New Years Eve Twenty O Eight

We're bracing for a blizzard tonight to end 2008 and will be digging out on the first day of 2009.

Also, you'll have to add another second on the countdown to midnight. It actually be at 12:00.01 when 2009 finally arrives. That's because of a leap second being added to the clocks.

Here's the deets. http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2008/12/30/7881476-ap.html

Alot of people will be hunkering down with this impending storm and spending it with Dick Clark on the tube. Dick is 79 and will be doing the annual show appearing in limited role.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/30/dick-clark-still-rockin-d_n_154166.html

You can also spend QYears Eve with The Mighty Q the annual tradition continues. JC Douglas will be taking your requests at 451-1043 and doing the countdown to midnight....also letting you know of power outtages, storm cancellations that inevitably happens during a storm. Lock it in ... we're there for ya baby.

I don't normally make New Years resolutions, but feel compelled to do so this year. My one and only New Years resolution will be to not start sending fan mail to Ringo Starr. One of the weirdest celeb rants from 2008 was this from Ringo...that he felt the need to do this is funny.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=gpd24yVy5C4

Peace And Love

Happy New Year!

Arrested Development Movie In Development?

Why was "Arrested Development" cancelled? That's the million dollar question.
Tobias aka David Cross explains it all in a nutshell. They used up all the beeps...so the "F"' bombs are flying everywhere...fyi. If you're ok with that then click below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeFV5GprfaQ&feature=related

Rumours are still flying around on whether "Arrested Development" will be made into a movie.
The TV show was great. I only hope if they make the movie, they keep it true to the tv show's spirit and humour.
Here's some more info http://ccinsider.comedycentral.com/cc_insider/2008/12/arrested-development-movie-signs-on-will-arnett.html

And Will Arnett's suggestion (wink) on what we as fans can do to get this movie done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XTRVOa2ssk&feature=related

Also, a series I banged off over the holidays, which can be seen on HBO Canada is "Summer Heights High". It's not a show that's very PC, but neither was "All In The Family" having said that..it is funny. It's an Australian mockumentary and only 1 season was made.
One guy plays 3 characters and one of them is Mr. G, teacher and the fill in head of drama at the highschool. He reminds me of Corky from "Waiting For Guffman". Sense of humour is subjective, what's funny to some is not to others. So, maybe you to share my twisted sense of humour.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAoATVaCTCo
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=KDuHr3mvCAU
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/summerheightshigh/#home

John Lennon Has Nothing But XO's For Kids

John Lennon is appearing in a charity public service announcement
Thanks to digital technology, John is urging Americans to support the “One Laptop Per Child” campaign to deliver solar powered
XO laptop computers to children in some of the poorest parts of the Globe.
“Imagine every child no matter where in the world they were could access a universe of knowledge. They would have a chance to learn, to dream, to achieve anything they want,” a voice and video image
of Lennon has been created to say,” Lennon says in the ad.
“I tried to do it through my music, but now you can do it in a very different way. You can give a child a laptop and more than imagine, you can change the world.” (Credit to Popculture site)

Yoko gave her permission for this. Listening to it, it doesn't sound like John, but a weird facsimile. Must be the digital thing...because John and all of us wouldn't have had the word laptop in our vocab back in the day.

Check it out.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz9R82vWw08

Ricky Gervais Meets....Christopher Guest & Larry David

This is brilliant and funny. Ricky Gervais from the creator of "The Office" and "Extras" meets Christopher Guest. Some of my all time favourite movies are "Spinal Tap", "Waiting For Guffman", and "Best In Show"..also liked "A Mighty Wind". Christopher Guest is responsible for all those films. He never does interviews and so this is why it's such a treat. I love the way Ricky is like a little school girl in the presence of Christopher. Ricky is such a fan and you can see he's having a ball hangin' and talking to Christopher who is so funny. Also, some great nuggets of inside stuff that happened on "Spinal Tap" and some of his other flicks.

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkDuNaE3QqA&feature=channel_page
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaV2OrCjOtc&feature=channel
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tor3K-ENTXY&feature=channel
Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6tXmO1Pmlo&feature=channel
Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TQuVxkyazM&feature=channel
Part 6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CodDwvvS1E&feature=channel

Also, if you're a fan of "Curb Your Enthusiasm", Ricky Gervais interviews Larry David...another intensely private guy who rarely does interviews. Great to have this to watch as we hold vigil til the new season of "Curb" starts. (Warning language maybe colourful, for others it's a way of life.)

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWgVr545yNA&feature=related
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XegLxXMHBH4&feature=related
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpoKDo5cYNU&feature=related
Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VROjPCGA7j0&feature=related
Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGJwz-B77FI&feature=related
Part 6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSlVZx5I1B8&feature=related

Boxing Day Potpourri

It's Boxing Day and that means crazy, mad shopping in other parts of the country. Not here in Nova Scotia, stores are closed today. I'm ok with that. Just how much stuff do you need? Which reminds me of George Carlin"s classic comedy bit .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLoge6QzcGY
My friend Adam and I talk about pulling an "Into The Wild" move ...getting rid of stuff and living off the grid...well maybe not to that extreme. By the way, that's a great movie if you haven't seen it. Based on a true story. It's a good one to rent on a day like today and Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam does the entire soundtrack, including a great cover of a Canadian band from the 90's called Indio with "Hard Sun". Here's Indio's version.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb5KXozi_HM
Eddie stays pretty true to the original version don't ya think?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDorNilxPUY

Another alternative on what to do today is to listen to the Q104 20th Anniversary on til Midnight tonight. All kinds of great memories here. You can listen online at www.Q104.ca

Another thing to do today is to watch The World Junior Hockey Championship, which starts today. Canada is trying for a 5th consecutive Gold Medal. In 2003 Halifax was the host city. It was an exciting time. The city came alive in the dead of winter. And since were in full on hockey mode for the next several days, here's an NFB film short called "The Sweater". About a kid who loves The Montreal Canadians and the results of when his mom orders a Canadians sweater from Eatons. Won't tell you more, just watch here. The sound quality ain't that great so crank it up. Even if you're not a Canadians fan, imagine if you're the kid and think about the team you loved growing up and the warm and fuzzies will take over.
http://www.nfb.ca/film/sweater/

Beatles Christmas

The Beatles were way ahead of their time, not only in their music and style, but also in how they treated their fans.
They used to send out a Christmas message on vinyl every year for their fan clubs members only and it was free. Here's a neat website that compiles their Christmas records. Have a listen.

http://www.beatlesource.com/bs/mains/audio/xmas/xmas.html

You can't help but be charmed by their young, youthful and goofy exuberance. When was the last time a current artist did something like this, without us fans being charged money to be a part of a fanclub on a website inorder to get a password for a presale code to buy tickets to one of their shows? Just a thought.

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Ziggy"s Gift

"Ziggy's Gift" was originally on tv in 1983. I've always loved this Christmas special. Just the theme song alone sung by Harry Nilsson is heartwarming. The true meaning of Christmas lies within the Ziggster and his dog Fuzz. I tried for years to buy a copy..but it was hard to find. Thanks to Youtube we can all watch it and enjoy.

Merry, Happy Holidays!

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2L9LbfA-MI&feature=PlayList&p=8F5FED8495009FE6&playnext=1&index=19

Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3OiHaYm0to&feature=PlayList&p=8F5FED8495009FE6&index=20

Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuT4o6FPNxs&feature=PlayList&p=8F5FED8495009FE6&index=21

Rudolph The F#*@&*G Red Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph The Rednosed Reindeer meets Good Fellows, Taxi Driver..and other classic Martin Scorsese movies. My recollection of this as a kid is waaay different then this version. Warning gruesome violent puppet scenes...there is no going back after you click on this...and I am not responsible for any night terrors you may have after watching this :)

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/6478e6785f/raging-rudolph-mad-tv-from-tubulargoldmine

Sweet Fancy Moses..Hallelujah Is #1,#2 & #36

This is wild. Leonard Cohen's back on the British Music charts with a neat accomplishment.
His song Hallelujah has hit #1, #2 and #36 on the British Music Charts.
Read about it here
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h_jlwjQyLx6LqPfrJavhrxC27i4g

Saw Leonard Cohen at The Rebecca Cohn last May. He had 5 or 6 sold out shows at The Cohn and I was there for the final night. I had goose bumps listening to him sing. He was that great and left us wanting more. Hard to believe he's 74 and still able to pour his heart and soul into a concert with stories and funny anticdotes in between songs that we all know and love. His song is at #36 on the British Music Charts. It's a lovely song for those reflective moments in life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf36v0epfmI

Jeff Buckley is at #2 posthumously with his version of the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKnxmkOAj88&feature=related

And this is the #1 song from Alexandra Burke ...who?... The winner of X Factor in The UK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsuXbkrA_AQ

I'm partial to the Jeff Buckley version, but these artists also do a great job covering this classic.

Damien Rice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaHdeNN_ee0&feature=related

Sheryl Crowe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ehXTKxrP-Y

KD Lang
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_NpxTWbovE

Amen!

Guitar Hero

Well.... maybe Guitar Hero featuring Metallica's music is more your style. It's coming out in '09. Here's a sneak peak from Metallica's website. Rock!
http://www.metallica.com/index.asp?item=601748

And here's a classic Atari game from Journey way before Guitar Hero became the game de jour. http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=V41ajt3euYQ

What A Rush

As you drive to and from work during rush hour, think about how cool this would be to bypass all traffic ...and get a workout in as well that's the positive..the negative... a permanent wedgie and possiblity of coming down with a bad case of swimmer's itch...wah wah wah waaaaah.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1941617/waterslide_barclaycard_commercial/

Rabid about Rabbits

First pet I had growing up was a rabbit. He was brought home as a dinner, but his destiny changed for the better, when my siblings and I locked eyes on him and quickly named him George. George was a great pet rabbit, but not long for this earth. We don't know what happened to poor George and when I've gone all Spanish Inquisition on my mother for details...she quickly changes the subject...hmmm.
Perhaps ignorance is bliss in this particular situation.

Anyway, here's a couple of favourite bunny moments, sorry not the playboy kind..you'll have to get that elsewhere,... are from" Monty Python & The Holy Grail" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcxKIJTb3Hg


Also, it is the holiday season...how about a Christmas classic ..I never get tired of
"A Christmas Story" this version, however, has been given the bunny treatment.

http://www.angryalien.com/aa/xmas_storybuns.asp

Game Show Weirdness

A weird moment on "Wheel Of Fortune". Someone pronounces the word wrong.....(singing) Awkwaaard.
http://www.bestviral.com/video/19548/wheel_of_fortune_awkwardness

Then there's this from "Price Is Right" a contestant was bang on in his guess for the final showcase. The last time this happened was 36 years ago.

http://www.bestweekever.tv/2008/12/16/the-price-is-exactly-right-local-man-wins-both-showcases-makes-game-show-history/

U2 Centerfold

This is very cool. U2 centerfold in a UK newspaper called "The Guardian" of U2 at Olympic Studios working on their new cd called "No Line On The Horizon" being released on Tuesday March 3rd. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, who was here in Halifax a couple of months ago, played at The Marquee. At the preshow Q & A Daniel said it's U2's best yet...they all say that don't they? Regardless, I'm looking forward to some new U2.

Here's a classic from Live Aid. I was working at a radio station in Belleville, Ontario. When I got off the air,I hopped on my bike, raced back to the place I was staying at to watch this performance of U2's "Bad". It was so gooood. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHnXOSxka1Q&feature=related It wasn't until their ZOO TV tour in 1992 in Toronto at The CNE that I got to experience U2 Live. Some of The Tragically Hip guys were a few rows in front of me. We talked for a bit about our great seats and the concert that was about to take place. That show is in my Top 10 list of one of my favourite concerts ever.

Full Moon Fever

There's full moon tonight. if you're able to see it, will be extremely bright and seem really close. Here's a link with the details http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/12/081212-full-moon-biggest.html A few Christmases ago my sister and brother -in-law came to stay with me for the holidays. My sister brought her telescope and we were able to see the rings of Saturn, Jupiter and the moon in it's full glory. I also have loved watching meteor showers at Lawrencetown Beach with nothing but a flash light, a thermos of hot chocolate and a good friend. Lawrencetown Beach is a great spot for looking up at the stars and not having to worry about city lights...not to mention breathing in that ocean air and having the ocean waves crashing at your feet is pretty cool to.

John Lennon I Met The Walrus

John Lennon died 28 years ago yesterday. Here in the maritimes, because of the time difference it was an hour later and fell on Dec. 9th.

I love watching "Imagine" and seeing the heartwarming scenes with John as a stay at home dad to his son Sean. I watched it again for the umpteenth time this past weekend. Another fascinating film documentary is "The U.S VS John Lennon" which came out 2 years ago.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/theusvsjohnlennon/

Here's a neat clip of a 39 year old interview of John Lennon with added animation . It's an artful and interesting way of keeping John's memory alive.

http://current.com/items/89598104/i_met_the_walrus.htm

Never Too Old To Rock!

Rock Stars don't get old. Really, it's just a state of mind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73P8AVt6_v0

Ozzy Osbourne's commercial. Bonus points, if you can make out what he's saying. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROlUB99IJRs

Not So Secret Santa.

T'is the season for Office Christmas parties. Ours is tonight. Thankfully, we've done away with
"The Secret Santa" gift giving ritual in our workplace. You may relate to this scene from "The Office".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oguLfUu_IwM

Q104 25 Years Of Rock!

Q104's 25th Anniversary was on Friday and we celebrated all weekend starting with Q104's Quarter Century Concert & Clambake. Unfortunately, Myles Goodwin had collapsed in Montreal just before he was to come to Halifax. So April Wine pulled out. Joel Plaskett Emergency stepped in and did an awesome job as always. It's too bad Myles wasn't here for the big pissup. A suprise had been planned for Myles. Jim, David and Ritchie Henman were going to be onstage together with Myles and the rest of April Wine for the first time since 1971, how amazing would that have been. It didn't happen. The Henman Brothers accepted their award on behalf of April Wine from The Mighty Q and were inducted into the first ever East Coast Rock Wall Of Fame. A heartfelt moment. The whole weekend was amazing. Seeing lots of friends on and off the air. One of the many special moments for me was having the first ever Q Jocks Brother Jake, Hal Harbour, Billy Bob, Bob Powers, Doug Caldwell, and Jeff Woods see what they had started. For the rest of us keeping that spirit of what they intended going is what keeps us the current Q Alum going....and also having the best loyal listeners ever. Thanks for being a part of the Q Family. Rock!

The first song ever played on The Mighty Q 25 Years ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owmrpWyTdxQ

Also, check this out...It's not rock 'n' roll....but I still like it.

http://www.biertijd.com/oudbruin/content.php?article.668