Hanny Cannany Canoe

Greg Marshall has proven that he is no Larry Haylor. After spanking Queen's last week, the seemingly hapless Mustang football squad upset the #2 team in the nation, beating the Ottawa GG's 23-16 in a legitimate barn-burner. Missing were the standard bad play-calling and last minute choking. Western now meets the U of Moo in the OUA finals next Saturday. The winner will be crushed by either Laval or Manitoba. High Up, Sky Up, Western U!

Some things are enough to make you want to quit your University Job...

I really don't know what to say about this development at the University of Calgary. Couldn't we get Craig Kielberger, Naomi Klein or Avi Lewis? At least those leftist brat packers have some experience on CBC.

Music Week - It's Creeping Me Out Man

In honour of this most ridiculous of days, I thought I would write a bit about scary music. Maybe not so much scary as "giving me the creeps". The play list below contains the few songs that actually creep me out. Of course, context is everything. Listening to these songs on the beach will only make me giggle. But late at night, I have been known to squeeze my vodka a little bit tighter if the lights are off and these songs are played. In headphones. Yikes.


"Don't Fear The Reaper" was used really effectively in the filmed version of Stephen King's "The Stand". It remained a creepy song for me until ruined by SNL. Yes, you need more cowbell. We all get the goddamn joke.

Even without the admonishments from wacky Christianists, "Hotel California" has a good creep vibe; it starts with the guitar, and ends with a bloody sacrifice. You know you love it.

"Knights In White Satin" is not really that scary, but I used to sleep with the radio playing. I would continually be woken up by this song at about 3:30 am. I think KD and Hoss used to keep track of what songs they woke up to; my list would have had one song on it. This one. Creeps me out.

"Some Velvet Morning". Just listen to it. Forget that Gary Bell overplayed the shit out of it and enjoy the lyrics and haunting strings.

"Banks of the Ohio" is a delight. It is such a pretty, happy old folk tune. About killing the girl who wouldn't marry you. I love to play it for people and watch as they finally hear the words and wonder why the hell I love such a devilish song.

"Teen Angel". She gets killed over a stupid ring. What, she couldn't call Jostens for a replacement? I find this song amazingly morbid. Especially the wanting to kiss the dead girl part.

"Taps". Always sad and haunting.

That's all I have. Let's hear from the gallery now. Which songs frighten or creep you out?



SeeqPod Music beta - Playable Search

Music Week - 1978 Sucked

I am not one to romanticize my youth. Case in point, 1978. I was an awkward kid in grade 7. I had a Shaun Cassidy haircut, wore black and yellow zip-up trainer tops with no shirt, thought Nike All Courts were the greatest shoe ever, and listened to this stuff every night on my brown, faux-leather radio. Yes, 1978 was a terrible year for music. It was so bad that when Blondie came out with "Heart of Glass", it was a musical revelation.

Enjoy this select sampling from back in the day.


SeeqPod Music beta - Playable Search

Music Week - Jonathan Richman

There are some truly great artists who continue to go unappreciated. John Prine is chief among them. But for today, we celebrate the quirky, rockabilly fun that is Jonathan Richman. I had never heard of this fellow, save for his song about Pablo Picasso. Then, one fateful day, I was blessed to be working with the eminent geologist and hockey player, Chad Anderson. Chad (who might be a geographer and not a geologist), feeling trapped in the post-apocalyptic world that is small business, was looking for a kindred spirit. I was a reasonable facsimile. Mr. Anderson literally begged me to go see the aforementioned Mr. Richman at the Embassy Hotel for a once-in-a-lifetime show. Suffice to say, in spite of not being drunk (not at the fucking Embassy - gotta watch the exits!), it was a fantastic show. Richman, a sideman on guitar and fantastic music. I became an immediate fan and continue to not buy his music. But only because I am lazy and hate malls.

Sample some of his work here.

Alright, One More Before Music Week

Tabatha Southey is more gay-aware than you are. She is more gay-sensitive than you are, and she is more on-the-ball, jacked into the matrix, and tolerant than you could EVAR be. She is the uncrowned queen of the fag hags. You so don't get it.

Tabatha Southey is a Toronto-based writer. I contend that she is based in Toronto.

It's Music Week!

Hey folks, for a change we are going to have a theme week here at the Jim Dandy blog. Music is the theme. Partly because it's fun. Partly because I need to listen to more music, but mostly because I need charms to soothe my savage beast. Or breast. Whatever. Post music links and ideas here and I will expound on them, or link to your fabulous music posts. Meaning that you should write about music as well so as to get us all out of the fall blahs. I know you are out there, so let's hear what you like to hear. I firmly believe that music has no wrong answers. Other than New Kids On The Block. Sorry.

Blogus Interruptus

Once again I had this cool post all thought out. Full of angst, pathos, and cool tunes. It perfectly mirrored my mood and stank of cool. So, the post is done, all that is left to do is to fill in the links. Whilst looking for this particular song that spoke to a place in time (specifically 1981), the link actually led me to a completely different song. Said song cheered me immensely. I know nothing about it, other than it rocks, especially the first 30 seconds. It doesn't go anywhere, but it is great when played loud. I submit if for your edification.

Into The Fire

And now that you have heard it, isn't that about 1 million times better than hearing me whine about some useless shit? Yes it is.