I'll always remember the day I officially became old.
I was sitting at a pub with The Wife and my buddy Mark on Thursday December 13 when it happened. With not a trace of irony, it slipped out. I confessed that I would pay $500 to see Led Zeppelin at Skydome.
Yep. I'm old.
So don't expect all this year's picks to be "pitchfork - approved."
In my defense - I've submitted video evidence to back up all my picks. And if you're just going to watch two videos, I highly recommend the New Pornographers and Crowded House tracks.
Enjoy
Bedouin Soundclash
Street Gospels
One of those bands you hear about from time to time, but never actually listen to. I first heard the song "St. Andrew" on the CBC one afternoon and couldn't get it out of my head. The rest of the album is just as good.
Stand out track - St. Andrew
Black Francis
Bluefinger
Frank Black. Black Francis. That guy from the Pixies. However you refer to the child born as Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV, it's hard to make a case for consistant greatness. I've found most of his solo stuff to be pretty spotty. Until now. This is the album the Pixies would have made if their long awaited reunion evolved into something other than an extended fundraiser for the godfathers of grunge.
Stand out track - Tight Black Rubber
Bruce Springsteen
Magic
If there's a human being alive who doesn't feel a chill whenever they hear "Born to Run," then I submit that person is not really alive. Despite his early greatness, just about everything he's released since Born in the USA has been pretty bland. That's what happens when the boss becomes just another executive. But Magic casts a spell. It's a great listen from beginning to end and an awful lot more than you'd expect from an old man born in New Jersey.
Stand out track - Girls in their Summer Cloths
Dinosaur Jr.
Beyond
It may be nostagia brought on from my attendence at the Sebadoh reunion show earlier this year, but I had to hear this album. I needed to hear it. I expected it to suck. But it doens't. I've never been a fan of Dinosaur Jr., but I'm a huge fan of this.
Stand out track - Almost Ready
Fratellis
Costello Music
This is a bit of a cheat. I heard this album when it was first released in the UK - in 2006. But it only washed up on these shores in 2007, so I don't mind giving it a plug. If only pop punk bands from the states had balls like this - or at least the hooks - the playlist on my Ipod would be much more current.
Stand out track - Chelsea Dagger
Robert Pollard
Coast to Coast Carpet of Love/Standard Gargoyle Decisions
He's a hero to anyone who's ever dreamt of quitting their day job to become a rock star...because he did it. Guided By Voices WERE the 1990s for me. And while Pollard releases far too many albums for anyone to stay current, these two are a happy edition from a prolific songsmith, who really needs an editor.
Stand out track - Shadow Port
New Pornographers
Challengers
I didn't always love the New Pornographers. I used to find them grating. But over the years I've grown to love them. The hooks are geniune and creative and they are in complete control of my circulatory system whenever I hit play.
Stand out track - Myriad Harbour
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists
Living with the Living
It's very tempting to say "if you like Springsteen, You'll enjoy Ted Leo." In fact let's just say that. It's a rock and roll album with none of the fixins'. But d'you know what? Sometimes I enjoy a Wendy's burger with JUST the fries.
Stand out track - Colleen
Paul McCartney
Memory Almost Full
Probably the uncoolest pick on my list. In the past I've defended some pretty attrocious output from the former Mr. Heather Mills. I still remember writing a positive review for Off the Ground. Thankfully, nobody bought the record and so I never had to print a retraction. Memory Almost Full is not Abbey Road or any Beatles album. But it does fit well with some of McCartney's best mid-seventies output. And that's actually pretty fuckin' good.
Stand out track - Vintage Clothes
Crowded House
Time on Earth
Crowded House's Woodface has been a desert island pick since it came out in 1990. They are a classic pop band following in all the finest traditions. When Neil Finn and the boys split in the mid-90s, I was sad to see them go. Usually reunion albums aren't that good - but as Dino Jr. proved a little further up the list, they don't always suck either.
Stand out track - She Called Up
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
So you want to publish a book: Publicity and marketing
Publicity and marketing is harder to speak about at this stage. We spent the better part of September looking at different firms to see what each had to offer.
As Jim has said to me many times, a lot of these places like to have release parties that do more for the author's ego than for actual book sales – because attendees are more likely to be friends and family rather than actual media contacts. So in that respect, for an author on a small budget, it's better to direct your funds toward activities that are most likely to land you in the press and generate some sales.
For Moose we decided to go with Meisner Publicity in Toronto. Headed by Susan Meisner, they seem to have no end of connections and come to the table with plenty of good ideas to get press.
This is the one area where I think if you absolutely have to cut expenses you can. But don't delude yourself. You'll need to be a shameless advocate of your book 24/7 if you want to succeed. You'll have to buy some books on writing great news releases and be fearless and creative when it comes to targeting media. If you have any hesitation about going it alone – get a publicist.
For my own part, I built a little site that's still in beta called A Writer's Market. I like to think of it as a farmer's market for authors. Have a quick look and see how it's coming along. If you know an author, then send a link. I really need some folks to help test it.
I hope you found this little series useful. If you have any questions, send them along and I'll be happy to answer them as best I can.
As Jim has said to me many times, a lot of these places like to have release parties that do more for the author's ego than for actual book sales – because attendees are more likely to be friends and family rather than actual media contacts. So in that respect, for an author on a small budget, it's better to direct your funds toward activities that are most likely to land you in the press and generate some sales.
For Moose we decided to go with Meisner Publicity in Toronto. Headed by Susan Meisner, they seem to have no end of connections and come to the table with plenty of good ideas to get press.
This is the one area where I think if you absolutely have to cut expenses you can. But don't delude yourself. You'll need to be a shameless advocate of your book 24/7 if you want to succeed. You'll have to buy some books on writing great news releases and be fearless and creative when it comes to targeting media. If you have any hesitation about going it alone – get a publicist.
For my own part, I built a little site that's still in beta called A Writer's Market. I like to think of it as a farmer's market for authors. Have a quick look and see how it's coming along. If you know an author, then send a link. I really need some folks to help test it.
I hope you found this little series useful. If you have any questions, send them along and I'll be happy to answer them as best I can.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
So you want to publish a book: Audiobooks and ebooks
As I've stated in previous posts, the most inexpensive way to sell a book is electronically. There are no shipping costs to consider and no ongoing production costs to factor in once the audio or ebook version is ready to go.
The ebook version is the easiest to sell online. As part of our arrangement with Heidy Lawrence, when the book was ready for the printer we received a PDF of the ebook, ready for our online store. That was included on in the initial estimate.
There are also online distributors that deal exclusively with both audiobooks and e-books – such as audible.com and Overdrive.com
The audiobook is a bit of a challenge. It usually involves hiring a professional voice actor and booking some studio time. It may be tempting to save money and do it yourself at home – but don't waste your time. Your audiobook is likely to turn out like one those reno shows, where the amateur decides to do all the work themselves, blowing timelines, budgets and ending up with a substandard job.
Invest a little here and you'll have it over and done with in a week. For Moose we used Clare Burt Studio in Toronto and hired Barrie Bailey to do the reading. Here is a short clip from the studio of Barrie reading from Chapter one.
The ebook version is the easiest to sell online. As part of our arrangement with Heidy Lawrence, when the book was ready for the printer we received a PDF of the ebook, ready for our online store. That was included on in the initial estimate.
There are also online distributors that deal exclusively with both audiobooks and e-books – such as audible.com and Overdrive.com
The audiobook is a bit of a challenge. It usually involves hiring a professional voice actor and booking some studio time. It may be tempting to save money and do it yourself at home – but don't waste your time. Your audiobook is likely to turn out like one those reno shows, where the amateur decides to do all the work themselves, blowing timelines, budgets and ending up with a substandard job.
Invest a little here and you'll have it over and done with in a week. For Moose we used Clare Burt Studio in Toronto and hired Barrie Bailey to do the reading. Here is a short clip from the studio of Barrie reading from Chapter one.
Monday, October 15, 2007
So you want to publish a book: Distribution and Website
It's never too early to think about how you're going to reach your audience. Don't think for a second: “If I write it, they will read.”
Getting your book into stores isn't easy. The big guys in the publishing industry have whole teams working the big chains constantly to get their product placed prominently in stores. As a self-publisher you'll have to do a lot of leg work to get your book on the shelf. And even then you'll probably find that your book will be lost in the tide of a an literary ocean as the big box stores have millions of other titles.
Additionally, you may find yourself faced with huge orders only to have those same books returned to you three months later, dog-eared and unsuitable for resale.
As luck would have it, in addition to being a fantastic editor, Don Bastian also runs a small imprint and we were able to negotiate a fair deal for distribution in Canada. Where he takes on the leg work of retail promotion and distribution.
But if you don't have a distributor for your book, you can still send out copies to reviewers, library magazines and direct folks to a web site.
Website
The model for distributing books has been the same for hundreds of years. Authors write a book, sell that book to a publisher, who then gets that book into bookstores.
This really made a lot of publishers and bookstores very rich. But for a small author trying to break into the racket, you may find that you're just not worth the effort for these guys. But the internet has chnaged things. It's easy to get your book into the online booksellers. But the real way for a small author to achieve the maximum return on investment is to build a web site with an ecommerce component and sell the book online.
With Moose, I hired a fellow from Pakistan to do the work. The result is mooseonthetable.com.
If you visit the site, you'll notice we're selling the book through our site as e-book and audiobook. Both these methods are great opportunities to reach an audience online and save money on production at the save time.
The website is a great way to provide information about your book and you can make it as interactive as you want. Websites are also great because you're not just releasing your book to a domestic audience. You have the potential to sell to anywhere in the world. Think about it. A person in Toronto can download an ebook or audiobook as easily as someone in New York, London or Dublin! How's that for a distribution channel?
Getting your book into stores isn't easy. The big guys in the publishing industry have whole teams working the big chains constantly to get their product placed prominently in stores. As a self-publisher you'll have to do a lot of leg work to get your book on the shelf. And even then you'll probably find that your book will be lost in the tide of a an literary ocean as the big box stores have millions of other titles.
Additionally, you may find yourself faced with huge orders only to have those same books returned to you three months later, dog-eared and unsuitable for resale.
As luck would have it, in addition to being a fantastic editor, Don Bastian also runs a small imprint and we were able to negotiate a fair deal for distribution in Canada. Where he takes on the leg work of retail promotion and distribution.
But if you don't have a distributor for your book, you can still send out copies to reviewers, library magazines and direct folks to a web site.
Website
The model for distributing books has been the same for hundreds of years. Authors write a book, sell that book to a publisher, who then gets that book into bookstores.
This really made a lot of publishers and bookstores very rich. But for a small author trying to break into the racket, you may find that you're just not worth the effort for these guys. But the internet has chnaged things. It's easy to get your book into the online booksellers. But the real way for a small author to achieve the maximum return on investment is to build a web site with an ecommerce component and sell the book online.
With Moose, I hired a fellow from Pakistan to do the work. The result is mooseonthetable.com.
If you visit the site, you'll notice we're selling the book through our site as e-book and audiobook. Both these methods are great opportunities to reach an audience online and save money on production at the save time.
The website is a great way to provide information about your book and you can make it as interactive as you want. Websites are also great because you're not just releasing your book to a domestic audience. You have the potential to sell to anywhere in the world. Think about it. A person in Toronto can download an ebook or audiobook as easily as someone in New York, London or Dublin! How's that for a distribution channel?
Saturday, October 13, 2007
So you want to publish a book: Profesional Editing and Illustrations
The editor is the most important member of the team you pull together. Don't cheap out. There is nothing more cringeworthy than a poorly edited book. Don Bastian has decades of experience as an editor and was the Managing Editor at Stoddart books at one time.
Beyond looking simply for grammatical and spelling issues, the editor looks at the project from a readers perspective. Because of Don's experience he was able to provide insights that made the narrative structure of the book better. And even then – we were still catching little things in the hours before the book went to the printer!
The illustrations are something that may sound easy. In Moose, illustrations are found at the beginning of each chapter and the cover. Great illustrations can help propel a story and set the tone for the book. Before we went with Bill Kimber, we looked at five other illustrators. Of those five, Bill came the closest to the “whimsy” we were looking for.
But even though he was close – it took some back and fourth before we got to where we were comfortable with what we had. Another thing to consider about the illustrator and the illustrations is how you plan to use them. In moose, the cover illustration is in colour and the chapter illustrations are in black and white. However, we had Bill create colour versions of everything, so we could also use these illustrations on the web site and on the materials Jim uses for his keynotes and workshops.
Friday, October 12, 2007
So you want to publish a book: Self Publishing & Project Management
To self-publish or go with a one of the big guys
One of the first questions I was asked (after how long does a book have to be?) by more than one person was how do you get a book deal? Well, if I've learned anything from the last five months, it's that you don't need a book deal to get a book published. And frankly, there's not much hope for an unknown writer sending in an unsolicited manuscript to a large publisher anyway, so it's really up to you.
For the purposes of this blog series, I'm going to assume that you're going to self-publish your opus. The risks are great, but the potential reward is greater. Why? You front the money- risk. You keep all the profit – reward.
And for the second question, Moose on the Table was about 52000 words or 120 single spaced pages on MS WORD that came out to a 176 page softcover.
Project management
So you know you're going to go forward and get the book out there. How do you arrange typesetting, printing, find editors, illustrators, and distribution? A good project manager should be able to help you with all of this and pull together a budget based on what you need. You may be surprised to learn that typesetting and printing costs – while substantial are actually a very small percentage of your overall budget.
With Moose on the Table – we went with Heidy Lawrence and Associates. You can find out more about her operation at www.wemakebooks.ca.
Heidy sourced out 6 different printers to get the best unit cost. She also took care of the typsetting, cover design, and look and feel of the book, from a font and layout perspective. Most importantly, she was able to provide us with a short ist of highly experienced editors and illustrators.
In the end, we went with Donald Bastian as the editor and William Kimber as our illustrator.
One of the first questions I was asked (after how long does a book have to be?) by more than one person was how do you get a book deal? Well, if I've learned anything from the last five months, it's that you don't need a book deal to get a book published. And frankly, there's not much hope for an unknown writer sending in an unsolicited manuscript to a large publisher anyway, so it's really up to you.
For the purposes of this blog series, I'm going to assume that you're going to self-publish your opus. The risks are great, but the potential reward is greater. Why? You front the money- risk. You keep all the profit – reward.
And for the second question, Moose on the Table was about 52000 words or 120 single spaced pages on MS WORD that came out to a 176 page softcover.
Project management
So you know you're going to go forward and get the book out there. How do you arrange typesetting, printing, find editors, illustrators, and distribution? A good project manager should be able to help you with all of this and pull together a budget based on what you need. You may be surprised to learn that typesetting and printing costs – while substantial are actually a very small percentage of your overall budget.
With Moose on the Table – we went with Heidy Lawrence and Associates. You can find out more about her operation at www.wemakebooks.ca.
Heidy sourced out 6 different printers to get the best unit cost. She also took care of the typsetting, cover design, and look and feel of the book, from a font and layout perspective. Most importantly, she was able to provide us with a short ist of highly experienced editors and illustrators.
In the end, we went with Donald Bastian as the editor and William Kimber as our illustrator.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
So you want to publish a book: Part 1
As a lot of you may or may not know, I spent the better part of the last twenty years as a scribbler for newspapers and magazines. But since the early part of this decade my career – and I stil can't believe I actually have one – has taken me in directions I never imagined.
The most striking departure is that I'm no longer singing for my supper as a freelancer. Increasingly, I've moved from the editorial to the marketing side of things. And I have to admit, I don't feel half as dirty as I thought I would.
My most recent work has been with the CLEMMER Group, where I toil from the confines of my home office as the Marketing Director. It's a postion with as many challenges as oportunities. Since the beginning of June I've been working with the firm's President, Jim Clemmer to take his fifth book, Moose on the Table: A Novel Approach to Communications @ Work from rough manuscript to reader-ready masterpiece.
As this was the first time I'd ever done something like this I've been very happy with the way things turned out. I should point out that The CLEMMER Group is a consulting agency specializing in leadership and management issues. Because of this Jim's books have been, to this point, instructional bibles for bosses looking to transform teams and organizations.
With Moose on the Table, he decided to go in a completely different direction to provide insights using a business-fable approach. So unlike the other books, the meat of the moose is a fictional story about a middle age manager struggling to overcome poor communications in his work and personal life.
That's all you need to know about the book. But if you are interested in finding out more, you can visit www.mooseonthetable.com
When word started getting out about my involvement in this project, a few friends wanted to know what it took to get a book published. As the book is now at the presses, the web site is up and running and a distribution confirmed, I think I can pass along some wisdom to everybody out there who'd like to finally take that MS Word document and get it out to the world.
As I write this on the plane from Calgary to Toronto, I realize that as one blog posting, it would be a very dense read. So I'm going to split it into short blurbs over the next seven days.
Here's what I'll cover:
Where I have a website or contact, I'll provide it. And if you use it, please drop my name. Hopefully you'll find this series a helpful start to getting your book to your audience. And if you have any more questions, please ask them and I'll do my best to answer.
The most striking departure is that I'm no longer singing for my supper as a freelancer. Increasingly, I've moved from the editorial to the marketing side of things. And I have to admit, I don't feel half as dirty as I thought I would.
My most recent work has been with the CLEMMER Group, where I toil from the confines of my home office as the Marketing Director. It's a postion with as many challenges as oportunities. Since the beginning of June I've been working with the firm's President, Jim Clemmer to take his fifth book, Moose on the Table: A Novel Approach to Communications @ Work from rough manuscript to reader-ready masterpiece.
As this was the first time I'd ever done something like this I've been very happy with the way things turned out. I should point out that The CLEMMER Group is a consulting agency specializing in leadership and management issues. Because of this Jim's books have been, to this point, instructional bibles for bosses looking to transform teams and organizations.
With Moose on the Table, he decided to go in a completely different direction to provide insights using a business-fable approach. So unlike the other books, the meat of the moose is a fictional story about a middle age manager struggling to overcome poor communications in his work and personal life.
That's all you need to know about the book. But if you are interested in finding out more, you can visit www.mooseonthetable.com
When word started getting out about my involvement in this project, a few friends wanted to know what it took to get a book published. As the book is now at the presses, the web site is up and running and a distribution confirmed, I think I can pass along some wisdom to everybody out there who'd like to finally take that MS Word document and get it out to the world.
As I write this on the plane from Calgary to Toronto, I realize that as one blog posting, it would be a very dense read. So I'm going to split it into short blurbs over the next seven days.
Here's what I'll cover:
- To self-publish or go with a one of the big guys
- Project management (printers, typesetting and contacts)
- Professional editing and illustrations
- Distribution
- Web site
- Audiobook and ebook
- Publicity and marketing
Where I have a website or contact, I'll provide it. And if you use it, please drop my name. Hopefully you'll find this series a helpful start to getting your book to your audience. And if you have any more questions, please ask them and I'll do my best to answer.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Fast Bastard Chronicles #2
I’ve learned a couple of lessons since I wrote the first entry in my Fat Bastard Chronicles. The first is that if you’re going to turn over a new leaf, it’s probably best to do it the week AFTER a holiday that’s chief components are big dinners and chocolate.
The second is people read this stuff and will hold you accountable.
It’s now been over two weeks since I started on this road. I have to say that it’s not that difficult for me to make it to the gym. I’ve done it for years, so motivation isn’t really an issue.
What's different is I’m now going to the gym almost every day of the week and I have a goal. I will be 200 lbs by the end of June. Even if it kills me. I’ve set myself up on a 3 day rotation that you can download and evaluate for yourself.
I'm already noticing changes.
My cardio is already showing a marked improvement. Where before I was quite happy to stay on a cross trainer for 35 minutes, I now force myself to actually do some running on the treadmill. I hate the treadmill. always have. But I've become so good at the Cross-Trainer, and my body is so comfortable with it that I'm probably not doing myself much good anymore.
My pace has already picked up on the treadmill. Where I started running at 9 km/h, I’m now galloping at 11km/h. If that doesn’t sound like much, please remember I have wee legs.
If there is a part of my original pledge that seems to have fallen by the wayside it’s going for runs outside. I’ve always been a fair-weather runner, so it’s no surprise given the unusual cold-snap of the last few weeks, that I haven’t gone for very many runs – none really.
I’m hoping that will change now that the sun is finally beginning to warm things up.
The second is people read this stuff and will hold you accountable.
It’s now been over two weeks since I started on this road. I have to say that it’s not that difficult for me to make it to the gym. I’ve done it for years, so motivation isn’t really an issue.
What's different is I’m now going to the gym almost every day of the week and I have a goal. I will be 200 lbs by the end of June. Even if it kills me. I’ve set myself up on a 3 day rotation that you can download and evaluate for yourself.
I'm already noticing changes.
My cardio is already showing a marked improvement. Where before I was quite happy to stay on a cross trainer for 35 minutes, I now force myself to actually do some running on the treadmill. I hate the treadmill. always have. But I've become so good at the Cross-Trainer, and my body is so comfortable with it that I'm probably not doing myself much good anymore.
My pace has already picked up on the treadmill. Where I started running at 9 km/h, I’m now galloping at 11km/h. If that doesn’t sound like much, please remember I have wee legs.
If there is a part of my original pledge that seems to have fallen by the wayside it’s going for runs outside. I’ve always been a fair-weather runner, so it’s no surprise given the unusual cold-snap of the last few weeks, that I haven’t gone for very many runs – none really.
I’m hoping that will change now that the sun is finally beginning to warm things up.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
The fat bastard chronicles #1
Most folks who know me well, recognize a duality to how I treat my body.
On one hand I'm very deligent about going to the gym and proud of getting consistently better results at the yearly Niagara on the Lake Duathlon.
On the other hand, I drink gallons of beer and eat so many wings, you'd think I was going to sprout a pair of my own.
But today I was at the gym and after another rigorous workout I stepped on the scale. I wasn't surprised at the number I saw. 234lbs.
Ouch.
Now to put this in perspective, when I started university I weighed a staggering 180lbs. That means that in the last 17 years (holy fcuk!) I've managed to pack on 54lbs and go from a pant size of 32 to 36.
So what's to be done? Well I can set all the personal targets I want, but until they are public targets I don't really have much incentive (other than avoiding diabetes, heart disease, etc.). You see everyone has to know my target for it to be real.
So here it is. By the end of June I will be 200lbs of mostly muscle.
I have a plan. And I'm here to share it..
Stay tuned for some unflattering pictures so you can follow along with my progress.
On one hand I'm very deligent about going to the gym and proud of getting consistently better results at the yearly Niagara on the Lake Duathlon.
On the other hand, I drink gallons of beer and eat so many wings, you'd think I was going to sprout a pair of my own.
But today I was at the gym and after another rigorous workout I stepped on the scale. I wasn't surprised at the number I saw. 234lbs.
Ouch.
Now to put this in perspective, when I started university I weighed a staggering 180lbs. That means that in the last 17 years (holy fcuk!) I've managed to pack on 54lbs and go from a pant size of 32 to 36.
So what's to be done? Well I can set all the personal targets I want, but until they are public targets I don't really have much incentive (other than avoiding diabetes, heart disease, etc.). You see everyone has to know my target for it to be real.
So here it is. By the end of June I will be 200lbs of mostly muscle.
I have a plan. And I'm here to share it..
- I will continue to drink beer and eat wings - but the wings will be restricted to once a week. All other food consumed in a bar will be salads or veggie platters.
- Not a single potato chip will cross my lips and I will stay away from junk food of all sorts.
- I will go to the gym every day for weights and cardio.
- I will go for an outdoor run 3 times a week.
Stay tuned for some unflattering pictures so you can follow along with my progress.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
MySpace is dead to me
I remember signing up for MySpace because I heard it was "what all the kidz were doin."
My very first friend request - after Tom of course - came from a young lady who looked like a model and wanted me to check out more pictures of her on another website.
Spam.
It only got worse. Soon there were all sorts of folks pitching get-rich quick schemes along with shitty bands trying to get me to listen to their sub-par works.
And then there were (and still are) the bugs. Half the time the site doesn't work.
Google paid 1.65 billion for this?
In the last couple of weeks I've become addicted to Facebook. I've found loads of folks I hadn't heard from in years. Best of all the interface and nifty real-time features makes it easy to maintain my profile and keep up with what my friends are doing on theirs. And these are real friends, not random strangers.
Best of all I have no scam artists or fake hotties waiting for me when I log in.
Thank you Facebook. You've killed MySpace and given the rest of the world something to get excited about.
Now who's gonna tell all those folks who own stocks in Google?
My very first friend request - after Tom of course - came from a young lady who looked like a model and wanted me to check out more pictures of her on another website.
Spam.
It only got worse. Soon there were all sorts of folks pitching get-rich quick schemes along with shitty bands trying to get me to listen to their sub-par works.
And then there were (and still are) the bugs. Half the time the site doesn't work.
Google paid 1.65 billion for this?
In the last couple of weeks I've become addicted to Facebook. I've found loads of folks I hadn't heard from in years. Best of all the interface and nifty real-time features makes it easy to maintain my profile and keep up with what my friends are doing on theirs. And these are real friends, not random strangers.
Best of all I have no scam artists or fake hotties waiting for me when I log in.
Thank you Facebook. You've killed MySpace and given the rest of the world something to get excited about.
Now who's gonna tell all those folks who own stocks in Google?
Monday, March 26, 2007
Still a hipster after all these years
Last weekend, my friends Jas and Bruce were down from London to see the re-united Sebadoh perform at Lee's Palace.
The band initially broke up about 10 years ago. Nothing strange about that. Three old guys going to see a band they loved when they were young enough to keep up with what's new in music.
The funny thing is that unlike adults in the pre-internet age, we aren't listening to oldies stations. We still manage to keep up with what the kids are listening to. Through the magic of sites like Pitchforkmedia.com and Metacritic.com; combined with music sharing sites and bittorrents, all three of us are probably better connected today then we were young and "cool."
When the boys the arrived on Saturday the conversation quickly turned to what we each had been listening to. By the next afternoon I had Broken West and the Rosebuds on my iPod.
I'm not going to get into a rant about "stealing" tracks - which in Canada I'm not.
What I am going to do is explain how I manage to keep up. I simply visit the sites listed above and download every album that gets a great rating. Should be simple enough. Only 9 out of 10 of the albums I download are crap. Most don't even get through the first play.
But at least when I hear kids talk about Modest Mouse, Nelly Furtado or Califone - I not only know what they're talking about, I can give an honest opinion that they suck.
The band initially broke up about 10 years ago. Nothing strange about that. Three old guys going to see a band they loved when they were young enough to keep up with what's new in music.
The funny thing is that unlike adults in the pre-internet age, we aren't listening to oldies stations. We still manage to keep up with what the kids are listening to. Through the magic of sites like Pitchforkmedia.com and Metacritic.com; combined with music sharing sites and bittorrents, all three of us are probably better connected today then we were young and "cool."
When the boys the arrived on Saturday the conversation quickly turned to what we each had been listening to. By the next afternoon I had Broken West and the Rosebuds on my iPod.
I'm not going to get into a rant about "stealing" tracks - which in Canada I'm not.
What I am going to do is explain how I manage to keep up. I simply visit the sites listed above and download every album that gets a great rating. Should be simple enough. Only 9 out of 10 of the albums I download are crap. Most don't even get through the first play.
But at least when I hear kids talk about Modest Mouse, Nelly Furtado or Califone - I not only know what they're talking about, I can give an honest opinion that they suck.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Dodging the bullet
One of the truly great feelings in life is going out for a night of overindulgence and waking up the following day without a sore head or shaky hand.
I like to call it dodging the bullet. The weapon was aimed. You were loaded. The shot was fired...nothing.
It's a great morning and you know that you should be dying.
But like everything else, it can work both days. Like when you go out for 2 pints and the next morning you have all the symptoms of serious bender-fatigue.
Cruelly as one gets older the second option seems to occur more and more.
Thankfully last night falls into the first category. I went to see Sebadoh at Lee's Palace in Toronto. It was the "classic" line-up that hadn't played together in over 10 years. I understand it's not the Police, but I did spend a lot of time listening to Sebadoh when I was younger.
The evening got started with an afternoon. I had some old friends show up from London before 3 and we were drinking beer on the patio before they'd even toured my new house.
Without giving a gulp-by-gulp rundown, let's just say a pattern for behavior was set.
When we got to Lee's at about 11 the band came on and rocked the house. I'd seen Lou Barlow solo and he pretty much sucked as a individual performer, so it was good to see him with a live band.
I always thought Sebadoh's Harmacy, was one of the most underrated albums of the 1990's (along with Sugar's Copper Blue) so I was a little disappointed the band didn't play more from that record.
But for a bunch of old(ish) guys they still put on a great show.
Anyway, back to the original point. I dodged the bullet like it was 1995 all over again.
I like to call it dodging the bullet. The weapon was aimed. You were loaded. The shot was fired...nothing.
It's a great morning and you know that you should be dying.
But like everything else, it can work both days. Like when you go out for 2 pints and the next morning you have all the symptoms of serious bender-fatigue.
Cruelly as one gets older the second option seems to occur more and more.
Thankfully last night falls into the first category. I went to see Sebadoh at Lee's Palace in Toronto. It was the "classic" line-up that hadn't played together in over 10 years. I understand it's not the Police, but I did spend a lot of time listening to Sebadoh when I was younger.
The evening got started with an afternoon. I had some old friends show up from London before 3 and we were drinking beer on the patio before they'd even toured my new house.
Without giving a gulp-by-gulp rundown, let's just say a pattern for behavior was set.
When we got to Lee's at about 11 the band came on and rocked the house. I'd seen Lou Barlow solo and he pretty much sucked as a individual performer, so it was good to see him with a live band.
I always thought Sebadoh's Harmacy, was one of the most underrated albums of the 1990's (along with Sugar's Copper Blue) so I was a little disappointed the band didn't play more from that record.
But for a bunch of old(ish) guys they still put on a great show.
Anyway, back to the original point. I dodged the bullet like it was 1995 all over again.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Requiem for Aidan
I'm not dead, nor do I plan on being dead for a long long time.
I was listening to the CBC's Vinyl Cafe last Sunday as I was tootin' about and the main character, Dave, was obsessed by which songs would get played at his funeral.
It got me thinking. What would I like to have played when I shuffle off?
When I was in high school a guy from one of my classes was killed in a car accident. He had a Bon Jovi song as his going away tune. I think it was "Dead or Alive." At the time, I thought it was pretty cheesy. And, 20 years later that's about all I remember about him.
When my own brother shuffled off - or skidded off - on a motorbike a few years back, there wasn't any music at his visitation other than the usual classical you'd expect at funeral homes.
My point it that if I'm going to choose music, I don't want it to come across as dated when folks think back in 20 years. But I do want something that is me.
So without any further adieu, here is the song list for my funeral - when I final give it up at the ripe old age of 206.
Skydiggers - Slow burnin' fire
It was my wedding song, so I make as well keep it for the reprise.
Brian Wilson - Good Vibrations
Hopefully someone is checking my pulse every couple of hours to make sure I didn't just accidentally eat the bad part of a puffer fish.
Beatles - Here comes the sun
It's gorgeous and timeless. Just like me.
Beautiful South - Old red eyes is back
A great song about someone who drinks too much. I'd hope that I can keep my current pace until at least my late 170's.
Bruce Springsteen - Born to run
Could very well be the best rock song ever written. By anyone.
Crowded House - Better be home soon
As one to go out on, I hope this is played as they turn off the lights.
Joel Plaskett - Nowhere with you
It's a nice little ditty, that makes me happy to be married. And I'd hope that Deb makes it to at least 207.
Pixies - Here comes your man.
Yes. It's about buying drugs. But my folks don't know that. And at 270, they probably won't figure it out.
Stone Roses - I am the resurrection
I'm not, in case you are wondering. But as a anthem, I'd be happy with it.
So there you go. What's on your list?
I was listening to the CBC's Vinyl Cafe last Sunday as I was tootin' about and the main character, Dave, was obsessed by which songs would get played at his funeral.
It got me thinking. What would I like to have played when I shuffle off?
When I was in high school a guy from one of my classes was killed in a car accident. He had a Bon Jovi song as his going away tune. I think it was "Dead or Alive." At the time, I thought it was pretty cheesy. And, 20 years later that's about all I remember about him.
When my own brother shuffled off - or skidded off - on a motorbike a few years back, there wasn't any music at his visitation other than the usual classical you'd expect at funeral homes.
My point it that if I'm going to choose music, I don't want it to come across as dated when folks think back in 20 years. But I do want something that is me.
So without any further adieu, here is the song list for my funeral - when I final give it up at the ripe old age of 206.
Skydiggers - Slow burnin' fire
It was my wedding song, so I make as well keep it for the reprise.
Brian Wilson - Good Vibrations
Hopefully someone is checking my pulse every couple of hours to make sure I didn't just accidentally eat the bad part of a puffer fish.
Beatles - Here comes the sun
It's gorgeous and timeless. Just like me.
Beautiful South - Old red eyes is back
A great song about someone who drinks too much. I'd hope that I can keep my current pace until at least my late 170's.
Bruce Springsteen - Born to run
Could very well be the best rock song ever written. By anyone.
Crowded House - Better be home soon
As one to go out on, I hope this is played as they turn off the lights.
Joel Plaskett - Nowhere with you
It's a nice little ditty, that makes me happy to be married. And I'd hope that Deb makes it to at least 207.
Pixies - Here comes your man.
Yes. It's about buying drugs. But my folks don't know that. And at 270, they probably won't figure it out.
Stone Roses - I am the resurrection
I'm not, in case you are wondering. But as a anthem, I'd be happy with it.
So there you go. What's on your list?
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Wafting in the beer farts of midgets
With another St. Patrick's Day safely behind me, I can't help but acknowledge how drink-fests are starting to bore me.
Don't get me wrong. I drink.
A lot.
And maybe that's the problem. I go out all the time and have become accustomed to feeling a bit groggy on Sunday mornings.
So I really see New Years and St. Patrick's Day as amateur night at the pub. The equivalent to alcoholic karaoke. As a weekly finalist in Drunkard Idol, it's not a lot of fun watching chumps murder my favorite past time.
The sad part is I will do it again next year and feel the exact same way the next morning.
Don't get me wrong. I drink.
A lot.
And maybe that's the problem. I go out all the time and have become accustomed to feeling a bit groggy on Sunday mornings.
So I really see New Years and St. Patrick's Day as amateur night at the pub. The equivalent to alcoholic karaoke. As a weekly finalist in Drunkard Idol, it's not a lot of fun watching chumps murder my favorite past time.
The sad part is I will do it again next year and feel the exact same way the next morning.
Friday, March 16, 2007
If you have to be poor...
If you have to be poor in the Caribbean (and let's face it if you are living in the Caribbean, you'll probably be as poor as your neighbours), it's better to be poor in Cuba than anywhere else.
In the last five years I've vacationed in Mexico, Dominican and Cuba. Without a doubt the people of Cuba have it the best of all three. Healthcare, education and housing are available to all.
Before someone responds about the "freedom" of democracies like Mexico and Dominican, let me say that freedom is a luxury of the rich in any country. Ask yourself how free a homeless person is in New York or Washington? That homeless person is free to write a book, or vote in elections. But in 2004 only about 60 percent of eligible voters in the U.S. even bothered to vote.
So what is the value of democracy to the poor when the daily necessities aren't met?
But why do Cubans wash up in Florida? Does it mean that Fidel Castro is as hated as the US State Department would have you believe? Mexicans trek through the desert to get to America to. It doesn't mean they hate their country. In both instances folks are just looking to try their luck in a richer nation. And as despised at the U.S. seems to be around the world, it's still the number one destination for anyone who still believes in the "American Dream."
From what I saw in Cuba - Havana in particular - Cubans are not as oppressed as some folks would like you to believe. And when the transition to democracy happens - and it will happen - the population will be healthy, educated and ready to succeed in a way no other Caribbean democracy can.
Castro eliminated foreign ownership of his island's wealth, and redistributed it amongst his people. It's hard to find another country in the region where the citizens are in such control of their own destiny. Cuba is an good instance of Socialism paving the way for a successful transition to first-world status in a country that would otherwise have a super rich with no middle class to hide it's poor.
If you are curious to see my pictures from Cuba, I've got them posted on Flickr.
In the last five years I've vacationed in Mexico, Dominican and Cuba. Without a doubt the people of Cuba have it the best of all three. Healthcare, education and housing are available to all.
Before someone responds about the "freedom" of democracies like Mexico and Dominican, let me say that freedom is a luxury of the rich in any country. Ask yourself how free a homeless person is in New York or Washington? That homeless person is free to write a book, or vote in elections. But in 2004 only about 60 percent of eligible voters in the U.S. even bothered to vote.
So what is the value of democracy to the poor when the daily necessities aren't met?
But why do Cubans wash up in Florida? Does it mean that Fidel Castro is as hated as the US State Department would have you believe? Mexicans trek through the desert to get to America to. It doesn't mean they hate their country. In both instances folks are just looking to try their luck in a richer nation. And as despised at the U.S. seems to be around the world, it's still the number one destination for anyone who still believes in the "American Dream."
From what I saw in Cuba - Havana in particular - Cubans are not as oppressed as some folks would like you to believe. And when the transition to democracy happens - and it will happen - the population will be healthy, educated and ready to succeed in a way no other Caribbean democracy can.
Castro eliminated foreign ownership of his island's wealth, and redistributed it amongst his people. It's hard to find another country in the region where the citizens are in such control of their own destiny. Cuba is an good instance of Socialism paving the way for a successful transition to first-world status in a country that would otherwise have a super rich with no middle class to hide it's poor.
If you are curious to see my pictures from Cuba, I've got them posted on Flickr.
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