I'll Give You Five Dollars To Stop Playing

All morning long, I'd been looking forward to going outside for lunch on this beautiful end-of-summer day, getting a slice of pizza (from Jack's), taking it to the Confederation Centre concrete lawn, sitting down and eating it.  I was looking forward to listening to my iPod, sitting and eating a slice of pizza, and watching the people walk by.
It was all ruined by a bagpiper.  Yep.  I got my slice, went to the Confed Centre, sat down, all the while listening to various songs on the iPod.  Then the bagpiper started.  Or, more likely, continued. And wouldn't stop.
Let me tell you right now that I enjoy a good bagpiping.  In its proper circumstance, there's nothing more lovely than a piper piping.  Okay, well not "lovely".  How about stirring?  I'm of Scottish heritage and have a special place in my heart for the pipes (not so much with haggis), in its place. There's nothing more stirring (yeah, "stirring" works) than a piper leading a regiment of Scottish Highlander soldiers off to battle, for instance.  Or the image of a loan piper, kilted the whole nine yards, playing out in the glade on a misty, foggy morning.  It'll get me every time.  Or, at least, once in a while.
But when I hear the pipes in unexpected and unwanted places, such as by the round benches in front of the Confed Centre on Queen Street, in the middle of a work day, I don't long for the hearth and heather.  I long for a poisoned dart.  The problem with the pipes is that the sound travels so far.  You can be hundreds of yards away, and the sound still pierces your ears like a banshee's scream pierces the night.  Like the news of Jon Bonet's not-murderer's capture, there's no escaping.  Especially when the piper isn't very good, as this guy was (or is it "wasn't"?).  It sounded like he was hitting random notes.  Random high-squawking notes of no particular melody.  And of no particular rhythm.  And it travelled all over the community, on the wings of the fresh late-summer breeze.  Ugh.  Not even Rob Zombie's Dragula through the headphones could dilute the noise.
Go ahead and busk.  Just use an acoustic guitar is all I ask. Or juggling pins, if you must.  Or get white-faced and mime (can't believe I'm longing for the silent busking of that mime guy!!) and get caught in an invisible box (outside the box - see previous post).  Just do something that limits your range of influence.  Don't go and spoil the whole neighbourhood.
So, anyway, thanks, bagpiper.  Thanks for ruining my anticipated lunch hour.

I'll Give You Five Dollars To Stop Playing

All morning long, I'd been looking forward to going outside for lunch on this beautiful end-of-summer day, getting a slice of pizza (from Jack's), taking it to the Confederation Centre concrete lawn, sitting down and eating it.  I was looking forward to listening to my iPod, sitting and eating a slice of pizza, and watching the people walk by.
It was all ruined by a bagpiper.  Yep.  I got my slice, went to the Confed Centre, sat down, all the while listening to various songs on the iPod.  Then the bagpiper started.  Or, more likely, continued. And wouldn't stop.
Let me tell you right now that I enjoy a good bagpiping.  In its proper circumstance, there's nothing more lovely than a piper piping.  Okay, well not "lovely".  How about stirring?  I'm of Scottish heritage and have a special place in my heart for the pipes (not so much with haggis), in its place. There's nothing more stirring (yeah, "stirring" works) than a piper leading a regiment of Scottish Highlander soldiers off to battle, for instance.  Or the image of a loan piper, kilted the whole nine yards, playing out in the glade on a misty, foggy morning.  It'll get me every time.  Or, at least, once in a while.
But when I hear the pipes in unexpected and unwanted places, such as by the round benches in front of the Confed Centre on Queen Street, in the middle of a work day, I don't long for the hearth and heather.  I long for a poisoned dart.  The problem with the pipes is that the sound travels so far.  You can be hundreds of yards away, and the sound still pierces your ears like a banshee's scream pierces the night.  Like the news of Jon Bonet's not-murderer's capture, there's no escaping.  Especially when the piper isn't very good, as this guy was (or is it "wasn't"?).  It sounded like he was hitting random notes.  Random high-squawking notes of no particular melody.  And of no particular rhythm.  And it travelled all over the community, on the wings of the fresh late-summer breeze.  Ugh.  Not even Rob Zombie's Dragula through the headphones could dilute the noise.
Go ahead and busk.  Just use an acoustic guitar is all I ask. Or juggling pins, if you must.  Or get white-faced and mime (can't believe I'm longing for the silent busking of that mime guy!!) and get caught in an invisible box (outside the box - see previous post).  Just do something that limits your range of influence.  Don't go and spoil the whole neighbourhood.
So, anyway, thanks, bagpiper.  Thanks for ruining my anticipated lunch hour.

Outside The Box

Have you noticed a new slogan used by the Shops of Confederation Court Mall?  "Outside the box".  I take it to mean, I suppose, that shopping at this mall is different than shopping at box stores like WalMart, etc.  I don't think it's all that great.
This from their website:

We invite you to experience the excitement of the Shops of

Confederation Court Mall and our "outside the box" combination of fine

apparel, accessories, great gifts, home decor, dining, superior

customer service and much more.

What makes the slogan fail for me is that The Shops of Confederation Court Mall is, structurally, a big box so the slogan more or less defeats itself in that respect.  I won't bother to comment on the quality of goods/services one can buy/experience there.

Outside The Box

Have you noticed a new slogan used by the Shops of Confederation Court Mall?  "Outside the box".  I take it to mean, I suppose, that shopping at this mall is different than shopping at box stores like WalMart, etc.  I don't think it's all that great.
This from their website:

We invite you to experience the excitement of the Shops of

Confederation Court Mall and our "outside the box" combination of fine

apparel, accessories, great gifts, home decor, dining, superior

customer service and much more.

What makes the slogan fail for me is that The Shops of Confederation Court Mall is, structurally, a big box so the slogan more or less defeats itself in that respect.  I won't bother to comment on the quality of goods/services one can buy/experience there.

The One In Which Rob Borrows The Friends Episode Title Concept

Not much to say today.  Or lately, for that matter.  I am at another (seemingly more frequent) turning point in my blogging career (okay, hobby), where I seem to have let it slip into the dark recesses of importance, and wonder if it's worth the bother.  That it's now considered a 'bother' is maybe an indication of the problem.  Perhaps I've grown tired of what I'd been writing, and haven't found a new direction that pleases or interests me yet.  Maybe the new TV season will inspire me (heaven forbid that I am pinning my hopes on continued blogging on what I watch on television).

Hey, did anyone catch the final episode of Season Three of Deadwood that aired last Sunday?  Did it satisfy you?  Seems to be a lot of people on Deadwood forums who are miffed at the way it ended.  Me, I loved it.  I thought it was a fantastic ending (which I won't divulge here, to protect the future-viewing of those who haven't yet, but plan to, see it).
While there is talk, apparently, of a 4 hour miniseries to come that will presumably wrap the series up, I'm not holding my breath and consider last Sunday's show the final of the series.  It's too bad.  I enjoyed Deadwood immensely in its first two seasons, but this season, I became absolutely enamoured of every aspect of it.  To me, there has never been a better written TV show, in terms of pure beauty of dialogue and turns of phrase.  Yes, every fourth word seems to be 'fuck' but, man, you gotta get over that.  The acting, too, is second to none.  Ian McShane's Swearingen is one of the best characters ever put to celluloid or video tape.  Never has a character clenched his jaw better than Tim Olyphant's Sherrif Bullock.  Every actor seemed to so fully inhabit the characters that they portrayed that it really was like watching friends. (hey, that refers back to the title of this post!  People will think, maybe, that I intended that.  But, really, it was coincidence)
I quote here, not necessarily an absolute favourite section of dialogue, but one that I really enjoyed.
This bit of dialogue takes place in episode 26 (season three - episode 2).  Bullock has just beaten E.B. (played wonderfully, always, by William Sanderson - the "Larry" of Newhart's "Larry, Darryl and Darryl" fame), and E.B. is being cared for by Richardson, who is his somewhat-stupid slave/helper.  E.B. always takes great delight in putting Richardson down and belittling him.  I loved this scene:

(In E.B.’s room at the Grand Central, Richardson is hunched over him, applying
balm to the wounds on E’B’s face.)

 

EB:   Could you have been born, Richardson, and not egg-hatched as I’ve always assumed?  Did your mother
hover over you, snaggle-toothed and doting, as you now hover over me?

Richardson:            I loved my mother.

EB:     Puberty may bring you to understand what we take for mother love is really murderous hatred  and
a desire for revenge.  (Hetakes a drink.)

Richardson:            Will you give your speech to be Mayor tonight?

EB:    Whatever night I give it, count on me not to mince words.  “Electors of the camp, as to who should serve as Mayro,
reasonable men may differ.  But as to who should be Sheriff…we all ought to speak with one voice. And our words should be, ‘turn out the maniac Bullock, who set upon the Mayor unprovoked, who beat him with merciless protraction.’ 
Bullock should be murdered!  We should rise up and murder Bullock!  Thank you very much.”

Richardson:            My father didn’t liked me.

EB:     I’d like to use your ointment to suffocate you. 

 

(He flinches as Richardson dobs on more ointment.)

So, anyway.  I'm going to miss the show.  I'm going to miss the characters.  Moreso, I think, than I did/do Six Feet Under.  And, yes, I'm going to miss the swearing.  The beautiful, beautiful swearing.
 
Technorati Tags: Deadwood

The One In Which Rob Borrows The Friends Episode Title Concept

Not much to say today.  Or lately, for that matter.  I am at another (seemingly more frequent) turning point in my blogging career (okay, hobby), where I seem to have let it slip into the dark recesses of importance, and wonder if it's worth the bother.  That it's now considered a 'bother' is maybe an indication of the problem.  Perhaps I've grown tired of what I'd been writing, and haven't found a new direction that pleases or interests me yet.  Maybe the new TV season will inspire me (heaven forbid that I am pinning my hopes on continued blogging on what I watch on television).

Hey, did anyone catch the final episode of Season Three of Deadwood that aired last Sunday?  Did it satisfy you?  Seems to be a lot of people on Deadwood forums who are miffed at the way it ended.  Me, I loved it.  I thought it was a fantastic ending (which I won't divulge here, to protect the future-viewing of those who haven't yet, but plan to, see it).
While there is talk, apparently, of a 4 hour miniseries to come that will presumably wrap the series up, I'm not holding my breath and consider last Sunday's show the final of the series.  It's too bad.  I enjoyed Deadwood immensely in its first two seasons, but this season, I became absolutely enamoured of every aspect of it.  To me, there has never been a better written TV show, in terms of pure beauty of dialogue and turns of phrase.  Yes, every fourth word seems to be 'fuck' but, man, you gotta get over that.  The acting, too, is second to none.  Ian McShane's Swearingen is one of the best characters ever put to celluloid or video tape.  Never has a character clenched his jaw better than Tim Olyphant's Sherrif Bullock.  Every actor seemed to so fully inhabit the characters that they portrayed that it really was like watching friends. (hey, that refers back to the title of this post!  People will think, maybe, that I intended that.  But, really, it was coincidence)
I quote here, not necessarily an absolute favourite section of dialogue, but one that I really enjoyed.
This bit of dialogue takes place in episode 26 (season three - episode 2).  Bullock has just beaten E.B. (played wonderfully, always, by William Sanderson - the "Larry" of Newhart's "Larry, Darryl and Darryl" fame), and E.B. is being cared for by Richardson, who is his somewhat-stupid slave/helper.  E.B. always takes great delight in putting Richardson down and belittling him.  I loved this scene:

(In E.B.’s room at the Grand Central, Richardson is hunched over him, applying
balm to the wounds on E’B’s face.)

 

EB:   Could you have been born, Richardson, and not egg-hatched as I’ve always assumed?  Did your mother
hover over you, snaggle-toothed and doting, as you now hover over me?

Richardson:            I loved my mother.

EB:     Puberty may bring you to understand what we take for mother love is really murderous hatred  and
a desire for revenge.  (Hetakes a drink.)

Richardson:            Will you give your speech to be Mayor tonight?

EB:    Whatever night I give it, count on me not to mince words.  “Electors of the camp, as to who should serve as Mayro,
reasonable men may differ.  But as to who should be Sheriff…we all ought to speak with one voice. And our words should be, ‘turn out the maniac Bullock, who set upon the Mayor unprovoked, who beat him with merciless protraction.’ 
Bullock should be murdered!  We should rise up and murder Bullock!  Thank you very much.”

Richardson:            My father didn’t liked me.

EB:     I’d like to use your ointment to suffocate you. 

 

(He flinches as Richardson dobs on more ointment.)

So, anyway.  I'm going to miss the show.  I'm going to miss the characters.  Moreso, I think, than I did/do Six Feet Under.  And, yes, I'm going to miss the swearing.  The beautiful, beautiful swearing.
 
Technorati Tags: Deadwood

Sketch In Halifax

Sketch22 is performing this weekend and next at the Atlantic Fringe Festival in Halifax.  If you're on the Island and you're looking for a reason to get away for a weekend, then going to see Sketch22 in Halifax is the perfect excuse.  Really, it is. And if you're in the Halifax area, well, then it only makes sense to come and see the show.
We'll be performing a total of six times, over two weekends.
Here's the info:
Sat., Sept. 2:  2 p.m.
Sun, Sept. 3:  3:30 p.m.& 9:45 p.m.
Mon, Sept. 4:  5:00 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 9:  6:45 p.m.
Sun, Sept. 10:  1:15 p.m.

Location is:  Du Maurier Theatre, 1593 Argyle Street, Halifax

Tickets are $8

Gather your friends, inform your family, and even make up with your foes.  Get everyone you know to come and see Sketch22 in Halifax.

And, of course, if you haven't seen this summer's show at the Guild in Charlottetown, there are still four more chances for you to do so.  This Thursday and Friday, and next Thursday and Friday.

Sketch In Halifax

Sketch22 is performing this weekend and next at the Atlantic Fringe Festival in Halifax.  If you're on the Island and you're looking for a reason to get away for a weekend, then going to see Sketch22 in Halifax is the perfect excuse.  Really, it is. And if you're in the Halifax area, well, then it only makes sense to come and see the show.
We'll be performing a total of six times, over two weekends.
Here's the info:
Sat., Sept. 2:  2 p.m.
Sun, Sept. 3:  3:30 p.m.& 9:45 p.m.
Mon, Sept. 4:  5:00 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 9:  6:45 p.m.
Sun, Sept. 10:  1:15 p.m.

Location is:  Du Maurier Theatre, 1593 Argyle Street, Halifax

Tickets are $8

Gather your friends, inform your family, and even make up with your foes.  Get everyone you know to come and see Sketch22 in Halifax.

And, of course, if you haven't seen this summer's show at the Guild in Charlottetown, there are still four more chances for you to do so.  This Thursday and Friday, and next Thursday and Friday.

Roofies

It's one of those big expense type homeowner dealies.  Needing to get the roof reshingled.  Here's the deal:  Occasionally, when the rain comes down really hard, and the wind blows in just the right way, our roof leaks in one spot.  The leak trickles down through an unfinished dormer, onto our living room ceiling.  Because gravity exists in our living room too, the leak drip drip drips onto our living room floor.
Yeah, we tried to do repairs to the trouble area, but none were very successful.  Even without the leak, the shingles looked like they were in bad shape, so the idea of needing to get them replaced was on our minds for quite a while.  Like, a couple of years.
This year, we were fortunate enough to be able to afford to afford to get them done.  My wife called a few places, got some estimates from various roofers.  It was eye-opening to see the differences in the estimates, from contractor to contractor.  One was almost three thousand dollars more than the least expensive.  In the end, we decided to go with a seemingly very fair quote from a guy that Karyn's uncle recommended.  Jamie Cudmore.
Early in August, he said because he was so busy, he'd not be able to do the job until late August, and he'd call a couple of days before he'd do it.  Sure enough, last week, he called and said he'd be coming later in the week.  Sure enough, he showed up and started working.  He thought it would take a solid two days but it ended up taking a solid three days, plus another fifteen minute touch up visit on the fourth day.  He had miscalculated how many shingles would be required, and ended up buying 7 more bundles.  Despite the fact it took a day longer than he thought, and that it took 7 more bundles than he quoted, he stuck to his estimated quote.  It looks like he did a great job.  I was totally pleased with the job he did.  I'd easily recommend him to anyone who is in need of a new roof.

Roofies

It's one of those big expense type homeowner dealies.  Needing to get the roof reshingled.  Here's the deal:  Occasionally, when the rain comes down really hard, and the wind blows in just the right way, our roof leaks in one spot.  The leak trickles down through an unfinished dormer, onto our living room ceiling.  Because gravity exists in our living room too, the leak drip drip drips onto our living room floor.
Yeah, we tried to do repairs to the trouble area, but none were very successful.  Even without the leak, the shingles looked like they were in bad shape, so the idea of needing to get them replaced was on our minds for quite a while.  Like, a couple of years.
This year, we were fortunate enough to be able to afford to afford to get them done.  My wife called a few places, got some estimates from various roofers.  It was eye-opening to see the differences in the estimates, from contractor to contractor.  One was almost three thousand dollars more than the least expensive.  In the end, we decided to go with a seemingly very fair quote from a guy that Karyn's uncle recommended.  Jamie Cudmore.
Early in August, he said because he was so busy, he'd not be able to do the job until late August, and he'd call a couple of days before he'd do it.  Sure enough, last week, he called and said he'd be coming later in the week.  Sure enough, he showed up and started working.  He thought it would take a solid two days but it ended up taking a solid three days, plus another fifteen minute touch up visit on the fourth day.  He had miscalculated how many shingles would be required, and ended up buying 7 more bundles.  Despite the fact it took a day longer than he thought, and that it took 7 more bundles than he quoted, he stuck to his estimated quote.  It looks like he did a great job.  I was totally pleased with the job he did.  I'd easily recommend him to anyone who is in need of a new roof.

The Annekenstein Monster NFL Picks Pool

Last year, four people played The Annekenstein Monster NFL Picks Pool, hosted at The Weekly NFL Picks Page.

In the end, I narrowly defeated Reverseflash (at least that's how I remember it), and I believe it came down to the second to last week before it was decided.  This year, the pool will be once again set up.  Think you can guess better than anyone else which NFL teams will win on any given Sunday?  Why not sign up and join the pool.  The pool name is The Annekenstein Monster.  The password to become a member of the pool is:  sketch22

There is no prize to speak of, but the pride you have in coming in second to me will be more than worth the effort of making your picks each week.

The Annekenstein Monster NFL Picks Pool

Last year, four people played The Annekenstein Monster NFL Picks Pool, hosted at The Weekly NFL Picks Page.

In the end, I narrowly defeated Reverseflash (at least that's how I remember it), and I believe it came down to the second to last week before it was decided.  This year, the pool will be once again set up.  Think you can guess better than anyone else which NFL teams will win on any given Sunday?  Why not sign up and join the pool.  The pool name is The Annekenstein Monster.  The password to become a member of the pool is:  sketch22

There is no prize to speak of, but the pride you have in coming in second to me will be more than worth the effort of making your picks each week.

The Right Wrong Way (vinyl)

RightWrongWay45
Originally uploaded by The Annekenstein Monster.

One of the sketches in this summer's show features the reunion of one of country music's greatest duets, Big Dick McPhealey & Fatsy Charlene. This is the 45 of one of their big early hits, The Right Wrong Way. It didn't get a lot of radio play, but it was something of an underground hit.

The Right Wrong Way (vinyl)

RightWrongWay45
Originally uploaded by The Annekenstein Monster.

One of the sketches in this summer's show features the reunion of one of country music's greatest duets, Big Dick McPhealey & Fatsy Charlene. This is the 45 of one of their big early hits, The Right Wrong Way. It didn't get a lot of radio play, but it was something of an underground hit.

Woody

A sad and lovely poem from Woody Harrelson.

Woody

A sad and lovely poem from Woody Harrelson.

OK Go - Here It Goes Again

OK Go is a band I like OK. They have a number of catchy, upbeat pop songs. However, they've begun to compile a number of pretty interesting videos that incorporate some great choreography. I'm a sucker for people dancing who look like dancing isn't their forte. This is an amazing one-take bit of effort. Wonder how many takes they had to do? Wonder how long they rehearsed?

Technorati Tags: OK Go, video, choreography

OK Go - Here It Goes Again

OK Go is a band I like OK. They have a number of catchy, upbeat pop songs. However, they've begun to compile a number of pretty interesting videos that incorporate some great choreography. I'm a sucker for people dancing who look like dancing isn't their forte. This is an amazing one-take bit of effort. Wonder how many takes they had to do? Wonder how long they rehearsed?

Technorati Tags: OK Go, video, choreography

TAM Daily Trivia for July

Once again, reverseflash kicks ass!  Second month in a row that reverseflash wins The Annekenstein Monster Daily Trivia.  Way to go, you smart ass.  We'll get ya next month.
Results:

Jul 06



25 players played during the month.

1. reverseflash (298 points, 7 wins)
2. dsoju's sis (289 points, 6 wins)
3. annekenstein (254 points, 1 wins)
4. Wessie (250 points, 3 wins)
5. Mrmovie (249 points, 2 wins)
6. desperation (197 points, 1 wins)
7. paella (189 points, 3 wins)
8. coda (186 points, 1 wins)
9. Grover (173 points, 2 wins)
10. Sung Eucharist (173 points, 1 wins)

A new month means a new round has started.  Why not come and play?  Even if you don't play daily, come every so often and show us how smrt you are.
Here's the link:
The Annekenstein Monster Daily Trivia