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It’s 7:18 a.m., and a little under five hours ago I finally went to bed. Since that time I’ve showered, packed and “slept enough to efficiently get me through the day.” I highly doubt that’s the case though – I can already feel a crash coming on.

Why the late night? Rob Zombie’s new vision for “Halloween” is being released in theatres today, but knowing how long I’d been anticipating the flick, Becky managed to score passes for a midnight showing at the Rio. As we entered the theatre, “Halloween’s” trademark score was pumping through the speakers as throngs of tattooed, dreadlocked and pierced people filed in. Wiping the grin off my face was a near impossibility. I got in line to grab us ladies some popcorn, and the man at the stand asked me if I’d been looking forward to this.

“Are you kidding me? For months!” was my reply. He told me he’d already seen it and that it was “very scary.”

Want to know what I think? It wasn’t scary. It wasn’t even the bloodbath I’d expected it to be.

The premise, in a nutshell, tells the story of Michael Myers, a 10-year-old boy with sinister inclinations who butchers members of his family on Halloween night. He’s then institutionalized and placed under the care of Dr. Samuel Loomis, only to escape 17 years later. What’s unique about the 2007 remake of the 1978 original is that this film largely focuses on Michael Myers’ childhood and time spent in the institution. It was, perhaps, the murderous scenes of Myers as a child that were more disturbing than the hell that fell when he escaped.

Truth be told, my expectations for this movie were very, very high. I feel almost ashamed to say that I actually have a critique about it. Rob Zombie is, in my opinion, a highly visionary director. I can’t pretend to know all the work that goes into directing, and though he captured some interesting shots, this movie lacked the usual stylization found in his freshman and sophomore efforts (being “House of 1000 Corpses” and “The Devil’s Rejects”). I also felt that “Halloween” lacked any decent script writing, the majority of lines cheesy in their delivery.

However, at the end of the day, I considered that perhaps Zombie was trying to recapture that tacky feel of the original slasher flicks of the 70s. This was, after all, a John Carpenter original. Malcolm McDowell, as always, was a delight to watch. What was perhaps most charming (if you can use such a word when discussing “Halloween”) for me was to see nearly every single cast member of “The Devil’s Rejects” show up in this film in one way or another. Most interesting was that the tables had been turned and those that were once debaucherous murderers are now helpless victims.

Photo courtesy of Alliance Atlantis (2007)

“Halloween” is playing at the Rio Theatre through to September 6th. The theatre is located at 1660 East Broadway (at Commercial) and shows flicks for a decent $8.00.

After many weeks of promise, August 28th has come and (almost) gone. This summer I got hooked on Denis Leary’s “Rescue Me” and burned through the first three seasons within two weeks – pun intended.

Miss604 and her husband have been watching the fourth season for a few weeks now online, but it was only tonight that it finally has its official premiere in Canada. Fast forward a few months from where the third season left off: Janet gave birth, but whether it’s Tommy’s baby or Johnny’s is yet to be seen; Colleen has taken up the pill, penises and peppermint schnaaps; Sean and Maggie have hit their first relationship plateau, while things are going seemingly just fine for Franco, Chief Reilly and Mike. This is one show that you can never watch with held breath because events tend to turn on a dime. Though tonight’s premiere didn’t hold much of the normally expected rush, there’s just something about seeing Denis Leary holding a baby that was frighteningly thrilling.

Photo courtesy of FX Networks
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Whether you’ve noticed or not, I did a little bit of reformatting with my blog. If you click the black and white photo of yours truly to the left, you’ll be directed to a new page containing my biography, as well as useless trivia designed to amuse.

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There’s been a great response to my recent post with regards to tattooing. If there is anyone out there that’s got a good hand at sketching and is interested in perhaps drawing something up for me, get in touch by e-mail and we’ll talk.

I know I promised something ridiculously ridiculous tonight but it’s time for bed. Oh! But before I do, I just remembered…it seems that the Rio Theatre is only playing “Hairspray” until this Thursday because at midnight that night, the maiden screening of “Halloween” will be underway. I can’t even begin to tell you how exciting this is for me! Be sure to tune in on Friday for a full review.

Last week I reported that an overturned barge had dumped thousands of litres of diesel fuel into the protected waters of the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve near the north end of Vancouver Island. Movement to get clean-up underway got off to a slow start, and local First Nation residents are expressing upset at how the spill was handled.

“We have a lot of knowledge of the area,” Chief Bill Cranmer said. “We’d also like to know what’s happening and what could be improved.”

Last night, I forgot to mention something with regards to Hanson that is actually quite a bit more important than having the group write a song for me. The first single from this year’s record “The Walk” is called Great Divide. From the first listen, I fell hard for the song, but in particular for the sense of inspiration that the lyrics give. It wasn’t long after that I found out that the song was written and released to coincide with World AIDS Day. The three Hanson brothers have recently done extensive work with children in Africa, in particular those who have become orphaned due to the AIDS epidemic. Great Divide was their labour of love and tribute to those children and the work currently being done in Africa. Take a couple minutes to watch the video below.

Everytime someone downloads Great Divide off iTunes, the proceeds are donated directly to HIVSA (HIV South Africa). HIVSA is a non-profit organization created to support those infected with or affected by HIV. Click here to learn more about this organization, or visit iTunes to download Great Divide.

Video courtesy of YouTube.

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For those of you from Vancouver Island who are keeping up with the latest Comox Valley debate, it seems as though recent talks have hit a brick wall. The Strathcona Regional District, which encompasses a fair chunk of the North Island, is weighing out the pros and cons between revamping the hospitals currently located in Comox and Campbell River or simply building an entirely new and “centrally-located” facility.

Personally speaking, everyone has the right to fast and efficient healthcare. To place a hospital facility between the Comox Valley and Campbell River defeats both of those factors. In the event of any potential emergency, the trek to a regional hospital would be far too long. When lives are at stake for the sake of dollars, there is no choice except that lives are by far more important.

To learn more about the Comox Strathcona Hospital District, visit this link.

Photo of St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Comox courtesy of hospital’s official website.

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And lastly, before I sign off and head to bed at a ridiculously early hour, need I remind you of three things?

1. LA Ink is on tomorrow night…if you’ve been missing it, then you don’t know what you’re missing.

2. Season 4 of Rescue Me premieres tomorrow night in Canada on Showcase. I’m ready for Denis Leary. Very ready.

3. Rob Zombie’s “Halloween” is being released in theatres this Friday. In case you didn’t know, I’ve been highly anticipating this one. If anyone knows of a local midnight showing this Thursday, please let me know. I was counting on the Rio Theatre, but it seems as though they’re showcasing “Hairspray.” Note that I am not providing an external link to that flick for y’all.

I guess that’s it. It’s time to dive between the sheets with yet another chick flick. Last night I checked out “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” (U.S. spelling) and found it beyond delightful. Stay tuned tomorrow for something ridiculously…ridiculous.

Love-love.

Tonight’s plan, post-shower, was to grab a chick flick and head to bed. I realized that I really can’t go to bed on my brother’s 23rd birthday without honouring him with a quick post. A little over a month ago, I wrote something dedicated to my brother and the relationship that we have grown to have over the past few years. To repeat myself again today would be pointless…it all still stands.

Today he turned 23, and is that much more of a man. Within days, he and his girlfriend are making a permanent move to Dawson Creek. I know it’s a responsible decision that will benefit them both in the long-term, but I’ll miss them both terribly, Trevor especially.

To this, Trevor, on your 23rd year, I wish you health and happiness and joy. I love you very much.

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On a quick side note before I sign off for the night, I want to draw your attention to the sidebar, solely for my own benefit. There’s a badge. If you click it, you better my chances of winning a contest. I want Hanson to write a song for me. It would be all kinds of amazing. Won’t you please, please support me? I’ll give you the puppydog lip if you need it.

Bye.

Isn’t it weird?
Isn’t it strange?
Even though we’re just two strangers on this runaway train.
We’re both trying to find a place in the sun.
We’ve lived in the shadows, but doesn’t everyone?
Isn’t it strange how we all feel a little bit weird sometimes?
Isn’t it hard…standing in the rain?
You’re on the verge of going crazy and your heart’s in pain.
No one can hear though you’re screaming so loud.
You feel all alone in a faceless crowd.
Isn’t it strange how we all get a little bit weird sometimes?
Sitting on the side waiting for a sign, hoping that my luck will change.
Reaching for a hand that can understand, someone who feels the same.
When you live in a cookie cutter world being different is a sin.
So you don’t stand out, and you don’t fit in…weird.

Sometimes things get worse before they get better. I’m having one of those incredibly strange evenings where I have absolutely no idea what is wrong with me. All I know is what I am feeling. Perhaps it was the whiskey on the ferry ride over. Maybe I’m just too tired. Maybe it’s just stress. As my brother’s truck left Parksville and turned onto the highway, he and his girlfriend sat in the front and talked about cars while listening to music.

I sat in the backseat of the truck, stared out the rear window and sobbed the entire way home.

Lyrics written by I.H., J.T.H. and Z.H.

According to the official website, Rilo Kiley’s newest disc, Under the Blacklight, was slated for an August 28th release date. I’ve been highly anticipating this date for weeks and weeks, so today I just did a check-in with HMV to make sure that the 28th was, in fact, the release date.

Available Now

That’s what was listed beside the record’s image. “It can’t be!” I thought. I checked the official RK website and the fact was verified. To ensure that I wasn’t hallucinating, I stopped in at HMV after work and saw a large handful of beautifully cellophane-wrapped copies of Under the Blacklight. They were $10.99 each, I might add.

It was a Thursday miracle! In the midst of one of the shittiest months I have had in recent memory, a ray of light. I snatched it up and raced it home. About two songs in, all I could say to myself was “Holy shit…this record fuckin’ rocks!” And only moments later, the first single, “Moneymaker,” started thumping out from my speakers. Being that I had just been poolside working on my coconutting, I was still bikini-clad. And with that, my living room instantly became a Strip-O-Rama. Hot damn this is a fun record.

Each song is beautiful in its own right, and I can’t say that this record is like anything RK have released before. Even on the first listen through, I found myself actually singing along to songs I’d never heard before and it felt SO good. I’ve been a fan for years and years, back when they were still signed with Saddle Creek in Nebraska. Jenny Lewis has been rocking my world for even longer, and she’s one extremely rare chicka that I’d be more than happy to have a white cotton panty-wearing pillow fight with.

Anyways, I’m not going to get into specifics about the record because, let’s face it, I’m far too biased. I love it in its entirety. You owe it to yourself to discover Rilo Kiley on your own. Check out “Moneymaker” below.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Video courtesy of You Tube
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I was never a huge fan of tattoos. I’m not sure why…I guess I was always just too fickle and couldn’t imagine for the life of me what I’d put on my body forever. However, I think I’m now realizing that it’s because a tattoo, in my own opinion, is supposed to hold some meaning and be symbolic to the bearer. It wasn’t until now that I’ve felt experienced in life enough to know which sorts of images would be representative of me. It’s only just now that I’ve begun to realize what really matters to me, and that’s solid enough to be something to carry with me throughout my entire life (such as an image).

So, my question to you, my only friends, is this: what is your personal opinion on tattoos? Tattoos on women in particular? Love ‘em? Hate ‘em?

And to Emily Dyck in particular: You got a tattoo on a bony area of your body. The tattoo I’m considering would also be on an incredibly bony area. I have a very, very high pain tolerance, but I can’t imagine what a tattoo would actually feel like. Input, please!

I actually have a pretty good and solid idea of what I’d like to get, and no, it’s nothing like the illustration above. That’s just something I found that’s pretty gorgeous.

Photo courtesy of High Voltage Tattoo; tattoo by Kim Saigh
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For some reason, I feel like I had something else to write about tonight but I guess I don’t. I was contemplating Part 3 of Crackerjack Timing, but I have some toenails that need painting and a bag that needs packing. Lata’, kids.

Last year, my friend Matthew took a huge series of photos of me, three of of which were submitted to Maxim Online‘s Hometown Hotties contest. Who couldn’t use $10,000, right? As it turned out, my application missed the deadline so I figured all was lost. Au contraire…I did a blog search for my name today to see what would show up, and I found the screen shot below. Turns out I still got my 15 minutes of infamy.

Check it real big right here.

The Robson Bight Ecological Reserve, located on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island just south of Telegraph Cove, is a sanctuary dedicated to protecting, monitoring and studying the local killer whale habitat. It’s an area that’s completely closed to the public, including all non-destructive recreationalists.

Approximately 24 hours ago, a pod of 14 killer whales was spotted within the reserve swimming through an oil slick at an area estimated to be about two kilometres long at the time. Since then, the threat to the area has grown to an estimated 14 kilometres and is still growing. It’s thought that the cause of the toxic spill is that of an overturned barge which was carrying vehicular cargo near the area. It’s not yet been determined how the accident happened, but speculation has already begun that the barge itself was traveling through protected waters.

To hear stories like this enrages me to no end. I am so thankful that I’ve been blessed enough with the ability to appreciate the land, habitat and oceans that we as British Columbians have been endowed with. I can’t for the life of me understand why something like this can even happen, and it’s heartbreaking to think that anyone could possibly have such disregard for a precious commodity. If anything, instances such as this one should only serve the purpose of teaching us that we are the only ones responsible for protecting what we have. And that, I believe, begins with education. To learn more about this story, the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve or how you can help preserve British Columbia’s killer whale population, please follow the links below.

“Whales Spotted Swimming Through Oil Slick Off Vancouver Island“ – CBC News
Robson Bight Ecological Reserve
British Columbia Wild Killer Whale Adoption Program

Photo courtesy of makeupanid on Flickr.

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My friend Kyle and I met many, many years ago through his older brother Ryan. Kyle has long been fascinated with art, painting and drawing and his talent has never been lost on anyone. Recently Kyle lost a good friend of his in a tragic 4×4 quad accident. As a fitting tribute to his friend and the community they were all involved in, Kyle and a friend created the video below to honour and remember Keith Dickenson. If you have a minute, check it out. It’s a beautiful acknowledgment and, as always, Kyle’s skill blows me away. He’s the one in the plaid shirt and jaunty little cap.

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This weekend my “baby” brother turns 23. Exciting, isn’t it? I managed to order his custom, one-of-a-kind birthday present today. He’d better like it too or I’ll have to kick him in the shins. It means I’ll be making the trek home yet again this Friday, the third time this month. Truth be told, I don’t mind one bit.

Speaking of truths, I’ve been feeling terribly anti-social lately. Nothing excites me more than my TV and pajamas. Except maybe sleep. Sleep is really exciting!

P.S. Mom, don’t you think that adopting a killer whale would make a great birthday present for someone special other than Trevor? I do.

I do believe it’s time for one of my near-famous six-demon bag posts. I haven’t blogged in two days (hokey dinah!) so I think there’s a lot to catch up on.

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The first item on tonight’s agenda: Halloween costumes. My friend Matthew, entrepreneur and photographer extraordinaire (and the same man responsible for my delicious bubble gum picture), is the man behind Costume Cauldron. CC is an online store featuring more costumes and accessories than you can shake a broomstick at. If there’s a costume you’re looking for this Halloween, it’s pretty much guaranteed to be at CC. Just recently their 1-800 number went up and running, and the voice behind the pleasant greeting is none other than yours truly! Matthew and I decided on what will probably be my Halloween costume (which he’s providing to me at no charge in exchange for services), but that’s a secret to be seen at the end of October. In the meantime, check out the link in my sidebar and find yourself something very cool for the upcoming spooky season… (Yes, Mom…you too can greet the kiddies on All Hallows Eve this year disguised as none other than Captain Spaulding!)
Image © costumecauldron.com

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The remainder of my weekend at home was fantastic, and Uncle George’s 60th Birthday BBQ was better than I imagined. I always love reconnecting with people my parents used to spend time with before my brother or I ever came along. Auntie Fran served up a whole banquet of food to simply die for. I could’ve kept eating and eating and eating. There was bread and dips and cheeses and meats and stuffed mushroom caps and salmon and veggies and buffalo wings and salad and baron of beef and chocolate birthday cake and more beer than anyone could possibly drink! As we toasted George and all the years he’s lived, I felt suddenly overwhelmingly proud of him and proud of the fight he’s put up for half his life. When I was four-years-old, George was involved in a bicycle accident that, quite literally, broke his neck. He miraculously survived and is still mobile enough to take care of and tend to his farm. Here is to many more birthdays, George. Check out my Flickr page for more photos.

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Usually my return to the city is marked by a tiny bout of depression, mostly due to returning to an empty apartment. That hasn’t changed, but my brother Trevor and his girlfriend Laura were passing through town on their way from Dawson Creek to Courtenay. Thankfully they had time to meet me for dinner and walking before their ferry reservation, so we wandered towards Denman Street for thin crust pizza and dessert. The Marble Slab Creamery has only opened in recent months, and I had yet to pay it a visit. Trevor, Laura and I decided we’d check it out and were so very glad we did. The concept behind the Creamery is that you get to build your own ice cream. I ended up with a handmade chocolate cone dipped in chocolate Skor coating with a scoop of vanilla ice cream hand-blended with Reese’s Pieces and Butterfinger bits. Needless to say, it was simply orgasmalicious.

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When you watch the news, the top of the hour is usually marked with breaking stories and current events. A short ways into the broadcast, the viewers are usually subjected to the editorial story of the day. And this, o my brothers, is where your humble narrator contemplates sharing with you just such.

For those of you who are faithful readers, you’ll know that right now I’m very actively growing. I like to say that I’m in a “transitional phase,” but by definition, transition represents movement, passage and change. My car wants to move forward but the clutch is stuck in second gear. I’ve been seeking balance in my life but it’s recently felt anything but. People, things, events, choices…they’ve all been disrupting the symmetry I’ve achieved so far and it feels as though I’ve lost my compass to some degree.

What’s most frustrating is that I have the desire to make choices and to change things but I feel very much like I lack the ability to do so. Something within me is stunted or holding me back. Anyways, there’s not much I can share beyond that because, truth be told, I can’t articulate anything beyond that.

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Sooo…I guess that’s about it for now. In retrospect, this post was anything but exciting. I promise more sprinkles and pixiedust next time.

P.S. Go watch LA Ink tomorrow night on TLC. You won’t regret it.