Read the Exclaim.ca story
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Rammstein to Release Box Set — with Six Dildos
German metal band Rammstein is issuing a special edition box set of their album Liebe ist für alle da, which was released earlier this month. It comes in a metal case and includes five B-sides, as well as six dildos, each of which corresponds to the member of each band... um...member. Also included: a bottle of lube and industrial-strength handcuffs.
Read the Exclaim.ca story
Read the Exclaim.ca story
You Learn Something New Everyday
Jean Harlow was the first actress to appear on the cover of Life magazine.
Nutmeg is extremely poisonous if injected intravenously
Dirty Harry's badge number is 2211.
The book of Esther is the only book in the Bible which does not mention the name of God.
A full moon always rises at sunset.
Nutmeg is extremely poisonous if injected intravenously
Dirty Harry's badge number is 2211.
The book of Esther is the only book in the Bible which does not mention the name of God.
A full moon always rises at sunset.
My Eggplant Parmigiana
A friend recently put out a request for a recipe for an Eggplant or Zuccini Parmigiana and thought I'd post mine here. This recipe evolved from my Chicken Parmigiana recipe that I had learned from the tradition of the Basile family, one of the many Italian families that I grew up around in Brampton, Ontario.
I can say this recipe is world famous, as I have cooked it in at least eight cities on three continents.
Eggplant Parmesan
also works well with very large zucchinis.
1 large eggplant
Tomato sauce (I recommend using your favourite homemade sauce)
mozzarella cheese (shredded)
grated parmesan cheese
all purpose flour
3 eggs
bread crumbs
vegetable oil
dried oregano and dried basil (optional)
salt and pepper
Slice your eggplant into 1/2 inch thick disks. Salt and strain for about 20 minutes or so.
Set up a breading station:
First bowl: all purpose flour, seasoned slightly with salt and pepper
Second bowl: eggs, beaten
Third bowl: bread crumbs, seasoned slightly with salt and pepper, pinches of dried oregano and dried basil
Coat the slices of the eggplant, one at a time, in the flour. Then dip the eggplant slice into the egg and let excess drip off. Then lay the slice in the breadcrumbs, covering both sides. Repeat this process, adding more breadcrumbs as needed. If you fill the bowl with too many crumbs at a time, the crumbs will get sticky and chunky.
Add oil to a medium fry pan, but just enough to coat the bottom. Brown each slice; you can brown about 4-5 slices at a time. Don't overcook; just let them get crispy on the outside. Add oil as necessary; don't let the pan dry out or burn.
Transfer slices to a paper towel. Once all are browned, place a layer in the bottom of a rectangular casserole dish (approx. 9-11 inch dish). Cover the slices with a layer of sauce. A generous portion of mozzarella and parmesan should top each slice. I have experimented with adding mushrooms, red/green peppers, and/or onions to the sauce while baking. Cover with foil and put in a 375 degree oven until slices are tender but not mushy.
Add another another layer of cheese to each slice and broil uncovered until cheese is melted and slightly brown.
Serve with pasta, tossed in tomato sauce. Top with a light sprinkle of italian parsley, extra virgin olive oil and cracked black pepper.
I can say this recipe is world famous, as I have cooked it in at least eight cities on three continents.
Eggplant Parmesan
also works well with very large zucchinis.
1 large eggplant
Tomato sauce (I recommend using your favourite homemade sauce)
mozzarella cheese (shredded)
grated parmesan cheese
all purpose flour
3 eggs
bread crumbs
vegetable oil
dried oregano and dried basil (optional)
salt and pepper
Slice your eggplant into 1/2 inch thick disks. Salt and strain for about 20 minutes or so.
Set up a breading station:
First bowl: all purpose flour, seasoned slightly with salt and pepper
Second bowl: eggs, beaten
Third bowl: bread crumbs, seasoned slightly with salt and pepper, pinches of dried oregano and dried basil
Coat the slices of the eggplant, one at a time, in the flour. Then dip the eggplant slice into the egg and let excess drip off. Then lay the slice in the breadcrumbs, covering both sides. Repeat this process, adding more breadcrumbs as needed. If you fill the bowl with too many crumbs at a time, the crumbs will get sticky and chunky.
Add oil to a medium fry pan, but just enough to coat the bottom. Brown each slice; you can brown about 4-5 slices at a time. Don't overcook; just let them get crispy on the outside. Add oil as necessary; don't let the pan dry out or burn.
Transfer slices to a paper towel. Once all are browned, place a layer in the bottom of a rectangular casserole dish (approx. 9-11 inch dish). Cover the slices with a layer of sauce. A generous portion of mozzarella and parmesan should top each slice. I have experimented with adding mushrooms, red/green peppers, and/or onions to the sauce while baking. Cover with foil and put in a 375 degree oven until slices are tender but not mushy.
Add another another layer of cheese to each slice and broil uncovered until cheese is melted and slightly brown.
Serve with pasta, tossed in tomato sauce. Top with a light sprinkle of italian parsley, extra virgin olive oil and cracked black pepper.
R.I.P Soupy Sales
Soupy Sales, a comedian from the golden era of television, died October 22.
The rubber-faced comedian, whose anything-for-a-chuckle career was built on 20,000 pies to the face and 5,000 live TV appearances across a half-century of laughs, died at Calvary Hospice in the Bronx, New York
During the early 1960s, the comic's pie-throwing schtick became his trademark, and celebrities, from Frank Sinatra to Alice Cooper, lined up to take one on the chin alongside Sales.
"The Soupy Sales Show," with co-star puppets White Fang (the meanest dog in the United States) and Black Tooth (the nicest dog in the United States) made Sales one of the best-known faces in the nation, said his former manager and longtime friend, Dave Usher.
"If President Eisenhower would have walked down the street, no one would have recognized him as much as Soupy," said Usher.
Sales is survived by his wife, Trudy, and two sons, Hunt and Tony, a pair of musicians who backed David Bowie in the band Tin Machine.
Soupy Sales was 83.
Read the New York Times story.
The rubber-faced comedian, whose anything-for-a-chuckle career was built on 20,000 pies to the face and 5,000 live TV appearances across a half-century of laughs, died at Calvary Hospice in the Bronx, New York
During the early 1960s, the comic's pie-throwing schtick became his trademark, and celebrities, from Frank Sinatra to Alice Cooper, lined up to take one on the chin alongside Sales.
"The Soupy Sales Show," with co-star puppets White Fang (the meanest dog in the United States) and Black Tooth (the nicest dog in the United States) made Sales one of the best-known faces in the nation, said his former manager and longtime friend, Dave Usher.
"If President Eisenhower would have walked down the street, no one would have recognized him as much as Soupy," said Usher.
Sales is survived by his wife, Trudy, and two sons, Hunt and Tony, a pair of musicians who backed David Bowie in the band Tin Machine.
Soupy Sales was 83.
Read the New York Times story.
Friday, October 16, 2009
You're not gonna put Charlie Parker in with the Rock n Roll, would you?
A scene from one of my favourite movies.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Addictions and Bad Dreams
My current obsessions, time wasters and indulgences, in no particular order, are:
NHL regular season
Flash Forward
Presidents Choice chips - Loaded bake potato flavor
The Nicholas brothers` Stormy Weather routine.
My niece`s seven teeth
antibiotics
scarves - the lingerie of winter outerwear
cranberry sauce, stuffing and pumpkin pie
TED.com
NHL regular season
Flash Forward
Presidents Choice chips - Loaded bake potato flavor
The Nicholas brothers` Stormy Weather routine.
My niece`s seven teeth
antibiotics
scarves - the lingerie of winter outerwear
cranberry sauce, stuffing and pumpkin pie
TED.com
You Learn Something New Everyday
Some of the words that my computerized opponent used in Wordscraper today.
Fley –verb, fleyed, fley⋅ing. Chiefly Scot. to frighten; terrify.
Haar –noun Scot. and North England. a thick, wet fog along the seacoast.
Ogive –noun
1. Architecture. a. a diagonal vaulting rib. b. a pointed arch.
2. Statistics. the distribution curve of a frequency distribution.
3. Rocketry. the curved nose of a missile or rocket.
Fley –verb, fleyed, fley⋅ing. Chiefly Scot. to frighten; terrify.
Haar –noun Scot. and North England. a thick, wet fog along the seacoast.
Ogive –noun
1. Architecture. a. a diagonal vaulting rib. b. a pointed arch.
2. Statistics. the distribution curve of a frequency distribution.
3. Rocketry. the curved nose of a missile or rocket.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
R.I.P Les Paul.
Les Paul, the virtuoso guitarist and inventor whose solid-body electric guitar and recording studio innovations changed the course of 20th-century popular music, died Thursday in White Plains, N.Y. He was 94
Read the L.A Times story.
Read the L.A Times story.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
R.I.P Bea Arthur
Beatrice Arthur, the award winning actress best known for her roles as television's Maude and the sardonic Dorothy on The Golden Girls, has died of cancer.
Arthur died on the morning of April 25 at her home in Los Angeles with her family by her side.
In 1978 Arthur began playing Maude Findlay, an outspoken liberal living in the affluent community of Tuckahoe, New York. The revolutionary show, which won Arthur an Emmy, was a spin-off from All in the Family, on which Arthur had appeared a couple of times in the same role, playing Edith Bunker's cousin, a feminist, and antithesis to the bigoted, conservative Archie Bunker.
In 1978 She then went on to play Dorothy Zbornak in the hit sitcom The Golden Girls, co starring Estelle Getty, Betty White and Rue McClanahan as four older women sharing a home in Miami Florida
She is survived by her sons Matthew and Daniel and grandchildren Kyra and Violet, he said.
She was 86.
Read the Post-Gazette story
Arthur died on the morning of April 25 at her home in Los Angeles with her family by her side.
In 1978 Arthur began playing Maude Findlay, an outspoken liberal living in the affluent community of Tuckahoe, New York. The revolutionary show, which won Arthur an Emmy, was a spin-off from All in the Family, on which Arthur had appeared a couple of times in the same role, playing Edith Bunker's cousin, a feminist, and antithesis to the bigoted, conservative Archie Bunker.
In 1978 She then went on to play Dorothy Zbornak in the hit sitcom The Golden Girls, co starring Estelle Getty, Betty White and Rue McClanahan as four older women sharing a home in Miami Florida
She is survived by her sons Matthew and Daniel and grandchildren Kyra and Violet, he said.
She was 86.
Read the Post-Gazette story
Addictions and bad dreams
My current obsessions, time wasters and indulgences, in no particular order, are:
My veggie hummus/provolone wraps at work
hosting brunch
Junction neighbours -- I'm meeting a whole bunch of them
sinking 30-foot chip shots
my new bike seat
the start of golf and bocce season
watching three Japanese girls with stilettos trying to play keep-ups in a parking lot
no sleep, no sleep
My veggie hummus/provolone wraps at work
hosting brunch
Junction neighbours -- I'm meeting a whole bunch of them
sinking 30-foot chip shots
my new bike seat
the start of golf and bocce season
watching three Japanese girls with stilettos trying to play keep-ups in a parking lot
no sleep, no sleep
Bill Mahar's New Rules For April 24
HBO television show Real Time with Bill Maher's New Rules segment for April 24. This week: Beauty pageant contestants, Somali pirates, Kenny Loggins, Kentucky Fried Chicken, the American conservative base.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Math - Bunker style
A classic television comedy moment with the cast of All in the Family and the Jeffersons.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Tofu License Plate X-rated
A Colorado woman's love for tofu has been judged X-rated by state officials. Kelly Coffman-Lee wanted to tell the world about her fondness for bean curd by picking certain letters for her SUV's license plate. Her suggestion for the plate: "ILVTOFU." But the Division of Motor Vehicles blocked her plan because they thought the combination of letters could be interpreted as profane.
Read the Associated Press story
Watch the AP video story
Read the Associated Press story
Watch the AP video story
Thursday, April 9, 2009
You Learn Something New Everyday
There are 2,598,960 five-card hands possible in a 52-card deck of cards.
A 'jiffy' is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second.
Pinocchio is Italian for "pine eyes."
On Sesame Street, Bert's goldfish were named Lyle and Talbot, presumably after the actor Lyle Talbot.
You would have to count to one thousand to use the letter "A" in the English language to spell a whole number.
A 'jiffy' is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second.
Pinocchio is Italian for "pine eyes."
On Sesame Street, Bert's goldfish were named Lyle and Talbot, presumably after the actor Lyle Talbot.
You would have to count to one thousand to use the letter "A" in the English language to spell a whole number.
Rescue Shelter Boys?
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) placed a request to pop band Pet Shop Boys to change their name to Rescue Shelter Boys because the organization wanted the British duo to “help raise awareness about the cruelty involved in the pet trade.” However, since Pet Shop Boys have been using the name since 1981 — making them only one year younger than PETA — they have politely declined, even though they admit it “raises an issue worth thinking about.”
Read the Exclaim.ca story
Read the Exclaim.ca story
Billy Bob Goes off on the Q
While appearing on the April 8 edition of CBC radio program Q with his touring band The Boxcars, Billy Bob Thorton became upset with host Jian Ghomeshi's references to Thorton's acting career by being vague and/or unresponsive to questions.
In my personal opinion, BBT should be grateful that he has a successful acting and directing career, because if he hadn't, his band would probably not get the exposure the get. If any other bottom-to-mid-level band (which The Boxcars are, essentially) did this on CBC radio, they would have gotten cut off as soon as BBT started acting like a spoiled brat.
Get over it!
Read the Canadian Press article
In my personal opinion, BBT should be grateful that he has a successful acting and directing career, because if he hadn't, his band would probably not get the exposure the get. If any other bottom-to-mid-level band (which The Boxcars are, essentially) did this on CBC radio, they would have gotten cut off as soon as BBT started acting like a spoiled brat.
Get over it!
Read the Canadian Press article
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
New York Times Co. to Close Boston Globe?
The Boston Globe, one of the most acclaimed and profitable U.S. newspapers ever, may be closing down.
Analysts say the 137-year-old Globe, which was bought by the New York Times Co. in 1993, has been a money-loser in recent years and the Times, now $1.1 billion in debt, is threatening to shut down the Globe unless it gets $20 million in union concessions. The company was in negotiations with the union as of April 6.
The threat to the Globe, announced April 3 on the Globe’s website, has shocked some industry insiders, who say it shows no one is safe in the troubled economic times.
Stay tuned.
Read the Marketing Magazine story
Analysts say the 137-year-old Globe, which was bought by the New York Times Co. in 1993, has been a money-loser in recent years and the Times, now $1.1 billion in debt, is threatening to shut down the Globe unless it gets $20 million in union concessions. The company was in negotiations with the union as of April 6.
The threat to the Globe, announced April 3 on the Globe’s website, has shocked some industry insiders, who say it shows no one is safe in the troubled economic times.
Stay tuned.
Read the Marketing Magazine story
Monday, April 6, 2009
'Lap Dancing Nun' to Perform for Cardinals and Bishops
A former stripper from Italy, who is now a nun, will be performing a form of "mystical" choreography, which she calls "Holy Dance", in front of senior Catholic clerics next week at one of Rome's best known churches.
Anna Nobili, 38, spent two decades dancing for men in Milan but then decided she wanted more from life and joined the Sister Workers of the Holy House of Nazareth order. And now she is putting her past life as a dancer to use as a 'ballerina for God' in a show for cardinals and bishops called Holy Dance dedicated to episodes from the Bible. She turned to a life of spirituality in 2002 after being 'inspired' during a visit to the shrine of St Francis at Assisi.
The dance programme is called La Bibbia Giorno e Notte (The Bible Night and Day).
Among the guests expected to attend will be Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, who is in charge of the Vatican's Cultural Department.
Read the Daily Mail story.
Anna Nobili, 38, spent two decades dancing for men in Milan but then decided she wanted more from life and joined the Sister Workers of the Holy House of Nazareth order. And now she is putting her past life as a dancer to use as a 'ballerina for God' in a show for cardinals and bishops called Holy Dance dedicated to episodes from the Bible. She turned to a life of spirituality in 2002 after being 'inspired' during a visit to the shrine of St Francis at Assisi.
The dance programme is called La Bibbia Giorno e Notte (The Bible Night and Day).
Among the guests expected to attend will be Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, who is in charge of the Vatican's Cultural Department.
Read the Daily Mail story.
Bill Mahar's New Rules For April 3
HBO television show Real Time with Bill Maher's New Rules segment for April 3. This week: Protesters, Michelle Obama's wardrobe changes, awful clothing designers, Glenn Beck, trash in space and the ocean.
His Airness headed to Hall of Fame
In an announcement that suprised no one, NBA legend Michael Jordan has been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. The announcement was made in Detroit on April 9, site of the men's Final Four. Fellow players David Robinson, John Stockton, Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and Rutgers women's coach C. Vivian Stringer are the other memebers of the class of 2009.
Induction is Sept. 10-12 in Springfield, Mass., home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Read the TSN story.
Induction is Sept. 10-12 in Springfield, Mass., home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Read the TSN story.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
You Learn Something New Every Day
The Looney Tunes song is actually called "The Merry-Go-Round is Broken Down."
The U.S state with the longest coastline is Michigan.
King Kong is the only movie to have its sequel (Son of Kong) released the same year (1933).
The saying "it's so cold out there it could freeze the balls off a brass monkey" came from when they had old cannons like ones used in the Civil War. The cannon balls were stacked in a pyramid formation, called a brass monkey. When it got extremely cold outside they would crack and break off
Only two countries border three oceans -- the United States & Canada.
The U.S state with the longest coastline is Michigan.
King Kong is the only movie to have its sequel (Son of Kong) released the same year (1933).
The saying "it's so cold out there it could freeze the balls off a brass monkey" came from when they had old cannons like ones used in the Civil War. The cannon balls were stacked in a pyramid formation, called a brass monkey. When it got extremely cold outside they would crack and break off
Only two countries border three oceans -- the United States & Canada.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Addictions and bad dreams
My current obsessions, time wasters and indulgences, in no particular order, are:
Hand-made pita bread
Places called Frenchy's
My new hat
The final season of ER
Jim Lafleur
Green beans
Hand-made pita bread
Places called Frenchy's
My new hat
The final season of ER
Jim Lafleur
Green beans
Bill Mahar's New Rules For March 27
HBO television show Real Time with Bill Maher's New Rules segment for March 27. This week: Phil Spector and Donald Trump's hair, Victoria Secret, Praying Pilots, Get the U.S troops out of Germany and Japan.
Life on Mars from Serious Moonlight Tour
Sham Wow Guy Arrested
I usually don't report on "celebrity" police reports - so keeping that in mind, the ShamWow guy has be charged with felony battery on a prostitute. Vince Shlomien, the on-air peddler of the super-absorbant chamois, was arrested last month on a felony battery charge following a violent confrontation with a prostitute in his South Beach hotel room.
Read the Smoking Gun story
Read the Smoking Gun story
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Playboy Posts Free Archive
Legendary men's magazine Playboy and parnter Bondi Digital Publishing have unveiled PlayboyArchive.com. It's a 53-year archive, with one issue from each year, completely digitized (including ads), viewable and searchable -- all free of charge.
The issues cover the years 1954 through 2007, Bondi Digital Publishing, scanned and re-typed each of the issue of Playboy.
Playboy was never really my cup of tea, but I am sure this is much easier than rifling through your uncle's ratty collection, yeah?
Read the Technologyexpert blog entry.
The issues cover the years 1954 through 2007, Bondi Digital Publishing, scanned and re-typed each of the issue of Playboy.
Playboy was never really my cup of tea, but I am sure this is much easier than rifling through your uncle's ratty collection, yeah?
Read the Technologyexpert blog entry.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
R.I.P Natasha Richardson
Tony Award-winning Actress Natasha Richardson died on March 18 after suffering a head injury when she fell on a beginner's trail during a private ski lesson at the luxury Mont Tremblant ski resort in Quebec. She was hospitalized Tuesday in Montreal and later flown to a hospital in New York City.
A member of the Redgrave acting family, she was the daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave and producer Tony Richardson.
Survived by her husband Liam Neeson and their sons Micheál and Daniel, Natasha Richardson was 45 years old.
A member of the Redgrave acting family, she was the daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave and producer Tony Richardson.
Survived by her husband Liam Neeson and their sons Micheál and Daniel, Natasha Richardson was 45 years old.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Forever 21 Rips Off Logo From Minor Threat
Skinny teenage clothing retailer Forever 21 has been caught selling a T-shirt bearing a strikingly similar logo to that of Minor Threat’s 1983 album, Out of Step.
Minor Threat's label Dischord says the use of the logo is unauthorized and falls under the “‘unacceptable’ category.” The label went on to say it was looking into the matter and would be asking Forever 21 to cease and desist.
This is not the first time the seminal DC-based punk band has been involved with copyright infringement. In 2005 Nike copied the cover of the band’s first EP in its campaign “Major Threat,” and was forced to issue an apology following a backlash from fans and the group’s Ian MacKaye. Also in 2005, Fox ran into trouble with Dischord after using a snippet of Minor Threat’s “Salad Days” during an NFL broadcast, again without the band’s permission.
Read the exclaim.ca story.
Minor Threat's label Dischord says the use of the logo is unauthorized and falls under the “‘unacceptable’ category.” The label went on to say it was looking into the matter and would be asking Forever 21 to cease and desist.
This is not the first time the seminal DC-based punk band has been involved with copyright infringement. In 2005 Nike copied the cover of the band’s first EP in its campaign “Major Threat,” and was forced to issue an apology following a backlash from fans and the group’s Ian MacKaye. Also in 2005, Fox ran into trouble with Dischord after using a snippet of Minor Threat’s “Salad Days” during an NFL broadcast, again without the band’s permission.
Read the exclaim.ca story.
BIll Mahar's New Rules For March 13
HBO television show Real Time with Bill Maher's New Rules segment for March 13. This week: Court room sketch artists, flavoured vodka, Michelle Obama's arms and Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal.
Bonus: Lovely Sarah Silverman sits in.
Bonus: Lovely Sarah Silverman sits in.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Addictions and bad dreams
My current obsessions, time wasters and indulgences, in no particular order, are:
my three-month old niece
Lebanese food
blackout bingo
Season Five of Hell's Kitchen
DnBradio.com
3-2-1 dodge ball!
french vanilla ice cream with peanuts
my three-month old niece
Lebanese food
blackout bingo
Season Five of Hell's Kitchen
DnBradio.com
3-2-1 dodge ball!
french vanilla ice cream with peanuts
BIll Mahar's New Rules For March 6
HBO television show Real Time with Bill Maher's New Rules segment for March 6. This week: Black is slimming, movie credits, Michael Jackson, GM dealerships, Donald Trump, Republicans.
Eraserheads final set
The legendary Filipino rock band the Eraserheads performed their last set on March 7, 2009 in Pasay City in Manila. This was a continuation and/or conclusion of the Eheads reunion show that occurred August 2008, but had to be cut short due to lead vocalist/guitarist Ely Buendia's reoccurring heart problems - exacerbated by the stressed caused by the death of Buendia's mother two days prior.
This time around, a healthy Buendia, drummer Raimund Marasigan, bassist Buddy Zabala and guitarist Marcus Adoro performed over 30 songs spanning their career, including their very first hit "Pare Ko", which made them national celebrities, and "Superproxy", which they performed in memory of the band's friend and collaborator on the track, rapper and TV host Francis Magalona, who passed away the day before, losing losing his battle with cancer.
R.I.P FrancisM
This time around, a healthy Buendia, drummer Raimund Marasigan, bassist Buddy Zabala and guitarist Marcus Adoro performed over 30 songs spanning their career, including their very first hit "Pare Ko", which made them national celebrities, and "Superproxy", which they performed in memory of the band's friend and collaborator on the track, rapper and TV host Francis Magalona, who passed away the day before, losing losing his battle with cancer.
R.I.P FrancisM
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Dr. Joseph Lowery delivers Inauguration Benediction
Very short clip of the very cool Dr. Joseph Lowery delivering the benediction at President Obama's Inauguration.
I'm expecting him to say "shiyyyeeeeet!" a la Clive Davis
The 44th President of the United States of America - Barack Hussein Obama
Barack Hussein Obama was sworn as the 44th President of the United States of America today.
No other words can describe it other than historic.
Watch Obama's Inauguration and speech.
Read Toronto Star article
Read canoe.ca article
Read cbc.ca article
Read ctv.ca article
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Rock n Roll Hall of Fame 2009 Inductees
Jeff Beck, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Metallica, Wanda Jackson, Run DMC, Spooner Oldham, D.J. Fontana and Bill Black have been named the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame class of 2009 inductees.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for April 4 in Cleveland, Ohio, where the Hall of Fame and Museum are located. The show marks the first time since 1997 that it will be staged in Cleveland after several years in New York.
Read the ABC News story.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for April 4 in Cleveland, Ohio, where the Hall of Fame and Museum are located. The show marks the first time since 1997 that it will be staged in Cleveland after several years in New York.
Read the ABC News story.
R.I.P Ricardo Montalban
Ricardo Montalban, the Mexican-born actor whose regal bearing and sonorous voice led to roles as a science-fiction villain, the host on the mysterious “Fantasy Island” and pitchman for the “soft Corinthian leather” of the Chrysler Cordoba, has died.
Although a charismatic actor who was a star of stage and screen, the Montalban was probably best known as the White suite-wearing Mr. Roarke on the popular television series Fantasy Island (1978-1984)50's,
Montalban died at his home in Los Angeles. He was 88.
Read the bloomberg.com article.
Although a charismatic actor who was a star of stage and screen, the Montalban was probably best known as the White suite-wearing Mr. Roarke on the popular television series Fantasy Island (1978-1984)50's,
Montalban died at his home in Los Angeles. He was 88.
Read the bloomberg.com article.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
R.I.P Betty Page
Famous 1950s pin up star Betty Page has died in Los Angeles, aged 85.
Read the New York Times article.
The iconic model known for her provocative poses was credited for helping to pave the way for the sexual revolution of the 1960s.
She was admitted to hospital last month suffering from pnuemonia, and last week suffered a heart attack and never regained consciousness.
Read the New York Times article.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Happy Anniversary, Spacing Magazine
In the spirit of Spacing Magazine’s 5th Anniversary party on December 10 at the Great Hall in Toronto, the top 5 things I like about Toronto:
1. Chinatown, Little Italy, Koreatown, Little India, Portuguese Village, Greektown
2. Ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square
3. More live music venues than the province of Manitoba
4. Escaping to the island on a lazy Sunday afternoon
5. The centre of the hockey universe
Congratulations to Matthew Blackett and the whole Spacing staff for a wonderful five years. Up 'em irons!
Visit Spacing Magazine on-line.
1. Chinatown, Little Italy, Koreatown, Little India, Portuguese Village, Greektown
2. Ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square
3. More live music venues than the province of Manitoba
4. Escaping to the island on a lazy Sunday afternoon
5. The centre of the hockey universe
Congratulations to Matthew Blackett and the whole Spacing staff for a wonderful five years. Up 'em irons!
Visit Spacing Magazine on-line.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Man Killed for 'Hogging Karaoke'
Police say a Malaysian man has been stabbed to death by customers at a karaoke bar for singing too much and refusing to share the microphone.
Abdul Sani Doli, 23, was apparently attacked and killed by a group of angry customers at the bar in Sandakan town on eastern Borneo island.
Read the Washington Post story
Abdul Sani Doli, 23, was apparently attacked and killed by a group of angry customers at the bar in Sandakan town on eastern Borneo island.
Read the Washington Post story
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Canadian Media Giant Ted Rogers Passes Away
Canadian media magnate Ted Rogers, founder and CEO of Rogers Communications, has died.
Rogers, 75, died at his Toronto home on December 2, surrounded by loved ones, said a statement from the company's board of directors. He had recently been admitted to hospital for an existing cardiac condition.
In 1960, Rogers laid the foundation for his company while studying law with the purchase of CHFI, a Toronto FM radio station. At the time, the FM format was considered obscure.
Rogers went on to dominate the cable television provider market, leading the way for cellular and wireless communications. He flirted with bankruptcy when he decided to invest in high-speed internet making Rogers one of the first cable companies in the world to do so.
Along with the Rogers media conglomerate, including over 50 magazines, a number of television and radio station, Rogers bought the the Toronto Blue Jays and the Skydome, renaming it Rogers Centre.Rogers Communications hasn't named a successor. The company said its board will form a special committee to search for candidates. Alan Horn, currently chairman of Rogers Communications, will take on the role of acting CEO in the meantime.
Ted Rogers is survived by his wife, Loretta, whom he married in 1963, and their four children - Edward, Lisa, Melinda and Martha.
Read the Canoe.ca story
R.I.P Paul Benedict
Versatile American actor Paul Benedict - probably best known for his portrayals of English neighbor Harry Bentley on the sitcom The Jeffersons, the Memphis hotel desk clerk in the film This is Spinal Tap and the The Number Painter on Sesame Street - died on December 1.
Benedict began his acting career in the 1960s in the Theatre Company of Boston, alongside such future stars as Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Al Pacino.
Benedict was found dead at his home in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. He was 70 years old
Read the L.A Times obituary
Watch the "4" episode of the Number Painter, co-starring a very cute Stockard Channing
Benedict began his acting career in the 1960s in the Theatre Company of Boston, alongside such future stars as Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Al Pacino.
Benedict was found dead at his home in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. He was 70 years old
Read the L.A Times obituary
Watch the "4" episode of the Number Painter, co-starring a very cute Stockard Channing
Tell us Something we Didn't Know
"There is a strong correlation between media exposure and long-term negative health effects to children."
Dr. EZEKIEL J. EMANUEL, of the National Institutes of Health, on a Dec. 2 study linking kids' bad television habits with obesity, smoking and early sexual activity
Dr. EZEKIEL J. EMANUEL, of the National Institutes of Health, on a Dec. 2 study linking kids' bad television habits with obesity, smoking and early sexual activity
NHL Suspends Sean Avery Indefinitely
NHL Super pest Sean Avery has been suspended indefinitely by the league for comments he made on camera prior to his Dallas Stars game against the Calgary Flames on December 2.
"I'm really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada," he said. "I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds..."
Avery's ex-girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert is dating Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf; she had also been romantically linked to Mike Komisarek of the Montreal Canadiens. Avery also dated model Rachel Hunter, who is now the girlfriend of Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll.
"I completely support the league's decision to suspend Sean Avery," Stars owner Tom Hicks said in a statement. "Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have. This organization will not tolerate such behavior, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so."
Avery's a jackass. Plain and simple.
"I'm really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada," he said. "I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds..."
Avery's ex-girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert is dating Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf; she had also been romantically linked to Mike Komisarek of the Montreal Canadiens. Avery also dated model Rachel Hunter, who is now the girlfriend of Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll.
"I completely support the league's decision to suspend Sean Avery," Stars owner Tom Hicks said in a statement. "Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have. This organization will not tolerate such behavior, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so."
Avery's a jackass. Plain and simple.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
R.I.P - My Grandfather
My grandfather Jesus Zalameda passed away on November 28 - just over two weeks after his 103rd birthday.
So, in his memory, from my travel blog Big in Japan, here is an encore presentation of (my twin brother) The Doods' Top 7 Jesus references from back in November, 2005, when I went to the Philippines to celebrate his 100th birthday :
7) "Jesus, Mary and Joseph...Let the boy marry your grandmother!"- Chris Farley
6) Jesus Christ Pose -Soundgarden
5) (Big Baby Jesus) I Can't Wait - Ol' Dirty Bastard
4) The Jesus Lizard.
3) "Plastic Jesus" from Cool Hand Luke.
2) Jesus, Etc. by Wilco.
1) "DON"T FUCK WITH THE JESUS!"- Jesus Quintana from The Big Lebowski
So, in his memory, from my travel blog Big in Japan, here is an encore presentation of (my twin brother) The Doods' Top 7 Jesus references from back in November, 2005, when I went to the Philippines to celebrate his 100th birthday :
7) "Jesus, Mary and Joseph...Let the boy marry your grandmother!"- Chris Farley
6) Jesus Christ Pose -Soundgarden
5) (Big Baby Jesus) I Can't Wait - Ol' Dirty Bastard
4) The Jesus Lizard.
3) "Plastic Jesus" from Cool Hand Luke.
2) Jesus, Etc. by Wilco.
1) "DON"T FUCK WITH THE JESUS!"- Jesus Quintana from The Big Lebowski
The Week's Best Invented Words
The Toronto Star's John Sakamoto presents his weekly feature The Week's Best Invented Words.
Read the Star story
- BALDERDASH, n.:
- "a rapidly receding hairline." (cafe-grendel.blogspot.com)
- PROCRASTIBAKING, v.:
- using baking to postpone a necessary task, such as studying. (Tara Debicki, Niagara Falls, Ont.)
- PRECEDAUNT, n.:
- the knowledge that everyone who preceded you in your new job failed miserably. (karengphelan.com/Business/Neologisms.html)
- CO³, n.:
- "a volatile gas produced by filtering 'carbon dioxide issues' through a windbag." (www.architectsjournal.co.uk)
- HANDESTINE, adj.:
- making an expressive gesture in "the belief that the person it is directed at can't see it. Occurs during phone conversations, email discourses, and behind people's backs." (verbotomy.com)
- COSMERGENCY, n.:
- when you run out of makeup, lipstick, mascara, shampoo and conditioner all at the same time. (Kathy Martin, Peterborough)
- CORPORATE INERTIATIVES, n.:
- self-explanatory (karengphelan.com/Business/Neologisms.html)
Read the Star story
Stephen Lewis on the Hour
A fantastic Canadian, Stephen Lewis became Canada's ambassador to the United Nations in the mid-80s. Then he became the UN's special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.
His interview on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos proves to be the first time he says "bullshit" on the air.
Watch the Hour interview here.
His interview on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos proves to be the first time he says "bullshit" on the air.
Watch the Hour interview here.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Vatican Forgives Lennon for "Jesus Christ" Remark
The Vatican has finally forgiven John Lennon for declaring that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ.
The comment by Lennon to Maureen Cleave of the Evening Standard in March 1966 infuriated Christians, particularly in the United States, some of whom burned Beatles' albums in huge pyres.
But it seems, it's time to forgive and forget.
Vatican daily Osservatore Romano said:
The comment by Lennon to Maureen Cleave of the Evening Standard in March 1966 infuriated Christians, particularly in the United States, some of whom burned Beatles' albums in huge pyres.
But it seems, it's time to forgive and forget.
Vatican daily Osservatore Romano said:
"The remark by John Lennon, which triggered deep indignation mainly in the United States, after many years sounds only like a 'boast' by a young working-class Englishman faced with unexpected success, after growing up in the legend of Elvis and rock and roll.
The fact remains that 38 years after breaking up, the songs of the Lennon-McCartney brand have shown an extraordinary resistance to the passage of time, becoming a source of inspiration for more than one generation of pop musicians."
The Vatican only took 42 years to forgive this "sin" - a relatively short time in the vindictive memory span of Catholics. Is this the church's idea of being modern? C'mon now, there are more important shit to deal with like A.I.D.S relief, allowing female priests, sanctioning gay marriage, do need to go on, or as usual, are times going a bit too quickly for the church's liking?
The Habs Retire Patrick Roy's Number
Legendary Montreal Gazette reporter Red Fisher talks about the controversial Patrick Roy's #33 being retired by the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, November 22.
Read the Montreal Gazette article from faceoff.com
Read the Montreal Gazette article from faceoff.com
CBC makes another bad choice.
CBC's Hockey Night in Canada wasted everybody's time by cutting away from Patrick Roy's number ceremony in Montreal to the Toronto Maple Leafs' honouring of former captain Wendel Clark's #17.
Even I, a die-hard, 30-something Leaf fan who loves everything Wendel stood for, was very upset that the network decided to show a brutal and needless display of Wendel's mediocre career rather than staying with the retiring of Hall-of-Famer and the highly decorated Roy.
The CBC is slowly losing my support - from the changing of the HNIC anthem, to the decision to keep P.J Stock and Al Strachan on the air - they have made one bad choice after another. Even Don Cherry may be wearing out his welcome.
By no means do I want the Saturday night tradition to end, although it really does need a facelift. And I consider myself a bit of a HNIC purist.
Get your head out of your ass, CBC.
Even I, a die-hard, 30-something Leaf fan who loves everything Wendel stood for, was very upset that the network decided to show a brutal and needless display of Wendel's mediocre career rather than staying with the retiring of Hall-of-Famer and the highly decorated Roy.
The CBC is slowly losing my support - from the changing of the HNIC anthem, to the decision to keep P.J Stock and Al Strachan on the air - they have made one bad choice after another. Even Don Cherry may be wearing out his welcome.
By no means do I want the Saturday night tradition to end, although it really does need a facelift. And I consider myself a bit of a HNIC purist.
Get your head out of your ass, CBC.
Boss Hog to Reunite For NYC Gig in December
Following an eight-year hiatus, Boss Hog have announced they will return to the stage next month for a hometown New York show. The band's original line-up, Cristina Martinez, hubby Jon Spencer, Hollis Queens, Jens Jurgensen and Mark Boyce, will all be performing at the December 17 concert. Everybody say Goddamn!
Read the exclaim.ca story
Read the exclaim.ca story
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
largeheartedboy.com Best of 2008 Lists
largeheartedboy.com has posted their top lists of 2008
largeheartedboy.com is a music blog featuring daily free and legal music downloads as well as news from the worlds of music, literature, and pop culture.
largeheartedboy.com is a music blog featuring daily free and legal music downloads as well as news from the worlds of music, literature, and pop culture.
Shooting Lyric Helps Convict Rapper
A rapper wrote a song describing a shooting he committed in 2006, even calling out the victim by name.
A judge sentenced 25-year-old Rico Todriquez Wright, of Dublin, Georgia, to spend the next 20 years in prison on two counts of aggravated assault, and the next 20 on probation after his victim, Chad Blue, mentioned the of the shooting to police.
Read the National Examainer story.
A judge sentenced 25-year-old Rico Todriquez Wright, of Dublin, Georgia, to spend the next 20 years in prison on two counts of aggravated assault, and the next 20 on probation after his victim, Chad Blue, mentioned the of the shooting to police.
Read the National Examainer story.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Bill Maher's New Rules for Movember 14
HBO television show Real Time with Bill Maher's New Rules segment for November 14. This week: Racial equality, comparing people to Hitler, Scotch tape, bail out money, parking lot followers, Palin and McCain, U.S envy.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
You Learn Something New Every Day
The YKK on the zipper of your Levis stands for Yoshida Kogyo Kabushibibaisha, the worlds largest zipper manufacturer.
Heroin is the brand name of morphine once marketed by Bayer.
The Baby Ruth candy bar was actually named afte Grover Cleveland's baby daughter, Ruth.
The word "samba" means "to rub navels together."
The abbreviation for pound, "lb.," comes from the astrological sign Libra, meaning balance, and symbolized by scales.
Heroin is the brand name of morphine once marketed by Bayer.
The Baby Ruth candy bar was actually named afte Grover Cleveland's baby daughter, Ruth.
The word "samba" means "to rub navels together."
The abbreviation for pound, "lb.," comes from the astrological sign Libra, meaning balance, and symbolized by scales.
Brian Burke and Jennifer Mather Coming to Toronto?
Within hours of announcing his resignation as General Manager of the Anaheim Ducks, the talk of the NHL world has Brian Burke headed to the Toronto Maple Leafs as their new GM and President.
The Leafs have coveted the American-born hockey exec since the firing of John Fergeson Jr. in January of 2008 and replaced him with interim GM Cliff Fletcher.
Burke, seemingly, would relish coming to hockey-mad Toronto, as he has made it clear he would like to work in the Eastern conference and preferably in Canada, so his wife - a Canadian not able to work in the U.S - can resume her journalism career.
The turn of events has me excited on two fronts. First, as a die-hard Leaf fan, I think Burke could be a great GM and President for the Leafs, perhaps turning them into a Stanley Cup contender after 41 years of losing. But the kicker in the deal is Burke's wife Jennifer Mather.
When I lived in Vancouver in 1994-95, I fell for Jennifer Mather, then a news reader on BCTV. I even wrote a little pop song about her called "Jen-Jen." I don't remember much of the song, only that the final lyric went something like: "I wish I was Squire Barnes so I could sit beside her every night on the TV."
Squire Barnes is a geeky sportscaster, that co-hosted the news program with Mather on BCTV.
Read the faceoff.com story.
The Leafs have coveted the American-born hockey exec since the firing of John Fergeson Jr. in January of 2008 and replaced him with interim GM Cliff Fletcher.
Burke, seemingly, would relish coming to hockey-mad Toronto, as he has made it clear he would like to work in the Eastern conference and preferably in Canada, so his wife - a Canadian not able to work in the U.S - can resume her journalism career.
The turn of events has me excited on two fronts. First, as a die-hard Leaf fan, I think Burke could be a great GM and President for the Leafs, perhaps turning them into a Stanley Cup contender after 41 years of losing. But the kicker in the deal is Burke's wife Jennifer Mather.
When I lived in Vancouver in 1994-95, I fell for Jennifer Mather, then a news reader on BCTV. I even wrote a little pop song about her called "Jen-Jen." I don't remember much of the song, only that the final lyric went something like: "I wish I was Squire Barnes so I could sit beside her every night on the TV."
Squire Barnes is a geeky sportscaster, that co-hosted the news program with Mather on BCTV.
Read the faceoff.com story.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
R.I.P Mitch Mitchell
Mitch Mitchell, the drummer of the Jimi Hendrix Experience passed away on November 12.
A jazz-influenced snare drum madman, Mitchell was responsible for the unforgettable beats on Experience tracks "Crosstown Traffic", "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" and "Fire".
Mitchell was found dead in his room at the Benson Hotel in Portland, Oregon, apparently of natural causes. He was 61.
Without a doubt, one of my favourite drummers. God damn!
A jazz-influenced snare drum madman, Mitchell was responsible for the unforgettable beats on Experience tracks "Crosstown Traffic", "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" and "Fire".
Mitchell was found dead in his room at the Benson Hotel in Portland, Oregon, apparently of natural causes. He was 61.
Without a doubt, one of my favourite drummers. God damn!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
This is Hall of Fame weekend for the NHL as the hockey world prepares for the induction of Glenn Anderson and Igor Larionov into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
Also to be inducted is former linesman Ray Scapinello and Ed Chynoweth in the builder category.
Watch Jim Hughson's video blog entry from CBC Sports, where he discusses Anderson and Larionov.
Also to be inducted is former linesman Ray Scapinello and Ed Chynoweth in the builder category.
Watch Jim Hughson's video blog entry from CBC Sports, where he discusses Anderson and Larionov.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Addictions and Bad Dreams
My current obsessions, time wasters and indulgences, in no particular order, are:
Prison Break Season Four (it's so bad, it's good!)
Bronto Burger's veggie burger combo
Circus by Eraserheads
Preparing to be an uncle who changes diapers
Trying to find Hi8 video decks to watch ten-year-old footage
Soba noodles
Window shopping for a new imac
"Yes we can!"
Quoting bad nineties movies at extremely inappropriate times (happened at least twice this week)
Prison Break Season Four (it's so bad, it's good!)
Bronto Burger's veggie burger combo
Circus by Eraserheads
Preparing to be an uncle who changes diapers
Trying to find Hi8 video decks to watch ten-year-old footage
Soba noodles
Window shopping for a new imac
"Yes we can!"
Quoting bad nineties movies at extremely inappropriate times (happened at least twice this week)
Naked Japan Major Nabbed With Women's Underwear
Only in Japan...
A male Japanese air force major caught naked while shopping for women's underwear has been suspended from his duties for 10 days, a spokeswoman at Matsushima air base in Miyagi said.
The incident follows a series of scandals for Japan's military. The air force's top general was sacked last week for saying Japan was not an aggressor in World War Two, angering China and South Korea where bitter memories remain over Tokyo's past military aggression.
Read the uk.reuters.com story.
A male Japanese air force major caught naked while shopping for women's underwear has been suspended from his duties for 10 days, a spokeswoman at Matsushima air base in Miyagi said.
The incident follows a series of scandals for Japan's military. The air force's top general was sacked last week for saying Japan was not an aggressor in World War Two, angering China and South Korea where bitter memories remain over Tokyo's past military aggression.
Read the uk.reuters.com story.
Bill Maher's New Rules for Movember 7
HBO television show Real Time with Bill Maher's New Rules segment for November 7. This week: Guns N' Roses, Joe the Plummer, Saudi sexual repression, Twinkies, Angus Young and Republican harassment.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Barack Obama Wins
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has been elected the next President of the United States, capping a historic campaign that makes him the first African American president in history.
Obama was the first Democrat since 1976 to win more than 50 percent of the popular vote, netting at least 62,748,399 to Sen. John McCain's 55,596,984.
Obama: CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, HI, IA, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NJ, NM, NY, NV, OH, OR, PA, RI, VA, VT, WA, WI
Obama was the first Democrat since 1976 to win more than 50 percent of the popular vote, netting at least 62,748,399 to Sen. John McCain's 55,596,984.
Obama: CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, HI, IA, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NJ, NM, NY, NV, OH, OR, PA, RI, VA, VT, WA, WI
McCain: AL, AR, AZ, GA, KY, KS, LA, MT, MS, ND, NE, SC, SD TX, UT, WV, WY
Too close to call: MO, NC
History Has Been Made
Barack Obama will be the 44th the President of the United States of America.
Oh yeah!
Part One of his speech
Part Two
Part Three
Oh yeah!
Part One of his speech
Part Two
Part Three
You Learn Something New Every Day
In Turkey the color of mourning is violet. In most Moslem countries and in China it is white.
If you toss a penny 10,000 times, it will not be heads 5,000 times, but more like 4,950. The heads picture weighs more, so it ends up on the bottom.
The letters KGB stand for Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti.
To "testify" was based on men in the Roman court swearing to a statement made by swearing on their testicles.
If you toss a penny 10,000 times, it will not be heads 5,000 times, but more like 4,950. The heads picture weighs more, so it ends up on the bottom.
The letters KGB stand for Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti.
To "testify" was based on men in the Roman court swearing to a statement made by swearing on their testicles.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Palin falls prey to Canadian pranksters
Republican vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin fell prey to a Canadian prankster on Nov 1 when he called her impersonating French President Nicolas Sarkozy and got her to accept an invitation to hunt baby seals.
A member of the Quebec comedy duo "The Masked Avengers," famous for tricking celebrities and politicians including Sarkozy himself, asked if Palin would take him on a hunting trip by helicopter, and then in French said they could also go kill baby seals.
An apparently oblivious Palin said she thought that would be fun. "We could have a lot of fun together as we're getting work done. We could kill two birds with one stone that way."
Read the Reuters story
A member of the Quebec comedy duo "The Masked Avengers," famous for tricking celebrities and politicians including Sarkozy himself, asked if Palin would take him on a hunting trip by helicopter, and then in French said they could also go kill baby seals.
An apparently oblivious Palin said she thought that would be fun. "We could have a lot of fun together as we're getting work done. We could kill two birds with one stone that way."
Read the Reuters story
Boy Finds Meth, Cash In Candy Bag
Police in Ramsey, Minn. say a 7-year-old boy got more than he expected in his Halloween bag this year.
Someone dropped 2.2 grams of methamphetamine and $85 into the bag of Lars and Shelly Brosdahl's son. They found the drugs and baggie of money after he dumped out his Halloween candy.
Read the cbs3.com story.
Someone dropped 2.2 grams of methamphetamine and $85 into the bag of Lars and Shelly Brosdahl's son. They found the drugs and baggie of money after he dumped out his Halloween candy.
Read the cbs3.com story.
Japanese Man Petitions to Marry Comic Book Character
A Japanese man has enlisted hundreds of people in a campaign to allow marriages between humans and cartoon characters, saying he feels more at ease in the "two-dimensional world."
Taichi Takashita has launched an online petition aiming for 1 million signatures to present to the Government to establish a law on marriages with cartoon characters.
Taichi Takashita has launched an online petition aiming for 1 million signatures to present to the Government to establish a law on marriages with cartoon characters.
Within a week he has gathered more than 1,000 signatures through the internet.
Read the abc.net.au story
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Boy Gets Sent From School for Jesus Costume
A middle school student from New Jersey was sent home Friday after he came to school dressed up as Jesus for Halloween.
Decked out in sandals, a robe, fake beard and thorns, 13-year-old Alex Woinski joined 500 other students at West Brook Middle School in Paramus.
"It was offensive to some students," Woinski said, when asked what school officials told him the reason for being sent home was.
Woinski has developed an interest in religion. His mother is Catholic and his father is Jewish. He recently celebrated his Bar Mitzvah and his also studying Bible scripture.
Now, by no means am I a religious person, but in a time where every teenaged girl is dressed like street walker on Halloween, where at every turn there are extreme costumes of blood and gore, I have to laugh at this, because the people who sent this boy home from school most likely, were bible thumpers themselves.
Read the wcbstv.com story
Decked out in sandals, a robe, fake beard and thorns, 13-year-old Alex Woinski joined 500 other students at West Brook Middle School in Paramus.
"It was offensive to some students," Woinski said, when asked what school officials told him the reason for being sent home was.
Woinski has developed an interest in religion. His mother is Catholic and his father is Jewish. He recently celebrated his Bar Mitzvah and his also studying Bible scripture.
Now, by no means am I a religious person, but in a time where every teenaged girl is dressed like street walker on Halloween, where at every turn there are extreme costumes of blood and gore, I have to laugh at this, because the people who sent this boy home from school most likely, were bible thumpers themselves.
Read the wcbstv.com story
Bill Maher's New Rules for Oct 31
HBO television show Real Time with Bill Maher's New Rules segment for October 31. This week: Dogs in costumes, Iceland, George W. Bush, Salma Hayek's breast, the 2008 election.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Colin Powell Endorses Obama
Colin Powell, a Republican and retired general who was President Bush's first secretary of state, broke with the party Sunday and endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president, calling him a "transformational figure" while criticizing the tone of John McCain's campaign.
Powell, on NBC program Meet the Press, said Obama had "met the standard" to be commander-in-chief "because of his ability to inspire" Americans of all ages and ethnic and political stripes."I think he would be a transformational president. For that reason I will be voting for Senator Barack Obama," said Powell, who was the first African-American to serve as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.
Should Obama win in just over two weeks, "all Americans should be proud, not just African-Americans," he said. "It would not just electrify our country, it would electrify the world.
Read the Associated Press story
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Addictions and Bad Dreams
My current obsessions, time wasters and indulgences, in no particular order, are:
Curtis Mayfield
Three's Company Season Two on DVD
sake shashimi
Orangina 473mL bottles
Argyle socks
Mob Wars application on Facebook
chickpeas
Curtis Mayfield
Three's Company Season Two on DVD
sake shashimi
Orangina 473mL bottles
Argyle socks
Mob Wars application on Facebook
chickpeas
R.I.P Frankie Venom
The lead vocalist of legendary Canadian punk band Teenage Head has died. Frank Venom, (nee Kerr) had recently battled throat cancer. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Kerr was the lead singer of the Hamilton-based band which formed at Westdale High School back in 1975.
Considered the Eastern-Canadian ambassadors of the original punk movement, Teenage Head were Kerr, guitarist Gord Lewis, bassist Steve Mahon and drummer Nick Stipanitz.
The death coincides with an announcement that same morning that Teenage Head would receive a special lifetime achievement award during the 2008 Hamilton Music Awards taking place Nov. 13-16.
Frankie Venom was 51.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Smile of the Week
Dr. Floyd Peeper of the Electric Mayhem band performing a George Harrison masterpiece.
R.I.P Alton Ellis
The Godfather of Rocksteady Alton Ellis died on October 10.
The Jamaican legend was instrumental in the rocksteady movement, a slower version of ska music. Ellis first recording the Mad Mad riddim in 1967, which became a much used beat to a plethora of rocksteady records, as well as being sampled by hip hop artist such as KRS-One and Tupac Shakur.
Ellis scored big with hits "Girl I've Got a Date", "Cry Tough" and "Get Ready - Rock Steady", which was the first song to refer to the name of the newer genre. His Mr. Soul of Jamaica album is regarded as one of the definitive rocksteady albums.
Ellis succumbed to lymphatic cancer at Hammersmith Hospital in West London. He was 70.
On a personal note, during the mid-90s, my older brother Roderick played guitar for one of Alton's twenty children, Noel Ellis, on a Canadian tour.
Riddim!
The Jamaican legend was instrumental in the rocksteady movement, a slower version of ska music. Ellis first recording the Mad Mad riddim in 1967, which became a much used beat to a plethora of rocksteady records, as well as being sampled by hip hop artist such as KRS-One and Tupac Shakur.
Ellis scored big with hits "Girl I've Got a Date", "Cry Tough" and "Get Ready - Rock Steady", which was the first song to refer to the name of the newer genre. His Mr. Soul of Jamaica album is regarded as one of the definitive rocksteady albums.
Ellis succumbed to lymphatic cancer at Hammersmith Hospital in West London. He was 70.
On a personal note, during the mid-90s, my older brother Roderick played guitar for one of Alton's twenty children, Noel Ellis, on a Canadian tour.
Riddim!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Mafiaboy Speaks
In 1999, someone hacked into e-commerce websites like CNN, Yahoo, Amazon and eBay and grounded them to a halt. Then U.S president Bill Clinton called a task force to try to capture the hacker only known as mafiaboy. It turns out the big time hacker was 15 year old Michael Culce , a Montreal teenager.
A book has been released by Craig Silverman to tell his story. His first media interview ever was on October 8 on CBC The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos.
Watch The Hour interview
A book has been released by Craig Silverman to tell his story. His first media interview ever was on October 8 on CBC The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos.
Watch The Hour interview
Rap Fan Sentenced to Listening to Classical Music
An Ohio man was facing a $150 fine for playing rap music too loudly on his car stereo when Champaign County Municipal Court Judge Susan Fornof-Lippencott offered to reduce that to $35 if the defendant Andrew Vactor spent 20 hours listening to classical music by the likes of Bach, Beethoven and Chopin.
But the 24-year-old Vactor lasted about 15 minutes before deciding to pay the full fine for the ticket he received in July of this year.
Read the story from Boise's 2news.tv
But the 24-year-old Vactor lasted about 15 minutes before deciding to pay the full fine for the ticket he received in July of this year.
Read the story from Boise's 2news.tv
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Colin and Justin's Home Heist Season Premier
HGTV's popular maverick home makeover show Colin and Justin's Home Heist premiered their second season with a very tense episode on October 2.
By the way, my sister Cheryl directed this episode.
Watch episodes of Colin and Justin's Home Heist at the HGTV website.
By the way, my sister Cheryl directed this episode.
Watch episodes of Colin and Justin's Home Heist at the HGTV website.
Archie Bunker on Democrats
Archie Bunker's view on American politics in 1976 - Funny how over thirty years later, there isn't much difference
Bill Maher's New Rules for Oct 3
Saturday, October 4, 2008
The Toronto Star's 10 Things We Learned This Week
Some of the things we learned this week, according to the Toronto Star's weekly feature "10 Things We Learned This Week" includes:
John Lydon, a.k.a. Sex Pistols punk rocker Johnny Rotten, has filmed a British TV commercial for Country Life Butter.
Human toothpaste contains foaming agents that could make a dog vomit.
King Henry VIII went from a 32-inch waist early in his rule to a 54-inch waist near the end. At his death, he weighed just under 420 pounds.
Read the Toronto Star Story
Sean Avery on the Hour
Sean Avery, the National Hockey League's current most hated player, reveals a side of himself that many people wouldn't usually see in this interview with The Hour's George Stroumboulopoulos.
As a raving hockey fan, I have gained some respect for Avery as a man, if not as a player
Watch The Hour interview.
As a raving hockey fan, I have gained some respect for Avery as a man, if not as a player
Watch The Hour interview.
The Sweater
In honour of opening week of the 2008-09 NHL regular season, here is the timeless National Film Board of Canada (NFB) animated short The Sweater, or Le Chandail.
This classic story, which is based on the 1979 short story Le chandail de hockey by
I just say this is a classic piece of Canadiana .
Friday, October 3, 2008
Opposition Leaders Team up on Harper During English Debate
Prime Minister and Conservative Leader Stephen Harper found himself on the defensive on Thursday, Oct 2, with the other party leaders combining forces to attack his record on the economy and environment in the Political leaders' English language-debate, the final one, prior to the October 14 election.
Despite the frequent attacks, Harper appeared largely relaxed for the first hour, but occasionally showed the tight smile he displayed in French-language debate the night before.
Throughout the two-hour session at Ottawa's National Arts Centre, the Conservative leader was quizzed by NDP Leader Jack Layton, Green Leader Elizabeth May, Stéphane Dion of the Liberals and the Bloc Québécois's Gilles Duceppe on how he proposes to address Canada's financial situation in light of the U.S. crisis. Layton in particular was notably aggressive on the PM's stance that the government must stay its course on the economy and that Canada's fiscal fundamentals are strong. "The economy is not fine," Layton said to Harper. "Either you don't care or you are incompetent. Which is it?"
The debate also saw Layton laying into Dion, saying the Liberal leader tacitly supported Harper’s agenda by failing to vote down the minority Conservatives sooner: “His policies, your responsibility,” said Layton, jabbing his finger at Dion. “If you can’t do your job as leader of the opposition, I don’t know why you’re running to be Prime Minister,” Layton said.
Read up on the debate:
The Toronto Star article
The Globe and Mail article
The CBC article
The CTV news article
Despite the frequent attacks, Harper appeared largely relaxed for the first hour, but occasionally showed the tight smile he displayed in French-language debate the night before.
Throughout the two-hour session at Ottawa's National Arts Centre, the Conservative leader was quizzed by NDP Leader Jack Layton, Green Leader Elizabeth May, Stéphane Dion of the Liberals and the Bloc Québécois's Gilles Duceppe on how he proposes to address Canada's financial situation in light of the U.S. crisis. Layton in particular was notably aggressive on the PM's stance that the government must stay its course on the economy and that Canada's fiscal fundamentals are strong. "The economy is not fine," Layton said to Harper. "Either you don't care or you are incompetent. Which is it?"
The debate also saw Layton laying into Dion, saying the Liberal leader tacitly supported Harper’s agenda by failing to vote down the minority Conservatives sooner: “His policies, your responsibility,” said Layton, jabbing his finger at Dion. “If you can’t do your job as leader of the opposition, I don’t know why you’re running to be Prime Minister,” Layton said.
Read up on the debate:
The Toronto Star article
The Globe and Mail article
The CBC article
The CTV news article
The Juice Convicted
On Friday, October 3, thirteen years to the day after he was acquitted of the murder of his wife, Nicole Brown and her friend, Ron Goldman, O.J. Simpson was found guilty of kidnapping and armed robbery.
The former NFL player was found guilty of robbing two sports-memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a
The 61 year old Simpson was convicted of all 12 counts late Friday after jurors deliberated for more than 13 hours. He released a heavy sigh as the charges were read and was immediately taken into custody.
Sentencing was set for Dec. 5. Kidnapping is punishable by five years to life in prison. Armed robbery carries a mandatory sentence of at least two years behind bars, and could bring as much as 30.
Now, I am not passing judgment on this case, but talk about karma coming back and biting you on the ass!
Read the U.S.A Today article
You Learn Somethig New Everyday
The world's largest K-Mart is on the
The bubbles in Guiness Beer sink to the bottom rather than float to the top like all other beers. No one knows why.
If you have three quarters, four dimes, and four pennies, you have $1.19. You also have the largest amount of money in coins without being able to make change for a dollar.
In most advertisments, including newspapers, the time displayed on a watch is 10:10 because then the hands of the watch frame the brand name on the watch face.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Artist Plans to Smoke 'Cobain's Ashes'
German artist Natascha Stellmach is claiming to be in possession of Kurt Cobain’s stolen ashes and is threatening to smoke them as part of a morbid art exhibition.
The Berlin-based Stellmach won't reveal how she obtain the late-Nirvana frontman's remains says she will smoke the remains as part of the forthcoming Set Me Free exhibition at the city's Wagner + Partner gallery on October 11th.
This congers up memories of Tommy Chong's character in the film Nice Dreams, when he hoped his friends would snort his remains at his funeral.
Read the Canoe.ca story
The Berlin-based Stellmach won't reveal how she obtain the late-Nirvana frontman's remains says she will smoke the remains as part of the forthcoming Set Me Free exhibition at the city's Wagner + Partner gallery on October 11th.
This congers up memories of Tommy Chong's character in the film Nice Dreams, when he hoped his friends would snort his remains at his funeral.
Read the Canoe.ca story
Jon Stewart Rants on Congress
Jon Stewart of the Daily Show rips into the U.S congress for not passing a bill to help save the economy.
Damn funny!
Damn funny!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Harper used Howard's speech
A Conservative staff member resigned and apologized Tuesday for writing a speech read by Stephen Harper in 2003 as leader of the Opposition that plagiarized from an address days earlier by then Australian prime minister John Howard.
Owen Lippert apologised for being "overzealous in copying segments of another world leader's speech" and said his bosses at the time were unaware he had done so.
The apology came hours after Liberal foreign affairs critic Bob Rae accused Harper of plagiarizing from the Howard speech.
Take it from someone who lived in Australia at the height of the War on Terror, John Howard was nothing but a puppet of the Bush administration, there is no doubt that Stephen Harper is just as much a puppet.
Get this guy out of office...and now!
Read the Liberal.ca story
Owen Lippert apologised for being "overzealous in copying segments of another world leader's speech" and said his bosses at the time were unaware he had done so.
The apology came hours after Liberal foreign affairs critic Bob Rae accused Harper of plagiarizing from the Howard speech.
Take it from someone who lived in Australia at the height of the War on Terror, John Howard was nothing but a puppet of the Bush administration, there is no doubt that Stephen Harper is just as much a puppet.
Get this guy out of office...and now!
Read the Liberal.ca story
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Bill Maher's New Rules for Sept. 26
HBO television show Real Time with Bill Maher's New Rules segment for September 26. This week: Henry Kissinger, tainted Chinese milk, Clay Aiken, prejudging a white politicians.
Teacher, Teacher
My brother Andrew, who is now in his second year teaching elementary school, was quoted in the September issue of Famous magazine. In their Last Word section, Famous, a magazine given out free in movie theatres in Canada, asks their readers to answer on a topical question.
This month being back to school, naturally a teacher question:
Of all the big-screen movie teachers, which one would you most want to teach your class?
My brother chose the very funny Richard Mulligan's Herbert Gower in the 1984 film Teachers, also starring Nick Nolte, Jobeth Williams and Ralph Macchio.
Unfortunately, I have to correct Andrew, though, as Gower was dressed as George Washington while teaching about the crossing of the Delaware. He did however, dress as Abe Lincoln for another lesson.
Read the whole Famous article.
This month being back to school, naturally a teacher question:
Of all the big-screen movie teachers, which one would you most want to teach your class?
My brother chose the very funny Richard Mulligan's Herbert Gower in the 1984 film Teachers, also starring Nick Nolte, Jobeth Williams and Ralph Macchio.
Unfortunately, I have to correct Andrew, though, as Gower was dressed as George Washington while teaching about the crossing of the Delaware. He did however, dress as Abe Lincoln for another lesson.
Read the whole Famous article.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Paul Newman R.I.P
Paul Newman, one of the best actors to ever grace the big screen, died of cancer on September 26 at his home in Westport, Connecticut.
Not only did Newman star in legendary films like Cat on a Hot Tin Toof, The Hustler, Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, The Vertict and Color of Money, he also was an accomplished race car driver and a food product mogul.
Known for his intense method acting and gripping blue eyes, Newman was the actor's actor - matinee idol looks with an anti-establishment attitude.
In 2007, Newman commented on his longevity:
"You can't be as old as I am without waking up with a surprised look on your face every morning: 'Holy Christ, whaddya know - I'm still around!' It's absolutely amazing that I survived all the booze and smoking and the cars and the career."
Newman is survived by his wife actress Joanne Woodward, whom he married in 1958, and his five children. He was 83.
Read about Newman's career at cnn.com.
Not only did Newman star in legendary films like Cat on a Hot Tin Toof, The Hustler, Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, The Vertict and Color of Money, he also was an accomplished race car driver and a food product mogul.
Known for his intense method acting and gripping blue eyes, Newman was the actor's actor - matinee idol looks with an anti-establishment attitude.
In 2007, Newman commented on his longevity:
"You can't be as old as I am without waking up with a surprised look on your face every morning: 'Holy Christ, whaddya know - I'm still around!' It's absolutely amazing that I survived all the booze and smoking and the cars and the career."
Newman is survived by his wife actress Joanne Woodward, whom he married in 1958, and his five children. He was 83.
Read about Newman's career at cnn.com.
Monday, September 8, 2008
addictions and bad dreams
My current obsessions, time wasters and indulgences, in no particular order, are:
Mr. Sub foot-long veggie sandwiches with black AND green olives
Deadwood, the HBO series
Fully inflated bicycle tires
my eight-iron
my new $13 Doc Martens from Value Village
blue-eyed devil
the anticipation for the NHL season to begin
pumpkin and spinach roti
the bonus features on the Rocky anniversary DVD
Mr. Sub foot-long veggie sandwiches with black AND green olives
Deadwood, the HBO series
Fully inflated bicycle tires
my eight-iron
my new $13 Doc Martens from Value Village
blue-eyed devil
the anticipation for the NHL season to begin
pumpkin and spinach roti
the bonus features on the Rocky anniversary DVD
Saturday, September 6, 2008
You Learn Something New Every Day
In Disney's Fantasia, the Sorcerer's name is "Yensid" (Disney backwards.)
The first toilet ever seen on television was on Leave It To Beaver. Wally and Beaver had a baby alligator which they kept in the toilet.
In the great fire of London in 1666 half of London was burnt down but only 6 people were injured
John Larroquette of sitcoms Night Court and The John Larroquette Show was the narrator of the 1974 cult classic slasher film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
The first toilet ever seen on television was on Leave It To Beaver. Wally and Beaver had a baby alligator which they kept in the toilet.
In the great fire of London in 1666 half of London was burnt down but only 6 people were injured
John Larroquette of sitcoms Night Court and The John Larroquette Show was the narrator of the 1974 cult classic slasher film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
The Democratic National Convention
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) addresses the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) accepts his party's nomination for President and speaks to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) accepts his party's nomination for President and speaks to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
The Toronto Star's 10 Things We Learned This Week
Some of the things we learned this week, according to the Toronto Star's weekly feature "10 Things We Learned This Week" includes:
The "devil's horns" salute of heavy-metal fans – hand upraised with index and pinky fingers extended and the digits between them folded down – was popularized by Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath. He had learned the gesture from his Italian grandmother, who used it to ward off the evil eye.
The sweater vest – the sleeveless knit garment worn by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in his "fireside" election ad – is stereotypical garb for the "emo" acolyte, a young pseud who favours lugubrious music.
At the turn of the 20th century, the rule of thumb was blue clothing for girls and pink for boys. Blue was considered more delicate and best suited to females, while pink was more assertive and therefore more male-friendly.
Read the Toronto Star Story
The "devil's horns" salute of heavy-metal fans – hand upraised with index and pinky fingers extended and the digits between them folded down – was popularized by Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath. He had learned the gesture from his Italian grandmother, who used it to ward off the evil eye.
The sweater vest – the sleeveless knit garment worn by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in his "fireside" election ad – is stereotypical garb for the "emo" acolyte, a young pseud who favours lugubrious music.
At the turn of the 20th century, the rule of thumb was blue clothing for girls and pink for boys. Blue was considered more delicate and best suited to females, while pink was more assertive and therefore more male-friendly.Read the Toronto Star Story
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