I'm sorry it's been so long since my last post. I know a lot of you loyal readers out there have been holding your breath. Or is that breaths?
You may have noticed my facebook profile recently. I usually like to mix up my personal info on my profile: change my interests to these really trivial and funny things I've been thinking about, write down the movies I've recently seen in theatres, just keep it fresh and simple, always changing, never too long, you know? But all that's changed now. I'm making a list. The one list that will define so much of who I am now and who I have been all my life. I am making my ultimate, mega, supra list of favo(u)rite television shows. One that continues to grow, and will until the day I die.
I don't know why I started it, but it's a part of my life now. I frequently find myself in the middle of something that should be requiring my complete attention (like sleep) and I'll stop everything when I remember that I've always loved Tiny Toon Adventures (and always will) and it's not on the list yet. (Don't worry it's there now)
I have mentioned a small number of these shows already (Avatar, The Tudors) but over the next few weeks I would like to introduce you to some of the gems of my list and perhaps explain to you why the show made the list and what makes me love it!
I will be calling this series Telly on Telly. Enjoy.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
A Dream, That Came Through a Million Years
I'm having a stars-aligned moment right now. It's like all these really important things in my life have become pieces to this giant puzzle that's always been right in front of me, I just hadn't looked at it the right way:
My interest in Greek mythology. That time I was twelve and discovered disco music, and subsequently became a crusader for its everlasting life. My love of musicals on both stage and screen. Postmodernism, the adsurd and ironic pieces of art. My secret crush on Gene Kelly, who will always be the best. My recent discovery of and obsession with ELO. How "Hopelessly Devoted to You" is my favourite song from Grease and is (up until now) the jewel atop the bedazzling tiara that is Olivia Newton-John's career. How I strive to cultivate a world of varied and eclectic dance styles. Disco Night at the Commodore, and how that shaped the way I define a nightclub. These pieces of me, they've all appeared to me in a vision. This vision is known only as...
XANADU!
My interest in Greek mythology. That time I was twelve and discovered disco music, and subsequently became a crusader for its everlasting life. My love of musicals on both stage and screen. Postmodernism, the adsurd and ironic pieces of art. My secret crush on Gene Kelly, who will always be the best. My recent discovery of and obsession with ELO. How "Hopelessly Devoted to You" is my favourite song from Grease and is (up until now) the jewel atop the bedazzling tiara that is Olivia Newton-John's career. How I strive to cultivate a world of varied and eclectic dance styles. Disco Night at the Commodore, and how that shaped the way I define a nightclub. These pieces of me, they've all appeared to me in a vision. This vision is known only as...
XANADU!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
And a Happy Happy Birthday To...
WARREN SCHINDLER!
My dearest, bestest friend, since the fourth grade! Every year it's a two day extravaganza of fun, friends and celebration.
Have a good one today, Warren! You deserve it!
My dearest, bestest friend, since the fourth grade! Every year it's a two day extravaganza of fun, friends and celebration.
Have a good one today, Warren! You deserve it!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Happy Birthday To...
Nick Cobb
My Uncle Chris
The lovely Dr. Susan Corso
Chris Fairweather
Bizzy Herman
James Esdaile
J. Po!
Laurel Fryer's Dad
Laurence Senelick, if I'm not mistaken
That crazy lady that was in the store earlier this week
Pavaroti, but he's dead
...AND ME!!
Sometimes I think it's more special to share the day!
My Uncle Chris
The lovely Dr. Susan Corso
Chris Fairweather
Bizzy Herman
James Esdaile
J. Po!
Laurel Fryer's Dad
Laurence Senelick, if I'm not mistaken
That crazy lady that was in the store earlier this week
Pavaroti, but he's dead
...AND ME!!
Sometimes I think it's more special to share the day!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The Good Ol' Days
Remember when your facebook profile displayed the day you joined right below your birthday? Remember when you could be a "groupie," which meant that you weren't in a particular group, but you were totally a fan? Remember when facebook was just for college students? Remember when Notes became a new application?
I'm so totally sick of getting lame "vampire requests" from people I hardly even really know. Or "likeness quizzes." Or zombie bites. I mean, seriously. Are we really giving each other virtual zombie bites in a virtually public place where everyone we know and are even remotely connected to can see and judge?
Don't get me wrong; I have a couple applications (the video application doesn't count because it's practical). I have the Chess application. This is so that I can intellectually rival my peers in a classic and internationally respected way. I also recently added the Harry Potter Spell Casting application, or something like that. This is purely so I can pretend that I go to Hogwart's and got sorted into Ravenclaw with my friend Brendan and all the other sparklingly clever peers we have and that lovely crest can be emblazoned next to my wall for all to see and covet.
So far the crest is working. I really love rubbing my intelligence, wit and non-conformity in the faces of all those wannabes that sorted themselves into Gryffindor in the hopes of pretending that their bitter, desperate little lives are better because they are that much closer to being like Harry Potter. Pssht...get over it!
The Chess application is terrible. It does the opposite of the Ravenclaw crest: I've lost 2 of 2 games and I'm pretty good at chess! I think it's because the games take place over many days. And I only get my moves in in between wall posts or photo creeps, so I'm never really concentrating. And I'm always rushed because I'm afraid my boss or coworkers will find me playing games by means of the online community they clearly know I'm dependent on. Needless to say, the chess ain't working out for me.
All in all, I'd say facebook was better when I didn't have to make five and a half complete mouse-wheel rotations before getting to someone's wall.
Oh well, such is life.
PS. If I went to Hogwart's I'd major in Charms. My double minor would be in Transfiguration and either Potions or Divination.
What would YOU major in at Tom Riddle's Alma Mater?
I'm so totally sick of getting lame "vampire requests" from people I hardly even really know. Or "likeness quizzes." Or zombie bites. I mean, seriously. Are we really giving each other virtual zombie bites in a virtually public place where everyone we know and are even remotely connected to can see and judge?
Don't get me wrong; I have a couple applications (the video application doesn't count because it's practical). I have the Chess application. This is so that I can intellectually rival my peers in a classic and internationally respected way. I also recently added the Harry Potter Spell Casting application, or something like that. This is purely so I can pretend that I go to Hogwart's and got sorted into Ravenclaw with my friend Brendan and all the other sparklingly clever peers we have and that lovely crest can be emblazoned next to my wall for all to see and covet.
So far the crest is working. I really love rubbing my intelligence, wit and non-conformity in the faces of all those wannabes that sorted themselves into Gryffindor in the hopes of pretending that their bitter, desperate little lives are better because they are that much closer to being like Harry Potter. Pssht...get over it!
The Chess application is terrible. It does the opposite of the Ravenclaw crest: I've lost 2 of 2 games and I'm pretty good at chess! I think it's because the games take place over many days. And I only get my moves in in between wall posts or photo creeps, so I'm never really concentrating. And I'm always rushed because I'm afraid my boss or coworkers will find me playing games by means of the online community they clearly know I'm dependent on. Needless to say, the chess ain't working out for me.
All in all, I'd say facebook was better when I didn't have to make five and a half complete mouse-wheel rotations before getting to someone's wall.
Oh well, such is life.
PS. If I went to Hogwart's I'd major in Charms. My double minor would be in Transfiguration and either Potions or Divination.
What would YOU major in at Tom Riddle's Alma Mater?
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The King of Tuesday Night
I get really excited when I think about all the good TV out there. I guess my name is Telly for a reason. I'm sitting here at work, doing my menial tasks, checking facebook, answering the phones, etc, but the only thing I'm thinking about is Jonathan Rhys Meyers!
The Tudors, Showtime's historical extravaganza based on the early life of King Henry VIII just premiered last week here in Canada. Ooooooooh boy is it ever good! It's lavish, and proper, and everyone in it is beautiful. They have nudity and war and adultery and prayer and SAM NEILL!!
I used to hate history, but since mainstream popular culture has started integrating historical dramas into the mix I've been all about it. It may also be the actual degree I got in Art History, which is, although I didn't want to admit it, half history, that insighted the intrigue.
Either way, I can't wait to find out what happens next. When we left Harry and his court he had decided to unite Europe with this new-fangled idea called a treaty. And it's decided: I will tune in this week, and for the following 8 weeks, to see how the story unfolds. Either that or just pick up a history book.
The Tudors is on CBC Tuesdays at 9PM.
The Tudors, Showtime's historical extravaganza based on the early life of King Henry VIII just premiered last week here in Canada. Ooooooooh boy is it ever good! It's lavish, and proper, and everyone in it is beautiful. They have nudity and war and adultery and prayer and SAM NEILL!!
I used to hate history, but since mainstream popular culture has started integrating historical dramas into the mix I've been all about it. It may also be the actual degree I got in Art History, which is, although I didn't want to admit it, half history, that insighted the intrigue.
Either way, I can't wait to find out what happens next. When we left Harry and his court he had decided to unite Europe with this new-fangled idea called a treaty. And it's decided: I will tune in this week, and for the following 8 weeks, to see how the story unfolds. Either that or just pick up a history book.
The Tudors is on CBC Tuesdays at 9PM.
Puzzler Solution
Didn't get a lot of guesses or attempts at the puzzler, but congrats are in order for the winners!
That's right. Multiple winners because there were actually multiple solutions:
One/Two
Question/Answer
Congrats to my sister Anastasia for getting the One/Two and to Miss Elizabeth Oxler for getting Question/Answer. Lizzy got it in 2 minutes. I am impressed.
Perhaps you folks out there can help me with Mr. Shortz' current puzzle:
There is an American city. It has 2 words with a total of 10 letters. Add the letter A to the beginning of the word. Add the city's 2-letter state code to the end of the word. Now the word is a palindrome.
What is the city?
I actually don't know the answer to this one, so post guesses. Thanks!
That's right. Multiple winners because there were actually multiple solutions:
One/Two
Question/Answer
Congrats to my sister Anastasia for getting the One/Two and to Miss Elizabeth Oxler for getting Question/Answer. Lizzy got it in 2 minutes. I am impressed.
Perhaps you folks out there can help me with Mr. Shortz' current puzzle:
There is an American city. It has 2 words with a total of 10 letters. Add the letter A to the beginning of the word. Add the city's 2-letter state code to the end of the word. Now the word is a palindrome.
What is the city?
I actually don't know the answer to this one, so post guesses. Thanks!
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Puzzler
I downloaded a bunch of podcasts last night (it's free entertainment!) and among the bunch were recordings of NPR's puzzle show with Will Shortz, the man behind the NY Times crosswords. This was one of them:
Name two words, commonly phrased together (like night/day). The first word has a w sound without actually having a w. The second word has a silent w. What are the two words?
Don't cheat. Or cheat, whatever, I cheat all the time.
Think on it. I'll be back with an answer.
Name two words, commonly phrased together (like night/day). The first word has a w sound without actually having a w. The second word has a silent w. What are the two words?
Don't cheat. Or cheat, whatever, I cheat all the time.
Think on it. I'll be back with an answer.
In the Air Tonight
My friend Katie sent me a great early morning text the other day:
I dreamt last night that you were the Greek God of Wind. You had so much fun when you
found out!
Katie very clearly knows me well because, um, I would LOVE that! I tried to imagine what I did in her dream. I obviously have no idea, so instead I pondered on what I think I would actually do if deemed God of Wind by Zeus himself. What would be my first course of action? I honestly think that, regardless of who I was with or what I was doing, I'd just be off. I'd conjure the might of one thousand wailing hurricanes to lift me right up off the ground, hurling me into my new domain. I'd dip, I'd dive, I'd swerve and sail! For hours and hours and hours, never tiring of it. Katie was right. When I found out, I had SO MUCH FUN!!
If you don't watch Avatar: The Last Airbender you're severely missing out. It's perhaps the best show on television and it excites me practically as much as LOST, and if you know how much I have LOST that's saying something.
It tells the tale of a foreign world, not too unlike the ancient Far East, which has been torn apart by war. It used to be a peaceful land, governed by the Avatar - a reincarnating soul who possesses the ability to bend (ie. control) all four elements, mostly by means of amazingly sweet moves. The Avatar(this time around he's a young airbender named Aang) mysteriously goes missing. The Fire Nation takes this opportunity to invade its neighbouring people - the Earth Kingdom - eliminate an entire race of people - the Air Nomads - and, as the show opens, is on the brink of attacking the Water Tribes of the North and South Poles. 100 years pass before Aang is discovered frozen in ice with his 6-legged, 10 ton flying bison Appa. He is the last airbender.
Airbending is sweet, let me tell you. I texted Katie back:
So basically I was Aang.
She writes:
This was no BENDING! You were a greek GOD!
I sat for a second and thought about what that meant. Sure, Aang can manipulate his element, he can ride on the wind and use it how he likes. But when you're a God of something you ARE that something!
I AM ARISTOTLE, WIND INCARNATE. I AM THE BREEZE THAT WARMS, I AM THE TORNADO THAT DEVISTATES. FEEL MY WRATH AND I SHALL SHOW MERCY!
Ah, it's nice up at the top.
What would you want to be the Greek God(dess) of?
Think on that and have a Happy Thanksgiving all you Canadians!
Ta!
ps. Avatar is on Nickelodeon, Fridays at 8:30pm. It's in its third season, but the first two are, naturally, available on DVD. Enjoy it!
TJ.
I dreamt last night that you were the Greek God of Wind. You had so much fun when you
found out!
Katie very clearly knows me well because, um, I would LOVE that! I tried to imagine what I did in her dream. I obviously have no idea, so instead I pondered on what I think I would actually do if deemed God of Wind by Zeus himself. What would be my first course of action? I honestly think that, regardless of who I was with or what I was doing, I'd just be off. I'd conjure the might of one thousand wailing hurricanes to lift me right up off the ground, hurling me into my new domain. I'd dip, I'd dive, I'd swerve and sail! For hours and hours and hours, never tiring of it. Katie was right. When I found out, I had SO MUCH FUN!!
If you don't watch Avatar: The Last Airbender you're severely missing out. It's perhaps the best show on television and it excites me practically as much as LOST, and if you know how much I have LOST that's saying something.
It tells the tale of a foreign world, not too unlike the ancient Far East, which has been torn apart by war. It used to be a peaceful land, governed by the Avatar - a reincarnating soul who possesses the ability to bend (ie. control) all four elements, mostly by means of amazingly sweet moves. The Avatar(this time around he's a young airbender named Aang) mysteriously goes missing. The Fire Nation takes this opportunity to invade its neighbouring people - the Earth Kingdom - eliminate an entire race of people - the Air Nomads - and, as the show opens, is on the brink of attacking the Water Tribes of the North and South Poles. 100 years pass before Aang is discovered frozen in ice with his 6-legged, 10 ton flying bison Appa. He is the last airbender.
Airbending is sweet, let me tell you. I texted Katie back:
So basically I was Aang.
She writes:
This was no BENDING! You were a greek GOD!
I sat for a second and thought about what that meant. Sure, Aang can manipulate his element, he can ride on the wind and use it how he likes. But when you're a God of something you ARE that something!
I AM ARISTOTLE, WIND INCARNATE. I AM THE BREEZE THAT WARMS, I AM THE TORNADO THAT DEVISTATES. FEEL MY WRATH AND I SHALL SHOW MERCY!
Ah, it's nice up at the top.
What would you want to be the Greek God(dess) of?
Think on that and have a Happy Thanksgiving all you Canadians!
Ta!
ps. Avatar is on Nickelodeon, Fridays at 8:30pm. It's in its third season, but the first two are, naturally, available on DVD. Enjoy it!
TJ.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
And so it begins...
Hello Big Wide World,
T.J. Kous here, with your ultimate guide to all things Totle.
First I want to give a special shoutout to Mr. Teo McInnis for his inspiration. The world goes 'round cuz of people like Matty, so kudos to him!!
Yikes, two Russians just came into the shop (I work at this little furniture store that sells mainly futons and mattresses) and I felt like they might kill me. I was looking for tattoos under their shirts. Didn't see any. One looked at me with daggers in his eyes as he left. Had a scar on his lip. They were actually very nice gentlemen. It's just that Viggo's still so fresh in my mind.
Speaking of the store I gave my resignation yesterday. And I counted today on the calendar. I only have thirty days left!!! Hoping to get a few of them off though. Can't wait to get out of here though and move back in with my parents where the food is free and the TV costs more than I've made since I left college. But sooner or later they're bound to get on my nerves. Only time will tell.
Ta!
T.J. Kous here, with your ultimate guide to all things Totle.
First I want to give a special shoutout to Mr. Teo McInnis for his inspiration. The world goes 'round cuz of people like Matty, so kudos to him!!
Yikes, two Russians just came into the shop (I work at this little furniture store that sells mainly futons and mattresses) and I felt like they might kill me. I was looking for tattoos under their shirts. Didn't see any. One looked at me with daggers in his eyes as he left. Had a scar on his lip. They were actually very nice gentlemen. It's just that Viggo's still so fresh in my mind.
Speaking of the store I gave my resignation yesterday. And I counted today on the calendar. I only have thirty days left!!! Hoping to get a few of them off though. Can't wait to get out of here though and move back in with my parents where the food is free and the TV costs more than I've made since I left college. But sooner or later they're bound to get on my nerves. Only time will tell.
Ta!
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