Down By The Bay
I saw the Road to Guantanamo today, and firstly, god bless Michael Winterbottom - this makes two brilliant films he's released here this year (Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story being the other!) and I'm so glad there are filmmakers like him and Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu about. Secondly, I was going to write a long speel about it, but I don't think anything I could say would have the same effect as seeing the film, so I'll just say it's a film that every citizen of the western world should see, particularly Americans, but also Australians given the David Hicks situation. And I'll also just share this:
On the gates to Guantanamo Bay's Camp Delta there's a sign that reads, "Guantanamo Bay: Honour Bound to Protect Freedom." The ironies of that slogan have haunted me all day.
In other news, I have rediscovered my love of fruit mince pies. And I splashed out and bought bananas today! I'm joining in the extravagant consumerism frenzy of christmas, I am ashamed. But not really - I've missed my bananas so!
Also, a few words about Saturday night's Alfred's Block Party, which ended up being not a Block Party at all and frankly, left us all feeling a little shortchanged as we made our way into the Arena. However by the time the New Pornographers started their set, any dissatisfaction was certainly removed from our minds. Their stellar set opened with Twin Cinema favourite Sing Me Spanish Techno and had the audience enchanted as they worked their way through a good mix of songs from all three albums, including old favourites like Mass Romantic (from the album of the same name) as well as a good handful from Twin Cinema and a few from Electric Version. Although I was a bit disappointed they didn't play Stacked Crooked or Letters from an Occupant, I can't say that their set was anything less than satisfying. Yet another reason why we love Canadians!
Headliners the Grates again reminded me why I love to see them live. Patience arrived dressed as Peter Pan, and the backing band included a Pirate and a Panda wearing an "I love DC" shirt. The crowd was in the palm of Patience's hand right from the opening with Lies are Much More Fun, and it didn't take long for her famed ribbon to make an appearance. They worked their way through almost all of Gravity Can't Get You High, and managed to fit in a few old favourites like Wash Me and Message. It amazes me that this band that has been touring almost constantly for the past 18 months still has so much genuine onstage energy and enthusiasm. And it's high time we started reliving all those beloved children's birthday parties! I like to think that backstage Patience, John and Alana eat fairy bread, cheerios and party pies.
So although Alfred's Block Party ended up being a misnomer, it was worth the trip, and would perhaps make a nice annual replacement for Livid, if the weather gods look favourably on us next year.
On the gates to Guantanamo Bay's Camp Delta there's a sign that reads, "Guantanamo Bay: Honour Bound to Protect Freedom." The ironies of that slogan have haunted me all day.
In other news, I have rediscovered my love of fruit mince pies. And I splashed out and bought bananas today! I'm joining in the extravagant consumerism frenzy of christmas, I am ashamed. But not really - I've missed my bananas so!
Also, a few words about Saturday night's Alfred's Block Party, which ended up being not a Block Party at all and frankly, left us all feeling a little shortchanged as we made our way into the Arena. However by the time the New Pornographers started their set, any dissatisfaction was certainly removed from our minds. Their stellar set opened with Twin Cinema favourite Sing Me Spanish Techno and had the audience enchanted as they worked their way through a good mix of songs from all three albums, including old favourites like Mass Romantic (from the album of the same name) as well as a good handful from Twin Cinema and a few from Electric Version. Although I was a bit disappointed they didn't play Stacked Crooked or Letters from an Occupant, I can't say that their set was anything less than satisfying. Yet another reason why we love Canadians!
Headliners the Grates again reminded me why I love to see them live. Patience arrived dressed as Peter Pan, and the backing band included a Pirate and a Panda wearing an "I love DC" shirt. The crowd was in the palm of Patience's hand right from the opening with Lies are Much More Fun, and it didn't take long for her famed ribbon to make an appearance. They worked their way through almost all of Gravity Can't Get You High, and managed to fit in a few old favourites like Wash Me and Message. It amazes me that this band that has been touring almost constantly for the past 18 months still has so much genuine onstage energy and enthusiasm. And it's high time we started reliving all those beloved children's birthday parties! I like to think that backstage Patience, John and Alana eat fairy bread, cheerios and party pies.
So although Alfred's Block Party ended up being a misnomer, it was worth the trip, and would perhaps make a nice annual replacement for Livid, if the weather gods look favourably on us next year.