Ley
Ley, Ley, Ley. What a treat he ended up being. I saw Ley from across the street and lucky for me, he was familiar with youlookfiiine! I find this always helps when I am trying to get some dudes up on the blog. Ley’s outfit is from all corners of the world. Okay, one corner:…
John
John was a head-turner and certainly worth backtracking a few paces for (check the SWEATER!). Working for the Canadian Cancer Society, John lets his 9-5 do most of the wardrobe shot calling. Business casual is the game, but he let’s comfort and weather-friendly clothing work their way into his wardrobe. His hat is from a…
Irana
Irana. I saw her cutting through a parking lot with a friend and that orange scarf blowing in the January wind. In other words, I stopped her and asked a few questions. Irana is (besides a total knock out) a Dalhousie student alllll the way from Alberta. She loves classic and timeless pieces and styles…
Why not me?
So many single girls whine, why not me… well I am not like most single girls. I am a very confident exciting person to be with… but every bloody guy seems to run and frickin hide from me, except the CREEPY guy, ya know the kind I mean, the stalker types who show up at…
Why bitch about being single?
Why is being single considered so terrible? Of course everyone needs a little affection once in a while, and sex with a partner your comfortable with can be great, but there is also something to be said about singlehood. Being single is fun. You don’t owe anything to anyone. You can do whatever you want…
Julien’s Bakery in the Hydrostone changes hands
Beloved bakery, patisserie and cafe Julien’s (5517 Young Street, 455-9717) has quietly changed hands. The delicious baked goods are still being supplied by Didier Julien’s homebase in Chester, but the cafe is now run by Duane Malone. Watch this space for more details on Malone’s vision for the business going forward.
Dazzling Pina
“Words can only evoke things,” one dancer says to the camera early in Pina. “That’s where dance comes in.” This Oscar-nominated documentary puts that ethos to the test; presenting a breathtaking string of world-class dances in tribute to celebrated German choreographer Pina Bausch. Fellow German Wim Wenders (Wings of Desire) directs, presenting the film in…
Tristan
Tristan was the breath of fresh air I needed. A little asymmetrical zipper, a little loose curl and I am a new woman. Tristan was awesome to chat with. Truly! Paying the bills by putting time in at a local hotel, Tristan has just recently decided that he can have fun with fashion. What a…
Full-time dad and bus driver Matt Faulkner
Metro Transit driver Matt Faulkner contacted me to talk about why scheduling is such a big issue for him, and so I met him at the Sportsplex this morning to hear him out. This is Matt’s story:
Dog walker delight
To the dark haired girl I see walking her shaggy grey dog every day at lunchtime past the Hydrostone Market: I think you are magnificent. Every day when I see you and your pooch walk by it makes me smile. You are beautiful, and your canine companion is pretty cute too. —Sylvio
Justin
You may recognize my stylish friend and co-worker, J Bird. This is his THIRD time on YLF. I love his boyish but manly and stylish but kind of rugged outfit. His ClubMaster Raybans don’t hurt, either! The coat is from Banana Republic (right Justin? I’m not %100 sure) and his Hurley khaki trousers are from…
To the most handsome man
You are always so charming and sweet and today you were so funny, I just smiled all day. I will never tell you what an enormous crush I have you because I’m too scared, but I’ll say it here: you are my favourite person I see everyday and you are so cute it is basically…
Seeing-eye dog helping drive or another baby driver?
Or is it just another fucking dildo-faced person with their dog on their lap? Yep, it is. Can’t even drive your stupid car properly because that football with legs is sitting on your lap. I hope you smash a cop car because your insecure fucked-up selfish mind can’t see that there is at least 1…
Unexpected encounter
We met. We spoke. Since meeting, we’ve hung out again and again and again. There was a dinner, a drive down the shore and a long conversation by the fire. There have been email exchanges, phone conversations and brunches. I could go on and on because it sometimes feels like I’ve known you longer. But…
What do you think they’re for???
Here’s my bitch, and you’ve got to admit it’s fucking infuriating, not to mention dangerous. I’m talking about all you idiot drivers (really, think about it, it’s just plain STUPID) who slam on your BRAKES first and THEN put on your turn signals. HELLLLLOOOO!!! The purpose of the turn signal, you benighted dummies, is to…
Obituary: Tom McCluskey
Tom McCluskey, one of Canada’s most respected boxing coaches for decades, died on Tuesday in hospital in Dartmouth. McCluskey, 87, trained Ralph Hollett, Trevor Berbick, Dickie (Kid) Howard, Kevin Hogan, and many others, earning the nickname “The Owl” for his infinite ring wisdom. To boxing fans, McCluskey was an iconic presence, working the corner during…
Silver lining to the transit strike!
I know lots of people are being very negatively affected by the transit strike – I do truly feel bad for them. I thought the 6km walk to and from work would be terrible, however I have been enjoying every minute of it! The fresh air… the time to clear my head and think about…
The 98%
Statistically speaking, 98% of a population is basically ALL. So basically all but a few voted in favour of a bus strike that kept many elderly, physically challenged and poor people from getting to necessary doctor appointments and food banks. Keeping the Access-a-Buses running at least would have shown some class and not even affected…
Bad drivers
Dear guy in the white acura SUV: thank you for speeding through the bridge tolls and cutting me off to the point where I almost hit you, then flipping me off. You’re quite a human being. Please come back Metro Transit, the drivers that are being forced to drive because you are not running are…
Get real Metro Transit!
With all due respect, this bus strike comes off as sheer greed!! I have an Architecture degree that took me 5 years to get; I’m an educated and skilled working professional! I did this because I love Building Design and I wanted a lucrative profession! Metro Transit workers chose their occupation as well. However, it’s…
Property tax scam
I live in a row house, between 2 identical units on each side. Someone want to explain to me how, with major renovations and cosmetic work to BOTH of the units on either side of me in the last 2 years (and ZIP done to mine), there is a disparity of $7,000 and $4,500 respectively…
Recently Engaged: Ashley & John
John and I have been attending the Halifax Parade of Lights for the past five years. It has always been a fun way to start the holiday season. This past year I was in for a big surprise while watching the parade. John had said that we were meeting some friends at the CIBC building…
Bus driver Elaine Crouse
Elaine Crouse and her husband are bus drivers. Here’s Elaine’s story:
Transit union president Ken Wilson talks to the press
This afternoon, after council voted to allow taxis to roam out of their zones for the duration of the transit strike, and discussed turning bus stops into temporary parking spaces, transit union president Ken Wilson held an improptu press conference outside City Hall. Watch it below:
Recently Engaged: Jen & Tim
Jen and I had been together for almost three years but I had long known that she was the girl of my dreams! While we had discussed the notion of getting married, kids and our future together, I’m not sure she could have expected what was to come and that was just how I wanted…
Recently Engaged: Rachel & Evan
Wednesday, July 6th 2011 seemed like a regular Wednesday to me. I was planning to have dinner with some of the girls and we decided to invite the guys to come along. Complete unaware he had gone out and bought me and engagement ring. We have been together since 2002 (high school sweet hearts I…
Recently Engaged: Lauren & TJ
TJ and I met at a retreat that took place at a convent in Pictou in January of 2009. A couple of weeks later we went out for lunch – not as a date, but it quickly turned into a date! After two years of dating we both felt it was about time to get…
FRED. brings us the Family Dinner
FRED. beauty food art (2606 Agricola Street, 455-9438), that stylish north end eatery, gallery and hair salon owned by mayoral candidate Fred Connors, is introducing the Family Dinner, starting February 15. The dinner will be available Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, a healthy, housemade three-course meal to share with your nearest and dearest for a…
You noticed…
I love that you and your coworkers at the busy coffee place on the departures level at the airport have a perfect view of the beautiful sunrise through the large windows across the boarding lounge and I love that you take the time to point it out to your customers, who otherwise might be too…
Cold shower… no thanks!!
I live in an apartment building, with about 100 units. The supers are great… I don’t have any issue with them. They know my daughter and I by name, treat us with respect, and I even baked cookies for them at Christmas. My issue, is with the building owner. About a month ago on a…
Recently Engaged: Katy & Remi
Remi and I are both scientists working towards the completion of our PhD degrees. In February of 2011, we decided to go engagement ring shopping together. We picked out a style that we both liked, and the rest was up to Remi. Little did I know, that over the next two months, Remi had been…
Mysterious boy
I don’t know anything about you. I’ve only seen you twice and maybe you didn’t notice me either time. You’re kinda small with long hair and always wearing a brimmed hat and period style clothing with a messenger bag. Ive seen you down at the Seaport and as well on Granville St. outside the NSCAD…
I miss you
We revealed our feelings for one another on a bus packed full of athletes, we went on a date – coffee in hand – to a parking lot “cliff” (So romantic) and we never know where either of our cell phones are (soooo indie). I messed up and didn’t open up enough for you at…
Whoa! Umm…what just happened?
Back in December, you and I went on a total of 6 dates. We had a great time, we added one another on Facebook, we both went to a big party on New Year’s… and we did it. But before we had sex, I asked you if you were interested in being official with me.…
Shut the front door
To all you minimum wage workers complaining about the strike: you’re the ones that look stupid. You look stupid because YOU rely 100% on a service that is not always guaranteed to commence. You knew this strike was coming. You should have been more prepared. I am a student and I haven’t taken the bus…
It’s my body…
So allow me to make my own decisions about it! I’ve tried every gd thing you’ve suggested, and I’m still in pain and miss at least one day a month of work because of it. Now you’ve chosen this current method as another avenue to try, and now I’m in pain daily! I’ve already had…
Contractme.ca launches
An interesting local business idea has just started up in Halifax: Contractme.ca is an online database of freelancers and independent business professionals in a number of disciplines, listed in order to connect them with the businesses, government agencies and not-for-profits that need their services. A quick browse of the membership shows multi-media experts, designers and…
One Block party!
One Block Barbershop (2010 Gottingen Street, 404-9494), which Shoptalk reported on in late December, has already made its mark on north end Halifax since its early January opening. “Business has been fantastic,” reports owner and stylist Michael Phillips. “A lot of support from friends and the community. Overwhelming at times. We are meeting all of…
How Richard Butts is controlling city council
A transit strike is underway and a lawsuit has been filed agains the city over the St. Pat’s-Alexandra school, but mayor Peter Kelly last week said there was no reason for city council to meet at its regularly scheduled meeting for Tuesday, and so abruptly cancelled it. The cancellation caused an uproar both in the…
Lewis Roach has been driving bus for 34 years
Most of the Metro Transit strikers are picketing at either the Burnside or Ragged Lake bus garages, but a small contingent continues to gather at the Bridge Terminal. Today I spoke with Lewis Roach, a 34-year driver. Roach mentions the AVL program; I’ve been trying to get more information on that issue, and will report…
Recently Engaged: Jennifer & Cecily
It was a beautiful Saturday spent with my family, including a lovely brunch and a trip to the beach. Cecily’s parents were coming over to my parents house for supper to have a “belated birthday dinner” for her. I was nervous when we were walking at the beach that afternoon and Cecily advised me to…
Recently Engaged: Gorica & Brent
They say that the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. However, it proved to be the best way to ones woman’s heart. Brent couldn’t help but notice Gorica at the Tower (Saint Mary’s University Gym), where he worked out one semester. He never had a chance to officially meet her. Years…
Traffic gridlock hero
To the really nice Strongco man who stopped in his work vehicle to help me. I was stranded by my car after five hours of gridlock in Dartmouth a few weeks ago and you gave me a boost – thank you! Even the police told me nobody would stop for me, but you did, and…
Need a new breakfast joint
This goes out to a certain breakfast place that has steadily gotten shittier over the last few years. My partner and I have been going for years. We had our first date there and loved the substitutions not to mention the huge portions with all the coffee you could drink and it being under $5.…
Long lost us
Seeing you reminded me of everything we used to have. I thought it would make it easier… I thought I could get come closure and move on. But it just opened up another whole can of worms and now… I miss you more than anything. We lied, both of us. at least I did about…
Technology is like “Wow”
I just saw an ad for a new phone that instead of that pesky old typing you have to do in order to send a text, is to speak into the phone and (gasp) the phone will type the message out for you… next thing they’ll likely come out with is a phone where you’ll…
Shanghai Fly Boy
John Candy movies go so well with cuddles when you’re gazing out over Mongolia from 36000 feet up. You were the first reason this Hali girl has grown to love China. It was so refreshing to meet another suit with a secret desire to be a farmer in rural Yunnan. —Turbulance Girl
You deserve to walk!
So. I’m done being nice. I live near a bus terminal and I work near another one. Posted an ad offering a free drive for someone during the strike. Got a response. Made an arrangement to pick someone up a little out of my travel times… to be nice. The DOUCHEBAG didn’t show up, didn’t…
Worst month of the year
Big fat finger to Metro Transit. Go back to work. My boyfriend just got laid off (you should be grateful you HAVE a job in this climate). And now because of this strike he can’t go get his daughter who lives out of town with her mother. He was happy to rent a car for…
Halifax – let’s be realistic…
Dear Haligonians, let’s stop being so complacent and change our city. We bitch enough about it, it’s time to step-up and change the unsettling reality that an incompetent council and mayor has chosen for us. I moved back to my native province from Ottawa two years ago and am stunned by the lack of governance…
Warm and friendly!
Shout out to the amazingly kind ladies who stopped and offered a complete stranger a ride on her cold cold walk home from work. I usually walk (even when there are buses) but I was unprepared and thinking how freezing cold I was and how heavy my feet felt and you knew! And you stopped!…
Occupy, Occupy wherefore art thou Occupy?
I know it’s brass monkey weather and the buses are parked, and the citizens have other issues on their minds, but where are you hiding oh unwashed ones? Where is mud boy (the guy seen on every news cast with a gob full of city turf)? Have you abandoned the cause or has reality sunk…
Heartless bitches at the gym
To the heartless bitches at the gym, we were exercising and jumping back and forth on the steps. And then it happened, I slipped and twisted my knees! YOU SAW it and you didn’t bother yourself to help or offer some sorta of sympathy! What kind of human beings are you??? You are heartless ones…
Whose hand am I shaking?
Okay, so it’s Saturday morning and I’m in a stall in the men’s washroom. Someone enters the washroom and occupies the stall next to me. He then experiences what can only be described as “machine gun diarrhea”. No problem; we’ve all been there. He then wipes… only once. Okay, he’s efficient. The trogodyte then exits…
It’s not IGNORANT
It’s RUDE, you unlearned trailer trash dimwits. Lean the fucking difference. Using a trisyllabic word only makes you seem intelligent if you use it properly. You can moan and whine about how much the public school system sucks till you’re blue in the face, but you can still buy a fucking dictionary. —Logophile
Metro Transit strike
I know there’s already been a few bitches about it, but I gotta get mine out. To the people striking, personally I think you all look like children. You’re given 2 choices, choose shifts and get paid less, or don’t choose shifts and make less? What’s the problem? No other job I’ve worked let me…
Cold and alone
I am a early twenties female, and because of the transit strike I have to walk home after work, which takes almost an hour, in -10 weather, by myself, at almost midnight. To the Mayor, and all other city officials involved in letting the strike happen, please connect yourselves back to reality. Think of those…
I don’t like birds or small rodents. Sue me, big guy.
Yes, you think you rule Fairview. Next time you try to bully me about my dislike of having birds or small rodents on my lawn, which I paid mucho dollars for, bud, more then you will make in a year in your job as King of Fairview! I truly am sorry that someone put large…
Fresh Goods February
Fresh Goods Sneakers and Apparel (1491 South Park Street, 423-1938) is anticipating a busy month. New spring arrivals are coming, with brands represented such as The Hundreds sneakers and apparel, Herschel Supply Co. bags, and clothing from Odd Future. Spring is just around the corner folks. Believe.
Why?
I’ve noticed a trend among women. Why do you draw eyebrows on? Most of you are horrible at it and it always looks stupid. Everyone can tell they’re fake. Most of you look excited by the time you’re done. What’s wrong with your real eyebrows? It’s ridiculous how many of you do it. STOP. It…
You think so?
I have had about enough of people bitching that bus drivers get enough money already etc. They may not have an education, but seriously, your shit does stink and driving a bus is not easy work. Having a university education might mean you just ate what you were fed about schooling and are now bitching…
Are we this stupid?
Are the people of Atlantic Canada this stupid? The ALC starts a new instant/daily draw ticket last week and the odds are horrible. A 1 in 500,000 chance to win $15,000? Tag has a 1 in 600,000 chance to win $100,000! Get a brain people. If you keep throwing your money away on these odds,…
Hold this!
Attention Arse Clowns, you call me at work and inquire about our products and services. While I’m offering the information you need you cut me off and ask me to hold for a minute. Then you answer an incoming call? WTF, this is a place of business and I will not hold while you answer…
A notice to all motorists
If I’m walking home from work and I see your car or truck straddled across the sidewalk as you’re waiting to exit a business onto the street, I have my steel toes on at all times and I will be tempted to smash in your headlights. I’m not walking around another vehicle and risking my…
Unity confusion
Marriage in general stems from religion… but tons of atheists get married using the same ceremony as practicing Christians and no one is getting on the atheists’ cases about ruining the sanctity of marriage? I find that odd. They won’t allow gay marriage because of religious influences (in a country that separates church and state?)…
Enjoy the fresh air!
To everyone bitching about the buses. Just shut up and enjoy the outside. We have a tonne of trees, a great breeze and beautiful fresh air. It’s about all we have in this province. Maybe if everyone stopped bitching about it, they would realize that they don’t even need this “essential service”. —Essential My ASS
Bridezilla
This is gonna be short. This is to the girls that talk about their fucking wedding plans every fucking day. You are driving the rest of us nuts! Learn some self awareness. No one even gives a shit about your fucking wedding plans. We just want you to STFU! —100% Chance of Failure
Hear Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier do Halifax
Well, Kevin Smith successfully pulled off his Halifax hat trick on Friday and brought the ridiculously funny Scott Mosier along for the ride. They talked The Beachcombers, sharks, nazis, Harry Potter and even belted out an admirable rendition of our national anthem. Smith was a peach, as always, and was pumped to be back in…
Darrell’s gets a reno, plans anniversary
Restaurateur Dan Joseph has let The Feed know that his place, Darrell’s Restaurant (5576 Fenwick Street, 492-2344) is planning to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. (It opened in June of 1992, Joseph bought it in June 1997). Part of the celebration also involves renovation: Expect Darrell’s to be closed February 20 for three to…
The Double
The Double is a textbook example of how talented writers don’t always make great directors. Brandt, with co-writer Derek Haas, scripted Wanted and 3:10 to Yuma, two fun genre pictures, elevated by their performers and directors Timur Bekmambetov and James Mangold, respectively. Here Brandt and Haas have put together a boilerplate spy thriller with an…
Striking bus driver Trooper
I went by the Bridge Terminal this evening to talk to striking bus drivers, and found only this lone striker, Tony Rygiel, who goes by the name Trooper. I’ll simply let Trooper tell his own story, via the recording below, but the exchange gives me the idea to regularly interview the strikers, to give a…
Citadel Hotel closes
In recent years it was where the Halifax Pop Explosion ran its nerve centre and where musicians from out of town would stay. But the Citadel Hotel, (1960 Brunswick Street) open since 1963, closed in January. Word is the site will be redeveloped with new hotels going up on the property in the near future.
AFF/Neptune launches winter film series
The Atlantic Film Festival, in partnership with Neptune Theatre (1593 Argyle Street), have announced a winter film series. Just as painfully capitalized as their summertime outdoor fest alFresco filmFesto, except punnier, the alfreSnow filmFesto will show four films each Monday in March by legendary British director Alfred Hitchcock–the program entitled 7 O’clock Hitchcock—at the 200-seat…
Valentine’s Surf & Turf from Seaport market
From now until until February 12, The Fish Shop & Getaway Meat Mongers at the Seaport Farmers Market (1209 Marginal Road, 492-4043) will be selling tickets for a Valentine’s Surf & Turf. For $20 you get a one pound live Atlantic lobster and a grass-fed, Nova Scotian steak, and with every ticket sold your name…
Be Massage Therapy celebrates seven years
On February 9, Be. Massage Therapy (South Park YMCA, 1565 South Park Street, 422-4512) will be celebrating its 7th anniversary. Stop by for snacks and coffee during the day as well as complimentary, 10-minute seated chair massages, with all proceeds from the day going to The YMCA Strong Kids Program. Also, from February 5 –…
Hamachi’s new restos close to complete
“We’re doing the construction now, so it will be opening in three-to-four weeks,” says Boris Mirtchev, the Hamachi Restaurant Group grande fromage. The new restaurants he’s speaking of will be adjacent to each other at 540 Southgate Drive near the corner of Larry Uteck Boulevard. One will be called Hamachi Mura, a sushi/Thai resto. “Mura…
M.T. strike
Mr. K. we all know who you are. The enforcer that you hired to break the union for you really worked out for you didn’t it? If you had or asked for the contract that you wanted and not tried to strong arm the union the city would not be in this mess and I…
You’ve gotta be kitten me
Dear Orphans, I was feline like you might knead some mega pawsitive vibes. Purrhaps this will help. —Ruckus
To The One I Love
Hugo, are you there? Just a note to tell you how I feel. Take care. —Montrealman
Clean up your damn mess children!!
I am sick and tired of hearing how the city is using “ultimatum bargaining”. I would love to hear the union president explain how their strike actions are not “ultimatum bargaining”, because it seems to me to be exactly the same thing. The union says “you give us what we want or we will strike”,…
W is for a new theatre company
A new company named wheelwright appeared on the Halifax theatre scene last night with a production called M is for Drowning. Co-written by the wheelwright’s founders Bryn McLeod and Patrick Blenkarn, the play “explores an explosion of memory”, including the literal (with all guts that entails) and figurative fall-out from such an explosion. The audience…
Local 508 supporters
Just wanted to say thanks to all the people that are supporting (M.T. local 508) in the fight to keep our rights intact. Especially the two pretty ladies in the black minivan who brought us coffee and timbits, and the hotel (D.H.) that brought us H.C. —Local 508 Scotia Square location
Peter Kelly needs to wake up
Peter Kelly needs to wake up to the world around him. I work a job that pays just above minimum wage putting me just above the poverty line to get any kind of assistance. I would like to run for Mayor and get paid loads of money to look like I have no clue of…
Corporate co-operation with a bus strike happening
To the bus drivers I say strike and good luck getting what you want. NOW for the corporate CLOWNS. That treat their employees like shit F you bastards. You can organise rides for people that can walk to work and live less then 20 minutes walk away from work. Then the dedicated people that live…
Granville Street smoker
I saw you Feb 1st buying a beer. You were kinda short and dressed in clothes that reminded me so much of Lord of the Rings (for lack of a better way to put it.) Dark brimmed hat, long hair and a messenger bag. You drank the beer outside and then left. Yesterday I was…
Left lane traffic jam, right lane empty
This morning, I exited the Hwy101 onto the Bedford Bypass(1F), I was headed for the magazine. The left lane of the bypass was backed up all the way to the 101, and the right lane was empty. I took the very empty, right lane, and drove all the way up to the merge point. To…
In context: What driver overtime has to do with the broken bus budget
Metro Transit is hemorrhaging money. It is the only city department that has failed to meet its budget, this year alone being about $3 million over budget. This is a real problem, a big problem. It should concern taxpayers, and it rightly concerns councillors and city staff. But during the on-going transit strike, the issue…
Andrew Murphy becomes programmer of Toronto’s Inside Out Fest
A big congratulations goes out to Andrew Murphy, former programming manager for the Atlantic Film Festival. It’s been announced that he’s the new director of programming at Inside Out, producer of the annual Toronto LGBT Film Festival and the Ottawa LGBT Film Festival. Murphy was at the AFF for 12 years, having worked on programming…
Happy 30th Birthday!!
PK- I hope you have a fantastically wonderful 30th birthday and many wonderful years to come :). —PF
Car-pooling pleased
In light of the transit strike, I just wanted to say how warm and fuzzy it makes me to see people coming together to get where they need to go. Twitter was ablaze with people offering drives, coffee shops are offering free coffee to carpool of 4… just wow. Personally, I’d like to thank the…
Come back
Bus drivers come back. I love you. And not just because you get to where I need to go, but because you were friendly and I often had conversations with you. Opened your doors with a smile on your face (most times) and put up with the most ridiculous people. I have drives to and…
Sun comes up, it’s Thursday morning
Most mornings, I walk or bike to work Downtown around 7:30 am. Most mornings, I’m relatively alone on my journey: I see some leaving-the-house activities in the neighbourhood I pass through, enjoy the silent swish of the speed skaters on the Common, and share an occasional nod of mutual approval with another biker. This morning…
Right to strike
I realize it really blows not being able to get to work on the bus due to the strike, but instead of bitching you really should be asking: “Where is my union?,” or “Why don’t I have the right to strike when my employer screws me on EVERYTHING?” —Lives in Walking Distance of Work
Colonel Sanders and his chicken
Yes, it sucks that the bus drivers went on strike. Transit, aside from my functioning legs, is my primary form of transportation. I don’t own a car. But I support the union (as do many, many other Transit users), for a simple reason: this world of ours is divided into two groups, servants and masters.…
You pop my cork
Beeb, you’re wonderful just the way you are. Sometimes you let the world get you down, but the future is a beautiful thing and it is there for us to embrace it. My love is not filled with preconditions or biases, I love you for who you are. Girl, you know that I love your…
I love it here
Today marks 3 years of living in Halifax after moving from Ontario. Everyone thought we were crazy moving to this province to find work. Well the good news is that we did find pretty decent jobs here, mainly because the lack of quality competition in this city. Even better news is that there is nothing…
Man on the moon
You make me a better person, a believer, a lover, a free bird. You light my fire and heal me, you are the light beaming from the sun catchers as we run hand in hand our favourite song trailing our footsteps. For all those who don’t believe in True Love I am here to say…
Invisible snow
What IS it with all the freakin’ “featherdusters” out plowing bare pavement, sparks a flyin’, after a snowfall of less than half an inch? Really? —Bring On Spring
The Saintly Scholar
Hello you sexxy Poe readin’, H.P. lovecraft worshipin’ ball of insanity and love… you have hipped me to my favourite literature, taken care of me when no one else would, and offered perspectives on things that I swear must have come from the abyss. Would you kindly show yourself on Quinpool more so I can…
Dear city
Following the details on the strike with Metro Transit is pissing me off. One union member complained about long hours resulting in high divorce rates. Then hearing about them wanting more money. WTF!!! Thousands depend on transit and now many are stuck walking or looking for rides to get to needed places. Cabs will be…
Judge stops sale of St. Pat’s-Alexandra to developer
Judge Patrick Duncan issued the above order late yesterday afternoon, ordering a temporary stay of the sale of St. Pat’s-Alexandra School to Jono Developments. The matter will be taken up February 16, when the judge has scheduled a five-and-a-half-hour hearing. The order came after Halifax lawyer Ron Pink filed a Motion for Judicial Review of…
HRM council screws up… again
Here’s what we want as Halifax citizens; our garbage picked up at the curb, ALL OF IT, the electronics, the paperboard, all of it. Why do we have to get a truck and take the electronics to the recycling center? I don’t have a truck, HRM has lots of trucks. Why are they not using…
CFAT’s elevator music
Centre For Art Tapes and Craig Gallery’s double exhibit gets you coming and going. At the Craig Gallery is new work by Katie Vautour, Mixed Media Drawings, and in the elevator at Alderney Landing is the CFAT audio art program, Broadcasting for Reels: Sounds (Extra)Ordinary. Exhibition host Chris Myhr curated Broadcasting for Reels, choosing an…
Taxi
Quit nagging me asking if I’ll drive you to work. Why should I drive out of my way to pick you up? I know you’re cheap. Each time you ask me “Could I get a ride with you?” you never add on “I’m willing to contribute towards gas.” Do you think my car runs on…
The Sex Festival loves you
The Plutonium Playhouse’s second annual Sex Festival (click for full listings and ticket info) steams up February. Get to the shows early, as year had sold out crowds. Why? Because people love sex. The festival is “a series of plays, readings, photos, music and videos that explore sex, sexuality, relationships, gender and the human body,”…
Fuck you, night court
Man, traffic court sucks. Wasn’t so bad that I had to fight my stupid traffic infraction at 7pm on a Wednesday night. Wasn’t even too terrible that I had to sit there for two hours before they even got around to me. The worst thing about traffic court is the plain lack of respect they…
Clean it up!
My neighbourhood is a beautiful place to live. Be it fall, when the leaves all start to turn colour, the spring and summer when wildlife inhabits my backyard, or the winter, as now, when everything is covered in a glistening blanket of white, a walk through my very own neighbourhood can be absolutely breathtaking. I…
Dear Fuckface
You mooch off of my parents and treat them like trash, yelling at them through bouts of nerd rage, you pressured my sister into marrying you, cheated on her, and treat her like crap, and she lives with it because she has a heart too big, and the only reason any of us give you…
A meaner world
As I’m writing this, I don’t know if the Amalgamated Transit Union and Metro Transit will come to terms and avoid a strike, or not. I do know, however, that the city’s desire to play hardball with its employee unions is a new thing, and one concurrent with the arrival of chief administrative officer Richard…
Flag on the Play brings the Superbowl to Halifax
In the backyard of 6015 Willow Street, a house with a long history in Halifax of artistic endeavours, there’s a door leading to a basement room with ceilings scarcely high enough to accommodate the many donated film-quality spot lights. Plastic chairs face a set that looks a little like a teen’s bedroom. Posters, paintings, multiple…
Flag on the Play pick their top five Super Bowl moments.
5. Super Bowl 12 Dallas Cowboys vs. Denver Broncos (1978): 30+ Time Super Bowl gatecrasher Dion Rich sneaks into Super Bowl, carries winning coach Tom Landy off field at game’s conclusion. 4. Super Bowl 37 Oakland Raiders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2003): Jon Gruden Revenge Match 3. Super Bowl 38 Carolina Panthers vs. New England…
Free Will Astrology
Happy Birthday! AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) (January 20-February 18) If you go to California’s Yosemite National Park this month, you might get the chance to witness a reddish-gold waterfall. Here’s how: At sunset, gaze up at the sheer east face of the rock formation known as El Capitan. There you will see what seems to…
Bone-creepy The Woman in Black
Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) is a lawyer settling the seaside estate of a woman whose child drowned near the creepy old home. The local villagers aren’t happy to see him, since every time someone goes to the gothic pile, the ghostly lady of the title appears and children die. The Woman in Black is an…
Taking Communion
Three actors, a director and a playwright (with an Italian greyhound in tow) file into the Neptune Theatre board room on a dreary January afternoon. The space is big enough that it would still seem ample with twenty people around the table, yet this group radiates enough artistic energy to make the room feel full.…
Albert Nobbs underdeveloped
It’s interesting to look at sexuality and sexual identity in a time and place—Ireland in the 1800s— when there was only one norm. Albert Nobbs tackles the subject, but too superficially. Albert (Glenn Close), a woman who lives life as a man, works in a swanky hotel, squirreling money away to eventually buy a shop.…
Daniel Radcliffe leaves Harry Potter behind
The most famous teenager in the world has graduated. Daniel Radcliffe, now 22, played Harry Potter in the most successful film franchise in history, with profits in the billions of dollars, an adaptation of the biggest-selling book series in history, some 450 million copies sold. Now comes the rest of Radcliffe’s life and career, starting…
Chronicle poignant (with tech issue)
Chronicle unfurls from the perspective of cameras wielded in jittery fashion by its characters, an increasingly tiresome conceit that adds nothing to a film whose true ancestor is Carrie, not The Blair Witch Project. Three teenaged guys get zapped into unconsciousness by a mysterious entity and wake up with the ability to move objects with…
Kevin Smith’s movies
After his next release, the hockey epic Hit Somebody, Kevin Smith says he’s done being a film director. No more snootchie bootchies. If the popularity of his podcasts and spoken word engagements continues—this week he’s back in Halifax for the third time in four months—he won’t need to make movies anymore. If you’re wondering why…
Giving back to ARK
Benefits Giving back ARK Outreach’s mission can be summed up in the straight to the point message on its website: “ARK is a community shaped by those who are homeless and street-involved. We seek to support those who live with the realities of life without shelter in our country. Together we create a place to…
Marked man
I’m grateful to have gotten into the music business when I did—20 years ago this very month,” Mark Kozelek offers via email while taking a short break from finishing his taxes (one of the many tasks of also running Caldo Verde Records, the label he started in 2004). He’s also grateful that “I still have…
Cold Warps speed
Imagine cruising through a Slip ‘n Slide on the hottest day of summer. Add The Ramones, The Smoking Man from The X-Files and a can of Zoodles, and you’ll only be having half as much fun as if you were at a Cold Warps show. The pop-punk sensations release the self-titled and Endless Bummer tapes…
The conundrum of some, not all
Q My husband is a very kinky submissive man. When we were dating, I found out he had been talking to multiple people online and had met up with a professional dom a couple of times. I felt betrayed that he had done this all behind my back, even though I had told him that…
Rae Spoon stirs
The beautiful thing about music is that it’s pretty universal. There’s no end to combinations of sounds, notes and tones, and no pressure to be defined by just one genre. Rae Spoon’s recent release I Can’t Keep All Of Our Secrets is a perfect example of this. The Montreal-based singer-songwriter’s sixth full-length album, a haunting…
Mrs. Parliament’s Night Out fufills
Men, beware! You may well find your wife wants to dissect the state of your union after seeing Mrs. Parliament’s Night Out. It’s the story of an unfulfilled middle-aged woman (played with coltish charm by Sheila McCarthy) who suddenly realizes that life is short. She seizes the day by enrolling in multiple, wacky activities where…
Finding Black and Light
“Someone left me a dead fox in a bag as a gift once,” recalls found object-lover Lisa Cochrane. This wasn’t a childish prank, it was an honest to goodness gift perfectly suited for Cochrane, who’s known for collecting nests and bones and picking up road kill. Animals and bones have been a recurring theme in…
