swm seeking tech geek

Um, a humble question for anyone more web savy than myself:

Is there a quick, one-maybe-two step way to back up the contents of one's blog?

I also like imaginative use of marmalade.

MANHUNT - MON SEP 4 7:30 & 9 PM GAMES!

MANHUNT-THE WORLD FAMOUS URBAN HIDE & GO SEEK/TAG/ADVENTURE GAME!

MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 4th!)
BACK TO SCHOOL - 2 GAMES
7:30pm and 9:00pm (be on time, come play both!)
BURARD STATION
(up top by the buses)

www. manhunt-vancouver.com

chineefoo redux

okay, miyuki and I really will be there this time... peking restaurant, sunday @ noon. you know the (chinese fire) drill.

we'll be arriving saturday morning, leaving sunday night. lunch both days are covered, as is dinner sunday. we will begin accepting bids for our spare free time immediately. anything coo happening?

KARAOKE PARTY THIS FRIDAY!

I've been asked to KJ a birthday party at a shared house on the corner of 12th and Ontario. Some of you may have met the hosts at the Vet's club recently, Casey and Stuart are two of the roommates. Anyhow, they've been gracious enough to open the venue to friends through the ANAF #298 or the Clubhouse blog. Karaoke should be starting around 8:30-9:00pm and will go into the wee hours of the morning. Feel free to bring alcohol and come meet some new people. I encourage you to drop by and if timing is critical, I'll let you call in requests. I should have an assistant to help with rotation scheduling (I'm looking at you, Brendan).

Now the best part, I've recently moved to an external HD system with a song selection that might actually impress even Ron. Unfortunately, the list is too big to post to the web. So go to www.kjpro.com or www.dbkaraoke.com and "browse" or search by artist/song title and give me the code (I should be able to search by artist or song, but just in case). There will be 6 books also. Expect complete song selections from all major artists and ALL the recent top 40.

I'll post the address and my cell no in the forum tomorrow.

Alive!

I made it safe and sound.. But first.. Some pics from awhile back you might like..











Top Stories

-Travel was Lovely, Clear Skies and Relaxing Flights
-My Aunt had an emergency operation on her eye yesterday and is blind right now.
-My Uncle got a speeding ticket driving me from the airport today. But he got off with a warning because he's a fireman.
-Fran's home gaurdian threw out her computer without telling her.

Please tune in for a new feature.. www.happynewsthisweek.blogspot.com

Writing Club

Homework Assignment due next week is posted.

The Coolest Hipster Ever

EVER.

IKEA!!

I have the car for the weekend. I will be going to Ikea on Saturday around 1pm. If you'd like to join me, please post in the comments or email me. For some reason my phone still isn't taking messages. I hate you, Telus, with the fiery passion of a thousand suns.

I will also be going to Home Depot for paint.

MANHUNT! Mon Aug 28 9PM

MONDAY (AUGUST 28)
9:00 PM SHARP!
GASTOWN
(meet out front waterfront station in front of the statue)

BASIC MANHUNT RULES:

Manhunt is a hide-and-seek variant. The game starts out with one person, known as the MANHUNTER, who is "it". After the manhunter has been selected, the FUGITIVES have 120 seconds to hide.

If a FUGITIVE is tagged by a MANHUNTER, she or he is BRAINWASHED and forced to join the side of the MANHUNTERS. At the end of the designated time limit, all FUGITIVES who have not been arrested are declared the winners.

Play occurs within predetermined boundaries. If a FUGITIVE exits these boundaries for any reason, she/he joins the MANHUNTERS. Players are identified as being distinct from the general civilian population by means of a HIGHLY-VISIBLE ARMBAND. A VISIBLE ARMBAND IS PROVIDED!

taken from manhunt-vancouver.com

The clip we've all been waiting for...

I now understand why YouTube was invented...

DODGEBALL / TONIGHT!

MONDAY (AUGUST 21)
7:00 PM SHARP!
the park at nelson
and thurlow
(behind the hostpital on burrard)

www.manhunt-vancouver.com

and they said geography is dead

Who knew that maps could be so much fun!? That's right - Brendan, Rachael and I aside, urban geographers that we are - you guys can finally have fun with maps.

Check out this site. It is a google map like website, but instead of landmark locations, the dynamic map is overlain with transcripts of conversations overheard in specific sites in Manhattan. Hmm this website oversteps ethics, but what the hell -- the transcripts are anonymous and kinda fun! So enjoy.

http://persistent.info/overplot/

JP

PS: Whoever came up with this website is to be blamed for my lapses of procrastination! Curses.

some photos from Ontario camping trip

Hey all

Check out the photos from my first camping trip here in Ontario. The place is called Killarney Provincial Park.

The people in the photos are my roomies (Justine - the girl - and Ryan - the Caucasian guy with no glasses). The other two people are Ryan's friends, Eddy - the Chinese guy - and Matt - the guy with glasses.

http://www.ece.ubc.ca/~eddyl/gallery/Killarney06.

I MISS U ALL.

JP

B&B Presents: "Hey B.J. when are you going to give me back..."

Most of you have probably notice the piles of unfiled DVDs littered around the shelf. Well guess what, most of those are on loan (speaking of which, who has my Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion?). So this week are a couple I'm looking forward to watching, sharing, enjoying and then finally returning.

Sun Aug.20

7pm Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1987): Todd Haynes (director of Far From Heaven and Safe) sophomore effort detailing the rise and anorexic fall of Karen Carpenter all performed with Barbie Dolls. Long only available on bootleg (don't expect that to change) due to the essential use of The Carpenters' music throughout the film. It's a fun watch. When not following Karen battle with herself the movie becomes a 80s Educational film on Anorexia. Well you'll see what I mean when you see it. Soon to be returned to the lovely Coleman.



9pm 3:15: The Moment of Truth (1986): Seems to be pretty much the same plot as Deadbeat at Dawn (Though I doubt as brilliant) most feared gang member leaves gang, gang attacks his girl and are now after him. Unlike Deadbeat the location is high school and at 3:15, after school, everything's gonna get settled in the final battle royale. (I was thinking of double Billing with Class of 1984 but I saw it already at Cinemuerte). Take note Browncoats (dork code for Firefly fan) Adam Baldwin (Jayne from Firefly) is the lead here. Excitement abounds! Soon to be returned to the stellar Larissa.

Next week: Comedy Gods on Dysfuntional Romance.

Coming soon: More Craven, More Fulci, Bronson and Silva vigilante action, Seijun Suzuki, Fukasaku and Verhoeven double bill. Oh geez so much more.

SNAKES ON A PLANE!

RIO Theater on Broadway tomorrow at 4:30pm. $5.

Who's up? We'll make our own audience participation event, since we missed thursday night!

chineefoo?

miyuki and I won't be making it up there this weekend after all... however, don't let that stop the rest of yous from enjoying the wonder that is chineefoo.

eat a BBQ pork steam bun for me.

I love this game!

www.gameshero.com/online/fun/prehistoric_ng-flashgame.html


It's so cute and fun. A pink dino that never stops dancing but it's alot like Super Mario. I like it when you grind down hills and bad slime and bones fly everywhere.

My B-day Party

Fuck y'all! Right here, right now. The place: my house! The time: Saturday 8pm! The event: my thirtieth birthday! Come for the booze, stay because you can't find your pants! This event beats Jessica's TO HELL!

AbsoluteSpa Day

Pick from this menu and we'll book for 3pm on Sunday August 20th.

Party party!

Nothing too terribly epic, just some drinking and probably late-night breaking and entering. Less Jim-nudity this time, I swear. Possibly more Bob-nudity.

BYOE, as always. Those who know not where I live may find directions hidden in the forum. Bring hot tub wear (or not, we're fairly tolerant people).

UPDATE: Oh yeah, it's at 7-8ish this Friday. Probably really fires up around 9, but if you want to barbeque anything or hunt squirrels with me you should come by a bit earlier.

My Birthday Bash!

As Paul has informed me of his plans for Friday the 18th (my b-day), I will be having my party time on Saturday the 19th. Wink is hosting a night of various humour based performers and you can buy tickets for this night there. They cost $8. I know I keep saying this but it really may be your last chance to see my beautious visage before the east claims me for their own. As of today my flight is on the 21st.

Ok
So,
Wink
Sat 19th
Buy your $8 tickets
My Birthday Party!

B&B Presents: Wong Kar Wai: Hong Kong present, past and future.

Yet another week of BJ MIA (actually he?s just at a family get together), and another week of hopefully not too little / hopefully not too late programming by Brendan. This week, we continue a journey into the deft and artful works of director Wong Kar Wai that some of us left off at C-Bean?s a few weeks back.

SUNDAY AUG. 13th


7pm Fallen Angels / Duo Luo Tian Shi (1995):
In a multilayered and surreal Hong Kong nightscape a disillusioned hit man on his ?last? kill deals with his feelings for his partner, a drifter searches for her ex-boyfriend, and a mute breaks into stalls in the Kowloon Night Market.

9pm 2046 (2004):
The fantasy future world of his writing allows a sci-fi author to connect with the love that fate would not allow him in the 1960s past. The much acclaimed continuation / fan service of the much more acclaimed In The Mood For Love likely does not need you to have seen the first. It is to be a visually exquisite meditation on romance, remembrance, and regret.

MANHUNT!

www.manhunt-vancouver.com
this weeks game

MANHUNT!!!
MONDAY (AUGUST 14)
9:00 PM SHARP!
GRANVILLE
(meet south side on the steps
of the Vancouver Art Gallery
on Robson)


BASIC MANHUNT RULES:
Manhunt is a hide-and-seek variant. The game starts out with one person, known as the MANHUNTER, who is "it". After the manhunter has been selected, the FUGITIVES have 120 seconds to hide.

If a FUGITIVE is tagged by a MANHUNTER, she or he is BRAINWASHED and forced to join the side of the MANHUNTERS. At the end of the designated time limit, all FUGITIVES who have not been arrested are declared the winners.

Play occurs within predetermined boundaries. If a FUGITIVE exits these boundaries for any reason, she/he joins the MANHUNTERS. Players are identified as being distinct from the general civilian population by means of a HIGHLY-VISIBLE ARMBAND.

if you want to play, just show up
everyone is welcome.

Who's coming? I want to go.

Fang in Cheek! Friday Aug 25th

Despite the attack of the nerds last month, I'm doing it again!


What: Fang in Cheek
Where: Blim (197 E. 17th @ Main)
When: Aug 25 (Fri)
Doors: 7pm
Admission: $5 - $10 Sliding Scale

7:30pm -- Sundown, The Vampire in Retreat [1991]: Count Dracula (David Carradine) thinks he's got it made after retiring to the Western town of Purgatory, a sort of Fort Lauderdale for vampires. They're all non violent and drink a blood substitute. Unfortunately, he didn't count on a bumbling descendant of Van Helsing (BRUCE CAMPBELL, yes, that Bruce Campbell) or a rogue band of vamps intent on returning to the old ways. Extremely goofy and silly, it's still a rather unique take on an old tale. And just think, Ash vs. Bill. That's gotta be worth something, right?

9:30pm -- Vampira (a.k.a. Old Dracula) [1974]: David Niven stars as the count, and Teresa Graves (a.k.a. TV's Christie Love) stars as his lady love Vampira after a faulty blood transfusion turns her black. No really. Tries to be sort of an English version of "Young Frankenstein", but doesn't quite live up. Worth a look if only for the unflappable Niven and of course a whole host of hotties including Graves and the lovely Jennie Linden.

As usual, beer & popcorn will be available

Events to note

1. AbsoluteSpa day on August 20th. I'm going to book some stuff there that day, for me, but if anyone wants to join they also have a men's menu. This'll be pricey, so keep that in mind. Depending on who's in, there may be other things to follow.

2. Sports Day. Of note: that link takes you to last year and a spectacular photograph of Duke. This year it takes place Saturday September 16 from 11am to 4pm in Coquitlam somewhere (I can look it up; it's a different location than last year I think). It's $15/person and a team of 4 is $60 (what a bargain!). You get a swank (not really) t-shirt and a chance to win some dapper prizes. The year I participated, I won a Roots watch. Not only can you win by participating, but you can put more money in to win raffle prizes (I hate the word "raffle"). I can list you all the prizes, but there is a ton of neat stuff and some crap (like TV Week subscriptions). Anyway, it'd be cool if we had a showing of Clubhousers. My work may have a team or two and I'm already signed up with my family, but this event is way less torturous with cool people around. If you think your workplace or social collective would like to start a team I can send out a registration form.

3. Other activities that I'd like to happen in the next month: I'd like to make it out to the Night Market, go out dancing, plan/attend a party where karaoke is not the central focus, summer picnic at a park (potluck style), possible PNE/Playland day if there is any interest.

I know this is a lot to digest, but I'm going to start planning a lot of these on the Google Calendar and I might try to add the Calendar to the blog to make it more accessible. I'd appreciate some input from any of you as to what you'd like to attend, what you would not attend if your life depended on it, and other events you would like to see happen in the Clubhouse.

Also, I am looking for contest ideas because we're coming up on having enough credits to get a t-shirt from Threadless. If there are no contest ideas,I'm just going to get the shirt for myself! ;)

you know the drill...

chineefoo, peking restaurant, sunday aug 20, 12 noon

the token 'merkins are making a trip up north to kick paul's ass for leaving again so soon, and to partake in whatever festivities may be occuring.

mark your calendars for the foo, however. and given the recent turnouts, it seems prudent to say the "kids table" rule will be in effect again for anyone showing up late.

I'm gonna eat me a metric ton of pork fried rice.

B&B Presents: Noir in the Key of B

Just found out that BJ had no plans to hold a movie night this week; for shame. But have no fear, cuz Brendan while posting late still wants to make it happen.

SUNDAY (as in tomorrow) AUG. 6th


7pm The Maltese Falcon (1941): Yes, John Huston?s directorial debut which adapted Dashiell Hammett?s classic noir novel to the screen and served as the launch pad for a then still relatively unknown Humphrey Bogart. The film became the archetype for the hardboiled private detective story and only existed because the 1930s pre-code version couldn?t be re-released due to sexual content. Bogie plays Sam Spade, a PI hired by femme fatale Brigid -Mary Astor. I have not seen this movie since I was six or seven - there is photographic evidence that after seeing the Maltese Falcon I had a fedora wearing Popeye candy cigarette smoking stage until I was nine - and may burst into glee with seeing it again.


9pm Brick (2005): Brendan, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt,- from 3rd Rock, a sharp outsider is thrust into the noir underworld of high school when he investigates the disappearance and death of his ex-girlfriend, Emily. The gritty noir directorial debut of Rian Johnson is self conscious of its roots. Dialogue, while swift and smooth, sounds like it?s out of those dramas of the 30s/40s. The soundtrack is eerily entertaining. And, who can resist a main character based on Bogart who shares the same name as me.

B-Day Plans

I am approaching the grand old age of 27. My hopes and dreams of being the youngest anything can, now, be safely put away. To celebrate I'm holding a party on Saturday Aug 12 at my house. Thinking of starting around 7pm.

Your role in all of this:
Bring booze; and
Enjoy.

My addy and # should still be in the forum.

Lots of love
R

Thought I'd Share

sent this as an email to people on the EFS list & thought I should share it with everybody else.

Hey Kids!

Wener House Music is proud to offer Evil Film "Students" a limited time special discount 15% discount on select seats for ?An Evening with Spike Lee? on Saturday August 12 at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver !

From August 1 to August 7 only, click on this link and you will be directed to Ticketmaster where you enter the special password SUMMER where it says ?Promotions and Special Offers?. This link will no longer be in effect after August 7.

Do not miss out on this opportunity to hear this true titan - a groundbreaking filmmaker and director of contemporary cinema -talk about his life , popular culture, and of course, film . Provocative and often controversial, Spike Lee speaks with candor and from the heart about politics, the perpetuation of African-American stereotypes in film and music, and the challenges young people face today. He is an activist and passionate about social and world issues and knows the value of positive role models for the youth of today. He doesn't mince words and he certainly won't Saturday, August 12th!!!

This offer begins August 1 and is only good until August 7. DON'T miss this important evening - Spike Lee is one of Hollywood's most important and influential filmmakers during the past decade!

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.

Evil Film School: Good News/Bad News

Hi Kids,

So the good news is that there will be an Evil Film School tonight (June 30)!!

Doors: 7:30
Start: 8:00
Admission 10 - 5 sliding

Popcorn & beer will be available.


Now for the bad news: Turkish Wizard of Oz has not come in. Despite being ordered over a month ago, and several attempts to contact the supplier, it looks unlikely that I'll have it in time for tonight's screening. However, there is an alternate and it's almost as good:

Alyas Batman en Robin [1993] -- That's right, it's the Philipino Batman and Robin musical!! Charming and hilarious. In Filipino/Tagalog with a good smattering of nonsensical English.

There will still be a shorts program before the main event, so come early so you don't miss out.

See you there,

~meeko

FREE SWIMMING

No one came last week. That was sad considering how hot it was.

Sunday @ Kensington Outdoor Pool (three blocks away fron "chinee Foo.") from 12 until 6. Corner of Kensington and Hastings. Come in, tell the cashier that you're here to see Owen, and they will let you in. If you come before 145pm, there will be no cashier! Anyway, come by. The pool is a balmy 30 degrees Celcius, with a diving board and a field available for frisbee, soccer, or just lounging.

(technically it is free from 12 to 2pm, but I'll let you in for free afterward if you don't make a scene about it).

Oh, And... (relating perhaps to c-day)

World Cup venues. Any cool ones? I mean, sometimes it's great to soak in atmosphere even if one doesn't give a rat's about futbol (i.e. I know Edmonton's little Italy can be a fun place).

Aside from questions of coolness, I just don't know who or what is open early enough for live games. But, for those even infinitesimally interested, I'll drop here the quarterfinal match-ups and times (I think)...

Friday: Germany vs. Argentina, 4:00am(?); Italy vs. Ukraine, 8:00am(?).

Saturday: Brazil vs. France; England vs. Portugal (same time slots, not sure which is which).

Comments?

Canada Day Weekend

I've decided that I need to cheer up and unwind after the worst week so far this year. If anyone would like to join me in any activities this weekend, you are more than welcome. Please comment or drop me an email.

Saturday, July 1st (27 degrees)
- AM: Help J/K move.
- PM: Bocce Ball on Commercial Drive

Sunday, July 2nd (26 degrees)
- AM/PM: Bike ride, sea wall or stanley park trails

Monday, July 3rd (28 degrees)
- AM/PM: Trip to either Golden Ears (lower falls/north beach) or Cascade Falls. Majority vote rules. Suggestions for things on the North Shore are welcome also (I know a few hikes, not much swimming).

The Dilly with C-Day

Is anyone up to anything on Canada Day? Just curious.

Also: Can people go down to the beach and leisurely burn things? Does that happen here? Cuz down at Pa's cabin it ain't no nevermind.

hey Rachel/Brendon/Corrine

Turns out I am the indomitable winner of last night's Tipsy Spelling Bee!

;^)

Shook up and bruised but other wise okay

About two hours ago i was attacked by some random guy while walking home from the bus stop. i was about two blocks from my house when it happened. he didn't steal anything and i'm okay other then the swollen face from when he punched me and the scrapes from when i hit the ground. it happened too quickly for me to even explain properly what happened. i screamed at him and tried to fight back. i guess he got freaked cause after i told him to f-off he droped me and took off.

I'm really shook up right now. i wasn't sure if i should post about it but i could really use some support and encouragement and thought you should know why i might not be coming out much in the next week. my entire sense of security has been smashed. my neighborhood is messed up; it seems like the most peaceful and safe place sometimes, but then two blocks away... i trek all the way home from main and broadway and i get attacked when i 'm less then five minutes from home. the police found a guy matching the description i gave them but i barely saw anything, i didn't see his face so i couldn't id him so they had to let him go. at least the police man was really nice and so were the ambulance drivers. my brother has been the most incredible support though. i need to reassure myself that i'm okay, i fought back at least.

please don't worry though, i'll be alright, i'm pretty much okay just really shook up.

Cards for old people

Hey kids,

For those who know Bill & Marie, you'll know Bill & Marie haven't been around on Wednesdays. Last night, a few of us found out. Bill's at Lion's Gate with lots of health issues (and has been for the past three weeks); Marie will be moving into a home in the coming weeks. Bill & Marie were part of the draw of attending the 298, and they probably won't be able to make it out any more.

This Wednesday I want to make cards at the 298 or collect "Thinking of you" cards to be given to Bill at Lion's Gate. This will be achieved either by KJ Ron, Martina, or having one or two of the karaokers running over the bridge with a bundle of well wishes.

If you have scissors, scrap paper, white glue, felt pens, or any other artistic tool you don't mind sharing, and likely losing, for this giant project to be spread out over three tables, please bring them to karaoke Wednesday.

MOVIE NIGHT (gosh we need a new name): ssssSEX!

Howdy all.

I've been hearing quite a few of you (mostly the boys) lamenting over your lack of a sex life, well except for Bob (Fuck you Bob). So in an effort to show what y'all be missing it's SEX NIGHT.

Mon. Jun. 26th

7pm NYMPHS ANOYMOUS (1968): I'm copying from the box on this one. "No longer satisfied with her "he-man" husband Stan, sexually-insatiable Laura Ellis attacks a bill collector, a vacuum-cleaner salesman, and a psychiatrist before finally joining NYMPHS (ANONYMOUS), an organization catering to the needs of nymphomaniacs.



9pm EMANUELLE IN AMERICA(1977): "One of the most notorious exploitation films ever made!"
Emanuelle (played by Li'l Miss Sexpot herself Laura Gemser) has a very positive attitude towards sex. Inbetween her sexual encounters and nude photography she's an investigative journalist. That's all I'm willing to say. I want nothing spoiled. I saw this for the first time last week and it blew me away just when I was worrying about becoming jaded. Be warned Jessica-Karen might need a blindfold and earplugs for certain scenes. Oh yeah there's a horse.

P.S. If anyone tries to start an orgy I will cock block you and by cock block I mean cock punch. Let the other monday movie night have that.

NEXT WEEK: SHE-GANGS and a mystery American guest.

paul needs to see this...

thai restrooms.

paul, you really wanna go there? this is even more fucked up than japan selling dirty undies in vending machines...

Cascade Falls on Sunday?

It's going to hit 30 degrees this weekend! I have this tradition with Jon that, on the first weekend of the year that the temperature breaks 25, we go to cascade. Anyone interested in a 30-45min hike up wooden staircases, forest paths and rocky riverbeds followed by a series of natural pools that take you up to a waterfall with a natural waterslide...jussa lemme know-a.

I'd like to leave before 11:00am. I'll be taking lots of fresh fruit and bars if you like to eat.

Let's get Brendan un-packed Housewarming Potluck! Yeah.

Hey all

This Sunday instead of basking in the cancerous heat stroke giving Summer sun how's about you come to our place to welcome, feed and help accommodate Brendan (me too!) in his new home. The boy has an apartment's worth of stuff in his bedroom that has gots to be merged with the current space. So anyone with a generous interior design genius with food is even more welcome than those coming to give Brendan hugs....hugs.

So come no earlier than Noon unless you like to see crusty eyed boys in their underwear.

Toodles.

Oh, the addy. If you don't already know.

64 E 6th Ave
1 block west of Main. Drop by RX Comics on the way if only 'cause they're the best comic shop in town.

Lacking a Writing?

I asked Scott if there was an assignement this week. He said he didn't remember any and that we should come up with one. So here it is:

"We should write about an aspect of Vancouver that we personally enjoy."

It's vague, it's open and there is no one who can't write about it.

This Week In History @ The Pic

Aidan asked me to help out on the promotions for an upcoming gig for his band, This Week In History. You might remember them from such gigs as "The Buffalo Club" (DVD available) and 8 Seconds (opening for Darkest o/t hillside thickets, Hanson bros). Anyhow, they have another gig that almost coincides with Aidan's quarter century birthday blowout:



TWIH (w/ 3 guests)
Friday, July 14th
The Pic Pub
622 W. Pender Street
Doors 8:00pm
Tickets: $7.00 (through me, so RSVP)

This works out well, I most certainly would not have even dreamed of trying to steal any burlesque thunder.

TWIH myspace page is here.

Debut Date

Some of you may be aware that I have taken up Burlesque Dancing. Some of you perverts have even expressed an interest in seeing me get nekkid. Well, here's your chance.

When: July 15th (it's a Saturday).
Where: The Lamplighter.

I'll be opening for a bigger touring act. Tix are likely gonna be about $15. More details as they come.

Whitecaps Sunday June 25

4pm - Ladies' game
7pm - Men's game

I have three tickets for you people to attend free! I'll be going, but I got extras from work.

Call dibs now!

Movie Night: Japanese Noir

Brendan thought Noir might be swell this week. I kinda shrugged thinking about all the classic films that've been programmed that you all ignored due to slow pacing. Then Brendan said, "How about Japanese Noir". Well if you guys have to read subtitles you're more likely to pay attention so I said, "Sure".

Mon. Jun. 19th

7pm Stray Dog (1949): Toshiro Mifune is a young detective who on a hot summer day in a crowded bus has his gun stolen by a pickpocket. Rather than report the missing weapon he sets out to find it himself. On his search he discovers an entire criminal underworld. A tense Post-War noir in Akira Kurosawa's and Mifune's third collaboration.

Driest write-up by me ever.

9pm The Most Terrible Time in My Life (1994): Both sending up and honouring western noir conventions in this, the first part Mike Hama Private Investigator trilogy. Hama is suave, macho, and cold. Unlike his American counterpart, Hama is a total klutz. Hama works out of a projection booth in a Yokohama movie house. Before his clients can see him, the theater owners make them buy tickets. During his first on-screen case poor Hama must protect a Taiwanese waiter from an irate customer in a mah-jong parlor. Of course he finds himself embroiled in the middle of a gang war.

Karaoke Party - Saturday June 24th - NOT AT REV's

Date: Saturday, June 24th.
Time: 6:30pm on
Location: MY PLACE
Address in the Forum

Rev's somehow got booked Sat, Fri doesn't work
Video-in was $60/hr
BLIM was booked and wanted door
Burnaby Legion = no alcohol, early cutoff
SFU Diamond Club = $220 for 6pm-1am
Commercial legion already had karaoke
Mark not present for Slack Shack

Occasion: JP is headed for grad school!

I will have a new system ready to test drive: Laptop, external CRT for the singers, 15,000 songs. Not to mention an external USB drive for the original cd+g library consisting of 2,500 songs. I'll be working on software test runs and doing a complete list merge and export that won't require any typing on my part (I'm afraid I'll have to retire the duotangs for the songlists...we're into binders now).

1. The CD+G list (1MB)
2. The first HD list (3MB)
3. The second HD list (3MB)
4. The THIRD HD list (1.5MB)
4. The LAST HD list with requests(88KB)

My cell no. and JP's are in the forums.

Colbert and Gaydar

I thought I could get through this phase on my own
but I was so wrong.
You haaaave to see this..
I can't decide if this is mean or well intentioned on Colbert's side. hhhmm. Maybe both?

Free Movies on the Drive!

I am showing a set of free movies as a mini festival on the drive. Saturday June 17th and Sunday June 18th. Come out and support.

Movies to be shown:
Saturday:
Metropolis
Amelie

Sunday:
End of Suburbia
Ikiru
Run Lola Run

for more check out my blog.

Shirts are in.

And for some great reason, there is no duty, pst, gst, etc. added on! That means you get your t-shirts for $15.25!

Shabusen diners will get theirs tonight, please bring your money for your tees!

Thailand it is.

Mired in indecision, I finally thought "When in doubt, do the thing you've never done before".

Now I'm just waiting to hear final confirmation from the NGO.

This is the greatest thing ever...

Starts a little slow, but well worth reading the whole thing.

Reminder Writing Club

Tomorrow 7pm

Homework two sentences about something you like that isn't glib.

(This includes you Corinne, I'm demanding two more sentences!)

$10 tees again

Threadless has reprinted a TON of shirts and printed up a new batch of "type" shirts. Not only have they done that, they've introduced a kids line (so the smaller ladies who don't want to frou frou colours can opt for a youth large/x-large).

Oh, and they're $10 until Wednesday. Coupon code WYWS saves you $5 on orders over $50, SUPER TEES saves you $3 on any order. Please use the link to the left. Contests will be running this summer (including a new "Best of" Clubhouse posts) and a threadless tee would make a great prize.

Sausage assortment.

1. Ich Bin Ein Mascot. My coworker pal asked me to spread the word about this film short that he worked on, a mockumentary a little over eight minutes, about the daily struggles of a mascot.

2. Taquitos.net. The other day I wasted way too much time browsing through some of the thousands of fascinating reviews of chips, candy and other snacks from around the world. Lots of these products sound just plain wrong.

3. Rap Snacks. And those chip reviews led me to "the official snack of hip hop". Snacks packaged with rapper biographies and positive social messages. Strange! I'm intrigued by their honeydew-flavored cheese curls, though.

MOVIE NIGHT: Apparently race is an issue night.

Howdy all. Sorry for the late post, also for leading you on about WWII sub movies. Just found out even though Brendan was a Military subcontractor he's a fuckin Unitarian pacifist not into War movie. Pfffttt. 'Sides he sadly won't be here for this week's programs of Racial Tension. Whoop!

MON. June 13th

7pmThe Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973): The token black agent for the CIA quits the agency and builds an army of leftist radicals and black nationalists. With their help they launch the first armed attack against the White power structure. Down with the man!

Fight for Your Life (1977): Anyone wanna see a racist J.F. Sebastian from Blade Runner in a cruel super-exploitative movie about three convicts who escape from jail and hole up at the house of a black minister and his family? You do? Well good 'cause we'll be watching a movie just like that.

Shabusan Dinner Thursday

7pm. Granville and 14th.

RSVP and I'll put in some reservations for the number of people wanting in.

And... if we're done dinner early, the Jolly Roger will act as the high seas in a low stakes pirates games. BYOP or share with those with stock.

Karaoke Party - Saturday June 24th

Date: Saturday, June 24th.
Time: 6:30pm on.
Location: TBA. A hall or shared party space in some kind person's apartment block.
Occasion: JP is headed for grad school!

I've confirmed that Bob's sound system will be available and I will have a new system ready to test drive: Laptop, external CRT for the singers, 15,000 songs. Not to mention an external USB drive for the original cd+g library consisting of 2,500 songs. I'll be working on software test runs and doing a complete list merge and export that won't require any typing on my part (I'm afraid I'll have to retire the duotangs for the songlists...we're into binders now).

1. The CD+G list (1MB)
2. The first HD list (3MB)
3. The second HD list (3MB)
4. The THIRD HD list (1.5MB)

My cell no. is in the forums.

Graduation Celebration

JP HAS CONVOCATED =)
Finally eh? It's about time: I've been through blood, sweat, toil and tears; many subhuman-hours of work at Starbucks; too many trees sacrificed for papers and journal article print-outs; and a complete reconfiguration of my brain to think that everything is geographic ... Anyhow, it's time to celebrate!

Please join me and my family in celebrating my Convocation on Saturday, June 10 at around 7pm. The celebration is really low-key, with plenty of Filipino food, time with family and friends and karaoke! This version of karaoke gives you a score at the end of your performance, paving the way for serious competition to bag either the highest or the lowest score!!

Address: 5693 Hardwick Street Burnaby. It is a bus ride away from either Holdom or Brentwood stations or use this link for driving directions.

NB: Bring booze if you so choose, but I guarantee that there will be food - good old home-cooked Filipino food!

Much Love:
JOHN PAUL CERVAS CATUNGAL, B.A. (First Class Honours) <~~ damn that feels good =)

If you haven't check the calendar lately...

The Clubhouse Purchasing Power Department is looking to feature summer cheese movies.

First up is Too Fast Too Furious: Tokyo Drift. For those who have not snickered, laughed, or giggled at the first two, this might just be the one to have you in stiches. Opening night is Kevin's adios-muchachos party, so it's going to have to be a Saturday night. This may be a double feature night finishing with Nacho Libre (reason for order of movies is that kids are going to be drawn to Nacho Libre and are less likely to be at the late show; crazy car fanatics are night owls and will likely want to go to the later screening of 2F2F3).

The second scheduled (but there will be more screenings before this one) will be Snakes on a Plane on August 18th. This is a pre-order event and you know it. The calendar comment section will be the place to reserve tickets. This movie will fall nothing short of terrible. WOO HOO!

Other Brainless Blockbuster suggestions can go here or at the calendar. And remember, if you don't have an account to access it, let me know ASAP. This is the premier location for Clubhouse events and activities and you should be posting events there as well as here.

Being Angry and Irrate Pays

Canada Post thought I lived on 15th.

CANADA POST WILL PAY... all charges back to threadless.com.

Threadless has also waived the shipping fees to reship (so I'm out no dollars, they're out no dollars).

I still gave them $17.50 extra for the mailing charges, but that's the terms of the contract, and I will live. And by "live" I mean "think twice before shipping from them".

I'm still 1 month without my shirts. DAMNIT.

You wouldn't like me if you made me angry...

May 7, 2006 : 13 t-shirts are ordered. $130 for the shirts, $41.50 for the shipping.
May 8, 2006 : 3 further t-shirts are ordered. $30 for the shirts, $11.50 for the shipping, $3 coupon for the order.
May 9, 2006 : A request was emailed to threadless to make the order a gift option for the purposes of customs charge reduction as the shirts were not for one person.
May 10, 2006 : Denial of gift option: "for return purposes" they do not offer this EASY to implement option.
May 16, 2006 : According to threadless.com, 13 shirts are shipped. No email notification sent.
May 23, 2006 : 3 t-shirts are shipped. Email notification received.
May 30, 2006 : 3 t-shirts arrive. Actual shipping cost: $7.50 (this becomes important)
June 1, 2006 : Wondering where the baker's dozen went, I email threadless citing lack of email and shirts. I am suspecting product was never sent.
June 2, 2006 : Response was swift, and included a tracking number. USPS says shipment arrived May 19. Canada Post shows it was held for 11 days in sorting.
June 3, 2006 : I email threadless to inform them that the shipment is being held by Canada Post and am suspecting something is up beyond customs holdings.
June 5, 2006 9:19am : Their reply was to have me contact customs. I suspect it will arrive in a day or so.
June 5, 2006 1:01pm :
"Hello Corinne!

We received your order back to us for insufficient address. Actually the note from the postal service stated \"No such Post Office.\" If you would like your order sent again, we will have to charge you for shipping. It will be an additional charge of $40.00 for shipping again.

Since we do not store your credit card information, you will need to provide the credit card # and expiration date, as well as an updated address. You can send the necessary information via email or fax it to us at 888.595.3258.

If you do not want to pay additional shipping, we can cancel it and refund your card the order total minus the shipping. Let us know what you would like to do."

My response is as follows:

This is absurd! I ordered this order a day, ONE DAY, before a smaller order was made. The smaller shipment arrived without a hitch. How can a company possibly justify $80 worth of shipping for 13 shirts? Both of my orders had the exact same address, postal code, everything was exactly the same except the quantity of shirts being sent. I KNOW my information submitted to your company was accurate as proven by the smaller shipment received.

These shirts are not just for me, as I emailed before the shipment was even made. The shirts were gifts to be distributed last month. My organization was providing both revenue to threadless and advertisement. The customer service from threadless.com has not been horrible, but it's been short and curt (which I am alright with, as it is online service). However, this latest surcharge, for something I know I have no hand in, is not promoting future relations with your company from me or my organization. I have already promised these shirts to people and I will have to request that the shipment is made (not to mention that I am going to be out $40 if I don't). I must, however, be very clear that if I am to pay an additional $40 to your company, this will personally be my last order, and I can assure other people in my organization who have also purchased your products (either online or via Voltage) will probably follow suit. It is a shame, as your products have not been the source of my disappointment.

If the loss of repeat customers is not enough incentive to forgo charging your client twice, consider the mathematics of what this charge is: The USPS website has informed me that for $40 worth of shipping (to Canada, from the US on 3-5 day shipping) the package must be 13lbs (or 1lb a shirt). I already paid $41.50 for a shipment that took one month from the date of order or 3 weeks from date of shipment according to your website to NOT arrive, for a package I am willing to wager is not 13lbs (unless threadless has a policy of mailing wet shirts). I'll grant that the men's shirts are not thin and probably are at the 6 oz. weight mark. I'll use the assumption that all the shirts I ordered are 6 oz. That means that the total weight of the fabric being shipped is about 4.875 lbs. I'll throw in some packaging to round it up to an even 6lbs. USPS says that shipment will cost you about $24 to ship to Canada on a 3-5 day shipping (Global Express Mail(tm) EMS). According to my math, you have already gained $17.50 from me for a shipment I have not received--and not because _I_ provided the wrong information. I have very little reason to not think that this is not a scam for threadless.com to gain either $35.00 or $57.50 from me by overcharging me twice (either by recognizing that an incorrect postal code on a large shipment is profitable or not caring about the end consumer and will charge arbitrary shipment costs--depends how cynical you are). If I give you $6.50 to ship it again, threadless will not gain $17.50 or $35 from me by overcharging shipping and I'm likely to not find this experience nearly as aggravating as I am.

Before I hand over my card information, I am going to contact my local post office to find out what I can do to prevent a third charge of $40 when my "postal office is not found" again. Paying threadless again just to have it bounce again is not exactly my idea of being fiscally responsible. From threadless.com, I would like a digital photograph clearly showing the label of the address it was sent to, the reason for its return to threadless and the postage stamp showing the date of shipment from you. Without these pieces, I cannot not judge what I need to do to ensure that I am not charged $120, $160, $200, etc. for shipping.

If you want to get the basic points from this, they are as follows:

1. I am at no fault for this charge. Had I put the wrong postal code (which is not unrealistic, as I have recently moved) I would feel stupid, but I'd suck up the $80 charge as it is no fault of yours or the postal service--this is not the case.
2. Knowing that this is not my fault, I am a little put off by the fact that threadless has gained $17.50 from me if I cancel my order or $35.00 if I say "sure, charge me $80". I see very little reason to hand over $80 for something that cost you $24 and me a nightmare.
3. I am grudgingly willing to pay the $40, but at a charge to threadless.com that exceeds $40, and not before I can guarantee that the shipment will arrive this time. I am 100% willing to pay $6.50 to cover the actual costs of shipping.

Signed by me.

HEY CHRISTIAN

Keep your eyes peeled.

In which I seek advice once more...

Same question as a couple months ago, but with more details. I've been trying to make up my mind for a month, but am still no closer to a decision, so if anybody has any good advice I'd love to hear it. I have job offers in Thailand and Vancouver... which do I take?

Thailand - Pros: Good for my career, good experience, and fulfilling work with Burmese human rights activists.
Cons: Liveable but otherwise meager pay - won't be able to pay down my debt at all. Far from home for one year.

Vancouver PR job - Pros - Close to friends and family, including two aging grandparents and two new nephews. Good pay, enough to take a bite out of my student debt.
Cons - Won't do much for my career nor boost Toby's academic street cred. I may get itchy feet again.

I'm dying of indecision. I need to let the Thailand folks know SOON (like tonight or tomorrow)... it's a damn good opportunity but I've been on the road a lot in the last couple of years, and it would be nice to take a year or so at home before I head back out again. Plus I gotta spend some quality time with my grandmothers while they're still lucid/alive.

What do I do?

MOVIE NIGHT: Because I Love You All Part 1

Heh heh heh.

Howdy all. This week I feel like hurting you all. Not out of spite or hate but out of love. Note this programming is NOT FOR EVERYONE. I doubt these will be IRREVERSIBLE intense but here's a warning nonetheless.

Mon. June 5th

7pm Benny's Video (1992): I was originally going to program Funny Games by Michael Haneke but it's rented out right now. For the best since I've seen it and thematically this works better with the second movie. Oh right the movie. The second in Haneke's "Emotional Glaciation" trilogy, Fourteen year old Benny sits in his room for hours watching violent movies. He becomes fascinated with a video he finds of a pig being slaughtered by a bolt gun. Later he decides to re-enact his favorite video.

9pm Man Bites Dog (1992): I've had a copy of this movie in one form or another since 1996 and have never gotten around to watching it until now. IMDB: "A camera crew follows a serial killer/thief around as he exercises his craft. He expounds on art, music, nature, society, and life as he offs mailmen, pensioners, and random people. Slowly he begins involving the camera crew in his activities, and they begin wondering if what they're doing is such a good idea."

P.S. I wrote up the wrong description for TENEBRE last week. The write-up was for DEEP RED.

Next week to celebrate Brendan moving in WWII U-BOAT DOUBLE BILL.

Threadless order update

http://www.usps.com/
Tracking code: EQ761249515US

According to the kind folks at USPS, the shipment arrived two weeks ago.

Canada Post: http://www.canadapost.ca
Same tracking code
Has been kind enough to inform me that they have been sitting on it for ELEVEN DAYS. I hate you, Canada Post.