Love is: a $90 Casio Keyboard

I tapped this sweet piece of musical ass, at Colosimos the other day.... And now it's mine...

Jazzalicious

News:
I will be singing some jazz on November 27th, at Mink Mountain Lodge.

Together, with guitarist Kyle Shushack, we will be playing some Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Leonard Cohen, etc. covers while guests eat a delicious 5 course meal provided by Full Moon Dining and chef/owner/creator Linzee Martin. Tickets are $60 per person, and available at the Calico Coffeehouse on Bay Street.

Also, I will be recording my music over the next couple of months... stay tuned.

Jugendstil

From Wikipedia:

Art Nouveau (French pronunciation: [aʁ nuvo], anglicised to /ˈɑrt nuːˈvou/) is an international movement^[2] and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that peaked in popularity at the turn of the 20th century (1890–1905).^[3] The name 'Art nouveau' is French for 'new art'. It is also known as Jugendstil, German for 'youth style', named after the magazine Jugend, which promoted it, and in Italy, Stile Liberty from the department store in London, Liberty & Co., which popularized the style. A reaction to academic art of the 19th century, it is characterized by organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs, as well as highly-stylized, flowing curvilinear forms.^[4] Art Nouveau is an approach to design according to which artists should work on everything from architecture to furniture, making art part of everyday life.^[5]

Would you Please Take the Time to Never Read This.

I am going to start a series on this blog.
I have all sorts of strange and wonderful friends who toss me suggestions of things to read, yet because of my A.D.D., I never can sit down to focus on the stuff.
Here, I will detail all of the books/blogs/readings/movies etc. that my friends tell me to read, yet never get around to it. My hope, is that you can provide me with an abbreviated or annotated version.

1. Key Terms in Language and Culture: By Alessandro Duranti
2. The Mannahatta Project: G.I.S. of New York prior to it becoming a city

Sexy, Sultry and Dark-- Fashion Blogging

(I) have an addiction to European fashion blogs. It's no small shame that I live in a place where I can not, for the most part indulge in the fashion I would love to wear, not to mention I am not a size 2... In any case, here is your fashion delight of the week ladies:

http://thekillingmoonconfused.blogspot.com/

Mind Control, Mind Reading

This woman is pimping out a product that is going to attempt to read your mind...

Want it. So Bad.

Find out more about the Godin 5th Avenue.

Learn to Play the Classical Guitar

Really, try it.
I suggest (in my very humble opinion) starting with a little Ferdinando Carulli. Pick up your guitar, and apply tabs to the strings. Simple.as.that.
a la':

as well,
listen: a ha:

St. Patrick's Day is For--.. .. ..

I love Yahoo Answers, people ask the dumbest--subsequently, the awesomest shit. Sometimes I peruse Yahoo Answers just to see the dialogue unfurl.

Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá ’le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig), colloquially St. Paddy's Day or simply Paddy's Day, is an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick (circa AD 385–461), one of the patron saints of Ireland, and is generally celebrated on March 17. Bla bla bla, Saint Patrick's Day is just another bastardized Hallmark holiday, and excuse to unite with friends to party, and especially get pissed up.

Fail Blog

Senior Citizens Choir

I highly advise you check out these old folks rippin' out some gangsta' rap... This A.D.H.D blog is not responsible for any subsequent seizures.

Someecards.com

Someecards.com is pretty funny...

Twitter Twits

Ohh... Twitter. I joined it after a friend ranted on and on about how it's changed his life, and how it's the "new wave" to ride for the internet world. It's just another device for those of us with A.D.H.D.,
I'm currently listening to CBC Radio's Anna Maria Tremonti talk on the radio about this new internet 'sensation'. Whatever Twitter... I'll get back to you when I have a little more attention.

Update: October 26th, 2009.
Fuck Twitter. I deleted my account.

Ode to the Mustard Suit

To those of you with enough balls to whip out the mustard suit-- I raise my glass to you.

The Sartorialist

I was first introduced to The Sartorialist in September of 2007, and have since made nearly daily visits to this fashion photography site. I would say that the creator of the site, Scott Schumann has a keen eye for the bold, eccentric and confident. There is no grand statement he is trying to make with the images he takes, for each picture captures something entirely different, and unique. He makes constant (daily) updates to the blog, making it highly addictive for those of us who enjoy making an art out of what we wear.

Inspiration

On occasion, there are moments in time so surreal that one must hold their hands over their chest, just to prevent their heart from jumping out on the floor in front of them. Every once in a while there are people, or events, that leave an impression on the mind so intense that the observer is left with only one option. That is, to ventilate: in the form of art--regardless of medium.
Blaise Pascal once said: "The heart has reasons that reason cannot know", and beyond any rational explanation made by the progress of science, rests art. Always allow yourself the time, and space to be inspired.

... There's no reason to explain what's going on here. We all know...

Tom Cruisin' for Love

Photo by Olly Moss...

This rant is about to easily remind anyone who didn't skip first year philosophy of the dude who was stuck seeing only reflections of stuff in a cave...

Tom Cruise is a dick who loves Scientology, and L. Ron Hubbard can't write worth shit.

I was stuck at a highway-side camping lodge on a geology contract last summer, about 40 kilometers East of Manitouwadge, Ontario. There was a general store on site that sold everything from alcohol, to three year old marshmallows, to books. While perusing the book area, I happened to come across this gem: L Ron Hubbard's original release of Scientology, A New Slant on Life. Excited, and slightly embarrased, I brought it up to the guy at the till who clearly worked there for longer than a while. I asked him quickly, how much it would be for me to buy the book. The guy said "Make me an offer, dear", I threw him a twoonie, and off I went. (If any of you want to purchase this from me, I'm more than willing to part with it).

No word of a lie, it may have been my overwhelming ADHD, or the fact that L Ron Hubbard can't write worth shit, but I couldn't even read that book for more than 10 minutes. In any case, Tom Cruise is a two-fold dick for liking a dick who can't write. I guess I'm also a two-fold dick for ripping off the guy who had fun with Adobe Photoshop to make the photo above. Hey Tom, looks like you're going to need a better headlamp for all that time you spend in caves... Maybe I'll accompany you on your bargain hunting...

Ativan

Birdhouses on a Wall

Okay folks, so we're going back two years in time to 2007. I know it's hard for you ADHD kids out there to remember that long ago, but try. I recently came across a film starring Javier Bardem and Giovanna Mezzogiorno called Love in the Time of Cholera, of course based on the novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The movie was all about fucking. I don't care what you try to say, the movie is all about lust and fucking masked underneath the thin veil of love... I'm being cynical, sure. Anyways, the most poignant thing of the film I remember was the picture above. That's right, a wall, with birdhouses on it. It's a great idea to fill an outdoor wall, plus it gives birds a safe place to hang out if your neighborhood is lacking trees. Encourage bird-love. I give two thumbs up to Love in the Time of Cholera's set designer for tossing this into the bag. Show this idea to your senior-citizen parents who probably love birds, even better, get them a bird house and hammer it into their stucco. See what they say...

The Auditor General - Cross Canada Tour 2009

So, a Thunder Bay local indie-folk favourite The Auditor General headed out on a cross Canada tour last Friday. They've made it alive (even though they got caught in a ditch for four hours during a big blizzard outside of Calgary)... Now, they're in Regina, where they are playing tonight at "The Club". They are going out to Vancouver next week, where they will be playing at The Media Club Check em' out while they're on tour, cause It's Catchy as All Fuck .

Update
The Auditor General is having some major mechanical issues with their tour van. If anyone wants to help these ailing men, I suggest you visit their www.myspace.com/theauditorgeneral and drop them a line. They will be in Calgary until Friday, when they play at That Empty Space and Vern's this upcoming weekend.

Jakub Krauze Photography

Though he graduated from university with mathematics and computer science degrees, Jakub Krauze followed his heart out West to Red Deer, Alberta where he has now established himself as a photographer. Going against the conventional grain, Jakub is doing what he loves, and hopes to soon make his living entirely from his photographs. Click on the image above for a link to his photo gallery. Booya to people who say ''Fuck you student loans, I'm gonna make my minimum monthly payments and live the dream!"

Don't Wait! Act Now!

I saw Carmen Townsend open up for, and perform with the Tom Fun Orchestra a month or two ago at the Black Pirate Pub here in good ole' Thunder Bay. Carmen blew the lids off of the entire room that night, and it is not a stretch of the imagination to say she was outshining the headlining band. Anyways, it's probably worth your five minutes to listen to the tracks "River Rat" and "Sweet Little Bird" on her MySpace page. Cheers

Twilight Tapas: Art, Music, Fusion Cuisine. In Thunder Bay!?

On Saturday, March 14th, Fusion chefs Linzee Martin and Kerry Crooks present:Twilight Tapas.
The event will take place at the Yacht Club @ The old CN rail building in the Marina of Thunder Bay. It starts at 7 p.m., Call 807-472-0181 for more info.

Featured will be the following appetizers:
~Tunesian Potato Samosas w/ Harissa & Lemon Preserve Dipping Sauce
~Roasted Fig Stuffed Belgian Endive Wrapped in Pancetta
~"Fusion" Style Mediterranean Wontons w/ a Smoked Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Puree
~Mango Melon Ceviche in a Crisp Cucumber Cup
~Cleanse: Coconut. Grilled Lime & Mint Sorbet w/ Candied Pomelo Zest
~Sweet Bannock w/ Maple Blueberry Compote w/ a Brandy Ricotta Cream
As well as an Amuse Bouche Table:
-Sake Edamame
-Pumpkin Mascarpone Spread
-Pecan Crusted Baked Olives
-Assorted Marinated Mushrooms
-Black Edamame Hummus
-"Fusion" Style Sushi Platter
Also,
Performance of "Heartstrings" by Tanya Elchuk & Amy Crncovic starts @ 9pm
Art by Sarah Furlotte & Caitlyn McMillan
Local Craft & Photography Booths
Live Music

Tickets are $40/pp and can be purchased from
Calico
The Loop
Village Art

Deerhunter: A Tight Take on Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth was the first band that came to mind when I first listened to Deerhunter's newest album Microcastle (2008). Their songs "Nothing Ever Happened" and "Little Kids" are particularly worthy of garage-grooving, and a personal, more odd favorite is the song "Activa". Booya Deerhunter, because of this album, you've gained a solid fan.

Middle Cyclone - Neko Case

Quickly reviewing Middle Cyclone, by Neko Case.

I am particularly attracted to her song Vengeance is Sleeping, (<--Listen) as well as Prison Girls (<--Listen) and The Pharoahs, perhaps three of the darker songs on the album. This is just a first approximation review of the album. I've only run through the whole thing twice now, but really, if anyone is going to listen and subsequently buy an album, they usually do after a first or second very quick listen. I hope I am being fair. I first fell in love with Neko Case three years ago, after the release of her last full length album, (2006) Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. That album was strange, dark, melodic and also accessible enough to send to your artsy-fartsy 67 year old aunt (at least I did, and she appreciated it).

In any case, Middle Cyclone may be slightly less edgy, slightly less effective than Fox Confessor, but to any serious Neko fan, it will be adorned and could be brought kindly into your music rotation. If you have time, I prescribe listening to her chronologically. Begin perhaps with Blacklisted (or listen to her other albums too, of course) see: discography, then listen to Fox Confessor, and finally Middle Cyclone. You may agree with me, that with each subsequent album release she seems to soften, but is nonetheless brilliant throughout.

The right atmosphere to listen this album may be on a Sunday evening, after you've spent yourself out in the elements. I once had had her album Blacklisted playing while I was working on a winter geophysics contract up in the Athabasca Basin. I was walking across vast open planes of icy lakes, and her music was perfectly haunting--the right soundtrack for a solo-walk in the wilderness.

Anyways, for Middle Cyclone, come in from the outdoors, make a delicious meal and have Neko sing to you in the background. The album ends with a 30 minute long recording of crickets and other natural symphonic creatures that hum away kindly, I think it's a great way to end an album, especially for those of us who love to fall asleep to music in the background.

Chords and Dischords

So I just bought a new guitar: The Ibanez AEL
And hot damn, is it ever a sexy beast to play. It has a pretty big body, and has a tuner right on it, so I have no excuse to go out of tune. It has a loud sound, regardless if it's plugged in or not...

Here are the songs I am currently covering and trying** to master.
(Links are to the best chords/tabs that I've found of each song.)
My Funny Valentine, Frank Sinatra
Oh Comely, Neutral Milk Hotel
This Little Bird, Marianne Faithful
Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole, Martha Wainwright
Summersault, Zero 7
Forever My Friend, Ray Lamontagne
Storms, Fleetwood Mac
Dreamin Man, Neil Young (I especially like the cover that Neko Case did of this song)
Hex, Neko Case
Between the Bars, Elliott Smith
Moon Sailing On The Water, Mason Jennings
Great Escape, Patrick Watson
Siciliana, Fernando Carulli

... I've often wondered why I'm so attracted to down-tempo and somewhat melancholy or 'intensely depressive' music. I believe that it's the best cure for taming anyone with a little attention deficit, haha...

Still Threadless

I ordered these four shirts off of the Threadless website last week... still waiting to hold the precious booty in my hands... Wait, did I just say booty? Maybe I should rephrase, and call it bounty.

Rex, Mother Fucking Murphy.

This picture deserves to never fall into internet obscurity. Here's to you Mr. Murphy, I raise my glass in praise.

A Handle in a Bar.

I'm not going to lie, I took this picture in a Guelph, Ontario bar called The Albion Hotel. This man rocks my handle-barred world. Here is to you, Moustachio Mystery Man. The Albion is a fantastic stomping ground for all kinds of fantastic creatures, and any time you go to Guelph, I highly recommend you stop by this kick ass joint.

Schoolio Iglesias.

So, this is my first post... There is a rediculous blizzard outside, and I believe it's fitting to fuck with Julio Iglesias's "24 Greatest Songs" album in response to the weather. It's so damn ugly outside that Julio's pretty, tanned face was the first thought that came to my mind after looking around at all the pasty bastards that fill this coffee shop I am sitting in. I am supposed to be doing school work right now, but all I can think of is this mother fucker's big white smile. Here's to you, Schoolio Iglesias.