Happy birthday, Toronto

Okay, so I'm a few days late. Friday March 6, 2009 marked Toronto’s 175th Anniversary. 175 years young and lookin' better than ever. I celebrated TO's big b-day in somewhat appropriate fashion by drinking a few of the locally brewed beers from the Mill Street Brewery. I enjoyed the Stock Ale this time, but if you're ever at the actual Mill Street Pub, be sure to try the Cobblestone Stout, it is fantastic. Mmmm... beer.

The Star has come up with a list of 175 Things to Love About Toronto.

In honour of Toronto's 175th, here are some random Toronto photos.

You should have seen this

If you can't find a way to waste time at this website, you aren't really trying. This is, like, a crash course on internet awesomeness and stupidity since the dawn of time. Or, at least since Al Gore invented the internet and Scientology freed us from the tyranny of psychiatry. Or, more accurately perhaps, since broadband made video on the internet viable.

It is hard to pick out just one to highlight, but if you haven't seen Battle at Kruger you must watch it. It is hard to believe what you are seeing. Also, Best Man Ruins Wedding is hard to believe what you are seeing, but for different reasons.

Enjoy!

Revenge, much like calamari, is a dish best served cold

There's been an ongoing Prank War between a couple of the staffers at College Humour.com. The one guy pulled the classic fake Jumbotron proposal on his buddy about 18 months ago (recaptured at the start of the video). Check out his prank response. These guys play for keeps.

Perfect for these recessionary times

I give you Null Stern Hotel, the world's first zero star hotel.

The brainchild of Swiss artists Frank and Patrik Riklin, Null Stern Hotel takes the concept of frugality and multiplies it by a million, or, more suitably, it takes the concept of luxury and multiplies it by zero. For a hotel to gain the dubious distinction of zero stars, it had better be pretty damn unaccommodating. And it is. Located in a converted nuclear bunker in Sevelen, Switzerland (population 4,000), the hotel offers no amenities, no frills, and no comfort. Sounds great, right?

Click here to read more.

Another Coxy Contribution

Another Wikipedia names your band submission. These guys seem like an Alsatian techno-pop band. Or Brooklyn scenesters.

Hey, every little bit of knowledge helps....

This is now up on our fridge to help us prepare for the new reality.... Baby Rules.

No Big Box in Leslieville!

From the Financial Post... In a stunning and long-awaited ruling, the Ontario Municipal Board yesterday rejected a developer's plan to build big-box shopping plaza in Leslieville.

Another take on the decision from Spacing Toronto (worth clicking through just for the lead picture).

Lots of NIMBY voices on this issue, but it is nice that they won't be adding a Walmart to the area. Not so much because I don't want a Walmart over here, but it would be such an uninspired use of the land. Hopefully they do something useful with it. The IKEA comment in the COMMENTS section of the Spacing article is very interesting, and the Canadian Tire complex is always busy....

The real question for me, is what will everyone do with the ubiquitous NO BIG BOX IN LESLIVEVILLE signs?

More Wikipedia Names Your Band

On February 23rd I wrote about the genius idea someone came up with about how to use Wikipedia and Flickr to come up with your band name, album title and album cover. (I read about it originally Buzzfeed as Wikipedia Names Your Band, and it has become one of their all-time most popular submissions).

My results are included in the February 23rd post. I'm pleased to be able to share a submission from one of you good people. Unfortunately he wasn't able to figure out how to add text to the picture so, Coxy, hopefully you won't mind my creative license.

Coxy's contribution:

Sounds to me like a departure - new Hip song

Have you heard the new Tragically Hip song on the radio, Love is a First? It is really good. Very vital and, dare I say, playful. I've been cranking it up for the past few days. Bob Rock has managed to capture some of their live feel with this song. The rhythm section shines early with a solid, driving beat, then you get the full Gordie and the guitar players are allowed to rock out with screeching guitars. If you've spent much time with their DVD That Night In Toronto you'll recognize the lyrics for Love is a First from one of Gord's rants (during Fully Completely, I think). It sounds great turned up loud. You can get it on iTunes if you pre-buy the new album (or download it as a single).

Interestingly, I think 'Love' is more of a primer than the first, official single, which looks like it will be 'Morning Moon' according to their website. (They did something similar with Butts Wigglin' off Trouble At The Henhouse). Morning Moon is streaming on their website. It is a nice, little ditty. Very melodic and quite different than 'Love'; more in the vein of Bobcaygeon or Ahead By A Century, although not as anthemic.

The Hip are playing 5 dates at Massey Hall in May. These are must attend shows (well, one show anyway).

UPDATE - The Hip's website says Love Is A First is the first Canadian single. So there you go.

Foreign Films - Part 2

As winter lingers on and on and on in Toronto, and with the Leafs hopelessly out of the playoffs, sometimes a good foreign film can be just the ticket for a quiet night in. Foreign films fit better in the winter, in my opinion. Who wants to read subtitles in the summer... especially when you're inevitably a few beers in after hitting the pub patio on your way home from work. Anyway, I've been fortunate enough to have seen some really good foreign language films over the last few years and thought I'd periodically post a couple of recommendations. [Note: this post - up to this point - is, word for word, the same post as from the same day last year. Funny how it goes.]

Last year we had a German theme. This March 1st I thought we'd go with an Asian theme:

1. Infernal Affairs - not to be confused with Internal Affairs, the Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia police drama. Infernal Affairs is an excellent, top-notch crime drama. It was remade as the Damon and DiCaprio movie The Departed, which finally won Scorsese his Oscar. This is the better movie.

2. Chungking Express - Wong Kar-Wai might be a genius. I highly recommend this film from the director of In the Mood for Love. This rare, charming, light comedy is a nice break from his more typically heavy material

3. Days of Being Wild / In the Mood for Love / 2046 - This is a very loose trilogy from Wong Kar-Wai. Watch them in order. These are all very stylish, atmospheric and moody. In the Mood for Love is the masterpiece. WKW's movies can be somewhat inaccessible - give in and enjoy the ride even if you aren't always entirely sure what is happening. You will be richly rewarded.

4. House of Flying Daggers - More of a love story than a martial arts movie. If you liked Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon you will like this one.