Sparks got too rad

MillerCoors LLC will stop producing and marketing caffeinated alcoholic drinks, including the current formulation of its top-selling Sparks brand, under a settlement with more than a dozen state attorneys general.

The beer giant had come under fire from attorneys general and consumer-advocacy groups for allegedly targeting underage drinkers through its marketing of Sparks.

“Attorneys general from around the country are gravely concerned about pre-mixed alcoholic energy drinks because these products are dangerous and look and taste like popular non-alcoholic energy drinks,” Maine Attorney General Steve Rowe said in a prepared statement.

Today’s settlement specifically addresses concerns about the marketing of Sparks. Although MillerCoors denied acting improperly, it agreed to make some major changes. These include:

• Stop using images that imply power (battery-themed +/- symbols on the can) and that appeal to underage youth to market the product.

• Not renewing its contract with William Ocean (I’ll be doing a post on him soon), a MillerCoors-sponsored air guitarist who back flips onto an opened can of Sparks at his shows.

• Immediately discontinue the Sparks website.

• Reformulate Sparks brand products without caffeine or other stimulants and agreed not to produce any other caffeinated alcohol beverages in the future.

(article stolen from http://thegrip.wordpress.com)

Nasal sebum

Nasal sebum, also known as Nose grease/oil, is grease removed from the surface of the human nose. The pores of the lateral creases (where the nose joins the face) of the exterior of the nose create and store more oil and grease than pores elsewhere on the human body, forming a readily available source of small quantities of grease or oil. The grease is a particularly oily form of sebum, thought to contain more squalene (C₃₀H₅₀) than the secretions from other parts of the skin. It is notable because nose grease is a convenient durable lubricant with additional surprising applications.

Nose grease can be used to minimize scratches in optical surfaces, for example when cleaning photographic negatives.^[1] Observatory lore holds that nose grease was used to reduce stray light and reflections in transmissive telescopes before the development of vacuum antireflective coatings.^[2] The antireflective properties are due in part to the fact that the nose oil fills small cracks and scratches and forms a smooth, polished surface, and in part to the low index of refraction of the oil, which can reduce surface reflection from transmissive optics that have a high index of refraction. The same effect is sometimes used by numismatic hobbyists to alter the apparent grade of slightly worn coins.^[3]

Nose grease has mild antifoaming properties and can be used to break down a high head on freshly poured beer or soft drinks. Wiping nose grease onto one's finger and then touching or stirring the foam causes it to dissipate rapidly.^{[citation needed]}

Nose grease has also been used as a lubricant when playing the banjo. It can lubricate fingers for slides with the fingering hand, or to lubricate picks so they do not 'stick' to the strings when playing.

Hard-to-make Financial Decisions

7 FOOT WATERFALL - $500 (CHILLIWACK)

---

Reply to: sale-956708266@craigslist.org ^[?]
Date: 2008-12-13, 12:26PM PST

This is a 7ft waterfall ordered from california.We have had it 5 years,and it retails for $3200 plus taxes brand new. It is excellent working condition,but does have damage to it that does not effect the operation of this beauty,but asthetically not 100%. The dimensios are 7ft tall by 33 inches wide and 16 inches deep.To warm up this cascading waterfall add some topiere or green plantation and cover most of the side where the repair was made or veneer all 3 sides with new fibre glass or thin wood veneer.If your remotely handy not hard to do.My price reflects the imperfections.Serious inquiries only!

• Location: CHILLIWACK
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 956708266

Boosh at the Alf House

I figured I'd stay away from diary-like entries, because that is so livejournal 2001 right? But after reading a lot of Mish's hilarious anecdotes, I realized that our lives are way more awesome than we think they are. And we better start documenting now, dammit.

I have a terrible sickness (that happened suspiciously after smoking weed, more than I have in about two years) and it includes uncontrollable coughing, followed by the upheaval of some pieces of my esophagus or something, and consistent sneezy face.

But I just had three codeine and thanks to Kati J am feeling much better.

So MJ and I have started these nights called Boosh Tuesdays, which we usually host at the Cobalt, but due to double booking, and me forgetting about the double booking, it was held at the Alf House for the December 9th show, featuring DICHOTOMY, 99 PROBLEMS, WAR HERO, and NU SENSAE.

What is it with these kids who show up at 8pm, already wasted, wearing their mom's fake crushed velvet blouse as if they were pants, and completely disregard the fact that other people are existing around them. These kids amaze me. If they're not being too aggressive when bands are playing, they're puking in the bathtub and not telling anyone about it. I don't think they realize that people actually live in that house and conduct daily life routines.

So anyway, a lot of people showed up and the kitchen was unbearably packed as per usual. 99 PROBLEMS played their best set ever in my opinion, and NU SENSAE opened with a new song I believe, totally awesome long intro. I was stoked.

WAR HERO's vocalist Tommy is so high energy it makes me feel like a crochety old woman. Serious, that guy flails around and falls into stuff like he won't even bruise up the next day. He probably doesn't.

I love shows at the Alf house.

The best was when some kid showed up from the suburbs, and was getting a tour of the house. Upon finding Juls and others in her room (was it her room at that time?) smoking some weed, he goes,

"Why do you live like this, is it for the culture?"

To which Juls replied, "Uh, I guess so."

Now, due to a crazy neighbour who likes to chase tenants out with a baseball bat, the house is undergoing continued inspections from the city, the health inspector, the landlords, everyone.
That crazy multiple-restaurant owning douchebag wants that house gone ASAP. Too bad the landlords are stoked to have punks live there for as long as possible! Who else would pay 1300/month? Definitely not baseball bat weilding idiots like that guy.

glamour shots

nimoy's big crush on l.o.t.r.

Wales

I will be leaving for Wales on the 29th of December. In a preemptive effort to enjoy myself, I decided to search for anything punk or rad, or both, going on.

And then I found this.

CIRCLE OF ONE
Brynmawr rockers returning to Wales.
+ Thyrd Eye
Dark energetic angry yet melodic rock.
+ Die! Chihuahua Die!
Rock, die, then rock some more.

Saturday 22nd November
Doors 8.00pm til late
Entry £4 / £3 flyer
plus free shot on entry


I also found this bar in Cardiff called Barfly, that has drink specials such as, shots of Jager for 1 pound, and bottles of beer for 1 pound.

So I guess regardless of if any of these silly shows with stupid sounding bands are any good,
I won't really be in a sober state of mind to care and I'll have enough money to find my way to my grandma's house in the morning.

So cute you'll puke

T.M.P. Philadelphia

I recently got back into Philip Glass. Then I found this:

Which I'm pretty sure an entire movie devoted to animals getting stoked on each other.

one of the reasons my mom kills it

Thorns of (Holy Stoking The Shit out of Everything) Life

JAWBREAKER+COMETBUS+CRIMPSHRINE=

Chain Mail.

Do you think it was created by housewives in the 50s who had nothing better to do than handwrite funny letters and send them to their friends?

And then the 90s came along and they were like shit, how do we keep this going?

Thanks Mish.

Rules:


1. link to the person who tagged you.
2. post the rules on your blog.
3. write six random things about yourself.
4. tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. let each person know they've been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. let the tagger know when your entry is up.


So I guess:

1. sometimes i wish i was wearing a cocktail dress

2. i tell everyone i am six feet tall, but this is probably not true

3. i made out with your best friend

4. i am allergic to nickel

5. i am stoked on my friends more than anything

6. i probably forgot your name, and how we met, and what you look like.



i dont really want to specify, so everyone should just write something.
im going to sleep.
xoleggges

uh well

VIVIAN GIRLS show at RICHARDS? Total Urb Rumours. Oh well, next time.

But you should definitely attend this:

BOOSH TUESDAYS presents:

HARD FEELINGS
TERROR BIRD
HERMETIC

at the COBALT

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 25TH

5 BUCKS
3 DOLLAR BEERS
930PM



duude.

Hair

it's winter

According to this little batch of knowledge, Vancouver gets 54 hours of sunshine in December. In July there are 9 hours of sunshine a day. Which means, if the sun rises supes early, and sets quite late, there still isn't any days of consistent sun. Which means summer is never consistently hot enough. We live in soup.

Top:

1. Sober hangouts
2. Birthday month
3. Steve Winwood (BlLIND FAITH)
4. DISFEAR
5. Carrie, Taylor, Miranda, Mish, Andrea, Oats.
6. Benny, watching me type this.
7. Crushes.
8. Budgies, Courier Job, volunteering at Spartucus, promoting BOOSH with MJ
9. Too legit to quit.

I want a mixtape of songs like this song

OMG

Shows Tonight, Tomorrow, The Next Day.


Tonight:

/ Pompoir ... (5 year hiatus Reunion show!!)
/ Objects (mem of Black Mage & Shearing Pinx)
/ Telephone Girls
/ Aiden Kasta
/ Racketball (solo mem of Stamina Mantis)

Fake Jazz Tonight @ The Cobalt !!!
$3 - 10pm




Thursday:

Channels 3x4 / Modern Creatures / Nu Sensae / Shannon & The Clams / Forever

Sweatshop Uppitystairs




Friday:

Black Ships (on tour from Montreal)
Tempest
Citizen Grade
Fear Of Tomorrow

at the Chateau


Get stoked. I'm going sober till my birthday party (Nov.15th).

So if I act like I hate you it's not personal.

That should be a sticker of some sort. "It's not personal, its alcohol withdrawal, NBD!"

GARBAGE CAN/ 99 PROBS/ CITIZEN GRADE photos: emily walford

The Tuesdays You've Always Hoped For Are Finally Here

please just appreciate the terrible, terrible steez of this music video

i think i want to do a spice girls cover in my next musical endeavour. wannabe?

why i love budgies #2

showsies

Radical bro.

This was an article in the Vancouver Province. I don't see the rea' for any disdain. The double entendre is worth mentioning, but also the fact that they're upset as being seen as too, what, violent? Militant insurrectionists?
These people need to learn about a little thing called the weed high.
Unless you work on a grow op for the Hell Angels, and I'm quite certain the "upset supporters" don't, weed culture is not going to make you shoot guns and fight cops.

Get oooover it. Hippies.

Marijuana candidate listed as 'radical' on ballot

Marijuana Party supporters were upset yesterday their candidates appeared on the ballot as the Radical Marijuana Party.

Abbotsford candidate Tim Felger said adding the word radical to the party's name was “pretty disturbing.”

“This deepens the perception of me being a radical. It’s just slanderous,” he said.

Felger said he signed papers with Elections Canada which listed the party’s name as Marijuana.

“Elections Canada said that’s how it would appear on the ballot. I’m upset. Somebody injected the word radical into the paperwork,” he said. "They don't put prefexes in front of other parties like Neo-Conservative."

A handful of other Marijuana candidates across Canada were also affected in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. Felger was the only B.C. candidate.

— Kent Spencer, Staff Reporter "

Tent cities are now legal in the city of Victoria as of the 15th of October.

Holy shit!

why i go to house parties #1

why i love budgies #1

Andrew D & Wayne,
reposted from Les' blog

Apparently my phone number is on a bathroom wall in Detroit MI.

Or so says dude calling from 313 415 4781 at two in the morning (5am his time) looking for some girl named Kelly or something.

11:55am Daniel: i want more turkey than you and everyone

11:56am Jennifer: i want more cranberry sauce than the people at cranberry farms

11:57am Daniel:i want more curry than india

11:58am Jennifer: i want more sweaters than alaska

11:58am Daniel: i want more babooshkas than siberia

11:58am Jennifer: i want more seclusion than greenland

12:00pm Daniel: i want more suicides than finland

12:00pm Jennifer: i want more cigarettes than montreal

12:00pm Daniel: i want more immigrants than new mexico

12:02pm Jennifer: i want more hippies than nelson

12:04pm Daniel i want more churches than Norway

12:06pm Jennifer: i want more masturbation than the army.

12:06pm Daniel: hahahaha

Okay so I guess the story about the girl with the snake in her bed is an urban legend after all. Damn.

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/snakes/165054-snake-tryed-eat-girl-bed.html

vancouvers annual halloween messenger race

gendercat

Halloween Back Up Plan #1

RIP One of the better spots to drink in Kelowna, BC

the future is dead


















long live the future

Fake Breakfast at Renos

Dear Lady in Apt#815,

I'm sorry that my cat has caused you grief. I'm sure if you were locked up in an apartment and realized you could hang out in other places by sneaking under a balcony divider, you would probably do so too.

I'm not sorry YOUR cat freaked out and bit you on the arm because you chose to bring a strange cat onto its turf. I'm not sorry you haven't kept up with your immunizations and had to get a Tetanus shot. It's not my fault you chose some clinic that charged you $25 dollars. I sliced my head open on a ceiling duct and got my shit for free.

And did you really need a tetanus shot? Really? Has your cat been eating moldy garbage lately? Digging around manure? Because I'm pretty sure if your cat is as indoor as mine, you aren't going to contract fucking lockjaw from getting bit by a Whiskas mouth.

However, for your mental health, may I recommend smoking pot, injesting Valium, or listening to those Tranquility tapes where they record trickling rivers and birds chirping.

Fucking relax.

"this is one game nobody beats"

How'd you turn a billion steers into buildings made of mirrors?

Library House Show Cancelled.

You know what? If you like going to house shows where its next to nothing to get in, in someones living room, where everyone is there to get rad and have good time and drink or not drink and smoke or not smoke or get high or hardcore dance,
then DON'T FUCK WITH THE VENUE.
Or the promoter. Or the promoters friends.

And especially, ESPECIALLY not the neighbours.

I'm sick of this shit.

Whether is belligerent minors who drink three beers and start falling into rented P.A. speakers,
or drunk street kids who are bent on out-punking everyone by hating clean pants and smirking at talk of jobs and paying rent.
Seriously?

The kids (non gender/age specific) that put on shows are not trying to fuck with your lifestyle. They are not saying you should dress like them, drink the beer they drink, support the Vegan Reich, eat the right amount of whatever, do the right amount of whatever, or listen to the right amount of whatever.

They just want to put on shows. In a safe, somewhat respectful, somewhat DIY environment.

Spraypainting the neighbours sedan, four door whatever, is not going to help this happen.

So if you enjoy getting shitfaced at house shows and not having to pay ridiculous cover,
and not being asked for a second peice of ID when you show them a passport,
or searched and consequently groped by a creep door guy,
or talked to like a dumbfuck by some jerk bartender,
or having to pay seven dollars for a watered down vodka soda,

then respect the fucking scene, and the people who pay rent for the houses you are about to trash.

Jesus.


(RIP Library House)

SHORT- Winter Tips from Craig Anderson on Vimeo

shits genius.

THE SHOW THIS FRIDAY HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE BALMORAL. 159 e hastings.

that is, TRANZMITORS, B-LINES, etc.

montreal craigslist

Dinosaur Fetish - m4w

---

Reply to: pers-827505874@craigslist.org ^[?]
Date: 2008-09-04, 5:52PM EDT

So basically I want to make sweet-hot prehistoric love. We both go to a costume shop, you rent some prey type Dinosaur costume, and I'll get a big T-Rex one.

You, innocently, pretend to eat the shrubs in your backyard, when suddenly I come crashing through the bushes!

Your reptilian brain is startled and the 'fight or flight' response kicks in.

Apparently though, you rented one of the dumber dinosaurs, so your brain chooses to instead curl up into a ball and play dead.

Victory is mine!

I slowly approach and begin sniffing your privates.

Are you wet yet?

• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 827505874



(thanks Arlie)

i used to take good photos.

22/09/08

making dirtbags look holy (http://www.andrewandrewandrew.com)

old pogo days

Alf House Pogo Party

(stolen from the lovely Colby)

Been slacking on the updating but who the hell reads this anyhow?

Um, also, I just found out what fan fiction is, and this is either a calling, or reason to be gravely concerned for my social well-being.


xo


legs

ps. go to the Emerg Room on the 27th.

Sailors

Richies

No matter how many times I go to RICHARDS ON RICHARDS, regardless of the good bands that play, like FUCKED UP and WHITE LUNG, I can't bring myself to like that venue.
The stage is too high, and the sound is only good in 1/18th of the audience area, so if you're really stoked on the band and want to be right close to the stage, forget about hearing the vocals. Forget about hearing anything other than muted guitar sounds and some drum fills.

Also, the drinks are too expensive. The cheapest beer is a bottle of Canadian for $5.50. Maybe this is cheap for some people, but if you're used to $3.00 bottles, or if you've ever drank in Portland, $5.50 is an abominable amount of money for 341ml of watery alcohol.

Anyhow. The promoter made WHITE LUNG go on way too early. FUCKED UP and CRYSTAL ANTLERS hadn't even showed up yet, and it was 9 or 9:30 when they went on stage. And there were a fair amount of people, but many showed up in between sets. It was 11pm before the giant school bus pulled up and CRYSTAL ANTLERS got on stage.

They kind of sound like a jam band that's gone to a big city and done weird city drugs, danced to weird techno music at weird underground basement raves, then returned to a not-so-big city to record an album. I liked them, and they were nice dudes to hang out with after the show and they let me eat their greenroom hummus.

FUCKED UP was as good as always, especially the first three seconds of the set when Damien attempted to stand on top of a monitor and instead slipped and hurtled into the crowd. Luckily someone was able to save him from serious pain.

I was bummed on the turn out for the show; Taylor even turned to me at one point to state the obvious.

"Man, Vancouver is embarassing."

Because the sound was terrible and the crowd was low energy, thus making the band lower energy, it kept bouncing back and forth until one point when I looked behind me and the floor space was just filled with a big empty gap, with some kids lining the back on bar stools.

They should have played a smaller venue. With better sound, and cheaper beer. Like the Emergency Room.

Or Pub 340, if they weren't into firing people so much.

The night ended with tired eyes, and Nardwuar interviewing F'd Up on their Mormon school bus. Then after tracking down a diesel gas station and driving to some expensive but delicious food at the Naam, it was 4 in the morning. I could barely keep my eyes open long enough to google map out directions to the airport.

You are a shithead Williamson.

if you don't know about this already

SEX VID disrupts Fashion

This article I found (while looking around to figure out if SEX VID was supposed to play Vancouver) and the comments that follow, are the best example of ignorant people trying to make a point on the internet.

"But I have a fashion show coming up, and I have to sew. I just pretend it’s Ozzfest."

Updates

I have added a show listings space to the right. If you know of any upcoming shows or nights in the Vancouver area, please contact me either through facebook or email.

Work, Sleep, Party