Saturday, February 26, 2011

My brother-in-law and his new D5000

The family bell


The family bell - #49/365, originally uploaded by PJMixer.

I bought a desk bell a few years ago and it always gets placed on the dining room table at my parent's home when we have family visits. The rule is that someone can ring the bell when they get extremely bored or uncomfortable with the conversation. It most circumstances, everyone agrees with the ringer and we move on to another topic. Saved by the bell.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Wall of Death

I was talking about the stunt show called Wall of Death during a family visit to Windsor last weekend.

I picked up Q magazine today with [ex-Oasis front man] Liam Gallagher's mug on the front cover.  He's formed a new band called Beady Eye and the first release is called Roller.  The video includes the Wall of Death.

Angel of the pink Shangri-La

Thursday, February 24, 2011

The wilds of Scarborough

The King's Speech

The King's Speech lived up to the hype, it was a wonderful story excellently portrayed by all.  Firth's handling of the King's stammer was amazing and I could feel his pain in every shot.  The rather gray London motif worked for the serious tone, but Rush added lots of humour.  Who needs boring history books when we have fabulous historical films like this.  Even though this retelling (like other historical films) may not be 100% accurate, it paints a very clear picture of an important part of our history and with The King's Speech, I've learned a new deep respect for King George VI. 4/5.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Friday, February 18, 2011

The family bell


The family bell - #49/365, originally uploaded by PJMixer.
I bought a desk bell a few years ago and it always gets placed on the dining room table at my parent's home when we have family visits. The rule is that someone can ring the bell when they get extremely bored or uncomfortable with the conversation. It most circumstances, everyone agrees with the ringer and we move on to another topic. Saved by the bell.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Sunday, February 13, 2011

PHILTHcru


PHILTHcru - #44/365, originally uploaded by PJMixer.

Intersecting with The Grammies

I'm not a huge fan of The Grammies for a number of reasons: too American-centric; too pop focused; and all the thanks to God. That being said, there are usually a couple of good performances and a few of my favourites artists to cheer for.

So of the Grammy nominees this year, the following are artists I have been listening to over the last 18 months:

  • Cee Low Green
  • Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
  • Eminem
  • Arcade fire
  • Ray Lamontagne
  • Florence & the Machine
  • Mumford & Sons
  • Norah Jones
  • John Mayer
  • Sade
  • Groove Armada
  • Chemical Brothers
  • Robert Plant
  • The Black Keys
  • Them Crooked Vultures
  • Kings of Leon
  • Katy Perry
  • Broken Bells
  • John Legend & The Roots
  • Janelle Monáe
  • Gorillaz

And lastly, good luck to my old mates from ultimate,
Sam Dunn & Scot McFadyen for their Rush movie.


Intersecting with The Grammies

I'm not a huge fan of The Grammies for a number of reasons: too American-centric; too pop focused; and all the thanks to God. That being said, there are usually a couple of good performances and a few of my favourites artists to cheer for.

So of the Grammy nominees this year, the following are artists I have been listening to over the last 18 months:

  • Cee Low Green
  • Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
  • Eminem
  • Arcade fire
  • Ray Lamontagne
  • Florence & the Machine
  • Mumford & Sons
  • Norah Jones
  • John Mayer
  • Sade
  • Groove Armada
  • Chemical Brothers
  • Robert Plant
  • The Black Keys
  • Them Crooked Vultures
  • Kings of Leon
  • Katy Perry
  • Broken Bells
  • John Legend & The Roots
  • Janelle Monáe
  • Gorillaz

And lastly, good luck to my old mates from ultimate,
Sam Dunn & Scot McFadyen for their Rush movie.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Vegan. Lover. PETA supporter.


Vegan. Lover. PETA supporter - #41/365, originally uploaded by PJMixer.


Braving very, very cold weather in support of PETA.

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Monday, February 07, 2011

2011 Albums

Here is a list of albums being released early in 2011 that I'm looking forward to (many have singles already available). Some of the dates may be UK dates so it may be a little later here.

  • Cage The Elephant released in January.
  • Boxer Rebellion just released last week.
  • Armistice (a collaboration of Coeur De Pirate and Jay Malinowski) Feb. 15
  • Adele Feb. 22
  • Beady Eye March 1 (Oasis minus Noel)
  • Alex Turner solo album (Arctic Monkeys) March 14th
  • The Vaccines March 21st
  • Pigeon Detectives April 4th
  • Glasvegas April 4th
  • The Wombats April 11th


Any others that I have missed or that you are looking forward to?

Saturday, February 05, 2011

Cortleigh fresh snow cover

Blip updates

Caught up on sharing some music via Blip, incl. electronica and dance tracks from Katy B, Groove Armada; smooth vocals from Ray Lamontagne, Belle and Sebastian, Broken Bells and Paloma Faith; and lots more.

Blip updates

Caught up on sharing some music via Blip, incl. electronica and dance tracks from Katy B, Groove Armada; smooth vocals from Ray Lamontagne, Belle and Sebastian, Broken Bells and Paloma Faith; and lots more.

Where I find new music: inflight entertainment

Originally posted as part 7 in the series on our music blog: intunein.


In the old days of long distance commercial air flight, you often had the option of listening to various music selections across a wide variety of genres using the armrest dials and an awful pair of airline headphones. With the help of the playlists being published in the inflight magazine, I'd often find some interesting new tracks.  


With the new touchscreen personal entertainment centres and the option to use our own headphones we now have, the ease of browsing and enjoying lots of new music is wonderful.  I'm currently listening to Belle and Sebastian's latest album - Write about love.  Plus, it's worth noting that the decent choice of movies also brings up the opportunity of finding some new music on the soundtrack.

Lots of coincidences

Flying home from my business trip to California yesterday and I noted 3 coincidences, incl. Santa Monica Blvd, neighbourhood limo riders and girls on motorcycles.  See my Only Coincidence ? blog for the details from the books, movies and life in the city.

Santa Monica Blvd.

I was in Santa Monica for our sales conference this week.  Mostly business, but I managed to see a some of the city with a little walkabout with work colleagues Thursday night, incl. Santa Monica Blvd.  On the flight home I was reading a novel called The Lock Artist and the main character was on Santa Monica Blvd.

Friday, February 04, 2011

Neighbourhood limo riders

I arrived home this evening from a business trip to California.  Lots of lineups, including a chilly 10 mins waiting for a limo ride home.  When it was close to my turn, I made eye contact with the gentleman behind me in line and we exchanged a few words.  Turns out he lives about 2 blocks from my house.

Pearson luggage carts


Pearson luggage carts - #35/365, originally uploaded by PJMixer.

Girls on motorcycles

I just flew back home from Los Angeles and on the flight I read a few chapters of a book and caught a movie.  I'm currently reading a novel called The Lock Artist and in the chapter I was reading today, the main character whisks away his 17 year old girlfriend on the back of his motorcycle.  I also watched The Kids Are All Right and there's a scene where Ruffalo's character takes his 18 year old daughter for a ride on the back of his motorcycle.

Where I find new music: Part 7 - inflight entertainment

In the old days of long distance commercial air flight, you often had the option of listening to various music selections across a wide variety of genres using the armrest dials and an awful pair of airline headphones. With the help of the playlists being published in the inflight magazine, I'd often find some interesting new tracks.  


With the new touchscreen personal entertainment centres and the option to use our own headphones we now have, the ease of browsing and enjoying lots of new music is wonderful.  I'm currently listening to Belle and Sebastian's latest album - Write about love.  Plus, it's worth noting that the decent choice of movies also brings up the opportunity of finding some new music on the soundtrack.