Monthly Archives: November 2008

Snow too early!

We’ve had snow on the ground for almost 2 weeks now. Usually we do see snow at this time of year but it typically melts away and never sticks around until Christmas. When I look out the window, it looks like the middle of winter. We have about a foot of snow on the ground and I doubt it’s going to go away until April.

This is going to be one loooooooooonnnnnnnngggggggggg winter. Crap.

Hockey and stuff

Last Saturday I spent a VERY rare moment watching a bit of the hockey. There was a big hub-bub in both Montreal and T.O. around the retirement of 2 jersey numbers: 33 and 17 respectively.

It’s funny, I was a HUGE fan back in the 80’s and into the early 90’s. Patrick Roy was a god and huge reason why I’ve been able to brag about those years and the 2 cups Montreal brought home during that span. He was truly an exceptional goaltender.

But age and wisdom can tarnish any image. As I’ve matured and entered my middle age, I clearly see that a great athlete does not by default deserve adornment. Patrick’s antics off the ice over the past few years (fights, altercations) and the encouragement he gives his children to win at no cost have exposed him as a less than stellar role-model.

The irony is, back in the day, in order to be a Habs fan required a passionate hatred towards the Leafs. Thus, as much effort was spent ‘dissing’ Wendell Clark as was spent promoting the glorious might of Patrick Roy. As their careers came to a close, I grew to appreciate Clark. He wasn’t a ‘phemonal’ hockey player. Not a superstar like Roy. But he scored more points than most others. What he brought to the table was a presence. An ability to lead his team by example. Nobody played harder than Clark. He would do all the things that needed to be done on the ice. It took their retirements for me to see that.

Oddly, I felt the Roy ceremony a little stiff and forced in my eyes. The Clark ceremony seemed much more passionate and sincere. One of them is Hall of Fame bound. The other one probably won’t make it. Seems a little strange to me.

Dr. Mario on the Mame!

I found Dr. Mario on my Mame machine last night. I should start looking for other games some day. I may be surprised what I find. But with the little amount of spare time I have, it’s always Robotron 2084 for me! I’ve got to figure out how the pros complete all 255 screens. I think I’m a pretty decent player but can only get to about the 60th screen….which takes about an hr to get to by the way.

Olivia loves Dr. Mario. It’s funny what game attract her attention: Pengo, Ms. Pacman, LadyBug…but not Robotron–I think she’s a little scared of that game because of the sounds it makes between screens. One things for sure though, she loves watching me play, just like a certain cousin of hers used to enjoy doing when he was about her age (and younger).

It’s time to avoid the inevitable and perform some maintenance on the machine. It needs a new light for the marquee, and more urgently, I need to open up the control panel and clean things up a bit. The trackball is acting funny and I think there’s dust build up on the contacts….much like a mouse for the computer gets gunked up once in a while. The problem is that due to the design, I’m going to have to get inside and dismantle the control panel from the base. Not an easy task. It will probably take many hrs for this task and some extra hands.

Uh-oh. A new era begins in the US

Careful what I wish for I guess…..

For better or for worse, I think the better man won the election. I’m a little unsettled that the Democrats also took control of the Senate and the House. 2 ways to think about that I guess:

1) With control comes the ability to make the tough decisions quickly which often is the key to success.
2) With control comes the ability to make the tough decisions quickly which, without checks and balances, can run a country amuck.

I’m not saying that there are checks and balances with full control, it’s just that a few more things can get railroaded through that maybe should be further considered. But I do like the fact that hard decisions can be pursued. In our pitiful minority government up here in north-USA, we will be slower to react to the times.

Anyway, have fun America! Your in for one heck of a ride. Obama is a polarizing figure and there’s bound to be some crazy things down the road.

My review of James ‘Hey Ma’

I got the new James album. The first since their 2 year breakup. It is a triumphant return. I like this album for the following reasons:

1) It takes on a similar format and sound to the “Sound” album…arguably my favourite James offering. They’ve brought back the trumpet overtones that is distinctly James. They also have those emotional bursts that they are known for. The kind that set your heart soaring. Very positive, iambic, melodic, anthemic. Great energy by Tim Booth’s voice.
2) The songs are well laid out. In a way that is typical to James but may not be noticeable to most: they start off with an upbeat song (Bubbles) and then lay down their trademark upbeat emotional gem on track 3 (Waterfall). Then they rollercoaster it with varying songs that alternate from soft/serious to upbeat/fun. Then the album finishes of with a typical powerful and emotional crescendo like song: I Wanna Go Home. Probably top 2 or 3 in my favs for James (top 10 in my overall).

This format is what has worked so well for them in the past. With Millionaires for example, the lead in “Crash”, the following “Just Like Fred Astaire” and then the rollercoaster of up/downbeat songs until the crescendo finale “Vervaceous”. Or how about Pleased To Meet you that starts with “Space”, 3rd track “Beefcake” and then the near finale crescendo of Getting Away With It.

I love their layouts and am very happy that they’ve either intentionally or unintentionally implemented it in the new album.

Anyway, they are back. Some might say the sound hasn’t changed or progressed. That they are the same old James. But I think that’s something that should have been done so that they can rediscover what makes them unique and then build from there.

A little triviata: It was 9 years ago almost to the day when I was in England for the golf application. It was on this trip that I picked up the newly release Millionaires album. Come to think of it, I think the last few releases have all come out in October/November. Coincidence?