Top Ten Lists

Posted to my Blog too, but hey.

Top Ten Movies:
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2. Napolean Dynamite
3. The Uninvited
4. Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
5. Hero
5. Shaun of the Dead
6. Incredibles, The
7. Spider-Man 2
8. Kill Bill: Vol. 2
9. Garden State
10. Before Sunset

Honorable mentions: Fahrenheit 9/11, and Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism

Top Twelve Albums:

1. Modest Mouse - Good News for People Who Love Bad News
2. Sage Francis - A Healthy Distrust
3. TV on the Radio - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
4. Death from Above 1979 - You're a Woman, I'm a Machine
5. Rise Against - Siren Songs
6. Devendra Banhart - Rejoicing in the Hands
7. The Walkmen - Bows and Arrows
8. Animal Collective - Sung Tongs
9. Arcade Fire - Funeral
10. Cee-Lo - Cee-Lo Green Is a Soul Machine

Honorable Mentions:

Califone - Heron King Blues
Converge - You Fail Me

Top Five Guys I would Go Gay for:

5. Tie between Pharrel and Usher
4. Scott Peterson (He really is a poor man's Affleck)
3. Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio
2. Johnny Depp
1. Ben Affleck

Wow. My list of movies has a lot more romantic comedies than normal, and my music has become way more indie rock. I'm getting old and wussy. Need more Metal and Horror.

Top Five Albums of 2003 as rated by me now:

5. Wrens - Meadowlands
4. Decemberists - Her Majesty...
3. Postal Service - Give UP
2 Non-Prophets - Hope
1. Shins - Chutes too Narrow

weekend fun.

so, aside from the clubhouse party friday night and eating my favouritist chineefoo ever (no paul, not hon's) with miyuki, my weekend slate is clear.

I'm thinking an encore presentation of life aquatic would be good, since miyuki slept through it the first time. I'd also like to see house of flying daggers. and possibly closer.

I have $80 to last me 48 hours. this should accomodate at LEAST two movies plus drinks plus chineefoo.

so, who is up for what, and when?

I'm thinking a saturday back to back would be sweet. 2pm life aquatic, followed by a 4:35pm flying daggers, with bubbletea inbetwixt, at tinseltown? there's an earlier option of noon and 2:30, but who wants to think about that? you can still taste the toothpaste...

'sides, I'm hoping for chineefoo saturday for lunch...

K so here's the plan....

It's me birthday on Jan. 5, this is Nicholas by the way, and I am intending to go out for laser tag or some other similar event and then to the Lotus for dancing to a ton of dj's who mess with all tunes modern and retro in weird and fun ways. This is a Wednesday night, cover is $4 , coat check $2 and drinks are $3.50. I don't know how much laser tag is, friends are looking into it for me, but I am looking for something fun for a night, then dancing. There are usually between 4 and 12 dj's there taking turns spinning for the night so there should be something for anyone.

I am also trying to put together a more relaxed and talkatively social event for the weekend, either Friday or Saturday, but I have not found a venue yet. Rachael and Bob suggested the crepe place on Granville St near the capitol 6, but I have been told the drinks are not the cheapest. I will be looking into getting reduced rates and such but I am not sure yet. If anyone has suggestion for either night or both let me know. I really want to go dancing on my birthday and still have the chance to drink and socialize with my friends. I like the weekend because most people can make it, anyone who knows me is invited and I will stress that I really do not want anything from anyone in the way of gifts. I say this because I have had people not show up because they could not get me something, which is total bunk as I really only want to see people that I care about.

Post and let me know what you think.

New Year's

Clubhouse
8pmish through to the morning.
byob and stuff

Uh, it's not a huge deal; it's meant to be a last minurte I-have-nothing-else-to-go-to kind of shindig. We'll get some bubbly, bring some tacky champagne or wine glasses, and the spirit of THANK FUCKING GOD THE YEAR'S OVER.

Merry Christmas and Stuff.

Hey, all. Just thought I'd send my best wishes to all of y'all this holiday season. Please use this as an excuse to post your christmas haul or funny christmas stories. Yay, ethnocentrism!


So far: Rice Cooker, NHL 2005, Lost in Translation, Socks, Candy.

moral imperative

the life aquatic with steve zissou allegedly opens on xmas.

I MUST see this movie. the day it is released. preferably the first showing.

one problem, I can't find where (or if) it is showing in vancouver. something about canadian movie listings sucking so much ass when it comes to predicting showtimes for the following week (you guys all know canada has weaknesses, this is its biggest).

can someone please confirm for me where and when I can be viewing this finest of films? and perhaps accompany the li'l woman and I for a group outing? and early afternoon showing on the 25th would be swell.

and no, it isn't weird to go to the movies on dec 25. I do it every year. I can only handle so much family time, and movie theatres are always open.

ZULA is back in town!

Man, this is some of the best news I've heard all month...my friend Cem, concert promoter and proprietor of Zula productions, is back from Turkey and is opening a new restaurant/venue on Commercial - RIME. Cem has brought legends such as John Zorn, Dave Douglas and Junk Genius to Vancouver and has done so much for the scene that would otherwise only exist during the du maurier jazz fest.

Check it out, I will certainly be visiting on a regular basis!

-----------------------------

Opening Week Celebration at Rime

Dennis Gonzalez Yells At Eels joined by Mark Taylor, Paul Plimley & Peggy Lee
December 26 & 27, 9 pm
Rime (1130 Commercial Drive)
Tix$12/10 at the door

Zula Productions presents Texas composer, jazz trumpet icon, improviser Dennis Gonzalez, who will play original music written specifically for this event with sons Aaron on basses & Stefan on drums, with New York French hornist Mark Taylor plus local greats, pianist Paul Plimley (Sunday, Dec. 26) & cellist Peggy Lee (Monday, Dec.27).

Mark Taylor with eye of newt perform live to a screening of "The Secret Adventures Of Tom Thumb" and more
December 29, 9 pm
Rime (1130 Commercial Drive)
Tix$12/10 at the door

Zula Productions presents from New York City, jazzman, French hornist, composer, improviser Mark Taylor (of Henry Threadgill's Very Very Circus fame) with Vancouver's eye of newt which includes Stefan Smulovitz (viola, laptop), Brad Turner (trumpet), Viviane Houle (voice), Pepe Danza (percussion, shakuhachi), perform live to a special screening of "The Secret Adventures Of Tom Thumb" & a second set of original music.

New Year's Eve Party At Rime (any excuse to hear 4 great bands in one night!)
December 31, 10 pm to 4 am
Rime (1130 Commercial Drive)
Tix $25/20 at the door

Zula Productions presents New Year's Eve sonic marathon extravaganza with singer-songwriter Kevin House, eccentric Turkish pop band Something About Reptiles, all-star avant-jazz band Tony Wilson Quintet with New York City French hornist Mark Taylor, and Wilson/Taylor Duo.

For more information, please call Rime at 604.215.1130

By Boxing Day, December 26, 2004, a new performance space & licensed restaurant, will open its doors to Vancouverites. Located in the heart of East Vancouver?s beloved Commercial Drive neighbourhood (1130 Commercial Dr., next to Tio Pepe?s), Rime will fill a niche in Vancouver, as a relaxed & intimate community gathering place, neighbourhood hang, fully licensed, authentic Eurasian eatery (classic Turkish & fusion food) and superb music room, with a focus on strengthening & nurturing the local music scene, as well as showcasing vital music from across the globe. Cream of the Vancouver music community, along with visiting players of all stripes will have a venue, on which both musicians & audiences can rely for regular presentation of quality music by Zula Productions along with great food by our chef & main man, Emir Polat, and drinks & music by yours truly, all at reasonable prices.

We at Rime take great pride in what we have created, a one-of-a-kind performance space & eatery in Vancouver and hope you dig & support our vision. We look forward to having you as our guests & to spoil you with world famous Turkish hospitality, food & international music of high caliber. More details on the Rime site (www.rime.ca), which will be up & running soon, and the Zula site (www.zula.ca), which will be updated beyond posters soon. As soon as we get all our ducks in a row and , we will have calendars on both sites, which will outline in detail all the activities which we would eventually want to include, based on the audience response, five nights of music, a film night & a special projects night with poetry & literary readings, burlesque, workshops & more...

Hope to see you all soon... Support live music in your community!!!

Your faithful bartender & neighbourhood music presenter,
Cem Zafir

-----------------------
Zula Productions / Rime
1130 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC
V5L 3X2
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604.215.1130
604.614.8955
---------------
www.zula.ca
hey@zula.ca

Hey Everybody: Get Excited!

Hey Kids,

I know you've already marked your calendars in red, but just in case you haven't I'm issuing a big fat reminder that the second annual D.o.S. Xmas Massacre happens this Saturday (Dec 18). We'll be staring around 7pm, but if you can't make it 'till later don't worry just get here when you can 'cause we want a BIG turnout this year. As usal there will be games, movies, surprises and food (!) Also as usual it's B.Y.O.B. and you'll probably want to because I finally got ahold of what was supposed to be last year's surprise (props to Alex for helping us out). I offer a taste for those not convinced of their obligation to attend.

Also remember to bring a small (no more than $5), wrapped gift for the Greedy Santa Gift Exchange. Make something, re-gift, bring something you found on the way, just make sure it's wrapped so no one knows what it is. Points are awarded for humour value (we may even institue a special prize for whoever brings the best present). Last year's "high"lights include a can holder shapped like a curvy woman in daisy-dukes, an issue of Heavy Metal from 1981 and several pieces of junk culled from BJ's desk in the office. Don't miss out.

Kindly RSVP with whether you'll be attending or not (friends are more than welcome, just make sure they have a gift) so I know how much food to make.

Phones!

It's for you!

Damned Africa...

Okay, so life is pretty good here, but someone convinced every net provider in the country that a web address can't have an underscore in it, so they don't even attempt to access it any more (it worked in the first few weeks). So I can't actually see the Last Time or the comments therein, but I can read the posts from Blogger's Dashboard.

So I have been keeping up, even with Graeme's elephant porn (sick fuck), but I don't get to see comments... damn...

Not entirely sure why that seemed important enough to post about, but it's too much work to delete now.

Birthday/Chirstmas party

As it is now officially my birthday and I just finished my last assignment and can actually think about these things, I thought I'd get off my ass and organize some way to celebrate. I was thinking about hosting a gingerbread house making night at my place. I'll provide snacks and apple cider and gingerbread if everyone that comes could bring some sort of candy to decorate with that way we have a variety. It will be next tuesday the 21st sometime in the evening. RSVP

I'll email those whose email adresses i have with details like my address when i figure everything out.

So Quiet it's Non-Existant

FUCK YOU ALL.

Especially the bastards and bitches that asked for a December party. Fuck all you stupid asses and their stupid fucking ass demands!

Anywho, I'll take up the New Year's and turn it into the Decemberween/New Year's thingy. Provided Christian promises no nudity. Seriously dude, we actually lose headcount when you do that.

And while I may sound like I'm blaming all, it's actually a good thing. I am so far from being in the mood to party, and Grae's got plans for that night he'd like to get up to. It all works out in the end.

5...4...3...2...1...

So, what are all of y'alls New Year's plans?

Every year this is the most party-challenged day. If you have a party you're going to or planning to host one yourself, let's hear it.



Yes... I'm just looking for invites. :(

RETURN OF THE KING: EXTENDED EDITION THIS SUNDAY!

Hey all

One of the advantages of working at a video store is getting my dvds a few days before the rest of you suckers can get your hands on them. Oh those five days between thursday, when the shipment arrives, and tuesday, when they're released on the shelf, are pretty damn sweet. It makes me feel like a God. Well this weekend we get our copies of Return of the King: EE and dammit I'm watching it this Sunday and all those who want to see it please come.

We'll be starting at SIX FIFTEEN pm sharp (or when Owen shows up because he's awesome and you're not). Come any later, we will not open the door. This is a one time thing with the snobbery but I don't want to keep stopping and starting the movie all night.

So yeah come on down. The mouth of Sauron awaits

Quiet Decemberween

It's a busy time, but we promised everyone a Decemberween. All night are pretty much taken before Christmas except for December 17. I know there "might" be another event the next night, so if you've got plans already for the 18th and aren't down for two nights of partying, do go to the one the next night.

Decemberween is kind of being thrown together and in a quiet, no-pressure sort of gathering. If it's super quiet, board & video games will get pulled out. Otherwise, normal drinking and socializing which you should all know the drill by now.

I heart canada.

awesome.

everything on the internet is true, right?

For Paul

Elephant!

Well, hopefully that picture won't take too long to load over there.

Courtesy of Perry Bible Fellowship, which is a good place to go to.

Happy AIDS Day Paul!

I thought I noticed a lot of AIDS talk on TV today...then I realized and Corinne pointed out that Dec 1st was AIDS day. Well Paul, from Corinne and I (and I am sure everyone else here) Happy AIDS day.