Tom Waits New Year's Eve

Tom Waits Bad As Me

Who else but Tom Waits would have Keith Richards as a guest vocalist? I love Tom Waits' early albums, the jazzy bluesy folksy tin pan alley stuff. In the post 1982 era my favourite has to be Bone Machine. In honour of the day that is New Year's Eve, here is Tom Waits' New Year's Eve, from his terrific 2011 release Bad As Me.

New Year's Eve

Tanya at Tanya Says wrote a nostalgic piece on the New Year's celebration. I am not so sentimental. My most common memory of New Year's past, since about the age of twelve years old, consists of being sick in bed every other year. For some reason, for year upon year, the flu, a stomach virus, a sinus infection or something else would knock me on my ass a couple days before the festivities. I do not get sick often - December being the exception.

Happy New Year!

Three years ago I started getting the flu shot. So far so good. This year I came down with a cold at the early part of the month. And I can now see the finish line. I have to avoid sick people for a few more days and I will have made it to New Year's, unscathed.

New Year's is a reason or an excuse to celebrate. I don't have any emotional ties to the night. It used to be a requirement to go out and party as hard as possible. All I really need is two things. Friends and an alcoholic beverage or two.

New Year's is a time for celebration, a dawning of a new year, a cause to gather with friends and family, out with the old and in with the new. A time to air out old grievances, forget and move forward, a time to wash away the ills and wish for only the good. And what a better way to wash it away than with alcohol?

People keep asking me what am I doing for New Years. The correct question is where are you going for New Years. What am I doing is a forgone conclusion. I am drinking. Where am I drinking on New years? Not sure yet. I know what I will be drinking with friends. Where? Doesn't matter.

One time, about 10 or so years back, the clock struck midnight, everyone hugged and kissed. I called my parents to wish them a Happy New Year. Their response was, "Why are you calling?"

So maybe there is a reason I am not so sentimental for New Year's past.

Bonne Annee!

Best Of... Holiday Classics

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. For Christmas day filler, what better way to complete the day then with a Christmas themed post? Here are some stories I wrote specifically with this time of year in mind.

Click the titles on the post you want to view.

Let us start off with suggestions I came up with to while the day away in...Things to do On Christmas Day When You Don't Celebrate Christmas

If you are celebrating today, a believer or non believer, Santa may be resting this very morning, but he still has some toys left over in his sack. It's not too late to write to Santa. So send Santa a letter with your gift wish for this year, or get a head start on next year by filling out the comment section. I guarantee speedy delivery for all letters...

Letters to Santa - Speedy Delivery Service

What's the holiday season without music? There is something about Christmas music that provides a poignant soundtrack to the celebrations and festivities.

Here is a new Christmas song called...Santa Stole My Lady

And if you are into the classics, and don't mind a friendly spoof, here is  Will Ferrel and John C. Reilly doing their version of the David Bowie, Bing Crosby classic Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy... 

Little Drummer Boy

Are you planning on going shopping on Boxing Day? Need some tips for dealing with the lines, the angry shoppers, the helpful and not so helpful clerks?

Than watch this video on one of the best shopping pranks ever...

Shopping Prank

Or if you just want a chuckle, here are some of the ...

Funniest Quotes of the Year

just a few of the tweets and Facebook status updates that I fell on during the year. I will he putting out a new one in the next few days. Part 1, Part 2.

Is this a Holiday Tradition?

Not one, not two, not three, but four people found StubbornFool.com by searching for "how to make your penis look like a candy cane".

Anyone want to contribute a story on "how to make your penis look like a candy cane"? Through proper search engine optimization I really think I can corner the penis-candy cane market.

When Cats Attack

A short film called Holy Shit Cats. Ridiculous and amusing.

Date Night

I met this really hot girl. We went out for coffee. She is awesome.

Why am I telling you this? I'm bragging. I went out with a hot girl.

Also, I am anticipating that she will eventually read this and therefore, bonus points.

Not the actual lady I went out with

John Carter

John Carter is an action-adventure film set on the mysterious and exotic planet Mars. Based on the classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the film tells the story of the war-weary Civil War captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is mysteriously transported to Mars where he becomes embroiled in an epic conflict amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Mars and its people rests in his hands. Look for it in a theatre near you in March 2012. And the trailer is freaking awesome.

John Carter Movie Poster

Rush to Hall of Fame

Rush

How can Rush not be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?! The new class of inductees has been announced and a few of the names caught me off guard. Red Hot Chili Peppers? Guns N' Roses? Where is Rush? It was the Heebonics website that first brought this story to my attention. For the 27th induction taking place in April 2012, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns N' Roses, Beastie Boys, Donovan and The Faces have all been named to the Hall.

I have nothing against RHCP. As far as I am concerned they had two good albums; 1989's Mother's Milk and 2006's Stadium Arcadium. Guns N' Roses? They haven't been GNR since Slash left. The band met with a creative decline immediately after 1987's Appetite For Destruction and a swifter decline followed Use Your Illusion (1 and 2).

The Beastie Boys, also named to this year's inductee list stand above the others, at the very least for their groundbreaking music and consistency of quality output. 1986's Licensed to Ill still gets regular radio airplay. The 1994 video for Sabotage, an homage to the cop shows of the 70s, has to be one of the greatest videos ever made.

Donovan with close to thirty albums and eleven Top 40 songs in the U.S. deserves his spot. The (Small) Faces can be nominated for their music, or for who used to be a member of the band. Do Steve Marriot, Ronnie Wood, and Rod Stewart sound familiar?

But where oh where is Rush in the eyes of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? 40 million records sold. The same lineup since 1974. A band that has inspired multiple generations and some of the biggest acts in the business. The band's 20th studio album Clockwork Angels is set for an April 2012 release.

Whether you listen to their recordings, or watch the band live, these prog rock pioneers will bring you something new with every appearance, with every listening. Lyrics filled with wit and humour, the biggest contradiction is their almost exclusive male following. Every musician wants to be them, every guy wants to play like them, and every woman wants to be their distant cousin.

If you aren't convinced then you must not have seen the brilliant documentary on the band Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage. Sign the petition here. Let's get Rush into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where they belong.

Rush 1974

Random Conversations

A colleague approached me the other day. We were each doing separate business in the washroom, but our paths intersected at the hand dryers. Yes. Thankfully not before.

Colleague: "So, Shawn did you unpack your stuff?"

I stare blankly, blinking, thinking that perhaps I could not clearly hear what he said over the drone of the hand dryers.

"Sorry, what was that?" I asked.

Colleague: "Did you unpack your staff."

Shawn: "My stuff? What stuff?"

Colleague: "Your things when you moved."

Shawn: "When I moved?" I replied, completely confused. "My office? My office has been in the same place for four years."

Colleague: "No. Your place. You said you had stuff to unpack."

Shawn: "My place?" I replied, still confused. "You mean my condo?"

Colleague: "Yes, your condo."

Shawn: "Okay, my condo. I still don't know what stuff you are talking about."

Colleague: "You said you had a lot of stuff to go through. And a lot of books to pack."

I stare at him for a moment as it dawns on me that he is referring to a conversation I had with him three years ago.

Shawn: "Uh, yeah. I moved close to three years ago. Not only did I finish packing but I also finished unpacking."

I filled the awkward silence with a brief story about the one box of junk in the back of a closet I kept for a rainy day. I then hurried away before he could ask me about some other random event in my life.

Still a little confused by the line of questioning, I was tempted to go back to ask him if he remembers seeing me on a near weekly basis over the last couple years. If this was a concern for him he could have brought it up sooner. Was this his attempt at small talk? Doesn't small talk usually revolve around current events.

The next conversation with him could go something like this.
Colleague: "Did you here about The Edmund Fitzgerald? Sucks."

If not already done, we must impose a statute of limitations on old conversations. We would simply tell the other person, "That topic is prescribed." Or if the existing limitations were lifted I wish someone would tell me. I will have to answer a lot of "Why didn't you call me?" questions from the last few years.

Complete Idiot's Guide...

This is The Day

The The - This Is The Day

Well... you didn't wake up this morning,
'cause you didn't go to bed.
You were watching the whites of your eyes turn red.
The calendar on your wall is ticking the days off.


You've been reading some old letters.
You smile and think how much you've changed.
All the money in the world couldn't buy back those days.


You pull back the curtains, and the sun burns into your eyes.
You watch a plane flying across a clear blue sky.
This is the day your life will surely change.
This is the day when things fall into place.


You could've done anything, if you'd wanted
And all your friends and family think that you're lucky
But the side of you they'll never see
Is when you're left alone with the memories
That hold your life together ... like glue

This is the day your life will surely change...

The The Soul Mining

Little Drummer Boy

The folks at Funny or Die put together another great video for Christmas. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly do their spoof of the David Bowie, Bing Crosby classic Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy. I do not go for the Xmas music but if I had to pick one song, one rendition, it would be the Crosby - Bowie song, not the lyrics but the song itself. 

Doesn't hurt that I was always a big fan of Bowie. Rumour is that on the same show that Crosby and Bowie recorded the song, they also did a rendition of Heroes.

Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy with Will Ferrell & John C. Reilly from Will Ferrell stubbornfool.com

David Bowie Bing Crosby

Black Friday Shopping Prank

This made laugh out loud. I've watched it twice and laughed both times. On Black Friday two guys go into a store and attempt to buy an insane list of nonsensical shopping items. The catch is, they don't know what is coming up on the list. The best part is when they themselves are trying not to crack up. 

I am getting my list together just in time for Christmas. Anybody want to go shopping with me?

No Mo' Mo

My mo has gone the way of the dodo. That is to say, not extinct but shaved and down the drain. I cannot say it was fun. I can say that I am glad it is over.

I look younger and less distinguished (apparently) without my moustache. Which is offset by my receding hairline, which makes me look older and also less distinguished. If you are wondering where all that the money raised during the campaign goes click here.

Now that Movember is gone, I guess the next thing to look forward to is Cocktober. Or maybe Vaginauary.

Movember in 30 days and 60 photos, accompanied by Big Sugar, It's All Over Now

Can Facebook save the Expos?

The answer of course, is no. Facebook cannot save the Expos. That horse left the barn carrying David Samson and Jeffrey Loria some years back. They're gone. Kaput. Defunct. Pining for the fjords, as it were. Montreal ain't getting no MLB team back in the city any time soon.

All that said, a Facebook page is doing its darnedest to keep the memories alive and in technicolour for any and all remaining fans of the team to view.

The page at https://www.facebook.com/ExposNation has a massive (well, for a dead team, at least) fan base of more than 122,000 people and has been posting vintage photos, videos, mash-ups in a balls-put attempt to keep The Expos in the hive-mind of social networking's public consciousness.

Go. Have a look. If you're an Expos fan or a baseball fan in general, some of the imagery is just priceless.

The site is well-constructed, funny, sentimental and even elicits an occasional tear from we die-hard fans of the lost Canadian baseball team (may Bill Lee appear in Bud Selig's dreams as a cross-dressing crack-whore intent on pitching fastballs of hellfire at his nuts for eternity for this travesty!).

Let's all remember the following: Montreal is where Jackie Robinson played before being called up into the majors. Montreal is where Pete Rose was playing when he collected his 4000th hit (yeah, he was way past his prime and in the throes of his whole gambling scandal, but still). Montreal was the first MLB expansion city outside the U.S. Montreal is where "El Presidente" became just the 13th pitcher in baseball history to record a perfect game.

Ah, the memories.

And on a bit of a tangent, but still on Montreal sporting clubs… WTF with the Habs this year?!?! Thoughts/rants/recipes welcome.

Santa Stole My Lady

Fitz and the Tantrums

Some new Christmas music for you. Soul/Pop sextet Fitz and the Tantrums' latest song is this Christmas tune Santa Stole My Lady. I missed my opportunity to see them when they were here performing at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in June of 2011, only discovering them after the fact. I keep asking when they are coming back but so far I have not received word.

Movember Week 4

As I struggle through Movember, I have been searching high and low for a moustache to copy. I need something I could imitate. My attempts at the Selleck have come up short. And I just do not have the time to grow a Wilford Brimley. I need to find a picture of someone with a receding hairline and a similarly coloured moustache. So I pulled out a picture of my sister.

(And now I can apologize to my sister for that. It's funny because the above is not true and she is a pretty lady.)

OK, I then poured over the pages of Yahoo-opolis and Google-dom searching for a moustache I could muster. I think I found the moustache that would meet my needs. [Cue spotlight] The Charles Bronson. Now Bronson and I do not share the same colouring but his moustache was a tougher version of the Clark Gable. And it doesn't require the three months growth that I realized I would need for the earlier moustache models for which I had aimed.

With one week to go I have time to grow what I trimmed, trim what I grew and shape my Movember mo into the perfect Bronson mo. Below is my latest. I will reveal the final results next week. Reminds me of an episode of  The Simpsons when they end up in Bronson, Missouri instead of Branson, Missouri.

O'Hara Moustache

Bronson Moustache

Motorcycle Accident

A colleague of mine got into a nasty accident on his motorcycle. He survived - or so he said. But the bike was totalled. And, he ended up with a severely dislocated knee and some road burns but no broken bones.. Three skin grafts were required to patch up his leg and arm. This happened back in September just as we were hit with a late season heat wave. Had the weather been a little cooler, perhaps he would not have been tempted to remove his leather jacket not five minutes before the accident. The jacket could have saved his arm, and maybe his leg.

As it takes some weeks for skin grafts to heal, he was walking on a blown out knee without the aid of a bandage or brace. I suggested he use a cane to help him walk. Ever the tough guy, this former MMA fighter laughed off the use of a cane. I have often referred to him as the only guy in the office who can kick my ass. The only guy. Guy.

I told him that I would come up with some alternatives to the traditional cane to help him get around. And this is what I came up with.

Quarterstaff

Cartoon Quarterstaff

Hiking Poles

Crow Bar

2x4

Bo

Cane

Dr. House's Cane

Candy Cane?

Candy Cane

House Of The Rising Sun

Some know Hoyt Axton as the Dad from the movies Gremlins and Black Stallion or maybe as Jennifer's friend on WKRP in Cincinnati. But this platinum recording artist had his biggest success as a singer. He has had success as a songwriter, including Three Dog Night's biggest hit, Joy To the World. And Steppenwolf's Snowblind Friend.

From his 1963 release Thunder 'N Lightnin' this is Hoyt Axton's haunting version of House Of The Rising Sun.

Recorded in 1964 by The Animals, their version is considered one of the best rock and roll songs of all time, but the song was not written by The Animals.

Covered at least 80 times by the likes of Woody Guthrie, Frankie Lane, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, not to mention Axton, the origin of House Of The Rising Sun is unknown. The first known recording dates from 1933 but this folk ballad may have originated in the late 18th century.

Hoyt Axton, Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie c. 1963

Movember Week 3

I did not know how my Movember would turn out. It has been quite a few years since I have gone more than a couple days without shaving. My previous foray in beardom was about ten years ago when I had a soul patch. If you don't know what a soul patch is, click here.

It's okay, I'll wait.

When Movember started, I resigned myself to looking like a 70s porn star. I feared I would look like a Village People. I hoped to look like Magnum P.I.. I may look more like Wilford Brimley.

It's odd. My hair is brown. My moustache, red. My soul patch is blonde and my beard a mix of everything. Yes, that's right. My beard is plaid. Happy Movember.

Movember Week 3

Turkey Fraud

I got a call yesterday from Norman. Norman works for a butcher shop. Norman told me that my wife ordered smoked turkey over the holidays and the credit card did not go through. Norman had my last name, he had my address and he had my cell phone number. Okay.
I asked him all sorts of questions, and he told me he would call back. Fine.
I was just having some fun at that point since I never order from a butcher and I am not married. As a matter of fact, I live alone.

Norman called me back today. I asked him for his number, how long has he been working there, more questions about the supposed order, what was the exact name on the order, what unit number? I still can't figure out if he is stupid or a scam artist.

"Norman", I said, "You are either too stupid to do your job or the worst fraud artist in the world.
"No, wait a second", I corrected myself, "Either way, you are a fucking idiot. You are either calling the wrong person or are the worst fraud artist ever."

"Now hold on there," Norman replies in a huff.
"Don't use the F word. There is no fraud. This is an established company that has been in business for 55 years."

Phone Busters - Report it.

So you don't mind that I am calling you a fucking idiot? You just don't want me to question the integrity of you or your company by calling it fraud? Fucking idiot.

As if to intimidate me, he said he would send the driver. I told him I wouldn't recommend it as that's just going to open all sorts of other problems. But, if he insists on sending someone, send them in an ambulance because that's the way they will leave here.

That gave Norman pause for thought.
"Let me check the information with the office and I will call you back."

The thing that doesn't add up with all this? He called my cell phone, which is not listed. So either he got my name from someone I know, or a company with which I do business.

My building is filled with people over the age of 65. I am by far one of the youngest people in the building. There may be a couple other 30 and 40-somethings. As there are so many older people, this place is ripe for scam artists. I get quite a few calls. The security guards keep them from knocking on my door.

Scam Alert

A couple weeks ago I got the call from the east Asian guy from "Microsoft" who detected a problem with my PC. Really? "Why are you calling from outside bubba?"
He then closed what sounded like a car door.

I peppered him with questions. He wouldn't give me any straight answers. He wanted access to my PC. I told him if he detected a problem, he must have my IP address. So let's confirm what you have.

He started saying, "Your IP address is..."
And mysteriously the line cut. Fucking idiot.

Now I really want that driver to show up.

Carpool Tunnel Syndrome

Since my car has been in the shop, or out of commission for the better part of the last few weeks, I've been getting lifts to work. I carpool by necessity rather than for the greater purpose of protecting the environment. A colleague of mine has been kind enough to give me a ride to work nearly every day.

A skilled driver, she is probably better suited to drive on the local F1 or NASCAR circuit then the highways and side streets. She is aware of the cars around her but drives too fast and weaves in and out of traffic too much for my liking. On top of that, she gets angry at every driver around her.

She may be reading this.

I've written about road rage before. Road rage isn't just about getting out of your car, getting into fights, or giving someone the finger. Road rage is also about your conduct while driving. Hand gestures of any kind, apart from a polite wave, are inappropriate. Cutting someone off just because they are driving the speed limit is inappropriate.

Constantly switching lanes to try to bypass traffic will only infuriate other drivers. Getting upset with someone for flashing their brake lights at you is ridiculous - especially if you are tailgating them. Swerving around them and intentionally slamming on your brakes to get them back is criminal.

I heard one radio psychologist offer an explanation. She indicated that emotional immaturity would be the most likely cause of road rage. The individual is not capable of considering the other person’s perspective or emotions.

Calm by nature, I am a different person behind the wheel. I have adapted, changed because I do not want to kill or be killed.

Her attitude is perhaps similar to my attitude of old; always in a rush, always the need to move. I got over it for the most part when I was 23. It has been a battle for me. Road rage did not suit me. One fight. One argument. One time flipping someone off. I haven't put myself in a serious situation in 20 years. My last minor incident was four years ago where I was dumb enough to get out of my car. Clarity struck and I talked the other guy back into his car. He was pulling back to take a swing when I used some very convincing words to get him to turn around and walk away. Crazy sometimes helps you win.

The other morning I was running late. I was finishing off a post and was having trouble with the kicker. I did not want to be late and I did not want my driver to wait. She is anxious enough on the road as it is. So at 7AM I finally post my story, hop into the shower, shave, get dressed, and go outside for 7:15 just as she pulled up. Some things will just have to wait until later. And I saved myself some money in the meantime. Did I mention that I am taking the Metro on Monday?

Movember Week 2

I think I have enough space above my upper lip to grow a Magnum P.I.. I just might not have enough time. Week 2 of Movember is in full swing. And my blonde, red, brown mix moustache looks a little less like peach fuzz every day. For more information on Movember go here.
It's all for a good cause but let's see this moustache goes over on my date this weekend.

Movember Week 2

From the website, "Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words, they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health."

Movember

It's Movember. In Canada, United States and around the world Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on the faces of many men. The moustache, or mos, brings awareness for men's health, specifically prostate cancer prevention and research.

The rules are simple, November 1st, register at movember.com with a clean shaven face. For the rest of the month, these men shave and trim their way to moustache mastery. Not only can men register, but women can too. As to who grows a moustache? That's up to you.

You too can help raise awareness and funds simply by registering on the site. You can also join my team simply go to http://mobro.co/stubbornfool to register or make a donation. I will be posting pictures of my moustache progress at Stubborn Fool and Movember. If you want to join my team, search for the team name "stubbornfool" and register. Spread the word.

Movember Week 1

Dating Dilemma

I was faced with a recent dating dilemma, and not for the first time. How soon into a relationship should I share my website? Quite often, when someone finds out that I am a writer, they ask to read something that I wrote. Under those circumstances, I do have one or two stories that I might be willing to share.

In most cases I will only share my short stories with my closest contacts. My stories are personal. I don't publish the stories to my blog. My site, in a public forum and although shared with the world, is different. The irony is that as public as the site is, I keep it at a distance from myself.

So, I recently shared my site with a lady I was dating. After a couple days had passed I received an email from her stating she doesn't want to see me again (Yes. By email). My first thought was, 'Oh geez! I hope it wasn't my website?'
And then reality struck. I hung my head, I hope it isn't... no it is... it's me. After all, my website is awesome.

Duck Sauce - Big Bad Wolf

You know them for Barbara Streisand. I love them for Big Bad Wolf. This Canadian-American tandem follow up their 2010 summer anthem with this instant video classic.
And with the weekend fast approaching this video made me thinking of the Stormy Monday lyrics, "Eagle flies on Friday, and Saturday I go out to play." (By the way, YouTube considers this video 18 and over, so probably NSFW).

Five Guys Named Moo

All Dressed Cheeseburger

Five Guys Burgers and Fries has opened in five locations in and around Montreal to little fanfare, advertising by word of mouth. Setting up in Old Montreal, the West Island, the South Shore and Laval as well as in Dorion, the boys picked their prime locations for an early breakthrough into the Montreal market.
With over 600 locations in the United States and now 60 in Canada the guys are making their mark. First thing you should know, Allergy alert! As per their website, Five Guys uses peanut oil only. And nothing is frozen, they also only use fresh ground beef.

There is nothing new about Five Guys. They serve hamburger joint burgers and greasy fries with a selection of fountain drinks. The Old Montreal location was hopping busy and the staff were friendly and helpful, answering all of my questions.
I ordered a cheeseburger, fries and a Coke and had plenty to eat. The food is fresh, the portions were big and I was full. Unfortunately, I wanted less food. Personal preference aside - I like my meat more well done - the hamburger was not anywhere near the best I have ever tasted. The fries were soggy and drenched in oil and under-cooked. A sign that the oil was not at the correct temperature. Or is this their style?
If you are looking for a burger joint burger with greasy fries at double the usual price than Five Guys is for you. Let's call it a 5 out of 10 for Five Guys.

X Factor

As I started typing this I realized I was being apologetic for watching the TV show the X Factor. I did not plan on watching the series. I watch American Idol (and it's poor cousin Canadian Idol before it was cancelled). I did not want to get into a new show, thinking it would be the same old same old. The promos worked. There are three singers that really caught my attention for their singing abilities. Josh Krajcik from Columbus, Oh., 60 year old LeRoy Bell from, Seattle, WA., and 14 year old Drew Ryniewicz from Chino Valley, Az. The results are in and all three have moved on to the final group of 16. There are a lot of great singers of all ages trying for a second chance, last chance or in the case of Ryniewicz, her first chance. Here is Ryniewicz's terrific and haunting performance of Must Have been Love, a Roxette cover. The song starts about 1:15 in.

X Factor

Josh Krajcik sings Up to the Mountain. Krajcik's got a Joe Cocker voice with less whisky and smokes. The songs starts about 1:20 in.


LeRoy Bell sings the Bob Dylan song popularized by Adele, Make you Feel My Love

The Walking Dead Year 2

TWD: Walker

Season 2 of The Walking Dead kicked off Sunday night and picked up where season 1 left off. Oh, just the usual. Panic, disaster, gore, death and mayhem. The group of survivors are heading down the highway after having just left the Center for Disease Control. Led by former Sheriff Deputy Rick Grimes, the group includes his wife, his partner Shane and the others that first met up in Atlanta. The opening sequence features Rick's monologue over a walkie-talkie to Morgan, a survivor he encountered weeks before, who may or may not be on the other end.

Is it just me? What is happening to Rick's accent? Andrew Lincoln, the actor who plays Rick Grimes is from London, England. During his conversations with the other characters, his interpretation of an American accent was near flawless. In his attempt at a southern drawl during the monologue though, Lincoln was all over the place, moving in and out of the Kentucky-ish accent.

Grimes and his Zombie Friend

The show picks up similar in tone to last season, if not a little slower. With a full 13 episode arc for this year, expect more character development to go along with the action. If episode 1 is any indication, this season will up the gore factor, so that it more closely resembles the graphic novels on which they are based. And so far we are getting to know some of the secondary characters as both Daryl (played by Norman Reedus) and Lori Grimes (Sarah Wayne Callies) both had moments to shine.
If I had a critique of the debut season was that it did not stick close enough to the novels. Too many new characters were introduced. That being said, Frank Darabont did a wonderful job and he was a major reason the show was such a hit. With Darabont gone from the series, it is left to be seen how the second time around will fare.
From the preview for episode two, it looks like The Walking Dead will move ahead with more excitement. And typical of the books, the first episode ends with a doozy of a cliffhanger.

And here's the Trailer for Season Two of The Walking Dead.

Real Steel Review

Evangeline Lilly

Real Steel is a near gritty action film that brags a script which is fun, corny and exciting all at once. The movie is a mix between Big Daddy and Rocky - from the father and son reunion to the underdog fighter rising through the ranks. Futuristic robots or not, Real Steel features some of the most realistic fight scenes in any boxing movie to date. (Let's exclude The Fighter, and Million Dollar Baby). The motion captured fighting scenes are impressive and so immersing to the point where I was ready to get back into the ring myself.
Jackman plays a former and washed up boxer who makes a living pitting his robot against other robots in a sport that has replaced boxing and MMA.

Product placement galore, the movie will have an appeal to any video game junkie or fan of  boxing. Based on the short story Steel, by Rchard Matheson (I Am Legend) Real Steel is not just a great boxing movie, this is a truly enjoyable film. The story was first put to film in 1963 as a Twilight Zone episode, starring none other than Lee Marvin. A side love story between Hugh Jackman and the beautiful Evangeline Lilly, and the growing bond between father and son adds enough drama to make this film enjoyable to all audiences.  Scroll down for the trailer.

Real Steel

Kids in the Hall Zombies

In honour of the long awaited season 2 premiere of the acclaimed AMC TV series The Walking Dead, I give you the Kids in the Hall skit, Zombies.

A Race Around the Globe

Bob tells the story of a little hamster that tries to follow his true love around the globe. Can he catch up?



Make sure to watch the film past the credits, enjoy!


From the director:

This was the first time we created an 3d animated movie during our studies at the Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg and we would have never thought that it became that successful.

There are a lot of things we would have done differently nowadays but for a small team, six months and almost no knowledge of the software, we are proud with the result and finally want to share it with everyone.

Best Penis

Some people wonder how to get rid of spam. I use my spam folder to help sort my email. There is some "spam" that I actually read. Some are subscriptions others are from websites that I belong to. I keep them in the junk folder because I don't want them to clutter up my inbox. Most though are unwanted emails. And occasionally, I get an email that crosses the line.

I just got an email in my spam folder that really caught my attention. It was from some guy who calls himself Best Penis. Well, I assume it is a guy. But seriously, Best Penis!? Of all the nerve! How dare he? He's never seen my penis.

And what criteria is he using to decide his is Best Penis? Weight, size, shape? Maybe colour or texture? Taste?

But then I read the rest of the email and he wrote, "resale it the of good full now is value. future retail you are and an you be previous the able little decide generations said, if their will be this products if you back new plateau on Apple iPhone prices a prices it 10." And then everything became clear. (??) The rest of the email talked about a male enlargement supplement. I think he is referring to doughnuts.

Before and After

Before and After Doughnut Supplement

FOOTBALL!

There are three things most associated with Thanksgiving. Turkey, beer and FOOTBALL! Oh, and family, and being thankful, yada yada, yada. But today was football day in Montreal and I was right there in the thick of things at McGill's majestic Molson Stadium to watch the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes hand it to the Toronto Argonauts. Today marked an historic moment. Not only did Montreal's starting quarterback Anthony Calvillo lead the Alouettes past Toronto 29-19, Calvillo also became the all-time leading passer in professional football history.

I am not talking about a Canadian record, I am talking about a professional football record. Calvillo passed all the pro-ballers that came before him and moved to first on the list.
The Top 5 are
5 - Dan Marino - (NFL) 61,134 yards
4 - Warren Moon - (CFL/NFL) 70,553
3 - Brett Favre - (NFL) 71,838
2 - Damon Allen - (CFL) 72,381
1 - Anthony Calvillo - (CFL) 72,384+

The next active QB on the list is Peyton Manning, who is approaching 60,000 yards. Just before the start of the 4th quarter CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon and Damon Allen were on hand to congratulate Calvillo in person. Over the giant screens, videos of Dan Marino, Warren Moon, and broadcaster Chris Berman played, congratulating Calvillo on this feat.

The Als take to the field

It was an amazing day for football in Montreal. Sunshine and 24 degrees, well above the average temperature for this time of year. Hell, it often starts snowing by the end of October. My friend Elena won tickets and invited me to the game. She knows I have a blog and as far as I know doesn't read it so I have some latitude here in what I write. I'll expand more on her driving habits another day, I'll leave it for now by saying, I drove today because she scares me when she drives.

She has never watched am North American style football game before so I spent most of the game explaining what was going on. I was tempted to explain things wrong but didn't. (Eight quarters, 6 hour game, cheerleaders double as special teams).

So, the Montreal Alouettes won, Toronto Argonauts lose, Calvillo breaks a record, it's Thanksgiving, I'm drinking beer, and I will now go eat some turkey. Happy Thanksgiving!

The Als and Argos lining up