Children's literature these days is blatantly missing one of the most essential of all character archetypes: the lovable drunk. See, when I was boy, I was a fan of the Les aventures de Tintin . Tintin's best friend and closest associate, Captaine Haddock, who joined him on the vast majority of his adventures, was a sailor who could down alcohol like, well, a sailor. In fact, it was such an integral part of the character's persona, we as readers were even aware that Haddock's favourite brand of whiskey was from the [...]
Sides chosen in royalty tussle The RIAA wants to lower royalties paid out to the artists from the present rate of 9 cents per song — about 13% of the wholesale price — down to 8% of wholesale. What's this about wanting to protect the artists, again? Microsoft Misleads on Copyright Reform Microsoft says there are no laws in Canada to protect creators, despite receiving the highest statutory damages awards in Canadian copyright history. IFPI Forces Danish ISP to Block The Pirate Bay [...]
Following-up on something I mentioned last week , the Conservative government, who pledged for more transparency and accountability in government, has solidly messed up on their campaign promise to bring treaties to the House of Commons for debate before ratification. Industry Minister Jim Prentice wants to get the Canadian version of the DMCA in so bad, that he refuses to place the WIPO treaty up for debate and will ratify it without any open discussion in the House. From the article at The Hill Times : According to the policy, [...]
One of the very first "The Hell?!?" moments I had this year was watching the opening party for Quebec City's 400th anniversary celebration. My hometown's major downtown square was chock full of people who came to see a huge celebratory spectacle kicking off a year underlining the basic foundations of Canadian history. So this first "The Hell?!?" moment came at some point in the show, when a bunch of skeleton-men suddenly appeared on stage to perform some sort of choreography to a latino beat. I tried as hard as I could to attach some meaning as [...]
Damn those elves. Damn them all to a pit of tar which is then lit on fire. Oh yeah, yeah, everyone thinks elves are so great. What with a bunch of them helping Santa make toys, and others taking down dozens of orcs in only a couple of seconds. Not to mention Elf Power, who keep delivering excellent music with each album they punch out. So, of course, they're going to go at it again with this new song Spiral Stairs , with its fuzzy guitars and [...]
Blind people in Canada don't like the idea of Jim Prentice's copyright bill. The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians , an organisation which serves to "increase awareness of rights and responsibilities, so blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted individuals can have equal access to the benefits and opportunities of society," has issued a letter to the Industry Minister outlining their concerns about the copyright bill. "For years, Canadians who are blind, deaf-blind and partially sighted have been seeking greater and not reduced access to print information, whether it be on websites or in [...]
Look, up in the sky: It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Octoberman! Champion of melancholy alt-country, protector of talented Canadian singer-songwriters, vanquisher of bad music! Under the everyday guise of mild-mannered Vancouverite Marc Morrissette, Octoberman arrives to save the day with his poised guitar work, soft vocals, and spiritually uplifting melodies. Do not let the seemingly fragile nature of his compositions fool you: they are entwined with great care and precision, determined to ensnare all evildoers into their righteous grip of folk. (Cue little bright-eyed boy) We love [...]
You know, I never read The Catcher in the Rye . Never had the chance to study it, never came across my past reading habits... so this was one of those titles I put on my 52 books in 52 weeks list as part of my «catching up» routine. The only thing I was expecting from the novel was something good. Turns it out it was better than that. Holden Caulfield's tragic psychological breakdown as he tries to find his place in society is brilliantly conveyed and quite human. What worried me [...]
Quick follow-up on an article I posted in some newsbits last evening. NDP MP Charlie Angus has asked that that WIPO treaty be brought to parliament for debate before any ratifying and especially before any copyright legislation is put through. WIPO is an agency within the United Nations, of which Canada is a member, whose purpose is to purpose "to encourage creative activity, [and] to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world." Angus' logic is that Canada should ratify the upcoming Internet treaties (which deal with [...]
A Limerick Ox
Album Review: alt-J – An Awesome Wave
Azealia Banks – ’1991′ & ‘Van Vouge’
[LISTEN] Gotye (Passion Pit Remix)
Big Boi & Theophilus London (feat. TRE LUCE) - 'She Said OK'
