In a recent TV interview on the subject of Andy Warhol, whose exhibit at the AGO he curated, David Cronenberg said something to the effect that “To maintain an identity is a creative act, an act of will. Not everyone does it well.” In his view, Warhol created an identity for himself so compelling that [...]
Anger Management
”When angry, count to four. When very angry, swear.” Mark Twain
You rarely see the word ‘anger’ without ‘management’ tacked on to it these days. Well, with Zidane headbutting an insulting opponent (no street cred with that one), and now a jockey headbutting his horse… Does ripping up superseded documents count as anger management? It works [...]
Happiness is in Inverse Relation to Your Expectations
Having read some of the user reviews before going to see Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man, I was aware that the musical performances in this tribute to the songwriter/poet were uneven. Despite the amateurish nature of this documentary (I found myself longing for a Scorsese or Demme behind the viewfinder), and a couple of truly [...]
Heat Rash or Allergies – You Decide
I am covered with a lovely rash like the one in the picture, thanks to: either an afternoon out in the sun, or, eating raspberries which were probably not organic, or using a popular brand of detergent which includes fabric softener. Purists will say that I shouldn’t use either with three alternatives – I say, let [...]
Boredom
I’m so very bored that I feel numb all over, as if I’m floating in a pool of warm water. I’ve got the white noise of my computer fans humming in the background, along with some real, stand-up portable fans as the AC doesn’t work very well on really hot days, and different times blinking [...]
More Film Reviews
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada : Tommy Lee Jones doesn’t like it when you beat up or accidently kill illegal Mexican immigrants. He does, however, like Sam Peckinpah and Jim Jarmusch. Old and a bit tired. (I wonder if Lou Dobbs liked this film).
Brick: Cute. As cute as a basketfull of pimply-faced, smart-assed, drug-pushing puppies.
Jake the Plumber
My drains are clogged, I need a plumber
When it comes to being handy, no one could be dumber
The water is sitting in my kitchen sink double
Have to wash dishes in the tub – I know I’m in trouble
Now I’ll have to pay for a tradesman to show
And all because I bought a condo!
A Scanner Darkly
I don’t remember when I first discovered Philip K. Dick, but I think it was back in the ’90s. I must have picked up a copy of Radio Free Albemuth, an alternate, more mainstream version of his visionary novel Valis, published posthumously. Not a SF fan, I must have been drawn to it for its size [...]
Shaving Cuts
I cut my leg this morning while shaving and had my first opportunity to use a liquid Band-Aid, which had the consistency and odour of nail polish – it was just like patching up a run in a pair of pantyhose! I knew all along this was not ‘real’ reality…
TTC Yonge Line North, 7:36 a.m.
On the subway this morning I saw a man dressed in a windbreaker, dark trousers and Oxfords, with his head on his knees, sleeping (or dead). He did not move for the full 20 minutes I was on the train. Other passengers glanced at him, then avoided that section of the car. Makes you wonder what [...]
