Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Taking the iPlunge.

Now I am cool too.After months of waiting for the "right time" to shell out a wad of cash to buy an ipod, I finally took the leap on Saturday (I decided the right time was never going to present itself, so I might as well just bite the bullet). I have wanted one for a long long time. And not just because they are pretty and cool and everyone has one. I even considered other mp3 players, because honestly, I am a pc user through and through and the idea of bringing an apple product into my home (willingly) made me shiver (and not in a good way). Turns out, even my friend Adam thought ipod was the best way to go, so I made my decision. Then, the nano came out, more to consider.

Ultimately, I decided to get the 20G version because both Scott and I will be using the ipod (once we make a further investment for the car adapter). I will say that it was a big of a downer when I got it home and realized I couldn't immediately start playing with it because it needed to charge for five hours. Then there was the whole saga with my computer (it is old) and the fact that it is not compatible with the ipod and its fancy gizmo ways. So, we had to hook it up to Scott's computer (much more modern than mine) and we were off to the races. I seem to have had more success with it than Scott. He was complaining to me the other day that he couldn't figure out how to load his "Jamma Jamma Bamma" playlist (my words not his) onto the ipod and thought that if the itunes interface was so damn great why wasn't it easier to figure that out? This from a man who typically reads every word of a manual before he'll even start assembling something. He adamantly refuses to embrace my new ipod so anything he can do to badmouth it appears to be open season (from cost to appearance). That's okay. If he doesn't want to use it that means more room for me. That pink case I want to buy might also dissuade him...thanks to Renaissance Runner for his generous birthday contribution to the cause!

Friday, September 23, 2005

The falling leaves, drift by my window.

Yeah For Fall!

Fall is my favourite season. I think it is partly due to the weather (cool, crisp air, turning leaves) and also the lead up to the holidays. The overly hot summer of 2005 is finally over and while it is back to business in a certain sense, the warm up to hibernation mode has also kicked in. New episodes of my favourite tv shows have finally started (I have recorded this week's O.C. and ER for the weekend). I can wear my turtle necks and jeans in comfort along with my wool striped socks. Flannel sheets are just around the corner, along with an extra duvet (much to Scott's chagrin). There are leaves to rake, which is good exercise but not as awful as shovelling snow. My cat Samba likes it because soon it will be cool enough at night that we will turn the ceiling fan in our bedroom off (it scares her). My cat Bossa hates it because it means it will be too windy for her to hang out on the back deck (it scares her). I'm not sure where Scott stands on it - I think in a sense he's happy because basketball season will be starting soon (5.5 weeks and counting) and he won't have to mow the lawn anymore. We also have our dateversary on October 24th (though we have agreed that this more a nice evening out than a card/present type of event). I know we have a trip to Ottawa planned (lots of beautiful/turning trees there) and maybe a trip to Ithaca as well. See, it's the most wonderful time of the year, it really is.

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Battle of the Balls

Jen and Dave, Rockin' the green couch I'm not going to lie, I was pretty excited about the finale of Rockstar INXS, as were my friends Dave and Jen. I invited them over to watch the show at our place so we could make an event out of it. Scott was a good sport about the whole thing, though the most he has watched is a verse or chorus here and there, mostly with snide comments. Jen and Dave got all decked out (leather, hair gel, martinis). They weren't kidding around. I wore my pyjamas (yes I am a party girl).

Brooke should fire her hair dresser...and her stylistThe first surprise was that Brooke was actually wearing clothes. We weren't so sure about her Pepe le peu hair and mismatched boot jewellery, but hey, what do we know? They had all 15 singers back for the show, which was kind of strange (hey loser - look what you don't have). Jen and I were laughing about how we had forgotten that Will and Neal were ever even on the show. Ouch. Dave N. stepped it up and left his shirt at home (back to basics, I like it). Jen aptly pointed out that the final 3 rockers were wearing very heavy makeup this week (maybe it will help them rock harder?).

Early bets at my house were that INXS has known for weeks who they were going to pick, and that pick would be J.D. He had a bit of a smirk on his face the entire show, making me think he already knew the gig was his. Apparently winning the dickwad pool = lead singer status. Says a lot, don't it?

You couldn't ask for a better Final 3Round 1 - Singer's Picks

Mig - Bohemian Rhapsody
Seems like Mig decided to revert back to his comfort zone (perhaps he is reminding his previous employers just how good he is so they will have him back now that he needs a job). Scott pointed out that the style of the song does not lend itself to INXS at all, and that he has a real Steve Tyler quality to his sound. I think he showed Suzie how this song is supposed to be done, and both of them should thank their lucky stars that the house band is so damn excellent.

J.D. - You Can't Always Get What You Want
I thought this rendition was cheese city. Like if Michael Bolton was going to cover the Stones, this would be how he would do it. Spastic dancing and double time endings do not equal rock 'n roll, but J.D. doesn't seem to understand that. Ah well, he was still smirking, so he clearly doesn't care what we think. Just wait until we are the ones buying (or not buying) your album dude. Just wait.

Marty - Wish You Were Here
See, Marty was my favourite on this show. He wasn't a pompous dickhead, he's just a low key guy, sans ego, who can rock his ass off. He sang this really well - came off vocally strong, sincere and on the money. Stephanie and I have discussed that we think he will be better suited for another band. Perhaps Stone Temple Pilots should give him a call now that their singer is heading up Velvet Revolver. At least Marty can travel across the border.

Round 1 Loser - Mig (just not right for their band).
This was not a shock, nope, not at all. I think Mig is going to be just fine though - he really should stick more with the stage/musical stuff in my opinion. With a voice like that, he could easily star on Broadway or do whatever he wants. Doesn't hurt that he is easy on the eyes either...

Lasers!Round 2 - Sing with INXS
Lasers! Woot! Arena Rock, here we come! I gotta say, I think the house band plays INXS better than INXS does. Marty sang "Don't Change", and he seemed a bit tense, like he was going through the motions. While the performance was alright, it didn't do much for me. J.D. got a much better song in "What You Need". Between the whole vibe and the body language of the band it was pretty damn clear who they were picking. Dave and I agreed that we want to kick the dude with the little moustache (Kirk Pengilly) across the stage. Not much of a sax player either. Funny, J.D. messed up the ending, but it didn't matter - the band was too busy lovin' his ass.

J.D. is a still a dickwad, but he is the winner nonethelessWinner: J.D.
We all knew he was going to win, and I know he really is the best fit, but for some reason, I'm not that satisfied with the result. I think I would have liked it better if they didn't go with the safe regurgitation of their previous singer and tried something new. But apparently these guys are risk averse and I don't blame 'em. J.D. performed their new song "Easy Easy" with them...I didn't love it. I actually think J.D.'s song "Pretty Vegas" is better. I guess we'll have the chance to hear both on their new cd. Best part - there might be a new Rockstar show next year. Jen suggested "Rockstar Blind Melon". I think that has a nice ring to it, don't you?

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Better late than never - the final four.

Her folks must be proudI've had a crazy week, a lazy weekend, and well, enough with the excuses. On the tip that something is better than nothing, I thought I'd post my notes from last week's show. Didn't Brooke kind of look like a porno pochahontas in this getup? Dave N. said she looked like an "adult" super hero...yeah, I'll say. Last week INXS picked specific songs for each singer. It is getting hard to be super critical because the final four are all pretty good at what they do, but I'll give it a shot.

Why is Suzie dressed like a 12 year old boy?Suzie: #1. Interstate Love Song, #2. What's Up
Suzie seemed a lot more confident overall, which I liked. She messed up the entrance to the second verse on her first song. It was also in a bad key so she kept coming in under the pitch. Such is the saga of singing songs meant for men when you are a woman. The second song was much better, though she had some weird crackly/airy things happening with her voice. I think she was trying to do that cool vocal effect that Linda Perry does and it just didn't happen. Not Suzie's best performances, but pretty good.

J.D. is still a cocky mother fuckerJ.D.: #1. Pretty Vegas, #2. Money
It's interesting that they wanted to hear his song again. Makes me think they have fallen under his spell. It was a bit strange when J.D. kissed Dave N's cheek during his first song. Dave N. seemed non-plussed by it. The band gave him a standing ovation, which I thought was overkill. He seemed to nail the second song rhythmically, which is where the key challenge was. I didn't really feel any kind of flow to the song, it just kind of bumped along. J.D. and his fucking props were at it again (megaphones, money). He is so rock 'n roll it hurts [/sarcasm].

Marty is still super intenseMarty: #1. Trees, #2. Creep
I love Marty's song (so so much more than J.D.'s song). It was interesting to hear it acoustic, though I really prefer the electric version. INXS was singing along to the song (definitely a good sign). Creep sounded awesome (of course it did). He sang it perfectly with a terrific contrast between the chorus and verses. INXS seemed to dig it, but not quite as much as they did J.D.'s. Boo on them!


Still Hawt!Mig: #1. Kiss From a Rose, #2. Paint It Black
The more I listen to Mig, the more I start to wonder if his voice is just too pretty and perfect? I mean, he is an excellent singer, but there is a gritty factor that is missing for me. He absolutely rocks, but I sometimes hear a bit of stage flair in there. He sang his first song better than Seal sings it live (and I've heard him sing it live, so I know). Seal wins in the leather pants department though [booty booty woot woot!]. The second song was fine, I was neither here nor there on it.

We all know that Suzie went home, so I'm not going to rehash the bottom 3. My friend Jen and her husband Dave are coming over on Tuesday to watch the grand finale and we are both psyched. I'm not sure who INXS will pick, though I do think it will be between J.D. and Marty. It all depends on where they want to take their band. If they want to stay in their comfort zone, then J.D. (Michael Hutchence Jr.) is there man. If they want to move forward musically and do more modern/interesting stuff, then Marty is it. I just don't see Mig fronting INXS, but maybe they want to make it all Aussie all the time? I think they know who they are going to pick already, but we won't be let in on their decision until Tuesday.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Bush takes responsibility for government's failure to respond to Katrina.

We're back, it's Tuesday, I'm tired. Nice update, eh? Seriously dude. I am taping Rockstar, so I will update tomorrow. We all knew Jordis was going home last week (I watched that from Nassau). This week I'm thinking Suzie, so the final 3 will be a battle of the balls. Thoughts?

Thursday, September 01, 2005

2 More Sleeps Until Bahamas.

By Saturday afternoon, Scott and I will be lounging around this pool, drinking fruity drinks with little umbrellas and pineapple skewers. Oh, I’m not excited, I’m over the moon (downright levitated in fact)! These days are payback from Sandals for turfing us early from our honeymoon due to Hurricane Ivan. Not that we were complaining about leaving a day early (after nine days of lying about, drinking and eating, we were ready to go home). Plus, the idea of being on a tiny island in the middle of a hurricane was significantly unappealing. We are hoping that we have more luck on this trip (which will be shorter) and that there won’t be any more hurricanes, at least not this week coming up. I am expecting our cat Bossa will leave a big turd on day four of our absence, likely in our front entry way to let our neighbours (who have agreed to come in every day to feed the girls) know just how unhappy she is that we are not home. It should be noted that if we were home, all she would do is ignore us, but it is the fact that we won’t be at home for her to ignore that upsets her. Samba will get very lonely while we are gone, but I think being at home is less stressful for her than being at a kennel. Plus, I’m planning on going to the pet store to buy her a new plastic spring to play with. Ugh. I’m already feeling guilty about leaving and we’ll only be gone for five nights!.