socialdynamo

Tool Rocks Over London

2012-01-27T12:55:00.001-08:00

TOOL totally rocked my ass off. They opened with Hooker With A Penis. We had great seats right on the floor(a most excellent birthday gift from Jagger). It was the closeest either of us have been to the band (Jagz has seen them six times and I a mere five). The John Labbat Centre seemed pretty full, but it looked like even the cheap seats got a nice look at the action.

After the show we hung out at Jaggr's friends place for a few Crown Royals mixed with Schweps (the spumonte bambino of ginger ales).

We laid our heads to rest at the executive suites(jagger rented a room because of my rediculously early train).

Slow train to TOOL

2012-01-26T09:59:00.001-08:00

Union Station was used as the dystopic Henry Rollins hobo-hospital in Johnny Nemonic.

I'm leaving my laptop at home and blogging through my phone. Its just to heavy to lug around. I'm getting a new mac soon, but even then do i want to carry a brand new baby all around? An android tablet rocking 4.0 would be perfection, this screen size just isn't enough for my near blindness.

I'm off to London, Ontario, to see TOOL, one of the best live rock acts to ever tour. They hit Toronto last night and i would have been at that show too in my younger days. But instead I rested. I'm more mature now and am less likely to folliw a band from city to city. I might eat my words if the Smashing Pumpkins decide to rock nearby. I'm taking the train. I bought my ticket on the internet when I was in Japan, I guess it was a boxing day sale cause it was about 50% off.

I jam back to Toronto in the morning and go straight from the train to the bus for my annual Igloofest trip to Montreal.

I have to say that Via Rail sucks once you have been on the Shinkansen. The service is fine and I got a great price on the ticket. Its a just a real shame we don't have bullet trains in North America. I would be there already. I bitch but I snooze on the train and we are there in figurative "no-time" instead of literally no time.

Downtown London is a depressant. Lots of nerdowells. I check out the Starbucks, they only have a Canada mug, nothing for London.
I explore the sad mall and decide to wait for Ashlie to finish work while drinking a beer at the Fox & Fiddle.
I will add the bar playlist when i get to my laptop for some cut & paste from Shazam.

I use different phone apps to give my photos a little spice. Blog posts without photos are lame. I hope to get some good shots of Maynard tonight.

falling behind

2012-01-24T08:42:00.000-08:00

I'm using my laptop tethered through my phone while I wait for the rogers guy to show up and fix my internet. Pretty cool.

I have a lot of blog maintenance to get to.

My burning Man blog is going to get a kick in the pants.

My postcard blog is kind of a mess. I have to sort through all my cards and figure out whats been posted and what still needs to go up.

My Japan blog needs to be polished, posts completed with pictures added and such.

No time for any of that now, I have to go to the Lightbox since I took a volunteer shift this afternoon.

Big Week

2012-01-23T10:40:00.000-08:00

My internet service provider, Teksavvy has let me down for the first time. I pay the big bucks for high speed but it went down on Sunday and it could take a Rogers guy 3 days to get out and fix it. So I'm back at the Ol' Second Cup across the street from my place. It's frustrating cause I have a lot of blogging to do and it's cheaper to do at home(I don't have to buy coffee).

I went to the medical clinic down the street since the dysentery I developed a few days ago has so far refused to abate.

I'm excited for this week, even more than last week. Sure a 30th birthday and a trip to New York is a big deal, but this week I'm going to London Ontario to see TOOL (along with Jagger and Ashlie) and then Montreal for my annual Igloofest trip(w/Matt Ian and Brooke).

Before that I have a few volunteer shifts at tiff Bell Lightbox, which is one of the highlights of my life. I love the festival and the people I meet there. I'm stockpiling movie vouchers so I can see all the Studio Ghibli movies when tiff has a retrospective in March.

Nature calls, hope this imodium kicks in soon (says the guy drinking coffee).

I have a subwoofer too, assholes

2012-01-22T05:02:00.000-08:00

The assholes downstairs have never lived away from their mommies. Now that they are big grown-ups they can play their music as loud and as late as they want with no repercussions. Except for me.
They party like kids do (I'm so old, calling them kids), whooping when the music gets extra awesome.

I have asked them to turn it down in the past, the effect lasts only as long as their tiny minds can retain the thought.

I have no problem with them having a good time, but past 2 am it starts to wear on me. It kept going till 5:30 am, at which point they decided to watch a stand-up special at the same volume till about six.

I waited a little bit.

At 7:30 am I put on some tunes of my own.

I inherited this insane asshole gene from my father, it can be ugly, but it can also be incredibly useful.
Hip hop fans hate Death Cab for Cutie, and Radiohead, it baffles them. So those tunes became the foundation for my "Fuck you douches" playlist. Oops! The subwoofer seems to have tipped over and is now facing the floor and the bass is up to 11.

It had the desired effect of pissing them off enough bang on the locked outer door and then to call my brother (who isn't even home).

I enjoy a cup of coffee sweetened with vengeance.

I'm Older

2012-01-19T07:26:00.000-08:00

So this is me at 30.

The live taping of the Colbert Report was even more funny than when I saw it back in May. Most of the funny came from Stephen's Super Pac, or rather, The Definitely Not Coordinating With Stephen Colbert Super PAC. Before the show begins Stephen comes out as himself (you do know its a character, right?) and answers a few questions. He said that the SuperPac only started because he registered a domain he thought was funny and Comedy Central lawyers became concerned he was starting a PAC, so he decided to start a PAC. He said nothing has been planned in regards to the PAC and that every new move is in response to what the actual candidates are doing with their PACs.

It's brilliant political satire, at the same time it shines light on the ridiculousness of Political Action Committees and the stupidity that has arisen from the Citizens United ruling.

A woman in the audience was a week overdue and said her water had broken the day before. Off the top of the show Stephen thanked "those joining us in studio and in utero" which got a good laugh.

After the show I got a message from a friend who lives in New York, but not close enough to get a beer with. So I picked up a medium pie at Abitino's (In New York, you can say "Pie" instead of Pizza). The pizzeria is just around the block from the Pod Hotel, and they really classed it up from the last time I was here. They changed the lighting and took the clutter out of the decor, looks like somebody had a restaurant makeover. I picked up a 6 pack of Brooklyn Pilsner to wash down my pizza. My room has a TV, I watched some South Park and then Daily Show and the Colbert Report that I just saw taped. It was interesting to see how it's cut together. Sometimes Steven flubs a line and they take the bit back a little. When you watch the show it's seamless. Not a bad way to spend my 30th birthday, better to be alone in New York than alone in Toronto. I got a lot of well-wishers on Facebook(I use the birthday barometer, if somone writes a personal message then they care, if they write "Happy Birthday" then they are doing it cause they think they have to, or are uncreative).

Checkout time is noon so I'm just chilling, eating a bagel from the fantastic Ess-a-Bagel. I'm not 100% sure what to do with my day (my bus leaves in 12 hours). I haven't been feeling well so I won't be making any long treks. Seriously, I need some Pepto-bismol. Maybe that greasy pizza wasn't the best idea but what else are you going to eat in New York City?

SOPA SUCKS (Bagels are good)

2012-01-18T12:21:00.000-08:00

I'm blacking out my posts today. It's an internet thing. This SOPA thing would hurt us bloggers pretty bad. Sometimes I use copyrighted material under what I deem "fair-use", but SOPA could mean anyone with a bug up their ass could take down my blog along with half the fucking internet. I don't think me blacking this stuff out will make anyone more aware of the situation than what Wiki is doing.

I finally got my bagel, it was great. The place around the corner has a ton of different types of cream cheese. I tried the "everything" bagel with chive schmear. Delish.

I picked up some postcards it Times Square and an Artie Lange cupcake from Crumbs. I zipped back to my hotel since I don't feel so hot and want to remain close to a clean washroom. Maybe a little nap before I head to the Colbert Report taping.

Checked into my Pod

2012-01-18T07:51:00.000-08:00

Still no bagel. I was able to check in early, which was nice cause I really needed a shave. The rooms here are tiny but they have all you need. I looked into staying in a Hostel last time I was in New York but settled on the Pod Hotel, it wasn't much more expensive. I enjoyed my stay and since I had such a great experience here last time I decided to give them another whirl.

A movement in two parts

2012-01-18T06:20:00.001-08:00

The smell of the port authority bus terminal had a hobo fanning the air for relief. No matter, I had business to attend to, and I did quickly, sparing you any details.

I have time to kill before the Colbert Report tonight. I figure I can drop my heavy laptop off at my hotel before checking in and walk around for a bit. Maybe get a bagel and a schmear. Half way there I realize I'm going to need another bathroom quick. So this is what it's like to be an old man? Constantly living in fear of crapping ones pants.

No doubt this is my punishment fot the Macdonalds I ate last night before the bus departed Toronto.

I make it to the Pod Hotel, the washroom here is like the Four Seasons in comparison to the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

The lobby has a comfortable lounge with wifi. I bought 10$ worth of roaming data so I can use my phone around town.

Now feel empty, I really need that bagel!

Greyhound Birthday

2012-01-18T04:53:00.001-08:00

I just turned 30 and Im on a bus. I brought my laptop to new york so i wouldnt have to blog on my phone like im doing now. The greyhound has wifi and a power suply but its just flighty enough to kick you off before you've had a chance to save. My laptop is about 5 years old and still works great but its heavy and now i have to lug it around Manhattan.
The bus made good time this far, now we inch along trying to get into the lincon tunnel. We better get there soon cause i got a #2 on deck.

Clone Trip

2012-01-17T20:00:00.000-08:00

I have done this trip before, it's a clone. I thought it would be fun with another person, and it might be, but I'm doing it alone once again. It's still going to be tons of fun.

I'm packing for New York, in this case "Packing" consists of making sure I don't have any small bags of weed in one of the small zipped pouches of my kick-ass Zelda backpack (I picked it up last time I was in NY at the Nintendo World Store, I can't wait to go again tomorrow). I'm glad I checked, because I did have a small sack of stems and shake that no doubt would have put me in an american goulag for the rest of my life.

I'm bringing three pairs of socks this time (and wearing a fresh pair). I got so soaked last time I went it sucked. I had to dry my only pair with the hotel hairdryer. I don't want to take any chances this time.

All of my documents are printed, I like to have everything together and know where it is at all times.I'm really good at that. Almost too good, I think it borders on obsessive compulsive.
There is always a panic. This time it was my keys. I'm looking for them in my bag when I stop myself, the are on something or under something. I look to the empty steamwhistles and see my opener keychain. the wheels click and I have found my keys.

It's 8pm, I've got to head to the Bay Street Bus Terminal.

Time to bake the Metropasses

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Sunny J (me) is turning 30, not 2. (photo:@ondre)

I'm up real early on a Monday, still unemployed but keeping busy. I'm heading over to the CNIB to help distribute TTC metropasses to blind Torontonians. It's not a magnanimous gesture, I benefit greatly from the pass myself. I also believe that it is my civic responsibility to put back in what I've taken out.

el Venom esta loco
(photo: Shawna)

Last night my mom had a fantastic Birthday dinner for me. I turn 30 on Wednesday. She made a meaty lasagna and a vegetarian option for our herbivore guests. As requested she also picked up a black forrest cake. My friend Shawna came all the way to Missisauga, along with my cousin Treya, her husband @Ondre and their little monkey Lula. My Granny Mo & Andy were there and so was my brother Paul. We even phoned my brother Marc who is over in France snowboarding. I got some great gifts, my auntie Chrissy gave me a bad-assed Venom luchador mask and the Kick-Ass graphic novel. Paul gave me a wii controller and a gift card with enough credit for a copy of the new Zelda game (everywhere he checked for it was sold out). I'm going to spend some serious time playing that game. It was such a great night.

short n sweet

2012-01-15T08:46:00.000-08:00

Just a quick one cause I'm busy.

I'm finally on the right track. I usually make my new year's resolution in late January and start working on it mid March.

Volunteering at the CNIB, and Tiff.

I'm cleaning up my room, finally.
Doing laundry.

I have a lot of big moves this year, making a lot of plays.
January is big and I'm gonna be blogging big.

Upcoming stuff this month include:
-Stephen Colbert in New York City (And my 30th freaking birthday!)
-TOOL in London Ontario
-Igloofest in Montreal

Gone Japan'n

2011-12-21T22:03:00.000-08:00

Hey, I'm in Tokyo Japan, and I have a special blog, just for my trip. Please check it out by clicking this link:
Sukiyaki Poutine

Howard Stern and Beth touched my calendar

2011-12-12T15:23:00.000-08:00

I'm a big fan of Howard Stern. I have been listening since he began on Sirius over 5 years ago. His new hobby is photography, and he took some pictures of his beautiful wife Beth and a few loveable pets for a charity calendar supporting the North Shore Animal League. Howard announced it was on sale via twitter and that the first 1000 would be autographed so I ordered it right away.When listening to the show on Friday Howard told his co-host Robin that she should have gotten her calendar by now since she had ordered hers on the first day. I knew if mine didn't show today I had a problem.

Well it showed up today and lucky me... IT'S AUTOGRAPHED! The dogs are so cute and it has little stories about the animals, and the best part is Howard actually touched it. I will probably never have a chance to meet Howard Stern unless my penis falls off or he writes another book (He is notoriously magnanimous in regards to book promotion).

Winter Vixen

2011-11-24T16:41:00.001-08:00

This is a poem I wrote back in 1999 when I was in high school. I was with Colin at the Tim Hortons in South Porcupine. So much snow around us. It's written on the back of a tray liner cause I didn't have a notebook with me.

I have some old notebooks I could scan but probably won't. One can only take so much teenage rage/pain/horniness.

Matt gets fireworks in the face

2011-11-23T09:29:00.001-08:00

I downloaded imovie from the apple app store for $15. It's a pretty simple video editing program and it shouldn't be too hard to figure out. I have been putting videos up on Youtube since 2007. I am lucky enough to be around for some cool stuff, unfortunately I havent always had an hd camera and I'm not happy with the look of all of my content. It's high time I figured how to edit simple video, add some titles and general production quality to my videos. I think I should take a Final Cut course next year.

I'm going to take a lot of amazing video in Japan and I want to be able to to something with it.

This is a video I took of my friends lighting Canada Day fireworks in Christy Pitts. Matt had a close call trying to light one of the pyrotechnics. I added titles, an instant replay,and cut out the borring parts, then added music from Matt's band The Stormalongs.

Out of Ketchup

2011-11-22T06:06:00.001-08:00

I woke up early to make breakfast for my brother. I made bacon, eggs and hashbrown potatoes. We are out of ketchup. We were out last week. Paul knows this. He went to the store to pick up dish soap and ketchup but returned only with two 2 Litre bottles of coke.
"Where's the ketchup?" he asks. I indicate the tiny amount left in the bottle to which he scoffs.
He throws a five dollar bill in front of me and orders some ketchup, like a boss. I don't have a job so I know when I'm being spoken to like an employee. I can't remember the last time I felt so disrespected.

I don't mind paying for things, I paid for the bacon eggs and potatoes. I don't mind going out and getting things, I just don't want to be treated like a servant.

*Edit (Paul apologized and I feel better)

New Jays logo looks great!

2011-11-18T16:24:00.001-08:00

The New Blue Jays logo

The Blue Jays have finally gotten rid of the blue-less black "Jays" uniform and embraced their roots unveiling a sleek new uniform. The new look and logo is a modern retooling of the classic blue bird fans grew up with. This is the point. If you were ten years old in '92 that means you are 29 now and your buying power is enough to move a baseball franchise to drop it's much hated "T" logo. I have to point out that the jerseys are $90 more than what they cost last year (now $219).

The fancy event to announce the new logo was invite only and fans & bloggers were left out, John Lott wrote a good piece at the National Post (Toronto Blue Jays regret leaving fans out of logo unveiling).

At least they did one service to fans. The Blue Jays website announced that Ricky Romero, Adam Lind, Brandon Morrow and J.P. Arencibia would be at Jays Shop at SEARS at Yonge and Dundas from 5-6 signing autographs.

Never one to miss a chance to meet a Blue Jay I rushed over to the Eaton Centre to see the new units up close and get my baseball signed. I have a ball signed by Al Leiter and Rob Butler from when I was a little kid. I always wanted to add to it and have it covered with Blue Jay autographs.

The shop is the same except for the signage and merchandise all feature the new logo.They gave out wristbands at 2pm, I got mine then hurried home to make a sandwich. I got back to the mall at about 4:30 and the Blue Jays promptly showed up at 5.

Artie is back, but not on Stern

2011-11-16T06:47:00.001-08:00

my tasty homestyle breakfast

Trying to get my shit together. I woke up when my alarm went off. Made a nice hearty breakfast and listened to the Nick and Artie Show. It's a podcast of a sports radio show by two comedians Nick Dipaolo and Artie Lange. Artie was on the Howard Stern Show for years up until his suicide attempt last year. Its great to hear him again, he's so funny. I'm glad he's off the horse.

I've got to head out to meet up with my Granny for some dinner and conversation. She takes an art class at OCAD weekly and I try and meet up with her beforehand.

Stormalongs Occupy Jamspace

2011-11-14T18:58:00.001-08:00

I haven't been to a stormalongs jam session in months, but I find myself at one now. I missed watching the boys rock out.

A joke is made about drummer Nick never having learned how to count bars. One should never jest about such a great drummer.

Right now they are going through "waiting for the d train"(Plastic Ono Band) for a third time. Matt has vocal duties, a welcome trend for tracks that require more of a strange sound. Matt is working hard to develop his long neglected rock pipes.

They close out the jam with Iron Trees (check it out in itunes).

Great to be back in the dank rock sweat dungeon.

double cheese deluxy excited

2011-11-08T19:04:00.000-08:00

Please Click Here to check out my Movember page! I'm growing hair on my upper lip to raise funds and awareness of prostate cancer.

Denison Ave, My old street

Yesterday I was productive and set up some postcard blog posts. They will go up every morning for the next week. I really like this Street Cents postcard I got way back in 1994. It felt good to have some posts up. I have to stick with it, I have been getting more and more hits on the postcard blog. It's important to post regularly, and I've been terrible at that.

I should mention I'm going to Japan next month. My good friend Koji is getting married! If you haven't met Koji then your life is missing a small chunk. We met while working for the ~~Evil~~ Hollister Co~~rporation~~. Koji was in Canada on a working holiday, and while here we became good buddies. He came to visit my hometown of Timmins Ontario with me, a memorable road trip. He said he would like to show me his hometown one day, which just happens to be Tokyo.
I went ahead and booked my flight last night. I figure it's not getting any cheaper the closer we get to Christmas. I got a good deal on Air Canada. I will be there for Christmas and New Years.

I told Koji that I had booked the flight, to which he replied: "I'm double cheese deluxy excited!!!!!!!"

I need to go to the gym tomorrow, no excuses. I'm not fat but I'm getting a little belly.

I also have to learn some more Japanese. I took an introductory course a few years ago but I'm rusty. I don't want to look like a tool. I remember how to say "No I am NOT an American, I am a Canadian" but beyond that I'm going to have to study up.

Movember Returns

2011-11-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

I've set up my Movember fundraising page. That's right, once again I'm growing a mustache for mens health (prostate cancer). It's only the third day and I already have a 'stache that would make a tenth-grader jealous.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!

Moms

2011-11-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

Woke up in Moms basement. I usually find myself waking up here on the holdays, the lack of a Christmas tree tells me that is not the case. I'm just here to hang out.

Mom made me some scrambled eggs and an english muffin. My eggs never taste this good.

Watching Judge shows on TV together, we pass out own judgments.

We crack cases on police procedural dramas.

Strombo's Secret Movie (Young Adult)

2011-10-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

Young Adult Lil Tuffy Poster

I went to Strombo's "secret" movie at the Tiff Bell Lightbox. I had guessed it was Young Adult, I was right (Strombo tweeted me with a denial, then a wink).

The lineup was huge.

The guy in front of me was dressed like Dr. Who, different guy but I have seen it before. It's not Hallowe'en dude. I feel I have to point out that a grown man is playing dress up going to see a movie called Young Adult. I don't get it, I like Super Mario, but if I wore white gloves, a red shirt, overalls and a tool belt you would think I was fucking insane.

Cosplay Dr Who Manchild

We ended up in the second screening, which started about a half hour after cinema 2 filled up. Some people got turned away, but they should have showed up earlier.

The movie was great. I wrote a review here.

Jason Reitman and Diablo introduced the movie and came out for a Q&A after the screening.

On the way out of the theatre the Tiff staff handed out limited edition poster prints from Lil Tuffy, an artist out of San Francisco.

I waited around afterwards . I talked to George Strombolopolous. He really made this an event for the people. He rocks.

I missed Jason Reitman, but I saw Diablo Cody and she autographed my copy of Juno and my Lil Tuffy poster. I will post a picture once I get it back from the frame shop.

Occupy Space

2011-10-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

A friend asked if I was going to the Occupy Toronto protest. I can't do it. As a jobless recipient of the social welfare that the 1% so detest I would make the perfect poster boy for the aimless movement. What would I be protesting? Being a well-fed white male in the most prosperous country in the western world? Banks suck but I'm not closing my account.

When I hang out with filthy tent dwelling hippies it will be at Burning Man.

I would rather occupy my apartment and use my newly purchased consumer goods. My mom bought me a Keurig coffe machine. I've had 3 cups today, time to chill.

I'm going to Strombo's secret movie tonight. I tweeted that I thought it might be the new Diablo Cody scripted Young Adult and Strombo tweeted back "nope". The Rum Diary is out next week, so it could be that. I'm gonna stop guessing. It was almost a year ago I was running around trying to find the Tron Legacy screening.

Cut Corners Not Good For Blind Toronto

2011-10-14T09:25:00.000-07:00

The TTC is introducing a new clipped corner metropass, which can only be a step towards eliminating the free metropass for the blind. The move by the TTC to clip the corners of metropasses is being made to "assist blind and visually impaired transit users when entering the TTC through automatic entrances and turnstiles."

The CNIB Metropass ALREADY has a clipped corner

The clipped edge indicates the direction the pass needs to be swiped at a turnstile for easy entry and would be helpful for blind Torontonians, if they didn't already have the feature on their metropasses. The anual metropass distributed by the CNIB already has a clipped corner, and has for years.

So what is the purpose of heralding a feature for blind people on a card blind people dont use?

Mayor Rob Ford has been itching to cut the visually-impaired gravy from the city budget since he first saw a glaucoma stricken old lady pass the fare box without paying. Here is a previous post where Rob ford makes his intentions to cut CNIB metropasses clear. The move would be unpopular, but so are most actions of the lumbering mayoral lummox.

Make it a habit

2011-10-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

This is me sitting in the Second Cup for the second day in a row. Plugging away at my postcard blog and this one and trying to be productive. My coffee is cold and almost empty. I'm going to end up here again this afternoon, I just know it. I'm going for groceries in Kensington and then it's back to the typing grind.

Construction on Queen St W

Not blogging, a common theme

2011-10-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

I have been stuck in some type of redirect loop unable to log into blogger from my place, which only means I have been able to flex my penchant for not blogging. (It's my computer that is stuck in the redirect loop, although I guess that is a good name for my personal state right now also)
Fitting I should find myself at the Second Cup where I was blogging from last year, this same time. back then it was because the internet at my place wasn't working. My new place has no internet problems, and it's right across the street from me now (i can see my bedroom window from here). Still it's better to get out of the house, away from the distractions(I can't get away with smoking bowls and listening to Howard Stern here). I should be over here every day, at least till I get a little focus.
Without the film festival to keep me busy I'm a little lost. It's what I'm good at and now I have nothing to do. I was so busy during the film festival I never had a chance to blog.

A look out the window from Second Cup, Tortilla Flats in BG

I started my postcard blog about a year ago, I have sent and received a lot of postcards since. I'm going to slow down on the postcrossing(sending random cards) and focus on friends and people I have already corresponded with. I want to have a post a day, and I should have enough cards to take me into December. That's what I came here to write but ended up doing this stream of consciousness type thing.
now Im feeling a might peckish and think I will run across the street for ~~some leftover Thanksgiving turkey sitting in my fridge~~. If I'm trying to stay productive I can't eat sleepy-time turkey in the middle of the day.

I will be back.

Redirecting

2011-10-07T14:21:00.001-07:00

I'm having trouble logging into blogger on my laptop.

My phone is the only way for me to blog.

I downloaded this awesome camera app called little photo.

I'm gonna do some experimenting and see what kind of cool pictures I can come up with.

TeeFury Grab Bag Rocks

2011-10-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

My shirts showed up today. I ordered the Grab Bag from TeeFury.com on September 5th. I have a lot of TeeFury shirts, and I trust the randomness that is Grab bag Day. Here are the five shirts I got for 6$ each:

Linus

A Lost/Peanuts parody shirt from dakin costello

Slothbert Love Chunkie

A Sesame Street/Goonies mash-up from Michael Myers Jr.

Mutant & Proud

An X-Men fanboy shirt from Seven Hundred

Madman

A MadMen/Joker tee from Heart Jack

Masters of Death

A Harry Potter shirt from Mathijs Vissers

I probably won't wear this very often but if I had to wear a Harry Potter shirt this would be the one.

I'm happy with the shirts I got. I was worried I would get some Dr. Who or Firefly parody shirts and never be able to wear them (Don't hate me, I'm just not a fan).

Baseball

2011-09-16T19:04:00.001-07:00

Im drunk at the jays game, sitting with Kevin Flynn.

Jose Molina gave us a walk off win in the 9th.

Im going to grab a pulled pork poutine on my way to Ryerson for my last tiff11 midnight madness movie called Smuggler(from Japan).

A few minutes later at tiff bell lightbox

2011-09-09T17:36:00.001-07:00

Im eating a quiznos sub i picked up on the way here Baseball and movies just steps from each other. The small sanwich was more costly than I expected. Im about to see a movie called Twiggy. (review to follow).

Breathing baseball

2011-09-09T16:30:00.001-07:00

I thought about catching a bit of the game between movies and im glad i did.

So far the score is nil, but its so refreshing, a beer in my hand.
Jays are up. And down.
They just ran a moneyball trailer, its at tiff but i will wait to see it when it goes wide in two weeks.
When the jays strike out 7 batters we can get a slice of shitty pizza. Two more strikeouts.
Jays back up to bat. Lets get some action on the score board.
Mike macoy leads off the bottom of the third...
Hits, out at first. Lets go blue jays. I am live blogging from my phone
by the way. Scoreless going into the fourth inning. Camera man just sumed it up, both teams going nowhere.
Im going to have to head up to the lightbox soon. I have a movie in 45 minutes. leaving now 0-0 in the 5th. so glad I came out.
(Baltimore won 2-0)

Rushiing at tiff

2011-09-09T08:26:00.001-07:00

This is my first rush line of 2011 and my first press & industry screening ever. As a volunteer I am able to use my vouchers to get into p&i screening if any empty seats are left. Im hoping to see drive, but i may have to settle for something else if its full.
Last night I saw two films (after working an 8 hour captains shift at the lightbox). From Up On Poppy Hill & xThe Raid. (reviews soon).

bad blogger...post more

2011-09-08T07:09:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged for most of Summer. Now that the summer is officially over, I should not let the trend continue. I was very busy, and I missed a lot of opportunities for great posts.

The Toronto International Film Festival begins today, I will be a Volunteer Captain at the tiff bell lightbox. Afterwards I have two movies to see, FROM UP ON POPPY HILL, and the first midnight madness film THE RAID. I will post reviews of EVERY film I see.

The Unkablocking of Sunny J

2011-08-16T21:20:00.000-07:00

I took my opportunity at the Underground Cinema's screening of Kevin Smith's Red State to beg the director for his forgiveness and to be unblocked from his twitter feed. As I posted, I was ka-blocked for being an asshole, and I deserved it, but to not be "in Kevin Smith's World" was a punishment that cut deep into my soul and was too much to endure.

Kevin recognized me from a previous encounter (but not this one) and was surprised he had blocked me. He said all was forgiven and he walked out and gave me a hug. It was overwhelming. It's hard to describe.

I woke this morning to find myself still blocked, but Meggles233 came through and then I started to get a lot of "follows" all of a sudden.

I am now unkablocked by the man himself.

I was Kablocked by @thatkevinsmith

2011-06-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

I made the mistake of bitching about the opening song for Kevin Smith's morning podcast Plus One Per Diem. I was Kablocked! Kevin wields a brutal ban-hammer, and I am now being punished on twitter. I was really excited for Joe Rogan to be on the podcast and I just tweeted without thinking. I really dislike the opening song to the podcast, it's mixed way out.

I am a stupid ANONYMOUS internet asshole

I thought about the possibility of being blocked right after I hit "Enter". It was already too late. Blocked.

The worst part is Kevin singled me out and said I wasn't in his world anymore. My heart is broken.

Super 8 IN THEATRES FRIDAY JUNE 10

2011-06-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

I saw an advance screening of Super 8 last night at the AMC.
Go see it this weekend!

JJ Abrams (Cloverfield, Star Trek) has a flair for monsters, and a real flair for lens flares. His collaboration with Steven Spielberg is a match made in film-geek heaven.
Comparisons have been made between Cloverfield and Super 8, and they do share common elements but Super 8 is a much better film. I didn't like Cloverfield, it made me nauseous (although it was on my birthday and I had drank a fifth of Wild Turkey, so I can't blame the shaky camera).
Cloverfield was a bunch of unlikable urban adults running from a monster armed only with a digital camera, while Super 8 has lovable small town youth running from a monster with a Super8 camera. The movie is set in the late 70's and it really works well. everything has a certain innocence. It's funny and cute and scary, and has a certain quality that will make it re-watchable for years to come. Try and see it on the big screen.

...And I feel fine

2011-05-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

I'm working on my New York blog and should have it up soon.

I was too pooched out yesterday to attempt the game. I just listened on the radio and fell asleep.

Giant Canadian Beaver

Paul and I watched the Jays beat the Astros today. The dome was open and I got a little sun. Jose Bautista hit his 17th and 18th home run of the season.

Afterwards I went to the AMC. The Rapture was supposedly on its way and I wanted to be watching movies when it went down.

Bridesmaids was really funny, the theatre was 95% women. They reacted loudly when Kristen Wiig's character made a bad relationship decision. It was a good audience to take the movie in with.. It's not "The Hangover with ladies" as it had been pitched in ads. Wiig carries the picture well. Her friendship with Mya Rudolph is totally believable (being SNL alum they probably are).

I have too many movies to see this summer and can't start falling behind now so I figured I'd try and see another movie. I'm all about the Double Bill.

Arthur was fun. I'm a fan of the original, and I think Russel Brand does a good job as the infinitely rich drunkard. Gretta Gerwig is in the Liza Minnelli role, and much more believable as an attractive woman.
If you see one movie before the end of the world, see Bridesmaids, but if you see two, go see Arthur.

thoughts in New York City

2011-05-18T13:50:00.000-07:00

Just some thoughts.

The bus was two and a half hours late getting into New York. A closed bus lane into the Lincoln Tunnel sent us on a scenic detour though New Jersey. By the time we approached the tunnel again it was 9:30 and our bus driver informed us we were about to learn what it's like to enter Manhattan durring rush hour.

Walking around a bunch.

Manhattan is wealth, pure concentrated wealth. You can't have wealth without a ton of people to hold doors open for you and wait for you in cars.

Black Escalades with tinted windows wait on every curb.

I like the pod hotel/ It was tiny. I turned the television to Comedy Central and watched some House Party 2,

Soaked, just soaked to the bone. My sneakers squished with every step.

Drying my shoes with the hair dryer,

I ordered a small pepperoni pie and they said it would take about ten minutes. I went to pick up a six pack.

They forgot to make my pizza. He offered me a Pepsi but I told him I'd have a beer. I was soaking wet and imagining being back at my hotel with the pie and my 6 pack.

I ran out to pick up a rush ticket for How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. You can get cheap tickets to Broadway musicals if you don't care where you sit and can line up early in the am.

Bagel and a Shmear for breakfast.

Museum of Television and Radio Pealy Centre was fucking amazing. I watched a ton of Andy Kaufman footage I have never seen before.

Met up with Steve Stecklow, a friend from Burning Man.

David Copperfields had some amazing beer selection. Smokey beers and chocolaty beers and IPA's. I was really overcome with how awesome a time I was having and then my friend Will showed up with his girlfriend. I met Will at Mike's bachelor party (G-String-20) and subsequent wedding. Will was the funniest guy at the bachelor party and none of Mikes friends had ever met him before.

Do Not Touch, Untitled (Bear/Lamp)

This art installation was protected by two security guards (you can see their umbrellas in the photo). I asked what it was called and was told "Do-not-touch" in rehearsed english. It turns out it's Untitled (Bear/Lamp) by artist Urs Ficher.

The McGraw Hill Building, home of Sirius Radio and The Howard Stern Show

The Artie Lange Cupcake from Crumbs (500 Calories)

Personal pie, Abertinos

New York can't seem to fuck up pizza. It's good from the 1$ slice to the slightly more expensive slice.

Colbert Report (The reason for my trip) was awesome. It was really cool to see it live. He told us he was screwing up more than usual because he had vertigo.

"Who has two thumbs and is going to see the Colbert Report? This Guy!"

This was in front of a different hotel
from the ons I was staying at.

Lego Lady Liberty

FAO Shwartz is just a lame toys'R'us now. It was the toy store in the movie BIG. The last time I was there the Piano was being moved but they had it this time. They take a picture of you in front of a green screen and then you get to play on the actual piano,so stupid.

Lego Indiana Jones

Shadyvil Cups at Steve's place

Jeff Conaway hospitalized, where were you when you heard the news

cleans up good

2011-05-17T16:43:00.000-07:00

I interviewed for an internship in the Volunteer Resources department at the Toronto International Film Festival today. I have been working for them as a Volunteer Captain since December. I think it went really well. I've never felt more confident of my ability to do a job. Fingers crossed.

I'm getting on a bus to New York City in an hour, going to see the Colbert Report. I'm a lucky guy, I know. I kind of wish was going with someone. I like excitement but it goes better with friends.

wake up, jays tickets

2011-05-16T10:28:00.000-07:00

I go to a lot of games.

It takes me about 20 minutes to get to the Skydome from my house. I can wake up at 7:30, grab a coffee and make it to the Blue Jays Box Office by 8am. The other season pass holders are pretty cool(the ones who aren't scalpers at least). I talked to a nice lady about how good the baseball has been.

Yesterday I helped my friends LP and Momo move to their new place. It was cool to hang out with the guys, Matt, Colin and Momo.

Recovered in time for Colbert

2011-05-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

I've been so sick. That springtime sinus headache, nose-dripping, hacking phlegm thing. I took some Bukleys (in gel capsule form, I can't take the icky-tasting stuff). It made me feel like I was wearing a bubble wrap helmet all weekend.

I haven't blogged in a while. I've been writing in a book. It's a better way to get my ideas out. I thought about scanning a few pages and posting them here, I still might.

I'm going to see The Colbert Report in New York City on Wednesday. I'm pretty excited. I can try and use my phone to do some blogging, but my big idea was to take handwritten notes and scan it all when I get back. We will see.

The Doom Generation at Tiff Bell Lightbox

2011-04-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

When faced with the choice of watching the Blue Jays beat the Yankees again tonight or seeing Rose McGowan in The Doom Generation at the Lightbox, thankfully I can do a bit of both. I can go see the movie and after I will go watch the game since the Lightbox is so close to Skydome. This was the first Gregg Araki movie I ever saw. I rented it at Quick Mart back in Timmins when I was a teenager. I met him at tiff when he debuted Smiley Face. His movies can get pretty fucked up. I love living in a city where I can see an awesome movie and a baseball game in a single night.

More Record Store Day, back for some Skysaw

2011-04-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

The day after Record Store Day I checked in at Criminal Records, I forgot to pick up the single for Jimmy Chamberlain's new band Skysaw. Lucky for me they had one copy left. I had to raid my Mr Peanut bank for change and run back to the store. Jimmy is the best drummer in the world, I can't wait to see him play live again.

His Holiness The Guru Pitka Live

2011-04-18T18:28:00.000-07:00

Here is his holiness The Guru Pitka (Mike Myers) presenting his mantra & philosophy to a live crowd at the Magnet Theatre in New York City.

My very own internet, about time.

2011-04-18T08:53:00.001-07:00

I now have internet in my home, I can stop going to the Second Cup across the street every time I want to blog. That, along with my busy schedule has kept me from posting more frequently. I'm hoping having internet access will change my posting habits. My postcard blog should benefit since being close to my scanner is a necessity for those posts.

Record Store Day at Criminal Records in Toronto!

2011-04-16T09:17:00.000-07:00

On Record Store Day, independent record stores around the world get swarmed with record hounds seeking limited editions and exclusive releases by their favourite artists.

I lined up at 11:30 last night in front of Criminal Records on Queen St West for their midnight opening. I was not early enough and abandoned the line in favour of a better position in the morning.

I can justify record purchases as an unemployed shlub, only because of their limited nature, I guess I'm a sucker in that respect.

I was up just before 7 and since I'm right across the street I was quickly in line, but not first (I was 5th, not bad). I chatted with the folks in line to pass the time and soon enough we were spending money on records!

Here's what I picked up:

Nirvana
Hormoaning (UMe)
This EP was originally released in Australia, this is the first time it has been released in North America

City and Colour
Sometimes (Record Store Day Exclusive)
- hand numbered of 500 (mine is #126)
- 2 x 180g black vinyl
- silk screened jacket
- includes bonus track "missing"

Daft Punk
Tron Soundtrack EP (Walt Disney Records)
Exclusive track 'Castor', Unique picture disc design of identity ring on clear vinyl disc with ring in 3 different colors: Blue, Yellow & Red, and overall first vinyl release, packaged in clear cellophane wrap see through sleeve to allow for visibility of picture disc, all disc information to be printed on sticker on sleeve.

The White Stripes
Lafayette Blues / Sugar Never Tasted So Good (Third Man Records)
Reissue of the White Stripes second single from 1998. Limited quantities available on white/black swirled vinyl. 7'' vinyl single, fold-over picture sleeve in poly bag

Let's Shake Hands / Look Me Over Closely (Third Man Records)
Reissue of the White Stripes first ever release from 1998. Limited quantities available on red/black swirled vinyl. 7'' vinyl single, fold-over picture sleeve in poly bag

Deftones
(singing) Covers (WBR)
LP Exclusive to RSD. Tracks previously available digitally and on import CD singles.
-The Cars' "Drive",
-Drive Like Jehu's "Caress",
-The Smiths' "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want",
-Sade, "No Ordinary Love",
-Jawbox "Savory",
-The Cardigans' "Do You Believe",
-Lynyrd Skynyrds's "Simple Man",
-Japan's "Ghosts",
-Duran Duran's "The Chauffeur",
-Santo and Johnny's "Sleep Walk"
and a live cover of The Cure's "If Only Tonight We Could Sleep"

UPDATE: picked up Skysaw the next day.

where am i?

2011-04-14T06:11:00.000-07:00

My lack of time and internet is the reasoning behind my sparse updates. The Internet Man (Rogers) should be by this week to hook up the tubes, then I will be out of excuses. I'm writing this from my friend Shawna's place while I watch her dog Rambo. Today I'm going to help put up election signs for my local incumbent MP Olivia Chow, then I have a Captain shift at the Lightbox. I'm so busy and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. Yankees are in town next week and I also have to help a friend move.

The High Cost Of Living @ Tiff Bell Lightbox

2011-04-12T15:37:00.000-07:00

I vas volunteering at the Lightbox and I got to watch a great new Canadian film called The High Cost of Living. Shot in Montreal and starring Zach Braff (an American, playing an American) and a fantastic Quebecoise actress Isabelle Blais, this is the first feature for writer/director Deborah Chow. It preemed at tiff last year and it gets a Canadian theatrical release later this month.
The movie is about two people whose lives colide in a tragic accident. It was very good. If you only know Zach Braff as a prat-falling doctor on Scrubs then you should check this out. Both the Director and the two stars were there to introduce the film. Unfortunately I could not take pictures because I was working.

no more coffee for internet

2011-04-05T07:44:00.000-07:00

I ordered the Internet, my brother had taken responsibility of the task when we began cohabiting in January. As I write this from the Second Cup across the street from my house I wish I had placed the order months ago. It will still take a week to get hooked up (I'm with TekSavvy but I have to wait for a Rogers guy to open the Internet Tube).

I can't wait to have internet where I can actually download some tv shows and movies, legally of course.

Lolita at the Lightbox

2011-04-05T07:31:00.000-07:00

I was volunteering at the Lightbox, without the responsibilities of being a Captain, I was able to watch the movie (after performing my volunteer flashlight duties of course). The film was Stanley Kubrick's Lolita, as part of tiff's Books on Film Series. The print was rather old and rough, a few minutes were skipped when the audio was blown out, but otherwise a great screening of a 49 year old film.

The audience was mostly women over 50, and there was an audible gasp when Richard Corliss, TIME magazine film critic and author of a book about Lolita for the British Film Institute suggested that the character, Lolita, was anything except a victim. The audience seemed to grumble at the idea that she held any power or control. The volunteer I watched the movie with wondered if they had watched the same movie as us. Peter Sellers is really great in it.

Scalpers Suck. Blue Jays Rock!

2011-04-04T10:14:00.000-07:00

I went to see the Jays on Saturday with my actual brother Marc and some friends of his from Timmins. I could not get a hold of Cayen or Shawna, which has happend before, and not a surprise.

I sent this email to the Blue Jays feedback regarding my experience picking up my tickets before the game:

"Wow, what an exciting weekend. I am a Toronto Star Pass holder and lifelong Jays Fan. I had a great time at the games, and all your staff were friendly and helpful.

In the Terms & Conditions of the Star Pass, it said that you could only redeem 6 passes per person. On Saturday I showed up just before 10am for my tickets, I had a scalper cut in line in front of me and redeem a stack of 12 Star Passes, then he attempted to pass off another stack of passess to another scalper who just showed up and cut into the line. The ticket agent was going to proceed with the transaction till I protested. The ticket agent then served me my tickets (top row, surprise!).
I understand scalping is a reality of any ticketed event, however in this case your ticketing staff were facilitating tickets to the scalpers beyond the terms of the Star Pass.

On Sunday staff at least made an attempt to set up a line divider, but the scalpers were still not respecting the line. Other fans I talked to were equally upset by all the obvious line cutting. Fans want good seats to sit in, Scalpers want good seats to sell.

Please do something about the line.
Please instruct your staff to respect limits regarding Star Passes.

Thank you,
Julien Chabot
GO JAYS GO!"

OK! Blue Jays! Let's... play... ball!

2011-03-31T15:42:00.000-07:00

I've got a nice new Jays hat, my classic Jays jacket is dry cleaned and looks brand new, and earlier this week I picked up my 2 season passes for all 80 of the Toronto Blue Jays the home games. My good friend and brother from a bus driving mother John Cayen is coming to town and we will be going to Saturdays game against the Twins.

I love going to baseball games with friends and I'm looking forward to lots of good times this summer at the Ol' Skydome (Suck it Ted Rogers).

Julie Dorion Live at The Garrison Toronto

2011-03-27T16:25:00.000-07:00

I took some video with my flip camera at last nights Julie Dorion show at The Garrison.

Lula at Soccer!

2011-03-18T09:17:00.000-07:00

My cousin Treya takes her daughter to soccer practice and sometimes I get to tag along. It's the cutest thing. The kids are so fun to watch. I took this video with my flip, I will post more as I can. I am still dependent on the nearby Second Cup for internet.

Here Lula can't seem to figure out the cones when they are in a curved line.

My Flip Video is here!

2011-03-10T12:45:00.000-08:00

Canada Post delivered my flip video! It took 9 business days to get here. The "custom" design looks so cool, I'm really happy with how it turned out. Now I just have to give it a charge for 3 hours before I try and take some video. I will post the results here as soon as I upload them.

Sam The Record Man NOW Magazine Ad

2011-02-28T08:07:00.000-08:00

I used to work in the video department at the greatest store on Earth, Sam the Record Man. This was an ad placed in NOW magazine back in May 2005. Christian, Christa and I were able to choose some titles and write a blurb. It was one of the few times we got to give any real input. I'm only transcribing a few, it's time consuming to retype!

Clerks X
Kevin Smith
Ten years after his breakout hit Clerks, Kevin Smith is still working late nights at the Quickstop. Clerks X celebrates the convenience store that started it all (Mecca of all things Askew) with 3 discs loaded with commentaries for the theatrical release and the Sundance cut, a Q & A with the cast and the great "Snowball Effect" documentary. the animated lost scene is a must see as is Randal querying Dante to the depths he would go for Mans ultimate dream…"The Flying Car". A true comedy classic, Clerks X is an essential addition to your collection to be enjoyed for decades to come.
Julien Chabot @ Sams 3 years

Bubba Ho TepDon Coscarelli
Elvis is alive and well… living in Writer/Director Don Coscarelli's offbeat horror-comedy cult hit. Bruce "the Man" Campbell is Elvis, retired and waiting to die in a texas nursing home.When an evil soul sucking mummy shows up to feed off the easy targets, Elvis joins a conspiracy minded JFK(Ossie Davis in one of his final great performances) to flush out the ancient egyptian before he flushes their souls. Watch it again and again and when a friend who hasn't seen it comes over watch it again.
Julien Chabot @ Sam's 3 years

ElephantGus Van Sant
Winner of the Palm d'Or and best director awards at the 2003 Cannes film festival, Elephant is Gus Van Sant's (My Own Private Idaho, Good Will Hunting) realistic and haunting portrayal of high school life on an afternoon that should have been like any other.His use of non-actors and a minimal script creates an unconventional and captivating film. this is a simple yet hard hitting picture in which Van Sant offers us an objective look at high school violence and gun control. The film leaves you with a somber feeling considering these evens have happened and seem inevitable to happen again in the future. A unique docudrama fit for every film enthusiasts collection.
Christa Szakonyi @ Sams 2 years

Pick up your EarsStephen Fears
Joe Orton was one of the bad boys of swinging London in the 60's, Hero of the anti establishment, and winner of several awards for his plays. The film "Pick up your Ears" charts Orton's life in a series of flashbacks and benefits from a strong performance by Gary Oldman in the leading role. Most of the narrative revolves around the year 1964-1967, from Orton's first West End success to his death at the hands of Kenneth Halliwell, his live-in partner. Oldman is superb in this role, his Orton is totally convincing, charming selfish and occasionally infuriating. Alfred Molina co-stars as Halliwell, Vanessa Redgrave as Orton's agent, the formidable Peggy Ramsey. Stephen Fears does a fine job with direction. Excellent cinematography by Oliver Stapleton, and very good period music by Stanley Myers.
Christian Wehrhahn @Sam's 3 years

Scott Pilgrim Flip Video

2011-02-25T09:10:00.000-08:00

I ordered this customized Flip UltraHD 8GB Video Camer a. I need this thing for a bunch of reasons. I have opportunities to take videos people want to see, and I want to present those videos in the best quality possible.

The amount of cool things going on in this city, I need to be able to capture HD video at a moments notice. I want to do interviews and produce some video blogs. My Youtube page should be really bumping in a few weeks.

Imagine if I had taken this video of Jack White here in Toronto with a better camera?

Face the Taxman

2011-02-25T08:54:00.000-08:00

I used TurboTax, formally QuickTax to complete my tax return last night. I have used the software in years past and had some difficulties. All my problems have been solved with the current release. This year's online version was easy to use and was free, thanks to my simple tax situation. I was done in 20 minutes.

The hardest part was changing my address information with Canada Revenue Agency (I liked it better when they were Revenue Canada). I used NETfile to file the return and it was super easy. I will have my return in two weeks.

Last year I was talking to a girl in San Francisco and I asked her who she worked for. She said I wouldn't know them, and then said she worked for Intuit, a software company, and I was like "I USE YOUR TAX PROGRAM!" The company has commented on my blog in the past, I wonder if they will read this post.

I really recommend you do your taxes as soon as possible, even if you owe the government money. Get it out of the way and the stress will finally go away. Do it yourself or let the super easy program do it for you.

captain at the light box

2011-02-22T05:14:00.001-08:00

I'm getting dressed to go to the light box. I am volunteering as a captain again today
Yesterday was family day and it was totally crazy. Today should be a bit more civil. I am dictating this blog post into my phone. I still don't have internet I figured this would be a good way to update. I will go to second cup after so I can access the internet and write a better post.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Radiohead's New Album: The King of Limbs

2011-02-18T11:03:00.000-08:00

I just ordered the new Radiohead album The King of Limbs. Unlike 2007's In Rainbows this time the band isn't allowing fans to name a price, and are selling the download version for a reasonable 9$ I decided to get the deluxe edition, since Radiohead vinyl never seems to depreciate in value (it ships in May, I will review it here when it arrives). I am just waiting for the download to finish up here in this Second Cup coffee shop and then I will head home to give it a listen since I can't use headphones to hear new Radiohead (crank the speakers!).
CLICK HERE TO ORDER NEW RADIOHEAD ALBUM THE KING OF LIMBS

Finally, Digital TV on my Mac

2011-02-18T09:36:00.000-08:00

I can finally unleash the awesome power of the Elgato EyeTV Hybrid, a device for watching digital tv on my macbook. I bought the EyeTv at the Macworld Expo about two years ago, it plugs into the USB port and is very simple to use. It has allowed me to digitize all my VHS tapes, It can pick up digital TV signals with the help of an antenna, but because I had basic cable at my old place I hesitated to spend the fifty bucks at ~~Be$t You Buy~~. What the hell was I thinking waiting so long? The CN tower emits a VHF (very high frequency) signal that can be picked up easily with an antenna. I found a decent Phillips antenna for 5$ on College Street and after running the quick setup assistant I can now pick up 8 channels of uncompressed HDTV: CBC, SRC, Global, CFTO, Omni 2, City Tv, Omni 1, SunTV. A full compliment of terrible programming, however woven into the turd tapestry of television is a golden thread of The Daily Show, Letterman, Conan and the Simpsons (I also enjoy a little CBC news and some Strombo as well). This device is so cool, I can rewind and record live TV, which is sweet, and the best part is Roger$ dosen't get a fucking penny.

I Won a copy of The Art of Tim Burton, Autographed!

2011-02-16T08:09:00.000-08:00

I have already said I love volunteering at the Tiff Bell Lightbox, I get to contribute to the festival's artistic vision while at the same time scoring free movie vouchers. Last week I entered a contest just for the tiff volunteers, and I won! It's an autographed copy of The Art Of Tim Burton. You may recall I met Tim Burton back in November at the Tiff Bell Lightbox, he was there to promote the opening of his awesome exhibit. I could never afford this book and had to settle for two much cheaper (still very cool) journals. I'm so lucky to have won this beautiful book.

Click here for The Art of Tim Burton publishers website where you can order the book for yourself, or come buy one at the Tiff Bell Lightbox.

Nintendo Hipsters Unite!

2011-02-14T12:27:00.000-08:00

I got some new Nintendo games for Christmas but since I don't have a TV I really can't play any of them (Nooooo!). I registered my new games at Club Nintendo and with my Club Nintendo coins (550) I ordered this sweet side bag last week and it arrived today!

It's a real cool looking bag and I cant wait till the weather is a bit nicer, I will use it to carry my laptop or, eventually, an android tablet of some type. I'm proud of being Nintendo Otaku.

Non-update

2011-02-09T10:47:00.000-08:00

I haven't been updating this blog as often as I would like. I have been keeping quite busy for an unemployed slacker. Posts about my trip to Montreal, a Julie Doiron show last week and a wicked Burning Man party this past weekend are all half finished. I feel creative but I'm not sure this blog is my outlet. I really want to start producing some short video blog-type things, but I need a new camera.

I have been devoting as much time as I can to the Tiff Bell Lightbox. I find it to be extremely rewarding, along with spending time with other like minded lovers of film, I am gaining tons of valuable experience as a Volunteer Captain. Sure it would be nice to get a paying job, but I am honestly as happy as could be.

I just read this article about Paul Haggis and his decision to leave Scientology in the New Yorker. It's long, but a very interesting read. I am looking forward to seeing him at the Lightbox tomorrow.

Splice at the Lightbox

2011-02-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

I won free tickets to see Splice at the Lightbox as part of the Canadian Top 10 of 2010, I was going to see it anyways since I missed it's theatrical run. It was fun take on the Frankenstein story. The director, Vincenzo Natali was in attendance and spoke about the film afterwards. It was very cool.

Wise Man says "Dont Fret the Bass"

2011-01-31T18:43:00.000-08:00

I got off the bus at 6:15am, back in sweet Toronto, I went home and then slept all day.

Now I'm hanging with my friends The Stormalongs in the jam space, and they sound fucking great.

Here is what they worked on tonight:

The Stormalongs Jam List, Notice no "Freebird"

Red State out October 19th, see it early

2011-01-27T08:34:00.000-08:00

Kevin Smith debuted his new film Red State at Sundance this week, and then announced with much fanfare that he would forgo selling his first horror film to traditional distributors and release the film himself. Kevin Smith alway bets on Kevin Smith. It's a good bet and it's paid off before (Kevin backed his first film Clerks on multiple high-intrest credit cards). He is willing to make this gambit because he has supreme confidence in his work and in his ability to secure an audience by networking directly with his fans. He blogged for a long time, and then he pretty much stopped blogging the minute he discovered twitter, and hasn't stopped tweeting since.

The movie will Open October 19th 2011, but US fans can see it early, buy tickets here.

March 5 Radio City Music Hall, NY, NY
March 6 Wilbur Theater, Boston, MA
March 8 Harris Theater, Chicago, IL
March 9 State Theater, Minneapolis, MN
March 10 Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI
March 11 Clowes Memorial Hall, Indianapolis, IN
March 12 Midland Theater, Kansas City, MO
March 14 Clark State PAC, Springfield, OH
March 22 Paramount Theater, Denver, CO
March 26 McAlister Auditorium, New Orleans, LA
March 28 Paramount Theatre, Austin, TX
March 29 Cobb Energy Centre, Atlanta, GA
April 4 Marion Oliver McCall Hall, Seattle, WA

I'm sure he will add some Canadian dates, perhaps around the Walter Gretzky Ball Hockey Tournament in June. I hope the screenings happen at the Lightbox but I could see it happening at the Underground since they have a bigger room. Either way Red State will sell out when it screen in Toronto. I will be there and if you want to know about it keep checking this blog.

Incendies at the Tiff Bell Lightbox

2011-01-27T07:39:00.000-08:00

My good friend Regimbal wanted to see Incendies. the Canadian film that was nominated for a Best Foreign-Language Film Academy Award on Tuesday. It's playing at the Lightbox (it opened at Tiff). I picked up the tickets early because some showings have been selling out. I finally got to use some of my massive Volunteer Voucher stockpile to get the tickets. When I told Regimbal that he would have to reimburse me for the ticket with his time, he said he would rather pay me in cash.

The movie was fantastic. It's no wonder it was nominated. I would recommend it for anyone who can handle some heavy subject matter. The movie is about a mothers dying request of her children and their journey to fulfil it. Thats all I'm gonna say. Go see it and support Canadian Cinema.

"That's Called Chin Music"

2011-01-24T17:52:00.000-08:00

Eric Nagler hands you a brick in a sock and you ask "What kind of music does this make?"

I'm at the jam space watching the guys run through the set, just heard them play a great Clowns. Colin was getting shocked by his amp being plugged into an ungrounded outlet. They worked out the beginning of Days Alight, different since Momo is gone.

The Stormalongs played in Sudbury this past weekend. The show went well I'm told, although the car battery died on them as they tried to leave. I really want to go with the guys next time they go out of town. I'm missing all the rock n' roll adventure.

I had a Johnny Cash dvd I was going to sell at a CD store, but since they would probably only give me 2$, I figured I might as well just give it to Colin.

Waiting in line for a new Health Card

2011-01-24T10:06:00.001-08:00

I just downloaded an update to this blogger-droid app and figured I would test it out while in line at Service Ontario. I need a new health card. I love socialist medicine but I can't get any without a Health Card. In the past this app has not worked well, so if you are reading this on my blog then it works, the next step is seeing if it works with a photo (this has given me a lot of trouble before).

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Coffee for Intenet is fair trade

2011-01-24T08:58:00.000-08:00

I'm in a coffee shop across the street from my place. I can actually see my bedroom window from where I am sitting. I would like to be enjoying the interwebs from the comforts of said bedroom but my brother has yet to secure an interweb provider. I used to come to this Second Cup when the net was down at my old place which was quite often in the past few months. I'm pretty much a regular here now, which fuels paranoia that the staff no doubt talk about me behind my back.

Birthday Lightbox

2011-01-19T06:26:00.001-08:00

I had decided to work on my birthday because I really like being at the Tiff Bell Lightbox and it was the only Captain shift available for the rest of the month. I went and met with Granny Mo, we went to Tim Hortons for some lunch. She did not have any of the bread, she is sticking to her new diet and loosing weight. Gmo feels like she has been getting really old really fast, but its been a gradual process from my point of view.

I started my Captain shift and Granny Mo explored the Tim Burton Extibition for over two and a half hours. She really enjoyed it, and was inspired to try some stop motion herself. I have an idea I will write out for her and see what kind of sketches she comes up with. We grabbed dinner at the Canteen on my break and talked about the exhibition. I'm lucky to have such a cool supportive granny in my life. It made for a great birthday.

Facebook has made birthdays way too easy on people. People can post best wishes on your wall and feel satisfied with a job well done. Facebook is fine for wishing someone you went to grade school with a happy birthday, but if I was your best friend since we were 5 and you almost killed me in a car once and I performed your marriage last year, then maybe I deserve a personal call on my birthday *hint*. I got so many posts on my facebook I put up my cell number and asked for text best wishes, and overloaded my phone with texts. I also had no idea who the messages were coming from since I didn't have their contact in my phone and the senders usually only wrote "happy birthday!".

After my shift I went and picked up a few cans of Steamwhistle and went back to my place to celebrate my birthday. It was low key affair. A few friends came over for a few beers. I really enjoyed it. Ian brought me a bottle of Wild Turkey, so I made some Rusty Nails with Wild Turkey Burbon and Wild Turkey Liqueur.

Breakfast and Green Hornet

2011-01-15T15:43:00.000-08:00

Paul and I have a bounty of food in the fridge, thanks to me. Today I started breakfast while he was doing his ablutions. Bacon and sausage cooked on ye olde Geogio Forman and a super-cheese omelet and hash browns. It covered all the grease groups. Over coffee Paul mentioned how he would like to see some Captain Crunch in his cereal bowl, I recommended he try the grocery store.

Ian and I like to see every new movie we can, and opening weekend is a great time. We both wanted to check out Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg penned Gondry directed Green Hornet. Ian picked me up in his production wheels and we drove to the Carlton since the snow was going to prevent us from making it to the Queensway in time for the 1:30 show. The old Carlton Cinemas was owned by Cineplex and had fallen in disrepair, but the Rainbow Cinemas bought it and cleaned it up a bit. The screens are still ridiculously small, and I probably would avoid going to see a movie there again if I was offered any other option. The movie itself was very entertaining. James Franco has a great cameo up against Christoph Waltz, who as the villan can't seem to gain the fear and respect he so deserves. Jay Chou is a great Kato and Rogen maintains plausibility as a hero. Rogen and Goldberg are my heroes, their writing is so violent and so funny.

My other hero Kevin Smith had a go at Green Hornet back when it was a Miramax picture. They have adapted his un-produced screenplay into a comic book, I'm going to check it out for sure.

Gmo Monday!

2011-01-10T06:32:00.000-08:00

I went shopping with my Granny Mo today. I got a pair of black New Balance shoes for working at the Lightbox. My dress shoes are just too uncomfortable to stand in for long periods. I have a few shifts this week so I'm glad to have good comfy shoes. We went to lunch at Baton Rouge, it was a little pricey, but Gmo loved the soup. She thinks she's been getting really old really fast. She has to take a lot of breaks to sit down and I cant really walk slow enough for her, I don't mind slowing down. I'm lucky I get to spend time with her. Her questions can be frustrating. Sometimes she wants me to elaborate on Yes or No answers.

My buddy Ian started working on reshoots, so he has a production vehicle again. We went for an evening drive. I love rolling around the city with Ian. We just talk movies and the conversation is always so enthralling.

Danny Husk in a Comic Book

2011-01-06T18:37:00.000-08:00

I was at the CNIB all day helping distribute the 2011 TTC Metropasses. Afterwards I hurried to the Beguiling to pick up Scott Thompson's graphic novel The Hollow Planet and meet the man himself. I'm a huge Kids in The Hall fan and it was great to meet him in such an intimate setting. He was very nice and the book looks really funny.

The book features one of Scott's most memorable characters from the series, Danny Husk. If you don't remember Danny then watch this video:

Last Day at Sandy's

2010-12-31T07:00:00.001-08:00

I'm moving. This is the last post I will write from this room that I have lived in for over 3 years now. I'm so sick of that bastard Happy Hardcore I can't wait to leave. He had a party on Tuesday night that went into the 3am zone. I wouldn't give a shit if I wasn't volunteering but I am. I can't deal with this shit anymore and now I don't have to. Matt is on his way over with a van and I'm getting some more helpers throughout the day. I cam't wait to be in my new place with my brother Paul.

Man in black for tiff

2010-12-27T07:04:00.000-08:00

I'm going to my first shift as a volunteer for the Tiff Bell Lightbox. I will be working at the theatre end, but I'm not sure what my duties will be. I'm up to dress code, all in black, wearing my nice new clothes (Thanks Gmo). I'm very excited about the opportunities this position could bring if I work hard and get noticed. I sure will get noticed if I'm late, so I had better be leaving now.

Kevin Smith's Red State Coming Soon

2010-12-17T09:19:00.000-08:00

Kevin Smith's new movie Red State is out next year, premiering at his alma mater the Sundance Film Festival. It's his first attempt at horror, and I can't wait to see it. Kevin has been auctioning off the movie poster to the highest bidder (funds going to charity), which would get any blog or website many thousands of hits. This first winner was Giant Fire Breathing Robot, you can click here to see the first poster. Smitty is now accepting bids for the next poster, but since I can't afford it I thought I would just post these great videos I took of Kevin Smith. I really need a HD video recorder.

Tron Legacy Toronto sneak-peek, TRONopoulos!

2010-12-09T23:01:00.000-08:00

Torontonians following @Strombo on twitter were lucky enough to catch an advance look at this winters day-glo blockbuster Tron Legacy at the CN Tower.

This movie is excellent! It's been almost 30 years since Disney gave us the live-acation/CG hybrid Tron. Now the Mouse House brings us back into the gird in 3D! This time Flynn's son Sam must travel into the grid to find his long-lost father. Jeff Bridges is back as Kevin Flynn, and as his program alter ego CLU. CGI Botox makes Bridges look like his 80's self, mullet and all. It's very trippy to see them together. The older Flynn gives off a serious Lebowski vibe at times, and the crowd loved it. Daft Punk pumps some sick music on the soundtrack, and has a sweet cameo in the film. I really wish I could see 3D, but since I can't I have to rely on the oohs and ahhs of the audience, which were quite plentiful. I have the strongest feeling that the Production Designer goes to Burning Man. I really recommend you go see the new Tron when it comes out next week.

this time I'm right, Tron at CN Tower

2010-12-09T15:31:00.001-08:00

All that running around and tweeting /blogging like a madman, I find myself in line at the CN Tower for strombo's super leet tron legacy screening. I was so wrong so much,maybe I should give it a rest but I wanted to update anyone who stumbled on this blog. The next post should be a tron legacy review.

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Tron Legacy to sneak at Tiff Bell Lightbox

2010-12-09T14:15:00.000-08:00

So I was wrong. Tron Legacy will not be at the Scotiabank tonight. @catherinefaas tweeted I might try and look further south east. The Lightbox denied any knowledge of a screening, but anonymous commented that the Lightbox was the place. Roy Thompson Hall is full of old people so I know it's not there.

I'm at a Second Cup, heading back to the Lightbox to get some answers.

Tron-onto! Strombo promises sneak-peek at new Flynn

2010-12-09T13:15:00.000-08:00

Twitter is a great way to find out about cool things going on in your neighborhood. I'm lucky that the King of Queen W., George Strombo lives in my neighborhood, and is also on my twitter. He's hipped me to a free screening of the new Tron movie. When he tweeted:

I did the math and figured it was at the Scotiabank Theatre mere blocks from the CBC. But upon arrival I was met by a clueless employee who assured me the movie doesn't open till next week. When I told her Strombo sent me she said maybe Strombo had lied.

~~I'm waiting in a Starbucks next to the Scotiabank Theatre, where I'm sure the event is going down. I'm just waiting for Strombo to tweet the word.~~

Adam "momo" Morello is alive and well (not dead I assure you)

2010-12-01T12:48:00.000-08:00

Momo rocking

The Stormalongs have announced that Adam Morello has decided not to continue as the bands rhythm guitarist. He is however still alive. The band's recent posts may have led fans to believe that Morello had joined the ethereal plane, posting a video called "A Tribute To Adam", and otherwise eulogizing their guitarist on facebook (Guys, Youtube, please! I can't embed facebook video).

Momo will be missed. His musical talent is matched only by his rugged good-looks. I have been fortunate enough to see my friends Colin, Matt, and Mo jam together in different incarnations for more than 10 years now. I consider myself lucky to have watched the captured lightning for so long.

The Stormalongs will continue as a three piece, but are actively searching for a guitarist to fill Momo's large shoes. This would be a perfect opportunity for ME to join the Stormalongs, but my inability to play guitar would prove rather embarrassing during the audition process.

Movember is over,

2010-12-01T11:08:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much to all my Movember supporters. Your donations will help fight prostate cancer, and build a future where fingers are only put up asses for recreational purposes (sorry Dr. Procto). A special thanks to my friend Robot Head, who made the final donation that pushed me to the 100$ mark, the bar has been set for next year. I promised a John Waters looking Mo' if I could hit my mark, so...

It turns out John Waters uses a makeup pencil to draw his mustache on. I trimmed mine and then brought it down as close as I could. I think I did pretty good for a blind guy. I'm walking around in public with this thing for now, but I will shave it off later today and say goodbye to mustaches till next Movember.

It looks better with a smile

All Day Breakfast from 7-11

2010-11-30T06:54:00.000-08:00

My brother Paul and I met for breakfast. We went to Avenue Open Kitchen. Our father raised us to love and respect greasy spoon eating. This place was loaded with character. Dad would love this place so we will have to take him next time he's in Toronto. I had bacon and eggs, along with some of Paul's back bacon and sausage, that makes 3 kinds of pork, salty.

I'm glad to get my day started earlier than usual. I'm adding so much to my plate in terms of responsibility. I'm taking advantage of some volunteer opportunities, but I'm still hoping to find some type of lucrative employment. But I write this from a Second Cup at 9:30 in the morning, no resumes printed, so I'm not actively seeking employment. It's more of a passive job hunt. I'm feeling extremely well caffeinated.

I haven't been to the gym in a while, yet I'm still paying for it, which is ridiculous. I'm going today, I'm so full of breakfast. All I have to do is run home and grab my gym gear.

Gone till Movember

2010-11-29T13:00:00.000-08:00

Movember is almost over, and I have managed to raise 85$ for prostate cancer! My Aunt Rachel and my friend Jody both donated. I appreciate it so much, thanks. If I can raise at least 100$ I will shave my facial hair into a pencil thin John Waters-esque mustache. DONATE HERE PLEASE!

What was the secret to my 'stache? How did I grow such a manly mustache? The trick was to stop shaving above my lip, and it worked!

Please make a donation by clicking here, and if you already have, then thank you so much. Your generosity touches my heart (and my prostate, which I find oddly stimulating, don't stop).

Smashing Pumpkins New Single Tom Tom FREE!

2010-11-25T15:30:00.000-08:00

You can download the new Pumpkins track Tom Tom from the sidebar embedded to the right(if you don't see it you may need to clear your cache). The entire 44 track album will be released for free in this manner.

Paying customers may choose to buy the second volume of The Smashing Pumpkins epic Teargarden By Kaleidyscope album available from Amazon. It's a limited edition deluxe 12-inch vinyl picture disc with tracks Freak, Spangled, The Fellowship and Tom Tom, plus the unreleased B- Side Cottonwood Symphony. The box also includes a 4 song EP CD.

Pick it up for the Pumpkins fan on your Christmas list. (Sorry Dad, I think Mom is calling dibs on this one for me).

Tim Burton at The Bell Lightbox in Toronto

2010-11-22T13:47:00.001-08:00

Tim Burton at Toronto's Bell Lightbox

I just met Tim Burton at the Bell Lightbox. The director is in town to promote the opening of his eponymous exhibition and film programme. He was really nice, taking the time to shake hands and share pleasantries with those who had waited all day in line. I'm broke, so I couldn't afford the beautiful Art of Burton book and settled on the much cheaper light-up journal. I'm not quite sure what to do with a journal with Tim Burton's autograph, since I obviously couldn't write in it myself. I guess it sits on my shelf and looks cool. Meeting the man was the real prize, and I'm looking forward to the Burton Blitz, in which Tiff will screen a marathon of Burton's work this Friday.

Hide the 'STACHE, it's the FUZZ!

2010-11-22T08:05:00.000-08:00

Still time to donate!

It's Movember! The month when real men grow serious mustaches, while the boys sprout pathetic peach fuzz. My philanthropic facial hair has so far raised 55$ for prostate Cancer, thanks to Mom, Dad and my sweet sister Shlobo. This mustache is growing on me, both literally and figuratively. I feel like a cross between Tom Selleck and Terry Fox. If I don't get rid of it at the end of the month I might have to consider a career as a 70's porn star.

You can click here to donate.

The Stormalongs personalize rock

2010-11-19T14:41:00.000-08:00

The Stormalongs played The Garrison last night for some close friends. The small crowed that was assembled before the show disappeared during the first song, driven away no doubt by the horrible feedback courtesy of a missing sound tech. The band delivered despite never having faced such a poor crowd to band-member ratio.

A series of tubes

2010-11-19T14:18:00.000-08:00

The internet at my house is slow and unreliable, sometimes non-existent. My landlord, who has no concept of what the internet is, signed the house up for a second rate ISP called Customer Is King. They suck and explaining this to my landlord seems futile. All the complaining is falling on deaf ears. I'm ready to get my own internet from Tek Savvy (a well-respected ISP).

I have been going to Second Cup or alternatively, the Sanderson branch of the Toronto Public Library. The book depository is nice because I don't have to purchase anything to plug in and surf the interwebs. Hobos are also wise to this fact, and use the library to seek respite from the cold. Yesterday a hobo smelled like poo, so I avoided it today.

No one smells like poo at Second Cup, but the pumped-in Christmas music is the auditory equivalent. I'm on my third coffee now getting some blogging done. I will probably chat someone's ear off once I leave here (caffeine makes me even more talkative).

Tim Burton is coming to Toronto!

2010-11-19T13:28:00.000-08:00

The Bell Lightbox is one of Toronto's newest and coolest cultural assets. The permanent home of Tiff will host the Tim Burton Exhibition and Film Programme beginning November 26th. The broody auteur will be on hand at the Lightbox for an autograph session on Monday November 22nd from 4pm-5:30pm. Before you dust off your Frankenweenie VHS be aware Mr. Burton will only sign copies of Tim Burton Dark Horse journals as well as these three other books: The Art of Tim Burton; Burton on Burton; and Tim Burton - Masters of Cinema Series, All four items will be available on-site at TIFF.Shop. From the sternly worded press release:

"This event is open to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. No other books or collectibles will be signed at this event and the books must be purchased at TIFF.Shop. In order to ensure that the maximum number of people are able to get their book(s) signed, autographs will not be personalized and there is a limit of two items per person."

I will be there, of course. Along with the great opportunity to meet one of the most talented filmmakers of our time is a chance to explore his work in greater detail, and catch some of his better work on one of the Lightboxes state-of-the-art screens. Tiff Members get discounted tickets, so if you haven't already, pick one up.

Bassquarter's back in the house

2010-11-18T11:42:00.000-08:00

Bassquarter sleeping, on her spot, heated of course

So my cat Bassquarter disappears for weeks at a time in the summer, to the point where both Happy Hardcore and I both thought she was gone for good. I even wrote a post about it here. But then the cat came back the very next day. It looks like I never got around to posting that she was back, so I must have led people to believe she was still gone.

She still pops outside, but doesn't wander far and lately she has been right by the door waiting to be let back in. Now that it's colder out and the heat is on, she's likely not going back out till spring. She loves the spot behind the front door, on top of the heater. She will only leave it for food.

Mo'Stache, Mo'Problems

2010-11-17T13:28:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to raise some funds for Prostate Cancer along with millions of other dudes on facebook. Movember is so popular this year that the standard fare for Mustache rides has bottomed out. In October mustache rides were still going for the standard 5 cent rate, but now there are so many Mo'Bros that most men are now having to offer FREE mustache rides.

So far I have received some donations from my Mom and my Dad. I'm pretty happy with that, but Movember is far from over and I could probably get a couple more donations from some kind friends.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!

Also if your a lady and want to know what you can do to show your support for Movember check out this video:

You’re watching Have Sex With a Guy With A Mustache Day. See the Web's top videos on AOL Video

Unstoppable

2010-11-16T16:04:00.001-08:00

Unstoppable was a good ride. Denzel Washinton is showing Chris Pine the ropes on his first day of train conducting when something goes wrong. It's Training Day, on a train! The lesson to be learned is never give Ethan Suplee's charecter any responsibility, ever. My gripe with this movie is the constant exposition from the news coverage. At times it's actually laughable, explaining every single point of tension, simplified for a retarded television audience. The movie was worth seeing, especially at the AMC's ETX screen (it's nice and loud, but more expensive).

Happy Birthday Nick Stormalong!

2010-11-15T19:24:00.000-08:00

I'm blogging from the floor of Stomalongs jam space, deep beneath my brother's office, from which I'm ganking internets. I carry earplugs in my bag for just such an occasion, it is very LOUD.

The pre-jam ritual of beer and Pixies was on. Then, just before the rock began, Colin presented Nick with a gift of 12 year old Scotch on behalf of the band to wish him a happy birthday. Colin made note of the auspicious nature of their meeting, and that without Nick, the rock would cease to exist and The Stormalongs never would have been.

The Stormalongs will be playing a show at the Garrison this Thursday, November 18th. It's on Dundas just west of Ossington (1197 Dundas W). If you're in Toronto then please come out.

Happy Birthday Nick, from a huge fan of you and your band!

Skyline Sucks

2010-11-15T11:45:00.001-08:00

I went to see Skyline with my cousin-in-law @ondre (wait, thats not a real relation, he is married to my cousin). As a parent, he doesn't get to go to the movies much, so I feel like an ass for making him see this sci-fi shit-brick.

Skyline is about some asshole douchebags who attempt to survive an alien invasion. It really sucked. It tries way too hard to be Cloverfield but misses, then tries for District 9 and totally fails. The directors have the most pretentious credit ever "A Brothers Strause Film", they previously directed AVP: Requiem and a Nickelback* video.

Skyline stars Eric Balfour, who you might remember from some episodes of the O.C. or 24, but I didn't since I've watched neither. It was about 2 minutes into the movie that I realized I hated looking at him.
The movie also has the nurse guy from Scrubs, and the cop guy from Dexter.

The more I thought about it, the more I really disliked this movie.

*the word "Nickelback" is to be read with a shudder accompanied the standard feeling of disgust.