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It's Friday March the 31 around 7:26AM and
*Another Canadian news anchor who went south of the border to find fame and fortune is returning home to Canada and going on Global. Chris Gailus will be in Vancouver to do the weekend news as anchor starting in May. Is this this Tony Parsons future replacement? He immediately began shameless brown nosing. ""I love the city -- it's that simple," he said. "Vancouver is my favourite city in the world." Suck up.
*Meanwhile another local news person jumped the shark. CityTV's Dave Lefebvre, a news reporter is in the news because he loves to cook with his crock-pot. Oh my, Dave, remember when you wanted that serious career in news? Jump. He then explains the obvious: "The first reaction is to basically make fun of me. It's not macho for me to talk about cooking, and it's even less macho for me to talk about cooking with a Crock-Pot." Yep.
*Simi Sara interview in podcast form over at Dogma Radio.
It's Friday March the 31 around 6:19AM and
They have jumped up in the
NHL Power rankings ("Gotta thank Danny and Hank") from 16 to 12, so naturally The Province is ready to feed the hype - with a back cover and big story on Todd Bertuzzi.
Ed Willes asks us to put ourselves in Bert's stinky shoes. He's quite the philosopher-knuckle dragger our Bertuzzi:
"I don't like to hear I'm s--t, that I shouldn't be in this city, that I'm a bad player. Nobody likes to hear that. But being told that for a full season absolutely sucks. It's not fun. I can't say I've had fun playing in this city this year. But I have a loyal following and we have great fans here. That, in the long run, makes it worthwhile."
Of course you do Bert. Of course you do.
More: Game Preview for tonight's Mild Wild matchup.
It's Friday March the 31 around 5:55AM and
Must be the ideal slow news day over at 24 Hours. Today their ground breaking cover story is about "If shoes could talk" and predictably, the dreaded flip flops, or sandals, make an appearence. But did they really have to lede with a
cliche ridden bore?
Don't judge a person until you walk a mile in their shoes ... If the shoe fits ... You've got big shoes to fill ... No other item of apparel lays claim to as many character cliches as footwear. Which got us to thinking, does the relationship between sole and soul delve deeper than a mere homonym?
And then when the flip flops talk, they sound dumb. "I don't like you. When it's warm they have to pull me out. I don't think you look good. Besides you're too hot." I knew it, Flip flops are stupid. Wear them at the beach and that's it.
It's Thursday March the 30 around 10:07PM and
It makes it all worth while to run The Vancouverite when you get this kind of awesome email:
I mean it when I say that I'm a big fan of The Vancouverite. It's excellent and fun. And I know that you are actually talking directly to me in it; I have successfully interpreted the many clues you have laid out, detailing your wishes. And so it is I have started the many garage fires and vandalized the special needs' elementary schools, per your directives. Thy will be done.
It's Thursday March the 30 around 9:10PM and
So we watched the
Opening Soon show. We've read the
other reviews. Now was our time to venture over to the first/only Latin Cowboy joint, Century (432 Richards St., 604-633-2700). Alas, no website yet. Weak. But yes, it is a totally awesome setting. I got over the whole commie revolutionary angle and enjoyed the space - actually, they could have used more latin socialism me thinks. The place is like a comforatable church and there are plenty of things like this to love about Century, but can I be the grumpy party pooper that wonders aloud if it isn't 'all hat and no cattle'?
If I had just stuck to the chips and dips - the avocado mouse. You mean guacamole, right? was awesome - and just kept eating those all night, I would have been content. Although, even the chips - which were 5 wildly different and good varieties - wouldn't have been as much fun without some Tres Frijoles-Cuban Chorizo and Beans which was, well, beantastic. Now, if I say I washed it down with a "so-four-years-ago" so-so mojito, would you hold it against me? The Malbac was much better. I should have gone with my instincts. I ended with the Braised Shortribs and Beef Cheek. I'm not even clear what this whole yucca root puree was, but it was sure was tasty, and the dish was fine even in half portion form. I'm not too picky when it comes to meats, but it seemed like there was an overkill of weird meats. Oxtail? Really? I won't judge. But the salsa sorbet served with the crab burritos was just well, down right creepy. Not as creepy as the two guys downing the red stripe beers or the three wannabe hipster girls - cough. I mean cougars - who spent all night on their cell phones texting while drinking white zinfandel. Did that really happen?
Lastly. The service. It was nice to see owner Sean Sherwood on the floor serving the bread to the people. Seeing him slumming it at Yaggers after that to catch the hockey game was funny. But here's the thing. The food runner had more personality than the waiter. Oh my, what would Che do? He'd probably come back for more. The chips and the space are worth the visit alone.
It's Thursday March the 30 around 9:02PM and
Fun for us. For you music junkies out there, there is now a companion blog for The Vancouverite. An official blog just for The Vancouverite's Playlist. That's right kids, introducing The Vancouverite's Playlist - the official blog of thevancouverite.com's playlist. How meta is that? And that's right the first post features "The Hoff".
I knew sooner or later our Art Director Graham would catch the blog fever. The only prescription is, of course, more blogging. Although, he could have just blogged on The Vancouverite. Anyways, Check it regularly for cool tracks, concerts, and hot licks. Yo.
It's Thursday March the 30 around 8:45PM and
This is good Thursday news. Daniel from
Wineglow just hooked us up on the wine scoop of the day.
Black Hills Estate Winery, who I must point out, have never had a single drop of wine on any of our trips up to the wine region of the Okanagan, has wines for sale as of today. Believe me when I tell you that it is annoying as hell. I see their plan to deprive you of wine is working. They are
expanding.
But pass this on while it lasts. They have wine. You can order it now. It's not cheap. And you have to buy by the case - which isn't a problem as far as I can tell. They are now taking orders on both the Alibi 2005 (Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon) and the Nota Bene 2004 starting now, and the Alibi will ship in June. Get it while it's hot. Yum.
It's Wednesday March the 29 around 5:57AM and
You know, some things strike me about why 24 Hours is so annoying this morning. What would prompt the paper to put a photo of billionaire owner Jimmy Pattison on the cover blowing out a candle on a really bad looking cake? Oh it is their 1st anniversary. Holy smug get over yourselves. And Pattison looks like he is going to fall into the cake blowing on the candle.
These idiots who held a "shoe in" at the Carnegie Community Action Project over Finance Minister Carole Taylors shoes - the $600 Guccis she wore for the budget - are ridiculous. Of course NDP MP Libby Davies and MLA Jenny Kwan were there. This is just dumb. Not as dumb as this quote, "They are shoes that say 'if you're poor, you don't count.' That's why Carole Taylor's shoes make us mad." Oh come on, these shoes say, I have taste in shoes and I'm the freakn' finance minister yo. She's not a hobo people.
Lastly you get this bit of "Gumpian" wisdom from the weather girl everybody loves to hate, Tamara Taggart: "It's an unsettled week; a little bit of this and a little bit of that." What exactly are we supposed to gleam from that weather report you tart?
It's Tuesday March the 28 around 7:48PM and
Here's a round of all things good and linky that was circulating around the browser:
PEOPLE
*Not sure what y'all think of this, but FHM thinks Sca-Jo, Scarlett Johansson is the sexiest woman alive. Seems like an inspired choice to me. [Associated Press]
*Good lord. Cats and Dogs living together. The Hilton's next wave. Paris Hilton has brothers? I guess if we just keep them away from Hasselhoff, we can avoid things like what has become of poor, poor Hobie from Baywatch. Although I can't stop thinking about his amazing shirt (Via Trent).
TeeVee
*If you've never experienced this, a viewing of Heat Vision and Jack is required viewing if only for this, "the legendary rejected Fox pilot produced by Ben Stiller and starring Jack Black and Owen Wilson (as a talking motorcycle)." So rad.
*Meanwhile we have the crazy new Dodge ads with the creepy fairy, the awesome first Schwarzenegger re-election ad (watch it here).
*This is a good looking and simple video for Misanthrope. [via Screenhead]
FILM
*The Good:Christopher Walken in a movie about ping pong called Balls of Fury.
*The Bad: Tom Hanks is going to star in a movie about an ad exec forced to work at Starbucks based on a book that hasn't been written yet. Gulp. Venti Gulp.
*And the Amazing:Gene Hackman in some Cold War short. It's amazing. [Defamer]
*We've also got your dish about Natalie Portman filming in TO, and the dirt on Ocean's 13.
*What if American Pie was horror movie?
MISCELLANY
*Somehow Canada took over Seattle for this amazing postcard. Who knew.
*What is the fun of heart friendly Biotech bacon.
*God I love the French. More rioting today. At some point they always get bored and go back to smoking, drinking coffee, and plotting to overthrow the government. Magnificent.
*Yes. Finally. A little something for the bottom feeders. A sexy blog about PR, Strumpette. (via Adrants)
*Speaking of PR, Coke might want to rethink the whole "My Coke Fest" during the Final Four. Or capitalize on it and invite Pete Doherty, Kate Moss, and the kids to join in. Deadspin is all over this.
*Final word. American Copywriter's latest podcast goes to town disecting Activia yogurt's strange buzz on Bifidas Regularis which they say is a, "nonsense word that's been trademarked." And even more fun is had at the expense of the poor bastard copywriter who had to write the copy. Then they talk about this coolbreathpower.com site. (Thanks Adrants)
It's Tuesday March the 28 around 8:36AM and
I'm not going to make excuses for no posting yesterday. Just know that it hurts me as much as it hurts you. Anyways, the Canucks gave another "hey this is really a hockey team" performence last night with a
7-4 win over the L.A. Kings. Have you caught Alex Burrows fever yet? Guy doesn't score for 22 games, then unloads with a hat trick. Ridiculous. Or are you in full on Canucks White Towel fever:
With nine games to go, the Canucks are now three points clear of L.A., which has a game in hand.
The win moved the Canucks back into a playoff position, but all the teams they're competing against for a postseason spot have at least a game in hand.
Apparently all this playoff excitement makes The Sun's Brad Ziemer think of Snakes and Ladders. What a terrible lede. If you want to do it right it has to be something more like this one: "Lately, I’ve been having this recurring dream where I’m alternately beating up and making out with Jonathan Safran Foer." (Via Gawker - Of course it was at the NY Post, a real paper anyway.) Now that's a lede. So if I was writing about the Canucks maybe I would start with a "Lately, I’ve been having this recurring dream about the Canucks where I’m alternately beating up and making out with Markus Nasland." Or not. That sounds way too creepy come to think of it.
Meanwhile, Vancouver Canucks Oped has an amazing Kings Fan Quote of the day: "The Kings Are Nothing More Than a Gigantic Disappointment. They’re like the girlfriend you just can’t get rid of. The sex is great, but then you have to put up with the rest… but the sex is worth it. Or is it?" Wow, and I thought Canucks fans were a tough crowd.
It's Tuesday March the 28 around 8:30AM and
March 28th. I'll be marking this one up on my outlook calendar, here at the old agency. It was the first official work sighting of flip flops. Gulp. Flip flops in the office? You must be joking. The horror. The horror. The next thing you know there are going to be hemp neclaces being tossed around.
No good can come from this.
It's Sunday March the 26 around 2:05PM and
Capote producer William Vince's Infinity Features has struck a three picture partnership with Mel Gibson's Icon Productions. The two company's are already teaming up on the currently shooting "Butterfly on a Wheel," in town. The first film out of the gate according to Variety will be sci-fi film, "Push":
"Story revolves around a group of American ex-pats with telekinetic and clairvoyant abilities who are hiding out in Beijing from U.S. intelligence agencies. In an attempt to escape detection forever, they marshal their various abilities and band together for one last assignment."
[Via Cinematical]
More: And according to Hollywood North Report, Infinity also just bought the film Waketime about, "young insomniac who believes he's the latest victim of a generations-old curse that will eventually kill him and everyone he loves."
It's Sunday March the 26 around 1:35PM and
*First there was
Lazy Sunday. Then there was
Lazy Monday. Now there is
Lazy Muncie. It's the midwest version of the rap video and show exactly why
Lorne Micheals and NBC's stance on You Tube could be the death of them both. [via
Mickey Kaus]
*The story of how Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner's spent the 1950's fighting everytime they went to London. [The Telegraph]
*What the heck is a Flugtag? Red Bull is sponsoring this ridiculous event in Vancouver for August 19th. "The first Flugtag took place in Austria in 1991. Since then, the dream of flying hand-made machines into unsuspecting bodies of water has spread like wildfire." Interesting.
*Since baseball is almost started, why not check out the ad campaign for the team south of our border, The Seattle Mariners.
*Something about a headline that says "Timbit Nation" really scares me. The Toronto Star feeds the evil beast that has made much of Southern Ontario a cultural wasteland, and has people ordering double-doubles coast to coast. It is skin crawling - have you eaten a doughnut there? How has this chain spread like a cancer?
*Craigslist is kind of been done to death, but the best part is that other people search so you don't have to. Like Perez Hilton, the gossip monger of the moment, posted about actor Jason Statham in Vancouver shooting a movie and having some, ahem, naughty Brokeback Mountain type fun while here. Where is Lynne McNamara when you need her?
*Like him or hate him, Stephen Harper should just totally own this news about him being a fatty. He totally needs to Clinton-ize it and step up his game. I want to see nothing but photos of him in drive throughs and stuffing his face.
FINAL WORD
The last days of writer Art Buchwald seem to be they way a writer should fade away. His 10-weeks in bed waiting to die have now become the hottest seat in Washington D.C. "It had been nine weeks since his kidneys had started to fail and he was still alive. "No one can figure it out," he told me. In the meantime, he said, "I'm having the time of my life." Prominent visitors stop by, his kids bring him McDonald's for dinner, the grandkids come. " Love this.
It's Sunday March the 26 around 1:12PM and
The Band formerly known as The Years is now
Lions in the Street. They are on MySpace, naturally, and are still kicking out songs as if the 80's and 90's never even happened. Here's how they described themselves in an interview at
Tortonabeat:
Longhaired Canadians, tired of getting kicked in the balls by the record business in the US, release music for free to the people (www.myspace.com/lionsinthestreet) . We turned down making a record with Todd Rundgren, same with Bob Ezrin. The vibe wasn't right. Instead we're releasing free homemade demos, recorded by us, in our basement, with accompanying homemade videos. And they sound killer. We might be the best pure rock and roll band in the world. Dig it. And the only current rock AND roll band with a great guitar player, in the style of Mick Taylor or Eric Clapton.
You'll be able to catch them at the Lamplighter April 1 and you can check out their homemade - like mama's lasagna - video for the single "Lady Blue" here. And they're latest video, Already Gone - which even features the band eating Chinese food. Rock it. And download those tracks.
It's Sunday March the 26 around 12:33PM and
SALT
Andrew Morrison emailed to let me know that another
Opening Soon blog is up and running. This time it is for
Salt Tasting Room. The next place in the Irish Heather group of joints set on dominating Gastown. Here is what you'll be l
ooking forward to:
On a blackboard, a constantly changing menu will feature ten types of cured meat, ten types of cheese and ten types of condiments.
For $14 you choose 3 items from the meat and cheese sections i.e. 2 cheese & 1 meat, and three matching condiments. In essence you design your own tasting plate and we present it to you with an unlimited supply of bread.
Mmmmm. Meats. I think this sums up what could be most exciting about this soon to be salty gem: "Located in Gastown’s historic blood alley, and accessible only via the alley, Salt’s location will have the look and feel of NY’s meat packing district, right down to the cobblestones. As with the Shebeen, it’s nearest neighbor, it is not seeking to appeal to the masses, but rather to target a specific group, i.e. folk that will walk down an alley to find a gem."
THE ORACLE OF BALTIMORE
A few other things to think about this lazy sunday on the food and wine front. Especially since I missed out on the California wine tasting this week.
Kottke.org, which always has great, interesting, links brought our attention to this.
Robert Parker gave 90-91 points to adult film star Savanna Samson's 2004 Sogno Uno - an Italian red. Of course, maybe this is a sign of Parker's fall from wine god to mere mortal. Or he is just seeing how far people will go to drink the wines he recomends.
Over at The New York Times' Eric Asimov - who has also been put on the paper's blogroll with his own called "The Pour"- decants Parker today. Parker is like the Sun's Gismondi only thousand times more smug and 100-times as powerful. Definetely worth the read - especially if you have seen the little wine-documentary gem "Mondovino".
Oh, and I tasted a silly Australian wine, Mad Fish this week. It's another critter wine label that claims they are without pretension etc. I think they just collect all the grapes in Australia and mix them together and put pretty labels on the bottle for export. I'm on to you. More on the critter-ification of wines at AdFreak.
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
I caught this while I was surfing around. It's a long-winded tirade against some crummy service the writer got at Sammy J Peppers, in Langley no less. This has everything that is annoying about blogs wrapped up with a double shot of why would you ever go to Sammy J Peppers anyway amusement. I would rather eat at McDonald's than waste money at a place like Sammy J Peppers.
It's Sunday March the 26 around 12:15PM and
Kind of off to a slower start today, so you'll be over this stuff by the time you read it, but I feel we should post about the Canucks anyway. Sure they took two of three from the Edmonton Oilers, but the momentum killer could be the
3rd game 3-2 loss. I think this sums up what is at stake for the Canucks and why they are in such trouble: "Lay off the whip for a moment down the stretch drive and you'll lose ground to hard-charging competition."
So the Canucks are in 8th place and the playoff race is getting tighter and tighter. That's what happens when you play inconsistently. The Kings are just 1-point behind the Canucks now. Hey guess what they play them on Monday too, so that's something right? Even if they do make it, let's just say they won't have to worry about being the team to watch me thinks. Duke they ain't to use the March Madness analogy.
It's Thursday March the 23 around 10:22PM and
Only the Canucks could take fans to the brink of total collapse and the agony of total breakdown and then start winning games again. And could it be? They beat the Oilers 4-3 and the 2nd time in a row. Only Saturday's big third test remains of this must-win series.
The big line of Naslund and Bertuzzi put the puck in the net a couple of times tonight, and did it when it counted in the shootout too. Never mind the 2nd period fiasco of leading 2-0, and then going into the 3rd down 3-2 when they were outshot 15-5. So here's the hard part. Is Bertuzzi back? One forum poster suggested, "thats about the bizzilionth time that he's been declared "back" now..." It's kind of like that scene in Star Wars:
Luke: Got 'im! I got 'im!
Han Solo: Great, kid. Don't get cocky.
More: Vancouver Canucks Oped
It's Wednesday March the 22 around 8:29AM and
My horoscope says today is a 9, but I'm not buying it. My favorite old jeans in the world decided to distinegrate in the rain and there is a huge rip in my crotch area. Stupid pants. I hate you. At least now I can go shopping. In your face, work! And then I read some really amazingly dumb things in 24 Hours.
1. Tamara Taggart's weather report. "They'll be some nice, warm rain the next few days." Listen honey, you couldn't predict the weather properly if you were standing in the middle of a hurricane. It's not warm rain as far as I can tell sweetie.
2. Dear Buzz Bishop. Your ground breaking page 9 article on bloggers made the mistake of sending me to your lame website. Hahahahahaha. I doubt your real name is Buzz anyway.
3. Darren Parkman's "Starring Vancouver" column is officially worse than Lynne McNamara's in the Sun. Way to go Lynne! Look, pal, nobody cares if Timothy Hutton ate once at Cin Cin to say nothing of twice. Nobody. And then giving another drop of ink to the losers who starred in "Godiva's" because it was mercifully cancelled. Isn't this like Jane Fonda going to Vietnam during the war.
It's Wednesday March the 22 around 6:19AM and
*I love this. The Province must have gotten whip lash
jumping back on the Canucks bandwagon so quickly. They win one game and the back cover goes mental, with a "Back in the race" header. Although Fox Sports thinks the
Canucks are a Soap Opera.
*The Vancouver Sun has this on the front page this morning. "Can't get your kids to leave home?" Stop feeding them cheese. But seriously, "nearly half of Vancouver-area parents with children in their 20s and 30s -- 46 per cent -- have at least one kid still living under their roof." In their 30's? Studies also show 46 per cent of 30-year-olds living at home with Mom and Dad also have never kissed before.
*I cannot believe that this even made it to a real story. "Mayor Sam felt it was time to lay his egg on the table." A story about a giant chocolate egg, done thankfully by CKNW, in rhyme. Gulp.
It's Tuesday March the 21 around 8:58PM and
I've got some links I just have to share. So let's do that.
*I seem to be getting all these fun things from Hart+Larrson. This one is Ninja Survive. They seem totally fun.
*The other day we laughed about 1960's cartoon theme songs. I don't even understand the theme for The Hulk, especially the crazy dixie ending. And more fun awaits you here.
*Okay. Where is the buzz on this year's Dasani ads? This time it is a French poodle, Goldfish, and a Camel. I guess they came out during the Olympics - but honestly who could watch NBC coverage? And did Wes Anderson do these ones?
*Nothing could be creepier than having James Carville do campaign strategy for high school students for a reality show. You got Clinton elected dude, have some pride in yourself. Scratch that. Defamer unloads: "A Japanese orphan and a deaf, blind, and mute fox cub team up for perhaps the saddest movie in the history of international cinema."
*In honor of tomorrow's new episode of Lost, here's some crazy promotions they use in Brazil to promote the show.
*Kate Winslet rules, and out potty mouths Tony Soprano apparently.
*Whatever you do. Do. Not. Click. This. Link. I actually had this Jessie and the Rippers classic sent to me today. Apparently people also hate me.
*To redeem myself, my friend Luke sends this. A link to Caduceus Cellars. It's the vineyard website from TOOL and A Perfect Circle singer, Maynard James Keenan.
*Interesting. Poker jumping shark. According to the New York Post it happened on March 19th, and because a the Diet Pepsi can is playing poker in some tv ads.
*Deep thoughts from the Dougie Howser, er Barney, blog on the "How I Met Your Mother" CBS website.
*Wow. They still make Henry's? And it's 150? Who knew. And what happens at the website in 10 days.
*Orange you glad the Godfather is now in videogame form? Sorry.
*Google and Nike working together on soccer site. Invite only, like Gmail. (via Adverblog)
*Put these into your pipes and smoke them. Trumpet's ads are hilarious. Hair Whip. Go in the Ocean, Stomach Hold In, and Pop Out.
It's Tuesday March the 21 around 8:41PM and
I could probably make up some elaborate excuse as to why I haven't posted yet today, and you'd probably buy it. Something like how I was supporting the Canucks by not posting anything negative. Whatevs. Truth is i was too busy. Turns out the Canucks won anyway. They
beat the Oilers 4-1, which probably means Trevor Linden slapped some of the players around the locker room in some weird/aggressive "My Name is Earl" pay it back strategy. Maybe the team needs handlebar moustaches? Just a thought.
Linden started things off with his 7th in the 1st, then added another helper point in the 3rd playing nice with the Sedins. Daniel scored twice. Hell even Bertuzzi got a point. It is always like the Canucks to push fans to the brink before throwing them a bone.
It's Monday March the 20 around 6:45AM and
*This is pretty much the last thing Canada needs right now. Ashley MacIssac running for the Liberal leadership.
*New Vancouver eatery Century gets the Opening Soon treatement tonight on the Food Network. I can't wait to hear how they chose the theme.
*I saw a few FedEx ads last night that were pretty good. I actually laughed. "Stick" shows the frustration of sending packages in a world before FedEx. "Lobstah" shows how FedEx could help out some hapless small business owners.
*And since we're on ads, how great were the old Orville Redenbacher campaigns featuring old Orville himself? Even this landing page feels like it is from the past.
*And Lincoln has an absolutely insane virally-inspired video at Lovely by Surprise.
*Joaquin Phoenix directs the She Wants Revenge video for Tear You Apart. Great Song. Cool Video.
*How amazing was The Sopranos last night? Recap at TV Squad. Don't blame me if you haven't seen it, and click the link. Not my problem.
*The King, as in Burger King, is hanging out during spring break. A whole website, wakeupwiththeking.com too. Wierdly hilarious.
It's Monday March the 20 around 6:17AM and
You know, when you get beat down 7-3, there are other headlines I would think
The Province could have come up with over, "Season Slipping Away." Especially when you read this bit: "Not only did the Canucks give the league's top-rated power play six chances in the opening 20 minutes, they couldn't even defend well 5-on-5 in what was easily their worst period of the season, and were greeted by a chorus of boos."
The Sun offers the more hard hitting headline, "Back off track: Detroit dismantles Vancouver". "he Canucks now have something in common with Gordie Howe. They're both No. 9. For the first time all season, Vancouver is out of the top eight in the NHL's Western Conference standings."
Vancouver Canucks Oped says, "Why - in the name of all that is good in the universe - do you put Naslund and Bertuzzi on the ice with less than a minute to play? Defense is not their forte by any stretch of the imagination. And so the puck ends up in the net with only seconds on the clock."
Personally I like CKNW's Neil Macrae's summary judgement this morning: "The Canucks are all playing they call Rick Tocchet and bet against themselves." He added, "If this were Toronto they would be run out of town." Nice.
It's Sunday March the 19 around 1:19PM and
Let me just start by stating for the record, that the office building I work at is clearly a deathtrap. 1/2 our staff have been sick and we must recycle the air or something. We've been trying to fight this damned thing for 4-days, I think it is sort of licked now, so let the blogging return:
*A friend of ours dubiously claimed they saw Natalie Portman in the washroom at the Yaletown Cactus Club on St. Patrick's Day. I can't confirm this rumor, and thought she was still out with her creepy monkey. But maybe she was here on the eve of her V for Vendetta ruling the box office with over $26 million.
*The trailer for the new Pixies documentary loudQUIETloud looks like it perfectly captures the reasons why their music so good, and why they can't stand each other. [Via Screenhead]
*Wow. Broken parts from Metallica, Guns N' Roses, and Motley Crue who have formed Supernova will now go on tv to find themselves a singer in the 2nd season of Rock Star. On March 23 you can audition in Vancouver.
*This is good news. The worst show about Vancouver's trendy Yaletown, Godiva's, has been mercifully cancelled. I can't believe this didn't happen after the 1st episode.
*The Toronto Star has a special article on Ernest Hemmingway's secret life as a secret agent.
*I think we are on the 7th week of Emerson crossing the floor. And it is still getting a lot of ink in the press. A lot of ink. I would say that when people are more concerned with Emerson that with protesting the Iraq War, Harper has probably won. Although I'm sure we could have some fun talking with Maria Bello - currently shooting in Vancouver on Bill Vince's Butterfuly on a Wheel - who was protesting and looking awful in L.A.
* This wednesday Belinda Stronach will be out in Vancouver hoping to test the waters for a run at the Liberal leadership. I think it will depends on who you ask and what she is wearing.
*Check out the crazy "Laugh In" style video from Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins. Fun.
*A couple of random links for our friend Dan over at Wineglow. 1. Borat tasting wine. 2. Bum Wines. What up?
It's Sunday March the 19 around 1:05PM and
Vancouver Lifestyles magazine features a
cover story on the now increasingly important Vancouver film producer William Vince. The cover photo of Bill done up like Truman Capote is pretty amazing and the article is good background on how he got to Capote. I really like the idea of the dyslexicguy who didn't read or write until twenty years old staying up until midnight working on the script for a $20 million film:
"I'm the responsible parent who takes the bank loans out, makes commitments to all financial partners, agents, cast and writers, and has to manage the team. I have input into all areas using my financial, political and creative experience. If I don't stay with it at every point, I can't expect returns on the investment. For instance, last night I was up until midnight working on a script for a $20 million movie with a writer at Water St. Cafe. After it's made, it's my responsibility to our partners to deliver a quality product, my responsibility to myself to get my bank loan off the hook, get my money back, and maybe make a profit. It's a lot of risk, but then I own the film."
And thinking that the $7.5 million Capote will make up to $80 million means we'll be seeing a heck of a lot more of Bill.
It's Friday March the 17 around 7:28AM and
These are tips for New Yorkers. But damn, if they are good enough for the city that never sleeps, they will do just fine for the bars of downtown Vancouver.
Thrillist throws up the deets:
Don't waste time on food beforehand. Every bar will be serving one of these Irish breakfast variations: corned beef and cabbage, or better still, corned beef and cabbage.
Don't drink in line. Bouncers who'd normally let in toddlers have orders to thin crowds by denying anyone who appears even mildly wasted -- and unlike the boss who let you saunter out of the office wearing a "Kiss Me I'm Irish" tank top, these guys won't buy your sorry excuses.
It's Friday March the 17 around 7:12AM and
Those
24 Hours haters out there should check out todays issue. For the
St. Patrick's Day cover they really went above and beyond the call of duty. I'm not sure what I like more. The St. Patrick's Day scap book cover - and really is that a leprechaun? Yikes! - or the thinly vailed fun real serious headline
"Free Booze for Drunks?" Perhaps it is simply the ironic placement of both on St. Patrick's Day.
Here's he details on that free hooch, drunks:
"Vancouver should explore a harm-reduction plan that could see red wine given to hard-core street alcoholics, says the city's drug policy coordinator.Such a program would target homeless alcoholics who may now be drinking extremely harmful substances such as after-shave or Lysol to feed their addictions."
Now this is what I call some good journalism.
It's Friday March the 17 around 6:57AM and
Today is St. Patrick's Day. Gulp. Back in the 1700's, before they moved to America, this was a quiet little Irish holiday. After about 30-years in America, this
holiday kind of went off the rails and turned into a holiday that is solely about getting drunk. Not that we are judging. I'm supposed to be going out tonight with some old friends, but good lord, it will be like a war zone out there, so I'm quickly thinking of lame (cough, cough) excuses since nothing chaps my hide like green beer, kilts, and drunks pretending they have Irish accents - or worse, wearing "kiss me I'm Irish" buttons. I hate buttons.
If you dare, here is some info on Celtic Fest or you can go to the website.
Oh, and whatever you do. Do not click this special St. Patricks Day link. (I warned you. Blame Lainey's Entertainment Update.)
It's Thursday March the 16 around 7:17AM and
How is it Thursday already? I don't get it. Here are some stories that have mostly nothing to do with Vancouver, but would be very nice served with a morning mocha. Go:
*What happens to writers who break the Chandra Levy story? Apparently they get a job at GQ, and write cover stories about how Victoria's Secret Models are saving themselves for marriage. Lisa DePaulo, who made her name writing for defunct Talk Magazine and doing the Talk show circuit a few years ago interviews Adriana Lima.
*Must Love Jaws. Another movie trailer re-edit. This time the Spielberg classic gets the romantic comedy treatment.
*Always worth reading about, Director Michel Gondry gets interviewed by Wired.
*Pearl Jam is apparently still recording music. We tuned out years ago, but does thier new album cover actually feature an avocado?
*Finally. Donald Rumsfeld is creating his cyber-insect army.
*Cheesus! Doritos spoofs the Sony Bravia bouncing balls ad with giant wheels of cheese. Hilarity ensues.
*Two words: Shamrock Shakes.
It's Wednesday March the 15 around 10:55PM and
Lainey, of the demure Lainey's Gossip Update, got knee deep into the gossip scene yesterday when she intereviewed the girl who used to the object of Hayden Christensen's affection - well before he shacked up with that bullet train-wreck Sienna Miller. This is the story of Lola Skye - wierdly made up name? - a 24-year old UN interpreter/model who lost Hayden to the sweet princess Sienna.
"Y’all already know what I think of Sienna’s peculiar brand of skank. But this is about Lola. As for the nature of her relationship with Hayden – she denies any romantic involvement. When I pressed her about the Barbados beach shots, all she would say is that photos can sometimes be misleading because you don’t see what happened the moments before and the moments immediately after."
Lainey does a nice Starbucks product placement scene - which kinds seems ironic today, when that java giant is trying to do a National Coffee Break thing. And I really wanted to work in this rather hilarious, but funny, Starbucks rant by The Kid From Brooklyn. [Via Gawker]
It's Wednesday March the 15 around 10:37PM and
Wallpaper* has a new
April '06 Vancouver city guide that is interesting. Interesting for those of you not from around these parts, obviously, and always interesting to see what people think Vancouver is all about. Here are some highlights:
*Listed as #1 Thing to do: "Check out the Marine Building (355 Burrard Street), described by John Betjeman as the world's best art deco office building. The aquatic-themed lobby is stunning." Agreed.
*The resaurants they gave shout outs to were: Chambar, Glowbal, Lumiere, Rangoli, and Wild Rice ("With a third of the city claiming some Asian descent, it isn't surprising that the modern take on Chinese food is stunning"). Not a bad little selection if you ask me. Between Chambar, Glowbal and Wild Rice I could be content for some time.
It's Wednesday March the 15 around 6:59AM and
One of the bigger stories this morning is the one about Christy Logeman who told the Supreme Court yesterday, the tale of her 2002 altercation with the Transit cops who shone a light in her face, told her to shut up and then hit her in the "left eye with a flashlight, fracturing an orbital bone". And this was before they gave the transit cops shiny new guns too.
More:
*24 Hours - "Ex-teacher tells court about humiliation"
*CBC - "Woman sues TransLink over alleged assault"
It's Wednesday March the 15 around 6:33AM and
The Province kicks things off this morning, or just kicks the Canucks when they are down depending on how you look at it. They give the back page the Canucks treatment with a "How Low Can They Go" Headline.
*I don't even get this Iain Macintyre Vancouver sun column today. Well, I get the article, but what an AMAZING Title: "Taco time bites for Canucks. Predators fans enjoy Mexican treats at expense of starving Canucks."
*In another article Macintyre starts off this way, "Mathematically, the Vancouver Canucks are doomed. If the best they can hope for is a 0-0 tie, there's no way they'll make the National Hockey League playoffs."
*Vancouver Canucks Oped sums the situation up like this: "Nashville looks like the 2002-03 Canucks, and Vancouver looks like the 2002-03 Predators. *gulp*"
*It's gotten so bad, that even the Canucks broadcasts are moving radio stations. After 30-years on CKNW, the Canucks broadcasts are moving to CHUM's Team 1040.
It's Tuesday March the 14 around 9:49PM and
This wasn't pretty. At all. Even the Canucks own website game recap for
tonight's loss to the Nashvillians failed to accentuate the positive. Sounds like everyone has pretty much had enough.
They've lost five straight games and have struggled to muster any meaningful offence.
It's safe to say it's getting very cold in the shadows of the Western Conference playoff race.
A 5-0 loss in Nashville and another doughnut on the power play dropped a frustrated Vancouver team right down to the cut-off line.
The Canucks have scored just six goals in their past five games.
But wait, there's more:
Bruised Canuck confidence wasn't getting any help from the power play. They finished 0-for-9 and were held scoreless with the man advantage for the seventh time in 10 games. It's an ugly spree that's prompting squeals of delight in Calgary, Edmonton, and Colorado.
With 15 games remaining, the Canucks are seven points back of the Northwest Division-leading Flames. More frightening, the Canucks are just two points out of ninth.
Now with 15 games left is there anything the Canucks can do? Perhaps some smoke and mirrors type promotions to distract the fans until Crawford (...DaysAreNumbered. Cough. Cough.) gets a handle on things. Something like say, Dick Cheney hunting vest give-away nights? Panic is about to grip the city. Hospitals are going to fill up with those jumping off the Canucks bandwagon. Watch yourselves.
It's Tuesday March the 14 around 7:46PM and
I'm still clearing out some links I had for yesterday, but Telus wasn't relaly cooperating with me the past 24 Hours. Jerks. Without further wait, lets get into some stuff:
*Now that he has an Oscar, will George Clooney ever be cool? He's a liberal, proud of it, and lecturing other liberals. Greg Gutfeld responds. Totally fun.
*Can you believe that they are retiring the F-14 Fighter Jet. They will be officially done in September and will live on in Top Gun obviously. And this naturally.
*After reading last months sickening Vanity Fair story, I think MySpace jumped the goldfish. Thankfully the first anti-social network, Isolatr, is up and running.
*McSweeney's has the things I might be convinced to give my left arm for. The pegasus unicorn is pretty awesome. Stupid arms.
*It is comforating to know that press releases like this bit of incredible genius are being sent out of Vancouver.
*Nothing wrong with a healthy dose of Spaghetti Western posters, trailers, and other good stuff. [via Screenhead]
*Beyond Robson unloads on the poor bastards that have to hand out the Metro Papers. And this on Metro's 1st Anniversary too. Heartless. Shameless.
*Car news? Why not. 2007 Audi TT buzz.
*Jack White's Raconteurs side project has a video on their insane site. Cool toon. Weird Barnyard shots. Jim Jarmusch directs. Interesting.
*Can you even believe director Brett Ratner guy spent 5-months here filming X-Men 3? After reading his name-dropping ridilculous diary it will blow your mind.
*Lastly. Mandy Moore?
It's Tuesday March the 14 around 7:29PM and
I'm not sure what is worse. The fact that the crowd thought Bill Clinton for Prime Minister of Canada was the best idea, like ever, or this bit of fluff over at the
Tyee by Patricia Robertson. From the header/subheader "Clinton, the Johnny Cash of Politics. His beloved-bad-boy brand plays big in Vancouver" to the opening graph: "Canada is hot for Bill Clinton. He's sexier than Jimmy Carter, has as much swagger as Johnny Cash and is certainly more appealing than the free-spending, chronically uptight George W. Bush. Not since FDR has a former U.S. president been so beloved, despite (and maybe because of) his obvious personal failings."
Come on. Was Bill Clinton ever NOT sexier than Jimmy Carter? Of course I can think of nothing less sexy than Clinton entering a building to U2's "In the Name of Love" like a rock star. Moving right along, Patricia seems to be amazed that Clinton has had a "comeback" in the past five years. Now the thing is, besides jet setting around with George W. Bush's dad and hanging out with George W. himself, I think it is pretty hard to figure out anything of actual substance that Clinton has even done in 5-years. Actually I was kind of reminded how irrelevant Clinton could end up being during this week's West Wing. President Bartlett suggested his 8 years would simply be remembered for the last big action of military force in his presidency.
Of course, for Patricia, Clinton's speaking tour has to get back to the local - holy crap (literally after Monday) it's still on page one for an amazing 6th week - David Emerson situation. "As cynical post-Emersongate Vancouverites opened their wallets and their democratic hearts to Clinton last night, we can only hope that his redemptive salve soothes the embattled psyches of local politicos." I think that sets a new record for Emersonizing. Well played.
It's Tuesday March the 14 around 8:25AM and
While the Canucks were getting schooled in
Dallas 4-2,
GM Place went into quarantine after, "A letter containing suspicious white powder" was found.
"The letter referred to Canucks star Todd Bertuzzi, although no other details were released. Bertuzzi was suspended and reinstated by the NHL for his on-ice attack of Steve Moore in 2004. He played for Canada at the Turin Olympics."
PS: The Canucks have only one line. Vancouver Canucks Oped just says it. The 2nd line is the 1st line. "In the last 4 games, the Canucks have produced 6 goals & 12 assists. 16 of those points were earned by the SCS trio mentioned above."
[More: CKNW]
It's Monday March the 13 around 1:06PM and
It only took six weeks of this story before a couple of democracy freedom fighters smeared manure on David Emerson's office door. Excellent. "Police haven't publicly identified the men, but they did say they were brothers. Officers said the pair would likely face mischief charges."
It's Monday March the 13 around 12:56PM and
Hey Vancouverites. I'll get to more posts later this evening, until then contemplate this. 8°C, Partly cloudy, E 19 km/h. If any of you happen to see a strange group of white trash looking young ladies parading around the city in micro-mini skirts, flip flops, and no jackets can you please take a picture of them for the rest of us. Or round them up and deport them.
Just because it is sunny doesn't mean Vancouver is like South Beach girls. Honestly this was outrageous.
It's Sunday March the 12 around 9:00PM and
The things you learn tonight while watching TV. I say learn, but it's not like school learning, it's more like well, "hey that's interesting". Well, at least mildly entertaining anyway.
1. Tony Soprano eats all you can eat sushi. That tickles me in some way. Just the idea of it really. PS: Uncle Junior how could you?
2. Donna and Josh finally kiss. Akward. PS: How is Vinnick losing to this Santos dude.
3. Opening credits of Big Love was ridiculous. Dream like scenes of cast in some crazy figure skating scenario all to the tune of "God Only Knows". Please. PS: I think Godiva's finally has a rival for worst show...
It's Sunday March the 12 around 10:15AM and
*It seems just like yesterday we were astonished by sandal wearing yokels walking around downtown causing the wrath of mother nature with snow fluries. Now, The New York Times has a whole damned article about Birkenstocks. The director of the upcoming Thank You For Smoking jokingly suggests the sandals are, "emblems of liberal do-gooderness." Not that there is anything particularly wrong with that.
*The Sun's Lynne McNamara wastes a couple hundred words on movie ticket sales before getting to the nuts and bolts of her, ahem, column. First off - calling Maple Ridge HollyRidge is just dumb, I don't care how many millions of film dollars is being dumbed there it is still Maple Ridge. Secondly, the fact that movie stars buy books is so underwealming as to be comical. And really, who is kidding whom, Jessica Alba doesn't read books. I thought she just walked around in a bikini everywhere.
*Profile of the amazingly grumpy, but not really, Simon Cowell. $30 million a year from Fox? Wow.
*The Sopranos is back on tonight. Which pretty much tmakes tonight a great night of TV by default. The fact that HBO.com had the episode recap up online for awhile was interesting - we had to look, yikes. Until then, here's some things to look forward to this season. Tony's fatter, someone gets wacked, etc. [Sopranos Field Guide]
*Remember in the late '90's and The Gap was damn near culturally significant? Slate reports on what happened to the brand. Honestly who knew that between 2002 and 2006, "Gap North America outlets fell from 1,599 to 1,335, a 15 percent decline." This is even more amusing, "Or perhaps, pace Jared Diamond, there's some Darwinian cycle whereby a retailing chain that expands recklessly beyond its natural habitat exhausts resources, gets sick, starts to whither, and ultimately faces Collapse." Ouch. Love it. Perhaps the clothes just suck.
It's Friday March the 10 around 5:10PM and
It's Friday afternoon, you all should be at a bar drinking by now. Honestly wasn't it like Hoth this morning in Vancouver - and now it is like a pleasant crisp Tatooine. If you're not, check out these links and get going:
*Start your weekend off with a really great A-Team shirt.
*Yes. Apple. We bow to your awesomeness. Even if it is just in speaker form.
*This really could be the world's greatest burger. EVER. And no, it's not from damned White Spot. "The ballpark sandwich will include a hamburger topped with sharp cheddar cheese and two slices of bacon -- all between a "bun" made of a sliced Krispy Kreme Original Glazed doughnut."
*I love how Bill Clinton was rolling today - making people in the city late probably for the whole day. Power Within?
*Who knew we had a wine hotel in Vancouver? The Executive Hotel Vintage Park (1379 Howe Street, Vancouver, B.C.) is now open for business. City Food has the details on the opening night reception.
*Restaurant critic/food review tyrant Alexandra Gill reviews Century in today's Globe and Mail. She likes the Che inspired space, has no time for the subpar Mojito, the octopus was chewy, but sums up things this way, "I'm sure the masses will still flock to Century to check out this exciting new space for themselves. The restaurant really is gorgeous. The service is excellent. The kitchen shows promise. And eventually, the people will decide if it succeeds or fails. Somehow, I think Che would approve." Wow. Great. Che approves. I base all my dinning experiences on communist thug. I was kind of hoping for a much more savage review from Miss Gill. Too bad.
*This seems delightfully nuts. When My Name is Earl comes to DVD, Stewie Griffin will be there. Freakn' Sweet as Peter would say.
It's Friday March the 10 around 8:25AM and
Before we start the day off with a few links I have to say one thing. This is what happens when you wear flip flips or sandals in March people. God punishes us with a freak snow storm. Okay, let's roll:
*Kind of the best written thing I've seen so far this morning. Gawker reports on Doogie Howser riding the B-Train.
*Another amazing contribution to Vancouver's film world. I give you the horror film Insectidal. Which, "boasts scantily clad sorority sisters, humongous mutated critters and lots of icky FX."
*This is pretty unbelievable. Those of you with plans to hijack the Tractor Tavern and remove its nuclear warheads or use it as a control center in your effort to take control of a top-secret government outer space super-weapon on Saturday May 27, think again. Your plans may be foiled by, no not the cook, but a member of the band. The Steven Seagal Blues Band will be performing in front of what we can only assume will be a crowd full of fans of irony.
*Wineglow has a nice Friday post on some Pepperwood Grove Syrah. I seem to remember Daniel telling me about how he likes ordering this by the bottle in restaurants, for himself. So it must be good.
It's Thursday March the 9 around 9:21PM and
The Canucks made one last deal on what the NHL is now claiming as the biggest deadline day in history. The got more defense by picking up Eric Weinrich from St. Louis for a prospect and a 3rd Rounder. Who knew GM Dave Nonis had this much hardcore action up his sleave? Honestly I bet most of the city is pretty happy with the deals, although the costs might hurt the old farm system. Oh well, the Moose get screwed.
Meanwhile Vancouver just lost 3-2 in Overtime to Nashville. So what are you going to do.
It's Thursday March the 9 around 7:51PM and
*Look out Jimmy Pattison. The new Forbes magazine is hitting the streets with it's annual richest issue.
On the cover and coming in at number 746 is Calvin Ayre, head of entertainment gaming company Bodog.com - and, full disclosure, owns the Marketing company I happen to work for. That is absolutely crazy. On the other hand, I guess I can ask for that raise now, prolly? [
Ed: "That's funny, I thought you worked here deadbeat?"]
*Rich Mercer has the Liberal Party leadership up on eBay. Current bid rests at $16 million. Mercer's package includes: "Fifteen minute consultation/conference call with the RMR writing staff to craft your campaign message. (Staff includes three high school dropouts and a U of T commerce major. Photo not to scale.) The use of our colour printer for photos and such. Ink cartridge is running low on magenta." Get it done.
*Really? Bringing back the NBA to Vancouver for a second shot? This seems crazier than finding out you work for billionaire.
*Wow. Naomi Watts did a great job before the Oscars shilling the Lexus hybrid car. If by great job you mean totally blantant, pointless, shameless, and bumbling bit of product whoring.
*What are you nuts America? Ayla Brown is out? Whaaaaaaaa? All our money is on that little minx Kellie Pickler which dooms her to be voted out soon.
*Let me get this straight. Philips offers to buy all the commercial time before movies and only show one :15 second ad and the company refused on grounds that it messes with their ad mojo. Wow.
*Andrew Morrison visits Vintropolis in his Westender column today. Great column. But holy crap is their website terrible.
It's Thursday March the 9 around 12:31PM and
It sure is nice to see the photographic proof that injured and often rumoured Canuck goalie Dan Cloutier took time out from his hermit lifestyle to do an event at a McDonalds.
Cloutier was awaited by a huge lineup of fans who waited outside the building in order to get a chance to see him. Many fans were especially excited to see Clouts as this will be the first time they have seen him in months. In order to show his appreciation to fans who have supported him through this tough time, Dan chatted with some of the kids and signed autograph cards and jerseys.
It's Thursday March the 9 around 12:19PM and
Finally the Canucks
make some moves - and just before the deadline. "General Manager Dave Nonis announced Wednesday that defenceman
Sean Brown has been acquired from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft."
Nonis also acquired, "goaltender Mika Noronen has been acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a second round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft."
And then just for good measure one more deal. According to Vancouver Canucks Oped, "The Brian Burke - Dave Nonis Connection might have paid off - we’ve got another defenseman. This time, it’s from the Anaheim Ducks, in the form of Keith Carney."
Mmm...what do we think? We couldn't dump Bertuzzi on anyone?
It's Wednesday March the 8 around 11:13PM and
*I thought today's "Singing in the Rain" themed weather was outrageous. But not as outrageous as
Surrey being filmed as Hondouras for an upcoming episode of Smallville.
*Graydon Carter continues the long, slow, butchery of the once great Vanity Fair. Even the covers are getting lame. And of 12 covers in a year, how does Teri Hatcher garner one of them? What is this, The Province? Meanwhile Esquire seems to be having fun with their "win this t-shirt (Rosario Dawson not included)" cover this month.
*I think it is good that Robert Altman got his lifetime Oscar on Sunday. Because this "A Prarie Home Companion" don't look so good. I Watch Stuff sums it up well: "It's like when Drumline came out, I heard some pretty positive things about it, but the fact that it's about competitive drumming is such a turn-off that I refuse to watch it. There's literally nothing on this earth that I have less interest in than competitive drumming."
*Imagine a world where "Airwolf" was an adjective. Do it. DataWhat captures this zeitgeist better than I ever could: "All my life, I've been looking for an adjective. An adjective that really sums up how completely awesome something is. I thought 'Ninja-Sweet' was it, but now there's something meatier. Airwolf Think about it, bro."
*Can the Canucks find no team that wants Todd Bertuzzi? Metroblogging Vancovuer was following the highs and lows of this trade rumor. Vancouver Canucks Oped also thinks that Dave Nonis failed the first trade test.
*Washed up at 20-something? Jennifer Good claims to be "over blogging" and a "cougar" too. I should have suspected when she lost interest in the Canucks on post #5 - and I had such high hopes. Teases of new projects from Jenny should be fun to watch.
It's Tuesday March the 7 around 9:38PM and
*So an upcoming
Opening Soon episode is doing new Vancouver eatery Century. But am I the only one who finds the description of the space as “Latin Communist Revolutionary” just a little creepy? [via
Waiterblog]
*Apropos of nothing. Anna Benson is on the cover of FHM now to promote baseball starting up again. This is good.
*Bill Clinton is coming to town on Friday. That should be amusing for the city.
*I'm a little bit behind, but According to Vancouver Canucks Oped, Vancouver is not down with the Winnipeg Jets. Sure Three 6 Mafia can win an Oscar, but some filmmakers can show thier film about the Jets in this town confirming, once again, 'It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp."
*Thursday night at the Buffalo Club (1161 Granville) is a CD release party for the hardworking Adam Woodall Band. $8 cover, doors at 7:00pm. Check it.
*Looks like Atlantic Monthly has its first true editor since Micheal Kelly was killed in Iraq in 2002. And even better still, they're adding the totally awesome Virginia Postrel who will start writing monthly "commerce and culture" columns. So hot.
It's Tuesday March the 7 around 8:26PM and
It's Tuesday, so I'm sure we've finally gotten the last of the Oscar stink out of our clothes. And yet, there is plenty of film news from around Vancouver. Action:
*Yesterday was 24 Hours with the image of Capote producer William Vince at the Oscars flashing the Canadian passport - how totally adorable. Today Metro flashed some more Infinity Features faces - including Rob Merilees (pictured here with Capote acctress Allie Mickelson) - who is up to his neck with Cedric the Entertainer and The Cleaner. (Note: It's official, Metro's Allison Walker's Social Eyes colum rivals Malcolm Parry's column for boring content. Would it have killed you to have written something about this cutie Allie? Or Merilees even? Honestly.)
*Infinity's next project seems to be just as quirky as Capote, called Mike the Bike about British motorcyle dude Mike Hailwood. But as Cinematical notes, "Of course, when Mike the Bike bombs over here, Infinity's best intentions might quickly go by the wayside in favor of Bruce Willis action flicks." Wow. Harsh.
*I think this dual post at Metroblogging Vancouver & Metroblogging LA about the b-listers on Alaska Air flight to Los Angeles sums up what is so wrong about using the term "Hollywood North". Now, before all you Metrobloggers jump on me this time, I'm just saying this term should be retired and never used again.
*The massively expensive and Vancouver shot X-Men: The Last Stand has a trailer out. Carry on. And plug your nose, this one could be smelly folks. Meanwhile Defamer begins the Brokeback Mountain comparrisons. Mutant totally = Brokeback.
*Vancouver is so bad at gossip reporting it is comical. If you though Lynne McNamara or Allison Walker were terrible, you've never read or heard CKNW's Joy Metcalfe. She scoops this for us on Monday: "That was funny Robin Williams lunching at Milestone's in Yaletown Friday while Ben Stiller, the weird little green blob on the Oscars, dined at CinCin's..." Wow. Groundbreaking. Here's a tip: smuggling Coke in a Faberge Egg is gossip. Robin Williams having lunch at a stupid Milestones is just dumb.
It's Monday March the 6 around 12:32PM and
12:21 PM. Vancouver. Corner of Hornby & Hastings. 12 degrees. Please tell me there wasn't a guy crossing the street in sandals? There is just no way that really happened, did it? It's March buddy and you weren't at the beach. This is not a good sign people.
It's Sunday March the 5 around 11:52PM and
The 78th Academy Awards were tonight. We watched. Did you? Let's catch up on the best of gossip, useless and totally trivial information, and other, er, good stuff. Go:
*First up, Oscar. I think Defamer (sporting a fine new redesign - pretty Gawker 2.0 standard) sums it up best with a comment on the best picture category:"8:23pm: God help us all. The sky has opened, Beezlebub has dumped his infernal payload of obvious evil on an unsuspecting Earth. Life as we know it is over. Drive to the desert and start a new civilization, hoping that our horrible, horrible mistakes will not be repeated. This is the end, friends. See you in Hell."
*And D-Listed adds, "What is being called the biggest upset in Oscars history, Crash went away with Best Picture. Those GD homophobes!"
*What a mess. No clear "Oscar film". No clear best dressed either - not a great sign me thinks. Crash is best picture (also wins Editing, Original Screenplay). While Brokeback wins Director, Musical Score, and Adapted Screenplay. That's three each. Memoirs of a Geisha and King Kong win three too. One word: Reese. Capote - the Vancouver favorite with local producer Bill Vince up for some Oscar gold nails the Best Actor , but goes 4-5 on the night. That one was equalled by the kids from Hustle & Flow got some gold for the original song "It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp” by Three 6 Mafia (which also gave us the funniest Jon Steward quip about "Martin Scorsese, zero Oscars. For Three 6 Mafia, one.")
*In honor of Brokeback not winning best picture. Here's the Lost version of "Brokeback Island." I can't quit you Jack. (Via Defamer)
*While everyone was going for Oscar, it was also Lebowski Fest LA this weekend. Amazing fest design as per usual.
*If you didn't catch the antics of Joe Rogan last week now's your chance to catch up. Joe lays some smack down on some MySpace trolls with excellent results. The Superficial explains: "Not only will he call you a loser and brag about how he's a multil-millionaire Tae Kwan Do champion, he'll also post the whole ordeal on his own MySpace blog. And then he'll probably roundhouse kick you in the face, because that's what you get for going to college and not becoming a multi-millionaire Tae Kwan Do champion. Education is for the weak!" Awesome!
*Just because this is Sunday, and this is cool. How great are funky old gas stations?
*I think that this campaign to fire NBC reporter David Gregory is funny. His "drunken" appearence on Imus is legend.
*While Hollywood glammed it up, today was the 60-year anniversary for Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech.
*And lastly - and most importantly. You have to witness Natalie Portman on Saturday Night Live from last night. Her Rap Video is so awesome it is crazy. And yes on monday morning the cool kids around the water cooler will be talking about it. Not enough Portman? Rock this Japanese commercial she did when she had long hair.
It's Sunday March the 5 around 11:02AM and
I went. I saw. I quaffed. I cringed. I did two events at the Vancouver International Wine Festival. One was good (more on that one later). And one was bad. So if you are ready, pour a glass of Pinot Noir and sit down for the only reality check on this signature Vancouver Event you're likely to hear.
Last night was the final night for the festival tastings. Three hours to deal with 1,320 wines, 185 wineries from 15 countries - give or take a few. Before we get to the wine, let's try to deal with the event itself. It is a chaotic mess. There are way too many people allowed to attend the tastings, and they should do back ground checks on anyone who buys a ticket. Double the price and half the attendence would be a good start. Nobody who has to cross the Port Mann bridge should be allowed in. There, I said it. Here's the low lights:
1. I saw at least two girls with jean skirts on. Jean skirts? Really? In winter? Come on.
2. To the girl - and I use that term loosely - in the revealing pink top, white skirt, and white high heels with the meathead boy toy with a size small shirt choking his bicepts. You madam, are a tramp.
3. Leopard print tops paired with tiger/cougar tatoos on the lower back. Why yes, it is official lady, you are a cougar. Congrats. At least you aren't hiding that fact. Own it girl.
4. To the few people who I overheard say, "oooo, yes, let's go try the Yellow Tail." You should not be allowed to buy tickets next year. It was a test. You failed it.
5. Mimes. Thanks a lot Wine Regions of France. Very funny. Jerks.
6. Waiting in line to taste the delicious Perrier Jouet I saw a middle aged man poke the cute tasting girl in the arm to get a taste. Not good. (This happened a lot to which my Aussie friend Michelle states, "there are a lot of wankers here". ).
7. Dear drunk and stumbling guys saying things like, "this is my first wine tasting, yeaaahhhh". You suck. I didn't witness anyone vomit first hand, but I would not want to be the clean up crew at the convention center last night.
8. There was a girl in a tragic outfit that was only outdone by her ridiculous aqua blue silly hat. You know who you are. And you should be ashamed of yourself. Oh, and don't think I didn't notice the rather large girl in a school girl outfit. Come on - who told you that you could pull that off? They must have been drunk.
9. Not nearly enough "meat" stations.
10. The festival program was a total mess. Who designed this crap? Here's a term - "layout". Learn it. Love it. Live it.
And, of course, the highlights:
1. At the Barossa Valley Estate Booth there were two good things. First the Black Pepper Shiraz was to die for. And 2nd, I love that they had Stephen Harper working the booth. Seriously - it was creepy lookalike. Well done.
2. At the Villa Maria Estate Winery booth I saw a very nice underground cheese for bottle exchange program going on. It looked like 6 big portions of cheese was the bench mark for 1 chilled bottle. Well played.
3. I really enjoyed the wines at Deloach. Mostly because the principle was so friendly. The Russian River Pinot Noir (2002) stood out.
4. At Niebaum Coppola there was no Francis Ford Coppola but there was excellent "Claret". And generous pours of it too. I can't believe they are now making 850,000 bottles (or cases - either way it's no wonder Francis isn't making too many films.) My friend Daniel from Wineglow also enjoyed it when they abondoned the booth at the end and it was "help yourself" time.
5. Sighting of actor/director Charles Martin Smith on the tasting floor with a very cute companion. Take that McNamara.
6. At an earlier event on Pinot we thought Sainstbury principle David Graves was priceless. He livened up the discussion by provoking the old world - particularly French - wine makers by asking about irrigation with hilarious results. When we visited him in the booth - he was ON FIRE. Bowtie. Having Fun. And he claimed he'd, "made nice with frogs." Oh and his wines, especially the Brown Ranch Pinot were excellent.
7. The French Can Can dancers. Although we suspect they aren't really French.
8. I'm not really a chardonnay man, but Geyser Peak's was like a slap in your face with butterscotch. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Gismondi.
9. I didn't catch Susan Natalie last night, but I can see why she may have had fun and made nice with the guys at the Signorello/Edge booth. Those guys were pouring big glasses and enjoying the sights. But I think they may have also seen the poor white trash invasion from above. The wine was good. They were hilarious.
10. And Finally, The French, for prefecting the fine art of complete indifference. It's really hard to beat. You magnificent bastards.
(Photo courtesty Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival by Jeff Vinnick)
It's Friday March the 3 around 10:38PM and
The
Youth Group/Matt Pond PA show at
The Red Room last night was, well, interesting. The Red Room is a shady spectacle - and if you should care to go, a helpful hint might be to keep to a strict bottled beer policy. I'm just saying. But the sound is actually pretty good - not that it would matter last night. Let's break it down shall we...
Youth Group - the very able Australian band - starts things off. The place was getting fairly busy and filling up. Lead singer Toby Martin has amazing hair. They are good. Song six or so the sound system blows, literally. Watching 5-6 people looking at the sound board scratching heads is hilarious. Not good. YG tries to keep going, and even return for a psuedo-non-electric set. Not good. About 45 minutes pass - maybe longer. The crowd thins to about 1/3 of what it was. Maybe 50 or 60 people are left. Bathroom is like the one in Trainspotting. (On a side note, Trainspotting came out 10 - ten? - years ago. Holy crap.)
Matt Pond PA comes on stage. You have to like a band that says this, "mpPA is currently driving around the country, playing shows, mimicking each other, gambling, dressing up as pirates (?), competing in feats of strength, and working at obtaining the finest jump-offs money can buy." Matt isn't really grooving on the situation which entertains what is left of the crowd. The highlight being how much he rides the sound engineer for the rest of the show. After pretty much every song. They built a beer pint tower on stage. The bouncer didn't think much of that move. They played their set. And then basically bolted for the bar as the last song ended - acknowledging that the crowd wasn't really interested in anything but drinking.
It's Thursday March the 2 around 8:15AM and
It is March; do you know where your hot tracks are? They would have been here yesterday, had the Telus interweb not been as slow as molasses in winter. But here we go.
Vancouverite Art Director & Music Producer Graham MacInnes knows. He give us his world famous music selections for what was February, with the 3rd edition of The Vancouverite Playlist - yeah it's in juicy podcast form and is jam packed full of vibes. It's sticky it is so jammy. The Morning Runner and the Band of Horses are completely infectious. And damned if the Destroyer track, European Oils doesn’t just rule. But the Roseanne Cash song is top notch. Enjoy that.
01 - It’s Not Like Everyone’s My Friend - Morning Runner
(From “Wilderness Is Happiness Now”)
02 - The Funeral - Band Of Horses (From “Everything All The Time”)
03 - European Oils - Destroyer (From “Destroyer’s Rubies”)
04 - God Is In The Roses - Roseanne Cash (From “Black Cadillac”)
05 - Gold Lion - Yeah Yeah Yeah’s (From “Show Your Bones”)
06 - Dream Sequence - Arab Strap (From “The Last Romance”)
07 - Sweets - M. Craft (From “I Can See It All Tonight”)
08 - Cruel - Calexico (From “Garden Ruin”)
09 - Break Your Mama’s Back - Slow Runner (From “No Disassemble”)
10 - Mary, I’m Ready - The City On Film (From “American Diary”)
11 - The Start Of Something - Voxtrot (From “Raised By Wolves EP”)
12 - I Don’t Need Your Love - Aereogramme (From “Seclusion”)
Go now and listen.
It's Wednesday March the 1 around 10:51PM and
The posting here at the Vancouverite is weird this week due to some scheduling problems. Not to fear - look out for some Wine Festival, Matt Pond, & Oscar coverage this weekend. So bear with us. But the show must go on:
*Cranky old talk show host Peter Warren is leaving the broadcast booth to become a private eye.
*Dose - the other free daily - is gaining readers. "Dose's total readership among 12-to-64 year olds in late January was up eight per cent from three months earlier, the survey found, and now sits at 270,423." Sure it is.
*Stay tuned for the full debrief this weekend, but this is a first. I noticed the new issue of Vancouver Magazine online, before at the newstands. Wow.
*Have you seen the new VW commercials? They are amazing.
*And I'm sure they will beat the 2-minute Toyota commercial that CTV is playing during the Oscars. Meanwhile the Oscar gift bags are totally smug.
*5 more West Wing episodes are remaining and the whole dang cast is returning to tie up the loose ends.
*Chuck Palahniuk's Choke seems to be finally moving towards the big screen. Which rocks - I couldn't pu this book down - then again I was reading while in Rankin Inlet. And more good news, besides Ben Stiller eating at Cin Cin (We get it McNamara!), Beck is on for Nacho Libre's soundtrack.
It's Wednesday March the 1 around 12:11AM and
Question for the readers. Which is worse: That former premier, turned federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh, is now the Liberal Defence Critic? Or that Lindsay Lohan had a one night stand with ex-flame Wilmer "Fez" Valderrama. [Egotastic]
On any other day I'd say the Lohan news was worse, but come on, having Vancouver South's Dosanjh as the Defence Critic, that takes the cake. I guess it could be worse Lohan could have been hooking up with Dosanjh? Ewwwww...
