Category: Uncategorized

  • Deja Voodoo all over again! Gerard Van Herk at The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto Sept. 28, 2024

    Deja Voodoo, a Montreal-based two-piece band active in the 80s, featured Gerard van Herk and Tony Dewald. They were known for their minimalist sound and prolific songwriting, producing short albums filled with numerous tracks. After the band split, van Herk became a professor while Dewald was a notable brewmaster until his recent passing.

  • Unexpected Encounter: A Harpist on the 11 Bus in Toronto

    The writer recounts a Sunday outing on the 11 bus in Toronto for advance voting and encounters a quirky harpist, nicknamed “Harpeux,” who engages passengers with music and French conversation. Despite appearing eccentric, possibly with mental health issues, his presence prompts reflections on life, art, and the unknown.

  • A 20 oz. pint for yourself or 20 Meals for the Hungry? – Give $10 to the Kitchener-Waterloo Food Bank

    The CKWR radio station in Canada plays alternative music, and on holiday Mondays, they have an all-request program hosted by Pete Fowler to support the local community. During the show, he encouraged listeners to donate to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region, which I did. I also learned about ways to maximize the impact of…

  • The Passenger: A song so good that not even Hasselhoff can ruin it

    An old friend sent me a link to David Hasselhoff covering Iggy Pop’s The Passenger. He urged me to give it a chance, reminiscing about Iggy’s Lust for Life album. This led to recalling Siouxsie’s cover and a memorable Paul Westerberg interview where he humorously mentioned wishing he had written “Happy Birthday.”

  • Forced Fun is Never Fun.

    The author responds to the idea of incorporating play into the workplace, criticizing activities like meme creation and themed plays as forced and unproductive. They argue that genuine fun arises organically and can be incentivized, referencing the success of Grammarly’s engaging approach. The post emphasizes the importance of intrinsic rewards over prescribed enjoyment.

  • Baileys has delicious copy, too!

    The post discusses a LinkedIn-triggered response to negative reactions about Baileys’ ad copy. It argues in favor of the copy, citing its personal engagement, immediate impact, and relevance to the target audience. The author draws parallels to Carlsberg’s successful ad campaign and emphasizes the importance of knowing the audience. The post effectively conveys enthusiasm for…

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  • Take my advice: Dance your doomsday gloom away, 80s style

    Has the state of the world and cost of living got you strung out? Are you sick of the pressure and feel like screaming? Well this ain’t nothing new kid, it’s only the latest. There’s an old adage that says, “If you aren’t depressed, you’re not paying attention”. It’s a phrase I find comforting for…

  • Dick Cavett meets Salvador Dali

    The post is inspired by Salvador Dali and describes surreal experiences, such as a spine turning into a gummi snake and a park bench melting like tissue paper. It depicts forgetting to pick up kids from school and surreal imagery like daisy rings singing and attorneys in religious rock-climbing gear.

  • Detroit (Hart Plaza/Spirit of Detroit Plaza): Jan 1, 2023

    The author had a memorable New Year’s weekend in Detroit, revisiting familiar spots and exploring new attractions. They enjoyed the city’s renaissance, interacted with public art, and reflected on the significance of historical monuments like the Gateway to Freedom. The visit to the Detroit River brought back nostalgic memories, making the trip a meaningful experience.