Fistful of Steel

So, here I am on the eve of one of my first "feature" stories unfolding before my eyes. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but it's kind of exciting to know that a random e-mail about a month and a half ago gave me this opportunity to write something amazing. Kids, it pays to go with your gut instinct.

My laptop order came yesterday, so I'm a bit tired from the intense nerdery that took place last night. It runs like a dream, and I'm glad I got it for the price I did. Sadly, unlike artists, better supplies don't exactly help with my writing. Sometimes a block is just a block.

Yesterday was the second annual Aboriginal National Day of Action in Canada, and for the most part, it unfolded peacefully. However, I thought I'd just offer my thoughts on the recent protests that have been presented to the people as violent and volatile; people sympathize with these people if they're arrested or assaulted by the police, but in most cases, they bring it upon themselves. Sometimes people forget that individuals have the right to peaceful protest, with the keyword being italicized. Like the recent Tibet controversies, people are quick to jump on top of authorities and governments who take appropriate action to violent protesters; I mean, if you were running a county, and people were breaking shit, causing disturbances to non-protesters, and taking advantage of their "protest", wouldn't you react?

There was an incident where protesters against China (for Tibet) pretty much ransacked a small town, breaking into shops, being violent, and generally causing mayhem. Police were called in, and in short, the rioters were crushed; good work by the police. If it was my shop that was being broken into, my livelyhood, I would want it to be protected by the police like any other instance.

Long and short of it: protest about anything all you want; as soon as you break the law by turning a peaceful protest otherwise, don't be surprised if you're arrested, etc - that's the polices' jobs: to uphold the peace.

Super Mario Sound Effects

So, I believe this is one of the greatest things I've ever seen. Using a custom Super Mario World level's sound effects to accompany an audio track in the background. Genius.

Another testament to the boredom and creativity of the average male.

Boom.

It's a stormy day outside today; the first instance of thunder and lightning I've heard in awhile. Of course, I thought I left my car window open, but when I got there (sans umbrella, of course) I found out I had been mistaken.

Bad day to wear a white shirt.

Kelly Clarkson!

Harrison Ford and George Clooney are two actors that exude a classiness and manliness not present in the stars of this generation. It will be a sad day when they pass on. In the meantime, let's all laugh at chest-hair waxing, and go see Indiana Jones.

Savvy?

Everyone goes to a theme park in some time in their life; as a kid, or bringing their own. It seems that a staple of said venues are the characters dressed up in large fuzzy costumes whose only job is to entertain the legions of fans that enter and (hopefully never) exit. I've always wondered what it would be like to be one of these guys; it doesn't seem like a desirable job. I'd say an even worse job would be the humanized characters that Disney (and other parks) employ; being judged on your physical appearance and the way you play your character, every second of the day? I'll pass.

The Los Angeles magazine has an interview up with a former Jack Sparrow of the Disneyland theme park, and it's not all singing animals and rainbows. Apparently playing Johnny Depp exposes yourself (no pun intended) to a legion of sexual harassment from drunk ladies everywhere.

"Here’s a napkin someone wrote on for me: “I will give you a blow job on your break, so sexy! Kim—714-XXX-XXXX.” I would also get offers from women in my ear: “Anything you want, just find me.” I had a girl who had turned 18 the day before. She was with a high school group, and she wrote down her room number at the Downtown Disney hotel. I had a lady hump my leg one day in the park."

Rock on, you crazy actors, rock on.

Return of the King: That's what SHE said edition

And lo, the killer cold has subsided, and the desire to write returns! I'm finally healthy again (somewhat) and I'm back on the job, so to speak. There really wasn't anything world-ending that happened in my stead, so I guess I'll just jump into something interesting that I found today.

This Art of Manliness article on the role of chastity in today's society kind of made me reaccess the whole "hookup culture" that we have going on right now. It examines the idea that sex has been consumerized and really cheapened in the age of the one night stand and the drunken party mishaps that happen alongside it.

I'll have to agree with what its saying, somewhat; the emphasis on sex's emotional weight has diminished in the past years and has shifted to just getting that next "fix", but it can be argued that it's the result of the times we live in. I've noticed that advertising is filled with sexual innuendos that really, wouldn't have flown even half a decade ago. Companies are becoming more audacious, braver, and really, they have nothing to lose; "there is no such thing as bad publicity." Even if there was scrutiny for the ads, the resulting media hooplah would give them sales anyway.

It can be argued that the validity of this argument is specific to the individual, as it is up to the person to choose how promiscuous they are, and whether they take part in said "hook-ups", and I agree with that. However, the article's focus seems to be on educating men on the emotional backlash that results on both parties as a result of the not-so-casual encounter; nobody likes being lead on.

I'll let you decipher the article how you would; it's not up to me how you use your body. Feel free to comment with your thoughts.

Please stand by...

The murderous cold continues.

It's a wonder how you just don't want to write when you're sick.

It's a weird phenomenon for me.

I'll keep you guys posted. I'll be back to my regular writing once this cold subsides.

Fight the Powah

Wow, kind of fell behind in posting lately. Although I can't really use it as an excuse, being sick really takes creative winds out of the sails. Coupling that with a dry cough that keeps me up half the night, no sleep and no energy (two totally different things /sarcasm) make for a lack of blog posts on Moses' part.

Anyways.

In breaking news, I've accepted a "contributor" status in a local zine called Currents. With a focus on Indie/Underground music and lifestyle, it'll keep me busy for the next little while. They publish every two months, and with a circulation of 500, it wouldn't be too bad to get some people to read my stuff. Not saying the few loyal people who read my blog aren't enough... heh...heh... heh.... damn.

If you're in the Hamilton area and want some information as to where you can pick this mag up, give me an e-mail at my spiffy new address at currentsmag.matt@hotmail.com.

Cheers for now.

Moses SMASH!

If there's two things I enjoy in life, it's creativity and violence; and when they're mashed into one being, be it through video games or otherwise, it really makes things all the more better. The makers of the "Do Hit" chair seem to have it down right. For the low, low price of $5924, one can get a block of aluminum and a sledgehammer that will let you sculpt your own chair as you see fit. Perfect for those perfectionist types, or the people in your life that just needs a good vent.

Slacktivism: Look it up, I'm too lazy

Good game, go home.

It's in the Game

For all you Canuck music lovers: Sam Roberts' new album, Love at the End of the World dropped on the 4th. I've yet to check it out, but I'll be posting a review on it when I get the chance.

Speaking of music, I've had my hands on Slow Hand Motëm's Ear Sports for awhile now, and I've been so caught up I feel like it deserves some recognition. Mr. E's been busy in the last little while, with his electrofunk tracks travelling across the ocean to be featured on a Scandinavian Skweee Vol: 3, an electronica compilation featuring the cream of Scandinavian "ol' skool" (Daniel Savio, Mesak, Randy Barracuda, Joxaren), nu skool (Eero Johannes, V.C., Mrs. Qeada) and the most interesting contemporary producers from France (Wankers United), UK (Metske) and Canada (Slow Hand Motëm)."

I'll have to congratulate the young Motëm (Gregg Eberhart); he brings a certain originality to the local music scene, and his eccentric personality seems to hide a much deeper existence deep beneath. Ear Sports can be described as both minimalist and... damn it. What's the opposite of minimalist? I've met with Gregg during his work with the hip-hop clan New Slang, and some of the tracks on the record ("Independent Adventures of Indiana Jones", "Mathemagical") reek of RZA-esque simplicity. Others, however, such as "EA Sports" and "A Firmer Mattress" flex the muscles of Gallant Santilope and Acoustic Fin, who play percussion and bass, respectively.

I can appreciate the intricacies of said tracks and the vocal tracks that Motëm lays down have such a.. texture sometimes that it wraps it all together in a nice package. The nice break at 1:36 on "EA Sports" serves as a great example: all goes silent as the singer makes a confession that he needs to hear the electric guitar, and you can feel the emotion that he brings.

Ear Sports is definitely a highlight, and really, Hamilton, if you can find the CD, get it. You won't regret it.

Your key grip is showing

Part of the enjoyment I get out of watching movies is pointing out the mistakes. One must be careful about this, especially when viewing said movies with friends; it can either turn you into a funnyman or a pain to be around.

I've recently been introduced to Stumbleupon, and through that I've been finding a lot of new sites the pique my interest. Relating to my above statement, one of those sites is Movie Mistakes, a site chronicling errors in camera work, continuity, or just plan bad directing; perfect for sticklers/bastards like myself.

I'm re-reading these two past paragraphs that I've just written and I'm noting the certain lack of quality that I usually (a-hem) grace this site with. I've contracted a deathly cold this weekend, and after taking today off from school I'm starting to come out of it. I think I hate being sick more than anything else, because of the general helplessness you feel while you're afflicted; you just want things to go back to normal, and sometimes all you're left doing is to wait it out.

Ah well.

Cheers.

Perfect Pint

So a blurb of mine that I wrote for my newspaper co-op got published in the paper. It was published, albeit without a credit to me. For all you Hamiltonians, it's the Larry the Cable Guy brief bio on GO 19. Not the most interesting of pieces, but oh well, it's experience. Might have to talk to my editor about getting something in writing saying I wrote it.

For the first time in a long while, I have this entire weekend off. I shall spend it hanging out with friends that I haven't seen in awhile, and hopefully consuming alcohol at a rate that won't quite kill me.

See you on Monday, good lord willing.