Jogging

I recently started working out without a gym membership.

It's actually going much better than I thought it would...but i have been more than a little scared of the cardio component.

I bike to work every day (only took transit 4 times because of weather), so I know I'm in better shape than some, but it's not the longest trek. and, there aren't any hills in my route.

so, as much as I LOVE my bike ride to work every day, it's not exactly a strain on my capillaries.

So, I've started jogging.

I hated joggers before. They seem ridiculous. timing this and that. Wearing clothes that NO ONE should be wearing. and that SELF-IMPORTANT jogging on the spot at the streetlight...BAH!

well, you won't see me wearing skin tight anything anytime soon. but yes, that was me jogging on the spot at Bloor and Spadina this morning with my headphones on, and blasting music really loud.

I GENERALLY don't like listening to the same song more than once a week...but both kinds of workout music (cardio & weights) have songs that can come on every day, and will still inspire me to run a little faster, or push a little harder.

Underworld - Dark & Long (Dark Train Mix)*

*MUST be the dark train mix

Donna Summer & Giorgio Moroder "I Feel Love"

***Yes, I'm giving Giorgio equal credit. The Man was a genius.

Donna Summer - I Feel Love by PeteRock

The Roots - Don't Say Nuttin'

*Warning, has an ad.

The Beatnuts - No Escapin' This

Beenie Man - Good Woe

***Possibly my favourite Dancehall song

A Song a day

a facebook friend has periodically posted songs that she thinks are worth posting. Songs that, for whatever reason, have struck a chord with her. I think it's a great idea.

But, in an effort to make it even more interesting to me, I'm going to try and do multiple songs, but based on a theme.

I cannot promise I'll post every day (it has been, what, 2 years since i posted last?) But I'm going to aim to put something on here at least twice a week.

and now, the first...

i'm back.......(?)

In a month I'm going to be a dad.
it's been a crazy 8 months.
I've gone from being numb, & occasionally callous to excited and still a little numb.
I can't explain the thoughts in my head aloud.
so, I'm hoping that this...blog (such an ugly word) will help me collect my thoughts.
And maybe, if things are collected properly, I can show my kid some of my thoughts one day.
I don't have a lot of time to write this morning, I have to leave momentarily for work..."Cell 213"
(no, I'm not a prison guard, though I have day dreamed that profession once or twice in the past.)
Hopefully I'll still want to thank Kyle for getting me this gig when it's done in a week & a half.
..
Name ideas:
Callum
Rowan
Xavier
oh, because I initially wanted this to be a music-y blog, here is my list for 2008's best.
Dan Le Sac & Scroobius Pip
Erykah Badu
Beck
Estelle
Be Your Own Pet
M83
Q-tip
Tilly and the wall
Dr. Dog
Wolf Parade
Amadou and Mariam
The kills
Wale - Mixtape about Nothing
Pete Rock - NY's Finest
Plants and Animals - Parc Avenue
Tangerine Dream... (not new, very very old actually)

the list (2008)..a little late

here are my lists, though I must preface by saying I've been REALLY outta touch this year...
so

Dorian's fave albums of 2007
and since he's not AS in touch, a few from '06 he just caught on to in 2007

In No Particular Order:

Electrelane "No Shouts No Calls"
Loney, Dear Loney "Noir"
Saul Williams & Trent Reznor "The Inevitible rise & Liberation of Niggy Tardust"
Blonde Redhead '23'
Madlib & Talib Kweli 'liberation'
M.I.A "Kala"
Maximo Park 'Our Earthly Pleasures'
Stephen Marley "Mind Control"
Pharoahe Monch "Desire"
More Or Les "The Truth About Rap"
Be Good Tanyas "Hello Love" (2006)
Mika "Life In Cartoon Motion"
Regina Spekter "Begin To Hope (2006)"
LCD Soundsystem "sounds of silver'
Mother Mother "Touch Up" - thanks trell for helping me acquire it

bare

Acquired tickets to see the barenaked ladies at the ACC on friday.
it was....interesting.

I've known for sometime that BNL produce some good songs, some cheesy/campy songs, and some terrific songs.

And i also was very aware that, for the most part, their fan base is mainly people who, if we can go back to grade 9 (baby), these are the people that would be watching the dancefloor with their backsides securely attached to the walls of the gymatorium, knowing that should the detachment process occur, and they leave the walls of the gym, someone could (would) make fun of them for one reason or another.

Those people made the BNL fanbase when i was in grade 9 (baby), and they were there, in full force at the ACC.

But now it wasn't just my peers, but their girlfriends, their boyfriends, their parents, and in some cases, their kids.
the fans (including my love 'M') knew words to songs, they knew dance moves that I've never seen, and in some cases, they knew which props to throw at what cues
(oversized flowers?? Underwear??? Tom Jones be damned!!)

It was an entertaining show, I dont mind the music, though there were points where i got a little nervous.

Nervous? you ask..for why??

well mainly cuz, they seem like nice guys.
and..well, one of their songs TOTALLY sounds like a song from a broadway musical that I happened to see recently.
'M', my lady, loves the musical wicked.
so, for xmas, we saw it.
and she listens to the soundtrack. a lot.
so, when BNL started playing "maybe you're right', i recognized the melody had a similarity to 'dancing through life" from the musical.
I started humming along the one or two lines, and M agreed, there was a similarity.
if anyone is reading this, don't HELP the Ladies get sued, but let me know if i'm totally wrong, or, maybe, I'm right
the two songs are here in a zip file.
Oh, and if anyone is reading this, Davidsuzuki.org I heard about this site from the first opening act that i stood in applause for in years...

Midlake

i was pretty excited for the toronto debut of midlake.
so, last night, I went.
A young woman (annie clark whose musical pseudonym) was St. Vincent opened the show, and she was amazing.
It's hard to describe her music in few words, and i have to finish my coffee, and go to work..
but, i guess,if i had to, my quick, former-record-store-employee-hipster-description would be, "imagine the dusty springfield aspects of portishead, mixed with Trevor Dunn from mr. bungle"
You can listen for yourself on her myspace page.

Midlake were great, in that, the music is great.
The performance was average at best. this lack of spectacular may have inspired the art projected on the back wall..but, as i was not able to see the artwork, I had to judge the band on what i heard, and the little i saw from the angle i was at (okay, I saw the band, minus the drummer, and the bassist)
The crowd was hip, and full, like the beards on 95% of the male audience (and possibly one gal)

It got me thinking, gay bearded guys who are "comfortable' looking are called Bears, there should be a name for straight bearded comfortable guys...any suggestions?
In the meantime

midlake

The Grammys are a joke

'Nuff Said