CTV/Starbucks Whores

CTV "News" is a paid advertisement. Last night they ran a "story" about Starbucks new instant coffee. It's a stupid product, but I guess they bought a ton of ad space, enough to get a spot in the newscast. It was so fucking shameful, I think I should write the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council.

I just saw an ad for Restasis, a prescription eye drop for Dry Eyes, which "has not been studied in people who have a history of eye-related herpes". Eye Herpes sounds fucked up, I guess they couldn't find scientists who would get close enough.

TeeSatisfaction

My TeeFury order finally showed up today. They have the coolest tee's, so I ordered 3 randoms for 5 bucks each, and then another one the next day (it was so funny).

Today's mail also brought a sweet Guiness postcard from my sister Chloé who was in Ireland with our cousins.

I guess I started looking for work. I brought a resume to a local Bong shop, not the most ambitious employment goals for certain. Hopefully I get an interview because I think I've used every product in the store.

I have been without Ventolin since the Burn and have been having a tough time on the bike at the gym. So I went to a walk-in clinic, got a prescription from a Doctor and picked it up at the pharmacy. It took 30 minutes and cost 2$. Damn Socialism!

So I guess today was a busy one, I have been slacking in some departments, mostly writing.

It looks like this

Evolution (Burning Man time lapses) from Delrious on Vimeo.

This video is excellent.

Counting Down to Liquor Day

I know I just finished seeing 11 movies at Tiff, but I can't wait till Friday so I can go back to the movies to see:When we last left the boys, they were plotting revenge on Lahey (from behind bars of course). This will be the last Trailer Park Boys ever (Nooooo!).

Friday! This Friday!

End of the Fest, Last of the Playa Boogers

So my video of Jack White at tiff is the most popular video I've ever put up on YouTube. A bunch on online news sites linked to it, and in 3 days it's at 49000 views. It's funny because someone else put up a better quality version (closer and in HD) but I was fast and I was first, so I win.

I'm glad Tiff is done with, I had a great time, but it's hectic and crazy just after I return from Burning Man. I think the highlight of this year was meeting Diablo Cody and getting my Juno screenplay autographed. I hope to go to Japan after next years Burn, so I think I'm gonna miss the festival. The new Festival Center and Bell Lightbox will be so cool when they open.

My sinuses have aborted the last of the Playa dust, looking forward to Decompression in October (and getting my plan on for next years burn).

Weezer released the "Raditude" tracklisting, it is as follows:

Standard album:
1. (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To
2. I'm Your Daddy
3. The Girl Got Hot
4. Can't Stop Partying
5. Put Me Back Together
6. Trippin' Down The Freeway
7. Love Is the Answer
8. Let It All Hang Out
9. In The Mall
10. I Don't Want To Let You Go
(11. The Story Of My Life - iTunes bonus)
(12. Kids/Poker Face - iTunes pre-order bonus)

Deluxe also includes:
11. Get Me Some
12. Run Over By A Truck
13. The Prettiest Girl In the Whole Wide World
14. The Underdogs
(15. The Story Of My Life - iTunes bonus)
(16. Kids/Poker Face - iTunes pre-order bonus)

The Imaginarium of Dortor Parnasus & Up In The Air

My last two Tiff screenings for 2009:

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnasus is the new film by Terry Gilliam (Monty Python, Fear & Loathing). You probably heard about it in the news, as Heath Ledger died before filming was completed. It is a fantastic fantasy film, with amazing performances and spellbinding visuals. Go see this trippy movie.

Up In The Air was fantastic. Jason Reitman (Juno) is so talented. George Clooney is a guy who spends his life in transit, and I totally relate, I love to fly.

Today was the last day of the Toronto International Film Festival, and I am so fortunate to have been able to experience al the excellent films and Q&A sessions. I hope to be in Japan next year, so this was the last time for a while. I am very excited for the future of Tiff, and its new home Bell Lightbox.

Tweet Snoogans

Woah, my tweet was clever enough to catch the attention of my idol. Now to expand my wit over 90 pages.

White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights World Premiere

The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights is one of the best rock docs I've ever seen. The film follows the band on their tour across Canada (all across, every Province and Territory) Director Emmett Malloy (We often played his Jack Johnson surf doc Thicker Than Water at Sam the Record Man) presents an intimate view into the workings of the red & white motif-ed duo. Jack White has a blast, and explores like Samuel Champlain with a guitar. Quiet "sister" Meg White is subtitled, even when audible.The performance footage was stellar, and totally captures the raw energy of the live Stripes experience. The choices of towns and venues is so cool, from the one note show, to the amazing scene with tribal elders in Nunavut.

I have to start listening to White Stripes again, I don't even have them in my iTunes anymore (got to dig out the cds). I've seen them live a few times and am looking forward to the next time they tour.

Weezer shows Raditude

I am now eagerly anticipating Weezer's new record "Raditude". Out October 27th. Produced by Jacknife Lee and Butch Walker. I'm already down with the first single (If you're wondering if i want you to) I want you to, other tracks to be included on the bands 7th studio album include: "Trippin' Down The Freeway", "Can't Stop Partying", "The Girl Got Hot", "I'm Your Daddy", and "In The Mall", just to name a few! Can't Stop Partying is notable as it was one of the standout tracks from Alone 2 rivers home demos, it will be interesting to hear this melancholy party anthem with a full band behind it.

Turkey Lurkey

I absolutely have to get my ass to the gym tomorrow, for reals.

I had some drinks with the locals, the other people who live in my house. I have seen so many generations of folks come through here, I stopped learning peoples names a while ago. I waxed philosophical about Burning Man to some younger kids for a bit. Cracked a bottle of Wild Turkey I had from my last trip to California.

I gotta get the fuck out of here.

E-bow the Gibson

I saw my buddies The Stormolongs at the Rehearsal Factory (first time since I got back, next show is tomorrow at the Silver Dollar Room).

The Smashing Pumpkins - Teargarden by Kaleidyscope

The new Smashing Pumpkins record, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope will be given away for free, track by track, all 44 songs. The first one should be available somewhere around Hallow'een(and probably titled The Trip). The songs will be totally free no strings attached, and will also be made available in a collectible ep format (11 of em!) or a boxset.

Billy is currently recording in Chicago with wunderkind drummer Mike Byrne. You can listen to Dave Navarro's interview with Billy Corgan here. From the interview it sounds as though Navarro will appear somewhere on guitar. Check out Kerry Brown's recording blog here at ain't no sleep when you're living the dream.

I still love the Pumpkins after all these years(and changes), always will.

Can't wait to hear the new tunes.

Solomon Kane World Premiere

Solomon Kane is a great fantasy film about a man who is doomed to hell unless he can save a fair maiden. They managed a lot on a smaller budget, the effects are great. Solomon Kane is like a midevil superhero.

A good film, it probably wont be screening at your local multiplex, but rent it when you see it on the shelf.

I wish I could write more but I have to go see some more movies

Bitch Slap

Bitch Slap is supposed to be an homage to 70's exploitation, but without the requisite nudity it comes off as a bigger budget Bikini Bandits (like 500$ more). The acting from the ladies was mostly terrible (except Erin Cummings, she was good, full disclosure: she's a redhead). Usually these types of movies trade acting skills for willingness to get topless, but not for this movie. I'm not being a perv, this genre needs nudity, it's like a horror movie with no blood.

The bigest part of this films budget had to be these glossy promo one-sheets that look nothing like the actual film, Meh.

Whip It

Drew Barrymore's directorial debut Whip It is a fun movie about a girl who finds her destiny is roller derby. Ellen Page is fantastic, she will have an Oscar soon enough.

Grandma's house then a terrifying movie

I was going to get in the rush line for the new Michael Moore film Capitalism: A Love Story, but I went to Granny Mo's house for a get together with the family (got to use the pool, sweet).

So I headed home after that and was planning on turning in, but I texted Ian and he offered me his ticket for tonight's midnight madness screening, so I was off to the movies!

The Loved Ones is an Australian horror/comedy (more horror than funny). It was totally fucked up, especially not knowing what I was getting into. I was going to be sick at one point, and would have left if I was at the back, but I'm glad I didn't cause it had a good ending, but still a fucked up movie altogether.

Survival of the Dead

George A. Romero is the Zombie Master, and now he lives in Toronto, so he can be where all the Zombie action is (It seems most Zombie flicks have been shot here recently). His latest spin on the genre he pioneered has a western flair, and it works great.

I typically watch Zombie movies at home where I can pause and take a break and smoke a bowl and relax. Zombies are scary!

I think this was one of the first times I've been to the theatre for a zombie flick (Planet Terror doesn't count). I seriously enjoyed this film.

Now I have to check out all the zombie movies I've missed.

Turtles and Zombies

Turtle: The Incredible Journey was a beautiful documentary about a Loggerhead Turtle's trip through the Atlantic Ocean. I love turtles, I miss Pokey. This movie would look so hot on a big-screen with BluRay. Paul and I went on the mini-Zombie walk (the big one is next month Oct 21st). We walked along Queen W. to Yonge Dundas Square, where we got Tickets to Bitch Slap just for letting a Cineplex lady tweet a photo of us. I'm excited cause I really wanted to see it and now I will.

Aquafina was "giving" out vitamin enhanced water, but apparently it is against the law to do so in Ontario, so they take some change in exchange for a bottle. Meanwhile a guy with Diet Coke in glass bottles is free to hand out as much aspartame as the public can swallow, free.

Suck World Premiere

I went to see the Canadian Vampire rock movie Suck, and it certainly does not. Writer/director (and star) Rob Stefaniuk did a great job, and the rock-star cameos are funny and entertaining. Dave Foley is fantastic as the band's fair-weather manager. A great movie, glad I saw it.

Jennifer's Body World Premiere

Photo courtesy of Ian Gibson.

Today was the opening of the Toronto International Film Festival, and my first movie was a Midnight Madness presentation: Jennifer's Body, a teen horror flick starring super hot Meghan Fox (apparently she has hideous thumbs, but who noticed?). My reason for going is I love Diablo Cody, the writer. This is only her second film, but Juno was so fantastic and I'm such a fan I just had to see her new work.

Jennifer's Body is a horror/black comedy about the popular girl getting all the boys(and then eating them). It was a very enjoyable flick, the young actors were really good, especially Johnny Simmons(Young Neil in Scott Pilgrim). Meghan Fox is damn sexy, but the attention she gets from people for being hot is kind of sickening(so many flashbulbs going off when she was on stage!).

Diablo's dialogue is fantastic and has a style all her own.

After the screening, I went up to the stage and caught Diablo just before she got off, she was awesome and stopped to autograph my copy of Juno, so cool of her.

I love Tiff!

Never Trust The Media

I went to pick up my Tiff tickets. I was interviewed for Global News, but what I said was taken out of context.

When asked if I was seeing any Canadian films, I said "Suck", then I said to confirm "is Suck Canadian?" and they cut the first part off, so it looks like I'm an idiot.

My brother went to the Dentist (we go to the same guy), and he had seen me on the news, so I'm gonna get razzed next time I get my teeth cleaned.

Back in the REAL WORLD

I had to wake up early and shave off my Playa beard (Canada Customs hates hairy men). I took my last Volcano blast and walked to the BART and went to SFO.

I slept on the flight, uneventful, except the Baileys I purchased from Air Canada Duty-Free. I'm going to become a coffee drinker.

It took forever once I got my luggage to exit the Terminal and then a long ass bus/subway/streetcar ride. I picked up McDonalds for dinner(Good Excuse: I haven't eaten all day, and no food in the fridge).

Ian came over, we went for a drive and caught up.

Tomorrow is Tiff, gotta go pick up my tickets. I need new glasses too, lost the last pair on the Playa.

SFO to YYZ

Flying out in the morning, going to take BART to SFO. Spent today getting my Burning Man stuff into storage thanks to the help of Matt. Then went to meet Charlie and Rebar for a beer at a place called Zeitgeist. By crazy coincidence most of Shadyvill was there. I was glad to see them again before I had to leave. Mike W. came out and had a beer and met Charlie, which I was glad about. We tried to convince him to come to the Burn next year but he just wont budge.

I had a great time and wish I could stay, but Toronto is calling.

Back from Black Rock City

What an incredible time at Burning Man this year. I met so many great people, saw such beautiful things and had so much fun, it was even better than last year.

My ride to BRC was really cool. I was the 12th person to answer Frank's craigslist ad and I must have had the luck/karma built up to score the ride. His sister Nicole and her friend Jerry were tons of fun, and we made it to Reno in good time.

My Camp Midnight Poutine (7:30&Biology) was a smash hit, with hundreds of people lining up each night for the French Canadian delicacy of fries, cheese curds and gravy.

I really want to get into some stories, I have some great ones to tell, like getting busted by the Rangers in Bat Country (We should never have stopped there). I can't get into anything right now because it's my last day in San Francisco before I fly home to Toronto. I have to clean the Playa off my stuff and store it for next year.

This Thursday is the Toronto International Film Festival. What a way to decompress, eh? spending two weeks in dark, air-conditioned movie theatres. I will be seeing some great movies and blogging about each one, so please check back.