New DMB!

Well, Dave Matthews Band has a new album out: Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King. It's pretty dang good. It's the last album featuring LeRoi Moore (GrooGrux) on the sax, since he died from that ATV accident.

Fanboys

This movie is teh shit. Watch it. Imagine a road-trip movie, with tons of Star Wars references, cameos, and even a good sub-plot, and you've got Fanboys.

To Mr. Train Driver

I don't know what train you drive; VIA, GO or CN Rail. I do know that you drive through Burlington around 11:30pm every night, and you feel inclined to play your horn-song. Guess what? Nobody knows the tune. Stop hitting the horn. I live at least 5kms from your train tracks, but I still hear you. I can't imagine what other residents think of you.

Goodnight.

LeftRightLeftRightLeft

Coldplay fan? Closet Coldplay fan? Free live album direct from the band:

http://lrlrl.coldplay.com/leftright.html

District 9

I love Neil Blomkamp's short film Alive in Joburg which has been adpated into a feature length film called District 9. I think this is going to be gooooood.

Watch Alive in Joburg:

Watch District 9 Trailer:

How Backing Up Saved My Bacon - A Cautionary Tale

I thought I would share this since so many of MoonTower's readers are Mac users. Here's a quick description of my set-up:

2.66 GHz iMac running OSX Leopard
2.16 GHz MacBook Pro running OSX Leopard

Since I use the MBP for work, I decided it was a good idea to put a back-up strategy into place, 'cause I just can't afford to lose my data. I bought a 500MB Time Capsule, a 250MB external hard disk drive, and Chronosync software.

I set up Time Machine to back up both machines daily (overriding the hourly back-up default, which is too much for me). In addition, once a month, I do a system image using SuperDuper! software, and put that on the external HDD and leave it at my father-in-law's as my off-site back-up. SuperDuper is free for doing full system backups.

Lastly, I use Chronosync to sync my "Documents" folder between the iMac and the MBP, which runs at least twice a day, or whenever my MBP joins the network. I let this sync more frequently since I will often work on the iMac if I am working from home.

Soooo... why bring this all up? Well, yesterday, while on-site at my client's, my MBP started doing some wonky stuff. I use VMWare to run Windows XP virtually, and that worked fine, but when I tried using Mac apps, the menu bar would completely disappear, and I wasn't able to use the dock or launch any apps from the Finder. After doing hard reboots, the same problem would start again after about 5 minutes of use.

Late last night, I popped in my Leopard install disk, and ran the "System Restore from Backup" utility. I selected my Time Capsule backup, and when I came in this morning, all worked perfectly again. And I did it without losing a single file. Only a few things had to be fixed - Apple Mail had to rebuild the mail database, but that took all of 1 minute, and I had to re-establish some links and default apps. Other than that, everything seems to be working well.

So I think I just got my payback for the $500 I spent on hardware for backing up!

BHR7

Next Wednesday! Right on!

Mmm... Cheese

Roquefort Chive Sauce
Goes on steaks

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 ounces French Roquefort cheese, crumbled (4 ounces with rind)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

Directions

1. Bring the heavy cream to a boil in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Cook at a low boil, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has become thick and creamy, about 20 minutes.
3. Remove the pan from the heat, add the cheese, salt, pepper and chives and whisk rapidly until the cheese melts.

Bruce Parry

Not sure if I have gone on about Bruce Parry. He is an amazing presenter, adventurer and ambassador to the few tribes left in this shrinking world. His series Tribe is amazing. I am just beginning to watch Bruce's 6-part series called Amazon. He is traveling the entire Amazon river meeting, learning and sharing tribal life and culture along the way. A must see!

Californication

I didn't think I was going to be into this show. Partly because I thought is was a soft-core drama kinda show and partly because I didn't think I could ever watch David Duchovny as anyone but Mulder (especially after the X-Files jumped the shark). But...with Duchovny as the tragically flawed rock star author/husband/father/person, Hank Moody, in Californication, I am back on the DD band wagon. This show ranks up there with Entourage. I know that is a big claim, but give it a try, just make sure the kids are in bed - it's a little raunchy!

Holy crap I am busy

Likely, you guys are, too! Lots o' stuff going on. I unfortunately cannot make the April 26 trip - its the weekend when we celebrate my 'rents b-days, and also its when my nana gets back from Florida.

Why does it feel like living in a whirlwind has become the norm?

Huey Lewis & the News

I know that I may be setting myself up for ridicule here, but I gotta say, Huey Lewis & the News was some good shiznit. Maybe it just brings back that nostalgic feeling, but I have been on the Greatest Hits album today, and lovin' it.

Don't need no credit card to ride this train.

April Fools!

Take a look at this image, then take about 8-10 steps back and look again...

Ben Harper & Relentless 7

So pumped that we got tickets to see Ben and R7. Besides Woods dream-like experience at the Mod Club, the Phoneix is going to be the smallest venue that we have seen Ben play! Countdown on.

Here's Ben & R7 playing some tunes and chatting on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic - nice intro to the new material.

KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic with Ben Harper & Relentless 7

Shaolin Soccer

Shaolin Soccer - funny, silly film!

I mentioned to Woods that I think little E would get a kick out of this film. It's not a kids film per se, but I would describe it as The Bad News Bears meet The Matrix - just no Kelly and no Morpheus.

Link to trailer

Watchmen

Just picked up a copy of the Watchmen graphic novel from the library - I am only a few pages in, but I am hooked. Looking forward to catching the film adaptation fresh off the heels of reading the comic series!

Woods - vectorized

I was experimenting with some online vector convertors. 

Favicon

Check out the Moontotwer's new favicon! The tiny image in the address bar before the URL.

Thievery Corporation

Heading out to see Thievery Corporation on their Radio Retaliation tour tomorrow night at the Kool Haus. Pretty jazzed!

*UPDATE*

One word to describe the show...AMAZING!

Relentless7

A good read...good sound.
C.

BEN HARPER AND RELENTLESS7 WHITE LIES FOR DARK TIMES


In a hostile sea of disposable, throwaway singles, BEN HARPER AND RELENTLESS7 have made a true album. White Lies For Dark Times is a timeless rock record, with a cohesive collection of music that is as raw, unrelenting and thunderous, as it is arrestingly haunting and emotional.

On the raucous opening track, “Number With No Name,” Harper bellows “the very thing that drives you -- can drive you insane” over an infectious guitar line and a deftly serious groove that both thumps and propels the listener. The band then brings the listener full circle in the closing track “Faithfully Remain,” as Harper sings, “the truth just wastes away in all we can’t explain, but I faithfully remain.” The beauty of these lyrics works as a breathtaking release which balances out the anthemic urgency of songs such as “Shimmer and Shine” and “Up To You Now,” both of which are surely soon to be familiar staples at radio.

This is American rock, the way it is supposed to sound and feel.

In what may possibly be the greatest “how the band formed” story ever, Harper met guitarist Jason Mozersky in the late nineties, when the lead singer of Mozersky’s then band, WAN SANTO CONDO was working as a van driver shuttling bands back and forth to the venue for a Texas promoter. (The three members of the 7 all hail from Texas) The part time driver, part time musician took a risk that all artists must take at some point in their lives in order to succeed. He asked the then captive Ben Harper, “Can I play you my demo?” Harper obliged, and in his own words “was blown away,” and helped the band secure a record deal and release the self-titled Wan Santo Condo / Everloving Records, 2004. The band broke up after one record, but what survived was a lasting friendship between Harper and Mozersky.

In 2005, Harper began recording sessions that would become a double record entitled Both Sides of the Gun (2006, Virgin Records). He invited his now long time friend Mozersky to lay down some guitar work on a track. Upon invitation to continue recording the next day, Jason arrived with at the studio with longtime friends, drummer Jordan Richardson and bassist Jesse Ingalls from the acclaimed Los Angeles based indie rock band OLIVER FUTURE. The session would spawn not only the song “Serve Your Soul” but the framework for Relentless7.

In the summer of 2008, the chance arrived for these four uniquely talented members to reunite in the studio and dig deeper into the chemistry that was born during the Both Sides of the Gun sessions. It was soon apparent that their instincts were correct as the record quickly began to take shape. The songs from White Lies For Dark Times sound off with both the vast musical depth and experience of Harper, while commanding the pure urgency and intensity of an unknown band fighting for it’s life.

This is clear in the song “Fly One Time” with the lyric “I’m caught in between what I can’t leave behind, and what I may never find” where BEN HARPER AND RELENTLESS7 capture universal emotion while the song pulsates into a bass, drum and electric guitar anthem that would captivate any arena and crush any small club.
In November 2008, the band debuted their new material on the Vote For Change Tour, where they also breathed new life into the Queen/David Bowie classic “Under Pressure,” which has since become a staple of their live set. They ended the year cutting their teeth with a series of small club shows from famed venues such as Spaceland and The Mint in Los Angeles, to The Mercury Lounge and Kenny’s Castaway in NYC. The band is scheduled to tour extensively across the world in 2009.

BEN HARPER AND RELENTLESS7 intelligently has one foot in Harper’s past while every other limb and appendage reach towards the future. Any preconceptions or misconceptions in regards to a “Ben Harper sound” must now be adjusted, or thrown out all together. With BEN HARPER AND RELENTLESS7, the story of modern rock music is now being rewritten.

More Funneeeee!

A couple of funny films to check out...

Foot Fist Way

Apparently a favourite film of Will Ferrell's. Cringy like The Office, silly like Semi-Pro.

Chris Rock's Kill The Messenger

Hilarious. Chris Rock rocks.

Three Deeeee!

Unusual for me, but I went to see movies in the theatre twice this past weekend. Mainly because the films I went to see were in super duper 3D.

Coraline

Great stop motion film by the director of A Nightmare Before Christmas. Not really for the young kids, had some spooky moments. But a little disappointed with the 3D. The film didn't take advantage of being in 3D. If you go, see it in 2D and save the extra bucks for popcorn. 

IMAX Under the Sea 3D

Imax and 3D - always a great combo. Amazing underwater photography brought to life in 3D. My god, at one point you are face to face with a giant cod floating in the middle of the theatre. Only 40 minutes long and the 3D made me feel a little dizzy, but it was pretty cool.

Check out this Bacon

Check out this bacon. NSFW

Housekeeping

What happened to the D&C pic? The Vader pic is really funny, but...

Slip, is there an opportunity to but a header banner on this template? If so, let me know the specs and I can whip one up.

What's Spinning in yer iPod?

Since we like to blog on music, I thought I would throw out an idea - a post per month by one of us (we can rotate) talking about what's getting play on our iPod (or iPhone for Woods). Here's mine:

Coldplay - Viva la Vida
Damn, I like Coldplay. Have for a while, and I am gonna just come out and say it. I know some say they are cliche and stuff, but they throw down some great melodies. And Joe Satriani should rethink his lawsuit.

Jason Mraz - We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things
I think I like Mraz's stuff more than Matt Costa - it seems to have more variation song to song.

Incredibad - Lonely Island songs from SNL
I nearly pee myself listening to this stuff. Faves include Ras Trent ("Are you there, Jah? It's me, Ras Trent"), Dick in a Box, Space Olympics, and Incredibad. Good for a break on a long commute.

Blind Pilot
Ok - likely a new band for you both. Very acoustic sound, and a great overall groove. These guys toured on bicycle across the US last year, gear and all... I think they were on Carson Daly yesterday, too.


I've also put the iPod on shuffle, and twigged on JT (gotta love him), some Kanye West (the new album - 808s - is a bag full of repetitive crap), and the new Thievery Corporation (Radio Retaliation).

Natty

Just came across this musician. First heard his voice on Nintin Sawhney's "Days of Fire" track. More here:

Natty - official site

The Waterkeepers

We went to see a talk at the Centre for Social Innovation last week. Mark Mattson and Gord Downie talked about The Lake Ontario Waterkeepers ongoing fight to keep Lake Ontario safe for swimming, drinking and fishing, particularly an area near Kingston and The Tragically Hip's Bath House Studio from the actions of LaFarge Cement company and inaction of our government.

It was inspiring to hear about this fight and cause. Mark gave us the details of the legalities and proceeding of the case and Gord reflected on his involvement and played a few acoustic tunes.

For more info check out:

Lake Ontario Waterkeepers

Playing for Change

I like this. Grandpa Elliot friggin' rocks on the mouth harp.

New (temporary) Template

As per Dubby's insistance to adjust the template, I've updated it so that the mouse cursor should not mysteriously disappear. I said Good Day.

By the way, we are only on pace to hit half the number of posts of our best year (2006). What up with that? Time to spread some more eggs and cheese, that's what I say. Woods, you want some salsa with those eggs?

Flight of the Conchords

OMG - Have you seen Flight of the Conchords? Season 1 was hilarious. I saw the first episode of Season 2 and was left feeling a little flat. That all changed with the second episode when Jermaine decides to becomes a bo ho. Hilarious.

PS - can the Blogger template be reset in pursuit of a glitch free blog? 

Slumdog!

Had a chance to catch Slumdog Millionaire this past weekend with Woods and Robyn. Great flick - deserves the Acadaemy Award nomination. Interesting way of revealing the narrative of a boy's life story through the questions he answers on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. 

Oops! I forgot...

Further to Wood's Christmas declaration of matching sweater-ness, I meant to post this before the holiday, but just found the image now. This is my Xbox 360 "avatar" suited up for the holidays with the moustache I only wish I could have. Cheers!

Generation Kill

"The Wackness" was definitely dope. Now I am on to "Generation Kill". Think "Band of Brothers" in Iraq with high production values. Some good stuff with interesting socio-political undertones. Stay frosty and listen to Godfather.

The Wackness

Another film reco - The Wackness. As the poster says...

NYC. Summer 1994. The Girls Were Fly. The Music Was Dope. And Luke Was Trying To Deal.

Ben Kingsley as a psychiatrist turned dope dealer. Enough said.

Merry Christmas Moon Tower...

Merry Christmas Gents'
Hope the holiday treats you well...
Colin (and Robyn)

A few too many...

Had my 2nd annual Xmas office party last night. Way too many bottles of St. Peter's English Ale washing down way too many raw oysters! The blizzard is not helping my hang over. 

No evil - heard, seen or said

Found this funny Moontower related image...

A Santa Message...

This is pretty cool - you can do a personalized message from Santa. Thought Ethan might like it!

http://portablenorthpole.sympatico.msn.ca/home

Matisyahu Tonight!

Going to see Matisyahu tonight at the Phoenix! K'naan is opening. Should be a great show.

*UPDATE*

So the show was amazing. K-naan was inspirational, but didn't have the intensity or energy of Matisyahu. From his intense glares and wild spinning, the show was thumping. The pacing was a little weird - some long slow interludes. But the highlight was his beatbox - it blew me away. He definitely did "Chop 'em down"! Unfortunately no "Message in a Bottle" cover though

Jizz in my Pants

Ok. If you've seen the SNL short, "Dick in a Box", this next one is easily going to make you

JIZZ IN YOUR PANTS.

Are you watching 30 Rock!?

Jack Donaghy is unbelievable.

I was so hesitant about this show at first but now I can't get enough - too funny! Mind blasting.

Moontower - tech glitch?

I am having trouble with the Moontower. I am using Safari and when I mouse over any of the posts, my cursor disappears and only becomes visible when I am over a link. This has been happening for a while (happens both using Tiger and Leopard). Anyone else having this problem?

Funniest TV Shows EVER!!!

I stumbled across these shows on the internets...

Summer Heights High & We Can Be Heroes - these Aussie shows star comedian Chris Lilley who plays all the main roles. He is amazing! These shows rank up there with Ricky Gervais' The Office.

 

Pineapple Express to Nowhere

So, started watching the Pineapple Express movie last night, and I had to turn it off. What a pile of crap, and I pride myself as being up with stoner humour. Anyone else see it?

Catchin' Up

Dudes. Glad to see the MoonTower taking a few hits again.

Life is good for the Slippy clan - and we just joined the WiiFit ranks since K got one for her birthday. I don't do a very good tree, and I think I hurt my neck in a half moon on the first day. But I did manage to rock my WiiFit age at 30, even though my BMI puts me in the "overweight" or "tubby" category. Do they really have to adjust your Mii to simulate your waist size?

Dubby, I was thinking about your career, and I found this excellent video, which made me think that maybe you should try directing music vids? Woods looks kinda like the guy on the motorcycle...

Hey - thought I would throw up a frivolous post. See if we can get the Moontower pumping again.

This one is a movie review - Rocknrolla!

Guy Ritchie does it again. Not the amazing gun fight scenes of LSTSB, and nothing can really beat Brad Pitt in Snatch, but a great bit role for Jeremy Piven (have you been watching Entourage S05!!??) Worth checking out this film on the big screen!

Komoka-bound!

Holy shit. Profanity fully intended. I can't believe how long its been since I posted here, let alone how long its been since ANYONE posted here! MoonTower is 5 years old!

Anyways, looking forward to the get-together this weekend. Komoka, here we come!

MyFAST

Loving my new car!
So Fun. Love to drive again!
Woods.

Dubwii!

I can't believe it, but I am the proud owner of a game console! Picked up a Wii yesterday. Sarah and I started jonesin' for it a couple days ago, then in one of the best impulse buys of my life we drove to a Best Buy and picked it up. Now we are gunnin' for a Wii Fit!

Star Wars Trumpet Routine

I know this is somewhat sacrilegious, but I thought it was worth the post, if only to cringe at enormity of its uncomfortablenesseseses.

Bullfrog Power & Gord Downie

If I already haven't mentioned it - you should consider switching to Bullfrog Renewable Power. It is simple to switch and it guarentees that the electricity powering your house is coming from renewalble sources. As more consumers switch, more power from windmills and solar will be added to the grid. No nukes and dirty coal!

Check it out and switch here: Bullfrog Power

Last week Sarah and I attended the 2nd annual Bullfrog Bash. It was a charming evening of beer, snacks and chatting about renewable energy. Evan Solomon hosted and near the end of the event he introduced a special musical guest - Gord Downie. Gord sung four solo acoustic songs - 2 songs, which I didn't recognize, I can only assume are works in progress for another Downie or Hip album. He then filled the room with an amazing version of 'Pretend' followed by a mind blowing moment - standing 10 feet from Gord Downie watching him belt out a passionate version of 'Ahead by a Century'. His commentary was amazing and poetic. I am amazed to think that I saw Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip 17 years ago in a field in Carliyse, Ontario thinking it couldn't get any better than this, then last week it did.

This is England - wicked film!

Highly recommended! This film blew me away. Never heard of it and was in Suspect Video with Woods who pointed to it. Gripping.

Hi, howdy, hey

Yo.

Feels like its been ages since I last posted, and the Moon Tower is now 4 years old! I've been busy working on some cabinetry for the upcoming bathroom reno, and some new forays into confectionary world that I'll tell you about at a later date.

On tops o' dat, seen some good flicks and such lately. Here's a quick list of stuff enjoyed:

- Robot Chicken
- Knocked Up
- Hot Fuzz
- Air Guitar Nation

Check you later!

SKATE.

Pretty excited about this game...should be out Monday.
C.

Coming in the air tonight!

The Landlord

Not sure if you've seen this yet...

Another movie reco

Everything's Gone Green - written by Douglas Coupland and starring Vancouver!

Great Movies

Caught a couple of great movies lately. The first is a must rent - Tom Tykwer's "Perfume". Wow this is a twisted film, but amazing. The second is "Ever Since The World Ended". This is a little indie flick that ranks up there with some of the best futurist movies out there.

The Hula Boys

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!

Dads Mad Pad

Culture

Had brunch in this groovy little place last weekend called Grapefruit Moon - they were spinning some fantastic roots rock reggae. Ends up it was all one band - Culture. I am going to find this album "Two Sevens Clash". One Love.