Column

Atlantic News Perspective #124 (Dec 20, 2004)
Jim Carrey as a Newfoundlander and driving under the influence.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

TV

10 ADS AMERICA WON'T SEE

Nerd Alert

2004 Year-End Google Zeitgeist

Nerd Alert

Mind Hacks: Neuroscience and psychology tricks to find out what's going on inside your brain.

Holiday Greetings

Lewis-MacLeod Family 2003/2004 Timeline

Nerd Alert

"Gary Schare, Microsoft's director of product management for Windows, has been assigned the unenviable task of explaining how Microsoft plans to respond to the Firefox challenge with a product whose features were last updated three years ago. He has said that current users of Internet Explorer will stick with it once they take into account 'all the factors that led them to choose I.E. in the first place.' Beg your pardon. Choose? Doesn't I.E. come bundled with Windows?" - Randall Stross, The Fox Is in Microsoft's Henhouse (and Salivating) | NY Times

Music

The Ten Most Accurately Rated Artists in Rock History | Spin.com

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #123 (Dec 13, 2004)
A 400 year-old play, the war on meth and a new beak for a bittern.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Media

Stephen Colbert's Guide to Dressing and Expressing Like a TV Journalist

Music

Beatles Christmas Records

Law

Wal-Mart Sued For Selling Evanescence CD | VH1.com

I totally agree with this lawsuit, but for very different reasons.

Religion

"If you think the 10 commandments being posted in a school is going to change behavior of children, then you think employees must wash hands is keeping the piss out of your happy meals." - Jon Stewart (CNN Larry King Live)

Video

Grandaddy: "Nature Anthem"

News

The Year in Ideas: A to Z | NY Times Magazine

Film

"In my ideal cinémathèque, 'The Life Aquatic' would play on a permanent double bill with 'The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.' Mr. Anderson and Stephen Hillenburg, Mr. Squarepants's creator, share not only a taste for nautical nonsense, but also a willingness to carry the banner of unfettered imaginative silliness into battle against the tyranny of maturity." - A.O. Scott (The New York Times)

Love Thy Neighbour

Coulter: Canada is "lucky we allow them to exist on the same continent"; Carlson: "Without the U.S., Canada is essentially Honduras" | Media Matters for America

News

"A survey of 300 retailers in Sweden found that squeezing handsets into snug-fitting pants is the second leading cause of broken phones." - (CNET News.com)

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #122 (Dec 6, 2004)
Needle threats, a snared dog and dangerous bulbs.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Music

My second iMix: Banjo Bonanza

Flash

Milkman By David Firth

News

"In August, 2003, in Montreal, four people opened their umbrellas at 13:00 hrs, signalling 40 others to approach for instructions. Minutes later, at a designated spot, they all began quacking, tossed rubber ducks into a fountain then left." - RCMP report (National Post)

News

"After having sex with a girl, you can have her put Diet Coke into her vagina and that will prevent pregnancy." - absurd comment heard from young, rural Nova Scotian males (Halifax Herald)

Music

My first iMix: Unofficial "Harold and Maude" Soundtrack

TV

Look Around You: "Math" | BBC America

Print

The Return of Mean Magazine.

Post

Bush Does Halifax | Metafilter

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #121 (Nov 29, 2004)
Christian radio, oil spills and preparing for Bush.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Benefit for the 25th Anniversary Atlantic Film Festival

“Christmas with the Trailer Park Boys”

Halifax, NS – The Atlantic Film Festival announced today that it will host a “Christmas with the Trailer Park Boys” benefit with an advance screening of Showcase’s Trailer Park Boys Christmas Special and party on December 7th as a fundraiser for the 25th anniversary Atlantic Film Festival. The screening will take place at the Oxford Theatre at 7:00 PM and will feature cast and crew in attendance plus a Q & A session. After the screening, the audience will join the Trailer Park Boys at an exclusive post-screening party at the Marquee Club at 8:30 PM for refreshments, door prizes and giveaways as well as an autograph session with the cast.

“This is a great way to pay tribute to a series based on Mike Clattenburg’s feature film that originally launched at the Atlantic Film Festival. Trailer Park Boys has become an international success and provides a real boost to the local industry,” said Gregor Ash, Executive Director. “This will be a fun event and the funds raised will go towards programs and activities to help celebrate the Atlantic Film Festival’s 25th anniversary.”

Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted at the Oxford Theatre for the Metro Food Bank.

The Canadian premiere of the Trailer Park Boys Christmas Special will air on Sunday, December 12, at 9:00 PM ET/PT, only on Showcase. Trailer Park Boys is co-produced by Topsail Productions and Trailer Park Productions Limited.

“Christmas with the Trailer Park Boys” is a presentation of the Atlantic Film Festival Association and is sponsored by Showcase, Empire Theatres Limited, Appleton Rum and Garrison Brewing. The 25th anniversary Atlantic Film Festival will take place September 15-24, 2005.

Tickets are $25 each, which includes the screening and party. They can be purchased by phone (902-420-4577) with Visa, Mastercard or American Express, in person with cash or cheque at the Atlantic Film Festival office (5600 Sackville Street, Suite 220) or drop me an e-mail to make other arrangements (iain@atlanticfilm.com). For more info on the Association, check out the site: http://www.atlanticfilm.com

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #120 (Nov 22, 2004)
Healthy food in schools, paying for power and fiddling with gay marriage.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Gift Idea

The Criterion Collection Holiday 2004 Gift Set | Amazon.com

Father of the Year

A man pleads guilty to second-degree murder and will serve a 25 year life sentence after shooting his wife and her internet lover from Holland so his children won't have to testify at his trial.

Man guilty of killing wife, lover | Halifax Herald

Music

"Who's angrier than Toby Keith? He's angrier than the average 10 rappers. That shit is gangsta. I mean, it's not for me, singing about dropping bombs on towel-head people, but boy, that guy's pretty angry." - Chris Rock (The Onion A.V. Club)

Music

"A piece of art is not a loaf of bread. When someone steals a loaf of bread from the store, that's it. The loaf of bread is gone. When someone downloads a piece of music, it's just data until the listener puts that music back together with their own ears, their mind, their subjective experience. How they perceive your work changes your work. Treating your audience like thieves is absurd. Anyone who chooses to listen to our music becomes a collaborator. People who look at music as commerce don't understand that. They are talking about pieces of plastic they want to sell, packages of intellectual property. I'm not interested in selling pieces of plastic." - Wilco's Jeff Tweedy (Wired)

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #119 (Nov 15, 2004)
Court settlements, beer cases and FBI investigations.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Mistaken Identity

I think I am going to have to keep better track of these type of encounters because it happens to me a lot. Way more frequently to just consider them random acts of confusion. Off the top of my head, here are a few examples:

On Saturday, I was walking down a well lit hallway of the Westin with a name tag on towards a woman on a bench and she called me Matt. Apparantly I look like a lot like her son.

A couple months ago, a young volunteer at work said I looked a lot like an "industry person" that had appeared on the crappy reality TV show Pop Stars.

A local business owner started talking to me at a reception, thinking I worked for the Propellor brewing company.

At a reastaurant on Argyle street, a waitress asked me if I got her e-mail. Apparantly, I look like a guy from the Delta.

Years ago in Sydney, a very large man came pretty close to "dealing witih me" because he thought I had been hanging out of the window of a car yelling racial slurs at him.

The only explanation I have is that I have been dealt the same set of facial features as dozens of other males. The thing I wonder is how many of the people I do run into during the course of a day might actually think I am someone else? Or strangers that see me that think we already met and I am ignoring them? Weird. It is also strange that this happens to me, considering I know about six or so people that share my name as well and result in confusing phone calls and e-mails from people I don't know.

Wet Juan

100,000 Nova Scotians face night without power

First major winter storm pummels Nova Scotia, cuts power, suspends flights

Snow blacks out much of Nova Scotia

N.S. snow storm leaves 100,000 without power

They are all pretty much the same story, but living in a bunker on a major power grid, I didn't realize it was that bad outside until just recently.

It is moments like this that I wish I had the "halo flu" or was obsessed with GTA.

If you have any stories about heroes, now would be the time to share them.

Post (Halifax Locals)

Buck 65 has V2 site for the US market. Looks like the compilation This Right Here is Buck 65 is scheduled for release on Jan 22, 2005 (originally mentioned here and here is a review). They also have a promo e-card thingy, which has links to stuff like wallpaper. I also stumbled across This Right Here Is an EP while browsing the iTunes music store (supposedly opening for business in Canada sometime this month). And here is a look at some press he has been gathering ("Jimmy Fallon look-alike"...ha!).

Post (Halifax Locals)

From the Anti-Hit List 6. CAMOUFLAGE NIGHTS, "Skies Are Foggy":
"It's not easy being sleazy / I get so wheezy / When those evil urges seize me..." Led by former Thrush Hermit/ Dears guitarist Rob Benvie and Thrush Hermit bassist Ian McGettigan, this woozy amalgam of rock, hip-hop and the kitchen sink is dying to be adopted as the official anthem of the stubbornly dissolute. (From The Summer of 2004, www.camouflagenights.com)

From Pitchfork's Free (but paid for) downloads: MP3: The Burdocks: "Pop Cult"
Whatever happened to the East Coast of Canada? Years after the hype has died down the current generation of Maritime rock bands is a little older, a little wiser and ready to reignite the regions once vaunted lo-fi torch. Leading the charge is the Halifax band, the Burdocks. Retaining the wry pop ideals of their forbearers, these do-it-yourself stalwarts quickly established themselves as fan favourites across the country through their loud, raucous, chaotic shows and various recorded gems, released on Out of Touch Records. Through three releases (Lips and Assholes E.P, I Have a Million Friends L.P, Airplane Tracks E.P), the band has developed their distinctive ‘scrap rock’ sound, wherein different song fragments and styles are expertly sewn together to create a unique sound that is at once choppy and abrasive yet somehow cohesive and poppy. Co-songwriters Christian Simmons and Seth Smith craft the band’s dynamic, intricate rock songs, melding classic pop structures with progressive sophistication and indie-rock sincerity to produce songs that buck the current trend of inflexible genre adherence while still maintaining a distinct, instantly recognizable character. The band is just about to enter the House of Miracles to record their second full length, which should be out in the new year. [theburdocks.com]

RUTH MINNIKIN: STRAIGHT SHOOTER
By Sean Flinn, photos by Ryan Whynott
C B C R A D I O 3

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #118 (Nov 10, 2004)
New hockey teams on horizon, fruit fly replicas and Halloween vandalism.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Democracy

Single transferable vote | Wikipedia

Software

Delicious Library 1.0 is now available for download. (Once you've downloaded the application you can buy it via its built-in store, assuming you're so inclined.)

Thank you for your interest! We hope you love our software.

Thanks,
The Delicious Monster
Lead Monster, Delicious Monster Software

DVD

Lost & Found Video Night Vol. 7 | 5 Minutes to Live

Post (MetaFilter)

Dub vs. Dubber | Metafilter

Post (MetaFilter)

Harvesting souls, one dollar at a time | Metafilter

Terrorism

ter·ror·ism
n.
The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons.

Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

Stuff

Buyers' Guide 2004 | iPodlounge

Post (Halifax Locals)

Another Life Changed by Joel Plaskett. On November 16, In Need Of Medical Attention (1999) & Down at the Khyber (2001) will be reissued. The track listing appears to be the same and there is no word on any actual changes to the CDs.

The Nova Scotia Music Week/RendezVous Folk! (<- not my exclaimation point) Event Schedule & Showcase Schedule are online.

Just spoted a job listing for an Audio Visual Systems Technician, if that is your sort of thing.

Since it is a big election day south of the border, I thought I would try and skew the results by showing what kind of influence this site has over international politics: Vote today!

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #117 (Nov 1, 2004)
The 2004 Trucker of the Year, Eskasoni's big ballot and the crime of selling antlers on eBay.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Book

The 10th Anniversary Issue and THE DOs & DON'Ts BOOK | Vice

Post (Halifax Locals)

wintersleep - "sore" (29MB Quicktime Movie) Made by Ghostmilk Studios (Modest Mouse/Broken Social Scene/Death From Above 1979). They also did a video for Boozehounds II by DJ Moves & Tachichi. Once again, this post has been inspired by the messageboard.

Post (Halifax Locals)

Julie Doiron: Goodnight Nobody: Goodnight Nobody-- the fifth Jagjaguwar effort for the all-folk, no-freak former Eric's Trip member-- continues Doiron's fascination with plainspoken lyrics but dresses them up with heartier arrangements. (courtesy of Pitchfork)

Performer in induced coma, on ventilator
Police ask for public's help
By DAN ARSENAULT / Crime Reporter (The Halifax Herald Limited)

Buck 65 Hates Hip-Hop?
Sage Francis on Buck 65's Comments
Buck 65 Apologizes

Halloween

Costume Ideas: Star Wars - Celebrities - Billionaires

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #116 (Oct 25, 2004)
Bears like Moosehead, mourning "Eddie the Bum" and shifting Halloween.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #115 (Oct 4, 2004)
Wartime plane wrecks, cheese crimes and 1,132 feet of cruise liner.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Music

The WIRED CD: Rip. Sample. Mash. Share. | Creative Commons

The Fake News

Comedian Jon Stewart on American Perspecitves | CSPAN

Post (MetaFilter)

Tactical Alert? | Metafilter

Music

Richard Buckner: "Do You Wanna Go Somewhere?"

Post (Halifax Locals)

CBC Radio 3 -> Appetite For Reconstruction: Growing Up With The Super Friendz
By: Tara Lee Wittchen / Photos by Ryan Whynott

The link doesn't work if you have pop-up blockers engaged...which you should...so, er, just find the story, pics and concert yourself using the table of contents.

Ninja Tune News: Sixtoo 'Body Ache Summer' 10"

Sixtoo, sometime anticon affiliate, full time Montreal resident, part time rapper and all the time producer, returns with an EP packed with new music. Kicking off with the brand new 9 minute/3 part epic which gives the record its title, 'Body Ache Summer' and features a smoking Harpsichord solo. How many hip-hop producers are pulling out Harpsichord solos these days? 'Bricklayers Union' is another new track and card-carrying anticon affiliate Alias delivers a great remix of 'Karmic Retribution/Funny Sticks', it's all about continuing on the psyche rock/hip-hop angle of his album, 'Chewing On Glass And Other Miracle Cures'. Released 19th October.

MONDAY NIGHT MOVIES PRESENTS

Metallica Some Kind of Monster (Oct 25th)

Acclaimed documentary filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky (Brother's Keeper, Paradise Lost) provide a fascinating portrait of the most successful heavy metal band of all time, as they face personal and professional challenges while recording their first studio album of original songs in over five years. In the tradition of Don't Look Back and Gimme Shelter, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster transcends the conventions of the "rock and roll movie" genre, trading rock star posing for truthful introspection.

METALLICA: Some Kind of Monster screens Monday Oct.25th 7PM, Empire Park Lane Cinemas. Tickets go on sale at 6PM. $9 / $7 members.

MONDAY NIGHT MOVIES is a presentation of The Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative in association with the Film Circuit and Empire Theatres. With generous support from The Coast and 97.5 CKDU FM.

For further information 420-4480 or screenings@afcoop.ca

This previously played at Bayers Lake and was actually worth the 1.5 hour bus ride (and I am not even what you would call a "fan"). Here is the Rotten Tomatoes listing if you are looking for what the critics said.

Matt Mays has been nominated for a CASBY for NXNE Favourite Band. The other Nominees are: Alexisonfire, C'mon, Death From Above 1979, Despistado and The Illuminati. You can vote up until Friday, November 5 but you have to register with The Edge (not sure how much of your soul gets sold with each login but at least it's not the Junos).

Post (Ask MetaFilter)

What The Bleep?

Tech Support

How to pick up and carry your iMac G5 | Apple.com

Comedy

Bill Hicks Live DVD | Amazon.ca

Bill Hicks e-card | Rykodisc

The Fake News

Since there is a lot of chatter about Jon Stewart vs Crossfire, here are some related Daily Show clips:

Jon reveals conservative columnist Robert Novak to be a "Douchebag of Liberty."

Jon interviews Wolf Blitzer, who actually utters the phrase "mistakes were made."

Weird

Found Footage Festival Preview

Post (Metafilter)

A Day of Wrest

Politics

From the old inbox:

From: helpwin@yesbushcan.com
Date: October 17, 2004 12:51:47 AM ADT
Subject: More False Documents

RatherGate proved that bloggers are the best fact checkers. That is
why we are writing to a few bloggers asking for help.

Yes Bush Can has collected several documents that are clearly suspect.
But we need your help to prove they are fake: http://www.yesbushcan.com/falsedocs.shtml

Let's spring to action before these documents needlessly tarnish the
reputation of our Commander and Chief. You know the drill: analyze the
handwriting, search for factual errors, and post your discoveries.

And keep us posted by sending email to FakeDocs@yesbushcan.com.

Thanks in advance for your help.

YesBushCan

Looks real enough, but is the brilliant work of: The Yes Men (movie).

Team America

"At a time when the world is in crisis and the country faces an important election, the response of Parker, Stone and company is to sneer at both sides -- indeed, at anyone who takes the current world situation seriously." - Roger Ebert

"Clever comedians that they are, they have also rigged "Team America" with an ingenious anti-critic device, which I find myself unable to defuse. Much as it may pretend otherwise, the movie has an argument, but if you try to argue back, the joke's on you." - A.O. Scott

WTF?

Noam Chomsky was in Antigonish on the 13th??? I am going to go back under my rock now.

The Fake News

Transcript of Jon Stewart on Crossfire | CNN.com

An excerpt:

CARLSON: Let me ask you a question on the news.

STEWART: Now, this is theater. It's obvious. How old are you?

CARLSON: Thirty-five. STEWART: And you wear a bow tie.

*snip*

CARLSON: I do think you're more fun on your show. Just my opinion.

CARLSON: OK, up next, Jon Stewart goes one on one with his fans...

STEWART: You know what's interesting, though? You're as big a dick on your show as you are on any show.

Download the clip while you can or stream it here.

Post (Halifax Locals)

The Halifax Pop Explosion site has been updated and includes a schedule. Here are some MP3's of artists that will be coming to town that you may or may not have heard before...if you have more, send the links my way and I will post them:

The Arcade Fire: "Wake Up" (Merge)
The Hidden Cameras: "I Believe in the Good of Life" (Rough Trade)
Wrens: "Eveyone Chooses Sides" (Absolutely Kosher)

New videos for Brian Borcherdt and Jill Barber (yeah, so what if I get all my news from the message board now...who the f*ck reads the core page anyway???).

Sean went to great pains (groan) to make a kick-ass site for Great Plains. They are also looking for a drummer if you have the skills to pay your bills.

Finding Your Spirit

Now for some rare commentary: I pray to [insert ficticious deity here] that someone is going to be wearing one one of these t-shirts to the three day narrow-mind-a-thon this weekend. I am kicking my own ass right now as I type this that I did not think ahead enough to come up with some hell-rasising Jesus-jamming opportunities for this free* event . Note: Jesus if you are reading my blog, I would like to apologize right now for living in sin, supporting a woman's right to choose, tolerating gay friends, not being saved by the movie "Saved," owning several David Cross CDs, not investing in this, laughing at President Bush who is somehow related to you (and perhaps even "differently challenged") and for generally not being able to subscribe to systemic code of moral conduct that was written by a bunch of dead guys who appear to be pretty good at quoting people years after the fact without the use of a tape recorder or a stenographer.)

* payment = one lilly white soul

Contests

Bored? Looking for someting to do and yearning for a free portable music player? Just enter the Pepsi iPod contest every hour for the next 1715 hours (The trick is to click on the "No Purchase Necessary Details" button).

Nerd Alert

The Tyranny of Email | Critical Section

Tyranny Revisited | Critical Section

?

"Van der Plaat suggested that the Microsoft platform is 'easier and better at organizing and maintaining your music collection than Apple.'" | CTV.ca

Music

Break Bread EP | Peanuts & Corn

Politics

How do you run a convention on a record of failure?

Music/Film

The most Gigantic Lying Mouth of All Time

Religion

The Hell House Outreach Kit

Film

Primer

Music

Mac Rumors: iTMS Canada November 26?

Nerd Alert

Coming soon...Delicious Library

Contest

T-shirt Design Contest | KARMALOOP.COM

Music

No Copy Protection

Tech

Software disasters are often people problems | USATODAY.com

News

Nfld. drug abusers becoming cheese thieves | CBC News

Film

moog

Music

Windom Earle Radio has now begun it's broadcast day.

Film

Incident at Loch Ness

Food with a Face

Turkey Calculator

Talking to a web site

TomGreen.com - Tom's Blog

Post (Halifax Locals)

From the deep, dark depths of the messageboard...

Mike O'Neill - The Owl

The second solo record from Mike O'Neill is collection of songs, created and crafted over the past two years, that cements his reputation as one of the country's most respected songwriters. On The Owl, Mike plays and sings everything, on a record recorded at home in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Includes a guest appearance from Matt Murphy (Super Friendz).

We are pleased to announce that is the first Zunior-only release, as this album is not available in stores.

You can download it here by the song ($0.88) or the entire album ($8.88). Payments are handled by Paypal. You can also review the music yourself, which is what I plan to do once I download the damn thing.

Here are a few links to some related stories.

Music

Album Covers featuring One individual wearing Sunglasses...

Film

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (now in QuickTime flavour)

Prizes

I just won this.

TV

Pilot Season

Magazine

Vice's Dos & Don'ts Issue

Movies

24th Atlantic Film Festival

Crime

Operation Snapshot: This web page has been created to help the citizens of Winnipeg who are living in the areas known to be frequented by Sex Trade Workers and their customers. (Note: the real crime? Comic Sans font on grainy, shakey video clips made by officers of the law).

WTF?

E-mail: 49¢ songs. Welcome to freedom of choice.

*One Click Later*

Website: We're sorry. This service is currently not available for Mac.

Hmm...so, I am supposed to think that Apple is somehow being unfair because they want people to use their own store to supply proprietary, legal music to the iPod (their product and current holder of the greatest market share)? People don't seem to realize there is already a choice because you can also import MP3's, WAV and AIFF files, Apple Lossless files, unprotected WMA files and any CDs you have access to into an iPod. You can use services like EMusic that currently sell unprotected MP3s. So, how is Real Networks the great defender of the consumer and champion of the open source movement? There site won't even work on a Mac.

TV on DVD

Sealab 2021 Trailers

Film

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou'

Foolishness

You're a Weeble. You Wobble but you Don't Fall
Down. It must be hard getting picked on all
the time and never doing anything about it...
pussy.

What childhood toy from the 80s are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Weird

Hall of Technical Documentation Weirdness

Post

Preserving Anti-conservatism | Metafilter

Writing

The Fifth Element: Beat boxer Kaleb Simmonds adds a new dimension to Halifax hip-hop.
by Iain K. MacLeod
First published in The Coast January 24, 2002

Post

Ask Metafilter: What's the best way to catalog my physical music collection using Mac OS X?

Film

A Movie as Cagey as That Mysterious Nessie | New York Times

Post

I was flashed by Seth Smith | Metafilter

Post

Ask Metafilter: Is there a way to make a Mac OS X (Panther) install CD from a pair of eMac Software Install and Restore DVDs or install the operating system over a network on a computer that lacks a DVD drive?

Music

This is the End of Music

Read

A Comic-Book Response to 9/11 and Its Aftermath | New York Times

Politics

Straight Talk! from White House West in Crawford, Texas

Music Video

Blur "Good Song"

Music

Canadian soldiers pretend they're American for video | CBC News

Film

How's Your News? - Clip 1 & Clip 2

TV

Arrested Development DVD Announced

TV

GRAY MATTER—THE HORRORS OF THE NAZI EUTHANASIA PROGRAM OF THE 1940s

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21 AT 8 P.M. ON CBC-TV’S WITNESS

Gray Matter chronicles acclaimed filmmaker Joe Berlinger’s (Brother’s Keeper, Paradise Lost) personal journey as he searches for former Nazi doctor Heinrich Gross, the alleged murderer of hundreds of children under the Nazi “euthanasia” program in the 1940s. Gray Matter airs Wednesday, July 21 at 8 p.m. on CBC Television’s WITNESS

CBC On-Air

Music

iPod Nation & The New iPod | Newsweek

Film

"This will be an even more twisted version of the television show," says producer Mark Roberts. "Long-time series fans will enjoy the film and newcomers won’t be left out." The three creators have even higher hopes for their new project: "We’re hoping to achieve in film what we achieved on television, which was upset our parents." - "STRANGERS WITH CANDY" HEADED TO THE BIG SCREEN

Quote

"He'll have to work very, very hard to convince me that a man with a camera is going to change the world more effectively than a man with a guitar." - Pete Townshend on Michael Moore (The Independent).

Film

Outfoxed - Trailer

Music

Big Songs For Little Attention Spans

Internet

Anyone want a Gmail account?

Film

America's Heart & Soul...look out Michael Moore. It appears everything is a-ok in the USA.

Whatever

Bruce Vilanch's Rider

TV

The Woodchuck | Hinterland Who's Who

Radio

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy returns to radio.

Music

Beck, Death Cab Cover Daniel Johnston on Tribute

Tracklist:

01 Teenage Fanclub w/ Jad Fair: "My Life Is Starting Over Again"
02 Clem Snide: "Grievance"
03 Gordan Gano: "Impossible Love"
04 Eels: "Living Life"
05 TV on the Radio: "Walking the Cow"
06 The Rabbit: "Good Morning You"
07 Calvin Johnson: "Sorry Entertainer"
08 Bright Eyes: "DevilTown"
09 Death Cab for Cutie: "Dream Scream"
10 Beck: "True Love Will Find You in the End"
11 Sparklehorse w/ The Flaming Lips: "Go"
12 Mercury Rev: "Blue Cloud"
13 Thistle: "Love Not Dead"
14 Vic Chestnutt: "Like a Monkey in the Zoo"
15 Starlight Mints: "Dead Lovers Twisted Heart"
16 M. Ward: "Story of an Artist"
17 Guster: "The Sun Shines Down on Me"
18 Tom Waits: "King Kong"

DVD

Lost & Found Video Night Volume 6

Music

Believer - June 2004 AKA The Music Issue

Ralph Snart Returns | MetaFilter

Sometimes Robots Lie

Dear Amazon.com Customer,

As someone who enjoys great Broadway music and/or Boy George, you might want to know about the Broadway cast recording of "Taboo," which is among this year's Tony Award nominees.

Music

Here is my submission to the MeFiSwap: East Coast Unauthorized - Volume 1

Contest

THE OTHER NETWORK TV WRITING CONTEST

Public Service Announcement

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, May 25, 2004

Public Documentary Screenings for Inspired Program

Four world-class documentaries and the award-winning directors behind the films are coming to Halifax. And, the Inspired documentary program is your chance to see it all!

* June 2nd with Go Further, by Ron Mann, Director of Grass. Join actor/activist Woody Harrelson as he pilots a hemp-fuelled bus on an eco-consciousness raising excursion down the Pacific Coast.

* June 3rd with Kate Davis’ Jockey - a disturbing look at the hidden world of thoroughbred horse racing.

* June 4th with Burden of Dreams, by legendary Les Blank - a riveting documentary about the making of a film that managed to get done despite major problems.

* June 5th with Stevie, by the director of Hoop Dreams Steve James, about a troubled young man for whom the director was a Big Brother 10 years earlier and who is charged with a serious crime halfway through filming.

Get Inspired. June 2-5 at the Oxford Theatre. Call 422-3456 for tickets. $10 each or $35 for all four screenings. A presentation of the Atlantic Film Festival.

Inspired is a presentation of the Atlantic Film Festival in partnership with ATV/CTV, IFC – The Independent Film Channel Canada and the National Film Board of Canada.

Auctions

Here is some crap I am selling on ebay:

* PANASONIC TX310 Cell Phone Accessories (Various)

* Nikon Nuvis 160i (Used)

* Nikon EM 35mm SLR + Lens + MD-E Motor Drive (Used)

* Canon Canonet 28 Camera (Used)

Weird Spam Alert

From: "Natasha Kirby"
Date: May 19, 2004 12:39:16 PM ADT
Subject: Dont put away your summer clothes just yet

My legs are really hairy.

Film

circle: Directors / Exclusive Canadian representation / Coen Brothers

Politics

And the president still edges out John Kerry in polls, even though Mr. Bush observed with no irony to Al Arabiya TV: "Iraqis are sick of foreign people coming in their country and trying to destabilize their country, and we will help them rid Iraq of these killers." From World of Hurt by Maureen Dowd (NY Times)

Clothing

Black Spot Sneaker

Quote

"If I was a regular reader, I would want the ease of the ads being gone, and the archives in a nice little place right there. And if they don't, fuck 'em," Carol Kolb, editor-in-chief of The Onion, on a new paid subscription version of the site (The Onion Sells More Laughs | Wired).

Music

10 Years of Mellow Gold

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #112 (April 19, 2004)
Beaverbrook board bolstered, the seal hunt and absentee mayors.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Film

Newmarket Plans Release of Donnie Darko Director's Cut | Indiewire

TV

Freaks and Geeks Special Edition DVD

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #111 (April 12, 2004)
Owning Anne of Green Gables, the tower of Halifax and a grandmother pushing drugs.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Critics

"The worst thing in the world is to confuse values and categories. If someone who is writing about cars embodies all of the values of good criticism, then it doesn't matter what category it falls into. We often find literary value in the strangest places, which is what makes reading interesting and exciting to begin with." - Adam Gopnik, a staff writer at The New Yorker (Some Highish Brows Furrow as a Car Critic Gets a Pulitzer | New York Times)

Tech

The Cult of Mac

Video

Beta Band "Assessment" [via Anti-Hit List]

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #110 (April 5, 2004)
Massive striking on the rock, vials of mink blood and cruising to Saint John.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Film

"Under the 2000 policy statement, the government hopes to have eight to 10 movies on a par with Men with Brooms appearing in Canadian cinemas by the end of 2006." Telefilm head defends L.A. deal | The Globe & Mail

Reaction = Shutter.

Organized Crime Religion

A great recipe for turning a narrow-minded opinion into divine morality starts with a quote from the good book (and I'm not talking about In Me Own Words: The Autobiography of Bigfoot):

And behold, one came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good things shall I do that I might attain eternal life?" And He said to him. "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to Him, "all these thing I have kept; what am I still lacking?" Jesus said to him. "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow Me." But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieved; for he was one who owned much property. And Jesus said to His disciples, "truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. "And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." And when the disciples heard this, they were astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?" And looking upon them Jesus said to them, "with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:16-26)

So here is my plan...no campaign. Heck, make it a crusade! Since Easter is approaching, why not sneak into The Passion Of The Christ? That's right, sneak your way in. Or if you can't technically sneak in directly to the show, pay for one movie (like the reissue of the Life of Brian, check your local listings), watch the shit out of it and then slide into the other theatre for a double feature. The main goal is to not add another cent to the already accumulated $330.0 million. That's well over a quarter of a billion dollars and it may even topple Titantic as the highest grossing film, which would suck because way more people died to make that Hollywood blockbuster #1 (of course, I am not counting all the deaths associated with Christianity...my calculator only has 8 digits and that is really another story for another time).

It is difficult to imagine Jesus would be impressed by anyone besides televangelists and fat cat priests profiting off his agonizing death, which fits with my firmly held belief that his real second coming would not be available on pay-per-view. Especially when you skip the bulk of the inspiring stuff and focus on just the grueling torture of the stations of the cross (do you smell a prequel?). And I understand the importance of art, but we should remember that we are talking about Mad "Movie Star" Max here. Let's not encourage him.

Now, I know what you are thinking. You are saying to yourself, "Self, I shall not stealeth moving images from the holy screen of my neighbourhood multi-plex." Well, this is where we can have fun with context, just like bible thumpers do. But let's use the dictionary:

theft: \Theft\, n. [OE. thefte, AS. [thorn]i['e]f[eth]e, [thorn][=y]f[eth]e, [thorn]e['o]f[eth]e. See Thief.] 1. (Law) The act of stealing; specifically, the felonious taking and removing of personal property, with an intent to deprive the rightful owner of the same; larceny. Note: To constitute theft there must be a taking without the owner's consent, and it must be unlawful or felonious; every part of the property stolen must be removed, however slightly, from its former position; and it must be, at least momentarily, in the complete possession of the thief. Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

You will sleep at night knowing that you aren't really stealing, just borrowing with your eyes. There will still be plenty of "Passion" juice to go around once you had your gulp of it. Of course, your dreams may be interrupted by violent images of blood and guts and the inherent cruelty of humankind may haunt your soul for eternity, but that is your problem. Or the media's. I haven't quite figured out that part yet.

Video

Creepy Polyphonic Spree Video

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #109 (Mar 29, 2004)
Rancid meatballs, sex in schools and Bootleggers.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Music

"Five thousand downloads are needed to displace a single album sale." from a report on digital piracy by Felix Oberholzer-Gee of Harvard Business School and Koleman Strumpf of University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (Wired)

Film

Jay Silver's Rapunzel.

TV

5-Disc SCTV Boxed Set

Film

Coffee and Cigarettes (Trailer) by Jim Jarmusch.

Music

Newfoundland Locals is born.

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #108 (Mar 22, 2004)
An award-winning Figure skating attorney, artificial assaults and design a bench for Point Pleasant Park
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Music

Ryan Adams vs Pitchfork

DVD

When Television Attacks now on DVD from TV Carnage.

Music

B-side compilation "Com Lag" available to Canadian Radiohead fans | Emission-online

Quote

"We had been working for four years on this project we cherished, and he arrived for two weeks and destroyed everything. Now I can't even give this film to a friend, because I'm ashamed to hold this horrible cover. And I hate this guy. If I see him someplace now, I will kick his balls off." - Michel Gondry on Human Nature (Onion AV Club)

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #107
Mar 15, 2004 - Robot matrimony, adopt-a-horse and the language of law.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

TV

Cracking Up Blog

Film

Film Movement available to Canadians

Magazines

New Issue of Chunklet

you feel the same

From: kbchanges
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 16:26:29 -0600
To: "Weekly Kbase-Changes"
Subject: Mail from earlier today

Please disregard the message sent to you earlier today entitled
"warning." While this message appeared to come from apple.com, it was
actually generated by a Microsoft Windows-related virus.

Your system was not infected by the virus which caused the message.
And, we have made significant improvements in our email system to
prevent spurious emails from being sent to you in the future.

We apologize if this message caused any confusion.
_______________________________________________
weekly-kbase-changes mailing list | weekly-kbase-changes@lists.apple.com
Help/Unsubscribe/Archives:
http://www.lists.apple.com/mailman/listinfo/weekly-kbase-changes
Do not post admin requests to the list. They will be ignored.

Music

Invite to Jill Barber's CD Release

Quote

"We must allow for same-sex marriages, multiple-people marriages and android-human marriages." - David Boyd, who wants to run in the Dartmouth-Cole Harbour federal riding for the Conservatives (The Daily News).

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #106 (Mar 8, 2004)
$10,000 in pennies, mental health in the media and New Brunswick's orimulsion ordeal.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Music Video

Music Video Submission Guidelines | Muchmusic

Stuff

Pharrell has a message for you | PETA 2

Film

The Ladykillers Remake Trailor by the Coen Brothers

Column

A to Z: Atlantic News Perspective #105 (Mar 1, 2004)
Summerside pride, Irving's oil and the girth of Lunenburg.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Music

9 1 X 1 E S

News

"The city deactivated most of the pedestrian buttons long ago with the emergence of computer-controlled traffic signals, even as an unwitting public continued to push on, according to city Department of Transportation officials. More than 2,500 of the 3,250 walk buttons that still exist function essentially as mechanical placebos, city figures show. Any benefit from them is only imagined." (For Exercise in New York Futility, Push Button | New York Times)

Post

Deserted music and denims | Metafilter

Film

Pootie Tang: A Look Back | The Onion A.V. Club

Column

Atlantic News Perspective #104 (Feb 22)
$160,000 worth of blackberries, 95cm of snow and 500 acres of potatoes.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Pics

White Juan

Music

Top 50 | Brave New Waves

Post

White + Black = Grey | Metafilter

Question

Should I really "shake it like a Polaroid picture?" | Polaroid

Comedy

Last laugh: John Lahr's tribute to Bill Hicks | Guardian

Music

Pazz & Jop 2003 | Village Voice

Post

It's Only Rock'n'Roll (But I Boycott It) | Metafilter

Column

A to Z: Atlantic News Perspective #103 (Feb 9)
Dog sleds sidelined at Winderfest, roughing at a floor hockey game and finding a place to feed the homeless.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Music

2004 Coachella Valley Music Festival Line-up Announced

TV

The Kids In The Hall: The Complete First Season DVD Boxed Set | The Comedy Central Shop

The Great Gatsbys

"If you're giving something away free, inevitably you're going to draw a lower clientele, which are street people and people who are homeless," says Tony Joseph, co-owner of Gatsby's bar and restaurant.

Joseph suggests the Salvation Army park its van on Gottingen Street, near Uniacke Square. (CBC News - Nova Scotia)

"It's a great spot for them if they're really interested in serving people that are homeless and need free meals," he said during a CBC radio interview. "Mount Grey Park, Maniac Square, there's a lot of poor people down in that area." (Halifax Herald)

Music

Tom Waits and Crystal Gayle

Test

Spot the fake smiles | BBCi

Film

Frank's Film Festival Trailer

Book

Would you rather?

Column

A to Z: Atlantic News Perspective #102 (Feb 2)
Oprah's cameras focus on East Preston, the battle over the bookmobile and the Montague mermaid.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Event

Bubba Ho-tep (USA, 2002, R, 92m)

Based on the Bram Stoker Award nominee short story by cult author Joe R. Lansdale, Bubba Ho-tep tells the "true" story of what really did become of Elvis Presley. We find Elvis (Bruce Campbell) as an elderly resident in an East Texas rest home, who switched identities with an Elvis impersonator years before his "death", then missed his chance to switch back. Elvis teams up with Jack (Ossie Davis), a fellow nursing home resident who thinks that he is actually President John F. Kennedy, and the two valiant old codgers sally forth to battle an evil Egyptian entity who has chosen their long term care facility as his happy hunting grounds.

Monday, February 9
Starts at 7pm at Park Lane, Halifax
Part of the Series of 6

Ads

Super Bowl Ads | IFILM

Drugs

OxyContin Bookmark

Ads

Operation Grand Opening (Super Bowl XXXVIII) | Flak Magazine

Poll

Reverb Readers Poll 2003 - The Coast

My Bitch's Bitch

A tip of the hat

I'll keep this simple so you'll be sure to understand. First, to all the morons who insist on wearing a toque indoors: perhaps you don't understand how a toque was designed to work. It's supposed to keep your head warm when it's cold. And where is it mainly cold? That's right, outdoors. So unless you suffer from a rare disorder that prevents you from being able to regulate your own body temperature, TAKE OFF THE STUPID TOQUE INDOORS! YOU LOOK PATHETIC! Secondly, to all those idiots walking around outside these days without a toque: perhaps you don't realize this is Canada and it's winter. I know you're probably very worried about messing up your "funky hairstyle" but it's time you realized that when its -45 degrees out and you're out walking around without a toque, you don't look hip or fashionable. You just look stupid, almost sad really, like you never learned how to properly dress yourself. SO PUT ON A HAT FOR CHRIST'S SAKE! YOU'RE MAKING ME COLD JUST LOOKING AT YOU! Lets review: toques are for outdoors when it's cold....class dismissed. -Toqued off

From Love the Way We Bitch! - The Coast (Jan 22-Jan 29 2004)

Radio

Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2003-12

Groceries

Spot the cock (courtesy of the Atlantic Superstore):

Business

101 Dumbest Moments in Business | Business 2.0

Weird

he 1930 DeMoulin Bros. & Co. Fraternal Supply Catalog No. 439

Column

A to Z: Atlantic News Perspective #101 (Jan 26)
Florida in Halifax, a negligent nurse and butting out.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Photos

The Vardy Murder Mystery

Post

Pump It Up w/ Governor Schwarzenegger | Metafilter

Games

SimCity.com

Column

A to Z: Atlantic News Perspective #100 (Jan 19)
Cod Stomachs, the Thunder Cat case and an Ape named Gander.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Post

Under The Covers | Metafilter

Copyright

Going for the Record | Guardian

News

Bush prefers our pretty boy to his pretty boy | The Globe and Mail

Contest

Win beck's bunny.

Post

Hootie endorses John Edwards! | Metafilter

Live Music

TRISKAIDEKAPHOBIA II

Sports

"Iain MacLeod continued his rise up the standings. A solid 3rd place qualifying and 6th in the race. He continues to gain huge amounts of respect in the paddock from fellow drivers." - Nigel Needspeed (ORL Race Report)

Post

Weird Science & Bad Photoshopping | Metafilter

Music

BLEEP | Warp Records

Design

Champagne Chair Contest Finalists | Design Within Reach

Post

Grand Royal Auction | Metafilter

Column

A to Z: Atlantic News Perspective #99 (Jan 12)
Richard Wood to fiddle in Bosnia, shocking news for Moncton and the school of pop.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

Waste

Pholph's Scrabble Generator My Scrabble� Score is: 20. What is your score? Get it here.

Post

Indie Films in 2003 | Metafilter

Apple

GarageBand | iLife

Lists

Best of the "Best" | The New Yorker

Column

A to Z: Atlantic News Perspective #98 (Jan 5)
Singing on an oil rig, stolen garden equipment and Special Olympic medals.
By: Iain K. MacLeod

War

A history of the Iraq war, told entirely in lies | Harpers

Post

I (can see into the future), Cringely | Metafilter

Quote

"The Lord has just blessed him. I mean, he could make terrible mistakes and comes out of it. It doesn't make any difference what he does, good or bad, God picks him up because he's a man of prayer and God's blessing him," Pat Robertson on Bush (FOXNews.com)

Movie

The Spongebob Squarepants Movie Trailer

Lists

2003 Year In Review | Fimoculous.com