Wokouqo, Ojvaf

Wokouqo wo-kou-qo (woa-koo-ko)
1.n. A question relating to a possible insult, slight or joke at one's expense which invites further insults, slights, etc.
pl. wokouqos

Ojvaf oj-vaf (Oh-j-vaf)
1.vb. The act of typing out a post or comment on a blog, but then deleting it instead of posting.
2.n. Aborted posts/comments.
pl. ojvafs

Let me be blunt

Last night I took my wife to see James Blunt at Massey Hall, as her Valentines day present.

Considering I normally wouldn't have gone to see this show, and don't really care much for JB's music, I was surprised that I enjoyed the show as much as I did, considering the flaw.

What was 'the flaw' you might ask?

Well, first, I have to say that I'm no expert in the realm of stage lighting. I have some very limited experience with being on stage in some community theatre and high school drama, and I've seen a handful of concerts over the years, mainly when I was young, and high.

Having said that, from last nights show I can only conclude that the lighting director for Mr. Blunts tour is either a) and idiot, or B) an Asshole, leaving room for C) Both.

Why? I'll get to it in a sec, first, I also have to say that I have seen just three shows at Massey Hall; Blue Rodeo, Jan Aarden (another with my wife), and last nights show. From this limited exposure to that hall, I have concluded (and again, I'm no expert) that Massey Hall is an excellent venue to see a musical performance. There is hardly a bad seat in the house, and the intimacy is unlike anything I've ever experienced, short of being in a bar. Last night we were located near the back of the Gallery, and I was still impressed with just how close we seemed to the stage.

Add to this, that the acoustics, at least to my ear, are also excellent; the net effect being that if there is any band worth seeing or listening to, let alone one of your favorite musicians, and they also happen to be playing at Massey Hall, then you would be well advised to check them out.

The only thing that could possibly spoil the event, would be a small, but powerful spot light, located at stage level (say, in the drummers riser, at foot level) pointing up into the audience, so as to blind anyone trying to watch said show.

Yep.

Sure, there was one brief moment for a portion of one song where this light was the only one, and Mr. Blunt stood at just the right spot on stage to create an effect akin to a solar eclipse, and that was interesting, but then he moved.

My wife and I discussed this annoyance as we were averting our eyes from the stage. Anj had a good theory: the light, and the others like it pointing to other parts of the audience, were meant to spoil any attempt to video record the concert.

I think the only thing that could make the positioning of that light more annoying to me is the thought that it could have been rigged that way on purpose.

Oh well. At least it wasn't a show I'd like to see.

Hypnotech 3

From the "Things I'm Still Learning About Myself As I Get Older" Department, It seems that deep down inside of me there's been this techno-freak waiting to get out. It started with the occassional flirting with Philip Glass, Brian Eno and Tangerine Dream, but most recently has latched onto the work of Hypnotech 3

Not sure what to expect, I picked up their album In Tune With the True Distortion this weekend, on a whim, taking the chance that it might be something worthwhile. Apparently, what I have stumbled across was their first album from 2002.

The debut CD from Canada's Hypnotech 3. Drawing on such influences as Bristol space-rock, deep trance, experimental 70's electronica, wall-of-noise shoegaze and the majority of Darla's Bliss Out series, "In Tune with the True Distortion" is five interstellar excursions into dark ambience, minimal pulse beats, deepspace melodies and gossamer drapes of bent noise. For fans of Amp, Windy & Carl, Labradford, Tomorrowland, fellow Canadians |head|phone|over|tone|, and Tangerine Dream. Forget what everyone has ever before said about space-rock: THIS is the album your pharmacist should be warning you about.

It's not for everyone, but it suits me just fine (and No, I haven't started doing drugs again)

Banzai!!

If you have some time to kill, and you were a fan of the video game "Burger Time" (at least I think that was what it was called..?), then you'll like Sushi Samurai.

"Honour is your appetizer!"

Who says the CBC isn't great?

Are you serious?

Come on Annie, this is the Oscars you're talking about... you expected otherwise?

It's the thought that counts.

It won't happen, but not because the people of Newfane Vermont don't want it to; they, and the folks from three other Vermont towns voted in favor of impeaching George W. Bush.

This could be the start of something big...

Well, it's a bit of a stretch, but I'll take anything at this point.

Many a small town in Vermont will be holding their annual town meeting this week where the residents get to vote on issues. For many small towns in a handful of New England states, this is a tradition where they get to debate, discuss and vote on things like whether or not to fix the leaky roof on the local parking garage, or stuff like that.

For Newfane Vermont, it means much more; they are going to vote on the impeachment of the President of the United States.

• Newfane, population 1,680, has a resolution calling for the impeachment of President Bush that is bound to trigger a major debate. If it passes, the town will ask Rep. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., to file articles of impeachment. (USA Today)

Will this be on CSPAN? Will CPAC carry the feed?

Unleashing My Inner Geek!

The highlight of my weekend has been creating my new link buttons.

In case you are interested, you can go here to create some basic text based buttons, which you then find a place to save, and link to.

I've found that I can create the small picture versions by cutting and pasting into a button template I have in M/S Paint.

I'll take special requests for buttons, which I'll gladly create for you. Just give me an idea of the kind of image you would like on the button (along with an email address to send the file to).

Also, I just thought up the image for the painting I'm doing for Gord based on the theme "Slight of Hand." It will be cool, and maybe ready by June. Maybe.