Eric B. & Rakim - "Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em"

I used to borrow CDs from the library when I was younger; one of them was Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em by Eric B. & Rakim. I didn't realize the significance of what I had back then, but I'd come to realize that Rakim was - and still is - one of the most respected hip-hop lyricists of all time. Listen to the title track from the aforementioned album and see how Rakim's deft wordplay makes people like Soulja Boy Tell 'Em sound like cheap impostors.

Mind you, this is coming from someone who likes "Kiss Me Thru The Phone."

Do I Know Where I'm Going To?

As I continue to recover from my recent outsourcing, I'm faced with possibly the biggest decision of my life so far: continue to look for a job or go back to school.

So far, it looks as if I should go with the former option. If I go with the latter choice, I'd still need to look for a part-time job to sustain myself while I hit the books. I'm the primary breadwinner in my household and I have no one to fall back on if my income dries up. Besides, Lord only knows that this job could be an even bigger insult to my intelligence than my former job ever was, and there is no way that I'm going to willingly put myself through that again. Having said that, some short-term pain (the part-time job) is probably warranted in light of the long-term gain (the dividends from returning to school).

At least my provincial (Ontario) government has a program to help people who are in my situation and willing to go back to school for retraining. It's fittingly called Second Career; the gist is that the government pays for tuition and other expenses if you qualify for this assistance. Mind you, there is a process which every applicant needs to go through - however, the prospect of changing careers on the government's dime sounds worthwhile, especially considering the possible long-term benefits.

Personally, the fields of study relating to the arts sound very appealing to me, especially as a person who thrives on being creative. I used to produce drum 'n bass music as Charlie Van Pelt, and I terribly miss those days...

Victoria Day Fireworks 2009

These are photos I took at the 2009 edition of Toronto's Ashbridges Bay fireworks show.

Victoria Day Fireworks 2009

Fact: I walked down Coxwell Ave. and up Woodbine Ave. to/from the show. I don't feel exhausted at all, but I'm thankful that the washroom at Bloor station was still open on my way back home!

ETX = A-OK

I previously said that I was planning to see Star Trek in ETX at AMC's Yonge-Dundas location. I did that this morning and, for what it's worth, ETX gets more than a passing grade. I'm not saying that it gives IMAX a run for it's money, but I was suitably impressed.

Star Trek's visuals were already amazing in the regular version, so I don't think there was any significant improvement in the ETX version. On this subject, though, I must say that I felt ripped off a bit. ETX boasts a "20% larger floor-to-ceiling screen," but the movie didn't even use all of it. This may have been due to the movie's dimensions, but if IMAX-formatted movies can make the necessary adaptations, surely they can be done for ETX.

One area where ETX proved itself very capable was the sound. We're dealing with "11-channel surround sound with 57,000 watts of power" (direct quote), and the wattage really made itself evident whenever the bass frequencies were involved. When it comes to sound (or music), I particularly pay attention to the lower frequencies; boy, did they get a workout here.

If my suspicions prove correct and Transformers 2 ends up screening at AMC in ETX, I may very well pony up the additional two dollars and check it out.

Plans For The Weekend #3

Thank God this is a long weekend, although thanks to my unemployment situation, the last two weeks have felt like one really "long weekend." But I digress...

Besides repeat viewings of Earth and Star Trek (both of which I highly recommend), I'll also be getting my first manicure in more than one year at The Ten Spot. I was always promising myself and Kristen Gale (the owner) that I'd return, but a few days ago, I just went for it and booked my upcoming appointment. In order to give my esthetician something to work with, I let my nails grow really long (for me, anyway).



I also plan to take in the annual fireworks display at Ashbridge's Bay Park on Victoria Day. I missed it last year due to the biggest brain cramp in the universe, but barring bad weather, I'll surely be there this year!

We Just Sat There...

This afternoon, I was took the subway to pick up a rice cooker at my former place of employment. While riding, a fellow passenger accidentally spilled a few items from her bag. She started picking them up while we sat there for about five seconds.

Yes, I said we sat there for about five seconds.

In my case, I hesitated with the decision to help her, thinking that someone else sitting closer to this passenger would be more willing to help. Unfortunately, that did not happen; only after I volunteered to help did someone help pick up the spilled goods. While I expressed disgust that these other passengers looked the other way (metaphorically speaking) while another passenger obviously needed help, I might as well have said "Hello, pot. My name's kettle."

The next time this happens, my prayer is that I'd lead by example.

Kid Cudi - "Day 'N' Nite"

This is what loneliness can drive some people to do. Not that I've ever taken it so far as to dabble in drugs, but it's a feeling that I wish on no one.

Bonus points if you can catch the very clever Prince reference.


kid cudi - day 'n' nite
by 75_prod