Night by Night

Me: I'll have a vodka seven, please.
Bartender: Sorry, we don't have any 7 Up... is Sprite ok?
Me: Yeah, sure...
Bartender: [Pulls out a 355 ml can of President's Choice Spritz Up and mixes drink.] That'll be $4.75, please. 

I only frequent the classiest of joints.

My bed's too big for just me

As the sweet, sweaty days of summer begin drawing to a close, I find myself veering away from the blogosphere and gravitating towards 'the real world' in search of last-minute adventures, much-needed reunions and many a sleepless night. Yet while my days remain busy and my nights stay satisfyingly hazy, I must confess that I have been completely lacking in the concert-going department as of late. 

Luckily enough, in a delightful twist of fate, indie rockers Ra Ra Riot put on a free show at the Mod Club in Toronto last night and I was able to attend.

The music sounded effortlessly smooth, the lighting changes were quite impressive and the crowd was thick but attentive, making for an overall pleasant transition back into the concert scene. 

Ra Ra Riot's sound is quite melodic and romantic as the six-piece has both a cellist and violinist to their name. Sometimes upbeat and sometimes melancholic, Ra Ra Riot's music makes me want to dance and reach for tissues at the same time.

I especially enjoyed the hypnotic bass line on their latest single "Boy" (from their newly released album The Orchard), although I'm still partial to their 2009 single "Can You Tell": 

"My bed's too big for just me"

Farewell, August.

East Coast Love

Thought I'd share a few pics from my trip to Halifax (and surrounding area) last weekend — enjoy!

Martinique Beach
 

Citadel Hill

Maritime Museum 


Halifax Harbour 

Natal Day fireworks

Happy belated birthday, Halifax! Cheers.

A Salute to Summer

There's nothing more refreshing than escaping the city for a weekend — especially when it involves a cottage, a sandy beach, good reads, great eats and the company of hilarious friends.

Before I blow the cheese factor through the roof, I just want to remind you that it's summertime. Even if you can't get away for a weekend, take your lunch outside, go for a walk, throw a frisbee around...you know the drill.

Go ahead and unplug. I dare you.

"To go away on a summer's day 

never seemed so clear"

Let's make August a good one.

Inside and out

Untitled (Opium Den) by Rosson Crow

Sous-Entendu
by Anne Stevenson

Don't think

that I don't know
that as you talk to me
the hand of your mind
is inconspicuously
taking off my stocking,
moving in resourceful blindness
up my thigh.

Don't think
that I don't know
that you know
everything I say
is a garment.

Muse-ic Mondays: Issue 24

I have a confession to make: I've been listening to a certain blond pop star as of late — although not the one you might expect. Sure, this lady is a style icon and a successful dance hit generator, but her stage name doesn't rhyme with 'rah-rah.' It does rhyme with 'dobbin,' however.

I'm talking about Swedish songstress Robyn.

Yes, the same singer of the '90s pop hit — and personal favourite at awkward grade school dances — "Show Me Love":

She's come a long way, baby.

Although her haircut and candy-coated voice largely remain intact, Robyn's music — since she founded her own record label Konichiwa Records in 2005 — has evolved from sweet and simple pop tunes to much more cheeky and edgy electropop sounds. Sure, her songs are still formulaic, but she packs in just enough sass and crass that you won't feel like you're listening to your bubblegum-pop-loving tween sister's albums. Nevertheless, you and your sis will both feel inclined to "dance like no one's watching" (her quote of choice, of course).

There's something particularly enjoyable about her combination of playful, almost child-like vocals with brash and humorous, yet heartfelt, sentiments. Robyn is not afraid to be vulnerable or wear her heart on her sleeve, but she'll crank up the bass, synths and quirky lyrics just to make sure you're listening...and dancing. 

As the first of her three-album Body Talk series, Robyn's latest disc Body Talk Pt. 1 wittily plays out like a dance party for single ladies who just want to...well, dance.

Body Talk Pt. 2 is set for a September release.

Here's the first single off of Body Talk Pt. 1 — "Dancing On My Own":

I'm in the corner

Watching you kiss her

I'm right over here

Why can't you see me?

I'm giving it my all

But I'm not the girl you're taking home

I keep dancing on my own

Story of my life, girl. Keep on dancing, my friends.

Movie Mondays?

Comic by Toothpaste for Dinner

One of my countless international superfans (a.k.a. my sister's friend in Japan) has requested that I write more movie reviews on my blog.

Unfortunately, I have not seen any new movies as of late, nor are there any films currently in theatres that particularly tickle my fancy.

Any suggestions?

The most recent film I saw was Sex and the City 2. For what it's worth, here's my 5-second movie review:

"It wasn't the best I ever had, but I don't regret it. Cheap thrills."

 Moving on.

The remainder of this blog post was inspired by chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, proving that gluttony can be productive:

Staring at the quickly-melting gallon scoop of ice cream in my bowl one hot summer's night, I noticed two horrified chocolate chip eyes and one gaping cookie dough mouth staring right back at me.  

What is my ice cream trying to tell me?, I thought to myself. What is it trying to say?

And so, like any other sensible human being, I gave my ice cream a voice.

I may scream, you may scream and/or we all may scream for ice cream, but the only thing this bowl of dessert was shrieking was, "I'm melting! Melting!" à la the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz.

And so, like any other rational-minded person, I thought to myself, If other inanimate objects could talk using only movie quotes, what would they say?

Et voilà:

If  ______ could talk, it would say... 

My computer monitor:
"Wipe that face off your head, bitch."
- Darla Marks (Parker Posey), Dazed and Confused 

My radio:
"Turn up the good, turn down the suck!"
- Dean Murdoch (Paul Spence), FUBAR

A glow stick:
"E.T. phone home."
- E.T., E.T.

A toilet:
"The horror...the horror..."
- Kurtz (Marlon Brando), Apocalypse Now

The CN Tower:
"Nobody puts Baby in a corner."
- Johnny Castle (Patrick Swazye), Dirty Dancing

The moon:
"Chlorophyll? More like BOREophyll."
- Billy Madison (Adam Sandler), Billy Madison

Hair gel: 
"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."
- Richard Castellano (Peter Clemenza), The Godfather

Corn:
"I'll be back."
- The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger), The Terminator


Did I just write all of that? I'll get better soon, I promise.

Your turn.

Muse-ic Mondays: Issue 23

One new album I've been listening to as of late is When You Left The Fire by Toronto folk five-piece The Wilderness of Manitoba. Although not your typical "blast with the top down" summertime release, the CD has an eerie yet charming sound to it, reminiscent of a cross between Fleet Foxes and Great Lake Swimmers.

As its title hints, When You Left The Fire is ablaze with fire imagery. Fittingly enough, the album could perhaps best be enjoyed around a late-night campfire — after the crowd has thinned, the conversation has died down and only your closest friends remain.

Update: I recently reviewed When You Left The Fire for !earshot online. Click to read my CD review.

Over and out.