D’s Artsy Finds

 

So, in my jumbled, neurotic state of mind this week, I completely forgot to do my good deed for the blogosphere and take a couple moments to big-up a couple of my creative friends and colleagues in the arts with some online material I think you should check out.

So please allow me at this juncture to return to my senses and redeem myself.

The first shout-out is to a work-mate of mine who, in May, set up his own museum. In his home.

Thaaaat’s riiiight.

Now open for exhibits: The Museum of Ornamental Post. Loosely fashioned after another home museum in Germany, the MoOP showcases many a creative piece of mail art in rotating exhibitions (see photo above). The global mail art community now has temporary place to call home.

The other shout-out is to a friend of mine, an arts columnist with lots to say. If you want, trip on over to her MySpace page, where she’s written her latest piece on the new documentary film Global Metal, being released this Friday.

So if you’re bored and need a little art-spiration, head on over and comment or contribute. I’m sure they’d appreciate it 🙂 .

 

GRTTWAK News!

As you all know, I’m a big fan and ardent supporter of the open-mic night Grownups Read Things They Wrote as Kids (or GRTTWAK, for short).

So it’s with a little joy that I tell you the latest.

To paraphrase an e-mail I received on Wednesday morning from my friend – and GRTTWAK founder – Dan Misener:

• GRTTWAK’s next Toronto date will be Monday, July 14 at 8 p.m., in the Gladstone Hotel ballroom.
• There is apparently now also a podcast, which features highlights from previous events.
•  GRTTWAK is finally spreading the awesomeness. Ottawa’s first GRTTWAK night is scheduled for June 2nd at Velvet Room; Montreal’s is TBA … but it’s comin’.

Check out the Web site for more information on the upcoming events and the podcast, as well as the “rules and regulations”.
 

And then get into your attics and basements and start a-diggin’. ‘Cause this could be gooooood.

It’s Come To This …

When I updated my Facebook status Sunday night, I said I wanted a week full of accomplishment, promise and pleasant surprises.

It’s now Thursday. All I’ve really managed to accomplish is not to harm anyone or myself while at work.

But yesterday as I grumpily rode the transit in to work, the cloud above my head cleared – if only for a fleeting five minutes – while reading Maclean’s.

Helloooo, Adam van Koeverden.

You don’t get a Loquacious High Five, my cut, kayaking friend. You get a WOW.

WOW.

If I was walking down the street and saw his image on a poster instead of in a magazine while sitting on a train seat, I probably would have walked into a mailbox or a fire hydrant.

(Believe me, the version of the picture in the magazine is waaay better. It took the only ounces of nonchalance and self-control I have on time-share, NOT to flip back to the cover page of the article and ogle for the rest of the train ride down. I had someone sitting next to me! How awkward would THAT be?)

I seriously don’t remember him looking like this four years ago in Athens. No, really. I don’t.

The article (and yes, I DID read it) says he’s very intense about his training, and comes across as a bit cocky. Well, hell. Considering he’s 26, trying to go for gold medals in August and looks like that, I do not blame him. I’d be cocky, too.

And this is why I now:

(a) will find it nearly impossible to boycott watching the Olympic Games in Beijing and,

(b) have personally confirmed why I only live for watching sports once every four years. Especially the ones involving men, swimming, kayaks or competitive rowboats.

“Unfinished business”, indeed.

Le. Sigh.

(Yes, I’m sad.)

Quote of the Week

“Never talk when you can nod, and never nod when you can wink, and never write an e-mail because it’s death. You’re giving prosecutors all the evidence we need.”

*sigh* 

Oh, Eliot Spitzer.

Who knew that the above soundbite you gave ABC News two years ago would come back to haunt you?

How the high-and-mighty – and in this case, ridiculously hubristic – have fallen. And during the craziest week in March, I might add.

I feel sorriest for his wife and three daughters and what they now must go through.

On the other hand, New York state now has its first African-American, legally blind governor.

Ha-chaaaa!

Another example of why you should beware the Ides of March.

Let’s face it – anyone in a high position of power who’s stupid to do something like this is getting what they deserve.

But anyone who uses a service called “The Emperors’ Club”? Be prepared to be (figuratively) slaughtered like Caesar.

(Quote stolen from This Ain’t Hell … and pretty much every blog that has published this in the last 48 hours.)

The Return of GRTTWAK!

It’s that time of year … when the clocks roll an hour forward …

Everyone prays for spring …

And people read stuff they wrote as kids.

Yes, boys and girls, Grownups Read Things They Wrote As Kids (GRTTWAK) is back this coming Monday at 8 p.m. And they’re moving up in the world with a brand-new (and spacious!) venue – the Gladstone Hotel Ballroom on Queen Street West.

Put on by my friend Dan Meisener, this open-mic reading series is hilarious as it is nostalgic. People read their schoolwork, diary entries, creative writing assignments – whatever, anything goes. You don’t have to read if you show up – you can just listen, if you like. It’s enjoyable for all.

And it’s free. FREE! Good Lord! What more can you ASK for?

I’m definitely going, although I won’t be reading – frankly, I don’t think I have anything that can top my previous reading of “Mrs. Reagan and Mrs. Gorbechev”.

So if you’re going to be in Toronto in a couple days, or have nothing to do, OR are tired of the same old schtick you do Monday nights after work, come on down. You won’t be sorry, I promise.

Check at my friend’s blog right here for more deets and “rules” if you’d like to read.

Stuff Loquacious D Likes

No matter what their colour or culture, people like to poke fun at themselves. The real challenge is whether people will get it.

Over the last week, I’ve stumbled these sites – most are funny; one is even informative. I’d say all are fairly well-written If you’re really bored, consider:

Stuff White People Like. No, I’m not kidding – that’s what the site’s called. And the attention it’s gotten since it started a couple months ago is so much, it’s practically viral. (And I’m only two and a half weeks late on the “fad” train!)

It’s written by two white dudes (seriously, do you think anyone else would be nuts enough to do this?), one of whom sounds like he might be from Toronto, and they basically spoof on things that, yes, probably everyone goes through, or has interests in … but they seem like something a liberal, middle-class white person might do (even though there are people who are exceptions to the rule).

I know the non-white people who’ve found it, have found it hilarious. And a lot of the blog’s white readers who’ve stumbled upon the site like it, too. But I think I like reading the comments more than the actual posts – it shows you what people are – or aren’t – thinking. There’s definitely a dialogue going on. You can tell the earnest commenters from the ones who are just jerks trying to stir shit up.

Perhaps – as some commenters say – this blog will be played out in about six months. But for the moment, it’s going strong.

Stuff Black People Love. Several people leaving comments on Stuff White People Like said, “Hey, what would happen if someone came up with the equivalent of Stuff White People Like, but for black people?”

Well, someone posted this blog site’s address, but as it turns out, it’s not what you’d expect. It’s in its infancy, but the person running this site decided to take the high road and not make it a response to the SWPL site. Instead, they’re focusing on black popular culture, particularly in the U. S. and, they say, they’ll showcase artists, websites, blogs, etc. Okay, maybe this isn’t under the “funny” column, but I thought this site could definitely prove really informative as the blog develops.  

Stuff Educated Black People Like. I suspect this is the site that’s either supposed to be the answer – or the copycat site – to SWPL. I get the references so I think it’s funny.

Angry Chinese Driver. I found this guy through one of his comments on a SWPL post. Sorry for you non-Torontonians or non-Canadians, but this is definitely a Toronto-centric Web site, started by a young dude who’s a first-year student at York University. There’s the stereotype out there that Chinese drivers are bad drivers. Angry Chinese Driver says he’s the complete opposite, an exception to the rule. Most of his blog is driving-related (although, he says, exception will be made for his rants fighting the good fight against the inappropriate use of grammar).

In short, despite the titles of these blogs, they deal with things everyone has experienced. If you can see that, this makes some of the posts on these ring so true, you can’t help but laugh – or take note. Enjoy.

The Colour of the Year …

 … Was apparently chili pepper red.

No, I am not kidding. 

Unbeknownst to the majority of us plebes, this declaration (most likely made around this time last year) was handed down by the Pantone Color Institute (their spelling, not mine). Yes, these people are in charge of declaring colours for each year.

The colour for 2008 will apparently be the one in this New York Times article, according to Pantone.  I won’t spoil it too much, other than saying, “Well, duh!” since I am biased and like any shade from this particular colour family anyway.

And there’s a little sidebar with the article, which shows you all of Pantone’s picks from the previous 7 years.

But my real question is: when is someone going to give periwinkle a go? That, my friends, is one colour that needs some long overdue respect. It’s a pretty shade, in my honest opinion.

Team Periwinkle for 2009, kids. Think about it.

Grownups Read Things They Wrote As Kids …

… Is almost here. I’m so excited!

If I have the guts I’m going to try and read something. But I’ll be just as happy listening to my friends and fellow readers and laughing my fool head off.

So if you’re in Toronto and have got nothing to do on a Monday night, come on over to the Victory Cafe for 8p.m. They’d be happy to have you.

For more, you can read the short promotional write-up on Torontoist, or a bit about it at the blog my friend started, right here.

Looking for A Few Good Blogs

It’s been nuts the last couple of days, so I haven’t had a chance to post as I was planning to do.

But while you wait …

I’m looking for new blogs to read during a quiet day at home (or a lull at work, which sometimes happens).

So if you’ve got any suggestions for good, funny, smart, fun, etc. blogs to read that aren’t listed in my blogroll to the right, lemme know. I’m lookin’ for new people to envy.

Let’s End July With …

This.

BEIJING (AFP) – One of the world’s hairiest men Yu Zhenhuan, a rock singer who calls himself “King Kong,” has launched a campaign to run in next year’s Olympic torch relay, Xinhua news agency said Tuesday.The hirsute Yu, from the northeastern province of Liaoning, says he is a perfect candidate.

“The Olympics belong to everyone — those with abnormalities included,” Yu was quoted as saying.

“First I am a celebrity, inside and outside of China and secondly, I think my experience in coping with a disfigurement ties in with the notion of Olympic spirit.”

With hair covering 96 percent of his body, Yu is pipped in the Guiness Book of Records by two Mexican brothers dubbed the world’s hairiest with 98 percent coverage.

His torch relay bid is backed by Olympic champion Xing Aowei, who won a gymnastics gold medal at the Sydney Games in 2000.

“In him, I see the perseverance and bravery of the Chinese people,” Xing told Xinhua. “I will help him with publicity and give him some ideas.”

The Beijing Olympic organizing committee said Yu was welcome to apply.

“But it is hard to assess his chances, as the recruitment is open to everyone,” a spokesman was quoted as saying.

The Beijing Olympics torch relay will pass through 135 cities and cover 137,000 kilometres (85,000 miles) in its 130-day journey around the world, much if it by plane, and through mainland China.

A total of 21,880 people are being recruited as torch bearers for the China leg.

If this guy is picked, I hope he knows to wear something flame retardant when he’s running. Burnt hair stiiinks.