WD40
To the boisterous couple above our apartment: FUCK MORE QUIETLY. At least, if you have to be that loud, fix your squeaky bed. Or get a new frame, hearing it slam up against the wall keeps us awake at night. Also, girl, you are SO faking it. No one should scream like that. Not even…
Leave the dog home
My building is next to a parking lot for a government office. I can deal with knowing that it is going to be louder than an apartment not facing the lot during the day. As with any government office, on can expect long waits, so tell me this, why do you bring your dog? My…
Secret Theatre previews their new show
Secret Theatre, led by Dustin Harvey (if you were lucky you caught their cowboy show at One World, a couple of years ago or the wind-up toy version of Waiting for Godot), has been invited to attend the Rhubarb! festival, Feb. 18-22 in Toronto. It’s a fantastic fest (think fringe on ‘roids) but this is…
Dear Halifax
Here’s what I don’t understand:
You’re your biggest fan
You honestly think you’re the best thing in the entire world, don’t you? Noone is more “educated”, works harder, or deserves more than you out of life, do they? You’re always so fucking busy judging others because the minute you stop, you might actually have to take a closer look at your own life. (And…
I Remember Back In My Day…
…When you could just fucking WIN something without having to first go to Coke or whatever.ca with your “access code” eagerly held in your sweaty hand and then find out Oh! BTW! To access the slim chance of actually winning something, you have to first register (because I really want to register to be part…
Michelle SaintOnge is a good thing
We still adore Martha Stewart, and her icy, self-righteous, souffle-rising. We’re still not over the disappointment from when she cancelled out of the pumpkin race in Windsor, or forgiven Cybill Shepherd’s yelly, made-for-TV skewering. So when we heard that one of our fave Halifax designers was making an appearance on The Martha Stewart Show, there…
Late Night/Early Day Snowblower
This is a big FUCK YOU to the guy off Quinpool who decides it’s a brilliant idea to fire up the snow blower every time it snows between midnight and seven in the morning. Ever heard of a noise by-law? or better yet, SLEEPING?! Get a life, or a shovel. —Sleepless in Snowplowland
nice job bf
… to my new bf who instead of coming to see me yesterday, on my birthday, decided to go play hockey instead… then your car was towed. i especially liked the part where you had to walk home with your gear, honestly, that was kind of awesome! but then you spent an hour on the…
Gideons release debut, Hymns for Hers
The Gideons, two apples tall Local heartbreakers The Gideons are readying themselves (and their livers) for the official release show for their debut record, Hymns For Hers (with The Stance and PEI’s New Royalty. February 7 at Gus’ Pub: “the place where they have honed their chops and drinking problems for the past year.”) This…
To The Parking Lot Fucktard
Yo, douchebag! I originally went to my window to see what your car looked like, in case I was so inclined to key it the next day but I thought the 2 and-a-half hours you spent desperately trying to dig your car out and fighting with your g/f was enough. I understand you didn’t buy…
Rock star
He broke my heart and try as I might to deny it, it hurt. You saw past the brave front I was putting on for everyone else and told me it was okay to let go and let it out. You said that if I ever needed a safe place to stop pretending, I could…
Wawa for Prime Minister!!!
Dear Wawa. Thank you for all that you do and all that you are. You are well loved, cherished, respected and honoured. Have a fantastic journey, see you when you are back……. The Doctor
Tap it, Lock it and Blow it up!
Dearest Scooty, Second time is the charm? I love our Sunday mornings in bed, Weeds marathons on our couch, and how you always give me the option of top or bottom every weekday morning. I have even grown to love your brand. I am glad that you can still love me even when I throw…
Feb 4/09 – 7:55 am – Pretty girl on Robie this morning, waiting for a bus
…in front of that church. I walked past you struggling to keep my footing and balance with my coffee and my bag. It was refreshing to not only have another woman make eye contact, but to flash such a nice smile in my direction rather than look away. It woke me up from my sleepy…
Thanks, stranger!
I dropped about 400 dollars out of my wallet and onto the sidewalk, without even noticing. Seconds later a guy runs up and hands me my cash back. Three words: I LOVE YOU. What more perfect story for a love section eh?
Remarkable.
J.Davis You’re amazing, you couldn’t be more perfect and you couldn’t have came into my life at a more perfect time. You’re rocking my world every second I interact with you, And I Thank You SOO Much:) Coffee across the way.
“Ooo you make me live.”
To my peanut butter on toast and my orange juice in the morning. To my creative inspiration and quiet reading. To my penny collecting craze and smiling to the strangers that pass. To my drifting dreams, while hours on the phone with you. You are genuine, as genuine as any of those of my favourite…
Lovin’ momma!
I think my mom deserves some recognition. She is very caring and giving to her family and strangers, but especially people down on their luck. Many times it backfires and she ends up with egg on her face for trusting the ones people say you shouldn’t trust, giving a job to a known thief, or…
Good samaritans a plenty
Recently, my car was stuck on ice in my driveway. My friendly neighbour tried to salt and push, then a couple passing by with their truck offered to tow! My faith in good samaritans is renewed! The girl who made it to work another day
wooly mammoth man
I love how you keep me warm like a furnace all night and still stay with me even when I am the crankiest girl to wake up ever. Just for the record, I will be keeping you forever <3 sugar doooooo
Getting some weight off my chest
A note to the Skinny Bitch bitch posted on Feb. 2nd. I understand! Although I don’t get flak from my friends for being tall and thin — I am getting bloody FED UP with the bold remarks from colleagues and relatives about my weight. Tell me, concerned relatives, HOW do you want me to respond…
To the asshole I’ve had the misfortune to call my other half…
I’ve stood by your stupid ass through allot- your cheating fucking ways- your lies on top of lies- your anger and pissy ass moods(yes I am STILL pissed you break pretty much anything that means something to me). I’ve loved you through and through and you say that I don’t try- fucker try talking to…
Majority Should Rule
Ok,here it goes: The case in New Bruswick where two sets of parents complain about the national anthem being sung in school and then its pulled by the principal. This isnt about that – although I think that needs to be dealt with- its about the sudden rise of the minorty as policy makers. At…
Heil you
I love the way you smile, I love the way you Heil. Me, not Hitler, silly. Christopher P
Hey Pam
Glad we work together. Even if we hated each other at first, ha ha. I’ll be in my corner drinking and playing charades if you ever need me… Love you! Meredith
r4d dancers
The two (three? four?) people that danced to the last couple of bands at the last rockin 4 dollars. A certain shirt thinks you the awesome. **** shirt*
Worse Then Hookers
Spring Garden isn’t so pleasant anymore. To the people who play their shitty music RIGHT by the curbs. To the ones who fill the streets with their rancid stank. To the dirties that have 3 cents in their case but breath down your neck for change because they think they deserve it. Maybe we gave…
the last stand
Thank you to a certain university, for being the only school not closed right now in HFX. The two smaller universities had enough sense to close early. yet we are stuck to wait out a storm, and then wade through foot-deep snow. huzzah. —remembers the warmth of the blanky.
doomed
I’m doomed to make ugly pieces of crap for people I don’t like, nor do I like they’re businesses. I’m so numb I could go postal. —constantly bored
Taking off your fukking headphones
I was riding the bus to class last week. The No 1 Spring Garden, as always, packed to the gunnels by the time we hit mid SG. I am sitting on the outside seat, a fellow needs out. I say excuse me to the person waiting to leave behind me as my fellow seatmate leaves.…
Spin this
For years now I have sat by and watched you move through the innocent and beautiful ladies of Halifax like a wild fire, and although YOU might think they’re all crazy (your words not mine) I must admit they certainly seem to love you. *GAG* I too was like them, blinded by your witty charm,…
Rank Inc. wins bid for new convention centre
According to a statement just released by a competing firm, Joe Ramia’s Rank, Inc, has been selected by the province to move forward with plans to construct a new World Trade and Convention Centre on Argyle Street, at the site of the former Chronicle-Herald building. Update: I’ve placed the text of The Hardman Group’s press…
I heart perks
To the two wonderful ladies in HSC who without fail give me a smile and my small two and two every morning…I LOVE YOU GUYS!! sk8board manager
Work would suck without you two
To CHOCOLATE AND BUTTERSCOTCH- Thanks for making work at our stupid job so much fun. Yesterday Butterscotch got in trouble, and sure, it is a bad thing to get written up, but we had a good laugh over our retarded boss. I definitely would have quit by now, but you guys are just so fun…
Hey January
Thanks for some amazing conversations with a lot of people I haven’t spoken to for a while. Thanks for snapping me out of bubble of a world that is my head. Thanks for all the coffee. I’m glad I’ve made it to February. Wouldn’t have been able to without ya. For Once, Appreciative of People
A heartfelt thank you
This is for all the kind people—Red Cross, Michelle, Steve and many others who offered their help and support after the Herring Cove Road fire: Thank you! Your kindness is very much appreciated. Resident of The Buildings
THE MAYOR IS WHINEY BITCH
HE HAS LET PUBLIC OPINION SLIDE FOR TOO LONG. HE HAS INSTRUCTED CITY OFFICIALS TO GIVE EVERYONE WHO COMPLAINTS THE ROYAL GOVERNMENT RUN AROUND. I BET THEY DON’T TICKET ANYONE ON STREET. MR REAHSOR NEEDS TO GET HIS ASS KICKED ALSO. —HRM’S FINEST
Brazilian Carnaval 2009
Samba Nova turn up the heat If the most rhythmic thing you’ve done with your body lately was struggling to keep from falling on an icy sidewalk, you might want to try doing some real dancing—-the fun kind—-at the 5th Annual Brazilian Carnaval (North Street Church on Friday, February 6. Tickets are on sale now…
Seriously?
Does anyone else think that the amount of snowdays HRSB, and the province of Nova Scotia has had this year is completely ridiculous?? I can see why schools would be cancelled if there were terrible road conditions, or icestorms, perhaps. But cancelling classes because we’re expecting snow today?? Or because of slush and puddles the…
EEWWW GROSS!!!
What’s with people’s disgusting habits?? In the building I work, someone (female) insists on spreading her boogers all over the bathroom stall walls. And I mean ALL OVER. Ya know, someone has to clean that shit up! Have some respect, use toiletpaper! AND, I live very near the Barrington St. Superstore, and every morning, I’m…
KISS come to Halifax
KISS and make up Gene Simmons and the boys are headlining Power Promotional Events’ Halifax Rocks 2009 concert on the Common on July 18 (tickets on sale Friday). According to KISS’ official website, a KISS Army members-only ticket presale runs from today at noon to Thursday at 7pm via the website, with general admission as…
Winter Fesitival?
OK I lived here for over 30 years now, why the hell don’t we have a winter festival? What? We don’t get snow or something??? Everyone else across this frozen tundra has a winter type fest of some sort. Look at the commons, I SAID LOOK AT IT!!!! It a waste land during the winter…
What kind of boss writes you up for not looking at her, when she never told you to look at her??
OK Ms.WITCH of a boss. Are you mentally retarted, I was the one talking back to you, yet, 1 week later, you write up my co-worker for not facing you during the meeting… umm//?? yeah, then you write up another boy for wearing a hat, and you never told him, or her what they were…
black hair products locked up.
apparently a drug store has black hair products locked up. excuse me, what are black hair products? funny I have never heard of black hair products. hair products are generally intened for people with specific hair, not skin colors. This seems to be a case of crying wolf. perhaps they are locked up because they…
The Downtown Dirties
Hey street kids! So you’re huge stretchers and you’re sleeve tattoos look pretty new and expensive….big spender! I know how much those bad boys cost you little devils you! You’re dogs look pretty well fed and groomed too…well glad to know the money people pay you isn’t going towards school or anything worthy like that…cause…
how come sean hannity has all the best drugs?
seriously, night after night, that man demonstrates just how happy your life can be, even in the face of over half the world hating you deeply, if you have the right drugs. obama winning? failed bush admin? end of the neo-cons? declining ratings? rachael maddow!? they don’t faze hannity! its all cause of the drugs,…
Flamers
To you stunned arses who flame their posts in all caps: Learn some manners and state your bitch in a normal way! Nobody likes immature morons who shout for attention in a weak-minded way to be heard. —Smarter Than U
KISS the Common Good-bye, again
Stay home KISS. I hate you. —Farts Mahoney
To my Friend’s Skanky Sister
It is almost always below zero celcius this winter, and sometimes down as low as -30. And you, you poor lost soul, are always wearing a low-quality, high hemline skirt. With no leggings or panty hose. Your legs are often red, which doesn’t go well with the cellulite, since let’s face it, you are not…
You Will Fail
I hope you end up ultimately failing in life. Eventually your outward charm and looks are not going to get you through. You are a fake, and since I believe in karma, I know you’ll be in some serious trouble one of these days. I hate how you get everything handed to you, even though…
My Coffee Shop Went Tits Up
I’m upset: my favourite coffee shop, Ouro Preto, seems to have gone out of business. I went there EVERY DAY. I’m going to miss the kooky girls that worked there…..and where else can I go to escape my stressful, boring as hell job delivering IT technical support with a smile??? I’m pissed! What happened to…
Road Salt
I am so tired of fucking road salt destroying my fucking vehicle. I looked under my old jeep today to find a nice big rust hole in the floor of my jeep. YAY as if having my jeeps ignition jammed so I couldn’t turn the fucking thing off I arrive at the shop to see…
Testing love on IE browser
I love when things work. Especially in IE. Carla
Menz Bar birthday bash
For four years Menz Bar (2182 Gottingen, 2nd Floor, 446-6969) has been a thriving social centre for the Halifax gay community, a lively watering hole that goes all night. Well, til 2am, anyway. Since its relocation a block or so north and reopening in May 2008, the bar has continued to thrive, with the space…
We found the Bitch problem!
I’m glad someone spoke up– I had no idea bitches weren’t getting posted. But apparently, those of you on Explorer 6 or 7 have not been able to post—everyone else is OK, I think. We’re now aware of the problem, and people with glasses and pocket protectors are busy addressing it. Commence Mac v PC…
Anna Maria Don’twantay
Man I wish AMT would just let people speak. She is soo annoying with her asking the same question over and over cause SHE doesn’t understand the answer. Gaaa —cbc lover
Do us all a favour and move out or break up
To the couple that live next to me, here’s some bulletin points I’d like you to have, I’m sorry but the Coast would not allow me to put up my power point -when it’s 2:30 in the morning don’t fight -when it’s 2:30 in the morning and you do have to fight end it quickly,…
Slap some sense into me…
I’m gonna take this opportunity to bitch at myself for showing up as drunk as a sailor three times in a row after making plans to meet up with a certain young lady. Needless to say she couldn’t have been more sober each time. I don’t believe I was at the belligerent level, but I…
Church Street Snow Blower
To the guy who starts snow blowing the sidewalks on Church St. at 4am every night there is a storm: It’s great that you are clearing the sidewalks for yourself and some of your neighbours, but holy god that machine is loud. Does it have to be the middle of the night? Do you realize…
Away for the week and loving you
M, I love you more than heroin. Dunker
nasty
Anybody else get really sick after eating at the sushi place on Friday? Man, I felt like I was going to die about an hour after I ate it. I had chills, the runs and even hallucinations. Still not feeling great 2 days later. I will never eat that stuff again. —Shitty
Skinny Bitch
To my moderately overweight freinds: I love you, and I would never want to say anything to hurt you. That’s why I don’t say this to your face. I know you struggle with your weight, and I try to be supportive, but you sometimes make me feel like you resent me, and that hurts. When…
No plastic, no problem
Stores that only take cash are a mixed blessing. I like that they’re fighting the good fight against Visa’s global economic system, and I appreciate that Interac fees are a big drag on a small shop. But when I’m in one of these places and find myself at the cash register with nothing in my…
Hellfire
To the people on Windsor street who took in my cat Sunday night: Thank you so much. I was really worried and stressed out because he hadn’t come home, and I thought that he might have been hit by a car or something. You two invited him into your home and fed and cared for…
To the surfer I met downtown
I met you downtown and you said you would love to take me surfing. Our conversation was incredible and I’d like to take you up on your offer. If this was you please e-mail me at nsfreespirit@hotmail.com Free Spirit
Baby Cakes
I saw those big brown eyes in grade four, out in the field we played war, but as grade five came, your were no more. Your house was empty, as was my heart. But 12 years later, in a profile pic, I saw those eyes, and my heart went tick. Now days gone by, together…
Random acts of love
So one day in October I was walking down the street alongside the VG hospital when I noticed this man on a bicycle riding from metre to parking metre. He was feeding quarters into the metres whose time had lapsed. It was obvious he was attempting to tend to the ones surrounding the hospital. I…
Uhmmm
I totally have abandonment issues because of my father, and this I know. Most other people didn’t think that it affected me the way it did in the long run. I barely even know you, but somehow you caught on pretty quickly. Thank you for making me feel better about myself as much as possible,…
Yeah you
B, you’re fucking swell. I like what ever we are, and I’m glad we became what ever it is that we are. Thank you for being so awesome. R. Kelly
Panda
I got dosed by you, and I can’t get enough. you are the reason for the constant smile on my face. monkey
Virtual Coast
Love the new look+! MPC
Your new tattoo
You may not wear your heart on your sleeve but now you wear my name on your arm. And I love it. K.
Fred MacGillivray’s latest whopper
The board of directors at Trade Centre Limited, the quasi-public agency that puts on events in hopes of bringing tourists to Nova Scotia, recently “declined” to renew CEO Fred MacGillivray’s contract. Which apparently was enough to get the Chronicle-Herald to give MacGillivray a long-sloppy good-bye kiss in way of an softball interview with no analysis…
Seriously, WTF?
So I met you at a party. Really nice, we started seeing each other- going out, hooking up a bit, getting to know each other. 7 DAYS LATER you’re telling me we should probably stop because ‘he’s not sure I’m in it for long term’. What. The. Fuck. I’ve known you 7 days- how on…
And you wonder why people don’t like lawyers.
All you lawyer ladies at the Buck 65 show: You realize of course that all the artists and probably the show organizers all now loath you. I certainly hope that whatever legal issues you discussed non-stop for an hour and a half were so important that you feel great about pretty much ruining the show…
End Your Childish Ways
To the tenant who bailed on me the day that she was supposed to move in: thanks a bloody lot you little twerp. You justified your decision by stating that you could save yourself $400. I , on the other hand, will be out that same amount at a time that I can ill afford…
Tweaking the voting system won’t work
In the United States, high school students are required to take a civic class to learn the basics of how the government works. Americans don’t appear to be any wiser for this education, but the average person on the street at least has a workable knowledge of the system. So it was something of a…
To all who THINK they know what they’re talking about.
Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who has had a firm opinion about China/Tibet, or even Israel/Palestine? If so… Then have you ever been told by this special someone that if Group A did this, then Group A and B would be happily ever after (even though your general knowledge on the…
Customers!!!!!!
So sick of working in retail…. Customer service can kiss my ASSSSS!!! I don’t think i have gone 1 day since i started 2 years ago without getting some bitch try and get away with something. O the sign said it was on sale… actually that sign does not say that products on sale at…
Trailer Park Boys move south of the border
American satellite service DirecTV has huge ambitions to become the next HBO, according to an article in the NY Times. Or more like a more-expensive gateway to TBS or Peachtree—you know those channels where you can watch Deep Blue Sea 500 times in a row, or get your heroine-fix of Seinfeld. Anyway, the plan is…
Shoptalk-lets
A delicious incentive to gently thaw from now until the end of March at Hamachi House (5190 Morris, 425-7711) is the winter warm-up special, a complementary miso soup with the purchase of any menu item during lunch (11:30am-2:30pm). And speaking of all things Hamachi, congratulations to the Hamachi Group for winning the 2009 Gold Award…
South Park YMCA to get cable TV treadmills
TV has rarely married well with good health. But further to the battle against tedium while you exercise, coming soon to the South Park YMCA are new 17″ personal viewing screens with 60 channels of cable (including The Comedy Network, if you wanted to watch South Park while sweating on South Park). Four will be…
80/20 Lifestyle Studio
For more evidence that we at Shoptalk care about your wellbeing as much as were looking out for your pocketbook, check out the newest way to get fit and stay healthy in Halifax: 80/20 Lifestyle Studio (80 Main, 457-4455) just opened its doors on January 5. “We provide personal training packages with a focus on…
Planning and Design Centre seeks storefront
Speaking of creative ideas to improve the cityscape, The Planning and Design Centre is on the hunt for a prominent storefront to set up shop in downtown Halifax. The Planning and Design Centre started as a special project of the Cities & Environment Unit—-a community planning and research group based in the Faculty of Architecture…
Halifax Design Plan on Deck
It hasn’t gone away. In fact, its about to come around again: The Downtown Halifax Business Commission is encouraging folks to write their councillors to support the passing of the long-awaited and much-discussed HRM By Design, the $3 million financial incentive package put together to make firm development standards for downtown and reimagine the business…
Industry comes out of shell at Sip n’ Shuck
This year’s Sip n’ Shuck at the Delta Halifax featured a celebrity shucking competition. Well…maybe celebrity pushes the envelope. Notable shuckers included Tory ministers Chris d’Entremont and Ron Chisholm (who won first and second place) and councillor Dawn Sloane. It was Sloane’s first time shucking an oyster. She struggled a little onstage with the uncooperative…
Shoptalk-Lets
Number two electronic giant Circuit City has announced bankruptcy in the States and is liquidating its assets. The boys and girls at Best Buy (the number one American electronic goods retail giant) must be thrilled. The good news for us north of the border is that Circuit City’s Canadian presence The Source—formerly Radio Shack—is solvent…
Charming Service
A shout out to G, one of the hosts and waiters at the Brooklyn Warehouse on Windsor St. He is always ready with a smile and some friendly conversation when I eat at Brooklyn. He is so attentive, and especially charming with his lovely English accent. I hope that he is nominated for best server…
Bus driver love…for once
to the bus driver on the 18, going south bound on the night of jan 28 at around 11 pm, i came out of my friend’s house on cogswell stoned as fuck, not knowing where the bus stop was, i saw you coming and gave you a little wave, not expecting you to stop at…
Skinny Love
I know I can’t make you believe me when I tell you that you’re cute and brilliant and funny and brave and sexy and interesting and completely, disarmingly lovable, and that everyone who ever told you otherwise was a fucking imbecile. So just know that every kiss from you makes my skin tingle and the…
Sushi
SUSHI! I COULD MARRY YOU! salmon
Jesus, shut the fuck up already
To the fucking assholes in science class who didn’t shut up the whole time we were watching a movie – SHUT THE FUCK UP. I don’t care who you’re banging, or who you’re texting, or how much you hate the music in the film (ps – get some culture, watch some black and white films…
IGNORANCE IS BLISS
YOU KNOW WHAT SERIOUSLY SUCKS ASS PEOPLE? THE FACT THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE AND THE THINGS THEY DO THAT WE BITCH ABOUT WILL NEVER READ THIS COLUMN. BECAUSE….THEY DON’T CARE. THATS JUST IT. THERE ARE THOSE OF US THAT ARE CONSIDERATE IN THIS WORLD AND THOSE OF US THAT DON’T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT…
Fucking beautiful puddles
You know whats awesome? Puddles. Walking home from Cunard, staring at my iPod, and stepped into a nice, fat, delicious foot deep puddle. I jumped up like a mexican bean onto safe ground. From pleasant surprise, of course. I looked back at puddle and laughed. ”Oh, puddle,” me says. ”you’re so funny, lets make love.”…
In The Dead of Winter schedule change
Jill makes cancellations better. A sad press release from IDOW HQ reads: “Unfortunately due to a sudden health emergency, Ferron will not be able to make her festival performance on Saturday night. We here at IDOW wish her the best of luck in a healthy and speedy recovery. Current ticket holders can and will be…
Grocery Stores Are the Seventh Circle of Hell
To all of those ignorant old buggers that block the aisles and do nothing but talk for hours on end: just because it’s Sunday, it doesn’t mean that we’re all like you and have hours to spend in the G-D grocery store. Get the hell out of the way and don’t give me a dirty…
To my Baby Chicken
J: You make me smile every day, even after all these years. Thank you for you’re love and for our three wonderful daughters. “All in all I’m, Loving every rise and fall..” I’ve got a wonderful Valentine’s surprise for you! Robert
Do your damn dishes!
To the lazy subletting roommate who constantly leaves his dishes in the sink for days and beer cans/pizza boxes all over the place – fuck you. All you do is watch TV, play Madden, drink beer and eat. I ask you politely to clean up your own goddamn mess, and you blow me off like…
Now with parsley, sage and rosemary
Since December 11, Dartmouth residents have been enjoying a new cafe in the downtown. Our Thyme Café (98 Portland, 406-7467) has been wowing a busy lunch hour contingent with sandwiches and homemade grub, sweet squares and cappuccinos. With biodegradable cups and Fair Trade coffee, the 20-seater cafe even runs with an environmental bent, and a…
What happened to Music
I have no idea what it is but music sux these days. I have no idea who thinks Amy Winehouse is good, but good lord the tramp doesn’t even portray a good image. Back to Black? Did she do a pigmentation alteration or something? I have no idea why she thinks she’s black! I don’t…
Mr. Taxi Man
Thank you so much for stopping for my puppies when they snuck under the fence! I’m sure other people would just continue along without taking the time to stop… but you did, you made my day. It’s nice to know of the animal/dog lovers around Halifax. I will request your taxi any day. : )…
Sweet, sweet Halifax
OK, so here is what I’m lovin’ about Halifax right now: NSCAD students, you guys are super entertaining what with your crazy styles and (mostly) awesome art. Keep it up! Iceskating, you get that awesome free feeling, it’s the winter version of riding a bike. Soup from Whet, nuff said. Cupcakes from Whet. The Bridge…
Overnight parking ban news
There was lots of discussion at council Tuesday night about the overnight parking ban. I don’t really have much to say about it, other than reporting what happened. First, let’s hear what Linda Mosher has to say about it: : If you buy a car, don’t you think you’d secure a parking spot? But, that…
Someone will die and we will all end up paying
To the majority of the drivers in Halifax, good job, you are slowing down and taking your time when approaching areas of the streets that have become one lane, two way, death traps. The fact that the roads in Halifax have become as drivable as the roads in Calcutta is a bitch all in itself.…
bus driver love…for once
thank you to the bus driver on the 18, going south bound on the night of jan 28th at around 11 pm. coming out of my friends house i was stoned as fuck and didnt know where the stop was, it was a blizzerd and as u got closer i gave you a little wave,…
To the booted
This morning, an article appeared in a daily newspaper, with a woman complaining that she got booted while parked in the private lot of a company while she persued business in another area. She got booted by a new company in town, and has complained. So fucking what. I’m glad you got booted, you twat.…
Sidewalk Blocker
Hey jerk with the orange car. You park on Kaye St. You always block the sidewalk even though the rest of your driveway is empty. Why can’t you pull ahead 10 feet when parking in your driveway? Are you trying to conserve gas you asshat? I’m tired of trying to squeeze between the snowbanks and…
fuck you, New Kids.
NKOTB will play Kelowna but won’t go east of Quebec. What a piss off. Even if they ever manage to actually come here some day I’m not going. Fuck you, NKOTB, FUCK. YOU. I’m done with you. Go shove your “face time” up your ass Donnie Wahlberg. KELOWNA? You’ve GOT to be fucking kidding me.…
Work plans
FUCK YOU who ever heard of 100% dental courage on all things except fillings, root canals and everything above? Thanks for covering me for the X-ray and nothing else. What the hell did I miss? What am I paying for? What am I going to do have the tooth pulled when I shouldn’t have to?…
Skinny Bitch
To my moderately overweight freinds: I love you, and I would never want to say anything to hurt you. That’s why I don’t say this to your face. I know you struggle with your weight, and I try to be supportive, but you sometimes make me feel like you resent me, and that hurts. When…
The friendlies
Thank you ever single person I say hello to on the street that says hello back. I miss home and people responding to my greetings, and the friendlies remind me of the good old CB. We’re all busy, but a little “hello!” makes everyone’s day a little better. “How ya doin?”
Random kiss
One of my best friends kissed me unexpectedly whilst I was walking down Lower Water. Strange, but it had me going for a week! I wonder what this will lead to… Possibly in love?
Let Me Wallow in My Grump
I’m going to give myself permission to be amongst those who are most despised: those who wallow in their own self-pity We all need to sometimes right? Well fuck it. Whatever my own self-image proclaims, I on a regular basis am told that I possess all the qualities of what would be considered a “desirable”…
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan
Campbell, a former cellist and singer with Scottish band Belle & Sebastian, wrote, arranged and produced this album. There’s a romantic and dramatic effect to Campbell’s high, haunting voice harmonizing with Lanegan’s low rumble (heard on solo material and via an off/on gig fronting Queens of the Stone Age). The songwriting on Sunday at Devil…
The Coast’s get involved guide
Right here, right at the beginning, this is the part of the guide where I beseech you to reach into your inner self and find that true heart of goodness that sits at your very core, your soul, right next to your spleen, I think, and to connect that true heart of goodness to those…
The Night Is A Mouth
Toronto-based Lisa Foad’s writing is lucid, intoxicating and original. Part poetry, part prose, The Night Is A Mouth tumbles through a myriad of sex, drugs and longing. The post-modern short story collection echoes works by Lynda Barry, Julie Doucet and Daphne Gottlieb, but is in a league of its own. An earlier version of “Violent…
The Feds buy half a bus
In the grand scheme of things, it isn’t much—the $105,000 Transport Canada awarded the Halifax Regional Municipality this month through its ecoMOBILITY program, plus $140,000 from the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission and Conserve Nova Scotia, could only buy half a bus. But it’ll help. The ecoMOBILITY program gives money to cities and towns that have what…
Doctor Enns strips down comics
Captain America as war propaganda. Class divisions between Archie and Veronica. The secret gay life of Batman and Robin. This is a taste of the topics that are part of a new English course called Cartoons and Comics, in its third week at Dalhousie University. Some readings are taken right from the pages of Marvel,…
Painful insurance rulings
First the good news: Nova Scotia’s car insurance companies are making bags of money thanks to provincial Tories and Liberals. Now the not-so-good news: Nova Scotia drivers are paying hundreds of millions too much for coverage that sucks. Just ask Melissa Gionet. After her car got sideswiped in December 2003, Gionet suffered a banged-up knee…
Offally good
[Editor’s note: This story is one of a package of three of Andy Murdoch’s articles selected for Honourable Mention in the Food Writing category of the Association of Alternative Newsweekies’ 2010 awards. See all three here.] Blame Robert Burns. He couldn’t resist cracking wise about haggis when he tried to extoll its virtues and lauded…
Halifax’s hidden racism
It’s almost impossible to see signs of racism in Halifax. Not because they aren’t there—because they’re hidden in plain sight all around us. Sure, we can convince ourselves everything’s just tickety-boo. We’re a cosmopolitan city with a healthy respect for Charter rights, aren’t we? Lynch mobs, last I checked, don’t roam the streets. So on…
Generation Kill
One captain in the 2003-era US Marine Corps’ First Reconnaissance Battalion is dumb and deluded; another’s paranoid, manic and dangerous. Their boss is capable, but accolade-hungry—he sends his marines into situations their unarmored Humvees aren’t equipped to handle. Journalist Evan Wright was embedded with First Recon during the early stages of the Iraq war. Generation…
Cold feet
Q: Why do guys wear socks on their feet in porn? I say it’s a tradition. My friends claim it is a foot-fetish thing. My credibility rides on this, so thanks for answering. Socked In Denver A: Socks in porn a tradition? Sorry, SID, but no. Socks on feet in porn—as opposed to socks on…
Tim Krahn’s inside stories
Tim Krahn pads down the stairs in slippers. The footwear contradicts the austere name of his workplace, Novel Tech Ethics, as does the untucked shirt, stylishly cut hair and a welcoming, friendly manner. (The only visible concession to formality is a few empty earring holes in one ear.) Novel Tech Ethics is an international and…
Recipes: Meat and Vegan haggis
Meat Haggis Inspired by a recipe called “Pot Haggis” in The Highlander’s Cookbook, by Sheila MacNiven Cameron. That is to say haggis cooked like a terrine, or a pudding, in a double boiler, without the sheep’s stomach. 1 cup and a half of pinhead or steel cut oatmeal, toasted. 1/2 lb beef suet 4 onions…
Revolutionary Road
People who give up on their dreams for security reasons are resigned to comfortable, empty lives. It’s what starts getting under the skin of Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April Wheeler (Kate Winslet). The couple met at a party, where they fancied each other as the most interesting people in the room. Now it’s 1955, they’re…
Frost/Nixon
The personality chasm between Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) and David Frost (Michael Sheen) is what tries to ground Ron Howard’s take of Peter Morgan’s stage play. Recounting Frost’s famous 1977 interview with the former US president, and its backstage struggle, Frost/Nixon boasts good performances and historical interest. But it misses out on the political tension…
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
As some fantasy series progress, they get nerdier and more insular. Granted, Underworld was never cool, but now it’s reduced to Masterpiece Theatre vampires looking anguished and repressed werewolves giving Braveheart speeches. Though the prequel Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is goofy, I don’t think there’s an intended joke in the whole thing. Breaching inter-species…
Company calls on Ryan MacGrath
Ryan MacGrath doesn’t do anything half-assed. The night he released his EP, In My Own Company, he transformed the Seahorse into an opera house—heavy curtains hugged the stage, lanterns shone over mini-mirror balls hung like hot-air balloons and little white lights twinkled behind textured backdrops. The magical surroundings were mere accents, as he pulled out…
The First Aid Kit w/Rich Aucoin and The Stance
Coming from a sunny city like Los Angeles, you’d figure Darryl Smith would bemoan dealing with the Canadian winter he faces in Halifax. Don’t be fooled—the singer/guitarist/bassist for The First Aid Kit says he’d much rather be here in Halifax than in his self-described “paralyzing and strange” hometown. “I don’t like the winter, but LA…
Antony and the Johnsons
In late 2008, Antony fans were treated to the Another World EP, the devastating title song (suicide note?) which also appears on The Crying Light, their third full-length release. If you’re not moved, see a doctor. Antony Hegarty’s androgynous, alien voice soars above the piano and strings like an instrument, especially on torch songs like…
Green cabinet shuffle
To the editor, Regarding “Enviro shakeup” (Jan. 22, Sustainable City), I think Chris Benjamin has missed some very good news for the environment in the recent provincial cabinet shuffle. When ministers change, one department’s loss is another’s gain. In this case, Brooke Taylor is very highly respected in the agricultural community, and no one I know is…
Friendly Fires
If the British Friendly Fires were a Canadian band, they’d be from Montreal and they’d be out all night dancing on Ste-Catherine. Bringing to mind the electro-pop of acts like Hexes and Ohs, the Friendly Fires are warm and sparkly. Their debut self-titled album is a mostly dancey affair but you can hear some nerdy…
Enviro-failure exposed
To the editor, I would like to commend Tim Bousquet for exposing the fact that the Nova Scotia government has not met its 2008 targets as outlined in the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act (“Environmental failure, Reality Bites” Jan. 15). The Nova Scotia government needs to be reminded that Nova Scotians are aware of…
Jenn Grant
Arriving when we need it most, in winter’s perpetual tunnel, Jenn Grant’s first album on Six Shooter has an organic warmth even as many of the songs speak of autumnal endings. Right off the top, “Heartbreaker” offers comfort while warning a lover away for his own good: “I’m a heartbreaker,” she growls, “now go out…
Buses, not wider Bayers
To the editor, I have to agree with Tim Bousquet’s opinion that widening Bayers Road is not a solution to the traffic problem, but something needs to change there (“Bayers Road widening,” Reality Bites, Jan. 29). I own a house in Timberlea, and have rented it out and moved back into the city because the…
Lake of Stew
It’s rare to stumble upon a CD so well suited to repeat listens on the kitchen stereo. Nine bluegrass-playing Montrealers take turns singing joyfully down-and-out songs about missing buses, having their hearts broken and repaired, motels, armadillos and the Dalai Lama. The lyrics are great—funny and earnest, sometimes simultaneously. Highlights include “Mary Margaret” (“I spoke…
Bench for Bus People
Whoever put the bench for bus people on Barrington St. near Cornwallis Park – you made my week. Random Bench Lover
