Tuesday, June 29, 2004
License to Complain
So, it's a Liberal minority. I guess that's better than a Liberal majority or a Harper-led anything. Of course, my candidate of choice didn't win, but being 1 of 276 who cast his vote for the Libertarians, I wasn't expecting anything different. I guess we'll do this all again next year!
NP: The Fiery Furnaces - I'm Gonna Run
posted by Hanson |
12:18 AM
Monday, June 28, 2004
D-Day
Go vote, beeyatch!
NP: Rilo Kiley - I Never
posted by Hanson |
12:21 PM
Luckily, 12% Isn't Much
My midterm this coming Tuesday is the most poorly organized exam of my six-year undergrad career. Originally scheduled for last week, the prof changed it mere days before because he had to go away to a conference. What's more, he rescheduled it for a week later -- when he's still not back! All he told us about the exam that we're responsible for everything up to his last lecture -- how vague. The problem is, he has completely forgotten to put up the notes for the stuff we've been talking about for the last week or so -- stuff that we're supposed to know for the midterm! And he didn't even tell us what types of questions are going to be on the bloody thing. I mean, I kind of know what to expect, but I wouldn't put it pass him to spring some multiple choice on us. Ugh. He's truly one of those profs who don't give a fuck about teaching (undergrads).
Non-sequitur: England supporter. Get it?
NP: The Organ - Brother
posted by Hanson |
1:34 AM
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Think Happy Thoughts
Expletives weren't enough to describe how I felt after England' PK defeat at the hands of the Portuguese. Suffice it to say, for the rest of the day, I wasn't Mr. Happy Sunshine. And now I shall speak no more of it.
So, I ended up only catching (the incredibly cute) Melissa McClelland on Friday night, missing what I've heard was a great performance by Ms. Leslie Feist. Had Melissa started on time, I could've caught the bulk of Feist's set at Richard's, but since opener Heather Griffin was 45 minutes late, that kicked my plan in the balls. After Melissa wrapped up her pretty darn good set at 11:30, I left -- skipping headliner Lindy -- to see if I could catch Feist. When I drove by, I saw tonnes of people walking from the direction of Richard's -- people who looked like listeners of Feist. Shit. So I turned my car around and sped for home, hoping to get some studying done for my midterm the next day. Bleh. At least I saw one great performance that night.
Oh, my observation of the day: very rarely do cute girls work at Chinese restaurants in Vancouver. I saw one today, which totally took me by surprise and made me realize just how rare that was. Whereas at "white" restaurants, waitresses are often young and cute, those who take your order and bring you food at Chinese restaurants tend to be old and ugly. Why is that? I have some theories. Any of you guys want to take a shot?
NP: Rilo Kiley - I Never
posted by Hanson |
2:28 AM
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Torn!!
Melissa McClelland will get on at 10 tonight, precisely when I figure Feist will start her set! And I thought I could double-dip and see Melissa open at the Media Club, then pop over to Richard's to see Feist headline. Now, it seems I'm fucked. Lets hope there's another opener for Feist besides Young & Sexy...
NP: (bitching)
posted by Hanson |
6:33 PM
Conflicted
* Melissa McClelland and Feist -- both playing tonight.
* England vs. Portugal and CMPT 310 midterm -- both starting ~11:30 am tomorrow.
Fack.
NP: Feist - One Evening
posted by Hanson |
5:55 PM
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
First Rant on Last Comic
On the first elimination episode of the new season of Last Comic Standing, Bonnie McFarlane got the boot over a mildly funny John Heffron. And by a *huge* margin! 94% of the (stupid) audience thought John's brand of run-of-the-mill humour was more entertaining than Bonnie's loof-but-original set. Bullshit. Bull-fucking-shit. Bonnie was brilliant; John was blah. Ugh. The one I was cheering for got thrown out first. I hope that doesn't happen on Canadian Idol...
Anyway, back to studying...
NP: Feist - It's Cool To Love Your Family
posted by Hanson |
10:40 PM
Monday, June 21, 2004
All Lit Up
Bright Eyes! Vancouver! October 19th!! At the Commodore, meaning no abbreviated show!!! Jim James (of My Morning Jacket) and M. Ward opens. Weeeeee!
If I sound just little bit excited, it's because I just watched a brilliant football match with a favourable outcome. I'll post more on that later, but now, lets celebrate The Connor returning!
NP: Feist - Flight #303
posted by Hanson |
1:50 PM
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Welcome to XP
Why no post in three days, you ask? That's what happens when your computer takes one through the backdoor courtesy of a mo'fo worm. As a result, my Win2K Server install has become WinXP Pro, leaving me without Internet access for over a day and a half. Bleh. In the meantime, I've missed sending out and receiving time-sensitive emails, updating my fantasy baseball rosters, and of course, blogging. It just goes to show how dependent I am on my computer. So, a few quick updates:
I dropped a nice load at A&B Sound on Thursday, getting five CDs and three music DVDs. Finally, I have all of Emm Gryner's videos on DVD.
Saw me some Saved! today. Mary-Louise Parker shouldn't get short blonde hair ever again.
I've fallen off the wagon again. Euro 2004 has driven me back into the bosom of the CM Series. There's a new sheriff at Vicarage Road, and I'll guide the Hornets back into the top flight in no time. And speaking of footy, my Euro 2004 pool has gone to hell.
*Sigh*. Stupid worms. I had this "Doing It With Feist All Night Long" title all picked out for a post. Too bad I won't get to use it... until my next CMPT 310 assignment is due....
NP: Feist - It's Cool to Love Your Family
posted by Hanson |
3:06 AM
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Quick Break
(The music of) Feist is sexy in a way Peaches(') can never be.
Back to work.
NP: Feist - One Evening
posted by Hanson |
4:55 PM
Monday, June 14, 2004
Euro 2004: Days 1 to 3
I had intended to make my first official Euro 2004 post after the England game. However, the shocking manner in which they lost to France made me violently ill; from being chuff to pieces, I fell to pieces. It was just awful. Even though France outplayed England for much of the game, two goals in injury time still stings like a mo'fucker.
Becks: that miss against Turkey didn't mean anything in the grand scheme of things, but this one hurts. Stevie G: of *anybody* to do something like that, I didn't think it'd be you! And Sven, Sven: I have no idea why you played Scholesy on the left. I mean, he kept drifting back in the middle anyway. And he's right-footed! And what the hell was Owen supposed to do when you only feed him long direct balls? He's TINY! Why even have him around if you're not even going to use him properly. The only reason Rooney got any quality touches was because he kept coming back to midfield to pick up the ball. If you're gonna have someone play that free role, why not have Scholes do it? If you want an out-and-out striker, leave Rooney UP THERE! Sheesh.
But enough armchair managing for me. On to today's games. I thought the Danes played brilliantly, and judging by their performance, Italy should be happy with the 0-0 result. Buffon made some key saves, and if it weren't for him, the Danes could've easily went home with all the points. As for the Sweden-Bulgaria game, what can I say? I've always thought Henrik Larsson was a tad overrated, seeing as he played in what was essentially a second-tier league in Scotland. But he's just got that finishing touch that all top goal scorers have. That second goal -- anyone of lesser quality wouldn't have been able to keep the ball down.
And Ibrahimovic! A few years ago, I bought a teenage him on the cheap from Malmo in a football management video game for Watford. He was just class and helped my side to Premiership and European Cup glory. And now, in real life, he's a bona fide international star! Hehe. I sure know how to pick them :-)
Two more games tomorrow. Besides just being a clash of two top sides, all the build up for the Holland-Germany game is going to make it very interesting.
NP: The Stills - Allison Krausse
posted by Hanson |
11:54 PM
Sunday, June 13, 2004
What the Fuck.....
Two goals in injury time.... Becks and Gerrard the goats.... what the fuck......
NP: (dead silence)
posted by Hanson |
1:37 PM
Friday, June 11, 2004
On the Ball
Sacrifices are part of everyday life. With Euro 2004 mere hours away, football will once again dominate my TV-watching. Two games a day for the next two weeks leaves little time for homework, and that's why I need to get as much done when I have the time. So it looks like I won't see Paper Moon tonight. Instead, I'll be home implementing a top-down procedure for solving queries in the Definite Clause Language. Um, yay. The things I do for football....
Theresa Watch: Theresa Sokyrka made it to the final 32 of Canadian Idol. Oh yeah. I'll keep watching as long as she's on.
NP: Bethany Yarrow - Come to Me
posted by Hanson |
1:38 PM
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Reality Check
Last Comic Standing is back! I thoroughly enjoyed it last year, and there are a few good ones this time around too. My pick so far is Alonzo Bodden. Funny, funny guy. That Bonnie chick was good too -- and cute! They need some of that in the house, methinks. Hehe... and it would've been interesting if the stripper made it too. Lets hope this season will be just as entertaining (and with a better ending)!
In other news, Theresa Sokyrka got through to the next round in Canadian Idol. No surprise there. All the way. All the way!
NP: Devics - Alone With You
posted by Hanson |
12:09 AM
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Ugh!!!
Phantom Planet is FINALLY coming to Vancouver -- but they're opening up for friggin' Hoobatstank! ARGH!!!!! $23.50 + TicketBastard charges just to see an opening band (and then skipping out right away to avoid what's next). Ugh. Maybe...
NP: Rilo Kiley - Love and War
posted by Hanson |
4:04 PM
First Show in June?
I skipped out on Eleni Mandell last night cos I was beyond tired. Too bad.
In better news, it looks like Paper Moon is playing Vancouver this Friday! Who wants to go?? They sound like That Dog crossed with a little B'ehl and Plumtree, i.e. sugary female-fronted indie pop that drives me nuts. Now I just need to find this "Hot Jazz Society" place...
NP: Travis Morrison - What's Your Fantasy? [hilarious acoustic Ludacris cover]
posted by Hanson |
2:01 PM
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Answore!
Answer in the comments section... if you dare! (Nicked from Val)
1. Who are you? (I'm talking to all you lurkers)
2. Have we ever met?
3. Give me a nickname and explain why you picked it.
4. Describe me in one word.
5. What reminds you of me?
6. If you could give me anything, what would it be?
7. Ever wanted to tell me something but couldn't?
8. Are you going to put this on your weblog and see what I say about you?
9. What do you love like a fat kid loves cake?
10. What makes you come back here?
NP: Rilo Kiley - Portions for Foxes
posted by Hanson |
11:35 PM
Sunday, June 06, 2004
Quickie
I need to get one of those black stovepipe top hats. That is all.
NP: Rilo Kiley - Accidntl Deth
posted by Hanson |
1:21 AM
Friday, June 04, 2004
How Do You Pronounce "Sokyrka"?
I always watch the first few episodes of the various Idol competitions for the entertainingly bad singers. Once the funny ones are weeded out, though, I stop watching, as I don't particularly enjoy overly exaggerated vocal gymnastics. What's the point of watching decent karaoke singers do the same boring songs over and over again? If I like to hear people scream into mics and hit every damn note of some crappy Dianne Warren song, I'd listen to Dirrty Xtina.
That said, this latest Canadian Idol might be different. For the first time ever, I actually liked one of the contestants. No, it's more than that. I was pretty much blown away by Theresa Sokyrka, who put on a great performance at the Regina auditions. Yeah, I've heard plenty of guys and girls who can sing a song, but this girl's the real deal. Apparently, she has a musical background and plays the violin. Not overly pretentious, not trying to pull off an Xtina impression, and not giving off a bit of that haughty arrogance that tonnes of these wannabes reek of, Theresa's vibe says that she's the genuine article. It's like seeing a real musician auditioning for the show. In fact, it is. Plus she's got this bookish charm that totally gets me, and her voice is just good. And you know how much I like a good voice.
I hope she goes far, but I'm afraid that Canada will boot her off in favour of someone with a more mainstream blah appeal. Until that happens, though, I'm going to keep watching (for once). Go whoop some ass, Theresa!
NP: Rilo Kiley - Does He Love You?
posted by Hanson |
4:37 PM
An Act of God?
Creed broke up! Come on, Nickelback. I know you want to too!
NP: Rilo Kiley - The Absence of God
posted by Hanson |
12:10 PM
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Can I Be Jenny Lewis' Man-Bitch?
Since getting them, I've been repeatedly playing the three "taped"-off-the-internet Rilo Kiley songs from their new album, More Adventurous. And I can't seem to stop. At all. Not for a second! The songs are more than solid, Jenny sounds sooooo damn good, and the arrangements are supertastic. What more can you ask for?
All three songs hold up to anything they have ever laid to tape. "Portions for Foxes" seems radio ready. "Does He Love You?" does the whole building thing, climaxing both narrative and musically, the latter involving strings! "Accidntel Deth" features the freakin' awesome signature production of Jimmy Tamborello of DNTEL and The Postal Service (hence the spelling). Judging from this small sample, More Adventurous should be the best out of all RK's stellar releases.
July 27th, please come soon (and Soulseek, please have it soon). In the meantime, have a listen to Does He Love You?, Portions for Foxes, and Accidntel Deth.
So. Fucking. Good. I need this more than a crackhead needs crack.
EDITED: You can get all the tracks above (and more) from here now.
NP: Rilo Kiley - Portions for Foxes
posted by Hanson |
5:41 PM
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Happy Ho
I just faxed in the acceptance letter for my last ever co-op job. Starting in September, I'll once again be gainfully employed at a company I love, doing something I'm fairly good at. Granted, it's not Barsuk or Saddle Creek, but I don't think they would've hired me without an interview.
Yay for new opportunities! And working downtown! I so missed that.
NP: The Fiery Furnaces - Bird Brain
posted by Hanson |
12:36 AM
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Sneak Peek
No shows for me until the Stills in a little over two weeks (6/15). After that, it'll Feist (6/22) and Melissa McClelland (6/23) on back to back days, followed by the Organ (7/08), and maybe Carl Newman the night of VETO (7/17). Of course, I'm expecting other shows to be announced. Hopefully, they'll be good ones!
EDITED: I think Young and Sexy are playing here in the next little bit too. Couldn't find specifics, though.
NP: (Nothing)
posted by Hanson |
1:02 AM
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