Sunday, April 30, 2006

Death Cab, 2; Franz, 1

So. The show the other night.

I really didn't prepare myself to enjoy Death Cab for Cutie that much. I had downloaded Death Cab's iTunes Originals and quite honestly found it boring. Franz Ferdinand, on the other hand, I was sort of excited to see, although I had been this close to downloading their album several times but just wasn't sure I'd like it (based on the sample tracks on iTunes) so I figured the show would help me decide once and for all.

So basically I went with very different opinions that those that I came out with.

We arrived when Death Cab was already on stage, and I was immediately surprised at how much they rock out. I kept thinking of Carly's statement about Jack Johnson last summer, that he "plays some pretty boring music." But I was immediately intrigued. I recognized the songs, but they sounded way better, and were played with more heart than what I remembered hearing on my computer at home.

I loved the set. Probably my favourite set of all time. A city lights backdrop with white trees, and two white houses (which halfway through the show I leaned to Carly and said, "I want to live in those houses." To which she responded, "I was just thinking the same thing! We could be neighbours!")

During the string of three songs that Carly mentioned, they played an extension of the ending to Crooked Teeth (I think?), and I turned to her at the end and said, "That was beautiful," and she showed me her hands, which were shaking. They were really good - even though I felt the ending was sort of drawn out too much.

So Death Cab for Cutie, 2 points after starting out with none.

Franz Ferdinand, however, divided Carly and I. Franz as a band weren't really compelling performers; but their music is high energy; so as Carly said, you could be fooled into thinking they are great performers because they have a lot to work with - they had great lighting and the music was good, but they just stand there, which reminded me of seeing Oasis last year. Between songs when they chatted up the crowd they seemed like nice guys, happy to be there, so that earned them points with me. And I felt there were moments where there was some energy, and I loved how the place erupted when they played "Take Me Out." (But it didn't compare to the rush of seeing the crowd go crazy at Audioslave when they busted out the Rage Against the Machine songs.)

Franz Ferdinand, one point just for being happy to be there and rocking out on "Take Me Out."

But Carly and I did agree on one thing: they butchered "Do You Want To". It just didn't have the "punch" that you would expect after hearing it at home or on the radio. I was disappointed. And after playing those two songs within the first five of the show, I couldn't call it anything other than blowing their load.

We did some people watching, as we decided to forgo our seats and just stood in the back, where we could enjoy the view. I saw the nerdiest looking kid, glasses, skinny, red-faced with a nerdy short haircut, wearing a shirt that said, "Playa" and I wanted to cry, because he so wasn't a playa. It actually made me sad for him! We also saw two of the guys from Hot Hot Heat, who I heard have moved here to Vancouver from Victoria. And we made fun of the gangs of kids who all come to the show together, buy the same concert t-shirt, and wear them while they walk around during the show! Dorks!

We ducked out of the show early since Franz had done all the songs we wanted to see, and went for food at Milestone's where we discussed "The Plan." Had some good laughs and of course the usual discussions and critiques. A fun night.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Diamonds are for losers


Actually, my title is a little misleading. I like diamonds. (Canadian ones, not South African ones that people are slaving and fighting for and not getting any profit from while North American companies reap the benefit.) I actually would like to have a nice diamond, because I think they are beautiful, not because I want to show everyone that I am married, or to say, "Look what my man bought for me!"

So that's probably why, about two days ago while driving in my car I was really irked to hear a radio ad for Spence Diamonds, (nope, they don't get a link) whose ads have always bugged me, but this one really took the cake. Let me see if I can paraphrase:

"Psst. You. Yeah, you. I know what you're thinking, and you're right. Your girlfriend is paying for this ad because she wants you to know but she doesn't want to say it. She wants to get engaged. That's right, I said the "e" word - engaged! She knows that other guys are checking out her hand and they're happy when they don't see a diamond ring there. But she doesn't want them, she wants you. You know how wonderful she is, and it's time you showed her how much she means to you. She deserves it. So get her the diamond that proves it and make it official. She makes your world brighter, get her the diamond that makes her brighten up too..." blah, blah, blah. You get the idea.

But WOW!! Thanks, Spence, for clearly making almost every woman out there look like a complete ass. Because every woman is secretly plotting how to get her boyfriend to marry her and propose with a huge diamond, right? Because you can't be in a relationship without the pressure of marriage being the ultimate goal, right? Because that's the only way to do it and if he doesn't buy you a diamond, he doesn't truly love you, right? This ad isn't just an insult to women, it's an insult to normal, secure adult relationships!

Hearing the ad was timely because I'm currently reading The Meaning of Wife by Anne Kingston, where she talks about the role of the wife and how it is seen in society. (Yes, Janet, it's yours, and I will return it, just after I read it one last time!) Consider this:

While single women are carving out their own reality, improvising their lives, they are routinely targeted by marketing intended to inspire them to conform, to marry, and to spend. In effect, single women are being asked to buy into imagery that reduces them to marriage-hungry stereotypes not seen since the 1950s.

Kingston also writes:

De Beers also put a value on the future wife directly linked to her husband's earning potential. That arrived with its edict that an engagement ring should cost two months of her future husband's salary. The size of the diamond, went the marketing message, represented the depth of love, as illustrated in one De Beers ad: "You can't look at Jane and tell me she's not worth two months' salary. Just look at her. So I wanted to get her the biggest diamond I could afford. ONe that other men could see without getting too close."

The value of the ring was a flexible standard, however, based on what the market would bear. In Europe, men were asked to shell out the equivalent of one months' salary; in Japan, brides were assigned a higher price tag by De Beers as men were expected to spend three month's salary on their future wives.

I could go on. I strongly encourage everyone to read this book, it was thought-provoking and definately articulated some thoughts I have had about the role of the wife for a long time (for good and bad!)

Hubby and I did get a diamond ring when we were engaged, but we were so poor that we couldn't afford anything extravagant. I didn't care, I liked it more for the fact that it was a nice ring (and got a lot of compliments on its unique white and yellow gold design.)

I lost my engagement ring and wedding band when I was pregnant with Camryn and my fingers swelled up to the point where I couldn't get my rings off. I had them cut off at the jeweller's, and somehow lost them after that. He took his off when he started playing football and nearly lost a finger one day and never put it back on. So now neither of us wears a wedding band, because neither of us feels the need to show the world that we are married and in love by a piece of jewellery.

I'll end this rant with the statement that while I do appreciate a diamond, I will make it a point to not expect one from my husband - I can get one myself if I want it, because it is simply a piece of jewellery, not a statement about my availability, status, or relationship. And when I do get one, it will definitely not be from Spence Diamonds.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Some spring cleaning

I have a stack of books and DVDs to return. If you see something of yours here, hold your pants on, they're a-comin'.

 

But first, here's my brief review of each item pictured here before it goes home to its rightful owner:

How to Master the Art of Selling: I don't know about this one, The Hub borrowed it and read it. He said it's pretty old-school selling techniques, but some good info.

Le Mariage - Diane Johnson: After enjoying Le Divorce, I just couldn't get into this one. I tried a couple of times, but I found it sort of boring. It's not a follow-up of Le Divorce, it actually has nothing to do with Le Divorce at all, except for the French/American relationship/romance element. I skipped ahead and read some of the later parts of the book, and it still didn't hook me.

I am David - Anne Holm: I bought this book on Amazon because my teacher read it to our class in grade 5, and I remembered snippets of it and wanted to read the entire story again. It was not nearly as good as I remembered. The writing was a little weak, although the story is meant for a younger audience. It's the story of a boy in a concentration camp who escapes and it follows his adventures on his way to find his mother.

The Stepford Wives - Ira Levin: I was really excited to read this book after all I'd heard about it, and given the fact that "Stepford Wives" is a phrase used to describe "perfect housewives." I was disappointed. Maybe I would have appreciated it a bit more in the 60's or 70's when women's lib was different than it is now, but I find the whole "men are out to get us" theme a bit fanatical. (I have not seen the movie.)

The Matrix Reloaded: Never watched it. I did enjoy the original Matrix movie when it came out in theatres, but I haven't seen any of the sequels. I've heard mixed reviews on them, but I just never bothered to watch this one that I've had for literally a year and a half. It's just been sitting on my shelf.

The Big Lebowski: Hubby and I heard so many good reviews of this movie, and we were looking forward to watching it. I did like it, but I wasn't bowled over. It was funny and entertaining, but not one of my favourite movies ever. It's about this loser who gets mixed up in a mob hit, and of course manages to work things out.

The Devil Wears Prada - Lauren Weisberger- : This book is so popular, and gets great reviews, but I hated it! A girl who gets a job at a magazine as the self-absorbed, superbitch Editor-in-Chief's personal assistant has to deal with the boss from hell. Could have been funny, but wasn't. Kept wondering why she didn't just QUIT!! Hello?! Got annoying how all the other employees cowered in fear of this bitch. Didn't enjoy the book.

How to Be Good - Nick Hornby: This is one of the better books I've ever read. I loved it. Laughed out loud in a couple of parts, even. Hubby and I had to fight over it because we were reading it at the same time and couldn't put it down. It's about a woman who is in a lacklustre marriage, and in the process of deciding whether to split up, the concept of what "being good" means comes into play while her depressed husband makes some changes in his life, and hopes to change the world, with the help of his new best friend and guru, GoodNews. This book hads gotten mixed reviews and people often compare it poorly next to High Fidelity (which ironically I haven't managed to finish yet)and find it to be too sarcastic - which I think is what I liked about it. Deliciously nasty in some parts, very funny and enjoyable. I almost hate to return it.

The Stepford Wives and I am David are up for grabs. If you want it, you got it, just email me and let me know. Just make sure you give me your feedback after you read them. Posted by Picasa

Monday, April 03, 2006

Giggles at the Dollar Store

I'm at the dollar store today and told the kids they could each pick a cheap toy. Camryn ran up to me with toy handcuffs and said, "Can I get these?" The old woman with the raspy voice and the smoker's cough beside me said, "Heh, heh! Maybe those would be good for Mommy?!" and started laughing her head off.

I couldn't help it, I laughed too.