MARCH 2008 THE YEAR OF THE RAT
I invite Anna to the 3rd annual Bounce Birthday Bash. I've been to the first birthday bash and it kinda sucked so I didn't bother going to the second. But the third bash lineup included 5 bands and 5 DJ's. It's a party not to be missed. I meet up with Anna for drinks, fried pickles and wings at Sherlock Holmes Pub. We get our groove on. Then it's off to the Bash at the Shaw Conference Centre. 5,000 people and it's a madhouse. There's an ATB Wheel of prizes and I spin and win a CD. I pick State of Shock CD and give it to Anna. For George, we were in the right spot at the right moment and we got good closeup pics of him shirtless. His music I could care less for. LOL. Overall it's a good night. COMMENTS?
The Columbus Blue Jackets come to town to take on the Oilers. Lany's my date for her second Oilers game of the season, while it's my 20th. The night begins with the presenation of the Molson Cup to goalie Mathieu Garon. The game begins with one of the linesman getting a puck in his face. He returns in the second period with ten stitches. In the first, Rick Nash scores a goal which he clearly kicked in. The goal is waved off. Nash does put the Blue Jackets on the board first, though Andrew Cogliano ties it up 23 seconds later. After a scoreless second, the Oilers score two goals 20 seconds apart to take a 3-2 lead. But traded Oiler Dick Tarnstrom scores for Columbus to send the game into OT and then a shootout. Garon stops all three shooters and has now stopped 30 of 32 shots. He also records his 10th shootout win of the year and the record 14th Oilers shootout victory. Ales Hemsky scores the lone shootout marker. COMMENTS?
Alberta has been led by the Conservatives for 37 years. And after winning a historic 11th consecutive election, they will enter four decades of one party rule. I guess Alberta isn't ready for change...but Alberta's economy just keeps growing. COMMENTS?
Randy Moss is staying with the New England Patriots for another three years. "I want to take time out to thank all of the fans for their support and for wishing me well in my return to New England," therealrandymoss.com quotes him as saying. "I'm ready to get back. We have some unfinished business to take care of." Moss signs a three-year deal worth $27 million, which includes an upfront $12 million signing bonus. I can't wait to see another Brady to Moss touchdown...hopefully this time in person. Buck and I did see a Brady to Moss touchdown at Gillette Stadium, but it was called off because of passer interference on Moss...which was a very bad call. COMMENTS?
Buck and I've been to an NBA game together. We've been to an NFL game. But the major league sport we have in our city is hockey. And finally we go to an NHL game. The Nashville Predators are in town and they prey on the Edmonton Oilers, snapping their 4-game win streak. The Oilers look pitiful in the 5-1 loss. The only good thing of the night is that we both got free hoodies, courtesy of an Oilers/Ticketmaster offer for standing room tickets. COMMENTS?
In its third week, Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body" jumps 10 positions to #24 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. It's impressive because that is just
based solely on airplay as the single has yet to be digitally released. On the Hot 100 Airplay chart it enters the top ten at #8.
COMMENTS?
After being closed since New Year's, the best Pho house in the city reopens. I can't think of another resaturant that can close for 2.5 months at a time and still have their regulars waiting in line. COMMENTS?
It's my Mariah Carey fan friend Sherisse's birthday and we're out celebrating at Julio's Barrios. She's nowhere near as big as a fan as I am, that's just a guarantee. We have a nice dinner and I surprise her with the VIP towel for the Adventures of Mimi tour. I guess I had two to spare, though I hate parting with any Mariah merchandise. But I know Sherisse will appreciate the towel ALMOST as much as I would. :P COMMENTS?
Ever since I saw the movie version of the Broadway musical "Rent," I've been dying to see the live stage show. "Rent" is playing in Calgary
this coming May and it's not coming to Edmonton. But before I couldn't buy close enough tickets, but I always check back with ticketmaster and
because I am the TICKET MASTER, I secure a 2nd row ticket. I can't wait till May and to see how you measure a year - in daylights, in sunsets, in
midnights, in cups of coffees, in inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife. Let's celebrate, Remember a year in the life of friends.
COMMENTS?
Madonna, John Mellencamp, Leonard Cohen, The Dave Clark Five, & The Ventures join the 2008 class into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. COMMENTS?
The Boston band comes to Edmonton opening for Avril Lavigne. COMMENTS?
The Best Damn Tour arrives in Edmonton. The show doesn't live up to its name. Named after Avril Lavigne's latest album, "The Best Damn Thing," the pop princess doesn't hold on to her throne. Though her live act is entertaining and I cheered and danced, it'll only be the best damn tour for prebulescent girls, or for those who went to their first concert...which comprised most of the audience. When Avril first skated into town in 2003, I was there early waiting to be up front. It's a guilty pleasure how much her music pleases me. Shockingly there were girls in the front row with tears streaming down. I guess I shouldn't be all that surprised. It's just hard to believe that there are people out there who love Avril that much, who breathe and live for her. Nevertheless, Mrs. Derek Wibley puts on a respectable show. Her singing was pretty good, her dancing not so much. She plays her pink piano on "When You're Gone" & try her hands at the drums for tidbits of "Runaway" & "Hey Mickey." "The Best Damn Thing" is the song of the night, with the choreography, and the song's heavy sampling of "Hey Mickey." It's "Bring It On" meets the skater chick. Concert set list: 1. Girlfriend 2. I Can Do Better 3. Complicated 4. My Happy Ending 5. I'm With You 6. I Always Get What I Want 7. When You're Gone 8. Innocence 9. I Don't Give 10. Hot 11. Losing Grip 12. Bad Reputation (video) 13. Everything Back But You 14. Runaway (tidbit) 15. Hey Mickey (tidbit) 16. The Best Damn Thing 17. I Don't Have To Try 18. He Wasn't 19. Girlfriend (Remix) 20. Sk8er Boi. For more photos click here! COMMENTS?
Jason Mraz releases the video of his hit love song "I'm Yours." I'm loving the video...Mraz is so freaking cute. He just makes you want to drag him home and have him sing and play his guitar for you. COMMENTS?
On this special day, the same date as Albert Einstein's, Rose celebrates another glorious birthday. For lunch we have El Savadoran pupusas, a pancake concoction consisting of cheese, fried pork rinds, chicken and refried beans. They are Rose's current favorite food. For dinner we feast at Skinny Legs & Cowgirls. COMMENTS?
My friends Dan & Angela are finally honeymooning in China & Hong Kong. I'm more than happy to housesit for them, but I forget about the consequences of snow. Damn it had to snow a lot in mid-March. I should have known better. I'm sending Dan & Angela a bill for snow removal. COMMENTS?
Four local drag divas perform at this Northern Light Theatre fundraiser. Bianca is Barbara Streisand, Vanity Fair plays Cher, Connie Lingua vogues as Madonna, and Chanelta Shaynaynay is Celine Dion. COMMENTS?
Mariah Carey is Saturday Night Live's musical guest for the fourth time. It's been over a decade since she last appeared. She is a mid-week replacement for Janet Jackson, who had to cancel because she has the flu. Mariah debuts a new song,
the soon to be club banging smash "Migrate" with T-Pain. This has to be released as a single right away. Mimi also performs her hit current smash "Touch My Body."
COMMENTS?
The National Lacrosse League All Star game is in Edmonton. Though I've seen lacrosse games televised, this is my first live game ever. And to see the best of the best is cool, though it's not as physical if it were a competitive league game.
Les invites his friend Kyle...and it was worth watching him spill his beer. The West have an early lead but the East comes back and leads by 4 goals with under 4 minutes to go. The West makes it interesting by scoring 4 goals in 3 minutes to tie the
game and send it into overtime. However in 31 seconds the East score and win the game 17-16. Overall a fun Sunday afternoon of entertainment.
COMMENTS?
Jason Mraz first EP for his new album comes out. But through his relaunched website JasonMraz.com, there are special preorders and bundles, which I take
advantage of right away. Not only is We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. available as a CD and Limited Edition LP it's also available as trio of EPs, with
each releasing on different dates. Jason wanted to lead into his first studio release in almost three years with something really nifty. The EPs feature
special version of songs from We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things., and two previously unreleased Mraz recordings. The We Steal Things. EP is only
available with purchase of any of the combos. As an added bonus, everything is also available for download!
COMMENTS?
It's my 22nd Oilers game of the season. It was very important to me that I go to at least half of the home games this year and I achieve that goal. I also go with my new friend Ren to the game, and what a game it is. It's the highest offensive total for the Oilers this year as they score 8 goals - 3 even strength, 3 power play & 2 short handed goals (though one of them is an empty netter). Gretzky's in the building (coaching the Coyotes) and the play is reminiscent of the high scoring Oilers of the 80's! COMMENTS?
Finally Mariah Carey releases the cover of her new album, E=MC˛ to the world. Just four weeks till this critically acclaimed, and soon to be Grammy-nominated album is unleashed to the world. And the album will contain 14 tracks! COMMENTS?
I finally receive a proper haircut of this year. As you may recall, I had to get my mother to give me a trim before Chinese New Year's because I was such an invalid. I grew out my hair long and was rocking the rock star hair, but the length was bugging me for weeks. Finally Sophie gives me a new style, with an Asian-looking mullet - but then I had her cut it off. I look too Hongerish and Chinky-looking. I return to my roots. COMMENTS?
It's my 23rd Oilers game of the season. In a must win game versus the Vancouver Canucks, the Oil come up short and lose 4-1. I have myself a single ticket but meet up with my girls at the intermissions. It's Oilers Customer Appreciation Night and all fans receive a ticket for complimentary popcorn and a pack of two noise makers. COMMENTS?
On Getting Older
"I'm eternally 12. And that 12-year-old inside me is an eternal optimist. I know what it feels like not to have fame or money, and I do still feel like that
same person in many ways. Honestly, I don't even have birthdays. I call them 'anniversaries.' It really is about being as young as you feel. Some people
convince themselves they're old, or they think, 'I have to grow up now; I can't have fun.' I will still always choose a day at Disney World over a night in
Las Vegas, because that's who I am."
"Not to give a woe-is-me moment, but it's not as easy as everybody thinks to have this kind of life," Mariah Carey tells PARADE's James Kaplan, during an interview in the backseat of her $400,000 Maybach Touring Sedan. "Even sitting here talking to you, I feel like there should be a bit of intimacy, and when there is always somebody else around, it's tough." Kaplan asks Carey flat out if she's a diva. She rolls her eyes and says, "They throw that word around like it's a friggin' Frisbee! I grew up hearing it, because my mother is an opera singer. The actual definition is 'a talented female singer.' Definition two is 'a difficult woman who is successful,' I believe. So I take it as a compliment." Later in the interview, she tells Kaplan, "You know what? I guess I am a diva in many ways! When it comes to certain things, yes, I can be difficult and a little bit rigid about what I want. Am I demanding? I don't think I'm demanding enough. I think if I were more demanding, I would have felt that I had some sort of power, as opposed to feeling like a pawn, which is something I had to grow out of. You've got to go through some stuff," she continues. "Somehow people have to know there's something that's not perfect about you. I had to learn to grow up a little bit. I feel like I connect to people through song because it's filling a void in me. I need to make music. If I didn't have this, I don't know where I would be." Kaplan notes that Carey shows her emotions easily and seems touchingly-and oddly-eager to please. "My self-esteem has never been topping the charts," she admits. "You don't know who is here for the glamour, for the gossip factor. You really just want to know that somebody loves you for you. That's a difficult thing when, you know..." She hesitates. "Sometimes you just do really feel like an ATM machine with a wig on it." COMMENTS?
WAITING TO EXHALE
Imagine if Aladdin, Tinkerbell, and Liberace threw a slumber party in Barbie's Dream House. That's what it feels like to be inside Carey's penthouse, only
with an open bar. "Do you want anything to drink?" Carey asks from the hallway, once I am settled in her Moroccan Lounge, a pillow-strewn lair inspired by
her trip to Marrakech. "I'll tell you if we have anything extra festive!"
COMMENTS?
Mariah Carey appears in two new commercials for Macy's. COMMENTS?
By the time I arrive at Anna's going away party at Jet Nightclub, Anna is well on her way to tying one on. With the drinks just $1.25, it's easy to spend $10 and still not be drunk -- the drinks were really watered down. Sonic is in the house and giving away Foo Fighters tickets. Unfortunately I coudn't convince Lane Mitchell to give them to me or Deanne. The band Bonafide performs a couple of sets. COMMENTS?
Jeffrey Buttle wins the Men's Figure Skating World Championship. The Canadian contingent is looking as strong as ever, having won a Gold in the Men's, Silver in Ice Dance, Bronze in Pairs and a 5th place finish in Women's. It's looking good for Vancouver 2010. COMMENTS?
With a 7-5 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, the Edmonton Oilers are still alive in the playoff race. With 6 games remaining, and one versus the Avalanche, the Oilers are 3 points back for the final playoff spot. COMMENTS?
After having pho and Starbucks with Anna, I meet Lany at West Edmonton Mall. Apparently everybody decided to shop. I buy a thrifty linen suit from H&M and Lany picks up a pair of shoes. At Easter dinner, Rose & Jostein celebrate the trinity of potatoes with scalloped (as per my request), mashed & sweet potatoes. Top it off with ham, turkey, cabbage rolls, broccoli casserole, and chocolate, overeating is inevitable. COMMENTS?
I had lunch the day before with Anna and I told her that someone at work will give her free tickets to the Oilers vs. Minnesota Wild game. I tell her to call me cause I'm willing to miss Mariah Carey on "The Hills" Premiere & After Party to see another thrilling hockey victory in Oil Country. In the late afternoon Anna calls and says my three favorite words, "You were right!" Her boss emailed her and offered the company seats. In this bittersweet occasion, it'll be Anna's last Oilers game for awhile, since she's moving back to Germany to be with her husband, the night is perfect. Anna even arrives at the arena half an hour early. She made a point of being on time because every other game she's made me wait an hour or two. But in this momentous occasion, yes I am a drama queen, she is punctually early. At the start of the game I tell Anna that the Oilers will score two quick goals...but I was wrong. The Oilers jump out to a 3-0 lead five minutes into the game. Unfortunately a bad bounce and the Wild get on the scoreboard. The Oilers enter the third period up 5-2 and surrender a goal. I buy Anna popcorn and tell her to savour every kernel. It might be awhile before she'll snack at Rexall Place, or if Edmonton builds a new arena, the last time. The Oilers win and remain on pace in the playoff race. The team is still 3 points out of a playoff berth, but destiny is in the young Oilers sticks! Keep scoring! The Oilers store sells BELIEVE pins on sale for 49 cents but they quickly sell out. The three stars of the game are Brodziak, Roloson & Andrew Cogliano. At the store I buy a Cogliano ladies jersey to commerorate Anna's last Oilers game (for the time being) as a going away present. I also convince the teller to sell me her BELIEVE button she's wearing. The teller had to ask her supervisor, but you're not going to say no to a die-hard Oilers fan who's leaving the country. COMMENTS?
The promo machine revs up for the digital release of Mariah Carey's latest single, the airplay smash "TOUCH MY BODY." Mariah appears on The Hills Premiere & After Party. COMMENTS?
It's a stone groove smash hit wonder. I order a cake at Safeway and have the nice old bakery lady write Happy Anniversary Mariah. I even spell out her name, but the old lady spells it Mirah. I didn't want to make a fuss so I just accepted it and enjoyed the cake with my coworkers. COMMENTS?
It's the last Friday of the month and the stars must be aligned weird. It's a freaky day. I begin the morning with my usual Starbucks, but the wait for it is almost unbearable. Then in the first hour of work, I cut myself badly, almost like a stab wound. It's a deep cut and the fatty tissue under my skin bubbles up. Within half an hour, I'm in the doctor's office with the doctor poking me with needles to freeze my right hand. My left hand is on my mobile because I need to buy Sarah Slean tickets as they just went on sale. I end up with 2nd row center aisle tickets! Two stitches and lots of blood loss later, I'm back at work and ready to have pho. But Lany can't go with me and I suggest we take shifts going to pho. When it's my turn to pho, my right hand starts to unfreeze and hurt. But I still managed to use my chopsticks, even though I couldn't feel them. For any of you who want to see a photo of my stab wound, click here but be forewarned. COMMENTS?
I'm watching the Oilers game when Sandra phones me and tells me she has an extra ticket to the Foo Fighters. I tell her I'll be there right away. In the car I'm talking to Luke, asking him how he did with buying Sarah Slean tickets, when my cell just dies. Damn battery...and it didn't even indicate it was low. There I am standing outside of Rexall Place with no ticket and no cell phone. Luckily for me, Sandra finds me and gives me an awesome ticket, even though it is 4th row in stands. I generally like to be on the floor, even when its general admission. As we enter the arena, my ex approaches and says, "It's surprising to see you here at concert," sarcastically of course. Sitting next to me in the stands is the music writer of another local paper. He left after twenty minutes. Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters put on an awesome show. The staging was great and the energy level enormous. The b-stage was a nice touch and it let me take some great pictures. I had trouble all night snapping decent shots due to my hurting right hand. COMMENTS?
A week after Lany and I shopped for the first time together in a year and half, we shop again. This time our mission is to buy jeans. Mission accomplished. For jeans, we always just go see Albert and he hooks us up nicely. I buy two pairs of jeans and a nice summer shirt with drinks and limes on it. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and warm up again. COMMENTS?
BELIEVEThe Oilers are still alive. Sandra invites me to watch the Battle of Alberta game at Boston Pizza. I invite Anna. The Oilers beat the Flames 2-1 in a thrilling third period comeback. The playoff dream is still alive. Believe people! I want those bandwagoners jumping on. Then we go to the Empress on Whyte for more drinks before Anna suggests we dance at the Funky Buddha. COMMENTS?
After a rushed dinner, Angela, Dan & I make it in time for the last performance of Half Life. The play is set in a nursing home and it focuses on memories.
Clara and Patrick meet and fall in love in a nursing home. Or are they rekindling a passionate memory from the 1940s? She has Alzheimer's. He is guarded about his past as a military code-breaker. Clara's middle-aged son Donald, a scientist, and Patrick's 40-something daughter Anna, an artist, have differing opinions about their parents\ emotionally-charged and physical relationship. HALF LIFE asks the burning question, "Does passion come with a best-before date?"
COMMENTS?
Press Release: David Renzer, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) today announced the renewal of world-renowned, five time Grammy® award winner, multi-platinum artist Mariah Carey, to an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement. Through the long-term relationship between UMPG, the world's leading music publishing company, and Mariah Carey, one of the most popular global artists, the company will continue to publish Carey's extensive catalog and future works for the world. On the heels of renewing her deal with UMPG, Mariah Carey will release her new highly anticipated album E=MC˛. Mariah Carey is an award-winning superstar with cumulative total sales of her albums, singles and long-form videos in excess of 81-times platinum in the U.S. alone and 156 million worldwide, making her the top-selling female artist in history. With a record 17 No. 1 singles - more than any female artist of the past century - five GRAMMY® Awards, BMI Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year recipient, eight American Music Awards, Billboard magazine's "Artist of the Decade Award," and the World Music Award as World's "Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium" - Mariah Carey's ongoing career remains an unparalleled success story in the history of contemporary popular music. Upon making the announcement Renzer commented, "Mariah Carey is well known for her incredible voice, but we also celebrate her incredible strength as a songwriter and the fact that she has co-written most of her best known songs. We're honored that she has agreed to renew her working relationship with UMPG and we look forward to continuing to promote her amazing and wonderful body of work globally."
U2's deal with Live Nation puts the promoter in business with one of the highest earning bands in the world for more than a decade. It's a 12-year deal with Live Nation Artists that includes worldwide touring, merchandising, and the band's U2.com Web site. The deal, however, is not a true 360-degree pact, as there is no publishing component and the band retains its relationship with Universal Music to release music. "It's not do-or-die that we have to have everything. We just have to have certain critical mass, and we more than have it in this deal," Michael Cohl, Live Nation chairman of the board and CEO of Live Nation Artists, tells Billboard.com. U2 manager Paul McGuinness adds, "There's a certain convergence taking place in the industry, and it's obvious that the biggest part of U2's business now is their live business, even though they're a major, major record-selling act." The band's relationship with Live Nation has been "pretty near perfect," McGuinness says. "For some time now they've been executing, promoting and producing our tours as partners pretty well perfectly. Since they want to consolidate rights and they have an online vision that I believe in, their Ticketmaster deal is expiring, which is going to change their margin, I'm very happy to go into a partnership with them. And, apart from all the financial stuff, there is a real friendship, a real bond." Source: Ray Waddell, Nashville
