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July 21, 2009 9:59 PM

summer viewing

It seems that every summer I get hooked on a TV series that I haven't previously watched. Last summer it was Sex and the City - after I was dragged to the see the movie by some girlfriends, I was inspired me to watch all the seasons. This summer, it is Mad Men. I just finished watching the last episode of season 2 and am left craving more. Unfortunately, the third season doesn't debut until the end of the summer and the likelihood that the show will air on any of the channels we catch with the rabbit ears (yes, it is 2009 and we have rabbit ear antennae affixed to our HD TV) is dubious at best.

At first, I wasn't sure what it was about the show that I enjoyed so much. The premise is not overly enticing: the lives of people (mainly men) working for an ad agency in NYC in the 1960s. But the way the show is delivered is compelling and satisfying. Like a good novel, the show achieves a perfect balance between setting, character, and plot.

The setting is superbly aesthetically appealing. 1960s Manhattan. The fashion, the decor, the food, the drinks. The setting is artful and humorous and camp and kitsch and beautiful and sexy - combined in a way that is thought-provoking and natural. The characters are deep, rich, complicated, and believable. The plot is slow, but subtle and challenging and rewarding. The opening credits do a good job of capturing the feel of the show:

What I enjoy most about Mad Men is that it doesn't use a rosy lens to depict the 60s. The show feels real - like a glimpse into the not-so-distant past, into an era that my grandparents and parents experienced that is simultaneously so different from today yet very much the same. From the show, I get the sense that so much of what is commonplace today was just below the surface in the 1960s - and, to some extent, vice versa.

For instance, women's rights and racial equality and open homosexuality and counterculture were all just emerging in the sixties and are typically considered to be rather mainstream today (kind of ironic that counterculture has become mainstream). Conversely, smoking and littering and fedoras were the norm in the 1960s but are far less common now.

Many of the themes of the show are similar to those explored in the movie Revolutionary Road, which I also enjoyed. These themes remind me of the song Mad World, originally by Tears for Fears and covered more recently by Adam Lambert (yes, I'm a fan). For those who didn't get caught up in the American Idol hype, this is what all the fuss was about:

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Filed under // books & art

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July 19, 2009 9:21 PM

a temporary escape

Camping is in my blood. All family trips during my childhood (with the exception of one to visit Grandma and Grandpa is Florida when they were snowbirds) involved a tent and a Coleman stove. Weeks at Rollins Pond in the Adirondacks canoeing, swimming, trapping crawfish, roasting marshmallows by the campfire were highlights of my summer vacations throughout elementary school.

I spent this weekend camping and doing most of the activities listed above (I didn't see any crawfish) as part of my friend Katherine's bachelorette festivities. Despite having a shower upon my return home, the smell of campfire smoke lingers in my hair and I feel rejuvenated by the fresh air yet drained by the sun's rays. There's nothing quite like camping to slow down the pace and to appreciate the simple and subtler elements of life. Blue skies and crisp air and the sound of water lapping at the underside of the canoe. A temporary escape from the daily routine and modern amenities...

Alas, my cellphone rang while setting up the tent. And a friend responded to messages on her Blackberry while sitting by the campfire. So much for escaping.

Filed under // family & friends science & technology

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July 16, 2009 6:12 PM

it doesn't get much better than this

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July 15, 2009 6:19 PM

malcomtents*

This month, I was the host of book club. To mix it up a little, I decided to try a non-fiction read and, in the end, Outliers by Malcom Gladwell was selected. To provide a bit of context, I have heard a lot about this book. Kevin read it and told me about it, I heard Gladwell interviewed on a few occasions, and had discussed the book in some detail (based on what I had heard in the interviews) while making conversation at a business lunch. Needless to say, nothing in the book was entirely new because I had heard so much about it already.

But, as was discussed at book club last night, nothing in the book is entirely new. General consensus was that, while interesting, the anecdotes put forth by Gladwell support a thesis that is commonly accepted and far from contentious. The premise of the book, namely that "only by asking where they are from that we can unravel the logic behind who succeeds and who doesn't" (Gladwell's own emphasis), is far from a revelation.

Sure, as the author points out, the media seizes on the "rags to riches" components of success stories and, as a society, we generally like to focus on the "against all odds" plot. But I think it's an unfair assumption to attribute our tendency to oversimplify and romanticize with a general failure to recognize the power of opportunity and motivation and nurture. There aren't many people that, if asked how they got to where they are today, would respond by pointing solely to their own innate abilities and traits. Most people recognize that "parentage and patronage" matter.

Early in the book, Gladwell states that:

The people who stand before kings may look like they did it all by themselves. But in fact they are invariably the beneficiaries of hidden advantage and extraordinary opportunities and cultural legacies that allow them to learn and work hard and make sense of the world in ways others cannot. It makes a difference where and when we grew up. The culture we belong to and the legacies passed down by our forebears shape the patterns of our achievement...

Do you have an issue with that statement? Probably not. So why would someone write a 300 page book to prove it?

I probably would've appreciated the book more if it was framed as a collection of interesting success stories serving to simply highlight the truth to the statement rather than as "The Story of Success". By trying to prove something that is already generally accepted to be true, the author promises enlightenment but delivers affirmation. Gladwell is a good writer and so he succeeds in making the reader think that they're being convinced of a new theory but, when the content of the book is scrutinized more closely, it become clear that there was no new theory, just new branding.

The other thing that stood out to me was that the individual examples provided by Gladwell in support of his "theory" were dominated by men. More specifically, men from North America and Europe. I'm not sure if Gladwell clued into this pattern himself or recognized that it, in itself, reinforced his "theory" - perhaps he wanted to keep the book upbeat by focusing on happy success stories rather than by providing examples of the lack thereof that are clearly rooted in less cheery circumstances that are still rampant today, such as poverty and gender inequality.

For instance, the story of an intellectually brilliant woman belonging to the caste of untouchables in India fated to a life of poverty and the antithesis of success would fit Gladwell's thesis perfectly. But that story, along with the stories of the millions of people in the developing world that will never be provided the opportunity to be successful due to circumstance, patronage, parentage, etc., is left out. Which is a shame, because I think that's a much more important, if perhaps less enticing, story than how Bill Gates became a billionaire.

*people who read the tipping point or outliers or freakonomics and are realllllly excited to share this intelligent "find" with you at a party
via wordsmyte.com (via @pm)

Filed under // books & art

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July 12, 2009 12:30 PM

you don't know what you've got till it's gone

I've added something new to my morning routine - shower, eat breakfast, check email, brush teeth, pollinate, get dressed, do hair, do makeup. If you guessed that pollinate was the recent addition, you're right.

When growing fruit, tomatoes in my case, indoors the absence of bees and other pollinators is an issue. Without spreading the pollen from one flower to another, tomatoes will not grow. The pollination process is not very complicated - I basically poke my finger in all the flowers that are open, starting and ending with the same flower. Seems to do the trick, as tomatoes are developing on my plants.

Having to take time to pollinate, water, and fertilize my indoor garden simply because it is indoors and isolated from the natural environment really exemplifies the extent of the natural processes that we traditionally depend on in the production of food. For the most part, humanity has supplemented or replaced many ecosystem services, such as fertilization and irrigation, by relying on technological innovation and finite resources (such as fossil water and fossil fuels) in order to increase yield. But pollination is one ecosystem service we haven't yet replaced and that we rely on tremendously. To think that our current food supply depends intrinsically on the activity of insects, largely bees, and other pollinators is humbling.

Humans are at the top of the food chain, but we rely extensively on the links in the chain that extend right to the bottom. Pollination is a prime example.

In contemplating the importance of bees, a verse from a well-known Joni Mitchell song entered my thoughts:

Hey farmer farmer

Put away that DDT now

Give me spots on my apples

But leave me the birds and the bees

Please!

Dont it always seem to go

That you dont know what youve got

Till it's gone

They paved paradise

And put up a parking lot

Combined with the recent discovery that bees are on the decline for reasons yet to be fully understood, reading the lyrics to the song left me feeling ... nostalgic. Nostalgic in the sense of "a bittersweet longing for things, persons, or situations of the past." Partly because this is a song from my childhood and reminds me of hot summer afternoons on the porch with family and partly because I find myself mourning the loss of the bees in nature (the latter being a feeling in direct conflict with my phobia of bees and other insects with stingers) resulting from what is referred to as colony collapse disorder.

If human activity is causing the decline of the bees, I hope that we, as a society, have the common sense to rectify the situation. Loosing the bees seems like a case of not really knowing what we've got till it's gone. Pollinating ten tomatoes plants manually is one thing - pollinating all crops without help from bees is quite another.

Filed under // family & friends food science & technology sustainability

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July 11, 2009 6:03 PM

laughing out loud

Upon arriving to Vancouver, I was told that there was a Quebecois bar on the corner of 7th and Fir that I should check out because they had an awesome poutine and a good selection of beer from La Belle Province. So I made plans with some classmates to go there one Thursday evening. Little did we know that Thursday was amateur comedy night.

My friend unknowingly placed his bag on the "stage" (the empty corner that was elevated by about an inch) when we arrived and then not-so-subtlety tried to retrieve items from it during the show, which the comedian hosting the night seized on immediately. As a result, we got to be well acquainted with the host, Phil Hanley, who referred to us as "the environmentalists". We had a good time and enjoyed the good beer and so "the environmentalists" became regulars at Zazanie on Thursday nights.

That is how I discovered some of the funniest comics in Vancouver, Graham Clark being one of them. So, when I saw that Graham was headlining at Yuk Yuk's last Thursday, I bought tickets. He did not disappoint, despite having to follow some pretty tough acts.

I really enjoy Graham Clark's sense of humour. Here's a taste from a comedy special that aired on CTV a few years ago:

On Thursday night, he had some pretty hilarious material regarding local news stories, including the "major decision" about whether or not women would be allowed to ski jump in the 2010 Games (the final decision was made on Friday - they're not) and the efforts to save the hollow tree in Stanley Park. In both instances, he brilliantly made fun of the situation.

In the first instance, he questioned the amount of energy being spent making such a trivial decision - you have the jumps and they don't need to be painted pink or otherwise altered for the women athletes and the women are physically able to jump, let them jump and move on. Seeing that the matter was being treated much more seriously than he deemed necessary, Graham mimicked the officials and hypothesized on what some of their illogical considerations might be. The illogical consideration were, of course, hilarious.

In the second, he drew attention to the amount of money being spent by rich people to prop up a dead tree with other dead trees (aka lumber) and how the rich people probably never considered spending the money on more philanthropic endeavors like, say, assisting the homeless. Graham suggested that it was probably a debate between saving the tree and something equally ridiculous. The equally ridiculous investments were, obviously, hilarious.

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm not going to spoil his material for those who haven't seen him yet. If you live in Vancouver, check him out. If you don't, keep an eye out for him when he goes on tour.

Ultimately, I'm a of fan relevant humour. I like Graham Clark for the same reasons I like John Stewart. Their jokes are mainly witty and smart and pertinent and really funny. In my view, those are the characteristics that make for really good comedy.

Filed under // Quebec & Montreal Vancouver

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July 9, 2009 6:42 PM

for the love of the game

In the good ol' days, NHL hockey players would usually play for the same team for their entire career. Not so today. Between trades, salary caps, and free agency, players are likely to call many cities home before they retire. I was hoping that Saku Koivu could've been an exception, but he will be playing for Anaheim next season after thirteen dramatic years with Montreal.

Since day one, I was a fan and I will remember Saku as being an great player but more so for being an outstanding captain. On the CBC this morning, he was described as a quintessential leader. He wore the C for 10 years, earning him the title of longest-serving captain in Habs' history. Pretty remarkable.

Saku's heart and dedication and courage were what made him such a great leader. Not only did he showcase all of these skill on the ice, but his battle with cancer made them all the more obvious. I will never forget the ovation that Saku received from Habs' fans when he returned to the ice after winning the fight.

One of the reasons I enjoy watching sports is for those moments where emotion overcomes competitive drive. When an athlete is overwhelmed by the power of victory (Federer at the US Open for one) or the agony of failure, a sense of meaning is bestowed to what is merely a game to those who aren't true fans.

I started watching hockey at a young age thanks to my neighbour, Yoda (link to Star Wars unknown because I didn't know what Star Wars was when I was 6 so never thought to ask). He collected hockey cards and would give me all the duplicates, which inspired me to start watching the Habs.

My interest in hockey became an interest in sports generally and I've become a fan of football (American, not European) and I've been known to watch tennis, golf (mainly because of Tiger Woods), and football (European).

Elaine still can't believe that she raised a sports fan - she is definitely not one. I fondly remember the Saturday night face-offs: Doctor Quinn vs. the Habs. A small black and white television from a garage sale became the 'compromise', but hockey is hockey and I watched on the tiny screen despite the lack of color and bad reception.

The irony is that I don't play any sports. Of the ones listed, I enjoy golf (if pitch-and-putt counts) and tennis (although my ability to return a serve is inconsistent at best). My attempts to skate are best described as a directional shuffle and I haven't played soccer or football since high school. And I don't recall being particularly skilled at either due to poor hand/foot-eye coordination.

At least I did alright on the written exam in gym class because I knew many of the rules from watching sports on television. But I didn't watch basketball and distinctly remember choosing three in response to a multiple choice question regarding the number of quarters in a basketball game. Blond moment, perhaps?

Filed under // family & friends Quebec & Montreal

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July 8, 2009 5:16 PM

green roof

Green roofs are awesome, mainly because they deliver a plentitude of environmental benefits, including:

Sustainable stormwater management
Microclimate regulation
Biodiversity enhancement
Building performance improvements

That said, transforming a traditional roof to a green roof is not trivial and, as pointed out on one site, "You should speak to a structural engineer or architect to assess an existing roof before making plans to convert it into a green roof." Indeed, leaks can result from the ad hoc installation of a green roof.

I guess that's why I was greeted by drips from the ceiling this morning. Our roof is very green and it is very ad hoc. Specifically, it is green because of the moss:

via Google maps

Our building desperately needs a new roof and, at this point, I could care less if it is green or conventional. As long as it keeps the rain out, I'll be happy.

Filed under // science & technology sustainability

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July 6, 2009 7:56 PM

cowtown

(download)

The tradition continues. Girls weekend in Calgary for Stampede. The pilgrimage to Calgary (aka Cowtown) started in 2007 and I returned last night from my third consecutive year at the Stampede. If Krista didn't live there, I probably wouldn't go to Stampede. But she does and the annual event serves as a good excuse for the girls to get together and have fun. So we do.

In preparation for the weekend, I dust off the cowboy hat and brace myself for endless country tunes, meat markets, and girls with low self esteem (if there's a Canadian equivalent to Daytona Beach during spring break, it's Calgary during Stampede). Needless to say, it's not my scene. But it is an interesting scene to observe.

In some respects, Stampede reminds me of my rural youth. Despite the urban setting, Stampede has a rural feel. Especially the rodeo. There's something about the rodeo that brings back memories of the guys in my grade driving their tractors to high school and visits to agricultural fairs and playing in barn lofts amongst the hay bales. Maybe it's the smell of barn in the air or maybe it's the presence of farm animals, but it's not really the rodeo itself. Although entertaining to watch, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, bull riding, and barrel racing don't have any real sentimental value for me.

As much as I welcomed the transition from rural to urban when I left home (I consider myself a city person through and through), I have a soft spot in my heart for the farm. Back in the day, I wanted to be anywhere but there and I did not appreciate farm life. But now, I'd love to travel back in time to 1993 and spend a day or two on the farm. Milking the goats. Collecting the eggs. Feeding the rabbits. Picking corn and shelling peas. And going for a walk through the fields and into the woods. Feeling rejuvenated by it all.

I do realize that I've left out all the unpleasant aspects of farm life - shoveling manure, bailing hay, weeding, chasing stray chickens, getting up at 5 am in the winter, transforming animals into meat. In my time travel farm fantasy, I choose to conveniently ignore the less romantic dimension of farming. Otherwise it wouldn't be much of a fantasy.

Filed under // family & friends

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July 2, 2009 6:56 PM

beyond celine

Since being introduced to iTunes Genius by Kevin, I've been hooked. It's a great way to listen to all the music in our collection without the playlist being completely random. I'll pick a song I'm in the mood to listen to and start the Genius. I'm rarely disappointed with the results. Oftentimes, Genius will remind me of artists that I've neglected and the re-discovery is much appreciated.

After work today, I chose a song by Martha Wainwright from her latest album. I only started listening Ms. Wainwright after I went to one of her concerts on a friend's recommendation. I've been a fan of Rufus Wainwright (her brother) for years, and Martha did not disappoint.

While cleaning the apartment and grooving to the music, I kept recognizing Canadian artists on the playlist. Turns out that 14 of the 25 songs were by Canadian musicians and bands (some duplicates):

Martha Wainwright - Montreal, Quebec
Rufus Wainwright - Montreal, Quebec
Stars - Toronto, Ontario (now based in Montreal, Quebec)
Matthew Good - Burnaby, British Columbia
Arcade Fire - Montreal, Quebec
Sarah Harmer - Burlington, Ontario
Sarah Slean - Pickering, Ontario
The Stills - Montreal, Quebec
Metric - Toronto, Ontario
Feist - Calgary, Alberta

Thanks to Genius, my Canada Day celebration continued into today. The playlist exemplifies the musical talent in this country (and indicates that Kevin and I support that talent by purchasing the albums) and that it extends considerably from the realm of the mainstream (i.e., Celine Dion is not on the list). Check out CBC Radio 3 to get better acquainted with the great music being made in this great country.

And for those unfamiliar with Martha Wainwright, let me introduce her to you:

Filed under // books & art Canada science & technology

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