Disappointed

Are my polls not fun? Are polls just not fun? I thought it was an interesting interactive feature for my blog, but my readers' lack of participation tells me they suck.

Life is a Highway was the winner, with Summer of 69 coming second, and the remaining choices are all tied for third for best Canadian karaoke track. Oh well. I'm gonna think long and hard about the subject of my next poll. Yes - I'm gonna keep trying!

June has been a month of blogging for me. Blogging mainly about music. To tie this in to my overall theme (My Quarter-Life Crisis) I'd say that music is extremely important to me in my day-to-day life. It would be fantastic to someday find a career that involves music somehow, without having to be the one making the music. I want to be part of someone's entourage.

It's almost July...hmmm...what will July's blogs be about? I guess we shall have to see what July brings.

Well it's Only a Northern Song

Of course the date of my last post was the day both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson passed away - and it seemed tacky to write about it. After all this is not meant to be a celebrity gossip blog. To be honest neither of those celebrities played a very big part in my life growing up. My mom once sported the "Farrah" hairdo and my best friend used to play Billie Jean a lot. Aside from Much Music's yearly screening of Thriller, I wasn't too effected. I do enjoy MJ's music at events where it's okay to drunkenly dance (banquets, formals, weddings). And I do like to sing to it in the car sometimes. Blood is on the dance floor, blood is on the knife!

Anyways, the other day I remembered something that always bothered me about Michael - aside from his scary face, his baby dangling stunt, and his multiple child molestation charges - his part ownership of the Beatles catalogue. To be more specific, Northern Songs. For those of you who aren't geeks like me - the Northern Songs catalogue is made up of mostly Lennon/McCartney songs. The earlier songs, such as I Wanna Hold Your Hand are not published under Northern Songs, neither are most George Harrison songs and Ringo Starr's contributions. But most of the well known Beatles songs are those Lennon/McCartney songs that Jackson owned 50% of.

What happens now? When I searched the net for answers all I found were rumours and predictions. Some thought perhaps Jackson intended to will the catalogue to McCartney as an act of goodwill. (They apparently stopped speaking after Michael outbid him for the catalogue in 1985). Others suggested Michael had planned on giving it to him eventually. Some articles say that Northern Songs was his most lucrative investment and would not have given it up.

It's no secret that Michael Jackson was deeply in debt. His London O2 shows were probably meant to help him financially - so much for that. As for the fate of Northern Songs, it will probably take months to sort through his debt before any decisions will be made regarding the publishing rights of many of my favourite Beatles tunes.

As much fun as Billie Jean is to dance to, I'll take Hey Jude any day.

I'm going to have a Coupland-tastic summer of reading

I just found out some pretty fantastic news yesterday. And I will not apologize for my excessive blogging 'cause this needs to be said. My favourite Canadian author, Douglas Coupland, has written a new novel that's due out this September. The premise seems a bit sci-fi - which isn't unusual for Coupland, as quite a few of his novels are classicly Post-Modern.

The description from his website:



In the near future bees are extinct—until one autumn when five unconnected individuals, in Iowa, New Zealand, Paris, Ontario, and Sri Lanka, are stung. Immediately snatched up by ominous figures in hazmat suits, interrogated separately in neutral Ikea-like chambers, and then released as 15-minute-celebrities into a world driven almost entirely by the internet, these five unforgettable people endure a barrage of unusual and highly 21st-century circumstances. A charismatic scientist with dubious motives eventually brings the quintet together on a remote Canadian island. But their shared experience unites them in a way they could never have imagined.
Generation A mirrors the structure of 1991’s Generation X as it champions the act of reading and storytelling as one of the few defenses we still have against the constant bombardment of the senses in a digital world.

Oh, the novel's entitled Generation A.

I am excited - and am proud to say I've read seven of his fiction novels published in Canada. I watched every episode of the short lived CBC adaptation of JPod. And I adore the film Everything's Gone Green. But I am ashamed to say that I have not read the first four books in the Coupland canon. I know. For shame.

Here's my defense. The first Douglas Coupland book I read was Girlfriend in a Coma. Suffice it to say, it was not my favourite. But a few years later I picked up a copy of Hey Nostradamus! and was in love. After that I read his next new novel, Eleanor Rigby, then JPod when it came out. The Gum Thief over a year ago. I then realized I was out of "new" Coupland Fiction - so I began circling back. I read All Families are Psychotic, and more recently Miss Wyoming. Now why have I been avoiding the earlier works? I'm not sure. Maybe because they take place in a time I cannot relate to. See, the current Coupland books have a voice I can relate to. The Google Era.

The time has come. And there's no better time than summer to immerse myself in the genius that is Douglas Coupland and finish off his collection of fiction before his new novel comes out. I'll have to put aside my love for all other authors - but I think I can do it. I owe it to my hero to read it all.

Oh! Canadian Music!

So my last poll was also inconclusive. Most of you think low rise jeans can be okay, if they're the right cut. Doesn't help my jean shopping situation. I do wish that stores would sell a variety of rises - as not everyone likes having their fat hang over. Whatev's.

I made a new poll - one that doesn't have a neutral answer. That was the problem with my previous polls - I always offered a cop out answer. One that most of you picked. Oh well.

This time imagine that talent and fear of public ridicule are non-factors and pick which Canadian song would be your karaoke choice. Canada Day is soon and I think we should be thankful for all the fantastic music we have here.

I personally have so many Canadian favourites. My itunes is a testament to that. Some lesser known artists, incredibly well known stuff, and even a French Canadian singer grace my playlist.

I also love Canadian films. So here are my recommendations:

Canadian music you should listen to if you aren't already: Danny Michel, Martha Wainwright (she's half Canadian), Hey Rosetta, Arkells, Amylie (French), Sarah Harmer, Kathleen Edwards, Sam Roberts, Buck 65, Jeremy Fisher, Joel Plaskett, The Waking Eyes, The Weakerthans, USS...so many more.

Canadian films I (heart): Bon Cop, Bad Cop, Everything's Gone Green, and One Week.

I'll be brief...

Just wanted to share with you all that I love Sam Roberts.

Music Makes Me Happy

Especially Canadian music.

I just read the long list for this year's Polaris Music Prize. I'm especially happy to see three album's in particular.

Martha Wainwright's "I Know You're Married but I Have Feelings Too." - I really got into her when I stumbled upon her song "Bloody Motherfucking Asshole" a few years back and then when I heard "Bleeding All Over You" from her latest album I had to have it all. She has a fabulous voice and just enough angst to get me going. Love her. Also, the title of her album is amazing.

Arkells' "Jackson Square" - The title is like a love letter to Hamilton (their home town) and the album might just be my favourite of the summer (though it's still early). I've heard live performances that sound just like the album. And one guy still has a day job at an office in the Hammer. "Oh, the boss is coming. You better look busy." So good.

Hey Rosetta's "Into Your Lungs" - I got a song by them a few years ago as a free download on itunes called "Lions for Scottie" and I was blown away. I love music with layers. Anyways my friend loaned me this CD and I remain impressed. Not bad for a Newfie band.

It would be fantastic if one of these three won - they are all very deserving.

"Is everyone happy with what they're wearing tonight?"

On August 24, 1999 I went to my first real concert. I know this because I still have the ticket stub. The show was R.E.M. and it was at the Molson Amphitheatre during the Exhibition in Toronto. We sat on the lawn and mostly watched the show from big screens. I also remember that it was the best concert ever - and that still might be true.

I don't remember what I wore - I'm sure it wasn't cool. But what I do know is that ever since then I have carefully planned my outfits before going to a concert.

On stage that night - in front of the most elaborate light display I've ever seen - Michael Stipe asked the audience, "Is everyone happy with what you're wearing tonight?" Oh Michael - you know us too well.

The key is, to paraphrase R.E.M.'s "Imitation of Life": You must try to look like you don't try.

1. Comfortable shoes - you'll be standing a lot! But they don't have to look like grandma's walking shoes.

2. I usually go for an interesting T-shirt....if I've seen a band more than once I wear a shirt bought at the previous show.

3. Jeans are a safe bet.

4. Depending on what the show is, it would be ill-advised to wear sweater vests or collared shirts tucked in and buttoned up. I once saw an Elaine Bennis wannabe rock a pair of mom jeans and a tucked in white collared shirt. The show was at a club and she tried to act younger by drinking Jagr Bombs and dancing next to the speaker. I may have worn a collared shirt once (U2, Sept 12, 2005) - but I had a cool jacket over it. Guidelines, not rules.

5. I dyed my hair fluorescent red for a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert (Sept 25, 2006). Though it was fun - high maintenance hair colours are a lot of work. I have since gone with the trying to not try look.

6. A sweater with pockets is good if you have a bad cold at a Weezer concert (Feb 14, 2002) and need to store Kleenex. No one stays home sick from a concert!

I can't really think of anything else. But I do know that I'm seeing Sam Roberts for the third time on Friday, June 19, 2009 (previous shows were: Opening for The Tragically Hip on Dec 30, 2002 & his own show on Sept 19, 2003) - It's an outdoor show. What the hell should I wear?

Inconclusive evidence etc.

Poll #2 was also a failure.

Of the three of you who voted (I'm losing readership already!) three different possible hair colours were suggested. One being my natural colour - which I don't think will happen anytime soon. I think my next poll will only offer two choices...if I even bother.

I've been getting so many ideas for blogs lately, but it's always a fleeting moment and I forget. I'll start writing them down I guess.

I want to write something about this weird chick-lit style 'choose your own adventure' type book I've been reading intermittently (my character has so far died of a heart attack while standing trial for rape, been stabbed in Europe by Australian drug mules, been shot in the face at a fast food drive-thru in L.A., oh and poisoned by descendants of slaves in Savannah, who practice Voo-doo.) Only once did the character die as an old woman (In Malaysia of all places). It's crazy. I feel like I lose brain cells every time I read it, but it's so amusing I can't stop. Bad writing can teach you a lot.

I should also at some point write about how I've been running 3-4 times a week. Been doing it for a month now. I won't be proud until pants start fitting me better!

Mmmm....so stay tuned for more strange ramblings and maybe a new poll!

Diary of an Insomniac

It would be more authentic if I wrote this at 3:30 A.M., but since at that point I'm trying desperately to fall asleep, I think it would be counter-productive to turn on my computer at such an hour.

The point is that for the past two nights I have been unable to settle down and sleep at a "reasonable" hour. Yep, no golden slumbers for me. I get home from work most nights around 11:30 at night. I try to chill out by reading, but I find that my brain refuses to shut down for the night. I think about everything.

I think about my day. I think about the next day. I get stressed. I look at my clock. I get anxious because I'm not asleep yet. I want to be asleep. I want so desperately to be asleep.

So 3:30 - 4 A.M. rolls around and that is the last time I look at my clock. For all I know I just lay there with my eyes closed pretending to be asleep after that. It's hell.

I find the only time I can sleep and stay sleeping is morning. After a torturous night of literally tossing and turning I finally get to sleep and I "have" to wake up and start my day, but really my body wants to stay sleeping. Thanks to coffee and tea I'm able to function as a semi-coherent human being. And thanks to my job at a coffee shop I manage to do this rather cheaply. Coffee is one of the few benefits of my McJob. Again, hopefully someday soon I'll have a regular job and can get into a sleep pattern that doesn't involve 3 A.M. in any way, shape or form.

Poll Results - Single?

So of the four of you who voted on my last poll about relationship statuses on social networking sites one of you thought a person listed as single is what he/she says they are - SINGLE and unattached. One of you said he/she is in a relationship, just not married. And two of you said it could go either way.

Pretty much the results of this poll did nothing for me. Oh well. Polls are still fun.

Vote on my new one about hair colour.