I've been reading a lot these days about proposed educational reforms in the US. Recently Gubernatorial candidate Rob Reiner (yes, Meathead, that Rob Reiner!) has proposed mandatory pre-school for all 50 States (at this point, only 2 states offer state-sponsored pre-school).  His proposal also involves the top 1% of income earners being those who are taxed to support this venture. The proposal is based on a comparison of costs between pre-school in comparison to that of the cost of early-intervention literacy training and other interventions aimed at the not-yet-school-ready school-aged set. Figures indicate that 7% of the annual educational budget is spent on these type of programs; studies indicate that state-sponsored pre-school will decrease spending by at least 6%.  It's a good thing, as Martha would say...

On the not-so-good side is Bush's 2004 proposal entitled the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, which will require "forced mental health screening for every American child...(the purpose being to) locate and treat children with undiagnosed 'mental disorders'".  Hmmm, it all sounds a bit Big Brother to me. Especially considering that parents protesting this are claiming that the big pharmaceutical companies are behind this particular push.  The earlier the diagnoses are made, obviously, the earlier children will be prescribed their particular regimes of drug therapy, and the sooner the drug companies will be raking in even more money.

Now don't get me wrong - I'm all for properly prescribed medication when and where there is a need for it, but frankly, one needs to consider the number of people who are misdiagnosed on a daily basis for all types of problems, physical and mental.  That's one very major concern right there.

Poor parenting?  Environmental factors?  Socio-economic problems?  There have been a lot of kids with the above problems who have been erroneously diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.  And the more serious maladies? Don't you think the parents or a family physician might have picked these up already?  Or am I'm being terribly naive?

I've heard the US described as being an 'asocial laboratory', and this particular proposal smacks of that very thing.  I think it's time for all the parents of America's 52 million children out there to re-establish and retain control over their children's well-being - before it's too late.

Lezah

Whether you’re an ‘Up N Comer’ or a ‘DINK’ (double income, no kids) or simply a new family purchasing your first apartment/home; modular design (furniture, art, interior settings) is for you.

With major cities’ downtown cores being revitalized, living space is at an all time premium. Lofts, warehouses, high-rise apartments and condominiums are being snapped up by eager buyers, and herein lies the problem. How to create a sense of personal space, within limited square footage, without clutter or confusion?

The modular approach covers potential problem areas and is the solution for linear, clean, high-end interior design. Modular thinking involves:

- modular sliding/folding walls - to create privacy or to open a room

- modular and mobile LED video screens and entertainment units

- modular furniture for both the office, dining area, as well as seating areas ie: Todd Oldham’s new line of sofas

- modular art - a thematic approach that can be the focus of an entire wall or be divided up into various sections, creating a unified, continuous space

No doubt about it - modular is the new ‘mod’ interior design catch phrase.

Christine

modular designindustry r http://www.office-furniture-s...

The liberal National Catholic Reporter compiled a list of those who were disciplined for their dissent from Catholic doctrine, in case you are curious. And this is what its editorial board had to say about it.

’Often on television broadcasts in recent weeks one conservative cleric or another would tell us that all has been settled, in essence that it almost didn't matter who is chosen pope because the Catholic church cannot change its thinking on doctrine or scripture.

The notion is incorrect and dangerous. It suggests that the Catholic community is a collection of robots and that somehow questions how doctrine or new insights into scripture are dangerous to faith. If that were the case we might all be stuck somewhere back in time believing that women are imperfectly formed men, that the sun revolves around the earth, that it is seriously sinful to take interest for money loaned and that scripture supports the keeping of slaves.’

Quite true but that is the weak point of all religions and why I find all religion pointless. Religions are formed on the basis of a claim that must be held true, even when there is nothing to suggest it to be true, and because there is nothing to bind it, save blind faith, it cannot tolerate dissent.

The Political Heretic

‘The entire room was fixated on them.’

’Soon, anger swelled up inside me: This man was the embodiment of all that had oppressed me, all the horrors I had suffered as a child. It was because of his bigotry that my family, my church -- everyone around me -- had alienated me, and it was because of his bigotry that I was called "faggot" in school. Because of his bigotry I was treated like garbage. He was responsible for the hell I'd endured. He and his kind were the people who forced me to live in shame, in the closet. I became livid.’ - from Michelangelo Signorile's web site, which he reposted from his book Queer in America: Sex, the Media and the Closets of Power which was published in 1993.

Read the whole thing. The writing is inspiring and cinematic. There he was, standing in the lion's den watching as his people willfully enter the home of the very enemies who forced a living hell on them. And then the witness who knew not how he would respond becomes one of them. Wow. It just makes me want to have been there.

The Political Heretic

http://www.swanktrendz.com

Thanks, Christine

Most famous, arguably, without ever been seen as the voices of Apu, Chief Wiggum, etc. in The Simpsons, he has also been in a string of terrific films over the last decade - Pretty Woman, Quiz Show, Heat, Grosse Pointe Blank, Cradle Will Rock, Shattered Glass and Woody Allen's underrated Celebrity to name a handful. He was unlucky not to make the A-List with Godzilla a few years back, but lucky for us as he remains one of the most versatile and talented supporting actors in Hollywood - the kind of actor whose longevity never outstays his welcome, and who gives the impression of being a really nice guy to boot. The movie roles he plays, though, rarely seem to stretch him; he is often cast as the likable ‘everyman’ and I'm certain he's capable of so much more. The Simpsons has proved he is a natural voice artist and impeccable mimic with a deadly sense of timing - I hope his career eventually gives him the chance to use these talents more overtly. Perhaps the Monty Python show does just that... Another reason for me to wish I lived in NYC.

Kirk

Drawn by some cheery album artist, I put this on as background music to a bit of work a few days ago - and I like it!

It has been tough to find any meaty info on this new Irish band (formed in 2003, if that counts as new), but it seems they are brothers Dave and Paul Allen on vocals and guitars, with Stephen O'Brien on keyboards and Steve Hogan completing the four piece on drums. Their album is eponymous, but has been listed as Play The Hits, after one of their 3 singles to date.

Stylistically it is up-tempo, soft-rock guitar with a lot of falsetto and not a lot of edge - you are reminded of The Beach Boys, or indeed any band who has tried to emulate those 60's icons ever since; it is sunshine music, light, fluffy and pleasing, and if the day matches the mood you just might find yourself saying, "Let's listen to that again," like I did!

Will they make it big? Well not on the evidence of this, but it also doesn't sound as if they tried to make a world-changing album, just a collection of sweet ditties to get you whistling. In this sense it is a complete success, with no song worthy of the Skip button and several songs worthy of the Repeat button. I'll definitely be looking out for them live, and looking for them to stamp their mark more vividly next time around, because you sense they may be capable of it. 8/10

Kirk

For more cd reviews, go to http://www.swanktrendz.com under the category Music Previews.

High school sucks. It’s a fact of life that high school sucks. The only thing is that you don’t know high school sucks until you get there. Prior to beginning high school, kids think it is wonderful and they get excited just thinking that one day they’ll finally get to go there. Kids are stupid like that.

The one thing I got out of high school that I can use in real life is the ability to desensitize myself to what other people think. Oh yeah... and that the general high school population consists of lame-brained people without an original thought in their heads. I learned these facts quickly in my first year of high school when I was made fun of for tucking in my shirt and yes, believe it or not, I was also made fun of for wearing glasses. Just to give you an idea of the mentality of these people, let us move ahead 5 years to my graduating year.

These same people are making snarky comments because I haven’t shaved for a couple of days, and I work as a ‘lowly’ clerk at a retail store. It’s just hard to take these people seriously when they smell funny and rely on mommy and daddy’s allowance for drug money. It’s hard to take these people seriously when they get into fist fights because someone made out with his best friend’s girlfriend whilst in a high, drunken state, or better yet because, “OH MY GOD! Like, she totally used my lip-gloss without asking, and she may have herpes from whoring around the school!” It’s hard to take these people seriously when they come to school in their pajamas… really, what’s up with that anyway? Can you not take 30 seconds to throw on a pair of jeans? Anyway, I digress.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m a firm believer that high school sucks. It’s not just the cliquey, popular people that make it suck, it’s really everything to do with school in general, whether it be the students, the teachers, or the building itself.

The best times I ever had while attending high school had to be when a few friends and I were kicking apples against the outside walls of the building. It was a daily ritual back in grade 10, and we code named it ‘cheese fondue’ so nobody would know. Every day an apple would smash and embed itself in the creviced wall of the school, and every day we’d laugh until we cried. The best part was in the spring, a bunch of ants detected the decaying apples, and ended up infesting the choir room. Good times.

The only other good time worth noting would also be in grade 10: English 10 with Ms. W. I absolutely despised that old hag and everybody knew it. She had no idea what she was doing. Then it happened. She made an example out of me - an example for all others to learn from, a totally bad example. Boy was I mad. I was so enraged you could almost hear that ball at the top of my internal thermometer exploding. My blood was boiling, and that was it for her. I made it my mission to make her life a living hell, and every day that I went to her class, there was a 65% chance I was going to get kicked out. I must’ve been kicked out 40-some-odd times, but it was great fun because I felt a sort of come-uppance towards her. I heard that I even made her cry once, and it was that one thought that helped me sleep at night. Not just because she deserved it for making me feel horrible and further ostracized, but she also deserved it because she was a horrible, mean-spirited teacher. She was getting older and she didn’t seem to realize that the students, the popular culture, as well as the curriculum, had changed.

I guess I can’t just blame Ms. W. for everything. I’d say about 75% of the teachers I had either didn’t know what they were doing or didn’t know how to deal with the behaviour of their students. First of all, if you don’t know anything about geography, DON’T TEACH GEOGRAPHY! Likewise, if you don’t like teenagers, DON’T TEACH TEENAGERS!. Simple concept if you ask me.

Second, you’d swear half the teachers had never written anything before, the way they left chicken scratch on the boards.

And lastly, I don’t think most teachers know how to deal with teens. I know teenagers are “there to learn” and are expected to sit, listen, and act maturely, but that is NEVER going to happen, so deal with it. Where is the empathy for students’ situations; the earning of respect, rather than demanding it? Teachers need to know that different types of teens need to be dealt with in different ways. If the kid that craves attention is making comments while you’re teaching, try not to acknowledge him in a bad way or else he’ll learn that acting that way puts all eyes on him. On the other hand, if the kid who never speaks looks like he/she is fine, then leave him/her alone; onlycheck in on occasion to make sure everything is understood.

If you were to speak with many adults about their high school years, the stories are similar: arrogant cliques, the quiet student who (someone?) has elected as the school scapegoat, the distant teachers who don’t have the time nor the patience to help the students who need it, because they’re busy babysitting the stoners and idiots in the back.

High school should be game where the contestants ie: administrators and teachers earn points: by attempting to make students sit, demonstrating respect towards students, showing empathy towards students’ situations, ensuring no public humiliation of a student is tolerated, listening and being available, and most of all, making learning comfortable, and fun.

Instead it appears to be a game of the Ancient Romans - but instead of throwing Christians to the lions, they’re throwing students out to see who can destroy whom (perhaps while making bets?) Luckily, my 5 year layered, built up armor has given me an edge. Hopefully, they’ll throw the cliques to the lions, first.

Kyle J.

To view Ani's picture go to Music Reviews category at http://www.swanktrendz.com

When I sat down to interview Ani Kyd, the first moniker that came to mind was 'Enigma Ani'.

There she sat, a gracious interviewee, unruffled, charming, and unaffected despite a resume of performances/abilities that would intimidate any established musician. On the outside she exudes a calm persona which belies the ingenious, creative, and prolific musician/actor/celebrity that she really is. A paradox indeed. However, the beautiful display of tattooed artwork on her body does give one a hint of the inner Ani.

I decided to take a retrospective route for the interview, working from the 80s onward to track the full history of Ani's talents and experiences.

I first met Ani in the 80s, when she was living in a house full of rastas; saxophone in hand that was as big as she was. I knew then that she was a force to be reckoned with, and would end up going places. Little did I know how far she would truly go.

Ani's focus and attention to detail has always been consistent. When it comes to creativity, it's her decisions, her way, her choice of direction.

In the 80s Ani's life was full of ups and downs, much like any struggling artist. She gave birth to Michael on November 6, 1984, and set about being a single parent. She played her first live gig at the tender age of 16 with Bryan James at the Laquana fest playing bass and singing. At 18, Ani formed Rumblefish with Mary-Jo Kopechne and they became the indie darlings with the CITR university crowd. Ani stayed with Rumblefish for 3 years and developed a cult following. Her release, Stranger Things stayed on the CITR charts for months.

Ani next formed Spank Machine with Gerry Jen Wilson (formerly of the Kane Toads). After a short term, she decided to move on.

Heading into the 90s, Ani became more diversified. She formed a power trio called Peterbuilt with Megan Branford (formerly of Limblifter). That band lasted 1 - 2 years and then Spanking Betty soon evolved. Ani also had a short-lived marriage during this time.

Spanking Betty was Ani's foray into a more theatrical, arthouse S&M-themed band which developed a cult following. 9 members were in the band (with brother Luke, on drums) and within 8 months they went from opening for the Subhumans to headlining the Commodore Ballroom. She then dove into her band Ani Kyd and the Band of Champions. Ani was the main constant, but her backing lineup would change every few months with members of DOA, Subhumans, and the Payolas becoming interchangeable depending upon their schedules.

In 1998, Ani met Jello Biafra of The Dead Kennedys while on set of the movie The Widower. They became good friends, with music as their common ground. Biafra liked Ani's direction and was very supportive of her endeavors.

Ani next formed Kyd Monopoly with Flavio Monopoly (she played guitar/vocals while Flavio played drums - a White Stripes concept before the White Stripes existed.

In 2000, Ani took a break from forming and developing her own bands, and accepted a guitar assignment with Thor, touring with GWAR. This was the first time that Ani was not writing band songs. She toured with Thor for a 40 city tour (one of 4 Canadian/US tours she's been involved in) before opting out. She then went on to form Fuel Injected.45. This was an equally talented effort, collaboration with artists she truly respected. She stayed with Fuel Injected .45 for 2.5 years, but it came to an abrupt end due to some over-indulging.

In 2004, Ani had an epiphany/revelation and decided to clean up her life - physically, mentally and spiritually. In the summer she hit a rough spot when her son was hospitalized and diagnosed with schizophrenia. Michael is doing well - a budding musician in his own right - and fully aware of his situation and the importance of his meds.

Ani then decided to come into her own. She formed Ani Kyd, with her favourite musicians: Gene Hoglan on drums (from Strapping Young Lads), Bryon Stroud on bass (from Fear Factory), Ian White on guitar (from Caustic Thought), and Ani on guitar and vocals. Biafra agreed to produce her CD Evil Needs Candy Too, a rarity as he only produces his own work. Everything gelled together last fall, and her CD is due for release in July of 2005. All tracks on the CD are written by Ani, and for her old Rumblefish fans, Ani has included an acoustic/cello version of Stranger Things.

Ani's credits are quite remarkable

• 10 bands from 1986 to 2005
• CD compilations including The Green Revolution, Trooper Tribute, Grrrls With Guitars
• She's been characterized as a cartoon in Futurama, Simpson's #2 of 2, and in the comic, Broken Pencil
• Movies include Attack of the Living Dead, Nerve TV, Marking the Mother, The Widower, and Little Criminals
• Numerous cameos in various visual media from Twilight Zone to The L Word.
• Appearances in music videos for Thor and The New Pornographers

Everything appears to have come full circle for Ani; karmic debts have been paid, she looks and sounds fantastic, and she's ready to take off. Keep your eyes open for this CD - my hunch is that it will be a keeper, and Vancouver's worst kept secret will soon become global.

Christine

Observed at a local high school recently:  long, flowing locks on many of the young men.  Just a short time ago it was the skinhead look that was in, but quicker than you can say Ashton Kutcher, young men have grown out their hair and adopted a look that hasn't been seen since the '70s/early '80s.

At Fashion Week in New York in February (as well as other big shows around the world), longer, wavier hair was the trend many female models were sporting.

Which just makes me wonder: can it be much longer before we're all walking around with Farrah 'dos?

Lezah

For more articles like this, go to the category swank trends at http://www.swanktrendz.com

For more articles like this, go to the category Retro and Future trends at http://www.swanktrendz.com

In the '90s the trend was cocooning, which was all about staying in, beautifying one's home through interior decorating, gardening and the like, and just generally being safe and secure in a familiar environment while avoiding that big scary place we call 'the world'.

Recently, however, people are starting to do (as tends to be the case with trends) a complete 180 and now it's all about hiving:  buzzing off to do your thing, spending as little time at home as possible because that great, glorious world out there is beckoning, and only returning home for absolute necessities (like sleeping, or changing outfits).

Extreme sports have been on the rise for a while now, and the trend in general is to be out and to be active.  The tourism industry is cashing in big-time on this now, recognizing that the staid old bus tours of Europe as just so last week; instead, business lies in eco-tours, sports tours  - you name it, if it's activity based, it'll sell.

So, Martha's out, (both literally and figuratively speaking), and the outdoors are in!

Lezah

We've talked about some of the recent trends in children's pastimes that are currently sweeping the nation, things like knitting and spelling bees. As the world becomes an increasingly dangerous place, parents are regressing back beyond their own childhoods to that rosy time of their parents' (and even grandparents'!) childhoods, where men were men, women were women, and kids could go out and play in the park by themselves. Well, that whole playing in the park by themselves thing just ain't an option any more, but the other, more safe trends are.

The latest trend is children's choirs. Youth choral singing in undergoing a world-wide resurgence; perhaps the sounds of those innocent voices raised in sweet harmony together are what the world is in need of today.

Think back to 2001:  following the World Trade Centre disaster, tributes were held all over the United States for the firefighters and police officers who lost their lives when the towers went down.  One song in particular was played at a lot of these tributes all over the nation: a cover of the Beach Boys' 'In My Room', sung by a group called the Langley Schools' Music Project.

What the LSMP was, in fact, was a mass choir of four Langley (B.C.) elementary schools (Lochiel, South Carvolth, Glenwood and Wix-Brown); the children from these four schools had never sung together prior to the night of the recording. The results, however, were described by various critics as 'haunting' and 'memorable'; David Bowie was so impressed with the cover of his song that he included a 're-enactment' of a children's choir doing his song at a concert the following summer.  The album went top ten in Rolling Stone that year, and was at the top of the Canadian College Radio charts for months.  It sold well in North America, Europe and Japan.

Even more curious was the fact that this cd was actually a re-release of an original pressing of 300 that was made back in the 1970s.  But a DJ named Irwin Chusid got a hold of a copy, and the rest, as they say, is history.

This weekend, in White Rock, BC, hundreds of youth from all over British Columbia have converged on the beautiful Elgin Park Secondary to take part in a weekend of song.  Internationally reknowned choral director, Henry Leck of Indiana's Butler University, is working with students from Victoria, Powell River, Kamloops, Langley and all points in between; Leck will be challenging these young singers with a variety of exercises and activities. The weekend culminates with a concert at 2 pm on Sunday at the school. With symphony orchestras all over the continent scrambling to include the voices of children's choirs into their repertoire, many of these young singers will be looking good for pursuing their interests and maybe even going on to bigger and better things.

Lezah

Well, it appears that beer companies are touting Thursdays as the new Friday, and people are buying in, big-time.  I was talking to an employee of a down-town establishment recently and he was reporting that there is now virtually no difference in numbers between Thursday nights and Fridays.

Shortened workweeks, flexible work hours, more liberal attitudes towards sick day use, and people who are just plain willing to go to work and be half-dead all day and then go home for a power nap only to start all over again Friday night are all helping boost numbers in clubs all around town.  
And who said life is wasted on the young?

.Lezah.

For more articles like this, go to the category Odds & Ends at http://www.swanktrendz.com

John Alleyne - all I can say is that the man is a God.  I worship at his feet.  If I wasn't already spoken for, I would be throwing myself at him... but enough about me. Alleyne, back in 1992, saved Ballet BC from wrack and ruin - at that time they were $300,000 in the hole, but Alleyne was brought in and they haven't looked back.  He is an ambitious, exciting, and driven man.  He has a vision, and the company is all the stronger for it.

Here is the last in the series for the 2004-2005 season:  'The Rite of Spring' is the ballet; John Alleyne is the choreographer; the music is by Igor Stravinsky.  The ballet is based on Stravinsky's controversial ballet; the theme is the awakening of spring, but in a violent Russian style, likened to 'the whole earth cracking'.  Also on the program is '15 Heterosexual Duets', by James Kudelka, which I have seen a number of times now.  An abstract dance on the theme of partnering (men and women), it deals with movement and the principle of dynamics.  'Like You', by Nicolo Fonte, is a highly technical modern dance that was originally created by the Royal Ballet of Flanders. Three solid performance, once again.  Bravo!

Lezah

For more articles like this, go to the category FIne Arts at http://www.swanktrendz.com 

For more articles like this, go to the category skank trends at http://www.swanktrendz.com

I was reminded of the old story (fable?  fairy tale? - whatever!) 'The Emperor's New Clothes' (you know the one - about an emperor who is duped into buying a 'beautiful outfit' and parading it through the streets, when in fact he has been sold nothing more than air; it took a young child to point out that 'The Emperor has no clothes', as everyone was ashamed to admit they couldn't see this 'beautiful outfit').

Anyway, as I was saying, I was reminded of that tale this morning when I read an article in the paper about Bono's glasses.  It turned out that the same optician who made Elvis’s and Elton John's horrendous specs back in the '70s has also been making Bono's for the last five years.  Frankly, I was surprised that I hadn't figured that out for myself as the eyewear all of these guys wore/are wearing has been downright butt-ugly.  I just figured someone must have strung that guy up long ago for committing the most grievous of fashion crimes, but obviously not.  He's alive and well and still churning them out.  He's the eyewear equivalent of a serial killer or something.

There really outa be a law...

Lezah

For more articles like this, go to the category Book Reviews at http://www.swanktrendz.com

One of my favourite books is J. G. Ballard's Booker-nominated 'Empire of the Sun'.  The novel is based on the author's own experiences as a child; while residing in China during the Second World War, he is separated from his parents and forced to endure starvation, death marches, internment camps and all the other horrors that war and life can throw at him. In particular, my favourite part in the novel is where the narrator, Jim, a young boy of privileged upbringing, is torn from his parents and flung into the mass of humanity scrambling to save themselves from the advancing Japanese forces.  Jim finds himself 'rescued' by two white sailors, an act he takes at face value.  Talk between the two men circles around him, and we as adults can read between the lines very clearly; the intentions of at least one of these men is less than honourable, but Jim is completely oblivious to the nuances, the connotations and the innuendoes that are flying around.

The character who narrates Mark Haddon's debut novel 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time' is very similar to Jim, in a way.  Although older, he, too misses many of the emotional complexities of those around him - misses, misunderstands and misinterprets.  Christopher, the protagonist, is a very literal-minded young man who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, and so to him all humans are a closed book.  A gifted mathematician and logical thinker, Christopher is forced to reduce his world into a set of mathematical equations and physical observations in order to cope with the incomprehensiblities of the lives of neurotypicals into which he has been unwillingly thrust.

Written in simple, understated language and in a journal format, the book is a short, easy read, yet the insights and nuances in the book are ones that stay with you for a long time after.  The plot starts out as a murder mystery of sorts, but quickly evolves beyond that.

One tiny, little, almost insignificant thing that I really liked was the numbering of the paragraphs - Christopher uses prime numbers rather than the conventional 1,2, and so on.  It's kind of disorienting to be reading for twenty minutes and glance up to find yourself already on chapter 79 - you're sort of transported, momentarily and on a small scale, into a confusing world, similar to what Christopher must experience on a daily basis.

But Christopher, who has never gone beyond the end of his block by himself, is faced with challenges, and this tale deals with his attempts to cope with the challenges he takes up.  It also looks at the difficult life of Christopher's parents, and lightly touches on that of his school mates.

So, altogether, I highly recommend this book - my rating:  9.5/10.

Lezah

I like shoes, so when I saw an ad about a Shoe exhibit at the old CPR train Station Gallery in Fort Langley, I was intrigued. Even more intriguing was the lead-up to the opening, which involved many stores within the village of Fort Langley becoming involved in a treasure hunt, of sorts.

Basically, what the artists had done was collected and decorated a number of different pairs of shoes, then separated the pairs and placed each shoe in various stores around the village. You could go into a store, find a shoe, and then your job was to take it and track down the mate of that shoe.  Anyone bringing in a matching pair of shoes would then receive a free piece of art from the show, which opened April 23/05 at the Train Station Gallery in Fort Langley.
Fort Langley was busy on Saturday, and I saw a number of people walking around with single shoes, looking for their mates.  A fun idea, and when fun and art mix - look out!

Lezah

I don't play golf, nor do I imagine I ever will, but once a year I find myself gripped by the drama of (surely) the greatest tournament in the sport: The US Masters @ Augusta. Over the years it has thrown up so many fairytale comebacks and final round excitement that you just couldn't write it as well.

This year the four day event followed hard upon a fantastic week of sport in general, most notably the Aintree Grand National meeting, at which I did quite well in the wager stakes! So I thought I'd double up with a few bob on the golf - my initial bet on Sergio Garcia went south when the Spaniard didn't even make the cut, so I dived in on last years' front runner Chris DiMarco @ 12/1 as he led the rain delayed first round at 5 under par. By the end of Saturday night and half way through the penultimate 18, he was 4 shots clear of a fast finishing Tiger Woods and it looked like a 2 man race to the line, with my fella seeming to have a decent advantage. By 10 am on Sunday (EST) that had all changed as a seven shot turn around saw Tiger go 3 ahead teeing off for the final round. What happened then was fitting of the venue and the legend of the event as the two leaders accompanied each other from hole to hole. Tiger looked tense but scarily focused, DiMarco looked relaxed but never hopeful... until the 10th when each hole changed the picture and made it one of the most exciting finishes I can remember. Tiger's one in a million shot from off the 16th green and then his mini collapse to the line left it all square after 72 holes and over 550 shots between them! Inevitably, after pulling it back, DiMarco crumbled anti-climactically in the play off, leaving Tiger a very makable putt for his 4th green jacket. Disappointing, but after such a great contest, and a champion worthy of the name, you can't grumble - it was an honour just to witness it all.

Kirk

For more of Kirk's review, go to the categories Movies and Music Reviews at http://www.swanktrendz.com

Talk about being a little behind in keeping up with the latest releases! On sale for a very reasonable £4.99 at Blockbuster, I couldn't resist the chance to finally see the Bad Cop drama that won Denzel his Oscar and also picked up a nomination for Hawke. Word of mouth had put me off prior to my bargain bin activities, hearing that although it begins well it trails off into melodrama and camp OTT by the final 20 minutes. Erm, there is truth in that statement certainly, as neither the script nor the director seem to know where to take these interesting characters to find a satisfactory conclusion, and it chickens out from the potentially thought-provoking issues in favour of action scenes that dilute any real tension unnecessarily. Both leads are, however, on fine form, and some of their initial scenes sparkle with edge and possibility. Cinematically it also scores some good points with some eye-catching techniques on display and some pleasing colours on the filter.

Ultimately you are left with a feeling of neither fulfillment or disappointment - there's nothing new here, that's safe to say, but as a popcorn flick it is a reasonable success and I will be watching it again before it gathers too much dust. The question, of course, is always going to be - did Washington deserve that golden statue? Well, that depends how you feel about the man as an actor in general; he has sold out to an extent from his early potential in films like Glory, and personally I can take or leave him - the frustration being that you can tell he has a lot to give but chooses movies that don't challenge that talent. I would have preferred if he hadn't won and had been left with the thought that maybe he should try something of real merit with a decent director first. That said, which performance was better that year? Hard to say... 7/10

Kirk

To win a 'Best Picture' Oscar doesn't always take the level of quality it used to in Tinsel Town's heyday - take Titanic, of course, or Chicago and A Beautiful Mind more recently as examples of perfectly average films making it big! Million Dollar Baby, unfortunately, can also be added to the list.

I missed it on its original release, favouring other award contenders on instinct - and I think I was right. Given a second lease of life on the big screen due to its success I gave it a chance on a free afternoon.

It feels very much like an Eastwood film right from the credits - no nonsense, clean images and edits, and a simple, slightly sentimental style; it seemed like it was going to be a winner: Clint was on form, as was Morgan Freeman in the early scenes, and Hilary Swank was as natural and charming, as usual, in a role that fit her like a (ahem) glove. But somewhere in the middle it all went wrong... Freeman's voice-over became trite and most annoying in places, the schmaltz factor got cranked up to 11, and by the time the devastating final reel arrived I just didn't believe in it enough to get caught in the emotion, despite some beautifully restrained performances in key scenes. Ultimately it was the dialogue and (I hate to say it Clint) the directing that let it down.

My biggest memory of it all were the terribly orchestrated crowd scenes, complete with embarrassingly choreographed chanting - and that's not a good sign. Like I say, not awful, just decidedly average for all the hype. 7/10

Kirk

Monday saw the release of the first Coldplay single in many a moon in anticipation of their forthcoming album X & Y in May. It doesn't really matter whether it is any good because with the kudos Chris Martin has at the moment following two outstanding albums and a high profile marriage to Gwynny, the album will sell millions and millions and be at number one well into the Winter probably. And I'm not against the idea - Parachutes and A Rush Of Blood To The Head still get played from my collection at least once every couple of weeks - the tunes are just so damn good!

But is it any good? Well as a single my first impression was, well, if this is the best song on the album it could spell trouble, but after several listens you realize that it has that ineffable catchiness that makes it a perfect Spring release: it's bright, bouncy and hooks you into endless humming after a while. The secret to this is Martin's childishly simplistic piano riff, that was seen to such effect on the last album. 4 notes played in a sequence of 16 that will stay in your brain even if you despise Coldplay (and I know many do - idiots!).

As it stands, X & Y is the album I have been looking forward to the most all year - and just think, if it is as big as the last two, it has to go down as one of the best first 3 album releases in music history - not something to dismiss lightly, no matter what you may think of them. Altogether now: da da da da, da da da da....

Kirk

With A Room for Romeo Brass, director Shane Meadows introduced the world to a sublime talent by the name of Paddy Considine, who I have been heard to say, even before this release, is the best British actor in his age group at work today. Following appearances in low budget art films Last Resort and The Martins he was labeled ‘The Robert De Niro of the North’ for his intensity and depth of performance. A major role in Jim Sheridan's Oscar nominated In America took him to the big-time, to much acclaim, but it was back in Nottingham with his old pal, Meadows, that he really belonged.

Dead Man's Shoes then is a step back to roots for both men, claiming joint screenwriting credits and making a film that you can see in every frame that they both believe in passionately. In my head I had hyped this up to be, potentially, the best British film ever made - the trailer left me with the hairs on the back of my neck standing up for days!

Well, its not quite everything I'd hoped for - some of the supporting cast leave something to be desired in the acting department and the levels of humour thrown into the drama did not always ring true - but that is to take nothing away from a scintillating idea and a very decent script all wrapped up with Meadow's loving touch and attention to detail; his camera often finds astonishing images that linger in the mind and his use of music is, as ever, beautifully judged.

Above all this, though, is the performance of Considine in a role that defies sympathy for its sheer brutality, but nevertheless leaves you in total empathy for an anti-hero worthy of the name. His choices and subtleties never cease to astonish and delight me: I could watch him eat a bag of crisps and be in tears by the end of it - so when it comes to the final showdown between Considine's character, Richard, and the one man who could have stopped the carnage I was left absolutely breathless and any faults that exist with the film melted away as the camera drifted above the Midland's council estates and into the dawn in the final shot.

Next to be seen in The Cinderella Man with Russell Crowe, one day soon someone is going to give Considine the part of his life, in a big budget hit, and when that happens there will be no one to touch him - if ever an actor was destined for legend then it's this guy! 9/10

Kirk

For more articles like this, go to the category Interior and Exterior Designs at http://www.swanktrendz.com

When I was younger I attended a lot of horse shows, and one of the show grounds I frequently competed at was a block away from a beautiful, private garden that was surrounded by a very high fence.  On the way to the shows, I would crane my neck, hoping for a glimpse of the beauty within. Today, I finally got my wish.

In 1994, the couple who owned this 22 acre site, Edwin and Francisca Darts, donated their land to the City of Surrey (BC, Canada) as a municipal park, with the understanding that they would be allowed to live out their days in their own home. Mr. Darts has since passed away, but Mrs. Darts continues to live at the residence with her dog, Gus.

Now, ignore the fact that ANY 22 acre property in the South Surrey area would be worth millions of dollars (single family residences in this area on city sized lots regularly sell for around $1 million each) - the true value in this property is the absolutely phenomenal garden which the Darts scratched out of the bush. In the 55 years that they owned the property, they turned it from a densely forested hillside (no mature trees were there, unfortunately, as the property had originally been logged back in the late 1800s) to a garden that rivals any private or public garden in the Greater Vancouver area.

Aside from the beautiful location just minutes from downtown White Rock, the Darts Hill Garden has two outstanding features: the variety of rare and precious plants, many of which have been declared heritage trees by the government, and the amazing collection of mature rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias.  In fact, one of the magnolias at Darts Hill is world-reknowned for its incredible size, so much so that Queen Elizabeth's head gardener came out to Darts Hill to see it recently.

Three years ago, the City of Surrey made its gift known to the public, and set about creating facilities to accommodate visitors.  At this time, Darts Hill is not open to the public, but once a year an open house is held, I just happened to be in the right place, at the right time, this year and was fortunate enough to take in the garden.

Although not well publicized, the open house was well attended by gardening enthusiasts.  All plants are well marked for the curious, and a sight to behold for all.  I look forward to the day when the Darts Hill Garden Park will be opened to the public on a permanent basis so that all can enjoy its splendour.

Lezah

For more articles like this, go to the category ‘Odds & Ends’ at http://www.swanktrendz.com

"The world is not respectable; it is mortal, tormented, confused, deluded forever; but it is shot through with beauty, with love, with glints of courage and laughter; and in these, the spirit blooms." George Santayana

Santayana, the America philosopher famous for the quote, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it", must have had a person like Katy Hutchinson in mind when he first conceived of these thoughts. I had a chance to meet Katy Hutchinson last week. She has taken the story of her late husband, Bob, on the road.  Bob McIntosh was tragically murdered about eight years ago, but Katy's message is about so much more than the senseless act to which her family was subjected.

Katy starts her talk by letting us know Bob - as a teen, was a national level hockey player; throughout his life he was a top level athlete in many different disciplines, including being named captain of the Canadian triathlon team at age 40; he was a successful lawyer; he was a family man, with a happy wife and 4 year old twins; he was a community supporter and leader.  He had it all.  And in a flash, he lost it all.

Nobody saw it coming.

It was New Year's Eve. The family had one couple visiting that night when a second couple arrived around ten o'clock.  They reported that there was a very large and raucous party going on at a neighbouring house.

Bob was especially concerned, as he knew his neighbour was in Mexico, on his honeymoon.  The neighbour's 16 year old son was home alone, so Bob phoned the home - twice.  Each time, a stranger answered the phone and informed him the neighbour's son had gone out.  Bob and his two male guests decided to go check on the neighbour's house to make sure everything was okay.

What the three men found was a party of 200 people in their teens and early twenties.  Bob's friend, father of a teenage son himself, knew many of the youth present and made his way into the kitchen, where he began talking to some of his son's friends.  Bob went through the crowd and up the stairs to the master bedroom, where he was almost immediately attacked - one young man felled him with a blow to the head, then a second young man delivered four 'soccer-style' kicks to the head.  The teens poured out of the room, and by the time Bob's friend found him, Bob was dead.

Katy, meanwhile, was still waiting at home entertaining her guests when the police arrived to take her to the hospital. On that night her life changed irrevocably.  She spent New Year's Eve in the ER as the staff tried to revive her husband, but it was hopeless.

What happened next was yet another thing that she would never have conceived of.  Having suffered the loss of her husband, she was of the impression that an arrest and swift trial would follow.  However, in the crowd of 200 people present, a conspiracy of silence made it impossible for the police to make an arrest.  The killer(s) walked free - for five years.  It was only as a result of a police undercover operation that lasted for just under three years that an arrest was made. Following the arrest, Bob's attacker, 25 year old Ryan Aldridge, pleaded guilty and spared the families the expense, pain and misery of a trial.  He is now in jail.

But the story doesn't end there: upon his arrest, Katy approached Ryan and promised him that she would stand behind him if he pleaded guilty. And she has.  She worries about Ryan, the man who killed her husband, since he, as a prisoner, has a 50% chance of coming out of jail an HIV positive heroin addict, even though he was not an IV drug user upon the start of his incarceration.  In part, through Katy's support, he has managed to stay clean.

And now that Ryan is allowed four hours release once a month, he appears at some of Katy's speaking engagements with her. Together, they send a powerful message, a message about the value of each and every life, the dangers of large, unsupervised parties, the negative pressures involved in the conspiracy of silent of which he was at the centre, the ripple effects of Ryan's thoughtless act, and finally, of the rewards of forgiveness.

Recently, Katy has been contacted by a major TV talk show host, and she is giving serious consideration to appearing on the show. Watch for it - she's an incredible lady with an incredible message.

Lezah  

Some called it the reunion of the year in 2004:  last year the Pixies shattered sales records worldwide when they sold out 24,000 tickets for 8 nights in a row in New York.

Soon they'll be back on the road again starting May 26 at the Roseland Theatre in Portland, and continuing on until June 14 in New York.

Lezah

Well, the other night was our anniversary, so my beloved bought tickets for us to spend an intimate evening together - if you consider a night of loud music surrounded by the Systems Analyst crowd with a few of the Goofy Hat Brigade thrown in for good measure as 'intimate'.  Ah, romance - it's not yet dead, but I can hear the death rattle...

Before I go on, have I mentioned that I like The Futureheads?  No, let me rephrase that:  I really, really, really like The Futureheads.  Now the previous weekend I had been fortunate enough to have seen The Futureheads twice, so their tunes were still ricocheting around my head, and therein lay the downfall of the evening with DDiHC and Phoenix. Have you ever gone to a show and while driving in, listened to a totally different band, only to be put in the wrong frame of mind for said show?  Well, that, unfortunately, is what happened to me, and if I had to sum up the show in a short sentence, it'd be this: these guys are no Futureheads.

But that's so mean of me!  Now, I was really looking forward to this show having read quite a bit about Dogs Die in Hot Cars in Mojo and other British publications; I've also heard some good things about Phoenix, too.  And the fact that there was a third band opening was a bonus, because sometimes you can get some really good opening acts these days - The Futureheads opening for The Delays and Franz Ferdinand in September at the Commodore comes to mind (okay, I'll admit it - I'm obsessed - I promise, I won't mention them again!).

So anyway, back to reality:  the opening act was a band called Joy Zipper (named after singer Tabitha Tindale's mother - yes, that's her Mom's real name!).  Joy Zipper is a duo from Long Island, NY who have spent the last year or so in the UK recording and touring (in support of Air) to some acclaim.  Now they're back on this side of the Atlantic and frankly, I found them quite a pleasant surprise. My first reaction was that they were pretty mellow; within the frame of a song, however, I had changed that mellow to melodic.  With sugary, summery vocals, they have kind of a Poppy-Beach Boys-ey meets the Velvet Underground sound, and site The Beatles as a major influence. Altogether, a band I'd see again.

Scotland's Dogs Die in Hot Cars had their own set of fans there to see them, and an enthusiastic bunch they were.  This band is very idiosyncratic and, if you look up their website, you'll see they're very tongue-in-cheek, too.  Excerpts include:

Ok, so you wanna know the facts.  Their story isn't that wildly different from other young bands: bored at school, got some mates together, played some really obvious covers, blah blah sodding blah... the band sign to V2, tour the UK, get electrocuted on stage - the usual.

or - There is no other band around them playing music this stupidly oddball, so unfashionable it's suddenly in fashion (it's about being ahead of the time, dahling).

So really, what's not to like?  This band is young, and their ska/pop sound really comes together in songs like ‘Godhopping’ and ‘I Love You 'Cause I Have To’.  They get an 8/10 from me.

Finally, the last band of the evening was Phoenix, who is the only band other than Air (and maybe the half-breed Stereolab)  that I can think of that hails from France. Lead singer Thomas Mars has virtually no accent, however, and they do sing all their songs in English (at least, the ones they played here were all English - I think!).  These guys have been around about ten years and have an eclectic '80s rock/synth sound.  They're trying to break into the North American market after getting on the soundtrack for Sophia Coppolla's film 'Lost in Translation'.  A solid rock band would be how I would sum them up.

Lezah

I missed the Riff Randells and The Sights as the concert started precisely on time, and I was lagging. Rumour in the crowd was that the Riff Randells are very attractive; not much said about their music. As for The Sights - I opted to review their latest cd, so you’ll have to read the article.

After a hiatus of 1.5 years, The Donnas (bassist Maya Ford, guitarist Allison Robertson, singer Brett Anderson, and drummer Torry Castellano) are back with a rock ‘n roll vengeance. I can’t think of a concert that I’ve been to where I can fully understand everything the singer says to the crowd, or can make out the lyrics in their entirety (unless, of course, I’ve previously memorized them). Kudos to the sound person(s) for The Donnas, as their sound was crystal clear and spot on.

The Donnas still have a bit of that frenzied Ramones/Joan Jett style, but with the release of their latest cd, Gold Medal, their sound demonstrates a progressive musical and lyrical maturity. This is not to say that the ten year veterans are no longer fun. The song It’s so Hard proves that point. Their gig was animated, full of spirit and humour. They managed to put together a set list that please the old ‘Donna Diehards’ and the ‘New-to-the-Sceners’. They also managed to convey a sense of unity, camaraderie onstage, and you got the feeling that these women enjoy a positive, personal connection as well as a love of playing their music. I was very impressed with drummer Castellano’s playing, then doubly so when I learned afterwards that she had been diagnosed in 2003 with deQuervain’s Tendonitis and had to undergo surgery (that fall) for the condition. Who’d have thunk it?

The fans were lively - not in a moshing way - but in a pogoing, hands in the air clapping to the beat way. I noticed an equal mix of males and females and... gasp... don’t recall any toques or ridiculous hats/getups.

The Donnas energy and exuberance was contagious - definitely a feel-good concert that left you smiling.

Christine

For more swank cd reviews, go to http://www.swanktrendz.com

I am beyond annoyed. While surfing the web I managed to read a mini bio on a band named The Sights. Knowing this band was opening for The Donnas, I was quick with the ticket purchase. Unfortunately, battling with traffic, parking rip-offs etc., I strolled into the club only to find I had missed the entire act! I decided to purchase their latest, self-titled cd, chat up the band members - Eddie Baranek (vocals / guitar), Mike Trombley (drums) and newcomer Bobby Emmett (organ / bass) - and just resign myself to writing a review of the CD. Therein lies the fury factor.

The first song, ‘I’m going to Live the Life I Sing About in My Song’ was just what I’ve been waiting for - a retro- classic rock fantastic lead in. (Originally a Rev. Thomas Dorsey’s gospel hymn) Now I can’t decide... are they ‘60s or early ‘70s rock? Keyboards remind me of ‘60s, but it’s ol’ time rock nonetheless. Then comes track 2 - ‘Circus’ and it’s better! (And I am really angry now!) Track 7’s ‘Waiting on a Friend’ has almost a ‘Beatlesque’ opening, but then diverges into its own rockin’ sound. That’s not to say the CD doesn’t have the odd catchy pop tune, but once heard you have another raucous tune thrown at you. Track 9, ‘I just Got Robbed’ opens with a basic drum beat that showcases Eddie’s vocals perfectly. Track 12’s, bluesy ‘Good Way to Die’ keyboards/vocals are distinctive and the suitable, secret closure to the cd ‘Stay with Me’ (originally by The Faces) is brilliantly executed.

Love the vocals, love the keyboards, love the guitars, love the drums - I can just imagine these fellows live. Makes me want to drag out my brothers scratchy albums and remember how music used to be. I am determined to view this band live, albeit probably in a larger venue (which I despise) but am willing to do so, for this group. Detroit has produced a band with staying power.

Christine

Kohler has been my long standing bathroom accessory husband, however, I have to confess I’ve found another. Yes, I admit, I am cheating on my long-standing lavatory husband with a new line of bathtubs and sinks from the designers of WET. WET is a line of bathtubs and sinks moulded from a polyester resin composite. The washbasins are gorgeous; they appear to be freestanding pieces with modern, sleek, and unique finished designs. It’s as though my new lover (WET) has adorned me with bathroom jewellery that has stolen my heart.

With sinks evolving to include an industrial, yet wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, WET creates the focal point of the washroom, and had me turning my head with interest.

But what are the advantages of the polyester resin composite?

1. It’s hard - harder than wood, though not as hard as steel.

2. It’s non-porous - not 100% (as nothing really is) but very close, being unaffected by water and humidity.

3. It is stain and chemical-resistant - a huge plus, and

4. It endures - theoretically it should last for many years, 29 - 30 years is not a far-fetched average lifespan, although a modest number as some reports quote up to a hundred years.

So, although my bathroom accessory husband has provided me with top of the line products for years, WET has worked its way into my heart. Sorry, Kohler, the divorce papers have been filed.

Christine

Having discovered and enjoyed their first album just days (spookily) before 'Wires’ went stratospheric on radio playlists, I've been giving their very different 2nd album a fair share of my attention over the past 72 hours.

It's miles away from the quirky debut tracks ‘Westside’ and ‘You've got the Style’ in tone, some would say for the better, some for the worse. Common criticism I gather revolves around them being another clone of Coldplay via Keane, but that would only be criticism if you didn't like those bands - and I love 'em! Too many shoe-gazing ballads the moshing masses may say, but I say good tunes. The title track for one, has single written all over it.

As a whole, it grows on me the more familiar I get with the melodies and the lyrics, with opening track ‘Chances’ and track four ‘Trading Air’ being my initial favourites.

Not the most ground-breaking or original band in the world, granted, but eminently worth several listens. 8.5/10

For more of Kirk's music reviews, go to http://www.swanktrendz.com

This album begins like an angry 16 year old's wet dream, full of stomping beats, chunky discords and rebel yells. The more you listen, however, the more grown up it sounds - there are hints of Stone Roses, flourishes of The Clash, and then, surprisingly, echoes of Air, that ultimately give the album a transcendent retro-electronica feel, but with grenades!

Tunes like ‘Cutt Off’, ‘Processed Beats’, ‘LSF’ and ‘Running Battle’ all vie for best track honours, but there are several more that creep up on you after further listens.

What is this? I ask, as I become more and more addicted to its incomparable vibe. Like the best albums of all, it changes with your own mood - too punchy to be prog rock, but there are times when I think Radiohead, or, no... hang on.... Genesis?! (Peter Gabriel’s years, of course). When ‘U Boat’, track 13, fades away into synthesizer bliss I want to go straight back to track 1 and think it all through again, but before I get the chance, a hidden track that reprises ‘Reason is Treason’ attacks the ears and leaves you breathless

Wow! Not a Sunday afternoon album, but who cares: the best yet of 2005. 9.5/10

Kirk

Empire magazine gave this a four star review and said that its critical posting elsewhere stems from Shyamalan's intentions of being misunderstood. The controversial twist ending that he has become famous for was so silly, they said, that any merit the film had, dissipates in laughter. They also say that Mr S. had intended to reveal the ending at the beginning of the film, thus changing the mood completely.

I would have liked it much more if this were the case. Some spine chilling photography and techniques do give this film a spooky edge, and Joaquin Phoenix does nothing wrong in an interesting role, but Adrian Brody is miscast and William Hurt is awful as the village elder. Personally, I saw the ending coming a mile off (but then again I was one of the few who sussed The Sixth Sense) and couldn't believe he was actually going through with it!

It is preposterous; like a short story from an anthology of novice sci-fi writers.

Cinematically there were some extraordinary moments, but the whole attempt was too daft to care about. 4.5/10

Kirk

http://www.kbswasteland.blogspot.com/" title="http://www.kbswasteland.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"http://www.kbswasteland.blogs...

An editor's nightmare with hardly a shot lasting more than 2 seconds; this is a frenetic and tension charged sequel that goes further and darker than the original, improving on the idea at every turn. The character of Bourne and his story are a terrific platform for exciting viewing, and Matt Damon seems to have really grown into the part, looking more mature and tinged with sadness. You absolutely believe he could do the things he does.

In its genre, which, since the ‘70s, has been dominated by Bond and rarely done well (even in that famous franchise) it is amongst the best I've ever seen, replete with gadgets, lingo and believable scenarios in exotic locations - Berlin and Moscow especially are deliciously captured here. It could run for six or seven movies and I would be the first in line. Dialogue was kept to a minimum, but could have gone even further.

If I was to have any criticism, it would be to put the movie in the hands of a braver director, less worried about the stupidity of the average cinema-goer. Recommended for thrill seekers. 8.5/10

Paul Giamatti was already a cult hero following superb roles in Milos Forman's Man on the Moon and the recent American Splendor, but with the sleeper hit of the year, Sideways, he finally proves he is one of the finest character actors in Hollywood and perfectly capable of leading a big movie.

Reaping award after award and receiving five stars across the board from a normally discordant gaggle of critics, Sideways became a must see film - and it deserves that accolade. Never trying to fly higher than it needs, it is a slight, simple story, immaculately observed and lovingly acted. Giamatti and Haden Church play off each other so well; achieving instant sympathy and earning some of recent cinema's biggest laughs in the final third. Not spectacular by any means, but faultless nonetheless. The script is the real star: economical, funny and always true to its characters.

It will attract the middle-agers and beyond more than the younger generation, but it will be around for years on ‘favourites’ lists, and by the time the younger generation mature like a fine wine, they too, will love it.

For more of Kirk's reviews, go to http://www.swanktrendz.com

To complete another bizarre double bill, an ultra-modern hi-tech espionage was followed by a far out, groovy, retro flashback, as channel Five delivered the full three and a half hours of documentary footage from Michael Wadleigh and Martin Scorsese's 1969 direction.

As a document of the time and mood it is a wonderful piece of movie-making, and if you have a hippy bone in your body you can't help but be moved by the intent and power of the music and the movement - leaving you terribly sad that things aren't like that anymore.

The film doesn't glamorize things (the images of debris in the aftermath are shocking) but presents all sides of things, the joy, the trips, the dirt, the hunger, the angry farmers, but most of all the musicians!

Jimi of course and the seminal 'Star Spangled Banner', but so many amazing performances, Joe Cocker and his mental air guitar were the highlight for me. Groovy!

Kirk

They may not be the most glamourous band in the world, but their album is certainly worth praise and the public agreed as Keane picked up the coveted Best British Album award at The Brits, one of two awards. The only big winners were The Scissor Sisters, who opened the show with a cracking performance supported by colourful Henson creations, the much (over-much if you ask me) hyped Franz Ferdinand, who gave the least convincing live performance of the night, and the lovely Joss Stone who wore one of the nicest skirts I've ever seen!

The show marked the return of Chris Evans to British telly, and yeah - he was OK... better than the hell days of Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood. It is a glamourous affair to be sure, but a little soulless for my taste; dry and too commercial (sponsored by Mastercard). Best performance of the night? Green Day - oh, but they're not British. Och, well...

Kirk

For more of Kirk's opinions, go to http://www.swanktrendz.com

In typical Friday double bill fashion, the second film on the menu this evening was something entirely different. From the novel by Patricia Highsmith - which I have been intermittently reading since Christmas - Tom Ripley, as most famously portrayed by Matt Damon in The Talented Mr Ripley, is now much older, much richer and much more camp.

Didn't even know this had been made, perhaps as it was made in Europe and not Hollywood, and with a fairly obscure director.

John Malkovich is perfect for the part and is actually closer to my idea of TR from the book than Damon was. It's a mixed bag of a film, often looking cheap, edited with European art house relaxedness and often miscast: Ray Winstone is Not Reeves, and once again is asked to do Cockney lout when it just isn't necessary and Lena Headey, though she is not seen enough, is just wrong as Travanney's (Dougray Scott) wife.

However, it is difficult when you have an idea from the original source of how things should be, and with that aside, it is a decent film; the kind of thing you turn on by accident at 2 am and end up watching and enjoying to the end. Malkovich, as ever, is mesmerizing at times, never straying too far from familiar methods but doing it exceptionally well. Have a look. 6.5/10

Kirk

Ben Stiller continues to carve out a reputation as the funniest man in modern Hollywood and with movies like this you can see why.

It is insane, illogical fun from the start, with a plethora of bizarre characters well observed. It is always a test with a comedy if it makes you smile in amusement, chuckle or belly laugh - this one had me doing the latter for almost the whole 90 minutes.

Great lines like "you're about as useless as a cock flavoured lollipop" blend beautifully with the more obvious slapstick on display, but it is the use of actor cameos which sets this apart from the crowd - Hasselhoff, Shatner, Lance Armstrong in an inspired moment, and of course Chuck Norris. The show belongs to Stiller though, having created another immortal character for his C.V. - there's nothing subtle about his delivery, but who cares, it's hilarious! 8/10

For more of Kirk’s reviews, go to http://www.swanktrendz.com

The British network premier of this extraordinary film shows that almost 3 years regarding the issues are no less relevant than when it was first released.

Michael Moore’s use of documentary to incite action is astonishing, both in this and in Fahrenheit 9/11. You can't call them films; they are not entertainment, but they are extraordinary pieces of film making as they well evoke emotions no matter which side of the fence you sit.

The thing that struck me this time is that he is not messing about to make himself look clever or good, he's doing it because he means it and he wants things to change.

If you know any Americans that still haven't signed the petition to stop Wal-Mart joining K-Mart (as in the film) in banning ammunition for sale then tell them to do so now. And boycott Charlton Heston films too, if you haven't already done so - Planet of the Apes will never be the same again.

Kirk
http://www.kbswasteland.blogspot.com/" title="http://www.kbswasteland.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"http://www.kbswasteland.blogs...

There is of course, very little for people of my persuasion to look forward to with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger elected as the late pope's successor. The newly-appointed pope staunchly denounced the "tyranny of relativism," secularism, agnosticism and atheism alive in Europe and the west in general. He authored this letter ( http://www.vatican.va/roman_c... ) denouncing homosexuality, calling for the repeal of all gay rights legislation whenever possible.

The newly-appointed pope also upheld strict rules barring women from the priesthood and attributed to them passive leaderless characteristics. ( http://www.vatican.va/roman_c... )

The cardinal enforced church doctrines, ordered the republication of some priests' theology texts because the included doctrines inconsistent with the Catholic faith, and strongly supported his predecessor's call for tighter control over Catholic universities. For the most part they have failed in that last endeavor and were forced to support the creation of new universities more to their liking.

The new pope opposed Turkey's entrance into the European Union because he fears it will diminish what still remains of Europe's Christian past.

Religious conservatives will relish their victory, however predictable it was. Yesterday was their day to celebrate and, should Cardinal Ratzinger (and now Pope Benedict XVI) follow along the path suggested in the speech he delivered earlier this week, several years to come.

In the meantime, those of us who find his views deplorable will have to find solace in his old age and the fact that many pick and choose what Catholic "teachings" they will uphold as their own.

The Political Heretic

http://politicalheretic.blogspot.com/" title="http://politicalheretic.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"http://politicalheretic.blogs...

Thought this looked a bit naff compared with the other animations around at the time, so missed it on the big screen. But to keep half-term ticking along we finally got it out a gave it a look.

Pleasantly surprised to say, it was a lot better than I thought it would be - the characters are all lively and with a voice-over cast like animation should be. Getting Martin Scorsese to do a turn is amazing, De Niro is there too, with Will Smith leading the way.

The idea is a bit of a cheeky theft from Finding Nemo and a few others but it is done with enough humour to keep it going. I particularly liked the jellyfish rastas and the shrimp that plead for their own lives. Not bad at all, and deserving of the 3rd place nomination for best animated feature at the Oscars - it is the weakest of the three, but not as weak as I was led to believe. 6.5/10

Kirk

For more of Kirk’s articles go to http://www.swanktrendz.com/

9 years since they met in Vienna, with Richard Linklater's well thought of original, Before Sunrise.

Older, more experienced, more disillusioned and a little more insane, the tone of the verbal jousting is much darker as we see, like flies on the Parisian landscape, the results of that time. The beautiful thing about this film is that they are not necessarily likable characters, but they are perfect for each other.

The dialogue is thrilling, taking unexpected turns and leaving you exhilarated, humiliated, euphoric and depressed as you, and they too, experience it.

Before Sunrise was a little miracle a decade ago and with this as a companion, the two will live long, both in memory and in film history - A must for anyone interested in human behaviour and the pursuit of the perfect love. 9/10

Kirk

http://www.kbswasteland.blogspot.com/" title="http://www.kbswasteland.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"http://www.kbswasteland.blogs...

Album of the last month has to be Doves third studio effort: 'Some Cities'. I've liked both their previous releases, especially their debut, Lost Souls, before I even knew who they were and pilfered it from my flatmates’ collection.

Doves are best when they use haunting background melodies to punctuate catchy choruses and crank up the grime on the production. And thankfully, 'Some Cities' embodies exactly that.

The first single, ‘Black and White Town’ failed to impress me too much initially but, as part of the whole, continues to grow on me. However, it is from track 3 onwards that this cd becomes well above average, soaring and dipping at leisure with some tenacious hooks and angelic singing.

Still listening to it daily and discovering more all the time: recommended. 8.5/10

Kirk http://www.kbswasteland.blogs...

Randomly listening to bad daytime radio at intervals throughout the week has finally paid off.

I've learned something important.

The world record for the highest point value for a single word, in the history of organized Scrabble tournaments, is 392 points.

The word is caziques.

caziques - 1. a chief or petty king among some tribes of Indians in America. 2. black-and-red or black-and-yellow orioles of the American tropics.

I'm so jealous.

Mike

Sorry about the lack of posts lately,I've been wrapped up in a few things.

Every couple of weeks, the Terror of Living sneaks up and grabs me by the throat, inciting binges, blackouts, rash decisions and other ill-advised forms of perilous behaviour.

It's good to get these things out of one’s system, and when the dust finally settles around my screaming brain and injurious body, the Terror of Dying kicks the ever-loving-crap out of me, sending me reeling, grasping desperately for natural foods, proper sleep, water, vitamins, sushi, repair. Trying to sustain a square foot of sensible living.

And then, like that little kid in the Def Leppard shirt who's riding the Gravitron for the umpteenth time in a row, all I can do is twitch a little bit and yell, "Again!"

Mike

Christine

Much has been said about Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's consideration of the said "nuclear option," a plan to change senate rules to end the filibuster of judicial nominations. In an effort to push the President's judicial nominations to the floor for not only a vote, but also for approval. However, the Republican senate majority leader, and presidential prospect, will now join the religious conservatives of the Christian persuasion in a televised broadcast in a Baptist Church on April 24, 2005. According to the Family Research Council press release, he will join other prominent Christian conservatives like Dr. James Dobson of Focus on Family, Chuck Colson, and Dr. Mohler, and Tony Perkins.

This group accuses the would-be filibustering senators, as well as others who oppose this president's judicial nominees, for supposedly opposing judges because they are "people of faith and moral conviction."

Nothing is said of any conservative Jews or Muslims partaking in this broadcast, but one can assume they were not invited given this group's focus on the "Christian heritage" judges are said to deny us.

Their accusations are without merit, of course. The "people of faith" have every right to worship within their local parishes; to go door to door proselytizing, to pray in school, or gather in public places for prayer. The Supreme Court they dismiss for anti-Christian judicial activism ruled in favor of school vouchers, holiday displays with some religious content, and equal access for religious groups on public grounds. The courts have only forbidden coerced religious practices or those which give the state's imprimatur of approval.

I do not want to rehash this argument further since this blogger has already commented on religious freedom and the difference between freely chosen religious activities and those which are either encouraged, suppressed, or coerced. For now, this blogger will focus on the latest tactics of concern.

Senator Frist apparently has decided that it would better serve his political interests, and that of those he aligned himself with, to emphasize the nominees' Christianity to get these judges approved, and not something more universal like majority rule or ecumenical religiosity.

As I have already mentioned above, no conservative Jews, Muslims, or representatives from the Far Eastern religions have been invited to participate. The press release linked to above refers to Christians alone as "people of faith and morals." The declared grievances mentioned in the opening paragraph specifically apply to Christians (and perhaps Jews). Jews and Christians acknowledge the Ten Commandments but those of other faiths generally do not. The school prayers that were recited in schools were almost always those used by Christians. Prayers that would appeal to the Jewish, Muslim or Far Eastern faiths were rarely used since those of non-Christian faiths were in the minority.

The grievances which they bring forth have, of course, been ruled on in a manner that is not to their liking in several instances, but judges are not appointed to validate religious favoritism or uphold the predominant religious trends within society but rather to protect the religious rights of people of all faiths (and none).

The freedom from religious establishment is just as good and needed for the Jew, as it is for the Christian, and the right to free worship just as important for the Jehovah's Witnesses or the Wiccan as it is for the Southern Baptist or Roman Catholic.

To suggest, as Senator Bill Frist and those sponsoring this television broadcast do, that our judges are supposed to validate governmentally-approved religious bias at the expense of another and openly assert an anti-Christian bias only further tarnishes the already over-politicized judicial nominating process and calls to question their obligation to guard the constitutional rights of those of all faiths.

Mr. Frist should, at the very least, reconsider his choice of tactics for the good of the judicial branch, and for the good of the country.

The Political Heretic

There are a few events I will attend that actually give me goose bumps. This can be a variety of events - an art exhibit, a speaker, holocaust stories, and a certain singer. I was fortunate to watch Sinead O’Connor, live, back in the ‘80s (in a very small club in Vancouver). Her voice was unlike anyone else’s I’ve heard. Her final acoustic version of Troy left me speechless (trust me, a rarity). So where is Sinead now?

Sinead always appeared to be a fragile, yet angry, being who rocketed to stardom too soon, and unprepared. She spoke her mind freely, as the image machinery of record companies hadn’t reigned her in. Her tearing of the Pope’s picture appeared to be the beginning of her downfall. At the time I felt, that as a Catholic, Sinead could do as she pleased.

Born in Dublin in 1966, she expressed that her childhood was traumatic; often at the hands of her mother. She was expelled from Catholic school, caught shoplifting, spent time in a reformatory, and went to boarding school. Quite the childhood, but as I’ve found, most artists, or creative ‘sorts’, have difficulty resolving childhood issues.

Sinead’s appearance was contrary to the sexy style of the time (and I have to admit that I had a ‘Sinead’ blue coloured shaved head years prior - gosh what a trendsetter, hey?) But we both were of the same opinion - beauty is on the inside, not the outside, and despite her lack of hair, and shapeless clothing, she remained breathtakingly beautiful (whereas I looked like a bowling ball with ears.)

The drummer for the band In Tua Nua (whom I quite like) actually ‘discovered’ Sinead when she was 15 and she helped co-write their song ‘Take my Hand’. Sinead soon hit the coffeehouse circuit, while studying voice and singing.

Although her first debut was for the soundtrack of the film The Captive, her first cd, The Lion and the Cobra was her groundbreaking venture in 1987. Recorded and produced by Sinead, while pregnant with her son, she managed to oversee a recording of excellent songs - not one in the lot I didn’t like. All this from a 20 year old.

Her emotional divorce from her drummer, John Reynolds, was reflected in her lyrics to the chart topping cd, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got Unfortunately, fame brought constant media attention and any rebellious action Sinead naturally was inclined to, was detailed with frenzied obsession.

By the time 1992's Am I Not Your Girl?, the public had tired of Sinead, despite the beauty and haunting quality of her voice. Audiences booed her during performances and she appeared to spiral downwards. Despite 1994’s cd, Universal Motherdecent reviews, she still didn’t make the charts. In 1995, she announced she would no longer speak with the press.

Faith and Courage and Sean-Nós Nua were released in the early 2000’s. In 2003, the two-disc She Who Dwells... was release with rare and previously unreleased studio tracks, as well as live tracks. This was determined as her final foray into music, as in 2003 she released a message to her fans

Hello Lovelies,

This is a message from sinead. This being a very special anniversary for me, I have chosen it to announce that as of July 2003 I shall be retiring from the music business, in order to pursue a different career... (Taken from Sinead's’ Website)

Fortunately, Sinead is still alive and kicking, musically, currently in Kingston, Jamaica, recording a reggae album which will include covers of various protest songs. The album is set for release this summer (2005), and I will be first in line for the purchase.

Christine

There is a new fashion trend for women that I absolutely despise. It’s the infamous, celebrity bandwagoned, women's skull apparel. Not only is it deemed skank, but it is pointless (as pointless as the t-shirt with messages such as “Dump Him”, or “Mrs. - you fill in the blank”.) Give me a break - the ladies sporting these shirts are obviously not with the Hell’s Angels (nd I doubt if the Angels would even be caught seen in one). I’ve decided that the acronym for S.K.U.L.L. apparel is: Styleless Knocked-off Unoriginal Loathsome and Low-grade.

Christine

For more swank and skank styles, go to http://www.swanktrendz.com

Well, today is April 15, the day of spit, in which we are all supposed to have our tax information (and checks should we owe anything) postmarked for the IRS and our state government. One would at least expect the IRS to, as a courtesy, save us the 37 cents we pay for postage, and 1 envelope to give them what the government itself will squander on pork to someone who had offered winning senators and congressmen (or women) substantial campaign contributions. Perhaps we'll get taxed for the stamps we use to pay them in the future. Oh wait. Were we already taxed on them?

I guess they could not afford it, but the more I think about it they could merely increase the amount we "owe" them (even though our contribution is not calculated according to the level of services rendered). Nor do I quite understand why we would have to pay state income taxes and then pay the state for items I buy at private businesses like Walmart, Old Navy, Stop and Shop, or any other place I may choose to shop at. Go figure.

I cannot help but note that in yesterday's Asbury Park Press, I read of a mayor in Central New Jersey who just plead guilty to bribery charges associated with the approval of some large residential developments and that, if he could be so easily corruptible, others higher up (say... the feds) could be as well. And then there is the town which sold a lot of its public land for $1. One would, at the minimum, expect from our government that we have no choice but to pay from our own hard-earned money to look after our own interests - but of course that is not the case.

Nor can I get rid of that disgust that we are forced to pay property taxes on land that the government can theoretically force us to sell at something they consider to be 'fair market value' in order to convert that land into something that better suits the needs of one political donor who contributed to a politician's own election campaign, or that we pay to have the government for what we can smoke or snort, within the privacy of our own homes. If not for the courts, we would of course be paying for its advice on what sexual positions we can engage in and with whom we should find that sexually stimulating for that matter, and which god we should acknowledge as our lord and savior but if we knew that, there'd be no owing any allegiance to the government to begin with.

I guess I still have a right to buy and own a gun but that might change in a decade or so, given the trends. We do pay for border security and that is, of course, necessary when terrorists are out to kill us, but apparently such border security is tight around the airports and not nearly enough around the borders with Mexico and Canada, which of course raises the question not whether illegal aliens enter the country, but where they enter the country from.

And then, of course, the prospect that our hard-earned money is going to pay for the health care and child support of the Iraqi, Bosnian, Kosovar, and Palestinian children, while many within our own country starve and are left out in the streets.

The money that is presumably going to pay for the retiring baby boomers' social security (as well as our own) instead goes to build some $175,000,000 bridge in Alaska to service a town of 7,000 people and other ridiculously high priced projects like the comparison between a gay Indians' (as opposed to any gay's or any Indian's) sexual habits. Or for that matter, a comparison between Asian prostitutes and those of the prostitute population in general. (These latter two made their way onto last year's 'O'Reilly Factor.')

Ah yes, our tax dollars at work. Right now I'm in the mood for some tea. Are you?

The Political Heretic

I remember receiving my first Split Enz (True Colours) record album with its quasi holographic etching in the vinyl. That was very cool back in those days. I loved the song ‘I Got You’ and played the album beyond repair. Malcolm Green was the original drummer as Paul joined from ‘83 to ‘84.

When Crowded House was formed, I continued purchasing their music (albeit cds now) and I enjoyed their intricate lyrics and ever evolving sound. Paul Hester remained their constant drummer until his departure in 1994.

When I heard that Paul was discovered hanging from a tree in Melbourne, Australia, on March 26/05 - that tug of nostalgic longing, and ‘you can never go back’ sensation, overwhelmed me.

He was 46, still too young to ‘give up’. Was that Paul’s problem as well - trying to recapture those glory days, or was it something far more meaningful and darker? After all, he was still working, both for the band Tarmac Adam (with Crowded House’s Nick Seymour) and he hosted The Music Max Sessions for Australia’s Music Max channel.

Such a disturbing way to shuffle off this mortal coil.

Christine

I have been hearing a lot of advertising about a special Vancouver event that literally has my mouth watering. EAT! Vancouver is taking place from April 22nd to April 24th, 2005, at B.C. Place Stadium, 777 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, British Columbia.

EAT! Vancouver, the Everything Food + Cooking Festival is Western Canada's largest consumer food show. The event features everything an epicure could possibly desire such as: gourmet foods, specialty foods, organic foods, low-carb foods, ethnic foods, deli foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pre-prepared foods, health foods, diet foods, convenience foods, snack foods, exotic foods, soft drinks, juices, dairy products, yogurts, cheese, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, ice cream, soups, sauces, dressings, nuts, hors d'ouvres, appetizers, desserts, crackers, bbq sauces, wines, spirits, beers, coolers, and designer waters.

The festival is also showcasing kitchen gadgets, appliances, wine coolers, cookware, flatware, china, dishes, pots & pans, slicers, knives, mixers, scales, aprons, towels, cook books, etc.

Definitely not to be missed- mark it on your calendar.

Event link is: http:// www.eat-vancouver.com
For more articles like this - go to http://www.swanktrendz.com category: swank alerts

Christine

This week's word of the week will be 'saucebox'.

Apply it as necessary.

Be strong.

Mike