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One of the most highly anticipated films for spring 2009 must surely be The Watchman. Based on the graphic novel of the same name, it is directed by Zack Snyder. Legal battles over distribution rights between Fox and Warner have pushed back the release date, but that looks to be settled now; rumours last year had fans worried when the movie was clocking in at just over three hours. Likewise, a fantastic first trailer was followed by a much weaker one. Add to that a storyline and cast of characters that many feel will be hard to translate to the big screen in a meaningful way, and you've got a whole lot of people waiting with bated breath until March.

My prediction: it'll be worth the wait.

The story, set in an alternate 1985 America, where superheroes are a part of everyday life, is a strong one. Writer of the graphic novel, Alan Moore (V for Vendetta, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Swamp Thing) is a legend. The film's director Snyder has vowed to stay as true to the graphic novel as possible. He has also, apparently, worked some CGI magic with main character Rorschach's mask which can only add to the overall effect.

All in all, this film will be a good one to watch for.

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"The great thing about the dead, they make space.

quoted from: Rabbit is Rich, by John Updike). And so it goes. John Updike died today, Jan. 29, 2009, once again, proving himself right.

Updike was born in Pennsylvania in 1932; was a Harvard grad who twice won the Pulitzer Prize for Rabbit is Rich and Rabbit at Rest. He is best known for his Rabbit series, as well as his chronicling of suburban adultery in small-town- USA, as seen in novels such as The Witches of Eastwick.

But Updike was also a poet, short story writer, art critic and literary critic. Altogether, he wrote 25 novels in his career, while working for The New Yorker and the New York Review of Books. In addition to these accomplishments, he was featured in an episode of The Simpsons, and he also enjoyed writing childrens' books.

Although Updike had suffered from a skin condition for years, it was lung cancer which determined his final ending.

Image from s.matrix.msu.edu ,

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Friends and Naysayers,

New year's resolutions are the personal equivalent of financial projections and business plans for companies, forever subject to the unpredictablecrashes and booms of outrageous fortune. I will not succumb to anything as delusional as a resolution, but I will project my year as clearly as I cansee it from here, and perhaps the illusion of design will adapt it to theprojection, or at least provide some entertainment value in retrospect.

Why would I burden you with a year in preview? Because I would like tosolicit input on new projects I am undertaking, and solicit gigs from thoseof you who are interested in my projects, be they Chaucerian, Orwellian, orDarwinian.

January I will spend here in Vancouver working on my new show, "The RapGuide to Evolution", which was commissioned recently by the BioscienceDepartment of the University of Birmingham. One of the professors there,Dr. Mark Pallen (a bacterial geneticist), asked me if I would be willing to"do for Darwin what I did for Chaucer" and I responded that it would be anhonour.

So in February I will travel to England for a ten day tour of Darwin-relatedevents and venues organized by Dr. Pallen and his team. February marks theCharles Darwin Bicentennial and universities and natural history museumsaround the world will be celebrating the patron saint of biology. The showis currently undergoing the murky embryological process by whichcompositions are formed, so if any of you have any thoughts on the subjectof evolution, I'm all ears (for the next three weeks or so). I'm currentlytrying to make sense of it from as many angles as possible.

March and April will consist of school touring in the USA, mostly with theRap Canterbury Tales, but also with the North American debut of the RapGuide at the Fresno Rogue Festival. If any of you know of a college, highschool, or any venue at all where I could spin a yarn or two in the Statesin March or April, my RCT program information is here:

Oh yes, and in late April I will travel to Hong Kong for the Hong KongMicrofest (a theatre festival), my first trip to the far East!

May and early June will about one thing and one thing only: treeplanting.Nuff said.

Then in June I will return to the UK to reunite with Dizraeli for anotherseason of performing "The Rebel Cell" (think 8-Mile meets 1984). Aproduction company from London, SPL Productions, is taking on the show for2009, re-working it for a larger audience, and orchestrating a tour of UKfestivals, a return to the Edinburgh Fringe in August, and finally a WestEnd run at a theatre in London in September/October. The details have yetto be worked out, but the tour is confirmed and we are very excited to beworking with these guys to resurrect our Orwellian hip-hop parable.

Since nothing is finalized for the post-August portion of 2009 I will stopthere for now, and reveal more only as it is revealed to me.

And what else is new? Aaron Nazrul's song "When the Night" will be featuredon the new Beverly Hills 90210 airing on CBS network TV on January 13th. Heand the band are currently on tour in Central America, and have beencreating video blogs along the way, so if you're curious to see what's upwith them here's the link:

Looking forward to hopefully seeing many of you during my travels in 2009,and a happy and prosperous new year to you all,

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Pirate man,

Is using hands,

While digging cities' garbage cans.

Sucking Blood,

Rolling Mud,

Eating - Breathing,

The cities' sludge.

There he sleeps,

On cracked concrete

Wakes up wide-eyed, incomplete.

With a shopping cart,

He's modern art,

Grudgingly fed

from the bottom of our hearts.

Worn out souls

In both heart and shoes.

But never stole,

That he can't use...

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Read Fitzgerald's Original Story

Directed by David Fincher

Original Story written by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Starring:

Brad Pitt (Benjamin)

Cate Blanchett (Daisy)

Julia Ormand (daughter)

Before launching into a nit-picking, plot questioning critique of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, I wanted to share some theatre observations, as well as acknowledge several of the film's merits. The original short story was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and the movie's screenplay (long held by Ray Stark) had been purchased and directed by David Fincher.

I purposely went to the 4:30 viewing at Colosseus Cinema on Boxing Day, during a hefty snow storm, with the smug assumption I'd have the theatre to myself. Well, apparently everyone felt smug that day as the theatre was packed and I was just able to grab the last few seats. I understand The Curious Case... had just opened the day previous, but I hadn't anticipated this faithful attendance.

While watching this movie, I mentally hummed the chorus to The Faces' song, Ooh La La. I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger. Benjamin Button represents those "What ifs..." we all experience from time to time, while reminiscing those mistaken beliefs of our youth. A brief yearning to go back in time, yet still be empowered with current knowledge.

After viewing "The Curious Case..." I was unable to gauge any kind of audience reaction, as this movie threw a blanket of silence on everyone, myself included. I have never attended a show where the audience didn't verbally assess the experience on their way out. If quiet introspection was capable of sound, like a car horn, our exiting would be akin to a New York Taxi Drivers' convention. A cacophony of deep thought.

Both the book and the movie version of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button contain the line "I was born under unusual circumstances..." and that is where the similarities end. I readily admit that I understand the purpose of the differences as I am not fond of Fitzgerald's main character.

We all hate getting older, but who would actually want to get younger as they progress through life? To be have the agonies of painful adolescence ahead of one? The powerlessness and dependency of early childhood, while cognizant of the lifetime one has experienced? No thanks. Yet that is what Brad Pitt has managed to portray to viewers, while maintaining a thoughtful and quiet acceptance of his situation.

I have glanced through critics' reviews of the movie, and I am confused by their disregard of the glaring discrepencies between the book and the movie. I will volunteer to point at the elephant in the room because, after all, he's huge!

Benjamin Button had the misfortune (or to some, good fortune) to be born an old man. Our character enters this world as a baby, albeit an arthritic, slow moving, cataract impaired newborn. The movie dramatically shows Benjamin being rejected by his father (after his mother dies during his birth) and subsequently abandoned. The book has Benjamin being emotionally abandoned, but nonetheless, remaining at home where his old-man behaviours are a source of embarrassment to his father who constantly demands that Benjamin behave more child-like.

Aside from peripheral characters entering and leaving Benjamin during his formative years (which helps explain his varied education and philosophies) the book and movie differ in many other areas. The most serious digression from the original is in Benjamin's aging process. Fitzgerald has his protagonist born with an 85 year-old's thoughts, behaviour and attitude whereas Fincher's movie has the character physically representing an 85 year-old, but mentally on par with a newborn. As the book-Benjamin becomes more immature, in keeping with his age defying appearance, the movie -Benjamin becomes more worldly and wise while physically regressing.

I understand the reasoning behind Pincher's version of Benjamin Button's aging. Overall, Fitzgerald's original character is not a likable guy; meanwhile there's something bittersweet in watching movie-Benjamin experience his first drink, first love, etc. as an 18 year-old man housed in the body of a 65 year-old senior. Movie-Benjamin is more appealing to the average viewer than 7 year-old, book-Benjamin smoking cigars, cursing, and leering at woman.

The movie contains a few changes that I didn't understand as necessary. Why is Benjamin abandoned at an old folks' home in the care a single, financially strapped, black woman (Taraji P Henson)? Henson delivers an outstanding performance as Benjamin's adoptive mother, Queenie, but how necessary was this change to the story's telling? I am grateful for the entertainment of the old folks' home setting as it allowed for a nice introduction to the developing love story between Daisy (Cate Blanchett) and Benjamin (Brad Pitt).

As well, some of the seniors residing alongside Benjamin at the home, provided the much needed comic relief during an otherwise somber movie. For example, the comedic, intermittent presence of 'The General' whose self-introductory line to Benjamin is consistently, "Did you know I've been struck by lightning 7 times?" We are then given a visual of The General being struck.

I wondered if the writer(s) felt Benjamin wouldn't have been able to explore his 'firsts' during early manhood if his parents were around, or more vigilant? (However, that implies adoptive/foster parents are less aware of their children's behaviour or whereabouts.) As well, why couldn't his movie father have maintained the book's hardware business? Why did the movie allow a simplistic 'button manufacturer' family business? As well, if they wanted Benjamin to be perceived as an abandoned orphan, why reintroduce his father (aside from to explain an inheritance)? Finally, although less melodramatic, the movie's ending would be equally touching to view baby-Benjamin nestled in bed, near his Nana in the home of his son, Roscoe (book), than in the arms of his lover, Daisy (movie). I will admit I was sucked into the movie's predictable moment when infant Benjamin and aged Daisy lock eyes, and exchange a fleeting moment of complete recognition and love. Like a silent farewell. So corny, yet so wonderful, necessitating the folded arms, stare-at-the-ceiling-and-blink-rapidly, stance.

I have always enjoyed Brad Pitt's acting yet I sympathize with him as his undeniable good looks immediately discount any acting talent he possesses; forcing him to work three times harder than the likes of Tom Hanks, Sean Penn, or Jack Nicholson. Cate Blanchett is a perfect counter-partner for Pitt, visually and in spirit and timing. The make-up/ visual effects artists responsible for the characters' aging demonstrated remarkable talent, as they allowed us to witness the characters realistically age, or de-age in Benjamin's case. Daisy gracefully ages from the feisty, stunning dancer to a bedridden senior resisting removal from her hospital care during the Hurricane Katrina disaster.Julia Ormond's character (as Benjamin's and Daisy's daughter) was so milquetoast, she could have been invisible. She was simply the vessel whose questions allowed Daisy to recollect and share her untold youth. Throughout the flashbacks of Daisy's recollections, I had difficulty determining which time period showed Pitt's and Blanchett's characters as they are in reality. The make-up effects should merit an Oscar nod.

I suppose, in order to make money, it was decided that The Curious Case... should evolve as a love story, one which supports the "love can surpass both time and age" rather than keep with F. Scott Fitzgerald's razor-sharp, sardonic look at society's celebration of youth, and open disdain towards aging. If that story had been kept, there wouldn't be much to love as book-Benjamin figuratively holds a mirror up to a class-conscious society, thus reflecting the absurdity of placing importance upon appearance and material accumulation. Both the book and the movie do drive home the importance of character. It's what inside that counts. Movie-Benjamin has 'character' in spades.

I enjoyed the movie, just as I enjoyed the short story (see link to story above), and I am grateful that never the two did meet. The two versions are so vastly different; combined, it couldn't have worked. Perhaps someone will come forth with a modified 3rd version; one which nicely melds the original and movie version. I have heard there is another story out which offers more depth to Fitzgerald's original plot. Perhaps this is the third view I am searching for. It is also titled the The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and is written by Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir (with illustrations by Kevin Cornell).

For scenic views, Pitt's and Blanchett's artistically balanced acting, masterful make-up (10/10), and for allowing Benjamin to be portrayed as a likable character, I give the movie 8.5/10.

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A few police in ol' B.C.

Searched Willy's farm,

and found some teeth.

The rivers swelled,

As numbers tolled

and ANGELS fell

Where HELL runs cold.

See the hate in Willy's eyes,

See all the twisted ways to die.

Ask the pigs

Fed and big

Oh, if only they could talk.

They'd sniff at the mud

in thirst of blood,

and tell you of the meat Willy brought.

They'd watch the Mounties' patience boil,

While digging deep through Willy's soil.

They can't wipe their hands from the stench of shit,

They've seen a lot, just not this sick.

They've seen rape; they've seen dead,

But they can't see the HATE in Willy's head.

Rot In Hell!

L.M.

Remember The Women.

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I woke myself from a short sleep to greet Monday with saggy, heavy eyes. The morning air was topped with a crispy crust of fog with a mist and cloud-filled center.

Habit forced me to stop for my usual Starbucks' fix. Lucky for me, I had half a dozen Starbucks' outlets to choose from during my five-minute walk to the Sky Train Station in downtown Vancouver.

While I was waiting for my Venti Americano (aka extra-large coffee), I impulsively grabbed a bottle of water and paid $1.99 for this 'seemingly' normal beverage.

Now, allow me to confess; I am not known for "paying" for water. Call me crazy, but I believe the freshness of water tastes just the same from the tap as it does bottled (aside from the general smug feeling one gets from the obviously elitist choice to pay for water), and such was the case with my purchase of Starbucks' "Ethos" water, except Ethos had a promotion which spoke to my innermost humanity.

After looking at the heart-tugging, subliminally prompting, picture (the image was of clearly thirsty Africans) and reading the "Help the World", or some equally similar hippie-bullshit promotion, I assumed that my Ethos water-purchasing-coins would contribute to implementing change in an otherwise, impoverished country.

And then I scanned the information on the back label which read:

"...only 10 cents of my $1.99 contribution would go towards building wells for villagers in Africa..."

and, I've gotta tell you, I was appalled. Here's a company which can afford to put two outlets directly across the street from each other, but can't afford to dish out more than 10 cents per bottle towards the promoted charity? Yet somehow they can justify charging two bucks for a bottle of water, by disguising the sale as a lame-ass excuse for a humanitarian mission instead of as the marketing ploy it is? I mean 10 cents? C'mon! That's not even 10% of the proceeds, yet the "charitable" aspect is 90% of their campaign to sell the product. It's ridiculous to think we have to pay as much as $2.00 for water just to get a company to take some responsibility in helping someone.

This whole scheme is marketing at its best. We are always force-fed guilt like it's our job, as middle class working stiffs, to help the poor whom these corporations are generally getting rich from. Why do we have to buy a happy meal from billionaire corporations like McDonalds just to encourage their (tax-deductible) charitable contribution of 10 cents to Childrens' Hospital? Why do I have to pay an arm and a leg for shitty WATER so Starbucks will help THIRSTY children?

Corporations are the only groups with the means to help and provide REAL change, yet time and time again they are ignoring their obligations by constantly passing off the responsibility to their consumers by using these charitable marketing schemes to play on our compassion.

The funny thing about it is, I passed a homeless man on the way in who asked me for change and I told him to get a job. Had I given the clearly, alcohol-dependent man the $2.00 I spent on the water, at least I would have been giving to a more immediate cause, rather than having my money sucked into the vacuum of a faceless corporation. After all, everyone's gotta drink something.

On the plus side, I am glad to see Starbucks do SOMETHING for a country they have been raping for all these years. I wonder how much those Ethiopian bean pickers make per hour? I wonder if it's more or less than a bottle of Ethos water?I hear it's awful hot over there...

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Every so often I'll hit upon my latest fave song: currently it's Wear 'em Out by The Mohawk Lodge.

Dave comes by lots of compilations and British 'best of...' Cds, so I was just assuming that this group was from some distant realm. Well, I am happy to say I was wrong, and very pleased to learn that my new fave hails from my own backyard, Vancouver!

They're connected to Black Mountain and have released material through them; their debut, Wildfires, was described as 'dirty folk', but their latest is more blue collar indie/soul/rock. The band's Ryder Havdale describes them as "reformed math rockers trying to write '80's hits".

They've just completed both a cross-Canada and short European tour this fall.

Although they have no show dates currently posted, they are certainly one to put on your 'watch' list...

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Peter Gerstenzang, (Feb/02/06), had written a piece entitled New Days for Psych Furs' Butler for the Rolling Stone magazine.

Surely, life just keeps getting better for my favourite gravelly-voiced frontman, Richard Butler.

Richard Butler fronted the band, Psychedelic Furs who sung sang a variety of lyrically talented music.

The band originally assembled in the late 70's, and continued until 1991. Artistic disagreements led to the band's semi-demise.

The '80's were the glory years for the Furs; Heaven, along with Pretty in Pink kept the Furs on the airwaves. As a lover of all things Richard, I faithfully attended his shows, but in 1994, when he came out with LoveSpitLove, I found my Real Richard - brilliant.

By 2000, LoveSpitLove was no more. Interestly, LoveSpitLove was on many movie soundtracks and televisions soundtracks and I am curious if that is when Richard decides to venture on to something new?

In 2001, the Furs rejoined and have been playing ever since with the likes of the: Violent Femmes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, X, and Franz Ferdinand which would indicate the Alive and Kicking moniker is very appropriate.

In early 2006, Richard released the critically acclaimed solo album entitled Richard Butler,which held a collection of songs dedicated to his and his friend, Jon Carin's deceased fathers (Both Doctors.)

Richard Butler was originally trained as a visual artist, and his recent works have receive much world attention. He has had gallery openings in New York, Miami, Florida and Florence. One of his paintings is his CD's cover art; but that is for you to figure out.

I had formally noticed that in 2004, the Furs have had an extensive tour schedule; Richard has recently released the song Work it Out (written by Vince Clark of Depeche Mode) for the children's show, Johnny Bravo (and perhaps as a keepsake for his daughter, Maggie Mozart Butler, 11, in 2008).

In August 2004, a book about the Psychedelic Furs was released, entitled Beautiful Chaos.




Present bandmates in the Furs are: Richard Butler (vocals), Tim Butler (bass), John Ashton (guitar), Frank Ferrer (drums) and Amanda Kramer (keyboards).

Butler, (June 5, 1956) presently resides in New York with his wife and daughter.

Updated according to the ever resourceful Wikipedia, PLEASE keep it honest.

Images taken by image.listen and Susan Strange

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The ten best lies I ever told were:

1. No sir, officer. Not a drop.

2. Oh yeah baby... totally circumcised.

3. No, I'm not tired. And I totally feel the same way you do.

4. Nope. just mustard. Old mustard.

5. They're for climbing.

6. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

7. I know. Santa's totally fake.

8. Oui.

9. Innocent, Your Honor.

10. N'no no. Jus' tell me, ni'll remember.

String of Lies graphic image by: Tad Lauritzen Wright

BTW: As I was searching for an image to attach to Mike's article, I happened across a blog entitled ron-day.com. I browsed through the site and thoroughly enjoyed the art section (see the site's outside-art link). I suggest you visit and let Ron Day et el know Swanktrendz sent you. (Editor)

A Site worth Browsing

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NOVEMBER

17th

James Blunt

GM Place

Tickets:4 Tickets $137.00* & 179.00* Single Tickets $59.50 & $45.50

17th

In Flames with All That Remains SOLD OUT

Commodore Ballroom

Tickets: SOLD OUT

18th

John Hiatt & The Ageless Beauties

Commodore Ballroom

Tickets: $45.00

19th

Yeasayer

Richards on Richards

Tickets:$15.25

19th

Scrape Records 11th Ann.Show Feat. Iced Earth w/ Early Man, Magnus Rising & Over The Coals

The Commodore Ballroom

Tickets: $31.00

20th

Deerhunter with Special Guests

Richards on Richards

Tickets:$16.00

20th

jay brannan

The Biltmore Cabaret

Tickets: $17.50

20th

Gwar

Commodore

Tickets: $36.00

21st

Boozapalooza feat. The Town Pants and Run GMC & Dustin Bentall

The Commodore

Tickets: $13.00

21st

New Kids on the Block

General Motors Place

Tickets $79.50, $59.50 & $39.50

21st

Lady GaGa

Richards on Richards

Tickets: $42.50

22nd

Bassnectar -SOLD OUT

Commodore Ballroom

Tickets: Sold Out

23rd

Elisa

Biltmore Cabaret

Tickets: $20.00

24th

The Sisters of Mercy w/ The Vincent Black Shadow

The Commodore

Tickets: $32.50

24th

Love is All w/Guests

Richards on Richards

Tickets: $15.2525th

Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs

The Biltmore Cabaret

Tickets; $15.00

26th

M83 w. Guests School of Seven Bells

Richards on Richards

Tickets:$20.00

27th

The Herbaliser w/ Grand Analog & Mat the Alien

The Commodore

Tickets: $25.00

28th

Martha Wainwright w/ Brian Borcherdt

The Commodore

Tickets: $25.00

28th

Image from westword.com

Mother Mother w/ guests Portico

Richards on Richards

Tickets; $15.00

28th

AC/DC - Sold Out

Photo from gamespot.com

General Motors Place

Tickets: SOLD OUT

29th

Priestess & 3 Inches of Blood (All Ages Show)

Commodore Ballroom (2:00 pm Show)

Tickets: $12.00

Image of Priestess from zigzaglive.com

29th

Three 6 Mafia SOLD OUT

The Commodore Ballroom

Tickets: Sold Out

29th

Priestess & 3 Inches of Blood (Late Show)

The Commodore

Tickets: $19.50

30th

Kiosk - Live in Vancouver

Richards on Richards

DECEMBER

2nd

Metallica

GM Place

$95.50, $79.75 & $49.50

3 & 4

Great Big Sea

The Centre For Performing Arts

Tickets $59.50, $45.50 & $34.50

4th

The Crystal Method

Celebrities Nightclub

Tickets: $30.00

5th

Cheech & Chong

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Tickets: $69.50, $49.50

7th

The Black Dahlia Murder w/Soilent Green & Misfit Index

Richards on Richards

Tickets: $18.00

9th

Image from thesun.co.uk

Franz Ferdinand SOLD OUT

Commodore Ballroom

Tickets; $35.00

10th

Amanda Palmer and the Danger Ensemble

Richards on Richards

Tickets: $12.00

12th

Image from media.canada.com

The Cave Singers w/ Lightning Dust, Whalebones

Richards on Richards

Tickets:$12.50

12th

Sarah Brightman

General Motors Place, Vancouver

Tickets: $89.50, $69.50 & $45.50

16th

Santa Fox Ball I with Mobile and Incura

Commodore Ballroom

Tickets: $19.93

17th

Santa Fox Ball II Daniel Wesley and Matt Mays

Commodore Ballroom

Tickets: $19.93

19th

Dragonforce w/ Turisas and Powerglove

Image from rollingstone.com

Croatian Cultural Centre

Tickets: $27.00

27th

Markus Shulz

Richards on Richards

Tickets: $35.00

30th

Image from fareed.com

GARAJ MAHAL

Richards on Richards

Tickets: ?

31st

New Year's Eve Fire & Ice Gala 2009

Hilton Vancouver Metrotown

Tickets: $99.00

$19.50

JANUARY

6th

Zappa plays Zappa You Can’t Fit On Stage Anymore Tour

Arts Club Theatre

Tickets: $115.00 / $135.00

10th

Sam Roberts Band

The Orpheum

Tickets: $34.50 & $29.50

11th

Image from bibabidi.net/

Glasvegas w/ Carl Barat

Richards on Richards

Tickets: $16.50

16

Loverboy

Commodore Ballroom

Tickets: $35.50

21st

The Clipse

Richards on Richards

Tickets: $20.00

23rd

Randy Bachman (with Wil)

The Commodore

Tickets: $39.50

24th

Image from z.about.com

A Night of Comedy with Maz Jobrani

Commodore Ballroom

Tickets: $35.50

25th

Image from mybossa.com

Katy Perry

Commodore Ballroom

Tickets: $25.00

FEBRUARY

2nd

Cradle of Filth

The Commodore Ballroom

Tickets: $35.00

20th

Jaydee Bixby

Bell Performing Arts, Surrey

Tickets: $25.00

The term "Seagull Manager" dates back to the late '80s, and was used in an article by Michael Madison, who used it to describe a particular management approach of interacting with employees, of only dealing with them when a problem arises, making quick-fire decisions about things, then leaving and letting others have to deal with all of the mess left behind. But is was Ken Blanchard who really quantified the term in his 1999 book , Leadership and the One Minute Manager



where he said something like: "Seagull managers fly in, make a lot of noise, dump on everyone, then fly out."

Read this line those years ago, and for awhile enjoyed the guilty pleasure of quoting it when dealing with issues as a middle manager. And if you've never dealt with Seagull Management yourself, then just think of Donald Trump  in his NBC reality show, The Apprentice, where he walked in and so often uttered his now-famous line "This one's easy for me... you're fired."

That's 'seagull management.'

When I saw a blurb in print about the forthcoming release of Squawk!: How to Stop Making Noise and Start Getting Results it was interesting, and more so because the author was Travis Bradberry, Ph.D., and his management seminars have become famous. Have I attended one of them? No, but I have suggested them to others, then looked over the material they brought back. And Dr. Bradberry's book looks like it was tailor-made for his seminars.

It's not a difficult read, and as you make your way through the pages, following the adventures of Charlie, a seagull manager, you'll pick up a number of good, solid middle-management pointers. It's an easy-to-follow narrative, and has an often humorous story line. Dr. Bradberry shows us the three crucial qualities of leadership that help us deal with seagull managers in the workplace. And if you're really lucky, you might even see yourself as a "Charlie the Seagull Manager," and be able to identify areas worthy of self-improvement.

If you're a middle manager, get this book. Once you've finished with it, think if you want to loan it to your boss, or maybe buy copies for some who report to you. You might like it and you might not, but this reader found it to be an engaging and worthy read.

You might want to also consider a couple of Dr. Bradberry's other books  The Personality Code or   The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book  to add your own management or leadership library.

In truth, I didn't like this book at first, and was thinking "been-there-done-that" in the first thirty or so pages. I found Charlie to be irritating, but as the parable continued, found myself warming to it and to the seagulls and the other critters. In the end had to admit that it was a better book than I had first thought.

OK, enough of my squawking... it's an easy 5-star read.

Go to Amazon.com and vote on Jargontalk’s review.

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By tblog’s Kickin’ It Old School  (A blog favoured by Swanktrendz).

I have always been a huge Star Wars fan and this was something right out of Star Wars, which made it very cool to me.  Only problem, like the special effect in the movies, it, too, was not real.  The hologram was not really a hologram at all.



Here is a story which I am sharing with you courtesy of  www.gearlog.com (Posted by Sascha Segan).

One of the most talked-about features of last night's election coverage was CNN's supposedly-holographic projections of correspondent Jessica Yellin and musician Will.I.Am onto the CNN studio floor. But CNN's name for the technology was misleading. As Gizmodo explains, the anchors on the studio floor couldn't see 3D images of the correspondents - there was no "hologram" being projected.

Rather, the correspondents were being shot by 35 HD cameras simultaneously to create a 3D image which was then digitally composited into CNN's broadcast image of their studio. There was no live, glowing, 3D picture that people could walk around. The "image" of Jessica Yellin and Wolf Blitzer standing in the same room existed only on TV screens.



If you want to be really pedantic (oh, and I do), Merriam-Webster describes a hologram as:

a three-dimensional image reproduced from a pattern of interference produced by a split coherent beam of radiation.

The CNN shots weren't three-dimensional images - they existed only on two-dimensional TV screens. And they weren't produced from a pattern of interference, etc. They were produced by meshing live feeds from 35 cameras pointing in different angles.

It was movie magic, folks, similar to what we all remember from The Matrix. Given that it was done live without a hitch, it was extremely, way-cool. But it wasn't a hologram, and no amount of wishing will make it so.

Segan’s article was very well written, fully explaining the stunt, so I thought it was worth sharing.  We are now in 2008 and I would have expected to see more real technology like having an anchor interact with a hologram, or fending off an onslaught of flying cars or (insert your favorite sci-fi futuristic ability here).  Until I checked into it, I would have assumed CNN mastered the latest technology, broadcasting at least one of those inventions. (Though it now appears completely unnecessary, it was kind of cool to watch Anderson Cooper interview Will.I.Am in this manner.  Here is a link to watch the video of this particular hologram interview.

I am a little disappointed that the interviewer was just staring at blank space, and at no time was there an actual holographic image being projected anywhere.  The more I think about it, the more it seems the illusion was pointless.  On the other hand, it did made me watch CNN last night, and I am writing about it today... so it can't be all bad.

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Spinning a Tale, Weaving a Story - LIVE! at the City of Langley Library

Shari Taylor is our Langley Artist in Action for the month of November.

Drop by the City of Langley Library Friday, November 14th, between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. to watch and learn as Shari demonstrates spinning and weaving. While demonstrating her artistic skills in-the-moment, Shari will also be answering your questions about this beautiful and practical art form.

Call or visit the library to reserve a spot:
20399 Douglas Crescent
Langley
604-514-2855.

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To read an article on the 2005 Spinners Guild Sale click here

The Langley Weavers and Spinners Guild is proudly hosting its 37th annual Artisans’ Sale on:
November 8 and 9th
from 10 am to 4 pm
Fort Langley Community Hall
9167 Glover Road

The Artisans’ Sale features the juried weaving, knitting, spinning and felting work of our guild members.

It also features the work of several local artisans; highly creative and talented people who have devoted their energies to creating original pieces of art.

This year we have several returning artisans and we are welcoming the work of some newcomers to the Sale.

Joining us for the weekend sale are wood workers, potters, paper makers, jewelers, and many more.

In addition to the Artisan tables, there is a Wool Room up on the stage offering just about any delectable item for the fibre junkie.

In here you will find all kinds of fibres for spinning and felting, yarns for knitting and weaving, and a multitude of tools and other paraphernalia.

Downstairs you will find a lovely Tea Room where you can rest, take in a bit of atmosphere with spinning and weaving demonstrations, samples of fine works, relaxing music, tea, coffee and homemade sweets.

So grab a friend and come by the Fort Langley Community Hall
on November 8 and 9th.<

Bring a toonie for the door, stay long enough to win a door prize and find that perfect original gift for the special folks in your life and support our local artisans.

OCTOBER

28th
Citizen Cope (solo)    
The Vogue
Tickets: $29.50





29th   
Video Games Live With Vancouver Symphony      
The Orpheum    
Tickets $69.50, $49.50 & $29.50    

30th
Diplo  
Richards on Richards
Tickets: $20.00        

30th   
Madonna      
BC Place Stadium    
Tickets:$55.00, $95.00, $165.00 & $350.00    

30th
The Expendables  
The Media Club
Tickets: $18.00  

31st
Nightmare on Granville: Five Alarm Funk  
The Commodore
Tickets SOLD OUT  

NOVEMBER 
 
1st
Missy Higgins    
The Commodore
Tickets: SOLD OUT  

1st
Jason Collett  
Richards on Richards
Tickets: $15.00  

2nd
Eagles of Death Metal  
Image from Swanktrendz.com


The Commodore
TIckets: $25.00  

3rd
Monkey Majik Canada Tour  
Richards on Richards
Tickets:$20.00        

4th  
Alanis Morisette  
The Orpheum   
Tickets $67.50 & $39.50     

5th
Tom Morello  
The Commodore
Tickets: SOLD OUT   

5th       
Lenny Kravitz  w/Thornley


General Motors Place, Vancouver   
Tickets: $75.00, $59.50 & $39.50    

6th
Galactic  
Richards on Richards
Tickets:$26.50        

7th
The Secret Machines  
Richards on Richards
Tickets:$15.75        

7th
Mason Jennings  
The Plaza Club
Tickets: $19.50  

7th
David Usher  
Commodore Ballroom
Tickets: $29.50  

7th
Trans Siberian Orchestra  
GM Place
Tickets: $56.50, $46.00, $36.00 & $20.00  

8th
Ray Lamontagne  
The Vogue
image from manchestire evening news
Tickets $39.50 & $29.50  





8th
April Wine  
Commodore Ballroom
Tickets: $32.50  

8th    
Jason Mraz  
Chan Centre
Tickets:  SOLD OUT     

9th
Eric Huchinson & Charlotte  
The Plaza Club
Tickets: $14.00  

9th
Uh Huh Her  
Richard's on Richards
Tickets $20.00  

9th
Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Thrice, Gaslight Anthem 
UBC Thunderbird Arena   
Tickets: $32.50  

9th
Buddy Guy  
The Commodore
Tickets: $49.50  

9th
 Great Big Sea
The Centre For Performing Arts
Tickets $59.50, $45.50 & $34.50

11th
Digable Planets
The Commodore
Tickets: $32.50

12th
Lucinda Williams with Buick 6
The Vogue
Tickets: $40.00

12th & 13th
Medeski Martin & Wood
The Commodore
Tickets 35.50

13th
Buffy Marie and Richie Havens CANCELLED

14th
Two Hours Traffic and Hey Rosetta w The Danks
The Biltmore Cabaret
Tickets: $12.50

14th
Tom McRae and Steve Reynolds
The Media Club
Tickets $12.00

14th
Scars on Broadway - CANCELLED

17th
James Blunt
GM Place
Tickets 4 Package $137.00, $179.00
Single Tickets: $59.50 $45.50

17th
In Flames with All that Remains - SOLD OUT
Commodore Ballroom

18th
 John Hiatt and the Ageless Beauties
Commodore Ballroom
Tickets $45.00

19th
Scrape Records 11th Anniversary Show
The Commodore Ballroom
Tickets $31.00

19th
Yeasayer
Richards on Richards
Tikcets $15.25

20th
Jaydee Bixby
Massey Theatre (New Westminster)
Tickets $25.00

20th
jay brannan
The Biltmore Cabaret
Tickets:$17.50


20th
GWAR
Commodore
Tickets: $36.00

21st
Boozapalooza feat: The Town Pants and Run GMC
The COmmodore
Tickets $13.00

21st
New Kids on the Block
GM Place
Tickets $79.50, $59.50
$39.50

22nd
Bassnectar
commodore
Tickets $35.00

23rd
Elisa
Biltmore Cabaret
Tickets: $20.00

24th
Sisters of Mercy
The Commodore
Tickets $32.50

25th
Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs
The Biltmore
Tickets $15.00

26th
M83
Richards on Richards
Tickets $20.00

27th
The Herbaliser w/ Grand Analog
the Commodore
Tickets $25.00

28th
Martha Wainright
The Commodore
tickets $25.00

28th
AC/DC  SOLD OUT

29th
Three 6 Mafia
Commodore
Tickets $19.50

29th
Prierstess and 3 Inches of Blood
Commodore
Tickets $19.50

DECEMBER

2nd
Metallica
GM Place
Tickets: $95.50, $79.75. $49.50

3 & 4
Great Big Sea
The Centre for PErforming Arts
Tickets $5950, $45.50, $34.50

4th

The Crystal Method
Celebrities Nightclub
Tickets: $30.00

5th
Cheech & Chong
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Tickets: $69.50, $49.50

7th
The Black Dahlia Murder w/Soilent Green & Misfit Index
Richards on Richards
Tickets: $18.00

10th
Amanda Palmer with the Danger Ensemble
Richards on Richards
Tickets: $12.00

12th
The Cave Singers
Richards on Richards
Tickets:$12.50<

 12th
 Sarah Brightman
General Motors Place, Vancouver
Tickets: $89.50, $69.50 & $45.50

19th
Dragonforce w/ Turisas and Powerglove
Image from rollingstone.com
 
Croatian Cultural Centre
Tickets: $27.00

11th
Digable Planets  
The Commodore
Tickets: $32.50  

12th
Lucinda Williams with Buick 6    
The Vogue
Tickets: $40.00  

12th & 13th
Medeski Martin & Wood  
Commodore Ballroom
Tickets: $35.50  

13th
Buffy Marie and Richie Havens - Cancelled  
Queen Elizabeth Theatre CANCELLED  

14th
Two Hours Traffic and Hey Rosetta  w/ The Danks 
The Biltmore Cabaret
Tickets: $12.50  

14th
Tom McRae with Steve Reynolds  
The Media Club
Tickets: $12.00  

14th
Scars on Broadway -Cancelled  
Commodore Ballroom
Tickets: CANCELLED  

17th
James Blunt  
GM Place
Tickets: $59.50 & $45.50  

17th
In Flames with All That Remains  
Commodore Ballroom
Tickets: SOLD OUT  

18th  
John Hiatt & The Ageless Beauties  
Commodore Ballroom
Tickets: $45.00  

19th
Yeasayer  
Richards on Richards
Tickets:$15.25      
 
19th
Scrape Records 11th Anniversary Show Featuring Iced Earth  
The Commodore Ballroom        

20th
Jaydee Bixby  
Massey Theatre, New Westminster
Tickets:  $25.00   

20th
Deerhunter with Special Guests  
Richards on Richards
Tickets:$16.00        

20th
jay brannan  
The Biltmore Cabaret
Tickets: $17.50  

20th
Gwar   
Commodore
Tickets: $36.00  

21st
Boozapalooza feat. The Town Pants and Run GMC & Dustin Bentall  
The Commodore
Tickets:  $13.00  

21st
New Kids on the Block  
General Motors Place
Tickets $79.50, $59.50 & $39.50  

22nd
Bassnectar  
Commodore Ballroom
Tickets: $35.00  

23rd
Elisa  
Biltmore Cabaret
Tickets: $20.00  

24th
The Sisters of Mercy  
The Commodore
Tickets: $32.50  

25th
Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs  
The Biltmore Cabaret
Tickets; $15.00  

26th
M83  
Richards on Richards
Tickets:$20.00        

27th
The Herbaliser w/ Grand Analog  
The Commodore
Tickets: $25.00  

28th
Martha Wainwright  
The Commodore
Tickets:  $25.00  

28th
AC/DC - Sold Out  
Photo from gamespot.com


General Motors Place
Tickets: SOLD OUT         

29th
Three 6 Mafia  
The Commodore Ballroom
Tickets; $35.00  

29th
Priestess & 3 Inches of Blood        
The Commodore
Tickets: $19.50  

DECEMBER      

2nd
Metallica  
GM Place      
Tickets: $95.50, $79.75 & $49.50   

3 & 4  
Great Big Sea     
The Centre For Performing Arts  
Tickets $59.50, $45.50 & $34.50   

4th


The Crystal Method  
Celebrities Nightclub
Tickets: $30.00  

5th
Cheech & Chong  
Queen Elizabeth Theatre  
Tickets: $69.50, $49.50  

7th
The Black Dahlia Murder w/Soilent Green & Misfit Index  
Richards on Richards
Tickets: $18.00  

9th
image from the sun.co.uk
Franz Ferdinand
Commodore Ballroom


Tickets: $35.00

12th
The Cave Singers  
Richards on Richards
Tickets:$12.50         

12th   
Sarah Brightman      
General Motors Place,
Vancouver    
Tickets: $89.50, $69.50 & $45.50    

19th
Dragonforce w/ Turisas and Powerglove  
Image from rollingstone.com


Croatian Cultural Centre
Tickets: $27.00  

JANUARY

6th
Zappa plays Zappa YOU CAN’T FIT ON STAGE ANYMORE TOUR 
Arts Club Theatre
Tickets: $115.00 / $135.00  

10th
Sam Roberts Band  
The Orpheum
Tickets: $34.50 & $29.50   

23rd  
Randy Bachman (with Wil)  
The Commodore
Tickets: $39.50  

FEBRUARY

2nd
Cradle of Filth  
The Commodore Ballroom
Tickets: $35.00

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Exercise is one of the most important ways of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and the good news is that you don't have to run a marathon to reap the rewards. It has been proven, through a number of studies, that we only require a 30 minute workout, 3 times a week, for most of us to see concrete and lasting results.

Our bodies are amazing instruments which require daily physical exertion in order to maintain (or improve) our level of conditioning. If we live an active lifestyle, the chances of acquiring any obesity-related conditions are significantly reduced. Diabetes, osteoporosis, hypertension, and high cholesterol levels are examples of physical maladies which have been overcome by an influx of healthy lifestyle and exercise. There is truth to the saying, "A healthy body houses a healthy mind.." Physical fitness helps reduce the onset of emotional illnesses, such as depression, while lowering your stress levels.

It is now standard practice for doctors to advise patients (who may suffer from any of the aforementioned maladies) to undertake a consistent exercise regimen which will cause weight loss, as well as a healthier body mass index. A healthier body mass index (BMI), is created when one's overall body fat decreases; fat which is quickly replaced by lean muscle. The BMI factor provides an important mantra to help maintain a healthy body:  "Muscle burns more calories than fat". Being fit also helps to make formerly, physically-demanding tasks much easier as you gain muscle strength and endurance - natural bi-products of an active lifestyle.

As your physical appearance transforms from the effects of exercise, so too will your mental and emotional well-being, clearly apparent in your reflected, confident smile. Your final reward will come with the knowledge that you accomplished this outcome with determination, and a bit of effort, not by some magic little pill that many  people  think might exist.

In reality, exercise is that magic little pill. Can you imagine if someone offered you a substance that: made you look and feel younger; helped reduce debilitating physical conditions; reduced symptoms of allergies, made that sore back feel better, and even helped to give you a great night's sleep?! I don't know about you, but I'm sold.

And all of these 'cures' will be at your disposal, once you make the decision to embark on a consistent exercise  regimen which may include activities like biking, swimming, or even golfing (without using a cart). It's really that simple, and it all begins with that all-important, first step. And you're the only person who can take it.

Remember, the benefits of exercise far outweigh the sedentary lifestyle that many people in the modern world fall victim to, resulting in so many unnecessary illnesses. We suffer from so many physical ailments which could be reduced, or eliminated entirely, with just a bit of exercise. Now there's a magic pill we should all be taking.

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Twenty years after arriving on the scene with her memorable, Watermark, album, Enya, is set to release her seventh studio album, And Winter Came. As a well known artist. selling 70 million albums. worldwide, we can expect Enya's latest effort to garner brisk sales when it arrives in stores on November 11, 2008.

And Winter Came took Enya two years to craft at Aigle Studios near Dublin, Ireland. Once again, she sought partnership with producer, Nicky Ryan, and lyricist, Roma Ryan. The album was originally envisioned as a Christmas themed release, but as recording progressed, it became apparent that a broader seasonal theme had emerged.


 

During her career, Enya has collected four Grammy Awards, winning Best New Age Album for Shepherd Moons, The Memory of Trees, A Day Without Rain, and Amarantine, as well as three World Music Awards in 2002 for Best Selling Female Artist, Best Selling Irish Artist and Best Selling New Age Artist.

Enya has also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Song Written For A Motion Picture, both in conjunction with her musical partners Nicky and Roma Ryan, for the song, May It Be, which was written and recorded for the movie, Lord Of The Rings - The Fellowship Of The Ring. May It Be was written at the personal request of director, Peter Jackson. The song also won the Los Angeles Film Critics Association award for Best Song and was also nominated for a Hollywood Golden Globe Award

Check out your local music store on November 11.

Our own Intricate Girl, Lisa Bolton, has branched out into the Fine Arts. Always a dabbling artist (meaning she would create for self, friends, and family) Lisa is now creating art for the general public. As well, it appears she is taking her 'intricate' url name seriously as the egg art she's been creating is breathtakingly detailed.  Check out her work online at:

Lisa Bolton's Art



Intricate Girl's site

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I love well-made radio almost as much as I love print media, so Internet podcasts are catnip to me. I found Ruby’s Chicky Boil-Ups by following a link from my favourite podcast, The Bike Show, broadcast from London by Jack Thurston on Resonance 101 FM. The Bike Show, not surprisingly, focuses mainly on cycling. Ruby (who, it turns out, is Jack’s cousin) focuses entirely on music.

She chooses a loose theme for each show, then chooses a surprising range of music to fit each theme. She also finds a well-informed someone to talk to about this theme, and includes music that this person chooses. The result is eclectic, unusual, and wonderful.

How surprising? How eclectic? A few themes and playlists are shown below. Scroll down and have a look...

Sunday Service:

Gospel Train - Sunbury Junior Singers of the Salvation Army
Heaven’s Radio - Molly o’Day and the Cumberland Mountain Folks
Female Jesus - Men in Gray Suits
Dominique - The Singing Nun
Saved - Lavern Baker
Jesus in His Pomp - The Chimps
Six and Seven Books of Moses - The Maytals as The Vikings
Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho - Paul Robeson
Soul Train - Judith
Angels Laid Him Away - Mississippi John Hurt
Jesus Blood Never Failed Me Yet - Gavin Bryars

Tour De France

Rockin’ Bicycle - Fats Domino
En Bicicleta - Manuel Jiminez
La Troisième Roue De Ton Velo - Antoine
A Bicyclette - Yves Montane
Motorcycle - The Rumble Strips
Gravel Rash - Cookin’ on Three Burners
Pedal Pusher - Abdominal
Tour De France - Kraftwerk
Bravo Eddy - Jean Narcy
Blood on the Saddle - Tex Ritter
Henkie de Fiets - Henkie
The Highway Code - The Master Singers
Waiting At The Bus Stop - Kay-Gees
La bicyclette - Annie Duparc

The Great Outdoors

I Came Out of the Wilderness - Pete Molinari
Arizona Yodeller - DeZurik Sisters
Building a Boat - The Rumble Strips
Run Rabbit Run - Harry Smith
Country Death Song - The Violent Femmes
Moonlight & Roses - Tommy Sanderson Francis, Day & Hunter
The Valleys - Electrelane
Inakano Musume - Ban Ban Bazar
Goodbye California - Jolie Holland
Puszta-Fox - Orchester Barnabask von Geczy
Roam - B52s
La Montagne - Choeur des Armaillis de la Gruyère
Whispering Grass - The Ink Spots
Lord Blow the Moon out Please - Hem
Down by the Riverside - Lesley First
Man Walks Among Us - Jonathan Richman

Architecture

The Smoke Comes Out My Chimney Just the Same - Skeets McDonald
Do The Whirlwind - Architecture in Helsinki
This is the House that Jack Built - Willy Whyton
London Calling - The Clash
Luton Bungalow - John Hegley
First Row Balcony - The Gaylords
Love Breaks Down - Prefab Sprout
Home is where the Hatred Is - Gil Scott-Heron
I Wish to Build a Mosque - Markos Vamvakaris
In Your House - The Cure
Crying in the Chapel - Elvis
Living on the Ceiling - Blancmange
Maison Rose - Emmanuelle Parrenin
Underneath the Arches - Billy’s Banjo Band
My Head is My Only House Unless it Rains - Captain Beefheart
Lara’s Castle - Yann Tiersen
Come on Feel the Illinoise! - Sufjan Stevens
Build - The Housemartins
Christopher Robin at Buckingham Palace - Anne Stephens
We Built this City on Rock and Roll - Starship</blockquote><p></p>

Enjoy! I certainly do, and hats off(!) to Ruby.