Bus drivers aren’t mind readers
You stand in a bus stop serviced by more than one route. You stare at your cellphone, you read a book and smoke a cigarette, or you sit in the shelter texting. You don’t bother to make any indication that you want the bus that is approaching. The bus driver slows down but you stand…
Why do they treat you like this Halifax?
Halifax, you are a dirty city. Your residents have no respect for you. Coffee cups and cigarette butts everywhere. Newspapers blowing in the breeze, broken beer bottles and trash discarded whenever and wherever people feel like it. You can be a beautiful city to live in but sadly the morons who litter are too plentiful.…
Pedestrians
Hey! I have places to go and don’t have time to scrape you off my hood. If you can’t cross at the crosswalks then don’t expect me to see you next time. And this to the guy who yelled at me to clean the snow and ice off my car… I just said I have…
Peace Out
Maybe you finally got the message. He realized just how immature, messed up, and completely bat-shit crazy you are, how much trouble you created in our lives, and how everything was drama-free before you showed up at our door. Now we have each other and are happier because you no longer exist in our lives.…
Camel Toe Complaint
How do you approach the topic of a noticeably fat crotch? Every day you come on the bus at the same time, and every day the passengers look away so as not to be grossed out so early in the morning. Tip: they have surgery options to fix your down-there condition. Your pudge now spreads…
Strength vs. Thickness
Tuesday, February 15th. Looking to hit the lakes to play some hockey with my son, who’s on break from school for two weeks (missed school time… that’s a whole other bitch just waiting to be told). Check the HRM website to make sure the lakes in Dartmouth are safe to skate on. Uhhhhh, what the…
Love
So, Valentine’s Day has come and passed. Although I did not receive flowers, chocolate, or even a card, I do not feel like I have missed out on a day of romance with my fiancé. This is because I do not need a day appointed by the masses to force my fiancé to purchase me…
Canada Games Fail
I can’t believe how poorly the bedbug situation at the camp was handled. Honestly what were the Canada Games organizers doing? This should have been taken care of LONG before the athletes arrived! On the news, they had a ‘bedbug sniffing’ dog in to deem the camp bedbug free before the athletes arrived. This has…
The city and the little guy
I have just paid a parking ticket for the overnight ban from Dec when there was no snow and also received a clean the sidewalk notice but the walk was clean enough. Dear city hall, please plow my street and hold up your end of the bargain. —Maui man on moran aloha
HPX SXSW Taco Party is Official
DUZCUZ Here’s the confirmed lineup for the Halifax Pop Explosion stage at SXSW. If you are lucky enough to be there, go here. Sat March 19th, 7pm (music starts shortly afterwards)Paradise Cafe (CANADA HOUSE)401 East 6th Street 7:00 Said the Whale8:00 Cousins9:00 Carmen Townsend10:00 In-Flight Safety11:00 Duzheknew12:00 Rich Aucoin1:00 Golden Dogs It ain’t a SXSW…
Coast video: Joel Plaskett does Grand Parade
The Joel Plaskett Emergency drew thousands of fans (including Premier Darrell Dexter) into Grand Parade Square on Valentine’s Day for a free show during the 2011 Canada Games. Coast videographer Sandi Rankaduwa was there, and brings us this recap.
Everlong
It’s finally you and me. I am excited for today, tomorrow, and the rest of forever. I know we’ve seen it all, and had the hardest troubles to bare, but look how far we’ve come! We can conquer anything and everything! And to everyone who’ve doubted us, we’ll be laughing when we’re spinning tunes in…
Go to a Cashier
I have 4 items. I go to the self-scan, cause I have only 4 items. Two of the registers are occupied by customers with literal cartloads. One has to be assisted by the worker overseeing the self-scanners, cause they’ve run out of bagging room, and gee, why’d that happen, Pa? Self-scanners were meant for 10…
The Monkey’s Paw!
A fun and funky emporium has opened at the Harbourview Weekend Market in Dartmouth—9am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday—called The Monkey’s Paw Curio Shop (441-0429). It’s run by local Halifax film community art department staple, the reverend Bob Chiasson and actor and artist Scott Owen. “We are the smallest antique shop ever to open in…
Pursue and withdrawal
For all you commitment-phobic men, of which there are PLENTY in Halifax, just leave the good-hearted women alone. If you meet a wholesome, loving woman who’s obviously into you and clearly wants a relationship, resist the temptation to pursue her! Why spend weeks convincing her that you’re a romantic and intimate man who cares, when,…
Provs to reinstate arts council
Killed by the RodMac government in 2002, a new independent arts funding body, Arts Nova Scotia, will be established this fall, announced premier Darrell Dexter in a Valentine to artists province-wide yesterday. Bringing back arm’s-length funding was one of Dexter’s election promises.
The only thing better than live music, is free live music
[image-1] Last night kicked off the slew of great, and may I add free, Canada Games concerts. I’ve seen my share of Grand Parade shows, but hadn’t been to one since I think the Junos, where I was likely also sardined to see Joel. And last night, sardined we were once again, which is great.…
Why are you out of service?
It’s winter, windy and cold. The OUT OF SERVICE bus sits empty, soon to be the number 1 bus, left us riders, out in the cold. You, the driver, just sat there and when you were good and ready, you ALLOWED us on YOUR bus. I shouldn’t have to leave my personal info to leave…
Dear South End Neighbour
Shut that fucking dog up already. —In need of sleep
Someone didn’t like me
This is to the prick who paid the bill of the table of 17 I waited on Valentine’s Day: Your friends/family were the most wonderful people and I enjoyed serving them. I waited on everyone, including you, hand and foot. That was fine. They were warm, happy and friendly. You, not so much. You were…
Grow the fuck up
For people who love to go on about how important it is to be aware of how you make people feel, you fucking bitches are pretty goddamn oblivious. It must be nice to be so fucking self-centered that you don’t even notice the hell you put people through with your nasty and painfully rude comments.…
How much you want to bet that…
…those fucking MLAs charged with fraud will get off with a slap on the hand and still be entitled to those sweetheart pensions? As for the Head Cheese, he’s only angry because it happened on his watch. No self-respecting citizen wants to vote anymore because every government in the last few decades thinks it’s above…
Leave that defenceless bike alone
I don’t know why you do it, but it makes me mad. It is just a bike. Usually forgotten and lonely. The longer it stays in one spot, the more you torment it. Once one wheel gets tacoed, the other follows pretty quickly. It is like you see that everyone else has kicked this bike,…
Snaubar brings the love to the Games
If you’re going to any of the 20 sports being contested over the coming days, hang onto your pass or ticket and bring it to Snaubar Lebanese Cuisine and Lounge (1535 Dresden Row, 406-8555), where you’ll receive 15 percent off your meal with the stub’s presentation.
art&jules to close
Open since summer 2009, art&jules (2089 Gottingen Street, 407-3390) will be closing its doors and converting to an online-only gallery following its final exhibition this month. The show features work by Marilyn Whalen, Tere Mullin, Susan Gilbert, Susan Charles, Evguenia Ioganov and Dwayne Carberry, with the opening Friday, February 18, 7-9pm, where you can expect…
The Next Day
Looking back on yesterday I find it hard to believe that I learned so much about love, self love, and love in general, and it just happened to be “the day of love”. I hope that others were blessed with love in a way that was not only chocolaty deliciousness. —Still enjoyed those cookies though
Middle Finger
You must have been having a bad day I guess. When I was trying to get out into traffic you had everyone including me blocked so we couldn’t get out. Then you thought since you were having such a shitty day you would give me the middle finger. It was so funny watching you look…
To the blond bus-driver lady
I was riding the bus the other day and there was this loud, obnoxious, obviously intoxicated man riding as well. This was earlier, like 3 pm or so. He was quite inappropriate with another bus patron and no one did a thing! Later that same evening however, you were driving. You pulled the bus over…
Egypt
The army says we’ll only stay in power for 6 months until free and fair elections. Yeah, that’ll happen… real soon. —It ain’t over ’til…
Halifax Police want big budget increase
The Board of Police Commissioners is seeking an 8.25 percent increase in the budget for the Halifax Regional Police Department. If approved by city council, last year’s budget of $69,168,989 will increase by $5,705,951 to a total of $74,874,940. Additionally, the RCMP will demand a 5.5 percent increase in the amount HRM pays the force…
Better off without you
For the longest time I cried over you. Looking back now, I can’t help but see how lucky I am to have dodged that bullet. Your outsides match your insides more and more each day. —NSCC
You deserve a raise!
To the liquor store employee at the mall; I was the girl with the unopened parcel and the wine on my way to work. In our short interaction, you gave me such a nice compliment and chatted with me in such an easygoing and jovial way. I left the store with a big smile on…
I am not your mother
To my fellow classmates and studio users: clean up your goddamn mess! There is nothing more infuriating than going into the studio to do your work and finding that someone (or multiple someones) have left their mess EVERYWHERE! In sinks, on counters, everywhere. It doesn’t help that there are toxic chemicals in use in a…
Why So Many People?
Every day when I walk through the cafeteria or into a classroom or into a store I think to myself, how many people in the world have done what I just did. People don’t seem to realize just HOW many people there are in the world. Think about the separation of six degrees. It is…
Boyfriend of the year
This is a notice to all you men and women out there that BOYFRIEND OF THE YEAR has been awarded this year to my boyfriend, J. You are the sweetest, kindest, most fun and understanding man I ever met. You were right, you are SO WORTH IT. —Lots of Love, A
Dick spray painter
Firstly, I want to clarify that this observatory report contains no sarcasm despite what some morally delusional readers may conspire to think. Recently, on a crisp winter morning, I left my domicile ready for the wretched nightmare of Soviet hell that unfolds upon me relentlessly, regardless of the season, only to have the entire world…
Anti Valentine’s, Pro Memories
A year ago today we were wild. Thank you for creating that memory with me, it’s a treasured one. Whatever you do today with your new, fantastic lady, I sincerely hope it’s great, but a tiny part of me hopes it isn’t quite as great as last year. —Not Jealous, Just Selfish
Wallet Finder
To the gentleman that picked up my wallet on Monday February 7 and followed me to return it. You helped restore some of my faith in humans. Thank you so much. —VLT player
Thank you
Every day I walk to South Park street. It’s the happiest time of my day, even in the most awful weather… I enjoy that walk; watching the people and smiling at the crosswalk. I always take the time to hop onto the elevated concrete that protects the grass in front of the hotel. I like…
Love Thy Neighbour
Dear Neighbour on Elm Street, I spend a lot of fucking money on my house renos and have tried to coordinate visits from contractors to ensure you get your beauty sleep. When the contractors wait patiently until AFTER 8 a.m. before arriving to work, park cautiously as to not encroach on your parking space, and…
Forgive me
I should’ve written sooner. How many pumpkins will it take? I love you more than ever. xoxo —Your croustouille
In the dark in Cole Harbour
Early Thursday morning I awoke to zeros on my microwave clock. We lost power through the night. I have a battery-powered alarm clock for just such purchases. I reset the clock. Again Saturday morning I reset the clock. Then the power goes out for two hours on Saturday night. Right in the middle of the…
Open those dark brown eyes
We’ve been messing around for the past 6 months I enjoy your company, of talk, smokin up and getting sticky, and ending the night with our favourite show. You asked me once what my value is in the male objective and here it is, I’m smart, laid back, career orientated, beautiful, and 22. Remember Mr.…
Only on Digital TV
The Canada Games we spend millions to put on but unless you live in the HRM you cannot see them because they put on a digital channel instead on a channel that is available to all Canadians… incredible. —Something really wrong here
Love at first sight
It’s been almost a year, and everytime I see you I fall in love with you over and over again. Thanks for being the boyfriend every girl dreams for. —Redhead over heels
The light of my life
Dearest Daughter, I want you to know that you are the best part of me, and I am proud of the woman you’ve become. You are a spectacular person, strong, beautiful and wise beyond your years. Fly free, little pigeon. The world is your oyster. Happy Valentine’s Day! MB. —Mama
How much are YOU worth?
I work in a nursing home as a personal care worker. I make 15.64 an hour, which is the maxium you can make an hour at this particular institution. It doesn’t matter if you have been employed here for 10 or 25 years. Thats it. We have a measly pension, crappy medical, no dental and…
Tired Of Trashy Males
Why is it so difficult for an attractive, educated female to find the same? I’m tired of little boys, men who can’t spell, and nerds who would be so cute if they would just go to the gym! Physical and intellectual attraction are both important. Where are all the cute professionals hiding? —Wants a real…
Stuck on a slippery slope
Thank you so very much to the lady who stopped to help me a few days ago after our latest snow storm. I was on my way to work and had to hit the brakes going up a hill to avoid being hit by/hitting a car that started to spin on the cruddy road conditions.…
Happy V-Day With Jenocide and Windom Earle
my favorite PJ era is this one There’s some holiday or something today. Why not just go dancing tonight, ya dingus?For those in the north end, you can catch an early Jenocide show with Catholic Gaydar, plus a performance with Elle Noir as part of the Pink Triangle DalOUT party at Menz Bar at 8pm.…
Babesauce
Listen Babesauce, how dare you steal my partner and I’s pet names for each other. It’s nice that you proclaimed your love for your girlfriend in The Coast, but try to be a little more creative and make a new pet name for yourselves. —The Original Babesauce
Sweet guys
Thanks for giving this old nurse a boost when you both walked by with your young university charm and said hello how are you with a cheerful smile. It’s been awhile, and it made a bad day with tough patients a little easier. —50 white-haired RN
To the one I’ll never see again…
I met you on the internet, time went by, then we decided to meet at a mall, we did, we kissed, we were madly in love. Distance never stopped us. Everything was fine, until drugs/power got in the way of you. I miss you, and I think about you every day. I will never, and…
Armed Stand-Offs
Yet another controlling drunken prick in Mulgrave holds up police and emergency services for 23 hours: this fucking moron should be charged for every bit of time wasted on this case. Maybe if the armed shit-for-brains was made to pay for his selfishness, there would be a lot less of these time-wasting cases. —Hates Selfish…
The Kiss
I have always believed that the passion between two people emanates first and foremost from the kiss. It is warm and intimate beyond anything else. I remember the first time you kissed me. I was nervous, having been “out of the game” for many years. You took the chance to kiss me, there in the…
Not the ideal city for a dog
I understand we live in a city, and not the valley… but this city is becoming less and less dog friendly it seems. I completely respect the fact that there has to be rules and limitations as far as where dogs can be off leash, but it seems like one day I go somewhere and…
Fly by night chef
To the idiot who decided to commandeer my table and then throw a bunch of shit in my food when I went to the bar to get a drink: I just wanted to grab a drink. I left my bag there as a (painfully obvious) sign that I’d be right back and what did you…
Blowing It
It’s been over a year, and I’ve yet to come to terms with how hard I blew it in the early stages of knowing you, I dont know why or how you were able to put up with my turkey shit, but I’m glad I finally came around and saw the error in my ways.…
Buses
Why is it so hard to drive with all these f’in buses on the road. I’m trying to get to work and this bus drives out into the lane making me swerve into the other lane! The car coming had to stop hard so I could get around the bus. Frig sakes, who audits these…
Everybody dance now
Shine up them dancin’ shoes, folks. Word around the campfire is there’s going to be a flash mob tonight at the Joel Plaskett show at Celebration Square. A video of the choreography for Plaskett’s “Nowhere With You” has been circulating the interwebs for a few days, giving you dancing machines the chance to take part.…
Looking from a distance
We’ve been getting closer and closer since the day we first met, we’ve been able to open up more and more to eachother. Every time I see you or get the chance to talk to you my heart skips a beat and I smile a lot. I know that we would never be together, especially…
Two Sweet Girls!
To the two very sweet girls who work until nine at my favourite shoe store on Spring Garden. You are both so amazing to be around and I always love coming in and taking my time to look at everything. You both never make me feel like I have to buy something at full price…
Canada Games photo-blog by Courtney Kelsey & Zachary Barkhouse
This blog will follow the development of a project about the Canada Games being photographed by Zachary Barkhouse and Courtney Kelsey. Each day the two will present a short series of photos that document spectators watching the events and participating in surrounding activities.
Pigeon Kicker
To the woman (yes, woman, not girl, not teenager) who felt it necessary to kick a pigeon on Spring Garden the other day, I hope you fix whatever is making you so miserable that you feel the need to kick pigeons, unprovoked. —I hope he pooped on you
Goodbye City Deli
Shoptalk has learned that The Brewery Market (1496 Lower Water Street) has lost one of its longtime residents, City Deli Restaurant. After 29 years in business, owner John Claude Moraze says he’s retiring at age 73. “People said we had the best peach cake in Halifax,” he says. “How come The Coast never came down…
WTF?
Does anybody care that sidewalks actually get snow on them? Ice even? Oh yeah, people still use them in the winter. Maybe even to get to work. This city rocks! —FML with no L to F
CB
First love, true love, I still love you. I’d never tell you although you might have known all along seeing how I can never seem to stay away from you for more than a few years. We both have new lives and so many things have changed but I can’t ever forget you. I won’t…
Halifax Crafters taking applications
It’s true: If you are a crafter, artisan or otherwise make interesting, utilitarian or beautiful items with your hands, you can get an application for The Halifax Crafters Spring Show by emailing halifaxcrafters@gmail.com. The applications are due Friday March 4 and the show itself takes place April 30 and May 1. The location of the show…
Canada Games song “Supersonic” is super dull
I’m not sure why athletic competitions need their own songs (no one will ever top this) but here’s the Canada Games official song, “Supersonic” by Chantal Kreviazuk: I dunno, I’m not a music critic, I’m stretching outside my comfort zone here, and my arts colleagues at The Coast might tell me I’m all wet, but,…
Canada Games is not the Olympics; not even a NFL football game
[image-1] Says the Herald: A lack of television coverage of the 2011 Canada Winter Games has ticked off some Nova Scotia fans… He said it is disappointing major broadcasters like CBC or CTV do not have additional cameras and crews in Nova Scotia for the two-week celebration of athletics and culture that has about 2,700…
Canada Games Opening Ceremonies
[image-1] National Sports channel TSN, in partnership with CTV, offers up Friday’s night’s opening ceremonies from the Metro Centre. I have to give the organizers credit for their choice of performers, amongst them Rich Aucoin, The Stanfields and especially Tanya Davis, whose poem was a highlight. But I wished we’d had a chance to enjoy…
An Anti-Valentine’s Day Mix
Coast art director and DJ-about-town Loukas Crowther has put together another mix for your enjoyment, just in time for the Valentine’s Day season. While everyone around you is getting all sooky-couple-y, kissing and wearing matching shirts and slow-dancing to music that only they can hear in their heads, put in your headphones and turn this…
Some famous musician, back behind that concrete thing somewhere
Walking past Grand Parade, er, I mean, Celebration Square this evening, I noticed they’ve set up the stage for all the noon concerts scheduled for the next couple of weeks. I have no idea how many people will attend these shows, but any more than a couple of hundred, and they’ll be stretching their necks…
New Fuzzy White Stuff Paint Job On Your Car
CLEAN OFF YOUR CARS, YOU ASSHOLES! Q: What lazy shit can’t even clean off his windshield? Let alone the rest of the car? A: Apparently half of Halifax. I can’t believe the police don’t haul these asses out of their cars and beat the windows out of the car. There, fuckface, no need to scrape…
Really cool video of the Common skating oval
Just watch it: Send us your Canada Games pics and vids; email ourgames@thecoast.ca.
The summer of ’69
We’re really excited about getting reader-submitted Canada Games photos and videos (see below), but I’m seriously doubting that any reader can match the production values, videography and, most astonishingly, soundtrack of the 1969 Halifax Canada Games promotional video: Send us your Canada Games pics and vids; email ourgames@thecoast.ca.
Canada Games rejects security theatre
Be afraid! Fear, fear, fear! It’s what keeps the military state alive, keeps the cops well-funded. It’s your duty as a good citizen to be afraid. So, to help you along, at every turn, the powers that be need to inculcate fear, with visions of terrorists behind every bush, security theatre at every airport and…
The Coast meets the Canada Games
Welcome to The Coast’s Canada Games blog. We’ll use this space to do what we do best: provide a bit of insight, a bit more snark and still more fun. Expect some commentary, some pictures and some video from our videographer. And expect some community involvement: When we say it’s “Our Canada Games,” we mean…
Mr. Shit Thrower
Yeah you… the guy walking the 2 German Shepherds who picked up one’s shit and bagged it (probably only because I was going into the house and you saw me looking your way). Nice of you to do that, but don’t walk halfway down my street, look back to see if I’m still looking (I…
ECMA Goes Electronic
This new stage is the brainchild of electronic musician Aaron Collier. For the first time ever, the ECMAs will be hosting an electronic music showcase in Charlottetown on April 15 and 16. It’s the brainchild of Electro East, a group of representatives from the electronic music community across the Maritimes. Eight artists will be chosen…
Always been attracted to you
I knew you forever, but it seems I never run into you anymore. I guess life gets busy. You’re from Woodside, and such a free spirit, I love your long hair and your hippie ways, the last few times I have seen you I wanted to ask you out for coffee, I froze. I have…
Little Bo Peep come back
Somewhere in life I have lost my dream. My passion. My thing that I use to get out of bed in the morning. My mojo. I need to get off my ass this year and get myself out into getting my life back. I’m not sure where it went I’m pissed I lost it somewhere.…
2.6 million a year just from parking meters?!
Holy crap! And that is after what meter thieves help themselves to. If that is the revenue from change, I can’t imagine what parking tickets bring in, or other bi-law infractions or motor vehicle fines. And throwing in all the revenue from other sources, not even taking into account revenue from taxes, I can’t believe…
The Corridor free screening
Keep the evening of Wednesday, February 23 open, Halifax lovers of film. Film Nova Scotia and Empire Theatres will be hosting a free screening of The Corridor that night at The Oxford Theatre (6408 Quinpool Road). The Corridor is produced by Craig Cameron and Mike Masters, directed by Evan Kelly and written by Josh MacDonald.…
Maternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
To the beautiful pregnant woman on the #1 bus route yesterday, you were wearing an emerald green poncho, and smiling from the inside. I’m sad you got off too early for me to tell you that you were beautiful. —Quiet Observer
Sock It To Ya reopens
Sock It To Ya (429-7625) is now open in Spring Garden Place, having moved from their former location at the corner of Spring Garden and Birmingham, which is now a pile of rubble. (See a forthcoming Reality Bites post on the future of said corner, which also once housed Annie’s Place Cafe, now found up…
Literally, literally, literally…
Come on, I read a post a while back about people misusing this word, and now I realize just how bad it is. Without going to look up a formal definition, I can safely tell everyone here that when most people use the word “literally”, they should instead just use “actually”, “totally”, “really” or “absolutely”.…
Beardo Bagger
You were very sweet yesterday when I was in picking up a couple groceries. Thanks for being just a nice, helpful guy—after a crappy day at work and halfway through a long walk home it was appreciated! And you were innovative too! That was the only time I’ve ever been able to carry tp home…
I miss you!
I know you’re all the way over there and I’m all the way over here, but I just want to share how wonderful I think you are. The day I missed class because of three overnight hypo episodes and you ran up to my room pounding on my door, demanding to be let in after…
Cabin fever? OCD? ADHD?
Whatever! Just stop! Pen clickers, lint pickers, lighter flickers, nail drummers, toe tappers. You’re driving me crazy this week! And if the guy across from me doesn’t stop making that stupid popping noise with his mouth, I’m going to scream! —Irritated beyond belief
You know the world is fucked when…
…the Catholic Church approves a fucking app to make a confession. They’d be better off developing a pedophile detector app. I cannot believe people still buy the church’s utter bullshit (and the rules that keep changing—limbo or no limbo?) but then again there are feebs out there that buy the ridiculous concept of Mormonism. —There’s…
Nerdy hearts
You make me smile, you treat me the way I should be treated but never was. It scares me, but thank you for not letting me push you away. Heart you. —Crazy cat lady
No glass, no class
All you folks out there lurkin around trying to be so different in fashion and making sure everyone within ear shot hears how unconformed and hip you are. You guys put more time into your outfit than anyone. Leave the corduroy, scarves, and fucked up hats at the thrift store. Quit walking around like you’re…
For better or worse?
It’s too bad that you’re far more in love with the things a person has, rather than who the person is inside. I don’t have a lot of money, a good job, more friends, and no college degree, it’s a shame you won’t love me for me for those reasons. Love me for me and…
Your kids, your problem
I don’t know why you looked so stunned when I handed you a broom, dustpan and paper towel and asked you to clean up after your kids. You didn’t bring a personal maid to clean up after them did you? Maybe you expected one of my employees to clean up the cereal, raisins, juice and…
Rotting away in the not so warm Hellifax sun
You were the oasis in the desert in which I drank from and it was wonderful until your love dried up. Now I lie dying of thirst in the savage heat and I can’t help but think, maybe you were just a mirage. —WFNVD
Slippery Tuesday
To the woman who stopped and helped me up after I slipped! Although I was SO embarrassed and got up as fast as I could on my own, the fact that you stood with me and did not laugh or just walk on by, made me feel a lot better. You even commented on how…
Wonderful GF
Thank you so much for taking care of me the other day while I had a case of food poisoning, it means a lot that you care this much about me, I love you so much. —Damn you Food Poisoning
Washmill underpass: follow the money
[image-1] As we detailed two weeks ago, the Washmill underpass project, originally projected to cost $10 million, is an astonishing $8 million over budget. So far, $9,656,252 has been spent on the roadway, which now leads directly into a stone wall. The money needed to complete the road has yet to be allocated, but here’s…
Two Generals
Scott Chantler has explored Canadian history in comics before, but Two Generals is the first time he’s tackled a story with such a strong personal connection (the book recounts his grandfather’s experience in WWII). Chantler’s reverence for his grandfather is the book’s biggest strength, and weakness: the author’s passion for the subject matter shows on…
Robin Peck steps up to the Podium
While New Brunswick-based sculptor Robin Peck prefers to work with plaster, he’s been experimenting with Plexiglass over the years. And while at first glance these transparent pieces seem simple and minimalist, observing them closely can do a number on your head. “I like the fact that it’s almost not there and it’s very difficult to…
Jason Collett
Though I have long admired Jason Collett’s talents, this is the first album I can truly embrace as an exceptional piece of craft. While other LPs have contained some pretty stellar songs, they existed in isolation and the albums never fully realized as a whole. Pony Tricks, on the other hand, is a unique vision, a distinct…
Shaking it up
Daniel Libeskind, the architectural pioneer responsible for monuments such as Berlin’s Jewish Museum and the master plan for New York’s World Trade Center, will critique NSCAD jewellery students on their salt and pepper shaker-making abilities this week. It’s not really a stretch for the architect, in Halifax giving a public lecture Thursday at the Pier…
The Radio Dept.
After listening to the first few tracks of this double CD collection, a squall of thoughts crossed my mind. The first being “Holeeeeey fuck, why have I not heard this before?” How did this escape my radar? And then after nary a few more–especially the deeply transporting “The New Improved Hypocrisy” –I was hooked. It was…
Hey Rosetta!
The sprawling pop outfit from Newfoundland returns with a third album shined to a high gloss by Scottish producer Tony Doogan (Wintersleep, Mogwai), who packs Tim Baker’s compositions with more sonic noise, blurring the defined stop-start quiet-louds of Hey Rosetta past. That means it takes a couple listens for the hooks to sink in–there’s nothing…
Free Will Astrology
AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) When some Westerners hear the term “tantra,” they think it’s a New Age codeword for lavish sex. But in its original form, tantra is a philosophy that advocates spiritual union with all of creation, not just erotic union with an attractive partner. Tantric practitioners might engage in metaphorical “love-making” with lizards,…
Gang of Four
They mean “content” as a noun, not an adjective and this can only be good. Despite a change on drums and bass, Gang of Four is back in all its fury. Skronk-punk guitarist Andy Gill still manages to sound like nobody else. Singer Jon King belts out the lyrics with both passion and clarity. The…
Sowing Seeds
When people discuss a certain band, for whatever reason they generally talk about it in terms of geographical location. Ever since musical explosions in Seattle and Montreal, the general population assumes that where you’re from shapes your musical output more than other factors, like talent or musical influences. Which is why when you hear about…
How sweet it is
Julia Feltham is truly a troubadour. She’s been hard at work putting her poetic genius, soothing vocals and big sexy cello on an album for you, but here’s an opportunity to get a sample of what’s to come. A night so sweet, it’ll leave you wanting more. Friday, Feb 11, The Company House, 2202 Gottingen…
Heart in Mouth
Sageev Oore wants to engage either your heart or your tongue for Valentine’s Day, or both, if you’re up for it. The pianist and Gyposophilia member presents a show from his Sonic Silents series, combining projections of silent films with improvised piano and sometimes projections of drawings or photographs. Oore was inspired for the upcoming…
Socially inept
“Tuition increases limited to 3%,” a Herald headline proclaimed last week, over a story labelled EXCLUSIVE. It quoted “a senior government official,” who cheerily said the province was imposing a three percent tuition cap “designed to protect Nova Scotia students, ensuring that their tuition will remain below the national average over the long term.” The…
Oh, Canada Games
Halifax’s Jordan Croucher (now better known as JRDN) has been popping up on radios across Canada, owning Much Music and just finished a national tour with Danny Fernandez. But you might not have known he was a Canada Games athlete once too (JRDN shared his basketball skills with team Nova Scotia for summer games in…
Ryan MacGrath wants to be your Valentine’s date
Lately, Ryan MacGrath has been playing his big, beautifully arranged songs on his own most of the time, trading dramatic instrumentation for a more intimate, stripped down sound. So playing a show with his full band is a Valentine’s treat for the ECMA nominated artist. “I’m so big on layers and little nuances in my…
I won’t be ignored, Dan!
Q I’ve written before, but I didn’t hear back from you—probably because my email didn’t contain flogging or santorum or whatever. But I won’t be IGNORED, Dan. I’m a 32-year-old female. Second marriage, two kids: one kid with my ex and one with the man I cheated on my ex with (my current husband). My…
Marine Dreams awakens in Sackville
Thanks to a one-way ticket to Moncton, compliments of Steve Lambke, Ian Kehoe (formerly of adored rockers Attack in Black) now calls indie music pocket Sackville, New Brunswick, his home. It was the end result of hopping aboard a tour with Baby Eagle to play some bass, and realizing they had something good going on.…
Halifax sex and dating survey
HAVE YOU EVER…? Been on a blind date? No 69.5% Yes 30.5% Been in a long term relationship? Yes 87.4% No 12.6% Had a one-night stand? Yes 67.6% No 32.4% One-and-only: More than two-thirds of respondents have had a one-night stand. Had sex on a first date? Yes 57.1% No 42.9% Hot meet: Almost three…
Brunch bunch
The Coastal Cafe is busy, as always. My two friends and I have dared to go for a weekend brunch, arriving just after 10am hoping that we’ll find a tiny window between market-goers and late-risers. The Coastal is, after all, tiny. You can count the tables on your fingers, and they are so closely situated…
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (Blizzard)
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is the first part of an epic trilogy years in the making. The original StarCraft was one of the most successful real-time strategy games of all time, responsible for many sleepless nights. You take control of Terran, Protoss or Zerg forces as you gather resources, build an army and wreak…
To the girl next door
Hanging at the den has become a part of my every day, and I love the time spent with the crew. That one drunken hazy night, and the thought of us being the last ones awake had butterflies in my stomach. But when all was said and done, I managed to sneak in a kiss…
Thanks for the Zip!
Thank you kind stranger on Wyse Road, on my way to the bridge terminal this morning, for bringing it to my attention that my backpack (with sideways zippers) was unzipped! Thanks to you I did not lose its contents, some of that stuff would have been annoying to replace. —Chronically Un-Zipped
Ladies Please
I’m tired of females acting dumb. Honestly, beauty will fade, no matter what you think. At the same time I will say I have no patience for females who take no care of themselves. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, a comb is a few cents. — Jesus M. Christ
Call of Duty: Black Ops, First Strike
The first downloadable add-on to Call of Duty: Black Ops, First Strike, is a decent addition of content for those who spend countless hours online shooting each other, but for more casual players—hang on to your 1,200 Microsoft Points. In First Strike, which seems to imply that this is the first of many map packs…
Molly with a shotgun
Hobo with a Shotgun is a highly anticipated release for many, but especially for those of us who are part of the film community in Halifax. Early last year I heard that my longtime friend, Molly Dunsworth, was cast as the film’s female lead, but it wasn’t until this week, when she got back from…
Before the End
If you have ever (even remotely) followed James Kirkpatrick’s career as a hip-hop/noise maker and visual artist (urban or otherwise), you will already know that his art is in a near-constant state of evolution. He is always staring past a horizon most of us have yet to be conscious of. And so it is with…
Sanctum‘s easy on the eyes
Executive producer James Cameron’s name is slapped all over it, but credit director Alister Grierson for making this claustrophobic thriller about divers trapped in a flooding cave system so engrossing. Expert explorer Frank (Richard Roxburgh), his emotionally estranged son Josh (Zack Morris clone Rhys Wakefield) and cocky money man Carl (Ioan Gruffud) are the nominal…
The Eagle soldiers on
There’s much talk of honour in The Eagle, a movie that puts forward a metal statue and the equally inanimate face of Channing Tatum as symbols of that quality. It’s hard to buy into all that honour talk, though, when many of the characters mouthing it are butchers of children. Tatum plays a soldier who…
Canada Winter Games 2011
What is wrong with this province? Nova Scotia was given the opportunity to host Canada’s Winter Games, and yet several Halifax media sources are reporting less than 35% of Nova Scotians even have an interest in the Games. There are plenty of affordable tickets available for a variety of sports, multiple venues, and great opportunities…
A killer cast makes The Revenger’s Tragedy
The last time I saw actor Matt Peach, he was strutting his stuff in towering heels and skin tight pants in the sexy, savage The Obedients. I loved his performance there, but I’d have to say he’s even better in Vile Passeist Theatre’s production of Thomas Middleton’s The Revenger’s Tragedy, where he turns in a…
