Metropass refunds just part of TTC strike fallout

From Torontoist:

"The CBC is reporting that the TTC will be seeking damages from the union over yesterday's wildcat strike.

The Commission is giving all metropass holders a $4 rebate which will cost the system some $840,000. Starting June 5th users can present expired May Metropasses to get their cash. Yep, this is just what a cash-strapped system needs to give back about a million dollars because of an illegal strike.
Posted by Ron Nurwisah "

TTC Strike lasts a day but contempt sure to last longer

You ever go to pick someone up at the airport, but they got an earlier flight, don't call you, they're at home now, and you're stuck waiting with no idea where they are or how long you should stick around just in case? Multiply that by a couple hundred thousand people and you get the idea of what the city of Toronto felt like this morning when it found itseld held hostage by a wildcat TTC strike.

Subways, buses and streetcars in Toronto were shut down, disrupting hundreds of thousand of people with commitments, appointments, and plans, who on good faith believe their transit commission will be there to do its job. On this smog day, and ironically enough the first day of Bike Week 2006, cars and cabs clogged the roads, adding to the craptacular day Torontonians found in store for them. Many persevered as Toronto Star readers share their stories of kindness (and some venting) and most people made the extra effort to get to work today. Service was restored in the late afternoon/early evening following a "cut the shit" order from the Ontario Labour Board.

Most Torontonians who rely on the TTC to get to work and to get around were blindsided when they found signs like this awaiting them at TTC subways stations.

Photos by dstopping

And that was all the information they got. No telling how many people stood at transit stops waiting for a bus that would never show, in the smoggy 34 degree heat. Hence why the entire city came down with a case of terminal pit stains and smelled... well, like the inside of a bus I suppose.

I know the drivers aren't to blame, as they are caught between a management and union dispute over their safety. And the union gets into a pissing contest with management and they get deadlocked. The only thing riders will remember is being pissed off and inconvenienced in the heat on a Monday morning, and how good the AC in a brand new car would feel right about now. (sarcasm on)It's the union's "people-first" attitude that'll get the TTC out of a ridership slump and cut down on the abuse hurled on TTC drivers. (sarcasm off) It's like the saying foes, TTC stands for "Take The Car".

The Transit Rider suggests that "anyone who is inconvenienced by this - file a claim with the TTC. Seriously. You lost wages beyond your control or missed a doctor's appointment, that's money out of your pocket. Send in a claim and see if they pay it. I missed a Doctor's appointment and will miss a day of work, so you know what that means, there's at the very least a $350 claim going in." Not sure how likely compensation is, but it's a nice idea.

I'm not sure if it was related, but it seemed like alot more cars were cutting off the streetcar on my ride home.

Any tales, good or bad, from your strike day dear readers? And how is transit not an essential service? And how long before this happens again? It could be a long summer at the bus stop.

More coverage:
The Transit Rider: "a blog about the daily travels on the transit systems in and around the greater toronto area."
paved.ca :: your GTA roadmap: Rolling wildcat transit strike weblog mash-up: "Rolling wildcat transit strike weblog mash-up"

Take to the streets in Kensington Market

Another year, another session of Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington Market. On seven Sundays this year, the streets of Kensington Market are closed to cars and the market becomes a pedestrian piazza, one giant street party. Take some time out and roam Kensington and maybe the car-free idea can eventually be permanent or grow to other areas. Each Sunday has a theme, and this week's is Spring:

Festivities begin with a Maypole celebration at Baldwin and Augusta - 1pm

Afro Brazilian Marching Band - Maracatu Nunca Antes - will be roving the market from 3 - 4pm

Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington Market - Calendar:

• Richard Underhill's Kensington Horns Community Band
• Free Yoga
• Dance classes/demonstrations & performances, including Tango, Sevillanas, Swing, Capoeira, NIA, Hip Hop and more will be featured on North Augusta.
• Life Drawing classes for all ages
• A dozen musical groups playing samba, world music, rock & roll, jazz, swing, and more can be found throughout the market
• Giant chess & giant scrabble
• Street size walking labyrinth
• Late evening street party on North Augusta to 10pm
• and more..."

Weekend Starts Now Part 2 - Doors Open Toronto

Remember those great kid's books that would show a cut-away diagram of a building and you could see all the in's and out's, like you were let in on a secret or had x-ray vision?

Doors Open Toronto is like a whole weekend of that feeling, with guided tours of buildings you may not normally have access to such as 52 Division Station (and if you find yourself there a lot, consider a lifestyle change).
Doors Open is a great option for this weekend, go early, bring a camera and get a peek at the discrete beauty of Toronto. Highlights include new buildings like the MaRS Centre and the new National Ballet School of Canada building, as well as an opportunity to explore the many religious institutions and churchs we have in Toronto but you can't get into when they are in use.

Doors Open Toronto - Home:
"The City of Toronto Culture Division is proud to present the 7th annual Doors Open Toronto - one weekend, once a year - when over 140 buildings of architectural, historic or cultural significance open their doors to the public for a city-wide celebration.

Step inside hidden gems, modern landmarks, places of worship, halls of learning, boardrooms, bedrooms, mansions, museums, ‘green' roof gardens, theatres, national historic sites, centres of rail and air travel, banking halls, architects' offices and more. Many of these buildings are not normally open to the public. No tickets or pre-registration required - admission is free to all buildings. "

the2scoops recommends:

Dominion Bank (1 King West at Yonge)

Design Exchange (former Toronto Stock Exchange Building)234 Bay Street: note Saturday only

Canada's National Ballet School - NEW 400 Jarvis Street



Gladstone Hotel 1214 Queen Street West: Restoration specialists who have worked on the Gladstone restoration will be on-site on Sunday, May 29

Ontario College of Art and Design


Mountain Equipment Co-op 400 King Street West: Highlights include a 10,000-square-foot green roof, where recycled and reclaimed lumber were used for beams

MaRS Centre - NEW! 101 College Street: Located on the site of the old Toronto General Hospital, the MaRS Centre incorporates a heritage building within two new buildings to create "a physical anchor" for the MaRS vision: a convergence innovation centre that fosters collaboration among science, business and capital sectors.

Toronto Necropolis Chapel and Cemetery 200 Winchester Street: one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Canada.

University of Toronto - Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library 120 St. George St


Palais Royale -1601 Lake Shore Boulevard: Newly-restored boardwalk ballroom at the foot of Roncesvalles

The Distillery District, is a national Historic Site and represents the largest and best preserved collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture in North America.

X-Men 3 Opens, Comic Book Guys to flood internet any minute now...

I'll probably catch X3 weekend, with my opening-weekend sci-fi/comic book movie mainstays Trev&Steph, but here's a heads up from Egotastic! - The Entertainment Blog:

"I'm not going to spoil any plot points for you, but I will say this: Stay till the end. Stay past the end. After the credits there's an extra scene that you don't want to miss. "

I'll be sure to post my rants and raves on the flick later this weekend, and a review of Lost's season finale (head still processing). I'm looking forward to X3, even though with so many mutant chracters jammed into this movie, you sacrifice story for flash/eye-candy, which is understandable given the shift change of directors from Bryan Singer (X-Men 1 & 2, Usual Suspects, Superman Returns) to Brett Ratner (er... Rush Hour and X-Men 3). Expectations are lowered with Ratner, whose storytelling style lacks the heart and emotional resonance of Singer's touch.

How bad can any movie be with both Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart? They sit on a stage and read the phone book, I'd pay to see it (which sounds like a potential minimalist Lars von Trier project). And Halle Berry swears this is the last comic book movie she is doing, so I have to go and show my support for Halle, just like Patrick Stewart does in this photo from the premiere (he has no idea where the hell those hands should go).


See Ben Kingsley, Halle Berry learned her lesson, why haven't you? I mean Bloodrayne ? Really now Sir Ben...

Weekend Starts Now Part 1 - Shuffle Party @ Revival

shuffleparty.com

Just in case you've never been to a Shuffle Party, the night is all about the mixing of musical genres to keep you dancing all night long. From old school, and classic rock to reggae and maybe even the latest club hit, you'll never guess! It's everyone's favourite play lists combined for one night.

By the way, join our group of friends at www.myspace.com/shuffleparty and leave a comment!
Friday May 26th, 2006
Revival - 783 College St. W
Hosted by T-rexXx
Mixed by Team Canada (Grandtheft & D. R. One)

Once more unto the Whedon-verse: Whedon Writes New Buffy Comic

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon is writing a new six-issue Buffy mini-series for Dark Horse Comics. The first volume is due out in October. A Dark Horse spokesperson has confirmed to ICv2 that the new series chronicles events that happened to Buffy and her friends after the conclusion of their televised adventures and will function as a 'Season 8' to the highly popular cult hit TV series that ran for seven seasons "

Grey's Anatomy Shower Scene redux

YouTube - Grey's Anatomy - Shower Scene:

As a placeholder until I get some new posts up, here's a funny video for you Grey's Anatomy fans. The upfront presentation (network heads debut the new shows and schedules) for Grey's Anatomy. After a trailer for the series, the highlight is at the 2:58 mark where we see a "different" take on the infamous shower scene involver Burke, McDreamy and the Chief. This fits in well with : Heather Havrilesky at Slate.com's theory that "Grey's Anatomy" is porn form women:

"Grey's Anatomy" is all about incredibly hunky men who need -- really, really, really need and love and adore -- the women in their lives, either because the hunk in question is struggling or he's dying or he's in a crappy marriage. In other words, "Grey's Anatomy" is the most elaborate, skillfully produced pornography ever created for women.

Wolfman's got nards at the Bloor Cinema

I was just talking about this the other day (the2scoops: "Wolfman's Got Nards!" - The Monster Squad still missing on DVD) and coincidentally, the folk at Rue Morgue are doing a public service and showing the 35mm print on Thursday May 18th at the Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor Street West). Bring your own flask and crossbow.

Internet Virgin fake, only one getting screwed is the public

There's a sucker born every minute, and the latest on is the fact checker at the Toronto Sun. The story ran on the front page of the Sun about Geoff, a 25-year old Toronto man whose 21-year old friend promised to sleep with him if his site could get five million hits in the month of May. Well, the cherry's been popped on this "virgin":

Torontoist: "'Internet Virgin' Comes Clean

'Geoff' our internet virgin has come clean and revealed himself to be Matthew, a no-good internet marketer pulling the wool over the eyes of innocent internet users, blog readers and Toronto Sun readers. Have you no shame Matthew! Think of all those innocent people who you deceived. Now we'll never be able to trust anything we read on the internet ever again.

Torontoist is going to drown his sorrows by writing to that Nigerian widow whose husband's money is sadly lost in a Swiss bank account. If you can't trust a Nigerian widow who can you trust?"

Posted by Ron Nurwisah, Boy Reporter

Veronica Mars set to return, Chad Michael Murray gets another season to find new bride

The new channel that came out of the UPN/WB merger, The CW (hating that name), is due to release it's line-up this week. Veronica Mars is coming back, and suprisingly so are 7th Heaven and One Tree Hill. So long to Everwood. Making the cut:

• Veronica Mars has been renewed for a third season. The show got a 22-episode order that, depending on ratings, can be reduced to 13.
• One Tree Hill will be back.
• UPN comedies 'Girlfriends,' 'Everybody Hates Chris' and 'All of Us'.
• WB dramas 'Smallville,' 'Supernatural' and 'Gilmore Girls'.
• veteran '7th Heaven' expected to join the group pending the completion of new deals with the cast.
• Everwood is dead.
  
• so is that Aquaman pilot - still no respect for the king of the sea, he's been scuttled.
  

TV Guide Ausiello Report: "It's Official: Veronica Mars Renewed, Everwood Dead"
New CW schedules two rookies, "Everwood" axed - Yahoo! News

Why I spend so much time at The Office

A selection of clips from one of my favourite top 5 current shows, The Office (Thursdays on NBC).

The Office is set in, well, an office. The framework of the comedy is a documentary crew is filming every facet of a typical American office, in this case, the Scranton PA branch of Dunder-Mifflin paper products. There's Michael Scott (Steve Carrell), a mis-informed know-it-all of a boss; Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), his sycophantic underling and volunteer sheriff's deputy; the sweet and terminally engaged secretary, Pam Beesley (Jenna Fischer) and every-man salesman Jim Halpert, who torments Dwight just to liven up his "every day is the same thing" job.

Like many, I soured on an Americanization of a British TV-hit - something always gets lost in translation (wasn't there a US Fawlty Towers with Bea Arthur?). And initially, I thought I was right to avoid it after watching the first episode of the NBC version, which was a re-enactment of the British first episode. And then, over time, The Office(US) became it's own creature, with the same look, setting and main characters as the UK version, but with it's own American take on cubicle farms. Kera Bolonik at Slate.com has a terrific article Defending NBC's The Office - A British import the network didn't mangle which sums up the appeal of the US show.

Somewhere along the way, The Office(US) has grown into a hit, bolstered by iTune downloads (US only), the persistence of cubicle culture, and maybe a hunger for some well acted, well scripted comedy. Fleshing out some of the background characters has really been a part of the show's success and they've managed to maintain the believability of the office relationships that can develop in such confided quarters, seeing the same people day in and day out.

Phyllis: Stanley and I are close, too.
Stanley: We sit close.

To begin your conversion (continue it by watching the show - torrents of the episodes are out and the show airs Thursday nights), here are a few clips. The opening to last week's The Office season finale, "Casino Night" encapsulates everything I love about the show, and I just love the silent shot that cuts to Pam (Jenna Fischer). Note the lack of a laugh track and deliberate silent moments, which aren't typical of most American (or Canadian - we still have those, right?) sitcom.



And it's educational. Jim's war of practical jokes on the uptight Dwight provides great ideas for office pranks (see below for some more ideas):



And then there's the fans who love the show. This great video was made by a fan, cutting the best of the Office romances with the song "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" by The Darkness. I can't imagine someone doing that for "According to Jim".

Works very well, but I want a version with the dialogue: I die everytime I hear Ryan's horrified voice: "I hooked up with Kelly the day before Valentine's Day!?"

Dwight: I never smile if I can help it. Showing ones teeth is a submission signal in primates. When someone smiles at me, all I see is a chimpanzee begging for its life.

These are Jim's pranks on Dwight listed in "Conflict Resolution":

* Replaced all of Dwight's pens and pencils with crayons.

* Paid everyone in the office $5 to call Dwight "Dwayne" all day.

* Placed a bloody glove in Dwight's desk drawer and tried to convince him that he committed murder. (Dwight suspected that Jim was the real murderer.)

* Told Dwight that there was an abandoned child in the women's bathroom. When Dwight went in to save the child he saw Meredith "on the can".

* Slowly placed a bunch of nickels in Dwight's phone headset over a period of time so that Dwight would get used to increased weight. Today he took them all out so when Dwight lifted the receiver using more force the required, expecting it to be heavier, he hit himself in the head with it. (that was goddam brilliant)

* Placed a computer macro on Dwight's computer to type "diapers" instead whenever Dwight tried to type his name.

* Moved Dwight's desk an inch every time he went to the bathroom, so that at the end of the day it was two feet closer to the door.


The Office - TV.com

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.

weekend doings - pasta, penguins and tarts

I was a homebody all weekend:

• cooked dinner for friends: Recipe: You Won't Be Single For Long Vodka Cream Pasta
  plus a big bottle of wine


• desserts from The Queen of Tarts. We sampled the Mexican Chocolate & Chipotle Tart (intriguing, tasted like pepper and chocolate. It worked well together), coconut cream tart (suprisingly good, the winner) and a strawberry orange mascarpone tart. All tasty.
  


• watched movies after dinner: Madagascar and Brokeback Mountain. Good (?) double bill; what, was I the only one to read a gay-subtext in the relationship between the Lion and Zebra? Penguins were funny, and the acting and direction in Brokeback were outstanding.
  


• lots of laundry - whoo hoo, found $20 in a pocket
  


• lots of coffee, i was just exhausted
  


• catching up on week of TV: My Name Is Earl, Everybody Hates Chris, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Alias, The Office, Celebrity Poker Showdown Season 5 final with Brad Garrett, Jason Alexander, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Bonnie Hunt and Colin Quinn. Good educational game, just LOL'd at the banter among several top comedic actors. The eighth series of Celebrity Poker will air in the spring of 2006, taped in New Orleans, and the celebrities will donate their winnings to charities benefiting victims of Hurricane Katrina.


• annoyed it was too late on Sunday evening when i found out about Cherry Blossoms and Chill Beats in High Park.

Odd thoughts at 4am

I know this girl who has a crush on actor Scott Caan, and will watch anything which features Scott Caan. I remember this fact now as I notice cable TV is running the low-brow wrestling comedy Ready to Rumble which stars Scott Caan and David Arquette.

I wonder if a crush is strong enough to compel a woman to sit through Ready to Rumble? I mean, I know women who have crushes on John Cusack and will see anything he's in, even Must Love Dogs, but what level of commitment would drive a woman to watch Ready to Rumble?

Updated: Apparently, the answer is yes, and several times at that.

It's a Stephen Colbert world and we're just living in it

In just the past 48 hours, Colbert ...

• Famously lampooned President Bush in front of his face.
• Co-hosted "SNL" (as Ace of "The Ambiguously Gay Duo").
• Was the subject of a glowing profile on "60 Minutes."
• Inspired the Web site, Thank You Stephen Colbert!
• Made Time's 100 most influential list, feted by NBC's Brian Williams.

source: [ TV t a t t l e . c o m ]

Stephen Colbert blasts Truthiness all over White House press corps dinner

Reports having been coming in that Stephen Colbert absolutely killed at the White House Press Corps dinner this weekend, doing his performance in-character as Stephen Colbert, the Host of The Colbert Report, and he was unrelenting in his pointed commentary of the Bush administration. I've just finished downloading the torrent and will watch it with glee tomorrow. If you want the quick and easy way to view it, check the links below. If you want to thank Stephen Colbert for bringing the truthiness, go to Thank You Stephen Colbert.

The Colbert Report airs Mon thru Thur at 11:30pm ET on the Comedy Network and Mon thru Thur at 12:35 p.m. ET on CTV.

From Boing Boing: A Directory of Wonderful Things

Stephen Colbert's routine at last night's White House Press Corps dinner sounds like one of those perfect moments of comedy and commentary -- someone, find me a transcript!

Colbert, who spoke in the guise of his talk show character, who ostensibly supports the president strongly, urged the Bush to ignore his low approval ratings, saying they were based on reality, "and reality has a well-known liberal bias."

He attacked those in the press who claim that the shake-up at the White House was merely re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. "This administration is soaring, not sinking," he said. "They are re-arranging the deck chairs--on the Hindenburg."

Colbert told Bush he could end the problem of protests by retired generals by refusing to let them retire. He compared Bush to Rocky Balboa in the "Rocky" movies, always getting punched in the face--"and Apollo Creed is everything else in the world."

Link (Thanks, Stefan!)

Update: Thanks to Butter71 for links to the transcript and video! w00t!

Update 2: Here's a high-quality torrent of the video.

Update 3: Youtube mirror (Thanks, Jon!)

Update 4: Alternative Quicktime link, Quicktime of Colbert's "audition reel" (Thanks, Krup!)

posted by Cory Doctorow at 11:33:31 PM

NPR : Bluster and Satire: Stephen Colbert's 'Report'

The Colbert Report - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia