I got pwned!

(by the way, anyone know how to pronounce "pwned"?)

It all started with a remark on halifaxlocals. Then it spiraled out of control. Soon I was immersed in a pointless flame war, the likes of which I haven't been involved in since my days on sloannet.

And now, there's a song about me.

Rock Show Review!

Every so often, an opportunity arises that I just have to take advantage of, or I will regret it for years to come. Last Saturday night was just such an occasion. I had a friend with two free tickets to the Tour Tech Aids Benefit in Burnside. Free is something of a misnomer, because I think all of the tickets are free, but then they make you pay $25 at the compulsory coat check. Tour Tech is a local company that provides tour support for major music artists. They help set up lights, provide sound reinforcement, everything you’d need to mount a successful major tour. Basically, they’re a “roadie for hire” company. So that right there is one point in the favour of the Tour Tech show. You KNOW the light show will be kick-ass-tacular, and the sound will be amazing. Second point in their favour, Joel Plaskett was one of the main acts for the evening. And third and by far most importantly, there was the promise of MYSTERY CANADIAN LEGENDARY ROCK STARS.

Who would it be? I had my money on Loverboy, because the week before was Mike Reno’s 50th birthday, and it appeared as though they might be doing some touring. Secretly I hoped it would be the Spoons, because they totally rock, but I knew that would have been pretty far fetched. Honeymoon Suite came up in our speculation games as well. Someone said Rush, but my head would have exploded if that was true. My head is intact, so you know the answer. Saga would have been cool. They’re that band that sounds like a second-rate cross between Rush and Loverboy. Unfortunately, that night Saga definitely was NOT on the loose.

The results were far more awesome (and yet…depressing) than I could have hoped for. Unfortunately, we missed Plaskett entirely. But when we got there, who was on stage? None other than Glass Tiger!!!



They got the crowd participation going with Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone, their first and still their best hit. And look at Alan Frew! He’s a dead ringer for William Shatner these days.

Think it couldn’t get better than that? Correct! Next up was Harlequin! They had two hits in the late 70’s/early 80’s: Innocence and I Did It For Love. I’m not entirely sure what their fixation with the legal system was all about, but it seemed to work for them. And the energy! Mr. Harlequin was a nonstop maniac on the stage, dancing around, playing air guitar when not singing. A true showman.



Sadly, I don’t think he’s in the same shape as he used to be the first time around. By the end of their set, his voice was ragged, he could no longer sing on key, and his black shirt (what was he thinking?) was drenched in sweat. I'm not talking patches under his arms and a spot on his back sweaty shirt. I'm talking full on, it looks like somebody dumped a bucket of water over his head sweaty. Saturated. I’m pretty sure everyone in the audience was deeply concerned that he was going to keel over and die of a heart attack at any moment.

Now for the final act. Remember PRISM? Remember that one song they’re famous for? Me neither! But man, that dude has the moves! And…a toupee? Nobody could really tell for certain. Be sure to cast your vote in the comments page on this matter.



This is definitely an event that everyone should attend at least once. It’s a pure spectacle. Music better left forgotten, amazing sound and lights, a multitude of Halifamous (for example Randy from Trailer Park Boys), and lots and lots of cougars doing that grinding dance that only cougars can do.

Top Ten

It appears I'm using all my best material elsewhere. That's a shame. This is supposed to be my primary creative outlet for writing. And now look. No post in weeks. And to make matters worse, I'm just using recycled material for this post. Here's a post that I made on Halifaxlocals outlining my "favourite" TV show characters. I'm a child of the 80's apparently. So for those of you who haven't yet seen it, here it is:

-Mr. Belvedere. While this could have easily fallen into the trappings of a typical "fish out of water" scenario, the brutal honesty and uncompromising storylines kept this sit-com fresh and real. Belvedere's relationship with Wesley provides a pedophilic subtext never before seen on television. And even fifteen to twenty years later, the idea of being upper-middle class and having a butler, rather than being wealthy-class and having a butler still resonates with viewers.

-Alf. Definitely Alf. Sure he was an alien, but he displayed qualities more human than most people I know. Inside, Alf was a tragic character, forced to hide behind a facade of humour and irreverence.

-One of the dads in "My Two Dads" (Joey) but NOT the other dad (Michael)

-Jason and Princess from "Battle of the Planets" (Screw Mark, that guy was a jerk). Jason--tortured soul, rebel, damn good looking; it's become a cliche by now, but remember, he was the FIRST. And Princess--she was the first cartoon girl I ever fell in love with. How could I not include her?

-Jonah of "Danger Bay" You thought Wesley Crusher was the biggest teenage knob on TV? Think again! But just like Crusher provided coutnerbalance to Cpt. Picard, Jonah provides much-needed realism to a show that would have otherwise been dismissed as a vehicle to display Dr. Robert's ego--an ego of often messianic proportions.

-Any character portrayed by the always charismatic Alan Thicke, except for Jason Seaver in Growing Pains (although he did a very capable performance in GP: Return of the Seavers)

-The second mom on Fresh Prince of Bel-Aire. The underrated Daphne Reid breathed new life into the character of Vivian Banks and revitalized a fading show.

-Louie Chiccone of "Seeing Things". The way he would fugue out and get those visions was sublime. Canadian drama at its finest.

-Nick Slaughter of "Sweating Bullets". It's like a low-budget Magnum PI, but thanks to the rugged good looks and method acting of Rob Stewart (as Nick), the show is a more than satisfying watch.

-James Bradford of "Three's A Crowd"/"Three's Company". Without Vicky's father James around to interfere in hers and Jack's lives, Three's A Crowd would have faded instantly from memory. Fortunately, James provides the much needed tension to make this John Ritter vehicle work. And Robert Mandan fits the role of Bradford to a T.