Fire on 2nd Canadian sub

Yup. Good buy, those subs. *Shakes head in shame*

CBC News: Fire on 2nd Canadian sub

Juliette & The Licks

It doesn't suck?! Juliette Lewis (yes, the actress) and the Licks are playing Lee's Palace on Nov. 3rd. Click the link for media player action.

* Juliette & The Licks

Chavez: Don't dress up for Halloween unless you love America!

I'm still trying to figure out if I like Hugo Chavez or not.

Forgive my ignorance, but don't many South American nations have holidays to celebrate the dead too?

CNN.com - Chavez: Halloween part of U.S. culture of terror - Oct 30, 2005

I just find this funny

In light of Paul Martin receiving his copy of the Gomery Report later this evening, I find it strangely ironic that acording to legend today is the day Martin Luther nailed his thesis to the door of the church in Wittenburg in 1517. Just ponder that one.

Wiping the floor

I'm slowly being choked. On the one hand it's by the chemicals some fellas are using to clean the terrazo flooring in our hallway, and secondly, by the ongoing coverage of Rosa Parks funeral, which is being totally hijacked by Bush's new supreme court nomination.

Case and point: Rev. Jessie Jackson is on CNN talking about the very personal impact Rosa Parks and her act of defiance had on his life's work. The second quesiton, mid thought, was about what he though about Samuel Alito's nomination. You could see the insult on his face.

CBC News: Opposition predicts Liberal downfall as release of Gomery report looms

CBC News: Opposition predicts Liberal downfall as release of Gomery report looms

New Music Friday Vol. 34

Bah. Stupid coffee shops and with no free Internet. Such a waste if you ask me. If anyone knows a spot around Yonge and Lawrence and Eglinton, with free WI-FI email us.

But I digress.

Two new albums for review this week:

- First, the new album by Circa Survive. While I haven’t had the opportunity to listen to all of it yet, Juturna is a good mix of art/screamo a la Blood Brothers with some downright poppy-type songs. I’ve Been Trying to Reach You and Stop the Fuckin’ Car are my two favs so far. There’s a media player on the main page of the site, so go there now.
-Propagandhi’s newest, Potemkin City Limits, is a bit of a refreshed effort by the band, brought back from near-death with the addition of a new singer after the sudden departure of Chris Hannah (see NMF post from two weeks ago). PCL is, like most bands are doing these days, a more stylized approach to what you’ve come to expect. The speed and anger is still there, the super political lyrics are still there, but so is a more brooding, darker Propagandhi. Some songs are downright slow! Still, it’s better than Today’s Empire, Tomorrow’s Ashes. Not bad, but not great. Listen before you buy. And the new guy totally songs like Chris!

- Shit from Hell play a Halloween bash at the Beaches this weekend. Get the details here.

- And on a related, though hardly newsworthy note, a mini This Time of Year reunion of sorts will be goin’ down next week. For those not in the know, This Time of Year was the Nar’s old band, which included illustrious past members from Raise Them and Eat Them, Arrows, Arkata, and The Video Dead. This’ll only be Tye, Pepper and the Nar. But really, when the Nar is there, who else do you need? Let there be rock.

Star Wars DVD Easter Egg?

This is just freaky. And the weird part about it is that it probably took more than one person to design and animate this.

Sorry, copy and paste.

http://media.mypartypost.com/ryan/videos/movie/yoda2.wmv

Iraq Body Count

Iraq Body Count: "The worldwide update of reported civilian deaths in the Iraq war and occupation."

I don't think this will win the pumkin carving contest.

I smells sumthin' burnin'.

Today @ PC World - Enter the Great Pumpkin PC

Public Space Committee Named best activist group of the year

3/4 of the way down the page.


NOW Magazine - Newsfront in Toronto,
OCTOBER 27 - NOVEMBER 2, 2005

Le Patriot Act?

BBC NEWS | Europe | France plans new anti-terror law

US military deaths in Iraq reach 2,000 - Yahoo! News

Yet another in a long line of firsts today.

US military deaths in Iraq reach 2,000 - Yahoo! News

My blog is worth $1,693.62.
How much is your blog worth?

Kill the Monster Garbage Cans - Email the Mayor!

Take action to be sure these things never take over our streets. Email the mayor, who is on record actually SUPPORTING these beasts, at mayor_miller@toronto.ca. Here is a nice template letter I made up, and used, that you can feel free to copy and paste:

Mr. Miller,

I am very discouraged to see that the city would consider such a wasteful project during a time when your office, the province and federal governments all encourage fiscal and environmental restraint. These garbage bins are a electrified, gleaming example of just the opposite message you're trying to set. Worst of all, unlike other messages, this one will be obvious to every driver, cyclist and pedestrian in the city should these things be approved.

The garbage cans are a potential failure waiting to happen:

-They block lines of sight for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists
-They hold less capacity (but more space for advertising)
-They draw city electricity to power the illuminated advertising (for shame!)
-They are confusing in design
-They add to the immense visual clutter already crowding the narrow landscape of Toronto with more needless advertising!

I have supported your vision of a new Toronto where back-office deals are a thing of the past. Where full disclosure and accountability will help to revive the city, and help press our case for more responsibiltiy under a new City of Toronto Act. The whole idea of these garbage cans seems to run contrary to that vision (at the very least, that is the optics of it). It smacks of the old "profits before people" mentality that doomed previous administrations.

Mr. Miller, I would urge you and your fellow councilors to vote down the possibility of these Monsters ever invading our street corners, and instead turn our efforts towards alternatives that benefit the city by helping to reduce waste on our streets, but do so while being cheap, unobtrusive and responsible to the environment.

Thank you,

UPDATE. The mayor's office has indeed read my email and it will be shared with the mayor himself! Proof that action still does count for something. Let us know if you email him too thedailynar@gmail.com

New Garbage & Recycling Bin Survey

You only have a few days left to make sure you tell the city how rediculous and wasteful the new monster garbage bins are. Use the link below and tell 'em the Nar sent ya!
Background on the Monster Garbage Cans
New Garbage & Recycling Bin Survey

Take 'em out of the purse, Jack!

Could it be that the NDP will finally swing the ten tonne bat they earned in the last election? Jack Layton says he has strict conditions that the Liberals must meet on health care, along with, I'm sure, some other social services rolled up in his empty pouch that holds about $4.6 billion dollars.

So the question is, what will Jackie get? Here's my prediction, based on nothing but my gut:

The NDP will get minor concessions on health care, because any help to health care is help to your own party. As for other social services, I think Jack's dreaming a little too big. Asking for the whole kit and caboodle at once will never work, just as Dalton McGuinty. The Liberals can't look like they're bending over for the little NDP party either, or the Conservatives will beat them over the head with that bit of rhetoric (provided they can keep it together long enough to speak with one voice) all they way to Election Day. Don't forget folks, a writ is supposed to drop after the final Gomery Report (in the spring), so every move now is carefully calculated by people who are way smarter than me.

And look! Someone at the CBC agrees:

CBC News: Martin, Layton to hammer out parliamentary pact

CNN.com - Civil rights icon Rosa Parks dies at 92 - Oct 24, 2005

An Icon has passed away. Nothing else to say about that that won't be said over the next few days. RIP Rosa Parks.

CNN.com - Civil rights icon Rosa Parks dies at 92 - Oct 24, 2005

Heck of a Job? (Part II)

Adbusters examines croynism at its best in the Bush Administration. This installation looks at some of his political appointments.

Adbusters : Heck of a Job? (Part II)

Spacing Wire � Expo 2015 Consultation

Spacing Wire � Expo 2015 Consultation

Happy Birthday United Nations

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the formal creation of the United Nations. Just thought you should know that. So its no wonder it routinely can be found disoriented in the deli section of the grocery store shouting about hair rinse...

A bunch of crazy facts you didn't know (but should).

Oh. And there's proof too.

College Bargain

SNL can still be funny

It's rare, but here is a funny SNL skit - a spoof of Bush's recent Q&A with the troops. The funniest part is around 4:20 in.

GorillaMask.net: SNL spoofs Bush's staged teleconference

...and boy! Are my arms tired!

I'm watching (because I can now) highlights of the Press Gallery Dinner from last night in Gatineau. Here's a live blog kinda thing while it plays out in the background:

So far, the new GG's got the funniest line "Paul Martin chose me not because I am French, or an Immigrant, or Black. He chose me because I'm hot."

Paul Martin is the most animated I've ever seen in my life. He may be drunk, or just doing a really good impersonation of a teenager. "I'm like, and she's like..." routine about Belina "who seems to be dressed like a conservative (little c now!) Jennifer Lopez.

Brian Mulroney just beat the GG, hands down. "Peter Newman, go fuck yourself. Goodnight".

Stephen Harper reads jokes poorly, I'm sorry. He does seem to like taking the piss out of Jack Layton. His impression of Mulroney was pretty good though.

I can't believe how much Jack looks like Tommy Smothers. The guitar helped me make the connection. Too bad I hate musical comedy. Still it's better than that arse head Sean Cullen.

Back to School BC

CBC News: B.C. teachers, students head back to class

Top 100 Beers

I am preparing here at the bunker for the firestorm this post will produce: The Beer Advocate (whoever that is) has taken it upon themselves to rank the Top 100 Beers according to members ratings. Beer cap shrapnel shall ensue!

Top 100 Beers - Beer Advocate

The way the music died

I'm not sure if I've posted this yet. But its one of the best documentaries on the modern music industry you'll find. 30,000 albums a year, only 100 have hits. That's a staggering number if you think about it.

The film follows, amongst other, they guys from Guns n' Roses trying to put together a new band (which we now know as Velvet Revolver).


frontline: the way the music died: watch the full program online | PBS

Alexis Mazurin dies

CBC Radio 3 host Alexis Mazurin died last night as a result of a heart attack suffered in September. I've listened to his show Out There a few times, and it was good.

Its a shame when someone with so much future to look forward to goes away. My best wishes are with his family.

CBC Arts: CBC Radio host Alexis Mazurin dies

Natural Gas Prices Set to Soar

In my apartment, they've just replaced the old steam heating system with a new "high efficiency" system. Funny thing is, I seriously question how it could be considered highly efficient, as the thing has to run all day just to keep the one-bedroom apartment above 70. I think what they meant to say was: this unit is highly efficient at driving up your electricity bill while removing the costs from us, so make sure to buy a lotto ticket, suckers. Thanks!

CBC News: Natural gas bills could rise 50% this winter

Lawyer Representing Defendant in Hussein Trial Is Found Dead - New York Times

Lawyer Representing Defendant
in Hussein Trial Is Found Dead - New York Times

New Music Friday Vol. 33.

No new music this week. But here is list of notables that have come out over the last 30 days:

A Wilhelm Scream - Ruiner
Alkaline Trio/Hot Water Music - Split
Boy Sets Fire - Before the Eulogy
Elliott - Photorecording (The Nar's recommendation!)
I am the Avalanche - S/T
NOFX - 7" Club #2
Propagandhi - Potemkin City Limits
The International Noise Conspiracy - Armed Love
V/A - Protect: A Benefit for the National Association to Protect Chilrdren
Solea - S/T (Ex- TEXAS IS THE REASON, SAMIAM/KNAPSACK, and SENSE FIELD)
Thrice - Vheissu
Jello Biafra and The Melvins - Sieg Howdy

RevHQ.com - The Best Source for Independent Music.

There is a God!

READ THIS AND REJOICE!
The Globe and Mail: Tea Party announce breakup

Noooooo! This is NOT Like Living in Paradise!

Oh no!

Have you heard of Rock Star: INXS? I never watched it, but I know from my deep connection to the Force that it sucked hard.

But.

Did you ever wonder why it was called Rock Star":". Well, seems the part after the ":" is gonna make a comeback next season. And if the current wave of bands trying to resurrect their careers after the loss of a bandmate (see INXS, TLC), this one ain't even dead yet.

Prepare, oh yee of little faith, for Rock Star: Van Halen? I hope, I pray, I sacrifice small children and lambs and goats and religious rightists that David Lee Roth sneaks in to one of the auditions and makes it through to Hollywood... or where ever washed up bands go to die.

You may go to Hollywood.

You may not.

Slow news day = Fearmongering Pt. II

Ok. So the last one was stupid, this is off the f*cking chart. Just read the first paragraph:

"That maple tree in your front yard may be magnificent this time of year, cloaked in the colorful robes of splendor that herald the transition from one season to the next, but you might want to give it even more respect. It could be a killer."

Funny how the article is actually about trees attacking foreign plants that try to take up root in their area as a defense mechansim, but you would know that for the first couple of paragraphs. And I commend anyone who actually reads all 3 pages of this shite.

Slow news day = Fearmongering

"Hey boss, I can't think of anything to write about today."

"Well gee wiz, Billy. Did ya think about trying to scare the living shit outta everyone yet?"

"No boss! What a great idea!"

"Yep, usually works in a pinch. Ask George."

Ah! C'mon

This is just getting stupid. Michael Jackson gets called back to court... for jury duty?!

Senate Fails to Raise Minimum Wage

If you think minimum wage stinks in Ontario, read this: It's only $5.15 in the US.


Senate Fails to Raise Minimum Wage - New York Times

Notspot

Today,

I decide to go for a walk, to enjoy my “newfound freedom”. In my infinite wisdom, I think to myself “Self, why not bring the laptop with you? There are a ton of coffee shops in the neighborhood, I’m sure they have wireless Internet. It’ll be great! You can sit back, sip some tea, and keep that there website thing you do up to date.”

Well, to my surprise, there is a lot of wireless Internet in my ‘hood, but, it all costs money. Starbucks, Timothy’s, and though I can’t confirm (yet) Second Cup all have some stupid Hotspot access scheme, that works through Telus Mobility. You need to create an account or sign in with a credit card and PAY to use the Internet at the café. This is AFTER you’ve already bought something, and had to put up with the cackling group of middle-aged behind you women talking about what fabric softener smells the most like lavender, or the literary differences between such great films as The Aristocrats and The Aristocats.

The reason I say that Hotspot access (that’s the name of the program) is stupid is because making people pay to use the internet at a café for anything other than checking your email is not going to work. If I owned a store in this neighborhood, the first thing I would do is head to the nearest computer store, plunk down the $40 for a wireless router, and viola! Free Internet for my customers. Anyone with half a brain knows free is good. I can tell you right now I won’t be using my newfound freedom time at any of the cafés in the surrounding area again anytime soon. That’s why this is being posted from home, and not, as I had hoped, from the comfort and pseudo-cool environs of the coffe shop.

(As a side note, I am attempting to down my tea as fast as the laws of thermodynamics will allow. Every second I spend here reminds me why I stopped hanging out at coffee shops… at least during the day.)

TheStar.com - Narrow self-interest injures all Ontarians

Read. Revolt.

TheStar.com - Narrow self-interest injures all Ontarians

Damn.

Bummer. Didn't see this one comin'... I have just discovered I will be rejoining the ranks of the unemployed - after two years at my job. It's funny, it didn't matter that I'd been doing the job, and doing it well for all this time. What it came down to: interview score. My contract expires October 28th, and then? Who knows?

Am I bitter? Nah
Am I angry? Not really
Am I shocked? A little

I had hoped to take care of my student debt before this happened, but oh well. Never fear, loyal readers! The Nar shall not abandon you in you time of mourning! Besides, I don't have anywhere else to hang out now!

Female US Prez in 2009?

Yeah, I know. Two links in a row from Fark, that's just lazy...

Here is a rather compelling arguement that the 2008 US election will be against two women: Clinton vs. Rice. Although the thwack about Bill being "Co-President" is bound to go over like a lead balloon.

By the way, did a GIS for "Condi" and this is what I found. Ha.

The best sandcastles you'll ever see

Yup, that’s sand.  Just sand and water.  I’m impressed.

Media Monsters in our Midsts

Bad News:

Torstar Corp.'s Metroland community-newspaper unit continued its spread across Ontario today with the acquisition of Runge Publishing Inc., which has 18 publications, mostly in the Ottawa Valley.
Financial terms of the purchase were not disclosed, but privately held Runge claims that on a weekly basis, 159,000 households receive its papers. The Runge stable embraces the Kanata Kourier-Standard, Stittsville Weekender, Stittsville News, Arnprior Chronicle-Guide, Arnprior Weekender, West Carleton Review Weekender, Renfrew Mercury, Renfrew Weekender, Almonte Gazette, Carleton Place Canadian, Mississippi Weekender, Barrhaven Weekender, Ottawa South Weekender, Nepean Weekender, Manotick Review, Kemptville Advance, Kemptville Weekender and Iroquois Chieftain.
The transaction "is a continuation of Metroland's strategy of expanding its community newspaper business," stated Torstar (TSX:TS:NV.B), which owns the Toronto Star, the largest-circulation daily in Canada, as well as romance-novel publisher Harlequin Enterprises and about 75 community papers within Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing. Metroland, expanding from its Golden Horseshoe base, last month bought the Huntsville Forester and the Almaguin Forester in cottage country, and in May took over the Bracebridge Examiner, Gravenhurst Banner, Muskokan and other publications in the Muskoka region.
Other Torstar assets include the Hamilton Spectator, the Record in Kitchener-Waterloo, the Guelph Mercury, an interest in several giveaway transit tabloids and B.C. community papers, the ShopTV channel and the Transit Television Network displayed on several U.S. commuter systems.

Here’s what you can do about it.

Boycott St. Clair - Blog

Because a street against a city does not deserve the city.

Pointless info about 1988

For no reason at all, I just discovered that 1988 was a pretty kickin’ year for music, if you think long-term.  Check out the bands that came together in ’88, ya dig?

• Nirvana's career begins


• Phish's career begins


• Steven Morrissey begins solo career;


• The Offspring begin their recording career


• Baha Men forms


• After 7 forms


• Blind Melon forms


• Garth Brooks signs to Capitol records.


• Blues Traveler forms


• Cypress Hill forms


• Guttermouth forms


• Jesus Jones forms


• No Doubt forms


• Pennywise forms


• Radiohead forms (as On A Friday)


• Warrior Soul forms


• Big Black break up


• The Cars break up

New Music Friday Vol. 32

Today’s update is super short as I’ve not really had time to scour the internets for new material:

- Check out Mae. They played last night in Toronto with Circa Survive and Mute Math (sorry, don’t know either band). I haven’t even gotten through half the album, The Everglow, yet, but so far it’s not too bad. Think a very standardized version of new Further Seems Forever. Media Player is here.

- Check out PETA Radio from the PETA 2 website. Awesome bands, awesome site, awesome cause.

ADHD not all bad?

Studies suggest that many of the traits kids with ADHD exhibit can be expressions of deeper gifts: powerful imagination, searching insight and unusual intuition...in other words get off the Ritalin.

Link courtesy of Digg.com

What's Apple's real plan for the Video Ipod?

Link, courtesy of Engadget

The Daily Flu?

Ugh. While I'm down for the lousy count. Entertain yourself with this please.

Is the Vpod for Me(pod)?

Yup.  The Video Ipod is here.  I don’t know if I’d be rejoicing at a 2.5” screen to watch movies on, but hey, it’s a start….

Free tuition in Alberta?

Not going to let this slip under the radar today: Alberta to consider free tuition to post secondary students.

Career Choices

Considering what I am going through in my “real life” today, I find this article completely apropos.

Streetcar's are important

This is just stupid to me.  What this city needs, and I mean really needs, is effective and regular public transportation.  I haven’t made it to work on time this week because of train delays, people delays, Tom DeLays… oh wait.  And then, to hear that a bunch of businesses on St. Clair managed to stop a $65M project that would establish a right of way lane for streetcars?  Give your head a shake Toronto.

Public transit is the ONLY way this city continues to function, and as time passes it will only become more and more critical to extend the existing arteries outward.  Handicapping those arteries become some textile store wants more drive-up business is just stupid.  I agree with the U of T professor who commented this is just more reason the city needs a new Act to take control of these types of issues.

Here’s a link to the Spacing Blog’s article and other links to sources.

Green Day (not so) live and direct

Anybody wanna watch Green Day’s live concert?  Well, you missed it.  It was last night.  But!  Here’s the link showing repeats anyways.  (I can’t confirm if the video works, but its AOL so I’d assume yes.)

INCO to buy Falconbridge

This may not mean much to most south of Parry Sound, but to, say, Sudburians, this is a big deal. This is a smart move for an industry that has been hurting since the fall of the Soviet Union flooded the markets with cheap minerals, particularly nickel. Unfortunately, I can't really see this move having an effect in real terms (e.g. new jobs) but at least it may help the new company hold on to the people they have in the years of ore left up north.

No Money Down

Wow. For those behind the curve, Greg Sorbara has resigned pending an official investigation in his past business dealings. This looks like it really caught a lot of people off guard, as even McGuinty looked off-point in the scrum. Didn't even have time to get his makeup done...

"The RCMP raided the Toronto and Woodbridge, Ont., offices of Sorbara Group. It is also continuing its investigation into Royal Group Technologies, a Toronto Stock Exchange-listed company. Authorities began looking into the financial affairs of that company back in February 2004."

Political Ass-Wipe

OK, before my head explodes at the sheer number of possible jokes derived from this, I’ll just post it.  Toilet paper with Bush, Rice, Putin and Blair on it.?!  Have at it, y’all!

But we are marking time

I’m posting a link to a transcript to a kick ass speech delivered by the President of the University of British Columbia.  She talks about how poor the educational outlook in post secondary institutions is in Canada today.  It’s bang on.  Thanks to Paul Wells at Maclean’s Magazine for this one.

John Cleese is a genius - Please Read

This bloody brilliant. Smart, funny and to the point. John Cleese deserves a Nobel Prize for this.

JOHN CLEESE'S ADDRESS TO U.S. CITIZENS

In light of your failure to elect a competent President of the USA andthus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation ofyour independence, effective immediately. Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (excepting Kansas, which she does notfancy).

Your new prime minister, Tony Blair, will appoint a governor for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will bedisbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated next year to determinewhether any of you noticed.

To aid in the transition to a British Crown Dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect: You should look up "revocation" in the Oxford English Dictionary. Thenlook up aluminium, and check the pronunciation guide. You will beamazed at just how wrongly you have been pronouncing it.

The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as 'favour' and'neighbour.'Likewise, you will learn to spell 'doughnut' without skipping half theletters and the suffix 'ize' will be replaced by the suffix 'ise'.

Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptab lelevels. (look up vocabulary).

Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises suchas "like" and "you know" is an unacceptable and inefficient form ofcommunication. There is no such thing as US English. We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take account of the reinstated letter 'u' and the elimination of 'ize'.

You will relearn your original national anthem, "God Save the Queen".

July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday.

You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not adult enough to be independent.

Guns should only be handled by adults. If you're not adult enough to sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist then you're not grownup enough to handle a gun. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. A permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

All American cars are hereby banned. They are crap and this is for your own good. When we show you German cars, you will understand what we mean. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables. Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.

The former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been calling gasoline)-roughly $6/US gallon. Get used to it.

You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with catsup but with vinegar.

The cold tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will bereferred to as Lager. American brands will be referred to as Near-FrozenGnat's Urine, so that all can be sold without risk of further confusion.

Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as Goodguys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters. Watching Andie MacDowell attempt English dialogue in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" was an experience akin to having one'sears removed with a cheese grater.

You will cease playing American football. There is only one kind of proper football; you call it soccer. Those of you brave enough will, intime, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies).

Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the World Series for a game which is not played outside of America. Since only 2.1% of you are aware that there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable.

You must tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us mad.

An internal revenue agent (i.e. tax collector) from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of allmonies due (backdated to 1776).

Thank you for your co-operation.

New Music Friday Vol. 31

Got a whole bunch of musical goodness this week.

- First up, the new Coheed and Cambria Album, GOOD APOLLO, I'M BURNING STAR IV, VOLUME ONE: FROM FEAR THROUGH THE EYES OF MADNESS, landed in the Nar's lap about a week ago. If you like Coheed, you'll like this new album - because it's exactly the same as the last one. If I didn't know any better, I'd assume they recorded them both at exactly the same time. There is a tiny bit of variation, such as the ballad Wake Up, but it's more of what you've come to expect. Highlights so far are The Lying Lies and Dirty Secrets of Miss Erica Court, and Ten Speed (of God's Blood and Burial). Videos and stuff available here.

- After listening once all the way through Franz Ferdinand's You Could Have it So Much Better, I'm happy to say it's a great album. With most bands that get huge after their first mainstream albums, the follow-up usually comes across as somewhat lacking. Not this one. Like Hot Hot Heat and The Hives, Franz Ferdinand have churned out another rockin' dittie, just the way you'd expect it to be. Highlight so far - The Fallen. Listen ici.

- The first of two departure's for the Nar this week, is Ray Charles' latest, Genius and Friends. It's a collection of duets Ray recorded in 1997 and 1998, but never finished. In his dying days, he asked one of his friends and partners to find the master recordings and finish mixing them. The result is a very slick album of classic covers. Unfortunately, the album lacks a lot of "life", probably as a result of the mastering process. Best song: Ray and Wylie Nelson performing It Was A Very Good Year

- Also managed to check out Neil Young's prairie Wind this week. What a nice, soothing album. If you liked Harvest Moon, you'll love this. Check out Falling Off the Face of the Earth for Neil goodness.

Other songs of note:

-Killing it - A Wilhelm Scream
-Helicopter - Bloc Party
-D.E.AD.R.A.M.O.N.E.S - Modern Life is War
-In the Past... On the Ground - This Day Forward

New Feature: Subscribe via email!

That's right, in an almost pointless attempt to garner more popularity, The Daily Nar has added a new feature. Right there, under the links section, you'll see the option to subscribe to this here blog via email courtesy of Bloglet. Now, for some reason should you have access to you email and not the internet, you can still keep on top of all the lovely goings on here in our decepid corner of the blogosphere. Just don't feed the animals please.

A midweek tease...

Listened to the new Franz Ferdinand album You Could Have it So Much Better.  More on Friday…

The cover is really good.

Van City #1

I’m sure there are many people who can agree to this (I’m not one of them – because I’ve never been there), but Vancouver has been voted the #1 city in the world in “livability”?  In fact, lots of Canadian cities did well:

The Canadian city, nestled on the Pacific coast, was one of four locations in that country to rank at the top of the Economist Intelligence Unit's livability survey, which looked at conditions in 127 cities.
The other top-ranking Canadian cities were Toronto, Calgary and Montreal.

...and just in time too!

Become an NHL Superstar in the comfort of your own home!

Vpod Next Week?

Is this the video Ipod? According to sources, we might find out October 12th. Very exciting indeed.

More info available here too. Dorks away!

UPDATE: This photo is fake. Words have it the announcement next week will indeed be a new Ipod, just not one with video capability.

Snoochie Poochies!

Indeed.  Kevin Smith’s got a video blog and he’s throwin’ down about Clerks 2!

Tuition Rates and You. Or: How the government can save students from a life of debt before they even get started.

So, the provincial government has announced that the tuition freeze will be lifted next year. It’s not like this is a surprise to me. Nor should it be to anyone. While the government recently announced a lot of money for post secondary education, we all know it’s:

A) Not enough; and
B) Not going to go to students

Is this the governments fault? Not really. I mean, they could probably earmark the fund specifically to offset the cost of living increase on tuition, but the Universities administration would probably go on strike. Or teach creationism, or something equally stupid.

My only hope is that the increase it prescribed. Cost of living increase is not determined by the University. Period. It is important for government types to realize the University administrative officials don’t give a graduated rat’s ass for the well-being of their undergrads. They are perfectly happy to see them receive more OSAP loans to offset the cost of the new executive faculty lounge. “They should get a job after school to pay back their debts, that’s what I did”. I think one of the biggest problems is when most University admin staff went to school; tuition was like $3000 for the whole sh-bang. Wise up.

Get Fat or Die Trying!

If anyone reads this, they probably shouldn’t be surprised they were able to find a guy that thinks we should leave people alone to do what they want – even if the means getting fat as hell.  Of course you shouldn’t… especially when the guy is a libertarian.  That’s like asking a Marxist if he thinks bank accounts are a good idea.

23% of adult Canadians are obese (that means more than 20 lbs. over your “ideal” weight).  I don’t care what Libertarian-guy thinks, that’s a problem.  Scientists think we’re raising a generation of fat kids that won’t even outlive their parents – being stricken with diseases that, up until the last two decades, only affected the old and immobile.  That’s a problem!

I’m not trying to say that Libertarians don’t have the right to speak up for the what they believe in – namely the rights to complete freedom, and freedom from government intervention in their lives – it just reminds me of a saying my high school history teacher used to use:  “Figures don’t lie, but liars do figure”.

No matter what the issue, what the questions, you will ALWAYS find a number, or a theory, or a person that has “facts” to back them up in a complimentary or contradictory way.

So take this as a word of caution you probably don’t need.  When you see crap new stories like this, take it with a grain of salt (but not too much salt, because that would be bad for you!).  Your, ahem, gut can tell you that it’s not ok to dismiss a massive trend in North America towards the heavier end of scale, just because a slow news day managed to bring up one guy with an opposing view.  Just in case…

(This public service announcement was brought to you by The Daily Nar Foundation for the Arts and Debunking of Bullshit Media).

Xena: Warrior Planet!

OK, who let some scientists get their dork-on naming these suckers?  Xena?  What’s next:  Lando?  Neo?  Kirk?!

Ontario Zoos rated poor by WSPA

This was really sad to read.  As a vegetarian and all-round nice guy to animals, I really feel bad when I read something like this.  I have a problem with zoos, both as an attraction, and as a last resort to many animals because we’ve destroyed their natural habitat.  It only makes it worse to see that when we force them to be on display for people, we make it even harder for the animals, who never had a say in the first place.

“Animals in zoos treated poorly Report Exotic and other wild animals in Ontario are often condemned to living in cramped, dirty and barren enclosures that don't properly protect the public, a report concludes.

The report, to be released today by the World Society for the Protection of Animals, says Ontario "stands out as the worst jurisdiction in Canada when it comes to ensuring the proper care of captive wildlife."

Smoke 'em if you got 'em

Smokers in Quebec have filed a class-action lawsuit against cigarette manufacturers looking for up to $17.8-billion in damages. The move came only one day after a Supreme Court of Canada ruling in British Columbia that allows the province to sue tobacco companies for lost health care costs.

The suit has been filed on behalf of all Quebec residents that are over fifteen years of age, and smoked every day of September 1998, when the plaintiff sought permission to bring the lawsuit against the tobacco companies.  Named in the suit are Imperial Tobacco Canada, Rothmans Benson and Hedges, and JTI MacDonald.

Take the Tooker! - Bloor Danforth bike lane

Join the campaign to get a continuous East-West bike lane in Toronto! It's the least all these dirty cars can do (get out of the way).

Take the Tooker! - Bloor Danforth bike lane