More pics!

None are yet properly catalogued, and most are crap. But I had to share this one (hopefully now in non-blog-breaking resolution):

B&B Presents: The bond that can only exist between a man and his dog.

Have to remember to post earlier. Stupid Saturday routine. Anyways this week...

SUNDAY (as in tomorrow) JUL.30

7pm ANIMAL LOVE (1995): Here's a write-up from the AUSTRIAN FILM COMMISSION; "In conurbations where hundreds of thousands live alongside one another, in the era of a highly technological society, in which communication has never played such a significant role, man has become lonely. Disappointed by his fellow human beings, he turns to animals. Dogs and other domestic animals serve him as companions, life partners, cuddly objects and bedfellows." Um yeah. I was originally going to program with THE LIFESTYLE, a docu about swing culture but I'm kinda tired of sex themed nights and the fallout from them. So instead of my first idea of following this with Old Yeller...



9pm A BOY AND HIS DOG (1975): Oh wait here's me again being too lazy to do my own write up, "A post-apocalyptic tale based on a novella by Harlan Ellison. A boy communicates telepathically with his dog as they scavenge for food and sex, and they stumble into an underground society where the old society is preserved."

So yeah. Probably watching Kaiju movies on Monday. Hope to see you there.

Friday or Saturday night free?

Go see this play, it's wonderful!
http://www.fairtradetheatre.ca

moving

so i'm officically moving into lindsay's place on 18th and columbia. most likely i'll be moving on the 1st. if anyone can help that would be greatly appreciated. like mariko's move, smaller stuff in the day, bigger stuff when my brother gets off work. as thai away is within walking distance, dinner shall be provided for those who help.

let me know if you can, no worries if you can't.

Keeping busy to keep from keeping still

It just dawned on me that my moments of down time trigger homesickness. I will, from now on, immerse myself in busy tasks in order for me to avoid the depressive trap that is craving for Vancouver. The city seems to swallow me whole as it is anyhow, so keeping busy won't be too difficult. There are so many things to do here, and now that I am working as a research assistant, things will only pile up.

More to come ...

More to come...

The photos begin to trickle onto my flickr site...

For example:

Monkey photo everyone is on about.

Editor: Sorry, Paul, this was really messing with the formatting of The Clubhouse, so it's down to link format. In the future, try using Blogger's photo adding function and choose size small.

Movie Night Cancelled. But first...

TREK IS DEAD. LONG LIVE TREK.



Ahh San Diego. Once upon a time you would get great comic news from the San Diego Comic Con. Now Quesada (the Editor in Chief at Marvel) makes a point of making the big announcements at the Chicago Con so it doesn't get drowned out by the Hollywood shit (By shit I mean stuff, not shit.). But that's fine cause what great movie buzz comes from the Con every year. The Fox panel sounded the best with the cast of RENO: 911 cast appearing in character and the same for BORAT.

But hey, the official announcement for the new Trek. Suprisingly retro look. J.J. Abrams is now officially signed to produce with an option to direct. Him and LOST co-creator Damon Lindelof (who finally has gotten around to writing the 3rd issue of Ultimate Hulk vs Wolverine)are writing. I was a little worried for my boy Abrams after the box office of MI:3 (which is the best pure action film I've seen in quite some time.) but I guess Paramount is putting the blame on Cruise for that which pleases me 'cause Abrams did great work considering it was his a) first feature and b) his first feature being a tentpole title. Either way I'm glad it was Abrams and not JMS rebooting trek 'cause after reading his pitch it felt like a B5 retread.

Question: would it be too hackneyed if they got Dr. Cottle from BSG to play Bones in the reboot? Like have him play the exact same character just different names. Though maybe this time they'll be brave enough to make him the bigoted xenophobe (is that redundant?) we all knew Dr. McCoy to be. I saw it in his eyes, fantasizing about dragging that soulless devil-eared monster by horseback through the decks of the Enterprise.

Anyways no Movie Night this week it's too damn hot in my apartment and I blew my load with the Beat the Heat night by two weeks. Sigh. We'll probably be watching movies anyways on Monday but no set programming. Probably new releases from work or whatever's unwatched on the shelf.

decemberists 11.18

anyone up for a decemberists show in november? it's saturday, 11.18 at the commodore, and tix go on sale august 1. I'm looking at you, bean.

if people are wanting to go and will be picking up tickets, I would gladly you pay you tuesday for two tickets today...

Sunday at Tinseltown?

Can someone join me for one or perhaps both of these movies at Tinseltown on Sunday afternoon?

A SCANNER DARKLY
12:35 / 2:55 / 5:20

STRANGERS WITH CANDY
12:55 / 3:15 / 5:35

Though maybe not those last showings, since I intend to join Jessica for dinner. If you'd like to accompany, please leave a comment and let's work out a time.

For Grae...

Only Arsenio Hall can save hip hop...



'Dope, The Big Lie' from Large and In Charge.

Hey Writers!

Don't forget your writing is due online by midnight!

Clerks II -- The Plan

So, Clerks 2 opens tomorrow & it's one of the few movies I've deemed worthy of opening night attendance. Shows at the Paramount are at 7:40pm and 10:30pm. I'm planning on going to the 7:40pm show. Because I now work downtown, I will be picking up tickets on my lunch break. If you would like me to pick you up a ticket, email me or post in the comments before noon tomorrow. If I do not hear from you by then, you won't be getting a ticket. Alternately you can call me on my cell phone and leave a message, but again, you've gotta do it before noon. After that, plan is to line-up around 6:30pm. I'll be going for drinks with work in the afternoon, but I'll co-ordinate by cellphone with anyone I've picked-up a ticket for (assuming you'd all have cellphones).

Hope to see you there,

~meeko

In the meantime you can watch Kevin Smith dance like a 14 year old girl & Rosario Dawson scream the word "vagina" by going here.

Summer Camp! -- July 28

Hey All,

Just a quick reminder that the next Evil Film School is happening next Friday (July 28th) @ Blim.

Doors: 8pm
Start: 8:15pm

First Film: Mooch Goes to Hollywood [1971] -- Very strange children's film co-written by Jim Backus about a lovable tramp named Mooch who comes to LaLaLand to become a star. Along the way she's helped by Zsa Zsa Gabor, Vincent Price and a whole host of Hollywood who's who (including a very creepy Mickey Rooney). Short & sweet (50 min running time), it's worth seeing if only for the scene where a 70+ Vincent Price runs along a beach with open arms towards the Benji-like Mooch.

Second Film: I Woke Up Early the Day I Died [1998] -- Dialogue free film based on a script by Ed Wood, starring Billy Zane & almost anyone else who was famous in the late 90's. Was a bit of a vanity project for Mr. Zane who allegedly sank his own money into the film, which has not really seen the light of day in America, save a few festival appearances shortly after it was made. The lack of dialogue and expressionistic acting lend it the feeling of a highly demented silent film and an awesome and omnipresent soundtrack ensure that the audience is always engaged. Note: Although there is no dialogue, this the occasional voice over or title card. Because the only source print is of German origin, these will be entirely in German with no subtitles.

Admission: $5 - $10

Popcorn & Beer (recommended) will be available from the bar.

For more info feel free to email me: evilfilmschool @ gmail.com

Reminderette

My plan is to attend Sunday Service preceded by dinner with other clubhousettes this weekend..
Help me make this happen ladies..

!NSTANT THEATRE?S SUNDAY SERVICE
Weekly show in which two performers improvise scenes with audience suggestions. Sun. show at 9 pm, Wink (151 E. 8th).

Story Time

My Going Away Party!!!

Friday the 28th of July at the Slack Shack.

You tell storries about me and I'll share my fond memories of you and Vancouver.

(I know this happens to be a movie night, sigh, but such is life.. )

You'll probably dig it more

Not really work safe, if your work doesn't like profanity.

A plea for people-friendly public space

It is a little sad for me to discover that Toronto's urban public parks are much more alive and accessible than Vancouver's. I say that this is sad because Vancouver is my home and I do not want to speak ill of it. On the contrary, this is more of a plea for improvement rather than a trashing of my home city.

I am not saying that Toronto's urban public spaces are problem-free. Nothing nowadays can escape from the inconsideration of some people. There are things that I appreciate here in Toronto, however, that I found to be absent in Vancouver's main downtown park (Vancouver Art Gallery area and Robson Square). Nathan Phillips Square, right smack in the heart of downtown, is a happening place. Its location is a blessing, for it facilitates the mingling of many different types of people. Three-piece suits, tourists, youth, artists, buskers, the down-and-out panhandlers and many others come to this space, enjoying the pond and basking in the sun.

There is a certain magnificence to spaces that allow for fleeting encounters with people who are markedly different from one's self. As a grad student, I have gone to Nathan Phillips to study. I have also gone to a massive art show/sale in that open space; sculptors, painters, photographers, jewelry makers and other artists showcased their work to many. Today and tomorrow, a Thai cultural festival is happening there; Thai cuisine, traditional dance and other cultural events will be there for the public to engage in.

Just tonight, I went there with a couple of friends, just chilled until about midnight, singing my typical love song or rock ballad. Unlike in Vancouver, my friend Jean and I were actually able to lie down on benches because those pesky 'armrests' (read anti-bum design) do not exist here. A guy even showed us a card trick right around midnight. The openness of space did not make us feel like there were people lurking all around us, for sightlines were clear and unobstructed.

The fundamental problem with Robson Square (especially south of Robson) is that bushes cut it off from the street level, making it somewhat invisible and uninviting. Do not get me wrong, I enjoy greenery so long as the green space is accessible to people. Robson Square is designed too strongly as a defensible space; to me, it has become too defensive a space. The very people for whom it should have been designed is not going there because it feels so cut-off, even semi-private. Open space does not have to be bare in much the same way that green space does not have to feel unusable.

I want a space that invites me in rather than traps me. Smart urban design should facilitate people-friendly public space rather than acting as a deterrent against the unsightly. After all, city life should not be sterile, it has be an adventure. And adventure without risk, according to Douglas Coupland, is Disneyland.

B&B Presents: Somber Love in the tune of Wong Kar Wai @ C-Bean

Sorry sorry sorry for the late post. "What?", you may ask, "this is usually the day we find out about the movies.". True. But the day has changed. It's tomorrow at a new living room, CORINNE'S! Why? Well you ask too many questions but the movies we'll be watching will be better served in her living room than ours considering the luscious photography of Chinese film's favorite white boy, Christopher Doyle (why does it have to be about race?! Damn!).

You know what, I'm not doing write-ups for these 'cause we know enough on reputation alone that these two are sure-fire good. Also selfishly I'm sick of spoiling movies for myself week after week doing these write-ups. It's a sacrifice I'll gladly keep taking for you guys. Apparently just not this week.

Sun. Jul.16

7pm In The Mood For Love (2000)



9pm 2046 (2004)



Need directions. Give Corinne or myself a call. Where'd that forum go anyways?

Next week: hehehehe.

Brendan's B-day BBQ

Eventhough today (Bastille Day) is my birthday, I would like to see you guys out at Kits beach on Saturday for a beach BARBEQUE.
When: Saturday July 15th 3:00 pm most cookin' and eatin' as of 5:00 pm
Where: the Kits Beach picnic area (North of the Wartermark consession area and adjascent to the volleyball nets)
What: BBQ (some Burgers and libations provided, but bring food if you can) If you don't know what to bring, call me. GAMES (Volley, Frisbee, Pirate driftwood fort play). SUN (Weather permitting, otherwise we will change venues to a houseparty in east van).
Hope to see you there.
Call me for details.
I'll also be out at the Pic Pub tonight with the bands and such.

Upcoming concerts

These days I've been trying to save money more, but here are two shows I'll regret passing up, especially if someone here wants to join in. I'll be picking up tix at one of those record stores real soon, probably Friday or Saturday.

OF MONTREAL
(been on sale for weeks but I've been slacky-pantsed getting around to it...hope they're still available)
Friday Sept 1, Plaza Club
$20.75 + s/c

SUFJAN STEVENS
(should sound great with strings and horns...plus he's the handsomest man on the Christian indie rock scene)
Saturday Oct 14, St. Andrew's Wesley Church
$27.00 + s/c

Toronto blues

Hello all

I just got home from the pub with Jeff (my pal via Rachael) and I got sloshed. He is in transit from Edmonton to Newfoundland and decided to come visit me and another friend of his. I had tons of fun! And Ontario doesnt have liquor tax so its cheaper. An upside to Toronto I guess ...

I'm tired after having done fieldwork in Parkdale all day, an area that shares a lot of characteristics with our Downtown Eastside. It is a fast gentrifying area with an incoming yuppie population that works in the cultural/creative industry (design, music, film, art), creating conflict with current residents as yuppies tend to drive up housing prices. Parkdale, not unlike DTES, is also known for the drug and prostitution scenes, which create NIMBYist conflicts. What I love about this research is that I get paid to do it -- and it is absolutely interesting! I am off to do some more fieldwork sometime in the next few days, but if it gets thunderstormy like it did yesterday, then I'll just work from home. The weather here is so flipping unpredictable: it could be nice and sunny one moment and then windy and thundery the next. It sucks.

I miss Vancouver, especially the various assortments of Granville Island beers and better selection of sushi. I kind of like the gay scene here though. People are generally less snobby. Just last night I met two people (both named Steve; they're friends) while studying in a cafe in what is the equivalent of our West End. Nice people, generally. But I do miss you guys, and Karaoke. Oh, Jeff's friend Rebekka wants to find us a karaoke bar. Yay.

Burlesque Update

So, you may have seen these posters around town. Yes, this is my show. Doors are at 9pm, show starts at 11pm. Somehow I haven't backed out yet, so please cheer me on (I really need the support). Tix are $10, or $7 if you get them early by going here through paypal.

SO MANY YEARS... GONE.

I had a hard drive crash on me, right after using a program to cattegorize my MP3 collection.

End Result: All MP3's are now misnamed or missing.

I'm starting over, and need your help. If you're cool lending me CDs, wicked. If you want to take this opportunity to culture me by giving me a mix CD or DVD of MP3s, who am I to stop you. Hell, I'll even pass them on to others when I'm done.

Goddamn!

Improv!

A duo of fine comics put on a great small stage show every Sunday at Wink just off Main Street and 8th.
Easy to say I really enjoyed it and want to share this with all of you.

The Straight says..

!NSTANT THEATRE?S SUNDAY SERVICE
Weekly show in which two performers improvise scenes with audience suggestions. Sun. at 9 pm, Wink (151 E. 8th). Pay what you can, info www.instanttheatre.com/.

The Red Elvises

I completly forgot to post here earlier, sorry guys!

If any of you are free tonight, come by the Railway Club @ 8pm for The Red Elvises!

Tickets are $10 at the door.

The B&B presents: BEAT THE HEAT! WWII winter warfare

We'll be taking a break for the next few weeks to watch something other than trash (don't fret it will also be a staple as long as I have a say in things). This week, well the headline says it all.

Mon. July 10th



7pm BATTLEGROUND (1949): Following a single infantry unit of the 101st Airborne during the Battles of Bastogne and the Bulge. Don't expect an action war film but an early attempt to tell a more truthful war film focusing on the psychology and morale of these soldiers running low on supplies, the harshest of winter conditions and being surrounded by German forces. And look Ricardo Montalban's in it. Huzzah!



9pm Cross of Iron (1977): To my suprise Sam Peckinpah only made one war film and this is it. Here we have James Coburn as Steiner, a German corporal and recipient of the Iron Cross leading a platoon of German soldiers in the Russia of 1943, when the German Wehrmacht forces had been decimated and the Germans were retreating along the Russian front. But conflict ensues when a new commander, Captain Stransky (Maximillian Schell), takes over the platoon and becomes increasingly envious of Steiner's Iron Cross. It's friggin' Peckinpah. You owe to yourself to check it out.

Next week: new night, new living room and some Wong Kar Wai. Classy!

Night Market Friday Night

I have Bob, Kat, Amit and Serbhi confirmed in my car, but I'm wondering if it makes more sense to all take transit, as Brendan and Jessica are coming too. This would entail meeting at my place at 7pm and getting on a 41/43 to granville, a 98B to capstan way and a 407 to bridgeport (getting off at vulcan way).

Also, this invitation is extended to all other interested parties!

Last Night to see LADY VENGEANCE on the big screen.

So seeing a 9:40 showing of SYMPATHY 0F LADY VENGEANCE tonight at Granville 7. Last chance before it's engagement ends. Since seeing it on DVD I've been drooling to see it on the big screen. It's a friggin opera. Loud and big. Anyways hope to see you there.

Friday July the 14th and what you're doing!

Hello Everyone!

In a mass celebration of many birthdays in the first two weeks of July (including my own) join me and my new band This Week In History at The Pic (W. Pender @ Granville) on Friday July the 14th for the party to end all multi birthday parties.





If you'd like tickets comment here or contact me via other means if you have them. I'm mobile and am available to drop tickets off, they are $7 each in advance. Hope to see you all there!

Greetings from Smog-land

The city of Toronto welcomed me with a mighty thick layer of smog and humidity so fierce and painful. Oh how I miss the mountains, the breeze and of course you crazy people!

I am starting to get settled in my place. I will post photos soon, but to give you an idea, it is a Victorian-style home which I share with three others (two girls and a guy). My room is right up front, with a view of the tree-lined street (Markham St). I just spent (well my Mom spent ...) about $150 buying the basic stuff, which to me includes various paper lanterns for decorating and some thumbtacks for me to hang my Canucks jersey and some Vancouver photos. About the latter: I've been warned not to place my shrine to Vancouver in public view because it might cause disgruntled Torontonians to hurl rocks at my window. Bah! Incivility.

About unpacking: I just figured that the boxes are not going to unpack themselves. They might as well as they have their own little minds though - just today, one of my heavy luggages decided to fall on my left foot, possibly causing a huge bruise if not broken bones. It hurts like Kevin Federline's sense of style.

Anyway, you'll see a lot more of me ranting about the ups and downs of this city. I'll give it a chance to warm up to me; if not, then Vancouver here I come back.

PS: Three things I'll miss the most: (1) Karaoke - duh, (2) the skytrain (I detest the subway system here) and (3) relatively inexpensive yet still hefty servings of Asian cuisine (Chinese and Japanese to be more precise).

Cascade Falls Pics

Here's a few pictures I took during today's trip to Cascade Falls.

This was also a good excuse to try out Google's web sharing plugin for Picassa. Turns out it's great, just like everything else they've ever done.

Pretty Neat

How the hell is it that this institution is vilified! America needs them now more than ever.

Holy Monochrome!

The Clubhouse gets a long overdue facelift. At first, I thought that it just needed a new logo (which it most certainly did), but since only one person took the bait, the competition idea was killed (many thanks to the super awesome entrant!).

Onto dreary!

The B&B presents: SHE-GANGS! with special guest!

Women scare me. Especially ones with gang affilliations. But they're even hotter for it.

Mon. Jul.3

7pm SHE MOB (1968): Why do I always fall for lesbians? Will I fall for the members of this all lesbian gang who kidnap the gigolo of a wealthy business-lady? Once they get that gigolo tied to the bed are they really that core on the whole lesbian front? By the same people who brought you last week's NYMPH'S ANOYOMOUS with a cone bra that apparently has to seen to be believed (I don't know I've seen lots of cone bras, maybe this one has spizazz).



9pm SHE-DEVILS ON WHEELS (1968): You know Herschell Gordon Lewis has been requested more times than I can count and of course once he gets programmed it isn't strictly a gore movie but DAMMIT it works with theme! In this Lewis chronicles the hellraising of all girl gang "THE MAN-EATERS". They race their bikes for their pick of the men, terrorize the locals, and duke it out with an all male gang.

As for who can guess the identity of the mystery guest gets a prize of their choice (The choice being icecubes and flavoured icecubes. mmmm.)

oh quick link The 2006 schedule for the Fantasia Film Festival if anyone wants to just hand me a free trip there covering expenses I'll be your pet for life or until I tire of it.

Next Week: BEAT THE HEAT in the oppressively hot apartment: WWII Winter Combat.