Livin' just enough for the mini...

The Robeau got yours truly an ipod mini for Christmas this year (I am a very spoiled girl). Apparently it was difficult to find since it has been replaced in the marketplace by the nano which I feel is an inferior product because (I've said it before, I'll say it again) it is a) too thin and b) not pink.



Never in my life have I become so attached to a gadget so quickly. I love it. It completes me. I tell it that every night as we drift off to sleep together. "ipod mini" I say "thank you for existing so I don't have to take mr. discman out anymore...he was broken and being held together by rubber bands and he made me feel as though I was so far behind the times I might as well have been carrying a victrola around on my back".

It only answers back by whispering Oscar Peterson, Miles Davis and Terence Blanchard tunes in my ears. I just fed my ipod mini a bunch of Coltrane, a double CD of Dave Frishberg and the new Stevie Wonder disc. I'm good to it too...

Moementum

Today marks what would have been the late, great Moe Koffman's birthday. A Canadian music legend best known for penning the jazz hit Swinging Shepherd Blues, Moe experimented with all forms of music - jazz, pop and classical.

Growing up in Toronto, frequenting the clubs that Moe often booked as well as performed in I think I took him for granted a little bit. He was such a fixture, such a comforting presence - like a Father figure. First at George's Spaghetti House and later at Meyer's Deli and Judy Jazz in The Holiday Inn on King (all three also gone, sadly) I spent many an hour sitting alone at the bar listening to Moe play with his friends - the likes of Guido Basso and Bernie Senesky and nursing a diet coke, since I was too young to be served anything else.

One night, at Judy Jazz, Moe approached me at the bar and handed me a signed copy of his latest CD. He said he had seen me there quite a lot and wondered what instrument I played. When I told him I wasn't a player - just a fan - he told me that I "listened like a musician".

Could I have been more proud of myself? I don't think so. I think of Moe and his kind, welcoming gesture to a kid at the bar often.

Moe shared a birthday with greats Earl "Fatha" Hines and the unstoppable Ed Thigpen. An argument for astrology if there ever was one.

Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang.

Christmas Eve I sat in front of the television and wrapped my presents. IFC was showing Six Degrees of Separation (the film based on the wonderful John Guare play) so I watched that while I tied fancy bows on the first few gifts and as I jammed the last few into gift bags. Isn't that always the way? Anyway, I love that movie. Adore the cast, the sparkling dialogue. Couldn't stop thinking of one particular scene two days later, just after the Boxing Day shootings on Yonge Street here in Toronto.

Kitty and Larkin played by Mary Beth Hurt and Bruce Davidson are detailing the events of a young man's suicide and are beside themselves because when he jumped he could have "landed on them" since they were in the vicinity at the time. It's a beautiful example of middle-upper class self centeredness.

December 26th I was at the Eaton Centre doing some bargain hunting and *almost* went to the HMV on Yonge Street, directly across the street from where the shootings took place...at the exact time of the shootings. It's scary to think of the potential consequences, but the reality is...SO WHAT? In a city as populated as ours to make an event like this about myself...even in my own mind....well, eeeeww. Just....eeeeewww.

The truth is, I don't feel like I've lost my innocence even though the local media keeps telling me I did. I don't think we were ever as innocent as they would have us believe. I never believed in Santa Claus as a little girl either. I liked the idea of Santa, for sure. I perpetrated the myth because, hey, it's a NICE idea. Just like the thought that Toronto was "good" and "innocent" and that these shootings have changed us forever.

Yes Virginia, five people got shot in the middle of our city the day after Christmas. An innocent girl was killed. Horrific, appalling and frightening as that is, it should not surprise any of us. We would have to have been blind to not see this tragedy coming.

NOG!

From me to you - another vessel for the delicious, delicious, nog! These light, cake-like cookies are sure to please and are done lickety split in 10 short steps!

***

Tracey's Eggnog Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

For cookies:
1 cup margarine
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 cup light eggnog
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

For icing:
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons eggnog

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheet or line with parchment paper. I prefer using parchment paper as it works every time, grease is unpredictable.

2. In a medium bowl, cream together the margarine and white sugar until smooth.

3. Stir in the egg and 1 cup eggnog.

4. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a seperate bowl.

5. Stir dry ingredients into the sugar mixture until it is well blended.

6. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheet.

7. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven.

8. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

9. To prepare the icing, put the confectioners' sugar into a small bowl. Stir in the remaining eggnog one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

10. Spread onto cooled cookies and let dry before serving. If desired, add sprinkles before icing dries for a festive look.

Enjoy!

I don't like this one bit!

Will I eat my words come springtime? Will he shave and cut off that awful hair?

The answer to both those questions is probably yes (of course!), but for now, I'm sorry, I just don't like it.

Johnny Damon is a Yankee.

Silver lining? At least Jete can go back to hitting in the number two spot.

That's all I got. Give me a few months people, seriously.

Get Drunk or Die Trying

"Sorry Ma'am, we don't have any change."
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Stumbled on a prop sale last week in Toronto's film district. They were selling off items from rapper 50 Cent's movie "Get Rich or Die Trying". Lots of pimpin' furniture and signs from New York correctional facilities.

Niiiiiice.

Being the troublemakers we are, Reimer and I tried to talk the staff down on all the prices. More specifically, we wanted to pay no more than "fity cents" for anything. I had no idea prop sales people had NO sense of humour. Nobody got it. Nobody. They just kept telling us that they didn't have change! What the hell?

Reimer got himself a "Shaft" jacket for two bucks. I managed to find some great (very simple, not at all pimpin') martini glasses for a dollar a piece. Took home seven of them.

And guess what?

I like my martinis shaken...not shot!

Boom - chicka!

I'm here all week.

Try the bullets.

*Sigh*

John Spencer, RIP

This guy's walking down the street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep he can't get out.

A doctor passes by and the guy shouts up, 'Hey you. Can you help me out?' The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on.

Then a priest comes along and the guy shouts up, 'Father, I'm down in this hole can you help me out?' The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on.

Then a friend walks by, 'Hey, Joe, it's me can you help me out?' And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, 'Are you stupid? Now we're both down here.' The friend says, 'Yeah, but I've been down here before and I know the way out.'

The snow is snowing, the wind is blowing...

As I sit here typing this we are an hour or so into the gaint blizzard that is supposed to dump 25" of snow on our fair city. It is both grim and beautiful. I love the snow. Especially when I'm inside looking out at it. The best part of a snowstorm like this one is all the wonderful cozy stuff you get to do when you come inside - hot coffee spiked with Baileys, a big warm blanket and great holiday music. All the right ingredients to help you weather the storm.

I'm trying to put together a mixed holiday CD for my more musically challenged friends. I can't allow people to go through the holidays with nothing but a single copy of A Very Special Christmas from 1987. It's inhumane.

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There are some Christmas Albums that are classics and should be in every single collection, bar none.

The Classics:

BING CROSBY - WHITE CHRISTMAS

The perfect Christmas song. Written by a Jewish man. How great is that? If I had to choose one song to be the soundtrack of the whole season, this would be it.

MEL TORME - THE CHRISTMAS SONG

The best way to hear this song is when it is sung by the man who wrote it. Love it when he does the verse. Mmmmm....velvet.

JUDY GARLAND - HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

Who doesn't want their heart broken a little bit, even at Christmas?

NAT KING COLE - O HOLY NIGHT

I don't usually tend to lean towards the less secular tunes, but this is just so hauntingly beautiful....just like the man who sings it.

THE MILLS BROTHERS - HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS

Festive goodness personified. "Now listen children...!" Couldn't love it more.

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The great thing about great jazz renditions of holiday tunes is that you can listen to them all year long. Not that I would....admit (ahem) to doing that.

The Jazz Essentials:

JIMMY SMITH - GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN

This album was also released under Christmas '64 and later Christmas Cookin'. Whatever you call it, it's some of the best jazz christmas music out there. It's big, it's brassy, it's intense and it's vintage Jimmy Smith. The kind of music you can really get lost in. This particular track is my favourite - and it can also be found on a Verve compilation record that's on the market.

VINCE GUARLDI - LINUS AND LUCY

It's nearly impossible to pick one track as a standout from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Linus and Lucy makes the cut over the beauty of Skating and Christmas Time is Here, which is now a standard, simply because it's dancey and invariably makes anyone listening to it start dancing like a member of the Peanuts gang.

THE SACKVILLE ALLSTARS - OLD TIME RELIGION

One of THE BEST Christmas records of ALL TIME is by the "Sackville Allstars" (Sackville records is out of Toronto). The personelle is Ralph Sutton, Jim Galloway, Milt Hinton and Gus Johnson - Jay McShann later stepped in for Ralph Sutton but does not appear on the Christmas record. It's not Christmastime for me until I hear the first few bars of Santa Claus is Coming to Town on that record. Jim Galloway swings on Old Time Religion like you would not believe and that's my pick. And I'm Sticking to it...so...hard...to...decide....!

JOHN COLTRANE - MY FAVOURITE THINGS

Technically not a Christmas tune, but appropriate and wintry none the less. Trane's spirituality shines through clear as a bell.

OSCAR PETERSON - I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Elegant, tasteful, wistful even. And it swings in all the right places.

ELLA FITZGERALD - GOOD MORNING BLUES

Another difficult choice. Had to go with this tune for it's sheer uniqueness and Ella's great interpretation.

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The Holidays should be fun. Goofy, good times, laugh out loud fun.

The Kitschy Fun Stuff:

PAUL SOLES and BILLIE MAE RICHARDS - WE'RE A COUPLE OF MISFITS

From the Rankin-Bass animated classic, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Canadian actor Paul Soles voices Hermie, the elf who doesn't want to make toys. Completely blew my mind when I met him a few years back - the man is an icon of my childhood! Incidentally, he's also the only man to ever impress me by offering me a cigarette (it's a long story).

EARTHA KITT - SANTA BABY

Every chick singer in the world does this song now. Who could resist, it's such vampy, campy fun? For the best version go straight to the source. Gggggrrrrrr!

THURL RAVENSCROFT - YOU'RE A MEAN ONE, MR. GRINCH

"Gunk". Good stuff! I don't think I need to say more.

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These are great vocalists that I will classify as 'newer', in this particular exercise just assume that we're talking about 'newer' as, well, records made in my lifetime. Great stuff to let loose and sing along with!

The Newer Vocalists, sing along:

DIANA KRALL - COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS INSTEAD OF SHEEP

Canada's "jazz sweetheart" put out a full length Christmas record this year and included this beautiful Irving Berlin lullaby on the song list. Just lovely.

ROSEMARY CLOONEY - CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE

Ms. Clooney was sheer perfection on this recording, as ever. Her time and taste was exquisite.

HARRY CONNICK JR. - WHEN MY HEART FINDS CHRISTMAS

Harry is the standard bearer for the next wave of Christmas classics, if you ask me. This is a great tune.

KURT ELLING - COOL YULE

Loooove Elling. This tune introduced the phrase "night noon" into my vocabulary. Go on, take it! it's yours! "Night Noon"!

LOU RAWLS - CHRISTMAS IS

Doesn't Lou Rawls just sound too cool? Love his smooth manly man voice. Mmmmm.

MANHATTAN TRANSFER - SNOWFALL

This is lush and romantic. Just the soundtrack for a quiet evening in front of the tree with your sweetheart.

DONNY HATHAWAY - THIS CHRISTMAS

My favourite contemporary Christmas tune. Donny Hathaway was just amazing.

RUN DMC - CHRISTMAS IN HOLLIS

"My name's D.M.C. with the mic in my hand
And I'm chilling and coolin just like a snowman
So open your eyes, lend us an ear
We want to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!"

Couldn't help myself. Don't judge me, yo!

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Well, looks like each category is going to have a CD of it's own. How did I not see that coming?

Happy listening friends. Hope your holidays are filled with peace, love and nog!

Here's Something...

The man that composed Silent Night? Franz Grüber.

The villain from what some call the best christmas movie ever? Hans Grüber.

Coincidence? You be the judge.

Stay tuned for my holiday music picks, mother f*cker!

Yanks offer Bernie arbitration just before midnight!

Don't think I could be more excited!

Not thrilled with the chatter about the possible return of Clemens but every cloud has it's silver...whatever.

From New York Daily News:

Bernie Williams has spent 15 years in pinstripes and it appears likely he'll be there for at least one more.

Faced late Wednesday night with a midnight deadline to reach agreement on a new contract, offer arbitration or lose negotiating rights with the veteran centerfielder until May, the Yankees received a handshake deal from Williams' agent, Scott Boras, which buys them more time to work out a new pact and effectively ensures Williams will return to the Bronx.

As part of the deal, the Bombers will offer arbitration to Williams - who made about $12.3 million last season - but have Boras' word that he will decline, meaning the Yanks have until Jan. 8 to get Williams signed as a reserve outfielder/DH. The Bombers are looking to give Williams a one-year deal for around $1.5 million-$2 million with incentives that could push the value up to around $3 million.

By giving the Yankees that guarantee, Boras is virtually ruling out that Williams will sign with another team because doing so would mean the new club would forfeit a draft pick to the Yankees as compensation.

"I think this is a signal that we're both agreeing that at some point we hope to get something done," GM Brian Cashman said. "There's a lot that goes into the decision. Bernie means a lot to the franchise. Someone like him, you make sure to take the extra time and care as you walk through the process."

Cashman, who ran into Williams briefly in an elevator here, said George Steinbrenner was pleased to hear the news.

"He's always had a soft spot in his heart for Bernie Williams as we all have," Cashman said. "As owner of the franchise, he's seen a lot of special moments from Bernie Williams."

Staying in pinstripes has always been Williams' preference and Boras said that while several teams had contacted him, he had no plans to go further with them until all options were exhausted with the Yanks.

From me:

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Perhaps Swiss Chalet should have partnered with The Science Centre on this one?

Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS 2: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies has been called provocative, awe-inspiring and well, just plain gross.

I'm not generally a squeamish girl, and the other day while standing on a subway platform in front of a poster for Body Works 2 I realized I was not squeamish, nor was I fascinated or even the slightest bit curious. What I was....well....I was....HUNGRY FOR CHICKEN!

There is clearly something very, very wrong with me.