Lisa Schwarzbaum gives good quote

"... a man who makes a point of listening to Frank Sinatra sing ''My Way'' is a man who can't do it his way."

- Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly review: ''The Sopranos'': Vito decides where he belongs

Best ever description of "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye

The story goes that when someone asked Louis Armstrong to define jazz, he responded "Man, if you gotta ask, you'll never know." I've always felt that way about Marvin Gaye's song "Let's Get It On". Thankfully for those that don't know, gentle indifference breaks it down nicely.

gentle indifference is a blog that posts compact disc-length compilations of relevant music from each calendar year dating back to 1960 every Monday. This week is 1973, and the writer starts with a pretty damn accurate description of his top song for that year. If you find the first sentence too vulgar, I don't intend to offend, it's just a case of knowing what he's talking about or you don't:

"A lot of emotions are too powerful to get just right in art without making people feel uncomfortable, and wanting to f**k the sh*t out of someone just happens to be one of them. If 'Let's Get It On' has a flaw, it's that it's too good at what it does, and making the perfect song about sexual desire immediately renders it useless when related to sexual desire. So it's near impossible to put on 'Let's Get It On' and then proceed to do just that (unless, of course, you and your partner have a healthy sense of humor). But the song is so damn good, so damn sexy, that it becomes what it is talking about. Maybe people like crying to songs about crying and dancing to songs about dancing, but in this case, the two have to be separated. 'Let's Get It On' is getting it on."

gentle indifference's compilations are only available for a couple of days, but you can find the playlists archived on the site from 2005 back to 1973.

There’s nothin’ wrong with me lovin’ you, baby no no
And givin’ yourself to me can never be wrong
If the love is true, oh baby ooh

Look I'm Alive - MAGIC!

I manage not to drown everyday, but I don't go around calling it magic. After his failed attempt at holding his breath for 9 minutes following a one-week residency in a water-filled sphere (snowglobe) in Lincoln Center in New York, David Blaine is going to try again.

David Blaine's card tricks and illusions are magic tricks, but these self-glorifying stunts are the daytime talkshow equivalent of magic. And despite the likely permanent damage he's done to his body through this and other stunts, not to mention how no woman would ever let him touch them with his big water bloated hands, (not to mention the Seinfeldian "shrinkage")this idiot is going to make another attempt at his trick. I hope we remember how "magical" it all is when he lines up for a liver transplant and takes the spot of someone who didn't willingly damage his body for the sake of a little celebrity. You know, like alcoholics.

I'll take GOB's inept brand of magic over David Blaine's trick anyday of the week. I think GOB says it best:

Michael: So this is the magic trick, huh?
Gob: Illusion, Michael. A trick is something a whore does for money...

Arrested Development

David Blaine wants to do it again
In the aftermath of his failed stunt, Blaine cried and felt like he let people down, says Dr. Murat Gunel, the head of Blaine's medical team. And that's why he wants to try breaking the breath-holding record again -- except without submerging himself in a tank for a week. 'He is going over everything he did and analyzing what happened,' says Gunel. 'He is remarkably strong.' - [ TV t a t t l e . c o m ]:

Gothamist's pros and cons about the stunt and TV special:

Pros:
- Maybe a temporary fishtank at Lincoln Center is not a bad idea
- David Blaine's flabby pre-stunt body (good for laughs)
- Seeing his gross hands and feet - a lesson to all of us not to be crazy
- Evel Knievel wearing his oxygen tube as David Blaine held his breath
- When the divers had to "rescue" Blaine - they were so cool in their silver divesuits!

Cons:
- The special was all filler - it could have been a swift one hour (and not enough street magic)
- Seeing how David Blaine lost 50 pounds, because it shows we're sorely lacking in discipline (and a team of trainers)
- Stuart Scott stinks as a host
- David Blaine's monotone voiceover during the taped parts of the special- show some excitement, okay?

Gothamist: Blame it on the Blaine

Do concerts really sell out in 10 minutes?

Jacquie over at artifacts mentioned she had difficulty getting Radiohead tickets :

"After about 10 minutes of the tickets being on sale we were informed there were no single seats left, no seats at all for the two Toronto shows."

I've had the experience before, trying to get tickets and ending uphaving to pay a scalper to get into a show. Whether I use speed-dialing, internet, showing up in-person at the boxoffice, more times than not, I leave empty handed for big shows. Leave to to The Explainer @ Slate Magazine to answer whether concerts really sell out in 10 minutes?:

"Last week, a Slate reader told the Explainer that, despite using multiple telephones and computers, he was unable to buy tickets to an upcoming Radiohead concert—10 minutes after tickets went on sale, the Ticketmaster Web site told him the show had sold out. According to news reports last month, tickets to two Madonna shows at Madison Square Garden sold out in 10 minutes. A promoter also recently claimed that two Bruce Springsteen shows in the United Kingdom sold out in 10 minutes. Can a show really sell out in a few minutes?"more

The handiest thing I can give you is phoning a Ticketmaster in the neighbouring city ie. phoning Ottawa or Montreal when I want tickets for a Toronto show. The phone exchange is a less jammed than the home city.

Keith Richards Continues to Piss Off Death

Keith Richards seems unkillable. The 62-year old Rolling Stone guitarist, notorious for "his near-miraculous ability to survive the most debauched excesses of the rock & roll lifestyle", has eluded Death yet again. He had an accident while on vacation in Fiji: it hasn't been confirmed whether it was a Jet Ski accident or a Gilligan's Island-esque fall from a coconut tree. Whatever the cause, the resulting head injury created a subdural hematoma. Today's surgery seems to have solved that.

I throw Richards in the same mortality category as Iggy Pop and David Bowie: how the hell did you survive the 70s , given the copious amounts of narcotics they were ingesting?

Doctors Save Keith Richards' Brain - Yahoo! News: "The Rolling Stones guitarist underwent minor surgery in a New Zealand hospital on Monday for a 'mild concussion' he suffered from a spill he took while vacationing in the South Pacific last week, according to his London-based spokesman.

'The operation was a complete success, and Keith is already up and talking with his family today,' the rep said in a statement.

The New Zealand Herald reported that Richards, 62, was recovering after doctors relieved a subdural hematoma--a blood clot to his brain--that can result from jostling to the head."

Bar Wars

At the bar tonight:

Me: Hey, that pretty girl that was just here - was that scuzzy looking guy she left with her boyfriend?

Friend: No, she just met him 20 minutes ago.

Me: I wish I knew that 21 minutes ago.

Suit Up at The Clothing Show

This weekend is the Spring edition of The Clothing Show, where you can find tonnes of new and vintage clothes at real bargain prices. I've been going on and off over the past 10 years, and the new independant designers have really increased their presence over the years. The vintage clothing is still the real score: I usually get 4 or 5 shirts, a jacket and some accessories (sunglasses, cufflinks, etc.) for $100 or so. Dig around a bit and score some terrific and unique finds: I regularly find a great jacket or shirt for cheap and then see that style 6 months later in boutiques for much more moola.

Tips:
1) Bring cash, the ATM line-ups are stupid long.
2) The changing rooms are also stupid busy. Wear something that allows you to try clothes on over them.
3) Bring a bottle of water and a snack. Power through the sales while others lunch.
4) Bring spare bags.

The 511 Bathurst streetcar from Bathurst station is the easiest way to get to the Exhibition.

The Clothing Show | Toronto, Canada

The Clothing Show

May 6 & 7, Automotive Building, CNE

The Clothing Show is back with over 250 vendors including independent designers, jewelry makers, vintage collectors and more. You are sure to find whatever you need for the season!

From fashionistas to extreme sports enthusiasts there is something for everyone.
Check out our new departments: Boutique, Streetwear, Vintage & Retro, Accessories and Sample Sales!

Admission is $8
Open Saturday 11am - 8pm
and Sunday 11am- 6pm

For more info, coupons and maps please visit www.theclothingshow.com

Get Flirty with 52 Mondays

52 Mondays Exploring the lost art of stuff other than television is a fun site, lots of useful ideas for nights out. Why does the weekend end necessarily end Sunday night? 52 Mondays profiles things to do on a Monday night that don't involce the TV or gazing glassy-eyed into a pint.Visit June and Lis at 52 Mondays to help turn Mondays into the start of the weekend.

The latest post is "Flirting on the TTC", a useful article that encourages transit riders to be a bit more open. Maybe it'll help to shake the cold impersonal reputation Toronto people have earned. God forbid we make eye contact with people for fear of a shriek of "harassment" and a lawsuit.

This winter sex educator and therapist, Laila McDaniels, spent her Mondays helping hapless romantics learn how to flirt. This Monday our own flirty girl, Lis, sought her out for some tips and then put them to the test at one of Toronto's least known but best places to find a future date - the subway.

To learn more about Laila, her workshops, and other services visit her site at www.lily-fine.com.

Laila McDaniels conducts a variety of workshops, including helping both men and woman keep their partners interested and aroused, helping couples keep that spark going, and "an introduction to flirting for the nervous and shy".

Radiohead tickets go on sale this week

Pitchfork: Daily Music News has the tour dates for Radiohead. On sale this Thursday or Friday. Price is expected to be $71.25 WTF!? does that come with a radio or head? For that much, I'd be better off seeing Calexico, Jason Collett @ Phoenix on July 6th and Wilco @ Massey
Hall on July 7, 2006, and wait to see Radiohead at a festival.

06-01 Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theatre ON SALE MAY 6
06-02 Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theatre ON SALE MAY 6
06-04 Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion ON SALE MAY 6
06-05 Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion ON SALE MAY 6
06-07 Toronto, Ontario - Hummingbird Center ON SALE MAY 6
06-08 Toronto, Ontario - Hummingbird Center ON SALE MAY 6
06-10 Montreal, Quebec - Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts ON SALE MAY 5
06-11 Montreal, Quebec - Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts ON SALE MAY 5
06-13 New York, NY - The Theatre at Madison Square Garden ON SALE MAY 5
06-14 New York, NY - The Theatre at Madison Square Garden ON SALE MAY 5
06-19 Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theatre ON SALE MAY 6
06-20 Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theatre ON SALE MAY 6
06-23 Berkeley, CA - Greek Theater ON SALE MAY 14
06-24 Berkeley, CA - Greek Theater ON SALE MAY 14
06-26 San Diego, CA - Bayside ON SALE MAY 6
06-27 San Diego, CA - Bayside ON SALE MAY 6
06-29 Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theater ON SALE MAY 25
06-30 Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theater ON SALE MAY 25

Boing Boing: Young adult sf thriller under a CC license

From Boing Boing: Young adult sci-fi thriller under a CC license:

"Young adult sf thriller under a CC license Chris Howard has released a young adult sf thriller called 'Nanowhere' under a Creative Commons license, along with a bunch of supplementary materials that purports to be the lab notes and publications of one of the book's characters. I just read the first couple pages and they're interesting and well-written -- it's up to you to figure out if the whole book is your cup of tea!"

TV Gal Preps for Summer Viewing

As the current TV season winds down, TV Gal @ Zap2it reminded me of some terrific TV coming up in the summer season:

"Rescue Me": Denis Leary's tour de force returns to FX on Tuesday, May 30 with the added bonus of Susan Sarandon as a love interest for Franco. And last summer's witty comedy "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" is back in the middle of June.

"The Closer" and "Saved": Breakout the candy bars because Kyra Sedgwick's captivating drama returns on Monday, June 12 and TV's best mother Frances Sternhagen (see "Cheers," "Sex and the City," and "ER") will guest star as Brenda's disapproving mother. Tom Everett Scott's new series "Saved," about a paramedic, premieres on June 12 as well.

"Windfall": This long awaited series (okay maybe I was the only one waiting, but still) stars Luke Perry. Oh you need to know more? The drama follows 20 lottery winners and also stars "Boomtown" favorites Jason Gedrick and Lana Parrilla, Jon Foster ("life as we know it"), Sarah Wynter (Jack's girlfriend Kate on "24" ) and Malinda Williams ("Soul Food").

"Entourage" and "Deadwood": Let's hug those summer TV blues out, bitch. These two series return to HBO on Sunday, June 11 and we all know "Entourage" hit its pitch-perfect stride last season.