To: John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs
cc: Steven Harper, Prime Minister of Canada
Carolyn Bennett, Member of Parliament St. Paul’s
Peter Kent, Member of Parliament Thornhill

Minister Baird,

Sincerely,
Adam M. Anklewicz
I.T. Manager
*insert school name here*

Watch this… no, seriously, watch this… no, I mean watch the actual episode.

• Amendment 1: Elimination of the National Revenue Committee and Appointment of Chief Revenue Officer
  Yeah, whatever… nothing too interesting here. 
• Amendment 2: Registration of supporters of the Liberal Party
  
• Amendment 3: Participation of supporters in Leadership Vote
  I see no point to this. Party membership is a minor $10 per year. If someone cared to vote for party member they can easily. I think this will too easily open up for anyone and everyone to be “supporters” and leave the party susceptible to Conservatives and New Democrats who wish to vote in the party leadership.
• Amendment 5: Annual strategic plan and annual report  tabled by the National Board of Directors
  Whatever .
• Amendment 6 (regarding candidate nominations)
  No idea what this means.
• Amendment 8 (regarding the addition of the National Policy Vice-Chair to the Policy Approval Subcommittee)
  See above.

DEFEATED AMENDMENTS

• Amendment 4: Participation of supporters in candidate selection meetings of their EDA
  I’m glad at least supporters cannot choose who runs in the riding.
• Amendment 7: Removing the Leader’s veto over the content of the Policy Platform
  Restricting powers of the party leader would be a good thing.
• Amendment 9: Election of Executive Officers using a “one member, one vote” system
  Who the fuck said no to this?
• Amendment 10: Prioritization of policy resolutions using a weighted “one member, one vote” system
  Again… democracy?

They also voted on policy items, such as…
Legalizing and regulating marijuana. A whole 77% voted in favour of this… I fucking agree. I don’t smoke it, but I don’t care if someone above the age of majority does.
Ditching the monarchy. My opinion on the monarchy is that it’s too difficult to ditch, and not worth the effort. Constitutionally to change to the role of the monarchy or Governor General in Canada, we must have support from 100% of the provinces… there is no way in hell that will happen. Nearly every time the Constitution was opened to discussion since Confederation has been a nightmare. Don’t fucking do it. Sure, it costs us some money, and sure Lizzy serves no real purpose, but I don’t care.

That’s about all I paid attention to.

2012 is here, which means we can put 2011 behind us… finally.

I’m awake reluctantly, listening to Harmony Trowbridge’s record that was bought on Boxing Day. I still haven’t finished going through those ~20 records. I’ll soon be heading to the Millers‘ for New Year’s Day brunch. In addition to the Millers, I’ll also see some other high school friends I don’t see enough. It seems 2012 is starting well, but this is about 2011.

Now that it’s over, we can critically look at it. Okay, that’s a lie, it’s still too close to be critical.

Highlights of 2011:

• Beginning 2011 with Oldies 990
• Falling in love
• Cottage trip with Millers, Ginsberg, Anna, Emily, and Neumans
• Wild Flag at Lee’s Palace
• Sloan at The Great Hall
• Ending 2011 with Oldies 990

• New photo project: OH NO! HUGS!
• New photo project: Photo comic I want to propose for Static Zine… I should email Aviva.

I’ve been sick for the past two days. Saturday was the worst, I ended up sleeping 20 out of the 24 hours. Yesterday I ended up going to bed shortly after watching Doctor Who‘s christmas special… some time around 7pm.

I woke up around midnight, and refused to move in the hopes I could fall back asleep, I failed, but by six am I gave up on my goal, and instead grabbed my laptop. There I saw this tweet from Dave Ullrich…

I remember last year debating very hard, should I buy Rick White’s 137? See, I had just purchased it on vinyl, but it didn’t come with a download code. That’s something I’d usually remedy with piracy, but since only one hundred thirty seven people know who Rick White is, I couldn’t find a torrent. I was tempted by the sale price of $4.44, but didn’t buy a second copy of his record.

This year however, I did buy 137, and quite a few other albums for only $4.44. I suggest you head over to Zunior and spend some money, too. Support Canadian music.

I purchased:

All Time Favourites
Al Tuck
I’ve heard Al Tuck’s name floating around since his days on Sloan’s Murderecords, but I had never actually heard his music, unless covered by others. This is, I believe, a “greatest hits” if one could call it that. Not a bad place to start.
Buy on Zunior

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B-Sides
The Inbreds
I’ve been an Inbreds fan for quite some time. Went to see them in Toronto when they played their first reunion show. Later I would see them again after a long drive to Kingston where they played another reunion. This is a collection of b-sides, including some covers like “Cathy’s Clown.” Drummer Dave Ullrich is also the same Dave Ullrich who owns Zunior.
Buy on Zunior 

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Brighter Lives, Darker Side
Dale Murray
I’ve been a fan of Dale Murray’s for quite some time. One of my first times in The Horseshoe Tavern was to see his band, The Guthries, performing. Since then he now plays with Cuff The Duke, and has appeared on countless records playing pedal steel. This is his solo record that I’ve been meaning to purchase for a while.
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City Lights Align
Wayne Petti
This one I’ve already listened to this morning. It’s a Wayne Petti record. If you like Cuff The Duke, the band Petti fronts, you’ll like this record. It’s very simply Wayne Petti.
Buy on Zunior

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Darkness -> Light
Elevator
I’ve never heard this record. it could be brilliant, it could be horrible. Elevator were hit or miss. I don’t expect it to be as brilliant as A Taste of Complete Perspective, but there should be a song or two of brilliance on here.
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Désormais
Julie Doiron
I have had a semi-complete illegal copy of this album sitting on my computer for years. It’s never been my favourite of Doiron’s records, a bit too fey for my tastes, it’s also in French, which leaves something missing for someone who doesn’t speak the language. What I was missing however was her song “Le Piano”  which I always love when she plays it live. I figured this was an opportunity to rectify my pirating ways.
Buy on Zunior 

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Food for the Moon
Al Tuck
Once again, I know none of Tuck’s music, but thought, why not? Everyone seems to like him, and he did have the best band name ever back in the 90s… “Al Tuck & No Action.”
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Gadzooks
Doctor Ew
Looking through the notes on the record, I discovered that my friend Ruhee plays on the record. This is buy Drew Smith… Drew, get it, Dr. Ew… yeah, not so clever. Drew Smith used to be co-frontman of The Bicycles with Matt Beckett (no relation to the playwright or time traveller). Smith’s songs with the Bicycles were always poppy and fun, so I’m excited to hear this one.
Buy on Zunior 

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Hard Feelings
Gabriel Minnikin
I’ve been a fan of Minnikin’s since he joined The Guthries. While I had gone out and purchased all of Ruth Minnikin’s records as she released them, I didn’t even know Gabe had released some solo records until a couple years ago. By then, I wasn’t sure where to start.
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Have Not Been The Same Volume 1: Too Cool to Live, Too Smart to Die
Various
I’ve recently started reading Have Not Been The Same. This is the a tribute album featuring covers of artists like Sloan, Inbreds, Rheostatics, Eric’s Trip, The Tragically Hip, Northern Pikes, Men Without Hats, etc. as covered by Gentleman Reg, The Burning Hell, Great Lake Swimmers, Cuff The Duke, Kevin Drew, etc.
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Heart Attack
Woodhands
This was the first records I listened to upon downloading. Why? It was the first in my download queue. Holy shit, it’s fucking amazing. I’ve never owned a Woodhands album, but always liked them. Never seem them live, but liked the snippets I’ve heard here and there. This dancey-fun record is amazing.
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Hooded Fang
Hooded Fang
I’ve heard fantastic things about these guys, to the point that I even bought it for a friend once. About time I buy myself a copy.
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A Midautumn Night’s Dream
Dale Murray, Nathan Lawr, Ruth Minnikin, Ryan Bishops & Kate Maki
In front of a tour that Murray, Lawr, Minnikin, Bishops, and Maki  did they recorded an album in a day to sell on the tour. I missed either this or the Midwinter tour, don’t recall, but I never got their of the records. Didn’t think I’d ever get a chance to buy it, but apparently it’s been available on Zunior for some time.
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A Midwinter Night’s Dream
Ruth Minnikin, Dale Murray, Kate Maki, Ryan Bishops, & Nathan Lawr
See above.
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The More We Get Together
Harmony Trowbridge
One of my former coworkers did some work with Trowbridge at some point, and he suggested I check this out. Recalling that, I decided to buy the record. What? It’s $4.44!
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Proof of Love
Old Man Luedecke
When I was in Fredericton, sharing a pint with former-Guthrie Serge, he suggested that while in Halifax I check out Old Man Luedecke. Timing didn’t seem to match up perfectly, I think I was in Charlottetown the night he was playing in Halifax. I still haven’t heard him, but I’ve heard others speak very highly of him.
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The Secret Sessions
Various
I’m not a Rheostatics fan… STOP YELLING AT ME! I just never got into them. Sure, I like everything I’ve ever heard of theirs, but I don’t own any of their records. This is a tribute album feature many artists I love like The Inbreds and Local Rabbits performing songs of The Rheostatics, maybe this will kick me in the ass.
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Sister
Sister
Sister is a new project by Carla and Lynette Gillis and Ryan Myshrall. The Gillis sisters are probably best known as being in Plumtree back in the ’90s. Their song “Scott Pilgrim” named a series of comic books and feature film. Myshrall is best known as bass player for the Local Rabbits. I was disappointed. The EP didn’t really grab me.
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The Virginian
Neko Case & The Boyfriends
Ahh, Neko. I love Neko. This is her first record. I once took this and Furnace Room Lullabyes up to the cash register at Sam’s and asked, “which should I buy?” I was told to buy Furnace Room, and took his advice. I’ve yet to listen to this one, but I don’t know if I’d be so in love with Neko if I had bought The Virginian. I do notice one of the songs is written by Matt Murphy, so I’m excited.
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Wandering Midnight
Gabriel Minnikin
When it’s so cheap, why not buy two records by your second favourite Minnikin¹?
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Whale Music
Rheostatics
Remember when you all were freaking out that I didn’t own a Rheostatics record? Well, I fixed it… HAPPY?!?!?! Read the book, seen the movie, about time I own the record.
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137
RickWhiteAlbum
Rick White double album I already owned on vinyl, nice to have a digital copy.
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1. Note to Gabe: I’m sorry that I had passed over your solo career for so long, it wasn’t mean maliciously. [↩]

Fucked Up’s Damian Abraham put together two nights of rock and roll at Toronto’s The Great Hall, in support of charities. The first night was headlined by Fucked Up, I didn’t attend, and have yet to see the punk band live, but would at some point like to see that show.

The second night, however, I did attend. Starting off the show was Bonjay, a three-piece, who were fun, and danceable. I’d definitely go see them again, probably wouldn’t buy the record as it’s not my kind of home music. I was standing at the front with some awesome friends, ex-lovers¹, and some newbies. After the first act, I saw some more people I know up in the balcony. All I could think were 1) OMG! Great vantage point! 2) Leaning on railing would be so much better than standing 3) I could sit if I wanted.

These were all very excellent reasons. So I ended up joining Mechanical Forest Joe, History Jen, and a newbie to my life, but one who I have seen at thousands of Toronto concerts before² I made new friend. It also gave me the opportunity to send creepy tweets like:

and:

Yes I’m a strange man.

So Ohbijou played next. They were better than I remember. Still somewhat boring, but not bad, just not my thing. I think many people would like them… just not me.

Then came a surprise band… well, it was a surprise to me, as no one told me they were playing… yes the RURAL. ALBERTA. ADVANTAGE.

I haven’t seen then in, like, forever!

They were so fucking good. I was dancing like crazy, and singing along, and I was surprised at how well I knew all the new songs. Most importantly, from above, I had a great view to partake in Paul Banwatt’s drumming skills. He’s a fun drummer to watch, and I usually am not too interested in drummers.

Finally we had the headliners. You might have heard of them… Sloan.

They were playing their 1996 album One Chord To Another. Yes, the first album of theirs I ever bought, yes they were playing the complete record in sequence. So of course they started with…

I could list you the full tracklist of the album, but you can find that here… linky.

Sure they kinda fucked up “Autobiography” and “Can’t Face Up” but they also amazed me with nearly everything else. They also had a horn section for their hit “Everything You’ve Done Wrong” and fan-favourite “Take The Bench.”

For the encore they brought out Damian Abraham and then Leslie Feist. It was fucking awesome. Awesome? YES!

I ran into Martina… YES! MartyZ was in Toronto! She told me that  she saw me in the balcony rocking out, and realized that since it was a set completely of 20th century Sloan, it was the perfect show for me. She was totally right.

Thanks Chris, thanks Jay, thanks Patrick, thanks Andrew, also thanks to Greg.

1. Well, okay singular. [↩]
2. Number may be exaggerated. [↩]

A new Sherlock Holmes film comes to theatres, and since I hadn’t seen the original of Guy Ritchie’s variant of Sherlock Holmes, I figured time had to come to watch it.

It’s hard not to compare it to Sherlock, the BBC series starring Benedict Cumberbatch, but it’s also stupid to resist it. Both are reimaginings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary character, and they’re both completely different in every way. While Sherlock is modernized, Sherlock Holmes are contemporary to the book. Sherlock is about Holmes’ mind, and Sherlock Holmes is an action film.

I cannot dismiss Sherlock Holmes as simply an action film, however. There’s a lot more to the Holmes character than just running around and punching others, as the trailers would have one believe, but the intellect, and resourcefulness of Holmes does not come across to the audience in the film. The audience does see the workings of Holmes’ mind, but it’s never anything that a slightly astute person could conclude on their own.

Whoever thought Ritchie was the person to helm a Sherlock Holmes film, obviously never read the books, and it seems that Ritchie had just finished OAC English, and was eager to show his knowledge of elementary symbolism. Yes, I get it, a crow is there, someone will die.  Wow, a crow representing death, that’s so clever little high school boy.

The special effects are jarring, as the majority of many shots are CGI, and look obviously like CGI. It removes one from the story.

I’ll still go see the sequel, as I’m not paying, apparently, and it’s a communal gathering with friends, but honestly, I look forward to New Years Day when I can watch the new episode of Sherlock.

For those unaware, The Inbetweeners is a British sitcom which ran three seasons of six episodes following the high school careers of four socially and sexually inept teenagers. It’s quite a funny show, so I was excited for a feature film to complete the series.

The premise of the film is that the four lads go abroad to get some broads¹. It’s a pretty basic premise, but what else are you going to do for an Inbetweeners feature film?

The film starts off pretty well with Tony Head playing Will’s father. Head tells Will that he’s got married, and didn’t invite him to the wedding. It’s a wonderful scene that captures Will’s character so well, a whiney twat that even his father doesn’t want to be around.

Sadly the film doesn’t continue that momentum. It’s basically a series of gags, that don’t always float. In addition, the film is about them actually succeeding, which is far from the humour of the television series, in which every attempt they ever make with women fails miserably.

There is one good thing I’ve taken from this film. It helps prove my theory, “If you see a penis, it’s a comedy; if you see a vagina, it’s a drama.”

Just watch the TV show.

1. See what I did there?!?! [↩]

I defriended someone on Facebook earlier this week. I then thought about defriending a few hundred people. Instead I opted to delete every picture I’ve ever posted to Facebook, I untagged myself from every photo I was tagged in. I removed any and all information about me from Facebook. It felt nice.

From there, I deleted all my tweets, thanks to TweetWipe.

I deleted my accounts from a handful of other websites.

I’m not sure what I want to do with this space, but I think I’ll leave it as it is for the time being.

As a child I remember watching episodes of The Muppet Show on YTV. I remember watching over and over all the Muppet films on VHS, seeing Muppet Treasure Island in the theatre, loving Muppets Tonight and enjoying other Jim Henson works like Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock.

Sadly, I also remember terrible Muppet work like, well this:

Now I won’t deny, that terrible example of what The Muppets can be, did have one redeeming quality… when Fozzie asked the Wizard of Oz if he was related to Frank Oz.

When I found out that Jason Segel was writing it, I was excited. He proved himself a capable comedy writer with Forgetting Sarah Marshall and has made us laugh with How I Met Your Mother and Freaks and Geeks. I was also excited when I discovered that my favourite character, Rowlf, would be in the film.

Oh, that’s not enough…

Now let’s talk about the film… SPOILERS AHOY!

Overall a fantastic film. I absolutely adored it. Through Walter, a puppet grows up with his human brother Gary. When Walter first learns of The Muppets, he becomes enthralled, and then obsessive. When Gary and his girlfriend Mary go to Los Angeles, they bring along Walter, and go to the Muppet Studio tour.

Shit happens, and along with Kermit, Walter must get the band back together. Once together again, the gang put on The Muppet Telethon, a variety program which holds true to The Muppet Show. That’s the most important part of this film, that it is true to the original. One of my favourite moments was the closing scene of the film where The Muppets exit the theatre to be greeted by a crowd of fans welcoming them back, telling them that they missed The Muppets. Honestly this is how I felt as an audience member.

It’s good to have The Muppets back.