I have a subwoofer too, assholes

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

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

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

I waited a little bit.

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

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

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

I enjoy a cup of coffee sweetened with vengeance.

I'm Older

So this is me at 30.

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

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

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

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

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

SOPA SUCKS (Bagels are good)

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


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


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

Checked into my Pod

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

A movement in two parts

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




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

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

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

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

Now feel empty, I really need that bagel!

Greyhound Birthday

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

Clone Trip

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

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

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

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

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

Time to bake the Metropasses

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

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

el Venom esta loco
(photo: Shawna)

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

short n sweet

Just a quick one cause I'm busy.

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

Volunteering at the CNIB, and Tiff.

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

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

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

Gone Japan'n

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

Howard Stern and Beth touched my calendar

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

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

Winter Vixen

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

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

Matt gets fireworks in the face

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

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

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

Out of Ketchup

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

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

*Edit (Paul apologized and I feel better)

New Jays logo looks great!

The New Blue Jays logo 

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

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

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

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

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

Artie is back, but not on Stern

my tasty homestyle breakfast

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

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

Stormalongs Occupy Jamspace

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

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

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

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

Great to be back in the dank rock sweat dungeon.

double cheese deluxy excited

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

Denison Ave, My old street

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

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


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

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

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

Movember Returns

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

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!

Moms

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

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

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

We crack cases on police procedural dramas.