I don’t come for the coffee
To a certain bunch of ladies who work at a certain coffee shop at Dal… YOU GUYS ROCK!! I hate the swill you serve called coffee, but it’s a fair trade off to start my day off Monday to Friday with you ladies. Always a smile, ALWAYS FRESH, and the warmest laughter can be heard…
You give good bridge
This Love goes out to that sexy Englishman from the Bridge Commission – your husky updates on Halifax Radio really warm my scones. —Happy Roadster
Bus Parking ONLY??
I’m not going to bitch and complain about the bus strike… HOWEVER, my bitch does pertain to it. Since when did “Bus Parking Only” spaces open up to anything but a bus?? During this strike, I drive by 4 MAJOR transit hot spots… For the past 3 weeks I have noticed a large number of…
Super Friends
If you’ve been enjoying Faith Erin Hicks’ webcomic Friends With Boys in carefully meted out daily installments online, you’re lucky. Friends With Boys is being released in its entirety in graphic novel form February 28 through First Second Books (Strange Adventures book signing on March 3, 2-4pm) and it’s very hard not to devour the…
Hey buddy
You know who you are, the dumb ass who walked past my 50 year old mother who had just fallen and BROKEN HER NOSE while she was out on her own. What the fuck happened to chivalry in this city what happened to a little human kindness. This city makes me want to puke. —Son…
Fast food
I work in fast food, and I’d like to let this be known: yes, I know exactly how long you’ve been waiting; do you think we don’t keep track of our speed? Thank you so much for showing up when one of my coworkers decided not to come into work and getting bitchy me about…
Sidewalk swipe
OK, I was walking home on Robie after just receiving some bad news from my doctor. I was down. You and your fat ass gf were walking side by side towards me and she was pushing a baby carriage (stroller… whatever). You could have moved behind her and let me go by ’cause I didn’t…
Paul F. Tompkins back in Halifax! UPDATED
Remember when Paul F. Tompkins came to town in March 2010? If you missed that momentous event, you’ve got another chance this fall. Ticket info to come. In the meantime, have a listen to PFT rappin’ ’bout Halifax on The Best Show on WFMU Unfortunately, this has been rescheduled due to a production conflict. He’s…
Mayor Peter Kelly won’t seek re-election
Press release from the mayor’s office: (February 22, 2012) Halifax – Mayor Peter Kelly announced today that he will not be seeking re-election this October. “I feel that, after 27 years of public service, I have made my contribution to the good of the community to the very best of my ability and it is…
Why care on the outs?
This govt is ridiculous! Everyone is going on strike and we the people are being used as pawns in the city’s game. Could it be nothing is getting resolved because a certain someone we all know and hahum love, has stopped caring? Stopped caring because inside he knows there is nooo way hes getting reelected!!…
Not everyone wants to be married with kids
Why do people look at me like I have two heads when I tell them I don’t want to ever be married and have children? I’m in my late 20s and perfectly fine with being single, only having flings, at the moment. When I’m in my 30s, I’ll settle down in a long-term relationship with…
Dubstep
…it’s probably what Optimus Prime’s farts would sound like. Please, please make it stop. —Un Mélomane
Overtime/scheduling/making of shifts
For the life of me I cannot understand why the public doesn’t see why the city blames the source of overtime is caused by the method in which the drivers pick their work. Management makes up the schedules and the shifts. There are 8 and 10 hour shifts that have 25 or more minutes of…
Peter Kelly is AWOL
Peter Kelly is Absent Without Leave. Ever since last Thursday’s Coast expose of Kelly’s problems with Mary Thibeault’s probate file (“A Trust Betrayed,” February 16), the Halifax mayor has refused to make himself public or to explain himself. Our article detailed how Kelly is named executor of the estate valued at over a half million…
Spirit Spa hosts Hair Rescue event Sunday
On Sunday February 26, Spirit Spa (5150 Salter Street, 431-8100) will host Hair Rescue, a cut-and-massage-a-thon with the HRM Firefighters for their charities; the Burn Treatment Society and the Canadian Cancer Society. NS Firefighters Calendar models will be on hand to sign calendars and help with shampooing. Expect a silent auction and many prizes to…
CFAT Media Art Scholarship Program Screening on Saturday
The Centre for Art Tapes is having its annual Media Art Scholarship Program Screening on Saturday February 25, 7pm at the Neptune Theatre (1593 Argyle Street). Check out the varied selection of work from CFAT scholars of different ages and backgrounds. Tickets are $8 ($10 at the door), available online by clicking here.
Toast avenger
This love goes out to my boyfriend who takes the time to help me every way he can. On our way to work this morning I dropped my toast he had made me on the ground. I was running late as it was and it made me sad but I just threw it out. He…
Good carma
Okay so this transit strike has created a great deal of stress for the whole city, for car riders and bus riders alike. Here’s an idea that would make our city a much better place: How about those of you with cars take a moment to think of the people you know who don’t have…
Mad-Dawg!
I’m glad we decided to ignore each other’s awkwardness. To look past each other’s quirks and quarks. For me, these were the reasons others had decided to not stay in my life, not bother to get to know me, and to take off at the first opportunity. But it seems that what we had agreed…
Squeeze
Perhaps you should wait for me to exit before you enter… there is only so much space in a door frame with me halfway through. —Ugh
Little sis
A big swoosh of love to my sister who has sacrificed her Saturdays to take me out and about during this dreadful transit strike. I know you have so little leisure time as you work such long hours but you’re always there for me, no matter what. I love hanging out with you, browsing the…
To all the Metro Transit illiterate
Let me clarify for all you Transit haters! First the people that hate Metro Transit are the first ones on the bus and as soon as the strike gets over still the first ones. Ok since everyone feels they know what they are talking about I’m here to correct you. It’s not 30 dollars an…
Depression / Mood Disorder
There is NO cure, regardless of what you have read or seen on TV (there are only treatments). I look fine on the outside, you would never know that anything is wrong with me. I have had to fight this illness my whole life, explaining to employers who didn’t understand, making excuses to friends &…
You know who you are
I’ve been in the bar business as an owner for over 25 years. I’ve seen people do some stupid things. However, last Wednesday night at a popular Karaoke night this individual gets our “lowest class act” award in over a quarter century. This idiot stole a bottle of Yager from behind our bar. Congrats, buddy,…
Looking for a hair/makeup person who’s able to travel?
Lunenburg wedding, August 4th. Any recommendations? —Jenny Burwell
Oops at the laundry mat
I’m expecting to get bitched at on here so I thought I’d apologize to the asian girl sitting next to me at the laundry mat the other day. I was listening to stand up comedy on my ipod and thought it was weird just sitting there laughing to myself so I took out my book…
Hot rod
My girlfriends are I were downtown Saturday night to have a good time. Things were going great and we were having fun, until you slipped up behind a friend of mine and starting grinding against her. It wasn’t just inappropriate, it was vulgar and disgusting. Your pickup line of “Hey girls, wanna go for a…
Bad shopping bags
I live near a certain grocery store which has stopped supplying plastic bags. Instead, they sell ones made of polyester fiber. Well, polyester is not very biodegradable. The bags may be reusable but they are so bulky when folded up that you can barely fit them in a large jacket pocket. Suppose you don’t have…
Dhaba Express expands
Dhaba Express (8 Oland Crescent, 444-4411), the excellent Bayers Lake establishment offering authentic East Indian cuisine, this week is doubling its seating capacity from 25 to 50 by busting through to the space next door, formerly a wedding rental business. Dhaba Express owner Faizal Junus reports that by February 27 they’ll have the capacity to…
MacIntosh Run is looking good
I’m responsible for The Coast’s “On Patrol” section; you can usually tell how busy I am with other stuff by how great/lame the On Patrol is for that particular week. Last week, I got a call from a Spryfield resident complaining about “the creek at the end of River Road”—that is, MacIntosh Run, a creek…
Joel Plaskett’s amazing transit strike song
More CBC fun with JP. Click, listen, laugh, recognize. It is very difficult not to feel jealous of Plaskett’s awesome job/life.
That one yes made my year
Despite there always being a terrible case of my poor timing and schedules being uncooperative ever since that first time I asked and you said yes, I’ll keep asking every time I manage to rebuild the courage until I get an outright no. Just because the one thing that always gets my smile going is…
I love your skinny black trousers and blazers
To the blonde, slim professional hipster guy I see every day in the Pedway: you are the cutest and most fashionable guy in the city. Every day I see you, you put a smile on my face. Although I love the mustard pants with the red and black sweater, your variety of black blazer/black skinny…
Courtyard cutie
To the adorable graphic designer who knocked on my store window to send a cute message, and then ran up to talk to me outside last summer – thank you for making my day and putting a huge smile on my face! —Kilt Salesgirl
Didn’t realize Parking Enforcement were on strike, too…
Over the last few months I’m noticing more and more parking mistakes. And it’s getting fucking annoying. My biggest issue is with parking a couple feet behind a stop sign. It’s happening all the time on my street lately, and it’s worse because cars park on both sides. So there’s room for one car to…
Cherry potion in a glass perfect mug
You aren’t mine, I understand that. I understand how hard your situation was, and that I didn’t always try to make it easier. What I want you to understand, though, is that you helped me realize that I deserve more than what I had. Loving you and having you love me (even for those two…
Woody’s B-B-Q opens in Dartmouth
If you’re heads out to Dartmouth Crossing this week, you’ve got a new flavour choice to enjoy. Woody’s B-B-Q opens today, adjacent to Sushi Nami Royale and La Cucina, a southern barbecue joint founded in Florida with the local franchise owned by Jim Bethune and Eric Swain. With his wife Swain also owns Nurtured, the…
Logic 101
Dear journalists, politicians, anonymous online pundits, and anyone else who writes or speaks to the public with the expectation of being taken seriously; “To beg the question” does not mean what most of you appear to think it means. It is not synonymous with “to ask, raise, or provoke the question”. It does not imply…
In the washroom
Met a really nice girl in the washroom at the Whale Skin/SOS concert. It is so wonderful to be able to go places in this city and just chat with strangers who are friendly and studying IR and moving to Cuba. Goodluck with all that, mystery friend. —Graphic Design Student
Del Sol Big Sale
The locally owned franchise of Del Sol (1099 Marginal Road, 429-2261) offering warm-weather accessories and clothes that change colour in the sun, is a must-visit destination in advance of any Caribbean vacations. As it happens, until the end of February, the store is offering 50 percent off all stock.
Tame bitch
Dear Metro Transit, my liver thanks you, but I do not. Not being able to bus to parties, sleep in a ditch and bus back in the mornings is seriously hampering my style. Lately I’ve been forced to drive, and being the responsible person I am I leave before midnight and stay sober. So please,…
Unions
I am getting so sick and tired of having to read about another unionized bunch of workers in either the private or public sector crying for more! Take a look around you people you all have it pretty good compared to the average non-unionized Nova Scotian. Take for instance a worker who is making $69,000…
Food poison this, ASSHOLES!
What is with food in Halifax? It seems like every time I eat out, a few hours later I’m crouched over a toilet wondering what in the name of God is trying to make its way out of my ass! Don’t you asshats realize that the food you are preparing is for real human consumption!?…
People who were jerks to me
Thank you pretentious playground mom obsessed with vampires, bitches who gave me hell through school, terrible teachers and peers who said I couldn’t make it, the guys who jerked me around, used me and left me for cold, thank you, if not for your immaturity and horrible ways, I never would have realized what cool…
NUT-JOB
I’ve learned many valuable lessons while at art school, but this very important one tops the list: Dumping a frozen cube of your boyfriend’s ejaculate into a cup of warm water and watching it melt may constitute an “A+” in some professor’s books. But one thing is for sure. You’re a fucking asshole. Have fun…
You jerk
…I listened to your stupidity and criticism (for far too long) and the last we spoke you so charmingly used the phrase “bros before hoes” to describe both our 5 yr friendship, and how some random guy was mistreating me, you didn’t even have the balls to stand up for me, too drunk hitting on…
Anti-bullies unite
What is it with all this anti-bullying crap? Whatever happened to people standing up for themselves, and defending themselves? Do these people (who claim to be victims) think someone is always going to step in and protect them for the rest of their lives? How about offering a program and naming it “Grow a set…
Accident at Ragged Lake bus garage
The city has announced that Access-A-Buses will be on the road Monday, driven by managers. Union members say they have safety concerns about managers driving, but city spokesperson Shaune MacKinlay tells me that the managers have Class 2 licences, which are superior to the Class 4 licence required to drive the Access-A-Buses. MacKinlay says the…
Pluto’s Playthings at The Sex Festival
As you might expect, Pluto’s Playthings is raunchy and titillating, filled with vampy, campy burlesque numbers and peek-a-boo nudity. But more than that, it’s a show that touches on what touches us, inside and out. It’s as much about love as it is about lust. As the evening’s host Max, Stewart Legere brings a wonderful…
Good things come in small packages, in this case that would be you…
I love spending time with you, I can’t believe it myself how much I do. Your cute smile lights me up on the inside every time I see you, and some how you tolerate my quirks, and overly scattered brain. The other night on Valentine’s Day, I came over without an expectation, then your cute…
Late night blessing
You try to come across all hard and tough, but we all see you for your soft, gentle, loving side. You make all our late nights so much more bearable, and working til 5am is so less stressful when you are there. Your hugs and compliments make us all feel so special. —Not The Same…
#2 on the All Stars
I went to this charity hockey game last night. I’m not a big hockey fan other than the occasional Stanley Cup game or when Canada is in the Olympic finals… Anyway, it was the police vs. the all stars, and there was this player on the All Stars that really stood out. There were these…
You’re back!!!!
I walked into the library on Tuesday night, and much to my surprise you were there! Oh cute red haired library girl, where have you been? Someday I am going to talk to you, someday I will have the courage to tell you how cute your freckles are and how your smile lights up the…
Orange
I am so hot for you I can barely stand it!!! Visiting and revisiting that one sweet, hot, magnificent eve… —Yellow
Home run for Tim Bousquet
I gotta send some love to Tim B for his article on Peter Kelly. Tim, you’re leading the parade to get rid of a terrible mayor and we are right there behind you. Keep exposing this idiot for what he is: a corrupt leader who has been in office far too long. Keep doing what…
To the boy who bought a strange girl a giant book about beaches
I was astounded by your confidence and appreciate what a beautiful gesture that was reaching out to a stranger. I wanted to call and thank you, however I’m currently seeing someone, and the little card with your number seems to have fallen out on my walk home. I hope that someday a move like that…
Hooray for the transit strike!
I know that not everyone feels the same way, and to those people, I am truly sorry. However, I’ve lost 10 pounds with all the walking I’ve had to do and I’ve saved the $70 I would have otherwise blown on a bus pass for this month. I hope these striking asshats are getting by…
Tim checks his voice mail
Heartfelt, I think.
Parking
This is for the stupid yellow tiny ass car taking up multiple spots around the downtown area. The transit strike has left the parking situation very bleak. I’ve never had an issue before mainly because I get downtown at apprx. 7:45am and park in the same area all the time. Since the strike I’ve had…
Faith
Thank you for you promises. Thank you for your hopes and dreams for our future. I share them too. You have brought so much light to my life and I only hope to do the same for you. I love you with all my heart. —Eternity
My new car tire!
It cost me $228 to replace a flat tire on my car. How awful. You made my day a little better though by giving me a free wiper that dearly needed replacing. I know it may not seem like much but the gesture was so appreciated by me! You’re so kind, lots of karma for…
It sucks to be you!
To all of the self righteous transit users (at work) that have stuck their nose up at me for driving a car to work… Ha HA HA!!! I could offer you a ride, but you dug your own grave a long time ago. —Not Sympathetic of Your Plight
Atta’girl Halifax!
I am truly touched at the spirit of camaraderie I’ve been seeing in this city since the start of the strike. In any other city selfishness would have increased but not ol’ Halifax! People offering rides for nothing… Overnight ride shares springing up all over the place. Even the local radio station has gotten involved…
Happy happy
Glad we are finally talking to each other :D. —You Know Who
Eyes been robbed!
I’ve been robbed, misled and taken advantage of! Cheap glasses you say, the only thing cheap is the quality and your customer service and complete lack of it. This business won’t honour their warranty even though a reputable optometrist says the damage to my glasses is not normal for 1.5 yrs of use and that…
Salty bitch feet
When I come into class and see all the people with their legs up on the furniture… You need to stretch, classes are long, I understand, however this is not your home, and it’s winter! Salt is used on the roads and your shoes are wet, salty and crusted over but no let’s just put…
You’ve got this coming asshole!
Dear Psycho Bitch; I’ve heard that your cover is blown and everyone knows that you’re crazy and that there is something wrong with you. For 9 years you thought if you could fool all the office morons and direct the negative attention to me, no one would find out about you. But I’ve been gone…
Unacceptable words being used by ignorant people
Some people have mental retardation (intellectual disabilities). While mental retardation is not a bad word, when used to describe someone or something you think is bad or stupid it becomes another thoughtless hurtful word. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not bad. Their condition is not bad. The prejudice and discrimination to people with…
Oscillations makes waves this weekend
They call it a vocal infusion. A rare opportunity. A festival of electroacoustic music. But what exactly does that mean? Essentially, Oscillations 2012 is a weekend-long musical dream sequence that’ll swallow the intimate art gallery/music venue 2053 Gottingen, and all of its attendants, whole. Vocalypse Productions and Oscillations Music Society have put together two nights…
Blocking the Access A Bus?
Planning on blocking the Access A Buses, huh? Fuck. You. Guys. You’re holding people hostage while you play politics. Don’t be assholes, because people have long memories. Dickheads. —Wheeling P
Blocking the intersection
This is to the driver in the small blue SUV who blocked the intersection on the corner of North and Robie (you were heading towards the bridge) on Wednesday night at 5:25pm. Listen, there is a reason the cops are ticketing for this. It’s very simple, do not enter the intersection if you can’t get…
Get a grip, lover
You left your cellphone at home. NO BIG DEAL. I was at school and you called me from a payphone, how sweet of you to say good morning. You said you’d give me a call again during my break, sounds good to me! I found out my teacher was having a little study/review group after…
Delicious nails
O my fuck. I’m at the coffee place sitting by the table. And some girl next to me is cutting her fucking nails! In public! By the fucking table. Should I let her know how disgusting she is? Or should I just puke all over her? —Sick
Metro Transit strike
Let’s go Mr. Wilson, get your drivers back on the road, you might wanna be on strike but I bet they don’t wanna be. You’re holding everyone up, let’s go. It’s ok for you but you don’t have to stand out there in the elements with these guys. You stop by the picket lines once…
Quote dog lovers
Okay, I get it, you’re busy, you work maybe half the day sometimes, and it’s a hard life living in a cheap cramped apartment but at least you’ve got your dogs that you love so much. You love them so much you let them outside at least two or three times for a total of…
Gourmet Burgers arrive in Halifax (even sooner than we expected)
Just as we were crowing about the coming of a new eatery on Quinpool serving gourmet burgers exclusively, we’ve now heard that Cheese Curds Gourmet Burger & Poutinery (380 Pleasant Street) will be opening this week in Dartmouth. We don’t have a lot of information on the establishment right now beyond the name and location,…
A heart two sizes
This year, I spent Valentine’s Day with a hobbit-sized, gorgeous dork of a girl. She’s the woman I love, and was the woman you abused several years ago. We’ve never met, you crazy bitch, but I’m pretty sure you’ve got some awfully rotten pit of a heart in that chest of yours. Here’s hoping you…
Further Information
Who was Mary Thibeault? Mary Thibeault is a remarkably elusive character in the drama of what would unfold after her death. She lived a long 91 years, surviving most of her closest friends and relatives, and she has no significant presence on the internet. The living people who knew her best are probably the heirs…
Free Will Astrology
Happy Birthday! AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) (January 20-February 18) Jeep vehicles always feature seven slots on their front grills. Why? For the manufacturer, it’s a symbolic statement proclaiming the fact that Jeep was the first vehicle driven on all seven continents. Let’s take that as your cue, Aquarius. Your assignment is to pick an accomplishment…
New movie reviews
Click on the titles for reviews of movies released February 17: Monsieur Lazhar This Means War Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance …and Coast picks from the past few weeks: Pina The Woman In Black
Uncovering history
Edith MacDonald lived in Africville and worked at a convenience store, and she was also a masterful painter. “She was an artist active in Africville when most people didn’t think there were any,” says artist and curator David Woods. “Nobody knows much about her work, but she was painting at the end of the 19th…
A long-winded Edward II
Snip. Snip. Snip. That’s the sound of the judicious pruning that Vile Passeist Theatre needs to employ when it stages its next play from the Jacobean era. With a start-to-finish time of over three hours (including a 15-minute intermission) their current production of Marlowe’s Edward ll is simply too long and repetitive to enthrall a…
Talk of the town
Breakhouse’s PechaKucha Nights seem to getting better and better. Their 10th installation of lively and mind-opening six-minute, 40 second presentations follows the theme of Cities, one that eager folks in 400 places across the world will get together and engage in. Wednesday’s rapid-fire talks include the Bus Stop Theatre’s Clare Waque, potential councillor Waye Mason,…
Great Eastern Sun rises
The fine folks at Pier 21 want to give you a better understanding exactly why our province came to be the world’s Shambhala nerve centre. Thanks to the museum’s Community Presents program, aimed at celebrating unique traditions, a new exhibit Great Eastern Sun: The Shambhala Community in Nova Scotia honours the 25th anniversary of founder…
Early gravy
It’s almost 2am. People are winding their way around one another, waving for taxis, giggling and wrapping scarves tight. Cold Warps have just finished a set in the balmy Khyber and a steamy stream of people plumes out of the door like breath into the chilly air. A half dozen of us wander around the…
Music video-makers in Halifax
The dream for artists in any field is to get paid for following their passion. Some burgeoning Halifax filmmakers—combining their love of music with their love of film—are on the way to experiencing the sweet joys of getting a paycheque for something they’d do for the joy of it anyway. Filmmaker Gavin Maclean’s music videos…
Low rise
The Low Anthem comes with a passel of backstories: its leaders, Ben Knox Miller and Jeff Prystowsky, met as radio DJs at Brown; the band dumpster-dived for cereal boxes to make its early CD packages; the band sold 75,000 copies of Oh My God, Charlie Darwin and were signed to Nonesuch; the band recorded its…
Helping hands
For a taste of up-and-coming artists, old favourites and surprises, head to The Company House on February 19 for a five- hour showcase of talent. The Africa Project, a benefit by Music for Good, features performances by Cassie Josephine, Stone Mary’s Christine Campbell, This Ship, Minus World and many more. Music for Good is an…
Energy shake
An online digital dance-music mixtape means never having to rewind. You don’t have to worry about flipping the cassette or recording over your jams. An online mixtape takes all the hassle out of dancing. And dancing is what DJs AA (Aaron) Wallace and Dubious (Jon Dacey) want you to do. Every month, the Halifax DJs…
This Means War tepid and disappointing
The story of one woman, Lauren (Reese Witherspoon), dating two CIA agents (Tom Hardy and Chris Pine) could be forward-thinking, and yet director McG and a team of male screenwriters came up with something not only banal, but mildly insulting in its use of what-women-want stereotypes. (No, visiting your boyfriend’s extended family is not lady…
FeBREWary Fest rocks the Oasis
The friendly neighbourhood Oasis Pub and Eatery is developing a bit of a split personality—suddenly it’s a little bit sports bar and a little bit music venue. That comes partly in thanks to music keeners like the folks at Scoundrel’s Choice, who know potential when they see it. Fans of theme events, they’ve paired two…
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance marginally improves on original
Whereas the first Ghost Rider was a gloomy, inert slog weighed down by the demands of establishing the lead character’s backstory, the follow-up refuses to tether itself to any kind of narrative or logic. The story, such as it is, places Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) in Eastern Europe, where he and his flaming-skeleton alter ego…
We Need Secrets reveals
You may have had the pleasure of hearing We Need Secrets in the last couple of years, but chances are you haven’t seen them. There’s a reason for that, apart from the fact that brains of the operation, Chad Peck (Kestrels, Union of the Snake) is a multi-tasker extraordinaire. “The impetus for the project is…
A trust betrayed: Peter Kelly and the estate of Mary Thibeault
When Halifax resident Mary Thibeault died in her St. Petersburg, Florida, winter home, she left an estate valued at over half a million dollars and a will naming 13 people and five charities as beneficiaries. One of the beneficiaries was Halifax mayor Peter Kelly. Thibeault called Kelly a friend and valued his judgement: In addition…
Question bonanza
I headed north last week to do Savage Love Live at the University of Alaska Anchorage. All of these questions were submitted to me by UAA students and staffers. Q Should I go ahead and divorce my fantastic wife of 23 years now because gay marriage is going to destroy it eventually anyway? –Tony From…
