Q&A with Matt Day of Spread the Metal
“Maybe it’s not on top of the charts, but we’re still standing strong. So we’ll be here forever. United and hard we stand.” —Dimebag Darrell Now I don’t know about you, but this is a quote I’ve always stood by, and Halifax based record label Spread the Metal serves to remind those who have forgotten…
What’s in a name?
Councillor Jackie Barkhouse, who represents what is now called the Woodside—Eastern Passage district, announced on June 20 that she was going to be a candidate in the next municipal election in the newly created “Woodside – Dartmouth South – Eastern Passage” district. Barkhouse had good reason to use that name—that’s what the new district was…
Learn to keep my mouth shut
I’m my own worse enemy. I can’t keep my fucking big mouth shut. Is it more important to keep a promise you made to someone to be honest or take your chance on a love that could never be? I guess I’m just an uneducated dreamer or delusional, or both. —Values
Alley cat
I saw you last Thursday night in the alley behind Almon Street. I saw you in your silver Ford Escape. I saw you stop and throw a cat out of your passenger window. It made me sick to my stomach. What a fucking inconsiderate asshole you must be! Karma will catch up to you, you…
It’s a crossWALK
To the bitch on the bike who shouted obscenities to me in my car. If you wanna use the crosswalk, get the hell off your bike and out of the middle of the road. It’s a crossWALK. Get on it, walk it and you’ll get the rights of the rest of the pedestrians using it.…
Home alone
It was a beautiful day on Canada Day. I had a good time at Alderney Landing, had a good conversation, then walked home alone after watching the fireworks. It’s a mystery to me why I have feelings for you. I am trying to unfeel and unknow what I do about you. —Six Years and Counting
Hey, lady
I’m actually really sorry I lost my temper and got so upset, but unfair assumptions and accusations when I’m still half-asleep have that effect on me. I have a job, thanks. I just don’t like it. So, I don’t need your money. What upset me most was that I tried to do the good samaritan…
Brand new bitch
I’m so glad we are BFFs again. Those couple of months without you and our crazy antics were awful. Words can’t describe how excited I am for our summer of single lady fun and all of the craziness we’ll get ourselves into. I mean, we have to cram as much fun in as possible before…
Sewage deal flows
Halifax council Tuesday agreed to $2.1 million in financing to install an over-size sewage pipe that will primarily benefit one property owner—Armco, one of the largest development firms in town, and one of the largest contributors to municipal election campaigns. This summer, Halifax Water will be installing sewage pipes to service Bedford West—the area west…
Truly Tasty opens
Boy do I feel stupid. Despite the fact that I’ve been bumping the font size on my computer up to 14 or even 16, I’ve been in denial about the need for glasses. And then, a couple of weeks ago, a reader sent me the above photo, of a new restaurant that has opened on…
Metro Transit’s Canada Day daze
Bus riders and drivers alike were left scratching their heads last weekend over business-as-usual bus service. Metro Transit scheduled its normal skimpy Sunday service for Canada Day, without adding any additional buses to bring people to the waterfront festivities, but then had normal weekday service for Monday, July 2, even though most people had the…
The fireworks gods listened
I submitted a bitch about how poor the Canada day fireworks were last year, well this year I really enjoyed them. They were much longer, there were more and they were bigger and better. Thank you Halifax for giving me a bit of excitement when I was expecting to be disappointed once again. To the…
And the city gets cheaper and cheaper
I thought I’d take part in the Canada Day festivities around our city. One such place was hosting a concert, fireworks, bouncy castles for kids. What you would think would be a good family event. We get in line to get on the castle and the attendant asks for tickets. Hhmmm I think. So we…
I guess money is that important to you
This is to the deplorable bitch who dumped my brother because he didn’t make enough money. You were with him for seven years. You seemed perfectly happy with him and his 25K job until you got your university degree and obtained a career making over twice as much as him. For the last year of…
Canada Day tattoo disaster
To the bald headed dumbshit that called ME the asshole and dick, dude! I didn’t butt ahead of those bitches, they butt ahead of me first but I was nice enough to let it slide cause I had no idea that I would’ve been waiting over 6 hours in line just to be insulted and…
To my beautiful country
I am so proud to be a part of this beautiful country, and call myself a Canadian. Happy Birthday Canada. Every year, I get prouder and prouder of you, now if only we could have a leader I could be proud of. —Proud to be a Canadian
French boy
Oh, my sexy French boy, why didn’t you tell me you were going to be parading around in your full uniform Canada Day? I would have booked the day off and never made plans if I had of known. Next time tell me sooner, so I can see you all dressed up and even sexier.…
Basset hound team
I see you walking your hound almost everyday and it brightens up my mornings. I stopped to chat with you once and you told me that you two were a team. It was an adorable thing to say. I recently swore off relationships, but I would break that rule for you and your tiny sidekick.…
Neighbours
To the neighbours doing construction next door that broke our downstairs window and then patched it up with some plastic and duct tape… You guys are assholes. If you break someone’s window, tell them so they don’t cut their feet to pieces on the glass that was strewn about the stairs. What a dick move.…
I totally understand
I promised you I wouldn’t lie to you. —A Lot to be Desired
Exercise pants
To all you lazy, thin and overweight woman out there that can’t dress properly when you go out, especially the mall. You’re wearing your spandex gym gear and it looks disgusting. Don’t be so damn lazy and get dressed when you get up in the morning. If you think it attracts the opposite sex, think…
Screen door
Why the fuck must my neighbours slam that screen door every time they go in and out, too many fucking times in the morning and through the night with their dogs. I don’t need to set my alarm anymore because I wake up to that fucking slamming. You have no respect. We are in a…
To a stranger who won’t be a stranger for long
The universe threw around its stars, the loons echoed, the stars multiplied, the sun took forever to come up and the company was splendid. I am grateful for that memory that will be forever ingrained in my five senses! —Eyes Awake and Mind Not Foggy
To a good man
So after crying over some stupid lady with a lovely white dog my fiance takes me to gets some water. He tells me that not everyone is nice but I am so that is why he is with me. Thanks for being more concerned with me then time, with my health then money, and treating…
Dog walker
The day before Canada Day you were walking your gorgeous white dog near the bridge terminal. I started to walk towards you and did not notice you and stumbled. You said, “Yes I am walking in front of you.” In a snotty voice and I replied with “I am sorry the heat is bothering me.”…
Fingers crossed
You joked around to the volunteers about who you would date, but I was secretly sitting by you wishing you would take a chance on me, or even just take a glance my way. When you took my hand on the dance floor that night, my cheeks just about burst from the giddy smile you…
Digging in our pockets
This really PISSES ME OFF! I went into a corner store and purchased a few items and when I went to pay for them and use my debit card the amount on the machine was different than the total on the cash register. When I questioned the clerk, I was told it’s a debit fee.…
Dartmouth needs development
This is Dartmouth’s time, and on the issue of development, there must be no delay, hesitation or compromise with our purpose. We cannot, we must not, refuse developers who wish to make sizable investments in our community. We must realize it is our duty to be involved in the process, to lobby politicians and developers…
Thank you for the smile
To the nice guy at the souvenir shop on the waterfront: You made the sun shine brighter than it already was. I think I might be coming back for some more postcards and bus change. –Purple-Headed Art Student
June 28th
This is the day you met the world and without it, I may never have met you. It’s a date that I will never forget, one that will always stand out on a calendar, a date I will always stop to think about you with warm thoughts. Our time together was short, perhaps more downs…
Kijidiots
Learn to spell so I can find your ad in a search. Pets have a section all their own—stop cluttering “free stuff” with your f’ing animals you clearly never gave a crap about in the first place. If it’s FREE, there is no price. If you want money, it’s “buy and sell.” If it’s used,…
Self-absorbed, under-qualified, nepotism hire
I get that you’re 20-something and this is your first job because your parents waited until now to teach you responsibility. I get that your mother works for a subsidiary of our company, and begged (blew?) you a summer job. I get that you think you know everything, and can run the entire operation after…
2012 Halifax Pop Explosion initial lineup announced
The mighty Halifax Pop Explosion, turns 20 this year, and celebrates with the best of the old and the new. Reuniting classic local acts like The Super Friendz, Cool Blue Halo, Strate Jakets and Hip Club Groove (I mean REALLY. This will be great). And bringing in big names like of Montreal, Black Lips, Atlas…
Put the phone down
You’re at the front of the line, tell the person you’re on the phone with you’ll be a moment. I wish I could say this has only happened once. Truth is only one man has told the person on the phone he’d be a moment he was at the front. He said he didn’t want…
Haligonian love
Thank you, thank you, thank you Halifax, for making my best friend feel so welcome and comfortable during her vacation here from Winnipeg. She went home with great memories of my hometown and a promise to come back. That’s why I love this place. —Shameless Haligonian
Oh really, you didn’t notice?
I’ve been doing the whole online dating thing, and have met some really nice guys. However one of them I should have avoided from the get go, he demanded we meet, acted jealous and nosey when I told him I was busy with other people, demanded to know if I was on other dates then…
YIELD TO THE BUSES!
I am getting sick and tired of all the vehicles failing to yield to the freaking buses! It became law May 2011, I sat on the Bedford Highway and counted six, yes six vehicles that could and should have yielded when my bus was trying to pull out! —Need Law Enforcement
Bakery boy
Bakery boy in Herring Cove: I saw the way you looked at me that day when I was shopping with my friend. Let’s hope that next time I actually have the courage to say something, not just stare. —Long White Skirt
Dairy bar judgment
Today my boyfriend and I went into a dairy bar, one that we’ve spent quite a bit of money on in the past two months. We weren’t dressed the best, as we were just getting off work in the carpentry business, and because of that we were clearly deemed thieves, and asked to stand “right…
Having an intense life inside emotions
I wake filled with thoughts of you. Your portrait and the intoxicating evening which we spent together have left my senses in turmoil. Sweet, incomparable Bee, what a strange effect you have on my heart! Are you angry? Do I see you looking sad? Are you worried? My soul aches with sorrow, and there can…
Commenters
You’re an awesome bunch. —Ozzy
Friday night fever
I had a lot of fun xo missing you. —Anon
Oh Halifax, you smell like piss
So, yay. Halifax no longer pumps raw untreated sewage into the harbour. Now if HRM will only put permanent public toilets outside around the city like every other civilized city in the world, maybe the drunks staggering home after their beers and donairs will piss in designated places, rather than spraying the downtown core with…
To the bearded man in the ocean, blue…
I love the way you walk by, staring at me with those creep eyes. Sitting in the lunchroom, headphones in, you listen to our conversation—oh, so subtly. Are you my arch nemesis, Mr. Cyberman, those headphones transmitting your creep information as I stare right back at you? Let’s be pals, stop the silence! —Direct and…
Faith
There are still signs of goodness and faith out there. Case in point: I was downtown dropping off a few things today and decided to treat myself to lunch. Went somewhere for the first time, ordered a smoked salmon panini and while waiting for my lunch I realized I had no wallet—no money, debit card…
O sole mio
It’s now or never, come hold me tight. Kiss me my darling, be mine tonight… —Tar Eis An Stoirm Tagann An Ghrian
Science Inaction: A Love Story
You’ve probably been following Wit’s End Theatre as they blog here at The Coast about the birth and growing pains of their company. You know Wit’s End is dedicated to putting on shows that will make you laugh, and their fourth production Science Inaction: A Love Story is very successful at that. It’s the story…
Hey…what about Tall Ships!?
I’m confused. I am a local artist at the waterfront and I have been selling my work for a few years now during the summer months. I pay the city for my permit to do so. I spend a lot of money trying to prepare myself and everything. I heard the Tall Ships Festival was…
Missing my home-ies
Dear Halifax, You are the most luxurious locale I’ve ever slid into in the summer. I yearn for your warm sunny-folk bosom; I dream about your lakes and walks and talks and propeller-impregnated preponderant pondering on the Citadel. Prancing folk and stoop-sit smokes, and the North End forever, eternally. And mmmmm, those backyard restaurant shin-digs…
Restaurant is more of a doghouse
Forty-two minutes and no food. Four other couples served ahead of us and seated after us. I have no idea what the food is like, it looked nice but never got any at our table. Kind of like looking at photos in a recipe book. What a joke, never again. —Not Fed Up
Bike lifter
To the kind gentleman who lifted my bicycle into the shop on Agricola Street in the morning—thank you! That was such a lovely gesture—I hope you got to work on time! —Bike Owner
I forgive you part two
I wish you were grown up enough to realize you were wrong too. I wish you were sensible enough to know what you did was a horrible way to treat a person. You will never love anyone like I loved you because you can’t. Too immature and too selfish. This was the best you’ll ever…
Thanks Metro
To the Metro Transit Drivers, even though the service isn’t always the most reliable and I wish that there were more buses on and some routes ran longer, without you I wouldn’t be able to get to work or get home. Even if I have to walk a little bit, it is a lot better…
Yield to the cars in the right lane
If the road narrows from two lanes to one going in the same direction the person in the left lane is supposed to yield to people in the right hand lane. It’s the fucking law. Just because you have a different vehicle with personal plates does not mean you’re exempt from the MVA. It applies…
To many more years together
To the handsome, loving, patient, sexy man who makes me feel special everyday; I love you. Happy one year wedding anniversary! Thank you for always keeping things interesting, and for continuing to put up with me. —Your Lil’ Muffin’
For Mr. Zach Galifianakis in the ocean blue
You walk by and give me creep eyes whenever you’re in the building and I try to shoot them back any chance I get. Perhaps you’re a cyberman, those headphones your robotic earpieces, transmitting (uncharacteristic) friendly vibes. We should be pals. —Love to See You Read
Disturbing my slumber
To you cheap bastards who don’t get your cats fixed and let them have free reign of the roads all night: FUCK YOU, SHIT STAINS!! There is nothing more irritating than being woken up a few times, in the middle of the night, to the howling, hissing and growling of some horny bitch cat and…
Geordan Moore needs your help
Geordan Moore, an artist who sells at the Seaport Market and who is responsible for some of the more, er, interesting artwork that has appeared in The Coast (for example, “Santa is the one percent,” above), is a silk screener who until recently was sharing space, but now is looking to strike out on his…
99ONE cafe opens
Every time I visit Plan B merchant coop (2180 Gottingen Street, 802-0731) there are more people shopping, milling about or just plain hanging—today it was at least 15. And now comes 99ONE cafe ( 802-0512), which may just be the tipping point needed to make the entire coop successful. 99ONE is the brainchild of Josh…
Who do you think you are?
What right do people have to think that they can park in a handicapped parking space if they are not physically disabled? Is it for ease of access, running late and have no time to find a spot or just plain laziness? I’m going with the latter. There are people who actually need to use…
Off the hook is back!
Off the Hook, Nova Scotia’s Community Supported Fishery, has announced its third season. Subscription fish deliveries begin next week, but fisher Beau Gillis is heading out this week for halibut, and will be bringing the catch to the Brewery Market this Saturday, june 30; place orders for fillets, steaks or whole halibut here. Otherwise, the…
Yes, it’s another bus bitch
I usually don’t bitch about the bus because it’s a waste of time and energy, but what the heck, bus drivers?! For the third time this week, one of you has screwed up the route I’m on or hope to take. I’ve talked to friends who take the bus and family who rely on the…
Write Now! Halifax seeks word-loving youth
Like sweet corn, lake swims and shorts weather, Write Now! Halifax is a short, sweet summer experience. Pairing up youth aged 13-18 and adult writers to connect and collaborate together, Write Now! is currently seeking youth who love to write and express themselves. Stories, song lyrics, journals, poetry, spoken word, graphic novels or whatever else…
SummerSonic returns in September
Remember when the Black Keys came to town about five minutes before they blew up? You do if you were at SummerSonic on the Garrison Grounds in 2008. If you’re me you also remember the members of Stars flinging flowers into the crowd in the pouring rain, or two cops crossing the grounds and stopping…
Cold Warps on the water
Cold Warps made the most of their brief time on a sailboat by shooting a video, soaking up far too many rays and bashing each others’ brains out (exaggeration). Halfway through the second take singer Paul Hammond gets cracked upside his head with Lance Purcell’s snare and blood flows. Thankfully, they kept that in, making…
Horror movie trailers are the best part
Alderney Landing are seeking your (provided you are aged 14-25, sorry olds) stabs at horror movie trailers for their “Fear the Darkness” Haunted House and Bluenose Ghosts Festival. Think you have it in you to create a winning three-minute trailer for a fictitious horror movie? Then get that shit in to Kim Farmer (kim@alderneylanding.com) at…
Efficiency rewarded with pollution
Efficiency Nova Scotia, the agency responsible helping Nova Scotians reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency, is running a spring pledge program rewarding commitments to energy-saving behaviours with air miles. “It’s mostly an outreach and education program,” explains Efficiency spokesperson Kevin Harrison. While air travel is the second most climate altering form of long-distance travel (after…
Proposed Dartmouth development raises concerns
About 150 people showed up at a public meeting Monday night to express concerns about a proposed downtown Dartmouth development. Developer Darrell Dixon proposes to erect three apartment buildings near the intersection of Queen Street and Irishtown Road, the renamed extension of Pine Street. One building, just east of the newly rebuilt Greenvale School aprartments,…
Weird Science
Wit’s End Theatre’s production, Science Inaction: A Love Story, doesn’t shy away from laughs or scientific theories. by Veronica Simmonds “Funny theatre gets short shrift sometimes,” Griffin McInnes says as he sits in the depths of the King’s College Pit. Beside him, a wall of televisions looms large as the centrepiece of McInnes’ latest creation,…
Death by White Lung
If you breathe in enough ammonia and asbestos, your lungs will stiffen and crackle like an old record. The soft honeycomb tissues will form obstructive nodes, you will cough (hard), and eventually your blood won’t carry oxygen to your brain. Delirious and suffocating, you’ll realize you have white lung. After festering from exposure, it can…
Mae day
Singer-songwriter Ria Mae isn’t used to being the centre of attention. But that will change, because with a recent award show win, spot on the silver screen in Rohan Fernando’s debut feature-length Snow and new album in the works, there has never been a better time to be Ria Mae. Her successful run started this…
Take This Waltz
Take This Waltz, written and directed by Sarah Polley (Away From Her), is a peek at what it’s like to be a confused 28-year-old. Margot (Michelle Williams), married to Lou (Seth Rogen), falls in love with her neighbour, Daniel (Luke Kirby), shortly before her fifth wedding anniversary. Margot is a complex and endearing character, who…
On the periphery
At first glance, Peripheral Vision looks like your average jazz quartet. Made up of bandleaders Don Scott on guitar and Michael Herring on bass, the band is rounded out with tenor sax and drums. But once you look past its modestly sized ensemble, you find an extremely powerful jazz band that sounds more complex than…
Ted
For his first feature, Seth MacFarlane doesn’t stray far from his wheelhouse with the tiresome Ted. A play on what happens when those magical tales of childhood wish fulfillment end, Ted finds slacker man-child Mark Wahlberg still palling around with the living teddy bear he wished for as a kid. Ted (voiced by MacFarlane) and…
People Like Us
Summer is the traditional time for superheroes and blockbusters, so it’s fitting that this middling melodrama would come from the writing team behind the Transformers franchise. Co-writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman (who also directs in his feature debut) explore the bonds of family in the sweet but largely ineffectual People Like Us. When struggling…
3 Inches of Blood, many pixels of fun
The BC metal juggernaut is on tour in support of its fifth record Long Live Heavy Metal. Though Facebook is generally a subpar place to follow bands’ activities—It goes Twitter, Tumblr, website, FB—3 Inches actually have a pretty awesome tour diary happening with awesome pics (drinking, driving, New York City weirdos) and statuses like “Albany…
Magic Mike
Magic Mike is an insider look at the lives of male strippers in Florida. (Apparently Magic Mike is loosely based on Tatum’s own early career—so clearly his talents lie elsewhere than acting.) For a movie about buff men de-robing and gyrating, it’s exceedingly boring with minimal plot development. Mike takes a 19-year-old stripper-in-training, Adam the…
Rob Base wants to rock right now, still
So it’s a long weekend, and Canada Day is an especially reminiscent time, likely helped by classic rock hits like “Patio Lanterns” or “Summer of ’69.” This Canada Day in particular we invite you to head to the Red Fox for national hip-hop icon Rob Base, and let this wise rap be your long weekend…
Up with The Drowsy Chaperone
Someone accused me of liking every play I see (not true!), so I’m afraid you won’t believe when I say the TAG production of the Canadian-born, Tony Award-winning The Drowsy Chaperone is really, really great. Well, your loss if you don’t believe me. The greatness begins with Sherri Bezanson in the role of the musical…
A sorta faerie-tail
You don’t need dust to make these faeries come alive. Phillip Joy and Martiza Miari’s recent work, Playground of the Faeries, is an enchanting display of photography and artwork. The faeries blend into their background to create a voyeuristic perspective on the mythical creatures. Each faerie has a unique wing design. In “I Spy with…
Best bets for events
Before you take in Maritime Classic Cars’ annual Cruisin’ Quinpool (July 21, 7:30pm), stop in at Freeman’s Little New York (6092 Quinpool Road, 429-0241), where the bright green patio is a people watcher’s (and car lover’s) dream. It’s the summer of Johnny Depp at alFresco filmFesto (Halifax waterfront, July 27-August 24), but you’ll need to…
Free Will Astrology
Happy Birthday! CANCER ((June 21-july 22) The epic breadth of your imagination is legendary. Is there anyone else who can wander around the world without ever once leaving your home? Is there anyone else who can reincarnate twice in the span of a few weeks without having to go through the hassle of actually dying?…
Get real, get lucky
Q My younger brother and I are close. He came out of the closet last year, although it wasn’t much of a surprise because everyone knew he was gay since forever. Everyone is happy he’s out because it kind of takes the elephant out of the room, and our immediate and extended family are all…
Rio Astray
International environment summits: leaders waste time while grassroots and indigenous leaders inspire. This column runs immediately following the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20, commemorating the Earth Summit of 1992 in Rio de Janeiro. Important international agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity (never ratified by the US) and Framework Convention on Climate Change were…
Heartwood healthy
A change in ownership and new renovations reveal a new—but just as vegan-friendly, organic and seasonal—Heartwood. by Melissa Buote Hippies and hipsters. Mention the Heartwood to some, and preconceived notions or perhaps simple alliteration sets their eyes a-roll. Or, if it isn’t images of patchouli and beards dancing in their heads, it’s a hazy memory,…
