Now I'm sure

Ok, now I'm positive that I do not enjoy the music of 'Theory of a Deadman'.   I went to their concert (for free, don't worry) on Tuesday night at The Centre in Vancouver.  The first opening band was called 'Ten second epic'.  They were ok, sounded like SUM 41 but looked like metal heads (be still my heart).  The second opening band was 'Rev Theory'.  They surprised me by being not bad.  They had some good riffs and my toes were tapping. The lead singer had lots of energy and kept trying to get the audience to participate by clapping.  They jumped around a lot and had 2 tables at the front of the stage for the band members to stand on. They put on a good show.

 I highly recommend staying as far away from Theory of a Deadman as possible.  (but you probably already knew that)

New U2

Heard the new U2 single today.  Album is called "No line on the horizon" and the single is "Get on your boots".  It sounds like U2, you know, that 'new U2 sound' we simply put up with all the time now. But then the song progresses to this QOTSA-esque riff.  It starts to rock is what it starts to do!  I heard The Edge on the radio saying that they gathered sounds from everything they were hearing these days.  I could totally feel this rocking california groove in it, very nice.  Thumbs up U2.  Thanks for recycling something I like to listen to.

On a side note, listening to Rock 101 all day while cleaning out Colleen's garage, (and well, let's face it, I listen to it everyday) I was very impressed with the songs that were being played.  I heard Nirvana and Pearl Jam and lots of old Bowie, Stones and Beatles songs I haven't heard in a while.  Being a Bowie fan, I have heard "Changes" a few times.  If I have to hear it one more time I may have to doing something about it.  And China girl.  Enough is enough!  BUT I heard TVC15 (vintage wicked Bowie) and Lovely Rita, meter maid! (Beatles).

And Nickleback was never heard from again, and and and... Oh wait, I'm dreaming.

Photo Shoot with Alexis

Douglas Border Crossing Becomes Idle Free

An "Idle free zone" has been in effect for a few months at the Douglas Border Crossing.  As a long time resident of the area I'm thrilled at the idea.  I remember my parents being concerned when we were growing up that the emissions were going to cause health problems with our whole family.  My Mom would wash the window screens on the house and they would be covered in black tar from the cars idling in the border line up out front.  Walking down to the park to have a look at what Idle Free B.C. has done, I noticed that apparently no one can read. I understand that it is a cold day, but you can't read the sign?  Does your car really have to be on?  It was really hard to not say anything to the cars that were sitting there idling right next to the sign that says turn off your car.

Driving South on Hwy. 99, you pass an electronic traffic sign that explains that cars will be moving in groups and traffic lights are ahead. The idea is that you stop at a traffic light far before the actual border and wait until it goes green when all the cars can turn on and move forward together.  No one loses their spot in line and you are still getting to the front just as fast as if you had to sit there idling and watching traffic to see when you can move five feet closer to the customs.

If vehicles avoided idling by just three minutes a day, over the year Canadians would collectively save 630 million litres of fuel, and $945 million in fuel costs (assuming a fuel cost of $1.50/L).  This would also save 6.3 billion kilograms of GHG emissions.  

www.idlefreebc.ca

I asked inside the Canadian Customs about the new procedure, and I heard that people have complained about the line up being so slow.  I guess it's too bad that now we have an international illiteracy problem. :(

By the way, the new Canadian Customs at the Douglas Crossing is gorgeous!  Too bad you aren't allowed to take photos inside.  Very west coast inspired.

the snow

I love the snow.  I know lots of people do not, but for me it's just magical.  We rarely get snow here in the lower mainland that lasts for more than a day.  Just think of the rest of the country who deals with way more snow than this!  This is the kind of cold we need to stop to the pine beetle that is ravaging  our forests and  I think its about time we had a white xmas.

I remember going to the movies with my family when I was about 9 years old.  When we got to that old theatre near willowbrook mall, it was just an average December night.  We saw "Edward Scissorhands".  The movie finished with Edward back in his house on the hill, incessantly carving snow sculptures. The ice flakes spread everywhere and became the snow for the town.  I was to young to pay attention  to the weather reports so I had no idea it was going to snow that night, and neither did anyone in the theatre.  As we all walked out in that "just saw a movie" daze we were sure suprised to see a full foot of snow on the ground that had fallen since we were in the theatre. Edward was working his magic for us.

The ride home was an edge of your seat thriller as we inched down the freeway passing giant semi's run off the road.  They looked like dead dinosaurs in a blurry haze.  It was a complete white out, you couldn't really see where you were going, just following the tail lights ahead of you.  We made it home.  I still remember the foot deep footprints on the front lawn that disappeared by morning, covered in even more snow.  

check this out

www.toothpastefordinner.com

I swear by it!

Kyuss

Have you listened to Kyuss?  And why not? You have no excuse.  Formed in the late 80's under the name "sons of Kyuss", they transformed into Kyuss in 1990 and released their first album "Wretch" which I'm listening to on repeat right now. Originally from Southern California, they played free shows in the desert, powered by generators to build a fan base.  Josh Homme would play his guitar through a bass amp to have a heavier psychedelic sound.  They only released 5 albums before they disbanded in 1995. California Stoner Rock at it's roots.

On the album "Wretch" download the song "(the beginning of what's about to happen) Hwy 74".

Josh Homme founded Queens of the Stone Age in 1996 (was originally called Gamma Ray but some German power-metal band already had that name and threatened to sue them).  He also continues to produce a improv style musical series called "The Desert Sessions" where musicians from the local scene (and friends of his) record covers and original material.

Ok, thank you Wikipedia!  All you need to know it that Josh Homme is a musical magician that you need to know about and listen to.

Picture: Holly and Josh Homme backstage at Queens of The Stone Age, PNE Forum - 2008.