For Tat

Bitch #'s 989, 990, respectively:

Last minute drivers:
Wait until I'm behind you, and the light turns green before you turn on your left turn signal.
I love being stuck behind you while 30 cars zip out from behind me.

Wait until the last possible moment to cross 3 lanes, cut off 3 vehicles, and cross the merge lines to exit at the immediate transfer to your right....because it's better to put 3 peoples' lives in peril (I don't give a shit about yours, moron) rather than admit that you missed the exit and get off at the next one.

Russia by Boris Mikhailov

There is something very touching and sad about those photos.

...and a bunch of others at Song Chart Meme (via Bock's Car)

How to ruin your life in 3 minutes

What is the big deal?



There's a debate going on about whether new streets being built in the city and outskirts should be named after fallen soldiers.

Well, why not?
I'm not sure I'm following why this should be an issue.


"Mr. Moon called Mr. Ford’s idea “very nice,” but said the DVP plan is better because it honours all Canadian war dead and veterans — not just those who died in Afghanistan.

“Some of the soldiers who fought in the Second World War, who fought in the Korean War and in other conflicts, they say, ‘Gee, we didn’t get this kind of recognition.’ ”"

Ok..if that's the case, then add them to the list.
If someone is going to go abroad to fight or peace keep for this country, and dies while they're doing it, the very least that they can get for their effort is to have a street named after them.

Todd Baylis got one.

another LOL, brought to you courtesy of Piika

LOL



Thanks Chris.

MEOW!

....ohhhhh, even better....

BOOM!

Someone please explain:

Why is Heath Ledger getting so much attention?

Don't get me wrong...but, holy cow!
Until Brokeback Mountain, I had never heard of him...and then suddenly, by OD-ing he's achieved James Dean status.

I mean...Actors who have contributed to classic movies...I mean CLASSIC...don't get this much play when they die.

I don't get it.
Please explain.

Slow down, cowgirl...



Listen, I'm no fan of the Clintons...but, I'm not terribly impressed with women who take cheap shots at other women when it comes to "running houses".

Because one day, we might see some dirty laundry.

Glass houses, and all that.

Jimmy Kimmel responds to Sarah Silverman's "I'm f*cking Matt Damon"

You know you live in a wealthy country when....

You can buy anti-depressants for your dog.

The ad I heard on the radio this morning talked about daytime and night time dosages.
"To help with anxiety and stress related behaviours like; excessive barking, chewing, and scratching".

Yeah.
Ok.

North America's answer to all unwanted symptoms and behaviours.
..."take a pill"; not just a colloquialism anymore.

Carrot Bundt Cake at Papamo.

Sunday Click Around

The other night, we rented American Gangster.

Sometimes when I watch a movie, if there is an inconsistency, or factual mistake...it bugs me. In the movie, Frank Lucas is using a small calculator in 1969. That bugged me. It sent me on a search. Turns out (as usual) a lot of factual mistakes in the film.
Here are some liberal changes that the filmmakers made.

We Own the Night was another movie that irritated me. The film is set in the late 80's, but all the music seems to be from the late 70's, early 80's. Bugged me...as though everyone watching is under 30, and wouldn't remember anyway.

Endorsing Adultery for $12 an hour. BlogTO contributer writes about her experience in a call centre for that hated agency here in Toronto.

Russian Mafia tombstones...creepay.

ShoeTube for the lovers of shoes.

How People Count Money. Very interesting thing that I've never noticed or realized until I saw this video. (via cynical-c)

Lessons in manliness from the movie The Gladiator....and Talk Like Frank Sinatra.

A collection of studio family photos...oh, yes they did.

Oddities and Treasures. Interesting.

Ok. That's all

Is this English?

It looks like it...but, c'mon!

Kosovo za Patike (Kosovo for Running Shoes)




A few people have sent me this clip of looters in Beograd...and initially, it made me sad and angry at the same time.

A nation that has little left to lose.

The cameraman is following these people around and a one point sarcastically calls them "heroes of the demonstration" and laughs.

It saddens me that these young people who have grown up with war, and sanctions just don't give a shit, and the world is watching... giving more ammunition to the idea that Serbians are barbaric and lawless.

The person behind the camera is being congratulated by Albanians, Croats, and many others for posting it.

Mark P, from Seattle sent me this article that despite the feelings I have about the whole situation...made me laugh bitterly.

"Swap you 11 left Nikes for 11 left Reeboks," indeed.

I'd hate to be at the dinner table with those two girls and their parents.

Sramota.

Mind you...New Yorkers looted just because the power went out, much less reason than losing a part of your country.

What?   What?
Is this sense being spoken?

The opportunity to depict Serbians as violent, slivo sucking, long haired barbarians not taken?

I can hardly believe it.

Laugh?
I thought I'd die.

(Thanks Jdid)

Why I haven't written about Kosovo independence

I've received a few e-mails from people asking why I haven't.

Here are a few:

My blood boils to think about it.
I can't even read about it without feeling my blood pressure rise.

The hypocrisy of the West by embracing for Serbia in Kosovo what they despise so very much for themselves.

The apathy, denial, and feigned ignorance in condoning the extermination of Serbians in Kosovo.

Knowing that there will be another round of bloodshed because of it.

I wouldn't even know where to begin.

Few non-Serbs care anyway.

Kosovo is Serbia Protest in Toronto

SATURDAY, FEB. 24 AT 5:00 PM at the University of Toronto, Canada
(St. George Campus) McMurrich Building (12, Queen's Park Crescent, West Toronto, ON).
From there, you are invited to join the Canadian-Serbian community as
we march peacefully to the US Consulate (360 University Avenue) at
about 6pm.

http://www.kosovoisserbia.org/.
Contact: uoftssa@googlegroups.com

(Thanks Anna)

Update:
I don't know what people expected...it's just the beginning.

Now that I have a small TV in the kitchen, I'm seeing more crap.
This post is rather humourous, considering the current layout of my blog.

Yesterday, I watched two things that got me thinking.

I watched some hip hop performance by someone I've never heard of who could barely sing, but could dance up a storm.
I watched her performance and felt sad.
It was part "so you think you can dance", and part lap dance.
She could hardly sing and was hardly dressed.

Ok.
Maybe, it's a new genre...stripper like chicks who can do more than just wiggle.
Ok.

Later, I watched Girlicious, which is another one of those competition reality shows.

In this one, girls compete to be in some new Pussycat Dolls like girl group.
All the girls are between 17 and 24(ish), and ready to do anything to be famous.
A petty, backstabbing vanity aria of empty headed, pussy dolls.

The women's movement fought to give women a choice...it just saddens me to think that so many women prefer to be seen as empty headed blow up dolls, than to use their beauty along with their heads.

I know that many would like to say that women my age are "haters" and that we're just "jealous" because our "time" has passed, and I would have said that too at 23...and I did!
The thing is that I know now how cheap a woman can sell herself for, and I know the perils of not knowing your own true value.

It saddens me to see young girls leaning so heavily on their bodies and looks.

...because let's face it, beauty is but fleeting...stupid is forever.

Apple Coffee Cake at Papamo

Sunday Click Around

Zheng Peng has some really interesting photos.
The photos kind of remind me of those little girl pageant portfolios. (found at ectoplasmosis).

More Russian Criminal Tattoos...I find them intriguing.

I find the idea of gangs in the Military interesting...because in a way, it makes sense.
Any military is really the pinnacle of gangs.

Everyone should apply The Brad Pitt rule.

Here's Kensington Market in 1976 (when it was still called "The Jewish Market") and in 2006.
Many of the shops that I remember are gone. There used to be a bakery on Baldwin that we'd go to if we were still up, and on our way home from a club...you could get fresh kifle and bread right out of the oven at 4am.
Now, it's more "urban" and "gourmet/organic"...less "immigrant".
Does anyone remember Tigers? I loved that place.

I have a regular visitor from Ann Arbor, and he finally commented...leaving the link to his website. One thing that we're missing, and need more of is craftsmen. People who can build and create beautiful things with their hands and skill.
Check out his website. I really like the stuff he makes.

I love Wallace and Grommit...I do.
Here are some Creature Comforts. I'm not certain they're done by the same people, but it sure looks like it. Here's Countryside Code and Cats or Dogs

Glen Feron - The Art of Retouching.

Ihatebadservice.ca is an interesting thing. I often wonder about lawsuits and whether all the entries are true on these kinds of sites. So many people with an axe to grind. So much bad service.

The CBC sign off makes Canada look so beautiful.

I miss Ruth Gordon.

Someone's 20 least romantic lines in movies.

The Genovese Syndrome. Worse now than ever before?

I found this video fascinating. Everyone needs to feel beautiful, and sexy, no?

William Shatner does Rocketman. He really was one of the first Beat Poets.

Toronto Tetris. I did watch it to the end...because it isn't Toronto without the CN Tower.

"In case you missed it, on Sunday night, Beyonce (current Queen of R&B) said that Tina Turner (Queen of Rock and Roll) was "The Queen" at the Grammy Awards. This didn't sit well with Aretha Franklin (Queen of Soul, Ham Hocks, and Neckbones). Aretha released a statement calling it "a cheap shot". Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles (Queen of Polyester) has apparently packed her fighting wig and is on her way to have words with Ms. Franklin. Baby Daniel (King of Creole Soul) and Solange (Buger King Assistant Manager)are also upset."

Read more here.

If only relationships were as easy.
..."Happy Valentine's Day" (..if you're in one)
...."Valentine's Day totally blows!" (If you're not.)

(Thanks MikeB)

Stuff White People Like

...made me laugh.

Night Moves

Back in the late 80's, when I was in school, I used to bartend on weekends in an uptown club in an area of Toronto dubbed Yonge and Eligible.

When I'd get home at about 3 or 4am I wouldn't be able to sleep.
Back then, without TV on demand, DVD's or satellite, I was left with television in the background while I wrote, or made collages, or drew until I got tired and fell asleep.

A staple on these nights was either The All Night Show with Chuck the Security Guard or a hypnotizing camera ride through Toronto at night called Night Moves to music.
Kind of eerie, and kind of cool, Night Moves glided me through the city while most people were sleeping.

Rather strange, but soothing.

I racked my brains trying to find footage of Night Moves online, and finally found a few clips on YouTube.









Take a ride through Toronto, way back when to some Jazz.

What is Art?



Thanks Piika

Here's the Colbert Report on "That garbage in Central Park" that one of the animals refers to.

Sunday Magazine:

All Cover. No content.

Sunday Click Around

Strange photographs?
I always like them...The Bride Wears Black has lots of them, and many are NSFW.
I just saw a chewing gum commercial where the bridesmaids were wearing some sort of dominatrix get up...Fetishy photos used to be so unusual...now, not so much. (Found at Ectoplasmosis)

Hate having photos taken?
Always feel like you're not photogenic? I feel that way all the time...here are  9 Ways to Look Good in Photos.
It seems like an incredible amount of work.

Artist Ariana Page Russell suffers from a condition called dermotographia. When Ariana’s skin is lightly scratched or irritated, hives and welts spring up in the irritated area, usually lasting around a half hour. She's uses it as an art medium with interesting results. (via  Ectoplasmosis)

Most Wanted Celebrity Hairstyles...Ok, I get it...the bob is back.

Someone's favourite Superbowl commercials.

Last week, I linked to an interview with Kevin Hines, the guy who survived his suicide attempt off of the Golden Gate Bridge. Here is another clip from the documentary where a person who pulled a young girl to safety is interviewed.
I'm sorry that the clip doesn't include the photo of last look the girl gives him as the police are taking her away. There's something compelling about it. Can't tell if it's gratitude or bald anger.

AskMen.com's Top 49 Men, and Top 99 Women.
What I notice is that the 49 men include old guys. None of the 99 women appear to be over 35. So, the message seems to be "money and power" buys "youth and beauty". It's the double standard I hate the most. Men can be considered attractive until they drop into a grave hole...women hit the desirability wall at about 35 in the media.

Chunky Pam loves Valentine's Day.

Chaka Khan's version of My Funny Valentine.

Here are 14 Horrible Moments in Valentine History....also New Jersey Freakshows made me laugh (both via Cynical-C)

Does anyone remember Candy Girl?

Let's look back at the 90's:
C & C Music Factory, Lisa Stansfield, Sybil, Tone Loc, 3rd Base, Shabba Ranks...ok, that's enough.

I've always loved Ricky Gervais...since The Office (NOT the American version).
I've been loving Extras.
Here's a clip...the cameos with everyone from Ben Stiller to Samuel L. Jackson are great.

Ok...that's it.

Something happens

I once knew a woman named Sharon who was engaged to be married.

A few months before the wedding, the man she was going to marry was robbed and beaten to death in a parking lot.

She was never the same after that.
She even looked different, in a way.

Something happens, and you are changed forever.

Someone you love dies.

You are finally in the right place at the right time.

Or, you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

You meet someone who inspires you.

...or you find out about a betrayal so deep that it challenges who you are…and you are never the same again.

Maybe aging is just surviving a thousand little deaths, and being reborn.

Every. Single. Time.

National Parks: Too "Outdoorsy"

....also, pickles are still too "pickley".

The Bridge.

Last night I stayed up late, and watched the documentary "The Bridge".

Suicide and mental illness are taboo subjects for a lot of people.
Personally, I understand a person living with pain (physical, mental or emotional) day after day and just not being able to cope anymore.
Being too exhausted to continue living.

What amazes me is a persons courage, and desperation in jumping off of something like The Golden Gate Bridge into the Pacific Ocean, or the Bloor Viaduct onto the Don Valley Parkway.
A spectacular exit from life that shocks those taking a walk by or just admiring the bridge...or in the case of the Bloor Viaduct, taking some poor commuter shmuck with you in the process.
Believe me, before they put up the luminous veil, I always looked up to the Viaduct while driving underneath it.

If you have the courage to do that...then, surely you must have the courage to go on and live.

Kevin Hines survived his attempt to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge and kill himself.
His story is so sad and touching to me.
His description of his interactions with his family, and that momentary lucidity in mental illness that allows someone who loves you to almost believe that you really are going to be ok.

Watch his interview:

Sunday Click Around.

The video to your left is a perfect example of some of the women I've interviewed in the past. Here is an old post of mine where I vent some of my interviewing frustrations.
10 things NOT to do in a job interview....and Dressing for a Job Interview.

From Square America: Encounters With The Other (Adventures In Amateur Ethnography)...also: African-American Snapshots & Portraits.

When I was a kid, there was lots of skipping in the schoolyard...particularly Double Dutch. I haven't seen girls skipping in the schoolyard in a pretty long time.
Now, girls imitate rap bands and girl groups in the schoolyard, teaching each other sexy dance moves, and shaking their booties like Beyonce.
It's kind of sad, actually...but apparently, Double Dutch is a competitive thing.
Here is a clip from the 1999 Double Dutch Championships....last year's Blue And White Rope Skippers a the Dutch Open....could it be an Olympic sport in 2012?

Totally Cool Way to Punk a Bunch of People...(Well...Catholics, really).

Pull Your Pants Up....it's a national movement!

Spanish for Your Nanny...because there's nothing funnier than rich white women....and Is this Black Enough For You?
(Both from Cynical-C)

The Everyman Photo Contest.

Six republics, one refrain: 'I miss Yugoslavia'. (Thanks Anna)

The Rarest Items in the World. Pretty interesting.

Nazi Photo Albums...apparently confiscated by Russians...well, at least 20 million Russians didn't die for nothing in that war.

Very cool Citroen commercial.

I usually can't stand Sarah Silverman...but this is too good.

Comedy Central Insider says:
At the end of every show (we think?) Jimmy Kimmel apologizes to megastar Matt Damon for running out of time and not having him on the show. Here, Sarah Silverman helps Matt get revenge. And unlike almost everything, it just gets funnier and funnier:



Sarah Silverman singing with Matt Damon!! - video powered by Metacafe

You Suck at Photoshop #5



I love the ignored e-mails...LOL