Soundtrack of My Life

Song: No Diggity
Artist: Blackstreet feat. Dr. Dre and Queen Pen
Album: Another Level (1996)

As we're rolling into summer, I'm rolling out my all-time favorite summer jam for this week's soundtrack.

To prove I'm not just pulling out an old song and claiming it as my favorite, please reference this Rundown from last year. See what #1 on that list was? No Diggity.

We went crazy for this song when it came out! This was the first song to the first summer where I was old enough to go out driving around on my own and didn't have to be home before 11:00. Everywhere we went, this song was getting played... loud.

The video was epic, with the Lil' Penny inspired puppets and Dr. Dre's intro rap signaling his long-awaited return, not to mention the first and last time we ever heard from Queen Pen.

There was nothing special lyrically about this track, but back in those days, it was all about a nasty beat and this song has it in spades. Tell me you don't recognize this song as soon as it comes on? That piano, that thumping bass, the "Um-huh"... classic.

Just watch the video and try to get this song out of your head. Try it. I dare you.

Continue reading ...

The Rundown: What I'm Going to Do on My Summer Vacation

My Summer Vacation started today.

For the next two and a half weeks, I get to hang out uninterrupted with my beautiful fiancee both here and in British Columbia and I couldn't be happier. This is the first time all summer that we're getting a good sized chunk of time together without one of us having to rush off to work or having any familial obligations to look after.

What am I going to do?

Glad you asked...


Top Five Things I'm Looking Forward to on My Summer Vacation

5. Sleeping
Luke isn't making the trip West with us, which means there will be no dog walking us up at some early morning hour because he heard a door slam three blocks away. While I'm sure the time shift will take a day or two to get used to, chances are that I'll counteract that with enough booze to help me sleep like a baby.

4. Pints with Timothy
When Sarah's brother was here earlier in the summer, it was another one of those times where one of us (me) had to bail on the weekend full of activities to go to work. That meant that Tim and I got just our day at Wonderland to hang out. While it was a killer time and we certainly hit it off, nothing helps soon-to-be siblings-in-law bond better than a couple pints of Guinness.

3. Exploring the Lower Okanagan
The people Sarah has applied to out West already called her back, so instead of heading to Seattle during our first week, we're heading into Cranbrook and the surrounding area to check things out. Maybe we'll even do a little apartment hunting while we're there, who knows?

2. Writing
There are going to be a few days where Sarah has to go dress shopping and have Mummy-Daughter time, which means I get to kick back somewhere, break out the pen or laptop and work on my book. As much as I have been trying to cut back on some things and focus on it, life keeps getting in the way. So being out West with zero responsibilities and things to do will work wonders for my latest project... I hope.

1. Seeing Where My Baby Comes From
We've been to the places I grew up or at least a handful of them. This will be my first chance to see the places and people and experiences that shaped my future wife and while I'm sure some of you probably just threw up in your mouth a little, I don't care. I love how excited Sarah is to show me different places and that more than anything is what I am looking forward to.

Continue reading ...

10 Things I Learned This Week

Well nothing retarded happened this week like helping a guy who tried to kill himself or anything like that, which was a nice change after last week's experience. But it was an interesting week nonetheless, so let's get to it, shall we?

1. Summer is Over
Exactly when did this happen? It's August 31st. This is bullshit. I want a Do Over. I only made it to three Jays games, one fire at Shelby & Mark's, no trips to Midland to go boating and basically spent the whole time working. Ridiculous.

2. Three More Shifts, Then I'm Gone
Close the bar tonight, work a two hour day shift tomorrow and sling some slop Tuesday night and then it's adios Montana's for nearly three weeks, if not for good. Chances are I'll be back before we pack up our things and move somewhere new, but I got screwed on the schedule this week and kind of hate my manager right now for it, so we'll see.

3. BC is Looking More and More Likely
Like I said last week, we'll know more once we've gotten out there and toured around a bit - which we're going to do when we arrive - but every time we talk about the possibility, it seems like the logical choice. Sarah can make more money and I can hook up a job at one of the resorts where I should make enough cash to only need to work 8 months a year, which means four months a year to write... and procrastinate with Luke.

4. Loyalty Doesn't Exist in the Business World
Since starting at Montana's, there hasn't been a time that they've called me to come in that I have turned them down. I've done everything that has ever been asked of me and done so with a smile on my face. So what do I get in return? I lose the closing shift on Mondays that I've been working for two months on the holiday when I could actually make some great cash while the new hire who happens to be someone's little sister and the returning complainer each work a double. Classy Montana's... classy.

5. The Last Good Book I Read
Finished off Bret Hart's book Hitman this week and was fairly impressed. I know wrestling isn't everybody's thing, but it was mine for years, including Hitman's time in the ring and reading the behind the scenes stuff from that time was pretty cool. The family drama from The Hart Family was incredible too. Well done and recommended to anyone who every watched "The Excellence of Execution" operate inside the squared circle.

6. Can't Wait to Watch a Porno
No, not like that you sick fucks! Kevin Smith's latest, Zack and Miri Make a Porno starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks. I watched the trailer the other day and nearly pissed myself. The fact that it's Silent Bob's flick would have made me see it regardless, since we all know I have a big ol' crush on him, but after seeing the trailer, I know want to see it twice as bad.

7. New Project, Part I
I started on the first few pages of a book this weekend and it will be taking priority over all other projects moving forward. Like I said earlier in the week, I'm doing too many things and need to start focusing on the ones that could yield some return, although I will still be blogging every day. I don't want to give anything away, but the feedback I've gotten on the idea thus far has all been positive and part of my BC trip will be spent pushing forward with this effort.

8. New Project, Part II
Some one you may have noticed the disappearance of the E. Spencer Kyte Facebook Fan Page this week. Let's be honest - none of you noticed and that's okay. I axed it because, well, it wasn't something I put any time into, but also because me and Newt are working on a little something that will be unveiled to the world soon and will serve the same purpose as the other page and then some.

9. No One Ever Pays Me
Thus far, I've had five articles published in four different magazines for two different publications. The only thing they have in common? I haven't been paid for any of them. The fine folks at FutureCore Media, Passion's Parent Company, refuse to return my messages and Canadian Sports Magazine has come up blank thus far. I'll give them a little more time, but as of now I'm not impressed.

10. Operation: 185 Update
Starting Weight: 204 lbs.
Last Update: 198 lbs.
Current Weight: 200 lbs.

It's about time nature took it's course. Considering I haven't done a workout in nearly three weeks (this week got written off too... just because), putting on two pounds isn't all that bad in my books. Not that I don't want to drop the pounds and tone it up real nice for the festivities next April, but there are other things that are taking priority right now. We'll get back at it soon enough...

Continue reading ...

How Is Summer Almost Over?

There is a good likelihood that my employment at Montana's will be coming to an end in the next three weeks.

Not because I'm going to go postal and shoot up the place or stand on the bar with my pants around my ankles singing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" or anything like that.

No, my tenure is linked to Sarah's job situation and well, since it's almost September, I'm almost out the door.

How the hell did that happen so fast?

It's been three months since I started at Montana's and four since I arrived in London. That's insane!

This summer has flown by and it doesn't get any slower from here on out. Actually, it gets even more hectic, as the aforementioned Sarah Job Hunt gets into full swing which will undoubtedly be accompanied by packing, finding an apartment in another new city and moving all our worldly possessions.

Of course, that's while we're hammering out all the details of the wedding via email with the lazy wedding coordinator at the Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa in Samana. I know things are a little more laid back and relaxed down there, but does it really take two weeks to return an email?

And there is also a little thing called "Spencer Finally Sees Vancouver" taking place in September, which comes after we trek to Ottawa for a weekend for Sarah's friend Erin's wedding.

Hopefully when we get to the Left Coast things will slow down a little. But let's be honest - we're going back to Sarah's home - we'll be on the go 24/7.

No rest for the wicked...

Continue reading ...

The Rundown: Summer Jams

Last year, it was Umbrella ella-ella-eh-eh-eh.

Who could forget "Steal My Sunshine" and creepy, way-too-close brother and sister from the video?

Every year there is that song that is the soundtrack of the summer and since we haven't really had that song yet this year - at least as far as I know - why not look back at some classic, at least in my books.

All-Time Top Five Summer Songs

5. "Summer Girls" - LFO
Yeah, it's super cheesy and the fact that the group is called Lyte Funky Ones makes it even more horrible. All that being said, everyone knows the words to this song and was singing it (rapping it?) while cruising around town in '99. Best line? "There was a good man named Paul Revere / I feel much better baby when you're here." What the hell does Paul Revere have to do with picking up tourist chicks in the summer? Priceless.

4. "Summertime" - DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
This one we've touched on before, as it made an appearance in Soundtrack of My Life a few weeks back now. Still to this day, I hear it and think of being a kid riding my BMX around the streets of Chatham, Ontario, trying to convince Jennie Bishop and Shannon DeWolff that I was the coolest kid the neighbourhood.

3. "Big Pimpin" - Jay-Z feat UGK
In 2000, Big Pimpin became the soundtrack of our Wednesday night ritual when me, Pauly, Tommy, Fisk, Stu, Irish, Cori and Dre would get together at the house, make some dinner and watch the first season of Survivor. At least two of us always did battle to see who could finish their Colt 45 first. And yes, we drank it from the brown paper bag it came it too. There isn't a more bouncy, summery jam in Jay-Z's catalogue than this one. Rest in Peace Pimp C.

2. "What I Got" - Sublime
If this song doesn't make you think of summer and hanging out drinking a few beers with your closest firends, I don't know what would. The really crap part of this song, of course, is that lead singer Bradley Nowell overdosed before the song and album came out. Still, the catchiness of this song and the memories it envokes for me reminds me of good times and really, that's what you want in a summer song.

1. "No Diggity" - Blackstreet
THIS IS THE JAM RIGHT HERE!
I remember when this song came out, seeing the video for the first time and instantly knowing that it was going to be the biggest song of the year. For the entire summer, every mixtape and CD we made featured this song. Hell, some of the mixtapes I still make now feature this song and I used to drop it unexpectedly to huge cheers every so often back in the Sha-Na-Na's days. An absolute classic.

What's on your list?

Continue reading ...

Soundtrack of My Life

Song: Flake
Artist: Jack Johnson
Album: Brushfire Fairytales (2001)

Is there an artist who makes you think of the beach and summertime than Jack Johnson? Not for my money there isn't.

Probably has something to do with the fact that Jack is a former professional surfer and his brand of acoustic, mellow rock automatically puts me sitting in the sand with a Corona on ice whenever I hear it.

There are any number of Jack Johnson songs I could have chosen for this week, since "I celebrate his entire catalogue" as John C. McGinley said in Office Space.

"Sitting, Waiting, Wishing" would have worked except Beast borrowed that CD from me four years ago when we were living together and I haven't seen it since. He did, for the record, take me to a Jays game as an apology.

"Upside Down" is a pretty cool little number too and gets bonus points for it's Curious George affiliation. Teaming with monkeys always impresses me.

But here is the thing that made "Flake" the choice: it's song #1 in the Jack Johnson Anthology. This is where it all began for Jack, at least on his own, and where I first got on board with the surfer boy from Hawaii who likes to kick it with Ben Harper and G. Love, two cats my university friend Tommy was trumpeting as must-adds to my musical collection before I removed my head from my ass and discovered their greatness.

Lyrically, the song is outstanding as well, with the chorus echoing a sentiment that pretty well everyone can agree with:

It seems to me that maybe,
It pretty much always means no
So don't tell me you might just let it go
And often times we're lazy
It seems to stand in my way
Cause no one no not no one
Likes to be let down

Additional to the killer atmosphere this song sets and the intelligence of the lyrics, I threw in a little extra treat with the link, as instead of the music video version of the song, we're going live performance with Ben Harper riding Steel Guitar shotgun for this bad boy.

Put on your board shorts, go bask in the sun and crank up the Jack... it's summer time baby!

* * * * * * * * * *
Having some font difficulties this morning... hopefully this doesn't look too bad.

Continue reading ...