The Oscars just happened, and as usual, the good films lost. Here’s the greatest loser in all of Oscar history. This man, one of the greatest songwriters of the 1990s, lost to Celine Dion. What the fuck?

I never knew until now that there’s a video for this song, which is perhaps my favourite song by Ron Sexsmith. Did you know that the song’s also on my favourite record of Ron Sexsmith’s? Now you do.

I’m not so jazzed about it, I just get razzed about landing on your front door in Toronto.

When I’m King of Canada, I will be a patron of the arts, and Matt Murphy will receive funding for Rock and Roll.

Yay! Travis!

In December, I set goals for myself, how many films to see this year, how many shows to attend, how many records to purchase, and how many books to read. This is the standings, as of the end of February…

Books I read (2/10 – 20%):
Heaven Is Small by Emily Schultz | Originally published 2009

Films I saw (19/52 – 36.5%):
Whip It | Originally released 2009
24 Hours On Craigslist | Originally released 2005
The Princess And The Frog | Originally released 2009
The Secret of Kells | Originally released 2009
An Education |  Originally released 2009
Invictus | Originally released 2009
The Blind Side | Originally released 2009
The Hurt Locker | Originally released 2009

Albums I bought (22/52 – 42.3%):
Next Year In Zion by Herman Düne (vinyl) | Originally released 2008
Realism by The Magnetic Fields (CD + vinyl)
The Beatles Stereo Box Set | Originally released 2009

• Please Please Me by The Beatles | Originally released 1963
• With The Beatles by The Beatles | Originally released 1963
• A Hard Day’s Night by The Beatles | Originally released 1964
• Beatles For Sale by The Beatles | Originally released 1964
• Help! by The Beatles | Originally released 1965
• Rubber Soul by The Beatles | Originally released 1965
• Revolver by The Beatles | Originally released 1966
• Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles | Originally released 1967
• Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles | Originally released 1968
• The Beatles by The Beatles | Originally released 1968
• Yellow Submarine by The Beatles | Originally released 1969
• Let It Be by The Beatles | Originally released 1970
• Abbey Road by The Beatles | Originally released 1969
• Past Masters by The Beatles | Originally released 1988

Shows I attended (7/52 – 13.5%):
The Magnetic Fields (w/ Laura Barrett) @ Queen Elizabeth II Theatre; February 8, 2010
The Hidden Cameras, Owen Pallett, Thomas, Kids On TV, The Barcelona Pavilion, Mean Red Spiders, Neck a.k.a. Christiana, Boars @ The Garrison; February 14, 2010

Dear The Rest of the World,
I’m sorry for the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  As a Canadian, I can assure you that no one who lives here listens to that garbage. So, if you want, pretend that the closing ceremonies contained the following.

Yours in love,
The Canadians who didn’t organize the Olympics.

From Newfoundland & Labrador, we’ll go a bit cliché, and give you Great Big Sea (is there any good Newfie music?).

From Nova Scotia, Joel Plaskett:

From New Brunswick, Julie Doiron:

From Prince Edward Island, Paper Lions:

From Quebec, Local Rabbits:

From Ontario, The Inbreds:

From Manitoba, Neil Young:

From Saskatchewan, Joni Mitchell:

From Alberta, (one third of) The Rural Alberta Advantage:

From British Columbia, 54 40:

Go watch Alice…

• Cecil Hepworth and Percy Stow’s 107-year-old short Alice in Wonderland.
• Tom Petty sees Alice.
• TIm Burton plays in Alice’s world.

Southern Souls films Whale Tooth at Honest Ed’s. These guys are fantastic. I was blown away when I saw them at Sneaky Dee’s that one time. I should see ‘em again.

WHALE TOOTH – Vinyl Skin from Mitch Fillion on Vimeo.

• 15 facts about breasts… mmm, breasts. (Found through The Daily What)
• ZOMG! Muppet cupcakes!
• Gizmodo takes a look at historical piracy.
• Purty pictures.
• Barcelona Pavilion interviewed by Eye at Wavelength 500. Thanks @rochlatinsky
• What moron designed these airports?
• Can I put one in my iPod, yet?

I have two questions for the world?

1. Where can I get me one of those kickin’ argyle-esque jumpsuits?
2. Why hasn’t anyone done any kickin’ covers of this song?

okay, two more questions…

1. How stoned do you think she was when she recorded that intro?
2. Where can I get me a bloke to say “dig” when required? (I love his shades)

• It’s been a rather mild winter.
• Expectations versus reality.
• Neko Case, will you marry me?
• What inspired Carrie Brownstein to be a musician?
• As someone in IT at a school… WE DON’T DO THIS! (via Cynical-C)

• Fuck you Miller, relying on outside sources to fund one of the most important infrastructures in Toronto.
• Fuck you McGuinty, you know the entire province relies on the city of Toronto.
• Fuck you Harper, just cuz.
• CBC wants to know how French are you… in other news, la SRC ne se soucie pas comment l’anglais que vous soyez.
• Smitherman wants to take the Chertien/Martin approach to governance… he might win my vote.
• Surgery in Windsor, not a good idea. Is there anything that’s a good idea in Windsor?
• Who cares? No one uses Bing or Yahoo!
• As often as I’ve had brunch at Sneaky Dee’s, I’ve never had their Huevos Rancheros.
• The Parliamentary Budget Officer takes a look at Canada and its long term financial future.
• I think I need to puke…
• Sharon Jones is coming to Toronto in May, but she’s playing the Sound Academy. Any other venue, and I’d be there with bells on. I absolutely refuse to visit that venue.
• Most god-awful recipes I’ve ever seen. (thanks Terri)

• Above, NPR inverview Stephin Merritt & Claudia Gonson.
• Carrie Brownstein, will you marry me? Okay, we’ve never met, and it would be slightly awkward that my best friend has the same first name as me, and his wife has the same first name as you, but does that really matter? Your love of The Magnetic Fields is enough for me. Oh, and while we’re on the topic, your amazingness as part of Sleater-Kinney doesn’t hurt.
• With a Gold in hand for Canada, 3000km away in the country’s largest city (and my city), the CN Tower goes gold.
• Mechanical Forest Sound posts a new Gentleman Reg song. Thanks Joe!
• Apparently Canadians handle their sticks with their left hands. Though I’ve never played hockey, I do hold a golf club and baseball bat left handed. (Yoinked from TIMMMMAAAAY)
• A video illustrating Microsoft’s creative process. Best comment, “I will never think about MS Paint the same way.”
• Who has a few million to spare? (via the article’s author… HI KATE!)