Hartamophone

R.I.P.

This is a huge bummer. From Gern's Facebook page:

Finished this one last week: It's thorough and academic travel writing, although the author seems to think he's better than everyone else (travelers, locals and aid workers). Some interesting insight into the impact that foreign aid in Africa actually has, and it's nice to read such a detailed account of a largely overlooked part of the world. It's not a breezy account of some dude's vacation, but recommended if you want something that gets a little heavy.

It's like six degrees of separation, only six degrees of gay African penguins.

Funny, I would have thought you'd be more into the mandolin player.

It's super close to Cape Town, and on the way down the peninsula to the Cape of Good Hope, where you will almost certainly see baboons (though not if you go with me, as I am 0/2 on baboon sightings on trips to the Cape, which everyone says is rather odd given how common and pesty they are).

Not my picture, but here ya go: You can get really close to them, actually. They are about as docile and comfortable around people as any common bird you would see in North America (though they only exist in one large colony, at Simon's Town).

Indeed. Not far from where I am, actually. Rather confusing to see them in the wild here. I'll upload a pic when I get home from work tonight.

Ah bummer, although great for him that he lived to 95. I'm a big fan of both General Potter and Officer Gannon, below. RIP.

Let's hear 'em. Living in Yellowknife made this one a quieter year than usual for me, with mostly low-key shows and the odd big event when I would head south. That said, my two highlights were both in Yellowknife: the Deep Dark Woods at Folk on the Rocks (a highly recommended festival) and Craig Cardiff at a house concert under the midnight sun on Latham Island in Great Slave Lake. Both were ideal intersections of music and setting.

Sorry for the poor quality. Here's the link.

Also, some of the suggestions for new conference names on Twitter (#NHLConferenceNames) are pretty funny.

Me, too. As I said in the general NHL thread, I especially like the fact that each team plays every other team at least twice. It paints a more accurate picture of who the strongest teams are at the end of the regular season, and means that fans in every market will, at least theoretically, have a chance to see their favourite non-local player come to town, which can only help build the brand.

Some of the suggestions for conference names on Twitter (#NHLConferenceNames) are pretty funny. Personally, I'm a big fan of the proposed changes, and especially like the fact that each team plays every other team at least twice. It paints a more accurate picture of who the strongest teams are at the end of the regular season, and means that fans in every market will, at least theoretically, have a chance to see their favourite non-local player come to town, which can only help build the brand.

Wild. I hadn't heard that, either. His Dad sounds like a real winner.

This Syracuse story is starting to look pretty bad. You know that you've fucked up when your best defense is "Well, at least we're not as bad a Penn State."

Murder in the City, although you might want to keep the song title to yourself!

Totally agree. I have always said that the CFL is a better game played by lesser athletes. Obviously there's no comparing the talent level, money going into the game and production values between the two, but on the finer points of the game, I think the CFL holds up. That said, trying to have a rational conversation with most Canadian NFL fans on this point is like trying to debate Conservatives on climate change.

If this is true, I'm going to have to sell all my flat-brimmed hat shares.

Raising a glass to her and you, Basher.

I laughed when I was home last Christmas and my sister said she thought it was cool that I "still use CDs". But no, I don't think they'll be like records.

Our man is a two-sport star.

There he is. Apologies for speaking too soon.

The lack of follow-up posts tells me that you are likely doing it right.

Awesome news! Obviously not the same without the Big Man, but these shows should be great just the same. Link