What happened on January 31st?

Guano Point, Grand Canyon West

This is our Prime Minister talking .. copied from the CBC news website.
"Kyoto is essentially a socialist scheme to suck money out of wealth-producing nations," Harper's letter reads.
Full text of leaked Harper letter, courtesy of the Liberal Party.
I want a world where our kids can live in .. this is crap .. I know everything comes down to money ($$$) this is why things get done and why the don't .. it's the cost to business and goverments that prevent agreements like Kyoto from going ahead. There are so many diverse arguements for Kyoto and against it, that I don't know which is right, but sticking our heads in the ground and not doing anything is even worse. Goverments and business have to get off their asses and effect a change.

I'm lonely and have no friends. WTF ... Copied from CTV News
Michael Keren, who has written "Blogosphere: The New Political Arena,'' suggests individuals who bare their souls in blogs are isolated and lonely, living in a virtual reality instead of forming real relationships or helping to change the world.
"Bloggers think of themselves as rebels against mainstream society, but that rebellion is mostly confined to cyberspace, which makes blogging as melancholic and illusionary as Don Quixote tilting at windmills,'' the author says.
Hey, who am I to say he's wrong, but I do have friends. I really do! There is my invisible freind Tom, and the pink fuzzy bear Alex and that really nice guy down the street who wears a trench coat with rubber boots.

Other tidbits of news .. the Police will play the Grammy's .. okay cool the Police are back together, but do you really care about the Grammy's.

Lonely Is The Word, by Black Sabbath,
from the album Heaven and Hell (1980)

It's a long way to nowhere
And I'm leaving very soon
On the way we pass so close
To the back side of the moon
Hey join the traveler if you got nowhere to go
Hang your head and take my hand
It's the only road I know

Oh! Lonely is the word, yeah yeah yeah!

I've been higher than stardust
I've been seen upon the sun
I used to count in millions then
But now I only count in one
Come on, join the traveler
If you got nowhere to go
Hang your head and take my hand
It's the only road I know

Yeah, Lonely is the word
Got to be the saddest song I ever heard

Yeah, Lonely is the name

What happened on January 28th?

I am: Robert A. Heinlein Beginning with technological action stories and progressing to epics with religious overtones, this take-no-prisoners writer racked up some huge sales numbers.

Which science fiction writer are you?

What happened on January 24th?

I don't know about you but we live in the most incredible world .. and we are really fucking it up.

This is a video of a "Frilled Shark", they are a species of shark that is known to live in the deep ocean, 120 m to 1,400 m. It died a few hours after being caught in shallow water off the coast of Japan. Why was it out of its natural habitat? Tempature, lack of food, changing enviroment. We have to find out!

This image is of the Saiga Antelope from Asia EDGE in Britian has classified it as a species at risk. In twenty years we humans have taken the population from over a million to around 50,000, through poaching and over hunting.

In Canada, we have 68 species ranging from extinct to special concern, thats just in mammals, its 500 plus if you look at everything from birds plants and animals.

I'm not preaching. I'm not a saint when it comes to being green. I try my best, but we have to do more. This is just wrong.




Marvin Gaye = Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)

Woo ah, mercy mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Where did all the blue skies go?
Poison is the wind that blows from the north and south and east
Woo mercy, mercy me, mercy father
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas, fish full of mercury
Ah oh mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Radiation under ground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Oh mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Oh, na na...
My sweet Lord... No
My Lord... My sweet Lord

What happened on January 15th?

Borrowed this "Skiffy" (?) SciFi meme from Paul's blog who borrowed it from Jaquandor of Byzantium's Shores, who borrowed it from Sf Signal ...

1. Science fiction, fantasy, or horror? = Science Fiction and Fantasy .. am not a big horror fan. Stephen King's "It" and "The Stand" are as about as far as I go into horror. I did try to read HP Lovecraft once .. just did not get the "Cthulhu" things.

2. Hardback, trade paperback, or mass-market paperback? = I'd love hardcovers, but who can afford $40 plus .. give me a paperback any day.

3. Heinlein or Asimov? = I like them both, but give me Heinlein for adventure (turn off your brain space opera, that makes you wake up and realize there is a message). Azimov for making you think every time you read a word.

4. Amazon or brick-and-mortar? = Brick-and-mortar. I want to touch it before I buy it.

5. Barnes & Noble or Borders? =

Paul says, "[Jaquandor says: I suppose that Canadians answering this quiz should do Chapters or Indigo.]
Uh, Jaq, Chapters and Indigo are the same company. As is Coles. In fact, it's hard, in the great wilds of Suburbia to find any book stores that are not a part of the great evil book selling empire that is Chapters/Indigo".

There is a nice little SciFi store at the corner of Steeles and Dufferin, I try to get there once a month.

6. Hitchhiker or Discworld? = I've read them both, each has it own qualities .. Hitchhiker has become a classic series, everyone should read it all (5 or 6 books, I'm never sure) at least once. Discworld is hilarious, but I don't think I could read it everyday. Give me Garrett any day.

7. Bookmark or dog-ear? = Use a bookmark, a scrap of paper or don't touch my books.

8. Magazine: Asimov's Science Fiction or Fantasy & Science Fiction? = Neither, I know I could find young and upcoming authors by reading a mag, but I just don't like to.

9. Alphabetize by author, by title, or random? = Where ever they can be placed with out being damaged. I'm not that anal.

10. Keep, throw away, or sell? = Drives Wife nuts, but I have to keep them, if they are good I want to be able to reread them .. so they go onto shelves or into boxes. When I've sold them or put them away I've felt like a father abandoning his children.

11. Year's Best Science Fiction series (edited by Gardner Dozois) or Years Best SF series (edited by David G. Hartwell) = Neither ... I really don't like compilations. When I pick up a book it's got to have some meat to it.

12. Keep dust jacket or toss it? = Like I said I don't get hardcovers to often, but when I do I keep the dust jacket, the only thing is I put them away and don't find them for a year or two.

13. Read with dust jacket or remove it? = see above

14. Short story or novel? = Novel, read question #11

15. Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket? = Harry Potter, Middle has Lemony Snicket, Wife has read them, I had to read one to help her with a book report, I just can't get into them.

16. Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks? = only when the chapter ends! That would make reading a over powering "cliff hanger"

17. "It was a dark and stormy night" or "Once upon a time"? = Lame question, not worth answering. A scene starts, you read.

18. Buy or borrow? = I buy, my way of poping a cherry.

19. Buying choice: book reviews, recommendation, or browse? = I am a browser, it takes about a hour before I buy a book.

20. Lewis or Tolkien? = Both are geniuses

21. Hard SF or space opera? = Both, it depends on the mood.

22. Collection (short stories by the same author) or anthology (short stories by different authors)? = neither .. see question #14 and #11

23. Hugo or Nebula? = Can't be bothered.

24. Golden Age SF or New Wave SF? = Once again, depends on the mood.

25. Tidy ending or cliffhanger? = Both, just don't surprise me with a series, I will never read your book again, warn me on the cover.

26. Morning, afternoon, or nighttime reading? = Anytime I can, I'm also a bathroom reader, not many people borrow my books .. no stains though.

27. Stand alone or series? = Depends on the mood, but like I said in #25 warn me first.

28. Urban fantasy or high fantasy? = As long as it's good, who cares. Just don't try to give me sholk.

29. New or used? = I prefer new, but if it's a old print, I will grab it. I've got my original 1950 copy of Heinlein's "Farmer in the Sky" at a used book store .. never read it, but then again I've got 3 copies of the book.

30. Favorite book of which nobody else has heard? = Covenants - Lorna Freeman

31. Top X favorite genre books read last year? (Where X is 5 or less)

American Gods - Neil Gaiman
A Feast for Crows - George RR Martin
His Majesty's Dragon - Naomi Novik
Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow - David Gemmell
Dies a Fire: The Protector's War - SM Stirling

32. Top X favorite genre books of all time? (Where X is 5 or less)

The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
Slaughterhouse-five - Kurt Vonnegut
Time Enough for Love - Robert A Heinlein
Childhood's End - Arthur C Clarke

33. X favorite genre series? (Where X is 5 or less)

From the Files of Garrett, PI - Glen Cook
The Foundation Series - Isaac Asimov
Dune - Frank Herbert
Ringworld - Larry Niven
Dresden - Jim Butcher

34. Top X favorite genre short stories? (Where X is 5 or less)

"Nine Billion Names of God" - Arthur C. Clarke

"That's it, folks! Tag yourself if you like the skiffy, move along if you don't." -Jaq

Moxy Fruvos - My Baby Loves a Bunch of Authors

(Dave)Well you should see my story reading baby, you should hear the things that she says,
She says "Hon, drop dead, I'd rather go to bed with Gabriel Garcia Marquez."

(Mike in funny voice)Uhh-huh!

(Dave)Cuddle up with William S. Burrows, leave on the light for Bell Hooks,
I've been flirtin' with Pierre Burton 'cause he's so smart in his books

(All)I like to go out dancing,
My baby loves a bunch of authors
My heart's so broke and bleedin'
(Dave)Baby's just sitting there
(Murray)doing some reading

(Dave)So I started watching some TV, played my new cd player too,
She said: "Turn it off or I'll call the cops and I'll throw the book at you."
All this arguing made me get dizzy, called my doctor to come have a look
I said: "Doctor hurry!" He said:
(Murray)"Don't worry, I'll be over when I finish my book"

(All)I like to go out dancing,
My baby loves a bunch of authors
We've been livin in hovels
(Dave)Spendin' all our money on
(Murray)brand new novels

(Dave)So I got myself on a streetcar and it drove right into someone,
You know the driver said:

(Jian in grizzly voice) "I was lookin' straight ahead!"

(Dave)But he was reading the Toronto Sun

(Jian) "So?"

(Dave)So my honey and me go to a counsellor to help figure out what we need
She said: "We'll get your love growing,

(Mike, in funny Dr. Ruth voice) but before we get going, here's some books I'd like you to read."

(All)I like to go out dancing,
My baby loves a bunch of authors
Lately we've had some fricton
(Dave)
'Cause my baby's hooked on
(Murray) short works of fiction

(Dave)So we split and went to a party, some friends my girl said she knew
But what a sight 'cause it's authors night and the place looks like a who's who

(Dave)Now I'm pounding the ouzo

(rest)with Mario Puzo

(Dave)Who's a funny fella?

(rest)W.P. Kinsella

(Dave)Who brought the cat?

(rest)Would Margeret Atwood?

(Dave)Who needs a shave?

(rest)He's Robertson Davies!

(Dave)Ondaatje started a food fight, salmon mousse all over the scene

(All)Spilled some dressing on Doris Lessing, these writer types are a scream!

(All)I like to go out dancing,
My baby loves a bunch of authors
We'll be together for ages
(Dave)
Eatin' and Sleepin' and
(Jian in grizzly voice)
Eatin' and Sleepin' and
(Mike in funny Dr. Ruth voice)
Eating und Sleeping und
(Murray)
Turnin' pages.

(All)Yeah!

From the Liner:(Mike-vocals; Murray-vocals, bass, spring muffler; Jean-vocals, sheet metal, snare; Dave-lead vocal, guitar)

What happened on January 12th?

I'm sick, I laughed at this .. Banned Xbox 360 Ad

deleted because it was a pain in the butt

Funny Video Clips

FOLSOM PRISON BLUES
(J.R. Cash)
JOHNNY CASH (Sun 232, 1956)

I hear that train a-commin', it's rollin' around the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
I'm stuck in Folsom prison and time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a-rollin' on down to San Antone
When I was just a baby, my mama told me, son
Always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns
But I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowin', I hang my head and cry

I bet there's rich folks eatin' in a fancy dining car
They're probably drinking coffee and smoking big cigars
But I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free
But those people keep a-movin' and that's what tortures me

Well if that freed me from this prison
and that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move it on a little farther down the line
Far from Folsom prison, that's where I want to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away

What happened on January 10th?

I just found out from Paul that the second week of January is National De-Lurking Week.
So, if you are a regular reader of AC&43, introduce yourself. If you think you can't comment because you are not an Blogger member, think again. It's free, it will only take up a few minutes of your life. I made myself a AOL account.
So hey please take a moment and say hello.

The picture was stolen from Paul who borrowed it from Paper Napkin. There also seems to be several different versions available at this link.

Back in December I missed the fall ending episode "Fallout" for Heroes because we went to the Who concert .. Wife and I got to see it the other night. Wow, what a ending. I can't wait until "Godsend" airs the 22nd.

Do any of you remember delete bins at record stores. Well I have found them again, not a a used record store but at the SuperCentre grocery chain. Last night I got 5 CD's for less the $30.

The Tragically Hip - Live Between Us
The Who - The Who Sings My Generation
Django Reinhardt - I Got Rhythm
Various Blues Artists - It's All About the Blues (Disc 1)
The Clash - London Calling

I've always loved delete bins...now I just have to learn to restrain my impulse to buy.


Jimmy Jazz - The Clash(Strummer/Jones)

The police walked in for Jimmy Jazz
I said, he ain't here, but he sure went past
Oh, you're looking for Jimmy Jazz

Sattamassagana for Jimmy Dread
Cut off his ears and chop off his head
Police came looking for Jimmy Jazz

So if you're gonna take a message 'cross this town
Maybe put it down somewhere over the other side
See it gets to Jimmy Jazz

Don't you bother me, not anymore
I can't take this tale, oh, no more
It's all around, Jimmy Jazz

J-a-zee zee J-a-zed zed
J-a-zed zed Jimmy Jazz
And then it sucks, he said, suck that!
So go look all around, you can try your luck, brother
And see what you found
But I guarantee that it ain't your day
Chop! Chop!

What happened on January 5th?

Close up on a Larkspur


I'm in heaven ... I am now a proud owner of a 80 gig IPod. Why should you care, you really shouldn't, this toy is just another tool to separate the user from society, but damn do I love it.
I've got about half my CD's loaded (2200 songs), I'm thinking (been doing this for a while but just to lazy) of digitizing my record collection .. I've got about 1000 LP's that I've been collecting since I was 15 [sad aren't I]. Wife gave me the IPod for Christmas, she surprised the heck out of me, I got a shoe box and inside was a pair of ugly hiking boots (I then realize that they are my sons), inside of them I find the Ipod, I haven't felt this good at Christmas since I was a little kid. I do love her so.

Now I'm pretty boring and laid back, small thing make me happy. Last night as I was loading songs I found another joy of having a IPod, Podcasting. I found that the CBC is podcasting some of my favorite shows. I listened to Rick MacInnes-Rae on Dispatches and I sync'd DNTO season ender with Sook-yin Lee interviewing Johnny Rotten and Adrienne Clarkson and listened to it on the way to work. I love radio, but I don't get to listen to interview shows or radio documentaries. I'm either always busy when the show is broadcast or I'm in the Van with the kids and wife and they all hate the CBC, so I never get to listen in, as I said I'm in Heaven. They seem to edit for the cast, I would rather have the raw streamed show, but oh well, I live with what I can get. Now all we have to do is get them to podcast some of the great radio Plays that they do.

I also downloaded "Minnie the Moocher" a old cartoon from Fleischer Studios. Staring Betty Boop and the Cab Calloway Orchestra. I saw this cartoon years ago (I originally wanted to go into animation - heck I used to dream in cartoons), and fell in love with the music of Cab Calloway, it was great to discover this again. As I keep saying I'm in Heaven.

"Cheek to Cheek" by Irving Berlin

Heaven... I'm in heaven,
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak.
And I seem to find the happiness I seek,
When we're out together dancing cheek to cheek.
Heaven... I'm in heaven,
And the cares that hung around me through the week,
Seem to vanish like a gambler's lucky streak,
When we're out together dancing cheek to cheek.

Oh, I love to climb a mountain,
And to reach the highest peak.
But it doesn't thrill me half as much
As dancing cheek to cheek.

Oh, I love to go out fishing
In a river or a creek.
But I don't enjoy it half as much
As dancing cheek to cheek.

Dance with me! I want my arms about you.
The charms about you
Will carry me through to...

Heaven... I'm in heaven,
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak.
And I seem to find the happiness I seek,
When we're out together dancing cheek to cheek.

What happened on December 29th?

Happy New Year - Welcome to 2007

My Neighbours House on Christmas Eve 2006

Not much else to say, all the best in the New Year to you and your family! Off at noon today and have a lot of work to get done. See you in 2007!

What happened on December 22nd?

MERRY CHRISTMAS



Not going to write a lot, just want to wish anyone who hits this page a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Winter Solstice, or any winter festival that you might celebrate.

Special holiday wishes to Paul, Running 42K, Emma, Joe, whoever is always stopping by from San Leandro,California (who are you? leave a note sometime)and Reston, Virginia (again ..who are you? leave a note sometime)and finally anyone from the UK who is looking for info on Bedouin SoundClash (the song is titled ... "When The Night Feels My Song".)



Little Drummer Boy: Lyrics

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

The words and music to the Christmas song Little Drummer Boy was composed by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone in 1958. The lyrics of Little Drummer Boy consist of no less than 21 rum pum pum pum' - a major part of the song and therefore presenting an apparently easy task for the lyricist! However, Little Drummer Boy has been a huge hit for several artists. The most notable rendition was created by the most unlikely combination of Bing Crosby and David Bowie. This version of Little Drummer Boy was a massive hit for the artists and was in fact Bing Crosby's most successful recording since the legendary White Christmas.

What happened on December 15th?

I don't rant very often, but today just seems to be the day that I need to let go on a wide range of subjects.

1) Justice Cohan has decided (she can because she is the administrator) to ban a Christmas Tree from the front lobby of the Jarvis Street Courthouse.
Hey I know sometimes Christmas can be a over powering season for people of other faiths. Yes we are celebrating a religious event, yes it gets shoved down their throats with Christmas TV shows (my favourite it still "White Christmas" with Bing Crosby), with stores decked out with Christmas decorations, Christmas music and Christmas Trees everywhere you turn . Yes it is overpowering, but this is a country where over 70% of the population is Christian. That means that over 50% of the work population at that courthouse or going to that Courthouse is going to be celebrating Christmas. Why shouldn't we celebrate a important event, hell most people don't even go to church on Christmas Eve. So you can't even call it a religious holiday, it more about the emotional symbol then religion, people are just nicer at Christmas.
Look I don't complain about the Hanukkah menorah at Downsview Park, I don't complain about one of my neighbours putting up lights for Diwali. Everyone has a right to celebrate a festival that is important to them. On the 27th we are going to a Christmas dinner party hosted by a Jewish couple the attendees are Muslim/Catholic couple, a Catholic/Anglican couple and us Catholic/Presbyterian(Anglican/agnostic - ME!). Everyone at this time of year needs to celebrate a Festival of Lights.

2) Another creature has possibly disappeared forever. The Yangtze River Dolphin has been pronounced extinct. They think there may be a few left but not enough for a sustainable population. This is just sad.

3) Some asshole finally admits to killing a baby he was babysitting, 10 years after he did it. Get this he being charged as minor because he committed the crime when he was a juvenile. WTF? Sentencing is to be some time in the early spring, does this mean the guy will only get a few years in jail for murder? What is wrong with our justice system when a murder or rapist only serves a couple of years. This wrong. I don't agree with the death penalty, but I do agree with harsh punishment for crimes. I lean to the left in my politics, but I think our country has gone to far in prisoner rights.

4) Why are we still in Afghanistan .. do they as a people really want us there. 44 Canadians have died there, just don't let their deaths be in vain!

5) Some idiot is killing prostitutes in Ipswich, England .. It's great that the community and the police force are moving so quickly on this .. Here in Canada the RCMP got Pickton, but what is happening with the multiple murders in Edmonton?.

On a happier note, Hockey Canada has released the name of this years World Junior team .. great Christmas hockey.

I just want it to snow.

White Christmas - Irving Berlin 1942

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white.

---

What happened on December 8th?

This is the start of one of the best seasons of the year. Christmas. I know, I know, not all of you celebrate this holiday, but for me it's a time of happiness, great memories and a time when my kids eyes shine. Let's avoid the religious celebration, the crass commercialism and let's just work with the idea of what this time is supposed to represent. Rememberance, Peace on earth and good will to men.

But when you think about it, this season contains some of the worst tragedies that affect all of us. Maybe not directly, but we are continuously reminded of them.

1) The bombing of Pearl Harbour, Dec. 7/41
2) the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Nov. 22/63
3) the murder of John Lennon Dec, 8/81
4) Ecole Polytechnic Massacre, Dec. 6/89
5) the Indian Ocean earthquake and resulting Tsunami Dec. 26/04

Why am I pointing these out, instead of starting to celebrate. Well, I think these events need to be remembered so that the people who suffered won't be forgotten. When I was scanning the Wiki list of disasters, I saw events where thousands of people died. Is it right that these people are written off and forgotten, I don't feel that they should be. I think this time of year is the most important time to remember them, this is when we should think of the simple lines of "but for (insert god, fate, karma, etc) grace that could be me and mine" Be thankful for what you get.



Lyrics for: Starting Over By: John Lennon

Our life together
Is so precious together,
We have grown
We have grown

Although our love
Is still special,
Let's take our chance
And fly away
Somewhere alone

It's been so long
Since we took the time,
No one's to blame
I know time flies
So quickly
But when
I see you
Darling
It's like we both are
Falling in love again

It'll be just like
Starting over
Starting over

Everyday
We used to make it love
Why can't we be
Making love nice and easy

It's time to spread
Our wings and fly
Don't let another
Day go by
My love

It'll be just like
Starting over
Starting over

Why don't we
Take off alone,
Take a trip somewhere
Far, far away

We'll be together
On our own again
Like we used to
In the early days

Well
Well
Well
Darling

It's been so long
Since we took the time,
No one's to blame
I know time flies
So quikly
But when
I see you
Darling
It's like we both are
Falling in love again

It'll be just like
Starting over
Starting over,

Everyday
We used to make it love
Why can't we be
Making love nice and easy

It's time to spread
Our wings and fly
Don't let another
Day go by
My love

It'll be just like
Starting over
Starting over

Our life together
Is so precious together,
We have grown
We have grown
Although our love
Is still special,
Let's take our chance
And fly away
Somewhere
Alone.

What happened on December 5th?

African Violet Macro


I saw a Guitar God last night .. no Heroes update and I forgot to set the VCR to record it .. but it was worth it .. Wife, Eldest and I saw The Who last night at the ACC.

Wow!!! .. can Pete Townshend still play guitar, the guy was incredible (what's even more surprising as he is 61 not that I'm a agist) and Roger Daltrey has the most incredible voice. For a guy who claimed to be sick at the start of the show he belted/screamed/sang like a twenty year old not a 62 year old. Eldest thought he was trying to be like the screamo bands that he likes, it was kind of cool to tell him that Daltry has always sounded like this. I wish I had photos to share but I'm just to honest that I wouldn't bring my camera with me, but man were the cell phones clicking away last night so there has to be some online at Flickr.

Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders opened for them last night .. they were awesome .. and she is still so hot (Wife can't understand why, but she just is). Eldest really liked them, the thing that bugs me is that in the car everytime a song by the Pretenders comes on he complains (at least now he won't), he also asked me how old they were, had to tell him that Chrissie was older then his mom and me. Eldest (he takes drums lessons and plays percussion in the school band) really got into seeing live drummers and since we were about a 100 feet and to the right of the stage, you really got to see the drummers play. Great seats.

The Who covered over forty years of music, the opening three songs were all pre 1969. They played most of the songs from the new album "Endless Wire" (they covered the mini opera that Townshend had written for this album) (by the way, I really like the album, I was kind of pissed during this part of the show because you could hear a number of assholes calling out for older songs.). I think Townshend can still write a awesome song, take a listen sometime to "A Man in a Purple Dress". They then covered a lot of older material form the 70's and 80's, at the end they did a encore of a melody of songs from Tommy and ended with a soft piece from the new album.

The audience was a mix bag .. I would say at least half were over 50 .. you saw whole families (like us).. when the Who did "Baba O'Riley", all I could think of was "Geriatric Wasteland" I swear there were 80 year old guys rocking out. Great concert and well worth every cent. Though I didn't buy any of the $40 tee shirts.



Baba O'Riley by The Who
Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals
I get my back into my livin'
I don't need to fight to prove I'm right
I don't need to be forgiven
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

Don't cry, don't raise your eye
It's only teenage wasteland...yeah...

Sally take my hand, we'll travel south cross land
Put out the fire, and don't look past my shoulder
The exodus is here, the happy ones are near
Let's get together, before we get much older

Teenage wasteland
It's only teenage wasteland
Teenage wasteland
Oh, yeah
Teenage wasteland
They're all wasted!


My only complaint with the concert was the drunks, there has to be a way to control the drinking at concerts. "Back in our day" you had to sneak you bozze in so you just brought pot. There was a group in the same row as us, ejected even before the Pretenders came on stage, for drunkenness. Here they were clean cut business looking types and they could barely walk. I had to switch seats with Eldest because he was getting uncomfortable sitting beside the guy beside him. The man was probably on his 10th beer before he stopped drinking. I would rather sit beside someone smoking pot than a drunk.

***Addendum Wedneday December 6/06***
Other Toronto Bloggers who attended the Who Concert on the fourth.

Ianism .... CherrySuede .... Behind Brown Eyes .... Lannio's World online

What happened on December 1st?

I have a question for you.


I know that a wide range of people have hit this site, I get about 30 visiters a day. Everyone of you pass through very quickly, but I want you to take the time to answer one question for me.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Some of you might be doing exactly what you always thought you would (your grown up), some of you are learning you new trade and trying to decide if this is what you want to do (your still young), some of you might hate your jobs (your still a grown up), and some of you might be just like me and coasting from day to day (we haven't grown up yet).

I'm 43 now (44 in 3 mths). I know I will still have to be working well into my sixties (Youngest will have only just graduated from University when I turn sixty.) and I know I don't want to be doing what I do right now. Can you see yourself doing phone sales at sixty, lord help me.

So what do I want to do when I grow up? I don't know yet.

What are your plans?

The Who, with Eddie Cochran's "Summer Time Blues"

What happened on November 27th?

Heroes update, Episode: Six Months Ago. Arrgh! .. Love it, hate it, you can't leave it alone. Back to the basement last night for me, wife didn't want to watch the show. It was a okay episode, it gave a lot better back history on the characters, how Sylar was created, how the Petrelli family started crumbling, and how the Bennets handled the introduction of powers, but it still left a lot of unanswered questions.

A) Hiro had six extra months to work on his powers (he went back in time to save Charlie) why hasn't his control of the powers improved? When he stopped time on the subway to pass the warning onto Peter, he seemed to have control of his powers, why could he not control his time/location destination after six months, I presume he had a lot of practice. I understand that you can not change the past, what has happened needs to happen or otherwise you change yourself. Its that old sci-fi theory of a person becoming their own parent. (sideline .. this reminds me of a story where a woman who grew up in an orphange becomes pregnant by a casual encounter, has the baby puts it in an orphanage, gets a sex change, the "new" man is recruited by a time traveling organization, has a casual encounter with a woman in the past, making her pregnant, there by becoming his own mother and father. I can't remember who wrote the short story, but it was pretty good.) Anyway back to Hiro, lets just say I was disappointed.

B) Sylar, why did they have to make him such a wimp, that really disappointed me. I had thought he would be a more powerful character, a redneck, someone who looked like a hero or a criminal. He just came across as a weak pathetic person. His power is really cool, the ability to see how something (a clock/human) was damaged and to fix it. I was right that he steals others power, he looked into the the sub character with Telekinesis, killed him with the quartz and then I presume by looking at the dead guys brain Sylar then can alter his own brain to incorporate that flaw/mutation/power into his own brain .. there by gaining the power to move things...very kewl. I understand the he needed to be a flawed character, with visions of grandeur, wanting to be superior to everyone else, I just wish they hadn't taken the easy path of creating his past history.

C) Eden, the Haitian and Mr. Bennet. Very cool power for Eden, that is going to be a really good story line in the future. Why does the Haitian seem to have multiple powers, he can dampen the power of the Hero he is close to (i.e., Eden trying to use her power on Bennet) but he is also able to erase the memory/personality of people (i.e. Matt and the football player that tried to rape Claire.) I need a better past history on him. No more information on Mr. Bennet's organization, though not smart on Chandra Sureshs part to give him and Sylar access to the map of Heroes. Can't wait for more info on Mr. Bennets secret organization, he seems to have a lot of power and money behind him. What's up? We will just have to watch more shows to find out. It looks like next weeks episode is the last one before the Christmas break, you'll have to let me know what happened as I am off to the Who that night.

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Louie Louie the Kingsmen recorded in 1963, written by Richard Berry in 1955.

Louie louie, oh baby, I gotta go.
Yi-yi-yi-yi-yi
Louie louie, oh baby, I gotta go.

A fine girl, who waited for me.
I catch a ship across the sea.
I sailed the ship all alone.
I wondered when Im gonna make it home.

Louie louie, oh baby, I gotta go.
Yi-yi-yi-yi-yi
Louie louie, oh baby, I gotta go.

Three nights and days I sailed the sea.
I think of the girl constantly.
On the ship, I dream she there.
I smell the rose thats in her hair.

Louie louie, oh baby, I gotta go.
Yi-yi-yi-yi-yi
Louie louie, oh baby, I gotta go.

I see jamaican moon above.
See the girl Im thinking of.
I take her in my arms and then
Say Ill never leave again.

Louie louie, oh baby, I gotta go.
Yi-yi-yi-yi-yi
Louie louie, oh baby, I gotta go.

Oh, I gotta go now.
Uh-huh I gotta go.

What happened on November 24th?

Wild Rose Crop


Meme day, I haven't done one in a long time .. enjoy.

I haven't done this one yet, but Joe and Kimberly at Word @ Large Blog created probably the first CBC meme on "My Top Ten Most Influential People Who Never Lived". I will probably try it at some point in time, but right now I'm trying to whittle the list down to ten.

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I came across this one completly by accident liked it so I grabbed from The Internet is Garbage

Open iTunes/iPod or Windows Media Player to answer the following.
Go to your library. Answer the followling questions:

How many songs: 2179

Sort by song title:
First song:: #1 Zero - AudioSlave - Out of Exile
Last song:: Zombie - The Cranberries - Stars: The Best of 1992-2002 [Bonus Disc] Disc 1

Sort by time:
Shortest: Closing: I Can't Turn You Loose - The Blues Brothers - The Definitive Collection - (0:45)
Longest:Somthing in the Way - Nirvana - Nevermind (20:35) (has a 10 min bed of silence)

Sort by album:
First song: Beach Baby - Tony Burrows - 20 Best of 70s Rock 'N' Roll
Last Song: Vagabond - Wolfmother - Wolfmother

Five most played songs:
So Much Trouble in the World - Bob Marley; The Wailers - Gold Disc 2 - 10 plays
I Can't Stand It - Velvet Underground - Gold Disc 2 - 8 plays
Going Down Slow- Howling Wolf - The Hits - 8 plays
Blues On My Mind - Dinah Washington - Shouting the Blues - 7 plays
Clint Eastwood - Gorillaz - Big Shiny Tunes 6 - 7 plays

First song that comes up on "shuffle" play:
Spoonman - Soundgarden - Superunknown

Number of items that come up when searching for:
"sex": 5
"death": 3
"love": 88
"you": 245
"me": 2110
"cry": 5

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Borrowed from Paul:

You paid attention during 74% of high school!

68-84% Pretty good, you know that there are libraries and newspapers, and you remember what you've read. You were a child that wasn't left behind!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

The sad part is that I could have done a lot better if I had paid attention in school!

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Lyrics for "Spill The Wine" by War

I was once out strolling one very hot summer's day
When I thought I'd lay myself down to rest
In a big field of tall grass
I laid there in the sun and felt it carressing my face
As I fell asleep and dreamed
I dreamed I was in a hollywood movie
And that I was the star of the movie
This really blew my mind
The fact that me an overfed long haired leaping gnome
Should be the star of a hollywood movie, hmmm
But there I was
I was taken to a place
The hall of the mountain kings
I stood high by the mountain tops
Naked to the world
In front of
Every kind of girl
There was long one's, tall ones, short ones, brown ones,
Black ones, round ones, big ones, crazy ones
Out of the middle, came a lady
She whispered in my ear
Something crazy
She said,

Chorus x4
Spill the wine dig that girl

I thought to myself, what could that mean
Am I going crazy, or is this just a dream
Now wait a minute
I know I'm lying in a field of grass somewhere
So it's all in my head
And then I heard her say one more time

Chorus x4
Spill the wine dig that girl

I could feel hot flames of fire roaring at my back
As she disappeared, but soon she returned
In her hand was a bottle of wine
In the other a glass
She poured some of the wine from the bottle into the glass
And raised it to her lips
And just before she drank it, she said

take the wine dig that girl
spill the wine, dig that girl
spill the wine, dig that girl
spill the wine, dig that girl
take that girl, yeah!
It's on girl, all you gotta do is spill that wine
spill that wine, let me feel, let me feel hot, yeah! yeah!
spill the wine, spill the wine, spill the wine, spill the wine,
spill the wine, spill the wine, spill the wine,
dig that girl!

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Cashbox # 1 song for the week ending November 22 1979 "Babe" - Styx