A:F6

Amazing. That's all I have to say about A:F6.

staying power

When the Strokes first album "Is this it?" came out, it didn't leave my CD player for about 6 months. That's pretty long for a 30 minute album.

I always wondered if I had become obsessed with that album because it was a symbol for something more in my life, or if perhaps another album with just as much staying power would come along.

That question was answered in the form of Sufjan Stevens. I bought Illinois on a whim, based on a good review I read. After playing it a few times, I couldn't get into it. I tried it again a few weeks later, and started to enjoy it more each time. Now, nearly a year later, I have 3 of Sufjan's albums, all of which I still thoroughly enjoy.

Is This It enjoyed a 6 month dictatorship of my CD player, during which time all opposition was mercilessly crushed. Sufjan Stevens hasn't commanded the same rule over my CD player, but his incredible breadth and depth has led me to enjoy different songs of his at different periods of time for the last year, and I only own 3 of his CDs, I think there's at least 3 more that I have yet to hear.

If you haven't heard him, and are considering it, I urge you to buy Illinois. Like me, you may have to give it more than one chance.

This pic obviously isn't here for artistic value.

There's a bookstore in Toronto doing a campaign with this picture, with the words "Don't read enough?"

I can't be sure, but I think this billboard is graffiti.

On the subject of billboards, there was another one near my house during the Gay Pride Parade that said "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom" and then a hotmail address below it.

I think the christians who put that sign up broke through their stereotypical hateful attitude toward the gay community, and really reached out to the 1 million plus that came out that weekend. Really.

It's amazing how extremist sects of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism can be such a detrement to society, excusing otherwise inexcusable acts for the sake of a higher power. Does this only happen in Western religion?

an amazing canadian moment

Whilst digging through YouTube to rediscover favorite television moments from my childhood (there is a plethora of Sesame Street skits and Vignettes from the National Filmboard), I think this has got to be one of the my favorites:

This is the place