Thursday, May 31, 2007

Never Rub Another Man's Rhubarb.

I saw this on The Hour and had to post it:

This is Heath Ledger as The Joker in the upcoming Batman film, The Dark Knight.

This looks awesome! I was already going to see The Dark Knight, but now, I'm really excited about it. It looks as though director Christopher Nolan has captured the true characteristics of The Joker.

Cesar Romero's version was goofy. Jack Nicholson's version was insane. Heath Ledger's version looks psychotic. That's how The Joker was portrayed in the comics; a vicious sociopath who kills people and enjoys doing it.

You have give credit to Ledger. He has some big shoes to fill. Let's face it, Jack was phenomenal. No matter what Ledger does (apparently, he's based The Joker on the characters from A Clockwork Orange), he's going to be compared to Jack. Some will say he wasn't as good as Jack. Others will say he was as good as Jack. I wonder if anyone will have the stones to say Ledger was better then Jack.

Speaking about The Joker, how cool would it be if Jennifer Tilly was brought in to play Harley Quinn?

Finally, here's a neat website related to The Dark Knight: www.ibelieveinharveydenttoo.com

Don't be fooled by what you see. Go to "Edit" and click on "Select All."

The Hek

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

That's Evolution, Baby

Two foes formally complete their lengthy battle. A great vignette.



The Hek

Monday, May 28, 2007

Frozen Peas?

My friends and I have made film called Blame Guy Maddin.

We shot it in 2004. Three years later, we decided to finish it.

You can watch it by heading to the film's website: blameguymaddin.blogspot.com

If you don't get this film, you're part of the majority. Don't blame the filmmakers. Blame Guy Maddin!

The Hek

Friday, May 25, 2007

NHL Playoff Predictions - Stanley Cup Finals

Round 1: Five out of eight.

Round 2: Four out of four.

Round 3: One out of two.

I was wrong about Ottawa. I'm sorry.

Stanley Cup Finals

Ottawa over Anaheim in 6

This has nothing to do with the fact that one of teams happens to be from Canada. This has nothing to do with the fact that I lived in Ottawa for the majority of four years. The Senators are on a huge roll and I feel it is strong enough to win the big prize. However, the Sens must win the first game. If they take game one, they will control the series. If the Ducks win the first game, winning the Cup will be very difficult for Ottawa.

The Hek

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Top 5 NFB Films

The National Film Board has made a significant impact on Canadian cinema. Every Canadian has seen at least one film from the NFB. If you haven't seen an NFB film, you can head down to the board's Toronto studios, sit in a "Mediatheque" viewing station and watch as many films as you want.

I enjoy watching NFB films. Seeing that well known logo (the eye with two legs) always catches my attention.

Recently, I found a couple of films on YouTube and decided to compile a list of my favourite NFB productions. After much thought and deliberation, here are my top five NFB films.

First off, honourable mention: If You Love This Planet (1982), Neighbours (1952), Blackberry Subway Jam (1984).

5. Begone Dull Care (1949)

To the untrained eye, Begone Dull Care appears to have a simple concept: draw all over the film and add some music. However, to the trained eye, the production is more then just an attack on a empty roll of film with crayons and paint brushes. Evelyn Lambart and Norman McLaren create a beautiful union of moving images with music. Keep in mind the music is by Oscar Peterson, which means a fast-paced, quick-beat score. Therefore, there's a lot of action that needs to be translated on screen. It takes great skill to make a film like Begone Dull Care. However, if you can pull it off, the result will be an animated masterpiece.

4. Nobody Waved Goodbye (1964)

I guess Writer and Director Don Owen got tired of making documentaries. So he decided to make a feature film. Since he had no experience filming fiction, Owen shot Nobody Waved Goodbye as if it was a documentary. The consequence of this decision was a Canadian style of feature film making. The film also provides a hard dose or reality.

Remember, this was the early 60's and everyone believes life should be like "Leave It To Beaver." Nobody Waved Goodbye gives conformity a swift slap in the face.

3. The Sweater (1980)

I've cheered for the Montreal Canadiens my entire life. As a young boy, I kept hearing the name Maurice Richard, but I didn't know who he was. Then, I saw this film in my grade three french class and understood who he was and what he meant to so many people. The Sweater taught me how this man known as the Rocket, was a folk hero and a hockey legend. After seeing this film, even I wanted to tape my stick like Maurice Richard.

2. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen (1965)

Leonard Cohen is the subject of this film. What more do I need to say? Plus, you get to hear what he really sounds like before all those cigarettes gave him the raspy voice he has today. Even when Cohen orders a cheese sandwich and a glass of milk it sounds poetic.

1. Log Driver's Waltz (1979)

I first saw this film/vignette in 1994. The NFB had an exhibition at the CNE and was presenting random productions throughout the day in an auditorium. I was very fortunate to be there when they showed Log Driver's Waltz. It's a snapshot of Canadian folklore. It expresses what life was like when our country was young.

Everyone who lived during that time wanted to emulate their British and French ancestors. However, there was a desire for people to develop their own way of life, a Canadian way of life. You get a sense of this in Log Driver's Waltz. There's an upper class woman who is told she should emulate those who have come before her, by marrying a doctor, lawyer or any other wealthy elite. However, this woman wants to make her own decisions and hopes that she will marry a log driver, who of course, doesn't come with the same type of status as a doctor or lawyer.

Plus there's the actual song. How can you not love the song? The tune will get stuck in your head for a number of days, but it's absolutely worth it.

For more information on these films and others, visit www.nfb.ca

The Hek

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Facial Hair

This is for Blake.

He said he couldn't picture me with facial hair. Well, here's a picture.

The Hek, circa 2003.

As you can see, it didn't really work out.

The Hek

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

NBA Playoff Predictions - Round 3

First round: Six out of eight. One of the six was a perfect prediction.

For the second round, I was right on three of the four match-ups. Damn you San Antonio! Out of the three, two were perfect.

On to the third round:

Western Conference

Utah over San Antonio in seven

Eastern Conference

Detroit over Cleveland in five

The Hek

Friday, May 18, 2007

From North Carolina. Number 23.....

Here's a great piece of animation.

This video was used to introduce the Chicago Bulls during the mid to late 90's. To me, the music compliments the images. I also love the song. It's called Sirius and was put together by the Alan Parsons Project. Wrestling fans will recognize the music as Ricky Steamboat's theme entrance.


Happy 2-4!

The Hek

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Nothing Is Going To Change That

You Are 4% Republican

If you have anything in common with the Republican party, it's by sheer chance.
You're a staunch liberal, and nothing is going to change that!


You Are 20% Democrat

If you have anything in common with the Democrat party, it's by sheer chance.
You're a staunch conservative, and nothing is going to change that!


Interesting. A unique perspective of my political views, as I sit upon this fence.

BTW, I've added some new links. Check them out if you get the chance.

The Hek

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Sign Of The Apocalypse #54

Joey Buttafuoco and Amy Fisher will be having a candlelight dinner together.

Why are they having dinner together? Well, apparently they want to see if they can rekindle their romance. You remember their romantic tale. It ended with Joey going to jail for a few months for statutory rape and Amy serving seven years after shooting Joey's wife in the face.

Why are they trying to rekindle their romance? Well, a producer named David Krieff thinks he can turn their reunion into a reality television program.

Of course! That's what people want to watch. What's more entertaining then two g-list celebrities falling in love again? As if we couldn't get enough of Nick and Jessica, Vili and Mary-Kay, and most recently, Tori Spelling and Hamilton Steelheads' captain Mark Simpson....er....Dean McDermott.

Seriously, what's next? Living With The Bobbits? The Monica Lewisnky Show? The Simple Life: Justin and Sophie?

The Hek

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Sens Lead 3-0?!

Damn...

The Ottawa Senators are for real.

They're making me look bad.

I picked Buffalo in seven.

Damn.

The Hek

*A real winner: Episode 40 of the Audio Circus*

Monday, May 14, 2007

Billy The Scribe

My good friend Owen Hewitt (aka Billy Ruffian) will be on tonight's episode of Monday Night Scribes, promoting his new CD "Savage Gentlemen" and the Capital Slam Semi-Finals on May 17. The program begins at 10pm ET on CHUO 89.1 FM in Ottawa. For those outside of Ottawa, head to www.chuo.fm and listen online.

The Hek

*After MNS, listen to Episode 40 of the Audio Circus*

Friday, May 11, 2007

When It Rains, It Pours

And now, the Blue Jays' injury list (courtesy of Yahoo Sports):

Roy Halladay SP May 11, 2007 15-day Acute appendicitis - out 4-6 weeks
Víctor Zambrano RP/SP May 9, 2007 15-day Strained right forearm
Gustavo Chacín SP Apr 29, 2007 15-day Strained left shoulder
Gregg Zaun C Apr 25, 2007 15-day Fractured right thumb
B.J. Ryan RP Apr 15, 2007 60-day Left elbow surgery - out for season
Reed Johnson LF/RF Apr 12, 2007 60-day Herniated disc in lower back
John Thomson SP Mar 31, 2007 15-day Right shoulder soreness
Davis Romero RP Mar 31, 2007 60-day Torn left labrum - out for season
Brandon League RP Mar 31, 2007 15-day Right shoulder pain

You can probably add one more to the list as Troy Glaus left tonight's game with another foot injury. The closer (Ryan) is out. The top starter (Halladay) is out. The lead off hitter (Johnson) is out. They have lost nine games in a row. They're in last place in the AL East, 10.5 games behind first place Boston. A number of players are underachieving. AND......they have a general manager (JP Richardi) who is incapable of putting together a team that can compete with the Yankees and Red Sox, has lied to the fans about the severity of certain injuries, and believes that hitting is more important then pitching, when it was clear that the Jays had the hitting but needed more pitching!

Someone is going to be fired by the end of the month, if not sooner. Unfortunately, it won't be JP Richardi.

The Hek

Thursday, May 10, 2007

NHL Playoff Predictions - Round 3

In first round, I was five out of eight. Second round: FOUR OUT OF FOUR!!! Out of the four match ups, two were perfect predictions (Sabers in 6, Red Wings in 6). On to the third round:

Western Conference

Anaheim over Detroit in 6

Eastern Conference

Buffalo over Ottawa in 7

Sorry Sens fans. Buffalo has been my pick since October. They're a better team.

In other news, the Blue Jays are officially screwed. BJ Ryan + Tommy John surgery = Not Good. I'm a loyal Jays fan. I will always cheer for them. I will still attend the games. However, realistically speaking, the season is done.

The Hek

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Smackdown Is Rated 'R'

Congratulations to Adam 'Edge' Copeland, who won the World Heavyweight Championship last night. This is a great solution to a problem that the WWE's Smackdown roster had to deal with.

The Undertaker, the former champion, suffered a serious injury at Backlash and is gone for 6-8 months. Also, Ken Kennedy, who was getting a huge push, suffered a serious injury this past weekend and is gone for 5-7 months. So the champion is out of action, as is the roster's top heel. If they were to put the belt back on Batista then Undertaker's title win at Wrestlemania would be meaningless. Along with that, there is no one on the Smackdown roster who has been booked properly to take over as the top heel.

By having Edge come over from RAW and win the title, Smackdown now has a major heel. This will also lead to an exciting storyline involving Batista. Hopefully, WWE won't screw this up by having Batista beat Edge at the Judgement Day PPV on May 20th.


Finally, here is something for those who love (or hate) cheerleaders.

The Hek

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

NBA Playoff Predictions - Round 2

In round one, I was right on six of the eight match-ups. Out of the six, one was a perfect prediction (Utah in seven). Dallas and the Raptors were my only mistakes. On to the second round:

Eastern Conference

Detroit over Chicago in six
Cleveland over New Jersey in six

Western Conference

Phoenix over San Antonio in seven
Utah over Golden State in six

The Hek

*Be sure to catch Episode 39 of the Audio Circus*

Monday, May 07, 2007

Thank You Raptors

Anyone who says New Jersey's victory over the Raptors in the NBA playoffs is an upset, knows absolutely nothing about basketball.

The truth is New Jersey is a solid team. In fact, they are as good as the Raptors. The only reason why the Nets finished 6th in the Eastern Conference was because a number of players had injuries during the season. It wasn't until the end of the regular season that New Jersey finally had a healthy roster. If they had a healthy roster for the entire season, the Nets would have probably finished in 4th place or higher in the Eastern Conference; maybe even taking the Atlantic Division.

It would be too easy to point fingers at the parties responsible for Toronto's first round exit. You can't blame a player, a certain play, a game, or a coaching decision. Winning is a team effort and in the end, the entire unit is to blame for the loss against New Jersey. Every Raptor had a moment where they could have played better. Even Sam Mitchell, the NBA's coach of the year, made decisions that ended up being the wrong decisions. I am not going to use the "lack of playoff experience" as an excuse. However, I also refuse to single out a specific player or official.

Am I disappointed with Toronto's playoff performance? Absolutely.

Does the loss to New Jersey ruin the Raptors' 06-07 season? No way!

The Raptors had an amazing season. No one expected them to be this good. I predicted that they would finish no higher then 6th and no lower then 10th. Sure, their playoff run was disappointing, but unless you win the NBA championship, I can't think of any other playoff run that ended on a happy note. This was a team that the entire city can be proud of. A few years ago, the Raptors were an awful team. Thanks to Bryan Collangello, they are no longer an embarrassment. The Raptors are on a road that will lead to more success. Many of their young players were great this season. There is no doubt in my mind that they will continue to improve. In a little while, players like Chris Bosh , TJ Ford and Andrea Bargnani, will be viewed in the same light as Steve Nash, Dwayne Wade and Tim Duncan.

I have always believed that the positives should outweigh the negatives. To me, the Raptors had far more positive moments then negative ones. Hopefully, we will see more great moments down the road.

Let's Go Raptors!

The Hek

*A true winner: Episode 39 of the Audio Circus*

Friday, May 04, 2007

Naughty, But Not Trashy

This might be a cause for debate.

Your Mind is PG-13 Rated

Your mind is definitely a little dirty. You're naughty, but not trashy.
You don't shy away from a dirty joke, and you're clearly not a prude.


The Hek

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Raptors 98 Nets 96

Oh man.

That 4th quarter.

That f###ing 4th quarter.

I nearly flatlined.

The Raptors played three AMAZING quarters and one HORRIBLE quarter. There will be a Game 6 on Friday and if the Raptors play the way they did in the 4th quarter, they're going to lose. It is essential that they turn three solid quarters into four solid quarters. I believe this is possible.

Jose Calderon (below) was unbelievable last night. 25 points! He best performance in a Raptors uniform. However, he rolled his ankle late in the game and had to be taken out. He says he's feeling better and will be ready on Friday. Hopefully, he can play, especially since TJ Ford was injured last night as well. Calderon and Ford are two solid point guards. Without them, the Raptors are at a huge disadvantage.

Pray for Jose. Pray for TJ. Pray that Chris Bosh steps up his game. The rest of the team played well. Here's hoping they bring the same energy on Friday.

Let's Go Raptors!

The Hek

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Even Animals Love Tim Hortons

I saw a squirrel with a little Tim Hortons bag in his mouth. He climbed a tree while his teeth clenched the bag, which may have contained a maple donut. Of course, science has shown us that squirrels cannot eat nor digest maple donuts. Therefore, the squirrel is an idiot. However, the Tim Hortons bag should provide him with sufficient shelter.

The Hek

*Be sure to catch Episode 38 of the Audio Circus*

Monday, April 30, 2007

A Message To Raptor Fans

Frustration is getting to everyone. The players and the fans.

Everyone needs to relax and re-evaluate the situation. The way I see it, THE RAPTORS ARE NOT DEAD YET! I still believe in them. The same way Red Sox fans believed in their team, when they were down 3-0 to the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS. There are those who are ready to give up on the Raptors. I refuse to wave the white flag.

I know it's a huge mountain, I know the Raptors were badly outplayed this weekend, I know they are down 3-1; but, WE CAN'T GIVE UP!

There will be a Game 5 and more then ever, the Raptors need their fans. The ACC needs to be louder then before. If you're going to the game, wear red, cheer on the Raptors until the final whistle (no matter what the score is), and most importantly, boo every single New Jersey player; not just Vince Carter.

The Raptors have to take it one game at a time. They are just as good as the Nets. They have defeated them before and hopefully, they will defeat them tomorrow.

It's gut-check time.

Let's go Raptors!

The Hek

*Always a slam dunk! The Audio Circus! Check out Episode 38*

Friday, April 27, 2007

Keep The Car Running

A performance by the Arcade Fire on Saturday Night Live. The New York City audience was excited to see them. This is a great example of the following AF has around the world.



The Hek

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Can't Get You Out Of My Head

Songs 63 and 64 have been stuck in my head for the last few days. That's just how great they are. As always, new entries are in red.

1. Kennedy Killed the Hat - Buck 65
2. I bought some books - Black Boot Trio
3. Watching the Wheels - John Lennon
4. Vacation - The Go-Go's
5. Like a Prayer - Madonna
6. Night Swimming - REM
7. Chicago - Sufjan Stevens
8. Ring, Ring - Abba
9. Call on Me - Eric Prydz
10. November Rain - Guns N Roses
11. Cruel Summer - Bannanarama
12. Hung up - Madonna
13. 463 - Buck 65
14. Judy is a Punk - The Ramones
15. The Laws have Changed - The New Pornographers
16. Portland, Oregon - Loretta Lynn feat. Jack White
17. Suzanne - Leonard Cohen
18. The Card Cheat - The Clash
19. Canadian Railroad Trilogy - Gordon Lightfoot
20. Boys in the Bright White Sports Car - Trooper
21. Mandy - Barry Manilow
22. Let's Get Together - Al Green
23. Mickey - Toni Basil
24. Bodies - Drowning Pool
25. Folson Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
26. Bawitaba - Kid Rock
27. Losing Grip - Avril Lavigne
28. City of New Orleans - Arlo Guthrie
29. Pump it - Black Eye Peas
30. Lonely Old Eyes - Neko Case
31. Immigrant Song - Led Zepplin
32. Philadelphia Freedom - Elton John
33. Don't Walk Away Eileen - Sam Roberts
34. Bring the Noise - Public Enemy & Anthrax
35. Maneater - Nelly Furtado
36. Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves - Cher
37. My Immortal - Evanescense
38. Hips Don't Lie - Shakira
39. Welcome to the Jungle - Guns and Roses
40. Bad Habit - The Offspring
41. LDN - Lily Allen
42. Man I use to Be - K-OS
43. Lolipop - Aqua
44. Banquet - Bloc Party
45. The Sign - Ace of Base
46. Rise Above - Black Flag
47. Devil Went Down to Georgia - Charlie Daniels Band
48. Thank God I'm a Country Boy - John Denver
49. Hello - Lionel Richie
50. River - Joni Mitchell
51. Romantic Rights - Death From Above 1979
52. Knock on Wood - Amy Stewart
53. My Heart Skips A Beat - Buck Owens
54. Levon - Elton John
55. Use It - The New Pornographers
56. The Boy In The Bubble - Paul Simon
57. Graceland - Paul Simon
58. Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac
59. Head Over Feet - Alanis Morrisette
60. Ring Of Fire - Johnny Cash
61. Inside And Out - Feist
62. Crosseyed And Painless - Talking Heads
63. Give It To Me - Timbaland feat. Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake
64. Intervention - Arcade Fire

The Hek

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Sam's The Man

Raptors' head coach Sam Mitchell was named the NBA's coach of the year yesterday. After guiding the Raps to their first Atlantic Division title, Mitchell is absolutely worthy of the award.

I've always enjoyed Mitchell's style. He's a stubborn SOB. However, you can't help but like the guy. He's never afraid to talk down to the media and unlike Toronto's previous coaches (O'Neil, Wilkens, Carter, Walker, and Malone), Mitchell's got character.

This year, he was able to take a team with many new faces and turn them into one of the most unselfish and cohesive units the NBA has ever seen. Mitchell deserves all the credit as well as GM Bryan Collangello.

Here's the irony:

In March, 2006, Sports Illustrated conducted a poll of 248 players, asking them who was the worst coach in the NBA. Mitchell topped the list with 15% of the vote. Goes to show you how circumstances can change in the blink of an eye.

Congrats Sam! Let's Go Raptors!

The Hek

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Playoff Predictions - Round 2

My round one predictions:

Eastern Conference

Buffalo over NY Islanders in 5
New Jersey over Tampa Bay in 6
Atlanta over NY Rangers in 7
Pittsburgh over Ottawa in 7

Western Conference

Detroit over Calgary in 6
Anaheim over Minnesota in 6
Vancouver over Dallas in 7
Nashville over San Jose in 7

What ended up happening:

Buffalo over NY Islanders in 5
New Jersey over Tampa Bay in 6
NY Rangers over Atlanta in 4
Ottawa over Pittsburgh in 5
Detroit over Calgary in 6
Anaheim over Minnesota in 5
Vancouver over Dallas in 7
San Jose over Nashville in 5

Not bad. 5 out of 8 (4 of those were bang on). The Penguins and Predators played well, but their opponents were better. The Thrashers were brutal. I'm glad I was wrong about the Sens.

On to the second round:

Western Conference

Detroit over San Jose in 6
Anaheim over Vancouver in 7

Eastern Conference

Buffalo over NY Rangers in 6
Ottawa over New Jersey in 6

The Sens have what it takes to beat New Jersey. The Devils looked weak against the Lightning. Ottawa must take advantage. The Sabers/Rangers will be a pretty good series. The Sharks and Canucks will put up a good fight, but their opponents will find ways to beat them.

The Hek

*Be sure to catch Episode 37 of the Audio Circus*

Monday, April 23, 2007

Now With 32% Wrath

A late post due to a storm in Toronto. The power was knocked out for a number of hours. Anyway......

Your Wrath Quotient: 32%

Sometimes you get really angry, but nothing out of the norm.
While you may wish someone harm, it's pretty unlikely that you'd actually do anything about it.


The Hek

*No Wrath Here! Episode 37 of the Audio Circus*

Friday, April 20, 2007

They Had Football Jerseys Back Then

Well, it's been quite the week. I thought I'd end it with a simple public service announcement.



The Hek

Thursday, April 19, 2007

NBA Playoff Predictions - Round One

Eastern Conference

Detroit over Orlando in 5
Cleavland over Washington in 6
Toronto over New Jersey in 7
Chicago over Miami in 7

Western Conference

Dallas over Golden State in 5
Phoenix over LA Lakers in 6
San Antonio over Denver in 6
Utah over Houston in 7

You know who I'm cheering for. I hope the Raptors embarrass Vince Carter and beat the Nets. If you're going to any of the playoff games at the Air Canada Centre, make sure to wear red. The sea of red shall make New Jersey tremble ;-)

The Hek

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

It's Always Game Time

For the last few years, the Blue Jays have used a marketing campaign, showing how the players are always ready to play, whether it's on the field or off it.

Out of all the advertisements, this one is my favourite. It features first baseman, Lyle Overbay, who in my opinion, is one of the most underrated players in baseball. However, that has nothing to do with the ad.



The Hek

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

The Wrong Choice?

I was reading the National Post's coverage on Virgina Tech.

On page three (April 17), there was a collage of photographs from other school shootings. One particular photo was of a victim from École Polytechnique. She was sitting "slumped" in a chair, while an investigator gathers evidence. To be honest, I was very disturbed by the photo.

Not in the sense that I was looking at a dead body. Rather, I was disturbed in the sense that someone will look at the woman and recognize her, as either their daughter, relative, or close friend. They are going to have to relive the horror. Anyone who has ever had to identify a loved one in a morgue, will also have to relive the horror. That's a dreadful thing to experience and I feel the National Post made a bad decision by printing this photo.

I am fully aware that journalism is about providing all the necessary details. But sometimes, you have to break the rules if it's for a greater good. Everyone knows about the damage caused by these senseless acts. It doesn't need to be put out there bluntly. Out of respect for the woman's family, the National Post should not have printed this photo. They could have easily picked another photo that was less graphic but still conveys the trauma.

This is just my opinion. However, I am interested in your take on the photo. Did the National Post make the wrong choice?

The Hek

Episode 36 - Audio Circus

Monday, April 16, 2007

Shooting At Virginia Tech

The world can be a harsh place sometimes.

As someone who lived on a university campus for four years, I know just how tight a community such as that can be. I also know how issues of security are handled with positive and negative results.

What I want to know, as I'm sure everyone else wants to know, is how the gunman was able to go two hours without being "caught." My guess is that he was current or former student and knew the geography of the campus. Therefore, he knew where the best hiding spots would be. Of course, that is just my own form of speculation.

More importantly, my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families, and their fellow students and administrators who were not injured.

The Hek

Audio Circus - Episode 36

Friday, April 13, 2007

Slapshot Meets The YRP Mascots

Here's a video I made featuring Slapshot The Bear. It was filmed during the York Regional Police Community Skate on March 14.

Yes, that's me in the bear costume.



CHEV Radio has begun uploading all their videos on Google Video. To watch them, head to Google Video and type "CHEV Radio" in the search box. Any video under two minutes, was done by yours truly.

The Hek

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Ok Go

Last month, YouTube honoured it's most popular videos. This video picked up one of the top awards. It features a band called "Ok Go" and was all done in one take.

Now that's just flat out talented.



The Hek

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Playoff Predictions - Round One

Eastern Conference

Buffalo over NY Islanders in 5
New Jersey over Tampa Bay in 6
Atlanta over NY Rangers in 7
Pittsburgh over Ottawa in 7

Western Conference

Detroit over Calgary in 6
Anaheim over Minnesota in 6
Vancouver over Dallas in 7
Nashville over San Jose in 7

My sincerest apologies to all Sens fans. I hope I'm wrong. It's just that the Penguins are a dangerous team. In a few years they'll be in the finals. This year, they will advance to the second round, but that's as far as they will go.

The Hek

*Be sure to catch Episode 35 of the Audio Circus*

Monday, April 09, 2007

My Bloody Weekend

Nothing like spending the weekend by watching people's heads being blown off.

I watched three films over the last few days. Each one containing some form of blood and guts.

On Friday, I watched Grindhouse. This was a fantastic film. Actually, it featured two fantastic films. Lots of gratuitous violence, so if you have a weak stomach, you might want to avoid the film.

Saturday's feature was Fast Food Nation. To be honest, I felt it was a rather bland film. You have three stories and not one of them has any form of closure. The political message is strong, but not powerful since I've heard it many times before. There's no gratuitous violence; however, there is a fair share of blood shed. One character loses his leg and a number of cows get slaughtered. Again, if you have a weak stomach, avoid this film at all costs.

Finally, I watched 300 on Sunday. It's a decent film, but the focus is on the cinematography instead of the actual story. In fact, you could easily guess what would happen in every scene.
There's a lot of blood, but it's not too vicious.

Bottom line: loved Grindhouse, could not care for FFN, enjoyed 300 but it's not going into my favourites' category.

The Hek

*Not so bloody, but still good: Episode 35 of the Audio Circus*

Friday, April 06, 2007

Go Habs Go!

It all comes down to this.

Tomorrow's Habs/Leafs game has major implications. Montreal is in the 8th and final playoff spot in the NHL's Eastern Conference. Toronto is in the 9th spot, one point behind the Canadiens. If the Habs get at least one point out of Saturday's match, they're in and the Leafs are out. If Toronto beats Montreal in regulation time, they take over the 8th spot and the Canadiens are out.

You know who I'm cheering for.

The Hek

PS: Toronto FC plays their first official game, this Saturday at 10pm against Chivas USA. Go TFC!

Thursday, April 05, 2007

The Three Part Secret

I was watching Maury Povich last week and saw this clip that was so horrible/funny.

"S" and "L" have been together for a number of years. They have known each other since Kindergarten. S and L want to get married and have a family; but before they do, S has to tell L about a secret he's been keeping from her. The secret comes in three parts.

Maury: Okay S, what is the first part of the secret?

S:
Well.....I've been cheating on L.

Audience:
Ohhhhhhh!

Maury:
What's the second part?

S:
Um......the person I've been having the affair with, is L's mother.

Audience:
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Maury:
How long have you been seeing L's mother?

S:
About three years.

Maury:
Alright, what's the third part?

S:
There's a possibility that I'm the father of L's little sister.

Audience:
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Maury:
Wow......when was the last time you slept with L's mother?

S:
This morning, just before the show.

Audience:

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!


In case you're wondering, L actually forgave S.

Scandalous. Absolutely, scandalous.

The Hek

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Take That, Peter Parker!

You Are Spider-Man

Quick and agile, you have killer instincts (literally).
And that kind of makes up for the whole creepy spider thing.


The Hek

*Be sure to catch Episode 34 of the Audio Circus*

Monday, April 02, 2007

So Many Events, Only One Space

A number of things have occurred over the last few days. To ensure full equality, I will say something for each occurrence:

- Happy Passover!

- For the first time in five years, the Raptors are going to the playoffs! They clinched a spot yesterday, after beating Charlotte. Now they set their sights on clinching their first division title. By the way, how great was Friday's match? MoPete.....circus shot.....GOOD!

- Baseball season has begun! The Jays won their opening match today. Needed some extra innings but, they got the job done.

- Wrestlemania 23 is in the books. Overall a good show. I'm happy about some of the results. Not too thrilled about others. Vince is bald, Trump got the Stone Cold Stunner, Cena made HBK tap out, and the Undertaker is 15-0 and the new World Heavyweight Champion.

- The OACT festival was fantastic! Congrats to everyone involved.

- I spent a rare Saturday night at home and I'm glad I did. Got to watch the Arcade Fire perform on SNL. Not only were they great but, the New York audience was really excited to see their performance. If I can find the video, I will post it.

- Juno Awards? Didn't watch. Sorry.

The Hek

*Always a great event: Episode 34 of the Audio Circus*

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Get Your Act Together

The Oakham Amateur Campus Theatre (OACT) presents: Get Your Act Together - A Festival of Short Plays.

Come out and see a hilarious evening of plays for only $5.00!

When: Thursday March 29th, 7:00 PM
Friday March 30th, 7:00 PM
Saturday March 31, 2:00 PM

Location: Student Campus Centre, Room 115, Ryerson University, 55 Gould Street, Toronto.


***A couple friends of mine worked really hard, writing and producing their own play. It's really good, trust me. Go out and support them. I'll be there on Friday.

The Hek

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

The Autumn Wind

The National Football League has a media division known as NFL Films.

During the season, crews are sent to every game, to capture the "sights and sounds." The footage is then taken and used for documentary specials about a certain player, team, season, or specific match.

What I find enjoyable about these documentaries, is how NFL Films can take a simple football game and turn it into an epic battle.

This is done by using powerful orchestral scores, a dramatic script, and a narrator with deep, Godlike voice, who reads the script. The most popular narrator for these films was a man named John Facenda. Football fans have described him as the "voice of God."

Here is an example called "The Autumn Wind." It's a montage dedicated to the 1974 Oakland Raiders. Notice the language and Facenda's strong vocals.



The Hek

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Get well, Garbo!

It seems that ankle injuries are the "soup de jour" for the Raptors these days.

Jose Calderon missed action with a sprained ankle. Anthony Parker went through the same thing. Chris Bosh had to leave Friday's game after hurting his ankle. It was probably still bothering him during last night's loss to Boston. It's probably why he wasn't as energetic as he usually is.

Then, there's what happened last night, to Jorge Garbajosa.

For those who don't know, "Garbo" was trying to prevent a Boston player from scoring. He jumped up to see if he could stop the ball and landed awkwardly on his left foot, wrecking his ankle. If you have a weak stomach, I strongly advise you not to watch the clip. It was not pretty.

Garbo was screaming in pain. Leo Rautins (and Eric Smith on radio) kept saying, "a foot should not be able to point that way." You knew it was bad when the training staff ran on the court and immediately threw a towel over the damaged foot. That's how bad it was. Garbo's season is over. He'll be facing months of recovery and rehab.

Here's what's bothering me: Even though Garbo is a rookie, he's actually 29-years-old. He's been playing professional basketball for a number of years in Europe. This happens to be his first season in the NBA. If he can't fully recover, then the Raptors might have to release him. No team in the NBA would take a guy in his thirties with a weak ankle. I am praying that won't happen. However, Garbo is a very strong person. He's tough on and off the court. There's no doubt that he will recover and be ready for the 2007-08 season.

Meanwhile, now more then ever, the Raptors have to increase their performance levels. No Bargnani, no Garbajosa; every player has to make up for their absence. The Raptors have boasted that the one word that describes them is resilient. It's time to show just how resilient they are.

The Hek

*It's here, finally! Episode 33 of the Audio Circus*

Monday, March 26, 2007

B***h Session

There are a lot of things on my mind lately. The more I keep these things to myself, the more angrier and frustrated I get. Therefore, as an act of therapy, I intend to go on a rant.

Please note: I am going to be ranting and complaining about certain issues pertaining to myself. If you don't like reading this kind of stuff, go to another website.


Still here? Okay. You've been warned.

Now, I was going to talk about an issue that deals with the community radio station I help out at. However, that issue has been cleared. I will now be able to watch my friends' play this Friday. I was also going to complain about my lack of employment; but, I don't want to sound like a broken record.

Issue 1 - Episode 33 of the Audio Circus has turned into a nightmare. Not only did it take me a long time to put the episode together but now, Odeo, the website that uploads the episodes, has been unable to properly upload #33. It keeps telling me that the file in invalid. It won't let me even upload other things as well. I spent most of my Sunday night, trying to get something that usually takes 20 minutes to work. My internet service is not that fast. I've wasted a lot of bandwidth.

This aggravation makes me question why I spend my Saturday and Sunday afternoon putting the show together. Sometimes, I just want stop doing the podcast and be rid of the stress it sometimes brings. But you see, I am my own worst enemy. I refuse to quit on things no matter how irritating they may become. It's one of my personal rules. I enjoy doing the Audio Circus. However, if uploading a simple episode becomes a daunting task, I'm going to have rethink this personal commitment.

Issue 2 - Some (but not all) of my friends, are way too uptight. Being with my friends allows me to relax. It allows me to forget about any troubles I have. The best part of hanging out with my friends, is that it's the only time when I feel safe enough to let my guard down. It's the only time where I don't have to think about what I want to say. It's the only time where I don't have to prepare a script.

When I'm with my friends, I like to joke around, I like to have fun, and I like to "goof off." It's my way of relaxing. It's my way of dealing with stress. However, when I joke around, have fun and goof off, some (but not all) of my friends get so worked up. Every time I open my mouth, they act as if I'm bringing them down to the lowest common denominator. GOD FORBID we take time out of taking life seriously, joke around and goof off! GOD FORBID we don't always act serious and mature when we're in the company of good friends!

It's starting to piss me off.

When you are with your friends, there's no need to act all serious and mature. You're not giving a university lecture. You're not at a bored meeting. You're not at a job interview. You're with your friends! It's okay to have fun with them. That's what friendship is all about. It's about providing everyone the opportunity to forget about serious issues and have a good time.

Look, if you don't like it when I relax (i.e.: joke around, have fun, goof off), then first off, I'm sorry. Second, if it bothers you, just ignore me or, take the rod out of your butt and for once in your life, chill out and relax.

Don't look down at me. Don't patronize me. Don't judge me. And, don't call me a dog and declare that I should eat chocolate cake out of a bowl, while all the civilized humans in the room, eat from plates and use forks. Hey, I love joking around and I don't mind getting zinged or burned; but that was flat out malicious. I would never say anything like that. Now, you're probably saying, "Come on, Hek. Whoever said that to you was probably just joking as well." Trust me, if you heard the tone in this person's voice, you would agree that it was malicious. I am very affected by a person's tone of voice. Be thankful I took the high road and kept my mouth shut. If this was ten years ago, there would've been psycho drama.

I refuse to stay silent so that certain friends can buy into this false conception that they're all sophisticated and high class.

*deep breath*

Okay. I feel a lot better now. I had to vent. It was eating me up inside. I vented. If you're reading this, thank you for letting me vent. It's time to move on.

The Hek

TAC

Friday, March 23, 2007

One For The Thumb

During my time at Carleton, the closest thing there was to a "star quarterback," was a guy simply known as Oz.

His full name was Osvlado Jeanty. He came to Carleton in 2002, to play for the men's basketball team. There was a lot of hype surrounding him. He was one of the top high school players in Ottawa. Usually, a university athlete is allowed to play for his/her team for a maximum of five years. When Jeanty started his career with the Ravens, he promised that Carleton would the reach the national finals, every year he played for them.

Last week, the Ravens won their fifth straight national title.

Jeanty has played a major role in this dynasty. He was the top scorer in the OUA a number of times and has won countless provincial and national awards. He's also been a great leader for the new players that have joined the team over the past five years.

In February, 2005, I was asked to do a profile on him for The Charlatan. It was a Sunday night and I left a message on his cell phone, requesting an interview. My deadline was the next morning and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to submit the article. Sunday night was the only possible time I could get him, as the Ravens were on the road for the entire weekend. Sure enough, at 11:30pm, he actually called me back. We had a great conversation and I learnt that he wasn't just a great player, but also a class act and an excellent ambassador for Carleton.

Here's the article.

Congratulations to the Ravens and Oz.

The Hek

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Follow That...........Hek

You Are Big Bird

Talented, smart, and friendly... you're also one of the sanest people around.

You are usually feeling: Happy. From riding a unicycle to writing poetry, you have plenty of hobbies to keep you busy.

You are famous for: Being a friend to everyone. Even the grumpiest person gets along with you.

How you live your life: Joyfully. "Super. Duper. Flooper."


I need to start looking for a big nest.

The Hek

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Bargnani Sidelined

Andrea Bargnani underwent surgery today to remove his appendix. The Raptors' rookie was hit with non-perforated acute appendicitis last night and had to get to the hospital right away. Basically, the appendix didn't rupture, but it was going to at any second. Bargnani is going to spend the next few days in hospital and it is unknown when he will return to the lineup. Most likely, he won't return until the playoffs. It all depends on his recovery.

First off: Thank God, Andrea is okay. It doesn't matter if you're an NBA star, a teacher, or a construction worker, your health always comes first.

Second (I say this as a Raptors' fan): This is bad. This is very, very bad.

Bargnani is having a great rookie season. He started off slow but has worked hard and improves with every game. He's getting a lot of attention around the NBA and is one of the factors for Toronto's phenomenal season. Without him, the Raptors would not be in first place in their division and 4th place in the conference.

Will this hurt the Raptors? Absolutely; but, only if they allow it.

From now until the end of the regular season, the Raptors have to step up their play. No cruise control, no mailing it in. The Raptors have to play as if they were hanging on to a playoff spot for dear life. Every single player, needs to increase their output. It doesn't matter whether it's all-star Chris Bosh or the players that only see 4-5 minutes of action like Uros Slokar and PJ
Tucker. Everyone has to put in a huge effort and make up for the absence of their teammate.

As Chuck Swirsky noted in his blog, Bargnani is very young (21 to be exact). Therefore, his body will be able to recover faster. Of course, you can't rush him back and the Raptors are fully aware of that.

Along with this, I read yesterday that BJ Ryan has been dealing with a sore back. There's a chance that the Blue Jays' closer won't be able to pitch again until either the end of spring training or, the start of the regular season.

BJ Ryan, the Jays' best relief pitcher, missing action? That is bad. That is very, very bad.

The Hek

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Happy Birthday, Mr. Wood!

Today, andpop.com writer and good friend, Mr. Wood (Mirrostone's Reflections), is celebrating his 24th birthday.

Therefore, I would like to wish Mr. Wood a very Happy Birthday.

I'm looking forward to his birthday party; especially after last year's party, which was off the charts.

When Mr. Wood hosts a party, he goes all out. Last year, there were Vegas Show Girls, five fountains, caviar, a number of exotic animals, and a hot tub. He also managed to get Jay-Z to perform. The birthday cake was filled with chocolate and vodka. Everyone slept over! I woke up the following day next to a Brazilian model, while being watched by a lemur. Man, that was a great party.

Oh wait.....................that might have been just a dream.

The Hek

*Perfect for any birthday: Episode 32 of the Audio Circus*

Monday, March 19, 2007

That's It! I'm Moving!

Destination.....

You Belong in Dublin

Friendly and down to earth, you want to enjoy Europe without snobbery or pretensions.
You're the perfect person to go wild on a pub crawl... or enjoy a quiet bike ride through the old part of town.


I hope the Irish like baseball.

The Hek

*Perfect for any journey: Episode 32 of the Audio Circus*

Friday, March 16, 2007

Understanding Viva

Wow.

I can't remember the last time I skipped a post during the week. Unfortunately, I have been swamped with lots of projects. Therefore, yesterday's blog entry had to be sacrificed.

Anyway, I've been thinking about York Region Transit's Viva service.

Viva is the rapid transit services and tends to have longer routes. It was designed to cover anything north of Steeles Avenue. There are five routes: blue, pink, green, yellow and purple. However, there is just one problem: all the buses are all blue.

If you have never used Viva and were told to take the "pink bus," you're going to be in a little trouble. Unless, of course, you notice the electronic sign on the top of the bus. Still, you have to think that there will continue to be situations where people miss the bus because they were looking for pink bus, a green bus, a yellow bus, or a purple bus.

Maybe it would be easier if instead of colours, the routes used names or numbers. The Blue route could be 500, Pink would be 510, Green would be 520, Yellow would be 530, and purple would be 540; or, Blue could be "Viva Yonge" (travels up and down Yonge St.), Pink could be "Viva Finch-Unionvile" (travels between the Finch TTC station and Unionville GO Station), Green could be "Viva Seneca" (travels between Markville Mall in Markham and the Don Mills TTC station, while stopping at Senaca's Newham campus), Yellow could be "Viva Vaughn-York" (travels from Vaughn to York University), and Purple could be "Viva York" (Vaughn - York University - Markville Mall).

Maybe it's my ego talking, but I feel this plan is foolproof.

Regardless, I'm sure there's a logical explanation as to why the routes were named after colours, even though all the buses are blue. At least, I hope there is.

The Hek

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Widget Try Out

A widget is a window of one website, placed on another website. All you need is a site's RSS feed and you're all set. I want to use this for some CHEV products; so, I thought I would test it here first.

Something should appear on the left side of this page.


The Hek

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Celebrating 24 Years

As I have said in the past, my birthday is a weird day for me. I enjoy all the attention but, I also feel embarrassed about it.

What's most noteworthy was that it was 15'C in Toronto today. Although I have nothing to back this up, there might be a correlation between my birthday and today's great weather.

To everyone who sent their wishes, I thank you. One of the best things I have experienced in my life, is meeting many wonderful people.

Now, the answers to yesterday's anagram challenge:

1. (hockey player) Zany tyke grew WAYNE GRETZKY

2. (musician) Gig jerk cam MICK JAGGER

3. (Canadian politician) Red hot cannibals BELINDA STRONACH

4. (wrestler) Frail cir RIC FLAIR

5. (actor) Lake thievery HARVEY KIETEL

6. (blogger) Sickener hero ERIC ROSENHEK ;-)

The Hek

*Catch Episode 31 of The Audio Circus*

Monday, March 12, 2007

Fun With Anagrams

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to figure out who the celebrity is, by rearranging the letters. If you're successful, you might as well call yourself Robert Langdon or, Sophie Neveu.

Good luck.

1. (hockey player) Zany tyke grew

2. (musician) Gig jerk cam

3. (Canadian politician) Red hot cannibals

4. (wrestler) Frail cir

5. (actor) Lake thievery

6. (blogger) Sickener hero

The Hek

*It's back! The Audio Circus! Episode 31 is now available.*

Friday, March 09, 2007

New Podcast

The Audio Circus will return with a new episode, this Sunday. Meanwhile, I have begun a second podcast involving CHEV.

CHEV Radio Podcasts features clips from the current lineup of shows. Right now, I've started with Bring The Noise. I hope to include other programs very shortly. It's sort of a work in progress but, good enough to be launched.

Enjoy.

The Hek

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Love Is A Burning Thing

The man in black, makes his second appearance on The Hek's Super Playlist. Two Canadian artists are also making their first appearance. New entries in Red.

1. Kennedy Killed the Hat - Buck 65
2. I bought some books - Black Boot Trio
3. Watching the Wheels - John Lennon
4. Vacation - The Go-Go's
5. Like a Prayer - Madonna
6. Night Swimming - REM
7. Chicago - Sufjan Stevens
8. Ring, Ring - Abba
9. Call on Me - Eric Prydz
10. November Rain - Guns N Roses
11. Cruel Summer - Bannanarama
12. Hung up - Madonna
13. 463 - Buck 65
14. Judy is a Punk - The Ramones
15. The Laws have Changed - The New Pornographers
16. Portland, Oregon - Loretta Lynn feat. Jack White
17. Suzanne - Leonard Cohen
18. The Card Cheat - The Clash
19. Canadian Railroad Trilogy - Gordon Lightfoot
20. Boys in the Bright White Sports Car - Trooper
21. Mandy - Barry Manilow
22. Let's Get Together - Al Green
23. Mickey - Toni Basil
24. Bodies - Drowning Pool
25. Folson Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
26. Bawitaba - Kid Rock
27. Losing Grip - Avril Lavigne
28. City of New Orleans - Arlo Guthrie
29. Pump it - Black Eye Peas
30. Lonely Old Eyes - Neko Case
31. Immigrant Song - Led Zepplin
32. Philadelphia Freedom - Elton John
33. Don't Walk Away Eileen - Sam Roberts
34. Bring the Noise - Public Enemy & Anthrax
35. Maneater - Nelly Furtado
36. Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves - Cher
37. My Immortal - Evanescense
38. Hips Don't Lie - Shakira
39. Welcome to the Jungle - Guns and Roses
40. Bad Habit - The Offspring
41. LDN - Lily Allen
42. Man I use to Be - K-OS
43. Lolipop - Aqua
44. Banquet - Bloc Party
45. The Sign - Ace of Base
46. Rise Above - Black Flag
47. Devil Went Down to Georgia - Charlie Daniels Band
48. Thank God I'm a Country Boy - John Denver
49. Hello - Lionel Richie
50. River - Joni Mitchell
51. Romantic Rights - Death From Above 1979
52. Knock on Wood - Amy Stewart
53. My Heart Skips A Beat - Buck Owens
54. Levon - Elton John
55. Use It - The New Pornographers
56. The Boy In The Bubble - Paul Simon
57. Graceland - Paul Simon
58. Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac
59. Head Over Feet - Alanis Morrisette
60. Ring Of Fire - Johnny Cash
61. Inside And Out - Feist

The Hek

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

For Your Consideration...

Captain America is dead

- You know, this Marvel Civil War has got to end.

*

Mom, Husband Accused Of Giving Tot, Pot

- If proven to be true, this couple has lost any chance of winning the "parents of the year" award.

*

Wisconsin man calls cops to tell them he's having trouble breaking into church

- Not sure what to make of this one.


The Hek

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Let's Get Green!

The Environment has become a very important topic.

Everyone is trying to live a "green" life. The only problem is that we're only told why we should go green, instead of why and how.

This afternoon, I was listening to CBC Radio's Here and Now and discovered a website that offers answers on how to live a more environmentally-friendly life. The site is called Greenopolis.ca. It's part blog and part directory. What's interesting about the site is that it provides listings of products, services and businesses, that are safe for the environment. For example, let's say you wanted to do some renovations. Instead of getting a contractor from one of the "big box" stores, you can try places that reuse materials like Habitat For Humanity's ReStores.

What I like about the site, is that it offers to make it "easier for busy people to live greener lives guilt-free and down-to-earth." That's a big deal for me because if there's one thing I don't like, it's environmentalists who condemn people without explaining what they're doing wrong or providing alternative methods.

Whether you care about the environment or not, the site offers some good tips. It's essentially, some green food for thought.

The Hek

TAC

Monday, March 05, 2007

Who Wants To Interpret My Dream?

Here's what happened?

I was playing for the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats. We were facing the New York Knicks and the game was taking place from a community gymnasium. After the game, I was outside and all these buses started to crash into each other. It was chaotic. People were injured and everyone was freaking out. Next thing I know, I'm standing in the middle of a grassy field. It was a warm summer's day and there were lots of people playing sports. I remember seeing a large water tower.

Then, I woke up.

And, GO!

The Hek

Friday, March 02, 2007

Before A Night Of Jazz

living a full life
bringing passion at no expense
you still need a bath

The Hek

RIP Buster. I'll miss you.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

A Sense Of Irony

This afternoon, the Greater Toronto Area was hit by a massive snowstorm.

Meanwhile, in Dunedin, Florida, the Blue Jays played their first pre-season game; a 4-1 win over Boston.

So there I was.

Driving in the midst of a snowstorm, in bumper to bumper traffic, back window completely covered, while listening to a baseball game, taking place in Florida.

I am a winter hater.

The Hek

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Cher - At The Oscars, 1986

Wow.

Call me crazy, but I think she went a little heavy on the hairspray.

I think that's her hair.

The Hek

TAC

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Cheney Is Armed?

It was quite the day for the Vice President.

Someone tried to assassinate him through a suicide bombing. Fortunately, the attempt was unsuccessful. Unfortunately, about 20 people lost their lives in the blast.

Take a look at this picture. Take a closer look at Dick Cheney's left foot.



Is it me, or is the Vice President wearing an ankle holster and possibly carrying a firearm? Maybe there was a wind when this photo was taken. However, you have to wonder.

The Hek

Monday, February 26, 2007

The Oscars Are Too Long!

No kidding, eh?

Seriously, three hours and forty-five minutes is way too long for an awards show. I felt it was dragging on by the end. The program could have easily been shaved down to three hours and possibly, two hours and thirty minutes.

Was it really necessary to have performances for every song nominated for Best Original Song? Did we really have to hear about the lives of screenwriters? Was there a point to "America On Film?"

Here's how I would schedule the Academy Awards:

There would only be presentations for the ten categories that receive the most coverage (Best Motion Picture, Best Lead Actor, Best Lead Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Original Song, Best Foreign Feature, Best Animated Feature). Then, include the Lifetime Achievement award, a vignette dedicated to those who passed away, and a performance of the song, that won the award for Best Original Song. Total time - Three hours, give or take a few minutes.

As for the remaining categories, they can be presented during a ceremony which, is aired over the internet or, on a channel that's affiliated with the host broadcaster. For example, the main show airs on ABC, while the other categories are shown on Disney Channel or ABC Family. This way, the casual fans don't have to sit through presentations they don't know about; and the enthusiasts, won't feel cheated.

Anyway, I am glad that Scorsese finally won an Oscar. The Departed is a great film, but not his best. It's certainly in the top five.

By the way, how can an awards show (using lots of electricity) "go green?" Were they using different light bulbs? Were the statuettes made of recycled scarp metal?

I'm just wondering.

The Hek

Friday, February 23, 2007

Welcome To The World Of Gentlemen, Gentlemen.

I have never been a big fan of car commercials but, I have to mention this one.



Talk about absurdity. It's like something out of a play that's written by Eugene Ionesco.

It's funny. It's memorable. However, it's not going to make me want to buy a Cadillac. And what does it say about Cadillac's take on gender equity? Heck, I didn't even know there was a world of gentlemen.

I wonder where I would go to sign up ;-)

The Hek

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Exploitation Double Feature

I have found another film, that I must see.

During last week's episode of Smackdown, a trailer for this movie was aired and suddenly, I was hooked.

It's called Grindhouse and features two of my favourite directors, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez.

The build for this feature is that it contains two full-length films. Up first, will be Rodriguez's Planet Terror and then, Tarantino's Death Proof. There will also be "fake trailers" at the beginning and middle of the entire presentation.

Needless to say, I intend to coarse my friends into watching this film with me. It's only fair since these same friends, will want me watch this animation/live action film with them. Unfortunately, the name escapes me. 349 or, something along those lines.

The Hek

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

01.20.09

What will happen on January 20th, 2009?

Is it:

a. A party for George Burns' 113th birthday
b. The NHL All-Star game
c. George W. Bush's last day in office
d. The Royal Rumble

If your answer is "C," congratulations! You are correct.

January 20th, 2009, will mark the day when Bush hands over power to the new President. In honour of this occasion, there is a website counting down the days, second by second.

I give you bushslastday.com

The website describes itself as a "wake up call for those of us that are frustrated with President Bush and his administration." It provides a critique on Bush's term in office. But more importantly, the site has a store where you can buy all types of products, that bare the slogan, "01.20.09 - Bush's Last Day." Some of these products also come with an actual countdown clock.

No doubt, a perfect gift for all your left wing friends and family members.

The Hek

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

The Days Of Miracle And Wonder

Paul Simon's Graceland is an amazing album. I'd love to add all the songs to The Hek's Super Playlist. But, that wouldn't be fair. So I decided to pick my two favourites.

New entries are in red.

1. Kennedy Killed the Hat - Buck 65
2. I bought some books - Black Boot Trio
3. Watching the Wheels - John Lennon
4. Vacation - The Go-Go's
5. Like a Prayer - Madonna
6. Night Swimming - REM
7. Chicago - Sufjan Stevens
8. Ring, Ring - Abba
9. Call on Me - Eric Prydz
10. November Rain - Guns N Roses
11. Cruel Summer - Bannanarama
12. Hung up - Madonna
13. 463 - Buck 65
14. Judy is a Punk - The Ramones
15. The Laws have Changed - The New Pornographers
16. Portland, Oregon - Loretta Lynn feat. Jack White
17. Suzanne - Leonard Cohen
18. The Card Cheat - The Clash
19. Canadian Railroad Trilogy - Gordon Lightfoot
20. Boys in the Bright White Sports Car - Trooper
21. Mandy - Barry Manilow
22. Let's Get Together - Al Green
23. Mickey - Toni Basil
24. Bodies - Drowning Pool
25. Folson Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
26. Bawitaba - Kid Rock
27. Losing Grip - Avril Lavigne
28. City of New Orleans - Arlo Guthrie
29. Pump it - Black Eye Peas
30. Lonely Old Eyes - Neko Case
31. Immigrant Song - Led Zepplin
32. Philadelphia Freedom - Elton John
33. Don't Walk Away Eileen - Sam Roberts
34. Bring the Noise - Public Enemy & Anthrax
35. Maneater - Nelly Furtado
36. Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves - Cher
37. My Immortal - Evanescense
38. Hips Don't Lie - Shakira
39. Welcome to the Jungle - Guns and Roses
40. Bad Habit - The Offspring
41. LDN - Lily Allen
42. Man I use to Be - K-OS
43. Lolipop - Aqua
44. Banquet - Bloc Party
45. The Sign - Ace of Base
46. Rise Above - Black Flag
47. Devil Went Down to Georgia - Charlie Daniels Band
48. Thank God I'm a Country Boy - John Denver
49. Hello - Lionel Richie
50. River - Joni Mitchell
51. Romantic Rights - Death From Above 1979
52. Knock on Wood - Amy Stewart
53. My Heart Skips A Beat - Buck Owens
54. Levon - Elton John
55. Use It - The New Pornographers
56. The Boy In The Bubble - Paul Simon
57. Graceland - Paul Simon
58. Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac

The Hek

*Very Niiiice: Episode 30 of the Audio Circus*

Monday, February 19, 2007

A Free Flow Of Thought

I am unable to decide on a topic for today's post. So, I will be writing about a number of things. Here we go.

Mike Awesome has passed away at the age of 42. Part of WWE and WCW, Awesome will be remembered mostly for his work in the original ECW. A very dominant champion, he was part of many memorable feuds and matches with wrestlers such as Maesato Tanaka, Tazz, and Spike Dudley. He fought Tanaka at the One Night Stand PPV in 2005 and this was said to be the best match of the show. I had a chance to watch him live in September, 2001, when he took on Albert/A-Train. Rest in peace, Mr. Awesome.

Heads up to those who have Satellite Radio receivers. Sirius and XM are in the process of merging. No word yet on how this will affect certain channels or, if you will have to get a new receiver.

The Canadiens have done something they haven't done in awhile; they won a hockey game!

Good call on the Blue Jays for giving John Gibbons a contract extension. He has certainly earned it. Now, as long as none of the pitchers get hurt, we might make the playoffs.

Saw a pretty good film, over the weekend. It's a Spanish film called Talk To Her. Good choice if you have a significant other coming over.

Finally, Brittany Spears..........shaved head............not even going to go there.

The Hek

*Catch Episode Thirty of the Audio Circus*

Friday, February 16, 2007

0 For 11

I didn't forget. I just wasn't able to post this last week.

*

And now, the Maury Povich "You Are Not The Father" Moment Of The Week.

Preamble: The woman in this clip, had appeared in ten separate episodes. Each time, she accused a different man of being the father of her child. Each DNA test came back negative. Will the 11th time be the charm?



It's so horrible, it's funny.

The Hek

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Greatest Theme Ever

I never watched this show.

The only thing I remember about it, was the theme song.

Quite frankly, I think it's the best opening theme, when compared to all other well-known themes.

You be the judge.



The Hek

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Trump vs. McMahon

The biggest show in Wrestling is right around the corner.

Wrestlemania 23 will take place on April 1st from Detroit. Already, it seems that this year's edition will be a classic. Shawn Micheals will challenge John Cena for the WWE title, while Batista defends the World Title against The Undertaker, who is 15-0 at Wrestlemania. Those two matches will certainly receive a build up, over the next few weeks. However, there is also another match that is going to receive a lot of attention from outside the wrestling world.

Donald Trump will take on Vince McMahon in a "hair vs. hair" match.

At this point, I should point out that neither Trump nor McMahon will actually be wrestling (thank goodness). The billionaires will each select one wrestler to fight on their behalf. Whoever wins the match, will get to shave the loser's head in front of the entire world. In other words, if Trump wins, then Vinnie-Mac is leaving Detroit with a buzz cut; and if McMahon wins, then the Donald's world famous golden locks, will be GONE.

Right now, I would bet that Trump manages to keep his helmet hair in tact.

The Hek

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

You Can't Be Serious

I had the strangest dream last night.

I dreamt that there was this film coming out in a few weeks. It was about a farmer who use to work for NASA. He always wanted to fly to space; so, he built his very own rocket ship in his barn. Apparently, the government found out and tried to stop the farmer. However, the farmer was so determined to achieve his goal, that he risked everything and went ahead with his plans. Despite the government's constant interference, the farmer managed to blast off and become the first..........astronaut farmer.

Thank goodness that was just a dream.

I know movies are about suspending our beliefs. But honestly, who's going to buy into a film about a farmer who somehow manages to gather all the necessary parts needed for a rocket ship and is able to build it without any flaws? Besides, even if the farmer was successful, the launch would result in the entire farm being destroyed.

Fortunately, we all know Hollywood would never allow such a ridiculous film to be made, right?




Oh no....

I guess it wasn't a dream.

The Hek

*Before you fly off to space, check out Episode 29 of the Audio Circus*

Monday, February 12, 2007

One Word.....Beyoncé

I watched about five minutes of The Grammy Awards last night.

Had to see The Police. I was hoping they would either kick off the show with a bang; or, start fighting with each other. In the end, we got the former. It was a good performance and it was no surprise that they performed "Roxanne." Personally, I was hoping they would have done "Message In A Bottle" or "Walking On The Moon." I also watched the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform.

By the way, this is a message to Fergie: When you're reading something off a teleprompter, please pace yourself. Trust me, it will sound a whole lot better then stumbling on your words and making no sense. Definitely not Fergalicious.

Did anybody else watch the show?

The Hek

*Here's something Fergalicious: Episode 29 of the Audio Circus*

Friday, February 09, 2007

Anna Nicole Smith, 24/7, CNN

It was a bizarre end to a bizarre life.

However, I am not here to eulogize the life of Anna Nicole Smith. Instead, I wish to write about a certain media channel’s coverage, that I found to be a bit disturbing.

Most newspapers, television and radio stations, gave Smith’s death a respectful amount of coverage. You either had an 800-1000 word article or a standard 2-3 minute news piece. Say what you will about her, Anna Nicole still died, way before she should have. Whether you agreed with her actions or not, she deserves a proper memorial. Most media outlets followed through on this. CNN, on the other hand, went way beyond what was necessary.

CNN gave extensive coverage on Smith’s death; and when I say extensive, I mean EXTENSIVE. Every image, every caption, every scroll bar, everything that was said, all focused on Anna Nicole. The last time CNN gave a story such wide and in-depth coverage, would be Hurricane Katrina. Anna Nicole's passing was the main story on The Situation Room. Wolf Blitzer was talking about Anna Nicole instead of the usual world and political issues that his show covers. If you never knew who she was and you watched CNN yesterday afternoon, you would think that Anna Nicole Smith was the President of the United States and she had just been assassinated. No disrespect to Smith or her family, but was all this “extensive” coverage from CNN, really necessary?

I would understand if this was the death of a much loved world leader or a head of state. But let’s face facts. She’s just a model and a reality-television star. On a scale of important figures, Anna Nicole is most likely to be in the middle then at the top. And what happens when another pop-culture figure passes away? Will he or she receive the same attention that was given to Anna Nicole?

What’s really sad was that it wasn’t a “slow news day.” There were events taking place in Israel, Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq and in the US. Each having more importance then giving an intense analysis to the untimely death of a celebrity.

Clearly, it would appear that CNN follows a bad set of priorities.

The Hek

Thursday, February 08, 2007

I Haiku You

waking up alone
makes me feel empty inside
and hungry as well

The Hek

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

The Colonel Is Voting Republican

Although the next US election won't occur until November, 2008, a number of Presidential campaigns have already started. Those who are hoping to replace George W. Bush, include Barack Obama, Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton. These three candidates are all hoping to make history.

If Obama wins, he will become the first African-American President. If Giuliani wins, he will become the first Italian-American President. And if Clinton wins, she'll become the first female President and the first First Lady to achieve such a feat.

However, it seems that Colonel Sanders is not supporting Ms. Clinton.


I smell a Liberal boycott.

Thanks to Blake for the picture.

The Hek

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Fill In The Blanks..........NOW!

1. Garth Turner's decision to join the Liberal party was a ______ idea.

2. The only person that can make a unibrow look good is _________.

3. My favourite TTC subway station is _________.

4. Facebook is _________ then Myspace.

5. The actions of Kim Nowak are __________.

6. Like a bridge over _______ waters.

7. The Chicago Bears lost Super Bowl XLI because of ____________.

8. The most talented member of the Jackson 5 was __________.

9. Jack Layton is a _________ leader.

10. I ______ snow.

Thanks for playing.

The Hek

*Now that you're done, why not kick back and listen to Episode 28 of the Audio Circus*

Monday, February 05, 2007

Here's To You, Tony Dungy

Congratulations to the Indianapolis Colts.

At first, it appeared that their nerves were getting the best of them. You had the kick off return by Chicago. Then, the Colts received two false start penalties, followed by Payton Manning throwing an interception. It also started to rain which I figured would favour the Bears since they're use to playing in Soldier Field, which experiences all types of crazy weather, whereas the Colts play more games in an indoor stadium. But, Indy settled down and took charge when it mattered the most. The defence was clutch, especially in the 4th quarter, when the Colts forced Chicago's Rex Grossman to throw two interceptions. One of which was returned for a touchdown and in my opinion, was the moment that solidified Indy's victory.

If there is one person on the Colts that I am really happy for, it's their head coach, Tony Dungy.

Dungy is one of the most respected coaches in the National Football League. This admiration is not only for his work on the field, but also for his work off the field. Unlike other coaches in the NFL and other professional sports leagues, he is very respectful to his players and doesn't raise his voice or go on a power trip.

Fourteen months ago, Dungy was probably at the top of his game, when tragedy struck his family.

Three days before Christmas, Dungy's 18-year-old son, James, died of a drug overdose. A preliminary coroner's report showed that James had committed suicide. The death was devastating to Dungy, his family, and the Colts.

At the time, the Colts were having a phenomenal season. They went an impressive 13-0 before finishing the 2005 campaign with a record of 14-2. Many had picked Indy to win the Super Bowl. However, James' death clearly affected the Colts, who seemed to lack the desire and energy they showed for most of the season. They ended up being eliminated by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs. Nobody could blame Tony Dungy if he wasn't focused on winning. The fact that he was able to return to the sidelines, just a couple of weeks after burying his son, was something no one was expecting.

One could only imagine the pain Dungy was and probably still is feeling. The worst thing for any parent is outliving a son or a daughter. I hope I never have to go through that. I pray that it never happens to any of my friends or family. You have to appreciate how Dungy was able to come back this season despite carrying such a heavy burden.

The Colts were not as impressive as they were in 2005. They went 12-4 and failed to earn a bye to the second round of the playoffs, as they had done in the previous year. However, they managed to fight their way to the championship. Many teams are not be able to hold on, when it appears that any chance of winning would end up unfulfilled. I believe the Colts were able to win because of the strength and leadership provided by Dungy. He is not only their head coach but also an inspiration and a metaphor for overcoming your deepest sorrow.

Of course, winning the Super Bowl will not bring back his son. However, it will help ease the pain, just a little bit.

Here's to you, Tony Dungy.

The Hek

*Catch Episode 28 of the Audio Circus*

Friday, February 02, 2007

Super Sunday

After much thought and analysis, I have decided to endorse the Indianapolis Colts. I am predicting that Payton Manning will lead the Colts to victory and be crowned the champions of Super Bowl XLI. My apologies to all those who are supporting the Chicago Bears.

For those who will be watching the Super Bowl for the festivities rather then the actual game, here is some important information: (1.) Gloria Estefan will be performing during the "pre-game" show. Usually, a Super Bowl pre-game show starts at 1:oo and goes until 6:00, so be sure to check CBS's schedule to find out the exact time of when Ms. Estefan goes on. (2.) Billy Joel will be singing the national anthem. (3.) Prince will be the main act for the half-time show. I'm really excited for this. As long as he sticks with his tunes from the 1980's and stays away from any of the new stuff, the show will be off the charts.

Enjoy the game.

And now, the Maury Povich "You Are Not The Father" moment of the week:



Like I said, this is so horrible, it's funny.

The Hek

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Panic In Boston

You've probably heard about what happened in Boston, yesterday afternoon.

Parts of the city were shut down due to the discovery of multiple unknown objects that were thought to be bombs. The objects were actually lightboards featuring a portrait of "Err," a character from the adult program, Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

Needless to say, when a major American metropolis discovers weird electronic devices placed all around the city, their first thought isn't an elaborate ad for a television show. It's sad, but such are the times we live in. Needless to say, the two men responsible for the advertisements are in big trouble. One of them also needs a haircut very badly. But, that's just my opinion.

The only reason why I want to bring this up, is because I love Aqua Teen Hunger Force. It's an awesome show. In fact, there's going to be a film released later this year. This can mean only one thing: The Hek has found his must-see film of the year.

For the last few years, I have chosen a movie that is so cheesy, I must see it despite it's lack of critical acclaim. In 2005 it was Dukes of Hazzard while Snakes On A Plane, represented my 2006 choice. Both films were equally enjoyable. I hope the same can said in 2007 for Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theatres.

Yes, that's apparently the title for the film. Yes, someone or a group of people I know, will be dragged to this film.

The Hek