...And I feel fine

I'm working on my New York blog and should have it up soon.

I was too pooched out yesterday to attempt the game. I just listened on the radio and fell asleep.

Giant Canadian Beaver

Paul and I watched the Jays beat the Astros today. The dome was open and I got a little sun. Jose Bautista hit his 17th and 18th home run of the season.

Afterwards I went to the AMC. The Rapture was supposedly on its way and I wanted to be watching movies when it went down.

Bridesmaids was really funny, the theatre was 95% women. They reacted loudly when Kristen Wiig's character made a bad relationship decision. It was a good audience to take the movie in with.. It's not "The Hangover with ladies" as it had been pitched in ads. Wiig carries the picture well. Her friendship with Mya Rudolph is totally believable (being SNL alum they probably are).

I have too many movies to see this summer and can't start falling behind now so I figured I'd try and see another movie. I'm all about the Double Bill.

Arthur was fun. I'm a fan of the original, and I think Russel Brand does a good job as the infinitely rich drunkard. Gretta Gerwig is in the Liza Minnelli role, and much more believable as an attractive woman.
If you see one movie before the end of the world, see Bridesmaids, but if you see two, go see Arthur.

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

cleans up good

I interviewed for an internship in the Volunteer Resources department at the Toronto International Film Festival today. I have been working for them as a Volunteer Captain since December. I think it went really well. I've never felt more confident of my ability to do a job. Fingers crossed.

I'm getting on a bus to New York City in an hour, going to see the Colbert Report. I'm a lucky guy, I know. I kind of wish was going with someone. I like excitement but it goes better with friends.

wake up, jays tickets

I go to a lot of games.

It takes me about 20 minutes to get to the Skydome from my house. I can wake up at 7:30, grab a coffee and make it to the Blue Jays Box Office by 8am. The other season pass holders are pretty cool(the ones who aren't scalpers at least). I talked to a nice lady about how good the baseball has been.

Yesterday I helped my friends LP and Momo move to their new place. It was cool to hang out with the guys, Matt, Colin and Momo.

Recovered in time for Colbert

I've been so sick. That springtime sinus headache, nose-dripping, hacking phlegm thing. I took some Bukleys (in gel capsule form, I can't take the icky-tasting stuff). It made me feel like I was wearing a bubble wrap helmet all weekend.

I haven't blogged in a while. I've been writing in a book. It's a better way to get my ideas out. I thought about scanning a few pages and posting them here, I still might.

I'm going to see The Colbert Report in New York City on Wednesday. I'm pretty excited. I can try and use my phone to do some blogging, but my big idea was to take handwritten notes and scan it all when I get back. We will see.

The Doom Generation at Tiff Bell Lightbox

When faced with the choice of watching the Blue Jays beat the Yankees again tonight or seeing Rose McGowan in The Doom Generation at the Lightbox, thankfully I can do a bit of both. I can go see the movie and after I will go watch the game since the Lightbox is so close to Skydome.  This was the first Gregg Araki movie I ever saw. I rented it at Quick Mart back in Timmins when I was a teenager. I met him at tiff when he debuted Smiley Face. His movies can get pretty fucked up. I love living in a city where I can see an awesome movie and a baseball game in a single night.

    

More Record Store Day, back for some Skysaw

The day after Record Store Day I checked in at Criminal Records, I forgot to pick up the single for Jimmy Chamberlain's new band Skysaw. Lucky for me they had one copy left. I had to raid my Mr Peanut bank for change and run back to the store. Jimmy is the best drummer in the world, I can't wait to see him play live again.  

His Holiness The Guru Pitka Live

Here is his holiness The Guru Pitka (Mike Myers) presenting his mantra & philosophy to a live crowd at the Magnet Theatre in New York City.

My very own internet, about time.

I now have internet in my home, I can stop going to the Second Cup across the street every time I want to blog. That, along with my busy schedule has kept me from posting more frequently. I'm hoping having internet access will change my posting habits. My postcard blog should benefit since being close to my scanner is a necessity for those posts.

Record Store Day at Criminal Records in Toronto!

On Record Store Day, independent record stores around the world get swarmed with record hounds seeking limited editions and exclusive releases by their favourite artists.

I lined up at 11:30 last night in front of Criminal Records on Queen St West for their midnight opening. I was not early enough and abandoned the line in favour of a better position in the morning.

I can justify record purchases as an unemployed shlub, only because of their limited nature, I guess I'm a sucker in that respect.

I was up just before 7 and since I'm right across the street I was quickly in line, but not first (I was 5th, not bad). I chatted with the folks in line to pass the time and soon enough we were spending money on records!

Here's what I picked up:

Nirvana
Hormoaning (UMe)
This EP was originally released in Australia, this is the first time it has been released in North America

City and Colour
Sometimes (Record Store Day Exclusive)
- hand numbered of 500 (mine is #126)
- 2 x 180g black vinyl
- silk screened jacket
- includes bonus track "missing"

Daft Punk
Tron Soundtrack EP (Walt Disney Records)
Exclusive track 'Castor', Unique picture disc design of identity ring on clear vinyl disc with ring in 3 different colors: Blue, Yellow & Red, and overall first vinyl release, packaged in clear cellophane wrap see through sleeve to allow for visibility of picture disc, all disc information to be printed on sticker on sleeve.

The White Stripes
Lafayette Blues / Sugar Never Tasted So Good (Third Man Records)
Reissue of the White Stripes second single from 1998. Limited quantities available on white/black swirled vinyl. 7'' vinyl single, fold-over picture sleeve in poly bag

Let's Shake Hands / Look Me Over Closely (Third Man Records)
Reissue of the White Stripes first ever release from 1998. Limited quantities available on red/black swirled vinyl. 7'' vinyl single, fold-over picture sleeve in poly bag

Deftones
(singing) Covers (WBR)
LP Exclusive to RSD. Tracks previously available digitally and on import CD singles.
-The Cars' "Drive",
-Drive Like Jehu's "Caress",
-The Smiths' "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want",
-Sade, "No Ordinary Love",
-Jawbox "Savory",
-The Cardigans' "Do You Believe",
-Lynyrd Skynyrds's "Simple Man",
-Japan's "Ghosts",
-Duran Duran's "The Chauffeur",
-Santo and Johnny's "Sleep Walk"
and a live cover of The Cure's "If Only Tonight We Could Sleep"

UPDATE: picked up Skysaw the next day.

where am i?

My lack of time and internet is the reasoning behind my sparse updates. The Internet Man (Rogers) should be by this week to hook up the tubes, then I will be out of excuses. I'm writing this from my friend Shawna's place while I watch her dog Rambo. Today I'm going to help put up election signs for my local incumbent MP Olivia Chow, then I have a Captain shift at the Lightbox. I'm so busy and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. Yankees are in town next week and I also have to help a friend move.

The High Cost Of Living @ Tiff Bell Lightbox

I vas volunteering at the Lightbox and I got to watch a great new Canadian film called The High Cost of Living. Shot in Montreal and starring Zach Braff (an American, playing an American) and a fantastic Quebecoise actress Isabelle Blais, this is the first feature for writer/director Deborah Chow. It preemed at tiff last year and it gets a Canadian theatrical release later this month.
The movie is about two people whose lives colide in a tragic accident. It was very good. If you only know Zach Braff as a prat-falling doctor on Scrubs then you should check this out. Both the Director and the two stars were there to introduce the film. Unfortunately I could not take pictures because I was working.

no more coffee for internet

I ordered the Internet, my brother had taken responsibility of the task when we began cohabiting in January. As I write this from the Second Cup across the street from my house I wish I had placed the order months ago. It will still take a week to get hooked up (I'm with TekSavvy but I have to wait for a Rogers guy to open the Internet Tube).

I can't wait to have internet where I can actually download some tv shows and movies, legally of course.

Lolita at the Lightbox

I was volunteering at the Lightbox, without the responsibilities of being a Captain, I was able to watch the movie (after performing my volunteer flashlight duties of course). The film was Stanley Kubrick's Lolita, as  part of tiff's Books on Film Series. The print was rather old and rough, a few minutes were skipped when the audio was blown out, but otherwise a great screening of a 49 year old film.

The audience was mostly women over 50, and there was an audible gasp when Richard Corliss, TIME magazine film critic and author of a book about Lolita for the British Film Institute suggested that the character, Lolita, was anything except a victim. The audience seemed to grumble at the idea that she held any power or control. The volunteer I watched the movie with wondered if they had watched the same movie as us. Peter Sellers is really great in it.

Scalpers Suck. Blue Jays Rock!

Me and my brother Marc pre-game at Steamwhistle Brewery

I went to see the Jays on Saturday with my actual brother Marc and some friends of his from Timmins.  I could not get a hold of Cayen or Shawna, which has happend before, and not a surprise.

I sent this email to the Blue Jays feedback regarding my experience picking up my tickets before the game:


"Wow, what an exciting weekend. I am a Toronto Star Pass holder and lifelong Jays Fan. I had a great time at the games, and all your staff were friendly and helpful. 


In the Terms & Conditions of the Star Pass, it said that you could only redeem 6 passes per person. On Saturday I showed up just before 10am for my tickets, I had a scalper cut in line in front of me and redeem a stack of 12 Star Passes, then he attempted to pass off another stack of passess to another scalper who just showed up and cut into the line. The ticket agent was going to proceed with the transaction till I protested. The ticket agent then served me my tickets (top row, surprise!).  
I understand scalping is a reality of any ticketed event, however in this case your ticketing staff were facilitating tickets to the scalpers beyond the terms of the Star Pass.


On Sunday staff at least made an attempt to set up a line divider, but the scalpers were still not respecting the line. Other fans I talked to were equally upset by all the obvious line cutting. Fans want good seats to sit in, Scalpers want good seats to sell. 


Please do something about the line.
Please instruct your staff to respect limits regarding Star Passes.


Thank you,
Julien Chabot
GO JAYS GO!"

OK! Blue Jays! Let's... play... ball!

I've got a nice new Jays hat, my classic Jays jacket is dry cleaned and looks brand new, and earlier this week I picked up my 2 season passes for all 80 of the Toronto Blue Jays the home games. My good friend and brother from a bus driving mother John Cayen is coming to town and we will be going to Saturdays game against the Twins.

I love going to baseball games with friends and I'm looking forward to lots of good times this summer at the Ol' Skydome (Suck it Ted Rogers).

Julie Dorion Live at The Garrison Toronto

I took some video with my flip camera at last nights Julie Dorion show at The Garrison.

Lula at Soccer!

My cousin Treya takes her daughter to soccer practice and sometimes I get to tag along. It's the cutest thing. The kids are so fun to watch. I took this video with my flip, I will post more as I can. I am still dependent on the nearby Second Cup for internet.

Here Lula can't seem to figure out the cones when they are in a curved line.

My Flip Video is here!

Canada Post delivered my flip video! It took 9 business days to get here. The "custom" design looks so cool, I'm really happy with how it turned out. Now I just have to give it a charge for 3 hours before I try and take some video. I will post the results here as soon as I upload them.

Sam The Record Man NOW Magazine Ad

I used to work in the video department at the greatest store on Earth, Sam the Record Man. This was an ad placed in NOW magazine back in May 2005. Christian, Christa and I were able to choose some titles and write a blurb. It was one of the few times we got to give any real input. I'm only transcribing a few, it's time consuming to retype!

Clerks X
Kevin Smith
Ten years after his breakout hit Clerks, Kevin Smith is still working late nights at the Quickstop. Clerks X celebrates the convenience store that started it all (Mecca of all things Askew) with 3 discs loaded with commentaries for the theatrical release and the Sundance cut, a Q & A with the cast and the great "Snowball Effect" documentary. the animated lost scene is a must see as is Randal querying Dante to the depths he would go for Mans ultimate dream…"The Flying Car". A true comedy classic, Clerks X is an essential addition to your collection to be enjoyed for decades to come.
Julien Chabot @ Sams 3 years

Bubba Ho TepDon Coscarelli
Elvis is alive and well… living in Writer/Director Don Coscarelli's offbeat horror-comedy cult hit. Bruce "the Man" Campbell is Elvis, retired and waiting to die in a texas nursing home.When an evil soul sucking mummy shows up to feed off the easy targets, Elvis joins a conspiracy minded JFK(Ossie Davis in one of his final great performances) to flush out the ancient egyptian before he flushes their souls. Watch it again and again and when a friend who hasn't seen it comes over watch it again.
Julien Chabot @ Sam's 3 years


ElephantGus Van Sant
Winner of the Palm d'Or and best director awards at the 2003 Cannes film festival, Elephant is Gus Van Sant's (My Own Private Idaho, Good Will Hunting) realistic and haunting portrayal of high school life on an afternoon that should have been like any other.His use of non-actors and a minimal script creates an unconventional and captivating film. this is a simple yet hard hitting picture in which Van Sant offers us an objective look at high school violence and gun control. The film leaves you with a somber feeling considering these evens have happened and seem inevitable to happen again in the future. A unique docudrama fit for every film enthusiasts collection.
Christa Szakonyi @ Sams 2 years

Pick up your EarsStephen Fears
Joe Orton was one of the bad boys of swinging London in the 60's, Hero of the anti establishment, and winner of several awards for his plays. The film "Pick up your Ears" charts Orton's life in a series of flashbacks and benefits from a strong performance by Gary Oldman in the leading role. Most of the narrative revolves around the year 1964-1967, from Orton's first West End success to his death at the hands of Kenneth Halliwell, his live-in partner. Oldman is superb in this role, his Orton is totally convincing, charming selfish and occasionally infuriating. Alfred Molina co-stars as Halliwell, Vanessa Redgrave as Orton's agent, the formidable Peggy Ramsey. Stephen Fears does a fine job with direction. Excellent cinematography by Oliver Stapleton, and very good period music by Stanley Myers.
Christian Wehrhahn @Sam's 3 years