Did you know?
There was no such thing as a Canadian passport until 1946. Prior to that, Canadians were still considered British subjects and carried British passports. There's your random fact for the day.
I'm signing up for e-news updates from my MP, Olivia Chow of the NDP. While I can't vote, I'm still interested in keeping tabs on events in my riding, Trinity-Spadina.
Because I've been here a few months, I'm now able to compile a list of In Canada/Not In Canada for those from the US. In case you're curious:
In Canada
Orange Crush
Best Buy
Vault
surprisingly good Mexican food (and even some Taco Bells)
Arby's (I've seen one)
Not In Canada
Mountain Dew with caffeine (!!)
Target
cheddar and sour cream chips (usually--I've seen them once)
Mello Yello
biscuits (as in Southern bread-type biscuits, not British biscuits)
hockey (just kidding)
Switching to music, congrats to SITGWN faves Sahara Hotnights for winning the Rockbjörnen award for best group of the year in Sweden. Check out this cool interview from the website of the Aftonbladet to hear the Swedish language in action.
I hadn't listened to Liverpool band The Coral in quite a while, but got their newest record and like it a lot. Going back one album, this is one of their best tunes, "In The Morning":
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
yes, yes, yes!
Just back from another night at La Hacienda, this time with my friends K and S. S went with my recommendation (whiskey sour!), while K went with amaretto sours. The food was great as always, and this time they played Lee Hazlewood & Nancy Sinatra on vinyl (last time it was The Byrds). Love that place...
What else has been happening? I made my first trip to the US Consulate last week, for passport renewal (delayed from last year because of waiting for my Ontario driver's license). Pretty easy process for US citizens; visa-seekers have a looooong wait.
My basketball team got crushed again last night, but I actually had a really good game and made a bunch of baskets. I could tell the other team didn't think I was any good, so I got pretty motivated and scored a bunch of points before they picked someone good to guard me. Ah well.
We've had some SERIOUSLY cold days of late, but I managed to run outside on Saturday. It's snowed some this week, which is good--the city looks much better with snow in the wintertime. Otherwise it's a bit on the grey side.
Concert season has cranked back up, thankfully. I saw the Von Bondies last week, and earlier this week caught Editors and Hot Hot Heat. Editors are absolutely fantastic. Soon I'll see Bob Mould, as well as The Hives and The Donnas together.
Check out this clip from 60s legends the Sir Douglas Quintet, live on Hugh Hefner's old show!
What else has been happening? I made my first trip to the US Consulate last week, for passport renewal (delayed from last year because of waiting for my Ontario driver's license). Pretty easy process for US citizens; visa-seekers have a looooong wait.
My basketball team got crushed again last night, but I actually had a really good game and made a bunch of baskets. I could tell the other team didn't think I was any good, so I got pretty motivated and scored a bunch of points before they picked someone good to guard me. Ah well.
We've had some SERIOUSLY cold days of late, but I managed to run outside on Saturday. It's snowed some this week, which is good--the city looks much better with snow in the wintertime. Otherwise it's a bit on the grey side.
Concert season has cranked back up, thankfully. I saw the Von Bondies last week, and earlier this week caught Editors and Hot Hot Heat. Editors are absolutely fantastic. Soon I'll see Bob Mould, as well as The Hives and The Donnas together.
Check out this clip from 60s legends the Sir Douglas Quintet, live on Hugh Hefner's old show!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
bliadhna mhath ur
First and foremost, Happy New Year to one and all. I hope everyone had a relaxing and safe holiday season--I definitely did. I got to spend lots of time with family, some time with friends, do a little bit of skiing (weather permitting) and watch the Crimson Tide hold on for a victory in our bowl game.
Being back at work in sub-arctic temperatures was like enjoying a bucket of freezing water over the head in more ways than one. But, as Ringo Starr once said, "you know it don't come easy."
Next, can I wish a hearty congratulations to The Lionheart Brothers, a fantastic Norwegian band I've listened to for years, reviewed several times, and finally saw at the Slottsfjell Festival this summer. The group's album Dizzy Kiss has been nominated in the rock category for the Spellemann Prisen, the Norwegian Grammys. The album hasn't been released in North America, but TLB are touring the UK later this month and building some buzz.
If you've never seen or heard them, check out the video for their song "50 Souls and a Discobowl":
While we're on the subject of videos, enjoy one more while you're at it. My compadre RV is a sucka for MIA's "Paper Planes," so here's the equally dazzling follow-up, "Boyz." Sri Lanka meets Jamaica!
It is seriously cold here in the Great White North, although all signs point to a much warmer spell (50 F or so) next week, at least in the GTA.
Over and out!
Being back at work in sub-arctic temperatures was like enjoying a bucket of freezing water over the head in more ways than one. But, as Ringo Starr once said, "you know it don't come easy."
Next, can I wish a hearty congratulations to The Lionheart Brothers, a fantastic Norwegian band I've listened to for years, reviewed several times, and finally saw at the Slottsfjell Festival this summer. The group's album Dizzy Kiss has been nominated in the rock category for the Spellemann Prisen, the Norwegian Grammys. The album hasn't been released in North America, but TLB are touring the UK later this month and building some buzz.
If you've never seen or heard them, check out the video for their song "50 Souls and a Discobowl":
While we're on the subject of videos, enjoy one more while you're at it. My compadre RV is a sucka for MIA's "Paper Planes," so here's the equally dazzling follow-up, "Boyz." Sri Lanka meets Jamaica!
It is seriously cold here in the Great White North, although all signs point to a much warmer spell (50 F or so) next week, at least in the GTA.
Over and out!
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