay, seriously. I am going to Disneyworld.

Last summer, when the livin' was shitty, Jill and I would go on the Disney website or watch the vacation planning dvd that we ORDERED (okay, it was a slow summer and we were in need of entertainment) and dream of the time when we would be able to bask in the warm Floridian sun and frolic like the children we once were (and some would argue, still are).

That dream became a reality tonight.

And I am really excited.

Because I am going to get to go on safari and the yeti ride (but, sadly, am missing star wars month (which is this month!)) and party on pleasure island and see some awesome fireworks and wear mouse ears. And I get to do it all with my best friend. And it will be AWESOME.

Happy almost graduation, me :)

amanda