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Ian came over for a single serving coke and to say goodbye. Off to La La Land, Hollywood, his trip here having nothing to do with the film festival ironically. It was so good to see my friend.

I want to send out some postcards to some special burner friends today. I'm slowly getting addresses day by day so I'm not overwhelmed.

I've got more volunteering to do tonight as a captain liaison. I also want to fit in a movie tonight if possible. I have a ticket for Peaches Does Herself. I'm a huge fan of Peaches, and I'm not sure what to expect from her film debut save for lots of trannies and strap-ons.

I'm really feeling awesome, but I'm worried that I won't sustain. The future is so bright, going to Timmins for my Peppere's 80th, my friends San & Linsey are going to have a little brother for A.J. soon, and next year is Japan 2: Sweetboobs Returns, on top of all that I'm going back to Black Rock City, of course.

Unless plans change, which they often do. Burning Man is a great tool to focus energy on important things. I'm thinking about it more and more, even as the euphoria from the Burn slips. We keep each other going, bouncing positive messages across the internet, but we are all still so far away. Shadyvil stretches all over the world.

My friend Sarah I. said something about my blog that I've been thinking about. That I might be holding back. I wonder about that.

I'm making some bacon (oh, Bacon!) for breakfast while listening to some Fat Man on Batman, Kevin Smith's bat-tastic podcast.
The new nintendo machine, called wiiU has a street date and price: $350 on November 18th. I'm gonna get me one of those.

Rain Day

Arg.

I have so much to do. Burning Man is fast approaching (32 days 3 hours 37 minutes 55 seconds until the Man burns).

I'm working on getting a new computer through the Ontario Assistive Devices Program. The one I'm using is 5 years old and it's performance is starting to wain.

The Internet is down at my place. My brother Paul is an I.T. professional but since he's always at his girlfriends house I don't know when I will be able to get him to fix it.

Rainy Bathurst Street from Second Cup

So I find myself at the Second Cup (a few blocks away, the one across the street from me shut down, I mourn it). They ran a summertime promotion in which a medium Italian Soda only cost a buck. Well I got used to that price and now they have jacked up to $3.50! That's way too much for soda water and syrup. I was planning on spending the afternoon here but now I can't afford it. I've been nursing this blueberry soda for about an hour now.

It was a nice sunny day when I got here and now the sky is so overcast it's almost dark out. I should escape, home before the inevitable rain. Too late, it has begun, literally as I typed. It's pouring down. I took a picture.

Now I'm stuck here. It's a full on thunderstorm.

Yoga tonight. It's only my second time. My friend Aaron teaches the class. He's good, patient and helpful with a beginner like me. I like how it makes my body feel.

Working Hard at Hardly Working

Spadina streetcar tracks are being replaced so I had to take a bus home from the airport (They had just started when I left and the job is supposed to be finished in November).  The entire intersection at Queen street is closed to traffic for two weeks (a pedestrians dream). I cooled off for a bit before going to see The Amazing Spiderman at the Scotiabank Theatre.

Construction closes Queen and Spadina

Before the movie I went to get some snacks at Shoppers Drug Mart and a woman with incredible Obsessive Compulsive Disorder held up the line while she counted out her items to make sure she had he right number of glass and boxes, then searched for the right plastic bags to load her groceries into. I gave up on waiting when the cashier dropped ont of the pickle jars and it shattered on the ground. The woman nearly lost it.

Today I'm trying to keep busy, I have lots to do before Burning Man starts in 49 days. I really want to get some posts out on my Burning Man blog done this week(along with catching up on all the unpublished posts from my UK trip). Getting some laundry done while I drink my morning coffee  and catch up on some Howard Stern episodes. All my stuff stinks like travelling.

Me at Gotham City Blvd

The heat in the apartment becomes too much, I leave to take my picture in front of some signs for a Dark Knight Rises contest. I can't wait to see this movie, I love Batman. I have tickets for the midnight screening but seeing it even earlier would be awesome. I want to go find a cool t-shirt.


The plan for the rest of the day?
-writing Postcard blog posts.
-finish some uk posts.
-Picking up groceries (the fridge is bare!).
-Going to the Gym
-Scanning new postcards I received while I was away.


If I can do all that and watch some missed Daily Shows I will deem my first day back a success and redouble my efforts tomorrow.

thoughts in New York City

Just some thoughts.

The bus was two and a half hours late getting into New York. A closed bus lane into the Lincoln Tunnel sent us on a scenic detour though New Jersey. By the time we approached the tunnel again it was 9:30 and our bus driver informed us we were about to learn what it's like to enter Manhattan durring rush hour.

Walking around a bunch. 

Manhattan is wealth, pure concentrated wealth. You can't have wealth without a ton of people to hold doors open for you and wait for you in cars.

Black Escalades with tinted windows wait on every curb. 

I like the pod hotel/ It was tiny. I turned the television to Comedy Central and watched some House Party 2, 

Soaked, just soaked to the bone. My sneakers squished with every step.

Drying my shoes with the hair dryer,  

I ordered a small pepperoni pie and they said it would take about ten minutes. I went to pick up a six pack. 

They forgot to make my pizza. He offered me a Pepsi but I told him I'd have a beer. I was soaking wet and imagining being back at my hotel with the pie and my 6 pack.

I ran out to pick up a rush ticket for How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. You can get cheap tickets to Broadway musicals if you don't care where you sit and can line up early in the am. 

Bagel and a Shmear for breakfast. 

Museum of Television and Radio Pealy Centre was fucking amazing. I watched a ton of Andy Kaufman footage I have never seen before.

Met up with Steve Stecklow, a friend from Burning Man.

David Copperfields had some amazing beer selection. Smokey beers and chocolaty beers and IPA's. I was really overcome with how awesome a time I was having and then my friend Will showed up with his girlfriend. I met Will at Mike's bachelor party (G-String-20) and subsequent wedding. Will was the funniest guy at the bachelor party and none of Mikes friends had ever met him before.

Do Not Touch, Untitled (Bear/Lamp)

This art installation was protected by two security guards (you can see their umbrellas in the photo). I asked what it was called and was told "Do-not-touch" in rehearsed english. It turns out it's Untitled (Bear/Lamp) by artist Urs Ficher.

The McGraw Hill Building, home of Sirius Radio and The Howard Stern Show

The Artie Lange Cupcake from Crumbs (500 Calories) 

Personal pie, Abertinos

New York can't seem to fuck up pizza. It's good from the 1$ slice to the slightly more expensive slice. 

Colbert Report (The reason for my trip) was awesome. It was really cool to see it live. He told us he was screwing up more than usual because he had vertigo.

"Who has two thumbs and is going to see the Colbert Report? This Guy!"

This was in front of a different hotel
 from the ons I was staying at. 

Lego Lady Liberty

FAO Shwartz is just a lame toys'R'us now. It was the toy store in the movie BIG. The last time I was there the Piano was being moved but they had it this time. They take a picture of you in front of a green screen and then you get to play on the actual piano,so stupid.

Lego Indiana Jones

Shadyvil Cups at Steve's place

Jeff Conaway hospitalized, where were you when you heard the news

Happy New Year!

New Years resolutions are some bullshit, people never stick to em. I like the idea of the new year, it's a good time to get some focus on things.

I want to polish the look of this blog, really make it look cool. I need to have more content consistency, more posts with interesting topics and pictures that draw people back day after day. Less of a half assed attitude towards my blogging, I need to use my whole ass.

Prediction for the next decade: By 2019 everyone will wear silver pants and electroluminescent enhanced clothing. People will be dressed like they are going to Burning Man all the time. Super cool.

Avatar IMAX 3D

Ian and I saw Avatar in IMAX 3D at the midnight showing. We got there 2 hours early, but they had already let people into the theatre. We got good enough seats that got better as people gave up seats they were holding and we closed in towards the middle.

I was really excited and a little nervous, I have been let down by big hype movies in the past. The shitty  Star Wars prequels case in point. But where George Lucas failed, James Cameron succeeds! Avatar delivers on all the hype of Episode One with none of that Jar Jar aftertaste. The movie was awesome, it looks incredible. Everything is rendered so beautifully, it seriously reminded me of Burning Man, a strange glowing planet, naked blue people, spiritual connections.

From what Ian said the 3D was cool. I wish I could see depth but I can't. I really hate having to wear the glasses and not get any of the effect. The Douche in front of Ian sat forward the whole 2 hours and 55 minutes which slightly ruined the effect for him.

You have to go see this on the Imax in 3d, your TV at home can't match it. Now I'm going to sleep cause I have a huge day/weekend and it's 4am and I need some sleep.

Decomp is for Poseurs who can't hack it in Black Rock

O.k., they sent out a request for people who attended Toronto Decomp (A Burning Man party) to answer a survey, and someone replied to the whole list with this long rant, and this was the best part:


"There was no one in charge! Everything just ran itself. If there was an issue, it was up to the people in the immediate surrounding to sort things out ie. the artists. Why am I paying to be here again?"

If you have been to Burning man then you understand why this is funny. Especially the "Why am I paying to be here again?" part, you could put that on a T-shirt.

Pom-gasm & a Postcard from Japan

Pomegranates are in season (and on sale at Metro 4 for 3$)! I picked some up after the gym today. That's right! I went to the gym today for the first time in 2 weeks (I was in Montreal for a little bit). Pomegranates were my Uncle Paul's favourite. He taught me that the difficulty of getting to the sweet fruit was worth the effort. Hard work has its reward. I spent some time emptying out the four poms, now I have a whole big bowlful and can grab a handful whenever I want.

Here is a vidoe explaining how to open the Pomegranate,

I did pretty much the same thing, except didn't take it appart under water. My sticky shoes and red stained floors are proof.

I got a postcard from Charlie and Rebecka from their trip to Japan, two of the coolest people in the world. I met them at Burning Man and my life is better because of it. Charlie is an awesome Australian and Rebecka is a doctor in San Francisco. I want to cash in my Aeroplan points and visit them in California tomorrow, but my jetsetting days are over (for now). This postcard made my day/week:
Jagger called and we talked about the corporate entity known as Weezer, and their latest product, a 4 cent piece of plastic disc called Raditude. He seemed just as disappointed as I was. We caught up a bit, having not spoken since his nuptials in Forest Ontario last month. Colin and I had a great time, although I haven't finished or posted a blog entry about it yet(1 month ago? I suck at this!). The newlyweds are going to se Auf Der Maur open for STP a the John Labbat Centre in London next week, I'm super jealous and want to hear all about it. Jagger's beautiful wife Ashlie is a regular reader of my blog and I thank her for her patronage. lurkers should take a cue from her and post comments once in a while!

That's my bike punk!

I saw a documentary on CBC called Pedal Power, about bike culture. They talked about free bike and communal bike programs that began with these Dutch Provos, 60's hippie anarchists who wanted to provoke the police with all sorts of crazy shit. They loves to fuck with the cops through non-violence in order to provoke a violent reaction. The Provos left free "white bikes" in Holland (the cops seized them, because bikes can't be left unlocked, so the Provos locked up the bikes and left the keys in the locks).

The white bike project is fundamental in understanding Burning Man's attitude towards "Bike theft"(known in BRC as "bike liberation", or "borrowing with no intention to return")

I tried to find some more info about these Provos. One cool way they fucked with the cops was to openly sell fake and real marijuana. The Provos exposed the police ignorance about pot, often arresting busloads of hippies for tea leaves and pencil shavings.

It looks like this

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

This video is excellent.

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)

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.

Gone to Burning Man!

It's almost time, just waiting for my ride.

Matt and Kubi were awesome helping me get ready, as were Bill and Mike.

My brother Paul's help was instrumental and my Mom did a fantastic job sewing my jacket.

I will have a wicked time and be back in a week all dusty and dried out.

Here we go...
Buy the ticket...
Take the Ride!

one sleep till the desert bacchanalia (who can sleep?)

I went over to Mike's place yesterday, cleaned up my bike chain, and did all my laundry. We saw Inglourious Basterds again, it was great to see it again and absorb a bit more. It was a great theatre too, Sundance Kabuki Cinema in Japantown, with reserved seating and they served alcohol. I had some beer and popcorn, but it was hard to concentrate with so much to do before the burn. Everyone enjoyed the movie, it's so good.

I have been feeling so stressed out it will be nice to finally get out to the Playa. Black Rock City opens in 15 minutes and it's time for me to become a citizen. We are supposed to leave around 8am, Sweet Chinitos is on my breakfast horizon.

I spent today getting the last little bit ready for Burning Man tomorrow.

I solved my camera problem, I picked up a digital Kodak camera at Wallgreens.

I talked to my ride Frank, sounds like we will have enough space for my stuff, which is a great relief of the stress I've been having. I don't need to stress anymore, It's going to be awesome.

So close my lips are cracking

My hands are getting dusty which could only mean one thing: Time to get the gear!

Matt drove me to our storage area to get my Burning Man stuff, still sitting in a bin all dusty from last year. I cleaned it up and tossed the old junk. My old stuff is awesome, I can't wait to get it out on the Playa. Cleaning out my Camelback, vital for maximum water consumption. Hopefully I can get this bin and a chair on Jody's truck leaving tomorrow. He seemed a little reluctant.

I found a ride on Craigslist leaving in the morning on the 31st.

I still have to find a camera, I didn't take pictures last year. It was a decision I made mostly because I didn't have a camera, and I still don't. I wish I had taken pictures last year, so I guess it is a regret, which sucks. I hate regrets. Gotta take some pictures.

10 Days till Burning Man- Not Ready

I have been in San Francisco for a week and a half and the only thing getting me closer to the burn is the passage of time.

I have done zero to prep, save buy cool stamps (still time to get on my postcard list, btw).

Last year was a mad frantic preparation dash, but with Matt and Kubi not going this year, I get to actually be radically self-reliant(a very important part of the Burn).

I need to get my food and water, and booze, some light shirts to wear, and a way to get it all to the Playa. I can borrow the gear I need from my good friends.

I did work out a possible ride with Jody, but it would require staying in Reno for 2 nights.

Snack Related News: I have almost perfected the Cap'n Crunch Square a tasty alternative to the traditional Snap Crackle and Pop marshmallow treat.

New Weezer, Title/Date! Smashing Pumpkins new 19 year old Drummer!

Cool things always happen in the summer. Sometimes I get to see it just cause I'm here in San Francisco, but it also means I miss anything cool going on in Toronto while I'm gone.

Weezer has a new single out at the end of the month. Click here to listen to "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To". It' sounds cool. Weezer's tour with Blink-182 begins in Toronto in a few weeks, and Rivers will be playing soccer in a charity game the day before the show. I wasn't too upset about missing the show, but now with the soccer game and the fact they will debut new music I kinda wish I could be in Toronto. I was less than impressed with the last Weezer effort, the self-titled red album. Geffin's Weezer seemed to be suplying high fructose pop music to tween consumers. I wish they could make a record all us fans can be proud of. Hopefully the new record delivers. Weezer's seventh studio album will be known as Raditude. Out 10/27, Produced by Jacknife Lee and Butch Walker.

Billy Corgan confirmed what we already knew, The Smashing Pumpkins new drummer is 19 year old Mike Byrne. He will join Corgan on the next Pumpkins album/tour and also at some upcoming solo shows Billy is doing in southern California.

I am looking forward to hearing Billy's new SP. It waill not be the same without Jimmy, but I am willing to give it a chance (and the kid must be a pretty good drummer).

These solo shows are so intimate, imagine 75 people in a coffee shop! Being in California presently you would think I would be trying to get tickets, but the nearest show is 4 hours away!
Normaly I would over extend myself and make an attempt to go, however all my time and recources are focused on Burning Man, so no distractions. Sorry Billy, next time in Toronto.

Want a postcard from Burning Man?

Hey- I'm going to Burning Man in two weeks! I'm getting my postcard list together. If you know about my postcard fetish then you know I would love to send you a postcard from Black Rock City. The Burning Man postmark is rare as it is only available for one week of the year from the middle of the desert. Do I have your address? Msg me on facebook to make sure.

You can send me a postcard here(but you gotta send it in the next week or so):

Sunny J
Midnight Poutine
7:30 & Biology
C/O BRCPO
Burning Man
Gerlach, NV 89412 USA

so long YYZ, Hello SFO!

I bit the bullet and ordered a 10 ticket package for Tiff. Paul is going to pick up my booklet and take care of my order. I had a coke with him on his lunch break since I wont see him for a while. Paul lent me the money to pay for some fries and gravy at Poutine Camp, so thank you Paul! I hope he can make it next year!

I know I've mentioned it a million times, but the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge is excellent*! Well worth the extra 30$ cost, it puts the classy back into air travel. It's a great way to relax before a flight, as I'm doing now. Plenty of snacks, boozy drinks, and internet access! What more could a nervous traveler ask for?

It's Manimal's birthday! So I'm gonna have some more drinks after I land in San Francisco.

Two and a half weeks in the Bay Area and then it's off to Black Rock City for Burning Man 2009!

I will be blogging all the time so please check back often, and leave comments if you feel so inclined.


*Try the cookies and the soup! Coke Zero does not mix well with Crown Royal