GO! at CBC

This Saturday, Stef and I went on an early morning adventure to see a live recording of the CBC radio show GO! with Brent Bambury. It was pretty cool! But is it worth getting up super early on a Saturday, you ask? Why yes! I think it is!

This Saturday's guests were Scott Thompson, Jean Yoon, Olivia Chow and GO! correspondent Dan Misener, who were all defending their favourite rags in a special episode of "Canada Skims... Magazines", a spoof on the popular Canada Reads series (which starts today/tonight on the CBC, catch it at 7:30pm on 99.1 FM).

Scott Thompson was his usual hilarious, cute self (I couldn't get over sweet his smile was... gap and all)! I'd never heard of Jean Yoon, but she did a commendable job of promoting the magazine Shameless... she ended up winning the debate. Scott was defending OK! Canada, Olivia was trying to get us to read Gardening Life, and Dan's favourite was the shopping magazine Lou Lou.

Musical guest was Spiral Beach, a great pop quartet from Toronto. We saw them a few months ago at the Gladstone, and their energy blew me away. They're the reason I wanted to go to the recording. And they didn't disappoint. Brent handed out ear plugs before the show, since the band was set up so close to the audience, but I said no thanks! They played awesome.

All in all, I think it was a great experience to see how a live audience radio show is put together. I wonder if anyone heard my cheers and clapping!

To see more photos from that day, click this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ravenswift/sets/72157594556301857/

Holy links, Batman!!

posted by Unknown @ 2:29 p.m.

PARKDALE PRIDE!!

I'm thinking of making a poster that says:


But I think the posters will just get ripped down and thrown into the wind.
It's getting out of hand though. I think I'm going to email these pictures to Gord Perks:

Labels: environment, frustration, local, parkdale, rant, tyndall avenue

posted by Unknown @ 3:49 p.m.

And We'll All Float On Okay

In the spirit of lyrics, started by Stef's good day:

I backed my car into a cop car the other day
Well he just drove off sometimes life's ok
I ran my mouth off a bit too much oh what did i say
Well you just laughed it off it was all ok

And we'll all float on okay
And we'll all float on okay
And we'll all float on okay
And we'll all float on any way well

Well, a fake Jamaican took every last dime with that scam
It was worth it just to learn some sleight-of-hand
Bad news comes don't you worry even when it lands
Good news will work its way to all them plans
We both got fired on the exactly the same day
Well we'll float on good news is on the way

And we'll all float on okay
And we'll all float on okay
And we'll all float on okay
And we'll all float on alright
Already we'll all float on
Now don't worry we'll all float on
Alright already we'll all float on
Alright don't worry we'll all float on

And we'll all float on alright
Already we'll all float on
Alright don't worry even if things end up a bit too heavy
We'll all float on alright
Already we'll all float on
Alright already we'll all float on
Okay don't worry we'll all float on
Even if things get heavy we'll all float on
Alright already we'll all float on
Don't you worry we'll all float on
All float on

Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Love Bad News

While we're on the topic of music, does anyone know a way to add a player on here, like they have on MySpace? So, instead of posting lyrics (or in addition to), I could make you actually listen to the song!?!

posted by Unknown @ 10:41 p.m.

My Photos Are Being Seen

Another one of my photos was featured on the BlogUT site... check it out!

http://www.blogut.ca/2007/02/21/cest-what-cest-a-beer-tasting/

They had one of my photos from skating on their site a couple weeks ago, too:

http://www.blogut.ca/2007/02/09/dj-skating-tonight-get-your-groove-on-on-ice/

Woot!

And now that I've got a kick ass photo printer, I'm totally going to work on exhibiting some prints, sometime, this year. Let's make the goal for... the summer? July? August? I need a space, too. And a theme. And some HELP!!!! Bah!

posted by Unknown @ 12:32 p.m.

Book Club, Pancakes and Printer

Last night was book club. It was good. We watched "The Big Sleep", and I was hoping the movie would make the plot a bit less confusing, but no. I enjoyed the book, because I like the writing of Chandler Raymond, but the storyline was very confusing, so many characters, murders, guns. But it was cool. The original cool.

My favourite are the metaphors: "Ohls looked at him silently, his pale eyebrows bristling and stiff and round like the little vegetable brushes the Fuller Brush man gives away." Tee hee!

And today was Shrove Tuesday... the best excuse to eat breakfast for dinner. I had some pancakes, but I burnt the first one cause it took me so long to get my camera ready. Probably for the best!


I also managed to get my new printer home last night (my muss-cles hurt), and hooked her up to the laptop. It's pretty sweet. And it was such a deal! The printer goes for close to $500 on ebay... with my employee referral for getting Kylie (the new lister) hired, it was free!

posted by Unknown @ 10:46 p.m.

Synchronisities Indeed

This morning we went to Sneaky Dee's for breakfast. At some point, I usually read out all of our horoscopes as seen in NOW Magazine. Stef's horoscope this week was eerily accurate. Mine was too, for that matter.

Stef's:
"46 is your lucky number, Taurus, and you're about to harvest about 46 tons of eerily delightful synchronicities." -- Honestly, I think there were 46 coincidences today. The timing of the TTC ride over to Sneak's was way to perfect, and we bumped into people we knew every time we turned around. More than usual. Surprise phone calls and a fruitful trip to Value Village rounded out the fortunate afternoon.

Mine:
"By the way, there's a lot more [water] over there," and he points to the river. Do you hear him? If you hear him, do you believe him? Or do you keep walking, hoping to find another man with another glass somewhere up ahead?" -- James really just made my horoscope come true by pointing at the bowl of creamers on the table next to us and saying this to me, right after I asked the waitress to bring more creamers. LOL. By the way- I took the best pic ever of James today. He wasn't goofing around or anything!

Labels: breakfast, horoscope, james, NOW Magazine, sneaky dee's, stef, TTC

posted by Unknown @ 9:25 p.m.

More Cool Things To Do

Every Thursday, I get an email with NOW Magazine's Tip Sheet... and I think I'm just gonna copy and paste the events I'd like to attend on here, so I can keep track!

This week, I've chosen these things:

Labels: arts, concert, crafts, environment, events, learning, local, music

posted by Unknown @ 1:19 p.m.

The Day That Nothing Worked (except the printer)

So, I just got home from walking all the way from Spadina. Stupid streetcar I was on kicked everyone off, so it could push the broken down streetcar in front of it off the road. Man. What the hell is wrong with the TTC today?

And at work, our inventory program SUCKED ASS. I only got three listings done, where normally, I should be getting about 14-15! But I did get a "lemon" printer up and running this afternoon, which I might be able to buy for cheap! Woot!

Labels: computers, frustration, rant, streetcar, TTC, work

posted by Unknown @ 7:03 p.m.

I Think I've Been Fairly Tolerant...

... with the TTC, until now. I'm usually very logical and lenient with the flaws of the TTC, and I normally blame the other TTC riders for how miserable the ride can be now and then. However, this morning, I couldn't believe how bad the service was!

Bex and I arrived at the stop at our normal time, around 8:30am. Just as we were walking to the stop, a car went by. I had a sinking feeling that we should've run to catch the car, but alas. A few minutes later (more minutes than usual), another streetcar came along, but it was out of service.

A couple minutes later, another car came, with another car behind it. The first car was PACKED, but the second car was also out of service, so we tried to squeeze onto the back of the car in front. A tinny voice via intercom said, "Young lady, please step away from the back door of the streetcar." Apparently, I wasn't allowed on! Not sure why- it better have been because the car was already too full, because there are signs clearly posted saying the King car runs on a P.O.P. system- you can mount the car through the rear doors if you've got a valid pass or transfer.

The next car pulled up to the light, and everyone started to de-board. Apparently, this car was out of service as well. I asked the driver why and he pointed to some control panel that was opened up, and said it was too cold for it to operate. What??

Anyways- long story short, Bex and I scrambled around, trying to decide if we should just hop in a cab (except we couldn't find one available), or if we should just hop on one of the SIX streetcars piled up at King and Dufferin now. It was 8:54am by the time we finally got onto a streetcar, and 9:30 by the time we got to Church Street. The car we were on announced they were short turning on Church, too.

So- all in all, I saw FOUR streetcars this morning that were out of service! We live in Canada folks! It gets cold! Why do I pay $100 a month to ride on streetcars that break down as soon as it gets cold? And why were only some of the cars out of order? Don't they have like, a huge block heater or something?!?!?

Anyways- it was frustrating, to say the least. I was a half-hour late for work again today. Good thing no one keeps track!

Labels: bex, rant, streetcar, TTC, weather, work

posted by Unknown @ 11:42 a.m.

Happy Wednesday

Cameron, the chic on House, said it best last night:

"Valentine's Day is for people who are paired up. For every one else, it's just a Wednesday."

Also, for anyone who watched House last night, I WISH I could say (to anyone) what Cameron said to Chase at the end of the episode. Hmmm... now I've got you guessing, don't I?

Labels: house, sex, television

posted by Unknown @ 3:06 p.m.

THE SHINS ARE COMING THE SHINS ARE COMING!!!

So yeah. The Shins are coming to Toronto, and I can't wait to go see them. Tickets go on sale starting on Thursday, but I signed up for their fan club, so I can get advanced tickets. That's how much I love them!!! WOOOOOOOT!!!

So, I'm looking through some Shins lyrics right now... I was going to post my favourite song. But honestly, I love ALL of their songs. I also don't really listen to the lyrics all that much- I'm more of a melody girl. I know, I'm missing out. Anyways... here are the lyrics for one my most favourite Shins songs... but you should listen to it, since the music is why I actually like it so much (also, I'm not sure how accurate these lyrics really are)! It's called Pressed in a Book.

Doted on like seeds planted in rows
The untied shoelaces of your life.
Nurtured all year, then pressed in a book
Or displayed in bad taste at the table.
Problems arise, and you fan the fire.
While there's a wild pack of dogs loose in your house tonight.
Cut from bad cloth or soiled like socks
Add it up and basically people never change.

They just talk and make plans in the dark.
Or make haste with ideas that can't help but creep good people out.
As you talk to me, too much you're assuming.
We don't always want what's right.

Did I strike the right set of chords? You're annoyed.
The goal is to ignite you then move on.
You feel ill at ease, you got no squeeze.
And the wise cracks won't make you more stable.
You've learned your lines, to scale and to time.
Why must I remind you that I'm only less able.
Cut from bad cloth or soiled like socks.
We're ordinary people, we can't help but to...

Change as we walk and make plans in the dark.
Or make haste with the boy who can't help but creep good people out.
As you talk to me, too much you're assuming.
We don't always want what's right.

Two fallen saplings in an open field.
Snow padding gently on an empty bench.
Old woman's jewelry lying unadorned.
Cold nesting robins allied for the first time.
I know when you hear these sappy lines, you'll roll your eyes and say, "nice try".

Labels: concert, energy, events, inspiration, the shins

posted by Unknown @ 1:51 p.m.

Cool Things I'd Like To See

Stephen Lewis and David Suzuki: Monday, February 12th
Two Canuck heroes converse on the theme: If I were Prime Minister. $15/$20. Winter Garden Theatre. (Too bad the only seats left are nosebleeds.)

Evalyn Parry: Sunday, February 18th
Awesome multidisciplinary artist launches her new CD of folky witticisms at the Gladstone. $10.
(Evalyn is a friend of my cousin Allison, and I've seen her play before. She is awesome!)

Julie Doiron w/ Woolly Leaves: Tuesday, Feb. 20th
At the Drake Underground, $15
(Julie Doiron is the chic from Eric's Trip... talented, talented girl)

A Visual Legacy: The City of Toronto's Use of Photography, 1856-1997: on until September 22nd, 2007
The City of Toronto Archives, 255 Spadina Road, FREE
(the exhibition presents images that were commissioned by the City of Toronto or produced by the municipality’s official photographers between 1856 and 1997)

If anyone is interested in going to any of these events, let me know!!!

Labels: concert, environment, events, inspiration, photos

posted by Unknown @ 12:34 p.m.

Little Ol' Invisible Me

I know I'm easily lost in a crowd, as in... I blend in, I'm fairly forgettable, etc... but lately, at work, it's been getting a little ridiculous.

When I talk to a certain co-worker of mine, I get the feeling he's not listening to me. I can say something to him, and then two minutes later he'll repeat what I said, claiming he'd just thought of it himself! Here's an example:

Him: This email is from a guy claiming the pinhole adapter we sold him doesn't work on his camera.
Me: What camera does he have?
Him: (looks through the email again) Here's the problem, he's trying to put it on an A100. Of course it won't fit on the A100.
Me: No- you're thinking of the Minolta Dimage A100, which the adapter will not fit on. But it will fit onto the Sony Alpha A100 DSLR.
Him: The Sony Alpha isn't the A100.
Me: Yes it is.

*two minutes later*

Him: OH! I get it! I was thinking of the Minolta point and shoot camera, the A100. He's got the Sony Alpha A100, which the adapter should fit on!

See what I mean?!? BAH! So frustrating. Then, at the end of the day, he says to another co-worker, "Look what I found here- our Henry's eBay info page is full of dead links, missing photos, and incorrect information!" It's great that he's actually looking for problems that need fixing, but I had pointed that exact page out to him the day before, noting the problems. BAAAAAAAAAAAH!

It's like he doesn't think I'm smart enough. Or, because I'm a woman, he just dismisses anything I say. Or, he wants to get credit for thinking of everything. I don't know. There are so many improvements that need to be made here at work, things I've been mentioning for years (I'm not exaggerating... years). But of course no one listens to me!

However, I sent a list of "suggested improvements" to my boss yesterday, and he did actually just call me to tell me he looked it over, and will consider some of the ideas next week when he's got more time. *sigh* Finally, some acknowledgment.

Labels: office, rant, work

posted by Unknown @ 12:15 p.m.

Coinkidink

I'm sure you've all heard about the craziness that went on yesterday afternoon at King West Opticians. I found out about it on the streetcar home from work last night- the cars were being diverted up to Queen and when someone asked why, the non-driving TTC employee said there was a hostage situation! I couldn't tell if he was joking or not, but there certainly was a lot of hoopla going on at the corner of King and Shaw.

Well, we all know that the owner of King West Opticians went crazy on CityTV's Mr. Silverman, and was not-so-promptly arrested. I just kept thinking, "Was it really worth it?" To get so angry, and to have such consequences... did it feel that good to blow off steam (and throw some snowballs- how old are we, anyway?), to make being charged with assault and losing your business worth it?

But now I'm not so sure he's going out of business... look what I got in the mail today!

Weird!!!

Labels: funny, local, news

posted by Unknown @ 6:43 p.m.

My Dream Job

I would LOVE to be able to say I did something like this...

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/video/2007/killerskill_video200703

Of course it's Annie Leibovitz... my all-time favourite photographer.

I'm definitely buying this issue of Vanity Fair. I'm even considering getting a subscription, just to look at all the beautiful, beautiful photographs. Drooooooooooool.

Labels: inspiration, photos

posted by Unknown @ 2:57 p.m.

Happy Thoughts for Contented Spirits

In the last few days I've been informed of two deaths.

The first is a man I never actually met, and I've only met his girlfriend twice, but he seemed liked he was a really nice guy. His name was Jason, and he died of a brain aneurysm. Needless to say, Kylie, his gf, is pretty shaken up. Click HERE to see some pics of Jason's visit to Toronto last December, that Kylie took.

The next gentleman was a closer friend. Actually, the younger brother of one of my best friends. Shayne (brother to Roxanne), passed away on Friday in his home in Alberta. It was sudden- he OD'd from his painkillers. Exactly the same thing that happened to my mom. So, to Roxanne and her family- all I can say is that I'm so sorry to hear that Shayne is gone... he was such a fun guy... always chatty and nice... and I have to admit to having a crush on him (even though he was like, WAY too young). Shayne will be missed by so many people, and it's too bad he moved across the country for his last few months... but Rox tells me he was happy out there, and that's the most important thing.

Like I said to Kylie- we need to keep the memories of these fair men alive, as that is the only guarantee to an immortal soul!

Labels: death, rox, spirituality

posted by Unknown @ 2:30 p.m.