Talk Radio

I love good talk radio. It reminds me of when I was a kid and my mom and I would drive from Brandon to Winnipeg and listen to Peter Warren on CJOB. I remember his show would always be about one topic and people would call in. Usually a lot of idiots called in and if they annoyed Peter, he would blatantly cut them off or call them on it. It was awesome.

One episode in particular was about whether or not seatbelts worked. People called in with stories of how they had been saved in a car accident by seatbelts. Others called in and said, they had not been wearing their seatbelts, had been in an accident and thrown from their cars which consequently exploded into flames from the impact of the accident and therefore not wearing a seatbelt at all had SAVED them. Other people would be totally off and talk about how if you were sleeping in the passenger seat, your relaxed state would make it easier for you to avoid injuries during a car accident. It was all pretty interesting not to mention entertaining.

I also enjoy podcasts. One in particular that I really like is CBC's Quirks and Quarks. Its a great way to learn about the scientific world, what's going on in new research etc. but all in layman's terms so it's understandable. The host Bob MacDonald asks all the right questions and from the point of view of the average person who might not fully understand the science behind the topic.

So when a friend and coworker introduced me to This American Life podcasts, I was of course willing to check it out. And I love it! This is story telling at it's best. Each show is themed and hosted by Ira Glass who breaks the show down into parts or "acts". The stories can be non-fiction and fiction and they all relate back to the overall theme. One that my coworker pointed out to me was about "Fiascos". The first act is a story told by Jack Hitt about a production of Peter Pan gone terribly wrong. The way Jack Hitt tells the story is truly amazing as he builds up the events. He and the host can't help but laugh as the story just gets more and more crazy. It's great!

Another fascinating This American Life podcast is called Scenes From a Recession. This podcast again goes through several stories of how people are being affected by the economic downturn. The most interesting was Act 2 which is called "Unbreaking the Bank". It talks about what happens when an American bank goes under and the FDIC comes in an takes over. It's like something out of an action movie!

You can download the latest episode for free on itunes or stream live directly from their website. Last weeks episode entitled Fall Guy is about, well people who have been the fall guy. The first 'act' is by Mike Birbiglia and is the story of how in highschool he ended up being the 'Fall Guy' for the entire school. He makes hilarious references to after school specials and how in his case "running away from the problem" worked and no one ever told him that he would make it through but supported him when he decided to jump ship. Very entertaining.

I recommend checking it out if you've got some headphones at work or if you can bring your laptop top into the washroom and listen to it while you clean your bathtub. That's what I plan to do today while I listen to this episode which is also supposed to be hilarious.

Happy Canada Day!

(Ironic that I am showcasing an American radio show, but hey what can you do?)

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Mixed Bag of Goo.

I'm really hard up for titles.

This is going to be a list of randomness:

1. The Bachelorette - still keeping Wes on the show (idiot) but Ed is back! I texted Sassy S when I saw him as she has him in our office wine pool! Unfortunately I got a message back saying that my message had been successfully delivered to a Landline. Whoops! I don't know if you have ever had a message delivered to your landline but it's hilarious. The time it happened to me a robotic voice came over my answering machine at 12:30 in the morning and said:

"Hey how's it going? When does bowling start?"

2. First game of Urban Beach Volleyball happened yesterday. My arms are so bruised and sore. But we won 4 of the 6 games. We're determined not to be in last place like we were in Dodgeball (that was totally because we didn't fill out the spirit points cards btw).

3. I'm going to be checking out Season One of Garth Marenghi's Dark Place. It's British so it has to be good. Here's a little clip from the first episode:

4. Speaking of British, I told my British Coworker that when I receive an e-mail from him I can't help but read it (in my head) in a British accent. Then I proceeded to read an e-mail from him out loud with my really bad British accent. He watched all of this and said "You're racist!"

5. There is a new show coming out in July called Dating in the Dark:

Basically the premise of the show is that three girls and three guys move into a house and they only get to interact in a dark room where they can't see eachother. Of course they have special cameras that see everything and the preview even showed one couple making out - site unseen! What do you guys think?

What's on my ipod right now - part six

If you want to hear some of the music that is featured in this post, press play on my playlist.

I realized it has been since March that I posted what is on my ipod. And I only have eight albums to share with you. If you want to look at the archives, you can find them here:

part one

part two

part three

part four

part five

1. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

This album is really interesting. The first song "cannibal resource' made me get up and dance around my apartment (literally) until I got embarrassed and noticed the windows were open. Anyways the songs flip around from female to male vocals and at minimum will make you bob your head up and down. This would be a good album to listen to while sitting outside sipping a long island iced tea. Featured playlist song: Stillness is the Move

2. MSTRKRFT - Fist of God

This album makes me feel badass when I listen to it. Some might find it a little intense but at minimum you will love the song "Heartbreaker" featuring John Legend. I also had no idea they were from Toronto! Go Canada. Anyways the song I have picked for my playlist is called "Bounce" and it gives you a good idea of the flavor of this album. Electronic with some Hip Hop mixed in. Recommended for driving in a car - especially if you're in Washington. 

3. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus

This is a really fun album that I had been anticipating for awhile thanks to a great MP3 of the song 1901 that was released on the bands website awhile back. The album is probably the best of theirs so far with other gems like Lisztomania. The music is generally happy and easy to get into and it won't freak your mom out if she happens to be riding in your car. Featured playlist song: Lasso

4. Sebastian Tellier - Sexuality

This is one of the albums on this list that I need to listen to more, but what I have heard so far is really great. The first two songs "roche" and "kilometer" are easily catchy and smooth and electronic. The myspace page is weird actually because none of the songs from this album are on it - not sure what the deal is there. The songs on the myspace page might also creep you out so don't let them influence you, and yes some are in French. Check out this album before you judge. OH and look at that I just noticed the album cover is a naked lady. Featured Playlist song: La Ritournelle (Metronomy remix) - also not on the album!

5. Foals - Antidotes

Okay this album is actually a repeat from a previous list, but I have been listening to it a lot lately. It came out last year, but so did a million amazing albums and this one didn't get as much play as it should have. Now that I have listened to it from front to back a few times, I realize what a great album it is. Full of energy! The main vocals remind me of Robert Smith, but the energy level of the music reminds me of this band from Winnipeg called The Hummers (with a heavier sound). I'm sure many people would argue that one. Featured Playlist song: Hummer (coincidentally).

6. The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love

Looking for a sweet mellow album? This one will do just nicely. I have never really been into the Decemberists, the only reason really is laziness on my part. I decided to check this album out and I thought it was quite enjoyable - especially on a good stereo. One day I was doing laundry and walking down the hall of my apartment building when I heard a good yet familiar song coming from another apartemnt. "What is this?" I thought to myself. Finally it hit me that it was the Decemberists. It made me want to go listen to it. Featured Playlist Song: Hazards of Love Part 1

7. Au Revoir Simone - Still Night, Still Light

I think if the Stars and the now disbanded Vancouver band The Organ had a baby, it would be Au Revoir Simone. This album has lovely organ mixed with girly lead vocals. You can't lose. Plus pretty much every track is great. Featured Playlist Song: All or Nothing

8. Roddy Bailey - Edge of Town

As some of you know my brother has been writing and producing music since, well highschool I think. Whenever he or one of the artists he works with comes out with a new album he usually gives me a free copy and I immediately transfer it to my ipod. Most of his stuff is hip hop, but last year he did an album that was more singing (you may remember my video debut). Anyways it's a cool album. My favorite song is Your Revolution which is nowhere to be found on the internet. Instead I am putting an old mcenroe and Birdapres song on my playlist: Broke Beat

Rawbean's BCMC/Grouse Grind Count: 7/20 (Saturday, did it alone - crazy)

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Whoah!

Update: Well as you know, it's true and it really is very sad. It feels like a little part of our childhood died doesn't it? Do you remember how crazy Thriller was? I remember renting the "making of" video with my brother and best friend. The technology at the time was cutting edge! I even had a Michael Jackson doll (I think it's still somewhere at my parent's house). 

It's sad what became of Michael Jackson in the past several years, but it just goes to show that people are not meant to handle that kind of publicity and fame. It really does destroy one's mind, doesn't it?

But I will always think of the awesome 80's MJ! Life wouldn't be the same without him.

Apparently Michael Jackson is dead!

Is it true? Or a coma?

What the hell?!
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I love this bit from Family Guy

Did you know you can watch Family Guy Online?

Anyways I feel like all I post about is my daily life these days. BORING. I have some music to share with you guys but I'm still working on the post. I also want to randomly mention that Nancy Grace is one of the most annoying people on the planet.

SO what is going on in your lives? Maybe you can all tell me a little story or anecdote from your day?

This Post is About Chocolate Chip Cookies

I lied. This post is totally about hiking and the bachelorette....but WAIT! I swear it will be slightly more interesting than the last hiking posts. So stay with me okay? 

I think I will kick it timeline, third person style:

5:15  - Rawbean waits outside her office building downtown. She is wearing her hiking gear and black mary janes shoes. It's not a good look. She gets a few raised eyebrows.

5:20 - Deny is spotted across the street. He almost crosses but leaps back to safety and avoids being hit by a Mazda Miata.

5:21 - Deny crosses the street and motions to his headset that he is on a conference call. He says words like "contract" "what is our conclusion?" "I will see what I can do." He is wearing workout clothes.

5:30 - They walk (back in the direction that Deny just ran from - he is not impressed. Five blocks to be exact.) They get into Rawbean's car.

5:31 - They drive two blocks and pull into INSANE TRAFFIC. Is there an accident? What is the delay? No one knows.

5:32 - Deny eats an apple.

5:37 - Rawbean reaches for some gum in her purse. She puts the bag back into the back seat of the car and chews.

Deny says "No I didn't want some gum."

Rawbean: "You're eating an apple!"

Deny: "For later?"

5:38 - Rawbean reaches back into the purse and pulls out the gum. Deny doesn't want to take the piece right now. But he is done his apple and needs a place to put it. He picks her drink holder. NICE.

5:55 - Deny starts giving advice "oh maybe you should turn here, this traffic isn't going anywhere"

Rawbean: "There's a BMW in the way"

Deny: "Just give it a little honk, he'll move." He reaches over and honks the horn.

Typically Rawbean doesn't like this but it actually works. Well not really because they end up going to another dead end and really just end up turning around and going back in the direction she was originally pointed in.

6:20 - They finally arrive at Grouse Grind. Today is epic as Rawbean is doing the actual Grouse Grind for the first time. Not the BCMC next door. Deny decides to send his bag up via the gondola and asks Rawbean if she wants to put anything in it.

Rawbean: "No"

Deny: "Really?"

Rawbean: "I'm not sending anything up in that bag." Rawbean gives Deny a piece of gum. He puts it in his pocket.

They decide that Rawbean should get a head start while Deny checks his bag and he will catch up. 

6:25: I start the grind....I mean...Rawbean starts the grind. Hmmm feels weird talking in the third person. It seemed to work at first but now I don't know. I think I will switch back to first person for a second:

So I did the grind entirely on my own today. It only took me 1hr 5 min. I am super stoked about that! Deny thought he would catch up to me but he never did and I even had to wait for him at the top.

7:30 - Rawbean finishes the Grind! The real Grouse Grind. AND it is WAY harder than the BCMC for the record.

7:40 - Deny comes up the mountain. He did it in 49 minutes (he started quite a bit later). He was crazy sweaty.

They go inside to get Rawbean's gondola ticket and Deny's bag and oh....guess what happened? They couldn't find his bag! 

7:55 - Still trying to locate the bag. 

Rawbean: "See that's why I didn't put anything in the bag. And I am totally going to miss the beginning of the Bachelorette."

Girl at counter pipes up: "Did you see the episode when they were up here?"

Rawbean "YES!"

Deny and girl go to the gondola in search of the bag. Rawbean waits behind, but then thinks to herself "if they find it, we should probably get on the gondola as its here right now."

Rawbean races out to the gondola. At the same time, Deny has located his bag and is frantically running back to grab Rawbean. They completely miss eachother.....and the gondola.

8:04: (waiting for the next gondola)

Deny: "The next one isn't for another 15 minutes, I'm going to go change, I'll be back."

Rawbean: "If it comes I'm leaving without you."

8:10: Gondola arrives

Rawbean looks and sees Deny pushing through the crowd "Damn" she thinks to herself.

8:15: They are on the Gondola. Rawbean pulls out the piece of gum she saved from back at the car. Deny asks for half.

Rawbean "What happened to the one I gave you?"

Deny: "I really don't know". He really didn't. 

8:30: Back in the car and driving home. Deny is going back to work so Rawbean drops him off on the street corner a few blocks away (hehe). 

9:00: Rawbean FINALLY arrives at home (After realizing that Deny left his apple core in her car!)

9:02: Rawbean flips on the TV and tunes into the Bachelorette (half way through) and sees guys in a hot tub....it looks familiar. It's freakin' Emerald Lake!

If you don't remember I (and Nayway and Chantoon and Junebug) were just there (switched back to first person) that is where Nayway's wedding was! This show is seriously freaking me out. It's really weird right? Let's look at the list:

Bachelorette is from Vancouver

I live in Vancouver

Bachelorette is an Interior Designer

I am an Interior Designer

They went to Vancouver to places like Granville Island

I sometimes go there too and it is close to my place

They went up on Grouse Mountain

Hello did you read this post? 

They travelled across the province to Emerald Lake

Holy Fucking Shit

Well. I'm exhausted. Sorry about the long post. I was going to eat, but I'm too tired to go get something (I have no food). So I wrote this post and now it's off to bed. Oh I almost forgot:

Rawbean's BCMC/Grouse Grind Count: 6/20

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Another weekend over....

Hey Peeps. Hope everyone had a good weekend.

Mine was quite lovely. On Saturday my friend Kristi and I went on a three hour hike on Mt. Seymour. We went on a trail called "Dog Mountain" .

I had heard a lot of good things about this trail and it definitely delivered. The strange thing is though that everyone said it was super easy. And it was definitely much tamer than BCMC, but I wouldn't call it "easy". Maybe because there was still a lot of snow. But at some points we were climbing up the roots of trees. Some websites say that its good for small children. I disagree. A lot of dogs were out enjoying it though. I mean, the trail IS named after them. 

The other amazing thing is the treat at the end. An amazing view of the lower mainland and surrounding mountains:

When we reached the top we realized it was quite a steep cliff down the edge of the rock we were standing on. My friend Kristi was standing near the edge and I said "Oh god it would be awful if you fell" and she said "Tell everyone I was happy and in a good place!" Luckily I didn't have to deliver that message.

Today I went to visit my parents in b-ham. It was a nice day of father's day brunch, watching two movies with my mom (The Women and The Italian Job) and playing with my parent's dog Lucy (a.k.a. the world's cutest dog). I also managed to swing by Target to stock up on shoes, gum and wine. 

I am planning another "what's on my ipod" this week. I have two Grouse/BCMC climbs planned and a Benjamin Moore colour forecast event! Oh I know you're jealous.

PS. I recognize that this blog is getting a little 'hike-heavy'. I will try and let up on that :) Maybe more cartoons? OR....well something else.

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