Uninhabited Spaces

As if FOX News wasn't enough of a mouthpiece for ardent Republicans, coming soon to cable is the Right Network . With none other than Kelsey Grammer (yes, as in Frasier) as its celebrity pitcher, the new network is aiming its guns at the major networks and hoping to capture the hearts and eyes of the disaffected Tea Baggers and others who think the G.O.P. has drifted too far to the middle. Here's their promo trailer...

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Kent State University shootings. A student protest against the Vietnam War and the presence of the Ohio National Guard on the Kent State campus ended in tragedy when guardsmen shot and killed four and wounded nine Kent State students. A poignant archive and documentary is available at May 4 Archive .

I recently purchased this book at a charity book sale. Although published in 1995 it remains as relevant as ever, as the quality of our daily newspapers is only ever as good as the mathematical ideas embedded within the stories. It's an informative, humourous, and quick read, at roughly 200 pages. Paulos lays the book out in  the style of a newspaper and each chapter (or article) is just a few pages long.  While certainly worth a read on your own, here are some of his arguments that really leaped off the pages: - Many of us, including otherwise sharp journalists, have a "strong disposition to make judgments or evaluations in light of the first thing that comes to mind" (p. 14). This is understood as the availability error , and Paulos advises us to be wary of "facile parallels and analogies" (p. 16). He encourages us to "search for interpretations or associations that undermine the prevailing one that is so temptingly available" (p. 17). - Due t...

Spin magazine has named U2's "Achtung Baby" (1991) the most influential album of the past 25 years. It was an audacious album with a sound that was like nothing heard before. It was hard to believe that this was the same band that had released "The Joshua Tree" (1987) and "Rattle and Hum" (1988). Much has written about the strife and near-breakup during the recording of "Achtung Baby". Suffice it to say that in the U2 mythology the hardship bore "One", perhaps the band's greatest song.  

Kingston is abuzz with the announcement that Elton John will be playing at the downtown K-ROCK Centre arena in July. Part of the buzz is disbelief that the music legend will be  in Kingston and surprise in where he is not playing: neither Toronto, nor Montreal, nor Vancouver, nor Ottawa. Only 5 small Canadian cities will be hosting the Knight Bachelor during his world tour. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 23.

I was looking through my CD collection a couple of nights ago and was surprised to see that I own 8 R.E.M. albums. I write "surprised" because I have sort of forgotten about them. So, ever since, I have been rediscovering this great band. As a university student in the late 80's and early 90s, R.E.M. was essential listening. They were the ultimate college radio band. Great musicians, relevant lyrics, unique front man, and a social conscience all combined to make R.E.M. a potent force equalled only by U2 in popular appeal. R.E.M.'s influence has waned over the past decade but that should not stop you from getting the albums they have almost quietly released since the landmark "Automatic for the People" (1992).  

Check out the podcast of our interview on CFRC FM radio program "Gender Bender" here (the main interview begins at 6:30) .

Check out this startling visualization of the spread of Wal-Mart across the United States

Intrigued by the concept, I have set up an account with fivver , and am offering two services for $5. Fivver is a form of micro-financing website, which allows you to procure all sorts of services for a mere $5. The website is a blast too, as you can find all sorts of things people are happy to do for a fivver. Mark and I will be interviewed on-air this Friday at 8:00 pm for CFRC radio's Gender Bender . CFRC FM is available at 101.9 but if you are more than 50 km away from Kingston you can listen online at CFRC (just click on "Listen Live").

A dear friend of mine named Patrick has launched an art gallery here in Kingston. I am so proud of him, as he decided to follow his passion for art collecting and turn it into a business plan. He resigned his full-time job to be the owner and operator of a small gallery dedicated to contemporary art from established and up-and-coming painters. Most of the work is by Canadian female artists, which is not necessarily by design. The current exhibition Art on the Walls showcases paintings from the 1960s to, well, about two weeks. The gallery has three levels, which makes for the opportunity to spend time with the pieces in varying spaces. There is a lovely intimacy to the gallery, which partly comes from the space itself as well as the genial and attentive host himself. Patrick also has accessibility in mind, so prices in the current exhibit range from basically $250 to $2,500. This is not a snooty and elite gallery but Patrick has exquisite taste so you are assured work of high quality...

In the last minutes of Sunday the US House of Representatives narrowly passed a landmark bill that will provide medical insurance to some 32 million Americans. The 219-to-212 vote in favour of the legislation follows the Senate's approval of the bill in December 2009. A simultaneous package of amendments to the bill is currently on the boards and will head back to the Senate. The legislative victory will most likely bolster Barack Obama's approval ratings and help overcome the cries of disappointment his faithful have been mourning. The challenge to reform health care has been a ferocious moral and political battle. Credit will deservedly go to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (pictured holding the gavel) for her steadfast corralling of Democrats. Pelosi is now certainly the most powerful Democrat in the land after Mr. Obama himself. Together they have accomplished a remarkable feat.

I awoke to the sad news that yet another 80s star, Toronto-born Corey Haim, has passed away today. What makes this extra poignant for me was that, like me, Corey was born in December 1971. So, being almost exactly the same age, I grew up alongside Corey throughout his various movie roles. Corey was effortlessly cute and had charisma, charm, and was just a sweetheart. Just try not to fall in love with him in "Silver Bullet" (1985), the movie version of Stephen King's story about a paralyzed boy who takes on a werewolf. The apex of his fame, however, came with "The Lost Boys" (1987), a film the Robert Pattinson obsessed throngs should be forced to watch. Now there was a real teenage vampire film! There wasn't a goth alive who didn't get "TLB" on VHS just to be able to watch it over and over again. "The Lost Boys" also marked the first collaboration of Haim with Corey Feldman, later nicknamed "The Two Corey's". Haim and F...

In case you missed it, NBC's Tom Brokaw provided a lovely and touching portrait of Canada for the American audience just before the opening of the Winter Olympic Games. Aw...geez...we are blushing a little...

Doug Babcock 1900-2010 The passing of Mr. Babcock marks the end of an era. His family mourns the passing of a great man. Canada mourns the passing of the generation that asserted our independence on the world stage and established our international reputation as an unwavering champion of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law . - Prime Minister Stephen Harper Canada was called to arms in August 1914 and the country quickly amassed a army of tens of thousands within months to serve alongside Great Britain. In the end, Canada lost 67,000 soldiers with another 173,000 wounded. It was an enormous sacrifice for the young and small country which fought for the first time as a distinct unit under a Canadian-born commander. Mr. Babcock is the last known member of this great generation that helped forge a new era and contributed to the beginning of vigorous nation-building. May he rest in peace.

The suicide of brilliant fashion designer Alexander McQueen last week predictably sent ripples through the fashion and entertainment industries. Folks were right to mourn his death, as with any loss of human life. Of course, the fact that he killed himself mars his memory and reputation. Suicide is a mighty difficult topic to talk about especially in Canada and the United States, where we live in a death-defying culture. It might in fact be trait of most of the northern hemisphere's countries. I am convinced that our reactions to suicide are closely linked to how we generally approach death overall. Of course, one's religious tradition also has a mighty powerful impact. If you believe suicide is a mortal sin then your reaction to a suicide will be loaded with harsh judgment. I have lost an uncle, two cousins, and two friends to suicide. Of the five, four were men. The cause of death varied, from gunshot, to carbon monoxide, to overdose, and also to hanging. Experts say that ...

Every once in a while I am shocked and eewed by the marketing gurus. Case in point is a new product being marketed to straight men called " Vulva " [link NSFW] vaginal scent. Uh...yeah...er....ok. It sells for $35 per little vial of the stuff. Check out the ridiculous ad below. It's meant to be serious, by the way... Download: FLV MP4 3GP

Vacation rental site Homeway.com has resurrected everyone's favourite family for more misadventures in travel. It's a hoot to see Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo back as Clark "Sparky" Griswold and Ellen Griswold. In a two-part short film called " Hotel Hell Vacation " poor Clark is once again at the mercy of hoteliers. The front desk manager is note-perfect as the snooty and borish foil to poor Mr. Griswold.

In the wake of the unbearable tragedy that Haiti has been bearing these past few weeks well-minded celebrities have been gathering to record themselves singing about it. Well, sort of... The most high-profile recordings are actually do-overs, with uber producer Simon Cowell herding one group to re-record REM's " Everybody Hurts ", and Lionel Ritchie and Quincy Jones corralling 100 celebrities to remake " We are the World ". During the recent "Hope for Haiti Now" all the songs performed were existing songs performed by the original artist or covered by others, with one sole exception, the the hastily authored single " Not Gonna Leave You Stranded " by Bono, Jay-Z, and Rhianna. If you are sufficiently moved and/or guilty you can purchase the song(s) here .

During a recent interview Sarah Palin opted for a Grade 8 solution to a Ph.D-sized problem...

Okay, so like thousands of youngsters I spent copious amounts of time doing some air guitar moves in my bedroom, as I listed to my tapes on my boom box from Sears. Aw, sweet memories of tape-to-tape dubbing and auto-playback. While I never did go on to become a real guitar hero (sniff, sniff) I thought I would share some of my favourite guitar moments...Note these are favourites; I am not claiming these are all-time best or greatest guitar songs, just those that have always been part of my life's soundtrack. The year in parentheses refers to original release year. Take it Back (1994) --Pink Floyd Guitar god David Gilmour takes us into to stratosphere with this grand tune and his unmistakable effects heroics. Big Love (1987) --Lyndsey Buckingham The guitar hero of Fleetwood Mac, Buckingham takes the 1980s pop-synth hit and turns it into a lesson in how to play the guitar. Watch a master at work with a less-is-more brilliance. The Fly (1992) -- U2 Not only is this the best version...

While many people know much of the U2 canon due to the popularity of the band's music, there are a handful of very special songs that you've heard by other artists that were actually written by U2 and/or Bono. Some of these are veritable gems and some of my favourite songs beautifully interpreted by other artists. Here is a sample: She's a Mystery to Me (1989) Bono wrote this gorgeous song for the inimitable Roy Orbison, who provides such a stunning vocal as only he could. This song would feature on Orbison's last album, released after his death. A lovely story about the song here . Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad Bono wrote this melancholy song with Frank Sinatra in mind but the song was popularized by Canadian jazz singer Matt Dusk. I am not a fan of Dusk's version, much preferring that of Nancy Sinatra. Check it out here (featuring Adam Clayton on bass and Larry Mullen Jr on drums). When Love Comes to Town (1988) Bono wrote this song for BB King and it deb...

Police announced Tuesday that they have tentatively identified the remains of a woman found in a farmer's field near Charlottesville, Virginia as those of Morgan Harrington , 20, an education major at Virginia Tech, who had been reported missing after a Metallica concert. Yes, that Virginia Tech . Once solely fabled for its engineering programs and its spirited Hokies varsity program Virginia Tech has been greatly overshadowed by tragedy and grief in recent years and has taken on a more notorious reputation. Most infamously the school of 30,000 students was deeply shocked and traumatized in April 2007 when 23-year old student Seung-Hui Cho went on a shooting rampage , killing 32 people and then himself. It remains the deadliest such mass-killing in U.S. history, a terrible badge for a university to have to bear. Surely the good people of Virginia Tech were still recovering and mourning when yet another horrific act of brutality occurred in January 2009, when international gradua...

New York has been the focus of so many great songs over the years, and our recent trip had me so inspired by the Big Apple that I thought I would share some of my favourites... " Empire State of Mind "- Jay-Z & Alicia Keys " City of Blinding Lights "- U2 " The 59th Street Bridge Song " - Simon & Garfunkel " Englishman in New York "- Sting " New York, New York "-Frank Sinatra " The Light Dies Down on Broadway " - Genesis " Summer in the City " - Lovin' Spoonful

Here is a short promotional video for Queen's University that was made in the early 1940s. I am not sure of the exact date but the film makes reference to the "recent" visit of FDR, which was in 1938 and it also features Principal Wallace, who was our fearless leader from 1936-1951. You'll have a good laugh at the music, typical for the time, and snicker uncomfortably at the gender-biased language. Still, for all of the use of "men", "man" and "him", there is a definitely a sense that women were an important part of Queen's during the period. Women are referred to and pictured quite a few occasions in the film, which is not really all that surprising since women were first admitted to degree programs at Queen's in 1878, well ahead of many of our Canadian and American peers (the first 2 women in Ontario to receive university degrees graduated from Queen's!). In any event, "Paths of Learning" is terribly dated in so ma...