I've been writing this blog since 2005. I have had a number of content specific blogs in the past, but decided in 2013 to consolidate them all back into PJMixer. You'll find photo projects, movie reviews, new music and general thoughts about my life. [My photographs on this web site are protected by Creative Common licensing and cannot be used for commercial purposes without permission].
Coventry City FC (The Sky Blues) were my home town football team growing up. I actually wasn't as big a fan of the game when I was younger (as I am now) but did manage to go to a few games, including accompanying my best friend Tommy who worked as an usher at Highfield Road. The team highlight that always remains very clear to me is their win over Spurs in the 1987 FA Cup. Many people have said that game was one of the best FA Cup finals ever.
For some reason, Cov City has had a good habit of progressing quite well in the FA Cup over the last few years. With Setanta sports at home, along with a few other soccer carrying stations, I've been lucky enough to see their 4th round game against Torquay United (a little worrying) and the the tie against Blackburn Rovers in the 5th round (strong performance). Unfortunately I didn't see Tuesday's 1-0 win over Blackburn in the replay at Ricoh Arena. But the fantastic picture above seems to sum it up well. Next up, the quarter final at home to Chelsea next weekend - I hope that one is on the tele.
A few shots taken at lunch yesterday. For those that know this corner, you'll be saddened to hear that the first shot is taken across an empty lot that was once Sam's.
CUPE Israeli boycott sparks furor - wow, awkward mix of academics and politics and a union.
Tory delay "infantile" - this has to do with more delays in the listeriosis investigation and a 4 month consultation about handwritten notes - odd that I can't find a link to this story anywhere, hm ! Do we need more examples of wasteful government bureaucracy ?
Absolutely brilliant show here in Toronto on Saturday night. It was much better than I anticipated and is one of the best shows I've seen in the last few years.
I was a little shocked about the ticket price when I initially heard about the date, but I must say it was worth every penny. The main men of TC, Rob Garza and Eric Hilton were stationed prime centre stage but raised and highlighted towards the back to let them DJ without the show just being about a couple of guys behind laptops. Front and centre and always on the move was the bass player, making the moves with the large rotation of singers (5 or 6 I believe, including 2 South American ladies, another lady from Tehran and 2 hip hop DC lads). They had two percussionists, a sitar player, and a wonderful trumpet and sax horns duo. Large screens showed a dazzling array of images and video.
The reviews have been a little hard to come by with the Toronto date being only #2 on the tour with Chicago being on Friday night (pics). The one review of the Toronto show wasn't that positive (mainly because of venue and sound issues), but it gives you a sense of the show. I think the Kool Haus is a decent venue for its size and sound is ok if you're familiar with the material. Towards the end of the 2 hour show they got about 20 groovy ladies from the audience up on stage to dance along with the band - quite the party ! Apparently, David Byrne jumped up on stage for one number in Chicago - wow, that would have been something to see. If you're a fan of their blend of electronica and world beats then I'm sure you'll love them live.
Highlights would be opening numbers Sound the Alarm and Madala from their latest album, Warning Shots "one" singalong, The Numbers Game, and of course Shadows of Ourselves.
The set list which I found on a cool little site called setlist.fm:
Absolutely brilliant show here in Toronto on Saturday night. It was much better than I anticipated and is one of the best shows I've seen in the last few years.
I was a little shocked about the ticket price when I initially heard about the date, but I must say it was worth every penny. The main men of TC, Rob Garza and Eric Hilton were stationed prime centre stage but raised and highlighted towards the back to let them DJ without the show just being about a couple of guys behind laptops. Front and centre and always on the move was the bass player, making the moves with the large rotation of singers (5 or 6 I believe, including 2 South American ladies, another lady from Tehran and 2 hip hop DC lads). They had two percussionists, a sitar player, and a wonderful trumpet and sax horns duo. Large screens showed a dazzling array of images and video.
The reviews have been a little hard to come by with the Toronto date being only #2 on the tour with Chicago being on Friday night (pics). The one review of the Toronto show wasn't that positive (mainly because of venue and sound issues), but it gives you a sense of the show. I think the Kool Haus is a decent venue for its size and sound is ok if you're familiar with the material. Towards the end of the 2 hour show they got about 20 groovy ladies from the audience up on stage to dance along with the band - quite the party ! Apparently, David Byrne jumped up on stage for one number in Chicago - wow, that would have been something to see. If you're a fan of their blend of electronica and world beats then I'm sure you'll love them live.
Highlights would be opening numbers Sound the Alarm and Madala from their latest album, Warning Shots "one" singalong, The Numbers Game, and of course Shadows of Ourselves.
The set list which I found on a cool little site called setlist.fm:
For movie fans tuning in to the Oscars tonight I thought I'd collect some links and add a little game (inspired by 100 Books in Facebook) in case the proceedings are moving a little slow.
Unfortunately I have seen very few of the nominated movies and performances this year. Having a quick look, I saw The Dark Knight (Ledger), Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Cruz), Ironman (sound and FX) and Wanted (sound).
Past 25 Best Picture winners - seen 'em all. How many have you seen ? My faves with an *
1983 Terms of Endearment
1984 Amadeus*
1985 Out of Africa
1986 Platoon
1987 The Last Emperor
1988 Rain Man
1989 Driving Miss Daisy
1990 Dances with Wolves
1991 Silence of the Lambs*
1992 Unforgiven
1993 Schindler's List*
1994 Forest Gump
1995 Braveheart
1996 English Patient*
1997 Titanic
1998 Shakespeare in Love*
1999 American Beauty*
2000 Gladiator
2001 Beautiful Mind*
2002 Chicago
2003 Lord of Rings - Return of the King
2004 Million Dollar Baby
2005 Crash**
2006 The Departed*
2007 No Country for Old Men
I do watch a ton of movies, all my reviews are on Facebook - Flixster.
My Facebook profile says that my religious view is "I'm suspicious about coincidence".
Coincidence continues to be something I notice a lot, maybe more than most people. The way I've said this is deliberate - I believe coincidences are happening all the time and the personal connection is simply a matter of noticing them. Coincidences may not really happen to people, they happen and people observe them.
I'm not a religious person (well not in the traditional, organized religion, sense), but in this week's episode of House, I heard a great requote of Einstein - "Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous". There seems to be a lot of links on this quote.
Don't laugh, but I'm actually trying to develop a more complete theory about coincidence. One element of the theory needs to consider the time element. How far apart in time do two events have to occur for them to be considered coincidental ?
I hope to write more on the subject in the future, but if you find some other interesting views on the topic or have your own comments I'd love to hear them.
Latest coincidence that sparked this entry: listening to a Beth Orton track that a friend reblipped and I in turn reblipped with the comment "The mood of this just kinda sums up this gray wet day". I then notice that the original Blip DJ provided "rainy day ohio" and "here's my perfect rainy day band" as comments to earlier tunes today. Weather may not be the largest of coincidences, but it's a nice feeling when a little coincidence make us feel connected to other people. Are we really strangers ?
