Stroke Of Genius – Rowpieces
I don’t know that I would call this genius, but it’s a pretty terrific atmospheric D&B track.
Thursday 31 December 2015
Wednesday 30 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Yn Nydd Cadiaw – Test Dept.
Yn Nydd Cadiaw – Test Dept.
Check the writeup I did for another track off this album, Arddyledog Ganu.
Check the writeup I did for another track off this album, Arddyledog Ganu.
Tuesday 29 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Away With The Pixies – Ben Lee
Away With The Pixies – Ben Lee
Off of his debut album Grandpaw Would, written when he was in his early teens. Features backing vocals by my former sister-in-law, Allanah Russack.
Off of his debut album Grandpaw Would, written when he was in his early teens. Features backing vocals by my former sister-in-law, Allanah Russack.
Reptile Store
Got my nephew a gift certificate from the local reptile store for christmas. While there I snapped some photos of the critters.
Not sure what this is. Monitor of some kind?
Bearded Dragons.
Pastel Ball Python.
Chinese Water Dragon.
Golden Tegu.
Window licker. Some type of gecko.
Not sure what this is. Monitor of some kind?
Bearded Dragons.
Pastel Ball Python.
Chinese Water Dragon.
Golden Tegu.
Window licker. Some type of gecko.
The Dutch Touch
In a similar vein as my girlfriend on the Amsterdam Tattoo Convention posters, this delightful bit of naughty Netherlandic kitsch is by the great John van’t Hullenaar, from Dutchman Tattoos in Burnaby, B.C.
As a fellow Dutchman, I approve wholeheartedly.
As a fellow Dutchman, I approve wholeheartedly.
Monday 28 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Eden Acid - Tony Rohr
Eden Acid - Tony Rohr
I discovered this track on a 20 second loop of this imagery - a 1970’s era bluegrass or country clog dancing troupe - and the thing is, the dancing doesn’t look in the slightest out of place with the music.
I discovered this track on a 20 second loop of this imagery - a 1970’s era bluegrass or country clog dancing troupe - and the thing is, the dancing doesn’t look in the slightest out of place with the music.
Sunday 27 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Over It – Junior Boys
Over It – Junior Boys
Another smooth and catchy slice of techno pop from home town boys, Junior Boys.
Another smooth and catchy slice of techno pop from home town boys, Junior Boys.
Saturday 26 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - The 7th Element – Vitas
The 7th Element – Vitas
The video and the vocals are completely spun, but the underlying track is a pretty good little tech-house number.
The video and the vocals are completely spun, but the underlying track is a pretty good little tech-house number.
Friday 25 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Your Girl – Evil Nine
Your Girl – Evil Nine
Sweet mother of Quetzalcoatl.......
This is insanely good. That bassline!
My yule gift to you.
Sweet mother of Quetzalcoatl.......
This is insanely good. That bassline!
My yule gift to you.
Thursday 24 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Cascade – William Basinski
Cascade – William Basinski
I guess I could say this is a distorted piano loop with some random textures on top, but I don’t think that does the complexity of this justice. It’s beautiful, meditative, hypnotic, and subtly minimal.
“I wanted Cascade to become this crystalline organism like a star or a liquid crystal spaceship, a jellyfish traveling through the galaxy…” – William Basinski
To me it just seems like a perfect track to play on a wintry Christmas eve.
I guess I could say this is a distorted piano loop with some random textures on top, but I don’t think that does the complexity of this justice. It’s beautiful, meditative, hypnotic, and subtly minimal.
“I wanted Cascade to become this crystalline organism like a star or a liquid crystal spaceship, a jellyfish traveling through the galaxy…” – William Basinski
To me it just seems like a perfect track to play on a wintry Christmas eve.
Cigars
My paternal grandfather was a cigar smoker. During the 30’s he realized war was on the horizon. From about 1934 or 1935 onwards he bought extra cigars every week. Not to smoke, but to store away. All sorts of them. From the cheap to the expensive, and from all over the world. Even into the early years of the war he managed to continue squirreling some away.
He built up quite a stockpile, much to the annoyance of my grandmother. “Look at all that room those things are taking up!” He had hundreds of cigar boxes, and given how small that home was, I can see that it became a large investment of space as well as money. He dug out a secret compartment under the closet in their bedroom to hide them in. Their house was searched by the Nazis on several occasions to look for radios, “onderduikers” (Jews and others hidden in peoples houses), you name it. They never managed to find his stockpile of cigars.
As the war progressed, their value became evident. Virtually everything was in short supply, the Nazis taking anything they wanted to fuel their war effort. If food, fuel and clothing were scarce, you can bet that tobacco was even more so. But as we all know, scarcity or prohibition is no impediment to people wanting the drugs they enjoy or are addicted to. My Opa had something that people wanted, and it allowed him to procure food for his family and others as well. (A family on the street that we grew up in, had hidden a Jewish man in a little cubby hole under a garden shed. This was done at unbelievable peril to themselves, but they managed to pull it off for three years, until the war ended. Another dilemma they faced was that since rationing was so strict, they couldn’t very easily procure food for their “lodger.” And since the food the Nazis doled out was essentially starvation level rations, sharing it with him became harder and harder. My grandfather was one of the very few people who knew about it, and since he had quite a few connections, got food from the black market to help feed him, using his cigars as payment.)
Besides the black market, my grandfather would also go out to the countryside and buy food directly from farmers. My mom told me that he was always very principled about it. When farmers would try to charge outrageous prices for a few eggs or potatoes he would always ask them what they charged for them in May 1940.
“These cigars cost so much in May 1940. I’ll give you the equivalent for them.” He refused to pay extortionary prices for items. If a farmer was trying to get 10 guilders worth of cigars for 10 cents worth of potatoes he would go to the next farmhouse and try his luck there. He was willing to do fair May 1940 value prices for May 1940 value trades. If that farmer wanted to turn around and sell those cigars for an outrageous sum, that was his business. But he refused to go along with it.
My father and uncle were also sent out to the countryside in an effort to secure food, always with the admonition not to pay outrageous sums for anything. They moved mainly at night, in an effort to avoid German checkpoints, who might well steal all that food from them at the point of a bayonet. I think they also did it to avoid Typhoon fighter-bombers, who would fly low and attack just about anything that moved. I recall my dad telling me of one time when he and his brother had to jump off their bicycles and into a ditch when one came tearing along behind them. They were convinced that he was going to stitch them up with 20mm rounds, but he fired up a target a distance ahead of them. They found out later that it was a German truck. While my dad was always happy to see Germans die, it unnerved them so much they opted to move as much as possible at night. Besides, they wanted to avoid having to dive into ditches as much as possible, given that doing so would jeopardize the more precious than diamonds eggs they were trying to get back to the city in one piece.
My dad’s family probably fared a lot better than a lot of other people during that terrible time. The fact that my Opa had the foresight to cache a stockpile of cigars was a very wise move, one that my Oma never begrudged him again after she realized how smart it really was.
Another cool story about him was that he was an electronics engineer. He knew how to build radios and made the smallest possible ones he could so that people could listen to the BBC (an activity strictly forbidden by the Nazis). He did this at the behest of some people in the underground, who distributed them, and provided him with parts. Despite the huge risk he took doing this, these connections allowed him not only to get a hold of food, but also allowed him to pull in a huge favour. Anyone over the age of sixteen could be forced to go work in Germany, on farms or in factories, as my maternal grandfather was. (He was a skilled machinist, and was taken away at the point of a gun to go to Germany and work in the Heinkel factory.) He didn’t want this fate to befall his son, so he asked for a fake “Ausweis” (identification papers). It stated his birthdate as being in 1930, even though he was actually born in 1928. This bit of subterfuge may well have saved him from perishing in one of the many bombing raids that were decimating German industry.
I never knew my grandfather, given that he died of cancer long before I was born. (He died in agony, his body riddled with tobacco induced cancer. Sorry cigar lovers.) According to my mom, he was exceeded in quality only by my father. “He was an extremely fine man. I’m honoured that I knew him.”
He built up quite a stockpile, much to the annoyance of my grandmother. “Look at all that room those things are taking up!” He had hundreds of cigar boxes, and given how small that home was, I can see that it became a large investment of space as well as money. He dug out a secret compartment under the closet in their bedroom to hide them in. Their house was searched by the Nazis on several occasions to look for radios, “onderduikers” (Jews and others hidden in peoples houses), you name it. They never managed to find his stockpile of cigars.
As the war progressed, their value became evident. Virtually everything was in short supply, the Nazis taking anything they wanted to fuel their war effort. If food, fuel and clothing were scarce, you can bet that tobacco was even more so. But as we all know, scarcity or prohibition is no impediment to people wanting the drugs they enjoy or are addicted to. My Opa had something that people wanted, and it allowed him to procure food for his family and others as well. (A family on the street that we grew up in, had hidden a Jewish man in a little cubby hole under a garden shed. This was done at unbelievable peril to themselves, but they managed to pull it off for three years, until the war ended. Another dilemma they faced was that since rationing was so strict, they couldn’t very easily procure food for their “lodger.” And since the food the Nazis doled out was essentially starvation level rations, sharing it with him became harder and harder. My grandfather was one of the very few people who knew about it, and since he had quite a few connections, got food from the black market to help feed him, using his cigars as payment.)
Besides the black market, my grandfather would also go out to the countryside and buy food directly from farmers. My mom told me that he was always very principled about it. When farmers would try to charge outrageous prices for a few eggs or potatoes he would always ask them what they charged for them in May 1940.
“These cigars cost so much in May 1940. I’ll give you the equivalent for them.” He refused to pay extortionary prices for items. If a farmer was trying to get 10 guilders worth of cigars for 10 cents worth of potatoes he would go to the next farmhouse and try his luck there. He was willing to do fair May 1940 value prices for May 1940 value trades. If that farmer wanted to turn around and sell those cigars for an outrageous sum, that was his business. But he refused to go along with it.
My father and uncle were also sent out to the countryside in an effort to secure food, always with the admonition not to pay outrageous sums for anything. They moved mainly at night, in an effort to avoid German checkpoints, who might well steal all that food from them at the point of a bayonet. I think they also did it to avoid Typhoon fighter-bombers, who would fly low and attack just about anything that moved. I recall my dad telling me of one time when he and his brother had to jump off their bicycles and into a ditch when one came tearing along behind them. They were convinced that he was going to stitch them up with 20mm rounds, but he fired up a target a distance ahead of them. They found out later that it was a German truck. While my dad was always happy to see Germans die, it unnerved them so much they opted to move as much as possible at night. Besides, they wanted to avoid having to dive into ditches as much as possible, given that doing so would jeopardize the more precious than diamonds eggs they were trying to get back to the city in one piece.
My dad’s family probably fared a lot better than a lot of other people during that terrible time. The fact that my Opa had the foresight to cache a stockpile of cigars was a very wise move, one that my Oma never begrudged him again after she realized how smart it really was.
Another cool story about him was that he was an electronics engineer. He knew how to build radios and made the smallest possible ones he could so that people could listen to the BBC (an activity strictly forbidden by the Nazis). He did this at the behest of some people in the underground, who distributed them, and provided him with parts. Despite the huge risk he took doing this, these connections allowed him not only to get a hold of food, but also allowed him to pull in a huge favour. Anyone over the age of sixteen could be forced to go work in Germany, on farms or in factories, as my maternal grandfather was. (He was a skilled machinist, and was taken away at the point of a gun to go to Germany and work in the Heinkel factory.) He didn’t want this fate to befall his son, so he asked for a fake “Ausweis” (identification papers). It stated his birthdate as being in 1930, even though he was actually born in 1928. This bit of subterfuge may well have saved him from perishing in one of the many bombing raids that were decimating German industry.
I never knew my grandfather, given that he died of cancer long before I was born. (He died in agony, his body riddled with tobacco induced cancer. Sorry cigar lovers.) According to my mom, he was exceeded in quality only by my father. “He was an extremely fine man. I’m honoured that I knew him.”
Wednesday 23 December 2015
Gerber Shard
Gerber may have made good stuff at one time. Now they, like so many other US firms, are little more than a marketing department with a warehouse. And all the Bare Grills branded stuff? I’m not even going to go there.
They tried their hand at a one piece multi-tool, the Artifact (that I don’t think is offered any more), which was panned across the board. Being a long time user and fan of the X-Acto #11 blade, I thought it looked intriguing. Never did get one, mainly because the reviews I read dissuaded me.
This little gadget however has received more favourable press.
It was originally released as a give-away at...SHOT Show I think....but not as something to sell to the public. When photos of it emerged, people started asking for it, but they steadfastly refused to sell it. Finally, after months of badgering by consumers, they relented.
This gives a sense of the size. Some kind of stainless steel and a TiNi coating. Not super high tech, but it should be fine for this application.
A few different angles. A pry bar, nail puller, two different sized slot screw drivers, a bottle opener (that also makes for an okay O2 tank wrench in a pinch) and Phillips screw driver.
Not very big at all. 7 cm long (2¾") by 2.5 cm wide (1") and not even 3 mm thick (less than ⅛"). Weighs about 17 grams (0.6 oz.)
2 1" pieces of webbing and a 1" space between them, to give another sense of the size. And also demonstrates how the hole is big enough for a carabiner to fit.
Close ups.
I wouldn’t want to use this for an entire night of opening hundreds of bottles of beer, but for a bottle or two? Just fine.
And I also wouldn’t want to use the nail puller for a day of framing, or the pry bar for a whole day of renovating. But for one or two things? Sure. Like so many multi-tools, they’re not the ideal tool for the job, but compared to not having anything, they are a more than serviceable option.
I got it for $15 Cdn at a retail store. All in all, handy little gizmo. I like it.
Not sure if Gerber has entirely redeemed themselves with this, but it’s definitely not a total turd.
They tried their hand at a one piece multi-tool, the Artifact (that I don’t think is offered any more), which was panned across the board. Being a long time user and fan of the X-Acto #11 blade, I thought it looked intriguing. Never did get one, mainly because the reviews I read dissuaded me.
This little gadget however has received more favourable press.
It was originally released as a give-away at...SHOT Show I think....but not as something to sell to the public. When photos of it emerged, people started asking for it, but they steadfastly refused to sell it. Finally, after months of badgering by consumers, they relented.
A few different angles. A pry bar, nail puller, two different sized slot screw drivers, a bottle opener (that also makes for an okay O2 tank wrench in a pinch) and Phillips screw driver.
Not very big at all. 7 cm long (2¾") by 2.5 cm wide (1") and not even 3 mm thick (less than ⅛"). Weighs about 17 grams (0.6 oz.)
2 1" pieces of webbing and a 1" space between them, to give another sense of the size. And also demonstrates how the hole is big enough for a carabiner to fit.
Close ups.
I wouldn’t want to use this for an entire night of opening hundreds of bottles of beer, but for a bottle or two? Just fine.
And I also wouldn’t want to use the nail puller for a day of framing, or the pry bar for a whole day of renovating. But for one or two things? Sure. Like so many multi-tools, they’re not the ideal tool for the job, but compared to not having anything, they are a more than serviceable option.
I got it for $15 Cdn at a retail store. All in all, handy little gizmo. I like it.
Not sure if Gerber has entirely redeemed themselves with this, but it’s definitely not a total turd.
S.o.t.D. - Abacab – Genesis
Abacab – Genesis
Wouldn’t really consider myself a Genesis fan, but some of their tracks I really like.
Wouldn’t really consider myself a Genesis fan, but some of their tracks I really like.
Tuesday 22 December 2015
Monday 21 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - P Machinerie (Extended Version ) – Propaganda
P Machinerie (Extended Version ) – Propaganda
Real time and place music for me. Always loved that crystal clear production all the ZTT stuff had.
Real time and place music for me. Always loved that crystal clear production all the ZTT stuff had.
Sunday 20 December 2015
Saturday 19 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Windows 98 Startup Sound (slowed 4000%) – Ideoforms
Windows 98 Startup Sound (slowed 4000%) – Ideoforms
Slowed down that much, it makes a cool 5 minute ambient track.
Slowed down that much, it makes a cool 5 minute ambient track.
Friday 18 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Ghost Of Love – Marie Fisker
Ghost Of Love – Marie Fisker
If I heard this without seeing the title or artist name, I would think it was Mazzy Star.
If I heard this without seeing the title or artist name, I would think it was Mazzy Star.
Thursday 17 December 2015
Wednesday 16 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Teenage Riot – Sonic Youth
Teenage Riot – Sonic Youth
For whatever reason, this is a band that I haven’t ever really gotten into. I’ve known about them forever, always liked what I heard, but never bought any of their records, saw them live, etc. There is just so much music out there, it’s almost inevitable that some great stuff just slips through the cracks.
For whatever reason, this is a band that I haven’t ever really gotten into. I’ve known about them forever, always liked what I heard, but never bought any of their records, saw them live, etc. There is just so much music out there, it’s almost inevitable that some great stuff just slips through the cracks.
Tuesday 15 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Montparnasse – Floating Points
Montparnasse – Floating Points
The only thing better than an insanely groovy shuffler like this, is when it’s 11 minutes long.
The only thing better than an insanely groovy shuffler like this, is when it’s 11 minutes long.
Monday 14 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Straight To Number One – Touch & Go
Straight To Number One – Touch & Go
I fear this didn’t go to number one any place, but this sexy, loungey song should have.
I fear this didn’t go to number one any place, but this sexy, loungey song should have.
Sunday 13 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Laika – Bluetech
Laika – Bluetech
Whaaat?! The last time I posted a Bluetech track was April of 14?
One of those tracks I can play on repeat for hours.
I think I’ve said this at least a dozen times, but Bluetech is absolutely brilliant.
Whaaat?! The last time I posted a Bluetech track was April of 14?
One of those tracks I can play on repeat for hours.
I think I’ve said this at least a dozen times, but Bluetech is absolutely brilliant.
Saturday 12 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Burning Inside – Ministry
Burning Inside – Ministry
(Yesterday we had Devil Inside. Today, Burning Inside.) Oh did I ever love this when it came out. Come on. I still do. Saw them three times on this tour.
(Yesterday we had Devil Inside. Today, Burning Inside.) Oh did I ever love this when it came out. Come on. I still do. Saw them three times on this tour.
Become an organ donor
I’ve made mention a few times that I donate blood, and encourage others to do the same.
But I just registered as an organ donor. Couldn’t be any simpler.
Go to beadonor.ca. (This is assuming of course, you’re in Canada.)
Enter your health card number and answer a few questions. Like, not even two minutes of your time.
Done.
Once you’re dead, you don’t need your organs any more, but someone else might.
But I just registered as an organ donor. Couldn’t be any simpler.
Go to beadonor.ca. (This is assuming of course, you’re in Canada.)
Enter your health card number and answer a few questions. Like, not even two minutes of your time.
Done.
Once you’re dead, you don’t need your organs any more, but someone else might.
Friday 11 December 2015
Thursday 10 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - The MacGuffin – The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble
The MacGuffin – The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble
The track by them I featured yesterday, I likened them to having a bit of a Hidden Orchestra mixed with Earth feel. Yesterdays track was more in keeping with the former. Todays track is more in keeping with the latter.
The track by them I featured yesterday, I likened them to having a bit of a Hidden Orchestra mixed with Earth feel. Yesterdays track was more in keeping with the former. Todays track is more in keeping with the latter.
Wednesday 9 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Caravan! – The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble
Caravan! – The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble
Just discovered these Rotterdammers. Bit of a Hidden Orchestra mixed with Earth feel. Droney, cinematic trip hop.
Just discovered these Rotterdammers. Bit of a Hidden Orchestra mixed with Earth feel. Droney, cinematic trip hop.
Tuesday 8 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Deeper – Rameses B
Deeper – Rameses B
I have some Rameses B stuff on here before, and some of his soundtrackier stuff is great. But then most of his other stuff I absolutely loathed. Dubstep with that gawd-awful buildup to the crescendo. Ugh.
This however? Fantastic.
I have some Rameses B stuff on here before, and some of his soundtrackier stuff is great. But then most of his other stuff I absolutely loathed. Dubstep with that gawd-awful buildup to the crescendo. Ugh.
This however? Fantastic.
Monday 7 December 2015
Sunday 6 December 2015
S.o.t.D. - Scent of Magnolia – David Sylvian
Scent of Magnolia – David Sylvian
An artist who has largely dropped off my radar, which means I’m only discovering this gem some 15 years after it came out.
An artist who has largely dropped off my radar, which means I’m only discovering this gem some 15 years after it came out.
Saturday 5 December 2015
Friday 4 December 2015
Tap’mups Mk. 1
I’ve been using a Presto pass for a while now, and for the most
part it’s a good thing. The fact that I can use it on any transit
system in the GTHA area is undeniably handy.
What I haven’t been so keen on is that with GO Transit, I need to tap on when I enter the bus and tap off when I exit. When getting off, I’m usually up and moving down the aisle as the bus is still moving. I don’t want to have my wallet in my hand as I do. Also that aisle is narrow and trying to swing a bag forward to get at a wallet or dig it out of my pocket with everyone else behind me having to wait while I do, didn’t suit me. I wanted to be able to quickly tap off, without having to access a bag or wallet.
I wanted some way of getting at both of them without much fuss. Figured the Swipe’mups was the best approach.
I thought of just cutting a rectangular slot in the top of the card. The problem with that is that the Presto pass, when I put cash on it, needs to be handed to the attendant. Given that the Swipe’mups is firmly attached to the belt, often on the left side, having to undo my belt to get it off would be a total nuisance. I needed to have it firmly attached to me, and still be removable if need be.
I looked all over for a credit card / business card sized holder for months. And one that wouldn’t be a huge pain to get the card out of if need be. Finally found one at Europe Bound in Toronto.
Since I use my library card a lot, I figured I may as well use the side opposite to the Presto pass for it. While I don’t currently need a work related swipe pass, if at some point I do, I’m hoping I can put it between the other two cards. Might cause interference, but we’ll see.
Reinforced the hole with a grommet. Thought of all kinds of fancy knots to attach and in the end just mashed something unfancy together with Spectra line.
I can slip it in my pocket if I need to do any high speed ninja manoeuvres.
Labels:
’mups,
DIY,
EDC,
Every Day Carry,
Presto,
Swipe’mups,
Tap’mups
Thursday 3 December 2015
Wednesday 2 December 2015
When Did Repair Become a Radical Act?
Interesting article from Patagonia (the clothing manufacturer) about repair.
I love repairing things for a variety of reasons: self empowerment, frugality, environmental concerns, growing discomfort with consumer culture.
When Did Repair Become a Radical Act?
I love repairing things for a variety of reasons: self empowerment, frugality, environmental concerns, growing discomfort with consumer culture.
When Did Repair Become a Radical Act?
Paracord Needles
Made some paracord needles tonight.
For anything where you need to weave the running end through (finishing something off by burying the end, the snake knot, whipping, etc.), this is handy.
I found something on Instructables where the poster suggesting using brass rod and cutting it to length with a Dremel tool, then drilling out the rod with a drill press and then tapping the open end, and then shaping the tips with a grinder....yeah right! Take the path of least resistance.
I found some 5.5 mm knitting needles at a thrift shop for 25¢, took a hack saw, maybe ten strokes to cut each tip off, a rat tail and flat file to clean the ends up and voila. I really only needed one, but since my extravagant expenditure netted me two knitting needles, why not make two paracord needles out of them.
For anything where you need to weave the running end through (finishing something off by burying the end, the snake knot, whipping, etc.), this is handy.
I found something on Instructables where the poster suggesting using brass rod and cutting it to length with a Dremel tool, then drilling out the rod with a drill press and then tapping the open end, and then shaping the tips with a grinder....yeah right! Take the path of least resistance.
I found some 5.5 mm knitting needles at a thrift shop for 25¢, took a hack saw, maybe ten strokes to cut each tip off, a rat tail and flat file to clean the ends up and voila. I really only needed one, but since my extravagant expenditure netted me two knitting needles, why not make two paracord needles out of them.
Tuesday 1 December 2015
Monday 30 November 2015
Sunday 29 November 2015
Saturday 28 November 2015
Friday 27 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - Come Before Christ And Murder Love – Death In June
Come Before Christ And Murder Love – Death In June
D.i.J. are playing in Toronto tonight. Will I be there?
D.i.J. are playing in Toronto tonight. Will I be there?
Thursday 26 November 2015
Wednesday 25 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - Techno Pop – Kraftwerk
Techno Pop – Kraftwerk
Brilliant. I can still recall how this album, and more specifically, this track techno popped my world in 86. You could grumble about scant and infrequent output from them, but upon hearing some of the sounds and catchy bits and production they put into this, it sated. The part a half minute in...hhmmmhhh.
Brilliant. I can still recall how this album, and more specifically, this track techno popped my world in 86. You could grumble about scant and infrequent output from them, but upon hearing some of the sounds and catchy bits and production they put into this, it sated. The part a half minute in...hhmmmhhh.
Tuesday 24 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - Rainy Way Back Home – Nujabes
Rainy Way Back Home – Nujabes
Such a hauntingly sweet tune. Just beautiful. (And if you enjoyed this, and I sure hope you did, a kind soul put together this hour long edit.)
Such a hauntingly sweet tune. Just beautiful. (And if you enjoyed this, and I sure hope you did, a kind soul put together this hour long edit.)
Monday 23 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - A.O.R. – Towa Tei (with Lina Ohta)
A.O.R. – Towa Tei (with Lina Ohta)
A groovy little chugger, in the same aloof style of Röyksopp. With a sexy, yet unsexy video.
A groovy little chugger, in the same aloof style of Röyksopp. With a sexy, yet unsexy video.
Innis & Gunn White Oak Wheat Beer
Inspired by the aromas and flavours more typically found in a cup of Earl Grey tea, this German style Kristallweizen beer has been brewed at a warmer temperature to encourage sweeter, spicier flavours to develop. The brew has been aged over oak and then infused with dried bergamot and blood orange to create a fragrant and refreshing finish.
Yummers!
Yummers!
The Beaches
Was in Toronto for a rare visit last week. Covered 13 kilometers on foot on Sunday and and another 28 on Monday. Both days were beautiful, and I wanted to both hit a few shops and also just to walk for walkings sake. One of the places I went to was the Beaches (although some call it just the Beach.)
On one of the rock breakwaters.
Looking back towards Toronto in the west. When I used to live out here, I came out to the breakwaters almost daily for an evening smoke and listen to tunes on headphones.
On one of the rock breakwaters.
Looking back towards Toronto in the west. When I used to live out here, I came out to the breakwaters almost daily for an evening smoke and listen to tunes on headphones.
Sunday 22 November 2015
Scientists try to answer why Dutch people are so tall
I was having a conversation on Friday night with a friend (whose background is also Dutch) about this very subject.
Scientists try to answer why Dutch people are so tall
Scientists try to answer why Dutch people are so tall
Saturday 21 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - Praise The Most Fly (Zuper Remix) – AbJo
Praise The Most Fly (Zuper Remix) – AbJo
Tasty stuff. I prefer this remix more than the original mainly because the drums were too much in the original. I mainly just dug the melody and the swing of the tune. Which this gives.
Tasty stuff. I prefer this remix more than the original mainly because the drums were too much in the original. I mainly just dug the melody and the swing of the tune. Which this gives.
Friday 20 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - Respire E Parar! (LongLiveJayDee...) – AbJo
Respire E Parar! (LongLiveJayDee...) – AbJo
Really sweet track with the crystal guitars delivering a great tune over the really fun and playful trippy trip hoppy beats.
Really sweet track with the crystal guitars delivering a great tune over the really fun and playful trippy trip hoppy beats.
Thursday 19 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - Noon Affair – Force Of Nature
Noon Affair – Force Of Nature
Suuuuuper chilled out. Great on headphones. Great on a beautiful chilled out afternoon.
Suuuuuper chilled out. Great on headphones. Great on a beautiful chilled out afternoon.
Wednesday 18 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - Tribute To Jb Family – The Last Minister
Tribute To Jb Family – The Last Minister
Not familiar enough with all of James Brown’s stuff to tell you exactly what’s all being sampled here, but what I do know for certain that this Italian artist created a track that is an absolute barnstormer.
Not familiar enough with all of James Brown’s stuff to tell you exactly what’s all being sampled here, but what I do know for certain that this Italian artist created a track that is an absolute barnstormer.
Tuesday 17 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - Sharpness – Jamie Woon
Sharpness – Jamie Woon
My pal Trish said this is smoovy. Groovy and smooth.
My pal Trish said this is smoovy. Groovy and smooth.
Monday 16 November 2015
Sunday 15 November 2015
Saturday 14 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - Ganja Farmer – Bandulu Dub (with Ras Bruno and Sammy Gold)
Ganja Farmer – Bandulu Dub (with Ras Bruno and Sammy Gold)
I’ve known a few ganja farmers in my time.
I’ve known a few ganja farmers in my time.
Friday 13 November 2015
Thursday 12 November 2015
Wednesday 11 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - Fratres – Arvo Pärt
Fratres (for wind octet and percussion) – Arvo Pärt
Appropriate for today.
By the I Fiamminghi, the Orchestra of Flanders under the direction of Rudolf Werthen.
Appropriate for today.
By the I Fiamminghi, the Orchestra of Flanders under the direction of Rudolf Werthen.
Tuesday 10 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - Metal Field – SPK
Metal Field – SPK
A long time ago a friend gave me a video tape with a live SPK performance, circa 81 or so. Shocking imagery, and chaotic noise. This track was featured though and it was surprisingly catchy. It always stuck in my head, but only just now did I go on the hunt for it. After sifting through a bunch of chaotic noise, I found out what it was. Yay! Interwebs.
A long time ago a friend gave me a video tape with a live SPK performance, circa 81 or so. Shocking imagery, and chaotic noise. This track was featured though and it was surprisingly catchy. It always stuck in my head, but only just now did I go on the hunt for it. After sifting through a bunch of chaotic noise, I found out what it was. Yay! Interwebs.
Monday 9 November 2015
Sunday 8 November 2015
Saturday 7 November 2015
Friday 6 November 2015
Conical Supernumerary Tooth
I know. You’re probably saying to yourself, “Vree, what the unholy hell is that?!’
Well, let me tell you.
It is a conical supernumerary tooth. The medical condition is called Hyperdontia. When I was, not certain any more, 14, 15, I had an extra tooth grow out of the roof of my mouth, behind my normal teeth. I thought it was pretty damn cool. Made me fairly certain I was a vampire, because that sure as hell looks like one of my fangs coming in. My mom insisted I have it removed however. I hissed and spread my cape, but she wasn’t having any of it. Damnit!
All the dentists came to have a look at the freak with the fang. Then it was unceremoniously yanked out. They cracked it and chipped it a bit in doing so. I should have sued for dental malpractice. Damaging my priceless fang like that.
I drilled a hole in it, and made an ear ring out of it.
I know. You’re probably saying to yourself “Vree, you’re unholy, but I consider myself pretty lucky that I know a sideshow freak like you.”
Well, let me tell you.
It is a conical supernumerary tooth. The medical condition is called Hyperdontia. When I was, not certain any more, 14, 15, I had an extra tooth grow out of the roof of my mouth, behind my normal teeth. I thought it was pretty damn cool. Made me fairly certain I was a vampire, because that sure as hell looks like one of my fangs coming in. My mom insisted I have it removed however. I hissed and spread my cape, but she wasn’t having any of it. Damnit!
All the dentists came to have a look at the freak with the fang. Then it was unceremoniously yanked out. They cracked it and chipped it a bit in doing so. I should have sued for dental malpractice. Damaging my priceless fang like that.
I drilled a hole in it, and made an ear ring out of it.
I know. You’re probably saying to yourself “Vree, you’re unholy, but I consider myself pretty lucky that I know a sideshow freak like you.”
Thursday 5 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - Down The Road – Lurob
Down The Road – Lurob
Discovered this on a Mark Farina Mushroom Jazz set. So, triphoppy.
Discovered this on a Mark Farina Mushroom Jazz set. So, triphoppy.
Wednesday 4 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - Dinosaurs (Jon Kennedy Remix) – Bonobo
Dinosaurs (Jon Kennedy Remix) – Bonobo
Bonobo is pretty much godlike, but that greatness can still be compounded by a good remix.
Bonobo is pretty much godlike, but that greatness can still be compounded by a good remix.
Tuesday 3 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - Through These Eyes – Quantic
Through These Eyes – Quantic
A bit peppier than I am used to from Quantic, but certainly not in any way a bad thing.
A bit peppier than I am used to from Quantic, but certainly not in any way a bad thing.
Monday 2 November 2015
Sunday 1 November 2015
S.o.t.D. - Kemistry (Grooverider VIP) – Goldie
Kemistry (Grooverider VIP) – Goldie
I’ve featured the Doc Scott remix of this track before. I’ve also seen this track credited to Rufige Kru, who I gather is none other than Goldie.
I’ve featured the Doc Scott remix of this track before. I’ve also seen this track credited to Rufige Kru, who I gather is none other than Goldie.
Bibliophilia: Horrorstör – Grady Hendrix
Horrorstör – Grady Hendrix
Clever, and very fun, take on the haunted house story. A modern take on an old standby, as it’s set in an Ikea like store. And the book is designed with a nod to their catalogues. The illustrations of furniture that precede each chapter become more sinister as the book goes on. From student dorm to torture chamber. I hear there is talk of making it into a TV show. Well suited to it.
An examples from the divider pages.
Clever, and very fun, take on the haunted house story. A modern take on an old standby, as it’s set in an Ikea like store. And the book is designed with a nod to their catalogues. The illustrations of furniture that precede each chapter become more sinister as the book goes on. From student dorm to torture chamber. I hear there is talk of making it into a TV show. Well suited to it.
An examples from the divider pages.
6° of Russack
Years ago my girlfriend was on a flight to Vancouver to connect with a flight to Australia. Woman sitting next to her. A greeting is exchanged but not much more. A while later a stewardess comes around with a meal.
“Meal for Russack.”
They both answer in the affirmative. Not a very common surname. As they’re both looking at each other with surprise, the stewardess says,
“K. Russack.”
They both answer in the affirmative.
Okay. This is getting weird.
“Vegetarian meal for K. Russack.”
And once again, they both raise their hand.
She was a Karen Russack, a vegetarian from Winnipeg. Mine was a Kathryn Russack, a vegetarian from London, Ontario by way of Australia. Seated beside each other.
“Meal for Russack.”
They both answer in the affirmative. Not a very common surname. As they’re both looking at each other with surprise, the stewardess says,
“K. Russack.”
They both answer in the affirmative.
Okay. This is getting weird.
“Vegetarian meal for K. Russack.”
And once again, they both raise their hand.
She was a Karen Russack, a vegetarian from Winnipeg. Mine was a Kathryn Russack, a vegetarian from London, Ontario by way of Australia. Seated beside each other.
What are the odds of that?
Hitchcraft: Button Knots
The lace on my Merrell Pulsates broke.
Good thing I have a bin of parachute cord at my disposal. I had a choice of brown or desert camo. Went with the latter.
I have no way of adding an aglet (what the little thing at the end of your laces is called - there to help get the lace through the eyelets and prevents the cotton most cheap laces are made from from unravelling.)
I put a button knot on the end. My main interest was in preventing it from pulling back through the eyelet.
Crafty and jazzes them up a little bit.
Good thing I have a bin of parachute cord at my disposal. I had a choice of brown or desert camo. Went with the latter.
I have no way of adding an aglet (what the little thing at the end of your laces is called - there to help get the lace through the eyelets and prevents the cotton most cheap laces are made from from unravelling.)
I put a button knot on the end. My main interest was in preventing it from pulling back through the eyelet.
Crafty and jazzes them up a little bit.
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