S.o.t.D. - Funk Me – Timonkey

Funk Me – Timonkey 

Another act I discovered through internet radio. Aptly named track.

S.o.t.D. - Chrome Splat – Tipper

Chrome Splat – Tipper 

Sweet lord. The production on this is unreal! Glitchy, bassy insanity.

Bibliophilia: The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert

The Last American Man – Elizabeth Gilbert

Not entirely sure what to make of this one. Definitely an engrossing if tormented character, but the main thing I came away with from this book is that it made me incredibly sad what a completely pathological prick his father is. I think I might have to give this one another read some day.

Birth of a Book

Glen Milner created a short film, ‘Birth of a Book’ showing the creation of a book at Smith-Settle Printers in Leeds, England. Seems to be a bit more of an artisinal printer, and some of their procedures are a bit archaic, but still a nice overview of the whole process. Chances are good that I will never again be involved in this, and that makes me a bit sad.

http://vimeo.com/glenmilner/birthofabook

S.o.t.D. - Night Crawler - Nosaj Thing

Night Crawler - Nosaj Thing

Another new act for me, but liked this track and the video that accompanies it is pretty incredible.

S.o.t.D. - Finland Red Egypt White – Sisterhood

Finland Red Egypt White – Sisterhood 

A little song about the most prevalent assault rifle in the world, the Avtomat Kalashnikov, by Andrew Eldritch of Sisters of Mercy.

S.o.t.D. - Pounding System – Dub Syndicate

Pounding System – Dub Syndicate

That point at about :45 seconds in, I have played that bit many times. Pounding system indeed. Besides a great name, I really enjoyed seeing these guys live.

S.o.t.D. - Deeper Shadow – Smote

Deeper Shadow – Smote

Not the best D&B I’ve ever heard, but pretty good. Like the wobble.

S.o.t.D. - Kiss Me In The Kitchen – The Good Lovelies

Kiss Me In The Kitchen – The Good Lovelies 

I don’t know which of these gals I find cuter. And the song is pretty damn great too.

S.o.t.D. - Interloper – Carbon Based Lifeforms

Interloper – Carbon Based Lifeforms 

Just in case there is such a thing as re-incarnation, when I die, all births the world over must have this song playing when babies are born, just in case it is me, because I would like to have this playing when I am re-born.

S.o.t.D. - Misaki – Bluetech

Misaki – Bluetech 

It’s been at least, what, a day since I featured a Bluetech track? That oversight needs to be rectified. I just found out that his real name is G. Neeyus.

Bryce’s Mural

A while back I mentioned an article on my pal Bryce in the Spectator, regarding the mural he was painting on the delivery door of Earls Court Gallery. But I had never seen the finished result. I had to go down to Ottawa Street to get some things for a bag I’m sewing, and wandered down the alley to check it out.

Smoke Portrait

Bibliophilia: Locked On by Tom Clancy (with Mark Greaney)

Locked On – Tom Clancy (with Mark Greaney)

Thrilling page turner. Nothing deep about it, but since it takes me about an evening or two to rip through one of these, it’s a fun bit of escapism. But I think it’s safe to say Tom Clancy has little to do with this. Some plot suggestions maybe. His books started to go downhill at some point, and I think the people behind the gravy train need to keep it rolling, so enlisted ghost writers.

S.o.t.D. - Cruise Control (Bluetech Remix) - Abakus

Cruise Control (Bluetech Remix) – Abakus 

The world requires more Bluetech. In case you can’t tell, I love Bluetech. Abakus is pretty great too.

Bibliophilia: Isaac Bell Series pt. 2 - The Race – Clive Cussler & Justin Scott

The Race – Clive Cussler & Justin Scott

Breaks out of the mold a bit of the previous three Isaac Bell novels. But like those, this is still a fun barnstormer of a novel.

S.o.t.D. - Smile (Bluetech Remix) – Eitan Reiter

Smile (Bluetech Remix) – Eitan Reiter

Yesterday a Bluetech song remixed, today Bluetech remixing a song. It all adds up to more Bluetech, which is a great thing.

Bibliophilia: God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens

God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything – Christopher Hitchens

God may not be, but this book is so great, that when I finished it, I immediately went right back to the start and read it again. It’s not like I didn’t already agree with his premise to begin with, but he is eloquent beyond words (not often I need to look up nine words I don’t know) and lays out the argument in a very lucid and erudite manner. The mans writing is breathtakingly impressive.

Bibiliophilia: The Art of Botanical Painting – Margaret Stevens

The Art of Botanical Painting – Margaret Stevens

Some very talented peoples skills are highlighted in this.

Gorgeous book.

S.o.t.D. - 667 (Kalya Scintilla Remix) – Bluetech

667 (Kalya Scintilla Remix) – Bluetech 

I didn’t think it was possible for anyone to improve on a Bluetech tune, but, yes indeed, someone has.

S.o.t.D. - Flume (Dubstep Remix) – Bon Iver

Flume (Dubstep Remix) – Bon Iver 

I have no idea what the original sounds like, but I sure like this.

S.o.t.D. - Set Theory – Carbon Based Lifeforms

Set Theory – Carbon Based Lifeforms 

Another great floating through space track.

S.o.t.D. - What A Fool Believes – Doobie Brothers

What A Fool Believes – Doobie Brothers


Another classic rock fave that I can’t help but like.

Perfection

Sunny day. Pals. Drive. Great tunes. Tiffany Falls. Dundas Valley. Trail running. Photos. Diorama. Freezie. Magazines. Bushwhacking. Hill running. Lunch on Locke Street. Sit on porch. Cat on lap. Chat. Scotch. Good.

S.o.t.D. - There Are Strings – Spring Heel Jack

There Are Strings – Spring Heel Jack 

I don’t care much for the kind of skronky jazz they’re doing now, but I do like the terrific D&B these fellas did early in their career.

S.o.t.D. - Technarchy – Cybersonik

Technarchy – Cybersonik 

My pal Michelle called me up years ago and asked me if I had heard of Dan Bell.

“Yeah. Cybersonik! Kick ass techno. Why?”

“He’s my cousin.”

“Wow. Small world. Well when you talk to him tell him that Technarchy is a wicked track.”

A collaboration between him and +8’s Richie Hawtin and my former neighbour John Acquaviva.

Bibliophilia: Worldchanging: A Users Guide for the 21st Century

Worldchanging: A Users Guide for the 21st Century

http://www.worldchanging.com/book/
Great primer on a variety of topics. Short but good introduction to a host of topics - environmental issues, urban planning, alternative energies, transportation, agriculture, sustainable food, population pressures, conservation, refugees, disaster response, water, sustainable communities, socially responsible investment, biomimicry, micro-lending, disaster relief, etc., etc. - with some recommended books or websites to check out if you want to go more in depth. Big long list of books written down for me to check out at the library in the coming weeks and months.

S.o.t.D. - You Were My Sunshine (King Kooba Remix) – The Meateaters

You Were My Sunshine (King Kooba Remix) – The Meateaters

Bibliophilia: The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make A Big Difference – Malcolm Gladwell

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make A Big Difference – Malcolm Gladwell

An intriguing look at why some things snowball into popularity and why other things, despite their merits, do not. Why some products become a success, and others don’t manage that same success has to do with things like “The Law of the Few” – that “word of mouth epidemics” ripple out from a few to the wider populace because of 3 very influential groups: Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen. Connectors are sociable individuals with a large network of acquaintances to apprise of a product or service they are aware of. Maven’s are innovators or early adopters, who are willing to try new things and pass along knowledge. Salesmen are people with a contagious charisma who can persuade those not in the know. These three significant and influential groups help to spread an idea to the masses. It almost takes a perfect storm of sorts. Your idea, product or concept has to be good, but you also need these 3 groups for it to reach a “Tipping Point”, when it suddenly catches fire with the population at large.

Another concept I found intriguing was his “Rule of 150”, that the number of people you can maintain a coherent social relationship with is about 150. He also delves into the “Stickiness Factor” and the “Power of Context.”

He cites quite a few examples of epidemics and how they spread. Everything from the resurgence in popularity of HushPuppies, the rise of Sesame Street, to crime waves.

I like how Malcolm Gladwell examines and explains ideas that normally one would never really consider or just totally overlook and gives the reader a whole new appreciation of the subject.

S.o.t.D. - Troubled Mind (aka Blue Bayou) – He Said Omala

Troubled Mind (aka Blue Bayou) – He Said Omala 

I only discovered this recently through a friend making me aware of it. Considering I practically wore out copies of He Said’s Hail, I’m shocked I didn’t know about this.

S.o.t.D. - Somewhere Beyond – Michael Gray

Somewhere Beyond – Michael Gray 

I’ve mentioned I’m all about the atmospheric whooshy sounds, but I’m also all about the chuggy thumpers.

S.o.t.D. - Exotika (remix) – Chris & Cosey

Exotika (remix) – Chris & Cosey

I was super bummed growing up in a city that no acts of interest ever came to on tour, and then C&C came there and I was too young to get in. On the tour for this album I was old enough and had enough money to go to Toronto to see them.

S.o.t.D. - Action – St. Etienne

Action – St. Etienne 

I love St. Etienne because it’s pop music, but very sophisticated pop music. Blending a bunch of genres together into one smooth sound.

Childs rainjacket from an umbrella

I’m one of those people driven completely mental by the sight of hundreds of umbrellas poking out of the top of garbage bins on stormy days. I wonder whether there shouldn’t be a $10 crap tax on $1 umbrellas, or whether people should maybe wise the hell up and reconsider the idea of an umbrella if rain is also accompanied by wind, in favour of a GoreTex jacket.

Anyhow, just stumbled across this Italian site that lets you download plans for a childs raincoat that can be made from old umbrellas. In Italian, but I think you can figure it out.

http://www.c74.it/u_way/home.html

S.o.t.D. - Ohm (Transfix Mix) – Adham Shaikh

Ohm (Transfix Mix) – Adham Shaikh 

More epic awesomeness from Adham. You know anyone that makes sure one of the names of his child is Eno, is greatness personified.

Untitled

S.o.t.D. - One Hope – Mala

One Hope – Mala 

Don’t know how to classify this, but I dig it.

Custom Lego Playing Card

My nephew has a Ninjago playing card. He’s also been asking me a lot about creating art on computers and learn some more about PhotoShop.

Looking at the card, I realized it might be a fun little project to do some custom Lego playing cards. Make a card with us as the stars. Recreate the format, get him to pick out a mini-fig that he feels represents him.

I don’t really have any Ninja powers, so I mulled it over and figured I’d do sort of a redneck, rifle toting hiker dude, combined with my digital design activities. (While my nephew has hundreds of Mini-Figures, I just have the one Mini-Thomas: tan pants, orange shirt, vest with lots of pockets, back pack, binoculars, map, rifle, choice of ball cap or hat, either sage green hands {for when “I’m” wearing flight gloves, or flesh tone hands when “I’m” not.})The picture on the back was a very imperfect attempt to recreate the image I use as the header on this blog in Lego form. I would like to do an actual illustration, but....time....too many things on the go already...yadda yada. A lacklustre photo illustration will have to do for now. 

There are all these little symbols and rankings on the back of the card that I have no clue about, so I thought it might be more fun to list all the programs I know and my proficiency in them.

Anyway, I did this one, and then worked on one for him, but he’s since changed his mind and wants a hockey card for himself instead. Stay tuned.

S.o.t.D. - Know My Name (Mark Pritchard Mix) – Nightmares On Wax

Know My Name (Mark Pritchard Mix) – Nightmares On Wax 

The album this song hails from is fantastic.

54th TDC Poster

Sad I never got an actual printed copy of this poster by Paul Grabowski.

S.o.t.D. - Katarza – Atriohm

Katarza – Atriohm

S.o.t.D. - With Or Without You – U2

With Or Without You – U2 

Great song off a great album.

S.o.t.D. - Something I Can Never Have – Nine Inch Nails

Something I Can Never Have – Nine Inch Nails 

On the whole I find Nine Inch Nails to be way too screamy, and way too whiny. This track however I quite like.

S.o.t.D. - This Realm – Natacha Atlas

This Realm – Natacha Atlas 

I think this is one of those tracks that approaches sheer perfection. Love the tempo of it, the vocals are great, and the melody, the wooshy synth bits are absolutely incredible.

I had this on an MP3 player when I was working in Toronto several years back, and I spent, days, weeks, probably months, with this song on endless repeat, on my seemingly endless commute. Love it.

Bibliophilia: Not A Good Day To Die – Sean Naylor & Roberts Ridge – Malcolm MacPherson

Not A Good Day To Die – Sean Naylor

Roberts Ridge – Malcolm MacPherson

I read them both back to back. One deals with the larger battle of Operation Anaconda, and how the higher ups messed up, and the other deals with a specific aspect of it, and the amazing courage and perseverance by all involved.

(I know someone who was involved in the Roberts Ridge battle (in a command and control capacity). It is part of why I grabbed them, even if he does not actually make an appearance.) 

S.o.t.D. - Obsession – Cabaret Voltaire

Obsession – Cabaret Voltaire

CV blew my mind when I first heard them, and I still think they’re totally amazing. Love that creepy, sound track feel of this. Like a murder mystery set in a future dystopian Tokyo.

S.o.t.D. - The Time Flight – Lemongrass

The Time Flight – Lemongrass