TomFoolery

Well. That's about the most impressive building design I've seen...

Hey DEM,

I bet you know where this is coming from :-)...

I'd really like to take you to a good electronica party (emphasis on the 'good'). There is a degree of artistry in spinning records.

I'm with you to a certain degree. Being a strings player myself, my preference is always with live acts. My biggest beef with the electronic scene is that the producers don't get the big bucks - its the face up front.

More often than not in the electronic scene, though, the big faces up front are capable producers as well. There are also some KILLER live electronica acts.

However, my main thing to point out here is that the criteria I use to judge a dj or electronica act are completely different than those I use in judging a live music act. For live music, there is a necessary component of technical proficiency that can be seen, heard and felt. This has to be well balanced by the art of hitting the vibe required for the crowd to go nuts.

With electronica, the big thing is to be able to create that vibe - first and foremost. A good dj draws from a shit-pile of music and weaves together a textured set that works on the crowds emotions in a much more concentrated way than a live band would. There is also a technical side where a good dj will blend well, at the appropriate moments and to great effect. It isn't simply running one record, then another, then another in a random selection.

If you don't believe me, sit behind a set of decks and try to churn out a simple twenty minute set of tunes that make you proud...

Bad Company - Best of (or some crap like that).

I'll trade it for the ABBA.

I know it is more expensive to fly, but I can't help but value my sanity above a few hundred extra bucks...

I've driven coast to coast a few times. That hurts.

Ottawa to Toronto is about as far as I'll ever take a bus and even that is a stretch.

Take that $200 from Greyhound and the money you'd make (assuming you have a job waiting for you) during the week you're contemplating blowing off, get on a plane and do yourself a favour...

I am with Brad, but a step further.

Just take a half day off - use your own time, then you can't be accused of going to another interview on their dime.

Offer no explanation of the clothing unless they ask. Then tell them you're going to an interview.

:-) Make them sweat.

Congrats KM,

Let'em have it (all of them, that is)...

Hair of the dog, brother - get back on and ride! Somehow, I suspect you're up to the task...

Happy birthday Mangler.

Whenever Kayte and I head that way again, I'm coming to find you and forcin' a lucky down your throat!

I guess that's enough for some of the stupid shit I do...

Why?

Since they didn't capitalize and us the TM next to fair trade - it isn't sanctioned by the international organization that certifies "Fair Trade". It may be that they don't want to be impared by working through another system, but is more likely a way to hoodwink people with the term without having to conform to the full philosophy.

However, they do sound like they are taking some action on these issues. They wouldn't have any of those programs and responses if they weren't doing at least a minimum...

Brilliant!

I finished off with commercial radio about eight years ago while visiting with my family. I borrowed their car for a couple of days to go visit friends in Ottawa and turned on chez (one of my favs from the days lifeguarding on the beach in the 'prior). Few good tunes, beautiful day - "Here Comes the Sun" - Wicked! Love the Beatles.

Next day as I was driving home at around the same time as the day before - "Here Comes the Sun" - WTF!!!

That was a moment of clarity. If these clowns don't have any more imagination than to play the same BEATLES tune twice in two days, I can't support it.

Anyone else and it might have slipped past me, but the BEATLES?!?!?!?! How many truly inspirational and beautiful and POPULAR songs do the Beatles have recorded?

I now listen to CKCU, CBC Radio 1, and CHUO. Only.

My rant over.

Start kickin' ass!

You're right to be pissed. Its assholes like them that drive me to blanket statements like, "marketers are the evil of the world" ;-) (I hope you recall the reference).

Education education education - the best thing that can be done here is to educate the 2nd cup clientelle... make the impact of their disrespect of real world problems hit them where it hurts.

Time for a cultural revolution :-)

I'm hitting the Ottawa river in my kayak in about an hour - YIIIIFUCKKKKKKINNHAAAAAAA

And, you'd better show up dressed like a Japanese school-girl!

When I had long hair I got: Mel Gibson (Braveheart), Fabio, and Kevin Costner.

I couldn't see any of them.

The most insulting, though, was Ross from Friends.

I meant Steve the Owl ;-) He was in the 'field on Sunday night...

Yeah - can't say I'd travel for Tegan and Sara

I've been diggin' on Keith Jarret - The Koln Concert

KBR turned me onto this and its gotten much play...

Hey Steve,

Ya fugger - ya shoulda stopped by to collect me...

Wild Oat is correct. Bank and Fourth.

There is also the Wheat Berry on Main St. Just a few blocks from "That Place"

Next door is a killer restaurant like the Table...

My faith has been shaken since hearing Shine.

Anyone read that book called "Travelling the Worlds Most Dangerous Places" or some such thing?

All about some dude who canoes through coca plantations in S.America, streaks through Tehran and thelike.

Well, maybe those aren't the things he does, but my memory on this is incredibly foggy. Anyway, the dude goes and deliberately puts himself into the world's most treacherous environments to see if he can survive them.

I only read a bit, but this thread has me thinking a bit about it.

I actually think that Ottawa is a nicer city than Vancouver. Great people in Ottawa, natural beauty abounds, access to the wilderness is easier than in Van, and loads of cool cultural activities with all the fed $ poured in.

I like the actual outdoor activities of Van better. Architecturally, though, I think Van is an unfortunate mix of deteriorating colonial (cedar), unfortunate condos (poor building) and wannabe mediteranian (stucco).

There are cool places to go in Van, but for a city that size I think its pretty limited. Nightlife in Van is a bit on the slow side. Again, for a city that size I don't think the music scene is as vibrant as one would hope for. There are little gems but its got 3m ppl - it should be chock-full of amazing music.

I've found really great people to hang with everywhere I've ever gone, so I can't distinguish places by that one.

The city that intrigues me most at the moment is Buenos Aires. Never been there but I think Argentina sounds like a real winner to go an play.

Vancouver has access to everything I want in my own life, but its just another city... There isn't really anything but physical geography that makes it a cool place.

Ironically, that same geography creates an atrocious air-pollution situation. If you look down on Van from one of the north shore mountains you can see an orange haze sitting over the whole city.

Singapore is unreal if you want to live in S.E. Asia. Clean, safe, best food on earth (IMHO) and super easy to travel to any of the more visually inspiring countries nearby.

Annecy France is the most beautiful city I've ever seen. Period.