google walks..

As a walker, I found this pretty neat. Google has launched the pedestrian version of Google Maps where it gives you directions and a time outline on walking to your destination.

"Walking directions are a new feature for Google, and while I’m pretty excited about it, there are some rough edges that compel us to release it in “beta.” revealed a Google rep. "Walking directions work well for short trips in urban areas, but we don’t always know if a street has a sidewalk, or if there’s actually a special pedestrian bridge for crossing a busy street." The rep continued, "There are still a lot of pedestrian pathways we don’t know about, and they might save you some time if you find them. We’re working on collecting new data on pedestrian pathways and on more effective ways to solicit your feedback, so that we can steadily improve this feature and get you where you need to be as efficiently as possible."


I played around with it ealier, and it seems to be pretty accurate from what I've experienced. Here's a sample of one of my searches.

gnarls barkley - who's gonna save my soul?

Checked out my buddy Ryan Somers page today and noticed the new Gnarls Barkley video. Checked it out and again, yet another magnificent piece of work from the group. Both on the track side and with the video. We need more groups like Gnarls. Very Creative. Very Different. Very Cool.

behind the bell..

When a sex tape fails, write a tell-all book to bring in some dough. A D-list celeb and former co-star of hit 90s Saturday morning show Saved By the Bell is selling out his castmates and writing a tell all book about what happened behind the scenes of the tween television show.

Dustin "Screetch" Diamond is ready to spill his guts on "sexual escapades among cast members, drug use, and hardcore partying." In a tell-all book called Behind the Bell, Dimaond will be using the writing expertise of ghostwriter Alan Goldsher to rat on his former co-stars.

This brings up the point, though. Who cares about what went down at Bayside?

Would you buy the book?

brooke's playboy?

Brooke Hogan might be posing for Playboy. According to US Magazine, "no decision has been made at this time," as Hulk Hogan's daughter is still thinking about it. This won't be the first time the failed singer would flaunt her 20-year old body in front of the camera. In recent months, Brooke has posed for guy mag Maxim and also was caught by paparazzi earlier this year being rubbed down on the beach by her ex-champ father which caused many people wonder what kind of relationship Hulk has with Brooke.

In related Hogan news, as reported by Perez today, Brooke has taken back a statement saying that her mother Linda was verbally and physically abused by her ex-hubby Hulk. "Brooke Bollea is distressed at the latest efforts by mother Linda to fracture the family. This time they let leak out an old document that Brooke signed filled with exaggerations and fabrications about father Terry's behavior during the marriage. The months-old document was signed by Brooke at a time when she was upset with her father." revealed Hogan's rep.

Brooke might be after Daddy's credit card and just keeping her mouth shut or she could have also been a victim of Mom's brainwashing trying to get Hulk behind bars and break apart the old clan...

This family I'm sure will continue to have more drama as the days go on..

i'm a music geek..

Reading the Music Geek Blog today written by the biggest local music geek and much loved radio guy, Alan Cross. I realized yes, I am a music geek. I knew I was That special music fan type a long time ago. Heck, Not everyone can use a reference about Motown label blues in a typical conversation about anything under the sun but I know I sure can but that's because I found it more fun as a kid to read liner notes and watch music bio shows than checking out the latest kid TV shows or playing Sega.

As a yougin' I grew up appreciating everything. Motown came first. Then Rock. Then Hip Hop. When my love for Hip Hop grew and started to understand the fundamentals of it, I started to appreciate music more.

In a way, Hip Hop taught me to love Music.

Yeah, I went through the whole "I'm a music snob" phase and only listened to unsigned artists and was labeled as a Backpacker in the Hip Hop circles, but then I grew up and once again, saw the true essence of what music was and no matter the genre, where it lands on the Billboard chart and if it's by a million dollar making teen sensation who is marketed to the masses or an unsigned kid who is trying to make a living off this thing called the music industry, it is good music. Sure, I still have some snobbery in me. I'm picky about production and how it's packaged to the public and other stuff the nerds would look out for, but hey, if it gets my head moving and I can relate to the track, I'm liking it.


On this site, I try to support the underground community as much as I can. That's because I believe they need more of a stage to rock on. Why should I continue to promote a singer or a band who you will see anyway on the video channel? I would rather expose you to something new. New sensations. New talent. New pipes.

Furthermore, as much as I support the new crew, I also like to show you some kind of history lesson of where it all started. Hence, a lot of my throwback sessions. It's a way to not only entertain but also educate. Thanks, KRS.

But that doesn't mean that I also don't enjoy a Justin or the occasional Janet. Music is great that way. There's a flavor for every day of the month and good music is still out there. You just have to take time to dig it up.


Dig in the crates.


So, Yeah, I am a music geek. Went through the motions and the phases, but what it all comes back to is to have an open mind. Except new sounds and listen objectively because it really has nothing to do with what label you're signed on or how long your PR guy took to create your image it's the music.



It's the music that matters.

beat this! - a hip hop documentary..

lifetime to pay tribute to sophia...

On the heels of the passing of Estelle Getty, the Lifetime Network has announced that the channel will be paying tribute to the legendary star by playing the Top 10 Golden Girls episodes that have to do with Sophia. The last episode to appear will be the number one Sophia eppy as voted by the viewers.


The Golden marathon goes down Friday night starting at Noon with the final episode at 4.30pm. Viewers can vote for their top Sophia episode here.

rip estelle getty

Hollywood's favorite Mother has passed away. Estelle Getty who millions grew up watching as the outspoken cranky but lovable mother on Golden Girls died Tuesday morning after a long but strong battle with Dementia. She was 84.

There's only a few characters on TV that have made me crack up in laughter continuously over the years. Sophia was one of them.


Thanks for the Memories, Ma. You'll be missed.

more page..

On the BNL website, it's business as usual for the Canuk band. When it comes to the topic of Steven Page's recent arrest, the band is supporting their pal...

"Many of you have probably read or heard press accounts about Steven Page's recent arrest in New York State. Steven has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and the validity of the charges against Steven will be strongly contested. While this is happening, it's business as usual for Barenaked Ladies. We will continue to perform and look forward to heading into the studio later this year to record a new album. We want to thank our loyal fans for their continued support during this difficult time."

Meanwhile, Page has pleaded not guilty to the cocaine charge and will be set to appear in court in New York August 26th. If found guilty, Page faces up to 15 years behind bars.

nbc picks last leno date..

As it was reported all around the interweb on Friday, Jay Leno has called it quits with NBC. Now, the television station has announced May 29th, 2009 as the night Leno will say Goodbye while replacement Conan O'Brien steps in June 1st. Jimmy Fallon replaces O'Brien - which should be a good addition to the late night run.


"I am definitely done next year — with NBC. I'm not a beach guy" stated Leno last week. "and the last time I was in my pool was to fix a light. Don't worry, I'll find a job somewhere."


It's rumored NBC still wants to work with the funnyman, but I don't think Leno wants to work with them.


I'm sure we'll be hearing a bunch more of this story in the coming months.

breaking news: dmc rushed to hospital...

One half of cornerstone Hip Hop group RUN DMC, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels was rushed to the hospital Friday when the rapper was complaining about his swollen arm. When he arrived to the medical facility, doctors discovered two major blot clots. It's not known how long the iconic emcee will be in the hospital, but he did have to cancel shows and one appearance on NBC. In recent months, DMC has been performing solo shows in support of helping the health of disadvantaged kids.

chum brings in lamb...

CHUM-FM has found Rick Hodge's replacement. Enter Darren Lamb - the popular drive home guy. Before joining CHUM, Lamb fronted a top rated morning show in Vancouver along with other popular stints out west.

"Darren is a fantastic addition to Roger and Marilyn," hinted David Corey, program director for 104.5 CHUM FM. "His sense of humour, love of music, and unique perspective on pop culture makes him a perfect fit with Roger and Marilyn." stated the press release.


As one radio insider said, It looks like longtime CHUM host, Roger Ashby might be soon feeling the same way Leno is right now.

"It's OK, Rog. You can take a nice summer vacation. You can also take it till late Fall. The whole year if you want. Don't worry, You'll always have a home here at good 'ol CHUM."

Yeah. Sure.


Darrin and Marilyn in the Morning. Nice ring to it, huh?

stones throw meets arabian prince

Arabian Prince got lost in the back alleys of West Coast Hip Hop history. Prince, born Mik Lezan, who was one of the main characters behind the release of early 80's Hip Hop doc Breakin' and Enterin',released a handful of full length albums and plenty of singles by the time he joined famed Hip Hop group, NWA where he appeared on the groups joint, Panic Zone which was followed up by Something 2 Dance 2 on the legendary Straight Outta Compton LP. However when group member Ice Cube returned from university, Prince found that the posse was getting a bit too big and was forced to return to his solo visions. Before he was pushed out, he was one of the main heads behind the forming of Ruthless Records.

Now, superstar underground Hip Hop label - and maybe my favorite label at the moment for putting out quality product and having good work ethic, Stones Throw Records' master Peanut Butter Wolf will be releasing a compilation of Prince's works from 1984-1989 featuring his electro hit, Take You Home. The 12 track CD will also include a 20-page booklet with a west coast rap timeline. The album drops next month.

will disney pull the ladies from tour?

While Disney higher-ups have to worry about their younger starlets getting into trouble and ruining the big eared fantasy land of the younger generation, it seems now they also have to worry what their older respected Canadian band guys are up to. In the wake of Barenaked Ladies frontman Steven Page's arrest on coke and pot possession, it's curious to see if Disney will pull the Canadian loved ones from the Music Block Party set for this summer.

Will it look good on Disney if they have an accused user on the road boasting the bands new kids album, Snacktime?

Page is due in court July 17th and then I guess it'll be up to him and Disney.
However, I don't think the kids really care that some dude singing the songs they like did some stuff in a car.


They came for the music.

nuit blanche 2008..

In a press conference Wednesday plans were announced for the third annual Nuit Blanche fest were announced. The sleepless night of drinking and art is expected to get a one-time cash injection this year according to Mayor Miller. "An event of this scale benefits tremendously from great funding partners," said Mayor Miller. "I'd like to thank Scotiabank for its support and also the Ontario Government for contributing to Scotiabank Nuit Blanche. I'm thrilled that their investments in 2008 will allow us to enhance the event and maximize the number of people who can experience contemporary art on a larger scale."

Some plans in the works for this years Nuit include transforming Toronto's City Hall into the world's largest interactive computer screen. Also on the bill, hundreds of zombies taking over College Park and Yoko Ono's three-part interactive exhibition in Liberty Village.


Nuit Blanche goes down October 4th, 2008.

rogers slash prices..

After a couple of weeks of spatting between Rogers and Apple, the local wireless distributor has decided to slash the prices for the iPhone 3G which is hitting local soil Friday. Rogers is now offering a special effective till August 31st where you can get 6GB of date for $30/month along with any voice plan. Furthermore, users are able to access the web, send and receive e-mails, and watch videos on Youtube. Previously, 30 bucks would've only gotten you 300 megabytes.

According to The Star's article, Rogers change of prices was in response to customer feedback.


To learn more, check out the press release.

tiny twin back to rehab?

While an old child star is going through his own trying to get clean problems (see below), one half of the the biggest twin starlets of the 90's is heading back that road of too much partying. She'll even have to head back to rehab. It's been reported that Mary Kate Olsen has been doing excessive partying ever since her maybe-lover Heath Ledger passed earlier this year.


"Mary-Kate seriously needs to get to rehab, but she doesn't think she has a problem.
She thinks she's young, hip and entitled to live her life as she sees fit. But it's affecting everything," spills someone close to the case to Star mag.


Mary-Kate who already spent time in rehab for an eating disorder, was caught falling out of a club recently when her binge drinking got the best of her. Check out the video here.


In related news, Olsen's new movie, The Wackness hits theaters this Friday.

cory is just a lost boy..

In my later tween years, I was digging the hot '80s gals of the time. Alyssa Milano, Tina Yothers, Debbie Gibson. However, they were also the guys who I thought were just real cool. Corey Haim was one of them. As I grew up, and realized that he never really made one good flick (Ok, fine. Lost Boys was a real good movie - More on that in a bit) and he was going down that 80's kid star curse like the other Corey and River, I knew that these guys weren't really all that cool, but just dudes who had all that I wanted at the time.

Ok, fine. I still thought they were cool, but not as cool as they were when I was say, 13.


Fast forward a couple of decades and I'm hooked on The Two Corey's. The new reality show that features Feldman and Haim. This season the duo talk about a feud that sparked last season when Haim started to use again. In the season premier it was revealed that both Cory's were sexually assaulted as kids. It's also going down the sober road with Haim as he sees a shrink talking about his early childhood experiences, drugs and his friendship with Feldman.

I don't know, but something about your old time favorites turned D-listers going through bad times is really captivating.

As reported this week, it's suspected that Haim is back sniffing it all up while on the set of the sequel to The Lost Boys.

It's sad that a childhood hero can't escape an addiction and how you can slowly see them meet their maker but it's also very entertaining. I hope the best for Haim. I really do. I'm sure this straight to video retro remake won't make his name back in the mainstage of Hollywood, but this could be a start for him to get back in the limelight and try to make his name good again.

But you gotta think. Isn't it the limelight that wrecked him in the first place?

moving on..

I wasn't that kid who lived in the same house all my life only to leave it to start my own life, but can always return to the old white picket fence on holidays to visit old neighborhood pals. I moved around. Never at a home for more than 5 years. It was just the way my family was. We were moving on up ever since my early childhood years living on the boarder between Scarborough and North York. However, for the past seven years, I lived in the same house. I have many memories here. I realized how many years I've been here the other day when it hit me that this is the last week I'll be sitting in the same bedroom for almost a decade. I'm moving to Newmarket on the weekend, and I never knew how Big of a move it'll be.

One thing I learned over the years thought staring at the four walls covered with old vinyls, hats and paintings, were that This too shall pass and eventually I'll just look back at it as just a good memory that has made me stronger. This is how I'm going to take this experience. I'm going to take my years at the edge of Richmond Hill as times where I was able to grow into the guy I am today and able to bring it with me to the New house and in a way, new life.

I'll miss the hood. I'll miss the long walk homes at night sitting in the park, I'll miss the neighbors, I'll miss the house - but I know it'll be here to visit and that memories never move away.

I hear that a new family will be moving in very soon. Hopefully, they'll just learn as much as I did here. To grow with and learn from.

new nas..

Funny. I was on the bus home listening to `It Ain't Hard to Tell'. I got home and checked out Perez when the gossip queen posted Nas' new video for his track Hero feat. Keri Hilson. If it were a better beat, I would think this track was gold, However, it ain't so. Nas rips it, though to make the track another Nas gem.


Here it is...

What do you think about it?

dreaming a little dream...

I had a dream last night that was enjoyable. One of those dreams that you wish it never ended and when you wake up you want to go back to sleep and go right back to that spot where you left off at. Of course, it didn't happen, but it was worth the try.



The dream was set in the 50's. I was working at a a drive-in burger joint. The ones that had the waitress' on roller skates skating around from car to car carrying trays and wearing glasses like Buddy Holly. I was dressed like The Fonz and was hanging around with some guys - who I guess were the cool kids, since all the girls were hanging around us. There was one, though that caught my eye. She was taller than me, brown curly hair, thin, had style and had cute freckles around her nose that seem to flirt with me when she was looking at me. We were hanging around with each other a lot and were talking for most of the time. Not too sure if we were "going steady" but we knew each other, for sure. She orders a pop and I pay for it. She laughs. We both laugh. Can't remember what we were talking about but it was intense. It seems like we were ignoring the whole crowd. She asks me to go with her to the back of the restaurant. We're in the kitchen when she sits on my lap and she starts to talk about leaving for university. I get upset but tell her that it'll be fine and we'll keep in contact. I guess we were going out or maybe just really good friends. Don't know. Doesn't really matter. Anyway, she walks off and goes to the washroom. I get up and walk back outside. I take off in this nice baby-blue car. Don't know the kind of car, but it was a convertible and really nice. If I lived in the 50's, I for sure would want one of those cars. Yeah. That would be groovy. But yeah, back to the dream. It's later in the night. I see her. Her bags are packed. She looks at me from a distance and walks away. I stand there. Middle of the street with nothing around. Alone.

toronto's cool concert lineup..

From Pollstar, here's a nice little list of some cool summer concerts coming up that might or might not have been announced yet. I'm sure you can get your tickets for all these shows via Ticketmaster.


Tue 07/15/08 Joe Cocker The Molson Amphitheatre
Tue 07/15/08 Steve Miller Band The Molson Amphitheatre
Thu 07/17/08 George Michael Air Canada Centre
Sun 07/20/08 "The Rogers Picnic" Historic Fort York
Mon 07/21/08 Eagles Air Canada Centre
Tue 07/22/08 Eagles Air Canada Centre
Thu 07/24/08 Eagles Air Canada Centre
Sun 07/27/08 Propagandhi Phoenix Concert Theatre
Sat 08/02/08 Duffy Phoenix Concert Theatre
Sat 08/02/08 The Funk Brothers TBA
Wed 08/06/08 Hieroglyphics The Mod Club Theatre
Thu 08/07/08 Chaka Khan Kool Haus

falling off the wagon..

I fell off the wagon. It's ok, though. I'm fine. I thought it was about time to get back into it. It happened on Friday. I was at my friends birthday party and I thought It would be a great time to see if I could handle it. I was able to do it. I was happy for once while drinking alcohol. I drank again on Monday, and once again, I was fine. Nothing was wrong with me. I realized that If I can keep it under control and keep my eyes out for the signs to make me fall back into that hole I fell into before, everything should be fine.

As long as the alcohol doesn't rule me. As long as I can rule it. I'm the ruler of myself and the only ruler that will ever be for now on.

That's what I learned when I quit drinking for 97 days. 97 great days. Days that I will always look back on and think of the strength and wisdom I gained from it.


One thing that I didn't like about drinking again? The hangover and the smell of alcohol on me the day after. I don't think I'll be drinking again this weekend.

I'm taking it one day at a time.

duffy has taken over my heart..

Duffy has replaced Wino. She's my new favorite Brit girl and from the looks of it, it looks like she's pretty straight and doesn't do drugs. Don't care really. As long as she can control it without it controlling her a la the Wino story. Here's Duffy doing Syrup and Honey live at New York's Nokia Theater.

roberts departs 'rb

CFRB mid-day slash TV guy Leslie Roberts announced today that today was his last show on the top rated radio station. In his closing comments, he mentioned that Global has new plans for the vet broadcaster for the fall including a 60 minutes type program which would make it impossible to keep on with his CFRB duties which he's had since last fall. 'RB's boss Steve Kowch hinted that Roberts replacement for the 10-12 spot hasn't been announced yet, but one of the most talented on-air guys on talk radio today, Jim Richards will be filling in for now.

You can check out Richards goodbye here.

breaking news: dmb sax player injured

According to TMZ, Dave Matthews Band sax man LeRoi Moore has been injured and rushed to UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville, VA. Moore was riding a rig at the musician's farm in between shows when he got injured. It's not known exactly what occurred. According to the band's web site, Moore's "condition has been upgraded from serious to fair"

If you would like to send love to Moore you can do so here.

the love guru..

As I walked into the theater today to watch my debut as a big time Hollywood extra, I knew that the movie wasn't going to be a memorable one. I knew I could've saved my money for another week and watch The Wackness instead, and I knew my Mom and I were probably going to waste a good day off sitting in a theater watching Mike Myers try to regain his popularity he once had with his previous incarnations. But I also knew that it wasn't everyday that I could watch a movie with me in it on Canada Day and have it be a Caunk flick.

Maybe I would've felt better if I were like most of the people in the theaters - under the age of 19. Maybe I would've been able to comprehend the lowbrow teenage pee-pee poo-poo humor even more if I were younger, but the lines still made me laugh. Myers used a lot of word play humor that took a few seconds to get, but still got you laughing minutes after the line was made. Storyline wise, underneath the stupidness, laid a great lesson to the insanity. Acting? It was alright. All the major actors in the movie - even Verne Troyer have seen better moments.


Overall, The Love Guru was much better than I originally thought. It was more of refreshing kind of stupid childish movie rather than the dull, falling asleep kind of stupidness. It was a kind of stupidness that you would want to buy on DVD when it's released so you can watch it over and over again when you're bored at home on a rainy day or stuck with babysitting duties.


It's no Waynes World (which Myers refers to in a couple of scenes) or Austin Powers but if you want to waste some time laughing at penis jokes and fall in love all over again with Jessica Alba, it's worth the watch.

I give Myers' latest box office bomb 4 Guru's out of 10.

wattstax...

I found this 70's music doc while I was searching for a video on Youtube. It's pretty good. Thought I would post part one on here for you while you can go check out the rest of the parts over here.

Here's a brief description from IMDB.com.

Documentary with a selection from a non-stop 7-hour musical event at Watts, the Los Angeles Coliseum, August 20, 1972. It's a sort of Woodstock event but with black artists, namely the groups Dramatics, Staple Singers, Rance Allen Group, Emotions, Bar Kays, Mel & Tim. Written by Artemis-9

This is a documentary about the 1972 Watts Summer Festival, which culminated in a day long concert at a sold out Los Angeles Coliseum. The concert was headlined by Issac Hayes and the support acts included Rufus Thomas and his daughter Carla, the Bar Kays and the Staple Singers. The film also features commentary by many African Americans who comment on how things were in Watts since the riots that tore the city apart seven years earlier.