I have been here for over four years now and have had the opportunity to make some astute observations about the situation of work in this city. Let's start with a few key issues like ridicuolous wages, hours and accessability, qualifications and nepotism.
First off let's talk hours. I really don't care about what hours businesses choose to employ their workers, but they have to learn to understand that working two jobs in this town means taking a bus or usually two. Two buses means an hour between jobs. Learn to flex just slightly. Secondly, employers Need to figure this out: If a person isn't making at least Double in cabfare home in gratuities, it is Not worth their while to work for minimum wage in the middle of BF-Nowhere until the buses (to which we shall turn shortly) stop running.
Qualifications! Heads up, employers, these are the things you Pay for when shopping for a worker. A university degree does Not mean $9/hr and Especially Not Minimum wage. Bilingualism is a special qualification that is worth at least a couple dollars an hour in the rest of Canada, so it's time to catch up Sudbury! Gamoto!
Okay I will concede that a lot of roadwork is untrained brute labour, without qualifications beyond "can you bend and lift?" This however, does not mean that it goes unpaid. $8/hr? Kiss my pearly northern ass! In case you haven't figured this one outlabour isn't cheap until you're in Mexico. Or is Sudbury just a subdivision of Mexico?
Nepotism. Well I have little against Nepotism for one main reason. Every job that nepotism ever got me was simple enough that I could have trained Anyone to do it. These jobs aren't difficult in the training sense. Waitstaff at a diner? Not hard to understand, but I do give credit to someone who follows through for 10 hours a day. My only Real issue is more a whining complaint: Could the bars just hire a Guy once in a while. I just want to tend your bar. I Know that the Hot Girl is going to sell more in most places, but surely there is Somewhere that can give a guy a start. Actually, Not a Start! I have my start, just no progress
What it comes down to / This is what I see.
This town keeps losing populace, due in largest part to youth outmigration. The City keeps putting together action committees to see why and find out how to staunch the flow. Start with the sad ass work situation. This requires private industry to play ball, but if they don't they won't be able to tap the market.
Employers think they are Mighty Damned Special in this town I tell you. Partly because they have a complacent audience. Oh sure, your old man works in the mine, so you're just killin' time anyhow why Should you mind minimum wage. These people don't intend to leave the Suds. This provides a layer of insulation in a sense. Employers don't Have to offer more and people from outside cannot afford to live here unless they come on high level at work. People don't come in, but youth certainly leaves.
In all fairness, there Are several good places to work here, but they are in the minority. There are not Enough places to work overall, but so be it. That's a separate issue that needs in depth discussion too. Get with it, Sudbury! If you don't shape up I shall return in 30 years in a rented plane, flying over to watch the final cataclysm as the Earth opens wide and this town slides down its gaping maw, swallowed in one go.
Monday, May 30, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
Jen & Andrew - Here's your musical guide:
Originally these tracks were laid out roughly to tell the story of you guys going to Los Angeles, but how much story is there to: "We're going to Los Angeles"? Instead I decided to group them by similarities and notions. Enjoy.
Track 1 - From New York to LA - Chosen by the inimitable Ms. Woolger. One listen said fun fun fun! Shake your asses for us in your absence.
Track 2 - Hot Buttered Popcorn - We both agreed on this one. Across from the Kodak Theatre, I was thinking of films and your love of film. What else is more natural with good film than popcorn? This one is a fave that had the kiddies poppin' in their seats even when I was a youngster.
Track 3 - Hollywood - Again, Stephanie's choice. I have to agree with her too, if there was Ever a pop star that was worthy of representing the Glamour of Hollywood, it is surely Madonna.
Track 4 - Sex on the Beach - You Better! If only so I can live vicariously through your stories afterward.
Track 5 - Burn Hollywood Burn - An old favourite, a little politic...
Track 6 - Goin' Back to Cali - I listened to this exemplary LL Cool J song a Thousand times when I went to Los Angeles. Dig that down'n'dirty Raunchy horn at the start. As though Kool Herc were messing with the Chicago soundtrack.
Track 7 - California Bound - It's a nice little thing I put in because You like the Pixies, this was done by their ex-lead.
Track 8 - California Sun - A classic! by one of the greatest Rock'n'Roll groups to ever walk the Earth. (Also one of the best bands for cover tunes. You're never gonna stop Rockin'!!!
Track 9 - California Uber Alles - Before the Governator was in office, the Dead Kennedy's wrote this mainstay of punk. 'Course that was the 80s. "Camahhhn de playne is lieeeeving. Paeck yer bags or ah'll keelll you! Get Dauuuuwn! Dauwn South! " ;)
Track 10 - California Dreamin' - This was a natural, we both agreed, but have you ever heard Pennywise cover it?
Track 11 - Los Angeles is Burning - I felt Bad Religion was a good call for this set. The quality of sound maybe slightly skewed, I apologize for this.
Track 12 - California - I didn't even think about the song itself. It's by Weezer. It IS a cover.
Track 13 - Miserlou - You'll be shootin' the waves with the surfer girls... I'm jealous
Track 14 - Malibu - From the album that was the true death of punk. This song just Screams Stevie Nicks, doesn't it? And in the end, what was punk trying to get away from...
Track 15 - LA Woman - Cruise down PCH at about midnight, starting at the top of the geography and play this song. Life will make so much sense. Also play this song on your way to Whiskey A Go-Go, or hear about it from Ulrich...
Track 16 - Screenwriter's Blues - Put on your black beret and darkest shades to listen to this: If Alan Ginsberg were with you on the plane, he'd be listening to this song - a soundscape of LA. You didn't know you were going to Racida, did you? *lol
Track 17 - Leaving on a Jet Plane - Sad & Sweet, Steph and I Had to put this on if only to get away from naming the state again. This version is by Joplin, so you be sure to listen to it as well, while on the way to Whiskey...
Track 18 - Going to California - Ya didn't think I would lay down twenty tracks on such a specific theme and miss This one didja?
Track 19 - Malibu Love Nest - If you haven't heard Luna yet, let me share this awesome band with you now. Then when you get home, go buy all their albums...
Track 20 - Endless Summer - well have a good trip!
Track 1 - From New York to LA - Chosen by the inimitable Ms. Woolger. One listen said fun fun fun! Shake your asses for us in your absence.
Track 2 - Hot Buttered Popcorn - We both agreed on this one. Across from the Kodak Theatre, I was thinking of films and your love of film. What else is more natural with good film than popcorn? This one is a fave that had the kiddies poppin' in their seats even when I was a youngster.
Track 3 - Hollywood - Again, Stephanie's choice. I have to agree with her too, if there was Ever a pop star that was worthy of representing the Glamour of Hollywood, it is surely Madonna.
Track 4 - Sex on the Beach - You Better! If only so I can live vicariously through your stories afterward.
Track 5 - Burn Hollywood Burn - An old favourite, a little politic...
Track 6 - Goin' Back to Cali - I listened to this exemplary LL Cool J song a Thousand times when I went to Los Angeles. Dig that down'n'dirty Raunchy horn at the start. As though Kool Herc were messing with the Chicago soundtrack.
Track 7 - California Bound - It's a nice little thing I put in because You like the Pixies, this was done by their ex-lead.
Track 8 - California Sun - A classic! by one of the greatest Rock'n'Roll groups to ever walk the Earth. (Also one of the best bands for cover tunes. You're never gonna stop Rockin'!!!
Track 9 - California Uber Alles - Before the Governator was in office, the Dead Kennedy's wrote this mainstay of punk. 'Course that was the 80s. "Camahhhn de playne is lieeeeving. Paeck yer bags or ah'll keelll you! Get Dauuuuwn! Dauwn South! " ;)
Track 10 - California Dreamin' - This was a natural, we both agreed, but have you ever heard Pennywise cover it?
Track 11 - Los Angeles is Burning - I felt Bad Religion was a good call for this set. The quality of sound maybe slightly skewed, I apologize for this.
Track 12 - California - I didn't even think about the song itself. It's by Weezer. It IS a cover.
Track 13 - Miserlou - You'll be shootin' the waves with the surfer girls... I'm jealous
Track 14 - Malibu - From the album that was the true death of punk. This song just Screams Stevie Nicks, doesn't it? And in the end, what was punk trying to get away from...
Track 15 - LA Woman - Cruise down PCH at about midnight, starting at the top of the geography and play this song. Life will make so much sense. Also play this song on your way to Whiskey A Go-Go, or hear about it from Ulrich...
Track 16 - Screenwriter's Blues - Put on your black beret and darkest shades to listen to this: If Alan Ginsberg were with you on the plane, he'd be listening to this song - a soundscape of LA. You didn't know you were going to Racida, did you? *lol
Track 17 - Leaving on a Jet Plane - Sad & Sweet, Steph and I Had to put this on if only to get away from naming the state again. This version is by Joplin, so you be sure to listen to it as well, while on the way to Whiskey...
Track 18 - Going to California - Ya didn't think I would lay down twenty tracks on such a specific theme and miss This one didja?
Track 19 - Malibu Love Nest - If you haven't heard Luna yet, let me share this awesome band with you now. Then when you get home, go buy all their albums...
Track 20 - Endless Summer - well have a good trip!
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
I just Love those werewolf showtunes!
That's right, I have been trying a program called Konfabulator and it is KonFaaaabulouuuus! For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, it runs little tiny programs,(essentially webpages I am told),which are Java/Flash/HTML based. These are called "widgets," - you may have heard of them if you are familiar with Apple's OS X Tiger, which uses them.
There are four which I am currently in love with. The first is a simple clock, graphically elegant and settable to any place in the world. You can run multiple clocks simultaneously. The second is a to do list. That's it, cross of your items as you go. The third is pure vanity: a very stylish glass widget with which I can control iTunes. It suits my theme very well indeed. Lastly, we come to a sort of frivolity. That is, for Some people it is a frivolity but living in Sudbury it is just a good idea. It is the Werewolf Tracker.
Aside from this exist a number of funky little items, most notably: a gmail tracker, a global earthquake tracker which is connected to the U.S. Geological Survey office and a Mystery Science Theatre 3000 (MST3k)widget that puts Mike, Servo and Crow on your desktop to make the occaisional quip. There was also one to track Xforums, which I have been writing on for over a year now, but I personally would rather open the site and browse it.
A Werewolf Tracker!
- Cuz, you see, I got into a discussion about the supernatural creatures that would inhabit Sudbury IF supernaturals Would inhabit Sudbury. One friend suggested that their would be vampires, but clearly he was wrong. Anybody who has been to Azilda / Chelmsford* could see plainly that it is werewolf territory. No doubt.
For those of you who were on the boardwalk at Lake Ramsey last night, (hallo to you!), it should also be clear that the moon is a clear and obvious influence to the area.
Now, keeping in the theme of the moon, I would like to mention the moth I had on my foot not half an hour ago. I have trod the Urf for three years more than three decades and never seen its like before. As I sat out for the evening's final cig, I see this creature, three or more inches across, mint green with brown and white teardrops on its fragile (and in fact torn) wings. It had beautiful black eyes and a powder white body.
The moth sat in front of the door to the apartment (I am at Rotorooter's & Hazelnut's place tonight). Realizing it is a sure place to get stepped on, I tried to nudge the little beauty aside for its own safety and up it crawls onto my sock! (Now That's trust)! I looked at it (and spoke to it) for quite a while. When my cig was done I tried to let it gently onto a nearby bush.
As it was wounded, I knew I would have time to get the girls and bring them out to show them. When I came in I interrupted Jenny and Stephanie as they were changing into their nightthings. Perhaps because of my enthusiasm they came nearly immediately downstairs with me.
Jenny recognized the creature nearly immediately and for those of you who wonder what the flying jack this has to do with the moon, here's your answer: According to Jenny, it is a Lunar Moth. Well of course! In fact if anyone Did wonder what this has to do with the moon, Think! Moths are nocturnal and seek light. Before cities they would seek the moon. I reckon to some extent All moths are lunar then.
Finally, for as they say good things come in threes, I have been writing a little more for someone very special. Without saying much** I will state that part of the last thing I wrote for said special person included talk of tides, specifically a neap tide, and yes I kept it tidy! There you go, tides of course are driven by the moon.
Ah it is wonderful to be a creature of the night!
*When I have children, assuming I do, I am deeply considering naming one of the girls Azilda Chelmsford. I will only do this if I am living in England and working for some form of upper-crusty situation and make a regular habit of going to the Drones Club.
**For it is really None of your business, yet the the 'comes in threes' reality Must be satisfied. Three. It really is the magic number! (^_^)
There are four which I am currently in love with. The first is a simple clock, graphically elegant and settable to any place in the world. You can run multiple clocks simultaneously. The second is a to do list. That's it, cross of your items as you go. The third is pure vanity: a very stylish glass widget with which I can control iTunes. It suits my theme very well indeed. Lastly, we come to a sort of frivolity. That is, for Some people it is a frivolity but living in Sudbury it is just a good idea. It is the Werewolf Tracker.
Aside from this exist a number of funky little items, most notably: a gmail tracker, a global earthquake tracker which is connected to the U.S. Geological Survey office and a Mystery Science Theatre 3000 (MST3k)widget that puts Mike, Servo and Crow on your desktop to make the occaisional quip. There was also one to track Xforums, which I have been writing on for over a year now, but I personally would rather open the site and browse it.
A Werewolf Tracker!
- Cuz, you see, I got into a discussion about the supernatural creatures that would inhabit Sudbury IF supernaturals Would inhabit Sudbury. One friend suggested that their would be vampires, but clearly he was wrong. Anybody who has been to Azilda / Chelmsford* could see plainly that it is werewolf territory. No doubt.
For those of you who were on the boardwalk at Lake Ramsey last night, (hallo to you!), it should also be clear that the moon is a clear and obvious influence to the area.
Now, keeping in the theme of the moon, I would like to mention the moth I had on my foot not half an hour ago. I have trod the Urf for three years more than three decades and never seen its like before. As I sat out for the evening's final cig, I see this creature, three or more inches across, mint green with brown and white teardrops on its fragile (and in fact torn) wings. It had beautiful black eyes and a powder white body.
The moth sat in front of the door to the apartment (I am at Rotorooter's & Hazelnut's place tonight). Realizing it is a sure place to get stepped on, I tried to nudge the little beauty aside for its own safety and up it crawls onto my sock! (Now That's trust)! I looked at it (and spoke to it) for quite a while. When my cig was done I tried to let it gently onto a nearby bush.
As it was wounded, I knew I would have time to get the girls and bring them out to show them. When I came in I interrupted Jenny and Stephanie as they were changing into their nightthings. Perhaps because of my enthusiasm they came nearly immediately downstairs with me.
Jenny recognized the creature nearly immediately and for those of you who wonder what the flying jack this has to do with the moon, here's your answer: According to Jenny, it is a Lunar Moth. Well of course! In fact if anyone Did wonder what this has to do with the moon, Think! Moths are nocturnal and seek light. Before cities they would seek the moon. I reckon to some extent All moths are lunar then.
Finally, for as they say good things come in threes, I have been writing a little more for someone very special. Without saying much** I will state that part of the last thing I wrote for said special person included talk of tides, specifically a neap tide, and yes I kept it tidy! There you go, tides of course are driven by the moon.
Ah it is wonderful to be a creature of the night!
*When I have children, assuming I do, I am deeply considering naming one of the girls Azilda Chelmsford. I will only do this if I am living in England and working for some form of upper-crusty situation and make a regular habit of going to the Drones Club.
**For it is really None of your business, yet the the 'comes in threes' reality Must be satisfied. Three. It really is the magic number! (^_^)
Friday, May 20, 2005
Pirish...
Scanning some other parts of the net that I like to read, I noticed that an aquatically oriented friend pulled a great compliment. Somebody wrote tohim saying "Luke! If you were a movie, you'd be rated Arrrrr!"
Now I have to say I am jealous of that compliment. In the ongoing debate between Pirates and Ninjas I have to say that Ninjas kick more ass, but Pirates have more fun. I'd much rather have fun than kick ass. Pirates, unfortunately, get plenty more hangovers than Ninjas.
On that note, I'm off to pillage some Advil™ and plunder half a gallon of water before I finish the day. (which is to say 'before I start the day').
Now I have to say I am jealous of that compliment. In the ongoing debate between Pirates and Ninjas I have to say that Ninjas kick more ass, but Pirates have more fun. I'd much rather have fun than kick ass. Pirates, unfortunately, get plenty more hangovers than Ninjas.
On that note, I'm off to pillage some Advil™ and plunder half a gallon of water before I finish the day. (which is to say 'before I start the day').
Thursday, May 19, 2005
It ain't my fault...
I nearly forgot, but to all the people who have blamed me for stuff in the last couple days (and you know who you are ;)):
IT AIN'T MY FAULT!
You may now find another scapegoat. I will expect payments in Cash for scapegoat services rendered...
IT AIN'T MY FAULT!
You may now find another scapegoat. I will expect payments in Cash for scapegoat services rendered...
If only Bjork could see this...
There is a show called "Isobel" that ran last night for its second time. It is the brainchild of Jenny Hazelton, but it was inspired by the music of the amazing Icelandic artist mentioned in the title.
Jenny brought together a series of songs by Björk and wove them into a storyline that describes the genesis of Isobel, her creation of the world and its subsequent destruction by overzealous, greedy, stupid humanity. Having lit the theatre in nothing but blacklight, Hazelton populated the stage with more than a hundred puppets that she made herself. She brought together an amazing group of performers (best I've worked with!) and choreographed the show.
For a more thorough description of this show I reference http://thisoldshack.blogspot.com/ wherein Andrew Root provides details. By all means check that article out! What I want to say now is simpler, and has been said before.
I remember hearing a live version of a song by the SugarCubes back when Björk was their lead. At one point she screamed like an enraged child and I was so fascinated by her. As time went on I have been continually impressed with this Icelandic wonder. One of the things that has been so wondrous about her through the years is that she seems to Always have a child-like fascination and appreciation for the world around her (so I see in video, interviews, etc...). It is an exceedingly rare thing and when I am getting down on the world it is often Björk that I turn to so that I keep even keel. From discussion, I know that Jenny feels the same - and here's why I am writing at this moment.
I wish Björk could have seen the show we put on tonight, because I know she would have loved it. It is a great thing for an artist to know that they have inspired others. Beyond that I am sure she would have revelled in watching the story, presented with Jenny's genius behind it, as did the 160 children that we played to tonight.
There is a DVD of the first performance which I am preparing here at home, but I wouldn't know how to send it to Björk and even if I could, it's not the same as seeing it live...
Björk, if you ever read this give me a response and we will mount the show again just for you (^_^)
Jenny brought together a series of songs by Björk and wove them into a storyline that describes the genesis of Isobel, her creation of the world and its subsequent destruction by overzealous, greedy, stupid humanity. Having lit the theatre in nothing but blacklight, Hazelton populated the stage with more than a hundred puppets that she made herself. She brought together an amazing group of performers (best I've worked with!) and choreographed the show.
For a more thorough description of this show I reference http://thisoldshack.blogspot.com/ wherein Andrew Root provides details. By all means check that article out! What I want to say now is simpler, and has been said before.
I remember hearing a live version of a song by the SugarCubes back when Björk was their lead. At one point she screamed like an enraged child and I was so fascinated by her. As time went on I have been continually impressed with this Icelandic wonder. One of the things that has been so wondrous about her through the years is that she seems to Always have a child-like fascination and appreciation for the world around her (so I see in video, interviews, etc...). It is an exceedingly rare thing and when I am getting down on the world it is often Björk that I turn to so that I keep even keel. From discussion, I know that Jenny feels the same - and here's why I am writing at this moment.
I wish Björk could have seen the show we put on tonight, because I know she would have loved it. It is a great thing for an artist to know that they have inspired others. Beyond that I am sure she would have revelled in watching the story, presented with Jenny's genius behind it, as did the 160 children that we played to tonight.
There is a DVD of the first performance which I am preparing here at home, but I wouldn't know how to send it to Björk and even if I could, it's not the same as seeing it live...
Björk, if you ever read this give me a response and we will mount the show again just for you (^_^)
Monday, May 09, 2005
Pound it out...
Having deleted two blogs already, I wonder if there is any sense in starting another. There is something fascinating about having one's words available to the world for no other reason than to be heard. - I lie, of course, there is another reason. This one is simple. Sometimes it happens that one faces a huge block and cannot seem to write anything good to save one's life. How frustrating.
I don't like to sound vindictive, but truth is I am glad that I am not the only one this happens to. (The suffering seems so reduced when I watch others twist in the wind with me). At any rate, the best thing for it was pushed on me by my editor (whose name is Ed), during my practicum at the Star. He told me to just pound out any old crap. Stories, shopping lists, even the things you most want to tell a hated authority figure. Turn your mind off and do not worry about which words come or how much sense they make.
This area is going to be where I do just that. Normally I don't believe in leaving what may essentially be very low-grade content strewn about the mediascape. There are two reasons I am willing to in this case. First off, I have noticed that every so often I am inspired by the most common, plain or banal things. If it can happen to me, I reckon, then it can happen to others (just like the damn block). Secondly, it is worth considering that at least statistically, sooner or later, a mountain of soot will produce a diamond. So be it.
If you end up reading any of this and in any way enjoy it - well, cheers! Feel free to comment. Same goes if you don't like it, although in all fairness; You were warned.
Cheers, Ed!
I don't like to sound vindictive, but truth is I am glad that I am not the only one this happens to. (The suffering seems so reduced when I watch others twist in the wind with me). At any rate, the best thing for it was pushed on me by my editor (whose name is Ed), during my practicum at the Star. He told me to just pound out any old crap. Stories, shopping lists, even the things you most want to tell a hated authority figure. Turn your mind off and do not worry about which words come or how much sense they make.
This area is going to be where I do just that. Normally I don't believe in leaving what may essentially be very low-grade content strewn about the mediascape. There are two reasons I am willing to in this case. First off, I have noticed that every so often I am inspired by the most common, plain or banal things. If it can happen to me, I reckon, then it can happen to others (just like the damn block). Secondly, it is worth considering that at least statistically, sooner or later, a mountain of soot will produce a diamond. So be it.
If you end up reading any of this and in any way enjoy it - well, cheers! Feel free to comment. Same goes if you don't like it, although in all fairness; You were warned.
Cheers, Ed!
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