A Collection of Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down (mainly downs)

Brought to you by the good people of Thunder Bay

THUMBS Down to the City of Thunder Bay “for refusing to clean blood off my stairwell and door after two unknown stabbing victims tried to enter my house early Tuesday morning. The city refused on the basis that it is residential property. I was forced to clean the areas myself and could have been exposed to various health hazards. It was especially upsetting to my young son who had to witness the blood stains while leaving to go to school. Shame on you!”

ON Dec. 19 at 11 p.m., at the corner of Churchill Drive and James Street, an orange Pontiac Sunfire with four teenagers inside pulled up alongside me, rolled down their windows and egged my vehicle. They sped off and I was stunned and unable to get a plate number. Merry Christmas and thanks for the mess that froze on my brand new Trailblazer. Happy Holidays.”

THUMBS Up to our readers who support this corner with submissions. Whether small or substantial, they share daily bits of city life that showcase the best, and worst, of our neighbours. Hopefully, the latter, and those who might identify with them, can learn that human kindness and consideration is a far better characteristic than carelessness. Much more important are the examples set by those who are recognized for their selflessness by those who take the time to do so. We are happy to provide a forum for all readers’ opinions and look forward to many more of them. Merry Christmas.

Dec 23

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THUMBS Down to the person(s) who dumped a box of moose bones and carcass on the 20th Side Road (between Riverdale & Hwy. 61). Thumbs Up to a couple of good Samaritans (Bill and Roy) who walk the 20th Side Road each day and cleaned up those old bones!

Dec 2

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THUMBS Down “to the person who stole the gravestone out of the car parked at a Bay and Algoma business. It wasn’t a Halloween decoration, it was a real headstone for someone’s beloved family pet. Maybe you didn’t realize its importance or maybe you’ve found your conscience. If so, than return it to anyone who works at the same business and they would be more than happy to return it to its rightful owner!”

Nov 4

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THUMBS Down to the person who broke a raw egg over my car Friday night, Oct. 20. The next time you have eggs that you don’t need, please take them to the Thunder Bay Food Bank at 129 E. Miles St., where the volunteers can give them to people who need food to eat, not to perform acts of vandalism in the dark of night!

Oct 28

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THUMBS Down from this reader “to all of the people who use this forum to complain about useless crap. Get a life!”

Oct 14

Phone Conversation With My Married Sister

Me: To tell you the truth, couples have been annoying the hell out of me lately.

Her: To tell you the truth, I'm a little sick of them too.

Cleaning Up and Moving On!

Ever have one of those mornings when after you take your routine shower and clean yourself up and are ready to head out the door for work, you are suddenly struck with the need to take a crap. So you journey to the washroom, excrete any excrements that seem to have been clogging your lower intestines and then give your ass a sturdy and thorough wipe. But on the streetcar to work your asshole is feeling itchy and you know you did not wipe as well as you hoped. The ride to work seems longer than usual as you anticipate scurrying off to the washroom when you get there just to remove any irritating remnents of fecal matter. And once you do give that final stamp of approval; that good, clean wipe, you know you can finally start the day feeling fresh and with confidence.

Ladies and gentlemen, today is the day Britney Spears finally wiped that clinging piece of shit from her asshole.

Just over two years, Kevin Federline managed to stay in the limelight longer than most would expect from a backup dancer (J-Lo excluded). During this time, he managed to squeeze 2 children (one-year-old Sean Preston and two-month-old Jayden James), a record deal, a reality show and any remaining dignity from the pop princess. Britney finally filed for divorce citing "irreconcilable differences." Translation: he's a fucking douchebag!

Now Britney has petitioned for full custody of their children granting Federline reasonable visitation rights and is waiving any spousal support. From him?... No kidding.

Meanwhile, while all this was coming to light (though who among us didn't smell this coming from a mile away like the cheeseburger stains on Federline's pant that a formerly insane Britney Spears left - ahhh, 2004 and 2005, where did you go?), King PopoZao was in Toronto co-hosting M.O.D and proving he is not Mr. Britney Spears. News Flash: wish granted.

Spears started her comeback with a "surprise" appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman looking slim, healthy and without that 170 lbs. tumour that's been plaguing her career for the past 2 years.

So Britney will be doing as her ex so eloquently put:

"I'm bringing sexy back."

Sleep with one eye open

Say your prayers little one
Don't forget, my son
To include everyone

Tuck you in, warm within
Keep you free from sin
Till the sandman he comes

Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight

Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
Off to never never land

Something's wrong, shut the light
Heavy thoughts tonight
And they aren't of snow white

Dreams of war, dreams of liars
Dreams of dragons fire
And of things that will bite

Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight

Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
Off to never never land

Now I lay me down to sleep
Pray the lord my soul to keep
If I die before I wake
Pray the lord my soul to take

Hush little baby, dont say a word
And never mind that noise you heard
Its just the beast under your bed,
In your closet, in your head

Exit light
Enter night
Grain of sand

Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We're off to never never land

-- "Enter Sandman" by Metallica
This one goes out to Big Brother Eric who, in his pre-pastor mode, was a huge Metallica fan and let's face it... still is :)

The BOO-YAH Summer Movie Review

Allow me to explain my method of madness... BOO means I didn't like it and YAH means I did. There may be some grey area in which it gets a BOO.

The Da Vinci Code (May 19) - BOO
Hmmm... ya.

Over the Hedge (May 19) - YAH
Very cute.

X-Men 3: The Last Stand (May 26) - BOO
Shudder! By far the worst film I saw in theaters this summer!
[puke]
As a sidebar, read Joss Whedon's The Astonishing X-Men - that is what this movie should've been.

Cars (June 9) - BOO
The problem (well, one of the many problems) with this one is it focused on premise over story ie: a world of talking cars! Imagine the toyline on this one! And then when they tried to squeeze in a story (one appealing to adults) it got too complicated and sentimental. If your subject matter is going to be talking cars, then make your target audience ONLY CHILDREN - the parents will watch because their kids are watching (God willing). You don't have to overly win them over. You already got their money.

The Inconvenient Truth (June 16) - YAH
What I liked about this one was that it really was like being in a lecture hall and I am learning about global warming and the harms our Earth has gone under. What gives it that personal touch from Al Gore were those brief interludes of his personal reflection. I say brief because any more would've been a 2-hour long haiku about saving the planet. In stead it focused on the facts and actually tells you what to do and how you can help.

Superman Returns (June 28) - YAH
Eff'n amazing.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (July 7) - BOO
AKA: The Johnny Depp/Jack Sparrow Show - please end.
This was a close second to the worst film of the summer.

Clerks 2 (July 21) - YAH
What I was expecting to be a retelling of the original Clerks but with up-to-date pop culture references (though I knew I'd still enjoy it for what it's worth), turned out to be a film with more heart and thought (despite the donkey-fucking part... that simply had a donkey being fucked). As much fun as Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back was, this was the true finale to the View Askew Verse. It started with Clerks and thus ended with Clerks.

Little Miss Sunshine (July 26) - YAH
This is the charming feel good flick of the year. You'll fall in love with the little girl and more often than not, it avoids cliches. Don't have much more to say about it except I saw it twice in theaters and didn't regret it.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (Aug 4) - BOO
Definitely had its funny LOL moments though obviously not as good or funny as Anchorman.

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Honourable Mention:
Stranger Than Fiction (to be release in Nov '06) - YAH
This is my first Toronto Film Fest Flick I've seen and I wasn't disappointed. It's a great film with a great cast (Will Ferrell doesn't fall prey to being a funny add lib man who's always on). The film is charming, funny, heartwarming, touching and sweet.

When I see you cry

When you first left me
I was wanting more
But you were f**king that girl next door
What'cha do that for? (What'cha do that for?)

When you first left me
I didnt know what to say
I'd never been on my own that way
Just sat by myself all day

I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found the light in the tunnel at the end

Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little whine and a moan
It's only because you are feeling alone

At first when I see you cry
It makes me smile
Yeah it makes me smile
At worst I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile

Whenever you see me
You say that you want me back (Want me back)
And I tell you it don't mean that (It don't mean that)
No it don't mean that (No it don't mean that)

I couldn't stop laughing
No I just couldn't help myself
See you messed up my mental health
I was quite unwell

I was so lost back then
But with a little help from my friends
I found the light in the tunnel at the end

Now you're calling me up on the phone
So you can have a little whine and a moan
It's only because you're feeling alone

At first when I see you cry
It makes me smile
Yeah it makes me smile
At worst I feel bad for a while
But then I just smile
I go ahead and smile

Lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala
lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala
lalala lalala lalala

At first when I see you cry (When I see you cry)
It makes me smile (It makes me smile)
Yeah it makes me smile (Yeah it makes me smile)

At worst I feel bad for a while (I feel bad for a while)
But then I just smile (But then I just smile)
I go ahead and smile (I go ahead and smile)

lalala lalala lalala lalala lalala

At first when I see you cry (When I see you cry)
It makes me smile (It makes me smile)
Yeah it makes me smile (Yeah it makes me smile)

At worst I feel bad for a while (I feel bad for a while)
But then I just smile (But then I just smile)
I go ahead and smile (I go ahead and smile)

-- "Smile" by Lily Allen

The Cakes

This is really for my benefit. So, in case you have not heard, I like to bake. Particularly, I like to bake for other people. And I've also decided to name the cakes I have baked after the people I've baked them for (and in retrospect, I really wished I took pictures of each of these should I ever start a Cake recipe book). Instead, we'll just have to settle for descriptive words and back stories.

The "Kit" Kat Cake
Milk chocolate cake covered in milk chocolate frosting with a layer of wafer sandwiched with more frosting. This cake was made for Katharine Foster's birthday/my Appetizer Party but unfortunately this happened right after she turned vegan.

The Jill Cake
Chocolate cake topped with vanilla frosting and drizzled with chocolate. This one was for Miss Symington's last day at Red Rover. Many (if not, most) people were laid off due to the discontinuation of the show Get Ed (which I actually enjoyed). So I wouldn't exactly call this a celebratory cake, but it made Jill happy nonetheless.

The Emma Cake
White chocolate cake with white chocolate frosting garnished with rainbow sprinkles and trimmed with whipped cream. This cake was made for "Emma Appreciation Day" which turned into a genocide of our department (thanks to the burritos and not the cake). Emma is, by definition, a sultry minx.

The Evan Cake
Moist chocolate cake with rich vanilla frosting with a layer of crushed Oreos in the middle. Decorated with Oreo crumbs, whipped cream and Hershey Kisses. In my opinion the best cake turn-out... so far. And admittedly, I had wanted to have Batman on it because that seemed to be a running theme with the Evan presents I've given him (okay, there were 2 others but this could've been 3!)

The Nadia Cake
Same recipe for chocolate cake as with the Evan Cake (that's right, it was that good) but with milk chocolate frosting with creamy caramel sauce nuzzled between the layers of cake and the same caramel sauce drizzled on top. This cake was for a going away party for Nadia who decided to go back to school in Thunder Bay.

The Darko Cake
You'd think this cake should be dark chocolate. But no, it's rich yellow cake with caramel frosting and garnished with milk chocolate frosting and Hershey Kisses. This was for Darko's birthday who also shared it with Jonathan Soja... but this cake is not named for him as he's afraid of his own birthday celebrations and cake.

**UPDATE**

The Patty Cake
Oh the clever name! Whipped cream and strawberries nuzzled between two layers of fluffy white cake and covered with vanilla frosting garnished with strawberry slices was a compliment gift to the Firemen 2007 calendar I gave Patty for her birthday. The idea to use strawberries for her cake came when back in June for my birthday, Evan and Patty made me a chocolate cake with strawberries that Patty was so adamant on putting on the cake. Little did they know I'm actually not a huge fan of strawberries and she clearly is. Suffice to say, she enjoyed it.

The Andree Cake
Decadant yellow cake with chocolate frosting was the cake for this mother-to-be. I had actually made this cake for her birthday but when the day came, I plum forgot it on my kitchen counter. It was only in the morning as I was at my desk and thinking about the healthy frosting breakfast I had that I remembered about the cake. So we ended up having it the next day - no birthday song required.

Paris Hilton on her music

"I like, cry, when I listen to it, it's so good."

When Our Bodies Finally Go...

I've got a cupboard with cans of food,
filtered water, and pictures of you
and I'm not coming out until this is all over.
And I'm looking through the glass
Where the light bends at the cracks
And I'm screaming at the top of my lungs
Pretending the echoes belong to someone
Someone I used to know

And we become silhouettes
when our bodies finally go
ba ba ba ba

I wanted to walk through the empty streets
And feel something constant under my feet,
But all the news reports recommended that I stay indoors
Because the air outside will make
Our cells divide at an alarming rate
Until our shells simply cannot hold
All our insides in,
And that's when we'll explode
(And it won't be a pretty sight)

And we'll become silhouettes
when our bodies finally go
ba ba ba ba

-- "We Will Become Silhouettes" by The Postal Service

The Ultimate Showdown

Old Godzilla was hopping around
Tokyo City like a big playground
when suddenly Batman burst from the shade
and hit Godzilla with a Batgrenade
Godzilla got pissed and began to attack
but didn't expect to be blocked by Shaq
who proceeded to open up a can of Shaq Fu
when Aaron Carter came out of the blue

and he started beating up Shaquille O'Neal
then they both got flattened by the Batmobile
but before it could make it back to the Batcave
Abraham Lincoln popped out of his grave
and took an AK47 out from under his hat
and blew Batman away with a rat-a-tat-tat
but he ran out of bullets and he ran away
because Optimus Prime came to save the day

this is the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny
good guys, bad guys, and explosions as far as the eye can see
and only one will survive, I wonder who it will be
this is the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny

Godzilla took a bite out of Optimus Prime
like Scruff McGruff took a bite out of crime
and then Shaq came back covered in a tire track
but Jackie Chan jumped out and landed on his back
and Batman was injured, and trying to get steady
when Abraham Lincoln came back with a machete
but suddenly something caught his leg and he tripped
Indiana Jones took him out with his whip

then he saw Godzilla sneaking up from behind
and he reached for his gun which he just couldn't find
'cause Batman stole it and he shot and he missed
and Jackie Chan deflected it with his fist
then he jumped in the air and did a summersault
while Abraham Lincoln tried to pole vault
onto Optimus Prime, but they collided in the air
then they both got hit by a Care Bear Stare, oooh

this is the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny
good guys, bad guys, and explosions as far as the eye can see
and only one will survive, I wonder who it will be
this is the Ultimate Showdown...

angels sang out in immaculate chorus
down from the heavens descended Chuck Norris
who deliver a kick which could shatter bones
into the crotch of Indiana Jones
who fell over on the ground, writhing in pain
as Batman changed back into Bruce Wayne
but Chuck saw through his clever disguise
and he crushed Batman's head in between his thighs

then Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White and
"Monty Python and the Holy Grail"'s Black Knight and
Benito Mussolini and The Blue Meanie and
Cowboy Curtis and Jambi the Genie
Robocop, the Terminator, Captain Kirk, and Darth Vader
Lo Pan, Superman, every single Power Ranger
Bill S. Preston and Theodore Logan,
Spock, The Rock, Doc Ock, and Hulk Hogan
all came out of no where lightning fast
and they kicked Chuck Norris in his cowboy ass
it was the bloodiest battle the world ever saw
with civilians looking on total awe

and the fight raged on for a century
many lives were claimed, but eventually
the champion stood, the rest saw their better:
Mr. Rogers in a bloodstained sweater

this is the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny
good guys, bad guys, and explosions as far as the eye can see
and only one will survive, I wonder who it will be
this is the Ultimate Showdown...
this is the Ultimate Showdown...
this is the Ultimate Showdown...
of Ultimate Destiny

-- "The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny" by Lemon Demon

Kevin Smith, I salute you!

And here's why.

(link sent by Evan)

And read the article here.

Once upon a time...

There was a girl named karaoke-catgirl and she had a live journal.

I came across it, having remembered the URL, and quite frankly I couldn't bare to read it. I started it when I moved to Toronto - January 2004. I was against having a live journal for some time as I objected to some of the personal stuff Ryan would post but thought I'd keep one while I was away.

Little did I know I'd be gone for a long while.

Looking back into this window to the past, I see a girl lost, full of emotions, trying to be something, stuggling. She is sad, pathetic and depressed. She is gulity for having moments of happiness or giddiness. She is unhealthy, troubled and torn. She hurt someone she loved very much. Selfish, stupid girl.

So who am I now? I'm a woman who is happy with herself, happy with her surroundings. Yes, I'm single but I'm far from lonely. Life isn't perfect; it just is and I love it. I love. What a difference two years can make. And from upon starting that old live journal to continuing this blog, I am also at least 10 pairs of shoes richer. Thank you to my wonderful friends and my loving family for being there - well not for the shoes; that was all me!

Take care. I'll see you all later! Well except you, karaoke-catgirl. Your song is over :)

Just letting you know, this will be a rare instance where I post a personal post. Not that there's anything wrong with it - I just figured those who are really close and dear to me, I will feel free to open up and bear my heart and soul to. But seeing as this was reflecting on an old live journal, I thought it oddly fitting.

Said goodbye to my best friend

I fell asleep last Saturday
Underneath polluted skies
I walked alone in those Jersey nights
And I
Saw the board walk start to fall
The emptyness starts to drown
The quiet corners of this town tonight

Late last night I made my plans
It was the only thing I felt I could do
Said goodbye to my best friend
Sometimes there’s no one left to tell you the truth

It's gonna kill me the rest of my life
Let me apologize while I’m still alive
I know it's time to face
All of my past mistakes
It's gonna kill me for the rest of my life

This is my all time low
Somehow it feels so familiar
Somehow it seems so familiar
I feel like letting go
And every second that goes by
I’m screaming out for second tries

Said goodbye to my best friend
Sometimes there’s no one left to tell you the truth
It's gonna kill me the rest of my life
Let me apologize while I'm still alive
I know it's time to face
All of my past mistakes
I've got to live with them the rest of my life

This is the mess I've made
These are the words I can’t erase
This is my life support
Shutting down
For the final time
And it twists like a blade
And kills me for the rest of my life

If you won’t forgive me the rest of my life
Let me apologize while I’m still alive
I know it's time to face
All of my past mistakes
It's gonna kill me for the rest of my life

It's gonna kill me for the rest of my life
It's gonna kill me for the rest of my life

- "The Rest of My Life" by Less Than Jake

The Geek Wants Out!

Four Spoken Word Recordings by Ernest Cline:

Nerd Porn Auteur
When I Was A Kid
Airwolf
The Geek Wants Out

Dr. Tran!

Oh shit! It's Dr. Tran!















(link sent by Evan)

And that's the way I like it...

My head is a box filled with nothing
and that's the way I like it
My garden's a secret compartment
and that's the way I like itand that's the way I like it
Your body's a dream that turns violent
and that's the way I like it
and that's the way I like it
The winter is long in the city
and that's the way I like it

So please
Baby please
Open your heart
Catch my disease
I was backstage in Pomona
and that's the way I like it
She drank beer with Coca-Cola
and that's the way I like it
and that's the way I like it
She told me about the winds from Santa Ana
and that's the way I like it
and that's the way I like it
She told me she'd love me like fireworks
and that's the way I like it

So please Baby please
open your eyes
and catch my disease
So please Baby please
come on
and catch my disease

catch it
Na na na na na na na na na

(laughter)

They play Good Charlotte on the radio
and that's the way I like it
They play Sleepy Jackson on the radio
and that's the way I like it
and that's the way I like it
I hear Beyonce on the radio
and that's the way I like it
'cause that's the way I like it
they don't play me on the radio
but that's the way I like it

So please Baby please
Open your heart
and catch my disease

So please
Baby please
Come onnnnnnnn
And catch my disease
Catch my disease!

nananananananana
Catch my disease
nananananananana
Catch my disease
nananananananana
Catch my disease

nananananananana
nananananananana

nananananananana
nananana
nananananananana (ooooo)

- "Catch My Disease" by Ben Lee

Hiphopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros

A classic gangster/folk crossover by The Flight of the Conchords.












(link sent by Evan)

Are You Rollin' With Bob Saget?

Bob Saget, bitch! You bettah askx someone!

(link sent by Kelly)

Ode to Short-Lived Animated Shows

Family Dog (1993)
Created by: Brad Bird (of The Incredibles and The Iron Giant fame)
Executive produced by: Tim Burton and Steven Spielberg.
Voice actors: Martin Mull

Spin-off to an episode of Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories. Told of the trials and tribulations of the Binford's family dog.

Amazing Stories: Family Dog Pt. 1
Amazing Stories: Family Dog Pt. 2
Amazing Stories: Family Dog Pt. 3













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Clerks: the Animated Series (2000)
Created by: Kevin Smith
Executive Produced: a surprising large number of people - so we'll just say Scott Mosier :D
Voice actors: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Jason Mewes and Alec Baldwin

The continuing adventures of this generation's favourite slackers - Dante and Randal

Clip of the Korean style animation











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Clone High (2002)
Created by: Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Executive Produced by: Phil Lord and Bill Lawrence (of Scrubs fame)
Voices actors: Will Forte, Nicole Sullivan, and Christa Miller

The greatest minds of the world have been cloned and are now attending high school together.

First episode
Finale Pt. 1
Finale Pt. 2











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The Oblongs (2001)
Created by: Angus Oblong and Jace Richdale
Executive Produced by: Jace Richdale and Bruce Helford
Voice actors: Will Ferrell and Jean Smart

The misadventures of a goofy family deformed by toxic waste - that's always fun!
Four minute trailer














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Undergrads (2001)
Created by: Pete Williams
Executive Produced by: Neil Court and Steven DeNure
Voice actors: Pete Williams

The misadventures of a group of childhood friends who keep in touch even while they go to separate colleges.

Undergrads Promo

Former school denounces Michelle Williams

Pst, no one tell them about Dawson’s Creek.

Brokeback Mountain actress Michelle Williams has received some harsh criticism for her role as the wife of a homosexual cowboy. The critic is none other than the headmaster of her former school, Sante Fe Christian School in San Diego, California, Jim Hopson.

Hopson declares Williams is "offensive" for acting in the controversial Oscar nominated film and branded her as a poor role-model. He tells the San Diego Union Tribune, "We don't want to have anything to do with her in relation to that movie. Michelle doesn't represent the values of this institution. Brokeback Mountain basically promotes a lifestyle we don't promote." Clearly, that lifestyle includes tolerance and acceptance.

Besides this backlash Williams has received, she has also been showered with praises most notably, an Oscar nom. Should Williams win the coveted award, it’s a safe bet she won’t give any shout outs to the good folks at Sante Fe Christian School.